Chapter 9, Gentle Lies

Gao He sighed helplessly: "What else is there to think about? The way he is currently harming you without restraint is precisely because he knows you cannot live without him"

She truly lacks ambition, not knowing how to question him at this moment. Perhaps she is too aware of the consequences that would follow such questioning. Once a word is spoken, there will be no room for negotiation between the two.

It seems that Baishu Bei has never told the child that she is his biological mother, perhaps... he has always harbored resentment.

Lin Wanqiu remained silent, her gaze complexly fixed on him. It was still the same Bai Shubei, with no difference from usual, and the worry on his face was unmarred by even the slightest crack.

She indeed forgot, as in the past, it was Zhi Xia who celebrated for her. This year, Zhi Xia is in the sanatorium, and she had completely forgotten long ago. ... Unexpectedly, there is someone who remembers, but that person is Bai Shu Bei ... . ... And at this moment.

Lin Wanqiu silently turned around and closed her eyes without saying a word

Lin Wanqiu did not greet him either, busying herself with her own matters, not even sparing a glance in his direction. She was afraid, no longer daring to look.

"No," Lin Wanqiu looked up and smiled, but that smile carried a hint of bitterness. "I quite like it, and I am very happy. Look, I am so happy that I am almost crying."

She now dares not look into his eyes, for doing so would uncontrollably evoke more associations.

Lin Wanqiu held her breath and nodded slightly. He leaned down and kissed her cheek; the cold lips pressed against her, as if the chill had frozen her heart.

She is currently under considerable stress, and when facing Bai Shubei, her nerves are even more highly strung. Additionally, with the matter concerning Lin Zhixia, she has almost no extra mental space to think about anything else

The most deadly is the desire to reveal yet conceal, which made Bai Shubei's head feel a rush of blood.

Fortunately, there is still a silk scarf to shield the deadly spring light from the chest

Bai Shubei finally relaxed, but still felt uncomfortable in his heart: "When can we leave?"

Lin Wanqiu looked at him with a hint of confusion. A fine sheen of sweat glistened on his forehead, and his dark eyes were fixed on her, as if there were a thousand words he wished to express, but in the end, they slowly settled into silence

Lin Wanqiu lowered her head and did not look at him, slowly withdrawing her fingers: "I will go find a band-aid"

She leaned against the wall, standing firm, her throat parched, forcing herself not to think, yet still unable to control it

Bai Shubei did not pay any attention and continued, "Have the clothes I sent for washing been returned? Also, what about Mengmeng's dance costume? There are quite a few things at home, so hurry back."

Lin Wanqiu curled up in pain, her heart aching as if the knife just now had not merely cut her finger, but had brutally cleaved her heart in two

It is truly impossible to discern even the slightest trace of disguise

Lin Wanqiu cannot swim. She was taken by Bai Shubei to play in the shallow water for a while. He intentionally teased her by splashing water on her. The silk scarf she wore did not serve its protective purpose; after getting wet, it stuck to her curvaceous body in a clingy manner

Lin Wanqiu said nothing more, yet her mood did not improve; she still felt a heavy weight on her chest

Lin Wanqiu replied helplessly: "I have no ... ... money"

Bai Shubei lowered his voice, his hand that was gripping her wrist relaxed its strength, and his thumb gently rubbed the skin of her wrist: "I didn't help you celebrate yesterday, so today I'll make it up to you, just the two of us"

Lin Wanqiu's smiling appearance, her throat hoarse, ultimately she simply picked up the child and walked outside: "The fever has subsided, let's go home. What does Mengmeng want to eat? Mommy will make it for you"

Bai Shubei pressed his lips together and remained silent. He had just gone to the service desk while waiting for her to change clothes, and thinking about how other men would look at her filled him with rage

If one does not love, one would not dare to recklessly reveal one's shortcomings in front of the other; even one's strengths may not necessarily be liked, let alone one's flaws

He suddenly felt a bit unhappy. In the past, he indeed wanted Lin Wanqiu to take good care of Mengmeng, but now he felt somewhat displeased that she was putting all her thoughts into the child. Why was it becoming increasingly awkward?

Lin Wanqiu's tears fell uncontrollably, and she hurriedly raised her hand to wipe them away while the child was not paying attention: "Mom met Uncle Gao, so ... ... "

Bai Shubei was momentarily taken aback, as her tone was somewhat displeased, and her expression suddenly darkened a few shades: "What nonsense are you talking about? Lin Wanqiu, I am concerned about you."

