The Tycoon's Mysterious Darling Wife
Chapter 430 - 432. Learned the truth

Chapter 430: 432. Learned the truth

Chu Yunrong felt something strange—the address on the package was for the Fu Family, but the name was hers.

"When was this parcel delivered?" asked Chu Yunrong to the security guard.

"It was just delivered, and since the shift was changing, I brought it in for you," the security guard replied.

"Thank you, comrade."

The security guard smiled, "No need to be polite, I’ll be leaving then."

"Ok, thank you." Chu Yunrong took the parcel inside while still examining the information on it. The sender’s name and phone number were listed, but when she called the number, it showed as disconnected, clearly indicating that the sender did not want her to know who sent it.

Chu Yunrong took a pair of scissors and opened the parcel. Inside was a letter. When she saw its content, her complexion turned pale instantly.

Upon seeing Shen Qinglan come out, Chu Yunrong quickly stuffed the letter into her pocket, lowering her head to prevent Shen Qinglan from seeing the change in her complexion.

Indeed, Shen Qinglan did not notice Chu Yunrong’s discomfort. After coming out from the restroom, she went to the second-floor balcony to hang Anan’s diapers.

When she came downstairs again, Chu Yunrong had already composed herself, showing nothing unusual to Shen Qinglan.

Early on the third day, Chu Yunrong left home. Shen Qinglan waited at home for a long time without seeing Chu Yunrong, so she took Anan to the Shen residence. Old Sir Shen was practicing Tai Chi in the courtyard, "Grandfather, where is mom?"

"Your mom left early in the morning to visit a friend. Did you need something from her?"

"No, I just didn’t see her today and was worried she might be feeling unwell, so I came to check."

It was now January of the new year, and the cold winter of Beijing had already begun. Anan was wrapped up tightly by Shen Qinglan, but her little nose exposed to the air was still red from the cold.

Old Sir Shen, seeing this, felt distressed, "Come inside quickly, be careful that Anan doesn’t catch cold."

Shen Qinglan nodded and entered the house to set Anan on the sofa, then took out her mobile phone to call Chu Yunrong, but her phone was switched off. Shen Qinglan frowned, "Sister-in-law Song, did my mom say when she would be back when she left?"

Sister-in-law Song was cleaning the house and responded, "She said she’d be back before lunch."

"Did she say where she was going?"

"She didn’t specify, only mentioned she was going to see a friend and would be back quickly," paused Sister-in-law Song, continuing, "However, I seem to have heard her mention a café and something about Jiangnan Road. She spoke softly, and I didn’t hear clearly."

Shen Qinglan’s expression changed slightly, "Sister-in-law Song, I need to step out for a bit, please look after Anan for me," she said, then left.

"Lanlan, where are you going?" Old Sir Shen called after her, but Shen Qinglan did not turn back, "Grandfather, I have an urgent matter to attend to, I’ll be back soon."

***********

Fantasy Cafe on Jiangnan Road.

When Chu Yunrong walked in, there weren’t many customers in the cafe. She looked around, then headed to a corner where a woman with her hair draped and wearing a hat was sitting with her back to her. "I am Chu Yunrong, are you the one who asked to meet me?" Her tone carried a hint of uncertainty, even though the letter had specified this address, this cafe, and this spot.

The woman lifted her head, "Mrs. Shen, we meet again."

Chu Yunrong recognized her instantly—it was the same woman she had encountered in the restroom at the mall. "It’s you."

"Yes, it’s me. I’m glad Mrs. Shen remembers me," the woman smiled.

Chu Yunrong spun on her heels to leave, "Mrs. Shen," the woman called after her, "Since you’re here, why not sit down and chat? You’ve come all this way, which shows you’re curious about the contents of the letter, aren’t you? Don’t you want to know the truth behind your daughter’s disappearance 19 years ago?"

Chu Yunrong tightened her hold on her purse strap but eventually sat down opposite the woman. "What do you want to talk about?"

The woman smiled faintly, not surprised by Chu Yunrong’s decision. Any mother who cares about her child wouldn’t ignore their child’s disappearance.

