Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Xi Xiaye looked back at Shen Wenna worriedly. Her mother did not seem very at ease and her eyes darkened a little before taking a deep breath as she looked at the car.
Xi Mushan came out first. His sharp eyes darted over the moment his feet touched the ground. Beside him, Mu Yuchen could feel Xi Mushan’s eyes soften when he looked at Shen Wenna. They then hardened a little and went back to their usual calm in the end.
“Chen!”
“Grandfather, Father,” Mu Yuchen greeted politely.
“Let’s go in.” Shen Wenna went into Maple Residence without so much as a glance at Xi Mushan and Xi Jiyang.
Xi Mushan’s expression darkened when he noticed that.
“Let’s go in now. It’s pretty cold outside,” Mu Yuchen said, signaling Xi Jiyang and Xi Mushan to go in. Ah Mo, Ah Hui, and two bodyguards in black suits were holding a bunch of stuff as they plodded over.
As they went into Maple Residence, because Mu Tangchuan had worked with both Xi Jiyang and Xi Mushan before, they greeted each other. Also, Wang Hui and Mu Yinan had contacted Xi Jiyang before, so they were not exactly strangers.
Still, Xi Jiyang was surprised when he saw Shen Yue!
How was he Shen Wenna’s father? Was he the grandpa Xiaye mentioned before?
Xi Jiyang was lost in his thoughts for a while as he stared at Shen Yue in disbelief. Shen Yue just gave him a cold smile.
Xi Jiyang quickly turned over to Xi Mushan. Seeing that he was not surprised at all, he asked, “You knew about this long ago, didn’t you?”
Xi Mushan did not answer him. Instead, he averted his gaze with an unpleasant expression, especially because of the fact that Shen Wenna did not look at him again since he came in.
Shen Yue, of course, seemed displeased about him being there as well.
Mu Tangchuan and Mu Yinan tried to soften the atmosphere to make things go more smoothly.
After a while, lunch was ready and the whole family sat down together. Xi Mushan sat beside Shen Wenna, but the both of them did not look very comfortable. Since everyone knew what had happened, they purposely avoided some sensitive topics.
Xi Xiaye would really love to know how Xi Jiyang and Xi Mushan would react after they found out about what happened to Xi Xinyi, but they seemed pretty distant, so she could not deduce anything from their expressions.
The man beside her would try to join in the conversation from time to time. He could obviously feel that Shen Yue was being pretty harsh towards Xi Jiyang and Xi Mushan, but he restrained himself for Xi Xiaye’s sake.
After lunch, Xi Xiaye felt like the atmosphere in the living room was suffocating, so she went out to the veranda for some fresh air. Unexpectedly, Xi Mushan went out with her as well.
“Today must be tough for you, Xiaye.” Xi Mushan coughed a little, his voice sounding hoarse.
Xi Xiaye held onto the railing and looked at Xi Mushan, his expression clouded as he went silent for a moment. He did not say anything and just shut his eyes.
“I’ve heard about what happened to Xinyi. I have no right to ask you to forgive her. I’m just going to let you guys be. Your grandmother experienced high blood pressure yesterday and she’s now resting at home. She’s thinking about letting Xinyi take over Yueying. She asked her to retire from the entertainment industry after all that has happened lately and just focus on running Yueying.”
Xi Mushan sounded sorrowful when he spoke. “As for the things you sent to West Park, your grandfather and I looked through them. I’m sorry for what you’ve gone through all over the years. I know that you don’t have a good impression of the Xi family, but you can never erase the fact that we’re related by blood… So, come back often if you have the time…”
“I thought you’d ask me to let go of Xi Xinyi. Father, actually I’ve been longing to know did you separate with Mother back then because of the power of the Yue family?” Xi Xiaye’s eyes suddenly brightened when she spoke as she observed Xi Mushan’s face quietly.
Xi Mushan was stunned for a while. His eyes looked complicated, and Xi Xiaye seemed to sense a resentful vibe from him.
Hidden under his sleeves, his hands clenched into fists.
After some time, Xi Xiaye smiled before he could reply. “I’ve never thought of you as someone like that, but what if I told you Mother told me that she has reserved all her feelings for you even until now… Would you feel guilty about it?”
“She would never let me blame you, but, Father, isn’t it enough having one woman that loves you? Why did you betray her, and betray our happy family? No, you betrayed Mother much earlier… Xi Xinyi’s birthday isn’t that far away from mine…”
Xi Mushan’s face froze up as he heard Xi Xiaye’s question, he felt horrible when he saw Xi Xiaye’s mocking expression, he wanted to say something back, but it seemed as if everything he said would be just a pathetic excuse.
Noticing that he kept quiet, Xi Xiaye took a deep breath and went back into the living room. She saw Shen Wenna standing beside the door just as she turned around.
She was a little startled, but did not say anything and went on her way.
“Wenna…”
The two of them looked at each other for some time. Shen Wenna had a complicated and painful expression on her face. She wanted to leave right away, but after some thought, she still went towards him.
“Long time no see. You seem pretty good just like… just like before…”
Xi Mushan looked at Shen Wenna who was beside him now. His deep voice was uneasy, and even a little nervous.
No one would ever guess that even he, a seemingly powerful politician, could act like an inexperienced and fearful teenager before her. Had it not been for that single mistake, could they still be happily married right now?
“Have you been doing well all these years?” Xi Mushan asked her another question when she did not reply to his previous one. He asked her ever so carefully, afraid that he might have made her unhappy after going as far as to ask Xi Xiaye to invite her over.
Shen Wenna did not reply. She turned around and looked at him as he stopped talking after his questions. Then, she said coldly in a distant tone, “I came here today for the sake of Xiaye and Chen. I don’t want the children to worry about me. Are you just going to do nothing about Xi Xinyi mocking your daughter in public during Su Nan’s wedding? You know that incident had nothing to do with Xiaye, yet you still allowed people to continue spreading this nonsense. Do you know it has become a traumatic experience in your daughter’s heart?”
