A hint of heaviness gathered in Wang Qin's eyes as she sighed and then continued, "But the more it's like that, we know that Qi Feng's been tightly hidden, and the more Qi Qiming is protecting him, the more I will pull him up by the roots. I'll let them know that Xiao Lei is the young master of Qi Kai. What is Qi Lei? All these years, I, Wang Qin have been courteous to him by tolerating him!"

"Mrs. Wang, but, Mr. Qi..."

Yang Sheng looked hesitantly at Wang Qin. He paused and then said, "Master Qi doesn't understand the trouble that you've taken. Earlier, he even caused a ruckus. I'm worried that..."

Wang Qin's face sank a little. "It's okay if he doesn't understand it. One day, he'll know that only his mother has his best interests at heart. I've already lost my life. I don't want him to walk down the same path as I did. If having some things can let him live a little easier, he should fight for it."

"Okay, let's not talk about this. Put more thought into the birthday banquet, and don't let Xiao Lei know about today. I will think of something for South River's project. Qi Kai's not just for Qi Qiming to do as he wishes. How can he just change the person in charge as he like? Qi Lei won this project! Who is he planning to change it to?" Wang Qin's tone was unhappy as she stood up.

"I'm leaving first. When Xiao Lei gets back, give me a call. His phone has been switched off!" As Wang Qin said this, she took her sunglasses out before walking towards the entrance.

Yang Sheng only nodded because he was worried about mother and son.

Wang Qin had only just left when Qi Lei returned. He was a little surprised to see Yang Sheng.

Qi Lei tossed his car keys onto the coffee table before he slumped onto the sofa and asked nonchalantly, "Why are you here? Isn't it your day off? Why are you here instead of resting at home?"

"Master Qi, you're finally back! CEO Wang just left. She was here to look for you. Your phone's been switched off, so she's very worried about you and came over to visit you."

A mocking curve flashed across Qi Lei's lips as she said apathetically, "What's there to visit? Can't she just give me two days of peace and quiet?"

Yang Sheng shook his head helplessly. "Master Qi, VP Wang just has your best interests at heart. She knows that CEO Qi sacked you from being in charge of the South River project, so she rushed back through the night..."

"Okay, let's not talk about that anymore. The old man has his own considerations. You go back first. If there's nothing urgent in the next two days, don't come looking for me. I want to be alone for a while."

"But, Master Qi, VP Wang told me to call her once you've returned. In fact..."

"I got it, you can leave now!"

Before Yang Sheng could finish, Qi Lei had already cut him off. Yang Sheng stood there stunned as he watched him. He could only swallow the words that he was about to say. Finally, he had no choice but to leave quietly.

...

In a certain suite in Hospital T.

Lu Xinlan did not expect that she would see this capable woman, Wang Qin, again. While she looked at Wang Qin standing at the end of her bed in an imposing manner, Lu Xinlan's face appeared momentarily fearful.

Wang Qin looked at Lu Xinlan on the sick bed. Before Lu Xinlan could say anything, she spoke up first, "What? Don't recognize me? Since you're already seen Qi Qiming, didn't you expect that I'd personally come looking for you? Do you have to look so shocked?"

Sis Lan gaped at Wang Qin in shock for a long time. After a while, she propped herself up slowly to sit.

After some time of recuperating, her condition had improved. However, she knew very well that these were her final days. She was gradually feeling weak and blank. The emptiness engulfed her from time to time, and she kept thinking about the past as if deja vu was replaying once again, leaving her with some final longing for this mortal world. There was actually nothing she could bring with her. Even these memories probably would not come with her.

Of course, among these memories, some were related to this woman before her, Wang Qin!

"I didn't really think you'd come, but this is within my expectations too." Sis Lan's tone was quite calm. Even though the shifting light in her eyes was a little dim, there was a calmness in them as she looked at Wang Qin with indifference. "I have seen Qi Qiming."

"He knows that you're dying soon too, doesn't he?" Wang Qin was straightforward as she looked at Sis Lan with an apathetic gaze. There was even a hint of disdain while a smile of ridicule curved on the corner of her lips. "From what I can see, trash like him has no heart for pity at all. Why do you have to dishonor yourself? Are you resenting him for not marrying you back then?"

