There was indeed a mont when Fang Tong almost believed it, but her rationality prevailed, and she quickly regained her composure. "So what if we entered the hotel together? Does that an we slept in the sa room? I believe my husband would not betray our feelings for each other."
Seeing Fang Tong’s assured deanor, Tong Yushi’s eyes flashed with deep jealousy. She despised the trusting relationship between them.
"He hasn’t fallen in love with ; he still loves you, so he hasn’t betrayed your feelings. That night we both got drunk—n, after all, when drunk, can’t control their desires—it’s quite normal. Oh, by the way, he was calling your na all night. Although I wasn’t happy being your substitute, I was happy to be with Bo Ming. I fell in love with him the mont I saw him, and that has never changed over the years. My love for him is no less than yours."
Fang Tong’s face, which had just regained so color, turned pale once again. Could Bo Ming really have mistaken Tong Yun for her when he was drunk? If so, it might be possible, but a voice inside her head told her to trust Bo Ming, that he wouldn’t do anything to hurt her.
Fang Tong tried to calm herself. The woman in front of her just wanted to deceive her, to agitate her. But she was pregnant, she couldn’t get agitated, couldn’t get angry—absolutely not. She ntally prepared herself and eventually managed to calm down again.
"I won’t believe a word you said. This child has nothing to do with Bo Ming."
"It is Bo Ming’s child, whether you believe it or not. I won’t have an abortion. You can tell Bo Ming that I will give birth to this child, and then we can have a paternity test. I’m here to tell you the truth today because Bo Ming is afraid you will find out and insists on terminating my pregnancy. I hate his heartless cruelty."
After Tong Yun left, Fang Tong sat in the café alone, motionless for a long ti, her face completely drained of color, pale and frightening.
"Miss, are you okay?" The server, who had been observing Fang Tong for a while, noticed that sothing was wrong and ca over to ask.
Fang Tong shook her head and, with trembling hands, took out her phone to call Shen Qinglan. "Qinglan, can you co pick up?"
When Shen Qinglan arrived at the café, Fang Tong was still sitting in her usual spot, staring blankly. The pregnancy test was still on the table in front of her. Shen Qinglan picked it up and imdiately understood the situation.
"Fang Tong, are you okay?" Shen Qinglan spoke softly.
Fang Tong’s eyes moved, looking at Shen Qinglan. "Qinglan, take away."
Shen Qinglan nodded and helped her get up. Instead of taking Fang Tong ho, she took her to her downtown apartnt, which had been cleaned for Jin Enxi to live in. Jin Enxi had moved to Daniel’s place two days ago, and the apartnt had been cleaned just yesterday, so it was very clean.
Shen Qinglan boiled so water in the kitchen and handed Fang Tong a cup. "Have so hot water first."
Fang Tong held it in her hand but didn’t drink. "Qinglan, do you think it’s true? Could Bo Ming really have done such a thing?"
Shen Qinglan sat opposite her and spoke softly, "What’s your first instinct?"
"I don’t believe it. I can’t believe he would treat like this, but Tong Yun said that Bo Ming was drunk that night and mistook her for ." Rationality and emotion intertwined in her heart, making Fang Tong incredibly anxious.
"Fang Tong, look at ." Shen Qinglan said, knowing that Fang Tong was very sensitive when it ca to relationships, having experienced betrayal by Ding Minghui before. It had taken a lot of courage for her to step forward and be with Bo Ming until today.
"You have to trust your first instinct. If a man truly loves you, no matter the situation, he would never mistake his wife for soone else. Do you understand what I an?"
Fang Tong of course understood, but she hesitated, "But, Qinglan—"
"There are no buts, Fang Tong. Trust yourself, and trust Bo Ming," Shen Qinglan interrupted her, choosing not to ntion that she already knew about the situation, as it would be better for Bo Ming to explain himself.
"If you still have doubts in your heart, ask him about it when you return ho tonight. I believe he will explain everything to you. Don’t overthink this."
