When Shen Yue had just about finished crying, the others also came downstairs, though the atmosphere did not seem very good.
A bad atmosphere was commonplace.
Shen Yue thought back to when she was at home, and had the same feeling - everyone shrank back into their own corners, forced together, which only led to mutual disgust.
Her big brother was the only glue holding the family together.
And now there were some slight differences.
Shen Yue actually vaguely felt something, she just didn't want to believe it.
As soon as Shen Jize got off the elevator, he saw Shen Yue, pulled his mouth to one side, and quickly walked to Shen Yue's side, starting to cry, although he didn't say anything, it was as if he'd said everything.
Shen Yue skillfully took some paper towels out of Shen Wu's pocket and handed them to Shen Jize, comforting him, "Fourth brother, don't cry, next time I run away I'll take you with me."
Shen Jize sobbed an agreement, "Okay, you have to take me with you."
Shen Yichen, standing to the side, didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He didn't know whether he should feel heartache or happiness, "You guys, third brother is still inside, don't make me worry anymore."
Shen Yue had already wiped Shen Jize's tears clean, like a little adult, admonishing him, "Fourth brother, don't cry. If we worry about two people at the same time, we'll get tired."
"Mm..." Shen Jize finally managed to hold back his tears with difficulty.
Seeing this, Shen Wu offered sincere praise, as Shen Yue had previously taught him, "Fourth brother, you stopped crying, well done."
"Mm! Thank you little Wu."
Shen Father and Shen Mother looked at the harmonious scene in front of them, and suddenly realized that they didn't know when the relationship between these children had become so good.
The only thing that hadn't changed was them.
Shen Yichen saw his parents' expressions, sighed, and was about to say something when Shen Hui, who had walked over, interrupted him, "Dad, Mom, you're here."
If Shen Hui had been brazenly antagonistic towards Shen Yichen earlier, now facing Shen Father and Shen Mother she had become a little pitiful thing.
She timidly stood behind everyone, contrasting sharply with Shen Yue, who was imperceptibly protected between her brothers.
Shen Father and Shen Mother looked at Shen Hui, wanting to speak but hesitating.
When they had first received Shen Hui's file, they already knew what had happened to the child, which was why they had rushed back.
"Third brother still hasn't woken up. What are you guys making a racket out here for? After sister has suffered so much, don't you older brothers care?" Shen Father said, and when he saw that not one of them paid him any attention apart from Shen Yichen, his expression froze.
Yes, he and his wife had deliberately kept their distance from the children in the family, which was what they had planned from the beginning - so that these children would not follow in their footsteps, they had always restrained themselves.
No matter how bad the relationship was between them and the children, with Shen Yichen as an intermediary, these children had never openly defied them like this before.
The Shen family had always maintained a balance, which gave them a sense of security, but now, among the children, apart from Shen Yichen, there was another link named Shen Yue that had connected the children together.
Shen Yue had disrupted the balance between these children.
Shen Father felt a sense of crisis. Originally, when he heard that Shen Yue was not really their child, they didn't have any thoughts about her. The Shen family was very rich, and feeding one more mouth really didn't matter. But now, they had to restore the balance first.
Otherwise the tragedy of the Shen family in the past would repeat itself.
Loneliness was painful, no doubt, but these children didn't understand that more painful than loneliness was having witnessed the expanse and beauty of the world, only to then be thrown back into the dirt, the unwillingness to be ordinary after thinking highly of oneself.
Once that happened, the only ones to be hurt would be those who cared about them.
And if no love had ever been poured in, there would be no hurt.
Shen Bin's heart gradually grew cold. Seeing the worry in his wife's eyes strengthened his resolve in his choice.
The Shen children did not need affection. Having no affection would only lead to brief pain, and when they met another person who could complete them, this pain would be entirely soothed.
He had to remove the variable now in the family - Shen Yue.
Shen Bin pulled Shen Hui to his side, gently stroking her head, and said gently, "Huihui, you've been back home for a few days. How has it been getting along with Shen Yue these past couple days?"
Shen Bin was asking despite already knowing, after all anyone with eyes could see that the several older brothers at home had been bewitched by Shen Yue, and most likely held hostile attitudes towards Shen Hui, not asking after or caring about her.
But contrary to expectations, Shen Hui didn't kick them when they were down. Instead she said, "She said she wanted to be my sister, but big sister fainted on the first day we met and we haven't interacted much."
Shen Bin asked affectionately again, "Is it taking some getting used to, being in a strange environment? Are you scared?"
Shen Hui shook her head, "It's pretty nice here, brighter than where I used to stay, and there's more color too. I like it a lot."
Shen Bin paused, but he only hesitated for a moment before continuing to speak, "Does it make you sad?"
Shen Hui's eyes darkened, but she hid her emotions very well, not allowing Shen Bin to detect anything unusual. On the contrary, she turned her mouth down at the corners, tears slowly sliding down her cheeks, "I guess I am a little heartbroken, because it seems like nobody really likes me... I'm sorry, third brother still hasn't woken up, I shouldn't say things like this."
Shen Bin had finally gotten the answer he wanted. After handing Shen Hui over to his wife to comfort, he looked at Shen Yue and said loudly and clearly, "Shen Yue, you should know by now that you are not a Shen family child.
Back then your parents took Huihui from our side and only used her as a tool, making her suffer so these past years. Your staying in this family will only make her sad, so go and pack up your things, you're leaving the Shen house today. I will give you a monthly allowance to ensure you can grow up until the age of 25."
Shen Yue looked at Shen Father's icy eyes without feeling surprised. Shen Bin had no feelings for her at all, no feelings for anyone in this family. He was a... coward who only thought of himself.
Shen Yue didn't feel heartbroken. She now had the power to support herself.
That was... bye-bye.
Who would refuse getting to live alone and free money? Not her, anyway.
Shen Yue had already decided. She was only in middle school, saving the world was still lacking real meaning for her. For now let's just take it one step at a time.
The Shen Yue who had just come to her senses was indeed swayed by her memories and emotions, but now, she was just her big brother's crybaby, wah.
Although all this seemed to be within the plan too.
Her past self was too frightening. It made Shen Yue feel like even by doing nothing, she seemed able to win simply by lying there.
So, just lie there then.
"Okay..."
"No, I don't agree."
Shen Yue hadn't even finished uttering her agreement before Shen Yichen interrupted her.
"Father, are you done making a scene? This is a hospital, what's the meaning of saying these things here? You guys go back first today. We'll discuss little Yue's matter after third brother wakes up.
But no matter what, little Yue's life must go on the same as before. None of you can interfere with that.
The current authority of the Shen house lies with me."
But without parallel worlds, with the worldline being only one, the moment Shen Yue returned to the past, it was akin to the entire original world collapsing. Number 14 would not have the 1-year promise, and the ending for everyone in that world would be frozen at the moment of Shen Yue's death.
In other words, Shen Yue's death would give new life to everyone.
