Chapter 78: Game 10—Then Let’s Fight to the Death…

Bai Yuanzhi stared at the scene in stunned disbelief.

She couldn’t even believe that the arrogant and domineering Xu Wenrui would willingly jump off a building for Chen Shen!

Reason told her: If you don’t believe it, you can lean out and look.

But Bai Yuanzhi didn’t dare.

Not only did Bai Yuanzhi not dare to look,

Chen Shen didn’t dare either.

His voice trembling, he asked, “Ah Yao, where… where’s Wenrui?”

Chen Shuojie stood there dumbfounded, completely unresponsive.

Liu Rong, however, glanced blankly toward the ground below and said in a daze, “She… jumped.”

“She really jumped…”

“Is it true?”

“She really jumped!” Liu Rong began answering his own questions.

Chen Shen flew into a rage. Breaking free from the burly man restraining him like a madman, he rushed to Liu Rong’s side and punched him to the ground. “You knew she was foolish, yet you still tricked her like that! Do you really want to die?!”

Taking advantage of the chaos as Chen Shen and Liu Rong fought,

Bai Yuanzhi imitated Xu Wenrui’s earlier move and bit down hard on the hand of the burly man beside her!

The man let out a scream,

and Bai Yuanzhi stomped viciously on his foot.

The man screamed again…

Bai Yuanzhi turned and ran!

Miss Sui beside her followed suit.

It seemed Chen Shuojie and Chen Shen also seized the moment to fight back.

One shouted, “Liu Rong, if you have the guts, come at me!”

The other roared, “Ah Zhi, run—don’t look back!”

And so, Bai Yuanzhi and Miss Sui fled one after the other,

panicking and taking any path they could!

But soon, the burly men gave chase.

Bai Yuanzhi didn’t know what happened to Miss Sui… perhaps she ran too slowly or something, but in any case, Bai Yuanzhi ran too fast, and Miss Sui and the pursuing burly men eventually vanished from sight.

Bai Yuanzhi ran all the way downstairs in one breath.

At a glance, she saw Xu Wenrui lying in a pool of blood.

“Ah—”

She managed only half a gasp before falling into a familiar yet icy embrace.

Bai Yuanzhi turned her head and saw a young man wearing a helmet.

“A Yao?” she panted softly, calling his name.

The young man nodded, then took her hand and quickly ran in a certain direction.

Bai Yuanzhi had no idea how long she ran…

In any case,

she was panting so hard it felt like her lungs were about to burst!

A Yao led her to where he had hidden his motorcycle and motioned for her to climb onto the back seat.

Gasping for breath, Bai Yuanzhi said, “We have to call the police! We must call the police right away… A Yao, Xu Wenrui jumped! She… she’s bleeding a lot!”

A Yao put a motorcycle helmet on her and said, “Don’t worry, I’ll take you home first, then go call the police.”

“Hurry—”

“Don’t waste time!” he urged anxiously.

Bai Yuanzhi had no choice but to climb onto the back of his motorcycle and asked, “What are you doing here?”

A Yao replied, “You might not believe it… I was called here to fill the crowd, but as soon as I went upstairs, I saw you. I panicked and slipped away quietly. Then I hid in the stairwell, unsure what to do… I wanted to call the police, but I was afraid something might suddenly happen to you. What if something happened while I was calling the police…”

“The most important thing now is to take you home first. Only then can I go call the police with peace of mind.” With that, A Yao lowered his helmet visor, started the motorcycle, and sped off, taking Bai Yuanzhi home.

He was probably afraid she might have another mishap, insisting on escorting her right to her doorstep. Only after watching her unlock the door and enter did A Yao say to Bai Yuanzhi, “Sister, I have something very important to tell you… Please wait for me a few more days.”

Bai Yuanzhi had experienced far too much today. Her mind felt dull, her thoughts in disarray, and she truly had no mood to press him further. So she nodded woodenly, watching as A Yao left.

Only after he had gone did she remember she seemed to have forgotten to tell him, “Be careful on your way.”

Zhou Sier, who had already been asleep, was awakened by the noise Bai Yuanzhi made and quickly called out, “Ah Zhi?”

