Five years after my wife's death, she came back!

After parting on bad terms with Cheng Suyun, Shang Chenyan was in a bad mood.

The eight years from age ten to eighteen were the darkest period of his life.

He hated interacting with others, but because of his status, those who fawned over him swarmed around him like flies all day long, their buzzing in his ears during the day making him extremely irritated.

But at night, when all is quiet and the noise has subsided, he will involuntarily start to recall those unpleasant past events.

The sounds kept echoing in my mind: gunshots, sirens, and Cheng Suyun's cries and curses.

He was also in a bad mood, so he became increasingly silent, trying to keep everyone out and not wanting his bad mood to affect others.

He was more afraid of losing control and doing something bad.

At that time, his only friend was Pei Yanchuan. Later, he met Ji Huanzhou, and he was Ji Huanzhou's first patient.

It wasn't until I went to university that I met Shi Ying.

He gradually emerged from the shadows of the past.

Shang Chenyan lit a cigarette, stood in front of the French windows gazing at the dim sky, lost in thought.

Just then, a faint knock sounded on the door.

Shi Ying opened the door a crack and poked her head in.

The smell of smoke in the study made her cough before she could even speak.

When Shang Chenyan turned around and saw it was her, he quickly put out his cigarette and opened the window.

"You...you're done talking to your aunt?"

"Hmm." Shang Chenyan walked over and took her hand. "Did I scare you today?"

"It's not that bad..." Shi Ying smelled a faint scent of smoke on him. She rarely remembered seeing Shang Chenyan smoke, except for that one time when he was drunk.

"Are you in a bad mood? What did your aunt say to you?"

Shang Chenyan hugged her, burying his chin in the crook of her neck and nuzzling her: "It wasn't so good at first, but with you by my side, it's not so bad."

Shi Ying chuckled and pinched his arm: "Am I some kind of magic pill?"

"Hmm...you are my medicine." Shang Chenyan inhaled her scent. "My relationship with my mother isn't very good."

Shi Ying didn't reply, but listened attentively.

"Besides my older sister, I also have an older brother."

This was the first time Shi Ying had heard him talk about his family. She knew about his sister; she had almost bumped into her in the office last time. But she was surprised to learn that he also had an older brother.

"My brother passed away eighteen years ago. My mother always favored him, so I inexplicably hated him. But when he was kidnapped with me, he let me go first. I was saved, but he never made it out of that factory..."

Shi Ying listened silently, then patted Shang Chenyan on the back: "So, do you feel guilty towards your brother?"

"Um..."

"But being kidnapped isn't your fault," Shi Ying said earnestly. "Your brother died, and the person who killed him was the one who kidnapped him. You are also a victim."

"Your brother told you to go first because he wanted to save you, not because he wanted you to blame his death."

Shang Chenyan closed his eyes. Many years ago, when he first talked to Shi Ying about his family, she said the same thing.

"I know..." He had already let it go, but his conversation with Cheng Suyun today brought up old matters again.

Shi Ying nudged him: "You're such a grown-up, do you need someone to explain this to you?"

Shang Chenyan smiled silently: "Yes, why wouldn't I? Say a few more words to comfort me."

Shi Ying glared at him and said, "Dream on."

Shang Chenyan hugged her waist and pulled her down onto the soft sofa. He kissed her lips, but Shi Ying dodged him, saying, "Don't kiss me, you were smoking earlier."

"I'm sorry, I won't smoke anymore." Shang Chenyan knew she didn't like the smell of cigarettes, so he stood up slightly and didn't kiss her again.

Shi Ying sat up and straightened her clothes. Just as she was about to say something, a series of clattering footsteps sounded in the corridor outside.

Shang Nian came up after finishing her porridge.

As soon as she came in, she saw the two of them hugging. She pouted unhappily, ran over and pushed Shang Chenyan away, then snuggled into Shi Ying's arms.

Shi Ying was both amused and exasperated: "Niannian is quite jealous."

Shang Chenyan snorted coldly: "I wonder who he took after."

*

The next day, Jiangcheng was still gloomy, with a light drizzle falling, and the weather was a bit colder than the previous days.

Shang Chenyan didn't go to the company. After dropping Shang Nian off at school, he drove Shi Ying to a hot spring in the suburbs.

Sitting in the car, Shi Ying asked, "I thought you were a workaholic, but I didn't expect you to be the one skipping work."

Shang Chenyan laughed and said, "It's just for one day. Didn't you complain about being cold? That hot spring resort is owned by a friend. It's a good place for a vacation."

"Then why didn't you bring Niannian?"

Shang Chenyan glanced at the clueless girl: "Why don't you think we brought her along?"

Why bring a light bulb? He's not stupid.

Shi Ying feigned ignorance: "Who knows? It must be some people with ulterior motives."

Shang Chenyan grasped her wrist with one hand: "You guessed right."

Shi Ying broke free from him, unable to suppress a smile: "Drive properly, and don't touch me."

The hot spring resort is not far, only an hour's drive away.

This mountain resort covers a vast area and is backed by rolling green hills. It is mainly in a Chinese retro style, which is luxurious and grand, yet elegant.

After getting off the bus, Shi Ying took a deep breath of the fresh air. The rain mixed with the fragrance of grass made her feel relaxed and happy.

The staff led the two into a courtyard with an open-air hot spring. Walking along the winding pebble path, they found the rest rooms.

Shi Ying looked at the hot spring outside with some anticipation. It was still steaming with hot water vapor, and it must be very comfortable.

She glanced longingly at Shang Chenyan, her round almond-shaped eyes sparkling with a mixture of innocence and charming naivety.

The man squeezed her cold little hand, and as soon as he entered the house, he pinned her against the door and kissed her.

He bent down, pinched her chin, and sucked on her lips.

Shi Ying was a little overwhelmed and could only wrap her arms around his neck to prevent herself from collapsing due to weak legs.

"No..." Shi Ying gasped for breath, "I still want to go to the hot springs."

Shang Chenyan moved away slightly, his lips brushing against hers, his voice low and husky: "Let's go later."

He picked her up, held her tightly in his arms, and kissed her fiercely.

The consequence of his foolish behavior was that he had to take a cold shower by himself.

Shang Chenyan went to take a shower, leaving his coat on the bed. Shi Ying was about to hang the coat on the rack when a small object fell out.

It was a ring, suspended by a thin string, made into the style of a pendant.

Upon seeing this, the passion that had been stirred within Shi Ying vanished instantly.

She always deliberately avoided talking about Shang Chenyan's past, but how could someone who truly loves another not want to possess him entirely?

Shi Ying was depressed for a while, then put the ring back in.

But she suddenly paused, picked up the ring again, and examined it carefully.

She thought of the pink diamond ring she had in the real world, although it was definitely fake, and she couldn't remember when she bought it.

But why does this thing look so much like hers?