"Mom, Dad wants to talk to you." After being in a daze for an unknown amount of time, Mengmeng placed the phone by her ear, her small hand feeling somewhat cold. Lin Wanqiu restrained the strange feelings within her heart and reached out to hold the slightly warm body of the phone.

The place that Bai Shubei drove to was somewhat far, and Lin Wanqu fell into a daze while gazing out at the scenery through the window

Lin Wanqiu was unaware of how she descended the stairs, and thus she accidentally brushed past Gao He, who appeared to be in a daze, in the hall. Gao He took a couple of steps, and his tall figure in a white lab coat gradually came to a halt.

Bai Shubei seemed to let out a sigh of relief, and then his solid palm rested on the top of her head, his voice deep: "Everyone says that the shop is too exhausting, so just don't do it. Take good care of Mengmeng at home."

There was a slight chill around her neck. She looked down and saw a necklace, the brilliant diamonds glimmering with a faint dazzling light under the illumination. The chain pressed against her skin, sending a wave of bone-chilling cold.

Lin Wanqiu put on the child's little short boots, ruffled the child's hair, and said with a bittersweet smile: "Mommy can't do it, Mommy loves Mengmeng the most."

Bai Shubei choked on his words, "Is it about making money again?" He scoffed, unable to contain himself, "You should just close that shabby shop of yours; isn't the money I've given you enough? Lin Wanqiu, is there anything in your mind besides money..."

There was a slight chill around her neck. She looked down and saw a necklace, the brilliant diamonds glimmering with a faint dazzling light under the illumination of the lamp and the books. The chain pressed against her skin, sending a wave of bone-chilling cold.

He wanted to ask her if she still had him in her mind, but he felt that this question was inexplicably difficult to voice. Bai Shubei cleared his throat: "Do you still have this family in your heart!"

His so-called "efforts" at the beginning were merely a desire for a "nanny" that could provide him with a sense of security and stability

Bai Shubei gently sucked her fair fingers into her mouth, then immediately rinsed them under the flowing water, yet her expression was unusually irritable, seemingly filled with disdain: "Why are you still so clumsy"

That scene is too dazzling, that is her husband, yet this tenderness is something she can never hope to attain.

As Lin Wanqiu and Bai Shubei's footsteps gradually faded away, tears began to fall silently.

A single glance brings excruciating pain

She calmly looked back at him, her tone showing no signs of fluctuation: "Then you stay here."

On the morning of her arrival at the store, Lin Wanqiu received a call from the Zhixia Sanatorium, reminding her that the medical fees for this month were due. However, in the past few months, due to accommodating Mengmeng's schedule, she had been opening the store quite late in the morning, missing the golden hours for breakfast, and in reality, she had not earned much.

After sending Mengmeng back in the morning, this woman actually disappeared

Lin Wanqiu did not know where her courage came from, but suddenly raised her head. At that moment, there was a hint of mockery and challenge in her eyes as she stared directly at him: "You don't think of me as your maid, do you?"

Lin Wanqiu did not want to waste time with him, so she spoke first: "What brings you here?"

She saw Gu Anning say something, and Bai Shubei seemed somewhat helpless as he took the peeled apple pieces from Gu Boping's hand, then picked up a fork and fed them to her one by one.

She could not hear clearly what they were saying, only able to see Gu Anning's slightly pale face, which was always adorned with a charming smile, tilting her head to look at him. When she spoke to him, she must have had a hint of a coquettish tone in her voice

She quickly left the kitchen, her eyes red and swollen, but she dared not cry, fearing that the child would notice. She has little hope left now; apart from Mengmeng, she truly has nothing at all

"That meat compensation." A wicked smile curled at the corner of his mouth as he gently pinched her ear with his fingertips, "I will ask you for it again tonight"

What are you planning to do

She instinctively glanced back at the direction of the hospital; it was too far away to see the situation in the inpatient department

Three days later, Bai Shubei indeed returned home on time

Lin Wanqiu closed her eyes; she could not explain to Gao He and now felt as if her head were about to split open

To be torn apart once again, the recently healed wound is about to be forcibly ripped open again

Bai Shubei's face seemed to show some disappointment, and the hand gripping her shoulder applied a little pressure: "Are you unhappy?"

