Chapter 34: Half in the Light, Half in the Dark.

Ye Peixiu held Xia Qingwan on his lap, one hand supporting her waist, and kissed her intently.

Like absorbing the only sweetness in life.

Despite his ascetic work and life, he could also have such romance, and the momentary distraction in the office was fragrant and charming.

A short while later, someone knocked on the door.

Xia Qingwan climbed to the other corner of the sofa, covered herself with a blanket, bent down to pick up a book from the coffee table, and pretended to be focused.

Ye Peixiu opened the office door a crack, stood behind the door, reached out to take the document and flipped through it.

Xia Qingwan used a book to cover the lower half of his face, and saw that his upper and lower body were completely different states. The more calm and serious his expression was, the more tense his lower body was.

Ye Peixiu signed the document, handed it out, and closed the door.

Turning around and seeing her appearance, he couldn't help but chuckle, "Is it fun?"

At the top edge of the book, her eyes shone brightly, and she nodded.

He walked over, and Xia Qingwan instinctively shrank back. Ye Peixiu stopped in his tracks, staring at her with a deep gaze that seemed to hold an unspoken meaning.

She and he both understood the meaning of this.

He didn't go back to her side. Instead, he sat down on the other side of the sofa, flipping through documents and occasionally making a few notes.

Xia Qingwan was finally able to read and do her homework.

Refer to the review outline map in the pad and recite it bit by bit.

The office was quiet and peaceful for a moment.

Ye Peixiu occasionally glanced at her distractedly.

She curled up her legs on the sofa cushions, wearing simple jeans and a sweater, a low-saturation, fresh and clean outfit. Her long hair was tied behind her head, with a strand of hair occasionally scattered on her temples, reflecting her straight and distinct nose and picturesque eyebrows, with the grace and charm of distant mountains and light mist.

They stayed together quietly like this, and at that moment, Ye Peixiu suddenly understood why some people wanted to get married.

It is a kind of peace and satisfaction that even makes people feel thirsty, like a house full of guests, bright lights, singing and dancing.

-

Xia Qingwan suddenly realized the arrival of severe winter when she was walking through the garden path in the courtyard. In the past, she had to push aside dense branches to see the road ahead, but now, standing at this end of the path, she could already see the main road at the other end in the distance.

The garden has become withered and sparse.

She pushed open the door and walked towards the main house.

In the living room, Grandma Xi was sitting on a small stool sorting through a pile of bright red ornaments. When she heard the voice, she turned around and looked at her. "Qingwan, is it snowing outside?"

"No."

"It's really strange, the weather is so cold, but it hasn't snowed at all."

"What are you busy with?"

Xia Qingwan took off her gloves and scarf, and bent down slightly to ask.

"I found a bunch of lanterns in the storage room and thought I might as well hang them up," Grandma Xi said. "We're going to Shaoping for the New Year, and we can't let the old house look too deserted, right? Hanging up red lanterns and pasting red couplets will make us feel better when we come back after the New Year."

Xia Qingwan simply squatted down to help and carefully untangled the tangled hanging ropes.

"Oh right," Grandma Xi asked, "Did they have their final exams?"

"I took two exams."

"You must have done well on the exam, right?"

Grandma Xi asked with a smile.

Xia Qingwan smiled, looked up, and nodded.

Although she was used to seeing her pretty face, when she was suddenly looked at by those clear, bright eyes with distinct black and white, she couldn't help but praise, "...our Qingwan, she is so beautiful."

As he was speaking, Xia Huiqing walked over from the side hall.

Seeing her, Xia Qingwan said, "Grandma, Professor Zhao is opening a winter vacation training course. I've already signed up. I might have to stay in Beijing during the winter vacation."

Previously, she had talked to her grandmother about her plans to take the postgraduate entrance exam and had already told her that she wanted to apply to Professor Zhao's program. Now, when Xia Huiqing heard her say this, she nodded and said, "That's fine."

