Chapter 172: Deficient Private Virtue, No Cooperation

Shen Bingrui looked at his shocked expression, shook his head: "You don't actually think it was that everywhere‑showing Expert Lin who helped you, do you?"

The three words "Expert Lin" have now become a sarcasm.

The four words "showing off everywhere" are an even sharper critique.

President Shen went the management route after graduating, not a technical post, and never does research, so he doesn't grasp some things in the circle; my grandfather and Ji Lao have never liked each other, they could give each other face when they were young, but now that they're old they care much less.

The two have always met with stern faces, and still make introductions?

Shen Xun only now realized that Shen Lao was Jiang Lai's recommender; shocked, worry rose in his mind.

Shen Bingrui returned the gift he sent; doesn't that indicate a refusal to cooperate?

He was about to speak when Shen Bingrui's next words blocked him.

"Whether President Shen knows that Dr. Jiang recommended you to my grandfather or not, it is no excuse for you having once cheated on Dr. Jiang with Ji Lao's granddaughter behind her back."

"Our private virtue is lacking; we will not cooperate."

"President Shen, please keep your own things."

Shen Bingrui turned to leave, Shen Xun strode to the doorway and blocked him, nervously saying: "Young Master Shen, cooperation is cooperation; let's talk it over properly! The compensation offered by Star Universe Technology is richer than any company's, and if it's not enough, we can add more."

Shen Bingrui: "President Shen, you seem not to understand human speech; we will not cooperate with you."

Shen Lao's patented project is very important to Shen Xun; otherwise he wouldn't have spent 2.8 million to buy an ordinary small‑leaf rosewood swivel chair.

Shen Xun gritted his teeth: "I will not take part in or meddle with this project; as long as the project belongs to Star Universe, you may choose another trustworthy person to be in charge."

Shen Bingrui shook his head: "No need to choose; we won't cooperate with you, which means we won't cooperate with Star Universe either. President Shen, step aside."

Shen Xun grew anxious.

A knock came from behind.

Fu Youlin stood at the doorway and said: "What did you just look for me for? I was just dozing in the inner room a moment ago."

Shen Xun's brows knit tightly.

The Shen family's refusal to cooperate must never be known to the Young Master; his knowing would be equivalent to Director Fu knowing.

He had given his word before Director Fu, saying he would secure Shen Lao's patented project.

Outside the door stood Fu Youlin, inside was the increasingly angry Shen Bingrui; he had to turn sideways to open the door and let the person out.

Shen Bingrui, still fuming, led the person carrying the goods away in big strides, not even noticing that the person beside him was the Fu Family heir.

But he didn't know him either; the wealthy Young Master didn't know him either; they are people from completely different worlds, only occasionally intersecting, and that only through products and companies.

Fu Youlin looked at the departing person's strange pallor and asked Shen Xun: "Who was that? What did they come to see you for?"

"Nothing," Shen Xun composed his expression and smiled: "Young Master Fu, still sleepy? You can go rest a bit more; there's nothing urgent today."

Fu Youlin: "Weren't you preparing these past two days to discuss cooperation with the Shen family? I need to quickly review the project documents; aren't you still going to conduct a spot check?"

Shen Xun pressed his lips: "Then you may go and look at them."

Fu Youlin looked at him with a puzzled expression: "Really nothing?"

He noticed Shen Xun's demeanor was a bit tense.

Shen Xun: "Nothing for now, I will continue working, Young Master Fu."

Fu Youlin turned, and as the office door was about to close, he turned back and stared at him: "Shen Xun, can you divorce Jiang Lai?"

Shen Xun tightened his grip on the door handle, the smile at his mouth fading: "Young Master Fu, this is work hours."

"Just think I'm slacking off," Fu Youlin said seriously, "Since you like someone else, just divorce her; you don't treat her as a treasure, there are plenty of people who will treat her as a treasure."

Jiang Lai really has many suitors.

Shen Xun was so angry his teeth ached.

Ke Zhongyu, Fu Youlin, and even the just‑mentioned Shen Bing Sui might be coveting his wife.

"Young Master Fu, Jiang Lai and I have a very good relationship; we love each other."

