After the Early-Deceased White Moonlight of a Wealthy Family Returns (GL) - Chapter 45

“Good heavens, I’ve finally waited long enough for you to come down.” Meng Xi sighed, standing by the car as Su Wu approached. “If you hadn’t come down soon, I was planning to go up and find you myself.”

“Eh, Xiao An?” She looked at the girl being led down by the hand. “You… you were on the mountain too?”

“Sister Meng Xi, we—” Shen You’an started to explain, but Meng Xi raised her hand, fingers pointed, signaling her to stop.

“Don’t speak,” she said. “Let my brain roast on this for a second.”

Meng Xi counted on her fingers, recalling the events of the morning, and quickly pieced it together. “I get it. Xiao An, you and Old Su had a fight, didn’t you? You ran away, and Old Su came to fetch you. What happened? Tell your Sister Meng Xi; I promise I’m on your side.”

“But regardless of what happened, don’t be too mad at your Sister Su. She was really worried about you. I’m telling you, Xiao An, when I drove her over just now, I asked why she didn’t drive herself. She didn’t say a word; she just showed me her hand.”

“Gosh.” Meng Xi shuddered at the memory. “I’m serious, it’s the first time I’ve ever seen her hand shake like that.”

“This woman signs off on multi-billion dollar projects without blinking, but I’ve never seen her that rattled.”

“You talk too much.” Su Wu looked at Meng Xi coldly. “Xiao An, ignore her. Get in the car.”

Meng Xi mimicked her way of speaking and made a face at Shen You’an.

As the sunlight fell on the two of them, Shen You’an felt the weight of the word “living” once more.

“A-jie, I’ll never do that again,” she said to Su Wu with total sincerity. “I made you worry.”

“As long as you know.” Su Wu tapped her head. “Get in. Look at your dress—we’ll go home so you can change. Shen Huaijin asked to meet me this afternoon.”

Meng Xi was just about to start the car, but hearing this, she was stunned.

“What? Who? Who asked to meet you?”

“My sister,” Shen You’an answered.

“Which sister?” Meng Xi still hadn’t quite processed it.

“Shen Huaijin.” Su Wu couldn’t stand her blank look. “Are those three characters that hard to understand?”

“Not hard,” Meng Xi murmured. “What’s hard is why she suddenly asked to meet you. She messaged you? This woman! She contacts you but doesn’t contact me?! Who’s the one who’s been worrying about her and checking in on her safety every year! No conscience!”

“We met and talked on the ship yesterday,” Su Wu answered.

Meng Xi was in disbelief. “On the ship?”

“I was on the ship yesterday too! Why didn’t I see her!”

“She talked to me about You’an for a bit and then left.”

Meng Xi gritted her teeth. “That ungrateful, sister-obsessed jerk! She was there and couldn’t even say a word to me? No, I’m calling her right now to settle the score. Wait—I’ll settle it in person! Su Wu! I’m coming to your meeting this afternoon!”

“Shen Huaijin has things to discuss with You’an,” Su Wu noted.

Meng Xi immediately turned to Shen You’an. “An-meimei, good sister, your Sister Meng Xi promises not to interrupt your business. I’ll only show up after you two are done talking, okay?”

Shen You’an looked at Su Wu.

Meng Xi: “…Sister, there’s no need to ask her permission for this! Shen Huaijin is your sister!”

“Let’s all go,” Su Wu finally spoke. “Should I let her know in advance?”

“Do. Not.” Meng Xi, usually cheerful, actually looked grim for once. “I’m going to charge right in and see exactly what kind of face Shen Huaijin makes.”

Seeing her like this, Shen You’an felt a bit worried for her own sister.

---

Su Wu and Shen Huaijin had agreed to meet at a café. The shop had private rooms; Shen Huaijin had arrived early and messaged Su Wu.

“Don’t be nervous.” Su Wu looked at the girl in the car, who seemed to be suffering from a bit of “homecoming anxiety.” “You’an, relax.”

Shen You’an gripped her seatbelt. “A-jie, I…”

“Shall I walk you to the door of the room?” Su Wu placed her hand over the back of the girl’s.

Shen You’an nodded.

From the car into the shop and up to the second-floor private room was less than a hundred meters, yet Shen You’an felt the walk was exceptionally long.

Knock, knock, knock.

After three knocks, the door opened quickly.

Shen Huaijin looked at the girl before her. Tears welled up almost uncontrollably; she immediately wiped them away and forced a smile. “Xiao Man, long time no see.”