Bai Yuanzhi snapped back to reality, hurriedly took off her shoes and socks, swiftly changed into home clothes, and then squeezed into her elder sister’s bed. “Sister… something terrible happened today!”

And so, huddled together with her sister, Bai Yuanzhi recounted everything that had happened that day in detail.

Zhou Sier was stunned speechless.

Bai Yuanzhi had attended classes all day yesterday and was already exhausted. Having been frightened and anxious for much of the night, her energy was depleted. As she talked, she gradually drifted into a deep sleep.

When Bai Yuanzhi woke up naturally the next morning, she found the house empty?!

Getting up to look, she discovered a lavish, still-warm breakfast on the dining table, with a note beside it:

[Ah Zhi, I went downstairs to buy a newspaper, I’ll be back soon]

Bai Yuanzhi breathed a sigh of relief, got up to wash up and tidy herself.

Soon, Zhou Sier returned.

She was carrying a bag of fruit and holding a newspaper.

Bai Yuanzhi sat at the dining table, eating breakfast while continuing to tell her sister the things she hadn’t had time to share last night.

By the time she finished speaking, breakfast was also done.

“Sister, what do you think… should I also go to the police station?” Bai Yuanzhi wanted to seek her sister’s opinion.

“I think you shouldn’t go,” Zhou Sier said. “Unless the police come to your door to ask for information… If you want to know what happened later, here, read the newspaper!”

With that, Zhou Sier handed the newspaper to Bai Yuanzhi.

Bai Yuanzhi took it and saw—the front-page headline of Qingping Daily featured the tragic incident at the Wanmei Film Industry set last night:

[Shipping Magnate’s Funeral Followed by Tragedy, New Bride (trans: daughter-in-law) Unfortunate Fall Yesterday, Wanmei President Heartbroken, Chen Group Heir Truly Pitiful (trans: poor thing)]

Bai Yuanzhi’s eyes widened in shock.

What?

Xu Wenrui… is dead?

She quickly began reading carefully and earnestly.

According to the newspaper, Xu Wenrui and Chen Shen had an argument on the set, leading to Xu Wenrui accidentally falling from the building. Someone tried to rescue her but ended up falling alongside her.

Then, both injured individuals were taken to the hospital together.

Xu Wenrui unfortunately passed away,

while the other injured person is still undergoing emergency treatment.

Bai Yuanzhi stared at this article for a very, very long time.

It was only because she was at the scene yesterday that she learned secrets like “the Ming Family’s true and false young masters,” “the Xu Family sisters switching marriages,” and “Chen Shen luring an underage girl to bear his child”…

And now, as soon as day broke, such hidden matters had made it into the newspaper, known to everyone across Hong Kong City?

It’s worth noting that she had only left the scene around three or four in the morning.

The day’s newspaper had to complete its final layout and review by four at the latest, then start printing, to be available at street-side newsstands by six or seven.

So, who exactly reported this news?

There aren’t any paparazzi or entertainment reporters at the scene!

Or perhaps the journalist who reported this news had already written the article long ago?

But last night’s incident…

Should have been a sudden event.

“The rich really play big!” Zhou Sier exclaimed. “But Hong Kong entertainment reporters really know how to write!”

“Ah Zhi, look at this headline—it’s so eye-catching: ‘Why did the brother-in-law cry like a dog when his sister-in-law died?’ Isn’t this just pointing out their affair?”

“This headline really makes people feel curious at once.”

“But this is too disrespectful to the Ming, Xu, and Chen families!”

“Is this little reporter tired of living? Isn’t he afraid of retaliation from the three major families?” Zhou Sier chattered on.

Bai Yuanzhi fell into thought.

After a long while, she said, “How do you know this wasn’t exposed by someone from the three major families?”

“Huh?” Zhou Sier was shocked, her mouth agape. It took her a while to say, “You mean they exposed themselves?”

Bai Yuanzhi thought for a moment and said, “I feel like… it was done by the young master of the Ming family.”

“What???” Zhou Sier was once again stunned.

Bai Yuanzhi explained, “Think about it, Elder Sister. His parents are both dead. Shouldn’t he be the most pitiful one?”

As she spoke, she waved the newspaper in her hand. “Look again—in this report, has he ever been mentioned even once?”

