Chapter 26. Marriage? The Car Accident Kind (11)
The Lin family’s daughter-in-law gave birth to a cotton and blood bag child at the wedding venue, shocking the guests. Some opportunists recorded the entire process on their phones and submitted the bizarre incident to news outlets. Although the Lin family quickly reacted and paid a hefty sum to remove the trending topic, internet users familiar with such tactics had already saved the videos and photos.
Xia Xinzhi was genuinely injured after being kicked hard in the lower back by Lin Ming. At the scene, Lin Ming stood dumbfounded, holding his cotton and blood bag child, momentarily forgetting about Xia Xinzhi lying on the stretcher. It was Wen Yingting who reminded him that Xia Xinzhi looked unwell and suggested taking her to the hospital.
Halfway there, Xia Xinzhi woke up and clutched Lin Ming tightly, her pale face covered in tears. Seeing Lin Ming’s cold, silent demeanor, she cried harder, wailing heartbrokenly until she finally caught his attention.
“Xinzhi, why did you lie to me? Even if you weren’t pregnant, I still planned to marry you.”
If Xia Xinzhi hadn’t claimed to be pregnant, his marriage to Shen Wan would still be intact, making Xinzhi feel insecure. He wouldn’t have been in such a rush to marry her and give her reassurance. He had been looking forward to this child, eagerly anticipating its arrival.
Without the child’s existence, he and Shen Wan could have negotiated their divorce slowly. He wouldn’t have agreed to such unreasonable conditions when Shen Wan made exorbitant demands, giving away ninety percent of his personal assets. Shen Wan was old fox Shen’s granddaughter, and with Wen Yingling’s help, plus Xia Xinzhi’s threat to abort the baby within a week if he didn’t divorce Shen Wan, claiming she couldn’t let the child be born without a father and branded as illegitimate, he had no choice.
Due to Shen Wan’s status and Wen Yingling’s formidable backing, he couldn’t use any special tactics. If he’d had a month, he definitely wouldn’t have lost so much.
“Ah Ming, I never meant to deceive you. I just love you so much and was afraid of losing you,” Xia Xinzhi said, seeing Lin Ming finally willing to speak to her. Enduring the pain in her back, she hugged his waist. “Ah Ming, I was truly so nervous about you, so afraid of losing you. I feared Shen Wan would change her mind, that you’d leave me. That’s why I followed Xiaoron’s suggestion to fake the pregnancy. Ah Ming, we’ve known each other for so many years, from being openly together to now sneaking around. If I didn’t love you, didn’t like you, didn’t want to be with you, how could I willingly stay by your side?”
“Ah Ming, believe me, I love you. This time I truly know I was wrong. I shouldn’t have done this. I was blinded by love.”
Seeing hesitation and pain in Lin Ming’s expression, Xia Xinzhi continued, “Ah Ming, think about all these years. When you married Shen Wan, I was willing to hide in the shadows rather than leave you. Do you think I’m not afraid of people’s gossip? I am, but I’m more afraid of losing you. If I, Xia Xinzhi, wanted to find another man, it would be effortless.”
“Lin Ming, although Xinzhi was wrong this time, it’s only because she loves you too much. You’re already married now, so try to make it work from here on. All this back and forth really isn’t worth it,” Wen Yingting advised. Xia Xinzhi’s actions today had truly refreshed his understanding. However, it’s better to advise reconciliation than separation. The two were in true love, and as Lin Ming’s good friend, he also hoped for Xia Xinzhi’s happiness. If they split up because of today’s incident, who knows how long the drama would continue.
As Lin Ming hesitated, Xia Xinzhi “fainted.” This thoroughly frightened both men. Seeing her pale face and furrowed brow, Lin Ming’s heart softened.
Zhang Xiaoron left the wedding venue in trepidation. Before she could even process the day’s events, she received a call from the hospital. Someone had reported her for misusing others’ prenatal check-up reports and ultrasound images to issue fake pregnancy certificates. At that moment, only two words flashed through her mind: It’s over.
“Lin Ming’s parents want him to divorce, but he refused. Currently, he’s moved out of the Lin family home and is living with Xia Xinzhi,” Wen Yingling said, sitting on the sofa and looking at Shen Wan. “Zhang Xiaoron’s medical license has been revoked. She can no longer practice in this field. It’s a lesson learned.”
“Word is that Lin Ming plans to strike out on his own for Xia Xinzhi’s future. He’s secretly poaching people from Lin Corporation,” Wen Yingling said, her lips curving slightly. She glanced at Shen Wan, who was staring at her blankly, and asked softly, “Are you happy?”
“Yes.”
Before Shen Wan could react, Wen Yingling’s cool fingers touched her forehead, those beautiful eyes fixed on hers. “Have you remembered anything?”
“No, nothing at all.”
Wen Yingling made a soft sound of acknowledgment. “Is this world still unfamiliar to you?”
“Incredibly unfamiliar.”
“You’ve been at home for a month now. Do you want to go out for a bit?” Wen Yingling said. “Grandfather Shen is asking when you’ll go to Shen Corporation to learn.”
“Yingling,” Shen Wan grabbed Wen Yingling’s hand, her tone pitiful. “I think I’ve developed social anxiety disorder. I’m afraid of socializing and don’t want to go out. This world is unfamiliar and scary, with too many people. I don’t want to see them or interact with them. So, could you tell my grandfather I won’t be going to the company?”
“What if I go with you?”
