Chapter 82

The days that followed were quite pleasant. That scourge Qin Aocheng died quietly in prison in less than half a month. After the forensic team performed an autopsy, they determined the cause of death to be heart failure.

When the news of his death hit the internet, netizens merely commented that he got what he deserved. However, no one dared to make any overly aggressive remarks, as it was currently a period of intense scrutiny, and people were afraid of getting summoned to the Public Security Bureau for “tea.”

When 521 learned the news, it fell silent for a long time before letting out a heavy sigh. If it hadn’t chosen Qin Aocheng as its host in the beginning, would he have ended up differently?

Shen Lihuan comforted it, saying, “There’s no such thing as ‘what if.’ Qin Aocheng was rotten to the core. You only amplified the evil in his heart. Even without you, someone or something else would’ve led him down the same path. You don’t need to blame yourself. Didn’t you bind to me, too? You don’t see me turning bad, do you?”

Only then did 521 feel a little better. It dove headfirst into the largest library in the Imperial Capital, determined to scan and record every single medical text inside. Its current host was walking the path of a medical expert—how could it, as a support system, be the one holding her back?

Before long, after having enough fun, the Anderson family finally returned to the Imperial Capital and contacted Shen Lihuan the very next day. Upon learning she was the mastermind behind Shengyan, Anderson became visibly excited and immediately proposed a collaboration.

Anderson owned his own company and a slew of shopping malls. He wanted to bring Shengyan’s products into his malls.

He and Kate had been using Shengyan’s skincare products during their trip and were well aware of the brand’s quality. He firmly believed it would take all of Blue Country by storm.

After a discussion with Anderson, Shen Lihuan agreed to the collaboration. On one hand, she knew Anderson fairly well and trusted his character. On the other, the conditions he offered were indeed generous—she had no reason to refuse. So, after a meeting with Shengyan’s senior executives, they officially signed a contract with Anderson’s AG Corporation.

Having secured such a major deal, Anderson was overjoyed and kept insisting on treating Shen Lihuan to a meal. Little cutie Ryan was also snuggled up next to her, sweetly begging, “Sister, come have dinner with Ryan. Ryan wants to eat with you.”

Seeing this, Byrne mimicked him, clinging to You Changqing’s arm and whining, “Byrne wants to eat with Sister too. Sister, come with us!”

Unable to resist the two adorable kids, Shen Lihuan and You Changqing followed the Andersons to a well-known Western restaurant for lunch.

During the meal, picky little Ryan carefully picked out all the carrots from his plate. He even snuck a glance at Kate, who was busy eating her smoked salmon, and sighed in relief when he saw she hadn’t noticed. Just as he was feeling smug, Anderson gave a pointed “Hmm.”

“Ryan, no being picky. You have to eat your carrots too.”

Ryan pouted his chubby lips. “But carrots taste so bad. Ryan doesn’t like them.”

Sitting to his right, Shen Lihuan patted his little head. “Ryan, you can’t be picky. Carrots are really nutritious. If you eat them, you’ll grow up nice and strong.”

Hearing that, Ryan’s eyes lit up as he looked at her expectantly. “So if I eat carrots, I’ll grow up?”

“Cough, cough.” Shen Lihuan laughed awkwardly. “Not exactly. You can’t grow up all at once just from eating carrots. You have to take it slow.”

Ryan’s eyes instantly grew misty. “Then how long will it take Ryan to grow up?”

Everyone turned curious at his words. “Ryan, why do you want to grow up so fast?”

Ryan rubbed his big eyes pitifully. “If I don’t grow up fast, Sister Lihuan will be with someone else. Then how can I marry Sister Lihuan?”

Even though Ryan looked absolutely heartbroken, everyone at the table couldn’t help but burst out laughing. You Changqing smiled at her little love rival. Ryan was bewildered by the laughter. He frowned his chubby little face. “Why are you all laughing at Ryan? Can’t Ryan be with Sister Lihuan?”

Kate was laughing so hard her stomach hurt. Where did this silly son even hear something like that? He was only three and already thinking about getting married?

Shen Lihuan pinched his cheeks. “Silly Ryan, Sister Lihuan is already with Sister Changqing. Whether you grow up or not, you won’t be able to marry me.”

“Huh?”

Ryan’s tears welled up again. He looked at Shen Lihuan, then at You Changqing, and finally lowered his head. “Alright… Ryan was too late. But…” He mustered his courage and looked at You Changqing. “Sister Changqing, you must treat Sister Lihuan well. If you don’t, I’ll still marry her.”

He said it so seriously, his big eyes glistening with tears. You Changqing sighed with heartfelt emotion. “Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of your Sister Lihuan. But your Sister Lihuan is going to marry me. When you grow up, you’ll meet someone you really want to marry.”

Shen Lihuan smiled and pulled Ryan into her arms. “Thank you, little Ryan, for liking Sister. You’ll always be my good little brother.”

Ryan thought for a moment. If he couldn’t marry Sister Lihuan, being her little brother didn’t sound too bad. He wiped away his tears and nodded. “Then Sister Lihuan has to love Ryan, or Ryan will be upset.”

Little Ryan didn’t fully understand what it meant to marry someone. He only knew that marrying Sister Lihuan meant he could stay with her forever. Since he couldn’t marry her now, maybe being her little brother meant he could still be with her forever?

Ryan bit his finger and thought uncertainly.

“Alright, alright. Sister loves Ryan,” Shen Lihuan said as she couldn’t help but rub his cheeks again. Chubby little kids really were the ultimate weapon.

