Chapter 42

Xu Xiangyi finished reading the message and placed his phone down in front of Jiang Sixun.

“It’s from Ningwei,” he said.

His adoptive daughter had finally hit her breaking point. Xu Xiangyi felt both guilt and sorrow, knowing he and his wife had raised this child from infancy for twenty years. The love and care they had given her were real, but now, the weight of their guilt toward Zhiyi overwhelmed them. Buying clothes for Zhiyi had become his wife’s obsession, almost an unhealthy compulsion, all because they had once spoiled Ningwei too much, and their own daughter had never had a chance to enjoy any of it.

The mix-up wasn’t the children’s fault. After two decades, both he and his wife had hoped that Ningwei would still lead a good life, despite everything. But a few words from Shen Qingfeng had shattered all the emotional progress Ningwei had painstakingly built for herself.

Xu Xiangyi blamed himself for the burden placed on both children, for all they had been forced to endure.

It pained him deeply to see the child they had tried so hard to nurture now giving up on herself.

Jiang Sixun glanced at the message before handing the phone back. “I’ve told Ningwei more than once to stay away from Shen Qingfeng, but she just won’t listen.”

“I told her the same thing years ago,” Xu Xiangyi replied.

Ningwei had always struggled to cope with the massive life change. It had taken years for her to accept reality and focus on her research, but one conversation with Shen Qingfeng had triggered her, causing her to spiral into self-destruction.

“Shen Qingfeng knew exactly when to strike—just after Ningwei completed a project, when she had achieved a small success,” Jiang Sixun observed.

“That’s because that’s the best time to crush Professor Shang’s spirit,” Xu Xiangyi responded bitterly.

Letting everyone see Ningwei’s potential in scientific research, only to then destroy her confidence.

It was only now that Xu Xiangyi realized the deeper connection between Shang Tongxu and Shen Qingfeng.

“So what do you and Aunt He plan to do about Ningwei?” Jiang Sixun asked.

“To be honest,” Xu Xiangyi said, taking a sip of water, “I haven’t figured that out yet.” There wasn’t a perfect solution to help Ningwei get her mindset back on track.

Bringing her back wasn’t an option. He still had Zhiyi to consider.

These past few years, he had been tormented as well, no better off than his adoptive daughter. At first, the decision to send Ningwei away—cutting ties with twenty years of love—had torn him apart. Those were days he didn’t dare to think about.

Then came the realization that Zhiyi hadn’t had a good childhood. He would spend entire nights awake, consumed with regret, his heart aching with remorse. He wished he could turn back time and raise his daughter from infancy, hold her in his arms and make up for all that was lost.

But there was no going back.

Even after reuniting with Zhiyi, six whole years of estrangement stood between them as father and daughter.

Everyone involved in this mix-up had been trying to move forward in their own way, but Ningwei remained trapped in the past—clinging to the luxuries and affections she once had, unable to let go.

Xu Xiangyi spoke with brutal honesty, “Even if we brought Ningwei back, over time, her mindset would end up exactly where it is now. She’ll subconsciously compare herself to Zhiyi. And no matter how hard your Aunt He and I try, we could never treat them both equally. We owe Zhiyi too much. Even if we can provide them with similar food, shelter, and clothing, what about the inheritance? At that point, the imbalance would be more than just emotional.”

That’s human nature—no one can escape it.

So, there wasn’t a perfect solution.

The only real way for Ningwei to truly heal was for both girls to return to their respective families. Ningwei would continue living the life she had before.

But how could that ever be possible?

Helping his adoptive daughter adjust her mindset felt like an impossible task, a mountain too steep to climb.

Jiang Sixun spoke up, “Ningwei’s already switched her flight to Shanghai. You won’t be able to stop her from coming back.”

Xu Xiangyi sighed, “I’m not trying to stop her. Why would I?” He paused. “It’s not that I don’t want her to come back and visit.” But if Ningwei returned home only to find how much everything had changed, it would hurt her even more.

It was just like Zhiyi—after reconnecting with her biological parents, she never went back to her adoptive parents’ house. The place where she once lived no longer had any connection to her. For children, a home was more than just a house.

“Zhiyi,” he called to his wife and daughter, who were busy browsing through clothes.

“What is it, Dad?” Zhiyi replied.

“Come here.”

Since Ningwei was coming, Xu Xiangyi figured he should at least let Zhiyi know.

He handed his phone to Zhiyi and her mother. “She probably doesn’t even care about attending the conference anymore,” he said.

He Yian sighed softly. “That poor girl. How could she ever hope to compete with someone like Shen Qingfeng? We’ve warned her so many times.”

