Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

He pulled up at the door of the Xia household with a screech. He had not come here for a long time, but it didn’t mean that he would cut ties with the Xia family. After all, this was Xia Yixuan’s home. He got out of the car and stared coldly at the door which was shut tightly. He walked forward and placed his finger on the doorbell, pressing down hard.

He waited for a long time before the door was opened by the housekeeper who had worked for the Xia household for several years. “Oh, Mr. Chu, you’re here?” The housekeeper was taken aback. After he had divorced the eldest daughter, he seldom came; but why was he here now? Could he have found out?

The housekeeper’s face changed as if she was hiding something.

“What can I do for you, Mr. Chu? My lady and sir are both not home today. Let me know, and I’ll pass them the message.” She said, trying to hide something but only making things worse. Her secrecy, her shiftiness, and her guilt were all taken in by Chu Lui’s eyes.

“I just want to go in and visit my ex-in-laws. Is there any problem?” The hard voice, the cool tone, and the unquestioning tone made the housekeeper’s expression more unnatural.

“No, no, of course not,” the nurse said, waving her hands in terror; but her eyes peeked inside constantly as if there was an unspeakable secret especially to Chu Lui.

Chu Lui walked inside with big steps, and just when the housekeeper wanted to call out, he threw her a warning glare.

“You can try, but one pip from you, and who knows whether you’ll be able to stay here. Me or the Xia family, I’m sure you know very clearly who is stronger?” Chu Lui paused, and the cold words tumbled out of his mouth.

The housekeeper could only shut her mouth after hearing that and dared not say a word. She followed behind Chu Lui and rubbed her hands together constantly. Sir, you should explain yourself. Some things could never be hidden forever, just like how no walls could keep the wind out. It’s just been a few days, but he had already shown up.

This man already knew, but it shouldn’t be a big issue. He might even be ecstatic.

Meanwhile, Xia Mingzheng was flipping through the newspaper in his hand, peeking occasionally at his wife. She was still in that state, making him worry; but he was helpless.

He put down the newspaper, stood up, and sat down in front of Shen Yijun. He took her hands and said, “Yijun. Don’t be like this. We’ll find Ruoxin and then treat her well, okay? We’ll give her back all the things we owe her. Ruoxin is a good child. She’d forgive us.” He said that, but the bleakness beyond his words was unchangeable. Who knew if those words would come true?

Some could be forgiven, but some were unforgivable.

Could they still make up for a love that was 20 years late? Even if they were willing to make amends, it didn’t mean that she would accept these meaningless apologies.

Shen Yijun’s lifeless eyes brightened slightly.

“Really? You really think Xinxin would come back? And forgive me?” She clutched Xia Mingzheng’s shirt all of a sudden with so much force that she almost ripped it apart. Xia Mingzheng could only nod his head and force a smile. It was all his fault, but in the end, it was Shen Yijun and her daughter who paid for the price.

“Yes. If we find that child, we’ll treat her well. Definitely.” Xia Mingzheng was also making a promise to himself. If there really came such a day, he would treat Xia Ruoxin as well as Xia Yixuan.

“Sir…” The housekeeper’s timid voice rang.

“What? Didn’t I tell you to not disturb us if there’s nothing important?” The displeasure was clear in Xia Mingzheng’s face. He didn’t like it when people disturbed Shen Yijun at this time. She was in a bad mental state now, and he was in an even worse mood.

“But sir, Mr. Chu is here…” The housekeeper’s face crumpled with grievance. She didn’t want him to, but he had already followed behind her. Her words were like a bomb, making Xia Mingzheng’s face change suddenly. He lifted his head and wanted to stop him, but he was too late. Chu Lui was already in front of them.

He appeared silently, without any warning.

“Ah Lui, what are you doing here?” He was a businessman after all so he recovered faster than the housekeeper. He stood up and walked towards Chu Lui, admiring the young man who was extremely calm and steady.

Chu Lui raised his eyebrows, the corners of his lips curving into a smile that wasn’t so warm.

“No reason. It’s just been a while since I visited Uncle and Auntie Xia so dropped in when I passed by.”

Xia Mingzheng let out an inward sigh of relief.

It was such a pity. He thought that Chu Lui was the most promising young man, and he would have been his son-in-law, but now, the Li family was the one who was enjoying a rise in status. He was bitter about it. Chu Lui had once addressed him as father-in-law even though it wasn’t his biological daughter.

Chu Lui stared at Xia Mingzheng, who was acting as per usual; and Shen Yijun who was silent with her head hung low. He felt the atmosphere was strange, and his instincts were never wrong.

What happened in the Xia household?

“To think that you would still think of us. Our Ruoxin has really done you wrong.” Xia Mingzheng patted Chu Lui on his back. Till this day, he still thought that it was all Xia Ruoxin’s fault four years ago. Chu Lui’s face darkened even more.

When Shen Yijun heard Xia Ruoxin’s name, she lifted her head and looked at Chu Lui. Her face was pale and looked much older than before like she had rubbed it with wind and frost.

“Ah Lui, as you can see, Auntie Xia is in poor health recently so I won’t keep you for long.” Xia Mingzheng said with a slight intention to chase him away, sitting down by his wife’s side in a hurry and reached a hand out to stabilize her.

Chu Lui lowered his head and gazed at Shen Yijun calmly. He did not understand how someone who was perfectly fine could become like this. He always had the impression that Shen Yijun was a woman who prioritized lifestyle needs, but now she looked as if she had aged ten years.