"You've met them all?" Surprised as he was, Shen Yi quickly regained his composure. His expression remained normal, as if he didn't recognize the people in the photos.
"I've met them. I'd like to hear your story," said Shen Rui, half - reclined on the sofa. Shen Qing Shan's reaction further confirmed Shen Rui's suspicion.
The first thought that popped into Shen Rui's mind was what if Shen Qing Shan really had an affair?
After careful consideration, Shen Rui actually felt that it didn't seem like a big deal. His mother had been gone for many years. If Shen Qing Shan really had an affair, he could probably accept it. The key was, if Shen Qing Shan had other children, did it mean there would be other heirs to the Shen Group? Maybe he wouldn't have to worry about it in the future.
Thinking of this, Shen Rui even felt a little thrilled.
"Old man, everyone has a wild youth. Don't worry, I understand," Shen Rui said with a mischievous smile on his face, practically wearing his schadenfreude on his sleeve.
"... What are you thinking about all day long? Spending too much time helping others with their psychological problems has made you crazy?" It was true that Shen Qing Shan was getting old, but he exercised regularly and was very agile. Just as Shen Rui was laughing heartily, Shen Qing Shan's walking stick landed on him.
Shen Rui was instantly stunned. He started to run around the office, shouting, "Are you crazy? You did it, but you don't allow others to talk about it?"
As he ran, Shen Rui couldn't help but talk back, as if he had returned to his childhood.
Before long, Shen Qing Shan got tired. He threw his walking stick on the ground and simply sat on the carpet, showing no pretense at all.
"If you keep talking nonsense, I'll skin you alive," Shen Qing Shan said. Although he was sitting on the ground, his tone was still firm.
After being beaten a few times by Shen Qing Shan, Shen Rui became much more obedient. He sat not far from Shen Qing Shan, waiting for him to speak.
"I didn't want to tell you kids about the old - generation's affairs. He's not the child of some random woman I had an affair with," Shen Qing Shan finally spoke after a few minutes. His voice sounded distant.
Even after all these years, many things were still vivid in his mind and deeply engraved in his heart.
When Shen Qing Shan was young, the educated - youth down - to - the - countryside movement was in full swing. At that passionate age, he was among the first batch of people to go to the countryside. It seemed that everything was predestined.
During his time in the countryside, Shen Qing Shan met Shen Yi's mother. They quickly fell in love, got married in a hurry, and soon, Mrs. Shen was pregnant. Meanwhile, Shen Qing Shan was about to return to the city.
The family thought their hard days were coming to an end. In the first few years, the relationship between Shen Qing Shan and his wife was indeed very good. That period was also the happiest time for Shen Qing Shan.
However, unexpectedly, when Mrs. Shen was pregnant again, Shen Qing Shan encountered some business crises. He was so busy dealing with business matters that he paid less attention to his wife and somewhat neglected her.
At first, Shen Qing Shan didn't realize how serious the situation was. It wasn't until after Shen Rui was born that Mrs. Shen's emotions became increasingly unstable. In the most extreme case, she almost committed suicide with Shen Rui in her arms.
After that, Shen Qing Shan realized that his wife's depression was already so severe. But at that time, he was fully focused on his career. He thought that as long as professional caregivers were hired, there wouldn't be any problems.
All he had to do was work hard to make money and find better doctors for his wife.
It wasn't until Mrs. Shen disappeared that Shen Qing Shan realized he had underestimated the situation. He searched for her like a madman for many years but couldn't find any trace of her. There were moments when he thought about giving up and falling into decadence, but when he saw the infant Shen Rui, he persevered.
"I should have spent more time with her. It's all my fault," Shen Qing Shan felt much more relieved now that he could finally confide this long - hidden secret.
When he learned that Shen Yi was in City A, he had thought about going to find Shen Yi and recognize him, but he wasn't sure if Shen Yi would believe him or forgive him.
To be honest, after so many years of separation, Shen Qing Shan was now in an ostrich - like state of mind. He preferred to watch Shen Yi's family from afar rather than get close.
Sitting on the ground, Shen Rui didn't know how to describe his feelings. According to Shen Qing Shan's story, he and Shen Yi were not half - brothers. They were real blood brothers.
Suddenly, Shen Rui jumped up from the ground and rushed out of the room.