Zhiyi began typing, “Dad, let me reply for you.”

“Go ahead,” he said.

In just a few seconds, she had written the message and handed the phone back to her father. “You raised her for twenty years. It’s only natural for her to come and visit you. In the future, she’ll have to give, not just take. When she comes, make sure she understands that. She saw how I cared for Grandma during her surgery and how I stayed by her side. When you and Mom get older, she’ll need to live up to that standard too.”

He Yian chuckled and gently pinched her daughter’s cheek. “Alright, let’s go back to picking out clothes.”

The mother and daughter strolled off, arm in arm.

Xu Xiangyi glanced at the brief message Zhiyi had sent: “What time do you land? I’ll send the driver to pick you up.”

His phone finally vibrated five minutes later, but it felt like an eternity, as though five years had passed. Ningwei rushed to the table, grabbed her phone, her heart pounding so hard she could barely breathe. Her hands trembled as she opened the message from her father.

When she saw “What time do you land?”, tears instantly welled up in her eyes. After six years of holding everything inside, the dam finally broke. She sank to the floor, hugged her knees, and sobbed, letting all her pent-up pain and frustration pour out.

After wiping away her tears, she stared at the second half of the message: “I’ll send the driver to pick you up.” She remembered how, in the past, her parents would always come to the airport themselves—unless they were traveling—every time she came home from abroad.

She quickly typed a response: “I’ll land in Shanghai at around 4:30 tomorrow afternoon, local time.” She had deliberately chosen this time so she could have dinner with her parents and spend more time talking with them in the evening.

She then added another message: “Is Mom going to be home?”

Xu Xiangyi replied: “Yes, we’ll all be here. Zhiyi is home too.”

Ningwei’s heart ached as she read the first part, purposely ignoring the mention of Zhiyi. Even though He Yian was home, she wouldn’t be picking her up from the airport.

Of course, Ningwei understood. One reason was Zhiyi’s presence—her mother didn’t want to make things uncomfortable for her biological daughter.

The other reason was time itself. Six years was a long gap, and no matter how deep a bond once was, it couldn’t survive unscathed. During those years, He Yian had shifted all her affection to Zhiyi.

If she didn’t visit soon, even the memories of those twenty years would begin to fade.

“Dad, you’re busy, I’ll see you and Mom tomorrow.”

Xu Xiangyi simply replied: “Okay, take care.”

He put his phone down. “If we stop her from coming, she’ll feel slighted and won’t be able to let it go. But if she comes, she’ll get hurt all over again. Either way, Shen Qingfeng gets what he wants. Even after all these years, he still holds a grudge against me.”

Jiang Sixun considered his next words carefully. “Maybe Ningwei’s issues go beyond Shen Qingfeng—perhaps she’s had problems with Professor Shang as well. Secretary Cai has gone back to Hong Kong to investigate. We should have answers soon.”

Xu Xiangyi’s eyes widened, his mind racing. Could there finally be hope? “So there’s still a chance for Ningwei?”

If Shen Qingfeng’s entire scheme was driven by revenge against Shang Tongxu, then perhaps Ningwei would be able to accept her fate. If she could come to terms with it, maybe her mindset would slowly begin to stabilize, and she could get her life back on track.

“If her talent for scientific research were to be destroyed because of this, it would be a loss not just for Professor Shang but for me as well.”

“Dad, what do you think of this one?” Zhiyi asked, stepping out in a simple white dress.

“You look beautiful,” Xu Xiangyi smiled.

“Mom picked it for me.”

“Your mother has a great eye. Back when we were dating, she’d choose clothes for me that I didn’t even need to try on.”

Zhiyi teased, “Well, I don’t need dinner now—I’ve already had my fill of dog food!”

Xu Xiangyi glanced at his wife and laughed. “Look at this kid, no respect!”

He Yian grinned, “She’s your daughter. You’ll just have to put up with it.”

Jiang Sixun, quietly sipping his water, exchanged a glance with Zhiyi, who gave him a look asking for his opinion.

“It looks great,” he said.

Zhiyi beamed, though a hint of shyness crept in. “Alright then, I’ll take this one. Let me go change.”

“Zhiyi,” Jiang Sixun called out as she turned to leave.

She looked back. “What’s up?”

Standing up, he said, “Help me pick out a few dresses. I need to send a gift.”

Zhiyi nodded, then asked, “How many?”

Jiang Sixun smirked. “I always order a dozen shirts at a time. For you, it can’t be any less than that.”

