Chapter 138: The Airport

The call ended with a dial tone, and He Chuan turned off his phone.

Cheng Jiu was right; he no longer had the right to ask about Cheng Hui. He had already let go, and he was the one who had personally strangled their relationship.

For a long time afterward, He Chuan and Cheng Jiu remained out of touch. Cheng Jiu focused his energy on his own family, while He Chuan worked with Song Chen to expand their company, with plans to acquire the He family firm.

Mrs. He had managed the company poorly, leading to a myriad of internal issues that she was incapable of resolving. He Cheng, meanwhile, had zero interest in the business; he was busy with his own career, having moved behind the scenes to invest his savings into a film. Whether that movie would turn a profit was evident from the very start.

Since he could no longer make easy money through acting, He Cheng kept searching for other avenues. He had no interest in He Wei’s company and no intention of learning how to manage or grow it. Having tasted the benefits of being an entertainer, he felt that with his own abilities, he could rise to fame again; his move behind the scenes was merely temporary.

He even tried to follow others in investing in various projects, but all of them resulted in losses.

The losses on the books were covered by Mrs. He, who dipped into her private funds and sold off many of the vehicles that He Wei had originally purchased and registered in her name—a situation He Wei himself had never imagined.

He Cheng and He Chuan had also completely broken ties. He Chuan didn't care at all about the survival of He Cheng or Mrs. He. The company had originally still been in He Wei’s name, and after He Wei was discharged from the hospital, he summoned his lawyer and directly transferred ownership to He Chuan.

After taking over, He Chuan turned the tide and successfully saved the company. Not long after, he merged it with his own, bringing an end to the empire He Wei had built in his youth.

...

As for the He family villa, the title was in He Wei’s name. He Wei transferred it to He Chuan, who reclaimed it, evicted Mrs. He, and replaced all the domestic staff, finally allowing He Wei to return home for quiet recuperation.

Wen Liang had heard about the affairs of He Chuan’s family and felt somewhat worried that he might be overwhelmed, so she wanted to help shoulder some of the burden. She gave unconditionally, without expecting anything in return from He Chuan.

A woman's intentions are actually quite easy to guess, especially since Wen Liang, who had better opportunities elsewhere, was content to stay by his side and work for him. Her feelings for He Chuan were clear to everyone in the company.

Song Chen had teased Wen Liang in private, hinting at her feelings for He Chuan.

Wen Liang merely smiled at the time without saying a word. Naturally, she didn't deny it either. Her lack of denial confirmed her feelings for him.

Song Chen had heard about the history between Cheng Hui and He Chuan, but in his view, feelings were fickle—if you didn't get along, you parted ways, and finding someone new was perfectly normal. He felt that if He Chuan and Wen Liang were truly together, it wouldn't be a big deal. However, his position made it inappropriate for him to play matchmaker.

As the company expanded and projects increased, He Chuan’s workload grew heavier. He was particularly focused on consolidating various interests and was too busy to pay attention to the rumors about him and Wen Liang.

Wen Liang, meanwhile, increasingly took on the air of a boss’s wife, securing her position as his right-hand person. She often found time to visit He Wei at the He residence. Everything seemed to fall into place, natural and harmonious.

He Wei was occasionally lucid. Although his mobility was limited, he remained conscious and could make simple sounds. Over time, he understood Wen Liang’s intentions toward He Chuan. He had no objections; if she could effectively assist He Chuan in his career, that was certainly a good thing.

Wen Liang knew her strengths and utilized them well. Yet, He Chuan never gave any indication.

...

After Mrs. He moved out of the He residence—or more accurately, after she was kicked out—she lived in He Cheng’s apartment. It wasn't as nice as the villa, but with nowhere else to go, Mrs. He didn't complain. Once settled, she began plotting how to deal with He Chuan.

At the end of February, A'Zhou suffered a postpartum hemorrhage during a difficult labor. When the doctor anxiously came out to ask Mrs. He whether to save the mother or the child, Mrs. He didn't hesitate: "Save the child! You must save the baby!"

The doctor’s expression turned troubled. Although not his first time encountering such a situation, he felt a sense of melancholy and sighed softly before returning to the operating room.

Mrs. He was overjoyed, feeling as though it had all been worth the long wait. Her calculations had finally paid off; that woman was gone, and He Cheng no longer had any worries!

The child was a boy, healthy, with a strong appetite. But his mother was not as fortunate. She passed away from the hemorrhage. As A'Zhou closed her eyes, she was still thinking of her child, but she would never have the chance to see him again.