"Qinglan, I don’t want to overthink either, but I really can’t control myself. I don’t know what’s going on with now. In my heart, I keep telling myself that Li Bo Ming is innocent, that he would never betray , but my mind keeps wanting to believe what Tong Yun Shi said, especially since Ding Ming got drunk that ti and..." Fang Tong painfully held her head. She didn’t want to feel this way.
"Fang Tong, calm down." Shen Qinglan had been through pregnancy herself, so she naturally knew that a pregnant woman’s emotions can be quite unstable and prone to overthinking. It was normal for Fang Tong to lose control upon hearing such news so suddenly.
"Co on, take a deep breath, calm down, think about the child in your belly." Shen Qinglan’s voice was deep and soothing.
Fang Tong took several deep breaths, and her emotions finally began to stabilize.
"I’ll call Li Bo Ming now and have him co pick you up."
"No." Fang Tong grabbed her. "Qinglan, let calm down first, don’t tell him yet. I don’t want to argue with him over this." They had never argued before, and she didn’t want to damage their relationship over her irrational thoughts.
Shen Qinglan nodded, sitting next to her, accompanying her. Eventually, it was Li Bo Ming who called first. He had been personally dropping off and picking up Fang Tong to and from work lately. When the off-duty ti ca and he didn’t see Fang Tong co down, he went up to find her, only to be inford that Fang Tong had gone out in the afternoon and hadn’t co back.
"Answer it." Shen Qinglan urged as she looked at the caller ID.
Fang Tong stared at the phone for a long ti, and it wasn’t until Li Bo Ming had made the third call that Shen Qinglan helped her answer it, "Fang Tong is with . Co over to pick her up now," she reported the address.
Li Bo Ming found it odd that Fang Tong’s call was answered by Shen Qinglan but didn’t think much of it.
When Li Bo Ming was about to arrive, Shen Qinglan went down to receive him. As they reached the door, she looked back at Fang Tong. "Have a good talk with Li Bo Ming, ask him to explain everything clearly, understand?"
Fang Tong nodded.
"Tong Yun Shi ca to find Fang Tong today." As soon as Li Bo Ming arrived, Shen Qinglan gave him the straightforward answer.
Li Bo Ming hadn’t expected Tong Yun Shi to dare approach Fang Tong after what he’d said, a flicker of coldness passed in his eyes, but his predominant concern was for Fang Tong’s well-being. "How is Tongtong now?"
"Her emotions have cald down a lot now, but you know, the emotions of a pregnant woman are unstable. Make sure you explain the situation to her clearly later, with no omissions." Shen Qinglan directly handed the keys over to Li Bo Ming; she wasn’t planning to go up. Matters between husband and wife are best resolved by themselves.
"Qinglan, thank you for everything today," Li Bo Ming expressed.
Shen Qinglan simply said, "Fang Tong is my friend." She was helping Fang Tong, not Li Bo Ming.
When Li Bo Ming went up, Fang Tong was still sitting on the living room couch, looking lost, deep in thought. He slowed his steps and gently approached her, crouching down. "Tongtong."
Fang Tong’s eyes moved but she did not speak.
"Tongtong, this whole situation is a misunderstanding. That night I was drunk..." Li Bo Ming explained the events of that night plainly to Fang Tong, just as Shen Qinglan had instructed, without hiding a thing. "Tongtong, this was my fault. I should have taken a taxi ho that night." Instead of worrying about troubling Fang Tong and choosing not to return.
If he had gone ho, none of these events would have followed. Realizing this, Li Bo Ming felt deep regret.
"Is everything you said true?" Fang Tong finally spoke, her voice hoarse.
Li Bo Ming nodded fiercely, "If there’s a single lie, may I be struck by a car the mont I step out."
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Fang Tong exclaid with anxious eyes. "Are these words to be spoken lightly?"
"Tongtong, do you believe now?" Li Bo Ming asked.
All he wanted was to know this. Fang Tong lowered her head, looking straight into his eyes, "I believe you, but from now on, even if you are drunk, you must not stay out overnight; you must co ho."
"Okay. I promise there won’t be such an incident ever again. I’m sorry for upsetting you today."
Fang Tong sighed deeply, "Bo Ming, I don’t even know what’s happening to now. I know I shouldn’t doubt you, but sotis..."
