91. President Cheng is preparing to propose.

Wen Haijing walked to the door of the ward and saw Xu Junheng through the small window in the door. He stood outside the door, his posture still upright, but his brows had lost some of their former aloofness and arrogance, and gained a hint of indescribable melancholy.

He held a brown paper document bag in his hand, his fingertips applying slight pressure as if it were bearing an unusual weight.

She opened the door. The smell of disinfectant mingled with the chill of the hallway and rushed in.

"Mr. Xu?"

Xu Junheng's gaze fell on her face, carefully sweeping over her slightly pale cheeks.

He saw the weariness in Wen Haijing's eyes, but also the glimmer of light that had never been extinguished after all the hardships. He handed her the file folder.

"Here you are," Xu Junheng said succinctly. "Open it and take a look."

Wen Haijing took the document. She pulled out the files inside. At the top was a Canadian visa application form, followed by copies of her academic credentials, several notarized documents, and a… asset certificate? Her pupils contracted slightly as she turned to the last page, which was an appointment confirmation from the visa application center, clearly requiring her to go to the center that afternoon to have her biometric information (fingerprints) recorded.

Wen Haijing didn't expect that Xu Junheng had even prepared the bank statement required for the visa application; he had directly deposited a sum of money in her name.

“This…” She looked up at him. These materials far exceeded the scope of the “tuition and living expenses assistance” they had previously agreed upon; she had originally thought she would need to prepare other procedures herself.

Xu Junheng shifted his gaze to the bright sky outside the window, as if the dazzling light could mask the turmoil in his emotions.

“The paperwork is complete. Fingerprinting, can you go this afternoon?” Xu Junheng paused, his voice lower, carrying a deliberately suppressed concern, “How… is your recovery going? If you need to reschedule, I’ll have my assistant reschedule.”

The word "miscarriage" still lingered in his mind. He knew her weakness at that moment, and he knew it wasn't just physical.

The doctor told him that Wen Haijing had suffered an unplanned miscarriage and that she had bled a lot during the surgery.

Wen Haijing felt as if something was blocking her throat, her eyes instantly burned, and her vision blurred. She struggled to hold back the scalding tears.

She had never been so moved in front of him before; she was even considering deleting the recording.

At this moment, this sudden and unexpected "arrangement" made her feel that it was not just pity, but something deeper and more complex.

"...Thank you." In the end, all the words he wanted to say were condensed into these two heavy words, trembling slightly with a sob in his voice.

Seeing her trying to hold back her tears, Xu Junheng almost instinctively raised his hand, imagining stroking her hair and offering a little comfort, just like on their first night together or not long ago in the hospital room.

That hand with its distinct knuckles slowly reached towards her hair.

A tense silence filled the air. Wen Haijing could even feel the faint breeze from his fingertips brushing against her forehead.

However, just before they were about to touch, Xu Junheng's hand suddenly stopped, frozen in mid-air. He abruptly withdrew his hand, even subconsciously taking a small step back, widening the distance between them.

This step seemed to draw an invisible line, reminding himself and protecting her. His dissolute past and his marriage made him unworthy to be tainted by the purity that was being rebuilt from ruins.

A moment of pity should not be an excuse to drag her back into the mire. His arrogance at this moment transformed into restraint of his own desires and respect for her future.

"It was nothing." He turned his head, his voice losing its usual calm. "I'm not sure if you're feeling well enough to go out today."

Wen Haijing blinked hard to clear her eyes, her vision returning to normal. She saw him take a step back and understood the restraint and deeper meaning in his action. A slight pang pierced her heart, but more than that, she felt a strange sense of relief and liberation.

This is how it should be between them.

She gripped the file folder tightly, the sharp edges of the papers digging into her palm, yet bringing a real, hopeful strength. She looked up, her gaze regaining its resolve: "I want to go today." Her voice was clear and steady. "Once the visa is approved, I'll buy a plane ticket and leave immediately. So, the sooner the better."

She paused, a hint of anxiety flashing in her eyes, and lowered her voice: "My parents, and even my grandmother, have been calling me nonstop these past few days. They might still be looking for me."

She worried that things might change and all her efforts would be in vain.

