More and more forces became involved.
When the issue escalated to national security, his investigation slowed down. As resistance grew, the matter was eventually shelved.
The deeper aspects were too tangled to explain clearly. It was likely that Shi Xin Xin only knew the surface.
"How much do you know?" Sheng Chen Jin asked cautiously.
"My parents were murdered, secret pharmaceutical research, that group became lax, and your parents committed suicide."
Shi Xin Xin's words were concise, yet they connected a series of events. Sheng Chen Jin understood immediately.
This girl was clearly still being kept in the dark.
"I can only say that investigating this matter is very difficult. The only four people who knew the truth went to another world with their secrets."
He rested his hand on the table, one hand supporting his temple, seemingly pondering how to answer.
"I tried to investigate further, but as you know, the resistance was significant..."
"But what I can tell you is that the Sheng family still holds the truth. The collateral branches of the Sheng family are doing everything they can to prevent me from finding my father's inheritance."
"I'm sure the truth of what happened back then is stored there. Our Sheng family never does anything without a safeguard. Looking at it now, there are still many doubts."
Sheng Chen Jin did not want to damage his own reputation.
"But I happened to find a titanium alloy box with my parents' names engraved on it."
"It's just a pity... there's no key. If we smash it, the mechanism will be destroyed, and the contents will be lost, making it impossible to get evidence."
Upon hearing this, Shi Xin Xin's expression shifted from initial languor to seriousness. Her mind raced, as if the answer would naturally appear in the next moment.
"The key is very likely in my parents' hands."
Shi Xin Xin couldn't think of any other answer. After all, the Shi family parents were murdered first. As fellow researchers, they had clearly made thorough preparations.
And her survival was definitely not accidental.
Her parents must have left behind contingencies to protect her life and conceal the truth.
"We can talk more about this later. I can show you the box next time."
Sheng Chen Jin, seeing that the food had been served, stopped the topic and picked up cutlery for Shi Xin Xin.
Shi Xin Xin clearly wasn't listening. She poked at her rice with her chopsticks listlessly, her gaze fixed on Sheng Chen Jin's bowl, her eyes unmoving.
"Stop thinking. You haven't even eaten enough, what can you figure out?"
Sheng Chen Jin waved his hand, interrupting her scattered thoughts.
"Who says I'm thinking? I'm wondering what those three little brats are up to."
Caught in the act, Shi Xin Xin looked uncomfortable.
"Mm, yes, right."
Sheng Chen Jin's perfunctory response was as annoying as it could be.
Shi Xin Xin felt she wouldn't be comfortable if she didn't retort today.
"Hey, I don't know, why do all those women like you? I really don't know what else you have besides that face that's somewhat presentable."
Shi Xin Xin felt money wasn't a bonus.
"At least there's something to look at."
Sheng Chen Jin smiled, finding her personality truly amusing.
"It seems you haven't discovered my interesting soul yet."
He spoke while serving soup, stepping on Shi Xin Xin's tail.
"You're not even interesting, let alone having a soul."
Shi Xin Xin rolled her eyes again, an unseemly gesture.
"You really need to stop rolling your eyes like that. It's very rude to people."
"It's none of your business how I act. I'll roll them if I want to. Save it, others can't even see it if they wanted to."
Shi Xin Xin felt easily provoked by this man.
"I won't argue with you. Eat."
Shi Xin Xin ended the conversation herself and quietly ate her rice.
She secretly glanced at Sheng Chen Jin, but he caught her eye.
Shi Xin Xin struck first.
"You're acting so elegant just to eat a meal."
"Have you considered that it's not an act, but nobility ingrained in your bones?"
Sheng Chen Jin was amused now, a low chuckle emanating from his chest, warm and jade-like.
Shi Xin Xin remained unfazed by his charm.
She quickly finished her meal, wiped her mouth, and prepared to pay and leave.
"I'm leaving now. You eat slowly."
With a mouthful of rice, she mumbled, picked up her bag, and walked to the cashier.
"Hello, table five, charge it, card."
"Okay."
The cashier took the card with both hands, checked the bill, and looked confused.
"Excuse me, your table has already been paid for. Thank you for your patronage."
Shi Xin Xin took her card back, her gaze questioning Sheng Chen Jin, who had finished eating and was leisurely walking towards her.
They left the restaurant without a word, their understanding unspoken.
"So extravagant, you already paid for me."
"Thanks."
Shi Xin Xin was still holding the drink she had "borrowed" on the way out.
Sheng Chen Jin found it amusing.
"Haven't you noticed whose establishment this is?"
Sheng Chen Jin walked a few steps, then felt like the person beside him was gone. He turned around and saw the woman a few steps behind, looking up at the storefront, then at him.
She quickly took a sip of her drink.
She then hurried over, her two steps becoming one.
"This place is yours?"
Sheng Chen Jin nodded.
Shi Xin Xin had underestimated the Sheng family's immense wealth, which seemed to encompass all aspects of life, from food and clothing to accommodation and transportation.
She clicked her tongue in amazement.
Sheng Chen Jin's mood lifted as he watched the increasingly lively expressions on her face.
"You're a nouveau riche!" Shi Xin Xin exclaimed in excitement and slapped Sheng Chen Jin on the shoulder.
Shi Xin Xin immediately realized what she had done.
They both froze.
Sheng Chen Jin turned his head at that moment.
There was no anger or coldness that Shi Xin Xin had expected.
Instead, Sheng Chen Jin's facial expression was somewhat stiff.
"I'll say I didn't do it on purpose, believe me." Shi Xin Xin chuckled nervously, feeling a bit flustered as Sheng Chen Jin didn't respond.
"No, I think someone is filming us directly in front of us."
"What are you afraid of? Turn around, smile. She'll be scared."
They both turned their heads simultaneously and forced stiff smiles.
The little girl filming was so startled that her hand trembled.
She quickly hit the pause button.
She cautiously walked over.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have filmed you without your permission."
"It's just... I think you two look so good together, I couldn't help but film. Especially you, miss, you're so beautiful."
The little girl's eyes sparkled.
Then, with a hint of regret, she handed over her phone with both hands, maintaining a bowing posture. "If you mind, you can delete the video right here!"
"Thank you for the compliment, you're very cute, but..."
Shi Xin Xin dared not make the decision, but privately, she didn't want to be filmed.
She looked at Sheng Chen Jin, signaling him to make the decision.
After all, given this young master's temperament, he likely wouldn't appreciate his likeness being infringed upon.
"It's fine, as long as the footage is good."
Shi Xin Xin could hardly believe her ears! What had she just heard?!