Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Qi Lei got up and took a glance at Xi Xiaye with a gaze that looked so gentle yet complicated.
Although Qi Lei and Xi Xiaye shared similar experiences, Xi Xiaye might not be able to connect with his true self. Even though he appeared cheeky all the time, he kept a lot of secrets to himself.
Xi Xiaye never really thought about that. She did not want to find out too much about him due to some other reasons as well, but there was also the relationship between Qi Lei, Mu Yuchen, and her, so...
Qi Lei chuckled when he noticed the complicated glance Xi Xiaye shot him. "I've told you about it before, and I'm sure you understand it as well. Speaking up about it can make you feel better at times, so take responsibility for your feelings. You don't have to feel pressured. We're still good friends. Mu Yuchen is a great man and you deserve him, but at times, I'll be here when you need me."
He seemed different than before, and his eyes seemed genuine.
"Some relationships aren't meant to be possessed but to be treated as faith. I want to live my life in peace. I want to find someone to live this life with, just like Mu Yuchen and you. I thought I'd be able to live however I want if I don't care too much, but...I started feeling like this ever since I met you. Sadly, the person you chose wasn't me, and you're not the right person for me as well."
"I'm just a normal woman. I'm not as good as you think. I—"
"It doesn't matter if you think you're good or not. It's enough as long as the other person thinks that you are," Qi Lei interrupted Xi Xiaye before she could end her sentence, "Xiaye, sometimes I truly hope that we could've met each other earlier. Mu Yuchen was just a little faster, so he won the jackpot."
"Everyone has a dark side they don't want to show anyone. He might not be the real winner in life. You might not understand what burden he has to bear on his back. Qi Lei, you'll be able to find a genuine relationship, so don't reject it when it comes to you. Happiness requires you to discover new things on your own."
She took a deep breath as she got up.
Qi Lei froze for a moment before nodding. "I suppose he has to be tougher than me. Though I don't want to admit it, he's a better person than I am."
"You're great too. Listen to me. After things settle down..."
"I know, I will! Goodbye—"
Qi Lei went to open the door when he suddenly saw a figure blocking his way just as he was going to head out. He then noticed Mu Yuchen casually standing by the door with a relaxed expression on his face.
Qi Lei was dumbfounded to see Mu Yuchen right there as he stared at him blankly.
Mu Yuchen gave him a meaningful glance and spoke up moments later, "Second Master Qi, aren't you always very generous towards women? Have you given my wife some houses or maybe even cars?"
Stunned, Qi Lei's face turned beet red instantly. He took a quick glance at Mu Yuchen and decided to escape right away. "I didn't say anything. I told her that because I want you to know that the person I like is your...ah—"
Mu Yuchen kicked him before he could finish his sentence. Qi Lei groaned in pain and swiftly fled without even looking back.
"You little...! It's no wonder you've never gotten a girlfriend," Mu Yuchen mumbled as he looked at Qi Lei running away from him.
Xi Xiaye was surprised to see the man outside her office door. She seemed a little embarrassed knowing that he had overheard their conversation. Then, she squinted at him and asked, "Why are you here?"
"Can't I be here? Otherwise, I would've missed that passionate confession. Aren't you happy that you're still popular in the market?" Mu Yuchen looked at her with those deep-set eyes of his.
Xi Xiaye's face turned red as she took a peek outside and felt relieved when there was no one around. She quickly dragged him inside and closed the door.
"It's not a big deal, is it? It's not like it's your first day knowing what he was thinking. We're innocent. Don't overthink in your head...mmm—"
Before Xi Xiaye could explain herself, he grabbed her into his arms and his lips met with hers...
She was stunned for a moment, then she embraced him.
Mu Yuchen stopped after a while and took a deep breath as he put an arm on the wall behind her. "Seems like you enjoy hearing those words, huh?"
"What—" She glanced at him as she wrapped her arms around his waist. "I'd be much happier if you said them to me instead. I've never heard any confession from you although we've been married for so long."
"I did when we just got married and during our wedding," he looked at her and said.
"I don't feel any jealousy from you right now. Isn't it normal for a man to feel jealous in a situation like this? Don't you find me attractive anymore?" Xi Xiaye frowned.
"Nonsense! Do you think Qi Lei would still fall for you if you weren't attractive? Fortunately, he's smart enough to know that he's no match for me, so I'm at ease now. Only people with no confidence would feel jealous, and we already have a son together, so you can't go anywhere."
He chuckled as he acted confidently.
Xi Xiaye seemed slightly defeated. "I realize I'm not as popular anymore ever since we got together. I was one of the most popular ones in Glory World back then..."
Xi Xiaye pushed him back, but he grabbed her even tighter and looked at her with a sharp glance.
"Glory World's beauty, huh? You're already a mother to two sons now. That shouldn't be what you're thinking about. I doubt there'd be any fool who'd try to steal you away from me. I suppose they wouldn't dare to even if they wanted to, or else, I'll make sure they suffer..."
He tightened his grip on her waist.
"You...How can you be like this?"
"Why not? I'm not a good person anyway."
