Yu Yan turned his face away, his voice soft. “I was trying to comfort you.”

“Hm?”

“But I didn’t mean to reopen old wounds,” Yu Yan said softly. “I don’t see them as scars. They’re just a part of me.”

Shen Yuming’s fingers curled slightly as he took another drag from his cigarette. It was a long while before he spoke. “I understand.”

“Understand what?” Yu Yan was stunned for a moment and instinctively asked.

“You don’t mind letting the company go to Yu Chen, even if it means that in the future, neither you nor your children will ever have access to it.” Shen Yuming’s tone grew heavier, as though he was explaining but also reminding.

Everyone knew that letting Yu Chen take over Chaoxing was the best choice. Still, many believed that Yu Yan would never give up, hoping the brothers would fight tooth and nail so they could reap the benefits.

But Yu Yan did what he said he would and never interfered in any of Chaoxing’s projects again.

Yu Yan swallowed repeatedly. “I didn’t think that far ahead. I can’t fight for something I know I’m incapable of achieving just for a child who doesn’t exist, can I?”

“Besides, what if I don’t have children?”

Shen Yuming paused slightly, turning to look at him. “No children?”

“I mean hypothetically. What if I don’t get married? Or what if my spouse doesn’t want kids? Who can predict the future?”

Perhaps Yu Yan’s past experiences limited his perspective. He had no foresight and didn’t make assumptions about the future. He simply lived day by day.

To others, such words might seem like a sign of a lack of ambition, but for Yu Yan, it was the best way to live.

Shen Yuming’s lips curved slightly. “Makes sense.”

He crushed the cigarette into the ashtray and pulled another one from the pack.

“Brother Chen, do you have a heavy smoking habit?” Yu Yan blinked a couple of times and leaned in slightly.

The motion of lighting the cigarette stopped. Shen Yuming raised his eyes, signaling him to continue.

Yu Yan rubbed his nose. “Smoking is harmful to your health. Maybe you could ease up a bit?”

Shen Yuming suddenly laughed and removed the cigarette from his lips. “I only smoke occasionally.”

“Oh,” Yu Yan nodded slowly.

Before they could talk further, the sliding glass door to the terrace opened again.

Yu Chen walked in with a phone in hand. “Oh, here you are. The house is filled with random relatives. Come greet them with me.”

“Okay, Brother.” Yu Yan gave an “OK” gesture, said a quick word to Shen Yuming, and followed Yu Chen out.

“Brother, did you see the message I sent you on WeChat? It’s just those few people bad-mouthing me and trying to stir things up between us,” Yu Yan said, slinging an arm over Yu Chen’s shoulder.

“I saw it. Tomorrow, I’ll sort them out for you.”

“Alright, thanks, Brother.”

Their voices faded as they walked away. Shen Yuming suddenly chuckled, putting the cigarette back into the pack and fiddling with the lighter switch.

The soft “click” of the lighter echoed again and again, faintly trembling.

The Yu family didn’t have much interaction with relatives, mostly meeting during holidays. Because of this, Yu Yan wasn’t familiar with them. Recognizing people relied entirely on Yu Chen making introductions, and he just followed along.

After greeting the Yu family relatives, they were pulled by Xi Yuan to greet members of the Xi family as well.

It wasn’t until the engagement ceremony officially started that Yu Yan finally had some free time.

He wandered around the hall, unable to find Shen Yuming, and was just about to head to the terrace when someone called out to him.

It had been a long time since he’d seen Qi Mo, and his intentions were as transparent as ever, practically written on his face.

“With the Xi family backing him, Yu Chen’s position as president is rock solid!”

“Mm-hmm. By the way, it’s almost the end of the year, and I want to donate winter quilts to the orphanage. Does your family own a factory that makes them?”

“Probably. By the way, how are the shares in your family divided? While your parents still have influence in the company, you should keep an eye on things. Otherwise, you might get squeezed out later.”

“You’re right. Let me make a list, and you can prepare some quilts and daily necessities for me. I’ll send them to the orphanage.”

“Simple enough. I’ll have everything ready as soon as I get back. Once your brother gets married, will your sister-in-law work at the company? If both of them are in Chaoxing, there won’t be much left for you. You need to start building your own network in the company as soon as possible.”

“You’re absolutely right. But my reputation isn’t great right now, so I can’t compete with them. My sister-in-law held an art exhibition recently and donated all the proceeds to underprivileged children. Even reporters covered it. Make sure you prepare more items. I’ve also arranged for some reporters to accompany me to the orphanage.”