"Mrs. Shen, I’m curious, haven’t you ever doubted your daughter’s disappearance? Think about the connections of the Shen Family. With all their efforts, finding a child in Beijing shouldn’t be difficult, but why couldn’t the Shen Family find her even after such a long search nearly 19 years ago?"

"The human traffickers were organized; their speed of moving people and methods of obscuring their tracks are professional. It’s normal not to find someone immediately," Chu Yunrong recited the explanation Shen Qian gave her back then.

The woman chuckled lightly, "Mrs. Shen, do you really believe that?"

Chu Yunrong indeed believed it; in fact, she was so devastated by her daughter’s loss back then that she hadn’t the mind to question the truth of Shen Qian’s words.

Seeing Chu Yunrong’s expression, the woman shook her head, "Mrs. Shen, it must be said, you are truly pitiful, deceived by your husband’s lies for nineteen years. Let me tell you, your daughter was taken deliberately by someone, specifically to take revenge on your husband."

"You’re talking nonsense," Chu Yunrong countered, her face pale.

The woman shrugged, "Whether I am talking nonsense, you can go back and ask your husband, though I don’t know if he’ll be willing to tell you the truth."

"Do you have any proof?" Chu Yunrong asked, trying to calm herself.

"The best proof is you yourself. You can reflect carefully on the situation from that day," the woman stated leisurely, her calm demeanor masking the nervousness in her eyes.

In truth, she wasn’t sure she could persuade Chu Yunrong to believe her words and start doubting the events from nineteen years ago. The woman had tried contacting Qin Yan in the past few days but hadn’t succeeded, presumably due to an accident. Yet, she wasn’t worried. As for the matter Qin Yan had instructed, the woman glanced at Chu Yunrong and a glint flashed across her eyes, implying that Qin Yan’s arrangements were to her liking.

Memories of the day Shen Qinglan disappeared nineteen years ago started to resurface in Chu Yunrong’s mind.

************

Nineteen years ago, at the Shen residence.

Today, Chu Yunrong had no performances, a rare chance to spend time with her two children at home. Recalling that Shen Junyu had asked for a set of the Four Treasures of the Study a few days ago, she decided to take advantage of her free day to buy it for him.

"Mummy, where are you going?" Five-year-old Shen Qinglan, dressed in a blue princess dress, wearing black leather shoes, and with her hair in two pigtails, came running down the stairs.

Chu Yunrong smiled gently, squatting down to look at her daughter, "Mummy is going to buy writing utensils for your brother today. Can Qinglan stay at home and wait for Mummy? I’ll bring you something tasty when I come back."

"I don’t want to, Mommy, I want to go with you," Shen Qinglan shook her head, unwilling to be separated from her mother.

"Mommy will be back soon. You wait at home for Mommy, and Mommy will bring you lots and lots of delicious food, and a pretty little dress, how about that?"

Shen Qinglan nestled into her mother’s arms, "Mommy, I don’t want to stay at home, I want to be with you. You haven’t taken me out to play in a long time."

During this period, Chu Yunrong had been preparing for a very important concert, extremely busy, barely having any time to spend with her child. If it weren’t for the concert ending successfully the day before yesterday, she would still have no time today.

Remembering she had promised to take her daughter to the amusement park but had failed to do so, Chu Yunrong felt guilty. Looking into her daughter’s big eyes and smoothing her hair, she said, "Qinglan, be good. It’s your birthday in a couple of days, how about Mommy takes you to the amusement park then?"

Shen Qinglan clung to Chu Yunrong’s arm, "No, I want to go with Mommy. Mommy, please take me with you. I promise to behave, hold your hand, and absolutely won’t run off."

Chu Yunrong had a troubled look on her face, but facing Shen Qinglan’s watery big eyes, she ultimately couldn’t bear to refuse her daughter’s request. "Alright, I really can’t win with you. We have a deal, when we’re out, you must listen to Mommy, and don’t stray out of Mommy’s sight, alright?"

Shen Qinglan obediently nodded, "Okay."

When they reached the mall, Chu Yunrong bought the things Shen Junyu needed. Since it was still early, she decided to take her daughter for a walk nearby. Shen Qinglan was thrilled, holding her mommy’s hand, even her walk was bouncy.

