Accidentally Picked Up a Rich and Amnesiac Alpha (GL) - Chapter 45

When Yan Qingqi woke up, it was already ten in the morning. She was suffering from a severe hangover; her head felt like it was splitting open. She sat up in bed, and after just a few breaths, the scenes from her drunkenness last night—and Bai Ming’s words—immediately consumed her like a tide.

Yan Qingqi’s head hurt even more, and her chest felt tight.

The pain in one’s heart doesn’t disappear when drunk; it just stabs you more clearly once you sober up.

She lifted the quilt and got out of bed. Yan Qingqi saw a note tucked under her phone on the nightstand.

“A-Yan, I’ve gone to the set. Rest well. You don’t need to bring me lunch.”

Yan Qingqi stared at the note, taking a deep breath.

For some reason, although the words were caring and considerate, as she read “You don’t need to bring me lunch,” she couldn’t help but detect a hint of distance in the phrasing.

She knew she was overthinking it, but she couldn’t stop herself.

In the bathroom mirror, Yan Qingqi stared blankly at her reflection. Where was the usual radiance of her slender figure? She looked like a lifeless rag doll, listless and sad. Her face was swollen, and traces of tears remained on her exhausted features.

Yan Qingqi stared at her unsightly reflection, focusing on her eyes—dull and bloodshot.

“Tingxue doesn’t even know that person’s name, only that her last name is Yan. That person suddenly disappeared from her life.”

“All these years, Tingxue has been waiting to run into her again.”

“You share the same last name as her, Yan.”

“Tingxue also calls her ‘Miss Yan.’”

Yan Qingqi’s heart ached. She squeezed her eyes shut tightly, fighting back the tears.

Songsong, I don’t care that you picked me up, lied to me about being your girlfriend, and made me your wife.

Because I’m happy to be your girlfriend, to be your wife.

But why would you use me as a substitute?

When she finished washing up and went out, there was a new message on her phone. She didn’t need to guess who it was from.

Yan Qingqi opened the message. It was indeed from Songsong: [A-Yan, are you awake? Does your head hurt? I cooked some porridge this morning. Remember to eat it.]

Yan Qingqi truly wanted to be cheerful, to smile widely, and send a long, happy reply, pretending nothing had happened.

She really wanted to pretend she knew nothing.

But once you know, you know.

No matter how hard she tried to ignore it, she couldn’t go back to the way things were.

[Just woke up. My head is fine. It doesn’t hurt. I’ll go eat the porridge now.]

Yan Qingqi quickly typed this, then deleted it. She typed again, deleted again. After several attempts, she finally replied: [Up now! The porridge is delicious. Thank you, wife. My head doesn’t hurt at all.]

After sending it, she followed up with a kiss emoji. This was the most effort she could manage, and only because she didn’t have to face Songsong.

Yan Qingqi quickly went downstairs. In the kitchen, a pot of porridge was indeed waiting.

The porridge was fragrant, smooth, and creamy, but Yan Qingqi had no appetite. Everything tasted flat. She forced herself to eat half a bowl. Then she scrubbed the pot, washed the dishes, took ingredients out of the fridge, and started preparing today’s lunch.

At noon, Yan Qingqi went to the set to deliver the meal. Others greeted her as usual. “Assistant Yan is here.” “Bringing delicious food again.”

Yan Qingqi nodded politely and went straight to find Song Tingxue.

Xiaole spotted her first, clearly surprised. “Sister Yan, why are you here?!”

Xiaole was holding a takeout container and was already halfway through her meal.

Yan Qingqi said, “It looks like I’m late today. You’ve already started eating?”

Xiaole didn’t know about the events of last night and was still cheerful. “Haha! Sister Song said you weren’t bringing food today and told me to order takeout. If I knew you were coming, I wouldn’t have eaten takeout. Sister Yan’s cooking is a hundred times better!”

“Then stop eating that quickly and eat this instead.” Perhaps infected by Xiaole’s enthusiasm, Yan Qingqi smiled back, feeling a rare moment of ease.

“Yay!” Xiaole unwrapped the container. “Wow! Sister Yan’s food looks beautiful! The shrimp are huge today!”

Inside the car, Song Tingxue heard the commotion and emerged. “You came?”

She was clearly surprised but tried not to show it.

Yan Qingqi sensed her caution and smiled. “I’m bringing food to the boss. I can’t be lazy just because I drank too much.”

She spoke lightheartedly, but there wasn’t much genuine laughter in her eyes.

