Zhuang Shurong nodded. "Yes, Lingtian liked it very much. In fact, it even saved Lingtian before that summer at the rooftop of the office. Do you remember?"

"I do. Lingtian accidentally slid down the railing. It bit Lingtian's shirt and saved his life, but after that, it couldn't save itself, so it fell down and suffered severe injuries. I had to put him down myself."

This incident had always been a secret that Mu Yuchen never told anyone.

"Lingtian saw for himself all that you did. This was what I heard him say after that."

"So? He hates me because of this?" Mu Yuchen sneered with his lips curled up as he looked to Zhuang Shurong. "Even if I didn't put Xiao Wei down, he wouldn't have lived through the night. Instead of letting it suffer through that, what's so wrong about letting it leave sooner?"

"That's just what you think. You should know Xiao Wei is special to Lingtian. The misunderstanding between you and him began with that. Besides, you and Su Chen and Zimo are closer. Lingtian's a sensitive person."

"Does that mean it's still my fault?" Mu Yuchen smiled calmly, yet you could feel a hint of loneliness from the smile. "It's not just that, is it? I remember the time before when you were going through the wedding. There was some conflict between you and Lingtian. Was that because of me too?"

"It's been so many years. Why are you still holding onto these things, Ah Chen?"

"I want to hear the truth."

Mu Yuchen's deep eyes flickered as if it were a hidden curtain revealing a sharp light. Zhuang Shurong was stunned to see his reaction. Then, she nodded. "Okay, then. There's nothing wrong with talking about it."

"You should know I've always been against Gu Lingsha marrying you, so in the few days leading up to your wedding, I went to look for her. My intentions were clear. I wanted her to leave you. I know how you're like. You didn't choose to compromise because you liked her. In fact, things were heated between Gu Lingsha and Qi Feng too. I can't let you be taken advantage of. Besides, I discovered something then which compelled me to be sure of my thoughts. No matter what, I couldn't let Gu Lingsha marry into the Mu family."

Zhuang Shurong was a frank person. In fact, she had the guts to do things and take ownership of them. As she spoke about this, she was quite frank and open about it.

"What is it?" Mu Yuchen squinted and stared at Zhuang Shurong.

"I already noticed back then that Lingtian liked Gu Lingsha. He was so deep into her. The reason we fought was this. Gu Lingsha was a time bomb. Forget about the motives the Gu family has. Just based on this alone, I couldn't let Gu Lingsha marry you. Do I want you two brothers to fall out because of this? You know me. I always like to plan ahead, so I went to look for Gu Lingsha and told her to leave by herself. Our discussion didn't work out and I just spilled coffee on her."

"After that, did Lingtian fight with you over this?"

"Yes, I didn't understand why Lingtian would be so hung up on Gu Lingsha. He didn't even spare falling out with me. I was angry then and even said that if he continued to foolishly protect an outsider, I'd pretend I didn't have him as a son. His temper was a tough one. After that, he was reprimanded by your father. You know, back then when you said you wanted to stay in the military and hand Glory World over to Lingtian, your father disagreed. Because of this, there was friction between Lingtian and your father, and after that, the resentment grew deeper."

"In the end, it was all because of Glory World and Gu Lingsha. I understand." Mu Yuchen sighed and put the cup in his hand down. "Back then, if I really had stayed in the army, many things wouldn't have happened."

"How can these things be your fault? How could your father and I bear to let you stay in the military your whole life? Glory World has always been yours, your grandfather's hard work included. I'm not selfish. I also hoped to leave the best for you although I'm not that great. All these years, I've given enough care for Lingtian and his sister, but we just neglected you. Nevertheless, whatever belongs to you, I'd still leave for you."

"You know I don't care about those." Mu Yuchen smiled calmly. Suddenly, he did not know what else to say. After some thought, he felt that there was nothing more to ask, so he got up to leave.

It turned out that the so-called brotherhood between him and Lingtian had long changed. In fact, Lingtian had long fancied Gu Lingsha. If the child was really as he thought, then Lingtian would have had sufficient reason to do what he did.

It was no wonder that back then when he let him stay at the Gu residence, he agreed gladly. Then, when the whole thing was exposed, he ran off in a panic.