Fu Youlin: "I didn't see that."

Shen Xun glanced at Fu Youlin's outfit—hoodie, casual pants, skate shoes—and thought he looked like a completely immature kid.

He took a deep breath and kept smiling: "Young Master Fu, you are only twenty‑three, Jiang Lai is twenty‑eight."

Fu Youlin's bright eyes opened: "In the prime of youth, huh."

"She is five years older than you!" Shen Xun was somewhat taken aback.

"You're about to reach two gold bricks. You still think she's too old? You're already twenty‑nine, how can you have the nerve to say that?"

Shen Xun ground his back teeth, but facing the Fu Family heir, he had to retain a hint of respect.

"Young Master Fu, no matter how much you like her, the Fu family would not consent, and I will never divorce her."

Fu Youlin frowned: "I don't understand why you cling to her. You like that other woman; if you and that other woman become a happy couple, Jiang Lai can also enter another relationship—there are people who will love, cherish, and appreciate her; isn't that a happy ending for everyone?"

"Young Master Fu, I forgot to tell you, Jiang Lai cannot leave me," Shen Xun said, his eyes flickering a bit, not firmly.

Fu Youlin wore a look as if asking what nonsense he was speaking: "As far as I know, Jiang Lai hasn't seen you for a long time, right?"

Shen Xun's pupils contracted slightly.

How could Fu Youlin know?

He had clearly registered two new accounts, one masquerading as Fu Youlin, the other as Jiang Lai; any messages exchanged between them were known to him, and he decided which to forward.

Why would Fu Youlin know that Jiang Lai hasn't seen him recently?

Did they meet privately?

Actually it was Fu Youqing who said it; although Miss Fu knows little, she certainly knows more than her younger brother Fu Youlin.

"Seems it's true," Fu Youlin took the answer from his paused expression, feeling much more at ease.

"Rest assured, your divorce from Jiang Lai won't affect your position at Star Universe Technology; within the Fu Family, only a few know you were married, my father has always known, even knows about your affair, so there's nothing unsaid."

Actually, at first he didn't understand why his father, knowing Shen Xun's private matters were a risk, still continued to favor him.

His father said to him these words.

Shen Xun took the position of CEO at Star Universe Technology; his everything was now tied to the Fu family. Unless absolutely necessary, he could only protect it, not abandon it. Star Universe Technology was sailing; at this moment, dropping a helmsman would not only be unwise, it would even sow hidden danger.

Moreover, the Fu family spent years cultivating an enforcer—not to hand a sharp blade to a rival. Even if they truly reached the end of their resources, were reassigned or demoted, they must keep that person firmly under watch.

Not for my use, nor for the enemy's—remember this well.

Shen Xun could do nothing about the Fu family's young master; he ruthlessly suppressed the anger welling up inside.

If Master Fu wants to pursue Jiang Lai, he should first manage to meet her in person before saying anything else.

He couldn't get close to Nanshan Villa No. 9, and he rarely saw Jiang Lai anyway; it would be better to let Fu Youlin think of a way.

As long as he sees Jiang Lai, Elder Shen's patent project will have a chance.

He deliberately provoked the still‑unstable youth: "You can't even see Jiang Lai's face—how do you expect to pursue her? She might have forgotten what you look like; I was her husband for four years, and I never saw her put any man other than me in her eyes."

The youth's eyes indeed reddened with anger: "Since you know she cares about you, why treat her like this? You don't care about her, yet you won't let anyone else care for her. You will surely face retribution; you will surely lose her!"

Fu Youlin's last words were like ants gnawing at his heart, tormenting him all day.

Panic, worry, irritability—emotions of varying intensity took turns playing out.

Shen Xun sat in his office until late at night, then suddenly exploded after a keyboard key failed.

He shoved the keyboard aside and growled in a low voice, "I won't lose her!"

But recalling that day, when Jiang Lai watched him as the nanny shoved a mop handle into his mouth, unmoved, his heart clenched with a sharp pain.

The stench of the mop seemed to waft through the air again; Shen Xun rushed to the sink and vomited nonstop.