If You Could Hear My Heart

“Thank you, Chaomu,” Bai Man said. “Your fourth brother loves daughters, and I really hope the child I am carrying this time is a girl.”

“Whether it’s a daughter or a son, the fourth brother will definitely love them very much.”

“Hehe, Chaomu, you are going to be an aunt soon.”

“Yes, my little nephew will surely be especially adorable.” Xu Chaomu smiled, but there was a bit of bitterness in her smile.

They continued their conversation as they walked downstairs.

When Xiaofeng heard that Bai Man was indeed pregnant, she was even happier than Bai Man herself.

Bai Man also reminded her, “Don’t tell Shen Chi; I want to tell him in person.”

“Alright, alright, I definitely won’t say a word,” Xiaofeng said with a laugh.

“Xiaofeng, why don’t you take Chaomu back to school, or go pick out a dress with her? I want to take a taxi home to rest.”

“It’s fine, sister-in-law, I’ll take a taxi back to school and let Xiaofeng take you back to the Shen Family.” Xu Chaomu was quite sensible.

Bai Man smiled, “It’s okay, it’s been hard on you, just let Xiaofeng take you.”

Xu Chaomu shook her head, “It’s not far from the school here, I’ll take a taxi back myself. Sister-in-law, you need to take care of yourself.”

After saying that, Xu Chaomu headed downstairs, waving at them.

She smiled naturally, as if everything had nothing to do with her.

But as soon as she walked out of the hospital, she hid in a place where no one was around and cried.

She didn’t want to cry, but tears are such a nuisance; they drip down despite one’s wishes, and can’t be stopped.

As soon as Xu Chaomu left, Bai Man immediately changed her expression.

Angrily tearing up the examination report in her hand, she scoffed, “Xiaofeng, do you think I’m tired from acting?”

“Miss Bai, didn’t you see how Xu Chaomu’s face changed? Calm down, it was all worth it.”

“Why should I be afraid of an eighteen-year-old girl? She has no background or support; why should I fear her?”

“Well… Miss Bai, a moment of patience can prevent many problems. Any stumbling blocks on you and President Shen’s marital path must be removed, as they say, strike first is stronger.”

“Yes, you’re right. I’ll be patient. Before the engagement, I won’t allow any changes.”

“Speaking of which, Miss Bai, have you and President Shen gotten your marriage certificate already?”

“Not yet; he said he’s been busy with that project in South Africa recently, and after we’re engaged, he’ll go to the civil affairs office with me.”

“If you have time, you should still push President Shen to prioritize it. After the engagement, it is essential to get the marriage certificate. Having the marriage certificate is what officially makes you husband and wife, all else is just for show.”

Xiaofeng’s words were very clear, even a grand engagement ceremony is just a formality, all for others to see.

“You are right.” Bai Man fell silent for a few minutes.

Outside the hospital, Xu Chaomu finished crying, wiped her eyes with her sleeve, sniffed, and left as if nothing had happened.

All those tears for nothing, she would have to drink lots of water to compensate.

Wasn’t it inevitable that he and Bai Man would have children? Why was she even crying?

So weak.

Xu Chaomu dried her tears and waited at the bus station for the bus.

After returning to school, she continued to work on practice tests in the classroom as if everything that happened today didn’t involve her.

She finished one test after another, and only when her mind concentrated on the problems could she stop herself from wandering off into distracting thoughts.

Her pencil flew across the draft paper with drafts, and she rapidly filled the test papers with one answer after another.

She didn’t know since when, but the problems that used to be particularly difficult for her had become very easy.

Perhaps, this upcoming midterm exam would be the last test she would ever take…

Once, someone told her that if she could rank in the top ten this midterm, he would give her something she wanted.

But now, she had no interest in knowing what that something was.

She thought everything he gave her, she didn’t want any longer.

She stayed in the classroom, working on tests the entire day, unmindful of the darkening sky.

It was only when Old Cheng came in and tapped her desk that she realized it.

“Miss Xu,” Old Cheng’s voice was deep.

Xu Chaomu was slightly startled as she lifted her head, “Uncle Cheng.”

Old Cheng looked down at her affectionately and smiled, “Working on tests? You’re very diligent.”

“Yes, the midterms are approaching.”

“Are you finished?”

“I haven’t done geography and biology yet.”

“Then take them to the Waterside Pavilion; it’s quiet there. I’ll help you pack up.”

Xu Chaomu understood Old Cheng’s intention; he wanted her to go to the Waterside Pavilion.

Xu Chaomu clutched the test papers tightly and shook her head firmly, “I won’t go; I’ll just do them in the classroom. I can’t concentrate anywhere else.”

“President Shen misses you, he asked me to bring you to him,” Old Cheng sighed softly.

“Then tell him I don’t miss him at all,” Xu Chaomu said emphatically.

He himself was about to be a husband and a father, and still, he was entangling himself with her, heh, what trash.

“Miss Xu, President Shen is rarely free for an evening; why don’t you spend some time with him? He’s been caught up with corporate affairs recently; I haven’t seen him laugh in a long time,” Old Cheng sighed again.

“Uncle Cheng, if I go, I’m sure I’ll make him so angry he’ll smoke out of his seven orifices, and he’ll be even less likely to laugh. So, for his health, I won’t go.”

“Even if he smokes out of his seven orifices, it’s still good,” Old Cheng smiled.

Xu Chaomu touched her forehead; what kind of logic was that?

Who would want to be infuriated on purpose? That’s just masochism…

“I won’t go, Uncle Cheng, please go back. It’s already dark,” Xu Chaomu flatly refused.

“Miss Xu, for my sake, then. President Shen just wants to see you, nothing more. You can bring your homework and do it there, and if there’s anything you don’t understand, you can ask him for help,” Old Cheng persisted in persuading her.

“Uncle Cheng, please stop, I’m not going,” she said.

She didn’t want to see him one bit, not at all.

“Sigh, Miss Xu, President Shen really misses you.”

“He wouldn’t miss me, no matter who he misses.”

Xu Chaomu was resolute, her stubbornness not easily swayed.

“Miss Xu, President Shen is about to go to South Africa soon, and this time he might stay for a long time.”

“Uncle Cheng, as you know, my foster relationship with the Shen Family has ended, and all I may owe the Shen Family is perhaps a sentiment.”

“Miss Xu, President Shen is usually quite fond of you, and he’s about to leave for South Africa. Can’t you see him just once?” Old Cheng continued his earnest entreaties.

“Because he’s fond of me, should I owe him for a lifetime?”

“Miss Xu, that’s not what I meant,” Old Cheng said.

There was another sigh from Old Cheng. Xu Chaomu was indeed stubborn.

“Uncle Cheng, please go back. Don’t try to persuade me anymore,” Xu Chaomu said with determination.

“Well then, Miss Xu, you work on your tests. Don’t strain yourself. When you have time, you should visit President Shen. He said that if you want to go to the Waterside Pavilion, you are welcome at any time.”

“Mhm,” Xu Chaomu buried her head and gave an absentminded answer.

She continued focusing on the test questions.

Old Cheng gave Xu Chaomu a few more meaningful glances before shaking his head and leaving the classroom.

Alone, Old Cheng walked to his car and then made his solitary journey back to the Waterside Pavilion to report.

When he arrived at the Waterside Pavilion, Shen Chi was cooking dinner.