The Tycoon's Mysterious Darling Wife
Chapter 366 - 369. Learn to Be Strong (First Update)

Chapter 366: 369. Learn to Be Strong (First Update)

Doug hung up the phone and looked at Ya Xi, who was smiling happily. Ya Xi waved at Doug for a long time, but Doug didn’t react. He approached her and asked, "Doug, what’s wrong?"

Doug snapped back to reality and chuckled, "It’s nothing. I was just thinking about what to eat later."

Ya Xi wasn’t suspicious, "I saw a restaurant nearby that looked pretty busy; the food must be good. Let’s go there later."

"Sure."

"Doug, where’s our next stop?"

"Beijing."

Ya Xi stopped in her tracks and turned to Doug, "Beijing? I thought we were touring Europe?"

Doug looked at her with a gentle gaze, "I want to go to Beijing. Would you accompany me there?"

Ya Xi thought for a moment and nodded, "Alright, Beijing it is. It’s been a long time since I’ve been to Beijing. When we get there, I’ll show you the high school I attended. It’s beautiful, but it’s a pity I didn’t get into the university there."

"You wanted to attend that university?"

"Yeah, I wanted to go to B University, but I got sick and was hospitalized right before the exams, so I missed them. That’s when my parents decided to send me to study abroad in Xueli City. But it turned out to be great because I made a lot of new friends. I really like Xueli City."

Ya Xi’s eyes sparkled as she spoke. Doug looked at her and suddenly said, "Let’s not go to Beijing just yet. Our next stop will be Country D."

Ya Xi, confused, "Didn’t you want to go?"

"Beijing will be the last stop. We’ll go there after we finish up here."

"Okay, that sounds good. I’ve been to Country D once with my mom, and it’s a beautiful place. I’ve always wanted to go back."

Doug looked at Ya Xi’s curved eyebrows and eyes and sighed inwardly. Ya Xi, this is the last thing I can do for you. I hope your happiness lasts a little longer, even longer.

**

Beijing, the ninth day of the first lunar month.

Today, Fu Hengyi had arranged for a photoshoot with a photographer to take Shen Qinglan’s pregnancy photos.

At the photo studio, Shen Qinglan looked at the camera and suddenly didn’t want to shoot anymore. She stood there without moving. Fu Hengyi looked at her, "What’s wrong?"

Shen Qinglan spoke indifferently, "Let’s go back. I suddenly don’t feel like taking photos."

There was a hint of confusion in Fu Hengyi’s eyes. After thinking for a moment and not understanding, he asked, "Are you not feeling well?"

Shen Qinglan shook her head. She just didn’t feel like shooting the moment she saw the camera lens, "No, let’s continue."

Fu Hengyi gave her a sideways glance. She just didn’t want to shoot, and now she was saying to continue. What was she doing?

Shen Qinglan saw his confusion and simply said, "Women are fickle by nature, let alone pregnant women. I’ve changed my mind, let’s shoot." This was something Fu Hengyi had arranged for her, and she didn’t want to disappoint his good intentions.

Fu Hengyi looked at her, his face filled with adoration, "If you don’t want to shoot, we can go back."

"No, I want to shoot. Let’s start." She addressed the photographer with the latter part of her sentence.

Fu Hengyi watched Shen Qinglan’s expression carefully, seeing no reluctance, and then said, "Let’s begin."

Since it was a pregnancy photoshoot, naturally it couldn’t just be Shen Qinglan alone. As the expectant father, Fu Hengyi definitely couldn’t be absent. The staff helped Fu Hengyi to the ground, asking him to sit down. Fu Hengyi suddenly understood why Shen Qinglan was hesitant to take photos earlier; she didn’t want the photographer to capture her vulnerable side.

With a smile, Fu Hengyi took Shen Qinglan’s hand and spoke softly, "Qinglan, this little setback is nothing to me, you don’t have to be so concerned."

Shen Qinglan looked into his eyes, hers were filled with tender affection, "Yes, I know. I just got sidetracked for a moment. This is going to be our family of three’s first photo together."

