It had been a long time since Su Chen had someone look at him with a sharp and pressing gaze like that.

He removed his arm from Ji Zitong's shoulder as soon as they entered the house. When he saw Ji Zitong's parents sitting on the sofa, he greeted them humbly, "Hello, I'm Su Chen. I'm sorry that I didn't visit earlier."

Ji Zitong's father threw Su Chen a sharp gaze without saying anything while Chen Ling, her mother, gave him a smile. She patted Ji Zitong's father's hand when she noticed he was not responding. "It's fine. Come here and sit down, Tongtong!"

She signalled Ji Zitong with her eyes.

Ji Zitong nodded and made a cup of tea for Su Chen.

"Come to the martial arts center with me!" Ji Zitong's father suddenly stood up and walked forward.

"Father!" Ji Zitong called out to her father before she glanced over at Su Chen in worry.

"What are you doing? Just ignore him, Xiao Chen. He's always like this. All the guys at the martial arts center had to go through this before." Chen Ling frowned at her husband.

Su Chen then realized what was happening. He glanced over at Ji Zitong as her father's voice reached them once again. "I'll have to see if you're capable of protecting my daughter!"

Ji Zitong's father was serious, and his aura was not inferior to Su Chen's.

"Don't mess around, Father. The fact that we're already married won't change even if he can't beat you."

"You're still in my house and you're defending him already? Su Chen, come over if you're a man!" Ji Zitong's father roared at them. Ji Zitong frowned and was about to say something back, but Su Chen stopped her as he whispered beside her ear, "Do you want me to win, or your father?"

She rolled her eyes at him as he casually followed behind her father.

...

The bad weather from last night continued all the way until the next morning. Except for the rain and the occasional thunder, it was pretty quiet inside Maple Residence.

Mu Yuchen did his best to let go of his woman to get up and prepare breakfast.

His phone started ringing as soon as he finished making breakfast. It was a call from Qi Lei.

Ten minutes later, in the Maple Residence backyard garden, Qi Lei was standing behind the flowers as he leaned against the stone pillar. He was smoking as he stared into the rain. There were a lot of cigarette butts in front of him, and he smelled like he had drunk a lot too.

He also looked tired, wan and sallow.

"Don't tell me you were out all night." Mu Yuchen stopped by the railing as the drizzle continued to fall. They could feel it even though they were under the shelter, and Qi Lei's outfit was starting to get wet.

"It sure is tough to meet you." Qi Lei threw away another cigarette butt as he glared at Mu Yuchen, his tone cold.

"What's the matter?" Mu Yuchen put his hands onto the cold railing before him as he asked since he could sense something odd from Qi Lei's tone.

Qi Lei grinned as his eyes darkened. "Mu Yuchen, I think I'm impressed by your straightforward attitude. You have something that I don't."

Mu Yuchen raised his eyebrows as he tilted his head and looked at Qi Lei in surprise. He smiled and then looked away. "I'm honored. Speak your mind. I'm not very fond of small talk." He averted his gaze and continued looking at the rain outside.

Qi Lei took a deep breath and nodded. His eyes were fixed onto Mu Yuchen as he asked, "Was there really nothing between you and Shasha in the past?"

Mu Yuchen's eyes narrowed when he heard the question. He turned around and looked at him as he threw him a sharp gaze. "What do you mean by that?"

"Just answer me!" Qi Lei tone was firm.

Mu Yuchen looked into Qi Lei's eyes and replied, "We didn't. I know you're doubtful about that period of time, but I'm going to tell you this. I left City B on the night I promised Gu Qiwu. The one staying with the Gu family had always been Lingtian instead of me. I also remember Qi Feng visiting the Gu family frequently at that time. I'm curious. How could you not have known?"

Why?

Because he was trapped by Wang Qin and could not get out.

Qi Lei took a deep breath as he put on a bitter smile. "Shasha was pregnant when she left back then. However, the child was gone due to the accident. She told me to ask you when I questioned who the child's father was."

"What did you say?" Mu Yuchen's eyes darkened as he squinted at Qi Lei.

Qi Lei spoke in a sorrowful tone, "I knew she was pregnant then, but before I could find out who the father was, that child... If that child was yours..."

Qi Lei's eyes turned icy all of a sudden. "If it really was yours, then Shasha definitely has a legit reason to hate you, and it's an act of betrayal to Xiaye!"

Mu Yuchen's eyes started to look empty. He just stood there quietly for a while as his face turned pale, and his expression was beginning to get uneasy.

As Qi Lei observed what happened, he was shocked to see the usually calm Mu Yuchen react like this.

The frigid rain went on as the strong breeze messed up their clothes. Qi Lei shuddered slightly because of the cold, yet his eyes never moved away from Mu Yuchen.

Mu Yuchen stood there quietly as his mind replayed Qi Lei's words. At that moment, he could almost hear the sound of his own heart breaking. He took several deep breaths to calm himself down.

The reason that he had been looking for all these years finally came to him.

