Even if he were extremely busy with work, Mu Yuchen still put two days aside to accompany Shen Wenna to the hospital for a check-up and personally understood her situation from the doctor. He was only assured when he knew that the recovery was going well.

He had just accompanied Shen Wenna back from a check-up at the hospital one of those days when Li Si suddenly brought him news.

Underneath the winding corridor in the backyard of the manor, Li si's expression was solemn as he reported to Mu Yuchen, "Master, earlier, Ah Mo just passed the message that Qi Qiming is planning to let Gu Lingsha join Qi Kai as a project manager. In fact, Qi Qiming might very possibly let her be in charge of Qi Kai's South River project collaboration with Glory World. What do we do?"

Mu Yuchen's expression that was placid flashed with a cold smile. He gazed up at the falling leaves while his tone was unperturbed as always. "I already saw this coming. He always liked pulling these little tricks."

"What do we do then? This project is still under Director Xi. I feel like Qi Qiming did it on purpose to target Director Xi."

Li Si frowned."In fact, with Qi Lei and Gu Lingsha's relationship... Master, do you think they will use Qi Lei as a weapon?"

When he heard this question, Mu Yuchen's eyes dimmed slightly. "Qi Lei wouldn't be that much of a fool. Since Qi Qiming dares to use Gu Lingsha, that means he and Gu Qihao have come to a deal. This is the one thing Wang Qin doesn't want to see happen the most. If Qi Lei isn't tactful, the first person to be worried will be Wang Qin."

Li Si thought about it for a while, then nodded. "Master, you're right. Right, Master, there's been news from France. The stock market in Europe is in turmoil now. Do we hold or let go?"

"Let go," Mu Yuchen calmly said before abruptly turning around and walking towards the staircase ahead.

"Got it! Also, the automobile marketing plan from Europe has been churned out. Master, please have a look."

Li Si handed a document to Mu Yuchen, yet he just lifted a hand slightly to stop him. "Send me the market reports of the European market in the past two years first, and then send this proposal to me. I want them this afternoon. Book a flight ticket for France tomorrow night. Make an appointment with CEO William tonight."

"Got it!"

...

Mu Yuchen did not stay in Los Angeles for long. He only stayed for a few days before rushing over to France.

In the evening, Xi Mushan and Shen Wenna stood in front of the manor to send Mu Yuchen off.

"Ah Chen, in the face of work, humans are always so small. You should watch over yourself. I'm worried you'll burn out from running around so frequently."

Shen Wenna was no longer as cold as she had been in the past. She was becoming more and more caring towards this son-in-law of hers.

"Father, Mother, don't worry. I'll take care of myself. You'll be removing your bandage in another two days. Once the situation stabilizes, I'll arrange for people to bring the two of you home safely. I've understood the situation from the doctor. He says it shouldn't be too huge of a problem."

Shen Wenna nodded. "Thank you for the trouble. Okay, get into the car now. It's cold outside. Don't freeze. We'll gather again when we've returned to City Z. Remember to call Xiaye more from time to time and don't worry about your father-in-law and me. We'll take good care of ourselves."

"Okay then, Father. Please take care of Mother."

Xi Mushan nodded, then Mu Yuchen got into the car and they swiftly drove away like a hurricane.

Xi Mushan and Shen Wenna stood where they were for a very long time without moving. Upon seeing that the weather was getting colder, Xi Mushan considerately took the coat on his shoulders off and put it on Shen Wenna as he said sensitively, "Okay, the car is long gone. Let's go back in too."

Shen Wenna went along with him and nodded. She turned around unhurriedly as she said, "What did Ah Chen give you earlier?"

Xi Mushan looked down at the folder in his hand and helped Shen Wenna return to the manor as he responded, "We'll go back in and see. Oh, right, he brought you some accessories. See if you like them later on."

"It's enough that he buys them for Xiaye. What would I wear accessories in my current state for?"

"It's just a token of kindness from the child. Just accept them."

The two of them returned to the living room where Xi Mushan set Shen Wenna down on the sofa while he sat down near her. Then, he slowly opened the folder, and what greeted his sight was unexpectedly a contract for the transfer of shares from University A. The beneficiaries were Xi Mushan and Shen Wenna. There was also a letter of appointment, hiring Xi Mushan as the Vice Principal of University A!

