On his way here, Shen Ruozhen had expected that he would lose his composure during the meeting, and he was prepared to feel guilty and repent. He did not dare to imagine that Mrs. Chu would actually forgive him and still treat him as her son.
He stood up and walked around the edge of the table. He knelt down beside Mrs. Chu's chair and said, "You can call me anything."
Mrs. Chu asked, "What did your mother call you?"
Shen Ruozhen choked up slightly: "Just call me Ruozhen, or... Qingshang."
"Qingshang, is that a nickname?" Mrs. Chu reached out and rubbed Shen Ruozhen's cheek. "You are so elegant. Your family must be a scholarly family to have raised you."
Shen Ruozhen was eager to tell Mrs. Chu that he was not of unknown origin and that she could be relied on and trusted, but he was afraid that the facts were too bizarre and that one wave of trouble would be followed by another.
He promised: "I will tell you my life story later, okay?"
Mrs. Chu grabbed his shoulders, helped him up, and nodded.
There were no other guests in the restaurant. Shen Ruozhen and Mrs. Chu were both crying, which was really eye-catching. The manager hesitantly brought over a thick stack of tissues. Shen Ruozhen took it and wiped Mrs. Chu's tears, calling her "Mom" again.
Mrs. Chu hadn't heard this address for three days, but it felt like a very long time had passed.
After calming down a little, Shen Ruozhen took Mrs. Chu's arm and left the restaurant. Before leaving, he left a note for Qian Hua.
The car was parked on the street, and the clothes and belongings were all at home. Mrs. Chu said, "Nothing has changed in your room. It's still your home. Do you want to come back with me?"
Shen Ruozhen deeply felt the feeling of "losing and regaining", but he did not agree immediately. He replied: "Mom, I have something else to tell you. Come with me to the apartment and sit down."
Mrs. Chu said, "Okay, then tell Mingzhang."
The mother and son did not get in the car, but walked slowly along the sidewalk. Shen Ruozhen called Xiang Mingzhang, and after finishing the call, they just walked downstairs of Bomanjia's building.
Mrs. Chu hadn't lived in a high-rise apartment for decades. When she reached the 40th floor, she was afraid of getting too close to the window and getting afraid of heights. As a result, when she opened the door, she was startled by the big white cat lying on the ground.
Shen Ruozhen picked up Ling Tuaner and took Mrs. Chu to visit the bedroom, study, and balcony. He and Xiang Mingzhang had lived together for three days, and traces of their small family had already been left.
Some documents were spread out on the coffee table in the living room, with the key points highlighted in red pen. Mrs. Chu, who was sitting on the sofa, was attracted by the documents and saw words like "household registration".
Before she could take a closer look, Shen Ruozhen brought a pack of bills over and said, "Mom, these will all be handed over to you from now on."
Mrs. Chu took it and asked, "What is it?"
Shen Ruozhen said: "I bought a piece of cemetery for Mr. Chu."
Mrs. Chu was stunned and opened the briefcase. Inside was the cemetery that Shen Ruozhen had purchased under the identity of "Chu Shichen", including the procedural documents, fee receipts, and a contact card of the cemetery management office.
She flipped it back and forth: "When did you do this?"
Unknowingly, a year has passed. Shen Ruozhen said, "When I first met Qian Hua, he told me a lot about Mr. Chu. Later, I bought this nameless tomb."
"Chu Shichen" died in vain, and no one knew about it. Shen Ruozhen was the only one who was looking for the truth. He continued, "I noticed that there were suspicious points in the yacht accident. I said in person in front of his grave that I would give him an explanation."
Mrs. Chu asked, "So you have been investigating secretly, even at the risk of your life?"
Although he had a close call with death, Shen Ruozhen had no regrets: "After the truth of the kidnapping case came out, Mingzhang and I went to the cemetery together."
Mrs. Chu held the messy papers and said, "I'm going to take Xiao Hui to see him."
Shen Ruozhen said: "Finally we can put his photo on the tombstone and engrave his name on it."
Mrs. Chu felt upset and tried hard to hold back her tears. Shen Ruozhen went into the restaurant under the pretext of making tea, leaving Mrs. Chu alone to cry and relieve her feelings.
A pot of Zhenmei tea was ready when the door rang.
Xiang Mingzhang didn't ask in detail on the phone. He only knew that Mrs. Chu had forgiven Shen Ruozhen and wanted to come to the apartment to visit, so he rushed back from the park.
Mrs. Chu's mood stabilized a little: "Mingzhang, you are running back and forth in the middle of the day."
"Aunt." On the day Xiang Mingzhang went to the Chu family to pick up Shen Ruozhen, many of his words were spoken out of urgency. "I was reckless and inconsiderate before. I'm sorry."
Mrs. Chu said, "I am relieved that you are so devoted to him."
Shen Ruozhen brought hot tea and sat down with Xiang Mingzhang. The past three days had been torturous as he waited for the Chu family to give him a verdict, but he never expected that God would favor him like this.
