Once Shen Zexi heard him say he liked him, he had no objections.
Shen Zexi and his family wanted only one thing for Shen Shixu: that he live out his life safe and sound. They did not ask for great wealth or status, only peace and happiness.
As for why they felt that way, it was a long story.
It had happened eighteen years ago, and Shen Zexi still remembered it. On the day Shen Shixu was born, a wandering Daoist passed by their home. The moment he saw Shen Zexi's younger brother, he said, "This child should never have come into this world!"
Hearing that, Shen Father was so furious that he ordered the servants to throw the man out. Who came to someone's home to curse their child like that?
Yet less than two days after the Daoist said those words, Shen Shixu fell ill—so seriously ill that he nearly died.
Remembering what the Daoist had said, Shen Father hurriedly sent people out to find him and bring him back. Once the Daoist arrived, he drew incomprehensible talismans on Shen Shixu's body with cinnabar, and his condition soon stabilized.
"This child should never have come to this place, but since he has, it means fate has brought you together.
"If you want this child to stay for good, do not restrain him too much. Let him grow freely, especially when it comes to marriage.
"I have divined his future. An extraordinary marriage awaits him, and he and his partner will love each other. You must not stand in their way.
"Once this marriage comes to pass, this child will truly remain in this world."
Seeing how the Daoist had brought down Shen Shixu's persistent high fever simply by drawing a talisman, the Shen Family firmly believed his words.