After returning home, Shang Qiqi washed up and lay on the bed. On her phone, Song Yunshu’s group chat seemed to be lively every day.
They were having a lively conversation.
She was talking about the engagement party and asked everyone what atmosphere they wanted.
In the end, they even talked about the wedding.
Now that the country was popular, many people chose Chinese-style weddings.
!!
The men in the group had obviously given her face. They might not even help her with her wedding. Now, they were chatting enthusiastically with her.
Shang Qiqi took a look at the screen and smiled.
So be it.
After the embarrassing incident in the afternoon, they were still discussing about her in such a place.
It wasn’t that she shouldn’t, but as a woman, she could sense Song Yunshu’s hostility towards her. She even warned her like Shang Qingmo.
She was very curious about how Shang Qingmo had coaxed her to accept this shocking fact so quickly.
He was probably hugging her and comforting her in a low voice, explaining that their relationship was only that of uncle and nephew and would never change?
Recalling how gentle Shang Qingmo was to other women, Shang Qiqi couldn’t help but shiver.
She really couldn’t figure out what Shang Qingmo was thinking.
Song Yunshu already knew what she was thinking. She had embarrassed her tonight.
Had he ever thought about how they should interact in the future?
As long as she was in the Shang family, she would definitely meet Song Yunshu.
Or did he not take her feelings seriously?
So it wasn’t worth his consideration?
Taking a deep breath, she tossed the phone aside.
What was the use of thinking so much?
*
The next day, Shang Qiqi told Han Jichi her plan.
“I haven’t told Uncle that I’m going to Country Y to study. I’m just going to have fun. He has already arranged a flight and a hotel for me. There are also two bodyguards. He doesn’t know that you’re going with me, so you’d better not let him know. Otherwise, he won’t agree to me going out.”
Han Jichi nodded. “Set off on the fifth… So you mean…”
Shang Qiqi nodded with a cold expression. “Yes, it’s what you think. I don’t know what his attitude will be if I confess to him. If he doesn’t agree, I can’t go anywhere.”
Han Jichi’s expression turned cold because he didn’t doubt Shang Qiqi’s suspicions.
Although Shang Qingmo was Qiqi’s uncle, he had an unusual desire to control her.
Although this was a project that everyone wanted but couldn’t get, and it was beneficial to everyone, he might not agree when it involved Qiqi leaving his sight.
Qiqi had been by his side for so many years. It was impossible for her not to understand him.
“I understand. But… what about the bodyguards?”
“It depends on the situation. Perhaps it doesn’t matter if they follow me to Country Y. Anyway, he can’t do anything to me in Country Y.”
“Okay.” Han Jichi nodded thoughtfully before chuckling softly. “I’m looking forward to it. I’ve almost completed the parade strategy. I’ll send you a copy. You can think about where else you want to go.”
“Okay.”
*
In the afternoon, Shang Qingmo’s car appeared at the school entrance again.
Shang Qiqi couldn’t be bothered to say anything more to him. She walked to the car and opened the door. Her butt touched the seat.
“I’m not your driver.” Her actions displeased Shang Qingmo. Her cold voice sounded from the driver’s seat.
Shang Qiqi didn’t say anything. She glanced at the car waiting to pick her up and sat inside before closing the door.
Shang Qingmo didn’t move for a long time.
The honking behind them continued. In the end, Shang Qiqi could imagine how angry the owner of the car was through the increasingly hurried and prolonged honking.
However, when he looked at Shang Qingmo through the rearview mirror, she was expressionless and motionless. It was as if she knew that she was looking at him.
“Sit in the front.”
Shang Qiqi gritted her teeth. “So what if I’m a driver for once?”
“I don’t want to.”
The honking sounds from behind frightened Shang Qiqi. She had no choice but to sit in the front passenger seat with a cold face.
Just as she pulled the seatbelt, the car suddenly sped off.
Shang Qiqi was speechless.
The moment she returned to the villa, the servants’ hearts ached for her.
“Miss, did you eat well outside these two days? Why do I feel that you’ve lost a lot of weight?”
“Go and change your clothes first. Master has specially instructed me to prepare your favorite dishes tonight.”
