That night, at Xiangjiang Port, aboard a dining cabin.
The dimly lit restaurant was elegant and cozy.
Bian Yue accepted the medical report that Li Sihe handed over, her tone grateful, "Thank you. The doctor you sent has already gone to take care of my sister. Thanks for your help."
Li Sihe’s smile was tender as he looked at Bian Yue. The latter’s demeanor had changed a lot from before, showing growth, resolve, and strength.
Li Sihe’s eyes held threads of infatuation, but quickly, his expression became reserved as he gazed at Bian Yue and said softly, "These are all trivial matters. I’m glad I could help, Yueyue... Thank you for agreeing to have this meal with me today."
Bian Yue smiled, "Are you and Zhuang Jie Ning getting married soon?"
"The wedding is in three days. I’ll have someone send you the invitation, and... Shen Jinci too."
Bian Yue’s smile faded slightly as she picked up some juice from the side and took a sip, "Jinci has gone abroad and probably won’t be back these few days. I’m afraid he won’t be able to attend your wedding."
Li Sihe easily thought of the reason why Shen Jinci would leave the country.
He smiled, observing the complex emotions on Bian Yue’s face, and slowly asked, "Is it... because you’ve had a quarrel?"
Bian Yue started, then shook her head, "We can’t really call it a quarrel... I love him deeply, and in this life, the time for love is limited; I don’t want to waste it on arguments. We just... have some unspoken words between us."
A hint of sadness appeared in Li Sihe’s eyes as he looked at Bian Yue, his brow furrowed as he whispered, "Bian Yue, I know it may seem like I’m trying to sow discord by saying this, but... you have to believe me, I wouldn’t lie to you."
"Shen Jinci is a very complex person. It’s hard to be truly happy with someone so complicated. I genuinely want you to live a carefree life, and Shen Jinci can’t offer that."
Bian Yue looked up at Li Sihe, her eyes showing resistance, "The matters between him and me are ours. I know my limits, Shiheng. I don’t think being with Jinci will bring me unhappiness. In this world, if there is someone who wishes for my happiness at all costs, I can only think of him."
Li Sihe felt a sting in his heart, but he had no reason to refute Bian Yue’s words. He chuckled, looking at Bian Yue’s resolute face.
As dishes arrived one after another, Li Sihe used serving chopsticks to pick food for Bian Yue, smoothly changing the subject, "Give it a try. Does this restaurant taste the same as before?"
Bian Yue looked at the crystal-clear shrimp in her bowl. She picked one up, tasted it, swallowed, and after a moment said faintly, "It’s not the same anymore."
Li Sihe’s expression wavered slightly before he revealed a rare hint of helplessness, looking at Bian Yue with some nervousness, "Then... would you try something else?"
"It’s just different, not bad," Bian Yue smiled sincerely, "I think it’s better than before."
Li Sihe’s fingertips turned unnaturally cold.
Better than before, huh?
Is it the dish that’s better, or the person by your side now?
Li Sihe discarded his chopsticks with a loss of appetite, but eventually, he made the inquiry, "Bian Yue, have you really never doubted who Shen Jinci is?"
Bian Yue was startled, recalling what someone insisted on telling her before they parted—that he was not Shen Jinci.
At that time, it sounded more like a fairy tale.
But now, Li Sihe was saying the same thing.
Bian Yue was confounded, "What do you mean?"
"I mean, perhaps, Shen Jinci has been deceiving you all along. He might not be Shen Jinci at all but could be someone else. Bian Yue, the person beside you is much more complex than you think."
Li Sihe said with a heavy voice, "I have no evidence right now, and saying such things is more like slander, but Yueyue, give me some time, I will find out the truth."
Bian Yue stared blankly at Li Sihe, a huge sense of panic washing over her like a tide, "You mean, Shen Jinci might be someone else?"
Li Sihe looked at Bian Yue, and after a long while, he nodded forcefully, "Yes."
Then Bian Yue didn’t speak anymore.
Her gaze was vacant, not knowing what she was thinking.
The two of them silently finished their meal.
Walking out of the restaurant, it was raining outside.
The night wind blew against them, carrying a bone-chilling coldness.
Li Sihe draped his suit jacket over Bian Yue’s shoulders and said softly, "Don’t catch a cold."
Bian Yue gently pulled away and handed the jacket back to Li Sihe, "I’m not cold."
Both of their drivers had driven over, and Li Sihe squinted and glanced over, then looked back at Bian Yue, his eyes revealing affection, "Yueyue, see you at the wedding."
Bian Yue looked down, her eyelashes trembling lightly, she spoke in a very soft voice, "Sorry, I can’t go to this wedding."
"Bian Yue?" Li Sihe frowned, his jade-like face a mix of astonishment and anger, he said slowly in disbelief, "Do you not believe what I said?"
Bian Yue still looked down, her voice hoarse, "It has nothing to do with what you said, I’m going abroad, I’m going to find Shen Jinci."
Li Sihe’s mind went blank with a bang, his emotions out of control, he barely restrained the impulse to grab Bian Yue’s arm tightly, he said urgently, "Do you know what you’re saying? You’re going abroad? Bian Yue, wasn’t what I just said clear enough? You don’t even know who your partner really is! If you go abroad now, and you find him, then what? Confirm that he is not the real Shen Jinci, and divorce him?"
"I will not divorce him!" Finally, Bian Yue raised her eyes, she spoke calmly, with deliberate emphasis, "I absolutely, will not divorce him."
Li Sihe couldn’t understand what mindset was behind Bian Yue’s decision, he had already made the pros and cons very clear.
Why would Bian Yue still choose someone who is not worthy of trust? Doesn’t she know that he truly cares for her, that he really doesn’t want her to get hurt?
But Li Sihe didn’t have the chance to ask these questions out loud.
Because Bian Yue had already walked past him, heading toward the Bentley not far away.
Kang Yu opened the car door for Bian Yue, the driver looked at Bian Yue through the rearview mirror, asking her if she wanted to go home.
But Bian Yue waited until Kang Yu sat down, then said indifferently, "Where did Shen Jinci go?"
"Abroad, Mr. Shen has some business to handle." Kang Yu looked at Bian Yue unexpectedly, "Madam, do you... do you have something you need?"
Bian Yue spoke, with enough calm, "I need to go find him, book a flight for me tonight, I want to go find him now."
Listening to Bian Yue’s words, Kang Yu felt as if his heart was about to stop, he looked at Bian Yue nervously, "Madam... isn’t going abroad now a bit hasty? Shall we contact Mr. Shen first?"
Bian Yue slightly furrowed her brows, and said softly, "Then make it quick."
Kang Yu hurriedly dialed Shen Jinci’s phone, but the other end was met with a busy signal.
Kang Yu’s face turned grim, he looked at Bian Yue uneasily and said, "Can’t get through... Can’t get through for now."