Ming Chi didn't understand, but glancing at Xu Wanwan and then at Qin Yun, who hadn't left all night, a smile bloomed on his lips.
"Mom, you should go back to sleep."
Fang Meiyan, being astute, understood something and immediately felt tired.
"I've stayed here with you all night. I'm tired too. I can't keep up with you young people. I'll go back to my room to rest."
Of those present, only Ming Xue was expectantly waiting for an answer.
Xu Wanwan tugged at her lips, smiling bitterly. After a moment, she said with bravado, "I've dated, yes. I've had so many boyfriends, they were like fish crossing a river, countless!"
Ming Xue blinked. "Do you love them then?"
Xu Wanwan's gaze drifted to Qin Yun in the distance, her stare direct and fiery.
"There was one I loved."
Ming Xue perked up. "Do you still love him now?"
Xu Wanwan clenched her hands tightly, staring at the man who avoided her gaze, gritting her teeth. "Yes, I do!"
With each confession, she felt more despair.
Her public admission, her gradual unveiling of her heart to Qin Yun.
All she received in return was silence and avoidance.
It was for the best, if she could give up once and for all, she wouldn't have to keep wasting her true heart like this.
Ming Chi realized something was amiss and smiled. "Xiao Xue, don't ask anymore. You were only allowed to ask one question, and you've already asked several!"
Ming Xue looked curious. "Then why aren't sister Wanwan and him together?"
Qin Yun stood up and went upstairs.
Xu Wanwan bit her lower lip. Lu Mingxi gathered the cards on the table.
"It's getting late, it's time to go. Wanwan, I'll take you home."
"I'm not going!" Xu Wanwan roared.
Qin Yun, who was ascending the stairs, paused, his fists clenching at his sides.
Ming Xue looked bewildered and timidly moved closer to Ming Chi. "Brother, what's wrong with sister Wanwan? Did she drink too much!"
"I'll ask the kitchen to make her some hangover soup!" she said, getting up uneasily.
Ming Chi took his troublesome sister by the arm. "I'll take Xiao Xue back to her room to rest."
Soon, only Qin Yun and Xu Wanwan remained in the living room, along with Qin He and Lu Mingxi.
Xu Wanwan gritted her teeth, she didn't even have the courage to question Qin Yun further.
She looked at Lu Mingxi, biting her lip and whispering, "Are you just going to remain silent like this?"
Lu Mingxi widened his innocent eyes. "..."
Xu Wanwan's voice was laced with tears. "How long are you going to pretend to be foolish? What did you say when you pursued me before? Why, why did it turn out like this?"
"Why did it turn out like this?"
"If you didn't like me, why did you get together with me?"
"You broke up with me, so why did you still act like that with me when I went to the hospital!"
"Everyone thinks I wouldn't let you go, but it was you who wouldn't let me go! Every time I thought my heart was healing a little, you deliberately provoked me! What right do you have to control me, to send me home, to kiss me when you brought me back from Hai Cheng to Qing Cheng! What right do you have!"
Lu Mingxi knew he had become a messenger and a substitute, and he stood there obediently to take the scolding.
Qin He stood aside, her heart aching deeply.
For Xu Wanwan, and for Qin Yun.
If Qin Yun said all of this was for Wanwan's future, then Wanwan's current heartache was real.
They clearly loved each other, yet they had to betray each other.
"I have my dignity too," Xu Wanwan sobbed. "If you don't like me, why did you sleep with me repeatedly, and then act so indifferent afterwards? What do you take me for?"
Qin He clenched her fists and stepped forward. "Wanwan!"
"Qin He!" Qin Yun's voice boomed angrily.
Qin He gritted her teeth. Qin Yun rarely called her by her full name.
She wanted to disregard everything and tell Xu Wanwan the truth. Qin Yun's decision had caused him no less pain than Xu Wanwan.
Since both of them were in pain, why let a future child delay the present!
Xu Wanwan was startled by Qin Yun's angry shout and looked up at him on the spiral staircase.
Tears still streaked her face. Seeing Qin Yun avoid her gaze.
"Fine, very fine!"
"Qin Yun, from this moment on, Xu Wanwan and you have nothing to do with each other! I, Xu Wanwan, am also the eldest daughter of the Xu family! For the rest of my life, I hope you never appear before me again!" Xu Wanwan finished speaking and turned to leave.
Qin He's hands and feet turned cold, her eyes burned.
Lu Mingxi patted her comfortingly. "He'er, are you alright?"
Qin He's voice was hoarse. "Don't worry about me. Go and chase after Wanwan. Make sure she gets home safely."
Lu Mingxi hurried away.
Only Qin Yun on the spiral staircase and Qin He standing in the living room remained.
Qin He turned to look at her brother, tears falling. "Brother, why don't you tell her? You're both in so much pain. Why not just tell her!"
Qin Yun slowly, slowly squatted down and sat on the spiral staircase.
He reached out and covered the left side of his chest, his head bowed, silent.
Qin He rushed forward to pull Qin Yun. "Brother—"
Only then did she realize that Qin Yun's hand was digging deeply into his left chest like a claw, his knuckles white.
His face was extremely grim.
"He'er, let me be alone."
Qin Yun's voice was squeezed from between his teeth.
Qin He felt panicked and scared, but Qin Yun's expression was too terrible. She knew she shouldn't be in front of him right now.
She stood up and went upstairs.
At the corner of the staircase on the next level, she quietly sat down, watching Qin Yun on the stairs.
The night was longer than any previous day, as if the sky would never brighten.
Qin Yun's fingers lost sensation. He felt as if his heart had been ripped open with a bloody wound, its flesh and blood gouged out, leaving an empty, aching heart that throbbed incessantly.
As dawn began to break.
He finally stood up, staggering slightly.
Then he heard a faint sound from upstairs. Qin Yun looked up and saw Qin He standing on the level above, looking at him with tension and alarm in her eyes, which were red and full of worry.
"Go back and rest." Qin Yun forced a smile.
Qin He's heart ached. She bit her lower lip and turned back to her room.
Why?
After Qin He returned to her room, hatred surged in her heart.
Thinking of the person who hurt her brother, she only regretted not being by her brother's side at that time.
She had seen her brother's medical records. Although it didn't affect certain aspects of his life, the injured area indeed made him unable to have children.
Even with artificial means, current technology couldn't help.
But according to the medical records, if she had performed the surgery then, there would have been hope.
But what was she doing then?
Qin He covered her face. At that time, she was waiting for Gu Qichen to come home, perfuming for him, and cooking for him.
Tears flowed through her fingers, wetting her entire palm.
Qin He pursed her lips. One was the brother who loved her the most, the other was her best friend.
She couldn't just watch them, who truly loved each other, be unable to be together.