Chapter 7 An Unacceptable Fact 1
Looking at the young man in front of her and listening to the words coming out of his mouth, Tang Ai felt extremely painful in her heart, a pain that was a thousand times, ten thousand times more painful than if the person she liked didn't love her.
She suddenly didn't understand why she came to a strange city alone.
She didn't get what she wanted, but instead got a bolt from the blue that almost broke her heart.
If you are injured physically, you can use many methods to stop the bleeding and relieve the pain, but if you are hurt in your heart, what should you do? No one told her, no one...
Tang Ai set the photo of the jasmine flowers, which was natural without any filters, as her phone screensaver. Even though Shen Ruoyun told her that he took the photo casually at Xi Chen's house, Tang Ai was still very happy because Xi Chen took extra good care of the jasmine flowers. If he really had no feelings for her, he would not have taken such careful care of the jasmine flowers, and would not have let Shen Ruoyun secretly take the photo.
Therefore, Tang Ai firmly believed that Xi Chen had a reason for speaking that way about her.
She can wait for him slowly, it doesn't matter.
Tang Ai turned off her cell phone and stood in front of a full-length mirror. Looking at her appearance which had changed in the past six months, she encouraged herself secretly, resolving to live a good life so that she could be there in time when Xi Chen needed her help!
Tang Ai's moody change made the three girls in the dormitory dumbfounded. Lin Xiaoya ate takeaway while worshipping Tang Ai's back. Tang Ai was chewing bread while studying the flower grafting that the teacher did in the last class, and kept recording something in her notebook.
"What a desperate woman." Lin Xiaoya was stunned.
Tang Ai chewed some bread and said to her vaguely, "I want to get a scholarship for this semester."
"You can do it." Lin Xiaoya said "sincerely" as she watched Tang Ai working so hard.
Tang Ai had no mood to joke with her and devoted herself to studying.
However, before the semester was halfway through and before Tang Ai received her scholarship, Xi Chen got into trouble, and the news spread all over the school.
Rumors in school say:
Xi Chen is crazy——
Before this, Xi Zhengfeng wanted to send Xi Chen to study abroad, but Xi Chen refused.
Later, Xichen stayed in his room, shutting the doors and windows tightly, not seeing anyone and not saying anything. He threw all the food brought by the servants down the stairs, and he would scold the servants until they cried.
Day after day, Xi Chen refused to leave the bedroom. Xie Wanqiu thought that Xi Chen was suffering from some kind of mental illness.
Xi Zhengfeng said: "How can he be suffering from any mental illness? He is clearly not satisfied with my arrangement!"
"Well, the child is so old now, he has his own ideas about everything. He is not someone else's child, why is he so fierce?" Xie Wanqiu said something good for Xi Chen on the surface, but her actual actions always favored her own interests. She said, "Look at the child, is he really sick? We should find a doctor. If he is really sick, we can't keep delaying it."
"What doctor? I want to see how long he can last." Xi Zhengfeng ignored Xie Wanqiu's words. He knew his own son well.
Although Xi Zhengfeng said that, he still called Shao Yu a few days later.
He believed Shao Yu because Xi Chen had seen a psychiatrist since he was a child, and Shao Yu was the psychiatrist's apprentice.
After Shao Yu answered Xi Zhengfeng's call, he turned and called Tang Ai.
"You want me to go with you to see Xichen?" Tang Ai was surprised after hearing Shao Yu's words.
"Yes, pretend to be my assistant and come with me to see Xichen." Shao Yu paused and said, "Don't you want to know how he's been doing recently?"
At that time, Tang Ai was watering the plants and flowers on the windowsill by the dormitory window. The sunlight fell on the sparkling water mist, forming a faint rainbow. She turned around, with her back to the windowsill and the sunlight, and said solemnly: "I think."
Shao Yu's voice came from the other end of the phone: "Come downstairs to my house in half an hour." Then he hung up the phone.
Tang Ai leaned against the windowsill, holding her phone and thinking for a while. After a while, she immediately took her bag, changed her shoes, walked out of the school, took a taxi, and rushed to the community where Shao Yu lived.
Shao Yu was already waiting downstairs. When he saw Tang Ai getting out of the car, he waved at her: "Xiao Ai, here."
Tang Ai trotted up, Shao Yu opened the back door of the car and said, "There's a set of clothes in my pocket, go in and change into them."
Tang Ai didn't ask any more questions, just nodded and got into the back seat. Shao Yu closed the door and turned his back to it.
In the pocket was a beige windbreaker, a cap and a mask. Tang Ai understood instantly that Shao Yu was afraid that Xi Zhengfeng would recognize her, so he needed her to disguise herself. Tang Ai quickly put on her clothes and knocked on the car door glass: "Teacher Shao, I'm ready."
Shao Yu turned around the front of the car, sat in the driver's seat, and said while fastening his seat belt: "When we get off the car later, please help me with my bag, put on my hat and mask, and if anyone asks you anything, you don't have to answer, I'll answer for you."
"Okay." Tang Ai put on the mask and tried it.
Shao Yu glanced at Tang Ai in the central rearview mirror, silently shifted the gear and drove away.
Not long after, the car passed through the avenue lined with plane trees and turned into the familiar road covered with bougainvillea.
Under the guidance of the butler, the car drove through the European-style wrought iron gate and stopped in the parking lot in the villa garden.
"Teacher Shao, the master has been waiting for a long time." After the car stopped, the butler helped Shao Yu open the door and said respectfully.
Shao Yu got off the car and told Tang Ai to take her bag. He said, "I'm very sorry. I was delayed on the road."
"Teacher Shao, please come this way." The housekeeper walked in front of them and led them into the villa.
Tang Ai, who had been following behind Shao Yu, pulled his hat brim down and followed him in without saying a word. Xi Zhengfeng and Xie Wanqiu were waiting in the hall. When they saw Shao Yu coming in, they came forward and greeted him politely, "Teacher Shao, you are here. Please sit here."
"Ah, who is this?" Xi Zhengfeng noticed Tang Ai, a skinny and strangely dressed girl standing beside Shao Yu, and asked tentatively.
"My little assistant." Shao Yu looked up at the room upstairs and said, "You should finish seeing the patient before sitting down. Master Xi, please lead the way."
"Let me do it." Xie Wanqiu walked in front, leading the way for the others, her elegant demeanor as a noble lady revealed, "Teacher Shao, our child has locked himself in his room for many days. As parents, we are most afraid that our child will suffer from depression, so please come over and give him some advice."
As they were talking, they had already walked to Xi Chen's room. Xie Wanqiu knocked on the door and shouted, "Xi Chen, open the door. A teacher is here to see you."
No one in the room responded.
Xie Wanqiu felt a little embarrassed. She glanced at Shao Yu and continued to knock on the door and shout, but still got no response.
"Let me do it. You all go down and wait for my news." Shao Yu said softly.
Xie Wanqiu nodded, retreated silently, and looked back worriedly several times as she went down the stairs.
Seeing that everyone had gone downstairs, Shao Yu knocked on the door and said, "Xi Chen, I'm Shao Yu, I'm here with my assistant to see you."
In the dark room, a pair of eyes suddenly opened, bright and alert, moving as if considering something. After a moment, Xi Chen, who was lying on the bed, reached out and pressed the switch on the wall, and the room suddenly became bright.
He stood up, without even putting on his shoes, and walked over to open the door. Shao Yu, who looked energetic, stood outside the door, but Xi Chen's eyes passed over his shoulder and fell on the little assistant, and he recognized her at a glance.
Xi Chen stepped back silently and opened the bedroom door a little to let Shao Yu and Tang Ai in. Immediately, he closed the door again and tightened the lock.
"It seems that you are fine." Shao Yu walked straight to the window and pulled aside the tight curtains, letting the amber sunlight slowly flow into the room. He turned around and said, "But if you keep isolating yourself like this, you will get sick even if you are not sick."
Xi Chen walked silently to the bedroom balcony, picked up the teapot and poured three cups of water.
Tang Ai, who entered the room, stood there straight like a sculpture, her eyes fixed on the pot of jasmine on the windowsill. The breeze gently lifted the white gauze curtain behind the heavy curtain, slowly bringing the fragrance of jasmine into the room.
Tang Ai suddenly remembered the first time she met Xi Chen that summer two years ago, and what he said after she gave Xi Chen the jasmine branch.
"Xiao Ai, if you come, I will wait for you."
He once told him this, and now, she is here. Even though she has encountered many things during this period, she firmly believes that in Xichen's heart, he treats her as always.
"What are you standing there for? Little assistant, come here." Shao Yu had already walked to the balcony and turned back to greet Tang Ai.
Tang Ai came back to her senses, took off her hat and mask, and walked to Shao Yu's side. Knowing that it was Tang Ai, Xi Chen didn't say anything, but just sat down on the rattan chair on the balcony and said, "Have some tea."
