Chapter 298: Chapter 299: I'm Just Her Big Brother

Shen Manbing was overwhelmed. Her eyes were red-rimmed, her heart tumultuous, as if her world had been turned upside down. To others, it might have seemed like an insignificant past event, but to her, it was profoundly important.

She stood abruptly. "Thank you for telling me this," she said, "but I have something to do. I need to leave." She exited the lounge without hesitation.

Xia Yangyang, observing her departure, surmised Shen Manbing was going to confront Shen Shichuan. She sighed, unsure if revealing the information had been the right thing to do. Nevertheless, it was the truth.

About half an hour later, Shen Shichuan's secretary, Zhou Fei, arrived. "Miss Xia," she said, "the CEO wants to see you."

Xia Yangyang followed Zhou Fei to Shen Shichuan's office. One wall was dominated by a huge floor-to-ceiling window. He stood by it, hands clasped behind his back, his tall figure silhouetted against the view. Xia Yangyang was reminded of the phrase, "Lonely at the top."

She knocked. He turned. After she entered and closed the door, he spoke first: "Did you tell Manbing that I saved her from drowning as a child?"

Xia Yangyang nodded. "You knew she'd misunderstood for all these years. Why didn't you clarify?"

Shen Shichuan's gaze was intense. "Letting her believe it was Ah Chen seemed better. I thought it would strengthen their relationship."

"But you didn't realize," Xia Yangyang countered, "the drowning incident significantly influenced Shen Manbing's feelings for Ah Chen. If you'd told her sooner, the person she loved might have been"

"Xia Yangyang, I am her elder brother!" Shen Shichuan's sharp interruption cut her off.

"But you're not related by blood."

"Even if we aren't blood relatives, I'm still her elder brother, always just family to her."

Xia Yangyang paused. "But are you content? Content with simply being her brother for life? Doesn't the thought of her marrying another man, having children with someone else, hurt you? Can you bear it?"

"Enough, Xia Yangyang! What are you trying to say?" Shen Shichuan's harsh tone was unlike him. He seemed desperate to deny something, his usual composure shattered. "I'm sorry, Yangyang. This conversation is inappropriate. I've wronged you, but I did it for Manbing's future, because she's my sister, my only family…"

Xia Yangyang abruptly changed the subject. "Do you know why I suspect you?"

Shen Shichuan was taken aback. "Actually," she continued, "you've been very secretive. Ah Chen never discovered who tampered with the Kingdom's Heart. You've always been overly considerate of me. Everything seems impeccable. But do you know why I suspect you?"

Bewilderment flickered in Shen Shichuan's eyes. By setting the trap of the Film Festival Awards, Xia Yangyang wasn't simply luring him in; she was hunting a turtle from within its shell. She was certain he was the mastermind.

What puzzled Shen Shichuan was that he believed his plans were progressing slowly, many not yet implemented. He felt secure in his anonymity. As Xia Yangyang said, he had been impeccable. He was trying to understand where he had faltered.