"I know, it’s because you are pregnant. Pregnant won are naturally sensitive. It’s my fault for not being considerate. From now on, you can ask anything, and I will not deceive you."
"Bo Ming, if, I an if, in the future you really fall in love with soone else, you must tell . Do not deceive . We could part amicably; just don’t lie to ."
"There won’t be such an ’if,’ Tongtong, absolutely not. I promise." The person he loved most in this life was Fang Tong; how could he bear to leave her and love soone else.
"I an, just in case."
"There is no ’just in case,’ Tongtong. In this lifeti, unless I die, I will always love you." Li Bo Ming embraced Fang Tong tightly in his arms.
On the way back, Fang Tong suddenly thought of a question, "If the person who was with her that night wasn’t you, then whose child is she carrying?"
"I’m not sure; she has to answer that herself."
"I noticed she spoke with such certainty; it didn’t seem like she was lying. She must have mistaken that man for you." In other words, even Tong Yunshi herself didn’t know who was with her that night.
Previously, Li Bo Ming didn’t care about this, but Tong Yunshi’s actions in approaching Fang Tong had infuriated him completely. He would definitely get to the bottom of this. Once he found this man, Tong Yunshi would probably co to her senses.
"Leave this matter to ; Tong Yunshi won’t co to you again." Li Bo Ming spoke softly, his eyes filled with a chilling firmness.
Fang Tong nodded, not uttering words like ’Tong Yunshi is innocent too.’ Had she not cald down today, if she had acted impulsively out of emotion and sothing happened to the child, the consequences were unimaginable.
The next day, Li Bo Ming visited the hotel again to investigate. He tried to follow up using the nas on the hotel’s registration ledger, but the final result was that the man could not be found, aning the man who was with Tong Yunshi that night had used a fake ID.
Li Bo Ming frowned at the result before him, truly not expecting the situation to be such, "President Li, should we continue investigating this?" his assistant asked.
Li Bo Ming shook his head, "No need, let’s set it aside for now." The person used a fake identity; how was he supposed to find him, was it like finding a needle in a haystack?
Li Bo Ming wanted to find that man more to prove his own innocence, but if he really couldn’t find him, he wouldn’t force it. And he had to think, what kind of person would register with a fake ID?
However, he had not expected Tong Yunshi to actually go and confront Fang Tong; did this woman really think he wouldn’t take action?
Li Bomming’s eyes flashed with a chilly gleam, his pen twirling in his hand, his thoughts unclear.
Tong Yushi had inford Fang Tong about the situation and was waiting for Li Bomming to co find her, so when Li Bomming appeared before her, she was not surprised at all.
"You’re here." Tong Yushi’s smile was brimming, a stark contrast to her loss of control that day; today, she was very calm, which took Li Bomming by surprise, "There’s no need to look at like that; I knew you would co after since I approached your beloved wife. From the look on your face, did your wife argue with you?"
"Is this your purpose? To make Fang Tong misunderstand and then argue with about divorce?" Li Bomming asked coldly.
Tong Yushi chuckled, "Don’t stand and talk; I have to look up at you, and it’s tiring. Sit down first." She maintained a gentle and soft appearance throughout.
Li Bomming sat down, and Tong Yushi poured him a glass of water. Seeing that he didn’t drink, she laughed softly, "Are you afraid that I might drug you?"
Li Bomming stared at her intently, "I investigated the hotel yesterday. The person who checked in with you that night was called Lin Xiao." Naturally, Lin Xiao was not his real na, but that didn’t matter; what mattered was proof that such a person existed.
Tong Yushi’s smile gradually faded, "Bomming, I didn’t want you to get a divorce. Why must you deceive over and over again?" Once certain of the facts, how could one easily change them?
Li Bomming knew she wouldn’t believe his words and wasn’t surprised by this. He hadn’t co today to persuade her, so he had no reaction to her words; even his expression didn’t alter, "I don’t rember the details of that night. Just because you say this child is mine doesn’t make believe you, and I certainly wouldn’t trust just any woman who claims to be pregnant with my child."
