Chapter 169: No Mercy, Cutting Off His Future

Shen Xun lunged forward to chase, but because he ran too hastily and didn't watch where he was going, his thigh slammed into the table corner, and the mineral water bottle that had been opened on the table tipped over, the clear water running down the corner onto his leather shoes.

The slight commotion drew nearby people to look back; Shen Xun frowned, feeling both pain and embarrassment.

"President Shen, are you okay?"

"I'm fine." He ordered Qiao Chuan to fetch something, then kept chasing outward, and when he reached the doorway he happened to see a black Maybach speed away.

"Jiang Lai!"

The only reply was the cold wind and a stream of cars passing by.

When Qiao Chuan came out, he saw Shen Xun's desolate expression.

Shen Xun turned to him: "Get more phone numbers, cancel the ones that were blocked before, and apply for new cards."

Qiao Chuan immediately agreed, noticing that President Shen's expression had become visibly weary from work and personal matters, and offered comfort: "President Shen, the lady hasn't changed her number, she only blocked you, which shows she still thinks of you. As long as you persist, her heart will eventually melt, and the two of you will get back together."

Shen Xun's tightly knit brows relaxed slightly, and he said softly, "Is that so?"

Qiao Chuan nodded.

He didn't dare to say it wasn't.

Shen Xun watched the auction staff carefully bring out the small‑leaf rosewood ring chair and set it up for him.

The car door had just been opened, and Shen Xun's body suddenly froze.

Qiao Chuan: "President Shen, what's wrong?"

Shen Xun looked at Qiao Chuan, his eyes deepening: "You just said Jiang Lai never changed her phone number?"

Qiao Chuan: "Yes, President Shen, the lady only blocked you, she didn't change the number, which shows she's still worried you can't reach her."

Shen Xun shook his head lightly: "Not necessarily."

He recalled something.

The year before last he and Jiang Lai returned to the Fuli Yuan in G Province, where Jiang Lai left her contact information for an autistic child.

Normally Jiang Lai's phone stays reachable twenty‑four hours a day; she answers any call from G Province, even if the number isn't eleven digits.

"Qiao Chuan, fly to G Province tomorrow and inquire about a boy who was once called Ping'an at the Fuli Yuan, now fifteen years old and autistic."

With news of this boy, Jiang Lai will meet him.

……

Shen Lao's birthday banquet was held in a local private restaurant, very down‑to‑earth.

Only the Shen family and Jiang Lai were present.

This year the matriarch didn't come, but she sent Steward Deng personally with birthday gifts.

Steward Deng, upon seeing Jiang Lai, immediately smiled with his eyes crinkled and said, "Miss Jiang Lai's complexion is improving; she looks like she's been eating and resting well."

Jiang Lai: "Aunt Mo is at home; Aunt Mo tells me to eat meals and fruit on schedule every day, and last night she even studied medicinal cuisine."

Steward Deng, looking gratified, said, "It's good that someone looks after Miss Jiang Lai; the lady can be at ease. Miss Jiang Lai, I'll take a photo of you for the lady."

Jiang Lai almost never posts on Moments; even when she does, she doesn't share her own photos or updates.

She stood obediently.

Steward Deng finally pressed record on his video, captured a short clip, and then left.

"Goodbye, Uncle Deng."

"Goodbye, Miss Jiang Lai."

After the farewell, Shen Bingrui, who had been standing upright beside them, finally stretched out his hands and called, "Hello, Dr. Jiang!"

Jiang Lai was startled by his shout.

She reached back and grasped his hand: "Sorry I didn't openly acknowledge who I am at the last cocktail party."

"It's fine!" Shen Bingrui, under 1.8 m tall, of average build and fair complexion, was extremely nervous at that moment, after all he was standing in the same photo frame with his revered grandfather.

Realizing he was still holding her hand, he quickly let go and gave her a wide grin.

Jiang Lai said, "Just call me by my name."

"Alright, Dr. Jiang, this way, please." Shen Bingrui led her to the seat beside his grandfather.