“If you want to say he couldn’t have done this because it would be like hurting the enemy a thousand while destroying himself five hundred… but right now, he isn’t the one steering the Ming family. Although the Ming family’s reputation is damaged, the one who should be hurt is his grandfather.”

“Also, the Xu sisters switching marriages, the Ming family’s true and false young masters… if Old Master Ming hadn’t agreed back then, these things probably couldn’t have happened. That is to say, either the Chen and Xu families threatened Old Master Ming back then, or the Xu and Chen families offered too much, and Old Master Ming couldn’t refuse.”

“But no matter what, the tragedy of the real Ming Zhixuan was caused by Old Master Ming himself. It makes sense for Ming Zhixuan’s son to resent Old Master Ming because of this,” Bai Yuanzhi said.

As Bai Yuanzhi spoke, Zhou Sier nodded along. “Ah Zhi, hearing you say this… I think it makes sense!”

Bai Yuanzhi smiled and said, “Elder Sister, I need to go out for a while.”

Zhou Sier immediately became alert. “Where are you going? You shouldn’t go out… you were kidnapped just yesterday!”

“I need to see Chen Shuojie,” Bai Yuanzhi said. “Don’t worry, I’ll go with Sister Cai. I won’t be alone.”

Zhou Sier thought it over again and again but still wasn’t reassured. “I’ll go with you.”

Bai Yuanzhi nodded.

She called Sister Cai in the next room.

Half an hour later, Sister Cai called back, saying the car was ready.

So Bai Yuanzhi and Zhou Sier went out together.

Ah Bin drove Bai Yuanzhi, Zhou Sier, and Sister Cai to St. Maria Hospital.

Bai Yuanzhi saw Chen Shuojie.

He was sitting on the hospital bed in a loose patient gown, staring blankly.

Last time, he injured his left hand. This time, it was his right hand…

Now his right hand was in a splint, hanging in front of his chest.

“Chen Shuojie, are you okay?” Bai Yuanzhi asked him.

Chen Shuojie nodded blankly, but his eyes couldn’t focus.

Bai Yuanzhi sighed and placed the thermal lunchbox she was carrying on the table—it contained the pig’s trotter soup Sister Cai had simmered.

She poured a bowl of soup, walked to the bedside, and handed it to him. “Here, Sister Cai made this for you. Drink it while it’s hot.”

Chen Shuojie’s gaze finally began to clear. “Are you alright?”

His voice sounded hoarse, and his eyes held concern as he looked her over.

Bai Yuanzhi shook her head. “I’m fine.”

After a pause, she apologized to Chen Shuojie. “I’m sorry, Chen Shuojie. I was really scared at the time, so…”

Chen Shuojie waved his hand dismissively. “You were only in danger because of me. I’m just glad you’re safe. Besides, after you ran out, didn’t you call the police and an ambulance in time?”

Bai Yuanzhi felt a pang of guilt.

—Calling the police and the ambulance was likely something A Yao had helped her with.

But Chen Shuojie had already lowered his head to drink the soup.

The bowl was soon empty.

Bai Yuanzhi asked him, “Another bowl?”

Chen Shuojie shook his head. “Sit down and talk with me for a bit.” His tone carried a faint plea.

Bai Yuanzhi helped him set the bowl aside and sat on the chair by the bed. “After I left yesterday… how did things go?”

Chen Shuojie’s eyes reddened instantly. “She… she’s gone.”

Bai Yuanzhi knew very well that the “she” he referred to was Xu Wenrui.

Chen Shuojie murmured, “I used to dislike her. I thought she was uncouth, domineering, and lacked the elegance and grace of a lady from a wealthy family.”

“She was vulgar and loved to swear…”

“She never had much education, and her behavior was crude…”

“She lived over forty years, always causing more harm than good…”

“But now that she’s gone, I… I… Ah Zhi, my heart aches so much,” Chen Shuojie whispered.

Bai Yuanzhi remained silent.

Chen Shuojie choked back a sob. “Actually, I also think… she was quite foolish.”

“Things hadn’t even reached that point, yet she believed it and panicked.”

“She was almost fifty, yet she believed whatever others told her…”

“She thought Liu Rong was unyielding, that if she jumped, she could save my life and Daddy’s. She…”

Chen Shuojie began to cry.

