Shen Wenna sat down carefully, shocked that Qi Lei knew her surname. "How do you know that my surname is Shen?"

Qi Lei smiled as he sat down beside her. He glanced at the quiet and elegant Shen Wenna, recognizing Xi Xiaye's shadow on her. He chuckled a little. "I saw what happened just now. Xiaye and I are good friends. She even saved me last time. I've been looking for a chance to thank her, but I never found it, and fortunately, today I bumped into you, Aunty Shen!"

Shen Wenna was caught off-guard. She tilted her head slightly and asked in a surprised tone, "Are you Xiaye's friend?"

Qi Lei nodded. "We're friends. I'm Qi Lei. Aunty Shen, just call me by my name."

"Qi Lei?" Shen Wenna repeated it quietly. "Thank you for today." That woman might have kept on annoying her if he had not interfered.

"It's alright. Did you hurt yourself anywhere just now?"

Of course, Qi Lei knew about Shen Wenna. It was plastered all over the newspapers. However, there had not been any new updates these past two days, so it was obvious who was behind it.

Mu Yuchen must have locked the news down. He heard that the Yue family had been making a lot of noise about this. It was pretty unclear how things were going right now.

"I'm okay. I'm not hurt." Shen Wenna shot him a thankful smile.

Qi Lei opened the paper in his hand. It was documented proof of an injury, a light concussion, missing teeth... He was then reminded about Yue Lingsi's swollen face and her words just now. It only meant one thing — Xi Xiaye had beaten her up!

What a fearsome woman! Yue Lingsi probably suffered quite a painful beating, and it must have been all because of Shen Wenna.

Qi Lei averted his gaze and looked at Shen Wenna beside him. As he was putting the stuff in his hand away, Xi Xiaye's cold voice came from the front, "Why are you here?"

Qi Lei looked up and saw Xi Xiaye with a bottle of water in one hand, her phone in the other. She threw him a cold stare.

Qi Lei put on a cheerful smile and called out to her, "Xiaye!"

Xi Xiaye glanced at Qi Lei distantly while she opened the bottle of water and handed it to Shen Wenna without giving Qi Lei any reaction. "Mother, have some water."

Shen Wenna took it carefully as she put on a smile. "Xiaye, so Mr. Qi is your friend. We have to thank him for just now, he was really helpful."

"Thank him for what?"

Xi Xiaye felt that something was amiss. She turned over and glared at Qi Lei with her eyes in slits. Her tone was unfriendly. "What did you do to my mother?"

Qi Lei shrugged innocently as he put on a hurt expression. "I didn't do anything. I'm the good guy here. You can ask Aunty Shen what happened!"

"You've misunderstood him, Xiaye. Yue Lingsi came over just now and Mr. Qi here helped me out," explained Shen Wenna quickly when she felt the atmosphere was not right.

"What is she doing here? Did she not have enough yesterday?" Xi Xiaye's body strained when she heard the name Yue Lingsi. Immediately, she emitted a cold aura around her.

"I'm alright. Don't worry. Mr. Qi made her go away."

Shen Wenna smiled and extended her hand towards Xi Xiaye who sat beside her. Meanwhile, Qi Lei stood aside.

"See, I told you I'm the good guy here. Why do you always have such bias towards me? I went to Glory World several times to look for you. I wanted to thank you for saving me last time, but you weren't in the office all the time. Where have you been?"

Qi Lei put his hands into his pocket and looked at Xi Xiaye from above.

"I didn't expect CEO Qi to be such a thankful person. It's no big deal. You helped my mother today, so we're even now." Xi Xiaye relaxed a little when she heard Shen Wenna's explanation. Even her tone softened as well.

"Even? I'm afraid not. You might need to thank me instead. Take a look at these. If these reach the editors, you're going to get in trouble."

Qi Lei handed the proof of injury he had just received from Yue Lingsi.

Xi XIaye glanced at it and laughed coldly. "It's just a small trick. Did I really beat her up just because she said so? Who witnessed it? Can't I say she's an evil stepmother trying to force me to give her the shares in my hands? She tried to harm me when I said no. It could've just been in self-defense."