“Why are you living alone? It’s so inconvenient! Don’t throw a tantrum again in the future! I noticed that Master’s temper has been weird the past few days. He’s definitely not used to you not being at home.”
Shang Qiqi pursed her lips and stuck out her tongue playfully while holding Mother Chen’s hand.
“I have to live alone. It won’t be convenient for me to come here in the future.”
Madam Chen couldn’t react in time, but when she saw Shang Qiqi blinking at her, she came to a realization.
“Ah… why not? Your uncle dotes on you so much and wants to eat Mother Chen’s cooking. How can he not let you come back?”
Shang Qiqi smiled. “I’m hungry. I’ll go up and change first.”
“Okay, hurry up. Dinner will be ready soon.”
The clothes in the bedroom closet were still there. Shang Qingmo was never stingy with her. Almost everything she bought for her was new.
She was used to wearing the clothes in the wardrobe.
However, most of them were bought by him.
How could she remain indifferent to a man who took care of her no matter what?
Putting aside her thoughts that were about to overflow, she picked a few clothes that she often wore and threw them on the bed.
When she came back from the cloakroom, she bumped into Shang Qingmo.
His gaze swept across the suitcase in her hand and his eyes darkened.
“Do what?”
Shang Qiqi said calmly, “It’s going to be summer break soon. I should be going back to the main family, right? When I go out to play, I’ll leave from the main family.”
His explanation was flawless.
However, Shang Qingmo said, “The main family has your clothes.”
“These are my favorite.”
Shang Qingmo looked up and stared at her for a while before heading downstairs.
Shang Qiqi heaved a sigh of relief.
In the next few days, nothing strange happened to Shang Qiqi.
In fact, the two of them didn’t spend much time together.
Shang Qingmo didn’t eat dinner at home. She came back late and ate outside.
It turned out that regardless of whether they were outside or at home, they had always been together for breakfast and dinner.
But things were different now.
He had someone to accompany.
They had just stepped into July, and the summer break followed closely.
Shang Qiqi didn’t understand if Shang Qingmo had sensed something. In the past, she wouldn’t pick her up personally because of work.
In the past few days, he seemed to have relaxed. Every day, he would ask her about the time of her dismissal and wait for her at the school gate.
How could he not be busy?
Now that she had a fiancée, she had to plan the engagement party and work that she couldn’t stop.
Now, picking her up from school was her first priority.
But this was the last time.
The car drove straight to the main house.
Along the way, Shang Qiqi kept her head turned to look out of the window. She did not take the initiative to speak and the atmosphere in the car felt a little tense.
This wasn’t the first time Shang Qingmo had noticed that once she didn’t take the initiative to speak, they didn’t seem to have anything in common.
The atmosphere between the two of them was the same as when he was with anyone outside.
Other than business, there had never been any unnecessary words.
He was inexplicably irritated.
In the past, he would feel impatient because she often nagged about trivial matters.
Now that she didn’t say anything, he felt extremely uncomfortable.
Ever since she had revealed her thoughts, the distance between them had widened.
She was clearly beside him, but the difference was too great.
Shang Qiqi suddenly moved and took out her earphones from her pocket.
“There’s music in the car.”
Her action of completely isolating him from her world was unbearable.
Shang Qiqi paused.
Shang Qingmo’s face was firm without any gentleness.
“You made the music in this car.”
Her gaze swept across the car screen before she put away her earphones and turned on the music.
‘Yes.’
She could find traces of Shang Qingmo doting on her everywhere.
She downloaded the music in his car according to her taste.
He didn’t really listen to music. It was either some classical music or the occasional Cantonese song or two from earlier years.
All the songs she listened to were popular songs from the current era. There were slobber songs, cute songs, and DJs.
To him, she was simply out of place.
Sometimes, she would even make threatening gestures in his car.
Other than scolding her occasionally, he let her be.
The girl’s sweet voice sounded. Shang Qiqi pursed her lips and lowered her head to look at the tourist guides and must-see attractions.
The music did not improve the atmosphere. On the contrary, the atmosphere in the car became even gloomier.
He drove quickly and Shang Qiqi was focused on the guide. Soon, they arrived at the main house.
When the car stopped, she unbuckled her seatbelt and got out without even looking up.
“Grandpa, I’m back!”
Her brisk tone and footsteps were completely different from when she was in the car.
