Chapter 101

Kong Xiyan caught up on sleep during the flight. When she opened her eyes again, they still hadn't landed. Chi Wanzhao beside her was resting with her eyes closed, and the two of them shared a thin blanket. Kong Xiyan glanced to the other side—Wang Haining and Chi Xuan were both awake, but they weren't speaking, their faces grim.

She quietly looked away.

Chi Wanzhao said with her eyes still closed, "Not sleeping anymore?"

Kong Xiyan turned to look at her. Her long hair was tied up, revealing a fair forehead. Still with eyes shut, her lashes trembled lightly, and her light makeup accentuated her sharp features.

Seeing that Kong Xiyan wasn't answering and was just staring at her, Chi Wanzhao reached under the blanket and took Kong Xiyan's hand, threading her fingers through, interlacing them tightly.

A faint blush crept up Kong Xiyan's cheeks. She said in a low voice, "Not sleeping."

Chi Wanzhao opened her eyes and tilted her head to look at her. "What are you thinking?"

Kong Xiyan lowered her gaze. "I'm thinking... people really are so different."

"Some will abandon everything for fame and fortune, while others see it as dirt."

"It's strange, really."

She let out a soft laugh as she spoke. Chi Wanzhao noticed the hint of sarcasm in her smile and squeezed her fingers. "Not strange at all. Everyone is born different, so it's natural they have different goals."

"If everyone were the same, the world would be in chaos."

Kong Xiyan curved her lips into a smile. "Why did you believe I was innocent back then?"

Chi Wanzhao's brows furrowed lightly. "Some people never change at their core. I believe you wouldn't."

Kong Xiyan didn't speak for a long moment.

Yes... some people never change at their core.

Seeing her sink into silence, Chi Wanzhao patted her hand with the other one. "Almost there. Want to sleep a bit more?"

Kong Xiyan said, "No need."

Half an hour later, they arrived in Country A.

After getting off the plane, Kong Xiyan put on her mask and sunglasses. Zhou Sheng loaded the luggage into the car, then turned to Chi Wanzhao. "CEO Chi, should we head to the villa or the hospital first?"

Chi Wanzhao looked at Wang Haining, then walked over and exchanged a few quiet words with her. Chi Xuan's gaze fixed on the two of them, but she said nothing and bowed her head to get in the car first.

Kong Xiyan followed Chi Xuan into the car.

A moment later, Chi Wanzhao finished speaking with Wang Haining and came over to tell Zhou Sheng, "To my private villa first."

Zhou Sheng nodded. "Yes, CEO Chi."

Kong Xiyan looked at her in confusion. "What were you two talking about?"

Chi Wanzhao turned to her. "Nothing. She said she's tired, so I'm taking her to the apartment first to rest."

Kong Xiyan reached over and tapped Wang Haining's shoulder from the passenger seat. "Haining, are you okay?"

Wang Haining turned her head slightly, showing only a side profile. "I'm fine. Just a bit of a headache—maybe I'm not used to the flight."

Kong Xiyan said, "Then I'll keep you company."

"No need."

Wang Haining refused. "I'm fine. I'll call you if anything comes up."

She gave Kong Xiyan a reassuring smile. Kong Xiyan understood and said, "Alright."

The black sedan sped down the road, and soon they arrived at Chi Wanzhao's private apartment. It was spotless, without a speck of dust—it didn't look like it had been empty for a long time. After settling Wang Haining in, Chi Wanzhao instructed Zhou Sheng, "Send two people over from the apartment later."

Wang Haining looked up. "No need."

Chi Wanzhao met her gaze. "This isn't City B. Don't push yourself."

Wang Haining hummed in acknowledgment, then urged them, "You two go on. I'm tired and want to rest."

Kong Xiyan saw that her complexion was indeed poor, somewhat pale. She crouched down in front of Wang Haining, her concern evident. "Really don't want me to stay with you?"

Wang Haining smiled. "No, thanks. Today's the first time you meet your mother-in-law as a new daughter-in-law. Don't waste time because of me. Go."

Kong Xiyan's face reddened at her words. She retorted, "Nonsense."

Wang Haining patted her hat. "Go on."

Kong Xiyan wanted to say more, but Chi Wanzhao pulled her away.

Only after their figures disappeared out the door did Wang Haining exhale.

Country A was a bit colder than City B. There was little festive atmosphere here; pedestrians hurried along the streets. Sitting in the car and looking out at the scenery, Kong Xiyan said worriedly, "Is Haining really okay?"

Chi Wanzhao sat beside her. "She's fine."

Kong Xiyan turned to look at Chi Wanzhao and felt reassured only after seeing her nod. Chi Xuan, sitting in the passenger seat, couldn't help but blurt out, "What's wrong with her? Is it jet lag?"

Chi Wanzhao curved her lips. "You care about her quite a bit."

Chi Xuan said awkwardly, "I don't. She came with us; if something happened to her, we'd be responsible."

After she spoke, there was silence behind her. Chi Xuan couldn't help asking again, "Are you sure she's okay?"

Seeing her like this, Kong Xiyan patted her shoulder. "She's fine. Haining's just tired. She'll be better after some rest. Don't worry."

Chi Xuan bit her lip and muttered, "I wasn't worried."

