Reconciliation or Rising Tensions?

"Does your stomach still hurt? Don't do these things during special times."

With that remark, he successfully reclaimed the initiative, placing the dishes in the sink.

Watching the man's deft movements, Cen Yao pursed her lips and simply went back to her room to sleep.

Shao Xichen quickly finished cleaning the kitchen and returned to the room.

He carefully lifted the covers and lay down beside Cen Yao, turning to embrace her from behind, his large hand lifting the cotton pajamas from her back, slowly moving from her lower back to her abdomen.

Instantly, the warmth of her abdomen spread through her body like an electric current, causing her to shiver uncontrollably.

"Go to sleep, you have to go to work tomorrow."

She wanted to sleep, but with his hand on her stomach, she couldn't possibly fall asleep.

She moved her body, trying to remove his hand from her.

"Be a good girl and sleep, otherwise, I can't guarantee I won't do something inappropriate."

His seductive voice was filled with suppressed desire, like a caged beast struggling fiercely within him.

Cen Yao swallowed, feeling a burning sensation behind her.

"You... hugging me like this, I can't sleep."

"Get used to it."

Cen Yao had no strength to argue, her long eyelashes fluttering slightly as she sighed and resignedly closed her eyes.

The next morning, Cen Yao was woken by the alarm clock, the warmth beside her still lingering, but he had left sometime during the night.

The food he had prepared the day before was in the fridge, all neatly packed into containers. Each container was carefully labeled with instructions on how long to heat in the microwave.

She did lack some life skills, but she wasn't stupid; she always felt that Shao Xichen treated her like a three-year-old child. Despite thinking this, it didn't stop her from enjoying a delicious breakfast.

Today, she was flying to Lincheng and estimated she would be back around one in the afternoon. She planned to visit Ningning at the hospital afterward.

The doctor said she was recovering well but kept insisting on being discharged.

She really wanted to bring Cen Ning home, but the reality of the situation didn't allow it.

She couldn't manage both work and taking care of her.

After a five-hour flight, Cen Yao got off the plane and hurried home.

She took out the chicken soup Shao Xichen had stewed for her the night before, planning to take it to the hospital for Ningning.

As she packed her things to leave, a man and a woman were standing outside the door.

The woman's eyes lit up, excitedly calling out her name, "Cen Yao."

Her face was made up meticulously, and despite her proper maintenance, fine lines were hard to hide at the corners of her eyes.

Looking at the man standing beside her, his face stern, exuding an air of authority.

"What kind of look is that? I'm your aunt, don't you remember me?" Cen Ya Qin stared straight at Cen Yao.

Cen Yao was stunned for a moment before coming to her senses.

After the company went bankrupt and her father, Cen Zhiyuan, left with his mistress, they had cut ties with the Cen family.

Even when her mother passed away, not a single member of the Cen family attended the funeral.

She naturally assumed that she had severed ties with those so-called relatives and would never have any contact again in her life.

"It's been so many years, Yao Yao has grown into a young lady."

Despite being relatives, Cen Yao didn't feel much.

In her eyes, they were no different from strangers.

"How do you know where I live?"

"Speaking of which, we went to your old place to find you, but the landlord said you had moved out a long time ago. It took me a long time to find you here."

"What do you want?"

"Listen to you, as if I need a reason to see you," Cen Ya Qin retorted.

Suddenly, Cen Yao snorted.

"Aren't you going out?" Cen Ya Qin's shrewd eyes circled around.

Cen Yao was somewhat impatient, "If you have something to say, just say it, I'm in a hurry."

"Cen Yao, I know you've always held a grudge against me because of your father. But no matter what, you are my niece, and knowing you've had a hard time these past years, it also pains me."

Cen Yao found it ironic; she hadn't had an easy time for days.

If they really wanted to do something, they wouldn't wait until now.

She had endured the hardest times alone, and now this was nothing.

"I don't need it." She rejected coldly. "I'm doing fine now, I don't need anyone's pity."

"Cen Yao, you misunderstood, we don't mean to pity you. We simply want to see how you are and if there's anything we can help with. Besides, what your father did back then had nothing to do with us."

"Nothing to do with it?" Cen Yao's anger flared, "Do you really think there's no connection? Back then, you knew Cen Zhiyuan had other women, yet you never told my mother a word, that's aiding and abetting evil. You are the biggest accomplice in our downfall to this point."

"How can you talk to your aunt like that?" Zhang Guotao immediately reprimanded, "That's too hurtful to your aunt's heart. You don't know, she's been thinking about you all these years."

Saying this, Cen Ya Qin started to sob softly.

"Then don't bother thinking about me anymore, I'm doing fine now." She left with a cold remark.

Just then, the elevator doors opened, and she walked in without looking back.

She didn't want to see anyone or anything related to Cen Zhiyuan for the rest of her life.

"That girl, it's been a few years, but her temper sure has grown," Cen Ya Qin's face changed from sunny to overcast.

"Do you think she'll agree?" Zhang Guotao's eyes darkened.

Cen Ya Qin snorted, "It's not up to her, she'll have to agree whether she wants to or not."

"Sister, what's wrong with you today, you seem distracted." Cen Ning held the bowl of chicken soup, sipping it with relish.

Cen Yao looked up and shook her head. "Nothing, just thinking about work."

She didn't plan to tell Cen Ning about Cen Ya Qin's visit.

"The chicken soup today was very tasty, sister, can you bring me some more next time? You don't know, the food at the sanatorium isn't very flavorful."

Cen Yao was taken aback for a moment, then nodded, "Sure, if you like it, I'll bring it every time I come." It was rare for Cen Ning to ask for something, so of course, she wanted to fulfill her wishes.

It was evident that she was in a good mood today, much more cheerful than the last time they met.

"Sister, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

"If it's about leaving the hospital, then there's no discussion."

Cen Yao knew exactly what Cen Ning was thinking.