Chapter 5: A Night at the Old Residence

Lin Shu gently applied ointment on Tang Yichen, unaware of his thoughts.

“All done. Let’s go downstairs for dinner so Grandpa doesn’t have to wait too long.”

“Okay.”

The two of them walked out of the study and headed to the dining room. Grandpa was already seated at the table. Seeing them come down together, he smiled warmly and beckoned Lin Shu over, a stark contrast to the earlier harsh scolding he had given Tang Yichen.

“Xiao Shu, come and eat. Aunt Wang will bring you some soup to nourish you.”

“Thank you, Grandpa,” Lin Shu replied sweetly, taking her seat beside Tang Yichen.

Grandpa truly cherished Lin Shu, not only because of the promise to his old comrade but also because he understood his grandson. Yichen was loyal to his feelings but easily deceived and hurt.

Lin Shu, on the other hand, despite her gentle demeanor, had a resilient and determined spirit—a perfect partner to endure both hardship and joy. Grandpa hoped that Yichen would soon realize Lin Shu’s worth and that they could live happily, maybe even bless him with a great-grandchild, fulfilling his final wish in life.

“Why don’t you both move back here? Xiao Shu is alone at home all day, and it would be nice to have her keep me company,” Grandpa suggested.

“I don’t mind,” Tang Yichen responded. His grandfather’s reasoning wasn’t wrong. Moving back might indeed keep Lin Shu from feeling lonely. What Tang Yichen didn’t realize was how much he was already unconsciously considering Lin Shu’s feelings.

Although Lin Shu didn’t enjoy being home alone, she knew she couldn’t move to the old residence. If she did, her pregnancy would surely be discovered by Grandpa. “It’s okay, Grandpa. I’m used to it. Sometimes Yichen comes home late, and I wouldn’t want to disturb your rest. It’s more convenient for us to stay on our own.”

Tang Yichen was surprised by her refusal. He had thought living at the old residence would benefit her, with Grandpa undoubtedly taking her side. Yet, for some reason, she turned down the offer. Well, it’s up to her, he thought.

Grandpa, however, was concerned about their relationship. If that woman, Wen Qing, caused any trouble, at least if they were living with him, he could keep an eye on things. He worried that with Lin Shu’s gentle nature, she might end up suffering in silence. Still, since she had declined, he couldn’t push further.

“Well, if that’s your decision, Grandpa will respect it. But if Yichen ever upsets you or makes you angry, come tell me. I’ll set him straight,” Grandpa said, shooting a pointed glance at his grandson.

Tang Yichen continued eating calmly, as though he hadn’t heard a word.

“Yichen treats me very well, Grandpa,” Lin Shu said quickly.

Tang Yichen raised his brows in surprise. He didn’t understand his young wife, with whom he had been married for nearly three years. She had no need to speak well of him in front of Grandpa. In fact, she could easily complain, and Grandpa would undoubtedly take her side.

Seeing him raise his brows, Lin Shu lowered her head, nervously eating her meal.

“Since you’re not moving back, it’s already late—why not stay the night here and return tomorrow?” Grandpa suggested.

Lin Shu glanced at Tang Yichen, who didn’t object, so she nodded. “Alright, Grandpa.”

After dinner, to Lin Shu’s surprise, Tang Yichen didn’t immediately bury himself in work but sat with her and Grandpa in the living room to watch TV. It didn’t take long before Grandpa, feeling tired, asked the butler to help him to bed, leaving the two of them alone.

Lin Shu assumed that now, with Grandpa gone, Tang Yichen wouldn’t feel the need to keep up appearances and would excuse himself.

“You can go work if you want. I’ll stay here a little longer and head to bed afterward,” Lin Shu said.

“I’m not busy tonight.”

Lin Shu thought he must be taking a rare moment to relax. He was on his phone, not really paying attention to the TV, so she let him be. Grandpa had gone to rest, so Lin Shu curled up on the sofa, hugging a cushion as she watched the drama she had been following. Tonight, the finale was airing, and she planned to finish it before going to bed.

It was a historical drama, a tragic one, where the final scene ended with the male and female leads separated by life and death. As Lin Shu became engrossed, tears began to roll down her cheeks.

Tang Yichen, half-reclined on the sofa, was aimlessly browsing the news on his phone. He didn’t know why he was wasting time like this when there was so much work to be done.

In the past, he would never have watched such trivial TV shows, but seeing Lin Shu quietly watching the drama, it made him feel a certain warmth—a sense of home.

He heard the faint sound of sobbing and looked up to see Lin Shu crying, tears streaming down her face like pearls. Her eyes were red and swollen.

Tang Yichen was confused about what had happened and immediately sat up, handing her tissues.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m… I’m fine. The show… it’s just too sad. The heroine died,” Lin Shu replied between sobs, her voice shaky and breathless. She felt embarrassed being caught crying over a TV show, but the scene had truly touched her. Ever since becoming pregnant, her emotions had been more volatile, and she was prone to sudden bouts of sadness.

Tang Yichen, realizing it was just because of the show, felt an inexplicable sense of relief. “Alright, alright. Don’t cry. If Grandpa hears you, he’ll think I’ve been bullying you,” he said softly, his voice carrying a gentle warmth even he didn’t notice.

But Lin Shu couldn’t stop, her sobs continuing despite his reassurances.

Tang Yichen gently patted her back, speaking soothingly until she gradually calmed down. Looking at the two of them sitting so close together, Lin Shu felt a bit awkward.

“Okay, that’s enough. The show’s over. Let’s go upstairs and rest.”

“Mm.”

In that moment, the tenderness Tang Yichen showed made Lin Shu’s heart sink further. It felt like being drawn into a false sense of comfort, knowing full well that Wen Qing was the one he truly cared about. He was only being kind to her now to avoid Grandpa’s wrath.

In a daze, she let Tang Yichen lead her upstairs. As they entered the room, his phone rang. He took it out, and Lin Shu noticed it was an unsaved number—a string of digits.

“You go take a shower first. I’ll take this call.”

“Alright.”

Lin Shu grabbed her pajamas and headed into the bathroom, leaning against the door in a trance. The small moment of tenderness downstairs had given her a fleeting sense of hope. She wondered, if she told Tang Yichen about the baby, would he let her stay?

Surely, he would be a good father. Grandpa had once told her, “Xiao Shu, after his parents passed away, Yichen endured so much pain without shedding a single tear. He’s deeply emotional—that’s why he’s been waiting for Wen Qing all this time.

But Wen Qing isn’t right for him. Yichen craves a warm family. If you two have a child, he’ll take responsibility, and you won’t have to separate.”

Grandpa had advised her to get pregnant as soon as possible to tie Yichen down. But what was the use of tying him to her physically if she could never win his heart? All she wanted was for him to be happy, even if that meant letting him go.

Her instincts told her the call was from Wen Qing. She didn’t know what Wen Qing might say, or if Tang Yichen would leave tonight to see her. Even if he did, Lin Shu had no right to object.

After all, this was a contractual marriage, and their three-year agreement was nearing its end. If it hadn’t been for her, forced into this marriage by Grandpa, Yichen might have already reunited with Wen Qing.

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