Chang Ningjing's eyes lit up as if she saw hope yet quickly dimmed again, "Is that so? I've seen all sorts of doctors, both Western and Chinese medicine."
She traveled to many cities, always on her own, getting secret treatments without anyone knowing, but she was still infertile.
Gradually, she had given up.
"I've seen so many doctors, and at first they all said there's hope, but after the treatments, it's always the same."
Chang Ningjing's mood was extremely low, this experience of seeing light, and then having that light die out, was indeed crushing.
"Is there a possibility that they didn't treat the root of the problem?" Shen Yin speculated.
"Ah, let's leave it to fate." Chang Ningjing sighed.
"Why don't I give it a try? Don't raise your hopes too high, if it can be cured, consider it an unexpected joy."
“All right then, I play the guinea pig for you.”
After saying this, both Chang Ningjing and Shen Yin laughed. Someone was coming to the restroom, so they didn't stay there any longer and went straight back to their private room.
In the private room, Shu Yi was still taking care of Xu Yunzheng's meal to ease her own awkwardness.
Chang Zhiyuan occasionally stole glances at Shu Yi, while Tan Xiao and Xu Xiuhe started to chat while eating.
Xu Yunzheng raised his head and called out: "Mom."
"My dear."
"My dear, what do you want to call me?" Chang Ningjing asked the little one with a smile.
Xu Yunzheng looked at Chang Ningjing and Shen Yin, finally returned his gaze to Chang Ningjing.
“Beautiful aunt.”
“Ah, so well-behaved.”
Chang Ningjing was overjoyed. Not only did he call her auntie, but he also called her beautiful auntie. The little darling really had a way with words. He would surely win the hearts of girls in the future.
"You two came back together?" Chang Zhiyuan asked.
"What, Xu Xiuhe hasn't said anything, the little guy hasn't said anything, and you've started to inquire?"
"Fine, fine, you're older, you have the final say." Chang Zhiyuan took another sip of his drink.
The table resumed its original atmosphere.
"Zhiyuan, drink less, this alcohol is strong, if you get drunk like last time, there will be no one to send you home."
"Sis."
Upon hearing Chang Ningjing say this, Chang Zhiyuan guiltily glanced at Shu Yi.
When Shu Yi heard Chang Ningjing mention Chang Zhiyuan's drinking and getting drunk, her heart started to fluctuate. Chang Ningjing knowingly or unknowingly took a peek at Shu Yi and could see the momentary pause in Shu Yi's movements. She knew then she hit the nail.
"Shu Yi, is it hectic filming recently? It must be tiring." Chang Ningjing asked.
"It's okay, I was on the set recently, just came back yesterday for some rest."
"I love your shows, what is the theme of this recently one?"
Chang Ningjing intentionally tried to make friendly advances.
"Thanks, Ningjing, the recent one is a suspense drama."
"Can we connect on WeChat? When the drama airs, I will support it right away."
"Sure."
Chang Ningjing took out her phone, opened WeChat, and Shu Yi also took out her phone, turned on her QR code. After adding each other, Chang Ningjing, contented, sent a knowing smile towards Chang Zhiyuan.
Chang Zhiyuan hung his head, taking another sip of wine. Fortunately, everyone had eaten, and it was getting late. Shen Yin glanced at the time and suggested it was time to leave.
“It’s getting late, we should go. Arrange for a driver since we’ve had wine,” advised Shen Yin. Although Xu Xiuhe was not drunk, drunk driving was against the law.
As the captain of the SWAT team, Tan Xiao would naturally obey the law.
“Zhiyuan, I’ll get a driver for you. My assistant will come to pick me up and take Tan Xiao back. As for Shu Yi…”
“I didn’t drink. I can drive,” Shu Yi quickly stated.
“Can you drive me back then? I’ve had drinks.” Chang Zhiyuan uttered these words with torrent eyes, although he realized he might have crossed a line.
“Never mind, consider it a dream. You wouldn’t drive me, too heartless,” he said with an exaggerated whimper.
Chang Ningjing rubbed her forehead, she felt so embarrassed. She wished she could disown her younger brother for his pitiful performance.
Yet, what Chang Zhiyuan had just said, his tone, and expression softened Shu Yi’s heart.
“I’ll drive you.”
