Chapter 59: The Eldest Young Master Qi Arrives in Nanzhou!

Even though Shen Xian was meticulous and attentive, sensitive and considerate, he could not perceive Zhou Wan’s inner turmoil. Zhou Wan could only lower her head and eat, hiding her expression.

After the meal, she settled herself on the sofa and watched Shen Xian doing the dishes in the kitchen. Qingqing trailed at his feet, clinging to his leg. Shen Xian blew a bubble with dish soap and presented it before Qingqing’s eyes. Delighted, she reached out and poked it with her finger. The bubble burst, making Qingqing giggle with joy, “Again!”

Tilting her head, Zhou Wan gazed at the father and daughter, feeling as though she had never truly understood Shen Xian.

After dinner, Shen Xian said, “Why don’t you take a nap? I’ll take Qingqing for a walk around the neighborhood to help her digest, then bring her back for a nap.”

“Go ahead,” Zhou Wan replied. “I’ll just look at my phone for a while.”

Shen Xian nodded and left, carrying Qingqing in his arms.

Soon, Zhou Wan saw them downstairs from the balcony. She watched them in silence, her thoughts in disarray.

She then decided to explore Shen Xian’s apartment. It was a four-bedroom, two-living-room home, about one hundred and sixty square meters. To her surprise, she discovered that one of the rooms had been transformed into a recording studio. Though not large, it was well equipped, with various instruments and meticulous soundproofing.

She stepped inside, noticing many manuscripts on the desk, but her good upbringing stopped her from looking through them.

She wandered into the guest bedroom next. The layout was simple; this must be where Shen Xian was staying these days. On the nightstand was a photograph. Curiosity piqued, she picked it up—it was a picture of Shen Xian with another man. That man was none other than Xiao Yang, though Zhou Wan did not know him.

Zhou Wan was aware of the entanglement between Shen Xian and Liu Ruyun. She remembered when she first heard about it; her heart skipped a beat—not because she liked Shen Xian, but because she had already been intimate with him by then. He was her first, and only, man. In that moment, her possessiveness reared its head.

For the next three years, Shen Xian vanished from her life. After giving birth to Qingqing, she devoted herself entirely to her career.

After a while, she returned to the sofa to wait for Shen Xian and Qingqing.

When Shen Xian opened the door, Qingqing had already fallen asleep on his shoulder.

Shen Xian smiled. “She fell asleep in the time it took to ride the elevator.”

Zhou Wan walked over and saw Qingqing sleeping soundly, her chubby cheek squished against Shen Xian’s shoulder, drooling and soaking his shirt.

Zhou Wan stifled a laugh, but Shen Xian didn’t mind at all.

She was surprised at how peacefully Qingqing slept, her breathing deep and steady. Gently, Zhou Wan took Qingqing from Shen Xian’s arms.

But as soon as she did, Qingqing’s eyes shot open and she clung tightly to Shen Xian’s neck, refusing to let go.

Zhou Wan paused, biting her lip in frustration.

You little rascal, Zhou Qingqing, I’ve raised you for two years, and your father spends just one morning with you and you’re already turning your back on me?

Shen Xian spoke softly, “Let me do it. You go rest.”

Zhou Wan shot her daughter a resentful glare. Qingqing rested her head on Shen Xian’s shoulder, blinking up at her mother.

Shen Xian laughed, “Go to sleep, little one.”

Qingqing closed her eyes contentedly, breathing in her father’s scent. “Daddy smells nice.”

At those words, Zhou Wan’s body tensed. She fled into the master bedroom and shut the door behind her.

Around three or four in the afternoon, Zhou Wan emerged, still groggy from her nap, to find Qingqing sleeping on the sofa with a blanket draped over her belly. Shen Xian sat nearby, slicing fruit. “Come, have some durian.”

Zhou Wan walked over. “How did you know I like durian?”

Shen Xian smiled. “I’ve seen you eat it.”

He was so attentive—even details like her favorite fruit didn’t escape him.

Shen Xian enjoyed this feeling as well. With Zhou Wan and Qingqing here, the house finally felt alive.

“You can cook, you’re good with children, and the house is spotless. Did you learn all this from taking care of Liu Ruyun?” Zhou Wan asked.

She noticed Shen Xian’s hands pause for a moment, a flicker of pain in his eyes—gone in an instant, but Zhou Wan caught it.

A strange sense of resentment rose within her.

Did that woman really mean so much to you?

But Shen Xian replied, “I never lived with Liu Ruyun. In fact, we were never really together. I cooked for her, but no more than five times.”

Zhou Wan studied his profile and saw no sign of deceit.

“Life is hard enough. If I didn’t learn a few skills, I’d have starved by now,” Shen Xian said with a smile.

He offered nothing more about the past. That was a chapter even he did not wish to revisit—it brought him nothing but pain.

The hardships one endures in private need not be shared; others cannot truly empathize. The dignity one maintains in public can only be upheld by oneself; no one else will pick up your pride.

Shen Xian had learned that lesson long ago.

He’d been shattered early on and had yet to piece himself back together. All these years, he’d been searching for someone who could help him become whole again.

He was very fond of Qingqing. He didn’t know why, but he felt her presence was healing wounds in his soul.

“Where is Qingqing’s father?” Shen Xian asked suddenly.

Zhou Wan didn’t know how to answer and could only remain silent.

Sensing his question was abrupt, Shen Xian added, “Qingqing is adorable. I really like her. I hope my own daughter will be just as sweet one day.”

Zhou Wan smiled. The two sat on the sofa with Qingqing between them—a warm, cozy scene.

Both Shen Xian and Zhou Wan seemed to savor this feeling.

“In two days, I’ll be performing on Voice of China. Can you watch Qingqing for a few days?” Zhou Wan asked.

Usually, whenever she had to attend events or concerts, she would leave Qingqing with Ning Cai. In a way, Ning Cai was half a mother to Qingqing.

Shen Xian thought for a moment. “Of course.”

“Thank you,” Zhou Wan said sincerely.

Shen Xian smiled. “You’re welcome.”

Qingqing suddenly woke, and as soon as her eyes opened, she blurted out, “Daddy…”

She scrambled up, searching for Shen Xian. When she saw him sitting on the sofa, she let out a sigh of relief and lay back down, her big bright eyes fixed on him, afraid he would disappear.

Zhou Wan laughed and scolded, “You little monkey.”

…

At six thirty in the evening, a private jet landed at Nanzhou City Airport. The capital’s young master, Qi Zhengqing, had arrived in Nanzhou.

At the arrivals gate, six black sedans waited. The top official of Nanzhou City had come in person. “Mr. Qi, a pleasure to meet you!”

This was a true scion of Beijing’s elite. His family’s investments in Nanzhou totaled over ten billion—he was a veritable god of wealth and must be treated with utmost care!

“No need for such ceremony. I’m just here for a visit,” Qi Zhengqing replied. “I’ve got plans tonight. Let’s meet in the office building tomorrow, shall we?”

Qi Zhengqing was strikingly handsome and exuded nobility, standing at least six-foot-one.

The six black Audis pulled away.

Qi Zhengqing tried calling Zhou Wan, only to find her phone was off. He turned to his assistant and asked, “Where is Zhou Wan right now?”