Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
However, when he heard Shen Wenna say this, Mu Yuchen's heart sank. He silently watched Shen Wenna for a while, then slowly sighed and nodded gently.
He suddenly seemed to understand something, like why Xi Xiaye always hid such a strength that made him want to dote on her. Maybe it was influenced by this maternal figure before him that looked cold and indifferent. It was an accumulative effect over a long period of time. With this imperceptible influence, such a manner had seeped through into their bones.
Now that he thought about it, Xi Xiaye had once said that even if Shen Wenna divorced Xi Mushan in such a situation, Shen Wenna had never taught her to resent the Xi family. She had never infected others with her displeasure or made others unhappy with her because of her unfortunate encounters.
Shen Wenna served as a model to others. Undoubtedly, she was extremely understanding, and a very wise and kind-hearted mother.
Mu Yuchen suddenly felt lucky. For Xiaye to have a mother like her, he suddenly understood why she had been burying Shen Wenna's love deep in her heart.
After a while, the doctor was called over. Outside the ward, Mu Yuchen immediately got to know better about the situation from the doctor.
"Chairman Mu, Madam Shen's condition doesn't seem very optimistic. Earlier, we just did a checkup on her. The blood clot in her head is huge. It's already suppressing the visual nerve. This is the most direct cause of her loss of sight because the blood clot is positioned at a key position of the skull where the nerves are densest, so even if we want to do a surgery to take the blood clot out, it'll be exceptionally difficult and very risky."
As the doctor went on, he could not help but lament again, "We've even especially researched it earlier. Everyone suggests keeping her in recovery for now. Let's see if medication and injections can make the blood clot dissolve. Chairman Mu, you don't have to be too worried. We'll do our best. Previously, we've had past cases of natural recovery. Even though the blood clot in Madam Shen's head is quite large, if she can maintain a positive mood and cooperate with the healing process, there could be a possibility of recovery!"
After the doctor finished, Mu Yuchen's expression darkened slightly. There was a touch of concern between his brows. He thought for a moment, then said, "Are there any other ways?"
"We're currently still researching a recovery plan for Madam Shen. We'll discuss the best concrete plan. Please rest assured, Chairman Mu!"
"We are willing, at all costs, to let her see light again. As for how it'll be done, make the arrangements and we will cooperate," said Mu Yuchen before returning to the ward.
At this moment, inside the ward, the atmosphere was stiff. Xi Mushan sat by Shen Wenna's bedside while Shen Wenna turned with her back facing him.
Xi Mushan's steadfast face showed prominent loneliness and bleakness, making Mu Yuchen feel sad.
He did not have any rights to criticize Xi Mushan because he had not understood the situation back then. Although he could see that he really loved Shen Wenna, perhaps back then, it might not have been a sincere union with Yue Lingsi.
Mu Yuchen did not like to dig up other people's past because he felt that some grudges should be left in the past and not be raised again. It might not be beneficial if the past that one still hung on to was usually the fuse that continued the sorrow.
Just like him, he did not want to ask Xiaye about her past because he hoped that Xiaye and he could belong to each other now and in the future from the moment they signed up for marriage.
Such a way of thinking was undoubtedly a sensible one. The logic behind it was understandable, but to actually obey it was not easy. In fact, it might even be tough.
He sighed to himself and studied the lonely and dispirited Xi Mushan. Then, he stopped in his steps.
When he heard the sound of footsteps, Xi Mushan looked up at the door and saw Mu Yuchen nodding to him from the door, indicating for him to come out. He thought about it before he got up too.
However, he did not forget to fix Shen Wenna's blanket for her.
In front of the glass window outside the corridor of the ward, Mu Yuchen stood indifferently. He gazed at the sky outside and the floating clouds left behind by the wind. His expression was calm.
Xi Mushan stopped beside him and followed Mu Yuchen's gaze to look out.
After a while, Xi Mushan suddenly said softly, "Sometimes, life is like these clouds. It's ups and downs cannot be predicted. We don't know where it'll be blown to by the wind, and we don't know when it'll scatter.
"But there'll be a time when the clouds gather again. When they've settled, they'll turn to rain and turn to water when it reaches the ground. The sunlight will continue to shine, and soon it'll become a cloud in the sky again. Father, you seem a little pessimistic unlike Xiaye..." continued Mu Yuchen as he suddenly swiveled around. His exceptionally handsome face bloomed with faint gentleness.
When he heard this, Xi Mushan turned his head and suddenly smiled. There was some sadness in his smile. "They are both stronger than me. I'm not as good as them."