In Xia Huiqing's eyes, academic studies are the most important thing, and compared to that, the New Year is a trivial matter. Therefore, she naturally agreed to let Xia Qingwan stay in the capital.

Grandma Xi disagreed, "Qingwan is staying home alone for the New Year? How can that be possible?"

Xia Huiqing said, "We'll spend the New Year at home with Qingwan, and then we'll go to Shaoping after the New Year."

Grandma Xi nodded, "That's fine."

Xia Qingwan was naturally happy to be able to spend the New Year with the two elderly people.

And so it was decided.

-

At the end of December, after taking the last course, Xia Qingwan packed a few clothes and daily necessities in the dormitory and dragged a small suitcase back to the Xia family's old house in the compound.

Grandma and Grandma Xi were picking vegetables in the living room on the first floor. She went upstairs to her bedroom, opened her suitcase, and was packing when she suddenly heard a sharp, urgent braking sound outside.

She subconsciously thought it was some kind of car outside and didn't pay much attention to it. But after a while, she heard Grandma Xi scream from the living room on the first floor.

Xia Qingwan's heart skipped a beat and he immediately stood up and ran downstairs.

She was afraid that Grandma Xi had fallen again, so she ran down the stairs, held the railing and looked down, only to see someone sitting on the sofa in the living room, and Grandma Xi was holding a towel and putting it on the person's face.

The man complained impatiently, "Oh, Grandma Xi, no need."

Xia Qingwan walked down the stairs, "Brother Mingzhou?"

He had a swollen and red cheek on one side, and there was still blood on his forehead and nose, which looked shocking.

"What’s wrong with you?"

"nothing."

Seeing her approach, Xia Mingzhou brushed away Grandma Xi's hand and said, "Qingwan, I'm going upstairs to rest for a while." With that, he stood up and walked towards the stairs.

Xia Qingwan took the towel and ice pack from Grandma Xi's hand. "Grandma Xi, you rest. I'll go take a look."

She followed Xia Mingzhou upstairs.

As soon as they reached the living room on the second floor, Xia Mingzhou said, "Don't ask, it was you who called Sister Yu."

He slouched down on the sofa.

Xia Qingwan was surprised. "What happened? Did you go and cause trouble for Sister Xiang Yu again?"

Xia Mingzhou sneered, "Look at you, I'm your real brother, okay? Why are you still turning your elbow outward?"

Xia Qingwan threw the towel to him and said, "Hurry up and wipe it off. Have you been to the hospital?"

"Minor injury."

After a moment of silence, Xia Mingzhou looked at her intently and asked, "...Did you know that she's already planning to go to New York for an interview?"

"have no idea."

Xia Qingwan told the truth.

She has been busy with her final exams recently and only occasionally goes to the study room with Shi Xiaoyu. The rest of the time she is alone. Lin Xiangyu is also busy with various procedures for applying to NYU, so the two rarely meet on weekdays.

"Do you know that when she went to New York, Sheng Junchi took care of everything for her?"

Xia Mingzhou's voice unconsciously rose. Seeing that Xia Qingwan was avoiding answering, he suddenly sneered, suddenly caught her with his eyes, and said in a sharp and firm tone, "They have slept together, right?"

Xia Qingwan felt a deep sense of exhaustion.

She had no involvement in the affairs of these three people, yet she was forced to navigate between Lin Xiangyu and Xia Mingzhou.

She said nothing and turned back to her bedroom.

Xia Mingzhou shouted, "That damn Sheng Junchi, I should have beaten him to death last time!"

Xia Qingwan stopped in her tracks and turned around. "Brother, can't you think about the consequences of your actions? Last time you fought with Mr. Sheng, it was only by asking Mr. Ye to intervene that the matter was settled. Do you know that?"

"Am I supposed to play the subservient role in front of them for the rest of my life?!"

Xia Mingzhou angrily started arguing with her.

"Xiang Yu has already broken up with you. She does whatever she wants. Even if you really beat Mr. Sheng to death, so what? Wasn't it you who chose to break up?"

