Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Su Chenghui panicked and got out of the car without thinking. He went around to the other side of the car door and blocked Li Qianxueâs way.
âQianxue, I know you wonât believe me. I also know that in your heart, Iâm a person with no credibility, but you have no idea whatâs going on now. You say that Xiang Caiping wants to steal your daughter, but even if youâre unhappy, you should at least investigate it first, right?â
âDo I still need to investigate?â Li Qianxue glared at Su Chenghui. âThis is Qingsang and Huo Jinyaoâs home. What is she doing here? What do we need to investigate? Isnât she just trying to get back at me? To get back at me for stealing her man, to get back at Jinyao and Qingsang for sending Su Peizhen to prison? Isnât that right?â
âIf thatâs the case, how could Qingsang treat her like that? You have to believe that Qingsang isnât a brainless person.â
âShe isnât brainless, but she has one biggest flaw. Sheâs too sentimental.â
Li Qianxue looked at Su Chenghui. In fact, she didnât understand where Su Qingsang inherited her temperament of never wanting to offend anyone and always being so trustful towards people.
Su Chenghui took a step forward and put his hand on Li Qianxueâs shoulder. âQianxue, you know how sentimental Qingsang is. What do you want to do now? Chase Xiang Caiping away? Have you ever thought about Qingsang? Iâm really not speaking up for Xiang Caiping. I just want to tell you that if you go up like this, you will make things difficult for Qingsang.â
âSheâs also making things difficult for me.â Her face full of worry, Li Qianxue waved his hand away. âSu Chenghui, move aside.â
âQingsang is pregnant.â Su Chenghui pressed her shoulder again. âCan you consider it as me begging you? Calm down first. Even if, even if you want to confront Xiang Caiping, can you wait until Qingsang isnât around?â
Li Qianxue glared at him. She had fury burning in her chest, and that fury couldnât be put out. Her chest rose and fell several times before she finally nodded heavily.
âOkay. Iâll wait.â
She turned around, opened the car door, and got into the car again. At this time, Su Chenghui also got into the car.
âGet out.â Li Qianxue didnât give him any face at all. âI donât want to see you.â
âQianxue.â Su Chenghui reached out to hold her hand, but Li Qianxue avoided him. He sighed softly. âDo you think itâs more appropriate for me to ask? Let me help you this time, okay?â
âHelp me? Or help your old lover?â
Li Qianxueâs words had always been blunt. Ever since the divorce, she had never been polite to Su Chenghui.
Su Chenghui was helpless, but he didnât want to refute her anymore. âQianxue, time will prove everything.â
Su Chenghuiâs gaze looked very earnest at this moment. Li Qianxue could even see her own reflection in his eyes.
That gaze made Li Qianxue, who wanted to mock him, stop. She turned her face away and didnât look at him anymore.
The car stopped at a nearby hotel. It was also a coincidence. Su Chenghui wanted to come here before, so he booked a room here.
He knew how Su Qingsang felt about him, so he didnât think of staying at his son-in-lawâs house. When Li Qianxue was about to go back to the hotel, he took away her ID.
âSu Chenghui, what are you doing?â
âI booked the presidential suite. There are three rooms. Itâs enough for us to stay in. Donât waste it.â
âI donât know when I started to be able to stay in hotels without paying?â
Li Qianxue sneered and reached out to take the ID in Su Chenghuiâs hand.
âQianxue, Iâll go to Qingsang tomorrow and ask her about the situation. If you stay here, wonât you be the first to know the news?â
Su Chenghui admitted that he had selfish motives. In the past half a year, Li Qianxue avoided him like the plague. He knew that he deserved it, but he still hoped to have more opportunities to get close to Li Qianxue.
âI can also know if Iâm staying in the room next to yours.â Li Qianxue stubbornly reached her hand out to him. âGive it back to me.â
âQianxue.â The receptionist was still looking at them. Su Chenghui put her ID into his pocket and handed his ID to the receptionist.
