The Tycoon's Mysterious Darling Wife
Chapter 25. You Still Have Me (Part 1)

Chapter 25: 25. You Still Have Me (Part 1)

Editor: Larbre Studio

Shen Qian’s face darkened, "Qinglan, is what Xitong said true?"

Shen Qinglan looked steadily at Shen Xitong, "There is a phrase called ’love at first sight.’ Just because you haven’t experienced it doesn’t mean others haven’t."

Shen Xitong’s hands trembled as she pointed at Shen Qinglan, wanting to say something more, but Old Sir Shen interrupted, "Enough, I agreed to this, and I gave Lanlan the household register. If you have any objections, bring them to me."

Old Sir Shen’s expression was stern, as his gaze swept over everyone, especially pausing slightly on Chu Yunrong and Shen Xitong.

Shen Junyu finally understood why Shen Qinglan had knelt last night. His eyes fell on Shen Qinglan, dark and heavy.

As Old Sir Shen spoke, those who were about to say something all shut their mouths.

Chu Yunrong looked at the pale, blank-eyed Shen Xitong, clearly deeply affected, feeling heartache for her. Her gaze towards Shen Qinglan now carried a hint of blame.

Of course, Chu Yunrong knew Shen Xitong liked Fu Hengyi, and she was supportive of this. But now that Shen Qinglan had come between them, taking Fu Hengyi away, yet Shen Qinglan was her own daughter, asking her to divorce wasn’t an option. Chu Yunrong felt Shen Qinglan had once again presented her with a difficult problem.

Fu Hengyi soon emerged from the hospital room, his face calm. No one could discern from his expression what Granny Shen had told him.

Then Shen Qian was called in, but he returned quickly. Upon coming out, he cast a deep glance at Shen Qinglan, his eyes red, filled with grief.

"Mom wants to see Dad and Qinglan."

Upon hearing this, Old Sir Shen and Shen Qinglan entered the room. Shen Xitong looked at Fu Hengyi, her eyes brimming with sorrowful tears, appearing pitiable; yet clearly, Fu Hengyi’s gaze never landed on her. Instead, he only looked at the closed door of the hospital room, as if through it, he could see the cool girl inside.

The hospital corridor fell silent. Shen Qian and Chu Yunrong’s expressions were filled with deep pain, knowing that Granny Shen likely wouldn’t pull through this time.

Inside the room, Granny Shen held her granddaughter’s hand, looking at her lovingly, "Lanlan, you’ve found a good husband. Grandma can truly rest assured this time."

Shen Qinglan slightly curved her lips, "Qinglan believes in Grandma’s judgment. What Grandma says is good must truly be good."

"It’s just a pity, Grandma won’t be able to wait for our Lanlan’s wedding. Our Lanlan will certainly be the most beautiful and happiest bride in the world."

"Grandma, don’t say that. You will surely get better, and then you will watch me walk down the aisle with your own eyes."

Granny Shen raised her hand, wanting to touch Shen Qinglan’s face, but it fell weakly halfway. Shen Qinglan hurriedly grasped Granny Shen’s hand, pressing her face against it. The rough yet warm touch pierced the deepest sorrow in her heart, breaking through the tears she hadn’t shed since she was five. Her eyes turned red, and tears she hadn’t cried in years suddenly flooded out.

Feeling the dampness in her palm, Granny Shen’s eyes also reddened. She couldn’t bear to leave her granddaughter. She turned her gaze to Old Sir Shen, eyes full of pleading.

Old Sir Shen looked at his wife, solemnly nodding his head.

"Lanlan, you must be happy this lifetime, understand? If there are things in your heart, don’t hold them in, speak them out. Moving forward, Hengyi will be the closest person to you. You must live a happy life with him..." Granny Shen earnestly exhorted.

Shen Qinglan nodded with a smile.

"Old man." Granny Shen reached out to Old Sir Shen, who held his wife’s hand.

"I’m here."

"Old man, I’m sorry, we said we’d stay together for a lifetime, and walk the path together, but I’ve broken that promise."

Old Sir Shen’s voice trembled, "Since you know, I’ll sentence you to make it up to me in the next life, how about that?"

Granny Shen laughed, "You old geezer, so greedy; bullying me in this life isn’t enough for you, you want the next too."

"Just say if you agree or not."

Granny Shen’s eyes were gentle, "Alright, I agree, but next life, you must remember to find me soon, don’t let me wait too long."

The old face of Old Sir Shen softened, looking at his wife, smiling indulgently, "Alright, it’s a deal then."

"Old man, I’ll have to go ahead first. We said we’d go out and have a look around together, but that never happened. I can’t walk now, but you must remember to go for me, then tell me how beautiful it is."

"Alright." Old Sir Shen grasped his wife’s hand tightly.

Granny Shen’s gaze fell on crying Shen Qinglan, "Lanlan, don’t cry. Grandma is just tired and wants to have a good sleep."

Shen Qinglan nodded hastily, discovering for the first time how painful a breaking heart felt.

Granny Shen’s reluctant gaze lingered on Old Sir Shen and Shen Qinglan before she finally closed her eyes.

Murky tears rolled down from Old Sir Shen’s eyes as he looked at his wife’s peaceful face. His once-straight back suddenly bent, ageing him more than ten years in an instant.

Shen Qinglan’s lips moved slightly, but her tears blurred her vision completely.

Before long, the hospital room filled with crying: Chu Yunrong’s, Shen Xitong’s, Shen Qian’s...

Many gathered around Granny Shen’s bedside, while Shen Qinglan was pushed to the corner. She sat blankly on the ground, oblivious to everything around her.

Fu Hengyi’s heart ached. He lifted Shen Qinglan from the floor, wrapping her in his arms.

After returning from the hospital, Shen Qinglan shut herself in her room, not responding no matter who knocked.

Three days and nights passed. As the family was busy dealing with Granny Shen’s funeral, Shen Qinglan’s refusal to eat or drink left Shen Qian and Shen Junyu worried sick.

"Qinglan, open up, it’s Daddy." Shen Qian knocked again, holding a tray with a bowl of porridge. The untouched meals were still outside her door; she hadn’t eaten or drunk anything for three days and nights.

None of the family expected that Granny Shen’s passing would hit Shen Qinglan hardest, not Old Sir Shen, but her.

Old Sir Shen came up from downstairs, followed by Fu Hengyi. For the past few days, Fu Hengyi had been helping actively. Despite not holding a wedding, he and Shen Qinglan were legally wed, so no one found it odd for him to be there.

Old Sir Shen glanced at Shen Qian, then at the closed door, sighing deeply.

"Dad."

Old Sir Shen waved his hand, looking at Fu Hengyi.

Fu Hengyi nodded, unlocking the door with a key. Though it opened, it quickly closed behind him before anyone outside could see inside.

The room was in darkness as Fu Hengyi didn’t turn on the light. Once his eyes adjusted, he found Shen Qinglan sitting on the floor, hugging her knees by the bedside.

Her expression was blank, her eyes vacant, and the cold aura around her had grown even stronger.

Fu Hengyi approached, gently holding her in his arms.

"You still have me from now on."