Over these three years, she had endured so much hardship just to come back and reclaim everything she had lost. But now, was Shi Che experiencing such happiness with Ling Chuxia? All their happiness was built on her pain.
They couldn’t treat her . They couldn’t!
Ling Yunshu clenched her fists tightly, her eyes gradually filling with hatred and gloom. Finally, she forced herself to stand up and walked step by step back to the hotel.
In Shi Che’s arms, Ling Chuxia couldn’t suppress her emotions and cried unrestrainedly until her voice was hoarse, leaving her with merely sobs.
Shi Che had remained silent, just quietly holding her and accompanying her, just like in the early days of their marriage when she would cry, and he would just hold her and let her cry.
Ling Chuxia involuntarily tightened her grip on Shi Che’s clothes, feeling waves of warmth inside her. It was as though all the repression and sadness were draining away with her tears; in his embrace, she could temporarily dismiss the guilt and self-blame she felt towards her elder sister.
Feeling that the person in his arms had gradually stopped sobbing and had quieted down, Shi Che’s arms gently relaxed, his dark gaze dropping to her face.
Her eyes were swollen from crying, her nose red, her cheeks stained with tears, and her hair slightly disheveled—she looked somewhat pitiful, but Shi Che only felt heartache.
His slender fingers lifted, gently touching her face and wiping away the tear marks. His voice was low and gentle, "Are you feeling better now?"
Ling Chuxia stared blankly up at Shi Che, his eyes dark and deep, profound yet she could see the gentleness in them. Her heart felt as though it had been slightly nudged, starting to beat uncontrollably.
She subconsciously lowered her gaze and slowly nodded. Her lowered gaze happened to fall on the front of Shi Che’s chest, where his shirt had been soaked through, a large damp patch making the white shirt transparent and clinging to his chest. Ling Chuxia’s cheeks immediately turned a shade of pink, a trace of apology flashing through her eyes as her voice hoarsely began, "I’m sorry for soaking your clothes."
Shi Che glanced down nonchalantly and replied lightly, "It’s okay."
Ling Chuxia stole a glance at Shi Che, noticing his casual demeanor, really not minding, and couldn’t help but curve her lips slightly, a sweet feeling washing over her.
On the way back, Ling Chuxia sat in the passenger seat, inadvertently turning her face to look at Shi Che.
She had cried for a long time and now was physically and mentally exhausted, wishing she could fall asleep, but looking at Shi Che, she couldn’t bear to close her eyes.
Since the birthday banquet, Shi Che was no longer distant towards her. Their relationship had gradually warmed, a genuine thawing unlike the previous forced and fragile truce that would shatter at the slightest touch.
Instead, she could feel like they had returned to the early days of their marriage, with him being gentle, patient, and even doting towards her.
Back then, she always thought his kindness was because of her elder sister, but now, did Shi Che really see her as her elder sister?
If so, why then, after all her efforts to emulate her elder sister, did he treat her with such coldness and cruelty?
She wondered if maybe, just maybe, he had a bit of affection for her?
The niceness he exhibited towards her now, could it be, just maybe, simply because she was Ling Chuxia?