Whispers of Healing and Hidden Truths

In fact, over the past six months, spending time with my family and managing the cozy little shop had greatly calmed my heart. I no longer felt hatred towards Feng Suchuan; perhaps it was never truly hatred to begin with, but rather disappointment. Gradually, I came to terms with it: he is just that kind of person, living in a world of calculations while being manipulated in return, and I just happened to become the target of his schemes. Although Wen Xicheng's departure was closely related to him, in the end, it was our own relationship that lacked solidity. If it were four years ago, how could we allow such trivial tricks from others to come between us?

The originally clear weather suddenly turned gloomy in the afternoon, and before long, it started to snow—the first snowfall since winter began. I took out a freshly baked egg tart and instructed a few of the girls to give it to customers for free, while I filled empty cups with milk tea from the teapot. Every table of customers smiled at me and said, "Thank you." I cherish such smiles. Hearing those two simple words always makes me blush a little, and the warmth in my heart blooms bit by bit. Having seen too much hypocrisy and pretense, these pure feelings feel exceptionally precious to me, even though we are just strangers.

In the end, I stopped in front of Feng Suchuan.

He was engrossed in a psychology book, completely focused. I approached him without him noticing. It turned out that his cup wasn't filled with free milk tea but with rich black coffee, long cold. I signaled to a waiter, took his milk tea cup, filled it, and as I turned to leave, I heard him call out, "Xia Tian." His voice was hoarse and dry. I looked up at him, my smile unchanged, "Hmm?" 

"Can you sit for a bit?"

He looked at me, his demeanor lacking the calmness and authority I was accustomed to, revealing a hint of vulnerability. Coupled with his slightly pale complexion, he appeared somewhat haggard.

I removed the indifference from my face, handed the teapot to someone else, and sat down across from him. After all, he wasn't a cold-hearted person; perhaps he still felt some guilt toward me, considering how much I had trusted him back then. Feng Suchuan gently held the milk tea cup, looking at me. "Are you doing well?"

"Pretty well. How about you?"

"Not bad. This little shop is very cozy; it feels comfortable."

I nodded. When this shop was being decorated, I was at my lowest, so I put in a lot of effort to make it warm and inviting. "Are you here on business?" I asked him. He looked at me and replied quietly, "My company is registered here." I was a bit surprised and then smiled. "Oh, so you'll be developing here in the future?"

He nodded. "The company has officially moved here."

"It will be tough at the start; I wish you good luck!" I noticed he seemed to want to say something but hesitated, so I slowly stood up, not lingering, and turned to leave.

I couldn't comprehend why he would abandon the network he had worked hard to build in Jiangnan and choose this underdeveloped, unfamiliar northern city as the base for his start-up. If it had anything to do with me, I could only express my regret. Love doesn't vanish due to betrayal; however, trust can!

After the New Year, the weather gradually became drier and colder.

The outdoor cold wind was nearly biting, but thankfully, the underfloor heating was well-established, keeping the house pleasantly warm. Feng Suchuan still came every day. Occasionally, he would chat with me, and our conversations consisted mainly of small talk about the weather. One time, I noticed him take out a medicine bottle and swallow two pills.

Later, I made sure to ask the waiter to replace his coffee with milk tea, as stimulating drinks aren't suitable for those with heart conditions. As the waiter explained this to him, he glanced in my direction with a hint of a smile, though I couldn't see it clearly.

In my free time, I read novels across various genres. While many were just skimmed quickly, some were savored slowly. For instance, I took three days to read Shu Yi's "Once There Was a Person Who Loved Me Like Life," and by the end, I found myself crying with red, swollen eyes. Alongside my sadness, there was also a fear I couldn't quite articulate: "If I had been braver back then, would the ending have been different? If you had insisted then, would our memories not be like this?"