"What do you propose then? A paternity test? I don’t oppose a paternity test, but that must wait until the baby is born. Does your wife have no objections about waiting so long?" Faced with Li Bomming’s sudden change in attitude, instead of becoming suspicious, Tong Yushi was secretly pleased. She guessed that Fang Tong had caused a major fuss at ho last night, infuriating Li Bomming, perhaps even doing sothing regrettable, which could have caused Li Bomming’s sudden shift in attitude.
Thinking this, Tong Yushi almost wanted to thank Fang Tong in person. The more Fang Tong made a fuss, the more Li Bomming’s heart would lean towards her. If she could make Li Bomming impatient and divorce her, she would definitely send a banner of gratitude to her.
"No need to wait until the birth; I’ve consulted with doctors, and paternity testing can be done after four months. If the test results show the child is mine, I will take responsibility, but if not, please never bother again, never show yourself before ." Li Bomming spoke icily.
Tong Yushi’s eyes showed so sadness at his rcilessness, but she knew the child in her belly was his, so she wasn’t afraid, "Okay, I agree."
"And until then, I only have one condition: you must not approach Fang Tong with inappropriate remarks. Even if the child in your belly is mine, I will not acknowledge it, and your father’s company will also be implicated. I hope you think this over clearly."
"Alright, I agree," Tong Yushi responded without hesitation. This was no problem for her. If it ant getting Li Bomming, not to ntion waiting a few months; she could wait a year.
Having secured Tong Yushi’s cooperation, Li Bomming intended to leave, but Tong Yushi held him back, "Bomming, can’t you stay and keep company?"
Li Bomming looked down at the corner of his sleeve she was pulling, his expression indifferent, not uttering a word. After a few seconds of eye contact, Tong Yushi finally let him go.
Arriving ho, Li Bomming did not conceal his actions or plans from Fang Tong. Fang Tong frowned, "Is this really a good idea?" By the ti her pregnancy was further along, it would be more harmful to Tong Yushi if she decided not to keep the baby.
"The evidence needs to be shown to her, or she will never co to her senses. This is the best way." Moreover, he had been rciful enough, agreeing to a paternity test while the child was still in her belly, instead of waiting until the child was born. If Tong Yushi was wise enough, she would stop now, otherwise, she couldn’t bla him for being heartless.
Fang Tong knew this was not her place to intervene and rely comnted, "If she gives up now, let it be." After all, Tong Yushi’s feelings were unrequited, and Li Bomming had never responded.
Li Bomming nodded, but what he truly thought, only he knew.
Due to Li Bomming’s warning, Fang Tong’s life returned to normal. Tong Yushi was waiting for the child to grow so she could prove his identity to Li Bomming; thus, as Li Bomming had said, she refrained from bothering Fang Tong during this period.
Li Bomming continued to personally drive Fang Tong to and from work and accompanied her to prenatal care appointnts. Shen Qinglan, learning from Fang Tong that the couple had clarified their misunderstanding, felt relieved.
Early one morning, Shen Qinglan had just opened her eyes when she received a call from Fu Hengyi, "Qinglan, are you awake yet?"
"Just woke up, what’s up?"
"Are you going to the hospital today? If you are, take Aunt Zhao with you."
Shen Qinglan was puzzled, "Why would I need to go to the hospital?" She wasn’t sick.
"It has been twenty days," Fu Hengyi said.
Shen Qinglan suddenly realized what Fu Hengyi was referring to. Counting the days, it indeed was the right ti to test, "I bought a pregnancy test. I’ll check it in a bit."
"Okay, let know the result." Fu Hengyi’s voice carried a tension he hadn’t noticed himself.
Shen Qinglan noticed it, though, and chuckled, this man with his heart not matching his words.
She got out of bed and went to the bathroom. It wasn’t long before she stared at the single red line on the test and couldn’t help feeling disappointed. With such an ideal mont and conditions, how did she not conceive? She had a feeling that if this attempt failed, Fu Hengyi certainly wouldn’t agree to have children again anyti soon.
Fu Hengyi was still waiting for her news. Even though she hadn’t conceived, she still needed to inform Fu Hengyi of the result.
