Spoiled Sparrow

She pressed for details, but couldn't get anything out of Youyou. However, the seed of doubt had already been planted.

"Auntie~ Let's go to the beach and collect seashells!"

"Okay, let's go."

Ruan Qing led Youyou along the beach, walking and stopping frequently.

The afterglow of the setting sun shone on her, casting a layer of light and shadow on her pale yellow dress.

The girl's figure, gait, and even the strands of hair blown by the wind were exactly the same as the girl in my memory.

In the distance, a gaze was fixed on her.

Memories overlap with reality. Years ago, she was also strolling on the beach wearing a pale yellow dress when the wind blew her hat away, and it landed at his feet.

He was never a good kid, but that day he picked up the hat and handed it to her.

She said, "Thank you, little one."

The setting sun blurred her face, but the warmth and light she brought him were etched in his memory.

He walked behind her, and a sea breeze blew, causing her long dress to flutter to the left and her hair to rise with it.

The sea breeze was damp, and her hair was blown onto her face, blocking her vision. Ruan Qing tossed her hair back and turned her head, only to find He Xun Nan right behind them.

She held Youyou's hand with one hand and tucked her hair behind her ear with the other.

"Brother, what brings you here?"

He Xun Nan did not respond; his eyes were empty and unfocused as he was lost in his memories.

He walked straight forward, ignoring Youyou beside him, and suddenly pulled her into his arms, his arms tightening so much that it felt like he wanted to knead her into his very bones.

Ruan Qing was startled by his sudden action, and she put her hands in front of her chest and pushed him away with all her might.

"He Xunnan, let me go!"

"Shh, don't speak."

He Xun Nan's plea was choked with sobs, his chin resting on the back of her neck, trembling slightly as he spoke.

He held her down as she struggled, his hoarse, broken voice squeezing out from his chest: "Please, don't speak."

He was afraid; he was afraid her voice would shatter his illusion—he wasn't holding Ruan Qing, but the angel who lived in his memories and had long since passed away.

The sea breeze grew stronger, and Ruan Qing tensed up. She shut her mouth and pondered He Xun Nan's inappropriate behavior.

Once he loosened his grip slightly, she shoved him away and demanded, "What are you doing?"

He Xunnan stood opposite, the tenderness in his eyes shattering and vanishing in an instant.

"Nannan, even though I found you, I've been terrified, you know?"

Confused, Ruan Qing asked, "What are you afraid of?"

He Xunan suddenly became emotional: "I'm afraid you'll leave me, leave us!"

"How could this be?" Ruan Qing looked at He Xunnan, who was losing control of his emotions, and had to calm him down in front of Youyou.

"I won't leave. You and Mom and Dad have been so good to me, why would I leave?"

He Xunnan smiled wryly, "What about him? He wants to come and take you away. Would you choose him or me?"

Ruan Qing was stunned, realizing who he was referring to.

She didn't know if He Xunnan knew that Fu Chen was living downstairs from them, so she didn't answer the question.

"Brother, I've told you before, I cherish the love you and Mom and Dad give me, you should believe me."

He Xunnan laughed, his eyes filled with mockery towards Fu Chen and a chilling, ambiguous smile towards her.

Behind the distant rocks, the person watching this scene coughed up a mouthful of blood...

.......

Ruan Qing got into He Xun Nan's car uncomfortably, still feeling the discomfort from before.

Sometimes I really think He Xunnan is very strange; he can be gentle and refined at times, and cold and gloomy at others.

Which one is the real him?

Perhaps frightened by what had just happened between the two, Youyou huddled in her arms as soon as she got in the car, not saying a word, her eyes filled with fear.

She kept staring at He Xun Nan, wondering what was going through his mind.

A ringing phone broke the silence inside the car.

Ruan Qing answered Henry's call: "Qing, my brother and his friends are having a seminar tonight. Are you coming to watch? They're all very influential people in the industry; you're sure to learn a lot..."

She readily agreed, "Okay, what time?"

Henry: "Two hours later."

"Okay, thank you."

After hanging up the phone, Ruan Qing finally spoke to He Xun Nan: "Brother, drop me off at that intersection ahead. I have work to take care of. You guys go ahead."

He Xun Nan didn't apply the brakes: "Location? I'll take you there."

His tone was forceful, and since the person was still in his car, they had no choice but to comply with his demands except to jump out.

Soon, the car arrived at the building where Li Bai's studio was located.

Ruan Qing opened the door and went out, but Youyou clung to her and wouldn't let go.

"I want to be with my aunt~"

As she spoke, the child suddenly started crying. Ruan Qing was at a loss and could only try to comfort her.

"Sweetie, Auntie isn't going to play, she's going to work. Be a good girl and go home with Daddy. Auntie will play with you again tomorrow, okay?"

Youyou sniffed, reluctantly letting go of Ruan Qing's small hand, and wiped away her tears.

She tearfully agreed, "Okay, Auntie, come back soon!"

Ruan Qing kissed her cheek: "Okay, come and say goodbye to your aunt."

Bye-bye~

She placed Youyou in the child safety seat and watched his car drive away.

Henry walked over: "Qing, you have a child?"

Ruan Qing immediately denied it: "No, that belongs to my brother."

"Oh." Henry nodded thoughtfully. "President He actually has a child. I didn't expect that. What will happen to our Sister Pei?"

Ruan Qing explained, "That child was adopted by him."

Henry: "It seems there's still hope for Sister Pei. Speaking of Sister Pei, I haven't been able to contact her for several days. I guess she had a fight with her family and went somewhere to clear her head."

The two chatted as they walked toward the conference room.

Li Bai was delighted to arrive here more than an hour early and began to teach her some new things.

Time flies, and before we knew it, it was evening.

When I stepped out of the conference room, it was already completely dark outside.

Ruan Qing put the notebook into her bag, and Henry grabbed her wrist, raising an eyebrow: "There's a cruise ship dinner the night after tomorrow. Could you do me the honor of helping out?"

She could tell from his expression that it wasn't good news: "Speak."

Henry became serious, formally extending his hand and asking in a affected tone, "Beautiful lady, may I invite you to be my companion?"

Ruan Qing slapped his hand away. "Sir, I'm not interested."

As she turned to leave, Henry stopped her: "Qing, please do me this favor. Actually, it's my ex-girlfriend's engagement party. She specially invited me, probably wanting to see me make a fool of myself. If you agree, I'll do anything for you."

And your brother will probably go too, right? I heard they've invited businessmen from all over the world; there's money to be made everywhere. You won't lose out if you go."

Henry's anxious expression didn't seem fake. She hesitated, but Henry continued, "When we broke up, we made a bet: whoever got married first and the other was single would have to jump off the cruise ship in a suicide pact. I don't want to die so soon!"

wtf?

Is this a bet that a normal human being would make?