Fu Hengyi smiled gently.

Watching the two gaze deeply into each other’s eyes in the camera, as if they were surrounded by a blush of love, the photographer clicked the shutter, capturing the moment.

After leaving the photo studio, Fu Hengyi accompanied Shen Qinglan to a prenatal class for expectant parents. Fu Hengyi had joined Shen Qinglan for this class once before the New Year, but the class was suspended due to the holiday period.

In the classroom filled with expectant parents, Shen Qinglan and Fu Hengyi were undoubtedly the center of attention, their striking looks and demeanor impossible not to notice.

Still, it was Fu Hengyi who took notes while Shen Qinglan watched him attentively. On their ride back, she couldn’t resist teasing him, "Were you this serious when you were in school?"

Fu Hengyi thought for a moment and shook his head, "Not really."

Shen Qinglan couldn’t help but laugh.

The New Year passed by unnoticed and on the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, Qinglan’s teahouse began to operate. After a trip to the teahouse, on her way back, she received a phone call from Jin Enxi.

Jin Enxi spoke with regret, "I can’t believe I haven’t found out anything. An, I’m now certain that there’s something definitely wrong with Qin Yan. This woman might be hiding some unspeakable secrets behind her."

"Then you might as well come back. Not being able to find anything is the biggest problem," Shen Qinglan said. She wasn’t surprised by this outcome at all. If Jin Enxi had managed to find something easily, then she would have overestimated Qin Yan.

"Alright, I’m coming back today."

"How’s the situation with Yan Shengyu?" Shen Qinglan asked.

"I couldn’t find anything useful, just like what the police initially found; no evidence points towards Yan Anbang or Qin Yan. I even investigated Qin Yan’s financial accounts and call records and didn’t find any suspicious issues. Either this has nothing to do with Qin Yan or this woman is extremely cautious, having covered her tracks very cleanly." Jin Enxi speculated. If it were the latter, Qin Yan would be much more terrifying than they had assumed, having managed to evade her personal investigation.

With no leads to follow, there was no point for Jin Enxi to stay in Nancheng. On her way back, she felt somewhat dejected. She had never before encountered a situation that she couldn’t investigate, but lately, she had been facing one setback after another, first Mrs. Jin and now Qin Yan. These two women were like two enigmas, both inscrutable.

Thinking this, Jin Enxi’s gaze sharpened. All mysterious women? She suddenly remembered Shen Qinglan’s suspicions—what if Mrs. Jin and Qin Yan were, in fact, the same person?

But she quickly shook that thought off. If Mrs. Jin and Qin Yan were really the same person, with Mrs. Jin having so many forces at her back, why wouldn’t she confront them directly instead of using such roundabout methods? No, more accurately, Qin Yan hadn’t targeted them to date; the issues she’d stirred were always related to the Yan Family.

Thinking this through, Jin Enxi found her mind turning to mush. She couldn’t make sense of many things.

Shen Qinglan was pondering the same questions, except she was wondering what kind of grudge Mrs. Jin held against her. If Mrs. Jin was Qin Yan, there was even less of an intersection between her and Qin Yan.

"What are you thinking about so deeply? We’ve arrived at the doorstep, and you’re still not getting out of the car?" Shen Junyu’s voice reached her ears, bringing Qinglan back to reality. Only then did she realize that they had already reached home.

Shen Qinglan got out of the car, and Shen Junyu looked at the item in her hand, "What’s that?"

"A photo album." She had just picked it up from the photo studio on her way.

Shen Junyu followed Shen Qinglan inside, took the photo album from her hand, "Hmm, these are good. Is the photographer from the studio the same one who took your wedding photos?"

Fu Hengyi hummed in affirmation; their wedding photos had turned out quite well, and he didn’t bother changing photographers.

"Brother, you could use them for your wedding photos too," Shen Qinglan mentioned, casting an inquisitive glance at Shen Junyu.

Sensing her gaze, Shen Junyu looked up, "What’s wrong?"

"I heard from Sister Xiyao that you’ve been very busy lately, often disappearing after work. What are you busy with?"

