The Tycoon's Mysterious Darling Wife
Chapter 338 - 340. Apology (10 updates)

Chapter 338: 340. Apology (10 updates)

"Old Sir Fu, you just relax," and then, "Old Sir Fu, the New Year is coming up. Are we going to keep with the tradition and have all the relatives over for the holiday as before?"

Every three years, the Fu Family gathers all the relatives together for the New Year celebration, and this year happens to be the third one.

Old Sir Fu thought for a while, then shook his head, "Let’s skip it this year. Qinglan is pregnant and shouldn’t be tired, and Hengyi is recovering from an injury. When the house fills up, it’ll be chaotic. Let’s postpone it until next year."

"Alright, then I’ll call them later to let them know," said Aunt Zhao.

Old Sir Fu nodded, "Mm, also, check with Jingting about whether she’s spending the New Year with the Gu Family or coming back here with Bo Wen."

Aunt Zhao patted her head, "You didn’t mention it and I almost forgot. Jingting called yesterday, saying that she will be spending the New Year with the Gu Family and won’t come back here. They’ll return after the first day of the New Year."

"That’s fine, then. This year, it’ll just be us for the New Year."

"How boring it is for just a few of you to celebrate the New Year," came the voice of Old Sir Shen from outside the door, "Why not have both our families celebrate together? It’s livelier with more people."

Old Sir Fu thought it over and agreed, "Old Man Shen, that’s a good idea. Let’s settle it then, both families will celebrate together."

Old Sir Shen entered with a beaming smile, Chu Yunrong accompanying him, "Where’s Qinglan?"

"She’s resting," replied Aunt Zhao.

Chu Yunrong handed a thermos to Aunt Zhao, "Sister-in-law Song made this early in the morning for Hengyi."

Aunt Zhao received it and took it to the kitchen.

Knowing that Shen Qinglan and Fu Hengyi were still resting inside, Chu Yunrong did not go in to disturb them and instead sat in the living room chatting with the two old sirs.

When Shen Qinglan awoke, it was already evening. Fu Hengyi was reading a book and she glanced at the title—"A Hundred Things Every Dad-to-Be Should Know."

Seeing her awake, Fu Hengyi put the book aside, "Awake now? Do you want to keep sleeping?"

Shen Qinglan shook her head. Perhaps because she had slept too long, her head was a bit groggy. She rubbed her forehead and Fu Hengyi, seeing her frown, immediately became anxious, "Are you feeling alright?"

Shen Qinglan saw his worried look and her lips curled into a slight smile, "I probably slept too much, just a bit of a headache, it’s no big deal, I’ll be fine in a bit."

Fu Hengyi, upon hearing this, reached out to help Shen Qinglan sit up, "Sit up, I’ll give you a massage."

Shen Qinglan adjusted her sitting position to make it easier for Fu Hengyi. His touch was just right, making her involuntarily close her eyes, "Fu Hengyi, did you learn this specially?"

Fu Hengyi gave a soft smile, "How did you know?"

Shen Qinglan opened her eyes, "Did you really learn it?"

"Mm," Fu Hengyi hummed in affirmation, but did not say what he had learned, "Alright, let’s get up for dinner. You must be hungry after sleeping for so long."

Shen Qinglan indeed felt hungry. She dressed and was about to help Fu Hengyi into the wheelchair when he waved her off, "Go call Aunt Zhao to come in."

Shen Qinglan gave him a side glance. Fu Hengyi was a proud man. Apart from doctors and her, he never liked asking others for help. Fu Hengyi gave a slight smile, "Go on, call Aunt Zhao to help."

Although Fu Hengyi was proud and did not want people to see him in such a helpless state, he was even more reluctant to let his pregnant wife exert herself.

"I can do it," Shen Qinglan said.

But Fu Hengyi insisted, and she had no choice but to compromise, stepping out to call Aunt Zhao for assistance.

Aunt Zhao and Shen Qinglan together helped Fu Hengyi into the wheelchair and then said, "Your mother and grandfather came by this afternoon. They waited all afternoon, but since you didn’t wake up, they left."

Shen Qinglan paused for a moment, "Why didn’t they wake me?"

Aunt Zhao explained, "Knowing you probably didn’t rest well last night, they didn’t have the heart to wake you."

Aunt Zhao pushed Fu Hengyi out and Shen Qinglan gave the matter some thought. She made a call to her grandfather to make sure everything was okay, then set her mind at ease.

**

With the year drawing to a close, in previous years Fu Hengyi would still be in the military and hadn’t returned home. This year, because of his injury, he unexpectedly had the chance to be home early.

Since this year they are not planning to invite relatives over, the preparations for New Year’s goods would not need to be as extensive. Aunt Zhao discussed with Shen Qinglan and they decided to go shopping at the mall with Chu Yunrong and the others.

"Qinglan, are you coming along?" Aunt Zhao asked.

Shen Qinglan glanced at Fu Hengyi, then shook her head, "I’d better not. If I go, you’ll have to look after me, which would just be a hassle."

"I’ll be going then. If you remember anything else you need, just call me."

