Chapter 77
Shen Jinfeng fixed his gaze on the people in the reception room and realized he did not know most of them.
Only the group huddled in the corner looked somewhat familiar when he took a closer look.
He matched them with the information he had searched up in his mind.
Wasn’t that the original owner’s family, the entire Shen family?
At this moment, the two of them had just reached the outside of the reception room when a young man inside casually lifted his head and happened to meet their eyes.
That person froze. After two seconds of reaction, he suddenly rushed out of the room. “Boss Shen, hello! I really like you. I finally get to meet you in person! Let me introduce myself. My name is Lu Mu. I’m a doctoral student in archaeology at Jing University.”
Shen Jinfeng was also stunned.
Jing University’s archaeology department?
He slowly matched the young man in front of him to one of the owners of the pile of messages from yesterday.
“Hello. Thank you for liking me.” He reached out and shook Lu Mu’s hand.
Then he realized that when the people who had originally been sitting properly inside saw the young man’s actions, they all looked toward him together.
Some of them had even stood up and were walking toward him.
A few others also looked eager to try.
Shen Jinfeng immediately reacted.
Could these unfamiliar faces be the people who had sent him messages yesterday?
His scalp instantly went numb.
He hurriedly said to Lu Mu, who was still looking at him with excitement, “Let’s go in first.”
Lu Mu nodded repeatedly. “Okay. Boss, I sent you a message yesterday. I don’t know if you received it. I came with my teacher. I’ll introduce my teacher to you.”
He, Professor Gu, and He Yingcai had already been here for a while.
How could they not know that everyone in this room was here to compete with them for Boss Shen!
Damn it, the competition pressure was actually this intense!
So, it was very important to strike first and leave a good impression!
Shen Jinfeng nodded.
He followed him inside.
As for Yun Xueshan, who had come with him, after glancing at the room full of people, not only did he not feel alarm bells ringing, but a subtle sense of wanting to watch the show surged up from the bottom of his heart.
Perhaps it was because failing to get what he wanted was originally not a very pleasant thing.
But if he could see other people, a whole group of his competitors, also hit a wall, then his mood would probably improve a little.
Therefore, he did not hesitate and followed them in directly.
Only Lu Mu glanced at him, his eyes full of wariness.
As they walked in, he could not help asking, “Are you Qin Ye’s uncle?”
Yun Xueshan raised his brows. “Yes.”
He actually saw a flash of displeasure quickly cross the eyes of this student named Lu Mu after hearing his answer.
Hm?
Could this kid be his nephew’s anti-fan?
He was hostile the moment he heard his identity?
Lu Mu’s gaze swept back and forth over Shen Jinfeng and Yun Xueshan several times. It was obvious he wanted to ask something, but in the end, he held back and did not ask.
He merely stayed glued to Shen Jinfeng’s side, trying to lead him toward Professor Gu.
Unfortunately, Professor Gu did not understand his good intentions at all.
Or perhaps, he still wanted to maintain a bit of airs. He merely sat where he was and smiled kindly at Shen Jinfeng.
Therefore, before they even reached him, several people who had already walked almost to the door intercepted them halfway.
“Mr. Shen, hello. I’m the CEO of Huisheng Group…”
“Fellow Daoist Shen, I’m from Mount Emei…”
“Brother, I came with my grandfather to find you. Before, when I saw you making that thing on the show…”
Shen Jinfeng’s brow could not help twitching. What the hell?
Why was someone from Mount Emei calling him “fellow Daoist”?
For a second, he almost thought he had jumped into another small world.
There was even a child who had come along.
He smiled and greeted the people closest to him, then pressed them back into their seats. “Hello, everyone. I’m Shen Jinfeng. Please sit down first.”
So many people swarming up at once made him feel as if he had suddenly become a piece of Tang Monk’s flesh.
Only then did everyone sit back down in their original seats, looking a little more reserved.
Otherwise, if everyone clamored together, they were all important figures with names and reputations. They could not act as though they were haggling in a wet market.