Shocked, Xi Mushan gawked at the document in his hand. He could not help but tremble gently.

How could someone as wise as him not know the thought that Mu Yuchen had put into this?

Ever since the Xi family had fallen apart and after he had left office as the mayor of City Z, he was left with nothing. If he really wanted to rebuild a life with Shen Wenna as a nobody, it would not be right. Besides, Shen Wenna was the true heiress of Fuhua!

With this, it would not make Xi Mushan look too bad!

He had such meticulous thoughts. Even he could not help but admire and be moved by such a gesture. They were both men, but this son-in-law of his had quietly taken care of his honor. He never said much, and only proved himself through actions!

Where could he have found a son-in-law like him?

This was such a huge amount of money, and probably only his son-in-law had the drive to do so!

Shen Wenna seemed to be able to detect how moved he was, so she quickly pulled at his shirt sleeves and asked uneasily, "What is it?"

Xi Mushan sighed and closed his eyes. After relaxing for a while, he opened his eyes and said to Shen Wenna in a low and raspy voice, "Wenna, we owe the children too much. Ah Chen... He really put in a lot of thought!"

"What is it?" Shen Wenna could not see, so naturally, she did not know what could have touched Xi Mushan so much.

"Do you know what document is in this folder from Ah Chen?"

Shen Wenna stayed quiet and did not speak. She only turned slowly, waiting for Xi Mushan to speak.

Xi Mushan held Shen Wenna's hand emotionally as he spoke in a hoarse voice, "It's a transfer for 25% of the shares of University A. You and I are the beneficiaries, and there's another appointment letter to hire me as the vice principal."

When she heard this, Shen Wenna could not help but be stunned. She only gently nodded after a while. Xiaye, I just knew this child was lucky... Even I'm a little moved for no other reason but about the children's intentions."

City Z was a city that never snowed, yet, even so, the winter's cold breeze invaded in waves, and the entire city seemed oddly chilly, especially this early winter morning

The first rays of the morning sun shone down mildly, and after the street cleaner swept the roads, the vast ground was clean. There were only faint signs of the road having been tidied left behind. Many people were walking on the roads too.

She had been leaving early and returning late for quite a few days now. Xi Xiaye's days were quite full. Without Mu Yuchen around, her focus was put on Glory World. Lan Zilang would mostly report from Fuhua, letting her familiarize with work related to Fuhua.

On the stairway beside the South River bridge, Xi Xiaye wore a long and thick windbreaker. She even had a cap as she looked down at the construction happening below.

The vast plot of empty land in front had begun to be developed. In just a sweeping glance, you could see rows and rows of machines running while rows and rows of steel pillars laying the foundation pilfered the ground.

Xi Xiaye held a blueprint in her hand. She opened it to look at in detail. As she compared it to the construction site below, her expression was focused.

She closed the blueprint and looked down at the construction site as she said seriously, "We have to be strict with the quality. Once these sites begin to develop, we will only continue to build it upwards. I think we should invite bids for some of the projects. Get them to find out the bidders. We must work hard to ensure there are zero errors for this project."

The project manager nodded from the side. "Mmm, don't worry, Director Xi. I'll arrange things well."

The South River project was Glory World's mega project. Huge amounts of funds had been invested. In fact, it was related to the government's beneficiaries, that was the public, thus Xi Xiaye dared not treat things lightly at all. Almost every segment was personally examined to ensure there were no errors. Even if Vice President Zhang Lan was supervising it, the main person in charge of this project was still her, so she was still not assured as she carefully surveyed and verified everything again and again.

"The progress of the construction is going alright. We have to ensure quality. The length of time can be extended as needed since the time given by the government is quite sufficient. The time that we've estimated in our planning proposal is quite ample too, so everyone doesn't have to be too stressed about it. I'll personally take charge of procurement for this one. Later on, I'll get them to set up the proposal to invite the bidders. These materials in the early stages were all personally produced by Chairman Mu from his trusted partners. I'll discuss the ones in the later stages with him again."

