Chapter 39

At this moment, Cheng Shen finally noticed Ji Ran beside him. Although he was clearly feeling extremely annoyed deep down, when he saw the little girl, a trace of unnatural astonishment flashed in his eyes.

The young girl was dressed in a red coat with horn buttons, looking as delicate as a doll, especially with those moist, large eyes that sparkled like they were filled with starlight when she blinked.

“Who are you?” Despite the stunning appearance of the girl, Cheng Shen was still irritated, especially after having a cake smashed on his face in front of so many people.

He couldn’t help but take a step forward, but Shen Zhi gently grabbed the girl’s wrist, positioning himself in front of her.

Shen Zhi glanced at him lightly, finding Cheng Shen’s current demeanor more amusing than his usual arrogant and proud attitude. Even Shen Zhi couldn’t help but chuckle, though he quickly stopped as he realized that Cheng Shen might explode if he laughed.

“Shen Zhi, how dare you laugh? Ah Peng is still in the hospital,” Cheng Shen couldn’t hold back any longer and rushed forward, seemingly wanting to throw a punch at Shen Zhi.

Cheng Shen was genuinely afraid of Shen Zhi, or else he wouldn’t have waited until being so provoked to act. When he raised his arm to strike, Shen Zhi swiftly approached him, and surprisingly, Cheng Shen hesitated and stopped.

Then, Shen Zhi took advantage of the moment, grabbing the front of Cheng Shen’s shirt and lowering his voice, “How much do you know about Tang Zhenpeng’s situation? Do you know what he did? How dare you speak so shamelessly in front of me.”

Cheng Shen wanted to resist, but Shen Zhi’s hand firmly gripped his collar, making him feel unable to break free.

It wasn’t until Shen Zhi forcefully let go of him that Cheng Shen stepped back several paces.

“I’m not afraid of you, and I don’t need to explain myself. Tang Zhenpeng’s case has nothing to do with me. The police will give you answers sooner or later.”

Cheng Shen sneered coldly. “If you weren’t guilty, why didn’t you answer Aunt’s call? You dared not pick up.”

The aunt he mentioned was naturally Cheng Hui.

Shen Zhi sneered, “Do I have anything to say to her?”

Cheng Shen hadn’t expected him to be so arrogant when mentioning Cheng Hui in front of him. The suppressed anger in his heart became even more unbearable.

He couldn’t help but whisper, “If my aunt don’t generously accept you, do you think you can live peacefully as the young master of the Shen family? Have you ever considered your mother?”

The reason this illegitimate child could now enter the Shen family and become a part of the family was all thanks to his aunt’s generosity.

This was also the reason why Cheng Shen was particularly arrogant when he first met Shen Zhi.

But he didn’t consider that the reason Shen Zhi could come back was not because of Cheng Hui’s generosity but because he was Shen Jiming’s biological son.

Ji Ran stood behind them, closed her eyes. It seemed that if someone sought death, no one could stop them.

When Shen Zhi threw a punch at Cheng Shen’s face, the force was particularly strong. People nearby even heard the cracking sound of bones, which was a bit horrifying.

Cheng Shen took several steps backward, barely stabilizing himself.

However, when he instinctively covered his nose, he found blood between his fingers.

Shen Zhi approached, pulling Cheng Shen’s clothes and bringing him closer. Blood from Cheng Shen’s nose had already smeared half of his face, dripping onto his blue down jacket.

Shen Zhi’s expression remained stern and indifferent. It wasn’t until he spoke slowly with a particularly hoarse voice, “Didn’t I say, don’t provoke me?”

Had he said it before? Of course, he had. Since Shen Zhi returned to the Shen family, Cheng Shen had disliked him.

Because adults said he was an illegitimate child, and Shen’s family accepting him back was a slap on his aunt’s face. However, Cheng Shen didn’t expect that the seemingly quiet boy could be so ruthless when he got angry, like a wolf cub.

Cheng Shen had been afraid of him since he was little.

But now, the sense of not willing to admit defeat rose within him. Even though his face was pale, he still looked at Ji Ran beside him and said, “You protect him like this, do you know that his mother is extraordinary…”

This time, Ji Ran subconsciously reached out to pull Shen Zhi’s arm because she knew Cheng Shen’s words would provoke Shen Zhi again.

As expected, Shen Zhi abruptly grabbed Cheng Shen’s clothes and raised his hand to throw a punch.

This time, the people Cheng Shen brought with him seemed to have just reacted. They moved forward, wanting to rescue Cheng Shen. However, Xia Jiangming and the others stopped them.

Calmly, Xu Yihang said, “Buddy, this is a family matter. It might not be appropriate for us to intervene.”

Xia Jiangming nodded on the side, “Right, let’s not get involved. Let them solve it themselves.”