"If the Wang family didn't hinder us from within, I think he would've married me. Sadly, I never would've expected that I'd be a rebound too. He let me down in the end while I foolishly stayed with him for so many years..." As Sis Lan spoke, she felt her chest hurt and her eyes could not help but water again.

Wang Qin laughed grimly. "It must be tough on you to finally see where you really stand. Years ago, because of this, you kept targeting me. I admit that I did quite hate women like you. You clearly knew that Qi Qiming was already my lawfully wedded husband, yet you kept on clinging onto him."

Sis Lan let out a bitter laugh, suppressing the pain that rose in her chest and saying a little weakly, "Yes, I admit that back then, I was hostile toward you, but you weren't easy on me either, were you? When I returned to City Z, I knew that with your personality, you'd definitely come to insult me, and today it happened as predicted. However, I have actually been waiting for you to come. At least, there are some things we need to clear up."

"But I don't actually think I have anything to say to you. You're right. I came just to see you in a sorry state. I came here to fulfill the things you said to me back then."

"You're right. Women who fall in love with Qi Qiming will be miserable with no happy ending. Just consider me suffering the consequences of my own actions then. Today I'd just like to ask you one thing. You've been with Qi Qiming for so long. Don't you love him even one bit? If that is so, why have you held on till now and even borne a son for him?" Sis Lan fixed her eyes on Wang Qin, anticipating her answer.

"Love? Does Qi Qiming deserve it? The marriage between him and me is just a marriage to combine our family clans. It's just a relationship of mutual benefits. The thought of trash like him disgusts me, yet I still had a son with him. If it were not for my son, I would have..."

When Qi Qiming was mentioned, Wang Qin's eyes were just filled with disdain and apathy.

"Wang Qin, no, Sis Qin, you're still the smart one for not handing your heart to him while I was too foolish. I can only..."

She felt a pain in her chest as some blood burbled up her throat again. She quickly grabbed a handkerchief and covered her mouth.

Wang Qin's eyes darkened when she saw the blood on Sis Lan's handkerchief and her eyes turned pitiful, but they soon returned to her usual coldness.

"I'm absolutely powerless now, but I know you've been having it rough too. Thank you for visiting me today. I'm sorry for treating you like that back then. You've been generous. It's Qi Qiming's blessing that he was able to marry you. Sadly, he doesn't know how to cherish you. I know your relationship with him has been strained. Your son and his other favored son are fighting for the inheritance right of Qi Kai while you've been working hard as well."

Sis Lan paused, swallowing the blood in her mouth before continuing, "I thought about bringing these secrets to the grave with me, but after thinking that we were once Qi Qiming's women, I need to tell you something."

Doubts rose in Wang Qin's eyes as she looked at Sis Lan.

Sis Lan forced a smile on her pale face as she spoke, "Do you really think the woman Qi Qiming truly loved was Qi Feng's mother?"

"Who else could it be? For the sake of that witch's son, he's been giving me so much trouble? Look what he did to Qi Lei!" Wang Qin was angered.

Sis Lan shook her head. "I thought I was a replacement for that woman as well, but then I realized afterward that I was wrong. We're all wrong! That woman wasn't the one Qi Qiming missed. The one he loved... was... was..."

Suddenly, Sis Lan's whole body started shaking as blood spilled out of her mouth. She clutched at her chest as she felt a sharp pain and her handkerchief was soaked in blood.

Wang Qin quickly went over and pressed on the emergency bell and then helped Sis Lan lie down.

Sis Lan grabbed her shirt, sucking in a deep breath and whispering beside Wang Qin's ear, "The person he loved... is the Mu family's daughter... Mu Zi... Mu Zixi... That's why he... Don't you remember what Qi Feng called Mu Zi? Mu Zi's son even became good friends with Qi Feng, didn't he?"

Wang Qin's eyes widened. She could not believe it as she shook her head. "Impossible! That's impossible!"

Wang Qin knew what Sis Lan was talking about. Qi Qiming wanted Qi Feng to call Mu Zi "godmother", but then Mu Zi said that title felt old, hence Qi Feng called her "Aunty" instead. With the relationship between the Mu family and Qi family, it was not particularly weird for him to call her that. Wang Qin did feel that him wanting Qi Feng to call her "godmother" was odd.

