Rong Qian hadn't expected that after so many years, Yan Qingyao, now married to another man, would still be loved by Xu Zhiwei.
According to Xu Zhiwei, he had been at odds with Shen Chi his entire life. Shen Chi had made it his mission to undermine him, making his life unbearable. Despite Xu Zhiwei's gentle nature, he was no pushover.
He loved Yan Qingyao and was certain that she loved him back.
Xu Zhiwei was aware of the torment Yan Qingyao endured under Shen Chi's control. He wanted to rescue her, to take her to another country where she could be free from Shen Chi's grasp.
For this, he needed Shen Yi's help.
"I've devised a flawless plan," Xu Zhiwei said, kneeling on one knee in front of Shen Yi and gripping his small shoulders. His eyes shone with sincerity, tinged with desperation. "Child, I know you don't want to see your mother suffer any longer. If you truly want what's best for her, let her leave."
Rong Qian frowned at his words. While she could empathize with Xu Zhiwei's desire to help Yan Qingyao escape, asking a child to agree to let his mother run away with another man was absurd.
How could anyone expect a child to make such a monumental decision?
Rong Qian wrestled with her own feelings. If she were in Shen Yi's shoes and her mother was being abused, would she make the same choice? Perhaps she would, if it meant her mother could find happiness.
But such a decision would come at a great cost: accepting the reality of becoming a motherless child.
As Rong Qian pondered, Shen Yi gave his answer without hesitation. "I'll help you."
"Really? That's wonderful! You're a good boy. Your mother will be so grateful," Xu Zhiwei said, pulling Shen Yi into a tight embrace.
Shen Yi's expression remained stoic. "Will she be happy leaving with you?"
"She will. I promise," Xu Zhiwei assured him.
Shen Yi hesitated before asking softly, "Will she smile at me?"
Xu Zhiwei faltered, confused by the question.
Rong Qian's heart ached. This poor child—Yan Qingyao hasn't shown him a shred of love.
After the banquet, Shen Yi left with Shen Chi, while Rong Qian snuck back into the estate the same way she'd come—hidden in the trunk of a car.
During the ride home, Shen Chi suddenly asked, "Where were you?"
"In the garden," Shen Yi replied truthfully.
"With whom?" Shen Chi pressed.
Shen Yi's eyes flickered with unease. Without warning, Shen Chi grabbed his collar, his face dark with fury.
"Xu Zhiwei approached you, didn't he?"
Shen Yi remained silent.
"Idiot!" Shen Chi roared, slapping Shen Yi across the face. "If I ever catch you speaking to him again, I'll break your legs!"
He released his grip, shoving Shen Yi aside. The boy sat motionless, his expression blank, as blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. He wiped it away casually, as if accustomed to such treatment.
Back at the estate, Rong Qian waited in the cramped trunk for what felt like an eternity before sneaking back into Shen Yi's room. Stretching her stiff limbs, she groaned in discomfort.
The room was dark, and Shen Yi lay on his side, his back to her. Rong Qian, not wanting to disturb him, yawned and retreated to the wardrobe to sleep.
For the next several days, Rong Qian continued to hide, sleeping in the wardrobe to avoid detection.
One morning, she was woken by the sound of Shen Yi playing the piano. Groggy, she wandered over to greet him.
"Good morning," she said, rubbing her eyes.
"Morning," Shen Yi replied without looking up, focused on his playing.
Rong Qian frowned and tapped his shoulder. "You're slouching. Sit up straight—it looks terrible."
Startled, Shen Yi immediately straightened his posture. As she glanced at him, Rong Qian noticed the swelling on his cheek. Her expression darkened.
"He hit you again, didn't he?"
"It's nothing," Shen Yi mumbled, lowering his head.
"Nothing? Look at you!" Rong Qian snapped. "Wait here. I'll make him pay for this!"
"No!" Shen Yi shouted, grabbing her arm in panic. His reaction was so intense that Rong Qian froze.
His grip tightened, his eyes filled with fear. "Please don't. I don't want you to get hurt."
"Okay, okay. I won't do anything. Calm down," Rong Qian said soothingly, taken aback by his outburst.
As his breathing steadied, Shen Yi realized he had overreacted. Pushing her away gently, he left the room to collect himself.
Later, Shen Yi delivered Xu Zhiwei's letter to Yan Qingyao while Shen Chi was away.
When she read the letter, Yan Qingyao trembled with emotion, clutching it like a lifeline. For the first time, she hugged Shen Yi, tears streaming down her face.
"Thank you," she whispered, her gratitude formal and distant.
Shen Yi stood stiffly, the brief warmth he felt fading as quickly as it had come.
As he turned to leave, Yan Qingyao called out, "Wait."
He stopped, expecting nothing more than indifference.
"Is there a woman hiding in your room?" she asked bluntly.
"No," he said curtly, then walked away without looking back.
Rong Qian noticed Shen Yi's somber mood when he returned but chose not to pry.
In truth, Rong Qian had already read the letter. After their conversation at the banquet, she had returned to the garden to speak with Xu Zhiwei privately.
Before she left, Xu Zhiwei asked, "May I know your name?"
"Rong Qian," she replied simply.
"Miss Rong, I won't forget you," he said earnestly. "Not tonight, not the things you've said. I'll remember them for the rest of my life."
Two days later, Xu Zhiwei's plan was set to unfold. Shen Chi was scheduled to leave for an extended trip, providing the perfect opportunity for Yan Qingyao to escape.
That morning, Rong Qian and Shen Yi were having breakfast when the door suddenly burst open.
Startled, Rong Qian choked on her bread, coughing violently.
"Fu Butler!" Shen Yi exclaimed, his face lighting up with childlike joy.
Rong Qian's eyes widened in delight. "Fu Butler!"
As Fu Bozhong entered, he froze at the sight before him.
There was Shen Yi, eating breakfast with a strange woman.
And both of them looked at him as though he were their long-lost savior.
Fu Bozhong's confusion deepened. Who is this woman?