This thought stunned me. The first thing I did upon regaining my senses was log into the alumni network. As I entered my username, I felt my hands trembling. When I accessed our class page and saw everything as usual, a deep sigh escaped me, quickly followed by a profound sense of sorrow. I hadn't been in contact with Wen Xicheng for a full six months—absolutely no communication whatsoever. I called He Zifei several times, hoping for some news, but he never mentioned anything, as if the name had never existed in our lives. Even more painfully, I lacked the courage to ask, fearing the news might shatter me. In my moments of longing, I always told myself: he must have married Amy by now! During a conversation with Xia Lei, I shared this thought, and he scolded me for being a typical pessimist.

Yet, at that moment, it felt as though a heavy blow had struck my head. What if he hadn't married Amy?

What if he wasn't doing well? Such thoughts lingered in my mind, growing stronger and stronger. When the twenty-sixth day of the twelfth lunar month arrived and the bookstore closed, I finally mustered the courage to call He Zifei.

I said, "Zifei, do you have Xicheng's contact information in the U.S.?"

He Zifei was obviously stunned. Silence enveloped us, creating an overwhelming heaviness in the air. No comforting words were exchanged, just a lasting stillness that filled the room.

Then, finally, the nurse finished her work and left. I looked at Wen Xicheng, my heart aching to hear him speak—anything—yet he remained quiet, lost in his own thoughts.

After a while, I gathered the courage to break the silence. "Are you okay?" I asked softly, trying to gauge his state.

He turned slightly, his eyes meeting mine for the first time since I entered, but they were distant, as if the warm connection we once had was buried deep beneath layers of pain and disconnection.

"Just tired," he replied, his voice barely a whisper.

I nodded, unsure of what else to say. The distance between us felt palpable, a chasm created not only by our circumstances but also by the unspoken words and emotions that loomed heavily in the air.

At that moment, I felt the weight of our shared history pressing down on me, with memories of happier times beginning to fade under the shadow of reality. I wanted to reach out, to bridge that gap, but fear held me back, afraid of breaking the fragile state we were in.

As the minutes ticked by, I stayed attuned to his slightest movements, hoping he would open up to me, but his gaze drifted back to the ceiling, lost in his own world once more.

And so we sat, caught in silence, both yearning for the connection we once had yet unable to find the words to reconnect. In that silence, I stared at his back, carefully pondering his thoughts. Six months ago, he believed I had fallen for Feng Suchuan and left in despair. During these six months, I had not contacted him even once.

He must have slowly given up hope during such prolonged waiting; otherwise, his eyes wouldn't appear so hollow and alarming, as if he had no attachment left to this world.

Reflecting on the reasons that led to his gastric bleeding, I struggled to comprehend how he had managed over the past three months. When Wen Xicheng had just left, Nizi had said, "Why do we all firmly believe that Xicheng is meant for you, but you just don't believe it?" Now, I finally believed it and felt fortunate that it wasn't too late.

As I dimmed the lights and stood up, I heard a weak voice from the bed, "I want to drink water." I smiled gently, poured hot water, took a straw, and squatted by the bed, noticing that he was awake. He was slowly drinking, eyes downcast, his colorless lips cracked and peeling. After half a cup of hot water, he finally released the straw and closed his eyes.

I set the cup aside and continued to squat by the bed, watching him for a while. I reached out to touch his temple, which felt cold and damp with sweat, and I could feel his temples throbbing. As soon as my hand made contact, Wen Xicheng stiffened, holding that position for a long time, his eyelashes fluttering.

Having undergone such major surgery and still not having had his stitches removed, the incision must be extremely painful. Although he was trying hard to suppress it, signs of pain were clearly visible on his face. I didn't dare let his emotions fluctuate any further. I gently massaged his temples for a while and then tried to withdraw my hand. Just as my fingers lifted, I saw his originally closed dark eyes suddenly open wide, staring straight at my fingers, filled with longing. My heart instantly softened; he was indeed a stubborn child.

I stood up and sat beside the bed. After tucking in the corners of the blanket, I held his tightly clenched hand, gently pried open his palm, and interlocked my fingers with his. His hand remained cold and damp. After feeling him slowly grip my hand, I smiled and said, "Your hand is still so cold."

