Chapter 13
Chapter 13
The third scene of the vibrant play was filmed outdoors.
Shen Yin woke up early and received a message in a group chat.
Zhengzheng was still asleep. In the kitchen, Shen Yin was alone, simultaneously tending to several pots.
"If only I could come back by noon," Shen Yin sighed.
In April, the weather could be described as hot, where one would feel warm even in short sleeves and shorts, or cold enough torequire a coat and autumn trousers at times.
When Shen Yin woke up in the morning, she felt that today's weather was hot. She checked her phone and saw that the temperature would reach a maximum of 32 degrees Celsius.
Fortunately, Shen Yin had brought some summer clothes when she came. This era was quite nice, with ice and air conditioning to combat the heat, allowing her to wear shorts and short sleeves.
Shen Yin prepared breakfast and placed it on the table: preserved egg and lean meat congee, a serving of egg custard, steamed dumplings with chicken and mushrooms. She didn't have time to make more.
While thinking about preparing lunch, she also considered the hot weather. She wondered if the food would spoil if they ate it at noon.
The phone on the nearby table rang, displaying "Shen Lv" on the screen.
"Hello, what's up?" Shen Yin answered.
"Yinyin, today is the day for your follow-up check-up," Shen Lv said.
"Brother, the doctor already said that I've recovered, and besides, I'm not in Rongcheng right now."
Shen Lv grew suspicious. "You're not at home? Then where are you?"
Shen Lv was genuinely afraid that Shen Yin would do something abnormal. From the time Shen Yin got married until now, he thought he knew her well. She had no friends and rarely left the house. It was surprising that she wasn't at home today.
Shen Yin replied calmly, "I'm at the film and television studio near Rongcheng. Zhengzheng is filming here."
Shen Lv was greatly shocked. "Filming? How could my nephew be filming? What's the situation with Xu Xiuhe?"
"He's just helping his friend out. It'll only be for a few days. I'll hang up now; I have to go to the set."
After Shen Yin finished speaking, she didn't wait for Shen Lv's reply and ended the call.
Shen Lv couldn't sit still. He had heard from Ji Qingyan that Shen Yin's condition had improved, and she could even be considered mostly recovered. Today, he wanted to take Shen Yin for a check-up to confirm it again. He also wanted to see Ji Qingyan.
Since Shen Yin wasn't at home, he would go by himself. He was always the kind of person who did whatever he thought of. Shen's father and Shen's mother had worried about him a lot, but fortunately, although he seemed unconventional and unreliable, he was still responsible when it came to work.
Shen Lv put his phone in his pants pocket and grabbed his jacket before heading downstairs.
Shen's father was sitting on the sofa in the living room, reading the newspaper. He glanced up and saw Shen Lv coming down from upstairs.
Shen's father adjusted his glasses and asked, "It's the weekend today. Why are you up so early?"
Shen's mother came out of the kitchen. "Today is the day for Shen Yin to see the doctor. But why did you wake up so early? It's been a year or two since you last went."
Shen Lv felt wronged. "Is it because I didn't take her before? You both know what her attitude has been toward the three of us. After getting married, has she ever come back? Is she willing to see us? The last time I went was because the driver took a day off."
Shen's father and Shen's mother remained silent.
Shen Lv realized that her words were heavy, then continued, "The doctor said last time that she has made significant progress and is basically cured. She is currently accompanying Zhengzheng in the film and television city shooting!"
"Ah, Shen Lv, it's been so long, why haven't you mentioned it before? Has your sister really improved?" Shen's Mother held Shen Lv's arm.
Shen's Father had been watching Shen Lv attentively. "She's in the film and television city now, what do you want to do?"
"I'll go find her doctor first and talk to her." Shen Lv put on her coat.
"Great, we'll go too. It's a good opportunity to thank the doctor and then visit your sister at the film and television city." Shen's Father put down the newspaper.
Shen Lv looked hesitant. "Is it appropriate?"
"Why not? If you go, can't your mother and I go? Is the doctor a young girl around your age?" Shen's Father looked inquisitive.
Shen's Father knew Shen Lv very well, not at all reluctant to accompany her. Luckily, he had a sense of propriety, or else he would have prevented Shen Lv from leaving the house.
"Alright, as your father said, come over for dinner first." Shen's Mother couldn't wait.
At 9 o'clock, on the 48th floor, Shen Lv knocked on Ji Qingyan's office door.
"Come in." Ji Qingyan looked up.
"Dr. Ji, we meet again." Shen Lv greeted with a smile.
"Mr. Shen, it's you. Shen Yin didn't come today, right?" Although it was a question, Ji Qingyan's tone was firm.
"Doctor, hello. I'm Shen Yin's mother. I want to ask, is my daughter really almost cured?" Shen's Mother walked up to Shen Lv.
"Auntie, please have a seat." Ji Qingyan saw a man around 50 years old behind Shen Lv and got up to bring a chair.
"Auntie, Uncle, Shen Yin's illness is a mental one. When a mental illness persists for a long time, it will affect the nerves and gradually become psychologically distorted. Anxiety disorder and depression may also occur, which could harm others or even lead to suicide."
Shen's Mother looked a bit scared and glanced at Shen's Father.
"Doctor, please continue." Shen's Father remained relatively calm.
"Shen Yin's condition is relatively rare, but I could tell from our conversations that she longs for a normal life. May I ask a question?"
"Go ahead."
"How is Zhou Man doing now?"
Shen's Father and Shen's Mother looked at each other. Shen's Father said, "It was me who forced Shen Yin to get married. Three years ago, Shen Yin was still young, only 21 years old, and couldn't distinguish between good and bad people. Not to mention, I'm old and conservative, I couldn't accept that she liked women. Can she distinguish between good and bad people?"
Shen's Mother continued, "This girl named Zhou Man is someone Yin Yin (Shen Yin) met online during her high school years. Yin Yin is a bright student who could have attended any prestigious university in China. However, during her senior year, she suddenly expressed her desire to study abroad. Her father and I disagreed because she had never traveled far from home before, so naturally, we were concerned. But Shen Yin was adamant. She said that if we didn't agree, she wouldn't go to school at all. Her brother tried to persuade her, but it was in vain. Eventually, we sent her abroad, and we would visit her regularly because we worried that she wouldn't have enough money. Every month, we would send her one million yuan for her living expenses.
Then one time when we went to visit her, we met Zhou Man. Yin Yin introduced her as her friend from high school who had gone abroad a year earlier. Her father and I assumed that Yin Yin wanted to study abroad because she had friends studying abroad, so we didn't ask too many questions. But later, this Zhou Man person messaged us, saying that she and Shen Yin were together and if we wanted her to leave Shen Yin, we had to give her 20 million yuan. It was clear that she didn't really like our Yin Yin; she was just after the money. I don't know what methods she used to deceive Yin Yin into falling for her." Shen's Mother's expression was filled with anguish as she spoke.
Shen Lv couldn't stand by and watch any longer and interjected, "Let me explain. We did transfer the 20 million yuan to her. But she told Yin Yin that we forced her to leave and even gave her 20 million yuan as a breakup fee. Yin Yin came back and caused a scene. Coincidentally, at that time, my father was in talks with Xu Xiuhe for a business collaboration and thought Xu Xiuhe was quite good, so he forced Shen Yin to marry him."
Ji Qingyan listened quietly to the whole story. Based on Shen Yin's account, it was Shen's Father and Shen's Mother who forced Zhou Man to leave and forced her to marry Xu Xiuhe.
"So, what happened to Zhou Man later?" Ji Qingyan asked.