Chi Wanzhao said, "Liar."

Chi Xuan didn't retort this time, simply turned her head to look out the window.

They didn't go to the villa but went straight to the hospital. As they got out of the car, Kong Xiyan saw someone standing at the hospital entrance—she looked vaguely familiar. Frowning, she tried to place her but couldn't for a while. Chi Wanzhao took her hand and walked over. "Xiyan, this is my big brother, Chi Yifan."

"And this..."

Chi Yifan forced a smile. "I know. Mother told me. You're Xiyan, right?"

Kong Xiyan nodded to him. "Big brother."

Chi Yifan looked quite different from Chi Wanzhao. He had a gentle, scholarly air, and his voice was soft. Though worry clouded his brows and eyes, he still wore a smile.

Kong Xiyan noticed that the three siblings of the Chi family were all quite different in temperament.

After the introductions, Chi Wanzhao walked over to Chi Yifan and asked, "How's Dad?"

Chi Yifan let his smile fade and sighed. "Not good. Let's go inside to talk."

The three standing before him all darkened at the news.

Kong Xiyan followed behind Chi Wanzhao into the ward and saw Chi Chao lying in the sickbed—skin and bones, cheeks sunken, eyes bulging from the gauntness, with medical instruments attached to his body.

As she watched, her eyes suddenly reddened.

She thought of her own father.

He had looked like that before he passed.

Kong Xiyan took a few deep breaths as Chi Wanzhao walked over and called out, "Dad."

Chi Xuan likewise stepped up to the bedside. "Father."

Chi Wanzhao beckoned to Kong Xiyan. "Come here."

Kong Xiyan lowered her head and walked over. Chi Wanzhao pulled her to the bedside. Kong Xiyan opened her mouth. "Dad..."

Chi Chao showed no response to their calls, still staring blankly at the ceiling. Chi Wanzhao frowned and looked at Chi Yifan, who nodded. "The doctor says his sight and hearing are nearly gone."

Hearing this, Chi Xuan couldn't hold back a sob, covering her mouth as her frame trembled.

Kong Xiyan was stunned for a moment, then looked at Chi Wanzhao.

Chi Wanzhao's reaction was much more composed, but Kong Xiyan glimpsed her reddening eyes and a faint shimmer of tears.

Chi Yifan sighed and walked over to Chi Wanzhao. "This is why I hurried you two back."

"Dad... it's only a matter of these two days."

Chi Wanzhao's face tightened, and she lowered her gaze. "Understood."

Chi Yifan added, "Also, that child—I hope she can come to see him."

Chi Wanzhao's tone turned stiff. "That depends on whether she's willing."

Chi Yifan looked down at her. "Xiao Wan..."

Chi Wanzhao pressed her lips into a thin line, unwilling to dwell on the topic.

Just as the room fell silent, Chi Chao on the sickbed made a sound.

"Xiao Wan..."

"Xiao Xuan..."

His voice was hoarse, carrying the weight of age and weariness. Chi Yifan hurried to the bedside and grasped Chi Chao's hand. Chi Chao squeezed it. "Yifan? Where are your sisters?"

"Why aren't your sisters back yet?"

"I miss them."

Chi Wanzhao's eyes instantly turned red. Overwhelming sorrow swept through her, leaving her defenseless. She struggled to move, only to find she couldn't take a single step.

At Chi Chao's words, Chi Xuan broke down. She slowly walked to the bedside, took Chi Chao's other hand, and cried hoarsely, "Dad!"

"Dad, I'm back."

Chi Chao turned his head with difficulty, staring blindly with unseeing eyes. "Is it Xiao Wan? Or Xiao Xuan? Are you two back?"

"Please say something, okay?"

"Dad wants to hear your voices."

Chi Xuan collapsed beside the hospital bed in tears, while Chi Wanzhao squeezed her eyes shut, then abruptly turned and hurried out of the ward. Kong Xiyan followed behind her and saw her slip into the bathroom's stall.

Kong Xiyan squeezed in after her.

In the cramped stall, Chi Wanzhao stood with her back to Kong Xiyan, her head bowed low. Kong Xiyan latched the door, then took Chi Wanzhao by the wrist, turning her to face her—her cheeks were already wet.

Seeing Chi Wanzhao stand there gritting her teeth, not making a sound even as she cried, Kong Xiyan's heart ached. She wrapped her arms around Chi Wanzhao, burying her head against her neck. A wave of warmth washed over her, mingled with Chi Wanzhao's fractured voice.

"Xiyan, I overestimated myself. I—"

"Don't say it, Xiao Wan. Don't say it."

Kong Xiyan held her tightly, wishing she could crush away her sorrow. Chi Wanzhao buried her face in her embrace and wrapped her arms back around her. Like a drowning person clinging to a last piece of driftwood, she clutched Kong Xiyan desperately.

Chi Wanzhao's emotions still surged. Her voice muffled against Kong Xiyan's chest. "Xiyan, I—"

Kong Xiyan turned her head and leaned in, pressing a kiss to Chi Wanzhao's lips, silencing the words unspoken. Seeing that Chi Wanzhao was still frozen, Kong Xiyan looked into her tear-bright eyes and said, "Don't be afraid. No matter what happens, I'll be with you."

"I'll be by your side."

"Always."