Chapter 77: Three Years Later

Three years later.

Rain tapped against the stone steps, moss spread quietly, and hydrangeas, wrapped in water droplets, hung low and heavy.

Lanwan City ushered in the plum rain season.

Today is Qingming Festival.

Shi Heng held an umbrella in one hand and a bunch of pure white lilies in the other, stepping up the long stairs of the "Martyrs Cemetery" step by step.

Shi Yi's body was never found, and the Shi family refused to buy a grave or erect a tombstone for Shi Yi. So, according to the government's suggestion, Shi Heng erected a "cenotaph" for Shi Yi in this "Martyrs Cemetery."

On the black marble tombstone was pasted Shi Yi's youthful face, frozen at 23. The girl still curved her mouth, smiling quietly and calmly.

All around were tall, solemn pines and cypresses, a scene of peaceful years.

The tombstone was covered with rows of fresh flowers, which should have been organized by students from nearby primary and secondary schools who came to sweep the graves collectively.

Shi Heng smiled in his heart.

His sister was a martyr.

Her name would be forever engraved in history textbooks, forever remembered in people's hearts. How proud and how boastful he, as a brother, should be...

But at this very moment, he only felt endless heartache and regret...

He didn't want to be a martyr's family member at all!

This honor, for him, was a prison from which he could never escape for the rest of his life.

Shi Heng bent down and gently placed the bunch of pure white, beautiful lilies in his hand in front of the tombstone.

He didn't know what flowers Shi Yi liked.

He also didn't know what colors, what gifts, what food, what music, what idols she liked...

About these, he knew absolutely nothing!

After Shi Yi died, Shi Heng had desperately searched his mind for all memories of Shi Yi, but unfortunately, she was like a shadow that existed or didn't exist, forever a blurry existence.

So, he had never really cared about her at all...

"Xiao Yi, Brother has come to see you," Shi Heng whispered: "Three years, you have been gone for three full years. Over there... how are you doing? Has anyone... bullied you? Have you... met someone you like? Are you already able to freely do what you want to do?"

"Do you... not recognize me as your brother anymore... why have you never... appeared in my dreams?"

Shi Heng's voice choked up.

"Xiao Yi, if you still remember me, can you... appear in my dream?"

"Brother... really misses you."

Coming out of the cemetery, it was already late.

The light rain was still falling "swish, swish," and Shi Heng's secretary, Sun, held an umbrella and greeted him from afar. Seeing that his boss was soaked through and his face was pale and terrifying, he asked with concern:

"President Shi, are... are you okay?"

"I'm fine, drive." Shi Heng's voice was cold.

"Where are we going now?"

"Home."

An hour later, the black Maybach stopped at the gate of the Shi family garden. Over the past three years, Shi Heng had been working desperately, and the Shi Group had developed and grown at an astonishing speed. Today's Shi family was already the richest in Lanwan City.

"Heng is back!"

Liu Wanxin was even more fawning and flattering to this son of hers, and she greeted him from the house from afar.

"I heard you were coming home for dinner today, we are all waiting for you, come in quickly!"

Shi Heng expressionlessly let the servant take off his suit jacket, straightened his shirt cuffs, took off his watch, and sat down beside the dining table.

"Brother."

Shi Xi took the initiative to stand up and politely called out to her brother.

Nowadays, her attitude toward Shi Heng had long changed from willful to respectful.

Even Shi Zhenyuan stood up and gave his seat to his son, "Heng, sit here."

Shi Heng nodded silently and began to eat.

A sumptuous dinner was placed on the dining table, steaming hot. It should have been a warm moment for the family to reunite, but the air suddenly quieted down, and the atmosphere became heavy and oppressive...

The Shi family naturally knew that today was the Qingming Festival, and Shi Heng must have gone to the Martyrs Cemetery.

Every Qingming Festival, he would go to sweep Shi Yi's grave.

However, no one dared to mention Shi Yi's name in front of Shi Heng. That name—had become a "taboo" that the Shi family knew well.

"Heng, eat this, it's the freshest East Star Grouper delivered this morning. I asked Zhang Ma to clear-stew it for you to nourish your body."

To ease the tense atmosphere, Liu Wanxin specially picked a large piece of fish for Shi Heng and said with a fawning smile.

East Star Grouper—the three words were like a spell, awakening Shi Heng's long-sealed memories.

Perhaps the Shi family had long forgotten.

But he couldn't forget the way Shi Yi looked when she was forced to eat East Star Grouper on the day she was released from prison, having an allergic reaction to seafood, vomiting blood, and fainting in front of him.

Shi Heng's face turned pale as frost, and he threw that piece of fish into the trash can on the table without hesitation.

"I don't eat fish."

Liu Wanxin's heart tightened. She clearly remembered that her son liked seafood the most, especially tender fish, how could he... not like fish anymore?

But the next second, she suddenly realized.

How could she have forgotten, Shi Yi was allergic to seafood!

Heng must have thought of that person who no longer existed again...

Just then, a delicate voice sounded at the dining table.

"By the way, Brother, I'm graduating next month. Our school is going to hold a grand graduation ceremony, and each student can be accompanied by a parent. Do... do you want to come to my graduation ceremony?"

Before Shi Heng could speak, Shi Zhenyuan said decisively:

"Your brother is busy with work and doesn't have time to accompany you, let your mother accompany you."

Liu Wanxin immediately echoed:

"Yes, yes, there are so many things in the company that Heng has to handle personally. He is busy all day long without even a moment to rest, how could he have time to accompany you! Let Mom go with you, I'm familiar with your school too."

Shi Xi rolled her eyes secretly and pursed her lips tightly.

Of course, she hoped from the bottom of her heart that Shi Heng would attend her graduation ceremony. He was now the most eye-catching young entrepreneur in the whole of Lanwan City and the dream lover of countless young girls. She had several girlfriends who were full of anticipation to see her brother!

If her brother could personally hold her arm and appear at the graduation ceremony, she didn't know how many envious eyes it would attract...

She would also become the brightest star of the whole party.

It's just a pity...

Ever since that little bitch Shi Yi died, her brother had long since stopped doting on her as before, responding to every request. Now he didn't even bother to look at her...

"Okay..."

Shi Xi responded in a low voice, full of disappointment.

Just then, a deep and cold voice sounded:

"When is the ceremony?"

"I'll go with you." ===== CHAPTER 78 =====