Xu Yanwan subsequently visited Yan with the address given by Lin Xuzheng. Nonetheless, when Han Qing realized it was her, he turned her away and said, “Xiaoyan and her unborn baby need to rest. So, please leave, Miss Xu.” As soon as she heard the way she was addressed, Xu Yanwan paused for a while, sensing Han Qing’s resolution to cut ties with her, which would mean the end of the diplomatic relationship between the Xu and Han Family.
At the thought of that, Xu Yanwan felt a sting of pain in her heart. If I hadn’t done anything in the beginning or come back, Han Qing wouldn’t have hated me so much. Unfortunately, it’s all too late to turn back now, just like my parents who are never coming back. As Han Qing was about to leave, Xu Yanwan was suddenly reminded of Lin Xuzheng’s words, whereupon she blocked the door. “Wait a minute.”
Han Qing stopped in his tracks and looked at her in a nonchalant manner. “Is there anything else?”
“I…” Xu Yanwan felt a lump in her throat as she struggled to utter words from her mouth. “I-I’m here to apologize to Xiaoyan. I know you don’t want to see me, but I sincerely want to offer my apology. So, please give me a chance.”
Xu Yanwan implored Han Qing to let her in, while looking at the man with sympathetic eyes. Nevertheless, Han Qing deemed no one else deserved his sympathy, except for Yan. Therefore, he turned her down right away without much hesitation. “Save your breath. Just manage your company well because your business is none of mine anymore. Thank you.”
Xu Yanwan’s heart sank when she heard Han Qing’s words, thinking that he wouldn’t allow her to see Yan. As Xu Yanwan was about to turn around and leave in disappointment, she heard a voice coming from behind Han Qing. “Han Qing, let her in.”
As soon as she heard that, Xu Yanwan lifted her head and saw Yan not far behind Han Qing. After a long period of rest, she seemed to almost recover fully, as her face was no longer as pale as before. She was seen wearing a shawl over her shoulders as well as a pair of winter boots. Apparently, she had been well taken care of. When Han Qing saw her, he immediately got softened up and walked up to her. “Why are you here? Aren’t you resting upstairs?”
Yan felt helpless when Han Qing helped her stand, thinking about the recent days in which he had been taking good care of her. Besides making sure she was properly clad and on a healthy diet, Han Qing also temporarily grounded her, unless it was necessary, but even so, he would tag along with her. Ever since the incident that happened at the wedding ceremony, Han Qing was more worried than ever for Yan’s safety.
Every time Han Qing warmed up to Yan reminded her of the old times when he wasn’t in love with her. At that time, he treated me coldly most of the time, even unwilling to talk to me. However, it looks like things have taken a better turn for now. “I’m fine. I’ve spent days staying upstairs and it’s killing me. So, when I heard some noises, I came downstairs to have a look.”
Upon hearing that, Han Qing appeared unhappy as he said, “I’ll take you upstairs now.” Nevertheless, Yan seized his hand and shook her head to show her refusal. “I don’t want to go up.” Her answer made Han Qing purse his lips, while the latter said with an annoyed voice, “I don’t want you to see her.” Although he knew Xu Yanwan had nothing to do with that incident, he was still not sure what she was up to because he would go crazy if he allowed anything to happen to Yan.
“We’re just going to have a word. It’ll be fine.” Yan bit her lips and whispered in Han Qing’s ear, “She was the one who rescued me the last time. So, she is not a bad person, and I doubt she’ll try to hurt me.”
However, Han Qing blurted out, “People change. Furthermore, you are never friends with her in the first place.”
“I know, but I also believe the Xu Family’s daughter wouldn’t do such a thing. If she had really wanted to do me in, she could have stood by and watched me get caught in trouble.” In fact, that was the reason why Yan didn’t tell Han Qing about her opinion. Indeed, she felt chills running down her spine when she first learned that someone was going to do harm to her, but it was Xu Yanwan who saved her in the end, much to her surprise. Although Yan hadn’t known that He Lianjing was behind this, she believed Xu Yanwan’s rescue at the critical moment had proven her kind nature.
In this case, being a bad guy was actually tougher than playing the good guy. Yan reckoned a person with a good nature would be held back by his conscience from doing something bad. Therefore, she chose to believe her judgement. “She is already here anyway. So, just let her in.”
Han Qing then gazed at Yan, as he still appeared to be doubtful. Upon noticing his worried look, Yan said, “I’ll protect myself. So, don’t worry.”
“Must you see her?” Han Qing asked, to which Yan nodded. In the end, Han Qing gave in and let Xu Yanwan in. Both ladies then sat on the couch along with Han Qing. Nevertheless, Yan asked to be left alone with Xu Yanwan, prompting Han Qing to order two servants to stand by aside, in order to ensure her safety.
After Han Qing left, Xu Yanwan bitterly smiled and said, “It seems like he is really concerned about you.” When Yan heard her, she said, “He wasn’t like this before, but I have your friend to thank for changing him.”
My friend? Xu Yanwan was left with her mouth slightly agape. “You mean He Lianjing?”
“Yeah,” Yan responded with a nod and said, “I’ve been reading a lot of news online lately. So, it’s not hard for me to figure out who is behind this hanky-panky. Then, I subsequently learned that he used to woo you.” Yan’s statement was met with silence.
“I suppose he was responsible for what happened in the café, wasn’t he?”
Xu Yanwan lowered her gaze and said, “Yes, he was. After you went to the bathroom, he told me he was going to get physical with you. So…”
“So, you came back and rescued me.”
“That’s right.”
“Thank you.” Yan’s sudden expression of gratitude took Xu Yanwan aback as she lifted her head to meet the former’s gaze. “Thank you for stopping him. If it hadn’t been you, I don’t know what would have become of me.” While looking at her sincere gaze, Xu Yanwan suddenly felt a lump in her throat, struggling to find her own voice.
“So, you don’t blame me for what happened, do you?”
“Why would I?”
“He was also responsible for the fire in the hotel. Haven’t you thought that it was my idea to have him carry out the plan while I stayed on the fence and pretended to be innocent?”
“You’re not that kind of person. We both may not have known each for long, but I can tell that you’re very fond of Han Qing although you had been restraining yourself. Therefore, I honestly doubt I’d do any better than you if I were in your place. Of course, there are things about you that I don’t like either, which is probably because of our opposing positions.”
