Volume One, Chapter 19: The Return of the Devoted Husband

“No need to explain, I don’t want to hear it.”

The atmosphere fell into silence.

Shen Zhi also felt things had been a bit rushed. This time she hadn’t planned to argue with him upon returning. Looking at the suitcase she had just set down last night, she suddenly decided not to leave.

“I’m tired. I want to rest properly.”

“Alright, I’ll go see her off first.”

...

The next day, Shen Zhi went to work as usual.

As for He Yunshen, uncharacteristically, he stayed by her side the entire day, following her every move without blinking.

Though she said nothing, it was clear he was trying to comfort her.

This left Zhou Qin and their colleagues dumbfounded. Their shock from the previous day hadn’t driven Shen Zhi away; instead, it seemed to have awakened He Yunshen’s devoted husband persona.

When she popped a pill into her mouth, He Yunshen instinctively handed her a glass of warm water.

“What are you taking?”

“Just stomach medicine.”

Shen Zhi looked at his deep-set brows and spoke softly, “Come with me to the hospital on Sunday. I want to take you somewhere afterward.”

It was time to arrange the surgery.

Last night, He Yunshen had sent someone else to see Zhou Qin off instead of going himself.

This morning, he transferred Zhou Qin to the intern department, essentially making her start from the bottom as Chairman Zhou had suggested.

Since he was willing to keep his distance from Zhou Qin, it served as an explanation to Shen Zhi as well.

But Shen Zhi had not truly forgiven him.

She hoped that on the day of the surgery, the person by her side would be him.

If anything went wrong, at least he would still be her husband in name.

“Alright. Is it serious? If you want, we don’t have to wait until Sunday—I can go with you to the hospital right after work today.”

“No need. Just a routine check.”

After taking the medicine, her stomach pain had almost disappeared. The surgery was scheduled according to the doctor’s instructions.

Hearing this, He Yunshen said no more, placing the cup on the table and pulling her gently into his embrace.

In a warm voice, he said, “I’m sorry you’ve had to suffer these days. If anything’s wrong, you must tell me. Don’t bear it alone.”

How could Shen Zhi resist being soothed like this? She was easily drawn under his control.

“I’m afraid you don’t have time for me. There are too many people who need your care.”

Over the years, though He Yunshen had always shown her affection in public, only she knew that everyone in the Zhou family mattered more to him than she did.

Two days later, Shanshan finally dared to approach Shen Zhi to inquire.

“Is the law firm really this quiet lately?”

Shanshan set down her coffee and gave her a glance, teasing.

Shen Zhi was dressed exceptionally striking today—in a white mid-length dress adorned with small pearls, her black hair pinned up with a lily hairpin.

Her transparent crystal heels accentuated her slender, fair calves, making her look as elegant and fresh as a lily.

“What’s wrong? Does the young lady disapprove of us mere mortals relaxing a bit?”

She pursed her red lips and took a sip of coffee, sunlight glinting off her long eyelashes.

“Looks like things with your family man have smoothed over—you even seem healthier!”

“Shanshan, you just know how to tease me.”

Under her puzzled gaze, Shen Zhi laughed heartily, “Do you know who I remind myself of lately?”

“Who?”

“Like my mom, haha!”

Mentioning her mother, Shen Zhi’s bright eyes dimmed slightly.

She didn’t even know if she had parents. She had heard rumors she was found near a roadside trash bin, barely alive.

So it was very likely she had neither mother nor father.

Fortunately, after spending several years in an orphanage, a kind old lady had taken her in.

Since then, she had never lacked love or care. Whatever others had, she had too.

In her vague memories, her grandmother had given her so much love that she never really pondered what her parents might have been like.

If not for that accident, her grandmother wouldn’t have passed away, and she wouldn’t have become alone again.

“Zhi Zhi, do you miss Grandma?”

Shanshan paused, then said, “I think her death anniversary is coming up soon.”

Just then, she checked her phone to confirm, “It is. This year, do you want to take He Yunshen with you to pay respects?”

