Tercer matrimonio

Capítulo 116

Her words were like a bolt from the blue. Qiu Xialin instantly changed from a lying position to a sitting position, his eyes wide open: "What?"

He was stunned for a moment, then screamed, "You're going abroad?"

Shang Lin frowned: "Keep your voice down, or people will think we're slaughtering a pig."

Xia Lin didn't care about anything else, and just kept asking, "Are you really planning to go abroad?"

This topic is not unfamiliar; the Qiu family had discussed it back in their second year of high school. Shanglin's grades were good enough for university, her self-discipline was impeccable, and she was financially independent. When she met several foreign guests at the Mocha company, they all praised her language skills. Frankly speaking, if Qiu Shanglin wanted to, she could easily get into a top university abroad and receive a better education.

Shang Lin considered it carefully. Zhang Hongwei, however, felt uneasy about sending a young girl alone abroad, completely unfamiliar with the world.

They discussed it at the time, but the matter was dropped because the timing wasn't right. Now that the college entrance exam is over, she has received an invitation from an American university. While surprised, she is also seriously considering it.

When faced with Xia Lin's doubts, he casually replied, "Let's see, it's not certain yet."

After comparing the pros and cons of several universities, Xia Lin silently reached for the phone, but Qiu Jianguo glared at him and said, "What are you doing!"

He muttered, "I can't let my brother know..." Qiu Shanglin's sycophancy towards foreigners and defection to the enemy camp was a confirmed crime and he was quick to inform Changsheng to find a solution.

Qiu Jianguo pondered for a moment and asked his daughter for her opinion: "Should we tell Changsheng?"

She was a little annoyed and embarrassed: "Why should I tell him where I want to go?" She raised an eyebrow and glared at him: "Qiu Xialin, if you dare to tell Li Changsheng, you'll be repeating a year of high school!"

Xia Lin watched her sister enter the study, pouted, and complained, "It's all your fault for spoiling her. I did so well on the exam, why did I have to repeat a year!"

After complaining, she turned around and went back into her room in a huff.

Zhang Hongwei complained to her husband: "It's all your fault for spoiling him. He has no respect for his elders—he's so young but has such big ideas. Going abroad? He just said it without our consent?"

She was genuinely unhappy about her daughter going abroad. Ideally, both children would be close by, so she could keep an eye on them and feel at ease. I suppose all parents feel the same way.

Qiu Jianguo rubbed his temples. He had always known his daughter was headstrong, but he hadn't expected her to contact universities abroad so quietly. Now that she was determined to go abroad, who could say no? To put it bluntly, he couldn't afford to jeopardize her future...

Qiu Shanglin was still hesitant, and her parents decided to stand by and watch. Xia Lin, on the other hand, was coerced and bribed by his sister not to tell anyone. If Cheng Chong hadn't met Li Changsheng by chance, Li Changsheng would probably still be kept in the dark about her decision to go abroad.

Xia Lin briefly explained the cause and effect, and Li Changsheng gritted his teeth in hatred. It seemed he not only had rivals within the country, but also formidable rivals abroad eager to try their luck!

Qiu Shanglin's idea of going abroad was just a thought in his mind, and he did not actually put it into action. So why did a foreign university send him an invitation?

Mocha Company has always had dealings with foreign companies. One such company, owned by an overseas Chinese businessman in the US, had its owner bring his son back to China last year for a family visit and business trip. The second-generation overseas Chinese man didn't fall in love with Qiu Shanglin at first sight, but he was captivated upon seeing her again. He grew fond of this young, highly capable Chinese girl during their interactions. Later, he returned to the US, and the two didn't keep in touch much. The second-generation overseas Chinese man wasn't very good at Chinese, but he had heard the old proverb, "Those near the water get the moon first."

So he took it upon himself to help Shanglin apply to American universities, hoping to gain an advantage by being close to the right place.

After hanging up the phone, he stood in the living room like a log. Sun Yihan asked him repeatedly, but he only gave her cold looks and took his anger out on her.

It wasn't until he packed his bags and told his mother he was going back to Province C that Sun Yihan and Li's mother realized what was going on. Although Li's mother tried her best to stop him, Sun Yihan didn't say much. She simply packed a few clothes and followed Li Changsheng back to Zifang Town without hesitation.