What else could he say?

After some time, his expression returned to normal.

"Gu Lingsha told you it's my child?" Mu Yuchen asked calmly.

"She didn't. She told me to ask you, but I think I know the answer after seeing your reaction! Are you still telling me you don't have a past with her?" Qi Lei put on a sarcastic smile as his gaze towards Mu Yuchen turned unfriendly as well.

Mu Yuchen did not reply. His eyes darkened as his expression turned aloof.

"Is it really such a difficult question to answer?" Qi Lei was getting impatient.

Mu Yuchen glanced at him, hesitating for a moment before asking coldly, "So, you think it's mine?"

"Who else could it be? Lingtian's? Or Qi Feng's?"

"You should have asked her. Wouldn't she know who the father is?" Mu Yuchen took a deep breath, allowing the cold breeze to calm him down. His voice sounded hoarse as he spoke, "There's no point finding out who the child's father is anymore since they're already dead. Just act like you never knew about this. It might be good for both of us."

"Good? Escaping from reality isn't a good thing."

Mu Yuchen closed his eyes and tried to catch his breath. "I'm not escaping. There are some things better left unknown. You're here to meet me today because you don't fully trust Gu Lingsha, right?"

Qi Lei was stunned for a moment. He seemed a little lost as he remained silent for a while. "I just wanted to know what happened. Moreover, Xiaye is a great woman, and you should really be treating her well. I see myself in her and I hope that she can live a happy life."

Mu Yuchen's expression softened when he looked at Qi Lei. "Aren't you worried that I might be thinking about something else when you tell me that? I'm not a very generous man."

"That's your problem, but well, it might just be my admiration. All my hopes and dreams were crushed one after another. After that, I finally found something, and I hope I don't lose it as well."

Qi Lei's smile turned bitter as Gu Lingsha's beautiful face appeared in his mind along with the scene at her office the other day. His heart was wrenched in pain.

"It won't disappear. I'll tell you this since you really want to know. Xiaye is my only woman. I hope that you won't mention this to me again and just let it go. If the secret is exposed one day, then... That'll be it then. Maybe everyone will feel better that way,"

Mu Yuchen seemed sad, and his head felt a little heavy as he coughed slightly before looking outside.

Qi Lei felt odd. Mu Yuchen started talking again when he was about to ask something, "I hope this is it since you've got an answer from me. There's nothing left to be traced, and you don't know anything about this. Can you do that?"

"What's the reason?" asked Qi Lei upon noticing Mu Yuchen's unease.

"There's no reason. Just take it as I owe you one. If there's anything you need me to do, I'll do whatever I can."

"Haha, is Mu Yuchen actually begging me?" Qi Lei suddenly started chuckling though his eyes were filled with complicated emotions. He stared at Mu Yuchen for a while before leaving.

"I'll trust you this once. It's just that. You'll lose the love of your life if you lose this bet!"

"Never! She'll stay by my side forever," Mu Yuchen gave a firm reply.

Qi Lei stopped and said, "Good luck then!"

...

When Qi Lei arrived near the entrance, he saw Xi Xiaye standing beside the staircase with a black umbrella.

She wore a light-colored casual outfit with a windbreaker on top whilst her beautiful long hair was left untied behind her back. She just stood there quietly while looking at him.

Did she hear their conversation just now?

Qi Lei clenched his fists and was angered by his own carelessness. Maybe he should have talked to Mu Yuchen about it somewhere else.

"Are you going back?" Xi Xiaye broke the silence first.

He looked at her for a moment before nodding his head.

"Mr. Mu made breakfast. Come join us before going home," she offered.

He smiled as he gave her a grateful glance, but he shook his head. "It's fine. I'm not hungry. How are you and your son? By the way, I've forgotten your son's name."

"We're great. That little guy is called Mu Zicheng. Isn't it pleasing to the ears?" Xi Xiaye smiled proudly.

"Mu Zicheng?" Qi Lei nodded. "That's a good name indeed! Alright, I won't bother you guys anymore. See you soon!" He then walked down the staircase and went past her.

"Wait!"

Qi Lei spun around to look at her when he heard her.

Then, Xi Xiaye handed her umbrella to him.

"Bring this umbrella along. It's still raining."

She could tell that he probably walked over as his well-ironed suit was a little creased and there was a layer of moisture on it. From the way he looked, he had most likely gotten drunk for the whole night somewhere. Furthermore, when she walked over, she could vaguely smell the alcohol on him.

Qi Lei was stunned. As he looked at the sudden umbrella in front of him, he could not quite react immediately, so he stared dumbfoundedly at it for a long while.

After a while, he smiled bitterly and shook his head. "You don't need to pity me."

"I'm not pitying you. I just wanted to tell you that if you want others to treat you well, you should treat yourself well first. Many times, headstrong unruliness will only hurt yourself."

Xi Xiaye could obviously see that imprint of a slap still clear on his face, but she chose not to ask about it because once she did, it would not just be touching his sensitive heart, but perhaps it would also beat his ego down just like how she had been back then.