Next, he wanted to hurry up and do what needed to be done, saying: "Uncle Qi must be severely punished. I want to find the police to testify that the real 'Chu Shichen' is no longer here."
Xiang Mingzhang said: "Okay, I'll ask the legal team to prepare it tomorrow."
Mrs. Chu is the mother and guardian of "Chu Shichen". She must participate and said: "As a mother, I can finally do my part behind Xiaochen."
Xiang Mingzhang paused for a moment and thought, "But if Zhen wants to testify, he needs an identity and we need to confirm who he is."
Mrs. Chu thought of the household registration information on the coffee table and asked, "What's going on? Doesn't Ruozhen even have a household registration?"
Xiang Mingzhang had told Mrs. Yao a story that was true, but the dates were vague. He told Mrs. Chu that Shen Ruozhen's ancestral home was Ningbo, his ancestors were businessmen and bankers, his father was Shen Zuorun, and this generation was left alone.
Mrs. Chu was not stupid. She guessed that they had concealed some details, but she also believed that there were other reasons. She knew Shen Ruozhen well. He would keep his word. If he promised to tell her later, she would not rush.
She was more concerned about Shen Ruozhen's mother than his father, and asked, "What's your mother's name?"
Shen Ruozhen looked at the mother and answered his biological mother's name with unusual tenderness: "My mother's name is Zhang Daoying, and I have a younger sister named Shen Lizhi."
"No wonder you love Xiao Hui." Mrs. Chu believed in fate. "Your mother would be distressed to know that you are homeless. You should decide on an adoptive family as soon as possible."
Shen Ruozhen shook his head: "Not yet."
Mrs. Chu asked: "Then are you willing to let me adopt you?"
Shen Ruozhen didn't know how he got through the day. Mrs. Chu didn't blame him, but wanted to adopt him and make him a real family member.
The next day, Xiang Mingzhang met with a lawyer for a detailed discussion, consulted on some details, and discussed the entire process.
Mrs. Chu began to handle the adoption procedures for Shen Ruozhen. There were a lot of application materials and certifications required. However, because it was related to the case and the circumstances were special, the process was relatively smooth.
Shen Ruozhen was a little nervous. After coming to the 21st century from 1945, he actually had to have a tangible proof of identity.
He no longer had to use other people's names, nor did he have to feel guilty. The three words "Shen Ruozhen" that had been erased were now imprinted on paper again in this era.
Say it out loud and show it in front of others, just like waiting for the clouds to clear and the moon to appear.
Once the identity was confirmed, Shen Ruozhen accompanied Mrs. Chu to testify to the police immediately. The truth about the explosion of the Yaxi Bay yacht last year came to light. Combined with Xiang Mingzhang's testimony against Xiang Xingzhao, Uncle Qi's confession was overturned, and he was punished severely for multiple crimes.
During this period, Shen Ruozhen has been living in the Bomanjia Apartment, with two people and a cat. Xiang Mingzhang asked him if he would move back to the Chu family. He did not say it clearly, but asked back cunningly, "Are you chasing me away?"
It was already midsummer when Uncle Qi’s final verdict came down.
The weather forecast was getting warmer every day. The sun came out early in the morning, and three cars arrived at Yuansi Cemetery in the bright sunshine.
After reading the note, Qian Hua contacted Shen Ruozhen and learned that a kidnapping had occurred at the beginning of the year. He also learned Shen Ruozhen's identity and that "Chu Shichen" was no longer alive.
The cemetery was lush with vegetation. A group of people walked to the tomb. The name "Chu Shichen" was engraved in the middle of the tombstone, and a photo selected by Mrs. Chu was pasted on it.
The hollow hole was filled with "Chu Shichen's" favorite clothes, hats and sneakers. This resting place was also his cenotaph.
Everyone took turns to put down a bunch of daisies. Mrs. Chu stood in front of the grave and said softly, "Xiaochen, your mother is here to see you."
After a year and a half, Shen Ruozhen was finally able to give "Chu Shichen" a satisfactory answer: "Alan died in the fire, Xiang Xingzhao is dead, Uncle Qi has been convicted, and I will no longer occupy your identity. I hope all this can comfort your soul in heaven."
Chu Shihui said in a daze: "Brother, if you miss home, please come to me and mom in your dreams."
As the cries rang out, Qian Hua took off his sunglasses, threw himself in front of the grave and shouted "Chu Shichen's" name.
Close friends and relatives said what they wanted to say to "Chu Shichen", either with restraint or grief. Shen Ruozhen stepped aside and stood with Xiang Mingzhang.
Mrs. Chu stroked the grooves engraved on the tombstone, looked at the photo of "Chu Shichen", and told him that the Chu family adopted Shen Ruozhen, and they looked very similar.
White daisies surrounded the tomb, and the sunlight turned the petals light yellow, like clusters of small sunflowers.
When leaving, Qian Hua held Mrs. Chu's arm and said in tears that "Chu Shichen" would be filial to her in the future. Mrs. Chu, like before, advised him to calm down and stop making trouble.
