Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
With someone else around, Li Qianxueâs expression was restrained, but the anger in her heart was very intense. At this age, she was very good at hiding her thoughts.
Holding a glass of red wine in her hand, she stood up gently.
âAlthough my alcohol tolerance is low, it doesnât matter if I drink a few glasses.â
When she spoke, she looked at Su Chenghui aloofly, and there was a hidden sharpness in her eyes. âItâs just a few glasses, and weâre all familiar with each other. It doesnât matter.â
She resisted the urge to say something more unpleasant and harsh. First, she toasted Li Junsheng.
âMayor Li, let me toast to you. Mayor Li has been young and promising in Lin City for the past two years. The Li family is indebted to you for taking care of us.â
âYouâre too kind, Auntie.â This was Huo Jinyaoâs mother-in-law, and Li Junsheng didnât dare to be arrogant. He picked up the glass and downed the glass in one gulp.
Li Qianxueâs glass was almost empty. She poured another glass. This time, she would toast Wang Tao first. Then, it was President Chen and President Gao.
She drank one glass for each person, but she only drank four glasses. Su Chenghui tried to stop her several times, but the situation in front of him was beyond his control.
Unexpectedly, Li Qianxue poured another glass of wine and raised her glass at him.
âThis glass of wine is a toast to you.â
Su Chenghui looked at Li Qianxue. Ever since the divorce, Li Qianxue had looked at him with disgust and hatred. How could he expect that she would toast to him?
She drank a few glasses and her face was slightly red. Coupled with the calmness brought by the years, Su Chenghui felt that his heart was beating faster.
âQianxue?â
âLet me toast to you. Thank you for all these years, for your care for your children and for taking care of me.â
The last two sentences were spoken slowly. Those words with a hidden meaning made Su Chenghuiâs expression change slightly. Li Qianxue picked up the wine and drank it in one gulp.
Then, she sat down again, picked up the food in front of her, and casually ate a couple of mouthfuls.
The dinner continued. With President Chen and President Gao around, the atmosphere was naturally good. The two of them initially went for Li Junsheng. Later, they found out that Li Junshengâs attitude towards Li Qianxue and Su Chenghui was very congratulatory, so they toasted the two of them again.
Li Qianxue rarely drank, but just now, in order to spite with Su Chenghui, she drank a few cups. Now, she didnât refuse and drank another round.
After a couple of round of drinks, Li Qianxue was already drunk. Her alcohol tolerance wasnât bad, but today, she drank in a fit of pique and in an empty stomach. After a few rounds, it was inevitable that she would get drunk.
On the other end, President Chen had no sense of judgment and had no intention of ending. On this end, Li Qianxue was already a little intoxicated and her eyes were red.
Su Chenghui looked at her and stood up. âMayor Li, Qianxue is drunk. Iâll take her back first.â
Li Qianxue heard him and wanting to say that she wasnât drunk, she stood up. Her legs went weak, and she almost fell back down.
Su Chenghui reacted quickly and not letting her sit down, he held her up.
âIâm not drunk.â She was just a little drunk. Li Qianxue looked at Su Chenghui with red eyes. âIâm not leaving.â
She usually wouldnât let herself lose her composure like this. Today, she had drunk alcohol and Su Chenghui was here.
She kept feeling that she couldnât suppress the trace of madness in her heart. She grabbed Su Chenghui with both hands and was about to flare up.
âQianxue.â Su Chenghui held her hand. They were husband and wife for many years. He vaguely knew what she would look like when she was about to get angry.
There werenât many things that could make her angry these years, but he knew.
âYouâre drunk. Dad will worry about you. Letâs go back first.â
His voice was very soft, as if he was coaxing a little daughter. Li Qianxue blinked her eyes and looked at Su Chenghui in front of her.
Time seemingly unwinded, and for a moment, she thought she saw the man from back then again.
His performance in the company dazzled her. From then on, she secretly fell in love with him and her feelings got out of control.
âSu Chenghui?ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
âYes, letâs go home first,â he said. He glanced at Li Junsheng apologetically and said, âMayor Li.â
âSince Auntie is drunk, you can bring her back quickly.â
Li Junsheng didnât dare to leave Huo Jinyaoâs mother-in-law behind to accompany them. Signaling for them to leave first, he waved his hand.
