Xi Xinyi was uncomfortable with his mocking, but she endured it for the sake of Yueying.

She took a deep breath to calm herself down and then asked once again, "Then, you can tell me your terms and your methods. If this is a good deal, naturally, I'll work with you."

"Miss Xi, you're smart and very sly at mind tricks, but your little tricks are only enough to fool idiots like Deng Wenwen. If you don't put more thought into it, you can't beat Mu Yuchen. That man isn't an idiot, and unfortunately, your sister is married to him right now. I can only pity you," the man said indifferently.

"Are you familiar with Mu Yuchen?" Xi Xinyi was doubtful as she stared right at the man in front and tried to get a glimpse of his face. The man did not move at all and remained stationary like a sculpture.

The man chuckled coldly. "Familiar? Not quite. I know him, but that person should be quite close to him. For the safety of Yueying, you'd better not pry too much into it."

"Shouldn't you be stating your terms by now?" Xi Xinyi was wary at the moment. She had no idea what his intention was, and the uneasiness inside her was almost suffocating, but the man was obviously trying to create this stifling atmosphere.

"I don't know about the terms. I'm only in charge of solving Yueying's crisis for you. Ask that person about what's going to happen afterward," the man clearly stated his own mission.

Xi Xinyi was impatient to know the so-called method, so she urged again, "What did you mean by sacrifice then? What do you want me to do? Why don't you just tell me straightaway already?"

"You're quite impatient, aren't you?"

The mysterious man smiled. "You don't have to be so nervous. I won't let you down since I'm here already. I'm quite looking forward to seeing Yueying being revived, and someone's reaction... It's not impossible to save Yueying. You have a very solid betting chip on you right now!"

Xi Xinyi felt a chill travel down her spine. As she was about to ask questions, the man continued, "I know you just met Han Yifeng at the Han Corporation. If I'm not mistaken, he probably asked you to divorce him before he saved Yueying, didn't he?"

Xi Xinyi's face turned pale all of a sudden. Han Yifeng's cold and cruel expression flashed past her mind, breaking her heart all over again.

How could she endure such heartbreak?

They were so in love. How did they suddenly become even more distant than a pair of strangers?

"You're really pitiful. You tried so hard to get Han Yifeng, and now without Xi Xiaye doing much, Han Yifeng..."

"Enough! You don't have to say that. It's none of your business! What betting chip are you talking about?" Xi Xinyi took a deep breath, obviously unwilling to continue this topic that made her feel pain and anger.

The man laughed bitterly before he said in a quiet tone, "It's the baby inside your womb!"

Her child!

Xi Xinyi unconsciously covered her stomach on alert. "What are you saying? What baby?"

"If I'm you and want to save Yueying, I wouldn't look for Han Yifeng at all. You know that Han Yifeng intended to divorce you long ago. Asking help from him now would just let him get what he wants, isn't it?"

"What can I do then?" Xi Xinyi bit her lips as her eyes turned icy. She looked at the man for an answer.

The man grinned as his voice was cold and clear. "You can go to Elder Han. The Han family doesn't have many offsprings. Although recent incidents did make their reputation suffer, it's nothing more important than the baby in you. Do you understand what to do now?" He did not say anything else.

Elder Han?

Grandfather?

Xi Xinyi pressed her stomach as a faint light flashed past her eyes and she gave it some thought. She remembered him mentioning something about sacrifice, then she understood what he meant.

Her face went pale. Could he want her to...

The man saw through Xi Xinyi's struggle and grinned wider. "Miss Xi, I've said before that I believe that you're a smart woman. This is actually the best way to keep both your child and Yueying safe. It's just a marriage certificate. Moreover, Elder Yue truly favors you. As long as the Han family is willing to do something, the Yue family will help as well and Yueying's crisis will be solved, killing several birds with one stone.

"Okay, I've told you the method now. Decide for yourself if you're willing to make the sacrifice. You can get out of the car now."

His hoarse voice was cold as he waved his hand at the man with the sunglasses outside who quickly came to open the door.

