Chapter 779: Want To Share Your Burden (6)

"Bring this umbrella along. It's still raining."

She could tell that he probably walked over as his well-ironed suit was a little creased and there was a layer of moisture on it. From the way he looked, he had most likely gotten drunk for the whole night somewhere. Furthermore, when she walked over, she could vaguely smell the alcohol on him.

Qi Lei was stunned. As he looked at the sudden umbrella in front of him, he could not quite react immediately, so he stared dumbfoundedly at it for a long while.

After a while, he smiled bitterly and shook his head. "You don't need to pity me."

"I'm not pitying you. I just wanted to tell you that if you want others to treat you well, you should treat yourself well first. Many times, headstrong unruliness will only hurt yourself."

Xi Xiaye could obviously see that imprint of a slap still clear on his face, but she chose not to ask about it because once she did, it would not just be touching his sensitive heart, but perhaps it would also beat his ego down just like how she had been back then.

Qi Lei fell silent for quite a while at Xi Xiaye's words, yet because he did not react, she already walked two steps up to him and handed him the umbrella. "There are many things and many people we can't change, but we can control ourselves. I believe that you're a good person. Mr. Mu has always believed that too."

He suddenly felt his heart soften for some reason although there was a sourness at the back of his throat. Blinking the hot tears that welled up in his eyes away, there were indescribable struggle and gloom in his dark eyes. Then, he lowered his head to look at her shyly. "I'm just afraid you'd be disappointed."

Xi Xiaye smiled and shook her head as she said calmly, "Whether I'm disappointed or not isn't important. I'm just hoping that you won't disappoint yourself. Also, your mother loves you too, so it's not like you have nothing at all."

"She came to look for you?" Qi Lei asked.

"She didn't, but I can understand how she feels. I know about the South River Project. I trust that you won't let me down. If you still think we're friends, we'll be sure to do our best."

Xi Xiaye obviously knew about the South River Project matters. Shen Yue had been busy about it too, and once she assumed her position, this big project might be the next one she needed to focus on.

Qi Lei did not say anything as his gaze at her glowed with a faint gentleness. Instead of responding to Xi Xiaye's statement, he asked, "Did you hear my conversation with Mu Yuchen earlier?"

"I only heard the last few sentences," Xi Xiaye answered honestly. She just saw Qi Lei's expression change slightly, so she suddenly smiled calmly again. "You don't have to feel sorry. Even if I didn't hear it, he'd tell me himself. He doesn't have many secrets with me."

Upon hearing that, the apology written on Qi Lei's expression faded slightly. He then took the umbrella from her and said gloomily, "You shouldn't be displaying your affection in front of me."

Xi Xiaye's pale lips immediately curled up as she laughed gently. "I just wanted to provoke you a little."

Then, she looked up at the hazy sky above the umbrella. The drizzle continued to quietly pour, making one feel a bit gloomy. Of course, when a cool breeze blew, it suddenly refreshed oneself. She sighed gently again and said, "Okay, don't think about it too much now. Once this rain passes, a new day begins. It's just a small matter," Xi Xiaye said, and then walked up the stairs.

Qi Lei kept watching her. When he saw her turn at the corner and vanish, his grip on the umbrella tightened. There were still traces of her warm temperature on the handle mixed with that unique fragrance of hers in the air. He suddenly felt like the anguish buried in his chest faded away slightly just like that.

Finally, he did not say anything further as he turned and walked into the rain.

...

Meanwhile, at this moment underneath the flower rack, Mu Yuchen maintained the position he assumed when Qi Lei left. He had more or less overheard Xi Xiaye and Qi Lei's conversation, so when he felt his little woman stop behind him, he wordlessly reached out to pull her into his arms. Xi Xiaye was practically engulfed in his arms tightly as his warmth wrapped her, instantly chasing away the chilliness she felt all over.

"What's wrong?"

When she felt the faint melancholy from him, she reached out to hold one of his hands and felt a coldness immediately being transferred from his palm.

He nestled in her shoulders and asked in a low, raspy voice, "How much did you hear?"

Xi Xiaye raised her brows as she turned to look at him and softly said, "Just the last few sentences."

"Hmm?" He clearly did not believe her as he looked to her.

Xiaye then cleared her voice and her starry eyes twinkled as she said, "I heard just a small part, but I roughly know what it's about."

"What do you think or feel? Express yourself a little more."

He tightened his arms around her waist, so she was practically rolled into him, and she could see from his eyes that he was nervous.

Xi Xiaye sighed softly. Her misty eyes looked out at the bleak and hazy rain as she let him hold her tightly. Calmly, she explained, "What can I feel or express? If someone as indifferent as you really fancied her, you would've married her. I no longer want to go after what happened later on and the reason for all that. If you feel bad, you don't have to think too much about it either. However, I do hope that you'll understand that I want to share some of your burden."

"I've never touched her, but I can guarantee that Lingtian..."

He wanted to continue, yet Xi Xiaye had already covered his mouth to stop him. "You don't have to continue. I more or else understand what you mean. I understand and know you... No matter what you plan to do, I'll support you."

"You trust me that much?" Mu Yuchen's dark eyes gradually brightened up as he stared at her.

"You've said it before. I wouldn't lose out marrying you, and you won't let me lose out... I'm still your child's mother. You can accept not asking me about my past, so I should be returning the same sentiment now."

His gaze was filled with candid sincerity. Obviously, it worked on him. The gloom on his face instantly disappeared as he hugged her tight and sighed. "With a wife like you, what more would I want? Missus, it's not in vain that I..."

After that, he did not continue further.

Xi Xiaye waited for a very long time. She thought that she could hear his confession, yet unexpectedly he stopped, so she was anxious now. She quickly pulled at his shirt and shook him before asking, "And then? What's not in vain?"