This was Jiang Xiyu’s first time entering this bedroom converted from a storage room. The damp, moldy smell at the entrance nearly made her turn around and leave.
How could anyone possibly sleep in such a stench!
She pinched her nose and went in. When she reached the bedside, she extended a finger under Xiaotao’s nose to check for breath, relieved once she sensed her breathing.
If this person had died in her villa, she wouldn’t be able to keep living here.
"Let’s go out. Since she’s not waking up, let her keep sleeping."
The two of them held their noses as they closed the door and took a deep breath.
Neither of them expected Xiaotao to sleep for an entire day and night.
When Jiang Lingxi received a phone call from Shen Yunqing, she had just finished her work for the day and returned to the hotel to rest.
Seeing the caller ID, she got up from the sofa and went back to her bedroom.
She didn’t notice that behind her, Lu Zhengzheng and Xu Ling’an both glanced at her back and then at each other.
Lu Zhengzheng whispered, "An’an, want to make a bet? I bet this call is from Mr. Shen."
Xu Ling’an shook her head repeatedly, "I wouldn’t bet on that."
"Smart kids are hard to fool indeed." Lu Zhengzheng feigned a sigh, eyes full of amusement, "An’an, do you feel that Sister Xixi and Mr. Shen’s relationship is getting better and better?"
"Hasn’t it always been good?" Xu Ling’an recalled seeing her brother-in-law for the first time at the entrance to the Juvenile Detention Center. She was shocked to see her sister there, but she didn’t miss the look in her brother-in-law’s eyes as he gazed at her sister.
It was a gaze where the whole world was only this one person, with everyone else simply as extras.
The next time they met was at the film set. She couldn’t help but think more about Emperor Yuan Zhao and Prime Minister Shen’s historical relationship, likely influenced by witnessing how her sister and brother-in-law portrayed Emperor Yuan Zhao and Prime Minister Shen’s interactions on screen.
Each time she watched their scenes together, it felt like she was witnessing real history unfold.
"No way!" Lu Zhengzheng shook her head immediately in rebuttal, "Sister Xixi’s relationship with Mr. Shen has only gotten better in the past month or two. Before that, although they got the certificate, they were almost like strangers. Don’t believe me? Let me give you an example. I’m Sister Xixi’s assistant, and I’m with her almost twenty-four hours a day. It was only recently I found out she and Mr. Shen got their marriage certificate. Before that, I hadn’t even seen Mr. Shen in person, can you believe that!"
Xu Ling’an listened in with her mouth slightly agape, "How is that possible?"
Having witnessed the seamless rapport between her sister and brother-in-law, she couldn’t imagine how they could be cold towards each other.
However, Lu Zhengzheng didn’t dwell on it for long, quickly coming to logical coherence, "I guess Sister Xixi and Mr. Shen got their marriage certificate under a sort of agreement, lacking emotional foundation at first. But after getting to know each other, they... fell in love, and now they’re becoming more affectionate by the day."
Lu Zhengzheng added, "I’m only telling you this, An’an, so keep it a secret!"
Xu Ling’an twitched her lips and managed a difficult "Mmm."
Through the door, Jiang Lingxi didn’t hear Lu Zhengzheng and Xu Ling’an’s whispered discussion about her and Shen Yunqing outside. She just thought it was quite coincidental as she answered the call, "Does the crew have your spy? I just finished work and came back to the hotel, and your call came in at such a precise timing!"
"Wronged," Shen Yunqing said with a mix of humor and complaint, "I saw someone from the crew post about it on their WeChat Moments."
Jiang Lingxi, who never checked WeChat Moments: "Then indeed, I wronged you." Her tone turned serious, "How are things on your end?"
Shen Yunqing’s voice also turned serious, "I’ve settled down, and I’ve spoken with Wu Jue about the current investigation progress at the hospital. It’s now clear that the lab studying those mysterious ailments is problematic; it likely serves to dispose of problematic bodies. Even if He Qingwen hadn’t initially considered donating her body to the hospital, she’d be persuaded to sign the agreement later on."
"Looks like the hospital either has high-level connections with Mei Shuiqing’s organization or it was established by that organization. If so, you need to be extra careful."
The former scenario isn’t too bad, but if it’s the latter, then they’re really venturing into a lion’s den.
A hospital established for specific purposes would definitely have strict defenses, especially against strangers.
Shen Yunqing didn’t want Jiang Lingxi to worry too much, so he changed his tone, "But there’s good news: Xiaotao has returned to Jiang Xiyu’s place."
Jiang Lingxi was stunned, "Today?"
"Yes, she appeared at Imperial City Airport early this morning and then went straight to Jiang Xiyu’s villa, and hasn’t come out since. But she should soon visit the hospital to see her mother."
For Shen Yunqing to still track Xiaotao’s movements from thousands of miles away didn’t surprise Jiang Lingxi much at all.
After all, in a past life, Prime Minister Shen’s tactical genius was known throughout the court and the public.
"When she comes over, Wu Jue and I will intercept her outside the hospital."
Wu Jue, visiting posing as Xiaotao’s friend, wouldn’t want the mother and daughter to meet first, as it might unravel their plan.
Before Jiang Lingxi could speak, Shen Yunqing seemed to have guessed her thoughts, "With Wu Jue’s help, I’m confident we can convince Xiaotao that her father’s disappearance and her mother’s strange illness were no accidents. The upcoming plan will be much easier with Xiaotao’s cooperation."
Jiang Lingxi considered briefly before agreeing to the plan, "Alright, after all, you’ve never let me down."
Shen Yunqing glanced at Wu Jue sitting a short distance ahead, his voice lowering slightly, "Your Majesty, just focus on filming; no need to worry!"
Another early morning.
Just as Jiang Xiyu and her new assistant exchanged glances, hesitating whether to call an ambulance for Xiaotao, who had come back yesterday at this time and hadn’t woken up since, they finally heard movement from the small bedroom.
The assistant put down the phone that was about to dial and the two of them immediately looked towards the bedroom door.
The next second, they saw Xiaotao, wearing the same crumpled clothes from yesterday, appear at the door.
She looked even paler than yesterday.
She opened her mouth weakly, "Sister Xiaoyu, is there anything to eat? I’m hungry."
After all, she’d slept for a full day and night without eating or drinking; if you’re not hungry, who would be!
Jiang Xiyu repressed the urge to grimace, "Yes." She turned her head and asked the new assistant to take a bag of bread from the refrigerator, "It’s past breakfast time, so eat some bread to hold you over."
Watching Xiaotao grab the bread without washing her hands and gobble it down, choking and still gulping it down with bulging eyes, Jiang Xiyu couldn’t stand watching and hastily asked the assistant to hand her a glass of water. Only after did she frown and ask, "Xiaotao, are you alright?"
Xiaotao swallowed the last mouthful of bread, drank some water, and patted her stomach, feeling slightly better, "I’m fine; just feel like I haven’t eaten in days. Sister Xiaoyu, is there any more bread? I’m still hungry!"
Jiang Xiyu: "...Give her all the bread in the fridge!"