Song Tingxue noticed everything, and her worry intensified.

Yan Qingqi handed her the food container, deliberately avoiding Songsong’s gaze. “Sister Song, you eat first. I have another portion for Sister Luo. That bottle of liquor cost her a fortune last night, so I need to go thank her. I’ll be right back.”

“Mhm, you go.”

Watching Yan Qingqi walk away, Song Tingxue lowered her gaze, her hands clutching tightly inside her sleeves.

A-Yan, does she still not want to talk to me? Can she not even face me?

Why? How did things become like this between them in just one night?

“Sister Luo, this is for you.”

Luo Sisi was chatting animatedly with other staff members when Yan Qingqi arrived unexpectedly.

“You look well today. I thought you wouldn’t wake up all day.”

“Seriously? I only drank two bottles at most.” The first bottle was split with Bai Ming. She finished the second one herself. Songsong snatched the third one away when she was halfway through.

Luo Sisi didn’t stand on ceremony. She took the food container, opened it, and started eating.

“Sister Luo, I’m sorry about drinking your nice bottle of liquor last night.”

“Are you mocking me? It was just one bottle. It’s nothing. But you, you go crazy when you drink. Did you throw a tantrum when you got home?”

“No, no. I just fell asleep after drinking.”

“Your drinking manners are fine, then. Should we have a drink together sometime?”

“No problem. I’ll cover the drinks. As much as you want.”

“Alright. I’ll thank you and Sister Song in advance.” Luo Sisi popped a shrimp into her mouth. “Say, what actually happened to you last night? Did Bai Ming say something to you? Don’t believe anything he says; it’s probably all malicious.”

Yan Qingqi managed a slight smile. “He said Sister Song is very good to me and that we look unusual.”

Luo Sisi was surprised. “He said something so genuinely true? That doesn’t sound like him. Is he trying to be nice?” Luo Sisi looked around. Seeing no one nearby, she continued, “Just remember two things: First, Sister Song’s character is impeccable; she’s honest and clean. Second, Sister Song genuinely likes you and has never looked down on you. She doesn’t mind supporting you.”

Yan Qingqi was moved, if only by Luo Sisii’s genuine sisterly devotion to Songsong.

“Sister Luo,” Yan Qingqi suppressed the ache in her heart. “Sometimes I feel like Songsong liking me is just a dream.”

“Look how pleased you are!” Luo Sisi, oblivious, said, “A wife like Sister Song is one in a million, no, one in a billion.”

“So, did Sister Song have any other lovers before?”

“Why are you asking that?” Luo Sisi was confused. “Even if she did, it’s in the past. I remember Sister Song once mentioned a crush.”

“Really? What was that person like?” Yan Qingqi feigned intense curiosity, but her hidden hand was trembling slightly.

“Why are you asking all this? You’re just setting yourself up for heartache.”

“I’m just curious. Was that person pretty?”

“I never met her. That was years ago. Sister Song was probably still in school then. It was likely some campus heartthrob. She only mentioned it once. It was probably just puppy love, a fleeting thing.” Luo Sisi suddenly remembered. “Oh, wait. Her last name was Yan! Oh my gosh, the same as yours! What a coincidence! Maybe Sister Song just likes people with the last name Yan. You two have been in a secret relationship for ten years, haven’t you? Hahaha.”

Yan Qingqi laughed too, but unlike Luo Sisi’s hearty laugh, hers was forced and terrible.

It wasn’t a fleeting thing. She never forgot it.

“Sister Yan, I’m going back. Sister Song is waiting for me.”

“Go on, go on.”

“Don’t tell Sister Song anything we talked about today.”

“Of course not! Do you think I’m stupid?!” Seeing Yan Qingqi walk away, hunched over, she suddenly called out, “Wait!”

“What is it, Sister Luo?”

“Are you still hungover? You look a little spaced out. Just remember the two things I told you. Don’t worry about anything else.”

Yan Qingqi paused, grateful. “I remember.”

Back in the car, the moment the door closed, the world seemed to shrink to just the two of them.

Song Tingxue’s meal was mostly untouched, though a small bit of the vegetables was missing.

“How can you not eat more?”

After delivering food for so long, Yan Qingqi knew filming all day was exhausting.

“I’m not very hungry today. I’ll leave it for now and eat a little more when I get hungry.” Song Tingxue reached out and touched Yan Qingqi’s forehead. “Does your head still hurt?”

Yan Qingqi instinctively wanted to pull away, but she was afraid that move would hurt Songsong. So, she kept her body rigid, stiffly enduring the touch.

