HBWMA -Chapter 420 Shen Nian

The atmosphere in the room dropped to freezing point in an instant.

After a long standoff, Yao Ge let out a cold laugh. “Good—just as I thought. The more vicious the dog, the better it is at pretending. Looks like I misjudged you. Since you’ve got such backbone, then just wait. When you’re driven into a corner, let’s see how long you can keep up this noble act.”

Shen Guiling crumpled the tissue in his hand into a ball and slipped it into his pocket, his tone casual. “Madam and I can still make another deal.”

Yao Ge sneered, lifting her chin as she gestured toward the cigarette box on the coffee table, flicking two fingers.

Shen Guiling glanced at it but remained unmoved.

So the villain grows old, yet still dreams of controlling him. How naïve.

Composed and unhurried, he said, “It seems Madam doesn’t want Shen Nian to return to the country after all.”

Yao Ge’s expression changed abruptly. She narrowed her eyes at Shen Guiling. “You’ve been doing quite well for yourself in the Shen residence lately—why would you sincerely help A-Nian come back?”

Everyone knew Shen Nian was her weak spot. Yao Ge herself knew it too. So even if Shen Guiling had ulterior motives, she wouldn’t give up any opportunity.

And Shen Guiling understood this perfectly—that was why he faced her threats without fear. Back then, she had seized his weakness, using Shu Mu as leverage, forcing him to obey her.

Now, his weakness had become his armor. It was time for Yao Ge to taste what he once endured.

Shen Guiling remained calm. “The Shen residence is full of hidden dangers, far from as peaceful as it appears. As long as you hold leverage over me, it’s like a blade hanging over my head. Naturally, I have to find a way to remove it.”

Yao Ge wasn’t fooled. “What does that have to do with A-Nian returning?”

Shen Guiling replied, “Of course it does. He’s your weakness. With him as leverage, you’ll obediently keep the secret.”

Yao Ge’s anger flared again. No one could stay calm when their child was used as a threat.

“And what makes you think you can threaten me?”

Shen Guiling turned and sat on the sofa farthest from her. “All these years, you’ve been pretending to be mad and foolish just to win the old master’s sympathy, paving the way for Shen Nian’s return, haven’t you? Unfortunately, his compassion only lasted for a moment before fading. Do you know why?”

Yao Ge paused slightly. “You know?”

Shen Guiling said, “Because there are plenty of people in the Shen residence who don’t want Shen Nian to return. Compared to them, my stance isn’t that firm. All I want is the identity of Shen Guiling—once I achieve my goal, whether Shen Nian comes back or not makes no difference to me. After all, the Shen family’s fortune will never fall into the hands of an illegitimate child. As for the others… that’s another story.”

The anger on Yao Ge’s face gradually faded, replaced by caution. Having spent so many years in the Shen family, she naturally understood the conflicts between its branches—and she could tell there was some truth in his words.

When it came to Shen Nian, she couldn’t hold back. “What exactly are you trying to say?”

“Just that there’s no need for Madam to be anxious. Our previous agreement still stands. Within two years, I will definitely bring Shen Nian back to the country.”

Eight years of separation—Yao Ge had dreamed day and night of reunion. Shen Guiling’s two-year promise instantly lifted her spirits.

But after the initial joy, she quickly regained her composure. “You expect me to believe you’d be so kind? Why should I trust you? Aren’t you afraid that the moment A-Nian returns, I’ll expose you?”

Shen Guiling shook his head. “Shen Nian is my leverage. Why would I be afraid?”

Yao Ge frowned. “What do you mean?”

Shen Guiling glanced at her. “I heard that back then, aside from Shen Lanxi, Shen Nian was Grandfather’s favorite grandson?”

At the mention of the past, Yao Ge’s gaze grew distant.

Her child was the eldest grandson of the Shen family. When she gave birth to A-Nian, the old master had waited outside the operating room for an entire day. When the child was born, Shen Zhuang was the first to hold him.

If not for A-Nian being misled and committing such foolish mistakes back then, he wouldn’t have fallen into such neglect.

