《Little Miss Witch: Revenge of the Tainted Angel》


 Chapter 1 - Lets Get Divorced

    It was already past nine and Mu Jianyu knew that his wife must be waiting for him right now. With a sigh, he got out of the car he just parked in their garage.


    That afternoon, he called his wife, Li Xiuying, telling her that he would being homete because of a business meeting he had to attend. But the truth is there wasn''t one and he''d been lying to her for months.


    All those times, when he pretendedhe was working overtime were instead spent with his mistress.


    For thest few months, he feltpletely alive again. He met another woman who made him feel good and could make him happy. Unlike Li Xiuying, his wife, the one he''d lost interest in.


    Today, he finally made up his mind to divorce her. There''s no point staying with her in a loveless marriage. Once they''re divorced, he will be free to love and marry Lin Meirong.


    Lin Meirong had been begging him to leave his wife. Telling him that he doesn''t need to be parted with her once he divorces Li Xiuying. Truth to be told, he felt sorry for the woman who has been his wife for five long years. He felt sorry for Li Xiuying who thinks that they''re still happily married.


    Standing in front of the door, Mu Jianyu hesitated for a moment, asking himself onest time if this is the best thing to do. Shaking his head to push the doubts out of his mind, he opened the door.


    He was right. Li Xiuying was waiting for him as usual. She was sitting in their living room, watching aedy show, still wearing her work clothes that reek the smell of paint. Li Xiuying was a well-known artist, with most of her earnings going up to charities and orphanages.


    Her hair is a mess. The scent of paint lingers on her clothes. She looked so in unlike his Lin Meirong. She would always smell good and look beautiful in his eyes.


    "Wee home, honey!" Li Xiuying happily greeted him when she saw him at the door. She came towards him and helped him remove his coat. "How''s your meeting?" she asked.


    "It''s alright. Nothing special happened." Lies.


    "Are you hungry? I can reheat the dinner if you want to. Why don''t you take a shower first while I do that?" she said with a smile.


    Mu Jianyu said nothing to her. He wasn''t hungry. He already had dinner with Lin Meirong earlier and he couldn''t tell his wife that he was sick of pretending that everything was okay whenever he saw her smile.


    But still he said nothing and did what she told him to do. For thest time, he apanied his wife for dinner. They ate in silence, something both of them are already used to. As soon as he finished his meal, he left her on the dining table and went to their bedroom.


    He came back with a folder in his hand.


    "Xiuying, I have something to discuss with you."


    Mu Jianyu found her cleaning the table and had ced the dirty dishes in the sink. She lifted her face to look at him when he came back. Noticing the seriousness written all over his face, Li Xiuying sat back on her chair.


    "What''s wrong, hun? Is everything all right?"


    Seeing her concern, Mu Jianyu faltered a bit. How could he ask her for a divorce like this? She was there, waiting for him to say something and yet he knew that once those words had been said, she would be left broken. He felt like there was a lump stuck on his throat and he couldn''t utter a single word.


    "You wanted to show me this?"


    He forgot that he was still holding the divorce papers in his hand. It was then he realized that Li Xiuying had already taken the papers from him without his permission.


    Mu Jianyu watched his wife''s expression changing from being happy to shock. The smile she had earlier vanished instantly as she read the contents of the paper.


    "These are¡­" Li Xiuying stuttered. "You want us to divorce?"


    "I''m not happy anymore." Her husband said with a straight face. "Let''s get divorced."


    At that moment, Li Xiuying thought her world had fallen apart. She felt like someone just stabbed her directly in her heart.


    He cannot back out anymore. His wife already knew his intention to divorce her.


    "By your side, I feel like suffocating. You were oblivious to my sadness for all these years. You smile and act like there isn''t any problem between us even though you know our marriage is dying."


    "But why?"


    "I simply don''t love you anymore.." He said without hesitation.

 Chapter 2 - I Won’t Let Him Go

    Li Xiuying thought that there was no painparable when she and Chuntao, her twin sister, lost their parents ten years ago. But now, looking back to her husband who showed neither remorse nor guilt on the blow he sent her was too much.


    She felt like she died again for the third time. Something within her died as Mu Jianyu presented her the divorce papers.


    "You don''t¡­ you don''t love me anymore?" The tears she was trying to hold back burst and stream down her lovely face.


    "Xiuying, let''s end this here. I don''t wanna be tied in a loveless marriage." Mu Jianyu replied.


    He was done with her. Li Xiuying was only his wife on legal papers but his heart was already taken by another woman. His mistress, Lin Meirong. Once Li Xiuying signed these papers, he will be free from her and free to love Lin Meirong. There would no more hiding in public, no more secret meetings. He could finally love Lin Meirong in all the right ways.


    "Let me think about it." Li Xiuying said but in her mind, she was already screaming in pain, in desperation. So many questions crossed through her mind but all of them were left unanswered.


    "I''m leaving tonight. It''s better for you to sign those papers. If you are worried about yourpany, I have no intention of getting any shares from it. The prenuptial agreement we had will take effect once you sign our divorce papers."


    Not wasting another minute with his soon to be ex-wife, Mu Jianyu left her in the kitchen while he packed his things from their bedroom. This was it. There was no turning back now. He had purposely broken his wife''s heart for another woman. At least, they will be free.


    ---


    Mu Jianyu did exactly what he told her. He''d left her the same night and Li Xiuying could only look as he left their home.


    ''Please don''t go. Don''t leave...'' she wanted to say but her words were stuck in her throat as she continued to cry.


    She stayed where he''d left her and cried until her tears ran dry. His words continued to echo in her head, haunting her, reminding her what she had lost.


    ''I simply don''t love you anymore¡­''


    Li Xiuying wanted to scream at the top of her lungs. Tell him how much of a coward and a bastard her husband is, so cowardly that he couldn''t tell her the real reason he was divorcing her. She wanted to tell the world that she didn''t deserve any of this, that the only thing she wanted in her life is a happy family and to help Chuntao, her twin sister achieve her dreams.


    Was it too much if she asks for some happiness for herself?


    Was it too much to ask for some love?


    What did she do wrong? Or was it because she never did something?


    What did she do in her previous life to suffer like this? Taking her parents at the young age of fifteen, losing her first child with Mu Jianyu three years ago, and now he was leaving her for his mistress.


    ''Why? Why me?''


    She had never offended anyone. She did her best to treat everyone with respect but why was her life in a mess?


    The phone in their living area beeped indicating an iing call but Li Xiuying didn''t have enough strength to get on her feet and answer the phone. After several rings, the call was directed to her voice message.


    "Hey sis, are you home? Good news! I passed my exams and will be starting my residency soon! Call me once you''re free."


    A familiar voice echoed within the living area.


    "Chuntao¡­" Li Xiuying whispered and she found herself crying once more. The only person who could understand her pain would be Li Chuntao. She could call her but that would mean she will have to spill all the secrets she discovered for the past three months.


    She knew then that Chuntao would abandon everything she''s worked on for several years just toe back on her side. Li Xiuying couldn''t allow that to happen, not now that Chuntao was doing well. Her sister seemed so happy from receiving a good result from her exams and should concentrate on her residency for medicine.


    She hung her head in shame while her tears continued to drop on her shirt. One hand ran down from her stomach down to her lower abdomen and she cried harder.


    "I won''t let him go, not like this. I will fight for your father, so be safe and healthy there, alright?"

 Chapter 3 - She Knew Everything

    "Xiuying, are you sure you don''t want to divorce him?" Hou Chen asked. She was aware that her best friend''s husband was cheating on her. She''d been telling Xiuying to leave Mu Jianyu to save herself from further pain.


    Li Xiuying didn''t deserve to be treated like this. No woman should suffer a betrayal like this. Yet, after years of marriage, Mu Jianyu had forgotten his marriage vows to Li Xiuying, the woman who epted him and gave him a chance to lift up his status in the industry.


    While it''s true that Li Xiuying and Li Chuntao were only part of the branch family of the Li family, people still held the twins in high regards within the city. By marrying Li Xiuying, Mu Jianyu elevated his social status within his circle of friends. His poprity and worth surged to a higher level just because he was Lu Xiuying''s husband.


    "I can''t," Li Xiuying replied. It took a lot of courage to pull herself together and keep her sanity as her husband walked away from her life.


    Wasn''t there any way to save this marriage? Would she have to raise their child alone after this?


    "You don''t deserve this. It wasn''t your fault that he chose that woman. You''ve done nothing wrong here!" Hou Chen was burning red from anger. She was always there alongside Li Xiuying ever since they found out about Mu Jianyu''s affair with that gold digger of a woman. Everyone knew within the model industry that Lin Meirong was a notorious homewrecker who leeches on rich businessmen. Hou Chen still couldn''t believe that Mu Jianyu had abandoned his wife for that kind of woman.


    Li Xiuying didn''t know what she should do. A part of her was tempted to leave him alone and give him the happiness he imed he could have with his other woman while her selfish side was begging her not to sumb and fight for what was rightfully hers.


    Her tears started to fall. She felt empty yet she could feel that she was breaking inside. Whatever happened to the promise he made that day? What happened to ''till death do us part'' and ''in sickness and in health, I will be with you''. It seemed that everything he promised her years ago had been forgotten. The man she deeply loved turned into a stranger she couldn''t understand.


    Maybe her pregnancy was affecting her thoughts that she kept repeating what he said before he left her.


    ''I want us to divorce.''


    ''I''m not happy anymore.''


    ''I don''t want to be tied in a loveless marriage.''


    She wanted to scream. She wanted to be angry at him, angry at herself. Her whole body trembled as she tried to keep hold of herself. The little life that was growing inside of her needed her to be strong. But the pain Mu Jianyu left her was so unbearable that she felt like dying, being revived just to be killed again and again.


    His words never left her. She wanted to scream at his face for the liar and coward that he was. He wanted to end their marriage without telling her the truth.


    The envelope on her hand contained the evidence of his affair and unfaithfulness. She opened it for the nth time only to see those pictures that reminded her of his selfishness. Deep down she was hoping that it was a lie, that her husband wasn''t having an affair with another woman.


    Thest remnants of her hope had vanished into thin air as soon as the pictures were presented to her by the detective she hired to follow her husband. Her husband was in all of those pictures, with another woman in his arms. Clearly enjoying each other''spany,ughing and kissing in some of the pictures.


    ''They met every day at the same time. Mostly after office hours. Sometimes they even had lunch together.'' She remembered the detective telling her when they''d met.


    She''d tried her best not to break down in front of him and held back her tears.


    "Thank you for your hard work. If ever I need your services again, I will call you," she replied.


    "I''m at your service anytime, Miss Li."


    Miss Li¡­ at least the detective was aware that she didn''t want to be called Madam Mu ever again. That selfish bastard. She hated him. She hated him for betraying her, for lying to her.


    ''You were oblivious to my sadness for all these years. You smile and act like there isn''t a problem''


    A bitter smile formed on Li Xiuying''s lips. Did he just assume that she was ignorant all along? Hadn''t she known of his affair and yet had turned a blind eye, refusing to believe that he would leave her? She knew everything from the very beginning but despite her awareness of his affair, she had wished the other woman meant nothing to him.. That at the end of the day, he would choose her over that woman.

 Chapter 4 - Promises Were Meant To Be Broken

    Li Chuntao stared at her phone with a confused expression written on her face. Why was her sister not answering her call? It had been two weeks since theyst talked and she''d been trying to reach her since morning but her sister Ying never picked up her calls.


    Did something happen to her twin sister? She wondered.


    She gave onest try and dialed her sister''s number again but Ying was still not answering her calls.


    ''She must be busy,'' Li Chuntao tried to convince herself. This wasn''t the first time this had happened anyway.


    "Iris! Are youing or not? Don''t push yourself too hard and rx!" Her roommate called after her to get her attention.


    Iris¡­ yes, in this foreignnd which wasn''t her home, she used the name, Iris. Like her name Chuntao, which means ''spring flowers'', the iris flower also blooms in the spring season.


    Her roommate was right. She''d been pulling all-nighters for the past few weeks preparing for exams, she barely saw the sun outside. But no matter how busy she was, she would never forget to check on her twin sister.


    "Ying¡­ I wonder what you''re doing now.'' she thought as she prepared herself to go outside with her friends to celebrate.


    The person in her mind was currently slumped on the floor watching as the darkness covered the whole city. Li Xiuying didn''t know how to fix her shattered world. As she remained seated in her ce, she wondered if fate truly hated her existence.


    Wasn''t it enough that they took her parents at her young age? That her first child was also lost from a miscarriage? Was she really an unlucky one to suffer such torture?


    Numb from the pain her husband caused her, Li Xiuying dragged herself to the bathroom and showered. Later she dressed up to meet herwyer. Was she really divorcing Mu Jianyu? Was their years of marriage all for naught?


    As she stepped outside their room, she was greeted by the huge portrait of her and her husband. One that reminded her that she was once a happy bride standing next to the love of her life.


    She stared nkly at it, not realizing that tears were streaming down her cheeks again. The image of the loving man she had was shattered into millions of pieces.


    "I''ll love you forever. You will never be alone, Ying," he promised her.


    His promise continued to echo within her mind, reminding her how much failure of a wife she was.


    "Lies! They were all lies! You shameless coward." she thought that she didn''t have any more tears to shed but the mere sight of their wedding photo was enough to start another stream of tears.


    Promises were meant to be broken. There was no such thing as forever.


    For the past three months, Li Xiuying was forced to watch how her husband turned into a total stranger, and every time he was home, her heart felt like it was squeezing the life out of her. He wouldn''t even touch her, not that she wanted him to.


    Mu Jianyu disgusted her, so much so that she purposely spent her nights in her workroom pretending to be busy with her paintings when in fact she just couldn''t take the hypocrisy he was showing her.


    This world that she thought was perfect was nothing but a lie. Everything was a lie.


    She then turned swiftly, refusing to see the remnants of their happy days as husband and wife. Want to be rid of her so he could keep her mistress? Did he think that she was really stupid enough to allow the cheating couple to have their happiness at the cost of her heart and her life?


    Li Xiuying shut her eyes close as she sat in the driver''s seat of her car and pondered her next n. She''d been stupid to endure her husband''s infidelity for months and now he was choosing her mistress over her.


    She arrived in time to meet herwyer.


    "Madam Mu¡­" Thewyer was surprised that she''d call her on such short notice.


    "Please call me Miss Ying as usual," Li Xiuying corrected him as she sat across him. "I want to see thetest contracts and agreements that Li Corporation has entered into for the past two years."


    The oldwyer couldn''t understand her sudden request but obliged nheless. He has been working for the Li family for a long time and this kind of request wasn''t new to him. However, her request to be called Miss Ying again surely gave him vibes that something was not right.


    "There isn''t anything suspicious on the contracts your husband entered recently. Are you perhaps worried that he''s embezzling thepany''s funds?" he asked her as she flipped the folders of several contracts ced in front of her.


    She couldn''t find anything wrong with it. A part of her was worried that not only did he betray her trust but her family as well.


    "I¡­"


    What was she supposed to say? That her husband was cheating behind her back for the past three months and now he intends to divorce her in favor of his mistress?


    Was she willing to ept defeat? She, a Li princess, had fallen so hard that she was left helpless and betrayed?


    Li Xiuying couldn''t believe it. She cannot ept it. Not like this.


    Her eyes shed menacingly. Something that thewyer never saw from her. If it was Li Chuntao, it would be normal, but Li Xiuying?


    The coldness in her eyes reminded him of Li Yuren''s several years ago when his sister and Madam Shen had been abducted. This was a Li family trait that he wouldn''t get tired of seeing. They were a bunch of sleeping lions waiting for the right time to strike.


    The Li Xiuying he knew wasn''t a spiteful woman. She was a beauty not only on the outside but also inside, so this kind of glint in her eyes was unusual.


    "No," Her muffled response came. There was a hint of desperation on her voice.


    The old man raised a brow, thinking that she hadn''te up on a decision yet.


    "However, Miss Ying, if you want to and need some help in divorcing him.. I can rmend a good divorcewyer to you."

 Chapter 5 - The Li Family Never Lower Themselves To Anyone

    Divorce¡­


    Li Xiuying''s jaws hardened at the thought. Why was she so afraid of being alone? Didn''t she still have her baby and Chuntao with her? Why would she need to stay with a scumbag who only knew how to hurt her and me her for the failure of their marriage?


    "If I want to?" sheughed to herself, feeling really pathetic that she''d been yed well by her husband. "Then tell me what I need to do?"


    Make a fool out of her? Was she really the kind of person who can easily be bullied by a manwhore? Good. Very good. Let''s see who''ll get yed for goodter.


    The hatred in her eyes intensified. After all the things she''d done and sacrificed for him, this was how he''s repaying her?!


    "Miss Ying, do you want to divorce him?" came the curious question from their familywyer.


    Her eyes were once again stung with tears. Was she really brave enough to let go of her husband?


    ---


    Instead of going back to their home, Li Xiuying drove towards the Li Mansion to see her uncle. The ce remained the same and nothing much had changed over the years. She remembered ying with her twin sister in therge garden that their grandmother personally tends to.


    She was greeted by a butler once she stepped inside. Her eyes roaming around the ground floor, marvelling at the neatness of the ce. This house was her home, where theughter happens and she can rest at the end of the day, not the house she shared with her husband.


    "Ying, what brings you here?" A deep baritone voice disrupted Li Xiuying''s thought. Lifting her head towards its direction, she found her uncle taking the steps downstairs, eyeing her with curiosity.


    He was wearing a light grey shirt and ck pants. It was rare for him to be at home and Li Xiuying thought that her chances of meeting him were quite low.


    Looking at him, she thought that her Uncle Yuren didn''t seem to age. Those male actors and models were no matchpared to his physiques and face. He could really give them a good run for their money.


    "Uncle," she gave him a curt nod and followed him to the dining area. She sat opposite him and watched as he started his meal without waiting for her.


    A servant ced her meal in front of her and left them alone for privacy. Since Chuntao''s departure overseas to finish her studies, Li Xiuying moved out of the mansion as soon as she married Mu Jianyu.


    By marrying him, Li Xiuying gained the freedom to decide on her own life. This was a tradition within the Li family. Marriage meant the Li family wouldn''t interfere with any of their personal affairs whether they like it or not.


    "Mu Jianyu wants to divorce me." Li Xiuying didn''t beat around the bush and told her uncle what was happening.


    Li Yuren faltered, gave her a side nce and continued with his meal. His expression told Li Xiuying that he wasn''t surprised at the sudden turn of events.


    "So what do you n to do now?" He cut his steak and chewed slowly, waiting for her to respond.


    Li Xiuying lowered her head in shame, refusing to meet his gaze.


    "I-I don''t know yet¡­" she admitted.


    "Do not lower your head, Ying. Do not forget you are a Li and the Li family never lower themselves to anyone, especially not to a vermin like Mu Jianyu,"


    Li Yuren never approved his niece''s rtionship with that man. It wasn''t an issue to him that Mu Jianyu came from a humble family, it was just he thought the man wasn''t responsible enough to take care of Xiuying.


    Li Xiuying took a deep breath and straightened her back. Her uncle surely knew how to lift up her and Chuntao''s spirits.


    "I understand,"


    "Divorce him if you want, but you must first teach him a lesson for messing with you." His gaze sharpened at her.


    When he first found out about the adultery, he really wanted to beat Mu Jianyu and teach him a lesson but because Li Xiuying begs him not to intervene, he was forced to stay on the sidelines and watch the clown''s performance.


    Li Xiuying released a sigh she didn''t know she was holding. So her uncle had predicted that this would happen or was he just being cautious of her husband? Initially, she thought that the prenuptial agreement wasn''t necessary. They were both deeply in love with each other back then and hadn''t thought that something like this would ever happen.


    No wonder her Uncle Yuren didn''t want to ept Mu Jianyu into their family.. A part of him must have known that Mu Jianyu would only cause trouble for them.

 Chapter 6 - A Pitifully Resentful Woman

    They trampled her heart and expected her to just let them be happy together? Never! Not only for her own sake, but also for her unborn child.


    "But before that, I need you to do something for me," Li Yuren''s words confused her. "Your husband seems to think that he could steal the family''s wealth by secretly investing in shellpanies."


    At those words, Li Xiuying froze on her seat and stared wide-eyed at her uncle. Wait? The contracts she checked earlier didn''t look suspicious to her at all. Was her husband really trying to suck the Li family dry?


    "Ying, you brought him to our family. I expect you to take responsibility for this problem. You wouldn''t want your grandfather to clean up after your mess, would you?"


    Li Xiuying could only chew her lower lip. Her husband surely knew how to stab her from behind. She wondered what else could he be doing behind her back aside from cheating.


    "Yes, Uncle." She agreed easily and started eating.


    She hadn''t had any decent meals since Mu Jianyu left her in their home and the moment the meat reached her tongue, she was assaulted with familiar vors. Chef Tian must have been dropped by and met her uncle earlier. There could be no other person who can make this dish aside from him.


    "Good. I know you need to cope with the situation but your Grandpa wants you to evict Mu Jianyu from his post and go back to thepany to fix it yourself. Can you do it?" Li Yuren asked her, his eyes softening as she ate heartily.


    The past weeks of pretending must have been really tiring for her. It was evident that she''d lost a lot of weight and her pregnancy added a toll on her fragile body. Li Yuren feared that she might suffer another miscarriage this time.


    Maybe it was a good thing that the bastard sought for divorce. A bastard like him could never be a good father for Ying''s child. If he could abandon his wife for his mistress, he wouldn''t bat an eyelid and could refuse to look at his own flesh and blood.


    "After tailing him for three months, Uncle, do you know how I hate myself right now? I should''ve listened to you and Chuntao when you warned me about him." She chuckled lowly, "I couldn''t believe how blind I was to love a person like him."


    Li Xiuying felt sick down to her core. Watching the cheating couple being affectionate made her feel sick and disgusted. She refused to cry, refused to look away to convince herself that this wasn''t just a nightmare that will pass once she wakes up.


    The ring truth was already in front of her yet her despicable husband chose to lie to her till the very end.


    As she watched them kissing and being intimate while everyone around them was oblivious about their affair, for the first time in her life, Li Xiuying felt intense hatred for another person. She hated Lin Meirong but it wasn''tparable to the hatred she bore for her husband.


    If she could, she would''ve sent them straight to hell. Lin Meirong might not be a popr actress but her husband was somewhat known in the businessmunity. It would be easy for someone to use him to destroy the image of Li Corporation.


    She wanted to scream, she wanted to ruin everything around her but the thought that it would hurt her child stopped her from making drastic decisions that not only could hurt her but her baby as well.


    Li Xiuying couldn''t even recognize the woman in her reflection anymore. Mu Jianyu did this. Her husband turned her into a pitifully resentful woman. He destroyed her more than he could ever know.


    "Ying, you know we only want you to be happy. This is why I could not ept your husband. It also took time for you to convince Chuntao for her to agree to let you marry. Have you told her yet?"


    How could she tell Chuntao that her life was currently in a mess?


    Their bond as twins was strong and deep. Because they were identical twins, it was impossible for anyone to distinguish who was who except for their family. Sometimes, the two of them would pretend to be the other to trick people for fun. Only their Uncle Yuren wouldn''t fall for their tricks.


    There were times when one of them was able to feel when the other was in pain or trouble which couldn''t be exined. If neither of them were busy, they could spend hours on the phone talking to each other, sharing everything that happened while they were apart.


    Even Mu Jianyu was displeased at their closeness, but has never dared to utter a word about it. He could swear Li Chuntao held grudges against him by marrying Li Xiuying.


    Li Xiuying has never hidden anything from her twin sister except this. She didn''t have the courage to tell Chuntao that her husband was cheating on her. And now that only a piece of paper was binding her to Mu Jianyu, she felt like a pathetic coward.


    If Li Chuntao was in her shoes, what would she do? She wondered.


    Ha! If it was Li Chuntao who found her own husband fucking his mistress on their own bed, Li Xiuying was sure her sister would''ve killed her husband and kept the mistress alive. Knowing her sister, Li Xiuying wouldn''t be surprised if Chuntao tortured the other woman alive until she begged for her own death.


    A bloody murder would''ve transpired for sure if it was her twin sister, unlike her who only turned her back and ran away like a coward after hearing the scream of pleasure by the other woman her husband had brought to their marital bed.


    Between them, her twin sister was more level headed and could be vicious to any person who dared to trample her. Li Chuntao was a strong woman. Her twin sister only decided to be a doctor because their Uncle Yuren refused to allow her to enter the army.


    However, Li Chuntao insisted that she''ll join the army by being a military doctor so their Uncle Yuren wouldn''t have to worry too much.


    Sometimes Li Xiuying wished she could be as strong as her sister, Chuntao. If only she was brave enough to stand up for herself.


    "No, she doesn''t know yet. I haven''t told her." She informed her uncle. Chuntao didn''t need to know this yet. She''d brought the trouble to their family and only she should rectify her mistakes. "Uncle, please do not tell her yet. I beg you."


    Li Yuren nodded and didn''t question her any further. He understood how critical it was for his other niece to focus on her studies. However, for the past few weeks, he witnessed how Ying had changed for the worse.


    Since the death of his sister, he promised on Li Qiao''s grave that he''d look after the twins she had to leave behind. Since they were young, he specifically adjusted his packed schedule, making sure he was able to spend quality time with Xiuying and Chuntao no matter how busy he was.


    "Alright, but if she discovers this herself, don''t me me. You know you can''t hide anything for too long. She would be suspicious." He reminded his niece.


    "I know, Uncle.. I n to tell her myself without missing a single detail," she smiled bitterly.

 Chapter 7 - What Are You Waiting For?

    They continued their meal in silence until both heard footstepsing their way.


    "Is it true? Our Ying is here?" A feminine voice could be heard from the hallway.


    "Yes, Madam. She''s currently having lunch with Master Yuren," they heard a servant answer her question.


    The woman went straight to the dining room where they were in. Her face instantly lit up upon seeing her niece dining with her husband.


    "Ying! There you are. I haven''t seen you in weeks, darling." Zheng Yue gave Li Yuren a quick peck on his cheek before taking the seat next to him.


    "You''re early today. Didn''t you say that your shoot for the film will endte?" Li Yuren asked his wife, clearly surprised that she hadn''t called him to pick her up from the set location.


    He and Zheng Yue had been married for almost fifteen years now and had a son of their own. Zheng Yue was still signed under Griffin Entertainment and was previously known in the showbiz world as a film empress.


    His question made the smile on her beautiful face disappear. She was reminded of what transpired earlier while waiting in her dressing room.


    "Dear, I found something today." she started and gave Li Xiuying a worried look. "The script was changed. It seemed like the producer wanted to give Lin Meirong more linespared to our female lead."


    Even though Zheng Yue had long retired from the industry, she recently epted the offer for the film ''To You With Love'' as she was impressed with the storyline. However, what she didn''t expect was Lin Meirong''s participation as the second female lead of the film.


    The actress for the female lead was recently scouted by Griffin Entertainment and didn''t have enough backing yet. While the Tang family saw great potential in Lan Jinyao, she still needed a lot of experience to prove she was worthy of their time and attention.


    Zheng Yue tried to be professional and not cast her disgust over the woman who seduced her niece''s husband. At the set, she pretended that she didn''t know Lin Meirong and treated her nicely when in fact she couldn''t wait to wait for the scene they''ll both be taking so she could unleash her anger on Lin Meirong.


    Lin Meirong and Mu Jianyu had been oblivious to the fact that Li Xiuying and the whole Li family, except for Li Chuntao, were aware of their affair. Did they really think they could hide everything from them?


    "Not only that, but I also heard that your husband invested in Redux Entertainment to support Lin Meirong''s growing poprity," she told her husband whose face suddenly darkened at the mention of Mu Jianyu''s insolence towards their family.


    Trying to uplift his mistress'' career by using the wealth of the Li family? Mu Jianyu was really courting death this time.


    Li Xiuying clenched her fist hard under the table, her face betraying her efforts to keep calm. His lies continued to be uncovered, each stabbing her with unbearable pain.


    Mu Jianyu never cared for her, as if he had forgotten the woman he''d imed to love and married. Whatever happened to the man who promised to take care of her, the man who swore would never leave her alone?


    "Xiuying¡­" Zheng Yue was getting worried about her niece. Li Xiuying was pregnant without her husband knowing and he abandoned her at the moment she needed him the most.


    "Don''t worry, Auntie. I''ll fix this problem. You and Lan Jinyao won''t need to worry about Lin Meirong." Li Xiuying promised her.


    ¡ª-


    Li Xiuying didn''t feel like going home and stayed at the Li Mansion. She went back to her old bedroom andid down on the bed, mulling over her marriage that had fallen apart. Closing her eyes, she knew that there wouldn''t be a chance that her husband would return to her and her child.


    He must be spending his time with his new lover, celebrating their uing divorce but would she let them?


    The sudden ring on her phone brought her back to reality. Pulling it from the handbag that she''d tossed on her bed, she wasn''t surprised to see Shen Zichen''s name on the screen.


    "Ying, are you home? I''m down here, at your apartmentplex," he said at the other end of the line.


    "Sorry, Dr. Shen. I''m staying with my uncle tonight. I won''t be able toe home anytime soon." She stared nkly at her ceiling, hoping that the pain she was feeling will turn her numb. She didn''t want to shed another tear for Mu Jianyu. The man wasn''t worth crying over.


    "Really? What happened this time?" Shen Zichen asked. Li Xiuying could sense the hint of worry in his voice.


    "Jianyu wants us to divorce." sheughed to herself. She should have seen iting when Mu Jianyu refused to part with Lin Meirong.


    For the past three months, she trailed her own husband with Shen Zichen by her side. The man, a childhood friend of hers and Chuntao''s, was the first one to discover the affair between the two.


    Being a surgeon, Shen Zichen had to meet several important people and attend endless meetings and seminars. It was during one of those seminars he attended in a five-star hotel away from the capital that he saw Mu Jianyu with a woman walking alongside him, who wasn''t Li Xiuying.


    Shen Zichen had been bothered since then and it was only because he was drunk that he identally slipped and told Li Xiuying, shocking her with his confession. He initially thought that she wouldn''t believe him right then but her eyes lowered and she smiled at him as she was ready to burst into tears.


    Li Xiuying must have suspected all along that Mu Jianyu was being unfaithful to her and the news that Shen Zichen saw him with another woman finally confirmed her assumptions regarding her husband.


    "Then divorce him. What are you waiting for, Ying?"


    Why indeed? She only needed to sign the divorce papers and she and Mu Jianyu would have to part ways. Why was she being scared?


    "Not yet, Zichen," came her muddled response. Li Xiuying hated that Mu Jianyu had the power to hurt her, to ruin her.


    The thought that Mu Jianyu didn''t need and love her pained her so much. A part of her refused to believe that they''ll end up this way.


    Was it possible to love someone and hate them at the same time? Li Xiuying couldn''t understand the feelings she had for her husband anymore.


    What had she done to deserve this pain?


    The more she witnessed the adultery, the more his lies continued to feed her hatred. They slowly turned into roommates who lived separate lives outside their home.


    Pretty soon he was hiding more and more things from her. Meeting and conversations became some sort of a top-secret. And while he thought she didn''t notice, it was obvious that he was looking forward to seeing Lin Meirong and spending time with her. He''d totally forgotten about his wife who''d been watching him all this time with undivided attention.


    However, in the end, divorce was the sacrament of adultery and Li Xiuying knew that at some point she''ll get tired of this facade.

 Chapter 8 - Dear, Let’s Get Married

    She was sure as hell that Shen Zichen disagreed with her and would try to change her mind. He''d been reminding her for weeks to prioritize her health and pregnancy and just leave Mu Jianyu if he couldn''te back to his senses.


    He had a point but Li Xiuying wasn''t ready to divorce Mu Jianyu yet, not until she''d made him pay for his sins.


    "So what''s your n? I assume you won''t being back here?" Shen Zichen asked her. He gave Li Xiuying''s ce onest look before turning away. He went back to his car and drove away from the apartmentplex. Since she wasn''t there, there was no point for him to wait.


    "I''ll have to fix the mess he left in thepany first, then we''ll see if he will repent." She told him. Then what? She questioned herself. Would she be able to forgive him if he confesses his sins and repents? Could she really treat this as a bad chapter in their marriage life?


    "Ying, please don''t tell me you''re thinking of epting him back." Shen Zichen asked her in disbelief.


    A husband should protect his wife and shouldn''t hurt her physically or emotionally. He''d warned Mu Jianyu before that he would be the first one to beat him if Li Xiuying shed tears because of him and now, Shen Zichen''s fists were really itching to teach the bastard a lesson he would never forget.


    When Li Xiuying didn''t answer him, he was sure that she was considering saving her marriage.


    "Ying, you shouldn''t underestimate a man''s ability to make you feel guilty for his mistakes. The only mistake you made was trusting him too much, and he has proven that he doesn''t deserve it at all!"


    Xiuying was precious to him and Yuyan. Shen Zichen had always prided himself for being urate in his deductions but not this time. His logical mind knew at once that Mu Jianyu had betrayed Li Xiuying.


    At first, he couldn''t believe that Mu Jianyu would treat Xiuying this way. That he easily discarded the years of marriage he shared with Li Xiuying for a shallow woman like Lin Meirong. For him, it was like Mu Jianyu had thrown away a precious diamond for a worthless pebble. Cheating on a good woman was like choosing trash over treasure.


    "Then what''s wrong with me? Am I not good enough? Is that it, Zichen? Am I not good enough for him to seek another woman''spany?" These were the questions that had been guing her since she discovered her husband''s affair.


    Shen Zichen shook his head. He had heard several stories of affairs from his colleagues before and one thing for sure, when a man cheats it wasn''t caused by his woman''s inadequacy, it''s because he puts lust and greed before love.


    "It''s NOT your fault, Ying."


    How could she me herself like this? It pained him to see how Li Xiuying was destroying herself because of that cheating bastard.


    Li Xiuying was the sweetest and most gentle woman he''d known. How could someone hurt her like this? Did Mu Jianyu hit his head or something?


    "I don''t know, Zichen. I really don''t know," Li Xiuying admitted. Night hadn''te yet but she was already tired. Even if it was due to her pregnancy, she wasn''t sure if that''s the only cause.


    After hanging up on Shen Zinchen, she sumbed to a deep slumber. Not only was she physically restless but her heart and soul needed some peace. Tears slipping from her eyes as she dreamt of the happy memories she shared with her husband.


    ¡ª-


    While Li Xiuying cried in her sleep, Mu Jianyu spent his time with his lover. He surely didn''t waste time after leaving his wife to seek Lin Meirong.


    In a dimly lit luxurious bedroom, a man and a woman were engrossed in the middle of their lovemaking on a king-sized bed. The room, the bed and the sheets they were reeked with the scent of their lovemaking.


    The silent room reverberated with the sound of his name, the woman beneath him screaming his name in the throes of passion. The man had hungrily ripped her dress revealing the luscious body to his lustful eyes. His hard member mmed inside of her, his thrusts hard and fast while his lover cried out his name as he brought them to the pinnacle of their pleasure.


    Once they were done, Lin Meirong snuggled next to him. He reveled in the fact that he would be free from Li Xiuying soon and would be free to be with his lover anytime he wished.


    Mu Jianyu felt that it had been too long since he felt this full and sated. It was something that he couldn''t feel with his own wife. No, he corrected himself. His ex-wife. Li Xiuying had no other choice but to give him his freedom. She loved him, didn''t she? So if she really loves him, she''ll let him go and let him be happy by Lin Meirong''s side.


    "Dear, once my divorce finalized, let''s get married," he whispered in Lin Meirong''s ear.


    The woman sat up and stared at him wide-eyed. She couldn''t believe that she was so lucky. Mu Jianyu was the best lover she had for years and no one wasparable to him.


    "Are you sure? But what if she decides to give us a hard time? Also, my career is just starting to get better. I don''t think I''m ready yet."


    As much as she wanted to marry him, Lin Meirong also knew this wasn''t the best time for her to settle down. She hadn''t reached the peak of her career and had no ns to be a boring wife as Li Xiuying was after marriage.


    Wasn''t that the reason why Mu Jianyu grew tired of his wife? Lin Meirong refused to suffer the same fate.


    "You don''t want to?" Mu Jianyu raised a brow on her. He thought that she''d be jumping for joy now that he could be with her. They didn''t need to hide their rtionship any longer once Li Xiuying signed the divorce papers.


    "If you''re worried about your career, why don''t we keep our marriage a secret? You can still do whatever you want and fulfil your dreams." His hands reached out and gently touched her cheek. "I''ll always be with you whatever happens. As for Li Xiuying, you know how I feel about her."


    Such sweet words could move any woman if heard from their beloved''s lips. How could she say no to his proposal when everything she was looking for in a man, she found in Mu Jianyu.


    His tone when he talked about his wife was full of disdain like he didn''t want to be associated with Li Xiuying anymore. In his eyes, Li Xiuying was someone who stood and obstructed the only way for him to be happy.


    Such a perfect man, Lin Meirong thought. Why should the boring and ''perfect'' woman like Li Xiuying have him? She was better than that stupid woman. Even if she did have to climb on Mu Jianyu''s bed to seduce him and snatch him from Li Xiuying''s hands, Lin Meirong didn''t care.


    "You promise?" Lin Meirong crawled on hisp and wound her arms around his shoulder, her bountiful chest pressed against his.


    Her actions sessfully caught his attention again, his lust returning at full force. His hand roamed on her curves before pressing her back on the bed below him to take her once again.


    "I promise. You''re my one and only,"

 Chapter 9 - Lan Jinyao

    The next day, the first thing Li Xiuying did was call her personal assistant and close friend, Hou Chen. With the Li family''s intention to remove Mu Jianyu from the board of directors and from his executive position, Li Xiuying had to step up and assume her previous post in Li Corporation soon.


    Not only that, she also had to find a way to retrieve the money her husband embezzled from thepany. Knowing that she wouldn''t be able to produce any artworks and paintings anytime soon, Li Xiuying had to give up her passion.


    After she finished her meeting with a curator for her final exhibit at one of the high ss hotels in the capital, Li Xiuying decided to return to the Li Mansion. After all, the apartment she was sharing with her husband was under Mu Jianyu''s name and she didn''t feel like staying in a ce that would remind her of how miserable her life was.


    However, before she could step out of the hotel, her eyes spotted a familiar woman being forcibly dragged to the main lobby by a man. This woman was none other than Lan Jinyao, the lead actress of the uing film ''To You With Love'' where Lin Meirong was also casted as the second female lead.


    Lan Jinyao was begging for help, resisting from the tight hold the man had on her arm. With tears streaming down her cheeks, she felt helpless. None of the spectators wanted to help her and would refuse to meet her gaze as her eyes pleaded for them to help her.


    Li Xiuying crossed her arms over her chest and cupped her chin as she stood several meters away from themotion. This wasn''t the first time she''d seen Lan Jinyao but Li Xiuying bet that this woman had no idea who she was. A thought crossed her mind and she wondered if Lan Jinyao would like to cooperate with her.


    "Let me go, Director Yao! You''re already drunk. Please, let me go. I don''t even know what you are talking about!" She cried out. Lan Jinyao was afraid that people would start talking about her and believe the nonsense their director was spouting.


    "Why are you resisting now?" The man sneered at Lan Jinyao''s face. "Didn''t you sleep with the producer to secure the role for the film? Lan Jinyao, the lead role was supposed to be for Lin Meirong but a bitch like you took her chance."


    At those words, Li Xiuying froze, her blood started to boil with rage upon hearing Lin Meirong''s name. She watched as Lan Jinyao staggered on her feet with her face flushed,Li Xiuying wondered if she was drugged or something. There was clearly something wrong with Lan Jinyao but she couldn''t pinpoint what it was.


    "Su Ling," Li Xiuying called the name of one of her bodyguards and a man stepped forward beside her at once.


    Of course, the issue about actresses sleeping with notable people to get roles in films wasn''t new to her. This was one of the unspoken truths within the show business but Li Xiuying won''t believe that Lan Jinyao had done what the man was using her of.


    Lan Jinyao''s wide expressive eyes revealed her fears and confusion. She looked like a prey that was trapped in the corner watching as the predator staked its im on her.


    "Miss Ying," He gave her a slight nod in respect. It was rare for his miss to ask something from him.


    Most of the time, Su Ling and the otherdy bodyguard named Song Zexi, only needed to follow her and watch her from a safe distance. Of course, as her personal bodyguards for the past ten years, Su Ling and Song Zexi were also aware of Mu Jianyu''s betrayal


    "That woman," using her eyes, Li Xiuying pointed towards Lan Jinyao. "Bring her to me." She told Su Ling before turning her head to her other bodyguard. "Song Zexi, please book a hotel room under my name."


    "As you wish, Miss Ying."


    Su Ling left at once to save Lan Jinyao from humiliation and rumors. If this persists, this could ruin her name even before she starts making a name in the industry. Lin Meirong surely knew how to ruin other women, and taking away what truly belongs to them.


    Meanwhile, Li Xiuying followed Song Zexi to the reception area to check in, her eyes never leaving Lan Jinyao. She wasn''t the one who could take advantage of one''s situation but she was curious if she could gain an upper hand against Lin Meirong by using Lan Jinyao.


    Lan Jinyao was forced to walk towards the elevator by the man but even before she was able to step inside, they were halted by a deep masculine voice.


    "Miss Lin, I see that you are here. My Madam has been waiting for you. I hope you didn''t lose your way?" Su Ling was staring at her with such intensity, rendering her speechless.


    Lan Jinyao had no idea who he was and which Madam he was referring to but if they could help her escape from this man who wanted to molest her, she would be grateful for their help.


    "I-I¡­" She stuttered, not knowing what to say to Su Ling.


    "Who the hell are you?" Yao Qigang was the director of the film that Lan Jinyao and Lin Meirong were casted in. He gave Su Ling an annoyed look, his grip on Lan Jinyao''s arm tightening.


    "As I said, Mister, our Madam seeks Miss Lan''s presence, and has been kept waiting. Now, if you don''t mind, can you please unhand her before my madam loses her patience?"


    Su Ling was smiling but there was something in his aura that made Director Yao ufortable. He wanted to say something but no words came out of his mouth.


    Who the hell was this man anyway? His question was answered when his eyes caught the insignia of the Li family embroidered on his cor.


    Director Yao broke into a cold sweat. This wasn''t part of the n! He looked around hoping that Zheng Yue wasn''t around to witness his attempt to rape Lan Jinyao. In his mind, the Madam Su Ling mentioned was Zheng Yue since she was Li Yuren''s wife so he never suspected that it was Li Xiuying who wanted to meet Lan Jinyao.


    Today''s event was something he''d nned with Lin Meirong. By creating a scandal and tarnishing Lan Jinyao''s name, they would be able to force her out of the casting, giving way for Lin Meirong to snatch the lead female role from her.


    However, with Su Ling''s appearance and Madam Li''s involvement, would he really gamble his career over Lan Jinyao by offending the Li family? No, he wouldn''t. He released Lan Jinyao at once and gave her a fierce re, warning her not to say anything to Zheng Yue.


    "I understand. You don''t have to escort me to my room, Miss Lan. You go and meet Madam Li.. You wouldn''t want her to wait for too long, right?" he said, lying through his teeth.

 Chapter 10 - Ruin Lan Jinyao’s Reputation

    Director Yao left at once, not giving Su Ling enough time to question him, as Lan Jinyao shivered next to him.


    Lan Jinyao felt her body heating up all of the sudden. A foreign sensation washed her senses, flowing down to her intimate part, making her flustered. Her cheeks flushed, her throat feeling dry. What the hell was wrong with her?!


    Why did it feel so hot all of the sudden? It wasn''t possible that the air conditioners within the hotels stopped working at the same time, right? This ufortable burning sensation inside of her was getting worse every passing second.


    ''So hot! Very hot!'' She screamed inwardly.


    Lan Jinyao didn''t remember feeling sick earlier and neither did she eat anything before her meeting with Director Yao. Her thought went into a halt as she realized the possibility of the director spiking her drink earlier when she wasn''t paying attention.


    Damn it! She knew something was wrong when the man invited her for ate lunch under the guise of talking about her acting. Had she known that Director Yao was nning to force her to make a fool out of herself in front of so many people and spoil her reputation, she wouldn''t have agreed to meet him.


    Ha! She would never give him and Lin Meirong the satisfaction of ruining her!


    The horror of what could''ve happened if Su Ling didn''t intervene washed through her. Zheng Yue saved her unknowingly and she would be forever in her debt for her help.


    Clenching her fists on her side, Lan Jinyao followed Su Ling as they looked for Madam Li. She suppressed her need to find a man to satisfy her needs. The pain radiating from her arms forced her to stay clear headed but Su Ling''s presence near her wasn''t helping at all.


    He was surely a fine specimen of a man who could attract women''s attention with his physique and facial features and Lan Jinyao was one of them especially in her current condition.


    Suppressing the strong need to jump on Su Ling, Lan Jinyao kept a safe distance away from him but she knew¡­ she knew she wouldn''tst long. Maybe Zheng Yue can help her again.


    Lan Jinyao pulled herself together and forced her shivering body to walk away from everyone''s gaze. She could feel her body heating up more and was bing aware of the sheen perspiration on her skin.


    When Su Ling looked around the lobby to find his Miss, he didn''t see her and Song Zexi. His phone inside his coat beeped indicating a new message from Song Zexi with the room number where their Miss was.


    Su Ling led Lan Jinyao back to the elevator and pushed the button for Li Xiuying''s floor. He''d noticed the unusual behavior of hispanion but didn''t dare to question her. Li Xiuying wanted to meet this woman and he only needed to bring Lan Jinyao to her.


    Lan Jinyao leaned on the wall, shutting her eyes closed as she tried to stay conscious of her surroundings. This wasn''t the right ce to pass out! Otherwise, if the effects of the drug used on her became stronger, she might not even know what could she have der on!


    When they arrived at the hotel room, Song Zexi opened the door for them to let them inside. Lan Jinyao was expecting to meet Zheng Yue inside but she was greeted by a beautiful woman sitting at the living area, sipping her tea.


    Who was this woman?


    She looked at Su Ling and Song Zexi and saw that they were indeed bearing the mark of the Li family. Could this woman be part of the Li family? If she was what did she want from her?


    However, this wasn''t the right time for her to question the said woman as her problem was bing unbearable. She tripped on her own foot and was about to fall when Su Ling caught her just in time. His eyes widened, clearly not expecting her to copse in Li Xiuying''s presence.


    "H-help me¡­ please. I beg you." She felt so hot and ufortable. She had this urge to strip her own clothes.


    "What''s wrong with her?" Even Li Xiuying shot to her feet, worry was evidentin her eyes as Song Zexi took the woman panting on Su Ling''s arm and put Lan Jinyao on the huge bed.


    "I''m not sure, Miss Ying. She wasn''t like this earlier.??? Su Ling exined to her.


    "Or it could be she''s been suppressing what she was feeling." Song Zexi corrected him as she noticed the warmness on Lan Jinyao''s flushed skin as if she had a slight fever. She also checked the woman''s pulse and breathing.


    There were obvious nail marks on Lan Jinyao''s palms. Her face was unusually red, and the sides of her face were drenched in sweat. There was really something wrong with Lan Jinyao.


    Li Xiuying stood beside the bed and peeked over her bodyguard''s shoulders, wanting to see what was wrong with Lan Jinyao.


    "What do you mean? Is she sick?" She asked curiously.


    "Miss, I think Miss Lan was drugged. What should we do?" Song Zexi asked her back.


    Drugged? What did she mean Lan Jinyao was drugged?


    Her eyes widened in disbelief when she finally understood what had happened! If she''d allowed Lan Jinyao to stay any longer on Director Yao''s side, Lan Jinyao would have filled the headlines by tomorrow!


    Her jaws tightened at the thought. Lin Meirong did this to Lan Jinyao.. She''d once again attempted to ruin an innocent woman.

 Chapter 11 - Things Won’t Ever Be The Same Again

    She shouldn''t be surprised by this but still, Li Xiuying felt bad for Lan Jinyao. This young woman didn''t deserve to be treated this way. That Lin Meirong¡­ just how many people''s lives she''d ruin just to get where she was now?


    With Song Zexi''s help, they were able to calm Lan Jinyao through the night while Su Ling stood outside the bedroom, not daring to peek inside. Lan Jinyao had tried to jump on him earlier when he dared to help his miss and because of that, Song Zexi had to kick him out and told him not to enter despite whatever he heard inside the room.


    Song Zexi then peeled Lan Jinyao''s sweaty clothes and helped her get into the shower to wash away the sweat and lower her body temperature.


    It took them sometime before they could see an improvement on Lan Jinyao. The woman easily fell asleep on the massive bed while Li Xiuying was left sitting on a chair next to the bed, pondering the recent events in her life.


    What to do now?


    Her husband wouldn''te back for her soon and was probably staying with Lin Meirong. Her hand gently rested on her abdomen, trying to feel the child that was growing inside of her.


    Should she tell Mu Jianyu about the child? Would it change his mind from leaving her?


    Li Xiuying wanted to believe that he would but remembering what he did behind her back for the past three months had proven that he didn''t care for her anymore. It would be unfair for her child to be used as a bargaining chip to save her failing marriage.


    She would rather etch Mu Jianyu out of her life than to let her child suffer but still, a part of her didn''t want to give up on him yet which was infuriating and frustrating at the same time.


    Her Uncle Yuren and Aunt Yue''s words resounded on her head.


    "A man who cheated once will most likely cheat again. You can''t keep someone who doesn''t want to be kept." Her uncle told her.


    Zheng Yue agreed with her husband. "Ying, once trust is broken, things won''t ever be the same again."


    Of course, Li Xiuying knew this. Since she discovered her husband''s affair, her view on people and things around her had changed drastically.She could never look at her husband the same way again.


    Her thoughts were put in a halt when she heard Lan Jinyao groaning on the bed. Li Xiuying sighed in relief, seeing that the woman wasn''t in difort anymore. There were still a few hours before sunrise as it was only past midnight.


    Lan Jinyao sat up and cradled her aching head on her hands. She could barely remember what transpired before she passed out. Wasn''t she meeting Director Yao earlier? How did she end up on someone''s bed?


    "I see you''re awake. Are you still in pain, Miss Lan?" Li Xiuying asked with such gentleness that Lan Jinyao wasn''t used to. Most of the time, people look at her with either curiosity or disgust.


    It took several seconds before Lan Jinyao remembered everything. From meeting Director Yao to meeting this ''Madam Li''.


    "W-where¡­ where am I?" She asked in confusion and looked around. "...and who are you?"


    When Su Ling said that Madam Li was looking for her, she originally thought she was going to meet Zheng Yue. Instead, she''d met this beautiful woman whom she''d never met before. She watched as Li Xiuying pulled herself up to her feet and sat on the edge of the bed, her hand reaching out to touch her forehead.


    "Your fever subsided, that''s good." Li Xiuying sounded relieved which confused the woman in bed. "You''re here in my hotel room, Miss Lan. As for my identity, I am Li Xiuying," She wasn''t expecting that Lan Jinyao would know who she was but that didn''t matter.


    "Miss Li... thank you for helping me and I''m so sorry for troubling you." She said in a hushed tone.


    Though it was Su Ling who had taken her from Director Yao''s hold, she knew that it was Li Xiuying''s initiative that was the reason she ended up safe tonight. She would be forever indebted for Li Xiuying''s help. if it wasn''t for this woman, her chastity and reputation would''ve been ruined and Lin Meirong would probably be celebrating her downfall by now.


    "There''s no need to apologize, Miss Lan. I''m d that we were able to save you on time,"


    "Why... why did you help me?"Lan Jinyao voiced her confusion. While she was grateful for Li Xiuying''s help, she couldn''t help but be wary of her motive. She''d learned the hard way to not easily believe someone''s kindness. Just look at what happened to her now. If she hadn''t believed her manager''s lies, she wouldn''t havee here and met that lecherous director.


    Li Xiuying regarded her for a moment, noticing the guarded expression in her eyes. She couldn''t me her for doubting her intentions. Initially, she wanted to use Lan Jinyao but now, the thought sounded repulsive to her. She couldn''t bring herself lower than she''d already done.


    She didn''t beg her husband to stay but that didn''t mean she was oblivious to his extramarital affair. She wanted to know what kind of woman was able to ensnare Mu Jianyu, and wanted to understand why she had allowed the other woman to trample on her marriage.


    Lan Jinyao was waiting for her answer but instead, Li Xiuying evaded her question and stated something that shocked the young actress.


    "I know who you are, Lan Jinyao. Or should I call you Xi Jinyao, second miss of the Xi family?"


    As expected, Lan Jinyao jolted from her seat and scooted away from Li Xiuying. She stared at her with wide eyes, before turning her gaze to Song Zexi who was standing stiffly at the doorway. There was no way she could escape.


    But how did Li Xiuying find out about her secret? she''d tried her best not to associate herself with the Xi family.


    "Rx, Miss Lan. I mean no harm to you," Li Xiuying reassured her. "I was merely stating a fact, nothing more."


    Born from a mistress, Lan Jinyao was sent to an orphanage by her own father after her mother died in childbirth. The man, her father, refused to take her into the Xi family. For him, she was a mistake that shouldn''t have happened. Lan Jinyao reminded him of the sins hemitted against his own family.


    Even though her father refused to acknowledge her as his daughter, Xi Shaohua, Lan Jinyao''s half sister was enraged when she found out about her existence. Since then, her half sister had caused her a lot of troubles.


    Wasn''t it a wonder then that while she was the second miss of the Xi family who owned Redux Entertainment, Lan Jinyao signed on its rivalpany, Griffin Entertainment?


    Lan Jinyao had wanted to be a star but her half-sister somehow always found a way to pressure her previous agencies to let go of her. None of those agencies dared to antagonize the princess of Redux Entertainment but it was a different matter for the Tang family. She was invited to join thepany when the Queen of Entertainment herself saw her live performance on stage.


    "Then Miss Li, what do you want from me?"

 Chapter 12 - I Have Everything But My Husband

    What did she want from her? Even Li Xiuying wasn''t sure herself.


    She''d saved the woman out of whim and had wanted to use her but now, she didn''t have the will to do so.


    Li Xiuying knew it would be unfair for Lan Jinyao but when she heard from Song Zexi that Lin Meirong was aiming to secure this year''s best new actress award, she couldn''t help but sneer in her heart.


    Why was it so easy for Lin Meirong to get something she didn''t deserve?Wasn''t it enough that she seduced Mu Jianyu? And now she still wanted to tarnish Lan Jinyao''s reputation?


    Lan Jinyao was an obstacle Lin Meirong needed to eliminate. The lead role and the nomination for the award will be hers once Lan Jinyao was out of her way.


    "Miss Lan, do you know who Lin Meirong''s benefactor is?" She asked the young woman with a bitterugh.


    The young woman frowned and shook her head. During their filming at the set, Lin Meirong was bragging about her rich boyfriend who pampered and spoiled her rotten. The expensive jewelleries and gifts she received during their breaks was enough to leave the crew in awe with her secret lover.


    "I don''t know." Lan Jinyao answered truthfully.


    "It''s my husband, Mu Jianyu." Li Xiuying couldn''t contain the bitterness in her voice. "Lin Meirong is my husband''s lover."


    Lan Jinyao opened her mouth but no words came out. What was she supposed to say to a woman who''d just lost her husband to another woman?


    She couldn''t believe that Lin Meirong was having an affair with a married man. Li Xiuying''s husband of all people? Wasn''t she afraid that the Li family woulde after her?


    Her questions were silently answered when she looked at Li Xiuying''s face. The wife couldn''t do it. There was a hint of desperation, hurt and anger in her eyes but above all, Lan Jinyao could sense the overwhelming love she still held for her husband.


    Lan Jinyao couldn''t help but to feel disappointed. Li Xiuying had everything and yet she allowed another woman to reduce her to this state? Why didn''t she fight for her husband and put Lin Meirong in her rightful ce?


    In her eyes, Li Xiuying was almost perfect. She had a beautiful face that people would''ve mistaken for an angel. Her round eyes reflected gentleness and kindness Lan Jinyao had never seen in other people, her skin unmarred with any blemishes. On top of that, she was a Li princess.


    No wonder Lin Meirong was confident enough that she could overshadow Lan Jinyao even if she was the second lead. Theirst filming was put on hold as the scripts were revised in her favor.


    Lan Jinyao pursed her lips and looked outside the floor to ceiling window that emitted soft light to light up the darkened room.


    "Miss Li, I''m disappointed with you. You have everything and yet you are like this."


    So weak, so pathetic that she could only cry and allow herself to be hurt by the cheating couple.


    "I have everything but my husband... You may not understand, Miss Lan but he''s my husband. More than anything else, I want him back." Li Xiuying felt pathetic saying this to a stranger she barely knew.


    "You make it sound that it was your fault that he sought another woman. This... this makes me wary of the concept of marriage."


    Li Xiuying smiled but didn''t say anything. Indeed, how many wives out there like her who could only cry in silence as they watch their husbands'' betrayal? How many wives were there like her who suffered in silence as another woman seduced their men?


    Lan Jinyao figured then that Li Xiuying was too kind for her own good. She''d let her husband and Li Meirong hurt her without a fight.


    If it was another woman in her status, she would''ve crushed Lin Meirong with a lift of her finger and given her husband a good beating. A cheater would always be a cheater. Li Xiuying cannot force Mu Jianyu to change if the man himself wasn''t willing.


    Lan Jinyao was mad at Lin Meirong for plotting behind her back but her anger couldn''tpare to the emotional trauma the woman left to Li Xiuying.


    If no one stood up for Li Xiuying then she would continue to suffer.


    "I''m indebted to you. So Miss Li, use me as you wish," she told her. "Use me against Lin Meirong if you want to,"


    It was Li Xiuying''s turn to be shocked by Lan Jinyao''s bold words. She wanted her to use her? Faced with Lan Jinyao''s suggestion, Li Xiuying weighed the consequences of her actions.


    Lan Jinyao was willing, so what was keeping her from following her original n? By helping Lan Jinyao to seed in show business, it meant that it would be harder for Lin Meirong to achieve her dream to be a film empress.


    "I hate to drag you into the mud pool, Miss Lan. Lin Meirong... you shouldn''t underestimate her." came her muddled response.


    "Forgive me, Miss Li but the one who shouldn''t be underestimated here is you. It was clear thatyou are hurt but why aren''t you fighting back? While I disagree with your decision to keepthe scum as your husband, you should remind Lin Meirong not to touch someone else''s husband." Lan Jinyao said with defiance.


    Song Zexi who was listening intently to their conversation nodded her head. She very much agreed with Lan Jinyao''s opinion. They prided that they came from the Li family and Mu Jianyu''s tant disrespect to their miss was enough to set their blood in rage. She and Su Ling were frustrated that their miss wasn''t fighting for what was hers and allowing Lin Meirong to make a fool out of her.


    If their misswishes to teach the mistress a good lesson, Song Zexi would be very pleased to volunteer to torture the woman but s, their miss was too kind hearted. It was unfortunate that their Miss Chuntao wasn''t here with them to force their Miss Ying to have some semnce of her reality.


    She was being cheated and hurt by Mu Jianyu because she was letting himdo so. Even when she discovered the affair, their Miss Ying refused to confront her husband about it. The two of them were forced to watch in silence as Mu Jianyu took Lin Meirong into his arms, murmuring sweet nothings in her ear while their miss was crying in the corner.


    "Miss, please make up your mind. We cannot allow this to continue," Song Zexi told her miss. For fuck''s sake, their miss was a Li and the Li family never allowed anyone to step on them.


    Li Xiuying shifted her gaze from Lan Jinyao to her bodyguard. In their eyes, was she really that weak and easy to bully?


    "If you''re sure..."


    "I''m sure," Lan Jinyao cut her off. Lin Meirong was theirmon enemy and she hated that a woman like Lin Meirong had the audacity to steal and seduce another woman''s man. Lin Meirong surely didn''t know the word respect at all.


    "Then Miss Lan, I want you to snatch the best new actress award from Lin Meirong. You have to help me crush Lin Meirong''s chances and I will help you to be the next film empress, what do you say?"

 Chapter 13 - Entangled With Lies And Conspiracy

    To be a film empress?!


    Lan Jinyao looked at her benefactor like she''d grown another head over her shoulders. Was she fucking serious?


    She initially thought that Li Xiuying would ask her to sabotage Lin Meirong by doing underhanded tricks. But to help her reach her dream to be a film empress by paving a way for her? She must be hearing things!


    However, the way this Li princess looked told her that Li Xiuying wasn''t joking. Her offer sounded so tempting especially now that it was Li Xiuying who was offering her and not those dirty old men who only wanted physical intimacies from her in exchange.


    Li Xiuying really intended to be Lan Jinyao''s golden thigh for her to be able to suppress Lin Meirong''s growing career. Although she knew that Mu Jianyu might have left her for good, that didn''t mean they''ll get their happy ending at the cost of hers.


    "You don''t have to worry anymore aboutXi Shaohua. I''ll deal with her. You only need to make sure to make it hard for Lin Meirong. Don''t ever give her the limelight she''s seeking."


    Li Xiuying continued, exining the benefits Lan Jinyao would get if she epted the agreement. Herdy bodyguard was shocked to know that their miss had already nned ahead even before Lan Jinyao suggested her help over the matter.


    This was something she and Su Ling have rarely seen from their miss. Their Miss Ying was very eloquent with words, listing the attributes as well as the advantage the other party could gain like she was presenting a trade agreement. It was an attribute she excelled on while Miss Chuntao could freeze the hell with her gaze, forcing the other party to surrender without consideration.


    Lan Jinyao remained silent. Was she ready to be entangled in this web of lies and conspiracy? More than anything else, she just wanted to work hard in peace without her half sister and Lin Meirong''s scheming. She also wanted to repay Li Xiuying''s kindness not only by keeping Lin Meirong away but by being her confidante.


    The glint of sadness on Li Xiuying''s eyes reminded Lan Jinyao of her days spent alone at the orphanage. She could somehow understand Li Xiuying''s pain. The kind of eyes she had before but rarely seen these days.


    "Do you ept?" Li Xiuying asked, breaking Lan Jinyao''s trance.


    "Yes."


    Lan Jinyao agreed without batting an eyelid. She knew that if she rejected Li Xiuying now, she wouldn''te with the same offer twice. She needed not only Li Xiuying''s protection but the Li family''s support. She was aware that this was the same ''You scratch my back, I''ll scratch yours'' set up but she didn''t have a better choice than this.


    This would surely not be thest time that she''ll be schemed by those women. Li Xiuying might be using her but wasn''t it the same with her?


    The film she was working with Lin Meirong and Zheng Yue could be a big break she''d been waiting for. Vice President Tang had told her that if she could act well on this film, she might even earn a nomination for the uing awards. She cannot allow Lin Meirong and Xi Shaohua to ruin her chances.


    Li Xiuying sounded pleased and relieved with the young actress'' response and smiled. Lan Jinyao made this easier for her.


    "Good, then starting tomorrow, you''ll have tomunicate with Song Zexi for our arrangements."


    ¡ª-


    As soon as Mu Jianyu entered the building of Li Corporation, everyone''s eyesnded on him. He was startled but hid it in his cold fa?ade and continued towards the private elevator that led to the floor where his office was located.


    Behind him, his assistant, Zhou Cheng, kept their distance short. He looked around, confused as to why everyone''s looking at them with curiosity. Did something happen that they weren''t aware of?


    "Sir, have you checked thepany''s operating data I sent you yesterday?" He asked Mu Jianyu as soon as they stepped into the elevator.


    "I''m still reading it. What''s the rush?" Mu Jianyu replied monotonously. He pushed the button for his floor and waited for the doors to close but a hand stopped it from closingpletely, pushing the sides open.


    Mu Jianyu lifted his gaze and his eyes slightly widened when he saw who dared to join them. He''d seen Song Zexi''s annoyed face first. It was her hand that was keeping the doors open to let her miss enter the elevator. Behind her stood Su Ling with Li Xiuying standing patiently next to him.


    "Madam!" Zhou Cheng eximed upon seeing Li Xiuying. He quickly recovered from his shock and greeted her respectfully as she joined them inside before her two bodyguards followed her closely.


    "Ying." Mu Jianyu regarded his wife. She was surprisingly beautiful today. "What are you doing here?" He questioned his wife.


    Donning a fitted high waisted skirt and white blouse, Li Xiuying held her chin up with a smile. He had almost forgotten how she looked like when she was in a professional suit until today. He hadn''t seen her for three days since he left their home and wasn''t expecting to see her soon.


    Li Xiuying didn''t look like a wife that was presented with divorce papers by her husband a few days ago.


    wless smooth skin, thick eyshes and pinkish lips. Her face was still alluring and charming that no one can easily ignore. She was looking outside until the elevator doors closed.


    Mu Jianyu was briefly reminded again of the woman he was married to. His eyes became duller as he continued to look at her. Inparison to a year ago, he noticed that she had lost a lot of weight. Was she sick again? He wondered.


    Ever since his wife suffered from miscarriage years ago, her health wasn''t in the best condition. She was frequently ill and malnourished that he had to confine her to the hospital for weeks to recover.


    However, he pushed these thoughts aside reminding himself that it wasn''t his business anymore once she signed the divorce papers. He shouldn''t forget that in his heart, Lin Meirong was his beloved.


    Li Xiuying turned her head to look at him and blinked innocently. Her brows creased and thought for a while before answering him.


    "Dear, didn''t anyone tell you there''s an emergency shareholders'' meeting today?" she answered him back with a question. Her tone revealed none of the despair or helplessness Mu Jianyu expected to hear from her. "Grandpa''s assistant called mest night and informed me. Didn''t you know?"


    She was still talking to him like she used to. Was she pretending that he didn''t ask for divorce or was trying to make a fool out of him? What she was up to?


    Mu Jianyu''s eyes slitted, his face marred with a slight frown. Was it possible that his wife knew about his affair?He''d been careful not to be discovered and had forced Zhou Cheng to cover for him whenever Li Xiuying called him when he was with Lin Meirong.


    An emergency meeting? Mu Jianyu gritted his teeth, annoyed that he was forgotten. He was one of the executives of thepany yet no one bothered to inform him?


    It took him some time before his wife''s word sunk in his mind. Why wasn''t he informed ahead with this? He nced at Zhou Chen and saw him shake his head. It seemed that his assistant wasn''t aware of the cause of this sudden meeting.

 Chapter 14 - Reinstated CEO

    "It''s alright. Maybe they''ve forgotten to send you a notice," Li Xiuying tried to console him with a small smile. "They actually called me in the middle of the night to inform me. I have to ask Song Zexi this morning if I was dreaming when I received the phone call." She let out a low giggle and tried to cover her twitching lips with her hand.


    Mu Jianyu was bewildered why his wife was acting as usual. As if the event three days ago never happened.He wasn''t sure if she was in denial or not but it wouldn''t change his decision to part with her.


    They arrived at the boardroom fifteen minutes before the call time. Chairman Li''s secretary was waiting for Li Xiuying''s arrival before he took her to one of the empty conference rooms to ry the family''s decision about her husband and how to deal with the issue he''d started.


    Mu Jianyu was in aplex mood as he participated in the shareholders meeting. As his wife and the official representative of the Li family, Li Xiuying sat next to him. When he first joined thepany, the shareholders were apprehensive of him, eyeing him with suspicion and displeasure.


    In these old farts'' eyes, Mu Jianyu wasn''t worthy of bing Miss Ying''s husband. They believed there wasn''t anything spectacr about him and didn''t have notable achievements so far. They were disappointed that Li Xiuying had to step down from her post and let her husband assume the position while she tried to be a full time wife for him.


    It was rare for Li Xiuying to join their meeting unless her grandfather, the Chairman of the Board, requested her participation or if there was a big problem that needed her assistance. Mu Jianyu wondered what could be the reason this time.


    His question was answered when someone raised the issue about their newest product being copied and released by a startuppany. While the Li family was known as a military family, the Li Corporation was in the IT and Computer Science business.


    Apparently, someone leaked or sold the original design of the next product and now the shareholders were panicking that this might affect the sales and reputation of thepany.Two weeks before theunching of their newest product, the start uppany released a product that was strangely simr to what they would beunching. From aesthetics to specifications, there was no doubt that the two products were the same.


    "How could something like this happen? Did someone from the R&D leaked the information?" Someone asked.


    "How brave. We haven''t encountered any problem like this for years."


    "Mr. Mu, are you aware of this?" One of the shareholders put Mu Jianyu in the hot seat. Everyone''s eyes were on him in an instant, waiting for him to defend himself or make a mistake.


    For the past three years since Mu Jianyu became the CTO and OIC of Li Corporation, the growth of thepany had be stagnant. The shareholders weren''t pleased with his performance and have been wondering why the Li family was allowing him to represent thepany when he wasn''t even a Li.


    However, Mu Jianyu didn''t give them the satisfaction to humiliate him in front of his wife. He''d learned over the years how to deal with these old businessmen.


    "I''ve heard of it but I wasn''t certain if it was true and was about to conduct an internal investigation.


    Although Lu Xiuying didn''t actively participate in thepany, the shareholders thought highly of her.


    "Miss Ying, what do you think?"


    Li Xiuying was given a brief report of the issue and had been thinking of the best solution. While it was true that Mu Jianyu was the OIC, the Li family and her words were thew within this boardroom.


    She stood from her seat, her eyes swept around the people within the boardroom before a slight smile bloomed from her pretty face.


    "Before I discuss my grandfather''s opinion with all of you, I would like to inform you that I, Li Xiuying, will resume working as the CEO of thepany. I hope you''ll continue to help me and my husband at this critical time."


    The shareholders pped, their mood lightened up upon hearing her announcement while Mu Jianyu froze in his seat. He wasn''t expecting any of these. If Li Xiuying was to really discover his underhanded tricks, she wouldn''t be able to protect him from the Li family''s wrath.


    She''s returning to thepany? Did this mean that the Li family intended to ensure a clean cut between him and Li Xiuying?


    Mu Jianyu took a side nce on his wife. Li Xiuying appeared to be thoughtful and indifferent. There wasn''t even a hint of worry on her face. How could she be so calm right now? He wondered.


    "At this point, we believe that someone purposely leaked the project. We have decided to continue the n and ask the R&D Head of Department to add more specifications to the product."


    "Miss Ying, should we move or dy theunching date?"


    "But it''s toote to make drastic changes now!" Someoneined and hit the table with his fist.


    "Dying theunching would be problematic but keeping the schedule on time would also ce thepany under scrutiny."


    All of the departments had worked so hard to make this productunch possible but for Li Xiuying this was definitely one of the worst schemes Mu Jianyu staged for the Li family. The audacity of this man was absurd that even Li Xiuying couldn''t believe that her husband was able to plot something like this. She wondered what else had he been doing behind her back.


    She was so tempted to ask him what he had been doing to thepanytely. She faintly understood then what was happening. A barely mocking smile curled her lips and sheughed inwardly.


    ''So it was like this, Mu Jianyu?''


    Li Xiuying suddenly wanted to leave his side right now. She was no longer willing to face his betrayal or else, she wouldn''t be able to control the inevitable sarcasticments that were threatening to spill from her lips.


    They couldn''t dy it anymore as it was already announced a week ago, however changing the product concept thiste would surely leave an impact. Li Xiuying had to deal with the problem caused by her own husband.


    Her face was expressionless, she seemed to be thinking of many possibilities. Mu Jianyu had no time to guess what she was thinking of as she immediately handed out the will of the Li family over the matter. They wanted to catch the snake as soon as possible.


    "Is there something I could help you with?" Mu Jianyu asked after their meeting ended. He grabbed her arm, failing to notice how Li Xiuying became tense on his touch and Su Ling and Song Zexi''s eyes sharpened at him.


    "There''s no need. Grandpa wanted me to do it anyway.. I will have a thorough investigation done, you do not have to worry about this."

 Chapter 15 - A Seed Of Doubt

    Mu Jianyu tarried outside his wife''s office, trying to figure out how this sudden change will affect him. Was this Li Xiuying''s retaliation against him for his attempt to divorce her? However, he''d already nned ahead to leave thepany in a mess caused by this giarism issue but didn''t expect that the Li family would send his own wife to deal with it.


    Secretary Jiang urged him to get in the room to talk to the reinstated CEO. Li Xiuying had already spent a good time waiting for him toe at her. As the previous OIC, he was expected to turnover the reports andpany data for the past months for Li Xiuying to read.


    As he entered Ying''s office, for the first time in three years, he was reminded yet again of the fact that the Li Corp was built with ss and integrity that screams money and wealth everywhere you look.


    From where he was standing, the view from Ying''s office was exceptionally bright and beautiful. He watched as his wife rose from her seat to greet him. Her slender figure and beautiful faceplimented the scenery behind her.


    He could feel his breath hitched, his heart skipped a beat when his eyesnded on her. Mu Jianyu had always known that his wife was exceptionally beautiful, and perfect in every way, but seeing her like this, reminded him of their first encounter.


    He silently clenched his hand on his side. This was it, he reminded himself, this was the reason he''d rather give his heart to his new lover. She was so perfect that it always made him feel small. He was less than a man beside her, in contrast to his new sweet little lover. He tried to deny the fact that deep down inside, a part of him didn''t want to give up Li Xiuying yet.


    "You do not seem happy to see me. Jianyu, are you mad?"


    When her husband didn''t respond, she continued.


    "I''m sorry. I was also caught up with this. It''s not that Grandpa lost his faith in you but it was me who''d disappointed him all this time." She lowered her head and looked away.


    Li Xiuying looked weak and vulnerable and it pained Mu Jianyu''s heart seeing her like this, which frustrated him. He couldn''t understand what he was feeling at the moment. Had he really forgotten about the love that he had for his wife?


    "It''s not that I don''t want to see, I''m just worried that you''ll get sick again."


    Perhaps his words were so ridiculous that Li Xiuying''e eyes shed with a glint of amusement.


    Oh now, he cared about her welfare? What changed? For the past weeks, he''d treated her with disdain and refused to meet her gaze when they were talking.


    Such a typical hypocrite. Li Xiuying chuckled inwardly. She seemed to think that his guarded expression was quite interesting and wondered how strong his resolve was to divorce her.


    She gave him a shallow smile.


    "I''ll be busy these days. I''ll appreciate it if you could do a detailed data analysis of our brand and products and the status of our production line." She suddenly said, confusing her husband.


    Mu Jianyu had an impression that the Li family would slowly and surely remove him from thepany, yet his wife''s actions were the opposite of what he was expecting. She wanted him to still be involved even though she had stripped him of the authority to run thepany. They weren''t going to give him a way out on this.


    His jaws hardened. What was she ying now?


    "Ying, this isn''t my responsibility," he told her impassively. "This is under the Sales and R&D department."


    Li Xiuying tilted her head to face him before cupping her chin on one hand.


    "Oh? So do you mean to say that it''s my job?" She questioned him back. "You were the OIC and our trusted CTO. I trust that you''re more familiar with what was happening here more than anyone else. Please don''t make this hard for me."


    The slight twitch on her husband''s lips told Li Xiuying that she seeded in poking his inted ego. Her words were meant to make him realize who the boss was and Mu Jianyu could only ept whatever tasks she assigned him.


    They may be husband and wife but she was still his superior. His position was below her and she was the boss here.


    "I understand. Just let me know if there''s anything else you need."


    Mu Jianyu wanted to ask her about their impending divorce but Li Xiuying already turned her back on him and started working. She turned back to her desk and leaned forward, flipping the pages of the document on her hand.


    Her focused state left her husband in a daze. He didn''t know why but Mu Jianyu thought she was quite charming like this.


    Noticing that her husband hadn''t left her office, Li Xiuying looked at him and smiled.


    "Is there something you need to tell me?" She asked, daring Mu Jianyu to voice out their divorce.


    He shook his head and turned to leave. He was disappointed and frustrated at the same time. What the hell was wrong with him? Didn''t he already choose Lin Meirong over his wife?


    Once he left her alone, the corners of Li Xiuying''s lips curled up. She had tested his resolve to divorce her and put a seed of doubt in him. She purposely dressed up like she used to, making sure her subtle movement would entrance him, reminding him of her charms.


    She was his wife. How could she not know how to tease her husband and what attracts him. Lin Meirong might be younger and beautiful but Li Xiuying''s physical appearance could easily outshine the mistress if she wanted to. s, even a beauty like her was no match from a home-wrecker''s charm.


    Minutester, Song Zexi arrived with a tray in her hand. She brought her Miss a cup of warm milk and a few biscuits and sliced fruits for her to eat while she buried herself in paperwork. She knew what her Miss was up to but it wasn''t her ce to object to Li Xiuying.


    Song Zexi really didn''t want her Miss to get back with her husband. It was already insulting enough that the man was too cowardly to confess his affair to his wife. He didn''t deserve Li Xiuying at all so why fight for someone not worth fighting for.


    "Miss Ying, please take a break and eat. You haven''t eaten anything yet since you woke up this morning," she reminded Li Xiuying. Since Mu Jianyu obviously couldn''t take care of his wife, Song Zexi and Su Ling took it upon themselves to look after the welfare of their Miss.


    Was she forgetting that she was pregnant and needed to have proper nourishment and rest? It pained Song Zexi to see her Miss being subjected to this mess. If it wasn''t for that scum, Li Xiuying wouldn''t have to force herself to work hard like this.


    "Just leave it there, Xiao Xi. I''ll finish this first before taking a break." Li Xiuying replied without breaking her taking her eyes off her work, and her pen continued scribbling on the paper.


    Song Zexi wanted to protest but Su Ling who was standing a few feet away from their Miss, shook his head telling her not to insist any further.


    Li Xiuying stayed in her office all day and only took a couple of short breaks when Song Zexi insisted.. She really didn''t have time to waste as her workload was really heavy.

 Chapter 16 - L’Amour De Ma Vie

    There were several contracts and reports that Li Xiuying needed to read and work on, enough to keep her busy from early morning tote at night. She was oblivious to the worried gazes Song Zexi threw on her way as she continued to work nonstop on her first day at work.


    When the phone on her desk rang, she was in the middle of cross checking the monthly reports. She picked it up to answer.


    "Hello?" Her feminine voice resounded inside her huge and silent office. It betrayed her as her tone was slightly preupied.


    "Ying, it''s Zichen,"


    Once she heard who called her, Li Xiuying put her pen down and greeted him cheerfully.


    "Oh, it''s you, Brother Zichen. This is new. Don''t tell me you aren''t taking a night shift this time," sheughed.


    Shen Zichen, like any other doctor she knew, was a workaholic. She used to tease him that the reason why he was still single was because he was married to his work and couldn''t afford to give up spare time for a wife, at the age of thirty two.


    "That''s true. My parents have just arrived from their overseas trip and called me for a family dinner. You know I can never deny my mother''s wishes." He replied with a sigh which made Li Xiuyingugh more.


    As always, while Shen Zichen, like his father, could decline anyone asking for a favor with a fierce re, he couldn''t and wouldn''t dare to say no to his mother and little sisters.


    "Did Sister Yuyane back with them?" Li Xiuying inquired. She had a good rtionship with Shen Zichen''s twin sister, Shen Yuyan as they attended the same fine arts school in the capital.


    "No, she arrived yesterday. Mom and Dad picked Qingqing up from the airport instead. Are you busy?"


    "Hmm, not really."


    "You sounded preupied just now." Shen Zichen pointed out.


    "Ah, I was reading thepany data when you called."


    At her response, Shen Zichen frowned. He''d already told her to pay attention to her pregnancy or else she might miscarry again. Even if it was that bastard''s child, he refused to see Li Xiuying suffer any further.


    "Working overtime on your first day? I don''t know what to do with you anymore, Li Xiuying. You won''t listen to me. Do I need to call Sister Chuntao to chastise you?" He said, his tone a bit brusque.


    He heard Li Xiuying gasped at his threat and grinned. He could imagine her making a pout right now. She was still the same Li Xiuying he''d met years ago.


    "Fine! I''m done for today! Don''t you dare call Chuntao or you''ll pay for it!" She threatened back. If Shen Zichen gave her sister a call, she was sure Chuntao would be worried about her.


    Song Zexi sighed in relief. It was hard for her and Su Ling to call it a day and go home. They were both grateful that their Miss still had people around her who were truly concerned about her.


    "Alright. I''m done with our family dinner. Wait for me. I''lle by and take you to dinner."


    "Brother Zichen, you don''t have to!"


    "Nah, that''s fine. Didn''t you say you wanted to see my sister? She''s here with me right now."


    "Ok! I''ll wait for the two of you then!" She said enthusiastically. It had been too long since she hung out with her friends and couldn''t wait to meet them.


    Hanging up the phone, Li Xiuying rubbed her temple with her fingers as she nced out of the window. The night was beautiful and the bright moon above the sky illuminated the city with its soft light.She decided to send her twin sister a short message, assuring her that she was fine and nothing to be worried about.


    "You can wait for me outside while we wait for Brother Zichen. I want to be alone for now." She told her bodyguards who easily yielded to her wish and went out the room in silence.


    Finally, it was quiet and nothing can disturb her. She was tired and could feel a headacheing. At the moment, she''d finished half of her work but decided to finish everything the next day before she meets the Head of Department for R&D for consultation.


    Li Xiuying thought she would close her eyes for a bit to rest before going out for dinner with the Shen twins, but as soon as she closed her eyes she fell asleep.


    Half an hourter, Mu Jianyu strode towards her office and stepped inside even before Song Zexi could stop him from entering. He was greeted by a dimly lit room and with his wife sleeping peacefully on her chair with her head resting on her arms over the desk.


    The faint blue light from herputer made her face look delicate and fragile as Mu Jianyu walked closer. She slightly groaned when the faint sound of the door clicking as it closed reached her ears. This wasn''t the first time Mu Jianyu saw his wife in this state but it still troubled his heart.


    He was supposed to meet Lin Meirong tonight but he canceled it because of the issue with thepany. He was careful not to give Li Xiuying a chance to find a trail back to him and decided to stay to overtime.


    Mu Jianyu shut down herputer after saving the files she was working on before returning his attention back to her.


    "Mon ange¡­"


    Now, as he stared down at his wife, his hand unconsciously reached out and gently brushed her silky ck hair over her shoulder away from her face. Once he realized what he''d done, Mu Jianyu pulled his hand away from Li Xiuying and was shocked at what came out from his own lips.


    It had been long since he''d called Li Xiuying like this.


    ''Mon ange. L''amour de ma vie.1''


    These were the words he''d told her after she epted his marriage proposal.


    Mu Jianyu wasn''t sure why these memories wereing back to him. In his eyes, Li Xiuying was an angel, his angel. He''d fallen in love with her at first sight and yet these past weeks, Lin Meirong filled his dreams and thoughts that he''d already forgotten about his delicate wife.


    His thoughts became clouded the more he looked at his wife. No! He cannot allow this! He''d already decided to give up on her for Lin Meirong''s sake. Li Xiuying¡­ Ying couldn''t give him what he wanted and he refused to pretend he was still happy with their marriage. He was ready to let her go¡­ or was he?


    Frustrated that his resolve was starting to crumble the more he looked at her, Mu Jianyu stormed outside her office in blind fury, angry at himself. He walked to the elevator and anxiously pressed the button.


    The elevator arrived and opened but before he could make a move to enter, a familiar man stepped out of the elevator and stared at him with disdain. He was wearing a casual attire; a light gray sweater and ck trousers with a pair of closed toe shoes.


    "Shen Zichen," Mu Jianyu muttered the man''s name with irritation.


    "Where''s Ying?" The man demanded as if he was talking to someone lower than him.  My angel.. The love of my life.

 Chapter 17 - Formidable Love Rival (1)

    "Do you need something from my wife?" Mu Jianyu asked him, annoyed that this man was persistent in ruining his mood whenever he saw him. Even before his marriage with Li Xiuying, he was neverfortable being in the same space with Shen Zichen.


    The first time he met Shen Zichen, he knew that the man was in love with Ying. As to why he never pursued his wife, Mu Jianyu had no idea. Of course Ying had noticed the strange and conflicting aura between the two special men in her life but she had no idea what had caused it. She just assumed that they''ll eventually get used to seeing each otherter on.


    Mu Jianyu had been wary of Shen Zichen because Ying was always so carefree around him, talking and smiling at Shen Zichen like it was the most natural thing in the world.


    ''He''s my only best boy friend. We grew up together and we''re childhood friends. There''s nothing to be worried about him.'' Li Xiuying assured him before but that wasn''t enough for Mu Jianyu to lower his guard against Shen Zichen.


    It also didn''t help that Shen Zichen was born a Shen and he overheard that those who were close to the Shen and Li families had thought that romance would bloom between Shen Zichen and Li Xiuying. That didn''t sit well with him.


    Shen Zichen could have been Ying''s husband if he didn''t interfere with the n. If Li Xiuying hadn''t met him, the one who was standing next to her could have been Shen Zichen.


    "Wife? Are you sure we''re talking about the same person, Mu Jianyu?" Shen Zichen let out a chuckle. While he was civil to Mu Jianyu whenever Li Xiuying was around, he never concealed his displeasure when they were left alone together.


    Mu Jianyu quivered with indignation at Shen Zichen''s words. His mere presence was enough to make him feel a jealousy so intense that it''s eating him from the inside. He had heard a lot of things about Shen Zichen from his wife and how close they were growing up together.


    When he first met Li Xiuying, Shen Zichen had been studying medicine abroad. It took years before Mu Jianyu met him. The Shen family was still as popr and rich as ever and while he knew that Shen Zichen was one of the adopted children of the ShenLu couple, it still didn''t sit well with him.


    He was amoner married to a socialite princess after all. Everything around her was perfection and it was so blinding that he couldn''t help but to look away.


    The differences between them were obvious and irritating at the same time. Mu Jianyu didn''t want his wife to be associated with Shen Zichen anymore out of jealousy but he also knew that it would be unfair to ask Li Xiuying for such a thing.


    Mu Jianyu flinched at Shen Zichen''s words. What did Shen Zichen mean by that?


    Had he discovered his affair with Lin Meirong and now wanted to take Li Xiuying from him? No, this couldn''t be¡­ was he ready to give his wife to Shen Zichen? Mu Jianyu didn''t think so.


    Meanwhile, Shen Zichen was having a hard time suppressing his anger upon seeing Mu Jianyu. Li Xiuying had begged him not to tell anyone about her husband''s affair. Whether it was because she was ashamed or afraid, Shen Zichen didn''t know.


    Deep in his heart, he wanted Li Xiuying to divorce this despicable man. Had he known that Li Xiuying would suffer because of Mu Jianyu, he should''ve confessed his feeling to Li Xiuying before she married this traitorous man. However, when he saw how happy she was being in love with Mu Jianyu, he had chosen to step back and let go of her.


    This was his biggest regret in his life. Being romantically interested in your best friend can be painful and awkward, and Shen Zichen knew this. There were many questions that came to his mind once he realized he loved Li Xiuying.


    ''Does she feel the same?''


    ''Am I allowed to confess my love to her?''


    ''Am I going to ruin this friendship if I tell her the truth?''


    So many questions were left unanswered because once he came back, he found that she was already in another man''s arms. He could only watch as she walked down the aisle as the most beautiful bride he''d seen when she married Mu Jianyu.


    The atmosphere between the two men was so thick that anyone who saw the two could easily see the suffocating tension.


    Mu Jianyu wasn''t ready to back down and give his wife up while Shen Zichen looked down at him with such contempt. It was only when they heard Li Xiuying''s voice that they broke their silent war against each other.


    "Jianyu, you are still here?" She asked, surprised that her husband stayedte at thepany when usually Mu Jianyu would have left his office as soon as the working time ended to meet his mistress.


    "You''re working so hard. How can I just leave when my wife is doing her best to help thepany." Mu Jianyu said nonchntly, earning a deep frown from Shen Zichen.


    If he and Li Xiuying didn''t know the affair, they would''ve probably believed his lie.


    Li Xiuying nodded and stopped her tongue from correcting him. Mu Jianyu shouldn''t know that she was already aware of his wrongdoings.


    "Brother Zichen, you''rete. I thought we''re going to cancel dinner." She asked Shen Zichen instead.


    "Ying, you haven''t eaten dinner yet?" Her husband interjected.


    The frown on Shen Zichen''s face deepened, his eyes sharpening to him.


    "You said she''s your wife and yet you allow her to skip her meals? Mu Jianyu, is our Ying just a trophy wife to you?" He couldn''t stop the harsh wordsing from his mouth because of his annoyance.

 Chapter 18 - Formidable Love Rival (2)

    The man in question stilled and looked at his wife with wide eyes. Li Xiuying had a solemn expression on her face that showed her disappointment and distress. Mu Jianyu assumed that she hadn''t told anyone yet about his intention to divorce her.


    Before Mu Jianyu could defend himself from Shen Zichen''s usation. The elevator once again opened revealing Shen Zichen''s twin sister, Shen Yuyan. The moment Li Xiuying saw her senior, her face lit up and greeted her.


    Shen Yuyan grew up as an exceptional beauty. She had a pleasing appearance, with slender body and tall height but her round brown eyes showed a familiar mischievous glint that her twin brother could associate with their mother.


    Like her brother, she was wearing a casual attire with loose white blouse and stylish cks that were in season, her feet encased in a pair of high heels. Her long ck hair was styled with loose curls that casually flowed over her shoulders.


    "Sister Yan! You came to pick me up too?" She said with glee, wrapping her arms around Shen Yuyan''s shoulder.


    "I''ve been waiting for you and my brother downstairs and wondering what was taking so long. How can I resist seeing our precious Ying? I haven''t seen you for awhile." Shen Yuyanughed and returned the hug before pulling away to give Li Xiuying a good look. "Ying, you look paler than usual. Are you sick again?" She asked.


    Li Xiuying''s cheeks flushed and smiled sheepishly. Aside from the Li family and Shen Zichen, no one was aware of her pregnancy yet. She was afraid to announce her condition, not when it wasn''t safe to assume that she''ll be able to give birth to her baby and when her husband wanted to divorce her.


    "I''m just a little tired, Sister Yan. Shall we get going?"


    In the end, Li Xiuying found herself sitting beside her husband with the Shen twins sitting across them in a local restaurant that the Shen family-owned. She and Chuntao were also frequent patrons of this ce and had good memories of it. The dishes being offered were really delicious and their specialty ¨¦ir was Chuntao''s favorite.


    "Sister Ying, I heard you pulled out your entries for the exhibit. You aren''t going to participate anymore?" Shen Yuyan asked Li Xiuying as she sipped a warm drink from her cup.


    Li Xiuying ced down her cup on the table and gave her a slight nod.


    "I had to. I wouldn''t have enough time to work on new projects, not when thepany needs me," she sighed and nced at her husband who hadn''t said a single word since they left Li Corp.


    To be honest, Mu Jianyu didn''t need to be here, Li Xiuying thought. Shouldn''t he be running off to his mistress by now? Lin Meirong might throw a fit if she found out that he was apanying his wife for dinner.


    The air around was palpable because of him and Shen Zichen which was very obvious to their twopanions and to the other customers seated around them. Neither of them wanted to give up Li Xiuying to each other, especially now that her marriage was on the rocks.


    "I heard your charity event was a sess. Should we celebrate, Sister Yan?" Li Xiuying said excitedly, hoping that it will somehow improve the mood on their table.


    Shen Yuyan grinned back and picked up the wine bottle next to her to pour Li Xiuying a ss but her twin brother stopped her.


    "Yuyan, Ying isn''t allowed to drink tonight. I''ll take her share if that''s alright." Shen Zichen took the ss of wine and drank it in one go.


    Mu Jianyu''s jaws hardened at the sight. The more Shen Zichen showed concern for his wife, the more Mu Jianyu felt agitated. It should have been him looking after her but Shen Zichen was crossing the line, ignoring his presence as Ying''s husband


    "Why? Is she sick again?" Shen Yuyan asked her brother. She knew Li Xiuying''s health wasn''t the besttely and wondered if her health was deteriorating.


    "No. She''s doing well but she''ll have to watch out for what she eats and drinks now." Shen Zichen rified. Since he and his twin sister had already had their dinner earlier, they were conversing with the married couple over a few drinks while Li Xiuying took her fill.


    Their dinner ended in peace, to Li Xiuying''s relief. She didn''t want to deal with another headache by watching her husband and Shen Zichen argue again.


    "Ying, where are you staying now? We''ll drive you home." Shen Zichen asked her as they walked towards the parking lot where his and Mu Jianyu''s car were.


    Li Xiuying pursed her lips, thinking of how to answer him while Shen Yuyan was confused with her brother''s rudeness towards Mu Jianyu.


    "Zi Gege, why do we have to give her a ride when her husband is here? Don''t tell me they''re living in separate homes now." Shen Yuyan snickered but failed to notice the slight flinch by Li Xiuying and Mu Jianyu.


    Shen Zichen eyed his sister. He sounded rude towards Mu Jianyu just now and his sister was oblivious to what''s really going on between the couple.


    "No, I just assumed that she''s staying for a few days at the Li Mansion," he told Shen Yuyan before turning his attention to the woman who unknowingly caught his heart. "Aren''t you?"


    "Y-yes but no need to bother, Brother Zichen. Li Mansion is in the opposite direction of Imperial Residences." Li Xiuying avoided her husband''s questioning look.


    "We''ll take our leave. Thank you for your concern, Dr. Shen, Miss Shen." Mu Jianyu extended a hand to his wife which she hesitated to ept at first.


    She gave Shen Zichen a pleading look, telling him not to make a scene.. She thanked him and Shen Yuyan before leaving with her husband, leaving Shen Zichen feeling more frustrated than ever.

 Chapter 19 - A Word From Chuntao

    Mu Jianyu and Li Xiuying drove away in silence. Neither of them had any idea what to tell the other. Li Xiuying looked away and rather watched the passing scenery outside the window of the passenger seat while her husband focused his attention on the road while sneaking side nces to look at her.


    "You can just drop me at my studio. I still have things I need to sort out," Li Xiuying broke the silence between them. She didn''t want to go back to their shared apartment as memories of his cheating washed through her whenever she was at that ce.


    Her husband turned the steering wheel and drove towards her studio. It would be toote to see Lin Meirong and he needed a good rest from his long day.


    The studio she was talking about was actually a penthouse under her and Li Chuntao''s name. Both wanted to have a safe haven they could call their own and since Li Chuntao had been away for years, Li Xiuying had been using the ce to store her paintings and sculptures for her exhibits.


    "I''m so sorry for troubling you. I know you didn''t want to see me right now but¡­" Li XIuying''s words trailed off as she unlocked the door of the penthouse with her copy of the keycard.


    There were things she wanted to ask him but wasn''t sure if he''ll be truthful and honest with her this time. Would it change anything if she told him she knew the real reason why he wanted to divorce her?


    Mu Jianyu''s eyes scanned the penthouse and checked every room they passed as his wife let him inside. It was obvious to him that the ce was decorated by his wife. Her taste was really something he admired. It didn''t emanate thevishness other rich socialites exuded.


    There was something charming about the simplicity and minimalist style that he would never get tired of.


    "It''s fine. I''ll see you tomorrow then." Mu Jianyu turned to leave, still leaving the talk of their divorce hanging in the air. He hated that he couldn''t ask her, hated that he wasn''t ready to let her go.


    Li Xiuying could only look at his retreating form, pain resurfacing on her chest as she watched him leave her again. Just how many times does she have to see him abandon her like this?


    ---


    "Good morning, Dr. Shen. Ready to scrub in?"


    Shen Zichen found himself ignoring the flirty gaze from the nurse beside him and headed straight for the washroom alone. He didn''t like the attention he was getting from the opposite sex and was getting fed up with their foolish excuses just to throw themselves at him.


    He was used to it but that didn''t mean he liked the attention. In this hospital, Shen Zichen was known for his handsome looks and being a capable surgeon, so naturally, people would find him attractive.


    Although as far as he knew the only women he that weren''t affected by his face were the Li twins. Li Xiuying treated him normally while Li Chuntao had once called him a conceited peacock for bragging about the women flocking around him.


    He removed his white coat and moved to the sink to wash his hands. He turned on the water and was about to put his hands under the gush of water when he stilled. The memory of what happenedst night was still fresh to him. He''d received word from Li Chuntao.


    After their dinner with Mu Jianyu and Li Xiuying, he had driven back home to Imperial Residences with his twin sister. It was rare for Shen Yuyan to be home and whenever she was back at the capital, they made sure to spend time with their parents and siblings.


    Shen Yuyan excitedly ran to the main house to look for their mother while Shen Zichen took this rare time to ponder what he should do next. He could see that Li Xiuying was having a hard time deciding whether she should sign the divorce papers and free herself from Mu Jianyu or not.


    He''d already lost his chance when Li Xiuying married but he wouldn''t take advantage of her pain. It also didn''t help that she was carrying the bastard''s child. She might be single soon because her husband didn''t value her and her feelings were neglected.


    Shen Zichen wouldn''t be surprised if she''d develop a trust issue with men after this. She''d been hurt because she loved and cared too much for a man who didn''t love her enough.


    He was deep in his thoughts that he didn''t notice he reached the greenhouse where he and his siblings made unforgettable memories together. He and his twin sister knew that they were lucky to be taken in by their parents and who even went as far as fighting in court for their custody against their biological father who abandoned them.


    Just the thought alone made him hate Mu Jianyu more. What would happen to Ying''s child once she gave birth? Will Mu Jianyu disregard their child just like what he did to Ying?


    "Zi Gege, you''re overthinking again." The familiar voice pulled Shen Zichen back to reality and he turned his head to the source of the voice.


    He found his little sister, Shen Lingqing sitting under a tree with a white tiger curled next to her.Her round brown eyes staring back at him as if she could see past behind his stoic mask but this didn''t bother him.


    "Qing Qing, why are you here?" He sat next to her while Shen Lingqing continued to pet the white tiger''s head as if she was a viiness petting her favorite cat with a bored expression on her face.


    "Nothing. Just trying to clear my mind and you?" She asked back.


    "I could say the same thing." He sighed, closed his eyes and leaned back against the trunk of the tree behind him.


    Shen Zichen hadn''t expected that she would have the luxury toze around like usual. His sister had just recently taken over the management of SY Holdings but was still under the supervision of their father.


    At the age of twenty three, Shen Lingqing was starting to build a name for herself while continuing the legacy their father had started. She had grown into a great beauty which made their father ufortable at the thought of her prospective suitors now that she had reached the right age to date and to marry.


    "By the way, I met Sister Chuntao before I boarded my flight home," she said out of nowhere.


    He shot his eyes open and looked at her.


    "You did? How? Why?"


    Knowing Li Chuntao, she would be apprehensive over her twin sister''s welfare. Did she find out the predicament her sister was in?


    "It''s just a coincidence. I was buying coffee from a cafe when I ran into her. We had a brief talk and she told me that she could feel that Sister Ying was hiding something from her." At this, Shen Lingqing paused and nced at him. "She said she couldn''t force her sister to tell her the truth but expected that you wouldn''t let her be kept in the dark for too long."


    It was clearly a warning on Li Chuntao''s part. She knew something was up and she would get the information she needed whether her twin sister approved it or not.


    Shen Zichen pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.. The Li twins weren''t making his life easier these days.

 Chapter 20 - Turning The Tables

    It had only been three days since the shareholders'' meeting where she had resumed working for Li Corporation and Li Xiuying was already having a hard time to keep up on her tight schedule. Her assistant, Hou Chen, couldn''t force her to dy the important appointments and meetings she had on her schedule.


    Li Xiuying removed her coat and slumped on the couch inside the penthouse she was temporarily staying in. Song Zexi started to prepare her dinner while Su Ling reviewed the security surveince of the penthouse while they were gone.


    Her phone rang and she picked it up on the second ring. She smiled a little seeing Lan Jinyao''s name on the screen.


    "Lan Jinyao, is there a problem for you to call me thiste?" She asked yfully.


    "Oh, no. Not a single problem since this morning!" Lan Jinyao said gleefully on the other line and then in a low voice she asked Li Xiuying, "Sister Ying, how did you do it? The script changed again and this time we have a new director on the set. I heard that the producer fired Director Yaost night."


    Lan Jinyao had self-proimed to be Li Xiuying''s confidante and wingwoman from now on, reporting everything she''d see or hear with regard to Lin Meirong who had destroyed her Sister Ying''s marriage.


    It''s been a month since the filming began and because the producer wanted to finish filming before the next season arrived, the filming schedule was very tight.


    When Lan Jinyao and Lin Meirong entered the meeting room, the assistant director came to them and handed them a new script. He said that there were changes again and wanted them to familiarize with the new script.


    As they looked through the script, she and Lin Meirong realized that the second lead''s scenes had decreased tremendously and the number of Lan Jinyao''s scenes had increased.


    It was almost impossible to change the scripts once the filming started but Lan Jinyao was left bbergasted when she received a new copy of the script with Lin Meirong getting less screen time than the original script.


    Lan Jinyao suddenly remembered that Li Xiuying had promised to take care of her from now on and would be the one to deal with the pervert director who tried to molest her. She just didn''t expect that Li Xiuying was influential enough for Director Yao to lose his position in the film.


    She had enjoyed seeing how Lin Meirong''s face turned from white to red almost instantaneously when she found out about the change of ns. She left the meeting room in haste and threw a fit on her dressing room cursing and ming Lan Jinyao for it.


    "How did I do it? It''s really child''s y if you ask me, Miss Lan. Who do you think the producer will favor? An unknown investor who couldn''t assure his investment, or me, the CEO of Li Corporation?"


    Mu Jianyu had been using a third party to sponsor Lin Meirong''s career but because she was the CEO of the Li Corporation, obviously the producer would want to earn favors from the Li family.


    With Li Xiuying investing on the film, it would seem that she was supporting her Aunt Yue''s starring film after her retirement from the industry when in reality, she was giving Lan Jinyao a boost while suppressing the mistress''s chances.


    The film should originally show and focus on the female lead''s growth and persistence because the producer and the scriptwriter was hoping that Lan Jinyao would be able to secure a nomination and could win the best new actress award this year.


    However, when Mu Jianyu started showing support on Lin Meirong. The producer was worried that he would pull out the funds if they didn''t give her more screen time than the female lead which was Lan Jinyao.


    It also didn''t help that they were starting to get short of funds toplete the film and wouldn''t be able to find another sponsor that could help them and Lan Jinyao.


    Lan Jinyao, afterall was a C-list actress who was really talented and hardworking but, with Xi Shaohua''s interference, she was having a hard time making a name for herself and couldn''t get a starring role.


    However, none of them had expected that this Lan Jinyao was able to find a strong backing in such a short time. Who was Li Xiuying anyway? She was a Li princess and one of the two treasures of the Li family.


    When the producer and the scriptwriter met Song Zexi and was told of Li Xiuying''s intention to fund the film for Zheng Yue''s sake, they were over the moon. However, Song Zexiid out three conditions and these were to pull out the second lead''s sponsorship, recing Director Yao and grooming Lan Jinyao''s role in return.


    The producer didn''t need to think twice and agreed with the condition. How could Lin Meirong''s sponsorpare to Li Xiuying who was able to give them three times the amount of funds Mu Jianyu could give them?


    And just like that, Mu Jianyu and Lin Meirong were pped back in their faces, they couldn''t easily bully Lan Jinyao. Throughout the day, Lan Jinyao and Lin Meirong filmed ordingly based on the new script. Lin Meirong didn''t say anything but her scowling face had told everyone that she was pissed off with the sudden changes.


    "So how''s your day? Did Lin Meirong give you a hard time on the set today?" Li Xiuying asked while whispering her thanks to Song Zexi as thetter ced a warm drink in front of her.


    "It''s pretty good," Lan Jinyao responded. She was ecstatic that she was able to act all the scenes in one take without a problem. "I have a lot of scenes to take from now on but I''ll do my best!"


    "Then that''s great, Miss Lan. Do your best and I''m sure you''ll be one step closer to bing the next film empress," Li Xiuying chuckled. She could imagine Lan Jinyao''s cheeks burning from embarrassment from her remark. She found it endearing that someone like Lan Jinyao who had a very blunt personality could easily blush under such rare circumstances.


    It was rare for Li Xiuying to have a friendly chit chat with someone she barely knows. If it was her twin sister, she was sure Li Chuntao''s guard would be up. However, Li Xiuying believed that Lan Jinyao was a good person despite her parentage.


    Lan Jinyao might be naive to offer herself to be used against Lin Meirong and Li Xiuying half-regretted her decision to drag her into her own problems. She could only try to assure that Lan Jinyao wouldn''t fall on any schemes or won''t be put in danger as long as she was under her wing.


    "Don''t say that so casually, Sister Ying," she heard Lan Jinyao huffed at the other end as if she was embarrassed from what she said, "I''m far from bing the next film empress but I have to thank you for making the path easier for me." She paused and Li Xiuying heard her take a deep breath.


    "If there''s truly a day I would reach the peak and be the film empress, Sister Ying, it''s all because of you.. You have made the impossible possible."

 Chapter 21 - Dirty Little Secret (1)

    "I did say I''ll help you but you didn''t have to pressure yourself, Miss Lan. Whether you obtained the award or be a film empress, I approve of your hard work and skills. You just need to do your best." Li Xiuying said, knowing that her influence might pressure Lan Jinyao to meet certain expectations she set on herself.


    "Ok," Lan Jinyao responded. She didn''t press the issue any further but knew that Li Xiuying had done something impressive that would surely advance her career.


    She just got her starring role and her position in the showbiz industry wasn''t stable yet. There would be many people watching her, waiting for her to make a mistake. Once she does anything out of hand, they will definitely make a big deal out of it. Li Xiuying''s efforts will go into waste. That wasn''t something Lan Jinyao wanted to avoid.


    ---


    Lin Meirong threw everything within her reach on the floor to vent out her anger. ss shards and clothes were strewn everywhere. Her assistant could only watch helplessly as she picked up the clothes the actress had yet to use. These would be hard to cleanter when the wine stains dried off, she thought.


    How did Lan Jinyao manage to turn the tables against her using Zheng Yue? Did that woman tell Zheng Yue about what happened to her and Director Yao?


    Lin Meirong paced around the room and bit her nail in frustration. Li Xiuying, Mu Jianyu''s wife, had be the head of the Li Corporation, she wasn''t sure what was happening now between her lover and Li Xiuying but it would be the end of her career even before it started if their indecent affair was known by Li Xiuying.


    Moreover, Lan Jinyao''s sudden influence on the filming crew had aggravated her since that morning.


    "That bitch! How dare she?! How dare she change the scripts in her favor!"


    This couldn''t be happening to her! She almost had it¡­ the female lead role was supposed to fall in her hands after Lan Jinyao was kicked out of the production. So how did that woman manage to counterattack her ns?


    It also didn''t help that her lover, Mu Jianyu hadn''t visited her for three days straight. He''d said that he wouldn''t be able to see her these days so his wife wouldn''t suspect him while their divorce wasn''t finalized yet. Mu Jianyu needed to convince his wife to sign the divorce papers before they could go into the public as a couple.


    She hated that he was treating her like a dirty secret. This wasn''t the first time she had an affair with a married man but she wanted to have Mu Jianyu only to herself. Damn that boring wife for wasting such a man. Li Xiuying should just sign those papers and move on. She''ll never give up on Mu Jianyu no matter what Li Xiuying does to keep him.


    "Miss Lin, don''t worry too much. She might have secured the role but that doesn''t mean you''ve lost your chance to get the best new actress award. As long as you can overshadow her performance, there''s always a chance for you to get a nomination as the second lead." Her female assistant tried tofort her but Lin Meirong wouldn''t hear any of it.


    Indeed, there''s a chance for the nomination but the producer would most likely prioritize Lan Jinyao over her. A double nomination from the same film was possible but not usual. However, she knew by now that her assistant was right. She had no other chance but to overshadow Lan Jinyao''s performance.


    Earlier, she had to pretend everything was fine when in truth she was simmering with rage inside. On the surface, it seemed like she had no problem with the sudden changes again. People with sharp eyes would have known right then that with the director being kicked out from the crew and the producer favoring Lan Jinyao, Lin Meirong had no choice but to resort to being low profile.


    Everyone had a tacit mutual understanding that none of them could offend Lan Jinyao now that she gained an upper hand through Zheng Yue. Not only did Lan Jinyao have Griffin Entertainment to support her but she also gained the Li family''s favor courtesy of the former film empress.


    Damn, if only she could ask Mu Jianyu to inject more funds in her favor but that would surely put a red g on her intent topete with Lan Jinyao.


    Lin Meirong wasn''t sure what kind of deal Lan Jinyao had struck with the Li Family, who she thought was unaware of her offence towards them, but now she''s found herself standing on thin ice. One wrong move and everything she had worked for would crumble.


    Silence engulfed her living room as shezed on the couch, studying the new script in her hand with irritation. It was already past nine in the evening and Mu Jianyu hadn''t even given her a call. Her patience was running thin every day that Li Xiuying hadn''t signed the divorce papers.


    It was just a piece of paper that still binds Mu Jianyu to his wife. Why couldn''t Li Xiuying just sign it anyway?


    She was deep in her thoughts and was startled when someone banged on her door.It was as if the person outside wanted to break down her door just to get inside.


    Lin Meirong threw her script on her side table and went to her front door to see who was making a scene outside her apartment.She took a peek on the peephole and her eyes widened when she saw a familiar man standing right outside her door.


    Yao Qigang! What was Director Yao doing here?! Did hee here to put the me on her because the producer kicked him out of the film?

 Chapter 22 - Dirty Little Secret (2)

    Her face nched and turned pale from fear. It was a good thing that Mu Jianyu wasn''t here or else this might cause a fight between them. Mu Jianyu didn''t need to know her past and her previous rtionships.


    When the pounding on her door continued, Lin Meirong had no other choice but to open it. The moment she unlocked the door, the door flew open right on her face and she was pushed inside.


    Lin Meirong found a hand gripping her neck on a vice grip-like hold. She stared wide-eyed at Director Yao, her body trembling in fear as she tried to push him away futilely. The man was drunk, she could tell from the strong scent of alcoholing from him but what did he want from her anyway?


    "This is all your fault, bitch." Director Yao sneered at her face with such ferocity in his voice. It was all because of this woman''s greed that he had to offend Lan Jinyao and was caught red-handed by Zheng Yue. Zheng Yue had a reputation of being pampered rotten by her husband. If she was displeased with what she''d seen between him and Lan Jinyao, it was easy for her to demand a recement.


    "You think you''re high and mighty now because you have a lover wrapped around your finger, huh? Did he know about the child you gave birth to three years ago? Is he aware that you''re someone else''s wife?"


    The horror written all over Lin Meirong''s face was the answer Director Yao gained from her.


    No! She couldn''t let Director Yao reveal her secret! What would happen to her blooming career?What about her rtionship with Mu Jianyu once he discovers her deceit?! He would definitely figure out why she actually turned down his proposal!


    All her life was spent growing up in a remote countryside where the only source of ie was to nt crops and vegetables. Lin Meirong was born from a poor merchant family and although she was a known beauty in their area, she longed to leave the wretched ce to see the cities she longed to see.


    Living in a city meant big changes in her boring life. Living somewhere else far from her hometown can bring a whole new world of experiences and opportunities.


    However, because her family was drowning in debt, her parents had used her as a bargaining chip to pay it off. Lin Meirong found herself forcefully married to the son of one of the people her parents were indebted to. She really hated her life, her parents, and hated that while she was blessed with a beautiful face, she had to ruin her hands by nting seedlings and crops on the farm.


    She wanted to expand her horizons, wanted to go to the big city to find opportunities that would suit her taste. Being a wife to the son of another merchant was boring and unfulfilling. She could only grit her teeth when she found out that she was pregnant with her first child unwillingly.


    Three years ago, she gave birth to a son. She never held her baby and let her husband and her sister-inw take care of him. Until now, Lin Meirong had no idea how they were faring after she left the countryside.


    Director Yao closed the door behind him with a loud thud and pulled Lin Meirong back to the living area, roughly throwing her body on the couch. He red down to the woman who caused his misfortune. He really regretted listening to her words but the temptation of defiling Lan Jinyao''s body got the best of him.


    "Do you remember now? If it wasn''t for me, you''ll never reach what you have now. You''ll not be able to enjoy thisvishness you got from your married lover." He broke her fantasy by pping the reality right on her face leaving her speechless.


    He pped her face with full force, leaving a red print on her cheek. Lin Meirong couldn''t stop her tears by now. She was really afraid that Yao Qigang would ruin her.


    "Is he even aware of how many men have used this body of yours?" His tone became lustful and he looked down on her body that was only covered with her silk nightgown. "Lin Meirong, such a nymph that you are. Enchanting men with your face and body. No wonder he was head over heels for you that he was willing to throw money for your sake."


    His hand reached out again and Lin Meirong couldn''t stop the shiver that ran down her spine. Was he going to beat her? She wondered. However, what she imagined was far from his intention.


    Lin Meirong was shocked when he cupped her swollen cheek gently before his hand ran down from her face, his fingers running on the smoothness of her neck before cupping her right breast and gave it a squeeze.


    He gave her a feral grin and continued molesting her much to her horror.


    "Ah, Gu Changge. Please don''t look at me like that. We''ve been together these past years and even when you have him to yourself, you still kept me around," he said with malice. "Don''t worry, I wouldn''t tell him about your secret as long as you provide for me until I find another job, no?"


    "W-what do you mean?" She asked him in confusion. For him, to call her by her real name and not Lin Meirong was enough to stir fear inside of her.


    Director Yao released her and sat back. His grin still in his face.


    "I thought I''m being clear, Lin Meirong. Until I get my next project you''ll give me the money you owed me over the years. Not unless you want me to tell your lover about your little lie."


    Lin Meirong sat up in a hurry and covered herself with a nket she left on the couch. Hatred shed on her eyes as she looked at him.. As expected, Director Yao had be a thorn on her side that needed to be eliminated soon.

 Chapter 23 - How Much Of Your Life Are You Willing To Sacrifice?

    Li Xiuying was busy with her paperwork when Hou Chen arrived in her office with more documents that needed her approval. She could feel Hou Chen''s gaze set on her as she ced the files on her desk.


    "Is there something you want to tell me, Hou Chen?" She asked without breaking her focus over her work. She wasn''t oblivious to her friend''s displeasure over her decision to not divorce Mu Jianyu yet.


    "Ying, are you sure you want to continue dragging this problem? Can''t you just divorce him and let yourself start anew? Even if hees back to you, there''s no assurance that he wouldn''t betray your trust again. At least do it for your child''s sake." Hou Chen said solemnly. She couldn''t bear seeing her friend like this while the adulterers live in happiness.


    Adultery wasn''t just a crime in the eyes of the spouse. In some cases, cheating in marriage was against thew, punishable by a heavy fine and some even had to face jail time. If Li Xiuying wanted to, she could easily destroy her husband''s life and humiliate the mistress but she wouldn''t.


    The majority of women in high-profile marriages seem to stay with their husbands even after they''re caught cheating. Why? Was it a power thing? Afort thing? Money, perhaps? Or, could it be the fear of being left alone?


    Hou Chen couldn''t understand any of it. Li Xiuying certainly didn''t need Mu Jianyu''s money. If she may be bold to say, Mu Jianyu''s worth was iparable to Ying. Her fear of being alone was also baseless. One doesn''t even need half a brain to see that the Young Master of the Shen family had been head over heels for her for years!


    Li Xiuying''s fingers stopped moving over the keyboard of herputer, her eyes lowered as she tried to hide the bitterness on it.


    "Is it really that easy to give up on someone, Hou Chen?" She asked back. "When you''ve made one grave mistake, should you be cut off for good without being given a chance to redeem yourself?"


    No wonder the rise of divorce was so high in this era. So many people wouldn''t even try to work out their marriage and would drop it for convenience. Was it really that simple to throw a rtionship and memories you shared together over the years?


    "It might sound ordinary for a woman to find out her husband''s cheating on her, but not if you''re the woman and it''s your husband¡­ Hou Chen, what if it is you in my ce? Could you really tell me how I should feel and react over this?"


    Most women react blindly when they find out their husbands were having an affair. They let fear, anger, hurt, or a desire for revengepel them to do things they wouldtere to regret ¡ª things that make it difficult or impossible to mendter.


    Lu Xiuying wasn''t that type of person but her twin sister would be different.


    Hou Chen couldn''t stop herself from voicing her opinion to her boss. Li Xiuying was too kind, too kind that people would take advantage of her. If it was another woman, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned once she uncovers her husband''s betrayal.


    "But Ying, this is different! If you''ve caught your man having a full-blown affair, is staying together always a good idea? I don''t think so!" She countered, "if your husband cheated on you and you found out about it, there''s a really good chance it wasn''t his first time ¡ª and there''s an even better chance that it won''t be hisst."


    Song Zexiu who was listening between them nodded her head. She was d that Hou Chen was brave enough to voice out their opinions to their Miss!


    She''d seen enough drama to know what could happen to Li Xiuying if she keeps turning a blind eye on Mu Jianyu''s affair. The man himself wasn''t even aware that his affair was already discovered by his wife. Infidelity can rock even the most stable marriage.


    You know those stories of love triangles gone wrong, where the faithful spouse is always the one who ends up hurt? They don''t just happen on the news and in movies.


    "Your husband is a coward. There''s no doubt about that. From his actions, he''s already demonstrated that he doesn''t have the courage to be open about his feelings and issues with you and instead, took the easy way and acted out. He didn''t even consider working things out with you." Hou Chen continued.


    "Let me make this crystal clear for you: it''s not your fault. You did not make your husband sleep with another woman. Your husband chose to do it. Don''t let him put the me on you. He needs to take responsibility for his actions and own them."


    "Miss Ying, I''m so sorry but I agree with Hou Chen over this matter. You cannot prolong this problem. You have to think of what''s best for your baby." Song Zexi interjected.


    "Even you, Song Zexi?" Li Xiuying lifted her head only to see Song Zexi fidgeting in her ce.


    "Yes, Miss. Even Su Ling thinks the same¡­" she mumbled but it was enough for Li Xiuying to hear her.


    Her boss seemed to understand what she was saying and she hoped that Li Xiuying would listen to her this time. Over time, the emotions Li Xiuying had over her husband''s infidelity could make her feel stressed, anxious, and depressed.


    Her emotional health will take a toll on her physical health and pregnancy. At this critical time, it''s important to protect her well-being and stay healthy. The longer she waited, the harder it was to make big changes.


    "Miss, why must you stay with an unfaithful husband, thinking he''ll eventuallye to his senses. How much of your life are you willing to sacrifice to see if that actually happens?"


    Li Xiuying shut her eyes and sighed. What her assistant and bodyguard said weren''t wrong. Both of them had a point she needed to reconsider. Maybe she was really too kind and naive to believe that her husband would one daye to his senses.


    The man he was right now wasn''t the man she married years ago. She wasn''t sure what were his reasons for betraying her but she was willing to believe that Mu Jianyu would remember his promises to her but if he really decided to divorce her¡­


    Maybe she was really delusional to think that he''lle to her at this rate when it''s clear that he''d already made his choice and it wasn''t her. She was really the foolish one to believe that this was just a bad episode in their marriage life and can put all these behind them and start anew. What more reason did she need to sign those divorce papers?


    "Ying, if you change your mind, just call me anytime if you want to sign the divorce papers. There''s no need for you to see him in court. You can separate amicably. There''s no need for you to ask for alimony.. Whether he wants to be involved with your child, it would be his choice but would it really matter?" Hou Chen said before leaving her in a turbulent state.

 Chapter 24 - Ominous Premonition

    The next day, Li Xiuying followed her schedule and made up her mind to see the woman who caused this trouble in her marriage. She wanted to see with her own eyes what kind of woman Lin Meirong was for Mu Jianyu to decide to abandon her.


    Going into denial will only make matters worse for her. As traumatic as it was to find out that her husband had been cheating, Li Xiuying needed to face the reality of the situation. Ignoring his infidelity would only give him the go-ahead to continue his affair. Pretending it''s not happening will make him think he''s getting away with his cheating.


    Hou Chen had warned her not to find the other woman and it''s natural for her to be curious about the mistress, but she''s not worth Li Xiuying''s time and energy.


    However, she, together with her bodyguards arrived at the set of the film ''To You With Love'' under the guise of visiting Zheng Yue. Of course, when the producer and the new director heard about her arrival, the filming was immediately put on a halt and they gave everyone a break for an early lunch.


    Lan Jinyao, who was waiting for her turn to film her scenes in her dressing room, was taken by surprise when she heard that Li Xiuying paid them a visit. Li Xiuying had mentioned to her that she''ll see her one of these days and wasn''t expecting that her benefactor was, in fact, nning to see her and the mistress today.


    She couldn''t help but be apprehensive about how Lin Meirong will act in Li Xiuying''s presence. Will she cower in fear once she sees the legal wife of her lover or would she lift her head arrogantly like usual?


    It was Zheng Yue who first greeted Li Xiuying when the three arrived on the set with the producer and director standing behind her nervously. Ah, they couldn''t afford to offend this Li princess, or else she might change her mind and pull out the Li family investment.


    "Ying! Why didn''t you tell me you''reing to visit today? I should''ve prepared something for you," Zheng Yue wrapped an arm on her niece''s and led her inside. They were filming outdoors but she decided to bring Ying to the part where it was cool and shaded.


    Although she was chastising Li Xiuying, her tone was teasing. She really loved her nieces and treated them as her own daughters. At a time like this, she couldn''t help but miss Li Chuntao who''d been staying abroad for years now.


    "How can I do that, Auntie? I was merely passing by. I have a meeting nearby and thought I should pay you a visit. After all, didn''t Uncle say I''ll be in charge of your filmingmitments these days? "


    The director cleared his throat while the producerughed nervously. Ah, why was talking to any of the Big 5 families of the capital felt like subjecting themselves to a lie detector test? Thankfully, he heard that this young miss from the Li family was kind and gentle-hearted, so different from her twin sister and uncle who were known for their fierce and strict disposition in life.


    Li Xiuying looked around and let her aunt lead her. The two were surrounded by the core members of the filming crew, with the new director exining to Li Xiuyiung the progress of the film even if she hadn''t asked anything about it.


    Li Xiuying gestured for her bodyguards to bring in the packed lunches she ordered earlier. "I hope I am not toote for lunch and not disturbing your schedule," she said to the director.


    "Nonsense, Miss Li. You are wee to visit us anytime you wish." The producer rubbed his hands together and motioned the crew to give Li Xiuying a seat which they did while the rest of the crew enjoyed the food and were left in awe at how the Li family pampered Zheng Yue that they would even treat the rest of the crew for lunch.


    True, the lunch provided by Li Xiuying was packed lunch but it couldn''tpare to the food they usually had in the set. The packed lunches that were distributed to them came from a popr five-star restaurant owned by the Shen family nearby.


    Even the scent from the dishes presented to them was enough for the crew to salivate over their lunch. Ah, the producer really made a good choice by rejecting the second lead''s sponsorship and chose the Li family instead. If he didn''t they wouldn''t be able to enjoy and experience the taste of these delicacies which they wouldn''t be able to afford with their whole month''s sry.


    It was at that moment that Lin Meirong came on the set looking annoyed. She was wearing a red dress that entuated her feminine curves that made her more appealing in one''s eyes. She didn''t understand why the crew suddenly decided to dy recording her scenes. Behind her, Lan Jinyao appeared while grinning like a Cheshire cat.


    Everything for the next scene was prepared yet the shooting hadn''t started without a word.


    "What''s happening? Why''s everyone on break now?" Lin Meirong asked her assistant but the poor woman couldn''t give her any answers.


    "I heard someone important arrived for an inspection today. Sister Lin, aren''t you curious who could it be?" Lan Jinyao chided in. She tried hard to suppress herughter when she noticed what Li Xiuying was wearing.


    ''Hahaha. No wonder she asked me what Lin Meirong was wearing today!'' she grinned inwardly. Although the dress looked like what Lin Meirong was wearing, if one paid attention to details, they would see that it wasn''t really the same dress. This dress was one of the rare dresses made by ir Apparel years ago and only five dresses were made with the same design.


    Lin Meirong scoffed and turned her face away. She couldn''t help but notice that Lan Jinyao wasn''t wasting her chances to rub on her sore spots.


    "How should I know? Why are they doing an inspection on short notice anyway?"


    "Oh, Miss Lan! Miss Lan! Come here and greet Lady Li!" The director yelled in their direction.


    Lan Jinyao''s smile widened seeing the shocked expression on Lin Meirong''s face.


    Lin Meirong gasped and was stunned in her ce. Did she hear it right? Did the director just say Lady Li? Was it Li Xiuying or another member from Zheng Yue''s family?


    Her questions were answered when her gazended on Li Xiuying who was staring back at her with a nk expression in her face.


    Li Xiuying was sitting on the director''s seat with crossed legs, a hand supporting her chin. She looked like a queen, looking down on her subject. She seemed expressionless throughout the ordeal and hadn''t said anything when the director called them.


    What''s more, Li Xiuying was wearing a dress that''s seemingly the same dress she was donning. Her face paled in realization. Had Li Xiuying found out that she was the other woman?


    Damn it! Lin Meirong cursed her luck.. No wonder she was feeling nervous and kept having an ominous feeling since morning. This was what awaited her!

 Chapter 25 - Wife Meeting The Mistress

    "Lan Jinyao! Lin Meirong! What are you waiting for? Come here quickly!" The director chided the two actresses who refused to listen to hismand.


    Lan Jinyao went to them without waiting for Lin Meirong and greeted Zheng Yue who was sitting next to Li Xiuying before shifting her gaze to her benefactor. She couldn''t read Li Xiuying''s reaction seeing Lin Meirong this close.


    The wife, meeting the mistress face to face for the first time. It was quite a scene in Lan Jinyao''s opinion. Their eyes met, seemingly gauging each other before Lin Meirong lowered her gaze, refusing to look in Li Xiuying''s direction.


    Li Xiuying turned away from her husband''s lover and nodded at Lan Jinyao in return. She gave everyone a cold treatment especially Lin Meirong when thetter introduced herself.


    Zheng Yue held her niece''s hand and looked at her worriedly. Li Xiuying was pregnant and yet she had to work hard to clean the mess her husband started in thepany. It pained her seeing her beloved niece sad like this. This wasn''t the Ying she knew.


    Growing up, Li Xiuying was a gentle and happy child. She could make a person feel warm to the point that even Li Yuren couldn''t resist her charm as a child. Before Zheng Yue gave birth to her son, it was the twins whom she looked after and raised as her own. Both children had a special ce in her heart.


    "Ying, if you are tired. You don''t need to travel this far," she told her niece. The set was two hours away from the capital and she didn''t want Li Xiuying to be stuck in a traffic jam with her delicate condition.


    "You worry too much, Auntie. I''ll be fine. There''s nothing to be worried about."


    Li Xiuying didn''t leave the set even after the crew resumed their filming. The crew nervously continued working, not wanting to make a mistake while Li Xiuying was watching.


    Meanwhile, Lin Meirong was boiling inside as she caught on to the murmurs around her. They were not only pointing out the simrities of her dress to Li Xiuying''s dress but they also started degrading her after someone mentioned that the piece Li Xiuying was wearing came from the rare collection ir Apparel released ten years ago.


    Why was Li Xiuying dressed like she was? Was it merely a coincidence? What was she trying to prove?


    Compared to what she was wearing, Li Xiuying''s dress was worth half a million yuan, a price that Lin Meirong could never afford. She tried her best to ignore the frustrating conversation around her and maintain a neutral expression but failed.


    Lan Jinyao saw her expression turned dark. Lin Meirong looked unhappy and embarrassed at the same time. She was reminded once again that standing beside Li Xiuying, her beauty and status were nothing.


    She clenched her fist on her side and looked away. Why? Why did everything she wanted to have in life are in Li Xiuying''s hands?


    The next scene was for Lin Merong to shoot a scene with the male lead professing her unrequited love for him but then Lan Jinyao''s character will overhear the confession and will confront Lin Meirong''s character.


    Lan Jinyao had found herself trying to suppress her amusement over Lin Meirong''s predicament. Could Lin Meirong act when it''s clear that Li Xiuying intends to watch her act? Oh, did she mention that she would need to p Lin Meirong''s faceter before the scene ends?


    "Today''s scene is an exciting one. This is one of the highlights of the film and I hope Miss Li will find it satisfying." The producer said, watching Li Xiuying''s face intently for any signs of displeasure. "Miss Lin''s acting skill is excellent. Most of the scenes she had, we only need to shoot in one take." He gloated but there was no change in Li Xiuyin''s reaction.


    Song Zexi served her Miss a cup of tea before scoffing inwardly for the producer''s foolishness. If he knew what Lin Meirong was to her miss, would he dare to praise that wretched woman in front of Li Xiuying?


    Li Xiuying took a sip from her cup and eyed the producer.


    The man had to hold his breath when her gaze met his. He was reminded of how beautiful she was. If she was an actress, she would have toppled down other popr actresses with her expressive eyes and beautiful face.


    He had heard about the beauty of the Li twins but it was hard to believe that a woman like her truly exists in this world. He didn''t usually believe in gossip but Li Xiuying was as beautiful as the rumors suggested.


    She had a beauty that didn''t scream mour and wealth at first look. Instead, people will be mesmerized by her innocent and ethereal beauty, one that could make a man feel the need to protect and care for.


    Her eyes were expressive enough to force men to fall on their knees to serve her.


    The producer swallowed the lump in his throat and coughed on his hand. Lady Li was a married woman. He shouldn''t have such thoughts on her.


    "Is that so?" Li Xiuying''s voice sounded so cold and distant that Zheng Yue would mistake her as Li Chuntao if she didn''t know who was sitting beside her. Unlike her husband, Zheng Yue was constantly fooled and tricked by the identical twins whenever they switched or pretended to be the other.


    "Indeed. Although she was brought here by Director Yao, I can say her acting skill isn''tcking," The producer continued while trying to ignore the shiver that ran through his entirety.


    "Okay! Let''s start!" The director stood next to them and pped his hand to get everyone''s attention. "Lights, cameras¡­ the props! You better make sure all of them are in ce before we begin! Lin Meirong, get into your position!"

 Chapter 26 - Borrowing A Face From A Pig

    It was rare for investors to visit the films they funded. Just who would have thought that the CEO of Li Corporation would spare time in her busy schedule just to personally observe them?


    When the set was ready, the lead actor went into his position and waited for Lin Meirong to settle in hers. Everyone was ready but Lin Meirong couldn''t help but look at Li Xiuying from afar.


    From where she was, she saw Li Xiuying looking at them in an arrogant position. Her eyes were slightly hooded, her hand supporting her chin up as she waited for the camera to roll.


    When she heard the te, Lin Meirong forced herself to focus on her lines but was having a hard time because of Li Xiuying''s presence. It took her time to shift to her role and say her lines.


    Si Yaoyao, Lin Meirong''s character in the film, ran away from the mansion and from the engagement party of her best friend with tears spilling from her eyes. She had to witness her beloved man propose to the female lead in front of her eyes. She was the male lead''s best friend since childhood and thought that once they grew up his feelings for her would develop.


    The male lead caught up with her and held her arm, refusing to let her go without an exnation.


    "Why are you crying? Why are you leaving? Yaoyao, if you''re disappointed that I didn''t tell you about my proposal, I''m sorry." He told her. The male lead tried to console her and wrapped her in an embrace.


    "You don''t understand. You''ll never understand¡­" Lin Meirong continued to cry in his arms. She urately portrayed a woman who was helplessly in love with her best friend.


    "Tell me. What is it? Yaoyao, of all people you should know by now that I''ll be the first one who''ll believe you." The male lead continued to question her.


    "Why else? It''s because I love you!" Si Yaoyao pounded her fists on his chest and wailed in misery.


    It was in that scene, Ye Yunxi (Lan Jinyao''s character) found them. She was the fiancee and yet she found her man embracing another woman in his arms. Rage filled her chest as she strode towards them in fury.


    This must be the same feeling her Sister Ying felt like when she first discovered the affair between her husband and this whore!


    She pushed Lin Meirong away from the male lead harshly before giving her heavy ps on both sides of her face. Lin Meirong was shocked beyond words. Ever since she started her acting career, no one had pped her at full force until Lan Jinyao did today.


    This bitch dared toy a hand on her beautiful face? Lan Jinyao dared!


    Lan Jinyao was so absorbed in her role that she continued to hit Lin Meirong, pulling her hair painfully from her scalp which was not part of the script. Lin Meirong could only try to deflect her attacks with her arm as she cried in pain while the male lead tried to pull Lan Jinyao away from her.


    Both he and Lin Meirong were wondering why the director hadn''t yelled ''Cut'' yet?


    How were they to know that the director found Lan Jinyao''s performance so convincing that he couldn''t help but continue to film? Only when he heard the producer coughing awkwardly did he cut, finishing the take of the scene.


    However, it was already toote. Lin Meirong''s face had red handprints printed on it with her hair disheveled from Lan Jinyao''s attack. She looked deathly pale from Lan Jinyao''s beating.


    She immediately ran back to her dressing room, refusing to ept the humiliation she suffered in front of Mu Jianyu''s wife.


    "Is Miss Lin, alright? Will she be fine?" Li Xiuying asked the producer with subtle sarcasm that could only be distinguished by her Aunt Yue and her bodyguards.


    "Nah, she''ll be alright." The producer assured her. Lin Meirong should be unless she wanted to be called unprofessional. Soon, Lin Meirong''s assistant called for a medic to have a look at her boss.


    The pressure of being watched by the CEO of Li Corporation must have driven Lan Jinyao to improve her acting skill today which was a good thing but it couldn''t be said with Lin Meirong''s performance.


    "What do you think of their performance today, Lady Li?" He asked her.


    Li Xiuying rubbed her chin and took a side nce to her aunt who didn''t bother to hide her amusement over Lin Meirong''s suffering. Ah, being pped several times in a row, Lin Meirong''s face must be swollen by now.


    The corner of Li Xiuying''s lip curled up. She smiled innocently before lowering her eyes which were veiled with a hint of disdain threatening to consume her. Even if she had ten mouths, she wouldn''t be able to exin what she truly felt at that moment.


    "Spectacr. I don''t regret investing in your film. Now, I just can''t wait to see the whole film," she answered.


    "Ah, since you invested in our film. It''s only proper that we do our best to repay your kindness, Lady Li." Those were the producer''s parting words before he left Li Xiuying with Zheng Yue and her two bodyguards.


    "Miss Ying, you should have seen Lin Meirong''s face. She looked like she borrowed a face from a pig! Lan Jinyao really gave her a good beating this time!" Song Zexi whispered to her when they were out of everyone''s earshot.


    "Really? Then maybe you should ask the director for a copy of that video. It must be impressive to see that scene on a huge screen," Li Xiuying chuckled.


    However, she wasn''t quite done yet. She wondered if Lin Meirong would often think about how she ruined someone''s marriage for her own advantage. Lin Meirong had stepped on so many people just to climb to the top.. No matter how high she''d risen, it''ll only take a matter of time before her downfall.

 Chapter 27 - The Wife Isn’t Actually A Saint (1)

    After the scene was taken, Zheng Yue excused herself to review her script before it was her turn to act her scenes. Li Xiuying was left with her bodyguards. She called Song Zexi''s attention as she was starting to get bored waiting.


    "Where''s Lan Jinyao? Please tell her toe here because I have something to tell her."


    At her instruction, Song Zexi slightly bowed her head and immediately disappeared to look for Lan Jinyao.


    Li Xiuying didn''t need to wait long for Song Zexi toe back with Lan Jinyao on her trail. There was a hint of confusion on her face, wondering if her benefactor wasn''t afraid that the filming crew would suspect their familiarity with each other.


    "Sister Ying, this is really a surprise. Why didn''t you tell me you''ll arrive today?" Lan Jinyao asked her benefactor once the crew were busy reviewing the scenes they''ve taken for today. She heard Li Xiuying humming and watched with curious eyes how the rest of the crew reacted in her presence.


    Lan Jinyao tried her best to pretend she wasn''t curious but Li Xiuying was obviously aware of what was going on in her mind.


    "Sit down, Miss Lan. There''s no need to be wary of my intention in visiting you and my aunt. It''s normal for me to look after the two of you," Li Xiuying gestured her hand, telling the actress to take a seat across her which Lan Jinyao did without hesitation.


    "Then you came here just to see that bitch in person?" Lan Jinyao asked back. It was impossible not to see theughter that reflected on Li Xiuying''s eyes over Lin Meirong''s misfortune.


    In the end, this young actress realized that Li Xiuying wasn''t really a saint that everyone assumed her to be. Li Xiuying was like everyone else who has a dark side that she rarely shows to anyone.


    Li Xiuying hummed and gave her a nod. The sound of ringing from Song Zexi''s phone distracted her.


    Song Zexi excused herself and answered the phone as she left her Miss with Lan Jinyao and Su Ling.


    "I was merely curious. Nothing else," Li Xiuying said in her defense when she saw Lan Jinyao''s grin.


    But for her to boldly show up face to face with Lin Meirong? Wasn''t she afraid that woman would suspect that she knew about the affair between Lin Meirong and Mu Jianyu?


    "Is that so?" Did she really have to question Li Xiuying''s intention?


    "Hmm¡­ I''m also looking forward to seeing more of your performance. I cleared the rest of my schedule for today. I intend to enjoy my short visit,"


    Lan Jinyao''s eyes glistened as she understood this. Though she knew now that Li Xiuying truly felt disdain for the woman who trampled her marriage, she wanted some confirmation from her end.


    "Besides, I''m also curious about Miss Lin''s acting skill. If she''s really that good, I''m afraid she''ll be able to steal the limelight and nomination from you."


    Staring at Li Xiuying, Lan Jinyao then understood the hidden meaning in her smile. Li Xiuying wanted to see how Lin Meirong would react to her indirect provocation using Lan Jinyao. Will she run to her lover andin about how his wife tries to bully her at work?


    But in order to know the answer, Lan Jinyao had to y aplice for Li Xiuying. She wanted to pounce at Lin Meirong now to get some entertainment on this boring day.


    "Go now. You wouldn''t want the director to suspect that I favor you,"


    "Thank you, Sister Ying! I''ll get back now!"


    Lan Jinyao went away at once after hearing a staff member calling her name from afar.


    "Miss Ying¡­" Song Zexi trailed off, afraid that she would offend her Miss.


    "What is it?" Both of her bodyguards had been with her since she was sixteen and knew them well.


    "Miss Chuntao called earlier¡­"


    "Chuntao? Why didn''t you say so?" Li Xiuying frowned as she missed her twin sister''s call again.


    Song Zexi scratched her cheek awkwardly. ''Dear Lord, help us, Miss Chuntao had found out about Miss Ying''s predicament,'' she prayed in her heart. She wondered if it was Shen Zichen who informed their Miss Chuntao.


    "You were busy talking with Miss Lan so¡­" Upon seeing the slight pout on her Miss''s face, Song Zexi couldn''t help but smile. "She said she''ll call again tonight and I must clear your schedule by that time."


    Li Xiuying nodded. There was this ominous feeling that something was about to happen but she wasn''t sure what it was. Maybe her twin sister had caught the news of her impending divorce with Mu Jianyu and hoped that it wouldn''t make Chuntao worry too much.


    "Did she say what it is about?" She asked Song Zexi. If Chuntao somehow found out what she''d been keeping for weeks, Ying wasn''t sure how she''d answer her twin sister.


    Song Zexi chewed her lip and shook her head. Her Miss Chuntao had told her not to mention her awareness over the divorce issue as she wanted to hear it from Ying herself.


    "She didn''t say anything, Miss Ying but¡­ I feel like you should prepare just in case she questioned you this time." Song Zexi said truthfully.. It would be best for Miss Chuntao if she could convince their Miss Ying to sign the divorce papers.

 Chapter 28 - The Wife Isn’t Actually A Saint(2)

    Tears burst from Lin Meirong''s eyes as she went back to her dressing room to hide her reddened face. The humiliation Lan Jinyao brought her, she''ll never forget! She''ll make sure that Lan Jinyao will pay the price for her impertinence.


    "Miss Lin, the shoot isn''t done yet. The director wants you toe back," Her assistant came to her with a coldpress on her hand, looking at her nervously.


    She was afraid that she''ll be treated as an emotional garbage bin by Lin Meirong again. This wasn''t the first time the actress had a meltdown due to her frustrations over her scenes.


    This assistant provided by Redux Entertainment had only been with Lin Meirong for a month because none of her previous assistants could tolerate her abusive behavior when she was pissed off. She bit her lower lip and tried to hand the coldpress to the actress.


    "He wants me back? What the hell do they want me to do then?" Lin Meirong asked incredulously. Hasn''t Lan Jinyao humiliated her enough in front of Li Xiuying and the rest of the crew?


    She pped the hand of her assistant, causing the coldpress to fall on the floor.


    "I-I don''t know, Miss Lin but the director said you must go back so they could film the rest of your scenes¡­" Her assistant hurriedly picked up what she dropped and trembled in fear.


    Since there was still some pride left in her, there was a hint of hesitation on Lin Meirong''s face as she considered her options. Her assistant, watching her closely, chose to leave her alone and ran outside without giving Lin Meirong enough time to react.


    With no other choice , Lin Meirong could only grit her teeth and head back to the set, finding the director busy conversing with Li Xiuying. She took a moment to observe Mu Jianyu''s wife from afar.


    Li Xiuying was so beautiful that men around her couldn''t help but blush under her gaze without her noticing. Her smile was so charming and natural that one would get tired of seeing it up close.


    ''Why¡­ Why is she here? No, is she reallyJianyu''s wife? How is a woman born that beautiful?'' Lin Meirong, who could only assume Li Xiuying''s appearance before was bewildered that even a woman as beautiful as her couldn''t beparable for Li Xiuying who was born with a golden spoon in her mouth.


    She couldn''t help but look to herself and confirm her miserable life and appearancepared to Li Xiuying. Her skin wasn''t as smooth and silky as Mu Jianyu''s wife. Her hands, which still had some calluses remained no matter how hard she tried to remove, brought shame to her.


    As soon as she startedparing herself to Li Xiuying, she felt ashamed and humiliated at the same time. It would have been okay if it was another woman who wasn''t as benevolent and beautiful as Li Xiuying,she could have lifted her head andughed at the poor pathetic wife that she had outsmarted.


    Anyway, who cares if she couldn''t beat Li Xiuying''s beauty, she was able to snatch her man with her charm anyway, so the great CEO Li was still below her.


    The director called her name once he saw her. "Miss Lin, oh, it''s good that you''re back. We''re just about to call you to take the scenes again. We found your expression a bit stiff at Lan Jinyao''s outburst."


    Lin Meirong''s lips set in a thin line, her fists clenched on her side as she nodded her understanding to the director. She wanted to get angry, angry that she was allowing herself to be humiliated in front of Li Xiuying, angry that she couldn''t deny that Lan Jinyao overshadowedher performance today.


    "Lan Jinyao, you did a great job earlier. This time, try to reenact the same expression you had before." The director told Lan Jinyao before turning his attention to Lin Meirong. "Lin Meirong, this time you have to act properly, don''t forget to say your lines!"


    She, together with Lan Jinyao and the male lead went back to their previous position for the second time. Lin Meirong slightly trembled while Lan Jinyao was thrilled to be given another chance to hit the devious woman.


    The three reenacted the same scene all over again but when it was Lin Meirong''s time to confess her unrequited love to the male lead,she didn''t say her lines. In addition, her expression wasn''t suitable for a woman in love with her best friend.


    For the first time since their filming started, Lin Meirong had a bad take.


    The filming crew was left bbergasted and on cue, Song Zexi couldn''t help but to make a sidement.


    "Ah, Miss¡­ do you think she forgot her lines? I thought the producer said she''s a very capable actress?"


    It sounded like an innocent question from her but it was enough to make the producer break into a cold sweat. However, he couldn''t really me Lin Meirong to feel such pressureing from Li Xiuying as they, who were watching from the sidelines, could feel the tremendous pressure to please Li Xiuying.


    Five secondster, Lin Meirong stepped back from the male lead and covered her face with both of her hands. She couldn''t help but notice that Li Xiuying was watching her intently and this made her feel uneasy.


    "I''m sorry. I forgot my lines. Director, please¡­ let''s do it again." Lin Meirong said with a pale face when she overheard the murmur around them. This time, it wasn''t Lan Jinyao who brought humiliation to her,she did it herself.


    For the third time, they went back to their positions and waited for the cue to start. Lin Meirong clenched her teeth and forced herself to focus. Did Li Xiuying do this on purpose? She wondered.


    However, before she coulde up with a conclusion, Lan Jinyao''s handnded painfully on her face, making her dizzy.. This time, she lost her bnce and fell on the ground, shocking not only herself but everyone around her.

 Chapter 29 - Sudden Turn Of Events (1)

    What happened? Taken aback, Lin Meirong was shocked to find that she had fallen after Lan Jinyao''s p.


    It was unbearable for Lin Meirong to be subjected to such humiliation in front of the whole crew and Mu Jianyu''s wife. Before Lan Jinyao established herself as the female lead of this film, Lin Meirong could be arrogant and demand things from the filming crew without thinking of retribution because she had Mu Jianyu as her backing.


    Now, not only did her assistants leave her one by one because of her reckless behavior, but the filming crew was also fed up with her disrespectful attitude. She was only a second lead but she was more demanding than Zheng Yue, who was a former film empress and Lan Jinyao, the female lead.


    It was no wonder that when they saw Lin Meirong sprawled on the ground, some of them couldn''t contain theirughter no matter how hard they tried to suppress it. She acted so high and mighty that she had forgotten her ce. Look at how pathetic she is now.


    However, to everyone''s surprise, Lin Meirong was suddenly crying out in pain as she held her stomach. She curled on the ground, writhing in pain,pletely wiping the amusement andughter from the spectators.


    The male lead was the first one to break from his daze and immediately knelt beside Lin Meirong while Lan Jinyao stood next to them frozen in her ce.


    She couldn''t understand why Lin Meirong was crying hysterically when she hadn''t really pped her hard.


    Was she just pretending to gain some sympathy? It''s normal to get a bad take once in a while, did she really have to pretend that she''s in pain to get away with it?


    If Lin Meirong was really just pretending then she must be a good actress for her outburst seemed so natural leaving everyone speechless.


    "Sister Lin, are you hurt?" The male lead asked in panic. He lifted Lin Meirong from the ground, carrying her bridal style when wetness on her dress made the women gasp at what they''d seen. There, on her skirt, was a blotch of bright bloodstain.


    "It hurts¡­ it hurts¡­" came Lin Meirong''s pitiful sobs, which made Lan Jinyao ufortable. She didn''t understand what was happening.


    "Go and call the ambnce! What are you waiting for?!" He yelled at the crew as it seemed that they''ve yet to understand what was happening. When they finally realized that it was a real emergency, they scattered around, trying to find medical help for Lin Meirong.


    "No." Li Xiuying''s decisive tone surprised everyone. All eyes were on her as she stood from her seat, "the ambnce would take too long. Su Ling, prepare the car. We will bring Miss Lin to the nearest hospital." She told her bodyguard.


    Su Ling gave her a curt bow and rushed to do his Miss''s bidding.


    Lan Jinyao looked at Li Xiuying, noticing the unusual paleness on her face while she looked at Lin Meirong. Li Xiuying looked like she had seen a ghost as she excused herself with tears threatening to burst at any given moment.


    Zheng Yue came when she heard about themotion and stood next to her niece.


    "What happened? Ying, are you alright?" She also noticed the trembling on her niece''s form. When she looked around and saw Lin Meirong, her eyes widened in shock as she noticed the trail of blood on the woman''s leg.


    "She''s¡­."Her words trailed off as she saw Li Xiuying shutting her teary eyes close and turned her face away.


    Yes, the only conclusion that can be made after seeing Lin Meirong''s condition was that she''s pregnant and that she might miscarry.Having gone through it once, Li Xiuying was smart enough to realize what was going on.


    Rage filled Zheng Yue''s chest upon realizing the situation. It was all because of that woman again! Why did Ying have to suffer like this? She looked at Lin Meirong with a hostile expression. Although she waste to the scene, anyone with a good head over their shoulder woulde up to the same conclusion.


    In the end, Zheng Yue had no other choice but to contain her anger and look after her niece who was on the verge of breaking down. At the sound of Li Xiuying''s distress, Zheng Yue''s mouth couldn''t help but turn down.


    Seeing that the situation was getting out of hand, the director stopped the filming and called in for medics to check on Lin Meirong while waiting for Su Ling toe back. They didn''t need to wait too long for him toe back and lead the male lead who was still holding Lin Meirong in his arms to leave the set.


    "Miss¡­" Su Ling didn''t know why Li Xiuying took the initiative to help her husband''s mistress and wouldn''t dare to question her right now.


    "Take her to the nearest hospital. We''ll follow you shortly."


    It was Zheng Yue who answered for Li Xiuying. As she held her niece''s arm, she led Li Xiuying away from the scene worriedly. This was surely hard to ept for Ying but if it would force her to make a decision, perhaps divorcing Mu Jianyu wouldn''t be such a bad thing.


    Su Ling cast a curious gaze to Song Zexi but thetter only shook her head.


    "Go now. I''ll stay with Miss Ying," she assured him instead.


    "I-I''ll go with you," Lan Jinyao interjected and followed them outside. She wasn''tfortable with this feeling of being guilty of harming Lin Meirong. She wondered if she went overboard with her p.


    They didn''t dy and rushed towards the hospital.. The director and a few staff members hurriedly followed them soon after, leaving Li Xiuying with Song Zexi and Zheng Yue at the set.

 Chapter 30 - Sudden Turn Of Events (2)

    It was sometimeter that Li Xiuying found herself sitting outside the emergency department with Lan Jinyao, waiting for the doctor toe back and break the news of Lin Meirong''s pregnancy. She didn''t expect that her husband''s infidelity woulde up to this.


    This not only made their situation moreplicated than it already was, but this would also be a solid reason for her to ept the divorce that Mu Jianyu was asking from her.


    She knew she wasn''t a perfect wife but Li Xiuying had tried her best to be a good wife to Mu Jianyu. They didn''t immediately start as passionate lovers at the first meeting but they were good friends.


    At work, she and Mu Jianyu had acted like nothing ever happened even though their divorce was hanging in the air as they resumed both of their responsibilities at thepany. She kept herself busy at work and tried hard not to think of him and Lin Meirong and the fact that he wanted to end their marriage without revealing the truth. And then, at the end of the day, she had to go back to the deste penthouse where nightmares gued her through the night, repeating the harsh words Mu Jianyu said to her.


    Now, Li Xiuying could do nothing in this situation except to give her husband the freedom he was asking for.


    Lin Meirong was pregnant, and so was she, but this doesn''t mean that Mu Jianyu would change his mind even if he knew she was also carrying their child.


    Li Xiuying made a mental calction and could assume that she got pregnant the day hest touched her. However, the next day, her suspicion of his extramarital affair started.


    Her nose caught a scent of a woman''s perfume from his clothes after he came home from a five-day business trip and initially thought that he was just being passionate that night but his behavior had started to change after that. Her instincts were telling her that Mu Jianyu was having an affair but she kept denying the thoughts until Shen Zichen told her what he''d seen.


    The director of the film walked towards her and called her.


    "Lady Li, are you sure you want to be here? I''m sorry, we didn''t expect something like this to happen."


    The filming was already halfway through but they still needed Lin Meirong to shoot her scenes and this would surely dy their schedule.What''s more, the trouble happened on the very day Li Xiuying visited their set.


    "It''s alright. I''m sure no one expected this to happen. How''s Lin Meirong?" She asked as the director led her inside to where Lin Meirong was. She noticed the hesitation on his actions and arched a brow at him. "Is there a problem?"


    When the director didn''t respond, Li Xiuying turned towards the doctor standing next to the hospital bed. He was checking theb results that just came back. Meanwhile, Lin Meirong was pale, the side of her face was sweaty. She made a low moan in her sleep, oblivious to Li Xiuying and the doctor''s presence. On the other side of the bed, her assistant was sitting nervously in her chair. She avoided Li Xiuying''s gaze when their eyes met.


    "How is she?" Li Xiuying repeated herself. She needed to confirm it before she made any decisions.


    The doctor who seemed to be in histe forties greeted her with a polite smile before turning his head to look at Lin Meirong.


    "I don''t know how to say this¡­ but Miss Lin is pregnant. She had spotting which could be considered as a normal thing during pregnancy. However, because it was apanied by sharp pain, we had to give her medicine to stop the bleeding and save her baby. Miss Lin would need a lot of rest and shouldn''t be subjected to any stress." He confirmed everyone''s suspicion. Lin Meirong was truly with a child.


    "She''s pregnant?" The director eximed. "I didn''t know Miss Lin was seeing someone until today."


    He was after all a recement for Director Yao and was new to the filming crew so he wasn''t aware of the gossip about Lin Meirong''s wealthy lover.


    Li Xiuying thought that she was mentally prepared for this, but she truly wasn''t. The doctor''s words were enough to leave her stunned. For a moment, she tried to figure out if she heard him right but he couldn''t be mistaken as he passed the blood test to prove Lin Meirong''s pregnancy.


    "I supposed Miss Lin isn''t aware of this either. She''ll have to be careful if she ns to keep the baby."


    Of course, the doctor knew that Lan Jinyao and Lin Meirong were both actresses although they were not that popr yet. Their image and reputation in public could easily be destroyed by an unwanted pregnancy. Many new and popr actresses had aborted their own babies and chose their soaring career instead. The doctor wouldn''t be surprised if Lin Meirong chooses her career this time.


    "I see. Then let her decide about this herself." Li Xiuying nodded and returned the result to the doctor and went outside, ignoring the confused look she was getting from the doctor and the director.


    Lan Jinyao bade goodbye to them and followed after Li Xiuying, shutting the door behind her softly. She found Li Xiuying leaning her back against the wall at the secluded part of the stairway, looking up at the ceiling as if she was trying to stop her tears from falling.


    "Lan Jinyao, what should I do? I think I''ve reached my limit this time. I''m really tired."


    The younger woman couldn''t find the right words to console her breaking heart. Lan Jinyao wrapped her arms around Li Xiuying and cried for her instead.. She knew that no words could help ease the pain Li Xiuying was feeling right now.

 Chapter 31 - The Father Of Her Child (1)

    When Mu Jianyu received a call that Lin Meirong was rushed to the hospital, he left thepany without any word to his assistant and drove to where his woman was admitted. The caller, who was Lin Meirong''s current assistant, didn''t give him any information of what had caused Lin Meirong to end up at the hospital.


    He hadn''t seen her for days and was feeling quite guilty that he couldn''t see her when she needed him the most. He was oblivious to the fact that his own wife was there to witness the evidence of his affair.


    It was past ten in the evening when he reached the hospital which gave him leeway to sneak inside without drawing any attention upon his arrival. With his divorce still pending, Mu Jianyu was still a married man who secretly kept his lover in the dark. He made sure to avoid the crowded hallways of the hospital and went straight to the floor where Lin Meirong was.


