Stealing ML’s White Moonlight C07

Chapter 7

After eating, Shen Lihuan chatted with her parents for a while before returning to her room for a nap.

She pulled open the curtains and looked at the green plants outside the window. After making sure there was no one around, she released her mental power.

Soon, waves of joyful energy flowed back to her.

“Hello! Hello! Were you calling us?”

“This is the first time we’ve met a human who can talk to us. We’re so happy!”

“Is there anything we can do for you?”

The plants surrounding the Shen residence all greeted Shen Lihuan. She smiled and channeled her wood-based ability into them, making them grow more vibrant.

“Hello, I’m happy to be able to talk to you. I need a favor—can you help me?”

Absorbing her energy, the plants felt invigorated. Gratefully, they stretched out their stems to touch Shen Lihuan’s hand, which was resting on the windowsill.

“Thank you! What do you need us to do? We’ll definitely get it done for you!”

Shen Lihuan chuckled at their actions and gently stroked their leaves. The little plants were so excited that they nearly fainted.

“Inside this house, there’s a middle-aged woman with long hair who wears a blue dress. Do you recognize her?”

“We do, we do! She’s terrible! She often cuts our branches and picks our flowers. We’re terrified of her and hate her!”

At the mention of Liang Yinqiu, the small plants trembled in fear. Shen Lihuan soothed them with her ability.

“Don’t be afraid. I’m here. I can make your branches and flowers grow back.”

Her calm tone reassured them, and they gradually settled down. Only then did Shen Lihuan continue, “I need you to keep an eye on this woman. Whatever she does, whatever she says, I want you to report it to me.”

“No problem! We’ll watch her closely. There’s also an orchid brother in her room. We’ll pass the message to him and have him keep watch too!”

The little plants were delighted to be able to help such a beautiful young lady. They eagerly nodded to show their willingness.

“Then I’ll thank you in advance. If anything happens, come find me.”

With this group of little helpers, Shen Lihuan felt completely at ease.

“Okay, Miss!”

The small plants, feeling dazed with happiness, bid Shen Lihuan farewell reluctantly, retracting their little heads.

Fortunately, no one saw this scene. Otherwise, they would surely think the world had turned magical. Plants stretching and retracting at will—did they secretly practice the art of bone-shrinking?

—

You Changqing had always considered herself a cold and indifferent person, both inside and out. But ever since she met Shen Lihuan, that persona had completely crumbled.

Take this painting class, for example. Shen Lihuan had only stood beside her watching for less than a minute, yet she already felt her ears heating up.

In her past life, Shen Lihuan had been born into a scholarly family and had deep knowledge of painting. She wasn’t in a rush to complete her own assignment and simply stood next to You Changqing, watching her paint.

You Changqing was working on a summer lotus painting—a partially bloomed pink lotus bud among lush green leaves, with a dragonfly resting on top.

Shen Lihuan was standing close, her warm breath brushing against You Changqing’s shoulder. Startled, You Changqing’s hand trembled, causing a drop of ink to fall onto the rice paper. The once-perfect painting now had a flaw.

Flustered and frustrated, You Changqing was about to crumple and throw away the painting when Shen Lihuan reached out and gently held her slender wrist.

“Changqing, why get upset? This painting is so beautifully done—it’d be such a waste to throw it away.”

The moment Shen Lihuan grasped her wrist, You Changqing’s anger vanished instantly. However, she still pouted and complained, “If you hadn’t leaned so close, I wouldn’t have spilled ink on the paper. Now the painting is ruined, and you won’t even let me throw it away.”

“Alright, alright, it’s my fault. Let me fix it.”

Shen Lihuan indulged her small temper, smiling as she took the brush from You Changqing’s hand. Using the ink stain, she added a couple of lines of poetry:

“The young lotus just reveals its pointed tips,
Yet already a dragonfly has perched on top.”

(Translator’s note: This is a well-known poem from the Song Dynasty by Yang Wanli.)

Shen Lihuan had been learning calligraphy from her grandfather since the age of two. Her brushstrokes were fluid and elegant, yet strong and powerful. You Changqing found herself unable to look away.

“Lihuan, your handwriting is beautiful. I’ve been practicing calligraphy for five years, but compared to you, I feel completely inferior.”

You Changqing had a generous heart—she wouldn’t resent or feel jealous just because someone was better than her. Instead, she sincerely admired Shen Lihuan’s talent, and her fondness for her deepened.

How could she be so amazing? Every aspect of her was perfect.

“It’s my honor if you like my handwriting. Are you still mad at me now?”

Shen Lihuan looked at her dotingly. Toward this friend she had chosen, she was always extra gentle. In her past life, though she only lived to twenty-seven, she was still eleven years older than You Changqing. Even in this life, where they were the same age, she still saw You Changqing as a child who needed her care.

Besides, how could she bear to be cold to someone as adorable as Changqing?

Feeling Shen Lihuan’s affectionate gaze, You Changqing’s ears turned red again. Her heart melted into sweetness.

Fine, this domineering person could be annoying sometimes, but when she was gentle, she made people want to drown in the warmth of her gaze.