Lingtian, you really are my good brother!

Mu Yuchen stood on the staircase and watched the cars that came from across as he smiled coldly.

The benevolence and righteousness between two brothers was something Mu Yuchen thought he could have held fast to. He regarded it as a solid belief in his life. Even if Mu Lingtian had not been benevolent, he could not be any less righteous.

After he calmed down, he peered out at the gloomy drizzle. Finally, he did not think further about it, so he made two calls: one to Su Chen, and one to Zhou Zimo.

...

She had not seen him for an entire day, and when she called, his phone was switched off.

Xi Xiaye was restless the whole day. At night after she tucked her son into bed, it was already past 10 p.m. but Mu Yuchen had not returned. When she called Li Si, she knew that he was at the Imperial Sky Entertainment Club.

She hesitated, then finally sighed. Changing into a simple windbreaker, she went downstairs.

Sis Wang had just tidied up the living room. When she saw Xi Xiaye rushing down the stairs with her phone in hand, she asked, "It's already so late. Are you heading out, Missus?"

Xi Xiaye nodded gently. "I'm going out for a bit. Remember to watch over Xiao Cheng. I'll be back very soon."

Then, she walked downstairs to the living room, pulled the drawer open and rushed to get the car keys.

"Missus, do you need anything? Let me go. It's still raining outside. In fact, your body's just recovered, so it's not suitable for you to drive either," Sis Wang said.

"It's fine. I've asked the doctor and they said it's fine. He's not back yet although it's so late. I'm a little worried," Xi Xiaye said, and before Sis Wang could answer, her slender figure had vanished out of the door.

"Missus! Missus!"

Sis Wang chased after her, yet the rain continued to pour steadily outside, so she could only stop at the entrance of the villa. After a while, she heard the sound of two honks, and then a strong beam of light pierced through the drizzle. The black Porsche turned into a black silhouette, driving into the misty rain.

It was dark outside, and the wind was bitterly cold. It rattled hard against the car window, and the sky flashed with lightning from time to time. What came one after was the rumble of thunder.

She had not driven for a long while, but Xi Xiaye's driving skills had not deteriorated. She drove steadily all the way through the swaying wind and rain, feeling faintly anxious. She could not help but speed up.

He had been out of the ordinary recently, so she could not help but be worried. It must be because of those past incidents.

She knew how that suppressed bitterness felt like. Sometimes, she wished he could just vent to her a bit. That would be much better than just pushing everything deep down.

She was his wife, so she should be sharing his burden, but when it came to the past, she did not know how to relieve his burden. Now, she suddenly began to hate Mu Lingtian who she never knew, and Gu Lingsha, and Qi Feng...

...

In the Imperial Sky Entertainment Club, when the three buddies walked out of the entertainment club, it was close to 11 p.m. The trio was a little tipsy, and they were not walking straight.

"Master!" Li Si walked up to them.

Mu Yuchen cleared his throat and looked at Su Chen and Zhou Zimo who managed to stay clear-headed somehow. With a sigh, he let the cold and slightly humid wind meet him head-on. He felt much clearer-headed now. He pulled at the windbreaker on his shoulders as his deep voice said in a slightly raspy sound, "Send them home. I'll get a cab home myself."

"Master, it's still raining outside, and it's late too. Missus is worried at home. Earlier, she called to ask about you."

When Mu Yuchen heard him, he quickly put his hand into his pocket and then realized that he did not know where his phone was.

"Master, your phone's in the car all charged," Li Si said as he handed the phone to him.

However, before Li Si could finish, Mu Yuchen already reached out to take it and stuff it into his pocket, cutting him off. "Mmm, send the two of them home first. I want to walk around alone."

Then, he walked onto the sidewalk. Engulfed by a layer of drizzle, his handsome and tall figure looked lonely.

"Master!"

"That's enough. Li Si, let him be alone for a while."

Su Chen stopped Li Si and exchanged a glance with Zhou Zimo. The two of their faces flashed with helplessness and concern. They did not seem as drunk as before. Right now, they were extremely sober.

Zhou Zimo watched as Mu Yuchen's lonely figure move further away. Suddenly, he asked Su Chen softly, "How much did he drink tonight?"