Mu Zi's depression worsened later on. While Qi Qiming was very active in helping her find a cure, he was very nice to Mu Lingtian as well. Although they were not really close anymore after Mu Zi committed suicide, the children probably did not remember much. After they grew up a little, Qi Qiming sent Qi Feng to the same school as Mu Lingtian and the others, and they even got into the same class...

Wang Qin never thought that Qi Qiming...

After she gave it some thought, it made sense.

"I'm Mu Zi's best friend. I have to admit that I was jealous of her... Even Mu Yuchen... could notice that... Mu Yuchen is really terrifying. He could notice even the tiniest clue... and because of that, I tested Qi Qiming... I found my answer in his eyes..."

Sis Lan was forcing herself to speak at this moment as the coppery scent of blood in the air got heavier.

"Do you mean that Mu Lingtian and Mu Lingshi are his children?" Wang Qin's heart almost exploded as she thought about it!

However, Sis Lan could not answer her anymore as she fainted. The doctors came rushing in as Wang Qin stepped aside and just watched the doctors and nurses trying to give her emergency ai. She left the room quietly, her expression turning dull. It was a huge contrast to her relaxed expression when she first entered the room.

As she walked out and was about to leave, she happened to see the tall figure that just turned past the corner!

"Qi Qiming!" Wang Qin called out the name before rushing forward to catch up to him!

Qi Qiming halted his footsteps, peering down at Wang Qin who was blocking his way.

Qi Qiming had some resemblance with her son, Qi Lei. He was a handsome man with a pair of sharp eyes. Other than that, he looked pretty dull as a whole. He glanced at Wang Qin expressionlessly before walking past her.

"Stop right there! Is Lu Xinlan telling the truth?" Wang Qin turned around and asked.

"She's just a smart aleck." Qi Qiming seemed unfazed as he continued forward without looking back.

Wang Qin stopped chasing him. Instead, she put on a cold smile as she pitied Lu Xinlan. How could she stay so faithful to this cruel, cold man? Moreover, he was Wang Qin's lawfully wedded husband!

...

In the chairman office of Glory World Corporation, Ji Zitong informed Xi Xiaye while Xi Xiaye was grabbing a book from the bookshelf, "Director Xi, Sis Lan has passed away in Hospital T. Her funeral is tomorrow."

Ji Zitong's voice was not loud, but it was extremely clear inside this quiet space.

Taken aback, Xi Xiaye turned towards Ji Zitong with shock in her eyes. She held the book in her hand tightly and it took her some time to calm down. Evenutally, she closed her eyes and nodded.

"Sis Li has arranged for the funeral. Many people who were affiliated with Sis Lan are attending it," Ji Zitong spoke softly.

A gentle voice entered Xi Xiaye's ear. In that instant, she remembered Sis Lan's face and felt that it was a great pity.

She initially wanted to take the chance to visit her, but she could not hold on any longer. Perhaps her passing would free her.

Xi Xiaye lowered her gaze and fell silent for a while before she sighed softly and turning around with her side facing Ji Zitong. She flipped the book open and her clear voice was faintly heard. "Go to pay respects on my behalf. Please tell Sis Li that it's not convenient for me right now, so I won't be attending it, and please help me thank her."

As Xi Xiaye finished, Ji Zitong nodded gently. "Alright!" she answered before leaving while Xi Xiaye sighed and began to flip through the book.

Ji Zitong had just walked out of the office when she saw Ah Mo walking from the opposite direction, so she stopped. "Manager Ah Mo!"

Ah Mo nodded. "Is the Missus inside?"

"Yes, she is. She's reading," Ji Zitong replied.

"Okay, thanks!" Ah Mo said before he pushed the door open to enter.

When she heard footsteps, Xi Xiaye looked up from her book in an instant. She glanced toward the door and saw Ah Mo walking in. Her beautiful face instantly flashed with a gentle smile. "Weren't you going back to the old residence with Ah Shi? Why are you here?"

"I'll be going back later. Master told us to bring some things back for you, so I've brought them over." Ah Mo smiled and handed a big bag of things to her.

"What is it? He didn't tell me." Xi Xiaye looked a little surprisedly at the bag he handed over.

