Chapter 208 Two lines of tears fell... The King of the Trash Can
Immediately, Xu He repeatedly praised Shen Anyu, his voice filled with gratitude and awe.
"Mom, when I was at the bottom of the cliff, I was so despairing. It was dark, cold, and I was hungry. I thought I would die there alone, forgotten by the world."
"Fortunately, my brother-in-law brought people and rescued me just in time; otherwise, I would have died by now. He saved my life, Mom!"
"Brother-in-law is truly too good. He is a hero. It's absolutely right for my sister to marry him! I approve 100%!"
Qi Lian looked at Shen Anyu with gentle eyes, tears shimmering in them. She held Xu He's hand tightly, afraid he would disappear if she let go.
"An'yu, I really have to thank you. Words cannot express my gratitude. You have given me back my life."
"I've already called Ruoshui's dad to come back immediately. We must prepare a good dinner to treat you properly and to welcome Xu He back to the family."
Shen Anyu smiled humbly, waving his hand.
"Auntie, this is what I should do. We are family."
At this point, Shen Anyu smiled and glanced at Xu Ruoshui, who was standing beside him. His gaze was warm and possessive.
Xu Ruoshui's pretty face flushed under his attention. She looked down, playing with the hem of her jacket, a shy smile playing on her lips.
Qi Lian immediately laughed, watching this scene with a beaming smile.
She felt that Shen Anyu and her daughter Xu Ruoshui were a perfect match. They looked like a golden boy and jade girl stepping out of a painting, with the natural chemistry of a married couple.
She had been somewhat worried before that Shen Anyu might be a scumbag who was after money and looks. But now? With the great favor of rescuing her son Xu He, especially with Xu He praising Shen Anyu to the high heavens... those doubts were cast aside completely.
This son-in-law was settled; even Jesus couldn't object. If Xu Jianren dared to say no, she would divorce him!
...
Subsequently, Xu Jianren, Xu Ruoshui's father, rushed back from his business meeting. He burst through the door, sweating and panting.
Upon seeing his son Xu He, who was lost and then found, standing in the living room... the majestic CEO broke down. He was overcome with tears of joy, hugging his son and weeping.
He expressed endless gratitude towards Shen Anyu, shaking his hand vigorously for five minutes straight.
For dinner, Qi Lian personally cooked. She dismissed the chefs and made a table full of home-cooked dishes to entertain Shen Anyu and her son Xu He.
The atmosphere in the dining room was warm and lively. Both guests and hosts enjoyed themselves. Laughter echoed through the halls.
However...
[Location: Outside the Front Door - The Trash Can]
Xu Ping'an squatted inside the large plastic trash can outside the door. He had pushed the lid up slightly with his head to peek through the gap.
The smell of rotting garbage surrounded him, but he barely noticed it. His attention was focused on the window.
He watched the scene with longing eyes, a bitter feeling spreading in his heart like poison.
He saw the dishes on the table.
Red Braised Pork. Steamed Bass. Sweet and Sour Ribs.
These were all his favorite dishes from the past. Dishes his "mother" Qi Lian used to make for him on his birthday.
Xu Ping'an, who was now hungry, cold, and exhausted from running from the police, really wanted to eat them. His stomach growled loudly, a painful reminder of his fall.
"I really, really want to eat another piece of braised pork cooked by Mom…"
He swallowed his saliva, tears blurring his vision.
[Ding! Child of Destiny Xu Ping'an feels bitter in his heart, plundering +9999 destiny value!]
...
[Location: Dining Room]
Shen Anyu's lips curled up imperceptibly. His [God-Level Perception] allowed him to hear the stomach growls from outside perfectly.
He picked up a piece of glistening, red-braised pork with his chopsticks. It was personally cooked by Xu Ruoshui's mother Qi Lian—fatty but not greasy, fragrant and delicious.
He brought it to his mouth, savoring the aroma.
Then, his hand "slipped."
Plop.
The piece of meat fell from his chopsticks and landed on the polished floor.
"Oh no... I accidentally dropped it on the floor."
Shen Anyu exclaimed, looking apologetic.
"It's okay, it's okay! Accidents happen!" Qi Lian said quickly with a beaming smile. "There's plenty more in the bowl. An'yu, eat more! Don't worry about it."
"What a waste. It looks so delicious."
Shen Anyu sighed. He smiled and pulled out a napkin.
He picked up the braised pork that had fallen on the floor, wrapping it carefully in the napkin.
"I'll throw it away. We shouldn't waste food, but hygiene is important."
He stood up and walked to the front door.
He opened the door slightly.
Xu Ping'an, hiding in the trash can, froze. He held his breath.
Shen Anyu looked directly at the trash can. He smiled—a cold, mocking smile that only Xu Ping'an could see.
Then, he threw the napkin-wrapped pork. It landed right next to the trash can.
Thud.
Shen Anyu closed the door and returned to the warmth of the house.
Xu Ping'an's expression froze.
He looked at the braised pork wrapped in the napkin, lying on the concrete. The smell wafted up to him. It smelled like home. It smelled like heaven.
He hadn't eaten all day. He was starving.
His hand reached out instinctively.
'Should I? No... no... I can't eat it. It's trash. It was thrown away by him. It's too humiliating…'
He hesitated, his pride battling his hunger.
"Woof woof…"
Just then, a stray dog darted out from the bushes.
It smelled the meat. It trotted over happily.
Chomp.
The dog ate the piece of braised pork in one bite, swallowing it whole.
It licked its lips, barked twice in satisfaction, and then looked at Xu Ping'an, who was hiding by the trash can, with confusion.
'Why is this human in the trash? Is he food too?'
The dog urinated on the side of the trash can and trotted away.