Shen Jinfeng breathed a sigh of relief, but he did not immediately get to know everyone or greet them one by one.
Instead, he stood in place for two seconds before walking toward the corner where the Shen family was sitting, pretending to be somewhat surprised and somewhat hurt.
“Uncle, Qianxi…” He greeted the Shen family members who had come one by one. “Why are you here?”
There was nothing wrong with his behavior. It was entirely reasonable.
According to the original owner’s personality, or even just from the perspective of etiquette, it would be impossible for him to leave his “family” hanging and go meet other people first.
However, the moment his voice fell,
the room instantly fell silent.
Everyone’s assessing gazes moved back and forth between them, wanting to see Shen Jinfeng’s attitude toward the Shen family at this very moment.
Because What Kind of Person Are You had become a phenomenal hit, and Shen Jinfeng himself had attracted immense attention.
During this period, under the efforts of his fans and possibly other forces, almost all of his scandals had been clarified.
But the most explosive thing was the ironclad evidence suddenly exposed online last night.
Not only had it thoroughly cleared Shen Jinfeng’s past scandals, it had also provided solid proof of how the Shen family had swallowed up Shen Group and occupied the inheritance that should have belonged to Shen Jinfeng over the years.
Not only that, Shen Jinfeng’s education and work had also been controlled by them, or deliberately led astray.
The scandals in the entertainment industry had also all been suppression, slander, and rumors led by Shen Qianxi.
Once the matter came out, public opinion across the entire internet was in an uproar.
All social media platforms were practically filled with denunciations of the Shen family.
Even now, if one opened their phone, one could still see the big “explosive” marker hanging beside the trending topic.
Netizens were still pooling ideas on how to deal with the Shen family.
All companies related to the Shen family that could be found on Tianyancha had been dug up. Their stock prices had plummeted, and netizens had spontaneously begun boycotting related products.
And this morning, many employees of those related companies had waved their hands online and posted their resignation letters.
It sparked a wave of voluntary resignations.
In response to this, many of Shen Jinfeng’s fans who owned companies themselves directly made public statements online.
They would give priority to hiring these employees who dared to “abandon the dark and turn to the light.”
Some people might find it strange. Why had the culprit, Shen Group, not been implicated yet?
Because after learning the whole story, netizens completely regarded Shen Group as Shen Jinfeng’s private asset.
Sooner or later, Shen Group had to be taken back and returned to Shen Jinfeng’s hands!
This required different treatment. They could not fail to distinguish friend from foe.
Moreover, Shen Group’s shareholders were very perceptive.
Many relevant shareholders had already made public statements online, saying that they were voting to convene a shareholders’ meeting and re-elect the chairman.
Their words openly and secretly hinted that they were about to remove the immoral Shen family members and welcome Boss Shen to power!
Besides this,
many well-known legal practitioners in the industry, and even several nationally renowned lawyers, had voluntarily published articles or expressed their stance, identifying and analyzing the Shen family’s “illegal and criminal activities” over the years.
They were all willing to defend Shen Jinfeng free of charge, and they guaranteed a win.
The only difference lay in how severe a sentence they could get for the Shen family, how quickly they could bring them to justice,
and how much they could fight for Boss Shen’s maximum interests.
Once this came out, one did not even need to be sharp-eyed.
As long as one knew how to use the internet, one could fully tell how weighty this wave was.
The Shen family was done for.
There were even resourceful netizens who had created a relationship chart of the Shen family and dug up everyone’s life story.
They had even created several groups specifically to discuss what kind of targeted “revenge” should be carried out based on each person’s individual differences.
For example, the mastermind, the Shen family head, and his son Shen Qianxi.
They were like absolute villains in a novel, existences that needed to be defeated.
…
So, the others in the reception room were all fully aware of the Shen family’s purpose in coming today.
They were probably here to beg for mercy.
After all, the only solution to this matter was for Shen Jinfeng to make a decision on what to do.
