The days of recovery were rather boring for Jun Zishu.
Jian Qing could be considered a full-time housewife. Or, more specifically, the madam of a wealthy family. She didnât have to do anything normally. Whenever she was bored, she would either head out to a beauty salon or enjoy an afternoon tea and play mahjong with her friends. There were also times when she would learn about flower arrangements and tea art. Simply put, she didnât have anything important to do.
Because of this, Jun Zishu had plenty of free time on hand. Apart from playing with her phone and lying in bed, she had nothing else to do.
Out of boredom, Jun Zishu asked Tang Qianqiu to bring her two books to relieve her boredom. While she was reading, Tang Qianqiu would be processing documents on the sofa beside the hospital bed.
Qiu Ziqian came to visit every day. However, because of Tang Qianqiuâs presence, he never dared to stay for very long. After saying some sweet words to Jun Zishu, he would quickly head back to work, trying his best to show his mother how hardworking of a son he was.
Thanks to this situation, Jun Zishu didnât have to spend too much time acting in front of Qiu Ziqian. Combined with the fact that she got to see Tang Qianqiu every day, she was in a very good mood.
How is Qiu Ziqianâs relationship with Bai Yuwan coming along, Little Fairy?
[Nothing has changed.]
Hm?
[Everythingâs the same as before. But Qiu Ziqian has been busy with work these past few days, so Bai Yuwan rarely bothered him. Even when they talk to each other, itâll mainly be about business.]
Jun Zishu nodded in understanding, not particularly surprised by this situation.
Tang Qianqiu might have told Qiu Ziqian to settle his messy love affairs. However, in Qiu Ziqianâs opinion, there was nothing wrong with his love affairs. He felt that while Bai Yuwan might be his first love, they were just good friends right now. Since nothing was going on between them, there was nothing he needed to deal with.
Moreover, Qiu Ziqian probably wouldnât be willing to keep his distance from Bai Yuwan even if he was told to do so. Hence, he was doing his best to delude himself into thinking he was merely friends with Bai Yuwan.
This situation suited Bai Yuwanâs goals perfectly. What she aimed to do was to get closer to Qiu Ziqian under the guise of friendship. Thus, she naturally wouldnât let her âgood and understanding friendâ persona collapse.
Moreover, Bai Yuwa was a smart person. She knew when to and when not to approach a man. Jun Zishu had just miscarried, and Tang Qianqiu was back, so Bai Yuwan knew that now wasnât appropriate for her to flirt with Qiu Ziqian.
Jun Zishu fell into thought.
Bai Yuwan had returned with a clear goal this time, and that was to become Mrs. Qiu. But why was she doing so?
It was obvious that Bai Yuwan did not love Qiu Ziqian. In fact, Qiu Ziqian wasnât even why she had left the country in the first place. Instead, she had left the country because she wanted to get away from the person she loved yet had hurt her time and again. So, why did she decide to return all of a sudden?
The original storyline never mentioned the reason, and nobody had ever questioned why she had returned. The information Jun Zishu received only described how the two adulterers had gotten together and lived happily ever after.
âWhatâs on your mind?â Tang Qianqiu asked when she noticed the pondering look on Jun Zishuâs face.
âBai Yuwan. Can you help me investigate her, Mom?â
âIâve already sent people to look into her. Theyâll deliver their report to me once the results are out.â
âOkay. I heard that Ziqian used to like her. Do you know of her, Mom?â
âYes, I have some impressions of her, but she is the only woman I am aware of who has ties with Qiu Ziqian.â
Tang Qianqiu was relatively lax in her management of Qiu Ziqianâs love affairs. If Tang Qianqiu didnât even care who Qiu Ziqian married, how could she possibly care who Qiu Ziqian liked when he was young?
Tang Qianqiu was only aware that Qiu Ziqian used to like a girl very much. However, that girl seemed to have a boyfriend already, and Qiu Ziqianâs love had always remained unrequited.