âHello, Iâll take the key.â
âSu Chenghui.â Li Qianxue was always graceful, and she didnât want to lose face in front of others. She approached Su Chenghui and lowered her voice with an unconcealed anger. âThatâs enough. Donât think that Iâll do everything you say just because I donât go to Qingsang now.â
âI know.â Su Chenghui had been a scoundrel too many times today, and he didnât mind being a scoundrel again. âI know youâre doing this for Qingsangâs sake. Letâs do it again.â
After getting the key, he put his arms around Li Qianxueâs shoulder and led her upstairs.
Li Qianxueâs expression was stiff until they entered the room. She stood at the door and refused to go any further.
Su Chenghui stood in front of her. He raised his hand towards the door behind Li Qianxue, and Li Qianxue instinctively stepped back. His hand was on the handle of the suitcase, and his body was a little stiff.
âQianxue, I wonât do anything. You donât have to worry.â
âI have nothing to worry about.â Li Qianxueâs expression didnât change. Because of Su Chenghuiâs words, she relaxed and pushed him gently. She walked past him and walked inside. âAfter all, you once said that everything about me makes you lose your appetite. Youâre not interested in me.â
Su Chenghui felt like he had been shot by an arrow. He stared at Li Qianxueâs graceful back figure with a bitter look on his face.
If he could go back in time, he would definitely wake up the Su Chenghui who had said those stupid words.
Li Qianxue entered the door, changed her clothes, and came out. She found Su Chenghui sitting in front of the floor-to-ceiling window in the living room. He stared out of the window in a daze.
Hearing the sound of Li Qianxue going out, he stood up.
âQianxue? Where are you going?â
Li Qianxue stood up straight and her eyes were slightly cold. âDoes it have anything to do with you?â
âQianxue ââ
âSu Chenghui, let me remind you that weâre divorced.â
Su Chenghui followed behind her. âAre you going to eat? Why donât we go together?â
âThereâs no need.â Li Qianxue didnât stop. âIf I see you, I wonât be able to eat.â
The moment she opened the door, she suddenly turned back to face Su Chenghui. âAlso, didnât you say that youâre going to Qingsangâs house to ask about the situation? Then go. Iâll only give you half a day to investigate the matter clearly. If you donât have a definite answer for me tonight, then donât blame me for personally going tomorrow and chasing that woman away from my daughterâs house.â
Su Chenghui stood there. When Li Qianxue was about to follow her, Li Qianxue closed the door with a bang. He was almost hit in the nose. He stopped and a bitter smile appeared on his face.
It was still Li Qianxueâs usual personality and M.O. He really missed her like this.
..
When Su Qingsang saw Su Chenghui, a flash of surprise appeared in her eyes.
âDad?â
Why was he here?
âI came to see you.â Su Chenghui appeared a little awkward. He handed several bags to Su Qingsang. âThese are for your health. Iâve asked the doctor and nutritionist. You can eat them.â
Su Qingsang looked at the bird nests in his hand and the nutritional supplements. She reached out and took them.
âDad, come in.â
Su Chenghui entered the door and saw Xiang Caiping sitting in the living room. He knew Xiang Caiping was there, but when they really met, he still felt a little awkward.
When Xiang Caiping saw him, her face grew a little cold. She stood up. âIâll help in the kitchen.â
Su Chenghui didnât mind. After Su Qingsangâs greeting, he sat down on the sofa.
âIs the child okay? How are you?â
âIâm fine.â Su Qingsangâs stomach was slightly swollen. When she sat like this, one could tell she was pregnant.
Su Chenghui nodded and looked in the direction of the kitchen.
âWhy is she here?â
âYou mean Auntie Xiang?â Su Qingsang didnât expect Su Chenghui to come to visit her, nor did she expect him to be opposed to Xiang Caiping.
âYes. She...â Su Chenghui didnât finish his sentence, but he believed that Su Qingsang understood what he was going to say.