"Miss Xi, you can get out now!" His voice broke Xi Xinyi's train of thought. She came back to her senses and noticed the man with the sunglasses already opening the door for her. With a slight nod, she left the car with an unwell expression.

As she left the car quietly, her eyes were still staring at the man in the car.

"Give it some thought, but don't let it be too long. Yueying can't hold on for more than a few days!" the man said as his chauffeur went into the car and wound up the windows. Then, the car rumbled away.

Xi Xinyi stared blankly at the car driving into the dark, lost in her own thoughts.

"Get in the car, Miss Xi! I have to send you back. Mr. Wen is really busy. You should be honored that he came to see you today!" The man with the sunglasses walked towards the car.

It was near the end of the month and their wedding was getting nearer. The couple was now on holiday mode after they finished passing on their work at that moment.

The two of them woke up early that day. Wang Hui and Zhuang Shurong went over early in the morning to work on the wedding invitation, and they planned to announce their betrothal at the Shen Residence on that day.

Initially, they planned to do it in the middle of the month with the Xi family as well, but...

June was getting warmer, so Xi Xiaye put on a blue dress. Her usual long hair was tied up into a bun, and she was now busy writing invitations to Su Nan and some of her close colleagues in the company.

Wang Hui and Zhuang Shurong were giving instructions to the servants about the betrothal gift, all according to their traditions. Naturally, Mu Yuchen and Xi Xiaye did not know any of it, so they were totally in charge.

The whole of the Maple Residence became unusually lively as Wang Hui and the servants' voices were clearly heard.

Xi Xiaye was still busy writing the invitations in the living room while Mu Yuchen was flipping through the newspapers as he enjoyed some freshly brewed tea.

"Are we sending out the invitations tomorrow? Isn't our flight tomorrow as well?" After finishing the last one, Xi Xiaye raised her head and looked at the man who was focused on the newspapers.

"Grandmother will arrange to deliver it to them. Don't worry about it," he replied without even averting his gaze.

"Then, I'll give it to Su Nan myself tonight." She then took out one of the invitations and waved it in the air.

"Sure, I'm heading over to Su Chen's place tonight as well. Have you got any ideas about your bridesmaids yet?" he raised his head and asked.

Bridesmaids!

Xi Xiaye frowned as she heard the word. She really did not think too much about it since she always thought that Su Nan and her could be bridesmaids for one another. Unexpectedly, she got married before Su Nan, but Su Nan's wedding was held before hers, so they missed it.

Not only was Su Nan married, but she was also pregnant and it seemed pretty impossible for her to be her bridesmaid now. She needed to find another one, but most of the friends she was close to were married. She was not that young after all, and most of her high school mates had already gotten married, so...

Mu Yuchen shook his head with a sigh as he saw Xi Xiaye's frown. "I told you to get out more and meet more people, yet you always like to stay a headstrong woman."

"You never give me any holidays for that." Xi Xiaye rolled her eyes at him as she kept the red invitation card into her bag, staring at him. "What about you?"

"When we're back on the 9th for the banquet, we'll need more bridesmaids and groomsmen. Su Chen and Zhou Zimo will surely be there. If you have no one else, just leave it to Grandmother then. By the way, your friend Su Nan... She can head over one or two days earlier. Let her tag along with my parents. Although Lingshi is there as well, I'm worried that she can't help you out much if things get busy." He thought about a plausible arrangement.

"Oh, I'll check with Su Nan if she has time then. She seems to be very upset about Mother's incident. She only felt slightly better after I told her what's happening in the Shen Residence now. When I called Mother, she told me that Su Nan visited her several times at the Shen Residence."

"Su Nan didn't know about Grandpa before?" Mu Yuchen looked at her in surprise.

Xi Xiaye just shrugged. "Su Nan is a smart girl. I can't hide it from her. The Su family are pretty close to my mother, but she didn't pry too much. She probably figured it out."

Su Nan had always been considerate, always trying to care for Xi Xiaye whenever they were together. Xi Xiaye was always grateful for this trait of hers.

Mu Yuchen nodded. "Check with her then. If she's able to, invite her to dinner with us as well."