Shen You’an’s nose felt a bit prickly too. Shen Huaijin’s gaze was so warm, so full of expectation, that she found it hard to look back. She only glanced for a second before averting her eyes slightly. “Sister.”

Shen Huaijin noticed the subtle distance and felt a wave of disappointment, but she didn’t show it. She looked at the person standing behind Shen You’an.

Su Wu understood her meaning and turned to Shen You’an. “Talk to her. Call me if you need anything; I’ll be downstairs.”

Shen Huaijin couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

“Ms. Su, you don’t need to worry,” she said. “I am Xiao Man’s sister. If anything happens, I will handle it for her.”

Facing Shen Huaijin’s hostile attitude, Su Wu remained unmoved, looking only at Shen You’an.

Shen You’an felt the scene was strangely bizarre.

“A-jie, I understand,” she replied to Su Wu, then turned to Shen Huaijin. “Sister, let’s go inside and talk.”

Su Wu stepped back, and Shen You’an entered the room and closed the door.

Shen Huaijin’s mind was still echoing the way Shen You’an had just addressed Su Wu.

“What did you call her?”

“A-jie,” Shen You’an answered.

Shen Huaijin: “…”

Shen You’an could tell there was friction between her sister and Su Wu, and she remembered Su Wu mentioning the barriers between them. She intended to act as the glue.

“Since I’ve been back, she’s been the one taking care of me,” Shen You’an told her sister. “She’s worked very hard these past days.”

Shen Huaijin felt a strange blockage in her heart; seeing her sister’s obedient manner made her feel even worse.

“Xiao Man… you…”

Shen Huaijin had so much to say. But the words wouldn’t form. Then she heard Shen You’an say: “Sister, can you not call me that? I… I find it a bit awkward.”

Shen Huaijin froze. She understood Shen You’an’s meaning immediately.

Right. There was another girl currently in the Shen house being called “Xiao Man.”

“You’ve seen her?” Shen Huaijin asked cautiously.

“Mhm.” Shen You’an nodded.

Shen Huaijin wanted to slap herself. Wasn’t that a stupid question? Shen Zhirou had gone to the ship yesterday; they must have met.

“There was a fire on the ship yesterday. I left early and only found out later. Xiao… An, are you okay?”

“Sister, I’m fine. A-jie took me home.”

Shen Huaijin: “…”

“Let’s order coffee first. What do you want? Do you want dessert? I saw a recommendation saying the chestnut cake here is very good. Xiao An, didn’t you used to love chestnuts?”

Shen Huaijin tried very hard to ignore the chasm that had appeared between her and her sister.

“Anything is fine,” Shen You’an said. “Sister, you order.”

Shen Huaijin’s smile faltered for a second before rising again. “Okay.”

Ten years.

She looked at the girl before her almost greedily. In those ten years, she had developed wrinkles, crossed countless rivers and mountains, and gained many scars. But her sister—this face—hadn’t changed at all, just as it was before. Sometimes, looking at this face, Shen Huaijin felt as if nothing had happened. They were still a happy family; every day after school, her sister would pester her to play. But Shen You’an’s distinct, new aura of quietness and her polite, distant reactions clearly reminded her of everything that had happened in those ten years.

It couldn’t be ignored.

Shen Huaijin spoke, almost in surrender: “Su Wu said you’ve been back for a while. Why didn’t you contact your sister?”

“I tried calling Mom, but the number changed. Sister, your number wouldn’t go through either.”

Shen You’an hadn’t decided what kind of stance to take with Shen Huaijin. She carried too much baggage. She couldn’t just drop it all and be like her old self the moment she saw her sister. She couldn’t do it.

“Her… I went to see her coming-of-age ceremony. She’s very good to Mom, and I know she’s a very excellent girl.” Shen Huaijin knew who Shen You’an was talking about. Then she heard her sister say, “Sister, sometimes I think things are actually quite good the way they are now.”

“No!” Shen Huaijin said without hesitation. “They aren’t good at all!”

“Shen Zhirou… she…” Shen Huaijin didn’t know how to phrase it. At this moment, in front of Shen You’an, anything she said sounded like an excuse. She could only say, “Mom and I never forgot you. It’s just that our ways of handling it were different. She chose to hide her grief, and I chose to run away. I have a huge responsibility for the way things turned out. Xiao An, I’m sorry…”

“Sister, no need to apologize. I know.”

Shen Huaijin logged into her old chat account occasionally; Shen You’an knew that. She saw her sister’s discomfort.

“Sister, you don’t need to explain to me. I don’t blame anyone,” Shen You’an reassured her. “Truly.”