"Qinglan, walk properly, don’t fall."

Shen Qinglan stuck out her tongue, "I won’t. Mommy, I’m so happy today."

Chu Yunrong watched her with a tender look, "What’s making you happy? Share it so Mommy can be happy too."

Shen Qinglan, holding her mother’s hand and grinning said, "Because Mommy finally took me out. You’ve been so busy lately, you haven’t had time for me."

Chu Yunrong felt distressed and lifted Shen Qinglan into her arms, kissing her face, "Mommy is sorry. From now on, Mommy will try to make more time for you, okay?"

"Okay, but Mommy has to keep her word. If you don’t, I won’t love you anymore. I’ll only love Grandpa, Grandma, Daddy, and brother."

Chu Yunrong chuckled lightly, "Okay, Mommy promises you. If Mommy doesn’t spend time with you again, then Mommy will never receive kisses from Qinglan again."

Shen Qinglan nodded seriously, "Yes, that’s right."

"How about Mommy takes you to the nearby pedestrian street now? There are lots of delicious things there."

Shen Qinglan’s eyes lit up and she hugged Chu Yunrong’s neck, nodding vigorously while urging her, "Mommy, let’s go fast."

After walking for a few minutes, Shen Qinglan started fussing to come down. Chu Yunrong stopped, "What’s wrong? Isn’t it nice for Mommy to hold you?"

"Mommy, I’m too heavy, put me down please," Shen Qinglan said sweetly, Chu Yunrong’s forehead already sweating.

"Mommy isn’t tired, Qinglan is not heavy at all, Mommy can hold you." Chu Yunrong said smiling.

"Mommy, please put me down, Daddy said I shouldn’t always let Mommy hold me, it won’t look nice."

Chu Yunrong chuckled, "Your Daddy was just teasing you. Our Qinglan is the most beautiful, always Mommy’s little Princess, the most beautiful Princess. And there are too many people here, I won’t lose you if I carry you."

Qinglan leaned on Chu Yunrong’s shoulder, "Then Mommy, if you get tired, you can put me down and just hold my hand as we walk."

"Alright, our Qinglan is Mommy’s little cotton-padded jacket."

"Then Mommy is my big cotton-padded jacket," Qinglan whispered into Chu Yunrong’s ear, causing her to burst into laughter.

Chu Yunrong carried Qinglan for a while, but finally got too tired and put her down, taking her hand, "You must stick close behind Mommy and not run around, okay?"

Qinglan nodded seriously, but her eyes couldn’t help but wander to the sides of the street. This was a famous pedestrian street in Beijing, lined with a lot of unique snacks and many things that children loved.

Seeing Qinglan staring absentmindedly at the candied haw not far away, Chu Yunrong led her to buy a skewer, "You can’t eat it all; otherwise, your teeth will hurt, okay?"

Qinglan bit into the candied haw and nodded, "Mm, Mommy, can I eat just three, is that okay?"

"That’s fine."

Chu Yunrong led Qinglan through the pedestrian street. It had been many years since she had last been here, let alone with a child. Were it not for the mall where she needed to buy something for Shen Junyu being nearby, she probably wouldn’t have come.

Qinglan looked at the dazzling array of snacks and toys in front of her, her big eyes filled with wonder, "Mommy, this place is fun," her words filled with affection for the place.

Chu Yunrong tightened her grip on her daughter’s hand, "If it’s fun, we’ll stay a bit longer."

"Mommy, I want to eat that," Qinglan pointed in a direction, and Chu Yunrong looked to see it was a Dragon Beard Candy stall, "Mommy, it looks pretty, I want some."

Chu Yunrong nodded, "Okay, I’ll go buy it for you."

Qinglan wanted a little white rabbit made to order. She continued nibbling on her candied haw while looking around. Suddenly, she paused, fixating on a direction. It was a cotton candy stall, different from the cotton candy she had eaten before because this one was colorful and looked very pretty. She walked a few steps in that direction but then remembered Chu Yunrong’s warning not to wander off. She turned around to find her mother, but just as she did, the crowd around her suddenly increased, and she was swept along with the flow. In a blink, Chu Yunrong was out of sight.

