Evening, 6:30 p.m.
Someone knocked on Shen Fanxing’s door.
Opening the door, Shen Fanxing smiled as expected.
“How?”
Li Tingshen said calmly, “Eat.”
“Did you come to the wrong place?”
“No.” He paused before saying, “You said you wanted to treat me to a meal last time.”
Shen Fanxing seemed to have just remembered. “Oh, that’s true. But it’s a dinner worth tens of millions after all. Isn’t today… a little too unfair to you?”
Li Tingshen glanced at her lightly.
“Enough is enough. Don’t act like you’ve gained something.”
Shen Fanxing smiled and opened the door wider. “Welcome.”
When Li Tingshen entered, he saw Ye Qingqiu walking out of the kitchen with a dish.
Her hair was tied up, and she was wearing a loungewear and a blue checkered apron. She paused when she saw him.
Shen Fanxing walked in and her gaze landed on her.
“The eggs are a little burnt.”
“Let me see.” Shen Fanxing walked over and took a look. “Yes… it’s not too serious. Compared to the other dishes… it’s already outstanding.”
Ye Qingqiu followed Shen Fanxing’s gaze. The two blackened dishes on the table were obviously her handiwork.
Shen Fanxing looked conflicted. “I’ve given the servants leave in advance…”
“Stop eating and order takeout,” Ye Qingqiu said as she picked up a dish and turned to pour it away.
A well-defined hand suddenly reached out and grabbed her wrist.
Ye Qingqiu paused and looked up at him.
“Delivery is not healthy.” Li Tingshen took the plate from her hand and placed it back on the dining table. “Wait a while, I’ll cook.”
Li Tingshen led her to the dining table and sat her down. His other hand had already unbuttoned his suit jacket. When Ye Qingqiu sat down, he took off his jacket and placed it on a chair before walking into the kitchen.
Not long after, three dishes and a soup were served.
Li Tingshen naturally sat beside Ye Qingqiu.
“Eat.”
Although she knew that cooking wouldn’t stump Li Tingshen, Shen Fanxing was still surprised to see the dishes.
However, Ye Qingqiu seemed to be used to it.
Li Tingshen kept putting food into Ye Qingqiu’s bowl.
Ye Qingqiu remained silent and didn’t reject anyone.
Shen Fanxing ate her meal calmly.
After the meal, Li Tingshen ordered three dishes and a soup. The two women were full.
The three dishes that Ye Qingqiu had cooked were eaten clean.
Ye Qingqiu ate her last few meals slowly. Seeing him eating the burnt vegetables expressionlessly, her hand that was holding the chopsticks stiffened.
In the end, she didn’t say or do anything.
She picked up her empty plate and stood up, but Li Tingshen grabbed her wrist again.
“Do what?”
“… Wash the dishes.”
Since she was eating at someone else’s house, she had to be more proactive.
“I’ll do it.”
…
Li Tingshen came out of the dining room with his coat. The two women were watching a movie in the living room.
It had been playing for about ten minutes.
Li Tingshen pursed his lips and stood rooted to the ground for more than ten seconds before Shen Fanxing turned to look at him.
“Do you want to watch it together?”
The man glanced at Ye Qingqiu. Seeing that she was unmoved, he said, “I’ll go upstairs first.”
Shen Fanxing nodded and said, “Okay, take care.”
Li Tingshen glanced at the television screen before turning to leave.
Hearing the door close, Ye Qingqiu relaxed.
“Your cooking is not bad,” praised Shen Fanxing.
Ye Qingqiu took a deep breath and said, “Don’t tell me you knew he would come today.”
“Why did I know that he would come here to freeload today?”
Ye Qingqiu was speechless.
There was no need to say the last word.
Just as the movie ended, the door rang.
This time, even Shen Fanxing was surprised.
Opening the door, she was not surprised to see the man she had seen frequently for the past two days.
“Don’t tell me you’ve installed a surveillance camera in my house? Why is it so accurate?”
“93 minutes into the drama. Before you left, you saw 123 seconds…”
Shen Fanxing raised her hand in surrender and said, “Alright, alright. I’m convinced. Take her away.”
Li Tingshen wasn’t angry at being interrupted and shifted his gaze to Ye Qingqiu.
His silence was obvious.
Ye Qingqiu didn’t stay any longer and left. Li Tingshen pulled her back to the 18th floor.
“Go take a shower. I’ve already filled the bathtub.”
This time, Ye Qingqiu stood rooted to the ground. After a long while, a cold voice sounded.
