Chapter Six: Grievance (2)

Who would come at this time? His new model girlfriend? Before Tong Xi could guess the second person, she heard a familiar voice. Her first reaction was that she must have misheard.

Tong Xi asked: "What is it?"

Tong Xi no longer insisted, primarily because she truly had no confidence in the road conditions; safety was still the priority. Since they had already met, she did not mind spending a little more time. After all, she could just ignore him.

Tong Xi had never felt that the elevator doors closed so slowly, almost like a slow-motion scene from a movie... Finally, they closed. She let out a silent sigh of relief, feeling an inexplicable fatigue throughout her body

When Nie Xiu saw her, his gaze was calm, and his expression showed no surprise, clearly indicating that he was aware of her presence here. Tong Xi immediately recalled the incident at the car rental shop in the morning, feeling a surge of anger, and immediately shot a glare at Shen Xiquan.

Shen Xiquan often enjoys going to the hospital to help the poor, yet he never goes to the hospital himself when he is ill. In previous years, he was always forced by Mo Dan to go to the hospital for intravenous therapy. However, now that Mo Dan has become his ex-wife, her recent phone calls are merely to urge him for money, showing no concern for Shen Xiquan's health, and naturally, she will no longer pressure him to go to the hospital as she did before

Shen Xiquan felt wronged and said: "Are you on my side or on Mo Dan's side? We are both from the same hometown, and we have known each other for ten years!"

She looked at Nie Xiu in astonishment, unsure whether this was a coincidence or a scheme orchestrated by Shen Xiquan

Time flows especially slowly for him, and almost everyone who meets him for the first time can hardly guess his true age. When she first stepped into Hengwei Company for an interview, she also misjudged his age, thinking he was only in his early twenties. It was only after seeing a copy of his ID card that she realized how favorably time had treated him, to an astonishing degree

Nie Xiumou gazed directly at her and said, "I like it, and that's enough." This statement, while directed at Shen Xiquan, felt even more like it was meant for her.

She is familiar with all his expressions, affirming, denying, dissatisfied, disdainful...

Tong Xi was aware of Shen Xiquan's habit. According to Shen himself, during his youth, he often got into fights and brawls, and without the money to go to the hospital each time, he would buy medicine and endure the pain on his own. Over time, this became a norm for him.

Mo Dan suddenly fell silent. Shen Xiquan held the phone, waiting for her next words. However, the call was abruptly ended.

After Tong Xi finished the call, Nie Xiu handed her the car keys. Tong Xi expressionlessly said thank you and turned to enter the elevator. Nie Xiu stood at the steps, watching her from a distance of more than ten meters, his gaze filled with the same reluctance as it had been at the end of every date before.

Tong Xi glared at him: "I assist in justice, not in personal matters. I am a messenger of righteousness"

Shen Xiquan sighed: "You are so impressive now, I am quite afraid of you"

"I am not that delicate." Shen Xiquan got off the bed and hopped on one leg to find his slippers. Tong Xi was somewhat relieved to see that his movements were still quite nimble, indicating that his condition was not as serious as Secretary Zhang had worried.

Since that time—when we first met—I no longer knew where to go. It was you who gave me this year, a gift of time. She slowly turned her head to face him. Why can't I stay with you?

There is a hidden meaning, and Shen Xiquan would not fail to understand it, yet he pretends to be confused: "I traveled around the world. When I was young, I always thought that once I had money, I would quit my job and travel everywhere. Later, as I made more and more money, I became busier and busier, and ended up with no time to play at all"

Shall we call someone from the community hospital to come and administer the IV for you

Shen Xiquan: "... ... You little brat, don't you feel uncomfortable if you don't argue with me for a day?"

In the spacious living room, there is a specially made wide Luohan bed. Shen Xiquan, dressed in light brown checkered pajamas, rests his chin on one hand, leaning against the autumn fragrance-colored cushion, just about to fall asleep

Secretary Zhang ran to seven large pharmacies before she finally bought the licorice tablets specified by Shen Xiquan from the pharmaceutical factory. She hurried over, and the nanny opened the door for her quietly, first placing her finger on her lips to signal for silence upon their meeting

Unfortunately, the glass is fragile and the clouds disperse, yet who could have anticipated that he would change his affections? In matters of love, Shen Xiquan is a scoundrel, but when it comes to friends, he is willing to go to great lengths. During her time of greatest need for support and assistance, it was Shen Xiquan, both a brother and a friend, who sheltered her from the wind and rain and resolved everything for her

The television is on, broadcasting financial news, yet it has been muted

Nie Xiu quietly breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, the tactic of provocation was still as effective as it had been in the past

Shen Xiquan wore a smile, displaying an expression of someone who was enjoying the show. Nie Xiu also looked at her, his gaze deep and resolute

Seeing me so angry, is it because "Nie Xiu only spoke half of what he wanted to say, the rest was all contained in his gaze"

Tong Xi replied seriously: "Sure, what about you? Are you changing careers to become a matchmaker?"