“The mistakes Shen Nian made weren’t limited to injuring someone on the overpass. Didn’t Madam know? He once secretly poisoned Grandfather’s tea, attempting to murder him.”

Boom—

The words struck like thunder. Yao Ge’s face turned deathly pale, the mountain of her beliefs collapsing in an instant. She sprang up in fury. “Impossible! You bastard—how dare you smear A-Nian like this!”

Shen Guiling remained calm. “When I first entered the Shen residence, Grandfather once had Doctor Meng inject me with an anti-toxin vaccine. Out of curiosity, I later asked Doctor Meng about it in private. Only then did I learn that eight years ago, Grandfather had been poisoned. He didn’t go into details, only said that Grandfather survived because he had antibodies in his system.”

The old master had been poisoned—why didn’t any of them know?

Yao Ge’s expression turned grave as she scrutinized Shen Guiling.

“Why should I believe what you’re saying? Even if the old master really was poisoned, what does that have to do with A-Nian? What evidence do you have?”

Shen Guiling replied, “Of course I have evidence. I have a recording of Shen Nian personally admitting that he poisoned him. If you don’t believe me, why not give him a call?”

Yao Ge’s gaze darkened. She subconsciously adjusted her collar and slowly straightened her posture. “If you dare to lie to me…”

“Whether I’m lying or not, one phone call will tell. But people’s hearts are hidden—if Shen Nian dared to kill even his own grandfather, I’m afraid he might not tell you, his mother, the truth either.”

Yao Ge gritted her teeth. “A bastard like you dares to sow discord between me and A-Nian?”

“As long as you’re confident, Madam.” Shen Guiling smiled faintly and stood up. “Attempting to murder Grandfather is a grave crime. To cover his tracks, Shen Nian shifted the blame for the poisoning onto other families involved in the overpass case. Out of trust, Grandfather never suspected him. Tell me—if I hand over this evidence to him, do you think Shen Nian will ever be able to return?”

Yao Ge’s fingers tightened slightly, sinking into the soft leather.

His goal achieved, Shen Guiling gave a polite nod. “That’s all I have to say. Whether you believe it or not is entirely up to you.”

He walked to the door, then suddenly remembered something. Turning his head to look at Yao Ge in the living room, his eyes were filled with disgust. “Oh, right—I’ve prepared a gift for you, Madam. I do hope you’ll accept it.”

Yao Ge looked up, but by the time her gaze shifted, Shen Guiling had already disappeared beyond the doorway.

“…”

Before long, the door opened again. Several burly men carried in a massive object wrapped in black cloth.

Mo Ran directed them to place it in a conspicuous spot in the living room, her expression mechanical. “Madam, this is a gift from Young Master A-Ling.”

Without waiting for a response, she led the men away.

Yao Ge stared at the black cloth. Every nerve in her body seemed to tighten. The cloth felt almost magnetic, drawing her closer step by step.

Swish—

The moment the cloth was pulled away, a flash of reflected light burst before her eyes.

Standing against the living room wall was a massive mirror, meticulously reflecting everything before it.

The opulent, luxurious living room… the glittering crystal… and the woman who looked as though all vitality had been drained from her.

Yao Ge stared at her reflection, and suddenly, a memory surfaced.

In a room full of mirrors, she pinched a young boy’s face, pointing at his reflection as she said slowly, “Remember this—before, you were a bastard no one wanted. Now, you are just a dog I raise.”

Abruptly, the memory shattered like broken glass.

The boy’s childish face had sharpened with age. “An old, withered, ugly woman.”

“Ahhh—!”

Yao Ge collapsed emotionally, clawing at her scalp. “This isn’t me! This isn’t me!”

She was only pretending to be insane. Once A-Nian returned, she would still be the First Lady of Country A.

“A-Nian! A-Nian!”

Her unfocused eyes seemed to grasp at a lifeline. In a panic, she ran into her room, locked the door tightly, drew the curtains, and pulled out her phone from beneath the pillow. Her whole body trembled as she dialed an overseas number.

Beep—

The phone rang for a long time before it was finally answered.

A man’s voice came through—low and hoarse, tinged with indifference.

“…Mother.”