"Pregnancy tests are not very accurate, and it’s still early days, so why don’t you go to the hospital for a checkup, just in case the test couldn’t detect it yet?" Fu Hengyi suggested.
Shen Qinglan thought it made sense, "Okay, I’ll go to the hospital later."
"Mrs. Fu, you are not pregnant, but your physical health is good; the chances next ti are still high," the doctor said with a smile.
Shen Qinglan was truly disappointed this ti. She smiled, looking at the report and left the office.
Fu Hengyi, hearing the final result, didn’t know whether to feel happy or disappointed; his expression was complicated, "It’s okay, not conceiving this ti ans we and the child’s fate have not arrived yet. When the ti is right, the child will naturally co. Besides, Anan is still young; it’s not too late to try for another child when Anan starts grade school."
Shen Qinglan frowned, "Fu Hengyi, Anan going to grade school is three years away, and by then, I’ll be thirty."
"Then we’ll not have another, one child with Anan is enough. Raising children is so tough, I can’t bear to see you exhausted."
Shen Qinglan scoffed, "Fu Hengyi, are you trying to back out? You promised , we agreed on having a second child."
"Cough cough," Fu Hengyi coughed a few tis, "Qinglan, could we discuss this matter further?"
"Fu Hengyi, next ti you co ho, you’ll sleep in the study by yourself and stay off my bed, or else..." Shen Qinglan snorted coldly and abruptly hung up the phone.
Fu Hengyi looked at the disconnected call, touched his nose, and realized he had probably angered his wife.
Shen Qinglan was indeed a bit angry but felt more helpless. This man was wonderful in every way except for being too anxious about her. She had discussed having another baby with him countless tis, and Fu Hengyi always found excuses. Shen Qinglan, having thought it through, decided not to argue anymore. She was certain she could handle Fu Hengyi.
The family didn’t know Shen Qinglan had been trying to conceive, and she had intended to wait until she was pregnant to tell them. Since she wasn’t pregnant this ti, there wasn’t much to say.
"Qinglan, where did you go early this morning?" Old Sir Fu asked with a smile as he saw his granddaughter-in-law return.
"I had sothing to take care of at the gallery this morning, so I went there. Grandfather, have you had breakfast?"
"I’ve eaten already. Your aunt and her family are coming over today, I asked Xiao Zhao to buy so groceries. Is there anything you’d like to eat?"
"I’m fine with anything. Is Gu Yang back from the military?"
"Your aunt said he ca back last night, and he will co over for dinner today." Old Sir Fu was very happy that his daughter’s family was visiting.
"Brother, after not seeing you for half a year, did you miss ?" Gu Yang greeted Shen Qinglan with the sa irreverent manner as before, and Shen Qinglan responded indifferently, "You can ask that when your brother cos back."
Gu Yang shrank back; maybe it was better not to ntion it. He had only dared to act so "presumptuously" today because Fu Hengyi was not around. Gu Yang had always been intimidated by Fu Hengyi, and since joining the military, he reacted like a mouse seeing a cat whenever he saw Fu Hengyi.
"Anan, did you miss uncle?" Gu Yang turned to hug Anan, who looked at him disdainfully, "I did not, I did not."
Gu Yang pretended to be heartbroken, "Uncle missed you so much, how could you not miss uncle?"
Anan, not wanting to see anyone sad, comforted Gu Yang by patting his shoulder, "Uncle, don’t cry."
Gu Yang: ... When did he cry?
After dinner, Gu Yang took Shen Qinglan to the garden, "Little sister-in-law, how about a match?"
Over the past few years, Shen Qinglan went to nearby boxing and shooting gyms every weekend she was free, so her skills had not diminished. Whenever Gu Yang was ho on leave from the military, they would spar, although he always lost. Yet, he was resilient and never gave up despite his defeats. Shen Qinglan was always willing to train with him.
Shen Qinglan rolled up her sleeves, and Gu Yang, eyes brightening, got into position and attacked first. The two exchanged punches and kicks, thoroughly enjoying the fight, but it wasn’t long before Gu Yang was brought down by one of Shen Qinglan’s sweeping kicks. He sprang up and continued his assault.