Xu Ping'an watched the dog leave. He looked at the empty spot where the meat had been.
Something inside him snapped.
[Ding! Child of Destiny Xu Ping'an's emotional defenses are completely broken! Plundering +23,333 destiny value!]
...
Shen Anyu almost burst out laughing at the dinner table. The timing was comedic perfection.
...
After dinner, the family moved to the living room for tea.
Qi Lian grumbled to Xu Jianren, nudging him.
"Husband, why did you only come back now? It was so late!"
"Our son is found! And our future son-in-law is here! These are two big events, the biggest in our lives! And you're so slow? Are you keeping a mistress outside?"
She had sent a message long ago, but Xu Jianren only rushed back more than two hours later.
Xu Jianren wiped his forehead with a handkerchief. He looked helpless but excited.
"The children are here, don't talk nonsense about mistresses. I have no energy for that."
"I'm busy with my career! Big things are happening!"
Qi Lian looked disbelieving and retorted, "Career? The family company is already handed over to Ruoshui. She's very capable and manages it well as the CEO. What career do you need to be busy with? Playing golf?"
Xu Jianren didn't hide anything. He puffed out his chest proudly.
"I'm naturally at ease with the company handed over to Ruoshui. She is a genius. But Ruoshui doesn't like socializing. She hates banquets. As an old father, I can only help her with some socializing and networking."
"Especially recently... the business world in Modu is surging with undercurrents and big changes. Giants are moving. So it's even more necessary to socialize a lot to avoid missing major events and getting crushed."
"I just attended a rare [Gao Duan] private banquet. It was extremely exclusive. It's a circle I barely managed to get into after years of trying, so I couldn't give it up, even for this."
Xu Ruoshui looked at her father Xu Jianren curiously, blinking her beautiful eyes.
"Dad, what kind of circle makes you value it so much? You usually hate those dinners."
Xu Jianren immediately beamed with excitement. His face flushed red.
"The [Shen Corporation's] circle!"
"The Shen Corporation?"
Xu Ruoshui was startled.
That was the top financial group in Yanxia and even the entire world. A behemoth controlling trillions of wealth. A stomp of its foot could cause an economic earthquake that would wipe out companies like theirs.
Compared to the Shen Corporation, let alone the Xu Family being a small fry, even the richest man in Modu was nothing but an ant.
That was a true behemoth, and it was not an exaggeration to describe it as a business Empire!
Xu Ruoshui found it hard to believe that her father, Xu Jianren, could actually get into such a top-tier circle as the Shen Corporation?
Seeing his daughter Xu Ruoshui's surprised gaze, Xu Jianren felt proud.
"That's right! Your old father isn't a freeloader. I have connections!"
"Getting into the Shen Corporation's circle means... everything. As long as we get a little bit of their influence, a crumb from their table... our family's company can advance by leaps and bounds."
"Behind the Shen Corporation is the influential Yanxia Shen Family! The true rulers!"
At this point, Xu Jianren looked at Shen Anyu kindly, adopting the tone of a mentor.
"An'yu, Ruoshui told me you also have a company. A startup, right?"
"Young man, you must work hard. When I find an opportunity in the future, I'll introduce you to the Shen Corporation's circle. I might be able to get you an invite."
"You must seize this opportunity well. It could change your life."
Shen Anyu smiled politely and nodded.
"Thank you, Uncle. I will keep that in mind."
He didn't intend to reveal his identity. Not yet.
'Introduce me to my own corporation? That would be amusing.'
After all, his most important goal right now wasn't to show off his wealth, but to win over Xu Ruoshui (heart) and Xu Ruoxue (body/mind).
If his identity as the Shen Family Prince were exposed too early, it would create distance. It would make the relationship transactional.
Destined Heroines rarely fall for wealth, power, or influence alone. They fall for the man.
Although wealth, power, and influence are indispensable tools in the process of winning the heart of a destined heroine.
"Uncle, I'm just a wealthy idler; I don't manage family affairs much. I prefer a quiet life."
At this point, Shen Anyu paused. He turned and looked at Xu Ruoshui with deep affection.
"Compared to being busy with my career... I prefer to be with the person I love. Time is the most valuable currency."
Xu Ruoshui looked at Shen Anyu with shy joy in her beautiful eyes. She gave him an affectionate glare, her heart melting.
Xu Jianren looked at Shen Anyu and Xu Ruoshui meaningfully. He laughed heartily.
"Hahaha! That's good too! A man who prioritizes family is a good man."
"If Ruoshui is busy with work and her career, her other half can take more care of the family; it's a better match. Yin and Yang harmony."
"Our family doesn't care about too much wealth anyway; we lack nothing. We just want happiness."
"When you two get married, you must hurry. Ruoshui's mother and I are waiting to hold our grandchildren. We aren't getting younger!"
Shen Anyu smiled, looking at Xu Ruoshui, whose pretty face was blushing a deep crimson.
"That depends on Ruoshui's wishes. I am ready anytime."
Xu Ruoshui was too shy to speak. She buried her head in her chest, but her hand squeezed Shen Anyu's under the table.
Xu Jianren and Qi Lian immediately burst into laughter. It was the first time they had seen their gentle, mature, and dignified eldest daughter look so shy and girlish.
Xu He, sitting on the side, looked at Shen Anyu with reverence. He knew the truth (partially).
'If the Young Master of the Yanxia Shen Family became my brother-in-law... I would be set for life! I can buy all the skins I want!'
However, he was smart enough not to casually blurt it out. He kept eating.
Outside the door...
Xu Ping'an, inside the trash can, watched the brightly lit and lively Villa through the window.
He saw the laughter. He saw the happiness. He saw the family he lost.
Two lines of clear tears fell from his eyes, mixing with the dirt on his face.
He was truly alone.
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