Qi Lei fell silent for quite a while at Xi Xiaye's words, yet because he did not react, she already walked two steps up to him and handed him the umbrella. "There are many things and many people we can't change, but we can control ourselves. I believe that you're a good person. Mr. Mu has always believed that too."

He suddenly felt his heart soften for some reason although there was a sourness at the back of his throat. Blinking the hot tears that welled up in his eyes away, there were indescribable struggle and gloom in his dark eyes. Then, he lowered his head to look at her shyly. "I'm just afraid you'd be disappointed."

Xi Xiaye smiled and shook her head as she said calmly, "Whether I'm disappointed or not isn't important. I'm just hoping that you won't disappoint yourself. Also, your mother loves you too, so it's not like you have nothing at all."

"She came to look for you?" Qi Lei asked.

"She didn't, but I can understand how she feels. I know about the South River Project. I trust that you won't let me down. If you still think we're friends, we'll be sure to do our best."

Xi Xiaye obviously knew about the South River Project matters. Shen Yue had been busy about it too, and once she assumed her position, this big project might be the next one she needed to focus on.

Qi Lei did not say anything as his gaze at her glowed with a faint gentleness. Instead of responding to Xi Xiaye's statement, he asked, "Did you hear my conversation with Mu Yuchen earlier?"

"I only heard the last few sentences," Xi Xiaye answered honestly. She just saw Qi Lei's expression change slightly, so she suddenly smiled calmly again. "You don't have to feel sorry. Even if I didn't hear it, he'd tell me himself. He doesn't have many secrets with me."

Upon hearing that, the apology written on Qi Lei's expression faded slightly. He then took the umbrella from her and said gloomily, "You shouldn't be displaying your affection in front of me."

Xi Xiaye's pale lips immediately curled up as she laughed gently. "I just wanted to provoke you a little."

Then, she looked up at the hazy sky above the umbrella. The drizzle continued to quietly pour, making one feel a bit gloomy. Of course, when a cool breeze blew, it suddenly refreshed oneself. She sighed gently again and said, "Okay, don't think about it too much now. Once this rain passes, a new day begins. It's just a small matter," Xi Xiaye said, and then walked up the stairs.

Qi Lei kept watching her. When he saw her turn at the corner and vanish, his grip on the umbrella tightened. There were still traces of her warm temperature on the handle mixed with that unique fragrance of hers in the air. He suddenly felt like the anguish buried in his chest faded away slightly just like that.

Finally, he did not say anything further as he turned and walked into the rain.

...

Meanwhile, at this moment underneath the flower rack, Mu Yuchen maintained the position he assumed when Qi Lei left. He had more or less overheard Xi Xiaye and Qi Lei's conversation, so when he felt his little woman stop behind him, he wordlessly reached out to pull her into his arms. Xi Xiaye was practically engulfed in his arms tightly as his warmth wrapped her, instantly chasing away the chilliness she felt all over.

"What's wrong?"

When she felt the faint melancholy from him, she reached out to hold one of his hands and felt a coldness immediately being transferred from his palm.

He nestled in her shoulders and asked in a low, raspy voice, "How much did you hear?"

Xi Xiaye raised her brows as she turned to look at him and softly said, "Just the last few sentences."

"Hmm?" He clearly did not believe her as he looked to her.

Xiaye then cleared her voice and her starry eyes twinkled as she said, "I heard just a small part, but I roughly know what it's about."

"What do you think or feel? Express yourself a little more."

He tightened his arms around her waist, so she was practically rolled into him, and she could see from his eyes that he was nervous.

Xi Xiaye sighed softly. Her misty eyes looked out at the bleak and hazy rain as she let him hold her tightly. Calmly, she explained, "What can I feel or express? If someone as indifferent as you really fancied her, you would've married her. I no longer want to go after what happened later on and the reason for all that. If you feel bad, you don't have to think too much about it either. However, I do hope that you'll understand that I want to share some of your burden."

"I've never touched her, but I can guarantee that Lingtian..."

He wanted to continue, yet Xi Xiaye had already covered his mouth to stop him. "You don't have to continue. I more or else understand what you mean. I understand and know you... No matter what you plan to do, I'll support you."

"You trust me that much?" Mu Yuchen's dark eyes gradually brightened up as he stared at her.

"You've said it before. I wouldn't lose out marrying you, and you won't let me lose out... I'm still your child's mother. You can accept not asking me about my past, so I should be returning the same sentiment now."

His gaze was filled with candid sincerity. Obviously, it worked on him. The gloom on his face instantly disappeared as he hugged her tight and sighed. "With a wife like you, what more would I want? Missus, it's not in vain that I..."

After that, he did not continue further.

Xi Xiaye waited for a very long time. She thought that she could hear his confession, yet unexpectedly he stopped, so she was anxious now. She quickly pulled at his shirt and shook him before asking, "And then? What's not in vain?"