âI should have managed him better in the past. Had I done so, this drama wouldâve never happened.â
âYou canât predict the future, Mom. Itâs just like how I never knew I could meet you now,â Jun Zishu said, smiling as she looked straight into Tang Qianqiuâs eyes.
Jun Zishuâs statement was a double-edged remark. She wasnât referring to just the present situation. She was also referring to her situation with Lord.
Jun Zishu honestly didnât think that her long and boring life in her original world would end so abruptly. She also didnât think that she would be able to enter another world after she died, much less meet a person such as Lord while embarking on her new life.
Most importantly, she never thought thereâd be someone who could move her heart.
Meanwhile, after realizing her feelings, Jun Zishu suddenly started to find meaning in everything related to her beloved. Even looking at her beloved would make her feel happy.
Tang Qianqiu felt her heart skip a beat when faced with Jun Zishuâs gaze, and she couldnât help but fantasize about making this person hers.
These beautiful yet unrealistic fantasies put Tang Qianqiu into a dilemma. She wasnât sure if Jun Zishu truly felt the same way as she did. Sometimes, Tang Qianqiu felt that Jun Zishu did share similar feelings as her. However, there were also times when she felt that Jun Zishu was only treating her like a senior. Or, more specifically, Jun Zishu was behaving like a daughter-in-law trying to please her mother-in-law.
When Tang Qianqiu thought about the latter possibility, she couldnât help but feel suffocated. However, she felt that this relationship wasnât all too bad after thinking it through. If it werenât for this relationship, they might never have crossed paths.
â¦
Jun Zishu moved out of the hospital once her injuries were mostly healed.
On the day of discharge, Qiu Ziqian came to help. However, Jun Zishu did not let him help her walk. Instead, she slowly walked out of the hospital in her flats. Except for her pale complexion, she did not look any different from normal.
In the original storyline, Bai Yuwan also came to the hospital when Jian Qing got discharged. She visited in the guise of concern, but her actual goal was to stimulate Jian Qing once more.
This time, however, Bai Yuwan did not appear. Tang Qianqiu was still around, so Bai Yuwan would only be asking for trouble if she showed up.
âIâve already had your accommodations sorted, Mom. If you find anything missing, just tell me, and Iâll get it done for you.â
Qiu Ziqian could feel how much importance his mother had placed on his wife. After all, Tang Qianqiu was a busy person who rarely had time for anything but work. Yet, she had actually gone out of her way to stay by Jun Zishuâs side for an entire week. She didnât even go home to sleep at night, opting to stay in Jun Zishuâs hospital ward instead.
Qiu Ziqian honestly felt a little regretful. Had he known that his mother placed such importance on having a grandchild, he wouldâve definitely been more careful with Jun Zishu. Now, his motherâs impression of him mustâve plummeted. Otherwise, she wouldnât be looking at him so coldly every time they met. Although she had always worn a cold expression around him, even in the past, her expression had gotten much colder now.
When Qiu Ziqian thought of things this way, he couldnât help but find fault with Jun Zishu. Why didnât she notice that she was pregnant?
However, it didnât matter. So long as they continued trying, they could still have more children.
Tang Qianqiu nodded to Qiu Ziqianâs words. Then, she sat in the back of the car with Jun Zishu. When Qiu Ziqian saw this, he had no choice but to take the front seat.
The car drove smoothly and steadily. After a 20-minute drive, the car arrived at the Crescent Moon Villa Community.
This was the place Tang Qianqiu used to live with Qiu Ziqian. Later on, due to Tang Qianqiuâs frequent absence from home, Qiu Ziqian moved out after he got married.
âIâve already had people tidy up the place, Mom. You can tell me if you need anything,â Qiu Ziqian said.
âIt seems you donât welcome my return this time,â Tang Qianqiu said after realizing what Qiu Ziqian meant when he said he had prepared her accommodations.
