The Tycoon's Mysterious Darling Wife
Chapter 417 - 419. Young Master Fu Who Was Bitten

Chapter 417: 419. Young Master Fu Who Was Bitten

Chenxi’s words not only failed to reassure Mrs. Jiang but, instead, made her even more worried. Could it really be as she feared? She glanced at her husband, who remained oblivious, and remembered how her son had been gazing at Pei Yinong nonchalantly, sending shivers down her spine.

The banquet progressed smoothly, but halfway through, a small incident occurred.

Anan remained asleep even as the banquet started. Fu Hengyi brought in Anan’s folding crib and placed it next to Shen Qinglan’s seat, allowing Anan to sleep more comfortably and Shen Qinglan to relax a bit.

Shen Qinglan had been busy all day and hadn’t eaten much. Seeing Anan sleeping soundly, she decided to quickly eat some food before Anan woke up.

While she was eating, a little girl came over and tugged at Shen Qinglan’s clothes. Shen Qinglan turned her head and saw a little girl in a princess dress looking at her.

"What’s wrong, little girl?"

The little girl looked at Shen Qinglan and then at Anan. "Auntie, may I look at the baby?"

Shen Qinglan smiled slightly and nodded. "You may, but the baby is sleeping now. You mustn’t wake him, okay?"

The little girl smiled. "Okay, Auntie, I promise not to wake him."

Shen Qinglan watched her for a moment, and after seeing that the little girl was only watching Anan sleep, she turned her attention away. However, it wasn’t long before Anan’s cries were heard. Shen Qinglan turned around and saw the little girl standing there helplessly, wringing her hands nervously as she caught Shen Qinglan’s gaze.

Shen Qinglan quickly picked up Anan and noticed a faint bite mark on his face, presumably from the little girl. Shen Qinglan felt very heartbroken.

The little girl hung her head. Seeing Shen Qinglan looking at her, she said softly, "Auntie, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. I just thought the little brother was so cute that I wanted to kiss him."

The childlike voice of the girl was tinged with tears, clearly frightened.

Shen Qinglan gently patted her son, checking Anan’s face carefully. Fortunately, the bite wasn’t deep, but due to the delicacy of a baby’s skin, it appeared particularly conspicuous.

Anan was crying loudly, and the little girl began to shed tears as well, silently crying without making a sound. Shen Qinglan handed her son to Fu Hengyi, then squatted down in front of the little girl.

"Don’t cry."

The little girl cried even harder. "Auntie, I didn’t do it on purpose." She had just been admiring how cute the baby was and wanted to give him a kiss. His face was very smooth, much like the jelly her mother bought for her, and she couldn’t help but take a bite, not expecting that the baby would start crying.

Shen Qinglan looked at the little girl and reached out to wipe her tears. "Auntie knows it was unintentional. You just wanted to show affection because you thought the baby was cute, right?"

The little girl nodded, but the tears did not stop. She was only four or five years old, and seeing the baby cry because of her, she was terribly afraid that the adults might scold her.

"Auntie knows you like the baby, but the baby is too small. You can kiss him, but you cannot bite, okay?"

"I’m sorry, Auntie."

Shen Qinglan’s expression was tender as she continued to wipe the girl’s tears. "There, don’t cry. Auntie isn’t upset with you."

"Auntie, the baby is still crying. Can I blow on him to soothe him? That’s what my mom does when I’m hurt." The little girl wiped her own tears and looked pleadingly at Shen Qinglan. Shen Qinglan smiled and nodded.

Anan’s cries were loud, drawing the attention of the entire hall. The little girl’s parents also noticed the commotion and were frightened when they saw their daughter had somehow made her way to the head table.

The little girl’s mother stood up hastily, and seeing her daughter in tears, with Shen Qinglan squatting in front of her apparently lecturing her, a displeasure instantly welled up inside her.

Pulling her daughter to her side, "Mrs. Fu, I don’t know what my daughter did wrong, but you can tell me, I am her mother, I’ll educate her myself."