If Shen Jinfeng himself was useless, a hopeless fool, and was coaxed by them with just a few words, then no matter how anxious outsiders were, it would be useless.
However, everyone who had watched the livestream clips would never think that Shen Jinfeng was a useless fool.
Only, some people valued family too much, and this kindness could easily be exploited.
As for Shen Jinfeng’s performance on the deserted island, although he was indeed impressive, there was no doubt that he was kind and valued relationships.
Sure enough, seeing the Shen family now, Shen Jinfeng was clearly somewhat stunned, somewhat surprised, but also hurt and guarded.
Seeing his reaction,
quite a few people in the room immediately frowned and looked toward the Shen family together.
The Shen family members who had come today could not help shivering under the chilling gazes of the crowd.
Still, the current head of the Shen family had weathered storms before. He was the first to withstand it.
He stood up and waved kindly at Shen Jinfeng.
His voice was gentle as he said, “Jinfeng, we came to take you home.”
The moment these words fell, Shen Jinfeng could not help raising his brows.
He lowered his gaze.
Did this man really think of him as some little lamb?
He lifted his eyes and was just about to speak when the glass door of the reception room was suddenly pulled open. A rush of several people entered. It was Qin Ye, He Erwang, and the other five.
It turned out that the few of them had heard movement and learned that Shen Jinfeng’s talk had ended, so they hurried over.
Coincidentally, they happened to see this scene.
Qin Ye’s face darkened. He directly pushed the Shen family head several steps aside and stood between the two of them.
He looked down at the Shen family head from above and said coldly, “Do you deserve that?”
He Erwang’s arrogant purple hair was exceptionally eye-catching.
His gaze locked onto Shen Qianxi. He looked him up and down, left and right, then was suddenly bumped by Qi Xiu behind him.
The cup of steaming hot water he was holding spilled directly onto Shen Qianxi’s neck.
“Ah!” Shen Qianxi instantly let out a shrill scream.
The person sitting beside him shrank back, but did not dare stand up.
When they saw He Erwang, the questions on their lips circled around several times before being swallowed back down.
He Erwang smiled and said fiercely to Shen Qianxi, “I lost my balance just now.”
Shen Qianxi jumped up and rushed out the door, heading for the restroom, wanting to rinse with cold water.
He Erwang leisurely added to his back, “If you want medical expenses, come find me.”
He did not even bother to offer a fake apology.
Shen Jinfeng: “…”
He looked at Qin Ye standing in front of him.
Then he looked at He Erwang, who had turned back and was proudly winking at him.
The corner of his mouth twitched.
Did it have to be so low-level?
But actually, never mind.
Black cat or white cat, the one that caught mice was a good cat.
No matter how low-level the method, it was useful if it could intimidate people.
The Shen family head’s expression had completely stiffened, and the expressions of the other Shen family members even showed a trace of fear.
After all, possibly losing money and possibly being retaliated against had yet to be seen.
But being directly splashed with boiling water really hurt!
However, smiles never disappeared. They only transferred.
If not for still caring a little about their image, and not yet figuring out Shen Jinfeng’s attitude, the crowd watching from the side would have already clapped and cheered.
Shen Jinfeng tugged at Qin Ye’s sleeve and used a little subtle force to pull him to stand side by side with him.
He was about to start acting. “Uncle, I saw a lot of revelations online. Are they all true?”
The Shen family head hurriedly shook his head. “Of course not. Most of them are baseless nonsense. They’re all netizens…”
Qi Xiu interrupted him. “Uncle, don’t talk nonsense. The evidence is all there, and the police are already on their way. Whether it’s true or not, you can explain it to the police later.”
The Shen family head looked at him displeasedly. “You called the police?”
Unexpectedly, Qi Xiu shook his head.
He pointed at Sun Xinping, who had entered not long ago and had been watching the “show” without speaking. “No. The director called the police.”
The Shen family head: “?”
Shen Jinfeng also looked over in surprise.
Sun Xinping was actually still hesitating in his heart.
But now, the arrow was on the bowstring and had to be released.