When Tan Yazhuo heard about A'Zhou’s death, she showed no expression. This was the path A'Zhou had chosen; she couldn't blame anyone else. If she wanted to enjoy luxury, she had to pay the price. A family like the He family was not something she could go up against alone.

Mrs. He still had a shred of conscience and handled A'Zhou’s funeral, though she kept it very low-key, without any grand ceremony.

After making inquiries, Tan Yazhuo found the place where A'Zhou was buried. She bought a bouquet of flowers and went to pay her respects.

"A'Zhou, don't blame me. This is what you chose yourself. I warned you, but you wouldn't listen. Well, look at where you ended up."

Tan Yazhuo sighed deeply and placed the flowers in front of the tombstone.

She lit a cigarette, took a drag, and exhaled slowly. "But it was my fault, too. I shouldn't have arranged for you to be He Cheng’s assistant in the first place. When I found out you were being bullied by him, I should have stepped in immediately. But there are no 'ifs.' It's come to this, A'Zhou. May you be born into a better family in your next life."

Everyone has their own fate. The path A'Zhou took was of her own making; it had nothing to do with anyone else.

...

In mid-May, Xin Gan safely gave birth to a daughter; both mother and child were doing well.

During the delivery, Cheng Jiu stayed by her side the entire time, never leaving for a second. When the doctor took the baby out to show Cheng’s father and mother, Cheng Jiu remained in the delivery room to care for Xin Gan, using a cloth to wipe the sweat from her forehead.

Xin Gan gave him a weak look and fell asleep in the blink of an eye, utterly exhausted.

Cheng Jiu kissed her forehead, his eyes reddening. His heart ached for the suffering she had endured, and he vowed that he would never let her suffer like that again.

In the year Xin Gan turned twenty-six and Cheng Jiu turned thirty-four, their daughter was born.

In less than three years from their first meeting to their marriage, they had a lovely, fair-skinned daughter. Looking at her features, she resembled Xin Gan more, especially those beautiful eyes.

This was happy news, and Cheng Hui, far away in London, received it as well. Xin Gan had called her to share the joy.

Cheng Hui clamored to see her little niece, so Xin Gan turned on the camera to show her. Cheng Hui exclaimed happily, "She looks just like Xin-xin sister! The little baby will be very beautiful when she grows up."

"It’s too early to tell, she’s still so small. But looking like your brother isn't bad either; they’re both good-looking."

"That won't do, in my heart, Xin-xin sister is the most beautiful."

Xin Gan’s face was pale, but she smiled, her eyes gentle. To Cheng Hui, she seemed to be radiating maternal love. Perhaps that was just how it was after having a child.

"Xin-xin sister, what is the little niece's name?"

"Manle. Cheng Manle. 'Le' as in music."

Little Manle had closed her eyes to sleep, her tiny hands and feet moving from time to time. She looked so adorable that Cheng Hui’s heart softened.

Xin Gan turned off the camera and asked, "How have you been lately? I heard from Dr. Ye that you've been in good spirits. Have you gotten used to life in London?"

"It's alright, no problems. Dr. Ye has been very caring toward me. If it weren't for him, I might not have made it through." Cheng Hui didn't hide anything from Xin Gan; she spoke the truth.

Xin Gan said with concern, "Cheng Hui, your little niece will be waiting for you to come back and hold her. You must take care of yourself."

...

"Okay, I hear you. Don't worry. Xin-xin sister, you focus on your recovery and take good care of yourself."

"Mhm, you too."

After chatting a bit more, someone walked in—Shen Ruxin and her family of three.

Song Chen was holding Keke, who struggled out of his arms to see her little sister. Song Chen carried her over to take a look.

Shen Ruxin sat by the bed, touched Xin Gan’s cheek, and asked, "How are you? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, no worries."

"I heard from your mother that when you were in labor the night before last, Cheng Jiu stayed with you the whole time. Was he scared?"

When Xin Gan was in labor, the pain was so intense she felt like she might die; she hadn't noticed Cheng Jiu’s expression. But after the birth, his eyes were red, and he seemed to have almost shed tears? That must have been it.

She said, "I don't think so."

"Cheng Jiu is truly a man worth giving up your dreams to marry. Xin-xin, I’m finally relieved."

Cheng Jiu returned at that moment, carrying an insulated bag containing chicken soup boiled by Xin’s mother, meant for Xin Gan. He had specifically gone home to get it.

When Shen Ruxin saw him, she greeted him warmly: "Brother-in-law, you finally came. Xin-xin was just saying she was in some pain."

Xin Gan let out an "Ah," taken by surprise, as she hadn't mentioned any pain just now.

Cheng Jiu immediately hurried over, asking anxiously, "Where does it hurt? How long has it been hurting? I’ll go call the doctor."