Xu Junheng gazed intently at her. The girl before him was as delicate as a flower that needed greenhouse protection, yet she possessed the resilience of a rock and the vitality of wild grass within her.

Despite enduring the pain of her still-recovering body and the endless demands of her family of origin, she was still able to clearly plan her future and seize the lifeline offered to her without hesitation.

Xu Junheng's heart, hardened by years of business and emotional turmoil, softened genuinely at this moment, revealing a complex compassion that transcended mere lust.

"Okay." He didn't ask any more questions or offer any additional comfort; he simply agreed decisively. "Change out of your hospital gown, and I'll take you there."

He turned and walked ahead, his back standing out prominently in the empty corridor.

Wen Haijing followed behind him, carrying the light yet heavy file bag. Sunlight streamed through the window at the end of the corridor, casting long shadows of the two of them that briefly overlapped before quickly separating.

As she reached the hospital building, a slightly chilly April wind swept in, piercing through Wen Haijing's thin coat. She instinctively hugged her arms, her body shivering slightly.

"Wait a moment." Xu Junheng's voice remained flat. Without waiting for her response, he turned and strode towards the car not far away.

Wen Haijing stood there, watching his retreating figure. The way he walked always carried an undeniable sense of control, yet in the chilly early spring wind, it inexplicably reminded her of a sturdy safe haven. She lowered her head, looking at the cold stone steps beneath her feet, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside her.

Soon, Xu Junheng returned, carrying a long, navy blue down jacket of excellent quality. He walked up to her, spread his arms, and draped the down jacket, still warm from inside the car, over her shoulders like spreading wings.

The movements weren't exactly gentle and considerate; in fact, they were somewhat stiff.

"Put it on." He said succinctly, glancing at the bare branches in the distance. "It's still early April, and it's windy today." He paused, then continued with a concern that seemed completely out of character for him, "You... during your postpartum period, you absolutely mustn't catch a cold. Don't let it affect your ability to have another baby later."

The last few words were spoken in a very low voice, almost as if they were being blown away by the wind.

The moment those words left his mouth, even he was momentarily stunned. An indescribable bitterness swept over him.

Wen Haijing was also stunned by his words. The warmth from the down jacket seemed to instantly permeate her limbs and bones, reaching the softest part of her heart, stirring up a bittersweet warmth.

She obediently slipped her arms into the wide sleeves, the garment completely enveloping her slender body. The excessively long hem almost reached her ankles, protecting her completely. The warmth dispelled the chill and caused her feigned strength to falter slightly.

She looked up, as if to say something, but met his gaze, which had already returned to calm. He stopped looking at her, simply turned to the side, and opened the passenger door for her.

"Get on the bus, we're going to the visa center."

The journey was silent until an old song, Meng Tingwei's "Past Events," came from the car radio, seemingly reflecting Wen Haijing's feelings.

Wen Haijing buried half her face in the soft collar of her down jacket, watching the street scene rushing past the window. The pain and weakness in her body became clearer under the warmth, yet strangely, they were no longer so unbearable.

After accompanying Wen Haijing to have her fingerprints taken in the afternoon, Xu Junheng took her back to the hospital. Seeing her weak state, Xu Junheng felt a pang of heartache, a feeling he couldn't quite express. The matter he had arranged to investigate over the past few days still hadn't yielded any final results.

Back in her hospital room, Wen Haijing took off her down jacket, her fingertips inadvertently touching the tag inside the collar: Canada Goose. She recognized the brand; she had once stopped to look at it in a shop window—it was very expensive.

"It's very cold in Canada in winter, so I'll give you this coat." After saying that, he left decisively, without even leaving a goodbye glance.

Wen Haijing felt that his concern had come to an end. She really hadn't expected anything in the first place.

When Xu Junheng opened the door, his wife Lin Wanru was sitting on the sofa, with a cup of red tea still steaming beside her.

He hadn't seen Lin Wanru come home for several days.

"Was it you who caused Wen Haijing's miscarriage?" Xu Junheng asked bluntly, his voice cold and hard.

Lin Wanru looked at her husband in disbelief: "She miscarried? When did that happen?"