Xu Zhiyi looked at him, unable to suppress her smile. “Then I’ll pick out twelve pieces.”

Jiang Sixun replied, “I’ll go with you.”

“Okay.”

The two whispered to each other, their glances darting back and forth like they were sharing a secret language.

The shop manager stood nearby, observing them without intervening. It seemed these two were definitely in love; their chemistry was palpable.

Xu Xiangyi called for his wife to sit beside him. “Let them pick on their own. Zhiyi has met Sixun’s girlfriend before, so she knows what to choose.”

He Yian watched the pair from a distance, one selecting clothes while the other stood by, a perfect sync between them that didn’t require any discussion. Whatever Zhiyi picked, Jiang Sixun would nod silently and direct the manager to wrap it up.

At one point, Jiang Sixun pointed at a model’s outfit and asked Zhiyi what she thought. She glanced at it and shook her head, seemingly uninterested, and he promptly moved on.

He Yian couldn’t help but think, Who exactly is choosing clothes for whom here?

After searching through the racks, they still hadn’t reached a total of twelve items.

“Let’s keep looking,” Jiang Sixun suggested.

“There’s nothing I really love,” Zhiyi replied, feeling a bit defeated.

“Then let’s pick out some accessories,” he said.

The shop manager stood by, silent, realizing these were indeed for the esteemed Miss Xu.

This budding romance was thrilling, unfolding right in front of their parents as if they were the only two in the world.

With the accessories, they finally managed to gather a dozen pieces.

Jiang Sixun pulled out his card to pay. After signing, he handed it to Zhiyi.

“No need for that,” she said. “I have plenty of cards to use.”

“Just take it for now,” he insisted. “You’re the head of our family now. You can use this card for dinner tonight.”

Zhiyi smiled, “Well, if I’m in charge, I have to show off my financial prowess!”

“Save that for next time,” he chuckled. “Tonight, I’m treating my future in-laws and my wife to dinner.”

Zhiyi froze, her heart racing at the word “wife,” completely thrown off balance.

She shot him a glance, aware they weren’t alone.

The shop manager laughed, “I didn’t hear anything. Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness in advance!”

Jiang Sixun graciously accepted the blessing. “Thank you.”

Once outside the mall, Zhiyi messaged Xu Heng: “Jiang Sixun is treating my future in-laws to dinner tonight. What about you? Are you free to join?”

Xu Heng, currently on a business trip, replied: “I’m still in Beijing. How would I get back? Do you think I have magic powers?”

He followed up with: “I’ll be home tomorrow evening. Let him treat us the day after. Can one extra person really break the bank?”

Zhiyi giggled: “Let’s wait until you’re back to treat. Jiang Sixun’s card is with me, so I call the shots. By the way, Ningwei is coming over tomorrow to see Mom and Dad.”

Despite being somewhat cold-hearted, Xu Heng wasn’t heartless enough to prevent his sister from visiting their parents. He texted: “If you don’t want to be home, I can take you out to eat.”

Zhiyi responded: “No need. I’ve run into her plenty at Grandma’s hospital room. I’m used to it. Besides, I won’t be talking to her, so it won’t bother me while I eat.”

Their dinner plans were pushed back two days as they waited for Xu Heng.

Ultimately, they had dinner at home, with Xu Xiangyi cooking for his daughter.

Jiang Sixun brought the bags of clothes he had bought up to the third floor, delivering them right to Zhiyi’s door.

She glanced around to see if anyone was watching.

“Are we acting like thieves now?” he joked.

“Seems like it!” Zhiyi pulled him inside and locked the door.

Jiang Sixun set the shopping bags on the carpet, then grasped her hands tightly, leaning down to kiss her.

Zhiyi pressed against the door, eagerly responding to his kiss.

Her heart raced as their lips met, drowning out the world around them.

She still hadn’t quite mastered the rhythm of kissing; sometimes it was deep, other times light.

Zhiyi wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing his lips playfully.

Jiang Sixun held her forehead and pressed against her waist, their bodies fitting together so closely that it was hard to tell whether it was her dark blue dress or his dark blue shirt they were wearing.

In the back of her mind, Zhiyi recalled a line from the flagship store: “Who were you planning to treat to dinner? I couldn’t quite hear you at the time.”

Jiang Sixun paused mid-kiss. “You really didn’t catch that?”

“Nope.”

“I said I’d treat Uncle Xu and Aunt Xu, and you.”

Zhiyi raised an eyebrow. “That’s not how you said it back then.”

He laughed softly, “Didn’t you just say you didn’t hear me clearly?”

Zhiyi playfully bit his lip. “So, I’m not your family’s spokesperson?”

