Ch 31: Is There Really Such a Good Thing? [QT]

When Shen Yunrui’s company went bankrupt, she divorced Lin Huaizhi. Lin Huaizhi, unable to re-enter the social circle, drifted aimlessly in the capital for a while before returning to his hometown at his family’s urging, resuming his original life path.

Shen Yunrui joined the Shen Corporation, confidently launching an education platform, a low-cost shopping app, and livestream e-commerce. She assured Shen Guobang that she had insider information proving these ventures would be wildly profitable, capable of making Shen Corporation ten times stronger than before.

Shen Guobang, thinking things couldn’t get worse, let her try. Seeing Shen Yunxuan’s growing success, the family felt a burning need to prove they had not made the wrong choice years ago. To do that, they believed they needed to grow stronger and seize the opportunity to bring her down at her first mistake.

Shu Yue, hearing about these developments, mentioned them to Shen Yunxuan. “They’re certainly making a lot of noise. Shen Yunrui’s ideas are interesting and innovative, but it’s hard to say if the market will buy into them.”

Shen Yunxuan thought to herself that Shen Yunrui was simply copying ideas from the future; of course, they seemed innovative now. But whether the market would accept them depended on timing, strategy, and synergy—success in business required understanding its core principles, as well as favorable circumstances and policies. Given the Shen family’s track record, she wasn’t optimistic. If they had what it took to succeed, they’d have done so in the previous life.

Shen Yunxuan had more pressing matters. “Yueyue, how are you feeling about returning to your family’s company?”

Shu Yue smiled. “Thanks to all your help, my parents say I’ve become really capable.”

“That’s good to hear. Just be cautious with business partners and don’t trust people easily. Pay close attention to the details.”

Shu Yue nodded emphatically and hugged Shen Yunxuan. “If you hadn’t caught that Chen guy as a fraud, my family would’ve been doomed. Thank you, Yunxuan. No wonder your mother-in-law calls you a blessing—you’re my blessing too.”

Shen Yunxuan laughed. “You’re being so sweet today! If you really want to thank me, just live a good life. Let’s both live well.”

Looking at Shu Yue’s radiant smile, Shen Yunxuan felt a deep sense of gratitude for her second chance at life. For the first time, she realized just how much she had changed her fate. She had avoided regrets, achieved new heights, and helped her friend avoid misfortune and find happiness.

Being reborn truly was a gift.

She even found herself hoping Shen Yunrui would stop causing trouble. As far as she knew, they might be the only two people in the world who were reborn. In a way, they belonged to the same world. There was no reason they couldn’t each live their own lives and shine in their own ways.

If Shen Yunrui could use her knowledge from the future to live a good life, Shen Yunxuan thought she might even offer her blessings. But knowing Shen Yunrui, she doubted that would happen. Shen Yunrui always had to stir up trouble—first at the Huo family, then at the Shen family. She believed she was destined to be a star and couldn’t stand seeing others surpass her.

In reality, Shen Yunrui’s cunning and petty tricks might work within the Shen family, but they were useless in the wider world. In this life, Shen Yunrui had schemed her way into a marriage swap, only to watch Shen Yunxuan thrive while her own life unraveled. It was no wonder Shen Yunrui couldn’t accept it.

Shen Yunxuan, meanwhile, was also working in similar fields as Shen Yunrui but with a more stable and integrated approach. She incorporated various elements into her livestream platform, creating a user-friendly shopping channel that welcomed brands, trained professionals to host live sales, and offered attractive discounts. Shoppers quickly embraced it, eagerly waiting in livestream rooms to see what deals were available.

The platform’s coupons, available daily, encouraged people to make purchases, and a no-questions-asked return policy provided extra assurance. Customer numbers grew steadily.

Next, Shen Yunxuan invested in advertisements across major variety shows and dramas, promoting her platform on all fronts and boosting its visibility. Traffic surged, making her platform the strongest competitor in the livestreaming industry.

This platform became her first true masterpiece, astonishing the business world. Running a successful platform required sharp insight, strong management, market awareness, and precise decision-making—missteps could spell disaster, as many platforms had risen and fallen due to single poor decisions. Shen Yunxuan’s every strategy and step had been flawless, proving she wasn’t just lucky; she was a true business talent with an extraordinary instinct for opportunity.

If anyone still doubted her qualifications as Huo Corporation’s vice president, her platform silenced them. People began to believe Huo Siheng had entrusted her with such responsibility because of her abilities, not just gratitude.

Shen Yunxuan became a business legend, and the industry eagerly awaited her next move.

Meanwhile, the Shen family became a laughingstock in the business world. With such a brilliant daughter, they had treated her poorly, dismissed her value, and used her as a tool. Now, as Shen Yunxuan’s success soared and their projects floundered, people couldn’t help but sigh. If they had nurtured Shen Yunxuan as an heir, the Shen Corporation could have been the most prominent enterprise today.