"You do have some serious quibbling skills. I heard Xi Xinyi just took over Yueying and that Glory World has gone through a lot of changes recently. She was thinking of some ways to pressure you. Don't you want to know what is she going to do?" Qi Lei gave Xi Xiaye a meaningful glance.

"I'm waiting for her! Tell her what I said."

"Don't say that, Xiaye. I'm not one of them. I might be on your side!" Qi Lei was trying to be ambiguous with his words, and Xi Xiaye was exhausted simply listening to him.

She looked at him coldly for some time before saying, "On my side? I remember that Qi Kai is her pillar of support in Yueying. Don't tell me this wasn't your idea."

"It's really not my idea. I'm just executing whatever my council of presidents is saying. It's not something that I can decide on alone. I can even not help her for you. Do you think I'd help a woman like her genuinely?" Qi Lei chuckled since he never really liked Xi Xinyi anyway. What a stupid woman! She thought she was really something when she was just a pretty little thing. She tried to do some little tricks in front of him, yet Qi Lei hated women like her the most!

"I sound like a big shot now." Xi Xiaye laughed as she left the piece of paper on the long bench. "But I don't need your help."

"Mother, it's getting late now. Let's go back." Xi Xiaye then stood up.

Shen Wenna could feel that the vibe between the two of them was odd, so she did not say anything. When Xi Xiaye helped her up, her empty glance turned to Qi Lei, and naturally, she did not see anything.

As he watched the mother and daughter move further away, Qi Lei did not chase them. He remained with both hands in his pocket as he silently looked on... and on...

After a while, just as he was about to turn around and leave, he noticed a booklet on the bench. He hesitated for a moment, then walked over and picked it up to look.

Unexpectedly, it was a very delicate drawing booklet.

He casually flipped it open, and what greeted his sight was a cartoon pig!

It was drawn quite well and seemed very comical. There was even that familiar graceful and flowing handwriting at the bottom.

If love tells me to continue on this journey, then I will continue to chase it till the end of my life.

He continued to flip to another page and saw another cartoon pig. However, its form was different from the last one. This was very silly and cute, and there was also a line written at the bottom.

A certain person's dishes taste like Father's cooking...

He continued to flip.

What should be let go will never be urged to stay. What should be urged to stay will never be let go!

...

Every word and sentence was so encouraging. This thick book just had a few drawings in front, and the comics were probably all drawn impromptu.

Could these exhibits of strength be how she managed to get through everything?

A smile suddenly flashed across Qi Lei's handsome face. How unexpected! She looked so cold and unfriendly, yet she would draw such cute... pigs.

This little woman seemed to be a gem. With a little digging, you would find unexpected surprises!

No wonder Mu Yuchen so quickly put her under his wing. However, whether or not he could keep her forever did not seem to be certain!

Soon, Qi Lei slowly closed the drawing book. With a faint smile still on his face, he looked toward the direction that the mother and daughter pair had left, but any traces of them had long vanished.

...

Back at the ward, she had just helped Shen Wenna to lie down on the bed when Mu Lingshi came over with a Thermos.

It was the soup that Wang Hui had specially brewed for Shen Wenna. Because it tasted quite delicious, Shen Wenna drank more than two bowls at a go.

Mu Lingshi and Shen Wenna were not distant either. They chatted quite happily, and she stayed for a long while before she left.

At this moment, the sky outside had darkened. The streetlamps that flickered shone in through the window from the side and the night breeze felt slightly cool too.

There was only one dim light in the ward. After Xi Xiaye carefully helped Shen Wenna with her shower, Shen Wenna fell asleep comfortably, while Xi Xiaye lay down sleepily on the bedside, feeling slightly worn out.

It was only when the special care nurses came over to call her that she woke up in a daze.

When she picked up her phone to check the time, she realized that Mu Yuchen had called her five or six times in a row, but she had not heard the calls.

She rubbed the space between her brows a little exhaustedly, then called him back. When he picked up, Mu Yuchen was already rushing over to the hospital.

"Has the nurse that we hired gone over?" Mu Yuchen soft voice came through.

"Mmm, they're here. Mother's asleep too. You should go home first. I'm going to accompany Mother tonight."

Before Xi Xiaye finished speaking to Mu Yuchen, Shen Wenna who was in a light slumber had awoken and quickly insisted, "Xiaye, I'm fine. It's not like I can't move around. You've been tired the whole day too. You looked quite pale. Go home, I'm fine. It's alright with the nurses here. You won't be able to keep up if you strain yourself like this every day!"