Lin Wanqiu remained silent and did not speak

Lin Wanqiu was bending down to put shoes on the child when she paused slightly upon hearing these words

As the scene fully unfolded before her eyes, it felt as though her occiput had been struck hard, leaving her in a state of dizziness and throbbing pain.

He endured for several days, missing her to the point of almost going mad. This time, upon her return, she was clearly not quite herself. Regardless of the reason, he understood Lin Wanqiu too well; she was easily soft-hearted, and all it took was a little extra effort to coax her.

Bai Shubei seemed to let out a cold laugh from his nostrils: "Am I not allowed to come to my wife's shop?"

Lin Wanqiu gazed at the somewhat desolate trees ahead, their leaves long since fallen, leaving the surroundings empty and hollow, much like her own heart

Mengmeng's eyes widened in vigilance upon hearing this: "Uncle Gao, didn't he just call you a couple of days ago"

She had long known that this day would come; in fact, the results were quite similar to what she had anticipated. From the moment she decided to be with him, she knew it would lead to this outcome

He had never seen her conduct business before. The shop offered a wide variety of porridge, which she would carefully ladle into exquisite glass bowls, then serve from table to table on a small tray, accompanied by a comforting smile

Where is Mengmeng? Lin Wanqiu was being led inside by him, and couldn't help but furrow her brows tightly, seeing that he seemed to be staying very late today. Who would take care of Mengmeng?

However, when she was alone in the store, she could no longer disguise herself, unable to control her wandering thoughts, and could not help but think of Bai Shubei

Thank you

Lin Wanqiu restrained herself, her gaze falling on his long fingers: "I am just... too tired"

Little did she expect that what Bai Shubei said afterwards left her somewhat bewildered, as it did not align at all with the clichéd lines from the television dramas

In the evening, Lin Wanqiu found it impossible to immerse herself in anything. Bai Shubei teased her for a long time, but she remained extremely dry and unresponsive. Eventually, Bai Shubei lost his mood as well and slumped down beside her, saying: "Sleep."

She was in severe pain in her chest, biting her lower lip tightly, and only when a sharp burning sensation came from her lip did she endure and respond: "I am very busy, I cannot go."

His heart tightened for a moment, and his voice unconsciously softened. He then lowered his head and saw the item in her hand, unable to help but let out a low laugh: "Crying like this from cutting onions?"

Bai Shubei sat down beside her and did not speak immediately; instead, he carefully observed her: "Are you feeling unwell?"

Bai Shubei first took her out for a meal, and then took her to the nearby beach. Lin Wanqu had already changed into her swimsuit, and the areas that needed to be covered were cleverly concealed. However, Bai Shubei was still not satisfied: "Put this on."

While waiting for a taxi by the roadside, Lin Wanqiu's phone in her bag rang. She took it out to take a glance, and a dull pain struck her heart; it was Bai Shubei.

Lin Wanqiu did not even know how she was disguising herself, yet she was able to remain so calm: "Well, you go ahead and attend to your important matters."

Really? Mengmeng hugged her neck and pretended to think, "Then I want to eat sweet and sour ribs, I also want to eat imperial concubine chicken wings, and I want to eat purple rice egg rolls."

At the age of only twenty-six, the heart seems to be exhausted and full of scars

Lin Wanqiu was pulled back to reality by her child's crisp call. She looked at her daughter, who was so close, and her heart felt as if it had been sliced into pieces.

Lin Wanqiu looked at him with confusion, and he pinched her chin and bit her lower lip: "Shouldn't we reciprocate in kind?"

Lin Wanqiu looked up at this extremely small shop. She was now twenty-six years old and had lived in this city for so many years. She had encountered more than her peers, yet what she had gained was so little

Bai Shubei turned back and smiled at her: "Xiao Li will take care of her, don't worry"

Lin Wanqiu paused her busy movements, slightly lowering her gaze as she clearly stated word by word: "I want to make money"

Lin Wanqiu stared for a while before realizing who the man across from her was, and she smiled faintly, saying: "Gao He"

"Are you leaving?" Lin Wanqiu looked at him with a hint of confusion.

However, these changes made Lin Wanqiu feel ridiculous, as if they were openly mocking her

Lin Wanqiu was utterly speechless, as she revealed neither her waist nor any part of her body, and even her thighs were covered by a small portion of her skirt.