Wen Xicheng looked up at me, his eyes revealing little emotion, and he did not respond.

I continued to smile and said, "From now on, I'll keep it warm for you. It will get better slowly; don't be afraid." He lowered his head, gently releasing my hand and tucking it into the blanket, curling up gradually. Still somewhat resistant, I sighed inwardly, adjusted my posture, and wrapped my arms around him gently. When my hand touched his back, I felt his bony spine; how could he have lost so much weight?

Sensing his body shiver slightly, I asked with concern, "Does your wound hurt? Let me see." As my hand reached into the blanket, he grabbed it, pausing for a moment before placing it against his face. His hand rested on the back of mine, rubbing gently and softly, conveying a tenderness I could feel. Acknowledging his compromise, I softly said, "Don't be mad at me, okay?" Wen Xicheng remained silent. After a moment, he shifted slightly and tugged at my arm, murmuring, "Lie down."

I obediently lay down, and he pulled me into his embrace, burying his face in my neck, radiating a sense of helplessness. I placed my hand at his waist, where a thick bandage was wrapped. After hesitating for a moment, I slowly lifted his shirt, moving it from his waist to his abdomen. I noticed him shrink back slightly, so I retracted my hand and then gently placed it back to stroke. His body first stiffened, but gradually, he relaxed.

Noticing his hand around my back slowly sliding down, my body involuntarily trembled. He halted his movement and began to kiss my earlobe. After a moment of internal struggle, I softly said, "You're all sweaty. Let me help you change into pajamas, and I'll wash up too." After a few seconds, the arm around me loosened. I heard him hoarsely say, "Hurry up."

I first helped him dry off a bit and changed him into pajamas. Then I went to the bathroom to tidy up, and when I came out, I saw the man curled up in the quilt on the hospital bed, looking at me with eager eyes.

I couldn't help but blush, biting my lip as I climbed into bed.

Wen Xicheng pulled me back into his embrace, placing my hand on his waist before impatiently grasping my soft chest. After giving it a squeeze, he rubbed his chin against my forehead and said, "Why has it shrunk?"

I felt extremely embarrassed. It had been half a year, and we hadn't clarified anything yet, but he started the conversation with this.

As I gradually adapted to this intimacy, he shifted slightly, sliding his body down to bury his face where my hand had been. My hand rested on his abdomen, over the incision, and I didn't dare to move it, forcing myself to stay stiff. After rubbing there for a while, he looked up at me, the indifference in his eyes long gone, replaced by burning desire. After biting my lip, I relaxed my body, accepting his promise. A faint smile broke across his face as he lowered his head to undo the two buttons of my pajama top. He nudged me with his chin, buried his face inside, and began to kiss.

I kept taking deep breaths, watching his restless head and staring at the ceiling, lamenting that the course of events was truly beyond my control!

...................

On New Year's Eve morning, Wen Xicheng sat on the bed, staring at me with a pale face. Over the past few days, I had been diligently taking care of him. Although he said little, he no longer resisted me. While receiving an IV, he held my hand and quietly slept. When his wounds or stomach hurt, he would hold me in a not-so-pure way to alleviate the pain. He only frowned when eating; overall, he had been quite well-behaved. This kind of sulking started last night.

The cause was a phone call from my mom. At that moment, he was getting an IV, and he had grabbed my hand... 

"I'll give him a call." 

"Okay, you stay at home and don't come back." 

I nodded in agreement and followed him to the elevator. 

When we reached the upper floor, Xia Lei let out a low sigh, "I'll help you put your luggage away first; don't let him see it."

I couldn't help but feel a tightness in my chest. "He lives right downstairs; how long can we hide it?"

"First, calm him down and don't put any pressure on him." 

I nodded, silently resolving to speak to him properly. 

As soon as I opened the door, Wen Xicheng was sitting on the sofa, staring blankly, seemingly oblivious to everything around him. 

"You're back?" he asked softly. 

