“Why aren’t you saying anything?” Sang Yu asked Shen Peichuan, who was clearly deep in thought.
“Nothing. I just thought of something,” Shen Peichuan quickly answered.
Sang Yu did not pursue the matter. She smiled faintly.
She had bought groceries that day. Now that Shen Peichuan’s friend had come to visit, Sang Yu planned to cook a few more dishes for him.
Shen Peichuan was used to a solitary lifestyle. He rarely cooked for himself and his diet consisted mainly of instant noodles. With limited cooking experience, he could only help Sang Yu wash the ingredients while she handled the rest.
It was a scorching day so Su Zhan did not walk far. He circled the area before finally stopping at the school. Seeing the children’s innocent faces, he was reminded of the sorrowful fact that he and Qin Ya would never be able to have children of their own.
It was a regret both of them would carry for the rest of their lives.
Children are supposedly the proof of their parents’ love for each other. Without children, does it mean that our love merely flowered without bearing fruit?
When he was with Qin Ya, he fought to keep his love for children under wraps because he was terrified of breaking her heart even further.
She’s even more crushed than I am, for not being able to have children.
His eyes clouded over and he took out his phone to text Qin Ya: Ya, I miss you terribly.
Su Zhan was speaking from his heart.
C City.
Shao Yun brought Qin Ya to a fancy restaurant for lunch. “You should come here with Su Zhan. It’s a pity that he doesn’t know C City well and can’t take you to the good restaurants, unlike me. This place has amazing lamb chops. I guarantee it’ll have you hankering for a second helping,” he said, beaming.
Qin Ya smiled back at him. “Uncle, you should find yourself a girlfriend. It must be lonely having to go through life by yourself.”
“I feel much more carefree being on my own. I can be with whichever woman I fancy at the moment. If I were exclusive with someone, she would be trying to control my life every day, and I’ll eventually be driven mad.” Shao Yun was used to his way of life. He was a man with needs as well as the financial means to get any woman he desired.
This way, I won’t be bringing any burden upon myself. I also won’t run the risk of letting anyone down or betraying their trust.
“Let’s sit here.” Shao Yun pulled out a chair for Qin Ya.
“There’s no need to stand on ceremony with me.” Shao Yun took a seat opposite her.
The waiter approached them. Shao Yun was familiar with the menu and ordered a few of the dishes he knew was delicious.
“Do you want a drink? I have kept a great bottle of red wine at this place. Would you like to try?” Shao Yun asked.
“Sure. Being treated to a meal along with great wine——what could be better?” Qin Ya grinned.
Shao Yun gave Qin Ya a thumbs-up. “I like your style. But is it a good idea to be apart from Su Zhan so soon after getting back together?”
Qin Ya lowered her eyes. “We might be back together but that doesn’t mean that the rest of our path will be smooth.”
Su Zhan is an orphan. The only family she has left is his grandmother who desperately wishes for a grandchild. If I can’t give them one, I’ll be ending their family line. I can’t imagine what kind of reaction she’ll have when she finds out about my condition.
Will she be against our relationship? Or will she insist we go for surrogacy?
Forget it. I can’t let myself dwell on it, or else I’ll end up spiraling into sadness.
“You’re right. If the two of you are going to spend the rest of your lives together, you’ll need to overcome challenges.” Shao Yun muttered, “I think Su Zhan is a good guy. The two of you seem compatible.”
At this moment, the waiter came over to serve their food and wine. He opened the wine bottle and poured a glass for Qin Ya.
Qin Ya lifted the wine glass and was about to taste the wine when her mobile phone buzzed in her bag. She took it out and saw Su Zhan’s name on the screen. She opened the message.
Her gaze darkened and she quickly typed her reply: Come see me then.
Su Zhan was just called to return by Shen Peichuan. Taking a seat at the table, he saw that Sang Yu had prepared multiple scrumptious dishes. When he heard the sound of an incoming message on his phone, he immediately opened it up to take a read and broke into a wide grin after realizing it was Qin Ya’s reply.
“Why are you so happy?” Sang Yu placed a bowl in front of him.
Shen Peichuan cut in, “When he has an expression like this, it usually means that Qin Ya has called for him. Nothing gives him more joy.”
Su Zhan was momentarily rendered speechless.
“Why does it feel as though you’re chastising me?” Su Zhan frowned in spite of his elation. Since she asked me to go to her, it must mean that she’s thinking about me, right?
“Let’s dig in.” Su Zhan started to shovel food into his mouth. He suddenly realized how ravenous he was. Although the dishes were nothing fancy, they tasted nice. Su Zhan had just placed more food in his mouth when he said, “You definitely found yourself the right woman. She can cook; you’re a lucky man.”
Shen Peichuan glanced at him. “Just eat your food. Hopefully, it’ll plug your nonsense.”
“I’m complimenting your taste,” Su Zhan swallowed the food in his mouth. “Peichuan, I’m leaving this afternoon. If you have any requests, let me know soon.”
Shen Peichuan’s reply was straightforward. “I only need money, nothing else.”
Su Zhan blinked. “You’re penniless and living off Sang Yu?”
Shen Peichuan did not bother to reply. I don’t even have a mobile phone, much less a wallet. I should be grateful that I’m even alive.
“I don’t have a lot of cash on me. Here, I’ll leave you with my card.” Su Zhan was in a hurry to see Qin Ya so he practically swallowed the rest of his meal without chewing. He chose a card from his wallet and passed it to Shen Peichuan.
Shen Peichuan took it from him. “I’ll pay you back.”
“Don’ waste your breath saying such crap.” Su Zhan wiped his mouth. “I’m not going back to B City. I’m going to C City instead. I return to B City directly from C City and won’t be coming back here. When you have time, go get yourself a mobile phone so we can at least communicate with each other.”
Shen Peichuan agreed.
Su Zhan left after lunch.
B City.
The Song family.
Shen Peichuan had been missing for a week. Other than Mrs. Song and Captain Song, the rest of the family was starting to believe that Shen Peichuan was already dead.
The situation had been extremely dangerous, after all. Besides, search efforts had not turned up anything even after six days.
“Yaxin, you should just give up.” Mrs. Song sighed as she tried to comfort her daughter. “Fate is just against the two of you. The first time was you rejecting him, and now he’s missing. You’re clearly not fated. If you were, you would have gotten together the first time. You should start looking for another partner.”
Song Yaxin was very irritated. “Mom, can you just drop it?”
“I was just trying to do what’s best for you…”
“I don’t need you to do that.” Song Yaxin rose to her feet, slung her bag over her shoulder, and stomped out.
“Yaxin…”
“Just let her be. You’ve been nagging at her since the moment she came home. Even I would be annoyed.” Captain Song was not feeling well.
Mrs. Song disagreed. “I was just looking out for her.”
“Okay, okay. Enough.” Captain Song pinched his nose bridge. He was overwhelmed by exhaustion and could not bear to hear another word.
“Where do you think she’s going?” Mrs. Song asked worriedly.
“She’s an adult. There’s no need for you to be so concerned. The more you try to control her, the more unhappy she’ll be. You should just leave her alone to do what she wants.” Captain Song urged her earnestly.
The affairs of children will always be the business of their parents. It doesn’t matter if she’s an adult or not. Mrs. Song was about to speak when Captain Song halted her. “If you say another word, I’ll kick you out.”
His patience had reached its limit.
Mrs. Song pressed her lips tightly as she fought off her tears.
Captain Song walked into the house in frustration. If he did not see her, he would not have to deal with her.
After leaving home, Song Yaxin made her way to the villa.
