Chapter 130: Unable to Bear His Kindness

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Feng Erqiu was instantly choked up and couldn’t utter a single word. Carefully, she placed the envelope she had been holding into the inner pocket of her clothes, laughing and crying at the same time. “Don’t worry, I won’t let Chun Ni repay it.”

Shen Qingyi nodded. “Mm, I trust you. The back of the envelope has my family’s address in the capital. If you want to return the money, just go there and hand it to An An.”

“Alright!”

After giving these instructions, Shen Qingyi glanced at her watch. “My husband is still getting IV drips. At this time, Dr. Zhao should come over to take out the needle. I won’t stay to disturb him.”

With that, Shen Qingyi stepped out to call An An, who was happily playing with Chun Ni at the door.

Hearing her mother’s voice, An An quickly got up and said to Chun Ni, “I’m going home first. I’ll come back to play later.”

Shen Qingyi held An An’s hand and went to the infirmary, where Dr. Zhao was giving someone an injection.

Mother and son quietly waited nearby. Once Dr. Zhao finished, Shen Qingyi spoke, “Dr. Zhao, Lu Yan should be about done.”

“Alright, I’ll head over now.”

On the way back, Shen Qingyi asked Dr. Zhao, “How has Lu Yan been recovering these past two days?”

“After today, he won’t need any more injections tomorrow. He still has a slight cough, but it’s much better than before. I heard you stewed rock sugar snow pears for him?”

Shen Qingyi smiled. “Yeah, but he said it didn’t help and told me not to make it anymore today.”

Dr. Zhao immediately disagreed. “It works very well. Keep making it at home and have him drink it for two more days. I guarantee he’ll recover.”

If he could fully recover, the worry hanging over Lu Yan’s health would be lifted.

“Alright, I’ll keep cooking it.”

Back home, Shen Qingyi began making the snow pear soup while An An watched Dr. Zhao remove Lu Yan’s needle.

After removing the needle, Dr. Zhao checked Lu Yan’s condition again. “Much better. Have your wife continue with the snow pear soup. I won’t prescribe any more medicine. Don’t stay up late these days; rest and relax. He should be completely recovered by the end of the week.”

“Thank you, Dr. Zhao.” Lu Yan’s face showed no expression.

After Dr. Zhao packed up and left, Lu Yan asked An An, “Did Mom come back with you?”

“She’s in the kitchen stewing snow pear soup for you.” Lu Yan was touched. He shouldn’t have used his illness as an excuse to make her worry so much.

Shen Qingyi finished the soup and let it cool for a while before bringing it to Lu Yan’s room.

Lu Yan obediently drank it all, then glanced at their son sleeping on the bed. Hesitating, he pulled two movie tickets from his pocket. “I’ll take a day off this weekend and take you to the movies.”

Only two tickets? Shen Qingyi wanted to refuse, “What about An An?”

“I’ll ask Su Yang to take him. He’s free on the weekend anyway.” Lu Yan clenched the tickets tightly.

“I have a deadline to meet!” Shen Qingyi said, not daring to look into Lu Yan’s eyes.

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She quickly turned and walked to the living room, took out sketchbooks and pencils from the suitcase, and returned to her room to start drawing.

But no matter how hard she tried, her mind wouldn’t settle. Since they were getting a divorce, refusal was only natural, but why did it hurt so much?

Restlessly, Shen Qingyi made a few strokes on the paper, then stood up, planning to go out.

“Where are you going?” Lu Yan called after her.

“To return Xia Xiyue’s call.” Without looking back, she left the house.

At a phone booth, Shen Qingyi dialed the number. After two rings, the call was answered. “Hello!”

“It’s me!” Shen Qingyi said.

Xia Xiyue guessed from the caller ID. Trying to stay calm, he asked, “Have you finished this week’s sketches?”

He had wanted to ask how she was, but the words came out differently.

Shen Qingyi apologized, “My husband has been sick. I’ve been busy taking care of him and handling other matters, so I’m behind.”

Xia Xiyue was silent for a moment. “Is he feeling better?”

“Mm, the doctor said he should recover in two days.”

“That’s good. Once he’s well, focus on your work. If you need anything over there, just tell me. I’ll send it by mail.” Xia Xiyue spoke through the pain.

“Thanks! Cai Qing already told me about the supplies. Thank you.”

Xia Xiyue smiled wryly. “If it really bothers you, invite me to dinner when you come back.”

“Deal! If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up now.”

Hearing the sadness in Shen Qingyi’s voice, Xia Xiyue couldn’t help but ask, “What’s wrong? Did he bully you again?”

“No! No!” If he had, she wouldn’t be so conflicted about the divorce.

Shen Qingyi said goodbye again and ended the call.

Her mood was still heavy as she left. Instead of returning home right away, she slowly walked along the open asphalt road nearby to clear her mind.

She seemed unable to bear Lu Yan’s kindness; rejecting him felt especially painful.

Shen Qingyi looked at the wildflowers and grass blooming nearby, then thought of that vase.

This couldn’t go on; it would hurt both Lu Yan and herself.

Lost in thought, she crouched down and began picking the wildflowers.

She only snapped back to reality when her hands were full and couldn’t carry any more.

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Returning home, An An was already awake, and Lu Yan was still working at the table.

Shen Qingyi arranged the flowers in the vase and glanced back at Lu Yan, but held back from disturbing him.

From the moment she came in, Lu Yan’s mind was elsewhere. Feeling her gaze, his pen paused, and he took a deep breath.

When she left earlier, he had tried to piece together her sudden emotional shifts with her current circumstances and thoughts, playing the scene over in his mind.

He roughly understood her decisions and feelings.

He was disappointed she hadn’t changed her mind but relieved she wasn’t indifferent to him.

He didn’t want to make things difficult for her. Putting down his pen, he walked behind Shen Qingyi and said in a low voice, “I’m almost better now, no need for injections anymore. I’ll go to the office tomorrow and won’t come back for lunch.”

Shen Qingyi turned, surprised. “Did your boss agree to that?”

“Mm. My boss doesn’t really care about me.”

“Alright! Then please take care of yourself.” Shen Qingyi exhaled softly.

He would go to work first thing in the morning, come back in the afternoon to possibly work overtime, and still spend time with An An. That was good.

By the weekend, Lu Yan hadn’t rested and was still working overtime at the office.

On Saturday, Shen Qingyi gave the rent money to Xiao Wu and asked her to take Feng Erqiu and the two children to the city to sign the lease.

Although renting was usually a verbal agreement, Shen Qingyi wrote a contract in duplicate. After both parties signed, Feng Erqiu kept one copy, and Xiao Wu’s second aunt kept the other.

It was Feng Erqiu’s first time entering such a spacious and tidy house. Every room had windows, wardrobes, and beds.

The living room had a sofa and coffee table, and aside from household appliances and bedding, everything was there.

Chun Ni’s eyes widened in curiosity as she looked around. “Mom, do you think we’ll really live here from now on?”

“Mm!” Feng Erqiu nodded.

“Will Uncle and Grandpa and Grandma come visit too?”

Looking at the bright house, Feng Erqiu’s expression revealed excitement she could hardly conceal. “Yes! Grandpa and Grandma will definitely love it.”

After saying this, her gaze returned to her daughter’s face, which wore a strange expression—part happy, part sorrowful. “What’s wrong with you?”