"Mm." Song Kaicheng replied without hesitation, his gaze burning.
Shen Xi felt uncomfortable being looked at by the two of them. She gently stroked her hair by her ear and said with a blush, "Auntie, Brother Kaicheng, can you please stop looking at me like that? It makes me feel like I'm an animal in a zoo. Besides, you've seen me before."
"That's different. We haven't seen your true face for several months," Mei Yun said with a hearty laugh, taking her hand. "Come, let's eat first."
During the meal, Mei Yun said again, "Xixi, now that you're back, stay at home for a few more days. I've already asked the servants to put your luggage in your old room."
"Ah?" Hearing this, Shen Xi looked at her in surprise. "Auntie, I'd better go back to my own apartment?" When she first arrived in country B, she didn't have the means and had always lived here. But after giving birth, she encountered traditional Chinese medicine, made a fortune, and then learned investment from Song Kaicheng, quickly buying an apartment and moving out. She felt it was more proper and secure to live in her own home.
Mei Yun scooped a piece of food into her bowl and said with a smile, "How can that be? Your apartment has been empty for several months with no one to clean it, and you've dismissed the servants. How can you live there? Just stay here with peace of mind. Isn't this like your own home?"
"This..." Shen Xi hesitated. If she had returned for a short period in the past and stayed here for a few days, there would have been no problem. But it was different now. She knew Song Kaicheng's feelings for her. If she still lived in his house, she would feel very awkward.
At this moment, Song Kaicheng also said with a smile, "Yes, Xixi, Auntie is making a lot of sense. We wouldn't be at ease with you living alone in that empty apartment."
Seeing that she was still a little hesitant, Mei Yun's expression suddenly turned serious. "Xixi, have you become estranged from us in the months you've been back in the country? You used to live here for two or three years. What, are you not used to it now?"
"No, Auntie, I..." Hearing this, Shen Xi found herself in a dilemma. But to avoid upsetting her aunt, she finally agreed. "Alright. Thank you, Auntie and Brother Kaicheng."
"Why be so polite? Alright, eat quickly," Mei Yun's face instantly beamed with a smile, and she scooped another piece of food into her bowl.
After the meal, Shen Xi went with Song Kaicheng to Mayor Abel's home. As soon as the car stopped at the entrance, they saw the Mayor's wife, Camila, standing at the entrance with a smile to greet them. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Camila affectionately took Shen Xi's arm and led her inside. "Dr. Shen, you're finally back. Abel has been waiting for you."
"Madam, what exactly happened to Mr. Mayor that his old illness suddenly relapsed?" Shen Xi asked her with her head tilted, in fluent English. Abel was a diligent and compassionate mayor who was deeply loved and respected by the local populace. Three years ago, he suffered from severe insomnia, unable to sleep for entire nights. Later, Song Kaicheng recommended Shen Xi to him, and she completely cured his insomnia with acupuncture therapy. Afterwards, Shen Xi received generous compensation, and Song Kaicheng also established a deep friendship with Mayor Abel, making his investment path in country B smoother from then on.
Camila sighed softly and said in a low voice, "Recently, a commercial force has emerged from who knows where, privately suppressing and acquiring local enterprises, causing many businesses to be on the verge of collapse and many people to be unemployed. Abel has been worried about this matter, often working until late at night, which has caused his old illness to relapse."
"Oh. So that's how it is," Shen Xi replied thoughtfully.
As they spoke, they reached the hall. Abel was sitting on the sofa reading. Upon seeing Shen Xi and Song Kaicheng enter, he quickly stood up to greet them. After examining his mental state, Shen Xi carefully took his pulse and finally said, "Mr. Mayor, your condition is quite good, much better than that time three years ago. It's likely due to recent work stress and staying up late. I'll give you a few days of acupuncture treatment, and you should recover quickly."
"Good. Thank you, Dr. Shen. It would be best if it could be for a longer period." Abel smiled, and secretly glanced at Song Kaicheng with a meaningful look.