Chapter 106

Kong Xiyan had noticed that Chi Wanzhao had been acting differently ever since they left the cemetery. If she had to pinpoint what exactly had changed, it was that Chi Wanzhao seemed to gaze at her for longer stretches of time.

Kong Xiyan was puzzled, but she refrained from asking.

By the time they returned to the apartment, the meal hour had passed. The servants started cooking as soon as they arrived. Xie Dan claimed she wasn't feeling well and went upstairs to rest.

Chi Xuan sat on the sofa in silence.

Chi Wanzhao sat down beside her.

Once Chi Xuan caught a glimpse of Kong Xiyan heading to the bathroom, she whispered, "Second sister."

Chi Wanzhao turned her head. "Hmm?"

Chi Xuan frowned. "That woman just now—was that Chai Yin?"

Chai Yin was someone the Chi family had heard of.

Back in City B, there had been rumors linking her to her second sister. Though the gossip was quickly suppressed, their eldest brother had found out and later told Xie Dan, who passed it on to her.

The Chi family had once even thought that her second sister and Chai Yin might end up together.

After all, as far as they knew, her second sister had never shown interest in anyone all these years. She was decisive and thorough in everything she did—even in matters of the heart—and she'd never been caught up in any such gossip.

That was why the Chi family believed Chai Yin might actually become her second sister's lover.

But the truth was never confirmed, because not long after, Chai Yin moved to Country A to develop her career. Their eldest brother said it was her second sister who had sent her there.

And so the matter of romance was quietly dropped.

Before Chai Yin reappeared, Chi Xuan had thought of it as old news.

But now that she'd shown up, Chi Xuan felt it was more than just a coincidence.

Besides, she'd heard recently that Chai Yin was planning to return to the country.

Chi Wanzhao saw that Chi Xuan was still staring at her. She pressed her lips together. "Xiao Xuan, don't worry about your second sister's affairs. Just take good care of Mom."

Chi Xuan's expression darkened. "Second sister, are you still in contact with her?"

Otherwise, why would Chai Yin have shown up at the cemetery today?

Chi Wanzhao lowered her gaze. "Your second sister has her own plans."

Chi Xuan said quietly, "Second sister, you're married now. You have a second sister-in-law..."

Chi Wanzhao scolded her. "Chi Xuan."

Chi Xuan pressed her lips together and said no more.

Standing behind them, no one knew since when, was Kong Xiyan, who had already come out of the bathroom.

The spacious living room fell quiet for a moment. Kong Xiyan patted the water droplets off her hands, walked over to Chi Wanzhao, and said softly, "What were you talking about?"

Chi Wanzhao looked up at her and smiled.

Kong Xiyan's phone rang abruptly. She pulled it out of her pocket and glanced at it—it was Wang Haining calling.

"Hello, Haining."

Wang Haining's voice was as calm as ever. "Xiyan, are you free? Could you come over to the apartment? I have something I want to tell you."

Kong Xiyan glanced at Chi Wanzhao and Chi Xuan, then agreed. "Alright, wait for me. I'll be right over."

She hung up and looked at Chi Wanzhao. "Haining asked me to come over. I'll have Zhou Sheng drive me. You rest well at home."

Chi Wanzhao immediately replied, "I'll go with you."

Kong Xiyan shook her head. "No need. You've had enough exhausting days. Just rest at home."

She stood up, and Chi Wanzhao rose as well. Chi Wanzhao turned to Chi Xuan. "Xiao Xuan, take good care of Mom. We're going out for a bit."

Chi Xuan looked a little flustered at the mention of Wang Haining's name, but the expression vanished in an instant. She nodded. "Okay."

Only then did Chi Wanzhao and Kong Xiyan head out.

It was still snowing outside, perhaps even heavier.

Kong Xiyan didn't like this kind of weather. She looked up, furrowed her brows, and pulled her coat tighter before getting into the car.

Once inside, neither of them spoke first. Kong Xiyan's fingers traced the necklace around her neck, rubbing the cold surface with her fingertips. Chi Wanzhao looked down, deep in thought, as if mulling over something important.

Before long, they arrived at the apartment.

Wang Haining was standing at the door, waiting for them.

As soon as she saw Kong Xiyan, she stepped forward and called out, "Xiyan."

Kong Xiyan got out of the car, with Chi Wanzhao following behind her.

Wang Haining said to them, "Come on, let's go inside first."

Kong Xiyan hummed in acknowledgment and followed Wang Haining through the door.

The apartment's heating was on full blast, so both Kong Xiyan and Chi Wanzhao took off their heavy coats. Wang Haining brought them two cups of tea. Kong Xiyan sat on the sofa, cradling the hot cup and taking a sip. A wave of warmth spread from her throat down to her heart, and her expression softened considerably.

Chi Wanzhao didn't drink the tea; she simply placed the cup on the coffee table.

Wang Haining sat down beside them. "Xiyan, the reason I asked you to come today is that I have something I need to tell you."

Kong Xiyan heard her but instead clutched her stomach and asked, "Do you have anything to eat?"

"We came in a rush and haven't had lunch yet. I'm hungry."

Wang Haining, who had steeled herself to speak, was abruptly silenced by Kong Xiyan's interruption. She looked at Kong Xiyan, only to meet a pair of pitiful, shimmering eyes. Wang Haining said, "Alright, alright. I'll make you some noodles."

During this time, she had sent the two servants Chi Wanzhao had provided back again, and every meal she'd had was noodles.

They weren't bad, exactly.

It was just that she had no appetite anyway.

