CHAPTER 17 (PART 1)

Shen Jingyan sat in his spacious office, his unease growing by the minute. With an expressionless face, he pulled out a handful of pills and swallowed them without hesitation. After washing them down with water, the discomfort in his chest seemed to ease—at least for a moment.

However, the relief was fleeting. Soon, the discomfort returned. His face turned pale as he set down the document in his hands and leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes to rest. After a brief moment, he felt slightly better and picked up his phone to text Shi Li:

What are you doing?

Shi Li, still on the way to the airport, nearly jumped when she saw his message. Her heart skipped a beat as she thought for a moment before replying:

Feeling shy.

Shen Jingyan was speechless for a moment. Since when have you been this thin-skinned?

Shi Li’s hands trembled as she typed back: Not that thin-skinned, just not used to it. Let me adjust for a day, and I’ll be fine.

Shen Jingyan smirked. Actually, I thought about it. Instead of you adjusting on your own, wouldn’t it be better if I helped?

Shi Li replied cautiously: How would you help?

A playful glint flashed in Shen Jingyan’s eyes, though his tone remained serious. Do it a few more times, and you’ll get used to it.

Shi Li responded with a string of ellipses, followed by an exasperated message: Stop texting me! I’m not replying anymore!

Shen Jingyan lowered his gaze, then chuckled softly and obediently placed his phone back on the desk.

The butler, who had just walked in to deliver some documents, happened to witness the scene. After a brief moment of surprise, he remarked with satisfaction, “Sir, you seem genuinely happy.”

“Do I?” Shen Jingyan’s expression instantly returned to its usual composure.

The butler nodded. “Yes. I’ve been by your side for quite some time, but I’ve never seen you smile like this. If you keep this up, I believe your health will recover quickly. Speaking of which, all of this is thanks to Miss Shi.”

“Her?” Shen Jingyan scoffed. “I won’t owe her anything. She’s the worst—ruthless and heartless when she bullies me. She’s nothing like the person she usually pretends to be.” His tone sounded like a complaint, but the warmth in his voice was undeniable, each word dripping with honey. “What she should do now is make sure I stay in a good mood every single day.”

“If that’s the case, then you should treat her well. A woman needs to be cherished—only then will she be willing to stay by your side.” Though the butler knew Shen Jingyan had a habit of saying one thing and meaning another, he couldn’t help but worry.

Shen Jingyan shot him a sidelong glance. “Of course, I’ll treat her well.”

“And how exactly do you plan to do that?” The butler remained skeptical.

Shen Jingyan thought for a moment. “I’m already hers. There’s not much else I can give her… How about I give her the Shen family?”

The butler was stunned. “What do you mean?” Was he implying that Shi Li would become the mistress of the Shen family?

Shen Jingyan spoke slowly. “Gather my shares and personal assets. I want to transfer them to her name.”

“…Isn’t that a bit extreme?” The butler was utterly dumbfounded. He hadn’t expected Shen Jingyan to be this much of a lovesick fool.

Shen Jingyan lowered his gaze. “Give her everything.”

“But even if Miss Shi becomes the owner of the Shen family’s fortune… she doesn’t know how to manage it,” the butler reminded him cautiously. He understood the impulse to give everything to a loved one, but this was still too reckless.

Shen Jingyan remained unfazed. “I’ll be there.”

“…This is too big of a decision. You should think it over carefully and discuss it with Miss Shi first.” The butler feared that the more he objected, the more determined Shen Jingyan would be. Not daring to press the issue further, he set down the documents and quickly left.

Shen Jingyan picked up the files and flipped through a few pages before texting Shi Li again:

I have a gift for you. Do you want it?

Shi Li, who was in the middle of checking in at the airport, shuddered at the message. Although she had just said she wouldn’t reply, she was worried that ignoring him entirely would raise suspicion. Clenching her teeth, she forced herself to respond:

What gift?

Shen Jingyan thought for a moment before replying:

A very expensive one.

Shi Li frowned. What exactly is it?

As soon as she sent the message, her phone rang—it was Shen Jingyan calling.

Her heart nearly stopped. Panicked, her fingers trembled as she hastily declined the call.

A message came instantly after: Why did you hang up?

