Sheng Chenjin arrived at the restaurant private room. Madam Sheng was seated elegantly and nobly, her makeup exquisite and clearly expensive, making her appear beautiful and graceful. However, faint dark circles were visible around her eyes, indicating a lack of sleep.
Upon entering, Sheng Chenjin sat directly across from Madam Sheng.
Madam Sheng looked up, her voice gentle, "Chenjin, you're here."
Sheng Chenjin looked at Madam Sheng and said plainly, "Mom, shouldn't we talk about Sheng Yuxuan's matter?"
His words immediately froze the atmosphere.
Sheng Chenjin raised an eyebrow in displeasure. "Mom, is there something else you're hiding from me?"
Sheng Chenjin's attitude surprised Madam Sheng. She hadn't expected Sheng Chenjin to know. She had deliberately kept Sheng Yuxuan's situation from him, but she hadn't anticipated Sheng Chenjin coming to her. Had Sheng Yuxuan told him?
The thought flashed through her mind, and Madam Sheng immediately dismissed it. They had discussed it at length, deciding to keep it from Sheng Chenjin for now. After all, she knew how much Sheng Chenjin liked Sheng Yuxuan. If he knew Sheng Yuxuan had been kidnapped, he would surely try every means to rescue him, which would ultimately mean Sheng Yuxuan's demise.
However, now, Madam Sheng had a premonition of something ominous.
"What nonsense are you talking about, child?" Madam Sheng feigned impatience, her tone scolding. "What could I possibly be hiding from you? Yuxuan is studying abroad right now. Don't worry, when he returns, he will bring great achievements to Sheng's Corporation, and your father won't force you to divorce Shi Xinxin anymore."
"Mom, I didn't say you were hiding something. I said Sheng Yuxuan is my brother, and I have the right to know his current situation."
"He is now the sole shareholder of our Sheng's Corporation, the shareholder your father values most, and the future helmsman of the Sheng family. Any of his whereabouts can only be disclosed to the media with my permission!"
"Mom, you can rest assured about this. When I return to the country, I will personally explain it clearly to Father." Sheng Chenjin said calmly.
"If you truly have this filial piety, then don't anger him. After all, Yuxuan is still young and has a bright future. He cannot be ruined by Sheng's Corporation." Madam Sheng advised earnestly.
"I understand his personality too well. Once he makes up his mind, no one can dissuade him."
"You..." Madam Sheng was enraged. She never expected Sheng Chenjin to be so stubborn!
She took a deep breath, suppressing her anger, and calmed herself. "If that's the case, then work hard and quickly regain your father's trust. Get Sheng's Corporation back on track soon."
Sheng Chenjin's eyes narrowed, a sharp glint flashing within them. "Mom, I think you should understand that Sheng's Corporation is already in the sorry state it is today because of me. I don't want to hand over this mess to others. If you don't want your son to end up with nothing, you'd best let me take back the company."
Sheng Chenjin's words struck Madam Sheng's heart like a heavy blow.
Madam Sheng's face turned pale with anger. Her chest heaved violently, and a shadow flickered in her eyes. "You, you dare to threaten me?"
Sheng Chenjin let out a cold laugh. "I've never threatened you. I'm just stating a fact."
Madam Sheng sneered. "Then go and take back Sheng's Corporation."
Sheng Chenjin scoffed at Madam Sheng's expression. "If you're unwilling to help, that's fine. I'll do it myself."
"You dare!" Madam Sheng exclaimed furiously. "If you try to take the company, I will ensure you never get Sheng's Corporation!"
A mocking glint flashed in Sheng Chenjin's eyes. "That would be best."
Madam Sheng was furious. She glanced around and said, "Let's move somewhere else."
Sheng Chenjin nodded and followed Madam Sheng.
After leaving Madam Sheng's residence, they found a quiet cafe nearby.
Madam Sheng sat by the window, watching the endless stream of cars and people outside. A sense of loss flickered in her eyes. She had racked her brains to stabilize Sheng's Corporation during this time. She thought Sheng Chenjin would understand her efforts, but she never expected all her efforts to be in vain.
"Chenjin, have you already found out about Yuxuan being kidnapped?" Madam Sheng asked.
"Yes, I heard it from Sheng Chenjin."
"What do you plan to do?" Madam Sheng looked at Sheng Chenjin.
Sheng Chenjin's hands, resting by his legs, clenched, his knuckles turning white.
"Mom, I want to save my brother. I hope Sheng's Corporation and the Sheng family can have smooth sailing."
A relieved smile spread across Madam Sheng's face. Sheng Chenjin had finally grown up, possessing responsibility and a sense of duty.
"Chenjin, I'm very happy you've come to this realization. However, I don't want you to take risks for your personal agenda. I know you care about your brother, but Sheng Yuxuan's death has nothing to do with you. You don't need to sacrifice your own happiness for him. This way, neither of us, mother and son, will be happy," Madam Sheng said earnestly.
"If I don't go to save him, will I just watch him die?" Sheng Chenjin retorted.
Madam Sheng shook her head. "No, as long as you don't do anything life-threatening, he will be fine."
Sheng Chenjin let out a cold laugh. "I understand."
Madam Sheng sighed. "It's good that you understand."
Sheng Chenjin took out his cigarette case, lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and slowly exhaled. He closed his eyes and leaned back in his seat to rest.
"You've been getting quite close to Gu Zilin lately?" Madam Sheng suddenly said.
Upon hearing this, Sheng Chenjin's eyes snapped open, and he stared coldly at Madam Sheng.
"You don't need to meddle in this!"
"I'm just concerned about you. After all, you are now the president of Sheng's Corporation, and you are responsible for the entire Sheng's Corporation. These matters are everyone's responsibility," Madam Sheng said earnestly.
"Your responsibility is to protect Sheng's Corporation from collapse, and my responsibility is to secure the inheritance of Sheng's Corporation. As for anything else, it has nothing to do with me."
Sheng Chenjin's words caused Madam Sheng immense pain. She knew Sheng Chenjin was blaming her for handing Sheng's Corporation over to Grandfather Sheng back then, which had empowered him and harmed their Sheng family.
"Chenjin, I don't want you to give up the inheritance of Sheng's Group. I just..."
"You just feel guilty, right?" Sheng Chenjin finished Madam Sheng's sentence.
"I..." Madam Sheng was speechless and could only remain silent.
Seeing this, Sheng Chenjin let out a disdainful snort.
Madam Sheng glanced at Sheng Chenjin and retorted, unwilling to back down. "So what if I do? If it weren't for me, Sheng's Corporation wouldn't be in this state. I did this for the Sheng family."
"You didn't hesitate to drive me away for the Sheng family and send my father to prison. Now, everything in Sheng's Corporation is ruined, and you think your conscience is clear? You are so selfish! You never considered my feelings!" Sheng Chenjin's emotions became agitated.