He held the child in his arms, occasionally peeling an orange and feeding it to her, and patiently engaging her in discussions about the plot, clearly in a particularly good mood

Bai Shubei helped her finish cutting the remaining small half of the onion, and then stuck close behind her, occasionally handing her some light soy sauce and olive oil, displaying an unprecedented attentiveness.

After confirming it was her, he quickened his pace and called out: "Lin Wanqiu?"

Lin Wanqiu did not know what her feelings were at this moment; it seemed like shock, yet it did not feel so startling. She had always been mentally prepared, constantly thinking that Gu Anning might return at any moment.

Bai Shubei lay on the bed watching television, while Lin Wanqu fell silent since she finished her work, becoming increasingly quiet. He pondered whether he should take her on a trip to help her relax, as seeing her unhappy affected him more than anyone else.

The little one was counting on her chubby fingers, and Lin Wanqiu remembered each number in her heart. In the past, she had refrained from letting her eat due to its greasiness, but this time she surprisingly wanted to indulge her a little. She did not want to ultimately disappoint the child.

It felt as if a current had surged through my mind, instantly awakening me. The phone call from that night in the disaster area, along with Bai Shubei's recent frequent outings, everything was so evident, yet she chose to live in her own world, unwilling to believe.

What do you know? Lin Wanqiu vaguely understood Gao He’s meaning, yet still pretended to be unaware. It turned out that the whole world knew, and she was the only fool.

Bai Shubei watched for a while, and his displeasure grew. He could not bear to see Lin Wanqiu doing these things, working so hard to please others, yet earning only a meager amount from a single bowl.

They are married, and now their interactions with Mengmeng make her increasingly fond of this "home". After being lonely for so long, one will cherish the warmth they have experienced even more. Gao He will not understand; those who have never felt the cold will never comprehend.

Mengmeng is very considerate; she was afraid of worrying her father and did not dare to mention that she was ill

As she spoke about getting up, Bai Shubei tightly grasped her wrist, his brow furrowed in distress: "Lin Wanqiu, are you throwing a tantrum with me?"

Bai Shubei said as he held her a little tighter, as if fearing that she might vanish into thin air.

She has also considered laying everything bare between them, thought about leaving herself, but what about Mengmeng? Bai Shubei would not give the child to her, and she has no face to ask for it, yet she cannot bear to part with the child. After having lost and then regained the child, her feelings for him have deepened even more than before

He threw a silk scarf towards her, and Lin Wanqiu was surprised: "Where did this come from?"

Lin Wanqiu's gaze slightly shifted to the side and she saw him

Happy birthday ... ... '' He suddenly reached out and embraced her, his warm breath falling on her ear

She just forgot that Gu Anning would take away everything that belonged to her, except for Bai Shubei and Mengmeng

Lin Wanqiu clenched her fist tightly and slightly lowered her head, feeling extremely embarrassed. She could still comfort herself that her feelings belonged to her as long as Gu Anning did not return. However, with Gu Anning's return, she had nothing but that marriage certificate.

"Then don't eat," he whispered softly, kissing the corner of her mouth, "If it happens, we will have the child; it's not like we can't afford to raise it"

She sniffed forcefully, which prevented her true emotions from leaking out

Mengmeng tilted her head and smiled sweetly at her: "Mengmeng loves Mommy the most, I wouldn't trade anything for her."

Without any surprise, Lin Wanqiu's soft voice came through the airwaves: "In the store"

Perhaps she is even inferior to a nanny

Lin Wanqiu felt that just a second ago she was suffering in hell, and in this second she was brought to the clouds by him, but because of his words, it seemed that the clouds were slowly dispersing, and she was gradually falling down

Mengmeng was held tighter and tighter by her, momentarily taken aback, then smiled and raised her hand to embrace her back: "Is this compensation?"

She hesitated for the first time, seemingly reluctant to answer. It was the curious Mengmeng who, standing beside her, patted her shoulder and said, "Mom, it's a call from Dad."

Seeing her eyes resembling those of a small rabbit, red and teary, Bai Shubei felt a stir in his heart

Gao He noticed that her complexion was poor, as pale as paper, which further solidified his suspicions. However, he still did not dare to provoke her too much, asking softly, "Did you... see them?"

She could not contain herself, walking over and suddenly holding the child tightly. The fleeting happiness she had experienced seemed particularly precious at this moment. She was reluctant to let go, especially of the bond she had reestablished with the child, as everything was deeply ingrained in her very being.

