Scandalous

The next morning, Nan Xing decided to stop by Qi Yuze's house before going to work. Her car was parked under the residential building. While the driver was taking things out of the car, she sat in the back seat reading some documents. As her eyes felt tired, she looked up while pinched the bridge of her nose and that's when her eyes caught sight of Yi Qin.

She wasn't surprised to see him there since she was already aware of his secret hideout. It was just that this residential area was developed last year by one of her acquaintances. So, when Yi Qin bought the house, she was already informed about it. Who doesn't know in their circle that Nan Xing is engaged to Yi Jingyan? That's why they'd try to get closer to her by sharing news about the Yi family which had nothing to do with her.

But even if she knew about Yi Qin's purchase, she didn't tell anyone about it. It was Yi Qin's privacy and she didn't have a habit of invading others' privacy unless it was necessary. She alighted from the car and with her driver went to the 15th floor. Taking the keys, she opened the door of the 1508 and went in. 

Looking at the house that had been empty for the past 2 months, she had to wave her hand in front of her face to dispel the dust that had gathered inside.

"This would need a lot of cleaning," said the driver. 

"Then Uncle Gu, you can bring some people to clean this place today. Make sure it's spotless. Yuze is gonna come back home tomorrow and it won't be good if the first thing he thinks of doing is cleaning. You know his obsession with cleaning so please keep an eye on the cleaners. If Yuze found even a speck of dust, he is gonna go into battle himself."

The driver nodded his head solemnly, "Don't worry, Miss. I'll get this done."

In fact, other than the dust that had gathered, there was nothing to care for in this house. Everything was so well-organized that it looked like no one ever lived here. Even though 1508 and 1509 were right next to each other, it was a fact that their owners had completely different personalities and it showed in the way their houses were organized.

Yi Qin was careless and messy while Qi Yuze was careful and well-organized. 

Nan Xing walked to the balcony opened the glass door and stepped out to check up on Qi Yuze's cactus. She bent down to look at the other pots of plants when the door on the balcony right beside opened and Liu Xinyu came out stretching her arms. 

"Another morning in another time," said Liu Xinyu and put her head on the railing looking so listless and desolate. "Mama! Take me home!"

Nan Xing stood up when she heard the voice and looked over. That's when Liu Xinyu also saw her and her eyes widened in shock as she unconsciously called out, "Mama!"

Nan Xing felt something in her heart when she heard that call but this feeling was fleeting and something she had never felt before so she couldn't grasp it at that moment. She just raised her brows at Liu Xinyu in surprise.

Liu Xinyu covered her mouth with her hand and almost bit her tongue to speak out loud. 

"I think you scared her," said Yiyi. "Anyone would be scared seeing a strange girl your age calling them Mama when they are still unmarried."

Liu Xinyu wanted to turn around and punch Yiyi but she had to give up. She could only maintain a smile on her face as she looked at Nan Xing and said, "Hi! Did I startle you? I'm sorry about that. I seem to be not awake yet."

Nan Xing also buried the strange feeling that she felt and stared at Liu Xinyu's face carefully. "It's alright," said Nan Xing in a rare soft voice. 

"Haha..." Liu Xinyu laughed awkwardly and went on, "You must be the neighbor. Hi! I'm Liu Xinyu! I'm new here. Nice to meet you!"

"Nan Xing," replied Nan Xing without any fluctuation in her voice. "It's nice to meet you too. I have to get to work. Let's chat another time."

"Sure, sure!" said Liu Xinyu happily. "Since we are neighbors we have plenty of time to chat. Work is important. Please don't mind me and go about your business."

Nan Xing gave her a polite nod before going back inside. But her expression changed once she went inside. She just recalled that the 1509 belonged to Yi Qin but there was an unfamiliar girl inside. She could deduce that Liu Xinyu might be the friend whom Yi Qin said was sick and he was taking care of. She didn't have to think more about this.

But the matter that got to her was that she just seen Yi Qin leaving this building. His hair was still wet which meant he slept here last night. Now, this was something worth pondering over.

Yi Qin, the guy who was always cautious and careful around the female gender, actually slept in the same house with another girl. It wouldn't be so shocking if that girl was his girlfriend but it was certainly beyond believe when that girl was someone new.

Meanwhile, Liu Xinyu put her head on the iron railing again and almost screamed!

"I just met my mom!"

"You should say you just met a goddess!" 

Liu Xinyu looked at Yiyi and nodded in agreement, "We rarely agree with each other but I must say, you are right. She looks like a goddess even when was young. I always knew my mother was gorgeous but it hits different now. I almost got jealous of her."

"You should be," said Yiyi. "She forgot to pass on her beauty to you."

Liu Xinyu glared at Yiyi, "You don't have to tell me that I can't compare with my mother. It doesn't even hurt me now." She looked down and was able to see Nan Xing getting out of the building and taking her car. "Even the way she carries herself is different."

"By the way, did you realize?" asked Yiyi.

"The fact that her name is Nan Xing that my father spoke of yesterday?" 

"Yeah."

"Of course, I noticed. Now, we don't have to confirm anything. Everything is clear that my mother was actually my father's prospective sister-in-law before she became his wife."

"The way you say it sounds scandalous!"

"But it's not," said Liu Xinyu. "It's just that now, I am willing to believe even more that when my father said it was an arranged marriage between him and mom, he wasn't joking at all. He was telling the truth but I never took it seriously."

"Why didn't you?"

"I wish I could show you how my parents showed their love to each other. Even a blind could see their love for each other. And with how much love there was between them, no one would be willing to believe the story of their arranged marriage. It sounded ridiculous."

"Everything you are experiencing right now is even more ridiculous," reminded Yiyi.

"And I have to accept this ridiculousness too. I guess this is what karma is!"

Despite these thoughts, Liu Xinyu was actually very happy right now. This day started on a good note. She got to see her mother and even spoke to her. This much was enough to make her happy for the whole day.

Soon, Yi Qin came back with the breakfast he bought and they sat down to eat together. Looking at her wearing the same clothes, Yi Qin asked, "What's your plan for today? Shouldn't you go buy some clothes?"

Liu Xinyu looked at her white shirt and blue jeans. She agreed that she needed a change of clothes. She felt so sticky in these. So, she nodded along. "I do need some clothes."

"You should run from home with some luggage," said Yi Qin. "Or did it get stolen?"

Liu Xinyu stared at her father who asked the question and even make up excuses for her so kindly so that she didn't have to think too hard. Her was really the most helpful father in the whole world.

"Yeah," she answered.

"Tsk. You poor thing!" Yi Qin truly felt like she was pitiful. Her runaway experience was so bad. But he was a kind soul, so he was more than willing to help. "I'll take you to buy clothes then. Is it okay to buy from local markets instead of going to the mall."

"Anywhere is fine. I only have the money you gave me. Just buying two pieces would be enough for now. I'll buy more once I earn some money."

Yi Qin said okay to her. After eating, he cleaned up the leftovers and they went out together. The first stop were the stalls where clothes were sold.