CHAPTER 7

For the past week, Chi Shuang had more or less stopped crying. Even when she did, it was just a few stray tears that dried quickly. The reason she couldn’t hold it in today was because someone else had brought up Liang Qian.

The reason she insisted on putting Wen Qing in her place wasn’t because of those two assistants’ comments about her.

As an actress, she had long grown indifferent to praise and criticism. She had heard far worse remarks before—if she took every single one to heart, how could she even survive in this industry?

What she couldn’t tolerate was the way they had spoken about Liang Qian.

Before she got home, she had still been feeling victorious, strutting like she had just won a battle. But when she changed her shoes and instinctively called out, “Liang Qian, your highness has arrived,” only to be met with silence, she stood frozen for a long time, tears spilling over uncontrollably.

Everyone told her that time was the best remedy, that she would heal soon.

But she didn’t know how long it would take.

She didn’t know when that day would come.

All she knew was that she missed him terribly.

Exhausted from crying, she simply lay on the floor, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Outside the villa, Meng Huaiqian leaned against the wall. As her sobs gradually faded into silence, he glanced up at the cold, distant moon.

After a while, he finally pressed the doorbell.

He still didn’t know exactly what had happened tonight. The driver had only mentioned one thing—when Chi Shuang came home, her steps were unsteady, and she smelled of alcohol.

She had been drinking.

That made him uneasy.

The doorbell rang for a long time before Chi Shuang finally got up and slowly made her way to the entrance. Looking at the display screen, she rasped, “Meng, you again?”

Meng Huaiqian couldn’t see her, but upon hearing her voice, hoarse as if it had been wounded, he frowned slightly. “Are you okay?”

I’m fine.

Chi Shuang suddenly felt lucky—at least someone was willing to be her punching bag.

“Are you okay?”

Was this all Meng Huaiqian knew how to say?

Excuse me, but looking at her right now, was there any part of her that seemed remotely “okay”?

She was absolutely not okay!!

She angrily yanked open the door and flung a slipper at him with all her might. “Didn’t I already tell you during the day not to come looking for me again? Do you not understand human language? Do you not understand? Meng Huaiqian, the only reason you’re still alive and well right now is because I abide by the law!”

Meng Huaiqian wasn’t prepared and instinctively caught the slipper.

And then came a barrage of scolding.

The three drivers outside the villa all lowered their heads like quails, wishing they were blind and deaf.

They had been working for the Meng family for years, and not one of them had ever seen Mr. Meng treated like this.

And yet… Mr. Meng was actually being humble about it.

Meng Huaiqian bent down into a half-squat and placed the slipper back at her feet. “I’m sorry.”

An eye for an eye never ends well.

That thought popped into Chi Shuang’s mind. Earlier today, she had pissed off Wen Qing so much that the woman nearly dropped dead on the spot. And now, Meng Huaiqian was infuriating her to the point where she could ascend straight to nirvana. It was a perfect cycle.

“Are you feeling unwell anywhere?” Meng Huaiqian deliberately ignored her swollen, red eyes. “I’ll ask the housekeeper to make you some hangover soup, alright?”

Chi Shuang had been about to snap back with “You’d be better off drinking Meng Po’s soup,” but before she could say it, a wave of nausea surged up her throat. Her expression changed, and she didn’t even bother putting on her slipper before turning and bolting for the bathroom. She had drunk quite a lot tonight, and with all the emotional ups and downs—rage, joy, and sorrow—her stomach was the first to rebel. She crouched in front of the toilet, dry heaving for a long time.

Meng Huaiqian hesitated for a few seconds before stepping inside. He worried she would get angry, so even in his haste, he didn’t forget to take off his shoes before entering.

The bathroom door wasn’t closed.

Chi Shuang’s eyes were watery. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a pair of feet clad in black cotton socks. Her gaze slowly traveled upward—impeccably creased trousers… and finally, that punchable face.

She struggled to get up.

He moved to help her, but she barked, “Don’t touch me. Get lost!”

He had no choice but to stop in his tracks, watching her intently as she staggered toward the sink.

She turned on the faucet and harshly splashed water on her face, wetting a few strands of hair in the process. Then she squeezed toothpaste onto her toothbrush. Before long, the quiet room was filled with the soft, electric-like sound of brushing. She coldly met his gaze in the mirror.

If looks could kill…

Meng Huaiqian would already be in the underworld, reunited with Liang Qian!

She had her back to him, yet they could still meet eyes in the mirror.

She had just been unwell, and the corners of her eyes were still red. She stared at him, unblinking—this deaf, blind, and utterly obtuse piece of dog shit was absolutely insufferable!

Meng Huaiqian was momentarily dazed. Then, he noticed that the front of her dress had gotten wet and was clinging transparently to her collarbone. Even a droplet of water slid down her cheek. He admitted defeat and left the room—temporarily.

He didn’t actually leave. Instead, he went to the kitchen, carefully selecting ingredients. He first made her a cup of honey water with warm water, then turned on the stove to boil eggs. He wasn’t experienced in these things. Even during his years studying abroad, everything had been meticulously arranged for him. This was the first time he had ever done something like this for someone else.

The small pot of water boiled.

Taking care of Chi Shuang… he had his own selfish reasons.

Inside, he was already covered in wounds, but he couldn’t cry.