Shen Qinglan was taken aback, realizing there was a misunderstanding, she was just about to speak when the woman continued, "And my daughter is still so young, even if she really did something wrong, Mrs. Fu, as an adult and an elder, shouldn’t be so petty, picking on a little girl is really beneath your dignity."

The gentleness on Shen Qinglan’s face gradually disappeared, reverting to an indifferent expression as she looked at this woman who accused others without understanding the situation.

Although the little girl did not fully understand her mother’s words, she understood most of it. Hearing her mother saying Shen Qinglan was picking on her, she quickly said, "Mommy, it’s not like that, Auntie wasn’t picking on me."

The woman glanced at her daughter, "Xinxin, don’t be afraid, mommy is here."

The little girl held her mother’s hand, "Mommy, it was me who made the baby cry, Auntie was comforting me."

Upon hearing this, the woman’s expression suddenly stiffened as she looked at her daughter.

The little girl seriously said, "Mommy, I bit the baby just now, and the baby cried."

"Then why are you crying?" the woman asked her.

"I was afraid you would scold me, Auntie was comforting me."

The woman suddenly felt embarrassed; her daughter had made someone else’s child cry, and instead of being upset, they were comforting her daughter, yet she had accused them without understanding the situation, this...

"That... Mrs. Fu, I’m sorry, I misunderstood." The woman looked sheepish, then slapped her daughter lightly on the back, "You see, you! Why can’t you just stay by mommy and daddy, why did you make the baby cry?"

Shen Qinglan’s expression grew even colder, and she spoke blandly, "It’s just a little play among children, you don’t need to do this, and she has already apologized to me."

There were so many people here, the woman’s voice was a bit loud, and many had seen everything. Even a four or five-year-old child has her own dignity; being scolded by her parents in public surely felt terrible, didn’t you see the little girl started crying the moment her mother finished speaking?

The woman grew even more embarrassed, but she also knew she was in the wrong. Watching her daughter starting to tear up again, she felt a twinge of regret.

The little girl’s father came over, he had already learned what had happened, he glared at his wife discreetly, then turned to Shen Qinglan, "Mrs. Fu, my wife and daughter were thoughtless, and caused you trouble, is the child alright?"

Anan was still crying in his daddy’s arms. Fu Hengyi was gently soothing him, and upon hearing the man’s words, he said lightly, "It’s nothing."

"I’m truly sorry," the man said to Fu Hengyi.

"It’s just children’s play, no need to make it a big issue, thank you for coming to the reception today. Let’s not dwell on this matter anymore," Fu Hengyi said kindly.

The man looked gratefully at Fu Hengyi, then returned with his wife and child to their seats. Shen Qinglan saw the little girl glancing back at her halfway, and smiled at her; the little girl reciprocated with a smile.

Anan was still crying. Shen Qinglan took the child and whispered in Fu Hengyi’s ear, "I’ll take him outside for a walk."

Fu Hengyi nodded, and Shen Qinglan walked away with the child.

As they left the banquet hall and entered the hotel’s garden outside, Anan’s crying gradually decreased. Shen Qinglan gently patted his back, cooing softly, "Anan, be good, no more crying."

Anan had stopped wailing, but the tears were still flowing. Shen Qinglan looked at the shallow tooth mark on her son’s face and couldn’t help but smile inappropriately, leaving Anan hiccupping, unsure of why his mother was laughing, looking at Shen Qinglan with a sense of grievance.

Shen Qinglan bent down and rubbed her son’s face, "You’re a boy, how can you keep crying?"

Suddenly, her expression grew serious as she looked at her son, her gaze turning slightly cold, "Come out."

Footsteps sounded from behind, and Shen Qinglan turned around to see Allen, which made her pause momentarily.

Seeing Shen Qinglan, Allen gave a slight smile, "Surprised to see me? Didn’t expect I would come, did you?"

Shen Qinglan kept her eyes steadily on him without speaking. Allen, however, looked at the child in her arms, "Is this your son? May I hold him?"

Shen Qinglan tightened her grip on her son. Allen laughed and shrugged, "Xiaoqi, you don’t have to be so nervous. I just want to see your child. If you’re not comfortable, forget I asked."

