Mu Yuchen opened his eyes as he heard Ah Mo's footsteps walking away. He grabbed the packet of cigarettes next to him, then took one out and lit it up.

He turned back and grabbed the document and photos. After taking a last glance at it, he flicked the lighter.

The fire soon consumed the document and photos, turning them into ashes inside the trash can beside him.

He averted his gaze and looked at the bright morning sun, releasing a puff of smoke. Suddenly, a slender hand snatched the half-burnt cigarette between his fingers away. Her pleasant scent reached him as well.

"Don't smoke too much. It's not good for your health." Her slightly hoarse voice reached him as she extinguished the cigarette in the ashtray.

"You're awake." His voice sounded gentle as he looked at her quietly and asked, "How much did you hear?"

He signaled her to sit on his lap, so Xi Xiaye went along and sat on him.

"Around half of it," she replied calmly as she looked into his eyes. "Qi Qiming and you..."

He ran his fingers through her long hair as he replied, "Mmm, it's just some old conflict, so it has been ongoing. Don't worry about it, okay?"

"Was the accident that happened in City B back then planned? I know you've been keeping an eye there. If you feel threatened, we can hire more bodyguards. I've spoken to Ah Mo about it just now," Xi Xiaye frowned as she suggested.

"It's just a small matter! Your Mr. Mu is pretty strong you know, what's there to worry about?"

Xi Xiaye rolled her eyes at him, "How're things on Xi Xinyi's side? I didn't hear you mention it. Is Yueying...?"

Mu Yuchen frowned. "The Han Corporation funded her. Qi Kai bought over Yueying and it has now become a subsidiary under it while Xi Xinyi is the new CEO."

Xi Xiaye then grimaced as her eyes darkened. "The Han Corporation? You mean Han Yifeng?"

"Do you think he wouldn't have helped? Do you trust him that much?"

He looked at her with an odd smile and his tone sounded like he was teasing her. Xi Xiaye was irritated about it as she glared at him. "How would I know? Aren't I asking you about it now?"

He laughed as a gentle expression appeared on his face. "He was smart enough to use this chance to divorce Xi Xinyi. Unexpectedly, she went to Elder Han and probably used something to trade with them, so Han Yu helped her with the funds and the Yue family took action as well. The crisis no longer exists."/ updated by NovelFull

"What can Xi Xinyi possibly have to make a deal with the Han family? Haven't they been avoiding her ever since the incident? Moreover, with Yue Lingsi's scandal, the Yue family were furious." Xi Xiaye looked at Mu Yuchen in confusion. She had no idea what happened in City Z during their time here since Mu Yuchen never mentioned anything to her.

"She might have something else up her sleeve, so they are still investigating, but we'll find out soon."

He took a sip from his cup of tea. "We're taking the flight this evening. This morning..."

"I want to walk around with Mother," she replied before he could finish the question. Mu Yuchen glanced at her and just nodded.

...

It was quiet by the seaside early in the morning. The warm sun covered the vast sky in its brightness as golden waves appeared across the ocean. Birds flew past in the sky, and the vines around the veranda swayed slightly with the wind.

Shen Wenna could not see any of these sights. The only thing she could feel was the breeze that brushed past her face.

Xi Mushan was there when Xi Xiaye arrived. The two of them went in to see Shen Wenna wide awake as she stood by the veranda for some fresh air.

Xi Xiaye looked at Shen Wenna standing quietly on the veranda as she spoke to Xi Mushan, "Father, since we're already here, let's bring Mother to the hospital here. Mu Yuchen contacted a hospital in Los Angeles to see if there's any chance of cure for her."

Xi Mushan nodded. "Ah Chen told me about it. We probably won't be attending your banquet over there. Your mother hasn't been feeling very well lately. It must be pretty exhausting for her to travel, and it took me a long time to convince her to leave the country, so we left in a hurry."

Xi Mushan looked at Xi Xiaye apologetically. He had spent almost all his time with Shen Wenna recently. Fortunately, she was not as repellant of him as before, probably having gotten used to him and she now accepted him coldly.