It took a long while before he stopped sobbing and continued, “…After she fell yesterday, I broke free and ran to the first floor, wanting to perform CPR or some other first aid on her.”

“But she kept convulsing and vomiting blood.”

“As soon as she saw me, she anxiously told me—”

In her final moments, Xu Wenrui told Chen Shuojie a few things:

“I’ve left you some money… Shuojie, I’m sorry. Your mother never had much talent for making money and couldn’t provide a safety net for you. All I could do was save up some money and leave it all to you.”

“Shuojie, your health… I’m truly worried that after I die, no one will truly love you or be willing to stay with you for the rest of your life.”

“If that’s really the case, at least you’ll have money. You can pay someone to stay with you…”

“Don’t believe Bai Yuanzhi. It’s not that I look down on her for being a gold digger, but that woman… she’s too formidable for you to handle! And her heart isn’t truly with you. Shuojie, I’m a woman too—I understand her. You and her… it won’t work out. If you stay friends with her, it might be better for both of you.”

At that time, Chen Shuojie was utterly heartbroken. He clung to Xu Wenrui, crying uncontrollably, repeating over and over, “Why are you so foolish?”

Xu Wenrui smiled weakly.

“Shuojie, you’re the foolish one…”

“There are some things I never wanted you to know… If possible, I would have kept them from you forever. But I’m about to die, and after this, no one will ever care for you as wholeheartedly as I have. So, Shuojie, you must grow up quickly. You’ll have to face all of this alone.”

“Just now, I jumped from the building to save your father’s life… So you think I’m foolish, don’t you?”

“But do you know that your father has at least three illegitimate children outside? You even have an illegitimate older brother!”

“My dear Shuojie, you must stay clear-headed! You must understand your own situation. The only advantage you have over those illegitimate children is that your father raised you himself—he has the deepest affection for you.”

“Also, your health… makes him feel indebted to you.”

“Finally, I died saving him. Even if everyone thinks I was foolish… everyone knows I saved him. He’ll have to carry this debt for the rest of his life. So he’ll feel even more indebted to you.”

“Shuojie, Mommy can only help you this much… Listen to me: while his guilt is still fresh, resign from your position as the heir to the Chen Group, take as much money as you can, and leave Hong Kong City. Only then can you live the life you truly want.”

“Let your father’s illegitimate children fight to the death over the mess that is the Chen Family!”

After a pause, Xu Wenrui whispered to Chen Shuojie:

“And… apologize to Jiayao for me. I truly was shameless, and I did try to take his life multiple times. But my only reason for doing so was to gather more money.”

As she spoke—

A loud thud echoed as another person fell from the third floor!

Chen Shuojie and Xu Wenrui were startled.

Looking closely,

they realized it was Liu Rong who had fallen.

Chen Shuojie and Xu Wenrui glanced up at the third floor—

There, Chen Shen was leaning over the railing, looking down frantically, shouting, “Wenrui! Wenrui, are you alright…”

Then Chen Shen stumbled and scrambled down from the third floor.

During this, Xu Wenrui tightened her grip on Chen Shuojie’s hand and said fiercely, “Shuojie! Promise me quickly… After I die, you must leave Hong Kong City immediately! Say it, say it now!”

“If you don’t promise me, may I… fall into the Avīci Hell! May I never rest in peace after death!!!”

Chen Shuojie sobbed, gasping for breath. “Don’t say that… I promise you! Isn’t that enough?”

Just then, Chen Shen finally arrived. Seeing Xu Wenrui covered in blood, his heart felt as if it were being torn apart.

Gently, he took Xu Wenrui from his son’s arms. “Wenrui! Wenrui, why were you so foolish…”

Tears streamed down Chen Shen’s face.

Truthfully—

He had never held Xu Wenrui in high regard.

Over twenty years ago, his goal had always been the intelligent and graceful Xu Wenli.

But Xu Wenli had never shown any interest in him from start to finish.

Furious and humiliated, he came up with the idea of using Xu Wenrui to provoke Xu Wenli.

—Although Xu Wenrui was doted on by her family, in the face of Xu Wenli, who excelled in every aspect, the young girl felt inferior and jealous.