After Wang Haining went into the kitchen, she first fried a sunny-side-up egg, then boiled two bowls of plain noodles. In the end, she washed a few sprigs of greens and blanched them in the pot before taking them out. The vegetables were still a vibrant green, and alongside the golden egg, the noodles looked quite appetizing.

Kong Xiyan hadn't really had much of an appetite, but now she found herself genuinely hungry.

She took the bowl of noodles Wang Haining handed her, grabbed Chi Wanzhao by the hand, and led her to the dining table.

The noodles had just come out of the pot, steaming hot. By the time Kong Xiyan finished, she'd worked up a sweat. She dabbed the fine perspiration from her face with a tissue and then bent her head to drink the rest of the soup.

Chi Wanzhao glanced at Wang Haining, then said to Kong Xiyan, "I'll go upstairs to change."

Kong Xiyan said, "Go ahead."

She watched Chi Wanzhao leave and head up to the second floor.

Wang Haining sat down beside her. After a moment of silence, she said, "Xiyan, I've been thinking..."

Kong Xiyan put down her bowl and chopsticks, her face flushed from the steam. She interrupted, "I know what you're thinking."

"Haining, I've been wondering all these days why you came back with us."

"You don't like the Chi family, and you don't like Country A. Given your personality, you wouldn't have gone to see her father just because he was dying."

"I've thought long and hard, and there's only one answer."

"You're here to deal with the inheritance."

Chi Chao's inheritance.

The five percent of shares that had been left to her.

Chi Wanzhao had already told her about this earlier, and she had a vague inkling. But since Wang Haining hadn't contacted her, she hadn't dared to confirm it.

Now that she'd said it out loud, she finally felt relieved.

Wang Haining smiled bitterly. "Xiyan, you're indeed clever."

Kong Xiyan shook her head. "I should have realized sooner."

"Are you planning to give it back to the Chi family?"

Wang Haining looked at her. "No, Xiyan. I've never done anything selfish in my life."

"Let me be selfish just this once."

"I'm planning to transfer those five percent of shares to you."

"Xiyan, think of this as your big sister's wedding gift to you."

Kong Xiyan looked up, not believing what she'd heard. "Haining!"

Wang Haining gazed back at her steadily. "Xiyan, just consider me as someone who's projecting her own fears onto you. I don't want you to enter the Chi family without even a dowry. What if someday..."

Kong Xiyan suddenly understood what Wang Haining meant.

If one day she and Chi Wanzhao were no longer together, she would have no footing in the Chi family. By giving her these five percent of shares, Haining was giving her a shield.

After all, the road ahead was long, and no one could guarantee what the future would hold.

But in doing so, Haining's sacrifice was simply too great.

Kong Xiyan could tell that Haining had long wished to have nothing more to do with the Chi family. Yet now, if she accepted these five percent of shares, it would be as if Haining had taken on the Chi family's kindness.

That thought troubled her deeply.

Kong Xiyan shook her head firmly. "I'm sorry, Haining, but I can't accept it."

"I can't let you sacrifice yourself for me in every way."

"That would make me look like a completely incompetent sister."

Wang Haining seemed to have expected this response. She took Kong Xiyan's hand and said, "Actually, the first time I met you, I felt that you and I were alike—in a way I couldn't quite put into words—and so I brought you back to Changning."

"I thought it was just a simple act of kindness, that you wouldn't stay in Changning long and would leave soon."

"But you didn't."

"Xiyan, we've lived together for three years. We both know each other's character. This isn't really a sacrifice."

Seeing Kong Xiyan look up at her, Wang Haining continued, "If I were to return these five percent of shares to the Chi family, I doubt any of them would be willing to accept them, and I certainly don't want to get entangled with them further."

"But with you, it's different."

"You're my sister."

"If I give them to you, it's perfectly legitimate. Besides, as long as you and Chi Wanzhao are doing well, it's just as if I'd given them back to the Chi family. In fact, I'd feel much more at ease."

Kong Xiyan furrowed her brows tightly. "But..."

Wang Haining patted her hand. "Xiyan, I've never shouldered blame for things that aren't my fault."

"By the same token, I don't consider myself to have accepted any favors from the Chi family either."

"So don't worry about me or anything else. This is simply a sister's wedding gift to her sister—nothing more."

Kong Xiyan murmured, "Do we really have to do this?"

Wang Haining nodded. "I have to leave you with a way out."

If she and Chi Wanzhao stayed together through good and bad, then she would be part of the Chi family, and these shares would be the Chi family's shares.

If she and Chi Wanzhao ever parted ways, then these shares would be the capital behind her, giving her a place to stand.

Kong Xiyan looked at Wang Haining, her eyes burning with emotion.

Wang Haining looked back at her and said, "Don't cry, don't cry. If you cry, my head starts to ache."

Kong Xiyan gave her a helpless look, and the brief wave of sadness that had washed over her was shattered in an instant, leaving her torn between laughter and tears.

The two of them talked until past three in the afternoon before Wang Haining finally convinced Kong Xiyan to accept. She also told her that Chi Yifan had already set a date for the handover—the shareholders' meeting would take place tomorrow.

Hearing this, Kong Xiyan shot Wang Haining another glare. How could she have made such a big decision without discussing it with her beforehand?

Wang Haining knew she was in the wrong and offered an apologetic smile.

Then Wang Haining told her that once the handover was complete, she would go straight back. When she asked for Kong Xiyan's opinion, Kong Xiyan nodded, saying she would leave with her.

But then, remembering Chi Wanzhao, she hesitated and said, "I'll go upstairs for a bit."

Wang Haining nodded. "Go on."

"Chi Wanzhao has been up there quite a while just to change clothes."

Kong Xiyan: ...