But her evasion and resistance didn’t escape Movie Queen Song’s notice.

“A-Yan, are you really alright?”

Yan Qingqi remained silent.

Last night, Song Tingxue didn’t sleep at all. Several times, she tiptoed to the spare bedroom door. Only when she heard the breathing inside become steady and heavy, indicating the person was asleep, did she quietly enter. Unexpectedly, she saw Yan Qingqi’s face covered in tears.

In the moonlight, the tear streaks were shocking to see.

Song Tingxue was stunned, surprised, and heartbroken. She sat by the bed until dawn before leaving.

She didn’t know why A-Yan was so sad, but she understood that A-Yan must be deeply hurt and miserable to prefer drinking, sleeping separately, and being alone.

Song Tingxue went straight to Bai Ming at the set and asked him. Bai Ming claimed he only talked to Yan Qingqi about their difficult but passionate experience filming Mountain Moonlight.

Song Tingxue knew Bai Ming hadn’t told the whole truth or was holding back. But he would definitely not tell her the truth.

“A-Yan, you can tell me anything that’s upsetting you. I’m your wife. I want to face everything with you.”

Hearing the word wife, light instantly returned to Yan Qingqi’s dark eyes.

Yes, they were married. They were the closest people in the world.

Song Tingxue saw the familiar spark return to her eyes and immediately lit up, her joy evident.

Gentle and deeply affectionate.

Yan Qingqi looked straight into those eyes, and her heart warmed again. Songsong truly cares about me, pities me, and loves me.

But in the next instant, she thought, Songsong cares about me, pities me, and loves me, all because she thinks I am her Miss Yan.

The light in Yan Qingqi’s eyes vanished. Her chest felt constricted, as if it were soaking in a bitter, sour liquid.

“I’m going back now. I’ll wait for you to come home for dinner tonight.” Yan Qingqi couldn’t meet Songsong’s gaze. She jumped out of the car and rushed away, almost fleeing.

At the villa, Yan Qingqi sat motionless on the sofa, still as a statue, not even drinking water.

Gong Yue, not seeing anyone moving on the deck, hallway, or stairs for a long time, went to investigate.

Yan Qingqi sat on the sofa like a clay figure.

“Miss Yan, are you alright? Miss Yan, Miss Yan?”

Yan Qingqi finally turned her head. “What did you call me?”

“Miss, Miss Yan.” Her empty expression made Gong Yue unsure what to do. She even wondered if she had used the wrong title.

“I’m not Miss Yan. Don’t call me that.”

Gong Yue: “!!!”

“Then what should I call you?”

“Yan Qingqi, Xiao Yan, Assistant Yan, anything is fine, as long as it’s not Miss Yan.”

Gong Yue: “…”

Just then, her phone rang. Jing Michu’s loud voice cut through the heavy air. “Cousin, it’s time for the meeting. Where are you?”

Yan Qingqi simply said, “Coming.” She slowly stood up, moving like a puppet, and climbed the stairs step by step, leaving a perplexed Gong Yue behind.

On the computer screen, Jing Michu, dressed professionally like a boss, carefully scrutinized Yan Qingqi.

“Cousin, what’s wrong? You look lifeless.”

Yan Qingqi’s voice was very calm. “I’m not feeling well today. I might not be able to attend the meeting with you.”

Jing Michu stared at her cousin for a few moments. Alarmed, she asked nervously, “Cousin, did something happen? You’re rarely like this.”

In her memory, her cousin had only been like this twice: once three years ago when her sister Wen Shuman disappeared, and again today.

“No, it’s nothing.” Facing her relative’s concern, Yan Qingqi’s tightly wound nerves snapped. Tears streamed down her face. Yan Qingqi quickly wiped them away.

Jing Michu was shocked. Thinking of a possibility, she immediately became angry. “Did your wife cheat on you? I can’t believe Song Tingxue is that kind of person! Tell me who it is! I’ll take care of those treacherous women!”

“No! Don’t talk nonsense! Songsong is not that kind of person. Don’t think that of Songsong.”

“Then what is it?” If she didn’t cheat and didn’t betray her cousin, then it’s fixable.

Jing Michu comforted her. “Cousin, don’t panic. I know you’ve encountered something very upsetting. I’ll fly over today. Wait for me. We’ll talk in person.”

“No! Cousin, don’t come over. I need to go to S City.”

Yan Qingqi took a deep breath, instantly shedding her fragility, her gaze becoming determined.