“Is dinner that good?”
Li Tingshen’s calm eyes were filled with warmth. “…Are you feeling sorry for me?”
Ye Qingqiu laughed and said, “Don’t you think it’s deliberate? If you finish all the dishes in front of me, it will make you seem so affectionate and aggrieved. You’re so humble to please me. If I’m not touched by you, won’t I be letting your stomach down tonight?”
The warmth on Li Tingshen’s face remained, but his eyes were as deep as the sea.
“The water is cold. Go take a shower.”
Anger flashed across Ye Qingqiu’s eyes, but Li Tingshen smiled and pulled her into his embrace. “Why are you angry?”
Ye Qingqiu’s body stiffened.
Li Tingshen pressed his forehead against hers and planted a light kiss on the corner of her eye. His voice was hoarse and low as he said, “I won’t eat that burnt dish again, okay?”
Ye Qingqiu pushed him away forcefully and entered the bathroom with a cold face.
For the past three years, she had been isolated from the world. The only thing she had learned was how to live on her own.
And what they learned was how to manipulate people.
At night, Li Tingshen continued to hug Ye Qingqiu to sleep.
Her soft and fragrant body was in his embrace as he kissed the woman’s forehead and nose.
The hand on her waist closed and she could feel the warmth of his palm through her pajamas.
Ye Qingqiu had been bending her body and lowering her head, but he nudged the tip of her nose and raised her chin. Her red lips were revealed and Li Tingshen kissed her without any hesitation.
Ye Qingqiu’s eyes trembled and she reached out to push him away.
That overwhelming aura enveloped her, and the emotional atmosphere made her panic.
She could clearly feel the desire to touch her.
If this continued…
Her thoughts paused as Li Tingshen released her lips and buried his head in her neck.
“Don’t be afraid, I won’t do it…”
Her voice sounded a little muffled and hoarse.
The distinct feeling on her legs was still there, and her breathing was heavy and irregular.
She was held tightly in the man’s embrace and a sour feeling suddenly welled up in her heart. Her sore eyes made her close them abruptly.
No way.
‘I can’t.’
Not allowed.
Ye Qingqiu, you better not feel heartache.
In the next three days, Ye Qingqiu stayed with Shen Fanxing every day. She took walks, went shopping, went to the company, and went to Grandma Bo’s house.
Then, she had breakfast with Li Tingshen, had dinner with him, kissed him before going out, and was kissed in his embrace at night…
When Xiao Chu picked Li Tingshen up the next morning, she saw Ye Qingqiu kissing the man.
That feeling… was a little abrupt.
It was as if she had seen a ghost.
It was the same for three consecutive days.
He could clearly feel that Li Tingshen’s mood was the happiest and most relaxed in the past three years.
He didn’t know what had happened between the two of them to the extent that they seemed to have reconciled. Perhaps, the strange feeling in his heart was just an illusion.
“CEO Li, Miss Liang asked if you’re free tonight.”
Suppressing the strange feeling in his heart, Xiao Chu spoke as he drove. He looked at Li Tingshen’s expression through the rearview mirror.
“You haven’t contacted her since you were discharged. I’ve been using the excuse that you’re busy for a week…”
Li Tingshen’s good mood gradually sank.
“The Mid-Autumn Festival is the day after tomorrow. Miss Liang is sensitive and has already gotten someone to investigate your whereabouts…”
If not for him keeping a close watch on her, she would have long discovered Miss Ye.
Li Tingshen was silent for a moment before saying, “…Got it.”
Xiao Chu was confused.
‘Know what?’
*
Shen Fanxing could tell that Ye Qingqiu was in a better mood than before.
Seeing her holding her phone and searching for home-cooked food, she leaned on the armrest of the sofa and said calmly,
“Looks like the two of you want to freeload at my place tonight?”
“Aren’t you lonely eating alone?” Ye Qingqiu didn’t even raise her head. Her tone was as casual as usual.
“No, Ah Chuan will be back in the afternoon.”
Ye Qingqiu looked up and saw Shen Fanxing’s sweet smile. Her eyes darted around and she smiled.
“If it were an ordinary person, shouldn’t they be sensible and not disturb the two of you?”
Shen Fanxing nodded matter-of-factly.
Ye Qingqiu laughed and said, “Unfortunately, I’m not an ordinary person.”
She wasn’t an ordinary person. Ye Qingqiu really didn’t leave.
When Bo Jinchuan returned, he brought Shen Fanxing to the bedroom. He left her hanging for the entire afternoon.