What should I do next? Lin Wanqiu repeatedly asked herself. Just a moment ago, she was still immersed in the happiness he had given her, unable to extricate herself. At this moment, everything shattered like a mirage.

Bai Shubei held her tightly, wishing that his solid body could completely shield her. Lin Wanqiu's swimsuit was a halter style, and the straps became somewhat slippery after getting wet. With Bai Shubei's unintentional force, it was easily tugged downwards.

The phone in the pocket of her apron vibrated briefly. She picked it up and saw that it was a multimedia message from an unknown number. With a gentle touch of her finger, it was automatically received

What is he doing at this moment? With Gu Anning ... ...

Being too close, she found it impossible to ignore him. There was a subtle yet distinct scent emanating from him, the faint smell of hospital disinfectant lingering at her nostrils, as if it were about to drown her completely.

Her previous efforts and courage seem so ridiculous at this moment, being watched by others, truly resembling a buffoon.

Lin Wanqiu was momentarily taken aback by his naturally uttered "wife," but she quickly regained her composure. Bai Shubei's words could no longer be taken lightly; believing him once could lead to serious consequences.

Bai Shubei knew that he was more attentive to her, but he no longer resisted this feeling as he did before. What is wrong with loving his own wife?

Bai Shubei indeed saw a faint glimmer of tears in her clear eyes, feeling a mix of satisfaction and a tinge of heartache. This woman is so easily moved and so soft-hearted. He pinched her nose and said, "I wanted you to show some reaction, but not like this."

He understood Lin Wanqiu's little pride and even contemplated arranging a new store without seeking her consent, perhaps by then she would have no way to refuse.

Bai Shubei was dressed only in a gray striped shirt, the sleeves casually rolled up to reveal his strong forearms. He rested one hand on the edge of the table, his gaze deeply fixed on her

Lin Wanqiu bit her lip, the corners of her mouth trembling slightly, but in the end, she said nothing and slowly lowered her head to continue her task of organizing.

Lin Wanqiu also felt quite embarrassed as Bai Shubei directly pulled her into his arms: "Could you not wear a more modest swimsuit?"

She instinctively let out a muffled sound, but unexpectedly, he still heard it

Lin Wanqiu responded softly and walked aside to begin preparing the salad

Lin Wanqiu looked at Mengmeng sleeping peacefully, repeatedly soaking her pillow with tears. Why, after so much effort, did she still end up losing completely

Lin Wanqiu sighed, feeling as if a great mountain was pressing down on her shoulders. She had once been infatuated with Bai Shubei, largely because this man had allowed her to fantasize about a sense of stability and security. However, the reality was far from that; she was still alone, just as she had been in the days following her father's death, when Lin Zhixia fell ill and she felt utterly lost.

Bai Shubei hurriedly walked in, his strong arms domineeringly encircling her, slightly furrowing his brows: "Why are you being so careless?"

Bai Shubei indeed has not returned for two consecutive days. Lin Wanqiu continues to send the children to and from school as usual, busy with her small business every day. When she is with the children, she tries her best to appear calm and natural, as if nothing has happened.

She remains alone, with nothing to her name

They had not seen each other for a long time, and apart from occasional phone calls, there had been little contact. At this moment, looking at her increasingly slender figure, Gao He furrowed his brows deeply: "What’s wrong? You seem to be walking as if you’ve lost your soul."

After bidding farewell to Gao He, she returned to the children's ward, where Mengmeng was sitting on the bed, chatting and laughing with the duty nurse. Upon seeing her enter, her eyes instantly lit up: "Mom, you were gone for such a long time!"

Bai Shubei frowned at her, slightly pausing his actions: "What do you mean?"

Bai Shubei indeed provides a monthly allowance for her family, and the amount is not insignificant. However, Lin Wanqiu cannot use his money to pay for Lin Zhixia's medical expenses, especially considering the current state of their relationship

Lin Wanqiu looked at the tenderness on his face, it was so lifelike, the concern in his eyes seemed genuine, how could she, being so foolish, possibly discern the truth

Bai Shubei's hand gripping her waist tightened further: "Go back to the room first"

Lin Wanqiu smiled self-deprecatingly, her eyes filled with tears.

Gao He observed her forced smile, and the worry on his face became more apparent as he scrutinized her: "Why are you at the hospital? Are you unwell?"