Xi Xiaye thought about it, then continued, "I remember the last time on that plot for the New Era Plaza when the merchants joined forces for the bid, quite a number of them were agents who won the bid and then sold it away after that. I don't quite like it when this happens. When you are creating the plan, you must be careful. Only let the capable ones compete, and don't let the non-capable ones in."

"Got it, Director Xi."

After that, Xi Xiaye relayed a few more important things to note, and then looked to the hazy warm sun hanging high up in the sky before she wrapped the windbreaker tighter around herself and turned to walk towards the stairs.

She stood in the wind for a long time, feeling cold all over now. It was just in time for noon when Xi Xiaye remembered that it had been quite a while since she had visited the Bamboo Teahouse, so she told Ji Zitong to drive her over.

At that moment, the Bamboo Teahouse was rather quiet inside. Xi Xiaye stepped in and asked for a pot of flower tea and some snacks. When she was finding a place to sit inside, she bumped into someone. It was someone who surprised her...

Han Yifeng?

Why was he here?

He was not too far away in front, in a quiet corner by the window!

Xi Xiaye's exquisite and fair face flashed with shock. Seeing him sit there quietly drink his tea, he looked extremely lonely and was engulfed by a gloomy aura.

Xi Xiaye was bewildered for quite a while. When she saw that he kept his head down and did not notice her, she thought about it and did not walk over in the end. Instead, she turned to sit on the other side where a screen separated them.

Manager Lim quickly brought the tea and snacks over. He even brought the teahouse's accounts book from the past few months. Nodding curtly, Xi Xiaye took them and then waved him away.

The melodious guzheng continued to flow inside the teahouse. In that instant, the entire space seemed even more tranquil than ever.

Xi Xiaye poured herself some tea and drank a sip as she began to casually flip through the accounts book. However, she had just flipped open one page when suddenly, she heard the sound of the beaded curtain in front swaying. Instinctively. Xi Xiaye subconsciously looked up.

Han Yifeng's tall and lean figure instantly greeted her sight.

Xi Xiaye was no longer surprised by his presence. She took one look at him before pointing to the seat across her. "Have a seat."

Then, she took an empty cup and poured some tea for him.

Han Yifeng did not reject her. He quietly sat down and took the tea she handed. Carefully pursing his lips, he stayed silent with his head lowered before looking up at her again. "I'm really surprised to bump into you."

"I heard Manager Lim say that you've been coming over for tea almost every day," spoke Xi Xiaye calmly as she closed the accounts book in her hand.

When he heard that, Han Yifeng's cold face suddenly flashed with a smile. There was no anger to be seen in his dim eyes. "I want to find a quiet place to sit. I suddenly remembered this place. Finishing a pot of tea makes me feel much calmer and relaxed."

"Perhaps I've drunk a lot, so I suddenly think that the taste of tea is even better than coffee. Then, I almost forgot that I've always liked tea, and now, I've unexpectedly fancied this taste."

Han Yifeng's expression was gentle. It was no different from before, but the air that came from him revealed bleak loneliness, making others find him distant.

Xi Xiaye did not answer him. She just poured him another cup when she saw his cup was empty.

After a while, Xi Xiaye lowered her gaze and looked into the cup in her hands as she said quietly, "It's not good to drink too much coffee. I heard that those who truly know how to enjoy tea have a stiller heart than others."

"Suddenly, I regret rejecting all those good tea you sent to me before," Han Yifeng sighed as he said, his voice not revealing much.

"I've forgotten all about the past," Xi Xiaye calmly responded. As she said that, she looked up, her cold and distant gaze meeting Han Yifeng's gaze of mixed emotions.

"Grandfather's gone and the Xi family no longer exists too, so all those grudges will soon pass."

Now, many broken clips flashed in Xi Xiaye's mind. There were happy ones and sad ones. In the end, she could only smile indifferently. "You shouldn't remember them either. After these storms have passed, it's not a bad thing to start a new life.

"I'm grateful for the ways you've protected me before. At least, before Xi Xinyi was stabbed by that knife, you've always been protective over me. So, you don't have to feel guilty or uneasy. No matter what, we've worked hard before. We can only say that our fate was too shallow. You weren't the one for me, and I'm not the princess you should be protecting."