"No, she's pregnant now and can't do anything too wild at the moment. I'll eat at her place this evening so you can go to your gathering with them."

Xi Xiaye then arranged the messy invitations on the table as Zhuang Shurong walked over at that moment.

"Are you guys done? We're almost ready now. Pack up and get ready to go. Leave these invitations to me."

Zhuang Shurong took the large stack of invitations from Xi Xiaye. The usual strictness on her expression was gone and replaced by a more casual smile. "A colleague of mine got some healthcare supplements for the eyes and liver from abroad. I've put it in the car, so please give them to your mother. Don't let her always stay at home. She should spend some time outside whenever possible, do a spa or anything."

Xi Xiaye nodded. "Thank you, Mother."

The Mu family treated her really well. Wang Hui would frequently deliver food over to the Maple Residence, and even took care of their yard for them. However, they recently hardly went back to the Mu Residence.

...

It was afternoon when they arrived at the Shen Residence and things were lively. Shen Yue did not go to work and he wore a Tang suit, appearing in the pink of health. Shen Wenna had a big smile pasted on her face too.

Shen Yue asked Mu Yuchen to play chess with him just a while after he took a seat while Xi Xiaye and Shen Wenna were talking inside Xi Xiaye's room.

Shen Wenna wore a light-colored dress as she sat on Xi Xiaye's bed, holding her hand. A gentle smile appeared on her face. "You're finally getting married. Your room here will always be yours. Aunt Wu will still cleans it every day. Come back anytime you want to."

Shen Wenna sounded a little dejected. "I've always looked forward to seeing you get married and wear a wedding dress. Although I can't see it in the end, I can imagine..."

Shen Wenna could not control the tears in her hollow eyes. She blinked several times as her grip on Xi Xiaye's hand tightened. With all her might, she was trying to see what was in front of her and break through the darkness, but no matter what she did, it was futile.

"Don't worry, Mother. I've spoken to Mu Yuchen and got him to contact some doctors abroad. We'll ask the doctors over there to take a look at you while we're there."

Upon hearing Shen Wenna's tone, she took in the way she struggled. Xi Xiaye suddenly felt a faint ache in her heart. As her slightly cold hand immediately covered her mother's frail ones, she softly consoled, "Previously, when I went to the checkup with you, didn't the doctor say that you were recovering quite well and that the blood clot seems to be dissipating too? Who knows? Maybe after some time, you'll be able to see again."

Shen Wenna smiled gladly with an optimistic air. "It's fine. It's been so long, so I'm used to it now. At first, I couldn't quite adapt to it, but now I'm alright. You two just keep busy with your wedding matters and don't worry about us over here. Your grandpa will be getting some specialists to come to see me in another two days. We'll see how it goes. Your wedding's getting nearer. Don't worry about these ominous matters."

"What do you mean ominous? I don't trust those superstitions. Healing your eyes is the most important thing. Wedding or not, we've already gotten our marriage certificate and are a married couple."

Xi Xiaye got up and walked to the table to pour Shen Wenna a cup of water before she handed it to her. "Right, Mother, let me tell you something."

Shen Wenna took two sips and calmly replied, "What is it?"

"A few days ago, Mu Yuchen got Li Si and the rest to clear out West Park and change the locks. I went back to take a look and bumped into Father who probably stood outside West Park for quite a while. I didn't feel quite happy then. Father probably told you everything that happened recently, didn't he?" Xi Xiaye softly asked, her clear gaze falling onto Shen Wenna's calm face.

Shen Wenna paused, yet she did not reveal too many emotions, seeming very calm. "He didn't tell me, but I do know about these things. Aunt Wu told me about it."

"What do you think, Mother?"

Shen Wenna sighed. She felt around and wanted to set her cup aside. Xi Xiaye helped her get it when she saw that.

"I really didn't expect that Yue Lingsi would actually do such a thing. From what I remember, she loved your father deeply. She even once said that your father was the world to her.