Shen Qinglan hesitated for a moment before handing the child over to him. Allen was taken aback, having thought Shen Qinglan would be reluctant. He quickly and carefully took the child, holding him stiffly as it was his first time.

Anan didn’t cry, but tears still hung at the corner of his eyes as he looked at Allen, seemingly curious about his different appearance, his big eyes blinking.

Allen and Anan stared at each other, and Allen’s eyes softened instantly, "His eyes resemble yours."

Shen Qinglan remained silent. Allen did not expect her to say anything and continued to look down at the child in his arms. Perhaps because he was holding the child awkwardly, Anan felt uncomfortable and furrowed his little brow, looking towards Shen Qinglan.

Allen’s mouth twitched, "Xiaoqi, he is not good-looking." He paused, then continued, "His mouth and nose are terribly ugly." He looks just like that man, utterly failing in good looks.

Shen Qinglan was taken aback; this was the first time she heard someone say Anan was ugly.

Anan furrowed his brow even tighter and began waving his little hands. Seeing this, Allen handed the child back to Shen Qinglan, then took a small object from his pocket and placed it in the child’s hand.

Shen Qinglan looked closely—it was a jade pendant, just the size of the child’s palm.

"I took a jade pendant from you, this one is to make it up to you. As for yours, I’m not giving it back," Allen explained.

Shen Qinglan felt unfamiliar with the jade pendant he mentioned and didn’t understand the implied meaning in his words. Allen just smiled, showing no intention to explain further, as if Shen Qinglan wouldn’t remember having a jade pendant anyway.

"Cough cough." Allen suddenly started coughing, bending over with the severity of it. When Shen Qinglan first saw him, she noticed his pale complexion. Her gaze flickered, "Are you injured?"

Allen finally stopped coughing. Hearing Shen Qinglan’s question, he chuckled, "It’s nothing, just a minor injury."

Shen Qinglan guessed it was probably due to the incident involving Qin Yan.

"Xiaoqi, don’t look at me like that, or I’ll be tempted to take you back with me," Allen chuckled lightly.

Shen Qinglan averted her gaze.

Allen glanced at the child and then at Shen Qinglan, "I should go now. Goodbye, Xiaoqi."

After speaking, he turned and walked away. "Allen," Shen Qinglan called out to him, and he paused in his steps.

"Your body is your own, and so is your life, you... should really see a doctor."

Allen didn’t turn back, but his lips curled upward, "Xiaoqi, you’re still too soft-hearted."

Shen Qinglan watched as Allen’s figure disappeared from her sight, her expression somewhat dazed, not knowing what she was thinking.

"Qinglan," Fu Hengyi called softly.

Shen Qinglan turned around to look at him, "Why did you come out?"

"I saw you hadn’t come in, so I came out to look for you," Fu Hengyi said with a smile.

"Did you see it?"

Fu Hengyi nodded and quickly grabbed the jade pendant that his son was about to put in his mouth, "You can’t eat it."

Anan watched as the thing in his hand was snatched away by daddy, stared blankly at daddy, and then became unhappy.

Shen Qinglan didn’t bring up Allen again and walked back with Fu Hengyi.

Allen got back into the car, Peter handed him some pills and a bottle of water. Allen took them and swallowed them expressionlessly, "That child’s eyes looked exactly like Xiaoqi’s when she was young, so clean."

Peter heard this and said nothing, Allen hadn’t expected him to speak anyway, he murmured to himself, "I still remember the first day Xiaoqi arrived at the base, she was pretty since she was little, the prettiest and the most dazzling among those children. So many kids, and I spotted her immediately. At that time, she was wearing old clothes, looked very unsophisticated, her hair was a mess, her face dirty, just like a little beggar, but those eyes were astonishingly bright."

"Those eyes were truly clean, I saw such clear eyes for the first time, untouched by the world’s dust, from those eyes, all you could see was your own ugliness. I was thinking at that time, what if these eyes turned black, would they still be beautiful?"

"Allen, why don’t you rest for a while?" Peter suggested.

Allen chuckled, his smile a bit cold, "Today, I rarely feel like talking, can’t you just listen quietly?"

Peter shrugged, "Okay, continue."