"Father, you don't have to pessimistic. Life is like that. In order to get some things, we have to lose some things. I don't what happened between you, Mother and Yue Lingsi, but I know that as a man, doing your best to protect your woman is an incumbent duty," Mu Yuchen said softly.
"Xiaye wishes for you and Mother to reunite again. I think that she has long forgiven you in her heart. Mother has been alone all these years. I don't know how she managed to stay strong all these while, but I think that what's supporting her conviction must be you or Xiaye."
When he heard Mu Yuchen, Xi Mushan was startled. As he looked at Mu Yuchen, his eyes were momentarily bewildered. He struggled for a long while, then forced himself to gather his thoughts again.
"It's all my fault. I didn't protect them well, but they've been using their own ways to be tolerant and understanding. I owe them too much," Xi Mushan sighed disappointedly.
Mu Yuchen just shook his head. "Maybe they have never expected your protection or care. Besides, it's not about who's born to protect who. If you're willing to protect her, that's on you, but she should also know that she needs to know how to protect themselves more."
Mu Yuchen was clear in his meaning.
The reason why he had hoped for Xi Xiaye to be firmer, swifter and more decisive was that he hoped that she could truly protect herself. That would be the most effective way of protecting someone.
"As for the so-called falling short in protecting them, maybe that's just about willingness. Whether you are their husband or father, they'll still be people who are sensitive and value relationships. You should know this well yourself," said Mu Yuchen as he suddenly peered up at Xi Mushan. His eyes flickered with a light that seemed quite profound.
As he heard Mu Yuchen say this, Xi Mushan's gloomy expression suddenly turned odd. The light in his eyes had turned from being dazed to shadowy.
"Many times, when some things happen, we won't be able to return to the past. As much as you try to make up for it, you won't be able to resolve those cracks. I think that I'm roughly like that right now," sighed Xi Mushan frustratedly. There was plain grief in his eyes as a cold light flickered in them. He looked exceptionally lonely.
"The two of them are pure-hearted and indifferent in nature. I remember that I once swore my eternal love to her, but who would have thought...? Usually, many things change original intentions, change hearts, yet things are very rarely changed by original intentions and hope. I think this should be the work of fate." His low voice was filled with an indescribable bitterness that sounded bleak to Mu Yuchen.
It was hard to imagine that the Mayor, who had always been all-powerful in the political world, could now be troubled by love too.
All things on Earth could not escape from 'love', and neither could she and him. They were all victims of love.
"Speaking of fate, humans always find themselves weak and small. Father, I think you're not someone like that. You've gone through the ups and downs in the world of bureaucracy for decades, so you understand these principles better than I do. If your heart isn't hard, you won't stand tall. We men shouldn't let fate be the excuse for our weakness," said Mu Yuchen after some thought.
"I know that the Xi family's relationships are a complete mess itself. If you want to handle everything well, I'm sure it won't be easy. No matter what, I just hope that you'll know some things can't wait. Mother's eyes..."
"I know. I'll take care of her for the rest of her life whether or not she can see. This is something I've been waiting to do. No one else wishes to stand by her side more than I do, Ah Chen."
Mu Yuchen nodded. "Father, I hope that you and Mother can last forever too. Xiaye hasn't been willing to give up, yet she hasn't dared to say anything. You two couldn't give her the courage, but you've got to give her some hope. It's exhausting for her to hold on all by herself. Even I... When I see her this way, I can't help but feel my heart ache. While she's your daughter, you and Mother love each other deeply. Shouldn't you do your best to cherish her and love her more dearly?"
Mu Yuchen felt unhappy about the injustice for that little woman. When they spoke about these things, Xiaye's bright, smiling face would flash in his mind. Every time they spoke about Shen Wenna and Xi Mushan, there would be a sorrow that colored the space between her brows.
Xi Mushan dimmed with sadness, suddenly he was speechless.
Mu Yuchen could only sigh after that. He did not continue. Instead, he just lifted his head slightly and looked out at the clouds that continued to float in the sky. His expression was as indifferent as the wind, yet in his eyes, there was a black vortex that one could not see through.
Some time passed before he averted his gaze and looked at Xi Mushan who was still deep in thought. Then, he suddenly walked towards the ward.
Inside the ward, Shen Wenna was holding a glass gently with both hands as she leaned quietly against the bedhead. When she heard the sound of footsteps, she called out softly, "Ah Chen?"
Mu Yuchen replied, "Mmm, it's me."
Then, he sat down by the side of the bed. "I've just spoken to the doctor earlier. They said that there's a possibility for your eyes to heal, so I hope that you can maintain a positive mood and cooperate with the doctor's treatments."