Solve it themselves? It was probably going to be Shen Zhi effortlessly resolving Cheng Shen.

The reason Cheng Shen brought this group of people here was to confront Shen Zhi, but unfortunately, he chose an unfavorable location.

There were quite a few security guards at the Sky Realm, and they would probably arrive downstairs in a few seconds.

The reason no one came over now was that Cheng Shen was getting beaten up alone.

Shen Zhi knew what Cheng Shen wanted to say to Ji Ran, so when he dragged Cheng Shen over, he exuded a sharp sense of hostility.

Ji Ran was truly anxious this time; she directly held his arm and called out, “Shen Zhi.”

Shen Zhi’s movements paused slightly, and Ji Ran immediately said, “This kind of person is not worth your effort because, no matter what he says, I won’t care.”

In fact, Ji Ran had already guessed Shen Zhi’s background, but she didn’t mind.

Regardless of what Cheng Shen said, Shen Zhi remained Shen Zhi, and his birth wouldn’t change anything.

Shen Zhi silently gazed at her, and suddenly his eyes welled up with bitterness again.

Being an illegitimate child was the original sin he had carried from birth. When he was young, people mocked and ridiculed him, and he fought back one by one. Later, when he returned to the Shen family, everyone didn’t say it openly, but he understood what they thought.

He had never blamed his mother, but this was his original sin, a sin he could never escape in his entire life.

However, at this moment, seeing the clear eyes of Ji Ran, he suddenly felt a sense of relief. The thing that had been suppressed in his heart for many years was finally confirmed.

When he was Yuan Jing, he never told Ji Ran about his life experience.

Because he didn’t dare to gamble; he didn’t dare to bet that Ji Ran would always look at him with those clear and soft eyes, always protecting him.

But many years later, in another city where they reunited, they finally revealed this answer.

His Ranran would never care about his birth.

She told him herself that she wouldn’t mind.

Shen Zhi finally let go of Cheng Shen. At this moment, Cheng Shen’s face, stained with blood, was visibly pale. Cheng Shen could tell that the relationship between this girl and Shen Zhi was extraordinary.

That’s why he deliberately said such things; he wanted to disrupt the relationship between the two.

Why should Shen Zhi be protected like this? He was an illegitimate child, supposed to be more detestable than rats in the sewer.

But having made his statement so clearly, he didn’t expect this girl to be unmoved at all.

So he stared at Ji Ran with a stiff expression, “You really don’t care at all?”

Ji Ran grabbed Shen Zhi’s arm, feeling his muscles stiffening throughout his body because of Cheng Shen’s words. It seemed even he had moments of insecurity beneath his seemingly indifferent exterior.

Ji Ran suddenly curved her lips and softly said, “Shen Zhi is Shen Zhi, and he won’t change because of who his parents are.”

After saying this, she didn’t want to talk to Cheng Shen any further. She directly pulled Shen Zhi to leave.

It wasn’t until they reached downstairs and walked quite a distance that Ji Ran suddenly stopped, and Shen Zhi followed suit.

Ji Ran turned around and looked at him, “Shen Zhi, don’t easily get into fights in the future; it’s not worth it. These people are not worth it. Tang Zhenpeng is not worth it, and especially this Cheng Shen is not worth it. He’s seemingly seeking revenge for Tang Zhenpeng, but in reality, he’s targeting you.”

“Okay,” Shen Zhi looked at her, his voice slightly hoarse. His emotions had been off since a while ago.

It was that kind of unsettling emotion, with eyes that seemed to be sour all the time.

Clearly, from a very young age, he knew she was like a little sun, dazzling and warm. But he had walked in darkness for too long. When the sun shone on him again, warming him, even someone as indifferent as him couldn’t help but shiver uncontrollably.

Ranran, I’ve waited for you for too long.

Both of them didn’t speak further, silently looking at each other.

Until Shen Zhi took a step forward and said softly, “Are you… taking care of me now?”

Ji Ran lightly bit her lip, about to say something when,

“I only let my girlfriend taking care of me.”

He spoke with a hoarse voice, opening up next to her ear.

When the evening self-study ended, day students streamed out of the school gates. Many parents were not entirely at ease, waiting in their cars near the entrance. Of course, there were also those who took the public bus home.

When Shen Zhi walked out behind Ji Ran, he glimpsed the conspicuous Bentley parked at the school gate. It was impossible to pretend not to see it.

He genuinely pretended not to see it, but soon, the person in the driver’s seat got out. The driver opened the door and walked directly to Shen Zhi, “Young Master, Madam asked you to come home tonight.”

Without a doubt, Cheng Shen, that idiot, had gone back to complain.

