{Ah Qi, can you really not forgive me? 2}

Shen Qiyue’s animosity towards Qian Xu was fueled by several factors, but the main reason was her fear that Qian Xu might take her mother’s place, usurping everything that rightfully belonged to her mom. Since reuniting with her mother, these feelings had intensified, spiraling out of control.

Her innocent gaze was increasingly clouded by hatred, laced with a hint of malice. She asked, “If you had to choose one, who would you pick?”

Before Shen Qinian could voice his answer, Shen Qiyue fixed her gaze on him and declared, “I would definitely choose my mom. Anyone can betray you, but your mom never will. No mother in the world doesn’t love her children.”

Under the weight of such a question, Shen Qinian couldn’t withstand the pressure. Influenced by Shen Qiyue’s few choice words, he blurted out, “I choose Mom too.”

At that moment, Shen Qiyue looked at her brother differently than before.

—

In the outskirts of Jiangcheng, the most expensive plot of land lay occupied by a neglected grave. Weeds had overtaken the area, and there had been times when Shen Qi nearly couldn’t afford the maintenance fees. Today, Shen Qi had come himself, armed with tools, dismissing all his assistants and stating, “I can handle this alone.”

This was the resting place of his parents.

Many years ago, his mother had passed away early, and his father, with what little money he had, bought the most expensive grave in Jiangcheng. Barely twenty years later, he too was buried here.

His father had only been sixty at the time of his death.

The cause was simple: the bankruptcy of a partnership. He had signed numerous guarantees and bore the responsibility alone, ultimately driven to despair by creditors, leading to a tragic fall from a high building. The entire Jiangcheng had heard of this incident.

Everyone knew that the once-promising Shen Qi had lost everything.

Shen Qi had hoped to return home, away from external troubles.

But just before his father passed, he had sent a telegram advising him not to return until he had built a career, waiting for the day he would make his family proud, as Shen Qi was his only hope.

So he never went back.

Now, having achieved success, he returned to fulfill his father’s wishes. In the past, both he and his father were equally taciturn, with little communication between them. Struggling to recall moments from their time together as a family, he found precious few.

Shen Qi focused solely on pulling the weeds, ignoring the sting of thorns digging into his palms. He knew, however, that a pair of eyes watched him from the shadows nearby.

“Come out,” he called out.

Cheng Shuangyi approached, cheerfully holding a bouquet of vibrant flowers, swaying gracefully towards him, seemingly oblivious to the somber nature of the graveyard and her inappropriate attire.

“Ah Qi.”

Her bright eyes momentarily revealed a hint of false sadness.

“I should have come to see Uncle sooner. Before he passed, he should have known he had two grandsons…”

Before she could finish her sentence, Shen Qi roughly grabbed her collar, but Cheng Shuangyi didn’t seem to mind. Instead, she relished the fact that her presence could easily provoke Shen Qi’s nerves.

“Shut up. You have no right to mention my dad.”

“Ah Qi, you’re not still blaming me, are you?” Cheng Shuangyi lamented, sharing her “hardships.” “I’ve told you countless times, it was my uncle who made the decisions for the Cheng family. My dad had no say in it. If my dad had been in charge, our family would never have stood by and done nothing back then.”

In truth, everyone knew about their past affair.

Their youthful relationship had been recognized by both families. The Cheng family had always maintained close ties with his family, yet, when they were on the brink of bankruptcy, they turned their backs without hesitation.

If it hadn’t been for the betrayal from the Cheng family, his family’s downfall wouldn’t have come so soon.

Such words were laced with irony.

Shen Qi tiredly released her grip. “Your acting hasn’t improved at all over the years.”

The same tired lines, beginning with Gu Wei, echoed in his mind. He had no idea how many more times he would hear them in the future. Everyone had their excuses and reasons for standing by and doing nothing, yet each person’s expression was so false and pretentious.

“Ah Qi, can’t you really forgive me?”

Once released, Cheng Shuangyi could have completely distanced herself, yet she stood on her tiptoes, her graceful figure nearly pressing against him. Just as their bodies were about to touch, she feigned innocence and pulled away, leaning closer to whisper in his ear, “The babies are watching us from nearby. Can’t you at least give me some face?”