Time drifted lazily for half a month.
After He Yining fully stabilized the situation, he said to Shen Qi, "Little Seven, didn't you say you wanted to see Dad? How about we go tomorrow?"
Shen Qi, who was hunched over the table studying, suddenly looked up: "You have time?"
He Yining nodded, reaching out to ruffle the top of Shen Qi's head: "That phase is over. I'll leave the rest to others to handle."
Shen Qi's eyes sparkled: "Mm."
"Go pack your things. We'll drive over tomorrow morning and relax along the way." He Yining's eyes held a smile: "Let Dad see how amazing you are now."
With He Yining's words, Shen Qi couldn't sit still anymore. She got up to prepare the items for paying respects to Lin Yuxiang.
Watching Shen Qi's retreating figure, He Yining's gaze grew even softer.
Realizing she hadn't visited her father's grave in years, Shen Qi suddenly didn't know what to bring.
Staring at the table full of items, Shen Qi slowly sat down and opened a small box.
Inside the box were some old toys.
These toys were ones her father had bought her when she was little.
Now they were worn, broken, and outdated.
But back then, they were the best toys her father could give her.
Every toy carried her father's love for her.
Shen Qi poured out all the toys, carefully wiped each one clean, and placed them back neatly.
She hadn't brought much from the Shen family, but this box of toys had never been discarded.
Though her father was gone, the toys remained, and so did the love.
After organizing all the toys, Shen Qi let out a soft sigh.
It was a pity her brother was in Germany now and couldn't join her in paying respects.
She would just have to do it on behalf of both of them.
Shen Qi asked a servant to bring her gold paper and began folding spirit money herself.
She folded for an entire afternoon.
When He Yining came in, he saw Shen Qi had folded a table full of spirit money.
He Yining found it both amusing and exasperating: "Little Seven, if Dad needs money, wouldn't it be easier for me to burn him a big check?"
Shen Qi shook her head stubbornly: "How can that be? Only spirit money folded with sincerity will reach Dad."
"You're adorably silly." He Yining chuckled, tousling Shen Qi's hair: "Shen Wu just called. He heard we're going to pay respects and wants to come along."
Shen Qi nodded: "Fifth Brother visiting his own uncle is only natural."
"Rest early, don't tire yourself out. Driving from here will take several days to get there." He Yining gently hugged Shen Qi, pressing his chin against her neck, breathing warmly: "Little Seven, we haven't been intimate in days."
Shen Qi's face flushed: "Stop it."
"If you won't let me tease you, then you tease me." He Yining bit down on Shen Qi's collarbone, catching the flame-shaped birthmark.
Shen Qi's whole body trembled.
This guy really...
Seeing Shen Qi's gritted-teeth expression, He Yining let out a low laugh, scooped her up, and headed to the bedroom.
A night of passion, boundless spring.
Early the next morning, Shen Wu arrived bright and early.
Having smoothly completed the task assigned by the minister, Shen Wu had also secured some leave, planning to spend quality time with his little sister.
When the minister heard that the girl he'd met that day was truly Shen Wu's long-lost sister, he generously approved an extended vacation for Shen Wu to rest.
"He Yining, Little Seven!" Shen Wu shouted as he entered: "Weren't we supposed to leave today? Hurry up!"
He Yining dragged Shen Qi downstairs: "You're more eager than we are?"
Shen Wu crossed his arms and replied: "Of course! My leave is limited! I need to make every minute count!"
Shen Qi yawned: "Fifth Brother, have you eaten yet?"
It was all He Yining's fault!
He'd kept her up so late last night!
Hearing Shen Qi's words, Shen Wu beamed: "Not yet! That's why I'm here for breakfast!"
His little sister was the best, always caring about her brother.
Shen Qi immediately said: "Oh, okay, let's eat first."
Watching Shen Qi yawn, Shen Wu shot He Yining a glare.
Daring to wear out my sister like this, you're asking for trouble!
He Yining looked away guiltily. What could he do? His Little Seven was just too tempting.
He hadn't been able to resist last night, going at it again and again.
The butler brought breakfast, and the three quickly finished.
Xiao Chun and the others had already loaded the luggage into the cars.
For this trip, they took two RVs.
They brought few people—just a few servants and a chef for daily needs, plus security personnel doubling as drivers and assistants.
As soon as Shen Qi got in the car, she realized it was a whole different world inside.
From the outside, it looked like a giant metal box.
But inside, it was a standard two-story layout with four bedrooms and two living rooms.
Not only was it fully equipped for daily living, but it was also a small mobile warehouse.
Shen Qi, He Yining, and Shen Wu stayed in this RV, while everyone else stayed in the other.