"I'm fine, even if I can't see, I can still listen with my ears. All of you don't have to worry. It will be the end of the month soon, and you two should be taking your wedding phot. I'm just a little sad that I won't be able to see them. The way Xiaye looks wearing a wedding dress... It must be much more beautiful than I can ever imagine..."
Shen Wenna's beautiful, pale face blossomed with a faint smile. Xi Mushan felt exceptional distress in his heart when he watched this scene from the door.
"You will see her in a wedding dress, Mother," Mu Yuchen consoled in his soft and sensitive voice. "Xiaye and I were planning on having a wedding abroad. Xiaye likes the South American fields, so we were planning to have our wedding there, and at the same time, have our honeymoon. When that happens, Father and you should come along too."
"You two newlyweds will be having your honeymoon. We shouldn't be disturbing you."
Shen Wenna lowered her head and took a sip of water, then she smiled. "Ah Chen, can you help me tell the school that I'm afraid I won't be able to supervise the children's thesis in my current state? It's going to be time for them to defend their dissertations soon. I've already finished reviewing the thesis they handed in and was about to return them. There were just some smaller issues that I'm afraid I won't be able to give them directions for."
Shen Wenna was still thinking of work matters. When she spoke about them, she forced a helpless smile. "I'm quite worried about them defending their dissertations. There'll surely be a lot of questions later on too. I'm worried that I'll delay them."
When Shen Wenna finished, Xi Mushan answered, "I've already called the school, Wenna. Rest well and focus on recovery. You don't have to worry about these things anymore."
When she heard Xi Mushan's voice, Shen Wenna reflexively frowned. Mu Yuchen turned to look at Xi Mushan and saw that he also looked incredibly exhausted. He hesitated momentarily, then said, "Father, you should go home to rest first. You've been up for so long."
"I'm fine..."
"Go home. Don't give others have reason to gossip," chided Shen Wenna plainly as she lowered her head.
When he heard this, Xi Mushan stiffened. He thought about it, then nodded. "Okay then. I'll be leaving first. I'll come over again at night. Don't worry. I will help you handle all those matters. Na Na, just let me worry for you from now on."
With these words, Xi Mushan left. When he turned around, he looked gratefully at Mu Yuchen, who just nodded gently.
When she heard the door close, Shen Wenna subconsciously trembled a little and the glass of warm water in her hands was about to spill.
"Be careful, Mother." Mu Yuchen quickly reached out to steady her glass.
"I'm very sorry to have bothered you guys," Shen Wenna said apologetically.
"Mother, do you always have to be so courteous with us? Xiaye has always loved you very much. I think you should be able to feel it too. She's very protective of you, but..." Mu Yuchen probed and looked at Shen Wenna calmly.
Shen Wenna's expression instantly turned rigid and she sighed softly, "Xiaye is rather like me. I know... I know that... All these years, she has suffered a lot. Not only could I not help her, but I even held her back. She's my daughter. I know what she's thinking."
Then, Shen Wenna suddenly remembered the conversation they had in the study room that one time during University A's Peach Blossom Festival.
It seemed that Xi Xiaye had never given up on her and Xi Mushan. Otherwise, she would not have obediently helped Xi Mushan deliver the items to Shen Wenna.
Maybe this was the bond between them. No matter what, how could she ignore what was inside her?
Mu Yuchen's heart sank and his eyes darkened when he saw Shen Wenna's condition. "She's really silly, so... I hope... she can stop getting hurt. She's always been protecting something all these years, but who actually cared about her? Mother, you're a smart and strong woman. I believe I don't have to say the rest."
Mu Yuchen raised his head and looked into Shen Wenna's empty eyes that seemed to hold hope in them. "She told me she was envious of her lecturers abroad. They were a married couple and treated her very well. The two of them learned from each other and understood each other. She wished that for you and Father because you both live in each other's hearts, yet both of you are suffering from loneliness."
Mu Yuchen's words made Shen Wenna turned rigid and her pale lips trembled a little. She wanted to say something but nothing came out in the end.
Mu Yuchen did not continue. He decided to not bother her any longer when he saw her hesitant expression. "Love might not be as complicated as we think. It might just be an understanding or a generous thought. It depends on whether you can overcome the barrier within you. Possess what you like. Otherwise, you're the one that's going to be trapped, no one else."
The room became silent for a long while. Afterward, Mu Yuchen helped Shen Wenna lie down to rest before he left the room quietly.
"Master, is Teacher Shen alright?" Li Si went up to Mu Yuchen as he left the room, appearing concerned.