âLast month, I had severe morning sickness. I threw up everything I ate. Huo Jinyao thought that I might be willing to eat Lin Cityâs local cuisine, so he asked Auntie to come over and cook for me.â
Su Qingsang explained briefly, and Su Chenghui couldnât hide his concern. âHow is it? Are you okay now? Are you still having morning sickness?â
âNo.â Su Qingsang shook her head. âThatâs strange. I havenât thrown up since Auntie came.â
Su Chenghui was a little surprised. He had thought of many possibilities, but he didnât expect it to be this one.
âYou, she, then you guys ââ Su Chenghui was thinking of a suitable way to say it. âThen she lives here now?â
âYes.â Su Qingsang nodded, but Su Chenghui didnât look too pleased with her affirmative answer. âDoes, does your mother know?â
In fact, Li Qianxue already knew, but Su Chenghui didnât believe that Su Qingsang would completely disregard Li Qianxueâs opinion.
âShe doesnât know.â Su Qingsang shook her head with a slightly ashamed expression. âI didnât tell my mother. I knew she would be unhappy.â
âYou knew she would be unhappy, yet you still ââ Su Chenghui raised his voice but quickly lowered it again.
âQingsang, I think what youâre doing is wrong.â
Su Qingsang lowered her head with a serious expression and didnât respond. Su Chenghui didnât believe that she didnât know. âHavenât you thought about your motherâs feelings? Qingsang, youâll hurt her feelings.â
Su Qingsang understood what he said. Of course, she knew that she would be unhappy with Li Qianxue. She also knew that if Li Qianxue knew, she would definitely be angry.
But towards Xiang Caiping, she had a sense of guilt and uneasiness. She always felt that Xiang Caipingâs current situation had something to do with her. Even if she was nonât the one who directly caused her current situation.
In fact, she really wasnât biased towards Xiang Caiping. However, she could feel that after Xiang Caiping came, she looked much more healthy and cheerful than before.
She was no longer engrossed in the matter of Su Peizhenâs imprisonment every day. She also no longer thought about how tragic her life was.
Su Qingsang was relieved to see that Xiang Caiping had become much more cheerful. Xiang Caiping was still young. She wasnât even 50. She shouldnât be depressed and miserable all the time.
She should also have her own life.
Xiang Caiping obviously became much more cheerful during this period of time. She was thinking about various recipes and how to make new desserts every day. She looked much more energetic than she did a month ago.
âI know,â Su Qingsang said in a low voice. âI havenât thought of a good solution yet.â
Su Chenghuiâs expression wasnât very pleasant. He saw his own shadow in Su Qingsang. âYouâre two-timing, arenât you?â
âDad, what are you talking about?â
Su Chenghui thought of Li Qianxueâs appearance today. Originally, it was only 30% heartache, but now it was 70% . There was still some part of him that understood Su Qingsang, but it was just a sense of understanding. He stood on Li Qianxueâs side, so he couldnât let Su Qingsang be like this.
âHire another chef. Iâll help you find someone who knows how to cook Lin Cityâs cuisine. Ask your Auntie to go back.â
âDad?â
It wasnât that Su Qingsang hadnât thought of that option before, but she knew clearly that the problem had nothing to do with hiring a chef.
âItâs settled then.â In the end, Su Chenghui didnât want Li Qianxue and Xiang Caiping to have conflict. Both of them were people he owed.
He wasnât willing to let Xiang Caiping or Li Qianxue suffer. Now, he was even more unwilling to let Li Qianxue feel sorrow over Su Qingsang.
Su Qingsang was silent. Su Chenghui looked in the direction of the kitchen and stood up.
âQingsang, sometimes, life is like a multiple choice question, and itâs either B or A. I didnât understand it before and always thought that I could have it both ways, but now, I know that itâs impossible.â
After saying this, he turned around and left. Su Qingsangâs lips moved. She originally wanted to make him stay to dine together, but considering that he didnât get along with Xiang Caiping, she didnât say anything.
..
When Su Chenghui returned to the hotel, Li Qianxue had already returned after dinner. Her luggage had already been brought up by the chauffeur.
Inside were the gifts she had bought for Su Qingsang. She thought that she could give them to Su Qingsang today. She didnât expect that things would turn out like this.
