Chapter 58

She decided that from then on, she would check the almanac before going out. Before this, her sixth sense had always been spot-on, never wrong—any hint of something off meant an accident was brewing.

Shu Qingyou had stayed in the backyard for quite a while. Lin Xu checked her phone every five minutes—six times in half an hour.

Lin Xu felt restless, as if something was brewing, a sign that the status quo was about to shatter.

She went to the room quietly and looked at the sleeping Shu Rong. The little girl’s flushed cheeks had returned to their usual chubby, pale puffiness.

Lin Xu leaned down and touched Shu Rong’s forehead with the back of her hand. The temperature was normal; the fever had broken.

Children had weak immune systems and caught minor illnesses every few days, which could keep adults up all night worrying. If Lin Xu hadn’t forcibly made Shu Qingyou close her eyes, she would have stayed up all night tending to Shu Rong again.

After Lin Xu took over caring for the child in the latter half of the night, she couldn’t help but wonder who Shu Qingyou was really getting back at—or if she had willingly given birth to this child.

If she didn’t like the other person, why give birth to their child? But it wasn’t just one person’s decision.

As for Shu Qingyou’s unilateral decision without consulting her, Lin Xu decided not to pursue it.

Since it had come to this… after four years apart, her former lover had given her a playful, food-loving daughter.

Lin Xu actually admired her. It was her first time as a mother, a total novice on the road, yet she managed despite lingering psychological issues. She had even become a mature adult after self-harming in the past and successfully raised their cub.

Raised… their daughter.

At that thought, her heart tightened. Her scattered pupils suddenly focused, and sweat broke out in her palms. She and Shu Qingyou had a daughter, and she had no plans to confront her about it anytime soon.

Besides, how well did she really know Shu Qingyou?

She didn’t care much about Shu Qingyou’s hobbies, didn’t know her favorite foods or living habits. It seemed like Shu Qingyou had always been the one accommodating her everywhere.

Back then, if they hadn’t separated, could she have shared the burden of those four years? Shu Qingyou seemed even more fragile than before, like a willow in the wind.

Shu Qingyou had spent too much time with her sister—too long to be normal.

The weather forecast reported the first snow of winter arriving that night.

The temperature had plummeted to minus three degrees. If Shu Qingyou caught a cold or fever too, Lin Xu didn’t want the house turning into a den of invalids.

As she let her thoughts run wild, unhurried footsteps approached.

The steps were slow. Lin Xu held her breath, not blinking.

A face as pale as paper appeared, lips equally colorless. Her icy gaze, chilled further by the sub-zero outdoors, seemed bottomless.

Lin Xu’s eyelashes trembled. Unknowingly, she softened her voice: “Come here.”

Shu Qingyou’s five fingers gripped the doorframe, knuckles turning white as she clenched her teeth. In the end, she chose to step toward her.

Her hair was a bit messy. Lin Xu watched her unwaveringly. Facing her, Shu Qingyou showed no prior fear, nor did she lash out with accusations over Lin Xu’s recent transgressions.

She merely kept a cold face—more emotion surging than with a stranger. Lin Xu wasn’t sure: Did Shu Qingyou know the truth from back then?

Did she know that it was Lin Xu who had personally destroyed her family?

Shu Qingyou didn’t need to rush, of course. She was the judge, the chief justice. The final verdict, the gavel’s fall—it was all up to Shu Qingyou.

Lin Xu wanted to smooth a few unruly strands of her hair but hadn’t touched her yet when Shu Qingyou grasped her hand, turned her head away, and said stiffly and weakly, “It’s fine. No need to trouble yourself.”

“Alright, whatever you say,” Lin Xu replied. “Rongrong will be full of energy and bouncing around again tomorrow.”

“Mm.”

Shu Qingyou tossed out a single syllable, sparing with words.

“Where’s your sister sleeping tonight?”

“The guest room.”

Lin Xu frowned in confusion. The intent to exclude her couldn’t be clearer. Of course—the sisters were united as one. What was Lin Xu to them?

She sneered coldly: “Oh, great. Should I sleep on the sofa tonight? What about tomorrow, the day after? Send me to sleep on the street?”

They both knew it full well. Shu Qingyou wouldn’t be unaware of Lin Xu’s intentions; she wanted a clear stance from her.

Shu Qingyou lowered her brows, her voice soft enough for only them to hear: “Then sleep with me.”

Lin Xu was stunned, incredulous. It took her a good while to react.

“Okay…”

Shu Qingyou gave her a cool glance: “I mean, just you and me.”

“What?”

Lin Xu’s eyes widened, her brain short-circuiting for a moment.

“I’m going to make dinner.”

Not wanting to talk more for now, Shu Qingyou turned to leave.

Lin Xu lowered her head and grabbed her wrist in one motion. The bones felt fragile, easily snapped.

“Qingyou, from the first moment I saw you, I thought this woman looks like she needs someone to protect her.”

Shu Qingyou paused, unable to see her expression clearly, only feeling the skin on her wrist tightening.

It hurt a little, but Shu Qingyou was used to the pain Lin Xu inflicted on her.

Shu Qingyou sat beside her and said earnestly, word by word: “That’s a judgment born of delusion. Stereotypes aren’t helpful.”

Lin Xu pressed on, sliding her other hand to the mottled scars on Shu Qingyou’s body, covered only by thin fabric.

“You’re right—completely wrong, and it insulted you. I’m sorry.”