He lowered his head and caught another taste of her lips again. Moments later, he returned to his usual self and walked towards her work desk. Then, he sat down on the chair and flipped through some documents. "Where's our son?"
Xi Xiaye straightened her outfit and pursed her lips before walking over. "I got Aunt Fang to get him something to eat. Why did you come here anyway?"
Mu Yuchen grabbed her hand and she sat down on his lap as she gave him a confused look. "I came to take a look."
Mu Yuchen took a deep breath, still feeling pretty gloomy over what happened with Gu Qiwu that morning. "Have you seen the document from Vice President Zhang Lan?"
"I'm almost done with it. I don't really have any problems..."
Xi Xiaye noticed Mu Yuchen's phone on the table ringing. She took a glance and saw that it was Li Si calling.
"It's me." Mu Yuchen picked up the call.
"Master, I just got a call from the hospital saying that Doris forced them to discharge her, and her lawyer has already lodged a divorce case with the court." Li Si's voice came through.
Mu Yuchen's eyes darkened. "Just keep an eye on her."
He hung up on the call as he had a cold grin. "It seems like there's no way for Doris and Gu Qiwu to resolve this. By the way, I suppose you heard what Qi Lei said just now. Qi Qiming is probably letting Qi Feng take over Qi Kai soon. As for Qi Lei..."
"Qi Qiming hasn't been doing well ever since Wang Qin left. He's invested a lot of resources into Qi Feng. Even if he's treating Qi Lei slightly more decently now, I doubt he'll change his initial decision. Sometimes, I find that Qi Lei really had it tough. For Qi Feng...I just hope..." Xi Xiaye still had no idea what was on Qi Feng's mind.
Knock!
Before Xi Xiaye completed her train of thought, there was a knock on the door, and it opened from the outside before Xi Xiaye could go and answer it.
"CEO Xi, there are some flowers for you, and this—Chairman Mu!"
Xiao Mei came in with a big bouquet of flowers.
Xi Xiaye got down from Mu Yuchen's lap, her face slightly pink.
Xiao Mei lowered her head out of awkwardness and started to regret her tactless behavior.
"Be careful!" Mu Yuchen quickly held her hand, worried that she might trip.
Xi Xiaye took a deep breath before looking at Xiao Mei who was holding a big bouquet of lilies, as well as a large, black umbrella. She thought the umbrella was familiar, but she was not sure where she had seen it before.
"Who sent this?" Xi Xiaye asked.
Xiao Mei came over with the bouquet of flowers. "I have no idea. Someone from the florist delivered it. There was a message for you too, saying that Mr. Qi thanks you for the umbrella!"
Umbrella?
Xi Xiaye frowned as she took the flowers from Xiao Mei. She soon found a small card inside the bouquet with just a single line of message on it: Thank you for your umbrella. Weiwei really liked it and didn't want to return it, so I got you a new one.
Qi Feng's signature was at the bottom.
Xi Xiaye then remembered bumping into the two of them on a rainy day, and she handed her umbrella to Qi Weier.
However, what was Qi Feng's intentions of doing this?
"How thoughtful of him." Mu Yuchen snatched the bouquet away from Xi Xiaye and threw it forward, so Xiao Mei quickly grabbed it. "It's yours now. You can keep the umbrella too. Leave us alone for now."
Xiao Mei was a little startled and she quickly turned towards Xi Xiaye.
"Besides, reject any flowers in the future as long as it's not from me. It's up to you how you want to deal with them." His tone was dominating, and Xiao Mei felt pressured just being there at that moment.
Xi Xiaye pursed her lips before nodding lightly at Xiao Mei.
"Yes, Chairman Mu!"
She then quickly left the room!
He took the card away from Xi Xiaye and squinted at it. In the next moment, it got dumped into the bin.
"Mr. Mu..."
Xi Xiaye gave him an uneasy look. While he did not seem angry about what happened with Qi Lei just now, Qi Feng's act really riled him up.
"Does he frequently give you flowers?" Mu Yuchen asked quietly.
Xi Xiaye shook her head. "Not at all. Just that time I told you about last time, and this time. I wonder what he's up to."
"Is he picking a fight with me?"
Before Xi Xiaye could say anything, he pressed the intercom button on the table. "Come in."
Xiao Mei came inside the room moments later.
"Chairman Mu, CEO Xi..." Xiao Mei could still feel the pressure in the room.
"Go and prepare a white chrysanthemum or gladioli and send them to First Master Qi. Tell him it's a token of gratitude from CEO Xi and wish him a speedy recovery."
"Yes, Chairman Mu!"
Xi Xiaye was stunned for a moment, but she came back to her senses moments later. "Just what is Qi Feng thinking? Trying to mess with our life?"
"He's playing Taichi with me right now, trying to gauge my bottom line. Just ignore this. Does he really think everyone is like Gu Lingsha?" Mu Yuchen seemed disgusted.
"Is he trying to find a chance with me?" Xi Xiaye somehow caught onto what Mu Yuchen meant.
Inside Qi Feng's office in Qi Kai Corporation, Professor Terl packed up his equipment with a smile and spoke to Qi Feng with his not-so-fluent Mandarin.