Xi Xiaye nodded. "Mmm, it's okay. Mu Yuchen and I should've stayed with her."

If this dark phase of her life could bring Xi Mushan and Shen Wenna back together again, that would be the best outcome.

"Leave your mother to me. I've always wanted to make up to her, so I want to do whatever I can."

Xi Mushan looked at Shen Wenna who was sitting on a rattan chair as his stern face softened. Now that he was older, he hoped to spend every passing second with his precious one.

"Whether she can see or not, I hope that I can be the one to stay by her side. Xiaye, don't worry about your mother. Finish your wedding with Ah Chen. He's arranged everything over here already."

"She will be able to see again."

In the evening, Mu Yuchen and Xi Xiaye went back to City Z. Because Shen Yue was worried, he stayed back in the end. No one saw him when they were about to board the plane, and Xi Xiaye only found out after giving him a call.

Xi Xiaye understood that Shen Yue was still unhappy with Xi Mushan. His expression hardened when he saw Xi Mushan at the wedding. If he were just a little bit less considerate, he would have made a fuss right there and then.

In the end, Mu Yuchen asked Ah Mo to stay back as well since he would worry less with him there to help out.

They were in a hurry because the banquet was to happen right after they get back, so they did not waste any time. They would settle everything on hand right now and see what would come next.

"What is he doing here?"

On the staircase, Shen Yue saw Shen Wenna and Xi Mushan sitting together on the long bench in the front yard, and his expression darkened.

"Elder CEO, he stayed because he's worried. That's what Master Mu and Xiaye hoped for as well. I think it's a pretty good idea. We've been quite busy with work lately. Isn't it alright for him to be with her now?" Lan Zilang spoke carefully with a smile on his face.

Shen Yue narrowed his eyes and stared at Lan Zilang coldly. "Are you standing up for him right now?"

"CEO, I'm just trying to look at this from Miss's perspective. I suppose she'd like to have someone by her side, especially at a time like this. Didn't you realize that Ms. Na has been smiling more lately? It just feels that she's not as lifeless as before. Even though she gets angry sometimes, that helps her express herself too, doesn't it?"

Lan Zilang gazed at the two of them on the long bench with a warm smile on his face.

Shen Yue rolled his eyes at him. "I don't see any of that. I only see an annoying person always being around my daughter, and I can't chase him away no matter what!"

Suddenly, a quiet voice came from behind, making Shen Yue and Lan Zilang turn around. They noticed Ah Mo behind them. "Elder CEO Shen, Master and Missus really hope to see them get back together, and didn't you promise Master to just let them be? Nothing bad can come out of it if this can help resolve some of the regrets."

"Why didn't you go back? You guys should be on the plane by now already, shouldn't you?" Shen Yue was surprised by Ah Mo's sudden appearance.

"Master is a little worried, so he asked me to stay back. The hospital has already been arranged and we've contacted the doctor there. We'll head over to Los Angeles tomorrow. Professor Carl is very experienced in treating eye injuries and I'm sure he won't disappoint us."

"Mmm, we'll head over quick tomorrow then. It'll be good to get him to take a look."

Shen Yue glanced ahead again before continuing up the staircase.

Lan Zilang just glanced at Ah Mo and said quietly, "That's how the Elder CEO is. He kind of softened up already. It'll be alright soon. I bet Chairman Mu is worried about Elder CEO and Mushan."

Ah Mo responded with a smile. "It's okay. Master had some private matters for me to attend to as well which is why I stayed."

...

Shen Wenna was sitting on the long bench quietly while Xi Mushan sat right next to her.

After some time, Shen Wenna spoke up, "You can go back. There's no need for you to do this."

"I think it's fine. That's why I stayed." Xi Mushan gave a straightforward reply. Nothing else was more important anymore. He just wanted to be with her.

"Maybe it's better if you stayed with Yue Lingsi and Xi Xinyi now since they need you," Shen Wenna said coldly.

Xi Mushan acted as if he did not notice her mocking. "Wenna, I have nothing left now. I'm not related to Yue Lingsi anymore and Xinyi is an adult now. I just want to care about you for what's left of my life."