Shang Qing’s eyes darkened.
After not seeing Shang Qiqi for a weekend, the old man missed her dearly.
“The fake anticipation is finally here.”
“Yes, Grandpa. I have to stay at home to accompany you these few days and win ten rounds of chess.”
“Hahaha, these are all lies!”
“I don’t care. I’ve been studying it for the past few days. I’ll show you tomorrow!”
“Oh! That’s good!”
Shang Qiqi was very close to Old Master Shang.
They were closer than usual.
Everyone thought that it was because they had not seen each other for a long time.
However, Shang Qiqi wanted to spend as much time with Old Master as possible to make up for the two years she had spent with him.
Shang Qingmo only stayed for dinner and left without staying over.
Shang Qiqi didn’t ask further.
In fact, everyone knew.
He was no different from a married man now.
He had his own family.
Shang Qiqi knew her limits and didn’t hide anything from Old Master.
She was indeed sad that Shang Qingmo had left.
She remained silent, but Old Master could sense her emotions.
She put the fruit into her mouth and heard the old man sigh.
“Qiqi ah…”
“Grandpa.” Shang Qiqi put down the fork in her hand and swallowed the fruit in her mouth. She turned to smile at the old man and reached out to hold his dry hand.
“I’ve told Uncle that I’m going overseas to play in a few days. You know that if I continue to stay by his side, I can’t be indifferent. If I want to dilute this relationship, I need time and a space without him.”
The old man narrowed his eyes and raised his other hand to pat the back of her hand.
“You’re right. Since it’s the holidays, you can go overseas if you want to. Has your uncle arranged it for you? If not, I’ll arrange it…”
Shang Qiqi shook her head gently. “Grandpa, I don’t just want this summer break.”
The old man held her hand.
“Qiqi.”
“A summer vacation is too short for me, Grandpa.” Her eyes couldn’t help but burn. “I don’t want to attend his engagement party. I don’t want to see him with another woman. I can’t not be sad in such an environment. In fact, I’ve already obtained the spot to be an exchange student between the school and Country Y’s University X. Han Jichi has also obtained it. After graduation, we will obtain a double bachelor’s degree at home and abroad. If possible, I can continue to stay there and improve two years later…”
Shang Qiqi could feel the old man’s grip on her hand getting stronger and stronger. It was even trembling.
She suppressed the bitterness in her heart and continued, “I only told Little Uncle that I wanted to go to Western Europe to play. He asked me to come back before his engagement ceremony with Little Aunt. But I didn’t want to. I couldn’t do it, so I thought of going straight to Country Y from Western Europe and not coming back…”
“Uncle has arranged everything for me and even arranged two bodyguards for me. I hope Grandpa can help me when the time comes. Don’t let the bodyguards stop me or tell Uncle about me…”
“I don’t know how Little Uncle will lose his temper at me after knowing that I lied to him…”
Shang Yekun’s aged face trembled slightly.
“Exchange student? This is… This is a good thing… Your uncle won’t stop you…”
Shang Qiqi shook her head. “I don’t want to tell him. If he doesn’t agree, I can’t leave. Grandpa, Qiqi begs you to help me.”
The old man’s eyes turned red and his lips trembled for a long time. He held Shang Qiqi’s hand tightly and his voice choked.
“But Qiqi, even if you go overseas, don’t you plan to come back for two years? Don’t you plan to come back to visit Grandpa during the holidays?”
Tears streamed down Shang Qiqi’s face as she placed her forehead on the back of Old Master’s hand. “I’m sorry, Grandpa. I’m not around. Please take care of your health and don’t let Qiqi worry or feel even more guilty…”
“You child… You child…”
The old man kept shaking his head, tears welling up in his eyes.
“Grandpa, I’m sorry, I’m really sorry…”
*
Shang Qingmo had a drinking session that night and returned home tipsy. The huge villa was empty.
In the past, no matter if he drank or not, or if he came back early or late, she would run over when she saw him. She would chat and chat with him as she busied herself.
He had not been used to it since she left the villa.
After adapting for a few days, he was still not used to it.
Thinking of her recent change, he cursed impatiently and tugged at his tie in frustration.
He hated his current state of life.
He had never thought of changing his life.