Shen Lao looked at his grandson and scolded, "Useless."

Shen Bingrui said cheerfully, "Indeed, I can't compare to Dr. Jiang's achievements."

"Alright, sit down first." Shen Lao signaled everyone to sit.

Shen Bingrui looked at the empty seat and asked, "Grandpa, who else is there?"

Shen Lao: "The elder nephew of Uncle Gu Hai whom you met in B City."

"Speak of the devil."

Gu Zhiyan appeared at the doorway holding a gift, and his smiling glance met Jiang Lai's eyes.

Both were startled.

Jiang Lai never expected to see Lin Shutong's admirer at Shen Lao's birthday banquet.

Shen Bingrui sensed her confusion and whispered, "In the first half of the year I went with my grandfather to B City for a symposium; the venue happened to fall within Uncle Gu's jurisdiction, so my grandfather asked Uncle Gu for a small favor, and after a bit of back‑and‑forth we got in touch. This time Gu Zhiyan happened to be in A City on business, and Uncle Gu asked him to deliver a birthday gift to my grandfather, who couldn't refuse, so he told him the location of today's dinner."

Jiang Lai nodded: "Thank you."

Shen Bingrui gave a goofy laugh: "No need to thank me."

"Jiang girl." Shen Lao called Jiang Lai, and she immediately stood up.

"Let me introduce you: Gu Zhiyan, the eldest son of the Gu family from B City. Their family is in tourism development, and he himself is a lawyer."

Jiang Lai looked at Gu Zhiyan: "Lawyer Gu."

Gu Zhiyan: "Dr. Jiang."

The two exchanged brief pleasantries and sat down again.

Shen Lao never brings up work matters at family banquets, but this time he broke that rule.

Around the time we were about to eat, Shen Xun said to Jiang Lai: "Recently Star Universe Technology and another company both want a patent I hold. I haven't given a definitive answer to either side. Jiang girl, what do you think? What are you and Shen Xun planning?"

Old Shen still didn't know Jiang Lai's divorce; he was angry that Shen Xun betrayed the student he liked, but he also wanted to hear what Jiang Lai had to say.

If this girl truly loves too deeply, he still wants to be able to lend a hand.

Gu Zhiyan heard Star Universe Technology, and his gaze immediately fell on Jiang Lai's face, assessing her.

Jiang Lai ignored his assessing gaze and said to Old Shen, "Shen Xun and I are already divorced."

Shen Bingrui widened his eyes: "Really?! Great, congratulations Dr. Jiang on escaping the suffering!"

Old Shen looked at Jiang Lai warily: "Jiang girl, you won't go back to a former love, will you?"

"No." Jiang Lai replied firmly, and deliberately stated a fact in front of Gu Zhiyan, "Shen Xun's beloved is pregnant."

Gu Zhiyan's hand tightened around his cup.

Shutong is pregnant?

When did that happen?

Why didn't you tell him?

Old Shen didn't care who was pregnant or not; as long as he was sure Jiang Lai wouldn't go back to a former love, he immediately told his eldest grandson, "I'll give that patent to another company."

Shen Bingrui said with a smile, "Don't worry, grandpa, I'll contact the other party tomorrow."

After the family banquet ended.

Jiang Lai and Gu Zhiyan saw Old Shen off as he left.

The surroundings grew quiet, and Gu Zhiyan suddenly said to Jiang Lai, "You and Shen Xun are, after all, a married couple; why be so ruthless in cutting off his future?"

Jiang Lai turned to look at him: "Lawyer Gu, are you so angry because I gave Lin Shutong a promotion, hindering your pursuit of someone?"

Gu Zhiyan's thoughts were guessed.

"Lawyer Gu was just surprised that Shutong is pregnant; it seems she didn't dare tell you." Jiang Lai's eyes flashed with wit, "If Lawyer Gu thinks I'm talking nonsense, you can go ask yourself."

That way she could still find out where Shutong is hiding.