She didn't even have time to be overjoyed when he was already stuttering and calling out "Shang Shang"

  It wasn't until near dusk that Yan Jinsheng was finally discharged from the hospital and returned home.

  Nian Xi Gu did not show up as agreed, and his phone was also turned off. Shang Shang guessed that it might be related to the conversation he unintentionally overheard with Nian Mu Yao, who only showed up briefly and did not return to the Nian family mansion together.

  Nian Jinsheng's face was gloomy and ominous, as if a storm was brewing, but thanks to Shen Tinghua's persuasion, he didn't erupt.

  At dinner time, Yan Jin Cheng didn't go downstairs at all. Yan Jin Cheng's parents were not around and Shen Ting He was accompanying Yan Jin Cheng upstairs again.

  A merchant sat alone in front of a sumptuous dinner table, his pale face showing no appetite at all.

  It was a table of delicious food, but she ate like chewing wax, barely managing to stuff down half a bowl of plain white rice. Her stomach felt terrible, so she threw down her chopsticks, went upstairs to say hello, and hastily left.

  Only when I got outside did I feel like I could finally breathe freely.

  It's still early, she didn't ask the driver to send her, and planned to walk for a while before taking the bus back.

  Not far away, there were cars coming from afar and near.

  Shang Shang subconsciously dodged, but didn't expect the car to stop beside her, the door opened, and Zhao Qinghe sat alone in the back seat, "Shang Shang get in, let's talk."

  Her face was a rare serious look, and her gaze was even more scrutinizing.

  Upon hearing this, Shang's heart skipped a beat, his teeth biting into his lip and turning pale, his hands at his sides unconsciously clenched into fists, with a patch of sweat on the palms.

  She had just realized that she was now having a hard time in her husband's family.

  Zhao Qinghe took in her appearance and frowned, "You don't have to be nervous, after all, it won't be long before you'll be calling me 'mom' along with Xi Gu."

  She said business was bad and refused again, took a deep breath, steeled herself and stepped onto the bus.

  The car door closed with a bang.

  The driver was conscientious and stayed outside, in the car compartment without lights on, the streetlights passing through the window only left a dim yellowish light, Shang Shang sat by the door, lowering his head, almost driven mad by this eerie atmosphere.

  In fact, Mrs. Xi, who was always gentle and kind, was actually difficult to get along with.

  Shang Shang always felt that Zhao Qinghe gave people a feeling of being overly gentle, which was actually a kind of alienation.

  Although in the past, she was quite good to her.

  In comparison, Shen Tinghe's kindness is warm and noisy, while Zhao Qinghe's kindness is built on the flattery of others. After so many years of getting along with her, Shang Shang always becomes cautious and careful when speaking to her, choosing every word carefully.

  Oppression...

  The merchant's heart was about to jump out of his throat, unable to bear the silence any longer. He took the initiative to speak up, "Auntie, what do you want to talk to me about?"

  "Business, there's only one week left until Grandfather's birthday banquet." Zhao Qinghe spoke up, his tone light and unreadable. "Tell Auntie, are you prepared for your engagement with Xi Gu?"

  There is more to what she says than meets the eye.

  The merchant didn't know how much she had found out, and remained silent without saying a word.

  "Shang Shang, you're a clever kid. If there's anything to say, Auntie will speak directly with you today." She didn't open her mouth, and Zhao Qinghe continued, "That day when you and Mu Yao appeared one after the other at the hospital, I started to suspect. Later, I investigated your whereabouts and found out that on the day Xi Gu took Song Ya Li back home, you ran out of the house and went to S city."

  It was indeed about what happened at the hospital that day.

  At that time, she and Yan Mu Yao appeared one after another, and she had already sensed that Zhao Qinghe's expression was not quite right.

  And after the operation, Yan Mu Yao called her alone into his office again.

  I thought these days were calm and peaceful, many things had passed, but until today I realized that some things, if not faced, the problem will not disappear on its own, just like what's in front of me.

  "Auntie, actually I and little uncle..."

  "Merchant, what I want to hear is not about your past with Mu Yao." Just as an explanation was about to be given, Shen Qinghe interrupted abruptly, "What I want to know now is, have you sorted out the emotions that shouldn't exist and made preparations for a wholehearted engagement with Xi Gu?"

  She paused for a moment, then said, "I'm saying this because I believe Mu Yao knows his limits and has high standards. The fact that he hasn't had a girlfriend all these years is proof of that. At your age, it's understandable to have an immature infatuation with someone like Auntie. And if you're willing to turn back now, you can still have a good life with Xi Gu in the future. As for past events, Auntie can let bygones be bygones."

  These words are unpleasant to hear and also piercing to the ear.

  Putting it together makes sense, it's all her one-sided wishful thinking, Yan Mu Yao doesn't even look up to her.

  Although this is a fact, it's embarrassing to hear it from someone else's mouth.

  This person is also her fiancé's mother.

  Businessmen are actually very clear, if it weren't for Yan Jin's persistence, even back then when the company's shares were at stake, Zhao Qinghe actually looked down on this mysterious little orphan girl.

