Chapter 69: Will He Let Him Die?

This was the first time Shuangxu had ever been to Song Mianzhi’s study. Half of the space was occupied by books, with antique paintings hanging on the walls, and a thick sandalwood fragrance floating in the air.

On the east side stood a small rosewood sofa, with cloud patterns carved on it, symbolizing high promotion and good fortune since ancient times.

Song Mianzhi knew why she came, and asked her to sit down, “I heard from your aunt that you’ve been starting a company with your friends since you returned to China. How’s it going?”

Shuangxu had no intention of wasting time on these topics, and answered perfunctorily, “Just starting up.”

“The current environment is not easy for starting a business. If you have any difficulties, tell your family, don’t try to handle it alone. Your grandfather may be a bit strict with you, but he’s doing it for your own good.”

They hadn’t seen each other for a long time, but Song Mianzhi knew everything about her return to China.

Shuangxu didn’t feel like arguing about her grandfather’s motives, she came here for one purpose.

“Dad, my foster father is in trouble, can you help?”

Song Mianzhi calmly poured a cup of tea, “Do you know what kind of case this is? It’s not something you can get involved in.”

“Dad, I’ve never asked you for anything, just this one thing, please, okay?”

She hadn’t slept a wink last night, and her eyes welled up as soon as she spoke, pleading with him. Song Mianzhi put down the teapot.

“This case involves so many people, the Discipline Inspection Commission has set up a special investigation team, everyone is watching, it’s not as simple as you think.”

“But my foster father was framed…”

Song Mianzhi interrupted her before she could finish the sentence, “The officialdom is not a child’s play, you don’t understand these things, don’t talk nonsense, and don’t get involved, it will cause trouble for the Song family.”

Shuangxu understood, he wouldn’t help.

But she still held out a glimmer of hope, “I know I don’t mean much to you, you’ve never raised me, my brother and my foster parents raised me, you owe them a favor.”

“Are you blackmailing me?”

“I’m not blackmailing you, I’m stating facts, the Shen family is in trouble, everyone can stand by and watch, you shouldn’t.”

“Are you only concerned about the Shen family?” Song Mianzhi’s voice sank, “If I intervene, I’m pushing the Song family into the fire pit. To help them, I’m willing to sacrifice the Song family, are you willing to do that too?”

If Shuangxu had a choice, she wouldn’t hesitate for a second to trade the Song family for the Shen family.

“I just hope you can do something for them within your means.”

“Don’t meddle in this matter anymore.” Song Mianzhi waved his hand back, his attitude firm, “Get out.”

In the ensuing two minutes of silence, neither father nor daughter spoke, the sandalwood fragrance carried a growing sense of estrangement.

Disappointed, Shuangxu didn’t say a word, pulled open the door and left without looking back.

Hearing that she was back, Song Leyan, who had been sleeping in all day, got up and leaned against the stairs, waiting for her.

As soon as she saw Shuangxu come out, she sarcastically said, “What is the daughter of the Shen family doing at our house?”

Shuangxu ignored her and went downstairs.

Song Leyan followed her, “Political struggles are like this, the winner takes all, you can only blame your foster father for being unlucky, he was classmates with that person. Look at the Zheng family, they stood on the right side, and they will be even more glorious in the future.”

Shuangxu ignored her, and she kept on chattering, “What were you thinking, you actually came back to ask your father for help? Do you know that your father is going to be promoted to minister next year, if he gets involved in this trouble, his career will be affected. You really don’t understand anything!”

“Leyan.” Cui Ning gave her a warning look, and Song Leyan shut her mouth.

Shuangxu didn’t even say hello to Cui Ning, and walked out of this disgusting house without stopping.

Self-preservation is the nature of everyone, and Song Mianzhi just proved his selfishness once again, and her importance as a daughter.

The sun was shining brightly, but her heart was icy cold, no matter how much she basked in the sun, it wouldn’t warm up.

Back at the hospital, she ran into Lu Manman, who had just arrived in a hurry.

They hadn’t seen each other since Dongyu Mountain.

“Xiao Jiu!” Lu Manman ran over and hugged her, “I heard that Aunt Fu fainted last night, I came to see her. Are you okay?”

“My foster mother is awake, you go in and see her.”

Shuangxu’s heavy heart couldn’t squeeze out a smile for a while, she didn’t want to make Fu Yun feel worse, so she didn’t go in, and sat down on a chair in the corridor.

“I’m embarrassed to see her.” Lu Manman sat down beside her dejectedly, “I begged my dad for a long time, he said this matter is too sensitive, even a little action will be suspected of taking sides, they are not convenient to interfere now, and asked me not to worry about it.”

The warmth and coldness of human relationships, it’s not surprising at all.

Shuangxu expressed her understanding, “Your father is right to do this.”

The Lu family and the Shen family are related by marriage, which is already sensitive, once the Lu family moves for Shen Changyuan, it is easy to be labeled as an accomplice, and then be implicated.

The Yue family and the Zuo family are the same, the risk is too great, one wrong step and they will be stained with blood.

Lu Manman plucked up her courage to go in and see Fu Yun, Fu Yun understood the stakes better than these younger generations, and didn’t even ask the Lu family to help, she apologized to her, “Your engagement with Ayu  has to be postponed, we’ll have a big celebration for you later, when the dust settles.”

As for when later is, and whether this storm will ever “pass,” no one can say for sure.

If Shen Changyuan is convicted, their marriage will probably be sentenced to death as well.

“It’s okay, Aunt Fu, Ayu  and I are not in a hurry, now Uncle Shen’s matter is more important.” Lu Manman said very understandingly, “Don’t be too sad, you have to take care of your health, Uncle Shen is such a good person, he will be safe and sound.”

Fu Yun squeezed out a smile to reassure her, but the worry in her brows never faded.

For several days, Shen Yu had been running around for Shen Changyuan…

Human relationships are as thin as paper. Few people offer help in times of need, while many seize the opportunity to make things difficult.

That evening, he and Yue Zifeng arrived at the hospital very late.

“How is Aunt Fu doing?” Yue Zifeng asked.

“Her condition has stabilized these past two days. She wants to go home.”

“That’s good.” Yue Zifeng’s usual flippant demeanor was gone, replaced by a calmness. He comforted her, “Don’t worry too much, little sister. Just stay at the hospital and take care of Aunt Fu. Your brother and I will handle this.”

The Yue family couldn’t directly intervene, but their years of friendship meant they offered a lot of support behind the scenes.

“If she wants to go home, let her.” Shen Yu said, “I have something to do tomorrow and won’t be able to come. I’ll send the driver to pick you up.”

Shuang Xu noticed the red bloodshot in his eyes. He probably hadn’t slept well for days, and there was still the smell of alcohol from the dinner party.

She didn’t mention going to find Song Mianzhi, and said obediently, “Okay.”

After Shen Yu and Yue Zifeng left, Shuang Xu watched their backs from the window. Without warning, He Tingzhou’s face popped into her mind.

The He family…

If there was someone who had the power to step in and save Shen Changyuan from this predicament, it would be Commander He.

She wondered if Shen Yu had asked He Tingzhou for help.

With no progress on the situation, had he refused?

He and Shen Yu were friends. Would he stand by and watch?