"Xi Mushan, I feel sorry for you."

Naturally, she knew about Yue Lingsi infidelity. When she found out about it, she had the same shocked reaction as Xi Xiaye.

Yue Lingsi's feelings towards Xi Mushan and her possessive desire was on par with Shen Wenna's. However, she was just more cruel and unscrupulous. If Shen Wenna had toughened herself up back then, things would not have turned out this way.

Shen Wenna's words stunned Xi Mushan. After a while, he put on a bitter smile. "Yeah, I feel sorry for myself too."

"We were too irrational and acted on impulse. Had we acted more logically..." Xi Mushan sighed.

Shen Wenna's eyes darkened and a depressed vibe gathered around her. "No matter what, I shouldn't have let go. Time has punished us over so many years.

"You cannot say these things after making a mistake like that back then. What could you have done apart from letting go? You'll never understand how I felt when Yue Lingsi came back with Xi Xinyi and told me she was your daughter! Yue Lingsi always said she sacrificed a lot for you. If sacrifices and rewards can be balanced, what about the sacrifices that I've made?"

Shen Wenna's empty eyes faced Xi Mushan. "I betrayed the Shen family to follow you. I broke off my relationship with my father. I gave up on Fuhua. I also gave up my prestigious family to join the Xi family. I have to face your parents. I had to put myself down and learn to be a good wife. How did you treat me in the end? How did your parents treat me? This world is unfair. You don't always get the same amount you put in. It's shameless of you to force others like this! Xi Mushan, none of you from the Xi family can be deemed good in my eyes!" Shen Wenna's anger exploded when all the grudges she had been holding rose to the peak.

"Do you know what made me look down on you the most? I can't stand that you couldn't even protect your own daughter. When Xiaye was accused by your other daughter, where were you? You were having fun discussing marriage with the Han family! You're a failure as a husband, and even more so as a father."

"Wenna, you know I was..."

"At that time what? Did you only care about yourself or the Xi family? If you could've been decisive twenty years ago and quit your career like what you have now, at least, I'd have been impressed!" Shen Wenna snorted coldly.

"You know it's not like that. I wished to be decisive more than anyone else! But have you thought about what the consequences would've been if we just left the Xi family like that? The Yues and the Xis wouldn't just let us off easily. Moreover, Yue Lingsi brought Xi Xinyi back!"

Shen Wenna was stunned. She almost forgot that there was Xi Xinyi as well!

The most troublesome part was Xi Xinyi. She had been forced to compromise because of her, not just for Xi Mushan, but for Xi Xiaye as well.

After taking a deep breath in, Shen Wenna smiled bitterly.

"Yes, it was certain that Xi Xinyi was your daughter back then. I still remember how Yue Lingsi proudly showed me the DNA report that proved the relationship between you and Xi Xinyi in front of me. Deng Wenwen even talked me down then. Look at her condition right now. Even Yue Lingsi's reputation has gone down the drain."

"Maybe this is karma. I know Ah Chen and Xieye wish for us to get back together again, but I can tell you now that. I'll never marry you again. I only need to experience a marriage like that once," Shen Wenna suddenly spoke after a long silence.

Xi Mushan was stunned.

He knew Shen Wenna very well. She must have steeled herself in order for her to say such words.

His eyes suddenly darkened as he looked at Shen Wenna, then he smiled casually. "Marriage doesn't matter since it's just a piece of paper. Moreover, I don't think we need those anymore. I don't really mind if that makes you feel better," Xi Mushan spoke in a sentimental tone.

Shen Wenna closed her eyes and stopped talking.

Xi Mushan was really good at dealing with her pressure now. No matter how mean she was, he could still act like it was nothing.

...

Early in the morning, assistant Yang Sheng visited Qi Lei with a gift box as he just arrived at the office. "Master Qi, tomorrow is Chairman Mu from Glory World's banquet. CEO Wang wants Ms. Xian Er to be your partner, and this is the gift you asked me to prepare."

Glory World's Chairman Mu?

