Shi Che’s dark eyes swept coldly towards Ling Yunshu. When his sharp gaze swept over her, her heart still felt a slight chill, but since she had taken this step, there was no room for retreat.
Ling Yunshu clenched her hands tightly before slowly relaxing them. She lifted her eyes, and a shy smile slowly crept into her large eyes, even her voice carried a hint of embarrassment, "Yes, Young Master, we’re getting engaged, so there’s no need for you to act like a stranger around me."
She suppressed the tremble in her voice, gazing steadily at Shi Che. Her large eyes seemed to hold unspoken hardships, as though hiding some sufferings.
Shi Che understood immediately—Ling Yunshu had lied to his mother. His handsome face, already expressionless, became even more stern as a cold air involuntarily enveloped him.
Ling Yunshu’s heart throbbed violently; she dared to act this way only as a gamble, betting on Shi Che’s care for Mrs. Shi, betting that he wouldn’t want to break his mother’s heart.
Before last night, she might not have been very sure, but after hearing the words Shi Che said to Ling Chuxia last night, she knew that Shi Che did love Mrs. Shi deeply, contrary to his outward appearances; he truly loved his mother.
Thus, with Mrs. Shi critically ill, her sole wish was their marriage. Ling Yunshu wagered Shi Che wouldn’t let his mother be blissful for naught.
Despite some newfound confidence, Ling Yunshu still felt her heart stir with panic when Shi Che looked at her. Her heart pounded against her chest, as if it was about to burst out.
Mrs. Shi had been watching the two of them. That morning, Yun Shu told her that she had spoken with Shi Che the night before and that, despite everything, he still had feelings for her. Thus, he had agreed to promptly divorce and then marry her.
However, because her illness was severe, they shouldn’t celebrate the marriage yet, so they’d settled for an engagement to pacify her worries.
Just yesterday, Shi Che was so resolute, but he had agreed in just one night. Mrs. Shi, while listening to Yun Shu’s words, wasn’t entirely convinced and harbored a sliver of doubt.
After all, though she couldn’t see through her son’s thoughts at the moment, she still understood her son’s personality.
He was always stubborn. Changing his mind was hard. Just like her...
Could his feelings for Yun Shu truly make him have a change of heart?
That sliver of doubt grew upon seeing the current scene; the stiffness between Shi Che and Yun Shu didn’t seem indicative of affection at all!
Her gaze shifted back and forth between the two, her eyes narrowing.
"Che’er!" Mrs. Shi spoke up, her voice low, "Did you truly agree to the engagement?"
Shi Che barely lifted his eyelids, looking towards Mrs. Shi. She was sitting up against the head of the bed, draped in a loose hospital gown, her hair not done up neatly as usual but hanging loosely around her, her gray hair more visible than ever.
The sunlight slanted in from outside, casting its warmth on her face, but on her, it only served to highlight how pale and translucent her complexion was.
Her voice sounded weak as she spoke, almost as if the words were swept away by the wind, no longer the powerful voice she once had.
Although she asked in an inquiring tone, her eyes, looking at him, were subtly filled with undeniable hope.