"I'm not here to drink tea, I'm here to treat your illness." Shao Yu made it clear.
Xi Chen turned his head and looked at him, with a hint of smile in his eyes: "Do you think I look like a sick person?"
Shao Yu drank tea and said something with a hint of mystery: "It doesn't matter whether you are sick or not, but it seems that some people hope you are sick."
"Yes." Xi Chen turned his head and looked at the void above him, saying, "If I were sick, I would get nothing. The true colors of some people will be exposed..."
"But it's too risky for you to do this. Have you ever thought about the feelings of the people around you?" Shao Yu's brows slowly sank, and there was no excessive expression on his face.
Someone around you?
Xi Chen slowly turned his gaze to Tang Ai, and there was a softness beneath his complex eyes that was hard to capture.
Tang Ai was slightly startled, and her emotions surged inexplicably. She thought about what Shen Ruoyun said about Xi Chen's life experience, and could roughly guess who the "certain people" mentioned by Shao Yu and Xi Chen just now were referring to, but she didn't know what kind of mystery was behind it, waiting for her to gradually unravel.
Xi Chen took a deep breath, looked away, and said, "Stay a little longer and then go down, Mr. Shao, you are so smart, you should know how to tell my dad."
"Okay, I'll go in and stay." Shao Yu raised his eyebrows. Since Xi Chen had nothing to do, he would tactfully leave the time for Xi Chen and Tang Ai. Wasn't it for this matter that he brought Tang Ai here today?
Shao Yu smiled slightly, brought the teapot and teacups into the bedroom, and pulled the thick vermilion curtains.
Thus, only Tang Ai and Xi Chen were left on the quiet balcony. One of them lowered his head slightly, while the other looked away. Their eyes did not meet, but their hearts could not help but move.
Birds flew in from outside the villa and chirped and landed on the balcony railing. Xi Chen slowly stood up and walked over, placing his fingers among the birds. The birds were not frightened and pecked his fingers gently.
"Don't think too much when you go back. Live well and study hard. If someone picks on you, you can go to Tong Lin, Shen Ruoyun, or Teacher Shao." Xi Chen turned his back to Tang Ai, as if he had taken off all his disguises. His voice was soft but audible, and his tone was light but gentle.
Tang Ai did not answer directly, but said: "Xi Chen, thank you for taking such good care of that pot of jasmine."
Xi Chen's eyes dimmed, and he murmured, "You shouldn't thank me..."
Tang Ai was a little confused, but didn't ask.
Xi Chen turned around, leaned against the railing, a tired smile appeared on his face, and said, "Hurry up and go down with Teacher Shao. If my dad finds you dressed like this, it will be bad."
Tang Ai also stood up, but before she could say anything, she faintly heard someone knocking on the door and shouting, "Brother!"
Shao Yu in the room paused and thought to himself: Not good.
Then, he opened the curtains and saw Tang Ai quickly put on a hat and mask and walked in holding Shao Yu's bag. Xi Chen walked in from outside, curled up at the head of the bed, and buried his head deeply in his knees.
Shao Yu straightened his clothes, walked over and opened the door.
Xi Shanshan looked inside nervously and asked Shao Yu worriedly, "Teacher Shao, is my brother okay?"
"Come in and take a look." Shao Yu moved aside.
Xi Shanshan went into the room and came to Xi Chen's window. She gently hit Xi Chen's arm with her hand, and her voice was a little sad: "Brother, how are you? Can you look at me? I am Shanshan, your favorite Shanshan."
Tang Ai, who was standing aside, had a flicker in her eyes, then lowered her eyes silently.
Seeing that Xi Chen still had no reaction, Xi Shanshan raised her head, frowned and looked at Shao Yu, and asked: "Teacher Shao, my brother..."
"His current symptoms are a reaction to mild depression," said Shao Yu.
"What?" Xi Shanshan suddenly became nervous. She hurried over and grabbed Shao Yu's arm and asked, "Depression? Then...will it be..." She had heard of too many cases of suicide due to depression recently, so she felt a sudden fear in her heart for no reason.
"Don't worry too much, just get timely treatment. I know a doctor in the First Hospital, and I'll give your father the business card later. In addition, I will come over at any time to provide him with psychological treatment. As family members, don't be careless, accompany him more, and don't give him any stimulation or pressure." Shao Yu reminded.