So she loved to oppose Xu Wenli in everything.

Chen Shen approached Xu Wenrui, sowing discord between the sisters…

But he didn’t anger Xu Wenli; instead, he ensnared Xu Wenrui in the web of affection he had woven.

He obtained Xu Wenrui quite easily,

And thus looked down on her—what kind of young lady was so lacking in self-respect? With just a crook of his finger, she came panting over like a dog.

However, despite his disdain,

Chen Shen dared not offend the Xu Family behind Xu Wenrui,

So on the surface, he still played the part of a gentle, devoted, and deeply affectionate man, keeping Xu Wenrui steady.

But this didn’t stop him from philandering.

Over the past twenty-odd years, he had slept with countless women and given the title of “girlfriend” to five or six of them. Those women bore him three illegitimate sons and two illegitimate daughters…

No matter what, in Chen Shen’s heart, he had always regarded Xu Wenrui as his wife.

Until now—

This foolish woman actually believed Liu Rong’s words and, to save him, jumped from the third floor on her own?

“Wenrui, how could you be so foolish!” Chen Shen hugged Xu Wenrui and wept bitterly.

Xu Wenrui shook her head desperately, “Brother Shen, don’t be fooled by Ah Rong… He knew he was an impostor before, so he pretended to be submissive. It’s different now—his fig leaf has been torn off by the Ming Family! He has nothing left; he’s a desperate man… He’s even capable of… framing you and Shuojie, making you father and son turn against each other. He won’t let this go!”

Chen Shen cried, “Then you should have believed me! Look, look over there!”

As he spoke, Chen Shen gestured for her to look not far away—where Liu Rong, who had fallen from the third floor, lay motionless in a pool of blood.

“See… didn’t I take care of him?”

“Wenrui, you’re just too foolish!”

Tears streamed from Xu Wenrui’s eyes,

She revealed an innocent smile, gazing at Chen Shen with admiration, “Yes, I… I really am too foolish… I… I shouldn’t have doubted Brother Shen.”

“Brother Shen, please don’t blame me for being stupid, okay?” she pleaded softly.

Chen Shen felt as if his heart were being torn apart.

They say adversity reveals true feelings.

This foolish woman… one could say her entire life was ruined by him,

Yet even until death, she loved him with such naive sincerity!

She was even willing to die for him!

“Our Wenrui is not stupid at all!” Chen Shen cried so hard he could barely speak, “Wenrui is the smartest, most beautiful… and most adorable girl in the world!”

“Wenrui, you must get better…”

“Once you’ve recovered, Brother Shen will marry you, okay?” Chen Shen asked tearfully.

Xu Wenrui’s eyes instantly lit up with joy, “Really?”

Chen Shen nodded vigorously.

Xu Wenrui coughed up several mouthfuls of blood and gasped heavily before saying, “Then I need to… lose weight! I’m too fat… I won’t look good in a wedding dress.”

“You’ll look beautiful! Our Wenrui is the most beautiful!”

“Brother Shen, then… can we go to the Maldives for our honeymoon?”

“Yes! Of course, of course… If you like it there, Brother Shen will buy you a seaside villa.”

“Brother Shen, will Shuojie be coming with us?”

“Yes! The three of us will go together…”

“Brother Shen, I… I also want a diamond necklace…”

“Buy it!”

“Brother Shen, after our honeymoon, I… I will accompany Shuojie to the United States for medical treatment…”

“Alright, we’ll go together!”

 

“Brother Shen, I… I really like you. From when I was thirteen until now… Brother Shen, I… I will always, always…”

…

Xu Wenrui’s voice grew fainter and fainter.

Finally—

She slowly closed her eyes.

Recalling this, Chen Shuojie was already in tears, his clothes soaked.

Bai Yuanzhi could only comfort him.

Perhaps because of Bai Yuanzhi’s company, Chen Shuojie had poured out his heart, vented his negative emotions, and drunk the warm chicken soup, he finally fell into a deep sleep.

Ah Bin also came to tell Bai Yuanzhi:

That when the ambulance arrived at the film set in the early hours of the morning, Xu Wenrui had already lost her vital signs, and Chen Shen had escorted her body to the funeral home.