Xia Mingzhou slumped back down, his face ashen. After a long while, he said, "...I'm just unwilling to accept it. How could Xiang Yu be so quick..."

"Breaking up is a matter between the two of you. There's no point in involving others. As for you being unwilling to accept it, that's your own business. You won't get the answer you want by harassing Sister Xiang Yu."

Xia Qingwan poured him a glass of water and was about to hand it to him, but Xia Mingzhou didn't take it. He just raised his eyes to look at her and said, "Sheng Junchi is not 'someone else'. We broke up because of him."

Xia Mingzhou didn't want to talk about the reason, and Xia Qingwan didn't ask. She just put the cup of water on the coffee table and said, "Calm down."

After saying that, she went back to her room and continued packing.

After a while, Xia Mingzhou walked over leisurely, holding the door frame with his hand, and asked, "Where are you going?"

"Not going anywhere. It's winter break. Bring back some clothes from the dorm."

"……oh."

Xia Mingzhou was a beat slow to react, "So, Xiang Yu is also on vacation."

Xia Qingwan put away her suitcase and clothes, and then tidied her desk.

At this moment, Xia Mingzhou noticed a sky-blue jade bottle on her desk. Having grown up in luxury and seen many antiques and famous artifacts, he immediately walked over, picked it up, and examined it carefully. "Could this be a genuine piece?"

Xia Qingwan raised her eyes but didn't say anything.

Xia Mingzhou speculated to himself and laughed, "Mr. Ye gave it to you? Is he so sentimental? He gave you an antique as a vase?"

Xia Qingwan ignored him, opened her books and tablet, took out her stylus, and prepared to organize her study and reading plans for the winter vacation.

"Just now you were still talking nonsense to me," Xia Mingzhou sat down on a sofa not far away, legs stretched out lazily, and said, "Aren't you still the same? If you get involved with that Mr. Ye, what good will you get?"

"Don't talk nonsense at home."

"Even if I don't tell my family, everyone knows about this. Who knows if grandma will hear about it someday." Xia Mingzhou laughed. "What are you going to do?"

"So?" Xia Qingwan turned from her chair and looked at him, "Are you planning to just sit there and watch me make a fool of myself?"

Xia Mingzhou was taken aback for a moment. "Look at you, I was just saying, why are you getting so worked up?"

"Mind your own business and stop talking nonsense."

Xia Mingzhou was a little surprised, and said with a smile, "Your temper has grown quite a bit in just a few days."

That day, Xia Mingzhou treated his injuries at the old house, had lunch, and then drove away.

Xia Qingwan thought that was the end of it, but a few days later, as she, her grandmother, and her great-grandmother Xi were sitting around the dining table on the first floor, discussing the New Year's Eve menu, someone knocked on the door and ran in.

He said breathlessly that Xia Changping's company had been shut down and Xia Mingzhou had been arrested and taken to the police station for assaulting a police officer.

Grandma Xi looked closely and realized that the young man who came to deliver the message was Xia Mingzhou's assistant.

Upon hearing this, Xia Huiqing immediately fainted.

Xia Qingwan immediately dialed 120.

A period of chaos ensued.

Half a day later, the situation stabilized.

When Xia Huiqing woke up in the ward, it was already evening. Grandma Liang was by her bedside. When she saw that she was awake, she said, "Don't worry, don't worry. Things are stable for now. Let's think of a solution."

Xia Huiqing closed his eyes, seemed to be about to say something but stopped himself and sighed deeply.

Grandma Liang knew what she was thinking and said frankly, "Don't be afraid to trouble Pei Xiu. If he can help, I'll ask him for you. But he's in a big meeting these days..."

Xia Huiqing waved her hand and said, "Forget it."

Xia Qingwan walked into the ward and happened to hear these two sentences.

She put down the water and food she bought for Grandma Liang and rang the bell to call the doctor and nurse.

After a thorough examination, the doctor advised: Stay for observation one more night, and if everything is fine you can go home tomorrow.

That night, Xia Qingwan stayed by his bedside.