Ji Ran, who had been walking ahead, glanced back. Shen Zhi smiled at her, silently mouthing the words: It’s okay.

Ji Ran pursed her lips, not saying much, especially with so many people around. When the driver approached Shen Zhi, it already attracted the attention of the students around, who kept glancing in their direction.

So, after a pause of a few seconds, Ji Ran walked back to the bus stop on the opposite side.

The Shen family’s villa was quite far from 4th middle School, which was why Shen Zhi insisted on choosing it initially, taking advantage of the opportunity to move out.

Cheng Hui was probably tired of facing him every day, pretending to be kind and generous. She readily agreed.

When they arrived home, even before entering, they could see the brilliant lights in the living room. The enormous and gorgeous crystal chandelier emitted a dazzling light, illuminating the entire house.

The decor of the Shen family was crafted by Cheng Hui, the mistress of the house, and it exuded the utmost in luxury.

At this moment, she gracefully held a bone china teacup, sitting elegantly on the sofa.

However, when she lifted her head and saw the teenager not far away with a black backpack, despite preparing herself for various scenarios, she couldn’t help but feel a sharp pang.

Yes, Cheng Hui had been unable to conceive since her marriage.

Even attempts at in vitro fertilization were unsuccessful. She had earnestly tried to have her own child, but Shen Jiming, originally not having a great relationship with her, eventually grew impatient and uncooperative.

Unexpectedly, Shen Jiming suddenly discovered that Yuan Sheng had given birth to a son.

Initially, he and Yuan Sheng were considered a perfect match. When Shen Jiming pursued her, it was sincere and earth-shattering, a love story known throughout the school. Even many girls were moved by their love story.

However, romantic love stories among wealthy children always ended up unable to escape family opposition.

Although this story was cliché, it never ceased to exist, both in TV dramas and real life.

Cheng Hui became the unexpected obstacle. She found Yuan Sheng and informed her that she was about to marry Shen Jiming. She knew that Shen Jiming was delaying breaking up with Yuan Sheng for a reason – he wanted to turn Yuan Sheng into his lover after accomplishing his goals.

As long as the family’s red flag remained standing, the outside could display colorful flags.

But how could Cheng Hui tolerate her husband, before marriage, treating her like this? Even though she was the third party who forcefully intervened due to her family background, she felt no guilt.

She understood Yuan Sheng’s personality – cold, proud, and with a strong sense of pride. As expected, Yuan Sheng soon disappeared. Shen Jiming was initially very sad, but as time passed, he forgot about the beautiful and aloof girl.

Cheng Hui felt both triumphant and ironic. The man who once loved Yuan Sheng intensely and dramatically had now become so pragmatic.

It was truly ironic.

She initially thought she was the ultimate winner, the one who laughed last. However, fate played a cruel trick. After her marriage, Cheng Hui struggled for a long time to conceive, and after a medical examination, she discovered a significant physical defect.

Reluctantly, she tried and struggled desperately to have a child.

In the end, she had to agree to let Yuan Sheng’s child enter her home. It was truly absurd and laughable.

When Cheng Hui came back to her senses, she had habitually furrowed her brows and angrily muttered, “What do you want? Beating Tang Zhenpeng isn’t enough; now you’re also targeting Ah shen. Do you think you can act recklessly just because you’re from the Shen family?”

“Didn’t Cheng Shen tell you that Tang Zhenpeng’s matter has nothing to do with me?”

Shen Zhi, on the contrary, remained quite calm.

Cheng Hui didn’t want to hear his explanation at all. Calling him back, she merely wanted to humiliate him. So, without any reservation, she said, “Ah shen is my nephew. If you dare to lay a hand on him again, even if your dad begs for mercy, I won’t spare you.”

At this point, she suddenly chuckled, her tone carrying a mix of bitterness and satisfaction, “I heard that when your mom was sick, she would keep hitting you. Your easily angered temperament, does it resemble hers?”

If there was one thing that could truly satisfy Cheng Hui, it was the illness of Yuan Sheng.

However, she didn’t expect Shen Zhi not to react with the same rage as before.

Unable to restrain herself, she gritted her teeth. Shen Jiming was about to return. She initially thought her words would provoke him, making him angry as before…

Shen Zhi looked at her indifferently, but in his mind, he kept hearing Ji Ran’s words.

Not worth it. None of these people are worth it.

They were all sick, trying to drag him into their madness, but he had Ji Ran. He wouldn’t go crazy with them.

Finally, Shen Zhi gently released the hand he had been holding tightly since a while ago.

The imprints of his nails on the palm were clearly visible.

He looked quietly at Cheng Hui and suddenly smiled, “You’re not worthy.”

“You’re not worthy of making me angry, and you’re not worthy of making me lose my temper.”