She didn’t blame them. If she were the one left behind, she would have made the same choice as Shen Huaijin to protect their mother. If Shen Zhirou hadn’t been part of Shen Run’s plan, she couldn’t blame her either. She was just a person forced into the game.

Calculated that way, Shen You’an could blame no one. Rationally and emotionally, she couldn’t blame them. Thus, it became a deadlock where the only person she could blame was herself.

The topic was too unsolvable, so Shen You’an tried to change it. “Sister, how have you been these years? I heard from A-jie and Sister Meng Xi that you’ve been to many places.”

Shen Huaijin lowered her head and wiped a tear with the back of her hand, saying hoarsely, “Good, don’t worry. But what about you? Where did you go? Looking at your face, I feel you’ve gotten much thinner. When Su Wu told me about this, I thought she was lying. Now that I’ve actually seen you, Xiao An, are you okay?”

“You must have been in so much pain then,” Shen Huaijin asked with restraint. “You must have been very scared all alone these years?”

Shen You’an held back her emotions.

“Sister, I’ve been very good too.” Shen You’an didn’t intend to let Shen Huaijin know those secrets. she had already involved Su Wu; there was no need to drag another person down. “Look at me, I haven’t changed at all. I’m truly fine.”

How could that be? Shen Huaijin thought. Her sister used to be a clingy child, but now she had matured significantly. If she hadn’t experienced anything, how could she have become like this? But since Shen You’an didn’t say, she didn’t press further.

“It’s good that you’re back.” Shen Huaijin took her hand. “It’s good that you’re back.”

Before coming, she was confident when she asked Su Wu that question about letting Shen You’an choose. She was certain her sister would choose her. Now, Shen Huaijin wasn’t sure. She could tell Shen You’an trusted Su Wu deeply; at this point, her relationship with Su Wu was even more intimate than with her own sister.

She was a bit afraid to ask the question directly. She asked indirectly: “How are you doing now?”

At this, Shen You’an smiled. “I’m very well, Sister. I have a new identity now, called You An—A-jie helped me arrange it. I live with her, and she takes great care of me. I’ve been going to school lately; the classmates and teachers are great, and I’ve made a new friend—Sister Meng Xi’s younger sister.”

When Shen You’an mentioned these things, she spoke with a warmth and gentleness that clearly showed she was satisfied with her current life. Shen Huaijin found it even harder to ask if she wanted to leave with her.

“That’s wonderful? I’m relieved to hear that. But, You’an, your sister didn’t know before. Now that I know, are you willing…” she hesitated. “Are you willing to live with your sister? As long as you want, whether as You’an or You An, any identity is fine. We can continue at this school, or go anywhere you want.”

Shen You’an was stunned. If Shen Huaijin had appeared earlier and asked this, she might have been torn. But now, after the events of last night and today, Shen You’an knew she couldn’t go anywhere. And she wouldn’t go.

“Sister, I’m quite fine the way I am now.” Because she knew she was refusing, Shen You’an didn’t even dare look at Shen Huaijin’s eyes, lowering her head as she spoke.

Shen Huaijin had expected this result, but she hadn’t expected her to choose without hesitation. She felt a bit of annoyance in her heart, but she couldn’t get angry. She didn’t blame her sister; she only felt that Su Wu had given her sister some kind of magic potion. Calming her inner frustration, she said, “Okay, then let’s keep it this way.”

Shen You’an hadn’t expected Shen Huaijin to agree so readily.

“Sister—”

“Alright, our You’an has grown up and has her own ideas. Sister respects that.” Shen Huaijin moved back slightly, letting the person bringing coffee and cake set them down. She placed Shen You’an’s cup in front of her and cut a piece of cake for her. “The side with the most chestnuts is for you.”

Shen You’an momentarily felt she was back in the past. She used to love ordering chestnut cake, but couldn’t finish it alone, so she’d drag Shen Huaijin to join her. Shen Huaijin didn’t like sweets; every time they shared a cake, she’d do this—give the chestnut-heavy side to her, cut the cream off her own piece and put it in You’an’s bowl, while eating only the bread part herself.

Shen You’an sniffled, wiped a stray tear with a tissue, and buried her head in the cake. Neither sister spoke.

After a while, Shen Huaijin said, “Online recommendations really aren’t reliable.”

Shen You’an understood. “Not as good as the place we used to go.”

“Yeah,” Shen Huaijin sighed. “That shop in Rong City closed down after you left.”