Mu Yuchen glanced at him before sitting down on a bench. After a moment of hesitation, he said, "Things don't seem very well. We need to wait for the results of the doctors' discussion."
Li Si sighed, his tone heavy. "It feels like Teacher Shen and Missus both have gone through many hardships in their lives. It's so rare for them to enjoy peaceful days. It's said that people should be forgiven, but those who are forgiven sometimes don't appreciate it, so it might not always be a good thing."
Li Si had been with Mu Yuchen for the past few days, so he had some idea about what was happening to Xi Xiaye. He shared his thoughts on recent events.
"Master, I just spoke to Ah Mo. He said there seems to be an argument whereby Yue Lingsi and Xi Xinyi started a conflict. If not for that, Teacher Shen wouldn't have fought back. Ms. Su Nan tried to help Teacher Shen, but Yue Lingsi was trying to harm Ms. Su Nan, so Teacher Shen shielded her. Unfortunately, she stepped on the slippery floor and bumped into Yue Lingsi. After that, she fell down the staircase," Li Si explained the situation to Mu Yuchen.
Mu Yuchen's expression hardened. "How have things between Xi Xinyi and Han Yifeng been lately? I thought the situation got pretty strained with the Han family."
"Now that you mention it, I felt odd as well. Considering what they had done in the past, they wouldn't just not do anything when Han Yifeng is ignoring them. Some time ago, Yue Lingsi's brother went to Mayor Xi and had a fight with him about not helping Xi Xinyi. I also heard that Han Yifeng handed Xi Xinyi a divorce contract, but I'm not sure what happened afterward."
Li Si frowned as he continued, "Now that Xi Xinyi isn't bothered by Han Yifeng's matter anymore, she's up to take over Yueying. She's been pretty busy working for Yueying lately as well. I feel that something isn't right. Are they trying to do something?"
"Master, Xi Xinyi really has a lot of tricks up her sleeve. Do we want to keep her monitored in secret?"
Mu Yuchen pinched between his eyebrows and took a pause. "Just keep an eye on her. I told you to investigate Yue Lingsi in secret before. Gather the information and report to me tonight. Then, investigate what happened more than twenty years ago. Be quick about this and get me the results as soon as possible. Don't let Missus or anyone else know. Send it to me as soon as you get the results."
"Master, Yue Lingsi and Mayor Xi, and Teacher Shen..."
It happened so many years ago. Rumor had it that Mayor Xi betrayed Teacher Shen and that was the reason their marriage fell apart. Soon after their divorce, Xi Mushan married Yue Lingsi.
Mu Yuchen had told Li Si to investigate Yue Lingsi after he met Xi Jiyang last time. He must be trying to find out who she really was in order to get ahold of her weakness.
Mu Yuchen did not reply and just glanced at Li Si without saying anything after that.
"Master, what about Yueying then? Do we proceed as planned? After Xi Xinyi took over Yueying, she started to gather the power from both the Han Corporation and Qi Kai."
"It's not time yet. We don't have a solid foundation. They wouldn't dare to try anything. After we've confirmed the development of Movie City, Glory World will have a real company in the showbiz industry. That's why Vice President Liu is working hard on that right now. Leave Yueying for now and just proceed as planned."
Li Si nodded. "Mmm, got it, Master!"
"By the way, Master, Elder CEO Shen doesn't know about Teacher Shen's condition right now. Teacher Shen said not to tell Elder CEO and Missus so as not to worry them, but now, I'm afraid we can't hide it for long. Do you want to... let him know?"
Mu Yuchen could not help but start worrying.
How could he forget about Shen Yue?
If he found out that Shen Wenna had lost her sight because of Yue Lingsi and Xi Xinyi, he would despise Xi Mushan even more. Back then when they had gathered at Maple Residence, he worked very hard to suppress his anger so that he would not cause a conflict with Xi Mushan and Xi Jiyang, yet now...
After some time, he took a deep breath and said, "Let me tell him then. Just do the work I've told you to. Hire a smart private nurse."
"Yes, Master! I'll do it now!" Li Si then turned around and left.
In the evening, the sunset shrouded the whole of City Z, casting a dreamy atmosphere on the city.
A black car drove towards Yueying Culture Media rather quickly.
Whoosh!
A loud screech came as a result of the sudden braking as the car stopped right in front of the entrance of Yueying. The guards were shocked and they advanced nearer as the door opened.
A woman with long hair wearing a black windbreaker and a pair of sunglasses walked out of the car.
"Director Xi!" The guards quickly greeted when they saw who it was.