“Alright! Cousin, you should have come home a long time ago! When are you planning to return? Are you coming back with your wife?”

“No, I’m going back alone. I need to find someone.”

“Who do you need to find?”

“Miss Yan.”

Jing Michu was confused, then suddenly laughed. “Isn’t that you? Didn’t they just call you Miss Yan?”

“No, it’s another Miss Yan. The person Songsong truly likes.”

“Oh?!!!”

After Yan Qingqi recounted the general outline of what happened, Jing Michu looked at her cousin with sympathy.

The esteemed Wen family heiress, a powerful executive, was being treated as a substitute for a white moonlight. This was simply intolerable.

“You investigated Songsong before. You said she grew up in an orphanage and went to film school. So, she met Miss Yan either at the orphanage or at film school. I checked. Bai Ming’s micro-film was his graduation project in his senior year. He said Songsong was two years behind him, so she was a sophomore. But according to Bai Ming, Songsong had already been crushing on Miss Yan for many years, so Miss Yan was likely someone Songsong met at the orphanage.”

“Yes!” Jing Michu was happy that her cousin’s spirit was back and her intellect was online. “Don’t forget middle school and high school.”

“No. Relationships in middle school and high school are usually between classmates or teachers. Since she is called Miss Yan, she’s probably not a classmate.”

“A teacher, then?”

“No. If she truly loved a teacher, she would still address her as ‘Teacher’ to denote that status.”

Yan Qingqi added, “If it happened in high school, it could be the parent of a student.”

Jing Michu’s face showed sheer admiration. “Cousin, I sometimes feel it’s a waste that you don’t pursue detective work or puzzle-solving.”

Yan Qingqi tapped her pale fingers on the edge of the table, pondering. “I feel the orphanage is the most likely place. Let’s start investigating there.”

“Investigating the other orphans?”

Yan Qingqi shook her head. “Investigating the visitors and donors.”

“I know two people who visited.”

“Who?”

“Your father and your mother. My mother said that when my uncle and aunt were alive, they went to the orphanage every year to visit the children, two or three times a year. Yang Yifan was one of the children they sponsored at the orphanage.”

Yan Qingqi said, “Then it will be easier for us to investigate. If the orphanage kept records, we should be able to find something quickly.”

“Alright. I’ll contact the orphanage first. When are you coming back? Can you return tomorrow if you leave soon?”

“What’s wrong?”

“Come back tomorrow so you can rest. I’ll take you home so you can see the place. Housekeeper Xiong and the others will be overjoyed to see you. Then, I need you to accompany me somewhere.”

“Where?”

“I promised Qiao An’s parents that I would bring a relative or elder when I visit their home next time.”

“How am I your elder?”

“I don’t have many other close relatives to choose from. I’m not going to ask my rotten father. Cousin, please come. You’re the Chairman and largest shareholder of Zhaoyuan Group. That’s enough face.”

The nanny van slowly stopped in front of Villa No. 9 in Venice Garden. Xiaole jumped out of the passenger seat and quickly opened the car door.

Song Tingxue bent down and got out of the car.

“Sister Song, same time tomorrow?”

“Yes, same time.”

The car started again and slowly drove away, disappearing into the distance.

Song Tingxue walked to the main entrance but didn’t immediately enter the password. She stood there hesitantly, not rushing to open the door for the first time.

The door opened from the inside.

Yan Qingqi said, “Wife, why don’t you come in?”

Song Tingxue saw her wearing her apron, carrying the smell of cooking. She smiled and walked inside.

“Rest first. I just have one more dish left. It will be ready soon.”

Song Tingxue watched the busy figure in the kitchen, just like before, and finally felt a little relieved.

During dinner, Yan Qingqi placed food on her plate. “You didn’t eat much at noon. Eat more tonight.”

“You too.” Song Tingxue also placed food on Yan Qingqi’s plate.

Seeing Yan Qingqi slowly eating, Song Tingxue smiled and slowly ate too.

“Songsong, I need to go out tomorrow. I’ll be back the day after tomorrow, or the day after that.”

Song Tingxue’s smile froze. She asked anxiously, “Where are you going?”

“It’s Miss Jing. She needs my help with something.” Yan Qingqi lowered her head, serving soup, trying to sound calm as she lied. “It’s for her and Qiao An’s engagement party. She wants me to cook a dinner for her family. She asked me, and since she’s helped me before, I couldn’t refuse.”

“Why do you need to go for two days?”

