Chapter 154: He has fallen for Jiang Lai

Shen Xun sat where he was, not going anywhere.

He supported his forehead with both hands, let his head droop, then after a moment switched to clasping the back of his neck—utterly a state of unbearable anguish.

Seeing this, Lin Shutong thought his mother and sister had done something else that caused him pain and trouble, and she walked over, lowering her voice.

"A Xun, what's wrong?"

"Where are Auntie and Xiao Xi? Did they scold you over money? Right……"

Shen Xun lifted his head, his scarlet eyes like those of a beast about to go mad, staring at her heavily.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she couldn't go on with what she was going to say.

Shen Xun just kept staring at her heavily.

As if trying to see through something.

In his eyes lay an indescribable disbelief.

Lin Shutong said, "I only just came over because the doctor had me do a urine test; my waist is injured, so I need to do a urine test to see if there's any problem, but the results won't be out until tomorrow. Still, I feel much better, so you don't need to worry……"

"Lin Shutong." Shen Xun suddenly called her full name.

Lin Shutong didn't know how many years it had been since she last heard Shen Xun call her that, and every cell in her body was filled with tension.

"Just now Xiao Xi told me something; do you want to explain it from your perspective?" Shen Xun suppressed his anger, striving to give her a chance to explain.

Just as he also wanted Jiang Lai to give him a chance to explain, putting himself in her shoes.

Lin Shutong's hand holding the prescription slip began to tremble; she tentatively asked, "What is it?"

Her voice was very soft.

"The matter of Jiang Lai's herbal medicine poisoning last time." Shen Xun looked up at her; Lin Shutong had once been someone he looked up to.

She was beautiful in appearance, gentle in nature, and more talented than the average woman; even if she left the country without a word, thinking of her being for scientific research, for her future, even related to national technological development, he wouldn't get angry and would instead strongly support her.

He had originally intended to start a business, and the research funds he gave Lin Shutong were his startup capital.

He worked hard to earn money, lived frugally, just wanting to see her advance more smoothly and shine brighter on that path.

The best way to love a flower is to watch it bloom on the branch.

Lin Shutong returned home under the halo of an external expert, only to be struck from the Self-developed Chip Project.

He never thought she would steal data; she would come up with such a crooked idea on her own.

Having some scheming in one's career is normal, but why, in private, could she still go so far as to incite others to commit crime, drug people, and ruin others' reputations?

"I want to hear how you say it—whether you did or not." Shen Xun rose; with his great height difference, he loomed over her, his tone icy and oppressive.

"Were you also involved in this?"

"Was the channel Shen Xi used to get the medicine something you provided?"

"Was the man preparing to ruin Jiang Lai's reputation someone you found?"

This matter is Lin Shutong's leverage over Shen Xi.

She didn't expect Shen Xi to act so quickly.

Is it just because of money?

Shen Xi wants money; this can be negotiated!

How could it be said in just a moment's time!

Lin Shutong's eyes filled with terror; she bit hard on her own tongue tip, the pain making her eyes well up with tears.

"I didn't……"

"Really not?" Shen Xun pressed closer, "Speak properly, speak honestly—do you know why I originally thought Jiang Lai had misunderstood Xiao Xi? We all know she doesn't have that kind of mind."

Last time Jiang Lai had reminded him of this, and she had even hinted at it to Lin Shutong in his presence.

He didn't take it to heart.

Back then he only knew Jiang Lai had been poisoned by herbal medicine, yet Ke Zhongyu sent her to the hospital; on that trip, who could guarantee there was no delay?

Four years!

For four years he had never delayed with Jiang Lai!

At that time he only felt anger, and actually didn't care about Jiang Lai.

Because every time Lin Shutong, standing beside him, would add fuel to the fire in a half-hearted way.

"So just tell me—are you the one or not!" This sentence was shouted out, as if with all his strength, the veins on his neck quickly bulging.

Lin Shutong once again saw Shen Xun in a fury beyond compare.

The first time was when she left the country without a word; after Shen Xun got in touch with her, he was just this angry.

This time it was for Jiang Lai.

"A Xun, are you yelling at me like this for Jiang Lai?"

"Don't change the subject." Shen Xun faced her tear-filled, pitiful eyes, and for the first time felt it was all too fake.

Lin Shutong's tears fell: "You actually already believe I did it, yet you still ask me what I did?"

"Don't, shift, the, topic." Shen Xun repeated each word with a pause, his patience exhausted, "I just want you to answer yes or no."

"Can we go outside to talk?" Lin Shutong wiped her tears, "People often pass by here; with your status standing here, if someone with ill intentions took a photo……"

"Let them take it." Shen Xun shook off her hand, "Don't beat around the bush, letting you explain when you won't, letting you answer yes or no when you won't—are you trying to make me investigate myself, or do you think I can't find out?"

"I can't find it; do you think the police could?"

Shen Xun using the police to threaten her—does that mean if she spoke, there would be no police involvement?

Lin Shutong weighed the consequences in her mind.

She couldn't get into trouble again.

Her maternal grandfather had already been punished; within two or three years he wouldn't have a project to bring her in, so he could only send her to other labs or research institutes, and any legitimate lab would have to conduct qualification and file reviews.

Gu Zhiyan had already helped her once; in the short term it was impossible for him to help her a second time.

If something else happens, her record will have a blemish.

Lin Shutong steeled herself, nodded and said, "Yes, it's me, but Ah Xun, this matter isn't just me alone; there's also Shen Xi—this idea was hers."

She bound herself and Shen Xi with a rope, not believing Shen Xun would, for Jiang Lai's sake, sacrifice both of them at once.

Shen Xun also figured it out.

Lin Shutong not only admitted it, she also threatened him.

Well done.

Shen Xun tugged at his lips, which trembled slightly: "It's really you… it's actually you… why would you do this?"

"Ah Xun, you really don't know why?" Lin Shutong looked into his eyes, "I love you, can't you see? Haven't I said it? I just don't want to lose you; I just want to marry you."

"You're clearly so generous with me, giving me everything, yet you won't give me the title of Mrs. Shen—are you really expecting me to remain a mistress forever?"

"Shen Xun, who am I? My surname is Lin; my parents are university professors, my maternal grandfather is a senior figure in the scientific community. Even if our Lin family isn't a scholarly lineage, we're still an educated family. For you, I'm willing to be your secret lover."

Lin Shutong wore a pained expression.

"I love you, I do not fear worldly conventions,"

"Why can't you bear to part with Jiang Lai? You'd give up everything, so why can't you bear to part with just Jiang Lai?"

Lin Shutong kept wanting to ask again: "Do you love her?"

"Yes! I like her!" Shen Xun admitted it unexpectedly.

He had never dared to think about it, never dared to admit it, but at this moment Lin Shutong forced the answer out of him.

After the admission, the air fell into a silence.

Lin Shutong shed silent tears.

Shen Xun, however, felt a sudden sense of relief—why he had started refusing intimacy with Lin Shutong, why he grew angry when Jiang Lai and Ke Zhongyu grew close, why he cared that Jiang Lai, in interviews, didn't acknowledge their marriage, why he had never considered divorcing Jiang Lai… all became clear at that moment.

He didn't know when he had begun to like Jiang Lai.