"Yeah, I've missed you," I replied in a low voice, walking over to sit beside him and gently taking his hand. 

He seemed a bit surprised, raising his head to reveal a rare smile. 

"You shouldn't be here," he said quietly, his eyes glimmering with helplessness. 

"But I'm here, by your side." 

He shushed me, seeming to want me to say less, but he didn't protest any further. 

I gently wiped the back of his hand. "Once you've rested well, we'll go home." 

I hoped to offer him some warmth, to dispel the chill in his heart. 

"Being here doesn't really matter," he sighed, loneliness and anxiety reflected in his eyes. 

"It's better than being alone in the hospital," I replied honestly. 

"But I don't want to trouble you." 

"You're not troubling me." I tightened my grip on his hand, trying to convey my determination. 

"I just want to be discharged and go home for the New Year." 

"We will; once you're better, we'll go back." 

He spoke with a glimmer

His palm felt unusually cold, and despite covering it for a long time, it still hadn't warmed up. Before entering, I sensed his body becoming tenser, and I began to feel anxious too. "Welcome back, come in quickly, isn't it cold outside?" His voice was as gentle and loving as ever, which eased my heart a little.

Wen Xicheng let go of my hand and respectfully called out, "Auntie." My mother looked at him and soon her eyes revealed a hint of pity. She sighed softly and said to me, "Quickly take him to lie down; it must have been hard on him all the way here." I noticed Wen Xicheng slowly biting his lip as he asked, "Where's Dad?" My mother glanced toward the main bedroom but didn't say anything. I pursed my lips and helped Wen Xicheng to my bedroom.

Perhaps he had truly reached his limit; once inside, before he even had a chance to take off his coat, he lay down directly on the bed. I assisted him in removing his down jacket, pulled the blanket over him, and sat beside him, gently stroking his back. After a long time, he let out a breath, and I grew worried. "Can I see your wound?"

The person lying on the bed showed no reaction, struggling to control his breathing. After hesitating for a moment, I slowly lifted the blanket, reached in, and felt along his arm down to his abdomen. When I lifted his sweater and touched a patch of stiffness, my eyes instantly filled with tears. I gently patted his back and softly said, "The wound might have reopened and started bleeding. Can you get up? Let's go to the hospital, okay?" Wen Xicheng remained silent and gently shook his head. I guessed he lacked the strength to confront the ordeal of going to the hospital.

After covering him with the blanket, I went to Xia Lei's room. He was leaning against the windowsill smoking. Upon seeing me, he snuffed out the cigarette. "How is he?" he asked. "The cut might be bleeding; do you know a surgeon?" I replied.

Xia Lei nodded, threw on a down jacket, and headed out. "Xiao Wu's mom is one; I'll go get her. You help him change into something more comfortable." I nodded and took his arm. "Don't let Mom and Dad know." Xia Lei said helplessly, "I know. You should wash your face and rest a bit; you look haggard after those few days out. If Dad sees you like this, he'll have issues with that kid again."

While waiting for Xia Lei and the others, I quickly washed up and helped Wen Xicheng change into more comfortable clothes. During this time, my mom came in once, felt his forehead, and said he had a fever, though she didn't dare give him any medicine to reduce it. I wrung out a towel and wiped his forehead and cheeks. Wen Xicheng was mostly in a semi-comatose state, only opening his eyes briefly when my mom spoke. His lips moved to say, "Auntie, I'm fine," which made my mom's eyes turn red.

An hour later, Xia Lei and the doctor returned, followed by a neatly cropped girl with an androgynous yet pretty appearance. When she saw me, she smiled broadly, revealing a set of white teeth. "Hey, sis, I'm here to check on my brother-in-law!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Xia Lei smacked his forehead and glared at her, "What are you making a fuss about? Just stay put." 

The girl brushed his hand away casually and coldly snorted, "What are you shouting about? You made my earwax come out; move aside!" 

Xia Lei staggered back a few steps, shaking his fists and gritting his teeth, "Just wait until we finish the serious stuff; you'll see how I deal with you!" 