    As he slipped inside the hospital room which Lin Meirong''s assistant had provided him, he found a nurse checking on Lin Meirong''s condition as she slept. The woman lifted her head and smiled when she saw him.


    "Ah, you must be Miss Lin''s boyfriend." She addressed him.


    Mu Jianyu froze for a moment but didn''t deny the nurse''s assumption of his rtionship to Lin Meirong. This wasn''t the right time to admit his rtionship with her in public.


    "Is she alright?" He tried to avoid the question by questioning her back.


    "Miss Lin is alright. We were able to save her baby from a possible miscarriage."


    The nurse excused herself to give him and the patient some privacy but before that, she greeted Mu Jianyu. "Congrattions!"


    "Congrattions?" Mu Jianyu frowned as he strode towards the bed to see Lin Meirong. "What for?" He couldn''t understand why the nurse was congratting him when Lin Meirong was hurt.


    "Oh, I thought you were already informed¡­" she paused, "Miss Lin is pregnant. She''s going to have a baby."


    Mu Jianyu felt like someone dropped a bomb on him. His eyes thennded on Lin Meirong''s t stomach in surprise. For a moment, he didn''t know how to react.


    Baby? She''s going to have a baby?


    Seeing that Mu Jianyu wasn''t going to respond to her, the nurse silently left the room and closed the door behind her.


    He sat on the chair next to the bed as the news of Lin Meirong''s pregnancy sank into his mind.


    A wave of emotions washed through him. There was a subtle hint of joy that shed in his eyes but a part of him also felt conflicted over the news. With Lin Meirong being pregnant, his divorce with Li Xiuying must be finalized soon.


    It wasn''t Li Xiuying''s fault that they lost their first baby years ago because of miscarriage but Mu Jianyu was at the age where he wanted to have a child soon. Something that Li Xiuying couldn''t give him.


    It had been years since they lost their baby and Li Xiuying hadn''t gotten pregnant since then. It also didn''t help that the Li family was suppressing his influence within the businessmunity.


    With his marriage with Li Xiuyinging to its end and with Lin Meirong''s pregnancy, Mu Jianyu couldn''t wait to get his freedom from the Li family.


    However, this news¡­ how would he be able to face Li Xiuyingter once she found out about Lin Meirong and his baby?


    He didn''t think Li Xiuying would take it lightly given that the time of conception was when he was married to her but he cannot allow Lin Meirong to give birth to their baby out of wedlock. Whatever people around them think of it, he refused to not give his child the identity it deserved.


    His rtionship with Lin Meirong might have started as a mistake, but he''d learned to care for herter on. During those times Mu Jianyu was receiving never-ending pressure from the board of directors at Li Corporation, Lin Meirong had be a confidante, the only person who believed in his capabilities.


    For Mu Jianyu, there were only two women who mattered and left an impact on his life. First was his own mother, who''d raised him alone when his father abandoned them, and the other was Li Xiuying, his wife.


    Li Xiuying was the perfect woman any man could ever wish for, except that she couldn''t bear a child for him. Aside from that, because of her almost ''perfect'' standing in society, Mu Jianyu was having a hard time meeting everyone''s expectations of him.


    In everyone''s eyes, he was Mu Jianyu, the Li princess''s husband. His worth and the respect he''d been receiving for the past years was all because he was Li Xiuying''s husband. People overlooked his performance and capabilities because of it.


    Some even questioned what he had to make Li Xiuying fall for him when there''s Shen Zichen who can beat him in all aspects by a hundredfold.


    He was being overshadowed by Li Xiuying that he''d lost his own identity and confidence but with Lin Meirong, he didn''t need to prove anything. In her eyes, he was some kind of hero that she admired.


    There was no pretentiousness when he was with her. Maybe this was the reason why he preferred Lin Meirong''spany over his wife.. Li Xiuying was too good, her bright light left a dark shadow on him.

 Chapter 32 - The Father Of Her Child (2)

    "I''m pregnant?" Lin Meirong woke up sometimeter and was surprised to see Mu Jianyu sitting beside the bed.


    He nodded in response and stared at her dazed expression. The news about her pregnancy not only shocked him but also Lin Meirong. She covered her mouth in disbelief. This wasn''t part of her n! She had barely managed to avoid Mu Jianyu''s proposal, she can''t be pregnant now!


    The fear that ran through her entirety wasn''t known to Mu Jianyu as he leaned down and held Lin Meirong in his arms. He could feel her trembling in his arms and assumed that she was afraid.


    Lin Meirong had once told him that she was an orphan and she had no living rtives to look after her. This was why he found it endearing that she was working hard to support herself. It must have been hard for her to grow up alone in the countryside.


    "Don''t worry. I''ll be here. I won''t let you deal with this alone." He seated himself next to Lin Meirong and assured her.


    Mu Jianyu was filled with joy and gratitude for the woman who made his dreame true. He''d always wanted to be a father. He wanted a family that he could call his own.


    He would prove to everyone that he wasn''t like his father who abandoned him at a young age. His child with Lin Meirong would know and grow up with a father but he was anxious about how Li Xiuying and the Li family would react to this.


    He ced a hand on her still t stomach and pushed away the uneasiness from his mind. He wouldn''t let the Li family ruin this precious moment.


    On the contrary, Lin Meirong didn''t want this child. Her career hadn''t reached its peak yet but she ended up being pregnant. She''d been very careful not to get pregnant since her affair started with Mu Jianyu. So howe she was suddenly carrying a baby?


    "How¡­ how far along?" She stammered as she asked, trying to figure out when she conceived the child.


    Mu Jianyu frowned and rubbed her back as he tried to soothe her. ording to the result, it was estimated that she was ten weeks along with her pregnancy.


    "About ten weeks." He answered truthfully. "Why? Is there something bothering you?"


    At that moment, Lin Meirong''s eyes welled up with tears as she curled herself on the bed, trying to hide the horror on her face from her lover.


    Ten weeks? Ten weeks¡­


    She''d always been careful when she engaged intimately with Mu Jianyu. It was impossible for her to get pregnant when she''d been using the morning after pill whenever Mu Jianyu forgot to use protection.


    The only instance that she had sex without protection was when Director Yao forced himself on her the day before Mu Jianyu came back from his two weeks business trip overseas. It was toote for her to take her morning-after pill the next day because Mu Jianyu appeared outside her door and hadn''t given her an opportunity to buy the pill.


    Lin Meirong''s heart sank. The baby in her womb wasn''t Mu Jianyu''s. It was impossible for him to father her child when she''d been taking precautions. She was also silently hoping that he would never find out.


    Mu Jianyu was bewildered by her actions but didn''t question her. He lifted her chin and saw her teary eyes which moved his heart. She looked so weak and fragile in his arms. Was she really afraid that he wouldn''t take responsibility for their child?


    "What''s wrong? Why are you crying?" He pulled out some tissues on the bedside table and wiped her tears dry.


    Lin Meirong shook her head. She would never tell him about the real father of her child or he might kill her. No one should know the truth, even that wretched man Director Yao who only made her life helltely.


    "I''m just worried about your wife¡­" she mumbled but was loud enough for him to hear.


    The frown on Mu Jianyu''s face deepened when Lin Meirong mentioned his wife.


    "Li Xiuying would have no choice but to sign the divorce papers soon." He told her.


    "But that doesn''t mean she couldn''t do anything to spite me," she sobbed pitifully.


    "What do you mean?"


    Lin Meirong then took this opportunity to exin to him how the Li Corporation injected funds on the film she was working on with Lan Jinyao and how Li Xiuying made a surprise inspection on their set today. She also exaggerated how Lan Jinyao tried to harm her which led to her being hospitalized.


    Mu Jianyu''s face darkened. He would never believe that his perfect and angelic wife would y dirty like that. It wasn''t like Li Xiuying to do what Lin Meirong was iming she''d done.


    The Li Corporation must have taken the initiative to invest because Zheng Yue was part of the cast. It wasn''t a secret to everyone that Li Yuren pampered his wife rotten and would do anything to please her.


    He figured Li Xiuying might have visited the set for Zheng Yue, he knew how close she was to her aunt. It was impossible that she was aware of his affair with Lin Meirong. If she knew about his affair, why would she keep her silence and not confront him?


    Knowing Li Xiuying''s pristine reputation, she wouldn''t do anything bad to tarnish her name. Making a scene to humiliate Lin Meirong wasn''t something Li Xiuying was capable of.. It was below her to y dirty.

 Chapter 33 - End Of Marriage (1)

    "I''ve been waiting long enough. Why hasn''t she signed your divorce papers yet? Are you sure she''ll agree with you?" Lin Meirong asked after the long silence between them. She sped her hand with his and leaned her head on his chest. She wanted to test Mu Jianyu''s reaction to the possibility that Li Xiuying knew about their rtionship but it seemed that it was hard to ruin his impression of Li Xiuying.


    Instead of answering her questions, Mu Jianyu rxed his tense body and leaned back on the headboard to support his and Lin Meirong''s weight.


    Lin Meirong stared intently at his handsome face which had a hint of grim on it. Why did she feel like he wasn''t ready to part ways with Li Xiuying yet? Hadn''t he said that he was only staying to maximize the wealth he could suck from the Li family?


    It had been weeks since she first brought up the issue of the divorce and he had only recently done what she''d asked. She wasn''t sure if Mu Jianyu was just stringing her along and didn''t really want to divorce Li Xiuying.


    "I''ll deal with her. You don''t have to worry and just focus on our child." He answered.


    "But¡­" She wanted to argue but seeing that he wasn''t going to answer her questions, Lin Meirong had no other choice but to drop it.


    He was right. He''d already chosen her and initiated his divorce from Li Xiuying.


    "I''ve chosen you over her. Isn''t this proof enough?" He replied, his tone a little sharp, reminding her that she was the one who insisted on rushing the divorce. There''s nothing Mu Jianyu could do now but to wait for his wife''s agreement.


    "I''m divorcing her whether she wants it or not." Mu Jianyu said with finality on the issue, "and then you''ll officially be the next Madam Mu. My darling, no one will dare to bully you once this is over." He whispered to her ear.


    She realized then that he''d already made up his mind this time. She had a hard time suppressing the excitement and happiness she felt inside.


    Lin Meirong thought that she heard him wrong but perhaps he''d made up his mind and would truly be hers although she couldn''t marry him immediately. She gave his hand a squeeze and smiled brightly. Not being able to marry him now doesn''t mean she couldn''t in the future. She just needed to find a way to annul her previous marriage without Mu Jianyu knowing about it.


    For her to rise from being a poor countryside bumpkin into a socialite woman by marrying Mu Jianyu, how can she waste that opportunity? She''s a woman who wouldn''t waste an opportunity presented to herself.


    Why exert her effort in the show business industry when she could unt her status and wealth as Mu Jianyu''s wife? Even if she couldn''t be a film empress, she still had Mu Jianyu to support her and using this child in her womb, she would be able to wrap him around her finger easily.


    ''Li Xiuying, me your infertile womb for not being able to give your husband a child. Hahaha. You''ve lost your chance.''


    Ah, she really needed to do something to force that poor husband of hers to divorce her but first, she needs to find him and their child before anything else. Were they still living at the same ce she''d left them? Lin Meirong wasn''t sure.


    Three months after she gave birth to her child, she met Director Yao and caught his attention with her beauty. He invited her for a trial photoshoot to see if she would look good on camera. He said that she had a pretty face and it''s rare to meet someone who was good looking in person and not only in camera and magazines.


    Lin Meirong held her breath as she was offered to leave her previous life and seek her dream at the capital. For her, the only obstacle to reach her dreams was her husband and her unwanted child. She can never ept that she can be contained in this pitiful, boring vige that offered her nothing but a hard life.


    However, she didn''t expect that once again, her family was the root of her problems. She cannot allow anyone to use them against her in the future. Director Yao was enough to disturb her peace and she didn''t need more like him.


    Lin Meirong chastised herself for being stupid earlier. His marriage offer sounds so tempting as if it was a sweet delicacy offered to a hungry child.How could she decline and let this chance slip from her hand? Now, if only that boring wife could give him his freedom, the sooner, the better.


    "But wouldn''t the Li family give you a hard time? What if they object to your divorce?"


    Mu Jianyu rubbed her back affectionately.


    She gave him a sweet smile which he returned with an amused chuckle.


    "Of course they would, but I''ve already prepared ahead. Do you think I''m stupid enough to give Li Xiuying the divorce papers if I''m not prepared for the Li family''s retaliation? They might have forced me to sign the prenuptial agreement but they cannot stop me from getting the money they owed me all these years."


    From his standpoint, the money he''d embezzled from thepany was his prize for being a puppet of the Li family for years. His reputation in the businessmunity was also stable so his career wouldn''t easily plummet down once he leaves the Li Corporation. Lin Meirong and their child were worth the trouble even if he had to fight with the Li family.. He had something he needed to protect now more than ever.

 Chapter 34 - End Of Marriage (2)

    Stormy thoughts filled her head and Li Xiuying felt at loss. It''s been a long time since she felt like this. Empty and useless. She felt the bitterness in her mouth as she threw up at the sink inside one of thefort rooms inside the hospital. Beside her, Lan Jinyao rubbed her back worriedly. The young woman had no idea that Li Xiuying was pregnant until now.


    ''That useless husband and whore mistress! How could they do this to Sister Ying!''


    Lan Jinyao was boiling with anger but she couldn''t let Li Xiuying see it. It wasn''t her ce toment on one''s life but she was really tempted to go back to Lin Meirong''s room and pull the bitch''s hair from its root. Ah, this was really frustrating. She couldn''t even do anything to help her Sister Ying right now.


    Li Xiuying gargled her mouth with water and forced herself to calm down. Shen Zichen will arrive soon to pick her up and she couldn''t let him see her like this. Everything was difficult and extremely tiring these days but she couldn''t let anyone worry about her especially her twin sister.


    Now that her suspicion regarding Lin Meirong''s pregnancy was confirmed, she realized that she was truly clinging onto a false hope that Mu Jianyu woulde back to her.


    ''Foolish.''


    ''So pathetic.''


    ''Do you see what kind of man he was now?''


    She chided herself inwardly over and over.


    "Sister Ying, you look pale. Should I call Miss Song to pick you up so you can go home? It''s alreadyte. You need to rest." Lan Jinyao asked her as they stepped out of thefort room and walked back to Lin Meirong''s room to check on her.Everyone from the film crew had left and only the two of them remained. They spotted Song Zexi and Su Ling several meters away from Lin Meirong''s room.


    Song Zexi gestured ti Li Xiuying that something was up and pointed behind the closed door. She seemed to have something to say on her Miss.


    Li Xiuying paused and put her hand at the doorknob to open the door of Lin Meirong''s room. She had only slightly pushed the door when her husband''s familiar voice reached her ears. Both she and Lan Jinyao were stunned at what they heard.


    "I''ve chosen you over her. Isn''t this enough proof enough?"


    Indeed, the owner of that voice was none other than Li Xiuying''s husband, Mu Jianyu.


    Lan Jinyao took a side nce at Li Xiuying and wasn''t surprised to see the woman broke in tears.


    Her vision became blurred with unshed tears as she heard her husband dere that he chose the other woman over her. She stood there, motionless for a long time, hearing the conversation between the cheating couple who ruined her, who plotted against her family.


    Li Xiuying walked away with her head hanging low in shame and resentment. She felt like a dog running away from her problems with her tail between her legs as she whined with bitter indignation over her marriage.


    Her bodyguards'' voices as they came running towards her were tuned out. She kept walking until she reached the entrance, watching as the heavy rainstorm made everyone seek shelter from it.


    Mu Jianyu had promised Lin Meirong to marry her after their divorce. He even went as far attempting to leave the Li Corporation in shambles.


    Their sweet words to each other made her stomach churn making her nausea again, but she couldn''t vomit anything out.


    Li Xiuying suddenly felt a pain in her chest and found it hard to believe. The voice of her bodyguards and Lan Jinyao were ringing in her ears but she didn''t try to understand. She could feel her strength leaving her.


    This was the end of her marriage. There was no hope or chance for her to save it.


    As Mu Jianyu said, he had made a choice and it wasn''t her.


    Never in her dreams did she think that their marriage would end up like this. She thought that she and Mu Jianyu could treat it as a bad chapter in their marriage life if he was willing to change and try to work out their marriage but evidently it was a one-sided wish.


    What happened to the man who promised to give her the whole world when they were dating? What happened to the man who swore that she would be the only woman in his life and if there''s ever another girl, it would be their daughter?


    Wasn''t it enough that he betrayed her and impregnated his mistress?


    She was really a fool to fall for his lies. Now she truly understood her twin sister''s words when she was still dating Mu Jianyu.


    "I hope you won''t regret this, Ying. You wouldn''t want to know how much it would hurt if he betrays you," Li Chuntao warned her.


    Li Xiuying shrugged and didn''t take her twin sister''s word seriously.


    "What made you think he''ll hurt me?" She asked Li Chuntao.


    "Ying, do you know what it feels¡­when someone made you feel special yesterday only to make you feel like a nobody today? It hurts like hell. You''ll be left wondering what the fuck did you do wrong to deserve such treatment." Li Chuntao replied with a poker face.


    Li Xiuying burst out intoughter. Her twin sister''s tongue was really something.


    "Chuntao, your words never fail to amaze me.. Obviously, I''m the older sister but you are the one giving me love advice."

 Chapter 35 - Memories Are The Worst Form Of Torture (1)

    Li Xiuying finally understood her twin sister''s warning. She initially thought that Li Chuntao and their Uncle Yuren''s worries were baseless. However, now that she was pped back with the reality that Mu Jianyu had cast her aside in favor of another woman, she regretted the fact that she did not even try to listen to them.


    Sometimes memories were the worst form of torture and to top it off, Lin Meirong''s pregnancy was Mu Jianyu''s ultimate betrayal towards her. Was she so insignificant to him that he was willing to toss everything for a woman like Lin Meirong?


    She was blind and stupid, alright. She was stupid to believe that he would change ande back to his senses. She should have listened to everyone who told her to ept the divorce he had pressed on and move on with her life. Everyone wanted the best for her except for her husband.


    "I want to be left alone," she finally told her bodyguards and Lan Jinyao. She was tired. It was worthless to fight a battle she knew she''ll eventually lose.


    "Miss!" Song Zexi eximed.


    They couldn''t leave their Miss Ying like this. Not when she was weak and unstable. If something bad happened to her, they wouldn''t be able to defend themselves from Li Yuren''s wrath. Also, she and Su Ling were worried that she might do something foolish. Given her condition, they wouldn''t dare to leave her alone.


    "Miss, we received direct orders from Master Yuren not to leave you alone unattended," Su Ling said impassively. He wasn''tfortable seeing a crying woman especially if it was their Miss Ying.


    Li Xiuying had no interest in arguing and nodded in understanding. It would be too selfish for her to demand something that would cause trouble for Song Zexi and Su Ling.


    "I understand."


    That was the situation Shen Zichen saw when he arrived to meet Li Xiuying. He was walking under the rain with an umbre in his hand and saw Li Xiuying''s form leaning against Song Zexi for support. Her eyes were bloodshot indicating that she''d been crying prior to his arrival.


    Shen Zichen frowned. What could have happened to make her cry like this again?


    "Ying," he called out to get her attention.


    Li Xiuying wiped her tears dry and smiled bitterly at him. Song Zexi released a sigh of relief when she saw that Young Master Shen had finally arrived. Maybe their Miss Ying would listen to him not to go alone.


    "You''rete," Li Xiuying teased him but it couldn''t hide the somber in her tone.


    "It''s been raining hard since I left the capital. Have you been waiting for me all this time?"


    She shook her head. She had lost the track of time with all the events that happened today.


    "Brother Zichen, I would like to visit my parents'' grave." She requested in a low voice. She didn''t want to be in the same ce where her husband and the mistress were.


    Aside from her twin sister, Li Xiuying would only let her defenses down in front of their parents'' grave. Ever since they passed away, she only had Chuntao to support her mentally and emotionally.


    Although they were both loved by their Uncle Yuren and Aunt Yue, the twins'' bond with each other was so deep that no one else coulde in between. Since Li Chuntao''s departure to study abroad, Li Xiuying could only go there whenever she was having a dilemma or when she was missing her twin sister.


    "Miss Ying wanted to be alone but we cannot allow her. Can Young Master Shen apany Miss Ying?" Song Zexi asked him.


    Shen Zichen looked at Li Xiuying then shifted to Song Zexi who was clearly worried that their miss would try to run away again like she didst time. It was fortunate that Shen Zichen had stumbled upon Li Xiuying, saving her bodyguards from the trouble of searching for their Miss around the capital.


    "Alright. I will bring you to them. Just promise you wouldn''t leave without telling Song Zexi where you''re going."


    Li Xiuying agreed and stepped forward, invading Shen Zichen''s private space as they shared the same umbre he brought with him. Lan Jinyao, Song Zexi, and Su Ling could only watch as Shen Ziched led Li Xiuying away from the hospital to his car and saw them disappear from their sight.


    "Who''s that?" Lan Jinyao couldn''t stop herself to ask Song Zexi out of curiosity. She''d never seen and met a man that could freeze anyone with mere gaze but look at Li Xiuying like she was the only one that mattered in the world. Was he in love with Li Xiuying? Lan Jinyao wondered.


    "That''s Young Master Shen." Su Ling answered. "Don''t worry. He wouldn''t let anything bad happen to her."


    It was already past midnight when Shen Zichen and Li Xiuying came back to the capital. Thankfully, the rain had stopped pouring but it still made the road slippery, so Shen Zichen had to slow down his driving.It didn''t take long for them to reach the Li family''s private mausoleum where Ying and Chuntao''s parents'' tombs were.


    The mausoleum was neat and clean indicating that the caretaker from the Li family had been visiting the ce to keep it clean. The white marbled tombs encasing her parents'' remains were perfectly polished unlike those tombs outside which were covered with moss and were unkempt.


    Shen Zichen remained outside while Li Xiuying entered alone. She knelt in front of her parents'' grave and started to cry her heart out.


    For the past three months, since she discovered her husband''s affair, she pretended that she was alright but tonight¡­ on the day herst bit of hope shattered, all the memories she shared with Mu Jianyu came back all at once.


    The woman who believed in love was no more.. Mu Jianyu had sessfully ruined her and Shen Zichen was witness to how badly she was broken.

 Chapter 36 - Memories Are The Worst Form Of Torture (2)

    Li Chuntao had started her residency at the hospital where she was working. Being the top of her ss and this year''s top 1 on the professional medical board in the country. She wasn''t only popr with her colleagues but with their professors and fellow doctors as well, who were impressed with her professionalism. Adding the fact that she was quite beautiful and her look was refreshing to one''s eyes in this foreignnd.


    Although she was just starting her residency at North Star Medical Center in its emergency department, she was receiving a lot of attention from the patients and her co-workers. Some patients thought she was an angel disguised as a doctor and have joked about it.


    Her face was a perfect replica of her twin, and while Ying''s eyes were expressive, Li Chuntao''s had a hint of mystery and coldness on it. Her long wavy waist-length hair that flowed on her back was tied on a low ponytail with a few strands framing her small face.


    That day, she was wearing her customary white blouse paired with a high waisted pencil skirt and low t shoes.


    "Dr. Iris Li?" An elderly woman came to her and called her name. The woman had a bright smile on her face and was holding both of her hands in front of her.


    "Yes?" Li Chuntao answered back instinctively without looking back to see who had called her. Her foreign name became more familiar to her as years passed by.


    She was standing and talking with the nurse stationed at the reception area of the ER when the old woman approached her.


    "I just wanna say thank you for saving my son''s life. I-I¡­" The old woman stuttered and her eyes welled up with tears.


    When she brought her middle-aged son to the ER, the man was burning with high fever and had lost his consciousness and the other resident doctors refused to check on him because coincidentally, a massive fire had just happened at the central businessplex and the ER was swamped with the injured patients.


    The old woman had been desperately begging for everyone to check on her son as they''ve been waiting for hours for treatment.


    All the doctors in the ER had their hands full and were having a hard time seeing each of the patients that needed medical attention. It was only Li Chuntao, with the help of a female nurse, who decided to step up and check on the old woman''s son''s condition. She thought that her fellow doctors and interns would be enough to see the burns of the other patients that crowded their department.


    After conducting some physical exam, reviewing the patient''s medical history and chest x-ray, Li Chuntao had then requested several tests to be done as she concluded that the man''s condition wasn''t a simple case of high fever. Thebored and rapid breathing as well as discoloration on his fingernails indicate that there was an underlying illness that she had yet to confirm. Li Chuntao relied on an electrocardiogram and echocardiogram to rule out a heart condition.


    Later on, it was confirmed that the vessels on the patient''s lungs were damaged and the fluid was starting to fill its air sacs. This resulted in an oxygen deficiency in his body. Oxygen treatment and fluid management were done at once to prevent worsening his condition. Li Chuntao''s quick and decisive approach had saved the patient''s life this time.


    "It''s my pleasure to help you," Li Chuntao said curtly.


    Her tone was spoken out of duty rather than politeness. She didn''t choose to be a doctor because she wanted to save lives but because being a doctor presented her more challenges that demanded precision and uracy. A single mistake could lead to a person''s death and that was the one she was trying to ovee.


    Li Chuntao knew that she could never treat and save every patient thates her way but it didn''t mean she would give up on it. After passing the board, she wanted to specialize in cardiac and thoracic surgery, which was considered one of the mostpetitive programs.


    "Your son is recovering well. Rest assured that his condition is getting stable. It was lucky for him that you''ve brought him just in time to save his life." She added.


    "Still, please ept my thanks and gratitude, Dr. Li," The old woman insisted.


    After a few more minutes of conversing with her, the old woman finally leaves her alone which amuses the nurses in the reception area.


    "Dr. Li, you are getting more popr these days," One of them teased her.


    Li Chuntao shrugged and gave back the patient chart she was reading earlier.


    "I have no idea what you mean. I''m just doing my job as a doctor." She said nonchntly.


    "Dr. Li, are you going to start your general surgery residency program soon? I think you''re ready," Another one followed up with a question.


    "We''ll see. I trust our supervising doctor''s decision. He should know if I''m ready or not." Li Chuntao replied before a sudden pain on her chest hit her.


    Her eyes slightly widened and her body leaned on the counter for support as she was caught off guard. The pain was short but she couldn''t deny that it didn''t happen.


    Just what had happened?


    "Dr. Li, are you alright?"


    It seemed that she wasn''t the only one who noticed it.


    "Y-yes.." Li Chuntao sounded like she wasn''t sure herself. After assuring the nurses that she was fine, she excused herself to take her break to call her twin sister but Ying never picked up her calls.


    ''Ying, what happened to you?''

 Chapter 37 - I’ve Loved You For A Long Time (1)

    Shen Zichen remained outside. He could hear the crying sounds from the woman he had loved for several years. It broke his heart to see Li Xiuying like this and hated himself for not being able to protect her from the pain Mu Jianyu inflicted on her.However, he also knew that it wasn''t his ce to intervene. He was just a childhood friend who was secretly in love with her.


    While he can be honest and clear with Li Chuntao, Shen Zichen found it odd that he couldn''t tell everything to Ying. He couldn''t pinpoint when he started having feelings for her and was scared as hell when it finally dawned to him what he felt for Li Xiuying.


    But did it matter? In the end, he already lost his chance and she ended up being hurt.


    Li Chuntao had forced him to look after her twin sister and he found it repulsive that she would ask something like that despite the fact that she was aware of his feelings for Ying. He could never understand women.


    His mother was endearing and could be devious at the same time but still, his father loved her nevertheless. Yuyan, since their childhood, would constantly drive him insane from her outrageous demands. Qing Qing was the spoiled little sister who he wouldn''t get tired of spoiling even if she was already a grown-up woman.


    But the Li twins were at another level.


    The older sister was the one he loved the most but the younger was such a devil that she knew how to force him to do her bidding.


    When Li Xiuying married Mu Jianyu, he thought that was her happily ever after so he had decided to let her go and to move on, but Li Chuntao thought the opposite. She had whispered her concern that Mu Jianyu might be using her sister to elevate his status in the society and Ying would have a hard time with it since she never experienced love before she met Mu Jianyu.


    Shen Zichen had thought that Li Chuntao was cursing her twin sister''s marriage but as he looked at it now, Li Chuntao might have seen something he and Li Xiuying never noticed in Mu Jianyu. Still, Shen Zichen hoped that Li Chuntao was wrong. He would never want to see their precious Ying crying over a shameless man.


    But wasn''t it ironic that he was sitting outside, hearing her cry right now?


    He looked heavenward, noticing that the rain was pouring again as if apanying Li Xiuying as she cried over her failed marriage. Several questions crossed his mind as he listened to her cries.


    Does she want a shoulder right now?


    Does she want to talk about it?


    Does she want me close by for when she wants either of these things or does she want to be alone?


    But in the end, Shen Zichen didn''t know the right answers but he wanted her to know that he was willing to do whatever she wants or needs even if it only makes the moment messier and more confusing for her.


    It broke his heart just as much to see the woman he cared about hurting to the point of tears. Although he wanted to leave to give her space, he wanted more for her to know he was here, he cares and would do anything to help take the burden off if she wanted him to.


    An hourter, Li Xiuying went out and found him sitting on the cold marbled floor with his eyes closed. She was happy and at the same time felt guilty that he was like this because of her.


    Contrary to everyone''s belief, she was aware of his feelings for her but she never made it known for fear that he would start distancing himself knowing his personality. How could she not know? She had known him since she was ten and now at the age of twenty-five, she understood how his mind works.


    "Brother Zichen, wake up," Li Xiuying knelt beside him and gently shook his shoulder to wake him up.


    Shen Zichen snapped his eyes open and looked back at her.


    "Ying¡­" he wasn''t sure what to tell her. "Do you feel alright?"


    She smiled and gave him a slight nod. "Yes, thank you for being here with me and also, I''m sorry for troubling you."


    Shen Zichen went up to his feet and helped Li Xiuying to stand up. The rain had finally stopped and the dark sky was clear without clouds, he led her back to his car to drive her home. Once she settled in the passenger seat and fastened her seatbelt, he drove towards the penthouse she shared with Chuntao.


    "What do you n to do now?" He asked after a long silence between them.


    Shen Zichen parked his car outside the residentialplex. He looked at her in the corner of his eye and saw that she was unusually quiet. There was swelling around the eyes and general puffiness in her face.


    "Ying¡­"


    She was looking down at her hands as if she found something interesting on it.


    Ah, now she was fiddling her wedding ring on her finger. She was thinking about Mu Jianyu again, Shen Zichen thought.


    "I decided¡­" she pursed her lips and sighed, releasing her hand from holding her ring.


    "Since Jianyu has decided to leave, I''ll respect his choice. Right now, my priority would be my child.. My baby doesn''t need to know how he turned his back on us for another woman."

 Chapter 38 - I’ve Loved You For A Long Time (2)

    Her eyes were bright as she told him her n for herself and her unborn child. How her child would receive the love and attention it would never get from its father from the people who truly cared about them.


    Li Xiuying had decided to finally cut off everything from her husband and move on. She was willing to start again without him although she knew it would be hard to live in this judgemental society as a divorcee.


    People would wonder what the hell was wrong with her and why did her husband cheat on her despite everything that she had, but Li Xiuying didn''t want to care one bit about the public''s opinion once she signed the divorce papers.


    She just wished that Mu Jianyu wouldn''t regret his decisionter on since Lin Meirong¡­ No¡­ Li Xiuying corrected herself. Gu Changge wouldn''t be able to marry him without admitting her existing marriage with another man.


    However, was Gu Changge brave enough to confess the truth that she lied to Mu Jianyu?


    If she was another woman, Li Xiuying would use this information she got about Lin Meirong to ruin her and her husband. It was just a pity that her conscience wouldn''t allow her to do so. She wasn''t that kind of person. She didn''t want to be a monster to defeat the other monsters. She didn''t want to be a person filled with a bitterness she cannot control.


    In this heartache, the sun won''t shine for her and him anymore. The birdsong passed as if the melody can''t glide through the air as it once did. But the truth was, Li Xiuying would rather forgofort than keep a lover who doesn''t love and respect her anymore.


    So instead, she would let this heartache be her teacher. Because she''d rather break this rtionship than herself.


    Either it turned into ashes or she would because she''d have to have no self-respect at all to stay with the one who couldn''t see how wonderful she was. There wasn''t a woman alive who wanted a man who would betray her. It was time for her to walk away,


    "Are you sure about this?" Shen Zichen questioned her.


    Was it really alright to leave everything like that without teaching Mu Jianyu and Lin Meirong a lesson?


    "Ying, are you sure that after you divorce him, they wouldn''t try to bother you anymore?"


    Mu Jianyu was able to stab her from behind and use Li Corporation to his advantage. What if he found out about the child he had with Li Xiuying? Would he use the child to gain favors from her and the Li family?


    Shen Zichen''s eyes narrowed at the thought. Such an opportunistic leech who only knew how to take what wasn''t his. Mu Jianyu was fortunate that he, Shen Zichen, wasn''t in the business world to crush him with his own hands but that didn''t mean he wouldn''t be able to inflict damage to the man responsible for Li Xiuying''s tears.


    "Lin Meirong wouldn''t dare unless she wanted to be destroyed beyond recognition." She chuckled.


    The cheating could have seeded in hurting her but it would be a different matter if they dared to touch her child.


    She didn''t get out of his car and they remained silent. Each was preupied with different thoughts.


    "Ying, I know this isn''t the right time to tell you¡­" Shen Zichen started.


    Li Xiuying felt a shiver run on her spine. Whether it was from the air conditioner in his car or from his almost confession, she wasn''t sure.


    "I''ve loved you for a long time and I hate to see you like this." He continued. He kept his eyes steady, resting on her face, but just briefly, the sorrow already building inside of him.


    Li Xiuying stayed rooted to the spot, her hair softly pushed away from her cheekbone that had be so much more prominent over the previous weeks. Her features buckled just slightly before she spoke in all honesty. Shen Zichen deserved the truth. She cannot let him suffer in silence anymore.


    "I know, Brother Zichen¡­ I know.???


    It was Shen Zichen''s turn to be speechless, not expecting her response to his confession.


    "I''m sorry..." She knew those were the wrong words to say at that moment.


    "What are you sorry for? It was me who never said a word about it. Please, don''t burden yourself because of this." This was why Shen Zichen never dared to tell her before. It takes guts to express a romantic interest in someone, and most people have enough self-awareness and humility to know a rejection when they see one, and Shen Zichen was one of them.


    "I''m sorry, I just didn''t feel a connection." Li Xiuying said truthfully. She didn''t want to give him ideas or false hope that there would be a chance between them. She regretted not knowing about what he felt before marrying Mu Jianyu. It must have been hard for him to watch her marry another man.


    "I know my ce and I clearly know what you feel," he sighed and shook his head, "but that doesn''t mean I''ve never had the urge to punch your husband right in his face. I''ve been tempted several times, just so you know." He said with a yful tone, hoping that the awkward atmosphere around them would lessen.


    "Ying, if you change your mind and you want to teach them a lesson, you tell me, alright? If you want to use me to spite Mu Jianyu, feel free to do so. I''m a man so I know he hates my mere existence and how close I am to you."


    Li Xiuying couldn''t help butugh at it even though she wasn''t sure if he was being serious or not.


    "I''ll keep it in mind then."

 Chapter 39 - Confession (1)

    It wasn''t until the next day when Li Xiuying phoned her twin sister who''d been worried about theck of response on her calls and messages. After Shen Zichen dropped her home before dawn, Li Xiuying had slept the whole day and didn''t leave for work. Song Zexi and Su Ling were relieved when they received a call from Shen Zichen informing that she was home, safe and unharmed.


    "Miss, I''ve cooked some of your favorites. You must be hungry."


    When Li Xiuying woke up from her long slumber, she found several dishes waiting for her at the dining table. Her stomach growled in response. She hadn''t had a decent meal since yesterday and she was now starving. She thanked Song Zexi for her efforts, knowing that she was trying to cheer her up while Su Ling updated her with the progress of investigation within thepany.


    "How long will it take before they could get conclusive evidence to pin my traitorous husband for his crimes?" Li Xiuying asked Su Ling with interest.


    "They said it would take some time but will assure that we''ll be able to put him behind bars once they are done. The amount he embezzled from thepany was quite huge. We believe he has a few aplices within thepany who''s helping him cover his tracks." Su Ling didn''t dare to sugarcoat his report.


    Hadn''t Mu Jianyu thought that the only person who could protect him from the Li family was Li Xiuying herself? If it wasn''t for her, he would have already been kicked to the curb and he would find his sorry ass behind bars. He must be really dumb and idiotic to think that he could get away with his sins easily. Breaking their Miss''s heart was one thing. Stealing from thepany was shooting his own foot. He had no one to meter but himself once the investigation was done.


    "Miss, I think you need to call back Miss Chuntao¡­" Song Zexi reminded her. "Your phone was ringing nonstop since this morning."


    They were her bodyguard, yes, but Song Zexi and Su Ling were forbidden to touch any personal things owned by their masters. The ringing only stopped when Su Ling messaged their Miss Chuntao to inform that Ying was sleeping and couldn''t answer her phone.


    "Ah!" Li Xiuying eximed. Howe she had forgotten that she was supposed to talk with Chuntaost night?! Her twin sister must be worried to death by now.


    She immediately finished her meal, thanked Song Zexi again, and ran back towards her room. She could hear the gasp from her bodyguard and the reminder for her not to run in her delicate condition.


    Li Xiuying was d that she was surrounded by people who really loved and cared for her.


    She didn''t waste time and dialed Chuntao''s number on her phone and paced around her room nervously. She bit her nail, knowing that a round of chiding would being her way from her sister.


    "Ying!" Chuntao answered her call at the third ring. Thank goodness, Song Zexi told her about Chuntao''s call or she might''ve totally forgotten about it. "You dare to call me this time?! Didn''t I tell you to wait for my callst night?!"


    "Tutut¡­ This isn''t Li Xiuying. This is your bank credit card agent. We wish to inform you that you''ve exceeded your card''s limit." Li Xiuying clicked her tongue, imagining how annoyed her twin sister looked at the moment.


    "Limit my ass! My card has no spending limit!" Li Chuntao snorted udylike at the other end of the line, hiding her concern over her sister''s wellbeing.


    "Ah, I forgot. Sorry. Sorry. I forgot that you''ve managed to convince Uncle Yuren to give you the most well-known ''ck credit card'' out there when he wouldn''t allow me to get one."


    The card itself was made of titanium that is was noticeably different from the stic used in most credit cards. Only a few members of the high-ss society were able to get it with perks that were far beyond the regr cardholders. A person with the legendary ck card was capable of closing the whole store just so they can shop alone.


    "Silly, CEO Li, That''s because you don''t need one." Li Chuntao said in defense. Kidding aside, it was time to talk about the issue that Li Xiuying had been avoiding to tell her for the past three months. "Anyway, would you mind telling me now what''s going on, or do I have to book the earliest flight I could get so I can hear it from your own lips?"


    "Well¡­ I was about to tell you that but you beat me to it."


    "How long do you n to keep it from me anyway? Ying, I couldn''t say I''m not disappointed with you. We''re sisters. How could you keep me in the dark when something wrong is happening to you?"


    They were identical twins and shared a particrly intense bond. They were as close as two people can be. If someone asked them what was the best part about being a twin? The answer that person would get, often said in unison, by them was "It''s like having a built-in best friend for life."


    They have an extreme level of closeness and understanding that some people may not be able to understand but that was alright. For Ying and Chuntao, it didn''t matter as long as they had each other, they didn''t need another person to understand them. A lot of what goes on between them was implicit and unspoken; often they do know what the twin was feeling without having to ask or exin.


    "Alright," Li Xiuying conceded. She cannot really hide it from Chuntao for too long. It was either she tell her or Chuntao would terrorize another person to get what she wanted.. "¡­but promise me you will hear me out first and listen to what I''ll say."

 Chapter 40 - Confession (2)

    Li Chuntao had no choice but to agree with her sister''s terms. This was better than troubling Shen Zichen to spill out everything he knew about what was happening to Ying. She begrudgingly agreed as long as her sister would tell her everything.


    Li Xiuying then started telling her what happened several weeks ago, prior to this day. She narrated how Mu Jianyu came home from his business trip, slightly drunk, and had been telling her how amazing it was to have a wife like her and how he couldn''t wait to start a family with her. Then the next day, she caught the scent of a woman''s perfume from the work clothes he had worn but didn''t question him, in fear that he might really be seeing another woman behind her back.


    It was painful for Li Xiuying to be reminded of the past, yet, as promised, she told Li Chuntao everything. From her suspicion, Shen Zichen''s encounter with Mu Jianyu and Lin Meirong to yesterday''s event at the hospital. The silence at Li Chuntao''s side was nerve-wracking. Li Xiuying could only imagine how mad her twin sister was right now.


    Before she could finish her narrative, Li Xiuying heard a loud crack on her sister''s side.


    "Chuntao?"


    "Continue." Came Li Chuntao''s icy response. As expected, her reaction was exactly what Li Xiuying had anticipated. However, she was impressed by how her sister managed to contain her anger. If it was before, profanities could be heard even before she could finish telling her the recent events in her life.


    Li Xiuying continued and exined how her stupid husband tried to suck and leech money from theirpany much to her annoyance. Cheating on her was one thing, but did Mu Jianyu really have to go against her family?


    When all was said and done, Mu Jianyu had chosen his mistress but he should also ept that Li Xiuying would choose her family over him. He cannot me him once his crime was discovered and aired in publicter. Lin Meirong should also face the consequence of digging her ws on someone else''s husband and pay the price for it. What hid behind the lies were truths that failed to get to the light. Whatid behind their betrayal may have been honest at first sight.


    "Chuntao, you haven''t said anything¡­ I''m worried." Li Xiuying twirled her hair with her finger nervously as she waited for her twin to reply.


    "What do you want me to say, Ying? That you have a husband who''s also a low stupid son of a cactus loving whore?" Li Chuntao sounded annoyed which didn''t surprise Ying.


    Her sister wasn''t bothering with decency on words whenever she was annoyed with someone. Her words were so sharp, it can cut someone''s flesh once her patience snapped.


    "Sister, if I didn''t know you were studying medicine abroad, I would have assumed you went there to master how to insult someone." Li Xiuyingmented.


    "You''ll be surprised to know then how much I''ve learned from here, my dear sister. Anyway, if that abominable shit goblin that you called your husband really wanted to divorce you for that twat, then do so. I can''t believe he trashed you for that kind of woman." The irritation on Li Chuntao''s voice was apparent to Ying, "Is her twat made out of pure gold that he''s willing to forget about you for it?"


    Li Xiuying''s face flushed from her twin sister''s words. She coughed in her hand, attempting to hide her embarrassment.


    "Sis! How can you say something like that?!" She would never understand why Chuntao ended up like this. She must be spending a lot of time talking with Shen Zichen that she started to pick up his wittyebacks and insults that could demean a person subjected to his ire.


    "Sorry. I forgot you aren''tfortable hearing such things. Anyway, are you going to divorce him? You better say yes, Ying or else¡­" Chuntao''s voice was threatening her toply.


    "There''s nothing else I could do anyway. What''s the point of staying on a marriage that has been infected with a pest? I cannot save my marriage." Li Xiuying replied dejectedly.


    She slumped on the floor and pulled the huge teddy bear from her bed and hugged it tightly in her arms. She dearly wished that Chuntao was there with her. No one understands her well except Chuntao.


    "Ying, why don''t you move here with me? Once you clear up the mess in thepany, I''ll tell Uncle Yuren to let you stay with me until I finish my residency. It may take five to seven years for me toplete my residency in surgery but it should be enough time for you and your baby to start a new life without Mu Jianyu. I don''t believe one bit that he''ll let you off easily once the authorities seized him for embezzlement."


    Five to seven years were a long time. While she didn''t have any problems speaking a foreignnguage, Li Xiuying wasn''t ustomed to the different cultures and food. However, this was better than staying in the same ce where Mu Jianyu and Lin Meirong was.


    "Are you sure it would be alright?"


    Moving to a new ce which was totally different from what she ustomed to sounds frightening but with Chuntao being there, Li Xiuying didn''t think it was a bad idea.


    "Of course, it''s alright! How could I work in peace knowing you are alone without someone to look after you?" Li Chuntao chided her.. Not only it would give Li Xiuying a chance to move on but it would also protect her and her baby from possible danger in the future.

 Chapter 41 - Only A Few People Can Deceive Her Eyes

    Their conversation took another hour which was normal for them. Li Xiuying felt more at ease nowpared to the previous weeks. Her husband''s betrayal had finally sunk in and she had epted the reality.


    Now, as she was conversing with Chuntao, Li Xiuying had no more regrets. She''d done her part which was something Mu Jianyu could never use against her. Until the end, she was the one who was willing to make their marriage work out but he was the one who turned his back on her.


    She felt that not only has her situation changed but she herself, as a person. She had to sit back and watch her own husband fall in love and be intimate with another woman. Li Xiuying didn''t think any woman would remain the same after witnessing that kind of betrayal.


    Li Chuntao was right. She cannot do anything to change the past but she can give her and her child the peace and bright future they both deserved even if it means that Mu Jianyu wasn''t part of it.


    "Okay, I''ll probably be able to finish my work here within two weeks then I''ll tell Uncle Yuren of our n." She told her twin sister.


    "The details of the product the otherpany giarized from us are copied down to the smallest details." Li Xiuying heard pages flipping from her sister''s end. She had emailed the initial report to Li Chuntao to get her opinion.


    "Maybe I should oversee the partnership of Li Corporation while I''m there. Grandpa and Uncle Yuren''s intention was to have strategic business cooperation with one of thergest ITpanies there. I''m sure they wouldn''t mind if I volunteer myself to do the job."


    The distribution of the benefits between thepanies hadn''t been negotiated yet. While the talks had been put on hold because of the giarism issues that arose recently, Li Corporation was still very interested in the matter..


    Li Xiuying decided to pick up this case once shepletes her task here to keep her mind upied with work, not giving herself a chance to grieve over the end of her marriage.


    "This business deal has been dragged on for too long. You don''t need to worry,Ying. I''m sure thepany here is more anxious to seal the deal with Li Corporation as soon as possible. Since they are anxious, we only need to wait for a while and they''lle looking for us," Li Chuntao reiterated.


    Using a psychological tactic in the business world was a norm though it is scary. One cannot easily step into the battlefield unprepared for the consequences. This was why most of the businessmen were conniving and ruthless.


    When the call finally ended, Li Xiuying went to the study and unlocked the top drawer of her desk. She pulled out the folder with the divorce papers her husband handed to her a week ago.


    Her emotional bank had already been depleted by Mu Jianyu. He was right. It was pointless to be tied in a loveless marriage.


    ¡ª-


    Li Chuntao gave herself several seconds to calm down after she ended her call with her sister. Her hand gripping her phone tightly, eyes aze with murderous intent over the man who dared to bully her twin sister.


    There wasn''t a hint of warmth in it but the coldness that her twin sister wasn''t familiar with. Yes, her eyes were so cold, even vicious, if Li Xiuying could see her right now, she wouldn''t be able to believe that Chuntao was capable of it.


    Did that insignificant pest thought he can get away unscathed after disrespecting her twin sister? Did he really think he could make a fool out of the Li family members?


    When she first saw the man, she was wary that he would make Ying cry. Perhaps her eyes always made people feel she could see what was in their heart so Mu Jianyu distanced himself from her and never dared to approach her despite her being his wife''s twin.


    What Ying saw in him was beyond Li Chuntao''s understanding. She couldn''t see anything spectacr about the man her sister was married to.


    Only a few people can deceive Li Chuntao''s eyes and Mu Jianyu wasn''t one of them.


    Ying must beughing earlier for her not to get worried but Chuntao knew¡­ she knew that sometimesughing was worse than crying. Her twin sister had been so used to hiding her worries and sadness in a false mask of smile andughter.


    How could people know about her devious heart? Li Chuntao had an angel-like face, just like her sister. It was a pity that they didn''t know what kind of angel she was.


    A few minutester, she made a call from her phone again. This time, it was a voice of a man who answered her call.


    "Miss Chuntao?" Su Ling''s voice can be heard from the opposite end.


    "Is Song Zexi with you?" She asked without wasting time.


    "Yes,"


    "Good, then I have a job for the two of you. You mustn''t let Ying know about this, do you hear me?'' She said with such coldness that caused Su Ling to swallow the lump in his throat.


    Li Chuntao had shared the same temperament of her uncle, Li Yuren, which made her more overbearing than she already was.


    "I''m sure my sister ran a background check on that whore. Send everything to my email.. I expect to see it tonight and oh," she paused as a thought crossed her mind, "if you can dig more on her and Mu Jianyu''s dirty secret, I''ll will reward you well."

 Chapter 42 - You Asked For Divorce, Dont Regret It Later (1)

    A week passed in a blink of an eye.


    Theunching of Li Corporation''s newest product was sessful after thepany had managed to settle the giarism issue. Li Xiuying''s takeover of thepany''s management not only brought a significant rise in sales, but also resulted in a rebound in the stock prices. Thepany has now recovered to its state prior to the issue of the giarized product.


    The celebration was in time with thepany''s anniversary so the PR department was busy sending out invitations to prominent people within the business and social circle. They also coborated with the media with the intention of making it a big event within the capital.


    As thepany''s condition drastically improved, Li Xiuying''s workload was lessened. Since tonight was the celebration party of thepany, Song Zexi was busy finding dresses for Li Xiuying to choose and wearter.


    Meanwhile, Su Ling excused himself to stay outside as he made secret phone calls to investigate Lin Meirong as per Li Chuntao''s order.


    While they were busy, Li Xiuying remained in her office, reviewing the reports she received that morning. There was a bunch of work to be done before she could leave the country to follow Chuntao overseas.


    Li Xiuying was reviewing the marketing n for the next six months while the clock on her table indicated that it was already past the working hours and she could actually leave if she wanted to.


    At this time, Song Zexi came back to her office with a huge box in her hands. She put the box directly on Li Xiuying''s table and said, "Miss, I returned the dresses you didn''t like. What about this one? I think this dress suits you well," she beamed a smile to her miss.


    Li Xiuying sighed and pushed her seat away from herputer. She reluctantly stood from her seat and removed the lid of the box.


    "Is this the dress you picked?" She asked Song Zexi.


    Her bodyguard shook her head.


    "No, no, this is Madam''s choice. She called me to pick this up from the Li Mansion."


    "My Aunt Yue?" Li Xiuying was surprised by her aunt''s initiative. How did she know she was having a hard time to choose a dress for tonight''s asion?


    At that thought, she took the dress inside the box and unfolded it. It was actually a modern cheongsam dress. It was a long white piece with blue floral patterns from its left shoulder down to its chest, then another floral design printed on its skirt.


    "It''s beautiful¡­" she murmured to Song Zexi.


    "I knew you would like it," Song Zexiughed beside her. "I thought you''re getting tired of the western dresses, so I asked Madam Li for an opinion. She said that this style is very popr these days and the color suits you."


    "Thank you, Song Zexi. I know you and Su Ling have been working hardtely because of me. I''ve been troubling you. I really appreciate your help."


    Song Zexi gasped and covered her mouth in shock. She knew that her miss was kind but this was the first time she thanked her like this.


    "No, no, Miss Ying, please don''t say that! It''s me who wanted to help you. As long as you are happy and safe that''s enough for me."


    Li Xiuying chuckled, amused at her bodyguard''s flushed face. Song Zexi was two years older than her but she acted like a younger sister sometimes.


    "Miss Ying, why don''t you try it on and see if it fits? If it doesn''t, I can bring it to someone for a quick fix." But as soon as she said it, Song Zexi''s stomach growled in hunger. She had skipped her meal to find this dress for Li Xiuying.


    Li Xiuying raised a brow and shook her head, clearly understanding the situation.


    "Why don''t you go to the cafeteria and eat first? I''ll try the dress on while you''re eating. Come backter when you are done."


    "Then I''ll go now, Miss Ying," Song Zexi scratched her head and turned around and walked towards the door. "I''lle back as soon as I can,"


    "There''s no need to rush, Xi''er!" Ying said yfully before she walked out of the office.


    Li Xiuying looked at the dress in her hands then to the pile of papers waiting for her to read, but she knew it was hard to get her focus back to her work when Song Zexi and her Aunt Yue brought her a nice gift.


    Knowing that she wouldn''t be able to continue her work at this rate, she swiftly removed her blouse and skirt and slipped her high heels off her feet. Within the walls of her office, she had enough privacy to do whatever she wanted.


    With Su Ling posted outside, she would know at once if she had a visitoring to meet her.


    She was impressed by the quality of the cheongsam. It feltfortable on her skin and flowed well on her body, although she noticed that it was quite fit around her chest and hips. It made her chest appear distinct as she checked her reflection in the mirror.


    Had she gained weight? Li Xiuying wasn''t sure herself. Ever since she talked to Chuntao, she resumed her daily life and had been eating as usual.


    Song Zexi had been with her for years and knew her preference and body measurement. It was impossible for her not to know her right measurements when she had done the same task several times before.


    Well, maybe she could still use it. It wasn''t that tight anyway. She was fastening the buttons when the door opened unexpectedly behind her, startling her.


    Mu Jianyu was standing at the door with an envelope in his hand.. A shocked expression appeared on his face when he saw her.

 Chapter 43 - You Asked For Divorce, Dont Regret It Later (2)

    Li Xiuying had no idea what he wanted from her right now. For the past few days, she was the one who avoided meeting him. She was forcing herself to get used to a life without him and it wouldn''t help her to move on if she was still seeing him everywhere she goes.


    She was dumbfounded for a moment upon seeing him but recovered immediately after. She took her coat that she ced on top of her desk, turned around before cing it over her shoulders.


    "What are you doing here?" She sounded annoyed but Mu Jianyu didn''t notice it. She decided to ignore the look he had earlier and turned around to get back to her desk.


    Sitting behind the table, away from her husband, Li Xiuying pretended to be busy working before asking him.


    "Why are you still here? Aren''t you going to attend the partyter?"


    It took some seconds before Mu Jianyu broke his daze and blinked twice at his wife''s question. His hand lifted the envelope on it to show the purpose of his unannounced visit.


    "I''m here for this." Mu Jianyu waved it with his hand.


    Li Xiuying nced on it before turning her gaze back to his face. It was obvious what the envelope had inside.


    "This is my official resignation as the CTO of Li Corporation. I hope you''ll approve it, Ying," he strode towards her desk and ced his resignation letter on top of it.


    Li Xiuying lifted her head and met his eyes. Now, they were only separated by her desk.


    So he''d nned to leave thepany no matter what. Did he think that by leaving thepany, they wouldn''t be able to find evidence against him?


    She nodded and epted his resignation on the spot, surprising Mu Jianyu. He thought that she''d question his actions and wouldin over it.


    "I have no reason why I shouldn''t approve it. You made huge sacrifices for Li Corporation and that''s something I can never repay you with," she told him.


    No¡­ Mu Jianyu wanted to correct her. He didn''t do all those things for thepany''s sake. All those sleepless nights spent overtime was because of her. He never wanted to be known in the businessmunity only because of her.


    He did not speak but tried to understand what was her intention. Her actions surprised him as it wasn''t what he had expected.


    Mu Jianyu wondered if Lin Meirong''s assumptions weren''t really baseless as he initially thought.


    "I''ve already informed my family about our impending divorce and they have no objections¡­ It is just¡­" Li Xiuying paused and stared straight into his eyes. "They want to hear the reason why we are divorcing,"


    No, the Li family didn''t really care for his reasons as they were already aware of his infidelity but Li Xiuying wondered if he would remain a liar until the end. Would he dare to deny Lin Meirong''s existence until now or would he be brave enough to admit that he''d fallen out of love with her and found someone new?


    Recovering from the unthinkable betrayal and shock her husband had given her, Li Xiuying, now with a clearer mind, had made a bold decision to let go and let Mu Jianyu suffer the repercussions of his actions.


    Though she struggled to choose her next path, talking to her twin sister had somehow lessened the troubles in her heart. She might not be able to witness Mu Jianyu''s imminent downfallter and Lin Meirong''s bitter end but it didn''t matter as long as she and her child wouldn''t get involved with it.


    "Ying, I''m pretty sure you can tell them the reason. Why ask when it''s already obvious that this marriage isn''t working for the two of us?"


    "Well, are you sure that you aren''t cheating on me? Didn''t you ask me for divorce because of another woman?" She countered. "Didn''t you fall out of love because you''ve found a new one?"


    Mu Jianyu was frozen in his spot, his jaws dropped at his wife''s tant questioning. Was she suspecting him of adultery? Did she really know about his affair with Lin Meirong?


    However, in the end, Mu Jianyu shut his mouth close, his lips forming a thin line.


    "Ying, how can you say something like that? No one''sparable to you. This¡­ I''m only asking you for divorce so both of us could be truly happy, even if it isn''t by each other''s side."


    The corner of Li Xiuying''s lips curled into a smile, something Mu Jianyu found unusual. It wasn''t the same sweet smile she always gave to him. Her smile didn''t even reach her eyes. Anyway, who would be happy if you found out your marriage had crumbled down and was far from saving?


    Lies after lies, wasn''t he afraid to be hit by lightning? His neverending deceit and lies would be the death of him. Why was she expecting a different result whenever she confronted him with his lies? To make matters worse, she pretended to be ignorant so that he doesn''t realize she knows ¡ª it was ayer of deceit upon deceit, but it''s what she needs to do to win somehow.


    Every lie he uttered only made him despicable in her eyes. There was no hope for him any longer. One day when karmaes after him, he should only me himself.


    "I see¡­" Li Xiuying nodded.. "You''re the one who asked for the divorce, you better make sure you won''t regret thister."

 Chapter 44 - You Asked For Divorce, Dont Regret It Later (3)

    For a moment, they looked into each other''s eyes. Then Mu Jianyu quickly avoided and withdrew his gaze. He hated that she was still able to evoke some feelings from him whenever he was with her.


    Without paying any more attention to him, Li Xiuying turned off herputer and tidied up her desk before taking her handbag. She was ready to leave. The man in front of her cannot be kept anymore. It was time for her to give up and let him go.


    With one hand on the doorknob, Li Xiuying didn''t even bother to face him. She didn''t want him to see how broken she was, how she became a woman she barely recognized because of him. Wiping off all the emotions from her face, she was ready to leave him for good.


    She was about to leave her office when his voice reached her ears.


    "The divorce papers¡­. Have you signed it?" He reminded her. His tone was dead serious as if he couldn''t wait for their divorce to finalize.


    "Why so eager to divorce me?" Li Xiuying said with a lowugh. Sheughed at herself in her heart. Why, of course, he couldn''t wait to run to wherever his mistress was. Silently, a tear slid down from the corner of her eyes and over the smile on her lips. She hoped that this would be thest time she would see him because it still damn hurts to know that he wasn''t the same person she came to love.


    ''If I never fell in love with him, would I be happier?'' she wondered.


    Li Xiuying felt the knife before she saw it. She looked into the eyes of the wielder. It was her husband from so long ago. The eyes that were once filled with so much love were now reced with bitterness and hate. The only thing that showed any resemnce to the old person that she loved was the shell the bitter soul inhabited. The person she loved was gone.


    "Now that you don''t need the Li Corporation, this marriage has no value to you anymore?" Her body slightly trembled as sheughed at him.


    "Ying¡­"


    "If I sign, then what? Will the grudges you feel for me and my family be settled? Jianyu, you better make sure you will not regret thister. I wouldn''t be able to help you if a problem arises."


    Mu Jianyu frowned, not understanding what she meant.


    "I am sure,"


    "The man you were, the one I married, would have kicked your ass all over this God damn room for talking to me like that." She chuckled and shook her head. "You were someone. You were that man, the one who had the principles and the backbone who never allowed anyone to hurt me but now, you''re the first one to do so."


    When Mu Jianyu didn''t say anything, Li Xiuying continued.


    "Then wait for this weekend. I''ll sign the papers and will let Hou Chen file it at the registry affairs." Were Li Xiuying''s parting words before she stepped out of her office with her head down. Her eyes were so misty that she couldn''t see anything at all as tears fell from her eyes.


    She heard footstepsing her way and saw Song Zexi staring at her with a worried look in her eyes.


    "Let''s go. We need to prepare for tonight''s event," Li Xiuying said as she wiped her tears dry and walked away with her bodyguards following behind her.


    ---


    The Li Corporation''s anniversary party was star-studded. Famous celebrities and business moguls and socialites and even the five famous families of the capital graced the red carpet but none of the reporters had seen Li Xiuying yet. Mu Jianyu had arrived earlier alone without his wife and had greeted the media stationed outside the banquet hall.


    The reception at the party would start at eight. Half an hour before it started, Li Xiuying arrived at the hotel where it will be held with Shen Zichen by her side. Instead of her husband, it was her childhood friend who would apany her tonight much to the shock of the media and others.


    Cameras shed frantically as the media saw the two of them stepped out from the same car with Shen Zichen escorting the CEO of Li Corporation.


    "Oh my, I haven''t seen them together for years. It''s a pity they didn''t end up being together," A senior reporter sighed with disappointment.


    "Don''t lose hope yet!" His junior eximed beside him, "I got an exclusive scoop that Lady Li''s marriage with Mu Jianyu is already on the rocks and divorce is pending. His sudden resignation also proved that they aren''t on good terms."


    "Oh? Is this why we''re seeing Lady Li and Young Master Shen being together again? They''re a good match, in my honest opinion. I''m sure the ShenLu couple wouldn''t mind weing Miss Ying as their daughter-inw,"


    "Ohh, it would be the wedding of the decade if they truly end up together. This will also unite both Li and the Shen families. Not only would it be great for business but it would also strengthen their influence in the society," another reporter who heard their conversationmented.


    Mu Jianyu, who identally overheard the conversation, halted in his steps. His face darkened with hostility against the young master of the Shen''s. It was always like this whenever it came to Li Xiuying and Shen Zichen.. They always made him feel unwanted, someone who derailed what was inevitable between the two childhood friends.

 Chapter 45 - Not Giving Him A Face (1)

    Not everyone was born with a status like Shen Zichen and Li Xiuying, that was why they didn''t need to work hard and earn everyone''s approval to be content. Unlike them, Mu Jianyu came from a humble and broken family. His father ran away and left their family after umting an unbearable amount of gambling debt,which forced him and his mother to break their backs trying to pay it off.


    Since young, Mu Jianyu was an ambitious person. He wasn''t one who would be content with a small achievement and would be fighting to get what he wanted whether it was the school ranking, a race, or a business deal. He would have it no matter what.


    He set up gentle traps step by step and waited patiently. Even if it took him time to get what he wanted as long as he could get, Mu Jianyu was willing to wait. Among his targets, Li Xiuying was his best prize, his prized possession.


    He''d fallen in love with her at their first meeting and hadn''t known that she was a Li princess but this only made the chase more exciting than it already was. Li Xiuying was every man''s dream. Her beauty and grace were unparalleled, iparable. The mere sight of her was already a chance to behold.


    But Mu Jianyu was aware that it would be hard to get her. She was unattainable for someone like him so he''d doubled his efforts and worked hard until he ensnared Li Xiuying and made her madly in love with him.


    She was Li Xiuying, a Li princess and while her twin sister and the Li family disapproved of him, they would have no choice but ept him into the family for Li Xiuying''s sake. While it was true that he loved her, his ambition and pride were greater than.


    It was also his way to get even with Shen Zichen. Since he was a young boy, he had topete with young masters who came from wealthy families and had always beenpared to them in terms of strength and weaknesses.


    Among them was Shen Zichen. Shen Zichen might not know, but he was popr during his days at their university, overshadowing so many young men including him. He was part of the cream of the crop. He was always self-righteous and had an aura that looked down on everyone as if they were beneath him.


    The only constion they got was they were spared when he''d chosen to be a doctor over entering the business circle with his ssmates. However, this doesn''t mean Mu Jianyu and the others would be spared by the infamous genius princess of the Shen family, Shen Lingqing. She might be a few years younger than them but her expertise in her chosen field was admirable.


    By having Li Xiuying, how can Mu Jianyu lose this opportunity to make Shen Zichen suffer?


    ''Shen Zichen, you might have beaten me and have everything in your hands. It''s a pity though, the only woman you ever wanted fell into my hands.''


    However, now, Mu Jianyu felt that he''d lost to Shen Zichen once again as he watched his wife wound her arm with Shen Zichen as they entered the banquet hall together. He''d watched them from afar the moment they arrived and when Li Xiuying greeted the guest with a genuine smile with Shen Zichen beside her as if it was the most natural thing to do.


    Why? Why did it feel like somehow he was the one ousted by Li Xiuying when in fact he was the one who asked for a divorce? Was it his pride that couldn''t ept their separation?


    Moreover, by arriving with the young master of the Shen family, was Li Xiuying not giving him face in public? They hadn''t divorced yet she''d appeared with another man as if she was parading that she wouldn''t lose anything once their divorce was finalized.


    Mu Jianyu clenched his hands on his side, suppressing the rage he was feeling. No. He couldn''t be mad with Li Xiuying. He''d never get mad at her or hurt her physically. However, what he didn''t know was that he''d broken her beyond recognition.


    Li Xiuying was wearing that same white floral cheongsam he''d seen her wearing earlier, although this time her long hair was pulled away from her face and was held on top of her head with beautiful hairpins.


    Next to her, Shen Zichen was sitting elegantly while his face remained expressionless. He was wearing a ck and white tuxedo and he had such a forbidding air that no stranger dared to approach him. However, whenever he looked at or talked to Li Xiuying, the coldness on his face lessened, his eyes smiling back at her with rare warmth that no one else had seen.


    Mu Jianyu decided to greet Li Xiuying and ignored the curious looks the guests were throwing his way. Goddamn, he was still her husband, alright? How dare they talk as if he wasn''t there, to begin with?


    Li Xiuying whispered something in Shen Zichen''s ear before thetter nodded with confusion. He eyed Mu Jianyu momentarily and scoffed to himself.


    "Excuse me," Li Xiuying told the other guest and met her husband halfway. She declined the waiter''s offer for a flute of wine along the way.


    "Ying¡­ You came," he had led her to one of the empty hallways where he can talk to her privately.


    Li Xiuying''s smile faltered as she saw him while Shen Zichen raised a brow at Mu Jianyu''s audacity to seek after her.


    "I''m sorry, I was dyed a bit as I had to pick up Brother Zichen from his shift.. Is there something you need?" Li Xiuying questioned him, not giving him a chance to prolong their conversation.

 Chapter 46 - Not Giving Him A Face (2)

    Mu Jianyu''s jaw hardened. It was obvious that Li Xiuying was distancing herself from him even before they made their divorce public. He was the one who wanted the divorce but why did his heart ache when she turned her eyes away from him?


    He took another good look at her appearance and that only made his displeasure apparent on his face. The cheongsam she was donning clung to her body almost like a second skin.


    Li Xiuying arched a brow at him, waiting for him to say something but none came out. Instead, he looked aggrieved.


    "Why are you wearing something like this?" came his muffled response. He''d seen men''s eyes feasting over his wife''s looks and it angered him to death.


    Li Xiuying had to blink twice, not sure if she had heard him right. Was he questioning her outfit for tonight? Ridiculous! He would let his mistress dress provocatively in public and yet he was questioning her decency?


    "I didn''t know that my soon to be ex-husband still pays attention to what I do. Isn''t this surprising, hubby?"


    For the past weeks, he had ignored her. His face always had a frown whenever she touched him. Whenever he saw her in her work outfit which was filled with paint smears, the look of disgust on his face wasn''t lost to her.


    ''You only like to see this side of me, don''t you?'' Li Xiuying thought grimly.


    Why hadn''t she realized this earlier? Why didn''t she think that he only sought her because of the face that she had and the family that was supporting her?


    Did he ever love her or did he only love what she could provide for him?


    Her twin sister might have known from the start but didn''t say anything for her sake but still, it pained Li Xiuying to finally see her husband''s true colors. Ha, he''d only used her¡­ and now that she''d served her purpose and wasn''t able to give him a child that he wanted, Mu Jianyu cast her out in favor of his mistress.


    In the end, what did Mu Jianyu truly love? Was it her face? Her money? Or the opportunities he would get by having her?


    Li Xiuying chuckled inwardly. She knew the answer, alright. Her husband only loved and cared for himself. Such a selfish bastard that he was.


    "Ying, why do you want to fight with me? Even if we''re about to separate. Must you act this way?" He questioned her back.


    Li Xiuying''s face sank with utter disgust at her own husband. No wonder her twin sister disapproved of him.


    "First of all, you are the one fighting with me. Weren''t you the one who started this?" Her tone was filled with grief and betrayal, surprising Mu Jianyu. She had never shed a tear in front of him and he thought that she was strong enough to ept the blow he''d left with her with the divorce papers.


    "At least, give me some face," Mu Jianyu held her arm painfully and hissed on her face. "You couldn''t wait to throw yourself to Shen Zichen? Is that it?"


    "Let me go," Li Xiuying resisted from his tight hold and stepped back. "Are you crazy?!"


    Was he jealous? Did he even know how to feel jealous?


    He was mad at her for not giving him face into public by arriving with Shen Zichen but did he give her some face when he took Lin Meirong as his mistress, impregnating her in the process?


    Mu Jianyu looked at her with derision. He was blinded with jealousy upon seeing his wife with his sworn enemy.


    "That''s it, isn''t it? The reason why you easily agreed to divorce me is because of Shen Zichen. Not yet divorced but you are already willing to climb on another man''s bed?"


    Li Xiuying was appalled by his words. Rage filled her chest and she couldn''t stop herself as her handnded on his face with a loud p.


    Did he even hear his own words? Wasn''t he the one who asked for a divorce and yet he was the one questioning her rtionship with Shen Zichen?


    "What are you talking about, Jianyu? You know Brother Zichen is my long time friend. How can you say something like that?!"


    She and Chuntao had known the Shen twins for a long time and people were already ustomed to seeing them together.


    At those words, Mu Jianyuughed with ridicule in his face.


    "I''m not blind, Ying. I''m also a man. I know when a man is lusting after my wife,"


    "Mu Jianyu!" Li Xiuying eximed.


    "What? Still pretending you didn''t know?" He taunted her with a chuckle. "Young Master Shen is madly in love with you but he couldn''t have you. Do you know why? Because you are mine. You are my wife." He pointed out.


    Li Xiuying was struck with revulsion over his behavior. Has he always been like this?


    "It''s only about you, Jianyu. I''m giving you the freedom you are asking for. What else do you want from me?" Her eyes stung with tears again but she refused to let them fall in his presence.


    However, her pain-stricken face shocked her husband. Li Xiuying had failed to stop her tears as it rolled down her cheeks.


    "What about me? Did your selfish mind think about what I will feel when you asked for a divorce? When you handed me the divorce papers, did you wonder how hurt I''ll be? You left without wasting any time and abandoned me in our apartment. Did you even have any idea what I felt after that?"


    "Ying, you¡ª," His assumptions were incorrect.. He''d hurt her worse than he expected.

 Chapter 47 - This Marriage Didn’t Crumble On Its Own (1)

    Mu Jianyu looked at her and for the first time since he asked for the divorce, he now sees how much he destroyed the woman he imed to have loved. He destroyed her more than he ever thought and turned her into a person he couldn''t recognize. Her eyes did not have the shine and smile anymore.


    His heart squeezed painfully inside his chest. Was this guilt? This heart-wrenching feeling he had right now¡­ what was it?


    "You said our marriage was dying but have you ever tried to save it?" She barraged him with questions, questions Mu Jianyu didn''t know how to answer. He was still in shock from seeing her tear-stained face.


    "Divorce? Where did thate from? Months ago we were talking about a vacation in the mountains, a vacation both us badly needed. I had no idea our marriage was this awful? I am shocked and devastated. I kept thinking what went wrong?"


    "There are days when I thought that maybe this was all a dream and when I wake up things will be back to normal but this isn''t a dream, is it? This is a nightmare, a nightmare where I am the only one trapped inside while you act like nothing was wrong." Li Xiuying continued, her voice sounded broken as tears continued to fall from her eyes.


    ''When you brought Lin Meirong home and made love to her on our marital bed, did you ever think of me?'' This was a question she didn''t dare to voice out. She could only curse them in her heart because she wouldn''t do anything. She will have to face a long road ahead to repair the damage they have caused.


    Li Xiuying hated him now. Maybe it was true that the more you love someone, the hate that would followter would be as intense of her feelings for him. She wouldn''t beg him to stay, won''t make demands for her sake.


    There were some rtionships that weren''t meant tost forever and that includes this marriage.


    The distance between them kept growing and she was left helpless. The problems in their marriage corroded it to the point where it was already unsalvageable. Even if she fights for him, screams for him, her voice would never reach him.


    Li Xiuying wouldn''t ruin herself to destroy them. This was not the time to fall apart, go into a rage, or get vengeful. She will move forward with confidence that Mu Jianyu would never be able to break her again.


    Whether it seems out of the blue or she''d been sensing it for a long time, it was still scary for her to hear her husband say, "I want a divorce." She may be prepared to do anything to save the marriage, including therapy but Mu Jianyu had said that he was done.


    "Now, let me remind you that this marriage didn''t crumble on its own. You contributed to it. You can''t possibly put all the me on me when you know yourself that you haven''t exerted enough effort to make it work for both of us. Since you''ve decided to part with me, may I remind you not to meddle with my affairs? Whether I date or marry Shen Zichen after our divorce is none of your business." She said in a matter of fact tone that stabbed Mu Jianyu.


    Just the thought of her being with Shen Zichen almost drove Mu Jianyu into insanity. No¡­ he cannot allow it to happen but he couldn''t also leave Lin Meirong now that she was carrying his child.


    If only Ying had conceived a child for him, perhaps none of these would happen. They would remain husband and wife and he wouldn''t have to seek another woman to get the happiness he''d always wanted.


    Again, she cursed him in her heart, but her face disyed a pained expression that Mu Jianyu would never forget as long as he lived. The same expression would haunt him even in his dreams in the darkness of the night where he would never see her again.


    After wiping her tears dry, Li Xiuying silently left her husband. She went to the other hall that was also reserved by her family to be alone. Mu Jianyu could only watch her retreating back as she walked away not only from him but his life.


    She didn''t intend to deal with him anymore and was willing to start anew in another ce where he wouldn''t be able to hurt her. He would have nothing to do with her after from this point onwards.


    Within the hall, only the dim lights were turned on by the hotel staff. The table and chairs were empty as the guests partied at the main banquet hall and there wasn''t a single soul around to witness her bitterness and resentment.


    The piano on the stage was the only one left uncovered and Li Xiuying leisurely went up the stairs and sat on the bench. She ced her hands carefully over the keys, making sure it was tuned properly before she began ying a tune she knew from the heart.


    It was the song their fatherposed for their mother during their fourth wedding anniversary and both she and Chuntao took some time to y this piece after their parents'' passing.


    The music resounded within the empty hall, soothing the pain in her heart, reminding her of the unconditional love her parents and twin sister had given her.. She might have lost Mu Jianyu but she would never be short of people who truly loved her.

 Chapter 48 - This Marriage Didn’t Crumble On Its Own (2)

    This was the sight that greeted Shen Zichen when he found Li Xiuying. Away from everyone''s prying eyes, ying the familiar tune that could soothe her pain in private.


    Without Li Chuntao around, it was hard for Ying to stay strong in her present situation. She''d always relied on her twin sister whenever she was feeling down or upset. It didn''t change even after she married Mu Jianyu years ago.


    Li Xiuying heard his footsteps but didn''t turn her head to acknowledge his presence. She was so engrossed with her music that Shen Zichen remained silent and let her finish ying her piece as he stood next to her.


    "You found me," Li Xiuying said after thest note of the piano died in the air.


    "Uncle Yuren is looking for you. I think they need you for your speech." Shen Zichen informed her.


    "I see¡­"


    Silence ensued between them, with only the musicing from the piano could be heard within the hall as Li Xiuying continued to y another piece she''dposed herself. Unlike the first one, this one left a haunting melody to the listener, letting them experience the neverending pain the musician suffers through music.


    "Brother Zichen, I have something to tell you¡­" Li Xiuying started. She nced to her side and saw him focusing on what she was about to say.


    Her heart was moved by the patience this man had just for her. If only she could teach her heart to love him, to ept his love, her Brother Zichen wouldn''t have to suffer with her in silence.


    "I regret not knowing what you feel for me sooner. I wonder¡­ I wonder if I had known sooner, do you think I wouldn''t have to marry Mu Jianyu and suffer this kind of betrayal? I should''ve known that the reason why you suddenly went abroad after my wedding was because of me. Brother Zichen, would you forgive me?"


    ''Forgive me for the pain I caused you, forgive me for not knowing sooner¡­''


    "There''s nothing for you to apologize, Ying. It was my own decision and I''m the only one responsible for my actions," Shen Zichen told her.


    Li Xiuying graced a small smile and nodded.


    "But you''ve waited for me for a long time¡­ Brother Zichen, I hope someday you''ll meet someone who could return your feelings, someone who could make you happy no matter what."


    It might sound so selfish of her to ask him to move on but Li Xiuying thinks that Shen Zichen had waited long enough. He also deserved his freedom from her and let himself see the world beyond her.


    The person who will love him with all her heart wasn''t her and she might be somewhere out there waiting for him to turn his eyes her way.


    Shen Zichen remained silent but as he inclined his head towards her, it indicated that he was listening.


    "I decided to ept the task as Deputy CEO to represent thepany overseas. I''ll be leaving next weekend. Chuntao and I decided that after my divorce was settled here, I will follow her there and stay with her for a few years," she said in a low voice.


    At those words, Shen Zichen''s eyes widened. It took him some time to understand what Li Xiuying meant. No wonder she was telling him to move on without her.


    "I understand but if you ever need help you must call me or Yuyan at once," he responded.


    The love he had for her was doomed to reach the bitter end but Shen Zichen had known this the moment he realized his feelings for her. She''d made herself clear and he would respect it regardless if he would be hurt in the progress.


    "I know I can always count on you, Brother Zichen."


    And with that, the two came back to the banquet hall which was noticed by everyone. Gossips and rumors started to spread but neither of them tried to clear the issue which only annoyed Mu Jianyu further.


    He could only watch Shen Zichen escorting his wife to the stage as she gave her speech to their guests before he stepped down and found his little sister in the crowd.


    Mu Jianyu''s eyes didn''t leave Shen Zichen the moment he stepped back into the banquet hall with his wife. Li Xiuying''s eyes weren''t bloodshot like earlier. It didn''t even look like she''d been crying before.


    His eyes met Shen Lingqing''s eyes, watching him with a look at Shen Zichen with remorse. Her bright eyes looked at him as if she could see past his pretentiousness.


    Mu Jianyu gave her a curt nod before averting his gaze. He wouldn''t dare to offend the Shen princess.


    Noticing that Shen Lingqing wasn''t paying attention to what he said, Shen Zichen followed her gaze and saw Mu Jianyu looking at them. His jaws hardened and chose to ignore the man, offering an arm to his little sister as they greeted the other investors who attended the event.


    "What''s wrong, Zi Gege? Did you have an argument with Mu Jianyu?" Shen Lingqing couldn''t help but question him once they were away from everyone''s earshot.


    "He and Ying are divorcing. She''ll follow Chuntao soon." Shen Zichen exined the situation in a few words but Shen Lingqing easily understood what he meant.


    "You told her, didn''t you?" She asked.


    Because if he hadn''t, he wouldn''t look as lost as the moment he came back with the older Li twin.


    When her brother didn''t respond, Shen Lingqing''s lips curled up. Li Xiuying was really her older brother''s kryptonite.. This ice block would only get tense if it was about Li Xiuying.

 Chapter 49 - What Are You Doing Here? (1)

    Several hourster, the party was over. Only a few people remained at the banquet hall. Shen Zichen drove Li Xiuying back to the penthouse she shared with her sister. She was dead tired from the event and had already fallen asleep in Shen Zichen''s passenger seat.


    "Ying," Shen Zichen gently shook her shoulder to wake her up. "We''re here."


    But Li Xiuying swatted his hand and turned to her side and continued to sleep.


    Sighing to himself, Shen Zichen picked her up and locked his car before stepping inside the elevator with Su Ling and Song Zexi who were holding their Miss''s shoes and forgotten handbag. He adjusted Li Xiuying in his arms and let Su Ling push the button for the penthouse.


    "Thank you," he politely thanked Su Ling, which the man appreciated.


    Seeing him like this, Su Ling couldn''t help butpare his Miss Ying''s husband to this Young Master Shen.


    Li Xiuying groaned as the elevator moved up but didn''t wake up. The long day must have exhausted her and her pregnancy was starting to take a toll on her health.


    Su Ling unlocked the security on the penthouse and let Shen Zichen inside with Li Xiuying still in his arms.


    Song Zexi led him inside and opened Ying''s bedroom door, allowing Shen Zichen to tuck Li Xiuying on her bed.


    "Young Master Shen, thank you for helping Miss Ying." Song Zexi bowed her head once they stepped outside Li Xiuying''s room.


    Shen Zichen nodded but didn''t say anything. However, he clearly remembered that Li Xiuying would be leaving in a week.


    "Ying told me she will be leaving soon to follow Chuntao. Are you going to go with her?" He asked out of curiosity.


    Song Zexi shared a knowing look with Su Ling before nodding her head.


    "Yes," she affirmed, "It was Miss Chuntao''s request and we will be going anywhere our Miss goes,"


    "Then that''s good. I wouldn''t have to worry about her welfare as long as the two of you are with her."


    Ah, why¡­ why couldn''t it be him? Song Zexi cried in her heart. Why couldn''t her miss choose Young Master Shen instead of that scumbag of a husband? However, she knew well that one''s heart cannot be forced to love someone.


    Their conversation was disrupted when the phone inside Li Xiuying''s handbag rang, disturbing the peace of the night.


    Song Zexi excused herself and took the phone out to see if it was their Miss Chuntao who was calling. Their Miss Chuntao had been consistent these past few nights, calling Li Xiuying to check on her.


    However, checking the caller ID, she frowned when she saw that it was Mu Jianyu who was calling their Miss.


    "Who is it? Is it Miss Chuntao?" Su Ling asked, noticing the awkwardness in the atmosphere when she checked the caller ID.


    Instead of answering his question, Song Zexi turned the screen towards him and Shen Zichen to show who it was. The good mood between the two men vanished as they stared at Li Xiuying''s phone, which was still ringing in Song Zexi''s hand.


    "What does he want now? Did he change his mind now that Miss Ying is willing to divorce him?" Su Ling frowned. If Mu Jianyu wasn''t his Miss''s husband, he would have taught the bastard a good lesson already.


    "Give it to me," Shen Zichen demanded, extending his arm with his hand open to receive Ying''s phone.


    Song Zexi didn''t immediately give him the phone. She hesitated. Her eyes then moved towards Li Xiuying''s door and back to his face before she decided toply with his demand.


    The phone continued to ring as she ced it on Shen Zichen''s hand. Shen Zichen noted the weakness of security on Li Xiuying''s phone and made a mental note to remind her about itter. He easily guessed the six digit pin on her phone and swiped the screen to ept the call. He then put it on a loudspeaker so both of Ying''s bodyguards would know what Mu Jianyu wanted from her.


    "Ying, are you free tomorrow? Let''s talk," Mu Jianyu said without confirming first if it was his wife who answered his call.


    "I''m sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Mu but Ying wouldn''t be free to meet you tomorrow," came Shen Zichen icy response.


    The moment Mu Jianyu heard his voice, he immediately hit the break of his car, making a loud screeching sound on the road. He was confused for a moment, not sure if he had heard it wrong. He took his phone from his pocket, making sure it was Ying''s number he had dialed earlier.


    Confirming that he didn''t make a mistake, his blood boiled in anger. He gritted his teeth. Why was Shen Zichen answering his wife''s phone? What was he doing with her at this ungodly hour? Did Shen Zichen seduce his wife?


    "Shen Zichen! What have you done to my wife?!" He yelled at his phone.


    "Your wife?" Shen Zichen chuckled in amusement. "Why don''t I correct you, Mu Jianyu? Shouldn''t you be calling her your ex-wife?"


    Mu Jianyu knew he was right but he couldn''t bring it to himself to call the woman who had been his wife for the past years, his ex-wife. At that moment, he realized that he wasn''t ready to let her go or to lose her to Shen Zichen.


    "Y-you.."


    "What? Are you mad? So what if I''m with Ying right now? What is it to you, ex-husband?" Shen Zichen continued to taunt him much to Su Ling and Song Zexi''s shock.. They never thought that Young Master Shen could speak in such a derogatory tone.

 Chapter 50 - What Are You Doing Here? (2)

    And just like that Shen Zichen managed to piss Mu Jianyu off. Li Xiuying might have turned him down for good but that didn''t mean he would let this chance to annoy Mu Jianyu to death slip from his hand.


    "Ying told me you want to divorce her. Why? Have you finally realized that an insignificant pest like you doesn''t deserve her? Mu Jianyu, I think I should thank you for giving back Ying''s freedom." He added sarcastically. He could already imagine how mad Mu Jianyu was right now as he spoke to him.


    "Shen Zichen!" This man''s shamelessness really didn''t know any boundaries! Shen Zichen was really an expert in putting on airs.


    "I don''t see why you should be angry with me. Shouldn''t you be moving on with your life and leave Ying at peace? After all, aren''t you the one who called it quits between the two of you?"


    "Whether I want to talk with my wife or not is none of you fucking business," Mu Jianyu countered. He forced down the sickening feeling that Li Xiuying had decided to truly move on in her life without him.


    He reignited his car and drove towards the penthouse where Li Xiuying was staying. Shen Zichen must be with her but why were Ying''s bodyguards letting her be alone with another man when their divorce wasn''t settled yet.


    Rage bottled up inside of him. Those people around Li Xiuying didn''t really approve of him and preferred Shen Zichen over him. Even his wife didn''t make a fuss over their divorce and epted it willingly.


    Mu Jianyu couldn''t understand why.


    Why? Was it because he wasn''t born from a wealthy family like Shen Zichen? Was it because he was born as amoner so they looked down on him?


    For as long as he could remember, Mu Jianyu knew Shen Zichen had been looking down on him. Whether it was because of his social status or the fact that he took Li Xiuying from him, Mu Jianyu wasn''t sure.


    However, because he was Li Xiuying''s childhood friend, he couldn''t force her to stay away from Shen Zichen for fear that she would think that he was sowing discord between her and her friend.


    In the end, he felt an enormous need to prove something to everyone; to prove that he was worthy to stand beside Li Xiuying. This strong need became restless, forcing him to go beyond his limitations, letting his insecurities and weaknesses get the best of him.


    "You already had her, so why did you let her go?" Shen Zichen''s question reached his ears. Hisugh was mocking, sessfully creating a bitter feeling inside Mu Jianyu.


    Indeed, why¡­ Why did he let her go in the first ce? His mind was telling him to be free but his heart refused to be parted from her.


    Mu Jianyu couldn''t contain his anger, not only towards Shen Zichen but also towards himself. He was mad at himself. This confusing feeling he had for Li Xiuying had been bugging him for days. He was angry and indignant and wasn''t able to calm down.


    Now listening to Shen Zichen''s words felt like knives being stabbed on his chest one by one with its undeniable truth. His turmolous feeling worsened at every insult Shen Zichen uttered against him.


    "You still call her your wife?" Shen Zichen couldn''t help butugh. "How dare you say that when in fact you''ve mistreated her these past weeks? Your exaggerated reaction right now is making me nauseous, Mu Jianyu. Don''t worry, if the dayes when we decid to tie the knot, I''ll surely not forget to invite you on our special day."


    Not able to endure Shen Zichen''s demeaning words, he hung up on him and elerated his car, eager to see the bastard who coveted after his wife.


    Shen Zichen wasn''t surprised when Mu Jianyu hung up to him. He passed Li Xiuying''s phone back to Song Zexi before checking the time on his wrist watch. The sadistic smile on his face vanished.


    He couldn''t believe he had to use Ying to spite Mu Jianyu. He had been reduced to using her to get an upper hand against Ying''s husband. Mu Jianyu had also used Ying to torture him so how was his behavior now any different from the bastard who used Ying?


    Mu Jianyi was still on the road, driving. Given that he heard the fast ignition of the car on the other end of the line, he assumed that the man was eager to find him and Ying in the same ce.


    A sick part of Shen Zichen wondered howMu Jianyu would react if he found them on the same bed. Would he understand the pain he''d given to Li Xiuying?


    Fifteen minutester, the doorbell of the penthouse rang. Su Ling and Song Zexi checked the security cam and found Mu Jianyu standing outside with a disgruntled expression on his face.


    "What should we do? Should we let him in?" Song Zexi asked Su Ling indecisively.


    While Mu Jianyu was their Miss''s husband, this ce was owned by the Li twins and Li Chuntao specifically instructed them not to let him step into her sacred ce or they would pay a price in return.


    The two would never dare to disobey her order but what if Miss Ying let him inside? Miss Chuntao couldn''t possibly me them for it, right?


    Before they could decide what to do next, Shen Zichen took the initiative and answered the door.


    "What are you doing here?" Mu Jianyu demanded.


    "I could ask you the same question, Mr. Mu.. What are you doingte at night outside your ex-wife''s doorstep?" Shen Zichen countered him.

 Chapter 51 - Not Everyone Is Like You (1)

    Shen Zichen leaned against the door frame as if he was the master of the house, forbidding Mu Jianyu to even take a step inside to see Li Xiuying, who was peacefully sleeping inside her room.


    Right now, he didn''t hide his contempt against the man who caused her pain and sadness. He wouldn''t let Mu Jianyu have another chance to hurt her ever again even if it means he had to y dirty.


    Mu Jianyu scoffed at him and shook his head. He stood arrogantly in front of Shen Zichen.


    "And what makes you think that you have the right to stop me from seeing my wife? Shen Zichen, even if we divorce, you wouldn''t be able to win her heart. You didn''t get her when you had the chance."


    Shen Zichen lowered dangerously. It was something he couldn''t deny but he wouldn''t let Mu Jianyu gain an upper hand against him. His lips curled up in a sneer.


    "And you keep calling her your wife. Are you even worthy to be called her husband? Li Xiuying doesn''t deserve a scum like you. If I were you, I''ll pay attention to my actions and backtrack where I have gone wrong before it''s toote. But since you are stupid enough to cast Ying out of your life, do us a favor. You better not show your ugly face in front of her anymore."


    He wasn''t sure what this man wanted from Li Xiuying but wasn''t it enough that Mu Jianyu not only sessfully broke her as a person but had impregnated another woman behind her back?


    The broken woman that she was, Shen Zichen would never forget her miserable form as she cried her out in front of her parents'' tomb. He knew that even with his eyes closed, he would remember her clearly.


    Li Xiuying was kind enough to willingly forgive his affair but Mu Jianyu continued with his lie after lie. She''d thought it was probably a moment of fleeting passion, but she couldn''t forgive a lie, that was until she identally found out about Lin Meirong''s pregnancy while visiting the film set.


    "The moment you turned your back to her, the moment you asked for a divorce, didn''t you think that you''ve forfeited all the rights you have as her husband?"


    Not giving Mu Jianyu a chance to argue, Shen Zichen continued.


    "Ying told me to tell you not to call her unless it''s important, especially...." he deliberately paused to give emphasis to his next words, "... in her private time. You''ve already given your resignation, right? Ying would only allow distractions when it''s rted to work."


    The two bodyguards of Li Xiuying could only listen to Shen Zichen as they remained unnoticed by Mu Jianyu. At first, they were both shocked to see Young Master Shen being bold to confront their Miss''s husband. However, as they listened intently to the conversation between the two men, they both thought it was better for their Miss not to see and meet Mu Jianyu after this.


    Saying this with a mocking smile, Shen Zichen enjoyed as the other man''s face turned ugly.


    Mu Jianyu''s face turned dark. Even with Lin Meirong already by his side, he wasn''t willing to give up Li Xiuying to Shen Zichen or any other man.


    "Mu Jianyu, I know that you''re a prideful person but couldn''t you see now that Ying doesn''t want to have anything with you. You are in no position to demand something from her when it''s you who cut all the ties with her."


    However, Mu Jianyu wasn''t nning to give up just yet. He needed to see his wife but for whatever reason, Mu Jianyu wasn''t sure himself.


    "I want to see Ying. I''ll only believe you if she said it herself! Shen Zichen, know your ce. I don''t care if you''re Ying''s childhood friend or the young master of the Shen family. Don''t poke your nose into someone else''s marriage!"


    "Marriage that you, yourself have chosen to ruin and abandon." Shen Zichen corrected him much to Mu Jianyu''s displeasure. He wouldn''t let this cheating husband forget his sins towards Ying.


    Mu Jianyu red at him. This enmity between them would never go away. He hated Shen Zichen with a huge passion. His presence buzzed around him like a fly that Mu Jianyu could not swat.


    He had designer clothes, born from a prominent family. He had everything Mu Jianyu never had. And there was him, amoner who was trying to make a name in the world of socialites.


    Mu Jianyu would never understand that envy is the art of counting another man''s blessings instead of your own. He wasn''t content with what he had and this would be the reason he would lose everything.


    "You''ve got what you wanted from Ying. She agreed to divorce you to give back your freedom. What else do you want? You and I both know that Ying isn''t a selfish person. Since you asked for it, you better stay away from her from now on."


    Mu Jianyu''s heart sank at the thought that Li Xiuying didn''t want him anymore. He was insecure about Shen Zichen. His wife was dangerously close to this man who was in love with her. He had enjoyed it when he was the only one in her eyes and when he got her sole attention but he felt uneasy when it came to Shen Zichen. He always felt that there was a wall between them that he could never be able to tear down.


    Mu Jianyu stared at Shen Zichen incredulously, then gave a hollow smile.


    "I wonder if young Master Shen has been waiting for this to seduce my wife on his bed."


    Before he could continue his words, a fist came out of nowhere and struck him hard on his face.

 Chapter 52 - Not Everyone Is Like You (2)

    Shen Zichen rarely gets mad. He prided that he had strong self-control and a mere insult wouldn''t be enough to snap his patience. He developed the same temperament as his father growing up.


    Since he was young, he cultivated this self-control and patience by dealing with his handful of younger siblings. This was why their parents trusted him to look after his siblings whenever they had to leave for business trips.


    However, right now, he was livid. This despicable man continued to poke and test his patience over and over again and he just hit his bottom line. Li Xiuying was his bottom line and that was enough for his self-control to snap.


    Shen Zichen would ept any insult or disrespect on his way but he would never let someone talk bad about Li Xiuying even if it was her own husband.


    Mu Jianyu was shocked and stumbled back from the force that hit his face but instead of falling, which would cause humiliation on his part, he staggered to stand still and strike back at Shen Zichen.


    With Shen Zichen a few inches taller than Mu Jianyu and had more experience with hand to handbat due to his training with his father, he easily avoided Mu Jianyu''s fist with a hand and strike back with a heavier punch on Mu Jianyu''s gut which forced Mu Jianyu to step back in pain.


    "Please stop! Stop!" Song Zexi hurriedly went outside and came between the two men.


    The tension between the two was palpable. Her eyes begged Shen Zichen not to cause a scene that he would regretter but what she saw was something she''d never seen from him. His eyes shed with indignation and anger, much like lightning on a pitch-ck night.


    When it came into a fight, it was obvious who would win between two. However, it would be a nuisance once their Miss Ying found out what happened while she was sleeping.


    Fortunately, the two men separated but they continued to stare down with hostility at each other.


    "Shen Zichen!"


    "Seduce your wife? Not everyone is like you, Mu Jianyu! You should check yourself in the mirror before spouting nonsense about Ying. Wasn''t it you who took another woman in your bed, hurting Ying in the process?" Came Shen Zichen''s harsh reply that seemed to freeze everything around Mu Jianyu.


    "W-what?"


    How did Shen Zichen find out about his secret? He had been careful enough to never be found out.


    "You followed me? You''re the one who feeds this idea to my wife?" He asked incredulously which earned a snort from Shen Zichen.


    "You still don''t know?" Shen Zichen gave him a mockingugh, "You still don''t know that Ying has always known the truth and had saved you from humiliation at her expense? I really don''t know what she sees in a scumbag like you that she was willing to let go rather than ruin that ugly face of yours and your mistress!"


    He just dropped the bomb on Mu Jianyu''s feet, sessfully rendering him speechless.


    ''Look who''s stupid right now,'' he thought.


    When Mu Jianyu said nothing, Shen Zichen continued to stab his weakest point, not giving him a chance to retaliate. God forbid that Li Xiuying would hate him after this, but he couldn''t let Mu Jianyu go unscathed.


    "Have you always thought that you outsmarted the Li family? Mu Jianyu, you are overestimating yourself. Did you know how the Lis and the Shens keep their high status and businesses even if there were constant changes around them?" Shen Zichen paused, trying to gauge the other man''s reaction.


    His eyes were cold as he spoke. Li Xiuying was his dear friend and Mu Jianyu was her husband so why on earth would he say something so disrespectful against his own wife?


    "It was because they have eyes everywhere. A single mistake made by their enemy is vital in this game of survival and you, Mu Jianyu have failed the Li family''s expectation miserably. Not only you stabbed them on their back but you also cheated on their beloved princess. This is your greatest sin, Mu Jianyu. This is why you aren''t worthy enough to face or demand for Ying ever again."


    He was disgusted by Mu Jianyu''s shamelessness and audacity to point fingers when in fact he was the one whomitted the sin against Ying.


    Mu Jianyu looked at him with bewilderment as if he couldn''t believe what he was hearing right then.


    Ying knew about his infidelity? How long had she known? Then why did she confront him or ask him about it? Did she see him being with Lin Meirong? Anyone could have known about his affair except Li Xiuying!


    No matter how hard he tried to understand, Mu Jianyu found it difficult to believe that Ying had known all this time about him and Lin Meirong. Was that why she tried to see Lin Meirong? Did she intentionally hurt Lin Meirong as vengeance?


    No. No. it''s impossible. His Ying wasn''t a devious person like that. She can never hurt a person much more to plot to harm others.


    Song Zexi covered her mouth in shock. This had gotten out of their hands and now the cat was out of the bag. However, it was toote for Mu Jianyu to fix everything and couldn''t turn back time to correct his mistakes.


    "Ying knew and you are the one who was oblivious to the pain you caused her. She knew everything.. I really thought you loved her, Mu Jianyu, that was why I let her go but I should have known that you are up to no good."

 Chapter 53 - Stupid (1)

    "Do you understand now? You aren''t wee here anymore. We all love Ying, I don''t know anyone who would hate her, except maybe your mistress? The damages you have inflicted on her is enough. If you dare to disturb her again, I swear, Mu Jianyu. I will destroy you myself." Shen Zichen threatened him.


    Mu Jianyu was at loss for words, not knowing what to say in defense.


    "Neither Ying nor the Li family wanted to see you now, so you better fuck off and go back to your whore. Isn''t this what you''ve always wanted?"


    With those words, Shen Zichen walked pass him, bumping his shoulder in the process. Before he went inside the elevator, he reminded Su Ling and Song Zexi not to allow Mu Jianyu to see Li Xiuying.


    Mu Jianyu was left alone outside as Su Ling and Song Zexi closed the main door and ignored his presence. He was rooted in the same spot Shen Zichen left him.


    "I say he deserved that punch," Su Ling told Song Zexi once they''re inside the penthouse. Seeing Mu Jianyu being punched by Young Master Shen was so satisfying that he couldn''t wait to report it to their Miss Chuntao. "I hope he won''t be causing any trouble for Miss Ying in the future," he added.


    "Master Yuren and Miss Chuntao wouldn''t allow him." Song Zexi assured him. Even if Mu Jianyu realized now the sins he hadmitted, Li Xiuying would never ept him back. Only a woman with no self-respect would allow her to ept a cheating scumbag back in her life.


    Su Ling sighed and said, "I hope you are right. I don''t want to see her crying again."


    He bid her goodnight as he went back to the control room to check the surveince cameras, leaving Song Zexi standing in the middle of the living room, knowing that Mu Jianyu was still outside.


    "I sure hope so," Song Zexi gave ast look on her miss''s door before retiring for the night.


    ---


    It took some time for Mu Jianyu to break out of his daze and leave the Li twins'' penthouse. Instead of going to Lin Meirong''s ce, he drove back to the apartment he shared with Li Xiuying. He''d already lost track of time and didn''t care about the curious passerby that had seen his poor condition.


    Forgotten memories flood his mind as he stepped inside, seeing that it was the same as thest time he was here.


    However, while the ce he shared with his wife remained the same, it couldn''t be said to the marriage he single-handedly destroyed.


    Mu Jianyu kept the lights off and sat on the couch and lowered his head. Just like what Shen Zichen had told him, he was the definition of a loser who let Li Xiuying go.


    "Ying¡­"


    He had thought that he was ready for this, ready to divorce her but howe in the end, he felt empty and useless without Ying by his side?


    For months, he believed that his wife was oblivious to his needs and was not aware of his unhappiness when in fact he was the blind one who couldn''t see the inner battle she was constantly fighting alone.


    A woman like Li Xiuying certainly wouldn''t miss the sudden change in his behavior. He made her suffer and had used her unfairly of being the one who was turning her back on him.


    The guilt had started to eat him from the inside. The face of his crying wife shed in his mind.


    "Stupid," He med himself.


    Wasn''t he the one who forgot his promises to her?


    "So stupid,"


    Wasn''t he the one who took another woman and ignored Li Xiuying all this time?


    "You are a fool!"


    A fool that continued to y with fire and impregnated his other woman? Did Li Xiuying also know about this? If she knew, he could only assume how devastated she was when she heard the news.


    Mu Jianyu shut his eyes close and was swept away by his own emotional turmoil. He was reminded of his love for Li Xiuying but with Lin Meirong carrying his child, he also knew he cannot abandon her.


    No wonder Li Xiuying didn''t make it hard for him and agreed to divorce without demanding any settlements. But one also must know that''s what happens when her world was crumbling beneath her and the only thing around her were his lies. She was cornered and was forced to give up.


    Also, the fact that the Li family was aware of his schemes put him in a dangerous situation. His mind was still a surging perplexity. What should he do now? He wondered.


    The whole night, he tried to sort out his thoughts and wondered how he could fix the problem he made. When Shen Zichen confronted him, he was at loss for words. He couldn''t even deny the affair he had with Lin Meirong.


    He had to do something! He cannot lose Li Xiuying just yet!


    Lin Meirong might have given him a child but losing Li Xiuying also meant that he would be vulnerable and powerless against the Li family if they decided to target him.


    All of Li Xiuying''s questions started to make sense to him now.


    ''You want us to divorce?''


    ''But why?''


    How did he answer her again?


    ''I simply don''t love you anymore,'' he had said without hesitation.


    Mu Jianyu snapped, hitting the table with his fist with a loud bang. How could he be so cruel to Ying, his own wife?

 Chapter 54 - Stupid (2)

    Li Xiuying woke up that morning, oblivious of themotion and fight that happened between her husband and Shen Zichen. Su Ling and Song Zexi decided to hide this from her but informed their Miss Chuntao about it.


    Li Chuntao was weirdly pleased when he heard that Shen Zichen hit Mu Jianyu that it took her some time before she stoppedughing when Su Ling reported it to her.


    "Su Ling, did the surveince camera manage to record it? Quick, send it to my inbox so I can see it myself," she demanded from her twin sister''s bodyguard.


    Su Ling sweat dropped from his Miss''s sudden request but did it anyway.


    Li Chuntao was pleased that everything was going back to normal for her twin sister. This past week, she''d been busy preparing the room her pregnant sister would use once she arrives at her home.


    She also did a mini shopping spree and bought baby clothes and supplies her future nephew or niece might be able to use once her sister gave birth. Ah, Li Chuntao couldn''t wait to see the baby. She could only hope that Mu Jianyu''s dirty blood wouldn''t taint her sister''s baby.


    The baby will obviously bear the Li surname and not of that bastard''s family name. The Li family wouldn''t allow it.


    After talking to Su Ling and making sure that the preparation for Ying''s long trip was going well, she decided to give Shen Zichen a call to check on him. How could she waste this chance to annoy him?


    "Chuntao," She heard his same cold, baritone voice that could make women swoon from his voice alone. Li Chuntao also heard paper shuffling on his line and realized that he was at work like her.


    "I heard what happenedst night. Brother Zichen, how could you use your own hands to hit Mu Jianyu? Didn''t you know that those pair of hands were made to heal people? You should have asked Su Ling to get the baseball bat from my room and use it instead."


    "Li Chuntao," Shen Zichen brought down the patient''s file on his desk to talk to her, "Did you call just to b nonsense? You didn''t even ask me if I''m alright."


    "Are you alright?" Li Chuntao couldn''t help but grin.


    Shen Zichen scoffed at her quick response.


    "Honestly, I-I''m not sure."


    "But Su Ling said Mu Jianyu wasn''t able to hit you back. Then what''s wrong?" but Shen Zichen didn''t say anything in response to her question.


    "Ying would being here to live with me," she told him.


    "I know, she told me about it."


    So? Then what was wrong with him? Was he sad that her twin sister was leaving? What was eating him then?


    Li Chuntao tapped her chin and shifted on her chair, pondering what could it possibly be.


    "You confessed to her, didn''t you?" Came her mocking question. She couldn''t think of anything that could bother Shen Zichen except this,


    "Yes," Shen Zichen affirmed. He sighed inwardly. How did he let this witch y words with him again?


    "Ah, let me guess. Ying shot you down, right?"


    "..."


    Li Chuntao burst outughing much to Shen Zichen''s annoyance.


    Of course, Ying would shoot him down. He already knew the consequence of his action even before he told her.


    "Chuntao, I don''t see what''s funny here," he scowled as the witch continued to irritate his ears with her obnoxiousughter.


    "You know what her answer would be and you still told her? Young Master Shen, you are quite brave," Li Chuntao said after suppressing her ownughter.


    "I told her because I don''t want to regret in the future and her answer was already expected," he told her.


    His mother said regrets were ''moral residue.'' Like something hard to remove got stuck on you, so he chose to confess even if he already knew the ending for these feelings he had for Ying. Regardless if Li Xiuying felt the same or not, Shen Zichen would not regret what he''d done.


    "My sister is really kind. She knew you''ve waited for a long time and have let you go even if it''s a bitte, Young Master Wizard,"


    "Don''t call me that!" His eyes widened as he was caught off guard. Why did this witch suddenly bring up that awkward topic now?


    "What? Is our dear Dr. Shen still a virgin at the age of thirty-two? Ah, there, there. Don''t worry, little boy. This older sister would dly teach you and help you with your problem. Ah, what a pity. Don''t worry Brother Zichen, once Ying is settled here nicely, I''ll go there to teach you how to pick up women." Li Chuntao continued to tease him.


    "Li Chuntao!" Shen Zichen leaned on his desk and covered half of his face with his right hand while the other held his phone to his ear. Fortunately for him, he didn''t have any patients waiting outside and no one could witness how his ears burned red from Li Chuntao''s shameless and indecent remarks.


    Dear lord, the Li twins surely knew how to mess up with him knowing he wouldn''t get mad at them even if they were starting to get on his nerves. He could feel a headacheing his way anytime soon.


    "Bold of you to assume I''m still a virgin, teacher,"


    "Oh, you aren''t anymore? Who''s the unlucky girl?" Which was followed by another round ofughter.


    "Li Chuntao, let''s drop this," he said after some time when the witch he was talking to refused to stopughing.

 Chapter 55 - The One Who Should Be Worried Isnt Our Ying (1)

    It had been three days since Li Xiuying saw and met her estranged husband and while the public was curious about the sudden news that spread around the capital about their impending divorce and how Mu Jianyu betrayed her by keeping another woman, Li Xiuying never epted any request for an interview.


    The identity of the other woman was still unknown and Lan Jinyao was tempted several times to bust Lin Meirong out given that this same woman was ying the pitiful, pregnant woman on their filming set again.


    The crew was careful enough when dealing with her. None of them, even the other actors dared to trouble Lin Meirong as she shot her remaining scenes for the film.


    "Cheer up. It''s not like she''ll be able to lift her head like that arrogantly for too long," Zheng Yue suddenly spoke beside Lan Jinyao when she noticed the deep frown on the younger woman''s face.


    "Is it really alright to leave everything like this? Sister Ying¡­ she would just let them be happy like that?" Lan Jinyao muttered lowly, enough for Zheng Yue to hear herints.


    "But isn''t it more exciting to see her climb up higher before seeing her fall down hardter?" Zheng Yue pointed out.


    Now that Li Xiuying had chosen to distance herself from Mu Jianyu, it would be easier for the Li family to pin him down, dragging Lin Meirong with him. Since they were bold enough to offend the family and betray Li Xiuying, they should be prepared with the Li family''s retaliationter.


    "Too bad Sister Ying wouldn''t be able to witness it. I''m kinda sad that I wouldn''t be seeing her for a long time," Lan Jinyao sighed.


    Li Xiuying called herst night to inform her of the sudden change of ns. She would be leaving in three days with Song Zexi overseas to represent the Li Corporation while Su Ling would stay for another week to fulfill the task the Li family left for him to finish.


    As for Lan Jinyao, she would be able to receive support from Li Xiuying through Zheng Yue and wouldn''t have to worry about her half-sister bullying her so she wouldn''t get more projects after this film.


    "It is for her own good, I guess." Zheng Yue said.


    She had already been missing Chuntao badly and now that Ying was also leaving, she couldn''t help but be sad to be parted with the twins but for Ying to be able to heal from her husband''s betrayal and to keep her baby safe, she would have to go and stay with her twin sister.


    "But the rumors about Mu Jianyu''s other woman have started to circte, this¡­ would Sister Ying be alright?" Lan Jinyao asked her senior.


    Zheng Yue tucked in the stray hair behind Lan Jinyao''s ear and smiled knowingly. Lan Jinyao was such a sweet girl that made friend with Ying at this turbulent time in her niece''s life.


    "The one who should be worried is Lin Meirong not our Ying."


    Lan Jinyao was about to ask her what she meant when it urred to her that indeed, Lin Meirong should be the one who should be wary of herself.


    Wasn''t she dependent on the fickle emotion of a man that had just betrayed his wife for her sake? If Mu Jianyu was able to cheat and break Li Xiuying''s trust, Lan Jinyao shouldn''t be surprised if the man turns his back on that whore the moment the issue starts to get out of hand.


    Mu Jianyu was a businessman. He wouldn''t put his name at risk to protect Lin Meirong.


    Just the thought of it made Lan Jinyao''s mood turn better. She couldn''t wait for the downfall of this cheating couple especially Lin Meirong who tried to subject her to a sexual assault.


    "Lan Jinyao!" The director called out her name. It was her turn to shoot her scene with Lin Meirong again.


    "Go now. Prove to that woman that she can never get the Best New Actress award from you," Zheng Yue patted her shoulder before walking away.


    Lan Jinyao smiled as she watched the older woman leave. Yes, she wouldn''t make it easy for Lin Meirong to get the award, not when she still has a debt to settle with her.


    Five minutester, the take began and on cue, Lan Jinyao and Lin Meirong walked to the camera.


    Lan Jinyao easily got into her character as Ye Yunxi and dragged Si Yaoyao''s (Lin Meirong) arm painfully as she confronted her.


    Lin Meirong could only clench her teeth and narrowed her eyes towards Lan Jinyao. This bitch was definitely hurting her on purpose. She was sure of it!


    "You said you love him but why did you lie to him, huh?" She sneered at Si Yaoyao''s face.


    "Ye Yunxi, I don''t know what you''re talking about!" Si Yaoyao cried painfully. Lin Meirong''s distress unexpectedly looked more natural and beautiful that the director didn''t dare to stop the filming.


    "You don''t know?" Ye Yunxi said with a tone filled with disbelief. "You can lie all you want, Si Yaoyao but the truth remains that you tried to drug him so he would sleep with you!"


    "I did not! Ye Yunxi, you''re crazy!" Lin Meirong tried to pull her arm away from Lan Jinyao.


    "You can deny but you cannot hide the truth!" Lan Jinyao released her and looked down at her arrogantly. This conniving bitch not only managed to ruin her Sister Ying''s marriage but tried to bribe someone to rape her. How despicable Lin Meirong could be?


    "A person with a vile heart such as yours, do you think a man would really want you?"

 Chapter 56 - The One Who Should Be Worried Isnt Our Ying (2)

    Li Xiuying strolled down the hallways of the hospital with Song Zexi by her side to meet her doctor. Today, she had a prenatal check-up and she''d been nervous ever since she woke up that morning.


    At this moment, the issue about her divorce was forgotten and she couldn''t care less about the public''s opinion on her separation with Mu Jianyu. All that she could think of right now was her baby in her womb.


    Her hand instinctively rubbed her abdomen. There was already a small bump on it but still unnoticeable unless seen closely. Song Zexi had been doing a good job reminding her to take her prenatal vitamins and prepared nutritious food for her to eat.


    Li Xiuying could tell that even her yful bodyguard couldn''t wait to see her little bun.


    Looking at the other pregnant women seeking the doctor''s help with their husbands made her heart constrict with pain. She and her baby would never receive such treatments from Mu Jianyu as he was resolved to abandon them for Lin Meirong and their child.


    "Miss?" Song Zexi called her attention when she noticed that Li Xiuying was spacing out again.


    Li Xiuying snapped out of her daze and turned to her bodyguard.


    "Yes? What is it?"


    Song Zexi frowned but didn''t dare to point out that Li Xiuying was thinking of that man again. She wouldn''t dare to ruin this good day by mentioning that bastard''s name.


    "I think we''re in the wrong ce. Dr. Kang''s office is in the opposite wing." She told her miss.


    "Is that so? No wonder I don''t recognize this part of the hospital."


    They turned and went the opposite way, missing the chance of seeing Lin Meirong sneaking inside the maternity department to see a doctor.


    ¡ª-


    They walked into the doctor''s office and were greeted with a big smile by Dr. Kang. She''d been working with the Li family for years and was trusted by the family to keep everything about their family members'' health condition confidential.


    "Miss Ying, I see you''re starting to gain weight since thest time I''ve seen you. How are you feeling now?" She asked Li Xiuying.


    As Li Xiuying''s bodyguard and personal attendant, Song Zexi was the one who answered the doctor''s question truthfully.


    "Our miss suffered from morning sickness for the past two weeks and didn''t have an appetite to eat anything. Good thing that once her difort diminished, she was starting to eat more again. Although I can say that her sleeping pattern had changed dramatically. She''s been taking longer napstely."


    Li Xiuying was speechless. She could only look at Song Zexi with bewilderment as she reported everything she''d done for the past weeks she hadn''t seen her doctor.


    "I see, then that''s good to hear, Miss Ying. Would you like to see your baby now?" At that question, everything was tuned out from Li Xiuying.


    "I can see my baby?" She asked with excitement.


    The middle-aged doctor smiled and nodded.


    "Although your baby is still small, of course, you can see your baby."


    A nurse came and helped Li Xiuying to lie on the bed and turned on the apparatus to do an ultrasound on Li Xiuying''s stomach. She was startled when a cold cream was rubbed on her tummy while Song Zexi held her hand when it should be Mu Jianyu who should be sitting next to her to see their child together.


    Her eyes turned to her bodyguard and Song Zexi gave her a small smile, letting her know that she would be fine. Li Xiuying was really thankful that she wasn''t doing this alone.


    "Miss Ying, are you okay?" The nurse asked her.


    Li Xiuying nodded although she was starting to feel ufortable with her stomach being exposed to coldness.


    "Yes, I''m fine. Please continue,"


    She and Song Zexi watched as the device moved over her stomach before shifting their gaze to the monitor. The screen changed from ck to grey and the two barely saw the image of Li Xiuying''s womb and were trying to find the baby but instead what they saw was a distinct round shape on the screen.


    The doctor changed the angle of the device on her hand and Li Xiuying felt a slight pressure on her stomach and wondered if it was normal. The next second they all heard the loud and fast heartbeat.


    "Did you hear that? That''s your baby''s. I see no problem so far." Doctor Kang told her.


    "My baby?" Li Xiuying repeated. She couldn''t believe it herself.


    When she first got pregnant, she didn''t get a chance to see her lost child like this. Li Xiuying had an ident and fell down the stairs which led to her miscarriage. At that time, she didn''t know she was pregnant.


    If only she''d known sooner, she would''ve been more careful with her body but s, it was already toote as she''d lost her child.


    Tears welled up in her eyes. She promised she wouldn''t make the same mistake again.


    "Doctor, before Miss Ying forgets to ask you, we want to know if it would be okay for her to go on a long trip."


    "I don''t see why not? As long as she doesn''t do any strenuous activity, the baby should be fine."


    Song Zexi released a sigh of relief upon hearing the doctor''s opinion.. She was the one who would be escorting Li Xiuying overseas and Miss Chuntao would have her head if something wrong were to happen to Miss Ying while she was under her care.

 Chapter 57 - Blame Yourself And Your Barren Womb (1)

    After filming all the scenes she had on the film, Lin Meirong rushed to leave the set to meet her doctor at the hospital back at the capital. She''d arrived in a disguise, making sure no one would be able to recognize her.


    With news about Mu Jianyu and Li Xiuying''s divorce spreading everywhere the rumors about Mu Jianyu keeping another woman had also circted. She wasn''t sure where it started but it had surely put her rtionship with Mu Jianyu on a strain.


    The man, her lover, had gone missing for days now and refused to pick up her callste at night. Now that he was separated with Li Xiuying, why wasn''t heing to her? She assumed that the rumors were holding him up somewhere.


    Was he waiting for the news to die on its own before he checks on her? Lin Meirong wasn''t sure anymore.


    If Mu Jianyu abandoned her right now then this child in her womb would be useless to her. She''d been contemting whether she should abort the child before her bump started to show or wait for Mu Jianyu''s return.


    ''The trouble of having you would be worthless if Jianyu doesn''te back to me,''


    This was why she was here, trying to seek the doctor''s opinion, to know if she could still abort this child or not. The fate of this child will be on Mu Jianyu''s hands. If he doesn''te back soon, then this child will go away with him.


    The doctor came back with the results on her hand. She gave Lin Meirong a good look before sitting across her.


    "Miss Lin, are you sure you want to get an abortion?" She asked Lin Meirong.


    "I-I haven''t decided yet, doctor but is it still possible?" She asked back.


    "Of course but I thought you wanted to have this baby before. Did something happen?"


    Lin Meirong shook her head and stered a fake smile on her face.


    "I just think I''m not ready yet, doctor that''s all." She reasoned out.She can''t possibly tell the doctor what was going on in her mind right now.


    Lin Meirong spent another hour talking with her doctor before leaving the office and sat on a bench outside as she pondered what to do next. She sat in silence as she digested what the doctor had told her earlier.


    Should she abort this child or not? She couldn''t decide at all.


    Director Yao had been threatening her to reveal her secrets to Mu Jianyu if she doesn''t cooperate. Thest time she met that man, Director Yao asked for money which she begrudginglyplied.


    However, Lin Meirong knew that if she continued to allow him to threaten her, more problems would ariseter. He might even ask for more in the future, which would dry up her funds even before she could sink her ws on Mu Jianyu''s wealth.


    Just thinking about it was enough to give her a headache. She needed to find a way to dispose of that man or else she would never be in peace!


    But her lover had gone silent for almost a week now. What was she supposed to do now?She knew that as long as she had this child, Mu jianyu would have a hard time casting her aside. He might have done it to Li Xiuying but she wasn''t as dumb as that woman!


    ''Tch, what a nuisance!''


    She also still had a problem finding where her stupid husband and child went after she left the countryside. Two weeks ago, she hired a private investigator to seek out the location of her family in hope that she would be able to persuade her husband to annul his marriage with her, giving her back her freedom so she could marry Mu Jianyu.


    Who would have thought that when the investigator arrived at her hometown, her stupid husband, as well as her child and sister-inw, had gone missing.


    A witness imed that two men arrived at their vige also looking for her husband. The next day, her whole family was seen leaving their vige together with those outsiders from the previous day.


    Lin Meirong bit her thumb as she thought who could have taken away her family. Was it the Li family? They are capable of abducting people with their influence but why would theye after her family when it was clear that Mu Jianyu was the one who offended them and not her?


    This was starting to get out of her hand. She cannot take control of Mu Jianyu, couldn''t dispose of Yao Qigang, and couldn''t find her useless husband. Everything was going astray far from her ns! If this continues, she would lose everything!


    More people came her way and Lin Merong started to feel ufortable on her seat. She should leave before anyone could recognize her. It would be bad if her name came into limelight in a bad way even before the nomination for the awards starts.


    Lin Meirong decided to take the stairs since it would be less crowded than using the elevator, sharing it with other people. She managed to avoid the other patients and visitors and went down the stairs only to meet the person she didn''t want to see at all.


    Li Xiuying. What was she doing here?


    "Lady Li," Lin Meirong slightly nodded her head to greet Mu Jianyu''s ex-wife.


    Li Xiuying stared back at him with a poker face, not giving Lin Meirong a chance to know what she was thinking.


    "Miss Lin, what a coincidence."

 Chapter 58 - Blame Yourself And Your Barren Womb (2)

    "Lady Li, I wasn''t expecting to see you at the hospital. Are you sick?" Lin Meirong asked curiously, suppressing the fear she had at the moment.


    After meeting her in the hallway, Li Xiuying invited her for a coffee which she couldn''t deny since Li Xiuying was the main investor of the film she was working on with Lan Jinyao.


    Li Xiuying was looking at her oddly. Did she know something?


    Lin Meirong couldn''t brush off this feeling that Li Xiuying knew about the affair between her and Mu Jianyu. She shifted in her seat ufortably. She couldn''t wait to leave this ce and run away from Mu Jianyu''s wife.


    Li Xiuying smiled humorlessly.


    "No. I''m not sick. In fact, I''m good and healthy. What about you, Miss Lin? Did youe for a checkup? I hope you received my congrattory gifts for your pregnancy." Li Xiuying traced the edges of her mug and smiled knowingly while Song Zexi sat at the other table paying close attention to them.


    "I-I received it. Actually, I was surprised that Lady Li knew where I was living," Lin Meirong said with an awkwardugh.


    Indeed, she received it the moment she and Mu Jianyu came back to their love nest, the apartment Mu Jianyu bought and shared with her.


    When Mu Jianyu saw the card and read from whom it came from, his face instantly drained its color the moment he saw Li Xiuying''s name on it. Lin Meirong argued with him that Li Xiuying knew but Mu Jianyu refused to believe her words and imed it was merely a coincidence.


    But what if the wife really knew about their affair? What now?


    Mu Jianyu and Li Xiuying had chosen to part ways already. It could be possible that Li Xiuying would me her for this, right?


    Li Xiuying also wasn''t expecting to see the woman who caused her marriage to fall apart. No¡­ she corrected herself. Lin Meirong only triggered what was inevitable between her and Mu Jianyu. Their marriage wasn''t strong enough to begin with, even before he met Lin Meirong.


    "Ah, I see. I hope this time you''ll be a good mother to your child." Shemented, dropping the bomb right on Lin Meirong who was left speechless.


    "You¡­ you knew¡­" Lin Meirong had a hard time to calm down as Li Xiuying finally showed her true colors to her.


    "Of course, I knew, slut. Didn''t you think you could fool me for long?" She ced her mug back on top of the table whileplex feelings surged within Lin Meirong.


    Even Song Zexi who was eavesdropping on their conversation was shocked at the sudden change in Miss Ying''snguage. She had to do double-take to make sure that the woman speaking at Lin Meirong was her Miss Ying and not her Miss Chuntao.


    What the heck? Did Miss Chuntao possess Miss Ying? Why did Miss Ying sound like the vicious younger twin instead?


    This couldn''t be her soft-spoken and kind Miss Ying! Li Xiuying would never speak so harshly like this.


    "Do you think such betrayal could be easily hidden from me? I''m his wife, Lin Meirong. I knew whenever something is up with my stupid husband."


    "So I was right all along," Lin Meirongughed, dropping the mask of pretense as Li Xiuying revealed her true colors.


    "You can''t possibly me me for Jianyu''s decision to leave you." Lin Meirong smirked arrogantly at Li Xiuying, "Lady Li, you could only me yourself and the barren womb that you have for not giving him what he wanted."


    This was something Li Xiuying wasn''t aware of. So Mu Jianyu cheated on her because he thought she couldn''t give him a child. Oh, the irony. When he''d chosen to turn his back to her, she ended up being pregnant. Now, he had no ounce of right to be a father to her child. Her baby didn''t need a father like him.


    She let the shock wash through her and calmed herself down. She knew what Lin Meirong was trying to do but she wouldn''t allow the slut to demean her. If only she was as good as her twin sister, this shameless slut wouldn''t have left any faces left to show to the public.


    "So this is the kind of woman he''d chosen to rece me?" Sheughed as if Lin Meirong had just told her a joke. Lin Meirong''s face darkened. She''d never been belittled like this since she arrived at the capital but Li Xiuying easily tore down her pride.


    "Do you think a slut like you have a ce in his heart? What if I told you that what he feels about you was just as shallow as your attitude? Mu Jianyu might have chosen you now, but what if he found out your deepest secret, Miss Lin? Do you know what he''s capable of when he''s mad? I do and you wouldn''t like to be the one subjected to his anger."


    Cold shiver ran down her spine as Lin Meirong continued to listen to what Li Xiuying had to say. Li Xiuying knew all along and yet she yed ignorance. Why? Why did she do that?


    "You''re lying! You''re just trying to sow discord between us! We love each other and he would never hurt me!"


    "Can you say the same words when he found another woman to rece you?" Li Xiuying stared at her right in her eyes.


    Lin Meirong opened her mouth to argue but none came out. Mu Jianyu would betray her?


    "Gu Changge, do you think a countryside bumpkin like you could outsmart me? Anyway, since you''ve taken my man under my nose, you better keep that garbage I have no use of. But if I were you, I would try to clean up my own mess.. It stinks that my nose could pick up the stench from afar."

 Chapter 59 - Shut Her Up For Good (1)

    Shock was an understatement to describe what Lin Meirong was feeling right now. She now understood the difference between her and Li Xiuying. What Li Xiuying said made sense to her but she refused to admit defeat in front of this woman.


    Didn''t people say that Li Xiuying was a soft-spoken and kind-hearted woman? But the Li Xiuying she just met wasn''t anything like that at all. She was cold, arrogant, and the perfect aristocratic woman that could make her feel insignificant in her presence.


    "I-I will tell him everything including how you try to harass me on the set!" Lin Meirong eximed.


    Yes, Li Xiuying must have asked Lan Jinyao to spite her during their takes. However, if she hadn''t done that, none of them would discover her pregnancy.


    "Sure, you tell him. Do you think Mu Jianyu would believe you? I bet he wouldn''t. Do you know why?" Li Xiuying paused, waiting for the mistress to reply but Lin Meirong said nothing but red at her.


    "That''s because I have left a perfect impression on my husband. Do you know what he told me the other day? That he has no other woman in his life except for me, that no one isparable to me. It seems to me like he was just using you to satisfy his carnal desires."


    "You''re lying. If he really loves you, he wouldn''t have abandoned and divorced you!"


    "Lin Meirong, who said we''ve already divorced? Have you seen the papers yourself?"


    Lin Meirong watched in a daze as Li Xiuying stood up and left her alone at the cafe. She only realized how dangerous this woman was when all had been said and done.


    ---


    "Hi, Ying! Sorry for calling you thiste. There was an emergency at work and I needed to do overtime. How''s your day?" Li Chuntao asked as she pulled off her coat and boots at the doorway of her home, soon to be shared with her twin sister.


    Her apartment here wasrger than the penthouse she and Ying owned at the capital. It was a huge apartment that was too big for just one person. She supposed that sharing it with her twin sister and the baby would make this dull ce a little brighter once they arrived.


    Her house was empty and too quiet for her liking.


    "Long. So tiring." Li Xiuyingined which only earned augh from her sister but theughter immediately ceased when she heard Ying''s next words, "Also didn''t help that I met that slut in the hospital."


    "Lin Meirong?"


    "Who else, Chuntao? Urgh, I don''t even wanna hear her name or see her ugly face. It''s making me feel nauseous." Li Xiuying groaned and rolled on her side. Now that her bump was starting to show, she avoidedying on her stomach which had be her habit since they were young.


    Li Xiyuing then narrated her encounter with Lin Meirong to her sister. Meeting that woman made her mood turn sour and she''d lost her appetite. She couldn''t even eat the dishes Song Zexi made for her.


    She heard her twin sister sigh at the other end of the line. Li Xiuying knew her sister disapproved of what she did today.


    "Ying, you shouldn''t have told her that you know her secret." Li Chuntao told her.


    "I know, I shouldn''t but I just couldn''t take how arrogant she was in front of me. She even went as far as mocking me by having a barren womb! How ridiculous! She would be vomiting with blood right now if she found out about my baby."


    "No. You mustn''t let Lin Meirong and Mu Jianyu know about your baby. Please spare the baby from this mess. I''m afraid that they''ll use your baby to hurt you further than you already are." Li Chuntao insisted. "...but I have to say I''m shocked that she called you barren when clearly you are not."


    "Okay. I''ll listen to you, Chuntao," Li Xiuying easily agreed to her twin sister, sensing that she was displeased by what she did earlier but could she really me her? That arrogant smirk on Lin Meirong''s face got her blood boiling with anger.


    "Instead of wasting time being angry at that woman. You should focus your attention to your baby instead. It''s bad for your baby and your health if you are stressed over such a person who doesn''t value your time and energy. Give your phone to Song Zexi and I''ll talk to her about your meal n."


    She just imed it was just for Ying''s meal n when in fact she wanted to hear Song Zexi''s daily reports and things that Ying had forgotten to tell her.


    "Okay. I think I need a nap for the meantime, I''m really tired."


    Li Xiuying begrudgingly passed her phone to her bodyguard and curled on her bed. Song Zexi excused herself and talked to Li Chuntao over the phone. Not five minutes had passed, Li Xuying was already asleep while hugging herrge doll.


    "Miss Chuntao?"


    "What did her doctor say? Would she be able to travel for long hours?" Li Chuntao wasted no time and asked Song Zexi the questions that bugged her since morning knowing Ying would meet her doctor.


    "The baby seems fine and healthy, Miss. The doctor was also very kind and did an ultrasound to let Miss Ying see her baby.. Miss Ying was really happy until we met that woman."

 Chapter 60 - Shut Her Up For Good (2)

    Lin Meirong paced around her living room, thinking about what to do now after her confrontation with Li Xiuying. Li Xiuying had tantly threatened her using her past, something she''d been trying to hide from Mu Jianyu.


    She was also upset that Mu Jianyu still hadn''t returned her calls and didn''t show up himself to her. Where the hell could he be right now? Surely, he didn''t go back to Li Xiuying, right?


    Li Xiuying''s words were ringing inside her head. It kept ying on her mind as if Li Xiuying was taunting her for being stupid.


    ''Lin Meirong, who said we''ve already divorced? Have you seen the papers yourself?''


    Shit. She would be in deep shit if Li Xiuying still hadn''t signed those divorce papers. If Li Xiuying beat her to it and Mu Jianyu found out about her deceit, she would lose him for good.


    Not to mention the child in her womb that wasn''t his. Mu Jianyu might really kill her if he found out about it. She wasn''t good with dealing with men with psychotic tendencies. She had seen enough movies and dramas to know about the crime of passion.


    This furtherplicated the things that were already messed up but why did Li Xiuying admit her awareness over her past? Was she trying to ckmail her with that information?


    Lin Meirong panicked when she realized how bad her situation was. She was deep in her own thoughts when the person she''d been wanting to dispose of showed up outside her doorstep.


    "Why are you here again?" She sounded annoyed and didn''t bother to hide her contempt this time. She really didn''t want to deal with him right now but Yao Qigang seemed unperturbed by her words.


    A week ago, Director Yao took a hefty amount of money from her and she''s got the feeling that the reason he was back was to ask for more.


    "I was kicked out of my old ce. I need a new one." The man slumpedzily on the couch and took a bite from the sliced apples Lin Meirong hadn''t eaten yet.


    "So?" She asked through her clenched teeth. Lin Meirong dreaded where this was going.


    Damn it, why''s everything going wrong with her n?


    "I need to rent my own ce but I''m short of money." He told her.


    She knew it! It was about money again.


    Yao Qigang seemed to n to suck her money dry until she could give no more.


    "How much do you need?" Was her next question.


    Lin Meirong had managed to save some money but she didn''t know how much a house rent would cost in the capital since she''d been pampered that even her living expenses and ce were provided by her lovers before.


    "Hmm¡­ let''s see how much I need again¡­" Director Yao rubbed his chin. "I think I need 15,000 RMB per month."


    "15,000 RMB PER MONTH?"


    Was he joking? Just what kind of apartment did he want to rent for it to cost her that much money?


    She had never imagined that Director Yao would be that shameless to demand such a sum. Was he renting some kind of a mansion for himself?


    "What? You don''t want to? Just say so. I can just tell your secrets to Mu Jianyu myself and let''s see how he would deal with you." The manughed when he noticed the ugly expression on Lin Meirong''s face.


    Lin Meirong trembled in rage. She was itching to scratch his face with her own hands but she wouldn''t.


    "I can give you the money you needed but I have a bigger problem to deal with right now." She gave up and sat down at the other chair across him, weighing her options.


    "Oh, what could be the problem this time?"


    She red at him when he responded with a mocking tone. How dare he mock her when he was the one who''d been leeching and living off on her money these past weeks?


    Lin Meirong crossed her legs and looked outside, seeing the darkness of the sky covering the busy city.


    "Li Xiuying knows about my real name and identity. I have underestimated that boring woman,"


    "She knows? Ah, that''s truly a big problem."


    Silence ensued between them as both pondered what to do next, now that the Li princess had stumbled upon Lin Meirong''s secret.


    "What else does she know?" Yao Qigang asked her but she only shook her head.


    Lin Meirong wasn''t sure to what extent Li Xiuying knew about her. "I''m not sure,"


    "Then what do you want to do now?" He asked with a stern face. All the yfulness in his tone was gone once he realized the gravity of the problem.


    If Li Xiuying went out alone and found this info then chances of the Li family targeting him were low but it would be a different matter if the Li family was involved.


    He took a side nce at the woman who brought these headaches and problems to him. Damn this woman. Couldn''t she y her cards well? She should have made sure she had total control over Mu Jianyu if she nned to keep him on her side.


    "I want her to shut the fuck up.. No¡­ much better if she would shut her mouth for eternity. Without her, Mu Jianyu wouldn''t have to choose between me and her anymore and I would have him all to myself!"

 Chapter 61 - Evil Intentions (1)

    Li Xiuying would ruin her, Lin Meirong was well aware of that fact. How is she supposed to sit still and do nothing when she was about to lose everything she had worked for? She wouldn''t let it be. She''ll never allow Li Xiuying to destroy everything she had right now.


    Li Xiuying would never understand her struggles in life given that she was born with a golden spoon. Someone like her, who was born from a poor family, who was denied all opportunities in her life, wouldn''t want to go back to the hell hole she came from.


    "You do know it will be hard for you to get rid of her," Director Yao stated the obvious. It would be impossible for Lin Meirong to fight Li Xiuying head to head. The difference between them was like heaven and earth.


    With the Li family backing Li Xiuying, how would Lin Meirongpete with her?


    "Then what should I do?" Lin Meirong muttered to herself, biting her lower lip in frustration.


    She wascking in resourcespared to what Mu Jianyu''s wife had and as long as Li Xiuying was there, her secrets wouldn''t be safe, always breathing against her neck.


    What was more upsetting was Mu Jianyu''s absence when she needed his assurance the most.


    Yao Qigang looked at Lin Meirong and smiled mischievously.


    "I know someone who can help you but ites with a huge price," he offered.


    Lin Meirong flinched on his words and red on his way.


    Money again? Did this leech n to suck her dry? It was already hard for her to sustain her living conditions. The credit card that Mu Jianyu lent her had suddenly been suspended.


    She had no idea that it was Li Xiuying who cut the funds, and that the money used to buy the apartment she was living in was purchased using t Mu Jianyu and Li Xiuying''s joint ount. So in the end who''s sucking who?


    Previously, she was never concerned about how much she spent since the card Mu Jianyu gave her was enough to pay for her purchases andvish lifestyle. However, things were suddenly different. There was no guarantee that she would continue receiving the money from her lover in the future and she had to prevent Director Yao and Li Xiuying from ruining her life no matter the cost.


    Lin Meirong was entangled withplicated feelings right then. She couldn''t possibly part with Mu Jianyu that easily. Not when he''s capable of giving her whatever she wanted. That man¡­ that man was the most generous and wealthiest lover she had attained ever since she arrived at the capital.


    The only w was that he was married. Not just a simple married man but married to one of the most influential families within the capital. Having an affair with him gave her excitement and thrill but she was now tired of being a kept woman.


    However, she was currently overwhelmed with the fear of having her past revealed, therefore exposing her fa?ade. It was already hard enough for her to keep the despicable Yao Qigang at a safe distance and now Li Xiuying had be another obstacle for her.


    Just when she was about to elevate her status as Lin Meirong, an actress and the future Madam Mu, her real identity as Gu Changge, the countryside married woman, was resurfacing.


    Lin Meirong''s hand reached for the pendant on her neck and fidgeted on her seat, as she tried to settle down her racing heart. Every day passed that she hadn''t heard from Mu Jianyu fed her anxiety and fear.


    No¡­ this couldn''t be. She must destroy Li Xiuying first and find a way to dispose of Director Yaoter. It was a mistake letting Yao Qigang gain a hold on her.


    "Is it even possible? She''s a Li. What if theye after me?"


    After all, she cannot afford to go head to head in a battle against the Li family.


    "You worry too much. As I said, I know the perfect person for the job. They wouldn''t be able to trace it back to you."


    Director Yao had an ominous smile on his face as Lin Meirong struggled to keep on herposure. She was really anxious.


    What if they failed? Surely, the Li family wouldn go after every single person involved if Li Xiuying survived.


    Although his offer was extremely tempting, it doese with a hefty price. But then, if it could rid her of all her problems for good then maybe it would be worth the trouble after all.


    "Why are you helping me?" She blurted out. She wasn''t as stupid as to not know that he was up to something.


    "I was the one who brought you here. The one who opened opportunities for you. Do you think I would let Lady Li ruin my ns that easily? Whether your secret will be revealed or not is up to me, not her."


    "So you''re not doing this to protect me but to protect your own interest!" She used him.


    An cunning smile spread on Yao Qigang''s face. Why else would he help this stupid uncouth bitch? She was his cash cow after all. To him, he has a right to a portion of everything she gained from Mu Jianyu.


    "Why else would I help you? Gu Changge, even if you dress and act like ady, it wouldn''t be enough to shake off your past. You aren''t like Li Xiuying. If you lose Mu Jianyu''s favor now and be crushed by his wife. Do you know where you''ll end up?"


    He just smiled at her but Lin Meirong felt a shiver running down her spine. She didn''t want to know what he was thinking.


    "You don''t need to worry about Lady Li from now on and focus on ensnaring Mu Jianyu. You tell me if someone discovers your past and I''ll make them shut up but in return, you must help me financially and once you be Madam Mu, you would have to help me regain my influence in the industry."


    He just lost his job because of Li Xiuying but that didn''t mean he would never get any opportunities in the future and Lin Meirong will open up those doors for him.


    Those words would have enticed Lin Meirong if only it was spoken by another person and not this shameless leech. It was clear that he was only offering to help her in order to continue leeching on her


    Her face remained confused and Yao Qigang chuckled.


    "When you say, you''ll shut her up, what do you mean?"


    "Do you really want to know, Gu Changge?"


    Lin Meirong''s lips pressed tightly. Yes, it was better for her not to know what he was up to as long as he wouldn''t implicate her. The unspoken words¡­ they both knew how it would end if they failed.


    "I don''t care, I was simply curious. You better make sure my name wouldn''t be dragged in it. As long as that person could do the job properly, money wouldn''t be an issue,"


    She had no choice but to bite the bullet with her teeth.. She''d have to suck it up until she can find a way to get rid of him.

 Chapter 62 - Evil Intentions (2)

    Li Xiuying hid her smile behind her mug as she watched Lan Jinyao''s eyes widened in surprise as she opened the box encasing the dress that Song Zexi ced on their table. She could clearly see how the younger woman held her breath for a moment before slowly taking out the elegant champagne-colored dress out of the box.


    "Sister Ying, this is so beautiful," Lan Jinyao''s gaze swept on the intricate details of the torso of the dress and marveled at how soft the skirt flowed as she held it. "...but why are you giving me this?" She asked curiously.


    The woman in question brought down her cup and smiled at Lan Jinyao. She sped her hands together while both of her arms were propped up over the table. Her long hair weaved on a loose braid hanging carelessly over her right shoulder.


    "I heard that you''ve finished shooting the film today and thought you might need a dress for the celebration banquetter. I hope we got the right size for you. Song Zexi got your measurements from your new assistant."


    "But¡­" Lan Jinyao wanted to argue that she didn''t need it but she also knew that her current wardrobe wascking formal attire for such events.


    "You''re the female lead of the film. You wouldn''t want to be overshadowed by Lin Meirong, do you? Since you''re the female lead, you should be the star of the event. Take it, Miss Lan. Please consider this as my thank you gift. In the future, when you be a film empress, I''ll be happy to give you another one."


    "Oh, no, Sister Ying! You really don''t have to!" Lan Jinyao''s face flushed with embarrassment whenever Li Xiuying mentions her dream of bing a film empress. She had never met anyone who had given as much support and had as much faith in her as Li Xiuying had in her effort to achieve such a dream.


    "Please ept it, Miss Lan. Today''s my flight and I wouldn''t be able to attend the celebration partyter. Obviously, my Aunt Yue would be thereter to represent our family."


    "Then I''ll be presumptuous today and ept this gift then." Lan Jinyao clutched the dress on her chest and gave her benefactor a genuine smile. "Have a safe trip and take care. Please don''t forget to contact me once in a while. I will surely miss you, Sister Ying."


    Lan Jinyao kept the dress inside the box with such gentleness that amused Li Xiuying who was sitting across her.


    "But of course, do you expect me to forget about you as soon as I leave the country?" Li Xiuying chuckled. "Just in case you need something, just give Song Zexi a call or leave a message."


    The actress pursed her lips and gave a curt nod. She knew that her road to stardom would be filled with obstacles and drama. With Li Xiuying backing her up, it would somehow lessen her troubles in the future although she was also aware that she cannot rely on the Li family''s help alone and have to work hard in the future.


    After spending a while more with Lan Jinyao, Li Xiuying bade goodbye and walked out of the cafe where they met. It waste in the afternoon and the gray sky started to pour.


    "Ah, it started raining," Li Xiuyingmented as she looked heavenward. "Su Ling, please escort Miss Lan to her residence. I''m sure she''s really exhausted by now."


    Lan Jinyao had met Li Xiuying at a cafe near Li Corporation as soon as the crew finished filming that afternoon. She rushed to meet her benefactor, knowing that Li Xiuying would also be leaving soon and she that wouldn''t be able to meet her for a long time.


    "Oh, no. There''s no need for that, Sister Ying! You don''t need to trouble yourself. I''ll just call a cab to go home."


    Li Xiuying waved a hand andughed.


    "Nonsense, it''s no trouble. Isn''t it, Su Ling?" She eyed her bodyguard.


    Su Ling had no choice but to nod his head and gestured to Lan Jinyao to follow him. Initially, he nned to drive his miss and Song Zexi to the airport and head back to the Li Mansion to report to his Master Yuren but since Miss Ying had ordered him to apany Lan Jinyao, he had no choice but to follow hermand.


    Lan Jinyao gave her thanks to Li Xiuying and followed Su Ling to Li Corporation''s basement car park. Since Song Zexi would be taking the car they brought with them, he would have to take the spare car that was parked there


    Li Xiuying walked straight to the side of the car and Song Zexi considerately opened the door for her. Once Li Xiuying was seated, Song Zexi hurriedly circled to the driver''s seat and started the car.


    Li Xiuying looked out of the window in a daze, thinking of how she would miss this ce. She and Chuntao were born abroad but grew up in this country as their Uncle Yuren and Aunt Yue raised them after their parents died.


    It''d be five to seven years before she could see this ce again. Too long, but she knew she cannot stay here any longer. She had been muddle-headed to endure her husband''s betrayal but after taking some time to think about what really matters, her mind unexpectedly became very clear.


    If she had been smart enough, she wouldn''t have to suffer this long and would have gotten rid of Mu Jianyu with divorce. She missed him though. No¡­ she corrected herself. She missed the old Mu Jianyu, the one who cared about her, not the current Mu Jianyu who looked at her with disdain in his eyes.


    However, right now, it''s best that she learned to stop fighting for someone who was okay with losing her.


    Song Zexi gave her a side nce to look at her Miss''s expression as she drove towards the airport. Li Chuntao was probably waiting for them to arrive but with the long hours of travel, it would tire Li Xiuying.


    The weather was getting worse and Song Zexi had to reduce her speed on the freeway. With summering to its end, there were heavy rains almost every afternoon for the past week. They hadn''t seen a clear blue sky and sunshine as the sky was filled with dark rain clouds.


    They had reached the bridge that crossed the huge river beneath them and the traffic was starting to build. Song Zexi kept a good distance from other cars and asionally checked on Li Xiuying.


    Li Xiuying didn''t like the rain. It reminded her of painful memories from her childhood and Song Zexi was aware of it.


    However, no matter how careful Song Zexi was, she cannot control other people''s will.


    Behind them, the traffic hadn''t caught up and a heavily loaded truck lost its brakes and mmed into the cars in front of it, causing a multiple car collision. Song Zexi was the first one to notice the disturbance as she looked at her side mirror. Her eyes widened, filled with horror as she eyed the trucking their way.


    "Miss!" she released her seatbelt and pounced on Li Xiuying at once.


    Li Xiuying was momentarily startled at her bodyguard''s action before her eyes caught the truck about to m behind them at full speed.

 Chapter 63 - Ying Jie Is Sorry (1)

    The truck swerved, out of control. The two oing cars tried to avoid it - and failed. Both of them hit in a three-way head-on collision but it wasn''t able to stop the truck from speeding towards Li Xiuying''s car.


    Li Xiuying heard the loud screeching first before seeing what was happening. The sounds of horns and screams filling her head and the sudden screeching of the brakes were heard from the outside.


    Even if Song Zexi had been paying attention she would have been hard-pressed to make the maneuver. As she barely had time to scream before the airbags knocked her back and sideways. The car tumbled over and over into the central barrier but it didn''t stop there.


    The car had flipped so many times that Li Xiuying had be disorientated before she sustained a concussion that had her drifting in and out of consciousness. She was fleetingly aware of the bloody taste in her mouth but she couldn''t figure out what it was.


    At times her eyelids fluttered and she thought she must be at home in bed because it was so dark. But then why the cold and the sound of rain on metal?


    The moment the truck rammed behind their car, Li Xiuying felt Song Zexi''s arms tightened around her as the ss shards hit them. Song Zexi lost her consciousness when her head hit the window hard. The airbags were instantly inted during the collision.


    It saved her and Song Zexi from being thrown forward at the windshield but it couldn''t stop the truck from pushing their car to the rails at the edge of the road.


    Li Xiuying was still conscious but felt very dizzy as she held onto Song Zexi''s body but the moment their car was flipped and was thrown off the freeway, she suddenly felt dizzy and nauseous at the same time.


    Her bones and muscles and joints and organs felt like they were being crumbled and smashed into a tiny box. Her lungs contracted with such force that Li Xiuying was afraid they would fold into themselves.


    The world seemed to have continuously flickered its figurative light switch because her vision kept shing from bitter darkness to blinding white light. The only sound that filled her ears was the crushing of ss mixed with the distinct crackles of her fragile bones.


    It took her some time before she realized they were in a more dangerous situation. Their car fell several meters into the river with a huge ssh, shocking the witnesses of the scene. They could only watch from inside their cars as the rain poured down relentlessly.


    Li Xiuying couldn''t believe that this was happening to her as the water started to flow inside. She felt a stabbing pain in her stomach and terror filled her entirety. Her baby!


    She must save her baby! She started panicking, releasing the seat belt buckle and pulling the unconscious Song Zexi with her.


    Her whole body felt sore but she struggled to release herself and her bodyguard from confinement. She tried to open the door on her side but it wouldn''t budge no matter how much force she exerts to open it.


    ''Why? Why isn''t it working?'' Li Xiuying questioned herself as she held her breath. She couldn''t swim, unlike her twin sister, but she must save herself and Song Zexi from drowning.


    In her despair and desperation, she applied force to break the ss of the windshield to escape the sinking car with her bodyguard. She was sessful on her attempt, now, she had to bring herself and Song Zexi to the surface, hoping that someone would rescue them.


    Her arms and legs kicked out desperately as she tried to swim to the surface. The water swirled around her, trapping her, keeping her from the oxygen she needed. Her entire body was throbbing painfully, her lungs feeling as though they''ve been set on fire.


    Slowly, ck began to seep in from the edges of Li Xiuying''s vision. She tried to open her mouth to breathe but she only managed to inhale water. Then, ever so slowly, everything faded away. Painfully, quietly.


    She didn''t want to die like this, but it was too hard to try to fight.


    Darkness enveloped her. The water closed in around her, filling her with dread. She was worried that Song Zexi wouldn''t be able to survive as her arms lost its strength and the hold she had on her bodyguard loosened. She held her breath as long as she could, too long in fact. Red and ck splotches danced in front of her and she couldn''t remember if her eyes were opened or closed.


    The coldness she had felt upon entering the water waspletely gone. A desperate hot wave hade over her, warming even her frosted toes. Her heart was beating rapidly in panic. The urgency for air was more apparent than ever. There weren''t red blotches in her field of vision anymore. It was all ck.


    On the verge of death, twenty-seven years of Li Xiuying''s life shed before her eyes. An indescribable fear and thoughts crossed her mind. Her life was too tragic if she ended up dead today.


    Just as she was about to start a new life with her twin sister, fate had other ns on her. This was such a tragic life with a dreadful ending. However, if she gets a chance to live another life in her next life, she would still choose to be her parents'' daughter and Chuntao''s sister.


    ''Chuntao¡­''


    A memory from her childhood days shed in her mind. She and Chuntao were ying hide and seek in the Li Mansion garden while their parents were busy conversing with each other.


    "Chuntao! I found you! You have to call me Ying Jie from now on!" Young Li Xiuying grinned down as she looked at Li Chuntao sitting behind the bush with leaves sticking on her head.


    Young Li Chuntao pouted and turned her head away, refusing to acknowledge her sister''s im.


    "No way! I won''t call you Ying Jie! You''re only minutes older than me. That doesn''t count at all!"


    Another memory shed. Li Xiuying found herself standing in front of their parents'' tombs as the guests bid their goodbyes one by one to their Uncle Yuren. They were both wearing matching ck dresses with Chuntao crying her heart out as Li Xiuying stood numb beside her.


    "Mommy¡­" She heard Chuntao huped in between her sobs, "Daddy¡­ why did you leave Chuntao alone?" Her hands rubbed her eyes as she cried.


    Young Li Xiuying bit her lower lip, tears welled up her eyes. Her small hand reached and took Li Chuntao''s hand with hers.


    "Chuntao, don''t cry. You aren''t alone. Ying Jie promise you, you won''t be alone,"


    Before Li Xiuying closed her eyes, she thought of her unwillingness to leave her twin sister alone. She knew how Li Chuntao would be devastated if she died today. She regretted not being able to arrive on time and fulfill her promise.


    ''Chuntao, I''m so sorry¡­Ying Jie is sorry.''


    A sense of anguish, more than pain, had taken over her heart, and she was extremely light-headed.. As her vision blurred out and her consciousness faltered, her body slowly became numb and she waited for the numbing hands of death to suck away everyst piece of life left in her.

 Chapter 64 - Ying Jie Is Sorry (2)

    Li Chuntao was busy treating a young boy who had hurt himself. She tended the child''s right leg and with a hushed voice, assuring him that he would be fine and would be able to y again once his wound healed.


    His mother, who had passed out from the shock of seeing him bleeding profusely, was now being tended by his father. The boy had aceration on his leg from an ident.


    "Doctor, would it hurt?" The boy sniffed and watched as Li Chuntao prepared to suture his wound while a male nurse put a numbing gel on the top of the boy''s wound before he began cleaning the cut with sterile water, which was squirted into the cut to remove harmful germs and dirt.


    The boy was obviously terrified seeing Li Chuntao holding a needle in her hand. It also didn''t help that there was no warmth whatsoever in her face as if she didn''t care if he was afraid or not.


    "No, it would not. You won''t feel much at all," Li Chuntao assured him with a small smile.


    Although the wound had been treated promptly, the injury on the boy was too deep and Li Chuntao was sure that it would leave a shallow scar once it''s healed.


    Once the nurse finished cleaning the cut, using a very tiny needle, Li Chuntao sewed the cut using the sutures with a precision that left the attending nurse speechless by her skills. It was as if she''d been doing this for a long time that there was no hesitation in every movement. No wonder she was the top of her ss.


    "Although your wound is numb, you might feel a tug as I pull the stitches together. Do you feel any pain?" Li Chuntao asked the boy but he shook his head, refusing to look at the cut that was being sewn by her. Instead, the boy looked at her beautiful face, seemingly enthralled by her.


    "Remember not to get it wet, okay? I''ll tell your parents to get you some antibiotics and bandagester. It''s important that you don''t tug or pull on the stitches, even if they get itchy. And don''t ever try to take the stitches out by yourself, or I will have to stitch it again." She continued.


    Half an hourter, Li Chuntao finished the procedure and had a short talk with the parents of the boy. She couldn''t wait to finish her shift so she could go out and wait for her twin sister''s arrival. She wasn''t even able to sleepst night from anticipation.


    ''Ying must be on her way to the airport by now," she sighed as she checked the time on her wrist watch. She was halfway through her shift and wouldn''t be able to leave anytime soon.


    Fortunately, today the emergency department wasn''t as busy and crowded, unlike previous days where Li Chuntao was forced to do longer shifts to treat some patients while other patients who needed immediate treatment were rushed to the operating room.


    Ah, time was really too slow for those who waited like Li Chuntao but she was also aware that good things take time to arrive so she''d rather patiently wait than rush it. She was a very impatient person, and standing in a slow-moving line drives her crazy. So as she waited for the time to pass, she set out to understand the psychology behind her frustration.


    It''s unfortunate, though, that she was oblivious to the tragic situation her twin sister was in, that she was waiting for nothing. Li Xiuying wouldn''t be able to see herter and she would be the one who would be going to send her twin sister off for thest time.


    By the time her shift came into the end, Li Chuntao couldn''t contain her excitement to leave the hospital. She had waited long enough and she was curious as to why she hadn''t heard anything from her sister nor Song Zexi yet.


    "Tired, Doctor Li? You seem happy today." The nurse at the front desk asked her as she signed on the dotted line, nodding her head to the two other doctors on their way out.


