Lin Kerou returned without a sound.
She left just as quietly.
On Monday morning, after reporting his work, Xiang Yang announced: "Boss, Ms. Lin has left the Imperial City."
Fu Yanci paused his writing and slowly lifted his gaze.
On one side was Lin Kerou, shrunken like a scared rabbit in the corner, looking as ghastly as a sinister ghost.
On the other side was Xiao Bao, shaking his head firmly, saying she wasn’t his mom.
Black and white images intertwined, both scenes simultaneously appearing in Fu Yanci’s mind.
The doubts that had occasionally surfaced over the years ca rushing back to his heart.
At that ti, it was supposed to be him going on a business trip to Munich.
As the favored heir to the family head by Mr. Fu, and the future CEO of the Fu Group, it shouldn’t have been Fu Mingzhen going for such an overseas assignnt.
But Fu Mingzhen said one must start what they finish, and since he was responsible for that project, it was natural for him to be the one to handle it.
Two months later, he had an accident in Miami.
The news traveled back ho, and Lin Kerou fainted, diagnosed as two months pregnant.
Aunt Zhou fainted and upon waking, begged Lin Kerou to keep the child, promising nurous conditions for it.
A few months later, as the fruit ripened, Lin Kerou gave birth to Xiao Bao.
Two years later, Xiao Bao was brought back to the Fu Mansion by him.
Psychologists say all human behavior can be traced to a cause.
So, if everything leaves a trace, why does Lin Kerou behave as she does?
If she seeks wealth, simply having Xiao Bao and the Fu Group shares given by the uncle guarantees her a life of luxury.
If she seeks power, she has it as Vice President at Fengya dia, which flourishes in the entertainnt industry. As long as she doesn’t sabotage herself, she holds a solid status in the Imperial City’s business circle.
With money and power, she could have gone on to live a carefree life.
Why then did she painstakingly return, hosting birthday parties and making appearances at the school gates, fearing no one would know Xiao Bao is hers?
What does knowing she’s Xiao Bao’s mother change?
What more could she gain with the status of a Fu Family widow?
At the teahouse near the old mansion, she cried and told Xiao Bao that no matter if it’s five or ten years, as long as Xiao Bao forgives her, she’s willing to wait.
Yet, in just a little over half a year, seeing no sign of Xiao Bao’s change of heart, she left without a second thought.
From beginning to end, none of her actions made logical sense.
Utterly confused, Fu Yanci said in a deep voice: "Arrange for soone to keep an eye on her!"
"Yes!"
Xiang Yang left, and the office quieted down.
Looking at the schedule beside his calendar, he knew there was no class at this ti, and as soon as he stepped out, Ye Li was certain to wake up. By now, she was surely at the hospital.
Sent a WeChat ssage, and sure enough, the girl replied instantly.
[Fu Yanci, Mom knows I have a boyfriend now. She said when she gets out of the hospital, she wants to bring him ho!]
[Okay! Then I’ll prepare the gifts and wait for Ah Li to take ho to et the parents.]
Fu Yanci, usually serious, even sent an animated emoji expressing joy.
The good mood was palpable even through the screen.
Ye Lixiao’s eyes smiled crescent-shaped.
The nurse removed the needle, and Li Xueqing turned to see her daughter foolishly smiling at her phone.
Instantly, there was a knowing look.
The nurse pushed the trolley away.
The room quieted, and Li Xueqing patted the spot beside her, motioning Ye Li to sit down, softly asking: "Ah Li, you haven’t told about your boyfriend yet. Is he from the Imperial City? What does he do? How long have you been dating?"
For a mont, Ye Li felt like she was back in the old days.
That hand-in-hand, gossip-about-Dad, trade-secrets mother.
"Yes, he’s from the Imperial City. You’ve t him!"
Ye Li smiled, "Fu Yanci, he’s the Second Young Master of the Fu Family. You’ve seen him several tis at Aunt Zhou’s house. Rember, he even brought us here to the hospital the other day. Do you recall?"
"Second Young Master Fu, Fu Yanci..."
Mumbling, it seed she was trying to recall who that was.
Suddenly thinking of sothing, Li Xueqing’s expression changed, "No, Ah Li, not him!"
The smile on her face stiffened instantly, and Ye Li stared blankly at her mother whose expression had changed, "Mom, what’s wrong?"
"He, he..."
Li Xueqing stamred.
Her intuition told her, Fu Yanci was unsuitable.
But seriously thinking why, she couldn’t articulate it; she even couldn’t recall his appearance.
Ah Li said she had seen him at the Zhou family, but Li Xueqing racked her brains, with only a cold, unapproachable silhouette flashing in her mind.
Deep inside, a voice cried out: No, you cannot harm my Ah Li!
"Ah Li, no, it can’t be him!"
Urgently grabbing Ye Li’s hand, Li Xueqing spoke incoherently, the anxiety and collapse visible in her eyes.
Ye Li was completely stunned.
Mom didn’t rember Zhou Hecchen, nor the engagent with him, or even Fu Minghui’s sches.
Her mory only contained the good.
But despite this, Fu Yanci in her mind should be that silent, aloof figure in the Zhou Mansion.
Yet her mother’s attitude was exceptionally firm.
"Mom, why?"
"No reason, Ah Li, stay away from him, stay away from Fu Yanci!"
Li Xueqing tightly grasped Ye Li’s hand and said, "Ah Li, listen to Mom, stay away from Fu Yanci."
The monitor by the hospital bed displayed fluctuating lines.
Indicating Li Xueqing’s current emotional instability.
Ye Li nodded repeatedly, "Okay, Mom I get it, I’ll listen to you!"
"Ah Li, Dad is not here, Mom will protect you! Mom won’t let anyone hurt you!"
Embracing Ye Li, Li Xueqing was emotionally charged; letting go felt like Ye Li would drift away like a balloon, eventually reaching Fu Yanci’s hands and being punctured by him.
With Aunt Lan returning with dication, Li Xueqing’s emotions gradually improved.
When Ye Li stepped out of the hospital room, she was dazed.
On one hand, she consoled herself, saying Mom was sick and mory muddled, so she shouldn’t hold her words against her.
On the other hand, suspicions couldn’t be suppressed, feeling that sothing her mother knew but she did not had happened.
She had only one class in the morning, the one she excelled at, jewelry design.
What Professor Zhao taught from his podium, Ye Li didn’t take in at all.
In muddled confusion, she was nudged by the girl beside her, saying "Ye Li, aren’t you leaving after class?"
Ye Li ca to her senses, stood and walked out of the teaching building.
The noon sun poured down from above, and even the breeze brushing her cheeks carried a hint of warmth.
But Ye Li’s mind and heart were a chaotic ss.
No appetite.
No desire to return to her dorm for a nap.
Ye Li wandered dizzily to the studio.
During lunch break, the 16th floor studio was absolutely silent.
Knowing everyone was on the 17th floor, Ye Li went all the way into her office.
Pushed the door open, the fresh scent of lemon greeted her.
The windows were clear, and everything was in perfect order.
In one corner of the desk were several unopened packages.
Sibling outfits from Qin Chu sent from Si City.
Cute trinkets found by Wan Mingyi in Luo City.
Top-grade Biluochun Tea sent by President Li of Yixin Jewelry, asking her to look after his precious daughter.
And, a palm-sized box labelled with "Ye Li’s receipt" but no recipient details.
Unaccountably reminiscent of those sender-less letters.
Ye Li’s heart began to pound.
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