After the family of three finished their meal, Bai Shubei accompanied Mengmeng to watch cartoons

Lin Wanqiu stared blankly at the photograph, in which the man wore a clean white shirt, his deep-set brows and eyes imbued with a layer of tenderness that could drown a person, quietly sitting under the shade of a tree beside the woman in a wheelchair

Bai Shubei originally did not want to get angry, but the woman's tone inexplicably made him feel frustrated, and her voice suddenly rose significantly: "You still went to the store while I was at home?"

At that moment, Lin Wanqiu was in the kitchen chopping vegetables when she heard Mengmeng's crisp voice calling out "Daddy." Her hand trembled suddenly with her heartbeat, and the sharp edge of the knife cut into her finger, causing a piercing pain

Bai Shubei fell silent for a moment, then turned over and embraced her from behind. His voice was low and deep, sounding somewhat unreal in the night: "Lin Wanqiu, without you here, I feel as if I can't sleep well."

Thinking of this, she felt somewhat overwhelmed, as if her heart were being tightly squeezed by someone, making it difficult to breathe. She could only engage in other activities to distract herself, scrubbing the kitchen utensils until they were spotless, even mopping the floor several times, afraid to let her mind rest, for if it did, it would spiral into chaotic thoughts.

Lin Wanqiu placed the folded clothes into the child's wardrobe, standing silently in front of it, her fingers trembling continuously. It took several attempts to stack the folded clothes neatly.

Bai Shu Bei furrowed her brows, her expression somewhat displeased. After a while, she still gently reassured her: "If you like, I can help you find a larger store, and you can choose the location."

He was somewhat nervous when he said this, fearing that Lin Wanqiu might have heard something, but seeing Lin Wanqiu like this, he felt it was unlikely.

She was only brave this once in her life, wanting to give an explanation for her feelings, but unfortunately, it seems she still failed, without any suspense

It seems that his indifference during this period is perhaps intended to make her retreat in the face of difficulty; otherwise, how could he be so reluctant to hold the wedding for such a long time

Is Bai Shubei now waiting for her to speak? Or has he not considered divorce, after all, it would not sound good if news of their separation spread right after they just got married

Afterward, Lin Wanqiu still insisted on cooking by herself. Bai Shubei stood behind her for a while, loosened his tie, and approached her: "I am going to take a shower"

Lin Wanqiu shook her head, then nodded again: "Mengmeng seems to have a slight fever"

The happiness that is merely a wall away seems so utterly unattainable to her; despite her efforts for so long and her careful approach, she ultimately received not even the slightest affection from him.

The two of them did not speak again along the way until they arrived at the summer resort.

Around eleven o'clock, many people came into the store. Lin Wanqiu was busy when she suddenly caught a glimpse of Bai Shubei walking in with a serious expression. He glanced at Lin Wanqiu, said nothing, and sat down in the corner.

Perhaps Gu Anning has been back for a long time

Lin Wanqiu stood frozen at the door of the hospital room, her heart feeling as if it had been soaked in cold water, her entire body filled with a chilling sensation. She reminded herself several times that "it is time to go," yet her feet could not move an inch, as if she had been enchanted and was unable to leave.

Lin Wanqiu hesitated as she looked at the number, surprisingly reluctant to answer the call

Bai Shubei fell silent as usual after speaking, seemingly trying hard to find another topic. Lin Wanqiu felt a bit irritated and directly said: "The car has arrived, I will hang up first"

I... I don't want to take medicine anymore Her voice was so low that it was almost inaudible

He has finally managed to stay at home for a day, shouldn't he be allowed to rest and spend time with him? How much can that broken shop actually earn?

His voice still carried the deep, magnetic quality unique to men, yet at this moment, it felt as if it were from another world: "I might not be able to return for another two days; I have other matters to attend to."

Compensation ... . ... What can she use to compensate the child, nothing has even begun, yet it is about to end

Lin Wanqiu staggered back a step, the warm image of gentle words and soft laughter lingering in her mind, causing her great heartache. The corridor before her seemed to twist into a winding ribbon, and waves of dizziness washed over her, making it nearly impossible to stand steady.

