As they were just done with preparing dinner, Mu Tangchuan and Zhuang Shurong stepped into the house. Mu Lingshi came back as well, and the family soon gathered around the dining table.

Before Mu Yuchen mentioned the wedding, Mu Tangchuan asked about the tender meeting. Mu Yinan joined the conversation from time to time as well. All in all, the atmosphere was peaceful.

After dinner, the family watched television together. Mu Lingshi grabbed some of the fruits Xi Xiaye handed her as she teased, "Sister-in-law, I noticed that after Brother married you, he became much friendlier. He wasn't like this before."

Xi Xiaye smiled as she put the plate of fruits onto the table. "Then, I'll get him to come home to make dinner more often."

She looked over at the man as he was doing the same as well. He lowered his voice and said beside her ear, "Let's not talk about how you enslaved me at home. Are you turning me into my whole family's slave? Are you really my Mrs. Mu?"

Xi Xiaye raised her eyebrows and nodded firmly. "Of course, don't you see that your grandparents and parents are very happy? What's wrong with doing a little more on your end? In my heart, you're always an elegant gentleman."

Mu Yuchen had no words to respond with. He sipped some tea and calmed down. "The happiness of everyone here is built with my effort, huh?"

...

"Ah Shi, are you familiar with things around the club now? Ah Mo called us to remind you not to exhaust yourself too much." Mu Yinan's kind voice reached her, and everyone looked over at Mu Lingshi. Inevitably, Mu Lingshi's eyes darkened while the long scar on her face lay dormant.

"I'm alright. Sister-in-law is looking after me. Don't worry about it," Mu Lingshi replied briefly after a while.

Zhuang Shurong and Mu Tangchuan exchanged glances. After some hesitation, she said, "Ah Shi, your father and I aren't going to say anything, but we hope that you can reconsider, and not leave any room for regrets."

Mu Lingshi nodded as she turned back at Xi Xiaye with a smile. Xi Xiaye smiled back. "I know, Father, Mother. You guys don't have to worry about me. I'll reconsider things between Ah Mo and me."

Wang Hui nodded. "Good then. We won't interfere with you young people's affairs. The idea of freedom is dominating now. It's still the same for me. As long as it's not violating any of our core values, you can do anything you want."

"I'm sure that won't happen. We're all honest people here." Mu Lingshi laughed and shrugged when she replied.

"Honest people! You? You made the most trouble when you were little! Was there any time your brothers didn't help you to clean up the mess? You made us worry the most. I'm much more at ease with your brother and Ah Mo!" Wang Hui threw a pillow at Mu Lingshi, and she artfully dodged it with a smile.

Suddenly, Mu Yuchen put down his teacup and looked at everyone. "I have something to tell everyone."

"What is it?" They stopped what they were doing and stared at Mu Yuchen as he looked serious.

"We're planning to take our wedding photos next month, and organize our wedding in June."

"Wedding in June? Wasn't it November?" Wang Hui looked at them in surprise.

"I'll get this done soon. It shouldn't wait that long," Mu Yuchen replied indifferently.

Suddenly, Wang Hui and the others quickly turned their heads and looked at Xi Xiaye's abdomen immediately!

"Are you pregnant?"

Wang Hui could not hide the happiness in her eyes as she asked Xi Xiaye carefully. Xi Xiaye's face started to blush while she looked at the man beside him in embarrassment. "What are you guys thinking about? I just think the time is right."

Mu Yuchen said defensively, "I looked at the calendar. The 6th of June seems alright. We'll set it on this day then. There's still more than a month to go. It should be enough time to prepare."

"The 6th of June? Would it be too soon?"

"I remember this date as well. It's one of the dates we picked before. We'll just go with this then. I don't have any objections. What about you guys?" Mu Yinan looked at Mu Tangchuan and Zhuang Shurong.

"We don't have any issues either, but since we've decided on it, we need to get things done quickly. There are a lot of things to be done. It's been a long time since our Mu family had such a huge celebratory event. We have to do this well."

Xi Xiaye gave it some thought and said, "We can actually make it simpler. Just gather some friends and families around. I'm fine, really..."