Chu Yunrong had just received the Dragon Beard Candy from the vendor when she turned to find Qinglan’s figure had disappeared. Her expression changed, the candy dropping to the ground as she cried out, "Qinglan!" Her daughter’s name echoing loudly.

The crowd hustled and bustled around her, with no sight of a child anywhere. She randomly grabbed passersby, "Have you seen a little girl, about four or five years old, this tall, in blue clothes, with two little braids?"

The passersby shook their heads. Chu Yunrong released him and grabbed another, but after questioning one after another, everyone said they hadn’t seen Qinglan. Chu Yunrong grew increasingly panicked, her tears starting to fall as time passed, and eventually, she crouched down and started crying uncontrollably.

"Qinglan, where are you? Qinglan!" The people around her looked on as Chu Yunrong, drained of strength, stayed crouched on the ground.

"Excuse me, are you looking for a little girl in a blue dress?" An elderly woman’s voice rang out next to Chu Yunrong, who instantly looked at her, "Do you know where my daughter is?"

The elderly woman pointed in a direction, "I think I saw a child go that way."

Chu Yunrong hurriedly stood and ran in that direction, unaware that about ten meters in the opposite direction, Qinglan was also among the crowd, calling for her Mommy.

*************

Emerging from her memories, Chu Yunrong’s expression was very pale as she hung her head, saying nothing.

The woman observed her expression and spoke softly, "Have you remembered some details?"

Yes, Chu Yunrong had remembered. For so many years, she had dared not recall the day Shen Qinglan went missing. Now, thinking about it so carefully, she indeed recalled some things she had never noticed before. For example, the sudden increase in the crowd that day had separated her from her daughter. And there was also the old woman who had given her directions—could it have been intentional or just a coincidence?

If all this had been premeditated, and their initial target had been Shen Qinglan, all these doubts suddenly made sense.

"Mrs. Shen, I don’t have any evidence to prove that it was premeditated, but I believe you can definitely find out if you want to."

"How did you come to know about these things?" Chu Yunrong suddenly looked coldly at the woman. "According to your age, you would have been just a few years old back then."

The woman smiled slightly, "How I know this isn’t something you need to worry about. You just need to know that everything I am saying is true. Of course, you can choose not to believe it since we didn’t know each other before. But rest assured, I have no grievances with your Shen Family and no reason to target you."

"If that’s the case, what is your purpose in telling me all this? Do you want me to question my husband about why he has made enemies, yet it’s my daughter who suffers? Or is there another reason?" Chu Yunrong’s eyes were filled with coldness as she looked at the woman, no longer shocked.

The woman raised her eyebrows slightly, "Hmm, actually no. I just feel sorry for your daughter, who at such a young age has been living a nomadic, perilous life, licking blood off knife edges, while you as parents dote on another girl who has no blood relation to you."

Chu Yunrong’s face changed as she noticed a phrase in the woman’s words, "Licking blood off knife edges—what do you mean by that?"

The woman gave a mysterious smile and glanced behind her, "Want to know? You can investigate on your own. Of course, you can also ask your daughter or your husband. By the way, your husband knows the truth. Lastly, let me tell you, your daughter’s past life was filled with dangers, and she has faced death multiple times."

With that, the woman smiled towards Chu Yunrong’s back and then rose to walk towards the side door.

Shen Qinglan had just arrived at the coffee shop and saw a woman sitting face to face with Chu Yunrong. Her gaze was slightly cold as she quickly entered. The woman gave her a slight smile, with a quick, fleeting gleam in her eyes, about to leave.

Shen Qinglan stepped forward to chase after her. The woman passed through the coffee shop’s kitchen, directly onto the street behind the cafe, with Shen Qinglan relentlessly pursuing her.

The woman moved at a pace that seemed leisurely yet unexpectedly fast, and within moments, she disappeared from Shen Qinglan’s sight.

Shen Qinglan stood at the street corner, watching the passing crowd, her eyes pitch black. This was the first time someone had managed to give her the slip so easily—just who was this woman? Why such agility? What exactly had she said to Chu Yunrong moments ago?