    "My sister''s arriving today. I haven''t seen her for a long time," she replied nonchntly before excusing herself to leave.


    She pulled out her phone from her side pocket and frowned when she saw that there was no message from her sister. What was taking Ying so long? She wondered.


    Li Chuntao made a long trek to her car and sighed at the coldness of the night. Her breath created a fog, blurring her sight. She unlocked the door of the driver''s seat and slid inside, turning on the heater, shivering a little as she snuggled the scarf on her neck.


    She drove in silence and it took her an hour before she arrived at her ce. She pulled into the garage below her apartment, stepped outside and locked the doors behind her with a click. Her dark apartment greeted her as always but the thought that she wouldn''t be alone anymore after this day ends made Li Chuntao''s mood better.


    She pulled off her coat and boots before striding towards the kitchen to get something to drink. The long shift she had almost exhausted her but she was starting to get used to it. Shen Zichen had told her once that she wouldn''t be able to have enough time for herself once she bes a doctor like himself.


    Li Chuntao snorted at that thought. Ah, no wonder that Young Master Shen was still single up to this day. Not only because he wasn''t able topletely move on from her twin sister, his job was also upying most of his time, forbidding him to seek romance outside the sanitized and disinfectant smelling hallways of the hospital he was working in.


    Li Chuntao decided to start preparing dinner while waiting for her sister. Waiting without doing anything would drive her crazy and she would rather do something useful while waiting. Ying would probably be tired and hungry once she arrived with Song Zexi.


    However, two hours had passed and there were no signs of Li Xiuying and Song Zexi. The dinner on the table was starting to get cold as she waited.


    Li Chuntao couldn''t take it anymore and pulled her phone to call her sister but Li Xiuying was out of reach. She couldn''t even connect with Song Zexi much to her frustration.


    "What the hell is happening?" She grumbled to herself.


    She was so deep in thought when the doorbell rang loudly, startling her. Thinking that it must be her twin sister, Li Chuntao rushed to answer her door only to find two men wearing air force uniforms standing outside her door.


    "Are you Li Chuntao?" the gruff voice of one of the men made her arch a brow.


    "Yes," she confirmed.


    "We''re instructed to retrieve you and send you home by General Li." The man exined the reason for their sudden visit.


    Li Chuntao frowned. Why would her Uncle Yuren send someone to bring her home? Did something happen while she was gone?


    Secondster, the color on her face drained and she was as white as a sheet of paper when she realized the reason for her Uncle''s decision.


    Something bad had happened back home.. Something bad had happened to her twin sister.

 Chapter 65 - You Cannot Leave Me! (1)

    Shen Zichen was in the middle of surgery in the operation room when Li Xiuying and Song Zexi were rushed to the ER. He only stepped out after an hour and noticed that most of the nurses were panicking, some even tripped as they ran to the emergency room.


    "What''s wrong? What''s happening there?" He stopped one of the nurses on duty to ask.


    "Oh, Doctor Shen, this is really bad. Lady Li and her bodyguard were involved in an ident and were rushed in. The Li family had been pressuring the doctors on duty to save them. Both of them are in a critical situation,"


    As soon as he heard that Li Xiuying was involved in an ident, the hold on his colleague''s arm loosened as his mind went nk for a while.


    Once reality sank soon after, Shen Zichen removed his surgical gown and gloves at once and quickly threw them in the appropriate bin. He then ran at full speed to the emergency room in fear and panic.


    Fear was foreign to Shen Zichen. Thest time he felt indescribable fear was when he was young and his mother was involved in a gas explosion in the restaurant she was working in.


    It had been a long time since he felt this kind of fear. He ignored the people calling out for him to stop. His mind was filled with Ying and only with her.


    ''No. No. This couldn''t be happening! Ying should be on her way to see Chuntao overseas. How did she end up in the emergency room at this time?'' he thought.


    When he saw Li Xiuying unconscious, with her skin bluish and cold. Her lips had lost its color while Song Zexi was on the other bed, surrounded by other doctors who were trying to resuscitate her. There were signs that Song Zexi suffered from a head trauma which puts her at high risk.


    Shen Zichen couldn''t do anything but to watch as doctors tend to the woman she loved. It was improper for him to intervene his fellow doctors'' effort and see Li Xiuying himself. Instead, he gritted his teeth and went to the front desk to find out what happened.


    But before he could reach the front desk, he saw Li Yuren and Zheng Yue rushing in to look for their niece. Zheng Yue held her husband''s arm, fear and worry written all over her face.


    They were immediately informed about the ident but with the bad weather, persistently raining outside, the rescuers had a hard time rescuing Li Xiuying and Song Zexi from the river as the waves started to drag them away.


    "Uncle Yuren," Shen Zichen nodded his head to greet the older man.


    Li Yuren pressed his lips together as he looked towards his niece being surrounded by the doctors and nurses. His niece, who he raised as his own, was now facing death for the second time.


    "Ying¡­ can you save her?" There was a hint of hopelessness and despair in Li Yuren''s tone that caught Shen Zichen off guard.


    "I-I cannot promise anything as of now," he responded truthfully. He could never give them false hope when he himself couldn''t assure Li Xiuying''s recovery.


    For the first time in Shen Zichen''s life, he felt useless and he didn''t like it.


    Lowering his head in shame, he excused himself to find out what caused Li Xiuying''s ident. Heter found out that the car she was on was involved in the multiple-vehicle collision and they were rescued from the river.


    Shen Zichen, being Li Xiuying''s childhood friend, knew well that she couldn''t swim and was nearly drowned once when she was ten years old. The memory of it was still clear in his mind and he could remember seeing the panic and terror on Li Yuren''s face when he rescued Ying from the pool and held her limp body like a fragile doll.


    His thoughts were momentarily put on hold as he heard the gasp and panic around Li Xiuying.


    "She''s having a cardiac arrest!" Someone eximed.


    Zheng Yue started to hyperventte as a panic attack hit her which forced Li Yuren to take his wife away from the scene, praying in his heart that Ying would survive. He wouldn''t be able to survive another heartache if he lost Ying now. He wouldn''t be able to face his dead sister for failing to protect and take care of Ying.


    Shen Zichen couldn''t help but barge in to see Li Xiuying''s condition. As sheid there unmoving, he could feel a tight squeeze in his chest. Li Xiuying''s vitals were dropping at an rming rate and he couldn''t do anything to help her. Being submerged in cold water caused her abnormal heart rates.


    "Doctor Shen! You aren''t allowed in here! Please step back!" One of the nurses blocked him, not letting him disturb the doctors tending to their patient.


    "Ying! Save her! Save her life!" He tried to force his way but another male nurse stepped forward and stopped him. Of course, the nurses knew about his rtionship with Li Xiuying but they couldn''t allow him to make a scene while the doctor tried to treat her.


    Ack of oxygen or any chemical changes in the lungs may cause the heart to stop beating. This cardiac arrest would stop the flow of blood and thus would stop the transport of oxygen to the brain.


    The brain cannot survive long without oxygen and the continuedck of oxygen in the bloodbined with the cardiac arrest will lead to the deterioration of brain cells causing, first, brain damage and eventually brain death from which recovery is generally considered impossible.


    The brain will die after approximately six minutes without oxygen at normal body temperature, but hypothermia of the central nervous system may prolong this. Shen Zichen was aware of this and he fear gripped his heart as Li Xiuying''s vitals remained unstable as seconds passed by.


    Her life couldn''t possibly end like this! Not like this! Li Xiuying didn''t deserve any of this!


    What had she done wrong to suffer like this? Li Xiuying was the most kind-hearted person he knew in his life and surely didn''t deserve the pain she was in.


    The feeling of not being able to do anything¡­ Shen Zichen truly despised it. How would he exin it to Chuntao if they lost Ying tonight? He promised Li Chuntao to look after her twin sister but now he wasn''t sure if he would be able to keep his promise to her.


    What was the point of being one of the best doctors in the capital if he couldn''t even save the life of the woman he loved? Those titles, those recognitions he received from everyone meant nothing to him if he couldn''t help Li Xiuying at all.


    "Doctor Shen, please. Don''t make this hard for us¡­" The nurse begged for his cooperation.


    Shen Zichen stepped back and looked helplessly at Li Xiuying as one of the doctors started giving her continuous chestpression. He could tell that they knew what they were doing and doing their best to save Li Xiuying''s life but she remained unresponsive.


    "I¡­ I couldn''t save her?" He muttered to himself as his mind tuned out everything around him as his eyes fixated on Li Xiuying''s limp form.

 Chapter 66 - You Cannot Leave Me! (2)

    Li Chuntao remained silent throughout the trip from the country she was currently living to the ce where her family was. It was a long journey but there was no hint of tiredness on her face, only her anxiousness could be perceived by other passengers of the craft.


    She shut her eyes and clenched her fists on herp, praying to all deities that whatever was waiting for her back home wasn''t as terrible as she assumed it to be. However, the mere fact that her uncle used his connection abroad to retrieve her in a short time meant that the Li family was in trouble.


    ''Ying¡­''


    Li Chuntao had this feeling that it was about her twin sister. She insisted on giving her uncle a call first but herpanions didn''t give her any leeway to do so. So Li Chuntao remained silent in the corner, visibly trembling in fear.


    They only gave her a few minutes to change from her work clothes into a pair of pants and a ck turtleneck sweater before they left her apartment.


    Every second that passed without her knowing what was happening felt likea ticking bomb waiting to explode. Her own heart pounding painfully inside her chest. She sweated and became pale, then the tremor in her hands began


    Li Chuntao felt her head be a little giddy and her stomach nauseous. All she could do was wait until they arrived.


    She sucked in a deep breath, her shoulders slumping as she looked outside, seeing how the sky started to lit up as the sun rose from the east. It was dawn when they reached the capital. She was back at home yet, Li Chuntao dreaded finding out the reason for her uncle''s summoning.


    Unease blossomed within her that even her usually pokered face couldn''t hide it.


    She gasped when the helicopternded on the rooftop of a private hospital within the capital. Li Chuntao''s eyes caught a glimpse of her uncle a few meters away from the helipad. She could hear the des of the chopper beat the air as it slowly descended on the designated tform.


    With the help of one of her travelpanions, Li Chuntao slid out of the chopper and greeted her uncle. She noticed the grim on his face and the tightening of his jaw, indicating that he was also on the verge of something Li Chuntao couldn''t perceive.


    "Chuntao," came his same old, baritone tone that Li Chuntao was familiar with.


    "Uncle," she paused, hesitating if she should voice out her confusion, "Why am I brought here?"


    Instead of answering her question, Li Yuren regarded the foreign air force personnel who had retrieved her from her apartment. He was speaking in a foreignnguage that she could understand, if only her mind wasn''t preupied with curiosity over the reason for her uncle''s summon.


    After conversing with them, Li Yuren wrapped an arm around her shoulder and led her inside the hospital premises.


    "Uncle, please tell me now. Why am I here?" She urged. In her anxiety, she had constructed borate rationalizations for why everything should turn out alright, but still, the nagging voice in the back of her mind spoke of nothing but doom ahead.


    Li Chuntao couldn''t understand why she felt miserable at all but her confusion and her questions were instantly cleared and answered when her uncle spoke.


    "Ying. She was involved in a multiple-vehicle collision when she and Song Zexi were on the way to the airport for their flight."


    Li Chuntao was shocked. Her face was ashen with disbelief. It now made sense to her why Ying never arrived at her expected time, why never heard from her and Song Zexi.


    She began to cry silently. She didn''t want to, didn''t want other people to see her weakness. She couldn''t help it, though. She felt alone and helpless. Like the time she''d lost her parents and now, she was faced with the possibility of losing her twin sister.


    "How is she?" came her muffled response. She didn''t need to look up to know that her Uncle Yuren was also affected by her sister''s ident.


    Li Yuren had lost his only sister in a car crash decades ago and now he was facing the same situation all over again and it was his niece this time.


    "How could it possibly happen?" She blurted out.


    Her sister''s bodyguards were trained and capable drivers. They knew of the trauma their parents'' death left on the twins and were careful when driving on the road. They wouldn''t subject Li Xiuying to a dangerous situation unless an external factor caused the ident.


    "The car they drove fell into the river." Li Yuren said after a long silence between them. Only their footsteps could be heard as they descended the stairs together.


    Li Chuntao nched upon hearing what he said. Everyone in the family knew that Ying couldn''t swim!


    No matter how many times she and Li Yuren tried to teach Li Xiuying to swim, it was futile. Li Xiuying just couldn''t do it and have been afraid to be submerged in water ever since she almost drowned when she was younger.


    As if sensing the thoughts running on her head, Li Yuren spoke again.


    "I''m not sure if she would be able to survive this time¡­"


    "And her baby?" She questioned.


    "Gone," Li Yuren said as if it hurt him speaking about it.


    After all, this wasn''t the first time Li Xiuying almost greeted death by drowning. He also had aplicated feeling. If Li Xiuying survives, she would be faced with another nightmare as the child in her womb died. It was nightmare after nightmare all over again.


    Li Chuntao couldn''t wait to see her sister any longer and ran in the deserted hallway of the ICU. She stopped a nurse midway to ask for her twin sister''s room before she sprints to the direction where she could find her.


    ''No¡­ No¡­ Ying! You cannot leave me! You promised me!'' she continued to run, ignoring the pitiful looks the nurses and doctors throwing her way.


    She burst inside Li Xiuying''s hospital room and what she saw inside made her blood run cold. Li Chuntao felt all her energy sucked out of her body upon seeing Lu Xiuying.


    There, lying on the hospital bed was her twin sister. A tube was stuck down her throat to aid her breathing.


    Li Chuntao forced her legs to move forward until she was standing next to her sister''s bed. Only the constant beeping sounds from the machines connected to Li Xiuying could be heard inside the room. She wished in her heart that this was just another dream, that none of these was happening.


    She didn''t even notice Zheng Yue who stood from her seat when she burst inside the room. Her uncle arrived shortly after her and consoled his crying wife.


    "Ying¡­" Li Chuntao held her sister''s cold hand. She noticed the dark discoloration on Li Xiuying''s fingernails, indicating that she''d been submerged in the water for too long and had suffered asphyxia before she was rescued.


    This was certainly not the reunion she''d been looking forward to.. She certainly didn''t expect to see Li Xiuying in a vegetative state.

 Chapter 67 - The Death Of Li Xiuying (1)

    Li Chuntao could barely hear what the doctor was telling her but she understood what he said anyway. With her eyes fixated to her twin sister, her hand tightened its grasp on Li Xiuying''s hand.


    Not only did her sister lose her baby but she suffered several bone fractures and a head trauma like Song Zexi who was also in an ICU room still in critical condition. Li Xiuying also had a cardiac arrest and while the doctors managed to keep her alive the damage on her brain hadn''t been avoided.


    "I''m sorry, Miss Li. We did everything we could but¡­" His voice trailed off.


    The doctor gave her a look of sympathy. He didn''t need to borate on what this could mean for Li Chuntao. Li Xiuying''s brain activity was so low that even if she lived, she would be bedridden for the rest of her life.


    The machines attached to her were the ones keeping her alive. Her heart might still be beating but she was clinically dead. There was no way they would be able to restore her in perfect condition unless a miracle happened which was a rarity.


    Li Chuntao shut her eyes. A single tear managed to roll down her cheeks. She was visibly shaking from the news. How could this happen to Ying? This wasn''t supposed to happen at all!


    This couldn''t be happening. She told herself over and over again. Everything was just a bad dream and that dream would be over as soon as she opened her eyes.


    Yes, that must be it! She must have been exhausted from her long shift at work and had fallen asleep somewhere. It wasn''t the first time she passed out from exhaustion anyway. Her twin sister couldn''t possibly be involved in an ident and now lying on her deathbed.


    However, her reality was just cruel. Too cruel. Li Chuntao just couldn''t get away from it.


    As she opened her eyes again, the nightmare wasn''t disappearing and she could still see Ying''s pale face with a bruise darkening on her corbone. She couldn''t imagine how hard it was for Ying to be submerged in cold water for too long, wondering if someone would rescue her.


    She fell on her knees as the tears she''d been trying to keep at bay burst from her. Her vision became blurry as she cried out for her twin sister. The pain on her chest hurt so much that she had to grip the sheets on the bed for support.


    She had seen this scene countless times, whether on dramas she was watching or in her workce but Li Chuntao never thought that she would also experience the same heart-wrenching pain of seeing a loved one in this state.


    "Chuntao!" Zheng Yue gasped as she saw her niece broke down. She rushed and knelt down beside Li Chuntao. She covered her mouth with both hands as she cried alongside her niece.


    They had already expected that Li Chuntao would be devastated from the news but seeing her like this, they weren''t prepared for it.


    "Ying! How can you do this to me?! You promised me! You promised me!" She wailed, as she held her sister''s hand.


    "I also advise you to consider allowing us to unplug her life assistance¡­" The doctor announced, which felt like a stab directly on Li Chuntao''s chest.


    As if the pain she was suffering wasn''t enough, the doctor gave them Ying''s prognosis.


    "She wouldn''t be the same if she lived through this.."


    This was the scene Shen Zichen found when he came to visit the private room where Li Xiuying was. He silently closed the door behind him and didn''t dare to utter a single word. The doctor assigned to Li Xiuying gave him a nod and excused himself from the Li family.


    The scene was heartbreaking for those who''d witnessed it that even the cold and stern Li Yuren couldn''t stop shedding tears for his nieces.


    ''Sister, I have failed you,'' he thought, but it was also hard for him to make a decision right now.


    If he allowed the doctors to pull out Ying''s life support, Chuntao wouldn''t be able to take it but if he continued to keep Ying in this state, there was no assurance that she woulde back to them.


    "Ying, please wake up..."


    Although Li Chuntao knew of the possibility that her twin sister would never wake up again, she still wasn''t ready to give her up yet. No, not like this. She wasn''t ready to lose her yet! She didn''t want to have thest memory of her sister lying on her deathbed as the doctor asks them for permission to cease her own suffering.


    "How could you do this to me?" She continued to wail beside Ying, "We made ns¡­are you going to ditch me again? Didn''t you promise you would never leave me alone?"


    If she didn''t have Ying by her side when their parents passed away, Li Chuntao didn''t think she would be able to ovee the pain and grief alone. Li Xiuying had been her support all this time, the one who constantly supports her, loves her as no other could.


    How would she be able to live knowing that a part of her was missing?


    They were born at the same time, swore that they would be best friends forever, that no matter where they were, they would always be connected. The loss of a twin hurts longer, and more intensely than the loss of nearly anyone else. There was no grief so shattering as losing your twin.


    "If I promise you to call you my Ying Jie, would you wake up?" It was a silly attempt for her to bargain at her half-dead sister. "Ying, please¡­ please¡­"


    Her words made Zheng Yue cry harder. Li Xiuying had always teased her younger twin about it, always pestering Chuntao to call her Ying Jie while thetter refused to agree every time.


    However, Li Xiuying remained unresponsive. No matter how many times Li Chuntao spoke to her and called her name, it was simply futile. As she watched her sister''s form, Li Chuntao felt a profound sense of loss. She''d already lost her parents, what would happen to her if she also loses Ying now?


    Li Chuntao knew that she would be nothing without her twin sister, that she wouldn''t be able to forgive herself for living while knowing her twin sister had departed this world to join their parents.


    She felt like there''s nobody in the world who canpare to the rtionship she had with Ying. Nobody could understand the pain of a twinless twin unless he or she experienced the same loss.


    Shen Zichen lowered his head, trying to hide the tears and guilt on his face. He was about to lose Li Xiuying and he couldn''t do anything to stop it from happening. He clenched his fist on his side and could feel his nails digging on his palm but the pain wasn''tparable to what Chuntao was having right now.


    Li Chuntao released her sister''s hand and curled on the floor as she continued to cry her heart out. She couldn''t stand the pain anymore.. She would rather die with Ying than to be left behind.

 Chapter 68 - The Death Of Li Xiuying (2)

    Li Chuntao refused to pull her sister off from life support and insisted to stay by her side to personally check on her condition. Since her arrival, Li Chuntao had remained by Ying''s side. Her hand constantly twining their fingers together even though Ying''s hand remained limp on her grip.


    The whole day, she made phone calls overseas asking for opinions from her superior about Li Xiuying''s case but their answers weren''t enough to calm Li Chuntao''s troubled heart.


    Faced with the options of her twin sister''s fate, Li Chuntao''s energy dwindled with each passing hour that her sister remained unconscious. She continued to talk to her as if Ying was just asleep and would be waking up soon.


    "Chuntao, you should eat. You haven''t eaten or drank anything since you arrived." Zhen Yue patted Li Chuntao''s shoulder, worried that her niece''s health would also take a toll from Ying''s condition.


    "I''m fine, Auntie Yue. I''m not hungry. I just want to take a nap," Li Chuntao answered. She remained seated on one of the chairs next to her sister''s bed and shut her eyes for a quick nap.


    Zheng Yue couldn''t do anything but put the packed meals she brought on the table before taking a seat next to Li Chuntao. She also didn''t have an appetite to eat anything at the moment. Li Chuntao refused to let Ying go and she and Li Yuren couldn''t make the decision either.


    This had been one of the hardest struggles she and Li Yuren faced throughout their marriage. Because they practically raised the twins as their own, it was hard for them whenever the twins were distressed or sick. Their work would always be cast aside in favor of the girls.


    The temporary peace inside Li Xiuying''s room ended too soon when the door opened and Shen Zichen came inside with a vase full of flowers in his hand. Li Xiuying''s favorite flowers.


    "Zichen," Zheng Yue stood from her seat and weed him.


    At that moment, Li Chuntao opened her eyes with a nk expression in her eyes. She stood and followed her aunt''s lead toward Shen Zichen but instead of greeting him warmly, Li Chuntao strode towards him and hit him on his face hard. The vase in his hands fell on the cold floor with a loud crash.


    "Chuntao!" Zheng Yue was left bbergasted with her niece''s actions. Why was she turning her rage now at Shen Zichen? None of them wanted the ident to happen.


    "Didn''t you say you will look after her? Didn''t you promise me that you''ll take care of her?!" Li Chuntao continued to hit his face but Shen Zichen didn''t even flinch and let her do what she wanted on him.


    "Why did you hesitate?! If you were the one who tends to her, she would have survived! She wouldn''t have brain damage if you treated her in time!" Tears burst from her once again as she pulled Shen Zichen''s cor but with the height difference between them, she couldn''t pull him forward.


    Li Chuntao continued to hit his chest until she couldn''t anymore.


    "Why?" She sobbed, "Why did you let this happen? Why?"


    Shen Zichen stood there numbly, hoping that if Li Chuntao continued to hit him if it would lessen the guilt and loneliness he was feeling right now.


    Guilt and sorrow clutched his heart. If he''d forced his way and treated Li Xiuying himself, would the oue be different from what they had now? Li Chuntao had a point, maybe if he insisted Ying wouldn''t have to be in this dire condition.


    He was wracked with grief and guilt. The guilt that he had somehow failed the woman he imed to love more than anything. The grief of knowing that he was useless and powerless to change the situation.


    "Chuntao, it isn''t his fault. Please don''t me him," Zheng Yue pulled her niece away from Shen Zichen and tried to wipe the tears that stained Li Chuntao''s face before helping her to sit back in her previous spot.


    "Are you alright?" She worriedly asked Shen Zichen who stood frozen where Li Chuntao had left him. "I''m sorry. Our Chuntao isn''t taking this well. She has wronged you this time."


    "It''s alright, Aunt Yue. I understand where she''sing from," Shen Zichen finally said as his eyes shifted to look at the Li twins. One was half-dead, the other feeling lost. If he was in Li Chuntao''s ce and it was Shen Yuyan lying on that bed, he would''ve reacted the same way Li Chuntao did.


    ---


    It was past midnight and Li Chuntao remained seated next to her sister. Her Aunt Yue taking a nap on the couch refusing to leave the twins while Li Yuren was away, dealing with Li Xiuying''s husband who had made a scene outside the hospital, demanding to see her.


    Li Chuntao wondered how Mu Jianyu had the gall to demand to see his estranged wife and pretend that he cared about Ying. Shouldn''t he be celebrating right now? He and his mistress must be d that they wouldn''t need to hide in public anymore now that Li Xiuying was on the verge of death. The apparatuses connected to her body were the only thing keeping her alive.


    "Ying¡­ I don''t know what to do anymore," Li Chuntao confessed to her twin sister.


    To end her suffering and follow their parents in the afterlife or to keep her alive, Li Chuntao only wanted what''s best for Ying but the options would ruin herself.


    As if sensing the conundrum she was in, a single tear rolled down Li Xiuying''s cheek, a light squeeze was felt on Li Chuntao''s hand, freezing her on the spot but her logical mind refused to acknowledge such a feat.


    As a doctor, it was normal to hear family members say that they saw the patients'' fingers twitching or saw eye movements. It may give other people a false sense of hope but not Li Chuntao. She was forced back into reality when Li Xiuying''s life support started beeping loudly that even Zheng Yue was awakened by it.


    ''What''s happening?" She asked Li Chuntao but thetter didn''t say anything. She went to check the monitor then nced at her sister, her hands instinctively reached out to the call button and called the nurses on duty.


    Zheng Yue rose from the couch and held Li Chuntao''s arm as three nurses and two doctors came inside the door and checked on Li Xiuying.


    "Chuntao, what''s happening?!" Zheng Yue asked her niece again.


    Li Chuntao remained silent, her tears spilling from her eyes. She couldn''t believe what was happening. Ying must have known¡­ must have known that it was hard for her and their Uncle Yuren to let her go so she had made the choice herself.


    "We''re going to need you to leave the room, Madam Li," One of the nurses told Zheng Yue.


    "What? Why¨C"


    "Now, please!"


    Li Chuntao took the hint and led her aunt outside, telling her to call her Uncle Yuren and Shen Zichen immediately as they had no time left. With shaking hands, Zheng Yue followed her niece''s instruction while Li Chuntao watched as the doctors tried to stabilize her sister''s condition through the ss that separates her from Li Xiuying.


    They were losing Ying. This was Li Xiuying''s choice and Li Chuntao was left heartbroken. Still, the same kind-hearted elder sister, Li Xiuying took the pressure from her little sister''s shoulders.


    Tears pooled in Li Chuntao''s eyes, knowing that she was set to break down anytime soon as she watched her twin sister''s final moments.

 Chapter 69 - Nothing Without The Other (1)

    Dead.


    Ying was dead and Chuntao felt like the light in her life went out.


    How do you say goodbye to the person that matters to you the most? Li Chuntao had no idea.


    As she slumped on her sister''s hospital bed, holding her dead body in her arms, Li Chuntao wished she had died with Li Xiuying, so that she wouldn''t have to live knowing that she had lost her only sister, her best friend in the whole world for good.


    Everything wouldn''t be the same again. Without Li Xiuying, the road ahead of Li Chuntao would be a long and lonely one. She''d been with her elder twin sister the moment she was born and now that she was gone, Li Chuntao felt like she''d also lost a huge part of herself.


    As she held Ying''s cold body, she wailed in pain and misery that made those who witnessed the scene sympathise with her loss. Zheng Yue cried with her as well as Li Yuren.


    Lan Jinyao, who had heard from the news on the television, rushed to the hospital only to find out that her friend, her benefactor had passed away. She was startled first when she saw a woman who looked exactly like Li Xiuying butter found out that her friend was in fact the older from a set of identical twins.


    The inner child inside of Li Chuntao was crying helplessly, crying for her parents, crying for her elder sister who would nevere back even how many times she called her name.


    From the moment she was born, Ying had been on her side. Growing up, Chuntao had always thought that they came as a set, that it was normal for them to be always together. Wherever one goes, the other follows. Whatever one wanted, the other twin would try toply.


    However, from now on, Li Chuntao had to ept the fact that she wouldn''t have an elder sister to check on, no sister to annoy when she''s bored, no sister to tell her it would be okay if she failed since she was already the best.


    The sun was about to rise any moment but Li Chuntao felt like her world was enveloped with darkness and was crumbling beneath her.


    Where did it go wrong? What could she have done to avoid this tragic end?


    ''Ying, don''t you know that I''m nothing without you?''


    Li Xiuying had taken the burden and chosen her own fate for Chuntao''s sake. People had always assumed that she was weak and Li Chuntao was the courageous one but they didn''t know¡­ they didn''t know.


    It was Li Xiuying who would raise her chin up and would protect her little sister if needed. She was the only person Li Chuntao knew who never held grudges towards other people.


    Li Xiuying was soft-hearted which could easily be mistaken as being naive, but what people didn''t know was that she forgives no matter how much others hurt her because she had a beautiful heart.


    Shen Zichen couldn''t bear to see the Li twins like that and had left the room to be alone. He ran through the hallway, going straight to a secluded ce where he knew people wouldn''t be able to see him break down from grief.


    As soon as he closed the door of the fire exit behind him, Shen Zichen leaned his back on it and slid down to the floor in a daze. He was having a hard time epting reality.


    Li Xiuying was dead. His beloved was dead, she was no more. He would never be able to see her bright smile, hear her beautifulugh or see her messy look as she tried to mess with him with paints ever again.


    Shen Zichen cradled his head with both hands and cried. The guilt and despair eating him inside and out. Not only did he fail to protect Ying but he also broke his promise to Chuntao.


    How would he face herter? Shen Zichen didn''t know.


    He continued to cry until his tears dried and couldn''t shed a tear anymore but he remained impassive, not moving an inch from his position. His phone vibrated in his side pocket indicating an iing call but he ignored it. He didn''t have the strength or will to talk to anyone right now.


    When he decided that he had enough, he forced himself to stand on his feet and headed back to Li Xiuying''s room.


    Shen Zichen wasn''t sure how long he''d been gone but the cold and lifeless body of the woman he loved wasn''t there anymore. Even the Li family was nowhere to be found. He sat in the waiting area with his shoulder slumped.


    "Zi Gege!" He turned around only to see his twin sister, Shen Yuyan walking towards him in a hurry.


    Shen Yuyan rushed to the hospital the moment she received his message about Li Xiuying''s passing. However, when she arrived she hadn''t seen her brother anywhere and had been looking for him the whole time.


    When she decided toe back to Li Xiuying''s room, she finally found him sitting in the waiting area. Her blood ran cold when she saw the way his shoulder slumped and how he buried his face in his hands.


    Shen Zichen got on his feet and lifted himself slowly before he faced her.


    "Yuyan..." He sounded defeated, weak. Nothing like the cool twin brother Shen Yuyan was familiar with.


    Shen Yuyan was gasping for breath when she reached him. She was so worried when she couldn''t see and reach him earlier.


    Relieved that she had found him, she wrapped her arms around her brother and cried. Shen Yuyan knew how much her brother loved Li Xiuying and he must be devastated right now upon hearing her death.


    Like any other siblings, Zichen and Yuyan always argued with each other but when ites to serious matters, both Shen twins understood each other from the heart.


    "It''s not your fault. Please don''t me yourself. It''s not your fault¡­" Shen Yuyan sobbed on his chest.


    Shen Zichen looked away, unable to meet his sister''s eyes. As he held her in his arms, he realized that the loss Li Chuntao was feeling now would be the same if he wouldn''t be able to hold Shen Yuyan like this in the future.


    "I''ll be fine." He avoided her unspoken question. "Where''s everyone?"


    Shen Yuyan released him and sank down to the chair beside the one her brother just vacated. Her eyes looked around them, making sure that no one was eavesdropping on their conversation.


    "The Li family requested a news ckout about Sister Ying''s death." She said in a low voice.


    Shen Zichen frowned. He didn''t understand the Li family''s intention at all.


    Not giving him a chance to question her, what Shen Yuyan said after that shocked him.


    "It seems like Uncle Yuren isn''t convinced that it was an ident that caused Sister Ying''s death." Shen Yuyan bit her lip and tightened her hold on her brother''s hand. "I overheard Dad talking over the phone with Uncle Yuren. Uncle Yuren was asking Dad for a favor to convince the Ye family to help them."


    Shen Zichen was at a loss for words. Who would want to kill Li Xiuying?

 Chapter 70 - Nothing Without The Other (2)

    Indeed. Who would want her dead? Shen Zichen didn''t understand. He remained silent for a while, causing distress to his twin sister.


    Who would have enough grudge to kill Li Xiuying?


    Upon realization, his eyes widened in disbelief. Li Xiuying had never been in conflict with anyone within the businessmunity. In fact, she was well loved and respected by her colleagues.


    She hadn''t been in an argument with anyone except¡­who else but her own husband, Mu Jianyu and his mistress Lin Meirong! But what he couldn''t understand was why? What was their motive?


    Shen Zichen was pretty sure Li Xiuying had signed the divorce papers before she decided to leave the country. She was the kind of person who didn''t like to leave problems for other people and would have cleared everything before her departure. So why would Mu Jianyu want his ex-wife dead?


    He tried to think of all the logical reasons and possibilities why Mu Jianyu would dare to kill his own wife. Was it for money?


    "Yuyan, did you hear any confirmation that Ying filed her divorce papers before her ident?" Shen Zichen asked his sister.


    Shen Yuyan shook her head. Now that he mentioned it, she heard their father telling their Uncle Yuren to secure the divorce papers as soon as possible.


    "Dad also asked the same thing. Zi Gege, what''s happening? Why would Uncle Yuren need to get a hold on the divorce papers?"


    Before Mu Jianyu and Li Xiuying got married, both of them signed a prenuptial agreement with the uses that if they decide to divorce, Mu Jianyu would only get ten percent of their conjugal properties and he wouldn''t be able to do any business transactions with the Li family or represent them.


    However, the Li family never put any use in the event of Li Xiuying''s death during their marriage, the prenuptial agreement wouldn''t take effect and would be useless. No, it wasn''t that Li Yuren overlooked this possibility but he might have never considered Ying would actually lose her life.


    "I''m not sure yet, Yuyan but if Uncle Yuren''s suspicion turns out to be true¡­" He would never forgive that scumbag! He would make sure that Li Xiuying would get the justice she deserved!


    Who would have thought that Li Xiuying would die in a road ident? Even Shen Zichen couldn''t believe that she would die today.


    If Li Xiuying died while she was still married to Mu Jianyu, everything under her name would be passed to him. Li Xiuying alone had a worth of seven billion USD. She was practically one of the wealthiest women in the capital.It wouldn''t be surprising if that scumbag didn''t want a piece of it but the whole thing instead.


    Just the thought of it was enough to make Shen Zichen''s blood boil with rage. His sight filled with red. Mu Jianyu wanted to suck Li Xiuying''s finances dry to sustain hisscivious life with Lin Meirong?


    "Mu Jianyu, you bastard!" He hissed and clenched his fist on hisp. Why did he allow Ying to marry such a despicable person like Mu Jianyu?


    Wasn''t it enough that he hurt and broke Li Xiuying ''s heart and now he wanted her dead?


    "Zi Gege¡­" Shen Yuyan looked at him worriedly. She couldn''t understand what was happening but she hoped that her brother wouldn''t intentionally spite himself because of Li Xiuying''s death.


    "Does Chuntao know about this already?" He asked her again. All hell would surely break loose if Li Chuntao found out and Shen Zichen was sure she was ready to jump on the case even if she''d end up hurting herself in the process.


    "No¡­ I don''t think Uncle Yuren has told her yet." Shen Yuyan replied. Her brother must have understood the situation with the few clues she had mentioned.


    Li Chuntao wasn''t in the right mind to hear all of these. Not when her grief over her sister''s passing was still fresh and she was still hurting.


    ¡ª-


    Just as Shen Yuyan had said, Li Xiuying''s death was hidden from the public. With the help of the Tang and Shen families, everything about Li Xiuying''s ident and condition were slowly wiped off the mainstream and social media.


    The Li family decided to hold a small private ceremony for her passing and cremated her remains. Only a few people knew about it and it was kept confidential.


    Li Chuntao, who was still wearing the same clothes she wore when she arrived held a white cremation urn in her arms which held the ashes of her twin sister. She held onto it as if her life depended on it.


    Her tears had run dry and she couldn''t cry anymore. Her eyes reflected nothing but emptiness inside. Even her long hair was unkempt and had escaped from her hair ties. It looked like her soul was sucked away from her body.


    "Chuntao, why don''t you go home and let me take everything from here?" Li Yuren stood beside her, extending an arm to receive the urn in her arms.


    "Go home?" She repeated.


    Where? Her parents had died, now Ying had also left her alone. There was no one waiting back at home to wee her. She was afraid to go home only to find herself alone.


    By this time, she and Ying should have been reunited and celebrating a wee party for Ying but reality was the exact opposite. She hade home only to witness Ying in herst moments.


    Where''s her home now?


    When her parents died and it left a trauma on her at a young age, it was Ying who became her strength, she became her home.


    Now that she was gone, everything around Li Chuntao became gray and useless. Even her dream to be a surgeon seemed like nothing.


    What was the point of living now? She''d already lost her family, she already lost the will to live.


    ''Ying, why did you leave me without a warning? You were gone so fast and now I''m left with nothing but the memories of our past.''


    "I¡­" Li Chuntao hesitated to give the urn to her uncle. She wasn''t ready to part with her twin sister. Her eyes stung with tears and her body slightly trembled.


    "Chuntao, do you trust me?" Li Yuren asked gently while coaxing her to look into his eyes.


    What she saw was pain and loneliness that her Uncle Yuren hid behind his cold mask. She was reminded once again that she wasn''t alone in her grief. Her Uncle Yuren and Aunt Yue were also heartbroken from Ying''s sudden death.


    Li Chuntao then had no choice but to pass her sister''s urn to her uncle.


    "I promise you. I will return Ying''s ashes to you soon but for the meantime, take a rest and stay at your penthouse. Su Ling and Hou Chen will take you home." He eyed the two behind Li Chuntao and they stepped forward simultaneously.


    "Miss Chuntao, let us take you home," Hou Chen said with a trembling voice.


    She was a good friend of Li Xiuying and wasn''t familiar with Li Chuntao but by merely looking at Chuntao''s face, Hou Chen couldn''t help but feel upset. The resemnce between the two was uncanny.. It would be really difficult for someone who''s not a part of the Li family to tell who was who.

 Chapter 71 - Two Broken People (1)

    Stepping inside the penthouse she shared with her twin sisterte in the afternoon, Li Chuntao stood frozen in the hallway, her gaze swept around the ce she knew from the heart. This ce was her and Ying''s safe haven.


    The moment she and Ying saw this ce, they instantly fell in love with it. The penthouse was huge enough to allow them to set their own work spaces. Ying''s paintings and sculptures easily filled her private space while Chuntao''s vast collection of books was disyed in her private library.


    "Miss Chuntao, are you hungry? I can prepare a light meal if you want," Hou Chen asked her, noticing the paleness on her face. Song Zexi was usually the one tending to their Miss but she was still in a deepa from the head trauma she got during the ident.


    Li Chuntao shook her head.


    "There''s no need for that. Thank you for your concern but I''m going to take a rest," she responded but instead of going to her own room, Li Chuntao went straight to her sister''s room. It was kept clean as expected from her sister.


    The sky outside was dark. Whether it was because the night was approaching or because of the rain clouds, it didn''t matter to Li Chuntao as sheid on her sister''s bed, curling her body on top of the sheets and sobbed quietly.


    The pattering rain and the rumbling thunder outside drowning her sobs. Pearls of tears rolled down her face as she cried and cried.


    When the words would note, the tears did. The mourning period was usually a dignified and stoic period for her family, but Li Chuntao cried like a child, noisily, with a runny nose and choking sobs and she was not ashamed of it. No one could see her anyway.


    "Ying, where have you gone? What am I supposed to do now?"


    Of course, there was no one to answer her. There was no one who''ll listen to her now.


    Her memories with Ying came to her at full force. Her twin sister, the only overprotective and loyal elder sister that Li Chuntao had. She scoffed inwardly. As if she needed to be baby-ed by Ying. between the two of them, she was the lioness and Ying was themb.


    Li Chuntao couldn''t stop herself from thinking of Ying now. The wish for her to be here filled Li Chuntao with such rage and bitterness that she thought she would explode at any moment.


    One day she will stop grieving for her, but first Li Chuntao would have to ept her sister was really gone - and though she witnessed Ying''s death herself there''s a part of her that''s holding the memory back. There''s a part of Li Chuntao that will never believe that Ying won''te bouncing around some corner tough at her for falling for this borate prank on her.


    This wasn''t a prank by Ying. It was fate who had turned against Li Chuntao.


    It had barely been hours since Li Xiuying died and had left her behind; Li Chuntao had done nothing but cry, forgetting to look after herself. The food tray Hou Chen ced outside the door was left untouched.


    Her hands moved over the bedsheets, towards the side where she knew Ying preferred to sleep, praying that there''s a chance she would be able to feel the warmth that her sister left, which was impossible right now. Her fingers sliding up the sheets towards Ying''s pillow bringing it close to her chest and inhaled Ying''s familiar scent.


    Li Chuntao''s heart trembled as the all too familiar scent washed over her and how much she wished Ying was there with her, smiling at her.


    Her face buried into the pillow of her dead sister, eyes closing as exhaustion finally caught up with her as her body curled in the center of the bed with her hair spilled behind her. Li Chuntao slept deeply that night, her dreams filled with the childhood memories she shared with her twin sister.


    ---


    Three dayster, Zheng Yue arrived at the penthouse with food for her niece. Hou Chen and Su Ling weed her but Li Chuntao never stepped outside the room nor asked for any food to fill her empty stomach.


    "How''s Chuntao?" She asked the two.


    Hou Chen shook her head and nced at Li Xiuying''s door with a sigh.


    "Madam Li, Miss Chuntao locked herself in since we arrived. She didn''t even bother to touch the food I prepared for her," she told Zheng Yue worriedly.


    "Do you mean to say that my Chuntao hasn''t eaten anything for three days straight?" Zheng Yue asked incredulously.


    "Y-yes¡­" Hou Chen admitted in embarrassment.


    For the past three days, only Li Chuntao''s sobbing in the middle of the night could be heard inside Li Xiuying''s room. She and Su Ling guessed that Li Chuntao was probably sleeping during daytime.


    Zheng Yue rubbed her temple in frustration before turning to Su Ling.


    "Su Ling, get me the master keys. We can''t let Chuntao be like this for too long," she told him.


    Su Ling immediately did what their madam asked and took the master keys and handed it to Zheng Yue.


    Zheng Yue unlocked the door on Li Xiuying''s room and stepped inside alone, leaving Su Ling and Hou Chen standing outside the door, waiting for her nextmand.


    "Chuntao? Darling?" Her voice called out to Li Chuntao who remained lying on the bed in a daze. She sat at the edge of the bed and gently ran her fingers against Li Chuntao''s hair. "Hou Chen said you haven''t eaten for days. Look at you. You haven''t even bothered to change your clothes."


    It pained her to see Li Chuntao like this. Her eyes tearing at her niece''s pained form. Li Xiuying''s death had really left a huge impact on her husband and Chuntao. Li Chuntao''s eyes reflected nothing but grief and emptiness.


    "Auntie Yue¡­" Li Chuntao turned her eyes to the older woman who was as heartbroken as she was. She didn''t feel hungry or any need to take care of herself but she also didn''t want to see her Auntie Yue like this.


    "Chuntao, why don''t you have a quick shower while I prepare your meal? Can you do this for Auntie Yue?" Zheng Yue tried to convince her to move.


    Li Chuntao stared at her for a moment before nodding her head in agreement. With the help of Zheng Yue, she slipped out of the bed and went to her room which was just next to Ying''s.


    The heaviness was in her limbs as much as her mind. She''d cried until there was nothing left inside but a raw emptiness that nibbles at her insides. Her eyes were threaded scarlet and hung heavy in their sockets.


    Her whole body hung limp as if each limb weighed twice as much as it had before and just moving it about was a slow, painful effort. The sun will still shine in the sky, but not for her, the birds will continue to sing in bursts of melody, but not for her, for Li Chuntao there was no beauty left in the world.


    Zheng Yue assisted her to go to the bathroom and removed her clothes before leaving her inside the shower stall.


    The warm water sprayed on her naked body and she slightly shivered from the sudden change in temperature.. Li Chuntao ran a hand through her dripping wet hair and rested her forearm on the tiled wall for support.

 Chapter 72 - Two Broken People (2)

    It had been days since Li Xiuying''s ident and Lin Meirong was dreading in anticipation of hearing the woman''s inevitable death. Li Xiuying couldn''t possibly survive in that ident. No, Lin Meirong refused to believe that the woman she loathed with all her heart would be able to survive.


    She paced around the room still in her silk sleepwear, biting her thumb nervously as she waited for the news of Li Xiuying''s death to be announced on the television. It was big news when it happened and people had been on the edge waiting for the Li family''s announcement about Li Xiuying''s condition.


    Last time Lin Meirong heard, Li Xiuying and herpanion were in a critical condition and she felt ecstatic with the news. She could almost see it, feel it. The freedom she could attain once Li Xiuying was out of her way.


    However, the news about Li Xiuying suddenly stopped and was barely covered on the evening news which dampened her mood. The Li family must be hiding something from the public.


    "You''re worrying too much. Lady Li wouldn''t be able to survive that ident. It''s only a matter of time before the Li family confirms her death." Yao Qigangzily slumped on her couch, sipping an expensive wine he took from her collection.


    "But if she survives, then what would happen to me?" Lin Meirong argued.


    What if the Li family decided toe after her? She would be doomed beyond salvation if that happens.


    "If she survives then she''s one hell of a lucky angel." The manughed. "But really, I don''t think she would be able to make it considering the impact was enough to kill a person."


    Lin Meirong said nothing and sat across him. Yes, it would be better for her if Li Xiuying died. It would save her from a lot of troubleter if she died.


    ---


    A week had passed by since Li Xiuying''s death and Shen Zichen felt that he wouldn''t be able to finish his workload at this rate. It was already night time but he still had two more surgeries to be done and a pile of paper works to bepleted.


    He entered his office and immediately saw his phone ringing on top of his desk. He didn''t need to look at it to know that it was his mother calling him at this hour.


    Lu Xinyi, the ever perceptive person she was to her children, knew by now that he was keeping himself busy at work to cope with his grief over Li Xiuying''s death.


    He leaned back in his chair and picked up his phone to answer the call.


    "Mom,"


    "Zichen, are you home? You haven''t visited us for days now." He heard his mother''s voice at the other end of the line.


    "No, mom. I''m still at work. I wouldn''t be able to see you until this weekend," he said truthfully.


    Lu Xinyi sighed dejectedly. She should have known that her son would act this way.


    "I see¡­ then you better not forget your promise to Qing Qing and Lingtian. They''ve been looking forward to seeing you."


    Shen Zichen assured his mother and ended the call after a few minutes of conversation with her. Once the call ended, he ran his long fingers through his hair. Just like Li Chuntao, he felt empty and broken but he wouldn''t let anyone see it.


    He leaned forward, resting his chin on his inteced fingers wondering how Li Chuntao was faring now. He hadn''t heard anything from her since Ying''s passing though he couldn''t me her.


    If it wasn''t for Ying, Li Chuntao wouldn''t bother to speak to him at all, or so he thought. Remembering theirst encounter where she used him of failing to protect Ying and breaking his promise, Shen Zichen assumed that she wouldn''t want to see or talk to him anymore.


    He knew this and yet he couldn''t help but feel bothered by it.


    Why? Why did the mere thought of Li Chuntao turning her back on him bothered him?


    Shen Zichen wasn''t sure at all. This was the same feeling he felt when she told him she was leaving to pursue medicine abroad years ago.


    He pushed these unwanted thoughts away from his mind and nced on the stack of papers that required his attention. He''d better finish all of these before going home.


    ---


    Shen Zichen arrived home at one in the morning, absolutely exhausted from his long day. He dropped his car keys on the dresser with a loud ng followed by his watch before moving towards his king-sized bed, undoing the top buttons of his dress shirt.


    However, no matter how he tried to keep himself busy, the memory of Ying and her sudden death pained him at the end of the day. He''d been like this since her death and he knew it wasn''t healthy.


    After taking a quick shower, he threw himself on hisfy bed and sighed. Maybe he should take a break from work to grief properly before it takes a toll on his health. It didn''t take a long time for him to fall asleep and retire for the night.


    He woke up to the sound of the shrill ringing of his phone on the nightstand. With bleary eyes, Shen Zichen peered at his bedside clock to see the time and saw that it was past two in the afternoon.


    Thank heavens that he didn''t have to go to work today or he''d have been veryte. He tumbled out of his warm bed to answer the phone.


    "Shen Zichen speaking," he said, not bothering to check the caller ID to see who woke him up.


    "Young Master Shen, did Miss Chuntao call you?" It was Hou Chen''s voice that cut through the phone. "I''m sorry for calling you but we couldn''t find Miss Chuntao as she left in a hurry."


    Shen Zichen was startled andpletely awake the moment he heard that Li Chuntao was missing. He immediately rose to his feet and grabbed clothes from his dresser, intending to go outside.


    "Chuntao is missing? What happened?" He asked.


    With a trembling voice, Hou Chen tried to exin what transpired an hour earlier at the Li twins'' penthouse.


    "Miss Chuntao suddenly thrashed everything in her room, breaking everything within her reach. We think Miss Ying''s death had caused her to act like that. She said she wanted to kill herself¡­"


    Shen Zichen could hear the woman crying and he stood frozen in his spot.


    ''Chuntao!''


    "Su Ling tried to stop her but she sneaked out before we managed to block her. Please, Master Shen, if you know where Miss Chuntao is, let us know. Master Yuren and everyone else has already gone out looking for her."


    "I''ll see what I can do,"


    The line went dead after he hung up. He stared at his phone for a moment before rushing to get dressed, picking up his car keys once he slipped into his shoes. He ignited the engine of his car while sorting down the possible ces Li Chuntao would go to.


    He''d expected that Li Chuntao couldn''t take her twin sister''s death well but to kill herself? That didn''t seem like the Li Chuntao he knew.

 Chapter 73 - A Will To Live (1)

    What was the point of living when you don''t have a single ounce of reason to stay alive?


    Li Chuntao left the penthouse in a hurry and took the car with her. She drove mindlessly, not knowing where she was going. She ignored the fact that her forehead was bleeding and the shards from the broken vanity had pierced her arms and legs.


    When her tears had run dry and she couldn''t cry anymore, the pain seemed to intensify inside of her. All she could feel was sadness, every other emotion pushed out from her being. The love, the light and theughter were reced with an aching hollowness.


    Sometimes the pain crushes you- it leaves one incapable of everything. It leaves a person broken- in and out. The tears won''t roll, and the screams won''t escape past her quivering lips.


    The sadness flowed through her veins and blurred her mind. It was poison to her spirit, numbing her, killing off her other emotions until it was the only one that remained. It was as if a ck mist had settled upon her.


    The world was lost to her and she felt like nothing could bring it back to the right track. She had never felt so alone, so lost... So incapable of doing even the smallest tasks. And this was only the beginning, the beginning of her pain, the beginning of her suffering.


    Would it have been better if she died right now? Would it be better to follow her loved ones to the afterlife?


    Her bottom lip quivered with indignation over her sister''s death. Why? Why did Ying have to die? Just when she was about to move on and start a new life, fate had taken that chance away from her.


    Why did Li Chuntao have to lose her loved ones and be left alone so early in life? Why didn''t they allow her to die with them?


    They say the pain eases with time, and that things will get better. But how can things be better when the reason the pain wasn''t as bad anymore, was because she''d forgotten Ying? Li Chuntao didn''t think it was possible for her to forget not unless she hit her head and had amnesia.


    If getting past the pain means forgetting Ying, then Li Chuntao would rather choose to suffer her entire life.


    It didn''t take long before Li Chuntao thought of a ce where she could be alone. After an hour of driving, she arrived at ake where she and Ying had spent theirst summer together. She stepped out of the car unperturbed by how the chilly wind hit her body.


    Theke was surrounded byrge hills and it sat like the regal crown of the earth.


    After the rain that poured earlier, Li Chuntao could see the dark mud of the path. She tilted her head towards the sun, feeling the gentle warmth, reminding her of Ying''s warm smile. Wherever she looked, she was reminded of Ying, and it pained her.


    Her feet dragged her to the ce where Ying painted the beautiful scenery of theke on her canvass. It took her a whole day to find the right shade of the leaves of the trees she was painting and Li Chuntao remembered being annoyed for the long wait.


    "Ying, you''ve been away for a week now. You''re gone, and this time it''s for good. I still don''t believe that this is the end. You know, it''s so hard to see a person that you love abandon you alone in this cruel world." Li Chuntao talked and stood at the edge of the wooden way of nks in the pier, staring at the still water beneath her.


    "It''s so hard for me to turn and not see you behind me. I wish that you were here just to tell you things I couldn''t tell you anymore; tell you that I love you, tell you that I''ll never forget you, tell you that I''ll always see you in the stars at night, tell you that I miss you. So much that it hurts¡­"


    On that sultry day, theke was as t as any mirror. Ity without a ripple in the silver-blue water as if time itself had been frozen. Not a sound could be heard, no movement of branches, no birds calling from the tall pine trees around the edge. It was a stark contrast to the summer scenery that greeted her and Ying seven years ago.


    A deep sense of serenity overcame her as she stared at the expanse of blue thaty before her. Rays of lights danced delicately across the water, birthed from the afternoon sun that both limited her sight and made the view all the more beautiful.


    At that moment, Li Chuntao wanted to be part of theke itself. She wanted to be part of the serenity that she wascking for days.


    Theke mirrored the sky above and the hills surrounding it, it was a shimmering mixture of blue and green. A beautiful view for a Saturday afternoon. Li Chuntao closed her eyes. The breeze that ran unchecked over the rippled surface blew her long bangs from her eyes and brought color to her usually pale cheeks.


    She stood there unmoving for a long time before she opened her eyes again and stared down at the waters, seeing her reflection on the surface showed how much she had changed for the past week since Ying was gone, but most of all, she saw the same face she''d been longing to see.


    For the first time in her life, Li Chuntao hated the face that she had. From now on, it would be a constant reminder of what she''d lost and what she could never touch or hear from anymore. It was too much for her. Was this a punishment? She wondered.


    "Ying, would you wait for me?" She whispered to the wind before closing her eyes once more, her body falling forward.


    Her body made a huge sshing sound, disturbing the peace of the area. She was so ready to follow her parents and sister to the afterlife but a part of her wanted to seek forgiveness from her Uncle Yuren and Auntie Yue for her selfish decision.


    The coldness of the water seeped through her clothes, submerging her whole body as she continued to sink. The incredible pressurepressed her chest, forcing her lungs to burn. Her heart began hammering, increasing in intensity and speed, like a bird trapped in a cage. Her throat seared in agony with the rising pressure of trapped air


    This must be exactly how Ying felt when she was submerged in the water, waiting helplessly for someone to rescue her. The coldness, the hardship she endured while fear consumed her entirety.


    ''Ying¡­ I should''vee and picked you up personally instead of waiting on the other side of the world¡­''


    She thought that maybe if she had been with Ying during the ident she might be able to save her life or she would have died with her which she wouldn''t mind at all. At least Ying wouldn''t feel alone and she wouldn''t be left alone.


    Li Chuntao let herself sink further, not caring if she drowned to death.. Giving up all thoughts of survival, she lost her consciousness and her body started sinking to the dark, cold bottom of theke.

 Chapter 74 - A Will To Live (2)

    Shen Zichen had been driving for over an hour, going around the capital, wherever he thought he could find Li Chuntao. From the high school campus they both attended, to the private gallery where Ying worked, and even their favorite restaurants and cafes, he couldn''t see a glimpse of her.


    ''Where could she possibly be?'' He asked himself.


    Li Chuntao had been away from the capital for seven long years and only visited once during Li Xiuying''s wedding before departing abroad again the next day. There had been a lot of changes and structures built in the capital that she wouldn''t dare go to.


    Unlike Ying, Chuntao likes her peace and prefered to be left alone. So she probably went somewhere familiar.


    His phone rang for the umpteenth time that day. Shen Zichen immediately answered the call, knowing it was Hou Chen. He unlocked his car and settled in the driver''s seat ready to go to the next possible ce to look for Chuntao.


    "Young Master Shen, Miss Chuntao was spotted going out of the capital, heading east. Do you have an idea where she might be going?" She updated him.


    The Li family had immediately tried to track her car but Li Chuntao made it hard for them as she disabled her phone and the installed GPS function wasn''t working in the car she had taken.


    "Did you say she''s heading east?"


    "Y-yes. Is there something wrong, Master Shen?" Hou Chen asked.


    Shen Zichen remained silent for a while before answering her. He could only think of one ce that Li Chuntao would go in the eastern direction.


    "I think I know where she is now but let me confirm it first," he told her before hanging up.


    He hurriedly maneuvered the steering wheel and drove towards the only possible ce Li Chuntao might be in the eastern direction. If he''s not wrong, Li Chuntao must have visited the ce she and Ying had gone during theirst trip together.


    ''Chuntao, don''t do anything stupid.''


    Because he was in a rush, the usual one hour drive was shortened to forty minutes. He kept his focus on the road making sure he wouldn''t miss the car Li Chuntao took with her.


    After half an hour of through the area, Shen Zichen finally reached the road leading to the hugeke several miles away from the nearest suburb. He found the car parked at one side but Li Chuntao was nowhere to be found.


    His shiny ck shoes left footprints on the ground as he walked near the pier where he saw the glimpse of a person standing on the edge. Just the back view and the long hair flowing behind that person, he could tell it was the woman he''d been looking for.


    Shen Zichen released a sigh he didn''t know he was holding ever since he found out Li Chuntao was missing.


    He didn''t call out after her, knowing that she must have needed some space to think alone, given that she hadn''t made a single move since he arrived. However, shock engulfed his entirety the moment Li Chuntao threw herself into theke, which made him sprint towards her in panic.


    "Chuntao!"


    Shen Zichen reached the spot and tried to find signs of where Li Chuntao was, but she never emerged on the surface for air. He was aware that she could swim unlike her twin sister and it was easy for her to get out of the water if she wanted to.


    But what if she had no intention at all?


    Fear crept into Shen Zichen''s heart at the thought of Li Chuntao killing herself because of intense grief. He removed his outer coat, took a deep breath, and dived straight into the water without hesitation. It didn''t take him long to find Li Chuntao, who was still sinking and not moving.


    He didn''t waste time pulling her wrist, pressing her body against his, and swam back to the surface, both gasping for much-needed air. They were both dripping wet from head to toe. The shirt Shen Zichen was wearing clung to his chest while Li Chuntao felt her clothes were too heavy against her lithe form.


    Shen Zichen wrapped his discarded coat around her shoulders as Li Chuntao burst into another round of crying. She hit Shen Zichen''s chest for rescuing and ruining her n.


    "Why?! Why did you do that?! You should have let me die!"


    "Li Chuntao! Are you crazy? Do you think Ying would approve of what you''ve done? Do you not value your life anymore?" He countered.


    He was mad at her but he was also angry at himself. He was mad at her for hurting herself, angry at himself for almost losing her if he hadn''t arrived sooner. He knew that the guilt of losing Ying and Chuntao would eat him alive if it actually happened.


    "Why did they leave me behind? What''s the point of living if I''ve lost everything close to my heart?" Li Chuntao didn''t have the strength to hit him anymore, instead, she rested her head on his shoulder and continued to cry.


    "Shen Zichen, I have no reason to continue living anymore,"


    Shen Zichen hardened his jaws and ced a hand behind her head, holding her close against him. He couldn''t let Li Chuntao die like this. He wouldn''t allow her to surrender like this.


    If she didn''t have a reason to live, then he would dly give her one. Even if it meant she would be living with a grudge in her heart. Shen Zichen wasn''t sure if this was the right thing to do but he would rather do this than lose Li Chuntao too.


    He would have to nt a seed of hatred and revenge instead of love to keep her going. At least, with it, Li Chuntao would have a reason to continue living even without Ying by her side.


    ''Ying, forgive me for doing this to Chuntao'' he said deep in his heart.


    "Li Chuntao, you aren''t allowed to die yet," he whispered into her ear. His breath caused the woman in his arms to involuntarily shiver. "You can''t die yet," he continued. "Not when the person who caused Ying''s death is still alive and celebrating your downfall."


    Li Chuntao pushed herself away from him to look at his face with wide eyes. There were still hints of tears in her misty eyes but her confusion over his words was undeniable.


    "Shen Zichen, you mean¡­"


    She covered her mouth with one hand as she tried to digest what he said to her. Did he mean her sister didn''t die from an ident? That, someone, had plotted against her ever gentle and kind twin sister?


    "I''m not sure about the details yet. You have to talk to your Uncle Yuren to find out more." Shen Zichen told her.


    Li Chuntao lowered her head as several thoughts crossed her mind. The emptiness in her eyes slowly reced with a menacing and murderous glint which was iparable to what she had previously.


    Meanwhile, Shen Zichen could only watch as the woman in front of him slowly engulfed by the hatred he nurtured in her.. He''d always known that he was a selfish person but for the first time in his life, he couldn''t find it in himself to regret what he''d done to Li Chuntao.

 Chapter 75 - His Greatest Sin (1)

    Shen Zichen vowed that he would take responsibility for nting this vengeful thought in her mind. He might have failed to save Li Xiuying''s life but he wouldn''t let Chuntao die at any cost. He had made up his mind to look after Li Chuntao from now on.


    Li Xiuying wouldn''t want her sister to end her life because of her and Shen Zichen''s pride wouldn''t allow him to make the same mistake again. At that point, Shen Zichen realized that maybe he was doing this for his sake and not for Li Chuntao.


    This would be his greatest sin but if it would keep Li Chuntao alive then so be it.


    Li Chuntao''s eyes slowly regained its will to live but instead of hope, she was fueled with rage and vengeance, which Shen Zichen thought was better than seeing her lifeless and empty.


    "Shen Zichen, I demand an exnation, right now." Anger seared through her, restoring her will to live. "Who dared to plot murder against Ying?!"


    She needed to know, needed to know who hurt her sister. Li Chuntao''s anger swelled up in her. Even if she had to use the rest of her life seeking justice for Ying''s death, even if she needed to give up her life to have it, she would.


    If Shen Zichen was telling her the truth then she really shouldn''t die right now. She''ll have to make sure that whoever it was would suffer worse than death and would know how painful it was to lose everything.


    Someone had dared to take away the happiness and bright future her twin sister deserved and Li Chuntao wouldn''t let that person go unscathed. She would make sure that the person would regret scheming against her sister.


    Death wasn''t an option. That person must suffer a hundredfold of what Ying had suffered.


    Instead of answering her, Shen Zichen helped her get onto her feet and led her back to his car. He didn''t forget to message Hou Chen to inform the Li family that he''d already found Li Chuntao so they wouldn''t have to worry about her whereabouts. He gave their coordinates so the Li family could send someone to retrieve the car Li Chuntao left near theke.


    d that he usually kept spare clothes and towel on his car in case of emergency, Shen Zichen took a duffle bag from his trunk and passed it to Li Chuntao who was shivering in his passenger seat.


    "Dry yourself first. Your questions can wait." He said and started driving his car away from the ce that almost took Li Chuntao''s life. " Aunt Yue is worried about you. You gave her a good scare when you left."


    He stopped at a nearby area and opened the first aid kit he kept inside his car to clean the shallow wound on her forehead. Once done, he continued driving back to the capital.


    Li Chuntao didn''t deny this fact. She''d already known what could happen even before she left the capital. She just didn''t expect that Shen Zichen would be able to find where she was and ruin her ns.


    She squinted her eyes on him for a moment before opening the duffle bag on herp. She pulled out the light blue dress shirt and white towel from it before tossing the bag at the back seat.


    She pulled the hem of her blouse and pulled it over her head, shocking Shen Zichen who''d noticed her action. He took a quick side nce and returned his attention on the road, avoiding looking at her direction.


    Li Chuntao''s upper torso was revealed into his sight. Her ample chest was covered by a whitece bra. It also didn''t help that she looked exactly like Ying and that didn''t sit well with Shen Zichen.


    "What do you think you''re doing?" He asked the half-naked woman sitting next to him. Was she forgetting that there was a man beside her?


    "Changing clothes, what else." Li Chuntao said nonchntly, slipping her arms inside the sleeves of his shirt and started buttoning it up. "I''m pretty sure you''ve seen a lot of patients stark naked lying on top of your operating table covered only with a flimsy blue hospital gown."


    "We''re not inside the operating room, Chuntao," Shen Zichen reminded her. He gritted his teeth, not understanding why he was riled up by her action.


    Heat crept on his cheeks that went unnoticed by Li Chuntao. Was she forgetting that he was a man first before he was a doctor?


    Li Chuntao hummed and nodded in agreement before she took the towel and dried up her long hair. She was annoyed that it started to get tangled and running her fingers through it wasn''t enough to tame her hair.


    "Don''t touch your temple! Your wound might get infected." Shen Zichen chastised her when she attempted to touch it as the dried blood on it started to bother her.


    "Ah, sorry. I didn''t think we had to worry about propriety between us. Given our chosen profession, I assumed that you wouldn''t be bothered by it." She said as she turned to look outside the window, trying to clear her thoughts.


    Shen Zichen frowned and decided not to y with words with her anymore knowing he wouldn''t be able to win against her.


    The drive back at the capital was slow and silent given that Li Chuntao fell asleep soon after she changed her clothes. It also saved Shen Zichen from the trouble of answering her questions, when in fact he wasn''t sure what to say at all. It also gave him time to think about his next step.


    It was past seven in the evening when they arrived back at the Li twins'' penthouse. Shen Zichen pulled into the parking space and nudged Li Chuntao''s shoulder to wake her up.


    When Li Chuntao opened her eyes, she noticed that they arrived at their destination and sighed. Releasing her seatbelt, she followed Shen Zichen out of his car. He waited for her to catch up to him before stepping into the elevator at the same time.


    They were both greeted at the front door by Zheng Yue and Hou Chen who''d been waiting for their arrival. Madam Li didn''t wait for Li Chuntao to speak or apologize and pulled her for an embrace.


    "Chuntao, please don''t scare me like that anymore." The older woman cried as she held her niece tightly, "I wouldn''t know what to do if we lost you too." She choked a sob.


    Shame washed over Li Chuntao hearing her Aunt Yue''s words. She''d been reckless, discarding the possibilities of how they would feel about her foolish decision to kill herself.


    "I''m sorry, Auntie Yue. I won''t do it again." She lowered her head in shame. Now with a clearer mind, she realized how foolish and selfish she was for trying to take her own life.


    "Zichen, thank you. Thank you. Thank you for bringing her back home," Zheng Yue thanked Shen Zichen repeatedly for bringing her niece back.


    "Auntie, let''s go inside, shall we? Brother Zichen still needs to clean my wounds." Li Chuntao looked away, ashamed of herself.


    "Yes, of course. Why don''t you twoe inside while we prepare dinner? Zichen, please join us.." Zheng Yue released her niece and smiled at their guest.

 Chapter 76 - His Greatest Sin (2)

    Li Chuntao sat on the couch after changing her clothes into new ones to let Shen Zichen give her a quick fix. The small shards piercing her skin were removed one by one and the wounds were cleaned by him.


    Fortunately, her wounds weren''t deep enough and he didn''t need to stitch her up. After disinfecting the wound on her temple, he covered the wound and wrapped a bandage around her head.


    "There. You better not forget to disinfect it regrly. I shouldn''t need to remind you to look after yourself." He told her.


    Li Chuntao only hummed, barely paying attention to what he was saying as her stomach was now rumbling from hunger. With a new reason to continue forward, she had decided not to waste her time and life over trivial things and focus to hunt down the person responsible for her sister''s death.


    "Chuntao! Zichen! The food is ready!" They heard Zheng Yue''s voice at the dining area.


    "One sec!" Li Chuntao responded before turning her attention back on Shen Zichen. "Who else knows about it?" She tried to interrogate him for answers. Although she needed to confirm this with her uncle, she wanted to find out how he knew about it.


    "Your uncle, my dad, and Yuyan." Shen Zichen admitted.


    "Sister Yuyan?" She raised a brow on him.


    "She identally overheard your uncle asking our dad for a favor. He was asking Dad to help him convince the Ye family for cooperation. I''m sure it wouldn''t be a problem since Aunt Feiyan would agree with it." Shen Zichen said, closing the first aid kit Hou Chen brought earlier and stood up from his seat.


    "But¡­"


    "I told you, you should ask your uncle yourself. I doubt that my dad would even allow me to get involved with it." He cut her off. "Let''s go before Aunt Yue suspects anything."


    Li Chuntao wanted to ask him more but he already decided to drop the issue. She shook her head and followed his lead to the dining area where several dishes were served at the table.


    Her stomach growled from hunger again, making her blush with embarrassment. She had barely eaten any decent mealstely and had neglected her health.


    Zheng Yue smiled at her as she ced another dish on the table.


    "Sit down and eat. I know you''re starving." She told her niece. "Zichen, I hope we didn''t cause you trouble at work by calling you." She then sat across Shen Zichen who was sitting next to Li Chuntao, who had started eating without waiting for them.


    "It''s fine, Aunt Yue. I''m d I was able to help you,"


    "Why don''t you stay for the night? I''ll ask Hou Chen to prepare the guest room." Zheng Yue told her which made Li Chuntao stop midway while she was about to pick her favorite roasted pork ribs.


    She nced at Shen Zichen''s way then to her aunt. It seemed that the older woman was still worried that Li Chuntao would decide to sneak out again and hurt herself.


    Shen Zichen had decided to leave after dinner but Zheng Yue''s face reminded him of his mother. It was hard for him to say no whenever they look at him like this.


    "Just for tonight," He conceded. He really should start practicing how to say no to these women.


    "Great!" Zheng Yue pped her hand and gestured to Hou Chen to prepare the guestroom and make sure their guest would have clean linens and towels to use during his stay.


    Once they were done, Shen Zichen excused himself to follow Hou Chen to the guest room and was left alone. After showering in the bathroom connected to the guest room, he took his time to answer the mails he''d ignored earlier and make phone calls, especially to his mother, or else she might appear on his doorstep unannounced again.


    When everything was settled, he got into bed and instantly felt his eyelids getting heavy. He didn''t realize how tired he was for the past few days until now. He tried to stay awake for a little but failed as he was sound asleep minutester.


    Meanwhile, since Li Chuntao basically ruined and thrashed her own room, she had to use her sister''s room again. She tucked herself between the sheets and felt a slight dip on the other side of the bed as her aunt settled next to her after turning off the lights.


    "I didn''t know we''re having a sleepover tonight," she said with a chuckle that earned a smile from her aunt.


    Zheng Yue turned to her side and gently stroke Li Chuntao''s hair.


    "I feel like it''s been a long time since we did this together."


    Indeed, when the Li twins were younger, they usually spent their nights snuggled beside their Aunt Yue while their Uncle Yuren was away for work. It made it easier for them to ease the loneliness as the twins did not have their parents around and Zheng Yue was left alone by her husband for weeks.


    Before she gave birth to her son, the Li twins were practically her babies.


    "Yes, I remember Uncle Yuren sometimes getting mad when we insist on sleeping next to you even if he''s home." Li Chuntao agreed easily. Those were such happy moments that didn''t fail to make her smile. With their Uncle Yuren and Aunt Yue around, she and Ying didn''t feel alone at all.


    "I know you''re missing Ying. I miss her too. So badly." Zheng Yue tried not to cry but the look on her face betrayed her. "But I also know Ying wouldn''t want to see us hurting. I also don''t want to lose you too, Chuntao. So let''s be strong together, okay?"


    Li Chuntao nodded and let herself feel the warmth her Aunt Yue gave her. She felt betterpared to the previous days of being alone.


    "Auntie, can you sing me the luby you used to sing for me and Ying when we were young?"


    "Sure," Zhen Yue agreed and sang the familiar luby.


    It didn''t take long for Li Chuntao to fall asleep as the voice and the gentle stroking of Zheng Yue''s hand made her feel sleepy and for the first time since Li Xiuying''s passing, Li Chuntao slept peacefully.


    However, the peacefulness within the Li twins'' penthouse was short-lived.


    Past midnight, an unwanted visitor came and disturbed their night. It was Su Ling who confronted the man while Hou Chen stood behind him scowling at their guest.


    "Mr. Mu, you better leave this ce. You aren''t wee here anymore." Su Ling said, his tone filled with disdain. He was waiting for Mu Jianyu to strike so he could unleash the hatred he''d been trying to keep at the bay for the past three months.


    "Su Ling! I dare you to block my way! Let me see my wife! Why are you hiding Ying from me? Out of my way!" Mu Jianyu sneered at him.


    Hou Chen scrunched her nose from disgust. Mu Jianyu was reeking with alcohol and why the hell did he still want to see Miss Ying when he had already trashed her for a whore?


    He said he wanted to see Miss Ying? Then go die and see her in the afterlife! Well, that still depends if the heavens above would let him see Li Xiuying at all!

 Chapter 77 - Who Are You? (1)

    It had been two weeks since Mu Jianyust saw his wife and after his confrontation with Shen Zichen, his problems were starting to pile up at an rming rate. It also didn''t help that his divorce with Li Xiuying was already out in public when in fact it wasn''t finalized yet.


    The rumors about him taking a mistress causing the failure of his marriage with Li Xiuying started to circte around. As to where it had started, he had no idea. He decided to stop meeting Lin Meirong and put a hold on her finances until he mends his rtionship with Li Xiuying.


    For the past week, he stayed at the apartment he previously shared with his wife. Wife, if she hadn''t signed the papers yet, but if she did, Mu Jianyu would have to suck it up and ept that he''d shot his own foot by driving her away.


    He had started to wonder if he''d made the wrong choice of leaving Li Xiuying but the thought of abandoning Lin Meirong who was carrying his child put him in a conundrum. It would be hard for him to choose between them.


    Mu Jianyu realized that he wasn''t ready to lose Li Xiuying and he was still in love with her but the thought of having betrayed her and impregnated another woman started to eat him from the inside.


    How was he supposed to exin all of these to Ying? Would she still ept him if he withdrew his request for divorce and tried to work their marriage out? Surely not. Li Xiuying would have a hard time epting this but Mu Jianyu would rather confess his sins to her personally than for her to hear from other people.


    But even if he wanted to, as Shen Zichen said, Li Xiuying didn''t want to get involved with him anymore. His wife blocked all possible avenues for him to contact her that even his emails weren''t able to reach her.


    It was then he realized that there was really no medicine for regret. Unless he personally reached out to her, talk to her, Mu Jianyu wouldn''t be able to fix the damage he''d done.


    However, the despair he was feeling right then was pushed to the limit when he heard the news about Li Xiuying''s ident. The moment he heard the news, he strode out of his apartment not caring what people thought of him anymore.


    He just felt the need to see his wife, to make sure that she was safe but it wan''t easy as the Li family had decided not to give him a chance to see Li Xiuying anymore. When he went to the hospital to see her, he was immediately stopped by Li Yuren''s men.


    It wasn''t that he didn''t expect it but he assumed the Li family would at least set aside their differences for Ying''s sake and wouldn''t cast him away like an unwanted stray dog. Mu Jianyu thought that the Li family wouldn''t even give him any face this time and vehemently declined his request to see his wife.


    "Didn''t you divorce our Ying already? Why are you still here? The sight of you shedding crocodile tears for Ying makes me feel sick," Li Yuren told him in his venomous, coldest voice.


    Mu Jianyu could only lower his head and shame and waited outside. He stayed inside his car for the night and called anyone who could tell him what Li Xiuying''s condition was but none of his acquaintances could give him a satisfying answer.


    He really regretted not leaving a spy to keep an eye on the Li family''s movements after he left thepany and asked for divorce. However, the fear of not being able to see his wife again left a hollowness in his chest.


    He couldn''t lose Ying¡­ he should be the one who receives a punishment, not her. Why did this have to happen for him to see how much Li Xiuying meant to him? He signed the divorce papers but the thought of not seeing her warm smile anymore was killing him.


    ''Ying¡­I would ept any punishment as long as you are willing toe back to me.''


    After days of persistently waiting outside, Mu Jianyu spotted Su Ling and Hou Chen leaving the hospital with a woman he assumed was his wife. He released a sigh he didn''t know he''d been holding. Now, he only needs to find a chance to see Li Xiuying himself.


    ---


    Shen Zichen rubbed his eyes and turned to his side, wondering what time it was. He was awakened by themotion outside and wondered if Li Chuntao attempted to leave again. He forced himself to sit up and slipped out of the bed to see what was going on.


    As he opened the door of the guest room, he was startled to find Mu Jianyu once again standing right outside the front door. Seeing him alone made Shen Zichen''s blood turn cold in his veins. He was reminded once again the possibility that his beloved woman didn''t lose her life from a mere car ident.


    Mu Jianyu was his primary suspect. No one else would benefit more from Li Xiuying''s death aside from him and Lin Meirong.


    "Don''t lie to me! Ying is here! I''ve seen her myself!" Mu Jianyu pushed Su Ling''s shoulder, hoping he would give way to step inside but failed.


    Hou Chen furrowed her brows. What the hell was this man talking about?


    It then dawned to her that Mu Jianyu had mistakenly thought Li Chuntao as his wife. If Mu Jianyu knew that the wife he''d been asking was already dead with her remains turned into ashes. Would he regret everything he''d done to Ying or would he celebrate?


    She was conflicted if she should tell him the truth but she remembered what the Li family had told them to do. No one should know that Li Xiuying was dead not until the real cause of her death was uncovered.


    "Please leave. I thought Young Master Shen has already made it clear to you that you aren''t wee here anymore. That you have nothing to do with our Miss. if you still have any respect for our MIss Ying, please leave and never bother the Li family ever again." she hissed at Mu Jianyu.


    "I have never seen a shameless man like you," Shen Zichen crossed his arms on his chest and chuckled on Mu Jianyu''s stupidity.


    How could he possibly mistake Li Chuntao as his wife? Was he really this stupid that he couldn''t differentiate his wife and her twin sister? Even if the two were identical, Mu Jianyu should at least know how to identify his wife to avoid confusion.


    "Why''s everyone being so loud at this ungodly hour?" A familiar voice joined them. It sounded a little groggy from sleep.


    Turning their heads to Li Xiuying''s room, they saw Zheng Yue and Li Chuntao stepping out to see what was causing the disturbance.


    "Ying!" Mu Jianyu pushed Su Ling out of his way and rushed towards Li Chuntao much to everyone''s shock. His eyes were wide both from relief and happiness that after such a long time not being able to see Ying, she was now standing in front of him.


    Even Li Chuntao was shocked and was left speechless at being called as Ying by her brother-inw. Was she hearing things or this bastard had really mistaken her as his wife?


    Li Chuntao''s jaw hardened and her grip to her Aunt Yue''s hand tightened,


    "Who are you?" She asked bluntly.

 Chapter 78 - Who Are You? (2)

    ''Yes? Who are you?'' Li Chuntao thought, ''How dare you show your face here pretending you care for Ying!''


    Mu Jianyu was momentarily stunned at Li Chuntao''s question. He was confused. Why didn''t his own wife recognize him? As he looked at Li Chuntao''s appearance, he was startled to find her arms and legs covered with bandages, that even her head had one.


    His poor wife must have suffered a lot these days. He could see that she somewhat lost some weightpared to thest time he''d seen her. She was wearing a huge nightshirt that made her thinner than she already was. Her skin was pale as if she wasn''t receiving enough nutrientstely.


    Did she.. Did Li Xiuying forgot about him? How could this be? Was this some kind of sick joke that fate is ying on him?


    "Ying, it is me. Your husband. Don''t you recognize me?" Mu Jianyu tested the waters. He needed to know if she''d really forgotten who he was to her. He wasn''t sure what he would do if Ying really had forgotten about him.


    What was he supposed to do now?


    Li Chuntao furrowed her brows and looked at Shen Zichen who was watching them intently. Her eyes then slightly lowered, trying to hide her disgust upon seeing Mu Jianyu.


    "Husband? I don''t know who you are." She told Mu Jianyu then hurriedly went to Shen Zichen, held onto his arm, and hid behind him much to Mu Jianyu''s shock.


    "Brother Zichen, I have a husband? Why am I not aware of this?" She questioned him.


    Shen Zichen looked at her face and saw the sinister smile Li Chuntao hid behind him. What the hell was this witch ying this time?


    Even Zheng Yue and Li Xiuying''s subordinates were left bbergasted over Li Chuntao''s act. Their jaws dropped as they tried to understand what she was up to. Mu Jianyu had a misunderstanding here but now Li Chuntao was ying along with him?


    "You don''t know who he is?" Shen Zichen asked Li Chuntao and she shook her head in response.


    "Ying!" Mu Jianyu called out.Why was she seeking Shen Zichen''spany over him? Did Li Xiuying really forget about him? "I''m Mu Jianyu, your husband. We''ve been married for years now. Do you really not know who I am?"


    His beloved wife indeed returned to him but he was nothing but a stranger to her now. Instead, she rather stands by Shen Zichen''s side than to acknowledge him as her husband.


    "Amnesia? Is this why you didn''t want her to meet me?" Mu Jianyu red at Shen Zichen then to Su Ling. "You want my Ying to treat me as a stranger?"


    He came up to that conclusion. There was no way Lii Xiuying would be able to forget who he was unless she lost her memories after the ident. This also meant that Shen Zichen was taking advantage of his wife''s delicate condition to easily erase his existence in Ying''s mind.


    Shen Zichen didn''t respond but he didn''t allow Mu Jianyu to touch even a single hair on Li Chuntao. He''d already lost Li Xiuying because of Mu Jianyu, he refused to hand Li Chuntao over to this man.


    "Mister, you should leave. Please¡­ please don''t cause a scene here. Don''t me Brother Zichen because I really don''t know who you are." Li Chuntao''s pitiful voice took their attention.


    Zheng Yue''s lips pursed. She thought that Li Chuntao was doing a good job deceiving everyone here. If she hadn''t known that Li Xiuying died, she would''ve also mistaken Chuntao as Ying.


    If Li Chuntao didn''t want to be a doctor anymore, she would surely give other aspiring actresses a run for their money because right now, her performance was impable.


    ''Mu Jianyu, I really thought you''re stupid. Now, you''ve proven to me you could be worse!'' Li Chuntao sneered inwardly. ''Ying, if you are seeing your husband like this, I wonder if you''ll regret not being alive to p the hell out of him.''


    As if wanting to infuriate Mu Jianyu further, Shen Zichen wrapped his arm around Li Chuntao''s shoulders and hid her from the other man.


    "Shen Zichen, you¡ª" Mu Jianyu wanted to argue that she should stay away from Shen Zichen but thetter cut him off.


    "Mu Jianyu, you heard what she said. Leave now or do we need to use force to show you the way out?" Shen Zichen red at him. He could feel Li Chuntao''s malicious smile curling her lips as she pressed her face on his chest.


    ''This woman¡­'' Shen Zichen lowered his gaze and looked down at the woman in his arms.


    Li Chuntao was really bold to pretend to be her dead twin sister to spite Mu Jianyu. Did she really have to do this? Shen Zichen wondered. However, since Mu Jianyu had a debt he needed to settle, Shen Zichen wouldn''t mind ying aplice in Li Chuntao''s game.


    After all, he was the one who pushed her to get revenge instead of letting her life cease because of immense grief. If they could find evidence against Mu Jianyu about Li Xiuying''s ident then it would be better.


    "I''ll leave for now but this doesn''t mean you can keep my wife away from me," Mu Jianyu told Shen Zichen. He was still annoyed seeing his wife in another man''s arms. "Ying is my wife. You cannot stop me from taking her home next time," he added before leaving with a trail of fury.


    Once he was gone and Su Ling locked the door, Shen Zichen released Li Chuntao from his hold. Zheng Yue went to them, her face one with confusion.


    "Chuntao. He is still your brother-inw. How can you pretend as Ying? What would happen if he finds out you are deceiving him?"


    Li Chuntao sighed and slumped on the leather couch near her. Not only did Mu Jianyu betray her sister, but he also disturbed her sleep which Li Chuntao had always treated as a luxury. Ever since she started attending medical school, even now as a doctor, sleep was something Li Chuntao rarely does. This was why aplete six to hour sleep was already a luxury for someone as busy as her.


    "He should only me himselfter, Auntie Yue. What kind of husband is he if he couldn''t tell the difference between me and Ying." She shook her head and snorted which was udylike for her status. "What''s more, this would be a perfect chance for me to teach him a lesson he would never forget." She spat out with such unconcealed hatred.


    Dare to bully her sister? Disrespect the Li family despite all the good things they''d given to him? Taking a whore and impregnating it while pretending to be a caring husband right in her face?


    Mu Jianyu was the one who forced his way here, mistakenly assuming that she, Li Chuntao, was his deceased wife. Not that he was aware of it. Since he had the audacity to pretend that he still cared for Ying, he should pay for such impertinence.


    The moment he entered the witch''s cabin, Mu Jianyu had already casted an illusion and a curse upon himself.. There was no other way as all routes were already leading to his downfall.

 Chapter 79 - Play Pretend (1)

    Just as Mu Jianyu said, he continued to visit Li Chuntao, still not recognizing her as his sister-inw and not his wife. Li Chuntao initially thought that the man woulde to his senses once he was sober enough to look at her without the alcohol affecting him but once again, Mu Jianyu failed her.


    He still believed that the woman in front of him was his wife, Li Xiuying, and not his sister-inw. How was he supposed to know that it was Li Chuntao when he''d never even paid any real attention to his wife before. Otherwise, even if he doesn''t recognise Li Chuntao, he could have at least noticed that she wasn''t Li Xiuying.


    Li Chuntao tried her best not to roll her eyes at his stupidity. How can he be so dumb? No wonder Gu Changge managed to fool him to this extent. If he wasn''t this stupid then they wouldn''t have lost Li Xiuying this early. The mere thought of her sister''s pain was enough for her blood to boil.


    "Ying, are you sure you feel okay? You can just tell me if you''re not feeling well." Mu Jianyu told her during one of his visits.


    Li Chuntao ignored him as she sat on the couch and stared outside. She didn''t need Mu Jianyu''s concern. She was able to look after herself and if ever she needed medical intervention Shen Zichen would be there to help her.


    She pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. With Mu Jianyu around, she needed to be careful not to betray herself. She needed to seek the answers and the truth behind Ying''s death and if she had to y the viin role to get it, Li Chuntao wouldn''t mind it at all.


    ''Mu Jianyu, let''s see who''s better at pretending. The one who lowers his guard first would be the loser.''


    Li Chuntao refused to believe that this man would suddenly have a change of heart just because Li Xiuying was involved in an ident. He probably had an ulterior motive for him to seek Ying out even after continuous rejections by the Li family.


    She hadn''t fully grieved for her dead sister and had yet to find out the truth from her Uncle Yuren but this man kept getting in her way by showing up at her door. She was told by her Auntie Yue that they were still looking for the divorce papers Ying had signed before her departure the day of her ident.


    "Mr. Mu, I''m fine. You really don''t have to do this. Su Ling and Hou Chen are here to help me anyway." She was starting to get annoyed looking at Mu Jianyu and couldn''t wait for him to leave her penthouse. She hated that he kept intruding this sacred ce she shared with Ying.


    "But¡­" Mu Jianyu didn''t like the way she talked to him like he was a total stranger.


    "I''m tired. You''ve already proven your im that I''m your wife. It''s just that I need some time to think."


    Mu Jianyu had brought an album filled with his wedding photos with Li Xiuying and the bright smile her sister had in those pictures gave Li Chuntao''s heart a painful clench inside her chest. She was reminded yet again that she would never see her sister''s warm smile anymore and the man responsible for her death was Mu Jianyu himself.


    He didn''t dare to push his luck and left at once, bidding her goodbye, telling her he would visit again as soon as their home was ready for upancy again. It was enough for him to prove his ims because sooner orter, Li Xiuying woulde home with him and Shen Zichen wouldn''t be able to stop him then.


    Li Xiuying might have forgotten him but that didn''t mean he would allow Shen Zichen to whisk his wife away.


    Once he was gone, Li Chuntao finally rxed and removed the irritating bandage on her head. Her head wound wasn''t that serious and was already healing well.


    "So irritating," she muttered to herself before pulling herself back on her feet to go to her sister''s room. Ever since she thrashed her own room, Li Chuntao had decided to stay at Ying''s room.


    A sudden thought crossed her mind, reminding her of what needed to be done. She strolled down the hallway and went to the study she barely used since they purchased this ce but it was locked.


    "Hou Chen, why''s this room locked?" She called out to her temporary assistant. Hou Chen had been working with Li Xiuying for years and Li Chuntao never bothered to hire her own personal assistant as she preferred to do things on her own.


    "It''s locked?" Hou Chen came to her and turned the doorknob herself. She was also confused. Li Xiuying never had a habit of locking this study since she always let Hou Chen and Su Linge and go into this room to get important files that she needed.


    "Su Ling!" Hou Chen called the head security of the Li twins'' house. "Can you unlock this room for Miss Chuntao?"


    Su Ling appeared from the kitchen, one hand holding a can of iced coffee he took from the fridge.


    "I don''t have a copy of the key for that room. Miss Ying didn''t give me one," he responded. This was the only ce Su Ling couldn''t enter at will aside from Li Chuntao''s room which had been locked when she migrated overseas for her studies.


    Li Chuntao cupped her chin. She wasn''t sure if she managed to bring her copy with her when she left her apartment before the air force took her away the day before her sister''s passing. She went back to her room again to find it.


    She opened the door and saw that it was spotlessly clean. There was no trace of the chaos caused by her breakdown. Her Aunt Yue probably had someone to help to fix this room while she was gone.


    She went to her dresser and searched for her keys which she found on one of the side drawers of her night stand and went back to the study room where she found Hou Chen and Su Ling talking to each other.


    "Su Ling, did they manage to retrieve Ying''s personal belongings after the ident?" She asked as she unlocked the door.


    "Yes, Master Yuren has made sure Miss Ying''s belongings are retrieved. As far as I know it was left at the Li Mansion. Should I call someone to bring them here?" Su Ling replied.


    Li Chuntao declined his suggestion, telling him that she would see it herself once she visited the Li Mansionter. She looked around, impressed by her sister''s style of decoration.


    She looked outside therge windows which offered a great scenery. The rain pattering on the ss, the droplets making a thin trail as they dripped down. Lately, Li Chuntao felt like her days had been filled with gray clouds but it seemed that the weather today had managed to catch up with her mood.


    The pain from Li Xiuying''s death was still fresh but unlike before, where she had wanted to end her own life, she was now driven by the need to seek revenge for Ying''s sake. Her twin''s sudden death wrenched and wed her cold heart.


    Feeling something warm running down her cheek,she slowly wiped away the tears with the back of her hand. Sniffling slightly, Li Chuntao shook her head and tried to stop her sadness.


    She didn''t need this right now, not when she had to weave a trap for Mu Jianyu and Gu Changge.

 Chapter 80 - Play Pretend (2)

    Su Ling and Hou Chen left her to her own devices. Li Chuntao looked around the spotless room, a light scent of lemon reaching her nose. Running her fingers over the bookshelf, she gently scanned the first editions of the books she and Ying used to read when they were younger.


    She then turned to sit on the pink office chair her sister used to own and sat in front of theputer that reflected nothing but her face on its nk screen. Her hand reached out and pressed the power button with her other hand cupping her chin as she waited for it to power up.


    Ying might have left something that she could use. Whether or not it was a threat to Mu Jianyu or Gu Changge, it didn''t matter as long as she could use it to her advantage. Mu Jianyu had taken the first move and given her an opening to start her revenge and she wasn''t one to waste such an opportunity.


    She browsed the document files and checked each folder that was kept by her sister. There was nothing suspicious as Li Chuntao could only see several proposal drafts and copy of contracts with the Li Corporation. There wasn''t anything that she found suspicious and was about to give up when she remembered to check her twin sister''s email.


    Another window popped up prompting for a password. Li Chuntao only had three attempts to unlock her sister''s ount. She cupped her chin and pondered all the possible passwords that Ying used. Knowing her sister, Li Chuntao knew the patterns andmonly used passcodes for Ying''s ount.


    The first time Li Chuntao keyed in the password she was familiar with, it denied her ess with Ying''s ount. The second time yielded to the same result and she was left with only one chance to figure out the right password.


    Li Chuntao grunted and leaned back on her seat. She should get this one right or else she would have to wait again to tryter. Shifting in her seat, her eyesnded on the family photo Ying had ced near theputer.


    A genuine smile crossed her lips, something she hadn''t done in a long time. It was a picture of her and Ying with their parents when they were still alive. The picture was taken during her and Ying''s first recital.


    Thoughts and memories spiraled her mind. She would need all the strength she could gather to y this tricky game with Mu Jianyu and Gu Changge. Turning her back at the screen of theputer, she keyed in thest possible password she knew Ying frequently used and it sessfully logged her in her sister''s ount.


    Out of habit, she cupped her chin with one hand as her elbow propped up over the desk. She scrolled through the unread emails and wasn''t surprised to see Mu Jianyu''s failed attempt to reach her sister.


    ''After betraying her trust, do you honestly think Ying would forgive you that easily? Bastard.'' She muttered to herself.


    And then there were follow up reports from the investigators Ying hired to find conclusive evidence against her husband. A smug look bloomed on Li Chuntao''s face. At least her twin sister was smart enough. Ying would be the one who''ll deliver the final blow to Mu Jianyuter.


    How satisfying it would be to see him crashing down after he found out the truth? His beloved Ying would be the one who will put thest nail in his coffin.


    Again, there were work reports that had piled up on Li Xiuying''s mailbox which didn''t interest Li Chuntao at all but she kept a mental note to review itter.


    She then checked the cloud storage connected to her sister''s ount and wasn''t surprised by a daily log of her diaries which had started when she migrated overseas and aption of personal videos Ying hadn''t shared yet with her.


    She and Ying had been exchanging long letters and recorded videos for a long time. This was also a good way tomunicate with each other when one was too busy or the other was having a hard time to tell what she wanted over a phone call.


    The first video was dated almost three months ago coincidentally when Ying started avoiding talking about her marriage life with her. Li Chuntao narrowed her eyes at the thought.


    Thinking about it, it should be noted that it was a hundred days before Li Xiuying''s passing. This was the start of her hundred days of agony.


    Without thinking twice, Li Chuntao hit the y button of the first video and was greeted by the face of her sister pained with anguish.


    "Chuntao, do you remember, you once asked me if I know how it feels when someone made you feel special yesterday only to make you feel like nobody today? I think¡­" Li Xiuying heaved a sigh, "I think I now understand what you meant back then."


    Li Chuntao rested her chin on her entwined fingers, watching her sister''s video with undivided attention. There was a long pause as Li Xiuying tried to contain her tears.


    "I''m sorry¡­ I-I just don''t know where to start." Li Xiuying confessed as she fiddled with her fingers, refusing to look at the camera. "I know we promised that we would never keep secrets from each other unless we have to. It''s hard for me to admit this or believe that this is happening to me¡­" she sniffed and then lifted her eyes to look straight at the camera as if she could see Chuntao, sitting there, watching her. "I think my husband is having an affair and I don''t know what to do¡­"


    Li Chuntao continued watching the twelve-minute video to the end.It was long enough for Li Xiuying to tell her what she was feeling back then. To see her like this, it broke Li Chuntao''s heart.


    What did her sister see in that bastard to love him anyway? And why the fuck did her sister allowed Gu Changge to trample her marriage that easily?


    ''Ying, forgive me. I wasn''t able to help you the time you needed me the most.''


    She really regretted not knowing it sooner. If she did, she probably would have taken Ying away sooner and Li Xiuying wouldn''t need to die. However, Li Chuntao knew that she couldn''t change the past anymore but that didn''t mean she couldn''t seek justice for her twin sister''s death.


    ''Ying, you have to help me. I might not be able to protect you before but I''ll make sure whoever did this to you wouldn''t live in peace for the rest of their lives. I also have to apologize because for now on, I''ll be living as you.''


    By using her sister''s identity, it would be easy for her to draw Mu Jianyu and Gu Changge out at the same time. Those small flies who contributed to Li Xiuying''s suffering wouldn''t be spared by her but first she must find out the truth from her Uncle Yuren before entering the enemy''s camp.


    She wondered when would be the perfect time to invade Mu Jianyu''s home and what could be Gu Changge''s reaction upon discovering that ''Ying'' was still alive but had forgotten about them.

 Chapter 81 - Know Your Place (1)

    A knock on the door made Li Chuntao lift her head to see who it was. She saw Hou Chen standing outside the door with a guarded expression in her face. Li Chuntao wasn''t offended at all since she knew her sister''s subordinates were more at ease with Ying than with her.


    "Miss Chuntao¡­"


    She''d been away for too long and hadn''te home to know them well. Except for Su Ling whom she had met before migrating overseas, she wasn''t familiar with Hou Chen and Song Zexi.


    "What is it?" She questioned before turning her attention to the financial reports saved in her sister''s email ount.


    "Young Master Shen is here. Should I bring him in here or would you like to meet him outside?" Hou Chen replied. Her tone was a little somber as she looked at Li Chuntao''s face. She couldn''t help but remember her deceased friend and felt bad about it.


    "Bring him here. I wouldn''t mind hispany today," Li Chuntao said without breaking her focus on the screen in front of her. She would rather be in Shen Zichen''s presence than be with that bastard.


    She didn''t wait too long for Shen Zichen to enter the study, look around, and sit across her. Li Chuntao was wearing a white button-up shirt with her top buttons loose, letting him see the light bruise on her corbone. He''d seen that she had already removed her bandages and her wounds were healing well.


    "Hou Chen told me Mu Jianyu has beening here everyday. Is he still trying to convince you to move in with him?" He asked with unconcealed irritation on his tone.


    His irritation made Li Chuntao chuckle. This man could never be in the same room with Mu Jianyu without starting a fight. Her sister was really such a rare beauty that she was able to make men fight against each other.


    "What else? Mu Jianyu brought his wedding photos with Ying to prove his ims. Can you believe it?" Li Chuntao stopped what she was doing and leaned back to her seat, properly facing the man sitting across her.


    "Do you really n to continue pretending to be Ying?" He asked incredulously. "Have you informed your uncle about this?"


    Shen Zichen was aware of what Li Chuntao was nning. Although he also wanted to seek justice for Li Xiuying''s death, he didn''t approve of Li Chuntao''s way of revenge.


    Was it really necessary for her to be Ying for the sake of ensnaring Mu Jianyu? What if Mu Jianyu forces himself on her? Shen Zichen wouldn''t be able to protect her if that happens.


    As if sensing his distress over her decision, Li Chuntao stood up, sat on the edge of the desk, and looked at him.


    "Brother Zichen, do you really think I couldn''t handle this alone?" Her fingers reached up and ran under his chin, forcing him to look at her eyes.


    Shen Zichen was a bit startled at her boldness. He''d always known that Li Chuntao didn''t care about what people think but he didn''t know she was this straight forward. She wasn''t as overbearing as this before.


    "It isn''t because I don''t trust you, Chuntao. The one I don''t trust is that man." He countered and looked away, the warmth of her fingers leaving his skin.


    Li Chuntao chuckled in amusement over his reaction. He was still the same Shen Zichen she knew.


    "Tsk. Brother Zichen, you should know better what I''m capable of. Unless Mu Jianyu wanted to suffer from a broken arm or die in his sleep, he wouldn''t dare to recklessly touch me."


    The Li twins had been taught basic self-defense but Li Chuntao also took lessons in Judo and could properly defend herself from physical attacks.


    "I think you''re mistaken here, Shen Zichen." There wasn''t a hint of yfulness on her face anymore. Her hand painfully gripped his chin again, forcing him to face her.


    "Shen Zichen, know your ce. You better not forget who''s the one in front of you." Her voice lowered dangerously. Shen Zichen must be acting like this because of Ying but he shouldn''t mistake her for her twin sister. Li Chuntao wouldn''t allow him to ruin her ns.


    "You only care for me because of Ying and because I am her sister not because I am Li Chuntao," she said with a grim. "I know this Shen Zichen. We''re together now because we have amon enemy but if Ying wasn''t involved in this, you wouldn''t be wasting your time being here with me."


    Shen Zichen met her gaze, refusing to back down. When he lifted his eyes to hers, he was met with an almost dead expression. Her face held no emotion as her eyes were dull. He was beyond confused.


    He couldn''t look away from her and couldn''t find the words to say in return. He wanted to tell her that she was wrong but what she just said made sense to him.


    Li Chuntao released his chin and looked outside in boredom, watching as the gray clouds continued to drown the city with its pouring rain. It had been raining since Li Xiuying''s death. She could barely see the sun these days.


    "The chances are in our favor right now. We better not waste it. Once we''ve reached our goal, you and I will part ways. You will be free from your guilt and I would have fulfilled my promise to Ying when the timees." She said bluntly. "Until then¡­ Brother Zichen, you need to know where to draw the line."


    Shen Zichen almost chokes on her words. Why? Why was it so easy for her to cut her ties with him? Had he done something wrong to her aside from failing to protect Ying?


    He was upset that she thought of him this way. Didn''t she know that all of his actions and concern for her was genuine? He couldn''t care less about what would happen to him now as long as he could protect her. Yet she only sees it as an obligation he had to do for Ying''s sake.


    What upsets him the most was her eagerness to cut ties with him when everything was done even though she doesn''t have to.


    "The celebration banquet for the film was rescheduled and will be held in two weeks'' time and Ying is invited. The news about Ying suffering from amnesia has already started to circte." Li Chuntao paused and nced at him. "What are the chances that you have something to do with this?"


    Since the Li family hadn''t made a move yet and the only person who knew about the misunderstanding between Mu Jianyu and Li Chuntao was Shen Zichen, Li Chuntao had assumed that Shen Zichen had used his influence to prepare the game, which she didn''t mind at all.


    This was a good way to startle the hiding snake in the bush and would force Lin Meirong out.


    Shen Zichen frowned before confessing what he did. He only asked his Aunt Lilou to spread this so that once Li Chuntao appeared to the public, people wouldn''t suspect her.


    "Do you really have to ask? Isn''t this what you wanted? I''m giving you the stage. Don''t disappoint me, Ying," His mouth twitched as he tested the name he would have to be ustomed with whenever he is in public with Li Chuntao.


    Li Chuntao''s eyes flickered with amusement.


    "Then Brother Zichen, you should apany me to that banquet.. I would need your help."

 Chapter 82 - Know Your Place (2)

    Li Xiuying was still alive.


    This wasn''t the news that Lin Meirong was expecting to hear regarding the premeditated ident. After two weeks of being on the edge, the news about Li Xiuying''s condition started to pick up on the evening news and entertainment magazines.


    How could she possibly survive that ident? Yao Qigang assured her that Li Xiuying wouldn''t be able to make it out alive.


    She''d seen the news herself. It was big news before because of Li Xiuying''s involvement. The news showed the destruction of five car pile-up halting the traffic and left damaged vehicles across the freeway while Li Xiuying''s car was beyond recognition after being retrieved from the river.


    Emergency services were called to the scene immediately when there were reports of a multi-vehicle collision but the rescuers had a hard time rescuing Li Xiuying and Song Zexi who was being dragged away by the currents in the river.


    Police, fire crews and paramedics arrived in the shortest time to control the traffic and to give immediate first aid to those who were injured.


    So how did Li Xiuying manage to survive without much damage apart from a temporary memory loss? Did she really forget everything or was she just pretending?


    Lin Meirong had been livid when she finally received a phone call from Mu Jianyu only to tell her that he was ending his affair with her but promised to give her baby child support once she gave birth, much to her chagrin.


    "Ying needs me¡­ I cannot leave her right now." He told her. "If you need anything, then just leave a message with my assistant and he''ll provide everything you need."


    "What do you mean you can''t leave her? Aren''t the two of you divorced?" She gritted her teeth and tried to suppress her anger. "Darling, are you hearing yourself? Didn''t you say you don''t love her anymore? Jianyu, are you doing this out of guilt?"


    There was no way he would act like this unless he felt guilty about what happened to Li Xiuying.


    She was losing him and Lin Meirong knew it. To lose him wasn''t an option. He was wealthy and he would be able to provide everything for her in the future. She wouldn''t let him get away that easily not when she''d sacrificed a lot for him!


    "No¡­ it''s just¡­ I realized that I still love my wife."


    That was thest straw that broke the camel''s back for Lin Meirong and she exploded in rage.


    "You love her? Have you forgotten that it was me who''d stayed with you when you needed someone to talk to? Let me remind you, you promised to marry me and I''m now your fianc¨¦e! How can you just break our rtionship like I was nothing to you!"


    "A mistress is just a mistress. A wife is a wife. Know your ce woman!" Mu Jianyu snapped at her for the first time since they started their affair. He had never raised his voice to her even when she acted like a spoiled child in front of him.


    "Jianyu¡­" Lin Meirong was left speechless in shock. This was far from her expectations. She didn''t know he''d made up his mind to end their affair. No. No. No! This couldn''t be happening!


    "Darling, calm down, please. Let''s talk about it. Remember our time together. Have you forgotten your promises to me? What about our baby?" She tried to calm down but failed.


    "I''m sorry but let''s stop it here. I''ll be with my wife and that''s final."


    Mu Jianyu was determined to end everything between them. How could he cast her away as if he had no use of her anymore? He was determined to return to Li Xiuying but she had to find a way to keep him by her side.


    "I see. You made up your mind, huh?" Her voice slightly lowered, her eyes glinted with malice. "So you also don''t want this baby anymore?"


    She didn''t need to borate on what she meant as Mu Jianyu easily picked up what she meant. Lin Meirong didn''t mind using the unborn child in her womb to coax Mu Jianyu to stay with her.


    "You wouldn''t dare!" He roared over the phone. "Don''t you ever do anything to my child!"


    The corner of Lin Meirong''s lips curled up in a grin. She got the reaction she wanted from him.


    ''Ah, Mu Jianyu. Do you really think you can get rid of me easily? Oh, no, you can''t.''


    "You think I wouldn''t? If you''re going to leave then what would happen to me and this baby? Do you think your wife wouldn''t remember how you betrayed her? Do you know what she would feel once she found out about this child?"


    Mu Jianyu was taken aback. The thought of Ying remembering what he did before her ident was something he didn''t consider. What would he do once Ying remembers everything?


    Lin Meirong continued, knowing she''d already cornered him once again. How foolish did he think she was. Did he really think that she would make it easy for him? He should only me himself for this.


    "Maybe you couldn''t bear to leave her, but Li Xiuying would leave you once she remembers and when that time arrives, she would regret being with you. This child¡­ this child is proof of your greatest sin."


    "Shut up! You better shut your mouth, Lin Meirong!" The hold Mu Jianyu had on his phone tightened. He didn''t want to hear any of these from her. Not from her. Anyone but her.


    He hated to be threatened. Seeing how Lin Meirong was getting an upper hand against him, he was starting to regret recing Ying with this kind of vicious woman.


    "I''ll confess everything to my wife and beg for her forgiveness if I have to. Ying¡­ she would try to understand me no matter what. Even if I need to kneel down for her forgiveness, I will." He said but it sounded more like he was trying to convince himself than Lin Meirong.


    "If you leave me right now, I''ll tell the world what you''ve done and your wife will know about us and this child. I will tell the world how you betrayed your wife and Li Xiuying wouldn''t be able to forgive you." Lin Meirong tantly threatened him. She knew now how much he valued Li Xiuying''s feelings for him and she wouldn''t mind using it against him.


    "If you have a death wish, do that. Do you think you will be left unscathed by the Li family?" Heughed maniacally. "You''ll be facing something worse than death with me."


    Mu Jianyu hung up the call in rage. He knew what he said to Lin Meirong would be their end once Li Xiuying and her whole family found out about his betrayal. However, he didn''t care that much because he was more worried about how Li Xiuying would react once she remembered everything.


    He fell on his knees and lowered his head in shame and guilt. Darkness enveloped his entirety. How was he supposed to exin this to his wife? Should hee clean or continue to pretend that he did nothing wrong?


    ''Ying, I''ve wronged you.''


    However, in the end, no matter how much he regretted or tried to repent for his sins, the person whom he wanted to reach out to was no more.

 Chapter 83 - What Have I Done Wrong? (1)

    "What should I do?" Lin Meirong muttered to herself as she sat on the couch with both hands cradling her head.


    Since thatst phone call with Mu Jianyu, she had been at her wits end trying to figure out what she should do next. Li Xiuying''s memory loss was like a ticking bomb that has the capability to return all the memories that she could use against her.


    Why was that woman so lucky anyway? They were both born with a beautiful face but howe Li Xiuying got all the wealth and recognition Gu Changge never had in her life?


    It was too unfair. It was all because she wasn''t born with the same privilege and opportunities as Li Xiuying.


    Mu Jianyu was determined to return to Li Xiuying and she couldn''t let him nor the Li family destroy her that easily. The only thing that was preventing it from happening was the child in her womb that wasn''t even his, to begin with.


    "Li Xiuying somewhat survived. I''m surprised." Yao Qigangmented, a conflicted expression written on his face. Li Xiuying should have been dead by now but she managed to survive and only lost her memories in the process.


    "Mu Jianyu threatened that the Li family woulde after me if I dared to reveal our affair to the public." She told him.


    "Yes, that would be the worst-case scenario but as long as Li Xiuying doesn''t remember anything, you should stay away from him until they truly divorce. The Li family wouldn''t go after you unless you''ve given them a reason to do so."


    "But what about the Shen family?" Lin Meirong tilted her head up to look at him. She clenched her fists on herp seeing how calm he was, sipping an expensive wine across her. "Shen Zichen couldn''t possibly stay still and let Mu Jianyu take Li Xiuying away and since I''ve offended her, he probably wouldn''t leave me in peace."


    At her words, Director Yao burst into a round ofughter. Ah, she was still the naive Gu Changge he''d taken from the countryside.


    "And why would Shen Zichen do that? Are you afraid because he is a Shen? Shen Zichen might be a son of the reigning demon king but he doesn''t hold a candle against Shen Lingqing. If there''s someone from the Shen family whom you should avoid at all cost, it should be the younger Shen princess."


    Shen Lingqing? Lin Meirong had heard about her before even though she hadn''t met her personally. Not that she was looking forward to it. She was just worried that Shen Zichen would utilize his influence to make her life harder than it already was.


    "You can''t deny that he''s still capable of doing something!"


    His family name alone would be enough to stir fear in anyone within the capital.


    She knew how a man can be devoted to his woman and could go to an extent to help her and with Shen Zichen being a Shen and being madly in love with Li Xiuying, it would certainly be easy for him to ask Shen Lingqing and the Tang family for help if he wants to.


    "You are thinking too much," Yao Qigang shook his head and pondered the consequences of their actions.


    "As I already said, the Li family won''t touch you unless they have evidence to pin you. They hold their reputation high and wouldn''t dare to taint it by bullying a normal citizen. As for the Shen family, why would they waste their time on you? Even if you have an affair with Li Xiuying, what did it have to do with them? Unless Li Xiuying is married to Shen Zichen, they wouldn''t dare to get involved with the Li family''s issues."


    Ah, what he said did make sense to her. As of this moment, her existence was irrelevant to the Shen family. She hadn''t made any direct offense to the Shens but the Li family would be a different matter. If Li Xiuying was aware of the affair before her ident, then it would be possible that they were also informed of it.


    "I heard that they invited Li Xiuying to the celebration banquet. You mustn''t give her any reason to suspect you." He reminded her. It would be better for them to stay low so the Li family wouldn''t suspect them.


    Too bad the same couldn''t be said about Mu Jianyu''s situation because he would be one of the primary suspects if the Li family decided to start an investigation. As long as there was no trace leading back to him and Lin Meirong, they would be safe.


    Lin Meirong pressed her lips together and didn''t answer. However, she still felt a sense of regret for allowing Yao Qigang to drag her in this scheme against Li Xiuying. It would have been better if Li Xiuying died so she only has one problem left to solve.


    ''Tsk. So troublesome. He couldn''t even do the job properly," she scoffed inwardly and looked at him indifferently. ''If only I could remove this pest in my life.''


    Director Yao was the only ck cloud that had a hold on her and had a direct connection between her and Li Xiuying''s ident. Maybe she should also start nning how to make a brighter future for her without this man.


    Using the child in her womb, Mu Jianyu wouldn''t have a choice but to continue to support her financially which would also save her a lot of trouble from the sudden increase in her expenses recently.


    All she wanted right now was the stability of her career but with her bump starting to show, Lin Meirong wondered if it wasn''t toote to get rid of it. She should have a backup n, just in case Mu Jianyu totally ditches her to the curb.


    Meanwhile, Mu Jianyu sulked in his dimly lit apartment as he sat on the couch, trying to figure out how to fix the mess he started. Surely, the Li family wouldn''t easily give Ying back to him after what he''d done to her.


    With Lin Meirong''s pregnancy, this also made it hard for him not to feel guilty for Ying. He didn''t like how Lin Meirong used their baby against her but he couldn''t deny his paternity. However, he also knew that if Li Xiuying found out about this, she would be devastated by his betrayal.


    ''Stupid. This is because you were stupid.'' Mu Jianyu repeatedly told himself.


    How did he end up having an affair with Lin Meirong anyway? Why did he allow that woman to get the best of him, casting Li Xiuying aside?


    If he hadn''t gotten drunk during that one party he attended where he ended up having a one night stand with Lin Meirong, none of these would have happened.


    That supposedly one-night stand ended up being a full-blown extramarital affair as that vixen continued to meet him everywhere he went until he sumbed to her charm forgetting the lovely wife waiting for him back home.


    Thankfully, he was one step ahead as he was able to convince Li Xiuying that he was her husband. This should also be enough to keep Shen Zichen from prying into their marriage affair.. However, before anything else, he should find those divorce papers making sure Ying hadn''t signed them or else they would be officially over.

 Chapter 84 - What Have I Done Wrong? (2)

    It had been three days since thest time Mu Jianyu visited Li Chuntao and she wasn''t surprised when he showed up again, unannounced, outside her door. Su Ling and Hou Chen didn''t stop him this time and led him to the balcony where Li Chuntao was having her breakfast.


    Hou Chen opened the ss door leading to the balcony and let him step out to meet Li Chuntao. She left at once, not wanting to see the man who betrayed her friend''s trust. She could only hope that Miss Chuntao would seek justice and revenge Ying wasn''t able to get when she was alive.


    The view outside was absolutely stunning as he saw the cityscapes from where he was standing. Unlike previous days, this morning the sky was bright and there wasn''t any sign of the impending storm that was about to hit the city. The cold morning breeze greeted him.


    He was reminded of how rich the Li twins were. This ce reminded him of a presidential suite he once stayed in during one of his business trips overseas. This scenery and luxury, he could only enjoy it once in a while, but the Li twins had been used to it all their lives.


    Although they didn''t unt their wealth extravagantly, the ce itself and the way the Li family dress speaks money. That was actually the first time he''d seen ''Ying'' wearing a pair of skinny jeans and a beautiful gray cashmere sweaterpleted by a set of ck ts.


    "Please sit down and join me for breakfast, Mr. Mu," Li Chuntao said before taking a sip on her mug of hot ck coffee, watching as he took a seat across her.


    Mu Jianyu inwardly flinched as ''Ying'' continued to treat him as a stranger. He was also shocked to see her drinking a cup of ck coffee as Ying wasn''t used to the bitter taste of it.


    Li Xiuying had onceined to him that she couldn''t tolerate its taste no matter how much she tried. So why the hell was she able to drink it without making any fuss?


    Unbeknownst to him, Li Chuntao was testing him once again. Wouldn''t he find it suspicious that the woman he imed was his wife, who he loved, was acting a bit strange than usual? Looking at his face, he''d noticed but why wasn''t he saying anything?


    Li Chuntao sighed inwardly. He was really a fool. He was married to Li Xiuying for years and he couldn''t tell them apart?


    Hou Chen returned with another set of tes and cutleries for Mu Jianyu and their conversation waned. It wasn''t an awkward silence since Li Chuntao and Mu Jianyu were both preupied with their own thoughts.


    Li Chuntao was aware that she and Mu Jianyu knew very little about one another and what connects them together was Li Xiuying, who wasn''t here anymore, to act as a wall between them.


    Mu Jianyu gave the woman across him a good look. He noticed that she had lost a lot of weightpared to thest time he''d seen her, even her long hair was obviously shorter than before.


    "Ying, have you been eating welltely. I think you''ve lost some weight." He told her.


    Li Chuntao raised a brow at him, not expecting he would be able topare her now to Ying, who was his wife. Was that all that he noticed?


    Couldn''t he notice how her voice wasn''t as warm and joyous as Ying''s? That her height, a few centimeters taller than her sister? Her skin was paler than her twin as well as the preference when ites into their cups of coffee.


    Li Chuntao then started to wonder if her sister had tried to introduce or talk about her to Mu Jianyu but from the looks of it, Ying didn''t.


    "I did?" She asked in return.


    "Yes, I remember seeing you gaining weight making you look plump and healthy during the anniversary party of thepany." He replied.


    Li Chuntao brought her cup to its saucers and sighed. "I see."


    Li Xiuying was already pregnant by then and had been faring well after epting the fact of his betrayal. She was on her way to mend her broken heart and was ready to move on if only she didn''t meet her demise in that ident.


    "I don''t remember anything about it. Brother Zichen has told me that this could be a selective memory loss and the chances of regaining my memories are quite slim. All of my memories after my 20th birthday are lost to me. I don''t remember who you are, how we met and what happened since then." She said dejectedly which made Mu Jianyu hold his breath.


    "My family has already exined to me everything and has confirmed the marriage between us but there''s something I don''t understand, Mr. Mu," Li Chuntao continued, acting pitifully in front of her brother-inw. She hugged her midsection and looked away as if she was ashamed of what she was about to say.


    "Ying, it''s alright. You can tell me anything. What is it that bothers you?" Mu Jianyu asked worriedly. He also wondered if the Li family tried to convince his wife not to return to him.


    "I-I...I don''t understand. You said we are married¡­ are we happily married?" she paused and looked straight at him with eyes glistening with tears. "Then why, why are you divorcing me? Did we have a fight that was irreparable? Did I do something wrong that displeased you? Have I done something you didn''t like or is it the opposite?"


    These were the questions Li Xiuying had when Li Chuntao watched the videos her sister left for her. There were several questions that she couldn''t help but ask.


    ''What have I done wrong, Chuntao?''


    Anger, shame, disgust¡ª all of these, Ying confessed that it swirled within her like a cyclone. She wasn''t only furious with him but also disappointed with herself.


    Mu Jianyu felt like someone poured a cold bucket of water when he heard her question. He was visibly surprised. He''d expected that this question woulde to him sooner orter but even if he knew, he still didn''t know how to answer her properly.


    His jaws hardened and refused to break his gaze towards ''Ying'' who''d been waiting expectantly to his answer. Guilt seeping from his person as he looked at his wife''s puzzled expression and teary eyes. What was he supposed to say?


    That initially he wanted to divorce her because she couldn''t give him a child and her bright countenance and personality cast a dark shadow on his entirety? That wherever he goes, people wouldn''t stopparing him to Shen Zichen, who was her childhood friend? That he betrayed her trust and impregnated another woman who wasn''t worthy at all?


    "I-I¡­ didn''t your uncle tell you?"


    "No, I suppose they couldn''t tell me the truth. It must be something painful for my uncle not to tell what it is." Li Chuntao shook her head.


    If it was another time and she didn''t need to pretend as Ying, she would have given him a scrutinizing look and looked away in disgust. As she waited for Mu Jianyu''s exnation, Li Chuntao suppressed her emotions that''s threatening to bubble to the surface.


    ''Ying have asked you several times. Did you remember how many times you''ve lied to her?''

 Chapter 85 - Shen Lingqing (1)

    Regret and sorrow morphed into helplessness when Mu Jianyu looked at her. The idea of confessing everything to Li Xiuying crossed his mind but he couldn''te up with enough courage to do so.


    Copper filled Li Chuntao''s mouth as her teeth increased its pressure upon her tongue as she forced herself to stop her snarky remark. She admitted now, only to herself, that pretending to be her twin sister was also testing her patience.


    Li Chuntao wasn''t as patient as her twin sister. Most of the time she avoids nonsensical discussions in fear that she wouldn''t be able to stop her sharp tongue. She had once told Ying that she had short patience with stupid people and right now, that same patience was being tested by the man sitting across her.


    "Yes, we had a heated argument," Mu Jianyu said and Li Chuntao almost didn''t hear it but luckily she did, "I was wrong. I should be the one to me." He shut his eyes close and sighed."I shouldn''t have done that. I''m so sorry, Ying."


    He tried to swallow, but his mouth suddenly felt dry. Lin Meirong''s words came to him, reminding him of what could happen once Li Xiuying remembers or finds out.


    "What''s our status now?" Li Chuntao asked curiously. "Are we still married or the papers have been filed?"


    His eyes must have given him away because that wasn''t something he expected to hear from her. Mu Jianyu also had no idea if Ying truly signed the papers like she told him thest time he saw her before the ident.


    Ying had promised him his freedom but wasn''t it ironic that now, he didn''t want to be parted from her anymore?


    "Of course, we''re still married. The papers aren''t filed."


    Disgust emanated from Li Chuntao''s eyes and she felt it. For the first time in her life she wished looks could kill. Mu Jianyu once again lied without batting an eyelid.


    No. In fact, before Ying''s passing, she had signed those papers. The reason why the study in their penthouse was locked was that Li Yuren went there unannounced while Chuntao and Su Ling were busy taking care of Li Xiuying back at the hospital. He was able to retrieve the confidential documents and divorce papers Li Xiuying kept inside the study.


    Li Chuntao had to keep her mask in check, hoping that idiot wouldn''t be able to see through her deceit. He was such a pathological liar. There was no hope for him anymore and Li Chuntao felt bad for her twin sister for falling for such an unworthy man.


    "I see¡­" She looked away, her appetite was already gone as her ex-brother-inw sessfully ruined her morning. "I''m sorry, I think I need more time to sort this out. Losing thest seven years of my life¡­ I wonder what important things I''ve forgotten."


    She should have known not to expect more from Mu Jianyu because every time she tested him, he failed miserably. Anyway, she would hold him liable for his imter once she set him up with Gu Changge. She couldn''t wait to see how the cheating couple would go after each others'' neck to save their sorry asses.


    Just looking at his face, Li Chuntao guessed that he was trying to limit the damage now. Mu Jianyu knew that he was nothing against the Li family and once Li Xiuying divorced him, Ying wouldn''t be able to stop whatever the family decided to do with him.


    ---


    One week. That was all Li Chuntao could think about as she stared out of the floor-to-ceiling window of her sister''s office overlooking the business district of the capital. In exactly one week, it would be her parents'' death anniversary.


    It suddenly made her feel like the years passed by too fast for her liking. It felt like one moment, she lost her parents then soon after, death had also taken Ying away from her. A lifetime without them was dreadfully a long time to be alone.


    Today, Li Yuren had brought her here and she presented herself as her dead sister to the board. It wasn''t that any one of them had suspected her identity but Li Chuntao remained silent throughout the ordeal to pacify the concerns of their investors.


    For those old farts, their biggest concern regarding Ying''s memory loss is the possibility that she may also forget the skills she mastered during the past seven years. Li Chuntao scoffed inwardly. While it was true that Ying was the one who was more business savvy between the two, it didn''t mean that she, the younger twin, wasn''t capable.


    From where she stood, she could see the new high-rise building owned by the Shen family. It stood proud under the afternoon sun.


    She marveled at how good Shen Lingqing was able to stand her ground against the olderpetitors of the Shen family in the industry. She supposed that having a strict father like Shen Yi and tenacious mother Lu Xinyi had made the Shen princess more resilient to face challenges in her chosen career.


    As she contemted how to spend her life in solitude, she heard her cell phone buzz on top of the desk, bringing her attention back from the heartache and grief she still felt from losing everyone she loved dearly.


    It was a message from Shen Yuyan, reminding her that she and Shen Zichen would drop by at the Li Corporation to meet her.


    "Let me fix my makeup and I''ll be down in a bit." She replied.


    Li Chuntao rarely put makeup on her face and dress up but since she would have to live as her dead sister, she supposed changing her wardrobe and mannerism would be essential.


    She groaned and wondered why she easily agreed to meet the Shen twins at this time when all she wanted to do was throw herself on herfy bed and just sleep. Going out was the least she wanted to do ever since she came back from overseas and now that she was living as ''Li Xiuying'' she needed to make appearances in public.


    Ever since she became a doctor, Li Chuntao rarely had time for rxation and recreation. Most of her time was spent on either working or reading thetest medical journals to increase her knowledge, but that didn''t mean that she didn''t have an affinity with alcoholic drinks.


    Ever since she started pretending to be Ying, Li Chuntao stayed at home, snuggled on her bed, and drowned herself with beer or with a bottle of whiskey. It made her forget everything, even if it was temporary.


    She had made a deal with her Uncle Yuren to wrap up this act within a year. When she convinced him to allow her to carry out her n for revenge, Li Yuren, understanding that she needed to do this to let go, had only given her one year toplete her n


    One year¡­ it should be enough for her but she wondered if she would be able to pick up where she left off.. However, the question of if she would be able to return from the person she was before Ying''s death was still a mystery.

 Chapter 86 - Shen Lingqing (2)

    Walking into the en-suite private bathroom connected to Li Xiuying''s office, Li Chuntao checked her reflection in the massive mirror and was pleased to see that she looked just fine and her appearance was enough to make everyone believe that she was her twin sister.


    For once her wavy hair was cooperating with her stayed straight throughout the two-hour meeting with the stockholders. Tucking a stray lock behind her ear, she let her hair cascade behind her with loose ringlets framing her heart shaped face.


    After reapplying some mascara on her eyshes, making her round brown eyes more prominent and a thinyer of lip gloss on her lips, she turned to her side to check if her dress was properly zipped up behind her.


    Since she was a bit taller than Ying, Li Chuntao decided to ditch her high heels and chose afy pair of ts instead. She nced in the mirror onest time before grabbing her purse and rushed out of Ying''s office and made her way to the elevator.


    Su Ling appeared behind her, suddenly following her trail as soon as she stepped out of the office. They met Hou Chen, who was still organizing the confidential files Li Xiuying left before her passing, midway.


    "I''ll be meeting the Shen siblings today. If my uncle calls, let him know where he could find me. Also, bring those back home for me to review. I need to see the discrepancies on the financial reports Ying had spotted." She informed her sister''s assistant.


    "Alright. Call me anytime if you need anything." Hou Chen replied before they walked briskly past the secretaries'' desks to meet the Shens.


    "Ying," It was Shen Zichen who greeted her as soon as she exited the tall building.


    "Brother Zichen," she nodded, "Sister Yan," She greeted Shen Yuyan who stood beside him.


    "Ying, I''m d to see you today." Shen Yuyan said but there was a slight sadness in her tone, knowing that the woman in front of her wasn''t their dear Ying but Chuntao.


    "Hmm¡­ I see that the Li family isn''t allowing anyone to use the ident to pin them down." A familiar voice spoke behind the Shen twins.


    "Qingqing." Shen Zichen chided his little sister but she ignored him and faced Li Chuntao instead and gave her a curt nod.


    "d to see you back." Her deep red tank top brought out the deep brown hue of her eyes, whichplement her silky ck hair. Although she was considerably shorter than Li Chuntao at five foot nine, her confidence and countenance were more regal than any other woman Li Chuntao knew in the business circle.


    Li Chuntao had met Shen Lingqing when she was a teenager but she rarely talked to her or Ying. This young woman was reserved and only allowed thepany of her siblings. Li Chuntao even doubts that Shen Lingqing was able to make friends with anyone with her cold attitude.


    Not that she med her. She could rte to Shen Lingqing somehow. It was better to be surrounded with a few people who were honest and cared for you than to be crowded with fake friends.


    "Nice to see you too, CEO Shen," she regarded her formally. "I''m d you''re able to join us tonight."


    Shen Lingqing slightly flushed and looked away. Despite being the newest CEO of SY Holdings, she still wasn''t used to being called with that title. The only CEO Shen she knew ever since she started talking was her father.


    Shen Yuyan giggled and linked her arm with Li Chuntao''s and they walked a few short blocks to where the Shens parked their car.


    It was a beautifulte afternoon and the humidity that had been present was gone. The setting sun illuminated the tall building with its orange hue. A slight breeze blew on Li Chuntao''s long hair. The streets were filled with buzz as office workers who had just finished their work were out, either ready to go home or hang out with their friends.


    "So¡­ where are we going?" Li Chuntao asked as she slid into the backseat of Shen Zichen''s car with Shen Lingqing seated beside her.


    "We''re going to ir Apparel to get Qingqing''s measurement again. I can''t believe she has outgrown the dresses and gowns Mommissioned for herst season. Also, I heard from Zi Gege that you two are going to attend a banquet together." Shen Yuyan grinned at her twin brother. "I haven''t seen Zi Gege wear a tux for the longest time! What a perfect time to get new ckmail materials."


    Ah, Li Chuntao understood now. Those ckmail materials were profitable indeed. Shen Yuyan had once sold her twin brother''s half-naked photo to a publishing firm after their banter which ended up being used as a cover for an erotica novel much to Shen Zichen''s chagrin.


    Although only half of his face was seen, he was still appalled that his sister sold him out. Their mother had a hard time stopping herself from her incessantughter as he covered his face in shame.


    He would have bought all the copies if he could but the said novel was so popr that the publishing ended up republishing it to cater to the public''s demand.


    "Sister Yan, don''t forget to give me a copy of the new book just in case the publishing firm asked you for his photos again." Her mischievous smile was enough to irritate the man in the driver''s seat. She could see his ears turning bright red from embarrassment.


    It didn''t take long before the Shen siblings and Li Chuntao arrived at ir Apparel''s main boutique. Looking through the ss partition, Li Chuntao wasn''t surprised to see the boutique was busy and filled with patrons doing their seasonal shopping.


    They entered the shop using the backdoor and were greeted by Xia Yuhan who was still the main designer of the brand. Once she saw the four standing in the hallway, she left her task to her assistant and happily greeted them.


    "Oh, I''m d you''re finally here. I''ve already prepared a few sets you might like to try on," she told Shen Zichen and Shen Lingqing. Her gaze then shifted to Li Chuntao and she gasped when she saw her.


    "Oh, my. Miss Ying, I''ve heard about what happened. I hope you are feeling well now?" she took Li Chuntao''s hand in hers and patted the back of Li Chuntao''s hand.


    Li Chuntao stopped her lips from twitching. She had to remind herself that only a small number of people were aware of Ying''s passing so she shouldn''t be surprised if they mistaken her as Li Xiuying.


    "Thank you for your concern, Aunty. I''m doing well." She replied politely.


    "Zichen told me you''ll be attending a celebration banquet for the film you funded so I already picked some dresses you might like. Anyway, one of the actresses from that film has also just arrived to try a few evening gowns for the asion." Xia Yuhan informed them while Shen Yuyan dragged her younger sister to the dressing room with a few dresses to try on.


    Li Chuntao raised a brow upon hearing what Xia Yuhan said. Was it Lan Jinyao? It would make sense since she was the female lead.


    "Really? Who is it?" Shen Zichen was the one who voiced her question.


    "I believe she''s the second female lead of the film," Xia Yuhan tapped her chin as she tried to remember the woman''s name.


    "Lin Meirong¡­" Li Chuntao muttered to herself.

 Chapter 87 - The Demon Princess (1)

    Heh, who would have thought that of all ces she would meet the woman who destroyed her sister''s marriage at this ce? Li Chuntao wasn''t expecting to see Lin Meirong until the celebration banquet in a few days but anyway since that bitch was here, let''s see what kind of woman Gu Changge was.


    "Ah, yes, that''s her name." Xia Yuhan confirmed the identity of the woman. "I''m surprised that you''re able to remember her name," she said as she led the two to the other side of the shop which was filled with more racks of clothes and dresses.


    "No, I don''t know her personally nor remember her. I just saw her name when I reviewed the script I left on my study." Li Chuntao said which was true. After taking over the identity of her sister, Li Chuntao had to familiarize herself not only with Ying''s work but her social links.


    "Ah, I see. Anyway, this rack here has the styles and materials I know you prefer." Xia Yuhan happily smiled. "Call me if you want to see more dresses, okay?"


    Li Chuntao was d that the older woman decided to drop the conversation about Lin Meirong and chose to busy herself assisting Shen Zichen choosing the right tux for the event. Looking around, she couldn''t see Gu Changge anywhere.


    Was she hiding inside one of the dressing rooms? Li Chuntao shook her head. Ah, how was she supposed to bully her if the bitch wouldn''t show herself?


    ---


    Shen Yuyan hummed as Li Chuntao tried on a dress.


    "It''s a little short on you," shemented.


    Li Chuntao twirled around, looking in the mirror. "Yes, it seems like it." She agreed.


    Xia Yuhan furrowed her brows. "Really? I''m pretty sure I got your measurements before. Let''s try another one shall we?"


    Li Chuntao smiled sheepishly, hoping that the older woman wouldn''t notice that she wasn''t Ying. She and Ying used tomission their clothes and get some of it specifically tailored for some asions because both were a little busty for their sizes so the tops typically don''t fit them.


    Xia Yuhan pulled out another dress and showed it to Li Chuntao. "How about this one?"


    "It looks better," Li Chuntao said with all honesty.


    Shen Yuyan nodded her head in agreement. "The color is nice too."


    Li Chuntao thanked the older woman and went back to the dressing room to try it on. She could hear Shen Yuyan chuckling over Shen Lingqing''s choices outside.


    "Why couldn''t you get something that isn''t too modest. You''re all covered. You''re a woman now, Qingqing."


    Shen Lingqing raised a brow at her sister before passing the dresses she selected to the staff.


    "I see no reason why I should expose my back for everyone to see. Dad also wouldn''t like it if I''m inappropriately dressed for the event."


    Xia Yuhan didn''t try to suppress theugh that came out from her. Ah, it wasn''t surprising that the demon king himself would pay attention to what his girls were wearing.


    There was a momentary silence as they minded their own businesses while Li Chuntao struggled to zip up the dress on her back. She wasn''t aware that the woman she''d been waiting for had finally arrived.


    Shen Yuyan scrunched her nose in disgust while Shen Lingqing eyed the woman nkly. Lin Meirong was oblivious to their stares and continued looking for another gown to try on. She was a couple of feet away from the Shen women and was busy checking the intricate details of the dresses.


    God damn, these dresses were expensive alright. There was no other brand that couldpete with ir Apparel''s elegance but it alwayses with a cost. No wonder only prominent and wealthy women could purchase this kind of evening gown because it was simply the best.


    "Sister Lin, did you have a quarrel with your boyfriend? You don''t look good these days." Lin Meirong''spanion asked her.


    Lin Meirong sighed dejectedly. Remembering herst argument with Mu Jianyu, she wasn''t expecting his call again anytime soon. Of course, she had tried to call him herself but he never picked up her calls and seemed to have ignored her existence.


    ''That bastard, did he really think he could ignore for too long. Whether he likes it or not, he wille back to me for sake of this child!''


    "Yes. I think this is the worst argument we had. I don''t think we''ll be able to mend it soon." She admitted, oblivious at how Shen Yuyan snorted behind them.


    Lin Meirong''spanion gasped and covered her mouth.


    "Then maybe you should be the one who should apologize first this time, Sister Lin. You wouldn''t like it to be dragged for too long or else you would lose his affection. I''m sure he would be moved if you''re the one who seeks him out first. You know men don''t want prolonged drama and don''t like toplicate things."


    Lin Meirong raised a brow on herpanion and considered her advice. "You think so?"


    "Why, of course! Men need to be assured that you care for them once in a while, Sister Lin."


    "But he was really madst time we talked. I''m not sure how to pacify his anger." Lin Meirong clutched the skirt of the gown she was holding as she solemnly looked at it.


    The other woman sighed and patted her shoulder affectionately.


    "People tend to say things that they don''t mean out of anger. Don''t take it so hard and try to understand him. Maybe he was really stressed and arguing with you made him snap back."


    However, even before Lin Meirong could respond. Three store attendants of the boutique came rushing towards them in a hurry pushing Lin Meirong aside, forcing her to step back to avoid being hit again.


    "Oww, that hurts!" She hissed and rubbed her shoulder that was bumped by one of the attendants. "Watch where you''re going!"


    The one who bumped her actually tripped on her own feet and was sprawled on the floor while the other two gasped as the gown the woman was holding had been crumpled and soiled. Their faces nched as they realized that the damage might be deducted on their wages.


    "Look what you''ve done! How can you be this careless!" Lin Meirong''s friend chastised them.


    "We''re sorry. We''re sorry! We didn''t mean to hurt you, Miss!" The store attendant begged for Lin Meirong''s forgiveness but thetter wouldn''t hear any of it. What if they identally ruin her face?


    "How could a simple sorry be enough to fix this problem? You were the one who wasn''t paying attention to where you were going!"


    Can''t this day get any worse than it was already? She pondered. Here she was shopping for an expensive dress only to be annoyed by these people.


    "Is that so? Then how long do you n to step on my dress then?" A feminine voice was heard.It sounded so cold shivers ran down Lin Meirong''s spine. She had a bad premonition. Her eyes widened then turned to look down on her feet only to see that she was indeed stepping on the skirt of the gown the attendant was holding earlier.


    She turned her head to see who it was, only for her jaws to drop in shock. Shit. she didn''t mean to get the attention of the demon princess.


    ''Shen Lingqing?!''

 Chapter 88 - The Demon Princess (2)

    She had spoken too soon and now Lin Meirong found herself subjected to Shen Lingqing''s ire. Didn''t Director Yao remind her days ago not to offend the Shen princess? Of all days she could meet this woman, why did it have to be today?


    "So? Are you going to keep standing there like an idiot or do I need to tell you to back off?" Shen Lingqing arched a brow, challenging her to a staring contest.


    Meanwhile, Shen Yuyan appeared behind her and watched the scene with amusement glint in her eyes.


    "I didn''t mean to¡­ Miss Shen." Lin Meirong stuttered and slowed the invisible lump on her throat. Goddamn, whatever happened to avoiding Shen Lingqing at all costs? Good job, Lin Meirong! She chided herself.


    "You did. I saw what happened. Are you saying that I''m blind?" Shen Lingqing replied, not making it easy for Lin Meirong to get away easily. "Don''t you know how much that dress cost me? I specificallymissioned that dress for an event I''m going to attend but since you''ve ruined it, I expect a reimbursement for it." She continued not giving the other woman any face.


    "W-what?!" Lin Meirong couldn''t believe what she was hearing. Did she just hear Shen Lingqing asking her to pay for the ruined dress?


    Shen Lingqing''s eyes narrowed as Lin Meirong remained silent. She crossed her arms and lowered her eyes dangerously.


    "You dare to make a scene in my mother''s boutique and bully one of her people. Miss, do you know that I can ask our staff to ban you from any Shen businesses and establishment with just a snap of my fingers?" She paused and watched how Lin Meirong''s and herpanion''s faces turned white as a sheet of paper from her words.


    Shen Lingqing only needed to say a word and the Tang family would ruin her chances within the entertainment industry like what they did to Chu Ting several years ago. If Chu Ting hadn''t repeatedly provoked the current Madam Shen and Sun Feiyan, she wouldn''t find herself and the whole Chu family in shambles.


    "No one can bully a Shen nor any of our people without paying the consequences of their actions," she added menacingly.


    Lin Meirong had never met a person whose look could beparable with icebergs. As she stared back at Shen Lingqing''s eyes, she now understood why Director Yao warned her about this woman.


    Her eyes were like a mirror, Lin Meirong felt like she couldn''t hide anything from Shen Lingqing, and this made her feel ufortable.


    "Miss Shen, can you spare Sister Lin this once? This is a misunderstanding. She didn''t intend to hurt or shame anyone and had only said those words out of rage. She doesn''t mean it at all." Lin Meirong''spanion who was also a newbie actress tried to defend her. She was clearly afraid of Shen Lingqing but she didn''t want to get dragged in case the Shen princess truly ruined Lin Meiring''s career.


    "Good point. I like it. You know when to draw a line." She Lingqing slightly nodded her head before cupping her chin. "I''ll spare you this once but this Miss should do two things for me." Shen Lingqing said.


    "What is it?" Lin Meirong asked warily. She swore in her heart that she would avoid having another encounter with Shen Lingqing in the future. Just talking to her felt like half of her lifespan was gone in an instant.


    "First you must learn how to say sorry. Apologize to our staff and pay for the damage you''ve caused. I''m sure you''re able to do it, right?" This would be a great reminder to any of those who witness themotion not to mess with Shen Lingqing.


    Alright. This was better than losing her career and chances to livefortably here in the capital. Lin Meirong would rather suffer for a while than to go back to the hell hole she came from; in the countryside. She didn''t think she would be able to live in that remote area again.


    She faced the attendants and lowered her head and apologized.


    "I''m sorry. I realized now how hard I was to you. I didn''t mean to threaten you. I''m willing to pay for the damages."


    ''Damages that I didn''t cause at all!'' She clenched her fist on her side until it turned white. Her nails digging painfully on her palms. Now, it''s time to find out how much money she had to lose today in exchange for her peaceful life.


    "And of course, you can charge the damages on my tab." She took her credit card from her purse and handed it to one of the store attendants.


    The young woman hesitated to ept the card and nced on Shen Lingqing''s way.


    "I-I¡­ Miss Lin, are you sure about this. The dress costs a fortune." She said truthfully.


    "It''s alright. You can charge it on my ount." Lin Meirong cursed Shen Lingqing in her heart. None of these should have happened if only she was aware of her surroundings.


    "Then we''ll charge 30,000RMB on your card, Miss Lin. Please follow me and pay at the cashier area."


    Lin Meirong''s eyes nearly popped out from their sockets once she heard the amount. That was the biggest expenditure she''d ever made in her life! Howe a dress that wasn''t as intricate and beautiful as those disyed in the showroom cost more? She didn''t understand it.


    "30,000RMB? Are you sure?" No, this couldn''t be right. How could they charge her with that sum?


    "Yes, Miss Lin. This is just the base price since we haven''t put the crystals and sequins in ce. You see, the dress isn''tpleted yet. The finished product would cost you 100,000RMB and since it''s not done and the base skirt was ruined. You only need to pay the base price."


    Lin Meirong suddenly felt dizzy. Whether it was because of her pregnancy and hormones or because of the insane price she was about to lose, she wasn''t sure, but heck, did the demon princess just sucked out money from her?


    She stumbled back and sat at the bench near her. She could feel her heart racing and suddenly felt dizzy. Why was she so unlucky today? Thinking about it she also started her day on the wrong side of the bed.


    She had to pay 30,000RMB for her freedom? This was ridiculous! This was daylight robbery but no one was standing up for her.


    As if her day couldn''t go any worse than this, Li Chuntao stepped out of the dressing room and overheard themotion outside. She was wearing a red A-line styled dress that ended on top of her knees.


    No one seemed to notice her presence except for Shen Yuyan and Su Ling who''d seen her leaving the dressing room she upied earlier. Both of them wondered what took her so long to show herself to see Lin Meirong.


    With a curious tone, she called after Shen Lingqing affectionately.


    "Qingqing? What''s the matter? I heard you from the dressing area. You sounded upset.." Li Chuntao tried her best to mimic Ying''s angelic voice that people were familiar with which was very convincing to everyone''s ears.

 Chapter 89 - You Disgust Me (1)

    Li Chuntao had heard Lin Meirong even before Shen Lingqing tried to sink her fang on her willing prey. It was just that she was curious how the actress would react under Shen Lingqing''s scrutiny.


    As she listened to themotion outside the dressing area, she tried several outfits and checked herself on the massive mirror.


    If she didn''t know Shen Lingqing, Li Chuntao wouldn''t assume that the demon princess had tricked the bitch to bleed money for her. She was pretty sure that the dress, even if it wasn''t owned by Shen Lingqing, would still be used against Lin Meirong.


    Heh, Shen Lingqing wouldn''t be called a demon princess for nothing. Regardless of the situation, she would be able to turn the tide to her advantage. Li Chuntao quite liked the younger woman''s way of dealing with Lin Meirong. Not only did the Shen princess put them in their right ce but was able to rip a hefty amount of money from the actress without batting an eyelid.


    Thirty thousand was nothing for the likes of Shen Lingqing and Li Chuntao but for Lin Meirong, that was a huge chunk of money that would surely leave a dent on her ount. It would take her some time before getting back the amount she lost today from the demon princess.


    After hearing everything, Li Chuntao decided to step out to see Lin Meirong herself under the pretense that she was Li Xiuying.


    "Sister Ying." It was Shen Lingqing who greeted her. "It''s nothing I couldn''t deal with."


    Still, Li Chuntao didn''t shed the face of a worried friend towards Shen Lingqing. She stood beside the Shen princess and looked at the two women who were visibly shaking from being subjected to the demon princess''s ire.


    "What was the issue then?" She asked.


    Looking at Lin Meirong''s face, Li Chuntao couldn''t deny that she had a face that could tempt men to fall on their knees to serve her. It wasn''t the kind of beauty that Li Xiuying possessed. Her sister''s beauty could make everyone think that they saw an angel.


    "My dress for the event was ruined and Miss Lin here volunteered to pay for the damages." Shen Lingqing told her. "That''s quite admirable on her part."


    Those who''d been watching themotion from the start couldn''t help but think of how twisted Shen Lingqing was. There was no doubt that she was the one who initiated it but how shameless she was to force Lin Meirong to pay up.


    "Ah, I''m d the issue was settled amicably." Li Chuntao then turned to the three store attendants. "I hope none of you was badly hurt although running within the store filled with patrons, no matter how busy you were shouldn''t have happened." She reminded them.


    The three bowed their heads simultaneously to Li Chuntao.


    "We''re sorry. We admit our fault and promise not to do it again." They repeatedly said.


    Shen Lingqing waved a hand and turned around.


    "Alright. Alright. Everything is settled, go back to work unless you want to face the consequences of your actions." She said out of boredom. She yawned behind her hand and slumped on one of the leather couches set for the customers, away from Lin Meirong and herpanion.


    The three attendants scattered away, afraid that Shen Lingqing would turn her irritation on them. While they feel bad for Lin Meirong having to pay such an amount, they also remember how she tried to bully one of them.


    Howme. She was hoping that Lin Meirong would show some backbone but she disappointed her miserably. How could this woman bepared with the deceased Li Xiuying? Mu Jianyu must have lost his mind by recing Sister Ying with this kind of woman. Shen Lingqing thought.


    Seeing that they fled, Li Chuntao turned her attention back on the subject of her revenge. She suppressed the urge to grin as she looked at Lin Meirong''s face who was trembling in her seat as she stared back at her with wide eyes.


    ''Ah, she mustn''t be expecting to see me before the banquet.'' Li Chuntao assumed.


    Anyway, it had only been a month since Li Xiuying''s passing and Li Chuntao''s small wounds were almost healed. This was the first time she stepped out in public as Li Xiuying and had been doing great in her disguise.


    "Miss, are you alright?" She called after the actress.


    Lin Meirong swore thatdy luck wasn''t on her side because of the misfortunes she had today. It was already a bad thing that she met Shen Lingqing today but who would have thought that the one person she was hoping not to see appeared in front of her.


    She didn''t think she would be able to face Li Xiuying at this time. How was she supposed to talk to her?


    "I-I''m alright." Lin Meirong hesitated to answer. She broke into a cold sweat and let out an awkward smile. She certainly shouldn''te here. If she didn''t, she wouldn''t have to meet Shen Lingqing and Li Xiuying at the same time.


    Li Chuntao smirked inwardly. Lin Meirong looked at her as if she''d seen a ghost. It was as if she couldn''t wait for a chance to escape from here. Her shoulders were tense and her breathing quickened. It was as if she was about to have a panic attack at any moment.


    It was at that moment that Xia Yuhan came back with a confused expression on her face. She looked at Li Chuntao then turned to the Shen sisters who''d been conversing with each other in low voices.


    Shen Lingqing had a scowl on her face while Shen Yuyan was giggling beside her on the couch. Xia Yuhan had no idea what was up with herdy boss''s children right now.


    "Qingqing, I heard what happened¡­" The attendants reported the situation between Shen Lingqing and Lin Meirong to her and the older woman hurried to see if they were fighting. She wouldn''t hear the end of it if Lu Xinyi found outter.


    "Auntie, it''s fine. No need to get flustered over such trivial matters." Shen Lingqing ran her hands through her silky ck hair and sighed. "Miss Lin and I agreed to settle the problem already."


    ''So much for seeking entertainment. How boring.'' She thought.


    Upon mentioning Lin Meirong''s name, Xia Yuhan saw Li Chuntao wearing a sleeveless dress from one of hertest collections. She was standing near Lin Meirong who was being consoled by herpanion.


    "Oh, Ying. Do you remember Miss Lin now?" She twined her arm with Li Chuntao and gently brushed Chuntao''s fringe with her fingers, hiding the redness on her temple.


    The horror that washed through Lin Meirong was indescribable. She''d almost forgotten that ''Li Xiuying'' had forgotten everything including the truth behind her past. Having heard what Xia Yuhan said, she couldn''t help but be afraid of the possibility that Li Xiuying had regained her memories in a short span of time.


    "Miss Lin?" Li Chuntao asked back with a slight frown. "I don''t know who you''re talking about, Auntie."


    "Really?" Xia Yuhan blinked twice then shifted her gaze from Li Chuntao''s face to Lin Meirong. She assumed that Ying was able to recognize Lin Meirong since she knew her name. "And here I thought you''ve recognized her."


    Li Chuntao lowered her eyes and tilted her head to look at Lin Meirong.

 Chapter 90 - You Disgust Me (2)

    ''You''ll pay for all the hurt you''ve caused Ying, you unworthy creature!'' was Li Chuntao''s unspoken words when she looked down at the woman who was shivering across her.


    "Lady Li, long time no see. Do you remember me?" Lin Meirong berated herself for asking Lin Xiuying such a stupid question. She could feel her sweat dripping from her temple down the side of her face. The airconditioning within the shop was working well but she was sweating profusely.


    Li Chuntao''s expression dulled. Why was her hand itching to p this woman''s face right here, right now? Was Lin Meirong testing if she''d truly forgotten her affair with Mu Jianyu? The dead won''t remember anything but those who were left behind from their sudden passing would.


    "I''m sorry, but who are you again?" Li Chuntao replied as she forced a smile towards Lin Meirong. She tried to hide the frosty look in her eyes.


    "Hmm¡­ I see," Xia Yuhan understood now. "Ying, this is Lin Meirong, the one I''m talking about earlier. She''s the second female lead of the film you sponsored before your ident." She reintroduced Lin Meirong to her.


    "Oh," Li Chuntao''s eyes widened dramatically and gave Lin Meirong a once-over. "I''m so sorry Miss Lin¡­ I... " she pursed her lips and looked down bashfully. "I don''t remember anything past my twentieth birthday and that includes you."


    Relief suffused Lin Meirong''s features as Li Xiuying confirmed her memory loss but still, it wouldn''t hurt to be wary whenever she was in front of Li Xiuying.


    "It''s alright, Lady Li. I heard about what happened and I understand your predicament but I do hope you''re on the road to recovery." Lin Meirong started to rx. At least today, she was spared from Li Xiuying. She wouldn''t know what to do if Li Xiuying started asking her questions.


    "Sister Ying, I didn''t know you were familiar with Miss Lin," came Shen Lingqing''sment, bursting the peace that Lin Meirong nursed on her heart. For fucking sake this demon princess really knew how to shatter her hopes!


    As if understanding Shen Liqing''s intention, Li Chuntao hid the amusement in her eyes and raised a brow to the demon princess.


    "I am?"


    "You seem to be. Were you friends with her before your ident? I heard you previously visited their filming set." Shen Lingqing hummed as she tapped her chin. "Anyway, who wouldn''t like you, Sister Ying. I''m sure you and Miss Lin shared some simrities."


    "Qingqing, I didn''t know you patronize me this way," Li Chuntao said with a grin, enjoying how Lin Meirong''s nibbled on her lower lip. "I''m not that good."


    "What nonsense are you talking about Sister Ying?" Shen Lingqing gave Lin Meirong a dirty look making her fidget on her seat. "I don''t see why Miss Lin wouldn''t be able to befriend you. You''re one of the kindest and most generous people I know. You might have shared more with Miss Lin than you are aware of."


    "Eh? What could it possibly be?" Li Chuntao blinked innocently and ced a hand on her cheek, a habit that her twin sister had when she was alive. A mere gesture that hadpletely fooled those people who were familiar with Ying, convincing them that Li Chuntao was indeed Li Xiuying.


    "I dunno. You better ask Miss Lin instead," said Shen Lingqing. "Maybe she would be kind enough to let you know how your rtionship with her was before your ident." She added, eyeing Lin Meirong.


    ''Why don''t you tell her you shared the same man with Sister Ying? That you slept with her husband.''


    Meanwhile, as Li Chuntao and Shen Lingqing conversed together ignoring how Shen Yuyanughed behind them amusedly, Lin Meirong was on the verge of tears. Her eyes glistened. Shen Lingqing was low-key insulting her.


    Shen Lingqing knew¡­ knew of her affair with Mu Jianyu that she was making it hard for her.That Director Yao¡­ such a liar! He dared to say that the Shen family wouldn''te after her? Then why the fuck wouldn''t Shen Lingqing leave her alone!


    Li Xiuying surely had a good rtionship with the Shen princess and the princess wouldn''t mind tormenting her for Li Xiuying''s sake.


    "Since Miss Lin is your friend, why don''t I give her something she could wear for the banquet?" Shen Lingqing suggested. "Auntie, do you still have those dresses from the previous collections? I''m sure I can help Miss Lin to find something her size."


    Xia Yuhan wasn''t sure what was happening between Shen Lingqing and Lin Meirong but she wasn''t blind not to notice the disdain in the Shen princess''s expression and tone. It reminded her so much of how Lu Xinyi speaks whenever she was annoyed with someone.


    "Why, of course. We usually keep them upstairs but because we are renovating the rooms, we temporarily moved them across this room," she told Shen Lingqing.


    Shen Lingqing thanked her and pulled herself back on her feet. She then looked at Lin Meirong''s way and invited her, extending a hand for her to take.


    "Miss Lin, why don''t youe with us and let us see if we can find something you could wear for the asion. Consider this as my apology for troubling you earlier."


    Li Chuntao pped her hands together.


    "Ohh, that sounds like a great idea. What do you say, Miss Lin?"


    Lin Meirong had a bad feeling about this and gave herpanion a pleading look. Instead, her friend gasped and pushed her forward.


    "Miss Shen, you really don''t have to do this¡­" she didn''t want to be left alone with Shen Lingqing!


    "Sister Lin! What are you waiting for? Go now, Miss Shen is waiting for you! Don''t waste this chance to befriend her too." Unfortunately, herpanion fell for Shen Lingqing''s lies, and really thought that Lin Meirong were friends with Li Xiuying.