"It's okay. It doesn't matter if you guys want to have a secret wedding or a church wedding. It doesn't matter, but we still need to invite guests. Many people have been looking forward to this wedding. When I went back to visit the military base, all of them asked me about it!"

"We need to be serious for this. Let's have a more in-depth discussion."

"Mmm, we also have to consider the betrothal gift."

"Give more thought to the guest list too."

"Why don't you guys give me the list of names you want to invite? I'll work on it. I'll get Uncle Fu to help me as well. He's good at things like this. Uncle Fu! Uncle Fu!"

...

They started discussing and taking actions among themselves, so there was nothing left for Mu Yuchen and Xi Xiaye to do there.

"This is great, Brother, Sister-in-law. I've been worried that I might not be able to make it to the wedding before! I suggest that you have your wedding abroad and go on for a honeymoon trip. For the guests, we can just have a banquet at the Imperial Sky Hotel after that."

"I like Ah Shi's idea!"

...

They were so excited that no one noticed that Mu Yuchen and Xi Xiaye had gone back.

It was already late at night when they arrived back at Maple Residence.

"Let's head back to the Shen Residence this Friday night. We have to tell Grandpa about the wedding as well. At the same time, we need to inform Mother about our return to West Park next weekend."

Xi Xiaye still thought it might be better to let Shen Wenna know first. She closed the book in her hand as she looked at the man reading documents beside her.

"It's up to you," he replied briefly as his eyes were still glued to the screen. His fingers were typing on the keyboard swiftly, entering long strings of input.

When she saw this, she put the book back onto the shelf and took another one as she said calmly, "Let's leave these things to tomorrow then. Rest earlier. There's still an early meeting tomorrow at 9 a.m. It's about the South River project. There are still quite a number of things we have to settle. I've already called Li Si to inform Vice President Liu and the rest to gather in the meeting room at half past eight. We'll briefly straighten some things out and then explain it to the rest."

Upon hearing this, Mu Yuchen nodded slightly. He could not help but praise, "Director Xi, you're getting better at understanding me when you do things. I want to make you my special assistant."

"Please! No thanks! I'm doing just fine in the Planning Department. You're not allowed to change my position as you wish," Xi Xiaye shot him a look and said coldly.

"Well, I don't see you coming over to my office often. Two days ago, Vice President Wen was planning on getting me a secretary. He introduced a pretty and young woman to me, and she was quite good..."

"Then, try her."

She shot him a glare sulkily. When she saw that he had straightened his back and leaned against the chair, she went for the mouse, saved the document, then closed the laptop.

He looked at her poker face and asked, "Unhappy?"

He liked her like this. At home, all of her worries would be written on her face, and he did not need to guess with much effort. If they were outside, unless it was an extraordinary situation, she was usually smooth and slick, it was better this way.

"I mean that I want to make it so that we don't have to intentionally keep our relationship a secret. Previously, I heard people say that the two of us are underground lovers. I want to set our relationship straight, to tell the world that we are rightful husband and wife."

He explained softly, "The wedding matters will be settled very soon. Once the news of our marriage is out, the entire City Z will know that you're Missus Mu."

When she heard this, Xi Xiaye breathed in sharply. She could not help but gasp, "As you wish since it's come to this point anyway. Right, next week on the 20th, there's a fashion press conference at Imperial Sky Clothing City. You remember this, right?"

When Xi Xiaye reminded him about this, Mu Yuchen thought about it, then nodded and responded, "It seems to be quite a huge event. Vice President Zhang mentioned this to me before."

"Jewellery City has only just begun business. In terms of popularity, it's doing alright. I'm hoping that we could do a press conference with Clothing City too since it's under the same label. It would also achieve a really excellent promotional effect. Our Planning Department has prepared a concrete plan which I'll let you take a look at."

Xi Xiaye suddenly remembered the document that Xiao Mei had shown her the day before.

After she said that, she quickly looked through her briefcase for it, and then took it out for him.

Taking it, he casually flipped through it. Then, he fell silent for a moment and nodded. "Just let Vice President Wen take over. You don't have to exhaust yourself now. Take it easy. We have more to do next month."

Then, he got up.

"And I want to invite Su Nan."