Tong Xiheng said: "Originally, when I saw you and Mo Dan, I thought true love existed in this world, but you quickly made me see that true love is a joke. You have shown me the ugliness of human nature, causing serious harm to my spirit. To criticize you a couple of times is mild; I haven't even asked you for compensation for emotional damages yet"

Upon hearing this news, Tong Xi was struck by a blow that was no less severe than that of Mo Dan. If Tong Chunxiao's marriage instilled fear in Tong Xi and Nie Xiu's ruthlessness left her disheartened about love, then Shen Xiquan's betrayal of Mo Dan truly caused her to lose all confidence in marriage and romantic relationships.

And immediately after, the tall man who walked in from the entrance turned what Tong Xi believed to be impossible into reality

The nanny opened the door for Tong Xi and said that Shen Xiquan was resting in the guest room on the first floor. Tong Xi glanced at the guest room; the door was half open, and a man's slipper was thrown at the entrance. It seemed he was quite ill, unable to even climb to the second floor, yet still stubbornly refusing to go to the hospital, which was indeed admirable.

Shen Xi brushed her hair with her fingers and nonchalantly said, "It's just a cough, an old problem you know."

Tong Xi thought about how he hadn't eaten lunch, and since dinner needed to be prepared early, she turned and went to the kitchen to get things ready. The housekeeper was quite diligent, and the refrigerator was fully stocked with everything. Tong Xi took out a piece of meat to thaw and then went to wash the rice

Shen Xiquan raised his hand in surrender: "Alright, alright, it's all my fault. How about I give the company to you, is that acceptable?"

Because she has not yet let go of him, still brooding over it, still unable to forget? Is that why she is so concerned and reacts so intensely? Tong Xi read these meanings from his gaze, and in a moment of impulse, she said: "Alright, then I will trouble you with it." She opened the car door and relinquished the driver's seat to him

Shen Xiquan finally managed to stop coughing for a while, and after dozing off, he was awakened by noise. Angered, he opened his eyes and was ready to curse, but upon glancing at the phone number on his mobile, he found that he couldn't muster any anger. He hoarsely uttered a sound.

Before their divorce, it was always Shen Xiquan who cooked for Mo Dan. Even if he had social engagements in the evening, he would first return home to prepare dinner for her before heading out. Back in Xizhen, who would have thought that the formidable Shen Xiquan, whom everyone respected, would don an apron to cook for his wife if it weren't witnessed with one's own eyes

Tong Xi's anger was completely provoked, "You are ill, why hasn't your new lover come to see you? Shouldn't she be actively showing concern and offering warmth at a time like this? Look at you now, you resemble a lonely old man."

Shen Xiquan bought a secret, saying he would talk about it during dinner

Shen Xiquan nodded: "You don't need to leave either, stay a bit longer and we can have dinner together later. I have something important to discuss with you shortly."

Upon returning home, I sent a WeChat message to Shen Xiquan, stating that I needed to visit him in the afternoon due to some matters. Shen Xiquan took a long time to reply with a simple "okay." Tong Xi seemed to envision his weary demeanor.

Tong Xi said softly: "You should go back, I will prepare dinner for him."

That was my fault, Qiong

The nanny, yearning for it, left work early

The temperature has risen somewhat, but the ice and snow on the road have not melted. Tong Xi is not confident in her driving skills. She left her Changhe car downstairs and took a taxi to Shen's home.

A cough echoed in the room, and Tong Xi put down the book and walked over gently. Through the half-open door, Shen Xiquan saw a slender figure and couldn't help but be startled, propping himself up on one elbow. Upon a closer look, it was not Mo Dan, and he let out a sigh of relief: "When did you arrive?"

Tong Xi sat down on the sofa in the living room, her gaze falling on the coffee table, where she saw a book titled "The Triumph of the Will." How strange, when did Shen Xiquan come to like such books? Upon opening the front page, she discovered it was a book by Modan. There was a bookmark in the book, and beneath a few rose petals lay a conversation.

The nanny explained softly: "Since Mr. Shen isn't saying anything, how would I know?"

Secretary Zhang readily agreed to the request: "Sister Zhang, you can rest assured, I will go over this afternoon. If it is serious, I will urge him to go to the hospital"

Shen Xiquan and Mo Dan both dislike having outsiders in their home. This nanny was hired from a housekeeping company only after their divorce, and she does not live in the house; her responsibility is merely to come over to prepare lunch and dinner.