The ward was in a high-rise building. She curled up on a chair by the window with her legs hugged. When she looked up, she saw the moon. The crescent moon hung low in the western sky, passing through layers of high-rise buildings in the distance. The edge of the moon was covered with mist and had a hazy and rippling feeling, like the moon in the water.

She knew that her grandmother was not asleep either.

In the dimly lit hospital room, the two remained silent.

Before going to bed, Xia Qingwan opened WeChat and opened her chat with Ye Peixiu.

Their conversation ended two days ago when he said he had a big meeting and couldn't bring his personal cell phone, and told her to contact Wang Jingzi if she needed anything, as Wang Jingzi could reach him.

Her fingers stroked the three words "Mr. Ye" on the screen, and finally, she fell asleep holding the phone.

-

The next day, after the examination, Xia Huiqing was sent home to recuperate.

The doctor wrote out a prescription of Chinese medicine and asked the family to prepare the medicine according to the prescription, take it every day, and meditate for a while.

Back home, Grandma Liang and Grandma Xi busied themselves taking care of Xia Huiqing, while Xia Qingwan drove the family car out to get medicine.

Xia Huiqing was a little impatient, "You don't have to be like this, I'm not sick."

Liang Xinwu said, "Just stop talking and lie down quietly."

After helping Xia Huiqing lie down, Liang Xinwu closed the door and came out, saying to Grandma Xi, "Leave the matter of Changping to me. I'll go to see Pei Xiuyi after his meeting. I just want her to," he said, gesturing towards the bedroom, "...not to worry about her anymore. After that serious illness, her body can't withstand any more stimulation."

"Okay," Grandma Xi agreed, her eyes full of gratitude, "I'll just have to trouble you."

“Hey, why are you telling me all this?” Liang Xinwu said. “I still feel bad about it. Before, when the Xili incident caused such a big fuss, I didn’t even know that Qingwan was left all alone in Shaoping. If I had known, I would have taken Qingwan to my home back then.”

At that time, Xia Huiqing insisted on not troubling Liang Xinwu with this matter because she knew that Liang Xinwu's husband's family, the Jiang family, was not easy to deal with.

Everyone has their own unavoidable circumstances.

Grandma Xi comforted her in this way.

During those days, the Xia family's old house was filled with the smell of Chinese medicine.

Xia Qingwan was just thankful that she was on winter vacation and could help out at home.

That afternoon, Xia Mingzhou's assistant came again to deliver a message, saying that Xia Mingzhou had been released and that Xia Changping was running around trying to find a way to get things done.

After the assistant left, Xia Huiqing, who was sitting in a wheelchair with her legs covered, remained silent for a long time.

The side hall was completely silent.

Looking out from the large windows, the front garden is sparse and dilapidated, with withered branches lying across the trees, and the distant horizon is a gloomy, pale white.

It was a desolate and frigid winter in Beijing.

Xia Qingwan brought the boiled Chinese medicine to her, but she refused to eat it.

Grandma Xi urged from the side, "Why aren't you taking your medicine?"

After a moment, Xia Huiqing looked up and asked Grandma Xi, "Are all the things the old man left behind still in the safe?"

"...He's not at home, he's in the bank vault." Grandma Xi realized something and her expression became serious. "You don't mean to—"

Before he could finish his words, he heard a chaotic shouting and cursing outside.

The three of them looked up at the window at the same time.

In the desolate courtyard, Xia Changping strode across the path, followed by several people jogging behind.

He flung open the main door and strode into the foyer, shouting, "Grandma!"

Grandma Xi came to greet him from the side hall, "Changping, you—"

Before she could finish her words, Xia Changping pushed her away and shouted, "Get out of here."

Grandma Xi was still recovering from her last leg injury, so she couldn't withstand this blow and staggered backwards. Xia Qingwan had already rushed over and supported Grandma Xi.

Xia Changping had clearly drunk quite a bit. He slurred his words as he rushed into the side hall, pointing at Xia Huiqing and cursing.