Wen Yingling didn’t pull her hand away from Shen Wan’s grasp. Instead, she held it firmly. “Didn’t you say you’re not afraid when I’m around?”
Shen Wan: “188, what do you think she means?”
[188: “Wan Wan, what else could it mean? She’s obviously interested in you. When you say you’re afraid of socializing, she makes time to chat with you at home. When you say you can’t take care of yourself, she washes your hands for you. When you say you’re afraid of people, Ice Queen offers to accompany you to face them at the company. Wan Wan, you blockhead, haven’t you figured it out yet?”]
“No, it’s just that happiness came too suddenly. I can’t believe it.”
Shen Wan came to her senses and asked weakly, “Yingling, you really want to accompany me? Aren’t you busy?”
“Not busy. Wen Yingting can handle the company.”
188: Satisfied. The host and Ice Queen have finally started their hand-holding, inseparable happy life. Wonder when they’ll get to the sizzling part…
“You promise you’ll always be with me?”
“Mm.”
Wen Yingling nodded slightly. Although her expression remained neutral, those familiar with her would surely sense that this was her most gentle state.
“Your clothes are in the room. Go change first.”
“Oh…”
Happiness came too suddenly; she needed time to adjust. Ice Queen’s personality was truly unpredictable. Coming on so strong all at once was a bit overwhelming.
Shen Wan quickly changed and left the room. Wen Yingling had already changed and was standing at her door, handing her a handbag.
Then she naturally took Shen Wan’s hand. “You’re afraid of this world and have social anxiety. I’ll hold your hand as we walk.” Shen Wan was truly flattered. This was wonderful.
But was she always this proactive?
Why did Shen Wan feel a bit uneasy and scared in her heart? Was this a dream?
She pinched her thigh and cried out in pain.
Wen Yingling noticed and asked, “Why are you pinching your thigh? Have you developed a new illness, a tendency for self-harm?”
“No, no,” Shen Wan quickly replied. She just couldn’t quite believe it. Her leg really hurt; it wasn’t a dream.
Ice Queen was taking the initiative to hold her hand and even accompanying her to the company. Goodness, she felt like she might die of happiness.
Subsequently, Shen Wan discovered a terrifying thing: Wen Yingling was truly treating her like a mentally challenged, socially anxious, and incapable disabled person.
“188, what do you think she means by this? I thought her accompanying me to Shen Corporation meant she genuinely wanted to work alongside me, to personally groom me. Now it seems that’s not the case.”
Shen Wan sucked on a lollipop. “She even gave me a lollipop and told me to sit here playing on my phone while she completes the tasks Grandfather assigned. Though I’m quite content with this, I can’t shake this uneasy feeling, like she’s plotting something.”
[188: “Isn’t this good? Ice Queen is handling everything for you. Sitting on the sideline playing games, living an easy life—isn’t that always been your dream?”]
“Is that how low your opinion of me is?”
[188: “Wan Wan, don’t worry. It’s not like you’re doing nothing. At least you’re the one signing off at the end.”]
Shen Wan: Does that even count as work?
“My grandpa is so trusting. How can he just go along with whatever Ice Queen says? When she says she’ll teach me, does he really believe she’s going to teach me?” Shen Wan muttered to 188. “Oh well, I won’t think about it anymore. She won’t harm me anyway. No matter who else might hurt me, she never would. If possible, I’d be happy to live like this forever.”
188: No, you two need to get married, be sweet together, and get steamy.
After work, as Wen Yingling led her home by the hand, Shen Wan couldn’t help but ask, “Yingling, why aren’t you teaching me how to handle company affairs, and instead doing it for me?”
“What if you’re not around someday? What would I do then? Wouldn’t the company fall into chaos?”
As soon as Shen Wan said this, she felt the surrounding temperature drop, chilling her to the bone. She tried to withdraw her hand, but Wen Yingling held it tightly, not letting go.
Wen Yingling’s lips tightened slightly, her voice low and tinged with coolness, “Your social anxiety is very severe. You’re afraid of this unfamiliar world and only trust me. I’ll handle these small matters for you.”
As for not having her around?
As long as this Shen Wan in front of her didn’t disappear, she would always be there. If she were to vanish, any teaching would be in vain. Given the first personality’s nature, the vast Shen Corporation would eventually fail under her management. When that day came, if Grandfather Shen was no longer around, she might as well swallow up Shen Corporation herself rather than let the first personality run it into the ground.
“Is… is that so? Isn’t social anxiety something that can be gradually treated, eventually leading to getting used to one’s surroundings and recovery?”
Wen Yingling fastened Shen Wan’s seatbelt, her clear eyes gazing at her. “Your condition is quite severe. That method won’t work for you.”
Shen Wan: Oh, can it really be like that?
“If you want to try,” Wen Yingling unfastened Shen Wan’s seatbelt and opened the car door, “you can get out now and walk home by yourself. I’ll follow at a distance in the car. To engage with society, you need to start by walking, getting used to being observed by passersby. That’s how you’ll get better.”
“No, no, no, I’m scared!” Shen Wan quickly hugged Wen Yingling’s waist. “I don’t want to walk home alone. I’ll stay in the car. Yingling, you’re right, my condition is too severe. I can’t even manage to walk home by myself.”
Shen Wan buried her face against Wen Yingling, thinking somewhat despairingly that the distance from here to the Wen family home involved crossing countless streets and overpasses. Walk home? No, no, no, she really couldn’t do it. It was far too difficult.