Su Chenghui helped Li Qianxue to leave. Li Junsheng was fine, but Wang Tao couldnât help but click his tongue.
âI really didnât expect that even at this age, if the relationship is good, people will be even more lovey-dovey than young people.â
The expression Su Chenghui had when he spoke, Wang Tao admitted that he himself never shown such an expression even when he and his girlfriend were in a passionate relationship.
âYeah.â President Chen nodded. âTheir relationship is really good.â
âEn. Their relationship is really good.â Li Junsheng added an explanation. It could be considered a conclusion.
Outside, Li Qianxue had no idea that she and Su Chenghui had been misunderstood.
At this moment, she was drunk and her legs were a little weak.
Su Chenghui had also drunk, so it was naturally difficult for him to drive. Therefore, when Xiao Zhao drove the car over, he helped Li Qianxue into the car.
âSir?â Having been in the Li family for a long time, he naturally knew Su Chenghuiâs identity.
âLetâs go. Letâs go back.â
Su Chenghui was worried about Li Qianxue, so he had to follow her.
Xiao Zhao didnât say much and quietly drove.
Li Qianxue became more and more dizzy on the way. She frowned and seemed to be uncomfortable.
Although her alcohol tolerance wasnât bad, she rarely drank in the past few years, not to mention that what they drank just now was white wine.
Su Chenghui smelled the alcohol on her body. He originally wanted to pour her a glass of water, but when he thought that the water in the car was cold, he could only forget about it.
There was still some distance from the Li family. When Su Chenghui saw her frown, he reached out and placed his hand on her forehead to gently press her frown down.
Su Chenghuiâs mother was a nurse. Back then, Su Chenghui often followed her to work in the hospital. Sometimes, when he saw his mother nursing patients, he also learned a few skills.
It was just that he couldnât find anyone to practice with. Back then, when Su Qingsang wanted to study medicine, he couldnât help but think that perhaps it was hereditary.
Li Qianxue was indeed uncomfortable. Being held down by Su Chenghui like this, she felt much more relaxed. The space between her eyebrows wasnât so tight anymore.
âXiao Tao, be gentle.â
She thought that it was the maid at home, so she wasnât polite at all when she ordered him around.
Su Chenghui didnât correct her nor did he speak. He pressed on her head. Li Qianxue was a little sleepy from being held down by him.
When the car stopped at the Li residence, she had already closed her eyes.
âSir?â
Xiao Zhao turned around in front and looked at Su Chenghui. He shook his head. âIâll send her in.â
As she had been working out for a long time, Li Qianxue wasnât considered heavy, so Su Chenghui didnât have much strength to carry her. When he entered the door, he found that Old Master Li wasnât there. He carried Li Qianxue upstairs with familiarity.
He put her down on the bed and asked Xiao Tao to prepare hangover tea in the kitchen.
He had a lot of social engagements in the past. The Li familyâs kitchen always had hangover tea. The tea was sent over very quickly. Li Qianxue was drunk and she wasnât willing to drink it.
âQianxue?â Su Chenghuiâs voice was extremely gentle. âCome, drink.â
âWine?â Li Qianxue blinked her eyes. It was as if she had finally heard him and opened her mouth as he wished.
After drinking more than half a bowl of tea, Li Qianxue refused to drink anymore. âIt tastes terrible.â
Su Chenghui didnât force her. He saw that her eyes were tightly shut. It seemed that she was suffering from the alcohol, but it also seemed that she was really drunk.
Seeing that she had lost consciousness, he put her back on the bed and took off her coat and shoes for her.
His gaze swept across her body, and Su Chenghui was at a loss for a moment. Should he take off her clothes for her? When this thought came into his mind, he kept feeling like he was taking advantage of her.
They were once husband and wife, Su Chenghui thought in his heart. However, he didnât take any further action. Instead, he just sat by the bed and looked at Li Qianxue.
She had always been a good drinker. Even if she was drunk, she would only sleep quietly. Li Qianxue was a very particular person. It would definitely be uncomfortable for her to sleep with her clothes on.