I facepalmed, ignoring the bickering duo as I followed the doctor into the bedroom.

The wound was indeed bleeding, but thankfully it hadn't opened up. After applying medicine and rewrapping it, the doctor gave Wen Xicheng an injection, set up two IV drips—one for inflammation and one for fever—and left some oral medications. 

As we were leaving, Xia Lei grabbed Xiao Wu and pulled her behind him.

Under her angry gaze, he smiled mischievously, "You keep Sis company for a bit; I'll take Auntie back." 

Xiao Wu shot him a sideways glance, patted her clothes, and huffed out one word, "Hmm." 

While changing his shoes, Xia Lei added, "Don't touch my stuff!" 

Xiao Wu shot him another glance, "Your junk? I'm not even interested!" 

Xia Lei scoffed, saying, "Typical!" as he followed Xiao Wu's mom out the door. 

Xiao Wu, whose real name was Wu Yue, was Xia Lei's sworn brother. The reason she was called a brother, Xia Lei explained to me, was, "Aside from abnormal pectoral muscle development and missing something down there, she's just like a guy!" 

When Xia Lei said this, Xiao Wu was right next to him, already accustomed to not being seen as a girl by others. However, I noticed a hint of sadness in her usually indifferent, clear eyes, and I began to suspect that Xiao Wu had feelings for Xia Lei. 

At that time, I had just graduated from university, Xia Lei was nineteen, and Xiao Wu was only sixteen, just starting high school. Five years have passed; Xia Lei had navigated through emotional turmoil. 

I always thought he would gradually come to understand Xiao Wu's feelings for him, but even now, aside from his boundless indulgence and pampering, his gaze toward her still conveyed the message of "you're just a guy." Rarely did I see any change in Xiao Wu's eyes anymore. 

Walking back to the bedroom and looking at the man asleep on the bed, I felt I needed to have a serious conversation with Xia Lei. Who says indulgence and pampering aren't forms of love? 

In a spacious and bright conference room, the contract department was holding a regular meeting. After everyone completed their reports, Feng Suchuan furrowed his brow, lowered his head, and subconsciously muttered, "Summer..." The moment those words escaped his lips, the large conference room fell into an immediate silence.

The man leading the meeting pursed his lips into a tight line, his face slightly pale and his brows deeply furrowed. After what felt like an eternity, he cleared his throat and stood up. "Alright, meeting adjourned!"

Once the door to the conference room closed, Xiao Cheng felt her eyes begin to redden. She whispered, "This is the third time this week the boss has mentioned Sister Xia Tian. I miss Sister Xia Tian so much!" Several little girls nodded in agreement, while the man standing by the door, who hadn't quite managed to leave, gripped his folder tightly, his slender figure standing upright and stiff.

Back in the office, Feng Suchuan lit a cigarette, taking deep puffs before breaking into a fit of coughs, each sound suppressed and laced with pain, relentless. When his phone rang, his voice was still hoarse. "Hello? Xiang Dong." "What's wrong? Why does your voice sound so hoarse? Caught a cold?" "No, what's up?" "The project submission timeline for the private hospital has been set. Let's meet this afternoon." "Okay, I'll come find you." "Also, the stock transfer document for that twenty percent has been completed. It just needs Xia Tian's signature to become effective."

Feng Suchuan slowly closed his eyes. "Let's talk about it when we meet later."

When he arrived at the green tea house to meet Lu Xiangdong, Lu was already waiting. "You look unwell. Feeling bad again?" he asked with concern. "I'm fine. When do we start the project?" "Next Wednesday. How is your resignation coming along?" "I'm in the handover process." Lu Xiangdong nodded, paused for a moment, and then handed over a file folder. "This is the stock transfer document. Have you really thought this through?" Feng Suchuan didn't respond and took the folder, lightly brushing his fingers over it.

"Has Xia Tian already left the company?" "Yeah." "Haven't contacted her since?" "No." "What are you planning to do?"

