“Is it true?” Qin Tiantian asked uncertainly.
Qin Xian nodded. “It’s true. If she wanted to die, she wouldn’t have sent you a message.”
As soon as Qin Xian said it, Qin Tiantian believed him. She even replied to Duan Yi with a message full of blessings.
And so, this little misunderstanding came to a complete end.
Ji Fei looked at Qin Xian speechlessly. Why was it that whatever Qin Xian said carried so much weight? She was the one who had the evidence, after all.
Qin Xian affectionately patted her head. “Did you sleep well this afternoon?”
Ji Fei nodded. Without any mental burden, she naturally slept well. “Don’t you need to rest?”
“I’m fine,” Qin Xian said, though he leaned his head against Ji Fei’s as if relying on her to relax.
Ji Fei felt a pang of heartache seeing him like this and decided not to linger any longer. She quickly pulled Qin Xian along to wash up and go to bed.
However, she couldn’t fall asleep herself. Lying beside Qin Xian, she played with her phone until she got tired. Then she’d glance at his handsome sleeping face to relax. Sometimes, feeling particularly happy, she’d lean over and plant a kiss or two on him. After all, Qin Xian was used to sleeping next to her and wouldn’t wake up easily, though occasionally he’d instinctively pull her closer or nuzzle into the crook of her neck.
It was as if only by being close to her could he feel safe, always trying to align their bodies as closely as possible.
Every time this happened, Ji Fei’s heart would melt. Who could have imagined that the man who usually seemed like an iceberg to others could sometimes sleep as peacefully and gently as a kitten?
Ji Fei continued scrolling through her phone, watching the occasional chatter in the group chat. They were talking about the upcoming birthday banquet, which was just a few days away. The only ones who hadn’t arrived yet were Lu Meihe’s family—the so-called seventh aunt and her household.
Ji Fei put her phone down and fell into deep thought.
Only Lu Meihe’s family remained unverified.
Through her time spent with the Qin family, Ji Fei had already gained a basic understanding of Lu Meihe’s family situation.
Compared to the eldest aunt and the tough-tempered fifth aunt, Lu Meihe, who wasn’t related by blood, had actually been the most doted-on child in the family when she was young. Because everyone loved Grandma Lv, they extended that affection to her, treating her like a real sister.
At home, she had always been the cheerful, lively, and sensible one. The only thing that could be considered out of line was her high school romance with a foreign college student—a relationship that was entirely online. The family didn’t even know the guy’s identity, and everyone just thought she was being a hopeless romantic, spending way too much time chatting with him online.
Though it might not have been related, her first love ended around the same time as Qin Xian’s issues surfaced.
Back then, she spent her holidays accompanying the young genius, Qin Xian. When they discovered he had mental health problems, she devoted herself to helping him, and everyone felt that Lu Meihe had matured, leaving her online romance behind.
Coincidentally, she ended up marrying Yu Hongxian, the foreign psychologist that the old master had hired to treat Qin Xian’s psychological issues. It was said that during the treatment period, the two spent so much time together that they developed feelings for each other.
Later, when Qin Xian was taken away by his parents, Lu Meihe married Yu Hongxian and moved abroad with him.
But whether it was due to the distance or the fact that Lu Meihe wasn’t involved in the Qin Corporation’s affairs, after getting married, she rarely kept in touch with anyone except Grandma Lv. Without the bond of blood, they gradually grew distant, only seeing each other at the old house once every few years.
Even their daughter, Yu Lu, hadn’t been seen for about six or seven years.
Yu Lu happened to be the same age as Qin Tiantian, both turning eighteen this year.
Because of the old master’s milestone birthday, Grandma Lv had repeatedly urged them to come, and the family finally confirmed they would attend.
It’s hard to say how relationships change over time, as everyone has their own lives.
Ji Fei didn’t want to dwell on it too much. Without verification, overthinking would only lead to empty speculation.
For now, she’d just enjoy a good night’s sleep with Qin Xian.
Two days later, they finally heard that Lu Meihe and her daughter would arrive first, while her husband, who had patients to attend to, would come on the day of the birthday banquet.
It was dinnertime when they finished eating, and everyone gathered to wait for Lu Meihe and her daughter.
Seeing Grandma Lv nervously rubbing her hands, it was clear how much she missed her daughter and granddaughter.
The other elders started gossiping.
“I don’t know what’s going on with Meihe. She hardly ever comes home. I heard from Grandma Lv that the last time they met was two years ago, and they only video call occasionally.”
“Meihe used to be so lively. I don’t know why she’s become so distant.”
“When we do meet, she’s the same as before. It seems her husband doesn’t like her coming back.”
“Really? Is that normal? Is her husband some kind of control freak? A psychologist should know better.”
“Apparently, he’s just really attached to her. He takes her with him wherever he goes on business trips.”
Hearing their conversation, Grandma Lv couldn’t help but chime in, “He is very clingy. Meihe told me she had to sneak back with her daughter two days early this time. Otherwise, her husband would’ve insisted on bringing them back together on the last day.”
Seeing Grandma Lv’s happy smile, the others didn’t say much. After all, it was a matter between husband and wife, and at least it seemed their stepsister was happy. They didn’t want to meddle.
Meanwhile, Qin’s Father and Qin’s Mother recalled that Lu Meihe’s husband was none other than Qin Xian’s first psychologist, Yu Hongxian. He had diagnosed Qin Xian with autism accompanied by memory confusion and gradual emotional detachment. Later, he admitted that he couldn’t cure him and suggested they find someone else.
Thinking about everything Ji Fei had done every time they met a new family member, they couldn’t help but glance at the young couple with concern. This was the last one.
Deep down, they hoped that none of this was related to Qin Xian’s past. They’d rather believe they were neglectful parents than accept that Qin Xian might have been harmed. The thought of that would break their hearts.
Qin Xian, meanwhile, was absentmindedly holding Ji Fei. When it came to his aunt Lu Meihe, he really didn’t have many memories. Due to the confusion of his childhood, even if he tried hard to recall, he only had vague impressions. Plus, they hadn’t had any contact since then, so he had no real recollection of her.
But for some reason, whenever he thought of her, his heart would grow heavier, as if… as if…
[Why is this taking so long?]
Qin Xian was startled by Ji Fei’s impatient voice in his arms and couldn’t help but smile. Over the past two days, he had clearly sensed Ji Fei’s growing anxiety. She didn’t even want to go out and have fun anymore.
[Sigh, I hope it’s not her. I really don’t want to suspect anyone, especially since Grandma Lv has been so kind to me. I can’t bear to see such a warm and caring person look sad. But if it really is related to her, I won’t let them off, even if it means revealing my secret.]
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter