"Well, I'll have to come back tomorrow to take a look and give you a response after assessment," Shen Xi said with a slight curl of her lips.
Agreeing to see his grandmother was one thing, but charging a fee was another; the two were not mutually exclusive.
Although she wasn't short of money now, she still had three children to raise and many big goals to achieve, so saving more money would always be beneficial.
"Alright. I'll await your reply." Qin Siye said a few more polite words before hanging up the phone.
As soon as Shen Xi put down her phone, she received a friend request on WeChat.
The message read: "Dr. Shen, this is Qin Siye. Let's add each other as friends. It will be more convenient to contact you regarding Grandma's condition in the future."
Shen Xi hesitated for a moment, unable to find a reason to refuse him. In the end, she clicked to accept.
They quickly added each other, and Qin Siye immediately sent two messages.
"It was a long and tiring journey back to the country today, and so many things happened."
"Get some rest early, goodnight!"
Shen Xi's heart stirred slightly, and she replied with only two words: "Goodnight!"
The next day, after arranging for her three children, Shen Xi drove to the Qin residence again.
As soon as she entered the Qin family's hall, guided by Butler Sun, she saw Qin Siye sitting on the sofa playing Go with Xu Zhilan.
Today was Friday. Did he not have to work?
"Madam, Young Master, Dr. Shen has arrived," Butler Sun's voice echoed through the hall.
The two people on the sofa looked up in unison, their faces gentle as they turned towards Shen Xi.
"Xixi, come here quickly. Look at these educational toys Siye bought for me. I heard you suggested he buy them?" Xu Zhilan said with a chuckle, her spirits visibly improved from yesterday.
Hearing her grandmother address Shen Xi so familiarly, Qin Siye's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly stood up from the sofa.
"Dr. Shen, you're here."
"Madam, Mr. Qin, good morning!" Shen Xi smiled slightly and walked in, indeed seeing the sofa piled with various educational toys.
"Madam, these toys will be very helpful for your condition. Please play with them often when you have free time."
"Mhm, I'll listen to Xixi," Xu Zhilan said with a benevolent smile. "Why didn't you come with Siye this morning? And when are you and Siye getting married? I'm waiting to drink your wedding wine."
Hearing this, Shen Xi was startled, realizing that Xu Zhilan was confused and mistook her for someone else.
The scene became awkward. Shen Xi didn't know how to respond.
Qin Siye glanced at her. Seeing her face calm and her smile genuine, he turned to Xu Zhilan and said,
"Grandma, this is Dr. Shen, not Yin Xi. You've made a mistake. Besides, their names aren't spelled the same. Dr. Shen's name is 'Xi' from 'hope'."
Upon hearing this, Xu Zhilan glared at him. "Siye, don't lie to me. She's clearly Xixi. What do you mean? Don't you like her and don't want to marry her anymore?"
"Grandma. I..." Qin Siye didn't know how to explain to her and trailed off.
Shen Xi shook her head at him, signaling him to go along with her grandmother's delusion for now, as arguing would only worsen her condition.
"Grandma, you're playing Go," Shen Xi suddenly changed her demeanor, addressing Xu Zhilan affectionately.
Qin Siye understood instantly that Shen Xi was trying to change the subject. He quickly said, "Grandma, it's your turn."
"Okay." Xu Zhilan immediately turned her gaze to the chessboard, picked up a black stone, hesitated for a long time, but didn't know where to place it.
She only had a superficial understanding of Go, far inferior to Qin Siye.
"Grandma, you can place the stone here," Shen Xi said, pointing to a spot she had in mind when she saw her struggling, whispering it into her ear.
Xu Zhilan's face lit up with joy. After following her instructions, within a few moves, a section of the board that was previously cornered miraculously came to life.
Looking up at her in surprise, Qin Siye's eyes held a hint of astonishment.
He hadn't expected a girl who had lived abroad to be so proficient in Go.
"Xixi, you're amazing. Why don't you finish this game with Siye? I'll sit here and watch." Xu Zhilan clapped her hands excitedly, making room for Shen Xi.