Feng Shuchuan looked extremely weary, rubbing his brow as he softly said, "We'll handle it later. She definitely wants to go home. Once the project is running smoothly, we can take our time." Lu Xiangdong sighed and replied, "Did you really think that registering the company in her hometown wouldn't lead to this situation? But can you guarantee that after treating her like this, she will still forgive you?" A flash of pain crossed Feng Shuchuan's face as he turned to gaze out the window, remaining silent for a long time.

Lu Xiangdong poured him some tea, remarking with a hint of irony, "Forget it, let nature take its course. But honestly, you've gone too far this time. I truly didn't expect you to think like this. Now your hospitalization has turned into a spectacle. I should have recorded the tragic scene when you fainted that day as evidence. No matter how many excuses you make, it won't matter; she definitely won't believe you anymore. You were tough on her, but even tougher on yourself. Even if you don't say it, I know you've really gotten yourself into trouble this time."

Feng Shuchuan's gaze gradually darkened, plunging into a deep silence.

After a long pause, he finally spoke, his voice trembling as if it were coming from a great distance. "When she said she never wanted to see me again in this life, her eyes were filled with unmasked disgust. Xiang Dong, I imagined many reactions she might have had upon learning the truth, but disgust was the last thing I expected. Not anger, nor resentment—just pure disgust." He struggled to swallow. "It feels as if I am something filthy and repulsive."

Lu Xiangdong looked at him in shock. He had never seen Feng Shuchuan like this—utterly desolate and overwhelmed with helplessness, his voice quivering. He couldn't find the words to say more. Had he known about the plan in advance, he would have never allowed it to unfold. Now it was far too late!

He feared that Feng Shuchuan would live with self-blame for the rest of his life.

The night had grown very late. Outside, darkness loomed heavily, enveloped in shadows. The cold, steel-structured office building reflected a pale white light under the moon. Only a few lights glowed within the entire structure, one of which belonged to Feng Shuchuan.

The handover work was urgent, and everyone was shocked by his departure, but beneath the surface lay even greater unrest. How much of the apparent reluctance and sadness was genuine? Lighting a cigarette, he instinctively turned his head. The office across the glass partition was pitch black, the seat a few meters away vacant, mirroring his own state of mind. His fingers unconsciously tightened on the armrest as a flicker of unbearable pain crossed his weathered, pale, and indifferent face, forcing him to look away. He fumbled in his pocket for a bottle of medicine, but his fingers halted when they brushed against a cold water cup.

The black frosted cup bore a white Hello Kitty design, its foolish appearance reminiscent of a youthful, childlike face.

The cup was just the right size, well-insulated, having been by his side for three or four years; he couldn't recall the exact duration, only vaguely remembering that person anxiously saying, "Manager, herbal tea harms the stomach. I bought a vacuum cup on Taobao that's really good. Do you want me to get one for you too?" That cautious yet anxious expression stirred a faint pity in his heart. He had to admit that long ago, his feelings for this little assistant had transcended a mere superior-subordinate relationship. He had never encountered anyone who wore their emotions so openly. He had hinted to her many times to stop staring with her big eyes; others could easily discern her thoughts. Gradually, however, he found himself reluctant to say more, wishing instead to help preserve her precious innocence.

The quiet night could induce illusions.

He gently closed his eyes, seemingly hearing that respectful yet playful voice, and his mouth unconsciously curled into a smile. She liked to gaze into the eyes of the person she was speaking to, yet always appeared dazed, like a confused little kitten, which made him unable to resist rubbing her head. In truth, he had always known she wasn't truly naive; although her eyes were innocent, they held an astonishing clarity. Sometimes, when he looked into her eyes, he felt as though she could see into his soul, leaving him vulnerable in her presence. Just as she had said, it wasn't that she couldn't understand, but...

With the arrival of sturdy spring attire, my life with Wen Xicheng gradually settled into a routine. We went grocery shopping together, cooked meals side by side, and occasionally invited friends over for gatherings. Life was warm and happy. However, this peaceful existence did not last long, as Wen Xicheng's work pressure began to mount. He often worked late into the night, and by the time he returned home, he always looked exhausted.