Su Chenghui hesitated for about a minute before finally choosing to help Li Qianxue take off her clothes.
His movements were very light. The two of them had been married for many years. Speaking of which, this was the first time he helped her take off her clothes.
He was drunk the previous two times they were together, so he really couldnât remember. Li Qianxue had a good figure. She paid attention to her health and took good care of herself.
She was a little thin, and her clothes were the smallest size. Having two children didnât affect her much.
Her skin, which had been regularly taken care of at the beauty salon every week, was as smooth as snow. Su Chenghui unexpectedly felt a little thirsty.
The life of almost having no sexual desires for more than 20 years didnât mean that he didnât have any sexual desires, but just that he didnât put his mind on it.
He had done many things over the years, such as changing the identities of Su Qingsang and Su Peizhen, and he couldnât face Li Qianxue properly because of the torment in his heart.
But that didnât mean that he could really be an abstinent monk.
Her clothes gradually fell, and her body, which was covered, fell into his eyes. His breathing became heavier.
When his hand was placed on the button behind her, his forehead was sweating. When he unbuttoned the button, the sweat on his forehead almost dripped down.
Staring at the beautiful scene for a while, he closed his eyes and untied her bra for her. Then, using his strongest self-control, he pulled up the quilt and covered her body.
Panting heavily, he sat by the bed. His gaze fell on Li Qianxueâs face.
Her breathing was even, as if she had really fallen asleep. He looked at her face, raised his hand gently, and caressed her cheek.
Such peaceful moments were very rare for him and her. Most of the time, the atmosphere between them wasnât very pleasant.
No, there were times when the tension was eased.
At that time, Su Peizhen was gradually growing up. For the first time, there was a disagreement regrading his and Li Qianxueâs educational philosophy.
He wanted his daughter to be happy, but Li Qianxue had trained Su Peizhen according to the standards of an heiress.
When Su Peizhen was four years old, she made Su Peizhen learn to play the piano. When Su Peizhen was five years old, she had hired a tutor for her.
He hoped that Su Peizhen could have the happiness of an ordinary person, but Li Qianxue felt that as the heiress of the Li family, these were things that she had to learn.
In the end, he and Li Qianxue kept arguing, and finally, Li Qianxue gave in. She agreed to reduce some of Su Peizhenâs homework, but the schedule had to be arranged according to her instructions.
According to Li Qianxueâs idea, Su Peizhen didnât even need to go to kindergarten. After all, she was much smarter than those people.
Su Chenghui objected, and the two continued to mediate until they finally reached an agreement.
After Su Peizhen went to kindergarten, she was much happier than at home. It was also at that time that he treated Li Qianxue better.
He thought, maybe this is how it will be for the rest of his life. With Li Qianxue, he would stay by Su Peizhenâs side and spend the rest of his life treating her like a distant stranger.
During that period of time, he treated her well, and she finally stopped being stubborn when she saw the happiness on Su Peizhenâs face.
During that period of time, he had been trying to convince himself to spend the rest of his life with Li Qianxue. This was also very good.
Even if they couldnât be in love with each other, at least they cooperated very well on official matters.
At that time, the Li Corporation had completed several projects quite well, and his reputation rose in the Li Corporation. There were more and more people under his command, and his interactions with Li Qianxue also gradually increased.
After the first few years of getting along, the tacit understanding between the two of them was extraordinary. Sometimes, when they encountered a particularly difficult case, the two of them would think of a solution together.
Occasionally, when they encountered a difficult client, the two of them would act together. He and Li Qianxue played good cop, bad cop. They were always able to fight for the biggest benefit for the company.
Su Chenghui admired Li Qianxue, very much, but he wouldnât say it out loud.
He felt that it was already a fact that he didnât like her. He couldnât see how he looked when he was with her, and he couldnât imagine what he would look like if he lost Li Qianxue.
At that time, he had actually fallen into a demonâs trap. His emotions and sense of reason conflicted.
On one hand, he knew that his admiration for Li Qianxue was definitely not limited to work.
On the other hand, he felt very conflicted. He felt that the more he admired Li Qianxue, the more he betrayed Xiang Caiping.