Shen Ruxin burst into a laugh.

Xin Gan reached out to take his hand and shook her head gently: "It doesn't hurt, it’s not hurting anymore. Don't worry."

Shen Ruxin said, "Alright, I won't disturb you two anymore. You take good care of Xin-xin, we’ll be going now."

Song Chen, carrying Keke, said goodbye to Cheng Jiu, leaving the space for their little family.

After the family left, Cheng Jiu took out the thermos, scooped up some chicken soup with a spoon, blew on it, and fed it to her once it reached the right temperature. He treated her as if she were made of fragile porcelain.

"There's no need, it’s not like I can’t do it myself. Cheng Jiu, don't be so nervous."

Little Manle was still asleep. Cheng Jiu glanced at her, then turned his gaze back and said, "It's fine, I’ll take care of you. Just accept it."

"But I need to get out of bed and move around."

"No, you need to rest for a few more days, at least a week."

Xin Gan leaned back and watched him quietly, not saying a word.

Her voice was calm and soft, and he paused, his heart beginning to soften. She asked, "I remember before I fell asleep, I saw your eyes were red. Cheng Jiu, were you crying?"

Cheng Jiu, of course, would not admit it. He said, "There’s still half a bowl of soup, I'll clear things away once you finish it."

Xin Gan watched him with a smile and shook her head: "No more, I’m full."

"Is there anywhere else you feel uncomfortable?"

"No, I’m fine." Xin Gan squeezed his hand. "Don't worry about me, I'm okay. If I feel uncomfortable, I'll tell you. Why does it feel like you're treating me like a child? It’s not like I can’t say if something is wrong."

Xin Gan stayed in the hospital for a week before being discharged to go home for her postpartum recovery, returning to the Xin family residence.

Cheng’s mother occasionally visited to see her granddaughter. Although she didn't say much, she stopped coming after a few visits.

Xin Gan understood; Cheng’s mother likely wanted a grandson, and since she had given birth to a granddaughter, she was somewhat displeased.

Cheng’s father, however, loved the baby very much and was quite fond of little Manle.

Even Xin’s father couldn't help but smile when he saw his little granddaughter; he was overjoyed and couldn't bear to let her go.

With people helping to look after the baby, Xin Gan felt much more relaxed. Aside from feeding her when necessary, she spent the rest of the time resting and was in good spirits.

Cheng Jiu simply moved into the Xin residence. Even though it was far from his workplace, he commuted back and forth. Xin Gan felt a bit bad, but Cheng Jiu comforted her, saying it didn't matter and that he had nothing else to do; as long as he had enough time to be with her, that was all that mattered.

Not long after Xin Gan finished her confinement, Grandpa Xin passed away.

At his age, such a day was inevitable. Xin Gan understood this logic, but she still felt deeply saddened. She realized she hadn't spent much time with her grandfather, and thinking of that, it inevitably became a regret.

Before Grandpa Xin passed away, Xin Gan had brought little Manle to see him. The old man had been very happy, touching little Manle’s hand, though he could no longer speak.

Not long after, he was gone.

On the day of the funeral, many people came to the Xin home. The atmosphere was solemn and grave. Little Manle, in Xin’s mother’s arms, seemed to sense the unusual atmosphere and began to cry.

Xin Gan did not cry; she remained calm, greeting the guests who came to pay their respects. Cheng Jiu, fearing she wouldn't be able to handle it, told her to go to the inner room to rest for a while. She shook her head and refused, insisting on staying. Cheng Jiu did not force her.

After the funeral ended, Cheng Hui sat in the room holding little Manle.

Cheng Jiu was there with her. He didn't stop her; the only thing he did was to be by her side.

Xin Gan recalled things from her childhood, telling them to Cheng Jiu like a story.

When she was young and learned she had a fiancé, she had been a bit rebellious. She told her grandfather she didn't want to marry someone she didn't know. She was very young then and didn't understand what marriage was, only knowing that after she became an adult, she would have to live in someone else’s house and might never see her grandfather, or her parents, ever again.

Grandfather had just smiled and stroked her head, saying nothing. Later, he never brought it up again, but she kept it in her heart, always worrying about it.

After she returned home from graduation, her grandfather brought it up again, and that was when she realized there was no escaping it.

Fortunately, it was her grandfather who had insisted; otherwise, she and Cheng Jiu wouldn't be where they were today. They might not have ended up together at all.

Little Manle was hungry and began to cry, grabbing Cheng Jiu’s collar with her mouth open.

Xin Gan quickly took her over to soothe her.

Cheng Jiu held his wife and daughter close; there was no need for any further words.

No words were necessary.