    "But I¡­"


    "Just go. You can''t possibly lose this chance to befriend someone from the Shen family when you are already in good terms with Lady Li." her friend insisted. Oh, how dumb could she possibly be? Lin Meirong thought. Couldn''t she see how Shen Lingqing was trying to bully her?


    Lin Meirong had no choice but to agree and followed Shen Lingqing to the other room where she was greeted with hundreds of expensive dresses and gowns in different styles and lengths. Never in her life had she owned such beautiful dresses to unt.


    "Are you really an actress? Because I think you are a bad one, so you must be aedienne." Shen Lingqing''s words broke Lin Meirong''s trance. She turned around and saw the Shen princess leaning on the door frame with a sinister smile curling on her lips.


    Lin Meirong swallowed and stepped back, not understanding what Shen Lingqing wanted from her.


    "Miss Shen, may I know what you want from me? I''m pretty sure this is the first time we''ve met. Have I done something to offend you?" She asked.


    Shen Lingqing arched her brow and chuckled. Her long raven hair cascading on her right shoulder down to her chest.


    "The mere fact that you are breathing the same air with me disgusts and annoys me to death.. I''ve never seen such a shameless woman who would dare to pollute the area around me until I met you."

 Chapter 91 - To Cry In Silence (1)

    The sudden change of Lin Meirong''s face from white to red then back to white amused Shen Lingqing. Was she really that stupid to go to a ce where she wasn''t weed at all? Did she really think that the Shen family was oblivious to what she''d done to Li Xiuying, who was close to Shen Lingqing''s older siblings?


    Shen Lingqing''s words were so sharp, Lin Meirong couldn''t help but flinch after hearing it. Did Shen Lingqing bring her here only to insult her like this?


    The only staff stationed inside the room was momentarily stunned but said nothing as she continued to ce the dresses properly on their boxes one by one and pretended to ignore the two women''s presence.


    "Lin Meirong, I don''t know why the Li family is letting you go that easily after what you''ve done to Li Xiuying, but don''t you think you can hurt her again without facing repercussions. I suggest you stay out of Sister Ying''s way if you still value your life. You''re as good as a flower vase, nice to see, but no value at all." Shen Lingqing continued ignoring the tears that ran down Lin Meirong''s cheeks.


    She stepped forward trapping Lin Meirong to the wall behind her. Lin Meirong shivered and felt panic inside herself. What did the demon princess want from her now?


    "Do you think that just because you have a pretty face and you can cry pitifully you can get away with everything? Well, newssh, bitch. Not everyone is as stupid as you. Why don''t you spare my eyes and stop polluting the air I''m breathing. Leave with your filth, immediately." She paused and turned to leave, not wanting to be in the same room with Lin Meirong anymore.


    "You are right. This is the first time we''ve met and now I''m jealous of the people who haven''t met you. While I do admit that I don''t hate you, I regard you with an indifference bordering on aversion. So please leave. You''ve already ruined my day by showing your face here."


    Lin Meirong didn''t need to be told twice and hurriedly left the room in tears, leaving Shen Lingqing who''d been watching her departing figure from where she was standing. She wasn''t sure why Li Chuntao was pretending to be her twin and thought that it must be her way to cope with her loss.


    She wondered if Li Chuntao was aware of the foolishness of her decision. Yes, she would be able to avenge her sister''s heartache and possible cause of death but it would alsoe with a price. Li Chuntao would have to sacrifice a significant part of her life and would subject herself to the web of doubts and heartache in the future.


    Shen Lingqing may be younger than her, but she wasn''t blind nor was she naive. She had seen how Li Chuntao''s eyes reacted to several people around her and as far as she knew there were only two people in the world that Li Chuntao cherished the most.


    The first person was obviously her older twin sister, Li Xiuying. There was nothing in this world that could make her forget her love for her older sister while it couldn''t be said for the other person who was¡­.


    "Qingqing? What are you doing here?" Her brother''s voice pulled her mind back to reality. She shook her head and smiled at Shen Zichen.


    "Nothing, I was just showing Lin Meirong the way out," she replied as she looked at her brother''s scowling face.


    "Did ''Ying'' see her?" He asked curiously. He shouldn''t have left Li Chuntao alone with his sisters. He wasn''t certain how Li Chuntao would react upon seeing Lin Meirong. Shen Zichen knew that this wasn''t the right time for her to see her brother-inw''s mistress.


    "Yep," Shen Lingqing informed him. "I''m surprised that Lin Meirong has the audacity to show herself here but don''t worry, I already chased the woman out."


    "I don''t care about her, I''m worried about Chuntao," Shen Zichen said in a low voice, making sure no one would be able to hear it except for his little sister.


    Shen Lingqing gave him a good look and shook her head. Her brother was worrying too much. Li Chuntao was a level headed woman. She wouldn''t let Lin Meirong get the best of her. What''s more, he was getting too invested over Li Chuntao''s safety when he didn''t need to, unless, of course, if he had finally realized the obvious thing Shen Lingqing noticed about Li Chuntao.


    When they came back to the main room, Li Chuntao wasn''t surprised to see that Lin Meirong wasn''t with them. She eyed Shen Lingqing who only gave her a shrug before taking a seat next to her sister.


    "Wow, that''s too fast. What did you do to Miss Lin anyway? She left crying, taking her friend out with her." Shen Yuyan asked her as soon as she settled next to her. She''d already expected this to happen but what surprised her was how fast Lin Meirong ran away from Shen Lingqing. "You''ve broken your own record. Congrattions."


    ''What else but bully her. Qingqing is an expert when ites to bullying even those who are older than her." Shen Zichen muttered.


    He swore it was hard raising his sisters knowing both had little horns peeking on their heads while growing up, especially Shen Lingqing, who can easily get away with almost every mischief she made when they were younger.


    Their mother adored her, their father couldn''t say no to her, so it fell unto Shen Zichen to correct and to chastise his younger sister. Being with two mischievous sisters, Shen Zichen was proud to say that he''d cultivated superb self-control and patience over time because of them.


    "Is that so? I was hoping to have a little chit chat with Miss Lin. I guess I''ll just have to see her at the banquetter." Li Chuntaomented, a little disappointed that she wasn''t able to y with Lin Meirong tonight, but well, Lin Meirong couldn''t even stand against Shen Lingqing for five minutes.


    "You''ll get a chance to meet her next time." Shen Zichen checked the time on his wrist watch before ncing at his sisters. "Yuyan, Qingqing, I hope you two are done picking. Mom and dad are probably waiting for us at home."


    Shen Yuyan patted Qingqing''s arm, ignoring the way thetter was frowning at her nagging.


    "Come on, Qingqing. You aren''t nning to ditch our dinner in favor of your work, right?" She then turned to Li Chuntao who was conversing in low voices with Xia Yuhan. "Sister Ying should alsoe and join us for dinner. I''m sure you haven''t had a good mealtely. We''re having a barbeque partyter." She winked at her.


    Shen Lingqing groaned before allowing herself to be dragged by her sister. Ever since she took over SY Holdings, she was barely home and would only go back for a quick shower and to take new sets of clean clothes. Today the Shen siblings had managed to pull her out from her work on their mother''s insistence.


    Meanwhile, Li Chuntao hesitated to ept Shen Yuyan''s invitation. While it was true that she and Ying were close with the Shen twins, they rarely met the ShenLu couple.. Li Chuntao was sure that her ten fingers were more than enough to count the number of times she had met them.

 Chapter 92 - To Cry In Silence (2)

    This wasn''t the first time Li Chuntao stepped inside the Imperial Residences where the Shen family resided. While Shen Zichen had already moved out and gotten a ce of his own, he asionally spent time with his family and attended the weekend dinners their mother insisted on hosting.


    Looking around, Li Chuntao marveled at how neat and tidy the ce was kept. It was as if she had returned to the past. Almost everything had stayed the same from her childhood memories.


    She remembered ying around with Shen Yuyan and Ying at the greenhouse where the great white tiger resides.


    When her Uncle Yuren and Auntie Yue weren''t married yet, Auntie Yue used to bring her and Ying here to y with Shen Yuyan who was the closest girl to their age and status. Since they were Li princesses, Shen Yuyan easily understood the worries and pressure they were receiving from everyone else.


    When the four stepped into the main house, they were greeted by a scene of a huge white tiger ying with Shen Lingtian who was sprawled on the floor. The white tiger pounced at him and the man beneath it attempted to wrestle with the beast.


    "Lingtian, what are you doing?" Shen Zichen crossed his arm and red down to their youngest sibling, a deep frown etched on his handsome face.


    The white tiger stopped resisting and looked up at Shen Zichen. The man beneath it squirmed and grinned back at him.


    "Zi Gege, you arrived early." Shen Lingtian then looked past behind Shen Zichen and blinked. "And you brought Sister Chuntao with you?" He beamed. "Hey, Xiao Bai, release me so I can greet Sister Chuntao!"


    Shen Lingtian idolized Li Chuntao since he was young. He thought that Li Chuntao was really cool for acing her studies and was able to go head to head against his Zi Gege in the game of chess.


    He pushed the tiger''s snout away from his face and sat up on the floor. The white tiger huffed and decided to ignore him.


    "Yes, we have a guest, so could you please behave, at least for tonight?" Shen Zichen told him before striding towards the kitchen with Qingqing to look for their mother, leaving Yuyan and Lingtian to apany Li Chuntao.


    "Sister Chuntao, I''m sorry for what happened but I''m d to see that you''re back." Shen Lingtian dusted off the fur that was stuck on his shirt and watched as Xiao Bai left and went to the garden where the grill was set to use.


    Li Chuntao smiled, not sure how to respond. It still pained her whenever someone mentioned about her twin''s passing.


    "It''s alright. We really weren''t prepared for it I guess," she responded.


    "Oh, Chuntao. I''m d you epted Zichen''s invitation. I''ve been asking him about you for days but he kept dying this dinner with you." Lu Xinyi suddenly appeared from the kitchen with Zichen and Qingqing following behind her, both holding tes and containers filled with meat that were ready to be grilled.


    Looking at Madam Shen, Li Chuntao thought that Lu Xinyi had aged well since thest time she''d seen her. She guessed that like Zheng Yue, Lu Xinyi knew how to dy her age. She was also amazed at how the woman could bnce her work and family no matter how busy she could get.


    Shen Yuyan huffed and pulled Li Chuntao with her at the garden before saying, "just to be clear, it wasn''t Zi Gege who invited her. It was me!" She red on her twin brother. "You were probably nning not to ask her tonight if I didn''t mention it."


    "You beat me to it. I was just about to ask her when you did," Shen Zichen defended before following them outside.


    Lu Xinyi shook her head and entwined her arm with Shen Lingqing''s. They sat on the bench under the tree and watched as Zichen and Lingtian tried to start the charcoal grills together while Yuyan and Li Chuntao chose the meat to be grilled at a table nearby.


    "I''m d that you were able to convince Chuntao toe here," she told her daughter. "How is she coping with it?"


    Lu Xinyi didn''t pity Li Chuntao but she could somehow rte to the pain the younger woman was going through. As a child, Lu Xinyi had lost her parents at a young age and had always felt alone. However, Li Chuntao had also just lost her twin sister, Ying. It must''ve been hard for her to live every day knowing that she waspletely left alone by her family.


    Shen Lingqing''s lips pressed into a thin line.


    "Just as Zi Gege said, she''s now pretending to be Sister Ying. I really think this isn''t necessary, but who am I to judge?" Shen Lingqing said.


    She couldn''t truly understand how Li Chuntao felt, but thought that she would also be beyond devastated if she lost everyone as Li Chuntao did. She must truly feel alone right now.


    There would be times when silence was far more wrenching than crying. That even if Li Chuntao wanted to cry, no tears woulde out, so she would be left alone staring nkly into space while feeling her heart breaking into pieces.


    To cry in silence and not being heard by anyone was one of the saddest things one could suffer in their lifetime.


    Li Yuren must also be having a hard time right now. Lu Xinyi remembered how the man grieved over his sister''s death years ago and now with Li Xiuying''s death, it wouldn''t be easy for him to ept it.


    "This is the time that Chuntao would need someone to be with." Lu Xinyi said worriedly. Knowing the younger woman''s personality, Lu Xinyi wouldn''t be surprised if Li Chuntao took a sudden turn and became reckless while seeking revenge.


    "Zi Gege is with her now. I think it''s best for the meantime, since they haven''t truly grieved for Sister Ying. They would need a lot of support and patience. I just hope this revenge wouldn''t backfire to themter on."


    "What do you mean?" Lu Xinyi''s brows creased. Was there something she didn''t know about? Was there something wrong with her eldest child?


    She eyed Shen Zichen and couldn''t see anything wrong with him. He still acts the same as before or was he hiding something from them? Lu Xinyi focused her attention on Zichen but she couldn''t find anything wrong with him.


    "Because Zi Gege isn''t aware of what he really feels. If Sister Chuntao was the one who died and not Sister Ying, I think he would be in greater pain than he is now." Shen Lingqing took a can of soda which was ced on an ice bucket near her and opened it with a loud click.


    "Why do you say that?" Lu Xinyi rubbed her chin. Maybe she should discuss this with her husband. Shen Yi might probably know what was happening with their son.


    "Because Mom, between the Li twins, who do you think Zi Gege spends more time talking with? To whom will he reach out first when he''s troubled? Isn''t it Sister Chuntao and not Sister Ying?" Her daughter said in a matter of fact tone. "Sister Ying might be his childhood friend but Sister Chuntao is practically his best girl friend.. Their bond is deeper than they know or would admit."

 Chapter 93 - To Cry In Silence (3)

    Now that her daughter mentioned it, Madam Shen finally understood the unspoken truth between her eldest son and Li Chuntao. While it was true that they knew Zichen''s attraction over Ying, he was more at ease being with Chuntao since they were young.


    When Li Chuntao left seven years ago, she''d seen how troubled her eldest child was. Lu Xinyi initially thought that it was because they understood each other and they had amon interest that Zichen didn''t find anyone except for Li Chuntao.


    "Do you think he realizes this himself?" Madam Shen asked her daughter. Was he really after Ying or he was overlooking someone close to him?


    Shen Lingqing hummed before taking a sip from her drink. Her eyes followed her brother''s movements and saw how he quietly ced another piece of meat on Li Chuntao''s te.


    "No. I don''t think Zi Gege knows," she responded. "Sister Chuntao somewhat reminds me of Auntie Feiyan," Qingqing added.


    "How so?" Lu Xinyi tilted her head slightly to look at her.


    "They''re good at hiding what''s in their hearts and wouldn''t care how the public perceive their indifference."


    Shen Lingqing wouldn''t even doubt that her brother was also oblivious about Li Chuntao''s feelings. If she hadn''t seen what she had seen seven years ago, she wouldn''t have even suspected that Li Chuntao held such feelings for her brother.


    However, as Shen Lingqing looked at Li Chuntao''s eyes now, it seemed like those memories from seven years ago were already locked and buried somewhere deep inside her. Her eyes guarded it and put a shackle over her heart. It was as if she was afraid that it would resurface and trouble her again.


    Seven years were too long for a person and so many things may change but would it be enough to wipe the love that bloomed to one''s heart? Was it really enough to teach your heart to stop beating for someone?


    Li Chuntao had chosen to iste herself for a long time, stopping herself to fall deeper than she already had. Now that she was back, would the shackles she purposely put around her heart stay or be broken?


    To love someone in silence, to force yourself to look away when it started to get hurt, Shen Lingqing wasn''t sure how Li Chuntao was able to endure it. Maybe for Li Chuntao, faking a smile was so much easier than exining why she was sad.


    The one reason why she couldn''t love him was gone but would Li Chuntao allow herself to be free to love? Shen Lingqing didn''t think so. Based on Li Chuntao''s personality, she would probably feel guilty if she did.


    "I see you''ve already started without me," Shen Yi appeared at the doorway of the main house which diverted everyone''s attention.


    "Dad!" Shen Lingtian lifted a hand and waved to his father. "Come on and join us quickly, or else Yan Jie and Qingqing Jie would finish everything!"


    "I haven''t even touched my share yet!" Shen Lingqing eximed, throwing the empty can of her drink on her brother''s head.


    "Oww, sis. Do you really have to hit me that hard?" The youngest Shen rubbed his head and red at his sister.


    "That''s me checking if there''s really a brain existing in your head!" The demon princess scowled back at him. "I guess it''s really non-existent!"


    "Mom! Qingqing Jie is bullying me again!" Shen Lingtianined to their mother.


    Lu Xinyi stood up from her seat and weed her husband, who gave her a kiss on her cheek, cing a hand on her hips as he raised a brow on their son''s childishness.


    "y nice kids," was only Lu Xinyi''s response which got her husband smirking at Shen Lingtian''s irritation.


    ¡ª-


    Li Chuntao felt that it had been too long since she enjoyed her meal and looking around her, she was d to have agreed to join the Shen family tonight. The taste of the meat that hit her tongue was absolutely divine, something she wasn''t able to enjoy while staying overseas.


    Ah, one of the perks of being a family friend of the Shens, she gets to enjoy Madam Shen''s cooking once in a while. Her dishes were still way better than those greasy fast food the westerns had.


    There was something endearing with the way Madam Shen prepared meals for her family that Li Chuntao never failed to notice since she was young. Madam Shen always had this wide smile on her face whenever her children fought for the share of the dishes she made.


    "Chuntao, are you alright? You haven''t finished your food yet. Is it not to your liking?" Madam Shen asked her curiously when she sat alone in the corner, watching the Shen twins fight over who''ll cook the next batch of meat.


    "Oh, no. It''s very delicious, Auntie Xin. These are way better than the barbeques I had abroad," Li Chuntao took a quick nce at her te which was refilled for the third time by Shen Zichen before Madam Shen appeared next to her seat.


    That dumb surgeon. Was he nning to make her fat?


    "Well, I''m d you like it. I was worried when Zichen said you refused to eat anything a month ago¡­ I was worried and Zichen didn''t know what to do with you. I was about to force him to pick you up and bring you here, but then you ran away."


    Li Chuntao flushed at the memory. That was during the first week after Li Xiuying''s death. She''d really neglected her state and health as she grieved over her sister''s death.


    "I''m sorry, Auntie Xin¡­ I didn''t intend to make everyone worry."


    Madam Shen''s hand reached out and gently caressed Li Chuntao''s hair.


    "I know it''s really hard for you right now. You''ll feel alone even if there was someone with you." Lu Xinyi started, "I won''t promise that it would get better because it won''t. The loss would always be there and would always show itself especiallyte at night making you feel weak and vulnerable, but one thing is for sure¡­" she paused and looked at Li Chuntao. Her eyes were glistening with tears as she bit her lower lip. "You won''t be forever alone. Believe me when I say this."


    Li Chuntao had no other words to say and could only nod her head and allow Madam Shen to pull her into an embrace. Shen Zichen had once told her and Ying that Madam Shen had lost her parents at a young age, parted from her older brother and was forced to live as amoner before marrying the Shen family''s Young Master.


    Madam Shen had endured hardship for years before she found her own happiness, would she have to wait for a long time to get hers? Li Chuntao thought.


    "Until then, Chuntao let yourself cry. Don''t bottle it up. I''m sure your parents and Ying wouldn''t want you to hurt yourself. They loved you, so you better love yourself too."


    Li Chuntao rested her head on Lu Xinyi''s shoulder and let herself cry. She hadn''t really thought that there would be someone who''ll understand her pain but she was wrong. Madam Shen was able to find her happiness no matter how hard she suffered and maybe¡­ just maybe, if she could endure everything thates her way, she would learn how to be truly happy once again.


    "Thank you, Auntie Xin¡­ thank you."

 Chapter 94 - The Celebration Banquet (1)

    The day before the celebration banquet for the film ''To You With Love'', an unexpected guest arrived outside the Li twins'' penthouse. Su Ling raised a brow when he saw her while Hou Chen was curious as to why Lan Jinyao suddenly showed up and requested to meet Li Chuntao.


    Lan Jinyao was holding the same box that contained the evening dress her Sister Ying had given to her. She shyly asked Hou Chen to see her benefactor''s twin sister.


    Li Chuntao had held herself in the study, reading andparing the financial reports of the Li Corporation for the past three years under her ex-brother-inw''s directive.


    Just like what Ying had told her before her passing, there were suspicious contracts that Mu Jianyu entered without the board''s permission. There were also discrepancies over the cash flow and expenses that were being used by the R&D department.


    She supposed that her brother-inw had resorted to underhanded tricks to inte the funds of the production line which didn''t bring money back to thepany. Not only did he divert the funds but he also let thepany lose more money due to his failed attempts to develop new high-end products.


    "Miss Chuntao? Lan Jinyao arrived and requested to see you. Should I let her in?" Hou Chen knocked on the door to get her attention.


    "Lan Jinyao?" Did she hear Hou Chen right?


    Li Chuntao lifted her head and sighed. She wasn''t expecting any guest today but perhaps Lan Jinyao''s presence was more preferable than her brother-inw''s face.


    "Let her in. I wonder what she wants from me," she told Hou Chen.


    Of course, by now, Li Chuntao already knew who Lan Jinyao was and how she was rted to her twin sister. Su Ling did a good job of informing her with a detailed exnation and reports about the people her twin sister socialized with during thest seven years of her absence.


    Those who might have known her and Ying since childhood had a higher possibility of suspecting her identity but those whom Ying met after her departure would have no idea of her existence or personality.


    However, this Lan Jinyao had managed to find out who she was during her sister''s passing. If Lan Jinyao hadn''t witnessed her pitiful state when Ying died, she wouldn''t even be aware of her existence.


    Li Chuntao leaned her back and looked outside. The sky had a thick clump of clouds hovering over the city and the sun was nowhere to be found. When will this never-ending cycle of rain cease? She wondered.


    "Miss Chuntao¡­"


    Her name was called, bringing her attention back to her guest. Li Chuntao saw her standing bashfully across her desk with a box on her arms. She raised her brow, not understanding the purpose of this woman''s visit.


    "Miss Lan, please take a seat. There''s no need to be nervous. You are Ying''s friend and I won''t harm you." Li Chuntao was used to seeing people looking at her like this.


    Lan Jinyao chewed her lower lip and did what Li Chuntao asked her to do. She ced the box carefully on top of the desk and sat stiffly on her seat. Even if Li Chuntao looked like Ying, she still couldn''t help but be wary in her presence.


    "I''m¡­ I''m here to return this¡­" she stuttered out of nervousness. She was deeply aware that this wasn''t the same Li Xiuying she was ustomed to. In fact, she wasn''t sure why Li Chuntao was pretending to be Ying.


    Of course, she knew the fact that the real Li Xiuying was already dead, so imagine her surprise when she heard from her assistant that ''Li Xiuying'' was invited to the banquet.


    Li Chuntao''s face remained impassive. There was no need for her to pretend as Ying when she''s at home. It''s the only ce where she was able to shed the mask of pretense that she''d been wearing these days.


    "May I know why?" She asked curiously. Su Ling had told her that Ying had given Miss Lan an evening dress before she and Song Zexi were involved in the ident. She was also aware of Ying''s intention regarding the gift.


    "I don''t think I deserve it," Lan Jinyao said truthfully. By just looking at it, she couldn''t help but remember how she met Li Xiuying before her death. She shouldn''t have met her that day. Maybe¡­ just maybe if she didn''t meet Ying that day, the turn of events would be different.


    "Since my sister gave it to you, you must treasure it." Li Chuntao replied with an elbow resting on her armrest while both hands twined in front of her.


    Looking at her, Lan Jinyao''s heart clenched painfully in her chest. She still couldn''t ept the fact that the woman sitting across her wasn''t the ''Sister Ying'' she befriended a few weeks ago.


    Li Chuntao was the perfect replica of her friend, except for a couple of differences, which were their eyes and the aura they emit. While Li Xiuying''s eyes were bright and warm, Li Chuntao''s eyes were cold and sharp. Both had a regal stance of their own. Li Xiuying was adoring while the younger twin was intimidating.


    "But I¡­" she wanted to refute but Lan Jinyao couldn''t find the words to express herself.


    "Ying believed in you, believed that you would be able to be a film empress someday. Although she isn''t here anymore to witness it, I hope Miss Lan would still fulfill it for my sister''s sake. She might not be here anymore but rest assured, the support you''ve received from my sister will not cease."


    Lan Jinyao''s eyes were stung with tears. She owed Li Xiuying a lot and regretted she wasn''t able to do anything back for her. When she was drugged and was about to lose her innocence, it was Li Xiuying who stood up for her when nobody else would.


    "I know you think it''s unfair but since Ying promised you her help, I''ll extend an olive branch to you anytime you need it. There''s no point regretting what could have been now. You and I know we could only move forward." Li Chuntao continued. She understood now that she wasn''t the only one having a hard time epting that Ying was gone.


    "Then¡­ can I keep it?" Lan Jinyao asked in between her sobs. Her tears rolled down her cheeks as clenched her hands on herp.


    "You should, Miss Lan. It has to be yours and no one else''s. Since this is my sister''s gift to you, I hope you''ll make use of it."


    Lan Jinyao stood and wiped away her tears with the back of her hand before taking the box from the desk.


    "Thank you, Miss Chuntao. I promise I''ll still fulfill what Sister Ying wanted me to do." She made up her mind. Since Li Xiuying believed in her capabilities, she would try her best to be a film empress. "Also, please don''t hesitate to call me if there''s anything that I can help you with." She offered. There wasn''t much that she could offer anyway.


    Li Chuntao pondered Lan Jinyao''s offer, thinking that maybe¡­ just maybe she could get something from her.


    "Actually, I think you can help me with something, Miss Lan¡­ are you interested to hear me out?"

 Chapter 95 - The Celebration Banquet (2)

    Li Chuntao sat in the back seat of the car,zily looking at the scenery as Su Ling drove them towards the rented mansion where the celebration banquet was to be held. Tonight was the official start of her pretense as her deceased sister, she couldn''t wait to see the expressions of those who''d hurt her sister before.


    Beside her, Shen Zichen sat with crossed arms on his chest, his eyes closed as he tried to take advantage of the short drive to rx. Another shift of long working hours was done and he had practically just changed his clothes after work and met Chuntao in her penthouse.


    The limo they were in was a bit ostentatious for his liking. He would have preferred to drive himself to their destination and it could do wonders for him and Li Chuntao if they decided to leave the banquet early which had been his n from the very beginning.


    Although the idea of partying all night was rather tempting, Shen Zichen would rather pass. As in a hard pass, because he would rather go home and sleep through the night.


    Unfortunately,Li Chuntao had pointed out how tired and sleepless he was for doing thirty-six hours of a shift and she wouldn''t allow him to drive and get themselves into a dangerous situation just in case he dozed off while driving, which Shen Zichen found ridiculous.


    No matter how tired he was, he had never been involved in any car ident, but he couldn''t me her, could he? Li Chuntao had lost her family for the same reason.


    Thinking about it, Shen Zichen was slightly amused that Li Chuntao agreed to attend this frivolous event when he knew how much she disliked attending one. It was always Li Xiuying who represented the Li family to such events ever since she reached the legal age and was ustomed to it.


    After months of filming ''To You With Love'', the film crew decided to dy the celebration to give ''Li Xiuying'' enough time to recover. When the whole crew heard the news that their sponsor had miraculously survived the horrendous ident, they erupted in joy and had sent their get well soon gifts to Lady Li.


    The celebration banquet was set at 8 PM and Li Chuntao had barely finished filing her leave of absence from work overseas when Shen Zichen popped in to pick her up thatte afternoon. After his long shift at work, it was obvious that the man was exhausted. Sitting next to her on the backseat, Li Chuntao took a side nce at his face and saw him dozing off.


    Was she being too presumptuous to ask him to be with her tonight knowing his schedule was packed? But if he truly didn''t want to, Shen Zichen could always decline her request.


    Li Chuntao looked away, feeling bad for subjecting Shen Zichen to this facade. However, she couldn''t help but use him to irk Mu Jianyu whom she had no doubt would show upter.


    Just the mere thought of it was enough to improve her mood, her lips curling into a slight smile. How could Mu Jianyu let his ''beloved wife'' show herself in public with Shen Zichen by her side? He wouldn''t allow it.


    After sitting there in silence with Shen Zichen, her phone buzzed indicating she received a new message. Li Chuntao casually took out her phone and saw that it was a message from her Auntie Yue.


    "Are you sure you''re attending tonight? Lin Meirong is already here."


    Li Chuntao stared at the message for about five seconds before lifting her head indifferently. Ah, yes, the other woman would be there. How could she forget about that? The show was about to begin and they couldn''t start without Lin Meirong.


    ---


    As part of the filming crew, Lin Meirong naturally had to attend the banquet hosted by the producer and the director that night. The minute she finished filming her tv drama, she hurriedly took a bath, changed,fixed her hair with her face with a makeup look that''s appropriate for the event.


    As Gu Changge, she had never been to extravagant parties like this before, but ever since she moved to the city and changed her identity as Lin Meirong, she''d didn''t waste any opportunity to unt herself in public.


    Her charm was enough to seduce men and allow them to do her bidding, pampering her with gifts and expensive dresses, which she couldn''t afford with her own money.


    She arrived just in time to see the director with Lan Jinyao and the male lead on stage, congratting and thanking everyone for their hard work. Lin Meirong looked around and didn''t see Li Xiuying and released a sigh of relief when she realized that she wouldn''t have to face the woman anytime soon.


    After the speech was given, the dinner began shortly.


    Lin Meirong looked around for her manager and found her conversing with the other actresses. They gave her a warm wee as she joined them at the table.


    "Miss Lin, that''s a nice dress. Where did you buy it?" One of her fellow actresses asked seeing the sequined red dress that she was wearing that night.


    Lin Meirong smiled bashfully and tucked a stray lock behind her ear before answering. Scanning the ballroom, she was indeed the brightest star around them if only Lan Jinyao wasn''t there to steal the limelight.


    "Lan Jinyao, you are such an eyesore¡­'' she grumbled to herself.


    "Thank you for yourpliment. I didn''t buy it. It was a gift from a friend."


    Initially, she was nning to buy a good evening dress from ir Apparel but she was so unlucky to meet the Shen princess that day and wasn''t able to get one for herself. Fortunately, she still kept those dresses she had received from her previous lovers.


    Although her dress couldn''t bepared with ir Apparel''s, this red sequined dress was one of her best dresses. It wrapped her body like a second skin and highlighted her assets.


    "Ohh, then maybe it had cost them a fortune just to purchase it. You''re really lucky, Miss Lin. I don''t think I would ever have a friend that''s as generous as yours." The same actress smiled back at her, hiding the sarcasm in her face behind the wine ss on her lips.


    Who hadn''t heard about Lin Meirong''s previous affairs with different men? Her name alone had been linked to various businessmen whether they were single or married, Lin Meirong wouldn''t care. Where else could she get this dress when she didn''t have enough money to buy on her own?


    A series of gasps and murmurs suddenly erupted when everyone''s attention caught the arrival of ''Li Xiuying'' and Shen Zichen. The producer and the director hurriedly went and weed the two. Li Xiuying''s attendance was expected but her sudden arrival with Young Master Shen in tow caught them off guard.


    Shouldn''t it be Mu Jianyu apanying her today and not Shen Zichen? However, this question was put aside because who wouldn''t have wanted Young Master Shen''s presence at their party? While the Shen family wasn''t in the show business industry, their influence on the Tang and Ye family couldn''t be ignored.


    People flocked around them, greeting the two excitedly as they fought to curry their favor.

 Chapter 96 - The Celebration Banquet (3)

    The moment Shen Zichen and Li Chuntao arrived in front of the rented mansion, the security was left bbergasted by what they''ve seen. They were expecting Li Xiuying''s arrival and when the luxury car stopped in front of them and saw Shen Zichen stepping out and escorting a woman, all of them held their breath.


    They didn''t expect a goddess showing up tonight.


    Li Chuntao was definitely breathtaking and alluring in her deep red gown with a plunging neckline. It ttered and entuated the graceful arc of her smooth neck and her exposed corbone added to the sexiness she exuded.


    The gown also highlighted her shapely figure in the right ces. As their eyes gazed down her lower body, the skirt was tailored in a way that Li Chuntao''s long legs were revealed to everyone''s gaze every time she took a step forward as she clings on Shen Zichen''s arm.


    Her long hair was pinned up with a few locks framing her face.


    This ''Li Xiuying'' was dressed in red but she didn''t look vulgar or showy at all. The goddess, once known for having an angelic face now possesses a devilish beauty that no one can overlook or ignore. There was no doubt that she was the most beautiful woman tonight.


    Beside her, Shen Zichen escorted her with a regal aura of a king.


    It was no wonder that when Shen Zichen and Li Chuntao entered the mansion, everyone''s eyes spoke of amazement and bewilderment upon seeing her as if a spell had been cast by a witch on her subjects. Her beauty alone was so blinding that it left everyone speechless.


    The person who was blinded the most was Lin Meirong herself. She found herself dumbfounded and thought she was just seeing things. She couldn''t believe that there was a woman as beautiful and as graceful as Li Xiuying.


    Compared to her, Li Xiuying was like a Goddess and she was reminded once again of the difference between them. She was merely a peasant dressed up and pretending to be a high-ss woman. She pretended to be a diamond only for Li Xiuying to outshine her for being a dazzling sun.


    Being in the same room with Li Xiuying, Lin Meirong lost her appeal and radiance and people around her ignored her presence.


    It couldn''t be¡­. It must be a mistake. Wasn''t Li Xiuying involved in an ident? Howe her face wasn''t ruined? Thinking about it, even when she saw Li Xiuying at ir Apparel, she looked as regal as ever, as if the ident did not have any effect on her.


    Li Chuntao''s regal and impressive aura entranced every person in the room, it was as if the goddess was silencing their tongues. It took a short while for the producer to break the silence as he greeted her.


    "Lady Li, I''m d that you are able to attend tonight," he said.


    "Yes, Lady Li. Thank you for epting our invitation." The director followed.


    "Thank you for your gifts. I received them although I''m not sure how''s my rtionship with everyone in the crew." Li Chuntao responded while Shen Zichen remained silent throughout the conversation. They allowed the producer to lead them to the VIP area.


    "Oh my god. Is it really Lady Li? My eyes are blessed by a goddess!"


    "Hehe¡­ she''s a Li though. Are you forgetting that the Lis are famous for their cold beauty?"


    "Why else couldn''t Shen Zichen let go of her? If I were him, I''d also fight to get Lady Li''s hand."


    "Look at that face! She doesn''t even needmakeup to cover any blemishes. A single lip glosspleted her look."


    Lin Meirong''s face grew increasingly white as thepliments for Li Xiuying reached her ears. It was already hard enough for her topete with Lan Jinyao''s dazzling beauty, now she was being overshadowed by Li Xiuying''s ethereal beauty with her presence alone.


    She clenched her fists angrily but her face maintained her mask of pretentiousness. She could only nurse her bruised ego internally.


    There was no denying that Li Xiuying was able to steal the spotlight tonight. Li Xiuying was so morous and beautiful which was enough to blind someone''s eyes from jealousy. Seeing Li Xiuying like this, an ominous feeling started to grow in Lin Meirong''s heart.


    She quickly collected herself and forced a smile on her face. Li Xiuying should have been dead by now, rotting in hell!


    "For someone who was involved in an ident, Lady Li is surely lucky not to suffer from any injuries."


    Lan Jinyao who was sitting next to the table heard herment and scoffed. She was boiling in rage remembering the injuries she had seen on the real Li Xiuying before her passing. Lin Meirong dared to say Li Xiuying was lucky?


    If she''d seen how Li Xiuying had suffered in herst hours, this dumb woman wouldn''t even dare to look at her, let alone talk about it.


    "Losing your memories for thest seven years of your life? Who''s the lucky one? Maybe the one who''s lucky is the person who caused her grievances because she wouldn''t be able to get even with them in this state."


    When the other actresses and crew heard what she said, they couldn''t help but feel pity for Li Xiuying. She was physically alright but her mind had forgotten things and memories that might have been important.


    Cold shivers ran down Lin Meirong''s spine when she heard what Lan Jinyao said. She turned to look at the woman''s face and tried to gauge her intention but Lan Jinyao''s gaze was fixated on Li Xiuying who was busy whispering words to the man sitting next to her.


    Was she really lucky? Lin Meirong pondered. It couldn''t possibly be. Her encounter with Shen Lingqing the other day proved that even if Li Xiuying didn''t remember it doesn''t mean those around her were fools.


    The thought of having to meet Shen Lingqing in the future was enough to give her a mental scare. She wouldn''t be able to endure it if she was to meet the demon princess again.


    Meanwhile, Li Chuntao wasn''t oblivious to the stares everyone was throwing at her and Shen Zichen''s way. If anything, she could see the gears in their heads turning, cooking up assumptions that could possibly end up with assuming that Li Xiuying had been in a rtionship with Young Master Shen even before she cut ties with her estranged husband.


    Speaking of that bastard, she wondered where he was.


    ''Mu Jianyu, you bastard. Don''t disappoint me tonight. The first dose of your medicine is about to be administered by me, personally. ''


    Li Xiuying had suffered in silence after she confirmed her suspicions of his betrayal. The events that happened following the realization had taken a toll on her. Li Chuntao''s heart ached for her sister from the moment Ying confessed everything to her before her death.


    Her hold on the wine ss tightened as she thought about how the man and the bitch, Lin Meirong, had wronged Ying for months. As she lowered her eyes, she wondered if the cheating couple was prepared for ''Ying''''s retaliation.


    ''The game is about to start.. Among the three of us, let''s see who''s the shameless one.''

 Chapter 97 - Nightmare Dressed Like A Daydream (1)

    Nighttime.


    Mu Jianyu was nning to see Li Xiuying that night to ask her for a romantic date, one that he''d meticulously nned before his visit. He considered Ying''s memory loss as an opportunity for him to win her back, but he was also aware that he was treading on thin ice. One single mistake may cause Ying to recover her lost memories and he would be left with nothing.


    He was at a loss knowing that he couldn''t fully kick Lin Meirong out of his life as she was carrying his child. The woman had made sure he couldn''t easily discard her when his child''s welfare was at stake.


    The thought of Lin Meirong harming his child, aborting the innocent life to spite him was enough to make the blood in his veins boil with fury. How did he fall for such a selfish and frivolous woman and forget about his lovely wife? He must have been out of his mind or that vixen had done something to cloud his mind.


    He had counted the days since Ying''s ident and since then hoped that he could turn back time to change everything he''d done to her. He was so selfish, asking for a divorce, for a woman who only saw his wealth, not the man that he was.


    He''d spent these past few days nning to woo his wife again, to make her think that he was the only one who loved her, but he was toote. Hou Chen once again blocked his way to see Li Xiuying at her penthouse, telling him she''d left with Shen Zichen.


    "Ah, you''re toote, Mr. Mu. Our Miss had already left with Young Master Shen." Hou Chen said with a tone filled with contempt. Every time she saw this man, her hands were itching to punch Mu Jianyu''s face beyond recognition, but because Miss Chuntao hadid delicate traps for him, Hou Chen couldn''t allow herself to ruin her ns.


    "Shen Zichen?" Mu Jianyu''s face darkened at once. While Shen Zichen''s name could instill fear in someone who hears his name, Mu Jianyu felt nothing but an annoyance for it.


    Why wasn''t he surprised at all? But what irked him the most was Shen Zichen''s persistence to stay with Ying, even though he knew that he was still her husband.


    Was this Shen Zichen''s way to let him know he wasn''t going to give up Ying this time? That because of his betrayal, Shen Zichen doesn''t see him fit to be Ying''s husband anymore?


    The man had kept his distance from Ying for five years since their wedding and now that his rtionship with her was on the rocks, Shen Zichen suddenly showed up causing a rift between him and Ying.


    "Where are they?" he demanded from Hou Chen. He wouldn''t allow the other man to fill Ying''s mind with ideas about him. He was in pain when he found out that Ying had forgotten him but he wouldn''t let Shen Zichen take her away from him.


    Honestly, he should be thankful that Li Xiuying only suffered a memory loss because now, Mu Jianyu didn''t think he would be able to take it if Ying had lost her life because of that ident. Except for her memory loss and shallow wounds, he was d that the ident''s affect wasn''t as bad as he expected. The Li family surely gave him a good scare when they didn''t allow him to see his wife during her stay at the hospital.


    But what if Shen Zichen informed Ying about his extramarital affair with Lin Meirong? How was he supposed to face Ying if she found out?


    No. he couldn''t allow Shen Zichen to ruin his chances to mend his rtionship with his wife. Ying''s ident had been a strong wake-up call for him. It reminded him of what he was about to lose.


    It hit him with full force and when Shen Zichen told him that Ying was aware of his affair, he was shocked to the core. Anyone could have known about it but not Ying. No¡­ she couldn''t have known, but Shen Zichen wouldn''t possibly be lying to him that night. He''d seen how Su Ling and Song Zexi looked at him with disgust on their faces. They surely know about it, but didn''t mention anything out of respect for their Miss.


    Ying never gave him the impression that she knew. She was acting as if nothing happened, there was nothing peculiar about her actions. Now, he only wished to be able to stay by her side and never leave her alone. He had wronged her, Mu Jianyu knew this, and he could only hope that his wife would give him a chance to rectify it.


    But how could he do it when Shen Zichen was always around to ruin his chance of being alone with Ying?


    Initially, he was devastated when Ying said she didn''t recognize him, that she didn''t believe that he was her husband, butter, he felt relieved. He had decided to take advantage of her memory loss and try to win her heart again and when he does, perhaps when she recovers her memories, she would be moved by his persistence and would forgive him for his betrayal.


    Hou Chen arched a brow at him. Mu Jianyu''s reaction was exactly what Miss Chuntao''s had expected. Was Mu Jianyu easily swayed and angered by just mentioning Shen Zichen''s name? Had she known it would yield such a reaction from this bastard she would''ve used it before, when she had the chance.


    "I''m afraid they won''te back anytime soon. Young Master Shen apanied Miss Ying to the celebration banquet for the film the Li family invested in." was Hou Chen''s response, It was enough to add the fuel to the fire.


    Mu Jianyu''s eyes widened in shock. Of course, he knew what film Su Ling was talking about. His face nched as he realized that his wife would be in the same room as his mistress. What if Lin Meirong decided to reveal their rtionship to Ying to spite him after theirst talk?


    After theirst conversation, he knew that Lin Meirong would take drastic action to ruin him if he attempted to leave her, but he also couldn''t allow her to destroy his marriage, more than she already had.


    No, this couldn''t be. Not only Shen Zichen was with Ying but also Lin Meirong?! That damned woman wouldn''t make it easy for him to get back with his wife.


    He hurriedly left the Li twins'' penthouse after asking Hou Chen for the address of the venue, which thetter willingly provided. Mu Jianyu was oblivious to Hou Chen''s mocking smile when he left.


    Hou Chen was really impressed with Miss Chuntao''s deductions. Oh, how cunning she was to put the cheating couple in the same ce and make them go after each other necks. They will surely not allow each other to get what they each wanted from ''Li Xiuying''.


    If only her friend Ying was as cunning and devious as her younger twin sister, she wouldn''t have suffered from her husband''s betrayal for too long. She wasn''t sure how Li Chuntao would seek revenge for Ying but she could only hope that the younger Li twin wouldn''t suffer losses on the path she had chosen.


    ''Miss Chuntao, it''s a pity I wouldn''t be able to witness the first act but please don''t let them get away easily.. Ying deserves to get justice even if she isn''t here with us.''

 Chapter 98 - Nightmare Dressed Like A Daydream (2)

    "I see that you really came. I was hoping you wouldn''t, but I guess I cannot change your mind." Zheng Yue approached her niece and joined her at the balcony where they decided to have a private talk.


    The older woman arrived an hour earlier than Li Chuntao and Shen Zichen and was busy socializing with other guests.


    Behind them, the ballroom was filled with lively music, and guests were gathered on the dance floor. Li Chuntao couldn''t see Shen Zichen from her spot and assumed he went somewhere peaceful to clear his mind. He probably didn''t want to see her being with Mu Jianyu when the manes to see her.


    "It can''t be helped, Auntie. This is my purpose now. If I let them continue to live in peace knowing that she had suffered, I wouldn''t be able to face her in the afterlife." Li Chuntao said, downing the champagne in her ss before giving it back to a passing waiter.


    Ah, this drink didn''t suit her taste but she figured it would do for this time. She could always have a hard drink when she goes home.


    "Be careful. I can''t bear it if I lose you too¡­" Zheng Yue said in a low voice.


    However, even before Li Chuntao could assure her aunt, a voice called out behind her. A guard stationed at the entrance came forward to see her, informing her about Mu Jianyu''s arrival.


    "Lady Li, someone is looking for you, but he isn''t on the guest list so we aren''t sure if we should let him in."


    "Oh? Then who is it? Did he give his name?"


    Li Chuntao inwardly smirked. The man that she''d been waiting for had finally arrived.


    "His name is Mu Jianyu, Lady Li." The young man hesitated. Of course, he knew that Mu Jianyu and Li Xiuying were married. It was just he wasn''t sure about the status of their rtionship.


    Li Chuntao gasped and covered her mouth with one hand dramatically as if she''d forgotten she had a husband by bringing Shen Zichen with her.


    "Oh my! Why, of course, you can let him in, mister! Please tell him to see me here with my aunt."


    ---


    It didn''t take long for Mu Jianyu to arrive at the venue. When he arrived, the security blocked his way and didn''t let him inside, much to his chagrin. He was still Li Xiuying''s husband and yet people around her were already ignoring his right to see her.


    How ridiculous?! Were they already on Shen Zichen''s side, and couldn''t wait for Li Xiuying to divorce him?


    Mu Jianyu swore that he would never let that happen. Over his dead body!


    He released a sigh of relief when one of the guards came back and allowed him to go inside, informing him to meet Li Xiuying with Madam Li at a nearby balcony. We went inside at once and headed towards the grand ballroom.


    The doors of the banquet hall were wide open and another set of guards were stationed just outside to make sure they could easily avoid any problem even before it arises. He easily found who he was looking for at the location the guard had mentioned earlier.


    At the balcony, he saw his wife conversing with Madam Li. His breath caught as he took in the appearance of his lovely wife, dressed in a red gown. It left him enthralled and speechless. He''d always known that Li Xiuying was a great beauty but she''d never dressed like this before or even after they were married.


    It was then anger filled his chest as he realized that other men had seen her like this. Had they known that they were in the middle of a divorce, they would surely jump in to ask for Li Xiuying''s hand.


    As if it was really that easy. They would have a hard time winning her heart and receive the approval of the Li family to marry her. In fact, of all men who covet after his wife, the best candidate to be her next groom was the Young Master of the Shen family. Someone Mu Jianyu would never ept.


    His eyes met Li Xiuying''s, and she nodded in acknowledgment. She cannot ignore him this time, not when people were watching them curiously, including a woman who was being drowned in jealousy as she sees her man with his wife. She was the dirty secret that Mu Jianyu had been trying to get rid of but failed.


    "Ying," he greeted her back. Then shifted his attention to his inw, Zheng Yue. "Auntie Yue."


    The older woman red at him with annoyance before disregarding him. She turned her head to her niece and said.


    "Since he''s here. I''ll give you two some privacy. Let me know if you need anything, I''ll ask Zichen to retrieve you at once,"


    She was telling it to ''Ying'' but it was clear that she was giving Mu Jianyu a warning not to do anything to her niece.


    After exchanging some words with ''Ying'', Zheng Yue excused herself to allow Li Chuntao to start her game. It was foolish for her to agree with her niece''s ns but the moment she saw Lin Meirong and Mu Jianyu tonight, she couldn''t wait to see how Li Chuntao would y the two.


    Mu Jianyu looked around, trying to see if Shen Zichen was around to stop him from seeing his wife. Seeing that he was nowhere to be found, Mu Jianyu broke into a slight smile.


    "Mr. Mu, I''m surprised to see you here. Do you need anything from me?" She asked.


    "I was going to visit you tonight when Hou Chen said you went to this party with Shen Zichen¡­" he said in a gloomy voice as if he was offended that his wife had chosen another man''spany over his.


    "Oh, I''m sorry. I wasn''t expecting to see you tonight." Li Chuntai said sheepishly as she looked down at the new ss in her hand. "Mr. Mu hasn''t visited me for days nor called me and I assumed you needed some space after ourst encounter. I would''ve asked you to apany me tonight but my family insisted on attending with Brother Zichen since I trust him the most this time."


    Upon hearing, Li Xiuying''s exnation, Mu Jianyu''s gaze softened. So it was like this... because he hadn''t shown up to her recently, she was forced to bring Shen Zichen with her, not because she prefers hispany.


    "I see so it''s my fault. I shouldn''t have left my wife for too long. Forgive me, Ying." Mu Jianyu was itching to hold her in his arms but the moment he took a step forward he noticed the slight shiver that ran through her body. Li Xiuying still wasn''tfortable being alone with him.


    Despite proving to her that he was her husband, Li Xiuying remained ufortable in his presence. Ying was always tense when he visited her. She also barely talked, which confused the hell out of him.


    She neither epts him as a friend nor sees him as a man. Mu Jianyu wondered when they would go back to normal because he wanted her so bad that he couldn''t sleep at night thinking about her.


    It''s been too long since he touched her, too long since thest time he''d kissed her, and Mu Jianyu was starting to regret not paying attention to his wife for the past months because he was busy cheating on her with Lin Meirong.

 Chapter 99 - The First Time I’ve Met Her (1)

    Li Chuntao wanted to see how far her brother-inw will go with his lies. Since he knew that he would be in the same ce as his mistress and still came here to look after her, was Mu Jianyu ready to ept the bitter pill she had prepared?


    Her eyes swept the crowd and weren''t surprised to see some guests murmuring gossips about her and Mu Jianyu. She arrived earlier with Young Master Shen and suddenly her husband showed up at the said event, unannounced, just to meet her.


    They all wondered what on was between the married couple now that ''Li Xiuying'' had apparently lost her memories of the past seven years. Memories that included how she met and fell in love with her husband.


    Would they be able to reconcile or would Young Master Shen win the Li princess''s heart this time? No one knew the answer to this question.


    "Mr. Mu, since Brother Zichen is nowhere in sight. Do you mind apanying me for a while? I haven''t greeted the other guests and I''m sure they''ve been waiting to chat with me."


    Mu Jianyu smiled and offered an arm to her in an instant. How could he waste such an opportunity to spend time with his wife? This was also a good way to fend off the men eyeing his wife like a delectable piece of meat.


    "It''s my pleasure to apany you tonight, Madam Mu,'' he replied with a wide smile.


    Mu Jianyu was relieved that he dressed up tonight to invite Ying to the dinner he had nned for days. Although it didn''t go ording to his original n, he was d to see Ying slowly opening up to ept him.


    Tonight, Li Xiuying was devastatingly beautiful and he knew it. Too bad though he failed to realize that the woman standing next to him was a nightmare wrapped like a daydream. She was able to bind him with an unbreakable spell.


    Contrary to his belief that his wife sought hispanionship, Li Chuntao actually couldn''t wait to see his and Lin Meirong''s reactionter.


    She had to admit though that Mu Jianyu was an outstanding actor, pretending to be a chivalrous and protective husband to ''Ying'', while Lin Meirong pretended to be civil towards her while trying to avoid an encounter with her.


    Wasn''t it funny how he only saw Ying''s value when she was already gone from the living world? Whether he was pretending or he did actually care for Ying now, Li Chuntao wasn''t certain, but it didn''t really matter since she had already made up her mind not to spare him.


    He should''ve treated Ying with care and respect when she was still alive not when her cold body had already turned to ashes. What was the point of trying to win Ying over again? These poor attempts by Mu Jianyu were nothing but a facade to save himself.


    It was always about himself and not Ying.


    Li Chuntao then reached out a hand and twined her arm with his before letting Mu Jianyu lead her towards the massive ballroom.


    The guests instantly stopped what they were doing to look at the couple making their way towards them. Women hid their talks behind their hands as they gossiped about how Mu Jianyu was falling behind Young Master Shen in terms of face value and charm.


    "This is my husband, Mu Jianyu. I hope you wouldn''t mind if he joins us tonight," Li Chuntao said with an innocent smile.


    "Ah, of course, Lady Li. We wouldn''t mind at all!" The producer rubbed his hands together before shaking Mu Jianyu''s hand in a greeting after thetter helped Li Xiuying get seated. "It''s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Mu."


    Being witnesses to Shen Zichen and Li Chuntao''s regal arrival, the guests couldn''t help butpare the two men who had stood beside ''Li Xiuying''.


    Li Chuntao introduced him casually as her husband to the producer and director, fully aware of how Lin Meirong, who was sitting across them, was ring daggers towards Mu Jianyu. If she thought that she had already seen the worst by watching Li Xiuying arriving with Shen Zichen earlier, she was gravely mistaken.


    This was all wrong! None of these should have happened!


    Lin Meirong had never thought that Mu Jianyu would show his face tonight. What was he up to, pretending to be a good husband to his wife in front of her? She had to ept the truth, though, that Mu Jianyu would never parade her in public the way he was holding Li Xiuying.


    She didn''t want to admit it, but they looked good together. She could even see how her lover was staring at Li Xiuying''s face, transfixed. Witnessing how Mu Jianyu adored his wife in front of her, Lin Meirong''s face quickly went several hues paler.


    For the past three months, she thought that her image in front of Mu Jianyu was far better than how he perceived Li Xiuying but now¡­ being in the same room with his wife, Lin Meirong felt like she didn''t belong here at all.


    The nasty remarks she''d thrown at Li Xiuying behind her back was nothing against this face p that thetter had directly given her. In front of everyone, she could only be an unwanted mistress between the loving couple.


    Tonight, Li Xiuying was so beautiful and she looked calm and collected. Moreover, she had Shen Zichen and Mu Jianyu at her beck and call.


    The tables were turned now. Before, she could arrogantly unt to Li Xiuying that Mu Jianyu had chosen her over Li Xiuying. However, now, Mu Jianyu hadpletely disregarded her presence, as if he wasn''t aware of her existence.


    Mu Jianyu sat beside her, looking like a love fool for his wife as if they were meant to be together.


    Lin Meirong gripped her skirt tighter beneath the table and lowered her gaze. She was losing Mu Jianyu''s favor and now she couldn''t even look back at his wife with confidence. Li Xiuying''sst words from theirst meeting before her ident resounded in her mind.


    "Could you still say the same words when he finds another woman to rece you?"


    She didn''t understand what Li Xiuying meant before but now Lin Meirong could only swallow the lump in her throat as her lover refused to give her even a single nce, let alone acknowledge her presence.


    She was so deep in her thoughts that she didn''t notice Li Chuntao introducing her husband to the cast of their film. When it was her turn to greet Mu Jianyu, she felt a nudge on her side, pulling her back to reality.


    "Miss Lin, are you alright? You don''t look good." Li Chuntao asked her worriedly. Her bright eyes looked at her with curiosity while Mu Jianyu hardened his jaws as he looked at her.


    Ha! So he would only look at her when Li Xiuying acknowledged her existence? How stupid! Lin Meirong thought.


    "I''m alright, Lady Li. what is it?" She replied, quickly collecting herself and forced a smile.


    "Oh, it''s nothing, just introducing you to my husband, Mu Jianyu. I heard you''ve been in several parties before, so I''m not sure if you''ve met him." Li Chuntao said nonchntly, making Mu Jianyu''s face nch at her remark.


    Lin Meirong opened her mouth but no words came out. What was Li Xiuying up to?

 Chapter 100 - The First Time I’ve Met Her (2)

    However, Mu Jianyu beat her to it. He vehemently denied he''d meet Lin Meirong before. What would Ying think if she found out about his association with this woman and suspect him of having an affair?


    No, he couldn''t let Ying know about Lin Meirong and his child at all. He wasn''t ready to tell her. Not when he hadn''t won her heart, yet.


    "No, dear. This is my first time meeting Miss Lin. I would''ve recognized her at once if I''d met her somewhere," he said much to Lin Meirong''s irritation. While she knew it wasn''t the right time to reveal their rtionship, hearing her lover deny her existence, hurt Lin Meirong''s ego. Every word he uttered felt like a stab to her heart.


    "Oh, really?" Li Chuntao blinked twice before turning her eyes to Lin Meirong. "I suppose you are right. A beautiful woman like Miss Lin couldn''t possibly be forgotten."


    "Yes, you are right, dear. This is the first time I''ve met her." Mu Jianyu easily agreed with his wife.


    Lin Meirong''s eyes turned misty but she hid it from everyone''s gaze. She didn''t have any choice but go along with Mu Jianyu''s story.


    "Yes, this is the first time. Nice to meet you, Mr. Mu," she tried to pretend that she wasn''t affected by his denial but the slight tremble in her voice gave her away.


    Li Chuntao smirked inwardly, enjoying the way Mu Jianyu and Lin Meirong pinned each other with their eyes.


    ''Lin Meirong, how does it feel to be denied by your own lover? But we''re quite not done yet. There''s more toe for the two of you.''


    One of the actresses couldn''t help but be curious about Li Xiuying and Mu Jianyu''s rtionship and voiced her question.


    "Lady Li, you''ve forgotten thest seven years of your life, does it mean you don''t remember how you first met, Mr. Mu?"


    Hearing her question, everyone''s attention instantly shifted to ''Li Xiuying'' who nervously nced at her estranged husband before nodding her head. They were curious to know if she still felt something for her husband despite losing her memories.


    "Yes, unfortunately, I don''t remember anything about him," she admitted.


    Collective gasps were followed and the people around them gave Mu Jianyu a pity look. It must''ve been really hard for him to know that his own wife had forgotten about him. No wonder Li Xiuying arrived with Young Master Shen today because he was the one Lady Li was ustomed to.


    Mu Jianyu and Li Xiuying had only been married for five years. Before that, they only knew each other for a year and dated for half a year before deciding to get married. If seven years were lost, Li Xiuying would only see Mu Jianyu as a total stranger.


    There was no love or friendship. Only a piece of paper binding them together as husband and wife. To bepletely forgotten by his partner, Mu Jianyu must have been having a hard time convincingdy Li that they were married.


    "Ah, that''s too sad to hear."


    "Yes, it must be hard for Mr. Mu to see Lady Li like this. To be forgotten by his beloved¡­ I don''t think I''ll know what to do if it happens to me."


    "Well, as long as they''re willing, I don''t see why they couldn''t fall in love with each other again." Someone said from the crowd earning approval from other guests.


    "Yes, Lady Li. Why don''t you try going out on a date with Mr. Mu again?" The actresses beside Li Chuntao hummed their approval.


    "It''s a good way to rekindle your rtionship with your husband. It must be dreamy to start dating all over again!" One of them dramatically emphasized.


    In the midst of their conversation, Lin Meirong remained silent. She nced at Mu Jianyu and watched how he smiled at their suggestions. He was really ditching her in favor of his wife!


    ''Bastard! You dare to make a fool out of me and pretend that you??re a loving husband!'' She sneered inwardly.


    "What do you think, Lady Li? I think it''s a great idea." The director asked Li Chuntao curiously. Although Shen Zichen was a dear childhood friend of hers, she was technically still Mu Jianyu''s wife and it wouldplicate things if she started to have feelings for Young Master Shen.


    "To be honest, I just found out that I''m married and I also feel bad for not knowing who Jianyu was when I first saw him after my ident." Li Chuntao swirled the drink in her ss, lifted her chin, and smiled at Mu Jianyu.


    Mu Jianyu''s heart skipped a beat upon seeing her smile. Not only did she call him by his name, it also seemed to be slowly opening up to him.


    "Actually, I was about to ask her for a romantic dinner tonight but I didn''t know she already had ns to spend time with all of you," he confessed to everyone while his gaze was fixated to his wife''s lovely face.


    "Oh, is that so?" The directorughed awkwardly and scratched his head. "If we had known you''re nning something like that we would''ve moved the schedule to another day."


    Mu Jianyu shook his head and took Li Chuntao''s hand into his, watching her facial expression intently.


    "It''s no one''s fault but I should be the one to me. I should''ve asked her earlier." he paused and smiled genuinely to Li Chuntao. "Lady Li, would you go out with me, please?"


    A loud cheering followed his question. Mu Jianyu looked at Li Chuntao expectantly, hoping she would say yes.


    "Say yes! Say yes!"


    "Oh my goodness, this is so romantic! Lady Li is so lucky!"


    Lan Jinyao, who had been watching the farce Li Chuntao had started, couldn''t help butugh with them. Not because she wanted ''Ying'' to agree but because of how the cheating couple was easily swayed by a few wordsing from the witch''s enchanting lips.


    Li Chuntao was several steps ahead from the cheating couple and they couldn''t even tell that they''d fallen into the witch''s trap.


    Amidst the cheering, two people weren''t pleased with what they were seeing. Lin Meirong was already on the verge of crying, seeing the happy couple in front of her, while Shen Zichen who had just returned to the hall, overheard Mu Jianyu asking Li Chuntao out.


    Young Master Shen''s face darkened at once. He suddenly felt his heart being twisted painfully seeing Li Chuntao''s hand being held by another man. He had already lost Ying to this man and he couldn''t bear it if Li Chuntao fell in love with Mu Jianyu.


    For the first time in his life, Shen Zichen felt a fit of extreme jealousy that he couldn''tprehend himself. When he first found out about Ying dating Mu Jianyu, he felt sad but he had epted her decision. But right now, seeing Chuntao being held by that despicable bastard, Shen Zichen felt his sight turning red.


    Li Chuntao had informed him of her n and the possible events that could take ce tonight, but somehow, he couldn''t ept it easily. Why? He asked himself. Why did he have an urge to snatch Li Chuntao''s hand from Mu Jianyu, and to take her away from here?

 Chapter 101 - Would You Dance With Me? (1)

    "I would love to,"


    The moment Li Chuntao answered Mu Jianyu''s question, Shen Zichen felt like he was having a hard time breathing. Why did he feel like he was losing Li Chuntao, although he knew that she was just pretending?


    She had told him what she nned to do but it still left a bad taste in his mouth whenever he thought of her being with Mu Jianyu. He should''ve been prepared for this but he couldn''t help feeling irritated when he saw them together.


    ''Strange,'' he thought. ''Maybe I''m worrying too much,'' he concluded.


    "You''re back. Did you miss the act?" Zheng Yue appeared beside him. She was wearing a ssic ck evening dress that he''d once seen in his mother''s boutique before. Zheng Yue was half of the Fire and Ice campaign that his Aunt Yuhan and motherunched several years ago. The other half of the campaign was the popr social influencer, Wang Zhuyi.


    She leaned on the wall, standing next to him while sipping champagne from her ss. Their eyes went back to Li Chuntao who was being surrounded by other guests while Mu Jianyu was being congratted by the producer.


    "To y with Mu Jianyu and Lin Meirong at the same time, I should have believed my husband at once when he told me how conniving Chuntao can be, just like her mother," she told Shen Zichen.


    Zheng Yue had met her husband after the twins'' parents had already passed away and wasn''t able to meet Li Qiao, her husband''s older sister. But Li Yuren had once told her not to fall for Chuntao''s tricks because she was exactly like his dead sister.


    Watching the twins grow up, Zheng Yue noticed that Chuntao''s mind was more mature than Ying''s and she wasn''t as expressive as her twin sister. Between the Li twins, while Li Xiuying easily got into trouble, Li Chuntao was always the one saving her elder twin.


    It was no wonder some people mistakenly assumed Chuntao as the older between the two because of her impregnable cold mask that wasn''t any different from her uncle''s.


    "She wouldn''t stop until she gets what she wanted," Shen Zichen muttered lowly, and Zheng Yue easily agreed.


    This was the way Li Chuntao always had been and it would remain the same. She wouldn''t stop unless she gets the result she wanted and she wouldn''t care how long it would take as long as she could achieve it.


    Because Li Chuntao wasn''t one with great patience,pared to her sister, she always made sure that her time wasn''t wasted while waiting.


    "Zichen, I know it''s unfair for me and Yuren to ask this, but can you look after Chuntao? We''re worried that she might take drastic measures just to spite them. We wouldn''t want her to have regretster on, after all of this is over."


    Shen Zichen pondered it for a while. He didn''t want to give Zheng Yue false hopes only to shatter his promises again. He was already ming himself for not being able to save Ying, but he also thinks that he couldn''t ept it if Chuntao suffers the same fate as her sister.


    "I can''t promise you anything, Auntie Yue but I''ll try to be there for Chuntao this time."


    Zheng Yue hummed her approval and took a side nce to see his face before turning her attention back to her niece.


    ''Ying would''ve said the same thing if she''s here¡­'' were her unspoken words.


    In contrast to Shen Zichen, Lin Meirong was visibly shaking from anger. Her eyes bloodshot as she red at Mu Jianyu''s way who waspletely ignoring her. Not only he denied her, but he also shamelessly asked his wife for another chance to be with her.


    He''d promised her¡­ promised her a future with him, promised her that he would marry her after he settled his divorce with Li Xiuying.


    Why was he changing his tunes now?


    Had she known she would suffer this blow right in front of his wife, she should''ve aborted the child in her womb earlier and ditched him before he could manage to make a fool out of her.


    Lin Meirong looked away and downed her drink, trying to suppress her annoyance while the rest of the film crew rejoiced at ''Li Xiuying''''s answer. What else could she do? She couldn''t make a scene and reveal her affair in front of Li Xiuying tonight.


    Not only would she lose her career, but the Li family would also surelye after her this time.


    Meanwhile, Lan Jinyao had fixed her gaze on Lin Meirong. She couldn''t help but smile at the woman''s predicament. She brought this to herself, did she really think that a cheater like Mu Jianyu would stick to his promises?


    Once a cheater, always a cheater. You can''t expect one to stay truthful to you when he''d betrayed someone just to be with you. She must be really stupid to believe Mu Jianyu''s lies in the throes of passion. Lan Jinyao thought.


    "Ying, thank you for giving me a chance. I promise I wouldn''t disappoint you this time." Mu Jianyu promised to his wife, his smile reaching up to his eyes which pleased Li Chuntao but troubled Lin Meirong.


    Li Chuntao hummed but said nothing. She allowed Mu Jianyu to speak of his ns and how he wanted her to see the ces they''d been before. The celebration continuedas some other guests busied themselves with more gossip while some others took to the dance floor as another song started ying.


    They enjoyed the amazing food and liquor that was served to them as well as the entertainment provided for tonight''s celebration. The producer was really spending a hefty amount of cash to please the media he invited as well as Shen Zichen and Li Chuntao who didn''t even pay attention to his attempts.


    Shen Zichen had enough. He couldn''t bear to see Mu Jianyu and Li Chuntao together anymore. He strode towards them, ignoring the way other guests looked at him. He went straight to Li Chuntao and stared down at her.


    "Brother Zichen, are you feeling better now?" She asked yfully. Shen Zichen heard a hint of amusement on her tone.


    "Dance with me," he told her, catching Li Chuntao off guard. If she didn''t know Shen Zichen, she would assume that he was pouting.


    Did she just hear him ask her for a dance? Really? Someone like Shen Zichen who didn''t like socializing or attending parties wanted to dance with her? Li Chuntao was confused but she wasn''t able to decide for herself as Shen Zichen had already pulled her towards the dance floor.


    The crowd murmured even more while Mu Jianyu scowled at Shen Zichen for taking ''Ying''''s attention away from him.


    "Are you good at dancing now?" Li Chuntao couldn''t help but grin at him. She remembered her twin sister spending time teaching him how to properly dance.


    "Ying did a good job teaching me," Shen Zichen scoffed and led her to space where they could dance freely. Most guests stepped aside to give way to them.


    "How confident of you, Brother Zichen. Very well, Young Master Shen. Show me what you got and please don''t tread on my foot.." She chuckled at his scowling face and gave his hand a light squeeze.

 Chapter 102 - Would You Dance With Me? (2)

    Feeling satisfied that no one dared to challenge him to take Li Chuntao away, Shen Zichen allowed her to sway to the beat of the music. It seemed like Li Chuntao liked the song as she had already begun, forcing him to follow her lead.


    Shen Zichen was entranced by what he''d seen. Her red dress clung to her body, emphasizing her taut waist. The plunging neckline revealed the perkiness of her chest while the side slit on her skirt exposed the soft smooth skin of her thighs.


    As she danced with him, the loose tendrils of her hair swung back, adding to the charm of her bare neck. She was absolutely stunning tonight.


    There was no hesitation in her steps and movement. Li Chuntao moved with confidence, seducing him, forbidding him to look at anything else but her. A trail of goosebumps followed his wake.


    Was she even aware of what she was doing to him?


    Shen Zichen pulled her closer, his strong arms snaking around her waist as her hands gently ran from his shoulders down to his arms, her eyes never leaving his. They moved in sync with each other, unaware of how other guests had stopped whatever they were doing to watch the two conquer the dance floor.


    Shen Zichen gave her a spin and she was face to face with him again, her chest pressed against his, their eyes never leaving each other.


    "I see that you''ve improved since thest time I danced with you." Li Chuntao whispered to him as they continued to follow each other''s rhythm.


    "You always doubt me," he pointed out. "Why?"


    Li Chuntao giggled, amused that he was only questioning her now.


    "I don''t make assumptions, Brother Zichen. I always base my decision on a person''s action."


    His arm came back and wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer as they continued to dance. She sighed and she felt his lips dangerously close to the shell of her ear.


    "What if you are wrong?"


    "Then I am wrong. I cannot predict everyone''s thoughts. I''m supposed to make mistakes once in a while." She told him.


    "Then have you regretted something before? Something you wished you could''ve done better?"


    Li Chuntao wasn''t sure why Shen Zichen asked these questions. Thinking about it, was she regretting something from her past?


    "Of course, I have regrets but that''s a secret I have to keep,"


    "Why? I can''t believe you have regrets that you couldn''t tell me." Shen Zichen knew her for a long time and there were secrets that only he and Li Chuntao were aware of. There were things that the two weren''t ready to share with the rest of the world.


    She couldn''t change what she''d done in the past and she wasn''t nning to open the pandora''s box that could hurt her, that could break her. It was a secret she intends to keep and hide until the day she dies.


    "It''s better to keep some secrets to yourself,"


    Li Chuntao gave him a small smile. He wouldn''t understand and she feared that he would never look at her the same way again if he found out.


    The music finally came to a stop and it took seconds for the spectators to break from their trance and pped at their performance.


    Shen Zichen released her and led her back to the table where Mu Jianyu was waiting. The man stood up and offered a hand towards Li Chuntao as soon as they arrived. He ignored Shen Zichen and asked Li Chuntao immediately.


    "Ying, this time, would you dance with me?"


    Mu Jianyu wouldn''t allow Shen Zichen to ruin his night with ''Ying''. Taking a peek at Shen Zichen''s face, Li Chuntao could see his jaws hardened but then he looked away as he took a seat at a safe distance.


    Li Chuntao ced her hand in Mu Jianyu''s waiting hand with a small sigh. She now understood what Ying was feeling whenever she was torn between the two men. It must have been hard for her sister to keep both men at bay, making sure they wouldn''t go for each other''s throats whenever they were in the same room.


    Meanwhile, as Mu Jianyu continued to ignore her, Lin Meirong had been thinking of ways to torment him and Li Xiuying. Her eyes followed Shen Zichen who took a wine ss and sulked in a corner.


    Her lips curled into a smile, the gears on her mind wondering if there''s a chance for her to charm the elusive Young Master of the Shen family.


    Didn''t Mu Jianyu hate Shen Zichen? It wasn''t really a secret given how Mu Jianyu openly red at Young Master Shen whenever he was around Li Xiuying. Thinking about it, there must be some sort of history between Shen Zichen and Li Xiuying that Mu Jianyu couldn''t let go.


    Lin Meirong slipped out of her seat and went to Shen Zichen, trying to figure out how she could earn the man''s favor.


    "Young Master Shen, I hope you''re doing well. I''m Lin Meirong. Nice to meet you," she stered the best smile she could muster. The same smile that made her previous lovers go nuts when she smiled at them.


    Shen Zichen turned his head to look at her. It took him several seconds, which made Lin Meirong wonder if her trick worked. She slightly turned her head as she felt a blush creeping on her face.


    ''Why isn''t he saying anything?'' She wondered.


    The moment Lin Meirong invaded his private space, Shen Zichen''s nose scrunched up in disgust and when he looked at her face, he wondered how people could be fooled by a woman like her.


    He didn''t find her appealing at all. In Shen Zichen''s mind, she looked so fake that he couldn''t tell what''s real and what''s not on her body. Even the smile she''d given him was fake and cringy, he couldn''t help but wonder if she was really an actress.


    He scoffed and looked away, preferring to look at Li Chuntao''s beautiful face than to look at this annoying woman near him.


    "What do you want?" He said irritably.


    Lin Meirong gasped, pretending to be offended by his harsh word.


    "Please, Young Master Shen. Don''t be mad. I''m just wondering if you wanted to dance with me." She said pitifully, her eyes stung with tears hoping he would somewhat warm up to her.


    "I''m sorry but I don''t dance with strangers. I''m also exhausted, so you can go back to wherever you came from."


    "Then what aboutter? Can you save yourst dance for me?" Lin Meirong continued her attempt but Shen Zichen wouldn''t hear any of it.


    "Sorry. There''s only one woman in this room that I want to dance with and it isn''t you."


    Shen Zichen didn''t give her a chance to argue as he left her behind, not caring of what she would think of his brashness.


    From afar, Lan Jinyao had seen everything and she couldn''t wait to have a chance to talk with Li Chuntao to tell her what Lin Meirong attempted to do.


    Lin Meirong went back to her seat just in time for dinner to be served. The moment the dish was revealed, she could feel her stomach churning from the scent.. Her face paled as a nauseous feeling overwhelmed her.

 Chapter 103 - Lie To Me, Say You Love Me (1)

    Shit. Why did she suddenly feel so nauseous? Lin Meirong wondered.


    Was she starting to have morning sickness from her pregnancy? If so, this certainly wasn''t the right time to show its symptoms. She wasn''t sure how many people were aware of her pregnancy since she wasn''t able to confirm it herself after waking up at the hospital because only Mu Jianyu was beside her when she woke up.


    She held her breath, trying to ignore how her stomach churned when the scent of the food drifted to her nose. It was too much for her to handle and she wasn''t sure how long she could hold it in.


    The music ended and Li Chuntao came back with Mu Jianyu. Li Chuntao noticed the difort and paleness that was apparent on Lin Meirong''s face. Her eyesnded on the untouched food in front of the woman.


    Was she starting to show the symptoms of her pregnancy? Li Chuntao couldn''t help but be thrilled. She waspletely aware that the only thing that Lin Meirong had over Mu Jianyu was the child in her belly.


    She wasn''t sure what the situation was between the two but considering that the man ignored his mistress all this time while thetter red daggers at him, Li Chuntao didn''t even need to use her brain to know that there was a rift between the two.


    "Miss Lin, are you okay? You don''t seem to look good. Are you sick?" She asked, pulling everyone''s attention back at Lin Meirong who was struggling to keep the nauseous feeling she had at bay.


    "Y-yes, Lady Li. I''m fine. Nothing to worry about. I just don''t really have an appetite today, that''s all." Lin Meirong pushed her te away, took a ss of water, and slowly sipped it, hoping it would stop her urge to puke. It somehow worked and she sighed in relief.


    Meanwhile, Mu Jianyu could only look at ''Ying'' nervously as he sat next to her. Would she notice that LIn Meirong was pregnant? But he shouldn''t be worried, right? Since she still had no idea of his affair with the said woman.


    "Is that so? Brother Zichen is a doctor. A surgeon, in fact, so if you aren''t feeling well, I''m sure he wouldn''t mind giving u a quick check to see what ails you," were Li Chuntao''s words, which not only shocked LIn Meirong, but Mu Jianyu as well. The two shared a knowing look and Lin Meirong shook her head.


    "There''s no need to trouble yourself, Lady Li. I''m really okay." She could feel herself breaking a cold sweat as the other guests looked at her curiously.


    "Hmm¡­ Sister Lin, you shouldn''t push yourself too hard, especially now that you''re in a delicate situation." Lan Jinyao reminded everyone of what they''ve seen during the real Li Xiuying''s visit to their set a few weeks ago. She had taken the chance to reveal what Lin Meirong was trying her best to hide.


    Lin Meirong felt her blood rushing to her face. She was visibly shaking as she red at Lan Jinyao''s mocking face. This woman was really testing her patience!


    ''Lan Jinyao, you bitch! Just wait and I''ll deal with you soon!''


    Li Chuntao let out a gasp and covered her mouth in shock but she had a hard time concealing the glee in her eyes.


    "Miss Lin, is this true? Are you really pregnant? Congrattions!" She then turned to Mu Jianyu, who was stiffened next to her. "Jianyu, isn''t this great? Miss Lin is pregnant. Didn''t people say that pregnant women are like a lucky charm?"


    How ironic, wasn''t it? That baby was considered aluck bringer, and yet its parents'' faces were so pale, it was as if they''d seen a ghost. Neither of them had uttered a word after Li Chuntao''s announcement.


    It took sometime before Mu Jianyu was able toprehend his wife''s words.


    "Yes, this is such a joyous event. I hope the baby will give the whole film crew some luck." He replied awkwardly.


    It was Li Chuntao''s words that swung a deadly blow on Lin Meirong. She suddenly felt very dizzy as she looked at Li Xiuying''s smiling face. She wasn''t nning to reveal her pregnancy to the public as her rtionship with Mu Jianyu was on the rocks.


    Why did it feel like Lan Jinyao and Li Xiuying were ganging up against her at the same time?


    "Oh my! Congrattions, Sister Lin!"


    "A baby? This is such great news! I hope your baby will bring us luck for the film showing day!"


    "So when''s the wedding? Please don''t forget to invite us all." A fellow actress beside Lin Meirongmented.


    Lin Meirong slightly opened her mouth and was about to say that there would be no wedding but when she caught a glimpse of Mu Jianyu''s darkened face, she couldn''t help but bit her inner cheek and scoffed in defiance.


    ''Let''s see how you exin yourself to your beloved wifeter.''


    She faced her fellow actress and smiled.


    "Of course, there would be a wedding but we decided to prioritize the baby for the meantime." Shen then cupped the side of her face and made a pout. "I also wouldn''t want to walk down the aisle with a bulging tummy."


    Li Chuntao found it hrious that Lin Meirong took a sudden turn and gave Mu Jianyu an open jab. Wasn''t this what he wanted? A child he could call his own? Too bad he''d put his seed in bad soil as his face darkened even more than it already was.


    ''Ying, this is what you should have done when they made a fool out of you. You let them go at each other and let them do the job for you. You just let them taste the bitterness of their own medicine.''


    But knowing her twin sister, Ying must have tried her best to endure the pain and let them trample her marriage. However, this time was different because the ''Ying'' who was in front of them wouldn''t let them go in peace.


    This witch would let them know and experience pain that was beyond what her sister had suffered. Ying had endured one hundred days, not doing anything, when she could have easily destroyed the cheating couple.


    It was obvious that Mu Jianyu wasn''t pleased with Lin Meirong''s announcement. What wedding? Why was this woman hell-bent to ruin his rtionship with his wife? He was up to give child support but he wasn''t nning to leave Ying, now more than ever.


    The talk continued and Li Chuntao tuned out their nonsense conversation as she already got the result she wanted from her willing prey. They wouldn''t even notice that they were being used to turn against each other. One wouldn''t be willing to let go of her im on Mu Jianyu, the other would learn to hate the woman who made him a sinner in his wife''s eyes.


    ''Lies after lies. I wonder if the two of you are ready for retribution in the future.''


    Li Chuntao caught Shen Zichen''s figure retreating from the corner of her eyes and decided to take a break from her act for a while. She excused herself telling them she needed to use the washroom.


    She easily caught up with Shen Zichen whom she easily spotted at a deste area of the rented mansion.

 Chapter 104 - Lie To Me, Say You Love Me (2)

    The banquet had been ongoing for two hours and it wouldn''t be surprising if some guests took some time to wander around the ce to find some peace. It was no wonder Young Master Shen had also ditched the party and escaped from the noisy ballroom that was starting to get on his nerves.


    Shen Zichen felt scatterbrained, unfocused. He attributed it to being tired and exhausted from his long hours of work but there was still a part of him that was irked whenever he looked at Li Chuntao being held by her brother-inw. It felt wrong for him even though he was aware of Li Chuntao''s ns.


    It wasn''t something he was used to feeling, as he was always confident and unperturbed. Perhaps he was just worried about Li Chuntao''s welfare that he couldn''t easily ept how she was willing to utilize everything to get even with Mu Jianyu and Lin Meirong.


    Granted, he was the one who pushed her into this path and he was willing to y his part in her n for revenge and Li Chuntao had reminded him once not to cross the line. Thinking about it, what the hell did she mean by that?


    ''Shen Zichen, know your ce. You better not forget who''s in front of you.'' She had told him.


    Did she mean that to keep level headed and not fool himself that she was Ying and not Chuntao? That''s ridiculous. Unlike that stupid Mu Jianyu, he knew how to differentiate the Li twins. He was one of those people that Ying and Chuntao couldn''t fool whenever they yed switch when they were younger.


    Perhaps,Li Chuntao was worried that he would be caught up with his feelings for Ying. That''s probably it, Shen Zichen rationalized. There was no way he would act differently to Chuntao just because of his unrequited love for Ying.


    Li Chuntao had told him she only needed a year toplete her revenge and both of them could resume their previous lives once everything was settled. He could continue his mundane routine life, while she''d go back and continue to aplish her dream, which has sidetracked when Ying died.


    Was it really that easy? He wondered.


    He grimaced when he remembered how Mu Jianyu had held her hand and his disy of affection on her.


    "Disgusting," Shen Zichen muttered to himself before fishing out a pack of cigarettes from his tux and lit one of them.


    "Hi, baby boy. Are you lost?" A familiar feminine voice reached his ears making him turn to face her. What Shen Zichen saw was Li Chuntao leaning against the pir near the balcony he was at, her mask of pretense nowhere in sight.


    "Chuntao¡­"


    Li Chuntao shook a finger to him and corrected him. A wide grin stered on her beautiful face.


    "Ah, ah¡­ it''s Ying, Brother Zichen," she said using the same tune Li Xiuying used when she was being yful. "Don''t ruin the y tonight." She reminded him.


    Shen Zichen''s frown deepened and continued to puff the smoke as he looked heavenward.


    Tonight''s weather was better than previous days and there were only a couple of clouds stopping the moon from shining brightly.


    There were so many questions in his head but he didn''t know how to ask her. After this, Shen Zichen knew Li Chuntao would eventually move in with Mu Jianyu to further torture the man in his own home.


    "Chuntao, are you sure you''ll be alright?"


    Amongst his question, this was the one that he needed assurance of. It was easy for him to check on her when she was staying with Su Ling and Hou Chen but if she moved in with Mu Jianyu, Shen Zichen knew that his mind wouldn''t stop wondering how she was faring.


    Li Chuntao arched a single brow at him and joined him at the balcony. Resting her arms on the railing, she marveled at how the garden below them was still beautiful even at nighttime. The moon was mirrored on the calm water of the huge fountain at the center of the garden as it hung high up in the sky above the grounds, casting a wondrous image for her and Shen Zichen to enjoy.


    "You think too much. Can''t you have some faith in me?"


    Shen Zichen remained silent, so did Li Chuntao. Both were deep in their own thoughts, but that was alright since the two were ustomed to each other''s silence when it was needed. This was how it had always been between them.


    "We should get back to the ballroom. Guests will begin to wonder if we are missing for too long," Li Chuntao broke the silence, before turning to leave.


    Sighing heavily, Shen Zichen finished his stick and threw the puff into the nearest trash bin before allowing Li Chuntao to grab his hand, his fingers twining with hers as she led him back to the crowded ballroom.


    His heart raced at the touch, eyes locked on their interlocked fingers, relief washing over him as he thought that this was better than seeing her being held by another man.


    However, before they could reach the hallway towards the ballroom, Li Chuntao''s halted her steps, turned, and pressed herself on the nearest wall pulling Shen Zichen with her. From any onlookers'' view, it would look like Shen Zichen was cornering her by their current position.


    Her hands now on his chest as if she was shoving him away but wasn''t.


    Shen Zichen''s eyes widened, standing there, shocked as he looked down at the woman trapped by him. Even before he could utter his question, Li Chuntao beat him to it.


    "He''s there, watching us¡­" she whispered.


    Shen Zichen blinked and understood what she was up to.


    At the end of the dim-lit hallway, Mu Jianyu stood frozen in his ce, watching the two with wide eyes. A soft glow of yellow lighting from the ballroom had given Li Chuntao a chance to see who was watching them.


    "Lie to me, Brother Zichen. Say you love me." Her warm breath tickling his exposed neck.


    Now, it was Shen Zichen''s turn to be shocked by her demand. Wasn''t she being presumptuous to ask him something like this just to spite Mu Jianyu?


    Anyway, since she had asked him, who was he not to listen to her demands? Shen Zichen couldn''t even remember when was thest time he said no to this woman.


    They stared at each other, Shen ZIchen wasn''t sure what was going on in her mind, but she was waiting with a guarded expression on her face, far from acting. His right hand reached up and cupped the side of her face.


    "I love you... I have always loved you." He said loud enough for the three of them to hear.


    Shen Zichen saw her lips quivered and as he stared into her eyes, he found aplex emotion that was threatening to surface on her cold mask. It was as if she was struggling to keep herposure at the moment.


    Seeing her in this state, Shen Zichen didn''t know what made him lean forward, and with their foreheads barely touching, his lips descended on hers, shocking not only Mu Jianyu, but also Li Chuntao by his sudden actions.

 Chapter 105 - The Kiss That Was Never Meant To Happen (1)

    Shen Zichen wasn''t sure why, but he felt a need to kiss her, to remind her that she had nothing to worry about. When he looked at her eyes, he saw beauty. Her eyes were a rich brown that stole his breath while looking through his soul.


    Her hair was like an obsidian waterfall that tumbled behind her in thick locks when it was kept loose. Her hands were strong yet at the same time gentle. And her lips¡­ oh, how he wanted to kiss those lips.


    And so he did, even though it wasn''t part of her n, he still kissed her. It wasn''t like one of those close-mouthed kisses like one did when they were younger and had never held hands before with a girl.


    Unable to contain himself anymore, Shen Zichen held her head in his hands and pulled her into a fiery and passionate kiss. His hands worked their way around her body, feeling each crevasse, each line along with her perfect physique.


    It was a full-on, open-mouthed, almost sexual kiss that shocked Li Chuntao. She stood still with eyes wide in disbelief. Her mind almost short-circuited, trying to figure out what was happening as she felt his warm lips against hers in a maddening kiss.


    Li Chuntao knew he didn''t love her¡­ that he was probably thinking of Ying when he kissed her, but she couldn''t resist. She shut her eyes close, letting a single tear roll down her cheek and leaned in a little closer, their foreheads touching.


    Dear God, she couldn''t fight against the thoughts that were going through her. His scent was flooding her senses now but his kiss alone was enough to make a crack on her strong resolve. The shackles on her heart squeezing it painfully.


    He kissed her and the world faded away. It was slow and soft,forting in ways that words would never be. His hand rested below her ear, his thumb caressing her cheek as their breaths mingled. She ran her fingers down his spine, pulling him closer until there was no space left between them and she could feel the beating of his heart against her chest.


    Shen Zichen loved the way her small body melted into his. The way their lips fit like two puzzle pieces. The way she relented as he yed with the loose hair framing her face and held her tighter and tighter.


    Unexpectedly, his hand drifted to her hip. It settled there and pulled her closer.


    Li Chuntao inhaled sharply. She was against his warm chest, chiseled to perfection. Must he be so perfect? She syed her hand against it, intending to push him away, but instead, she left it there.


    His breathing quickened, so did hers. She urged herself to push away, but couldn''t. Her limp body began to tremble uncontrobly. She was surprised to find her own lips parted. Their breaths mingled. Her heart fluttered inside her chest.


    When they broke apart after what seemed like ages she looked at him, perplexed on what to do next. She''d asked him to tell her the words she would never hear from him but what she hadn''t expected was the kiss that followed.


    "Brother Zichen, you¡­"


    What should she say? That this was the first time he''d kissed her willingly and not under the influence of the alcohol, unlike thest time? Not that he knew. Not that he was aware of what transpired between them years ago.


    His kiss reminded her of the memories she had kept locked away deep in her heart, one that she wasn''t ready to face yet. In the moment of silence between them, she felt weak and vulnerable, she decided to run away from him.


    Shen Zichen''s eyes clouded in confusion. Had he overstepped the line by kissing her? Thinking about it, he had never been intimate or kissed another person except for Li Chuntao. He covered his mouth with one hand and rested the other on his hip as he watched her disappear at the other end of the hallway away from him and Mu Jianyu.


    ''What have I done?'' he chastised himself and ran both of his hands on his face in frustration.


    The kiss was never meant to happen. He wasn''t sure what pushed him to kiss her like that.


    ''Yeah, Dumbasss. What a good way to mess up your rtionship with her.''


    ---


    After summoning enough strength to leave Shen Zichen, Li Chuntao wandered aimlessly through several corridors of the rented mansion. To be honest, she was even having a hard time remembering which turn she took. It might have to do with the alcohol, she reasoned with herself.


    ''Okay, definitely have to do with the alcohol.'' She continued to convince herself, but it didn''t seem to work.


    She reached the main hallway and found a washroom where she could hide for a moment to clear her mind. It was her who asked him to lie to her but why did his kiss shake her self-control?


    Damn, that kiss almost ruined her resolve, almost letting her defenses down in front of Shen Zichen, which was something that shouldn''t happen. She''d only asked him to lie to her and the kiss came out from nowhere.


    Why did he have to kiss her? Was he caught up with the moment and just wanted to create a rift between her and Mu Jianyu? Knowing that her brother-inw had seen it, Li Chuntao was sure that Mu Jianyu would confront Shen Zichen by now.


    His beloved Ying had been kissed by his sworn enemy right under his nose. Mu Jianyu wouldn''t be able to keep hisposure upon witnessing the scene between them.


    Just a single kiss and Shen Zichen had managed to challenge her to keep the resolve she''d long kept over herself. For the past seven years, she was able to contain her secrets deep down where no one would be able to break her walls.


    So why was it so easy for him to challenge her? To shake her? Was it because he was the main reason why she ended like this in the first ce or she''d long fooled herself that he had no more influence over her?


    "Such foolishness," Li Chuntao muttered to herself as she touched her parted lips that were kissed by Shen Zichen a few minutes ago. She''d tried to feel his lingering warmth on her lips but there was none.


    That wasn''t supposed to happen and her reaction¡­ she shouldn''t have kissed him back. How was she able to face him now? Should she pretend that the kiss never happened and never mention anything about it?


    Initially, she wanted to wash her face but the moment she saw her reflection on the massive mirror at the counter, Li Chuntao frowned. She couldn''t help but wonder who was in Shen Zichen''s mind when he kissed her.


    Was it her, Li Chuntao? Or was it Li Xiuying, her sister who was identical to her? If she had a different face and didn''t resemble Ying, would he even identally kiss her?


    Too bad, she wouldn''t be able to know the answer as she was afraid to hear it from Shen Zichen''s lips. It was better to keep this question unanswered or else it would crush her.. She wasn''t ready to hear it or better yet, admit that she would never be as good as her twin sister in his eyes.

 Chapter 106 - The Kiss That Was Never Meant To Happen (2)

    Just as Li Chuntao had expected, Mu Jianyu''s face turned from several hues of green to ck when he witnessed the kiss between her and Shen Zichen. As soon as she left the scene, Mu Jianyu stepped forward and revealed himself to Shen Zichen.


    "Shen Zichen, I didn''t know you''d stoop this low to seduce my wife. You scoundrel," he hissed towards Shen Zichen who was nonchntly looking over his shoulder when Mu Jianyu made an appearance.


    "Heh, your wife? Are you sure about that, Mu Jianyu?" Shen Zichen challenged him, enjoying how Mu Jianyu''s irritation had soared to another level at his taunting. Was Mu Jianyu really easy to be fooled by Li Chuntao?


    "What do you mean by that? Don''t forget, Ying is still my wife!" Mu Jianyu spat back as if the fact that Ying was still his would poke Shen Zichen''s pride like it used to; when Li Xiuying hadn''t forgotten about him.


    Young Master Shen shook his head and chuckled. For someone who always prided their face, Mu Jianyu surely forgot about it this time.


    "Then let''s see how long you''ll be able to keep her because I n to steal her away from you this time, Mr. Mu. I won''t say ''may the best man win'' because I have no ns of losing to you for the second time."


    The war horn had been blown and there was no turning back. Shen Zichen had decided to steal ''Ying'' from Mu Jianyu''s hands and he wouldn''t stop until he had her.


    "I''ve beaten you once. Do you really think you''ll be able to win this time?" Mu Jianyu countered but Shen Zichen remained unperturbed by his ims.


    He unconsciously licked his dry lips and a hint of strawberry vor hit his taste buds. Shen Zichen realized that it must havee from Li Chuntao''s lipgloss and thought that it wasn''t a bad taste at all.


    If it will keep her lips pink and soft like what he discovered earlier, he wouldn''t mind buying her a couple of more tubes for Li Chuntao to use. As he pursed his lips, he was reminded of how soft and plump her lips were against his. It was only a small taste but Shen Zichen found himself addicted to her lips.


    Back to the matter at hand, Shen Zichen didn''t find Mu Jianyu worthy as a rival. There was no point in fighting for something he owns in the first ce. He decided, for the peace of his mind, to ruin ''Ying'' and Mu Jianyu''s rtionship so Li Chuntao wouldn''t have to stay with Mu Jianyu for too long.


    The earlier Li Chuntao finds enough reasons to break Mu Jianyu, the better for Shen Zichen. He must be unreasonable thinking this way but he wouldn''t let Li Chuntao waste a whole year being with that shameless and traitorous man, living under the same roof with him.


    "That''s easy for you to say but now that Ying has forgotten about you, it would be easy for me to conquer her heart this time. Mu Jianyu, I supposed you''re smart but to think that you''ll impregnate your mistress and lie right in your wife''s face, where are you getting all this courage to fool Ying again?"


    This time, it was Shen Zichen who hit all of Mu Jianyu''s sore spots. His arrogance making Mu Jianyu''s veins throb in anger. He''d nned to make Ying fall in love with him so that once his affair had been uncovered, it would be easy for him to beg for her forgiveness.


    He woulde clean and confess his sins to her and he could only hope that she would forgive him so they could start anew.


    However, it seemed that Shen Zichen wouldn''t make it easy for him as he confessed to Ying earlier. Knowing Ying, she must be shocked by his sudden confession but a small part of Mu Jianyu feared that she would reciprocate Shen Zichen''s feelings now that she''d forgotten about him as her husband.


    Mu Jianyu suddenly felt that his rtionship with ''Ying'' was being sabotaged not only by Lin Meirong but also by Shen Zichen. Now that Shen Zichen had confessed to his wife, he wouldn''t be surprised if Ying would feel at a loss now.


    Seeing her being kissed by Shen Zichen, Mu Jianyu could feel the turmoil rising in his chest as he watched his wife in another man''s arms. Was this what Ying felt when she discovered his affair with Lin Meirong before?


    The pain of seeing your other half with someone else¡­ how was she able to endure it without saying anything? Why didn''t she confront him when she found out? Maybe he would have stopped his affair with Lin Meirong if she had said anything.


    "Mu Jianyu, you don''t deserve her, so I will take her away from you. If you are brave enough, why don''t you confess your sins to Ying now ande clean? The longer you lie to her, the deeper you dig your own grave." Shen Zichen told him before leaving him alone in that deste hallway to look after Li Chuntao.


    Young Master Shen was facing another problem. How would he face Li Chuntao now after that maddening kiss he shared with her?


    He wandered around, wondering where Li Chuntao had run to. He admitted he was the one who wronged her this time and he was willing to take responsibility for his actions, but how?Well, he wasn''t sure himself.


    He didn''t dare to do anything like that when Ying was alive, but he wasn''t able to stop himself earlier when he kissed Chuntao. He stopped midway and touched his lips.


    When he kissed her, his brain lit on fire and the warmth spread throughout his entire body. After that he was addicted, he couldn''t bear not to be with her and he could barely breathe now when she wasn''t around.


    Shen Zichen needed her. Those kisses were his salvation and his torment. He would live for them and would die with the memory of them on his lips.


    Was he even attracted to Li Chuntao? Why was he so riled up when he saw her with Mu Jianyu anyway? Was he jealous?


    After fifteen minutes of wandering around, he finally found her at the other side of the mansion, half of her face covered by the dark shadow as she was bathed by the moonlight outside.


    "Chuntao," He called out and Shen Zichen saw her shiver. She turned her face to see him and smiled. Her cold mask was back, forbidding him to see and read her expressions.


    "Brother Zichen¡­"


    He strode towards her and looked at her face intently, studying her face.


    "I¡­" What should he say? Should he say sorry? But he didn''t feel any remorse or guilt for what he did earlier, although he couldn''t exin why. He realized then, he must think over this feeling he had for Li Chuntao,ter.


    "Did youe here to apologize?" Li Chuntao asked him. She was mentally prepared to hear him say sorry, that he didn''t mean the kiss to happen.


    However, instead of answering her question, Shen Zichen invaded her space again. He stared deep into her eyes and cupped her cheek that was slowly turning red. He smiled at her before slowly leaning towards her.


    Li Chuntao''s hands were shaking slightly as she ced it against his chest. Her mind was repeating the same sentence over and over, "Don''t do this... don''t do this." But the sound of her heart was beating so loudly that she couldn''t concentrate. It felt like it was going to explode.


    Finally, his lips touched hers for the second time. Sparks flew in every direction, and the world was slowly disappearing around them, along with all of their worries, troubles, and their problems.


    Shen Zichen made her feel like none of that mattered. It was a small yet warm kiss. Li Chuntao honestly never knew a kiss so innocent could be so intimate and electrifying.


    Her lips were moving in perfect sync, his hands were feeling her waist. He pulled her closer, the kiss deeper, more passionate. He felt her hands on the back of his neck, ying with the ends of his hair.


    A smile grew on her face as it started to tickle, finally, they pulled apart.


    This was Shen Zichen''s answer to her question and he didn''t regret doing it at all.

 Chapter 107 - You Are Nothing! (1)

    When the two came back to the ballroom, Li Chuntao noticed that Mu Jianyu and Lin Meirong were nowhere to be found. Shen Zichen led her to a corner where Zheng Yue was seated, conversing with other guests.


    Li Chuntao gave her aunt a peck on her cheek and greeted the other guests with a smile while her hand was being held by Shen Zichen.


    Zheng Yue and some of the guests were wondering what was happening. Didn''t she just agree to give Mu Jianyu a chance earlier? Then why was Young Master Shen stuck beside her, his eyes never leaving her face?


    They weren''t fools. They could sense something had happened between the two, making Shen Zichen overly protective of her.


    "Auntie, I''m tired. Is it okay if I leave with Brother Zichen now?" Li Chuntao asked her aunt.


    It was the producer who answered for Zheng Yue.


    "Oh, Lady Li. It''s alright. Don''t worry about us. We can handle this. We know you''re still recovering, so please don''t push yourself too hard for our sake."


    Zheng Yue held Li Chuntao''s hand and nodded. She was also worried that Li Chuntao might be pushing herself too hard pretending to be Ying. It''s hard to fool so many people at once, although Zheng Yue had to admit that her niece was doing a great job posing as her twin sister.


    "Of course, Darling. You can go home and take a good rest. Auntie will be fine." She then turned to Shen Zichen. "Young Master Shen, I trust that you''ll take care of my niece. "


    It was a harmless but meaningful request by Zheng Yue but Shen Zichen understood the hidden meaning and this time he would make sure not to break his promise. He learned his lesson the hard way and he wouldn''t let the same mistake happen this time around.


    "Rest assured, Madam Li. I won''t let any harm befall upon her."


    Zheng Yue was pleased with his answer. She wouldn''t have to worry about Chuntao now. She could only hope that these two woulde clean with each other and profess what they truly feel before it''s toote.


    In fact, the older woman believed that it was time for Li Chuntao to prioritize and seek her own happiness this time but she knew it wouldn''t be easy given Li Chuntao''s pride and self-control. Now, that Ying was out of the picture, she wondered how long Chuntao would take to realize that she didn''t need to put Ying''s happiness as her top priority anymore.


    "That''s great." She nodded at Shen Zichen, "Ying, don''t forget our family dinner tomorrow night, okay? You can bring Zichen with you if you want to."


    The other guests around them shifted their gaze from Zheng Yue and Shen Zichen. Ah, but wasn''t Mu Jianyu, Lady Li''s husband? Did this mean that the Li family were rooting for Shen Zichen to win Li Xiuying''s heart?


    They couldn''t me the Li family, not with the rumors, about Mu Jianyu having an affair behind Li Xiuying''s back, had been floating even before her ident. Who knew if he was simply taking advantage of her memory loss to gain her favor?


    It was possible. Mu Jianyu might be pretending to regain Ying''s trust. They couldn''t help but sympathize with her. Who would want a cheater back when there''s a Shen Zichen who''d been waiting patiently for her all this time?


    Ah, wasn''t this story more interesting than the film they''d just finish? A woman had lost her memories in a tragic ident, and now her childhood friend and her estranged husband are fighting to win her heart. How interesting! Too bad they wouldn''t be able to follow it closely.


    "Then excuse me. I''ll have to bid goodbye to the other guests." Li Chuntao excused themselves and left, intending to find the cheating couple.


    As they walked around the ballroom, Li Chuntao greeted the other guests politely before turning to the man who was holding her hand.


    "Brother Zichen, do you n to hold my hand like a lost child in the crowd? Careful, not unless you want another rumor to start about us." She teased him.


    Ever since their second kiss earlier, Shen Zichen wouldn''t leave her alone and was watching her like a hawk.


    Was there something wrong with her face? Was she reminding him of her sister Ying when he looked at her? Li Chuntao wasn''t sure, she didn''t want to think about it but she couldn''t help it. She must be fooling herself to believe that he was looking at her, not her dead sister.


    How could she not know about his feelings for Ying? It was impossible not to think that he was thinking about Ying when he looks at her like this.


    "I didn''t think you started to care about how people perceive you. They can speak all they want. It''s not their fucking business to stick their noses on someone else''s business." Shen Zichen scoffed, refusing to release her hand.


    "Ah, still as fiery as ever Brother Zichen. Is this amon trait of the Shens?"


    Remembering how Shen Lingqing dealt with Lin Meirong back at ir Apparel''s boutique, Li Chuntao wondered if it also applies to the whole family.


    Shen Zichen hummed and followed behind her shortly as they stepped out of the ballroom to find the cheating couple whom Li Chuntao was sure were having a confrontation somewhere.


    "Hm, people know not to mess with any of the Shen family members. Because we tend to give back what they''ve thrown to us a hundredfold."


    Compared to his mother and Shen Lingqing, he couldn''t hold a candle against their viciousness. While his twin sister has a mischievousness streak of her own, Shen Lingqing was one who doesn''t know how to hold back her poisonous tongue.


    It was almost midnight and while the party was still ongoing, the rest of the rented mansion was covered with darkness and silence. The guards were only posted within the perimeter where they could see guests and wouldn''t bother the VIP guests like Shen Zichen and Li Chuntao if they wanted to roam around the mansion.


    "Where could they be? Did you chase him out, Brother Zichen?" Li Chuntao asked, pertaining to the confrontation she was sure he had with Mu Jianyu earlier. She''d left the two alone and wasn''t sure how Mu Jianyu would react to what he''d seen between them.


    "I didn''t do such a thing," His jaws hardened at the thought of letting Mu Jianyu hold Li Chuntao. While he knew that she wouldn''t let Mu Jianyu make a move on her, Shen Zichen was skeptical to leave her alone with that bastard. "But since that woman is also missing, he''s probably with her."


    Wasn''t it obvious? After hearing Lin Meirong spout nonsense in front of ''Li Xiuying'', how could Mu Jianyu not react to her silly attempt to taint his image in front of his wife? Since he decided to return to his wife, it wouldn''t be surprising that Lin Meirong would turn her anger towards him.


    It didn''t take them too long to find the couple they were looking for.. As expected, Mu Jianyu and Lin Meirong were quite busy in a heated argument.

 Chapter 108 - You Are Nothing! (2)

    When Shen Zichen left him, Mu Jianyu had been pacing around the empty hallway, thinking of how the other man''s action will affect his rtionship with Ying. Everything that he''d nned was going south. He never expected that Shen Zichen would dare to make a move on Ying now.


    Before this, he was confident that even if Shen Zichen confessed to his wife, Ying would shut him down. Now, he couldn''t say the same, becauseYing had forgotten not only him but the affections she had for him.


    Having lost all the memories she had for thest seven years, Shen Zichen had the upper hand this time. Ying remembered him and it would be hard for Mu Jianyu to gain her affections more than ever.


    "Being lovey-dovey with your wife in front of me, I dare say you are quite cruel to me, Mr. Mu,"


    Lin Meirong''s voice brought him back to reality, reminding him of his other problem besides Shen Zichen. His face darkened and before he knew it, he was dragging Lin Meirong away from the ballroom to a ce where people wouldn''t be able to overhear their conversation.


    "What are you doing?! Let me go!" Lin Meirong struggled to free her arm from his vice-like grip but failed.


    "Then how dare you say such nonsense to my wife? Telling them we''re getting married. Are you out of your mind? Who do you think you are?!" He hissed back in irritation.


    Lin Meirong was furious. So all those promises about him marrying her were just lies?


    "Who am I?!" She gasped incredulously, not believing what he was telling her right now. She was enraged by his words. "Am I not the woman you proposed to marry a few weeks ago? The woman who''s currently bearing your child when your own wife couldn''t even do it for you? Was I lying when I told them you are nning to marry me?"


    "You and your big mouth are putting me in a dangerous situation!" Mu Jianyu countered back. He wondered if this woman was an idiot or was just pretending to be one. "My wife has amnesia and I''m trying to save not only myself but you from the Li family. How could you not think of that?!"


    "In my defense, I don''t know what you are nning. You refused to meet me and ignored my calls! How am I supposed to understand when you aren''t even talking to me at all?!" He''d been avoiding her like a gue for weeks and refused to answer any of her calls and messages. Was he expecting her to stay silent and pretend she wasn''t hurt by his actions?


    "What about me and our baby? Was it really easy for you to kick us to the curb now that you want your wife back?"


    Mu Jianyu wasn''t expecting her to question him like that. His jaws hardened and looked away, refusing to look at the woman who had caused him to sin against his wife. These were the very same eyes that looked so pitiful every time she begged for his attention. He couldn''t remember how many times he''d fallen for the same trick.


    "It''s not that I don''t want the baby anymore. I told you I won''t abandon the child," he reasoned out.


    "But you are willing to abandon me?" Lin Meirong couldn''t stop her rage for Mu Jianyu''s treatment towards her. How dare he turn his back to her?! "If I don''t know you any better, I bet you''ve been wishing for Li Xiuying to die so all her assets would fall into your hands. Isn''t that what you are nning to do?"


    There were so many ill feelings that crossed on Mu Jianyu''s mind when he heard her say that. Part of him wanted to strangle her to death for such an usation but he also knew he couldn''t harm her as he would also be harming his child.


    "You bitch! You don''t know anything! You are nothing! I''m not going to divorce my wife to marry someone like you! Compared to Ying, you are nothing!" He roared to her face. How dare she use him of harming his own wife? He might have sinned by having an affair with this brainless woman but he wouldn''t ever wish to harm her.


    "I am nothing?! Ha!" Lin Meirong raised her voice, not caring anymore if someone overhears their conversation. "Let me remind you that I am the woman you''ve been sleeping with behind your wife''s back. I wonder¡­ I really wonder how your wife would react when she finds out what you did." She snarled back at him.


    It was at the very same moment, Li Chuntao decided to make an appearance with Shen Zichen beside her.


    "Jianyu, is there something I need to know?" She eyed Mu Jianyu then shifted her gaze at Lin Meirong. Both were caught off guard when they heard Li Chuntao''s voice questioning Mu Jianyu.


    Mu Jianyu''s face lost its colors the moment he saw Ying appear out of nowhere with his rival. How much of their conversation did she hear? And why the fuck was Shen Zichen stuck on her side like a leech?


    Did she overhear what Lin Meirong said? This damn woman was really the death of him!


    "Ying¡­ It''s nothing. I was just asking Miss Lin''s opinion over the n I was thinking of for our date." He said nervously.


    He was aware of Shen Zichen''s eyes narrowing dangerously at his lie but he didn''t care. He could only hope that Ying wouldn''t suspect that he was the father of Lin Meirong''s unborn child.


    Li Chuntao didn''t say anything but shifted her gaze between the cheating couple with a frown. Mu Jianyu was starting to wonder if she would believe him.


    Ying can not know about him and Lin Meirong. Not now. However, every second passed without her saying anything made him feel like his life was being pulled out of him. It also didn''t help the knowing smirk that he''d seen on Shen Zichen''s face, as if mocking him.


    "Is that so?" Li Chuntao said after a long awkward silence. Heh, of course, she and Shen Zichen had heard everything. They were just waiting for the right time to reveal themselves to torture Mu Jianyu.


    "Yes¡­" he nodded and looked away. Ashamed that Ying had caught him with another woman. He decided to be careful dealing with Lin Meirong from now on.


    And ah, why wasn''t she surprised that he was lying to her once again? Did he not know how to be truthful for once? Was he really used to spouting lies that it was bing a habit he couldn''t stop whenever she asked him a question?


    "Yes, Mr. Mu is right. He was just asking me for an opinion since he has no idea how to n properly." Lin Meirong was forced to go along with his lies.


    "Ying, are you looking for me? Do you need anything?" Mu Jianyu attempted to divert the issue away from his conversation with Lin Meirong. He still couldn''t read if Ying was suspecting him or not.


    Li Chuntao hummed and nodded her head.


    "We''re about to leave and retire for the night. I''m just thinking of informing you just in case you started looking for me again," she answered.


    "Then would you like me to take you home?" Mu Jianyu nced at Shen Zichen who didn''t bother to utter a single word since they arrived.


    Li Chuntao shook her head. She had enough toying with him and Lin Meirong for now.. She already got the result she wanted anyway.

 Chapter 109 - We Are Having An Affair, A Love Affair (1)

    After exchanging some words with Mu Jianyu, assuring him he didn''t need to bother himself to take her home, Shen Zichen and Li Chuntao left the banquet at once. Outside, the same car that brought them to the venue was waiting for them.


    Shen Zichen allowed Li Chuntao to go inside first, fully aware of how Mu Jianyu was ring daggers at his back, but he didn''t care at all. It was Li Chuntao who''d chosen him. He didn''t force her to take his side this time.


    Once the car drove away, Shen Zichen removed the irritating tie from his neck and nced at Li Chuntao only to see her busy looking outside.


    "You know, Mu Jianyu is such a bad liar. Is he trying to fool me or himself?" She said as she continued to hide her face from him.


    "I know but isn''t this your purpose for asking me to attend with you?" Shen Zichen pointed out. The only reason he was here with her was to anger Mu Jianyu with his presence.


    Li Chuntao hummed in agreement but didn''t say anything. The drive back to the penthouse was silent as neither of them wanted to acknowledge the elephant in the room.


    She still wasn''t sure why he''d kissed her but perhaps Shen Zichen only wanted to add fuel to the fire but how about the second kiss when no one was around to witness it?


    The man in question wasn''t sure how to exin his actions to her. The desire to kiss her, to have her¡­ none of these were present when Ying was around, not even when he''d seen her with Mu Jianyu.


    So why the hell was he so riled up when it was Li Chuntao being taken away by Mu Jianyu? Could it be that he was jealous?


    Perhaps, he wasn''t aware of his attraction to Li Chuntao all this time? Or was he confused because she and Ying look the same? But if so, why didn''t he feel the same for Ying before?


    Shen Zichen admitted that he was saddened when Ying married Mu Jianyu and wasn''t able to confess his feelings before that. He respected her choice and kept a safe distance, watching over her and Mu Jianyu as Li Chuntao had requested.


    Seeing that the situation had now changed, he couldn''t keep his silence anymore. He admitted, only to himself that these unknown feelings he had for Li Chuntao were so strong that he felt a possessive streak clouding his rational mind.


    Wasn''t he in love with Ying? Was this the reason Li Chuntao kept reminding him not to mistake her for her dead twin sister?


    That makes sense to him. Li Chunato might have considered that this pretense would somehow confuse him. He couldn''t believe that she was able to think this far though, when he had failed to think about the possibility of it.


    When the car stopped at the parking lot beneath the apartment building, Shen Zichen escorted her. Li Chuntao gathered her purse and stepped out of the car with Shen Zichen next to her.


    Stealing nces her way, he couldn''t ignore the tension building between them.


    Was it really ridiculous for him to feel this way for Li Chuntao? Shen Zichen was starting to question if he was really in love with Ying or he''d always felt this way for Chuntao.


    Walking to the elevator that was exclusively for the Li twins, Li Chuntao pressed the button to open its door. As soon as the door closed, Shen Zichen pinned her against the wall, catching her off guard, with her purse dropped on the floor.


    Li Chuntao didn''t have enough time to react nor ask him what he wanted from her, as Shen Zichen had already grabbed the back of her thighs and lifted her up. She instinctively wrapped her arms around his shoulder, feeling his chest pressed against hers to brace her back against the elevator''s wall while her thighs wrapped around on his waist.


    Their mouths met and Li Chuntao was shocked by the intensity of his kiss this time. It was demanding and fiery. The next thing she knew, he had mmed his lips to hers and nearly sucked all the air from her lungs.


    Li Chuntao hardly had a moment to react before he pressed his tongue to the seam of her lips and, at her grant of ess, delved inside her mouth. It was a very sloppy kiss with a strong alcohol scent being exchanged in the intermingling of their ragged breaths.


    Her arms reached up and encircled his thick, strong neck. In an instant, she had pulled away and arched up towards his broad chest, moaning at the contact of body heat against her own, before she was drawn back to his lips.


    She could nearly feel the slight burn of the alcohol, he might have drank earlier as it seemed to roll off her tongue and seeped down her throat with every push of his tongue against hers.


    The elevator stopped and Shen Zichen refused to part with her and dragged them outside but pinned her again at the lobby''s wall, which lead to the front door of the penthouse.


    Li Chuntao lost control of all thoughts. The sensation of Shen Zichen''s mouth and body pressed dangerously against her wasn''t making it easy for her to think straight.


    As his mouth continued to pige hers, her heartbeat increased so fast that the blood flowing in her veins sang of desire for him. For him to take her, to conquer her¡­


    Their kiss grew more greedy, her mouth locking tighter. The heat flowing throughout her body began to grow as she felt his other hand slide through her cleavage, groping her right breast, it made her moan against his mouth.


    They pulled apart and took shaky, shallow breaths. No words were spoken but both understood their need for each other. The swirls of emotion and desire Li Chuntao saw in his eyes made her wonder if she was seeing things.


    "Young Master Shen, kissing me three times in a night. What are you up to?" She couldn''t help but ask his motive for this intimate encounter between them.


    The corners of his lips curled up, his breath tickling the side of her neck as he peppered it with delicate kisses. He wondered if she was feeling the same as him.


    "Isn''t it obvious, Miss Li? We''re having an affair. A love affair."


    His fingers gently ran up and down her spine, coaxing shivers out of Li Chuntao. With her cheeks still blushing, she looked up into his captivating dark eyes. He leaned down, resting his forehead against hers. She watched breathlessly as his eyes studied hers with silent intensity. His warm breath ghosted across her face.


    "You better not regret thister," she told him.


    Meanwhile, Hou Chen was observing the security footage in the security room where Su Ling usually stayed in when her eyes caught a movement from the camera that was installed near the front door.


    Her jaws dropped as she saw two familiar people making out just outside the front door. She rubbed her eyes, wondering if she was hallucinating but it remained the same.. There, just outside the penthouse was Young Master Shen making out with Miss Chuntao.

 Chapter 110 - We Are Having An Affair, A Love Affair (2)

    The next day, Li Chuntao found herself within the premises of Li Mansion with Shen Zichen. Since her aunt had reminded her the night before about their family dinner, she made sure to clear her schedule today.


    He drove them to the Li Mansion and was greeted by the household staff at the entrance. He seldom visited this ce, since the Li twins were the ones who usually paid visits to Imperial Residences when they were younger.


    Not to mention, her Aunt Yue had requested Shen Zichen''s presence today, so he didn''t forget to show himself tonight. The Li family seemed to be satisfied with him, otherwise, Zheng Yue and Li Yuren wouldn''t have allowed him toe with their niece.


    Li Chuntao wasn''t sure if it was because they had a good rtionship with the Shens.After all, if they didn''t like him, she was pretty sure they''d treat him as badly as they treated Mu Jianyu.


    After he opened the door of his car for her and she got out, Shen Zichen held her hand, making her raise a brow at his actions. Was he really serious about what he''d told herst night?


    Li Chuntao''s grandparents, together with Li Yuren and Zheng Yue, were all waiting inside, each had different expressions on their faces when they saw Shen Zichen and Li Chuntao walked in together, holding hands.


    Li Chuntao greeted them and apologized for their tardiness. Shen Zichen also didn''t forget to give his greetings. Old Madam Li and Zheng Yue weed them warmly while the two older men remained silent but not ignoring the two.


    The Li family naturally noticed the sudden change in the rtionship between the two but nobody spoke up. Speaking about who was dating who, the Li family didn''t dare to meddle with each other''s affairs as long as it wouldn''t harm the family.


    Their tradition was quite repressive, but the elders try not to get involved with the younger generation''s marriages and affairs. While it was obvious that Li Yuren and Zheng Yue truly loved each other, they couldn''t say the same for Li Xiuying and Mu Jianyu.


    However, seeing Shen Zichen together with their Chuntao, it was quite obvious that they were satisfied with her choice, and their attitude towards Mu Jianyu and Young Master Shen showed a stark contrast.


    After Li Xiuying got married, Old Madam Li and Zheng Yue were both worried that Li Chuntao would nevere home or introduce a prospective husband but knew they couldn''t force her.


    "Zichen, sit down. Are you hungry? Dinner will be served soon."


    Of all the Li family members, Zheng Yue liked Shen Zichen the most. Not because he was Lu Xinyi''s son, but because Shen Zichen was level headed and had earned their trust over the years, unlike Mu Jianyu who only appeared out of nowhere and charmed their little angel, Ying.


    "Thank you, Aunt Yue," Shen Zichen said and sat next to Li Chuntao.


    Old Madam Li peered at the two and couldn''t help but smile in satisfaction. It seemed like they didn''t need to be worried about Chuntao''s future. While it took the two too long to consider each other, it was betterte than never.


    They all assumed that Chuntao would remain uninterested and in denial. For years, they had to watch these two interact without progress. They wondered how long it would take for the two to realize each other''s feelings.


    However, tonight was different, and they were d to see a little progresspared to before. They could see that there were sparks flying around the two and it wasn''t lost to them how Shen Zichen wouldn''t let go of Chuntao''s hand.


    When it was time for dinner, everyone moved to the dining area and sat down on their respective seats with Chairman Li taking his seat at the head of the table. The rest of the family waited for him to start before they followed his lead to eat.


    Chairman Li was like almost every other old grandpa out there who looked strict but was actually soft-hearted when ites to his grandchildren, while Old Madam Li had a constant smile on her face, always speaking softly and respectfully to others.


    Meanwhile, their only living child, Li Yuren was seated with a straight posture and an impassive face that somewhat resembles Li Chuntao''s. If people didn''t know that she was his niece, they would have mistaken her as his daughter because of the simr facial expressions and mannerisms both had.


    After dinner, Li Yuren spoke up, calling his niece''s attention.


    "Chuntao, let''s have a talk,"


    Without hesitation, Li Chuntao nodded. She also has something to discuss with her uncle. She excused herself from the rest of the family and followed her uncle, who had already made his way to the study.


    Once they were alone, Li Yuren went straight to the point and asked the question the whole family was itching to ask earlier.


    "Chuntao, are you and Zichen dating?"


    The two had a five year age gap which didn''t bother Li Yuren at all. He just didn''t want his niece to be hurt, no matter who she decided to go out with.


    Ever since his sister died, he took it upon himself to look after the welfare of the twins. He had showered them with love and affection as if they were his own daughters. After they grew up, he still tried to look after them whenever it''s possible.


    Li Chuntao shrugged, before taking a seat across her uncle. She understood what her uncle was trying to ask her. Shen Zichen was infatuated with her elder twin, how could it be possible that he was now eyeing the younger twin?


    "We''re having an affair," she nonchntly replied.


    Li Yuren raised a brow, questioning her about her answer.


    "I''m just repeating what Zichen told me,"


    She didn''t want to think that Shen Zichen was using her as her sister''s recement and wanted to trust him. It must be in her head, but when he kissed her the second timest night, it was her name that she heard him utter, and not Ying''s.


    Li Yuren seemed a bit startled with her response and for a moment he stared at her face, trying to figure out if she was telling the truth. Finally, he nodded. He didn''t have any issue against Shen Zichen except for his previous interest with Ying.


    "If that''s the case, then you have to treat him right. Never leave an issue unresolved for too long. If he dares tomit the same mistake Mu Jianyu had, I expect that you''ll be able to put him in ce whether or not he''s Shen Yi and Lu Xinyi''s beloved son."


    Li Chuntao couldn''t stop the burst ofughter that erupted from her. She found itical that her Uncle would dare to issue such a warning when it came to Shen Zichen.Wasn''t he afraid of the ShenLu couple''s reaction if they heard what he said tonight?


    "Hmm, uncle, you worry too much. Zichen is being good to me," she assured him.


    "That''s not the reason I called you here," Li Yuren pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed deeply. From the top drawer of his desk, he fished out the initial report about Li Xiuying''s so-called ident.. "Read this and tell me what you think."

 Chapter 111 - Total Freedom (1)

    The smile on Li Chuntao''s face instantly vanished as soon as she heard what her uncle said. She took the files from his hand without a word and started reading each page with undivided attention. She couldn''t believe what she was seeing.


    Apparently, Ying was being stalked for two whole weeks before her passing. Several screen captures from the CCTV videos gathered around the city showed Ying with two different men suspiciously following behind her.


    "Do we know the identity of these men?" She asked as she flipped the page to read the official report about the ident, indicating a man in histe forties driving the truck that had caused the collision.


    "We''re still verifying their identities. It will take some time. We''re not even sure if they are just decoys ced to confuse us," Li Yuen told her before taking out a small box from his drawer and cing it on top of the desk before gently pushing it towards his niece.


    "Take this. You might need this in the future. We cannot allow you to roam around without protection, now that we know that Ying''s death isn''t just a simple ident." His voice so stern, that Li Chuntao realized the gravity of the situation she was in.


    Now that she was pretending to be Ying, it was obvious that the danger would now shift to her. Li Xiuying somewhat survived unscathed from the ident, only losing a part of her memories. The danger that followed Ying for weeks will eventually be diverted to Chuntao soon.


    Li Chuntao opened the lid and saw a familiar pistol. It was the one she used to own when she was younger. She raised a brow but wordlessly took it and put it aside. She''ll have to consider wearing a gun holster with her every time she goes out as Ying.


    She didn''t think that there would be a person who hated Ying so much to push her to her own death. Li Chuntao was proven wrong today as she read the report with her own eyes. Li Chuntao swore deep in her heart that once she finds the person who dared to kill, she would make sure that they suffer worse than death!


    No matter what, she had long decided to get to the bottom of her sister''s death, even if she had to use herself to lure out the person who was responsible for it.


    "You wanted to ask me something?" Her uncle''s voice brought her back to reality and she nodded. She was reminded of the reason she came here. When she was informed that her Uncle had secured her sister''s divorce papers, she was eager to know if Ying had set herself free.


    "Yes, I just want a confirmation that Ying signed the divorce papers before her death." She needed be sure that Mu Jianyu had no advantage against her and the Li family.


    Li Yuren nodded and sighed. Thankfully, his other niece hade to her senses before her death and released herself from her marriage with Mu Jianyu. If she didn''t, this would put the Li family into a disadvantage.


    "You have nothing to worry about. Ying signed the papers. I''ll keep it safe for now."


    "Then¡­ are they officially divorced?"


    This was something she needed to know before she resumed her ns against Mu Jianyu and Lin Meirong.


    "I pulled some strings to expedite the filing. It''s final. He wouldn''t get a single cent from our family. On the contrary, he would be the one who will be paying uster."


    Li Chuntao was pleased that everything was going smoothly, ording to her n. The only thing she wasn''t sure about was her rtionship with Shen Zichen.


    Li Yuren watched his niece as she remained silent. He understood that the only thing keeping her alive now was her desire to avenge her sister''s death. He wondered if, in the future, she would be able to find reasons to continue living once her desire for revenge burns out.


    While he didn''t mind Chuntao dying her marriage, he wanted to see her be truly happy. It had been years since he''d seen her smile genuinely and now that Ying wasn''t around anymore, he was worried that his niece would deny herself of any of the happiness she deserved.


    The Li family members were very close to each other because it was normal for them to be overprotective, especially towards the Li twins who were orphaned at such a young age.


    When Li Xiuying decided to marry Mu Jianyu, of course, they didn''t doubt her. They didn''t make it hard for her under the condition that Mu Jianyu willingly signs a prenuptial agreement to protect Li Xiuying''s future.


    Who would have thought their fears woulde true? What''s more, they lost Ying in the process. Naturally, they wouldn''t spare Mu Jianyu and his mistress.


    "Uncle, why don''t we y our usual game." The viciousness in Li Chuntao''s tone was enough to pique Li Yuren''s interest. "We haven''t hunted together in a long time. The person who gets the culprit wins."


    "Alright. Let''s do this together. He easily yielded to her request. The eagerness reflected in her eyes told him that Li Chuntao wouldn''t hear no for an answer. "As long as you''ll agree on a bet."


    It was Li Chuntao''s turn to be surprised by his demand. A bet? She had a bad feeling about this. Since she was young, she had never won a single bet against her uncle. What could he want from her this time?


    "What is it?" She asked curiously.


    "If I win, you''ll finish your residency here and won''t be allowed to go overseas for the next five years."


    The smile on Li Chuntao''s face fell. There was a long silence between them as she allowed his word to sink into her mind.


    She knew her uncle wouldn''t make it easy for her to win. For someone who''d been betting with her uncle for a long time, she knew that his uncle only agreed to or proposed one when he''s at a desperate point.


    "And if I win?" She was aware that she was treading on thin ice. The Li family must have wanted her to stay here permanently now that Ying was gone.


    "You can continue whatever you want to do in the future. I will give you total freedom from the family''s responsibilities."


    Total freedom? For someone like her who was born in a wealthy family, it was hard to get away from the attention they usually got from the public for being a Li. Her twin sister had no qualms intermingling with socialites and being in public, but she wasn''t.


    Li Chuntao preferred the peacefulness of her life overseas than being here. In a foreign ce, people didn''t care about who she was and from what family she came from. She can walk around downtown without worrying about paparazzi stalking her, or dress in anything she wants without someone criticizing her choices.


    Here, everyone had to have a say in whatever she does or whoever she spends time with. It was ridiculous. She and Ying weren''t celebrities in the first ce but people always find something about them to talk about.


    "Fine. let''s do this. You better keep your part of the deal, Uncle."


    Li Yuren smiled for the first time since she arrived.


    "Only if you can win this time."

 Chapter 112 - Total Freedom (2)

    Meanwhile, the rest of the Li family moved from the dining area to the living room and started chatting with Shen Zichen whom Li Chuntao had temporarily abandoned. The woman didn''t even acknowledge him before leaving him with the rest of her family members. Zheng Yue and Old Madam Li had been asking him questions about his work, to which he had been politely answering.


    When Li Yuren and Li Chuntao came back from the study, they found him being overwhelmed by the older women''s questions. Shen Zichen helplessly looked at Li Chuntao while thetter raised a brow at him.


    Why was he looking at her as if she''d bullied him?


    Zheng Yue looked out the window and saw that it was starting to rain heavily outside. Since summer had officially ended, the rain had been pouring almost every daytely.. Worried that her niece would have a hard time going home, she wondered if she should ask them to stay the night.


    Ever since Li Chuntao migrated, they''d been missing her so badly and now that she was here with them, Zheng Yue wasn''t ready to see her leave yet. She and Li Yuren were getting old, of course, they would want to see her more often and spend more time with her.


    "Chuntao, it''s raining hard outside. Why don''t you and ZIchen stay here for the night? We can''t be sure what time the rain will stop tonight."


    "Yes, stay here tonight. The roads might not be safe in this weather," Chairman Li agreed easily to his daughter-inw''s suggestion.


    Li Chuntao had no other choice but to agree since it was her grandfather who insisted for them to stay. She looked at Shen Zichen and she felt a headacheing her way.


    Was it really necessary for her family to set her up with Young Master Shen like this? Weren''t they being too obvious?


    Shen Zichen listened in silence as the Li family conversed with each other and when Li Chuntao looked at his way to see if he would reject her family''s request, he gave her a shrug.


    "Fine. We''ll stay for the night and leave tomorrow morning."


    Zheng Yue pped her hands in glee. Even Old Madam Li was pleased with her answer.


    "Great! I''ll ask someone to prepare the guest room for Zichen then." Zheng Yue said before calling out a maid to do the task.


    Li Chuntao sat next to her grandmother and hummed her agreement. She wouldn''t dare to ruin the cheerful mood her aunt and grandma had due to their short stay.


    "Chuntao, I''m d you visited us. It''s been too long since we''ve seen you." Old Madam Li said as she gently stroked Li Chuntao''s long hair. "Are you taking care of yourself abroad? Are you seeing someone there?"


    At herst question, Shen Zichen froze midway, sipping his tea as he waited for Li Chuntao''s answer. Shen Zichen wasn''t the only one curious to hear her answer, Zheng Yue was too. Both hadn''t considered that Li Chuntao might have been seeing someone during the seven long years she was abroad.


    "Hmm, Grandma. I have no time for that. I do asionally go for a few dates of course, but I''m notmitted to anyone at the moment." Li Chuntao nonchntly answered her grandmother.


    Zheng Yue''s smile returned and winked at her husband, an action that wasn''t lost to Li Chuntao. She fought the urge to roll her eyes at her family''s curiosity.


    Meanwhile, Shen Zichen was lost on how he should react. He was somewhat relieved to know that she wasn''t seeing anyone, but for her to forget about him¡­


    Ah, why was she so forgetful? Was it really easy for her to forget what he saidst night?


    Shen Zichen remained silent, deep in his own thoughts as Li Chuntao busied herself catching up with her family.


    An hourter, he found himself following Li Chuntao upstairs.


    "Why are you following me?" She asked without looking at his direction.


    Shen Zichen shrugged, buried his hands in his side pockets, and looked around.


    "I don''t know where the guest room is." He pointed out.


    "Ahh¡­" was the only thing Li Chuntao said. She stopped in front of her bedroom door before pointing to thest door at the end of the hallway. "Thest room on the right side is the guest room. I''ll see you in the morning."


    However, before she managed to close her door, Shen Zichen blocked it with his foot, stopping her. She red at him.


    "What is it now?" Li Chuntao sounded annoyed. She wasn''t sure why he was annoying her tonight.


    "I''m not ready to sleep."


    "So?" She still couldn''t understand what he was up to. Seeing that he wouldn''t budge, Li Chuntao allowed him to step inside the room she hadn''t been in for years and rolled her eyes. She was now regretting bringing him with her tonight.


    "I''m gonna take a shower. You go keep yourself busy." She huffed, taking a pair of clean pajamas from her wardrobe before going to the bathroom, leaving him inside her room.


    Shen Zichen hummed,looked around the room, and wasn''t surprised how her room was filled with books. On one side of the room, a huge bookshelf was installed, housing different books she had owned over the years.


    He picked up a photo of Ying and Chuntao when they were kids, both sporting the same style of dress. Even as children, it was easy for him to differentiate the two. He put the frame back in ce and checked her collection of books, his eyes slightly widening at the sight of the same erotica novel he hadn''t seen in years.


    How did Chuntao manage to secure a copy of it? Ah, it must be his twin sister, Yuyan. Why wasn''t he surprised at all?


    Shen Zichen picked up the book and flipped the pages in boredom. He then noticed a few scribbled notes tucked in between the pages. Taking the first note, he lifted it up to read. A secondter, he felt his cheek burn red.


    ''Sister Yuyan, Brother Zichen is inexperienced. This book is like a crash course that would help him. Page 32 is a good start.''


    "Why these two!'' A vein almost popped in his head, his lips twitching at their mischief.


    Yuyan and Chuntao had always been partners in crime whenever they wanted to annoy him. He wouldn''t be surprised that the two had been nning this the whole time but the book simply never ended in his hand.


    Curious at what Li Chuntao had stored for him, he flipped through the book and saw another note, marking the page. He almost choked with his own breath when he read the steamy love scene between two lovers.


    He read the next note and noticed something handwritten on it.


    ''Page 87 would be better if done in the shower,''


    Hearing the shower running in the bathroom, he couldn''t stop the blush that spread on his face. He didn''t need to read it and immediately shut the book, returning it to its position as if it burned his hand.


    Damn, this woman. She really knew how to annoy him to death!


    Li Chuntao was halfway through her showering when she heard the door of her room open and shut. She assumed that Shen ZIchen was in a hurry.. She shook her head. What the hell was wrong with him?

 Chapter 113 - My House, My Rules (1)

    It''s been a week since the celebration banquet and now, Li Chuntao found herself sitting across Mu Jianyu, listening to his nonsense babblings about what he and Ying used to do when they were dating. She found it really odd that her twin sister would actually sneak out at night without her bodyguards just to meet Mu Jianyu on their first date.


    Li Chuntao supposed Ying wanted to experience some thrill of not being recognized in public so she agreed on Mu Jianyu''s n, but none of these telltales amused Li Chuntao and Mu Jianyu was painfully aware that he wasn''t doing a good job convincing Ying.


    This was already their third date this week and Li Chuntao was having a hard time not to yawn at his boring recollection. Urgh, Mu Jianyu was worse at storytelling. It was better to listen to a song on repeat than to hear him pretend.


    Her thoughts were disturbed when her phone vibrated in her purse. Pulling it out, she wasn''t surprised to see another message from Shen Zichen asking her where she was and what time she would go home.


    If Mu Jianyu sounded like an old uncle narrating unbelievable tales, Li Chuntao thought that Shen Zichen was acting like a housewife waiting for her husband toe home. She rubbed her temple and counted from ten to one, trying to calm herself from irritation.


    "Mr. Mu, I''m curious. Why haven''t you told me how we met in the first ce?" She asked, stopping Mu Jianyu from another boring story he was about to narrate.


    Mu Jianyu was momentarily stunned by her question, his eyes watching her as she rested her chin on her fingers, blinking curiously at him. Although he was disappointed that she wasn''t calling him using his given name like she did at the banquet, he was d that Ying never declined his invitation to go out with him.


    "Ah, that¡­" he ced down his cutleries on his te andughed awkwardly. "Actually, even before you met me, I''ve been seeing you around for some time."


    At those words, Li Chuntao arched a brow, surprised at his confession. So he knew who Ying was but he didn''t make a move on her? Now, that is interesting.


    It was either he was nning how to approach Ying or he didn''t know how to strike up a conversation with her.


    Close to Li Chuntao''s assumptions, Ying falling in love with Mu Jianyu was an ident. He had never thought it would be possible, but for him, it was an opportune ident that he couldn''t let slip from his hand.


    He wanted her, wanted Li Xiuying to be his no matter what. Such a woman with beguiling beauty, she wasn''t even aware she had, how can he not desire to attain her?


    Mu Jianyu was aware though that there was a Shen Zichen beside her and since he equally hated the man, snatching the woman Shen Zichen couldn''t get himself right under his nose was Mu Jianyu''s way to spite him.


    Not only did he manage to win Ying''s heart during Shen Zichen''s short absence but he also cemented his influence on Ying to never see Shen Zichen beyond being her childhood friend.


    So what if he was the Young Master of the Shen family? In Li Xiuying''s heart, he was nothing but a friend. Moreover, Mu Jianyu also knew that Shen Zichen wouldn''t make a move to trouble Li Xiuying which added to his advantage over the man.


    It was a pity though that although Shen Zichen might know his real intention towards Li Xiuying, he wouldn''t be able to do anything but look after her from afar. Furthermore, if Shen Zichen really caused trouble in their rtionship, Ying might think that he was sowing discord between them.


    Wasn''t it ironic that Shen Zichen managed to beat him at all aspects but lost to him because of a woman?


    However, this time, Mu Jianyu couldn''t say the same as there was no assurance that he would be able to win Ying''s heart this time. Just being with her tonight made him feel like he was washing his own neck to be sliced up by an executioner''s de.


    Meanwhile, Li Chuntao was seeing a better picture now. No wonder Shen Zichen lost to this man. Mu Jianyu had waited patiently before striking a chance to gain Ying''s affection without Shen Zichen noticing about it.


    Ying had told her once that she had a hard time dealing with men as she was somewhat naive to believe that she wasn''t that attractive to the opposite sex. It also didn''t help that Shen Zichen was constantly guarding her, not giving other men a chance to pursue her.


    Li Chuntao understood this well. Ying wasn''t able to date anyone before Mu Jianyu came into the picture because she wasn''t able to meet them! Even if men wanted to ask her for a date, Shen Zichen''s mere presence was enough to drive them away.


    "Actually, I first saw you when you were visiting a local orphanage that the Li family had been funding for years. It''s a noble cause, and the moment I saw you, I felt like I''ve seen an angel," Mu Jianyu started and Li Chuntao had an urge to vomit her dinner at his face at that moment.


    How disgusting. She thought. Couldn''t hee up with something more original than that? Even a guy as inexperienced as Shen Zichen coulde up with a better cheesy pickup line than him.


    Anyway, the orphanage he was talking about¡­ as far as Li Chuntao knew, her sister had only started representing the Li family after her departure. Give or take, Mu Jianyu must have been eyeing her sister for a year or a bit more than a year before he eventually seeded in wooing and eventually marrying Ying.


    Li Chuntao continued to y with her food using her fork. Her appetite waspletely gone as Mu Jianyu continued to narrate his first encounter with Ying and how he nned to ask her out for a date.


    Looking at his face, Li Chuntao wondered how her twin sister endured seeing his pathetic lying ass for months after discovering his affair. If she was in Ying''s shoes, she would''ve kicked him out and let his face meet her fists the hard way.


    Finally, Mu Jianyu stopped talking, much to Li Chuntao''s relief. Her ears were starting to hurt and she didn''t know how long she could endure watching her brother-inw pretend like a lovesick fool for her dead twin sister.


    "I know you wouldn''t be able to remember even if I tell you everything," he sighed, disappointed that he barely made any progress to make her believe that they were meant to be together from the start. "How about we visit the orphanage together? Maybe seeing the ce that brought us together would help you remember," he suggested.


    Li Chuntao hummed as she sipped her third ss of wine for the night. Ying should have been tipsy by now but this idiot failed to notice the difference once again.


    "Alright.. That sounds like a great idea. I''ll have to ask Hou Chen first to see which day we could go and visit together,"

 Chapter 114 - My House, My Rules (2)

    When Li Chuntao and Su Ling arrived at the penthouse, Li Chuntao was shocked to see Shen Zichen lying on the couch, an arm resting over his eyes, with two kittens curled on his chest. She found herself perplexed seeing him here unannounced.


    For the past week, Shen Zichen decided to invade her home and neither Su Ling and Hou Chen bothered to stop him from barging inside her safe haven. However, tonight, howe he was able to enter without a problem when there was no one to let him inside?


    Su Ling excused himself and decided to camp in his room, giving the two some privacy. Hou Chen had informed him of what she''d seen after they came home from the banquet and initially didn''t believe her until he walked on the two, kissing at the balcony the other day.


    The sudden turn of events shocked him but he was smart enough never to raise the issue when speaking with their Miss Chuntao. It was not their ce to question why she was having an affair now, with Shen Zichen.


    "How did you manage toe inside?" Was Li Chuntao''s question as she threw her purse on the loveseat next to her before crossing her arms on her chest while ring at the man taking a nap on her couch.


    "Uhm¡­ Chuntao lower your voice. You might startle the kittens." Shen Zichen removed his arm and looked up with bleary eyes at Li Chuntao''s face. "Ah, I see you''re home. I''m starting to wonder if Mu Jianyu has somehow found a way to kidnap you."


    "Answer my question and why did you bring kittens to my ce?"


    Oh hell, if these kitties decided to sharpen their ws on her furniture, she''d make sure Shen Zichen pays for the damages.


    "A patient gifted them to me and I couldn''t say no." He sighed as he sat up, carefully cing the white and the tabby kittens on hisp. "To answer your first question, Aunt Yue has given me a copy of the keycard for the front door."


    "Since when?" She narrowed her eyes at him, pissed that her safe haven wasn''t as peaceful as she intended it to be.


    "Since you ran away from home and tried to kill yourself," Shen Zichen looked straight into her eyes, making her flinch and look away in shame.


    "You should have told me¡­" Her voice lost her arrogance and strength as soon as he reminded him of the event that she truly regretted. She didn''t think she would be able to face her parents nor Ying in the afterlife if she really seeded in killing herself that day.


    She sat next to him and allowed the white kitten to move to herp and curled on it. Her hand reached out to its head and gently stroked it.


    "So what do you n to do with them?" She asked, loving how the kitten on herp rubbed its head on her palm.


    When she was younger, she fell in love with the white tiger owned by Madam Shen. She had tried to convince her uncle to adopt a tiger cubter, much to her Aunt Yue''s horror and Uncle Yuren''s amusement.


    In the end, she could only sulk in the corner because neither of them agreed to take in a tiger cub as her pet.


    Shen Zichen gave her a shrug but his eyes never left her.


    "I might surrender them in a local animal shelter. I could keep one of them, but having two cats¡­ I''m afraid not."


    Li Chuntao gasped and red menacingly back at him.


    "How dare you? You are willing to adopt one but abandon the other? If you like them so much, you should keep them both."


    "Chuntao, may I remind you that I''m not home most of the time? I don''t want toe home only to find my furniture destroyed if I leave them alone. At least, if I only have one, I might be able to train it." He defended.


    "Fine." Li Chuntao scoffed and lifted the white kitten to her eye level seeing that it was a male. "I''ll keep this little buddy here and you take the other one. If you''re too busy at work, you can just drop the kitten here and let them y together."


    d that she didn''t choose a female, Li Chuntao sighed in relief. She would rather have a male kitten than a female as it could get pregnant without knowing about it.


    Meanwhile, Shen Zichen suppressed his grin. He was actually nning to give the kittens to her since he remembered seeing her coo Xiao Bai whenever she visited Imperial Residences. But since he had a soft spot for the tubby one, he supposed keeping one of the kittens didn''t sound bad at all.


    The kitten on Li Chuntao''s hands mewled, protesting to go back to sleep. Li Chuntao rubbed its head and with a serious tone said.


    "I''m your mother now. My house, my rules. You better listen to me."


    The kitten meowed as if it was agreeing with what she had said. Pleased that the kitten didn''t make a fuss about it, Li Chuntao ced it back on herp to let it continue sleeping.


    "What will you name him?" He asked out of curiosity.


    Li Chuntao stared at the white kitten who chose to yawn as he curled back on herp to sleep.


    "Mantou," she said without thinking twice. The white kitten was soft and white that reminded her of freshly steamed buns she liked to eat as a child. "What about you?" Have you thought of a good name for the tabby kitten?"


    "That''s easy! I''ll name her Chun Chun!" He eximed, making Li Chuntao narrow her eyes again.


    Was he serious? He named the kitten after her?! Why, oh why did Shen Zichen repeatedly test her patience these days?


    "Really? Shen Zichen. I don''t know how you managed to secure a key to my house but I''m sure as hell I could still kick your ass out of here at any moment." She threatened him.


    "Now, now. There''s no need to get riled up over the name," Shen Zichen ignored the threat. "Your attitude right now is exactly the reason why I''m naming her Chun Chun! Both of you are irritable and are always demanding my attention."


    Li Chuntao snorted, which was very udylike. She rolled her eyes at Shen Zichen''s absurdity. Look who''s talking. Wasn''t he the one who kept showing up uninvited at her house these days? Wasn''t he who''d been demanding to get her attention and not the other way around?


    "Young Master Shen, I suggest you take a good look at yourself in the mirror. I''m pretty sure I wasn''t the one who keeps texting me where I was and what time I''m nning to go home relentlessly."


    Shen Zichen''s brows furrowed.


    "I was just checking on you, given that you were spending more time with Mu Jianyu than me recently." He scowled at the thought of Mu Jianyu flirting with her.


    "Li Chuntao, you better not forget to let him know that you''re having an affair with me!" He demanded after a long silence between them.


    Li Chuntao could only stare at him like he''d grown another head over his shoulder before shaking her head.. Yes, it''s really clear who''s demanding whose attention.

 Chapter 115 - You Arent Li Xiuying (1)

    The orphanage was nothing like Li Chuntao had pictured. When Mu Jianyu''s car stopped in front of the orphanage, she was surprised by what she''d seen.


    She was expecting to see a stereotypical orphanage that could usually be seen and read in books and tv dramas. The main building of the orphanage was nothing but a tall structure, reminding Li Chuntao of the schools she and Ying used to attend when they were young.


    From afar, her ears picked up sounds of children''sughter. She then followed Mu Jianyu through the entrance while looking around.


    There was arge courtyard in the middle with grassy areas at the front. The steps in front of the dual wooden front doors were made with irregr stones assembled to fit together. Once inside, Li Chuntao saw a reception area and a wide hallway where children came running excitedly upon hearing Lady Li''s arrival.


    "Sister Ying!" A five-year-old girl ran towards her and wrapped her small arms around Li Chuntao''s thigh. Li Chuntao nced down in shock only to see the girl sniffing, trying to suppress her sobs as she looked up at her with misty eyes.


    A young woman who seemed to be in-charge of looking out for the children came running next to the child.


    "Su Mei, you get back in here!" She called the young girl but she was ignored. When she saw Li Chuntao, her eyes slightly widened in recognition before bowing her head slightly in a greeting. "Lady Li"


    "Sister Ying, are you still hurt? Auntie Chu said you''re sick and have forgotten Su Mei." The girl continued to sob pitifully, refusing to release Li Chuntao''s leg.


    She nced at Mu Jianyu''s way for help but the man couldn''t do anything to save her. Li Chuntao then felt an urge to smack his head for being useless. She should''ve agreed with Shen Zichen when he offered her hispanyst night.


    "Ah, yes. I''m afraid, I''m still not well. Are you Su Mei?" Li Chuntao had no choice but to gently coerce the child to release her. She had no ns of walking around with a kid stuck on her leg like a ko.


    The girl nodded her head and her lips quivered in response. Slowly, she released Li Chuntao''s leg and rubbed her eyes with her small fists.


    "Sister Ying really forgot about Su Mei?" She asked again.


    Li Chuntao knelt down beside the girl and pulled out a hanky to wipe her tears.


    "I''m sorry, I have forgotten everyone, but would little Su Mei help me remember the things that I might have forgotten?"


    The girl instantly stopped crying and pulled Li Chuntao''s hand to follow her towards the back of the building. Li Chuntao looked back and saw Mu Jianyu waving his hand to her, telling her to go with the flow and he would just be inside for a talk with the orphanage staff.


    Stepping outside with the little girl, what Li Chuntao saw was arge yard, divided into several areas for basketball, ser, and a dedicated yground for the younger children.


    "Guys! Sister Ying is here!"


    At Su Mei''s shrill voice the other children at the yard stopped what they were doing and turned to look in Li Chuntao and Su Mei''s direction. The children''s faces broke into a smile when they recognized Li Chuntao as their "Sister Ying".


    "Sister Ying!"


    They abruptly abandoned their respective activities and beamed at her excitedly. It was as if these children had seen their favorite person in the whole world. A dozen children came running towards them, flocking around her excitedly as they tried to engulf her in a group hug.


    "Sister Ying, are you feeling better now?" A boy asked her but Li Chuntao wasn''t able to answer any of them as she was being overwhelmed with questions from the other kids. Choruses of "Sister Ying" being uttered at once by the children was making it hard for Li Chuntao to talk.


    ''Ah, Ying. My dear sister! Where did you get enough patience to deal with these kids!'' Li Chuntao felt helpless right then. For someone who was never fond of children, she was facing a real challenge on how to deal with them.


    It was easy for Ying to get along with children as she was also hoping to have a child of her own with her husband for years. Unfortunately, her hope was smashed to smithereens by Mu Jianyu himself.


    "Sister Ying, we''ve been missing you! That bad driver should be med for this! He shouldn''t be driving a broken truck around, now look, he hurt our Sister Ying!" A boy eximed and the other children agreed with him.


    For them, Li Xiuying was the elder sister who looked after them with love and affection. Of course in their eyes, she didn''t deserve to get hurt or suffer in pain because of someone''s mistake.


    Li Chuntao noticed that these children varied in ages. Some of them were under ten years old and some were already in their early teens.


    She suddenly felt bad that she had to deceive these children that she was Ying. It wasn''t surprising that these children loved her twin sister. Hou Chen had filled her in on what Ying had been doing for these children these past years and Chuntao couldn''t help but be proud of her twin''s efforts.


    "Oh, dear. I''m sorry for being away for too long. I couldn''t even remember what your names are," Li Chuntao said dejectedly. The children were saddened by her words. In a failed attempt to improve their mood, Li Chuntao had no choice but to act as her twin sister.


    "But I do hope everyone has been doing well while I was away. Can you tell me what you''ve been doing while I''m not around?"


    As if on cue, one by one, the children lifted their hand to get her attention, hoping she would notice them. Li Chuntao patiently listened to them while noticing how these children seemed to be well behaved.


    They were also clean and looked well fed. The orphanage and her twin sister had done a great job housing and looking after these children.


    For the next two hours, Li Chuntao spent time with the children, memorizing their names and their brief introduction one by one. She was also surprised at how easy these children trusted her to keep their secrets and worries.


    Apparently, her twin sister had taken it to herself to listen to these children''s fear and worries. Knowing this, Li Chuntao wasn''t surprised by Ying''s initiative to help. Some of them were already in their early teenage years and it would be hard to get picked by prospective parents looking for a child to adopt.


    A younger child had alsoined to her about almost being chosen as being adopted a week ago but the parents found out about her medical history and withdrew their decision.


    "Oh, darling. I''m so sorry you had to experience something like that, but shouldn''t we look at the bright side? We want to find parents who would fully ept and love for who you are without reservations." Li Chuntao tried to console the child.


    It was silly to think that some people rejected this lovely child only because they were afraid that his previous illness will resurface in the future.

 Chapter 116 - You Arent Li Xiuying (2)

    Once they were done catching up with ''Sister Ying'', the children resumed their activities, allowing Li Chuntao to roam the orphanage. She was looking over the man-madeke when the voice of a man reached her ears.


    "Ah, Lady Li. I''m d you are here," The man wasn''t looking at her but at the chart in his hand.


    Judging by his white coat and hands, Li Chuntao could tell he was also a doctor. A pediatrician perhaps. He might also be around the same age as Shen Zichen but unlike Young Master Shen who always dressed prim and proper, this mancked sophistication and ss in his choice of clothing.


    He might be one of those men whozily dressed because their face alone was good enough to attract attention from everyone.


    When the man finally lifted his face to look at her, his brows knit as he stared at her face for several seconds.


    "You aren''t Lady Li¡­" he said after a long silence.


    Li Chuntao smiled, her hands holding her handbag. She was startled at first, but then a sudden flicker of amusement was seen in her eyes. Aside from her Uncle Yuren and Shen Zichen, she''d never met another person who could recognize her identity easily. Not even Mu Jianyu, the bastard couldn''t even tell she wasn''t his wife.


    "You can tell?" She tested out. She was curious how he could tell from a single look.


    The man gasped as if he was offended by Li Chuntao''s question. His eyes widened in shock as he looked at her. So he was right?


    "Of course! Not only you''re taller than her, but your skinplexion is also paler than hers. Not to mention Lady Li always sported a smile that could warm the hearts of those who saw it¡­"


    "So what about mine?" Li Chuntao continued to probe, curious as to why this stranger was able to notice her differences from Ying although this was technically the first time they met each other.


    The man hesitated for a while before deciding to respond truthfully to her question.


    "Yours is so cold, even the sun wouldn''t be able to thaw it."


    Li Chuntao let out augh and covered her mouth with one hand as the man scratched his head, a blush creeping on his face in shame.


    "I''m sorry. I realize it sounded rude just now." He apologized to her.


    Li Chuntao hummed and tilted her head towards theke.


    "It''s alright. It''s not the first time I hear it. I''ve been called worse," she replied.


    "Then you must be Miss Chuntao," The man stated. "I''m a friend of Lady Li. She used to share stories about you whenever she''s missing you."


    "Is that so?" This time, the yful tone in Li Chuntao''s voice was totally gone. There was only coldness that the man could perceive from her.


    Li Chuntao couldn''t believe that Ying had been talking about her to a stranger she never knew existed till now. Howe Ying mentioned her to this man but never to her own husband, Mu Jianyu?


    "Yes. I apologize for thete introduction. I''m Qin Linfeng. I''m a volunteer pediatrician at the orphanage," he stopped and looked around them as if he was looking for someone.


    "I wasn''t informed that you''re arriving today, Miss Chuntao. I was only told that Mu Jianyu and Lady Li came today for a short visit. May I know where Lady Li is? I have a few queries for her."


    Qin Linfeng was oblivious to how dangerously cold Li Chuntao''s aura was. Her eyes hidden by her hair, only her lips curling up at the absurdity of his question.


    "For someone who I assumed was smart, you quite ruined your impression on me, Doctor Qin," she said in a low tone."Ying isn''t here and would never be here again," she added.


    It was only then Qin Linfeng realized what was happening. It didn''t take him long enough to figure out that the "Lady Li" who arrived with Mu Jianyu was this same woman who was Li Chuntao.


    He straightened his posture and faced Li Chuntao, who was watching him like a hawk.


    "What do you mean by that? Where''s Lady Li?" He asked seriously. Qin Linfeng had a bad feeling about this and he dreaded to hear Li Chuntao''s answer.


    Li Chuntao turned her face to look at him straight in the eye. She didn''t even hide the bitterness in her tone this time. Since he was smart enough to know who''s who, then maybe he would figure out the events that lead her to pretend as Ying.


    "Dead,"


    Qin Linfeng was momentarily stunned by the revtion. The events and clues were starting to fall in their right ces now. The ident, the news ckout, the refusal of the Li family to ept guests for Li Xiuying¡­


    As he looked back at Li Chuntao, he could sense the coldness and viciousness hidden behind her mask. As far as Qin Linfeng could remember, Li Xiuying said that her twin sister had migrated abroad for her sake, not knowing that she was only hurting herself in the process.


    Li Xiuying had high regard for her sister and Qin Lingfeng understood that the bond between the two was aplex one, and now that the younger twin was parading herself as Li Xiuying, what are the chances that she didn''t die in a simple car ident?


