Chapter 109

Wang Haining wanted to go back to her apartment that evening, and Kong Xiyan thought about going with her, even preparing a good excuse. But Wang Haining refused. She walked Kong Xiyan to the door and said, "If you come with me, President Chi will definitely follow. She rarely gets to go home. How could you bear to make her accompany us?"

Kong Xiyan pressed her lips together. "Then let me accompany you."

Wang Haining studied her expression carefully. Finally, she asked, "Is something going on between you two?"

Kong Xiyan was taken aback, then shook her head. "No, nothing."

Wang Haining's gaze flickered. "Xiyan, did you know that when you lie, you blink really fast?"

Kong Xiyan blinked rapidly and forced a smile. "I never noticed."

Wang Haining looked at her. "So you were lying just now?"

Realizing she had been tricked, Kong Xiyan sighed. "Alright, you can see through anything. It's not really a big deal, but there are some things I need to confirm with her."

Wang Haining nodded. "That's good. I don't want you two to have a falling out. After all, I'd be the one to mediate, and that would give me a headache."

Kong Xiyan was amused by her conflicted expression, and her own mood brightened. A hint of a smile appeared in her eyes. She said sincerely, "Thank you, Haining."

Whether for herself or for her and Chi Wanzhao, she owed Haining a thank-you.

Wang Haining replied with a soft "Mm." "You two being well is the best reward for me."

Kong Xiyan nodded firmly, her eyes glistening.

As they finished their conversation, Chi Wanzhao walked over. "Zhou Sheng is here. Let's go."

Kong Xiyan and Wang Haining exchanged a glance, then nodded to each other. Wang Haining followed Chi Wanzhao toward the car.

The Chi family had all come out and were standing at the entrance. Wang Haining said goodbye to them once more. Xie Dan wiped her eyes and said, "This girl... she's a rare one."

Chi Yifan nodded knowingly. "Yes, it's unexpected that the Chi family..."

He left the sentence unfinished, but everyone understood and fell silent. Chi Xuan watched as Wang Haining was about to get into the car. She stepped forward, her eyes fixed on Wang Haining's back.

Not far away, Chi Wanzhao said to Kong Xiyan, "Do you want to come along? I've already had them pack the luggage."

Her bright eyes were deep as they met Kong Xiyan's.

Remembering what Wang Haining had said, Kong Xiyan shook her head. "No need. We'll stay home and keep Mom and Xuan company tonight."

Chi Wanzhao lifted her lips in a faint smile. "Alright."

With that, they helped close the car door for Wang Haining. She rolled down the window, waved at Kong Xiyan and Chi Wanzhao, and made a plan to meet the next day.

Kong Xiyan stood by the car, looking at Wang Haining with a smile, telling her to be careful.

Chi Wanzhao stood beside Kong Xiyan, staring ahead, lost in thought.

Her hand was caught, and Kong Xiyan's fingers slipped between hers, interlacing. Their fingers entwined, warmth spreading from their palms. Chi Wanzhao felt a warm current flow through her heart. She turned to look at Kong Xiyan, who was also looking at her, her brows soft and eyes gentle, a light smile on her face.

Chi Wanzhao couldn't help but smile as well.

While the two of them looked at each other, Wang Haining said to Zhou Sheng, "Let's go."

Zhou Sheng replied with a hum and started the engine, driving out of the villa.

Just as they passed the main gate, a figure chased after them. Chi Xuan ran, panting heavily, and followed behind the car, shouting, "Wang Haining!"

Zhou Sheng saw Chi Xuan in the rearview mirror and quickly stopped the car. Wang Haining, who had been about to close her eyes and rest, opened them, and the door was pulled open. Chi Xuan's face appeared beside the car.

"Wang Haining."

"I haven't said goodbye to you yet."

Looking at Chi Xuan, her cheeks flushed red from running and her breath short, Wang Haining fell silent.

The cold wind blew fiercely, swirling up snowflakes that occasionally landed on their faces, bringing a biting chill.

Chi Xuan and Wang Haining stood outside the car, neither speaking.

