Three pairs of eyes were staring fixedly at Xia Cheng, his face twitching faintly.
"Apologize, or what do you think He Xing was doing by saying 'sorry' to you?" Fu Han propped herself up on the small table with one hand, tilting her head to look at Xia Cheng. Her hair shimmered golden in the sunlight, and she curved her lips into a playful smile.
Grinding his teeth, Xia Cheng glanced at Old Master He and reluctantly apologized with a bow of his head, "I'm sorry."
She had waited a whole three years for this belated apology. She never expected to get it back in such a way.
"Good!" In the silent atmosphere, the elder clapped his hands cheerfully, "Since it's all settled, let's disperse. Xia Cheng, isn't Xia Ning supposed to be resting at home? You should hurry back and take care of her, don't delay."
Was this an order to leave?
He hadn't achieved his purpose of coming to the He Family. Stepping forward, he said tactfully, "However, Xia Ning said she wanted to see He Xing. He Xing, why don't you come with me?"
Fu Han chuckled. This wasn't about wanting to see He Xing at all; it was clearly about proving to her who He Xing valued more.
She continued eating her watermelon with indifference, already removing herself from the situation.
He Xing sat up straight, his eyelids not even twitching as he said casually, "You want me, the person who 'pushed her into the water,' to visit her? Aren't you afraid it would cast another shadow on her?"
What shadow! It was clearly Fu Han, that arrogant woman, who pushed Xia Ning in!
Xia Cheng was so angry he was fuming, his breathing quickened. No wonder Xia Ning ended up in such a state; He Xing was so protectively firm towards Fu Han. He was about to explode with rage.
Such an ingrate.
Fu Han sighed, a hint of pity in her voice, "Go on then, haven't you heard she wants to see you? You needn't worry about any shadows that might emerge."
He Xing's brows furrowed.
What was she saying? Was she not refusing because she was worried about upsetting her?
Fu Han, this main culprit, seemed rather pleased, her crystal-clear eyes sparkling as she teased, "Or maybe, should I go too? After all, it's only proper to visit someone who is ill."
"Perhaps it's best not to visit..." His face pale, he quickly declined, suppressing the turmoil in his heart as he responded.
That Fu Han had the nerve to go with them? How shameless. His initial intention was just to create an opportunity for He Xing and Xia Ning to meet. If those young masters were called, the illness couldn't be kept secret.
There were quite a few among them who studied medicine.
Fu Han was well aware of Xia Ning and Xia Cheng's little ruse. She pulled out a tissue to wipe her hands, every move graceful, "What decline? I happen to have time, and it's only right to visit an old playmate."
She stood up, putting on her sun hat, ready to follow He Xing.
He Xing stood up: "Let's go, I'll go see her."
"No need! The doctor said that Xia Ning needs rest now, and too many visitors will only slow her recovery. Grandpa He, I will go back to take care of Xia Ning now, farewell!" Xia Cheng waved his hands in refusal, nodding to the elder, and made a hasty exit.
Fu Han sat back down, flipping her hair lightly: "Boring."
And she thought she might have more fun.
Old Master He burst out laughing, his hearty voice echoing through the backyard, "Han Han, you really are mischievous. I know the Xia Family well enough. And Xia Ning, she is probably not sick at all. You two don't need to go if you don't want to. I'm not gone yet, and I won't let them walk all over us."
"Oh Grandpa, what are you saying? That's such an inauspicious thing to say. You're strong and healthy; don't speak of such unlucky things. I'm expecting you to live a long, long life," said Fu Han sweetly, hooking her arm through Old Master He's, her smile radiant.
He Xing silently took a piece of fruit, glancing towards Fu Han.
He had never noticed before, but she was quite sharp-tongued.
"He Xing, when you're free, take extra care of Han Han for me. She hasn't been back in three years and doesn't have many friends here. The only help she can get is from us," said Old Master He seriously, patting He Xing twice.
"Hmm, I know," he agreed readily, with not a hint of reluctance.
Fu Han was accustomed to He Xing's dedicated attitude. After all, this man was just anxious about seeing something that once belonged to him disappear.
Eating her fruit leisurely, Fu Han ignored He Xing next to her, chatting and enjoying tea and flowers with the elder, also exuding a charm of her own.
He Xing's deep eyes were etched with the image of Fu Han's enticing figure, watching her for a long while before lowering his head to unlock his phone.
A social media group of the sons and daughters of A City's elite had been bustling with conversation. Somehow, they had obtained the news of He Xing claiming to be the one who pushed Xia Ning into the water.
The discussion was heated.
[Did you hear about what happened with Fu Han pushing Xia Ning into the water last night? Today, Young Master He stood up for Fu Han, saying he was the one who pushed her?]
[This must be true love, huh! I'm betting on Fu Han.]
[I'm still more optimistic about Xia Ning. But Young Master He's actions are really puzzling; who does he really fancy?]
How boring.
He Xing with his long fingers scrolled on his phone, tapped the add sign, and pulled Fu Han into the group.
The group chat message immediately showed: He Xing has invited Fu Han to the group.
The group fell silent.
What just flashed by? Fu Han? Lady Fu joined? And she was invited by He Xing?
When had He Xing been active in the chat? He never participated in group chats, which led everyone to subconsciously think he wasn't there. Only a few who knew he was part of it didn't speak up.
And so the tragedy was fermented.
Fu Han's phone pinged; she picked it up, glanced at the message, and sent a question mark into the group.
Fu Han: ?
Every single speculative message was there, unmistakable.
That moment He Xing stepped in: In my relationship with Fu Han, Xia Ning was never involved. Don't speculate anymore. Xia Ning and I are just friends.
The silence returned.
Fu Han is the one that matters? But why did it always seem like He Xing was extra nice to Xia Ning, all the while ignoring Fu Han?
To go silent now would indeed seem too intentional. It wasn't long before someone initiated the responses: [Cough cough, so that's how it is. Boss He, you're not being fair, hiding Lady Fu at home all this time, and nobody knew you liked her!]
[Yeah, if you hadn't said anything today, I still wouldn't have known about this.]
Others started to tag Fu Han, calling her sister-in-law.
Fu Han locked her screen without looking at any of the messages and raised her eyebrows at him.
Claiming his territory now, did he really think she would take this seriously?
Seeing the messages, Xia Ning felt her breath quicken, and she was so mad she almost threw her phone to the ground.
Sister-in-law? What sister-in-law! They hadn't even set a date and they were already calling her that; how could these people be so opportunistic? Had He Xing said he was getting married? Had he?!
To think He Xing would openly defend Fu Han in the group chat, dismissing the other as only a friend... What does friendship mean? She wanted He Xing's heart, not to be his mere friend!