I worried about him, wanting to understand his stress but unsure how to address it. One day, I gathered my courage and asked, "Are you feeling worn out lately?" He merely smiled faintly, shook his head, and replied, "It's nothing; I can handle it." I knew he didn't want me to worry, yet unease lingered in my heart.

One evening in April, I was busy in the kitchen preparing dinner when he suddenly returned home, his expression darker than usual. Alarmed, I set down the chopping knife and walked over to him, softly asking, "What happened?" After a moment of silence, he finally spoke: "Today's project was rejected. My boss is unhappy with me, and I might be reassigned." Hearing this, my heart sank.

I tried to comfort him: "It's okay; a change in position might bring new opportunities." He merely sighed, frustration evident in his eyes. I chose to remain silent, tightly holding his hand to offer quiet support.

In the following days, his work remained challenging, and the heavy pressure made him increasingly withdrawn, even rejecting my attempts to care for him. I felt anxious; although I knew he was doing his best to endure everything, I felt helpless. Each night, I could only watch him sit silently on the sofa, as if the entire world had nothing to do with him. I tried hard to maintain the sweetness of our daily life, but gradually, I realized that the distance between us was slowly widening.

Finally, one day, he came home from work and sat silently at the dining table. Unable to contain myself, I asked, "Do you have something on your mind?" He paused for a moment, then slowly replied, "Xia Lei, I'm really tired. I feel like I can't hold on much longer." At that moment, I was filled with fear and helplessness, unsure of how to help him.

Tears streamed down my face without warning, and I nodded firmly, my voice trembling, "I will always be here for you. No matter what happens, I will be by your side." His eyes reddened slightly, revealing a trace of vulnerability that pierced my heart. I grasped his hand tightly, silently reassuring myself that our love would not fade in the face of adversity.

However, it seemed that life was unwilling to let us find peace. In the following months, things only became more complicated. The troubles at work gradually seeped into our relationship, and I could feel him slowly shutting his heart off. That sense of helplessness surged over me like a tide, nearly choking me.

After changing out of my heavy winter clothes, I noticed that Wen Xicheng had lost weight again. The bookstore had not reopened, and I had devoted almost all my energy to caring for him, yet his complexion remained so pale it was heart-wrenching. What brought me some comfort was that his stomach issues had improved significantly after the surgery, and he had nearly stopped taking painkillers; still, his appetite continued to diminish.

Many times, he forced himself to eat just to ease my worries, but soon after, he would throw it all up.

Each time I heard his muffled retching outside the bathroom, I felt a profound sense of helplessness.

On the day the bookstore reopened, I left the apartment early in the morning and was busy throughout the day. It wasn't until close to noon that I bought groceries and returned home. The living room was empty, and I assumed Wen Xicheng was asleep. After putting the groceries in the kitchen, I was about to check the bedroom when I heard faint murmurs coming from the study. I tiptoed over.

The study door was half-open, and Wen Xicheng stood by the window with his phone in his right hand. Sparks flickered from his left hand, and the ashtray was piled high, indicating he had been there for a long time.

He had his back to me, concealing his expression, but I could sense the weight of his sorrow in his rigid posture.

Just as I was about to push the door open, I heard his hoarse voice: "Peter, I can't eat anything."

"...."

"It's been several months, and it's getting worse recently. I suspect it's a relapse."

"...."

"Also, it seems the painkillers are no longer working for me."

"...."

"I'm not going to the US. You can send my medical records over, and I'll find an expert here to take a look."

"...."

"...."

After that, I could no longer concentrate on what they were saying. My trembling hand clenched into a fist and covered my mouth as I quietly turned and left, feeling a heavy stone pressing down on my heart. I fled in panic until I drove out of the community and parked by the roadside, then realized I was shaking all over.

Slumped weakly in the seat, tears burst forth uncontrollably.