The necklace around Allen’s neck, Shen Qinglan’s jade pendant, he took it out, holding it gently in his hand, "She was the smartest child I had ever met, learned things very quickly, but her heart was too soft. When everyone else knew they had to use the knives in their hands to protect themselves, that to survive, they must eliminate everyone else, she was the only one who would just knock people unconscious every time. This kind of kindness wasn’t a good thing for her, it only harmed her."

"What was the name of that little girl by her side back then, Qin Yan’s daughter, I can’t quite remember anymore, she was much harsher than Xiaoqi, but she was good to Xiaoqi. Xiaoqi killed for the first time to protect her. Actually, I was not far away. I watched her plunge the knife into those people’s bodies, blood splattering her face, but she just expressionlessly pulled the knife out, you don’t know how captivating she was at that moment."

Allen’s eyes gleamed with fascination and nostalgia, his expression tender, "She was still just a child, but like an emotionless machine, swift and decisive with the knife, the most beautiful Xiaoqi I’ve ever seen."

Peter imagined such a scene, shivered, "Allen, I think your illness is getting worse." What was beautiful about such a scene, which only felt horrifying?

Allen ignored Peter’s words, continuing to immerse in his own memories, "I saw Xiaoqi holding that little girl’s corpse, sobbing painfully, honestly, Xiaoqi’s tears made my heart ache. That was the first time I saw her cry. Despite being covered in wounds herself and barely able to hold on, she insisted on burying the little girl. Absolutely foolish."

"People like us, living in darkness, shouldn’t possess something called kindness, it only leads to one’s own death, but Xiaoqi was such an anomaly. I originally thought that with time, Xiaoqi would eventually become like me, cold-blooded and unfeeling, but until the day she left, she stayed as herself."

Peter glanced at Allen through the rearview mirror, hesitated, then spoke, "Allen. There’s something I’ve always wanted to know, your injury, and nearly dying, you did that on purpose, didn’t you?"

Allen chuckled softly, "Peter, people who are too smart usually don’t live very long."

Peter instantly understood, it really was as he suspected.

"Xiaoqi hates me, I’ve always known that. She and Shiyi have always wanted me dead. And I, too, have grown tired of such a life. So what if I acquiesce to Xiaoqi?" Allen said, uncaringly.

That year, Shen Qinglan and her team actually comprised eight people. During a mission in Country R, someone betrayed them, revealing their whereabouts to the military of Country R. One of them died protecting Shen Qinglan, who was covering their retreat.

It was also that operation that solidified Shen Qinglan’s resolve to leave Devil Base. But the Devil Base was not so easy to leave—unless you died. So Shen Qinglan wanted to destroy the entire base. What she didn’t expect was that the traitor had told Allen their plan.

So, before their operation commenced, Allen had already known all of their plans. Ever since taking over the organization from his father, Allen had grown weary of such a life over the years and simply pretended not to know, letting Shen Qinglan and her team carry out their plan. It was a good opportunity to test their strength.

The outcome was satisfying to him, and seeing the smile on Shen Qinglan’s face after she was free satisfied him even more. It was his most satisfactory masterpiece.

"Peter, am I not going to live much longer?" Allen asked after a moment of silence.

Peter glanced at him through the rearview mirror and said speechlessly, "You’re overthinking it. As long as you cooperate with my treatment, I can’t promise you’ll live to a hundred, but keeping you alive for another decade or two is not a problem."

"Then fine, after we return, I’ll cooperate with whatever treatment you think is necessary." Allen said casually, which startled Peter, who was driving. "Are you serious?"

Allen looked at him coldly, "Do I look like I’m joking?"

Peter smiled in relief, "What made you change your mind all of a sudden?" This person had always tormented himself and had never cooperated with treatment before.

Allen remained silent. Seeing this, Peter knew he was unwilling to speak, but having just met Shen Qinglan, his attitude had changed, and it was not hard to guess that Shen Qinglan must have said something to him.

Ah, women—since ancient times, they have been the bane of men, especially beautiful women, who are truly a disaster among disasters.