She casually placed the things in the room and asked room service to send a bottle of wine upstairs. She drank two glasses, but she couldnât suppress the irritation.
When Su Chenghui entered the room, he saw Li Qianxue sitting on the sofa on the balcony while drinking.
âQianxue?â
Su Chenghui walked to her and gently took the glass from her hand.
âBring it here.â It was nightfall, but Su Chenghui hadnât eaten yet. He looked at Li Qianxue, but he wasnât hungry at all.
Putting the glass aside, Li Qianxue raised her head and glared at him. Her voice was very cold. âYou took so long to come back. Did you ask clearly? Is it a misunderstanding?â
Su Chenghui remained silent. It wasnât a misunderstanding. He knew.
Li Qianxue sneered and stood up. She looked at Su Chenghui with a cold gaze. She walked past him and was about to head to the room. Su Chenghui blocked in front of her at the right time.
âQianxue, itâs not what you think.â
âThen what is it? Tell me. Iâm listening.â
Su Chenghui didnât know how to say it. He rubbed the space between his eyebrows. He looked at Li Qianxue with worry and heartache.
âI asked Qingsang, and she said ââ
Su Chenghui hesitantly repeated what Su Qingsang said. His voice a little weak, Su Chenghui said, âHer current situation is special. She didnât really betray you or anything. Just treat it as if she hired a housekeeper or a chef who knows how to cook Lin Cityâs cuisine ââ
Li Qianxue glared at him, so he couldnât finish his sentence.
âHired a housekeeper?â Li Qianxue sneered. âA chef?â
âHuo Jinyaoâs family is too poor to hire a chef? Or is my daughter too poor to hire a housekeeper? Does she have to request Xiang Caiping to take care of her?â
Su Chenghui was speechless. Li Qianxue took a step forward and stood in front of Su Chenghui.
âQianxue.â
Li Qianxue refused to accept this excuse. She sat back down and picked up the wine in front of her.
Su Chenghui followed her and sat down, then stopped her from drinking.
âQianxue, stop drinking. Although Qingsang didnât explain it in detail, I think it must have been very difficult for her when she was pregnant. You, try to understand her.â
Li Qianxue waved his hand away and downed the wine in the glass in one gulp. She sneered.
âI understand. I completely understand.â
She suddenly slammed the cup down with a bang. The coffee table shook from her actions. She stood up abruptly and looked at Su Chenghui.
âIâm not a good mother, am I?â
âQianxue?â
âIâm not a good mother,â Li Qianxue emphasized. âI know, I know.â
Her face was red from drinking. She looked at the sky outside and thought about the past year and the past 20 years.
âIâve made a lot of mistakes. I didnât recognize my daughter immediately. I didnât accompany her and protect her immediately.â
âI even let others bully her openly and secretly.â
Before that, Su Qingsang wasnât her daughter. Why should she care about her thoughts and her situation?
âQianxue?â Su Chenghui rarely saw Li Qianxue lose control like this. Every time he looked at her, his heart would ache.
âUp until now, I havenât actually done anything for her. She doesnât need money. Huo Jinyao has already given her enough status and prestige. Iâve given her what she doesnât need. What she needs, I canât give, so Iâm a failure of a mother.â
âQianxue, donât say that.â Su Chenghui stood up as well. He wanted to get closer to Li Qianxue and give her some comfort, but Li Qianxue didnât need such comfort.
Her eyes a little moist, she took a big step back.
âI really failed. I didnât know about Qingsangâs pregnancy sickness at the first moment. In fact, she didnât look well during that time, but every time she told me that she was fine, I believed that she was fine.â
âI also couldnât be like Xiang Caiping, who knew how to cook delicious food and make her happy. I didnât even know how to relieve her pregnancy sickness, because no one told me that back then.â
When she was pregnant with Su Qingsang, her morning sickness was severe, but she wanted to have the child. She wanted to have it like crazy, so she worked hard to overcome it. Although the process was difficult, she survived it.
Later, when she was pregnant with Su Yuxin, her morning sickness became worse. But at that time, who cared about her?