"Sure."

After Aunt Zhao left, with nothing to do, Shen Qinglan looked at Fu Hengyi and suddenly said, "Fu Hengyi, would you model for me?"

Fu Hengyi looked up at her, "Feel like painting?"

Shen Qinglan nodded, "Yeah, it’s been a long time since I last painted. I’m itching to start again."

"Alright, shall we go to the studio?"

"No, right here in the living room. Wait for me; I’ll go get my painting supplies." Shen Qinglan said as she stood up and headed to the studio.

She set up the easel and pushed Fu Hengyi to stand in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, handing him a book, "Just sit here and read. Just be natural."

Fu Hengyi glanced at the book Shen Qinglan gave him, a military tome, and smiled. He casually flipped through it, a cup of green tea that was steaming sat on the coffee table beside him.

Shen Qinglan took a deep look at him and began to paint, seldom looking up. Fu Hengyi’s face was etched so deeply in her mind that she could paint him even with her eyes closed.

At first, Fu Hengyi was reading, but after a while, his gaze fell on Shen Qinglan, tender affection in his eyes.

Old Sir Fu had just come downstairs and saw this warm and harmonious scene. A smile filled his aged face as he sat down to watch Shen Qinglan paint.

The doorbell rang. Shen Qinglan was about to answer it when Old Sir Fu waved his hand and got up to open the door himself. The visitors were Shen Junyu and Wen Xiyao.

"Sister Xiyao," Shen Qinglan called out and continued with her painting, close to finishing her work.

Wen Xiyao was watching Shen Qinglan paint for the first time. She and Shen Junyu sat on the sofa waiting for Shen Qinglan to finish.

Shen Qinglan put down her paintbrush. Wen Xiyao came over for a look, "No wonder your paintings are so expensive. This realistic technique is even more lifelike than photos."

What mattered most was that Shen Qinglan’s paintings were filled with emotion.

Shen Qinglan smiled slightly and asked Shen Junyu to move the painting aside to dry, "Sister Xiyao, what brings you here today? You’re not at work?" It wasn’t the weekend.

Wen Xiyao sat down on the sofa, her posture slightly lazy, "I’ve been too tired recently. I took a day off to rest at home today." Wen Xiyao glanced at Shen Qinglan’s belly and exclaimed, "You’re several years younger than me, and you’re about to be a mom now."

Old Sir Fu had already taken Shen Junyu aside to play chess. Shen Qinglan leaned close to Wen Xiyao and asked softly, "Sister Xiyao, when will you give me a little nephew?"

Wen Xiyao’s cheeks turned pink, and she pinched Shen Qinglan’s face gently, "Someone who’s about to be a mother sure has thick skin, teasing me like that."

Shen Qinglan looked her straight in the eye, "You surely haven’t, you know, with my brother yet?"

Wen Xiyao didn’t catch on at first, but when she did, even her ears turned red. Shen Qinglan understood all too well and quietly sighed to herself about how slow her brother was.

As Shen Qinglan was about to say more, Wen Xiyao covered her mouth, "I’m warning you, no more, or I’ll tell Mr. Fu all about it."

Her eyes revealed shy embarrassment, and Shen Qinglan raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised that businesswoman Wen Xiyao had such a pure heart.

With a slight smile, "Alright, I won’t say anymore. By the way, Sister Xiyao, where will you be spending New Year’s this year, Beijing or Nancheng?" Logically, since Wen Xiyao and Shen Junyu were engaged, it would be perfectly reasonable for her to want to spend it in Beijing.

"We’ve already discussed it; this year I’ll be going back to Nancheng," said Wen Xiyao. It would probably be her last New Year at home as a maiden, and her parents also wished she would come back.

Shen Qinglan thought that made sense.

Naturally, Wen Xiyao and Shen Junyu were expected to stay for dinner that evening, but when it came time, an uninvited guest arrived at the house.

Shen Junyu hadn’t left yet. Seeing the visitor, the warm smile on his face faded, "Are you here to see Lanlan?"

Shen Junze nodded, "Big brother, is Sister Qinglan here?"

Shen Junyu didn’t let Shen Junze in, "If you’re here about your company, don’t bother saying more. Grandfather already made things clear to you. You’ve made your own choices, and coming here now, no matter what you say, there’s no meaning to it."

Shen Junze looked dispirited, lacking the vitality of a young man, his whole demeanor exuded a sense of defeat, "Big brother, I’m not here to cause trouble, but sincerely to apologize to Sister Qinglan."

Seeing that Shen Junyu had gone to answer the door but not returned, Shen Qinglan walked over to see and her expression became a bit colder when she saw Shen Junze.

Shen Junze brightened at the sight of her, "Sister Qinglan."

Shen Qinglan raised an eyebrow at him, knowing Shen Junze for so long; this was the first time she heard such a willing "Sister Qinglan." "Looking for me?" Shen Qinglan played coy, knowing that Shen Junze wouldn’t likely have come to see Fu Hengyi at the Fu Family’s house.

Shen Junze nodded, "Sister Qinglan, I’ve come to apologize."