485: Chapter 48 This world is vast

Shen Yan interrupted him.

"Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither can the Hosen Family be threatened overnight."

"What you need most right now is rest."

Shen Yan's tone was flat, yet carried an undeniable weight.

He looked at Kevin and suddenly asked an unrelated question.

"Have you ever eaten a street-side taco?"

Kevin froze, instinctively shaking his head.

"Then have you seen the city at four in the morning? Not from the window of a penthouse suite like this, but walking on an empty street, watching the sanitation workers start their day, and the first subway train roaring out of the underground."

Kevin's lips moved, but he still shook his head.

"Then have you ever tried packing a bag, buying a train ticket to a random destination, going to a completely unfamiliar small town, staying in the cheapest hotel, drinking cheap beer with the locals, and listening to their fishing stories all night?"

Kevin's head drooped even lower.

He had only seen these things in books and movies.

His life was filled with private tutors, equestrian coaches, business courses, and family banquets.

He had traveled to many countries and stayed in the most luxurious hotels, yet he had never truly 'seen' the world.

Shen Yan smiled, a smile carrying an indescribable meaning.

"This world is vast, Kevin."

"Much larger than the Hossen Family's estate, much larger than the social circles of Saint-Lô."

"When you are truly free, you can go and see it."

"You will find that the power your older brother pursues, and the wealth your father protects, are actually quite laughable in the face of such a broad expanse."

After speaking, Shen Yan paid him no more attention, turning back to the bar to pour himself another glass of water.

Kevin sat on the sofa, motionless for a long time.

Shen Yan's words were like a pebble tossed into the already turbulent lake of his heart.

Freedom.

For the first time, he felt a concrete yet vague yearning for that word.

Perhaps that was the taste of a taco, the cold air at four in the morning, the foam of beer in a strange town.

After a long while, he stood up and spoke softly to Shen Yan's back.

"Thank you."

Then, he walked into the bedroom.

The door closed softly.

Shen Yan finished the water in his glass and walked to the massive floor-to-ceiling window.

Outside the window was the sleepless city of Saint-Lô.

The brilliant lights below resembled countless surging desires.

And he stood at the highest point, observing with cold detachment.

Kevin slept soundly.

Perhaps the continuous escape had exhausted all his energy, or perhaps Shen Yan's presence finally allowed his tightly wound nerves a moment of relaxation.

Late at night.

Shen Yan's phone emitted a slight vibration in the quiet room.

He glanced at the caller ID.

Zhang Jufeng.

Calling this late meant he had already made his decision.

Shen Yan walked onto the balcony, closed the floor-to-ceiling door, and pressed the answer button.

"Mr. Shen."

On the other end of the line, Zhang Jufeng's voice carried a relief mixed with exhaustion.

"I've thought it through."

"I agree to your terms."

Shen Yan was not surprised, merely responding with a faint, "Mm."

"I only have one condition.", Zhang Jufeng's voice held a hint of pleading.

"Speak."

"After this is done, you must guarantee the safety of my family."

"Agreed."

Shen Yan accepted readily.

"And you can continue running Jufeng Steel."

Silence followed on the other end for a moment, then a long sigh emerged.

"Mr. Shen, aren't you going to ask me why I changed my mind?"

"No need.", Shen Yan's voice was as cool as the night wind outside the balcony.

"Everyone has their own reasons. I only look at the result."

"No, I want to tell you.", Zhang Jufeng's tone became somewhat agitated.

"These past few days, every time I close my eyes, I see Master Zhou's face."

"Back then, I was just a poor kid from the mountains, an apprentice at Yuanshan Heavy Industry. Master Zhou taught me the techniques by hand, and when he saw I wasn't eating enough, he often brought me food from home."

"He said I was steady and hardworking, and that I would achieve great things in the future."

"But I... what the hell have I done!"

Zhang Jufeng's voice cracked with emotion.

"When Yuanshan Heavy Industry had its accident, I felt something was wrong. A person like Master Zhou, who worked diligently his whole life and valued his craft more than his life, how could he falsify core data?"

"But I didn't dare speak up. I was terrified."

"Those people were too ruthless. They found me, gave me a large sum of money, and told me to step forward and be that 'tainted witness'."

"They threatened me that if I didn't comply, something 'unforeseen' might happen to my daughter back home."

"I had no choice, Mr. Shen, I truly had no choice!"

Shen Yan listened quietly, not interrupting him.

He knew that this long-suppressed fear and guilt needed an outlet for release.

"Afterward, I took that money and started Jufeng Steel. Business grew bigger and bigger, but I haven't slept soundly for a single day."

"I always feel like Master Zhou is watching me from heaven."

"I owe him a life, and I owe him vindication."

Zhang Jufeng's emotions gradually calmed down.

"Mr. Shen, I know you are not an ordinary person. When you asked about Master Zhou again at the factory that day, I knew it."

"This matter, perhaps only you can handle it."

"Who was pulling the strings behind the scenes?" Shen Yan finally asked.

"An investment firm called 'Deep Sea Capital'." Zhang Jufeng's voice was extremely low, as if that name was taboo.

"They were the real masterminds behind Yuanshan Heavy Industry's bankruptcy. They used illicit means to short Yuanshan's stock, and then acquired Yuanshan's most core patented technologies at extremely low prices."

"The formula for V9 Special Steel was one of them."

"I have evidence of their contact with me back then. A person named 'Mr. Shadow' was their representative."

"I secretly recorded the conversation."

"I also still have the overseas account records of their transfers to me."

"Very good."

Shen Yan's tone betrayed no emotion.

"Organize everything."

"I will send you an encrypted software. You will use that software to transmit all the electronic evidence to me."

"Remember, when you operate, do not use your company's network, and definitely not your home network."

"Go to an internet cafe you trust, one without surveillance."

"Understood, I understand everything.", Zhang Jufeng replied repeatedly.

"Mr. Shen, that person... that Mr. Shadow, behind him..."

"Who is behind him is none of your concern.", Shen Yan coldly interrupted him.

"The less you know, the safer you and your daughter will be."

"You just need to do what you are supposed to do."