Thinking of Chu Yunrong, Shen Qinglan remembered that she had left her alone in the coffee shop and hurried back. Chu Yunrong was still sitting in the same spot, her eyes unfocused, not even noticing Shen Qinglan’s approach.

Shen Qinglan stood beside Chu Yunrong, "Mom."

Chu Yunrong didn’t respond. Shen Qinglan called her three times before Chu Yunrong finally came back to her senses, her gaze settling on Shen Qinglan’s face, gradually focusing, "Qinglan," she murmured softly.

Shen Qinglan nodded, "It’s me, Mom."

"Qinglan, my daughter." Chu Yunrong reached out to touch Shen Qinglan’s face. Shen Qinglan’s eyes flickered slightly, unmoving, her voice softened, "Mom, I’m your daughter, Shen Qinglan."

Chu Yunrong’s tears suddenly fell, "Qinglan, Mom lost you."

Shen Qinglan reached out to wipe away her tears, her voice growing gentler, "I’m back now, and I won’t get lost again." She helped Chu Yunrong to stand up, "Mom, let’s talk about it at home. Would you come home with me first?"

Chu Yunrong stood up with the help of Shen Qinglan’s strength, leaning against her while her gaze lingered on Shen Qinglan’s profile.

Even in the car, Chu Yunrong continued to look at her. Shen Qinglan leaned over to help Chu Yunrong buckle her seatbelt when Chu Yunrong suddenly grasped Shen Qinglan’s hand, "Qinglan, did you suffer a lot in the past?"

"Mom, all that is in the past, it’s not important."

"No, it’s very important. Qinglan, Mom wants to know how much you suffered in the corners where Mom couldn’t see." Chu Yunrong’s face was full of tears, her mind haunted by the words the woman had said before leaving.

What did it mean to live by the knife’s edge, to face death multiple times? What did all these mean? Chu Yunrong didn’t even have the courage to imagine.

"Qinglan, tell Mom what exactly happened during those years." Chu Yunrong was full of these questions in her mind, and she was eager to know.

"Mom, those days are gone, whatever happened isn’t important anymore, no matter how bad things were for me in the past, I am happy now, and that is enough," Shen Qinglan said softly.

"Qinglan, Mom wants to know," Chu Yunrong insisted.

Shen Qinglan naturally wouldn’t tell her the truth, "Mom, Dad should have told you everything, that’s the whole truth. It was just a few years in the orphanage, nothing serious, really."

By now, Chu Yunrong surely wouldn’t believe this argument. If it were so simple, why would that woman use such dramatic phrases to describe Shen Qinglan’s life? But seeing Shen Qinglan reluctant to speak, she didn’t press the matter.

Seeing the expression on Chu Yunrong’s face, Shen Qinglan knew her mother was not convinced by her words. Chu Yunrong had a gentle nature and wasn’t stubborn, but once she believed something, it was hard to change her mind.

Instead of going straight home, Shen Qinglan took Chu Yunrong to see Doctor Zhou. Chu Yunrong looked at the hospital’s gate and refused to get out of the car, "Qinglan, Mom is fine, let’s go back."

"I know you are fine," Shen Qinglan replied gently, "but it’s been a long time since we visited Doctor Zhou. Let’s just take it as a routine check-up, okay?"

It was difficult for Chu Yunrong to refuse Shen Qinglan’s request. Eventually, she got out of the car.

Shen Qinglan stood alone in the hallway after Chu Yunrong and Doctor Zhou had gone inside. She called Shen Qian but no one answered, so she called Jin Enxi to investigate the woman they encountered today. Upon hearing it, Jin Enxi immediately realized the seriousness as that woman had escaped under Shen Qinglan’s watch.

Shen Qinglan had seen this woman and remembered her appearance. However, Jin Enxi couldn’t find any information about her based on Shen Qinglan’s description.

"An, this woman’s data is at a classified level, the firewall is very tough, I can’t break through yet, give me some time."

"There’s no rush, take your time, be safe," Shen Qinglan advised.

Jin Enxi nodded, her eyes filled with intrigue. She hadn’t faced such a challenging task in a long time. Now, confronted with a formidable firewall, her competitive spirit was instantly ignited.