**

The party continued, and when Shen Qinglan and Hengyi returned to the banquet hall, they saw everyone surrounding Old Sir Fu, offering him birthday congratulations. Gu Yang knelt on the ground, kowtowing to Old Sir Fu, "May Grandfather’s happiness be as immense as the Eastern Sea and his longevity as everlasting as the Southern Mountains, may you have this day every year, and this time every season."

Old Sir Fu laughed heartily, repeatedly uttering words of praise. Gu Yang continued with a string of felicitous birthday phrases, pleasing Old Sir Fu so much that he beamed with joy.

Shen Qinglan handed her son over to Yun Rong and joined Hengyi in offering birthday wishes to Old Sir Fu. The gift Shen Qinglan had prepared for Old Sir Fu was an inkstone she had acquired at a high price from an auction. Naturally, Old Sir Fu liked it, and he publicly lauded his granddaughter-in-law.

Many of today’s attendees were prominent figures from the military and political realms, generally seen only on television. Gathered together today, they listened to Old Sir Fu’s praise. While they had previously known that he was very satisfied with his granddaughter-in-law, this event truly showcased his approval.

Shen Qinglan was well aware that Old Sir Fu was paving the way for her and Hengyi. Hengyi’s future in the Beijing Military Region was going to be different than before, inevitably increasing their interactions with these people, and she, too, would inevitably have to deal with the wives of Beijing. Allowing these people to see the Fu Family’s appreciation for her now, her status in future interactions would naturally rise.

After Shen Qinglan and Hengyi finished offering their birthday wishes, it was the turn of other relatives of the Fu Family to extend their wishes to Old Sir Fu. As Shen Qinglan stepped aside, several ladies came over to speak to her. Seemingly having coordinated their approach, they all started with Anan, showering him with praises that were above and beyond. Shen Qinglan, despite her composure, felt her cheeks redden.

"He’s just a few months old, and you can already discern so much? That’s a bit exaggerated," remarked one lady nonchalantly.

Such an uncommon opinion always drew different levels of attention. Following the voice, Shen Qinglan saw a very luxuriously dressed woman, apparently in her forties. Shen Qinglan had no recollection of this person.

"This child looks very clever, just look at his eyes," another lady, trying to smooth things over, pulled at her friend.

The first lady, who was a real estate magnate’s wife, unluckily happened to be the grandmother of the young girl who had earlier been scolded in public due to Shen Qinglan. Her granddaughter being reprimanded by her daughter-in-law had somewhat displeased her. Seeing everyone surrounding Shen Qinglan and extolling a mere baby as if he were Wenquxing himself, she couldn’t help but let sarcastic words slip out.

"That lady didn’t heed her friend’s attempt to smooth things over and continued," "It’s just the truth. The baby’s only three months old, only knows how to cry and nurse, what does he understand? Who knows how he’ll turn out, only you all could stand there and spout nonsense."

Shen Qinglan, although also feeling that everyone was exaggerating, thought it was just well-wishing and let it be. But the sour tone of this lady was truly uncomfortable.

With a slight curl of her lips, Shen Qinglan spoke, "What this lady says is true. My son is still young, and it’s natural that we cannot see much now. However, a parent’s upbringing decides a child’s manners. I believe that, at the very least, my child will possess basic manners."

The lady’s face changed slightly, wasn’t that a direct insinuation that she lacked manners and upbringing? She opened her mouth to retort.

"Grandma." The crisp voice of a little girl rang out, and a small figure suddenly appeared beside the lady, tugging at her hand and calling out. The lady’s face immediately brightened with a smile, "Xinxin, how did you get here?"

The little girl grinned, "Daddy said he needed you."

"Where’s your daddy?"

The little girl pointed towards her father’s direction.

"Let’s go, let’s go find your daddy." The rich lady took her granddaughter’s hand and left.

The moment Shen Qinglan saw the little girl, she understood why she had been inexplicably targeted and shook her head, unable to suppress a chuckle.

Seeing this, the companion who had come with the rich lady also left.

Shen Qinglan continued chatting with the other ladies, deliberately steering the conversation away from the topic of children.

Wen Xiyao came over to find Shen Qinglan, "Qinglan, Anan is hungry. Mom wants you to come over."

