Chapter 76: He Seems Like He

Shen Yanhui's expression darkened slightly: "Speak."

Chang Su spoke very quickly: "Madam lost control of her emotions and accidentally hurt herself. She has already been sent to the hospital and is currently still in emergency care."

The office was terrifyingly quiet.

Shen Yanhui's fingers tightened instantly, his knuckles turning white.

He knew this "sanitized" version of events all too well. The truth was that his mother had attempted suicide once again.

Since her condition had stabilized, this was the first time.

"The reason."

"The caregiver said it seems she saw a photograph."

Before the words were finished, the fountain pen in Shen Yanhui's hand snapped with a sound. Ink splattered onto the documents on the desk, looking like black blood.

Chang Su was startled and held his breath.

Shen Yanhui closed his eyes, suppressing the surging dark tide: "Depart immediately, go to Paris."

"Yes." Chang Su turned quickly to make arrangements.

Forty minutes later, the black Bentley drove out of the underground garage.

Chang Su sat in the passenger seat and reported after hanging up the phone: "The flight path is approved, Gulfstream G650, taking off from Jingzhou International Airport in two hours."

Shen Yanhui gave a hum, his gaze landing on the streetscape flying past outside the car window.

When the car reached an intersection, he suddenly spoke: "Go to the Gu Family first."

Chang Su turned his head in surprise but didn't ask further: "Yes."

Outside the Gu Family Villa, the car slowed to a stop.

Shen Yanhui dialed Gu Yan's number.

It was answered almost after a single ring, and the girl's bright voice came through the receiver, carrying undisguised joy: "Shen Yanhui? Did you arrive so early?"

He heard the pitter-patter of her footsteps on her end, as well as her light, quick breathing.

"Come down," he said in a low voice.

"Right away, right away! I'm changing my shoes—"

The call didn't hang up; he could clearly hear the sound of her running down the stairs in slippers, *thump, thump, thump*, like it was knocking against his heart.

Inexplicably, his heart, which had been tense the entire journey, was gently soothed by this sound for a moment.

Then he saw her.

His little rose ran out of the villa holding up her skirt, her bright eyes flashing, the hem of her dress swaying in a beautiful arc at her feet. The afternoon sun was just right, shining on her, making her look so bright she seemed to glow.

"Shen Yanhui!" She threw herself into his arms, wrapped her arms around his waist, and tilted her face up, her eyes curving into crescent moons, "You really are handsome!"

Shen Yanhui looked at her with deep eyes.

The next second, he lifted her chin and kissed her.

Gu Yan was startled and instinctively wanted to dodge.

At her own front door, the target was too big and too obvious!

But Shen Yanhui didn't give her the chance to dodge.

The kiss remained forceful, just like the man himself. However, Gu Yan felt a hint of something she had never felt before: a near-desperate urgency.

Also startled were the Gu parents, who had quietly followed to the window inside the villa.

Yang Bing's eyes lit up; this young man was truly handsome. And so proactive, quite good.

"Yan Yan's taste is really good. Hearing her say he's 29, you can't tell at all."

Gu Fanglin, however, frowned tightly.

He recognized that face.

Shen Yanhui, head of the Shen Family; it would be no exaggeration to say he was a figure who could cover the sky with one hand in this Jingcheng.

Yang Bing noticed her husband's expression beside her and found it hilarious. She bumped his arm and laughed softly: "Is it really that serious?"

Gu Fanglin opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing.

He was worried.

How did she end up finding someone so difficult to provoke? Should he say his daughter had good taste, or that she was highly capable?

If she were to be wronged in the future, their Gu Family wouldn't even have the ability to seek justice.

Outside the villa, Shen Yanhui's kiss showed no intention of stopping at a mere taste.

Gu Yan was forced to endure it, keenly sensing that something was wrong with his emotions. She stopped dodging and instead responded to him with youthful inexperience, her tongue tip gently brushing against his.

Shen Yanhui's movements paused.

The kiss became a bit gentler, but also deeper, more like some kind of confirmation.

After a long while, he pulled away, his forehead resting against hers, his breathing slightly ragged.

Gu Yan asked softly: "Did something happen?"

"Mm."

"Is it very serious?"

"Very serious."

Shen Yanhui said in a low voice, his fingers stroking her cheek, "Yan Yan, I'm very sorry. I can't formally visit your father and mother today; I have to go to Paris."

Gu Yan was a little dazed, but she immediately said: "Ah, okay. Then we'll make another time, you go handle your business first."

Shen Yanhui hugged her tightly, his arms pulling in with great force, as if he wanted to knead her into his body.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay," Gu Yan patted his back, her tone relaxed, "Just come again next time."

Chang Su glanced at his watch and reminded him in a low voice: "Sir, we have to go to the airport."

Shen Yanhui kissed her forehead one last time and let go of her hand.

As he turned to leave, Gu Yan suddenly grabbed his sleeve.

"Shen Yanhui." She looked at him, her eyes sparkling, "Stay safe. Once you arrive... remember to let me know."

Shen Yanhui looked at her deeply and nodded: "Okay."

The car drove away.

Gu Yan stood where she was, watching the direction where the rear of the car disappeared, the smile on her face slowly fading.

She always felt that the Shen Yanhui from just a moment ago...

Seemed like he was about to shatter.

——

More than ten hours later, the plane landed at Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Shen Yanhui walked out of the cabin door, and the cold air mixed with rain and mist rushed toward his face. He turned on his phone; the moment the signal was restored, a message popped up.

It was sent by Gu Yan twenty minutes ago: 【Have you arrived? Stay safe.】

His fingertips paused on the screen for a moment, then he replied: 【Arrived, everything is well.】

Sent.

There was no instant reply.

He glanced at the time; it should be three in the morning back home, so she was probably already asleep.

Putting his phone away, Chang Su opened a black umbrella and followed him: "Sir, the car is ready. News has come from the hospital that the Madam is out of danger and has been moved to the intensive care unit."

Shen Yanhui gave a hum and sat into the waiting sedan.

Outside the car window, Paris was hazy and damp in the curtain of rain, and the streetlights cast fragmented light and shadows into the puddles.

This city bore too many past events he did not wish to recall, yet it also engraved the most beautiful moments of his life.

Forty minutes later, the car stopped in front of a private hospital.

Shen Yanhui pushed open the door to the hospital room.

Pei Wanjun lay on the hospital bed, her wrists wrapped in thick gauze, her face as pale as paper. She had her eyes closed, her breathing steady, but her brows were slightly furrowed; even in her sleep, she could not find peace.

Shen Yanhui stood at the foot of the bed, watching her quietly.

After a long while, he finally approached and sat down on the chair by the bed.

Chang Su pushed the door open and entered, seeing Shen Yanhui sunken into the chair, his face showing signs of fatigue.

His footsteps faltered, but he eventually stepped forward and handed over the sealed bag in his hand: "Sir, these are the photos the Madam was looking at last night."

Shen Yanhui did not move, and it was a long time before he took them.

He looked down; there were two photos, one was a group photo of Pei Wanjun when she was young with Shen Zongwen, and the other was an old photo of him at ten years old.

"Where is the nurse from last night?" His voice was low and hoarse, "Have her come in."