Wang Haining looked down at Chi Xuan, who was much younger than her, and asked, "Is there anything else? If not, go back early. It's cold outside; you'll catch a chill."

Chi Xuan looked down at her own shoes. She felt strangely sad, and her voice dropped considerably. "I heard from my eldest brother and second sister that you transferred your shares to my second sister-in-law."

Wang Haining was stunned for a moment, then nodded. "Yes."

Chi Xuan raised her head, her eyes glistening with tears. "Why? Is it because of what I did before? You don't want to have any connection with the Chi family?"

Wang Haining reached out and patted Chi Xuan's head. "Xuan, the world of adults is complicated. It's not because of what you did."

"In fact, I understand what you did. I don't even think you went too far."

"You're not bad at all. You're very kind."

Chi Xuan's expression, which had been gloomy, improved upon hearing Wang Haining's words. She bit her lip. "Do you really not blame me? That day I even forced you to see Dad..."

"No."

Wang Haining gave a light laugh. "Just think, if I were you, I might have done the same."

"It's only human nature. It's not your fault."

Chi Xuan lowered her head. "But I hurt second sister-in-law too..."

Wang Haining said, "In one's lifetime, it's possible to make mistakes."

"But some people repent in time and realize it was wrong."

"While others remain immersed in their mistakes, unwilling to turn back."

"Xuan, you are the former. Your father is the latter."

"Do you understand?"

Chi Xuan listened to her words, seeming to understand a little, yet also not quite. Wang Haining didn't give her more time to think, only urging, "Alright, go back early. They're still waiting for you."

Chi Xuan's voice grew soft. "Okay."

"Then..."

"Can I hug you?"

Wang Haining stood in place and opened her arms, embracing Chi Xuan fully. She patted Chi Xuan's back and said, "Listen to Auntie. Think before you act. Some things, once done wrong, tend to cost a lot."

Chi Xuan hugged her tightly as well, resting her head on Wang Haining's shoulder. She murmured, "I understand. Thank you."

"Third sister."

As she said it, she felt Wang Haining's body stiffen slightly, and even the hand that was hugging her and patting her back paused. Chi Xuan hugged her, placed her hand on Wang Haining's waist, and patted it. "Third sister..."

Not far from the two embracing, Xie Dan furrowed her brows and asked Chi Wanzhao, "Is everything really all right?"

Chi Yifan took over the conversation and smiled. "It's fine, Mom. I think Xuan has grown up a lot recently. Haven't you noticed she's completely different from before she went abroad?"

Xie Dan nodded, full of relief.

The cold wind continued to blow fiercely, swirling up countless snowflakes. Chi Xuan and Wang Haining stood there, still embracing.

After a long while.

The two separated. Then everyone saw Wang Haining say something, and Chi Xuan just nodded. A short while later, Wang Haining got into the car and left, and Chi Xuan turned around and walked back.

Xie Dan stepped forward. "Cold, right? Let's go home."

Chi Xuan didn't speak, just looked at Xie Dan. Just as Xie Dan was wondering, Chi Xuan suddenly reached out and hugged her, her voice choked. "Mom, I was immature before. You've worked hard."

Tears instantly welled up in Xie Dan's eyes, blurring the scene before her. She said hoarsely, "Not hard at all. Mom isn't tired at all."

Kong Xiyan and Chi Wanzhao exchanged a glance, holding each other's hands even tighter. Kong Xiyan leaned against Chi Wanzhao, moved.

Even Chi Wanzhao, who always wore a stern expression, had reddened eyes.

Under the night, the cold wind rose, but blowing on them brought no chill. Instead, a warm current surged from their hearts, flowing through their blood, spreading throughout their bodies.

The Chi family stood outside for a long time, until Wang Haining called Kong Xiyan to say she had arrived, and only then did they return to the villa.

On the last day, Xie Dan talked with Chi Wanzhao and Kong Xiyan for quite a while, not letting them go until late at night. When Kong Xiyan came out of Xie Dan's room and was about to rub her shoulder, Chi Wanzhao's fingers were already pressed against her. She turned and smiled, and the two returned to their room.