"Xiaye, it's hard to decide what's right in the matter of relationships. Yue Lingsi's obsession with your father is a kind of problem. The more you can't get some things, the more you want it and would like to possess it. Sometimes. I can't deny that she has love for your father and I daren't say that she hasn't loved deeply enough, but back then when your father and I got a divorce, even though I felt very unhappy, I just hoped for you and your father to live well. I was too arrogant, Xiaye. Sometimes, I even hate myself back then, if I could care less back then and fuss less, worked hard to fight for myself instead, would things be different right now?"

As Shen Wenna spoke, she suddenly sighed and got up. "However, now that things have come to this, what's the use of talking about it all? You don't have to worry about your father and me anymore. I know how I should make this choice."

Xi Xiaye nodded. "I hope that you won't treat yourself unfairly so I won't need to see a tragedy, Mother."

"I know that you want to play matchmaker for your father and me, and have us reconcile. Don't think I don't know that you corresponded with Aunt Wu and the rest. I know just what you're thinking. I've been thinking a lot recently about your father too. I might forgive him, or I could continue being stubborn. I haven't quite decided yet, but right now I just want to go with the flow."

Go with the flow?

This seemed to be a pretty decent option as well.

Since her mother concluded that way, Xi Xiaye obviously could not continue to demand insistently, so she could only say, "I got it, Mother. Father says he wants to teach in University A... If your eyes can be healed, then it'd be good for the two of you to watch over each other too. I won't let anyone else disturb your peaceful days."

"Okay, I hear your well-intentioned thoughts, but we don't know if my eyes can be healed. We'll just talk about it when it happens."

"Mother, aren't you attracted to Father who's still so handsome and dashing right now? Sometimes, I even think that Mu Yuchen is not as good-looking as Father. In your words, Father's already a man that has years on his shoulder, mmm... At 50-odd years old, he's like a bottle of beautifully aged wine."

"You like to keep saying nice things about him. You're already becoming his spy. Has he been seeing you often recently?" Shen Wenna softly reprimanded Xi Xiaye although her tone remained gentle.

"No, after Grandfather passed away, he hasn't come to look for me. He's living alone in Donghu City apartment area near University A. I hear of his news from Mu Yuchen. He seems to have bought that apartment for several years now and is staying there alone. Sometimes, I worry. After all, Father..."

Shen Wenna already knew what Xi Xiaye was going to say, so she did not continue because she also saw traces of surprise on her mother's face.

...

When she left the Shen residence, it was close to evening. The husband and wife did not go straight to the Maple Residence. Instead, they went straight for their appointments. Of course, they did not forget to get Li Si to send some candies to the orphanage for the wedding. After what happened the last time, they had renovated and refurbished the orphanage so it looked splendid now. Xi Mushan had especially looked after it, attracting the attention of many charity organizations.

Given this situation, Xi Xiaye felt quite assured as long as she knew that they lived well, so she seldom went over too.

However, after the head of the orphanage found out about everything, they called her to thank her quite a few times. Although they wanted to publicly thank her, she just dismissed it with a laugh.

The car quickly made its way towards Su Nan and Ruan Heng. The driver right now was Mu Yuchen while Xi Xiaye fell soundly asleep leaning on the car window in the front passenger seat. The music player was still playing very soothing music.

The Shen residence to Su Nan's place was slightly far. In fact, they were caught up by after-work traffic, so the road was quite congested.

Mu Yuchen was not worried. After all, he had a lot of time. In fact, he had woken up quite early this morning and had not rested from a whole day of being busy. However, she was so sleepy that she could not keep her eyes open, so he just let her sleep a while longer.

They spent almost two hours before he managed to send her to Su Nan's apartment. The streetlights were lit up at the moment. From afar, they could already see Su Nan propping up her belly and standing by the side, waiting underneath the streetlight.

The car had just stopped when Su Nan immediately walked up to them. "Xiaye! Master Mu!"

"I've waited for you for quite long. Was it very congested on the road? You took quite a while."

Xi Xiaye pushed the door open and swiftly got down while Mu Yuchen nodded to greet Su Nan. He handed her handbag to Xi Xiaye. "Make sure you've got your phone. I'll pick you up again around 10 p.m. Come down when I call you, okay?"

Xi Xiaye nodded as she closed the car door. "Got it. Go on now."