Chapter 2: Her Return

Lin Shu arrived at the old residence. The butler greeted her, "Young Madam, you're here. The Master is in the garden."

"Thank you, I'll head over myself," Lin Shu replied with a gentle smile.

The servants of the Tang family all admired this modest and approachable young mistress.

Lin Shu walked to the garden where Grandfather Tang sat with a cup of tea beside him. Upon seeing her, his face lit up with joy.

"Xiao Shu, you're here! Come, come. Yi Chen didn't come with you?"

"No, Grandpa. Yi Chen is busy with work today, so I came alone."

"That rascal, always consumed with work."

"There's a lot to handle at the company. As the president, he naturally has to bear more responsibility than others."

"You always speak up for him, child. Stay for dinner with me tonight."

"Of course, Grandpa," Lin Shu responded with a warm smile.

After dinner, Lin Shu received a call from Lu Yan, Tang Yichen’s close friend.

"Sis-in-law, we’re at the Nightshade Bar. The boss has had too much to drink. Could you come and pick him up?"

"Alright, I'll head over now."

After informing Grandfather Tang, Lin Shu quickly made her way out.

–––

At Nightshade Bar, in a VIP booth, sat five men, all of striking appearance, but the one half-reclined in the center was the most captivating of all.

These five men had grown up together in the same prestigious courtyard. Their leader was Tang Yichen, followed by Mo Ze, Qin Hao, Ji Fengfan, and the youngest, Lu Yan.

Tang Yichen was visibly drunk, feeling unwell and wanting to rest. He pressed his hand to his temple.

"What’s gotten into the boss today? Drinking so much," Lu Yan, oblivious as always, failed to sense the somber mood.

"Warm Qing returns tomorrow," said Mo Ze, whose face was so striking it could make women envious.

"Damn it, what’s she coming back for?" Lu Yan cursed.

"Who knows."

"Second Brother, how do you know she's returning?"

"The boss told me."

"Hmph, the boss tells you everything. I’m no longer his little Yan Yan," Lu Yan pouted.

"When were you ever?" said Qin Hao, the man in the black shirt.

"Third Brother!!!" Lu Yan exclaimed, causing the others to laugh.

"Is the boss still hung up on her, planning to rekindle the old flame? What about our little sister-in-law?"

"We shouldn't meddle. The boss will handle it. I’m out," said Ji Fengfan, preparing for an early trip tomorrow as assigned by Tang Yichen.

"We're leaving too. Lu Yan, make sure you get the boss home safely," Mo Ze and Qin Hao added.

Without further delay, the three left, leaving Lu Yan alone with Tang Yichen.

"Hey, you guys! Just going to leave me with him?"

"You're the most free, so it’s your job," they retorted, walking off without looking back.

Lu Yan sighed, looking at the slumped figure of Tang Yichen, then thought of their gentle, understanding sister-in-law. He quickly took out his phone to call her.

By the time Lin Shu arrived at the bar, she found only Lu Yan watching over Tang Yichen.

"Sorry for being late. Is it just you here?" she asked.

"Sis-in-law, you're not late at all. The others had to leave, and I’ve got a game match later tonight, so I called you over." Lu Yan put his phone down, having just been engrossed in gaming, a strange sight in the bar’s upscale atmosphere. But with their third brother owning the place, Lu Yan was unbothered.

"Why did he drink so much? His stomach's been acting up lately."

"Uh… We were having fun, so he probably drank a bit more than usual. Next time, I’ll keep a closer eye on him." Lu Yan hastily made up an excuse.

Lin Shu was familiar with Tang Yichen’s group of friends. Together, they had founded K Group, now a dominant force in Jiangcheng, expanding into overseas markets. Sometimes, they’d dine at the house or visit the old residence.

"Sis-in-law, did you drive here? Here's the boss’s car key. You can drive him back."

"I took a taxi here. I’ll drive his car back."

"Alright then. Let me help you get the boss into the car."

"Thank you," Lin Shu replied. Tang Yichen was too tall for her to manage alone.

Together, they maneuvered Tang Yichen into the back seat. Lin Shu settled into the driver’s seat.

"Are you sure you can drive? Should I call a driver for you?" Lu Yan asked, concerned about the size of the vehicle.

"I’ll be fine. I’ll drive slowly."

"Alright then, take care. Bye!"

"Goodbye," Lin Shu said, carefully merging the car into traffic.

She drove cautiously, her hands gripping the steering wheel tightly as she nervously watched the road. The car's slow pace drew honks from other drivers.

Unbeknownst to her, the man who had appeared to be fast asleep in the backseat had opened his eyes. In fact, Tang Yichen had begun to regain consciousness when Lin Shu arrived at the bar.

He hadn’t said a word, but now, watching her petite figure in the driver’s seat, clutching the steering wheel with tense hands, he felt an unexpected sense of peace.

Tonight, Wen Qing had called him, announcing her return and asking him to pick her up. He had refused.

"Yi Chen, I’m back. Will you come to the airport tomorrow to meet me?"

"Sorry, that won’t be possible. I’m married now," he replied, hanging up immediately after. He’d pulled the wedding ring from his desk drawer, only to toss it back in again.

That call had unsettled him, leading him to gather his friends at the bar for a night of drinking.

Three years ago, he had planned an elaborate proposal, but the intended bride, Wen Qing, never showed up. She had chosen to chase her ballet dreams in Paris instead, leaving him standing in a field of flowers, ring in hand, becoming the laughingstock of Jiangcheng.

The drive that should have taken half an hour stretched to nearly an hour before they finally reached home. As they arrived, Lin Shu noticed Tang Yichen was awake.

"You’re awake. Can you walk?"

Tang Yichen said nothing.

Lin Shu bent down to help him, and he leaned into her as they made their way inside. She settled him onto the sofa before heading to the kitchen to prepare some tea to help sober him up.

By the time she returned, Tang Yichen was sitting on the sofa, his brows furrowed in thought.

"Here, drink this," she said softly.

"Leave it there. It’s late; go on to bed. I’ll clean up afterward."

Lin Shu lingered in the living room for a moment.

"Do you have something to say?" Tang Yichen asked when he noticed she hadn’t left.

"Uh, no. I visited Grandpa today. He mentioned you should come by for dinner when you have time. Don’t overwork yourself."

"Alright. I’ll join you tomorrow for dinner."

"Okay."

Lin Shu still hadn’t told him about her pregnancy. Only three months remained before the three-year agreement would end…

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