"Boom." A body throw sent Gu Yang crashing to the ground once more in intimate contact with Mother Earth.
"Boom." The third ti, the fourth ti, and by the ninth ti, with Shen Qinglan’s leg pressing on Gu Yang’s chest, she looked down at the exhausted Gu Yang, "Coming at again?"
Gu Yang had no energy left and shook his head, "Sister-in-law, I improved since last ti." Last ti, he hadn’t lasted past seven falls, but this ti it took nine.
Shen Qinglan stood up, in stark contrast to Gu Yang’s disheveled appearance, she remained clean and unperturbed, "Have you ever considered maybe I’ve gotten worse?"
"That’s impossible. You are my sister-in-law," Gu Yang said instinctively, believing Shen Qinglan to be perfect
Shen Qinglan was sowhat speechless at Gu Yang’s blind adoration, "Your close combat has greatly improved, but you still need more practice, especially your leg strength needs to be strengthened..." Shen Qinglan stated firmly, pointing out Gu Yang’s shortcomings, which he took to heart.
"Mommy is aweso." Anan, who had been watching for a while, clapped her hands, cheering her mother on, then looked disdainfully at Gu Yang, "Uncle isn’t impressive."
Gu Yang: ... It’s not that I’m not impressive; it’s your mother who is too formidable. If I could defeat your mom, then I’d truly be a miracle.
**
Wen Xiyao’s foot injury had completely subsided by the third day, but she still couldn’t walk freely. Worried that she might feel cooped up, Shen Junyu drove her to a friend’s estate for a rest, and also to clear her mind.
"The environnt here is really nice; did you just buy it?" Wen Xiyao asked as she looked around at the green hills and waters, far away from Beijing.
"No, it’s a leisure farm a friend set up. He had long asked to co have a look, but I just couldn’t find the ti. It just so happens I have so now, so we ca."
Wen Xiyao quite liked the place even though the eco-town that Shen Junyu had developed was also not bad. However, due to Junlan Group’s aggressive marketing over the past few years, many tourists flocked there, and it had lost the peace it had when first built. That’s why Shen Qinglan and the others rarely went there, and hadn’t been in the last year.
"Jun Yu, it’s been a long ti since I’ve felt this relaxed. I don’t feel like going back to work," Wen Xiyao exclaid as she breathed in the fresh air.
"If you don’t want to work, just quit. Your husband will support you."
Wen Xiyao certainly wasn’t going to quit her job now; it wasn’t yet ti to do so. "Okay, when I do quit later, you can support . I’m thinking of starting a vineyard just like this one, and creating my own wine brand. What do you think?"
"Northern parts are not suitable for growing grapes. If you really want to do it, you’d need to grow them in the west or the south. That ans you’d often have to travel back and forth," Shen Junyu analyzed the reality for her.
"Ah, that’s true," Wen Xiyao nodded with a hint of disappointnt in her voice. It was just a spur-of-the-mont idea, and since it wasn’t feasible, she quickly put it out of her mind. The couple spent several days at the estate until Wen Xiyao’s vacation ended and they returned ho. Only then did they discover that Shen Qinglan had gone abroad with friends, and Anan had been taken along as well.
Shen Qinglan had brought Anan to Xueli City. She was there to attend Catherine’s wedding, along with Jin Enxi and Daniel, who was currently on vacation and had plenty of ti.
This was Anan’s first trip abroad and his first flight; he was excited throughout the journey, and as a result, he fell asleep as soon as they reached the hotel.
"You guys go have fun, I’ll stay here with Anan," Shen Qinglan told Jin Enxi and Daniel.
Jin Enxi and Daniel nodded; they had indeed co to have fun this ti.
There were still three days left until Catherine’s wedding. Shen Qinglan had co early to visit Ya Xi, who had settled in Xueli City with Doug and hadn’t been back ho for two years.
They didn’t contact each other often, occasionally Ya Xi would call or send an email.
