The Tycoon's Mysterious Darling Wife
Chapter 23. Will you marry me? (Second update, please subscribe)

Chapter 23: 23. Will you marry me? (Second update, please subscribe)

Editor: Larbre Studio

After being exposed by Granny Shen that day, Shen Xitong became much more honest. Although she still visited Granny Shen every day, she didn’t stay long, often leaving after exchanging just a few words. Granny Shen didn’t mind.

Shen Qinglan continued to accompany Granny Shen every day, chatting or simply reading her favorite books to her.

However, Shen Qinglan noticed that Granny Shen often looked at her worriedly, a sorrowful look in her eyes.

"Lanlan, I’m afraid I won’t be able to see the day you get married and have children," Granny Shen said, holding Shen Qinglan’s hand as she was about to read to her.

Shen Qinglan gave a faint smile, "Granny, what are you talking about? We’ve been to the temple before, and the master said you’d live a long, peaceful life."

Granny Shen laughed, "How come you believe that old monk’s lies?"

"I think he’s not lying this time. My granny will definitely live a long life."

Granny Shen chuckled, patting Shen Qinglan’s hand, "You only say that to make me happy, but Lanlan, my health won’t hold out for a long life day. My only wish in this life is to see you find a man who will love and protect you. Then, I could pass away without regrets."

Hearing Granny Shen say this again, Shen Qinglan felt a pang of bitterness, her eyes stinging with unshed tears, "Granny..."

Granny Shen sighed, gently patting Shen Qinglan’s back, like she did when comforting her as a child.

**

At night, Fu Hengyi returned to his hotel room and saw his phone lying quietly in the drawer. A trace of helplessness crossed his face. He realized it had been a while since he had called his grandfather, so he dialed home.

"Grandpa."

"Hengyi," Old Sir Fu’s aged voice came over the phone, filled with sadness.

Fu Hengyi paused, looking at the number on his screen. It was indeed the family’s number.

"Have you called Qinglan?" Old Sir Fu asked.

Fu Hengyi’s heart sank; the tone wasn’t quite right, giving him a foreboding feeling.

"No, has something happened at home?"

"Nothing happened at our house. It’s your Grandpa Shen’s house. Your Granny Shen fell into a coma this morning and was rushed to the hospital. Though she was saved, her condition is not good, and it seems she won’t make it. Your Uncle Shen rushed back from his unit today. If you have time, call Qinglan. She’s closest to her granny, and she’s likely deeply hurt this time."

Fu Hengyi’s heart plummeted, thoughts of Shen Qinglan’s cool, aloof figure crossing his mind. After ending the call with Old Sir Fu, Fu Hengyi looked at Shen Qinglan’s name on his phone and dialed.

The call connected quickly, Shen Qinglan’s clear but weary voice coming through, tugging at Fu Hengyi’s heart.

"Hello."

"It’s Fu Hengyi."

"I know."

Apart from that, there was silence, the only sounds being their breaths in the quiet air.

"Is something up?" Shen Qinglan finally asked, having spent the day at the hospital and just returning home to get a change of clothes.

"Are you okay?" Fu Hengyi inquired.

Shen Qinglan paused, "I’m fine, thanks."

"If anything happens, call me anytime."

"Okay."

Silence fell again.

Just as Shen Qinglan was about to hang up, her mind flashed to Granny Shen’s loving face, and the words slipped out.

"Would you be willing to marry me?"

After speaking, she realized what she had said but, having already said it, she could only wait for his reaction, but his answer didn’t come for a long time. Regaining her senses, she spoke flatly, "Sorry, I spoke out of turn."

"Wait," Fu Hengyi interjected, "Were you serious just now?"

Shen Qinglan tightened her grip on the phone, gazing out into the distance through the darkness, "Yes."

"You should know, marriage isn’t a game. Once you marry me, I won’t easily divorce. You might be tied to me for life. Are you okay with that?" Fu Hengyi said seriously.

"I’m willing."

"Are you sure?"

"I’m sure."

"Okay, I’ll hurry back tonight. At the latest, I’ll be back by noon tomorrow. Prepare your ID and household registration, and meet me at the Civil Affairs Bureau at noon tomorrow."

"Okay."

Ending the call, Shen Qinglan’s hand fell powerlessly at her side. She didn’t know if this decision was a mistake, only that she couldn’t bear to let the elder who loved her so deeply leave this world with regrets.

Shen Qinglan was grateful for Fu Hengyi’s cooperation; he hadn’t even asked why.

Shen Qinglan walked into Grandpa Shen and Granny Shen’s room. Grandpa Shen had also been through a long day at the hospital. Even though it was late and his body was weary, he couldn’t sleep.

"Grandpa, are you awake?" A knock at the door, and Shen Qinglan’s face appeared.

Grandpa Shen beckoned, "Come in."

Shen Qinglan sat by the bed, "Grandpa, why aren’t you asleep?"

"When you get old, you need less sleep." Grandpa Shen’s face was exhausted, sadness flickering in his eyes.

"Grandpa, I want to ask a favor, and I hope you agree," Shen Qinglan cautiously began, unsure if Old Sir Shen would consent to her request.

"What is it? Speak."

"I want to marry Fu Hengyi, tomorrow."

"Ridiculous," Old Sir Shen couldn’t help but scold the moment she spoke, the first time in many years he had been so severe with his granddaughter.

Shen Qinglan knelt quickly, looking stubbornly at Old Sir Shen, "Please grant my wish, Grandpa."

Old Sir Shen glared at his granddaughter, his anger clear in his eyes, deeply agitated.

Shen Qinglan remained kneeling, unmoving. Neither she nor Old Sir Shen spoke, plunging the room into silence.

"Do you know what you’re doing?" Old Sir Shen softly chastised, trying to hide his anger.

"Grandpa, I know this isn’t a rash decision. It’s a well-considered choice."

"Nonsense!" Old Sir Shen fumed, "You’ve only seen Fu Hengyi a few times, and you want to marry him. Do you know what kind of person he is? Do you understand him?"

"I trust your judgment, Grandpa. Anyone you openly praised can’t be bad."

"Shen Qinglan, you’re out of your mind. Do you know how much older Fu Hengyi is than you? Calling him ’uncle’ wouldn’t be out of place," Old Sir Shen fumed, staring at his granddaughter.

"Please, Grandpa."

Shen Qinglan fell silent, kneeling, her gaze determined.

"Shen Qinglan, give up this idea. I absolutely won’t agree to this."