If their assets were divided, it was highly likely one of the two factories would be given to Du Liya. Since Shen Yi was still young, anything he received would be temporarily registered under his mother’s name.

He would be able to take control of it himself once he turned twenty.

The paint factory was extremely profitable, with monthly earnings three times that of the clothing factory, but Shen Yi decided that when the time came, he would only take the clothing factory.

The clothing industry wasn’t very profitable at the moment. After all, consumer attitudes, especially in the women’s market, had yet to fully develop.

But in the future, its prospects would be excellent.

Most importantly, the Shen Family’s paint factory would later suffer a major incident due to a safety accident. The paint they produced was substandard, causing many people to fall ill. For two whole years, Shen Zhengfeng would be run ragged dealing with the resulting lawsuits.

Crucially, Shen Zhengfeng wouldn’t be willing to give the paint factory to him and his mother at this point anyway.

It was a classic case of taking one step back to take two steps forward.

Qin Jiao spoke up. "So when the time comes, which factory are you and Aunt Du planning to ask for?"

"The clothing factory."

Qin Jiao was taken aback. She also knew about the incident that would later befall the Shen Family’s paint factory, but that was still five or six years away. From the current perspective, any discerning person would seize the opportunity to take the paint factory.

But Shen Yi couldn’t very well explain his true reasoning, which was based on future events. He just said, "The paint factory is profitable. It’s the Shen Family’s main source of income. Shen Zhengfeng won’t be willing to give it up, and we’d just have to fight over it."

Qin Jiao’s suspicion lessened slightly. On second thought, their decision seemed perfectly reasonable.

Everyone knows a cornered animal will lash out. Du Liya and Shen Yi’s goal was a smooth divorce and to secure their assets, not to push Shen Zhengfeng to the brink.

But Qin Jiao wanted to give Shen Yi a reminder, because there was one other person who knew what the future held.

Lin Nian.

In their past life, Lin Nian had meddled in many of the Shen Family’s affairs. Back then, however, Chen Feng had already entered the Shen household. She was Chen Feng’s girlfriend and later married him, so naturally, she had a certain amount of influence in the family.

In this life, however, Chen Feng hadn’t even made his way into the Shen Family, and no one even knew Lin Nian existed. ’But what if Lin Nian wanted to say something to influence Shen Zhengfeng?’

Qin Jiao hinted cryptically, "What if they insist on giving you the paint factory then?"

Shen Yi’s eyes narrowed.

’Objectively speaking, that’s impossible.’

’But for Qin Jiao to say that, she must have a hidden meaning.’

At the same time... a suspicion began to form in Shen Yi’s mind. ’Does Qin Jiao know what’s going to happen to the paint factory? No—if Shen Zhengfeng insists on giving it to them, that means Shen Zhengfeng, or someone close to him, *also* knows the factory is headed for disaster!’

In that instant, a thousand thoughts raced through Shen Yi’s mind. He wondered if Qin Jiao was like him—if she had also been reborn.

’And Shen Zhengfeng... is there someone by his side who has also been reborn?’

Qin Jiao watched as the color drained from Shen Yi’s face, his handsome brows furrowing together. She was actually a bit puzzled. Logically, if the other party insisted on giving them the paint factory, it should be a good thing; after all, the factory was very valuable.

Its annual profits were also quite substantial.

’So why did he look so shocked after hearing what I said?’

The two of them, both now harboring deep suspicions, met each other’s gaze. They both wanted to ask, but they both stopped themselves abruptly.

’I can’t ask.’

Shen Yi knew that if he asked, it wouldn’t be a problem if Qin Jiao hadn’t been reborn. But if she *had*, then she would also know that *he* had been reborn. In that case, all his efforts in this life would instantly turn to dust.

Their relationship would instantly revert to how it was in their previous life, and that was something Shen Yi could not bear to see.