When he heard her speech, Han Yifeng's expression became oddly dull. He forced a smile and then asked, "Do you hate me?"

Xi Xiaye shook her head very honestly. "I don't. I did resent you, but after that, I realized that there was nothing to hate. After all, as much as I hate you, you wouldn't be returning to my side. Hating someone is a very painful thing to do."

"Xiaye, I let you down..."

Han Yifeng sighed. "Maybe this is karma! These days, I've been thinking a lot too. The person that caused all of this was me. If I had kept believing you, and not indulged Xi Xinyi and be deceived by her, it wouldn't have turned out like this. I know that I have sinned gravely. I want to compensate you, yet I don't know what else I can do."

"You don't have to think about whether you've let me down because these things aren't important to me anymore. As long as you make yourself proud, that'll be enough. I don't understand huge life principles either. Humans live for today and for a clear conscience. That's just it, isn't it?"

Xi Xiaye held her tea up to drink a sip and she did not look into his gaze with mixed emotions anymore. "You are now someone's father, and I will soon be a mother. I hope that you can raise your child well and not let them be like us. The last generation's grudges shall end with us. Can you fulfill this one request of mine?"

Xi Xiaye's words struck Han Yifeng by surprise. He stared at her for a long while. Suddenly, he did not know what else he could say. After a long while, he took a deep breath and nodded. "I know. I'll pay more attention. Xiaye, you're a good woman. I'm very regretful and sad. There are things I've always wanted to say, but until now, I haven't been able to. I'm not afraid to tell you why I always come here. Actually, I was hoping to bump into you too to clarify things face to face with you."

"I know that I lost you completely from the moment I got into the car without turning back. However, I'm still lying to myself about you loving me so deeply. No matter what, you would still long for me, but actually, the moment I didn't turn back, you had already given up on me. You're the same as Aunty Shen. Once you set your mind to something, it's very hard for you to change," Han Yifeng sighed as he spoke, his tone filled with helpless sorrow.

When she kept quiet, Han Yifeng suddenly clenched his fists tightly and asked, "Can we still be friends?"

Xi Xiaye was stunned. She looked up at him and saw that there was a sliver of hope in his eyes. Finally, she nodded. "Of course, we can, but I hope that you can be a mutual friend to me and him."

Him...

Han Yifeng's eyes dimmed. Of course, he knew who the 'he' she was referring to.

"Mu Yuchen is so lucky," he lamented.

Xi Xiaye just shook her head. "No, it should be me that's lucky. I'm grateful that in the moments when I was completely disheartened, I met him. Then, I realized that the brilliance of my life began with him."

Han Yifeng suddenly felt his heart seize with an ache. He gasped for a bit before saying with much difficulty, "You and he are truly each other's memorable sunshine. I just overestimated myself. Xiaye, I wish that you and Mu Yuchen will love each other for life and be happy forever. Don't worry about all those past grievances. I'll do my best to make them stop with us. As for the grudges between the two of you, I'll stay out of it and not interfere. I just hope that in time, we can still be friends."

"You..." Xi Xiaye was a little surprised as she looked at Han Yifeng. She did not quite understand what he meant.

Nonetheless, Han Yifeng did not explain. He quietly set the cup aside and stood up unhurriedly.

"Okay, now that I've said all that to you, I feel much better. Xiaye, you're someone worth having. I'll remember you forever. Goodbye!"

Then, his tall and lofty figure walked through the draping beaded curtains. Soon, the clear sound of beads clashing was heard, drowning those heavy footsteps.

Han Yifeng thought to himself that on the long roads ahead, he would not have much heart to fall in love with anyone anymore. In this extended period of time, he had been turning round and round in this dream-like world of relationships and had already lost himself. Now that he thought about it, he really lost so badly just as she had said. He could not measure up to even the tip of that guy's finger.

Alas, now, what else could he do?

At least, he had to find the courage to respect himself first!

Han Yifeng sighed as he quietly averted his gaze from Bamboo Teahouse and finally got into his car. The car drove slowly away, carrying a longing that was hard to part with.