If it were in the past, this would have been the warmth she longed for, but now it only feels ironic. Is he feeling uneasy inside, and thus wanting to make amends with her

With an exceptionally good attitude, Lin Wanqiu hung up the phone and sat in the store in a daze

In an instant, all of his appearances flashed continuously in her mind: sarcasm, mockery, indifference... It was as if a series of black-and-white slides were being projected, while the one before her, belonging to Gu Anning, was rendered in beautiful colors

Is it about chopping vegetables or chopping oneself

What happened

The deep and resonant voice was like a sudden enlightenment, leaving Lin Wanqiu momentarily stunned. She did not know what to do; even if it were not for Bai Shubei, she could not bear to part with the child

She gazed back at him through the mirror of the wardrobe, while Bai Shubei lowered his head to kiss her slender neck. As he slowly raised his head, the expression on his face was focused and serious, and he whispered in her ear, "Today is your birthday, little fool, did you forget?"

She is extremely confused and does not know what to do. Must she really wait for him to take the initiative to speak up

She still whispered her thanks, her heart filled with mixed emotions, difficult to articulate the bitterness and astringency she felt. It turned out that she had once been deceived by these illusions, and now, she no longer dared to believe.

She seemed to awaken from a dream, only then remembering that the little one was still in the ward being looked after by the duty nurse. She hurriedly waved to Gao He, saying, "I will leave first"

Bai Shubei sensed that Lin Wanqiu had not been in a good mood lately, and his enthusiasm seemed to have been met with nothing but cotton several times. Bai Shubei frowned and took a cigarette, placing it between his lips

Bai Shubei turned her around to face him and said: "I am too busy; the gift was bought at the last minute. Next time, I will give you something better"

Lin Wanqiu suddenly had a delusion, is Bai Shubei about to propose conditions? Is he going to bring up the matter of divorce in the next moment?

Lin Wanqiu hurriedly turned her face away and shook her head: "No."

She knew that he must have been by Gu Anning's side these days, but seeing it with her own eyes still brought an overwhelming shock that nearly drove her to the brink of collapse

Lin Wanqiu had finished her tasks and truly did not want to walk over to deal with Bai Shubei. However, seeing him, a tall and sturdy man, sitting there exuding a dark aura, she steeled herself and walked over.

During the journey, his phone rang once. Bai Shubei glanced down, his expression somewhat complicated, and he did not answer, directly hanging up instead

Although still somewhat caught off guard, it seems that the person on the brink of death has finally received a verdict

Lin Wanqiu was amused by the child's mischievous expression and pinched her little nose, saying, "We have only exchanged a few words."

Bai Shubei sat opposite her, observing that her expression had not softened in the slightest. His features were already somewhat sharp, and now, without speaking, he appeared even more menacing.

Bai Shubei nodded, leading Lin Wanqu to walk through a quiet corridor. The environment here is exceptionally pleasant; despite the scorching summer, it remains remarkably cool, with lush greenery everywhere, some of which Lin Wanqu cannot even name.

She clenched her other hand into a fist, making a great effort to avoid his probing gaze: "You are overthinking it."

He brought her back to the room all the way, without even having time to take a shower. As soon as the door closed, his kiss came overwhelming. Lin Wanqiu could not break free, her hands held tightly by him as he kissed her fiercely

This summer resort is quite famous, and many prominent individuals from Rong City come here to vacation. As soon as the two entered the lobby, a person dressed as a manager approached them and said: "Mr. Bai, everything is ready."

Lin Wanqiu did not want to go, but Bai Shubei was too forceful, and after the current guests finished eating, he domineeringly locked the door for her

Lin Wanqiu had never seen Bai Shubei smile so gently, as if his eyes only saw that one person. The corners of his attractive lips were always curved in a slight arc, and his expression was exceptionally focused and serious when listening to her speak

In any case, he will never be able to break up with Lin Wanqiu in this lifetime

Lin Wanqiu sat on a wooden chair in the shop, her eyes red as she watched the passersby outside. They basked in the sunlight, their faces reflecting either joy or anxiety, yet it seemed that everyone was full of vitality. But what about her

Bai Shubei stood in the empty living room, his expression darkening as the phone rang longer, making him increasingly irritable. Lin Wanqiu had spoken very little all day yesterday, and seeing her increasingly sharp and thin chin made him feel a twinge of pain.

Bai Shubei stood in place, watching her figure gradually recede, the furrow between his brows seemingly deepening. Lin Wanqiu appeared somewhat off; in just a few days of absence, she seemed to have lost weight significantly.

