A Favor Done, A Husband Won-Chapter 476 - 470: I’m Being Followed

Between the lines, he wanted to convey that he was one of Shi Lingkang’s men.

Indeed, the business landscape of the imperial capital is ever-changing. Even Shi Lingkang, who was trapped in the capital and couldn’t return to Jiang City back then, has secretly built his own network and influence here.

Is Shi Dongyang’s recent rage because of this Shi Xiangchao, who suddenly came under Shi Lingkang’s wing?

The true grandchildren of the Shi Family are only her and Shi Dongyang. The others are mostly relatives from her aunt’s or grandmother’s side, and as for why they also bear the surname Shi, it’s probably either due to following the mother’s surname or some other reason.

Shi Su isn’t curious about this aspect at all. There are so many people wanting to attach themselves to the Shi Family. Those who aren’t relatives wish they could have the Shi surname, let alone those with even the slightest connection. The name recorded in the household account book from childhood has nothing to do with her.

This Shi Xiangchao, she estimates he might be the child of some uncle or aunt from the grandmother’s side, or the son of an aunt from another family. The range covered by the term "distant nephew" is too broad.

Looking at his scholarly appearance, he indeed seems more reliable than Shi Dongyang. His facial features also resemble many in the Shi Family. If he’s equally outstanding in his speech and emotional intelligence, then if Mr. Shi has shown favoritism throughout the year, Shi Dongyang’s rage can be understood.

The so-called significant move by Shi Lingkang in the capital is nothing more than finding a replacement for Shi Dongyang and another successor of hers, gaining too much trust in Mr. Shi’s presence.

"I, someone who has long severed ties with the Shi Family, who would mention me out of the blue? Where did you hear about me?" Shi Su acted as if she didn’t see him extending his hand, not intending to shake it, her gaze distant with no intention of intimacy.

Shi Xiangchao wasn’t embarrassed and retracted his hand with a light laugh: "Of course, from your father."

Her father?

The old scumbag who was disgraced by his own daughter in Jiang City, had his assets reclaimed, was forcibly ordered back to the capital, and has been trapped here for two years?

Shi Su suddenly smiled, but it was precisely this insincere smile that made Shi Xiangchao’s gaze deepen, seemingly noticing the sarcasm in her eyes.

At this moment, the door of the ward opened, and Mr. He walked out, gently closing the door behind him. He looked at Shi Su with surprise: "Miss Shi, you’re..."

"Mr. He." Shi Su stopped paying attention to Shi Xiangchao and nodded at Mr. He: "Hello."

"Good, good." Mr. He looked at her with a smile: "Are you here to see Mr. Shi? Then go on in. I’ll chat with Mr. Xv, and we can get in touch later?"

No need to say much, seeing Shi Su appear there with Mr. Xv already indicated that she’d likely signed with their show; otherwise, how could she be with Mr. Xv?

Shi Su nodded, ignoring whether those behind her were considered part of the Shi Family, not even sparing them a glance. She directly spoke with the nurse outside the ward, explained her identity, left her credentials, and then entered the ward.

The acrid smell of disinfectant was strong. The instruments were either silent or emitting slight beeps. Due to the overwhelming quietness of the room, she could almost easily hear the slow and labored breathing of Mr. Shi.

Shi Su walked to the ward, bowed her head, and looked at the withered old man. The once suit-clad, regal, and noble figure was gone. At this stage, he must be truly losing consciousness.

After watching for a long time, she lowered her head to look at Mr. Shi’s fingers, clamped by the tube of the blood pressure monitor. After a short while, she said, "Mr. Shi, I’ve come back to see you. We’ve met only a few times. In contrast to many Shi Family children over the past twenty-odd years, they would do anything to bear the Shi surname, while I wished I could relive my life without that name."

She saw Mr. Shi’s finger seemingly move slightly. Raising her head, she noticed a layer of mist occasionally fogging the oxygen mask on his face, a bit heavier than before.

"You said I am your biological granddaughter, wanting me to come back and learn by your side. Learn what? Learn the deceit and step-by-step maneuvers in the imperial capital’s business circle? Learn the bloodless conspiracies and calculations? Or learn how a family fosters resentment amongst themselves for profit? I wasn’t raised with such education, nor in such an environment of profit-driven influence. No matter how much I learn, I can’t master your ’skills.’ Disappointed, aren’t you? You spent your whole life scheming, only to find in the end, what do you even gain?"

Shi Su calmly watched Mr. Shi’s eyes struggling to open but failing, said quietly: "Actually, I’m very curious. Watching the things you worked your whole life for being gradually devoured by the younger generation, how does it feel?"

"In all this time, has anyone who came to visit you done so sincerely for the sake of blood relations, just to see you?"

Mr. Shi’s eyelids twitched, and Shi Su watched him for a moment, sighed softly, and placed her hand on his aged hand, feeling the bony touch of his thin, mottled palm, distinctly feeling a slight tremor of his fingers.

From Shi Dongyang to Shi Lingkang, and then to Shi Xiangchao, who appears scholarly but is actually watching like a tiger, along with others, after Shi Dongyang was imprisoned, whose sights wouldn’t set on her?

After all, she is the only direct granddaughter.

She was born into the Shi Family. Some things can be avoided for a year or two, but they can’t be avoided for a lifetime. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

...

Shi Su left the ward, and Shi Xiangchao immediately approached: "Shi Su, the hospital has already issued a critical notice for Granduncle. Many family members will come tonight. Do you want to stay?"

"I have something else to do, let’s talk tonight." Shi Su didn’t look at him and walked straight to the other side of the corridor.

This level, though a key intensive care unit floor, had plenty of wealthy people in the capital, and the entire floor was occupied. Many family members, doctors, and nurses filled the corridor, the noise bustled.

The nurses shuttled back and forth, and just as Shi Su was about to head towards the elevator, her steps suddenly halted.

In front of her was a large glass pane near the elevator, clearly reflecting the two suspicious-looking men emerging from the smoking room, their gaze fixed directly on her.

The two men, tall and burly, adjusted their baseball caps as they walked out, continuing to focus on her intently.

Shi Su pretended not to notice, looked down at her phone, and saw a WeChat message from Jing Jihan: [I’m arriving soon, stay safe.]

She seemed to unintentionally step back slightly from the glass reflection, turned away from the elevator area, walked towards the emergency exit, and typed back: [I’m being followed.]