    "Doctor Qin, I expect that you will treat this information highly confidential. If you''re really Ying''s friend, as you im to be, do this for her sake,"


    "Miss Li¡­" Qin Linfeng almost called her by her name but decided to be wary of how he acknowledged her from now on, given that she was pretending to be Li Xiuying in front of everyone else.


    "Have you seen the videos of the collision?" Li Chuntao asked.


    Qin Linfeng nodded. It was impossible for him not to check the news since Li Xiuying was involved. It was all over the news when it happened.


    The news about Li Xiuyin''s ident not only filled primetime news slots but also the daily news. Qin Linfeng had seen how badly Li Xiuying''s car was damaged after the collision in the news.


    A normal person could easily lose their life from the impact the car received during the ident. Did this mean that she lost her life from it? Is that why Li Chuntao was pretending to be her sister right now?


    Li Chuntao remained silent and let him sort out his thoughts over the matter. Li Xiuying was a high profile person. Not only was she a Li princess, but she was also the former CEO of the Li corporation before her passing.


    Qin Linfeng finally understood the dangerous situation the Li twins were facing, but still, he couldn''t believe that Li Xiuying was dead. This was something he wasn''t ready to hear today. He was expecting a warm reunion, not a piece of cold-blooded news that could freeze the blood on his veins.


    His jaws hardened, his resolve to protect the secret was strengthening with every passing second as he looked at Li Chuntao''s impassive face. He''d heard about the striking resemnce between the Li twins and now that he was face to face with Li Chuntao, he couldn''t agree more.


    "Miss Li, rest assured.. Your secret is safe with me."

 Chapter 117 - Qin Linfeng (1)

    Li Chuntao didn''t dare to believe his words though. At a time like this, she couldn''t be sure who had ill intent on her twin sister when Ying was alive. She supposed she needed to ask Su Ling and Hou Chen to run a background investigation about Qin Linfeng.


    She allowed Qin Linfeng to lead her back to the orphanage, taking her to one of the rooms upstairs where the children were waiting for their return. She''d noticed that they''d washed up and changed their clothes to new ones after ying outside.


    Qin Linfeng asked her to take a seat on the vacant chair near the window, but it was enough to see the children from her spot, before he stood in front and asked for everyone''s attention with a p.


    Her thoughts were cut short when Qin Linfeng reminded the children to behave and not to argue especially now that their ''Sister Ying'' was visiting them despite her condition. He also told them to treat this encounter as a first meeting once again.


    And just like that, the children sat up straight with serious expressions on their faces. One by one, they re-introduced their names in a polite manner, which amused Li Chuntao. Her visit today had broken some of her false assumptions.


    "Since your Sister Ying cannot lead our activity today, would you mind if I lead this session?" Qin Linfeng asked them and the children told him they didn''t mind at all. They were used to having Sister Ying listen to their worries and fears, but now they didn''t know how to start.


    "Alright. I''ll start first. When I heard that Miss Ying was involved in an ident, I was really scared¡­" Qin Lifeng''s intro immediately captured everyone''s attention. Some of the children nodded their heads as they felt the same way.


    "You see, Miss Ying is one of my closest friends. Someone who never gets tired of listening to myints and is always willing to offer me some solutions to solve those problems."


    Little Su Mei raised her hand to get Qin Linfeng''s attention.


    "Me too! Me too! I cried when they said Sister Ying was hurt!" She said with a pout.


    The boy beside her snorted and nodded his head.


    "Yes, yes. We know about it, Su Mei. You have been crying for days begging everyone to bring you to Sister Ying."


    Li Chuntao was moved to hear such words from other people who loved her sister, aside from their family. She understood now that she wasn''t alone. There were other people who also cared about Ying and would be devastated if they found out the truth.


    Qin Linfeng looked at her way and smiled knowingly. This was the same reason why he decided to agree to keep Li Xiuying''s death a secret. However, this also meant that Li Chuntao would have to take care of everything Ying has left behind.


    She had a choice to continue what Ying had started or drop everything all together. No one will me her if she does since she wasn''t really Ying in the first ce.


    Li Chuntao silently listened as Qin Linfeng and the children continued their talk and by the looks of it, she can''t really abandon them like this. Not when their innocent eyes were watching her expectantly.


    "Does Sister Ying also feel the same? Do you also fear and worry that you''re not remembering anything?" One of the children asked her.


    Li Chuntao automatically smiled at the question. Which person have never felt worry and fear in their lifetime? Even a person with a heart as cold as ice would experience feeling lost and vulnerable.


    "Of course, I also feel the same. There were times when I wondered what I could have done in the past to avoid the ident from happening. There were so many what-ifs that crossed my mind, but I know it doesn''t matter now since I can''t change anything in the past and can only make sure to do better in the future." She paused, watching as Qin Linfeng smiled at her, but she ignored it.


    Doctor Qin was impressed that she was taking the question seriously, answering the children truthfully as Li Chuntao, not as the Sister Ying they were ustomed to. He was aware that Li Chuntao also had to face this herself.


    "Mistakes do happen but we can''t let them get the rein in our lives, forbidding us to move forward." She added.


    The talk then shifted to one of the children about them not being adopted by any family. The child was worried that it was because she was a sickly child and not beautiful enough so parents wouldn''t choose her.


    Li Chuntao wasn''t sure how to answer her. Ying might have known the right words to say to make another person feel better but she didn''t. She wasn''t good at this. She never was good enough at expressing her true emotions.


    Thinking about it, it must have started since their parents'' death. Li Chuntao remembered crying for days, making Li Yuren and Ying worry about her. Seeing that she was causing them trouble, Li Chuntao had decided to keep everything to herself, to deal with her own problems alone.


    While she somewhat understood what it feels like to be an orphan, Li Chuntao never considered herself to be one even as a kid. Growing up, she and Ying were lucky to have their Uncle Yuren and Auntie Yue by their side. The parental love they needed was fulfilled by them.


    "You know, it''s hard to change one''s opinion, especially if they already have a prejudice even before you attempt to exin your side, but is this an issue? Would you change yourself for a person who doesn''t really see your value? If you want to change or improve, do it for your own sake not because someone asks you to." Qin Linfeng answered them instead of Li Chuntao who was still trying toe up with her own answer.


    "Just look at your Sister Ying. She had suffered from memory loss but do you love her less now that she''d forgotten about you?"


    The children simultaneously shook their heads. How can they not like their Sister Ying? It''s impossible. They can never hate her ever. She was the big sister they never had.


    "Does she need to earn back her memories first before you ept her again as your Sister Ying?" He added. The children shook their heads again. "See? If a person likes you, they''ll be able to see past your ws. They''ll be able to love you for who you are. If those families refuse to take you in, you have a family here on your own. You have your Sister Ying who loves you so much."


    Li Chuntao was astounded by his patience in exining his opinion. Although these kids were still young, they were able toprehend what Qin Linfeng was saying.If it was her, she might have said, ''Who cares? The only thing that matters is how you perceive yourself.''


    She was someone who learned not to put expectations on other people because once you expect too much, they will take advantage of you.. No matter how one tries to be a better person, she must understand not all people have the same heart as hers.

 Chapter 118 - Qin Linfeng (2)

    "How do you do it?" Li Chuntao asked Qin Linfeng while he was busy arranging the seats back at their previous ces once the session with the children ended.


    This was the first time Li Chuntao joined a session that was so intimate and private with orphaned children. She''d never heard of institutions like this orphanage; that not only took care of these homeless children but also catered to their emotional needs, which Li Chuntao thought was a good thing.


    "How do I do what?" Qin Linfeng lifted his head to look at her, seeing her looking outside the window.


    Li Chuntao was slightly disturbed seeing Mu Jianyu outside looking flustered and angry over the person he was talking over the phone. He might be talking with Lin Meirong right now. She thought.


    "Miss Li?" Qin Linfeng called after her.


    "Oh, right. Yes. I was wondering how do you keep looking at the bright side when everything is trying to pin you down?" She didn''t think she could ever do it. Not when she''d lost her whole family in a car crash.


    "I know it''s hard for you to understand Miss Li, but I''m used to doing this for a long time. You can take it as my way to cope up with obstacles life has thrown my way," Qin Linfeng''s gaze softened as he stared at her. If it was hard for him to believe that Li Xiuying had died, the pain Li Chuntao was feeling right now must be iparable to what he had.


    He couldn''t think of any words to make Li Chuntao feel better without offending her; thinking that he only said out of pity. He wasn''t stupid not to realize that while the Li twins shared the same face, their personalities were total opposites.


    Li Xiuying might have understood what he meant but he doubted Li Chuntao would.


    ''Each one of us has difficulties in life, Miss Li. The kind of life you have depends on how you deal with it. Though I know there are circumstances that a person cannot control, such as the darkness around them. However, that doesn''t mean you need to be part of it. Being happy is one''s choice. You can''t let negativity devour you, forbidding you to see the happiness you deserve."


    "I see," was Li Chuntao''s response. She understood what he meant but it was easier said than done. She crossed her arms over her chest to observe the person, who had tormented her sister the most, outside.


    Ying had chosen to lead a happy life, but why was her future snatched from her by another person? It was hard for Li Chuntao to see the bright side of losing Ying like this, as there was nothing in this world she couldn''t give just to have her sister back.


    An hourter, Li Chuntao was sitting in Mu Jianyu''s passenger seat as he drove them back to her penthouse. She''d been awfully silent since they left the orphanage.


    Did she remember something? Why wasn''t she saying anything?


    "Ying, are you alright? Is something bothering you?" He took a side nce from his driver''s seat before returning his focus on the road. He could only hope she didn''t see him arguing with Lin Meirong over the phone earlier. That damn woman was spending a lot of money these days and it was giving him a headache.


    If his bank didn''t call to inform him that the card he''d given her had already reached its limit, he wouldn''t even know how much of his money Lin Meirong had been spending. When he told her he would give the child financial support, he didn''t mean that she should suck his money dry!


    "I''m alright. Just a little tired," Li Chuntao said, rubbing her temple and closing her eyes. The night hadn''t arrived, yet she already felt exhausted and ready to retire for the night.


    "I see. I hope you enjoyed your time with the children. You used to ask me to apany you to visit them, but it never happened."


    Li Chuntao opened her eyes and rested her head on an arm propped up against the window. She eyed him curiously. "Why?"


    Mu Jianyu felt he just shot his own foot for saying those words. Indeed, weeks before the ident, Ying had invited him to apany her but he declined her every time she asked him to.


    "I was busy¡­" He awkwardly said. "There was too much work for to deal with."


    Li Chuntao looked away, hiding the disgust in her eyes.


    ''Liar. you were busy dating and sleeping with your mistress. Of course, you wouldn''t have time to spare for Ying.''


    When he parked his car, Li Chuntao didn''t wait for him to open her door and stepped out before making way to the elevator leading to her penthouse. Seeing that she didn''t have even an ounce of intention to wait for him, Mu Jianyu hurriedly followed behind her.


    "Ying, did I make a mistake? Is it something I did?" he asked helplessly, "You''ve been acting weird these days. Is it because Shen Zichen keeps bothering you?" He asked as soon as the door closed and the elevator moved up.


    "Brother Zichen has been treating me well recently, Mr. Mu. Please don''t say something like that about him in the future." Li Chuntao didn''t give him a chance to argue with her. "In fact, he gave me a kitten to be mypanion so I wouldn''t feel alone. Isn''t he amazing?"


    Mu Jianyu clenched his fist on his side, forcing himself to calm down. She was his wife and yet Ying was allowing Shen Zichen to visit her almost every day as if he owned the ce she lived.


    Shen Zichen had just confessed his feelings to her. Shouldn''t she feel confused about how to deal with him, given that she was still a married woman and Shen Zichen was a friend she knew for years?


    But Ying acted like Shen Zichen''s confession didn''t affect her at all. Mu Jianyu could tell that there was a significant change in the rtionship between the two¡­ in a good way. Something he dreaded to ept.


    He didn''t want to use his own wife of cheating but he couldn''t help but feel that Ying was favoring Shen Zichen now, more than ever. Mu Jianyu felt that he was starting to lose her¡­ losing her to his sworn enemy.


    As he expected, as soon as Ying pressed the doorbell to notify Su Ling of their arrival, Shen Zichen was the one who answered the door. The man yawned before he regarded Ying and Mu Jianyu.


    "You are early today." He told Ying as he stepped aside for her to enter. "Did you enjoy visiting the children?"


    Li Chuntao hummed and removed her shoes, stepping inside her own home. She threw her handbag on the couch and let herself rx.


    "Hmm, Mr. Mu was kind enough to let me see and meet the kids. They are really nice," she responded, earning a scowl from Shen Zichen, while Mu Jianyu felt ecstatic that she was giving him some credit today.


    "I knew you would like it," he sneakered next to Shen Zichen. "Why don''t we set another date to visit them again?" He offered.


    "Maybe next time. I still have a lot of catching up to do, Mr.. Mu," Li Chuntao declined his suggestion, seeing how Shen Zichen''s face turned darker than it already was.

 Chapter 119 - R18+ What A Drastic Change Of Heart (1)

    "I see that you are here again. Is the hospital not giving you enough work that you always find yourself here?" Li Chuntao said as she removed her coat and hung it, as soon as Shen Zichen entered her study.


    She reminded Su Ling and Hou Chen to start running an investigation on Qin Linfeng''s profile now that he was aware of Ying''s death and her real identity as Li Chuntao. She wasn''t nning to let anyone gain an upper hand against her when she hadn''t gotten the revenge she was seeking.


    "I did tell them to give me less load and surgeries for a month and they understood that I needed this much-awaited break as I haven''t asked for years," Shen Zichen sat on the seat across Li Chuntao''s desk with Chun Chun, his tabby kitten, resting on his arm while Mantou, the white kitten, clung on his leg refusing to be parted with Chun Chun.


    "Well, seeing that you''re a frequent guest here, I wouldn''t be surprised if people thought you actually live here," she remarked before taking a seat across him.


    "That''s actually not a bad idea. Maybe I should really move in here with Chun Chun. Not only will I be able to piss Mu Jianyu off, Chun Chun would also be too upied to disturb my sleep. One shot, two kill." he responded with augh.


    Li Chuntao squinted her eyes on him, her hands resting on top of the desk while she crossed her legs.


    "Young Master Shen, I was merely saying a joke. You don''t have to take it seriously." She eyed him.


    "Ah, you were joking?" Shen Zichen raised a brow. "But I''m not. Aren''t we having an affair? It would be better if I move in here as soon as possible. Who knows, maybe Mu Jianyu will finally snap at your ''betrayal'' and you could stab him back with a divorce." He pointed out. He was very pleased with his idea.


    Li Chuntao stared at him for a while before pulling herself back on her feet, going towards him, trapping him in his seat using both her arms while straddling him. The kittens were startled and jumped to the floor and found something to y with while their fur parents were busy arguing with each other.


    "Young Master Shen, you keep saying we''re having an affair. Do you even know what an affair is?" She whispered seductively next to his ear, her chest dangerously close to his face.


    "Affair¡­ doesn''t that mean we''re in a rtionship?" Shen Zichen held his breath, his senses flooded by Li Chuntao''s scent. "That I am yours and you are mine?"


    He could feel her lips curling, nibbling at his ear, making him suck a deep breath from her actions. It was getting too hard for Shen Zichen not to react to her teasing.


    "Chuntao¡­" he warned her. Teasing him like this, wasn''t she afraid that he would wolf her down?


    "But Brother Zichen, I don''t remember agreeing with you." Her voice was almost breathless, driving Shen Zichen insane. Li Chuntao smirked knowingly, victoriously, as she made herselffortable on hisp, her skirt rolled up, freeing her movements while she felt him ce his hands on her hips.


    Was she aware of what she was doing to him?


    She trapped him, forbidding him to look anywhere else but at her. Both her arms on either side of him, caging his body with her own, in the seat he was upying. Her eyes darkened with desire made his blood sing with need for her, the desire to have her.


    "You can make a choice now," he said breathlessly, knowing it was hard to stop when all he wanted to do was to ravish the beauty sitting on top of him.


    "My, my, Young Master Shen," Li Chuntao grinned at him. She adjusted herself on hisp and purposely pressed herself at his growing erection, making him hissed.


    Her lips hovered dangerously next to his and with a seductive voice, she told him "What a drastic change of heart you have now? You couldn''t pursue my sister and yet you are willing to have an affair with me? You''re quite cruel to me, Brother Zichen."


    "You can always say no to me like you used to," He breathed next to her ear, his hands rubbing her side. Li Chuntao could demand anything from him and he never once denied her.


    Seven years ago, she was a young woman who could freeze men to death. Now, she came back as a vixen or perhaps a seductive witch who knew now how to use her charm. The innocent woman Shen Zichen knew before was no more.


    When did these feelings he had for her even started? Shen Zichen had questioned himself, mulling over these strange feelings that kept growing inside of him. He''d spent sleepless nights, thinking of the possibility of deluding himself that it was Ying whom he wanted, when in fact, it had always been Chuntao.


    Where exactly did he go wrong?


    Seven years ago, he came into a realization that he loved Ying, that he''d been attracted to her, or so he thought.


    He was lying and she knew that. Li Chuntao wasn''t sure what made him feel this way for her.


    Was his carnal desire clouding his judgment? Didn''t he used to like her elder sister? Shen Zichen never took an interest in other women except for her sister. So what changed now?


    A part of Li Chuntao''s mind was telling her to stop this absurdity, that she will regret doing thister but she couldn''t¡­ This time she wanted to be selfish. She wanted him for herself even if she knew this could destroy her.


    He wasn''t making it easy for her and she knew it. Not that they were both willing to stop what they have started.


    Every inch of his body zeroed at the woman sitting in hisp. He felt his lower abdomen tighten.Her beautiful eyes, her enchanting voice as she teases him, her scent that Shen Zichen would never forget, and those devilishly sweet lips that he had taken an interest in.


    No matter how many times Shen Zichen tasted her lips, he couldn''t get enough of it. Shen Zichen thought he was about to go crazy. Ever since this woman came back, his thoughts and dreams were filled with her. He was about to be driven mad by this woman but he didn''t regret it one bit.


    Li Chuntao rocked herself against him and he almost lost it¡­


    Damn it. Shen Zichen cursed inwardly. He admitted now that he wanted her but he couldn''t put all those years of friendship he''d built with her only because of his desire for her.


    He was hardening beneath her and by the way her smile widened wickedly, Shen Zichen knew that she must have felt it. Li Chuntao had buried her face in the crook of his neck and kissed it. She tried to press closer against his growing erection.


    "Chuntao, if you don''t stop right now¡­" Shen Zichen growled out. It was too much for him to handle. He was starting to feel ufortable as his erection began to tighten in his cks.


    "And why would I stop now?" The woman in hisp chuckled darkly against the skin of his neck.. Her breath so warm, Shen Zichen wondered if the rest of her body was also burning with desire like his.

 Chapter 120 - R18+ What A Drastic Change Of Heart (2)

    Li Chuntao wouldn''t deny that she also wanted him so badly that she couldn''t stop herself from teasing him. She wasn''t a naive young girl anymore and knew that it was mutual attraction that brought them together. She wanted him to take her, to touch her. Even for just a moment, she wanted to believe that he wanted her.


    She felt his hands move from her sides and rested them at the junction of her upper thighs just below her rear end. His long fingers spread around her shapely thighs and he pressed his warm hardness against her tingling pleasure bud. She couldn''t stop the moan that slipped from her lips as her body craved for more stimtion from him.


    Just as she thought Shen Zichen would stop, his hands slid into the skirt of her dress, parting her thighs slightly until the hem of her panties brushed against his index finger. His middle finger stayed against her warm heat that was starting to soak the thin fabric of her underwear.


    "Zichen, ah!" She gasped and threw her head back as she felt him pressing, toying her pleasure bud.


    Shen Zichen''s eyes darkened with desire and lust, watching Li Chuntao bare her neck with her chest protruding towards him. He groaned. It was too much!


    He wasn''t as inexperienced as Li Chuntao imed him to be. Seven years ago, after he came to realize that he loved Ying, in a drunken state, he had a one night stand with an unknown woman.


    Shen Zichen couldn''t remember what she looked like. The only thing he remembered was her small wrist that felt delicate as he pinned her beneath him. He had no idea who she was or where he met her because the next morning, when he woke up, there was no trace of her except the bright patch of fresh blood left on his sheets.


    He didn''t think he could have a one night stand with a woman who also lost her innocence to him. He was even more surprised seeing his siblings Qing Qing and Lingtian waiting outside his bedroom for him to wake up.


    He was tempted to ask if they''d seen hispanion the night before, but Lingtian ignored him and raided his fridge, while his usual aloof little sister was standing silently near his window looking outside, deep in her thoughts.


    Shen Zichen had tried to find out her identity, of course, but the leads he had were all dead ends and he wasn''t able to find out who it was. He was forced to give up on his search and had hoped that no shameless woman woulde knocking on his door iming he fathered a child he wasn''t aware of.


    Since then, he was careful not to get drunk on any asion to avoid making the same mistake again. That also meant that he''d been without a woman for seven long years now.


    However, tonight, Li Chuntao was so beautiful, so seductive¡­ and she obviously wanted him as much as he wanted her. He liked how she responded to his touches as if he was the only one who could give her what she wanted.


    He continued to tease her as his middle finger traced the thin line of her womanhood, up and down. Li Chuntao couldn''t stop the indecent moan she was making as he continued to touch her in ces no one had before.


    "Chuntao, should I stop? Tell me now if you don''t want this. If we stop now, I will act as if this never happened." He stated, forcing her to face him. His tone turned husky as he could barely contain his desire to have her.


    Shen Zichen had never felt this way before. He wanted to hold her, please her, touch and possess her, for her to be his, and only his..


    "Continue, please," her face flushed as her eyes looked back at him with the same intensity of desire in it. "Yes, ah! Please, give me more!" She demanded from him.


    He was pleased with her answer and continued to toy her until he could feel her essence seeping from the lips of her sex. Her small frame shivered and shook in his embrace. Her moans of pleasure were like a natural aphrodisiac for him, making him unable to restrain his own desire.


    ''Let go of it. Be true to yourself and ruthlessly love her'' The devil whispered in his ear. It sounded so tempting, that he couldn''t stop himself from giving her the pleasure she deserved. He was utterly defeated by her and he was willing to surrender everything for her sake.


    "I can deny you nothing. Don''t you know that, Chuntao? I will never deny you anything.,"


    Li Chuntao tried to focus her eyes on his face. She held his stare. His eyes spoke of volumes of the turmoil that was going on in his mind but she wouldn''t shy away or stop midway.


    Was it wrong to admit that she wanted him too? After all, didn''t he want her in the same way?


    Seeing how handsome she was, she couldn''t help but lean forward, puckered her lips, and kissed Shen Zichen. This was the first time she willingly initiated a kiss between them, lifting her upper half to wrap her arms around his neck.


    For a moment, Shen Zichen felt strange that she was now leading the kiss, considering he''d been the one who initiated their previous kisses, but it didn''t take long for him to follow her lead. Still in hisp, with lips fused together, only parting briefly to take small breaths, he could feel her fingers indulged in the silkiness of his hair, massaging his scalp lightly before letting her hands fall behind his back.


    Shen Zichen released his hold from her warm heat and held her sides as he tried to deepen their kiss. With an unrestrained desire for her, he invaded her mouth with his tongue, sucking and licking her tongue with his own. He assaulted her delicate mouth and drew in her sweet taste.


    "Mhm¡­ ah... En~"


    Li Chuntao was once again mindblown by his passionate kiss but she could only ept it willingly. Never in her dreams did she think that they''d end up this way. She had long epted that there were things that were never meant to be no matter how much she tried to work on it.


    It was unknown as to how much time had passed and when they parted, they were both breathing and panting heavily. Neither wanted to be parted for too long from each other.


    Li Chuntao had been thoroughly kissed by him that she didn''t even notice that her sleeves fell from her shoulders giving him ess to her pale, smooth skin.


    His hands that were busy indulging in curiosity earlier had pulled down her sleeves, forcing her to reveal her chest to his heated eyes. Her mouth tasted divine but Shen Zichen needed more from her. He left her lips and led a trail of sensual kisses from her cheek down to her jaw until he reached her neck and corbone nipping the delicate skin on it.


    Through it all, Shen Zichen revelled in the quiet sounds of approval Li Chuntao was making.. One thing was slowly leading to another and he was sure as hell wasn''t nning to stop what they both started.

 Chapter 121 - R18+ His Feisty Witch (1)

    When his visionnded on her chest, Shen Zichen noticed the ckcy bra covering her breast and didn''t waste any time topletely remove it. On her smooth pale chest, her pink peaks were revealed to his gaze.


    He looked at her as if he''d just opened a gift exclusively for his eyes. He wasn''t sure if she''d been with another man before, but he didn''t care. From this day onwards, he will make sure that this vixen will only be his.


    No other man could see her like this, especially that bastard who was threatening to sweep away his woman from him. Actually, he dreaded the day Li Chuntao would move in with Mu Jianyu. He''d been thinking of several ways to stop it ore up with n B and n C so she could leave Mu Jianyu as soon as possible.


    Shen Zichen didn''t trust the man when it came to Ying. And now that he''d decided to take Chuntao as his lover, there''s more reason for him to loath Mu Jianyu.


    As soon as they were exposed to the cold air from the air conditioning within the room, the pink little peaks instantly perked up. He was mesmerized as he watched her pink little buds harden into little nubs he was itching to taste.


    Shen Zichen lowered her head and took one into his mouth, gently sucking it while the other twin was being kneaded by his other hand. He couldn''t resist squeezing it, feeling it, soft, firm, and delicate at the same time.


    Of course, this wasn''t the first time he''d seen Li Chuntao in a half-naked state. However, this was the first time he was being sexually intimate with her.


    "Ahh!" Having her breasts being sucked and kneaded at the same time, Li Chuntao couldn''t help but moan. Her senses were being overwhelmed by him. His scent, his body, his voice¡­ she couldn''t believe this was all happening in reality and not just another dream to torment her.


    His wicked tongue flicked her nipple while the other nub was being teased by his thumb and index finger, rolling it, grinding it, and asionally pinching it forcing Li Chuntao to moan harder. His actions earned a pleased moan from her.


    With each stroke of his wicked tongue, her sensitive body responded with a grind against his hard erection and a pleased moan right in his ear. Shen Zichen loved the sounds she was making.


    "Ahh...Uhm¡­ that''s it, Zichen¡­ that feels so good..."


    Li Chuntao felt immense pleasure from his teasing and she wasn''t sure how long she could endure it.


    Shen Zichen chuckled lightly against her bosom, pleased that she was content with his teasing.


    It was some time before he released her breast and it''s obvious that he was craving her mouth as much as she craved his because they were once again in a liplock, letting their tongues probe each other''s mouth over and over.


    His hands were getting bolder now as it wandered over her body, both groaning into their kiss when he groped the plump flesh of her rump. His fingers sank into her flesh, kneading it thoroughly before moving down the slopes of her wide hips.


    Taking the cue, Li Chuntao pulled the hem of her dress and threw it on the floor, startling the two kittens, making them run to the other side of the room to y. They were both oblivious that their fur parents were now engrossed in an intimate act.


    Shen Zichen took in the almost naked form of his soon-to-be lover. With cheeks flushed, lips thoroughly kissed by him, hair tousled and eyes filled with desire that mirrored his own, Shen Zichen looked at her with a scorching gaze.


    Li Chuntao felt embarrassed being stared like this. She tried to cover her private parts and looked away but Shen Zichen stopped her, pulling her arms away from her chest.


    "You don''t need to hide. You''re beautiful," he murmured.


    This time, it was his turn to bury his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling her unique scent. It was so distinct and captivating that Shen Zichen couldn''t help but realizes that he was addicted to it.


    Just when he thought he couldn''t get hotter and harder than he already was, Li Chuntao''s next words almost drove him insane.


    "Zichen, would you allow me to have a taste of you¡­?" She whispered to his ear.


    Shen Zichen sucked in a deep breath and pulled away before seeing the lovely blush creep on her cheek from her indecent request. He couldn''t help but chuckle at her sudden shyness.


    Was she still the same woman who took pleasure in verbally teasing him? The same woman who looks so cold, she''d be able to freeze even the pits of hell?


    Shen Zichen never thought there would be a day when he would see her blushing and being shy like this, but considering that they were both aware they had already crossed the line of being just mere friends to almost lovers, he could somewhat understand her nervousness.


    This was certainly new for the two of them and there was no way in hell they could turn back to what they were before this. He couldn''t pretend that she was nothing but a friend to him anymore and was sure as hell he wouldn''t like to see her dating another man that wasn''t him.


    Shen Zichen cupped her cheek and let his thumb rub against the smoothness of her skin.


    "You know you don''t have to force yourself," he reminded her.


    No matter how aroused he was if Li Chuntao said no, Shen Zichen wouldn''t force himself to her. Because she was his Chuntao that he would do anything she asked him to do so long she wouldn''t learn to hate him. He didn''t think he would know what to do if Li Chuntao decides to cut him out of her life, like what she did years ago.


    Li Chuntao smacked his shoulder and red fiercely at him. Oh ho? His feisty witch had returned so soon? This was the woman he was familiar with. The woman who knows what she wanted.


    "What do you mean I''m forcing myself? I offered, alright," she looked at him incredulously. "Why the hell would I force myself to do something I don''t like to?" Her arrogance came back at full force making Shen Zichen smile in amusement.


    Shen Zichen ced his hands back on her waist as he allowed her to do whatever she pleased. He was pleasantly surprised and aroused by her sudden boldness. He was also painfully hard, his loins already began to ache with the need to sheath himself inside of her.


    He held her face in his hands and inched closer until their lips touched. He kissed her slowly, savoring the unique taste of her. She reveled in his soft caress, kissing him back, sweet and passionate.


    Li Chuntao started to slowly unbutton his dark gray shirt while leaving small kisses on his chest, making him groan.


    When she unbuttoned his pants, he unconsciously held his breath seeing how much she wanted him, it was just as bad as he wanted her..It was hard for him to sit back and let her take the lead but he was curious to see what she was going to do next.

 Chapter 122 - R18+ His Feisty Witch (2)

    When she was younger, Li Chuntao once heard from her uncle that if you really like someone, being friends with that same person would be better than dating them. She was too young to understand what he meant back then but over the years, she finally got it.


    But it was hard wasn''t it? How can one endure being friends with someone you adore, leaving one holding back for the sake of the friendship one didn''t want to lose?


    They were probably never meant to be, but Li Chuntao couldn''t help but love and cherish every single second she''d spent with him. Her heart probably needs more time to ept what her mind already knew.


    As she kissed him like this, holding him like she never did before, Li Chuntao mocked herself for being stupid once again, knowing this would be another mistake on her part. Once, she thought these feelings would leave her when she moved away.


    Out of sight, out of mind. But after seven long years, who was she trying to fool here? One can''t break something that was already broken.


    For a man who never showed interest in this kind of intimate activity before, Li Chuntao couldn''t help but smirk at his eagerness to start. However, it also should be noted that he wasn''t used to it by the way he stilled his movements, allowing her to continue what she was doing.


    She slipped from hisp and pulled his pants down just enough to uncover his boxers. His member was already hardened and standing tall. Li Chuntao ignored the way her cheeks flushed from the sight of it while Shen Zichen was having a hard time not to respond to her light touches.


    The same blush was evident on his face as he sprawled across the armchair, allowing the ravishing beauty to touch him. With his legs apart, his very hard throbbing cock twitched in her hands. Shen Zichen thought he was about to go crazy.


    His eyes turned red as he held his breath when Li Chuntao ran her hand on his stiff member. Her hand gave it a light squeeze and Shen Zichen hissed through his teeth.


    "Chuntao, are you sure you want this?" His voice became hoarse with need. He could feel his inner beast trying to break out from the depth of his heart.


    He saw Li Chuntao raise her head and pull back the corners of her mouth to smile at him.


    "Are you sure you don''t want me to?" She asked with a mocking tone. "Because I''m really curious of how you taste like, Brother Zichen,"


    She ran her hand up and down gently a few more times, ncing up to his face only to see his head forward as he was watching her every move with half-lidded eyes. She opened her mouth as wide as she could, wrapping her lips around his tip, sucking lightly to see his reaction.


    Shen Zichen saw this little witch lowered her head and engulfed his tip with her warm mouth. Her long wavy hair swept across his lower abdomen and inner thighs as she took him in. In the next moment, he was assaulted with turbulent pleasure he never had experienced in this lifetime.


    "Oh god, Chuntao¡­ That''s so good¡­" He groaned and shoved his hips forward slightly, liking the way she was pleasing him.


    Shen Zichen was trapped in ce. His lower body had been contained with such pleasure he couldn''t describe himself. He couldn''t think of anything else but move instinctively along his lover''s actions.


    He could only watch in a daze as Li Chuntao leaned over him, sucking him while asionally giving it a lick, up and down, up and down. Gods above, did he feel good when she did it to him. Enjoying it was an understatement because he reveled in it. It felt so good, so hot, that he stopped thinking straight.


    Li Chuntao hummed as she felt his cock swell inside her mouth. She secretly wondered how it could be bigger and thicker than it already was. She felt his hand moving until he gently grabbed her thick hair, holding her in ce, while encouraging her with whispers to give him more.


    She found out quickly that despite her wish to please him more, there was no way she was going to take all of him in her mouth and down her throat. She could only move and tease him with both of her hands while sucking the tip of his shaft.


    The sounds he was making sounded incredible to her ears. The grunts and groans coupled with some low growls were so incredibly erotic, Li Chuntao was turned on by him, she soon found herself rubbing her thighs together to alleviate her own ache.


    Meanwhile, Shen Zichen was having a hard time grasping the reality as he felt the hot, wet sucking mouth of his lover moving over his shaft over and over. He was totally disoriented at the moment, as he was thoroughly being conquered by Li Chuntao.


    The sensations she was giving him went from his stiff shaft straight to his balls. The aching pressure there started to tighten and an explosion was starting to build up higher and higher with each bob over his stiff cock. He was threatening to burst at any moment.


    The night finally arrived but none of them was aware of it. They both ignored the world outside as their shallow breaths and moans could be heard amidst the silence of Li Chuntao''s study.


    On one of the armchairs inside the room, Shen Zichen who was half-naked, his legs apart, was letting Li Chuntao give him oral sex. She was on her knees, with his cock in her mouth. Her dark pink lips slightly parted as she sucked the ns of his thick meat stick.


    His length slowly going in and out of her mouth with those luscious lips wrapped around his shaft like a ring. Where her mouth didn''t reach, her fingers worked in keeping the rhythm they had started, making him feel like he slid into a warm, tight tunnel.


    His strong musky scent filled her mouth and with his humongous size contained in her mouth, Li Chuntao struggled to breathe but she continued to suck and lick the transparent liquid that was leaking from his tip.


    Shen Zichen couldn''t stop himself and shove his cock deeper in her mouth, her throat coincidentally rubbing against his sensitive tip. A long groan left him as he didn''t bother holding back anymore and thrust on her warm mouth.


    "Hahh¡­ Chuntao¡­ You¡­"


    His inner beast was totally awakened by her and he started pumping into her mouth over and over again. He hadn''t even realized that his hands started to fist on her hair until he felt her jerk back but parted her lips wider to better allow him a smooth entry and exit for his stiff shaft.


    Along with his deep ramming, Li Chuntao emitted moans. She could tell that he was nearing his release and let him do what he wanted.


    Shen Zichen didn''t want to think of anything or anyone at all. All he wanted to care about was the woman in his arms, not letting her go. Never again she would leave him. He just wanted her to understand that he needed her and she was all that matters now.


    Finally, he let out a deep, low growl and shot his rich love essence into Li Chuntao''s waiting mouth.

 Chapter 123 - R18+ You Are Very Dirty, Chuntao (1)

    Li Chuntao was starting to feel numb in her mouth when Shen Zichen released his load into it. A steady stream of his thick semen filled her mouth and seeped down her chin. Her eyes wide as she hadn''t expected he would release this much.


    It was thick and viscous and she started to wander if it was umted over the years of him not taking a woman for his carnal needs, as there were still spurts of cum ribbonsing out from his cock when he pulled out from her mouth, spraying his remaining load on her beautiful face down to her bare ample chest.


    Li Chuntao spat his cum on the floor and wiped her lips with the back of her hand as she chuckled at his shy expression. She suppressed the urge tough.


    "That''s quite a load you have there, Brother Zichen,"


    "S-sorry¡­" Shen Zichen heard himself apologized. He realized that he must have been too rough earlier and somewhat disappointed her. Her mouth over his cock felt so incredibly good and he couldn''t believe he had lost himself the moment he sank himself in her.


    He helped her back on her feet and stood next to her. The two faced each other and he saw her mouth glistening with his cum down to her chin. Shen Zichen couldn''t exin why he found it erotic and satisfying at the same time.


    "Urgh, I feel so sticky and wet now. I need a shower." Li Chuntao grumbled to herself, only adding a fire to already burning blood in his veins. Hearing her say she was dirty, made him want to lick every inch of her body. He''d been a vegetarian for so long that a mere taste of her made him crave for her.


    Shen Zichen peeled his shirt and kicked out his pants and boxers, standing bare next to her. He couldn''t restrain himself any longer and pulled her arm, holding her face and fiercely kissing her.


    The two were in a war to dominate each other but it was clear that Li Chuntao was on the losing end. She had no other choice but to allow him lick, suck and deepen their kiss, pressing her naked body against his. She was now both covered in light films of her sweat and his cum, that made her want to immediately take a good shower.


    When Shen Zichen finally released her lips, she scowled at the feel of her body being slick with sweat. She didn''t like it one bit. They were in an air-conditioned room but she felt so hot and sticky.


    "I really need a shower right now." She wasn''t sure if she was ruining the mood, but for Li Chuntao who was being conscious of her cleanliness didn''t like the feel of sweat and dirtiness clinging on her skin.


    Not giving her a chance to move away from him, Shen Zichen hoisted her up making her instinctively wrap her arms around his neck while her slender thighs settled onto his lean waist.


    He''d forced her to cling unto him and it reminded Li Chuntao of just howrge his frame was against hers. It didn''t intimidate her at all. In fact, she liked how his body fit against her smaller form.


    "Then let''s take a shower together." Was all Shen Zichen managed to say before allowing himself to step out of the study, with Li Chuntao still in his arms and making his way to the guest room he once upied.


    Somehow through his foggy mind, he remembered that they were alone in her penthouse. With Su Ling being sent away by Li Chuntao earlier and Hou Chen still at thepany, he was able to keep Li Chuntao to himself tonight.


    Li Chuntao couldn''t believe what he was doing. She was also deeply aware how his cock dangerously poked her rear with every step he made towards the bathroom connected to the guest room. She hid her face in the crook of his neck to hide her reddened face.


    She heard Shen Zichen let out a lowugh at her actions. How could she be embarrassed now after what she had done to him? But he didn''t know¡­ it was the first time for Li Chuntao to do such a thing.


    "Hmm, you were so willing to get a taste of me earlier. Howe now you''re feeling embarrassed to take a shower with me?" He ced her on top of the bathroom counter before cupping both sides of her face lovingly.


    Li Chuntao puffed her cheeks and looked away, her arms still hooked around his neck. She was blushing but she wasn''t denying him of anything. She was also aware of how wet and ready she was to have him inside of her.


    "I prefer taking my showers alone, Doctor Shen," she told him. Li Chuntao was a person who valued privacy and hadn''t shared any intimacy with any man, except for Shen Zichen.


    At this moment, Shen Zichen was standing between her parted legs with only her flimsy ck panties forbidding him to go any further.


    "You are very dirty, Chuntao," he said with a seductive grin, "what a shame. Now I have to give you a bath."


    "Shen Zichen! Stop treating me like a kid!" She red back at him, annoyed that he had somehow found a way to irritate her.


    Shen Zichen''s lips curled mischievously. The hands that were resting on her hips slowly raised and cupped both of her lovely breasts. He quite liked running his hands over her soft globes.


    "Yes," he agreed, palming and kneaded her breasts, asionally pinching her pink nipples with his fingers. "I see you''ve grown well, Chuntao," his lips were on her neck, kissing in a hot passionate way to her ear.


    Li Chuntao shivered uncontrobly as his tongue moved to lick her sensitive lobe. She tilted her head back, enjoying the way he was massaging her sensitive breasts, arching her back to press herself fully into his warm hands. She made no attempts to stop the mewls of pleasure emanating from her lips.


    Oh gods, she didn''t think she would want him like this. She had long denied herself of an emotional attachment towards any man other than him.


    Shen Zichen didn''t part from her and let her feel the hardening of his cock as he rubbed himself against the seam of her wetness. His hands moved to cup the thick cheeks of her backside and shove her hips forward and downward, forcing her to feel how aroused he already was for her.


    Li Chuntao''s whole body was instantly on the edge when he pressed himself against her, lining his hot, thick cock with her seam. She could feel her inner muscles clench and quiver with need of him.


    "Chuntao, I want you. I want to be inside of you."


    Shen Zichen was dismayed to find himself already aching, ready to be inside his lover. It had been too long since he had been inside a woman. He wondered if she would be exquisitely tight and could put his throbbing cock in a chokehold.


    At those words, Li Chuntao froze, not knowing how to react to his demand. Was she really ready for this?

 Chapter 124 - R18+ You Are Very Dirty, Chuntao (2)

    Li Chuntao''s hold on him loosened, making Shen Zichen wonder if she was starting to regret doing this with him. But like he said earlier, he would let her decide how far she was willing to go. He wouldn''t force himself on her even if all he wanted to do was to bury his aching manhood in her warm, wet, and tight sheath.


    The aching throb of his groin was starting to get ufortable with pressure and he sought relief by grinding against his almost lover.


    "Chuntao¡­" he groaned but the woman in his embrace hesitated to do it raw with him. They both know the consequences if they didn''t use any protection tonight.


    Suddenly, she found herself being pushed back. Shen Zichen got the hold of the back of her knees forcing her to give him ess to herher lips. He easily slid down her ck panties from the smooth legs and threw it back over his shoulders.


    "Wha-?" Her question was cut off as his thumbs came up and spread herher lips before cing his lips on it, kissing her there reverently. And when she dared to raise herself, supported by her elbows, she found his hooded eyes looking up at her with unrestrained lust for her.


    As soon as his tongue flicked her engorged pleasure bud, Li Chuntao lost it. Her head fell back behind her as she let him do anything he wanted to her. She could feel his shoulder pressing against her inner thigh and the familiar aching tension building on her lower abdomen.


    Soon her thoughts started to get blurry as the winding coiling tightness built higher and higher and her hands reached down to grip his silky hair as he continued to taste her.


    Shen Zichen was like a hungry beast. Hepped at her secret ce and his tongue going in and out of her aching womanhood. He ran his hands up and down her soft, smooth legs until Li Chuntao''s eyes were blinded with whiteness as every muscle tensed, crying out from his teasing.


    He released her hold on her thighs, letting her sit up straight. Her taste and scent coating his mouth, his tongue, that even her scent was driving him insane.His cock was so hot, so hard that he needed her now, so badly.


    Li Chuntao took deep breaths as she felt her body melting against him. She could feel his erection rubbing, sliding against her inner thigh that made her aware of their problem.


    "We don''t have protection," she hated herself for breaking this to him.


    Shen Zichen froze and looked at her face, as it dawned to him what seemed to be the issue this time. He groaned and put his head over her shoulder.


    Why, of course. He should have known that Li Chuntao would never allow herself to get pregnant at this moment. It wasn''t like he was nning to, but it was hard to stop himself now that she''d let him have a taste of her.


    Well, fuck. She could take a morning-after pill tomorrow but knowing Chuntao''s personality, she didn''t like having a n B just because she was reckless. She didn''t want tomit a mistake because of apse of judgement.


    If they had started their affair a long time ago, Shen Zichen was sure she would be fully prepared.


    "I don''t have a condom with me," he admitted to her and groaned in disappointment. Why would he have some when he has never been with a woman for years?


    It was his sheer will that made Shen Zichen pull away from her, willing his erection away and trying not to look at her nude form. He tried not to think of her mouth wrapped around him and how good would it be if he impaled himself to her tightness.


    Li Chuntao watched him with curious eyes and was amazed at his self-control. If he was any other man, he wouldn''t care if she wasn''t ready and would have forcefully shoved his stiff manhood inside her.


    Taking a deep sigh, she took his hands in hers and told him to lean closer. Shen Zichen did what she asked him to do and tried to listen to what she would say.


    ¡ª-


    Just like what Li Chuntao said earlier, she liked taking her showers alone, but with Shen Zichen standing behind her, he couldn''t possibly leave her alone.


    The ss-epassed shower stall wasrge enough for the two of them. Standing beneath the shower, Li Chuntao allowed the hot water to wash away the sweat and stickiness on her skin.


    Meanwhile, the already soaking wet man behind her squeezed some shower gel into his palms and slid his soapy hands over her shoulder down to her ample chest, gliding down to her waist back to cup her breast.


    "Chuntao, you said I''m cruel, but I think I am no match for you," he breathed against her ear as he kneaded her breast from behind, not forgetting to pay attention to her pink peaks.


    Li Chuntao hummed but said nothing. She felt him pull her against his hot, rigid erection with his still slick, soapy hands groping her rump, pressing her to him.


    The feel of her moist regions was making it hard for Shen Zichen not to take her and it was proving too much for his self-control.


    She looked over her shoulders and he saw how hershes clung together with droplets of water while her parted lips were slightly swollen because of his kisses. Her dark long hair looked sleek and shiny under the cascade of water between them.


    Inside the shower stall, the vapor could barely hide their desire for each other. Some timeter, Li Chuntao found herself bracing her body with her arms pressed against the tiles of the wall, her form slightly bent forward while Shen Zichen was hovering close behind her. Both of them were seeking for each other''s release.


    Their lower bodies almost connected as Shen Zichen''s hips dangerously pressed against the soft globe of her buttocks with his throbbing erection stuck between the gap of her thighs, slowly thrusting back and forth while grabbing and kneading her right breast with his right hand while the other propped against the wall for support.


    "Ah, Zichen~" Her moans were fueling his desire, letting him keep going. Shen Zichen didn''t think he would ever hear his name being said with such a delicious tone from her lips.


    His head dropped on her shoulder, kissing her, nipping and sucking her, leaving a trail of red marks on her pale skin.


    "Uhh¡­ Ahh¡­Zhichen.. close¡­ahh~"


    Since he couldn''t prate her as much as he wanted to, Shen Zichen could only do this for now. Releasing his hold on her breast, he slid his hand down her waist and pulled her closer until there were no gaps between them.


    "Chuntao," he growled next to her ear. He could also feel himself being close. His thick, throbbing cock was being in a chokehold by her soft thighs as he thrust in and out of it. Her smooth skin gave him a pleasurable sensation Shen Zichen never thought would be possible.


    He wasn''t the only one being washed by pleasure as Li Chuntao''s eyes threatened to roll back from the intensity of it. Coupled with Shen Zichen kneading on her breast, he was now toying her pleasure bud relentlessly. She could also feel his hot, throbbing meat stick rubbing against her wetness.


    It was really too much as she found herself already on the edge, her love juices covering the hardness of his member. Shen Zichen groaned and quickened his pace, shooting his essence down her smooth legs.


    In the end, the two lovers felt exhausted and were d that they managed to keep themselves standing in the shower stall.


    "So¡­ are we having an affair now?" Shen Zichen asked after a long silence between them. "Am I your lover now?" His lips found the red mark he''d left on her shoulder and gently kissed it.


    Li Chuntao hummed her agreement. Her hand reaching up to hold the side of his face.


    "Yes¡­you are.. A good one too."

 Chapter 125 - Don’t Be Silly, Zichen (1)

    One monthter.


    Li Chuntao had once again visited the orphanage but this time she came bringing only Su Ling with her. Mu Jianyu was quite busy preparing for her move into his apartment and reluctantly allowed her to go for a visit without him.


    She was sipping a warm tea inside the director''s office at the orphanage, talking with Qin Linfeng. After receiving the report on his profile, Li Chuntao managed to learn that the man wasn''t lying or hiding ill intent against her twin sister, Ying. In fact, he was one of her closest confidants when she was still alive.


    Li Chuntao didn''t find it weird at all, considering that Qin Linfeng''s personality was very good and friendly. The only w that she''d seen on him so far was him being disorganized, something she loathed with irritation.


    As a doctor, Li Chuntao prided herself for being capable and ready at any time. She could adapt to the sudden changes and events easily but she still didn''t like sudden change of ns when everything she''d set was already in ce.


    Right now, she was watching the man, reviewing the children''s health records, making sure he wasn''t forgetting something.


    "I think that''s all. The thing you need to check next is the supply of medicines." She pointed out. The dark gray clouds outside impending a heavy rainfall.


    Qin Linfeng hummed his agreement, thankful that Li Chuntao was here to help him check the medical supplies the orphanage wascking. Not like the orphanage was reallycking in funds, given that Li Chuntao had decided to keep the support the Li Corporation was giving to the institution.


    Suddenly, two children came barging into the room they were in, both looking terrified. The girl was already in tears and the boy looked disgruntled. The two doctors didn''t need to be told that something wrong had happened to the children outside.


    "Sister Ying!" The girl cried out. She immediately ran towards Li Chuntao and wrapped her arms around Chuntao''s waist.


    "Doctor Qin, please help Tangtang. He is hurt!" The boy hurriedly called for the doctor.


    Qin Linfeng and Li Chuntao were alerted at once. They stood at the same time wondering could have happened. The children should be tidying the garden now, before the rain started.


    "Where''s Tangtang now?" Qin Linfeng demanded.


    "He''s still at the garden, Doctor Qin,"


    The man hurriedly left the room and sprinted towards the garden while Li Chuntao was left behind, trying to find out what had happened from the two scared children.


    "Su Mei insisted on joining Tangtang and me to trim off the thick bushes but she identally hurt Tangtang''s hand." The boy exined, a worry expression stered in his face. "Sister Ying, would he be alright? He''s bleeding too much when we left him."


    Li Chuntao didn''t know how to answer him since she didn''t know how bad Tangtang''s injury was but it didn''t take too long for her to see his situation as Qin Linfeng came back with the boy beside him, a shirt crumpled to cover the boy''s bleeding right hand.


    Tangtang was a twelve year old orphaned boy who''d been staying at the orphanage since he lost his family in a fire. The boy''s face was nched with fear as his wound continued to bleed under the shirt that covered his hand.


    "You go and wait outside. Tell the other children to go back to their rooms. It''s about to rain and we wouldn''t want any of you getting sick from it." Doctor Qin told the two children who listened and went away after bidding goodbye to Li Chuntao.


    Once they were gone, Doctor Qin immediately removed the cover of the boy''s hand and started to stop the bleeding but failed. He''d wasted several medical gauzes and bandages but it remained the same. He considered calling the nearest hospital so he could drive Tangtang to the ER but heavy rain started to pour.


    Seeing him distraught over the matter, Li Chuntao tapped his shoulder to get his attention. She couldn''t let this be dragged for too long or the boy would suffer blood loss or infection if he wasn''t treated immediately.


    "Let me see it. You go prepare the things and tools I would need for this." She told him and passed a paper with medicines and supplies she would need.


    "Miss Li, what are you nning to do?" Qin Linfeng asked but when it dawned to him that Li Chuntao was a surgeon herself, he berated himself mentally.


    Qin Linfeng vacated his seat at once and let Li Chuntao overtake Tangtang''s treatment.


    "Tangtang, Sister Ying is about to do something. Do you trust me?" She asked the boy with a soft voice.


    The boy''s lips quivered, his eyes misty as he nodded his head at Li Chuntao.


    "Alright, then listen to what Sister Ying will say¡­"


    Li Chuntao then exined that she could stop the bleeding and would need to stitch his wound herself. However, he must promise her that he should never mention to anyone that she was the one who treated his injury.


    "But Sister Ying¡­ lying is bad." Tangtang said worriedly. He couldn''t understand why he couldn''t tell everyone about it. Shouldn''t he be proud that the one who helped him was their Sister Ying?


    Li Chuntao couldn''t help but smile at his innocence but she needed to protect her identity so other people wouldn''t be able to use it as an advantage against her.


    "You will not lie, Tangtang. Not until someone asked you who stitched and treated your wounds. You see, this is your Sister Ying''s secret. If people found out I could treat them, they wouldn''t leave your Sister Ying in peace. That also means I would have less time visiting any of you."


    "Then I''ll keep your secret, Sister Ying!" Tangtang made a motion of zipping his mouth and raising his uninjured hand to promise Li Chuntao.


    "Ah, you''re really a good boy, Tangtang," Li Chuntao patted his cheek gently before turning her head when Qin Linfeng arrived with a tray filled with the items Li Chuntao listed.


    With Qin Linfeng''s help, Li Chuntao was able to stop the bleeding at first try, disinfecting the wound before stitching it up. The boy and Qin Linfeng were both entranced when she started her magic using the needles.


    Qin Linfeng didn''t dare to look away as Li Chuntao stitched the long, deep wound close and was amazed at how clean she was able to do it. He''d never met a doctor who had an insane precision like her.


    No wonder Li Xiuying was praising her to the heavens because she was really that good. He also remembered Ying telling him that Li Chuntao was the top of her ss, so technically, he shouldn''t be surprised at all.


    After some time, Tangtang felt better and thanked Li Chuntao and Doctor Qin for their help. He also promised not to tell anyone of what transpired here.


    Qin Linfeng released a sigh of relief. It was a good thing that Li Chuntao was here and saved his ass from this problem. While he was a good pediatrician, he wasn''t confident with his hand stitching the boy''s wound on his own.


    "Miss Li, thank you. I owe you this time,"

 Chapter 126 - Don’t Be Silly, Zichen (2)

    It was already past midnight when Li Chuntao and Su Ling came back to the penthouse. The two were greeted by the two cats who purred on Li Chuntao''s leg as soon as they saw her.


    Meanwhile, Shen Zichen was sitting on the couch, a pair of eyesses on his face while he slumpedzily, reading the medical books Li Chuntao had brought home recently.


    Su Ling wasn''t surprised to see the Young Master Shen here. If he didn''t know, he would assume that his Miss Chuntao and Shen Zichen were already cohabiting together.


    Shen Zichen had been spending more time here than his own ce and would alwayse here straight from his work.


    Seeing that he wasn''t needed there, Su Ling left the two to give them some privacy. The penthouse alone was toorge for the three of them, so it was almost impossible to run into these two unless he needed to see them.


    "I thought you''re going to have overtime tonight?" Li Chuntao asked as she took a seat next to him, letting the two cats wander around, not kittens anymore, as Li Chuntao thought they grew overnight without her noticing it.


    "The surgery scheduled was moved to Friday. There are tests needed to be done before we could push the surgery to the patient." Shen Zichen closed the book on his hand, sat up, and ced it on the coffee table in front of them before regarding Li Chuntao.


    "You''rete though. Something came up?" He asked.


    Li Chuntao nodded and rested her head against his arm.


    "Yeah, a kid got injured while they were cleaning the garden. I had to stitch him up myself because Doctor Qin couldn''t," she sighed and rubbed her eyes. She was tired and was ready to retire for the night but the heavy rain outside took too long to stop forSu Ling to drive safely.


    "Well, good for him. But he can''t possibly expect you to help him every time," hemented, a deep frown etched on his face.


    "Don''t be silly, Zichen. I''ll help if it''s needed. You can''t ignore a patient when you know they need help." Li Chuntao groaned and closed her eyes.


    Although Shen Zichen didn''t like her being friendly with another man, he supposed Chuntao being with Qin Linfeng was better than her being with Mu Jianyu. Just the thought of that man was enough to irritate him. It also didn''t help that his woman was about to move in Mu Jianyu''s ce.


    "Chuntao, do you really have to move in with him?" He scowled at the thought that she would be left alone with Mu Jianyu. What if the man tried to take advantage of her?


    Li Chuntao sighed and peered at his face. He was already in his pajamas. He must have been waiting for her toe home before he went to bed.


    For once, Li Chuntao couldn''t help but feel moved by his efforts. For a long time, she''d alwayse home to an empty house, knowing no one was waiting for her back home.


    "I thought we already talked about this?" She stood up and dragged herself to her bedroom and removed her coat. Shen Zichen followed and closed the door behind him. He watched as Li Chuntao sat in front of her vanity and removed her earrings, watching him from the reflection of the mirror.


    "I can''t help but be worried." He admitted his concern. He sat on the edge of her bed and continued to watch her wipe away the light makeup from her face.


    "And I promise you that I will break him within three months," she countered.


    Shen Zichen only agreed with her n to stay with Mu Jianyu with an ultimatum. She can''t stay longer than the three months they had agreed on. After three months, she should move out and live with him, far from Mu Jianyu''s prying eyes.


    Li Chuntao''s lips curled into a slight smile seeing his scowling face in her mirror. Ever since they started their affair that fateful night, Shen Zichen had started to be overprotective of her. He started talking to Su Ling, always asking her bodyguard about her welfare whenever he wasn''t around to check on her.


    "You are worrying too much. Are you forgetting I''ll bring someone with me to his ce. We can''t possibly be alone when she''s around."


    Upon Li Yuren''s insistence, Li Chuntao would bring a female bodyguard with her, disguised as a maid to keep her safe, much to Shen Zichen''s relief.


    "I know, but still¡­"


    Li Chuntao turned around to face him, giving him a pointed look.


    "I''ll be fine. Just trust me on this." She insisted.


    Shen Zichen wanted to argue that it wasn''t her that he didn''t trust, it was that treacherous Mu Jianyu, but he supposed it can''t be helped. She''d nned this even before they started their affair. He could only hope that nothing bad will happen to her during her stay with that bastard.


    How could he remain angry at her when she was looking at him like that? These were the rare moments that he couldn''t help but me himself for being too soft on her. He couldn''t say no to any of her wishes and now it was biting him back hard in the ass.


    Seeing that he was finally dropping the issue, Li Chuntao left him on her bed and took a quick shower before retiring for the night. However, when she came back after showering and changing into a pair of pajamas, she found him still sitting on her bed deep in his thoughts.


    "What is it now?" She asked, bringing him back to his senses. Shen Zichen stood up and looked at her.


    Li Chuntao sat at the center of her bed and using a clean towel, started drying her hair. However, because her hair was too long, a few of her locks were slipping out from it.


    It was Shen Zichen''s turn to chuckle at her silliness. He climbed up on her bed and asked for the towel in her hand before she hurt her own scalp from rubbing it too hard.


    He simply couldn''t bear watching her destroy her beautiful hair like this. Didn''t she know that aside from her sweet lips, her eyes and her long hair were his favorites?


    "Let me do it instead. Your scalp and head will hurt if you keep rubbing it like that." He told her.


    Li Chuntao stopped her attempts and scrutinized him for a moment before begrudgingly passed the towel from her hands.


    "Fine," she scoffed and let him do as he wished. Not that she couldin receiving his help. These were the rare times she enjoyed getting his attention.


    Shen Zichen then carefully started drying her hair. He was able to dry it without encountering a problem and even gave her a light head massage she enjoyed. Her eyes started to droop because of it.


    Once he was done, Li Chuntao didn''t wait for him and settled on the bed without him. She turned off the lights from hermp shade and decided to retire for the night. It didn''t take long for Shen Zichen to follow her lead. He settled next to her, pulling her body towards him.


    For tonight and even the next ones, he would make sure that she will only be his.

 Chapter 127 - My Sister… Have You Met Her? (1)

    There was an awkward silence the moment Li Chuntao entered Mu Jianyu''s apartment, the very same one he shared with Ying. Looking around, Li Chuntao wasn''t surprised by the elegant taste of the interior design which she assumed was her twin sister''s work.


    Everything around her painfully reminded her of Ying and why she was here pretending to be her. To live as Ying, to lure out the person responsible for her death, Li Chuntao had to cast aside her life for her twin sister''s sake.


    A huge wedding portrait hung in the living area, catching the eyes of anyone who visited the ce. In it, they seemed like a happy couple, ready to start a new chapter of their life. It would have been their 5th year of marriage if not for the ''pending'' divorce and Ying''s death.


    "Ying?" Mu Jianyu''s voice reached Li Chuntao''s ears. She''d been standing in front of the portrait for a while now. "What is it? Did you recall anything?"


    It would be nice if she started remembering some of their happy memories. He barely made any progress in getting on her good graces and he was hoping she woulde back to him eventually.


    It took Li Chuntao several seconds before she broke in her trance. She might be missing Ying too much because she couldn''t look away from her sister''s smiling face. She couldn''t even remember when was thest time she saw Ying smile.


    "Nothing," she responded. "I just think we looked happy before."


    Of course, she knew Ying was really happy that day. In Li Chuntao''s opinion, Ying was the most beautiful bride she''d seen in her life, coupled with her wide smile on her wedding day, Li Chuntao prayed in her heart that Ying would always be this happy but who would have thought that this bastard would crush her hopes?


    "We were," Mu Jianyu admitted too easily which Li Chuntao took advantage of.


    "We were?" She blinked curiously. "Does that mean we were really not on good terms before my ident?"


    ''Ah, Mu Jianyu. How could you be this stupid?''


    Mu Jianyu wanted to smack himself for being stupid. Ying had juste home after weeks of trying to convince her to move back in with him. Why the hell was he giving her a reason to suspect his extramarital affair.


    "It''s normal for married couples to argue once in a while, Ying, but we were trying our best to work things out,"


    "Ahh," Li Chuntao nodded but didn''t say anything, a reaction that Mu Jianyu had been forced to endure since he discovered about her memory loss. His wife was rarely this silent whenever she was in hispany.


    In his memory, Ying was a cheerful and kind woman who could always lighten the mood and brighten someone''s day with her warm smile. Mu Jianyu wasn''t used to this indifferent treatment he was receiving from Ying right now.


    Had Li Xiuying always been like this before she met him? He had no idea and he couldn''t exactly me her. Ying must be having a hard time convincing herself to ept the reality that she was married, but not with Shen Zichen.


    A woman came with her today, iming to be her personal maid that will look after her needs from now on. Mu Jianyu wasn''t pleased that the Li family wasn''t making it easy for him to mend his rtionship with Ying.


    It was pretty obvious that this woman wasn''t just a simple maid that the Li family nted her in his own home. He would need to be careful around her and Ying from now on.


    Li Chuntao continued to look around. The books, artworks, and photos her twin had left behind were on disy. Mu Jianyu''s house felt like a shoebox to herpared to her huge apartment overseas and to her penthouse, but she supposed this ce wasrge enough for the two of them.


    As if sensing her thoughts, Mu Jianyu couldn''t help butment. It wasn''t lost to him how Ying squinted her eyes whenever she looked at something that got her attention.


    "I know it''s not as big and luxurious as your ce but we''ve been living here together for years,"


    Li Chuntao stopped when she reached the bookshelf in the living area. A photo frame caught her attention and picked it up. It was a photo of her and Ying during their eighteenth birthday. Both were wearing two identical evening dresses, the only thing differentiating them was the colors they were wearing.


    Ying was wearing a pristine white dress with a long tailback while Chuntao was the pitch-ck version.


    "My sister¡­ have you met her?" Li Chuntao was suddenly curious as to how Mu Jianyu perceives her as Ying''s twin sister.


    "Your sister Chuntao?" Mu Jianyu wasn''t expecting that Ying would ask him about her sister. "Honestly, I''ve only met her once, and that was during our wedding. I remember she specifically dyed her hair so people wouldn''t be confused about who''s who between the two of you."


    Li Chuntao hummed and nodded. What he said was true. After moving overseas, she only came back to attend Ying''s wedding and was forced to be reconnected with Shen Zichen after two years of not having anymunication between them.


    For those two years, Li Xiuying was the only one who had direct contact with her. Even Li Yuren and Zheng Yue weren''t able to reach her. She didn''t think she would be able to tell them her grievances and pain during those two years of absence and she was sorry for making them worry for too long.


    "So you don''t know what she''s like?" She raised a brow at Mu Jianyu. She was reminded of how Qin Linfeng was aware of her existence and was able to recognize her while Mu Jianyu couldn''t.


    Mu Jianyu shrugged and buried his hands in his pocket. He never got a chance to be familiar with his wife''s twin sister after all. The woman he''d met years ago shared his wife''s face but the first impression he had of Li Chuntao was like a ticking bomb that he had no idea how to deal with.


    Li Chuntao''s impassive face reminded him of Li Yuren''s indifference. It wasn''t like she was looking down on him, it was more like she was trying to see past his mask. It made him ufortable and wary of his sister-inw, that is why he never bothered to get familiar with Li Chuntao.


    "Is that so? My sister¡­ She''s my twin, so she is obviously the closest person to me. Why did you never try to befriend her?"


    "It''s not that I don''t want to," Mu Jianyu was starting to feel the sweat trickling down his neck as Ying continued to question him. "There was no opportunity for me and your sister to get to know each other," which was true.


    However, he didn''t think he and Li Chuntao would get along well even if she was Ying''s sister. Being with her felt like there was a tigress watching his every move and he didn''t like it one bit.. He didn''t know if it was because the Li family was suspicious of him or Li Chuntao was just overprotective of Ying.

 Chapter 128 - My Sister… Have You Met Her? (2)

    The apartment Mu Jianyu owned had four bedrooms with a nice and spectacr view that oversees the cityscapes. Although Mu Jianyu wasn''t as wealthy as Li Xiuying he was able to sustain both of them and could provide Ying with a good life, better than themon citizens out there.


    Li Chuntao had been living with him for a week with Yu Luo by her side. She had enough reasons to keep herself busy to avoid Mu Jianyu. She liked seeing the man looking frustrated whenever he attempted to get close to her.


    Whether she was busy reading Ying''s personal books, checking the paintings Ying had finished, she always found a reason to decline Mu Jianyu''spany.


    "I''m sorry, Jianyu. I just don''t know how to cope with these sudden changes.." she once told him. "Thest thing I remember is that I was driving with Brother Zichen. Next thing I know, I was in the hospital, being informed I''ve actually forgottenseven years of my life."


    She shook her head and looked at him helplessly like a lost child.


    "Jianyu, I don''t know anymore. You said you are my husband but why does my mind and my heart refuse to ept who you are?"


    Mu Jianyu didn''t know what to say. No matter how many times he exined to her the past events between them, it'' all pointless as she wouldn''t believe him.


    "Then¡­ let me work hard to regain your trust and love," he told her.


    "I expect nothing less, Jianyu," Li Chuntao hid the insidious smile on her face.


    Just how long can he keep up with his lies?


    "Why don''t we take this slow, step by step, and see if we could start everything from scratch? There''s no point in trying to force yourself to remember the memories from the past when we can always make new memories together?" Mu Jianyu suggested.


    It wasn''t actually a bad idea, now that Li Chuntao thought of it. For the first time, this man was talking some sense and not trying to make a fool of himself in front of her.


    "Really? Can we really start anew? What about the past? What if I forgot something really important?" She bombarded him with questions, worriedly, making sure her fear and worries would make him surrender to her act.


    "Ying," Mu Jianyu stepped forward, invading her space. He''d always kept his safe distance from her, to not make her ufortable, buttely, he was having this urge to have her in his arms. He wanted to have her, to kiss her but she wasn''t allowing him to be close enough to touch her especially when Yu Luo was around.


    ---


    The next few days remained the same and every passing day she spent time with Mu Jianyu was torture for Shen Zichen. When the day came that it was time for her to move in to Mu Jianyu''s ce, he never appeared on Li Chuntao''s door again.


    It was stupid to feel enraged and jealous. He knew this, but Shen Zichen still wasn''t pleased with her ns even if it was just a temporary stay. She was his woman for fucking sake. Of course, he wouldn''t be happy with it. For two weeks, he wasn''t able to see her nor visit her and it was testing his patience already.


    Shen Zichen now enjoyed his long shift at work. He thought that it would keep his mind preupied and not think of her, but it was futile. Usually, he would prefer the graveyard shift, it gave him time to think.


    He strolled out to the hospital parking lot, ignoring the light drizzle that fell on his head. He had performed a number of surgeries for the past week and yet at the end of the day, his mind was still full of her.


    Damn it, she had be some sort of an obsession to him and he knew it.


    Her eyes, thoserge, doe-brown eyes which were filled with such coldness and mystery. It was of no use lying to himself when a single look from her could cause him to lose himself in it and never care about anything else. They were suchpelling eyes that made him drawn to her.


    Her fragrant unique scent was already embedded in his mind. Her tresses, so long and silky that it felt right on his fingers. Every time she was near him, he feltplete. He didn''t care about what people think anymore.


    For the life of him, he wasn''t always aware of what was going on in her mind though. She always does what she wanted without exining herself to anyone. How could he even influence her to leave Mu Jianyu?


    It was absurd that he was thinking about her like this right now. When Ying married that excuse of a man, he didn''t feel this kind of rage in his chest. Or maybe his hatred for the man was amplified now because it was his lover who willingly went to him.


    He had two more surgeries left before his shift was up but he needed some air and time to himself. He reflected on their rtionship. Yes, a rtionship where they certainly couldn''t go back to being just friends. Not when he was already aware of his feelings for her.


    Shen Zichen could no longer lie to himself and say that he wasn''t in love with her. Gods, he should have known¡­ he should have realized this earlier. When she suddenly left years ago, the loss he''d felt was indescribable. It was as if someone took a part of him.


    Li Chuntao wasn''t telling him what was happening. He knew there was more to tell but she wasn''t opening up to him. It wasn''t necessary for him to pinpoint what could have changed her. Her past was her business and it wasn''t his right to poke on it.


    But three months were too long for his liking. What could be done to make it faster?


    He forced himself to get his mind back on the issue. He needed to do something to make sure Li Chuntao wouldn''t fall for Mu Jianyu at any rate and he couldn''t wait too long just to see and have her back in his arms.


    A thought crossed in his mind like someone just lit up a bulb, clearing out the thought that had been clouding his mind for weeks. He really liked this idea. How could he not think of this earlier?


    This would not only surprise Li Chuntao, but also piss the hell out of Mu Jianyu.


    He pulled out his phone from hisb coat and dialed Shen Lingqing''s private number. He really needed his little sister''s assistance right now. After three rings, his sister answered his call. He knew she was also still awake at this ungodly hour like him.


    How could she when her mind was clearest when everyone''s asleep?


    "Zi Gege." Her voice sounded like she was preupied with something. "Do you need something?" She asked.


    Not wasting time as always, she knew he needed something from her.


    "Indeed. I would really appreciate it if you can help me with this."


    That surely caught Shen Lingqing''s attention as she leaned back in her seat and tapped her pen on her chin.


    "Then tell me what''s on your mind?"

 Chapter 129 - Secret Place (1)

    "Ying, are you paying attention?"


    Li Chuntao jerked out from her reverie and blinked at Mu Jianyu''s scowling face, who was looking at her strangely. What was he talking about again? Ah, right. He said he was going back to work, but not at the Li Corporation but as the new CEO of Redux Entertainment.


    "But isn''t it better if you work with Li Corporation?" She said as she picked up her tea cup and took a sip. "I''m sure Uncle Yuren wouldn''t mind if you join us,"


    Mu Jianyu shivered at her suggestion and LI Chuntao hid the smile on her cup seeing his reaction. ''Ah, how amusing.'' She thought.


    Now that he''d step down from his position in their family business, he was scouted by Lan Jinyao''s sister to manage Redux Entertainment. As the CEO of thepany, he would be able to push Lin Meirong''s career as a priority even though she was now on a short break because of her pregnancy.


    With her pregnancy progressing, Lin Meirong wasn''t actively working at the moment and had to rely on Mu Jianyu for financial support. There were times when Li Chuntao had overheard the argument of the two over the phone and couldn''t believe how shameless the other woman was to demand more money from him.


    "Ying, you might not know this. I''m not even sure why your family hasn''t told you yet but I already resigned from yourpany." He informed her, looking away as he was reminded of the day when he gave her his resignation letter.


    Li Xiuying''s takeover of the management of Li Corporation allowed thepany to get back on the right track and ced him at a disadvantage. His ever perfect wife, how could he not know how capable she was?


    Before bing his wife, Li Xiuying was a great businesswoman in her field. Something he initially found amazing, but over time her brightness cast a dark shadow over his person.


    Mu Jianyu shook the thought out of his mind. How can he think this way about Ying who epted everything that he was? But every passing day Ying looked at him innocently like this, he couldn''t stop the guilt that was eating him inside.


    Not only did he betray her, but he also conspired to destroy her family.


    "Is that so?" Li Chuntao sighed dejectedly, pretending to lose her appetite over her breakfast.


    "I won''t have to report for work until this weekend so why don''t we go on a date?" Mu Jianyu suggested. Since they were going out in public frequently, his image to the public was starting to improve. Of course, Li Chuntao was also aware of this.


    She hummed in response since she had nothing to do and it wouldn''t hurt her to make him fall madly in love with the ''Ying'' she was portraying.


    "Our first date? What was it like?" She asked as she ced her chin on her hand.


    Mu Jianyu was stunned for a moment before smiling brightly, much to Li Chuntao''s disgust. The man seated across her was good looking and charming. However, even if she hadn''t known about his lies and betrayal towards her twin sister, Li Chuntao would still not see him as a decent man.


    "I brought you to a festival since you said you hadn''t been to one for years."


    Hmm, a festival. That sounded exactly like what Ying would do, unlike Chuntao, who would rather stay at home and do something productive in her spare time. Going out on dates, she did in the past, but it could be counted with her fingers. The only time she''d been intimate with a man was when she was with Shen Zichen.


    The thought of him suddenly makes her cheeks flushed red, remembering their indecent encounters back at her penthouse.


    The sight of her blushing caught Mu Jianyu off-guard. Did she remember something? He mistakenly assumed that she was starting to catch some feelings for him, and he couldn''t help but be thrilled with this development.


    After weeks of trying, he finally saw positive progress from his efforts. He initially thought that with Shen Zichen around, it wouldn''t be easy to win her heart. Oh, how wrong he was; because the person who made Li Chuntao blush wasn''t him but his sworn enemy.


    These days, Mu Jianyu found himself enjoying Li Chuntao''spany more and more, although she was still reserved and rarely responded to his questions. Of course, he did all the talking while Ying kept most of her emotions in check, only asking him a few questions once in a while.


    He became aware that in his spare time, he would sit near her, wherever she was, whether she was outside tending to her nts or painting.


    Sometimes, he also joined her in silence as they each read a book duringzy afternoons. It was as if they were slowly returning to what they were before his affair started before she lost her memories. This was the wife he was ustomed to.


    Today''s lunch and afternoon were spent outside, and just when Li Chuntao thought they were about to go back home, Mu Jianyu took a different turn, obviously not in the direction of his ce.


    Li Chuntao looked at him confused.


    "Jianyu? Why are we going in the opposite direction?" Her tone was filled with concern. Not only was she left alone without Yu Lou, she also had no idea where this man was taking her.


    "We''ll have to visit someone first," was all Mu Jianyu said. He felt her eyes on him for a moment before she sat back in her seat and stared out the window without further questions.


    He knew she was worried, but he wouldn''t let it get the better of him. He knew where they were going and he was hoping Ying would be thrilled seeing the same ce they hadn''t visited for months.


    Half an hourter, they were sitting inside a restaurant with Li Chuntao looking around, confused as to why he brought her here. They were sitting across each other with a small barbeque grill between them.


    The restaurant was small and old. The chairs were lowly butfy and the atmosphere inside wasn''t bad at all. Li Chuntao also couldn''t deny that the aroma of the grilled meat was enough to awaken her appetite.


    When was thest time she had a barbeque? Ah, during herst visit with the Shens.


    "This is our secret ce, Ying," Mu Jianyu said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "I remember you also looked like this when I first brought you here, but I promise, you''ll love their barbeque here just like you did before."


    An older man came to their table to take their orders and as soon as his eyesnded on Li Chuntao, he''d to do double-take to make sure he wasn''t seeing it wrong. His eyes then shifted to Mu Jianyu whom he recognized at once.


    "Miss Ying?" The old man called Li Chuntao. His tone was a little confused as he looked at her face.


    "Y-yes?" Li Chuntao felt ufortable on her seat. Was this old man seeing things he shouldn''t? Had he recognized that she wasn''t Li Xiuying?

 Chapter 130 - Secret Place (2)

    "Ying, this is Uncle Su. He''s the owner of this restaurant. I''ve known him since I was a kid." Mu Jianyu introduced the old man to her but Li Chuntao felt ufortable under the old man''s gaze.


    "Uncle, we''re sorry that we haven''t seen you for months. As you know my wife was involved in a car ident. She forgot some things from the past and I brought her here hoping your delicious barbeque would somehow help her remember." He grinned at the old man.


    The old man''s eyes curled as he smiled widely at Li Chuntao.


    "Oh? That won''t do! Please eat as much as you want, Miss Ying. No wonder I thought you suddenly made a 180 degree change. I know it must be hard for you to believe that this arrogant kid is your husband, but he really is."


    "Hey! Uncle Su! You are supposed to help me charm my wife, not destroy my reputation." Mu Jianyu scoffed and crossed his arms on his chest. Li Chuntao looked at the two astounded.


    "Eat whatever you want, okay?" Uncle Su patted Li Chuntao''s shoulder. "It''s on the house."


    "Uncle Su, you''ve known me for a longer time. Howe you offered Ying to eat for free when you don''t even give me a discount?" Mu Jianyu was ring back at the older man while Uncle Su raised a brow on him.


    "And I also remember you bringing fights into my restaurant when you were younger. You should be grateful I didn''t charge you for the damages you''ve caused." The old man snorted and left the two to go check on the kitchen.


    Li Chuntao was starting to understand how this man was able to win her sister''s heart. Ying wasn''t one who was easily swayed by gifting luxurious items. She was a sentimental person and easily got along with any person.


    "I rarely brought you to five-star restaurants when we were dating. As you know, I wasn''t born with a silver spoon and for everything I have and I want, I need to work hard to earn them. I was ashamed at first. I kept making a fool out of myself whenever I asked you out."


    She was surprised at his confession but remained silent. For someone who had almost everything in her hand, she couldn''t understand why he was telling her these.


    Mu Jianyu smiled awkwardly and looked outside.


    "I know I couldn''t bepared to your other suitors. I get it, you are a princess and I''m just amoner. So when I decided to pursue you, I worked harder than I already did. I had to double my effort to prove that even if I''m not some kind of Young Master from a wealthy family, I could still provide for you and our future children."


    Li Chuntao bit her inner cheek to stop herself berating him. Being with him had really tested her patience and self control.


    ''Then why the fuck did you derail and cause pain on Ying instead?'' She wanted to ask. Li Chuntao could tell from the look in his eyes and tone of his voice that he was telling the truth. That he was truly in love with Ying a few years ago. What changed then?


    "And you did just that, didn''t you? Look at you now. You''re about to be the CEO of Redux Entertainment. That says a lot, right?" She told him instead. From a regr office worker to an executive officer, that was a huge jump in status. Not anyone could easily attain it with pure hard work.


    "I suppose you''re right, but sometimes I wonder if it would be better if we can live outside everyone''s expectations. The pressure of staying within the business circle was really draining me. Every time I got promoted, the lesser time I spent with you."


    Ah, yes. To be drowned by so much workload that you barely had a time for yourself and family. This, Li Chuntao could somehow rte. There were times when she''d thought that twenty four hours a day was still not enough to finish all the tasks and paperwork she had to deal with.


    "Am I boring you? I''m sorry I took you here without telling you first. I thought it''d be a nice surprise"


    For the first time, Li Chuntao didn''t find him annoying at all. If he was always like this during his and Ying''s marriage, she wouldn''t have thought that badly of him. However, this still didn''t change the fact that he was the first one to stab Li Xiuying at the back.


    Before she could speak, Uncle Su came back to their table with arge tray on his hands. Li Chuntao''s eyes widened at the amount of dishes served to them. He then proceeded to serve the small bowls of side dishes over their table and passed the long te with meat to Mu Jianyu.


    "Miss Ying, don''t let Jianyu eat beyond his fill, alright? He might snatch all the barbecue without you noticing it as usual."


    "Hmm.. Uncle Su. Jianyu would have a hard time. He should know by now how much I love barbecues and wouldn''t share it to anyone, even if it is him."


    The old man burst intoughter upon seeing Mu Jianyu''s scowling face. When he left, Mu Jianyu decided to change the topic between them.


    He chuckled and watched her in amusement as she took the tongs from the te and began putting the pork slices onto the grill between them. As soon as the meat hit the grill, the sizzle that followed brought out an aromatic scent that nearly made both of them drool.


    "That smells incredible, Ying," hemented which Li Chuntao easily agreed with.


    "Hmm.. the scent alone is enough to make me drool. I can only imagine what it taste like,"


    "So, you''ve been visiting the orphanage without me recently. Are you enjoying yourself?" He asked, hoping that Ying would somehow tell him about her day like she used to.


    "The kids are really nice. I didn''t think I would get along with them easily considering I have forgotten who they are." Which was true. Li Chuntao wasn''t expecting the children would treat her warmly with a wide smile on their faces but every visit she made, the deeper the connection she built with them.


    "The children will alway love you, Ying. Whether you remember them or not." Mu Jianyu nodded to her.


    "Then¡­ do you think I''ll be a good mother?" Li Chuntao wanted to know his opinion on her twin sister''s pregnancy. She lowered her eyes to hide the glint in it. "Hou Chen¡­ she told me I lost our first child."


    She sounded so sad that made Mu Jianyu froze in his seat and stared with wide eyes at her. He wasn''t sure how much Ying knew or remembered, but this was something he was dreaded to talk about.


    "It''s true. We lost our first baby, but please don''t me yourself." It had been three years since the incident and Ying hadn''t conceived since then. Was there something wrong with her or it was him all along?


    It was already past nine in the evening when the two decided to call it a night.. However, as soon as they reached the floor where Mu Jianyu''s apartment was situated, they saw a familiar person in the hallway, shocking not only Mu Jianyu but Li Chuntao herself.

 Chapter 131 - Missing My Wifey (1)

    It was Mu Jianyu who first broke from the trance and uttered the man''s name with disgust. What the hell was he doing here?


    "Shen Zichen," he said with irritation.


    It only then did Li Chuntao realize that she wasn''t seeing things. Shen Zichen, her lover whom she hadn''t seen and talked to for two full weeks was standing right outside Mu Jianyu''s door.


    "Brother Zichen¡­"


    Seeing him tonight made her heart skip a beat. She hadn''t realized how much she''d been missing him until he showed up in front of her, and as usual, unannounced.


    Li Chuntao knew that he didn''t like this idea of hers, but it was toote for her to stop her ns. For thest few days, she''d been mulling on how she should talk to him. She''d been used to being with him and it felt like she hadn''t heard from him in forever.


    "Yow!" Shen Zichen said in a greeting and lifted his right hand while his other hand was buried in his pocket. He was wearing a navy blue dress shirt and caramel-colored pants, paired with t ck shoes.


    Li Chuntao raised a brow at him.


    ''Yow, your face. What the hell are you doing here? What are you up to?'' She tried to convey her thoughts through her stare but Mu Jianyu beat her to it.


    "What are you doing here?" He didn''t like to see Shen Zichen near his wife. Any other husband surely wouldn''t want another man hanging out with their wife, especially when the said man had confessed his feeling to the said wife.


    "Ah, I''m here to check the apartment I just purchased. I''ll be your new neighbor from now on." Shen Zichen said nonchntly which surprised Mu Jianyu and Li Chuntao at the same time.


    Li Chuntao initially thought that he was brooding over her decision to move in with Mu Jianyu, but she should have known that this man would go the extra mile when he decided on something.


    "Oh," they said in unison. Neither of them knows how to react to the fact that Shen Zichen would be living next door to them.


    Li Chuntao invited Shen Zichen inside Mu Jianyu''s apartment, much to his displeasure. He didn''t understand why both of them were acting as if Shen Zichen''s confession never happened.


    As soon as Shen Zichen stepped inside, his eyes scanned the entire area because he''d only been here once while Li Xiuying was still alive.


    "Ying, how are you adapting to this house? No problem so far?" He asked Li Chuntao who was busy pouring him a cup of tea as Mu Jianyu sat across them.


    "Brother Zichen is worrying too much. I''m doing quite good here. Jianyu has been treating me well all this time," she said tly, ignoring the way Shen Zichen''s eyes sharpened at her.


    "That''s good. At least Aunt Yue wouldn''t need to worry now,"


    "My Aunt Yue?" Li Chuntao ced the kettle down and sat down beside Mu Jianyu, much to Shen Zichen''s irritation. She should be sitting beside him, not that bastard!


    "Yeah. She''d been calling me for days to pay you a visit since she couldn''t with her hectic schedule."


    "Ah, yes. She called me the other night and kept reminding Yu Lou never to forget my meals on time." Li Chuntao nodded and took a side nce at her brother-inw.


    It was clear that the Li family still couldn''t ept Mu Jianyu into their family. Why would they approve of him after all the things he''d done to Li Xiuying.


    Mu Jianyu was still troubled over this. There was no assurance that even if he regained Li Xiuying''s heart the Li family wouldn''te after him. He was actually surprised that they allowed Ying to move in with him without causing any problem.


    ¡ª-


    Li Chuntao was the one to see Shen Zichen out. As soon as they were out of everyone''s sight, Shen Zichen snatched Li Chuntao''s hand and tightly gripped it with his hand.


    She looked up to him this time with amusement in her eyes. It seemed that she wasn''t the only one missing each other''spany.


    "To think that you decided to move in next door to stalk me? I shouldmend you, Brother Zichen,"


    "There''s nothing wrong with stalking my wife," he retorted nonchntly.


    The blush that spread on Li Chuntao''s face was instantaneous that Shen Zichen had a hard time stopping himself from chuckling.


    "Wife? Don''t spout such nonsense, Shen Zichen," she chided him. It was a good thing that the hallway to the elevator was dim-lit so no one can see her blush.


    Shen Zichen pulled her hand and she found herself pinned on the wall near the elevator. She held her breath as his face dangerously hovered hers. Her eyes fixated on his lips, itching to feel it against hers.


    She''d been too long without him and having him around this time made Li Chuntao feel restless.


    "Nonsense? Don''t tell me you want to be Mu Jianyu''s wife this time?" His voice was so low and dangerous as he looked down on her.


    "Don''t be stupid. I''ll never wish to be his wife." She snorted and turned her head sideways, revealing her pale neck to his prying eyes.


    His hand reached up and cupped the side of her face, forcing her to look up at him, face to face. What she saw was desire and longing in his eyes. Something she''d never seen from him before.


    What changed? Was she really the reason he was acting like this right now? When he looked at her face, she always wondered whom he was seeing. Was it Ying whom he imed to have loved before, or was it her, Li Chuntao, who only recently became his lover?


    "You''re so cruel to me, Chuntao. Not even a single text or call for the past two weeks? What am I to you then? Am I not your lover? Are you not mine?" Shen Zichen questioned her.


    His lips descended and gently kissed her forehead, her brow, down to her cheek, pausing for a moment to look at her pair of brown eyes that he could never tired of seeing before he melded their lips together.


    Li Chuntao''s hands lifted up and held both sides of his face as she returned his kiss with the same intensity he had given her. She ced all the love and longing she''d been keeping deep inside her heart into her kiss. She admitted, only to herself, that she missed him terribly.


    How can he doubt her when it has always been him? When no matter how many times she tried to bury these feelings she had for him, and no matter how many times she tried to forget, she always found herself thinking of him?


    This aching emptiness inside of her, Li Chuntao thought that she was already used to it and when he dered that she would be his, her mind wanted to protest, but her heart cried out, refusing to be binded by the shackles anymore. She wanted him. She''d always loved him.


    He might only be seeking her for sexual pleasures and nothing else. They were having an affair, he said. Yes, they were having an affair while she was pretending to be Ying, the woman he loved, not her.


    This was ridiculous, her mind said. This was insanity, her heart agreed.


    When they both parted from each other, they were both gasping for breath.


    "I''ll see you tomorrow morning." Shen Zichen gave her a peck on her lips before stepping into the elevator to leave.

 Chapter 132 - R18+ Missing My Wifey (2)

    However, the next day, Shen Zichen didn''t show up as promised. He only sent her a short text message informing her of the sudden change of ns on his schedule. An emergency surgery was needed and he was being called to oversee the operation.


    Li Chuntao shook her head and continued her daily tasks, putting aside how she could utilize Shen Zichen''s sudden move to torment Mu Jianyu. Ah, her lover would be living just next door. How would he be able to ignore it?


    Three dayster and it was already Monday. With Mu Jianyu returning at work, Li Chuntao was left in his apartment with Yu Luo, who was now busy installing cameras secretly.


    It was past ten in the morning and Li Chuntao''s attention was glued on one of the short stories her twin sister had written years ago. In her spare time, Li Xiuying didn''t only take up painting as a hobby, she was also a decent author of storybooks for children and asionally wrote books for young adults under a pseudonym.


    She had just flipped another page of the book when she received a message from Shen Zichen. Picking it up to read his messages, her brows shot up hitting her fringe.


    "Moving in today. Missing my wifey. Where''s my wee home greeting?" He said.


    Li Chuntao rolled her eyes, stood up from the floor, and informed Yu Luo where she was going. As soon as she stepped outside, her eyes were greeted by busy movers bringing different types of furniture into the apartment unit next to Mu Jianyu''s.


    "Please be careful not to break those flower pots." Shen Zichen''s voice reached her ears and she saw him standing behind his door, holding Chun Chun in his arms, petting her head.


    "Ah, Miss Li." He greeted her politely as if they were not acquainted with each other. He was wearing casual attire while she was wearing Ying''s home clothes. "Good morning. I''ll be your new neighbor. Please be good to me."


    Li Chuntao didn''t miss the subtle teasing on his voice.


    "Doctor Shen," she gave her a curt nod and stepped aside to give way to the movers carrying Shen Zichen''s household furniture.


    "Please Miss Li, join me inside and help me decorate my ce. I''m pretty sure your suggestions will help me to finish the task sooner." Shen Zichen led her inside his apartment unit and she wasn''t surprised at how bigger it waspared to Mu Jianyu''s unit.


    While it should be considered that the twenty-second floor of the apartment building was considered as one of the prime spots, the units were differentiated by each of its sizes and amenities.


    The inside of Shen Zichen''s unit was humongous, and Chun Chun instantly liked the vast space where she could y around without knocking into his ornaments. It also had a huge kitchen with several counter spaces for him to use. Li Chuntao knew that he was a good cook considering he had a popr chef and restaurateur as his mother.


    The bedroom was a decent size and a dresser was already installed inside next to the attached bathroom. The air conditioner and the new stove were already installed, so Shen Zichen only had to decorate his ce with the few things he brought with him.


    "So how did you manage to get this ce? I thought it was upied a few weeks ago?" Li Chuntao voiced her curiosity.


    "Qingqing helped me with it. The old tenants were nning to move away anyway, so they willingly epted the offer she presented."


    Li Chuntao wanted to berate herself. Of course, the Shen family had always been in the real estate business. They expanded into restaurant chains when his mother married into the family.


    It didn''t take too long before the movers finally finished everything, leaving several boxes in the living area for Shen Zichen to organizeter. After paying the movers, he left Chun Chun in the living area and brought up the box marked with kitchen tools from the pile.


    Li Chuntao followed him to the kitchen and helped him sort out the silverware while he put away the pots and pans in the drawers and cabs. She was wiping the spoons dry after washing them at the sink when she felt him behind her.


    "He''s not home?" He asked, pertaining to Mu Jianyu.


    "He''s at work," she responded. And faced him.


    "Ah.. then that''s good. I can have you all to myself today,"He leaned down his head and whispered against her lips.


    Li Chuntao closed her eyes and hummed, before feeling his lips pressed against hers. It was slow and soft at first, before she opened her mouth wider, sliding her tongue into his mouth, coaxing him to deepen their kiss, to which he easilyplied.


    She pulled out from him when she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. Shen Zichen released her and continued what he was doing before their kiss. Li Chuntao checked her phone only to see Mu Jianyu''s message reminding her not to skip lunch.


    "Speaking of the devil," she muttered to herself but was enough for Shen Zichen to hear. She decided to finish drying the silverware and ignored Mu Jianyu''s message. Let him wait. Wasn''t this what he''d done to Ying when he wasted his time with Lin Meirong?


    For the second time, she felt Shen Zichen''s presence behind her, with his hands now at the hem of her shirt, they then slipped underneath it to feel her skin and unsp the hooks in front of her bra with slight difficulty.


    "Zichen¡­" Her voice came out as a whisper. Her breath became shaky with need as she tried to fight the mewls that were threatening to leave her lips and he thumbed her nipples and started to knead her breasts beneath her shirt.


    Li Chuntao leaned back against him and bent her neck to the side allowing him to lean down to pepper light kisses on her neck and shoulder. He should be careful not to leave a mark on her exposed skin. It was too early for Mu Jianyu to be suspicious about their affair.


    His hands moved smoothly over her breast this time. Rubbing and molding her soft globes in his rough hands, eliciting a low moan from his lover. Sighing his name, Li Chuntao felt his growing erection pressed against her backside while his fingers took a liking to teasing her erect nipples.


    "Chuntao, you''ve already denied me for so long." Shen Zichen''s voice came with a hoarse. It had been over a month since the first time they became intimate with each other and they weren''t able to do the deed, even though Shen Zichen was prepared for it.


    The condoms he bought sat there in his nightstand and he felt being ridiculous for thinking of buying them. He might have bought every brand and style that even came in different sizes and bought lubricants just to make sure nothing would ruin his chance to be with Chuntao on their next encounter.


    However, he didn''t expect that whenever he tried being intimate with her, there was always a kind of disturbance that happened midway, stopping the two of them.


    Li Chuntao let out a low chuckle and released herself from his hold.


    "Doctor Shen, I suggest you lock the door and turn off your phone.. Because today, I''m not sharing you with anyone," she whispered seductively in his ear.

 Chapter 133 - R18+ Honey, Im Home (1)

    Shen Zichen didn''t waste any second and did exactly what Li Chuntao told him to. He needed to make sure that no one would be able to stop him now, as he made love to her. There was no stopping them this time. He would make sure of that.


    However, when he came back to the kitchen where he left his lover, Li Chuntao was nowhere in sight. He looked around his new home, his blood rushing in his veins as he hunted for his prey.


    Since she wasn''t in the kitchen nor in the living area, he could only assume that she was hiding in his bedroom. Shen Zichen smirked and strode towards his bedroom and turned the doorknob to open it. As expected, she was already inside his room, but he was surprised to see her sitting at the center of his bed without a stitch on.


    His eyes swept over her bare form and he found her ample. Not fat, but not too thin either. She had wide hips and breasts that were a littlerge for her frame. His hand reached up and held her slender waist and posterior. She''s so soft and voluptuous.


    Li Chuntao had shed her own clothes while waiting for him earlier. She was in far too much of a hurry and nervous at the same time. She hadn''t done this thing for a long time and wondered if she would be able to please him despite herck of experience.


    Shen Zichen was in a daze, seeing her like this. He dragged his feet towards the edge of the bed and saw her kneel and started to unbutton his dress shirt. She helped with his shirt, his belt and pants but left his socks for him to remove. Her fingers then hooked at the waistband of his boxers and pulled it down, freeing his straining arousal from its confinement.


    "Chuntao¡­" Shen Zichen hissed her name, his hand buried in her thick mane when her hands reached for her engorged member, which shot straight out towards her face the moment she freed it.


    She ran her hand up and down his shaft and heard him again. She was amazed at how his velvet soft skin seemed to glide over a pulsing iron rod beneath it.


    Her hand stroke a few more times, her eyes lifting up to see his reaction. Shen Zichen had closed his eyes, a slight blush on his face as she continued to pleasure him. She could feel herself leaking, an indescribable ache to be filled to the hilt by him made her lose her senses.


    Without another thought, Li Chuntao ced her lips over his tip and gave it a light suck. He groaned and shoved his hips forward slightly. She wanted nothing more but to please him right now, by giving him the pleasures they both had long denied themselves.


    She moved her head earnestly, quickly over his shaft while moving her tongue to press the underside of it and sucking harder every time she pulled back.


    Shen Zichen was having a hard time holding back, not wanting to explode in her mouth. If he let her continue this sweet and delectable torture, he was going toe even before he could sheath himself in her. He needed to stop her or it might take some time before he recovers.


    "Chuntao, no more¡­" he said breathlessly and looked down as Li Chuntao released his manhood from her wet mouth that sent shivers down his spine. "No more, or I''ll finish too soon. Lie on your back,"


    Li Chuntao released him almost disappointedly andid on his bed. She ignored the fact that there were boxes filled with his possessions. She was momentarily surprised when he kissed her without a word. She had no time to think as Shen Zichen didn''t give her time to do so.


    He earned an exquisite moan from her as he plunged his tongue into her mouth. He knew he wasn''t much of a romantic and could only express his feelings and love through this. He had abstained for too long, deluding himself that the feelings he had for Ying were what he truly felt until Li Chuntao left him¡­ left him with a gaping hole in his chest.


    No wonder Ying had told him he was looking at the wrong person, that the love he was trying to give to her belonged to someone else.


    To realize that he almost lost Li Chuntao, brought disappointment to himself. However, now that he had her, it filled him with an unfamiliar sensation and contentment. He was never letting her go this time around.


    Li Chuntao touched his tongue with hers, her dainty hands roamed over his chest down to his stomach before inching towards his back to pull him closer. They were in his dim bedroom, with only the blinds obstructing the daylight from lighting up the whole room.


    She felt a slight tingling sensation from her neck and little by little it spread throughout her body, making each of her nerves light with desire. His warm hands continued to roam over her naked body, teasing her, groping her until they parted her slender and shapely legs with ease, allowing him to settle in between.


    The burning hotness of his manhood pushed between her tender flesh, teasing her pleasure bud with it. His light kisses rained upon her bare, smooth skin, igniting the sensation throughout her body. They trailed from her brows, down to the side of her lips before sliding down to her delicate throat and corbone until it reached her perky breasts.


    Under the ministration of her lover, Li Chuntao felt her body started to have a thinyer of sweat, but in a good way, while her cheeks seemed to have a permanent blush on it as Shen Zichen continued to tease her body.


    His warm hands went back to her snowy white mounds with pinkish tips that Shen Zichen liked to tease and kneaded it with a wanton desire that surged through him. Bending over, he took one bud into his mouth and gently nibbled and sucked on it, eliciting a deep moan from the woman beneath him. He pulled up as his hand ran down her slender waist to grope her velvety, round buttocks.


    Looking down at her, Shen Zichen thought that she was lovelier than ever. Pinned beneath him, he wanted to be the only one to see her like this, to give her the pleasure that no other man would be able to give her.


    Li Chuntao''s face burned as he looked at her. She felt an ignited me of desire consumed not only her, but him as well. She immediately closed her eyes in embarrassment. Perhaps it was because for so long, she had tried to suppress the feelings she had for him, and to do so felt natural even now.


    For so long she was afraid¡­. So afraid that if he found out about her secrets, he would be angry, disgusted but most of all, she was afraid to see him turn his back on her. This was her greatest fear and for this reason, she allowed him to seek Ying even if it kills her inside.


    Shen Zichen swallowed the invisible lump in his throat as the heat on his well-build body intensified with the need for her.. He sought the delicate, warm wetness between her legs, and his hand was smeared with the sweet nectar it secreted.

 Chapter 134 - R18+ Honey, Im Home (2)

    Shen Zichen pulled his hand back and shifted himself over her form while she instinctively spread her legs wider to allow him to settlefortably. He could feel the warm wetness of her delicate bloom and grinded against her. The sweet friction escting their desire for one another.


    Within minutes, the two were lost in each other''s embrace as they kissed each other while his hips continued to grind against her while she tilted her hips up to give him more room to move over her.


    The sensations prickling along his shaft was quickly building, driving Shen Zichen insane. He was incredibly hard and he can feel the pre-cum already leaking from the tip of his fully engorged member. He had to stop grinding against the soft seams of her womanhood or he will release before he ever gets near being inside of her.


    Sliding his body down, moving his hips far from her torturous warmth, he brought himself down to her chest and took one nipple, which made her arch her back, pushing her body towards him which he took as a silent invasion to his heart.


    His hands came up and epassed the soft globes together before going back and forth to tease her erect pink peaks, noticing how Li Chuntao squirmed and moaned, responding to his doings.


    Li Chuntao was making delightful noises that satisfied him. Finally, after a long moment, he decided to continue onward and slid further down her body. He couldn''t wait to get a taste of her. His tongue gently licked her bare midsection while his hands continued to stroke her smooth legs up and down.


    Reaching down, he brought his arms down to grip each of her thighs and hung them over his shoulders as he lowered himself on the sheets. When he''d positioned himselffortably, Shen Zichen brought up his thumbs to spread herher lips, allowing him to see her sex in full view.


    ''Mine,'' he told himself. ''Only mine,''


    He wanted her to desire him, to want him as well. For such a long time, he didn''t realize that he was aching for her. Yes, he wanted her back on his side and to be emotionally open with him. His mind was clear now, he wanted to be with no one else but her. Only her.


    He wished for no other woman to stand beside him, to know his secrets and thoughts, to touch him, other thanLi Chuntao. This time, he would make sure she won''t find a reason to run away.


    Now, at this moment as her scent and voice reached his ears, whispering his name with delight, Shen Zichen could hardly contain himself. He gently sucked the tiny pink bud that was glistening in the apex of her wet sex while exploring her opening with his tongue in between.


    The action was enough to stimte Li Chuntao, as her wetness started to seep out and coated his mouth with it. His tongue came out andp at her a few more times before he pushed in with more force, blindly searching for the spot that would make her cry out from pleasure.


    His efforts were rewarded when he felt a warm gush of liquid flowing into his lips while Li Chuntao started to trash in his hold, her hands reaching down to hold his head in ce while her legs began to shake as he had his way with her most intimate area.


    "Ahh~" Li Chuntao couldn''t stop the moan emitting from her throat as she panted harshly from his pleasuring doings.


    Gods! How badly he needed to be inside of her! He didn''t think he could wait any longer but he also knew he needed to prepare her further for his imminent intrusion. He retracted his tongue and reced it with a single finger, teasing her, curling it inside while resuming his sucking on her pink bud.


    It was getting too much for Li Chuntao to handle, she just reached her orgasm and now the tightening on her lower abdomen started to build up again with his teasing. As he continued to pump and lick her, she couldn''t stop herself from crying out in bliss.


    "Ahh.. ah¡­ please¡­ I need more¡­ more.."


    She could feel herself so close and Shen Zichen had to close his eyes, trying to hide his reaction from her not so innocent pleadings. As he added another finger, pressing it to her sweet spot doubling his efforts to please his lover, Li Chuntao arched her back on his bed and cried out for her next release.


    Her inner muscles started to contract and ripple around his fingers, squeezing it, sucking it as her warm and musky love essence overflowed and spilt onto his hand. Shen Zichen could only imagine what it would feel like if it was his member being sucked and milked to dry by her warm opening. Just the thought of it almost drove him to the edge.


    Shen Zichen cursed himself and released Li Chuntao''s thighs. In a blur, he was on top of her, his slim hips between her shapely thighs with the tip of his engorged member already pressed against her opening. Li Chuntao was justing back to her senses when she felt him move over her.


    In the next second, Shen Zichen eased himself into the entrance of her delicate bloom. His hands pressing down her hips and thrusted into her in one go.


    "Ah¡­" Li Chuntao cried out, not expecting him to thrust within her without a warning. It hurt and she felt her lower belly clench down due to the intrusion that came inside her body, but she didn''t make any attempt to stop him nor to push him away.


    Her eyes stared at the man who had just imed her. His handsome face came into the view as it was barely inches away from her face. He was looking at her with eyes filled with desire andplex emotions Li Chuntao couldn''t name.


    "Chuntao, I¡­ I''m sorry," came Shen Zichen''s apology as he realized how soon he sheathed himself into her without taking the condoms he prepared on his nightstand.


    Li Chuntao''s lips formed a smile, her hand reaching up to touch his face.


    "It''s alright. I''ve already considered that this might happen. I got a shot that''s good for twelve weeks." She smirked at him.


    Shen Zichen went still for a while before he smiled back. So she got herself a contraceptive injection. He knew she wouldn''t gamble when she was at a disadvantage.


    Li Chuntao squirmed beneath him, trying to get into afortable position but it made Shen Zichen lose his mind as her tender inner muscles squeezed around him delightfully. It convulsed and clung around his straining member coating it with her warm essence inside. It was the most exquisite pleasure he had experienced in his whole life.


    "Chuntao¡­" he was struggling to keep himself still on top of her, fearing that he might hurt her more than he already did. He didn''t want to be too rough on her during their first time.


    Li Chuntao braced herself by cing both of her hands around his back and clung on to hisrger form. Her fingers touched his spine and Shen Zichen jolted from the pleasure, his manhood swelled even more inside of her making her feel fuller and tighter around him.


    "Love me," she told him, "make love to me like you never had in your life,"

 Chapter 135 - R18+ Honey, Im Home (3)

    Shen Zichen recovered himself in no time and held her slender waist before thrusting forward, burying himselfpletely down the hilt. He prated her so deep that she could feel the head of his arousal touching the mouth of her womb.


    "Ahh¡­ En~" Li Chuntao moaned deeply, felt a spark of pleasure through her, and moved her hips slightly causing Shen Zichen to hiss at the sweet friction between them, allowing her body to adjust to amodate him and his length. She felt so stretched and full in a good way.


    "Ahh! Chuntao! Your¡ªngh~" Shen Zichen bit the inside of his cheek in an attempt to distract himself and to keep himself from cumming right then and there. He felt his arousal swell even tighter as he looked down at the ravishing beauty beneath him.


    Li Chuntao had be more beautiful over the yearspared to thest time he''d seen her at Ying''s wedding. Toned muscles, t stomach, long legs, and full breasts that no man could easily ignore, and he had her¡­ she was his.


    "From now on, Chuntao¡­ you are only mine. Mine."


    She closed her eyes and nodded. Li Chuntao didn''t want him to see her breaking down. She''d delude herself to ept his words for now. She''d believe that she was what he needed. She let herself enjoy the immense pleasurable feeling he was giving to her.


    Once she feltfortable, Shen Zichen started thrusting in and out teasingly causing her to whine for him. Eager to please her even more, he moved into her a little faster. He kissed her fervently as he impaled himself on her over and over.


    "Zichen!" Li Chuntao parted from his lips, screamed his name in bliss, digging her blunt fingernails into his shoulder. She felt incredible and she loved how he filled her well. She suddenly thought that this time it was better than thest intimate encounter she had with him.


    Shen Zichen stopped peppering her face with kisses and buried his face into her neck, trying to suppress his own moans. His hands slid down and held onto her thighs, thrusting deeper inside of her.


    The view of her wildly bouncing breasts as he thrusts, her tousled hair, hands gripping, wing on his broad back¡­ Shen Zichen only wanted her to look like this just for him and only for him.


    His cock pounding her so loudly with each thrust. Her sweet nectar spilled every time he pulled out.


    His one hand grabbed her breasts while the other one was taken back into his mouth as he continued to thrust in and out of her.


    Li Chuntao couldn''t feel and say anything else but him and his name. She could barely form words as he held her thighs apart never stopping to thrust deeper and deeper until she came again, but he kept going on.


    He slightly pulled away, only to see his cock being coated with her essence as he impaled himself back into her.


    ''Fuck this,'' he thought.


    "Hold on to me," he told her and she easilyplied with his demand. He sat up, bringing her with him, causing her to straddle him instead. He continued thrusting into her cores as she pressed her naked body against his.


    "More, Zichen. More¡­," she demanded.


    "As you wish," he growled as he hugged her tighter, starting a rougher round of thrusting into her weing body. With his hands on her waist, he pulled her up and brought her down to his arousal. Her eyes were so dreamy, so unfathomable that Shen Zichen allowed himself to be lost in it.


    "Oh, Zichen. Ohhhh¡­." Li Chuntao threw her head back as she rode his cock blissfully. She wrapped her arms around him as she resounded her gasps of pleasure into his ear while he moved his hips with her, asionally cing gentle kisses on her mouth. Nestled inside her, he couldn''t stop himself anymore.


    She was even wetter now, threatening to force him to his own release. Soon, Li Chuntao''s body started to shake as another powerful orgasm racked her body. Her legs tightened around his waist as her nectar exploded from her delicate bloom and covered his stiff erection with her juices.


    Shen Zichen had brought her to a soaring new height of pleasure she didn''t even know exists. Letting her experience orgasm for the umpteenth time, he pounded her three more times and allowed himself to spill his heavy load inside her waiting womb.


    Li Chuntao felt that her small body was utterly filled by him, and she could no longer think or feel, because everything was about him. She let her head rest on his shoulder as she tried to catch her own breath. She didn''t think doing the deed with Shen Zichen could be as intense as this.


    Shen Zichen rocked her body a few more times until he couldn''t anymore. His hand rubbed her back affectionately as he released his seed in her. He was deeply aware that after today, he wouldn''t want to be parted from her ever again.


    He let himself fall on his bed, dragging Li Chuntao with him, his member still buried inside her. As he withdrew his manhood as gently as he could, he ced light kisses on her face and lips as their ardor cooled slightly. As their sexual high slowly faded, he began to note the strain on his muscles that he failed to notice earlier.


    Li Chuntao could feel their mixed love essence spilling out of her. She let her legs close and wondered how sore she would be after this. As Shen Zichen kissed her face, she gently smiled at his affectionate gestures. She had never known him to be overly affectionate.


    "Chuntao, are you alright?" Shen Zichen asked. He ran his fingers through her hair and looked at her face. He was afraid that she might be in pain because of his roughness.


    "I''m alright. I''m not that delicate, Brother Zichen," she said with a teasing tone.


    "Yeah," he chuckled with her. "I''m sure as hell that you want to take a shower right now."


    She let out a burst ofughter. At least, he was aware of it. She really felt sticky andwas itching to run to his bathroom to take a quick shower.


    When she noticed his prolonged silence, she couldn''t help but question him.


    "Are you regretting it now?" She asked hesitantly. She didn''t think she would be able to take it if he rejected her now. Wasn''t this what men usually do when they got what they wanted? Li Chuntao had heard so many stories of rejection that it made her wary of him.


    His hands stopped ying with her hair and looked at her.


    "On the contrary, I''m grateful that it''s you." He sighed and touched his forehead with hers. She knew him best, aside from his own family. Maybe it did take him long to understand what he felt for her but it was better thante than never. "Why?" He asked back.


    Li Chuntao sighed and stared up at the ceiling above them.


    "Just wondering if we''re doing the right thing?"


    Shen Zichenid on his side and propped his head with one hand as he looked at her.


    "You''re single, I''m free. I don''t see a problem with that." He pointed out. "What matters is we both wanted it. Am I right?"


    Li Chuntao didn''t say anything but kissed him. Yes, she wanted this.. Even if she might regret itter.

 Chapter 136 - R18+ Honey, Im Home (4)

    Two hourster, Li Chuntao found herself sitting on his couch, watching Chun Chun y with a ball on the floor while eating the takeout lunch Shen Zichen ordered for the two of them while she was taking a shower earlier.


    She was d that she took off her own clothes so it wasn''t crumpled when she had sex with Shen Zichen, or else if people saw herter, they might suspect something between them. In the meantime, she borrowed an oversized shirt from him as she waited for her hair to dry.


    He''d refused to let her go after their first time and had only allowed her to leave his bed and wash after their third round.


    Shen Zichen even had the audacity to grin smugly at her when he saw how she struggled to walk on her wobbly legs towards the bathroom as heid on his bed. Her cheeks flushed when she remembered how it felt having him inside of her. Words weren''t enough to describe how happy and content she was when he finally took her as his lover.


    Maybe one day, when the dayes that she could believe that he needed her because he wanted her and not the other way around, she could free herself from the shackles she had set on her own heart.


    "You started eating without me even though I was the one who paid for it?" Shen Zichen''s voice brought her back from her thoughts as he came out from his shower, dressed in his home clothes with a towel in his hand. He was still drying his hair when he strode towards her and sat beside her. "Feed me." He demanded.


    Li Chuntao took one dumpling from her te and shoved it to his mouth. He jerked back and covered his mouth as he realized how hot it was.


    "Chuntao, are you nning to burn my tongue? You could have at least blown it first before feeding it to me." Heined and dropped his towel on hisp.


    "Hmm... that''s because you are eating my share! You took so long to finish your shower, so why would I wait for you?"


    "I told you we could''ve shared the shower to save time but you didn''t want to. Not only could we have saved time, but also water usage." He shrugged and took his own food at the table and started eating on his own.


    Li Chuntao scoffed and shook her head. She''d already guess that he wouldn''t leave her in peace if they showered together. And the hell with water conservation. He was just spouting nonsense to get on her nerves.


    They ate in silence with only Chun Chun''s asional meowing could be heard as she tried to get Shen Zichen''s attention by rubbing her body on his leg. Li Chuntao sharpened her gaze to his cat. Chun Chun surely didn''t know when to leave Shen Zichen alone with her.


    "I heard Mu Jianyu was scouted to be the new CEO of Redux Entertainment. The Xi family must be out of their mind to get someone like him." Shen Zichen broke the silence once he finished his meal. He leaned back and opened the can of juice to drink.


    "They have no other choice anyway. Within their family, there was no one as capable as Xi Yunchuan. When his career and life ended in jail years ago, the fate of the Xi family was also affected by it." Li Chuntao replied as she ced her empty te on the table and sipped from a ss of water.


    It was big news back then. The young master of the Xi family had kidnapped and raped the youngest heiress of the Sun family and he ended up in jail because of Shen Zichen''s mother.


    They were too young when it happened and the Li twins only became aware of that history when they were both studying as an apprentice in basic management under their grandmother''s tutge.


    "But to choose him of all people?" Shen Zichen wasn''t confident of Mu Jianyu''s management skills, considering that the Li Corporation''s growth was almost stunted when he took over the management after he married Li Xiuying.


    "Skill-wise, Mu Jianyu is a decent businessman." Li Chuntao cupped her chin, "He just doesn''t know how to take advantage of hispetitors."


    Shen Zichen looked at her at the corner of his eyes and frowned.


    "Why are you defending him? Shouldn''t you be agreeing with me?"


    She stared at him for a moment before letting out a low chuckle.


    "Oh, please don''t tell me you''re getting jealous because of it,"


    "I''m not jealous but you can''t me me for loathing him. My own wifey is living with him. How can I ept it?" He countered. If he could turn back time, he would''ve punched his face harder that night and beat him beyond recognition, had he known Mu Jianyu would take his lover unknowingly from him.


    Li Chuntao pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. ''Here we go again.'' She thought


    "Young Master Shen, I hate to break this to you but may I remind you that we''ve already agreed to this? Now, you even moved here without asking my opinion first. Do you know how hard it would be for me from now on?"


    "Can''t you see I''m trying to help you?" He groaned. He didn''t like arguing with her over Mu Jianyu, but he couldn''t help being pissed off whenever he saw them together. That night, when he saw her standing next to Mu Jianyu, his hand was itching to pull her to his side and tell Mu Jianyu to fuck off.


    Now that Shen Zichen was practically living just next door, she wouldn''t be surprised if Mu Jianyu started to get some ideas about them. She wasn''t nning to let him be aware of her affair with Shen Zichen yet. But maybe this would make it easier for her, as she wouldn''t have to do anything for Mu Jianyu to naturally loath Shen Zichen more than he already did.


    The more time she spent with Shen Zichen while he wasn''t around, the more Mu Jianyu would be driven with jealousy. Would he confront ''Ying'' about it or will he pretend to be oblivious to what he was seeing?


    A devious smile curled on Li Chuntao''s lips. She couldn''t wait to see Mu Jianyu''s reactionter.


    Seeing her smiling like this, Shen Zichen knew that she was nning something cruel again. This was one of those rare times he liked seeing Li Chuntao with this particr smile. Although it meant misfortune for another person, Shen Zichen found it beguiling.


    His hand reached up and pulled her face towards him. He kissed her lightly, liking the way she was smelling like his shower gel. His scent strongly permeated her and he liked it. Other people might not be able to see the marks he''d left on her body, but Shen Zichen let himself be satisfied knowing a part of him was imprinted on her even if it wouldn''t stay for a long time.


    "We''re never going to finish cleaning and organizing your home at this rate," Li Chuntao said once he released her lips and ced a kiss on her temple instead.


    "Miss Li, all of that can wait, but I can''t.." He grinned mischievously and pushed her down to the couch, holding her wrist above her head.

 Chapter 137 - Im Li Xiuying (1)

    It seemed like Li Chuntao''s assumptions were correct as Mu Jianyu found himself being preupied as he waited for Ying to respond to his messages. He didn''t want to make her ufortable by asking her questions but he couldn''t help but be worried about her.


    Shen Zichen had just moved next door to them and his presence wouldn''t be good for their rtionship. Even if Ying had rejected Shen Zichen''s feelings for her, it didn''t mean she wouldn''t be able to grow fond of him.


    How was he supposed to stop it from happening without making it look like he was causing discord between the two? Ying might take Shen Zichen''s side if he started to make an issue out of it.


    It''s been an hour since he reminded her about lunch but Ying hadn''t responded to his message. Was she busy? Did she go out again to visit the orphanage, or meet other friends?


    Ying never told him where she was going these days and it made him wary of what she might find out or overheard while she was out in public. What if someone told her about the ''rumors'' of him taking a mistress before her ident? Mu Jianyu didn''t know how he could exin this to her without sounding so guilty about it.


    His new assistant knocked on the door of his new office at Redux Entertainment.


    "Mr. Mu? The meeting will start in ten minutes."


    Mu Jianyu nodded without a word. He was reminded of the meetings and appointments he had to deal with throughout the day. Working long hours, he''d gotten used to it a long time ago, but now, he couldn''t wait for the day to end so he could go back home to his beloved wife.


    The meeting took longer than he expected and once it was over, it was already past six in the evening. Mu Jianyu pulled out his phone to see if Ying had replied to his message while he was busy and was disappointed to see none.


    He finally understood now that he''d taken Ying for granted for a long time. He could only imagine his Ying sitting alone, back at home, waiting for him toe home. The messages she left for him unread and ignored as he wasted time with Lin Meirong.


    The guilt was eating him alive. How did Ying endure all of this? But he didn''t know this was just the start, because Li Chuntao had made up her mind to let him experience what he''d done to Li Xiuying when she was still alive. He could regret all he wants but the end would be the same.


    His phone rang and he excitedly answered it without looking at the caller ID thinking it was Ying. However, his good mood instantly vanished into thin air as soon as he heard Lin Meirong''s voice in the other line.


    "Are you sure you still want this baby? You haven''t shown yourself for two whole weeks!" Sheined as soon as he picked up the call.


    "Didn''t I tell you not to call me again?" Mu Jianyu locked the door of his office and sneered at his phone.


    He heard Lin Meirong scoffed at his words.


    "Why? Is she with you right now?" Sheughed mockingly. "Did she know you are working hard right now for the child that isn''t even hers?"


    "Quit your nonsense, Lin Meirong!"


    Mu Jianyu felt that every time he spoke with this woman, his patience was being tested again and again. Had he known that she would cause him this much trouble, he would''ve done everything in his power to avoid this woman.


    "Heh, then did you forget that me and your child have been waiting for you? Or do you want me to show up unannounced at your doorstep for your wife to see?" This woman sure knew how to threaten him.


    "Don''t you dare!"


    Lin Meirong was starting to get on his nerves. If it wasn''t for the child, he would''ve destroyed this woman already. Maybe, maybe if he confessed to Ying about his child with another woman, they could raise the child as their own.


    ''Then you know what to do tonight, darling~" Lin Meirong said before cutting the line between them. She was confident that he wouldn''t be able to deny meeting her tonight.


    Mu Jianyu slumped back into his seat and cradled his head with both hands. This was all his fault and now Ying would feelpletely devastated and betrayed once she found out what he did to her.


    ''Ying, what have I done? What should I do now?''


    He felt lost about what to do. He really loved his wife, but he couldn''t just abandon the child he had with Lin Meirong. He was such a fool to think that Lin Meirong would be worth the trouble, that he didn''t love Ying anymore.


    He cannot allow Lin Meirong to reveal their affair to his wife. Not now, when he had just managed to have small progress with Ying. He swore he''d try to make it up to her, that he would try to make this marriage work for both of them.


    Mu Jianyu closed his eyes and berated himself. His Ying didn''t deserve any of this and yet, she would be the one who''ll suffer the most from this betrayal. He should have realized this sooner and now it was toote for him to regret and only need to face the consequences of his actions.


    Taking his phone again, his fingers stopped midway over its virtual keyboard. He was about to lie to her again which already felt to him. How many times had he lied to Ying anyway? He''d lost the count, but tonight, Mu Jianyu was painfully aware that he was digging a deeper grave for himself in the future. The longer he kept Li Xiuying in the dark, the worse it felt.


    ''Don''t wait for me tonight. I have a lot of work waiting that needs to bepleted today.''


    Wasn''t this what he used to tell her when he was sneaking out after office hours to meet Lin Meirong? Shouldn''t he be used to it already? Then why did his heart feel heavy when he hit the send button?


    Meanwhile back at his apartment, Li Chuntao was standing outside the balcony, trying to clear her thoughts when she received Mu Jianyu''s short message. She arched a brow but her face was uncharacteristically calm for a wife being neglected as soon as her husband went back to work.


    "Isn''t it too soon for you to go back to your cheating habits, Mu Jianyu?" She chuckled to herself before dialing Su Ling''s number.


    "I have a job for you. Follow Mu Jianyu tonight and take photographs of him and that wench."


    She didn''t need to think hard to figure out that he was running back to the now obviously pregnant Lin Meirong to pacify her demands. It''s been going on for days and she wasn''t blind not to notice how he''d confine himself to his study, murmuring words over his phone as he talked to his mistress.


    Once again, Mu Jianyu reminded her why he didn''t deserve Ying at all. Anyway, even if the man chose toe clean now, this would only cut his suffering short, which Li Chuntao wasn''t ready to see yet.. Good thingse to those who wait, and she nned to savor the moment when retributiones to the cheating couple.

 Chapter 138 - Im Li Xiuying (2)

    After Li Chuntao left his unit, Shen Zichen started to prepare for work. He was feeling refreshed and his mood couldn''t get any better. The smile on his face was genuine and by the way he hummed a song as he paced around the room, it was obvious that he was in a good mood aspared to his usual brooding face


    He slid his arms into a fresh light blue dress shirt and buttoned it up. His gaze thennded on his bed where he and Li Chuntao had shared their first time together. She was in pain earlier, but he was surprised not to see a speck of blood on his sheets when she slipped out of his bed to get a shower.


    Shen Zichen didn''t have the heart to ask her if she''d been with another man before. It wasn''t his right to pry on her past and rtionships, but he was curious. He supposed that it''s normal for some women to lose their maidenhead without engaging in sexual activities but still he wanted to know if there was a man before him.


    Should he ask her? He wondered. Would she get upset if he tried to probe on her previous rtionship? After all, she''d been gone for seven long years. It wouldn''t be impossible for Li Chuntao to meet a man and date while living alone overseas.


    After sending a quick message to his mother that he was done moving in, Shen Zichen left his new apartment.


    It was nightfall and for Doctor Shen, his work was just about to start. He had several surgeries left for the week and a mountain load of paperwork to fill in, something he wasn''t looking forward to. Just as he thought he would be able to avoid paperwork for not entering the business world with Qingqing, Shen Zichen was pped with the reality that he couldn''t.


    The drive towards the hospital was shorter from his new homepared to his previous ce, which he still owned. That bachelor pad was the first thing he''d purchased with his own money. He decided to keep it as his stay near Mu Jianyu was just as temporary as Li Chuntao''s stay.


    ¡ª-


    The sun was up but Li Chuntao and Yu Lou had driven for two hours away from the capital until they reached a private vi owned by the Li family. As soon as she stepped out of thefy and warm atmosphere the car offered, her whole body shivered from the cold breeze that hit her.


    Her long tresses swayed away from her face while Yu Lou stood behind her in silence. She wrapped her coat tighter around her body and took the lead. They might catch a cold if they stay outside for too long.


    As they made their way inside, Li Chuntao''s eyes swept around them to survey the property. This was her first time visiting the ce after years of absence. There were so many fond memories she had here with Ying, their Uncle Yuren and their Aunt Yue that made her feel old and lonely seeing that they weren''t here to apany her.


    A five-year-old boy suddenly appeared at the front door, his feet pattering at the cold ground with bare feet. He stopped near Li Chuntao who also halted her steps when she saw him.


    The boy grinned wide to her and extended both of his hands, asking Li Chuntao to lift him up. Looking at his face, Li Chuntao and Yu Luo saw that he was missing one of his front teeth but it only made his innocent face more adorable.


    Yu Luo looked perplexed seeing the two. Would her Miss Chuntao deny this child? Unlike Miss Ying, who was very fond of children, it wasn''t a secret within the Li family that Li Chuntao dislikes any physical interaction with other people, whether it was a hug or a friendly kiss.Thinking about it, Yu Luo realized that only the members of the Li family were allowed to do it with their Miss Chuntao.


    "So pweety!" The little boy beamed at Li Chuntao.


    Li Chuntao''s lips curled into a slight smile and lifted the boy without a word, shocking Yu Luo. Was she seeing things or did Miss Chuntao willingly touch a stranger? A toddler on top at that!


    "Hi, Little Bun. Where''s your Daddy and Aunt?" Li Chuntao gently pinched his chubby cheek. "And why are you running outside without shoes?"


    "Dada! " The boy pointed back at the house, answering her question.


    "Lin Lin!" A woman came running towards them and stopped as soon as she saw Li Chuntao holding the child in her arms. She chewed her lower lip before acknowledging Li Chuntao. She could sense that she wasn''t just a regr guest because, during the time they were living at this vi, only the Li family''s men asionally visited them.


    "Miss, may I know who you are?"


    "I''m Li Xiuying. I''m the one who brought you here," Li Chuntao said with a straight face. This was something she was d she was able to do even beforeing back from overseas. As soon as she found out from Ying about Mu Jianyu''s affair, she''d already sent Su Ling to gather any evidence she could use to destroy Lin Meirong.


    The woman gasped and covered her mouth in shock. It took some time before she realized she''d been rude to Li Chuntao by making them wait outside. She saw Li Chuntao brought down the child who immediately ran towards her and hugged her leg.


    "Miss Li, pleasee inside. Actually, my brother and I have been wondering when we would be able to meet you. I''m Meng Lan by the way, and my brother''s name is Meng Huan." The woman called Meng Lan said as she led Li Chuntao and Yu Lou inside the vi.


    Li Chuntao strode inside as if she was thedy of the house. She sat on the couch and crossed her legs as she waited for the person she''d been looking for to show up while Yu Lou stood a good distance away from her with both hands on her back.


    The boy came to Li Chuntao''s side and sat down with her. She looked at him and smiled.


    "So what''s your name, little bun?" She asked.


    "Lingxiang," the little boy grinned, "Meng Lingxiang!"


    Finally, the man Li Chuntao had been looking for came out from the kitchen.


    "Lan''er? Do we have guests again?" His eyes thennded on Li Chuntao with confusion.


    Meng Lan went to her brother and pulled his arm to greet Li Chuntao. She was nervous as she couldn''t see any warmth on Li Chuntao''s face.


    "Brother, Miss Li came here to meet you," she told him knowingly. Her brother shivered and looked at Li Chuntao''s face with wide eyes.


    Months ago, a group of men came to their remote vige and saved them from a famine that was ongoing. Not only that, but they also helped him get his son treated for his illness. Since then the Meng siblings had been curious as to why a wealthy and prestigious family like the Li family was extending an olive branch to them.


    They may be their benefactor but what could be the motive for their kindness?

 Chapter 139 - Let Her Suffer In Hell! (1)

    "Good morning. I see everyone''s here." Li Chuntao said with an impassive face. "Please let me re-introduce myself again. I''m Li Xiuying. I''m the niece of the owner of this ce."


    Yes, this vi was privately owned by her Uncle Yuren and only a couple of people were aware of the existence of this ce. When she was younger, Li Chuntao spent a lot of time here far from everyone''s prying eyes in the capital. This was why Li Xiuying was more popr and known to the publicpared to her. She chose seclusion over socializing with people she barely knew.


    The man straightened his pose and looked seriously upon hearing her name. He wiped his hands on his apron and stood next to his sister stiffly. Yu Lou excused herself to get something to drink for Li Chuntao.


    "I''m Meng Huan and this is my younger sister, Meng Lan. May we know what brings you here, Miss Li?" The man introduced himself and didn''t beat around the bush and asked Li Chuntao''s purpose for her sudden visitation.


    Li Chuntao nodded slightly and gestured for them to take a seat, which the Meng siblings did, taking the little boy with them. However, the boy struggled in Meng Huan''s hold, so he let the child continue to y to where they could see him.


    Li Chuntao pulled out a photo from her handbag and ced it on top of the coffee table between them. She was apprehensive of the siblings'' reaction if they saw Gu Changge.


    "I believe you know who this woman is," she said, paying attention to the Meng sibling''s reaction.


    It was Meng Lan who grabbed the photo from the table to give it a good look. She couldn''t believe what she was seeing right then.


    "Brother, look! It''s your wife!" She said with astonishment. It was her sister-inw whom they hadn''t seen and heard from in years!


    "It''s Changge?" Meng Huan snatched the photo from his sister''s hand and she saw a beautiful woman wearing a red evening dress and expensive jewelry. "It''s¡­ it''s really her," he muttered in disbelief.


    It was the same woman he''d married years ago. The same woman who abandoned him and their son to seek her dreams at the capital. He''d never thought that Gu Changge, his wife would even cast out their own child for her own selfish needs.


    The rage in his heart when he found out she was living well at the capital, turning her back on the life she left at their vige, Meng Huan wanted nothing more but topletely cut ties between the two of them.


    "So you really know her¡­" Li Chuntao cupped her chin with her legs still crossed, making her look like a queen, regally sitting on her throne.


    "Yes, Miss Li. We know who this woman is. This is my sister-inw, Gu Changge but¡­ what does she have to do with all of these?" Meng Lan questioned her.


    Li Chuntao remained silent for a moment before she took a deep sigh and stood back on her feet. She crossed her arms over her chest and looked at the looming gray clouds up in the sky.


    "Miss Gu¡­ she''s my husband''s lover," She informed the Meng siblings, shocking them down to their core. They both opened their mouths to ask her questions but none came out as they couldn''t find the right words in their minds.


    Indeed, they knew Gu Changge was doing well in the city because Meng Lan once saw an advertisement with Gu Changge in it, but they''ve never thought she''d cross the line by sleeping with married men to get her way in the entertainment industry.


    They looked at Li Chuntao, perplexed and feeling bad for her. Miss Li had taken them out from that vige and saved Ling Ling''s life but they had no idea that one of their family members had caused grievances to her heart.


    They felt bad for her but how could she help the family of the person who tried to ruin her marriage? They couldn''t understand it. Miss Li should have taken advantage of them and used them to destroy Gu Changge but why didn''t she?


    "Miss Li, what do you want me to do? Do you want me to call her out for her affair?" Meng Huan asked her. After all, he was still Gu Changge''s husband, and her having an extramarital affair with another man had put a green hat over his head.


    Finding out about the offenses his wife hadmitted over the years was disappointing. Meng Huan initially thought that if she didn''t want them anymore, he would allow her to live her own life as long as she wouldn''t abandon their son but what did she do?


    Not only had Gu Changge denied Ling Ling of a mother figure in his life, but she also tried to trample someone else''s marriage.


    Li Chuntao shook her head and smiled pitifully. She looked like a wife who''d just lost everything and was helpless about her situation. She was so beautiful and selfless, how could her husband abandon her for Gu Changge? This, Meng Lan couldn''t understand.


    So even if you are the most beautiful and wealthiest woman on the block, you couldn''t hold a candle if the woman charmed your man? This was ridiculous!


    "Please, Mr. Meng. I didn''t bring you here to do such a thing. I would never ask you to put yourself in apromising situation just to help me." She gave him a small smile and went back to her seat.


    "I just want to confirm this as I''m already thinking of divorcing my husband. You see, his affair not only affected my marriage, but also the wholepany. You don''t need to do anything for me."


    Meng Huan contemted for a while about how much he and Gu Changge owed Li Xiuying and felt guilty discussing his wife''s affair with her husband. What was he supposed to do?


    Li Chuntao lowered her head andughed inwardly. She knew the conflicting emotions that were swirling inside him, but she didn''t want to clear any of it. It wasn''t lost to her how he sighed dejectedly and felt incredibly guilty for Ying.


    However, she appeared to look guiltier than any of them.


    "It''s my fault. I wascking something, so my husband left me¡­ If he''d known about our child, I wonder if he would do this to me." Li Chuntao said using her gentlest tone, almost perfectly imitating her twin sister''s voice.


    Her words felt like stabbing knives on Meng Huang and Meng Lan. She was pregnant?


    "M-miss!" Meng Lan gasped. This was getting out of their hands!


    Meng Huan saw the way Li Chuntao fidgetted and it made it hard for him to take all this information at once. While he was feeling grateful for Li Xiuying''s kindness and gratitude, he felt incredibly guilty that it was getting hard for him to face her right now.


    "Initially, I wanted to use you against her. To let everyone know that she has a husband somewhere but when I heard about your child''s illness, I felt sick and disgusted with myself. I question myself, would I allow this child to face humiliation in the future because of a selfish thing I''ve done against his mother?" She pretended to look guilty, ashamed of what she almost did. "I realized now, he might have left me because I''m a bad person,"

 Chapter 140 - Let Her Suffer In Hell! (2)

    Li Chuntao had managed to earn the Meng siblings'' sympathy right then. She didn''t need to say anything more as she was sure she''d ignited enough hatred in them against Gu Changge.


    ording to Su Ling''s report, the situation back in the remote countryside where they came from was pretty bad. The residents needed to find a better ce to settle down as the long drought and famine were badly impacting not only their livelihood, but also the health of their children and elders.


    The Meng siblings would have to leave eventually as the boy was already malnourished and suffering from sepsis when Su Ling found them. This was why the Meng siblings felt extreme gratitude for the Li family''s help and were willing to do anything for them.


    Yu Lou came back with a tray with freshly brewed tea and some cups. She poured her Miss Chuntao a cup and gave it to her. Li Chuntao thanked her and went back to her seat, listening intently to their conversation.


    "Miss Li, what do you n to do now?" Meng Lan asked her worriedly. She dearly hoped Miss Li would divorce her husband. A man who could hurt this beautiful angel''s trust didn''t deserve Miss Li at all.


    "What else but file for divorce. I don''t think I can pretend that I''m not aware of their lies any longer." Li Chuntao lowered her head, as if she was at a loss. "But I would need enough evidence to prove that he''s cheating on me. I''m afraid he''ll try to get as much money as he could from my family,"


    It was Meng Lan who was affected by her words more than her brother. Li Chuntao could guess that Gu Changge''s rtionship with her wasn''t good at all. Ah, it must be Meng Lan who refused to ept gu Changge as her sister-inw, and her animosity against Gu Changge had remained to this day.


    "Now that I know what my wife is up to, is it possible for me to divorce her too?" Meng Huan asked Li Chuntao but his sister couldn''t stop reacting over it.


    "And then what? Let them marry each other after Miss Li divorces her husband? No way!" Meng Lan eximed. She was furious that Gu Changge not only put a green hat to her kind brother but also wronged Li Xiuying.


    "If I were you, I''ll let Miss Li divorce her husband. As for your wife, let her suffer in hell! Don''t give her her freedom! Let her remain the other woman for the rest of her life!" His sister said out of rage.


    "I think I haven''t delivered the bad news yet¡­" Li Chuntao closed her eyes, trying to hide the glimmer of mischief in it. "Meng Huan, I''m afraid to say that your wife is carrying my husband''s child. She... "


    BAM!


    Meng Lan threw her teacup as hard as she could. She''s furious that she couldn''t stop her eyes from bleeding red when she heard what Li Chuntao said.


    "Gu Changge, you bitch! You shameless bitch!"


    Meng Huan stood up and held his sister''s shoulders, murmuring her to calm down but he also couldn''t help but be embarrassed in front of Li Chuntao and Yu Lou.


    "I-I''m sorry, Miss Li," he stuttered as he helped his sister to sit down. Meng Lan''s hands were shaking as she tried to take deep breaths to calm herself down. Meng Huan couldn''t believe that his wife would betray him to this extent.


    What could have happened to Gu Changge after she left them? Did she encounter hardships along the way and was forced to do this to survive? After all, Gu Changge never finished her education because of family financial struggles. It would be hard for her to find a decent job too with her skills.


    "No, I should be the one to apologize. If I didn''t stall to confront my husband, none of this would have happened. It''s my fault. It''s my indecisiveness that brought us here," Li Chuntao told him.


    Meng Lan was still shaking when she lifted her gaze to look at Li Chuntao who was on the verge of tears. So manyplex emotions washed through her but one thing for sure, her brother and Miss Li didn''t deserve any of this.


    Hell, when she first met Gu Changge, she was sure that the woman was up to no good. The Gu family had sucked their wealth dry and when Gu Changge gave birth to Ling Ling, the poor boy was only months old when she had left their vige.


    For so many months, she watched her brother look around for his missing wife. Whether the sun was up or the sky was pouring heavy rain, Meng Huan tried his best to find Gu Changge in neighboring viges and provinces just to look for her while Ling Ling was left to her care, not knowing his mother abandoned him.


    It was only when a year had passed did Meng Huan stopped looking for her.. At that point, he had almost about forgotten their baby who was waiting for them toe home. For the first time since Gu Changge left, Meng Lan saw her brother shed tears for him and Ling Ling.


    Gu Changge didn''t deserve to be a mother. She didn''t even deserve to be called a human at all. Even animals knew how to look out for their offspring but Gu Changge had run away as soon as she saw the opportunity to get a better life in the city.


    Meng Lan had never met a woman as shameless as Gu Changge.


    "Neither of you is at fault here,"


    Why do innocent people have to suffer from the mistakes of their spouses? It was clear here that neither Miss Li nor her brother wanted this to happen at all. It was that cheating couple who started this mess, but why do these two need to suffer?


    This was the reason Meng Lan thought having a husband was troublesome. This had shattered her belief in love and marriage. If most marriages ended up like this, then why the need to marry at all?


    No, Meng Lan refused to allow these two to shoulder the consequences of their partner''s sin. Her brother would be good without Gu Changge in his life, but Miss Li needed to be brave to leave her husband without allowing him to get a single penny from her.


    "Miss Li, if there''s anything we could do to help, please don''t be shy to ask it from us. Your family has done enough kindness to my brother and Ling Ling and we know we could never repay you in terms of money¡­"


    Yes, the inheritance both she and Meng Huan got from their parents was gone. The life they had in the countryside for the past years had been hard, especially when their parents died from a sudden illness which left them in debt. For the same reason, they couldn''t even afford to bring Ling Ling to a specialist to check on his condition.


    Listening to Meng Lan''s words, Li Chuntao could almost taste the victory in her hands. Meng Lan would willingly y as her protector from now on and she wouldn''t mind destroying Gu Changge''s reputation for her sake.


    ''Mu Jianyu, Gu Changge¡­ I hope you''re ready for another round of trouble in theing days, because I am!''

 Chapter 141 - He Doesn’t Love Me (1)

    After meeting the Meng siblings that morning, Li Chuntao and Yu Luo drove back to the capital and went straight to the Li Mansion. It was almost noon when they arrived and Li Chuntao found her aunt reading new scripts in her hands, sitting on the couch.


    "Aunt Yue, " Li Chuntao called out to her as she slumped next to the older woman andid her head on Zheng Yue''sp, closing her eyes. She used to do this to her aunt when she was younger and she guessed it became a habit that she couldn''t break growing up.


    Zheng Yue put aside the scripts in her hand and stroked Li Chuntao''s loose tresses.


    "What were you up to today?" Zhen Yue asked while Li Chuntao tried to getfortable on the couch. She didn''t want to go home right now and face Shen Zichen and Mu Jianyu.


    "I visited Gu Changge''s family." She didn''t need to hide it from her aunt and uncle as they both knew she was keeping them under her wing and was nning to use them in her n for revenge.


    "Then¡­ how are you doing now at Mu Jianyu''s ce? I hope he hadn''t done anything to you," the older woman asked. Zheng Yue had been really worried about her niece. If she could only convince Chuntao not to seek revenge anymore, she wouldn''t have to be constantly worried about her welfare.


    She also heard Shen Zichen had recently moved in next door to look after Chuntao, but Zheng Yue still couldn''t help but be worried for her. Now that Ying was gone, her maternal instincts for Chuntao had automatically reached its peak.


    "He wouldn''t dare do anything inappropriate, Aunt Yue. Yu Luo is doing a good job of keeping an eye on him," Li Chuntao assured her.


    "That''s good to hear," Zheng Yue sighed in relief. "Then how about you and Zichen? Is he treating you well?"


    Now that the two were in a rtionship, Zheng Yue hoped that this time her niece would truly be happy. It was long overdue anyway and it was about time for the two to know what they really felt for each other.


    "He has this idea in his head that I am his and refused to share my attention with Mu Jianyu," her niece said nonchntly earning augh from her.


    "Ah, that''s understandable."


    Yes because she could clearly remember Shen Yi being a possessive and doting husband to her good friend, Lu Xinyi. It wouldn''t be surprising if Zichen had the same streak as his own father.


    "Then have you told him the truth yet?"


    At that question, Zheng Yue felt her niece stilled for a moment before rxing. The older woman''s gaze softened, fully understanding what was going on between the two.


    "Chuntao, if I ask you to list down the things you love, how long will it take for you to mention yourself?" She asked.


    Of course, over the years, she knew the Li twins better than anyone else even though she couldn''t really tell one from the other if they decided to trick her. She wasn''t blind not to see that Li Chuntao had feelings for Shen Zichen for years and only kept it to herself for fear that she might ruin everything.


    It also didn''t help that the feelings Shen Zichen had that was supposed to be hers ended up being projected to Ying because of a misunderstanding Chuntao didn''t want to clear up.


    "He doesn''t love me," Li Chuntao opened her eyes and it was unreadable even for Zheng Yue, "He''s just projecting the feelings he held for Ying for years to me. None of it is true and from his heart."


    "Chuntao, how can you say that?" Zheng Yue frowned as she watched her niece sit up and run her fingers through her thick mane.


    "Because Shen Zichen is deluding himself to be in love with the image of me in his mind and not me as a real person."


    "Why don''t you exin it to him? Exin that it was you who''d saved his life during that incident that made him fall in love with Ying. Tell him it was you whom he¡­"


    "Enough, Auntie Yue. Let''s not talk about this anymore. I''d rather not get distracted with such feelings I''ve long forgotten," Li Chuntao didn''t intend to be rude to her aunt, but she didn''t want to be reminded of the past anymore.


    Shen Zichen had broken her heart twice, not that he was aware of it. She wouldn''t dare to believe his words right now. She didn''t think she would be strong enough to endure it if he broke her again for the third time.


    Zheng Yue wanted to argue that she should clear up things with Shen Zichen and not to jump into conclusions. She wanted to tell Li Chuntao to at least give him a chance to prove himself, but she couldn''t.


    Li Chuntao had never been good at expressing her emotions to anyone, and it truly was easier said than done. Shen Zichen would have a hard time to convince Chuntao now that he was aware of his feelings.


    Should she interfere? Zheng Yue wondered. Shen Zichen needs to know the truth. Why was Li Chuntao hiding it from him anyway? Was there something more to tell?


    Remembering what happened years ago, she was reminded of how she saw fear and uncertainty on Li Chuntao''s face for the first time. Zheng Yue was sure there were unspoken words back then, which neither her husband nor Chuntao wanted to say.


    Li Yuren''s frequent travel overseas and how he was always on the edge told Zheng Yue that it was somehow rted to her niece. Her husband''s actions told her that he was keeping something from her but she didn''t wish to question him because she trusted him. Even if he spent more than a month staying with Chuntao in her first year of stay overseas.


    Why? She couldn''t understand.


    What was happening? Why was she and Li Xiuying suddenly kept in the dark?


    Zheng Yue heard her niece''s stomach grumble from hunger and smiled. This time, she wouldn''t let Li Chuntao suffer in silence. She wouldn''t need to prioritize anyone''s happiness except her own from now on.


    "You skipped breakfast again, didn''t you?" She asked her niece knowingly before pulling her arm to follow her at the kitchen, then she nced at Yu Luo, "Yu Lou, didn''t I tell you to remind Chuntao to always eat on time?"


    Li Chuntao sighed and twined her arm with her aunt.


    "Please, Auntie, don''t me her. It''s not Yu Lou''s fault. She always prepares my meals on time. It was me who didn''t have an appetite to eat anything."


    Zhen Yue stopped and ced a hand over Li Chuntao''s forehead, worried that she might have fallen sick again.


    "Why? Are you not feeling well? Should we call a doctor to see you?" She bombarded her niece with questions. It made Li Chuntaough.


    "Auntie, in case you''re forgetting, I''m the only doctor in our family." She reminded her aunt.


    "Oh, right. How can I forget that?" Zheng Yueughed with her. "Silly me. I must be getting really old."


    "Nonsense, Auntie Yue. You are still as radiant and beautiful as the first time Ying and I saw you!"

 Chapter 142 - He Doesn’t Love Me (2)

    She was having the same old dream again, this, Li Chuntao was aware of. She hadn''t had this dream in a long time and yet every time she did, it reduced her to nothing. She felt weak, vulnerable, and helpless at the same time. Perhaps it was better for her to call it a nightmare because the end would always remain the same no matter how much she tried to change the course of action in her dream.


    It will start with her sitting on a rocker at her home overseas, looking outside the cityscapes in the middle of the night. In her dream she could see herself as if she was a spectator in her own life. It was as if she was watching a film that she starred in herself.


    Herself who was smiling, rubbing her protruding stomach with such gentleness clenched Li Chuntao''s heart painfully. She listened intently as she sang sweet lubies to the unborn child in her womb until her thoughts were disturbed by the ringing of the doorbell.


    At times, Li Chuntao would see her Uncle Yuren visiting her as she remained seated on the same rocker, and each time the scene changed, Li Chuntao noticed that the same woman, herself, was getting heavier along her pregnancy.


    Then the scene would change again and Li Chuntao would see her sitting on a hospital bed, not pregnant this time. Her loose maternity clothes were reced with a flimsy blue hospital gown.


    The Li Chuntao in her dream was like a living dead person. Her face and skin were too pale, her lips chapped and there were dark circles under her eyes indicating that she wasn''t in the best of health.


    There was an IV fluid connected to her hand as she remained seated there in a daze. Li Chuntao wondered how long she''d remained in the same position without moving an inch. Was it an hour or a few long hours? She had no idea.


    It was only when her Uncle Yuren came into the scene did Li Chuntao in her dream react, acting hysterical as she cried in Li Yuren''s arms. She couldn''t hear any coherent words from the woman as she continued to cry in agony.


    Why? Why was she crying? What could have happened to see her like this?


    Li Chuntao felt something in her arms and looked down. What she saw shocked her to the core. Although she knew she was dreaming, this wasn''t part of the recurring dream that gue her for these past few years.


    A stillborn baby boy was in her arms. He was the most beautiful baby Li Chuntao had seen in her life. There was a sparse of thin ck hair on top of his head and his face and body were smooth and tender that made him delicate in her arms.


    However, the baby was cold as ice. It neither moved nor cried in her embrace and it sent a cold shiver straight to Li Chuntao''s heart. He looked like a normal baby. If only he was breathing and crying his heart out for his mother.


    Li Chuntao looked at him. Her fingers reached out and gently touched his head, his cheeks, down to his hand that was clenching on top of his chest. Peals of tears rolled down her cheeks without her not noticing of it.


    Was this her baby? Could this be another trick of her mind to torture her?


    "Ying? Ying wake up! Please wake up!"


    Li Chuntao felt like she was being shaken up by someone to wake up. The scene around her disappeared one by one and when she saw that she was about to lose the baby in her embrace, she panicked. She held unto him and refused to let go of him.


    "No, please! Don''t take him away! Don''t take him away!" She begged but everything continued to fade until the baby in her arms vanished into the thin air.


    "No!!!"


    Li Chuntao jolted up from her bed and sat up. Beads of sweat formed on her face as the memories of her dream shook her entirety. Her legs were covered with a nket while her hands were trembling from her dream and she had a hard time focusing her gaze around her.


    Where was she? This wasn''t her apartment nor her penthouse. It wasn''t even the Li Mansion.


    "Ying! Are you alright? You''re having a bad dream." Mu Jianyu held her shoulder and looked at her with fear in his eyes. He sat at the edge of the bed still in his work clothes. "It''s just a bad dream. You''re safe now,"


    Ah, yes. Li Chuntao covered her eyes with one hand and nodded. She remembered now. She and Yu Luo went back to Mu Jianyu''s ce after spending some time with her Aunt Yue and as soon as her head hit her pillow, she dozed off.


    "Yes, it''s just a bad dream," she agreed with him. She took several deep breaths to calm herself before putting back her mask of pretense to face Mu Jianyu. "You''re home. Did I sleep for too long?"


    She looked outside the window and saw that the sun was about to set. She had overslept.


    "Yes, I''m home now," Mu Jianyu felt guilty leaving his wife alone. Just when did she start having nightmares? He wondered. "As soon as I arrived, Yu Luo pulled me here to wake you up. She was in a panic because you wouldn''t budge, no matter how much she tried to wakeyou up,"


    Li Chuntao looked down and her trembling hands and shut her eyes again. "I see¡­"


    "Ying? What''s wrong? Since when did you start having bad dreams like this? What is it about? Should we seek an expert to see what''s wrong with you?" Mu Jianyu was so worried that Ying might have remembered everything by now.


    Li Chuntao didn''t say anything but shook her head. Yes. She''d been having this same dream for a long time. She wondered if she still considered it as a nightmare for it didn''t leave her presence when she was awake.


    The only person who was aware of this was her Uncle Yuren. They had tried several times to get the bottom of it to make it stop but they failed. It was a part of Li Chuntao''s life that she would rather not talk about.


    "I''m fine, Jianyu. Just like what you said it''s just a bad dream. I keep dreaming about the ident and the fear of not being rescued on time as I continue to sink underwater." Li Chuntao lied through her teeth. She wouldn''t waste this chance to spite and make him feel guilty over Ying''s death.


    It seemed like it was effective as she saw Mu Jianyu''s face darkened and held his tongue. Ying''s ident seemed to bring unwanted memories for the two of them. It brought nothing but pain to Li Chuntao and regret for Mu Jianyu.


    "That''s not good. I''ll try to see if we can seek medical intervention to help you with those dreams." Mu Jianyu held both of her hands and looked at her straight in her eyes. "Ying, I won''t leave you alone again. I promise you."


    Li Chuntao scoffed inwardly.. Promises were meant to be broken and even if he wanted to change now to be a better husband, it was toote because Ying was already gone.

 Chapter 143 - Wicked Witch (1)

    "I heard from Yu Lou that you''ve been having nightmares recently. Is it true?" Shen Zichen asked Li Chuntao who''d slumped on his floor,zily reading a book in her hand while two cats curled beside her. She hummed and flipped to the next page without sparing him a look.


    "Why''s everyone making a big deal out of it? It''s normal to have bad dreams once in a while," she said in a t voice. But in truth, Li Chuntao didn''t like that everyone''s prying into her business. There was nothing to talk about anyway.


    "Don''t be mad. We''re just worried about you. Can''t you tell me what you were dreaming about?" Shen Zichen sat next to her and looked over her shoulder only to see her reading the notes he made back in Uni. How could he forget that she was also a doctor like him?


    "No." Li Chuntao shot him down, not giving him a chance to question her recurring dreams. She''d thought that because she didn''t have them for months, she was given a momentary peace of mind. The dreams came back and it only meant that something had triggered it and she knew what it was.


    "It''s already three months." Shen Zichen leaned against his couch and looked up at the ceiling. It had been three months since Li Xiuying''s passing and Li Chuntao''s return but for him, it felt like yesterday.


    He took a side nce at the woman sitting next to him and thought how people could easily be fooled by her face. Actually, if he didn''t pay attention, Li Chuntao could easily deceive him as Ying too. Thinking about it, was there an instance where he failed to distinguish the Li twins?


    But he wasn''t able toe up to an answer because Li Chuntao had to change the course of their conversation. Perhaps, she didn''t want to be reminded of how easily she lost her twin sister in such a short time. Her silence over the matter told Shen Zichen that she wasn''t ready to talk about her grief and pain over Li Xiuying''s passing.


    "The nominations for the best neer actress award would be announced soon. Another show is about to begin," she told him. Li Chuntao seemed like she was looking forward to a great performanceter.


    Shen Zichen had no idea what she was talking about but could surmise that it involves Lin Meirong and Mu Jianyu. Was her n for revenge going smoothly? How long will it take for her to break the two? Shen Zichen wondered.


    "You are up to something," hemented and Li Chuntao didn''t even hide the insidious smile that crept on her lips, but for Shen Zichen, he found it so alluring, so beautiful.


    Didn''t people say that they should be wary of conniving women? But don''t they know that even the coldest ice queen deserves her own happy ending?


    "Why, of course," she snickered at him and giggled. "I''ll let Lin Meirong experience getting drunk in bliss and enjoy her stay on top of her invisible high horse before letting it fall down the drain in a blink if an eye."


    Nothing could stop her now. Since Lin Meirong and Mu Jianyu continued to y pretend with her. She would cause more troubles between the two, but first, she would let Lin Meirong get drunk on a cup of cheap wine she poured herself.


    "And as for you...." Li Chuntao trailed off, her eyes full of mischief.


    "What about me?" Shen Zichen gave her a pointed look.


    "It''s almost time to make Mu Jianyu suspicious, don''t you think?" She grinned evilly back on him. "What do you say, Doctor Shen?"


    Shen Zichen wrapped an arm around her and pulled her towards him. He hadn''t seen her since he moved close to her because of his busy schedule and had been missing her since then.


    "You''re quite wicked, Dr. Li. Do you know that?" He ced a chaste kiss on her cheek and pressed his nose on her crown, inhaling her unique scent.


    "I''ve been called worst, Doctor Shen,"


    ---


    Three dayster, Lin Meirong received a call from the director of ''To You With Love'' that she and Lan Jinyao received the formal nomination for the best neer actress award. She''d been ecstatic and busied herself,posing her speech and selecting the outfit she would wear at the award ceremony as if she was sure that she would be the one to win the award.


    This was the scene Mu Jianyu walked into; her pacing around her room with several evening dresses thrown on the huge bed as she raided her own closet to find the best dress that could hide her baby bump and could outshine Lan Jinyao.


    "I don''t know how you were able to convince them to give me a nomination but I don''t care! I''m pretty sure my acting is better than Lan Jinyao. Once they see the film, they would be able to tell the difference in our performance." Lin Meirong said gleefully, ignoring the scowl on Mu Jianyu''s face as he sat on a vacant seat watching her.


