My stepmother forced me to donate bone marrow, so I retaliated by slapping my scumbag father in the

Yu Binglan didn't refute, she just pursed her lips slightly.

Seeing her reaction, Jiang Huan became even more certain.

This is no ordinary reunion.

They've clearly already fallen into a trap.

She leaned back in her seat, already having a plan in mind.

She's good-looking, has a good temperament, and is polite.

But whether a man is suitable for a relationship or not, looks alone are not enough.

Especially for someone of Yu Binglan's status, too many people approach her, some for her looks, some for her money, and some for her resources.

Shen Ze protected Yu Binglan when they were young, and that bond was truly precious. But more than a decade has passed, and no one can say for sure what a person has become.

Jiang Huan had come out today to help her best friend get a checkup. She smiled and asked, "Mr. Shen, may I ask you a question?"

Shen Ze looked at the road ahead and said, "Ask away."

Where did you go to university?

This question isn't offensive, but it reveals a lot.

Education, experience, choices, and perspective.

Shen Ze replied in a flat tone: "Shanghai University."

"Shanghai University?"

Jiang Huan nodded. "That's great, a prestigious local school in Shanghai."

As soon as she finished speaking, Yu Binglan in the passenger seat was stunned for a moment.

She turned to look at Shen Ze: "Didn't you get 660 points back then?"

Jiang Huan's eyes flickered.

660 points?

That's no ordinary achievement.

In her mind, this score was enough to get into one of the top universities in the country.

Shanghai University is certainly not bad, but if the score is really 660, the range of choices is too wide.

Yu Binglan frowned slightly: "I later asked my old neighbors in Anping Lane, and they said you did very well on the college entrance exam."

"That score is enough for universities like Shanghai University and Tsinghua University, so why stay in Shanghai?"

The carriage was silent for a moment.

Jiang Huan had only asked casually to test him, but she didn't expect to get such a question out of him.

Shen Ze did not rush to answer.

The Bentley drove along an elevated road, with tall buildings flashing past the window.

He paused for a few seconds before speaking: "My mother was very ill at that time."

Yu Binglan's expression changed immediately.

Shen Ze continued, "It's inconvenient to take care of her when she goes to study in another city."

"Shanghai University gave me a full scholarship, and I also receive an additional subsidy every year after enrollment."

"I've calculated that if I stay in Shanghai, the money from scholarships and work-study programs can help support my family."

"If we go to Longdu, the travel expenses, living expenses, and care costs will be much higher. My mother doesn't have anyone around her either."

He spoke calmly, as if he were recounting a very ordinary old story.

But the calmer it is, the more suffocating it feels.

Jiang Huan slowly leaned back in her seat, the teasing on her face completely gone.

She grew up in a well-off family and, although she had seen the realities of life, she rarely experienced the kind of life where one is overwhelmed by money.

With a score of 660, I gave up on top universities.

Because his mother was seriously ill, because the family needed money, and because he couldn't leave.

An eighteen-year-old boy, at the most important crossroads in his life, did not choose the most glamorous path, but instead chose to stay and take care of his family.

Jiang Huan suddenly realized that her previous "investigation" was somewhat superficial.

This matter carries more weight than any fancy words.

She asked softly, "Didn't you regret it back then?"

Shen Ze smiled and said, "What's the use of regret?"

Jiang Huan was taken aback.

Shen Ze said, "A prestigious university is great, but I only have one mother."

These words were spoken softly, yet they brought complete silence to the carriage.

Yu Binglan lowered her eyes and gripped the bag strap tightly with her fingertips.

She had long known that Shen Ze had had a tough time all these years, but every time she heard him tell those stories in person, her heart still felt like it was being gently clenched.

When she was little, Shen Ze, who used to stand in front of her, was no longer there to protect her.

He single-handedly supported his mother, paid for the tuition, and endured those seemingly endless days of hardship.

Yu Binglan's voice was somewhat low: "You should have told me back then."

Shen Ze glanced at her: "We had already lost contact by then."

"But……"

Yu Binglan wanted to say that if she had known, she would have helped him.

But the words stuck in my throat.

At that time, she was also being suppressed by the Yu family, and she was struggling on her own.

Moreover, given Shen Ze's personality, even if they did make contact, he might not be willing to accept her help.

Looking at the profiles of the two people in front of her, Jiang Huan's judgment completely shifted.

She used to think that no matter how bad Shen Cong was, at least his background was there, and the Shen family had resources.

But now, she suddenly understands that background and resources do not equal character.

Shen Cong was pampered by his family from a young age. He would throw a tantrum at the slightest thing and even tried to force women to submit by relying on public opinion when pursuing them.

Shen Ze, however, was able to give up a prestigious university during the most difficult time and stay to take care of his mother.

These two people are not even in the same league.

Jiang Huan said seriously, "Mr. Shen, I take back those jokes."

Shen Ze glanced at her in the rearview mirror.

Jiang Huan smiled, but her smile was much more sincere than before: "Bing Lan certainly has good taste."

Yu Binglan blushed again: "Huanhuan."

Jiang Huan shrugged: "I'm telling the truth."

The car drove all the way to the Caesars Hotel.

As soon as the Bentley stopped at the entrance, the greeter immediately stepped forward and opened the car door.

After Jiang Huan got out of the car, she looked up at the hotel building in front of her, her eyes showing obvious surprise.

The lobby of the Caesars Hotel has an extremely high ceiling, and two rows of greeters stand at the entrance, dressed in sharp suits with standard smiles.

The guests coming and going are either business elites or well-dressed wealthy wives.

Jiang Huan had seen many luxury hotels in Longdu, but Caesar's aura still made her take a second look.

"Is this the Caesars Hotel?"

She whispered, "I've heard of the name, but I didn't expect it to be this exaggerated."

Yu Binglan nodded: "One of the top-tier business banquet venues in Shanghai."

Jiang Huan clicked her tongue: "No wonder Shen Cong always liked to use places like this to show off."

After saying that, she glanced at Shen Ze again, but didn't mention Shen Cong again.

Shen Ze's expression didn't change much; he simply led them inside.

As soon as the three entered the lobby, Zhao Jie quickly came to greet them.

The moment he saw Shen Ze today, he tensed up immediately, and his waist slumped down a few inches more than usual.

"Chairman Shen, President Yu, Ms. Jiang, welcome."

Jiang Huan paused in her steps.

Chairman Shen?

She looked at Zhao Jie, then at Shen Ze.

Yu Binglan was also somewhat surprised, clearly not expecting Caesar's people to address Shen Ze in that way.

Zhao Jie didn't dare say much, but respectfully led the way: "The top-floor private room is ready, this way please."

A private elevator takes you all the way up.

Standing in the elevator, Jiang Huan felt increasingly uneasy.

Zhao Jie's address of "Chairman Shen" just now didn't sound like a polite formality.

Moreover, the Caesars Hotel manager's attitude towards Shen Ze was not the politeness one would show to an ordinary VIP, but rather a deep-seated respect.

But she didn't ask immediately.

Upon arriving at the top-floor private room, Jiang Huan's attention was once again drawn to the scene before her.

The floor-to-ceiling windows offer panoramic views of both banks of the Huangpu River.

After Jiang Huan sat down, she couldn't help but laugh and said, "Binglan, are your birthday dinners always this extravagant?"

Yu Binglan glanced at Shen Ze: "I treated him last time."

Jiang Huan immediately seized on the key point: "Last time?"

Yu Binglan's ears turned slightly red: "It was the day we reunited."

"oh."

Jiang Huan drawled, "So there were other dates I didn't know about."

Yu Binglan coughed lightly: "Let's eat."