When Chu Yunrong came out, she had regained her composure. Shen Qinglan told her to wait in the car while she stayed behind to speak with Doctor Zhou for a couple of minutes. Once she confirmed that Chu Yunrong’s mental state was normal and there were no problems, she felt relieved.

On the way home, Chu Yunrong did not mention Shen Qinglan’s past again, but that didn’t mean she had forgotten about it. As soon as she reached home, Chu Yunrong immediately called Shen Qian, but just like with Shen Qinglan, no one answered, so she left a message asking Shen Qian to call her back when he saw it.

Shen Qian saw the message only in the evening and noticing that both his daughter and wife had called him, and Chu Yunrong seemed anxious, he called her first.

Chu Yunrong hadn’t slept, waiting for Shen Qian’s call.

"Yun Rong, was there an emergency at home today that made you call me so urgently?" Shen Qian asked.

Chu Yunrong remained silent for a while, then finally spoke up, "Aqian, was Qinglan really in the orphanage before she came home?"

Shen Qian’s expression changed, but thankfully, they were not facing each other in conversation, otherwise this expression might have given him away.

"Of course she was in the orphanage. Haven’t I told you that already?" Shen Qian spoke gently, his tone betraying no abnormality. "Why are you suddenly bringing this up?"

"Aqian, we have been married for so many years, I hope you won’t lie to me," Chu Yunrong’s tone grew cold, "What I want to know is Qinglan’s real past, not these official stories."

A clenching feeling hit Shen Qian’s heart. "What are you talking about? This is the truth, Yun Rong. What are you doubting?"

Chu Yunrong’s eyes were deep. "Today, someone told me that Qinglan’s past life was one of living on the knife-edge, constantly on the brink of death, regularly associating with danger. Tell me, what kind of days lead one to such edges?"

"Yun Rong, who told you this?" Shen Qian’s tone turned serious.

"It doesn’t matter who told me. What matters is whether it’s true or not."

"It’s not true," Shen Qian denied. "Before Qinglan returned to the Shen Family, she was in an orphanage; I have verified this repeatedly. Have you forgotten?" Initially, because of this, Shen Junyu almost broke off relations with him, and because of this too, Shen Junyu, who had planned on joining the army, gave up on the opportunity and chose the business path which he greatly opposed. Over the years, there has been some distance between Shen Qian and Shen Junyu because of this issue.

"Shen Qian, you didn’t tell me the truth, you lied to me."

Shen Qian’s eyes slightly darkened. "Yun Rong, I didn’t lie to you. Tell me, what so-called ’truth’ do you want to know?"

Chu Yunrong was shaken. Yes, what was the truth she wanted to know? The worse Qinglan’s childhood was, it only proved more of their failure as parents.

Chu Yunrong fell silent; Shen Qian continued, "Yun Rong, I don’t know who told you these things or what their purpose was, but you have to understand that Qinglan is doing very well now. Whatever her past life was like, those have become unchangeable experiences. What we can do is to be better to her in the future, to try to make up for her regrets."

"Aqian, my wanting to know the truth isn’t because I doubt Qinglan. I just want to know what hardships my daughter endured when I couldn’t see. Do you know the feeling of learning about your daughter’s suffering from a stranger? She also told me that Qinglan was taken away because you offended someone and it was their revenge on you. Do you know how terrified I was when I heard that?" Chu Yunrong’s voice was very low.

Shen Qian hadn’t expected the other party to divulge even this matter. "Yun Rong."

"Aqian, don’t speak, just listen to me first. Actually, before I made this call, I was skeptical about what that person said, but now I believe it." She had replayed the scene of the day Qinglan was lost over and over today, her heart aching time and again, but it reminded her of many details she had overlooked before, and these details might explain a lot.

"You once told me those traffickers were organized and acted quickly, so that’s why Qinglan couldn’t be found at the time. I believed your words, but tell me, there were so many children on the street, why did they specifically choose Qinglan?"

Shen Qian had no answer; from the time Qinglan had disappeared without a trace, Shen Qian had known it was premeditated, but back then he did not know who it was, and later, when he found out, he was too afraid to speak out.

