The ex-wife of a former CEO regrets resigning to raise her child and retire from public life.

Chapter 64 The Man Who Lives in the Shadows

Let's rewind to five minutes before Lin Muyuan and his companion arrived at the Human World.

at that time.

Su Chen followed behind Lin Muyuan, her steps somewhat sluggish.

His hands were in the pockets of his custom-made suit trousers, his fingers unconsciously stroking a car key studded with small diamonds.

In many people's eyes, Su Chen is a top player in the world of reincarnation.

As the second son of the renowned Su family business in the city, he possessed wealth from birth that ordinary people could not achieve in several lifetimes.

But only he knew that in this home, he was more like a lavishly decorated but neglected scrap.

His older brother, Su Ang, was five years older than him and had always been the kind of "other people's child" since childhood.

With outstanding academic achievements, impeccable social skills, and exceptional business acumen, Su Ang is like a giant crystal chandelier hanging high in the main hall of the Su family, radiating dazzling light.

Su Chen, on the other hand, was the shadow cast by that lamp in the corner.

He was clumsy, at least in his parents' eyes.

This clumsiness is not a lack of intelligence, but rather that he lacks the talent for business.

Therefore, he seemed out of place in this business family.

He couldn't learn his older brother's ruthless attitude at the negotiating table, nor could he understand the profound theories about "class" and "strategy" that his parents talked about.

But his parents were not harsh on him.

They wouldn't scold him, never gave him the cold shoulder, and were even extremely generous to him financially.

But this generosity is more like a form of "domesticated" compensation.

All the parents' energy, expectations, and strictness were poured into that future heir.

All they asked of him was that he "not cause trouble".

This neglect, this feeling of being "unloved by both parents," was even more suffocating to Su Chen than physical or verbal abuse.

He tried.

I went to study finance, but looking at those numbers was like reading a book written in a foreign language.

He went to study art, but his father commented that it was "just a small-time thing and he wouldn't amount to anything."

When he makes even the smallest progress and eagerly seeks praise, his parents always habitually bring up how his older brother was at the same age.

"Xiao Chen, it's good that you have this idea. Just do what you like..."

Over time, the fire in Su Chen's heart died down.

He didn't know what he should do or where he should go.

Outsiders always looked at him with a hint of disdain—the kind of sigh of "a tiger father and a dog son," which, even if unspoken, would overflow from his seemingly respectful smile.

Inferiority complex was like a thick cocoon, tightly wrapping Su Chen up.

In the midst of his repressed and lonely life, the only thing that made him feel "alive" was food.

Only the moment the food touches his mouth, the various flavors of sour, sweet, salty, and spicy can break through his numbness.

The joy that food brings him is direct and real; he doesn't need to compare himself to his older brother or please his parents.

Those plates of steaming hot food were enough to satisfy him.

As a result, he became a crazy taste seeker.

But because he did nothing all day but look for food, he became a "spoiled brat who only knew how to eat" in the eyes of outsiders.

Lin Muyuan was someone he met on his journey to find that "ultimate flavor".

Only Lin Muyuan wouldn't compare him to Su Ang.

"Su Er, hurry up, hurry up."

The owner of that shop has a really strange temper; if you go late, there won't be a single thing left!

Lin Muyuan walked very fast ahead, turning back every now and then to urge him on.

It was very hot in the old street at noon, and fine beads of sweat appeared on Su Chen's forehead.

"Mu Yuan, is that 'masterpiece' you mentioned located in a place like this?"

Su Chen frowned, looking at the slightly dilapidated walls around him, his tone tinged with doubt.

He has dined at the most prestigious private chefs and visited Michelin three-star restaurants that require reservations six months in advance.

In his view, the ultimate deliciousness often requires the ultimate environment to complement it.

"Tsk, what do you know? This is called living in seclusion in the city!" Lin Muyuan grabbed Su Chen's arm and practically dragged him forward.

"I guarantee you, if you're still not satisfied after eating at their place, I'll give you my brand new motorcycle."

Su Chen stumbled as he was pulled, and sighed helplessly, "Are you really going to go through all this trouble? For a bowl of shredded pork with garlic sauce..."

"Absolutely! Absolutely!" Lin Muyuan's eyes lit up.

"You didn't eat the little rabbit buns from yesterday."

It's a taste that reminds you of 'home,' no, it's a taste even warmer than home.

Su Chen fell silent.

For him, the word "home" has always meant cold furniture, empty corridors, and his father's long-winded lectures on financial statements at the dinner table.

He didn't find the smell of that place particularly appealing.

But looking at Lin Muyuan's almost pious appearance, his curiosity eventually overcame his inner weariness.

He wanted to see what kind of chef could be so captivating to Lin Muyuan, a seasoned veteran in the culinary world.

When Chen Feng put away the "Sold Out Today" sign and led them into the store, Su Chen subconsciously slowed his pace.

He had expected to see a greasy, cramped, noisy, and complaining hole-in-the-wall restaurant.

But the moment Su Chen stepped across the threshold, he froze.

A faint fragrance lingered in the air.

The flavor was unique, with the spiciness of ginger, the sweetness of brown sugar, and a subtle fragrance that only aged wood could give off.

The shop was very quiet.

There was no mess of cups and plates as he had expected.

Behind the cashier, a beautiful little girl tilted her head and looked at him with a puzzled expression. Her big, bright eyes were full of innocence.

"Godfather! Another big brother is coming in!"

Mengmeng called out in a clear, crisp voice, then gave Su Chen a bright smile.

Su Chen's heart skipped a beat.

That smile was so pure, so pure, that it was almost blinding to someone like him who was used to staying in the shadows.

He turned his head and saw a burly man carrying a kettle walking briskly towards him.

Although his face was covered in sweat, he smiled with unusual honesty.

There was also a thin girl squatting in a corner of the kitchen, resting. Although she looked a little timid, her eyes, which were staring at the sink, were surprisingly bright.

This is practically a little world of its own.

"Please, make yourselves at home."

It'll be ready in a minute.

Chen Feng's voice came from the kitchen, as calmly as if he were greeting an old neighbor.

Su Chen looked in the direction of the sound and saw the man skillfully tying on an apron.

Chen Feng's back was steady. That kind of steadiness wasn't the aggressive steadiness of Su Ang.

Rather, it is a kind of steadfastness, like the earth, as if even if the sky were to fall, as long as there is a pot, it could hold up.

Su Chen chose a seat by the window and sat down.

His long, slender fingers traced across the table.

Dry and smooth.

"Mu Yuan, this shop..."

Su Chen hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

He had been to many luxurious places, but in those places, he always felt like an invisible, superfluous person.

But here, he suddenly felt a sense of respect that he couldn't quite put his finger on.

Chen Feng said he was an "exception" because he was grateful to Lin Muyuan.

As for Su Chen, he hasn't been anyone's "exception" for a very, very long time.

"How about it? I didn't rip you off, did I?" Lin Muyuan sat opposite him, looking smug.

"Just looking at the atmosphere, do you think the owner's cooking skills could be bad?"

Su Chen didn't answer, looking at the man's focused profile in the kitchen.

In that instant, the darkness that had been suppressed deep within his heart seemed to be gently parted by this touch of warmth, creating a crack.

He started to feel a little hopeful.