From childhood to adulthood, whether it was his parents or his teachers, everyone had told him that he had to remain unfazed even if a mountain collapsed before him. He was expected to stay calm in the face of danger, to be unshaken by change. Over time, he truly became that kind of person. Every emotion was shut away—he couldn’t cry, couldn’t laugh, as if he had become numb.

If he were truly numb, it wouldn’t be so bad.

When he looked at Chi Shuang, he saw himself. He thought, maybe if Chi Shuang got better, he would too.

Chi Shuang was his benchmark.

…

Chi Shuang took another shower, washing away the scent of alcohol. By the time she emerged, bare-faced and pale, the person who should have left was still in her home. He was holding a plate, and when he saw her, he even spoke in a low voice: “If your stomach is empty, eat an egg first?”

“Why are you still here?” she asked irritably.

Meng Huaiqian stared at her still-damp hair and paused for two seconds. “I’ll leave now.”

After taking a few steps, he stopped and spoke again, his voice slightly hoarse in the late night. “If you feel unwell, call the driver. I already had them go buy some hangover medicine—they’re waiting in the car.”

The shower had also washed away much of Chi Shuang’s anger.

It was late. She no longer had the energy to argue or fight with him.

When Meng Huaiqian reached the entryway, he saw the slipper he had placed aside earlier—a plush pink one.

On the shoe rack beside it, a pair of razor-sharp high heels stood like daggers.

—

The next day.

Meng Huaiqian sat in his office with his close friends, Cheng Yue and Rong Kun, discussing how to minimize the impact of the Liang family’s affairs. The four of them had grown up together. Even while studying in different countries, they frequently met up. Now that Liang Qian was gone, the three of them had to help him settle everything.

“Ah Qian didn’t… leave a will.”

Cheng Yue spoke with difficulty. “All his assets will probably be handled according to the law.”

There was nothing they could do about it.

Thinking about how Liang Qian’s shares and real estate would fall into the hands of those Liang family members, whose eyes saw nothing but profit, the childhood friends felt utterly helpless.

“No rush,” Rong Kun said. “It’s not time yet. Let them wait a couple of years—maybe they won’t even live long enough to get anything.”

“Ah.” Cheng Yue let out a long sigh. “If you ask me, Ah Qian definitely would have wanted to leave something for Chi Shuang. But unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do about it.”

“No worries.” Rong Kun clasped his hands together. “If worst comes to worst, we can each pitch in some money later. It’ll be like something Ah Qian left for her.”

As Liang Qian’s close friends, they were careful about boundaries. None of them ever commented on or judged his girlfriend.

It wasn’t their place to approve or disapprove.

They understood one another well. If Liang Qian had foreseen the accident and left a will, Chi Shuang’s name would have undoubtedly been on it. No one wanted anything but the best for the person they loved. No one wouldn’t want to share their best with the person they cherished.

The world is unpredictable.

Cheng Yue pondered for a moment before nodding. “That could work. Let’s wait until later, after everyone has calmed down, then we can talk to her.”

Meng Huaiqian, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke in a deep voice, “No need.”

Seeing both of his friends turn to look at him, he continued, “You don’t need to worry about her. Knowing her personality, she wouldn’t accept it anyway. It’s better if I handle her matters. You don’t need to seek her out; it would only put pressure on her.”

He figured that Chi Shuang probably didn’t want to see any of them.

It was enough for him to take care of her alone.

Too many people would only irritate her.

Rong Kun thought about it for a moment and agreed, “That works too. We weren’t very close to her before, and now with everything that’s happened… Honestly, I wouldn’t even know how to face her.”

He still remembered how Chi Shuang had rushed over that day, on the verge of breaking down.

In his impression, she had always been a beautiful girl who loved to act coquettishly with Liang Qian, speaking in a sweet tone. Who would have thought she could cry like that, sobbing so hard she couldn’t even stand?

That scene, that moment—who wouldn’t be moved?

But Chi Shuang was Liang Qian’s girlfriend, and he wasn’t particularly familiar with her. How could he comfort her?

Even just appearing before her and exchanging pleasantries might make her feel pressured.

Cheng Yue, feeling a bit down, brought up Chi Shuang again and looked at Meng Huaiqian with a complicated expression. “You’ve been the one handling things for her these past few days. How is she? Is she emotionally stable? Has she…”

At this point, Cheng Yue faltered, struggling to find the right words.

They were all close friends, and they knew the reasons behind what had happened to Liang Qian. Even if they didn’t, their bond remained unchanged—they wouldn’t blame Meng Huaiqian for it. Losing Liang Qian or losing Meng Huaiqian would both be equally devastating to them.

But Chi Shuang was different. She wasn’t that close to them. Liang Qian was her fiancé-to-be—could she really face Meng Huaiqian calmly?

Rong Kun also looked over.

Meng Huaiqian’s expression remained neutral as he said calmly, “Her emotions are gradually improving, but she still has moments where she feels overwhelmed.”

“She is… emotionally stable when it comes to me.”

Just then, his phone rang.

It was Chi Shuang calling.

His expression changed slightly, and he stood up. “I’m stepping out to take this call.”

Then, he quickly left the office.

Watching him handle his phone as if it were a ticking time bomb, Rong Kun and Cheng Yue exchanged glances.

Cheng Yue guessed, “Probably his father calling again.”

Rong Kun hesitated. “That’s unlikely… I heard his father is the one afraid of him now. Besides, when have you ever seen him react like that to his father’s calls?”

What kind of person could make Meng Huaiqian this cautious?