The summer heat was oppressive, and the cicadas in the yard were chirping incessantly. Shanglin, feeling irritated, returned from outside and changed her shoes in the entryway, calling to Xialin to get her some ice. Xialin hummed in response but didn't move. After changing her shoes, Shanglin wiped her sweat and headed to the kitchen to put her head in the refrigerator to cool off. But as she glanced at the living room, she suddenly froze.

We have two guests at home.

Li Changsheng was facing her, looking exhausted. He hadn't had time to shave after traveling all day, and his chin was covered with a thick layer of stubble that looked pale blue in the light. His face was also bluish, a deep, dark blue, and he stared at her with eyes that seemed to want to peel off her skin and pull out her tendons.

The other one was a bit unfamiliar. She turned slightly to the side and smiled. Her long, wavy hair was casually draped over her shoulders. She had beautiful features, a tall and slender figure, bright and charming eyes, and a lively and spirited demeanor. She was a stunningly beautiful woman.

Shanglin smiled and greeted, "Changsheng is here."

He started pondering in his mind. Judging from his expression, he knew he'd been caught and was about to settle scores. But who was that woman beside him? She looked familiar; could she be someone he knew? But he couldn't possibly forget such a beautiful woman. Could she be Li Changsheng's girlfriend?

Did he call her his girlfriend?

A mix of emotions welled up inside me: sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, and salty—a flavor I couldn't quite describe.

On one hand, she comforted herself, saying that it was a good thing that he had a girlfriend, and that she had always hoped that he would find someone to rely on emotionally—what kind of person was he? He had just written to her a few days ago saying that he would marry no one but her, and then he had a girlfriend.

You, you are morally corrupt!

During the sweltering summer, Shanglin, as usual, lost his appetite. After being introduced, he wondered who Sun Yihan really was. Although Sun Yihan herself said she wasn't an outsider, Shanglin couldn't really treat her like one and had her eat cucumber salad with him. They drove to town, booked a private room at Little Wine Fairy, and invited Wang Wei and several of Li Changsheng's former close friends to join them. Thanks to their banter, the meal was quite lively, but Li Changsheng's gaze was like a venomous snake, occasionally making Shanglin feel a chill down his spine.

She was inwardly groaning.

This child is becoming less and less lovable as he grows up.

She feigned innocence, acting as if everything was normal. Li Changsheng, seeing this, grew increasingly furious. Sun Yihan listened to the boys' compliments with a smile, but her eyes never left the interaction between the two. The more she watched, the more convinced she became that the man had feelings for her, but the woman had no interest.

Although Li Changsheng refused to say exactly why she suddenly returned to Zifang Town, she only inquired about a little bit of information and quickly pieced it together. Considering their awkward attitude, she had already figured it out.

After seeing Qiu Shanglin off, even though they are tens of thousands of miles apart, I don't believe Li Changsheng won't change his mind!

Thinking of this, she smiled even more brightly, occasionally serving Changsheng food and wine affectionately, and talking about their life in the south, revealing in every word that she and Li Changsheng had a very close relationship.

Shanglin was quite guilty and didn't dare to meet Changsheng's eyes. She knew she hadn't done a good job. Putting everything else aside, based on their years of friendship, she shouldn't have kept it from Changsheng. In Zhang Hongwei's words, even though Changsheng's surname was Li, he was still family, and she treated him like a son—and didn't she also consider him family?

However, I was still resentful.

When you, Li Changsheng, said you liked me, you were so persistent; but when it came to being busy, you didn't say a word. After the college entrance exam, you didn't even call to ask how I did, nor did you come back to visit.

Why should you get to do whatever you want?

Why does even my own brother think I'm destined to belong to you?

Driven by a variety of complex thoughts, she decided to keep it from Li Changsheng, partly out of spite.

Despite her guilty conscience, seeing Sun Yihan so intimately with Li Changsheng right in front of her, her anger overwhelmed her guilt. "My friendship of over ten years can't compare to your two years with this beautiful woman?" she thought.

No wonder you didn't contact me, no wonder you didn't have time to come back, you must have been bewitched by that beautiful snake!

Pah! What are you glaring at me for? You think you're right? Glare at me again, and I'll flip the table and send you and your beautiful snake back to the South!

There's a word in the dictionary to describe this emotion: 'jealousy'.

