Chapter 65: The Self-Cultivation of a Canary (30)

Zhou Jing was beginning to regret her decision; she shouldn’t have handled the contacts herself.

In the past, Pan Xiuliang always took charge of these matters, and she never had to worry about the aftermath. But she’d recently had an unpleasant falling out with him. Moreover, Pan Xiuliang’s demands had grown insatiable, and she was unwilling to give him more leverage against her.

So, left to her own devices, she had to find another way. She distrusted intermediaries, fearing they might turn on her, or worse, keep evidence to threaten her in the future—any of these scenarios would be difficult to manage.

Yet things still ended up like this.

Could Zhou Jing confide in anyone? Absolutely not.

She had orchestrated the whole affair. If word got out, it would be her ruin.

As long as the issue could be solved with money… it wasn’t an insurmountable problem.

Zhou Jing forced herself to calm down and contemplate her next move.

…

#Heir of the Shen Family Rescued, Kidnappers Escape#

On the third day after Shen Handeng was abducted, this headline dominated the major news portals.

Shen Handeng was giving his statement, appearing untouched by the ordeal. He responded to questions with ignorance or silence, exactly as he always did; no one found it odd.

Zhou Jing arrived later, her expression quite colorful upon seeing Shen Handeng unharmed.

But the moment passed quickly; she slipped into the caring stepmother persona.

“As long as you’re safe, as long as you’re safe…” Her eyes reddened, and she forced a faint smile.

Viewed from afar, she fit the image of a worried, yet reserved stepmother perfectly.

Shen Handeng gave her no courtesy. “Sorry to disappoint you.”

Zhou Jing hastily replied, “Disappoint? I’m glad you’re alright.”

Shen Handeng produced a phone, tapped a few times, and played an audio clip for her.

[What’s going on? We agreed on three million, why has it suddenly jumped to ten million?]

The familiar voice made Zhou Jing’s heart pound wildly.

Shen Handeng cut the recording short, his lips curving in a subtle smile. “That’s your voice, isn’t it?”

Zhou Jing’s voice was quite distinctive—anyone who heard it could easily recognize her.

Shen Handeng said, “Don’t worry, I won’t hand this over.”

Zhou Jing was speechless.

Leaving these words behind, Shen Handeng strode past Zhou Jing and walked away.

Standing in the sunlight, Zhou Jing suddenly felt her limbs turn cold.

She had watched Shen Handeng grow up. He used to be quiet and compliant, rarely objecting to her arrangements. He seemed almost like a puppet she could manipulate at will.

But after so many years, she still hadn’t managed to obtain the shares. Clearly, he wasn’t so easy to control.

Sometimes, Zhou Jing was genuinely afraid of Shen Handeng.

…

“Master, why not expose her outright?” Kelly couldn’t fathom Shen Handeng’s thinking; such a golden opportunity, letting it slip seemed a terrible waste.

That recording was undeniable evidence.

Zhou Jing had even personally involved herself—what was she thinking?

“What’s the point?” Shen Handeng sneered. “After all these years, how much have I lost? I want her to watch her possessions slip away, piece by piece.”

He had endured for so long—after all the suffering, how could he let it go so easily?

Kelly shivered involuntarily.

Sometimes, his master was truly frightening…

“Have those people been caught?”

“They have.”

“And the money?”

“…Miss Ye took it.”

Shen Handeng wasn’t surprised in the least. He knew she wouldn’t simply obey.

But he owed her thanks; otherwise, he wouldn’t have gotten the recording.

Returning to the villa, he found Ling Qiong feeding several canaries, looking quite pleased.

Shen Handeng stood at the doorway for a while. The gilded cage towered above her, entwined with decorative vines.

If he were to lock her inside… A few images flashed through his mind, making his pupils contract slightly.

Ling Qiong was about to turn around when a rough force pushed her against the cage, and Shen Handeng’s presence enveloped her.

She nearly lost her breath, pushing him away with her hands. “What are you doing?” He was suddenly so fierce.

“A reward.”

Shen Handeng lowered his head to kiss her again. Ling Qiong was short of breath, her body going soft, forcing him to support her.

The canaries flitted about in their cages, while sunlight outside cast the cages’ shadows onto the floor.

…

With plenty of leverage over Zhou Jing, Shen Handeng no longer played the weakling. He began frequenting the company.

Zhou Jing still wielded the greatest influence there, and Shen Handeng encountered many difficulties. Fortunately, Song Li was a great help.

Zhou Jing now dreaded Shen Handeng, avoiding him most of the time.

Yet anything she could clutch tightly, she refused to relinquish.

But soon, a sudden scandal broke out.

#Widow of Shen Run’an, Who Swore Never to Remarry and Remained Faithful to Her Late Husband, Secretly Met Her Lover for Years#

Zhou Jing had indeed made such a vow to gain wider support.

Now, this news had surfaced.

How would those who once believed her because of that statement react?

There were many accompanying photos.

All of her and Pan Xiuliang.

So many that Zhou Jing was left dumbfounded; some she couldn’t even recall.

The most explosive were the last few.

From…

Her birthday.

…

Zhou Jing swept everything from the table onto the floor, her face livid with rage.

Where had those photos come from?

Besides the birthday one, the rest featured only her and Pan Xiuliang…

“Pan Xiuliang… Pan Xiuliang!!”

To have so many photos taken, only Pan Xiuliang himself could have managed it.

He’d been seeking her out often lately, starting every conversation with unpleasant words. She, preoccupied with Shen Handeng’s affairs, had no time for him, telling him to calm down before they spoke.

Zhou Jing believed Pan Xiuliang wouldn’t dare make too much trouble—it would do him no good.

Who could have guessed…

…

At school.

Ling Qiong lay across her desk, scrolling through her phone, the back of her head facing Shen Handeng as he attended class.

Even though she had started working at the company, classes still had to be attended.

Aside from a few inconsequential courses, Shen Handeng rarely missed any. This meant Ling Qiong had to accompany him to school.

Ling Qiong, who only wanted to walk the path of flowers in the shopping district, lamented: this was so hard.

How had she escaped the pit of the villa only to fall into another trap?

Miscalculation.jpg

“Why are you over here?” Shen Handeng finally lost patience and flicked her forehead.

Ling Qiong turned her head. “Why are you picking on me?”

“Why are you here? Don’t you have class?”

“Nope.” Ling Qiong propped her chin on her hand. “I’m here to keep you company in class—isn’t that good?”

She was simply too bored; she might as well come and check on her ‘cub.’

At least he was pleasing to the eye.

When no one was around, she could sneak a kiss or a hug.

It was still quite enjoyable.

Shen Handeng: “…”

Good? Good for what?

Good for distracting him?

He grumbled, “Turn around.”

Ling Qiong pouted. “I won’t.”

Shen Handeng: “…”

He grabbed the jacket beside him and draped it over Ling Qiong’s head, then turned his attention to the front, ignoring her.

Ling Qiong tugged the jacket down, using it as a cushion, and quietly continued scrolling through her phone.