Shen Junyu’s eyes flickered slightly, "Nothing."

Seeing that he didn’t want to talk, Shen Qinglan became even more curious, "You aren’t doing something behind Sister Xiyao’s back that would betray her trust, are you?"

Shen Junyu reached out and gently tapped on her head, "What nonsense are you talking about? Am I that kind of person?"

Shen Qinglan chuckled, "You never know."

Shen Junyu raised his hand as if to hit her again, but then he met Fu Hengyi’s cool gaze and lowered his hand. Fine, fine, a married sister was no longer just his. Thinking so, Shen Junyu felt an even stronger pang of sorrow.

Fu Hengyi withdrew his gaze and continued to look at the magazine in his hand.

**

Ya Xi returned on the twentieth day of the lunar month, having spent nearly twenty days touring Europe with Doug. Her mood had indeed improved greatly, and Doug accompanied her on her return.

"Doug, have you booked the hotel?" Right after exiting Beijing Airport, Ya Xi asked. Along the way, Doug had been the one arranging their hotels.

Doug helped her into a taxi, "We’re not heading to Beijing. Let’s go straight to Nancheng."

Ya Xi paused, "Go to Nancheng? For what?"

"To take you home," Doug said.

Ya Xi stopped in her tracks, looking intently at Doug with a serious expression, "Doug, I don’t want to go home."

Doug stared into her eyes, which were beautiful and clear, but at that moment, they were filled with resistance. He could even imagine the tears that would fill those eyes when Ya Xi learned that her mother had become a vegetable. His heart clenched sharply, and he looked away, "Ya Xi, your mother is ill, you should go see her."

Ya Xi’s expression changed, "What’s happened to my mom?"

Ever since Zhao Jiaqing sent her back to Xueli City last time, Ya Xi hadn’t wanted to deal with anything at home and hadn’t contacted anyone from her family at all.

"Your mother is sick and in the hospital. Let’s go see her first."

Ya Xi had no reason to refuse, as it was her own mother who was now ill, and there was no way she wouldn’t go see her. But she felt a strong unease welling up inside her, "Doug, what sickness does my mom have?"

Doug shook his head, "I’m not sure, it was your brother who called me and let me know." He didn’t say, although he knew it was of no use, that if he could delay for one more minute, he’d delay it.

On the way back, Ya Xi was very anxious, her hands holding her cell phone. She wanted to call her brother, but she didn’t have the courage to dial that familiar number.

Upon reaching the hospital, Ya Xi stood at the entrance, hesitating to go in. Doug took her hand, "Ya Xi, don’t be afraid, I’m here with you."

"Doug, my mother’s illness is very serious, isn’t it?" Ya Xi asked. If it wasn’t, why wouldn’t they tell her directly?

Doug remained silent, and his silence was an affirmation. Ya Xi’s heart instantly sank.

Her steps suddenly quickened, even somewhat stumbling, as Doug grabbed her arm, "Ya Xi, this way."

The closer she got to the ward, the slower her steps became. She stood at the door of the ward for a long time without moving. Doug knew what she was afraid of, but he didn’t urge her, just quietly waiting for her.

Suddenly, the door to the ward opened, and Yan Shengyu came out, surprised to see Ya Xi, "Xiao Xi, why did you come back?" He looked at Doug, seemingly not understanding why the two of them came back together.

Yan Shengyu didn’t look good. He hadn’t rested properly for a long time, and the constant rushing between the outside world and the hospital had taken a toll on him, leaving him looking ragged.

"Brother, mom, she..." Ya Xi began with a hoarse voice but couldn’t finish her sentence.

Yan Shengyu’s expression stiffened as if he only then realized they were at the ward, where his mother was lying inside.

"Xiao Xi, listen to me first, mom, she..."

Ya Xi pushed Yan Shengyu aside and walked straight in. She stared blankly at her mother lying on the hospital bed, at the bandages wrapped around her, seemingly unable to process it.

"Mom, I’m back." Ya Xi called gently, but the woman on the bed, Zhao Jiaqing, showed no response.