She couldnât show it in front of her father. She couldnât let her father worry. She couldnât show it in front of Su Chenghui because Su Chenghui didnât care.
She even saw the doctor secretly because that child was born without blessing.
Could that be blamed on her? She really didnât know how to take care of people. Her diet and daily life had been taken care of since she was young. She was the heiress of the Li family. She couldnât be like Xiang Caiping. That wasnât her.
Feeling the pain of being slapped in the face, Su Chenghui simply stood there.
âIâm not a good mother, so what? Sheâs looking for someone else to be her mother now, right?â
âQianxue, donât be like this. Qingsang isnât such a person.â
âSheâs not, but I am.â
Li Qianxue looked at Su Chenghui. She had drunk some wine, but it wasnât enough to make her drunk. However, she was depressed, and she needed to vent.
âItâs because Iâm too domineering, because I always give people the feeling that Iâm very tough, so she doesnât need to care about my feelings. She thinks that I donât care, and she thinks that I can survive everything.â
âQianxue ââ It wasnât like that. Su Chenghui wanted to say it, but Li Qianxue didnât give him a chance.
âShut up.â Li Qianxue glared at Su Chenghui. Her gaze was filled with hatred. âYou too. You all thought that I was very tough, and you all thought that I wouldnât be hurt. You all thought that I wouldnât feel pained, that I wouldnât feel anguish. Therefore, you hurt me without any scruples. You two are indeed father and daughter. Even your thinking patterns are the same.â
âI didnât.â Su Chenghui walked up to Li Qianxue. He really couldnât stand seeing Li Qianxue like this. âQianxue, I didnât. Qingsang didnât either.â
âShe didnât? If she didnât, why would she let Xiang Caiping stay in her and Huo Jinyaoâs home?â Li Qianxue looked at Su Chenghui. âYou didnât? But all this pain was brought to me by you. Su Chenghui, it was all you. It was all you.â
Wanting to give her some comfort, Su Chenghui reached out to hug her, but Li Qianxue didnât need it. She struggled. Su Chenghui held her waist tightly and pulled her into his arms.
âQianxue, Iâm sorry. Iâm sorry.â
Li Qianxue couldnât break free. Her heart was filled with hatred. She opened her mouth and bit Su Chenghuiâs shoulder.
Su Chenghui winced in pain. He was only wearing a shirt. The thin cloth made Li Qianxue taste the blood after a short while, but she refused to let go.
Su Chenghui could feel Li Qianxueâs anger. His shoulder was bleeding, but he didnât push her away.
Li Qianxue bit until her gums were numb and painful. Only then did she finally let go.
Su Chenghuiâs shirt was already stained with blood. He didnât even wipe it. He gently patted Li Qianxueâs back.
âQianxue, itâs all in the past. Itâs all in the past. Itâs okay. Donât think about it anymore.â
âI canât. Let me tell you, those things arenât in the past.â Li Qianxue pushed him away, and her gaze was cold. âSu Chenghui, donât say âsorryâ in front of me anymore. You donât need to say that everything is in the past. To me, there will never be a past.â
She stood up straight and took a step back.
âSu Chenghui, do you know that every time I think about these things, I swear to myself that I will never, ever, ever forgive you in this life.â
After saying this, Li Qianxue went back to her room to rest.
Su Chenghui was left standing there with a defeated look on his face.
..
When Xiang Caiping opened the door, she thought that Su Qingsang had forgotten her keys. When she opened the door, she was stunned to see Li Qianxue standing outside. Her grip on the door handle suddenly tightened.
â...â
Her lips moved, but before she could react, Li Qianxue had already walked past her and entered the house.
Li Qianxue entered the house and looked around.
Huo Jinyaoâs house was very big. Two houses collectively added up to a few hundred square meters. But now, this house had a different vibe.
There was a cup of tea on the coffee table and a few moulds on the dining table. Xiang Caiping bought the ingredients yesterday and started making mooncakes today.
Li Qianxue looked at the ingredients and slightly narrowed her eyes. She turned to face Xiang Caiping.