"Don't play dumb." Xu Junheng loosened his tie, his gaze sharp as a knife. "You met her parents in the office last time; you didn't know she was pregnant?"

She walked up to her husband, her eyes open and honest: "After I found out she was pregnant, I really wanted to talk to her. Dad has always wanted another grandchild, especially after your sister passed away. He said the Xu family has too few descendants, but we've been separated for many years. I was planning to go see her in a few days and ask her to give birth to the child so I could raise it, that way she wouldn't have to miss out on university."

"You're so magnanimous? Didn't you make a huge fuss about Qiao Qianyue back then?" Xu Junheng was stunned.

Lin Wanru's voice softened, "It's different. Qiao Qianyue wanted to climb the social ladder and threatened me several times over the phone. You know my temper; I'm not someone to be trifled with. But Wen Haijing didn't contact me at all. When she first came to our house as a tutor, she was always very quiet."

Lin Wanru's tone carried a hint of regret, "Later, our child's grades improved a lot. I could even sense that she and you had reached that point—was it because you seduced her? Besides, you and I are business partners; I know you would never divorce me for her. Our child still wants to continue receiving tutoring from her. How could I possibly hurt a girl like that?"

Xu Junheng looked out the window. Who could it be? He had suspected Qiao Qianyue, knowing that the woman was very jealous, but according to the current investigation results, it didn't seem to be her. This woman had been focusing her attention on Cheng Boyan recently.

Xu Junheng plans to continue the investigation; otherwise, this risk factor may affect Wen Haijing's studies abroad.

Late that night, Xu Junheng's assistant sent him a preliminary investigation report. Surveillance footage from the vicinity of the incident site showed that Wen Haijing's ex-boyfriend, Li Zhifeng, had appeared in that teaching building on the night of her miscarriage; however, there were no cameras at the entrance to the building where the incident occurred.

Xu Junheng clenched his fist.

*

The ward was dimly lit. When Xi Mingyuan walked in, he was followed by a nanny who was holding a child wrapped in a soft blanket.

“President Cheng,” Xi Mingyuan said, “I’m here, with the baby.”

Cheng Boyan saw Wen Xueyan step forward and take the child.

With a gentle smile on her lips, Wen Xueyan carried the baby to Cheng Boyan's side.

He leaned down with great care and placed a gentle kiss on her soft forehead.

Perhaps it was the gentle touch that made him feel ticklish, or perhaps it was the feeling of his father's love that made the little guy in his arms grin and giggle.

Xi Mingyuan spoke again, his tone solemn: "President Cheng, this matter is all thanks to you. If you hadn't stepped in and found those crucial pieces of evidence, I wouldn't be standing here so quickly." He paused, a hint of inquiry in his voice, "The opponent's plan wasn't without flaws, but to break through it so quickly and accurately is no easy feat. I'm very curious, how did you manage to do it in such a short time?"

President Cheng finally lifted his gaze slightly from the child's face and looked at Xi Mingyuan. His voice carried a hint of composure and strategic planning. "Because my Xueyan is in your hands. I started secretly working on this evidence months ago. Being prepared is the best policy."

Upon hearing this, Xi Mingyuan's eyes flashed with understanding and admiration: "My grandfather already knows the whole story." He smiled wryly, "The old man was furious, but more than that, he felt sorry for me. That's why he revised his will."

He looked up, his gaze sweeping between President Cheng and Wen Xueyan: "The old man is over 90 years old after all, and his health has deteriorated rapidly recently. The doctor has hinted many times that we should be prepared. So, President Cheng, perhaps you and Wen Xueyan's wedding date can be moved up."

He then added calmly, "However, before that, I need to take Xueyan back to the old house tomorrow. Grandpa wants to see her."

“Xi Mingyuan, you certainly know how to make arrangements. Fine,” Cheng Boyan replied reluctantly, “then I’ll lend it to you for one more day. I need to prepare for my proposal next.”

Wen Xueyan then remembered that her cousin Wen Haijing had arranged to meet her the next morning, so she sent her a message to discuss changing it to the day after tomorrow.

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So touching

Will Haijing and President Xu have a future together?

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