The entire Sheng family was utterly astonished.
From the moment he was born, Sheng Qingyan was different from other children—exceptionally quiet, well-behaved, and he never once cried.
By the age of two, when other children could already recite poems, he still couldn't even call for his mom or dad.
It was then that the family panicked, seeking doctors everywhere. At first, they thought there was a problem with his vocal cords, that he was mute, but after visiting over a dozen hospitals, no physical ailment could be found.
Later, in his fifth year, he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
For over twenty years, this person who had never opened his mouth to speak had done so three times in just these past few days.
The first time, when Yuan'er told them about it, not a single one of them believed it.
The second time, Yuan'er captured a video on the spot. Those four words brought the entire Sheng family to the brink of joyful tears, finally offering a glimmer of hope.
The third time was now.
Seeing it in a video and hearing it live in person were completely different experiences.
"Yan'er, say it again," Grandmother Sheng's voice trembled. "Let your grandmother hear your voice properly."
However,
Sheng Qingyan closed his mouth.
He looked left and right, then sat down directly opposite Rong Yu. It was the empty seat closest to her.
His eyes fixed intently on Rong Yu.
Rong Yu asked him, "Why do you keep looking at me?"
Sheng Qingyan thought for a long moment, then spoke like a child who had just learned to talk: "I don't know."
Rong Yu recalled how he looked at the photographs and pressed further: "Then why did you collect those photos? Do you know the professor named Rong Yu in the pictures?"
Sheng Qingyan's glass-like eyes paused for half a beat: "No."
Rong Yu sighed: "Then why did you collect so many artifacts related to that group of overseas students?"
Sheng Qingyan lowered his head, his voice growing softer: "I don't know..."
Every member of the Sheng family gaped in shock.
Even the family patriarch, Sheng Dian, shed his usual aura of authority and stared dumbfounded at Sheng Qingyan, as if he had never truly known this son before.
Madam Sheng covered her mouth with her hand.
Yan'er could actually understand others' questions and answer them fluently... He wasn't completely closed off to the outside world, he wasn't incapable of understanding human speech, he wasn't mute after all...
Only Rong Yu frowned slightly.
She felt the exchange had been futile; she hadn't managed to find out anything.
She was genuinely very curious about the reasons.
But, with the other party telling her "I don't know" with such apparent sincerity, how could she possibly question him further?
"The master I consulted has indeed proven effective," Grandmother Sheng's voice still shook. "The master said that in Yan'er's birth year, his fate would undergo a change. Isn't this the change? The master also said Yan'er is missing a part of his soul; rituals are needed to restore him to normal. None of you believed it, not a single one, wasting all these years for nothing. Now, shouldn't you believe it!"
Sheng Dian frowned: "A charlatan deliberately speaking in vague terms, and you actually believe that, Mother, it's really..."
Madam Sheng cut him off: "Let's just give it a try. What if it works, right?"
Rong Yu was a rigorous researcher who believed in science.
But ever since she defied all reason and traveled from seventy years ago to the present, she had begun to view the concept of science more dialectically.
As they were speaking, the Sheng family steward entered: "Madam, all the guests have arrived. Shall we begin the banquet?"
Grandmother Sheng stood up: "Let's all go over."
Seven or eight banquet tables were arranged in the Sheng family courtyard. For such a large family, a birthday banquet with only these few tables was indeed a very small affair.
The moment Du Mian sat down in his seat, he sensed something was off.
Why did it seem that everyone attending the banquet was someone he was privately on good terms with?
Yet, the Sheng family's in-laws and business partners were conspicuously absent.
He turned his head and saw Rong Yu following beside Grandmother Sheng.
His scalp instantly prickled with dread.
He had bullied Sheng Qingyan countless times before, and it had always been without consequence... So, it must be that bitch Rong Yu who had tattled.
"Thank you all for attending our Sheng family's modest gathering," Sheng Dian raised his wine glass, looking at the guests. "Especially President Du and Young Master Du, who, despite your busy schedules, have come to offer congratulations. We are immensely grateful."
President Du, unaware of what his son had done, raised his glass: "You're too kind, President Sheng. It's our pleasure."
Du Mian sat as if on pins and needles.
Grandmother Sheng said with a smile, "Just eating is a bit dry. How about we listen to a little tune?"
Music immediately began playing in the courtyard.
The attending guests looked around in confusion, unsure what was going on.
Just as the song reached its climax, it abruptly stopped, replaced by a segment of noisy surveillance audio.
"Young Master Sheng, I hear you're a mute who can't talk. True or false?"
"Hey, Young Master Sheng, does it hurt? Don't tell me you don't even feel pain?"
"He's an idiot. Can't talk, can't tell on us. Who would know what we did?"
"..."
Du Mian's face instantly changed color.
That place had no surveillance, and Sheng Qingyan couldn't speak. That's why he had dared to bully him so brazenly.
Where did this recording come from?
Although the Du family wasn't inferior to the Sheng family, he was clearly in the wrong. If this got to the old man, he'd be skinned alive...
Despite the chilly weather, Du Mian's clothes were soaked through with sweat.
The banquet guests began murmuring among themselves.
"Is that surveillance audio of Young Master Sheng being bullied?"
"Who has such nerve, bullying a member of the Sheng family? Everyone knows Grandmother Sheng treats her eldest grandson as the apple of her eye."
"The voices sound like Young Master Du Mian of the Du family, and the young masters from the Zhou and Qian families..."
"These young masters usually act all proper, but it turns out they pick on those who can't fight back or tell on them."
"..."
President Du's eyes widened.
He knew his son was a troublemaker, but he never imagined he could be this despicable.
Bullying others was one thing, but to humiliate the eldest young master of the Sheng family...
This matter could be handled lightly or severely...
President Du stood up, forcing a smile: "It's just horseplay among kids that got out of hand. Rest assured, Madam, I will definitely teach this little bastard Du Mian a proper lesson..."
He gave Du Mian a not-too-light, not-too-heavy kick on the leg. "Hurry up, apologize to Madam Sheng."
The families of the Zhou and Qian households also hastily pulled their disgraceful sons to their feet, joining in the apologies.
A group of people stood apologizing, but it did nothing to lessen Grandmother Sheng's anger.
Her smile widened: "Indeed, it's just horseplay among children. No need to make such a fuss. No apology is necessary. Everyone, please sit. Steward, serve the first course."
Du Mian let out a heavy sigh of relief.
It seemed the Sheng family was letting the matter drop, but as far as he was concerned, it wasn't over.
He glared coldly at Rong Yu.
Dare to tell on me, huh? He'd make this bitch learn the meaning of regret.
Just then, servants entered the banquet hall carrying trays. But what the trays held wasn't food—it was a photograph.
President Du shot to his feet.
The person in the photo was him, intimately embracing a woman. That woman was not his lawfully wedded wife, but the mistress he kept hidden away.
He had hidden this woman very carefully. How had the Sheng family exposed her so publicly?