“Really? Shu Yiru, I promise to behave. Let’s go.”
A bit wobbly, Chang Zhiyuan staggered to Shu Yi’s side.
The group headed down the building. Chen Siming, knowing they were leaving, personally saw them off.
“Drive safe. Let me know when you’re home.”
“Will do.”
Chang Zhiyuan sat on the passenger's side, staring at Shu Yi.
“Stop staring at me, I need to drive.” Shu Yi dared not meet Chang Zhiyuan’s gaze.
“You know, you’re beautiful. It’s been so long since I saw you. Your photos don’t do you justice,” Chang Zhiyuan muttered.
“You’ve seen my photos?” Shu Yi seemed interested.
“Of course. Look at my phone. Your photo is my screensaver.”
Chang Zhiyuan unlocked his phone. Shu Yi’s portrait was his wallpaper. Long hair, a black gown, and a red backdrop. To describe in two words, stunning. Three words? Absolutely stunning.
“How did you get this photo of me?”
“Shu Yiru, don’t be silly. You’re an employee of my company, my artist. I’m your boss. Isn’t it normal for me to have your portraits? Your reaction is too exaggerated.”
Was she exaggerating? Without her consent, Chang Zhiyuan had used her photo as his wallpaper. As the subject of the photo, wasn’t it normal for her to be surprised?
“I even have your portfolio at home. Would you like to see it? They are all beautiful, but none as beautiful as you. These photographers can’t capture your real value, so annoying. Going back, I'm going to fire any photographer who couldn’t take a good picture of you.”
“Chang Zhiyuan, can you stop being childish? It’s normal for a photo to be slightly different than real life. You can’t blame the photographers.”
"It's the photographer's fault for sure. Everyone else has a normal photo, except for this one actress who can't act. The photos she took look far better than she herself looks in person. I'm going to discuss this with them tomorrow," said Chang Zhiyuan.
Shu Yi remained silent. This guy Chang Zhiyuan was behaving like a child, eager and spontaneous. And he was a big company's CEO! If anyone were to find out how he behaves once drunk, it would be a great embarrassment.
"Give me the address," he demanded.
"What address?"
"Your house address. I need to take you home, understand?"
"I don't want to go home. It's not easy for me to see you. I can't bear to go back. I fear I won't see you anymore if I go back," he confessed, sounding vulnerable.
Shu Yi's patience was diminishing. What was she supposed to do? She liked him too. She felt weak-hearted now, and it was quite impossible for her to just abandon him.
"So what do you want? I need to go home."
"You could take me home, just like before. I want to go home with you," he pleaded.
Alright! Shu Yi turned the ignition key, starting the car. On their way back, Chang Zhiyuan was jovial, non-stop laughing and constantly gazing at Shu Yi. His eyes never left her face even for a second. He looked like the good-for-nothing heir of a wealthy family.
Surely enough, Shen Yin and Xu Xiuhe had reached home and given the child a bath. They lay in the bed after putting the child to sleep.
"Today, Xu Guimin visited me," Xu Xiuhe informed Shen Yin.
"He didn't come again asking for your help, did he? He left on his own last time. Why is he calling you now?" Shen Yin inquired.
Xu Xiuhe pulled Shen Yin closer into his arms, and Shen Yin adjusted her position for comfort.
"No, he asked me about the remark I made last time. About his accident, that it was not as simple as it appears," said Xu Xiuhe.
"He's asking about that incident now? It's been six months already. Is he still retaining that memory?"
"He might be getting feelings about it lately."
"I always felt suspicious about his accident. I always thought Yang Cui and Xu Zhengyang might have something to do with it. I'm just waiting to have a dream about it, then it will be confirmed," she mused.
Meanwhile, at a villa owned by the Xu family, Ge Xinxin lay on her bed scrolling through videos on her phone. A call came in and her facial expression changed considerably. She was tentative but she answered it anyway.
"Hello, how many times do I need to tell you this? I have a boyfriend now. He's very caring, wealthy too, can't you guys stop bothering me?" demanded Ge Xinxin.
"Xinxin, please hear me out. I didn't mean to, it wasn't intentional. My motive was purely to ensure a better lifestyle for us in the future. That's why I had sent you to please Xu Zhengyang," the caller tried to justify.
