Serena nodded, her face pale.

During the days she was hospitalized, Shen Zhiheng pushed aside all his work to accompany her.

He strictly controlled her diet, finding a nutritionist to prepare her meals specifically.

When she was bored, he would chat with her just like when they were kids, trying to make her happy.

If she didn't want to eat fruit unless it was cut into small pieces, he would cut every type of fruit into small portions and present them to her, asking which one she wanted to eat.

Serena was surrounded by happiness, unable to help but sigh: "My future sister-in-law will definitely be very happy."

Shen Zhiheng laughed: "What nonsense are you saying again?"

"You’re so meticulous and considerate toward your sister; you’ll definitely be even better to your wife. Brother, the girl who marries you in the future will be blessed."

Serena’s sigh came from the bottom of her heart. In every aspect, Shen Zhiheng was a good, trustworthy person.

But as she thought of this, a nameless, indescribable emotion flickered in her heart.

She remembered how she had been exceptionally reliant on her brother since childhood. Once, an elder in the family joked: "Serena, don't always cling to your brother like this. Do you think you’ll still cling to him like this after he marries a wife?"

After hearing that, she instantly burst into tears, running to Shen Zhiheng pitifully to ask: "Brother, will you not want me in the future?"

How had Shen Zhiheng answered her then?

He seemed to have said: "Why are you still crying over such a trivial matter? At worst, I just won't get married."

So many years had passed, and Shen Zhiheng remained single, but Serena didn't know the true reason why he had remained single until now.

Chapter 15

Shen Zhiheng did not pick up on Serena's comment.

On the day of her discharge, Mother Shen came to pick her up, but Shen Zhiheng was nowhere to be found.

"Mom, where is my brother?" Serena asked curiously.

They had clearly agreed that he would pick her up from the hospital, yet he was missing; this was not like Shen Zhiheng at all.

Mother Shen said with a smile: "Your brother has an appointment he couldn't turn down. After all these years, he finally agreed to it. It’s not easy."

At first, Serena didn't understand why Mother Shen was so happy, but she suddenly realized it a moment later.

The so-called "unavoidable appointment" was likely a blind date.

She had heard that many people had tried to introduce partners to him over the years, but Shen Zhiheng hadn't taken a liking to a single one, even claiming he had no plans to start a family for the time being.

People had nearly worn out their threshold trying to match him, yet there hadn't been a single girl Shen Zhiheng was willing to meet.

Why was this one suddenly impossible to turn down?

Serena was curious, so she probed Mother Shen for the girl's background.

"She’s a college classmate of your brother’s. Her father is also an old friend of your father’s. They suddenly brought it up, so they invited your brother to have a meal together. It’s a perfect match. If those two young people take a liking to each other, our family will have good news soon."

Serena felt a strange bitterness in her heart, but if Shen Zhiheng could find happiness, she would certainly be happy for him.

After all, her brother was so wonderful; he deserved the best girl in the world.

Back home, Serena locked herself in her room.

Her lawyer called: "Ms. Shen, Preston has been taken in by the police for questioning, but it’s a bit difficult to convict him. The Pei family has already stepped in to protect him."

"He is, after all, part of the Pei family. They won't just stand by and watch him get into trouble. But even if it’s just to ruin his reputation, everything I once gave him must be taken back, down to the last cent."

The lawyer replied: "Within a month, his company will struggle to survive. He will be saddled with massive debts. It won't be easy for him to walk away unscathed unless he is willing to bow down to the Pei family."

For Preston to bow down to the Pei family would be worse than killing him.

Preston was originally an illegitimate son of the Pei family and was never acknowledged by them. After the eldest son took power, he kicked Preston out. Preston had sworn he would make a comeback. Now, he was like a stray dog, and the Pei family would hold him in even less regard.

The only reason they were protecting him was to save face, but that was just to keep him out of jail. Would the Pei family pay his massive debts for him?

Serena didn't think the Pei family was that kind.

"As for Giselle, she has truly been taken away by the debt collectors to pay off her debts."

Serena had long anticipated this outcome. Giselle had racked her brain to climb up the social ladder, hoping to gain Preston’s protection, but now Preston could barely look after himself, let alone her.

The elaborate drama Giselle had directed herself had finally played out in reality.

If there was anyone to blame, it was her own ingratitude and lack of sense.

If Giselle hadn't done those things to Serena, perhaps Serena might have given her a helping hand.

After hanging up, Serena stared blankly for a long time before she heard a car engine cut off outside.

She ran to the balcony and saw Shen Zhiheng’s car parked downstairs. Just as she was about to call out to him, the words got stuck in her throat.

Accompanying Shen Zhiheng out of the car was a young and beautiful woman.

That must be the girl with the "perfect match" background that Mother Shen mentioned, right?

The woman familiarly linked her arm with Shen Zhiheng’s, and the two walked into the Shen estate, laughing and talking.

Serena didn't understand why she felt uncomfortable, but at the same time, she felt happy for her brother.

It was time for Shen Zhiheng to have someone by his side.

Chapter 16

The woman’s name was An Qi.

Throughout the meal, the conversation revolved almost entirely around An Qi. Her parents were exceptionally pleased with her. When they finally asked about An Qi’s thoughts on marriage, she glanced at Shen Zhiheng first before saying shyly: "I’ll listen to whatever Zhiheng decides."

At that moment, Shen Zhiheng was peeling shrimp for Serena. When he heard his name, his wrist paused for a fraction of a second, then he methodically placed the entire bowl of peeled shrimp in front of Serena.

An Qi’s smile stiffened on her lips; she had assumed he was peeling them for her.

Mother Shen smiled to smooth things over: "The two siblings have always been this close, but Serena, you’re grown up now; you can’t keep relying on your brother like that."

Serena nodded awkwardly. Halfway through the meal, she truly had no appetite, so she made an excuse and returned to her room.

When Shen Zhiheng brought fruit in later, he ruffled her hair and laughed: "Who made you unhappy?"

"I’m not unhappy."

"You didn't say a word during the meal earlier; that’s not like you."

In truth, Serena didn't feel "unhappy"; she just didn't like that there was suddenly an extra person in the house. They were a happy family, and she felt like an outsider.

Because of what had happened in the past, Serena was cautious with everyone at home, afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing.

"Brother, do you like her?" Serena couldn't hold it back and asked in a low voice.

"Do you think that at my age, whether or not I like her matters?"

She was annoyed into a laugh: "How old are you exactly? You’re only five years older than me; why are you talking like you’re an old man?"

"Serena, in fact, I’m at the age where I should get married, isn't that right?"

When Shen Zhiheng asked her this, the smile on his lips made her heart tremble inexplicably.

"Why are you asking me? Ask yourself if you want to. If you like her, get married; if you don't, don't force yourself. Brother, did Mom and Dad force you? If you don't want to, I’ll go help you talk to them."

Serena’s own marriage was unhappy, so she didn't want Shen Zhiheng to be unhappy as well.

Marriage was something one absolutely could not rush into based on impulse.

This was a lesson she had learned over three years of being battered and bruised.

Shen Zhiheng helplessly poked her forehead, told her to finish the fruit, and returned to the study to talk business with their father.

A few days later, Mother Shen suddenly sought out Serena.

"What do you think of your brother’s marriage?"