Fang Yuxin looked across at the man opposite her, barely half of the exquisite dishes on the table had been eaten, yet she had completely lost her appetite. Perhaps because the flutter in her heart was gone, she became much more clearheaded. Details she hadn't noticed before were now glaringly obvious to her. All of Qiu Yiming's cautious probing, Fang Yuxin could see quite clearly.
After exchanging pleasantries, seeing that Qiu Yiming seemed intent on probing further, Fang Yuxin felt a wave of annoyance within her and completely lost her interest in indulging him.
So, she put down her chopsticks, politely and courteously said, "I'm done eating." The words Qiu Yiming was about to speak choked in his throat. He hadn't actually eaten his fill, but since Fang Yuxin had said so, he couldn't very well continue and instead said, "I'll drive you home."
Had it been before, he might have invited Fang Yuxin to watch a movie or something, but too many things had happened recently; he really couldn't spare any more time. If he hadn't planned to go see Bai Qianqian, he wouldn't even have offered to take Fang Yuxin home. It wasn't for lack of care, but genuinely for lack of time.
Fang Yuxin didn't want to let Qiu Yiming go to the Fang Family's place, and at this point, she already had her guard up against him, saying, "No need, I drove here."
But Qiu Yiming insisted. Glancing at the colorful night view outside, his attitude was gentle and domineering, striking just the right balance, "It's getting late, and the city hasn't been very safe lately. I wouldn't feel at ease letting you go home alone." As he spoke, he swiftly signed the bill and then said to Fang Yuxin, "Let's go, I'll take you."
Fang Yuxin could not refuse again and went down to the garage with Qiu Yiming. He didn't get into his own car, but sat in Fang Yuxin's instead. Fang Yuxin maintained a composed expression, merging her car swiftly into the flow of traffic under the night sky. Neither of them spoke much, to avoid an awkward silence, Fang Yuxin played some quiet music. The mournful singing voice slowly streamed from the speakers, a love story about lovers who eventually part ways.
Fang Yuxin thought of that dream, and her mood plummeted in an instant, sinking into the inevitable sadness alongside the lyrics. Then she heard Qiu Yiming say, "Nice song, but it doesn't suit us." Having said that, he switched to another track. The sad tune abruptly ended, changing into upbeat and smooth music, singing about the sweetness of love.
Qiu Yiming smiled contentedly and said to Fang Yuxin, "This one's not bad, you should listen to less of those heart-wrenching songs, they're not for you. Besides, as long as I'm here, I won't let you have a chance to be sad." His voice grew deeper, by the end becoming an intimate whisper. As he spoke, his eyes deeply gazed into Fang Yuxin's, brimming with dense emotions that seemed to threaten to drown her.
Fang Yuxin's heart trembled sharply, and while the sweetness tickled her, it felt as though a thorn was lodged deep inside. She couldn't forget that in her dream, Qiu Yiming had looked at Fang Mengyao with that same gaze, while his look towards her turned to guilt and hesitation. No matter how deep his affection, it couldn't triumph over a superpower user's love. Not to mention, the dream's Fang Mengyao was not just any ordinary superpower user! She even gained the Qingmu Spiritual Mansion!
Fang Yuxin smiled, but didn't respond. She didn't want to say anything and didn't even know what she should say. She didn't even dare turn her head to look at Qiu Yiming, fearful he might see something.
Just then, Qiu Yiming suddenly turned to look out the window. Fang Yuxin curiously followed his gaze, only to see Qiu Yiming staring intently in that direction, a surge of intense hostility emanating from his whole being, as if he had spotted an enemy.
Fang Yuxin couldn't help but ask curiously, "What's wrong?"
Yiming had already turned and was leaning against the back of the chair, his expression a mix of surprise, uncertainty, and unwillingness. He shook his head, "It's nothing."
Yuxin, seeing that he didn't want to talk, didn't ask further and continued driving with focus. After what had happened, Yiming lost the mood to flirt anymore. His complexion was off, and his mind was occupied by the car that had just passed by. His intuition told him Bai Ye was inside it!
After pondering, Yiming took out his phone and sent a text message to a confidant. Since Yuxin was also present, it wasn't appropriate for him to discuss this matter over the phone in front of her. After giving instructions, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Soon, they arrived at the Fang Family's residence. The car had hardly pulled into the garage when Qianqian, who heard the noise, rushed out, "Mama, you're back!" Then, he saw the car door open, and Yiming stepped out.
Qianqian had never seen Yiming, but Yiming had seen his photo. At that moment, however, Yiming could only pretend not to recognize Qianqian. He turned to Yuxin in surprise, "Xinxin, who is this child?"
Qianqian didn't hide his hostility towards Yiming, sensing that the man had a special relationship with Yuxin. He glared fiercely at Yiming, then dashed to Yuxin's side, hugging her leg and defiantly looking at Yiming, "I'm Mama's son! Who are you?"
This time, Yiming was truly shocked. He knew Qianqian's identity, so finding out that Qianqian was living with the Fang Family made him feel that something was very off. Why hadn't Yuxin called the police? Why hadn't she sent him away? He had guessed many possibilities, but he had never imagined that Qianqian would turn out to be Yuxin's son!
He had come to the Fang Family's house specifically to see with his own eyes if Qianqian was still there and to figure out a way to have Yuxin send him away, but he could never have anticipated that such a secret awaited him!
It was impossible! Yuxin had never given birth to a child; he was very clear about that! But seeing Qianqian's face, so similar to Yuxin's, Yiming couldn't convince himself it was fake. His brow furrowed tightly, holding onto his last shred of hope as he looked at Yuxin, "Xinxin, what's going on here?"
Ever since that dream, Yuxin had felt that her engagement to Yiming was a problem. Now that Yiming had seen Qianqian, she suddenly saw it as an opportunity. So she said, "He's not wrong, blood-wise, he is indeed my son. I only found out about this recently myself."
Yiming instantly recalled the origins of Qianqian, the news from the Bai Family stating that Bai Ye had a son known as Bai Qianqian, whom Bai Ye had brought home from an underground illegal organization, and furthermore, the child was from in vitro fertilization. At the time, he hadn't paid much attention to the news, just thinking Bai Ye was overly kind-hearted to even take in such a child. Thinking back now, he found the circumstances of Qianqian's birth too conspicuous!
He didn't particularly dislike Bai Ye, nor did he have any fondness for him, opposing Bai Ye merely due to differing stances. But upon knowing Qianqian's identity, he wished he could personally slaughter the father and son duo! Qianqian should never have been born into this world, Bai Ye all the more deserved death!