After repeatedly struggling, his attitude towards Li Qianxue remained indifferent. It was difficult for his relationship with Li Qianxue to break through the ice. He would occasionally pry into the hidden thoughts in his heart, but he was even more conflicted.
A beauty like Li Qianxue slept on the same bed as him every day, so how could he really be indifferent?
But the more he coveted her, the more he despised himself. He wasnât competing with Li Qianxue, but it seemed like he was competing with himself.
He was very afraid that once he took that step, he would lose. He couldnât lose.
He was young and frivolous and didnât know love. He didnât know how ridiculous his contradictions and entanglements were.
Looking at it now, he thought, what was pride worth? What was pride worth?
Those times that were missed could never be turned back. He couldnât take back the regret that had been caused.
In fact, at that time, in the midst of his extreme conflicts, he had also thought about it. Since he and Li Qianxue couldnât get a divorce and couldnât be separated, then so be it.
Su Chenghui made up his mind to have a good life with Li Qianxue. However, he didnât expect that the accident would come so quickly.
Su Chenghuiâs mother, Jiang Mei, was a nurse. She was once in the same hospital as Xiang Caipingâs mother.
In the second half of the year when Su Peizhen was seven, Jiang Mei fell ill. She was very ill. She knew in her heart that Li Qianxue loved her son very much.
She also knew that when Su Chenghui and Li Qianxue were together, so the Su family had higher status. Therefore, she and her husband had always lived in their original bungalow and didnât want to bask in the Li familyâs glory.
The two of them also loved Su Peizhen, their granddaughter, but this didnât mean that they didnât feel guilty.
Xiang Caiping was alone. After her parents died, she followed them. However, they didnât take good care of her and left her alone.
The elders of the Su family didnât know that Su Chenghui had swapped children. They had seen Su Qingsang a few times in private and felt sorry for her. However, they were afraid that if they acted too close to her, Li Qianxue would dislike them.
Especially since Su Chenghui was afraid of being exposed, he didnât want his parents to get too close to Su Qingsang.
A huge psychological pressure was placed on the two elders. Especially Jiang Mei, who always felt guilty towards Xiang Caipingâs mother and Xiang Caiping.
After she became sick that year, she, asking him to find a way to bring Xiang Caiping back, made a request to Su Chenghui.
âIf possible, treat that child better.â
âCaipingâs life is too bitter, that childâs life is too bitter.â
âChenghui, I know you are a good child, but our family has let Caiping down. Can you promise me?â
When his mother held his hand and told him to find Xiang Caiping and not to mistreat Su Qingsang, Su Chenghuiâs heart was filled with regret.
Su Chenghuiâs heart suddenly felt uncomfortable. How could he not feel that he had let down Xiang Caiping?
His mistake had been paid by another woman, and Su Qingsang...
He wasnât really cold-blooded, nor was he really heartless. In his dreams in the middle of the night, he had also regretted his choice.
But on one side, it was a secret that couldnât be told, and on the other side, it was his regret that couldnât be seen by others. The two were entangled, but he chose to ignore them.
It wasnât until after Jiang Meiâs death that the conflict in his heart reached its peak.
His mother wanted him to find Xiang Caiping, but he didnât do it. His mother wanted him to find Xiang Caipingâs child, and he couldnât even make her acknowledge her.
Not long after Jiang Meiâs death, Father Su also passed away unexpectedly.
Su Chenghui, who had lost his parents one after another, was in a very low mood. Especially when the Doctor said that he was overthinking things, it made him feel even more guilty.
If only he hadnât given up on Xiang Caiping, and if only he hadnât let Xiang Caiping go.
These two thoughts alternated and made his hard-earned feelings for Li Qianxue disappear without a trace.
The guilt grew deeper and deeper. Finally, one night, he was drunk and went crazy under the influence of alcohol.
He once again possessed Li Qianxue, and he also felt that he was very ridiculous. Very ridiculous.
He clearly wanted to stay away from her, but he wanted to get close. He wanted to get close, but he had to use the effect of alcohol.
At that time, how ridiculous and weak was he?
When she woke up the next day, before Li Qianxue could say anything, he had already pinned the blame on her.