...

When Cheng Hui learned of Grandpa Xin’s passing, she immediately bought a plane ticket home, but she was a step too late. Cheng Jiu hadn't intended for her to return, and Xin Gan didn't want to bother her, but Cheng’s father had called her, telling her to come back for the funeral.

Cheng’s mother was there too, so Cheng Hui intentionally appeared when she knew her mother would be away. She called Cheng Jiu only after she had arrived.

Once Cheng’s mother left the Xin residence, Cheng Hui appeared. Seeing Xin Gan’s red, teary eyes, she stepped forward and hugged her, saying, "Little sister-in-law, I’m sorry I’m late."

"It’s alright, I know you had the intention."

Cheng Hui went to see little Manle, who was even cuter than in the photos. She pinched the baby’s chubby hand. "Hello, little Manle. I’m your auntie. It’s our first meeting, please be kind to me."

Little Manle, full and satisfied, gave Cheng Hui a big smile.

Cheng Jiu only stayed for one night; she had to return to school the next day as she had exams and didn't have many days of leave.

She had dinner at the Xin residence that night and didn't plan on returning to the Cheng home.

For her, the Cheng home had become a place she desperately wanted to avoid. She didn't even want to see Cheng’s mother; she had been abroad for so long, and she hadn't called her mother even once.

Cheng’s mother had called her, but she never picked up; she didn't want to talk to her.

Cheng’s mother knew she was holding a grudge, still resentful that she had opposed her relationship with He Chuan, sent her abroad, and forcibly broken them apart.

The mother and daughter had become total strangers.

Xin’s mother didn't ask why Cheng Hui wasn't going home; Xin Gan must have told her something, so she didn't press.

Cheng Hui felt a bit more at ease and stayed the night at the Xin residence.

The next morning, Cheng Hui left.

Cheng Jiu drove her to the airport and asked if she was short on money.

Cheng Hui replied, speechless, "If I were short on money, I’d say so. You don't need to ask. Besides, I have a part-time job, helping a senior student. I’m not a child anymore, brother, you don't need to worry about me."

"If you weren't Cheng Hui, I wouldn't bother worrying about you."

"Good thing I am Cheng Hui."

Cheng Jiu smiled: "Study hard. Like I said, if you want to come back, I’ll pick you up anytime."

"Okay, no problem, I’ll remember." Cheng Hui added, "Don't tell her I ran back, lest she gets suspicious and starts guessing wildly."

"Mhm."

When they arrived at the airport, Cheng Hui didn't let Cheng Jiu walk her in; she took her suitcase and went in on her own.

She looked much more poised than before; there was definitely a difference.

Cheng Hui entered the airport, went through security, and looked down at her phone, not noticing Wen Liang walking toward her.

Wen Liang had just returned from a business trip on the earliest flight, eager to get back to Yongcheng. She was walking while talking on the phone with He Chuan, reporting her location, and was in such a hurry she wasn't watching where she was going. She bumped right into Cheng Hui.

Cheng Hui said instinctively, "Sorry, are you okay?"

Cheng Hui’s suitcase had fallen to the ground, but she ignored it, reaching out to steady the woman she had bumped into.

"It's fine, it's fine, I'm sorry, I didn't see you." After Wen Liang steadied herself, her handbag dropped to the floor, and the contents spilled everywhere.

He Chuan was driving, and hearing that familiar voice, his eyelids twitched violently.

Cheng Hui helped pick up the items on the floor and handed them to her. "I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to. I was looking at my phone and didn't see you."

Wen Liang smiled gently. The girl across from her was very young, had a good attitude, and kept apologizing while helping to pick things up, so she didn't hold it against her. She said lightly, "It’s alright, I’m fine, thank you."

Cheng Hui looked up and saw the woman’s face. She was shocked, her scalp tingling, and she couldn't react for a long moment.

How could it be such a coincidence?

She wouldn't forget the last time she had snuck back to the country, waiting all night at the entrance of He Chuan’s apartment complex, only to see him drive up with another woman. She remembered that woman’s face clearly—she couldn't forget it.

And that woman was the one standing right in front of her.

Wen Liang didn't know Cheng Hui and naturally didn't recognize her; she took her things and left.

Cheng Hui clenched her hands, biting her lip, her heart churning like a stormy sea.

Yongcheng was truly too small. Even catching a flight, she could run into the new love of an old flame.

...

Wen Liang walked out of the airport, the call still ongoing.

He Chuan’s voice came through the receiver: "What just happened?"

"Nothing, a little girl wasn't watching where she was going and accidentally bumped into me."

He Chuan pressed his lips together, his Adam’s apple bobbing a few times.