Qi Lei's eyes darkened. He took a pause before opening his drawer and taking a red invitation card out. Written inside were Mu Yuchen and Xi Xiaye's names.

Mu Yuchen and Xi Xiaye...

As he read these names, Xi Xiaye's slender figure appeared in his mind. He then recalled the drawing writing pad inside his bedside drawer.

A smile appeared on his face.

A woman like that...

After falling silent for a moment, he stopped smiling as he raised his head and looked at Yang Sheng. "I don't need a partner. Also, prepare me a golden rose. Make sure it's done by tomorrow night," Qi Lei gave a direct order.

"A golden rose?"

Yang Sheng was taken by surprise as he looked at Qi Lei in confusion.

Qi Lei put on a wicked smile and explained, "A rose made of gold. I want the shiniest material there is. The more eye-catching it is, the better! It would be great if there can be diamonds on it!"

"Master Qi, you..." Yang Sheng tried to ask.

"I have a use for it. Just prepare it."

"Yes, Master Qi, I'll work on it now!" Yang Sheng left after a brief reply, but as he opened the door, Xi Xinyi was standing right there, about to knock on it!

Yang Sheng was surprised by Xi Xinyi's sudden appearance. "Xi Xinyi? You..."

Xi Xinyi wore a loose white dress with the baby bump becoming more obvious. She appeared much better after Yueying's crisis was resolved. At least, she did not seem as lifeless as before.

"Is Master Qi inside?" Xi Xinyi asked as she glanced at Yang Sheng coldly.

Yang Sheng shrugged, not seeming very pleased. "Wait here!"

He then turned back to see that Qi Lei had turned his chair around and was facing the large window. "Master Qi, Xi Xinyi is outside."

"Let her in," Qi Lei replied briefly.

Yang Sheng then let her in.

"Master Qi, why did you stop the two movies? Wasn't the progress going well?" Xi Xinyi barged inside and asked straightforwardly.

"You yourself should know what condition Yueying is in right now. The crisis just passed, but your funding is still insufficient. Even if you joined Qi Kai now, we needed to reevaluate the big projects that were under preparation before, and the results of our evaluation concluded that it's unsatisfactory, so it's being temporarily halted. Is there an issue?" Qi Lei replied calmly as he turned his chair around and looked pointedly at Xi Xinyi.

"However, I don't think CEO Qi thinks the same."

"If I'm not mistaken, Chenye Movies and Televisions film similar movies as well. The other two scripts before were pretty good, so we don't have to do the same thing as others."

Qi Lei then continued, "I hope you can spend some time working on new titles, instead of using recycled ideas, Ms. Xi. Moreover, I can't trust the standards of the directors you recruited temporarily."

"Why can they do it and we can't? Do you think we will lose to a newly established company?"

"You should know better than me of Yueying's current situation. You're a smart person, Xi Xinyi. You don't need me to spell everything out for you, do you? Qi Kai isn't stupid. I know very well what you're planning." Qi Lei smiled as he looked at Xi Xinyi.

Suddenly, Xi Xinyi's eyes darkened as she stared at Qi Lei coldly. She bit her lip and let out a cold laugh. "Master Qi, I don't know what you're talking about, but I do know that you can't decide on this matter by yourself!"

"Oh? Then, who can decide around here?" Qi Lei glanced at Xi Xinyi in disdain.

He always disliked women like her. He had no idea what she had done to make Han Yu and the others help her on Han Yifeng's stead. To a certain extent, Han Yifeng became one of Qi Kai's stakeholders, just that his representative was now Xi Xinyi.

Before Qi Lei could reply, the phone on the table started ringing.

Qi Lei picked it up.

"Hello?" A deep and familiar voice came through.

"Who told you to stop the two movies Yueying was filming? Withdraw the instruction right now and let them continue."

"One of the two movies was too explicit while the other one had too similar a style with Director Zhang who is now in Chenye Movies and Televisions. I'm afraid..."

"I'm telling you to withdraw your orders and let them continue. Forget about anything else and continue fooling around with your life!"

The call was hung up after that last sentence!

Duu—

Qi Lei's expression turned stormy instantly.