ARBRMW : Chapter 64

“No one forced you. Didn’t you volunteer for all of this?” Si Ye took the contract Jiang’s secretary handed him, flipped through it, and placed it in front of Tao Minzhi. 

“You should be familiar with the family’s rules. The company has lost a lot of money because of you, and the shares my father left you must be reclaimed according to his will.” 

Tao Minzhi understood the rules of the Si family. Anyone who tarnished the family’s reputation had to return any shares given to them. Moreover, her husband had specified in his will that if she remarried, the shares would be taken back. 

Si Yaoxian left her shares so she could have a voice in the Si family, hoping she could help manage Si Ye. But to prevent her from transferring the shares to outsiders, he added this clause. 

No matter how reluctant she was, Tao Minzhi had to return the shares to Si Ye. 

After signing the contract, Tao Minzhi glared at Si Ye with a venomous look, her words even more malicious: “I should have strangled you when you were born.” 

“Do you think I don’t have evidence of your attempted murder?” Si Ye’s words made Tao Minzhi clench her fists in shock. 

“Impossible.” Tao Minzhi was certain she hadn’t left any traces. Her eyes darkened. “You’re bluffing.” 

Standing in front of the large floor-to-ceiling window, Si Ye was bathed in sunlight, casting a shadow over Tao Minzhi, making it hard for her to see his expression. She only heard his cold, emotionless voice, “I’ve done everything I could. Take care of yourself.” 

Tao Minzhi felt a sudden panic in her heart hearing his words. “What do you mean?” 

Si Ye didn’t answer, walking out of the room. He still had to visit Chen Xu in the hospital. 

Chen Xu felt like he had slept for a long time. When he woke up, his head was pounding, especially the back of it. 

After a long recollection, he remembered almost being kidnapped and that Si Ye seemed to have saved him. 

A nurse came in to change his IV and, seeing him awake, quickly called a doctor for an examination. 

“You have a mild concussion, nothing serious. Just rest and eat light.” The doctor advised. 

“Okay, thank you, doctor.” Chen Xu felt dizzy and nauseous. 

As soon as the doctor and nurse left, Si Ye arrived. 

“You’re awake? Are you in pain anywhere?” Si Ye carefully held Chen Xu’s hand, asking with concern. 

Chen Xu tried to shake his head, but the movement made him dizzy. “No, just a bit dizzy.” 

Seeing his already pale face turn even whiter, Si Ye’s heart ached. He gently kissed the back of Chen Xu’s hand. “I’m sorry I was late.” 

“You can’t predict the future, so why blame yourself?” Chen Xu smiled slightly, hooking his finger with Si Ye’s. 

Si Ye shook his head, burying his face in Chen Xu’s hand. “I’ve been keeping an eye on Si Yichen’s movements but didn’t expect him to be so bold as to make a move in that place.” 

“That means he’s desperate. He knows I always take that route home, where there aren’t many people, making it convenient to act.” Chen Xu rarely wandered around and usually walked with Zhu Yaoyuan at school. When going home, he went straight to catch the train, without detouring. The school gate was too crowded, and the route to the subway was the best place to act. 

Although Si Ye didn’t know this, Si Yichen, being in the same school, easily figured out Chen Xu’s route. 

“I’m sorry.” Si Ye was full of guilt. He almost lost Chen Xu again. Even though he had everything arranged, he still felt remorse. If he had been more vigilant, Chen Xu wouldn’t have been hurt. 

Chen Xu suddenly beckoned him. Si Ye thought he had something to say and bent down to listen, only to be kissed on the corner of his mouth. 

“I’m sorry too, for making you worry. We’re even now.” Chen Xu’s eyes were clean and bright, making Si Ye’s heart melt. 

“Okay.” Si Ye gently nuzzled his nose against Chen Xu’s, not daring to kiss him. 

Secretary Jiang brought some food. Chen Xu, feeling dizzy, had no appetite, but Si Ye coaxed him into drinking half a bowl of porridge. 