"Mr. Qi, according to your condition, if you can even feel a little bit of numbness, that means you have a very high chance of recovery. I've checked and noticed not all the nerves on your legs are dead since you've been doing massages all these years as well, and there are no signs of withering, so I'm confident that you'll recover."
"That's great news, Dr. Terl. If you can heal our Master's legs, we'll reward you handsomely. Please do your best and help him stand again!" Morrison seemed worked up.
Qi Feng smiled as well as he spoke to Professor Terl humbly, "I'm relieved to hear those words from you. Let me know if you need anything from me. I'll do whatever in my power to aid you to heal my legs."
Professor Terl smiled. "I'll do my best. If you cooperate with my therapy, I'm sure your wish will come true soon. Alright, it's time for me to go back now. Just follow my instructions."
Morrison sent him out.
"First Master, I think you'll be able to stand. How exciting!" Morrison was overjoyed after he sent Professor Terl out.
Qi Feng smiled while he lowered his head and looked at his legs with a smile. "After six years, I never thought I'd be hopeful again. God's blessings are with me."
Rat-tat!
There was a knock on the door. Gu Lingsha opened the door and came in before he could reply.
"Missus!" Morrison greeted her.
Gu Lingsha smiled and left some documents on Qi Feng's table. "These documents need your perusal. Take a look."
Qi Feng flipped through them as Morrison left the room quietly.
"The progress of South River Project No. 2? Looks like it's going smoothly. Xi Xinyi seems capable. I'm surprised the promotion is doing so well." Qi Feng was generous with his compliments.
"Xi Xinyi is Yue Hai's subordinate. She'll have to be up to standards under his wing. However, I have to say that she is indeed capable. I had a talk with her some time ago, and I definitely sensed hatred towards Mu Yuchen and Xi Xiaye in her tone. Ah Feng, we're in a passive position right now, and I notice that Uncle Qi has been meeting his private lawyer quite frequently lately. Do you think..."
Gu Lingsha looked at Qi Feng hesitantly.
"He sees Qi Lei differently now. He will definitely reward him one way or another even if I take over Qi Kai.
"But it feels like Lei has been curse. He's taken Mu Yuchen and Xi Xiaye's side. He was actually defending them. Plus, I really have no idea how to deal with my parents' issue now. My mother sent evidence to the court, and I'm sure the court summons will reach my father in the next few days. Don't you have any ideas?" She stopped beside Qi Feng and looked at him with those sorrowful eyes of hers.
"What other methods do you think can solve their problems? You should know your parents better than anyone else."
Qi Feng's eyes darkened when Gu Qiwu and Doris were mentioned and his tone sounded cold as well. "Moreover, it's not like we can get involved in their matter."
"Then, what should I do? Just watch them make this mess and actually get divorced? How many people do you think are watching this? Should I let Mu Yuchen and the others just laugh at us?"
"Alright, Shasha, let me think about it. The issue is to deal with Mother right now. Father won't stop if she doesn't let up. Instead of talking to me, you might as well try to convince your mother."
"Ah Feng, do these matters really tire you out? You've been watching this whole thing like an outsider. There are no benefits to us at all if my parents actually get divorced! If Father officially takes Mu Lingshi back...I know my father too well. He hasn't been really happy with me lately. He actually got his subordinates to do a DNA test between me and him in secret."
Gu Lingsha was worried. She somehow found out about Gu Qiwu's task for Ah Yong.
"Mother's actions are indeed surprising. Fortunately, the information is still suppressed. It's not really a big deal if Father keeps quiet about it. The evidence is long gone now, so I'm sure he won't want to stir it up."
"But Father and Mother are really against each other right now. She's determined to get a divorce, and it seems like she'll be getting a portion of the Hui Gu Corporation shares, but Father doesn't want to give her anything. If things get to a stage whereby it's too late, I really don't know who I should side with. Mother forced herself to be discharged from the hospital this morning, and she warned me to pick a side. Just what does she mean by that?"
"If we're forced to make a choice, we can only stand on your mother's side. I'm sure you know the reason why." Qi Feng's tone was firm.
Gu Lingsha's expression froze for a moment. "Father didn't seem like he was going to take Mu Lingshi in, or else, he wouldn't have waited for so long. I met Father in the hospital earlier today. She is in great conflict with Father. It's not something that can be solved in an instant—"
Rat-tat.
A knock interrupted Gu Lingsha.
"Come in," Qi Feng answered.
Morrison came in followed by a young man with a bouquet of white chrysanthemums in his hands.
"First Master, this guy is looking for you!"
"Hi, are you Mr. Qi Feng?" the young man asked with a smile.
Qi Feng raised his eyebrows before nodding. "That's me."
The man smiled. "Greetings Mr. Qi Feng, I'm from Smile Florist. CEO Xi from Fuhua sent you some flowers. Please sign here." He then handed the bouquet to Qi Feng.
CEO Xi of Fuhua? Xi Xiaye?
Her name appeared in Qi Feng's head.
However, his expression darkened instantly when he saw the flowers...