Shen Zhi had planned to.

After all, they had been married three years and he had never visited her grandmother.

Mostly because he was abroad most of the time. Now that he was back, their relationship was strained.

Grandma’s death anniversary was next Sunday.

Shen Zhi planned, barring any surprises, first to pay respects to her grandmother, then head to the hospital for the surgery.

But she feared plans might change unexpectedly.

Her thoughts about He Yunshen and Zhou Qin were like a ticking time bomb, ready to destroy the fragile peace she had rebuilt.

Shanshan looked concerned.

“If you need me, I’m always here to accompany you.”

Shen Zhi felt comforted and smiled sweetly at her. Sometimes friends were more reliable than the closest family.

In the following days, whether Zhou Qin had a change of heart or just came to her senses, she caused no trouble and stopped pestering He Yunshen.

“Do you think that new arrival has fallen out with the general manager?”

“Who knows? She was so arrogant at first, but she’s calmed down a lot.”

“Better that way. Don’t want her to drive our Shen Law crazy again.”

“Not necessarily. I heard she’s the general manager’s half-sister. Probably just a misunderstanding.”

“Nonsense, half-siblings with different fathers, remember?”

“That’s even more dangerous. That kind of relationship is impossible to guard against!”

...

Just as Shen Zhi entered the restroom, she overheard the colleagues gossiping about Zhou Qin and He Yunshen.

Looking up, she saw Zhou Qin staring oddly back at her in the mirror.

“Is your relationship with my brother getting along well lately, sister-in-law?”

Shen Zhi was silent, puzzled.

Hearing the sound at the sink, the gossiping colleagues quickly turned and left.

Zhou Qin tugged at the corner of her mouth and came to wash her hands.

“As long as you’re alright, I won’t have my brother interrogate me again.”

Shen Zhi didn’t understand the implication and remained silent.

Zhou Qin suddenly laughed, “My brother is always considerate of my feelings, so naturally I have to take care of his mood in return! Sister-in-law, you should be more understanding too. Don’t throw childish tantrums and run away from home so often.”

Shen Zhi finally grasped the hidden meaning.

It meant He Yunshen had pretended to neglect her to soothe her, but in his heart, she was still more important.

“Are you adapting well to working at the grassroots level?”

“What?”

“If you’re not comfortable, I could talk to Dad about transferring you back to Yunshen’s side.”

Shen Zhi said coldly and strode away.

“You...”

Zhou Qin was left behind, stomping angrily.

Before work ended, He Yunshen was already waiting for Shen Zhi at the office.

In these days, he had reverted to his usual doting self.

Every day driving her around with smiles and laughter, his icy demeanor from the time he first returned to the country completely gone.

“Let’s go, I’ll take you to eat something delicious!”

As soon as work ended, He Yunshen eagerly spoke.

Shen Zhi looked up at him, frowning, “Are you cooking again today?”

Since that day, He Yunshen hadn’t stepped into the kitchen, mostly to consider her feelings.

“What, don’t want to eat my cooking anymore?”

Clearly, Shen Zhi had hit a sore spot.

He stubbornly took her hand and led her to the parking lot. As he reached to open the car door, she instinctively thought Zhou Qin was nearby.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

He Yunshen thoughtfully opened the passenger door for her and gently shielded her head as she got in.

“Be careful of your head.”

Shen Zhi didn’t refuse but responded with a faint smile as before. Yet, in her heart, she couldn’t help but picture him treating Zhou Qin the same way.

Soon, He Yunshen settled into the driver’s seat, his eyes lowered, his long, slender hands expertly turning the steering wheel.

This scene gave her an inexplicable sense of security.

Sensing her gaze, He Yunshen glanced over and smiled lightly.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Looking at my husband isn’t illegal, is it?”

She answered frankly.

They shared a smile, and the shadow of the Maybach disappeared into the parking lot.

In the corner, a familiar figure glared resentfully toward the exit, her crimson nails scratching a long mark down the pillar.