Although Liu Rong’s condition was critical, he was still alive.

As for the others present at the time, they were all more or less injured, but it wasn’t serious.

Bai Yuanzhi nodded, then avoiding Ah Bin and Sister Cai, she inquired whether there was a patient named Sui Xi in the hospital.

The answer she received was: no.

Bai Yuanzhi didn’t have Miss Sui’s contact information either, so she had no choice but to let it go.

After this turmoil passed,

Bai Yuanzhi’s life became completely calm.

Until a few days later, when Chen Shuojie came to see her, “Ah Zhi, I’m going to the United States.”

Bai Yuanzhi thought he was going to the United States for treatment again, so she nodded, “Alright… is it for a month this time too?”

Chen Shuojie fell silent for a moment, lowered his head without looking at her, and said softly, “No, it’s for immigration. I won’t be returning to Hong Kong City in the future.”

Bai Yuanzhi was stunned.

Chen Shuojie suddenly looked up at her, his eyes filled with hope, “Ah Zhi, I know you have great ambitions, you want to get into Hong Kong University… I want to ask you, you… after you graduate from Hong Kong University in the future, will you go to the United States to study? If you want…”

“I don’t want to,” Bai Yuanzhi replied seriously.

Chen Shuojie’s face turned pale.

He slowly lowered his head.

“You’re still the same as before, unwilling to give me any chance,” he whispered.

Bai Yuanzhi said softly, “Chen Shuojie, let’s be good friends!”

“I don’t need friends!” Chen Shuojie said angrily.

After a pause, Chen Shuojie, with red-rimmed eyes, said, “…Alright, friends it is then!”

He also said softly, “Maybe I… I’m like my mommy, when it comes to someone I like, I have no bottom line and easily compromise.”

Bai Yuanzhi said, “Chen Shuojie, you need to learn to respect others. In the future, when you meet a girl you like again, don’t act like before.”

“I won’t meet anyone,” Chen Shuojie said, sulking at himself.

Bai Yuanzhi smiled, “Then… goodbye!”

Chen Shuojie stared at her blankly, tears finally streaming down his face, “Goodbye!”

After Chen Shuojie left, Sister Cai and Ah Bin also left.

Bai Yuanzhi and Zhou Sier’s lives became increasingly uneventful.

On New Year’s Eve,

the two sisters prepared a table full of sumptuous New Year’s Eve dinner. As they sat in front of the TV, watching and eating,

the news anchor suddenly broadcast an emergency news report:

[Happy New Year to all viewers! The following is an emergency news report from our station:

Chen Shen, the president of Wanmei Film Industry, unplugged the oxygen tube of a hospitalized man at St. Maria Hospital last night, causing his death.

The hospital has reported the incident to the police, and Chen Shen has been taken away by the authorities.

According to our reporter, the deceased man is named Liu Rong…]

Bai Yuanzhi’s eyes widened.

Zhou Sier was also surprised. She commented while eating, “Wow, there’s actually a follow-up to this matter!”

“Isn’t Liu Rong that guy… the one who impersonated Ming Zhixuan? He died too…”

“By the way, Ah Zhi, why do you think Chen Shen did this?”

“Come to think of it, it makes sense. The hatred for killing one’s wife is irreconcilable—how could he let him live through the New Year!”

“What I find strange is, doesn’t Chen Shen’s family have a shady background? Wouldn’t hiring a hitman be better? Why did he do it himself…”

Bai Yuanzhi thought for a moment and said, “The news didn’t go into detail. It’s hard to say whether Chen Shen pulled the plug himself or if he hired someone to do it and it was exposed.”

“But I think…”

“The person who exposed Chen Shen is the same one who kept pursuing this relentlessly before.”

Zhou Sier asked, “Do you think… it was still the young master of the Ming family who did it?”

Bai Yuanzhi laughed, “I didn’t say that! These matters have nothing to do with us! Sister, hurry up and try this Roast Goose—it’s so delicious!”

“Mhm, mhm! Happy New Year, Ah Zhi!”

“Happy New Year, Sister!”

Author’s Note: The main plot has concluded, and the main story is about to wrap up ^_^

The new story next door is already up—you can start following it! Please add it to your collection, thank you, everyone!