Chapter 70 A Visit

Shen Qingyi placed the items on the small table beside Xia Xiyue’s hospital bed and nodded, “Alright, be careful, and come back soon.”

This Cheng Youqing—she said she was here to keep her company, but the moment Zhou Qing showed up, she left her behind. Still, weekends were rare for them, so Shen Qingyi chose to be understanding.

After Zhou Qing and Cheng Youqing left the ward, Shen Qingyi sat down by Xia Xiyue’s bedside. “Are you feeling better today? Has your fever gone down?”

Xia Xiyue glanced at her, quickly lowering her long lashes. Her voice was weak, and she coughed twice. “It’s gone, but I still feel drained.”

Shen Qingyi smiled. “That’s good. The purse you gave me the other day—I drew up its schematic and even designed a new model based on it. Want to try it?”

She rummaged through her bag and handed a notebook to Xia Xiyue.

Xia Xiyue took it, flipped through a couple of pages, then closed it and set it aside, pinching the bridge of her nose. Was work really the only thing they could talk about anymore?

Every favor, calculated so precisely.

“What’s so special about Lu Yan?”

Shen Qingyi was taken aback by the question, needing a moment to process it. Was her boss really asking her this?

“What does this purse have to do with Lu Yan?”

Xia Xiyue looked at her with clear, bright eyes, her face small and delicate. For a fleeting moment, he realized his own abruptness. “Nothing, really. I just think it’s unfair to you. He ignored you for four years, and the moment he returns, you forgive him?”

He simply couldn’t accept it—how could a man gain all of someone’s attention and forgiveness with no effort, when he himself yearned in vain?

“There were some misunderstandings,” Shen Qingyi explained.

“Misunderstandings? If he’d cared even a little, he wouldn’t have let you endure that for four years.”

Shen Qingyi glanced at her young boss again. Was her fever muddling her mind? “Since when did you get so interested in my personal life?”

“Right now, because you’ve been distracted at work lately. Last time there were fewer designs, and this time, I haven’t seen any that stand out.” Xia Xiyue started picking faults.

Shen Qingyi laughed. “Is that so? But I heard that the dress I wore last time sold very well at Huaqiao’s store. Are you just saying this to dock my pay?”

This kid did have a bit of a capitalist’s tricks.

Watching the laughter in her eyes, Xia Xiyue lapsed into a daze, then blushed and said, “When have I ever shorted you your pay?”

“Good, then!” Shen Qingyi thought it was time she started saving. She was tempted by that house. Lu Yan’s place was his, after all—she was only staying there for now. She wanted to buy a home of her own, so she could truly feel secure.

Shen Qingyi stood up. “Let me peel you an apple.”

She had just bought these apples.

“Alright!” Shen Qingyi took an apple out of the room, washed it, and came back with the fruit knife from the table. She gripped both ends of the apple with two fingers, and with the other hand, circled the knife around it a few times. The peel came off in a single, unbroken strip that landed in the trash.

She handed the neatly peeled apple to Xia Xiyue. “Here, eat.”

Xia Xiyue took the apple, astonished. “You’re so good at this—did you practice from childhood?”

Shen Qingyi chuckled. “Not at all. I rarely peel apples. Must be talent.”

Xia Xiyue took a bite and asked, “Do you plan to keep living like this with Lu Yan forever?”

Why was this coming up again? Shen Qingyi thought Xia Xiyue was acting very oddly today. “That depends on how he does.”

That was truly how she felt. For now, she was content—at least he treated An’an wonderfully.

Xia Xiyue gnawed on the apple, saying nothing more.

At that moment, the door to the ward opened. Zhou Qing, looking triumphant, handed the receipt and change back to Xia Xiyue. “Pretty efficient, huh?”

Xia Xiyue shot him a look. “Very.”

Shen Qingyi stood up. “Alright, if there’s nothing else, I’ll head back. Anything else you need to tell me?”

Xia Xiyue took another bite of the apple. “Nothing. Just be on time for payday at the end of the month.”

“Take care and rest up. Oh, by the way, I’ve moved. Can’t stay at the old place anymore; I’m at…” Shen Qingyi gave her new address.

The research institute’s family quarters? Xia Xiyue understood at once.

Shen Qingyi and Cheng Youqing left the hospital. Zhou Qing came down to drive them home—Cheng Youqing’s bicycle was still at their apartment complex.

After fetching the bicycle, Shen Qingyi checked her watch—it was lunchtime.

“Let me buy you lunch!”

The two found a small eatery, each ordered a dish and a bowl of rice. Afterward, Shen Qingyi said, “I still need to stop by the department store.”

“What do you need to buy now?”

“Lu Yan’s leaving next Tuesday, isn’t he? I want to get some things ready for him.”

After lunch, the two went straight to the department store.

That afternoon, Lu Yan was distracted as he looked after An’an.

His wife had been out almost all day. Did she really have that much to talk about with Cheng Youqing?

He had done the grocery shopping today. There were eggs at home; he bought two stalks of lettuce, some potatoes, and a pound of green beans.

His wife liked stir-fried potatoes and lettuce. An’an liked green beans. Caiqing, like him, liked everything, especially eggs.

Lu Caiqing went to cook. Seeing the groceries her brother bought, she thought, “Not bad… at least it’s better than before.”

Still, she preferred when her sister-in-law did the shopping.

At dinnertime, Shen Qingyi finally returned, arms full of bags.

An’an ran over excitedly and took a small bag from her hand. “Mom, what did you buy this time?”

Lu Yan took the rest from her.

Lu Caiqing had just finished cooking and was stunned by all the things. “Sis, if you keep buying like this, are we going to go bankrupt?”

She liked luxury, but this was too much.

Shen Qingyi patted her son’s head and replied, “It’s nothing. Since your dad’s leaving soon, I got these for him.”

Then she told Lu Caiqing, “Bankrupt or not, at least there’s still food.”

Lu Yan was startled. The gloom that had hung over him all day seemed to be gently lifted away. Was his wife out all day with Cheng Youqing just to buy these things for him?

Before heading to their room, Shen Qingyi told Lu Yan, “Check if we’re missing anything and add to it if needed.”

With that, she went inside.

Seeing Lu Yan standing there motionless, Lu Caiqing hurried over. “Let me see!”

She took the bags from his hands and pulled out each item one by one.

Two sets of long-sleeved autumn underclothes, thermal pants, a knitted sweater, a jacket, two pairs of thick socks, two brand-new towels, a tube of toothpaste, a toothbrush, and a bar of soap.

There was also face cream, hand lotion, a bottle of floral mosquito repellent, and a box of purple balm.

“Sis, you’re so thoughtful! You’ve stocked up on everything for autumn. But second brother, do you really need the face cream and hand lotion?” Lu Caiqing picked up these two items.

She knew that despite Lu Yan’s delicate appearance, he was rough by nature—he’d barely glanced in the mirror his whole life. He’d never use these. The towel hanging in the bathroom was already full of holes, and his toothbrush was frayed.