After eating, Chen Xu’s face was flushed. Although it was embarrassing, he enjoyed being doted on by Si Ye. 

After the winter break, Chen Xu obediently stayed in the hospital for a few days. Although Si Ye visited him every day, he looked very busy, with dark circles under his eyes. 

Chen Xu, feeling sorry for him, told him to rest after work instead of coming to the hospital. But Si Ye refused and continued visiting him after work. 

A week later, Chen Xu was discharged from the hospital. Back at the Si residence, he suddenly realized that in this huge house, besides the servants, it was just him and Si Ye. Sun Wei’ang rarely came home since starting university. 

“What’s wrong?” Si Ye asked, noticing Chen Xu staring blankly around the house. 

Chen Xu lightly bit his lip. “Nothing.” 

He reached out and held Si Ye’s hand. From now on, he would be there for Si Ye. 

Si Ye felt the warmth of Chen Xu’s hand and led him upstairs. 

“No need to worry about it,” Si Ye said coldly into the phone. After hanging up, he seemed in a bad mood. 

Chen Xu, concerned, pressed his head against Si Ye’s back. “What’s wrong?” 

“Nothing…” Si Ye paused, watching the snowflakes outside, his eyelashes lowered. “My mother was involved in the kidnapping. I’m sorry I have evidence but didn’t send her to jail.” 

Chen Xu was surprised. “Why would your mother want to harm me?” 

He couldn’t understand why Si Yichen targeted him, let alone Tao Minzhi’s involvement. What had he done to deserve such hatred? 

Si Ye turned around, took his hand, and they sat on the sofa. He put a blanket over Chen Xu’s legs and said, “Have you read the news these days?” 

“No, the doctor wouldn’t let me use my phone.” Chen Xu had been bored in the hospital. Reading electronic devices made him dizzier, so the doctor strictly forbade it. He had to ask Si Ye to bring him some professional books, and the nurses were impressed by his dedication. 

The whole nurse’s station thought he was addicted to studying. 

Si Ye didn’t plan to hide Tao Minzhi and Wei Shifeng’s affair from Chen Xu. Even if he didn’t tell him, Chen Xu would eventually hear about it. 

“What?” Chen Xu looked at Si Ye in shock, instinctively holding his hand to comfort him. He had known about this for a long time but didn’t tell Si Ye to avoid hurting him. But he never expected the affair to become public knowledge. 

“I’m fine. I’ve known about it for a long time.” Si Ye felt the warmth from Chen Xu’s hand and kissed his forehead. 

This shocked Chen Xu more than anything else. Si Ye knew all along. Did he know in their previous life too? In the previous life, Si Ye was almost obedient to Tao Minzhi. Did he also know about the affair? Chen Xu’s heart felt like it was being squeezed, hurting terribly. 

“I’m sorry, Si Ye. I once witnessed their affair but didn’t tell you to avoid hurting you.” Chen Xu leaned against Si Ye’s chest, speaking softly, his long eyelashes fluttering like little fans. 

“It’s okay. I’ve been disappointed in her for a long time. Don’t be sad.” Si Ye’s heart ached seeing Chen Xu more upset than himself. He gently touched Chen Xu’s cheek with his lips. 

Chen Xu felt like a child being comforted. He put his arms around Si Ye’s neck, raising his head to ask, “So Si Yichen found out about their affair and blackmailed Tao Minzhi into hiring someone to kidnap me?” 

It wasn’t hard for him to guess. Si Yichen didn’t have such connections or money, and since Si Ye mentioned it, Chen Xu easily put the pieces together. 

“Yes.” Si Ye didn’t tell Chen Xu about his background. He didn’t want to see him sad and couldn’t find any information about his real background. 

He investigated the events of sixteen years ago but only found that Old Master Chen brought a child home. Where the child came from was only known by Old Master Chen and his driver. Old Master Chen had long passed away, and the driver retired and went back to his hometown. Si Ye hadn’t found the driver yet, so he couldn’t confirm if Chen Xu was really Old Master Chen’s illegitimate son or if there was another story. 