“It makes sense,” Shen You’an recalled. “Except for the chestnut cake, everything else was actually quite average. Especially the coffee—it was like water; better to just drink instant coffee at home.”

Shen Huaijin nodded in agreement. The two looked at each other.

Pfft.

It was the first lighthearted smile since the meeting began.

“How is Mom?” Though it wasn’t that delicious, Shen You’an wasn’t a picky eater now; she stuffed the food into her mouth and finished it quickly.

“She hasn’t had an episode; her state is stable,” Shen Huaijin said. “Except for the memory confusion, there’s no other impact.”

“And her health?” she asked. “I heard Shen Zhirou say last time that she can’t eat things that are too sweet.”

“High blood sugar, as she’s getting older,” Shen Huaijin answered. “There’s a doctor there every day; you don’t need to worry.”

Since Mom was mentioned, Shen Huaijin thought of something. She hesitated, her hand resting on the handle of her cup.

“Sister, just say whatever you’re thinking.”

Shen Huaijin: “Shen Yanchen, and the matter with Uncle—you know about them?”

“Mhm,” Shen You’an said. “You know too?”

“Su Wu told me last time we met.” Shen Huaijin looked at her sister. “From what she said, she suspects there’s some trouble behind it all.”

“I have the same thought as A-jie,” Shen You’an said. “I’ve had contact with Shen Yanchen. The things he said to me made me feel there are many issues. He should be contacting me in the next few days. I’ll investigate further then.”

“Is it dangerous?” Shen Huaijin frowned. “Su Wu is letting you do these things?”

“No! I took the initiative! A-jie is just helping me!” Shen You’an was puzzled. “Sister, you seem to… really dislike her.”

“…” Shen Huaijin spoke against her heart. “I don’t.”

She didn’t dislike Su Wu; she was simply annoyed by her. Especially the current Su Wu. She always felt very dangerous.

Seeing this, Shen You’an came up with a plan: “Sister, let’s have dinner together tonight, okay?”

Shen Huaijin: “…”

She didn’t want her sister to be disappointed, so she gritted her teeth and said yes.

Shen You’an’s eyes lit up. “Then I’ll go tell A-jie right now!”

Shen Huaijin: “???”

Before she could stop her, Shen You’an had already flown downstairs like a happy bird. Well, her sister really seems to like Su Wu.

After notifying Su Wu, Shen You’an flew back up. She continued chatting with Shen Huaijin, listening to her share stories of the places she’d been, the people she’d met, and the scenery she’d seen.

“Sister,” Shen You’an looked at her. “I think it’s wonderful that you’ve found a way to make this your own path.”

Shen Huaijin gave a bitter laugh. “I was just running away.”

Shen You’an clearly didn’t think so. “Even if it was running away, you never stopped moving forward. Every step you took created a path that belongs to you.”

Shen Huaijin was lost because she couldn’t face her current home; Shen You’an was lost as a monster wondering where to go. Facing many things, no one knew what to do or where to go; “confusion” seemed to be the keyword of the era.

But what could be done? At least Shen Huaijin, in her daily confusion, still had the courage to climb upward.

“Our Xiao An has grown up.” Shen Huaijin ruffled her head. “You wouldn’t have said things like that before.”

“Sister, I’m not a kid anymore.” She blushed. “I’m eighteen; I’m an adult.”

“In front of your sister, you’ll always be a child.” Shen Huaijin’s eyes curved. “Speaking of adulthood, I’ll give you your gift in a few days.”

“No need for such trouble!”

“Acting distant with me?” Shen Huaijin pretended to be angry.

Shen You’an blinked. “Then go ahead and prepare it; I’ll inspect it properly when the time comes.”

“Okay.”

The barrier in the air was fading. Shen Huaijin’s smile deepened. However, the smile didn’t last long.

Going downstairs to settle the bill, she turned around to see her sister pestering Su Wu and critiquing the café’s chestnut cake—Smile -10. After getting in the car, she was inexplicably pushed into the passenger seat, while her sister and Su Wu sat in the back—Smile -10. The absent driver returned, and when the door opened, it revealed Meng Xi’s face—Smile -100.

“Long time no see.” Meng Xi gave a fake smile. “When did Teacher Shen get back? Not even a word to me. Or did I spend thousands on a fake phone that doesn’t even ring?”

Shen Huaijin was sweating. If she and Su Wu had fallen out back then due to displaced anger, her relationship with Meng Xi had always been good. She knew Meng Xi had cared about her all these years. Meng Xi had tried to mediate midway, and Shen Huaijin knew she was in the wrong and was prepared to bow her head to Su Wu—who knew that woman wouldn’t give her an inch of face, refusing even to come to dinner, saying she never saw members of the Shen family.