“Tomorrow is for preparing the ingredients. The day after is the engagement party. Afterward, she insists on treating me to sightseeing in S City.”

Yan Qingqi placed the bowl of soup in front of Songsong. “I’ll be back as soon as I finish my business in S City.”

Song Tingxue bit her lip. “Are you really coming back the day after tomorrow or the day after that?”

“Yes. The day after tomorrow if I’m fast, the day after that if it takes longer.” Seeing Songsong clearly reluctant to see her leave, Yan Qingqi curved her lips. “I’m not leaving forever. Don’t worry.”

Unexpectedly, Songsong suddenly grabbed her hand. “A-Yan, you must come back!”

Her slightly reddened eyes looked as if she feared Yan Qingqi would leave and never return.

Yan Qingqi was startled. She held Songsong’s hand. “I promise, I will come back.”

That night, Yan Qingqi went to the master bedroom to get clothes to take a shower in the spare bedroom.

Songsong grabbed her arm. “Aren’t you going to sleep with me?”

Yan Qingqi had planned to sleep alone in the spare bedroom, but seeing Songsong so nervous, looking at her anxiously and tearfully, she couldn’t refuse.

Yan Qingqi said, “I’ll shower next door and come right back. You go take a shower too, okay?”

In the steam-filled room, Yan Qingqi grew increasingly irritated as she showered. Songsong’s pitiful, worried, and scared eyes kept flashing in her mind, but she couldn’t distinguish whether Songsong felt that way for her or for the White Moonlight, Miss Yan.

The suppressed anger in Yan Qingqi’s chest churned like the swirling steam.

Smash! She turned off the shower.

No matter what, I need to find that Miss Yan first.

She had to meet the person Songsong had been thinking about all these years. She needed to hear her side of the story with Songsong.

Yan Qingqi got dressed. The moment she stepped out of the bathroom, Songsong was already waiting for her outside the door.

She was wearing a cream-white slip dress, her hair wet, with water droplets falling onto her collarbone. The clear droplets rolled down, disappearing into her chest, soaking the fabric at her neckline.

Songsong hadn’t even dried her hair; she was waiting right there.

Seeing her appear, Songsong reached out, linked her arm through Yan Qingqi’s, and led her back to the master bedroom.

Yan Qingqi’s gaze fell on the hand clinging tightly to her arm. She didn’t have the heart to resist and allowed Songsong to lead her away.

“Songsong, your hair is still wet. I’ll dry it for you.”

Song Tingxue obediently said “Okay.” She handed the hairdryer to Yan Qingqi and sat down at the vanity.

She looked like a well-behaved student.

Yan Qingqi smiled faintly. “You look like a good girl. Your teachers must have liked you in school.”

Song Tingxue shook her head. “No, my teachers didn’t like me because I didn’t like to talk. I was always silent, and they probably thought I was boring and strange.”

Yan Qingqi was startled and felt a pang of sympathy. She could imagine how lonely Songsong must have been during her school years.

“Did you have any good classmates or friends?”

“I didn’t have friends in elementary school.”

Song Tingxue recalled. She was a child from the orphanage. When the other students found out, they looked at her strangely.

They often asked, “Do you bathe?” “Do you have bugs on you?” “Why do you always wear the same clothes? They’re so ugly!”

“I had one friend in middle school. We used to play together, but she transferred. But when I was in high school, I met a truly good person.” Song Tingxue’s eyes brightened when she mentioned that person.

Yan Qingqi’s heart sank. She almost blurted out, Was that Miss Yan? But she held back, swallowing the words.

“Was she your high school classmate?”

“No. She wasn’t a classmate. How could I have been classmates with her?”

She was just a child raised in an orphanage, completely different from Miss Yan’s upbringing. They were worlds apart.

The hairdryer buzzed loudly. Song Tingxue secretly glanced at Yan Qingqi in the mirror. Her Miss Yan was right beside her, meticulously drying her hair.

Song Tingxue felt incredibly lucky. Although she and Miss Yan couldn’t be classmates, they were now wives.

But she soon noticed A-Yan was unhappy again.

From last night until now, she could see and feel that A-Yan was miserable, upset, and burdened with a heavy heart.

And it must be related to her.

“A-Yan,” Song Tingxue whispered, like a child who had misbehaved.

“Mhm, what is it?”

“Did I do something to… make you angry? Was it because I didn’t stay and drink with you yesterday?”

“No.” Yan Qingqi coolly uttered the word. She remembered the bar last night, and Bai Ming’s words. Those words had taken root in her heart, growing into toxic thorns.