âWhy would you say that, Mom? Of course I welcome your return.â
Qiu Ziqian was startled, not knowing why Tang Qianqiu would say such a thing.
âGoing by your words, you want me to live here while you and Jian Qing will return to your own home?â
Qiu Ziqian was confused. He failed to find any problems with the situation Tang Qianqiu described. Or could it be that his mother wanted to live with them?
This wasnât in line with his motherâs usual behavior. Even when she returned to celebrate New Year in the past, she had never chosen to stay with him and his wife. Hence, he had deliberately gotten their old home cleaned up. However, he didnât think that Tang Qianqiu would get upset over this.
âI thought you would understand why I flew home this time.â
Upon hearing Tang Qianqiuâs words, Qiu Ziqian shifted his gaze toward Jun Zishu. His mother had returned because his wife had miscarried, so, of course, she would want to remain by her daughter-in-lawâs side. If they werenât living together, her return to the country wouldâve been pointless.
âItâs my bad.â
Qiu Ziqian promptly had the driver turn around after realizing his mistake.
Meanwhile, Jun Zishu quietly watched this entire scene play out. In her opinion, Qiu Ziqian might be good at work, but he severely lacked emotional intelligence. It was also because of this that Bai Yuwan had managed to play him like a fiddle.
âItâs also fine if you want me to stay here. Just leave Jian Qing by my side, lest you anger her again.â
âHow can I do that, Mom? Also, if Qingqing and I live apart, how are we supposed to make grandchildren for you?â
Jun Zishu could tell that a certain someone was going to be upset again after hearing Qiu Ziqianâs words. Then, when she turned to look at Tang Qianqiuâs expression, she found that her assumptions were correct.
Jun Zishu hooked her pinky around Tang Qianqiuâs. Although Tang Qianqiu didnât turn to look at her, her cloudy expression had eased significantly.
Qiu Ziqian did not see the small interaction between Jun Zishu and Tang Qianqiu. As a result, he wrongly assumed that Tang Qianqiuâs expression had lightened up because of his words, and he couldnât help but be a little happy.
Qiu Ziqian initially thought that a woman as strong as Tang Qianqiu wouldnât care about grandchildren. However, it seemed that wasnât the case at all. Sure enough, after reaching a certain age, any parent would wish to have grandchildren.
It was fortunate that Tang Qianqiu couldnât hear Qiu Ziqianâs thoughts. Otherwise, she wouldâve most likely beat this foolish son of hers to death.
â¦
Qiu Ziqianâs house was much larger than the house over at the Crescent Moon Villa Community.
Qiu Ziqian and Jian Qing lived on the third floor. Following his motherâs wishes, Qiu Ziqian had also arranged for Tang Qianqiu to live on the third floor.
Upon reaching the third floor, Jun Zishu suddenly said, âI want to sleep with you, Mom. Can I?â
There was no way Jun Zishu would share the same bed with a man she hardly knew. She refused to do so, and she didnât wish to see Tang Qianqiu getting angry or agonizing over it, either.
Meanwhile, Tang Qianqiu grew joyful to hear Jun Zishuâs words. However, she did not show it on the surface and simply nodded nonchalantly to Jun Zishuâs request.
âHoney?â
Qiu Ziqian was a little stunned.
Jun Zishu did not respond to Qiu Ziqian. Instead, she told Tang Qianqiu, âWait for me at the door, Mom. Your room is still being tidied up, but it should be ready soon. Iâll go to my room to get my things in the meantime.â
Afterward, Jun Zishu entered the room beside her with Qiu Ziqian.
When the door opened, Tang Qianqiu caught a glimpse of the large wedding portrait hanging on the wall. The portrait showed a man and a woman wearing happy smiles on their faces and making a kissing pose.
Tang Qianqiuâs expression darkened when she saw this, and she found the portrait to be quite the eyesore. However, her line of sight was quickly blocked when the door to the room closed.