Shi Li rushed into the boarding area, found a quiet corner, and replied:

Didn’t you say I could have some time alone? Why are you calling me?!

Shen Jingyan: I have a gift for you.

Shi Li: …Just bring it to me tonight.

Shen Jingyan thought about it and realized it was hard to explain over the phone. Besides, she would most likely refuse. It was better to wait until he got home and then use a mix of coercion and persuasion to make her accept it.

He knew very well that Shi Li might not like the gift, but it was something that would ensure she remained by his side—a strong insurance policy.

That was good enough.

A subtle curve appeared at the corner of Shen Jingyan’s lips. He decided to find a way to make her accept it later in the evening. Setting his phone down, he attempted to focus on work. However, his mind kept wandering, replaying the wonderful night they had shared.

The more he thought about it, the more his body reacted. Shen Jingyan frowned, momentarily speechless, irritated by his own lack of self-control. However, his eyes and lips carried an entirely different emotion.

The discomfort surged through him again. Taking a slow, deep breath, he picked up his phone, hoping to distract himself by texting Shi Li:

—What do you plan to eat for lunch?

This time, Shi Li didn’t reply immediately. In fact, she didn’t reply at all.

Shen Jingyan sent two more casual messages, but seeing that she remained unresponsive, he assumed she had fallen asleep and chose not to disturb her further.

By noon, the butler arrived with his meal and paused when he saw Shen Jingyan. “Sir, you don’t look well. Do you need to go to the hospital?”

“No need. I’ve already taken my medicine.” Shen Jingyan gestured for someone to bring him a glass of ice water. After drinking a few sips, he felt a little better.

The butler still looked worried. “At least have something to eat. If you’re still unwell this afternoon, you should go home and rest.”

Shen Jingyan did want to go home. Hearing the butler’s suggestion, he didn’t argue, simply walking over to the table and eating his meal at a slow, composed pace.

Meanwhile, Shi Li was already on a plane. Her phone had been turned off half an hour ago.

She had been starving since the morning, yet when the flight attendant offered her snacks, she had no appetite at all.

Everything had gone too smoothly—so smoothly it made her uneasy. Especially after shutting off her phone, she couldn’t shake the worry that Shen Jingyan would try to contact her. The anxiety made it impossible for her to sit still.

Shen Jingyan kept his phone in his hand throughout his meal. However, even after finishing, Shi Li still hadn’t texted back.

At one o’clock, he finally gave in and called her.

The phone rang twice before an automated voice informed him that the number was powered off.

Shen Jingyan frowned, staring at his screen in deep thought.

He knew Shi Li had a habit of turning off her phone while sleeping. But she also preferred to eat a full meal before going to bed—something he had even teased her about before.

Why was she acting so out of character today? Was she sick?

The thought made Shen Jingyan restless. He immediately called the servant responsible for her daily care.

The call connected quickly. His tone was indifferent as he asked, “Has Shi Li eaten lunch?”

“No, sir. The bedroom door has been closed all this time, and Miss Shi hasn’t come out,” the servant responded.

Shen Jingyan’s frown deepened. “She might have overslept. Wake her up and have her eat.”

“Understood, sir.”

Just as the servant was about to knock, Shen Jingyan added, “Don’t hang up. Hand her the phone once she wakes up.”

“Yes, sir.”

As soon as the servant acknowledged the order, the sound of footsteps came through the phone. Shen Jingyan listened, his brows furrowing slightly. Then came the knocking.

He waited patiently for a few moments, but when the knocking went unanswered, he said, “She’s a deep sleeper. Get the spare key and check inside.”

“Understood.”

The servant retrieved the spare key and entered the room. But upon seeing the neatly made bed, she let out a surprised sound.

Shen Jingyan immediately asked, “What is it?”

“Miss Shi… she’s not here,” the servant replied in a confused tone. Footsteps could be heard as she moved around. “She’s not in the bathroom or the walk-in closet either. But I didn’t see her leave earlier…”

Shen Jingyan’s expression darkened. “Check her old room and the new house as well.”

The servant acknowledged his request and left to search.

Shen Jingyan suddenly felt short of breath. Bracing himself against the desk, his already pale face turned even whiter. “Looking alone will take too long. Get everyone to search for her. Call me when you find her.”