Shen Guobang, after hearing a string of gossip outside, returned home in a rage. “Yunrui, didn’t you say this time was a guaranteed win? If you don’t understand the business, stop meddling in it!”

Shen Yunrui retorted angrily, “If I don’t step in, will you grow the company? Dad, don’t forget, it was under your leadership that the company started declining. At least the projects I managed made money, even if they fizzled out later. That was because the tech department and staff couldn’t deliver suitable solutions, not my fault!”

“You’re blaming the tech department and employees? So your sister’s success is also just her employees’ work? Then why bother with a boss? Let the staff run things themselves!” Shen Guobang retorted sharply, their father-daughter relationship now completely eroded, replaced by a purely transactional one.

Shen Yunrui, who loathed being compared to her sister, exploded with fury. “If she’s so great, go find her! See if she’ll even acknowledge you! I’m the one truly trying to save Shen Corporation, racking my brains to keep it afloat. If you’re not happy with me, fine, I’ll leave and stop meddling altogether!”

Mrs. Shen quickly intervened. “Enough, enough. Your father’s just venting. He doesn’t really mean it. Your ideas are still good. We can brainstorm solutions for the later stages together. If necessary, we’ll find partners and take things step by step.”

However, Shen Corporation lacked the resources to endure repeated failures. Shen Yunrui’s push to promote the education platform came with heavy advertising emphasizing slogans like “No hardship should fall on education” and “Love your child by giving them extra tutoring.” She praised online one-on-one teaching as the most convenient option. But at the time, education hadn’t yet become as competitive as it would later be, and most parents still preferred hiring tutors privately or sending their children to local tutoring centers with established reputations. Few were willing to pay for online courses or accept teaching through a screen.

With the platform unable to generate revenue, Shen Yunrui couldn’t afford to offer the recruited teachers any benefits, prompting them to leave. The platform had little traffic and ultimately had to be shut down. While Shen Yunrui knew such platforms had exploded in popularity in the future, she didn’t understand the timing or strategies behind their success, leading to a complete financial loss.

She continued to experience mixed results in her ventures, with losses far outweighing gains. Those working under her began whispering doubts, thinking the company had no future and all her efforts were doomed to fail. More agile employees began seeking new opportunities elsewhere.

Frustrated and desperate to surpass Shen Yunxuan, Shen Yunrui realized she had exhausted all her ideas. In her previous life, she had spent most of her time indulging in leisure, never gaining real business experience. Now, she had to admit that simply knowing what would make money wasn’t enough to guarantee success.

Determined to salvage her situation, she hired a professional manager and a business expert, delegating execution to them while she provided ideas and visions. This approach brought some success, and the company even began to turn a profit. Just as she was starting to feel hopeful, the business expert she hired used the results of their work to start their own independent venture.

This betrayal dealt a severe blow to Shen Corporation, leading directly to its bankruptcy. When Old Master Shen heard the news in the hospital, the shock was too much. He summoned Shen Yunrui to his bedside and harshly scolded her.

But Shen Yunrui, at her wit’s end, fought back. “The root of all this is you! You forced us to repay debts of gratitude, which caused all the subsequent problems. You wanted to exploit the Huo family, which led Shen Yunxuan to sever ties with us. You failed to properly nurture the next generation, which is why Shen Corporation fell apart. The family’s bankruptcy is entirely your fault!”

With this accusation, Shen Yunrui placed the blame for Shen Corporation’s collapse squarely on Old Master Shen. Having lived a proud life, he now lay bedridden and dependent, only to be berated by the granddaughter he had once doted on. The stress proved too much, and he passed away on the spot.

Furious and grief-stricken, Shen Guobang and Mrs. Shen disowned her. “Your grandfather always adored you, and you killed him! You’re nothing but a cold-hearted ingrate! If it weren’t for your scheming as a child, we wouldn’t have misunderstood and mistreated your sister. If it weren’t for your reckless meddling, the family wouldn’t have gone bankrupt!”

Shen Yunrui was utterly unprepared for her parents, who had always favored her, to turn against her so completely, treating her like an enemy. She was even less prepared for the reality that, despite her rebirth, she had ended up isolated and ruined.

Overwhelmed, she ran out into the street. Watching the bustling crowds, she clutched her head and screamed, “Impossible! This can’t be real! It can’t end like this! Rebirth is supposed to make things better, not worse! It’s impossible!”

Consumed by her obsession, she muttered, “One more chance. Just one more chance, and everything will be different. One more chance!”

She jumped into her car and slammed on the gas, heading straight for Shen Yunxuan’s company.

That day, Shen Yunxuan had been in meetings all day at her company. Huo Siheng came to pick her up, saying he had booked a restaurant for a candlelit dinner.