While replying to Qi Mo, Yu Yan’s mind was elsewhere, thinking about how to get as much out of Qi Mo as possible—this might be his last chance.

After all, the Qi family wasn’t stupid. Once they saw through his act, they wouldn’t allow Qi Mo to give him anything again.

Still, Yu Yan didn’t think of himself as someone who cheated others. He’d make sure to include Qi Mo in the press release, praising his virtues to the skies.

Yu Yan sent the list to Qi Mo. “Here it is. Make it as grand as possible. I’ve invited reporters and even someone from the entertainment industry to write an article.”

Qi Mo’s eyes lit up instantly. “Don’t worry, leave it to me. I’ll make sure everything is perfect.”

“Thanks. This isn’t just my effort—it’s ours together.”

Yu Yan chuckled and clinked glasses with him, holding a hammered-glass cup filled with half a glass of tea.

“Brother, no need for formalities. Let’s down this!” Qi Mo gulped down his drink in one go.

After a moment’s hesitation, Yu Yan, not wanting to appear out of place, drained his tea as well.

Before he could set the glass down, Qi Mo refilled it to the brim with champagne.

“Here, have another.”

Yu Yan’s eyelid twitched as he tried to refuse. “I really can’t. After all, this is my brother’s engagement party. If I get drunk, it’ll be embarrassing.”

“Who cares? Let me tell you, people like them treat marriage as a tool for profit. Do you think they really care?” Qi Mo pushed the glass toward Yu Yan’s lips.

The cold hammered-glass cup barely touched his lips before it was suddenly snatched away.

Most of the champagne spilled out, leaving only a small amount at the bottom.

Yu Yan hurriedly wiped his clothes and turned to face a visibly angry Shen Yuming. “Brother Shen, what’s wrong?”

Shen Yuming didn’t answer. He stared at the champagne for a moment, his gaze growing colder, before shifting his eyes to Qi Mo. His imposing aura was enough to silence anyone.

Yu Yan shivered inexplicably and quietly moved away from Qi Mo.

Qi Mo stammered nervously, “Mr. Shen…”

“Where did this come from?” Shen Yuming set down the hammer-patterned glass, his thin lips parting slightly, his voice clear and cold.

“T-the waiter brought it,” Yu Yan stammered.

Even someone as slow to react as Yu Yan could piece it together by now.

Something had been spiked into the champagne!

No wonder Qi Mo had been pushing him so insistently to drink earlier. If Shen Yuchen hadn’t arrived in time, he would’ve already finished that glass.

Realizing this, Yu Yan’s face darkened slightly.

“Is that so?” Shen Yuming chuckled lightly, his tone laced with disbelief.

Qi Mo composed himself, replying, “President Shen, there are so many cameras in this hotel. A quick check, and you’ll know.”

The lobby’s surveillance covered every corner, and with bodyguards around, even if Qi Mo had the guts, he wouldn’t dare spike a drink here. Besides, he had also consumed the same champagne, which is part of the reason Yu Yan hadn’t noticed anything unusual.

However, Qi Mo’s poor acting skills betrayed him. Under Shen Yuchen’s oppressive presence, his slip-ups were becoming more evident by the second. Even so, he stubbornly clung to his innocence, confident that there was no concrete evidence against him.

Perhaps feeling guilty, Qi Mo stammered out a couple of explanations before hurriedly finding an excuse to leave.

Shen Yuming didn’t stop him. Instead, he handed the hammer-patterned glass to Zhao Chi and instructed him to have it tested.

Yu Yan snapped back to reality. “Brother Chen, how did you know there was something in the glass?”

“The color was off,” Shen Yuming answered dismissively, brushing it off with a casual excuse.

“The color was off?” Yu Yan mumbled to himself. “But earlier, I was drinking tea…”

Shen Yuming: “…”

“No matter what you’re drinking, always stay alert.”

Yu Yan made an “OK” gesture. “Got it. Thanks, Brother Chen. Even if something’s found in the drink, I doubt we’ll be able to trace it back to him.”

“Where do you think the problem lies?” Shen Yuming countered.

Yu Yan paused to think, hesitating before answering, “The kitchen?”

The engagement banquet was being held at a hotel under Minghua’s management. Aside from the hotel staff, only the people brought in by Yu Chen were working in the kitchen.

If Shen Yuchen was asking him this question without showing any guilt or offering any apologies, the issue likely didn’t stem from Minghua but from someone within the Yu family.

It seemed the Qi family’s influence had reached more than just Chao Xing—they had even bribed someone within his household.