You Changqing chuckled and tapped her hand. This woman just loved pinching Ryan’s cheeks—wasn’t she afraid she’d hurt the poor kid?

Shen Lihuan grinned, withdrawing her “guilty” hand and winked at You Changqing. You Changqing shot her a sideways glance in return.

After lunch, Shen Lihuan and You Changqing spirited away the two little angels. Anderson and Kate were completely at ease leaving the kids in their care and reminded them to have a great time.

Shen Lihuan and You Changqing took the two little angels to an amusement park and played every ride they could. Bern and Ryan were laughing non-stop the whole time, their big eyes curling into crescent moons with joy—they were absolutely adorable.

No matter how energetic children are, they still get tired eventually. Around six in the evening, Bern and Ryan started getting sleepy. Shen Lihuan and You Changqing each carried one of them in their arms and brought them back to Kate and Anderson.

Anderson’s family had been traveling for over a month, and they were returning to the Blue Country the day after tomorrow. That was why Shen Lihuan and You Changqing made a point to take Bern and Ryan out—who knew how long it would be before they saw each other again?

Shen Lihuan kissed Ryan on the forehead and smiled as she handed the already-sleeping Ryan to Kate. “It’s getting dark, Changqing and I should be heading back. We’ll see you next time. Since you’re leaving the day after tomorrow, Changqing and I won’t go send you off. I’m afraid we won’t be able to let those two little ones go.”

Kate took Ryan from her arms, while Anderson held Bern. The couple both nodded, clearly understanding how she felt.

Shen Lihuan and You Changqing stepped out and got into their car, waving goodbye to Anderson and the others as the car slowly drove out of the neighborhood.

Leaning on Shen Lihuan’s shoulder, You Changqing sighed, a bit reluctant to part with Bern and Ryan. “Bern and Ryan are really too cute. Every time I see them, I just want to hurry up and have a baby with you.”

Shen Lihuan brushed the stray hairs off her forehead and kissed her smooth forehead. “There’s no rushing this. We still have to wait until we’re twenty-two to get married.”

You Changqing nudged her neck with her head and grumbled, “Ugh, I hate that we’re not adults yet.”

“It won’t be long now,” Shen Lihuan said gently. “Just ten more months, and we’ll be adults.”

You Changqing reached out and scratched Shen Lihuan’s waist. “Ten months still feels too long.”

Shen Lihuan responded with a soft “Mhm, yeah. How could it be so long? I wish we could be adults right this second.”

Hearing her coaxing tone, You Changqing lightly smacked her hand. Hmph, you’re not in a hurry now, huh? Just wait until we come of age and you’re the one wanting to get all flirty—then I’ll be the one saying I’m not in a hurry. We’ll see who’s more desperate then.

A thought sparked in You Changqing’s mind—she had come up with a perfect way to get back at Shen Lihuan.

She had actually already considered doing a sexy photobook shoot to tease Shen Lihuan, but then they quickly started dating, so it didn’t seem necessary anymore.

But now? You Changqing smirked slyly. She was going to do the shoot after all. Not only that—she was going to stop staying at the Shen residence for a while. She was going to keep her distance, be virtuous, and stick close to her dad as his thoughtful little assistant.

Soon enough, Shen Lihuan learned that You Changqing was going to intern at Dingshang International. Looking apologetic, You Changqing told her she would be staying at her own house for the time being and wouldn’t be living with her.

As a caring girlfriend, how could Shen Lihuan possibly be mad? She responded gently, “Go ahead and focus on your internship. Don’t worry about me. I’ll give you a sweet call every day.”

You Changqing left feeling quite satisfied.

Two days later, Shen Lihuan received a gift sent by someone on You Changqing’s behalf. It felt pretty heavy. She brought it back to her room, opened the box, and inside was a photo book. On the cover was You Changqing in a strapless black-and-white geometric-patterned dress.

Shen Lihuan’s smile froze instantly.

She opened the album—inside were photo after photo of You Changqing. In some she showed off her smooth, fair shoulders, in others her long, shapely legs, and in still others, her flawless, creamy back…

Grinding her teeth, Shen Lihuan called You Changqing. The moment she answered, completely unsurprised by the call, she said, “Lihuan, how do you like the gift I sent? Pretty, isn’t it?”

Shen Lihuan let out a soft huff. “Was the photographer a man or a woman?”

Just the thought of someone else seeing her seductive Changqing like that made her furious!

“Of course it was a woman. Relax, she’s old enough to be our mom—there’s no way she’d have any thoughts about me.”

You Changqing knew Shen Lihuan too well—she didn’t need her to say a word to know exactly what she was thinking.

“Hmph.”

Even though Shen Lihuan let out a breath of relief, she was still far from pleased.

“I’ve just been super busy, and I was afraid you’d miss me too much. That’s why I did the photoshoot—to give you something to look at and think of me.”

You Changqing chuckled mischievously over the phone. “But you better not look at it at night. I’m afraid you won’t be able to resist.”

Hearing that soft laugh, how could Shen Lihuan not realize she was getting her revenge?

“Changqing, you’ve turned wicked. How am I supposed to sleep without you next to me?”

Shen Lihuan complained pitifully.

“You’ve got this, Lihuan. You were so calm when I said I wanted to grow up faster—I believe in you. You can handle it!”

Imagining the miserable expression on the other end of the line, You Changqing felt thoroughly satisfied.

Shen Lihuan was left with no tears to cry.