â¦
âHoney, why did you suddenly say you want to stay with Mom?â Qiu Ziqian asked. He had difficulty understanding what was going on in Jun Zishuâs mind.
âDid you think I forgave you?â
The smile on Jun Zishuâs face disappeared after the door closed. Then, she opened her wardrobe and began retrieving some clothes from it.
âWhat do you mean?â
âExactly what it means. I was only giving you face because we were in front of Mom. Did you honestly think I would just pretend as if nothing has happened?â
âWhy are you trying to make a scene again?â
âMake a scene? Is behaving unreasonably the only thing I know how to do in your eyes? You are a truly amusing person, Qiu Ziqian. Do you think that losing a child is a simple thing like losing your breakfast? Do you think I can let it go with just a few words?â
âWe can just keep on working hard, then. Wouldnât it be fine if you just got pregnant again?â
âBut I donât want to have your children anymore. Youâre disgusting.â
Jun Zishu stopped sugarcoating her words. She found Qiu Ziqianâs attitude to be truly irritating. She had a strong urge to slap him and help him sober up.
âI told Miss Bai before that the responsibility did not lie on her. In that case, whose responsibility is it? Naturally, it is you, a married man who doesnât know how to clean up his act and observe his boundaries.â
âIâve already explained to you many times that nothing is going on between Yuwan and I.â
âI know, which is why I didnât accuse Bai Yuwan of anything. No matter the woman, donât you think that as someone with a wife, it is excessive for you to let another woman straddle your body?â
Jun Zishu wasnât sure if she had the patience to wait until Qiu Ziqian and Bai Yuwan became a resentful couple. She had a very strong desire to break his self-righteousness, crush his heart, and leave him with nothing as soon as possible. She simply couldnât understand how Qiu Ziqian could harm others in a self-righteous manner yet still think he had done nothing wrong.
Jun Zishu was never a person who would experience such emotional fluctuations. If it were in the past, she could have easily remained indifferent even when facing someone as infuriating as Qiu Ziqian. However, ever since she gained a lover, her emotions had become more diverse.
Meanwhile, Jun Zishu couldnât help but find Qiu Ziqian really annoying for getting in the way of her romance with Tang Qianqiu.
âThatâs just a misunderstandingâ¦â
Qiu Ziqian knew that reason was not on his side, so his voice grew smaller.
âCan you say something else apart from this?â
Qiu Ziqian choked while Jun Zishu resumed packing her clothes.
After a while, Qiu Ziqian asked, âHow long will you sleep with Mom?â
A lifetime, of course, Jun Zishu mentally responded. However, she naturally couldnât say such a thing. Instead, she vaguely said, âMom is a busy person. She canât stay at home for long.â
After choosing the clothes she wanted to take with her, Jun Zishu began folding them and placing them into a small suitcase.
âHoney, donât be like this.â
Qiu Ziqian tried to hold onto Jun Zishuâs hand, but Jun Zishu promptly shook his hand away.
âWe can just try again for a child. How are we supposed to have another child if you behave like this?â
âCanât you understand human language? I already said I donât want to have a baby. If you want one so much, have Bai Yuwan give one to you.â
âWhy are you bringing her up againâ¦â
Before Qiu Ziqian could finish her words, Jun Zishu had walked over to the door with her suitcase. Then, she opened the door and met eyes with Tang Qianqiu.
âWhatâs wrong? Did you two get into an argument?â Tang Qianqiu asked.
âNo, Mom. I just said that I wanted to sleep with you, and Ziqian praised me for being filial. He even said that I could sleep with you for as long as I want,â Jun Zishu said, smiling as she embraced Tang Qianqiuâs arm.
âOh? Is that so?â Tang Qianqiu looked toward Qiu Ziqian with a raised eyebrow.
âYes.â
Qiu Ziqian swallowed his resentment and forced a smile onto his face.