Shen Qinglan apologetically smiled at the ladies, "My child needs me, I’ll have to step away momentarily."

When Shen Qinglan returned, Anan was playing with Haohao, not hungry at all. She immediately understood, looking at Wen Xiyao who smiled and whispered softly, "I was worried you wouldn’t adapt to such a setting all at once."

Shen Qinglan’s adaptability was actually quite good, but making small talk with a bunch of strangers for a long time was indeed tiring, "I really did need a breather."

For the rest of the time, Shen Qinglan mostly stayed by her son’s side, watching him play with Haohao, while chatting with Ya Xi.

It wasn’t until the banquet was over that Shen Qinglan took her son, who had already fallen asleep, home.

Ya Xi had already been taken back to Beijing by Doug. Originally, Shen Qinglan wanted Doug to take Ya Xi back the next day, but considering that Ya Xi had grown up and had her own life, and she really had no right to dictate Ya Xi’s actions, she didn’t say anything.

"Doug, where are you taking me?" Ya Xi curiously looked out the car window and asked.

"Back to Nancheng."

Ya Xi paused, looking at Doug, "Aren’t we going back to the hotel?"

Doug smiled, "I’ve already checked out of the hotel room. We’re heading directly to Nancheng. I’ve contacted your brother, and he will come to pick us up."

"My brother is in Nancheng?"

"Mm."

"Why are we going to Nancheng?" Ya Xi asked, her expression somewhat reluctant.

"Your father had previously sustained a serious injury and nearly lost his life. Your brother was worried you couldn’t bear it, so he didn’t tell you. Now that he’s passed the critical period, I think we should go see him."

Upon hearing this, Ya Xi was first surprised, then fell silent. Doug looked at her. "I know you don’t want to see him, but he is your father after all. Let’s go see him first, okay?"

Ya Xi neither agreed nor disagreed, maintaining her silence all the way until she met Yan Shengyu.

It had been a long time since Yan Shengyu had seen his sister, "Xiao Xi." Yan Shengyu embraced his sister. "It’s been so long. Did you miss your brother?"

Holding Yan Shengyu’s waist, Ya Xi remained silent. Yan Shengyu looked at Doug in confusion, but Doug said nothing.

"Xiao Xi, are you not happy to see your brother?" Yan Shengyu asked softly.

Ya Xi looked up, staring steadily at Yan Shengyu. "Brother, why didn’t you tell me about his injury?"

Yan Shengyu was initially startled and then realized Ya Xi was referring to Yan Anbang. "I just didn’t want you to worry."

Ya Xi fell silent again. It seemed like everyone was afraid of burdening her. She knew that Doug, Yan Shengyu, and even Shen Qinglan were all keeping things from her. They were all subconsciously protecting her. Perhaps they hid it well, but Ya Xi could feel it. Was she really that fragile in their eyes?

Remaining silent, Ya Xi followed Yan Shengyu to the hotel where she met a stranger.

"You must be Ya Xi. Let me introduce myself. My name is Zhong Ziwen, and I’m your brother’s girlfriend." Zhong Ziwen had seen Ya Xi through Yan Shengyu’s phone and recognized her.

Ya Xi stared blankly at Zhong Ziwen, then turned to Yan Shengyu, clearly unaware that Yan Shengyu already had a girlfriend.

Yan Shengyu smiled slightly, explaining, "I wanted to tell you during our last video call, but you hung up before I had a chance."

Ya Xi uttered an "Oh" and looked at Zhong Ziwen. "Hello, I’m Ya Xi."

Zhong Ziwen moved to embrace Ya Xi, but Ya Xi stepped back, clearly refusing. A trace of awkwardness crossed Zhong Ziwen’s face; Yan Shengyu spoke to ease the situation. "Let’s not just stand here. Is their room ready?"

Zhong Ziwen smiled, "It’s all set. Next to and opposite ours. Ya Xi and this gentleman can pick where they prefer to stay."

They were also staying at the hotel, so knowing Ya Xi was coming, Zhong Ziwen had booked rooms for them there.