  Is it worthy of the admiration of Yao?

  She's probably thinking that even if Xī Zǐ is being unreasonable and troublesome, she's lucky to have him, it's the fortune of eight lifetimes.

  "Xiang Xiang, Auntie is saying this not to belittle you, but to advise you. Instead of longing for something that's out of reach, why not cherish the people in front of you? Auntie believes you're a clever girl."

  "I understand." Shang took a deep breath and looked up, "Auntie, I get what you mean. I'll think it through carefully myself."

  As soon as he finished speaking, he unintentionally stayed a little longer, opened the car door and got out of the car directly.

  The car door was about to close, and inside, Zhao Qinghe said, "Shang Shang, sometimes you have to look far ahead. After all, Xi Gu is the greatest treasure of the Yan family. You should understand that in the future, the entire Yan financial group will belong to him."

  The last forced smile on Shang's face couldn't hold up anymore, and he retorted, "Auntie, does Xi Gu know that you have such high expectations of him?"

  Then, without waiting for her response, he closed the car door and turned around to leave.

  The evening breeze blew, and the scent of Zhao Qinghe's perfume in his nostrils finally dissipated. It was only at dusk that he saw the rain stop, but now it was drizzling again, and Shang unconsciously quickened his pace, feeling restless and annoyed.

  If it weren't for this conversation today, she still wouldn't know what she was like in Zhao Qinghe's heart.

  Not only indulging in wild fantasies but also craving for vanity.

  Didn't feel like walking to the bus stop, luckily a taxi was passing by, hailed it and gave the address before getting in and leaving.

  The car hadn't gone far when the phone in his pocket rang.

  It's Song Yalai...

  They exchanged phone numbers today, but why did he think of calling her at this time?

  Press the answer key, and the voice on the other end was a bit urgent. "Shang Shang, I couldn't get in touch with Xi Gu, so I'm calling you. Xi Gu's younger uncle is drunk, and it's awkward for me to take him back to his home. We're at room 1502 of the XX Hotel. Can you come over right now?"

  Drunk...

  Shang Shang subconsciously frowned, she remembered that when Yan Jinsheng was discharged from the hospital, Yan Muyao didn't return with them because he had a very important surgery to perform and couldn't leave.

  Someone who should clearly be in a hospital somehow suddenly ran outside and got drunk?

  But at this time, I had no time to think deeply and hastily agreed. I instructed the driver in front of me, "Driver, please change the destination to xx hotel."

  Hotel xx, 1,502 rooms.

  Song Ya Li looked at the man who was still frowning in his sleep on the bed, and fell into deep thought.

  More than two hours ago, she just wanted to see him.

  She arrived at the hospital, but he only let his assistant come out to dismiss her. Afterwards, she waited at the hospital entrance and soon saw him drive out. She followed him all the way, and with his speed, she almost lost him several times.

  Until he walked into a bar.

  Song Yali followed him in, and he sat in a dim corner, pouring glass after glass of wine into his mouth. Even in the corner, there were still people who came up to chat with him one after another, but they were all scared away by his gaze without exception.

  The scene was bustling and lively, but she felt that he looked despondent, with a kind of lonely despair spreading from him as if he had been abandoned.

  This was completely different from the Yan Mu Yao she remembered. She had thought that his coldness and aloofness were already deeply ingrained in him, but now she realized that what she saw of Yan Mu Yao was only the tip of the iceberg.

  His desolation is because of whom?

  Can't help but start guessing, but as soon as I think of a certain possibility, my face still uncontrollably turns pale.

  She absolutely won't let that happen!

  Then bribed the waiter and put something in his wine...

  But he was indeed abnormal. The person who used to be so vigilant, unexpectedly had no perception at all. No, it should be said that from the moment he entered this place, it was the beginning of his irrationality.

  Nian Mu Yao quickly fell drunk.

  But he was a good drinker, and even when he got drunk, he just fell asleep. He woke up once in the middle of the night, just after they arrived at the hotel. Subconsciously, he hugged her tightly, but before she could get excited, his mouth was already mumbling, calling out "Shang Shang"...

  Fu Shang!

  For an instant, Song Yali was as if struck by lightning.

  What is Fu Shang's business?!

  She doesn't deserve it at all!

  ————

  The businessmen arrived at the hotel more than ten minutes later.

  She rushed straight to the elevator, found Song Ya Li and told her room number, raised her hand and knocked on the door with a slight force. The originally unlocked door swung open inwardly, Shang Shang was stunned for a moment, then stepped inside.

  It is a suite.

  Inside was quiet, on the sofa lay a suit jacket that Shang Shang recognized, it belonged to Nian Mu Yao.

  "What's elegant?"

  She called out tentatively, but no one responded. Instead, a rustling sound came from the room.

  Somehow, my heartbeat accelerated uncontrollably, and my feet kept moving nonstop.

  The next second, his line of sight met with the scene in the bedroom, and his body stiffened.

  Inside, on top, was her extremely familiar back, and at this moment he was pressing someone under his body, domineeringly seeking a kiss...