—

Time passed quickly, and twenty-five days later, it was time for Shen Jiashu and Gu Qinglan’s follow-up examination.

Their recovery had been remarkably good. The doctor, who regularly came to the Shen residence to check on them, marveled at their luck. After surviving such a severe car accident, not only were they still alive, but in less than two months, their injuries were almost fully healed.

Shen Lihuan sat quietly to the side, smiling, keeping her contributions hidden.

Shen Zhongyuan was also in a great mood. Now that his son was recovering, the company had someone to take over again. He was getting old, and after managing the company affairs for just a short time, he already felt exhausted. He had to admit that age was catching up to him.

“Jiashu, since your injuries are healed, we’ll hold a banquet in a few days to celebrate. It will also serve as an opportunity to announce your return to the capital and your takeover of Shen Corporation.”

Liang Yinqiu and her daughter were seated on either side of Shen Zhongyuan. Upon hearing this, Liang Yinqiu lowered her eyes and remained silent. This wasn’t something she had the right to comment on.

However, Shen Pingting, unlike her mother, lacked patience. Her expression immediately changed, and she grumbled, “Grandfather, if Second Uncle takes over Shen Corporation, what about me? My dad is the rightful head of Shen Corporation! Shouldn’t it be handed over to me?”

Liang Yinqiu quickly nudged her, “Pingting, mind your words. Your grandfather is the true owner of Shen Corporation. He can pass it to whomever he pleases.”

Even as she said this, Liang Yinqiu shot Shen Zhongyuan a pitiful look.

Shen Lihuan noticed this small gesture, and her suspicions grew even stronger.

Shen Zhongyuan’s expression darkened. He had always been a strong and authoritative figure. Aside from Shen Jiashu and Gu Qinglan back then, who dared to defy him? Only Shen Pingting had been spoiled to the point of not knowing her place.

Still, seeing Liang Yinqiu’s aggrieved look, his anger subsided somewhat. However, he still reprimanded sternly, “Even if I handed Shen Corporation to you now, what could you do? You’re not even eighteen yet and have never been involved in company affairs. If I gave you Shen Corporation, it would probably go bankrupt in no time.”

Shen Pingting shrank her neck after being scolded, but she was not convinced at all. Since they had never arranged for her to go to the company, how could they know whether she had the ability to manage it? Besides, there were so many of her father’s trusted subordinates in the company. With their help, she would definitely be able to take control of Shen Corporation smoothly and would never let it go bankrupt.

Faced with Shen Pingting’s frustration, Shen Jiashu simply raised an eyebrow and repeated what he had previously discussed with his wife and daughter, “Since the company has been entrusted to my elder brother, I will not fight him for it, even after his passing. So, you don’t have to worry that I will take Shen Corporation away.”

Shen Pingting had always feared that her second uncle’s family would compete with her for Shen Corporation. She never expected her second uncle to state outright that he had never even considered fighting for it. It turned out everything had been just her own imagination, and she felt somewhat embarrassed.

Shen Lihuan smiled and added a sharp remark, “Aunt, Cousin, there’s no need to be so nervous. My dad’s decision to leave the imperial capital back then and give up Shen Corporation already makes his stance very clear, doesn’t it?”

Thanks to the little plants acting as informants, Shen Lihuan had a thorough understanding of everything happening in the Shen household. She had also uncovered many secrets from the past, such as the surprising fact that Shen Corporation’s original successor had been her father, Shen Jiashu, rather than her eldest uncle, Shen Jiayi, who was five years older.

This only made her even more curious. What exactly had driven her father to leave the imperial capital so decisively with her mother, never returning for eighteen years and never mentioning his family at all?

“Lihuan!”

Shen Zhongyuan was displeased, but before he could say anything, Shen Jiashu immediately defended his daughter. “Dad, why are you getting mad at Lihuan? What she said is exactly what I meant. I have no interest in competing with my niece for Shen Corporation—I still have Jialan, after all!”

Shen Zhongyuan suppressed his anger. He knew his son had no interest in Shen Corporation. If his eldest son hadn’t passed away and if he hadn’t pleaded over the phone, Jiashu would never have returned to the imperial capital.

Originally, he had hoped that once Jiashu took over Shen Corporation, he could observe both Lihuan and Pingting closely. Whoever was the most capable would inherit the company. But now, it was clear that Lihuan also had no interest in Shen Corporation.

That meant his only option was to rely on Jiashu to properly guide Pingting. If Pingting could successfully take over Shen Corporation, he could rest easy.

He regretted not having his eldest son produce more grandchildren back then. If he had, the Shen family wouldn’t be facing a situation where there was no clear successor.

No one knew about Shen Zhongyuan’s regret. Shen Pingting, on the other hand, was thrilled at the thought that she would one day inherit Shen Corporation. Her wariness toward Lihuan lessened significantly. As for Liang Yinqiu, she remained as gentle and approachable as ever, unchanged from before.

With her parents fully recovered, Shen Lihuan was overjoyed. Moreover, with You Changqing as a friend at school, she felt that this was the most peaceful and comfortable period she had enjoyed since the apocalypse.