"Mom, I’m back." Ya Xi raised her voice but still received no response.

She slowly walked to Zhao Jiaqing’s side, "Mom, it’s Ya Xi, I’m back, won’t you open your eyes and look at me?"

Yan Shengyu followed her in, watching Ya Xi like this, suddenly unsure of how to speak. He closed his eyes and said soothingly, "Xiao Xi, mom can’t hear."

Ya Xi turned around, staring at him intently, "Why do you say she can’t hear? Isn’t she just asleep?"

Before Yan Shengyu could reply, Ya Xi suddenly interrupted him, "Brother, don’t talk, I’m begging you, don’t say it."

"Ya Xi, mom had a car accident, she’s become a vegetative state," Yan Shengyu still said it.

Ya Xi looked at him, her eyes cold, "Didn’t I say not to tell me? Why did you still say it?"

Yan Shengyu felt a bitter taste in his heart, "Xiao Xi."

Ya Xi covered her ears, "Don’t speak, I don’t want to hear it." She turned and threw herself beside Zhao Jiaqing, "Mom, it’s Ya Xi, your Xiao Xi, I’m back, won’t you open your eyes and look at me?"

Her eyes were hopeful as she stared intensely at Zhao Jiaqing’s face.

But gradually, the light in her eyes began to dim, her large eyes filling with tears, her vision blurring. She reached out to grasp Zhao Jiaqing’s hand, burying her face in her palm, "Mom, are you angry? Is that why you won’t acknowledge me?"

Yan Shengyu wanted to come closer but was stopped by Doug. Doug shook his head gently, and Yan Shengyu’s steps halted. He quietly watched his sister, who was softly crying in front of the hospital bed, her cries like a wounded animal, which cut through his heart like a knife.

Yan Shengyu’s eyes reddened, while Doug looked at Ya Xi’s back, filled with pity.

Yan Shengyu stepped out of the ward and said to Doug, "You shouldn’t have brought her back."

Doug looked down at the ground, "She had to know eventually; you couldn’t hide this from her for her whole life."

Yan Shengyu closed his eyes in pain, yes, he could not hide this from Ya Xi for her whole life; she would find out sooner or later, "I’d rather she never knew."

**

Inside the ward, Ya Xi held Zhao Jiaqing’s hand, sobbing softly, "Mom, is it because I was too willful that you are angry and deliberately ignoring me? Brother said you’ve become a vegetative state, but I don’t believe it, mom, you love me so much, how could you bear to ignore me? Just open your eyes and look at me once, I promise I’ll listen to you from now on."

"Mom, I’ve come to understand, you and Dad not loving each other and forcing a relationship is pointless, you were right to get divorced, I support you. If Dad doesn’t want you, I’ll be with you for life, okay?"

She gently shook Zhao Jiaqing’s hand, like she did when she was being coquettish as a child, "Mom, I really won’t be willful anymore, please don’t be angry, open your eyes, I get scared when you’re like this."

Her face was covered in tears.

Doug came in and stood beside her, "Ya Xi."

Ya Xi looked up at him, her eyes brimming with tears, "Doug, talk to my mom, I promise I’ll always listen to her from now on, I won’t be willful. Please tell her to wake up."

"Ya Xi, the doctor said your mother has become a vegetable, and her chances of waking up are very slim." She even faces the imminent threat of her heart stopping suddenly, resulting in complete death.

Ya Xi silently wept, her like this was even more heartbreaking for Doug than if she were to throw a loud tantrum or become hysterical.

"Ya Xi," Doug called out to her but didn’t know what to say next.

"Can I be alone with my mom for a while?" Ya Xi asked quietly.

Doug paused before responding, "Okay." He then turned and left the hospital room.

Ya Xi stayed beside her mother’s bed for several days, not allowing anyone other than the doctors and nurses to enter the room.

"Doug, I’m worried about Ya Xi looking like this..." Yan Shengyu expressed his concern.

Doug was worried too, but he was much more composed than Yan Shengyu, "Let’s wait for now, wait until her emotions have settled."

