After nine lifetimes of reincarnation, the yandere villainous heroine descends.

The enclosed carriages isolated us from the hustle and bustle of the streets.

Shen Wanfu lightly placed her fingertips on the back of the front seat, her tone very soft, breaking the silence of the journey: "I've asked around, and Shi Yan is definitely not a simple person."

Upon hearing this, Shen Shuchou, who was curled up in the back seat, simply nodded slightly, his expression unchanging: "I know what I'm doing."

During their brief exchange in the private room, Shi Yan's every move was a deliberate test and manipulation.

That sense of balancing things out had already put him on guard.

"The Mingyou Bureau is not as easygoing as it seems. They must have a purpose in approaching you."

Shen Wanfu spoke solemnly, paused, and then added in a softer tone, "No matter what happens, I will help you."

"Thank you." Shen Shuchou bowed slightly.

Shen Wanfu raised her eyes and looked at the calm face of the boy in the back seat through the rearview mirror. After a moment of consideration, she slowly said, "I have heard a few old stories about your birth mother, Mu Zhaoyue, but my knowledge is incomplete."

"More than a decade ago, she vanished without a trace, disappearing from the face of the earth. For so many years, no one has been able to find her whereabouts. Whether she is alive or dead remains a mystery."

Upon hearing this, Shen Shuchou remained outwardly calm, but a wave of bitterness washed over him.

He had a vague premonition that his adoptive parents were involved with his birth mother.

What pierced his heart was that his adoptive parents, who had treated him kindly for half his life, were no longer alive, and he could no longer find out the truth.

He looked up at the street scene rushing past the window, and fragmented memories, long forgotten, surged and surfaced in his mind.

Seeing Shen Shuchou's dejected appearance, Shen Wanfu's lips moved several times, but in the end she couldn't bear to speak and disturb him, so she silently accompanied him all the way.

A dozen minutes later, the car engine slowly shut off, and she said softly, "We've arrived."

The car stopped outside the gate of an elegant little manor, where Shen Jiaxuan had been waiting for a long time.

"Get out of the car and come in to sit down."

Shen Jiaxuan quickly stepped forward and personally opened the car door for Shen Shuchou, his attitude warm and gentle.

A moment later, the three entered the manor's living room. Shen Jiaxuan sat down, facing Shen Shuchou across the table.

"By seniority, I am your fourth uncle. But for now, there's no need for formalities; just call me Uncle Shen. I know quite a bit about your mother's past."

Without exchanging any unnecessary pleasantries, Shen Jiaxuan gently pushed a nearly brand-new photograph in front of Shen Shuchou, saying, "This is your birth mother, Mu Zhaoyue. I have a very close relationship with her; we have been friends for many years."

Shen Shuchou raised his hand and picked up the photo. The woman in the picture had curved eyebrows and a gentle smile.

Just looking at that face, an innate sense of kinship surged in my heart, and my fingertips and heart trembled slightly uncontrollably.

"Uncle Shen, could you tell me about my mother's past?"

After a moment of silence, Shen Shuchou spoke in a low voice.

Upon hearing this address, Shen Jiaxuan was slightly taken aback, then a warm feeling welled up in his eyes, and he nodded with a smile: "Your mother is gentle and kind, with a peaceful temperament, yet she always has an air of mystery about her."

"Mystery?"

Shen Shuchou looked up and pressed for an answer.

"She never mentioned her background to anyone, and she was always alone, without any relatives or friends, as if she appeared out of thin air."

Shen Jiaxuan said slowly, "To be honest, I was also attracted to her back then. A woman with such a unique temperament is hard to resist, no matter where she goes."

Shen Shuchou remained calm and composed. Based on just one photograph, he could tell that Mu Zhaoyue's appearance and demeanor were no less than those of any noblewoman.

Upon hearing this, Shen Wanfu immediately pouted and teased, "Dad, I'm going to tell Mom about this!"

Shen Jiaxuan awkwardly touched the tip of his nose. He had just started talking about his feelings and lost his composure, almost revealing a secret he had kept hidden for half his life.

Seeing his helplessness, the oppressive and heavy atmosphere instantly relaxed.

Just kidding.

Shen Wanfu smiled and waved her hand.

"Don't be silly, you little kid."

Shen Jiaxuan glared at his daughter, then suppressed his smile and looked at Shen Shuchou again, recounting the events of that year: "Back then, your mother and Shen Shuche were in love for over a year, and she became pregnant with you at that time."

"Not long after, the power struggle within the Shen family intensified. In order to secure his position as the head of the family, Shen Shuche turned to the Song family and married Song Lianqing, the eldest daughter of the Song family."

"With nowhere else to turn, your mother came to my door with you in her arms, hoping I could hide you well and protect you as you grow up safely."

At this point, Shen Jiaxuan paused, slowly lowered his head, and spoke with a heavy tone.

"And then? Dad, did you lend a hand?"

Shen Wanfu couldn't help but ask again.

Shen Jiaxuan sighed deeply: "At that time, I was driven by selfishness. Firstly, I was afraid of getting involved in the Shen family's disputes and getting into trouble. Secondly, I harbored a lingering obsession and resentment, blaming her for not choosing me and instead falling for Shen Shuche."

Upon hearing this, Shen Wanfu was stunned and incredulous.

She was about to speak in rebuttal when Shen Jiaxuan raised his hand to stop her.

He raised his head, his eyes glistening with tears, filled with regret: "Although I harbor resentment and fear, I had already made up my mind that if she were to beg me even once, I would protect her and you at all costs."

"But I will never forget the look she gave me as she left."

"That gaze held no resentment, no pleading, only a stagnant calm."

"In a fit of pique, I didn't chase after him. Afterwards, Shen Shuche successfully ascended to the position of head of the Shen family, and rumors spread that your mother had been poisoned by Shen Shuche..."

"In the years that followed, I lived in constant regret, desperately searching for you and your mother, but she seemed to have vanished into thin air, leaving no trace. After years of searching, I finally found news of you, but the whereabouts of your birth mother remain a mystery."

As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Jiaxuan looked at Shen Shuchou, his voice trembling uncontrollably, and whispered an apology: "Child, I'm sorry."

Throughout the entire process, Shen Shuchou listened quietly, his emotions restrained and understated.

He carefully put the photo away and calmly said, "Uncle Shen, you owe my mother nothing. On the contrary, I should thank you for being willing to tell me this long-buried story."

Shen Jiaxuan stared blankly at Shen Shuchou, already prepared to endure resentment and hatred.

He had anticipated that the boy would show anger and question him, but he hadn't expected that the boy would remain calm and composed throughout.

However, this nonchalant attitude did not relieve Shen Jiaxuan of any psychological burden. Instead, it made the guilt and regret that had been accumulating in his heart for many years surge even more intensely.

The reason was that the calmness in the eyes of the young man before him was exactly the same as the serene look Mu Zhaoyue gave him when she turned and left back then.