    His eyes swept over her form and then stopped at the small bump on her stomach. His child, the proof of his betrayal to his own wife. It left a bitter taste in his mouth and he looked away.The one who should''ve been pregnant and carrying his child should be Ying and not this woman.


    Because of Lin Meirong''s pregnancy, she didn''t ept any project for now and would wait until she gave birth. Since there weren''t many people who knew about her pregnancy, she could easily earn some minor roles in the future.


    "Ah, I don''t think I have the right dress for the event." Lin Meirong gave up and sat down on her bed. None of her dresses fit her anymore as her chest and hips were bigger and nothing could hide the slight bump on her stomach.


    "Get someone to get your measurements. I''ll try to see if I can get you a decent one before the award." Mu Jianyu knew what she was whining about now but can''t do anything but pacify her needs. As long as Ying wouldn''t be able to find out about it.


    "Great!" Lin Meirong pped her hands, "I know I could always rely on you, Jianyu!" She beamed him a flirty smile that Mu Jianyu was familiar with. However, this time it didn''t have any effect on him, unlike before, because right now, he only felt pity and disgust for this woman.


    Mu Jianyu couldn''t help butpare her smile to Ying''s and no doubt for him, his wife''s smile was the most beautiful. Nothing can bepared to her warm and angelic smile that could melt a person''s heart.


    His hands clenched on his side. He suddenly felt worthless of her affection. He found himself so despicable. How could he betray her? Why did he forget his promises to her?


    Mu Jianyu lifted his head and saw Lin Meirong. Yes, he knew now where he went wrong. If it wasn''t because of this shameless woman¡­ No. He was also one to me.. It takes two to tango and Mu Jianyu knew it was him who sinned first.

 Chapter 144 - Wicked Witch (2)

    It was no wonder that Lan Jinyao called Li Chuntao to meet her the next day. While Mu Jianyu wasn''t around, being busy pacifying his mistress, Li Chuntao, together with Su Ling and Yu Luo went to meet the young actress in a cafe near the apartmentplex.


    One of the staff led them to the VIP room where Lan Jinyao was waiting.


    "Miss Lan, what''s the matter? Did something happen?" Li Chuntao asked as soon as she took a seat across the young woman who was fidgeting on her seat.


    "Miss Li, I''m sure you''ve heard the news already. I''m nominated for the best new actress award but¡­" she bit her lower lip and sighed, "I wonder how Lin Meirong got the same nomination when she only yed the second female lead?" She blurted out of frustration.


    Li Chuntao raised a brow and kept her silence for a moment when a staff member came back to serve her drink while Su Ling and Yu Lou waited outside. When the woman left, Li Chuntao casually lifted her mug and took a small sip from her drink.


    "Miss Lan, someone pulled a string. You should know by now that your half-sister wouldn''t allow you to win easily."


    Lan Jinyao cursed her half-sister in her heart. Xi Shaohua was indeed determined to make her life a living hell.


    "Then what do I do?" She felt helpless. Her half-sister would surely pull more strings just to stop her from gaining the award she''d been aiming for. Li Xiuying ced her trust on her and she dreaded breaking her promise if she couldn''t be a film empress.


    Before, she could rely on Li Xiuying for help and protection but now that she was dead, Lan Jinyao wasn''t sure if she could trust the woman in front of her who was pretending to be Li Xiuying.


    Li Chuntao brought her cup down and looked straight in Lan Jinyao''s eyes, catching her off guard.


    "Miss Lan, do you trust me?" She asked the young actress bluntly. "Are you afraid of me?" She added.


    Lan Jinyao took a deep breath and refused to back down at Li Chuntao''s cold eyes that seemed to look through her. Can she tell if she was lying or not? Lan Jinyao wondered to herself.


    "I admit I don''t, Miss Li," her instincts were screaming for Lan Jinyao to be wary of this woman, that she was a dangerous person to be offended but she wouldn''t dare lie to Li Chuntao. Not when her eyes seemed to already know the answer to her questions.


    So what''s the point of lying when Li Chuntao already knows?


    Li Chuntao smiled. A kind of smile that sent shivers on Lan Jinyao''s spine. Dear Lord, what kind of woman was she? Lan Jinyao was sure as hell that she''d never met a woman as intimidating as Li Chuntao in her whole life. She was really grateful that she wasn''t the one who''ll be receiving this woman''s ire.


    "Ah, Miss Lan. You''re too straightforward. You amuse me," Li Chuntao tapped her fingers on the table and sighed deeply. She leaned her back on her seat and crossed her legs. "But if you trust me, I promise you that I''ll pave your way to stardom. You wouldn''t have to worry about your petty sister anymore. How about that?"


    Lan Jinyao felt like she''d been poured over her head with cold water by Li Chuntao''s words. Li Xiuying had promised her the same, but not to the extent that she would destroy Xi Shaohua for her sake.


    She wasn''t doubting that Li Chuntao could do it. For fuck''s sake she was a Li princess who was above, not only on status but influence as well, over Xi Shaohua. Of course, there would always be a way for her to subdue the Xi family if she wanted. The only question was; is Lan Jinyao worth the trouble?


    "Miss Li, I-I¡­" Lan Jinyao was at a loss for words. Should she put her trust in this wicked woman? She might have shared Li Xiuying''s face but Li Chuntao was definitely a stark contrast to her twin sister when ites to their personality.


    "You know for sure that I''m the only one capable of helping you right now. For the Xi family, your existence is kind of a smear on their reputation. No wonder Xi Shaohua has been wasting her resources to stop you from gaining an upper hand by entering the entertainment industry. I would be wary if I were you because Mu Jianyu would use this chance to give Lin Meirong the opportunity to shine brighter."


    This troubled Lan Jinyao. She knew Li Chuntao wasn''t lying. She''d heard about ReduX Entertainment scouting Mu Jianyu as it''s new CEO and with him around, Lin Meirong would definitely get a better chance against her, now more than ever.


    "Then Miss Li, what do I do?" Her future didn''t seem very brightnow with the sudden changes that wereing her way.


    "Nothing. You just have to work hard as usual and let me deal with them." Li Chuntao told her nonchntly as if she didn''t care whether Lan Jinyao trusts her or not. She was merely a pawn on this game of revenge anyway.


    "Now, you listen to what I say. I''m telling you this so you can prepare yourself from the disappointment that is waiting for you. The winners are already decided and you won''t be able to win the award." Li Chuntao continued.


    "W-what?!" Lan Jinyao''s hands shook as she held her cup. This wasn''t what she was expecting to hear from Li Chuntao. What the hell was happening? How did themitteee to a decision even before the awarding dayes?


    "You look surprised." Li Chuntao chuckled amusedly at Lan Jinyao''s reaction, "You, of all people, should know how dirty and corrupt the industry is. I guess you haven''t seen enough malintent to believe that everyone has a heart of gold like you and Ying."


    Lan Jinyao flinched at her words. What Li Chuntao said was true and she should have known this after years of being oppressed by her half-sister.


    How many times did she receive unfair treatment from her co-workers in the films she starred in? Lan Jinyao had lost count already.


    "So I only need to wait? Is that it?" Was it really that easy? Should she really ce her future in Li Chuntao''s hands? Were there any options left for her to take?


    Li Chuntao hummed and nodded. The blend of her coffee wasn''t into her liking. The sweetness that hit her tongue was too much. She preferred a strong blend than mild and sweet ones.


    "Yes, I want you to wait, sit back and wait for the bomb I''ve specially prepared just for Lin Meirong." The curved of her lips told Lan Jinyao that this woman was up to no good. "I intend to destroy Lin Meirong''s career in one strike. Her career would plummet in one go."


    Lan Jinyao couldn''t stop the shiver that ran through her body. Li Chuntao nned to destroy Lin Meirong? Her fear of Li Chuntao was really logical, she realized. It seemed like this witch wasn''t wasting any time to seek revenge for Li Xiuying.

 Chapter 145 - Li Chuntaos Secret (1)

    When one had nothing to lose anymore, would a person truly be cruel and wicked like Li Chuntao? As she let the hot water wash off the dirt and sweat from her skin, the remnants of her nightmare, she tried to keep her thoughts busy.


    Her uncle had found leads on Ying''s cause of death and it was progressing smoothly, however, she remembered the bet he initiated with her. If she were to lose, it would be her fate to stay here permanently. This wasn''t something she would allow to happen.


    She might be up for revenge, but she was sure as hell her life didn''t belong to this ce anymore. Her future no longer belonged to this ce. Li Chuntao had no ns to lose to her uncle this time.


    Once she was done, she would leave behind for good. This would not only give her peace but it would also allow her to start anew. The only question was, would she be brave enough to turn her back on Shen Zichen this time?


    "Foolish," Li Chuntao closed her eyes and ran her hands over her wet hair. She had the audacity to call Mu Jianyu stupid when she was the biggest pathetic person around. The irony.


    Hadn''t she learned her lessons yet? How many times did she need Shen Zichen to break her until her heart epted what her mind already knew?


    Her Aunt Yue''s words resounded in her mind. What could possibly be the oue if she confessed everything to Shen Zichen? She doubted that he would look at her the same way if he knew.


    This would not only open the wounds she had but she was sure Shen Zichen would me himself for everything that happened to her. Knowing his personality, he probably would make a huge deal out of it.


    Li Chuntao sighed. This was really getting out of hand. She was starting to regret having an affair with him. She knew she would regret it eventually and this would be a pain in the butt to deal withter on.


    She turned off the shower and pulled a clean towel to dry herself before slipping on her pajamas. It was almost midnight, but her mind was still filled with thoughts of him and the past. How can she detach herself from someone she couldn''t be with?


    She''d known from the start that this wouldn''t be easy. Love wasn''t going to be fair to anyone. It won''t always go the way you wanted it to and Li Chuntao certainly knew that just because she loved him, it didn''t mean that he was going to fall in love with her in return.


    It''s difficult when she was pining for someone she knew she''d never have, and this was the ugly side of love that people rarely talk about because of how sad it was. This was the kind of love that didn''t signal the beginning of something beautiful, but rather the end of something that might have been but will never amount to anything more.


    Li Chuntao slid the ss door that led to the balcony open and looked outside. While everyone''s asleep, her mind was clear and active. Usually, ording to her routine, by this time she should be starting her rounds and attending the patients in the emergency room. It had only been three months and yet, her hands and her mind were itching to go back to the routine her body was ustomed to.


    "Can''t sleep?" A man''s voice interrupted her thoughts. She turned her head to her left and saw Shen Zichen leaning on the rail with a cigarette in his hand. He was looking smugly at her as if he already knew she woulde out here tonight.


    "Brother Zichen," she greeted him. She wasn''t expecting to see him.


    Li Chuntao extended a hand to him and eyed his cigarette. He only smoked whenever he was really stressed about something. Ah, so she wasn''t the only one feeling pressured.


    "Give me one," she demanded from him.


    Shen Zichen took a pack of cigarettes and a lighter from his pocket and passed it to her. Thankfully, the distance between their balconies wasn''t too far.


    "I didn''t know you smoke," he said, almost sounding like a question to her ears, but there was no hint of disapproval on his face.


    "Hmm.. you get to learn new habits when you''re away," she casually said and took a piece of cigarette and lit it up.


    Neither of them talked for a while and just enjoyed each other''spany. Weren''t they always like this before she started having feelings for him? Li Chuntao hoped that they could return to what they were, before all these uncertainties surfaced.


    "He''s still not home?" He asked out of the blue, breaking the silence between them.


    "Hnn¡­ he''s with that woman again. I''m guessing that pregnancy has made her more unstable," she leaned on the railing and looked at the busy streets below them.


    "Your n is actually working smoothly. Might as well finish it before they''re able to find a way to escape," he suggested.


    "That depends on how they would reactter, especially Mu Jianyu," she puffed the smoke out from her lips and felt the breeze ying with her damp hair.


    "Has he started regretting what he''d done to Ying? It would be nice to see him groveling on his knees, asking for forgiveness." Shen Zichen hadn''t seen the man repent for the sins hemitted, because every time he and Mu Jianyu met, there was this animosity that could never be ignored by others.


    "We''ll get there soon, Brother Zichen. For now, let him experience the pain of betrayal from Ying. If he wasn''t so stupid, none of us would be here and Ying would have still been alive."


    "Regret is always toote for those who have sinned." Shen Zichen agreed with her but Li Chuntao seemed to have a faraway look as if she wasn''t really into their conversation.


    There was something different about Li Chuntao, but Shen Zichen couldn''t pinpoint what it was. She looked the same, but her eyes seemed guarded more than ever. What could possibly happen for her to change?


    Li Chuntao was keeping a secret and she wasn''t telling him what it was, like she used to. Shen Zichen realized that she''s changed a lot ever since she migrated overseas. When she hadn''t left, they were open about their secrets to each other. She was even the first one whom he told about his attractions to Ying and about the woman he had a one night stand with.


    Why was it, as he looked at her, couldn''t he even surmise what was going on in her mind? He could easily read her before. Did their long separation really drift them apart?


    Whatever it was, Shen Zichen didn''t like seeing her like this. This wasn''t the Li Chuntao he was ustomed to, but what if it was a part of her she''d never shown him? Shouldn''t he ept it?


    Shen Zichen wanted to ask her what was bothering her, tell her that whatever it was, everything would be alright, that he would be by her side and wouldn''t leave her alone again.


    "What do you want to do after this is over?" He asked curiously.

 Chapter 146 - Li Chuntaos Secret (2)

    When Li Chuntao woke up the next day, Mu Jianyu was still nowhere to be found. He only sent a short message to her phone, informing her that he would being home tonight. She shook her head and headed to the bathroom to wash her face and changed into Ying''s home clothes before heading to the kitchen.


    Yu Luo was surprised to see her up so early in the morning. She was about to prepare Li Chuntao''s breakfast when thetter showed up and took over the cooking.


    "Miss¡­" she wanted to ask Li Chuntao to let her do it but the mncholic expression on Li Chuntao''s face stopped her. The usual cold and reserved Miss Chuntao was looking sad and depressed today? What happened now?


    "Yu Lou, have you forgotten what day it is today?" Li Chuntao said, answering Yu Luo''s unspoken question.


    Yu Luo remained silent for a moment, thinking hard about what Li Chuntao was talking about. It took her sometime before she understood what Li Chuntao was referring to. How can she forget about it! She suddenly felt guilty for Li Chuntao.


    Today was a special day for Li Chuntao and Li Xiuying. It was her parents'' death anniversary.


    "Go and tell Su Ling to prepare the car. We''ll leave in an hour after we finish breakfast."


    "Yes, Miss!" Yu Luo didn''t waste time and did Li Chuntao''s bidding.


    ---


    Meanwhile, Shen Zichen had received a phone call from Zheng Yue asking him if he could visit her at the Li Mansion. He was beyond confused as to what she wanted from him but he supposed it was about the sudden turn in his rtionship with Li Chuntao.


    Since he would be in for another graveyard shift tonight, he would have enough time to spare to see Zheng Yue. He dressed up, took his keys from his nightstand, and closed the door before going to the parking space when he caught a glimpse of Li Chuntao''s car speeding away.


    Well, they were in a rtionship, but Shen Zichen never questioned her about her whereabouts unless she was with Mu Jianyu. As he drove towards the Li Mansion, he wondered if he should have a proper talk with Li Chuntao about their rtionship.


    The security within the Li Mansion was tight, but because Shen Zichen''s visitation was already expected, he was easily allowed in.


    A housemaid led her to the garden where Zheng Yue was busy tending to the flower beds. She had a straw hat on her head and was wearing home clothes. Anyone who saw her like this wouldn''t think that she was a film empress during her younger years.


    "Aunt Yue," he called her.


    Zheng Yue stood up and beamed a smile at him when she saw him. She wasn''t sure if he coulde here at short notice and wasn''t expecting to see him too soon.


    "Zichen, I''m d you came." She joined him on the vacant seat in the garden and removed the gloves from her hands.


    "You asked for me. How can I decline your invitation for lunch today." He paused and looked around, "I thought Chuntao would be here." Given that he''d seen her leave the apartmentplex the same time as him.


    "No, she''s not here. Not today," Zheng Yue sighed dejectedly which confused Shen Zichen.


    "Auntie, is there something you need to tell me?" Shen Zichen didn''t want to beat around the bush and directly asked her. Was it about Chuntao? Was there something Zheng Yue wanted to hear from him?


    Zheng Yue felt conflicted for a while. She looked at Shen Zichen''s face and wondered if she was doing the right thing for Li Chuntao. Would her niece hate her if she found out what she''s about to do today?


    But Zheng Yue couldn''t bear to watch her niece suffer any longer. Why were they keeping it from Shen Zichen in the first ce? If they truly loved each other, then Li Chuntao shouldn''t hide these secrets from him anymore.


    She also believed that if two hearts were meant to be together, no matter how long it takes, how far they go and how tough it seems, fate will bring them together to share their love forever. Since she believed that Shen Zichen and Chuntao truly loved each other, she didn''t want to make it hard for the two of them anymore.


    "I hope Chuntao won''t hate me for doing this," she muttered to herself but Shen Zichen heard her. She bit her lower lip and led Shen Zichen far from everyone''s earshot.


    "Zichen, do you remember the day you and Ying were kidnapped together?"


    Zheng Yue had no choice but to start where everything began. She wasn''t sure why her husband and niece weren''t saying anything about that event but she waspletely aware of what had happened.


    Shen Zichen frowned at her question. Of course, how could he not remember the time when he started to grow romantic feelings for Ying. Ten years ago, he and Li Xiuying were kidnapped by a man who was holding a grudge against Li Yuren.


    It happened on Ying''s first day joining the Li Corporation. Someone had managed to sneak in and drug him and Li Xiuying. The next thing he knew, they were both kept in an old mansion as hostages.


    "Yes, what about it, Aunt Yue? Isn''t the man already serving lifetime imprisonment?"


    The person responsible for it was easily subdued by Li Yuren, but the rescue for him and Li Xiuying took longer than what they expected. It was already past midnight when he was groggily awakened by Ying as the fire consumed the old mansion.


    He wasn''t sure why she was asking him these. The case was already closed and he and Ying survived that trauma. It was a chapter in their life that left an impact on them. It changed everything, especially for Shen Zichen.


    During that time, a massive fire had started inside the old mansion where he and Li Xiuying were being kept before the rescuers managed to arrive. He was drugged and could barely move an inch from where he was and it was Li Xiuying who heroically dragged him outside to save themselves from fire.


    He could barely remember some snippets of the event in his mind. Wherever he looked, the fire was everywhere. He thought he would die along with Li Xiuying but the young woman refused to cease her life at that moment and told him to keep his consciousness.


    Shen Zichen lost his consciousness when the rescuers arrived, but knew that he and Ying were saved from that point. That was when he started to have a soft spot for Ying. He owed her his life and he swore that from that moment on, he would look after her.


    "No. Don''t worry. That man will rot in jail, I assure you," Zheng Yue told him. "But he isn''t the one I want to talk about," she continued.


    "Then what is it, Aunt Yue?" Shen Zichen then had no idea where this conversation would lead.


    Zheng Yue kept her silence for a moment as if she was wondering if she should be talking about this to him.


    "Then¡­" She lifted her gaze and met Shen Zichen''s eyes, "Could you tell me who was the young woman with you when it happened?"

 Chapter 147 - At The Cost Of Her Own Happiness (1)

    Shen Zichen looked at Zheng Yue incredulously. He was confused by her question. Shouldn''t she know by now that it was Li Xiuying who had been with him throughout the incident? What was she trying to imply?


    His thoughts came into a halt, his eyes widening as the reason sank in his mind. Zheng Yue was looking at him seriously as if she had expected his reaction over her question.


    "Aunt Yue, I''m pretty sure you know it was Ying, but why are you asking me this question?"


    There was this gnawing feeling inside of him that he couldn''t exin. Was he wrong all along? Was it Li Chuntao? But how could it possibly happen when it was Ying who he was supposed to meet that day?


    Shen Zichen tried to recall what happened that day. He remembered being asked by his twin sister, Shen Yuyan to pick Ying up at Li Corporation to celebrate her first day at work. He was waiting for Ying toe down and meet him at the parking space below the building when someone attacked him from behind.


    He had no recollection of what happened next and was awakened by Ying''s voice during the fire.


    Zheng Yue didn''t say anything in response but her face told him her answer. Shen Zichen felt like someone had punched him right in his chest.


    "It was Chuntao?" He stood up and paced around, a hand reaching up to cover his mouth in disbelief. He''d deduced that there''s only one possible reason why Zheng Yue was asking him this question.


    He then looked at Zheng Yue helplessly, begging her to tell him the truth.


    "Please, Aunt Yue. Tell me it wasn''t her. Tell me it wasn''t Chuntao," Shen Zichen asked, almost pleading. Hoping that he wasn''t right this time.


    It couldn''t be her because if that young woman who was abducted with him, the woman who saved his life was Li Chuntao and not Li Xiuying, he definitely fucked up big time. He wouldn''t know how to face herter if he really failed to recognize her at that crucial moment.


    "Before that day, Ying was gravely ill and had been bedridden for a week. She knew the implication if she didn''t show up on her supposed first day at work and ask Chuntao for a favor to do a switch with her." Zheng Yue started which was enough to freeze the blood in Shen Zichen''s veins upon hearing it.


    "As you know, that wasn''t the first time they did a switch. It was a usual thing for the twins to do whenever one was having trouble but it was always Ying who asked for a switch, not Chuntao," Zheng Yue tried her best to exin the situation before. "And so, that day, the one who faced the board of directors and had a meeting with the shareholders was our Chuntao and not Ying,"


    Shen Zichen was being overwhelmed by what she was saying but the question that had been bugging him was why didn''t Chuntao say anything? If she was that woman, why didn''t she correct him when he said it was Ying who saved his life?


    "Zichen, please sit down. I know this is too much to take in, but please hear me out. I''m sure neither Chuntao nor my husband would tell you what happened that day, but I feel like you deserve to know everything especially now that you are with Chuntao." Zheng Yue told him worriedly. She dearly hoped that after this confession of hers, Shen Zichen and Li Chuntao would try to work things out from now on.


    Shen Zichen had no choice but to follow her. He sat down and cupped his hands together on top of the table between them. He really felt like an asshole right now. How could he do it to Li Chuntao? How could he hurt her?


    "Then why didn''t she say anything? After that event, didn''t she stay overseas to find the right medical school to attend?"


    Yes, he could remember when he was recovering from his minor injuries, Li Xiuying had visited him at the hospital but Li Chuntao was nowhere to be found.


    When he asked Ying where Chuntao was, Ying hesitantly told him that Chuntao left to find a medical school to attend and it was a whole year before the woman came back and showed herself to him.


    "That was a lie for you not to worry about her, Zichen," Zheng Yue felt pain for her niece. None of these should have happened. It was no one''s fault.


    "In truth, when Chuntao managed to drag you and her out of that burning ce, she was also gravely injured. Her back had serious burns and my husband was forced to send her abroad to get reconstructive surgery and treat her injuries. It was hard to watch her during those times."Zheng Yue admitted.


    She paused as her eyes brimmed and glistened with tears at the thought of how Li Chuntao cried over the pain on her back and how she begged Li Yuren to help her ease the pain. It was too much for Zheng Yue to watch.


    "Did Ying know?" Shen Zichen was starting to see the bigger picture, together with the missing pieces. But Ying was someone who wouldn''t dare to lie on him. Had she known? Then why did she keep the truth from him?


    "Ying didn''t know what happened to her sister. She only found out monthster when she begged my husband to tell her where Chuntao went. She was beyond devastated and had med herself for what happened to her younger sister."


    She and Li Yuren had expected the situation, which was why they tried to hide the truth from her, but Ying still med herself. Li Xiuying couldn''t me anyone but herself. Had she known Li Chuntao would be subjected to that kind of pain and trauma, she would''ve forced herself to go to work that day. None of these wouldn''t happen if she didn''t ask Chuntao for a switch.


    Shen Zichen remained silent. No wonder when he saw Li Chuntao months after the incident, her hair was shorter and she rarely epted his and Yuyan''s invitation to hang out with them.


    Li Chuntao then frequently took overseas trips after her return and never discussed anything with him. Not even her ns once she found a medical school. He acted like her disappearance never happened and treated her the same. He also confessed to her that he intends to court Ying with her approval.


    Such a foolish person he was! Shen Zichen knew this now.


    "Chuntao¡­ Zichen, we''ve known for years how dear you are to her. We know she loves you, even if she doesn''t know this herself."


    No wonder Ying couldn''t tell him how they survived the fire when he asked her. No wonder he couldn''t see or talk to Li Chuntao months after the incident and when she came back, he gave her a painful p when he told her of his intention for Ying.


    "Zichen, please don''t me yourself. This was all a misunderstanding. I''m sure Chuntao didn''t want you to be med for her injuries." Zheng Yue held his hand as he tried to stop himself from exploding in rage.


    "At the cost of her happiness, Aunt Yue? I''ve wronged her. How can I not me myself?"

 Chapter 148 - At The Cost Of Her Own Happiness (2)

    Li Chuntao was d that it wasn''t raining today and although the sun was hiding behind the thick clouds, at least she wasn''t expecting it to rain anytime soon. Getting out of the car, she went ahead and walked into the cemetery where her parents'' remains were. Behind her, Su Ling and Yu Lou kept a safe distance away from her to give her space and privacy.


    She walked through a maze-like pathway until she reached the Li family''s mausoleum. She ced the basket filled with flowers on one side and started to clean the tombs without waiting for Su Ling and Yu Lou who arrivedter. They helped her clean and wiped off the specks of dust around it while Li Chuntao ced new sets of flowers for each tomb.


    Once they were done sprucing up the ce, the two stepped out of the mausoleum and decided to wait for her at the car to give her time with her parents. They both respected that Li Chuntao needed time on her own to grieve.


    "Hi, Mommy. Hi, Daddy. I''m sorry I haven''t been able to visit you." Li Chuntao slumped on the clear floor facing their gravestones. Her long skirt fanned out around her while the ck coat she was donning earlier was ced on herp. "Ying is now with you, so I know you wouldn''t have to worry about her but I¡­"


    Li Chuntao paused and looked down at her hands. She wasn''t proud of what she''d be. She was nothing but a vengeful woman who''d lost the will to live after Ying''s death.


    "Sorry, if you have gotten lonely, waiting for me to visit you. I know that seven years are simply too long."


    Li Chuntao wasn''t used to this. Ying was the one who taught her how to release her frustrations and worries on their parents but she never thought that it would change anything. However, now, Li Chuntao felt more alone than ever. She had no one to rely on except her Uncle Yuren.


    "So many things happened and I don''t know where to start." She sighed and looked around. The ce remained the same. She remembered years ago, crying her heart out in front of their graves, holding Ying''s hand. Had it really been that long?


    Before she knew it, she was already detailing her life for the past seven years and how she ended up being here, pretending as Ying. She also exined how their Uncle Yuren proposed another bet this time hoping that she would stay permanently with them.


    She left no detail out and spoke in such a way that one would think she was talking to a real, living person at how she added hand gestures and scoffed as she narrated everything.


    "But I can''t say I''m really happy now¡­" she admitted, "I really miss you, Ying. Why did you have to leave me so soon?"


    Tears stung her eyes but she made no effort to stop it from flowing. Since she moved in to Mu Jianyu''s ce, Li Chuntao guarded her emotions, not letting the man be even a little suspicious of her. She refused to lose in this game of revenge she had personally started.


    "You were taken away from me too soon. I can''t even imagine how to continue living without you," she sobbed, letting the tears roll down her cheeks. Three months had passed and yet, she still couldn''t ept her sister''s death.


    Li Chuntao felt like she was an unlucky person. Not only did she lose her parents at a young age, she also lost her twin sister before she even achieved her dream. What was she supposed to do? Everything that she held dear, she lost.


    "But don''t worry about me. Mom, Dad. I''ll be fine. The seven long years sure was hell for me but it was nothing I couldn''t endure, but to lose Ying? I''m so sorry for failing you. I should have paid more attention to my sister when she needed me the most." She ced both of her hands on her face and sobbed quietly.


    So many regrets but so little opportunity to amend them. Li Chuntao felt like fate was against her, that she wasn''t allowed to be happy in this lifetime.


    Li Chuntao allowed herself to cry. She didn''t care if her eyes would be red and swollenter but this was the only ce she knew she could be true to herself. In the face of her family, she was Li Chuntao, their little iris.


    She tried to remember those happy moments she had shared with them especially when both of her parents were still alive. While she was dubbed at their little iris, Ying was their little star. Ying might be the eldest between them, but Chuntao was healthier andrger when they were born. It was no wonder people around them always mistake her as the elder twin.


    "Ying, I promise you, I''ll find the one responsible for your death. I might not be able to send them to apany you in the afterlife but I''ll make sure they would regret crossing paths with you."


    But before that, she must find the lead herself before her Uncle Yuren beat her into it. Since she had decided to migrate for good and never return, she would have to use all her resources to win the bet.


    Li Chuntao pulled herself back on her feet and wiped the tears on her face. Weak as she was, she wouldn''t let anyone take advantage of it. Ying might have a heart of gold to forgive, but she didn''t.


    She slipped her arms back into her coat and adjusted her cor while her eyes remained fixated to the gravestones where her parents'' names were etched. Since Ying''s remains had been cremated, it''s currently ced in her Uncle Yuren''s study for the meantime.


    "Ying, if you''ve met my little angel there¡­" Her words trailed off as she thought of the words she kept inside her heart. Aside from her Uncle Yuren, there was no other soul who knew about the child''s brief existence.


    "...would you tell him, I haven''t forgotten about him. Tell him, Mommy''s doing just fine. Tell him, I love him still, that he''s still my little angel."


    Li Chuntao knew that it was impossible but she couldn''t think of any other reason why she was having those recurring dreams again. It had been years but she would never forget the little bun she swore to love with all her heart. Their time together might have been too short but it was enough for her to have a strong bond with him.


    This... This was a secret Li Chuntao swore to bury until herst breath. Not even Ying knew about him and she hoped Ying wouldn''t hold it against her. Because until now, Li Chuntao hadn''t made peace on her past and the hollow space that was left in her heart when the little bun passed away was still left gaping.


    "My little Li Zirui, my little angel, I love you."


    Li Chuntao bid her goodbye, picked up her handbag, and turned to leave but before she reached the exit, she saw Shen Zichen standing there looking at her with a stern expression on his face.

 Chapter 149 - Li Zirui (1)

    Li Chuntao wasn''t sure how long Shen Zichen had been standing right behind her. Had he heard everything she''d said? She tried to read him but the man didn''t even give her a clue. He seemed deep in thought and she could only guess that he overheard thest part of her monologue.


    "Brother Zichen, what are you doing here?" She asked as she continued to stride outside.


    Shen Zichen followed her closely, walking next to her. He didn''t say anything. He wasn''t sure if he should confront her about the truth Zheng Yue had confessed to him earlier. The guilt was eating him inside. He didn''t know that he''d been hurting Li Chuntao without him knowing about it.


    The cold breeze wasparable to the coldness Li Chuntao had in her heart. The fallen leaves at their feet swished and moved as the wind continued to blow.


    "You heard it, didn''t you?" She asked him again. There was no point pretending he didn''t overhear what she said back there. They took a walk together, slowly, back to the entrance where Su Ling and Yu Lou were waiting for her.


    This time she received a response from him. "Yes,"


    "Then aren''t you going to ask me any questions?" Li Chuntao was unusually calm and collected when she should be worrying about his reaction.


    Shen Zichen was conflicted about what should be the first thing to ask her. There were so many questions that he had in his mind, but one thing irked him the most.


    "Chuntao, who''s Li Zirui?"


    This was something he was curious about. He didn''t mean to overhear what she was saying earlier, but the thought of her having a child shocked him. What else did he not know about her? Was this the reason she hid abroad for seven years?


    After his meeting with Zheng Yue, Shen Zichen left the Li Mansion with so many questions in his head. He wondered why Li Chuntao kept the truth from him and why she allowed him to believe that it was Ying all along.


    Was this also the reason why Ying never took him seriously? If Ying knew that it was Chuntao whom he loved and he''d mistaken her for Chuntao then why¡­ why didn''t either of them tell him the truth?


    "He''s my son," she confessed.


    Li Chuntao admitted it too easily, which confused and shocked the hell out Shen Zichen. He was prepared to hear her confess about the child being hers but to actually hear it from her lips, it still caught him off guard.


    "What happened to him?" If his assumption was correct, the child died even before she came back three months ago. This might have happened a long time ago and neither Ying nor he was aware of it.


    "Dead. I delivered a stillbirth baby at 37 weeks." There was a slight tremble on her voice that Shen Zichen heard. "I wasn''t able to save him," she added. It was aplication during her pregnancy that took the baby''s life.


    Silence ensued between them as neither knew how to proceed with this delicate conversation.


    How was he supposed to react when he just found out that his lover had a dead son she''d never mentioned before? What else was she hiding from him? What were the lies¡­ No, Shen Zichen stopped himself at that thought. Li Chuntao was anything but a liar. She might have kept this a secret to protect those around her.


    "How about the father? Does he know what happened to your baby?" He asked.


    Shen Zichen saw her chew her lip and looked away. This was a habit he knew Li Chuntao had when she was considering how much she should spill, but he wouldn''t force her.


    "He.... doesn''t know about the baby," she murmured to him "I had him from a one night stand," Li Chuntao smiled bitterly.


    Shen Zichen halted his steps and stared at her with bewilderment. This wasn''t what he was expecting to hear from her. He thought that the father would be someone she used to date back then.


    Li Chuntao also stopped when she didn''t hear him walking alongside her. She suddenly felt she was treading on thin ice, where it could at any moment scratch and swallow her alive.


    "You had a one night stand?" He asked in confusion.


    It wasn''t like her to do something like that. Actually, he knew for a fact that Li Chuntao wasn''t up for dating. He''d seen men try to catch her attention before but none of them seeded.


    "Y-yes," Li Chuntao avoided his gaze and looked down as if the ground was better to look at than his face right now.


    Shen Zichen chuckled and walked a few steps ahead of her.


    "What a coincidence. I also had a one night stand with a faceless woman. I must be really drunk not to remember her face," he said yfully then looked over his shoulder only to see her rubbing her arm. "What are the odds that we slept together?" He blurted out with a mischievous smile on his lips.


    Li Chuntao''s eyes widened dramatically and lifted her head to look at him in shock. She was frozen at the spot as she looked at him with wide eyes.


    Shen Zichen''s smile faltered as he saw her reaction over the harmless words he just sputtered. Why was she looking at him like that? He was just joking and yet Li Chuntao looked at him as if she''d seen a ghost.


    "Chuntao?" He stepped forward, a hand reaching out to touch her but Li Chuntao took a step away from him.


    Please don''t tell me she was¡­ she was the woman he spent the night seven years ago. And the child she lost, the boy she named Li Zirui¡­ was his son he never knew existed.


    "You are that woman¡­" His tone sounded like an usation to Li Chuntao''s ears but she didn''t know how to respond. Her eyes were closed with tears pooling again and she blinked hard to look at him.


    "LI CHUNTAO!" Shen Zichen yelled, disturbing the peacefulness of the cemetery and getting both the attention of Li Chuntao''s bodyguards who heard his scream. Su Ling and Yu Luo were both shocked to see what was happening.


    Young Master Shen and Miss Chuntao were fighting? This had never happened before!


    Shen Zichen saw her shiver but not from the coldness around them but from fear of him. He shortened the distance between them and shook her shoulders.


    "What else are you not telling me? Huh? Did it make you happy to see me make a fool out of myself?" Shen Zichen couldn''t stop the words that slipped from his mouth. He wanted to know. Wanted to know why she was doing this to him.


    "You know you were the one who I''ve been looking for and you let me misunderstand that it was Ying all this time? What do you take me for, Chuntao? What?!"


    He was so angry at her, but most of all he was angry with himself. He should have known all this earlier. He watched as the woman he loved finally lifted down her cold mask and broke down in front of him.


    "Zichen¡­" Li Chuntao choked a sob, "I''m sorry. I''m really sorry."


    Shen Zichen released her and took several steps away from her. He raised both hands and smacked his own face in rage while Li Chuntao''s cries could be heard from where he was standing.


    It was too much for him to digest and to understand and on a whim, he walked away, leaving Li Chuntao crying behind him.

 Chapter 150 - Li Zirui (2)

    Shen Zichen left and Li Chuntao didn''t dare to chase after him. Now that he finally knew the truth, she had no reason to pretend anymore. She wasn''t sure how he found out about the truth of the fire incident but it didn''t matter now. The dream she cast on herself had finally faded and now she had to face the bitterness of reality.


    She ceased her crying and wiped her tears dry. Her eyes found her bodyguards near the entrance, both shocked and bewildered from what they witnessed, but Li Chuntao knew that they would hold their tongues and wouldn''t spread what they''d seen today.


    Li Chuntao walked towards them with her cold mask back in ce as if her confrontation with Young Master Shen never happened. She looked the same but her eyes were now veiled with emotions none of them couldprehend.


    "Let''s go," she told them and both were left with no choice but to lead her out of the cemetery, opening the door of the backseat for her to enter, and to drive back to the apartmentplex.


    Su Ling and Yu Lou weren''t surprised to not see Shen Zichen''s car that was parked behind them minutes ago. Young Master Shen seemed like he was really angry at their Miss Chuntao, something they hadn''t seen before.


    In their eyes, Shen Zichen was a stern but easy to get along person. He was also respectful to the Li twins'' bodyguards and never gave them a problem before. Those who''d been working closely with the Li twins knew how close he was with them especially to their Miss Chuntao.


    They''d never seen or heard them argued or had a big fight before. Su Ling took a quick nce over his dashboard mirror to check on their Miss Chuntao, but she was looking outside the window, deep in her thoughts.


    Of course, she didn''t fail to notice the skeptical look both of her bodyguards had. Now that Shen Zichen knows the truth, what would happen next?


    Li Chuntao had no idea but she tried to push the unwanted thoughts away from her mind. She should have seen iting, should have known that there were truths she can never keep from him no matter how hard she tried.


    How foolish she was to wish for something more from him.


    She was a witch after all. Only princesses and fair maidens deserved a happy ending. Someone like her, Li Chuntao doubted. If it wasn''t ringly obvious that the heavens hated her, she didn''t know what to expect anymore.


    Her parents gone, Ying forcefully taken away from her and her baby didn''t even get to breathe when he came. What else could she lose now that Shen Zichen had turned his back on her and abandoned her?


    A witch like herself had no future or right to love. This, Li Chuntao learned the hard way. She deserved nothing because she was nothing. If she''d known earlier that she would lose anyone she came to love, she wouldn''t dare to open her heart and love them fiercely as she could.


    But how can she not love her parents? How can she not love Ying and most of all, how can she not love the person whom she bore for months and hade from the man she loved the most?


    Li Chuntao closed her eyes and let a single tear drop from her eye. She needed to get over it soon. Although she was prepared for this to happen, she didn''t expect him to find out too soon.


    ''Zirui, help Mommy to stay strong,''


    Her little angel, whom she only held and saw for a few hours before he was taken away from her for good. Her baby, Li Zirui was the most beautiful child she''d seen, not because he was hers, but she couldn''tpare him to any other baby she''d seen before.


    The fourteen hours she spent with her stillbirth child were etched deep in her memories. He was a healthy, normal baby and if he had been born a couple of days earlier, he''d be here today. However, she delivered him cold and lifeless.


    She had taken a lot of pictures of him, made keepsakes, and even kept some locks of his hair to remember him by but it still wasn''t enough to stop the overwhelming grief that filled her heart. Li Chuntao felt like she''d failed him as a mother.


    ---


    Meanwhile, Shen Zichen''s car sped away from the cemetery, away from Li Chuntao. He was having a hard time controlling the surging emotions that washed through him after everything he found out today.


    He couldn''t believe he''d failed to connect the pieces of the events prior to Li Chuntao''s departure seven years ago. It made sense now why she suddenly left without saying goodbye personally to him and Li Xiuying.


    Li Chuntao had left without a word and sent a message to his phone before her flight. It was toote for him to meet her at the airport when he read it. Even Li Xiuying was surprised at Li Chuntao''s sudden departure.


    How could he not know sooner? Why didn''t he realize that it was her all along?


    She was the woman he''d been looking for all this time. He''d been looking for her everywhere and hadn''t realized that he''d been looking too far when the one he was looking for was just nearby.


    Shen Zichen rubbed his temple while his other hand was on the steering wheel. He was beyond confused about what to do and what to believe. He wondered, what else was he supposed to know about Li Chuntao?


    His mind then went back to the baby she mentioned earlier. He still couldn''t believe that he managed to father a child and what''s more with Li Chuntao herself. She said she''d carried their child up to 37 weeks but lost him. A little more and she could have delivered their baby full term.


    "Li Zirui" Shen Zichen tested the name of his dead son. It should have felt strange to him but it didn''t. He actually liked the name of his child.


    At least, Li Chuntao had managed to bestow a name to their child but he was now itching to know what had happened to her and why she lost their baby. Chances of having a stillbirth increases once the gestation reaches the thirty-seventh week and gradually increases up to forty seconds.


    Give or take, Li Chuntao was only twenty-one years old when she gave birth to Li Zirui and is considered as a young mother. She must be really scared dealing with the pregnancy alone. Li Chuntao might be a strong woman but she was still young and inexperienced back then. Shen Zichen could only imagine how scared she was when she found out about her pregnancy.


    Shen Zichen wasn''t ready to go home. Not now. He wasn''t ready to see Li Chuntao yet and he wasn''t nning to go to the hospital when his mind was clearly disturbed by today''s revtions. He didn''t want to make a mistake at work, one that he might regretter.


    He took a sudden turn and drove towards SY Holdings.. He would need to confirm something with his little sister, Shen Lingqing.

 Chapter 151 - Trouble In Paradise (1)

    In just under thirty minutes, Shen Zichen reached his destination. He left his car at the car park below and took the private elevator that led to his sister''s office, which was located at the top of the building. The security let him inside the elevator and once he reached the top floor, two of Shen Lingqing''s secretaries greeted him.


    Her personal assistant came and saw him and led him inside the CEO''s office. His sister''s office was huge and her table was set near the floor to ceiling windows that could oversee the busy streets of the business district.


    Shen Zichen found his little sister busy with work all over her desk as usual. He wondered if this woman still had free time for herself with the way she drowned herself at work. His overwhelming work at the hospital seemed iparable next to Shen Lingqing''s load.


    "Qingqing, I need to talk to you. Give me at least fifteen minutes," he didn''t waste time and sat on the couch and rolled his sleeves up to his elbows.


    Shen Lingqing brought down the papers in her hands and nced at her elder brother. Noticing the deep scowl on his face, she sighed and stood up from her seat, stride towards him, and took the seat across him.


    "So¡­ another trouble in paradise?" Shen Lingqing asked and crossed her legs, her hands rested on top of her knees.


    Shen Zichen gave her a good look and chuckled. She was wearing a business suit for women and a pair of ck high heels. With her impassive cold face, she was looking more and more like their father.


    "You are looking more like Dad," hemented. Shen Lingqing cocked a brow at him.


    "But Dad told me this morning I look more like Mom these days, so who''s telling the truth, Zi Gege?" She retorted.


    "I suppose it''s safe to say you''re half and half of them," Shen Zichen slightly nodded.


    "What brings you here?" His little sister asked. "Ten minutes. That''s all I can spare for you," then she eyed the stack of papers on her desk. "Still so much work to do."


    "Tell me something, Qingqing¡­" Shen Zichen looked troubled, which made Shen Lingqing uneasy.


    "What is it?" She demanded.


    "Tell me¡­ do you know all along that the girl from that night was Li Chuntao?" He asked, locking his gaze with hers. By the way her eyes slightly went wide, he knew that his assumptions were true. She must have known.


    Shen Lingqing took several seconds before she could answer him. "Yes,"


    "Who else knew about this?" He gritted his teeth at her but Shen Zichen knew he couldn''t really me his sister.


    "It''s just me and Sister Chuntao," she sighed and ran her fingers through her silky ck hair. Shen Lingqing hadn''t expected that her brother would find out about it, but since he knew already, there was no point in hiding the truth.


    "She was about to slip out of your apartment that day. Lingtian was downstairs to carry the bags of food Mom asked us to bring to you. I caught her and then realized what happened between the two of you." Shen Lingqing clearly remembered that day when she and Shen Lingtian dropped by at his ce to bring food, only to stumble upon a crying Li Chuntao that morning.


    "Then why didn''t you tell me? Why the need to hide it from me, Qingqing? I''m your brother!" Shen Zichen was having a hard time to rx and think clearly. He vaguely remembered his sister''s expression that morning and it baffled him. When he realised that it was Li Chuntao, he deduced that Shen Lingqing might have known about it too, given her reaction that day when he woke up.


    "I wasn''t nning to hide it from you, Zi Gege but Sister Chuntao begged me not to tell you. I''m not sure what else happened that night but she was crying nonstop, begging me not to mention anything about her spending the night with you," she exined her side. She could only hope that her brother wouldn''t me her for this.


    Shen Zichen looked conflicted and confused at the same time, a reaction which Shen Lingqing had already expected. He was troubled by the truth he just learned today and was questioning himself what else he should know that everyone seems to be aware of.


    "Then, do you know that she got pregnant after that?" He asked Shen Lingqing after a long silence between them.


    It was Shen Lingqing''s turn to be confused with her brother''s question. Li Chuntao got pregnant? Now, this was news to her! Two months after the incident, Li Chuntao did leave the country to run away, but she had no idea that Li Chuntao was with child.


    "No. This¡­ I''m not aware of this, Zi Gege," she admitted to her brother. She paused as she contemted the previous events that happened. "Then¡­ that means you have a kid. Is she hiding the child from you?"


    Shen Lingqing could tell there was more troubling her brother.


    "The child is dead," Shen Zichen repeated Li Chuntao''s words earlier. Her little sister froze and stared at him in disbelief. How could this have happened? "She delivered a stillbirth baby," he continued, answering Shen Lingqing''s unspoken words.


    Shen Lingqing shut her eyes and let the words her brother just told her sink in her mind.


    "So you mean to say, you got her pregnant the first time and she lost your baby?"


    The scowl that followed wasn''t something she expected to see from him.


    "Qingqing, don''t joke around. I''m not even sure if she was telling me the truth," he lowered his head and cradled it with both hands. Shen Zichen didn''t know what to believe anymore.


    "Is there a reason for her to lie about this, Zi Gege? Do you really think Li Chuntao is capable of using a child to fool you? I don''t think so. Knowing her personality, she probably has decided to hide it from you for the rest of her life because she knew how you would react if you found out," Shen Lingqing reasoned.


    Li Chuntao might have thought that he would me her, that the friendship that they built over the years would be put at stake.


    Shen Zichen lifted his head and looked at his sister. A part of him wished that he could remain calm throughout this just like her, but no, this was beyond the capability of self-control he''d cultivated over the years.


    "Qingqing¡­ help me. I need to know what happened to Chuntao and our baby. I need to know if she really got pregnant at that time." The words that came out from him were filled with despair and helplessness. Something Shen Lingqing didn''t like seeing in any of her siblings.


    Shen Zichen and Shen Yuyan might not have shared the same blood running through her veins but they were her beloved Zi Gege and Yan Jie.


    "I hope you do know, Zi Gege, that the Li family will be alerted at once if I run an investigation on Sister Chuntao," she said in a low voice."And it has been seven years since it happened, this might take some time for me to uncover."


    "Regardless, I just want to know the truth." Shen Zichen didn''t mind waiting at all.. He just wanted to get to the bottom of it.

 Chapter 152 - Trouble In Paradise (2)

    It''s been a week and Li Chuntao didn''t hear anything nor had seen Shen Zichen since theirst meeting at the cemetery. Not that she could me him. He might have probably thought she had yed him and lied to him for a long time.


    But he had no idea how hard it was for her back then. She had to deal with everything alone, especially with Li Zirui''s death. Was she really one to me? She didn''t want any of those to happen but she had to face the nightmare every single day when she woke up. No one had seen her in her helpless state except her Uncle Yuren.


    As she sat there in Ying''s work space, staring in a daze at her paintings, Li Chuntao wondered what she would do next. The stage for Lin Meirong was already prepared and she was just waiting for the day of the award ceremony.


    Meanwhile, Mu Jianyu was already on the edge of how to deal with Ying and Lin Meirong. Ying was looking more and more reserved recently and barely talked to him. His fear about her knowing about Lin Meirong had kept him awake at night.


    "Ying, what are you doing here?" He asked her when he found her sitting in a daze, not moving an inch from where she was seated. He sat next to her and looked at the same painting she''d been staring at.


    "I don''t know what to do. I feel like a part of me is missing. Am I forgetting something? I feel like¡­ I don''t know." Li Chuntao buried her face on her arms, curling herself away from Mu Jianyu.


    "Ying¡­"


    It''s breaking his heart to see her like this, but Mu Jianyu couldn''t do anything to assure her, tofort her. He felt like she was bing more of a stranger with each passing day she was with him.


    Gone was the woman who greeted him with a warm smile every time he came home, the woman who never forgot to remind him to take his meals on time. The wife he''d lost in the ident. Now, he could only see an empty shell that looks like her, but nothing like her.


    "Why don''t you go out with me today? I intend to visit mother but I''m not sure if you wanted to meet her," Mu Jianyu suggested.


    Li Chuntao raised her head and nced at his troubled face.


    "Your mother?" She paused. "How was my rtionship with her before?"


    Yes, as far as she knew, Mu Jianyu''s mother was gravely sick and was staying in a foster home. What kind of son was he to leave his own mother to such a ce alone? Ying had once told her that her mother-inw doesn''t seem to approve of her as Mu Jianyu''s wife.


    "Alright," she agreed easily. It was better to see what kind of woman gave birth to this bastard and to think that this old hog looked down on her twin sister, Ying, Li Chuntao was curious. This was better than moping around, waiting for something to happen.


    Li Chuntao didn''t allow Mu Jianyu to help her get on her feet before leaving him in Ying''s work space. She didn''t want to be touched by him as she was disgusted by his lies and pretentiousness.


    ---


    The drive towards the foster home where Mu Jianyu''s mother was staying was short. Behind them, Yu Lou and Su Ling followed using her car. Mu Jianyu tried to ignore their presence and led Ying inside with a bouquet of flowers in his arm.


    The ce didn''t have much difference to the foster homes Li Chuntao had seen before except that this was considerablyrger in space and the scent reminded her of the hospital. For someone like Mu Jianyu, he was able to afford to pay well for his mother''s wellbeing.


    "Ying, my mother hasn''t seen you in years. It''s not that she doesn''t like you, but she was wary of how you''ll treat her," Mu Jianyu said as they took the elevator and pressed the button to the fourth floor, where his mother was.


    "Treat her? Did I do something to offend your mother?" Li Chuntao was beyond confused as to why her sister was being treated by her mother-inw this way. This was ridiculous. Aside from Lin Meirong, who else wouldn''t like Ying?


    They stopped just outside room 401. Mu Jianyu gave her a worried look and knocked on the door lightly before turning the knob to open it.


    "Mother? Ying and I are here to visit you. Have you eaten your lunch?" He asked and ced a bag filled with fruits and the bouquet of flowers on the nearby table.


    Li Chuntao didn''t step inside immediately but took a good look at the room from where she stood, before her eyesnded on an old woman sitting on the bed. She looked really old and sickly. She was too thin, almost skin and bones and there were some apparatus connected to her body.


    The old woman eyed her as if scrutinizing her. Li Chuntao wanted to re back but she reminded herself that she was now Ying, not Chuntao. she can always deal with this old hagter.


    "Ying,e here. Don''t be shy and greet mother," Mu Jianyu called after her.


    Li Chuntao stered an awkward smile in her face and entered.


    "Good afternoon, Mother. I hope you are feeling well today," she greeted.


    The old woman scanned her from head to toe before turning to face her son. Li Chuntao had seen the unconcealed disgust the woman had when she looked at her. Was this the kind of mother-inw her twin sister had?


    ''Oh, my poor Ying. Why did you allow such a person to look down on you?''


    "I heard what happened to your wife. You should pay more attention to her health. She''d lost a lot of weight since thest time I''ve seen her." Song Xiang Rong told him.


    Mu Jianyu was taken aback from his mother''s words. He had no idea his wife had visited his mother while he was busy with Lin Meirong.


    "Mother, did Ying visit you before her ident?" He asked and took his mother''s hand in his.


    The old woman hummed and ignored Li Chuntao''s presence and looked outside the window where she could see carse and go. She''d seen her son and Li Chuntao arrive earlier, so she wasn''t surprised when they showed up on her door.


    "She visited me two days before her ident. She told me to get well and take care of you." Her eyes went back to her son and then shifted to Li Chuntao who stood next to him, gripping the straps of her handbag tightly in her hands.


    "Where was she nning to go anyway?" She questioned them.


    Mu Jianyu stiffened in his seat and looked at his wife who was bashfully avoiding their gazes.


    "She was about to go visit her sister when it happened, but don''t worry mother. Ying and I are trying our best to work out our marriage. Right, Ying?" He looked expectantly to his wife, hoping she would y along with him to convince his mother.


    "Yes, Mother.. Please don''t worry about us and focus on your recovery."

 Chapter 153 - Grievances Of A Wife (1)

    Li Chuntao remained silent in the corner and busied herself peeling an apple while Mu Jianyu talked to his mother, asionally asking her a question once in a while. She let them think that she was being reserved and shy at not being able to remember anything about her mother-inw.


    "Ying, I think you''ve peeled enough apples for mother. Thank you," Mu Jianyu went to her and took the peeling knife from her hands and set aside the apples she peeled and sliced.


    "I didn''t know you''re so good at this, Ying. Even the peels are the same size and thickness," he teased as he picked up peel of the apple which was almost translucent with his fingers.


    Li Chuntao blinked at him and smiled. Ah, she almost overdid it. Thankfully, Mu Jianyu didn''t find it suspicious that the usual clumsy wife he had could now use a knife properly.


    "Why don''t you wash your hand and take the flowers with you?" He suggested.


    Li Chuntao bit her inner cheek to stop herself from smiling. Oh, this mother and son were just too obvious. The old woman wanted to talk to him without her around and that''s why he was kicking her out for a while.


    "Oh, sure. Give me the vase and the flowers. I''ll get Yu Lou to help me with it." She smiled brightly and took the vase from his hands and called for Yu Lou who was stationed just outside, waiting for them.


    Yu Lou took the vase from her while Li Chuntao took the bouquet of flowers Mu Jianyu brought for his mother. They found Su Ling leaning against the wall across the room.


    Li Chuntao closed the door behind her and stood beside it, before gesturing to Yu Lou to ce the flowers on the vase herself while she eavesdrops on the conversation between Mu Jianyu and his mother.


    As soon as Yu Lou''s footsteps faded away, the old woman didn''t waste time talking to her son.


    "Jianyu, are you sure that woman lost her memories?" Song Xiangrong asked her son.


    Mu Jianyu frowned at how his mother regarded his wife. Ying had never done anything to offend his mother. Why wouldn''t his mother ept Ying as her daughter-inw?


    "Mother! How can you call Ying like that? She''s not just ''that'' woman. She''s my wife!" Heined.


    "Jianyu, I don''t know what''s wrong with you. You could have chosen a woman who is not from a wealthy family. Why would you choose her of all people? Her family would put a leash on you and you''ll never be a man in this marriage as long as they have influence over your wife." His mother retorted.


    Li Chuntao crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against the wall next to the door. She could clearly hear the heated argument between mother and son.


    ''Oh, so she didn''t like Ying because she''s a Li? Interesting.''


    She had never thought that there would be a mother like Song Xiangrong, who dislikes people born with a silver spoon. Why was it Li Xiuying''s fault anyway? The one who sought after her was Mu Jianyu and not the other way around.


    It wasn''t her fault if Mu Jianyu fell in love with her and wanted her to be his wife, so why me Ying now when she didn''t do anything wrong but be born from the Li family? It was never a child''s fault. They could never choose what kind of parents they would get.


    "Then look at what happened to you? Are you being forced to work at theirpany? You''ve been working hard to prove yourself and yet they still look down on you." Song Xiangrong snorted. "That woman couldn''t even bear you a child. What kind of woman is she if she couldn''t give you one?"


    Li Chuntao''s eyes sharpened at those words. Since when did the value of a woman depend on how many children she can produce for her husband? Ying wasn''t less of a woman just because she had trouble getting pregnant but how was Song Xiangrong sure that her son wasn''t the problem?


    What if the one who had problems was Mu Jianyu and never Ying? Surely this woman hadn''t even considered it, because she was already prejudiced against Ying all this time. Song Xiangrong would probably not believe it because she favored her son and would push all the me on Li Xiuying.


    "Mother, I told you I already left theirpany. Didn''t I tell you I''m a CEO now? Please don''t make this hard for Ying. I really love my wife and I want you to learn to at least be civil when she''s here."


    Mu Jianyu felt torn between his mother and his wife. His mother had never liked Li Xiuying even before their marriage, but he hoped that with his Ying''s kindness, his mother would have at least had a change of heart.


    Song Xiangrongughed at her son''s words. Did he really love Li Xiuying? Was he joking?


    "You say you love her but why did you cheat on her?" She said with a snarky remark.


    Mu Jianyu was rendered speechless at his mother''s words. How did she know?


    "How did I know?" Song Xiangrong scoffed and pulled her hand away from his. "Didn''t I tell you she came here to meet me? Your wife told me about your affair. Did you know what else she said? She told me she was leaving you if that would make you and I truly happy."


    There was a hint of guilt and remorse in her voice that Li Chuntao picked up. What else did her sister say that day?


    Mu Jianyu''s jaws hardened at the thought of his wife making up her mind to truly divorce him, but to think that she would tell these to his mother, was beyond him.


    "She wanted to divorce you back then, so why would you think that she wouldn''t divorce you once she remembers everything?" She added.


    "Then what did you tell her, Mother?" He was curious to know how his mother treated his wife back then. Was she being hard on Ying? Did Ying cry because of his mother?


    "What did I say?" Song Xiangrong paused and looked at his face, observing his expression. She was still a mother after all. Even if she disapproved of Li Xiuying, if Mu Jianyu really loved her, she would try to stomach anything for his sake.


    "I didn''t believe her at first." She started, "then she started to show me pictures of you with your other woman. Li Xiuying never showed me her weakness before that day. She cried."


    Mu Jianyu''s guilt rose and gnawed inside of him. He could imagine how hard it was for Ying to admit defeat and how she endured the pain he''d caused her.


    "I know you love her, Jianyu. That''s why I couldn''t believe her. When she proved to me how you betrayed her, I hoped that it was apse of judgement on your part. That eventually, you''de back to her."


    That was what he was doing right now, Mu Jianyu quietly agreed. When his mind became clear after Ying''s ident, he finally realized how much he still loved his wife.


    "I told her to wait and to give you a chance, but she said that the other woman got pregnant and you''ve sessfully destroyed your marriage with her,"

 Chapter 154 - Grievances Of A Wife (2)

    To wait for him to get back on his senses? This old woman must be joking. Were wives born to be martyrs and expected by society to ept her husband''s infidelity? Since when were wives expected to bear the consequences of their husband''s mistakes?


    Li Chuntao couldn''t stop the rage in her chest. Not only Song Xiangrong med Ying for not bearing a child, she also tried to reason out her son''s betrayal. Just when she thought she''d heard enough, Song Xiangrong''s next words were enough for her blood to boil.


    "I tried to convince her to take the child of that woman instead. Since your mistress is nothing but a starlet, any child she bears for you would receive scrutiny from the public. If Li Xiuying could ept her fate of being a barren woman and took in your child from your mistress. The three of you could start a new life,"


    Li Chuntao trembled in fury. They didn''t just disrespect her twin sister, Song Xiangrong had actually expected Ying to just ept everything and move on as if nothing bad had happened. Her mother-inw wanted her to turn a blind eye on Mu Jianyu''s betrayal and take in the child he had from his mistress?


    ''Preposterous!''mes of anger shot through Li Chuntao. Couldn''t they hear how absurd Song Xiangrong''s words are? No wonder her twin sister never mentioned anything about this horrendous woman to her.


    Su Ling watched her worriedly. He could see how angry she was and how hard she was trying not to bolt inside and confront the mother and son. Li Chuntao was doing a good job at holding herself back, although he knew it was really hard for her.


    Yu Lou came back with a flower vase in her arms and was looking at Li Chuntao with confusion. She then turned to look at Su Ling who only shook his head, telling her to hold her questions for the meantime. He would personally answer themter.


    Seeing that Yu Luo was back, Li Chuntao took several deep breaths to calm herself. She needed to keep pretending she was fine and never heard any of those bullshit Song Xiangrong said earlier.


    She stepped forward and met Yu Luo halfway before she reached the door with steps so light, none of the people inside the room would notice that she''d been listening to them since she stepped out of that door.


    "Yu Lou, thank you for helping me. You''re a big help," Li Chuntao spoke a little louder on purpose to basically announce that she was back. She then took the flower vase from Yu Lou and mouthed thanks to her bodyguard.


    Yu Lou smiled and blushed a little. Although Li Chuntao was a little odd and coldpared to their Miss Ying, she was respectful and didn''t forget to thank her and Su Ling for anything they''d done for her.


    Li Chuntao lightly knocked on the door and slid it open. She saw Mu Jianyu remained seated beside his mother and smiled at her as if that absurd conversation between him and his mother had not happened.


    "Ying, did you get lost? You took time toe back." He stood up and took the vase from her and ced it on his mother''s nightstand.


    "Hmm¡­ I almost did. It''s a good thing Yu Lou remembered the way back or else I might have needed to call you toe and get me.," Li Chuntao hid her disgust from both mother and son deep in her heart.


    She went back to her seat and ignored the curious gaze Song Xiangrong was giving her. Li Chuntao had a hard time calming herself and was forced to shut her eyes close.


    "Ying, are you alright? You look pale." Mu Jianyu, of course, noticed the unusual silenceing from his wife. He wondered if he made a wrong choice by bringing her here to meet his mother.


    "I''m fine Jianyu. Just a little headache." Li Chuntao didn''t dare to open her eyes or else she might have snapped at him right then and there. She had tomend Mu Jianyu and those women around him for managing to strike her nerve every single time, something that was actually not easy to achieve.


    "But¡ª" However, Mu Jianyu wasn''t able to push his question as his phone rang, taking his attention away from his wife.


    Li Chuntao peered at him and said. "Take the call, it must be important."


    Mu Jianyu had no choice but to answer his phone and excused himself as he stepped outside the room leaving his mother with his wife.


    Song Xiangrong continued to look at Li Chuntao who remained seated with her eyes closed. She could feel the older woman''s eyes on her but she refused to budge or show her weakness in front of this shameless woman.


    A few minutester, Mu Jianyu came back with an annoyed expression on his face. He eyed his wife and mother before informing them that he needed to go back to Redux Entertainment as soon as possible because there was an emergency with one of their top artists.


    "Go, you don''t have to worry about me. I know you''re busy these days. You can always visit me again when you''re free," Song Xiangrong told him while a sinister smile crossed on Li Chuntao''s lips behind Mu Jianyu as a thought crossed her mind. Oh, how can she not take advantage of this?


    "Jianyu, you should go. I''ll apany Mother for a while," she told him which caught the mother and son off guard. "Don''t worry about me. Su Ling and Yu Luo will take me hometer. I''m sure you''re being needed at the meeting right now."


    Mu Jianyu''s eyes softened at her. He thought that his wife was trying her best to get into his mother''s good books and was willing to improve her rtionship with her. He went to her and kissed her forehead, much to Li Chuntao''s disgust. Her nose scrunched up as she tried to hold her breath and didn''t return his hug.


    "Go now, or else you''ll bete. Mother and I will have a good talk," she assured him when all she wanted to say was ''Fuck off, Mu Jianyu and leave the hell out of me alone.''


    Mu Jianyu released her and promised to give her a call once his meeting was done before bidding goodbye to his mother and bolted out of the room to drive back to thepany. He also missed how his wife''s eyes glinted with mischief as soon as he turned his back on her.


    Now that he was gone, Li Chuntao crossed her legs and smiled amusedly at her sister''s mother-inw. Song Xiangrong was shocked at how fast ''Ying'' changed as soon as her son was out of sight. Was this really the same meek and gentle daughter-inw she knew?


    "Ah, Miss Song, should I re-introduce myself to you? I feel like you and I need a really good talk right now." Her tone was far from Li Xiuying''s calm and gentle tone.. It was now harsh and cold, sending an unknown fear into the older woman''s heart.

 Chapter 155 - Shes No Angel (1)

    Li Chuntao stood up and casually went to the door and locked it from the inside, surprising the older woman. However, before that, she gestured to Su Ling to look out for any interference.


    "Why did you¡ª" but her words trailed off as Li Chuntao''s sharp gaze cut her off.


    "What? Cat caught your tongue already, Miss Song?" She chuckled and went to the seat that Mu Jianyu upied earlier and sat beside the old woman''s bed.. "I''m just making sure that no one would be able to disturb us, given that this is actually the first time we''ve met each other.


    Song Xiangrong felt an indescribable fear towards the woman sitting next to her. She was also confused as to why Li Xiuying said this was their first meeting. Sure, she might have lost some memories but this wasn''t the first time she met her.


    Her instincts were telling her to avoid her daughter-inw at all cost, but she was bound to her bed and was trapped like a prey, pinned by ''Li Xiuying''''s cold gaze.


    Why did she feel like someone turned down the air condition? She was starting to have goosebumps everywhere as she tried to ignore how her daughter-inw looked at her.


    Li Chuntao took the medical chart that must have been forgotten by one of the staff of the foster home. On it she saw Song Xiangrong''s current health status and how much Mu Jianyu owed the institution for taking care of her.


    She let out a low whistle when she saw the bill Mu Jianyu had yet to settle. So how the fuck did he n to pay when he''d been spending more money on his mistress recently?


    "Mother, this is such an insane amount to pay. If this is what he was paying the foster home the past five years, I wonder where he''s getting all the money to sustain it," she said with sarcasm.


    How could Mu Jianyu afford to send his mother here when the cost was a considerably huge amount, an amount that could easily topple the monthly sry he was getting from Li Corporation. The old woman shivered and refused to look at her face. It seemed like she was aware of where her son was getting the money anyway.


    The smile on Li Chuntao''s face faltered and it went back to its impassive cold mask that she had.


    ''How dare you look down on my sister when it''s her money that''s keeping you alive until now, you shameless old hag! It seems like the apple doesn''t fall far from the tree after all,'' she red at the old woman.


    "Ah, I see that you have Arteriosclerosis and would need immediate surgery soon? Oh, my. This costs a lot. Not only will you need an angiosty, your doctor also rmends having an endarterectomy. Mother, do you know what kind of procedures these are?"


    If looks could kill, Li Chuntao was sure she would''ve murdered this ungrateful woman at this moment.


    "I-I have no idea what they are," Song Xiangrong easily admitted, much to Li Chuntao''s liking.


    She took a nce at Li Chuntao''s face, which was a wrong move, since she couldn''t look away from her no matter how much she tried to tell herself to avoid her daughter-inw''s gaze. She was frozen in fear and couldn''t move from where she was.


    "Mother, that won''t do. Why didn''t they exin to you the procedure? As a patient, you should be aware of how the procedure works!" Li Chuntao smirked evilly at the older woman. Dare to bully her twin sister? Then let''s see who''ll beg for pityter!


    "Let''s see, an angiosty. Don''t worry, Mother, this couldn''t be considered a major surgery, but I''ll say, as with all types of surgery, coronary angiosty carries a risk ofplications. However, the risk of serious problems is small. Complications can ur during or after an angiosty. It''smon to have bleeding or bruising under the skin where the catheter was inserted."


    When Li Chuntao heard nothing from Song Xiangrong, she continued.


    "And, oh, if they haven''t told you yet, you need to be awake during the procedure, but don''t worry, Mother. The doctors will give you medications to rx before they do it."


    The older woman remained speechless throughout Li Chuntao''s exnation. She was also bewildered at how this woman knew as much as this.


    "However, I cannot say the same thing for endarterectomy." She sounded worried and concerned, which added to the old woman''s anxiety. Song Xiangrong couldn''t understand why she felt her daughter-inw took a 180 degree turn and became a vicious woman after her ident.


    Li Chuntao picked up the peeling knife she had used from the top of the table and pounced at the older woman on the bed. Song Xiangrong was about to scream when she felt a cold metal pressed against her neck while her daughter-inw''s face was hovering close to her.


    "Li¡­ Li Xiuying, what are you nning to do to me?" The old woman was shaking in fear as she looked at the feral grin on Li Chuntao''s face.


    "Rx, Mother. Please don''t move. I''m not gonna hurt you. I''m merely exining the procedure you''ll undergo to you. Such a filial daughter-inw, am I not? I should tell you what''s going to happen so you''ll know what to expect, right?"


    "Li Xiuying, stop this¡­" Song Xiangrong begged. She was starting to think that her daughter-inw had lost her mind. "Stop this already."


    Li Chuntao shook her head and sighed. The back of the de of the knife pressed against the wrinkly skin of the older woman.


    "That can''t do, Mother. Now, where were we? Oh, right. The endarterectomy." She smiled mischievously and trapped the old woman on the bed.


    "For carotid endarterectomy surgery, you may be given a numbing medication." Li Chuntao said in a matter of fact tone. As if she had known this procedure for a long time. "Or you may be given general anesthesia that puts you into a sleep-like state." She then smiled, the kind of smile that brings misfortune to those who receive it.


    "Then your surgeon will make a cut along the front of your neck, open your carotid artery, and remove the que deposits clogging your artery." Li Chuntao then made a motion using the back of the knife on Song Xiang Rong''s neck as if she was making an incision on it.


    Song Xiangrong couldn''t help but pee on her own bed and cried hysterically while begging Li Chuntao to stop her torture.


    "After that, your surgeon will repair the artery with stitches or a patch made with a vein or artificial material. Your surgeon might use another technique that involves cutting the carotid artery and turning it inside out, then removing the que before reattaching it to your artery."


    Li Chuntao pushed the woman away from her andughed amusedly while Song Xiangrong curled herself away from the crazy looking daughter-inw of hers.


    "Li Xiuying, you''re crazy! Why did I let my son marry someone like you?! You are no angel!"


    Li Chuntaoughed more, put the knife back on the table before pulling the chair she was sitting on earlier. She sat and crossed her legs before leaning forward while cupping her chin with one hand.


    "Oh, Miss Song, of course I''m no angel, because the angel you know is already dead,"

 Chapter 156 - Shes No Angel (2)

    Song Xiangrong looked at her with confusion. What did she mean the angel was already dead? Did she mean it figuratively? That her innocence and kindness were gone after her ident?


    Or did she mean Li Xiuying was dead? Was that it?


    As she tried hard to think about it, her eyes widened and her jaws dropped which was the cue for Li Chuntao to smile evilly at her. She was smiling? Was it because this woman knew what was running in her mind?


    Song Xiangrong remembered being told that her daughter-inw had a younger twin sister residing abroad and was attending medical school. She had only seen the woman during her son''s wedding but as she looked at Li Chuntao, she couldn''t stop the tremor that shook her entire body.


    "No¡­ No¡­ this couldn''t be. You aren''t Li Xiuying," she muttered to herself but Li Chuntao could hear her. What were the odds that her daughter-inw was really dead and the woman in front of her was the twin sister?


    "Who the hell are you?" She demanded.


    This woman could''ve killed her earlier if she wanted to, and just the thought of it turned her into a scared cat trapped in the corner. She felt like the devil herself had visited her today.


    "Who am I? Oh, please. Spare me!" Li Chuntao pped her both thighs and lifted her hands and shook her head."Please don''t tell me stupidity runs in your family."


    "You¡­ You are Li Xiuying''s younger sister," Song Xiangrong replied. She pressed her knees against her chest and tried to make herself look as small as she could, which was ridiculous in Li Chuntao''s opinion.


    "Bingo!" Li Chuntao made a gun sign with her hand and gestured to shoot the old woman.


    "Then why are you doing this? Why are you pretending to be your sister?" The old woman prayed in her heart that the staff had started doing their rounds at this time so she could be saved from this crazy woman who was pretending as her daughter-inw.


    Li Chuntao chuckled darkly and sighed dramatically. Mu Jianyu surely came from this foolish woman, she had no doubt about it anymore. They were a pair of foolish mother and son.


    "My, my, you''re all such a bunch of clowns. Why am I pretending? Let''s see¡­" she tapped her chin as she pretended thinking of her reason.


    "My twin sister is dead but investigation says that someone killed her. Do you know who it was, Miss Song?"


    Song Xiangrong''s hands were shaking as she held her knees. Did someone kill Li Xiuying? This woman and her daughter-inw came from the Li family. They were the kind of people no regr citizen can offend.


    Were they suspecting her son for killing Li Xiuying? Impossible! He might have cheated on her, but to kill her? Never!


    "My Jianyu is innocent! He can''t possibly kill his own wife!" She tried to defend her son.


    Li Chuntao hummed but her face told the old woman that she didn''t believe her ims.


    "Ya sure, he didn''t kill her? Your son had an extramarital affair with a starlet. How sure are you that they didn''t n my sister''s ident that fateful day?" She retorted back.


    Song Xiangrong looked at her straight in the eyes. Mu Jianyu might have betrayed Li Xiuying, but she knew her son loved that woman. How many times did they argue because of her?


    "No¡­ No¡­ he couldn''t possibly be able to kill her. Jianyu loves your sister too much," she shook her head before burying it between her knees, while her tears streamed down her face.


    "Miss Song, it doesn''t matter if he killed my sister or not, because he already killed her emotionally and mentally before her death. Why am I pretending as her? It''s for the simple reason of getting revenge in her stead." Li Chuntao said nonchntly and wiped off the invisible lint from her clothes. The ck and green dress she was wearing was a perfect contrast to her deep green coat and ck high heels.


    "And just to be clear, unlike your biased assumption, Ying isn''t a barren woman. She was carrying her and your son''s baby during the ident. She was pregnant with Mu Jianyu''s child while he was busy impregnating another woman behind her back. Do you understand now what kind of betrayal and pain your precious son inflicted on my sister?"


    The old woman uncurled herself and stared wide-eyed at Li Chuntao''s face in disbelief. Li Xiuying was pregnant and was involved in the ident that took her life¡­ then the child¡­ Her son''s own flesh and blood perished with her?


    Li Chuntao prepared herself to leave but the old woman suddenly found the courage to talk back to her.


    "I''ll tell my son you aren''t his wife. You cannot hurt him while I''m here!" She pointed a finger towards Li Chuntao. "I swear, you cannot harm my son while I''m still here!"


    "So do you mean to say that I should kill YOU first?" Li Chuntao turned to face the old woman again and buried her trembling fists inside the side pockets of her coat. She realized that being reminded of how her sister lost her lifestill had an effect on her.


    The old woman''s face was beet red. Her hair was unkempt as she kept cursing Li Chuntao in her mind.


    "Oh, really? Do you think you can threaten me, old hag? I like to see you try," she challenged her but Song Xiangrong said nothing to retort. She wasn''t afraid. Song Xiangrong was wrong to assume that she could ckmail a witch.


    "You want to tell Mu Jianyu that the woman who came back to him isn''t his real wife? Please do so, then I''ll tell him each of your lies and why his father abandoned the two of you."


    When she saw Song Xiangrong''s body shook again, Li Chuntao knew that the older woman was cursing her hard in her heart, but did she care? Like what Song Xiangrong said earlier, she was no angel.


    "You are free to tell him the truth, Miss Song. Do you have a phone for you to use? I can lend you one if you don''t. Please call him so he would know how you betrayed his trust all these years, Mother." She taunted her andughed wickedly. "Do you think I''m as stupid as your son to reveal my identity to you without making some preparations ahead?"


    Song Xiangrong was breathing hard and holding her chest as her blood pressure shot up from Li Chuntao''s words. Was this woman nning to kill her? She wouldn''t be able to have the surgeries at this rate.


    "A con-woman like YOU is no match against a witch like ME," Li Chuntao ran her fingers through her thick hair and looked at the woman with half-lidded eyes.


    "Song Xiangrong, please don''t die yet.Mother, you should live long because I intend to give you the front seat at the show. Please watch and pay attention to how I will break and destroy your precious son right in front of you,"was Li Chuntao''s parting words before she unlocked the door and stepped outside, leaving the disgruntled old woman inside the room.


    The smile on her face faded and was reced with a menacing and cold look that Su Ling and Yu Luo were familiar with.

 Chapter 157 - The Stage Is Yours, Bitch (1)

    Li Chuntao regretted going out with Mu Jianyu to meet his mother but at least she got an idea what kind of life her twin sister had before her passing. Why hadn''t Ying told her about her ungrateful mother-inw and how her shameless husband used her own money to pay for Song Xiangrong''s medical bills?


    The nerve of that old hag.


    If she was a lesser person, she would have tainted her hands with that old woman''s blood, but she wouldn''t; it was below her and Song Xiangrong wasn''t worth the trouble.


    Why was it when a husbandmitted a mistake the me is always directed to the wife? Why was Ying med for Mu Jianyu''s ipetence and betrayal? He shouldn''t have married her if he couldn''t ept the truth about her.


    But cheaters would always find themselves cheating themselves in the end. The real loser was always the person who was too weak to appreciate someone''s loyalty and Mu Jianyu would have no one to me but himself in the end.


    "Miss Chuntao, we''re here," Yu Lou called after her when she didn''t make a move to step out of the car. It was clear that her mind was still filled with the confrontation she had with Mu Jianyu''s mother earlier.


    Li Chuntao turned her head and blinked at her bodyguard before her trance was broken. She nodded and stepped out without a word, stillmenting herte sister''s predicament.


    This continued for days until the day of the award ceremony arrived.


    Since two of the actresses from the film ''To You With Love'' were nominated for the best neer actress award, ''Li Xiuying'' was naturally invited by themittee to attend the event with Mu Jianyu as the current CEO of Redux Entertainment.


    The moment they stepped out of the car together, the bright shes from the cameras hit Li Chuntao''s face, almost blinding her. As they walked together on the red carpet, the reporters swamped them.


    Was this how her twin sister was treated in public? How did she survive from the overwhelming attention people were giving her? Li Chuntao had no idea. Inside, she was already freaking out at the amount of attention she was receiving.


    She hooked her arm with Mu Jianyu''s and was smiling brightly and waving at the people around them as if he was a proud husband parading his beautiful wife in public. People would even assume that he was madly in love with his wife, clearly denying the allegations of him having a mistress before Li Xiuying''s ident.


    "Lady Li, can we get a short interview with you?" Someone asked but Li Chuntao smiled shyly and shook her head.


    "I''m sorry, but tonight is about our talented stars. Let''s focus on celebrating their achievements instead of a nobody like me." She politely declined, but none of those pesky reporters wanted to give up too soon and bombarded her with questions andments.


    "Lady Li, this is your first public appearance with your husband. Can you tell us if the spark between the two of you came back?"


    "Your husband couldn''t keep his eyes off you, how lucky, Lady Li."


    "Please, questionster," Mu Jianyu intervened, much to Li Chuntao''s relief. He was worried they would say something unnecessary, while she couldn''t wait to run away and escape from these people. The smile on her face was starting to hurt her cheeks.


    Mu Jianyu pulled her away and led her inside the assembly hall, casually greeting anyone they met on their way.


    "Ying, are you alright? Just tell me if you start to feel ufortable and I''ll take you home," he whispered to her once they were out of everyone''s earshot.


    "You worry too much, Jianyu. I''ll be fine as long as you are here with me. Just please don''t leave me alone or I wouldn''t know how to deal with their questions," Li Chuntao pretended to be nervous, her hook on Mu Jianyu''s arm tightening as she looked around.


    Mu Jianyu''s gaze softened at her words. He liked that she was starting to rely on him these days, but his guilt over his affair puts him on the edge every single day. With his rtionship with his wife improving, Lin Meirong''s demands were also getting out of hand.


    At this point, he wasn''t sure how long he could keep his affair from Li Xiuying anymore. If only he could stop time so he could keep Ying''s attention all to himself, but that would only happen in fairy tales.


    Before the ceremony started they found their assigned seats. The other guests busied themselves, conversing in low voices as they waited for the event to start. Meanwhile, Li Chuntao spotted Lan Jinyao several rows behind them and gave her a knowing smile. Lan Jinyao gave her a nod and took her seat.


    Of course, Lin Meirong also attended with a wide smile on her face. She didn''t forget to pose and let the photographers take several pictures of her before she slipped inside the assembly hall with a smug look on her face.


    As soon as she saw Lan Jinyao, she arrogantly patted her shoulder as she made way to her assigned seat. She already knew that she would win the award tonight. Xi Shaohua and Mu Jianyu had told her, so she excitedly wrote the speech she would deliverter.


    "Sister Lan, please don''t get angry with me if I bag the award tonight," she gave Lan Jinyao a demeaning look while thetter clenched her jaw and tried not to snap at Lin Meirong.


    "Don''t worry, Sister Lin. Whoever wins between us would still make the production team proud. I''m pretty sure Lady Li would agree with me," Lan Jinyao gave Lin Meirong a mirthless smile.


    ''Celebrate now, Lin Meirong coz the stage is yours, bitch,'' she thought.


    Lan Jinyao was d that Li Chuntao had already warned her what would be happening tonight or else she would be disappointed and disheartened by the results. She wondered what kind of surprise Li Chuntao had prepared for her.


    Lin Meirong was clearly in a good mood when she arrived but her smile slightly faltered when she saw Mu Jianyu together with his wife, whispering sweet words to each other. Her lover had never looked at her like that. Mu Jianyu never treated her as if she was the only one that mattered in this world.


    Li Chuntao caught her gaze and she waved a hand as a greeting. Mu Jianyu furrowed his brows, curious as to who had caused her to divert her attention away from him. Following her gaze, he held his breath when he saw Ying greeting Lin Meirong who was sitting a couple of rows behind them.


    Lin Meirong awkwardly lifted her hand and greeted Li Xiuying back. Her eyes then shifted to the man who couldn''t even look straight into her eyes. This infuriated her. Hasn''t it only been a few short months since he told her she was his one and only and now he was ignoring her like a gue?


    The lights started to dim as the emcee took over the stage to signify the start of the ceremony.

 Chapter 158 - The Stage Is Yours, Bitch (2)

    The head of themittee gave his opening speech and the atmosphere became carefree with a bit of excitement from the audience. Each of them couldn''t wait to see who would win tonight. As soon as he finished his speech, the emcee announced the different major awards.


    The order of the awards announced were from least significant to most sought. Therefore, they would need to finish awarding the smaller categories before they could announce this years'' best actor and actress award and who would get the titles of the Film Emperor and Empress of the Year.


    The ceremony took longer than what Lan Jinyao expected and she was surprised that their film had actually bagged a number of other awards aside from the best cinematography and best director awards.


    Director Yun went on stage and received his award with a huge smile on his face. The cheering from the audience was loud enough that it almost brought tears in his eyes.


    "As everybody should know by now, I wasn''t the first pick to direct the film ''To You With Love''. I was just a mediocre director back then who hadn''t had a big break, but Lady Li invited me and gave me a chance to prove myself to everyone," His voice slightly trembled as his hands held the first major award he''d received in his decade long career.


    Director Yun found Li Chuntao in the audience and lifted his hand, showing her his award. He had been in the industry for a long time and had only recently pursued his passion for directing films. And this movie hadpletely changed his life.


    "Lady Li, this is for you. Thank you so much for believing in my skills and capabilities when no one had bothered to spare me a nce. This win, this award¡­ is made possible because of you." His voice sounded so sincere and filled with gratitude that made everyone curious about the Lady Li he was talking about. He was grateful for her help and bowed his thanks to her.


    The cameras spotted Li Chuntao in the crowd and focused on her, smiling and pping her hands at the director. Li Chuntao once again felt the need to freak out and run away, but she forced herself to remain seated next to Mu Jianyu.


    "Ying, that''s really amazing. How did you know about Director Yun in the first ce?" Mu Jianyu asked her once the cameras stopped focusing on her and resumed spying the crowd for reactions.


    Of course, he knew that initially, it was Yao Qigang who was directing the film ''To You With Love'' but when the Li Corporation started injecting funds to support Zheng Yue and letting Lan Jinyao keep the female lead role, Yao Qigang was reced by Director Yun.


    "I''m not sure myself but his profile that I saw on my desk showed that he had made underrated and unappreciated works before. Maybe I saw great potential in him. Didn''t people say I''m good at recognizing talents?" Li Chuntao said. She had already given the profiles a good look, but if Ying had personally picked Director Yun out of all people, then she trusts Ying''s judgement. Ying rarely makes a mistake when ites to hiring people to work under Li Corporation, and Li Chuntao wanted to believe that choosing Mu Jianyu as her husband was an isted case.


    Director Yun walked down the stage with teary eyes and the emcee took charge again, announcing the best neer actress of the year.


    "The nominees for the best neer actress award are Chen Yn of ''Night Sky'', Lan Jinyao of ''To You With Love'', Chu Tianxin of ''Endless Horizon'' and Lin Meirong of ''To You With Love''."


    Whenever the emcee mentions the nominees, the huge monitor behind him shed the scenes showing snippets of their performances. In the end, the screen was divided into four, showing the four nominees for the award with Lan Jinyao at the right bottom part.


    The emcee received the envelope and opened it.


    "This year''s Best Neer Actress Award goes to¡ª" he dramatically paused and let the cameras capture the reaction of four women. Lan Jinyao only had a rxed expression on her face while Lin Meirong were all smiles.


    "This year''s Best Neer Actress Award goes to Lin Meirong of ''To You With Love''. Let us congratte her!"


    Collective gasps could be heard from the crowd, but they pped their hands as Lin Meirong stood up from her seat and made her way up the stage. She had the biggest smile on her face as if she just won the jackpot in a lottery.


    Tonight, she was wearing a ck evening gown that ballooned around her, perfectly hiding the small bump on her stomach. Remembering thest event she attended in her favorite red dress where she was outshined by Li Xiuying, she opted to wear a different dress.


    Lin Meirong felt like she was in heaven as she made her way to receive her award. Although Mu Jianyu and Xi Shaohua had already told her the result, she was still over the moon to finally beat Lan Jinyao right in her face.


    So what if she was the female lead for the film they starred in? Without a strong backing and a golden thigh to hug, Lan Jinyao was nothing against her.


    ''Lan Jinyao, do you see now? You are nothingpared to me.'' Lin Meirong snickered inwardly.


    Lan Jinyao pped her hand and ignored the smug look Lin Meirong was throwing her way when she passed her seat. She clenched her teeth and looked elsewhere as she refused to watch Lin Meirong receive the award she longed to win herself. But she trusted Li Chuntao and she knew there would be a good showter.


    She willingly hugged the golden thigh of the wicked witch as that was the only way for her to survive the obstacles on her way to stardom. Li Chuntao promised her that she would destroy Lin Meirong''s reputation until she had no other chance to save herself.


    Li Chuntao had somewhat forgotten her difort when she heard Lin Meirong''s name being announced as the winner. She took a side nce at the man sitting next to her and saw the deep scowl on his face.


    Did Lin Meirong force him to do this? She couldn''t get the nomination and award herself, so she forced Mu Jianyu to get it for her?


    Right now, they both watched as Lin Meirong elegantly walked to the stage with the spotlight focused on her.


    In the private vi owned by the Li family, Meng Huan and his sister watched the scene on television. Meng Huan was surprised to see his wife walking elegantly, dressed in a million bucks while their child was hanging by a thread before Li Xiuying saved him. He clenched his fists on hisp and watched Little Ling Ling y with his toy blocks.


    "The show is about to start," Meng Lan told him. Li Xiuying had informed them of what she nned to do with Gu Changge and neither of them were against it. Both of them, especially Meng Lan, wanted to see Gu Changge pay for her lies and sins shemitted.


    Lin Meirong stood in front of the microphone and dly received her award. She was about to deliver the speech she had prepared when she noticed a sudden change in the atmosphere in the audience area.


    The people around them started to give herplicated looks that she couldn''t understand at all. They were all holding their phones and whispering to each other, throwing malicious looks at her.


    Li Chuntao hid the insidious smile behind her hand.


    ''Here we go.''

 Chapter 159 - She Slept Her Way To Stardom! (1)

    What the hell was happening? Lin Meirong wondered. Why did everyone go silent and was looking at her with disgust? The carefree atmosphere within the hall was suddenly reced with an awkward and stilled silence which made her ufortable.


    She suddenly had a bad feeling about this. Even the emcee looked at her with a conflicted expression on his face.


    Was it pity or was it disgust? Lin Meirong wasn''t sure herself.


    Lin Meirong felt like she was the only one who didn''t know what was happening. As her eyes scanned the crowd, she saw Mu Jianyu looking at his phone, his face nched with terror while Li Xiuying who was also checking her phone beside him had knitted brows.


    "I-I¡­" The words that she painfully tried to memorize for two days was instantly forgotten as she stood awkwardly on the stage. What was she supposed to do now?


    A man suddenly shouted from the audience area. His identity was unknown, but many people heard him loud and clear. It seemed like he was stirring trouble within the assembly hall, adding fuel to the fire.


    "Lin Meirong, you slut! You don''t deserve that award!"


    People started following his lead and voiced their opinions.


    "Get down from there, you bitch! You disgust us!"


    It was Lin Meirong''s assistant who braved herself to run up and drag her down from the stage as the people started to curse and diss her. Lin Meirong had no time to react as she had no clue of what the hell was happening to everyone. They stood in a corner but were still the center of everyone''s attention.


    "What''s happening?" She gripped her assistant''s arm, who was clearly distraught over the sudden change in the atmosphere within the assembly hall. "Why are they suddenly cursing me? Why are they looking at me like that?"


    She, who was aware of her beauty and charm, wasn''t used to receiving the ire of the people. Men were naturally attracted to her face and her body that not many can resist her charm. Although it was usual for the women to envy her, they never hated her to this extent!


    "Heh, no wonder she got those roles and the award tonight. She slept her way to stardom!"


    "So it seems like she had slept with different men to secure the roles she got before. Yet, she''s still acting like she''s a meek and innocent woman! She''s so disgusting,"


    Fear shot through Lin Meirong as she continued to hear their voices. She gripped her assistant a little tighter and pulled her arm to get her attention. She didn''t like being kept in the dark for too long and making a fool out of herself. She needed to know what the hell was happening right now.


    "Tell me what''s happening!" She yelled at her poor assistant who was already brimming in tears.


    "Miss Lin¡­ you are all over the news¡­" Her assistant sniffed and tried to pull her arm from Lin Meirong''s hold.


    Lin Meirong knitted her brows and released her poor assistant to fish her phone out. She was surprised to see that she was indeed on the hot search list and that every trending news was all about her.


    She quickly opened one article with a headline of her name and saw several pictures of her being intimate with different men in different ces. Some were prominent, well known producers and directors that she had worked with in previous productions.


    The scandal was all over the news and so many people were dragged into the issue with her. Just as Lin Meirong thought she saw enough, pictures and a sex video of her with a married man started to circte around social media, pushing her deeper into her grave.


    The man in the pictures, of course she was able to recognize him immediately although none of the pictures caught a clear view of his face.


    These pictures made it clear that whoever took it had been stalking her and Mu Jianyu for the past month. Whoever did this surely had a good connection because each piece of news was all about her and the water armies were all out to destroy her!


    Her fingers swiped to see what theizens were saying about her and her heart almost plummeted from the harsh words she was reading.


    ''She doesn''t deserve the award! Please give it back to my Goddess Lan!''


    ''Slut! Return that award! It doesn''t belong to you or those men you slept with!''


    ''Someone! Please kick Lin Meirong out of the entertainment industry! She looks like a vixen walking down the red carpet. She''s disgusting!


    People continued to scold her and many left harshments about her on the official page of Redux Entertainment forcing the management to kick her out.


    Lin Meirong was barely able to breathe after she read it. Her stomach knotted as she helplessly tried to find her lover in the crowd only to see him leading Li Xiuying out of the assembly hall, clearly turning his back on her.


    She stared at Li Xiuying''s retreating form and her eyes were filled with jealousy. She always knew that Mu Jianyu''s wife''s face wasparable to an angel, that she could handle any style and could wear anything and would still manage to look beautiful and ssy.


    But she never cared about how huge the difference between them was until this moment, as her nails painfully dug into her skin. Mu Jianyu would still choose his wife, no matter how bad the situation is between them.


    His words resounded in her head.


    ''Even if Ying found out, even if I have to kneel down and beg for her forgiveness, I will!''


    Why? Why was this happening? Just when she thought that she could finally taste sess and experience being on top, it was snatched from her too soon. This wasn''t what she imagined when she received her first award as an actress. Everything was getting out of hand and she had no way to control any of it.


    For the first time in her life, Lin Meirong tasted the bitterness of betrayal. Mu Jianyu was clearly trying to wash his own hands from their affair. For once, Lin Meirong hoped that he would stand for her but her hope was shattered to a million pieces.


    Men from Redux Entertainment came and forcibly led her out of the hall, away from everyone''s mocking gaze. The heated discussion online continued nonstop.


    Meanwhile, Li Chuntao had forgotten her anxiety the moment she saw Lin Meirong''s bewildered expression and Mu Jianyu''s fear as soon as the scandal burst on social media. The hard work Su Ling had been putting in for the past month finally showed results.


    As to how she was able topletely destroy Lin Meirong''s reputation, Li Chuntao had hired topputer experts and water armies to feed the rage ofizens to spite the actress. Wives of those men she had affairs with started to make a move. Even the other actresses were starting to ry their unfair experiences with Lin Meirong.


    ''Ah, Lin Meirong. I wonder how you''ll be able to save yourself from the deep shit you started yourself.. Mu Jianyu, what do you think about the revenge of the angel you''ve forsaken for this slut?'' The witch snickered inwardly, pleased that everything was going well ording to her n.

 Chapter 160 - She Slept Her Way To Stardom! (2)

    When Mu Jianyu found out about the scandals filling the news, his first reaction was to check if there''s a possibility that Ying could recognize him as one of Lin Meirong''s lovers. He tried to gauge Ying''s reaction as she scrolled through the pictures, he was feeling anxious even though his face was purposely blurred by the photographer.


    "Ying, let''s go. This isn''t a safe ce right now." He told her, trying to convince her to flee from themotion that was about to happen soon.


    Li Chuntao frowned and ced her phone back into her clutch bag and allowed him to lead her outside of the assembly hall.


    "Jianyu, I don''t understand. Didn''t Miss Lin say she is in a rtionship and the father of her child will marry her? Howe the news portrays her as a subus who sleeps with married men?" She asked him.


    They went to the car park and Mu Jianyu unlocked his car before letting his wife slide onto the passenger seat. He was aware of how his phone was constantly vibrating in his pocket. The Xi family must have wanted him to deal with Lin Meirong''s issue as soon as possible.


    Li Chuntao watched with curiosity as Mu Jianyu answered his phone outside the car so she wouldn''t be able to hear their conversation. He asionally looked at her and gestured for her to wait for a moment.


    ''Heh, do you really think you can hide everything from me Mu Jianyu? Let''s see how long you can keep up with your lies.''


    After minutes of waiting, Mu Jianyu was done and quickly sat behind the steering wheel driving back to his apartmentplex.


    "Will Miss Lin be alright?" She asked worriedly, but her eyes showed a glint of excitement in it.


    Mu Jianyui shook his head, not knowing how to answer his wife. Ah, even towards his mistress, Ying was so kind to worry about Lin Meirong and this made him feel more ufortable than he already was.


    ''Ying, we don''t deserve your kindness,''


    "I don''t know Ying, but we''ll try our best to pacify the situation. She might need to hide from the public''s eyes and avoid making more trouble in the future," he tried to reassure her.


    Li Chuntao faced him and gave him a slight pout. Something Ying used to do when she wanted to get a favor from someone. Li Chuntao felt silly by doing this trick but she couldn''t just let him go without feeding his guilt.


    "Jianyu, would this mean that you''re going to workte into the night again? I thought you promised you''ll try to keep your work within working hours?"


    She hadined a few weeks ago about his hectic schedule and how he wasn''t always at home ever since he worked at Redux Entertainment. Of course, this was a good opportunity for Li Chuntao to guilt-trip him.


    Mu Jianyu felt troubled about what to do right now. He could feel a bad headacheing to him. Damn, Lin Meirong. Just who did she offend to be destroyed like this? Even the brightest and popr star would have a hard time dealing with such a blow on their careers and for Lin Meirong this only signifies the death of her career as an actress.


    She might be able to get a few small projects in the future, but that would involve her being naked for pornography. It''s impossible to clear her name now with the amount of hate she was getting from the public.


    "Ying, please try to understand. This is hard for me too. It''s not that I don''t want to go home and be with you at this time, but thepany is facing a huge problem. You should know by now what could happen if we let the negative news hit thepany and Lin Meirong." Mu Jianyu tried to reason out. If he could, he would rather stay with his wife than deal with his mistress'' problems.


    He took a quick nce at the woman sitting in his passenger seat and saw his wife pouting and looking outside the window as if the scenery outside was better to look at than him right now. Another car was trailing behind them, no doubt it was Yu Lou.


    "Ying¡­" He sighed dejectedly. Did he make a wrong decision by epting the Xi family''s proposal to work for them?


    "I know.. I just thought there''s always a distraction between as. You''re barely at home and you spend more time at work than with me. Say, Jianyu, was this the reason we considered divorce back then? Because you didn''t have time with your wife anymore?" She bombarded him with questions. "Am I just an obligation that was keeping you away from work?" Li Chuntao pretended to sob.


    Mu Jianyu went speechless. Ying never talked as much as this before. At least, on the bright side, Ying wasn''t giving him a cold treatment anymore.


    "It''s not like that, Ying. We had problems before, I admit, but didn''t we agree to try to work it out? Don''t you feel anything for me?" Every day that passed by where he couldn''t touch her, couldn''t kiss her was like torture for him. Even a simple hug would cause Ying to flinch and shiver from his touch.


    Li Chuntao remained silent, hiding the grin on her face as she let Mu Jianyu feel helpless by his predicament. It was only when they arrived at the apartmentplex did she look at him after she stepped out of his car as he opened the door for her.


    "Go now, everyone''s waiting for you. Don''t worry about me. Yu Lou is here to apany me," she told him, clearly suggesting to him to get out of her sight now.


    "Ying, don''t stay up toote. Go to bed. Don''t wait for me as the meeting may take time to end." Mu Jianyu told her, which she only responded with a nod before turning her back on him, with Yu Lou following closely behind her.


    Mu Jianyu didn''t leave yet and watched his wife''s retreating form. He pinched the bridge of his nose and cursed inwardly. He shouldn''t have involved himself with Lin Meirong. All of these wouldn''t have happened if he resisted the temptation.


    Li Chuntao inwardly scoffed and rolled her eyes. It was disgusting for her to watch Mu Jianyu trying hard to be a doting husband to her. Had he been this doting towards Ying and didn''t fall in Lin Meirong''s charm, she was sure the circumstances right now wouldn''t be as bad as it was.


    Yu Lou pushed the button for their floor and let the silence engulf the two of them. She was already getting used to how Miss Chuntao spends her days without talking much and always reading in her spare time.


    When they reached Young Master Shen''s door, Yu Lou noticed how Li Chuntao''s expression changed as she looked away and her steps slightly slowed down. It had been two weeks and neither of them even saw Shen Zichen''s shadow. No calls or messages for Li Chuntao.


    Their fight must really be that bad, Yu Lou thought to herself but she hoped that Young Master Shen would try to make a move to make peace with her Miss Chuntao soon.

 Chapter 161 - Protect Her, Including From Yourself (1)

    Lin Meirong was in deep trouble and she couldn''t do anything but to hang her head low as Xi Shaohua threw the papers at her face while Mu Jianyu remained unperturbed in his seat, trying to ignore her presence. She could only hang her head low in shame as Xi Shaohua berated her.


    "Seriously? You don''t know how to hide your affair?" Xi Shaohua snapped at her. "Do you think it''s easy for us to pacify all of theints we''re getting because of you?"


    "Then¡­ what does Miss Xi want me to do?" Lin Meirong sobbed pitifully. Her eyes were red and swollen and without makeup, it was quite obvious that she hadn''t slept well these days.


    "Nothing. There is nothing else you can do now to save your career, unless you stumble into some kind of luck in the future to revive it. This¡­" Xi Shaohua hesitated.


    They tried their best to remove all the news and articles about Lin Meirong''s affair but it''ll only take minutes before other news about her would pop out from somewhere. Clearly, someone was behind all of these and the intention was loud and clear.


    ''Continue protecting Lin Meirong and you are next,'' An anonymous message appeared on Xi Shaohua''s personalputer that morning.


    It was a threat alright, and the Xi family wouldn''t gamble on Lin Meirong. They would rather cut losses by kicking her out. This woman might have offended an influential person or else, how was it possible that their Xi family couldn''t suppress the news about her?


    Lin Meirong raised her head as her body continued to tremble. She couldn''t believe it. She couldn''t believe that the career she tried to painfully earn over the years would end like this.


    Hasn''t it only been a few short days since she received her first acting award and yet, Redux Entertainment was ready to kick her to the curb? Was this really the end for her? No, it can''t be!


    "You can''t do this to me¡­ this is a breach of contract!" Sheined. Lin Meirong signed for a three-year contract and it was only her first year with thepany.


    Xi Shaohua snapped at her and hit the top of her desk, ring daggers at the actress.


    "Then why the fuck couldn''t you keep your legs closed and your affairs private?!" She yelled at Lin Meirong. "Do you know how much money we''ve already lost because of you? Of course, you don''t! All of your endorsements have been cancelled. The stockholders also think that you shouldn''t appear in public and let the issue die on its own."


    "But don''t I still have two more years? You can''t put me on hold for too long!" Lin Meirong wanted to contest, but it seems like the board of directors has decided to cut her off for good. She nced at Mu Jianyu who only shook his head in response.


    "Well, you can try breaking off your contract legally, but the costs will be yours to shoulder. " Xi Shaohua leaned back and tried to calm herself. It''s been days eversince Lin Meirong''s scandal filled the news and they didn''t have any way to stop it.


    On the other hand, Li Chuntao was pleased with the result of her first attack on Lin Meirong. Didn''t that shallow woman like being the center of attention? So why shouldn''t she give one that the slut wouldn''t be able to forget in this lifetime?


    While Xi Shaouhua was losing money from Lin Meirong, the fruit of Lan Jinyao''s hard work was starting to show when Lin Meirong''s previous endorsements and projectsnded on her hands. Even her manager was surprised with the sudden influx of projects for her.


    When she asked Li Chuntao if it was her doing, the witch denied any connections to it but Yu Lou and Su Ling knew better. It was Li Chuntao as ''Ying'' who took the initiative to raise Lan Jinyao''s poprity when Lin Meirong''s influence plummeted.


    "Miss Lan, aren''t you familiar with the saying ''The misfortunes of others taste like honey.'' Lin Meirong is down, so now it''s your turn to shine. It''s best not to waste your chance this time," was Li Chuntaos'' words when they talked over the phone.


    Now that her career was gone, it was time for Lin Meirong''s life long suffering to start.


    ---


    While Li Chuntao busied herself with her revenge, Shen Zichen had buried himself with work for the past three weeks since hest saw her. The pain of finding out her secrets deeply troubled him. Even his parents hadn''t failed to notice it.


    Tonight, at his mother''s insistence, Shen Zichen drove back to the Imperial Residences to have their scheduled family dinner for the week. The moment he arrived, Shen Lingqing had immediately called him to their father''s study upstairs.


    Shen Zichen locked the door behind him as his younger sister took a seat and pulled out a thin envelope from the top drawer.


    "Come and see this. I personally think that you don''t need it to confirm if Sister Chuntao was telling the truth or not but it will give you peace of mind, then take a look at it yourself," Shen Lingqing told her brother as she ced the envelope on top of the desk and pushed it towards him.


    Shen Zichen strode towards her and looked at it for a moment before picking it up. He opened it to read the contents of the report. His lips quivered, eyes gleamed with tears as it confirmed everything Li Chuntao had confessed earlier.


    It took Shen Lingqing three weeks to gather the information he needed, and now he felt nothing but remorse for what he had done to the woman he imed to love. In his hands were Li Chuntao''s medical records from six years ago. Well, actually seven months after she left the country.


    The record shows that she indeed gave birth to a stillbirth baby boy at thirty-seven weeks of her pregnancy. Theb results showed that the baby was healthy and growing well in her womb until it lost its heartbeat two days before Li Chuntao was admitted to the hospital.


    "She''s not lying, Zi Gege. She might have to keep the secret from you to protect you but she''s no liar," Shen Lingqing said as she took note of her brother''s reaction.


    Li Chuntao had suffered for a long time because of him and Shen Zichen regretted everything he''d done in the past. Not only did he hurt her once, but twice. She even had to face the grief and loneliness after Li Zirui''s inevitable passing alone.


    Where was he during those times? What was he doing when she was crying alone? What kind of man was he to hurt her using her own twin sister?


    Li Chuntao might be a strong and independent woman but she was still a human who had deep feelings for those who were close to her heart. She was the kind of person that if she likes you, she would love you fiercely, but if you got on her bad side, you can bid goodbye to your luck because she wouldn''t stop until she destroys you.


    Some people thought she was a heartless woman but they didn''t know¡­ didn''t know that like Li Xiuying, Li Chuntao could love with all of her heart, and right now, Shen Zichen felt that he didn''t deserve her at all.

 Chapter 162 - Protect Her, Including From Yourself (2)

    As soon as their family dinner ended, Shen Zichen went to the garden, sat on a bench, and lit up a cigarette while watching his youngest brother, Shen Lingtian y with Xiao Bai.


    Many years have passed and yet this white tiger owned by his mother didn''t seem to age but only grewrger. As far as Shen Zichen knew, the lifespan of a regr tiger was between ten to fifteen years at max, it was rare for one to reach twenty-six years in the wild.


    "Xiao Bai, stop! Don''t you dare lick me!" Shen Zichen heard his younger brother exim as he ran away from the huge white tiger who was following after him. He didn''t me Lingtian though, it''s painful to be licked by a tiger because their tongues have small barbs on it, which helps them to scrape the fur and feathers of their prey.


    "I haven''t seen you smoke in a long time. What''s bugging you?" His father''s voice surprised Shen Zichen for a moment, before his expression returned to normal, moving aside to give space for his father to sit down next to him.


    The night was a bit chilly but Shen Zichen didn''t seem to mind at all.


    He didn''t answer his father''s question but Shen Yi wasn''t bothered by it. There was a momentary silence between the father and son duo as both of them didn''t say a word, simply sitting there watching Shen Lingtian from afar and saw Shen Lingqing joining the chase.


    "Your mother is worried about you." Shen Yi started, without breaking his gaze from his younger children. "She wanted to ask you what is wrong but felt like it wasn''t her ce to question you."


    "So Mom sends you here to do it instead? Interesting," Shen Zichen hummed and puffed out smoke, letting the ashes from the tip of his cigarette fall on the pavement. His father hummed in agreement.


    "You know I cannot deny her," Shen Yi sighed in exasperation.


    There was another round of silence again, which was only broken by Shen Zichen, who this time asked his father a question instead.


    "Dad, when did you know that you were in love with Mom?" He asked curiously.


    "Was?" Shen Yi cocked a brow to his eldest child, "I''m still in love with your mother." He corrected him.


    Shen Zichen fought the urge to roll his eyes which happens to be a habit his twin sister had.


    "I know, Dad. Please. Just answer my question."


    Shen Yi thought for a while before answering him.


    "I first met your mother when we were young, but I think I already knew that she was the one for me when she used me of being a drug lord for being rich and when she dared to throw a shoe right on my face." Shen Yi couldn''t stop the smile that bloomed at his face from the memories.


    "However, when I saw her shed tears for the first time because of the betrayal of another man, I knew I should have her for myself, to protect her from everyone including myself. Your mother¡­ she''s a strong and capable woman. She doesn''t need me to reach her dreams or take care of herself, but people tend to forget that strong people are really those who need someone to protect them." He exined.


    "Protect her, including from yourself?" This was the part that piqued Shen Zichen''s curiosity.


    "Of course I have to. Because your mother trusts me and loves me so much that if I hurt her it would be iparable to the pain other people would inflict on her. The greatest betrayal are those whoe from the people who are closest to your heart. There were times when I woke up at night, seeing her sleeping beside me and wondered if there would be a day she would snap out of it and decides she doesn''t need me anymore and it pains me,"


    Shen Zichen felt guiltier when he heard that. Was this what Li Chuntao felt when he told him he wanted Ying? When he chose his sister over her?


    What would he do if Li Chuntao gave up on him now and decided to move on? Would he be able to ept it?


    Seeing the sudden change in his expression, Shen Yi gave his shoulder a pat and sighed. "Whatever it is, if you can make amends in the future, not making the same mistake again, you can move forward."


    "Dad, I feel horrible¡­" Shen Zichen confessed to his father. He didn''t know what to do anymore after finding out everything about Li Chuntao''s secret and their dead son. Where could he go from here?


    Shen Yi didn''t say a word and let him spill everything that he''s been keeping inside. It was rare to see his son like this, especially when Zichen was the most responsible among his children while Qingqing was the most level headed.


    And just like that, Shen Zichen told his father everything. From how he was kidnapped with Ying years ago to discovering the truth that it was Li Chuntao instead and about the child, product of their one night stand, who died at birth.


    "So you mean to say that Li Yuren knows all of these, and yet you aren''t dead, with a single bullet in your head? And I managed to escape your mother strangling me to death for failing to protect you?" Shen Yi blinked in confusion.


    "Dad, please!" The younger man threw his cigarette to the bin and scowled at his father. This wasn''t the right time to joke around.


    "Ah, forgive me. Yes, of course, he should have known. You''re lucky you''re a Shen or he might have done something to you for making Li Qiao''s daughter cry."


    "I thought you two are friends?" It was Shen Zichen''s turn now to question his father. In fact, he''d been curious about the history between the two families and why they were allies when there was no direct connection between them.


    Of course, Shen Zichen had no idea that his mother was Li Yuren''s ex-fiancee before marrying his father, while Li Qiao, the mother of the Li twins was Shen Yi''s longtime ex-girlfriend.


    "Li Yuren? My friend?" Shen Yi scoffed. "Not in this lifetime,"


    The thought of people assuming that he and Li Yuren were friends sounds ridiculous to Shen Yi.


    "So about the child¡­"


    "ording to records, his heart stopped beating two days before he was born." Shen Zichen told his father.


    "When was thest time you met her?" Shen Yi questioned. The night was getting deeper and colder so Lingtian and Qingqing already went back inside the main house, leaving the two alone in the garden.


    "About three weeks or so¡­"


    "Three weeks? That''s a long time already, Zichen. Even a day without seeing your mother is enough to make me feel ufortable. I don''t know how you are able to endure that long without seeing or talking to her." Shen Yi sounded disappointed with his son. "With each day of your disappearance, the walls around her will strengthen. You won''t be able to win her back at this rate."


    Shen Zichen felt his shoulder rxed. He suddenly felt better after this talk with his father. The two decided to call it a night, but before Shen Yi walked away, he heard his father say:


    "Zichen, you cannot control nor change what happened in the past, but you can make a better future for the two of you from now on."

 Chapter 163 - You Are Only Fooling Yourself Here (1)

    The city was now filled with snow as winter was fast approaching. Li Chuntao felt that time passed in a blink of an eye. It felt like it was only yesterday that Ying passed away and she moved in with Mu Jianyu? She only has a month left to totally break him and leave this ce for good.


    Li Chuntao once again found herself having trouble sleeping that night. She stayed awake the whole night and when she climbed out of bed, she stepped out of Ying''s room. She didn''t forget to take a shawl and ced it over her shoulder.


    The enormous living room was particrly quiet. The warmmps were on and emitting soft light, lighting up the ce while the sun had yet to rise outside.


    Mu Jianyu still wasn''t at home, ''spending another night at work'', when in fact, he was spending another night with Lin Meirong. Now that the slut had lost her career, she had no one to rely on but him. Her baby bump would be obvious by now and Li Chuntao could sense Mu Jianyu''s anxiety as Lin Meirong''s pregnancy progresses.


    Thinking that it was too early to go outside, Li Chuntao slid the door leading to the balcony and stepped out. The morning air was chilly, and yet it didn''t bother her that much as she''d been long used to the cold weather..


    Her eyes instinctively turned to look at Shen Zichen''s balcony only to see it was empty and the doors were closed. She lowered her eyes and scoffed to herself. Shen Zichen hadn''te home in weeks. What was she expecting anyway?


    It''s been almost a month since their encounter at the cemetery and she had not received any phone calls or messages from him. She couldn''t me him for being angry. After all that she''d done, how would he be able to ept her?


    Her hand reached out and touched her belly. It was empty like her heart. The womb that housed her own baby for months, the baby that she''d lost¡­ how could she forget? In these seven years, she''d been fighting back her own emotions, but now she could finally let herself go.


    If she hadn''t fallen in love with Shen Zichen, would all of these happen?


    If she hadn''t risked her life back then and waited for the rescue team to retrieve them from the burning mansion, wouldn''t that mean she wouldn''t have to endure the pain of having her skin burned? For so many months she couldn''t sleep on her back and even a subtle change in temperature could make her feel pain that was beyond words to describe.


    When they were kidnapped, she didn''t think of how dangerous it would be for her. She was just desperate back then, seeing that he''d been drugged and wasn''t fully conscious, when the fire started to spread around them. Shen Zichen could hear her but he could barely recognize where they were and what was happening with his foggy eyesight.


    But she just wanted him to be alright. Even if he doesn''t return her feelings, she was determined to protect him as long as she could.


    If she had told him, she got pregnant from their drunken mistake, what could have happened?


    But how could she not forget that it was Ying whom he wanted and not her? That the love he felt right now was just a manifestation of what could''ve been if he was with Ying?


    Wasn''t it because she lost Ying that he felt sorry for her, and so that was why he treated her so nice?


    The funny thing was, during the time he''d imed her as his lover, Li Chuntao had stupidly felt happy by how he had treated her. As if she was the one whom he loved and not Ying, so much so that she deluded herself, believing that he had feelings for her and there could be a chance for a future for the both of them.


    How foolish. Perhaps, it was time for her to give up on these feelings she had for him. Maybe it was time for her to move on even though it would be hard to not continue loving him.


    However, was there even a way to unlove a person you couldn''t have? How do you teach your heart not to care anymore?


    ''Li Chuntao, are you even worthy of love?'' She mocked herself.


    The love that she kept for ten long years, she was finally ready to give it up. This time, once she was done with her revenge, she intended to leave everything behind her for good. By all means, she must win the bet she had with her Uncle Yuren to do so.


    All these years, in order to protect Shen Zichen, in order for him to be happy with Ying without her witnessing it, Li Chuntao thought about them before herself. It was always about them and never herself.


    Some people might think it was cowardice, that she should''ve fought for her own happiness but it was easier said than done. How can she get jealous and hate the woman Shen Zichen like when her rival was her own twin sister?


    In this world, no one would love and protect her feelings as fiercely as she would, so maybe it was time for her to look after herself. To treat herself better, to take care of herself. Li Chuntao decided to prioritize and think for herself this time.


    For years, she tried to convince herself that leaving was the right thing to do, even when she found out she was pregnant with his child, she still tried not to get in their way. Since he said that he would pursue Ying, she would allow him to do so, but she knew it would be painful for her to witness the man she loved go after her twin sister.


    A foolish, pathetic woman she might''ve been but she wasn''t a masochist to that extent, to allow herself to see them together. Li Chuntao didn''t think she could watch them without her heart breaking into a million pieces.


    Maybe it was best that Shen Zichen found out her secrets and how horrible of a woman she was. A witch like her had no right to love. Maybe this was why she''d lost everyone she loved dearly. It must be her destiny to live alone in this lifetime.


    When Yu Lou woke up and went to the living area, she was shocked to see her Miss Chuntao outside on the balcony. She rushed to the balcony and felt her whole body shiver from the coldness of the morning air.


    "Miss Chuntao! Please get inside or you''ll get sick!"


    Li Chuntao turned her head and nodded. She followed Yu Lou inside and closed the door behind her and went back to thefort Ying''s room offered. Instantly, the slight color on her pale skin came back and she felt better. She wasn''t sure how long she''d spent outside that she missed three calls on her phone.


    She also received a short message from the same unregistered number that called her early that morning.. It was her, the slut who ruined Ying''s happiness. Why was Lin Meirong calling her?

 Chapter 164 - You Are Only Fooling Yourself Here (2)

    Lin Meirong checked her wristwatch for the umpteenth time for the past ten minutes that afternoon. Her eyes constantly looked outside the coffee shop where she was seated, waiting for Li Xiuying to arrive. Every minute passed with her waiting impatiently for Li Xiuying, made her anger rise faster.


    She had waited for Mu Jianyu to leave her ce and go back to thepany to work before contacting Li Xiuying. She had enough of waiting for the two to divorce. With her tummy getting bigger each day, it wasn''t certain how long she would be able to hold on to Mu Jianyu once she gave birth.


    The chimes of the door rang as it opened. Finally, the woman she''d been waiting for showed up. Lin Meirong waved her hand to get Li Xiuying''s attention. Li Chuntao smiled at her while her two bodyguards remained outside the coffee shop where they could still see her clearly.


    "Good afternoon, Miss Lin. I''m so sorry for the wait. There was a slight traffic jam on our way here." Li Chuntao sat across her and thanked the staff for the menu given to her.


    "It''s okay, Lady Li. Actually, I wasn''t even sure if you''ll ept my invitation," Lin Meirong said warily.


    Li Chuntao gave her a good look. Like what she had expected, Lin Meirong now was heavily pregnant.


    "Oh, wow, Miss Lin. I haven''t seen you for weeks and you grew faster than I expected," shemented, making the other woman ufortable with her remark. No pregnant woman would want to hear something like that, especially Lin Meirong who was extremely vain when ites to her appearance.


    Had she really grown thatrge? She was already in her sixth month now and although she had been hiding herself from public scrutiny since her career''s downfall, Lin Meirong paid attention to her growing figure.


    Ever since she was kicked out from Redux Entertainment, her life turned for the worst. Her friends abandoned her and mocked her. Those people she''d helped at her peak had forgotten about her. She had no one to support her right now except for Mu Jianyu, although she knew that he was only after the child in her womb.


    "Miss Lin, is there something I can help you with? I wasn''t expecting to receive a call from you." Li Chuntao didn''t waste time asking for Lin Meirong''s intention to meet her, though she already had a hunch of what this was all about. She must be really desperate to secure her and her bastard child''s future by attempting to torment Ying now.


    Lin Meirong forced a smile in her face and rubbed her protruding belly.


    "When I heard about your ident, I didn''t expect you to forget the past." She admitted, "Actually Lady Li, this wasn''t the first time we''ve met each other like this. Thest time we''ve talked to each other was also in this ce. Furthermore, we both share something inmon."


    Li Chuntao knitted her brows but understood what this slut was talking about. She remembered Ying telling her about her confrontation with this woman before her ident. Li Xiuying threatened this woman with her past.


    She blinked twice, pretending to be confused with Lin Meirong''s words.


    "I don''t understand what you''re saying, Miss Lin. As far as I know, I left Li Corporation after I married Jianyu. Have we met somewhere else and worked together?" Li Chuntao asked. Her order arrived and she thanked the waitress before taking a sip from her cup.


    Lin Meirong pursed her lips and took a deep breath.


    "No, of course, that''s not what I mean, Lady Li. What we have inmon is your husband," she bit out, hoping she could get some reaction from Li Xiuying. Oh, she couldn''t wait to see this angel''s face filled with anger and despair. She could still remember how Li Xiuying humiliated her thest time they were here.


    "My husband? What about Jianyu?" Li Chuntao ced her cup back on its saucer and looked straight at Lin Meirong''s face, who couldn''t even contain the smug in her eyes, but she remained calm. She already knew that Lin Meirong wanted to sow discord between her and Mu Jianyu but she wouldn''t give her the satisfaction to see ''Ying'' breakdown from Mu Jianyu''s betrayal.


    "You might have forgotten and Jianyu feels guilty for what we''ve done and I think it''s unfair for you to be kept in the dark for too long. The truth is¡­ Lady Li, Jianyu and I are in a rtionship before your ident and the child I''m carrying right now is his. I think it''s unfair for the three of us to continue this facade anymore so..."


    "If you think it''s unfair, then why did you have an affair with a married man? Slut." Li Chuntao''s words were so cold and demeaning that Lin Meirong was left bbergasted by her response. "You can''t respect the sanctity of marriage nor respect the wife. Who are you to call out for unfairness when you were the one who trampled someone''s life."


    "Did you think by inviting me here, pretending to sympathize with me would change the fact that you slept with my husband? Do you think using your bastard child would make me pity you? Sorry, bitch. You are only fooling yourself here." The witch continued with her tirade, not giving Lin Meirong to retort.


    "You had money. You upgrade your face, body, and wardrobe but what have you forgotten was to upgrade your brain too. You can use it sometimes you know. It wouldn''t cost you a thing to use it once in a while." Li Chuntao crossed her legs and sat regally, smiling evilly at Lin Meirong.


    "You¡­" Lin Meirong choked out. "You remember¡­"


    How could this be possible? Didn''t Mu jianyu say that Li Xiuying had forgotten thest seven years of her life? Did someone tell her about the affair or did she never lose her memories in the first ce?


    This wasn''t what she was expecting to hear from Li Xiuying when she decided to reveal her affair with her husband. Shouldn''t she be bursting in tears now and not smiling?


    "Of course, do you think such grave sin could easily be forgotten, Gu Changge? Such an unfortunate woman I am, don''t you think."


    Lin Meirong hardened her jaws and let her hatred show on her face.


    "Then since you remember everything, then why won''t you leave Mu Jianyu and give him back to me?" She snarled at Li Chuntao.


    "Correction, slut. He''s the one who wouldn''t leave me alone." Li Chuntao was amused at how easy it was for Lin Meirong to lower her guard andsh out on her.


    "That''s because he''s pitying you. He doesn''t love you anymore. He''s mine now." Lin Meirong wasn''t nning to give up easily.


    "Do I care if he loves you or not? And why would I leave my husband? I should be the one who must tell you to leave, bitch. Why should I let you two be happy when both of you destroyed my happiness?" She questioned with a low chuckle.. "Hearing you say that he loves you more than me, his own wife. Ah, maybe I should keep him forever, don''t you think?"

 Chapter 165 - The Joke Is On You (1)

    Lin Meirong didn''t know what to do then. Looking at Li Xiuying''s smug face, she felt like she''d been physically pped with this woman. It hurts to know that she was still below her, that she cannot everpete with her.


    Why? Lin Meirong couldn''t understand. Why was Li Xiuying smiling right now? Why couldn''t she beat this woman?


    Li Xiuying should have died in that ident and never survived! But somehow, she managed to survive, ruining her ns. She should have been living in riches by now and not being persecuted by the public as a subus who ruined someone''s life.


    She couldn''t believe people thought that Li Xiuying was really gentle and innocent, with the way she was being demeaned by her. With this meeting, Lin Meirong was hoping Li Xiuying would willingly end her marriage with Mu Jianyu so he woulde back to her.


    Who would have thought that the angel actually had hidden horns on her head? That she really wasn''t as innocent as people portrayed her to be?


    But she couldn''t let Li Xiuying win this time. She cannot give up on Mu Jianyu now when she had nothing else but him. Not now. Not ever. If she lost him now, then she would regret keeping this child.


    "But he proposed to me! He intends to marry me! Don''t you have any dignity left in you to keep him to yourself, when you know that he''s already mine?"


    This was something Li Chuntao didn''t know. Her twin sister had only mentioned Mu Jianyu''s intention to marry his mistress after their divorce and never knew that he already proposed to this tramp.


    She scoffed inwardly. Was he really that stupid to consider this tramp to marry? He didn''t even know which hell hole this woman came from. Hell, if he knew that she was basically another man''s wife, Li Chuntao wondered what his reaction would be.


    Anyway, that wasn''t her problem. This cheating couple won''t be able to continue fooling themselves as it would only add to their regretster.


    "He wants to marry you?" Li Chuntao chuckled with sarcasm. It was as if Lin Meirong had just told her the biggest joke of the year. "Am I supposed tough at that? Do you want me to throw a party for the two of you? Or are you the only one who''s thinking he would really marry you? Did he even give you a ring?" She then took a quick nce at Lin Meirong''s hands.


    Lin Meirong immediately tried to hide her hands beneath the table but it was already toote as Li Chuntao had already seen the absence of a ring.


    "See? No rings. Don''t tell me he promised you that in the throes of passion,"


    When Lin Meirong said nothing, it made Li Chuntao burst into a round ofughter. Her eyes got teary as she continued tough at this woman''s foolishness.


    "I''m a fool and yet I can''t evenpete with you, tsk," she shook her head as Lin Meirong was already close to tears. "You must be extremely stupid to believe it, but there is something that I''m curious about Gu Changge. Even if I decided to divorce him, what makes you think you''ll be able to marry him?"


    Li Chuntao didn''t need to say more as the other woman''s face nched in understanding. Time seemed to slow as she looked at the witch''s smug face taunting her.


    Indeed, how could Lin Meirong forget that she was still married to her estranged husband? However, she and Yao Qigang had no idea where her family went. They seemed to have vanished.


    Lin Meirong feared that her husband would have found out about her affairs because of the news. She needed to find him soon before he could start a problem in her life. What could she do to attain her freedom from Meng Huan?


    She detested every passing day knowing that she had married someone like him. Maybe she should have cut all rtions she had with the Meng family before leaving for the capital.


    "Still, you can''t change the fact that this child is his. Lady Li, please don''t me me. It''s not my fault that you couldn''t bear him a child." Lin Meirong snapped back. She couldn''t let this woman have thest words in this confrontation. "Jianyu is just staying with you out of pity. If he knows you''ve been lying all this time, he will leave you!"


    "Well, go ahead and tell him about it. Do you think I care?" Li Chuntao snorted, which was very udylike. "Yes, I agree. You let him know about it and I''ll make sure he will also find out about each of your lies, Gu Changge. I''m also getting tired of this charade actually." Li Chuntao was fully prepared for this. She already predicted that this would happen sooner orter, and she would make sure she had an upper hand against the two.


    Lin Meirong''s face darkened as she tried to contain the rage she had in her heart. Li Xiuying''s presence was enough to annoy her to death. She caught Li Xiuying''s eyes looking at her swollen belly.


    "However, how sure are you that Jianyu is the father of your child, when everyone already knows about your affairs with other men? Who hasn''t heard about your sickening ''activities''?


    "As for Mu Jianyu, do you think he would leave me? I hate to break this to you, Gu Changge, but my husband wouldn''t leave me for someone like you. He remembered now how much he loves me before meeting you. He will beg for forgiveness and will start anew with me. And you? You''ll just be a thing in our past. Someone who we''d rather forget. You can go and tell him, Gu Changge. No one''s stopping you. Now if you''ll excuse me. You''ve already wasted thirty minutes of my life. I need to go home soon cause you know," Li Chuntao winked at her, slightly leaning forward to whisper into her. "My husband is waiting for me. We have ns tonight."


    After bidding her goodbye, Li Chuntao happily left the coffee shop, deeply aware of how Lin Meirong was ring daggers behind her back. She couldn''t wait for the two to get into an argument again.


    If she was in Lin Meirong''s position, she would act like she was being bullied and helpless to get Mu Jianyu''s favor but because Lin Meirong was shameless enough, she wouldn''t even notice that Li Chuntao had yed her well today.


    Since Lin Meirong was brave enough to confess her affair with Mu Jianyu, let''s see if she would be able to make him believe her. Would Mu Jianyu believe his mistress who''d been constantly lying to him or would he believe his innocent wife?


    Li Chuntao decided not to go back to Mu Jianyu''s ce yet. She will allow Lin Meirong to try to sow discord between her and Mu Jianyu. She still couldn''t believe that Lin Meirong pursued a career in acting when she was bad at it.


    ''Lin Meirong, please don''t disappoint me. You must give me an opening to break Mu Jianyu today,''


    Ying might have been too soft to let these two y with her feelings, but Li Chuntao would make sure they paid the price for it.

 Chapter 166 - The Joke Is On You (2)

    Before Mu Jianyu went home, he received a phone call from Lin Meirong, informing him about her meeting with Li Xiuying that afternoon. She insisted that Ying was lying, that she was faking her amnesia.


    "She''s lying to you. Why can''t you see that? Your wife remembers everything," Lin Meirong told him over the phone.


    Mu Jianyu was momentarily stunned at her words, wondering if she was telling the truth or not. Does Ying truly remember him? Did she not forget what he''d done to her? Or was it yet another lie from this woman?


    "Stop this already, Lin Meirong. Whatever you say or do, I won''t leave my wife for you,"


    "Even if she is lying to you? I''m telling you that she''s ying with you! Mu Jianyu, why can''t you see that she''s lying to you? She was unlike what people thought of her. She isn''t a kind woman. She''s heartless!"


    "Shut your mouth!" Mu Jianyu snarled at her over the phone. "Don''t say that about my wife! She''s not like that. You don''t know anything about my wife!" He shouted back.


    "And you do?" Lin Meirongughed incredulously. "Stop being blind and see that your wife is no angel! She''s taking advantage of her ident to keep you by her side, to torment you. She won''t let you go because she wants to take revenge on you, on us! Li Xiuying is doing this on purpose!" She countered.


    Mu Jianyu swiped a hand over his face as he paced around his office, considering Lin Meirong''s words. What if she was telling the truth this time? But did it really matter?


    "No matter what you say to me, I won''t leave her." He made up his mind. It was his sin that he needed to pay and repent, "Even if you''re telling the truth, I''ll ept everything. Ying can hurt me, she can do anything she wants to. It''s her right. Nothing will change."


    And now, he was home. Back in his empty apartment, waiting for his wife toe home, Mu Jianyu felt like waiting for a ticking bomb about to explode.


    But what if she really forgot everything? If he confronted her now, wouldn''t that mean he was willinglying clean to her?


    "Ying, please." He pleaded. He wasn''t sure how Ying was taking the stupid revtion Lin Meirong did. He had no idea where she was and she wasn''t picking up her phone.


    Ying must be devastated by now. She must be hurting badly now and it was all his fault.


    The sky was already dark outside and the snow was starting to fall again. Although he knew that Yu Lou and Su Ling would keep her safe, he still couldn''t help but worry.


    The front door opened and Li Chuntao came in with Yu Lou. Mu Jianyu immediately ran towards the door to meet his wife. He looked at his wife and his heart clenched inside his chest with the way her shoulder slumped, her head hanging low.


    "We''re home¡­" she muttered before walking past him towards the living area.


    Yu Lou left the two and shook her head. It''s only a matter of time. She was d that she and Miss Chuntao wouldn''t need to stay at this ce for much longer now.


    "Ying, where have you been?" Mu Jianyu followed Li Chuntao and saw her sitting on the couch with a troubled expression on her face. He remained standing a couple of feet away from her, not knowing what to do to console her.


    "I¡­ I need to be alone. I never expected my day would turn out to be like this." Li Chuntao breathed out. "I was waiting for you toe home and a woman called me to meet her." She lifted her head and looked at him straight in the eyes. Mu Jianyu could see fear and uncertainty clouding her eyes.


    "I don''t know anymore, Jianyu. I''m confused. I don''t know if I should believe her or not."


    Mu Jianyu then decided to take a seat across her. She was definitely talking about Lin Meirong. What could have that woman told Ying to make her feel this way?


    "Jianyu, please tell me the truth," Her eyes started to brim with tears, "Miss Lin told me you two were in a rtionship before my ident, that you are the one who fathered her child." Her tone was almost pleading. "Didn''t you tell me that you love me? That we are in love with each other? If you love me, why would you cheat on me and pretend like nothing happened? Or is she telling the truth?"


    Li Chuntao covered her eyes with both hands and wailed, breaking Mu Jianyu''s heart. His wife, his angel¡­ she shouldn''t be crying like this. She should be smiling, should always be happy, and yet he knew he was the reason for her tears today.


    "I didn''t want to ask or confront you before, because I''m afraid to face and hear the truth." Li Chuntao continued before pulling out a thin envelope she''d tucked between the table where a stack of magazines was ced.


    She ced it on the coffee table and tried to wipe her tears with the back of her hands.


    Mu Jianyu eyed the envelope and with slightly trembling hands, he took it and unraveled the tie to open it. Inside, pictures of him and Lin Meirong filled his sight. Someone was following them, so the person was able to take clear shots of him and Lin Meirong as they fought near the window of her bedroom.


    "Ying¡­ these¡­"


    How was he supposed to exin all of these? It was an evidence he cannot easily refute or deny.


    "I received these a week ago." Li Chuntao lowered her head and ran her fingers through her hair in frustration, while her tears continued to fall. The pain of betrayal was on her face.


    "I want to believe you, Jianyu. I really do, but how can I do it if you''re constantly lying to me?" She asked him helplessly.


    "Ying, please let me exin¡­I¡­"


    "You what? That you wanted to hide this from me? That you didn''t intend to impregnate that woman? Have I been a bad wife to you? Was there something wrong with me that you didn''t like? Am I not beautiful enough? Not sexy enough? Am I really that bad in bed that you took a liking to a loose woman?"


    Mu Jianyu desperately wanted to hold her but Li Chuntao wouldn''t allow him to do so.


    "No, Ying. That''s not it. It''s not your fault," he said in despair. "I''m sorry, I''m really sorry. Please forgive me. Please let me try to be a better husband to you," he pleaded. He threw himself in front of her, kneeling down for her forgiveness. His hand holding hers as he looked at her face.


    His affair with Lin Meirong shouldn''t have happened. His wife shouldn''t be shedding tears because of him.


    Ying should p him, should yell at him. Anything if it could somehow lessen the pain he''d inflicted on her.


    "But didn''t you promise me¡­ promised me you''ll love and cherish me? How could you have forgotten? You want another chance? Then how about my pain?"


    Li Chuntao continued to shed tears, delivering the unspoken words that her twin sisterdidn''t manage to say to and ask her cheating husband.


    "You know I would try to understand you, to try to make this work with you¡­ but Jianyu¡­ to actually make her pregnant? How could you do that to me?"

 Chapter 167 - I Don’t Want To Have Anything To Do With You (1)

    "Ying, please calm down." Mu Jianyu begged her. He could see the hurt and frustration in her eyes, which made him feel guiltier than he already was. He knew that his wife wouldn''t take this easily once she found out, but seeing her like this broke his heart.


    "Calm down? How can I be calm knowing you betrayed me?" Her round teary eyes stared back at him with disgust. "Should I congratte you? You''re going to be a father!" She said with sarcasm, surprising Mu Jianyu, Ying had never talked to him like this before.


    Did he turn her into this type of person? His angel was now tainted with his sins. What had he done?!


    What was he thinking when he allowed Lin Meirong to continue bothering him after his drunken mistake with her?


    For whom did he betray and hurt Ying for? He casted her aside for a woman who only saw his value as a mary gain. There was no love between him and Lin Meirong at all.


    What was he thinking when he allowed himself to sleep with her the second time, while Ying was waiting worriedly for him toe home?


    "No, Ying. I know now that everything''s my fault." Mu Jianyu didn''t know how to convince her to stay at this marriage anymore. He didn''t think he would be able to endure it if Ying gave up on him.


    If he could turn back the time, he would make sure to avoid Lin Meirong the moment their paths crossed. All could he do now was say sorry. He had no excuses for doing such things to his wife. He could only hope that Ying would at least give him a chance to be a better husband.


    He regretted everything now but he also didn''t know how to fix the damages he''d done. However, how would they be able to start a new life when another was about toe from his betrayal?


    "Ying, please. I''m so sorry! I''m so sorry!" He couldn''t say anything to Ying but sorry.


    Li Chuntao chuckled and shook her head. Seeing her brother-inw groveling for forgiveness was quite amusing.


    Too bad Ying wasn''t able to see him looking pathetic like this. She could already imagine how her twin sister would frown upon seeing the scene before turning her nose away in disgust, refusing to look at Mu Jianyu''s pathetic state.


    "Do you think a simple sorry would be able to fix everything? Do you even have any idea how much you ruined my impression of you? I know now¡­ so this is why we were about to divorce back then." She paused, her mind filled with Ying''s grievances.


    The revenge took time, but she was finally able to deliver it. As Mu Jianyu begged for forgiveness, he still hadn''t realised that the woman in front of him wasn''t even his wife. However, Li Chuntao wasn''t quite done yet. It wasn''t time to let him know about his wife''s tragic end.


    Gosh, wouldn''t this mean his regret after discovering Ying''s deathter would be more detrimental to himter? Li Chuntao chuckled inwardly, amused that she could still prolong Mu Jianyu''s punishment.


    Anyway, that wasn''t her problem. Mu Jianyu should have expected Ying''s retribution sooner orter, the only difference was she was the demon who would deliver it and not the angel he knew.


    "Why won''t you say anything? Did the cat bite your tongue now? Didn''t you hear my question? How could you do that to me?" Li Chuntao persisted, but how could he answer her when it rendered him speechless?


    She was asking him questions that Ying had been asking herself during his betrayal. Shouldn''t he know how to exin himself by now? All of those reasons he had for choosing Lin Meirong were suddenly thrown to the wind as Mu Jianyu looked at his wife''s face.


    The day Mu Jianyu started his affair with Lin Meirong was the day he regretted the most. He lowered his head not knowing what to say to his wife. He knew whatever he said now wouldn''t be enough to convince her to stay, but he wasn''t ready to leave her yet.


    The thought of Ying abandoning him¡­ turning her back on him was terrifying. He couldn''t imagine his life without her, couldn''t imagine waking up knowing he''d lost her.


    "I see. You see if you have a problem with me, you should have told me so. You shouldn''t have lied to me. I know now why my family was hesitant to let me move in with you. So this is what you''ve been doing to me all along? I must be really stupid back then."


    Still, Mu Jianyu couldn''t say anything in defense. Nothing could be said that can make Ying believe in him anymore. Nothing he could do to take back what Li Chuntao had lost.


    "Is this because I couldn''t give you a child?" Li Chuntao raised the assumption that people had about Ying. A barren woman, which Ying wasn''t. It was unfair to me her for her husband''s actions.


    When he heard this question from her, Mu Jianyu''s whole body trembled and he raised his head to look at her face in shock.


    "So I''m right? It was because I couldn''t give you a child. Why?" She questioned him.


    Mu Jianyu lowered his gaze and clenched his fists on his side. How hard was it for him to admit this? Wasn''t this what he''d been telling himself when he wanted to divorce Ying before?


    "Because I wanted a happy family and not a perfect wife," He admitted in a low voice, but Li Chuntao heard him clearly.


    This wasn''t something Li Chuntao expected to hear from Mu Jianyu and she was stunned into silence. She wasn''t expecting him to admit it easily. Was Ying truly too perfect in his opinion? Could he see how Ying was also wed with her indecision that cost her not only her happiness but her own life as well?


    ''I see¡­ so his inferiorityplex to Ying has caused him to turn his attention to the other woman.''


    Still, it was ridiculous to me her twin sister for the failure of their marriage. Mu Jianyu should have a talk with Ying if he was having issues.


    "Ying, I repent for that mistake every day. You don''t know much guilt I''m feeling till this day. Please forgive me!"


    Li Chuntao ceased her crying and her lips quivered in indignation. Wasn''t it toote for him to ask for it? Ying was already gone. No matter what he does or what he says, Ying would never be able to see or hear any of it.


    "Forgive you? Never. Mu Jianyu, this is the end of us! Since you''ve already got what you wanted from Lin Meirong, why don''t you two continue lying to yourselves and leave me alone!" Was her parting words before she left him kneeling on the floor and called Yu Lou''s name.


    Mu Jianyu remained in his position, stunned. He couldn''t believe all of this was happening and just when he thought it couldn''t get any worse, Li Chuntao delivered the final blow before leaving with Yu Lou.


    "Mu Jianyu, I want to divorce.. Please give me back my freedom," Li Chuntao''s voice was even and devoid of emotions.

 Chapter 168 - I Don’t Want To Have Anything To Do With You (2)

    Mu Jianyu didn''t have enough time to react as Li Chuntao left, taking Yu Lou with her. He wanted to follow her but his body seemed to be glued on the floor. Ying didn''t give him a chance to make up for his sins. He should have known she wouldn''t want to be tied to him any longer after what he''d done.


    She wanted her freedom, wanted to be from him. Wasn''t it ironic that months ago, he was the one who couldn''t wait to walk away from their marriage? Li Xiuying was setting him free, letting him be happy with his mistress, then why did he feel defeated and lost?


    Meanwhile, as soon as Li Chuntao stepped out of Mu Jianyu''s apartment, the smile on her face froze and fell when her eyesnded on Shen Zichen who''d been standing just outside the door. She didn''t know how to react, so she wiped off any emotion that was on her face.


    Her heart clenched painfully on her chest. Almost one month of not seeing him made her painfully aware of the gaping hole in her heart. She wasn''t prepared. She wasn''t expecting to see him at this time.


    She froze and Yu Lou came behind her with two suitcases in her trail. Her eyes widened when she saw that Young Master Shen finally came back for her Miss Chuntao. Yu Lou anxiously watched the two. Thest time they were together, Shen Zichen and Li Chuntao had a terrible fight.


    "Chuntao," Shen Zichen muttered her name but Li Chuntao remained silent, her eyes never leaving his. She was pondering if she was hallucinating or was he really back for her. "Can we talk?"


    However, Li Chuntao snapped back to her senses and chose to ignore him. She walked past him, much to Shen Zichen and Yu Lou''s shock.


    She held Shen Zichen deep in her heart that even a month wasn''t truly enough to make her forget about him, but seeing him, so close and yet so far, reminded Li Chuntao of her pain. It had always been like this.


    Talk?


    Shouldn''t he tell her that before, instead of turning his back on her at the cemetery, leaving her feeling miserable? She''d thrown her pride and lowered her mask for him to see the Li Chuntao he needed to see, but what did he do? Didn''t he run away as soon as she confessed the truth to him?


    "Wait!" He called after her.


    Li Chuntao halted her steps but refused to look at his face. She needed to be strong for herself. She couldn''t let him hurt her anymore. This time, she swore she would love and treat herself better.


    "Brother Zichen, I think there''s nothing to talk about anymore. Let''s leave what happened in the past and move on with our lives separately."


    This was her choice. This was her decision.


    She couldn''t continue living in the dark shadows anymore. She was alone now, without Ying by her side, Li Chuntao had no one to rely on but herself. He had broken her until she had no choice but to pick up the pieces of her shattered heart and move on.


    What was she to him? Wasn''t she just a recement for her twin sister?


    She must be really stupid to give her heart and body to this man who would never dare to look past her mask.


    Shen Zichen was shocked by her words and watched as she walked away from him. Panic stirred in his chest and he followed her until they reached the elevator. Before Li Chuntao was able to close the door, Shen Zichen stepped in and hit the button for the door to close.


    Li Chuntao red at him before turning her eyes away, refusing to look at his face. No, she refused to give him the opportunity to hurt her again even if it wasn''t intentional. She had enough of it.


    "If you are here to talk about the past and apologize for what happened, it''s pointless," she told him, deeply aware of how his eyes remained on her face.


    She could feel the tension and anxiety from him, and when she took a quick nce at his face when he wasn''t looking at her, she saw a slight panic in his eyes.


    When he first told her he liked Ying, Li Chuntao was left brokenhearted, but she couldn''t me him and Ying. They were the most important people in her life and she couldn''t hate the two of them. She just wanted them to be happy, even if it means at the cost of her own.


    In order to make him happy, she kept her feelings to herself. However, what she wasn''t expecting was for Ying to deny Shen Zichen''s feelings indirectly. She, instead, fell in love and married Mu Jianyu, which was far from Li Chuntao''s expectations.


    She intended to forget everything now and made up her mind to keep him out of her head, but why was she suddenly thinking about the past? Was it because of his sudden appearance?


    This was bad. Li Chuntao thought. If she really wanted to move on, she should stay away from him.


    "So you finally broke him without my help, huh,"


    His voice sounded more like a statement than a question to Li Chuntao''s ears. She didn''t respond and instead, lowered her head and tried to ignore his presence until the elevator reached the ground floor.


    The doors opened with a ding and Li Chuntao stepped out first and walked towards the car where Su Ling was already waiting for her. The man didn''t seem surprised seeing her with Shen Zichen and Li Chuntao deduced that it might be because they had met earlier, before Shen Zichen went up to look for her.


    "Chuntao, please. At least hear what I''ll say," Shen Zichen grabbed her wrist and forced her to look at him.


    "What for?" Li Chuntao sneered at him. "What else do we need to talk about? About us? There''s no us, Shen Zichen and don''t start with me with the bullshit that you love me because I know you don''t!" She pulled her wrist from his hold and looked straight right into his eyes.


    "Shen Zichen, when you look at me? Who is it that you see? Is it Ying, or is it me?" She saw his frown and he was about to answer her, but she didn''t give him a chance to do so. She wasn''t ready. She didn''t think her heart would be able to take it if he chose Ying over her again.


    "I don''t care anymore¡­." she interrupted him, "Maybe there''s a reason I lost our child back then. Let''s leave the past in the past and learn from the mistakes we''ve done." She turned her back on him and shut her eyes close, refusing to let her tears fall.


    When she opened her eyes again, it was clearer and her cold mask was back in ce.


    "Shen Zichen, I''m not sure why you are here but let me make this clear for you. From now on, I don''t want to have anything to do with you, so you better leave me be."


    Shen Zichen focused his gaze on her form as she retreated away from him. He wanted to exin himself, but how could he if Li Chuntao wasn''t sparing him a look. He was slightly affected by her coldness.


    Would he really allow her to leave him like this?

 Chapter 169 - Leave And Never Return (1)

    He should respect her decision but Shen Zichen wasn''t ready to give up on her yet. He knew a lot of things were his fault, but he was determined to win her back no matter how difficult it would be. This time, he wouldn''t allow her to be alone and think that she was unloved.


    Regardless of what she believes right now, Shen Zichen would make it clear that from now on, she wouldn''t be able to doubt his love for her ever again.


    That was why the next day, Li Chuntao found herself speechless when she woke up in her penthouse and found him standing in her kitchen, busy making breakfast for her. She looked at him somewhat surprised. Shen Zichen was wearing a white dress shirt and ck pants, but the thing that caught her attention was the pink apron he was wearing.


    "What are you doing here?" She asked before noticing a te of sliced sweet melons on the table. Melons were her favorite and she was surprised that he remembered it even though they were separated for a long time. She initially thought that Shen Zichen was only paying attention to her twin sister and not her.


    "I just thought that you lost so much weight recently. Yu Lou also mentioned that you don''t have much of an appetite and haven''t been eating welltely." Shen Zichen remained standing in front of the stove without turning to face her.


    Li Chuntao, who was in no mood to argue early that morning, sat without a word before she forked the sweet melons and ate them. The sweetness of the fruit hit her tongue and momentster she realized she''d finished everything.


    Shen Zichen smiled inwardly seeing how she enjoyed the fruit he prepared. He wasn''t ready to give up yet! Not without a fight and this time he intended to win.


    "What are you looking at?" Li Chuntao huffed when she caught him looking at her. "Don''t look at me like that and finish what you''re cooking. I''m starving."


    Shen Zichen hummed and nodded, returning his attention to his cooking.


    "There''s another te in the fridge if you want more, but don''t eat too much or you''ll ruin your appetite." Shen Zichen was acting like they hadn''t had a fight and treated her as usual.


    Li Chuntao''s eyes darkened and she hung her head low. Her lips formed a straight line. No¡­ she couldn''t just let him take the rein in her life anymore. For so many years, she had waited for him, always putting him as a priority, hurting herself in the process.


    She pushed the empty te away, losing her appetite to eat breakfast. She was afraid that Shen Zichen''s presence would waver her resolve to move on.


    ''Li Chuntao, how long do you n to torment yourself?'' She asked herself. ''Do you intend to make the same mistakes again?''


    "You don''t need to do any of these. Please leave and never return," Li Chuntao said before dragging herself out of the kitchen, going back to her room without waiting for his response.


    She thought she should talk to Su Ling to change the security lock for her penthouse. It wouldn''t be okay if Shen Zichen continued to barge into her ce like this, not when she already ended the foolish affair that they had.


    Ying once told her that a smile was the best mask one could muster up to protect themselves, but Li Chuntao would rather choose to put on her cold mask and hide her heart away from everyone.


    Shen Zichen once again found himself looking at her retreating back and he didn''t like it one bit. Last night, after he went home, his mind was filled with her that he couldn''t even sleep through the night.


    He understood how much he messed up his chances to be with her and he wasn''t sure how he could make up for his mistakes. With her giving him a cold shoulder, ignoring him, Shen Zichen wondered if this was what she felt like when he ignored her feelings for a long time.


    If he could turn back time¡­. No¡­ he shook his head pushing these thoughts out of his mind. Like what his father said, he couldn''t change the past but he could still work hard to have a better future.


    But how would he convince Chuntao to ept him again? She wouldn''t even spare him a look and chose to run away from him. Regardless, he wouldn''t give up that easily.


    These continued for the next few days. Until one day, he stood outside Li Chuntao''s penthouse unable to open it with his key card. His brows furrowed, as it meant that she was driving him away, not giving him a chance to see her. Su Ling and Yu Lou watched helplessly as he stood outside and waited for a long time for Li Chuntao to acknowledge him.


    "Should we tell him to leave?" Yu Lou asked Su Ling, who shook his head and rubbed his temple.


    "No," he sighed. "She knows he''s there but there''s nothing else we could do if Miss Chuntao doesn''t want to see him."


    Shen Zichen waited for a whole day, but Li Chuntao never came out. He slumped outside the front door and rested his head against the door with his eyes closed. He''d expected this to happen but he wouldn''t give up!


    This was the scene Li Chuntao saw the moment Su Ling opened the door for her. She hadn''t expected that Shen Zichen would spend the night outside her door, waiting for her, when she ignored his calls and messages.


    Didn''t she already tell him that she didn''t want anything to do with him anymore? Why was he persistently showing up to annoy her? Was he here to mock her?


    Shen Zichen stirred in his sleep and peered only to see Li Chuntao looking down at him with her usual impassive face. Since he was already awake, she didn''t need to see him off.


    "Chuntao¡­" he muttered as he pulled himself up on his feet. He could feel his neck aching from the awkward sleeping position.


    "Let''s go," Li Chuntao ignored him and headed towards the elevator and waited for her bodyguards. She''d promised to the children at the orphanage to visit them today.


    Yu Lou and Su Ling shared a confused look before following their Miss Chuntao. They both wanted to say something to Young Master Shen but the fierce re Li Chuntao gave them made them shut their mouths.


    Shen Zichen hurriedly ran after them, but the door of the elevator closed even before he could reach them. He had no other choice but to use the stairway. It took him some time before he reached the car park and saw Li Chuntao climbing into the back seat of her car.


    He immediately ran towards his car and followed after them.


    Su Ling looked at his dashboard mirror and frowned.


    "Miss Chuntao, Young Master Shen¡­ he... "


    "Don''t mind him and just do your job. He would get over it soon," Li Chuntao cut him off. She crossed her arms over her chest and shut her eyes close. She wasn''t sure what she should feel at the moment.


    A part of her was happy that he was trying to win her, but the other part refused to acknowledge his efforts. It would never be enough topensate for the amount of tears she had shed for him.


    ''Shen Zichen, Have you ever just randomly cried because you''ve been holding shit in for too long? Because I have.''

 Chapter 170 - Leave And Never Return (2)

    "So¡­ are you aware that Young Master Shen followed you or are you just pretending you didn''t see him?" Qin Linfeng asked as he passed the children''s current health profile to Li Chuntao.


    "I know. Let him be. It''s not like he would distract your work here." She responded. Shen Zichen was the one who chose to follow her here. She never forced him to do such things for her.


    They were on a balcony sitting across from each other while the children yed in the huge garden below them. They were busy tackling after the grownup man who suddenly joined them after being ignored by their Sister Ying.


    Qin Linfeng huffed and stood up, his arms over the railing. He saw Shen Zichen actively participating in the game with the children. Never did he imagine that the aloof Young Master Shen had a soft heart for children.


    "Well, did you two have a fight? I think he''s here trying to reconcile with you," he pointed out. Wasn''t it too obvious that these two had a lover''s quarrel? Perhaps their fight was so serious that Li Chuntao ended up ignoring him.


    How can Qin Linfeng not know that a woman''s silence is more dangerous than showing her temper? Just what did Young Master Shen do to be treated like this by her?


    Li Chuntao flipped to the next page on the report and was pleased to see that none of the children were suffering from malnutrition and have been fed well by the orphanage. Two children had been adopted, one of them being Tang Tang. She was sad that she wasn''t able to bid goodbye, but she hoped that they were faring well in their new family.


    Eventually, she turned her head to see Shen Zichenughing with the children while a young boy was sitting over his shoulder. Her gaze softened a bit at the scene. If Li Zirui hadn''t died, he would probably be about six years old by now.


    Would Shen Zichen be like this if her Zirui lived?


    She pulled her eyes away from him. It was impossible to imagine something that would never happen.


    When she didn''t respond to his question, Qin Linfeng shrugged and went back to work. He wasn''t always here at the orphanage and only came here whenever Li Chuntao or the director asked for his presence.


    Meanwhile, Shen Zichen ced the boy down. He hadn''t felt this tired in a long time. He panted and braced himself by putting both of his hands on his thighs. He''d been ying with these children for more than an hour and Li Chuntao was still ignoring him, as if he was invisible.


    Did she really hate him that much? Didn''t she care for him anymore?


    "Brother Zichen, what are you looking at?" The boy followed his gaze and saw their Sister Ying talking to Doctor Qin. "Oh, you are looking at Sister Ying,"


    Shen Zichen almost corrected him but he remembered that these children only knew about Li Xiuying and not Li Chuntao. Some of the children crowded around him, trying to get his attention for another round of touch ball game.


    "Has she ever yed with you since she came back here?" Shen Zichen questioned them.


    The children shook their heads. "Doctor Qin said Sister Ying isn''t healthy enough for rigorous activities. "


    A pang of jealousy hit him when he noticed that Li Chuntao was talking to another man. Maybe this was his punishment for being a cruel and selfish man. He''d taken her for granted and now that she didn''t want him anymore, it was toote for him to realize that he needed her, that he loved her.


    Li Chuntao and Qin Linfeng were sitting across each other and Shen Zichen had no idea what they were talking about. Despite everything he''d done for the past few days, Li Chuntao had only looked at him once, never saying a word since he showed up in her kitchen unannounced.


    She would rather talk to another man than to acknowledge him? Did he already lose her for good?