"You can decide on these trivial things. Let's go and rest!"

He set the document aside on the table, then gently carried her as he walked to the bedroom leisurely.

...

The night was getting late. The cold moon silently hung above in the silent night sky and the cool breeze rustled.

Han Yifeng dragged his worn out body and switched the villa light on. As he was about to walk upstairs, a gentle voice suddenly rang out. "Yifeng, you're back!"

Han Yifeng subconsciously stopped in the midst his footsteps. He followed the sound of it and noticed that Xi Xinyi was slowly pushing herself up from the sofa.

"Why are you here?"

A light flashed through Han Yifeng's eyes, focusing on Xi Xinyi.

Xi Xinyi was sleepy-eyed. The white, silk sleeping gown hung on her gaunt figure. Her long, golden hair drooped across her pale face that was still wan and sallow. She looked so weak that one could not help but feel pity for her.

"I was afraid of being alone over there, so... Where have you been these past few days? Why... I'll make you supper," Xi Xinyi said gently as she walked up to take the coat in Han Yifeng's hand.

Han Yifeng lowered his gaze at her, and then lifted a hand to rub between his brows. He said with a low voice, "No thanks, I'm not hungry. It's best if you return to that villa in the north tomorrow. There's no one to take care of you here, so it's not very convenient."

Then, he was about to walk upstairs.

"Yifeng!"

When Xi Xinyi saw him leaving, she was nervous. She quickly reached out to pull him, hugging him from behind and sticking herself to him. Her arms hugged him tightly. She was strong and seemed afraid that Han Yifeng would run off.

"I don't want to, Yifeng... Don't be so cruel to me. You've been cold to me for so long! Are you still angry? I know that it's all my fault. I've been stubborn, but apart from that, I didn't have any other way. I'll change all the bad parts of me, I will change it all... The way you treat me is making me very miserable. What do I do with our child? Yifeng, he is the product of our love. Haven't you always hoped that we could have a child? Now, all of your wishes can come true, yet you want to give up just like that!"

Xi Xinyi spilled all of her grievances that she had been accumulating for the past few days. "Sister's in the past now. She's married to Mu Yuchen, Yifeng. I know that Sister has always had a special place in your heart. Otherwise, you wouldn't have kept all those things she gave you. In fact, it's been so many years, yet you've still kept a lot of the habits you had when you were with her... but, we can't go back to how it was. Yifeng, we can't go back anymore. I'm the one who loves you the most in this world. If you leave me, I'll suffer a breakdown. Must you make me so miserable that I'd want to die?"

Can't go back to how it was...

These words were etched into Han Yifeng's mind. He suddenly a flare of pain that could not be stifled. In that instant, his head felt immense pain.

"We love each other deeply. As long as we let go of everything, we can be happy too. The more you are like this, the happier Xi Xiaye will be. She's trying to take revenge on us. She's hoping for us to live miserably. Previously, she wasn't even close to Mu Yuchen. She might only be acting like this to vent her anger." Xi Xinyi sniffed as she expressed her thoughts.

Han Yifeng was startled by this outburst. His eyes started to shift with an unfathomable light, and he did not see the hazy-eyed Xi Xinyi behind him.

"Yifeng, I've decided that from next week onwards, I'm returning to Yueying to learn the ropes. My parents have agreed for me to learn by your side occasionally. I'll definitely work hard to be your great assistant. We can definitely return to how we were."

As Xi Xinyi spoke, she clung onto him and hugged Han Yifeng tightly. Her little face stuck to his broad back as she breathed in and said in a raspy voice, "No matter what, I won't let go, Yifeng. I know you're still angry. This is all my fault, so I don't blame you. You can do whatever you want, but you can't deter my determination to follow you!"

Xi Xinyi spoke with deep loving whilst her eyes glistened with tears. Her arms were wrapped around Han Yifeng's waist and her body moved carefully until it was in front of him. She looked at him tearfully and said lovingly, "You've always tolerated me in the past. Next time, just let me accommodate you. Let me follow you to the ends of the earth. I'll definitely be with you till the end. I just hope that you don't give up on all that we have between us. I love you more than anything, Yifeng..."