"Okay, okay, I will definitely listen to you, Teacher Shao." Xi Shanshan agreed repeatedly.
Shao Yu nodded and said to Tang Ai, "Let's go, we should go back."
Tang Ai walked out of the house, and after walking outside, she couldn't help looking inside. Shao Yu didn't even turn his head and said, "Don't look, he's fine, he can still act."
Tang Ai slowly breathed a sigh of relief, but before she could catch her breath, she saw Xi Zhengfeng and Xie Wanqiu waiting downstairs.
Seeing Shao Yu coming down, Xi Zhengfeng hurriedly asked, "Teacher Shao, my son..."
"Mr. Xi, can you please have a word with me?" Shao Yu made a gesture of invitation and took Xi Zhengfeng aside.
Tang Ai stood there, silently holding the bag in her hands.
Xie Wanqiu saw her and came over curiously. She looked at her and asked, "Girl, what happened to our son?"
Tang Ai's body froze, and she didn't know what to say. If she spoke, she was afraid her voice would be exposed, but if she didn't speak, wouldn't it be even weirder?
While hesitating, Xi Shanshan suddenly opened the door of Xi Chen's bedroom and ran out, propping her hands on the handrail on the second floor, tears streaming down her face: "Mom...what should I do, my brother doesn't even recognize me now..."
"Oh, Shanshan." Seeing her daughter in tears, Xie Wanqiu quickly pulled the cape on her shoulders, trotted up the stairs, hugged Xi Shanshan and comforted her, "It's okay, it's okay, your brother will definitely get better. Oh, look at this pretty little face, crying like that, it really makes mommy feel bad."
Tang Ai slowly withdrew her gaze and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
At this time, Shao Yu came back from outside, raised his eyebrows and called her: "Let's go."
Tang Ai hurriedly followed, and when passing by Xi Zhengfeng, she saw that Xi Zhengfeng's face did not look good.
Tang Ai got into Shao Yu's car. After Shao Yu drove out of the villa area, Tang Ai asked, "Teacher Shao, what did you say to Xi Zhengfeng? He looked so bad."
"It's exactly the same as what I said to Xi Shanshan, except that I added some extra spice to it." Shao Yu said calmly.
Tang Ai asked: "Why do you do this? Do you think that after saying this, the person with ulterior motives in the Xi family will be exposed?"
Shao Yu smiled and turned to look at her: "Not stupid."
Tang Ai's cheeks felt slightly hot, and she turned her head away, muttering, "Teacher is actually lying."
"Teacher, why can't you lie?" Shao Yu said with sharp ears, "There are two types of lying: harming others and helping others. I am the latter."
"Okay, okay, I get it." Tang Ai looked out the window, biting her lips lightly, her face getting even redder. She was just saying it casually, why take it so seriously?
Shao Yu withdrew his gaze and concentrated on driving, but a smile unintentionally appeared at the corner of his mouth.
The smile spreads in the wind, spreads into the world, and turns into millions of beautiful flowers.
After that incident, Tang Ai felt relieved, but the Xi family was in chaos.
The Xi family took Xi Chen to see the doctor. Because the doctor had been entrusted by Shao Yu, he knew what to do and prescribed drugs for depression to Xi Chen. To the outside world, Xi Chen had been receiving drug treatment. Xi Zhengfeng was worried about him all day and couldn't sleep well at night.
"Zhengfeng, stop sitting here and come and sleep." Xie Wanqiu made the bed and turned to Xi Zhengfeng who was sitting on the sofa.
Xi Zhengfeng rubbed his brows and walked over: "Oh, I can't sleep well."
"You just worry too much. You care so much about others, but they don't even appreciate it." Xie Wanqiu watched Xi Zhengfeng go to bed and covered him with a quilt considerately.
"That's my child, how can I not worry about him?" said Xi Zhengfeng.
Xie Wanqiu's face looked a little unhappy: "Yes, he is your child, and Shanshan is someone else's child. Biological children and non-biological children are indeed different."
"That's not what I meant." Xi Zhengfeng held Xie Wanqiu's hand and said, "Shanshan is also my child. Am I not good to Shanshan? I will give her whatever she wants."
"That's different." Xie Wanqiu pulled her hand back and said, "You gave Shanshan only money, but you gave your son the future. Don't you think about it, what if we get old? Who will make money for Shanshan? Your son is different. When he was 18 years old, he had shares in a subsidiary company. Then what did you give Shanshan? Will there be no assets for Shanshan in your will in the future?"