After seeing both the inside and outside of the RV, Shen Qi couldn't help but exclaim: "This car is so smart! If we went into the wild, with all those mechanisms extending and opening, it would be like a small castle."
He Yining smiled faintly: "I'm glad you like it."
Xiao Chun packed the last supplies and couldn't help adding: "Second Young Madam, you have great taste! This RV was actually prepared to combat-ready standards—bulletproof, windproof, shockproof, waterproof, with strong野外生存能力. The water and food stored inside can support a hundred people for three days."
Shen Qi's mouth fell open: "Amazing!"
He Yining gently kissed Shen Qi's forehead: "Let's go, we're setting off."
With He Yining's word, both RVs started their engines and departed.
Shen Qi sat by the window with her textbooks, a fresh lily on the table vibrant and refreshing.
He Yining and Shen Wu sat on the other side playing military chess.
"I didn't expect the ever-busy CEO He to set aside money-making opportunities to accompany Little Seven on a memorial visit." Shen Wu said without looking up.
"Money can never be fully earned. But Little Seven—there's only one in this world." He Yining replied lightly.
Shen Wu suddenly looked up at He Yining: "Are you serious?"
"When have I ever been fake?" He Yining countered, his phoenix eyes hiding a smile: "I know what you're doubting, and I know what the Shen family is worried about. Though the Shen family still doesn't pose a threat to me, I'm willing to explain this once for Little Seven. Little Seven is special, and I'm serious."
Shen Wu's eyes flickered: "Since you're being so honest, I'll tell you straight: if you deceive Little Seven, I'll take her away where you'll never find her. You'd better believe I have that ability."
Because of Feng Manlun's recent mistake, the Feng family paid a heavy price.
The cost wasn't just economic loss but a stain on their reputation.
Feng Manlun was deeply dejected, locking himself in his room for three whole days.
When he emerged on the third day, he looked five years older.
For this reason, Old Master Feng specially summoned Feng Manlun for a talk.
"Manlun, one failure doesn't mean anything." Old Master Feng said stiffly: "He Yining started from a higher point than you, so this battle..."
"No need to comfort me. A loss is a loss, no excuses." Feng Manlun replied calmly: "Since I was young, hasn't the family always hoped I'd crush He Yining? Why aren't you scolding me now?"
Old Master Feng paused, at a loss for words.
Feng Manlun let out a scornful laugh: "Is it because the other Feng heirs are all useless, so you have to pin your hopes on me? Afraid I'll collapse?"
Old Master Feng's eyes flashed with anger: "Is that any way to talk to your grandfather?"
"Grandfather, I'm twenty-six now. No one can control my life from here on out." Feng Manlun met Old Master Feng's gaze: "I hope from now on, no one will meddle in my choices."
"You..." Old Master Feng's chest heaved with rage.
"Don't worry, I won't be beaten so easily. I still have a chance." A shadow passed through Feng Manlun's eyes: "He Yining has a weakness. I don't believe he can keep this up forever. He'd better not give me an opening—once I get one, I'll drag him down with me!"
Feng Manlun clenched his fists, his eyes blazing with fury.
Seeing that Feng Manlun hadn't given up, Old Master Feng breathed a silent sigh of relief.
For years, Feng Manlun had worked hard to build and maintain his image.
He always presented himself as kind, friendly, and morally upright.
Because of this image, countless partners were willing to work with him.
This stain on his reputation had indeed affected the Feng family.
But it wasn't fatal.
After all, the Feng family was a deeply rooted clan.
In H Province, only He Yining was beyond their reach.
So, with the Feng family's deliberate control and He Yining's tacit consent, the rumors eventually died down.
He Yining knew that sometimes you couldn't beat a cornered dog—it might bite back painfully.
So, a slow, soft knife was the best approach.
When he learned the Feng family was managing the PR, he chose to stay silent.
Feng Manlun was about to go out for a drink when Mr. Charles called him: "Feng, are you free? Want to come over for a bit?"
Feng Manlun paused, then said bitterly: "Teacher, you're the only one who'd seek me out now."
Mr. Charles chuckled: "Come on, I've got good wine here. And don't let Little Seven know."
Feng Manlun couldn't help but smile.
The gloom of the past few days lifted a little.
Feng Manlun replied: "Okay, I'll be right there."
Mr. Charles had set out a table full of drinks—baijiu, beer, wine, fruit wine, everything from around the world.
Feng Manlun felt a warmth in his heart.
When he was in trouble, the Feng family only worried if he'd be crushed, but no one asked if he was tired.
Yet Mr. Charles, who had taught him briefly as a child, cared for him like an elder.