Ah Mo smiled without a word. He just set the items aside on the desk, then said, "Missus, go home earlier today and rest well. There's the banquet tomorrow, so don't work too hard. All's going well on Master's end. Earlier, I've just talked to Master Mo on the phone. They said they should be returning quite soon."

"Right, with regards to Sis Lan's passing, Master already knows about it and we've arranged for someone to pay respects, so you don't have to worry about it, Missus."

Naturally, Mu Yuchen received the news quite fast. Sis Lan had just passed away and already he knew. Of course, some other news was delivered to him too. Considering Xi Xiaye's nature, he was worried she would be too exhausted, so he just helped arrange everything, and on this end, he had Ah Mo's capable help. He was practically commanding everything remotely.

All arranged for?

Xi Xiaye was stunned. Then, she thought about it and understood that he was already the kind of person who knew her well. She did not need to mention a number of things, but he would already help her get it sorted.

"Okay, thanks for your help! Then, please tell Zitong that she doesn't need to attend it. Tomorrow, just pick me up from Maple Residence. I'll be returning to the Shen residence tonight. Grandpa's gotten a cold, so I'm worried. Later, Uncle Lan will just come to pick me up. I'll return to Maple Residence at night."

"Okay!"

"Okay, you go back first. Don't let Grandfather and Grandmother wait too long."

...

Ah Mo quickly retreated. Xi Xiaye's clear eyes looked at the bag as a smile rippled across her beautiful face. She then reached out to open the bag which was filled with many luxurious gift boxes.

She casually took one to open and saw a gorgeous and dazzling diamond ring. She opened another one, and they were all either bracelets or diamond necklaces. There was also an exquisite pair of sapphire earrings.

They were such corny things, but she felt her heart warm as she continued browsing through the gifts. There was a letter below which she quickly took up to read. In the letter was his flowing handwriting.

She opened the letter and the vigorous strokes of handwriting leaped and flowed before her eyes.

Missus, is everything alright? I specially went around the shopping mall for a bit. I really did not know what I could give you, so I picked these. I think they suit you rather well. Do you miss me? Whether you do or not, I miss you.

Just a few simple words and Xi Xiaye could already imagine that the man must have thought about it for a long while before he wrote them.

Obviously, Xi Xiaye was right.

This should be considered a love letter. Master Mu had been alive for over 30 years and it was his first time writing such a cringy love letter for a woman. When Zhou Zimo had seen it then, he almost laughed until his stomach cramped up. Mu Yuchen kicked him in annoyance before he would stop.

Xi Xiaye read it quite a few times before she kept the letter away while blushing and her heart palpitated. As if it could sense their mother's excitement, the little thing in her belly began to happily move about again. She quickly held her baby bump and smiled as she said gently, "Baby, look! This is the love letter your father has written for Mummy. He's not skilled at all. Please don't be like him next time. You won't be able to get any girls like this! When the time comes, Mummy will secretly tell you that the love letters Grandpa used to write for Grandma were more poetic and charming."

When it heard its mother's voice, the little thing moved around even more, making Xi Xiaye gently giggle out loud.

She calmed down for a while before quietly putting the things away, she then sent the man a text.

Mr. Mu, your love letter was of rookie standards!

Within a minute of sending that text, Mr. Mu responded: It was concise and comprehensive. Every word contained the essence of what I want to say.

Xi Xiaye smiled with her lips pursed as she continued to respond: The core ideology revealed a word 'corny'. You're a true nouveau riche.

The other side responded in a split second: Nouveau riche, Missus? Is that supposed to be a good thing or a bad thing?

...

Just like that, the husband and wife chatted back and forth. In an instant, tons of texts were exchanged. The two of them were having an awful lot of fun!

Even Zhou Zimo could not bear to continue watching it from the side. He gently raised his glass to a beautiful blonde-haired girl and hinted at her with his eyes. The blonde-haired beauty smiled knowingly and squeezed toward Mu Yuchen. She caught his sleeve and called out flirtatiously, "Master Mu, what do you want to play?"

Then, she leaned over, but Mu Yuchen immediately pushed her aside and his face sank. "What are you doing!"

The blonde beauty fell embarrassingly as she looked at Mu Yuchen pitifully.

This gold mine was odd! He had come to such a place for fun, yet he did not smoke, drink, or call for girls. All of them could not get close to him, so why was he here then?