Su Chen raised his brows at him without answering.

Zhou Zimo shrugged, and then continued contemplatively, "I know that he's been unhappy with some things on his end. The fact that he drank to his heart's content worries me. Right, I know you're a newlywed. Li Si, send Master Su home first. I'll follow him to watch out for him."

Then, he quietly followed after the man.

Su Chen did not say anything. He just knocked his own head and stood quietly for a while before nodded to Li Si and getting into the car.

Mu Yuchen walked underneath the streetlights unhurriedly. It was a late rainy night, so there were not many pedestrians on the streets. Apart from the passing cars on the street, it was just his long shadow underneath the streetlights as he strolled slowly.

The rain was not too heavy, yet when one walked for a long while under it, their shoulders would still be soaked.

Mu Yuchen did not know how long he had walked for. He just rearranged the interweaving thoughts in his head until all those messy emotions instantly cleared out. Then, he felt much more relieved.

He did not waste much time since he was not the kind of person who would be cheerless and sad over the change of seasons. Gathering himself, he thought about getting a cab home, so he waited underneath the streetlights. Some time passed, and when he did not get any cab, he was thinking about getting his own chauffeur to pick him up when suddenly there was the sound of footsteps from behind him.

The familiar and elegant fragrance closed in from behind him, stunning him. He suddenly realized that the cold wind that came head-on was less moist. When he suddenly spun around and indeed saw his little woman standing behind him, she was holding a large umbrella. Her bright eyes were as clear as the stars on a rainy night while they watched him quietly.

An absent-mindedness first rose in her eyes, and then her gaze became clear and bright. He calmly chuckled, his deep voice sounding sensitive and raspy. "Why are you here? It's cold outside." His tone held a hint of reproach.

Xi Xiaye quietly watched him for a long while, and then said softly, "It's late and you weren't home. I was worried, so I came out to look for you. Who would've thought...? Mr. Mu, you look miserable right now. Oh, my heart hurts..."

As she said this, she could not help but tear up. She did not tell him that she had been just driving behind him all the way, and all throughout the drive, her heart had been hurting too.

When he heard this, Mu Yuchen paused, and then subconsciously looked at her. She realized that his windbreaker was soaked. His hair, his face, and everything else were dripping wet. Needless to say, he was freezing all over.

He helplessly chuckled and wiped the bleak rain on his face away. He was thinking about explaining, but moments after that, his indifferent lips curled up and smiled as he said, "As miserable as I look, aren't I still your Mr. Mu?"

Xi Xiaye suddenly felt her heart wrench while a sourness rose at the back of her throat. The tears fell from her eyes, and instantly she became teary-eyed, yet she tried hard to force a smile as she looked at him.

He watched her for quite a while with the help of the dim streetlights. Finally, he helplessly spread his arms.

Xi Xiaye then lowered her gaze and without hesitation, he took two steps forward and threw herself into his embrace, burying herself in his chest. She could not help but say in a raspy voice, "Mu Yuchen, I know you're sad, but in times like these, you have to remember that you still have me. No matter when, there's still a really silly woman who will love you deeply forever, and that person's me. So, I won't allow you to be sad."

His arms that wrapped around her tightened a bit more as his handsome face colored with tenderness while he smiled and touched her head. "I'm fine. It's no big deal. Alright, don't cry now. You seem to really like crying these days."

He could feel the faint warmth of her tears soaking through his shirt and his chest.

When she cried, his heart hurt too.

Upon hearing his deep and sensitive voice, her heart became increasingly soft and sad as it hurt.

After struggling through ups and downs for close to 30 years, his appearance was like a ray of warmth sunlight, illuminating the bottom of her heart and allowing her to wake up from a long dream. Even if her heart was cold, she had long been moved by his doting.

From meeting to getting to know and loving each other...

He was like her. They were both people who did not express love easily, yet they would always show care and love.

"It's all because of you... Your happiness and sadness have become mine too." She shrunk herself in his embrace as she spoke in a hoarse voice. She wiped her tears away with the front of his blouse.

Ever since she realized that she had fallen in love with him, she had become vulnerable. Regardless of the hardships she suffered in the past, they would not bring her to tears, yet now...

