She was left to be cared for by strangers during her confinement, alone and without her parents or family by her side.
When Sheng Yuxue was in confinement, Huo Qingrang even brewed soup for her, attending to her with utmost care.
No wonder she had seen a burn mark on Huo Qingrang's finger back then.
Huo Qingrang, who never cooked, had done so for Sheng Yuxue.
Qin Xue wept like a heartbroken woman. After all, she was a woman who had been with him for decades. Huo Qingrang felt a pang of guilt and stepped forward. Before his hand could touch Qin Xue, she slapped it away.
"Huo Qingrang, you make me look like a lunatic, like an idiot. You could have just told me. Why did you hide this from me for so many years? Why did you neglect me for so long? You're so selfish!" Qin Xue pulled open the dining room door and walked out without looking back at the man behind her.
Su Qi gestured for Aunt Tong to check upstairs, then instructed the servants to tidy the dining room before walking over to Huo Qingrang. "Uncle Huo, you should rest early."
"Xiao Su, you knew all along too?"
Su Qi remained noncommittal. "Paper cannot wrap fire. Lies cannot be sustained forever."
She left the Huo residence, still worried about Qin Xue's condition. Before dawn, she went to the Huo mansion. Qin Xue was nowhere to be found in the living room. Su Qi found her in the backyard, trimming branches from the flowers and plants. "It's cold, Aunt Qin. You should wear more clothes."
Su Qi took off her cashmere shawl and draped it over Qin Xue's shoulders.
"You're here. Have you had breakfast? There's plenty of delicious food at home."
"I've eaten. Aunt Qin, how about you?"
"I don't have the appetite."
As Qin Xue spoke, she picked up the scissors again to trim. She only put them down when she felt tired and went upstairs to rest.
Su Qi sat in the living room for a while. Hearing footsteps behind her, she thought Huo Qingrang had returned and turned around. Seeing Huo Tingyun, Su Qi was momentarily stunned before politely greeting him.
"Mr. Huo, good morning."
Huo Tingyun's brow furrowed imperceptibly, a flicker of annoyance in his eyes, but it was gone in half a second, so fast it could have been a mere illusion.
"Your mother hasn't been in good spirits lately. Spend more time with her."
Su Qi gave a brief instruction and then walked towards the door.
As she passed the man, Su Qi even caught a faint scent of Li Caiyi on his sandalwood-scented body.
It made her feel disgusted. Su Qi quickened her pace.
Her wrist was suddenly gripped tightly. Su Qi knew it was Huo Tingyun who had grabbed her. She exerted a sudden force, breaking free, and then glared at Huo Tingyun, "Mr. Huo, please show some self-respect. Don't touch me. You truly
make me feel disgusted!"
Looking into his eyes, even the last trace of love and affection had vanished.
In its place was hatred and disgust.
This was once his attitude towards her, and now she was treating him the same way.
Before Huo Tingyun could say anything, his thin lips moved slightly, and Su Qi turned and left, leaving him with a pocket of cold air.
She raised her hand, wanting to grasp something, but her palm met only empty air.
Her heart suddenly ached, as if she had lost something, leaving a void.
Huo Tingyun left the Huo mansion and instructed Lin Te to drive him to the Ju Garden.
Lin Te glanced at the man in the rearview mirror. He had seen Su Qi leave the Huo mansion earlier. Had they not spoken?
Upon returning to the Ju Garden, Li Caiyi had prepared a meal and was waiting for him. She smiled shyly upon seeing Huo Tingyun at the door, her pure and innocent face breaking into a bashful smile. "I thought you weren't coming back for dinner. I made many dishes myself. Please try them and see if they suit your taste."
The scene before him was everything he had fantasized about since childhood, yet his heart felt no sense of fulfillment, satisfaction, or happiness.
After dinner, Li Caiyi washed the dishes. Huo Tingyun entered the kitchen and hugged Li Caiyi from behind, burying his face in her hair. His breath carried the alcoholic scent of perfume, not a natural fragrance with a hint of milkiness.
Within three seconds, Huo Tingyun released her.
"What's wrong? You go and attend to your business. I'll wash the dishes and then cut some fruit for you."
After washing the dishes, Li Caiyi walked out of the living room and saw Huo Tingyun sitting on the sofa, a laptop on his lap. His profile was exquisitely perfect. Even after seeing him many times, Li Caiyi's heart still skipped a beat, struck by his beauty.
"Tingyun, have some fruit."
Li Caiyi placed the washed fruit on the coffee table.
They were all berries, rich in nutrients. While cheap in the north, they were expensive in the south. Moreover, these were berries flown in from abroad, making their price even higher with the airfreight cost. Li Caiyi could never have imagined such a thing before; now, her refrigerator was filled with such delicious fruits.
Huo Tingyun had been treating her exceptionally well these days, accompanying her every day, taking her to various high-end restaurants, and showering her with attention.
Honestly, no woman could refuse such a man.
However, every time she looked into his eyes, they seemed so empty.
Even when he looked at her, there was no joy or happiness.
Li Caiyi couldn't help but ask, "Tingyun, are you not happy with me?"
"Of course, I'm happy. How could I not be?"
"Really?"
Li Caiyi's expression turned dejected. It was a pity she wasn't the real Little Rose. If she were the real Little Rose, perhaps she could make Huo Tingyun happy.
"Tingyun, you've divorced Su Qi. When will you marry me?"
Marrying Huo Tingyun would allow her to complete the task given to her by that man.
She was already impatient.
The only reply Li Caiyi received was the man's silence.
He merely stared at the screen of his laptop. The light fell on his chiseled, handsome face, which showed no expression.
"Tingyun, please?" Li Caiyi leaned towards him, lowering her voice and speaking softly, "Do you remember our childhood promise? You said you would marry me and make me your wife. You promised me a grand wedding and to make me your bride."
"Now that I've finally returned to your side, I want to fulfill our childhood promise and dream. I want to marry you!"
Li Caiyi had entered society at a very young age and had struggled in the world for many years. She had learned to be submissive, to judge people by their appearance, and to read the room.
She knew the man wouldn't agree, but as long as she brought up their childhood, he would satisfy her, no matter what it was.
Li Caiyi couldn't help but wonder what kind of girl could make this man so unforgettable, could make him treat her so well. Who was she?
Unfortunately, it wasn't her.
However, in this world now, very few people knew it wasn't her.
"Tingyun, please?"
They say that a woman who knows how to act spoiled is the luckiest.