Waking up the next morning, Feng Manlun was perfectly fine. Shen Qi, on the other hand, had slept quite soundly on the sofa. She must have been truly exhausted during the day, because the moment her head hit the pillow, she was out cold.
When Shen Qi opened her eyes, the sun was already high in the sky. She sat up with a start, finally remembering what she had been up to the night before. Just as she got to her feet, she saw Feng Manlun walking in from outside, already dressed neatly.
Shen Qi felt a bit embarrassed and ruffled her messy hair. "Sorry about that, I fell into a deep sleep last night."
Feng Manlun’s eyes darkened slightly. "It’s fine. I rested well enough last night, so no trouble for you."
"If you’re okay, I’ll head back today," Shen Qi said.
"Wait." Feng Manlun suddenly called out to her. He flicked his fingers, and someone behind him stepped forward, holding a box.
Shen Qi looked at Feng Manlun in surprise, her eyes filled with confusion and uncertainty.
"This is a thank-you gift for you. If you hadn’t brought me back last night, I’d probably be in the hospital again." Feng Manlun’s eyes held a smile. "Yesterday at the teacher’s place, I noticed you liked Master Zhu Guangqian. Coincidentally, I have some of his works in my collection. I’m giving them to you."
Shen Qi’s mouth fell open. This gift—she couldn’t refuse it! Anyone who studies aesthetics knows Zhu Guangqian. Everyone knows the great achievements of Master Zhu Guangqian. Shen Qi truly couldn’t turn down such a gift!
The servant handed the box to Shen Qi. Her gaze fell on it, and she thanked Feng Manlun sincerely. "I’m so grateful! I don’t know what to say. Honestly, I didn’t do that much."
"Enough, take it. If I say it’s worth it, then it is." Feng Manlun smiled gracefully. "Breakfast is ready. Shall we eat together?"
Shen Qi bit her lip and finally accepted the box, her delighted expression as she held it close pleasing Feng Manlun.
After breakfast, Shen Qi drove back to Jinghua Manor. As soon as she entered, she saw He Yining sitting there quietly, completely still.
Thinking about the call she hadn’t finished last night, Shen Qi felt a pang of guilt.
"Yining…" Shen Qi started, but before she could continue, He Yining suddenly rushed over and pulled her into his arms, pressing her cheek firmly against his chest.
Listening to the pounding of He Yining’s heart, Shen Qi was stunned. What… was going on?
He Yining held her so tightly she could barely breathe.
"He Yining?" Shen Qi ventured cautiously. "Sorry, my phone got wet yesterday, so I…"
"Shh." He buried his face in her hair, greedily inhaling her scent. "Don’t talk."
Shen Qi was even more at a loss.
They stood like that for a long, long time. When Shen Qi’s strength was nearly giving out, He Yining finally let her go. His slender fingers brushed her cheek, his phoenix eyes faintly red. "Little one, have you ever been to the southwestern jungle before?"
Shen Qi blinked in confusion. "Yeah, when I was very young. After my dad passed away, I came to H Province."
He Yining’s heartbeat quickened. "Do you remember saving someone when you were little?"
A flicker of doubt crossed Shen Qi’s eyes. "How do you know?"
He Yining’s eyes suddenly reddened, a mist clouding his pupils. "Did you cover him in band-aids?"
Shen Qi was even more astonished. "Huh? How do you know about that?"
"And then? What happened after?" He Yining’s voice trembled with emotion as his fingers greedily traced her lips.
She was his little angel! And he had almost… missed her!
"After that? I promised to tell that little brother who I was, but… after we parted, my stepmother remarried, and my brother and I were taken away. I still owe him an explanation." Shen Qi answered matter-of-factly. "It’s been eighteen years now. I don’t know where he is. Maybe we’re worlds apart. How do you know all this?"
"Why didn’t you go back to find him?" He Yining’s phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, a radiant light flickering within.
"How could I? I was at the villa with my dad on vacation back then. After my stepmother remarried, the villa was sold." Shen Qi replied, puzzled. "And it’s thousands of miles from H Province. How could I go back? Seriously, how do you know all this?"
"Nothing." He Yining gently tousled her hair. "Xiao Qi…"
"Hmm?" Shen Qi looked bewildered.
"I promise you, I’ll treat you well for the rest of my life." He Yining said solemnly. "I’ll protect you in your father’s place!"
Shen Qi was completely lost, scratching her ear. "Huh?"
"What are you talking about, He Yining? Did you not sleep all night?" She noticed he was still in yesterday’s clothes, hadn’t even gone to the bedroom.