What worried Yan Shengyu was the shock to Ya Xi’s health, "This kind of shock for Ya Xi..."

Doug remained silent; he couldn’t make any judgement either, as even he hadn’t seen Ya Xi in the past few days.

Inside the hospital room, Ya Xi had just finished wiping Zhao Jiaqing’s body and changing her clothes. She sat by the bed and talked to her mother.

"Mom, the weather is really nice today, I want to go out and bask in the sun. Do you want to wake up and come with me?"

"I went traveling with Doug before, we toured around Europe. We visited so many countries, saw so much scenery, and I also ate a lot of delicious food. I remember you said, once I’m on summer break, we’d go travel around the world together. Mom, you’re someone who keeps her promises, you wouldn’t go back on your word, right?"

"Next trip I want to go to Egypt, I want to see the pyramids. They say the pyramids are the tombs of pharaohs, the crystallization of human wisdom. I want to see them, let’s go there next time."

Outside the hospital room, Yan Shengyu and Doug watched the scene through the glass window.

"Doug, this can’t go on, Ya Xi will break down," said Yan Shengyu.

Doug’s eyes were heavy with concern, "I know, I’ll go in and talk to her," he said as he opened the door to the hospital room.

He walked over to Ya Xi and began softly, "Is mom feeling any better today?"

Ya Xi did not look at him but at Zhao Jiaqing, "Still the same. Doug, do you think my mom will wake up?"

Doug couldn’t answer this question; having spoken with the doctors, he knew that hoping for Zhao Jiaqing to wake up was like hoping for a miracle, and the world did not have so many miracles.

"Ya Xi, what would you do if your mom can’t wake up?" Doug asked her.

For the first time, Ya Xi’s gaze fell upon him, "Are you saying that my mom will never wake up?"

"Ya Xi, I’m talking about ’if.’ What if your mother never wakes up? When we think about things, don’t we also have to face the worst-case scenario?"

Ya Xi fell silent. Hearing Doug talk about her mother never waking up filled her with anger, but she couldn’t lash out at him; this man had been by her side when she most needed help.

"Doug, please leave me alone for a while," Ya Xi said. Her mind was far from calm, and she feared she might say something she’d regret.

Doug did not leave. He looked at Ya Xi, "Ya Xi, you need to seriously think about what I said. What will you do if your mom doesn’t wake up?"

"Enough!" Ya Xi suddenly shouted, "Doug, are you trying to tell me what to do now? Over and over you say my mom won’t wake up—by what right do you say that? What are you to me?!"

Ya Xi was yelling and crying; she had been on edge for days. Other than the first day she saw Zhao Jiaqing and broke down crying, she hadn’t shed a single tear since. Doug and Yan Shengyu both knew that it was only a matter of time before Ya Xi would collapse.

Doug didn’t try to stop Ya Xi’s emotional outburst; such an outburst wasn’t a bad thing for her at this point. The words she threw at him were automatically ignored by Doug.

Ya Xi’s throat was hoarse from yelling, and she was exhausted from crying. Eventually, she sat down quietly on the floor.

She sat with her legs pulled up, resting her head on her knees.

Doug sat down next to her and asked softly, "Do you feel a bit better now?"

"Doug, I’m sorry," Ya Xi said, her voice faint and hoarse.

Doug smiled slightly, "You don’t have to apologize to me, Ya Xi. Your nerves are too tense; you need to let them go. What happened to your mother is something none of us wanted to see, but now that it has happened, we must learn to face it. Do you understand what I mean?"

"I know, Doug. Why does the world change so fast? I haven’t left here for even a month, and when I come back, my mom is like this. If I’d known this would happen, even if my mom broke my legs, I would never have left," Ya Xi said, and her just-stilled tearful eyes began to overflow once again.

"Ya Xi, the world doesn’t have ’ifs.’ You need to learn to be strong," Doug said as he reached out to gently wipe away her tears, speaking tenderly.

With tear-blurred eyes, Ya Xi looked at him, "Doug, tell me, honestly, what are the chances of my mom waking up?"