Looking at his face, Zhou Xingqi had an overwhelming urge to punch him, but he knew he couldn't win. Besides, if he really angered him, his brother would find out about his affairs and everything would be over.
In the end, Shen Moyu hated him to the core, and they could no longer be friends.
"Damn it." Zhou Xingqi leaned weakly against the tree trunk, looked at Su Jinning who seemed very patient in front of him, and sighed: "Fine, you're awesome."
Su Jinning remained silent. After all, anyone would be suspicious if someone who had been hypocritical for so many years suddenly showed some realism.
“Okay, I’ll tell you the truth.” Zhou Xingqi looked at him calmly: “My dad is taking my brother abroad.”
Upon hearing this, Su Jinning could no longer remain calm. His eyes trembled with extreme surprise: "What did you say?!"
“My dad has never forgotten he has a son like this over the years. He’s long been determined to hand the company over to my brother, and I don’t care. These things belong to him anyway.” Zhou Xingqi said, a smug smile playing on his lips. “Right after winter break, my dad will take him abroad to study. After graduation, he’ll take over the company directly, and you…”
"Bullshit!" Su Jinning suddenly grabbed Zhou Xingqi's collar, her eyes bloodshot. "Don't you guys find this ridiculous?! If he really remembered having such a son, why didn't he utter a single word during Shen Moyu's most difficult time?! Now he's just taking him away like that. Is Shen Moyu your plaything? You can just throw him away and pick him up again as you please?!"
Zhou Xingqi struggled to break free, but Su Jinning gripped him even tighter, her collar choking his neck, making it hard for him to breathe. "Let go! What right do you have to say that? My brother is still my father's son, his surname is Shen! Besides, there are better resources waiting for him overseas; he belongs there!"
"I advise you to give up this idea as soon as possible. Where he belongs isn't something you can prove with just a few words. He has his own life, and what you're doing is stealing. It's shameless." Su Jinning said through gritted teeth, her fury and domineering gaze making it impossible for Zhou Xingqi to look her in the eye.
Zhou Xingqi gasped for breath: "Think what you want, it's already decided, what's the point of you saying all this!"
“Shen Moyu will not agree.” Su Jinning glanced at him lightly and said, word by word, “Everything he cares about is here. Your words cannot take him away. Besides, a man who has no sense of responsibility is not worthy of being his father.”
Say it again!
“What good will saying it ten times do? He just doesn’t deserve it.” Su Jinning said calmly, “What you call making amends is just trying to cause trouble. Do you think he cares about the good resources and big companies you talk about? What he wants, your father couldn’t give him a long time ago.”
Zhou Xingqi felt as if something had stabbed his heart, causing his blood to rush and slowly torture his heart.
Su Jinning left without looking back. On the way, he thought about many things, his mind a jumbled mess. He appeared calm on the surface, but his heart was filled with a complex mix of emotions.
He opened the door and was greeted by the tranquility and warmth of the house. He sighed, but still found it noisy.
Shen Moyu was fast asleep, and he just watched him, his eyes welling up with tears. He didn't know how to tell Shen Moyu; he didn't want to see him looking anxious and troubled.
Stroking Shen Moyu's cheek, he pondered Zhou Xingqi's words. He was right and wrong, but wrong was that the man had ignored Shen Moyu for ten years, refusing to even lend a helping hand during his most devastating days. Now, under the guise of "making amends," he wanted to take him away, hoping Shen Moyu would forget all the past pain and reconcile with him. This sudden and ridiculous act was no different from how he had abandoned Shen Moyu without hesitation back then.
That's right, someone like Shen Moyu definitely deserves better resources. His score is more than enough to get him into Fudan University without taking the entrance exam. Now that such a great opportunity is in front of him, even if Shen Moyu were to refuse it outright, he would feel it's a pity.
Shen Moyu's reason for staying here is too obvious: it's because she has a boyfriend like him.
But what if... Shen Moyu really agrees? What if he really goes abroad? Will everything they have become nothing but ashes?
He couldn't bear to imagine it, and closed his eyes heavily.
If he's willing, then letting go is probably my only option.
Just like I said, Shen Moyu is the only one who has the right to choose his own life. Such a good person, no one should be a hindrance to him.
"Brother Ning?" While Su Jinning was in a daze, Shen Moyu had already opened his eyes.
"What's wrong?" Su Jinning immediately sat up after realizing what was happening.
"How long have I been asleep?" Shen Moyu felt a little hot from sleeping, so she sat up and lifted the blanket, her hair still damp with sweat.
Su Jinning pulled herself out of her reverie, looked up at the clock, and said, "Not much, just over an hour."
Shen Moyu yawned; her complexion did look much better after waking up. Turning to look at Su Jinning, who was still wearing her coat, she asked, puzzled, "Where have you been? Why are you still wearing your coat?"
"Ah, I just went out for a walk out of boredom." Su Jinning stood up, turned her back guiltily, and took off her coat.
Let's not say anything more. If that day really comes, we'll leave everything to his decision.
"I should go back now, my mom's still home." Shen Moyu got up and picked up her down jacket.
Upon hearing this, Su Jinning put her clothes back on: "Okay, I'll take you."
Shen Moyu laughed at his flustered appearance: "No need, you'll just have to go back and forth..."
Before he could finish speaking, he was pulled into someone's arms by a force, his nose slamming into his shoulder, making him wince in pain.
"what?"
"Nothing, just a hug," Su Jinning said with a smile, wrapping her arms around his waist. Her voice softened, "You said you'd spend New Year's Eve with me, and the time before that... you said you'd spend every birthday with me, is that true?"
The two boys, both wearing down jackets, were huddled together, unbearably hot, but Su Jinning held them tighter and tighter, as if she wanted to meld them into her own body.
"Of course it's true, why are you suddenly asking this?" Shen Moyu looked up and cupped his face in her hands: "What's wrong?"
Shen Moyu could see right through his sadness and unease. He forced a smile and said, "It's nothing. I was just afraid you'd change your mind."
"A promise is a promise, and I would never lie to my boyfriend." Shen Moyu gently pecked his lips.
Su Jinning took his hand and rubbed it between her palms repeatedly: "Come see me again tomorrow, okay?"
Shen Moyu was a little puzzled by Su Jinning's sudden clinginess, but he quickly agreed. What he didn't know was that Su Jinning was just afraid that if Shen Moyu didn't come to see him one day, he might really never come again.
——
"Let's talk upstairs. Don't get emotional. Call me if anything happens, okay?"
Shen Moyu nodded: "You should go back now, it's too cold."
Su Jinning watched him go upstairs before turning to leave. The sudden anxiety and loneliness that overwhelmed him at that moment made him feel somewhat sad.
Perhaps his father will bring up the matter of going abroad with him today. What will Shen Moyu say then? Will he refuse?
If Shen Moyu faints due to emotional distress or a fight breaks out, will he get hurt?
Su Jinning rubbed his face, watching his breath dissipate in the air, and sincerely prayed to God.
Don't take away any of the important people in his life.
Zhou Xingqi opened the door. The two looked at each other and Shen Moyu was surprised for a moment, but when he saw Shen Donghai behind him, he suddenly gritted his teeth and rushed in.
"Son, you're back!" Shen Donghai's eyes lit up, and he went to the door to greet him.
Shen Moyu bypassed him and went straight to his mother, who was sitting on the sofa with a worried look on her face. He held her shoulders with concern and asked, "Mom, are you alright? Did he say anything to you?"