âYesterday was just an accident. I was drunk.â
âDonât worry, I donât love you. Even if I had sex with you, I wouldnât love you.â
âLi Qianxue, I really hate myself like this.â
He actually couldnât remember what else he said after that. Anyway, it wouldnât be any good words.
No, it should be said that when he spoke to Li Qianxue, he didnât say any good words. Not a single good word.
And that was an understatement. What happened after that? How did the two of them get to where they were today?
Li Qianxue and he had two children. Both of them were accidental. He didnât expect that Li Qianxue would get pregnant so easily.
It was only one night, and she got pregnant again.
Knowing this, Su Chenghui didnât feel happy at all. His heart was full of guilt and self-blame.
He betrayed Xiang Caiping once, and now he betrayed Xiang Caiping a second time.
Su Peizhen could make up for some of his guilt towards Xiang Caiping by having her identity changed, but what about the one in Li Qianxueâs stomach?
He couldnât figure it out and didnât know what else he could do with the situation that had developed to this point. He was in a dilemma. He had done something that even he despised.
During that period of time, just like now, his relationship with Li Qianxue had fallen to the freezing point.
And because of that little bit of hesitation, he hadnât paid any attention to Li Qianxue when Li Qianxue was pregnant with Su Yuxin.
To him, the previous child wasnât what he had expected, and this child was even more so.
And then..
Su Chenghui closed his eyes and suppressed the bitterness in them. There were some things that he didnât want to recall, not at all.
But now, he realized that those memories were actually so clear. So clear that it was as if it had just happened yesterday.
And the regret in his heart could no longer be erased.
Looking at Li Qianxue, who was sleeping soundly, he held her hand and placed it on his face.
How casual and unscrupulous he was in the past, how regretful he was now.
If he hadnât done those things, they might still have the chance to startover now.
But now, Su Qingsang and Su Peizhenâs backgrounds were exposed, and his secret could no longer be hidden in front of her.
His previous despicable and selfish behavior had been completely exposed to Li Qianxue.
Now that he thought about it carefully, he felt that he was unforgivable. What face did he have? What right did he have to make Li Qianxue forgive him?
Su Chenghui couldnât figure it out. Looking at Li Qianxueâs sleeping face, he tried very hard to control himself. In the end, he quietly laid down next to her and stared straight at her.
He wanted to sleep, but he didnât dare to. This rare opportunity was especially valuable after Li Qianxue was drunk.
He stared at Li Qianxue until he felt sleepy. Under the effect of the alcohol, he fell asleep.
..
When Li Qianxue woke up, her head didnât hurt that much. She didnât know that someone had massaged her head for a long time yesterday, which made her body lighter today.
âXiao Tao.â
Li Qianxue called out with her eyes closed. She realized that her voice was a little hoarse. Not only was it hoarse, but her head also hurt a little.
âGet me a glass of water.â
She called out, but no one answered. She reached out to touch the button by the bedside and waited for Xiao Tao to come up.
However, she didnât touch the button, but instead touched a warm body.
Li Qianxueâs hands touched it and touched it left and right. This was a chest?
A flat, sturdy manâs chest?
How could there be a manâs chest in her room?
Li Qianxue woke up almost instantly. She sat up and widened her eyes. She saw him on the other side of the bed. Su Chenghui was lying on her side with his eyes tightly closed.
When she saw Su Chenghui, Li Qianxueâs entire body stiffened.
Her mind spun quickly and she began to recall yesterdayâs events.
Needless to say, she drank some wine last night. That wine made her drunk. And then?
Su Chenghui took the opportunity to send her home and then climbed into her bed?
She lowered her head and looked at her body. Other than her underwear, there was almost nothing else.
Su Chenghui must have taken off her clothes. There was no need to doubt it. Her body didnât have any uncomfortable reaction, and it wasnât like the previous two times, which made her feel a little uncomfortable.
In other words, Su Chenghui didnât really do anything to her.
However, even he didnât really do anything to her, he probably did a lot of things that he shouldnât have done, right?
Thinking of this, Li Qianxueâs beautiful watery eyes were suddenly filled with malice.