"Go home, Mrs. Mu. Just leave things here to me. Master Mu especially asked you to go home to rest earlier. I will take good care of Teacher Shen."

"Okay, that's enough. Go home. If you don't, I'm going to chase you out!" Shen Wenna spoke quite frankly, then she pushed Xi Xiaye away.

Xi Xiaye then stood up helplessly. She hesitated for a moment, then said, "Okay, then I'll go home first."

"Go!"

"Sis Fu, I'll leave my mother in your good hands then. Call me if there's anything, or call Mu Yuchen. Our phones are switched on 24/7," reminded Xi Xiaye worriedly.

"Got it. Go home. it's quite late!"

...

Then, Xi Xiaye picked her handbag up and slowly walked out of the door. Mu Yuchen still had not hung up on the other end of the phone.

"Just wait for me at the hospital entrance."

"I've arrived. Come down quickly."

...

Soon, Xi Xiaye reached the entrance of the hospital. From afar, she could already see the Porsche that was parked underneath the streetlamps by the roadside. She had just reached the car when Mu Yuchen opened the car door to the front passenger seat from inside.

Xi Xiaye sat inside, closed the car door, and quickly buckled up as she took the wet towel he handed to wipe her face and hands. "Grandpa's gone home, hasn't he?"

Mu Yuchen saw her gaze and could already tell what she was thinking, so he consoled her while reaching out to fix her hair that had been messed up by the wind as he spoke, "Mmm, I sent him back to the Shen residence before I came over. He's quite a strong-willed person too."

"Tired?" he asked softly when he saw the fatigue between her brows.

"I'm alright. Today, I woke up quite early. I'll wake up later tomorrow." She could not help but hold her forehead and sigh, "I hope that Mother's condition can be stabilized soon. I'm quite worried."

"The doctor has said it's fine, so it'll be fine. What are you worried about? Sleep for a while. I'll wake you up when we reach home."

Then, he gently nudged her forehead and let her lean on his shoulder before he started the car.

"Mmm... Remember to wake me up when we get home." Xi Xiaye did not reject and gently leaned on him as she closed her dry and tired eyes.

...

After a while, she suddenly called out to him, "Mu Yuchen?"

"Mmm? What is it?" he responded as he looked down at her.

"Didn't you say you were going to help me handle Yue Lingsi? Today, she came looking for trouble with my mother again. It was Qi Lei who managed to stop her in time. Yue Lingsi was even planning to get back at me with a medical document to prove her injuries were a result of me beating her up," she could not help but complain.

Qi Lei?

Mu Yuchen's expression darkened slightly, but he reacted very quickly. "Be patient. When Father's end is done, then I'll help you get back at her, okay?"

"Mmm? I remember now. Today, you were betting on something with Grandpa. Is it about Father?" Xi Xiaye suddenly thought about this. She looked at him as she squinted her starry eyes.

"Do you really want to know?" he asked softly as he smiled at her.

"Obviously," she responded, her slender arms subconsciously looped around his arm. "I knew that it'd definitely be related to Father. When Grandpa talks about Father, he would get angry, but he actually has mix feelings about it."

Mu Yuchen chuckled. "Regarding this suspenseful story, you'll find out in a few more days."

When they returned to Maple Residence, it was close to 10 p.m. There was still food in the pot that Wang Hui had left to keep warm on the stove.

Xi Xiaye did not quite have an appetite, yet because Mu Yuchen insisted, she drank two and a half bowls of soup before going upstairs for a bath.

When Mu Yuchen finished tidying up and went upstairs, more than half an hour had passed. The bedroom was quiet while the bathroom light was still switched on, yet there was no sound of water running.

"Xiaye?" He called out quite a few times, but there was no answer from her. Concern surfaced between his brows as he immediately walked towards the bathroom without a second thought.

He pushed the bathroom door open, and a dense mist came towards him. The hazy mist brought a faint scent with it. He squinted through the haziness and quickly saw the petite woman who was soaking in the bathtub.

Her petite figure hid underneath the bath towel that was hung up whilst her face was covered with another towel. Clearly, she had fallen asleep.