Qiu Shanglin could recite the Xinhua Dictionary and Chinese idioms and allusions by heart. The origin of the idiom "being jealous" is in the Tang Dynasty. During the reign of Emperor Taizong, Fang Xuanling's wife was jealous and forbade her husband to take concubines. Emperor Taizong, being nosy, bestowed several beautiful women upon his ministers. Fang's wife refused, and the emperor was furious, saying, "You either drink poison or learn that you are not allowed to be jealous of beautiful women from now on."

Fang Xuanling's wife was a tough woman. Faced with the emperor's offer of poisoned wine, she accepted it without hesitation and drank it down in one gulp. The emperor was naturally dumbfounded, lamenting that she would rather die than share her husband, and that he was truly helpless. From then on, he ceased interfering in his ministers' family affairs—naturally, what he had given them wasn't poisoned wine, but a cup of vinegar. From then on, the saying "jealousy" became widely known.

Look, Qiu Shanglin can recite classical allusions fluently, but she doesn't realize that her behavior is exactly the same as that of Fang Xuanling's jealous wife. Of course, Qiu Shanglin is wise and capable, and would never admit that she is 'jealous'!

The party was in full swing, with the boys playing drinking games and having a great time. Shang Lin quietly got up and went out for some fresh air. Although Li Changsheng was catching up with his friends, his attention had never left her. Seeing this, he also excused himself to go to the restroom and followed her out.

Xiao Jiu Xian is a restaurant that Shang Lin invested in many years ago. After several renovations, it occupies a prime location on the commercial street of Zifang Town. It is a three-story building. The first floor is the lobby, the second floor is private rooms, and the third floor is the office. The door to the third floor was locked, but Shang Lin had a key. He opened the door and went to the rooftop to enjoy the breeze. The rooftop has a small greenhouse where flowers, plants, insects, fish, and a grape trellis are kept.

In the height of summer, the greenhouse roof is already open, and a gentle breeze blows. Sitting on a bench under the grapevines, you can smell the fragrance of flowers and grass and watch the goldfish swim around.

She was enjoying herself when someone sat down next to her on the bench. It was quite heavy, and the bench creaked.

Li Changsheng ignored the atmosphere and said in a deep voice, "Why didn't you tell me?"

Everyone knows the truth, so no one should try anything funny, and there's no need for preambles, assumptions, or polite probing.

Shanglin countered, "Why is Sun Yihan here?"

He said impatiently, "How should I know! She insists on coming along, and cries if I don't let her. Am I supposed to chase her away?"

Shanglin Youyou: "She's a good person, don't let her down..."

Changsheng was furious. He slammed his hand on the bench, making it shake, and said, "Don't try to change the subject with useless talk. Why didn't you tell me!"

Shang Linxin trembled slightly. Li Changsheng's face was contorted with rage, his eyes fierce. It was as if he were saying, "If you don't give me a satisfactory explanation, I'll just kill you!"—She stared in horror at his enormous hand; it wasn't a human hand, it was clearly a bear's paw!

She was calculating the odds of getting hurt by a bear's paw; and the odds of Li Changsheng hitting her—he didn't hit her when she was a child, but that didn't mean he wouldn't hit her now… Her face was ashen, clearly furious, but she was barely holding back, her back teeth grinding together…

"Don't play dumb with me, just tell me!" His patience was running out.

"Fine, I'll tell you!" He swallowed hard, calmed himself, and said stiffly, "Although I don't know Sun Yihan's temper, she seems to like you a lot, so I'm relieved..."

Li Changsheng was furious.

With a knife to your throat, you're still spouting nonsense?

She wore a white dress today, which accentuated her beautiful curves. The fabric was somewhat thin, and the delicate green polka dots on her creamy white camisole were faintly visible. Because she felt hot, she had her long hair pulled back, secured with only a silver hairpin, revealing her slender, snow-white neck. Her large, watery eyes stared at him, her rosy lips opening and closing. At first, he could still make out what she was saying, but gradually, Li Changsheng's gaze became unfocused. His mind was filled only with her mouth opening and closing; he had no idea what she was saying at all…

Licking his parched lips, a thought came to mind.

It must taste delicious.

That kiss from years ago was abrupt, rushed, and inexperienced, but he still remembers how wonderful it tasted…