Chapter 124: Office Tension

Yuwen Si pushed the money toward the driver again, with tireless persistence. Mai Xijun could not help but turn her head to stare at him, feeling utterly incredulous. It was as if she were seeing a ghost; she could not believe Yuwen Si was being so reasonable, and even showing such consideration for the common folk. Why had she never realized he could be such a thoughtful person? Was he playing some kind of sinister game behind her back?

Thinking of this, Mai Xijun muttered to herself. Yet, for the two people before them who were practically powerless, surely Yuwen Si could not be so petty as to go to such extremes.

She kicked Yuwen Si’s leg under the table, but he showed no reaction. Damn it, he was actually ignoring her.

Leaving the police station, Yuwen Si strode to the car with his long legs, opened the passenger door for her, and then walked around to the driver's side. Neither of them spoke throughout the journey, though Yuwen Si would occasionally glance into the rearview mirror, his brow slightly furrowed.

"Do you think my offering money earlier wasn't sincere?" Yuwen Si asked nonchalantly, eyes fixed on the road ahead, not looking at her at all. He knew she had kicked him under the table, and he wondered how she could expect him to continue chatting as if nothing had happened.

"No! You did a good thing, and I want to thank you for helping me. It cost you again," Mai Xijun said, feeling quite embarrassed. She still hadn't managed to repay him for what he had covered at Jinsha Bay, let alone this time. She feared she would have to put off repaying him even longer.

"I already told you that this is none of your business. Don't talk about helping or money again; I don't like hearing it," Yuwen Si declared arrogantly. His displeasure was written plainly on his face. He had expected her to say "thank you" to show she appreciated his gesture, but instead, she spoke with such alienation, which put him in a foul mood.

"Oh, alright then. I'll just do my best to help you complete this project," she replied. That would be the best way to repay him.

Yuwen Si stopped talking, keeping his eyes on the road and occasionally checking the mirror. Yet, he felt more and more unsettled; if she didn't explain that kick, he wouldn't be able to eat or sleep in peace. "Explain that kick to me."

Mai Xijun had been looking out the window, her mind elsewhere. When she heard his words, she didn't react at first, stunned for a moment. Seeing her silence, Yuwen Si seemed filled with pent-up frustration. Before she could even open her mouth, he roared, "Am I really just that much of a scumbag in your eyes?"

*Screech!*

With a harsh sound of braking, Mai Xijun was caught off guard. Her eyes widened, her hands instinctively gripped the handle, and her mouth formed an "O" of terror.

"What are you doing? Are you crazy?" Mai Xijun snapped back to reality, turning to scream at him.

"I asked you a question, why didn't you answer me?" Yuwen Si, equally furious, shouted back at her.

"I think you’re a lunatic, absolutely, hopelessly insane." Mai Xijun glared at him with contempt, opened the car door, and got out.

Yuwen Si was stunned. She was yelling at him! Not only that, she had actually gotten out, leaving him halfway to their destination. It wasn't exactly abandoning him, but the behavior was humiliating. He was Yuwen Si, a high-and-mighty, arrogant king; no one had ever dared to shout at him or give him attitude—except for Mai Xijun.

Fuming, Yuwen Si jerked the steering wheel and drove off in the opposite direction. Watching her retreating figure in the rearview mirror until it vanished, he finally turned the car around.

Mai Xijun placed her hand on her lower abdomen, gently rubbing it in a circle. The sudden braking had left her heart pounding uncontrollably. This child was her most precious treasure, her life. From now on, she would not take any risks with her own life, let alone use her child as a gamble. She had to protect herself and ensure she suffered no harm.

After walking until she was tired, Mai Xijun rested on a bench. Once Yuwen Si confirmed she was heading home, he turned back, careful not to let her see him following her; he would be far too embarrassed to be caught.

In the following days, Shen Yanyue remained away on business. Mai Xijun began to live a disciplined life, going to bed and waking up early, and adjusting her diet. Yet, she habitually checked her phone, only to find no messages or missed calls from him. She decided to call him, but the automated tone told her his phone was still unreachable. She wanted to ask, to show concern, to know when he would return, but days passed, and she found no way to bring it up.

Worried but helpless, she finished the design drafts for the ring buckle, handed them to the staff at Yuwen Media, and left the building.

***

At the hospital, Mai Xijun waited in line to register for a comprehensive check-up.

"Next, Mai Xijun."

When her name was called, her heart tightened. She had been calm until that moment, but a strange sense of unease washed over her. She followed the staff into the room, underwent a series of tests as directed, and was then sent to the attending physician’s office.

"Hello," Mai Xijun said politely, handing over her files. She felt a strange sense of familiarity with the doctor, but she didn't dwell on it.

"Oh, let me see your results. Please, take a seat," Shen Qian said, tidying up the previous patient's charts before picking up hers. He paused upon seeing her name. He had thought her voice sounded familiar, but dismissed it as a coincidence. However, the report clearly stated she was one month and three weeks pregnant.

As Mai Xijun sat down and looked up, and as Shen Qian finished reviewing the files and looked up to verify...

Their eyes met. Both were stunned... struck by shock.

The world was too small, filled with too many coincidences. Even as she left, Mai Xijun couldn't process what had just happened—running into Shen Yanyue's brother in such a place.

Tong Liyao watched Mai Xijun leave the office, looking puzzled. "What was wrong with that girl? She looked so lost."

Seeing his beloved, Shen Qian’s expression softened instantly, all his worries dissipating. He smiled. "Nothing at all! What are you doing here at this hour?"

Acting affectionately, he checked the time, then reached out, pulled Tong Liyao into his arms, and sat her on his lap.

"I just wanted to see you," she said, gently pecking his lips. The gesture ignited his desire, and Shen Qian leaned in, kissing her deeply, lost in the moment.

She had once been so obsessed with one person that she had ignored the existence of such an outstanding man by her side. She had thought she loved Ye Fan Yu to the point of no return. She had even thought their engagement was a sign of eternity... but she never realized that Ye Fan Yu only ever loved that woman named Mu Xinyue, a policewoman he would die for.

She had never imagined that the man who would always follow her unconditionally whenever she was sad was actually Shen Qian. This man had loved her since they were children, and he was now over thirty, yet she had only just realized it.

"Why didn't you say you wanted me?" Shen Qian asked with a wicked smirk. If one looked closely, his features were strikingly similar to Shen Yanyue’s—both devastatingly handsome.

"I didn't say it because I was waiting for you to take me," Tong Liyao replied, her slender fingers tracing his ears and lips. She pouted slightly, pressing her lips against his.

This man had loved her for over twenty years, through all their years as childhood sweethearts. He had never confessed his feelings, but now that she knew, she had fallen for him, completely and helplessly. She was wicked, wanting to possess every part of him.