“You are.” He pressed against her lips again, reiterating what he had said in the store: “I’ll treat my future in-laws,” he paused for effect, “and my wife.”

Zhiyi took his upper lip between hers, giving it a gentle tug.

Jiang Sixun embraced her tightly, deepening the kiss.

“Zhiyi?”

From outside, He Yian’s voice broke through.

The couple froze, and Jiang Sixun let go of her.

Zhiyi gestured to the shopping bags on the floor, then pointed towards the wardrobe.

Jiang Sixun smirked. “Should we just not hide?”

“Are you kidding? You’ll scare my mom!” Zhiyi whispered urgently, pushing him toward the corner.

“Zhiyi?”

As He Yian spoke, she had already reached the doorway.

Giving her companion time to hide, Xu Zhiyi stayed silent for a moment.

“Knock, knock.” Two soft taps on the door followed.

He Yian was bringing her daughter some ice cream. “Zhiyi?”

As the man slipped into the wardrobe, Zhiyi felt it was safe to open the door.

“Hey, Mom, you’re here!” she greeted.

He Yian stood there with a box of fruit-flavored ice cream.

“Thank you, Mom!” Xu Zhiyi quickly took the box.

He Yian casually remarked, “Is Sixun out? His bedroom door was open, and there was no one inside.”

“…”

Zhiyi took a spoonful of ice cream, savoring the flavor. “Not sure; he didn’t tell me.”

“Maybe he’s in the wardrobe organizing things; I didn’t notice,” her mother continued.

“How’s the taste?” she asked with a smile.

Zhiyi, not wanting to brush her off, took another bite. “The strawberry bits are delicious.”

“There are plenty of dried strawberries at home. Next time, I’ll add more. Your dad made half a fridge’s worth just for your ice cream.”

Since Zhiyi returned home, her father had become quite the culinary master, even whipping up desserts and ice cream with flair.

Once her mother went downstairs, she locked the door again.

The man emerged from the wardrobe. “Next time, I won’t hide.”

Zhiyi chuckled, “Sorry to put you through that.” She offered him a bite of ice cream.

“I don’t want any,” Jiang Sixun said, brushing away the faint purple on her lips. “Find that necklace I bought you.”

Zhiyi asked, “Do you even remember what it looks like now?”

“Of course I do.”

As she enjoyed her ice cream, she let him search for it at the jewelry station.

The large display was filled with all sorts of jewelry, but Jiang Sixun quickly spotted the necklace he had bought for her birthday and retrieved it.

Zhiyi smiled at him. “Are you going to put it on me?”

“Yeah.”

She turned to face him, the cool chain falling against her neck as his dry fingers deftly secured the clasp.

With the necklace in place, he wrapped his arms around her from behind, kissing her cheek. “Shall we head downstairs?”

“You go first.”

“Together.”

He held her hand and let go only at the top of the stairs.

The two walked down casually, one after the other, making their way to the kitchen. Xu Xiangyi merely assumed they had run into each other on the stairs.

As they chatted about the Lu family, Xu Xiangyi inquired about how the old man reacted to the recent scandal.

Jiang Sixun shrugged. “Grandpa hasn’t called me. We have a family dinner next weekend.”

“You’ve stirred quite the pot; the old man isn’t the type to miss what you’re up to,” Xu Xiangyi observed, turning to Jiang Sixun. “What does your dad think about you trying to take the Lu family’s assets?”

“What he thought before doesn’t matter. Now he listens to Zhiyi.”

Zhiyi nearly choked on a piece of strawberry while enjoying her ice cream.

Xu Xiangyi and He Yian exchanged puzzled looks.

Jiang Sixun continued leisurely, “Zhiyi has smoothed things over between my dad and me. Now, she’s the key player in our family. Even Secretary Cai listens to her, going over my dad’s head.”

Only Lu Jianbo had ever been able to command Secretary Cai.

Xu Xiangyi chuckled, “Looks like I’ll have to step back and let you take over the family business soon; I’m worried I won’t be able to compete!”

Jiang Sixun was momentarily speechless.

What was meant to be a casual revelation about his relationship with Zhiyi had turned into a discussion about stepping back.

Xu Xiangyi recalled, “So, Secretary Cai returned to Hong Kong to investigate Shen Qingfeng at Zhiyi’s request?”

Jiang Sixun nodded. “Yep,” he said with a smile. “Anyway, I can’t boss him around.”

After returning from Hong Kong, Secretary Cai hadn’t contacted Zhiyi. It wasn’t until Xu Ningwei landed in Shanghai the next day, and her driver brought her home, that Zhiyi received no word from him.