The servants arranged by Grand View Manor had already started preparing dinner, but she was still sitting steadily on the sofa.
“You’re determined to stay here?”
“I’m the one who has been accompanying your wife at home.”
She had no one to rely on…
“Aren’t you being too ungrateful to chase her away immediately after you’re back?”
Bo Jinchuan’s expression was indifferent as he glanced at her.
“If your kindness is worth a meal with him, it’s not like you can’t repay him. Feel free to stay.”
However, at eight o’clock in the evening, the three of them waited for a table full of dishes. However, the person who had been thick-skinned and often came to freeload did not come. Instead, there was an entertainment news that shot to the trending searches.
The CEO of C&P Entertainment had dinner with Liang Xuer.
There was also a menu for two.
Top imported steak
Bluefin tuna that had just been auctioned overseas.
Soup made by a special chef.
High-class pastry chef’s cake and ice cream.
Someone estimated the price of this dinner. In the end, the netizens called it a sky-high price. It was enough for an ordinary person to eat for a lifetime.
Shen Fanxing suspected that she had misjudged the man again.
Bo Jinchuan urged her to eat again. Shen Fanxing had long lost her appetite.
Bo Jinchuan looked at Ye Qingqiu, who insisted on staying tonight. Ye Qingqiu picked up her chopsticks and ate a mouthful of rice.
“Shen Fanxing, you have to eat more. Otherwise, your husband might kill me.”
She spoke as if nothing had happened.
Seeing that Shen Fanxing didn’t move, Ye Qingqiu took a bite of the food and smiled at her. “I wanted to go to the orphanage with you tomorrow. After what he did today, he might keep an eye on me tomorrow…”
Strangely, every time he felt that he had done something wrong, he would pressure her.
Realization dawned on Shen Fanxing.
Bo Jinchuan caught the mention of the orphanage and asked, “What are you doing?”
Shen Fanxing pressed her lips. She had never mentioned this to him.
Li Tingshen was his brother.
She was indeed… meddling in Ye Qingqiu’s business.
This was because Ye Qingqiu had helped her before, and also because of her fate with Linlin.
In the past, they had tacitly agreed not to interfere in their matters, but…
They had come to this point.
“I’m bringing Linlin out of the orphanage tomorrow and sending her to Grandma’s house for the Mid-Autumn Festival.”
Bo Jinchuan glanced at Shen Fanxing and she could only face him calmly.
“You’re quite bold,” said Bo Jinchuan coldly after a long while. He turned to Ye Qingqiu and said, “You cleared your debt with me back then just to hide and have a child? How long do you think you can hide it?”
Ye Qingqiu clenched her fists and met Bo Jinchuan’s intimidating gaze.
“What else? Can you bring me out of Ping Cheng City?”
Bo Jinchuan frowned deeply.
Clearly, this question was not a choice for him.
The answer was naturally no.
He had never thought that Ye Qingqiu would make such a request.
One had to have self-awareness.
Shen Fanxing was confused. “What do you mean? You were involved in their affairs three years ago?”
Bo Jinchuan pursed his lips and held Shen Fanxing’s hand. “I didn’t know…”
Shen Fanxing frowned and asked, “You knew about Linlin long ago?”
“No, no,” denied Bo Jinchuan. “This is the first time I know about the welfare institute… I don’t have that much time to care about someone who doesn’t matter to me.”
Ye Qingqiu sneered and said, “It’s all thanks to you that an unimportant person like me has made it this far.”
Bo Jinchuan narrowed his eyes at Ye Qingqiu and said, “Everyone walks their own path. Back then, it was between us that I lent him to Tingshen. He had a favor to ask of me, so I helped him. Hiding all the news of you being in prison for you was the only compensation you offered. What if I didn’t choose to compensate you? Don’t bring up the past with me. We know each other very well.”
Shen Fanxing understood what he meant.
“So the main reason is that not only did you participate, but you also played a decisive role.”
Bo Jinchuan retracted the coldness in his eyes and looked at Shen Fanxing helplessly.
“… Fanxing, that was back then. Even if I did something wrong, I’m innocent now.”
She admitted her mistake and felt wronged.
Ye Qingqiu thought that Bo Jinchuan was actually a bastard.
“In that case, what do you plan to do with Linlin, who appeared out of nowhere?” asked Shen Fanxing with a faint smile.
Ye Qingqiu’s eyes flickered.
