Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“Auntie Li has served me all her life. She’s not been fortunate enough to enjoy a good life and, on the contrary, has suffered along with me. When we left the Shen Family home eight years ago without much money in our pocket, the three of us lived with 30 dollars a day. We couldn’t even afford meat. ”
Auntie Li and Xia Yehua started to reminisce about that time in their lives.
As they chatted, the topic came back to Song Yuanxi.
“… That child was painful to watch, so obedient and mature for her age. And she’s still the same after all these years. Everyone in the family knows—when there’s trouble, Yuanxi will help! Ms. Yuanxi said that she came from a difficult environment and now that she is well off, she’ll help others as much as possible.”
After reflecting on the past, Auntie Li concluded, “Ms. Yuanxi is really kind-hearted.”
Xia Yehua nodded and remarked, “Xiao Qiao, it was wrong of her to suspect you that time. But I hope you don’t hold a grudge against her. She’s an orphan and we are her only family.”
Qiao Lian’s expression froze on hearing this. However, she nodded in agreement.
Indeed, she would hold no grudge against Song Yuanxi, if Song Yuanxi had not been the perpetrator.
At about half past ten, Xia Yehua got tired and went to bed.
Qiao Lian waited up for Shen Liangchuan to return.
At eleven, there was still no sign of Shen Liangchuan and his cell phone had been turned off.
Qiao Lian anxiously waited as she lay on the bed.
Finally, he came in through the bedroom door late at night.
The coldness in his body language was unmistakable.
Qiao Lian immediately asked, “Why are you home so late? Have you found out anything?”
The skies were still dark, so she turned on the bedside lamp.
The diffused yellow light filled the room and fell on Shen Liangchuan.
He was like a solitary passerby in the dark, lonely and full of sorrows. He seemed to be shackled by invisible burdens that weighed heavily on his shoulders.
For unknown reasons, she perceived a feeling of melancholy within him.
The iciness in his eyes made her shudder as he looked at her blankly.
She widened her eyes and inquired cautiously, “Shen Liangchuan?”
Then, as though her voice had made him suddenly realize who she was, he snapped back to the present. His eyes focused on her.
Before Qiao Lian could speak again, he suddenly took a step forward and pulled her into his embrace.
The coldness of his shirt could be felt through her thin pajamas, causing her to shudder once more. But sensing his loneliness in that moment, she did not speak. Instead, she reached out her arms to embrace his in an attempt to provide some solace.
Then, she heard Shen Liangchuan speak, “Xiao Qiao, I’m so glad you’re okay.”
Xiao Qiao…
It was a name Shen Liangchuan seldom used to address her. But suddenly, it seemed familiar coming from him.
She lost herself in this moment of quietness and as she did so, his embrace tightened gradually, as though he was afraid of letting her go.
She had never seen this side of Shen Liangchuan.
But she could only keep holding him like that.
She lost track of the time that passed before she sensed some warmth returning to him.
Finally, he released his embrace and removed his jacket. Placing it on the sofa and with his back to Qiao Lian, he finally spoke, “I went to look for Yuanxi earlier on.”
Qiao Lian immediately sat up.
It made sense that Shen Liangchuan would question her after finding out about the 200 000.
But was it her?