Getting into the car, Shen Yunxuan smiled. “What’s the occasion? Why so romantic all of a sudden?”

Huo Siheng showed her the date on his phone. “Our wedding anniversary. Vice President Shen is so busy you forgot, but it’s okay—I remembered. I even have a gift for you. You’ll see it at the restaurant.”

“Such secrecy! But I have a surprise for you too. I’ll tell you later,” Shen Yunxuan said with a smile as she buckled her seatbelt.

The car had just started moving when she saw a vehicle speeding toward them. Her face turned pale with shock. “Siheng!”

Huo Siheng quickly swerved to protect Shen Yunxuan, taking the impact on his side of the car. He immediately checked her over. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”

Shen Yunxuan shook her head, instinctively cradling her abdomen with her hand. “I’m fine. You’re bleeding. We need to get to the hospital.”

Blood was streaming down from a cut on Huo Siheng’s forehead, looking serious but only superficial. He remained calm, called the police, and then turned to examine the car that had hit them.

To their astonishment and anger, they realized it was Shen Yunrui behind the wheel. Was she insane?

Shen Yunrui, bleeding from a head wound, staggered out of the car. Seeing that Huo Siheng had shielded Shen Yunxuan, she erupted in fury. “Why are you always so lucky? Why didn’t this kill you? I’ll take you down with me!”

She charged toward Shen Yunxuan, who quickly stepped behind Huo Siheng. He pushed Shen Yunrui aside and protectively guided Shen Yunxuan further away.

It was then that Shen Yunrui noticed Shen Yunxuan’s protective hand over her abdomen. Her eyes widened in shock. “You’re pregnant? You’re pregnant?!”

Shen Yunxuan frowned. Seeing Huo Siheng’s surprised expression, she nodded. “I just found out today. I was planning to surprise you tonight, but…”

Huo Siheng immediately became anxious. “Did your stomach hurt when you were hit? Are you feeling any discomfort?”

Shen Yunxuan shook her head and glanced at Shen Yunrui. “I’m fine, just a little shaken.”

Shen Yunrui was in disbelief. “How can you be pregnant? Weren’t you supposed to be infertile? Last lifetime, Grandpa even said it was rare that the Lin family didn’t mind and treated you well despite your inability to have children. How can you be pregnant now? Does that mean Lin Huaizhi was the one who couldn’t have children?”

Her face turned even paler as the realization hit. “So everything I thought I knew was a lie?”

She suddenly started laughing hysterically. “Hahaha! What a joke. I envied you in my last life, stole everything from you in this one, and it turns out it was all wrong. I never even understood you. You’ve been toying with me all along. You’re the one with real cunning, hiding so deeply!”

Huo Siheng, hearing her wild ramblings, furrowed his brow and kept his protective stance by Shen Yunxuan’s side. He flagged down a passing car to get her to the hospital for a check-up.

Shen Yunrui suddenly blurted, “Huo Siheng, do you believe in reincarnation? I’m reincarnated! In my last life, we were the married couple. Shen Yunxuan married Lin Huaizhi! Maybe she’s reincarnated too and latched onto you on purpose. Aren’t you even a little bothered?”

Shen Yunxuan looked at Huo Siheng, but his expression remained calm. He coldly replied, “If reincarnation exists, and you rushed to swap marriages as soon as you came back, it only proves that the Huo family was in danger. That makes me even more grateful to Yunxuan for saving both me and the family. Marrying Yunxuan is the best decision I’ve ever made. Your failures aren’t her fault—they’re yours. And after today’s reckless and criminal behavior, you won’t escape legal consequences.”

Shen Yunrui was stunned, her attempts to sow discord failing. Her obsession with bringing Shen Yunxuan down had become an all-consuming fixation. She wanted to die alongside Shen Yunxuan and start over, convinced that another chance would allow her to make the right choices this time.

But Huo Siheng’s vigilant protection thwarted her. Before she could do anything further, the police arrived and arrested her.

Unlike before, this time Shen Yunrui couldn’t escape the consequences. Surveillance footage showed her intentionally ramming the car and attempting to harm Shen Yunxuan afterward. The evidence was irrefutable, and she was bound for prison.

Shen Guobang and Mrs. Shen rushed to the police station, seeking out Shen Yunxuan.

Shen Yunxuan frowned. “If you’re here to plead for her, don’t bother. I will pursue this to the end.”

Mrs. Shen responded, “You should pursue it! That ungrateful wretch dared to ram into you and even drove your grandfather to his death. She belongs in prison, where she can reflect and reform.”

Shen Guobang added, “We can’t control her anymore. Let the law deal with her. She’s caused so much trouble over the years. If it weren’t for her stirring things up, our family wouldn’t have fallen apart like this. I heard you’re pregnant. Are you okay? That must have been terrifying.”

