Cheng Qiaobei placed the glass of water on the table. "Mom, don’t be upset. The reason I ca was to ask you to persuade Ning Xi to rest more. As for everything else, I’m willing and don’t have any complaints. I..."
He ran out of words! Cheng Qiaobei actually ran out of words for the first ti in his life.
"Cheng, I raised Ning Xi since she was a child. I know her temper inside out. You must be indulging her in every way. You don’t need to speak on her behalf."
"I..."
Cheng Qiaobei shot a resentful glance at Chen Ningxi—wife...
"..." Hmph! Don’t call that!
Chen Ningxi stood in the middle of the living room like a child being punished.
Ye Yujun asked, "From now on, if Cheng makes reasonable points, will you listen? Can you promise that?"
Chen Ningxi closed her eyes, defeated. She had to promise!
Ye Yujun asked again, "Can you do it or not?"
Chen Ningxi rasped, "I can."
Ye Yujun: "And another thing, you’re not allowed to bully Cheng anymore. Got it?"
Chen Ningxi shot an annoyed look at Cheng Qiaobei. Ye Yujun said, "Are you glaring at him again?"
"...I’m not." Chen Ningxi tucked her hair behind her ear.
"No bullying Cheng anymore," Ye Yujun emphasized.
Chen Ningxi, seething with frustration, let it out directly at Cheng Qiaobei: "Gah—"
Cheng Qiaobei’s heart skipped a beat and he quickly interceded for her, "Mom, she’s not bullying ; she’s really good to ."
Ye Yujun shook her head while looking at Cheng Qiaobei. "You’re a good boy. Don’t be like her. If she bullies you again, co tell . I’ll stand up for you."
Cheng Qiaobei could almost feel a piercing gaze aid straight at him. "Mom, Ning Xi isn’t feeling well. I’ll take her to the hospital to get checked out."
Ye Yujun: "You handle things well. Go ahead."
Cheng Qiaobei went to help Chen Ningxi up. "Wife, let’s go."
Chen Ningxi muttered softly to him, "Master tea artist!"
Cheng Qiaobei laughed. "Flattered."
Chen Ningxi was so annoyed she wanted to punch him right then and there, "Where’s your sha?"
"It’s not entirely my fault, right?"
"Are you blaming ?"
"I’m scared of you, okay? I surrender, alright?" Cheng Qiaobei turned back to Ye Yujun and said, "Mom, don’t see us out. Go back inside."
Ye Yujun reminded Chen Ningxi, "Ning Xi, take care of your health. Don’t end up like your dad, riddled with illnesses later in life."
Chen Ningxi: "Got it, gah (Mom)."
Once the door closed, Chen Ningxi raised an eyebrow playfully at Cheng Qiaobei. "You’re really sothing. Wait until my throat gets better."
Cheng Qiaobei quickly held her hand. "Husband and wife should live in harmony."
Chen Ningxi snorted.
They ended up going to the hospital. At first, it seed like it was just hoarseness, but now her throat felt like it was being slashed by blades—even drinking water hurt.
After the lab tests, the doctor prescribed so dication. Cheng Qiaobei went to the pharmacy counter to collect it, while Chen Ningxi sat on a bench waiting.
Suddenly, Guo Shiwen passed in front of her. By so strange coincidence, they made eye contact.
"..."
"..."
Both were montarily taken aback.
What surprised Chen Ningxi, however, was Guo Shiwen’s changed figure—her slightly rounded belly clearly indicated she was pregnant.
Guo Shiwen approached, and Chen Ningxi stood up.
"What a coincidence, Manager Chen." Guo Shiwen smiled and instinctively tugged at her coat to cover her belly.
Chen Ningxi said, "Manager Guo, it really is a coincidence. And this is...?"
Guo Shiwen lowered her gaze and gave a faint smile. "I’m pregnant... it’s his."
Chen Ningxi said, "Congratulations to you two."
Guo Shiwen’s long hair fell over her face, hiding the bitter smile at the corner of her lips. "Thank you."
Chen Ningxi asked, "How many months now?"
Guo Shiwen replied, "Four months."
Chen Ningxi nodded. "There are so many people in the hospital. Did you co alone?"
Guo Shiwen said, "He’s in the restroom."