Ultimately, it was because of him that Qinglan was taken away and went through those experiences she should never have had to endure—his guilt towards this daughter was deeper than anyone else’s.

"Aqian, I won’t ask you about the truth of what happened back then. There are some things I can investigate myself."

"Yun Rong, listen to me," Shen Qian hastily spoke up, but Chu Yunrong had already hung up the phone, and when he tried calling back, her phone was switched off.

Once Chu Yunrong became stubborn, even Shen Qian had no way around it. The next day, she started making inquiries, and Qinglan immediately received the news and went directly to find Chu Yunrong.

When she got there, Chu Yunrong was sitting in her room, staring blankly, seemingly lost in thought.

Shen Qinglan sat down beside Chu Yunrong and spoke softly, "Mom, stop investigating."

Chu Yunrong turned her head and looked at Shen Qinglan’s profile, "Qinglan, you’re here."

"Mom, stop investigating this matter, it’s meaningless. No matter what happened in the past, I’m fine now, and that’s enough."

"Qinglan, I’ve been living in a haze for the past nineteen years. For the next few decades, I don’t want to continue living in confusion. Was Qin Yan approaching me for this reason in the first place?"

Shen Qinglan didn’t understand why Chu Yunrong suddenly mentioned Qin Yan. Chu Yunrong smiled, "Qinglan, perhaps I was naive, but I’m not stupid. I didn’t make the connection before, but now, linking some incidents together, I can understand some of it."

"Mom, does the truth of the matter really matter that much to you?" Shen Qinglan asked, fixing her gaze into her eyes.

Chu Yunrong nodded, "Yes, it’s very important. I know that the people investigating now might not find anything different from before, but I still want to try."

"Mom, why must you know the truth about what happened back then?"

"I’ve also been asking myself why I need to know the truth. Last night, I had nightmares all night, always dreaming of you covered in blood, looking at me with eyes full of accusation and inquiry, as if asking why I didn’t protect you back then."

Shen Qinglan held Chu Yunrong’s hand, listening as she continued, "Mom knows that you all kept it from me because you were afraid I couldn’t bear it, and I would end up mad like before. But now I’m already nearly mad, Qinglan. Please, tell me, tell me the truth about what happened back then." Her eyes were full of pleading.

Shen Qinglan’s heart was in turmoil, and after a long hesitation, she finally spoke hoarsely, "Okay, I’ll tell you."

Since Qin Yan intended for Chu Yunrong to know, she would find out sooner or later. It was better that it came from her personally.

"Mom, you have to promise me, no matter what you hear, remember, it’s all in the past. I’m fine now."

"Okay." Chu Yunrong nodded, but the truth of the matter was far more brutal than she had anticipated.

Shen Qinglan looked at Chu Yunrong’s nearly transparent complexion, suddenly not knowing what to say.

Tears trickled down from Chu Yunrong’s face, falling onto Shen Qinglan’s hand, "Mom."

Chu Yunrong hugged Shen Qinglan tightly, "Qinglan, my Qinglan, what should I do, my Qinglan."

Her tone was filled with sadness, tinged with a hint of despair. Her breathing suddenly became labored. Shen Qinglan’s eyes shifted, she pushed Chu Yunrong away, pulled open the drawer and found her medicine, "Mom, take your medicine."

Chu Yunrong couldn’t swallow it; her heart felt as if it were being stabbed with a knife, suffocating. She had imagined a million possibilities, but she had never thought that Shen Qinglan had once been an assassin.

No wonder that woman said Shen Qinglan had been living a life on the blade’s edge.

"Qinglan, Mom is sorry, I didn’t protect you well, I deserve to die." Chu Yunrong slapped herself hard on the face. Shen Qinglan quickly grabbed her hand, "Mom, don’t do this."

"It’s my fault. Why did I take you out, why didn’t I watch you carefully, why didn’t I find you in time." Chu Yunrong lowered her head, her eyes becoming vacant as she muttered to herself.

Shen Qinglan’s expression changed slightly, seeing Chu Yunrong’s state, her heart suddenly alarmed, "Mom, wake up."