"There's no need for an explanation. I should be thanking you instead. Thanks to your scheme, I had the opportunity to meet up with the scion of a wealthy clan and the chance to enter a privileged life!"
“Xinxin…” he trailed off.
"Enough already, I can also make decisions for myself. If you can betray your girlfriend for a petty collaboration, then can't I break up with you for future wealth and prosperity? I know how to choose between being a young mistress of a rich family and a slag wife. Don't disturb me anymore."
After finishing, Ge Xinxin hung up the phone. She did not regret her choice one bit. After all, a woman needs to be practical and live for herself. She is grateful that she is carrying Xu Zhengyang's child, which puts her one step closer to the position of young mistress.
However, she is not a fool. She can see that Xu Zhengyang's mother, Yang Cui, doesn't want her to marry into the Xu family because of her humble background. Wealthy families would generally not accept someone like her.
But she is not anxious, for the baby in her belly is her trump card. No matter how lowly her status is, didn't Yang Cui also rise from being a mistress? To be frank, she is far more upright than Yang Cui. She is much younger than Yang Cui and as long as her child is on her side in the future, she doesn't have anything to fear.
She could always outlive the old woman. Her life wouldn't be bad and she certainly won't lack money. She doesn't care about being nameless and shareless because she knows that the Xu family values the baby in her belly very much.
"Oh my baby, you will definitely help me, won't you? I've had enough of the poor life. I don't want to rent a house anymore, or go drinking with men for their sake. Here's our opportunity, we have to seize it ourselves, right?"
Ge Xinxin caressed her belly as she spoke.
In Xu Guimin's room, Yang Cui was sitting in front of the dressing table, observing her skin carefully while applying a facial mask.
Suddenly, a face appeared in the mirror.
"Oh my gosh, honey, you scared me!"
Yang Cui complained, patting her chest.
"I just came to see how you are applying your mask, and you got scared? When did you become so timid?"
Xu Guimin looked on with interest, observing Yang Cui's expressions in his pajamas.
The way Yang Cui acted was clearly different from usual. Could it really be as Xu Xiuhe said?
"Cui Cui, why are you so nervous, is it because you think I'm old and you have someone outside?"
Xu Guimin probed deliberately, he knew that Yang Cui wouldn't dare, and that she still needed him. He just wanted to see her reaction.
"Honey, what are you talking about? How could I possibly betray you? Besides, you're so amazing, how could I possibly..."
Yang Cui started to play the pity card, almost in tears, while clinging onto Xu Guimin's arm.
"I was just messing with you. Look at how scared you were, you were about to drop your phone. Just because my face suddenly appeared in the mirror, you were this terrified? Can I not be suspicious?"
Xu Guimin justified his actions.
"Well, it's a mirror. There are many horrifying stories about mirrors, isn't it normal for me to be scared? After all, I'm just a weak woman."
Yang Cui acted coy, her voice gentle and seductive.
"My bad, I just wanted to tease you. Don't worry, there's nothing to be scared of."
Xu Guimin reached out and patted Yang Cui's shoulder, his gaze changing.
When they went to sleep at night, Yang Cui was the one clinging to him, but Xu Guimin couldn't sleep at all. He kept thinking about what Xu Xiuhe had said.
He had always been a good swimmer. How could he suddenly drown? He himself wouldn't believe it if he told anyone. It was no wonder that the old man from the Shen family scoffed at him. It was downright embarrassing, to be a swimmer who ended up in the ICU because he had nearly drowned. Wasn't that a joke?
But if he was victimized, then this matter would need to be reconsidered.
Unable to sleep, Xu Guimin got up and made his way to his study to think. Close to midnight, he mustered up the courage and headed for the yard of the Xu's villa.
The dream, and the figure of Sun Wenting, was constantly in his mind. He wanted to see what would happen when he went to the poolside this time.
But halfway there, Xu Guimin faltered. He had to psych himself up, to bolster his courage, before making his way to the poolside.
As he got closer, he grew more fearful. There were actually sounds coming from the pool in the dead of night, and Xu Guimin was petrified.
However, curiosity got the better of him. Thus, he lightened his footsteps and started moving slowly towards that direction.
The nearer he got to the pool, the faster his heart beat. It felt as if his heart was going to leap out of his chest.