Not wanting to see Pan Cheng, Chen Ningxi offered her previous spot to Guo Shiwen. "You can sit here and wait. I’m going to get the dicine."
"Manager Chen," Guo Shiwen called out to her.
Chen Ningxi stopped and turned back. Guo Shiwen clenched the strap of her handbag and said, "I’ve been wanting to tell you sothing, but I never got the chance. Since we ran into each other today, can I take a mont of your ti?"
"Gah?" Chen Ningxi pressed her lips together. Fortunately, her mask muffled her raspy voice so that Guo Shiwen couldn’t hear her clearly. "Go ahead. What is it?"
Guo Shiwen noticed her hoarse voice, but at that mont, she was more intent on pouring out her feelings.
"I really admire you. You’re the only one who managed to walk away from Mr. Pan unscathed. If I’d had even half your courage and determination back then, things might have been different."
Chen Ningxi said, "You’re doing well now, aren’t you? You have a family, a child, and a career. So many people envy what you have and can’t achieve it themselves."
It was true. She had a car, a house, and savings—nothing was lacking. But those things seed to define her worth.
What she traded her body for, Pan Cheng rely bought with his money.
And ever since Pan Cheng had that dinner eting with Cheng Qiaobei, he seed like a changed man. Upon learning about her pregnancy, he didn’t force her to terminate it this ti and even agreed to marry her and take responsibility.
Yet, for so reason, Pan Cheng’s actions felt motivated by responsibility for the child rather than love or affection for her.
One night, Guo Shiwen secretly unlocked Pan Cheng’s phone. All the won he’d been involved with had been deleted, and aside from business-related occasions, he no longer frequented places steeped in debauchery. However, hidden within his photo album was a single picture of Chen Ningxi, secretly taken in her office.
Guo Shiwen suddenly realized that n often reserve a sacred corner in their hearts for their "white moonlight."
"Manager Chen," Guo Shiwen said, looking at her. "I want to thank you on behalf of Mr. Pan."
Chen Ningxi felt baffled. "Thank for what?"
Guo Shiwen said, "If it weren’t for you, he wouldn’t have gone south to build the factory. Our company has found new avenues for growth."
Chen Ningxi chuckled. "If the company can innovate and develop, that’s a great thing. Wishing you every success!"
Guo Shiwen’s heart softened. "You’re such a good person. If I were a man, I’d like you too."
"..." Chen Ningxi felt awkward and didn’t know how to respond. Laughing briefly, she said, "You sit and wait here for now."
"Ning Xi." Cheng Qiaobei walked over briskly, and upon spotting Guo Shiwen, his face instantly darkened. Beside him, Chen Ningxi said:
"Manager Guo is pregnant—four months along."
The thorns that had sprouted within him quickly withdrew, though Cheng Qiaobei’s expression remained unsmiling, albeit less hostile.
He said, "Congratulations."
Guo Shiwen seed rather wary of Cheng Qiaobei and didn’t dare et his gaze. "Thank you for your kind wishes, Chairman Cheng."
Spotting Pan Cheng in the corridor, Cheng Qiaobei placed a hand on Chen Ningxi’s shoulder and said goodbye to Guo Shiwen. "We have things to attend to—see you."
Guo Shiwen stood up. "You two are busy—goodbye, Chairman Cheng, Manager Chen."
Chen Ningxi nodded to her in acknowledgnt and left.
Walking so distance away, Cheng Qiaobei asked, "What did you two talk about just now?"
With her hoarse throat, Chen Ningxi replied, "Nothing special. I just asked her how far along she is, and she randomly thanked ."
Seeing her throat hurting, Cheng Qiaobei didn’t press further.
Among the crowd, Pan Cheng thought he caught a glimpse of a familiar silhouette but then, upon closer inspection, realized it might all just be a hallucination.
Perhaps, it really was just a hallucination.
Pan Cheng went over to the bench and said to Guo Shiwen, "You must be tired from waiting."
Guo Shiwen smiled and shook her head. "No, I’ve just been sitting here—no, I’m not tired."
In a gentle tone, Pan Cheng asked, "Should we rest a bit longer or leave now?"
Leaving now would an a high chance of running into them in the elevator.
"I’ll rest a little longer—my legs are sore."
Pan Cheng said, "Alright."
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