He shook his head helplessly and sighed. Then, he walked over, grabbing a towel from the rack. Just as he was about to carry her up, unexpectedly, Xi Xiaye awoke at that moment. Her long eyelashes fluttered for a few moments, and she opened her eyes in a stupor. In the midst of her absent-mindedness, she saw the man standing by her side.

With a towel in his hand...

She rubbed her eyes distractedly. Upon taking a clearer look at him, she then asked with her raspy voice, "Are you done tidying up?"

She did not react to her current state. With just a slight movement, the figure beneath the hovering towel would be revealed. When she looked at the man, she swiftly caught the fireworks that ignited in his eyes but were quickly concealed. He was staring at her.

She reflexively followed his gaze towards herself and realized...

"Ah!" She cried out, then quickly caught the towel and pulled it towards her chest, glaring at him as she blurted out, "Immoral!"

She softly reprimanded him as she held the towel tightly around her. Her brows furrowed into a knot.

Hmm?

Immoral?

Master Mu seemed to be quite fascinated by this adjective of hers. This was the first time someone called him immoral!

When she saw her starry eyes glower at him and her beautiful face colored in blush, he could not help but chuckle softly. Then, he put the towel in his hand back onto the rack. He was at ease and peered down upon her.

"Immoral? You didn't say that the night before yesterday, Missus."

The night before yesterday...

As Xi Xiaye tried to recall what happened, she could not help but cover her face and angrily glare at him. "Go out for a while. I want to put on my clothes. Also, next time, you aren't allowed to scorn me. I'm a person with much integrity."

When he heard this, Mu Yuchen could not help but laugh out softly again. He had always known that his wife was quite an interesting girl. Unexpectedly, when she uttered this, it was really quite hilarious.

"Score? Explain to me what this word means. Also, what is integrity? Do you think that these things still exist between us? Hmm?"

He suddenly lowered his body and his deep and magnetic voice came silently like the warm breeze. When his breath brushed past her eyes, she could not help but tremble slightly. Before she could react, Mr. Mu had already picked that wet towel up with his fingertips, and consequently, the scene beneath the towel was plainly visible...

Swoosh!

"Give that back to me!"

She waved a hand and slapped the surface of the water. When it splashed everywhere, she pulled him into the bathtub, then took the bath towel from the side and quickly wrapped herself up. Although she wanted to escape, the man was quicker than her. His long arms extended toward her and in the next instant, he accurately circled his arms around her waist. His tall figure instantly blocked her like a wall.

He instantly trapped the tiny Xi Xiaye against the wall.

"Initially, I was thinking about letting you go, but you asked for it, especially since I think you look quite energetic now."

His black shirt was soaked while his eyes were kindling with fireworks as he fixed his gaze onto her, and his hand locked her hands that were going haywire down.

As she was about to be burned by his gaze, she could not help but tremble and softly chide, "I didn't know you had the potential to be a pervert!"

"You aren't wearing anything. If I can still stay cool, Missus, your happiness in life from now on should be worrying, understood?"

"I don't understand... The night before yesterday, didn't we just...?" she muttered.

"If you ate the night before yesterday, would you still eat today?" he answered rather justifiably.

"I only drank soup tonight. Okay, fine. My relative is visiting, Mr. Mu."

"Didn't they just leave last week?"

"I'm very tired..."

"I think you look quite energetic!"

"I... Mmm!"

This man was great when he was usually serious, but when it came to these restless moments, she could never reject him, so she could only reciprocate.

Without waiting for her to react, she was already put onto the bed. The bedroom lights were not turned on. Even the wall lamp was switched off. The only faint light came from the bathroom and the streetlamps from the yard outside.

"Ah Shi... Ah Shi said... The wedding dresses are here..."

Her breath was unsteady as her hands trembled while they unbuttoned his shirt, and he continued to be busy taking her temperature and scent from her collarbones in.

"It's in the closet. We'll try them on tomorrow," said his raspy voice briefly, then he quickly pulled the towel on her away

In the darkness, you could only see several shadows thrown on the ground near the bed. After a while, the low melodious sounds of lovemaking were heard.

She was increasingly irresistible to him. Even after every mad indulgence, he still felt an indescribable feeling. He wished he could absorb her into his bloodstream and have them flow as one.