Han Yifeng did not say anything throughout her monologue. He just watched Xi Xinyi say everything that was on her mind. When she reached the last few sentences, the hidden light in his eyes became enigmatic.

At this moment, he was unexpectedly still hesitant. Was Xi Xinyi telling the truth right then, or did he think he was the male lead in a show?

He could not see through Xi Xinyi. He already could not differentiate which side of her was truly her.

However, Xi Xinyi did not let him think further. When she saw that his expression had eased a little, she tiptoed and kissed on his thin lips. Her hands had let go of his waist and made their way up to his neck. Using her soft lips, she daringly pried open his gently shut cold lips...

"Yifeng, don't push me away... Don't push me away... I really need you. Don't abandon me. Let everything stay in the past and we'll get better."

As Xi Xinyi said while choking on her sobs, her weak voice contained sadness. She leaned into him as hard as she could to take in all of his warmth. When she kissed him, her hands restlessly moved toward his shirt. In a few movements, she had unbuttoned his shirts, revealing his strong chest.

Han Yifeng stood silently, not moving. He just let Xi Xinyi tease him as his hands that fell to his sides tightened slightly. He was not sure how much strength he mustered before he slowly lifted them up, and gently put them around her slender waist.

When Xi Xinyi saw this, her hand shifted to his waist too. Just as she was about to remove his belt, he stopped her movements stopped in time.

"Yifeng..."

Startled, she looked at him, her eyes mixed with indescribable suffering that she had repressed.

Han Yifeng breathed in deeply and said in a lowered voice, "It's not suitable with your current situation. Rest earlier. I'm going to take a bath."

Xi Xinyi then bit on her plump and pink lips as she looked at him. Quite a while after that, she sighed and said, "I'm sorry. I just missed you too much. Go upstairs and take your bath then while I prepare some food for you. You look quite tired."

Han Yifeng nodded, not bothering to reject anymore. "Don't exhaust yourself. Watch your health," he said, then walked upstairs.

When she heard this, Xi Xinyi smiled a little. Her gloomy heart was finally brightening a little.

He still knew how to care for her. He still cared for her! Earlier, he had a slight reaction, did he not?

As she watched his figure gradually vanish before her eyes, Xi Xinyi inhaled, then turned to the kitchen.

...

Han Yifeng took off all his clothes the moment he was upstairs. He took a set of clean pajamas and walked straight to the bathroom. After filling the bath with water, he submerged his whole self in.

The water was cold.

It had been quite a few days, but it was only at this moment that he felt clear-headed and empty. He was relaxed.

We cannot return to the past...

Cannot return to how it was...

Whether it was him and Xiaye, or him and Xi Xinyi right now, once the cracks showed, the gaps could not be filled again. The funny thing was that between him and Xi aye...

She did not seem to give him a chance to grieve, and she had already turned to leave, free and at ease.

Maybe that was how relationships were. No matter how much someone loved deeply, that person would not stay waiting for you at the same spot forever, whether it was to wait for you to turn around, for your regret, or for your apology!

Han Yifeng suddenly felt depressed. He did not know why he was like this all the time recently. Whenever he recalled this past, he would feel terrible, so terrible that it felt like he was suffocating.

What else could he say? What should he do?

He did not have the answers.

He kept telling himself in his heart to stay strong.

Han Yifeng, the past can only stay in the past. You should let go of everything and be forgiving once again. After all, you've married Xinyi, and she has your child... In fact, Xiaye's already married to Mu Yuchen. They're doing very well, and are very loving. Between the two of them, they can only be like two parallel lines that never intersect forever.

However, every time he himself this, his chest would tighten. His heart felt so tightened with sorrow that it suffocated him, and it was extremely hard to bear.

Happiness. These words were simple and easy to write. He had been hoping to fight for it with his hard work. He told himself many times that he loved Xi Xinyi, so no matter how she was, he should tolerate and be understanding toward her. They were married and were going to have a child, so he should be really delighted.

Still, now, everything had changed. Even he did not know how the way things were, and all the scenes from the past had become so meaningless.

...

How far was happiness?

No one knew, but definitely not too far!

Mu Yuchen believed that firmly!