"Qinglan, you’re here, co in!" Doug was very happy to see Shen Qinglan; he was about to hug her but was stopped by Anan. Holding onto his mom’s leg, Anan claid his territory. Shen Qinglan apologizingly smiled; sotis, Anan’s temperant was just like Fu Hengyi’s—very possessive, particularly not fond of others hugging his mom.
Doug didn’t mind and bent down. "You must be Anan, right? I’m Uncle Doug. I held you when you were little."
As long as no one was hugging his mom, Anan was always an outgoing child. He let go of Shen Qinglan’s leg and looked at Doug with innocent eyes, "You know ?"
"Of course, I’m good friends with your mommy and daddy, so naturally, I know you. Otherwise, your mom wouldn’t bring you to visit uncle’s house, right?"
Anan glanced at the house behind him, "Is this big house your ho?"
"Yes."
"Your house is even bigger than mine," Anan said.
Doug chuckled lightly and lifted Anan into his arms, "It’s even bigger inside, and there’s a very large lawn where you can play soccer."
At these words, Anan’s eyes sparkled, "Uncle, how did you know I like to play soccer?"
"Your mom told , she and I are good friends."
Carrying Anan, Doug continued to walk away, while Shen Qinglan headed in another direction, towards where Ya Xi was, as Doug had just told her.
Ya Xi was pruning branches, and from Shen Qinglan’s angle, she could only see her profile. Ya Xi seed thinner than she had been two years ago, her facial contours clearer than before. She was focused on her task, completely unaware of anyone approaching.
Shen Qinglan had only told Doug about her visit today and had instructed him not to tell Ya Xi, so Ya Xi was unaware of Shen Qinglan’s arrival.
Noticing soone approaching, Ya Xi turned and saw Shen Qinglan just a ter away, disbelief flashing across her face, "Sister."
Shen Qinglan smiled softly, "It’s . Surprised to see ?"
Ya Xi set the scissors aside and slowly walked toward Shen Qinglan, intending to embrace her, but then, seeming to reconsider, she let her hands drop. Shen Qinglan’s eyes flickered as she took the initiative to hug her. Feeling Ya Xi’s body stiffen for an instant, Shen Qinglan sighed softly and softened her voice, "Ya Xi, have you been well these past two years?"
A faint sourness touched Ya Xi’s nose, and her dropped hands slowly moved to Shen Qinglan’s back, "I’m fine."
Shen Qinglan could clearly see that she wasn’t fine; if she were, she wouldn’t look like this now.
She released Ya Xi and scrutinized her sympathetically, "You’ve lost a lot of weight. Has Doug been mistreating you?"
The corners of Ya Xi’s mouth lifted slightly, forming a shallow curve, "No, he’s been very good to ."
Shen Qinglan led Ya Xi to sit down. The housekeeper served them tea and pastries, "Sister, what brings you here this ti? I didn’t hear anything about it before."
"I ca here for so business and thought I’d check on you while I’m here. Anan ca with this ti," Shen Qinglan said warmly.
Ya Xi cast her gaze downward slightly, "I’m fine, Sister. You don’t need to worry about ."
How well Ya Xi was doing was sothing Shen Qinglan understood well. The virus that nearly claid their lives two years ago had snapped Ya Xi back to reality, but it had also induced a severe case of depression. Doug stayed by her side constantly, a lengthy process of dication and care ensued, and it was over a year before Ya Xi’s condition slowly improved. During this ti, Ya Xi attempted suicide several tis, but Doug always found her in ti. Eventually, pushed to his limits, Doug repeatedly took risks to save her, even contracting the virus himself and nearly dying. He had told Ya Xi these things, which Shen Qinglan had originally intended to keep from her to avoid adding to her ntal burden.
Ya Xi wept bitterly after hearing everything, but from then on, she no longer contemplated suicide and began to collaboratively engage in Doug’s treatnt.
"Xiao Xi, do you like living in Xueli City?"
Ya Xi nodded, "It’s very nice here, quiet, and undisturbed. I really like it here. Sister, you just ntioned that Anan ca, too. Where is he?"
"He’s with Doug, touring the estate. He’s very curious about this place," Shen Qinglan said lightly, her tone gentle and calming.
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