“Was the call from Tao Minzhi?” Chen Xu asked. 

“How are you so smart?” Si Ye kissed the small mole on his nose. Chen Xu smiled, “How can I not be smart to match you?” 

Si Ye chuckled. “Yes, I took back the shares my father left her and sent her to a nursing home. She’s been causing trouble to come back.” 

A nursing home was a euphemism for house arrest. She would spend the rest of her days there. Si Ye wasn’t a forgiving person. The pain and trauma Tao Minzhi had caused him over the years, he hadn’t forgotten a single one. If she hadn’t tried to harm Chen Xu, he might have let her live her last days in peace at Villa No. 5. But she was too greedy. 

Si Ye knew Tao Minzhi well. She targeted Chen Xu not only because of

 Si Yichen’s blackmail but also because she feared that if Si Lin returned, Si Ye wouldn’t hand over the family business for Chen Xu’s sake. 

“I see.” Chen Xu thought of the cold violence Tao Minzhi inflicted on Si Ye and felt that sending her to a nursing home was too lenient. But she was Si Ye’s mother, and he couldn’t be too harsh. 

“Sorry I couldn’t have her legally punished.” Si Ye’s apology was interrupted by Chen Xu’s finger pressing against his lips. “You’ve apologized too many times today. There’s nothing to be sorry about. After all, she’s your mother. Although I don’t like her, I’m grateful she brought you into this world.” 

Every word Chen Xu said made Si Ye’s heart race. Like a teenage boy experiencing first love, his heart was full of joy but unsure what to do. He could only lower his head and kiss Chen Xu’s lips. 

…

“Si Yichen, someone is here to see you.” 

Si Yichen looked haggard, his eyes bloodshot. Since his arrest, he had been extremely dejected. 

He slowly got up, his eyes lifeless, wondering who would visit him. When he saw Si Jing in a fashionable outfit, his shock rendered him speechless. 

“The child… where’s the child?” His lifeless eyes turned wild, and he lunged forward like a madman, only to be restrained by two guards behind him. 

Si Jing was beautifully dressed today, with light makeup and a stylish outfit, but it didn’t fit a pregnant woman’s image. 

“Did you get rid of the child?” Si Yichen screamed, “You bitch! Give me back my child!” 

Si Jing sneered, “Why would you think I would keep this child?” 

Her words were like daggers, stabbing Si Yichen’s heart. If not for this child, he wouldn’t have been so desperate to get rid of Chen Xu. Si Jing had hinted that if he inherited the family business, she would keep the child. 

“You lied to me?” Si Yichen couldn’t believe it, his eyes bulging, “You bitch! You lied to me! I’ll kill you!” 

Si Jing laughed, “I never promised to keep the child. Everyone was just playing around, and you took it seriously.” 

Her ridicule made Si Yichen feel as if he had fallen into an icy abyss. 

Yes, thinking back, Si Jing never explicitly agreed to keep the child. It was all his assumption, and he acted rashly because of it. 

Only now did he realize he had been set up by Si Jing. 

“You set me up that night?” Si Yichen would never forget that night when he accidentally saw Tao Minzhi and Wei Shifeng together. Frightened, he ran away, only to bump into Si Jing. 

Si Jing had just taken a bath, wearing a silk nightgown without underwear. Under the moonlight, she looked like a siren, wrapping herself around Si Yichen like a water snake, whispering in his ear, “Did you see that? Isn’t it disgusting?” 

Her words made Si Yichen realize that Si Jing had always known about her husband’s affair with Tao Minzhi. Before he could react, Si Jing pulled him into an abyss. 

The next morning, Si Yichen was panic-stricken. It was his first taste of love, and he was both scared and excited, thinking Si Jing did it to get back at Wei Shifeng. But Si Jing was actually getting back at Tao Minzhi. 