After receiving confirmation, he ended the call and shut his eyes, trying to steady his breathing.

But the moment he thought of Shi Li, his nerves tightened, and his breathing became increasingly unstable.

His head tilted slightly upward, exposing his tense throat. His sharp jawline and collarbone looked strikingly fragile—like a flower blooming to its fullest, yet on the verge of withering.

As suffocation nearly consumed him, his phone finally rang again. His eyes snapped open. Seeing the caller ID, his heart clenched—

If Shi Li were still home, she should be the one calling him right now.

…Then again, maybe she had forgotten her phone and was borrowing someone else’s to respond?

Clinging to that fragile hope, Shen Jingyan answered with trembling hands.

But his hopes were quickly shattered. The caller was still the servant, and the news was devastating.

“Sir, we’ve searched everywhere. Miss Shi is not here.”

“There’s only one exit. Check the surveillance footage to see if she left.” Shen Jingyan’s voice was hoarse. Without waiting for a response, he ended the call and stormed out, ignoring the butler’s concerned questions as he drove home at full speed.

On the way, he repeatedly called Shi Li, but her phone remained powered off.

Then, just as he neared home, the cold automated voice was replaced by a steady ringing tone.

Shen Jingyan slammed the brakes, pulling over to the side of the road. His grip tightened around the steering wheel as he waited for her to pick up.

Each ring felt like a hammer striking his heart, making his already fragile body feel even more battered.

At the last ring, the call was suddenly rejected.

His fingers clenched around the wheel, his entire being swallowed by darkness. He sat silently in the car, his face devoid of expression.

Meanwhile, Shi Li had just landed. Seeing Shen Jingyan’s call, she felt a wave of guilt. After hesitating for a long time, she declined it and texted him instead:

—What’s wrong?

Shen Jingyan saw the message. His eyelashes quivered slightly as he stared at her words, remaining silent for a moment before replying:

—Why didn’t you respond earlier?

Shi Li paused before typing:

—I accidentally fell asleep.

Shen Jingyan’s grip on his phone tightened. His already pale face lost more color, his lips turning faintly purple, his entire body drenched in sweat.

He took a long time to steady himself before shakily dialing her number.

The phone rang again.

Shi Li stared at the caller ID, panic rising in her chest. Shen Jingyan’s persistence made her uneasy—

Did he already know she had left?

That thought made her anxious. She hurriedly had the taxi drop her at a random hotel, booked a room, and made sure the environment was quiet before calling him back.

Feigning drowsiness, she murmured, “…I’m still a bit sleepy. Did you need something?”

There was a long silence. So long that Shi Li started to feel uneasy.

Then Shen Jingyan’s voice finally came through:

—You were sleeping this whole time?

“…Yeah. I didn’t sleep well last night, so I took a nap.” Hearing his tone sounded normal, Shi Li relaxed and quickly made an excuse to end the call.

But just as she hung up, Shen Jingyan received the surveillance footage of her leaving.

Staring at her carefree steps, his vision blurred as sweat dripped from his lashes—almost as if he were crying.

Then, his phone slipped from his hand and hit the floor.

A second later, he lost consciousness.

Shi Li didn’t know that his lies had been completely exposed. After running to the place where she traveled through last time, she immediately called Shen Jingyan. This was a garden with relatively few people, and the environment and quietness were somewhat similar to the Shen family manor, so she was not worried that Shen Jingyan would find out. 　　

The call was connected, but no one answered. Shi Li felt a pang in her heart, and after the phone automatically hung up, she called him again. 　　

After repeating this action for more than an hour, the phone was almost out of battery, but Shen Jingyan still didn’t answer the call. 　　

Shi Li suddenly became anxious. Although there was only 1% of hatred left, she couldn’t expect Shen Jingyan to dissipate it on his own. She had to say a few nice words to coax him so that the last bit of hatred could be eliminated. He doesn’t answer the phone now, how can she eliminate it? 　　

…Maybe he went to a meeting. After all, he was very busy at work. Shi Li tried to comfort himself, but the feeling of panic could not be dispelled. 　　

She paced back and forth at the crossing point, wanting to go back immediately to check the situation. However, after turning around and taking a few steps, she suddenly stopped.