Bo Jinchuan pursed his lips and said, “Linlin shouldn’t be my responsibility. Let whoever is responsible be responsible.”
He made it sound like Linlin was his son.
Shen Fanxing didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at Bo Jinchuan’s words. How could such a man play tricks on her?
She said directly, “Linlin’s eye can’t be delayed. You promised to help me…”
Bo Jinchuan’s eyes darkened and he fell silent for a few seconds before saying softly, “I’m already making arrangements.”
Ye Qingqiu’s eyes trembled violently and her voice trembled from suppressed excitement.
“Really? Linlin… Linlin’s eyes can really be cured?”
“I’ve given them the history of diagnosis and treatment. We’ll wait for a reply.”
“Wait for my reply… Okay… Wait…”
This answer disappointed Ye Qingqiu, but it was much better than before.
“If I have a way to take a life back from the King of Hell, I’m confident that I can cure a pair of eyes. You don’t have to think too much.”
Ye Qingqiu knew that Bo Jinchuan was capable. She had known since three years ago that if he said he could save a life, he must have done so.
But what did that have to do with her?
She only hoped that Linlin’s eyes wouldn’t be his only accident.
“Thank you.”
If Bo Jinchuan couldn’t do it, she wouldn’t have to rely on anyone else.
When Li Tingshen returned at 9pm, Ye Qingqiu had already washed up and was playing with her phone.
He heaved a sigh of relief when he saw her.
“What did you have for dinner?”
“So much.” Ye Qingqiu’s eyes were fixed on the phone screen. Her voice was calm as she said, “Bo Jinchuan is back. He made a lot of dishes.”
Li Tingshen paused for a moment, as if he had calculated the date silently. His indifferent expression flashed with understanding.
…
After taking a shower, Ye Qingqiu had already laid down with her back facing him.
Li Tingshen lifted the blanket and lay down before pulling her into his embrace.
Ye Qingqiu, who had her eyes closed, couldn’t help but frown.
“What are you doing tomorrow?”
Ye Qingqiu moved her head a few centimeters away from Li Tingshen’s chest. “I don’t know. Maybe I’ll stay at home or go shopping.”
“I’ll get Xiao Chu to follow you.”
“When didn’t you ask him to keep an eye on me?” Ye Qingqiu explained the truth indifferently. She closed her eyes and refused to look at him, looking angry.
Li Tingshen tightened his grip on her waist. “Will you be good?”
Ye Qingqiu sneered. “Do you think I’ve been obedient enough these two days?”
“Ye Qingqiu.”
He suddenly called her name.
“Yes?” Ye Qingqiu opened her eyes and replied softly.
“Tonight…”
“How?”
Li Tingshen looked at the confusion in her eyes and his gaze suddenly darkened.
Seeing this, Ye Qingqiu’s eyes darted around before a faint smile appeared.
“What’s wrong with tonight? Are you going to show me how good your dinner is?”
“You do?”
Ye Qingqiu nodded calmly. “Who doesn’t have an internet connection now?”
“Since you know, why didn’t you ask?”
Ye Qingqiu was stunned for a moment before she burst out laughing.
“What should I ask?”
That laugh and question made Li Ting feel humiliated.
He stared at her deeply for a while.
Ye Qingqiu spoke first.
“The day after tomorrow, I’m going to Grandma Bo’s house for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Can you not let anyone follow me?”
Li Tingshen’s pupils constricted slightly. He stood up and leaned against the headboard. “You’re going to someone else’s house for the Mid-Autumn Festival?”
“What else?” Ye Qingqiu smiled. “How can a lover be so blind? Do I have to pester you to ignore your serious girlfriend and spend the Mid-Autumn Festival with me?”
The smile on her face was that heartless look again. It was an eyesore.
Li Tingshen’s thin lips pressed down and his eyes were dark.
Her words were like a few slaps to his face when he took the initiative to ask her a few questions.
Lover…
Even though he knew that that was what she was thinking, now that she had made it clear, it was like a cold blade that cut him open.
“I won’t cause trouble for you. I have no family in the country. It’s too pitiful to live alone. Without anyone to accompany me, I have to find a way to gain some popularity. Do you really want to leave me alone at home?”
Li Tingshen looked at her silently, his eyes dark.
The two minutes felt like a century.
“Okay, I’ll get Xiao Chu to prepare a gift tomorrow. I’ll get him to send you there during the Mid-Autumn Festival.”
Her fingers trembled slightly, but the smile on her face deepened.
It was a reasonable and expected answer.
“Okay.”
[Two and one.]