A chill surged from the soles of Yu Yan’s feet to the back of his head, sending a shiver through him. Cold sweat seeped across his body as his back tensed.

This time, their tampering had been discovered at the engagement banquet by Shen Yuchen. What if next time it happened at home?

Yu Yan swallowed hard, forcing himself to steady his nerves.

“Brother Chen, could you arrange for someone to keep an eye on things? Let’s not tell my brother about this for now.”

Today was Yu Chen’s engagement day—nothing could go wrong.

“Don’t worry. Everything else is fine. This was targeted at you.” Shen Yuming spoke calmly, as if the incident hadn’t stirred him in the slightest.

“Thank you, Brother Chen.” With Shen Yuchen’s assurance, Yu Yan breathed a subtle sigh of relief but remained cautious. “Do you know what was in the drink?”

Shen Yuming shook his head. “It’s probably something that would embarrass you.”

“Huh?”

“The Qi family’s goal is to disrupt this engagement banquet,” Shen Yuming explained succinctly.

Yu Chen and Xi Yuan were in love, but their families were also tied through business and mutual interests. A scandal would undoubtedly affect Chao Xing.

“They dare to sabotage my family’s unity? How shameless!”

Yu Yan huffed angrily, then grabbed two glasses of red wine from a waiter, handing one to Shen Yuchen. “Brother Chen, a toast to you.”

Shen Yuming raised an eyebrow. “Your brother told you not to drink.”

“I’ll just take a sip.”

Yu Yan gestured with his thumb and index finger close together, emphasizing how little he’d drink.

“Fine.” Shen Yuming raised his glass and clinked it against Yu Yan’s.

The engagement banquet concluded smoothly, without any further incidents. Yu Yan finally felt a weight lift off his shoulders.

He had assumed that the Qi family, bold enough to spike his drink at the engagement banquet, would’ve prepared thoroughly and had backup plans. But unexpectedly, Shen Yuchen had effortlessly foiled their scheme.

Thankfully, the engagement was held at a hotel under Shen Yuchen’s management, and thankfully, Shen Yuchen was such a good person.

Lost in thought, Yu Yan sat quietly in the car on the way home, hardly speaking.

Once home, Yu Lin and Jiang Mo were chatting in the living room. Yu Yan greeted them briefly before heading upstairs, only to be stopped by Yu Chen.

“Xiao Yan, something on your mind?” Yu Chen’s phone kept ringing, but he ignored the calls and hung up.

Yu Yan nodded vaguely, carefully choosing his words.

“Did someone scold you today?” Yu Chen asked tentatively. But knowing Yu Yan, he wasn’t the type to dwell on such things.

“It’s not about them,” Yu Yan sighed, sniffing. “Brother, someone spiked my drink today.”

“What?” Yu Chen’s eyes widened in shock. “Who? What did they spike it with? Are you okay? We’re going to the hospital for a checkup right now.”

Yu Chen gripped Yu Yan’s wrist tightly, pulling him toward the stairs.

Yu Yan quickly made a shushing gesture. “Don’t let Mom and Dad hear.”

He explained everything in detail, emphasizing the analysis he and Shen Yuchen had done, which pointed to the Yu family’s kitchen staff.

The chefs from the hotel were sufficient, but two aunts from their household—both skilled in various cuisines and familiar with Xi Yuan’s preferences—had been brought in by Yu Chen to show respect.

Yu Chen’s expression turned grave. “I see. I’ll handle this.”

“Since Qi Mo trusts me, why don’t we set up a trap and let the Qi family suffer the consequences?” Yu Yan suggested, still feeling uneasy.

Yu Chen suddenly smiled. “How do you plan to set up this trap?”

“I haven’t figured that out yet. That’s for you to decide, Brother. I’ll help you,” Yu Yan chuckled nervously.

“There’s no need for your help. Just do what you usually do. Leave the family matters to me.”

“I’m part of this family too, aren’t I? Are you planning to leave me out of this?” Yu Yan retorted.

Yu Chen hesitated, the refusal on the tip of his tongue swallowed down. “Fine… Just keep an eye on Qi Mo, but prioritize your safety.”

“Got it!” Yu Yan grinned mischievously.

At that moment, Jiang Mo returned to her room. Her gaze shifted between the two brothers. “You two aren’t sharing secrets, are you?”

“It’s a secret, so you don’t need to know, Mom.”

Jiang Mo’s smile deepened. “The brothers even have little secrets now?”

Yu Yan quickly took her bag, laughing as he changed the subject. “Mom, let me carry this upstairs for you.”