Mrs. Shen immediately chimed in, “You need to be extra careful now that you’re expecting. Let me accompany you to the hospital for a full check-up, just to be safe.”

For a moment, Shen Yunxuan felt a strange sense of déjà vu. This was just like her last life—after she had achieved success, her parents had suddenly started treating her well again. Once more, their kindness seemed conditional on her achievements.

But this time, Shen Yunxuan no longer cared. In her last life, she had maintained a façade of harmony for the sake of appearances. In this life, she wanted to be true to herself. With a faint smile, she said coldly, “I’ve already severed ties with you. There’s no chance of reconciliation. Save your efforts.”

Shen Guobang and his wife watched helplessly as Huo Siheng and Shen Yunxuan left, powerless to do anything.

Shen Yunrui, muttering incoherently about reincarnation and dying to start over, was eventually diagnosed with a mental illness and committed to a psychiatric hospital. Since she exhibited suicidal tendencies, she was restrained with long sleeves to prevent self-harm.

Only then did fear set in. Shen Yunrui desperately tried to convince anyone she could, “I’m not mentally ill! There’s nothing wrong with me—I was just talking nonsense before!”

But a diagnosis was a diagnosis, and she couldn’t be discharged so easily. Shen Yunrui had driven herself into a life of misery and despair.

Meanwhile, without Shen Yunrui’s interference, Shen Yunxuan’s life became smooth sailing. Her success in her previous life had been due to her natural talent and hard work. Now, with knowledge of the next twenty years and a keen vision for the future, she reached even greater heights.

She recruited her most trusted allies from her previous life, hired a few exceptional business elites, and built a powerful team. Often, all she needed to do was set the general direction, and her team executed it quickly and efficiently.

Her “ship” was now fully constructed and smoothly sailing, with her at the helm. Life felt complete and without regrets.

At another auction—her second since reincarnating—things were vastly different. The last time, she had attended anonymously with a mask, attracting ridicule for bidding on an unpopular plot of land. This time, as soon as she arrived, people flocked to greet her, treating her like a star.

By now, the city government had relocated to the west side, and the land Shen Yunxuan had purchased, near the government buildings, had been developed into a thriving commercial district. Even the residential area Huo Group had built nearby had sold out early. What was once dismissed as a stroke of luck was now widely recognized as a testament to her skill. Everyone who mentioned her name was filled with admiration.

Even Li Shao, who had mocked her before, now approached her like a devoted fan, eagerly introducing her to the items up for auction.

This transformation was entirely due to Shen Yunxuan’s own abilities. Her consistent successes had turned her into a subject of both gossip and reverence, elevating her to the status of a business legend. The dramatic twists in her life—from the marriage swap, age disparities, family feuds, and her family’s bankruptcy—all added an air of mystery that made her story all the more intriguing.

One day, the Lin family watched an interview featuring Shen Yunxuan on TV. She appeared radiant and confident, her every word captivating, her charisma undeniable.

Grandma Lin sighed. “If only we hadn’t swapped marriages back then, she would’ve been part of our family.”

Lin Jiajia grumbled, “It’s all Shen Yunrui’s fault! Shen Yunxuan is truly amazing. If she had married into our family, we’d be living the high life in the capital by now.”

Mother Lin bitterly added, “She’s a lucky star—bringing fortune to herself and her husband. That Shen Yunrui, though, is a walking disaster. Everything went downhill for us because of her.”

Lin Huaizhi said nothing, but he couldn’t take his eyes off the screen. After experiencing a period of indulgence in the capital, his current life in the countryside felt like a distant, fleeting dream. The glamor and excitement had vanished like smoke.

He couldn’t help but wonder: if the marriage swap hadn’t happened, would everything have been different? But now, with Grandpa Shen gone and all ties to the Shen family severed, the gap between him and Shen Yunxuan felt insurmountable. Any thoughts of what could have been were just futile fantasies.

Both the Shen and Lin families faded entirely from Shen Yunxuan’s life. In this lifetime, she had built a thriving career, a loving marriage, a caring mother-in-law, a delightful child, and close friendships. She felt deeply fulfilled. She spent much of her later years traveling, exploring the world she had once been too focused on work to see.

Her globetrotting even uncovered new business opportunities. Balancing work and leisure, she achieved the perfect blend of enjoyment and success.

As her life neared its end, Shen Yunxuan reflected on her reincarnation journey, feeling only gratitude and contentment.

Just as she was losing consciousness, a voice echoed: “Preparing to enter the next world.”

Her mind stirred with curiosity. What next world? Was she about to reincarnate again? But she was too exhausted to think further. Soon, she slipped into complete oblivion.

🌸˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚⋆

Sandy: I love this novel so much😍😍😍