He gritted his teeth and admitted, “Yes, I called the police.”
“Shen Group used its identity as an investor to interfere with our production team’s independent operations, designated a persona for Boss Shen, and even wanted to hire someone to kill him halfway through the show. Although I refused at the time, every time I’ve thought of it these past few days, I’ve been terrified. If I don’t tell the truth, my conscience won’t be at peace.”
“Director Sun, you need evidence when you speak.” The Shen family head sharply interrupted him.
“When did we hire someone to kill?”
When a wall fell, everyone pushed. Were even random nobodies going to pour dirty water on him now?
Sun Xinping was not afraid of him at all.
On top of that, he had just been “fooled” by Qi Xiu.
He directly explained the ins and outs of the typhoon incident that had happened within the production team before.
There was even Shen Qianxi’s call recording, in which he instructed him to make Shen Jinfeng embarrass himself, suffer, and even get him killed on the show.
One Shen family member could not help asking a foolish question.
“But even if that’s the case, if he dies in the show, he doesn’t die in reality.”
Gu Shengsheng’s eyes burned with anger. “On the deserted island, our five senses were no different from reality. Besides, if you dared hire someone to kill in the virtual world, who knows whether you ever carried it out in reality?”
The Shen family head’s vision nearly went black.
He hurriedly explained, “That was all Shen Qianxi, that bastard’s, decision alone. I’ll teach him a lesson when I get back.”
“Jinfeng, I’ve always treated you as my own child and cared for you. After you came home, the allowance I gave you, the food, clothing, and daily necessities I prepared for you were all more thoughtful than what I gave my own child…”
A soft sneer came from the surrounding crowd.
Feng Chenfeng attacked him straight to the face. “That money should have belonged entirely to Jinfeng in the first place. You move your lips, and suddenly it becomes something you gave him?”
The Shen family head was rendered speechless by his retort. His face turned green and white, and he could not refute it at all.
Feng Chenfeng walked forward and said to Shen Jinfeng gently and apologetically, “Jinfeng, I’m sorry. It’s all my fault for not being more careful back then. Otherwise, I absolutely would not have sent you back to the Shen family.”
Shen Jinfeng was a little confused. Who was this?
Feng Chenfeng saw his confusion and explained, “You can call me Uncle Feng. I was a good friend of your parents when they were alive.”
“Three years ago, I saw you in Sui Province and noticed that you looked very much like your mother. But I was not sure at the time, and because I had an urgent task and had to leave, I could only ask my assistant to confirm your identity and send you back to the Shen family first.”
He slowly explained the cause and effect, expressing his deep regret.
It could be seen that he truly regretted it and felt guilty.
A dignified academician, when talking about the past, even had reddened eyes.
Shen Jinfeng slowly shook his head. “It isn’t your fault, Uncle Feng.”
He appeared understanding and considerate. “You’ve already done very well. If my parents were still alive, they would definitely be moved to have a close friend like you.”
Feng Chenfeng patted his head, his gaze becoming a little gentler. “Good child.”
He looked toward the Shen family head, his gaze like arrows. “Don’t play these tricks in front of a child. Not only are you inferior to Shen Jiaxu in ability, now it seems that in character, breadth of mind, bearing, and wisdom, there isn’t a single thing about you that compares to Shen Jiaxu either.”
“What you stole from others must be returned. Don’t say anything more to Jinfeng. Save it for the bureau and explain it to the police.”
He was of the same generation as Shen Jinfeng’s parents, and could be considered to understand the Shen family head’s character. He knew this was what he least liked hearing.
Sure enough, the Shen family head was provoked until his expression became somewhat twisted.
Professor Gu closed his phone and looked thoughtfully at the darkened screen.
He also walked up and patted Shen Jinfeng’s shoulder.
The student introduced him from the side. “This is my teacher, Professor Gu!”
Shen Jinfeng greeted Professor Gu blankly.
Professor Gu gave him a “kind” smile.
Only, perhaps he did not smile often, so his “kindness” looked somewhat eerie.