Shu Qingyou didn’t resist, her breathing hitching slightly. She sensed what Lin Xu intended, focusing on her scars, rubbing back and forth over the fabric.

This was probably Lin Xu’s first sincere apology.

The wind grew stronger, half of Lin Xu’s face shrouded in her dark hair. “Why don’t you say thank you?”

Shu Qingyou’s heart didn’t stir; she smiled it off. “Thank you for what?”

Lin Xu lifted her head, her gaze suddenly locking onto her intensely. Under the orange light, Lin Xu’s face looked bloodless.

“Of course, thank me for taking care of Rongrong.”

Was that all? Shu Qingyou leaned forward and planted a kiss on Lin Xu’s lips.

“I won’t thank you.”

Lin Xu’s lips tightened into a sharp, razor-thin line. Even after the kiss, Shu Qingyou’s pheromones stirred restlessness throughout her body.

“You… know.”

Shu Qingyou fell silent for a moment before responding mildly: “What do I know?”

Lin Xu shivered.

She had never feared confronting people, negotiating—her presence alone suppressed opponents. She couldn’t recall ever truly losing; even in temporary defeats, she resorted to dirtier methods.

Shameless, but effective. She wasn’t particularly kind. In the business world, it was a cesspool—everyone had dirty hands to some degree.

She wasn’t an exception. She would destroy Shu Qingyou’s family, then torment her according to her own twisted logic.

As if that pleasure could offset all displeasure. But Shu Qingyou had always been just a powerless Omega.

Lin Xu told herself she wouldn’t fall for her; she just vaguely feared Shu Qingyou taking something from her.

Having figured it out, Lin Xu’s expression softened considerably. “Let’s stop playing guessing games, okay? You know about those things, but they’re not entirely accurate.”

Lin Xu was the one circling. Shu Qingyou went along: “Sure. By the way, Rongrong wants to see the oceanarium before. She really wants to see the sea creatures up close.”

“Then, the oceanarium?”

Shu Qingyou chatted as if it were normal: “Sure, we’ll pick a time to go.”

Lin Xu’s gaze unconsciously drifted to Shu Qingyou’s pointed chin, her mind blanking for an instant.

“Kiss me.”

“Didn’t I just?”

“No, not like that.”

Lin Xu, gripped by insecurity, pressed her thumb and forefinger to Shu Qingyou’s jaw, leaning in and biting her lips messily.

Wet, sticky sounds accompanied prolonged gasps. This time, Lin Xu didn’t come up for air. Shu Qingyou half-opened her eyes, not particularly reciprocating as Lin Xu’s teeth clashed with hers, their tongues chasing endlessly.

Once the feeling hit, she forgot the unfinished confession. Her hand slipped under the fabric, touching smooth skin.

Lin Xu felt so wretched, despicably in love with the sensation of Shu Qingyou melting into a puddle.

She convinced herself again: Shu Qingyou didn’t know the truth—or even if she did, she put Lin Xu first, not exposing her, willingly intimate with her.

Even inviting her for a family outing of three.

“Let’s continue tonight.”

Lin Xu stopped her more reckless actions—at least not beside their daughter.

“Okay.”

As always, Shu Qingyou didn’t refute her, even more docile, like a tamed fawn, obedient to every word. Lin Xu should have taken this as reassurance.

The raging wind howled, diluted by the concrete walls to a faint drift.

Lin Xu felt the Shu Qingyou before her was veiled, and what lay beneath might no longer be real.

Shu Qingyou was hard to read; she never said everything, never absolute.

She always left a way out for both sides.

If not for her illness, the true words Lin Xu could pry from Shu Qingyou would be mere fragments.

At the dinner table, aromas filled the air. The three silently adhered to the rule of no talking while eating or sleeping.

The clink of metal chopsticks against ceramic was their only accompaniment. Lin Xu’s stomach felt stuffed with a jumble of emotions.

She ate a few sloppy bites of vegetables, washed the dishes, packed food for Shu Rong, and fed her.

Once Lin Xu’s figure completely vanished, Shu Wan Ning’s long-held vigilance eased. She asked anxiously, “Sis, what did you find out?”

Shu Qingyou paused. “She hasn’t remembered yet, but our company being targeted was probably not her orders—more likely some relative of hers…”

Shu Wan Ning bowed her head, sighing bitterly. “That bitch plans to play amnesia forever, huh.”

Seeing her sister’s stubbornness, Shu Qingyou comforted her: “It’s okay. We ordinary folks don’t have ways to get evidence anyway. Knowing the truth changes nothing.”

Shu Wan Ning raised her voice: “Sis, you’re too pessimistic! Truth is meant to be exposed. We’re the victims—we deserve justice!”

“Eat your veggies; there’s still so much left,” Shu Qingyou said. “But you’re right about one thing earlier. I have no obligation to keep supporting her. I’m thinking of selling this place.”

“Sounds good. This old house is inconvenient anyway. Where should we move? I don’t want to stay in Sea City long-term; the pressure’s too much…”

Actually, Shu Wan Ning had only shared fragments—including Lin Xu’s relative directing the subsidiary to sabotage their mother and company, leading to their mom’s bad mood, drunk driving, and crash. How could one manager know the full story?

Lin Xu had found her precisely back then, helping selflessly with no gain—unlike a self-interested person like her.

But Shu Wan Ning’s limited info opened a crack, letting her glimpse hope.

Lin Xu wanted something from her, then gave up. She wanted the truth…

Then, she could finally let go completely.