Chapter 264 Not Dead

Xie Xuchuan sat silently to the side, his eyes blank.

If it were six months ago, when he had just married Jiang Wansu and learned that Cui Yulin was still alive, he would have rushed to Yuanzhu and told her everything.

At that time, Yuanzhu had not yet given her heart entirely to Xie Qi.

At that time, he didn't understand the responsibilities of a man; he only thought about being with Yuanzhu.

But now, it's all too late.

Even if Yuanzhu knew the truth, she would only find his actions ridiculous. His entanglement and ugly behavior would only add to the laughter and have no other meaning.

Now that my father has just recovered from a serious illness, how can he withstand such a blow?

On my mother's side...

Because he insisted on marrying Jiang Wansu and gave up his engagement with the Shen family, the Xie family's business plummeted. If Cui Yulin hadn't returned, he could have accepted his fate.

I can convince myself to act with benevolence and righteousness, but now...

How is he supposed to explain this to his mother?

Xie Xuchuan rubbed his cheeks and couldn't help but chuckle, "Life is unpredictable."

"Xuchuan..."

Xie Xuchuan stood up, preparing to leave. Cui Yulin paused for a moment, then called out to him.

Xie Xuchuan said, "I'll pretend you never came back, and I haven't seen you today. Since Jiang Wansu and I both believe you died at sea, then you..."

He paused, then said cruelly, "He should die at sea."

"Xuchuan..."

"Yu Lin, you should leave. If you still have any lingering affection for us, then leave Suzhou and go wherever you like..."

As Cui Yulin watched his retreating figure and heard the sob in his voice, she couldn't help but shed tears as well.

"Please, go."

After saying that, Xie Xuchuan pushed open the door and left, never looking back.

Cui Cheng stood guard at the door, and when he saw him come out, he was stunned. He didn't know whether to chase after him or go to take care of Cui Yulin.

After leaving the inn, Xie Xuchuan looked up at the snowflakes falling from the sky and couldn't help but stride towards Xiecuifang.

He really wanted to see Yuanzhu.

Even if you don't say anything, just go and see Yuanzhu.

Xie Xuchuan ran all the way and finally arrived at Xiecuifang.

Shen Yuanzhu was taking stock of the accounts. Although the scale-patterned dye could not be released to the public, the reputation of Xie Cui Fang had been established. In addition, Xie Qi still held the Mobei trade route, so the two of them decided to expand their business to Mobei.

She stopped Xie Qi from reselling horses. After her trip to the capital, she only wanted to earn some money peacefully and didn't want anything else.

She was content that the two of them now had no worries about food and clothing.

Shen Yuanzhu was setting up the accounts when Xie Xuchuan suddenly ran in, startling her.

She looked up, about to rebuke him, but seeing his bloodshot eyes, she swallowed her words.

“Master, I was unable to stop Young Master Xie just now.”

"I know, it's none of your business."

Shen Yuanzhu paused for a moment, then said, "Go and invite the young master here. Tell him that the eldest son of the Xie family has something to discuss with him."

Xie Xuchuan was taken aback by what he heard, but he didn't say anything and simply sat down in the room.

He just stared greedily at Shen Yuanzhu, gritting his teeth to keep himself from speaking.

Shen Yuanzhu ignored him and continued to work on her accounts.

When Xie Qi arrived, he saw one person in the room with their head down, calculating accounts, and the other gritting their teeth and shedding tears, without uttering a word.

"Oh, distinguished guest."

He handed the oil-paper umbrella to the shop assistant and sat down next to Xie Xuchuan.

Shen Yuanzhu said, "I'll go take inventory; you two can chat."

Xie Xuchuan stared at her retreating figure, preparing to get up, but Xie Qi said, "Looking at you, what's wrong? Has Cui Yulin returned?"

"Varied……"

Xie Xuchuan turned around abruptly: "You know? What do you know?"

Xie Qi picked up the teapot on the table and poured him a cup of hot tea: "Sit down and let's talk."