    The cook called the children in for lunch and everyone went inside while Shen Zichen excused himself for a quick shower. He went to retrieve one of his set of spare clothes from his car, took a shower, and went to the dining area which was filled with voices of hungry children waiting for their turn to be served with a meal.


    "Doctor Shen," Qin Linfeng called him from the other table where he was sitting with Li Chuntao, "Here. why don''t you join us?"


    Shen Zichen walked towards them, much to Li Chuntao''s annoyance. She red at the man sitting across her and ignored Shen Zichen who took the chance to sit next to her. She continued to eat in silence while Qin Linfeng struck up a conversation with Shen Zichen.


    "Chuntao, eat more¡­" Shen Zichen whispered as he ced another piece of braised meat on her te.


    When their meal was done, everyone went back outside toze around. The peacefulness of the scenery had been shattered by a loud wailing from Su Mei. The trio looked at her only to find her holding her favorite bunny doll with an obvious rip on its arm.


    Shen Zichen went to her and knelt beside her.


    "What happened to your bunny?" He asked in a gentle tone.


    Su Mei continued to wail as she tried to stick the loose arm back, but failed. Another girl came towards them and exined.


    "We were ying and I identally tugged Mr. Bunny''s arm too hard," the girl admitted.


    Looking at the two of them, Shen Zichen sighed. The same scenario shed in his mind, recalling how his sister, Yuyan, had identally broken Li Chuntao''s crystal angel. She had cried for days until Shen Zichen found someone who was able to restore it to its pristine condition.


    "Alright, don''t cry. Brother Zichen will fix Mr. Bunny for you. Can you hand him over to me so I can check on him?"


    Su Mei sniffed and hesitated to give him her ''injured'' stuffed bunny.


    "How are you going to fix Mr. Bunny?" She asked worriedly and hugged the Mr. Bunny tighter in her arms.


    "Ah, if Little Mei still doesn''t know, I''m a good doctor. I patch up people''s wounds all the time to make them heal, so I think I''m qualified to fix Mr. Bunny, don''t you think?" Shen Zichen tried to convince her.


    "Su Mei, give it to Brother Zichen, I''m sure he would be able to fix him," Qin Linfeng appeared behind Shen Zichen and gave the child a thumbs up.


    Su Mei looked at him then to Shen Zichen before handing over her Mr. Bunny.


    "Please take good care of him," she said before letting the other girl take her hand and led her back to their game.


    Through all of it, Li Chuntao only watched in silence. Shen Zichen might be cold and distant with adults, but he''d always been good with children. She knew he wasn''t trying to show off, but it still made her curious at how easily he sumbed to the children''s demands.


    In the past, he was the only one who was able to stop her tears when no one was brave enough to face her tantrum.. Shen Zichen had been patient with her and would always do whatever he can to make her smile again.

 Chapter 171 - Goodbye, My Love (1)

    But Li Chuntao still refused to ept him. Why now when she didn''t want him anymore and when she was tired of being hurt by him? He should have just epted her decision and moved on with his own life.


    Soon, she heard Su Mei''sughter from where she was seated. It seemed that Shen Zichen had managed to patch up her broken doll, so now she was happily ying again with the other children at the orphanage.


    In the past, she wasn''t worthy of his love because of her twin sister, and now that Ying was gone, it was hard for her to believe that Shen Zichen loved her. Perhaps it was also her fault for not correcting his assumption that she was Ying at that time.


    Why would he want her anyway when she herself wouldn''t choose her?


    Shen Zichen looked at her as she sat with the children under the shade of the tree, seeing her troubled expression. He wondered what she was thinking about?


    A hint of sorrow crept in his heart. Was she sad? Did he make her sad again? Was his presence troubling her heart?


    ''Zirui, what should I do to make your Mom happy?''


    Since he found out about their child, Shen Zichen had started to feel some sense of familiarity over the child he''d neither seen nor held in his arms. He shut his eyes and took a deep breath. It had been days, but Li Chuntao was still ignoring him.


    When it was time for them to go home, Li Chuntao bid goodbye to the children and promised them that she would visit again soon. Shen Zichen followed her lead and told them to be kind to each other, behave well and to listen to their elders.


    When he saw that Li Chuntao was about to leave, he ran towards her and held her wrist forbidding her to leave him behind.


    "Miss Li, I''m sorry for being presumptuous but can I invite you for dinner?" He asked in a gentle tone.


    Li Chuntao opened her mouth to decline his invitation when she saw the curious gazes of the children, looking at them. These children were so oblivious and innocent. Weren''t they forgetting that their Sister Ying was a married woman while Shen Zichen was a single man?


    "Ohh¡­ Brother Zichen is asking Sister Ying for a date!" One of them eximed.


    Li Chuntao winced inwardly and looked away. She knew that in these children''s eyes she was their Sister Ying, but hearing it left a bad taste in her mouth. It was always Ying, not her, Li Chuntao.


    Will people ever look at her as the real her and not another Li Xiuying?


    Seeing her annoyed expression, Shen Zichen leaned forward to whisper in her ear.


    "Just to be clear, I''m asking Li Chuntao and not their Sister Ying," he told her.


    Li Chuntao said nothing, her eyes avoiding the curious gazes of the children before she muttered "Let''s go" to Shen Zichen. The children squealed and ran towards the main house after sending them off.


    Shen Zichen allowed her to drag him away and looked at their twined hands. He let the ends of his lips curl up into a slight smile. After more than two weeks of being ignored by her, at least she willingly held him this time.


    They met Su Ling and Yu Lou halfway, who were surprised to see their Miss Chuntao holding hands with Young Master Shen.


    "I''ll take Chuntao for dinner. Don''t worry, I''ll bring her home as soon as possible." Shen Zichen told them before opening the door on his car''s passenger seat side and let Li Chuntao in. As they drove away, Li Chuntao''s bodyguards remained standing there, speechless to what they''d just witnessed.


    "You think they''ll also patch up things soon?" Su Ling asked Yu Lou.


    The woman shrugged and went to the car they brought with them.


    "No idea but if it would stop both of them from sulking then maybe it''d be best if they do."


    ---


    Li Chuntao wasn''t sure if she did the right thing by following Shen Zichen. Her mind was still preupied with the divorce she demanded from Mu Jianyu. The man¡­ her sister''s ex-husband had been pestering her through endless phone calls, trying to talk to her.


    If she thought that Shen Zichen was a stalker then Mu Jianyu was in another level of creepiness. One time, when Shen Zichen wasn''t around, Mu Jianyu came to her doorstep, drunk, and made a scene outside. She had been forced to ask for a restraining order and changed her number so the man would stop pestering her.


    "We''re here," Shen Zichen brought her back to the present.


    She looked outside the window and saw that they arrived at the downtown part of the capital where Oriental Bliss was situated. She hadn''t been here in a long time and she couldn''t help reminiscing the old days with Ying and Shen Yuyan here.


    Shen Zichen opened the door for her and she climbed out of the car. They went inside and weren''t surprised to see that the restaurant was filled with patrons dining. This ce was always busy and had been very popr with the locals as well as tourists.


    Since Shen Zichen had already made a reservation, they went upstairs where more dining tables had been set.


    Li Chuntao scanned the menu as soon as they sat across each other. From where she was seated, she could smell the delicious aromaing from the main kitchen of the restaurant. From the scent alone, she couldn''t wait to dig into the delicious dishes she hadn''t eaten and tasted for years during her absence.


    Seeing that she was struggling to choose the dishes herself, Shen Zichen called a waiter and listed down all the dishes Li Chuntao seemed to like when they were younger.


    At that time, Li Chuntao would always let Ying order first and just eat whatever her sister picked for the two of them and never bothered to order to her liking. Because of it, Shen Zichen had noticed that she had a specific type of food that she liked and disliked.


    Li Chuntao didn''t eat much fried food and can tolerate mild spicy dishes. She also prefers to eat fresh greens and disliked pickled dishes.


    When the dishes were served, Li Chuntao realized he''d ordered all of her favorites. When she heard him tell the waiter to pay attention to the spiciness of her chicken when he was ordering earlier, she furrowed her brows in confusion. Since when did Shen Zichen know what she liked?


    "Eat. You only had a small portion for lunch earlier. You must be starving by now," Shen Zichen told her before passing her a pair of chopsticks.


    She raised a brow at him. "You aren''t going to eat?"


    He''d brought her here but he wasn''t going to eat with her? What was he up to?


    "No, I''m not hungry." Shen Zichen said and cupped his chin with one hand and looked away, deep in his thoughts.


    The two remained silent as Li Chuntao started to eat alone, asionally sneaking nces at Shen Zichen''s face who seemed to be distracted by something with the way his brows meet each other in a slight frown.. He was looking at the distance in a daze.

 Chapter 172 - Goodbye, My Love (2)

    "Chuntao, are you still mad at me?" Shen Zichen asked out of the blue.


    It was a good thing that Li Chuntao was already done with her meal and waszily sipping her tea. She eyed him for a moment, considering his question before shaking her head. Was he ready to give up on his chase?


    Looking at him like this, Li Chuntao felt like she was some kind of moth encircling themp, being attracted to its light, but hadn''t paid attention to its burning intensity. She got burned whenever she was with him. The fierce love she kept to herself for a long time had hurt her more.


    She couldn''t deny that she loved him still and with even a sliver of hope, Li Chuntao fooled herself that he mighte to love her too. However, she knew that she was just deluding herself. Wasn''t this the reason why she ran away?


    She wasn''t blind to see that Shen Zichen was trying to win her back. He wanted to be with her, but Li Chuntao couldn''t muster the courage to believe him, to trust him this time.


    How could she? For so many years, she had waited for him to turn his attention to her. She was afraid to be left alone again and to suffer in silence.


    "I''m not mad at you, Shen Zichen," she admitted in a low voice.


    For the first time after two weeks of waiting, Shen Zichen finally heard her speak to him in a normal voice. He whipped his head to look at her and saw her gaze fixated on her teacup.


    The sky was already dark and the streets were being lit bymp posts on the trail. The soft yellow glow cast on half of her face from the outside, but Shen Zichen thought it didn''t affect her beauty even one bit.


    Her silence pained him. Shen Zichen once heard that silence was the greatest pain a woman can give. It was their loudest cry and when a woman ignores you, it means that she''d been hurt deeply. And when she did, it only meant that the game had changed.


    "I''m not mad at you," she repeated. "It''s just this time¡­ I want to love myself before anyone else,"


    Shen Zichen was stunned into silence.


    "So please don''t waste your time anymore and leave me be. After this charade with Mu Jianyu, I intend to leave as soon as possible. I hope this time¡­ you can find the one who can truly make you happy, even if it isn''t me,"


    Li Chuntao spoke in a gentle tone, without her usual coldness on it. She looked really serious this time.


    Shen Zichen could see that she was telling the truth this time and she was seriously giving up on him.


    "You don''t love me anymore?" He asked incredulously. Just the thought of it made him aware of the pain that was spreading in his chest.


    "Yes, I do love you, Shen Zichen. Would you believe that I managed to contain all of it for the past decade?" Li Chuntao chuckled to herself. "But this time, I want to love myself because I know no one would love me and care for me as much as I would."


    ''I only had you and Ying and that was enough for me before. Now that she is gone, and the illusion I cast on myself to believe that you love me has faded into nothing. There''s nothing left for me anymore but myself.


    To let go of myself from the love that was hurting me¡­ to free myself, to treat myself better. If you''re happy even if it isn''t because of me then I''ll be happy for you. Don''t worry about me, I''ll be fine.


    Maybe someday when the pain finally subsides, I''ll be able to learn to love another person again.'' She thought in silence.


    Shen Zichen couldn''t believe what he was hearing right then. What did she say? She said she was leaving him again? What would he do if she left him again?


    He remained seated across her in shock, not knowing how to react to her words. Li Chuntao hadn''t expected him to react like this, but at least she''d already made it clear to him. She stood up from her seat and gave him a slight bow.


    "Goodbye, Brother Zichen. Till we meet again." Before leaving the restaurant leaving Shen Zichen frozen on the spot.


    It took some time for Shen Zichen to recover. He jolted up from his seat and left some cash on the table before running after her.


    Did she just tell him goodbye? Was she bidding him goodbye for good?


    No! Shen Zichen wouldn''t allow it! He refused to believe that he could continue to live happily without her. Not when he knew that it had always been her.


    When he stepped out of Oriental Bliss, the influx of peopleing his way confused him. He looked around but he couldn''t see where Li Chuntao went. The right path would lead to the night market and knowing Li Chuntao who hated going to crowded ces led him to believe that she had taken the left path that led to the nearest train station.


    Shen Zichen ran fast as he could, frantically looking everywhere for her form. He stopped once in a while to look around for her, in case he missed her.


    "Chuntao, please¡­"


    ''Don''t leave me alone.


    Don''t give up on me.


    Let me show you how much I love you.


    At least let me tell how much I love you.''


    Regardless if she rejects his feelings right now, Shen Zichen just wanted his feelings to reach her. After running around in circles, he finally got a glimpse of her form. She looked exceptionally lonely as she rubbed her arm with one hand as she made her way towards the train station.


    Li Chuntao had forgotten to take her bag with her when Shen Zichen dragged her for dinner. She wanted to cry and was ready to break down but she held her tears. For the first time in forever, she felt like she had made the right decision for herself.


    What she said to Shen Zichen were the words from her heart. It wasn''t easy for her but she was able to tell him what she really wanted to say.


    Shen Zichen rushed towards her and engulfed her in an embrace from behind, catching Li Chuntao off guard. He didn''t care about the people who stopped in their tracks to look at them. Damn it all! He only cared for his woman!


    Li Chuntao could feel his whole body trembling against her own as he held unto her tightly with his arms around her. What hade to him?


    "Li Chuntao¡­ you are really cruel¡­ really cruel." Shen Zichen pressed his face against her neck and wept in silence.


    Li Chuntao was shocked to feel his warm tears against her skin. Was he¡­ Was he really crying?


    "Shen Zichen... Stop this already!" Li Chuntao held his arm that was wound around her torso. Her eyes now clouded with tears as she tried to break free from his hold.


    "I''ve already lost Zirui without seeing him and now you want to leave me too? Why wouldn''t you share your burden with me? Li Chuntao, if I told you how much I love you, would you still dare to leave me alone?"


    Li Chuntao froze when she heard him.. Although the ce was crowded with noisy people and cars, she heard him loud and clear.

 Chapter 173 - Li Chuntao, Let’s Get Married (1)

    ''I love you. I really love you.''


    Weren''t these the words that she''d been waiting to hear from him for a long time? However, no matter how many times she tried to believe that she mattered to him, Shen Zichen had always found an opening to ''unintentionally'' break her?


    "Li Chuntao, if I told you how much I love you, would you still dare to leave me alone?"


    When she heard those words, it made her feel ready to break down in tears. She felt like she was just hallucinating. or maybe there was something wrong with her ears.


    How could he say that he loved her? After all the pain she endured because of him, wasn''t it toote to say ''I love you'' now?


    For days, she''d been wondering when he would give up, because every passing day that he showed himself to him only brought the pain of uncertainty to her heart.


    When Shen Zichen didn''t receive a response from her, he felt truly defeated. He started to feel anxious, truly worried that he would never get her back again.


    "Li Chuntao, please take it back. Say that you won''t leave me again. Take it back. Please take it back." He said helplessly.


    He didn''t know what else he should do to win her back. How long should he suffer until she realized that he had repented for the mistakes he''d done in the past?


    When Li Chuntao still didn''t say anything, Shen Zichen continued.


    "Li Chuntao, I love you. I really love you. I don''t know how to convince you, but can''t you give me a chance? Can we be together again?"


    Li Chuntao didn''t know how to respond as Shen Zichen totally caught her off guard. She''d never thought that there woulde a day that she''d be able to hear those words from his lips.


    How was she supposed to answer him when it never urred to her that they would end up like this?


    Was this another trick of her mind to torture herself? Did Shen Zichen really say he loved her?


    Her lips quivered as she tried to stop her tears from streaming down her face. She blinked twice and tuned out everything around her to focus on herself. Li Chuntao could feel him in her entirety. His scent, his voice, his warmth¡­ the tears that scorched on her skin, told her she wasn''t dreaming.


    The man whom she had loved for more than a decade was now professing his love for her. She could feel her weakening resolve with every passing second she was caged in his arms. The worst was that her heart wanted to leap out of her chest by his confession.


    Li Chuntao knew she still loved him, that she wanted to be with him¡­ but she was afraid to face another heartache if Shen Zichen decided he didn''t want her anymore.


    Her silence troubled Shen Zichen. Wasn''t she willing to be with him anymore?


    Right then, her hands gently pushed away his arms around her, making Shen Zichen feel truly defeated. However, he couldn''t me anyone but himself for being stupid. She had loved him for a long time and he was the one who was blind to see it.


    Li Chuntao turned to face him, her tears now rolling down her face. However, before she could say anything, Shen Zichen engulfed her in a tight embrace again.


    "Don''t cry. Please don''t cry. It''s my fault, so please don''t shed tears for me anymore." Shen Zichen whispered to her ear. "I''ll never leave you again so please tell me you won''t either."


    The snowkes started to fall from the dark sky and the wind became chillier, but Li Chuntao felt none of it because Shen Zichen''s body was pressed against hers. The people around them started running for shelter as the snowfall became faster and the wind became harsher.


    When Li Chuntao shivered in his embrace, Shen Zichen gradually loosened his hold and looked down at her teary face. His hand reached up and wiped the tears at the corner of her eye.


    "Let''s go before you get sick. We can talk inside my car while we wait for the weather to settle." He said in a gentle tone. He carried her all the way back to the parking space near Oriental Bliss and covered her with his coat to stop the shivering of her body.


    Through all of it, Li Chuntao was silent as she paid attention to his actions and facial expressions. She could tell he wasn''t lying. Shen Zichen had a habit of looking away or scratching the back of his ear whenever he was lying. She wasn''t sure if he knew about it.


    "I wasn''t expecting a snowstorm tonight," Shen Zichen said as he dried his hair using a fluffy towel that he took from his backseat. The snow that fell over his head and shoulders had started to melt and seeped through his clothes.


    When he didn''t hear anything from her, Shen Zichen turned his head to look at her. It seemed like she was in deep thought as she considered the things he''d said earlier.


    "If you truly love me, then why were you gone for almost a month? You neither showed yourself nor gave me a call. Didn''t you know¡­" she choked a sob. "Your silence was killing me."


    Shen Zichen felt guiltier than he already was. He didn''t know his absence had made her worry and sad.


    "I''m sorry, Chuntao¡­" he started. "I know you are already getting tired of hearing me say it but I truly am. As for my absence... I admit that it was hard for me to ept everything at once." Shen Zichen lowered his head in shame and he spoke as if it pained him to do so.


    "When your Aunt Yue told me the truth about the kidnapping and fire¡­ when I heard from you how you lost our baby." He closed his eyes. "Do you know Chuntao, how I despised myself back then? How I hated myself for being foolish? I wanted to me you, to get angry at you but I couldn''t, because I know you did everything you could for my sake and for Zirui."


    He turned away and sniffed as the tears stung his eyes.


    "I was ashamed of myself. I''ve been conceited for a long time. Had I known that you love me¡­" This, Shen Zichen said in a whisper but Li Chuntao was still able to hear him, "I would''ve done my best to take care of you and our baby. You probably hated me back then. I won''t me you, but I wish you''d tried to reach out to me instead of hiding the truth from me."


    Li Chuntao remained silent as she listened to his confession. She never knew that he could say so many words at one time and she knew in her heart that he was only doing this because it was her.


    "I don''t deserve you, Chuntao, that was what I taught during those weeks of not seeing you, but everyday that went by without you by my side proved that I''m nothing without you, so please¡­ Can we be together? Can I be with you?"


    "You mean as your lover?" Li Chuntao was perfectly aware that the affair they had before was superficial and she didn''t think she would be able to continue it.


    Shen Zichen shook his head and looked at her straight in her eyes.


    "Come back to me, Chuntao, as my wife."

 Chapter 174 - Li Chuntao, Let’s Get Married (2)

    "Li Chuntao, let''s get married."


    Marriage? He wanted to marry her?


    She was beyond shocked, as she felt her brain short-circuited, rendering her speechless.


    "I''m not sure how to convince you that I love you and I wanted to be with you. If you want to torment me, to punish me, I''m offering you my life. Do as you please, as long as you don''t abandon me again."


    Shen Zichen told her, because regardless of how many times he apologized and how many times he said he loved her, he knew that Li Chuntao would have a hard time believing him.


    "I''m giving you the rest of my life and I hope it''s enough for you to believe me this time." He dered.


    Li Chuntao froze and held her breath. After a long silence, she still didn''t react, which made Shen Zichen feel uneasy in his seat. Dear Lord, if Li Chuntao rejected his marriage proposal then he was truly doomed. His eyes started to rim red.


    "W-what did you say?" Li Chuntao asked him as her mind still couldn''t process what he said.


    Shen Zichen''s lips pressed on a thin line and repeated what he said. He was already at the end of his wits!


    "I said I''m willing to give you the rest of my life, if it will make you believe that I love you."


    The pain in Li Chuntao''s heart was instantly reced with joy. She couldn''t help but admit she was entirely caught off guard and waspletely shocked by his words. To spend the rest of her life with him¡­ this¡­ she had never dared to imagine it.


    She had already lost Ying, the only one left from her small family of four.And now, thinking of starting a new life with Shen Zichen, as his wife, she would have a family she could call her own again.


    The man she loved for so many years was now willing to spend the rest of his days with her. Such an enticing proposal that she couldn''t find a reason to deny him.


    At that moment, Li Chuntao realized that no matter how she tried to convince herself to let go, to forget the love she had for him, she was stillpletely helpless and utterly lost when it came to him.


    He was willing to entrust his heart and share his whole life with her and Li Chuntao was feeling overwhelmed by his sudden proposal. She berated herself inwardly for being so foolish to believe him again.


    But can anyone me her? Can someone really me her heart for not being able to let go of Shen Zichen, and to love another man other than him?


    "En, let''s get married." She murmured with a slight blush in her cheeks. The snowstorm outside the car was forgotten as her heart was beating faster and faster inside her chest.


    It was now Shen Zichen''s turn to be speechless. He wasn''t hearing things, right? Li Chuntao really agreed to marry him, right?


    "You agree? You really agree?" He asked as he looked at her expectantly.


    Instead of answering, Li Chuntao only hummed and looked away, trying to hide the blush in her face.


    "Then let''s go to your Uncle and inform him about our marriage."


    Li Chuntao had no idea how long they had been driving since the moment Shen Zichen insisted on going to the Li Mansion. When he said he wanted her as her wife, all thoughts and words she mustered up to say were thrown to the wind.


    Before she knew it, she and Shen Zichen had already arrived at the Li Mansion. Because they suddenly arrived, unannounced, Li Yuren and Zheng Yue were both surprised to see them together, especially because they both knew that the two had a fight.


    "Uncle Yuren, we need to discuss something with you and Aunt Yue," Shen Zichen nervously looked at Li Yuren''s impassive face then shifting his eyes to Zheng Yue.


    Li Yuren didn''t say anything but looking at him and Li Chuntao, his eyes lingered on his niece before he nodded.


    "Let''s go to the study." He then extended his hand to his wife, which Zheng Yue willingly epted. The woman gave Shen Zichen and Li Chuntao a warm smile before letting her husband lead them to the study for privacy.


    Once the door of the study closed, Li Yuren sat on his chair with Zheng Yue standing next to him. Shen Zichen and Li Chuntao sat on the couch side by side, with their back straight under Li Yuren''s gaze.


    It wasn''t lost to him how his niece''s eyes were rimmed red and Shen Zichen''s coat was over her shoulders.


    "What brings you here tonight?" Li Yuren asked them.


    Shen Zichen swallowed the invisible lump in his throat and took a deep breath. He''d never been this nervous since the day he took his licensure exam years ago.


    "Uncle Yuren, I''m here to ask you for Chuntao''s hand." He announced his intention.


    Li Yuren''s eyes sharpened, while Zheng Yue gasped and covered her mouth in surprise.


    Li Yuren looked at his niece who hadn''t said a single word since they arrived.


    "I wanted to ask her parents for permission, but since they aren''t around anymore and you are the one who practically raised Chuntao¡­ Uncle Yuren, please allow me to marry her." Shen Zichen lowered his head as his fists clenched hard on his thighs. He had never been intimidated by Li Yuren''s presence before this very moment.


    "Chuntao, what about you? Do you want to marry him?" Li Yuren asked his niece. Before anything else, he must know what Li Chuntao wanted.


    "Y-yes¡­"


    When Li Chuntao didn''t hear anything, she lifted her gaze and met her uncle''s inquisitive eyes.


    "Yes, Uncle," she said firmly this time. "I want to marry Brother Zichen!" She said, loud and clear.


    "You aren''t pregnant?" Li Yuren''s voice became colder, sending shivers down Shen Zichen''s spine.


    Li Chuntao shook her head. "No, Uncle. I''m not."


    She knew what he was implying with his question. It was also almost impossible for her to get pregnant when she''d only had sex with Shen Zichen once, and that too with her on contraceptives, since she came back from overseas.


    Li Yuren was silent for a long time, deliberating the sudden turn of the events. He only wanted the best for his nieces and he already failed with Ying. Ying and Chuntao were already at the right age to decide for themselves, but unlike Shen Zichen, Mu Jianyu never sought him for his blessing for his marriage with Ying.


    "Then¡­ when do you n to get married?"


    Did he really have a choice? If Shen Zichen could really take care of Chuntao this time, who was he to ruin their happiness?


    "In a week. I also need to discuss this with my parents."


    Li Chuntao turned her head and looked at Shen Zichen''s face in shock.


    A week? Wasn''t that too fast to get married?


    Li Yuren hummed while his wife pped her hands in excitement. She couldn''t wait to start the preparations with Old Madam Li. Maybe she could give Lu Xinyi a callter to work on the wedding ns.


    After exchanging some words, Shen Zichen bid goodbye and headed outside. The Li family sent him off, just outside the main door.


    "Zichen," Li Yuren called him out. "You better take care of Chuntao from now on or else¡­"


    Shen Zichen nodded.. He understood the warning clearly.

 Chapter 175 - The ‘I Love You’ That You’ve Been Waiting To Hear (1)

    Zheng Yue knocked on her niece''s door and found Li Chuntao standing next to the window, looking outside, deep in her thoughts.


    "Chuntao?" She called her name to get her attention.


    Li Chuntao turned her head and gave her aunt a curt nod.


    "Auntie Yue," she greeted the older woman.


    Zheng Yue smiled softly as she sauntered towards her niece and held her hands in hers. Li Chuntao''s hands were a little coldpared to hers. Just how long did her niece and Shen Zichen stay outside for her to remain cold like this?


    "I still can''t believe you''re getting married," Zheng Yue told her with a sigh. She and Old Madam Li were ready to give up on Chuntao and Zichen when they heard about their split up. Who would have known that today, the two would surprise the whole Li family with their intention to tie the knot?


    Shen Zichen had gently kissed her forehead and promised to call her in the morning. Zheng Yue tried to convince him to stay for the night because of the snowstorm, but Shen Zichen politely turned down her offer, telling her he would need to inform his parents and family about his impending marriage with Chuntao. He expressed that he wanted it to be done properly.


    "Me too, Auntie. This¡­it still hasn''t sunk to me that I''m marrying Brother Zichen," Li Chuntao admitted to her aunt.


    Zheng Yue''s hand reached out and pushed the stray strand of hair on her niece''s face and tucked it lovingly behind Chuntao''s ear.


    "I hope you aren''t mad at me for telling him the truth. I''m truly sorry for being the cause of your recent pain, Chuntao," she said.


    When she heard that her niece and Shen Zichen had a huge fight after her meeting with Shen Zichen, Zheng Yue felt extremely guilty. She was afraid that her niece would hate her for what she''d done but Li Yuren assured her that Li Chuntao wouldn''t."


    "I can''t say I wasn''t disappointed, Auntie Yue, but I don''t me you. It''s bound to happen sooner orter. There are just some secrets that woulde out no matter how one tried to bury it, and my secrets happened to be one of them."


    Zheng Yue led her to the massive bed and sat at the center while Li Chuntao shifted on the sheets andid her head on her aunt''sp. Her eyes instantly closed as she felt Zheng Yue''s gentle fingers stroking her long hair.


    "Ying would be overjoyed if she was here." The older woman murmured, watching as her niece started to doze off. She must have been really exhausted crying and arguing with Shen Zichen earlier, Zheng Yue thought.


    "Hmm?" Li Chuntao asked, keeping her eyes close.


    "Ying has known for a long time that you love Zichen." Zheng Yue told her. Li Chuntao''s eyes snapped open at her words.


    "S-she did?" Li Chuntao wasn''t expecting to hear it. Did Ying really know about her feelings for Zichen when she hadn''t even told her about it?


    "Of course, she did," Zheng Yue chuckled. "You are her beloved little sister after all. Except for your pregnancy, which you and your uncle didn''t even bother to tell us, Ying knew about your feelings for Zichen."


    Li Chuntao frowned. Was this why Ying never dared to give Shen Zichen false hope? Did she avoid Shen Zichen to avoid hurting her?


    ''Ying, I''m a fool. I shouldn''t have kept it from you,'' she thought.


    It made sense to her now why Ying had been persistently asking her toe home, even though she had constantly denied Ying under the guise of her studies.


    So many years were wasted because of her cowardice. If she had cleared the misunderstanding years ago, Li Chuntao wouldn''t have to suffer terribly. She wouldn''t have to endure the loneliness and heartache for years.


    She shut her eyes and sighed dejectedly. So many what-ifs that would be left unanswered.


    "Are you still in disbelief that Shen Zichen truly loves you?" Zheng Yue asked.


    "For so long, Auntie, I thought Zichen loved Ying. For that same reason, I gave way for the two of them." Li Chuntao admitted. She had thought Shen Zichen would finally muster up the courage to confess to Ying. It also never urred to her that Ying would meet and marry Mu Jianyuter.


    She heard her aunt sighed and continued to rake her hair with her fingers.


    "It''s understandable. Zichen might not have realized it sooner, but Ying and I have seen how he acted around you and when you left. When he drops by for a visit, his eyes would always seek the ce where you usually take your meals. When he stayed outside, in the garden, with Ying and his sister, Zichen would instinctively look at the direction of your room. Was he trying to look for you? Or was he trying to find remnants of you? These were my questions when I first noticed his habits."


    Zheng Yue''s voice was low and gentle as if she was reminiscing the memories of the past.


    "Chuntao, did you know? I''m not your Uncle Yuren''s first love. So more than anyone else, I think I could understand where you wereing from. It''s understandable that you doubt Zichen''s love especially if you know he was smitten with another woman before."


    At this, Li Chuntao turned to her side and looked up at her aunt''s face.


    "You aren''t?" This¡­ she had never thought of this. Now, this was new to her.She and Ying had assumed that Zheng Yue was the first woman their uncle had fallen in love with.


    While she and Ying were the ones responsible for her uncle''s marriage with their Aunt Yue, as they took the role of little matchmakers, Li Chuntao didn''t know there was another woman before Zheng Yue. How could she even think of it when her Uncle Yuren would always show his undying love for her Auntie Yue at every possible moment?


    Li Yuren wasn''t a person who liked to talk much, and she assumed her uncle had his own ways of saying things. How did he manage to convince her Auntie Yue that he loves her?


    "Really?" Li Chuntao asked again which earned a giggle from the older woman.


    "He was in love with her before, even if he refused to admit it himself. But we know, everyone who is close to them knows. His actions and mannerisms told us how much she meant to him, but he wouldn''t admit it out loud." Zheng Yue exined.


    Li Chuntao hummed. That sounded like her uncle, yes.


    "Why wouldn''t he?" She curiously asked. After all, in terms of looks and charm, Li Chuntao didn''t think her Uncle Yuren wascking anything.


    What could be the reason why he didn''t pursue that woman? Even his cold countenance was still able to make women attracted to him.


    "Because she was already a married woman when he met her. She was already someone else''s wife when their paths crossed." Zheng Yue said in a gentle tone, as if talking about her husband''s first love didn''t bother her at all. If it was another woman, Li Chuntao was sure there would still be a hint of bitterness in her voice.


    Li Chuntao couldn''t believe what she was hearing.. Her Uncle Yuren had a history like that? Never did she imagine her Uncle Yuren had already fallen for another woman before he met her Auntie Yue.

 Chapter 176 - The ‘I Love You’ That You’ve Been Waiting To Hear (2)

    To secretly fall in love with a married woman. How absurd to think that fate would y this trick on her Uncle Yuren.


    Knowing her Uncle, who upholds respect and reputation before anything else, of course he would refuse to seek a married woman no matter how strongly he felt for her.


    "Did the woman know about it?" She was curious to know. What was her Uncle''s image to the said woman?


    Zheng Yue shook her head and smiled. Her fingers were busy tying Li Chuntao''s long tresses into a loose braid.


    "Unfortunately, she doesn''t. Even now, she had no idea your uncle held such feelings for her. They are acquainted, yes, but Yuren never tried to cross the line to win her heart because he could see how much she adores and loves her husband." She exined to her niece.


    How could Li Yuren break someone''s rtionship when he could see how happy that said woman was? He loved her so much that he was willing to keep his feelings to himself so that she wouldn''t get confused by it.


    In the end, Li Yuren knew that she would never choose him over her husband.


    Li Chuntao then thought how hard it would have been for her uncle to fall in love again and how hard it was for her Auntie Yue to believe the love he was offering, when she was aware of the great love before her.


    Her uncle couldn''t possibly move on easily and fell in love with Zheng Yue. There must be a lot of misunderstandings and issues along the way before they both finally found themselves on the same page.


    "Then how did Uncle manage to convince you that he loves you? Did he tell you?" She asked.


    "No," Zheng Yueughed again, "but he did say he loves me in his own way. He didn''t say ''I love you'' directly to me. That was so out of character for someone like him,"


    "His own way?" Now, Li Chuntao was really curious.


    Zheng Yue hummed and thought for a moment.


    "I supposed you''ve heard already about the five lovenguages, right, Chuntao?"


    Li Chuntao agreed. She''d already heard and read about it when she was younger, out of boredom. ording to it, there were five kinds of lovenguages. Experts imed that it held vital importance to make a rtionship work and how people had different ways to express their love for another.


    Some like to hear words of affirmation. These are verbal expressions of care and affections. Then there were also people who felt appreciated when they received gifts. Some would like to do something helpful and spend quality time with their partners and those who crave intimacy through physical touches.


    "Since we know your uncle would rather bite a bullet and fight in a war than to say ''I love you'', he expressed his feelings through his actions. Out of fivenguages, your Uncle Yuren practices two. He knew how much I appreciate the quality time he''s giving me, especially when his work takes so much of it. He also made sure to remind me how he cared for me through his small actions. Your uncle doesn''t even give me a reason to doubt his love for me."


    Li Chuntao pondered about this. It was easy for her to understand what her Auntie Yue said when she put it like that. Then how about her and Shen Zichen, how do they express their love to each other?


    "But Brother Zichen hurt me before." She said in a low voice. "He''s different from Uncle Yuren,"


    "Of course, he is," Zheng Yue easily agreed with her. "I know you love him and have been hurt for such a long time. It''s normal to doubt his feelings for you but do you want him to also suffer such pain just to get even with him?"


    When Li Chuntao remained silent, Zheng Yueimmediately knew the answer to her question.


    "Chuntao, I know you''ve been hurt, but to actually hope to see your loved one suffer the same pain as you did? Is that even love? If you love someone, you wouldn''t want that person to experience the same pain you''ve ovee. It would only be feeding your bruised ego."


    Li Chuntao lowered her gaze, a little ashamed that her aunt was able to read her like a book. She admitted to herself that indeed, these thoughts had crossed her mind multiple times these past weeks. She thought that if Shen Zichen experienced the same pain she had before, her heart would finally be at ease.


    "Do you also want him to waste years of his life in pain and heartache, just so you could say you''ve gotten even with him, instead of working on your difficulties together and spending time with each other?"


    "Chuntao, for a rtionship to work, you need a lot of patience and forgiveness. It''s not 50-50 between the two of you. There would be times your partner will struggle and you would need to stick it up and pick up that 70-30 because they need you. However, you must also remember to love yourself before anyone else."


    She could tell that Li Chuntao still has some reservations about her uing marriage and she wanted to help her face her fears and insecurities because if she kept doubting everything, she wouldn''t be truly happy in her married life with Shen Zichen.


    "Do you know why I easily agreed when Zichen asked for your hand in marriage?" Zheng Yue asked her.


    Li Chuntao shook her head. She just thought it was because her aunt and Zichen had a good rtionship in the first ce so it wasn''t an issue for her aunt.


    "Because he was willing to go to the extent of asking me and your uncle for your hand. If he was another man who only cared about putting a ring on your finger, Zichen would have dragged you and registered your marriage in private, not giving anyone a chance to say a word on it."


    "But Zichen knows that we are the only family you have right now. Like he said, he couldn''t ask your parents for your hand. Can''t you see, Chuntao?" Zheng Yue paused and slid her fingers to the side of her niece''s face. "He loves you that much, that he was willing to extend that love to those who are close to your heart."


    "He wanted to give you a chance to be a proper bride on your wedding day. He wanted you to experience the special day that solely belongs to the both of you without dismissing our opinions on the matter." She exined.


    Li Chuntao didn''t know what to say anymore. She''d never thought about Shen Zichen''s action that way. She would be a liar if she said she wasn''t moved by his efforts.


    It was one thing for him to ask her to marry him, but she hadn''t given a thought that this was the reason why he sought her Uncle''s approval. Shen Zichen knew how much she respected and loved her uncle and aunt.


    "Chuntao¡­" Zheng Yue smiled at her and sighed, "Can you hear it now? The ''I love you'' that you''ve been waiting to hear from him for so long?"


    Li Chuntao felt her eyes stung with tears.


    Yes, now that she''d seen it from another perspective, she couldn''t disagree with her aunt''s observation.

 Chapter 177 - Such A Poisonous Tongue (1)

    Three dayster, Li Chuntao unexpectedly found herself at the hospital where her fiance was working. The word felt foreign to her as the sudden turn of events between her and Shen Zichen still seemed like a dream, it made her feel giddy though she tried to calm herself.


    Dressed in a fitted pair of jeans and a loose white blouse, she was dressed as her true self and not as Ying. This time, she decided that ''Ying'' should be seen as someone whom others wouldn''t dare to offend. She was tired of pretending as the gentle Ying that they were ustomed to.


    As usual, Yu Lou and Su Ling were walking a couple of meters behind her as she made her way towards Shen Zichen''s office. As she opened the door, she suddenly stopped when she saw a nurse inside her fiance''s office, shamelessly sniffing the scarf Li Chuntao remembered gifting Shen Zichen years ago.


    She raised a brow, thinking how ridiculous it was for other women to act like this around Shen Zichen. She cleared her thought, trying to gauge the woman''s reaction, who had immediately jumped back, looking at Li Chuntao with wide eyes when she noticed her presence.


    There was a hint of blush on her face as she tried to calm her racing heartbeat.


    ''Shit.'' She thought. She wondered if Li Chuntao saw what she was doing inside Doctor Shen''s office.


    "I''m looking for Doctor Shen," Li Chuntao paused and read the name of the nurse of her name tag, "Miss Chen."


    She stated her business and sauntered inside the room and sat on the opposite chair across Shen Zichen''s desk. She was here because she and Zichen nned to choose the rings for their wedding ceremony that weekend. Shen Zichen called her to meet him here after he was done with work today so they could go together.


    "Doctor Shen is still doing his rounds. You can wait here, Miss Li," Chen Ruqing awkwardly replied and excused herself from Li Chuntao, sprinting out of Shen Zichen''s office.


    Li Chuntao scoffed inwardly. Did Shen Zichen even realize how women flocked around him trying to get his attention?


    The corridor outside was practically deserted, something Li Chuntao found so rare, especially for a busy ce like this hospital. She looked around and stifled a yawn as she waited for Shen Zichen to arrive. They agreed to meet at five in the afternoon and she arrived half an hour earlier.


    The room was sectioned into two with curtains. The wall was painted with cool hues of blue while the curtain dividing the room was in deep navy blue color. Li Chuntao assumed that the other part was her fiance''s examination area for his patients.


    Her eyes thennded on the huge bookshelf installed on the wall across her. It was filled with medical journals and awards Shen Zichen had earned over the years of his career as a surgeon.


    On her fiance''s desk was a pile of paperwork that needed Shen Zichen''s attention and a picture frame of his family.


    The sudden opening of the door surprised her and she looked at Shen Zichen who was panting a little as he closed the door behind him.


    "Sorry, I didn''t expect you to arrive early," he told her as he checked the time on his wristwatch before cing a kiss on her forehead. He then moved around the desk to sit on his own chair, cing the stack of patient''s records on his desk.


    "That''s a lot of patients you have there," Li Chuntaomented. She didn''t dare to take one and read what he was up to. It was against her ethics to poke her nose into her fellow doctor''s business without their consent.


    Shen Zichen sighed dejectedly and swiped his face with his hand. He regretted not being able to help Li Chuntao and Zheng Yue much with the wedding preparations because of his busy schedule these days.


    It was his fault anyway, because he hadn''t really given it a thought when he decided to pursue Li Chuntao, leaving his responsibilities to his peers. He was lucky the hospital director valued his skills or else he might''ve been canned by now.


    "En, that''s because I took a lot of offsst month and the other doctors had to sub on me," he responded. "Now the director wants me to oversee these surgeries before they approve my request for two weeks of absence."


    It was because, after their wedding, Shen Zichen decided to spend some time with his newly wedded wife and to start mending the bonds he had ruined because of his mistakes and slow wit.


    Li Chuntao chewed her lower lip and took a peak on his tired face. Of course, she understood what Shen Zichen had been doing for the past month. Wasn''t he busy chasing after her, waiting outside her door, and persistently following her wherever she was going?


    "Sorry, Zichen. I didn''t know that my actions would affect your work. I should have realized this sooner." She said in a low voice. She felt guilty for causing him trouble at work although she once wondered how Shen Zichen had so much free time following her around when she knew he was also busy here at the hospital.


    Shen Zichen stared at her for a while before pulling himself back on his feet and moved to the other guest''s chair next to her. He took her hands into his and marveled that soon, she would be wearing the ring that sealed the promise of forever with him. He couldn''t wait to have her as his wife.


    "Chuntao, none of it was your fault. It''s me who decided to ditch my work to follow you around like a lost puppy." His lips curling up while Li Chuntao chuckled at his poor attempt to humor her.


    "I would do it even if I lost my position here. The patients are safe in the hands of the other doctors here, so I didn''t need worry about them too much. I worry about you." His hand reached up and twirled the long strands of her hair between his fingers before cing a chaste kiss on it. "I worry that I might have lost you for good."


    Li Chuntao hummed but didn''t say anything. It was enough for her now to know that he was trying to win her trust back. With a few more days to wait, their wedding was approaching too fast.


    The phone on his desk rang and Shen Zichen was forced to release her hand to answer it. It was the same director he was talking about earlier, who suddenly wanted to see him right now.


    "Alright, I''ll be there, Dr. Zhao." Shen Zichen said to the person on the other end of the line before ending the call. He then turned to Li Chuntao with a sorry expression on her face.


    "The director wants a word with me. Is it alright if I leave you here for a while? I''ll be back before five," He told her apologetically.


    Li Chuntao nodded as she had arrived earlier than nned anyway.


    "Go, I''ll just buy something to drink while you are gone. The faster you talk to your director, the faster you''ll be able toe back to me." She said and winked at him.


    Shen Zichen''s face lit up and kissed her cheek before bolting outside the room to meet the hospital director, leaving Li Chuntaoughing at his eagerness to leave with her.

 Chapter 178 - Such A Poisonous Tongue (2)

    And so, instead of her getting bored waiting in his office, Li Chuntao decided to head out to find something to drink and waste time while waiting for Shen Zichen''s return. The hospital, surprisingly, wasn''t really that busy, considering winter had just started and the roads were more prone to idents, causing the ER to be flooded with patients.


    She didn''t wander too far from Shen Zichen''s office and had taken the stairs instead of sharing the elevator with the others in the hospital. She tried her best not to attract unwanted attention from the public, but fate had different ns for her today.


    Li Chuntao was about to take the stairs leading to the floor where Shen Zichen''s office was when she caught a glimpse of a familiar woman who just came out from the obstetrics department.


    The corner of her lips curled up as she decided to confront the bitch who tormented her twin sister for months until her death.


    The alluring figure that could charm men to her bidding was gone, because now, Lin Meirong was obviously heavily pregnant as her due date was approaching soon.


    Lin Meirong couldn''t even fit into her sexy lingeries and dresses and was now forced to wear baggy clothes that looked like bedsheets wrapped around her body. How bad was her fashion taste that she couldn''t even choose a good dress for pregnant women to use?


    Yu Lou followed behind her, making sure that Li Chuntao wouldn''t get hurt just in case Lin Meirong snapped at her. Didn''t they say pregnant women could do crazy things, driven by their hormones?


    The hallway was deserted and there weren''t any people, so Li Chuntao didn''t see any issue in confronting this woman.


    "Miss Lin, I wasn''t expecting to see you here." Li Chuntao''s voice caught Lin Meirong''s attention, who turned to face her and looked at her with shock written all over her face.


    Li Chuntao''s eyes thennded on Lin Meirong''s obvious protruding stomach and smiled.


    "Oh, wow. Hasn''t it just been a month since Ist saw you? Now you are really round with a child. I wonder if it''s a boy or a girl? Didn''t people say that babies are blessings? But I think it''s unfair for the baby to have a mother like you." She tsked and shook her head, much to Lin Meirong''s chagrin.


    Lin Meirong wondered how Li Xiuying earned such a poisonous tongue. One that could torment her, hurt her with words that easily degraded her.


    "Unlike someone who couldn''t even give her husband a child for years," she spat back to Li Chuntao which earned augh from thetter.


    Li Chuntao wiped the tear in the corner of her eye as she tried to calm herself down from the fit ofughter. This same old joke again? Couldn''t theye up with a better nasty remark for Ying other than shaming her for her inability to bear a child for Mu Jianyu?


    "Miss Lin? Can''t youe up with a better joke next time we meet? Cause I''m getting tired of hearing the same thing. A joke will lose its humor when you overuse it, you know," She told Lin Meirong before giving her a disgusted look.


    Lin Meirong was fuming in anger. Her hands clenching hard on her sides as she tried her best not to snap. Why? Why was it that every time she met this woman, she always lost herposure and her hatred for Li Xiuying would multiply every time she was taunted by her?


    "Is that all that you can say?" She sneered back at Li Chuntao. "I heard you and Jianyu are already divorced. You''ve lost your husband to me, Lady Li."


    "And yet I see that he still hasn''t kept his promise to marry you?" Li Chuntao covered her mouth with one hand as she tried to stifle herugh but failed. "Don''t worry Lin Meirong, I''m willingly donating my trash to you. Since you like taking other people''s trash, I hope you''ll have good use of him."


    Li Chuntao enjoyed how Lin Meirong''s face nched then turned to red then back to white. This woman surely didn''t have any talent in acting. Like Ying had said before, Lin Meirong must be aedienne because every word she uttered was nonsense andughable.


    Lin Meirong had already reached the limit of her patience. She didn''t think she could stop herself anymore if Li Xiuying continued to demean her.


    Seeing her ugly expression, Li Chuntao smirked, stepping forward and invading Lin Meirong''s private space, before twisting the cap of the drink she bought earlier and offered it to Lin Meirong. She gave her a mocking smile, a smile that further infuriated the pregnant woman.


    "Here, Miss Lin. You need to calm down. It would be bad for your baby if your blood pressure rises. You wouldn''t want that do you? That''s the only thing that binds you to Jianyu, right? If you didn''t have your baby, do you think he would waste his time on you?"


    This time, Lin Meirong finally snapped at her and pped away the drink Li Chuntao was offering to her. The content spilled on Li Chuntao''s white blouse and she was forced to step back in shock.


    "Lin Meirong!" A familiar voice reached their ears and Li Chuntao hid her insidious smile behind her hands as she wiped off the sshed liquid on her face.


    They turned their head and saw Mu Jianyu furiously walking towards them and ring at Lin Meirong. Of course, Li Chuntao had seen him even before Lin Meirong noticed he was there.


    How can she not use this chance to sow discord between them and let them go after each other''s necks?


    Wasn''t that why she continued to push Lin Meirong''s patience to the limit? Just so she would hit her? It would have been better if Lin Meirong''s pped her face, but Li Chuntao wouldn''t want to give the woman the satisfaction of hurting her.


    The one who should suffer wasn''t her. It must be Mu Jianyu and Lin Meirong.


    "What do you think you''re doing to Ying? She was just concerned about you and yet you dare to hit her?" Mu Jianyu was fuming mad when he saw how Lin Meirong tried to hit his wife.


    No. Mu Jianyu corrected himself. His ex-wife. His Ying had asked him for divorce a month ago and he was forced to give back her freedom even if he didn''t want to. Since then, he hadn''t seen Ying nor talked to her.


    His eyes then softened as he looked at Li Chuntao, whose clothes were tainted with the drink she offered to Lin Meirong.


    "Ying, are you alright?" Mu Jianyu asked her worriedly. He was about to touch Li Chuntao''s head when she flinched and stepped back, not allowing him to touch her.


    The pain that spread on Mu Jianyu''s chest was instantaneous. Ying didn''t want to have anything to do with him. She didn''t even want him to touch her. The woman in front of him was treating him worse than a stranger.


    "Don''t you dare touch her!" Shen Zichen''s voice came behind Li Chuntao as he walked towards his woman and covered her torso with his white coat. He didn''t care if it would need extreme washingter due to the stains the drink would leave on it.


    "You''ve already lost all your right on her, so fuck off, Mu Jianyu,"

 Chapter 179 - Too Late For Regrets (1)

    Li Chuntao turned to face him and scooted closer to his side. Her eyes lowered as she hooked her arm on his while Shen Zichen''s gaze softened on her. When he came back to his office, he didn''t see her there, but Su Ling who was just outside the door told him that she hadn''te back with Yu Lou yet.


    He nced at the clock and he saw that he was just in time as the clock turned five. At least he wasn''tte this time, but the woman who said she''d wait for him was missing.


    Shen Zichen then left his office after thanking Su Ling and tried to call Li Chuntao''s phone but she wasn''t answering. As soon as he reached the level below his floor, he spotted Li Chuntao from afar confronting Lin Meirong.


    He also saw Mu Jianyu making his way towards the two women after Lin Meirong spilled the drink Li Chuntao was holding in her hand. Of course, he knew what his witch was up to and Lin Meirong was just unfortunate that she crossed paths with Li Chuntao today.


    "Are you alright?" He asked her. He was only gone for a few minutes and yet Li Chuntao had managed to attract trouble in his absence. Well, not really, because Shen Zichen was sure that she was the one who poked the snake''s nest this time.


    Li Chuntao''s lips quivered and took a quick nce at Mu Jianyu and Lin Meirong, who was still fuming in rage. How was it that she was the one being humiliated by Li Xiuying now?


    "Yes, Brother Zichen. It''s my fault, I should''ve not forced Miss Lin to take my drink. I thought we could at least be civil knowing that she''s with child." She acted pitifully which almost made Lin Meirong puke with blood from her shamelessness.


    What being civil? Wasn''t it Li Xiuying the one who sought after her and tried to cause trouble? How dare she act so pitiful as if she''d bullied her in front of Shen Zichen and Mu Jianyu?


    "Lin Meirong, why don''t you apologize to Ying for this instance? You shouldn''t have treated her this way no matter how angry you are." Mu Jianyu told Lin Meirong, which made thetter think that he must be losing his mind to assume that she would apologize to his ex-wife.


    "That isn''t necessary," Shen Zichen said in a baritone voice. "Also, shouldn''t you be avoiding Ying? Or are you forgetting about the restraining order she filed against you?" His eyes narrowed at Mu Jianyu. Yu Lou had filled him in on what happened between Mu Jianyu and Li Chuntao during his absence.


    Li Chuntao had sessfully broken Mu Jianyu''s hopes by delivering the divorce papers straight to his door. He regretted not witnessing it himself. It must''ve been a spectacr scene to watch as Mu Jianyu grovel at Li Chuntao''s feet, asking for forgiveness.


    "Ying¡­" Mu Jianyu looked at his ex-wife with despair. It''s been more than a month since hest saw her and yet she remained the same. She refused to look at him and still gave him a cold shoulder.


    "Brother Zichen, let''s go. We will bete for our appointment," Li Chuntao tugged Shen Zichen''s sleeve and she started to feel the stickiness on her skin.


    "Then let''s go. You need to avoid talking to them in the future. Don''t let the troublee after you."


    Shen Zichen wrapped an arm around her and red at Mu Jianyu before leading her away from the two while Mu Jianyu felt pain in his heart as he watched the woman he loved being taken away by another man.


    ''Ying, was this what you felt when you saw me with Lin Meirong before?''


    And yet Ying could only watch as he kissed another woman from afar.


    Mu Jianyu knew right then, he was the worst husband for Li Xiuying and now he was paying for the sins hemitted against his wife. Had he not been blinded by the lust he felt for Lin Meirong and his eagerness to have a child, he wouldn''t have lost Ying to Shen Zichen.


    Now, it seemed like Ying wanted nothing to do with him and was willing to ept the love of another man. Her obvious actions made him assume she had given her hand, her heart and her future to Shen Zichen. He wanted to ask her so badly but he knew that he wasn''t ready to confirm his suspicion - that they are indeed together now.


    Shen Zichen remained silent as they went upstairs, back to his office. Yu Lou had left them to buy new clothes for her Miss. it was a good thing that she had seen a boutique nearby on their way here or she was sure she would have to waste her time looking around.


    As soon as Shen Zichen closed the door, he pushed her to the examination area and took his spare shirt that was hanging on his rack, giving it to Li Chuntao.


    "You can use the sink here if you want. Yu Lou is still probably out there trying to find a new set of clothes for you." He offered and looked away as Li Chuntao ced her discarded coat on the examination bed and reached the edges of her blouse to take it off.


    Li Chuntao nodded and removed her stained blouse before taking the clean wipes from Shen Zichen''s hands to wipe the stickiness off her neck. It was a good thing that her chest didn''t get wet or else she would need to take another shower right then.


    She washed her hands and face on the sink and dried it with a towel Shen Zichen had passed to her before sliding her arms into his spare dress shirt while waiting for Yu Lou to arrive.


    "I didn''t think you''ll go out like that just to piss Lin Meirong off." Shen Zichen told her once she was dressed. He tidied up his desk while they waited for Yu Lou. There were so many tasks that needed to be done before he could spend his short vacation with Li Chuntao.


    "I couldn''t help it. Seeing Lin Meirong was enough to annoy me but did you see their faces? That was gold." Li Chuntaoughed as she pulled up the sleeve to her elbows, deeply aware of how loose and baggy his shirt was on her body. "Now, it would be harder for Lin Meirong to gain Mu Jianyu''s trust when he just saw what she did to ''Ying''.


    It seemed like Li Chuntao was really satisfied with her act as a wide smile spread on her lips. She wondered how Lin Meirong was faring, now that ''Ying'' had divorced Mu Jianyu and yet he still refused to get back together with her.


    However, she failed to notice the slight blush on Shen Zichen''s face as he tried to look elsewhere, anywhere other than at her. Even when wearing a man''s baggy shirt, it still wasn''t enough to hide the perkiness of her chest and the slim waist she had. He wouldn''t have even thought she had been pregnant before, seeing her sexy figure.


    ''What''s taking Yu Lou so long?'' He wondered.


    Shen Zichen indeed had seen her naked several times.. Since his proposal, he didn''t dare to touch or kiss her intimately until their wedding, but it was hard to suppress his urges, especially when she was in front of him like this.

 Chapter 180 - Too Late For Regrets (2)

    Choosing their wedding rings took more time than they expected. Several pairs had been suggested to the two of them but Li Chuntao didn''t like the style of the bands and how shy the stones were. Although she was excited for their impending marriage, she wanted to stay true to herself and pick something simple but elegant.


    After an hour, they finally picked a pair of rings and requested the shop to engrave their names and wedding date inside. When they stepped outside, the snow had stopped falling but it already left the whole city covered with it.


    Shen Zichen then brought her to one of the luxurious restaurants nearby and followed the staff that escorted them to their booth, her high heels clicking on the shiny marbled floor of the establishment. Li Chuntao couldn''t remember when was thest time she was in a restaurant as fancy as this.


    Once she was seated, she quickly reached for the ss of water that was provided. Her thirst was forgotten when she saw Lin Meirong earlier. Li Chuntao took a big gulp and almost spat out when she heard Shen Zichen order a bottle of wine for the two of them.


    Since their first night together seven years ago, she knew that Shen Zichen had avoided all alcoholic drinks so why was he drinking one now?


    She smiled slightly and turned her gaze out therge window. Li Chuntao wasn''t sure what was in his mind when he looked at her but she couldn''t deny the love and satisfaction she''d seen in his eyes.


    The snow was starting to fall again outside which reminded her of her baby. Li Zirui was born dead during a bad snowstorm and she spent days in the hospital grieving over her loss.


    She''d always liked the snow. It was beautiful, magnificent, though the coldness of it wasn''t something she particrly liked. She and Ying used to y with the snow in the garden of the Li Mansion when they were younger. There were also times when Shen Zichen and Shen Yuyan helped them build a snowman using twigs and stones they could find around them.


    "I remember we used topete who''s better at making a snowman," Shen Zichen suddenly said as if he knew what was running through her mind.


    "You remember?" Li Chuntao turned her head to look at him, seeing himugh behind his ss.


    He hummed and looked outside.


    "You and Yuyan used to annoy me, but it always ended up being me doing all the tasks while the two of you supervise." He said.


    "While Ying was picking up the flowers our Aunt especially took care of."


    Their order arrived and they both ate in silence. And so dinner went on like that until Shen Zichen paid for their bill and asked her what she wanted to do next as soon as they stepped outside the restaurant.


    "It isn''t thatte yet. Would you like to do something else before I take you home?" He asked.


    "Like what?"


    "Anything you might want to do before our wedding. I''m sure there would be some things we might not be able to enjoy once we''re married." Shen Zichen exined.


    "Is that so? I haven''t thought of that. Perhaps you think I would bore you to death as your punishment." Li Chuntao said in a t voice but still made Shen Zichenugh. How can he forget that he was allowing her to punish him?


    "No, of course not. Simply being next to you is enough for me."


    Li Chuntao considered it for a moment before taking his gloved hand with hers. A huge smile began to bloom on her beautiful face, making Shen Zichen hold his breath.


    "Brother Zichen, let''s make a snowman together," she grinned.


    If there was something Shen Zichen was sure he hadn''t done for years, ying in the snow was on top of his list. They were both adults and snow had be something he admired, not yed with.


    So then why was he out there in the middle of a cold evening with his fianc¨¦e in an empty park?


    But he really couldn''tin, could he? After all, he''d never said no to her before.


    His eyes refused to drift from her as she stared at the dark sky, watching the snowkes float around them. For the first time since Li Xiuying''s death, Li Chuntao felt her heart at peace.


    Shen Zichen couldn''t find the will to speak, so mesmerized by her peaceful gaze heavenward. So he said nothing; watched as the snowkes gently kissed her cheeks, her lips puffing out a cloud of air as she breathed with her long tresses softly blown by the cold wind.


    Li Chuntao then remembered the purpose of why they were there and pulled Shen Zichen with her.


    "Zichen, hurry. We should finish before the snow starts to fall heavier," she said.


    Shen Zichen nced around the park, pleased that there was no one around to see two adults trying to make a snowman. He wasn''t sure if he wanted to do something so tedious but the way his fianc¨¦e was smiling at him, clearly happy that she could make it with him made it impossible for him to decline.


    And so he decided to make the best snowman ever to impress his future wife. Only that Li Chuntao had a different n from his.


    The moment Shen Zichen finished one big snowman with a mini version of it, he was proud of his creation. He was so busy admiring his work that he didn''t realize the sphere of snow that wasing straight for his face and had been caught off guard when he felt coldness and wetness hitting his face.


    It wasn''t until he heard Li Chuntao''s burst ofughter did he realize what had happened. This witch! Wasn''t she the one who said they should make a snowman? But she didn''t even extend a hand to help him to build one and instead busied herself making smaller snowballs on the ground.


    "Gotcha," The wicked witch grinned evilly to him.


    The look on his face was so priceless she couldn''t stop herself from doubling back fromughter. The way his eyes widened and jaw dropped made her attempt so worth it.


    This was one of the rare times Shen Zichen saw her being yful.


    "Oh, no, you didn''t!" He knelt on the ground and made a snowball before throwing it at her.


    Li Chuntao''s eyes widened and evaded his attack only to be hit by the second one. And so a battle between the couple ensued as neither of them epted defeat against the other one.


    It was only when Li Chuntao panted for breath and was slumped on the ground did Shen Zichen cease his attacks. He sat beside her, facing the two snowmen he made earlier.


    "Why''re there two?" She asked curiously. One snowman was taller than the other.


    "The snowman would be lonely being alone, so I made him a partner," Shen Zichen said.


    Li Chuntao chuckled and shook her head before making a smaller version of a snowman.


    "Here, now at least he has a family of his own," she added and leaned her head on Shen Zichen''s arm as she looked at their masterpiece.


    Shen Zichen nced at her face before returning his gaze to the snowman. Yes, now he wasn''t alone anymore. Seeing the baby snowman Li Chuntao made reminded him of their own baby.


    "Chuntao?"


    "Yes?" She asked without breaking her gaze to the snowman.


    "Can you tell me more about Zirui?"

 Chapter 181 - Forever With You (1)

    The drive back at Li Chuntao''s penthouse was silent as she pondered howto narrate about the child she''d lost years ago to Shen Zichen. So many thoughts crossed her mind but Li Chuntao still couldn''t find the right words.


    Even after she had her shower and found Shen Zichen seated on the edge of her bed, she was still pondering how to talk about their baby. She felt conflicted and guilty at the same time.


    Shen Zichen who had showered and dressed in the guest room was in his sleep shirt and pajama pants. This was the first time they would be sleeping together in the same room after a long while.


    Li Chuntao climbed up on her bed andid on her stomach as she looked at Shen Zichen who was also deep in his thoughts. She wondered what he was thinking about.


    "What do you want to know about him?" She asked curiously.


    Shen Zichen didn''t answer immediately, as if he was sorting out the questions he should ask her. He nced at her face and couldn''t help but imagine how hard it was for her to deal with everything on her own while he was here, ignorant of her pain and the death of their son.


    "You can ask me anything," Li Chuntao told him as she saw the hesitation in his eyes.


    "Then¡­ did the doctor find out what caused his death?" He was curious to know. The medical records had neither indicated the cause of Li Zirui''s death nor stated any issues during his gestation.


    Li Chuntao sighed and held his hand as she sat at the center of her bed. She bit her lip as her eyes stung with tears. The memory of her child still caused her heart to ache.


    "Zirui was a healthy baby. He''d been growing well in my womb until one day I realized he stopped making any sort of movement. I was worried. I could feel there was something wrong but at the back of my mind, I wished I was wrong." She paused and shut her eyes, trying to stop her tears from flowing.


    "It must be my maternal instincts kicking up, as I ended up being correct. Zirui''s heart stopped beating two days before I admitted myself to the hospital."


    The cry that followed after the doctor told her that she''d lost her baby even before she was able to give birth to him was like a nightmare for her.


    Several times, Li Chuntao wished that it was just a bad dream, that she would wake up from it soon. However, when the doctor and the nurses told her that she needed to deliver her stillbirth baby on the same day, she felt like her world had fallen apart.


    She wouldn''t be able to continue her life after Li Zirui died. Only her Uncle Yuren was there to watch her break down and lose herself in grief for those weeks that turned into months. Even now, when it had been six years since he died, Li Chuntao hadn''t truly moved on from the pain of losing him.


    "I wondered where I went wrong. Did I do something I shouldn''t? Or was it because I did nothing in the first ce?" She opened her eyes and realized she''d been crying and Shen Zichen had moved and pulled her into his embrace.


    "I''m sorry. I was unfair to you, Zichen. It was because of my indecisiveness that you lost your chance to be a father to him." She covered her face with both hands and wept.


    Maybe everything wouldn''t end up as it had now if she was brave enough to face her fears. If she was brave enough to muster the courage to ept whatever Shen Zichen would be at that time.


    "It''s not your fault. You didn''t want to lose him. It was me who should''ve paid more attention to you before." Shen Zichen rubbed her back soothingly, hoping that she would stop her tears as it caused him distress just by looking at her.


    The guilt of not being able to take care of her and Zirui came back at full force. Shen Zichen pressed his face into her hair and let her cry her heart out. It made sense why she tried to build walls around her; it was to protect her heart.


    Silence ensued between them with only Li Chuntao''s sobs could be heard inside the room. It took some time before her tears dried as she sumbed in Shen Zichen''s embrace.


    "Do you wanna see what he looks like?" Li Chuntao broke the silence between them after minutes of not saying anything. She pushed herself away from his embrace and looked at his confused expression.


    "I took pictures of him¡­" she exined, "before they took him away from me."


    Li Chuntao was given a few hours to hold her stillbirth baby and to take some keepsakes she might need at that time.


    Shen Zichen froze and looked at her with shock. "You have?"


    This wasn''t something he expected to hear.He still had the chance to see what their baby looked like even though he was gone?


    Li Chuntao hummed before reaching for her phone at the nightstand. She saw several blocked phone calls from Mu Jianyu, which wasn''t surprising at all. She didn''t think the bastard would give up easily after ''Ying'' divorced him.


    Clearing the notification from her phone, she logged in to her cloud ount and opened a private folder that contained Little Rui''s picture.


    "Here," she passed her phone to Shen Zichen to see, "he''s beautiful, isn''t he?"


    Shen Zichen looked at the newborn child on her screen and felt astounded. Their Little Rui was pale, unlike the other newborn babies that were pinkish upon birth. However, their baby was indeed a beautiful child, like what Li Chuntao said.


    There was a sparse of thin ck hair on top of his head, his skin was white but looked soft and smooth. Shen Zichen wanted to know what his eyes looked like but they were close. His size was a littlerger than other newborn babies that he''d seen before.


    "He''s beautiful¡­" he murmured.


    Aplex feeling roused inside Shen Zichen''s chest as he scrolled and checked the other pictures. He didn''t even notice the tears that were flowing from his eyes while looking at his dead son.


    This was something he''d missed and the regret of not being to hold Little Rui was one of the greatest regrets he had in his life. He''d lost his chance no matter how hard he repents on it.


    Seeing him crying made Li Chuntao shed tears as well. She''d seen him like this before. Looking so desperate and yet helpless at the same time. A part of her mes herself for being the cause of it.


    Her silence and cowardness caused unnecessary drama. She should''ve talked it out with him instead of running away like a coward. She had thought that by running away, she was sacrificing herself for Shen Zichen''s happiness, when in fact she was just afraid to face the possibility that he might hate her.


    Li Chuntao knelt beside his and wrapped her arms around him, his head leaning on her chest.


    "Zichen. I''m sorry.. I''m really sorry."

 Chapter 182 - Forever With You (2)

    "Are you nervous?" Zheng Yue asked as she added the final touches on Li Chuntao''s hair, ncing at her niece''s reflection in the huge mirror in front of them. She could tell that their beautiful bride was nervous.


    A smile spread on her lips as she held Li Chuntao''s hand. Who would have known that this time woulde? Their aloof little princess had decided to settle down with her first love.


    "Are you happy?" She asked her niece. The ivory silk tulle veil was pushed behind her hair which was styled in an intricate way


    Li Chuntao nodded and took a deep breath. It all felt like a dream to her. She couldn''t even believe that she was marrying the man she had loved for a long time. Was she dreaming or was this another trick of her mind?


    "Yes, I just can''t believe this is really happening, Auntie Yue," she admitted. She stood up, taking a good look at her appearance for today''s event.


    Her wedding dress was a Victorian-inspired one with at least five feet train behind her. Thece applique on the bodice and the skirt of the dress was handmade. Lace flowers such as roses, thistle and daffodils were created individually and added onto the ivory silk tulle and the tiara that rested on top of her head was traditionally worn by the brides of the Li family for generations.


    Li Chuntao''s wedding gown was the same dress her mother used for her wedding with her father. This was one of her family''s prized possessions. Ying was supposed to use the same dress for her wedding, but during her wedding preparation with Mu Jianyu, she decided not to and Old Madam Li had carefully stored the dress, hoping that Chuntao would be able to use it in the future.


    Paired with her pristine white dress was a bouquet of flowers Old Madam Li made for her. It consisted of hyacinth, myrtle and lily-of-the-valley which she grew herself in the Li Mansion''s garden. Li Chuntao remembered her mother tending to the flowers before and loved lily-of-the-valley.


    "Then I''m happy," She heard her aunt said in contentment. "As long as you and Zichen would be happy and would try your best to take care of each other. I wouldn''t wish for anything but for you to be truly happy." Zheng Yue appeared behind her and looked at her with teary eyes through the mirror.


    Meanwhile, Shen Zichen was waiting outside the vast garden of the Li Mansion where their wedding was to be held. Only their families and closest friends had been invited to this intimate wedding between him and Li Chuntao.


    He knew he should be feeling great especially since they were going to be married soon; literally in half an hour.Li Chuntao had been understanding of his desire to marry her with only a few people involved and invited. The public and Mu Jianyu were oblivious that the two most prominent families within the capital were to be tied up through their marriage.


    There would be no pretentiousness this time, as their hearts would be tied as one. He might have lost Zirui but he wouldn''t allow Chuntao to suffer any longer because of him.


    Remembering what happened in the past, he regretted that he wasn''t able to help Chuntao and Little Rui. He also failed to protect Ying in Chuntao''s absence.


    ''Fool,'' Shen Zichen berated himself. There''s no sense dwelling in the past when he could do his best to be better in the future. He promised their Little Rui that he would love and cherish Chuntao whole heartedly from this day onward.


    He breathed out long, dispelling thest of his hesitations. This wasn''t the right time for him to doubt and hesitate. This time, he would brave the future with Li Chuntao on his side.


    "Everyone''s looking for you. Why are you hiding here, Zichen?" His mother''s voice caught Shen Zichen''s attention.


    Madam Shen sat beside him and patted his cheek lovingly. He was the same boy who arrived at their home, scared and nervous for him and Yuyan''s future. However, now, he was a grown-up to be a man that she could be proud of.


    "My baby is all grown up now. I felt like it was only yesterday when your dad and I decided to take you in." Her gaze softened at the memory of seeing the Shen twins for the first time.


    "I know, Mom, and I''m really grateful that you and Dad love me as much as your own." Shen Zichen said to his mother. Even when Qingqing and Lingtian were born, their parents never dismissed them nor forgot about him and Yuyan.


    Madam Shen sighed and leaned her head on her eldest son''s arm. Zichen and Yuyan would always have a special ce in her heart.


    "We weren''t even ready to back then and weren''t sure if we could provide the love and everything you two needed, but I''m d we were able to be good parents to you and Yuyan." She paused and cracked her eyes open to look at her son.


    "You have your own life now. We cannot hold you back. You''ve done your part as a good son to me and your father, but don''t forget toe to Mommy if ever you and Chuntao need help, okay? From now on, you should live your life ording to your own decisions."


    Shen Zichen''s heart was moved by his mother''s words. He wasn''t sure if he truly had been a good son to her, but he was sure he and Yuyan were lucky to be adopted by the ShenLu couple or else they would have wasted their lives with their abusive biological father.


    "Hey. What are you doing hiding here?" Shen Yuyan found them and rested her arm on her hip looking at her twin brother. "The ceremony is about to start and we wouldn''t be able to if the groom is missing."


    Shen Zichen took a deep breath and sighed before pulling himself back on his feet and offered his hand to their mother to escort her back.


    The music started and everyone stood in front of their designated seats while Li Yuren and Zheng Yue appeared with the bride at the end of the aisle. Under the beautiful trellis covered with sweet pea and star jasmine, their heavenly flowery scent reached Shen Zichen''s nose as he waited for his bride. Next to him was his younger brother, Shen Lingtian.


    "Ahh, Sister Chuntao is so pretty," The younger Shen eximed once they saw the bride marching down the aisle.


    "She''s always been beautiful," Shen Zichen murmured beside him as his eyes locked on his bride, he forgot how to breathe, heck he wasn''t even sure what his name was.


    There she was, escorted by her uncle and aunt. The white satin on her skirt flowed down and trailed behind her. The veil on her head hid her beauty but he could still see her from afar.


    Their eyes met and they both smiled. Excitement and love filled their hearts as they both looked forward to the chapter of their lives as a married couple. By the time Li Chuntao reached the altar, Shen Zichen didn''t realize it was time.


    "After today, you are in charge of taking care of our Chuntao. You better make sure that she''s happy," Zheng Yue told him with a gentle smile.


    "Or else we wille after you," Li Yuren threatened him with his usual stern voice.


    "I''m very aware, Uncle Yuren," Shen Zichen replied.. "Thank you."

 Chapter 183 - Two Different Paths (1)

    While Shen Zichen and Li Chuntao were busy exchanging their vows, both looking forward to facing another chapter of their lives as husband and wife, Lin Meirong''s situation was getting worse each day as Mu Jianyu''s hatred for her grew stronger.


    Mu Jianyu regretted his poor choice every day since he came to the realization that she wasn''t worth it. Knowing that he shouldn''t have trashed his own wife for a woman as shallow as Lin Meirong. He didn''t have a chance to make up for his mistakes because Ying insisted on divorcing him; he had lost all the love and respect she had for him and nothing could change her mind.


    Almost half a year ago, he arrogantly asked her for divorce. Now, monthster, Ying had crushed all the hopes he had to repent and seek forgiveness for his sins. She told him he was now ''free'' to search for the happiness she could never give him.


    Wasn''t it ironic? That when he blindly fooled himself to believe that he didn''t love her anymore, he broke her heart. But now when they are no longer together, what he wanted more than anything was to stay by her side, even if Ying looked at him with disgust and contempt.


    A man like him didn''t deserve to be happy. This was heaven''s punishment for him.


    A stamp of his name ended the marriage he built with her for years because of his stupidity.


    After their divorce, rumors about Li Xiuying and Shen Zichen being romantically involved with each other reached his ears. The two were spotted in public ces, his ex-wife being much happier than when she was with him.


    ''Ying¡­'' he clenched his fists on his side and could only watch from afar as Shen Zichen took his ex-wife away from him.


    To have the courage to see her with another man, he knew he wouldn''t. He knew the moment he saw Ying, he would want her back more than anything, but it''s impossible as she obviously didn''t want him anymore. He had killed the heart that loved him.


    Of course, many women threw themselves at his feet, hoping to entice him, but none of them couldpare to Li Xiuying. Her eyes, her smile, the softness and silkiness of her long hair, Mu Jianyu couldn''t help but look for a trace of her in any woman he encounters. His heart wanted her back so badly.


    Mu Jianyu resigned from Redux Entertainment to spend more time with his mother, whose condition had worsened since he and Ying''sst visit. None of the doctors could exin what caused his mother to lose her mind and act like a madwoman. Song Xiangrong couldn''t even recognize her own son.


    "Mother¡­ what happened to you?" Mu Jianyu held his mother''s wrinkly hand as the old woman mumbled incoherent words to herself. What could have caused this madness?


    He had received a call a week after his divorce, informing him that his mother''s condition was getting worse. It was unthinkable that Song Xiangrong would be like this after hisst visit with his wife.


    Song Xiangrong looked scared and wary of the people visiting her. The mere sound of the door can make her squeak and curl herself in the corner like a scared cat. The worse thing was whenever she heard the ttering of the silverware, the old woman went hysterical and cried for forgiveness.


    After talking to her doctors and settling the bills that were overdue, Mu Jianyu left to visit the mother of his child. He found her pacing around her living area, one hand rested on her bump.


    As Mu Jianyu looked at her, he couldn''t help but imagine Ying being round with his child. The one who should be carrying his child shouldn''t have been Lin Meirong, but there was no way for him to turn his back now.


    "What are you doing?" He questioned her as he took a seat, aware of the impending headacheing his way.


    It had been like this since Ying had left him. Whenever he met up with Lin Meirong, they always ended up arguing. He was then reminded of what had happened between her and Ying during theirst encounter.


    Lin Meirong might be the mother of his child but she would never be his wife. This, Mu Jianyu had decided. He was nning to take custody of the child, not giving Lin Meirong a chance to be involved in their child''s upbringing.


    Her reputation and attitude weren''t something a child should see growing up. He wasn''t even sure where this woman came from. Mu Jianyu tried to run a background investigation on her after his divorce but it led him into a dead end. It was as if her past was erased intentionally.


    This made him suspicious of her. It also didn''t help that Lin Meirong refused to tell him anything about her past and what kind of family she came from. Truly, ignorance was the worst crime of all.


    "My back hurts and I couldn''t even sleep at night. How am I supposed to sleep when this brat refuses to cooperate with me." Lin Meirong growled, annoyed that the child in her womb was pretty useless. She was now regretting not aborting this child when she had the chance before.


    Mu Jianyu''s face darkened at her words. Even if Lin Meirong didn''t want this child, she shouldn''t me the baby for it. He couldn''t understand how a woman like her could dislike her own flesh and blood.


    "Don''t me her. You are the mother. It''s your responsibility to take care of her." He scowled at her.


    They learned that Lin Meirong was carrying a girl the same day they both met Li Xiuying and Shen Zichen. Mu Jianyu had wanted a boy, but still, knowing this baby was his, he had no other choice but to ept his daughter.


    "Bear with it a little more. You''ll give birth soon," he added.


    To give birth to this bastard that had no use for her? Well, at least she wouldn''t have to suffer for too long once she gave birth to this child, but she wondered what Mu Jianyu''s n was after this. He wouldn''t abandon her, right?


    She scoffed and crossed her arms.


    "As if I have other choices," she grumbled to herself.


    But as she looked at him, Lin Meirong couldn''t deny the fact that he was keeping his distance from her. It was obvious that he wasn''t here willingly. Li Xiuying might have left him, but he remained stubborn to ept that his ex-wife wouldn''te back to him anymore.


    No one was strong enough to wait forever. If one waited for too long, they''ll just end up breaking their own selves. How long would it take for Mu Jianyu to break down? Lin Meirong wondered. To crumble from external pressure and to lose himself because of one woman? How foolish could he be?


    When she first heard that Li Xiuying divorced him, she initially thought that she would be able to have him fully to herself now that he got his freedom from his wife. She went to his apartment expecting he would wee her this time. However, she didn''t realize that the man was only disgusted by her.


    ''A mistress is just a mistress'' Lin Meirong finally understood what it meant.

 Chapter 184 - Two Different Paths (2)

    Three weeks had passed since they tied the knot, but Li Chuntao still wasn''t used to sharing her bed with her new husband. That morning, she woke up alone in his bedroom, in his apartment, where they were temporarily staying.


    When they got married, Shen Zichen suggested for her to move in with him. The apartment he owned was several blocks away from the university. There was one bedroom, a small kitchen, living area as well as a balcony. It might be smallerpared to Li Chuntao''s penthouse but the space was enough for Shen Zichen as a bachelor.


    Before finishing his studies, Shen Zichen was able to buy this ce on his own without relying on his parents. He seemed to favor this apartment, as it was the first one he bought for himself.


    Even though it was farther away from the hospital where he was currently working, he didn''t have the heart to give up on it. He didn''t even think of moving out.


    However, this was convenient for Li Chuntao since his ce was nearest to the Li Mansion. It also wasn''t the first time she stayed at his ce. If she got bored, she could easily drop by her family''s ce to visit them.


    Li Chuntao climbed out the bed, slipping on her silk robe before going to the bathroom for a shower. They might be married now, but it frustrated her that her husband wasn''t making any move to consummate their marriage. As to why, she had no idea. She wanted to ask him but he always managed to find a way to change the topic.


    An hourter, Li Chuntao stepped out of their room with a towel on top of her head. She didn''t see Shen Zichen, which wasn''t strange since he started to resume working while she busied herself with self-study using his medical books.


    She went to the kitchen and saw a te of sliced melons and a note on top of the table. She had eaten two slices when the doorbell rang.


    Li Chuntao sighed and walked to the door to see who it was. Could it be her husband? But why would he need to use the doorbell if he had his own key to unlock the door? However, when she looked through the peephole, she saw a woman outside his door.


    "..."


    Wasn''t this the same nurse she found when she visited Shen Zichen''s office before their wedding? Oh, this woman was quite bold. She even knew where Shen Zichen lived. Li Chuntao chuckled inwardly.


    She opened the door, slightly ajar, enough to see who it was but without giving any indication that she would receive their unwanted guest.


    That same woman saw Li Chuntao''s impassive face behind Shen Zichen''s door and was stunned. She gave Li Chuntao a nervous smile and said, "Hello, Lady Li. May I know if Doctor Shen is home?"


    Li Chuntao raised her brow and pretended she didn''t know her.


    "Zichen isn''t home right now." Actually she already knew who this woman was and what''s her motive for showing up at Shen Zichen''s door but she was bored, and this woman will give her some entertainment. "May I know why you are here?"


    It was rude of her to ask the woman for her intent without asking for her name but Li Chuntao didn''t care one bit.


    Nurse Chen frowned at Li Chuntao''s words. She''d heard about Li Xiuying and Mu Jianyu''s divorce because it had been shocking news a month ago but she didn''t expect to see this divorcee already hanging out with Shen Zichen.


    "Hello, Lady Li. I''m Chen Yili. I''m working as a nurse in the same department as Doctor Shen."


    As a woman who''d met a lot of men and love rivals from her past, Nurse Chen could feel the hostility on Li Chuntao''s voice. It was just, she was a little confused as this wasn''t how people perceived Li Xiuying.


    Too bad for her, Li Chuntao didn''t consider her as a love rival at all but a mere nuisance.


    Li Chuntao had no intention of letting this woman inside.


    ''May I know why are you looking for him?" She questioned.


    Nurse Chen lifted up a paper bag filled with folders neatly stacked inside.


    "I was told by the director to deliver this to Doctor Shen," she responded.


    Li Chuntao narrowed her eyes and was about to tell the woman to fuck off but changed her mind at thest minute. The snow was falling hard, covering the city with its white cold nket.


    "Is that so? Pleasee in and sit. Zichen will be back soon." Li Chuntao said, a sh of mischief glinting in her eyes.


    After finishing speaking, Li Chuntao opened the door and let the woman who was coveting after her husband in. This kind of woman¡­ She didn''t mind teaching them, reminding them of their rightful ces.


    Chen Yili thought that Lady Li would just tell her to leave the files with her and leave. She was prepared to be driven out by her and to gain sympathy for such mistreatment, but in the end, the witch had let her inside.


    After stepping inside, Chen Yili then realized the state of dress Li Chuntao had and was stunned for the second time. She was clearly wearing a man''s white dress shirt without a brassiere underneath. The twin peaks could roughly be seen on her chest. It seemed like Li Chuntao had just stepped out from the shower, because she could smell a faint scent of floral shampoo from where she was standing.


    Li Chuntao, of course, had noticed her reaction and grinned evilly. She took a pair of slippers from Shen Zichen''s shoe cab and ced it on the floor before telling Chen Yili to leave her shoes on one side together with her umbre.


    "Please excuse me for a moment so I can change my clothes. I know it''s improper for me to receive a guest like this but Zichen never mentioned he was expecting a visit today." Li Chuntao pulled the towel from her head and regarded her guest.


    Chen Yili took a seat in the living area and looked around in a daze. There was nothing odd in Shen Zichen''s ce. It looked like a normal home for someone of his stature. The living room had a huge bookshelf packed with various books sorted by their sizes and genres. The sliding door on her left led to a balcony that could oversee the busy city.


    There was a cat tower in one corner, where two cats werezing around. There was also a huge brown bear on the other couch across her. Considering Shen Zichen being a Young Master, she had expected him to live in a grand ce.


    She also noticed that items in this house came in pairs. Like the shoes on the shoe cab near the door. She had seen women''s shoes of different styles coupled with Shen Zichen''s shoes. There was also a pair of coffee mugs ced on the coffee table with several fashion and entertainment magazines near them.


    It also wasn''t lost to her that Lady Li entered the sole bedroom in this apartment. It made her more speechless than she already was.. All of it meant that there was already ady in this house and her presence wasn''t needed.

 Chapter 185 - You Cannot Have Him (1)

    Li Chuntao didn''t make her guest wait for too long as she came back properly dressed. She inwardly smirked at the woman''s obvious displeasure. Who told her toe here unannounced? Shen Zichen probably didn''t know that she was dropping by for a visit.


    "Is there something I can get you? I''m not sure what time Zichen woulde back but he should be on his way home right now." She said, like a host reassuring her guest.


    Chen Yili flinched at Li Chuntao''s words, thetter was really acting like a woman who owned this ce. There was something amiss in the way Lady Li smiled at her but she couldn''t pinpoint what it was. She felt trapped and pressured at the same time.


    "Anything is fine, Lady Li," she forced herself to say something, as each passing second being watched by Li Chuntao felt like she was in detention.


    Li Chuntao went to the kitchen andzily brewed tea in the tea kettle and came back with a tray and served her unwanted guest like a proper hostess, while Chen Yili was forced to watch the witch''s every move.


    Of course, she''d heard the rumors that Young Master Shen and Lady Li were a couple, but she wasn''t expecting to see that they were already living together. Looking at Li Chuntao''s face, she realized then that neither one of the two was confirming or denying the rumors.


    The silence within the household was broken when they heard the door opened and shut.


    Shen Zichen unlocked the door and pushed it open with his elbow and ced the bags he was holding earlier. He was relieved that he was back, in thefort of his home, as the low temperature outside still seeped through his thick clothes and coat. This year''s winter was a lot harsherpared to the previous ones.


    Li Chuntao helped him remove his coat and removed the snow on top of his head.


    "You should have woken me up before going to Imperial Residences." She pouted cutely, aware that their guest was watching them.


    "I didn''t have the heart to disturb your sleep." His eyes then caught Chen Yili who stood up from her seat when she saw Shen Zichen arrive.


    "Why did youe here? Didn''t I say I will see the director tomorrow?" He asked her, a little annoyed from her sudden visit. Shen Zichen rarely epted guests, especially if they''re not a rtive of his.


    "Doctor Shen, the director wanted me to deliver these to you." The woman lifted the bag she brought with her and smiled awkwardly.


    Shen Zichen''s frown deepened. He and Chuntao just came back from their two-week vacation and although he was expecting a pile of work waiting at him at the hospital, he didn''t think that the hospital director would allow someone to bring it personally to him.


    Also, he didn''t want Li Chuntao to misunderstand. It was hard enough to mend their rtionship without any flies pestering them. Although they were already married, Shen Zichen knew that there were still things he needed to prove to his wife and this woman''s presence wasn''t helping him at all.


    What if his wife misunderstood Chen Yili''s visit? He didn''t want Li Chuntao to think he''d been allowing women toe and visit his ce as they please.


    Chen Yili''s face nched as she was at a loss. This was the first time Doctor Shen disregarded her openly. Was it because of Lady Li? She wondered.


    Li Chuntao watched the scene with interest. She hung her husband''s coat on the rack and helped him with the bags he brought with him. She cleared the table and took the bags he left in the hallway.


    "Now, dear, please don''t turn your annoyance to Miss Chen. She was kind enough to bring it here. And you know how bad the weather is today," she told Shen Zichen."What are these?" She asked as she took a peek inside one of the bags she ced on the table.


    "Mom made extra pastries and told me to take it home. She also gave us some tea that may help with your persistent migraine." Shen Zichen replied, ignoring the fact that there was another person in his house.


    "Is that so? Dear, I''m hungry, can I have some now?" Li Chuntao hummed, liking the way Chen Yili fidgeted in her ce. When she saw her husband smile in approval, she picked one up, took a bite and turned to their guest, smiling brightly. "Miss Chen, why don''t you join us for lunch?"


    "O-okay," Chen Yili naturally couldn''t refuse Li Chuntao''s invitation.


    Shen Zichen knitted his brows, not sure what his wife was up to. He could tell she wasn''tfortable with Chen Yili being here but didn''t want to let the woman go just yet. However, he decided to leave her be. If she really couldn''t take Chen Yili''s presence, Li Chuntao would have chased her away earlier.


    "Then you can apany Miss Chen while I prepare lunch," he told his wife and turned around, instantly busying himself in the kitchen.


    Except for the sounds he was making at the kitchen, the house felt eerily quiet. Chen Yili was left bbergasted as she watched the aloof doctor wearing an apron instead of his usual scrub suit. She didn''t think that there was another side of Shen Zichen that she would witness today.


    Li Chuntao casually took a sip from her mug while flipping the pages of the entertainment magazine she was holding. It amused her how people easily forget one issue after another.


    It felt like it was only yesterday when Lin Meirong''s scandal filled the news, and now another one emerged and was the talk of the town. On the bright side though, with one lesspetitor, it seemed that Lan Jinyao''s career was flourishing recently.


    At this rate, Lin Meirong could only me herself for losing her chance to beat her rival. The rival who was actually multiple times better than her, Lan Jinyao.


    Half an hourter, the dishes were served on the table and they looked delicious. Li Chuntao started to eat heartily while Shen Zichen was being an attentive husband to her. Even though the food was indeed delicious, in front of this couple, Chen Yili felt it was nd and tasteless.


    Was this how it feels like to be an unwilling third wheel?


    Li Chuntao couldn''t stop the evil grin that surfaced on her lips. If Chen Yili wasn''t shameless enough to covet after her husband, she wouldn''t suffer such humiliation and be ignored today.


    After their meal, Chen Yili tried to help Shen Zichen to clear the table, but he declined her gesture. Li Chuntao went back to the living area and slumped on the couch taking the remote control of the TV with her.


    "Miss Chen, your phone kept ringing. Do you still need to go back to the hospital or do you have another appointment?" Li Chuntao suddenly said, surprising Chen Yili.


    The woman wanted to argue that she wasn''t in a hurry, but the way Li Chuntao looked at her sent shivers down her spine. Was this really the same kind and gentle Li Xiuying that everyone adored?


    No words could describe how Chen Yili felt at that moment. The woman who''d been praised by everyone was looking at her with contempt. Even before she could say a word, Lady Li had already sent her to the front door.


    Li Chuntao didn''t give her a chance to retort as her chilling smile was rather threatening at that moment.


    "Miss Chen, I was nice enough to let you go the first time. Today, treat this as a warning.. There are things and people you cannot have no matter how hard you chase after them and that includes my husband."

 Chapter 186 - You Cannot Have Him (2)

    "You¡­" Chen Yili couldn''t believe what she was hearing from Lady Li today. Did it mean that Shen Zichen and her have already tied the knot in secret?


    No wonder they were already cohabiting together! She should have realized this the first time, so she wouldn''t have to be confronted like this. Several emotions washed through her but she was overwhelmed by the fear Li Chuntao instilled in her. This woman had an imposing manner that she couldn''t ignore it even if she wanted to.


    Li Chuntao''s tone was so cold and her eyes didn''t hide the displeasure in it. Indeed, she had let Chen Yili go easily the first time; when she found her at her husband''s office. But today, she was quite bold to invade their home.


    Since she wasn''t as forgiving as her twin sister, Li Chuntao wasn''t nning on letting this woman go without a warning. Whoever dared to covet what was hers, wouldn''t be let off easily.


    Li Chuntao lowered her gaze, the coldness and malintent apparent in her eyes.


    "Sorry, but my husband¡­ you cannot have him. If you still dare to continue your silly attempts to seduce him, just remember that I won''t be so forgiving the next time, Miss Chen."


    Some women should be reminded not to cross the line. If Li Xiuying had put Lin Meirong in her ce when she first discovered the affair, perhaps her end would have been different. s, there was nothing else that could be done but to teach the cheating couple a good lesson.


    Not giving Chen Yili any time to exin her side, Li Chuntao closed the door rudely in her face. That should be clear enough for Chen Yili to not mess with her and Shen Zichen in the future. She turned her back and saw her husband giving her a look with his arms crossed.


    "I didn''t know you could this be petty, Chuntao," he told her. She also didn''t bother to help him clean the table and let Chen Yili humiliate herself by offering her assistance.


    Li Chuntao hummed and yawned, sauntering back to her previous seat, before Chen Yili disturbed her peace.


    "Petty is the one who keeps on chasing another person''s property," she retorted.


    Shen Zichen arched a brow at her, amused that she was regarding him as her property.


    "I''ve just never thought you''ll stake a im on me," he chuckled.


    "Ah, women. You should make it clear before they overthink your intent towards them. She must have thought that you were interested in her." Li Chuntao said as she allowed the two cats to curl on herp. These two had practically abandoned her and hid somewhere else when Chen Yili arrived and only came out when they sensed Shen Zichen''s arrival.


    "Don''t just stand there. Come here, I want to show you something." She called her husband and patted the seat next to her. Now that she already settled her issue with Chen Yili, there was something important she and her husband needed to talk about.


    Shen Zichen willingly sat next to his wife as she took her tablet from the table next to the couch. He sat and waited patiently, not knowing what she wanted from him.


    Li Chuntao turned on the device and scrolled to thetest email she received from the private investigator she was working with to find a lead about Li Xiuying''s ident. It seemed that she''d found the person she''d been looking for all this time.


    "Look at this," she passed it to her husband. Her tone was a little disgruntled, which confused Shen Zichen.


    "What is this about?" He asked, but his question was already answered by the photos of Li Xiuying with timestamps on them. The photos were dated weeks before her ident took ce.


    "This¡­" He didn''t know what to say. Was this the evidence they''ve been looking for to prove that the car collision which caused Li Xiuying''s death wasn''t a coincidence like everyone assumed it was?


    "We''ve already identified those people in those photos¡­" Li Chuntao''s voice was unusually calm, contrary to what Shen Zichen expected. "You should also look at the next ones." She continued.


    Shen Zichen did as he was told and saw a CCTV recording of Li Xiuying and Lan Jinyao being in the same hotel with Director Yao.


    "I don''t understand, Chuntao. I thought Miss Lan was a good friend of Ying''s?"


    He''d met the young actress several times even before Ying''s death and believed that Lan Jinyao was one of the rare people who treated Ying well without malice and malintent against her.


    Li Chuntao hummed and patted the head of her white cat like a viin.


    "That''s the first time Ying met Miss Lan and Yao Qigang. Zichen, I believe that was the turning point in Ying''s life." She was unusually calm telling him this, but Shen Zichen could sense the murderous intent in his wife''s eyes.


    "Since Ying removed that man from the film and reced him, Yao Qigang was spotted stalking Ying on different asions. I do believe in coincidences and fate, but¡­ being in the same ce at the same time¡­ Zichen, isn''t it suspicious?" She continued.


    "But why him? I understand that he would bear some grudges against Ying after his dismissal, but why would he want her dead?" Shen Zichen frowned as he looked at the photos of Ying being stalked by that shameless man.


    "Not him but the person behind him," His wife corrected him.


    "Which is?"


    "Lin Meirong," Li Chuntao said nonchntly. In the end, all leads pointed to the woman who caused her twin sister''s marriage to fall.


    Su Ling had tracked Yao Qigang''s activities for the past weeks and he stumbled on the records of huge deposits in his bank ount, despite him not having any source of ie, from an unknown source. The frequent visitation of the said director to Lin Meirong before Li Xiuying''s death, which he discovered as well, was also suspicious.


    It finally made sense to her why they would want Ying dead. That bitch must have been threatened by Ying''s words when Li Xiuying confronted her about her affair with Mu Jianyu.


    Ying shouldn''t haven''t given that insane bitch a reason, Li Chuntao thought. But still, it was wrong to me the victim when Ying wasn''t even aware of the evil intention Lin Meirong had against her.


    "It is also possible that the baby she''s carrying right now isn''t Mu Jianyu''s?"


    With all the extramarital affairs and partners Lin Meirong had during the past months leading up to her pregnancy, Li Chuntao wouldn''t be surprised if Lin Meirong really did make a fool out of Mu Jianyu. Not that she cared anyway. It would be just another one listed as karma for Mu Jianyu for betraying his own wife.


    While it was possible to run a paternity test on a child in a pregnant woman''s womb, chances are that Lin Meirong would refuse being subjected to it. The uracy of the result to be received was at least a 99..99% probability of whether or not the alleged father actually was the father of the child.

 Chapter 187 - The Stupidest Man On Earth (1)

    Shen Zichen watched as his wife got dressed, getting ready to go back to work at Li Corporation. He was a bit worried about Li Chuntao''s n and didn''t like the fact that she would be using herself as bait to trick Yao Qigang and Lin Meirong at the same time.


    Although they managed to pinpoint the two as the masterminds behind Li Xiuying''s ident, there wasn''t any conclusive evidence to pin them for their crimes. It was surprising how Director Yao managed to get such connections and could almost get away from the sin he and Lin Meirongmitted.


    The thought of knowing these people were able to kill Ying using underhanded methods almost made Li Chuntao''s eyes bleed red from rage, but she knew better not to confront them blindly or else she might meet the same end as her twin sister.


    This was why Li Chuntao needed to step up her game and trick Lin Meirong to provide the evidence she needed to incriminate them for their wrongdoings. Lin Meirong couldn''t possibly stay still and won''t do anything once the news about Ying recovering her memories reaches her ears.


    Li Chuntao was sure that Li Yuren purposely allowed himself to lose the bet he made with her. Now that they knew who the culprit behind Li Xiuying''s death was, it was time to hunt and trap their prey. And since her personal affairs had already been settled, it was time for Li Chuntao to resume her ns.


    Li Chuntao decided that she wanted to startle the snakes in their nest. She would cause discord between Yao Qigang and Lin Meirong until they decided to turn against each other. By going back to Li Corporation as Li Xiuying, she would establish her presence again as her deceased twin sister.


    "Chuntao, are you sure this is what you want?" Shen Zichen asked as he sat on the edge of their bed, watching her brushing her hair into a sleek ponytail to finish her look.


    Now that she was his wife, of course, his concern about her safety was naturally multiplied. What if Lin Meirong schemed against Li Chuntao this time and caused her to suffer the same fate as Ying? Shen Zichen would never be able to continue to live if he lost her for good.


    Li Chuntao looked at her husband''s reflection in the mirror and sighed. She put down her hairbrush and went to him. Wrapping her arms around his shoulder, she allowed him to settle her on his legs.


    "There''s no need for you to overthink, Zichen. Uncle Yuren has assigned more bodyguards to me while we stalk Lin Meirong and Yao Qigang''s movements. It won''t be easy for them to harm me."


    Still, Shen Zichen didn''t like any of these but he also knew he couldn''t stop her if that was what she wanted. He was the one who nted this revenge seed in her anyway, so he was partly responsible for it.


    He might be a Young Master of the Shen family, but in reality, it was just an empty title that never held value to him. As the sessor of the Shen family, his younger sister, Shen Lingqing, had the absolute power to utilize their family''sresources.


    Should he ask his sister for another favor? Shen Zichen shook his head. He felt useless at this moment.


    He pushed his worries out of his head and drew Li Chuntao closer. He could feel her heartbeat against his chest as he held her tightly. His arms encircled around her, effectively caging her. With his head dipped, his lips touched the hollowness of her neck and could smell the subtle hint of her cologne.


    He heard her sighed and felt her rest her head over his shoulder.


    "I''ll be fine, Zichen. Trust me on this."


    There''s no doubt that he trusted her. However, he was worried that those people who harmed Ying would go to a greater extent to harm Chuntao as well.


    ---


    At exactly nine in the morning on a gray and cold day, Li Chuntao slipped inside her twin sister''s office and almost slipped back out when she saw Hou Chen waiting for her inside with curiosity written all over her face. If it wasn''t for the fact that she wanted to establish Ying''s name and to unt her ''recovery'', Li Chuntao wasn''t nning to partake in the neverending paperwork that was waiting for her.


    stering a smile on her face, she marched over to the desk and greeted Hou Chen with a curt nod. Thetter looked at her with a softened gaze as she missed Li Xiuying. Ying and Chuntao''s mannerism were nothing alike, but somehow, by just looking at Li Chuntao, Hou Chen could only sigh dejectedly at Ying''s pitiful end.


    Li Chuntao took a deep breath and reigned herself. Hou Chen didn''t deserve her bad temper early this morning, not when she was the one who decided toe here in the first ce.


    "I know this is too much for you, Miss Chuntao but this is the perfect time to establish your stand as Li Xiuying, not only to the board but to the businessmunity. Are you sure this would lure out the people responsible for Ying''s death?"


    Li Chuntao nodded. She would let Mu Jianyu see that Ying didn''t need him to live happily, she would let Lin Meirong see that Ying was still iparable next to her. The best revenge is to let your enemies see that they could never bring you down, no matter how hard they try.


    "They will feel threatened. If they knew that Li Xiuying recovered her memories, they would be forced to clear their own tracks." She nonchntly replied.


    Fifteen minutester, Li Chuntao entered the conference room for today''s stockholders'' meeting located on the fifteenth floor of the building. Normally, the daylight outside would be enough to light up the whole room, but today, everything looks gray and drab; affecting everyone''s mood.


    The financial n that Li Xiuying left before her ident was being utilized, which was a good thing, since it saved Zheng Yue a lot of trouble from dealing with the investors of theirpany while Li Chuntao couldn''t be bothered to deal with those people.


    Still, as one of the heiresses of the family, she had the responsibility to help manage thepany whenever she''s free. She couldn''t possibly enjoy the perks of being a Li without contributing anything in return.


    As she entered the room, she could feel everyone''s eyes on her. She had a feeling that they were only looking at her because of the rumors of Ying having a secret marriage with the Young Master of the Shen family, which she and Shen Zichen didn''t care about in the first ce. Whatever they do in private, the public had no say on it.


    As she sat on her seat, Hou Chen scurried towards her and provided her with today''s agenda.. She forced a nd smile as the men in their fifties and mid-thirties greeted her, the kind of smile she pasted whenever she had to talk to strangers whose interest in her was based on the fact that she was a Li princess and not because she''s capable.

 Chapter 188 - The Stupidest Man On Earth (2)

    This wasn''t the first time she''d gotten pregnant, but Lin Meirong was sure as hell she didn''t suffer like this during her first pregnancy. Throughout this pregnancy, she''d been subjected to difort and pain. If she''d known she would suffer like this, she should have got ridden of this baby.


    As she waited inside the obstetrics department alone in the hospital, her attention was caught by thetest advertisement being shown on the television in the waiting area. Her jaws tightened when she saw Lan Jinyao, looking better than ever.


    Ever since she was forcibly kicked out in the entertainment industry, Lan Jinyao''s career started to flourish, much to her chagrin. The woman whom she''d considered as a lowly rival was now considered one of the fastest rising stars of the year.


    She cursed herself and looked away in shame. If only she wasn''t heavily pregnant, she would be able to find another way to live a better life than this. She was scheduled to deliver her baby today and yet Mu Jianyu was nowhere to be seen.


    Was he still trying to win his ex-wife back? She wondered. Why was he still chasing a woman who clearly didn''t want him back anymore?


    "Stupid," Lin Meirong muttered to herself. The rumors about Li Xiuying''s marriage to Shen Zichen were all over the news. And if it was true, that only meant that Mu Jianyu would never have a chance to win her back.


    Why would Li Xiuying choose him over Shen Zichen anyway? After all he had done, was he really expecting Li Xiuying to ept him again? Even for someone like Li Xiuying, that kind of betrayal would be enough to kill the love she had for her husband.


    "Miss Lin? It''s your turn now," The nurse appeared and called her name to enter the doctor''s office.


    Lin Meirong stood and winced when a sudden jolt of pain hit her abdomen. She stood still and held her bulging stomach, attracting the attention of the waiting nurse. She broke into a cold sweat as she felt the pain gradually increasing.


    ``


    Mu Jianyu had decided to take full custody for this child, who wasn''t even his in the first ce. Dare to make a fool out of her? Then she''ll let him be the stupidest man on earth by taking in another man''s daughter.


    ---


    Li Chuntao had finished her work for the day and was looking forward to seeing her husband before he leaves for work that evening. The desk where her assistant and secretary were situated was already deserted. She didn''t me them, as it was already past seven in the evening when she finished her work.


    As she and Su Ling walked through the mostly empty parking lot, she rummaged her purse for her phone to give her husband a call while Su Ling took the car keys in his pocket and pressed the unlock button, making Audi''s headlights sh.


    "Ying...."


    Li Chuntao turned and saw Mu Jianyu approaching them. He seemed to have aged overnight as he looked shabby and poor at the same time.


    "Mr. Mu, I believe the restraining order is still in effect. Why do you still insist on meeting me like this?" Li Chuntao crossed her arms and sharpened her gaze on her ex-brother-inw.


    "Ying, can we talk? I''m not here to make a scene. I just want to talk to you." His voice was surprisingly gentle.


    She stared at him for a moment, her face devoid of any emotion.


    ''If it isn''t for you, Ying wouldn''t have died because of your mistress.''


    ''If you haven''t betrayed her and let Lin Meirong hurt Ying, none of this would have happened.''


    ''You are the root of this problem, you bastard!''


    Li Chuntao wanted to snap at him and scream at his face but she wouldn''t. Mu Jianyu would never know how much Ying had to suffer because of his betrayal. Not only she lost own her life, but she also lost the unborn child in her womb.


    The sense of betrayal and disappointment was so strong that Chuntao had no doubt that Ying regretted everything in herst breath. Still, no matter what Mu Jianyu said today and in the future, he wouldn''t be able to change what happened in the past.


    Meanwhile, Mu Jianyu wasn''t surprised to see that she was faring well without him. She was still as beautiful as the first time he''d met her. She even looked happier now than when she was still with him. He recalled her stricken expression at the way he ruthlessly asked her for a divorce.


    He closed his eyes for a moment and cursed himself. When his eyes opened andnded to her ring finger, he inwardly grimaced. God, he''d been a bastard to Ying, and now it was toote for redemption.


    "So you really married Shen Zichen, huh?" He said with a sarcastic chuckle, which made Li Chuntao wonder if it was for her or himself.


    So many times, he''d tried to reach her after she served the divorce papers on him. He''d also rehearsed the speech he would make once she showed up. He wanted it to be sufficiently grovelling, given the pain he''d inflicted for what he''d done, but tonight, his brain seemed to forget everything.


    The ring on her finger was clear enough to announce her marriage with another man. Not just any man, it was her childhood friend, Shen Zichen. His sworn enemy.


    Something was tearing inside of him and the pain drove into him relentlessly, forcing him to ept the reality that he''d already lost her.


    "I thought we were done. You have no rights to pry into my personal affairs now, Mr. Mu." She bit out while her cold gaze was steady.


    Mu Jianyu reached out a hand, wanting to touch her arm, but Su Ling was quick to prevent it from happening.


    "You should leave, Mr. Mu. Our Miss doesn''t want to have anything to do with you." Su Ling stated, but Mu Jianyu ignored him.


    "Ying, I''m sorry. I''m really sorry."


    Li Chuntao hadn''t expected him to apologize, but wasn''t it a little toote? If sorry was enough for her to forgive all his sins, then she wouldn''t be able to face her twin sister in the afterlife.


    "Well," she shrugged and tucked the stray locks of her hair behind her ear. "It doesn''t matter to me now. If that''s all, I think you should go before our guards throw you out from here."


    Sensing that he wanted to say more, Li Chuntao shook her head, stopping him. She knew that he wouldn''t give up on ''Ying'' easily but she wanted to see Shen Zichen now.


    "I heard Lin Meirong is about to give birth soon. Congrattions. Shouldn''t you be happy and celebrating right now, instead of stalking your ex-wife?" When Mu Jianyu didn''t say anything, she continued, "let''s not meet up like this anymore. What would people say if they see you following me around instead of looking after your child? Wait, is it even your child?"


    Her question stunned Mu Jianyu, rendering him speechless. It wasn''t lost to him what Ying meant by her question. Since Lin Meirong had apparently been in multiple affairs with different men before him, how sure was he that the child she was carrying was his?


    Li Chuntao turned around with Su Ling following after her.. She slid onto the backseat of the car and didn''t spare Mu Jianyu another nce as they drove away from the parking lot.

 Chapter 189 - R18+ Wedding Night (1)

    For the past month, it was almost impossible for the newlywed couple to meet, even after their respective working hours. While Li Chuntao resumed her work at Li Corporation, Shen Zichen had returned to his graveyard shift at the hospital. There were also times when Li Chuntao had to attend banquetste into the night as Li Xiuying.


    Shen Zichen was starting to wonder if he should request for a change of shift at work. Although his wife was very amodating, he didn''t want the issue to persist any longer. Li Chuntao might have not said anything yet, but it was obvious that their conflicting schedule was starting to wear her patience.


    Li Chuntao could barely tolerate the ball that night. If it wasn''t on her Auntie Yue''s insistence, she wouldn''te here tonight. The glitz and the wealth all around was making her feel sick. The orchestra was starting to grate on her nerves while the food and the drinks were nd and tasteless in her opinion.


    It was usually Ying who attended such functions when she was still alive and Li Chuntao hated being here, knowing that her husband was waiting for her back at home, since it was his day off. He almost looked sad when she left with Su Ling earlier.


    Well, she invited him to join her tonight as her partner, but he declined as he didn''t have the energy to spend on such events. Not that she could me him. The workload he had back at the hospital must have been giving him a lot of stresstely.


    Li Chuntao would''ve canceled if Shen Zichen asked her to stay with him, but the moment she finished applying her makeup, Shen Zichen already started to doze off on their bed after telling her to have a good time.


    Was she having a good time? Certainly not.


    How the hell could she enjoy the night when all she wanted to do right now was to return home and snuggle next to her husband?


    "Hey," her Auntie Yue poked her side to get her attention. "You don''t like being here?"


    "Is it that obvious, Auntie Yue?"


    "Well, you''ve been glowering ever since we got here." The older woman pointed out.


    "Sorry, I just feel tired and since Zichen is at home right now, I''m worried about him," Li Chuntao took a flute from a passing waiter and drank the wine in one go.


    "It''s understandable. You only got married recently but your work is already tearing you apart from each other. Have you talked about it with Zichen?"


    "Hmm, he''d already told me he requested a change of shift."


    Li Chuntao forced a smile. It wasn''t her Auntie Yue''s fault that she was here. A part of her felt guilty for barely contributing to the family and running away from her obligations.


    "Whatever it is, I''m sure you two would be able to figure it out. And remember" ¡ªZheng Yue ced a hand on her niece''s back and looked around. The smile on her face was friendly and reassuring¡ª "things will work out when the two of you try your best to fix the problem."


    From where they were standing, Li Chuntao spotted Lan Jinyao in the crowd, talking with the other guest. It wasn''t surprising that the actress was getting a lot of attentiontely, considering the sudden spike in her poprity these days.


    When their eyes met, Lan Jinyao''s eyes lit up, while Li Chuntao raised her flute to the actress as a greeting. She didn''t want to socialize with the others and wanted to go home.


    By the time Li Chuntao arrived at Shen Zichen''s apartment, it was already past two in the morning. She''d left the ball as quickly as she could but everyone seemed to be in her way, wanting to inquire about her recovery and ns in the future.


    Avoiding the crowd of guests seemed impossible without her Auntie Yue''s help. She was d that she was able to sneak away before everyone noticed her disappearance. She figured Shen Zichen would be asleep in bed but she found him in the living area, on the couch, his head resting on the armrest.


    Was he waiting for her to return home?


    Li Chuntao sighed. She shouldn''t have left him alone if she''d known he would wait for her like this. She tapped his shoulder, trying to wake him up. It must be ufortable for someone as tall as him to sleep on the couch like this.


    "Hey, why are you sleeping here? Let''s go to bed shall we?"


    Shen Zichen cracked his eyes open and looked at her sleepily.


    "Hey," he let her lead him back to their bedroom and slumped back on the mattress with a thud.


    Li Chuntao peeled her dress off, removed her earring before going to the bathroom to wash her face clean. She returned wearing her nightdress and slipped under the sheets with him. Shen Zichen said something else that she didn''t quite catch.


    "What?"


    Shen Zichen rolled on his side and wrapped an arm around her. "I said we have to make ns for your birthday."


    She blinked at him, not expecting that he would remember it. Li Chuntao had been so used to not celebrating her and Ying''s birthday for several years and it felt foreign for her to celebrate it now that her twin sister wasn''t here to share the day with her.


    "Let''s talk aboutter. Sleep." He muttered and returned to his slumber. Now that she''d return, he wouldn''t have to worry where she was.


    Her delicate presence in his arms gave Shen Zichen a smallfort. She smelled amazing, something he could never get tired of. He cherished the way she burrowed into him, so trusting. He should let her sleep as both of them had a long day earlier but he wanted to touch her, make her shudder in passion, and bury himself deeply inside her.


    Shen Zichen had this urgent need to reaffirm their love and connection to each other. He hadn''t touched her since their wedding night and could feel the frustrations every time something came up, forcing them to stop midway.


    "Are you going to stop again?" Li Chuntao asked and looked at him straight in the eyes.


    The sleepiness in Shen Zichen''s eyes vanished instantly. His fingers came up to touch her cheek. He was aware that she had been trying to get his attention these past weeks, but they were just too busy and tired with their own schedules. He also didn''t want this to feel hurried and rushed because they had time restraints.


    Now that he was allowed to get three days off from the hospital, Shen Zichen could now be with his wife without distractions.


    His lips sought hers and kissed her with the intensity that he wasn''t ustomed to, his hand pressing her lower back against him before running up and down along her smooth leg. Shen Zichen felt like it had been forever since thest time he touched her and made love with her.


    Her nails were against his neck and scalp as they kissed and kissed. His lips traced the beautiful curves of her body, while his hands worked to remove her nightdress and undergarments.. He could feel the damp heat radiating from her core.

 Chapter 190 - R18+ Wedding Night (2)

    He teased her, his fingers caressing the creases where her pelvis met her thighs without touching her sex. He ravaged her mouth, his teeth scraping her delicate lips


    Shen Zichen wanted to mark her, to remind her that she was his. That no matter how busy he was, she was always on his mind. His hands ran over the beautiful curves then traveled up to her inner thighs, where she was sensitive and impossibly soft and warm.


    A tremor ran through her and a low moan escaped her lips. She felt him move below her and blew lightly on her sex, which made her shudder in anticipation, her inner muscles clenched with need.


    "Zichen¡­" she moaned his name when he kissed her between her legs. She widened them, silently asking him for more.


    His thumb touched her clit gently. Li Chuntao then naturally put her hands in his hair and angled her pelvis for more, but he pulled back.


    "Chuntao, tell me what you want." Shen Zichen said with a hoarse voice. He ran his palm roughly over her beautiful derriere, letting her know that he was serious.


    His mouth pressed a gentle kiss on her inner thigh while his index finger ran along herher lips with just enough pressure to tease her, enough for her to ask for more.


    "Touch me," he heard his wife begged.


    "Where?"


    Li Chuntao muttered a curse and threw her head back on her pillows.


    "My¡­" but her words were cut off by his teasing tongue. "My clit," she continued her voice hitching.


    "Like this?" Shen Zichen teased her clit with his thumb.


    "Noooo," His wife whined. Her chest rose and fell as his eyes lifted up to see her lewd expression.


    He couldn''t stop staring at her ample breasts. Their tips were so rosy and pointed, begging for his attention. Yet, he couldn''t allow himself to give in to the urge. This wasn''t just sex for him. This was their wedding night that he''d been stalling.


    Li Chuntao grabbed his head again and gently pulled him towards her, showing him what she desperately needed from him. His fingers at her core were already soaked with nectar.


    "Please, Zichen. No more teasing," she finally sobbed out her frustration. She''d waited so long for this.


    Taking pity on his wife, Shen Zichen ced his mouth on her wet core recing his fingers, giving it a hard suck. The taste of her desire flooded his mouth and he groaned at her taste.


    "Yes!" Li Chuntao''s grip on his hair tightened, her back arching from the bed. Her body trembled under his ministrations and Shen Zichen loved how responsive she was to him.


    He ran his tongue over her sensitive bud and her muscles tightened, her legs shaking. She was so close, but Shen Zichen wasn''t through her yet. She wasn''ting until she screamed his name.


    Li Chuntao rolled her hips, trying to reach her peak but failed. Her husband was taking the time to tease her.


    "Damn it, Zichen!"


    Shen Zichen chuckled inwardly and put his fingers inside of her. God, she was so slick, so tight. His cock throbbed, demanding to be inside her instead of his damned fingers.


    He watched his wife ride his fingers mindlessly, while he continued to lick and suck her sensitive bud. He could feel her orgasm build higher and higher until she was standing at the precipice of her pleasure. All she needed was a little more push, but he chose to lessen the pressure on her bud.


    "Oh my god, Zichen. Please." She sobbed her frustration. If he stopped midway, she was going to kill him.


    "Look at me," Shen Zichen demanded. "Look at me, Chuntao,"


    Li Chuntao obeyed him and looked down at him. Her eyespletely dazed and darkened with desire for him. Shen Zichen''s breath hitched. He desperately wanted to thrust inside of her, im her hard and fast.


    He cursed, unable to hold back any longer. He gave his wife what she needed. His mouth and tongue hard on her clit and she camepletely apart while screaming his name. Her body shook as the powerful wave of her climax hit her.


    His cock ached, his balls painfully tight as Shen Zichen looked at the nudity of his wife. He hurriedly shed off his pajamas before settling between her legs. While doing this, Li Chuntao spread her thighs, knees in the air, open wide for him.


    Seeing her in such a position, Shen Zichen groaned and grabbed hold of himself. His lips peppering kisses on her throat down to her corbone as he could feel his length swell to its fullest.


    "Chuntao, I want you. All of you." He whispered next to her ear.


    Her hands reached up to cup the sides of his face lovingly.


    "You have me. All of me. Please. I want to feel you inside me. Hurry..."


    Leaning his head down without moving his lower half, he shared another kiss with his wife. His hand cupping her chin, holding her jaws open before slightly tilting his head, slipping his tongue between her lips, slowly pumping it in and out of her wet cavern, mimicking what his manhood would doter.


    Shen Zichen released her lips and slipped his arms under her knees, letting them settle at the crook of his arms. Then holding her wide open, he nted his hands on either side of her waist, forcing her feet in the air while her knees were close to the bedsheets.


    Li Chuntao blinked in shock, not having been in this position before. She didn''t know where to hold unto and decided to clutch his wrist.


    cing his hips near her entrance, Shen Zichen pressed the tip of his member on herher lips before pushing past, sinking himself inside her body. He heard Li Chuntao take a couple of breaths as she tried to get used to his massive size.


    "Yes¡­ I''ve been waiting for this." Li Chuntao said, closing her eyes to let her senses concentrate on the feeling her husband was giving her. He pushed himself even deeper into her body until he hit home.


    Shen Zichen nuzzled the spot just below her ear, licking and kissing his way to the bend of her neck and shoulder while breathing in her scent. She smelled so divine, he wanted to saturate himself in it.


    "Deeper, Zichen¡­" Li Chuntao spread her knees wider and whispered to him.


    A desperate look came over Shen Zichen''s face as he pushed his hips forward until he was seated deep inside of his wife. He groaned gutturally, wondering how he was able to hold himself back for weeks without having her.


    Inside the dimly lit room, the two were on the bed, engaging in a passionate activity. Shen Zichen''s robust form leaned over the nude form of his wife, moving his muscled waist and hips as he pumped in and out of her body using deep and shallow thrusts at the speed that caused a sweet friction along his length.


    "You feel so good¡­ So warm and tight," Shen Zichen touched home, swiveling his hips over hers, rubbing the swollen bud of her body. She was so wet; her slick flesh gripped his cock so hard he thought he would lose it then and there.


    He was rougher than he would''ve liked, but he couldn''t stop himself as he pounded into her. Li Chuntao met him thrust for thrust, her hips angled as her breathing roughened.. Her breasts bobbing with each hard stroke while her eyes lost focus, her mouth parting slightly as she couldn''t help the moan slipping from her lips.

 Chapter 191 - R18+ Wedding Night (3)

    He started a pace that made Li Chuntao''s eyes roll back from the intense pleasure. The friction caused by his long, thick length grated sweetly against her sex made her pant. A loud groan hissed through her teeth after a particr hard thrust.


    "Uhh, Zichen, YES! Make love to me, please!" Li Chuntao cried out.


    Rolling his hips as he pushed into her body, Shen Zichen set a fast pace.


    Li Chuntao looked up at the unmasked expression on her husband''s face. A slight blush on his cheeks as he pumped himself inside her body. It was rare for her to see him vulnerable, with raw desire, like this.


    "Please don''t stop. More, Zichen, more¡­" she demanded. She was fucked so passionately, pleasured moans spilled out of her lips intermittently.


    Shen Zichen didn''t know how many times he had been entering in and out and only felt her slick hole wrapped around him, sucking him in more, causing him to feel intoxicated.


    "I can''t stop now, love." He panted above her, "Just feel me inside you¡­ Ah, Chuntao!" He hissed as he felt the heat crawling up his length, slowly but fiercely. He wasn''t ready to end this yet.


    He adjusted the angle of his hips again and pushed in hard, pumping deeper making Li Chuntao release a long, high moan as her voice and body shook from the intensity of their lovemaking. It was as if she was made to ept the seemingly endless pounding that only got her more wet the longer she was fucked by her husband.


    "Zichen!" Li Chuntao shut her eyes closed and mped her hands tighter around his wrists, needing something to hold onto as her next orgasm started to build higher and higher within her body.


    The continuous pping of their bodies emitted a sloppy wet sound. Shen Zichen took a few seconds to look down between their bodies and watched himself enter her slick, tight passage over and over again, finding the sight mesmerizing.


    Every muscle in Li Chuntao''s body tensed up as she felt her vision clouded. She felt a small gush of liquid squirt from her lower body as a huge tide surged over her. It soaked the huge stick that was still buried inside of her. Her inner muscles thudded and flexed around her husband''s manhood which he left entrenched inside her warm depths.


    Li Chuntao cried out, her voice high and shaky. Shen Zichen, still soaked by his wife''s flower juices continued to thrust inside her wet passage prolonging her pleasure but he wasn''t quite done yet.


    "Wife, we aren''t done yet. You cannot sleep until I say so." He released her legs, letting her feet touch the silky bedding beneath her.


    Li Chuntao''s eyes widened. She thought he woulde the moment she reached her peak like thest time.


    "You haven''t cum yet?" She asked with bewilderment. With the intensity of their lovemaking, howe he hadn''t reached his?


    Shen Zichen''s eyes darkened at his wife''s sultry words.


    "Do you want it, hm? Do you want your husband to cum in you?"


    The deep blush that immediately spread on Li Chuntao''s face was amusing in his eyes. She was always so cold, arrogant and impassive that it was rare for someone to see her in a flushed state.


    "Of course, dummy. I want it. All of it." She looked away, slightly ashamed of herscivious words, which also carried her affection for her husband.


    There were times where she felt like she was dreaming. That she wasn''t truly married to the man she loved and there woulde a day when she would wake up from it.


    "Alright, since my wife wants it, this husband of yours will shoot everything inside of you¡­" Shen Zichen let out a hiss as he withdrew from her body.


    Her fingers skimmed his muscles. The intoxicating scent of desire and heating back to Li Chuntao as she watched her husband''s eyes lit up with passion. This was everything she thought a physical union between husband and wife should be. It went beyond physical pleasure to emotional bonding.


    It frightened her at first, but now, she trusted that he would take care of her heart. Her breathing was shallow andbored as she tried to catch her breath.


    She loved his assertiveness and how his mouth and hands explored the contours of her body. She felt his hot breath fanning against her pulse and willed him to understand that she also wanted him as much as he wanted her.


    His hands found her breasts again and pinched her rosy peaks. Li Chuntao moaned at the delectable friction as the waves of heat went straight to the junction of her thighs. She felt invaded by him, yet it wasn''t enough. She wanted more from him.


    Shen Zichen took a moment to drink her in. Her eyes were dark with passion and zed with desire. There was honesty in her response that called out to him.


    She put a hand to the back of his head and kissed him, her mouth openly carnal as she sought him. Li Chuntao sucked his tongue while her hands gripped his shoulder, her fingernails digging into his flesh.


    Suddenly, Shen Zichen flipped her to her hands and knees, lifting up her thighs and parting them from behind. Li Chuntao gasped from his urgency but she was willing to fulfill his need.


    "Chuntao," he groaned her name as he slipped between her thighs and pushed his thickness inside her wonderfully tight wet heat, feeling every bit of resistance as her inner muscles clenched around his length like a scorching fist.


    Li Chuntao shuddered hard as he filled her, shaking and panting while her tiny toes curled from the sensation. She felt him pull back, adjusting his angle before spearing back inside of her with a short sharp thrust, hitting straight on her pleasure spot.


    "Zichen!" She choked out a sob while her husband groaned deep in response, grinding himself against her soft, round derriere, his heavy sack teasing her pleasure bud from behind as she arched her back to meet his thrusts. She wanted all of him, pulsing and dripping inside of her.


    Li Chuntao lowered her head as she felt dizzy. Her skin had a film of sweat from their lovemaking. Her hands clenched on the silky sheets beneath her as she slightly felt his weight on her back.


    Shen Zichen pulled back, thrusting back into her so hard, Li Chuntao felt her whole body lurch forward and was only held in ce by his other arm ced in front of her, caging her beneath hisrger body.


    His other hand snuck up, brushing on her side, curling his fingers around her hip as he impaled his throbbing member inside of her, wanting her to feel him buried as deep as he couldin her. His hip hit the full round cheeks of her backside. He groaned at the feeling of her tight wet velvet walls mped around his incredibly throbbing member.


    ''So fucking tight¡­''


    For Shen Zichen, it was heaven to be inside his wife. Li Chuntao had made him feel something he''d never felt with anyone else before.. He could only hope that he could hold out long enough to bring her to another climax, because he was certain that he would reach his very soon.

 Chapter 192 - R18+ Wedding Night (4)

    Shen Zichen breathed a long groan, nearly at his climax, wanting his wife to be there with him. The cadence of thrusts became harder and faster, pressing against Li Chuntao''s inner walls that she had to drop her forehead on the bedsheet as she cried out.


    "Right there, Chuntao. Come for your husband again. Come for me," he whispered into her ear, pounding intently into her body, panting his warm breath against her neck, his hand leaving her hip to fondle her breast and pinch her rosy peak.


    She was so sweet, so warm, Shen Zichen thought he wouldn''t be able to be without her. He could feel the tightening of her body, her muscles starting to spasm as she spiraled closer and closer to her climax.


    More juices flowed down his shaft, wetting his aching balls and made her inner thighs glisten as he continued to pump himself wildly in and out of her tight warm core, plundering her for all she was worth.


    At one strong thrust, Li Chuntao screamed his name, her back arching as she orgasmed beneath him. Her inner muscles rippled, milking him. Pleasure-filled liquid trickled out of her womanhood, thoroughly coating his arousal.


    She shattered around him again. Tears began to drip down her eyes from the sheer overwhelming sensation of him spearing relentlessly inside of her. Her climax seemed tost longer as Shen Zichen continued to piston his hips in short strokes that would never cease.


    Her mind felt numb as all she knew was that the pulsing member continued to ram itself inside of her with the speed and intensity that made her knees weak.


    The heavy thuds of her inner muscles against his restraining member finally let Shen Zichen know that he could release, and he finally did. He couldn''t hold back any longer. He pushed in to spill his seed deep inside her body, biting down his lower lip even though a moan of a man in ecstasy escaped his lips.


    He felt a droplet of his sweat trickle down the side of his face as heid his forehead on Li Chuntao''s shoulder, needing a few moments to catch his breath. Still, his member refused to soften and was still hard inside his wife''s lower mouth.


    In a single motion, he rocked back on his heels, sitting upright, bringing his wife with him. Li Chuntao gasped in shock as she was forced to sit up with her thighs spread around him. One hand reached up and cupped her breast and tugged her nipple, while his other hand went down towards the apex of her thighs and strummed her sensitive bud.


    Li Chuntao held unto his neck as he started to pound up into her. Her whole body bouncing up and down over his throbbing member. It was too much for her, as she just had a release not so long ago.


    "Zichen, ah! Too much!" She cried out at his fondling. He''d never done her like this before. The harsh pounding of his cock and the strumming of her clit were enough to blur her vision from the overwhelming sensation her husband was sending to her body.


    "Please, Zichen. If you don''t stop...I will.." she pleaded for mercy but her husband refused to let her go. No doubt she would be too soreter and wouldn''t be able to leave their bed for a while.


    "Ah, little more, dear. Just a little more," Shen Zichen''s lips found the crook of her neck, kissing and sucking her delicate skin.


    She sobbed his name but he wasn''t through. He kept pounding into her, his rhythm relentless, not giving her a chance to catch her breath. Another wave was about to hit her, sending her higher and higher.


    Li Chuntao was no longer in control of her body, yet she wasn''t afraid. Instead, she felt fulfilled, loved and safe in her husband''s arms. This time she didn''t need to delude herself that he loved her, because he really did.


    Unable to hold back any longer, Li Chuntao''s entire body tensed, her mouth opened as another scream ripped from her throat from the overwhelming pleasure, borderline pain hit her. She choked out a sob as another orgasm shook her entirety.


    Her feminine essence squirted and dripped down between her legs, down to her husband''s manhood as Shen Zichen followed her within seconds. It was twitching inside of her as it erupted with another release, filling her with his seed.


    Pleasure seared his senses, blocking everything around them. He wouldn''t even notice if the world crumbled down around them at that moment.


    Li Chuntao could feel him pulsating deep inside of her. Her body shuddered with all the waves of pleasure that shot through her. Both panted and gasped for breath. Shen Zichen withdrew his softened member from her body and let their mixed fluid gush from her womanhood.


    When she could finally take no more, Shen Zichen maneuvered their bodies and slipped back under the covers. Heid down next to her and held her to him, his strong arms held her securely next to him, revelling the feeling of her smooth skin against his.


    "Are you alright?" He asked as he ran his fingers through her thick mane. He was afraid that he''d taken her too rough earlier. He noticed her eyelids drooping and her heart rate slowing.


    Li Chuntao responded with a yawn. She hummed as she scooted closer to his body heat. She fit perfectly against him, her beautiful body molding to his as if she was made entirely for him.


    "I''m alright. Just tired but okay. You were incredible, dear."


    Shen Zichen smirked, his male ego swelled with pride knowing he''d pleased his wife on their wedding night. God above made his wife so beautiful in orgasm. Her face twisted with ecstasy, one that he wouldn''t get tired of seeing. She was stunning in her pleasured state, her taste stronger as her orgasm raked her body.


    Before he could respond, Li Chuntao was already snoring as she slept.


    Her breathing came slow and steady and he watched as her lips parted slowly, how her nose twitched as she pushed strands of hair away from her face. He watched his own hand run on her hair, marvelling that he was able to touch her so freely like this.


    Remembering those times when she refused to see him nor talk to him made his stomach churn with annoyance. He was too preupied with his pain and frustration that he didn''t realize he was hurting her with his absence.


    Then after their wedding, he longed to kiss her, to hold her but he withheld his urges, trying not to force himself unto her when she was clearly not ready to be intimate with him again. It was hard, but it was worth the wait. This time was much better than their previous ones.


    More than the sexual satisfaction he gained tonight, it was the sense of peace and rightness of having Li Chuntao back in his arm that loosened the knot and tension in his heart.


    He realized with sudden rity. This was what he wanted from her. She was never going to leave him again. Not now. Not ever.


    Shen Zichen watched his wife sleep in his arms. He could imagine them like this ten, twenty or fifty years from now.. There would be gray hair and lines on her face, but Li Chuntao still would be the most beautiful woman in his eyes.

 Chapter 193 - Trapped (1)

    He should be happy, but Mu Jianyu felt nothing as he held the baby girl Lin Meirong had delivered the day before in his arms. He should be ecstatic to know that finally, he had a child of his own, yet as his hand reached and touched the top of his daughter''s head, Mu Jianyu couldn''t see any feature that resembled him.


    The color of the child''s hair, as well as her eyes, didn''t match his. In fact, her facial features were more like Lin Meirong''s. The longer he looked at the baby in his arms, the more Mu Jianyu felt troubled.


    Ying''s words about the possibility of this baby not being his, resounded in his mind. Was that even possible? He wondered.


    Lin Meirong had been with other men before him and the thought of him raising another man''s child made his blood run cold. What were the chances?


    Mu Jianyu took the child with him, ncing at the woman who was sleeping to recover on the hospital bed. He brought the child to the resident pediatrician and asked for a paternity test between him and the baby in his arms.


    "Mr. Mu, are you sure about this?" The doctor asked him with astonishment. She was aware of Lin Meirong''s previous scandals, so she wasn''t surprised by Mu Jianyu''s suspicion of the paternity of this child. But for him to ask for a test as soon as his daughter was born, wasn''t it too harsh for the child?


    "Yes," Mu Jianyu said without hesitation. "I should have done this the moment she imed she was with child."


    Thinking about it, wasn''t it also around the same time that Li Xiuying started to distance herself from him and gave him a cold shoulder? His wife had given him several chances to redeem himself but he was stupid enough not to notice it.


    If Ying was right, he might not be able to control his wrath against Lin Meirong. He shut his eyes, not knowing if he should pray that this child was his or not.


    A part of him didn''t want to believe that Lin Meirong had yed him and he certainly didn''t want the child to get involved in their nasty arguments and problems.


    Because truth be told, if this baby was his, this child would be the reminder of his betrayal towards Ying. He would have to live the rest of his life knowing that he''d thrown aside the only woman he''d love for his selfish desire to have a child in an affair.


    And so, the doctor immediately took samples from him and Lin Meirong''s daughter and was advised to wait for at least a week to receive the result.


    When he came back to Lin Meirong''s room, she was still asleep, oblivious to what he''d done today. Mu Jianyu ced the sleeping child in the bass before looking outside the window overseeing the cityscapes. Heughed at the pathetic state he was in.


    He silently admitted that he missed Ying. He missed the way she smiled at him, the way her eyes curved into a smile whenever she saw something she liked as they walked around downtown in disguise. He missed everything about her and yet he could only me himself for losing her.


    Unfortunately, Ying was totally out of his reach now. She was someone else''s wife and there was no way she would ever return to him. Mu Jianyu knew this but he wasn''t ready to ept it yet. He wasn''t ready to ept that she had moved on, with another man by her side.


    He sat on the vacant seat near the window and cradled his head with both hands. He felt lost and defeated. There were times he wished that everything that had happened was just a very long nightmare and all of this would be gone once he woke up. That he would wake up and everything was back to the blissful days before he''d started his affair with Lin Meirong.


    Would he wake up with Ying still lying next to him? Was it even possible to go back to what they were before?


    However, Mu Jianyu knew that no matter how hard he prayed to all deities, he can never have Ying back in his arms. She had been avoiding him like he was some kind of anathema to her. He couldn''t me her though. He was the one who turned his back on her in the first ce.


    Lin Meirong stilled in her sleep and cracked an eye only to see Mu Jianyu groveling instead of rejoicing for the child she''d just given birth to. He didn''t look like a father who was excited to pamper his newborn child.


    Was he aware that her daughter wasn''t his? She wondered. She''d tried to avoid talking about it with him.


    Her gaze then shifted to the sleeping baby in the bass near her. Her daughter had mostly inherited her features that it was almost impossible to suspect who fathered her child.


    Lin Meirong was dumb. She knew that she had already lost Mu Jianyu''s favor even if she had this child to use as a bargaining chip. She wondered if they should part ways and if she should just give up the custody of her baby to him.


    She''d already lost her chances to pursue her career in acting. It would be hard to make aeback, considering that Li Xiuying was backing up Lan Jinyao now. She had no doubt that Li Xiuying was the one responsible for ruining her reputation in public.


    She was really getting tired of this facade. The thrill of having an affair with a married man had finally dissipated. What was left between them were neverending arguments over small and petty matters.


    Lin Meirong couldn''t even remember the reason for their recent fight, the one they had just before she was about to give birth. They had been on each other''s neck ever since Mu Jianyu''s divorce with his wife finally settled. Had she known this would happen, she wouldn''t have continued her pregnancy and would have opted for an abortion earlier.


    They were drifting apart from each other, this she was aware of. After having an affair with Mu Jianyu and losing everything she gained throughout the past years, she realized that he wasn''t worth the trouble.


    When the lust and thrill subsided, there was no reason for her to remain attached to her lover. Lin Meirong had always stuck to this rule she imposed on herself. It was time for her to part with Mu Jianyu.


    Who knows that maybe by leaving him, her life would start to get better, simply by getting rid of him and the baby from her life. This wasn''t the first time she was abandoning her child anyway. Thinking about it, Lin Meirong wondered where her husband and her son went after leaving the remote vige.


    Lin Meirong considered her options. Maybe she should leave the capital and find other opportunities, away from Li Xiuying''s prying eyes. For as long as she stays near, that ''fake angel'' wouldn''t waste any chance to pick another fight with her.


    Now that Li Xiuying was married to the Young Master of the Shen family, it would also mean that she would have a hard time getting even with her. She had no idea where Yao Qigang had gone for the past two months and wondered if she should cut off her ties with him, just in case he decided to sell her out to the Li family.


    What happened to him anyway? It wasn''t usual for him to go away unnoticed, given that he''d been harping over the money Mu Jianyu was spending on her.


    Yao Qigang never thought that there would be a day that he would be hunted. Damn Lin Meirong. He couldn''t think of anything else that would ce him in this predicament except for that dumb woman. He just can''t stand people who keep obstructing his peace and pot of gold.


    At first, he thought that he was just being paranoid about being stalked as he wandered around the capital.


    As soon as he was done with work, he immediately left the set and went to the parking space to get into his car. However, as soon as he buckled up, a sudden shiver ran down his spine, as if someone had been watching his every movement from afar.


    He stilled for a moment before shrugging it off. There must be something wrong with the heater of his car. The darkness of the night also added to the unnerving feeling that someone was watching him.


    Before he ignited the engine, Yao Qigang looked around, making sure that he wasn''t being followed. As soon as his car left the parking area, a man stepped out from the dark following him with his gaze.


    The man''s breath made a thick fog in front of him before he decided to leave the ce as per Li Chuntao''s instruction. He didn''t need to follow Yao Qigang right now because his purpose had already been met. He only needed to condition the director''s mind; to make him think that he was being watched, making him wary of the people around him.


    He pulled his phone and dialed a number. His call was answered on the third ring.


    "Miss, he fell for it." He said without waiting for the other party to say a word.


    "Continue. Just don''t let him see you."


    Since Yao Qigang was the one who caused her twin sister''s death, Li Chuntao nned to prolong his agony and mental torture. Her goal was simple; to drive him insane. She would let him experience the helplessness Ying suffered in herst moments.


    The next day remained the same. Director Yao had to stop several times throughout the filming to look around, feeling someone''s eyes on him. This time his instinct was screaming at him, telling him that he was being followed.


    "Director Yao, are you alright? The set is ready." One of the film staff called his attention, breaking his trance.


    He blinked twice, pushing the thoughts away from his mind. This wasn''t the right time to overthink. After waiting for so long, he finally managed to get a filming project and he wouldn''t want anyone to mess up his chances.


    It was just too bad that he willingly stepped into Li Chuntao''s trap without him noticing it. From the moment he signed the contract up to his scheduling, the witch had alreadyid a path for him to follow.


    Unbeknownst to Yao Qigang, this was just the start of his agony.


    It continued for almost a month, until Yao Qigang started to have hallucinations and was paranoid over being watched. He started to easily get agitated, flinching whenever someone tapped his shoulder to get his attention. Yao Qigang was sure he was being stalked but he couldn''t voice out his fears, for he didn''t want any unwanted attention on himself.


    For the umpteenth time of the day, Yao Qigang turned around to see if someone was following him but there was none. It was already past midnight when the filming crew decided that they were done for the day and he was one of thest people who left the set.


    "Who''s there?" He called out but only silence answered him.


    Yao Qigang started to doubt if he was overthinking or if he was just being paranoid.


    This was one of the rare times he was reminded of the saying ''There''s no rest for the wicked''. He knew he''d done something wrong and his peace was easily shattered the moment the news of Li Xiuying''s recovery reached him.


    Was it those people he hired to kill Li Xiuying or was it Li Xiuying herself? The news about her recovering her lost memories had sent rming gs to his mind.


    If there was a hint of suspicion about her ident, shouldn''t Li Xiuying turn her attention to her cheating husband and Lin Meirong? So why did he feel like he was the one being hunted by the Li family? This was why he avoidedmunicating with that woman for the past weeks, hoping that he wouldn''t get dragged into the problem if Li Xiuying was really investigating the ident she was in.


    "Lin Meirong, you bitch! This is all your fault!"


    But he was confident that he had already removed the traces that would indicate his involvement. There shouldn''t be a chance that the Li family woulde sniffing back at him right now. He already paid a hefty price for it.


    He couldn''te clean to the Li family, though he did consider it.. What was he supposed to say anyway? That he used his connections within the undergroundmunity to kill their Li princess? He would be shooting his own foot by approaching the Li family.

 Chapter 194 - Trapped (2)

    The result of the test took longer than expected, and once it finally came out, the devastating truth was enough to leave Mu Jianyu breathless. As he held the test result in his hand, he wasn''t even aware of how his whole body trembled with rage the more he stared at it.


    Three days after Lin Meirong gave birth, she signed away her rights and let him take custody of her daughter. Mu Jianyu had no idea where she was and where she went, but right now, he was itching to strangle her to death for her impertinence.


    How dare she? After all that he''d done and gave up for her, she dared to trick him?!


    The baby in the crib wailed, attempting to get his attention. She probably woke up from her nap, in need of another round of feeding, unaware of her biological mother abandoning her to her former lover.


    Was she crying out of hunger or did she know all along that she was abandoned like a lost kitten?


    Mu Jianyu broke from his trance and left the test result on the bed and took time to prepare the bottle for the child that wasn''t his. His blood was boiling with anger, yet he knew that he couldn''t take it out on the innocent child who had nothing to do with her mother''s sin.


    He took the child, whom he named Mu Jingyi from her crib and bottle fed her. He couldn''t help butugh at his own stupidity. No wonder Ying didn''t want him anymore. He was such a stupid man who let a slut lead his nose.


    It made sense why Li Xiuying lost her trust in him because of Lin Meirong. He''d allowed himself to be yed and be fooled by her. He should have known that Lin Meirong was bad news, not only to him but to his wife as well. Maybe it was his punishment for choosing the slut over his wife who loved him despite his imperfections.


    Ying had neverined about what he could give and provide for her. She had never bragged about how much money she made and had constantlypromised on everything regarding him and their life together.


    It was his ipetence and swollen ego that made him lose focus on what was important in front of him. He''d also neglected her needs for a long time and sought another woman''spany.


    But she loved him nevertheless, although he knew she was on an entirely different ne of existencepared to him. His mother was a public school teacher and growing up, Mu Jianyu was aware that they weren''t rolling in cash and never had a lot. It was one of the reasons why he hated being poor.


    When he met and fell in love with Li Xiuying, his drive to prove that he could be more than he was had practically shot his motivation into overdrive.


    "Ying left me and doesn''t want me anymore. Your mother¡­ your mother also doesn''t want to have anything to do with you." He murmured as the baby in his arms sucked the silicon nipple of her bottle, her arms blindly swishing in the air as if she wanted tofort him.


    Mu Jianyu felt pathetic and helpless at the same time.


    "Guess we only have each other now," he muttered.


    His mother, Song Xiangrong was still in a medic after she tried stabbing herself in her chest when her caretaker wasn''t looking. He couldn''t understand why she lost her mind and what had triggered it.


    Thest time he''d seen her and talked to her while she was still sane was when he''d brought Ying with him for a visit. He had no idea what transpired between his mother and ex-wife but he couldn''t convince himself that his innocent wife was the reason for his mother''s sudden change.


    After Ying divorced him and married Shen Zichen, he truly felt alone for the first time. She truly distanced herself from him and avoided him like a gue. Of course, it hurt him but he couldn''t put the me entirely on her.


    If she was the one who cheated in their marriage, Mu Jianyu was pretty sure he would throw a fit and curse her to the heavens. God, she must really hate him right now, or worse, she might not even care about him anymore.


    People tend to think that hate was the opposite of love, but it''s actually indifference. He must have sessfully killed the love she had for him for her to treat him like this. He''d taken her for granted and med her for the sins hemitted.


    Why would she want him back in her life after all the nasty things he''d done to her? He was the one who sentenced their marriage to its bitter end when he asked for divorce.


    He''d been a total bastard to her and he knew now that there was nothing he could do to change her mind about him. Why would she if Shen Zichen could give her everything she wanted in a heartbeat? He had nothing to give anymore, as he had already hit rock bottom.


    Mu Jianyu saw how the gossip and news portrayed them as a loving couple. The articles clearly mocking him in a subtle way; saying that their married years was just a bad chapter in Li Xiuying''s life and deemed Shen Zichen as her true love.


    Money and recognition. Why would people sympathize with him when he had nothing to be proud of? His past achievements were easily forgotten because of a grave mistake hemitted against his wife.


    A man like him would never know what he had until it''s gone.


    "Don''t forget. You are the one who asked for it," Li Xiuying''s words resounded in his head.


    Ha! He couldn''t really me anyone but himself. Ying had known from the start that he wasmitting the biggest mistake in his life and she was fucking right.


    "Ying, please." He begged her when she gave him the ultimatum, demanding for divorce, a demand he cannot deny. "Please don''t do this to me."


    "Do what? I''ll do what I want. It doesn''t concern you anymore," Ying bit out harshly.


    "Please, Ying. I love you so much!"


    "Then why the fuck did you impregnate her?" This was one of the rare times he''d heard her curse, "Go to her, Mu Jianyu. I''m giving you to her, because I can''t pretend that none of this happened."


    She hadughed at him. The kind ofugh that told him he wasn''t worth her time.


    "I think I''ve wasted my peak years with you and that''s enough. I''ve also given you several chances to redeem yourself but you didn''t. You probably thought that you could screw me over one more time after my ident, lie to me, and make mee back. Well, not this time. I''m moving on with my life, I suggest you do the same, and please don''t ever contact me again."


    Ying didn''t say goodbye. He wasn''t even worth it. He was the one who put himself in theplicated and miserable web of lies and deceit he had woven around himself. She was truly sick of him.


    The past months that followed after their divorce hadn''t been easy for Mu Jianyu. With Lin Meirong always breathing against his neck, constantly nagging andining about what and what''s not almost drove him insane.


    He had also attempted to call and reach out to Ying, begging and pleading for a chance to make it up to her, but she kept her ground and blocked all possible avenues he could use to contact her.


    The baby in his arms stopped sucking her milk and fell asleep, unaware of her awkward living set up after Lin Meirong abandoned her. She was so young, so tiny but she was already casted aside by the woman who''d given birth to her.


    Thinking about her, Mu Jianyu couldn''t remember anything about her past living situation beforeing to the capital to pursue her career in acting. He realised that Lin Meirong had never told him where she came from.


    Then again, she could be faking everything about herself and he''d been a total idiot to believe her lies.


    Mu Jianyu ced the child back in her crib and let her sleep a little more. He wondered who fathered the girl and who was the man Lin Meirong had been seeing behind his back during their affair.


    Given the estimated time of the conception of her daughter, he was pretty sure it was around the same time that the Li Corporation had sent him on several business trips. She might have snuck out and met whoever the man was and taken advantage of his idiocy.


    The Li family might have known about the affair the moment it started. It was frightening how easily a piece of news, no matter how discreet, could easily reach their ears.


    If they had known about his affair, did it mean they also knew who Lin Meirong really was and where she came from?

 Chapter 195 - Nothings Worth Losing Ying (1)

    Lin Meirong wasn''t sure if her fatigue was just an after-effect of her pregnancy andbor. A month after she gave birth to her daughter, she had left the capital to start a new life in a smaller city within the country, she went as far as altering her looks for people not to recognize her.


    What Li Xiuying had done hadpletely blocked her chances of aeback, so she had to resort to moving away, away from those attacks targeting her.


    However, ever since she gave birth, she noticed that her health was starting to deteriorate. She couldn''t keep down the meals she''d eaten and was starting to rapidly lose weight. At first, she attributed it to her postpartum condition, but when it persisted, Lin Meirong started to wonder if there was something wrong with her.


    Waiting for her turn at the localmunity hospital near her new ce, Lin Meirong looked around and covered half of her face using a scarf around her neck. She wasn''t sure what to expect right now.


    She couldn''t keep her part-time jobs as she kept on fainting at work. It also didn''t help that Mu Jianyu had also cut off all the financial support she was receiving from the moment she signed away the custody of her daughter.


    Now, she was just waiting for the results of theb tests that she underwent earlier. She struggled to getfortable but gave up on trying when it was obvious that whatever painkiller she''d taken earlier wasn''t strong enough to ease the pain on her stomach.


    "Miss Lin?"


    Lin Meirong snapped out of her thoughts and stood up, following the nurse to the consultation room. She realized then that she''d been going to the hospital more since she got pregnant.


    The doctor looked perplexed and Lin Meirong''s worries increased. She had a bad feeling about this. Her heart rate picked up as she stared at the doctor with unease.


    "Please, doctor. What is it?" She asked.


    "Miss Lin, we picked something up that doesn''t quite make sense." The doctor paused, her jaws hardening as she looked at Lin Meirong. "You''ll need to go for scans."


    Lin Meirong frowned. This didn''t make sense to her at all.


    "Scans? Scans for what?"


    "We''re still notpletely sure yet Miss Lin, but please allow us to do our job and we''ll try our best to get the right answers for you."


    Lin Meirong nodded and let the nurse help her sit in a wheelchair before she was wheeled to the next building. When they entered the building, a cold shiver ran down her spine as she read thebel of the department she was wheeled into.


    Oncology.


    The realization of what could be wrong with her washed through her as tidal waves and tears flowed from her eyes. She couldn''t believe that fate would fuck her life like this.


    ''No, please, not this. Anything but this.'' She cried to herself.


    This wasn''t the first time she''d seen an oncologist. Her mother had died because of cancer a week before she''d gotten married.


    "Miss Lin?" The nurse who apanied her looked at her with pity.


    "Please tell me what''s happening!" Lin Meirong demanded but from the look the nurse was giving her, she could more or less guess what it was.


    The nurse chewed her lower lip and sighed.


    "I''m not sure either Miss Lin, but there was something wrong with the blood test that came in today." The woman said as they waited for another round of tests to get started.


    Lin Meirong nodded and shut her eyes, tears streaming down her face. She didn''t have to go through this fucking test to know that she was about to be diagnosed with the same illness that killed her mother.


    Her mother died from it and now it was going to take her life too. What would she do now? Her thoughts stilled as she remembered the daughter she left in Mu Jianyu''s care. What if the child had the same illness?


    She''d known something was not right when she kept fainting and feeling dizzy. She should''ve insisted on getting tested for everything before moving out of the capital. With her funds dwindling each passing day, Lin Meirong wasn''t sure if she would be able to pay for her treatments.


    She closed her eyes as the oncologist worked on her. The doctor was silent, there was no conversation nor emotion shown on her face, but Lin Meirong''s mind was quite the opposite. So many thoughts crossed her mind.


    She remembered the suffering her mother endured before cancer finally took her life. Her mother fought so hard, but in the end, she still lost her life in that battle. She was warned that she might have inherited it and was asked to get tested, which she did. The result came out as negative and she remembered letting out a sigh of relief back then.


    However, this time, Lin Meirong knew that it wouldn''t be the same as before.


    Only when the doctor tapped on her shoulder, did she realize that her sight was blurred by tears.


    "Please tell me the truth," she demanded from the doctor.


    "We found something in your kidney and spleen. We need to do a biopsy to see what it is."


    Lin Meirong shut her eyes and nodded. Maybe this was her karma for all the devious things she''d done in her life. In her mind, she was sure as hell that this was her punishment.


    She could imagine herself in a casket, then remembered that she had no one to rely on, forcing her to face this problem on her own. Only time would tell how this would end for her. She had no one to call for help, nor anyone to apany her.


    For the first time in her life, she started to regret her past decisions.


    Was this her punishment for abandoning her children and ruining other people''s marriage?Before, the thought of regretting her affairs never crossed her mind. She initially believed that if those men truly loved their wives and lovers, they would have resisted the thrill of having an affair with her.


    The next time she woke up, Lin Meirong found herself on a hospital bed, just in time to see the doctor and two nurses entering her room.


    "Miss Lin, how do you feel?" The oncologist asked as she flipped the patient''s chart.


    "Horrible." She started to sob pitifully. "So how bad is it?"


    The doctor gave her a weak smile and took a deep breath. Her eyes had pity on it.


    "Miss Lin¡­"


    She wasn''t able to say the diagnosis? "Do I have any options?" Lin Meirong asked. From the look on the doctor''s face, she knew she had cancer.


    "The cancer has progressed rapidly and at an rming rate. I''m not sure why your obstetrician failed to notice it during your pregnancy, but it most likely started when your hormones went overdrive during gestation period."


    Lin Meirong remained silent. So she would have a chance to survive if she''d found out earlier. However, wouldn''t that also mean she should have to abort her daughter so she could undergo chemotherapy?


    Suddenly, she found it hard to breath. The cancer was already spreading, meaning that she had had this for some time now and she wasn''t aware of it. How the fuck didn''t she know?


    If she had terminated her pregnancy earlier, she wouldn''t have been in this situation.

 Chapter 196 - Nothings Worth Losing Ying (2)

    Li Chuntao opened her eyes, but there was no need to rush out of bed. Today was her day off as well as her and Ying''s twenty-eight birthday. For the first time in her life, she was going to celebrate her birthday truly alone, not even a wish from her twin anymore.


    ''Ying, why did you have to leave me so soon?''


    She stretchedzily and got out of bed, shuffling over the calendar on the bedside table, mentally counting the days since her twin sister departed from this world. Her heart nearly broke just thinking of the old days they''de together to celebrate their birthdays.


    She yearned to hear Ying''s voice again. To hear herugh, to see her smile, but Li Chuntao knew that she could only see it to the previous recordings her twin sister left for her.


    Taking her phone to see if she received mails, she read a short message from Shen Zichen reminding her not to skip breakfast and not to worry about the birthday partyter as her Auntie Yue had taken over the preparations and she only needed to rest for now.


    She sent him a good morning voicemail and let him know that she intends to rx today after weeks of being drowned with paperwork.


    After a quick shower, she threw on a pair of denim jeans and a white shirt. It was almost seven in the morning, meaning her husband had left before the sun rose, again.


    If it wasn''t for meeting the private investigatorter, Li Chuntao would''ve stayed in bed today. Lucky for her, Shen Zichen prepared her breakfast ahead so she wouldn''t have to waste time preparing her meal.


