PART 2
Shen Zhiqian gave a self-deprecating laugh: “It’s a shameful thing for both families, no one wants to bring it up.”
“The year after my mother married my father, there was a problem with Shen’s company, my father faced bankruptcy, and even debt. I heard that the family’s old house was even mortgaged.”
“My mother originally married my father for his money, using some means. But this happened the second year after their marriage, she saw that the situation was not good, so she ran away, taking all the gold and valuables with her.”
“At that time, Gu Youchen’s aunt had passed away two years ago in a car accident, leaving behind a young son. His uncle thought that it was difficult for a man to raise a child, and my mother was teaching singing at a kindergarten at that time, very good at pleasing the Gu family father and son, so they got together.”
“However, the Gu family didn’t know that my mother was pregnant at the time. When they were about to get married, they discovered my mother’s pregnancy records in the hospital, the age of the child and the time she got to know the Gu family didn’t match, the child was clearly from the Shen family.”
At this point, Shen Zhiqian’s eyes fell into shadow, his self-deprecating smile even more pronounced:
“That child is me. She even wanted to forge a pregnancy test report, saying that I was from the Gu family, but they weren’t fools either, they found out with a little investigation.”
“She was rejected by the Gu family, and originally thought she would have to live alone, but unexpectedly, my father met a benefactor and his business revived.”
“So my mother went back to my father again, but my father didn’t care about her. But considering the child in her belly, he arranged a separate place for her and had someone take care of her until I was born.”
Shen Zhiqian looked up at Ning Qingqing, feeling that he had reached the peak of embarrassment today. He was humiliated in front of Gu Youchen and his friends, and now he was telling his most shameful past to the person he loved.
He sneered coldly: “Who has undergone four paternity tests since birth? My last test was when I was ten years old, and I already have clear memories of that time. I heard the staff tell my father that genetic testing wouldn’t be wrong, and since it was the fourth time, I was definitely his biological son.”
“By that time, my father’s second wife had already died, and my mother had been trying to find a way back to the Shen family over the years, under various pretexts, mostly saying that she was coming to see me, and deliberately stayed overnight and wouldn’t leave.”
“My father never gave her any good looks, and she seemed to only care about the Shen family’s money and power, so she didn’t care.”
“Sometimes she hates me, because if it weren’t for me, she might have already married into the Gu family, at least she wouldn’t have to cling to the Shen family like she does now.”
“Sometimes she also hates the Gu family, thinking that Gu Youchen’s uncle is narrow-minded. So she kept talking about the Gu family to me when I was young, especially Gu Youchen, because we are the same age, she used him as a target for comparison and for me to surpass.”
“She brainwashed me when I was young, and when I grew up, my father didn’t want to give her money, so she would always come to me for it. As her biological son, I couldn’t not give it to her.”
“Qingqing, I grew up in such a family environment, so I admit that I never considered marrying you before.”
“Whenever you mentioned this topic, I subconsciously avoided it, because my family gave me a feeling of absurdity and suffocation.”
“But now I understand, my parents are my parents, but we are different, I shouldn’t let those shadows negate our future.”
At this point, Shen Zhiqian looked at Ning Qingqing, the dark circles under his eyes even more noticeable from lack of sleep:
“Qingqing, give me another chance, okay? Let’s get back together, we’ll start over, I’ll learn to get rid of those shadows, and I’ll work hard to be a good husband, I…”
Towards the end, his breathing became shaky.
He was truly afraid today, afraid that he would never have another chance. He was afraid that Gu Youchen truly loved Ning Qingqing, afraid that Ning Qingqing had truly fallen for Gu Youchen. He was afraid that the longer he waited, the more he would get nothing!
“Qingqing, let’s—”
But before Shen Zhiqian finished speaking, the sound of tires screeching against the ground echoed, followed by Gu Youchen quickly getting out of the driver’s seat and striding over.
“Qingqing, are you alright?” Gu Youchen looked at Ning Qingqing.
Ning Qingqing shook her head, “I’m fine.”
She had just received a lot of information, and her emotions hadn’t yet processed it.
Seeing her like this, Gu Youchen’s body froze. He didn’t know if Ning Qingqing was wavering. But he couldn’t let go.
He reached out to hold Ning Qingqing’s hand, saying softly, “Let’s go home.” He was trembling inside, afraid she would refuse.
“Mm, go home.” The next second, Ning Qingqing held Gu Youchen’s hand, smoothing away all his insecurities!
Shen Zhiqian watched Ning Qingqing and Gu Youchen leave. His breath hitched, his eyes reddened, and there was obvious vulnerability in his eyes, “Qingqing.”