Tong Xi felt a lump rise in her throat upon hearing his words, her voice slightly wavering, "No need, thank you." She had not realized that she harbored so much resentment within her, all of which was stirred up by his single remark

Shen Xiquan turned to Nie Xiu and complained, "Look at how fierce she has become now, do you still want to get back together with her"

While slicing the meat, the doorbell in the living room rang

Secretary Zhang was very surprised to find that a look of disappointment and sorrow had unexpectedly appeared on the boss's face. The usually invincible tough character actually showed such vulnerability; it seems the illness is quite serious

Shen Xiquan patiently explained: "I have been ill and have not gone to the company these past few days"

The nanny said: Mr. Shen did not eat much for lunch

Tong Xi gently closed the book, recalling how Mo Dan had cried uncontrollably while reading it back in the day. At that time, she had just married Shen Xiquan, who pampered her to the skies, and her moments on social media resembled scenes from a real-life romance drama. Life was too sweet, and she developed a particular fondness for reading tragic stories, often asking Tong Xi to recommend her some heart-wrenching books. As a result, not long after, life truly dealt her a harsh blow. Shen Xiquan fell in love with someone else and divorced her at any cost. Life was too sweet, and she developed a particular fondness for reading tragic stories, often asking Tong Xi to recommend her some heart-wrenching books. As a result, not long after, life truly dealt her a harsh blow. Shen Xiquan fell in love with someone else and divorced her at any cost

Secretary Zhang has never seen anyone do charity like this. He never attends charity dinners, nor does he donate to the Red Cross or contribute to building bridges and roads in his hometown. Many businessmen enjoy both fame and fortune, but Shen Xiquan is an exception. On the contrary, Secretary Zhang has occasionally heard some gossip suggesting that he is not a good person. However, over the past two years, he has intermittently donated money to strangers, enough to build a Hope Primary School.

Secretary Zhang immediately eased her breathing and tiptoed into the entrance hall

Upon hearing his voice, Mo Dan was filled with anger and said fiercely: "Are you going bankrupt, General Shen? Why hasn't the alimony for this month been transferred?"

The two words combined, like a bomb or a bullet thrown unexpectedly, created a moment of silence in the room. Tong Xi was unsure whether Shen Xiquan was speaking nonsense, and immediately looked towards Nie Xiu. Coincidentally, he was also looking at her. As their gazes met, Tong Xi realized that Shen Xiquan was not speaking frivolously.

In the divorce agreement, Mo Dan is to receive half of his assets, and additionally, on the fifteenth of each month, Shen Xiquan is required to pay her a separate alimony until she remarries

Tong Chunxiao treats her well because she is her biological sister. Shen Xiquan, as an outsider, has no obligation to treat her well, so this kindness is even more precious to her and difficult to repay

Shen Xiquan, with his rough skin and thick flesh, continued, "I am ill, and Nie Xiu cannot come to see me."

Secretary Zhang had no choice but to sit quietly beside the silent television, waiting in silence. She did not dare to watch the television too intently, occasionally turning her head to see if the boss had woken up. When her gaze fell upon Shen Xiquan's face, a wave of emotions surged within her.

Tong Xi impatiently asked: "Why?"

Her initial impression of her boss was that he was exceptionally handsome, followed by his outstanding abilities, and then, his remarkable mystery. He often went to the hospital, wandering aimlessly, and then asked her to seal an envelope to be delivered to a patient whom he did not know and who did not know her either. Sometimes, he would directly ask her to pay the medical expenses, with the beneficiaries mostly being impoverished children from rural areas

He likes to drink porridge whenever he coughs. You can prepare porridge for him in different styles, alternating between salty and sweet.

When Tong Xi received the call, she had just arrived at Xingyuan Community

As the year-end approaches, the company is in a flurry of activity, and at this critical moment, Shen Xiquan falls ill. Considering the company's situation, Secretary Zhang has no choice but to seek help from Tong Xi. She has been Shen Xiquan's secretary for three years and is well aware that, apart from Mo Dan, the only person Shen Xiquan is willing to listen to is Tong Xi.

Tong Xihengheng: "I have been quite courteous by not physically assaulting a man like you who cheats after marriage."

Shen Xiquan shuffled in his slippers to open the door

Just as she was thinking about this, a sudden ringtone from a mobile phone startled her, and she hurriedly reached for her pocket, only to realize it was not her phone, and she quietly let out a sigh of relief

As soon as Nie Xiu entered the door, he remained silent, his expression serious. At this moment, he could no longer suppress the smile that surfaced in his eyes

Nie Xiu did not respond, silently watching her. Once, the two people who shared a deep connection could understand each other's thoughts with just a glance.

"So you intend to make me busier and busier?" Tong Xi smiled and said, "You are so good to me, doesn't your conscience hurt?"

Tong Xi asked her what she had cooked, and the maid replied that it was rice, along with four dishes and a soup

On the way back, she looked out the window with a cold expression, clearly in a bad mood, as if to say not a word to me. The man beside her wisely kept silent, like a dutiful driver

Tong Xi is a person who clearly distinguishes between gratitude and resentment, and who values kindness and repays it. It is truly impossible to separate his good from his bad; one can only approach him with a very contradictory mindset

Before leaving in the afternoon, Tong Xi stood by the window and looked outside. The sudden appearances of Nie Xiu on two occasions had made her increasingly suspicious. Fortunately, he was not there.

Tong Xi looked at his expression and said, "Why don't you go to the hospital if you are sick"

What would you like to eat tonight? Is century egg and lean meat congee acceptable?