Chapter 550 - 551: This Is a Set Trap
Not long ago, Shen Youran underwent surgery. Ji Mushen was worried that she might overexert herself today, so when dinner ended, he let her return to her room to rest.
Lou Xi accompanied Shen Youran upstairs.
The Half Mountain Manor is very luxurious, almost like a palace. Lou Xi supported Shen Youran as they walked through the long corridor.
"Xixi, regarding your father, do you really want to know?" Shen Youran showed a hint of fatigue on her face.
Lou Xi paused slightly and turned to look at Shen Youran. She was well-maintained, and you couldn’t tell she was already fifty. Probably because over the years, Ji Mushen had treated her very well, allowing her to live like a little princess.
"If talking about him makes you sad, then I don’t want to know."
"He was a senior at my art school, very handsome and talented. Many girls in the art school liked him at the time, but he didn’t even glance at them. It was delightful and romantic being with him, but romance can’t be eaten. When I discovered I was pregnant with you, he didn’t even have money to buy me supplements."
In Shen Youran’s description, Lou Xi could imagine how confident and spirited her father was back then. But no matter how spirited, it was just a facade.
"I secretly took money from home and went to his hometown with him, Yu Zhou, and stayed in the ancestral old house until I was about to give birth. He took me to the hospital but then disappeared. Later, my brother went to Yu Zhou, and then those things happened..."
So, her mother had such a twisting story with her father back then.
But from her mother’s recounting, there wasn’t a hint of blame toward her father, only helplessness.
Back in the room, Shen Youran lay on the bed, and Lou Xi tucked her in.
"Xixi, so now when I see you and Mobai can enter the marriage hall, and he loves you so dearly, I am relieved." Shen Youran looked at Lou Xi with tearful eyes.
"Seeing Uncle Ji being so good to you, I am relieved too."
"But Xixi, you must understand, everything a man gives you, he can take away at any time. Only what you own is eternal." Shen Youran advised Lou Xi from her own experience.
Lou Xi was about to say that Qin Mobai wouldn’t easily leave her side because she trusted him.
But, as the words reached her lips, she changed her tone.
"Mom, don’t worry, I will strive to have my own career and make myself stronger."
"That’s good. Whatever you need, Mom will fully support you. No need to worry about too much."
Lou Xi lay beside Shen Youran, feeling extraordinarily peaceful. So, this is what it feels like to be cared for and protected by one’s mother. She was becoming increasingly fond of this feeling of having a mother!
...
In the dining room, everyone had their own thoughts.
Suddenly, Qin Ruiqian spoke up.
"Ruozhuo, I heard you are organizing Bi’er’s exhibition recently. I have a few of Bi’er’s paintings from when she was alive. If you need them, I can have someone send them to you."
Bi’er was Qin Mobai’s mother, Qiao Bi’er.
Thankfully, it was at Ji Mushen’s place, otherwise, if Qin Ruiqian mentioned Qiao Bi’er to Qin Mobai, things would 100% have turned ugly.
Shen Ruozhuo glanced over at Qin Mobai and noticed his expression was calm.
"That would be wonderful." Shen Ruozhuo agreed, "If Lou Xi could join me in organizing this exhibition, it would be great. She is Teacher Qiao’s daughter-in-law, and I believe she would host it more earnestly than I would."
As soon as Shen Ruozhuo said this, the entire dining room fell silent.
Shen Ruozhuo had just expressed goodwill to Lou Xi, and with Lou Xi forgiving her, the two cooperating on this exhibition would be excellent.
But somehow, it felt like this was a trap set by Shen Ruozhuo.