As the familiar black and gold gate slowly opened, a sprawling green lawn stretched out before her. In her childhood, she had played there with friends, her parents always nearby.

On sunny days, they would celebrate her birthday in that expansive yard, inviting classmates and close friends for a party that lasted from noon until night.

Laughter and beautiful princess dresses were her only memories of all her birthdays before turning ten.

A wave of sadness washed over her again as she took a deep breath.

The car stopped in front of the villa, and with a flutter of nerves, she opened the door.

As her adoptive parents came out to greet her, Xu Ningwei could no longer hold back her tears.

“Mom!” She rushed forward to embrace He Yian.

“Don’t cry. Why are you still crying when it’s a happy occasion?” her mother said gently.

But the tears kept flowing, for Xu Ningwei didn’t feel any happiness; her heart was filled with pain and sorrow.

Just like that time in her grandmother’s hospital room, He Yian’s embrace felt foreign to her. Standing tall, she wiped her tears with the back of her hand. “It’s nothing. I’m just crying because I’m so happy.”

He Yian smiled and asked, “Are you tired?”

“Not too bad, I’m not tired,” Xu Ningwei replied.

She gave Xu Xiangyi a gentle hug. “Dad, I’m sorry for the trouble.”

Xu Xiangyi shook his head. “You coming to see us is not a trouble at all. It’s hot outside; let’s go in.”

As Xu Ningwei linked arms with He Yian, she noticed the shift in their familiarity. Once, when she returned home from a break, her mother would lovingly touch her face, squeeze her hand, and ask endless questions, overflowing with concern.

The driver swiftly unloaded the suitcase from the trunk and caught up with them.

“Where should I put the suitcase, Ms. He?” he asked.

“First floor, west side, the big suite,” He Yian replied.

“Got it.” The driver strode ahead with purpose.

Though outsiders might not realize it, Xu Ningwei understood: the three bedrooms on the first floor, including the suite, were all guest rooms. Her parents’ bedroom was on the third floor, while she and her brother occupied the second.

With the indoor elevator, her parents enjoyed the top floor, connected to the largest terrace, boasting stunning views.

What had become of her old suite on the second floor? Was it now for Xu Zhiyi?

As these thoughts swirled in her mind, they stepped into the villa.

Almost instinctively, Xu Ningwei’s gaze was drawn to the large, open window where Xu Zhiyi sat cross-legged on the carpet, surrounded by a mound of fresh flowers and an irregular vase. She held a peony, focused on trimming the excess leaves, dressed in a loose, misty blue linen dress. Her long hair fell naturally around her, and a serene aura enveloped her.

The scene was so tranquil it felt like a painting of a garden.

Xu Zhiyi sensed someone watching but didn’t look up, continuing to clip the peony. She planned to arrange it beautifully for her dining table.

After finishing, she placed the flower in the vase, snapped a photo with her phone, and sent it to Secretary Cai.

“Secretary Cai, I’m almost a floral master!”

Secretary Cai responded with a string of ellipses. It was the first time he’d seen such enthusiasm.

“My current information isn’t enough to confirm whether Shen Qingfeng bears a grudge against Shang Tongxu, but it’s certain that they had indirect interactions over twenty years ago.”

Determining if Shen Qingfeng held a grudge was as difficult as finding evidence of him swapping children.

Xu Zhiyi texted back, “Thanks. With this info, it’s enough. You can come back; I’ll personally meet Shen Qingfeng.”

Secretary Cai replied, “Where should I return to, Ms. Xu?”

She chuckled, replying, “Of course, wherever pays your salary! I can’t afford your level of annual income.” As she understood, Secretary Cai had been by Lu Jianbo’s side for eighteen years, a master in his own right, making millions with bonuses—definitely not someone easily swayed.

Xu Ningwei’s gaze remained fixated on Xu Zhiyi, observing her every move. She was surprised to see Xu Zhiyi smiling at this moment.

“Qingwei, come sit. Would you like something to drink? Tea or coffee?” He Yian called out.

Snapping back to reality, Xu Ningwei walked toward the sofa.

But a few steps in, she froze, taking in how completely the villa had transformed.

Even the crystal chandelier had a new style. The classical oil paintings she loved in the living room had been replaced with calming garden-themed artworks. She recognized the pieces—her father must have bid on several masterpieces at auction.

The villa had lost its former lavishness, now tailored into a cozy, romantic home for Xu Zhiyi.

In that moment, she felt like an outsider.

Just a guest coming to visit.