The next day was also good weather. Zhou Sheng came early to pick up Kong Xiyan and Chi Wanzhao. Xie Dan gave the usual instructions, and Chi Yifan said to Kong Xiyan, "Xiyan, please take good care of Xiaowan."

Kong Xiyan nodded, but in her heart, she knew that it had always been Chi Wanzhao taking care of her.

Chi Xuan also came out of her room, her eyes red and swollen, clearly having cried for a long time the night before. She still wanted to see them off with those eyes, but Chi Wanzhao stopped her and said none of them needed to come; she and Kong Xiyan would visit often.

So everyone relented and let Kong Xiyan and Chi Wanzhao leave.

Not long after, they picked up Wang Haining as well.

Wang Haining looked like she hadn't slept well. She closed her eyes and dozed off as soon as she got in the car. When Kong Xiyan tried to talk to her, she responded lazily twice.

Kong Xiyan didn't disturb her further.

At eight-thirty, they boarded the plane.

Kong Xiyan and Chi Wanzhao sat side by side, while Wang Haining and Zhou Sheng sat in the seats behind them. The flight from Country A to City B took about eight hours. After getting on the plane, Kong Xiyan kept looking out the window. After an unknown amount of time, she called out, "Xiaowan."

Chi Wanzhao turned to look at her. "Hm?"

Without turning her head, Kong Xiyan said, "You know about Xiaoying, don't you?"

Chi Wanzhao's expression darkened slightly, and she said nothing.

A silence hung between them.

After a while, Chi Wanzhao nodded. "I know."

Kong Xiyan said, "But you don't know everything."

Chi Wanzhao's starry eyes were deep. "Do you want to do something?"

"She contacted Chai Yin and got her to come back to the country."

Kong Xiyan turned her gaze back from the window. "So that's why she came to see you that day."

Chi Wanzhao hummed in agreement. "She told me."

Kong Xiyan said, "Why didn't you tell me before?"

Chi Wanzhao lowered her eyes. "You didn't tell me either."

Her tone seemed a bit reproachful, and Kong Xiyan couldn't help but laugh. In a light, smiling voice, she said, "It's not that I didn't tell you, but this matter is quite troublesome. It also involves another person. I just wanted to give Xiaoying one last chance."

"Actually, I already guessed that the incident three years ago had something to do with Xiaoying."

"But I wanted to try once. If..."

Chi Wanzhao finished her sentence, "If it doesn't succeed, then I'll use my own methods. Xiyan, I won't tolerate others always eyeing you covetously."

Kong Xiyan held her hand. "Alright, I promise you."

Their palms met, and Chi Wanzhao lifted their joined hands to her lips. "You must remember what you promised me."

Kong Xiyan looked at Chi Wanzhao with a smile in her eyes, as if making a major decision. Finally, she said, "I will definitely remember."

Chi Wanzhao leaned toward her and stole a kiss.

Around five in the afternoon, they arrived in City B. As she got off the plane, Kong Xiyan took off her heavy down jacket, revealing a sweater and jeans underneath, and put on a trench coat in the same color as Chi Wanzhao's.

Her long hair hung loose, no sunglasses or hat. She brushed her hair back, a faint smile on her delicate face, and said to Chi Wanzhao, "Let's go."

Chi Wanzhao grabbed her hand. "You..."

Kong Xiyan smiled warmly. "I remember everything I promised you."

"From now on, I'll be by your side."

"Always."

Chi Wanzhao suddenly smiled, and she took Kong Xiyan's hand.

After they got off the plane, Wang Haining and Zhou Sheng were both stunned. It wasn't until Kong Xiyan came over to greet them that the two snapped back to reality.

Especially Wang Haining, who pointed at Kong Xiyan and said, "How did you..."

Kong Xiyan smiled at her. "Isn't this good?"

Wang Haining looked at her, then at Chi Wanzhao behind her with a smile in her eyes. "It's very good."

Truly good.

She could finally rest easy.

As Wang Haining finished speaking, many people took out their phones and started taking pictures of Kong Xiyan.

The commotion also drew the attention of reporters nearby, who picked up on the news at once.

Within moments.

Weibo was dominated by the name Kong Xiyan, flooding the entire screen.