"I was waiting for you to come home and sleep with me." He Yining replied matter-of-factly.
Shen Qi was dumbfounded. "Huh?"
"Now that you mention it, I am a bit sleepy. Come on, let’s go rest." With that, He Yining contentedly grabbed her hand and headed upstairs.
Shen Qi nervously watched his tall, elegant back, her mind churning with doubts. For some reason, she felt He Yining was off. Very off! He seemed overly enthusiastic! She hadn’t come home last night, and instead of being angry, he was happy? What was that about?
Could it be that he didn’t care about her at all? But if he didn’t care, why would he say he’d protect her in her father’s place? It didn’t make sense logically.
Seeing him so cheerful, asking now probably wouldn’t yield anything. Oh well, she’d ask when the time was right. At least she wasn’t getting scolded—that was a good thing.
He Yining dragged Shen Qi back to the room and fell asleep holding her. Shen Qi’s eyes were wide open—she wasn’t tired at all. She turned her head to look at him. He really was beautiful when he slept.
Just then, He Yining’s phone buzzed with a message. Even without unlocking it, Shen Qi could see the content.
"Yining gege, I’ve talked to my dad. He said you can come see him anytime. When are we going to my place? I’m so shy~"
Shen Qi’s whole body stiffened. What? He Yining was going to meet Lin Xi’s parents? How could…
If He Yining was going to meet Lin Xi’s family, then what was she? Was he just fulfilling his husbandly duty to take care of her while giving his love to Lin Xi? He Yining, is that fair to me?
I really shouldn’t have hoped for love, should I? How could I deserve your love? You’re the lofty emperor. I’m the lowly mortal. You helped send my brother to Germany for treatment—I should be grateful for that. How could I dare to yearn for your love?
I was wrong. I was too greedy.
Shen Qi closed her eyes gently, carefully moved He Yining’s arm away, and slowly got out of bed. She glanced back at his sleeping face, her eyelids drooping. He was so close, yet so far.
She turned and left the room, stepping outside. The butler saw her and immediately stopped to bow.
"Second Young Madam, any orders?" the butler asked respectfully.
Shen Qi shook her head. "No, I’m just taking a walk. He Yining is still asleep—don’t disturb him."
"Yes." The butler quietly withdrew.
Shen Qi strolled slowly along the paths of Jinghua Manor. The maids and workers she passed paused their tasks to greet her. She tightened her jacket and nodded in response.
The road was shaded by trees, and the morning breeze was refreshing. Yet Shen Qi felt her heart sinking like a stone.
After about ten minutes, a BMW slowly approached from a distance. Shen Qi stopped.
Jinghua Manor was in a remote area, so few people came by—and when they did, it was usually for the manor itself. Who was it this time?
She waited, and the BMW came to a halt right in front of her. The window rolled down, revealing Lin Xi’s face.
"It’s you." Shen Qi looked at her helplessly. "What do you want now?"
If it weren’t for her yesterday, she wouldn’t have been so miserable. She wouldn’t have ruined her phone, leaving it unable to receive or make calls.
"It’s me. What I want depends on you." Lin Xi opened the door and got out, looking down at Shen Qi. "It seems you haven’t learned your lesson, old lady. You’re still here today."
Shen Qi stared at her, speechless.
"Oh, let me tell you something." Lin Xi smoothed her clothes smugly, even though there were no wrinkles, and looked at Shen Qi triumphantly. "Yining gege has agreed to go home with me to meet my parents. You know what that means, don’t you?"
Shen Qi’s heart ached sharply, her face paling.
"Yining gege will divorce you soon! Shen Qi, I warned you. I gave you a chance to leave! But you didn’t listen, and now you’ll be kicked out in the most humiliating way! Hahahaha…" Lin Xi covered her mouth, laughing so hard she shook. "Guess what gift Yining gege will bring when he comes to my house? Oh, I heard that when the goddess married Yining gege, she didn’t even get a diamond ring! Ah hehehehe…"
Shen Qi’s face turned pale and flushed. She had nothing to say.
When she married He Yining, she had mistakenly thought her husband was He Yiqi. She really didn’t have a wedding ring. Even the wedding ceremony—she had walked through it alone. Where was the ring exchange?
"See this ring on my finger? Isn’t it pretty?" Lin Xi flaunted her hand in front of Shen Qi. Her meticulously manicured nails sparkled in the sunlight. The ruby ring on her left middle finger gleamed like blood.
Shen Qi looked away. "Congratulations, then."