She looked on with extreme envy, as she had never dared to act coy in front of him, fearing that he would dislike her and find her annoying

Lin Wanqiu stayed in the bathroom, looking at her own body, her expression somewhat dazed. She was increasingly afraid of facing Bai Shubei, feeling as if she were on the verge of a breakdown at any moment. She feared that she might lose control.

The child is too young and only knows that mom and dad should be together. She naively believes that blocking others from approaching Lin Wanqiu is sufficient. But what if the person wanting to leave is Bai Shubei

She hung up the phone directly as she spoke, her fingertips digging painfully into her palm, and her whole being began to ache. Bai Shubei was clearly humiliating her; why did she still foolishly take all of this as his sincerity? He said he would try to like her, how could she have actually believed it?

However, Lin Wanqiu's current lukewarm attitude is truly making him somewhat irritated. As soon as the call was answered on the other end, he took the lead in asking: "Where have you been?"

They looked at each other with smiles, a sense of intimacy flowing between them that a third party could never penetrate

Bai Shubei emerged from the shower, feeling refreshed as he stood behind Lin Wanqu. He noticed that her eyes were red, as if congested, and he reached out to grasp her chin, compelling her to meet his gaze.

Lin Wanqiu's movements in folding clothes paused slightly as she nodded and said, "Yes, I am a bit tired after a busy day at the store"

With a cute pout, she said something that was highly incongruous for her age: "Daddy is not here, I must protect Mommy and not let any uncles come near you."

It seems that she is his entire world

"Brother cares for you," he said, gently sucking away the tears from her eyelashes, his fingertip tenderly caressing her lips. "You are really so foolish, let me do it."

Lin Wanqiu turned her head to look at him, and the corners of his attractive mouth had a faint smile. Unbidden, she recalled that multimedia message, where he had looked at Gu Anning with the same smile, but his gaze had been much softer than it was now

In the crowded and noisy hospital lobby, people hurriedly brushed past each other. Lin Wanqiu and Gao He stood silently together, both unsure of what to say.

Her eyes felt a bit sore and swollen, and she made an effort to wipe around her eyes. She stood up, ready to continue her busy tasks, when the phone on the table began to vibrate again. She glanced down and saw that it was a call from Bai Shubei.

This was the first time she actively hung up on him, not wanting to say anything to him, nor daring to listen to him say another word. The more she thought about how many lies he had told her, the colder her heart felt.

Lin Wanqiu felt as if her body was being ground back and forth by a saw, she could not feel any pleasure, nor could she sense even a trace of affection from the man within her body

There has been no change

This sound seemed to be a playful whine, yet also a sigh of exclamation, but it did not manage to warm Lin Wanqiu's cold body even a little bit

Lin Wanqiu did not stay any longer; she went upstairs and sat on the bed, tidying up the freshly washed clothes for the child while indulging in aimless thoughts.

Lin Wanqiu answered the phone and directly held it to the child's ear. Mengmeng showed a moment of confusion, but still obediently conversed with Bai Shubei, just as usual, discussing some very ordinary matters.

Her eyes felt sore and dry, and she avoided the probing gaze of Gao He, replying softly, "I need to think about it"

Bai Shubei did not go anywhere today; he even got up early this morning to take Mengmeng to kindergarten. He is different from before, clearly showing much more thoughtfulness.

At the last moment, she endured the pain and urged him: "Don't touch inside"

Lin Wanqiu's hands trembled with anger. In the past, she had never realized this; she only felt that all of this was her responsibility as Mengmeng's mother and Bai Shubei's wife. However, upon reflection, these duties were truly no different from those of a nanny.

"Can you swim?" He suddenly reached out and held her hand that was resting on her knee, his fingers gently playing with her soft fingertips

Gao He reached out to stop her, remaining silent, as if finding it difficult to speak: "Do you know?"

Moreover, the title of 'mother' is no longer truly hers.

Lost in thought, the bedroom door was pushed open, and Lin Wanqiu looked up to meet his steady and reserved dark eyes. He was dressed in a gray loungewear, with his hands in his pockets. That appearance was truly captivating, and Lin Wanqiu hurriedly lowered her head: "How did you come up here"

Lin Wanqiu still struggled with disguise; no matter how much she endured and suppressed her feelings, she could not hide the resentment deep within her heart. However, for Mengmeng's sake, she could not confront him for the time being