While Doug carried Ya Xi’s luggage, Yan Shengyu walked ahead with Zhong Ziwen, whispering an explanation. "Xiao Xi doesn’t like physical contact, especially since it’s your first meeting. Don’t take it to heart."

Zhong Ziwen laughed as she replied, "Do you think I’m that petty? Ya Xi is your sister, and soon she will be mine." She was a magnanimous person; the moment of embarrassment was brief.

The two talked softly ahead, which made Ya Xi feel like their relationship was really close, as if they always had endless things to discuss. Her gaze flickered, feeling oddly about Zhong Ziwen being with her brother, as if her brother shouldn’t be with her.

"What’s wrong?" Noticing her distraction, Doug asked softly.

Ya Xi shook her head. "Nothing."

Ya Xi chose the room next to Yan Shengyu’s, and Doug stayed across the hallway. Although they were dating, they had only progressed to hugs at this point. Ya Xi was very dependent on Doug but repelled by intimacy. Doug understood the reasons, but he knew he couldn’t rush things and could only gradually resolve Ya Xi’s emotional conflicts.

The next day after waking up, Ya Xi kept sitting on the edge of her bed, staring vacantly, lost in her thoughts. Zhong Ziwen came to knock on her door several times to call her down for a meal before she heard him.

After eating, Doug took Ya Xi to the hospital. Standing at the door of the hospital room, Ya Xi hesitated to enter. "Should I go in first to check?" Doug suggested.

Ya Xi nodded.

Yan Anbang had just finished his medication and was lying in bed, staring out the window. He often found himself in this state during his time in the hospital. Except for Zhong Ziwen, Yan Shengyu hadn’t visited him once, though Yan Anbang knew that Yan Shengyu always came with Zhong Ziwen but just stood outside unwilling to come in.

Hearing footsteps, Yan Anbang didn’t turn around but spoke softly, "Ziwen, you’re earlier than yesterday."

"Mr. Yan," Doug called out.

Yan Anbang turned to look at Doug, his eyes filled with surprise, "Why are you here? Aren’t you with Ya Xi—" Pausing, he realized, his eyes brightening with hope as he looked at Doug expectantly, "Ya Xi, she..."

Doug glanced at the door of the hospital room, and Yan Anbang instantly understood, the light fading from his eyes but smiling, "Have a seat."

Doug sat down on the chair. "How’s your health?"

"It’s much better now. What brings you back this time?"

"Shen Qinglan’s child had their hundred-days celebration yesterday. We came back to visit her."

"Time flies, I can’t believe her child is already a hundred days old," Yan Anbang remarked, then asked, "How long do you plan to stay?"

"We haven’t decided yet."

"If there’s nothing pressing, you should return early," Yan Anbang said, as Qin Yan was still lurking in the background, and with her people possibly still in Nancheng, it was dangerous for Ya Xi to return now.

"As long as she exists, it’s dangerous anywhere," Doug mentioned, noting that even Xueli City might not be safe.

Yan Anbang knew this well but hesitated before asking, "How has Ya Xi been lately?"

"She’s doing well, recently very interested in knitting scarves. She even searched up many videos online and is learning to knit on her own..." Doug described Ya Xi’s life to Yan Anbang, who listened intently.

Ya Xi couldn’t hear their conversation inside the room, but seeing Doug not coming out, she called him. Doug looked at Yan Anbang and answered the call.

"We should be going," Ya Xi said softly.

Doug hummed in response, and after Ya Xi hung up, he mentioned, "We’ll be leaving now, but I’ll bring her to visit you another day."

Yan Anbang nodded. As Doug was about to leave, Yan Anbang called out to him, "Mr. Doug, I entrust my daughter to you. I hope you will treat her well. She has suffered a lot. I’m not a good father, I owe her, and she will not forgive me in this lifetime. I don’t ask for her forgiveness, only for her to live a happy and joyful life. If she still doesn’t want to see me, don’t force her, just let her be."

Doug didn’t turn around but spoke earnestly, "I will. I’ll do my best to make her happy. You are one of the few relatives she has left in this world, and she somewhat cares about you. Take good care of your health as well."

Yan Anbang smiled in relief, "Thank you."