Xi Xiaye closed the door as she held the car keys in her hands. She walked inside and asked coldly, "Is CEO Yue in?"
The guards nodded. "Yes, Director Xi, CEO Yue just came back not too long ago."
Xi Xiaye went straight in, leaving a gust of wind trail behind her. She took the elevator and went right up to the top floor. Working hours had just ended as she walked out of the elevator, and many employees breezed past her.
She rarely visited, so most people did not know about her. They were stunned when she walked out of the elevator with an icy cold aura around her.
Xi Xiaye walked forward swiftly.
Yue Lingsi's office was right ahead. The warm sun lit up the corridor and the cool wind breezed past the curtains. Beside her was the employees working area, but only several people remained at the moment.
Xi Xiaye took a pause as she stared coldly at Yue Lingsi who was speaking to someone in front of her office. She continued forward after a while as Yue Lingsi went back into her office.
There was a moment when she felt that this long walk through the corridor was extremely chilly. Even though the warm sun was right outside, it could not chase the anger and coldness inside her away.
Su Nan cried on the phone as she told her about what happened. A frigid aura shrouded Xi Xiaye after she heard her story.
The wrath inside her raged!
Shen Wenna had lost her sight!
As she had those thoughts in her mind, she could not control herself! She would go mad if she did not lash it out, so—
"You're—"
Xi Xiaye was stopped by Yue Lingsi's secretary the moment she arrived before her office. The secretary studied Xi Xiaye doubtfully. Although her little face was covered by the large sunglasses, the secretary felt this person was a little familiar.
"I'm here to look for Yue Lingsi," announced Xi Xiaye coldly before pushing the door to Yue Lingsi's office. The secretary then realized who Xi Xiaye was, so she kept quiet.
Bang!
Xi Xiaye slammed the door, the loud noise shocked Yue Lingsi who was on a phone call, she frowned and was about to start yelling as she turned around, she then saw the cold-looking Xi Xiaye.
"Xi Xiaye! It's you!"
Yue Lingsi was stunned when she saw Xi Xiaye's expression. Gripping onto her phone tightly, her whole body strained as she stared right at Xi Xiaye.
Xi Xiaye slowly took her sunglasses off and put them inside her pocket. She closed in slowly as Yue Lingsi backed away carefully until her back came into contact with the cold office desk.
"You little witch, what are you trying to do!?"
Yue Lingsi was suddenly terrified, but she forced herself to keep calm. She laughed coldly. "Look at you! Did Shen Wenna really die from that fall?"
"Haha, if that's the case, she really deserved it! She bumped into me herself. It's karma! Both of you should just die already after causing so much trouble! She totally deserved it— Ah! Ah!"
Before Yue Lingsi could finish her sentence, her collar was grabbed as furious fists pummeled her face!
Thud!
Thud!
Thud!
Consecutive violent punches landed on her as she screamed. However, Xi Xiaye had locked the door so that Yue Lingsi's secretary could not come in to help.
Furious, Xi Xiaye dragged Yue Lingsi by the hair to the desk. She could not move as Xi Xiaye attacked her. Yue Lingsi's face was already swollen and she was bleeding from the corner of her mouth.
Pig-like squeals filled the whole office.
"Xi Xiaye, you witch! How dare you hit me!? I'm not going to let you get away with this! Ah!"
"I gave you chances to back off and you gave them up. I'm not afraid of losing anything, and I'm not afraid of death as well. Are you not afraid too? You guys forced me to do this!"
"Witch! That old witch Shen Wenna gave birth to a useless daughter whose man got snatched away! You two are just inferior to me and my daughter! Shen Wenna should just die already!"
"She won't die before you!"
"Xi Xiaye, you just assaulted me. I'm suing you! Witch!"
"Sue me then. We'll settle everything in the past twenty years altogether. Let everyone see what kind of person the daughter of the Yue family is, the current Mayoress!"
After a while, Yue Lingsi's secretary saw Xi Xiaye put her sunglasses back on and tugged on her creased sleeves as she walked out of the office.
There was no more sound from inside the office. As she tried to stop Xi Xiaye, Xi Xiaye just brushed her arm off and left smugly.
"CEO Yue? CEO Yue? Where are you?"
The secretary quickly rushed in to look for Yue Lingsi. In the end, she found her in a terrible state under the desk.
Her beautiful face that had been done up in the morning had turned swollen. Her hair was messy and her former elegant self was nowhere to be seen!
As the secretary dragged her out, Yue Lingsi spit out some blood. There was some white stuff mixed with the blood!
The secretary was shocked to find two teeth lying on the cold floor in the tiny pool of blood.