Yan Qingqi’s eyes were icy.

But seeing Songsong so cautious, confused, and yet desperately trying not to show her intense worry, the icy wall in her heart instantly crumbled.

Yan Qingqi softened her tone. “It’s late. Let’s go to sleep.”

Song Tingxue watched her walk to the bed, pull back the quilt, and lie down. She followed suit and lay down beside her.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The room was deathly quiet.

Song Tingxue stared blankly at the ceiling light. As if she had made a decision, she turned and embraced Yan Qingqi. A string of trembling kisses fell onto A-Yan’s pale shoulder. Song Tingxue blushed and whispered an invitation, “A-Yan, it’s still early. Should we…”

Yan Qingqi shook her head, cutting her off. “Let’s go to sleep now. You have to wake up early to film tomorrow.”

Song Tingxue instantly froze, motionless, tears welling up in her eyes. She didn’t understand why A-Yan was suddenly so cold toward her.

“A-Yan, don’t be like this… Did I do something wrong? Please tell me. Is it because I’m filming and don’t have time for you? I’ll stop filming after this drama is over.” Song Tingxue’s eyes were red, and her voice trembled.

Yan Qingqi opened her eyes. What she saw was a pair of red, anxious eyes swimming with tears, filled with vulnerability and pain.

Yan Qingqi’s heart was violently wrenched in her chest.

It hurt a hundred times more to see Songsong suffer than to suffer herself.

She pulled Songsong into her arms, hugging her tightly. “No, I wouldn’t stop you from filming. Don’t overthink this.”

“A-Yan, please don’t ignore me. Please?”

Yan Qingqi took a deep breath, hugging her tighter.

Songsong hugged her back with all her strength, burying her head in Yan Qingqi’s chest, crying. “A-Yan, don’t leave me. I can’t lose you. I’ll be unable to cope.”

Ten years ago, Miss Yan never came back after visiting the orphanage. She left without a word.

Seventeen-year-old Song Tingxue waited and waited. Every day, she hoped. If she didn’t come in spring, she waited for summer. If she didn’t come in summer, she waited for autumn, and then winter, believing Miss Yan might suddenly appear one day.

But Miss Yan disappeared from her life without warning.

Song Tingxue realized the unbridgeable chasm between her and Miss Yan.

Yan Qingqi patted her back, comforting her. “I’m not going to leave you.”

“Really?” Song Tingxue looked up at her, tears streaming, clinging to her eyelashes, her nose red from crying.

“It’s true.” Yan Qingqi pulled two tissues from the bedside table and gently wiped Songsong’s tears. “I have something weighing on my mind. Give me some time to figure it out myself.”

Song Tingxue remained still, staring intently at A-Yan, allowing A-Yan to wipe her tears.

She knew A-Yan wasn’t lying.

“Mhm!” Song Tingxue rested her head on A-Yan’s chest, hugging her tighter.

“A-Yan, if one day you find out that I… that I’m not that good,” Song Tingxue couldn’t bring herself to say she had lied, “please don’t be angry with me, okay? Don’t leave me, okay? I love you. I really want to be with you.”

Yan Qingqi sniffed, staring directly into Songsong’s eyes.

“Songsong, do you love me? I mean, the me right now, the me standing in front of you.”

Song Tingxue didn’t hesitate. “Yes! I love you very much!”

Yan Qingqi smiled faintly. This time, it was a genuine smile.

Songsong said she loves me.

Maybe she should listen to Sister Luo. It’s all in the past. Why dwell on it? Why make herself miserable?

Song Tingxue finally cried herself out and fell asleep curled up in Yan Qingqi’s arms.

Yan Qingqi tried to lay her down properly, but every time she tried to gently pull her hand away, Songsong would frown and instinctively tighten her arms.

Left with no choice, Yan Qingqi let her hug her while she slept. She pulled a blanket over both of them.

Late into the night, Songsong slept soundly, holding Yan Qingqi.

Yan Qingqi’s eyes were wide open, her mind a mess.

She thought about the night Songsong found her, Songsong claiming she was her long-term girlfriend, Songsong happily clinging to her during their marriage registration photo shoot, Songsong blushing as she kissed her, and hugging her, saying she loved her, again and again.

Yan Qingqi laughed silently, but as she laughed, a deep sadness crossed her eyes.

---

Author’s Note:

Don’t cry, Songsong. Don’t be sad, A-Yan.

The truth will be revealed in the next chapter.