Xie Xuchuan was stunned for a moment, then sat down.

Xie Qi said, "I know that the child in Jiang Wansu's womb is not yours."

When did you find out?

"When he first married Yuanzhu."

“That Yuanzhu…”

She didn't know.

Xie Qi glanced at him sideways: "How could I possibly tell her? Do you think I'm like you? You've done the most stupid things."

"..."

Xie Xuchuan's hand tightened in his sleeve, and he gritted his teeth but couldn't refute it.

Yes, he's done all sorts of stupid things.

"So Cui Yulin really came back?"

"You...you know he's not dead?"

Xie Xuchuan then realized that Xie Qi's question clearly indicated that he knew Cui Yulin had not boarded the ship.

When did he find out?

Was it also when he and Yuanzhu had just gotten married?

Xie Xuchuan stared straight at Xie Qi, veins bulging on his hands, his heart filled with hatred.

Upon seeing this, Xie Qi chuckled.

Xie Qi pushed the teacup towards him and said, "So he really came back? What's he coming back for? To accuse you of stealing your friend's wife? To ask you for gold, silver, and your wife?"

"Yu Lin is not as despicable as you think."

Xie Xuchuan lowered his eyes and sneered, "Only someone like you would think so badly of others."

"Oh? That's unusual."

Xie Qi touched the rim of the teacup, pondering, "Could it be that he's plotting something else..."

"He will leave Suzhou as if he had never returned."

"Oh."

"why are you laughing?"

Xie Qi said, "Xie Xuchuan, have you ever regretted it? Regretted not telling Yuanzhu the truth back then?"

Xie Xuchuan's hand tightened.

"Xie Xuchuan, don't do anything stupid."

He and Xie Xuchuan were indeed not the same kind of people. If he were Xie Xuchuan, he would only think that Cui Yulin had ulterior motives for returning at this time, or even bigger ones.

Currently, the Xie family is without a leader, lacking both craftsmen and managers. Furthermore, given the relationship between Cui Yulin and Jiang Wansu, if Xie Xuchuan makes another foolish mistake and invites trouble, the Xie family will be in real danger.

Xie Xuchuan's thoughts differed from Xie Qi's; he was thinking of Jiang Wansu.

Ultimately, Jiang Wansu and Cui Yulin are the real couple, so what right does he have to prevent other couples from reuniting?

Xie Xuchuan's jaw tightened as he looked at Xie Qi: "Why are you telling me this? Haven't you always hated me?"

"I hated it in the past, but I don't hate it now."

Xie Qi looked up and sneered, "Now I feel sorry for you."

Ever since he foolishly tried to break off his engagement with Yuanzhu, he could no longer hate Xie Xuchuan; in fact, he should be grateful to him.

As for offering advice, it was because he owed Xie Boyu a favor.

"Xie Xuchuan, that's all I have to say. Think more before you act next time."

After saying that, he filled the teacup, clearly indicating that he wanted to see his guest out.

Xie Xuchuan stared blankly at the teacup, then turned and went back to the Xie family home.

Jiang Wansu was learning how to make taro pastries from the cook in Hua Nanzhi's courtyard when she saw Xie Xuchuan return and went up to him in surprise.

"Why are you back so early? Didn't you say you'd be back later today?"

Jiang Wansu reached out to help him take off his thick coat: "Did something happen? Why are your eyes so red? Have you been crying?"

Xie Xuchuan pressed her hand down and lowered his eyes to dismiss the people in the room.

"Wansu, Yulin is back."

"Varied……"

Jiang Wansu smiled for a while, then suddenly frowned: "What are you talking about?"

"Yu Lin is back. I just saw him."

"Did Uncle Cui find Yu Lin's body?"

Xie Xuchuan shook his head, gritting his teeth, and said, "Yu Lin is still alive. He's currently at the Hongfu Inn in the city. He didn't board the ship back then; instead, he went north."

“Wansu, Yulin is still alive. He is not dead.”