"I'm sorry. It was my fault. As long as I can make sure you have an easier time, I'm willing to bear it all." His deep yet raspy voice brushed past her ears as he lowered himself and hugged her tightly in his embrace. He carefully coaxed her, "Let me take a look. Your eyes are red now..."

The umbrella in her hand fell to the ground as she reached out to circle her arms around his strong waist.

Xi Xiaye sniffled, trying hard to hold back the tears that wanted to rush out. Mu Yuchen's blouse was wrinkled from the embrace. Finally, she gathered herself and looked up at him with teary eyes. "I'm worried about you. I followed you along the route, but you didn't even realize."

He had always been very vigilant. The fact that he would overlook this could only mean that he was absent-minded, so he was less vigilant.

"What are you worried about? I was just walking alone to organize my thoughts. Your Mr. Mu's not such a weak and easily frustrated person."

His hand could not help but caress her head. His five fingers combed through her beautiful, long hair while she looked up. She silently watched him and saw that calm invisible waves were gathered in his deep eyes. Then, she just closed her eyes quietly, her intentions clear.

Of course, the man would not disappoint her. His cool kiss fell accurately, but it was just a very light peck before he moved away. Naturally, Xi Xiaye was not satisfied. She opened her starry eyes and used both hands to pull his head closer before she went on tiptoe.

The little entangled shadow on the ground gradually grew longer all the way until it reached the tip of Zhou Zimo's toes.

He silently watched the young couple that kissed in an embrace before him. A faint curve flashed on his handsome face as he lifted a hand to brush his tall nose. He thought to himself that he was done here, so he quietly turned to leave.

He could not imagine that such an extraordinary and distant man like him could be that gentle.

Could love really change a person so thoroughly?

Zhou Zimo still had doubts when Su Chen's steadfast and good-looking face flashed in his mind.

That fellow was quick too. Without a word, he suddenly brought a wife home.

He thought about it and suddenly felt like he was missing something. Looking up gloomily at the night sky, he smacked his head.

Forget it. Don't think too much about it. It's time to go home and sleep!

Underneath the streetlights, the affectionate couple enjoyed each other for quite a while before separating. Xi Xiaye panted and inhaled a few times. She was practically hanging onto Mu Yuchen as she subconsciously looked around. When she saw that there was no one around, she felt relieved.

Mu Yuchen took the windbreaker on his shoulders off and put it over her shoulders. As he held her by the shoulders, he picked the umbrella up from the ground and said softly, "Okay, let's go home. Good thing you came. Otherwise, your Mr. Mu would have really frozen through the night."

"Didn't you bring your wallet?"

Earlier, she saw that he wanted to get a cab, but when he rifled his pockets, it seemed like he wanted to make a call instead.

"My Missus is smart!" He was not stingy with his praises.

Xi Xiaye smiled calmly and gleefully held his arm. "Of course! I'm a goddess here to protect you. I'll also suddenly appear right when you need me."

He chuckled softly, and could not help but hold her tight around the shoulders. His tone was gentle. "You are my goddess, but let me protect you."

"Is that true? Mr. Mu, I suddenly realize that you're getting better and better at saying the right things to curry girls' favors." She raised her brows and glanced at him.

He looked quite calm and squinted at her without objection. When he stopped, so did Xi Xiaye, yet before she could say anything, he suddenly bent over to carry her up. He said softly, "Only you have this special privilege. Weren't you complaining earlier that I never say nice things to you?"

Xi Xiaye cried out softly as she held onto his shoulders. She turned and planted a kiss on his cheek. "I know..."

He smiled happily, and from the time her first tear fell for him, he swore that he would spend the rest of his life treating her better, what more right now. Not only had she become his wife, but she had even given birth to a smart and cute son for him.

On the way home, Xi Xiaye drove while Mu Yuchen sat in the front passenger seat. The music player was belting out classics from the last generation. Xi Xiaye faintly remembered that a very, very long time ago, they had been like this too. It was also this song that...

As she thought about this, she suddenly slowed her car down and turned to look at him. Upon noticing her gaze, he returned a gentle smile to her too.