    Satisfied with her meal, Li Chuntao grabbed her keys and phone, calling Su Ling''s number telling him to wait at the parking space. After locking the door behind her, she checked for Shen Zichen''s reply but there was none. He might still be in that major surgery he was invited to scrub in.


    She and Su Ling went to the small coffee shop near Shen Zichen''s ce. It was far too expensive, but it was to Li Chuntao''s liking. A table had already been reserved for her so she wouldn''t have to wait in line.


    The brew was good, although the decor of the ce wasn''t to her liking. It pained her slightly to be in the ce. The dark wooden walls didn''t go well with the leather seats.


    The white gold and diamond watch on her wrist told her that she was ten minutes early for the meeting, nevertheless, she took this time to sort out her ns.


    Barely ten minutester, the private investigator walked in. Despite being in histe fifties, the man aged well. His body was still fit underneath his gray suit and his hair barely had any silver streaks on it.


    He paused and looked around for her. When he saw her, Li Chuntao raised a manicured hand in greeting. She noticed his leather shoes were actually shinier than the polished hardwood floor of the cafe.


    "Miss Li," he paused as if he remembered something. "Madam Shen, have you been waiting long?" He asked. The public was still specting if she truly married Shen Zichen but for someone like him, it was easy to tell the truth from the rumors.


    Li Chuntao hid her smile behind her cup before cing it down the saucer with a clunk.


    "No, I just arrived a little earlier. Please take a seat," she gestured across her.


    The man pushed a man envelope towards her, catching her attention. Li Chuntao eyed it for a moment before ncing back to his face. Without further ado, she opened it and checked the contents.


    Inside, there were several pictures of Lin Meirong and Yao Qigang, dated months before Ying''s ident. It also showed the money transactions that went through Yao Qigang. The trail ended with a withdrawal outside the capital.


    "You did well," she finally said as she returned the contents into the envelope. "Where is she now?"


    "Three cities outside the capital. One of my people spotted her going to a local hospital and got herself admitted." The man informed her.


    Li Chuntao kept her silence and let him continue.


    "It seems like she has cancer. After her biopsy, she was confined at the hospital and hasn''t been discharged until now."


    "A cancer, huh," Li Chuntao rubbed her chin as she gave it a thought. How befitting as a punishment for the woman who killed her twin sister. If this was the way the heavens wanted to tell her not to taint her hands for revenge, then she''ll just wait and see how Lin Meirong''s fate would turnter.


    "How bad is it?" She inquired. She had been cking off with her revenge nstely, but she never thought that Lin Meirong would be unfortunate to suffer like this.


    "ording to her medical chart, it is bad. The cancer cells have metastasized to her internal organs at an rming rate. Her recent pregnancy might have triggered it."


    Li Chuntao hummed. If the cancer cells had already metastasized, that could also mean that Lin Meirong would be up for a much greater painter.


    If the pain is from the cancer itself, it can be from the cancer growing into or destroying Lin Meirong''s nearby tissue. As a tumor grows, it can press on nerves, bones or organs. The tumor can also release chemicals that can cause pain to her.


    She wasn''t a person who wishes harm to others, but this time, Li Chuntao couldn''t help but think that Lin Meirong''s karma just bit her hard in the ass. Ying''s life would never return no matter how Lin Meirong tried to regret and repent for her sins.


    Remembering thest moments Ying had suffered before her untimely death still made Li Chuntao''s blood boil with rage. Whatever suffering Lin Meirong had to faceter would never be enough.


    Noticing the sudden coldness in her eyes, the man sitting across her cleared his throat to get her attention.


    "Sorry, I spaced out," Li Chuntao apologized.


    This sudden turn of events had caught her off guard. Tonight, she was about to push Yao Qigang to insanity and haven''t given a thought on how she would deal with Lin Meirong.


    Li Chuntao took a sip of her coffee, processing this new information. She kept the thought to herself and wondered if she should discuss this with her husbandter. Shen Zichen would certainly want to hear the details.


    "Did the doctor say how much time she has left?" She folded her arms. Lin Meirong might die anytime soon.


    The man shook his head, wondering what Li Chuntao could be thinking right now. It seemed that she was determined to spite the other woman no matter where Lin Meirong went.


    "No. Do we still need to keep an eye on her?" He asked. If Lin Meirong was really dying, then what''s the point of following her around? It would only take some time before she sumbed to death and Li Chuntao didn''t need to do anything.


    After thanking and exchanging some words with the private investigator, Li Chuntao left the cafe with Su Ling, but before she could slip inside the backseat of her car, Su Ling''s words made her still.


    "Miss Chuntao, Hou Chen called earlier. She wants me to tell you that Song Zexi finally woke up."


    Her gaze sharpened. Since the car ident, Song Zexi, Ying''s personal bodyguard had slipped into aa.. None of them had thought that she would be able to wake up until now.

 Chapter 197 - New Beginnings (1)

    When Li Chuntao arrived at the hospital where Song Zexi was confined, she was informed that the patient was already moved from the ICU to a private room. Her visit was strictly private and Su Ling did a good job of keeping the media out of sight, just in case they suspect her identity as Li Xiuying to be false.


    The scent of the disinfectant used to clean the hallway reached her nose. For a moment, Li Chuntao scrunched her nose and held her breath. She''d been working in a hospital before she came back here, but still, the strong scent of disinfectant and bleach were enough to irritate her nose.


    Su Ling opened the door to Song Zexi''s ward. The woman''s eyes widened upon seeing Li Chuntao and she forced herself to sit up from her lying position.


    "Miss Ying!" Song Zexi''s eyes were brimming with tears upon seeing Li Chuntao. "You''re finally here!" She said excitedly. It felt like forever since thest time she''d seen her miss and she was d to know that Li Xiuying was alive and well.


    Li Chuntao frowned and cast a nce at Su Ling who only shook his head in response, wordlessly answering her unspoken question. It was still hard for them to talk about Li Xiuying''s death although it had already been months since she left the world of the living.


    Song Zexi had no idea that Li Xiuying was already dead. She''d mistakenly taken Li Chuntao as her Miss Ying. Not that Li Chuntao and Su Ling could me her. She was just not aware of Ying''s passing, yet.


    "I was nervous when they won''t let me see you, Miss Ying. I''m d that you''re alright." She let out a sigh of relief when Li Chuntao took a seat next to her bed.


    "Miss Song, I think you are mistaken here¡­" Li Chuntao replied with her no-nonsense voice that shocked Song Zexi. She''d already expected this to happen, knowing that Song Zexi was yet to be informed of Ying''s death.


    Song Zexi stared at Li Chuntao''s face for a moment, as if she''d seen a ghost. What was this supposed to mean? Why did Miss Chuntao show up and not her Miss Ying? She couldn''t understand anything.


    Wasn''t Miss Chuntao waiting for them to arrive abroad? Shouldn''t she be there, working in her hospital?


    "I¡­ Miss Chuntao, where''s Miss Ying?" Song Zexi had a bad feeling about this.


    First, Hou Chen and Su Ling tried to ignore her questions about Li Xiuying''s whereabouts and now Miss Chuntao suddenly showed up as her visitor when she was expecting the older twin to see her.


    "Miss Song¡­ Ying¡­" Li Chuntao paused for a moment to see Song Zexi''s perplexed reaction. "My sister. She didn''t make it."


    At those words, Song Zexi burst into tears and cried pitifully on her hospital bed. She had no idea that Li Xiuying had ced her own safety in line just to save her. Her memories about the incident were still blurred, yet she couldn''t forget Li Xiuying and she was the first person whom she asked for when she woke up.


    How could this possibly happen to her Miss Ying?! This wasn''t fair at all! She should be the one who died in that ident and not Li Xiuying! This wasn''t supposed to happen to her Miss Ying.


    Only her pitiful wailing could be heard inside the room. Li Chuntao and Su Ling had remained silent. For the two of them, it felt like reliving thest moments of Li Xiuying''s death. Months had passed, but for Li Chuntao, it still felt like it was only yesterday when Ying was calling her toin about her mundane life.


    Song Zexi couldn''t believe that her Miss Ying risked her life to save her. It should be the other way around. What was the point of her staying by Li Xiuying''s side if she wasn''t able to protect her from harm?


    "That day, were you aware that Ying and you were being followed?" Li Chuntao''s question came unexpectedly after Song Zexi calmed herself down.


    Song Zexi looked at Li Chuntao''s face, thinking how hard it was for a normal person not to mistake the Li twins for their uncanny resemnce to each other.


    "Miss Chuntao¡­" Of course, she understood the implication of Li Chuntao''s words, but how can she and Su Ling overlook such a scheme against their Miss Ying?


    "Su Ling will update you for the details. Miss Song, I need you to fully recover. I''ll need your help to seek justice for my sister''s death." Li Chuntao shut her eyes and clenched her fists on herp.


    To seek justice for her and Miss Ying? Song Zexi dried her tears and pressed her lips into a thin line. Li Chuntao''s face remained impassive, but there was a hint of sadness in her eyes that Song Zexi noticed.


    Seeing her like this, Song Zexi felt the rage in her chest surged in her veins. Her Miss Chuntao was indeed cold and indifferent, but that didn''t mean that she was invincible to the pain of losing her twin sister.


    Who hadn''t heard about their parents'' passing from a car ident? The Li twins only had each other, but fate was too cruel to Li Chuntao and took away her older twin as well.


    Exactly who was brave enough to scheme against Li Xiuying? She was a Li, and yet someone managed to sneak under their nose and harmed her?


    Song Zexi lowered her head in shame and couldn''t stop the tears that fell down her face. Her fists clenching the nket tightly on herp as she felt guilt and helplessness washed over her at the same time.


    Guilt; at the thought that she might be one of the reasons why Li Xiuying sustained injuries when they fell into the raging river below the bridge. She was aware that her Miss Ying wasn''t a good swimmer. Helplessness; because if she could turn back time, she would rather die that instant than let her Miss Ying suffer.


    Song Zexi made up her mind. No matter how hard it would be for her to help Li Chuntao, as long as they could get the justice Li Xiuying deserved, Song Zexi would ept any of it.


    "Yes, Miss. I''ll do my best and return to your side as soon as possible." Her eyes stung with tears as she looked at Li Chuntao''s impassive face. There''s nothing else she could do now to repay Miss Ying''s kindness except helping the younger twin, who was left alone in this world.


    Just because Miss Chuntao didn''tin about the pain, doesn''t mean she didn''t feel it. Her pride wouldn''t let her show her true emotions, but Song Zexi knew¡­ she knew how her Miss Chuntao must be devastated by her twin sister''s death.


    She couldn''t imagine how painful it was for Li Chuntao, for someone who''d lost her whole family in a car ident. And now that Li Xiuying is dead, it must be more difficult for Li Chuntao than ever.


    "Great! Then I''ll let Su Ling update youter with what''s happening. I expect your full recovery soon.." Li Chuntao stood up and gave her a nce before leaving the room with Su Ling.

 Chapter 198 - New Beginnings (2)

    In a blink of an eye, three weeks had already passed. Shen Zichen and Li Chuntao arrived at the Li Mansion just in time to meet the guests. Several prominent personalities from the entertainment industry and business circle came to celebrate ''Li Xiuying''''s birthday, forgetting about the existence of the other twin who was living abroad.


    Cameras shed towards them, blinding Li Chuntao''s eyes. Today was her birthday, yet she didn''t feel like celebrating it. For the past seven years, she celebrated it alone in a foreignnd with only phone calls being shared between her and her twin sister.


    Now, being back, Li Chuntao didn''t want to do anything but return home with her husband. As if sensing her distress, Shen Zichen gave her hand a squeeze as they walked away from the ballroom where the party was being held.


    "Are you alright?" He whispered to her ear, while greeting one of the guests that they met in the hallway leading to the private garden of the Li Mansion.


    Li Chuntao hummed but didn''t say anything. When they reached the garden, she shivered slightly from the cold night breeze. She was wearing a red dress that reached up to her knees. The bodice hugged her torso in a nice fit.


    Shen Zichen removed his coat and ced it over her shoulder as she took a seat on the nearest bench.


    "I miss Ying," she confessed to her husband, after confirming that they were out of everyone''s earshot. Her eyes gleamed with tears as she realized she would have to celebrate all her birthdays alone from now on.


    Shen Zichen''s eyes softened and he held his wife closely. He''d noticed that ever since they got married, Li Chuntao rarely talked about her older twin. Not that he doubted that Chuntao had already forgotten about Ying.


    "I know, but you''ll need to bear it for the meantime. Though I still don''t understand why you invited Yao Qigang tonight." Shen Zichen looked around, trying to see if someone was eavesdropping their conversation.


    He was aware of the ns she''d been cooking up these past weeks that were rted to that man. Up until now, Shen Zichen couldn''t believe that Yao Qigang and Lin Meirong were able to kill Li Xiuying under those circumstances. It was stupid and irrational, but a woman''s wicked heart surely can do impossible things when she''s cornered.


    "I need him here. After weeks of mental torture, I''d like to see how much longer he can pretend that he did nothing to Ying."


    ording to Su Ling''s reports, Yao Qigang had started to show signs of being paranoidtely. A little disturbance in his peace was enough for him to be guarded against the people around him.


    Because ''Li Xiuying'' had finally recovered her lost memories, he must be on the edge about the ident he plotted to kill her. Li Xiuying was everywhere and wherever he looked, there was always something to remind Yao Qigang that he was being hunted.


    Since it was like this, how can she waste such an opportunity to push Yao Qigang on the edge?


    "Should we go back? They must be looking for the birthday girl." Shen Zichen reached one hand and took a flower before cing it on Li Chuntao''s hand.


    "Plumeria in this season? I shouldmend Auntie Yue''s ability." Li Chuntao let out a lowugh as she remembered what plumeria symbolized.


    New beginnings.


    She couldn''t help but wonder if this was also what Ying would wish for her. Ying was someone who was filled with kindness in her heart, but because of it, she also lost her life. Li Chuntao sighed softly, feeling her long tresses fluttered along the breeze.


    ''New beginnings, huh?'' She thought. Knowing that karma had truly hit Lin Meirong hard with her cancer, she felt that maybe a new beginning once her revenge is over doesn''t sound so bad after all.


    Lin Meirong''s time was now limited in this world. Li Chuntao couldn''t help but pity those children Lin Meirong had. However, it was actually a good thing that the woman chose to abandon her children for their own good.


    Meng Huan and his sister had moved to the same city where Lin Meirong was residing, starting a better life without her. Li Chuntao had helped him open a small business downtown, so he could work while looking after his son. Meanwhile, Meng Lan had managed to return to her previous profession as a nurse at their localmunity hospital.


    Li Chuntao chuckled. The possibility of Lin Meirong meeting the Meng siblings was quite high. Seeing the kind of life her estranged husband led now, would Lin Meirong regret leaving Meng Huan?


    Shen Zichen''s eyes softened at the sight of his wife''s smile. While he knew that it only meant misfortune for other people, he didn''t care one bit, as long as she was happy and content. Lately, it seemed like revenge was starting to lose its hold on Li Chuntao''s drive to continue living. Although her revenge ns were still ongoing, the emptiness in her eyes was starting to be reced with a light sparkle.


    "Happy birthday, dear," Shen Zichen murmured. Li Chuntao felt his hand tilting her head gently before a pair of firm lips covered hers, the surprise on her face slowly rxing as she returned his kiss.


    There were still times when she still couldn''t believe that he loved her and married her. It hurt her to think that while Ying had done good in her life, she wouldn''t have Shen Zichen if her twin sister had not passed on and caused her whole family so much grief and pain.


    It was bittersweet to have Shen Zichen back in her life, for eternity, and she hated that she had to lose Ying first before she was able to sort her feelings for him.


    Shen Zichen released her lips and noticed the distraught on her face.


    "What''s wrong?" He asked, his fingers reaching to run over her smooth cheek.


    Li Chuntao looked away, a little ashamed that he''d caught her at one of her weakest points.


    "Nothing.., it just got me thinking.."


    "About?" He pressed, his eyes looking down at her face intently.


    "About how I''m taking advantage of Ying''s death," Li Chuntao admitted in shame.


    At her words, Shen Zichen''s eyes dramatically widened in shock.


    "What?" Shen Zichen whispered with concern in his voice, his eyes trying to meet hers. "Chuntao¡­"


    "I''m here, with you," Li Chuntao''s eyes turned misty as she chewed her lower lip. "I have you, your affections, but Ying has lost everything, including her life."


    Shen Zichen froze, his mouth slightly agape while Li Chuntao tried to rein her emotions in control.


    "It''s because she''s no longer here that I have you¡­ dare to say that good things came my way after her death." She whispered. "Can''t you see that I''m the one who''s benefiting from it?"


    Shen Zichen remained silent for a while, watching his wife shut her eyes to hide her disappointment in herself.


    "Tell me, are you d that she''s dead?" He breathed out his question.


    "God, Zichen! No! Of course not! I would never wish any harm to befall my sister."


    "Then did you wish she had died?" He pressed on, which made Li Chuntao realize the absurdity of this conversation.


    "Never." She shook her head. "I wish more than anything that she is here with us."


    "Then how can you say you''re benefiting from her death?" Shen Zichen asked, "Ying¡­ more than anyone would wish you to be happy even if she''s gone. You and I didn''t want to be in this situation and I know that Ying wouldn''t want to see you suffer because of her. What''s happened, happened. Don''t me yourself, Chuntao.. It''s not your fault."

 Chapter 199 - Not To Become A Demon (1)

    "None of us expected her to go so soon. Chuntao, why do you hurt yourself like this?" Shen Zichen questioned her. He''d never thought that Li Chuntao was having thoughts like this.


    Li Chuntao lowered her head refusing to meet his gaze. How could she exin this to him? It was only because of Ying that she had him back in her life. If anything, she wished that she and Shen Zichen had reconciled under different circumstances; one which didn''t involve her twin sister''s death.


    She didn''t think she deserved the happiness she had right now, not when those people who caused Ying''s death were still around.


    "Do I even deserve all of this?" She covered her face with both hands and sobbed.


    Shen Zichen then realized that because Li Chuntao was the surviving twin, her guilt stemmed from the fact that she continued to live while her twin had passed on. Li Chuntao felt guilty for being alive.


    ording to some studies, the loss of a twin could hurt longer and more intensely than the loss of nearly anyone else. When one twin dies, the remaining one often experiences profound survivor''s guilt. They also experience problems with other intimate rtionships.


    Today was one example, it was the Li twins'' birthday, and instead of celebrating and being happy, Li Chuntao was still mourning for her deceased twin sister. She had no reason to celebrate because Ying wasn''t here with her to share this special day anymore.


    "I don''t deserve any of this," she told him. How could she be happy knowing her sister had suffered?


    Shen Zichen sighed and leaned his back on the bench with an annoyed expression on his face. He was trying to understand where she wasing from, but it was also difficult for him to see her acting like this.


    "So you mean to say that we should be miserable for the rest of our lives? That''s not a life to have, Chuntao. That''s certainly not a life your sister would wish for you to live."


    Li Chuntao wiped her tears dry. What she knew was, her husband was right. She knew it herself, yet there was still a part of her that yearns to be with her sister, to join her family in the afterlife, but that would surely leave Shen Zichen devastated.


    "You''re not benefitting from her death, Chuntao." Shen Zichen''s fingers ran over her wavy locks. "Neither am I, but I too wish that she''s still here with us more than anything."


    Li Chuntao nced at his face, seeing that he was also quivering from sadness at the thought of Ying''s death. A pang of guilt hit her hard as she realized how self-centered she was.


    "I''m sorry. I should have known better than to me myself." She shut her eyes and buried her face into his chest. "I''m sorry, Zichen."


    "I understand that you miss her, but please stop thinking like that." Shen Zichen pressed a gentle kiss on her temple, d that she''d stopped shivering in his arms. It pained him to see her like this.


    Li Chuntao was as close to him as she could be. His familiar scent calming her nerves. She could feel the steady heartbeat on his chest, reminding her that she wasn''t alone in this. Shen Zichen had been with her since Ying''s death and she realized that it was ridiculous of her to think that she and he didn''t deserve to be happy.


    She felt his lips iming hers in a sweet kiss, his tongue running along her bottom lips to seek ess into her mouth. Her mouth opened to ept him, a moan rumbling at the back of her throat as he tasted her, her tongue sliding over his after a moment.


    When Li Chuntao finally calmed down, Shen Zichen stood up and offered a hand for her to take.


    "Let''s go back inside. The birthday girl shouldn''t be gone for too long, right?" He told her.


    The viciousness in Li Chuntao''s eyes returned. It was time to proceed with the next step of her n.


    When they came back inside, the guests were busy conversing with each other, enjoying the food and drinks being served by the waiters. Shen Zichen and Li Chuntao spotted Shen Yi and Lu Xinyi in the crowd and greeted them.


    Li Chuntao sheepishly smiled at her mother-inw and apologized for not being around when they arrived.


    "What are you saying, dear? I know it''s hard for you to be here." Madam Shen patted Li Chuntao''s cheek before taking her hand in hers, leading her away from the boys. "Now let''s go somewhere they can''t bother us," she winked at Li Chuntao andughed at her husband''s annoyed face.


    They went to the other side of the mansion, where a huge pond was located. There was a bridge that connected their side to the other, which also allowed them to watch the koi fishes from above the pond.


    "Are you feeling better now? Zichen said you''ve been under the weather these days." Madam Shen asked her while she took pictures of the koi fishes that swarmed beneath them as soon as Li Chuntao dropped some fish pellets on the surface of the pond.


    "Sorry to make you worry, Mom. I''m just tiredtely." Li Chuntao sighed and dusted away the crumbs that stuck on her hand.


    "Ah, then I''m relieved to know that you''re fine. You don''t know how worried Zichen has beentely." The older womanughed. She checked the photos she''d taken before putting her phone back into her purse.


    "Anyway, are you still looking for the person who harmed your sister?"


    Madam Shen''s question caught Li Chuntao off guard. She wasn''t sure how much Madam Shen knew and she wasn''tfortable discussing her ns with her.


    "We''ve already found a lead. Everything would be fine soon, Mom." She refused to reveal the identity of the culprits, although that didn''t mean Madam Shen was oblivious to what was happening to her and Zichen.


    Li Chuntao still wasn''t used to calling her mother-inw like that, but she supposed it was because, for years, she never had one and the person who gave her the maternal love she needed was her Auntie Yue.


    "Do you know how fortunate you are, Chuntao?" Madam Shen started. "Living happier than those people who hurt you and Ying is actually the best revenge." She paused as if pondering her next words.


    "I''ll be honest with you. I''m worried about you and Zhichen. I know how revenge can put a strain in a rtionship. I don''t want you to be a monster like those people after you avenge your sister''s death."


    Of course, Li Chuntao knew what her mother-inw meant, but she couldn''t help it. She couldn''t sleep peacefully at night, knowing that the person who murdered her twin sister was out there, free from retributions. She was also aware that her anger and revenge could slowly affect her marriage with Shen Zichen.


    "Do you understand, Chuntao? You are a married woman now. Please don''t act recklessly. I don''t want to see you or Zichen getting hurt again." Madam Shen''s eyes conveyed the unspoken words about Li Zirui''s death, something Li Chuntao wasn''t ready to discuss yet with their families.


    "I know, Mom. Please don''t worry. I will never be a demon like those people." Li Chuntao promised Madam Shen.. She started to wonder how far she would go for her revenge.

 Chapter 200 - Not To Become A Demon (2)

    When Yao Qigang arrived at the Li Mansion, he was apprehensive of peopleing his way. For one, he couldn''t understand why the Li family extended an invitation for him to attend Li Xiuying''s birthday party when he''d only met the woman once.


    He looked around, trying to see if they also invited that wretched mistress, but Lin Meirong was nowhere to be seen.


    So many people attended the party that was organized by Old Madam Li. If he wasn''t shit scared of the Li family right now, he would have taken this chance to make acquaintances with several prominent personalities within the entertainment industry.


    When she was done conversing with her mother-inw, Li Chuntao was left alone and remained at the pond. She walked towards the deeper side of it. From the corner of her eye, she spotted Yao Qigang in the crowd.


    She admitted to herself that she was nervous, as she had never gone as far as taking revenge this way, but as Li Chuntao shut her eyes, the memory of her dead sister in herst moments was enough to make the blood in her veins boil with anger.


    She took a wine flute from a passing waiter and waited for her victim to invade her private space. This time, there was no turning back.


    Madam Shen had warned her about her revenge, but she couldn''t just stop midway and she knew it. She''d forgotten all her worries when she saw Yao Qigang making his way towards her.


    Since he waste, he would need to pay respect and greet her first before mingling with the other guests. He didn''t expect to see her again anytime soon, but receiving an invitation from the Li family, it was obvious that there was an underlying reason why they invited him tonight.


    "Lady Li. It''s been a while since west saw each other," he started.


    "Yes, wasn''t it only yesterday when you tried to sexually abuse Lan Jinyao?" Li Chuntao retorted much to Yao Qigang''s shock.


    She enjoyed how his face turned red to green to white and back to red as he understood her insult to his person.


    "Lady Li?!" He eximed, surprised that the benevolent saint Li Xiuying was able to say those words, dripping with poison.


    Li Chuntao chuckled and wrapped an arm around her midsection as she pressed her lips on the rim of her wine ss. She gave him a mocking look that revealed her contempt against him.


    "You must be happy that Lin Meirong refused to give you the obligation of raising your child with her. My ex-husband must be really a fool, letting her put a green hat on his head while she kept her affair with you."


    The man was stunned into silence.His jaw dropped from the revtion. The child in Lin Meirong''s womb was his? Then why the fuck did that bitch keep it from him?


    "You are wondering why she didn''t tell you?" Li Chuntao said, as if she was aware of how the gears on his mind were running. "It''s for the simple reason that she herself didn''t know. With all the men you forced on her, how would she know?"


    "However...," Li Chuntao added, "even if she did, I doubt she would inform you. What could she ever gain from you with this news?"


    Yao Qigang''s body started to shake from anger, his eyes aze as she looked at the angel who delivered the news to her.


    That damn bitch! He was going to kill Lin Meirong. Whether the bitch knew or not, he didn''t care. The knowledge that his child was now with another man made him lose his sense of reason. He was definitely going to kill her after he was done with this angel!


    But how would he be able to remove Li Xiuying? As long as this woman was alive, he would never be in peace!


    This Li Xiuying looked at him like he was trash and smiled coldly.


    "Mr. Yao, I didn''t think your face would be as thick as the Great Wall. To actually step in here after trying to plot against me? What were you thinking?"


    Yao Qigang''s eyes were already bloodshot, his hands itching to strangle Li Xiuying to death so she would shut her mouth.


    His eyes then shifted to the deep pond behind her and he tried to stop the grin forming on his lips. If he could push Li Xiuying into the pond, he would be lucky if she hit her head on the sharp rocks below the pond or much more if she drowned to death.


    ording to their records, Lady Li had an extreme fear from drowning caused by an almost life threatening event during her childhood. How can he let this chance slip from his hands?


    Li Chuntao shook her head and finished her drink in one go. Couldn''t he be more obvious? She could sense his murderous intent from where she was standing, not that she would stop him anyway.


    ''Do you need a little push?'' She thought.


    As soon as she finished her drink, she suddenly felt a jolt of dizziness hit her. Her knees trembled as she tried to keep her bnce. Wait. This wasn''t part of her n!


    Seeing the opportunity to push Li Xiuying, Yao Qigang inwardly rejoiced. It seemed likedy luck was on his side tonight. He sauntered towards her, covering her form from everyone''s eyesight.


    "Lady Li, are you alright?"


    He stretched a hand as if he was trying to steady her, but as soon as he touched her shoulder, Yao Qigang gave ''Li Xiuying'' a good push, making her fall into the pond. Her body hit the water with a loud ssh.


    Some of the guests who were near the pond saw ''Li Xiuying'' fall on the pond and started to scream for help.


    "Help! Lady Li fell into the water! Hurry, someone please save her!"


    Zheng Yue who wasughing with Madam Shen was shocked when she heard the screaming outside the ballroom. She rushed to the scene with Madam Shen behind her and looked for her niece with fear written all over her face.


    "Someone! Please save Lady Li!"


    "Director Yao pushed her! Apprehend him! Don''t let him escape!"


    The guards rushed to the pond, but they were beaten by Shen Zichen as he immediately jumped into the pond to save his wife. He didn''t expect that her ns would turn out this way!


    Just what was she thinking?! Didn''t she know that he was worried to death when he heard that she fell?


    He was on the opposite side of the pond, talking to his colleagues from the hospital when themotion happened.


    Shen Zichen dived deeper into the pond and noticed that Li Chuntao had lost her consciousness, as her body continued to sink to the bottom of the pond. He was briefly reminded of thest time Li Chuntao attempted to kill herself by drowning at theke.


    He caught her wrist even before her body reached the bottom, which wasced with uneven rocks and pulled her towards his body. Shen Zichen swam back to the surface and gasped for air while ensuring Li Chuntao''s head was above the water.


    Still, Li Chuntao remained unconscious, making Shen Zichen grit his teeth in frustration. What kind of trick was this witch ying now?


    He moved to the shallow part of the pond and emerged with his wife in his arms. He shot Yao Qigang a deadly look before marching away from the scene.


    "Move! Out of my way!" He yelled and summoned one of the servants to prepare the car. There was something wrong with his wife.


    Zheng Yue covered her mouth in shock, unaware of the tears that streamed down her face.


    "She''ll be fine. Zichen will take good care of her.." Madam Shen tried to reassure her.

 Chapter 201 - Pregnant For The Second Time Around (1)

    Shen Zichen paced around the corridor outside the private room where his wife was being attended to by his fellow doctors. Up to their arrival at the hospital, Li Chuntao had remained unconscious, which bothered him a lot.


    She should have woken up by now. It was Li Xiuying who couldn''t swim and who would suffer from panic attacks when it came to being submerged under water so why did Chuntao remain unconscious?


    In the hallway,Li Yuren and Zheng Yue were also present. The party abruptly ended as soon as themotion at the pond happened. No doubt it would fill the news the next day and ''Li Xiuying'' would once again be the talk of the town.


    Zheng Yue sat on a bench, worriedly waiting for the doctor toe out of the room to inform them of Li Chuntao''s condition.


    A momentter, Shen Zichen heard hurried footstepsing their way. He lifted his head and saw his parents, his mother had a worried expression on her face.


    "Is she alright? Did the doctors say what is wrong with her?" Madam Shen took his hand and nced at the closed door.


    His parents had made sure that the police would apprehend Yao Qigang and gave them the lead about the scheme to kill Li Xiuying by premeditated ident.


    Since the man attempted to kill ''Li Xiuying'' again, his crimes would be piled up together with the sexual harassment cases against him by several young aspiring actresses he''d taken advantage of. He wouldn''t be able to save himself and escape this time around.


    "We''re still waiting, Mom." Shen Zichen answered her. He also had no idea about what was going on inside that room.


    Her whole body was trembling from cold the moment they emerged soaking wet from the pond. When the nurses took her from his arms, Zheng Yue gave him a change of clothes, asking him to go change while they were waiting.


    Half an hourter, the doctor stepped out of the room. Shen Zichen jolted up and met her halfway.


    "How is she?" He asked. He was sure he wasn''t the only one worried about Li Chuntao right now. He wouldn''t be at peace until he was sure that his wife was safe from danger.


    "She''s safe now but I suggest letting her take some time off from work. Lady Li is a bit malnourished. This would affect her pregnancy if it persists. Anyway, the baby is currently fine and safe. Aside from being dehydrated, there''s no other issue with her health."


    The moment the doctor mentioned about Li Chuntao''s pregnancy, Shen Zichen zoned out. His mind was practically blown and he was rendered speechless from the news. It made sense to him now why she was under the weather these days and she was always tired and sleeping.


    Shen Zichen heard Zheng Yue gasp beside him and saw her covered her mouth in shock.


    "She''s pregnant? That''s good news!" She eximed as she hugged Li Yuren with a wide smile on her face.


    Taking a nce at his wife''s uncle, Shen Zichen noticed that the seemingly cold and silent man was also pleased with the news of Li Chuntao''s pregnancy.


    "I''ve already expected that this would happen Yi, but I''m still not ready to be a grandmother yet," Shen Zichen heard his mother confess to his father in a hushed voice.


    Shen Yi wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close.


    "Don''t worry, dear. Even if you be a grandmother, you''re still a beautiful one."


    The doctor congratted him again and shook his hand before leaving them. They were allowed to see Li Chuntao inside the room. She was attached to an IV and was sleeping peacefully, not aware of the fact that she was carrying Shen Zichen''s child for the second time.


    Her wet clothes were changed into a hospital gown and he noticed that her face was now getting more colorpared to the past days he''d seen her. He should have expected that this would happen, considering the fact that they couldn''t get enough of each other.


    Ever since their wedding night a few weeks ago, they were like hormonal teenagers exploring each other like it was their first time. He made love to her every chance he got, whether it was at their home or in her office at Li Corporation.


    They made love to each other like rabbits on steroids, so what would happen when two consenting adults had sex without using protection? A baby!


    Shen Zichen sat on the vacant chair next to the hospital bed and held her hand. They hadn''t talked about having children after their wedding and Li Zirui''s death was still painful for the two of them.


    This time, he wanted to be there beside her as the pregnancy progressed. He could never return to the time when she carried Zirui, when she had needed him the most, but not this time.


    "Oh my god! A baby! I think this is the greatest birthday gift Chuntao would ever receive." Zheng Yue eximed but was hushed by Madam Shen.


    "Hey, lower it down! Chuntao needs a lot of rest. It''s a good thing we managed to find out soon this time." Madam Shen said, hinting reference to the first child Shen Zichen and Li Chuntao lost a few years ago.


    The two then proceeded to n what the baby would need and what kind of clothes and necessities they should prepare before Li Chuntao gave birth.


    It was also a sight to behold, seeing Li Yuren and Shen Yi in the same room, both with ugly expressions on their faces. Totally not pleased with how their wives suddenly casted them aside and focused on discussing the baby.


    Shen Zichen shook his head, a slight smile spreading on his lips.


    ''Women. They lose their minds when ites to adorable babies.''


    He sat there, feeling confused about what he should feel. He should be happy that his wife was pregnant, but he was also angry at her for subjecting herself to such a dangerous scheme.


    What would happen if he hadn''t rescued her in time? What if she wasn''t lucky this time and paid the price with her life? He would never forgive himself if ever harm befall upon her under his watch.


    Shen Zichen didn''t think he would be able to live another day without her and would me himself for his own ipetence in protecting her. His whole body trembled with fear at the thought of losing her, losing their baby.


    He looked at his sleeping wife and felt his heart clench in a vice grip like pain, skipping a beat after knowing that he almost lost her in her hunt for revenge.


    When Ying died, he was the one who forced her to continue to live with the purpose of revenge, now, he wanted nothing of it. He wanted her to live for him and for their unborn child.


    From the first moment Shen Zichen hadid his eyes upon her decades ago, he''d known that there was something special about Li Chuntao. Something about her he found alluring. It sang to him and made him a whole person, alive.


    At first, he thought that by merely having him in her presence would be enough to satisfy his curiosity, yet the moment she flew off, away from him, left a gaping hole in his chest no matter how hard he tried to convince himself that it was Ying he needed.


    Shen Zichen leaned back in his chair and shut his eyes, taking a deep breath to steady his frayed emotions.. He would need to be strong enough for her sake this time.

 Chapter 202 - Pregnant For The Second Time Around (2)

    The next time Li Chuntao opened her eyes, the first thing she noticed was the unfamiliar ceiling above her. She turned to her side and saw Shen Zichen''s head resting next to her arm while one hand was twined with hers.


    She tried to remember thest thing that happened before she passed out. She remembered feeling dizzy while talking to Yao Qigang and the next thing she knew, she was already sinking down the pond.


    She also remembered seeing a glimpse of her husband''s face as he dived into the pond to save her. Her forever partner in crime, Li Chuntao chuckled to herself, as she gently touched Shen Zichen''s head.


    Shen Zichen stirred in his sleep and cracked an eye open. He pulled his torso up and ran both hands in his face. ncing at his wristwatch, he saw that it was already past one in the afternoon.


    "Chuntao, how do you feel? Are you feeling dizzy? Hungry perhaps?"


    Li Chuntao arched a brow at him, suspicious of his response. He was unusually attentive today. Did something happen while she was asleep? She wondered.


    "Zichen, whatever it is, you know you can tell me, right?" She held his hand after she shifted on the bed to sit up with her back leaning on the pillows behind her.


    Shen Zichen stilled for a moment and Li Chuntao swore that she saw his eyes glimmer with tears before he blinked it away.


    "Chuntao, you are pregnant,"


    There he said it. He didn''t think he would be able to keep it from her anyway, not when his mother and her Auntie Yue had taken on the mission to prepare everything their baby may need themselves, and decided to shop together.


    Li Chuntao opened her mouth to say something but she clearly lost the words upon hearing what he''d told her. She wasn''t hearing things, right? She thought.


    She looked at his face, trying to see if he was trying to pull her leg with a joke, but she''d seen none.


    "Pregnant?"


    "Definitely pregnant." Shen Zichen reaffirmed.


    It then dawned on Li Chuntao how foolish she was for pushing her ns to trap Yao Qigang. She realized how dangerous it was for her and her baby and she hated herself for being the arrogant bitch that she was.


    "Oh, God, Zichen! I''m so sorry!" She burst into tears and felt a slight dip on the bed when Shen Zichen sat next to her, allowing her to bury her face on his chest. "What have I done?"


    He''d warned her, her mother-inw had warned her. She was well informed of what could happen if she continued to take her path to revenge. Not only did she put herself in harm''s way, her baby was also at risk.


    If something bad happened to her and she lost her baby again, she didn''t think Shen Zichen would be able to forgive her this time. Her guilt about Li Zirui''s death was still painful up to this day and she didn''t want to experience losing another child.


    Shen Zichen hushed her and dried her tears when she pulled away to look at him.


    "It''s alright, Chuntao. Nothing bad happened but please¡­" He said almost with a pleading tone. "Please don''t do such a thing next time. You don''t know how scared I was when I heard you fell into the water."


    Li Chuntao gave him a warm smile, aware that her tears continued to roll down her cheeks.


    "Too bad for him, I''m not the one who has a fear of drowning." She replied.


    Her family and a handful of people knew about Li Xiuying''s fear of drowning and being submerged deep in the water for too long, but they didn''t know about Li Chuntao''s fear.


    Li Chuntao''s fear was being trapped in a fire again. This was why she avoided going hiking and camping because of bonfires. A fire, no matter how small orrge, was enough to evoke the fear within her.


    "Stop it. Please... no more schemes and plotting this time, Chuntao. I don''t think I can¡­" Shen Zichen trailed off, but Li Chuntao understood what he meant by that.


    She was now a mother again, pregnant for the second time around. It was normal for Shen Zichen to get worried about her welfare.


    Shen Zichen took her hand and ced it on his cheek and in a low voice he told her, "I know I was the one who told you to seek justice for Ying and to continue living with revenge in mind, but¡­ this time," he paused as he looked straight in her eyes, "Chuntao, would you leave it for me and our future children? Can you let go of the hate in your heart and live happily with us? If you aren''tfortable living here as ''Li Xiuying'', we can migrate wherever you want and I''ll go with you."


    Li Chuntao found herself stunned again and incapable of forming a speech. Shen Zichen had tried to cate every one of her wishes, never arguing, never demanding anything, as long as she would stay by his side.


    "You.. you would do that? For me?" She was left bbergasted by his words.


    Shen Zichen nodded and kissed her nose.


    "Anything for my wife. Here, you''ll be forever known as Li Xiuying, but never as Li Chuntao. Li Chuntao is my wife, my only love. You know I''ll do anything within my power to give you everything you want."


    How can he turn his back from everything for her sake? His family was here, his work was here. It wasn''t easy to suddenly leave the ce where you grew up and uproot to a foreign ce.


    It felt like someone had punched her in the gut, twisting it to make sure she would feel it. No one had dared to do something for her, not to that extent. Shen Zichen was the first.


    How did he even know that she didn''t like being here? That her life was already in a foreignnd, waiting for her return? How could she take him away from the only family he ever knew? How could she abandon her Uncle Yuren and Auntie Yue like this?


    However, as Shen Zichen said, Li Chuntao had no ce in this ce, in this society. She would forever be under the scrutiny of the public, always receiving unsolicited opinions about being a Li princess. She yearned to live as amoner, away from everyone''s prying eyes.


    Still, how could she let go all of the hate that she nurtured in her heart ever since Li Xiuying died? It was the sole reason why she continued to wake up each day, knowing that Ying would never return.


    "You really want to start fresh?" She asked him curiously. She was reminded that her life wasn''t hers now and there were people who needed her, wanted her, people who loved her.


    To be honest, she was also starting to get tired living in hate and revenge but she didn''t think throwing Yao Qigang into prison was enough to quell her desire to make them pay the price for killing her twin sister.


    No. Not yet.. She was not going to let go until she sees Lin Meirong and Mu Jianyu crumble in despair.

 Chapter 203 - Your Stupidity Isn’t A Crime (1)

    Li Chuntao clung to her husband, fearing that all this was just another trick of her mind. Feeling his presence here with her was enough to ensure herself that she really wasn''t deluding herself. She held him in a tight embrace.


    The knowledge of not being alone washed away the worries in her heart and now that they were expecting a new baby, she couldn''t be happier. She foolishly thought that after Ying''s death, she could never be happy again in this life. How wrong she was!


    She ignored the fact that she was bare beneath the hospital gown she was wearing and how she suddenly felt dizzy from the sudden change of her position.


    From the way Shen Zichen was holding her, she knew that she''d given him a good scarest night when she fell into the pond. Had she known about her pregnancy, Li Chuntao wouldn''t have dared to lure Yao Qigang while she was alone.


    "I''m so sorry, Zichen." She repeated. She''d been foolish for putting her life on the line for the sake of seeking revenge.


    A few momentster, the door opened before she heard her Auntie Yue''s glee from seeing that she was finally awake.


    "Oh, Chuntao! I''m so d you''re awake. Has Zichen told you about the good news?" Her aunt beamed her a wide smile, clearly excited about their baby.


    Zheng Yue practically pulled her away from Shen Zichen''s embrace and pulled her into a tight hug.


    "Yes he did. I''m so sorry for making you and Uncle worry." She knew she should apologize for her recklessness. She promised to be careful next time.


    Zheng Yue pulled away and held both sides of Li Chuntao''s face.


    "We were so worried about you. But do you know that because of what happenedst night, we finally found the person who plotted to kill Ying?" The older woman started to shed tears at the thought of Ying''s death.


    It was still painful for all of them, since none were ready to lose Ying yet and Li Chuntao felt guilty for keeping her Auntie Yue in the dark about her ns to lure Yao Qigang out.


    Zheng Yue didn''t even know that she and her Uncle Yuren already knew the truth about Ying''s death. As to why her uncle never mentioned it to her aunt, Li Chuntao wasn''t too sure.


    "He started to get hysterical at the precinct, saying Ying shouldn''t have survived that ident, and that he took matters into his own hands to make sure Ying wouldn''t be able to leave her car."


    Li Chuntao started to cry with her aunt while Shen Zichen clenched his fists, remembering how Li Xiuying had suffered. The report said that the locks of the car doors had been tampered with, trapping Li Xiuying and Song Zexi inside. They should''ve sunk with the wrecked car, but somehow, Li Xiuying managed to break the ss, pulling herself and Song Zexi out of the sinking wreckage.


    Yao Qigang and his cohorts were making sure Li Xiuying wouldn''t be able to survive the ident. They only had one chance to execute their n and failing wasn''t an option.


    "The police are still trying to get a coherent statement from him, but we''ll do our best to keep him behind bars. We''ll get to the bottom of it, alright?" Zheng Yue pulled her niece to her chest and tried to blink her tears away, though she failed.


    "Please, Chuntao. You have to be careful until we''re sure it''s safe. We don''t know if he was the only one who plotted against your sister. Now that you are pregnant, listen to your husband, and don''t do reckless things. As for your work at thepany, you have to take time off. You now have a family you need to take care of too."


    Li Chuntao had to stay for another day before the doctor allowed her to go home with her husband. The drive back to Shen Zichen''s apartment was silent. They should be celebrating her pregnancy, but the fact that Yao Qigang had publicized his involvement in Li Xiuying''s ident ruined the mood of the couple.


    Li Chuntao was feeling lost and weak as she sat in the car with Shen Zichen. Another car was following behind them, no doubt it was Su Ling and Song Zexi. Ever since Song Zexi was discharged from the hospital, she took the initiative to care for Li Chuntao''s needs, just like how she took care of her previous mistress.


    As if sensing her distress, Shen Zichen held her hand with one hand, while his other hand was on the steering wheel, his focus still on the road.


    "Don''t overthink, Chuntao. Everything will be fine." He told her. They just need to be more careful, now that she was carrying a precious life.


    When they finally pulled up at the parking slot reserved for him, Li Chuntao let her husband lead her to the elevator with her bodyguards following closely after them. She was kinda amused at how her husband was overly attentive to her, worrying too much that she would get dizzy again and hurt herself.


    As soon as they got home, Li Chuntao spent the rest of the day sleeping, while Shen Zichen busied himself making phone calls to adjust his work schedule at the hospital. Li Chuntao hadn''te to a decision yet about his suggestion to migrate overseas, after the problems here were settled.


    It wouldn''t be easy for the two of them, but Shen Zichen knew that somehow, Li Chuntao would want to lead a peaceful life away from public scrutiny. Somewhere she could be herself and not worry about what people would think of her.


    Shen Zichen didn''t mind sacrificing his life and his career here to follow her wherever she wanted to be, even if it meant not seeing his own family for a long time.


    He went back to the master bedroom and saw Li Chuntao sleeping peacefully on their bed. His fingers running gently on her thick mane while pondering how they would deal with such a change in their life.


    A baby¡­


    Shen Zichen couldn''t stop the smile that spread on his lips as he ced a kiss on Li Chuntao???s head. They never discussed having children, but luckily, she got pregnant just months after their wedding. The fact that she was carrying his child brought indescribable happiness to him.


    Li Chuntao stilled in her sleep, but didn''t wake up. This was one of those rare times Shen Zichen had seen her unguarded and vulnerable. Usually, her face was unreadable, not allowing anyone to perceive what she was thinking. Unlike her twin sister, Li Chuntao didn''t wear her heart on her sleeve.


    His hand moved to massage her belly, aware that he wouldn''t be able to feel their baby yet as it was too early. Li Chuntao rolled on her side, facing him and cracked an eye open.


    "Hey¡­" Her eyes sighting the impending night that was about to consume the sky with its darkness.


    Shen Zichen leaned forward and kissed her nose. "Slept well?"


    She hummed and gave him a drowsy smile.. Theyid in silence, enjoying each other''spany as he continued to quietly run his fingers through her long tresses, both aware that they would need to sort their priorities as they were about to start a new chapter in their lives; as parents.

 Chapter 204 - Your Stupidity Isn’t A Crime (2)

    Yao Qigang was detained at the police station after the incident at the Li Mansion. He''d been hysterical since then, shouting words that didn''t make sense at first for anyone who heard him. However, when he started to say something about how Li Xiuying should have been dead and shouldn''t have survived the ident he plotted, the situation started turning for the worst.


    The investigation about Li Xiuying and Song Zexi''s ident was opened once again. It started with the police taking in the testimony of the sole survivor of the ident. Song Zexi gathered enough courage to ry what had happened that fateful day, which started by them meeting Lan Jinyao before their flight to meet Li Chuntao overseas.


    From that, the investigator tried to check Yao Qigang''s phone and bank transactions to see who else was involved in the premeditated murder of the Li princess.


    Three dayster, much to everyone''s shock, ''Li Xiuying'' appeared at the station to see Yao Qigang together with Shen Zichen. She looked paler than usual, but not because she was afraid to face the person who tried to kill her, but because her pregnancy symptoms had started to show.


    "Lady Li, are you sure you want to meet him?" Even the jail guard was worried that this seemingly weak and vulnerable Li princess was meeting Yao Qigang face to face.


    How can people like Yao Qigang plot against someone as venerable as Li Xiuying, who was well known for her charitable programs and phnthropic donations to the sectors that badly needed help? How could one hate her when she didn''t seem like she was capable of harming other people?


    "It''s alright. It would just be a matter of time to meet him again, so why not confront him now? I also won''t be meeting him alone." Li Chuntao took a side nce to her husband who refused to release her hand ever since they arrived.


    "Alright, Lady Li. Please wait for a while and we''ll bring him here." The guard excused himself, leaving Shen Zichen and Li Chuntao in the visitation area.


    Li Chuntao looked around, looking at the walls painted in gray, surely making a person feel that life inside the prison was truly as lifeless and cold as it seemed. How befitting. Wasn''t this the kind of life she had after Yao Qigang and Lin Meirong killed her older twin?


    A momentter, the same guard who she was talking to earlier came back, but he entered the other side of the room, where a partition was set in the middle of the room, separating the two sides. The detainee and the guest could only speak through the phone provided on each side.


    When Yao Qigang saw her from the other side, his face showed confusion and rage at the same time. He let the guard drag him to his seat, which was just across ''Li Xiuying'' and Shen Zichen on the other side. His hands were freed from the handcuffs, letting him pick up the receiver to talk with Li Xiuying.


    "How''s life behind bars, Director Yao?" Li Chuntao''s voice was filled with animosity as she looked at the man with hatred, one hand holding the phone to her ear, while Shen Zichen sat silently next to her, observing each of Yao Qigang''s facial expressions.


    Her words stunned the man, leaving him speechless from the shock of hearing the saintess''s tone. Was this the same Li Xiuying he''d met several months ago? Why did he feel like Li Xiuying had aplete 180 change?


    "I have no intention of begging for your forgiveness!" He hissed back once he snapped out of his trance.


    Li Chuntao arched a brow and chuckled wickedly. Did he really think she came here for that? What did he take her for? An idiot like him?


    "Hmm, you think I came here to hear that bullshit? You wouldn''t be here if a simple apology could fix goddamn everything, don''t you think?" She retorted.


    "Then what the fuck are you doing here?!" Yao Qigang asked through gritted teeth.


    "You know there are some remarkably dumb people in this world. Thank you so much, Director Yao for helping me understand that," she replied.


    "If you are here to insult me, Lady Li, you are wasting your time. I won''t tell you anything you can use against me." The man fisted his hand on the counter in front of him while ring back at Li Chuntao.


    Li Chuntao dramatically sighed. There was really no hope for this man.


    "Indeed, I do treasure the time I don''t spend with you. Forgive me, Director Yao. I''m so sorry I offended you with mymon sense." She smiled wickedly at Ying''s murderer. "But I hope you''ll like your stay here, considering you will never see the outside world ever again. I''ll make sure of that."


    Yao Qigang scoffed and shook his head.


    "Do you know why I never regret it?" He asked her. When Li Chuntao didn''t bother to reply, he continued. "Because people like you, who have money and influence always think that y''all better than us,moners. That just because you were born with a silver spoon, you can look down on us and get away with your heinous crimes. I say you deserve it after ruining my life because of that bitch!" He roared at her, shocking both Li Chuntao and Shen Zichen.


    "Because of you, the years of hard work I put in to nurture my reputation and career was destroyed. Because you picked on me to help that bitch!"


    Help that bitch? Did he mean Lan Jinyao?


    "And that gives you the right to kill a person? Just because you think it was unfair?" Li Chuntao asked him incredulously.


    What a bullshit reason to say. He didn''t regret what he did at all because he thought Ying deserved it?


    Li Chuntao saw red at that moment. If there was no partition separating the two of them, she would have leaped from her seat and started to beat the crap out of him even if she was pregnant.


    How dare he? Nothing was worth losing her sister''s life!


    The audacity of this man to look down on her and her sister. Didn''t he know that regardless of one''s social status, murder was still murder? Indeed, the justice system everywhere was so fucked up because the rich always gets the upper hand. But how could Yao Qigang say that about Li Xiuying''s death?


    "You know I would love to p you, but that''s animal abuse. No¡­ in fact, it would be too unfair for the animals to bepared to you. You are one of the lowest scum I''ve ever met in my life. You cry for injustice and unfairness, and yet you took matters into your hands to seek revenge?" Li Chuntao couldn''t stop her body from trembling in anger. Noticing that, Shen Zichen decided to step up and whispered loving words to her for her to calm down and not let Yao Qigang''s nonsense words affect her.


    "Your stupidity isn''t a crime.." Li Chuntao forced herself to calm down at her husband''s insistence, "but I admit it was enough for you to end up in jail forever."

 Chapter 205 - Letting You Go (1)

    Once they arrived at home, Li Chuntao couldn''t contain the rage she was feeling after hearing Yao Qigang''s words. No matter what people say, the pain she felt after her twin sister''s death cut deeply into her heart. There wouldn''t be any logical reason for why she would never be able to ept Ying''s death.


    Li Xiuying wasn''t supposed to die. She should have been living with her, helping her raise the child she was carrying. If Li Xiuying hadn''t died, she would probably give birth anytime soon. They should be celebrating by now, yet Li Chuntao would never be able to see her sister''s smile again.


    "Everything alright?" Shen Zichen''s voice broke her from her trance. When did he arrive? Didn''t he just leave for the grocery store?


    Li Chuntao had failed to notice that Shen Zichen had alreadye home from the store as she sat in a daze on the couch. She blinked twice before nodding in response.


    Shen Zichen ced the bag he brought in with him on the kitchen counter before taking a seat next to her. Taking her hand in his, he twined their fingers together and looked at her face. She looked healthier now. It''s a relief that she decided to file for leave of absence at work to focus on her pregnancy.


    Months had passed but the pain of losing her twin was still fresh for Li Chuntao. If she could be honest with herself, Li Chuntao thought that she would have lost her mind if it wasn''t for Shen Zichen and her Uncle Yuren and Auntie Yue.


    Her hatred against Lin Meirong and Yao Qigang had consumed her until she had no other reason to live but to seek revenge for her sister''s death. However, now, she and Zichen were blessed with another child. A child she hoped wouldn''t end up like their Zirui.


    She considered her husband''s suggestion to migrate, away from everyone''s prying eyes so they could start anew. It wasn''t a bad idea, but she didn''t think it was fair for Shen Zichen to leave his family for good.


    His whole family was here and Li Chuntao didn''t want him to regret his decision to move away from his family. How would she be able to face her inws then?


    "Don''t overthink, Chuntao. Everything will be alright." Shen Zichen whispered next to her as she felt him kiss her temple gently.


    "Don''t tell me everything will be alright. It''s not that simple!" She insisted.


    "Yao Qigang is already behind the bars and there''s no way he would be able toe out. Even Mu Jianyu has nothing now but the bastard child Lin Meirong had with another man. He''s facing the consequences of his actions. And with Lin Meirong having cancer, tell me Chuntao, what else do you want to do to cate your anger?"


    What else indeed?


    How would she ever make peace with herself? How could she ept the reality that Ying was gone forever? That no matter how Yao Qigang and Lin Meirong suffered, it wouldn''t change the fact that Ying would never return. Sometimes, Li Chuntao wished that she and Zichen could have reconciled in a different situation, and not because Ying''s death brought them together.


    Revenge, hatred and pain were consuming her, but it wouldn''t be good for her and her baby if this continued. She didn''t think she would be able to take it if she lost this child too.


    Shutting her eyes, Li Chuntao inhaled a few calming breaths. Ever since Ying''s death, she started having anxiety attacks, which would hit her once in a while, something she''d purposely kept from Shen Zichen. However, he was able to find out about it when he came home during one of the episodes she had.


    Li Chuntao hated that she was reduced to this by those people who hurt her sister. She hated that her seemingly peaceful life was crushed by other people''s greed and malice.


    "Zichen, do you mind if we leave after I gave birth? I don''t want your parents and my Uncle Yuren and Auntie Yue to miss their chance to see our baby''s birth." She told him as sheid her head on hisp, letting him y with her long tresses.


    Shen Zichen stilled for a moment, giving it a good thought. However, that would also mean that they would need to hide her pregnancy from the public, else it would be hard for Chuntao to shed her guise as her dead sister in front of everyone.


    He''d already discussed the possibility of migrating with Li Yuren and his father, and both agreed that it would be better for their sake, to live in peace, so Li Chuntao could start anew with her own family.


    "If that''s what you prefer." He could never say no to her wishes anyway. "I''ll see if I can find somewhere private where we could stay."


    "There''s no need for that, Zichen. The Li family has a private vi away from the city. We can stay there." Li Chuntao informed him.


    Since the Meng family had decided to move out and start their new lives, the private vi where they stayed for months was now vacated. The ce would be good enough for them for the meantime.


    The vi was secluded and safe from prying eyes. It was located on a piece of privatend that the Li family owned and was rarely used by the family. Only the locals and some of the family caretakers knew about the existence of the ce. This would give them enough privacy to live in peace.


    "Alright. I''ll arrange for our move there." Shen Zichen agreed easily. It would also save them time from trying to find a safe ce where she could stay during her pregnancy in peace. As for her medical checkups, he was sure that the Li family and his parents wouldn''t mind setting up a private team for Li Chuntao''s sake.


    Hopefully, she would also learn to slowly move on from the need to go after Lin Merong, since the woman''s remaining time was also limited.

 Chapter 206 - Letting You Go (2)

    As Lin Meirong''s body was washed over with another wave of pain, she once again regretted not aborting the baby as soon as she found out she was pregnant. Had she stopped her pregnancy, the cancer cells within her body wouldn''t metastasize at an rming rate. Yet, she was also aware that it was toote for regrets because she couldn''t change anything in the past, no matter how horrible she felt about it.


    Being diagnosed with cancer, Lin Merong felt that her head was spinning and felt like life was sucked out of her. It threw her whole universe into a free fall which she couldn''t even escape.


    Since she found out that she had cancer, the money she had umted from her past lovers and career over the years started to dwindle. She was subjected to several medical treatments, which included expensive chemotherapy. Lin Meirong wasn''t even sure how far these treatments could keep her alive.


    She also had to submit to a sudden change in her lifestyle. The only thing that she could control was what to eat, what to drink, and how to move. Someone had told her to get a support system for her own good, but Lin Meirong onlyughed at that.


    Who would bother to look after her? Who would want to stay by her side when she had already lost everything. No¡­ she corrected herself. She didn''t lose them, she discarded them,pletely out of her life.


    The husband and son she''d abandoned years ago, and the daughter she gave away to herst lover. This was just the start of her long suffering. She wasn''t ready to die yet, but the pain she was subjected to each day was enough to reduce her will to live as the days passed by.


    She didn''t want to look at her scans again. She knew that cancer was taking over her body and her whole being was aching. Exhaustion caught up with her and the chemo was going to break her, but she had no other choice, right?


    "Ms. Lin? It''s almost time."


    She snapped out of her deep thought when a nurse came to her hospital room to remind her of the operation she had to undergo. She nodded her head and let the other nurses wheel her to the operating room.


    Tears rimmed her eyes, uncertain of how long she could keep herself alive. Should she justmit suicide to stop all of her pain and suffering, or continue to get treatments, fighting her sickness with a low survival rate? Either way, she would end up being dead anyway.


    ---


    The operation was sessful and finally over. The doctor had managed to cut most of the tissues infected with cancer away and believed that the rest would disappear through chemotherapy.


    However, Lin Meirong had lost one of her kidneys, her uterus, and half of her liver. She would need to find apatible donor soon. They took her to the ICU for recovery, but the doctors were nervous that theck ofpatible organ donors would be the one to kill her and not cancer itself.


    Her fragile body was stuck on the hospital bed. She was on a venttor but not one soul was around to look after her. Was she going to die alone?


    It was weird to see her like this, since she was once a popr actress before the scandal ruined her. People used to flock around her. Yet, right now, Lin Meirong had to endure everything alone.


    Dayster, Lin Meirong opened her eyes and she heard familiar voices within the room. She groaned in pain and tried to focus where she was, but the moment she opened her eyes, she recognized her estranged husband in the room, with a boy in his arms and Meng Lan standing next to him.


    What were they doing here? And how did they find out she was here?


    Lin Meirong blinked and took a deep breath. Now that she could breathe on her own, the venttors had been removed from her. Still, she could feel some kind of itchiness and dryness in her mouth and throat.


    "W-what¡­ what are you doing here?"


    Her gaze shifted back to the young boy in her husband''s arms¡­ Lin Meirong was sure that this was the son she abandoned years ago. The boy had grown up well, and judging by their appearance, it seemed that the family she abandoned had been thriving well without her.


    Guilt and shame filled her, forcing her to look away. Did she really have to face them under these circumstances?


    "Someone told us you are here. What''s going on, Changge?" Meng Huan frowned.


    Lin Meirong snickered at that and shook her head.


    "Isn''t it obvious that I''m dying? What brings you here anyway? I never thought that you would seek after me."


    "I used to." Meng Huan admitted, "I looked everywhere for you when you ran away. I didn''t understand why you left at first, but now it''s perfectly clear to me how selfish the woman I was married to."


    "You''ve seen me. Isn''t this enough?" Lin Meirong hissed in pain. She wasn''t ready to face such humiliation. In fact, she never thought she would see them before she passed away.


    If she''d stayed with Meng Huan in that pitiful, remote vige, what kind of life would she have right now? Would she lead a peaceful but boring life with them or would she still be killed by this illness?


    Lin Meirongughed at herself inwardly. There was no point wondering about ''what if''s at this moment. There was nothing else she could do or change to make her life better.


    "No." She saw Meng Huan''s jaw hardened as if he was struggling to keep his emotions at bay. "I came to ask for divorce, but I''m not that cruel like you, Changge.." His tone was one of pain and anger, yet he wouldn''tsh to his own wife. "Seeing you like this¡­ Changge, where did we go wrong?"

 Chapter 207 - Free Yourself From The Past (1)

    Indeed, where did they go wrong? Lin Meirong thought.


    As she looked at her husband, she didn''t think that Meng Huan had treated her badly during those days they were together. In fact, Meng Huan was an attentive husband, especially when they found out that she was carrying a child.


    He worked harder than before, always trying to make ends meet, though it had never been enough. For Gu Changge, he would never be enough. Yet, as she looked at Meng Huan right now, she realized that she was pitifulpared to him.


    It seemed that the husband and son she abandoned were faring well without her. They weren''t dressed shabbily like before, when they couldn''t even afford to buy new clothes for a new season.


    "I don''t need your pity, Meng Huan." She sneered at him, making her sister-inw snap back at her.


    "You still look down on my brother? Look who''s talking, Gu Changge! The bitch who abandoned her family to go to the capital and spread her legs for other men who weren''t even her husband!"


    "Lan''er!" Meng Huan was surprised by his sister''s outburst, but Meng Lan didn''t want to shut her mouth.


    "What?! Brother, why would you still defend this shameless woman? Wasn''t she the one who caused us trouble? Wasn''t she the one who left you and Lin Lin to die? She didn''t even bother to check on you even after she was earning money."


    Meng Lan then red fiercely at Lin Meirong.


    "I''m not as kind as my brother, Gu Changge." Meng Lan pulled out the divorce papers her brother had prepared earlier. He was ready to legally ask for his freedom and the sole custody of their son from his wife. However, the moment he heard the news that Gu Changge''s illness was terminal, he couldn''t bring it to himself to ask for a divorce.


    "Please give my brother his freedom back. He and Lin Lin don''t want you in their lives anymore. Since you are dying, why don''t you try to do a good thing before you go? Who knows, maybe the deities above will pity you and give you a painless death."


    Meng Lan''s words were so filled with venom, it had caught her brother off guard. Lin Lin who was still in the arms of his father only stared at the sick woman on the hospital bed with confusion before it dawned to him that this woman was the mother her Auntie Lan was talking about before.


    "Lin Lin doesn''t have a mother. Lin Lin doesn''t want to have a mother."


    His words silenced the three adults. Neither of the Meng siblings had thought that the boy would say such a thing to the mother who abandoned him.


    Lin Meirong sucked in a deep breath and realized how painful it was for her to even breathe. Her chest burned with pain and whether it was because of her sickness or because of Lin Lin''s words, she didn''t know.


    Not that she could me the child for saying harsh words towards her. What Meng Lan said made sense. She was never around her child. What''s more, she abandoned him at the time he needed her the most.


    Children, especially infants, need their mothers. So where was she when Lin Lin had been stricken with an illness, one so severe that Meng Huan didn''t even know if he would be able to survive or not. If it wasn''t for ''Li Xiuying''s'' help, Lin Lin would have been dead by now.


    "You heard what Lin Lin said. For once, Gu Changge, don''t be a selfish bitch and give my brother his freedom." Meng Lan said with annoyance. If her brother couldn''t steel himself to ask for it, she would have to force Gu Changge to sign the damned divorce papers then.


    Lin Meirong let out a lowugh. Give him back his freedom? Would he really be free from her after she signed their divorce papers? This man, who loved her deeply, the same man she abandoned because of her selfishness.


    "Then give it to me. Quick." She told Meng Lan.


    Meng Huan could only watch as his sister presented the divorce papers and how Gu Changge ended their seven years of marriage just like that. No trace of remorse for being absent during thest five.


    "Done. Now, are you satisfied? You got the damn freedom you wanted, so please do me a favor and don''t bother to show yourselves to me in the future." Lin Meirong sneered at them, while Meng Lan chuckled in return.


    "It''s not like we will be able to see you alive anyway."


    Meng Lan didn''t waste her time and took her nephew from her brother and stepped out of the hospital room.


    "What else do you want?" Lin Meirong looked away, refusing to meet his gaze. Hadn''t she suffered enough humiliation for today? Thest thing she wanted to see or hear was her ex-husband''s pity.


    "Changge, I''m sorry." She heard Meng Huan say. She didn''t understand why he was the one who was apologizing, when she was the one who abandoned him and put a green hat over his head.


    "I didn''t wrong you, did I? I loved you and tried my best to be a good husband to you and a good father to Lin Lin. I''m sorry if I couldn''t give you the life you''ve always wanted back then. I''m sorry I couldn''t make you happy, but Lan''er is right."


    Lin Meirong lifted her head to look at his face. She was surprised to see that there was no hatred or animosity reflected in his eyes when he looked at her. He forgave her?


    "I forgive you, Changge. I know Lan''er would disagree with me, but I forgive you. Perhaps, this is my way of releasing myself from the past. Farewell, Changge. Thank you for bringing Lin Lin into my life. He''s the most precious thing you''ve given to me.. I''ll take care of him, so, you don''t need to worry."

 Chapter 208 - Free Yourself From The Past (2)

    With their families'' help, Shen Zichen and Li Chuntao''s move to Li Yuren''s private vi was done without a hitch. Since the vi was fully furnished, there weren''t many things that the couple needed to add to the ce.


    Shen Zichen had decided to resign from his post at the hospital to focus on his wife''s pregnancy. Li Chuntao''s fear of giving birth to a stillbirth baby still gave her nightmares at night, keeping him awake sometimes. She was afraid that their new baby would end up like Li Zirui.


    Their days were spent gardening and trying out new recipes Shen Zichen got from his mother, while Li Chuntao started to busy herself by reviewing the medical books her husband had in his collection.


    As the weeks progressed, her baby bump started to show and Shen Zichen couldn''t be happier seeing her grow with his child in her womb. He''d missed his chance to be there beside her when she was carrying Li Zirui and he didn''t want to miss his chance this time.


    Now, in the fourth month of her pregnancy, Li Chuntao''s baby bump was obvious. She had gained a few pounds, but her doctor assured her that she was doing just fine and she need not worry about her baby.


    One morning, Shen Zichen woke up in bed without Li Chuntao beside him. He groggily forced himself out of the bed to seek his pregnant wife around the vi. The sun was barely up in the sky, but Li Chuntao had already started her day without waking him up.


    He found Li Chuntao in the kitchen, browsing on herptop for a cake recipe, which confused Shen Zichen. Was she craving for sweets early this morning?


    "Morning." He ced a kiss on her crown and took a seat next to her. "You''re up early today. Why are you looking for a cake recipe? Are you craving for one?" He asked.


    Li Chuntao stopped what she was doing, the smile on her face instantly vanished.


    "No, it''s not for me, Zichen." She said in a low voice. Shen Zichen would''ve missed it if he wasn''t sitting next to her.


    "Then who?" He couldn''t think of anyone who was celebrating their birthday today. Was he forgetting someone?


    "Zirui," Li Chuntao said as if it hurt her to utter her child''s name. She had never mentioned this tradition she used to do every year.


    Shen Zichen stilled for a moment and looked at his wife, who was looking dejected right then. The sadness reflected in her eyes as she mentioned Li Zurui''s name made him realize how oblivious he was.


    No wonder she woke up early today. He had no idea that ever since Li Zirui''s death, Chuntao had bought a birthday cake for her dead baby and celebrated his birthday every year. She would sing Li Zirui a birthday song before she copsed in an emotional breakdown.


    Years had passed, and her love and grief for her baby still remained. The more Shen Zichen thought about it, the more he regretted not being by her side during those hard times.


    "Then let me help you bake a special cake for Zirui." He told his wife. "You won''t be doing this alone from anymore, love."


    Shen Zichen made a resolve. He wouldn''t allow Chuntao to face her pain alone anymore. As her husband, he was willing to stay with her through thick and thin.


    They started their day by preparing their breakfast together before deciding what kind of cake they should bake. Li Chuntao knew how to cook, but she wasn''t a capable baker like her husband, who had practically been raised in the kitchen by his mother along with Shen Yuyan.


    Li Chuntao had no preference on what vor it should be, as long as it would be suitable for a young boy at seven years of age. Her baby would have been seven by now if he had lived, but fate had another n for him.


    A few hourster, they had finished baking the cake for their first child, lit a candle, and sang happy birthday for Zirui.


    Shen Zichen was worried that Li Chuntao would cry again. Not that he could me her. In fact, he couldn''t even stop the tears that rimmed on his eyes when he thought about how Li Chuntao lost their first baby. He couldn''t imagine the trauma and pain she had to face alone because of him.


    "Chuntao?" He called her out after he was done cleaning the kitchen and found her standing at the porch of the vi, deep in her thoughts.


    These days, he always found her like this. As if she was physically here with him, yet her thoughts were always somewhere else. He hoped that the day woulde that she would be truly happy with her life with him.


    Was she still thinking about Ying? Was she still thinking about Mu Jianyu and Lin Meirong?


    Maybe it was selfish on his part to ask her to give up on her revenge n and focus on the life she had with him. It was probably hard for her to let go of all the pain and hatred she nurtured inside her heart.


    Shen Zichen knew that he couldn''t help her with it and could only stay by her side. Li Chuntao needed to make peace with herself and let go of the pain of losing Ying so she could continue living peacefully, but a part of her wanted to see Lin Meirong and Mu Jianyu suffer for hurting her sister.


    Li Chuntao knew she had to find a way to let go. She would definitely release her heart from the shackles of pain and grief.


    Shen Zichen wrapped his arms around her and ced a hand on her stomach, feeling their unborn baby move under his touch. A small smile crossed his lips.. His whole world was in his arms and he would protect them at all cost.

 Chapter 209 - Two Different Worlds (1)

    The days had been gray and lifeless these past few months for Mu Jianyu. The coldness of the breeze that seeped through his clothes wasn''t enough to ease the pain of emptiness and loneliness he was feeling. Even with Mu Jingyi''spany, he was starting to lose the will to continue living.


    With his mother''s passing, he suddenly felt more alone than ever. He''d already lost his wife, and now his mother wouldn''t be able to apany him in this seemingly long and lonely life. He''d kept Mu Jingyi on his side as a form of punishment. A great reminder of what he''d lost because of his foolishness.


    After leaving Redux Entertainment, he moved to a small publishingpany and worked as one of its directors. He was content by the simplicity of his life, the will to prove himself was instantly extinguished by Li Xiuying''s departure from his life.


    So much for asking her for his freedom.


    Now that he had it, he could only regret his previous actions.


    "Director Mu, these are the documents you needed. I''m not sure why they haven''t filed it properly before. It took me sometime to find it." His new assistant said, pulling his attention back on the matters at hand.


    He nodded and watched as the other man ced a stack of documents on his desk.


    "It''s alright. I understand that there was quite an issue with the previous management." Mu Jianyu replied. His job here was considerably easierpared to the workload had when he was with Li Corporation and Redux Entertainment.


    He still had enough time to finish all of it before he needed to go and pick up his adoptive daughter from her daycare center. It was hard for the two of them at first, but he just couldn''t leave the child alone back at home without someone looking after her.


    Rain started to pour over the city when Mu Jianyu finished his work. There were a few employees who were still around in his department when he left. Driving towards the daycare center where his daughter was waiting for him, he wondered how Li Xiuying was doing these days. He hadn''t heard anything about her ever since the news broke out that Director Yao attempted to murder her at her own birthday party.


    Mu Jianyu had lost count of how many days it had passed since she left him, and he had started to ept the reality that she would nevere back to him ever again. He didn''t want to cause her more pain, so he stopped reaching out to her and let her be with Shen Zichen, even if it hurts him to see them together.


    When he arrived at the daycare center, the rain had already stopped. He only needed to wait for a while before one of the caretakers came out with Mu Jingyi in her arms. She gently ced the infant in Mu Jianyi''s arms before cing the baby bag on the ground.


    "How was she today?" Mu Jianyu asked.


    Fortunately for him, Mu Jingyi was a baby who didn''t cry that much and only spent her waking time feeding or watching people around her with interest. She rarely cried, unless she needed a diaper change.


    "She''s been an angel to us, Mr. Mu." The caretaker assured him. It had been at least six months since he started sending her here and over ten months since he and Li Xiuying divorced. Had it really been that long? He wondered.


    Although Mu Jianyu wanted to raise the child by himself, he had no idea how to take care of her. He also needed to return to work for the two of them.


    "That''s good to hear," he murmured. "Are you ready to go home, Jingyi?" He asked the child with affection, but the girl in his arms only yawned in return.


    Picking up her bag, Mu Jianyu thanked the caretaker before making their way to the parking lot where he left his car. He secured the girl on the carseat, making sure she wasfortable before driving back to their home.


    It didn''t take long before they arrived home safely. Mu Jianyu ced the bag on the counter and ced his daughter in her crib before starting to prepare his meal for the night. The ce remained the same after Li Xiuying left him. The only difference was the old guest room was now turned into a nursery room.


    His daily routine was repetitive, but Mu Jianyu didn''t bother toin about the life he had now. His sadness and pain were nothingpared to what Ying had suffered because of him. He wondered right then, how long he should endure this punishment fate had sentenced on him.


    His ear picked up the sound of his daughter crying and he immediately washed his hands at the sink and dried them before turning to the nursery where the child was.


    "Hey, did the storm wake you up?" He took the child from her crib and checked her bum to see if she needed a change, but she didn''t. It seemed that she was startled by the loud thunder outside as it had started raining once again.


    "Alright. Daddy''s here so you don''t need to be scared anymore." He tried coaxing the crying baby in his arms and gently patted her back.


    For the longest time, he wanted a child of his own, but now that he had one¡ª well, not really, since Mu Jingyi was only adopted, it was ironic andughable that he wanted her to be his and Ying''s child, which was impossible now. Ying might have started nning to expand her own family with Shen Zichen. Heck, they might even be expecting a child by now.


    Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Mu Jianyu focused on the child in his arms.. If there was such a thing as an alternate universe, he hoped that he and Ying would still be together, unlike now.

 Chapter 210 - Two Different Worlds (2)

    Li Chuntao wasn''t new to the pain ofbor that she was suffering right now. The fear she was feeling alongside it was so strong that Shen Zichen refused to leave her side, continuously trying tofort her. They would only need to wait a few more hours and they would be weing their second child into the world.


    "Breathe, Chuntao. Don''t panic. We''re here for you." Shen Zichen told her as he held her hand, trying not to panic himself. He didn''t expect it to happen this soon, even though Li Chuntao had started to show signs of nesting instinct over thest five days. She had wanted to get things organized in their home to get ready for their baby. She''d also tried to do things like cook meals or get the baby''s clothes and room ready.


    Li Chuntao had woken up earlier, in the middle of the night, when an indescribable pain shot through her. Shaking her sleeping husband next to her, Li Chuntao started to sweat profusely as the pain continued to intensify as every hour passed by.


    Thankfully, Shen Zichen was a light sleeper and had woken up as soon as he heard her groan in pain. Two hourster, Li Yuren and Zheng Yue drove towards the vi, bringing Li Chuntao''s doctors with them and had set everything up for childbirth.


    "Zichen, please¡­" Li Chuntao begged him through her pain with teary eyes, a hand on her bump as she tried to feel her baby inside her. She needed to know that their baby was alive, that she didn''t die like her brother in her womb. It would surely kill her if she had to suffer the same loss again.


    Shen Zichen immediately took the fetal doppler and operated it. As soon as they both heard the steady and loud heartbeat of their unborn baby, Li Chuntao''s tears rolled down her cheeks. She was going to deliver a healthy baby girl today.


    Her contractions persisted up to ten hours, which kept the Shens and Lis on the edge as they waited for Li Chuntao to deliver her child. Her belly and her lower back were in pain. No matter how she or Shen Zichen tried to find a position that she could befortable in, it didn''t go away.


    "Didn''t her water already break? What''s taking it so long?" Madam Shen paced around the living room as they waited for the news. When they received a phone call from their eldest child that Li Chuntao was inbor, she and her husband immediately drove towards the Li family''s private vi.


    "Calm down, dear. You can''t possibly forget that we also had to wait for a long time before Qingqing decided she had enough staying inside of you and got herself out." Her husband held her wrist and forced her to take a seat next to him.


    Shen Yi could still remember the day his wife gave birth to their firstborn like it was only yesterday. He could still remember the fear and panic he felt as he waited outside the delivery room, wondering if she was alright.


    "But¡­" Lu Xinyi wanted to argue, but the look on her husband told her that she had nothing to worry about. There was nothing else for them to do but to wait.


    Zheng Yue and Li Yuren were also nervous about their niece''s childbirth. It had been too long since the Li family weed a new child to their family. There was no doubt that Shen Zichen and Li Chuntao''s daughter would be pampered to no end by both families.


    Sometimeter, Shen Lingqing arrived with her other siblings, Shen Yuyan and Shen Lingtian.


    "Sorry, we''rete Mom." She gave her mother a kiss before giving her father a pat on his shoulder. "Traffic. We also had to pick up Lingtian from the University beforeing here. Has Sister Chuntao already given birth?" Shen Lingqing asked and settled next to her mother.


    "No, not yet. It''s been hours since we arrived, but we haven''t heard anything yet." Lu Xinyi told her daughter and sighed. She couldn''t understand why her husband and Qingqing were too calm when she was already at the end of her wits.


    An hourter, one of the nurses who came out from the room where Li Chuntao was in informed them that she was ready to push and deliver her child and opted to get an epidural at Shen Zichen''s insistence. The man had already lost the color in his face, watching his wife suffer in pain in between contractions.


    The anticipation of both families rose. Each of them was excited to see the newest addition to their family.


    Li Chuntao held onto her husband''s hand as she gave it another push on her doctor''smand. This was so oddly different from thest time, when she gave birth to Li Zirui years ago, where she had to endure the pain alone. Now, she was surrounded by everyone who loved her and her husband.


    "That''s it, Miss Chuntao! I can already see her head. Give us one more push!" The doctor told her and Li Chuntao was thankful that she agreed to Shen Zichen''s suggestion to take the epidural, or else she would have to endure the raw pain of natural birth.


    She could feel her sweat trickling down the side of her face as she took a deep breath and pushed her baby out of her body.


    Finally, the doctor pulled the tiny baby and let Shen Zichen do the honors of cutting his daughter''s umbilical cord, making him feel like the air in his lungs disappeared the moment his eyesnded on their baby.


    Then the baby was passed to the attending pediatrician as Shen Zichen rushed to thetter''s side, who was trying to get his daughter to breathe.


    Small sounds finally escaped her mouth, followed by a loud wail, as if she was disturbed from her longfortable sleep in her mother''s womb.

 Chapter 211 - The Beginning And The End (1)

    Shen Zichen looked down at his daughter, and his heart felt like it was ready to burst at any moment, his legs wanted to give out. She was so tiny and delicate. He still couldn''t believe that he and Li Chuntao made such a beautiful baby together.


    After her delivery, Li Chuntao was drained and exhausted. The moment her daughter''s cry reached her ears, she couldn''t stop her tears from flowing. Her baby was alive. Fate hadn''t taken her like it did her older brother.


    Thest time she gave birth to her stillbirth baby, Li Chuntao was ready to die along with him. Yet, now that she had Shen Zichen by her side, and hearing their daughter wailing out as loud as she can, she was reminded why she needed to continue living.


    "Wow, she looks like Sister Chuntao," Li Chuntao heard her brother-inw, Shen Lingtianmented as they took their turns to see her baby.


    "She''ll be a great beauty someday. Zi Gege should be prepared." Shen Yuyan snickered next to him.


    Shen Zichen scowled at his twin sister''s words. She surely knew which buttons to press to annoy him. His daughter was barely a day old and she was already spitting out such nonsense?


    "That would never happen. I will never allow them around her!" He retorted.


    The baby was then passed to Li Yuren who had been awkwardly silent since they entered the room with the Shens. His wife giggled by his side as the baby was ced in his arms. He looked like he was about to freak out while holding his granddaughter.


    "Now, now, dear. There''s nothing to be worried about. You''ve done this before, right? You won''t hurt the baby." Zheng Yue assured him. She was reminded of how her husband acted when she gave birth to their son, it was exactly like this!


    Li Yuren nodded and looked down at the tiny baby in his arms. Just as Shen Lingtian said, the girl looks like her mother, although her nose and face shape came from her father. And because she resembled Chuntao, she also reminded Li Yuren of Ying.


    If Ying hadn''t diedst year, she would''ve given birth to a child like Chuntao too.


    "Have you given her a name yet?" He asked Shen Zichen, who was sitting next to the bed, holding Li Chuntao''s hand.


    Shen Zichen turned to look at his wife before nodding.


    "Yes, we''ve decided to name her Shen Xiulin." He announced.


    Since their daughter resembled Chuntao and her twin sister, Ying, they decided to name their daughter ''Xiulin'' which means ''a beautiful orchid'', a flower that represents love and beauty like the Li twins.


    "That''s a good name, Zichen." Zheng Yue couldn''t stop the tears brimming in her eyes. Even if Ying wasn''t here with them anymore, her love and memory would forever remain in their hearts.


    "Maybe we should go and let Chuntao get some rest. Zichen, take care of your wife. We''ll be back tomorrow. You should try to get some sleep too." Madam Shen said before kissing her daughter-inw goodbye, followed by her other children.


    Li Yuren and Zheng Yue stayed and talked with Shen Zichen while Li Chuntao cked out for her much needed sleep. She had fought hard to bring her daughter into the world and now it was time for her to rx, knowing her baby would be safe with her husband. All was well, for once.


    "Have you decided when you''ll leave?" Li Yuren asked as Shen Zichen ced his daughter into the bass next to the bed where his wife was sleeping. Shen Xiulin immediately followed her mother into slumber as soon as she was done with her first feeding.


    "Not yet. We''re thinking of waiting until she reaches her third month before we pack up and set off." Shen Zichen replied. He and Chuntao had talked about it.


    The other man nodded in agreement. At least they would still have enough time to spend with Li Chuntao and Shen Xiulin. Li Chuntao was supposed to stay here for only a year, but now she was leaving for good together with her husband and baby.


    He supposed this was better than seeing her mop for days, knowing she was thinking about her sister again. Life was just too unfair for Chuntao. She only had Ying, but still, Chuntao lost her. Being with Shen Zichen and Lin''er this time, Li Yuren hoped that his niece could finally be happy.


    "I know I can''t convince you to stay anymore. I''m selfish to wish that you would stay with us, but I also know that Chuntao needs to grieve properly. It won''t be easy for her, but please Zichen, take care of Chuntao for us." Zheng Yue said with teary eyes.


    They knew how Ying''s death almost broke Chuntao, and they felt helpless that they could do nothing to ease her pain. She was like a shell that had lost the will to live, hoping that fate would let her cease her life.


    However, now that Li Chuntao had a family of her own, they hoped that this would be enough for their niece to find a new reason to continue living.


    "You understand why she couldn''t forgive them, right?" Li Yuren asked Shen Zichen out of the blue.


    Shen Zichen remained silent for a while, understanding what the older man meant. Li Chuntao could only be truly happy if she could face her own demon and ept Ying''s death, which was easier said than done. This wouldn''t be easy for her.


    "You don''t forgive people because of what they did. You forgive them for yourself." Shen Zichen looked at his troubled wife and sighed. She had been trapped in such a dark ce since Ying''s death and there was nobody there for her. Not even him.


    It would be hard for Li Chuntao to forgive Mu Jianyu and Lin Meirong, but it''ll be harder to forgive herself for failing to protect her sister.

 Chapter 212 - The Beginning And The End (2)

    Months had passed and Lin Meirong couldn''t believe that she managed to stay alive this long. Considering the damage found from early on, during the initial diagnosis, she had not expected to live for this long.


    Her body had started to deteriorate a long time ago. She had seen the specialist and it wasn''t looking so good. This might be her final year.


    She was only twenty-seven this year and yet her life was about to end. The beauty that she had been proud of had vanished during the past months as she underwent chemotherapy. Her head was now bald, with only a few strands of ck hair sticking on it.


    Her silky long hair, the smoothness of her skin, her beautiful face couldn''t be seen anymore. There was no trace of her beautiful self anymore.


    Right now, she was no better than an old woman with a fragile body, her skin sticking on her bones. She''d lost a considerable amount of weight as she''d been constantly coughing and throwing up as her illness progressed.


    As Lin Meirong turned to look outside the window of her hospital room, she tried to remember thest time she felt good. Since her divorce with Meng Huan, she''d never seen a single soul visit her.


    Not that she could me them. The so-called friends she had when she was at the peak of her career had forgotten her, even mocking her if ever someone mentioned her name. The reality that she was truly alone in this life pained her.


    Her children¡­ a son and a daughter from different fathers, she hoped that they would lead a better life than hers. They didn''t need a useless and selfish mother like her anyway.


    The pain due to her illness was excruciating, to the point that sometimes Lin Meirong felt that she would rather be dead than continue living in pain. What kind of punishment was this anyway?


    One of her kidneys was removed, and though the doctors had found a suitable organ donor, her treatments had left a massive dent in her ount. She wasn''t even sure if it was worth it, since she was dying anyway.


    The tumors in her brain and esophagus were shrinking, but they''reing back now. She was now on a chemo pump. She was tired of the way the chemo made her feel, and she didn''t know if she wanted to take it anymore.


    It sounded like all that''s happened was only causing her suffering to be prolonged. The pain and difort was a lot to deal with by itself, and chemo just made her suffering worse. Just let her die. She wanted to tell them. There was no point keeping her alive anyway.


    Some terminal stage cancer patients like her had chosen to go home and spend theirst days with their loved ones, but Lin Meirong had no one. She had no home she could call her own and might die knowing no one would miss her.


    Howughable that she had once thought that she had everything, and now it had all vanished intothin air, as if she''d been fooling herself all this time. So much for abandoning her family for something so superficial.


    There were days that she thought she was hallucinating, that she wasn''t alone in this room. What else could be the exnation of seeing her dead parents standing near her, telling her that it was time to go?


    Lin Meirong wasn''t one who believed in superstitions, but perhaps that though she had no one in this life, it would not be the same in the afterlife? It reminded her of the saying that the veil bes thin when we get close to passing. She must be really near her end to hallucinate that her parents were waiting for her.


    Weirdly, there were days that she thought it was Li Xiuying who was standing next to her, with a child in her arms, looking at her pitiful form. It became a recurring nightmare for Lin Meirong. She must be really hallucinating to assume that the woman woulde here to see her before her death.


    How could it possibly be? That woman was still alive and living a life she could only wish she had. Having a wealthy family to back her up, a handsome husband who dotes her to no end, and avish life where she wouldn''t have to worry about paying her bills on time.


    Li Xiuying must be thinking that she deserved this after all the things she''d done against her. She was thest person Lin Meirong wanted to see right now. She didn''t think she would be able to face the person she wronged the most in this lifetime.


    If this sickness was her punishment from heaven, she must really have made a grave mistake for her to pay with her own life.


    Lin Meirong watched as the nurse administered her some pain relievers and wondered when it would stop. Thankfully she had an oncologist who prescribed adequate pain relief for her.


    She was half tempted to ask the nurse to give her a loaded shot in her IV so she could go out on a beautiful high. Too bad she couldn''t even utter a single word anymore.


    She shut her eyes and took a deep breath. Even with a venttor attached to her, it was still hard for her to breathe in. Fuck this. She had enough. If only she had enough strength to jump out the window of her hospital room to kill herself, she would.


    As the darkness consumed the sky outside, she wondered if she would be able to wake up the next day and suffer the same thing all over again. She was d that she had insisted on a DO NOT RESUSCITATE order just in case things turned the way she expected it to.


    As she shut her eyes, the clock ticked. Her time was limited.. Oxygen was slowly being snatched from her lungs until she sumbed into darkness.

 Chapter 213 - I Was Never Your Wife (1)

    The days seemed better for Shen Zichen and Li Chuntao as they both busied themselves with taking care of their newborn baby. There were times that Li Chuntao wondered if she really deserved this kind of life, knowing her twin sister wouldn''t be in it.


    There were nights that she would wake up in the middle of the night, sweating profusely as Ying''s final moment kept reying as a recurring nightmare, forbidding her to be truly happy with the family she had with Shen Zichen.


    Was it a reminder for her not to forget her purpose? Or was it to remind her that she gained all she had now because of her sister''s death?


    Shen Zichen would always find her crying in one corner as the nightmare started to take a toll on her. It was as if these nightmares were always there to remind what she''d lost, and Shen Zichen was worried that this would persist until Li Chuntao faced it. Hatred had been her reason to continue living, but it had also started to eat her from the inside.


    Two weeks after Li Chuntao gave birth, Su Ling and Song Zexi came to the private vi to inform her about Lin Meirong''s passing. They had all expected that she would eventually die, sparing Li Chuntao from tainting her own hands.


    The woman who caused a lot of heartache and the person responsible for Li Xiuying''s death was now dead, but why couldn''t Li Chuntao feel any contentment and satisfaction from it? She should beughing, or throwing a party to celebrate the bitch''s demise, but she felt emptier than ever.


    "Dead? Then what? Her body was cremated? I hope her soul will continuously burn in hell if there''s one." She said in a low voice, her eyes unreadable.


    It wasn''t enough that her remains were burned until there was none left. Li Chuntao wondered how Lin Meirong felt dying alone and being helpless just like Ying was.


    However, it still wasn''t enough for the witch. Lin Meirong''s pain and suffering would never be enough to equate what Ying had experienced.


    "Chuntao, what are you doing here? Are you alright?" Shen Zichen found his wife at the balcony of their bedroom, spacing out again. Each day that he was seeing her like this pained him. He considered that she might be suffering from postpartum depression, but she would need to see a professional to confirm his assumption.


    A part of him was worried. She was always exhausted over thest few weeks, even more than usual. Perhaps it might be because of her pregnancy and childbirth, but Shen Zichen was certain something else was bothering her.


    "I''m fine." She answered, but there was something off in her voice.


    Was she truly fine? Shen Zichen doubted that. Her eyes, her tone and behavior these days seem to say otherwise. This wasn''t the Li Chuntao he knew, and he''s not sure how to help her anymore. One thing he was sure of was that he would never leave her. Not now, not ever.


    "So why are you crying?" He probed, his arm reaching out to pull her against his chest.


    Their daughter was finally asleep after crying nonstop for three hours. It took him some time to calm her down, and it didn''t help that Li Chuntao was feeling detached from their baby with each passing day.


    "You think¡­ do you think I''m a bad mother?" She sniffed and wiped her tears with the back of her hand, ashamed that she''d pushed her responsibility of looking after Xiulin to her husband.


    Children, especially newborn babies, need their mother. Xiulin needed her but she just couldn''t stop crying when she was holding her. She wasn''t able to be a good mother for Zirui and yet now, Li Chuntao felt that she was failing once again.


    "Chuntao¡ª"


    "I don''t know what to do anymore. I don''t wanna be like this anymore." She said with despair on her face. She hated being like this, hated being reduced to this.


    "No." Shen Zichen also had enough of it. He held both sides of her face and looked at her eyes. "You know what to do Chuntao, but I will not force you. However, you must know that I need my wife back. Xiulin needs her Mommy back."


    Lin Meirong might be dead, but the person who started all of this was still alive somewhere, living in a gray and lifeless world. Li Chuntao would need to deal with Mu Jianyu once and for all. She needed to let go of her hatred and revenge for her to be able to move onpletely.


    "Chuntao, it''s time to let go." He told her softly. "Xiulin and I will be here, waiting for you."


    "I-I don''t want to be alone again¡­" she choked on her tears. Li Chuntao realized that she wasn''t the only one who was suffering. Shen Zichen and their daughter needed her.


    For the first time in her life, Li Chuntao admitted her fear to another soul. The fear of being left alone. To see her loved ones go, leaving her alone once again.


    She''d lost her parents at a young age, lost her firstborn child, followed by Ying''s passing. She''d been alone for the years, and losing Ying had proven how empty she was inside. If she lost Zichen and Xiulin too, then she''d be better off following them all to the afterlife.


    "You won''t be," Shen Zichen promised. His arm holding her tighter. "I won''t let you go again. We also have Xiulin now, so please¡­ Chuntao,e back to us."


    "Promise?" She understood what he meant. The shackles of pain and revenge that she''d put on herself was keeping her from them.


    A hand slid under her cheek to raise her face to his. A gentle kissnding on her lips as he tried to reassure her.


    "I promise." He murmured quietly, his thumb trying to rub the tears from her cheek. "You don''t have to worry about me and Xiulin. Just please¡­ return to us.. We need you back."

 Chapter 214 - I Was Never Your Wife (2)

    Mu Jianyu had been on the edge today. The day before, he unexpectedly received a phone call from Li Xiuying asking them to meet. She didn''t mention the purpose of their meeting, but he''d been apprehensive about seeing her again after months of separation. Why would she want to see him anyway?


    He started his day as usual. After feeding Mu Jingyi her breakfast and bathing her, he dropped her at the kindergarten where she would be spending her day at. Promising to pick her up on timete, he kissed the little girl goodbye before rushing to work, hoping that time would flow faster so he could see Li Xiuying again.


    Every minute passed felt longer than usual as he stared at his watch in between his work. Even his assistant had noticed his unusual eagerness to finish his workload for the day.


    "Boss, are you meeting someone today? You seem in a hurry?" His assistant asked curiously. Of course, some of his office mates were aware that he used to be the husband of Lady Li, princess of the Li family.


    Mu Jianyu hummed but didn''t say anything in return. He was excited to see his ex-wife, though he doubted that Li Xiuying would want him back. Her tone was cold and dejected at the same time, as it always had been since their divorce.


    He couldn''t understand her at all. What was there to talk about? Didn''t she already make it clear that she didn''t want him back in her life, ever? That he wasn''t worth her time? So why did she suddenly want to see him?


    Was it because of the news about Lin Meirong''s death? Although that woman used to be his lover, Mu Jianyu didn''t want to have anything to do with her. He also kept Mu Jingyi away from her, to spare the child from her mother''s viciousness. A sweet child like her didn''t deserve Lin Meirong as her mother.


    The moment he was done with his work, Mu Jianyu drove towards the location where Li Xiuying said they should meet. He knew theke she''d mentioned in her call because they used to visit the ce whenever he had time off work to apany her around.


    When he arrived at the ce, he saw that she was already there, standing on the port of theke, with a faraway look on her face. The weather today was cooler than usual, but he didn''t think it was cold enough for Li Xiuying to dress like this.


    She was wearing a thick windbreaker that almost dwarfed her with its size. He also noticed that she''d gained a lot of weight since thest time he''d seen her.


    Was Shen Zichen taking good care of her? Was she happy with him?


    These were the questions that sprouted in his mind, but weren''t voiced out. He knew he had no right to ask her about anything.


    He cleared his throat as he tried to get her attention.


    "Ying." Mu Jianyu called out but ''Li Xiuying'' only looked over her shoulder before she turned her gaze back to the distant horizon.


    "I''m not your Ying," she said in a clear voice, which confused the hell out of Mu Jianyu. What did she mean by that?


    Did she call him right here just to remind him that she wasn''t his anymore? What kind of nonsense was she up to? If she called him here just to p him with reality, she didn''t need to.


    His jaws hardened, fists clenched inside his coat''s pockets. She need not remind him of how much of a failure of a husband he had became.


    "Ying, why did you call me here? Do you need anything?" He asked, not beating around the bush.


    Anything? Mu Jianyuughed at himself. What could he have that Shen Zichen couldn''t possibly give to his wife?


    "Didn''t you hear what I say? I''m not Ying. I was never your wife."


    This time, ''Li Xiuying'' turned around to face him with an unreadable expression on her face. Up close, Mu Jianyu noticed that her eyes were rimmed red as if she''d been crying before she met him today.


    "I don''t understand¡­"


    "How can you be so stupid, Mu Jianyu? For fucking sake, how can you not tell your own wife apart from her twin sister." ''Li Xiuying'' spat out venomously, freezing Mu Jianyu on his spot.


    It didn''t take long for him to understand what Ying meant.


    No¡­ Mu Jianyu corrected himself. The woman in front of him wasn''t his ex-wife but his sister-inw, Li Chuntao? But what was she doing here? Wasn''t he supposed to meet Li Xiuying and not her twin sister?


    "Li Chuntao?" He looked around, trying to see where his wife was. "Where''s Ying? Did she tell you toe here and meet me instead?"


    Li Chuntao didn''t utter a word but looked back at him as if she was in some kind of pain.


    "She''s not here. She would never be here anymore." She responded.


    It didn''t clear his question at all. In fact, Mu Jianyu was more confused than ever.


    "What do you mean, Li Chuntao? Did Ying back out at thest moment? You could have just told me why we are here." He hissed back. He found no logical reason why he had to meet Li Chuntao today. He really wanted to see Ying, not her.


    Li Chuntao shook her head andughed pitifully. Her eyes brimmed with tears as she looked down at the reflection of her face on the surface of the water. If she didn''t know she was looking at her own face, she would''ve assumed that the woman staring back at her was her dead twin.


    "You are toote, Mu Jianyu. Ying would nevere back. She''d been gone for too long, you haven''t even noticed that you''ve been speaking to and looking at the wrong person." She paused and nced towards him, her eyes cold.


    "Ying has been dead for a long time."

 Chapter 215 - Give My Sister Back! (1)

    Mu Jianyu suddenly felt that it was hard to breathe, that no matter how hard he tried to convince himself that this was just a prank Li Xiuying was trying to pull on him, the pain in Li Chuntao''s eyes couldn''t deceive him at all.


    Death was something Li Xiuying nor Li Chuntao would joke around. Still, he couldn''t understand why Li Chuntao was telling him this.


    "Ying died a year ago. The woman who went back with you, the person who lived with you for several weeks had been me. The wife you''ve been looking for has long been gone, Mu Jianyu." Li Chuntao continued coldly.


    Mu Jianyu opened his mouth to say something, but none came out. What was he supposed to say after hearing this? Disbelief washed through him. If Li Chuntao was telling the truth, then didn''t that mean that he''d already lost Ying even before he realized how much of an idiot he''d be?


    "H-how?" He blinked, not aware of the tears that started to brim in his eyes.


    Ying was dead. She was dead. He was having a hard time epting all of it. This was too much for him to handle.


    "Killed by your mistress." Li Chuntao looked away. The pain inside her chest was still raw, even though it''s already a year since Ying''s passing. "Killed by the ident she premeditated with her other lover."


    Mu Jianyu sucked in a deep breath and stepped back. He needed to lean back on the trunk of the tree nearby to support himself.


    "I¡ª" Did that also mean that he was the one who had indirectly killed his wife? Because of his affair, Li Xiuying had to pay the price?


    No. No, this couldn''t be! He refused to believe Li Chuntao''s words. How could it be possible? There was no way Ying would have been dead without him knowing about it.


    "You are lying." He said with his teeth gritted. "How can you say something like this, Li Chuntao? I''ve always known that you don''t like me, that''s why I stayed away from you, but for you to say this? This is too much don''t you think?"


    At those words, Li Chuntao couldn''t stop the rage in her heart and marched towards him. She lifted a hand and pped him as hard as she could.


    "You think this is a joke? Do you think I would make a joke about my sister''s death? I''ve allowed you to marry Ying, didn''t I? I let you two get married because I thought you would be able to make her happy, but no¡­."


    This time, tears kept rolling down her cheeks. If she could turn back time and object to Ying''s marriage to this man, would their end be different now?


    "You betrayed her! You ruined her until she couldn''t recognize her own self anymore." Li Chuntao continued to hit his chest with her fists, tears streaming down her face as she broke down. "Give her back to me! Give my sister back to me, you bastard!"


    She shouldn''t have let her sister marry this man. She should have known not to leave Ying with Mu Jianyu. A year had already passed since Ying died, but her memories andst moments were etched deep in Li Chuntao''s mind.


    Li Chuntao hated them for taking away the only person she had in her life, but more than that, she hated herself for failing to protect her. In this world, nothing had mattered to her before, it had only been Ying.


    However, just as Shen Zichen advised her. She needed to let go and live for him and their daughter. She cannot continue living in hatred and revenge. She didn''t want to regret losing her chance to be with her family because of it.


    "Give her back to me! Give my sister back!"


    Only Li Chuntao''s cry could be heard as well as the ssh of water on theke as birds flocked around to find something to eat.


    The sun was about to set. It''s red orange rays bathed the two people whom Ying had loved in this world. Both were grieving from her sudden passing.


    After keeping her grief in for so long, Li Chuntao couldn''t stop her tears from flowing. Meanwhile, Mu Jianyu was shocked by the revtion. He wanted to get angry at Li Chuntao for deceiving him, for making a fool out of him, and yet, the only thing that was on his mind right now was the fact that Ying died.


    His wife died because of him. If he hadn''t cheated on her, Lin Meirong wouldn''t dare to plot against her. Ying wouldn''t have to lose her life.


    The person who had always graced him with a warm smile, so warm and bright that the sun and the stars would pale inparison to her.


    He suddenly felt that his legs were losing its strength but he remained still, letting Li Chuntao hurt him, p him, hoping that the pain would wake him up from this nightmare he was trapped in.


    Unfortunately, the pain only made it real that his wife was really gone. No wonder. No wonder that the person who came back to him didn''t feel like Ying, because she truly wasn''t her.


    No way. There''s no fucking way that Li Xiuying was dead! There''s no way he could live in this world knowing she was gone.


    His whole body trembled. He pushed Li Chuntao away and covered his face with both hands as his legs gave away and let him fall on his knees.


    Mu Jianyu let out a shrill scream filled with agony. Something Li Chuntao hadn''t expected from him. He cried and cried, muttering Ying''s name over and over again.


    His words filled with apology and despair, it made him look different in Li Chuntao''s eyes. Was this really the same man who abandoned her sister? Or was this the Mu Jianyu Ying had fallen in love with?


    However, regardless of who he was right now, no matter how he tried to apologize, Ying would never return to them.

 Chapter 216 - Give My Sister Back! (2)

    To lose herpletely and not having a chance to rectify his mistakes, this was Mu Jianyu''s biggest regret in life. His short term ambition and blindness had overshadowed the treasure he had in front of him, it cost him Ying''s life.


    How foolish he''d been. He couldn''t imagine the pain his wife was in during herst moments. Was she thinking about him? Was she regretting being with him?


    A year had already passed since the ident took ce, yet, Li Chuntao was only telling him about it now.


    Who else knew about Ying''s death? Was he the only one oblivious that she had been gone for a long time?


    Mu Jianyu wanted tough at himself. It wasughable that the Li family was able to fool him to this extent. They didn''t even bother to inform him that his wife was dead and let the younger twin, fool him, punish him for his betrayal.


    "Why? Tell me why you are only telling me this now?" He asked Li Chuntao with despair. "Don''t you think that I have the right to know what happened to my wife?"


    Why now? Was she satisfied enough to see him suffering, so she was giving him the ultimate blow?


    Li Chuntao''s tears ceased. She sniffed and wiped her cheeks dry.


    "Don''t make it sound like it''s all about you. If you still don''t know, you aren''t the center of the universe. Why should we tell you about her death? So you can rip her wealth and spend it on your mistress? Isn''t it enough that she''d lost her life because of Lin Meirong? You want snatch away her inheritance as well?"


    "Goddamn it, Li Chuntao! Do you really think I loved your sister because of her money?!" Mu Jianyu yelled back at her.


    Was this what Li Chuntao had always thought of him? Didn''t she know that the reason he was with Ying was because she was the only woman who didn''t look down on him when he didn''t have anything to be proud of? Li Xiuying was the only person who believed that he could be sessful someday.


    How could Li Chuntao use him like this? She had no idea what kind of rtionship he and Ying had before they got married. He was truly in love with her, until he lost himself from his own inferiorityplex.


    "If you truly loved her, you wouldn''t have betrayed her! She was willing to move heaven and earth for your sake but what had you done?! You killed her heart, you killed her love. You were everything for her and I let you marry her because I thought you loved her!"


    Li Chuntao couldn''t really help but me him. None of this would have happened if he''d used the right head and kept it in his pants. His affair shouldn''t have cost Ying''s life¡­ her baby''s life.


    Just when Mu Jianyu thought that he''d received the final blow, she dropped another bomb that made him wish he would drop dead at that moment.


    "Do you know what else is more tragic? She wasn''t the only one who died in that ident! The baby in her womb had died in the impact. Your baby¡­ her baby didn''t even have the chance to be born and live!"


    Baby? Ying was pregnant with their child during her ident?


    Mu Jianyu''s face nched upon realization. Wasn''t it around the same time he''d chosen Lin Meirong because he thought that woman was carrying his child? Turns out, his wife was the one nurturing his flesh and blood in her womb..


    The more he thought about it, the more Mu Jianyu felt like he was being consumed with grief and indescribable pain. He had a loving wife who was about to give birth to their child, but he abandoned her, letting her die because of Lin Meirong.


    He was also consumed with his hatred for Lin Meirong. If that bitch hadn''t died from cancer, he probably would have killed her himself! s, the person who was most guilty was him.


    Not only did he lose his wife, he also lost his own child. It made sense to him why Li Chuntao was angry with him. Any other family members would have acted the same if that happened to their sisters.


    Tears continued to flow from his eyes, and he didn''t bother to hide it from Li Chuntao.


    "Then tell me why you are telling me this? Why now?"


    "I''m not doing this for you, Mu Jianyu," Li Chuntao''s tone was trembling from rage. "I''m doing this for my baby''s sake¡­ for my husband. I know Ying wouldn''t want me to continue living in hate but I just couldn''t¡­ I couldn''t forgive you nor myself."


    So the woman Shen Zichen married was Li Chuntao and not his Ying? And now that they have a family of their own, it was time for Li Chuntao to stop her guise as his wife?


    Mu Jianyu pulled himself back on his feet with a pained expression on his face and turned his back to his sister-inw.


    "You don''t need to forgive me, Li Chuntao. I don''t deserve it¡­ I don''t deserve your sister''s love. But you¡­ you deserve to be happy, so free yourself and go home. I''ll bear all the pain and consequences for her death."


    Unlike him, Li Chuntao had someone back at home waiting for her return. Li Chuntao still had a life to live and a child to raise. Of course, he was mad at her for deceiving him, but what else could he say when he was the one who caused her pain?


    After saying those words, Mu Jianyu left Li Chuntao at theke and drove back to the city.. However, after ten minutes of driving, he pulled over on the side of the road and punched the steering wheel several times as he cried his heart out, finally realizing that he''d lost the only woman he loved in his whole life.

 Chapter 217 - Remorse (1)

    Li Chuntao didn''t bother to stop her tears from flowing even after Mu Jianyu left her at theke where she had spent so many happy memories with her twin sister. Had it really been a year since Ying''s death? She wondered.


    People say that time heals all wounds, but a year was certainly not enough for Li Chuntao to numb the pain she felt. It felt like it was only yesterday that Ying died in her arms. Perhaps, time would be able to dull the pain she suffered from the death of her sister. But she knew that no matter how many years had passed, it would never be enough for her to forget Ying.


    When Shen Zichen told her to free herself and confront Mu Jianyu, she didn''t think that it would change anything. However, now, as she looked at the sun setting on the horizon, confronting the bastard who hurt Ying had somehow lessened the pain in her heart.


    ''Ying, is it really time for me to move on? Do you me me foring toote?'' She asked as her tears streamed down her face.


    Having Zichen and Xiulin in her life wasn''t part of her ns when she came back to see her twin sister. Li Chuntao didn''t see herself ever starting a family of her own after Zirui''s death. She knew she should be happy and content, but thinking about Ying still pained her.


    Can she really be free from all of this? She wondered.


    It took Li Chuntao some time before she calmed down. She''d cried until she had no more tears to cry. Was it really time for her to move on?


    Once she deemed that she was calm enough, Li Chuntao decided to drive towards the mausoleum where her parents wereid. The ashes of her twin sister had been recently ced there as well by her Uncle Yuren and Auntie Yue. It was clearly their way of epting the reality that Ying was truly gone.


    Since her confrontation and fight with Shen Zichen here a year ago, Li Chuntao hadn''t visited the ce. Being here only brought the memories that reminded her of what she''d lost, no matter how much she prayed for it to return.


    As usual, the caretaker did a great job of keeping the ce clean and tidy. There wasn''t any difference from what she could see,pared to thest time she''d been here. The silence and coldness of the ce were enough to make her heart chill from loneliness.


    Her whole family was here while she was forced to face the world without them. If she didn''t have Shen Zichen and hadn''t given birth to Little Xiulin, Li Chuntao wondered what kind of life she would have.


    However, there was no what ifs, because either way, she''d already lost a part of herself when Ying died, following their parents to the afterlife.


    "Mom, Dad, Ying¡­ I''m sorry I haven''t visited you for a long time." Li Chuntao stood in front of her parents'' grave with a solemn expression on her face. "I''m sorry I couldn''t bring Zichen and Xiulin with me today." She continued.


    She wrapped her arms around her middle section, looking more vulnerable than ever. Her eyes were swollen from the amount of tears she had shed earlier and her skin pale from the biting coldness outside.


    She fell on her knees and slumped on the floor. Her eyes looking down at her nimble fingers that she took pride of. These hands were supposed to save lives, but why was she here feeling so pathetic and weak?


    This wasn''t the Li Chuntao she knew. She realized that she was losing herself when she allowed hatred and revenge to slowly consume her. She would have lost the chance to be with Shen Zichen and give birth to her daughter if she had continued to wallow in self-pity.


    Her parents¡­ her twin sister wouldn''t want to see her like this. She couldn''t stay like this any longer. She needed to move on from the past and face the future. Shutting her eyes, Li Chuntao took calming breaths, her resolve to continue living getting stronger with each passing second.


    It might be too harsh for her tosh out on Mu Jianyu earlier, but since she couldn''t continue to live in pretense anymore, it was only appropriate for her toe clean to her ex-brother-inw. Opening her eyes, the sense of loss and sorrow had vanished from it and was reced with eptance and peace she''d long forgotten.


    "I''ll bring them on my next visit. I promise."


    Li Chuntao rised to her feet and bid goodbye to her loved ones. Her family at home needed her and she cannot keep them waiting any longer. The moment she stepped out of the mausoleum, the sun had already set.


    Driving back to the vi where she currently resided with her small family, Li Chuntao felt better than ever. Her grief and sorrow blinded her from seeing and cherishing the people she still had in her life.


    When she arrived home, she saw her husband at a loss. Shen Zichen had fed their daughter, changed her and everything else his mother had told him to do while Li Chuntao was away. Still, Little Xiulin was full of energy. It was already past eight in the evening and she didn''t seem like she was ready to retire for the night.


    Little Xiuling was currently lying in her crib, her wide round eyes staring back at her father.


    "Darling, it''s already past your bedtime. Aren''t you tired?" Shen Zichen cooed at his daughter.


    "Oh, is she troubling Daddy?" Li Chuntao chuckled and leaned against the doorframe as she watched her husband and daughter.


    "Look, Xiulin! Mommy is home! Say wee back, Mommy." Shen Zichen picked up their child from the crib before heading straight towards his wife.


    "Wee back, Chuntao. I''m d you''re back." He murmured after kissing her forehead.


    Li Chuntao took their daughter from his arms and smiled.


    "Yes, I''m back for good."

 Chapter 218 - Remorse (2)

    Meanwhile, the same couldn''t be said for Mu Jianyu who was devastated after learning the truth about his wife''s sudden passing. His chest tightening at the thought that he''d lost her because of his foolishness and betrayal.


    "Ying, what have I done?" He choked out.


    Not only did he lose his wife from that incident, he had also lost the unborn child Li Xiuying was carrying at the time. How foolish. He was so busy fawning over a child that wasn''t his and had cast his own flesh and blood away because of another woman.


    Guilt crushed into him, wave after wave, enough to drown him in it and he deeply regretted what he''d done to his own wife. Had he known this would be the oue of his betrayal, he wouldn''t have chosen Lin Meirong over Ying. He would have focused his attention on his wife and nothing else.


    Mu Jingyi, his adopted daughter, was already asleep in her own room, oblivious to what was happening at this moment.


    Li Chuntao had demanded him to give her twin sister back¡­ to return Li Xiuying back to her. He would if he could, but there was nothing he could do right now other than to me himself for Li Xiuying''s death.


    Nothing was worth losing Ying''s life for. Not like this. It shouldn''t have ended like this.


    He could let her go, divorce her to give her freedom, see her with another man as long as she was happy and content, but death? Death was never an option. Mu Jianyi didn''t think he would be able to ept the truth behind her death.


    Mu Jianyu''s health started to deteriorate from then on. His days were bing so unproductive that he decided to leave his work in favor of staying at home with Mu Jingyi, while his nights were filled with nightmares as he kept dreaming of his dead wife torturing him in his sleep.


    Everything around him was tuned out, the silence only heightening the madness he was suffering. The days when Ying had continuously given him chances to redeem himself, her eyes boring into him, knowing the truth about his betrayal kept haunting him.


    How? How was she able to endure all those months of his affair, pretending that everything was alright when in fact she was dying inside?


    "You want us to divorce?" She had asked him.


    Mu Jianyi could clearly see the hurt and shock in her eyes, no matter how hard she tried to hide it.


    "I''m not happy anymore." He replied with a straight face. "Let''s get divorced."


    That was the biggest blow he had given Ying, and now, his biggest regret. He had always thought that the problem in their marriage was her, when in fact, he was the one who turned his back on her.


    Was this his punishment from the heavens? If he knew Ying and their child would end up being dead, he would definitely not abandon the two of them.


    One day passed. Three days passed. A week passed. Guilt was eating and pestering him continuously. A fire burned in his mind and throat. Remorse hit him like a sledgehammer, leaving him breathless and in pain.


    If he could only turn back the time, he would definitely not abandon his wife for another woman. He would have worked hard with Ying to make their marriage work out. But what else could he do now? The reason for him to live was gone and every waking moment he had only crushed him with the guilt and remorse over her death.


    In his heart, Mu Jianyu retracted all the bad things he ever said about Li Xiuying. They were never a reflection of her, only of his inner demons and his failures as her husband. He should be the one who took care of her, who should have loved her.


    Ying worked hard for the sake of their marriage, but he only saw what she could not do. Pressured by her perfectness, he was too focused on wanting to be seen as the perfect husband the public was expecting to see with the Li Princess.


    Because of his pride and bruised ego, he had only given her passive-aggressive rage, and withdrew himself to punish her for something she hadn''t done and he became more self-absorbed than ever.


    Mu Jianyu unlocked the door of his apartment after dropping Mu Jingyi off at the kindergarten because he had no more energy to spend with the kid in mornings, where the girl would always cry to get his attention.


    "I''m home." He muttered out of habit, before he realized that he was alone and there was no angel waiting for his return.


    The smiles that Li Xiuying always had on whenever hees home, Mu Jianyu never thought he would miss it so badly.


    Remorse. Guilt.


    That was what Mu Jianyu felt at that very moment. As he stared at the wedding portrait of him and Li Xiuying that was hanging in his living area with teary eyes, he wished he could turn back time so he could go back and rectify his mistake - the worst of all he had done. He had failed her in the worst possible way.


    However, he could not. Impossible. He had to live with it. Remorse etched in his heart. Guilt gnawed through him like a worm at the core of an apple. A tear trickled down his cheek, memories flooded his mind...


    No¡­ He cannot continue to live like this anymore.


    He dropped the grocery bags he had in one hand and bolted out of his apartment. He pushed for the elevator button with his trembling hands.


    When she first denied to see him, Mu Jianyu would describe his heartache as an insatiable fire that burnt all the oxygen in his body, leaving him listless and empty. But now, it was more like a hell fire that would forever burn inside of him.


    He drove towards the location of the ident, half insane, half in love. Insane that he''d lost the most precious treasure he ever had.. In love that until now, he realized that it had always only been Li Xiuying.

 Chapter 219 - There’s Nothing Keeping You Here (1)

    After learning the truth from Li Chuntao, Mu Jianyu had started to lose his mind. Every day was torture for him as his guilt and remorse continued to eat him from the inside. Several thoughts crossed his mind, imagining how his wife suffered because of him and how she had endured it all in silence.


    Mu Jianyu wanted to scream, wanted to hurt himself for subjecting Li Xiuying to such pain. He missed her so badly. It was a different kind of heartache, knowing the person you wanted to see was totally out of your reach.


    The memories he shared with her continued to y in his mind. Her smile, her voice, her familiarforting scent haunted every second of his waking moment. Mu Jianyu didn''t think he would be able to continue like this any longer.


    His need to see his wife clouded his judgment. A part of him wanted to deny reality and not ept that Li Xiuying was truly dead, but his logical mind kept telling him that someone like Li Chuntao, who dearly loved her twin sister, wouldn''t joke about Li Xiuying''s death.


    He must have lost his mind to think that this was a prank that the Li twins came up with to spite him. But Ying couldn''t be dead¡­ she shouldn''t¡­ he refused to ept that she was gone, that he''d already lost the only woman who truly loved him.


    Mu Jianyu drove frantically towards the scene of the ident, wanting to see the ce where he''d lost his angel. He tried to convince himself that this wasn''t happening to him, that Ying''s ident didn''t take her life, but what more proof did he need to see before he could ept the reality that she was truly gone?


    It would have been better if he was the one who died, not her. He was the one who wronged his wife, but why did Ying have to pay for his sins? He would willingly ept his punishment, but not like this¡­ it shouldn''t have turned out like this.


    It was really unfair that Ying had to lose her life for him to realize his mistakes. It should have been him, not her. Her death equates to losing his reason for living, to lose his life.


    The weather seemed to sympathize with him as the sky began to its incessant downpour. It had been raining for days and most people tried to avoid going outside at this time. Was the heavens crying with him or crying as it took back one of its angels? Mu Jianyu wondered.


    It took him an hour of driving before he reached the site. Mu Jianyu stepped out of his car, ignoring how the rain started soaking him the moment he came out. His eyes scanned the area before forcing his trembling legs to look down at the raging river below him.


    His mind trying to imagine how scared his wife was facing death like this. Mu Jianyu was aware that Li Xiuying couldn''t swim and had a phobia of drowning, caused by an incident in her childhood years. Li Xiuying must have really been scared when her car fell into the water.


    His tears ran down his face alongside the raindrops that poured on him. The sky was consumed in numerous shades of grey, white and ck. It looked like the sun had given up on trying to break through this iron curtain of clouds and had be content to lounging out behind them.


    "Ying¡­" Mu Jianyu uttered the name of his beloved with teary eyes.


    If this was a dream, he hoped that someone would wake him up because he couldn''t continue living knowing Ying wasn''t in this world anymore. Couldn''t he get another chance to make up to her? Was there really no chance for him to rectify his mistakes?


    ''Let''s get divorced.''


    ''I simply don''t love you anymore.''


    How cruel was he to his angel? The woman whom he swore to love for the rest of his life? He was the worst husband and father on earth for causing Li Xiuying and their unborn child to lose their lives!


    It didn''t matter if Lin Meirong had or had not seduced him, he should have been brave enough to confess his drunken mistake to his wife and avoided Lin Meirong at all cost! It was useless to push the me on Lin Meirong since the woman was already dead. In the end, he was the one who''d been unfaithful to his wife.


    Mu Jianyi held the railing tightly, his face one with a pained expression. This time, he didn''t bother to stop his tears from flowing. The pain in his chest almost left him breathless. He could feel that not only his strength was leaving his body, but his will to live as well.


    What''s the point of living if he''d already lost Ying and their child? No matter what he did to make up for it, Ying and their child''s lives would never return.


    "A year has already passed and your remains areid somewhere in peace Ying, but I am not.. I''m not at peace. I am lost in time, I seek after your light. I am blinded by the tears in my eyes. This pain continues to abuse me everyday knowing that you aren''t here anymore."


    "Ying¡­ can you forgive me? Can you forgive this useless husband of yours?"


    There were so many things he wanted to tell her, but Mu Jianyu knew that it would never reach her. The emptiness in his heart, the numbness pounding his brain, the salty tears that flowed unchecked from his eyes, the sheer nothingness that now took hold of his soul threatened to engulf him entirely.


    He never got to tell her he loved her onest time. He didn''t get to hold her close before she slipped away, never even got to look into her loving, beautiful face, which had always brought him so much happiness in their early days.


    "Ying¡­ Please wait for me."

 Chapter 220 - There’s Nothing Keeping You Here (2)

    Two weeks after Li Chuntao met Mu Jianyu and confessed everything about Ying''s death and her pretense, her condition started to improve each day. She stopped groveling over her sister''s death and paid more attention to her newborn baby.


    Shen Zichen was d that the Li Chuntao he knew was starting toe back to them and hoped that it would be for the better. His wife had stopped having nightmares and was able to peacefully sleep through the night.


    He was relieved that every time he looked at her, Li Chuntao was healthier and happier. These days, especially whenever she was with their daughter, her smiles were genuine and at ease. They spoke only a little of what transpired during her conversation with Mu Jianyu, and Shen Zichen was fine with that, as long as his wife didn''t dwell on Ying''s death anymore. He was more than grateful that she chose to move on with him and Xiulin.


    Since then, Li Chuntao had easily taken the role of being a mother to their child and took every chance to spoil their Little Xiulin. She seemed perfectly happy to spend time with her and Shen Zichen wondered if she was starting to ignore him in favor of their daughter.


    Despite this, Shen Zichen wondered if she was truly moving on and wasn''t bothered by her guilt and grief anymore. He knew it wasn''t easy for someone like Li Chuntao to admit and wear her heart on her sleeve. She tends to keep what she truly felt to herself. Wasn''t this one of the reasons why it took them years before they admitted their feelings to each other?


    After submitting his resignation to the hospital, Shen Zichen didn''t forget to drop by his parent''s home at Imperial Residences to talk with his father and younger sister, Shen Lingqing. Since he and Li Chuntao decided to migrate overseas, there were things he needed to settle before they left.


    "You don''t have to apologize to us, Zichen," Madam Shen patted his shoulder and smiled. "Your father and I understand why you need to go with Chuntao. As long as you don''t forget to call us once in a while, we will be fine."


    "There''s nothing keeping you here, Zichen." His father, who was standing near the huge window of the study, said to him. "Your siblings are all grown up and you''ve done your part as their eldest brother. You don''t have to look after them like you used to. You should prioritize your own family."


    Shen Yi eyed his son over his shoulder and gave him a small smile. Who would have thought that the young scaredy boy he and Lu Xinyi adopted years ago would grow up so soon? For him and Lu Xinyi, it only felt like yesterday when they weed Zichen and Yuyan into their household.


    "That''s right, Zi gege. As for thepany, you don''t need to worry about it. I can manage." Shen Lingqing assured her elder brother. Since Shen Zichen owned a percentage of shares in SY Holdings, it only made sense that he would be involved in their family business.


    "I''m not worried about that, Qingqing. I trust your judgement." Shen Zichen smiled at his sister. Shen Lingqing probably didn''t know that he owed her so much, he''d already lost count of how many times his younger sister had saved his ass.


    He should be the one responsible for her wellbeing, but Shen Lingqing was too capable on her own. This made Shen Zichen think that she''d taken after their father a lot. He could only hope that in the future, he would be able to settle his debts with her and help her when the timees.


    After exchanging some words with his parents and sister, Shen Zichen decided to drive straight home, knowing that his wife and daughter were waiting for his return. Truthfully, when he married Li Chuntao, he hadn''t thought of being a father again this soon. Especially after finding out that he lost his chance to be a father to Li Zirui, their firstborn.


    Thankfully, he knew how to deal with babies and young children, courtesy of his prior experience with his younger siblings. When his mother gave birth to Qingqing and Lingtian, Shen Zichen took it to himself to look after them whenever their parents were too busy with work.


    However, unlike her aunt and uncle, it seems like Little Xiulin wanted his and Chuntao''s undivided attention. Even when she was asleep she would require her parents'' presence near her.


    Shen Zichen pulled his car in the driveway and stepped down, taking the packed lunch and meals his mother insisted for him to bring home. He shook his head in amusement. His mother was still the same as always, wanting to make sure that her four children were being fed well with good food and were not skipping their meals.


    Just as he was about to close the front door of the vi behind him. Shen Zichen heard a shattering sound from the spacious living area. He rushed to see what had happened and saw Li Chuntao standing in the middle of the room with a shattered ss near her feet. Su Ling and Song Zexi were standing in front of their miss, both with a stiff posture.


    Li Chuntao narrowed her eyes to her bodyguards.


    "What do you mean he''s dead?" She questioned the two of them.


    Shen Zichen carefully dropped the bags on the nearby table and hurried to his wife''s side worriedly. What could have happened this time?


    "Who''s dead?" He asked curiously as he alternated his eyes from her to her bodyguards. He wanted to know what had caused his wife to be on the edge again. He hadn''t seen her like this since her meeting with Mu Jianyu weeks ago.


    It was Su Ling who answered his question.


    "Young Master Shen, we received a verified report that Mu Jianyu was found dead this morning.. Witnesses said that hemitted suicide yesterday by jumping from the same bridge where Miss Ying''s ident happened."

 Chapter 221 - Dont Cry Over Spilled Milk (1)

    Dead? How could Mu Jianyu be dead now?


    Li Chuntao couldn''t contain her rage as her blood started to boil with anger thinking of how cowardly Mu Jianyu was. Did he kill himself out of guilt and remorse? He''d chosen the easiest way out to escape his lifelong punishment?!


    True, she didn''t have any malintent when she''d told him the truth about Li Xiuying''s death. In fact, if it wasn''t for Zichen and Xiulin, she didn''t think she would''ve even taken the initiative to tell Mu Jianyu about it. She just didn''t expect that until the end, Mu Jianyu would remain a selfish bastard.


    She hadn''t said anything since she and Su Ling left the vi to meet her Uncle Yuren and Aunt Yuyue back in the capital. Shen Zichen insisted that she should go and meet them and assured her that Xiulin would be fine with him.


    The news of Mu Jianyu''s death shocked not only the Li family, but everyone who knew about him and Li Xiuying as well. They were aware of the falling out between the two, which eventually ended up with divorce. With the rumors about Shen Zichen being involved with Li Xiuying, the couple had lost their chance to fix their rtionship.


    However, what the public didn''t know was that the Li princess they were acquainted with had long been dead and the woman who''s been romantically involved with the Young Master of the Shen family was Li Chuntao and not Li Xiuying.


    The moment she arrived at the Li Mansion, she was immediately greeted at the front door by Zheng Yue, who was distressed by the news. Whether or not Mu Jianyu was still part of the family, the public would surely turn their attention to their family and question them about his death.


    "Chuntao, Zichen called. Why did youe here? You don''t need to worry about this. Your Uncle and I are alreadymunicating with the press and we''ll be releasing an official statement soon." The older woman told Li Chuntao as she held thetter''s hand.


    Li Chuntao shook her head. She needed to be here. She cannot let her uncle deal with the issue alone. It was something that involved Ying and her anyway.


    "It''s alright, Auntie Yue. Where''s Uncle Yuren?" She asked, her mouth set in a hard line as she thought that even in his death, Mu Jianyu was still able to annoy her.


    "Upstairs. He''s talking with Mom and Dad right now. This issue shouldn''t affect thepany that much, but they''re taking precautionary measures to be safe." Zheng Yue said as she led her niece upstairs to join the talk.


    "Is he really dead?" Li Chuntao asked, hoping to receive confirmation from her mother''s family. She still couldn''t believe that Mu Jianyu ended his life because of Ying.


    Bastard. She hissed inwardly. Did he really think that by killing himself, he would be able to atone for his sins and reunite with her twin sister?


    Suicide had always been an irresponsible choice in Li Chuntao''s opinion. It''s easy for him, but what about those around him? What about the adoptive daughter he''d left behind? Didn''t Mu Jianyu think that the girl would be looking for him once she noticed he was gone? Even if Mu Jinyi was still a baby, she''d already formed a bond with Mu Jianyu. Though perhaps a bond that wasn''t strong enough to keep him going.


    They found Li Yuren and the elders in the main study, discussing their next course of actions. The moment the two women entered, the three stopped and turned their gazes to Li Chuntao, who''d taken a seat on the couch across them with Zheng Yue.


    "It''s time for the world to know Li Xiuying is dead." Li Yuren told his niece.


    Li Chuntao''s jaws hardened. Perhaps, this would be best for all of them. They couldn''t hide her sister''s death any longer.


    "If you are worried that your pretense would be uncovered¡­"


    "We don''t owe the public an exnation. It''s good enough that they know that Ying is already gone." Li Chuntao didn''t mean to be harsh on her Uncle, but she truly couldn''t understand why she and Shen Zichen had to exin their private lives to the public.


    "Are you sure about this, Chuntao?" Li Yuren asked. Was it really alright not to disclose the real cause of Li Xiuying''s death to the public?


    Li Chuntao shut her eyes, her hands fisted on herp. She hadn''t expected that it would end like this. SHe didn''t think that Mu Jianyu would take his own life after finding out the truth about his wife''s death.


    She probably should have known that this might happen and should''ve taken a different approach to tell him the truth. Still, what was done was already done. There was no point crying over spilled milk and she definitely won''t me herself for his death, as Mu Jianyu was the one who chose his end.


    "I wouldn''t mind if there aren''t any children involved." She cracked her eyes open and looked at her uncle, straight in the eyes. This was something that had bothered her earlier.


    Now that she had a child of her own, Li Chuntao didn''t want Lin Meirong''s children to suffer the public''s ire because of what their mother had done in the past. Meng Huan''s son and Mu Jingyi had nothing to do with Lin Meirong''s sins. Why would they need to live in their mother''s shadow?


    Li Yuren and his wife shared a knowing look before he nodded at their niece. They hadn''t thought that far, but Li Chuntao had managed to put those children into consideration.


    "If that''s what you want, we''ll finalize this. What about your marriage with Zichen?" He questioned.


    "Zichen and I haven''t talked about it, but I''d rather not let the public know." Li Chuntao responded. She was pretty sure that her husband would agree with her anyway.


    Mu Jianyu''s dead, what now?

 Chapter 222 - Dont Cry Over Spilled Milk (2)

    The next day, one of the Li Corporation''s banquet halls was filled with members of the press, who were waiting for the official statement from the family regarding Mu Jianyu''s sudden death and the rumors about Li Xiuying''s long absence.


    "Do you think that Mu Jianyu lost his mind after Lady Li divorced him?" One of the reporters asked hispanion in a loud voice.


    For the first time, the Li family had held a press conference to exin their side. Next to the Shen family, the Li family rarely involved themselves nor pay much attention to the rumors going around about their family members. They''ve never cared about how they were perceived.


    The other man shrugged. "It could be. There were rumors between the two. It didn''t help that Shen Zichen was also involved in it. It must be really hard for Mu Jianyu after their separation."


    Hushed conversations filled the hall until the whole Li family, together with theirwyer, entered from the side entrance and made their way to the stage. Zheng Yue naturally took her spot on the podium, her eyes sweeping over them as the frantic journalists took pictures of the family, especially of Li Chuntao, whom they had mistakenly assumed as Li Xiuying.


    Along with the Old Master and Old Madam Li, Li Chuntao stood next to her cousin, Li Jingren. He was her Uncle Yuren and Aunt Yue''s only son, the sessor of the Li Corporation. All of them were wearing ck suits and had stiff, serious expressions on their faces, as if they were mourning over Mu Jianyu''s death.


    The camera shes almost blinded Li Chuntao, but she tried to contain her annoyance and lowered her gaze instead. Today, her family was about to announce her sister''s death, and how it was the cause of Mu Jianyu''s suicide. It was the only usible reason they coulde up with to protect their family and the children Lin Meirong had left behind.


    Since the public was more familiar with Zheng Yue, being a previous film empress at the peak of her career, she would be the one representing and to read the official statement from the Li family.


    "Today, with a heavy heart, we''re here to confirm not only one, but two deaths within the family." She started as the media scampered to grab a spot in front for a better shot of the whole family.


    "Mu Jianyu''s death was a huge blow to our family. None of us expected it to happen. Even though he and Li Xiuying were already divorced, he''s still considered part of our family."


    It wasn''t a secret that Mu Jianyu didn''t have any living rtives at this point, other than the daughter he adopted a year ago. However, none of them knew the status of his rtionship with his ex-wife''s family.


    "We would also like to confirm the passing of our dearest Li Xiuying." Zheng Yue continued, her face was one with a pained expression. She couldn''t help herself as she remembered her niece''s final moment in Li Chuntao''s arms.


    The grief, the pain, the helplessness. A year had already passed but the pain had remained fresh in their hearts.


    The second statement was something that caught the journalists by surprise. None of them had expected to hear those words from her lips. Then who was the woman who was standing behind her if Li Xiuying was already dead? Even though it''s been almost a year since Li Xiuying decided toy low and not show herself in public, wasn''t this too much?


    Was this the reason Mu Jianyu took his own life? Even after their divorce, Mu Jianyu still loved his ex-wife to the extent that he couldn''t continue living without her?


    "Yes, our Ying has passed away, and this fact might have left a detrimental shock and pain on Mu Jianyu, given how much they loved and cherished each other before their separation. Do not be mistaken." Zheng Yue then took a side nce to her only surviving niece. "The woman in front of you right now is the younger twin of our family, Li Chuntao."


    Li Chuntao gave them a respectful bow before putting her icy mask back in ce. She''d already expected that people would be confused seeing her right now. She and her twin sister were identical anyway. It''s only normal that they couldn''t differentiate who''s who between them.


    The press conference continued in a blur for Li Chuntao. Her Aunt Yue had easily answered each of the questions thrown at her without revealing too much information about Li Xiuying''s death. She only mentioned that Li Xiuying had sufferedplications that eventually led to her untimely death.


    Her remains had been cremated and had been kept in the Li family''s mausoleum. The public could only ept the family''s exnation regarding Li Xiuying and Mu Jianyu''s death.


    Some were curious about Shen Zichen''s involvement, but the former film empress had assured them that there was nothing going on between Li Xiuying and the Young Master Shen as they''d been close since childhood and it was normal for them to look after each other.


    The Li family remained silent throughout the conference. Since Li Xiuying and Mu Jianyu''s deaths had already been confirmed, Li Chuntao need not exin herself any further.


    Right now, she only wanted to go back to the vi where her husband and daughter were waiting for her return. A pang of regret hit Li Chuntao as she realized that she had almost lost her chance to be truly happy because she wasn''t able to let go of her sister.


    This was the end for her revenge. No matter if this wasn''t the ending she had on her mind before she started. There''s no need for her to dwell on the past any longer. With Lin Meirong''s death and Mu Jianyu''s suicide, the only thing left for her was to move on.


    A heavy burden had been lifted in her heart and Li Chuntao knew she could finally move on with her life.


    "Ying, in this lifetime and the next ones, I wish to always be your sister."

 Chapter 223 - Be Kind To Yourself (1)

    There were times when Li Chuntao wondered what kind of life she would have now if her twin sister hadn''t died from Lin Meirong''s schemes. However, she knew that ''what-ifs'' were pointless to think about, as there was nothing that could be done to change what had happened.


    She could only hope that her sister and her unborn nephew''s souls were at peace now. As Su Ling drove towards the orphanage where Qin Linfeng was working at, Li Chuntao wondered how the kids took the news about their beloved Sister Ying''s death. She hoped that none of them would be grieving too much or me themselves for not being with Ying.


    Just as she expected, the moment the orphanage director introduced her to them as Li Chuntao, their Sister Ying''s little sister, the children cried and whined about how they missed their Sister Ying. She couldn''t me them, because even she herself was still missing her dead sister.


    Some children gave Li Chuntao a hug, as if they were attempting to console her from her loss.


    "Sister Chuntao, I''m sure Sister Ying loved you so much. She talked about you all the time, and kept saying how she missed you so badly." Little Su Mei told her as the child took a seat on herp, while the other children surrounded her.


    "Really? I miss her so badly too." Li Chuntao replied with a somber tone while patting the girl''s head gently.


    One year was too short for her topletely move on as the pain of her loss was still fresh in her heart. But with her loving husband and daughter on her side, Li Chuntao was reminded that her life wasn''t only hers anymore. Her loved ones still needed her.


    "Sister Ying is already gone. What would happen to us now?" One of the children sobbed next to her. Looking at them, Li Chuntao couldn''t help but feel bad about leaving them.


    "Just remember what your Sister Ying taught you. You cannot change the attitude of the people around you, but you can certainly choose who you surround yourself with. Be kind to one another, but don''t let others take advantage of that kindness. Ying Jie loved us with all her heart and I''m sure she doesn''t want us to be forever sad from her death." She told them.


    There''s nothing else she could do for all of them other than making sure that they would be provided for until they reached legal age and were independent, or until they were adopted by other families.


    Anyway, one of the reasons why she came here was because of Mu Jingyi, Lin Meirong''s daughter who Mu Jianyu had adopted. After his death and funeral, the girl was left here to be cared for until they could find any of Mu Jianyu''s distant rtives who would take her in, which was highly unlikely in Li Chuntao''s opinion.


    Mu Jianyu never had a supportive family, and Song Xiangrong''s family didn''t seem like they would like to get involved with his issues. Mu Jingyi would have a hard time finding a family of her own as she was practically the fruit of a series of betrayal, schemes and lies.


    However, it shocked her when she received a report that Meng Huan was looking into adopting his ex-wife''s daughter. It made sense because she was Meng Lingxiang''s only sister, but for the love of god, she had never met a man as stupid and forgiving as Meng Huan.


    She met the man outside the director''s office, where he was discussing his intention to adopt Mu Jingyi. Since she was his ex-wife''s daughter and he could now afford to provide for more than just their son, Meng Huan thought that there shouldn''t be any problem with him iming the girl''s custody.


    "Are you sure about this?" Li Chuntao asked him once he finished submitting his application for adoption.


    He was shocked at first to see her standing outside, waiting for him. It took him a moment to remember that Li Xiuying had a younger twin sister named Li Chuntao, but he was oblivious that the woman he''d met a year ago, the one who helped him and his family was the same woman standing in front of him right now.


    "Yes, I am sure, Miss Li. I think that Mu Jingyi deserves a family that would wee her and truly love her. I know she isn''t mine, but¡­" He trailed off, looking away as if he was ashamed that he was still concerned about Gu Changge despite all the things she did to him and their son.


    Li Chuntao eyed him as if he''d grown another head over his shoulder. Was he serious? Did he really want to take on the responsibility of raising Mu Jingyi? Although she thought that the girl was innocent and shouldn''t be held ountable for her mother''s devious actions, she couldn''tprehend why would Meng Huan was willing to adopt her.


    "Why?" She asked him straightforwardly.


    "Because this is my way of paying back all the things I couldn''t do for Changge before," Meng Huan said with a solemn expression on his face. "If I had been a better husband to her, if I truly did my best to provide for her and our son, she wouldn''t feel the need to stray away from us for a better life."


    Li Chuntao thought that was ridiculous. Gu Changge was the one who wronged him, but why did Meng Huan take the me for her poor choices and attitude?


    "I understand that you care about the girl, but don''t you think you should be kind to yourself? You keep taking the me for your wife''s actions but why can''t you put yourself first? You need to man up, Meng Huan. Too much kindness can kill you." She said before turning around.


    Since he had decided to keep Mu Jingyi, then she wouldn''t need to worry about the girl.. She''d already done her part to make sure that she and Meng Huan''s son wouldn''t be implicated by their mother''s wrongdoing when she was still alive.

 Chapter 224 - Be Kind To Yourself (2)

    Li Chuntao took her time and decided to do a bit of sight seeing before she left this ce for good. She wasn''t sure if she would be able toe back here and visit these children again.


    It pained her to know that they would part ways like this, not seeing each other for a long time. Perhaps one day, once she had truly moved on from the grief caused by Ying''s death, she would be able to face everything with a lighter heart. Her eyes sparkled with tears as she thought about her sister. She could only hope that with everything that had calmed down, her heart would be at ease to embrace this reality.


    She heard footsteps behind her. She turned around and saw Qin Linfeng running towards her in a hurry.


    "Miss Li¡­" He leaned forward and supported his weight by resting both hands on his legs. "I''m d you haven''t left yet."


    Li Chuntao furrowed her brows in confusion.


    "Why? What''s the matter?" She had already discussed the Li family''s continued support for the orphanage. It''s just that Zheng Yue would be the one overseeing it for theing years.


    "Nothing. I''m just making sure you are alright." Qin Linfeng paused and gave her a good look, "Are you?"


    "Of course," Li Chuntao scoffed and turned away from him to appreciate the manmadeke situated within the orphanage''s perimetres. "Do you think Li Chuntao would easily be upset by a simple dy?"


    The management took time to sort the papers she needed and she had left Su Ling behind to deal with it while she took the time to look around.


    They must have created thiske to give a scenic view for their guests, but she thought that the orphanage would need to add precautionary railings to make sure the children wouldn''t identally fall in it. Things could happen in a split second whenever it involved children.


    Qin Linfeng shook his head and shifted to stand beside her. He only knew her for a year, but they had be good friends, just like he was with Li Xiuying when she was still alive. Although, to be honest, he was always the one who kept the conversation going, Li Chuntao would just asionally respond monotonously to his questions. It was stillfortable anyway.


    "No. That''s not it. I''m just making sure that you are really okay now."


    He wasn''t clueless about Li Chuntao''s regret over her sister''s death, how she really felt. It''s not that she could stop Lin Meirong and Yao Qigang, but Li Chuntao simply wished that she had personallye to escort her sister away rather than to let Li Xiuying suffer alone. If she was there with Ying, at least in her death, her sister wouldn''t be alone.


    It was clear that Li Chuntao was suffering from survivor''s guilt as the symptoms had persisted, even after marrying Shen Zichen. There were nights that she couldn''t sleep and there was a sense of apathy around her.


    Li Chuntao even went as far as admitting to having nightmares as thest moments of Ying''s life yed repeatedly in her mind, leaving her guilty and helpless at the same time.


    Qin Linfeng was worried that Li Chuntao would have a hard time coping with her loss as Li Xiuying''s sudden death had truly left a traumatic pain on her sister.


    Li Chuntao would need to ept and allow the feelings to surface. As medical practitioners, they both knew that it would take time to process the guilt, grief, fear, and loss that apanied a traumatic event and the loss of life. Now that she had a family of her own, it''s crucial for Li Chuntao to ovee this trauma.


    "I can''t say that I''m totally fine." Li Chuntao answered him, her hands buried in the side pockets of her coat. The chilly wind breezed through them, her breath slightly fogged in front of her. "I still miss her so badly, but I think I feel better these days because of Xiulin." She admitted.


    Just by looking at her daughter, her heart would automatically be filled with warmth and joy. Life still continued for her even after losing her parents, her firstborn child and her twin sister. Li Chuntao also learned to cherish every moment and time she shared with her loved ones because of it.


    "Then that''s good." Qin Linfeng slightly nodded his head before adjusting the scarf around his neck. It was getting coldertely as winter was approaching. "I hope this will lead to your full recovery."


    Li Chuntao chuckled at that.


    "I''m not sick, Dr. Qin, but yes, I will be fine. My sister wouldn''t want me to grieve for too long and me myself for her death. Aside from those two idiots, no one wanted her to lose her life. Not like this." She muttered.


    "Are you and Mr. Shen leaving for good?" Qin Linfeng asked her which she responded with a hum.


    "Yes. We need to. We both agreed that it''s better to start again on a clean te. Being here would make it hard for the three of us. I''m not sure how long it would take but someday, we will be back. But until then, I hope you will also live your life to the fullest, Dr. Qin. Go out and maybe meet ady instead of keeping yourself here 24/7 looking after the kids. You also need a life, you know." She grinned at him.


    The corners of Qin Linfeng''s lips quirked up. Perhaps if they had met under different circumstances and she wasn''t in love with Shen Zichen, he would''ve surely pursued Li Chuntao. s, it was toote for him to make a move since Li Chuntao''s heart was already set for Shen Zichen, even before he met her.


    "I''ll be fine, Dr. Li. You worry too much." He assured her.


    It must be true that some were destined to meet but not fated to be together, just like him and Li Chuntao.

 Chapter 225 - Epilogue (1)

    Five yearster¡­


    "Dr. Shen, that was amazing! You managed to stop the bleeding on time!" One of the interns who attended Dr. Iris Shen''s most recent surgery eximed in admiration.


    Li Chuntao shook her head and removed her coat. Here, she was known as Iris Shen, one of the best surgeons in town, along with her husband, who took the name Alexis Shen after they decided to migrate here.


    The surgery took more than twelve hours, a bit longer than she expected. Ever since she returned to North Star Medical Center with her husband, she pursued cardiothoracic surgery and finished her residency.


    "It''s nothing. I was just doing my job." She smiled at her interns.


    Aside from finishing her residency, she was taken as an apprentice by Dr. Benitez. Dr. Benitez was considered one of the best cardiovascr surgeons the world had ever seen. However, being in histe seventies, he couldn''t personally perform surgeries anymore. He''d taken an interest in Li Chuntao''s precise ability to operate on her patients.


    Li Chuntao, who was known for taking pride in her skills, was honored that the old doctor had taken her in, showing and allowing her to learn the procedures and techniques only few people knew. He was willing to share the craft he had mastered throughout his whole career with her.


    Just as she was about to start her paperwork, her phone buzzed with a text message.


    ''Picked up Yuan Yuan from the nursery school. We''ll be there for you in an hour. ??''


    Li Chuntao let out a low chuckle and shook her head. For someone who was always serious, her husband was surprisingly affectionate to her, even in his short messages. They have been married for almost six years now but it still seems surreal to her that their love had managed to ovee the obstacles life had thrown their way.


    Two years after they moved here, Li Chuntao had gotten pregnant for the third time and gave birth to their son, who they named Shen Yuan. Despite their hectic and busy schedules, she and Shen Zichen were still able to take care of their Xiulin, who was now an overactive preschooler, and Yuan, an odd toddler who rarely talked to his parents and was only curious about the people around him.


    ''Awesome'', Li Chuntao typed back. ''Don''t forget to pick up Xiulin on time or else she will throw a tantrum about how you spend more time with Yuan Yuan than her.'' She smiled inwardly.


    ''I will!'' Shen Zichen messaged back. Their Little Xiulin was truly a daddy''s girl. Before they had Yuan, Xiulin had beenpletely pampered and spoiled by Shen Zichen, something that he wasn''t able to do for Shen Zirui, their firstborn. Though he still pampered her, she seems a little dissatisfied that he had to bnce his affections between her and her younger brother.


    Shen Zichen was also a surgeon, but he was working at a different hospital from his wife. He chose to work in a smaller hospital, where his expertise was more needed.


    Their marriage life went through several challenges and obstacles but they were proud to say that they managed to get through everything together, as a team. Whenever Li Chuntao felt vulnerable and weak or whenever she had too much on her te, Shen Zichen was always ready to do his part in lessening her burden.


    Shen Zichen had been patient with her. He had never chastised her or evenined about anything like Li Chuntao thought he would. Instead, he exined how important it was for him that she would be able to reach her dreams, as long as she didn''t stray away for too long from him and their children.


    During her residency, she had almost no time for her family and Li Chuntao couldn''t help but feel guilty about it. She only sighed in relief once she was done with it. Her workload now was more manageablepared to thest few years.


    After finishing her paperwork, Li Chuntao grabbed her bag and coat, nodding to her fellow doctors on her way out of the hospital and trekked towards the entrance where her husband usually picks her up.


    "Mommy''s just in time!"


    She turned around and saw her family already waiting for her there. Shen Zichen was leaning against the door of his car while holding Yuan in one arm. Little Xiulin was standing next to him, curiously looking around. People and bystanders had been looking at them with interest. No doubt that Shen Zichen''s handsome face and their children''s adorable charms were enough to make a few heads turn.


    The moment Xiulin saw her mother, a huge smile bloomed on her cute face.


    "Mommy!" She eximed before running towards Li Chuntao, wrapping her chubby small arms around her leg. "Mommy isn''tte today. Are you going to stay with us tonight?"


    Li Chuntaoughed and picked her daughter up while trying to bnce her bag and coat with her other arm. She''d left before dawnbreak for today''s surgery, so her daughter and Yuan weren''t able to see her when they woke up that morning.


    "Yes. Mommy will be spending the night at home today. She doesn''t have work for tomorrow."


    "Yay!" The girl cheered.


    "Did you make any friends at school?" She asked before kissing the tip of Shen Xiulin''s nose. Today was her first day at kindergarten and Li Chuntao was worried that she would cause trouble for her teachers and ssmates like what she didst year.


    "En! I''ve met new friends and ymates. Teacher Anne is also really nice. She helped me tie my shoces when I tripped!"


    Li Chuntao let out a dramatic gasp and looked at her daughter''s leg, sighing in relief when she only saw a few scratches on Xiulin''s knee.


    ''"Are you hurt?" When Xiulin shook her head, she continued. "Don''t run too fast next time. Mommy will be worried if you hurt yourself again. You wouldn''t like it if Mommy has to stitch your wound, right?"


    It was Shen Xiulin''s turn to gasp.


    "No, Mommy! Lin Lin promises to behave next time. No more running in the hallway!"

 Chapter 226 - Epilogue (2)

    It was rare for Shen Zichen to go on business trips, however this time, he had to fly back to their home country to follow up on his younger sister''s recovery. Shen Lingqing had been diagnosed with a brain tumor a year ago and he was the one who took over the surgery, removing the tumor from his sister.


    It was a hard time for their family, and their mother had been worried sick about Qing Qing. if it wasn''t for his father''s presence, Shen Zichen had no doubt that they wouldn''t be able to ovee such a trial in their lives.


    Now that Shen Lingqing was on her way to recovery, they could see some obvious improvements. Unlike a few months back, when her vision and bnce were impaired following the surgery. After all, it wasmon for people to immediately feel worse after their surgerypared to before.


    A brain surgery can cause swelling in the brain and this was why he had to monitor Qing Qing''s condition closely.


    Because of her illness, their father had to take over the management of their family business again until Shen Lingqing was suitable enough to go back to work, which no doubt wouldn''t be anytime soon.


    It was past ten in the evening when Li Chuntao heard the front door opened, indicating her husband''s arrival. She turned off the television in their bedroom before quietly going down the hallway to meet him.


    Their two children were already asleep in their respective rooms when she passed by them. After two months of not seeing her husband, Li Chuntao was more than excited to greet him.


    Shen Zichen was taking off his shoes when Li Chuntao threw herself into his arms, forcing him to stagger back.


    "Chuntao?" He steadied the two of them with a grunt. It was rare for his wife to be this affectionate, not unless she was missing him so badly that she couldn''t wait for his return.


    Shen Zichen bnced her back on her feet and the next thing he knew, she was already kissing him.


    "I miss you!" Li Chuntao murmured next to his ear, resulting in a smile that curled on his lips.


    "I miss my wife too," he admitted.


    She released him from her arms and brushed off the snow that fell on his shoulders before helping him remove his coat.


    "We have leftovers from dinner, are you hungry?"


    "Don''t bother," Shen Zichen was so d that he was back at home. He had terribly missed his wife and children. "Are they already asleep?" He eyed their kids'' doors as they passed them.


    "En. Totally knocked out from all the activities they did while Daddy isn''t around." Li Chuntao said as they made their way to their bedroom. "How''s Qing Qing?" She didn''t forget to ask about her sister-inw''s condition.


    "Doing great. At this rate, she would be able to go back to work in three months. But I doubt Mom would allow her to work overtime again." Shen Zichen replied."Anyway, with her marriage preparation still ongoing, I don''t think she''ll be able to deny Mom''s wishes for her to stay put and rx."


    Li Chuntao let out a chuckle at that. She had never thought of the possibility that the demon princess would one day be tamed by someone. Perhaps, she and Shen Lingqing were one of the same. Love came knocking on their doors at the most unexpected time.


    There were times when she found herself thinking that if she had confessed to Shen Zichen rather than running away, they would have saved themselves from unnecessary heartaches. Perhaps, she wouldn''t have to face being separated from her twin sister for seven years and wouldn''t have to be alone when she lost her baby.


    Shaking the sad memories from her mind, Li Chuntao decided to focus on what she had at the moment. To this day, she was still terribly missing Ying, but the pain wasn''t as bad as before, where it was enough to make her unproductive for days, sulking over her grief.


    Once they reached their room, Shen Zichen closed the door and took his coat from his wife''s hand, grabbing something from one of its pockets. He handed a ck velvet box to her, much to her surprise.


    "What''s this?" She asked.


    "I missed your birthday," said Shen Zichen in a matter-of-fact tone. He wanted toe home early, but he wasn''t able to get on an earlier flight due to some circumstances back at home.


    The witch tsked at him and shook her head. She was never bothered by materialistic gifts. So long that he came home to them, she would be content with it.


    "Youing back to us is enough, Zichen. You shouldn''t have bothered."


    He shrugged before sitting on the edge of their bed. "I found it when I apanied Mom on one of her shopping sprees."


    She blinked at those words. Her husband managed to survive such a feat? She knew how annoyed Shen Zichen could get while shopping with her as it was ''taxing and boring'' ording to his own words.


    "You think the eldest child can say no to his sweet mother?" He defended himself.


    She chuckled before untying the ribbon around the box and opened it.


    "Zichen¡­ this¡­." Her eyes glistened with tears as she looked down at the pendant that was so familiar to her. She had seen the rough drafts on her sister''s desk before.


    It was thest piece that Li Xiuying had designed when she was asked by a jewel maker for a coboration. It was a masterpiece and there were only ten pieces sold in the market. Shen Zichen managed to get this one at a high price. The pendant glimmered with sapphire stones on it.


    Li Chuntao had never thought that her and Ying''s creation would be able to reach her this far away. Shen Zichen stood up and helped her put it on.


    "She''s closer than you think, Chuntao. Ying will forever be in our hearts."


    "Yes.. She was the best sister I could ever ask for."


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