Chapter 92: Dreaming

Mr. and Mrs. Xia had heard their daughter mention Shen Qingyi, sometimes intentionally, sometimes in passing, and thus knew a bit about her situation. Beyond mere sympathy, they also felt a certain admiration for her. Although at heart they still held to traditional Chinese values, they were people of broad experience and open minds, so they took this sort of matter in stride.

Wu Hongying smiled and said, “Mother, you really don’t need to worry about this. Whether it works out or not is another question entirely.”

Madam Xia shot Wu Hongying a glare, then turned to Xia Shirong and said, “Did you hear what your wife just said? What kind of mother doesn’t worry about her own son’s lifelong happiness, and can even say such irresponsible things?”

Her attitude clearly meant leaving things up to fate. But what if it actually happened? Where would the Xia family’s dignity go?

Xia Shirong was usually a most filial son. Even if he disagreed with his mother, he would never argue with her openly.

He could only gently say, “When a son grows up, a mother can no longer control him.”

Madam Xia replied in a low voice, “It’s all because you indulge them!”

Wu Hongying only felt a headache coming on and quickly found an excuse to leave. “Mother, I just remembered something I need to do upstairs.”

With those words, she clicked away in her high heels toward the staircase.

Xia Shirong naturally dared not linger either. If he stayed, all his mother’s anger would be focused on him, and he simply could not bear it.

“Mother, I just remembered something I need to take care of as well!”

This kid Ayue really knew how to make things difficult for him.

Xia Xiyue drove Shen Qingyi to a hotel and parked out front.

Shen Qingyi got out and followed Xia Xiyue, lifting her head to see a hotel before her. Its classical Chinese style was both opulent and tasteful, with foreign guests coming and going at the entrance.

She stopped and called out to Xia Xiyue, “I don’t want to stay here.”

Anyone could tell at a glance that it was expensive.

Xia Xiyue understood her concerns. “This is my family’s hotel. You won’t have to pay. Since you’ve come to my hometown, I should at least show you some hospitality. If you went anywhere else, you’d actually have to spend money. If you feel like you owe me, just treat me to two meals in the capital.”

With that, he strode toward the hotel’s front desk.

Seeing Xia Xiyue, the receptionist immediately greeted him with respect. “Fourth Young Master, which room would you like?”

“The two best VIP suites.”

“Of course!” The attendant quickly began the check-in process, sneaking a glance at Shen Qingyi standing behind him.

Xia Xiyue took the room cards, waved off the staff member who was about to lead the way, and headed upstairs himself.

When Shen Qingyi entered her hotel room, she found it even better than the one they’d stayed at on the way. But as soon as she entered, she rushed to the bathroom and began to vomit violently.

Seeing her distress, Xia Xiyue hurried in after her, asking anxiously, “What’s wrong?”

After a long moment, a weak voice drifted from the bathroom. “I ate too much.”

Xia Xiyue was at a loss for words. “Next time, learn to say no.”

With that, he left.

Once Shen Qingyi felt better and came out, she saw another man standing behind Xia Xiyue. The man carried a case, wore glasses, and looked to be in his thirties. He stood properly behind Xia Xiyue.

Seeing her, he immediately stepped forward politely. “I’m Dr. Wang, the hotel’s physician. I heard you weren’t feeling well. May I have a look?”

Shen Qingyi couldn’t help but find it both funny and exasperating. She’d just overeaten, and yet Xia Xiyue had gone to the trouble of finding a doctor. It was a little much.

She told the truth and politely refused.

Dr. Wang said, “Since I’m here, let me at least check your pulse.”

The Fourth Young Master had just told him this woman got severe motion sickness and had little appetite.

Shen Qingyi didn’t refuse again. She went to the table and extended her hand for him to take her pulse.

Dr. Wang set his case on the table and placed his fingers on her wrist.

After about three minutes, he reached a conclusion. “Miss Shen, do you sometimes feel dizzy and your vision go dark when you stand up after squatting?”

Shen Qingyi was surprised. Was that even considered an illness? Her mother had the same issue.

“I do experience that, but it’s been years and hasn’t affected my health.”

Dr. Wang smiled. “You’re a bit anemic, and your digestion needs some care. I’ll prescribe some medicine.”

If there’s an illness, it should be treated. Shen Qingyi nodded. “Thank you, Doctor. How much will it cost?”

“No charge. It’s part of our hotel’s service.”

He opened his kit and prepared a few remedies for her.

Shen Qingyi accepted the medicine and thanked him repeatedly.

After the doctor left, Xia Xiyue said, “If you need anything, just call me. I’m right next door.”

Watching his retreating figure, Shen Qingyi thought back to Madam Xia’s probing earlier. She hesitated, then called after him, “Xia Xiyue!”

He paused and turned quickly. “What is it?”

“You… you don’t have to be so good to me. People might get the wrong idea.” She hesitated, then added, “But thank you, all the same.”

That was a rejection. Xia Xiyue stood there for a moment, feeling as if he couldn’t breathe. It was a while before he could speak. “Was I really so good? Calling a doctor for a friend—that’s being good? Even if it were Zhou Qing, I’d do the same!”

Shen Qingyi fell silent. Zhou Qing was always efficient and received the same treatment as she did.

Xia Xiyue watched her dazed expression, then went back to his room and sat on the bed, lighting a cigarette.

Lu Caiqing received a call from the police station, asking her to come and collect compensation money.

She took An’an by the hand, picked up the two hundred yuan, and sat on the sofa counting it over and over.

Only after a long while could she believe she’d actually received the money.

Today was the third day since Shen Qingyi had left home, and it was the first time An’an had been away from his mother for so long.

Lu Caiqing patted An’an’s head. “Auntie will take you to the shop for something good to eat. What would you like?”

At the mention of treats, An’an finally perked up. “I want a lollipop.”

Such sweet snacks were rarely allowed by Shen Qingyi when she was home.

Lu Caiqing agreed readily.

Just as the two were about to leave, a clerk from the supply store arrived. “There’s a phone call for your family.”

An’an was excited. “Let’s answer it! It must be Mom.”

When they got to the store and picked up the phone, Lu Caiqing realized it was Lu Yan calling.

After chatting briefly with An’an, Lu Yan hung up.

Turning away, Lu Caiqing realized how muddled she’d been. The journey alone would take three days one-way; even if he only stayed there a day, it would still be four days before he returned.

Ever since she heard that Shen Qingyi and Xia Xiyue had gone to Pengcheng together, Lu Yan’s mind had been restless. He even dreamt last night that his wife said to him, “Didn’t you say that if I found someone better than you, you’d divorce me?”

That sentence woke him with a start.

He had nearly forgotten he’d once said those words.

At the time, they had meant nothing to him. But now, just hearing his wife say them in a dream left him so distraught he couldn’t fall asleep again.