Fine. Now she was acting like her sister’s “A-jie.”

Meng Xi had been stuck between her and Su Wu for years, caught in the middle. Shen Huaijin appreciated that. She had always remembered her; Shen Huaijin appreciated that too. Thus, when Meng Xi appeared, her first reaction was guilt, so cowed she wanted to run.

“It was sudden,” Shen Huaijin said. “I planned to contact you after resolving this matter.”

Meng Xi let out a “heh.” “I think your head is only full of Xiao An’s business, and you don’t remember anything else, do you?”

Before Shen Huaijin could speak, Su Wu in the back was unhappy. “Settle your scores all you want, but don’t drag You’an into it.”

Meng Xi clicked her tongue. “Fine, I won’t mention your sister’s business.” This was directed at Su Wu.

Shen Huaijin was unhappy. “Whose sister are you talking about?”

Meng Xi: “…”

For God’s sake! She was in disbelief. “I haven’t even finished settling my score with you, and you’re picking at me?”

Shen Huaijin said firmly, “One thing at a time. You’an is indeed my sister.”

Meng Xi: “Right now, immediately, get out of my car.”

Shen Huaijin unhesitatingly buckled her seatbelt tight. “From today on, wherever my sister is, I am.”

Meng Xi let out another “heh.” “She’s living at Old Su’s house; you go live there too then.”

Shen Huaijin: “…”

Su Wu: “The house is small; it can’t accommodate such a ‘Great Buddha’.”

Shen Huaijin: “???”

Seeing the atmosphere turn hostile again, Shen You’an hurriedly asked, “What are we having for dinner? Sister Meng Xi, what’s Dongdong doing today? Is she coming?”

“Don’t mention it. That girl got drunk and passed out yesterday; she’s been sleeping all day. Wait a second, I’ll call and ask her.”

Three seconds into the call, Meng Dongdong hung up.

Meng Xi was bewildered. Su Wu saw this and said to Shen You’an, “You try calling.”

Shen You’an obediently dialed the number. In one second, Meng Dongdong picked up.

“An-jie!” she wailed on the other end. “An-jie! Are you okay! Something huge happened on the ship yesterday!”

“I’m fine,” Shen You’an told her. “I’m very well. What about you?”

“I… waah! I’m not good! An-jie, where are you! I want to come play with you!”

Shen You’an answered, “In your sister’s car. There’s a seat left; shall we come pick you up?”

Meng Dongdong: “…” Is it too late to hang up now?

Meng Xi let out a cold laugh, turned her head, and shouted into Shen You’an’s phone: “Oh, you’re quite something, daring to hang up on your sister? Meng Dongdong, I think you’re tired of living! Wait for me at home, don’t go anywhere. If I find out you’ve run off, you’ll be dealt with according to house rules!”

The phone hung up, and Shen You’an asked, “Sister Meng Xi, what are your house rules? Are they severe?”

“Not severe, not severe,” Meng Xi said. “Just cutting off her allowance; it won’t kill anyone.”

Shen You’an: “…?”

Su Wu frowned. “Meng Xi, speak properly.”

Shen Huaijin: “Exactly, you’re scaring my sister!”

Meng Xi: “…”

“………………”

She was tired. Her heart was tired. Who would save her?!

She was silent, bewildered, and hardworking.

She drove all the way to the Meng house and picked up Meng Dongdong. As soon as Meng Dongdong got in the car, she curled into a ball and hugged Shen You’an’s arm, fearing Meng Xi would cause her trouble.

Meng Xi had no time for that; she was researching dinner.

“What are we eating?” she asked.

“Hotpot,” Shen You’an suggested. “It’s good for a reunion when there are many people.”

Hearing this, a trace of emotion appeared in Shen Huaijin’s eyes.

Meng Xi said, “Sure. Just the five of us? Where? Yunshan Building? Odd numbers are unlucky and it’s not lively enough. How about we call one more person?” Well, she admitted she was looking for another victim.

Shen Huaijin: “Who?”

“I’ll ask my Auntie Lan,” Meng Xi said.

Meng Dongdong coughed, nearly choking on her saliva.

Shen You’an hurried to pat her back. “Be careful.”

Meng Dongdong was almost in tears from choking. “Sis, Auntie Lan is busy, don’t—”

Before she could finish, Meng Xi said, “She agreed. I’ll book a table first and see if we need to queue.”

Meng Dongdong: “…”

She might as well just die.