But now, for the first time, he felt that things were no longer under his control.
There were some things he couldn’t seem to grasp.
Shang Qiqi had been accompanying the Old Master for the past few days. She played chess, took a walk, and even learned to cook for him personally.
Shang Qingmo came back once and left after dinner.
Old Master had kept his promise and never mentioned to Shang Qingmo that Shang Qiqi was going to Country Y to study.
The day before Shang Qiqi left, Shang Qingmo returned early.
After dinner, they sat on the sofa in the living room.
Old Master Shen didn’t look too good as he sat there silently, fiddling with the tea tray beside the coffee table.
Shang Qiqi hugged a fruit plate and her mouth didn’t stop moving as she stared at the old man’s brewing technique.
The atmosphere in the living room was oppressive because of the silence.
Shang Qingmo retracted her gaze from the tea tray and turned to look at Shang Qiqi.
“Is everything ready?”
The old man’s hand paused.
Shang Qiqi nodded. “Yes, everything is ready.”
“I’ll send you to the airport tomorrow.”
“No need to trouble yourself. Didn’t you bring me a bodyguard?”
Shang Qingmo said firmly, “I’ll send you there.”
Shang Qiqi didn’t say anything. She frowned and thought about what to do to prevent him from discovering Han Jichi.
“How?”
Shang Qingmo narrowed his eyes and stared at her for a long time. Something unknown lingered in his heart.
Shang Qiqi blinked and took a bite of fruit nonchalantly.
“I’m fine. Thank you, Uncle.”
*
The next day, when she saw Shang Qiqi’s 26-inch suitcase, Shang Qingmo frowned.
“Are you going to load yourself into a suitcase and send it over?”
Shang Qiqi felt a little guilty. “I’m worried that I won’t be able to fit everything.”
The driver took her suitcase and moved it to the trunk, catching his breath.
This suitcase was not light.
After settling everything, Shang Qiqi looked at the old man standing on the porch. Suppressing the discomfort in her heart, she ran over to hug him and sobbed in his ear.
“Grandpa, take care of yourself.”
The old man leaned on his walking stick and pursed his lips lightly. “You have to be careful when you’re out.”
“Okay!”
In the end, she suppressed the tears in her eyes and composed herself before gritting her teeth and getting into the car.
The car slowly turned around and drove away from the manor. This was a place that had carried many of her childhood memories. This was a place that had given her too many feelings. This was a place that she had never thought of leaving. This was a place where she could be considered the only mistress. In the end, she had to leave temporarily.
When she returned, everything had changed.
This would be the starting point for another woman.
And she had reached the end.
She didn’t continue to look at the old man who was still looking at them. Because of her selfishness, she had made an old man who loved her so sad…
However, her suppressed emotions had been discovered.
“I’m just going out for a few days. Do you have to be so sad?”
Shang Qiqi looked out of the car window beside her without looking back. “I’ve probably never walked so far and been away for so long.”
“Then stop playing for a few days.”
Shang Qiqi closed her eyes and remained silent.
The car finally stopped at the entrance of the airport. Shang Qiqi opened her eyes and her expression tightened when she saw the people walking in a hurry.
Shang Qingmo got out of the car first and took the luggage from the chauffeur. Then, she looked at Shang Qiqi.
“Let’s go.”
“Little Uncle.” Shang Qiqi reached out to grab Shang Qingmo’s arm. “I can go in myself.”
Shang Qingmo said, “I’ll help you with the delivery.”
She unconsciously tightened her grip on his arm before slowly letting go.
Just as she was about to retract her hand, Shang Qingmo suddenly grabbed it and led her into the airport lobby.
Shang Qiqi’s palms were sweating as she allowed her to lead her to the workstation.
Then, she took out her ID and watched as he carried the suitcase onto the conveyor belt.
That weight made him frown slightly.
The two of them walked to the electronic advertisement screen. Shang Qingmo frowned and asked her what she had brought.
Shang Qiqi shook her head and said, “Uncle, happy engagement! I hope you and Aunt will be happy.”
Shang Qingmo furrowed his brows tightly. The emotions that he couldn’t name had intensified over the past few days.
“Aren’t you saying this too early?”
Shang Qiqi suddenly pounced into his embrace and wrapped her arms around his waist.