It turns out he couldn't eat because he had been sick in the US; it wasn't that he didn't feel pain anymore, but that the painkillers no longer worked. But how did he manage to conceal his pain right under my nose? I had never noticed it even once!

Ignoring the curious stares of passersby, I wept, yet the sadness in my heart remained unchanged until my phone rang.

Trying to regain my composure, I pressed the answer key.

"Xicheng."

"Where are you? I saw the groceries you bought in the kitchen."

"Oh, I left my bag in the car. I'll be back soon."

"Then I'll start cooking; I seem to have quite an appetite today."

I pressed my lips tightly together, responded briefly, and hurriedly hung up the phone.

Before starting the car, I sent a text to Song Ying: "Last time you told me Amy is now the vice president of the company. Is she in the country?"

I quickly received her reply: "Yes, she is."

"Please send me her phone number."

When I got out of the car and entered the elevator, I had already masked all my sadness. All this time, I hadn't dared to ask about what happened during the two years after Wen Xicheng's grandfather passed away, when he couldn't return to the country in time. I always believed it would be Amy taking care of him and helping him heal, but it seems it's not that simple. I felt that I now had enough courage to face those two years.

When I told Wen Xicheng that I was going to Jiangnan to help Liu Niyi choose a wedding dress, he accepted it without hesitation and smiled in agreement.

Upon arriving in S City, I went straight to the café where I had arranged to meet Amy.

It had been over six months since we last saw each other. The woman before me wore a light beige professional outfit, casually stirring her coffee with a spoon while offering a perfect smile. Her calm demeanor reminded me of Feng Suchuan from days gone by.

Once I gathered my thoughts, I smiled and said, "Congratulations on your promotion to vice president."

"Thank you." She glanced at me and asked, "Are you and Xicheng together now?"

I nodded.

"You've come to see him?"

"Yes."

"How is he doing?"

"Not too well. He just had surgery, and his appetite is poor."

"I want to understand what happened during the two years following his grandfather's passing."

Amy smiled, the corners of her lips turning slightly upward, and looked at me with a playful glint in her eyes. "You finally decided to come and ask me. Are you certain you want to know?"

I detected a hint of sincerity in her smiling eyes, realizing for the first time that she wasn't quite as irritating as I had previously thought.

After taking a sip of coffee, I relaxed and smiled, saying, "Please tell me. I want to know."

Her tone softened significantly. "All of it?"

I nodded.

The afternoon sun was bright and warm. The woman sitting across from me wore a serene expression devoid of pretense. Her speech was deliberate, with a soft and gentle voice.

"My father was once Wen Xicheng's grandfather's trusted assistant, and after starting his own company, he received substantial support from him. When I was very young, my grandfather recognized me as his god-granddaughter. He told me that Xicheng was not suited for business and was always preparing me to take over. So, he pushed Xicheng into an engagement with me."

"We never expected that Xicheng would resist until the very end, even when my grandfather was hospitalized, which ultimately restrained him. However, he never agreed to marry me, and in the end, my grandfather did something I still can't understand."

I listened quietly, gradually feeling a sense of sadness wash over me. I had always believed I was attentive to Wen Xicheng, but I realized how little I truly understood him. Because of my insecurities and timidity, I had never inquired about his grandfather.

Taking a deep breath, I asked, "What happened?"

A faint sadness appeared on Amy's face. She lowered her head to stir her coffee and softly said, "Grandfather didn't pass away from illness; he pulled out the oxygen tube and committed suicide."

My heart jolted, and I looked up. "Why?"

"To ensure that Xicheng always feels guilty and complies with his will."

I took two deep breaths, feeling a sharp pang in my chest. The pain was unmistakable.

Amy pursed her lips and called over a waiter to pour me a cup of hot water. "Do you still want to continue?" 

I held the cup tightly with both hands and nodded gently. 

"In Grandpa's will, he specified that all his properties and shares in the company should go to Xicheng, but only if he marries me. Otherwise, three years later, all his real estate and bank savings will be donated to charity, and Xicheng will only inherit the company shares."