Xiang Mingzhang and Zhou Kesen were walking side by side. Yisi had been separated from Xiang Yue for some time and the two hadn't seen each other for a long time.
Shen Ruozhen was the last one, followed by Chu Shihui. This sister had been really sad for several days, and she probably had a lot to say, a mixture of good and bad, and she kept looking back at him.
After taking two quick steps, Shen Ruozhen caught up with him: "Do you have anything to say to me?"
Chu Shihui asked: "When will you move back home?"
Shen Ruozhen cleverly changed the subject: "I promised Mom that I would go home for dinner this weekend."
"I know." Chu Shihui revealed, "Mom and I have discussed this. Everything is over here. You don't owe the family anything."
Shen Ruozhen asked: "So?"
Chu Shihui said: "My mother and I both agree that you are our family, and we cannot give in vain in the future. You should get what belongs to you."
Shen Ruozhen said bluntly: "Will you give me some shares and property?"
Originally planning to talk about it over the weekend, Chu Shihui simply said "hmm".
Shen Ruozhen was not surprised. With Mrs. Chu's heart and character, she would never treat him badly. But he was not surprised either. From the beginning, his goal was to take good care of Yisi, repay the Chu family's kindness, and use this job to adapt to modern society.
This original intention has not changed. If the results are not satisfactory, he will redouble his efforts. Even if the results are fruitful, he does not seek to pick just one or two.
He cherishes the friendship of the Chu family and regards Mrs. Chu and Chu Shihui as his closest relatives. He is willing to protect them, but he also wants them to take the helm themselves.
During this period, Shen Ruozhen made a decision after careful consideration: "After one year, I will leave Yisi."
Chu Shihui paused: "Leave? Yisi finally came back to life and just got back on track. I can't live without you."
"Silly girl, this world will continue to function normally without anyone." Shen Ruozhen said, "The shares have returned to the Chu family, and Yisi is getting better. I will hand over the business when everything stabilizes in a year."
Chu Shihui asked: "But why do you want to leave, brother? We are a family now."
Shen Ruozhen glanced at Xiang Mingzhang's back and said, "So no matter whether I am in Yisi or not, we are a family and that won't change."
Chu Shihui still couldn't accept it: "If you leave, who will manage the company?"
"The company doesn't rely on just one person, it relies on a team." Shen Ruozhen said gently, "I will select the right person. You are the major shareholder, so you should pay more attention and keep a close eye on it in the future."
Chu Shihui said: "I am still studying and I will go to graduate school."
Shen Ruozhen said: "Then learn knowledge while doing things. Xiang Mingzhang founded Xiangyue Communications in his sophomore year and also studied for a master's degree. Are you worse than him?"
"I..." Chu Shihui was very strong-willed, "That's not necessarily true."
Shen Ruozhen smiled and said, "It's hard to achieve success. The pressure will be great and it will be very hard. You will have to sacrifice some personal things. Let's see what you will choose."
Chu Shihui said: "I am not afraid of hard work, but I am afraid of not doing it well."
"You are very good, don't be afraid." Shen Ruozhen half coaxed and half persuaded, just like a brother, "Xiang Yue has a support plan, I will help you at any time, not to mention Uncle Sen."
Chu Shihui felt more relieved and said, "I studied computer science, and I am not good at business management."
Shen Ruozhen took it all into consideration: "Your father started his business with technology. You are not good at business, but you can develop Yisi into a technology-savvy enterprise. R&D technology is the foundation, and you will have a place there."
Chu Shihui had never imagined this angle and her eyes widened.
Shen Ruozhen said: "You are the one at the helm, and the ship must sail according to the route you set. You have to create a beautiful framework, not limit yourself to the framework."
Chu Shihui remembered this sentence. She understood that Shen Ruozhen would not change his decision once he made it, and she suddenly felt a sense of loss.
The brother and sister were a long way behind and continued to walk forward. Shen Ruozhen raised his left hand and slowly took off the agate ring on his index finger.
He had worn it for many years. The ring became a little loose when he lost weight, and it became a little tight when his fingers became swollen after working late at night. Now that it has been taken off, a circle of light white marks is left at the base of his fingers.
Shen Ruozhen said: "Little sister, this ring is for you."
Chu Shihui was stunned and said, "You've never taken it off, so it must be very precious to you. Do you want to give it to me?"
Shen Ruozhen said generously: "As a brother, I don't have much to give you. If you don't mind, just take it as a souvenir."
Chu Shihui took it in her palm, carefully touched the pattern carved on the agate, and said, "The eagle holding the laurel, I will keep it well."
Shen Ruozhen suddenly said: "In fact, it is just such a large piece of agate, and the details are limited. We cannot be sure that it is an eagle."
Chu Shihui asked doubtfully: "Brother, what do you mean?"
Shen Ruozhen encouraged her, blessed her, and replied: "Blood and victory are not divided into male and female."
No longer wearing any old things, Shen Ruozhen walked out of the cemetery and looked back at the words "Yuansi" on the doorplate.
He will never forget the cold night in early spring of 1945, and he will walk more steadily on the road ahead.
(End of this chapter)