Hearing his words, Ning Qingqing realized something.
She stopped, and said to Gu Youchen beside her, “Youchen, wait for me.”
Gu Youchen tightened his grip on her hand, his emotions leaking for the first time, “Qingqing, don’t listen to him, okay?”
Ning Qingqing nodded, and didn’t go over, saying from five meters away, “Mr. Shen, I sympathize with what you said, but I’m sorry, I don’t accept your proposal, I won’t leave him.”
Shen Zhiqian’s hanging hand suddenly clenched, he stared blankly at Ning Qingqing and Gu Youchen holding hands and getting into the car.
The night was deep, and their car disappeared from his sight.
In the car, Ning Qingqing’s hand was still held by Gu Youchen. She glanced at the man beside her, seemingly the same as usual, but she clearly felt that he had been a little vulnerable just now.
“Youchen, he told me about his mother and the Gu family.” Ning Qingqing confessed proactively, “He said that he hadn’t considered marriage because of his family.”
Gu Youchen nodded, “Mm, Qingqing, I didn’t doubt you.”
He was just a little insecure. The him from back then only appeared vaguely in her memory, he might not remember if he didn’t see the photo.
But she, to him, was ten years of longing.
No matter how confident and composed he was in the business world, when he met her, his pride became insecure, always afraid that everything was a wishful dream, that one day it would all shatter!
Ning Qingqing looked carefully at the man beside her, they had been together for a week, and she had gradually learned more about him. At this moment, Ning Qingqing clearly felt that Gu Youchen was a little uncomfortable.
So she explained again, “He and I are over. Knowing this today just resolves a knot in my heart, making me feel that I’m not that bad. It’s not because I’m not good that others are unwilling to marry me, it’s his own problem.”
But as soon as she said this, the man beside her interrupted her, “Qingqing, I’ve told you many times that you’re very good.”
Ning Qingqing looked up, her eyes showing a hint of disbelief.
Gu Youchen’s fingers intertwined with hers: “Really good, that’s why after getting married, I’m afraid of losing you.”
The air seemed to suddenly become quiet, Ning Qingqing heard her heart beating a little faster.
She looked at Gu Youchen, her lips moved, but she didn’t know what to say.
As if sensing the sudden silence, Gu Youchen chuckled softly: “Qingqing, don’t feel pressured, everyone around me knows we’re together, I’m serious, of course I’m afraid you’ll dump me.”
His tone became relaxed, and Ning Qingqing also relaxed.
She nodded and solemnly promised: “I will also work hard to cultivate our marriage, I won’t easily give up.”
Unless there’s a matter of principle…
But looking at Gu Youchen, Ning Qingqing inexplicably believed that he wouldn’t make any principled mistakes.
Sure enough, the next second, Gu Youchen said, “Qingqing, rest assured, I won’t make any principled mistakes. If there are any other small mistakes, tell me in time, and I’ll correct them.”
The atmosphere suddenly became relaxed. Gu Youchen asked about Ning Qingqing’s colleagues, and talked about work matters. Soon, they arrived at Gu Youchen’s apartment.
They parked and went upstairs together. Ning Qingqing walked in front and pressed the fingerprint lock.
However, she didn’t know what was wrong with her fingerprint today, it didn’t unlock after two tries.
Just as she was about to enter the password, the man behind her had already put his fingerprint on the sensor.
Ning Qingqing felt a warm and solid body suddenly pressing against her back, she was still at the entrance, Gu Youchen leaned over, and she was almost half-embraced by him from behind!
“Beep—”
The door lock made a sound, but it needed to be pushed to open.
Ning Qingqing hadn’t reacted to the sudden intimacy, and Gu Youchen behind her didn’t move either.
The air suddenly heated up, and a strange atmosphere began to brew.
Ning Qingqing heard Gu Youchen call her from behind, “Qingqing,” his voice lower than usual.
She instinctively turned her head.
Just then, the outdoor sensor light suddenly went out, and their vision was plunged into darkness.
Time seemed to slow down, Ning Qingqing felt something getting closer.
The next second, a warm touch came to her cheek.
Elastic, slightly moist.
Accompanied by the familiar scent of cool pine, it filled her nostrils.
Ning Qingqing couldn’t help but hold her breath, her fingers tightening.
Gu Youchen kissed her cheek and said in her ear, “Qingqing, that thing you did in the club just now wasn’t quite right, I didn’t even feel it disappear.”
Author’s Note:
Was it sweet today?
PS, the photo won’t become a plot point for angst, don’t worry, when Qingqing discovers the girl in the photo is herself, it will be Youchen’s turn to get lucky~
Thank you for your support!