Si Jing smiled meaningfully, not answering his question. Instead, she said, “The verdict is out. Ten years in prison. Enjoy your time there.” 

“What do you mean?” Si Yichen stood up, knocking over the chair with a loud crash. 

“You harmed Si Ye’s beloved and still think you can get out? You’re truly naive.” With those words, Si Jing left. 

Si Yichen stood frozen, his face ashen, overwhelmed by regret. But it was too late. 

…

“Have you divorced Wei Shifeng?” Si Ye looked up from a pile of documents. 

“Yes, it’s easier to find a boy toy when I’m single.” Si Jing sat on the sofa, sipping her milk tea. “Secretary Jiang makes great milk tea.” 

“Thank you, Ms. Jing.” Secretary Jiang maintained a calm demeanor with a professional smile. 

“I remember Secretary Jiang is still single. How about me?” Si Jing flirted. 

“Plenty of guys out there for you. Don’t mess with my staff.” Si Ye handed her a business card from his drawer. “The psychologist you asked me to find.” 

Si Jing took the card, “Thanks.” 

Si Ye looked at her with some guilt. “You’ll get better.” 

“I know. It’s not your fault. And you already gave me five percent of the company’s shares. I can live comfortably now. My mom always dreamed of getting that.” Si Jing put the card in her bag, said a few more words to Si Ye, and left. 

The wind lifted her coat, and Si Jing looked at the card in her hand, smiling. “I’ll get better.” 

The psychologist was abroad. After making an appointment, Si Jing visited Tao Minzhi in the nursing home before leaving. 

Living in the nursing home, Tao Minzhi had lost her former elegance, looking like an old woman. Her dyed black hair had faded, showing gray, or perhaps new white hair had grown during her stay. 

Si Jing saw the aging, the pain, and even a hint of madness in her eyes. Leaning against the door, she realized that revenge brought more emptiness and confusion than satisfaction. 

Such a person had tormented her for so many years. 

“Si Jing?” Tao Minzhi suddenly saw Si Jing standing at the door and jumped up, her eyes crazy. “Take me out! I want out!” 

“The bastard Si Ye dares to lock me up here! Take me out now!” 

Nursing home staff hurried to calm her down. Tao Minzhi struggled fiercely, refusing to cooperate. She clung to Si Jing as if she were her lifeline, unable to stand another moment in that place. 

“Give her a sedative.” 

“I don’t want a shot! No! You’re abusing me!” Tao Minzhi kicked and screamed, her hair disheveled, making a scene. 

After the injection, she lay weakly on the bed, her consciousness fading. 

Si Jing walked to her bedside and asked, “Aunt, do you remember how you stood by while my uncle raped me?” 

Tao Minzhi, though groggy, trembled violently. She had thought such a long time had passed that Si Jing would have forgotten. But Si Jing hadn’t, remembering it clearly in her mind and body. 

Si Jing’s mother, Si Wanping, was always ambitious, focusing on her career. After having Si Jing, she didn’t care much because she was a girl. Si Jing’s father was absorbed in his art. Both parents neglected her, so she often played with Si Jinwen and Si Ye. No one suspected anything at her uncle’s house, making it easy for him to commit his crimes. 

Si Jing had thought her uncle and aunt were a loving couple, but their relationship wasn’t as good or bad as it seemed. 

Terrified, Si Jing had escaped from Si Yaoxian’s room, hoping to find help in Tao Minzhi. But Tao Minzhi, hearing her cries, had pushed her back into the room, sealing her nightmare. 

That push haunted Si Jing more than her uncle’s actions. 

Due to this trauma, Si Jing developed a sex addiction, indulging herself while hating and craving it. 

Her encounter with Si Yichen was an accident. Locked at home by her mother, she couldn’t go out to find men. When she had an episode, Si Yichen happened to come by. 

The pregnancy was unexpected, so she made a deal with Si Ye, revealing the hidden truth to him. 