“Little Shen, do you still hold expectations of familial affection toward this family? Do you still have illusions?”
Pfft.
What a direct question.
Shen Jinfeng blinked, his long lashes fluttering messily.
Clearly, his emotions were complicated.
However, under everyone’s attention,
his lips moved slightly, and he could only say, “No. It just feels a little like a dream. I can’t quite understand it, and it’s a little painful.”
After all, things had already reached this point. The Shen family’s deeds were almost too numerous to record.
Even if he were a “sweet innocent fool,” he could not possibly choose to forgive them.
Shen Jinfeng was merely following the experience and acting a little, but he did not want to spend the rest of his life carrying the persona of someone muddle-headed, pitifully starved for love.
Professor Gu nodded in relief. “A teachable child.”
He immediately changed his expression toward the Shen family head.
“After investigation and verification by the relevant departments, during your tenure as chairman of Shen Group, you are suspected of money laundering, manufacturing substandard products in violation of regulations, bribing officials… and other illegal and criminal acts.”
The more he spoke, the more ashen the Shen family head’s face became.
Fear was visible to the naked eye.
“You’re talking nonsense.” His voice trembled, but his rebuttal was clearly unconvincing.
Professor Gu snorted coldly. “There’s no need to refute me. Save it and explain to the relevant departments.”
Coincidentally, the door of the reception room was knocked on.
Several people in police uniforms and uniforms from related departments walked in together.
Their faces were serious, though they could not help flicking the corners of their eyes toward the crowd in the room.
Still, they walked straight toward the Shen family head, took out an arrest warrant, and said, “Please come with us.”
Then, swiftly and efficiently, they took him away directly.
The remaining crowd was stunned.
They had not expected this development either.
Yun Xueshan had casually found a sofa to sit on earlier, intending to help Shen Jinfeng at a suitable time.
But unexpectedly, he was not needed at all?
Even Shen Jinfeng himself was confused.
What the hell? He had already prepared himself to meet the Shen family.
But he had barely said a few words, and it was over?
Not a single bit of his sorrowful speech, cognitive shift, or emotional conflict had been put to use?
He had not even established his own persona before Feng Chenfeng and Professor Gu joined hands to guide him straight into not holding any illusions toward family.
As for that evidence, of course he had found it too.
Only, he had originally planned to take his time later, letting the Shen family experience the ultimate feeling of jumping back and forth.
But now, everything was done in one step?
Although he did feel relieved inside.
This trouble had been resolved easily. The entire process had not even taken half an hour. It was simpler than what he had prepared himself.
Still, having made preparations, only to have no room to perform, felt a little uncomfortable.
Forget it.
Shen Jinfeng quickly comforted himself.
This was just right. He wanted to be a happy salted fish anyway.
Seeing the person leave and disappear completely from sight, the people in the room began whispering and discussing.
The little girl who had come with her master cheered. “Yay! The bad guy was taken away by the police uncle!”
Professor Gu withdrew his gaze, the corners of his lips curving slightly, hiding his merit and fame.
He had long since asked people in his family to help investigate the Shen family’s mess.
After so many days, the results had finally come out.
Just treat it as a small meeting gift for his future student.
Thinking this, he patted Shen Jinfeng’s shoulder again and worked hard to show a broad-minded, refined posture.
“Little Shen, don’t be sad anymore. They don’t deserve to be your family.”
Shen Jinfeng came back to himself and nodded.
“Thank you, Professor Gu.”
Professor Gu smiled and did not reject the thanks. “There’s nothing wrong with longing for family affection, but you cannot be used and harmed because of family affection.”
“Mm-hm.” Shen Jinfeng continued nodding.
Professor Gu put forward a new suggestion. “The ancients said, a teacher is like a father.”
“If you acknowledge me as your teacher in the future, I’ll be equivalent to your father.”
He coughed twice in discomfort. “I’ll raise you like my own child. We can cultivate some family affection between us.”
Shen Jinfeng continued nod—nod…?
No.
What the hell?