Having lived a third of her life, she felt it was time to move on. 

“Do you think you’re getting what you deserve?” Si Jing mocked Tao Minzhi. 

“Disgraced, destitute, you tried to control everything but ended up with nothing.” 

A month later, Si Jing, abroad, received a call from Si Ye, informing her that Tao Minzhi had gone mad. Si Jing, looking at a photo of Si Shunqian, told him, “I think I’m feeling better.” 

“Good.” Si Ye agreed, a plan forming in his mind. 

If Si Lin couldn’t be found or wasn’t capable, he planned to teach Si Shunqian personally. 

He and Chen Xu couldn’t have children, and the family needed an heir. 

…

During the Spring Festival, Chen Xu’s head injury had long healed. Now he could run and jump, but getting up in the morning was hard. Si Ye invited him to jog, but he stayed in bed, reluctant to move. 

“It’s cold…” Chen Xu buried his face in the quilt, only his eyes showing. 

“You’re being spoiled.” Si Ye couldn’t resist when Chen Xu acted cute, wanting to give him everything beautiful in the world. 

Chen Xu nuzzled Si Ye’s hand with his nose. “You’ll be back late from the company party tonight, right?” 

Si Ye pinched his nose gently. Chen Xu wrinkled his nose, freeing it by playfully biting Si Ye’s hand. 

“Want to come with me?” Si Ye didn’t mind the playful bite. 

Chen Xu blinked, “Is it okay for an outsider to come?” 

Si Ye laughed, kissing him, “The boss’s wife isn’t an outsider.” 

Blushing, Chen Xu pulled Si Ye back into bed, kissing him again and again. 

Si Ye didn’t get Chen Xu out of bed for their morning jog. Instead, Chen Xu’s antics lured Si Ye back into the cozy warmth of their bed.

When Chen Xu woke up again, it was almost ten o’clock. He reluctantly got up, washed up, and went downstairs to eat. Uncle Zhong told him that Si Ye would return around six o’clock to take him to the company.

After having brunch, Chen Xu returned to his room to check his emails. He received an important email informing him that he had passed the preliminary round of a design competition.

Although it was expected, he was still quite happy.

The second round would take place in March, with specific topics assigned. The final round required on-site creation, where contestants would have to draw a design and produce the outfit within a limited time. This not only tested one’s skills but also their creativity and execution under pressure. The judges were known for their sharp eyes, making the competition significantly more challenging than usual design contests.

This challenge was why so many aspiring designers were eager to participate.

Chen Xu spent the afternoon sketching in his old room. He didn’t stop until Si Ye came to pick him up. Si Ye admired Chen Xu’s designs, each brimming with originality, as if he was born for this.

“I know the principal of the Academy of Fine Arts,” Si Ye suggested, still wanting Chen Xu to pursue his passion.

“You’re overthinking it. I like music, I like drawing, and I like economics. Can’t I have diverse interests?” Chen Xu reassured him with a kiss.

“Let’s go. We don’t want to keep your company waiting.” Chen Xu took Si Ye’s hand and led him out.

Si Ye felt a warm sensation in his heart as he watched Chen Xu, feeling as if they were strolling through a serene garden. He remarked lightly, “It’s their duty to wait for the boss and the boss’s wife.”

Chen Xu’s ears turned red at the mention of “boss’s wife,” suspecting Si Ye was teasing him.

“Your poor employees, having such a boss.” Chen Xu mumbled.

“Talking bad about me?” Si Ye caught up to him, leaning down to whisper in his ear.

A tingling sensation spread from his ear, making Chen Xu’s thoughts go fuzzy. He had always known Si Ye’s voice was alluring, but every time Si Ye whispered in his ear, he found himself powerless to resist. He feared he’d never build up an immunity to it.

“No, really,” Chen Xu denied, blushing and looking at Si Ye with innocent eyes. His beautiful peach blossom eyes glistened with a slight sheen, making Si Ye’s heart itch.