Xia Qingwan helped Grandma Xi to sit down on the sofa in the living room and whispered, "Please stay here and don't move. I'll go take a look."

After settling the old man down, Xia Qingwan ran back to the side hall and stood in front of his grandmother's wheelchair.

Xia Huiqing only said, "Qingwan, don't worry about it, go back to your room. No matter what happened today, it's my personal business."

Xia Changping was so terrifying and aggressive, how could Xia Qingwan just leave her grandmother here? Of course she wouldn't let him.

Even though they were separated by the corridor, Grandma Xi in the living room could hear Xia Changping's scolding clearly, which was so unbearable to listen to.

Torn by inner turmoil, she pondered for a moment before dialing Grandma Liang's number.

Xia Changping kept going back and forth, talking about his childhood and youth: how his grandfather and Xia Huiqing had treated him unfairly.

Xia Qingwan listened from the side. At first, she felt angry, but later, she gradually felt sad.

Xia Changping may have died when he was a child, when he first realized that his parents favored his younger brother.

Xia Huiqing, in his wheelchair, looked ashen. When he finally stopped to catch his breath, he said calmly, "...Changping, you and Ah Xi should go to the bank. The antique jewelry your father left behind is all in the vault."

Xia Changping was stunned for a moment, then threw his head back and laughed like a madman.

He laughed so hard he coughed, his face turning red from holding it in. He stood up, nodding as he said, "Yes, that's why I came..." He muttered to himself, then suddenly raised his voice, "But do you think giving me these things now will wipe the slate clean?"

"I'm the eldest son!" Xia Changping's face was grim. "Why? Why should I give everything to that brat?"

He started to hurl insults at Shahili.

Xia Huiqing hadn't looked at him at first, but finally couldn't bear it anymore and turned her head abruptly, "Xi Li has a good character! You..." Her voice trembled, "Since you were a child... raising you is like raising a disaster!"

Hearing this, Xia Changping calmed down and said with a cold smile, "What? I wasn't born from you? You thought I was a monster after you gave birth to me? Then why don't you just kill me?"

"I have bad character? Your entire Xia family are pure, noble, and elegant people, and I'm the only one who's like rotten mud? Then who do I resemble?"

As he spoke, he suddenly rushed over, grabbed Xia Huiqing's collar and shook it, asking like a madman, "Who do I look like?"

Xia Huiqing was already limp and weak, hanging limply in mid-air by him.

Xia Qingwan, who was trembling all over, reacted a little late and rushed over, but was pushed to the ground by him.

Xia Qingwan immediately scrambled to her feet and rushed over again, shouting, "Let go—"

Xia Changping grew impatient with her harassment, released Xia Huiqing, grabbed her collar instead, and raised his hand to slap her, but his raised hand was grabbed from behind.

The man in a suit grabbed his collar and shoved him to the ground. He turned back and grabbed the back of Xia Qingwan's head, lowering his head to meet her gaze. "Qingwan, are you okay?"

Physiological tears welled up in her eyes. Through the moist mist, she was stunned for a moment and trembled, "...Ye Peixiu."

"It's me."

Ye Peixiu said, "I'm sorry, I'm late."

She stared blankly behind him. Grandma Liang had arrived and was patting Xia Huiqing's shoulder with great concern. "Huiqing, how are you?"

Wang Jingzi, along with several men, occupied the entire side hall. He first ordered people to carry Xia Huiqing to a car and send her to the hospital, and then directed several people to carry Xia Changping out.

Being held in Ye Peixiu's arms, Xia Qingwan suddenly realized that she had been shaking and shivering in waves.

She grabbed his shirt by the chest and burst into tears.

Ye Peixiu comforted her for a long time, let her sit on the sofa, covered her with a blanket, handed her hot tea, half-knelt in front of her, looked up and said, "Are you scared?"

She nodded, her face blank.

Ye Peixiu raised his hand to wipe away the tears from her eyes, "Don't cry, it's okay."

"I assure you, Xia Changping will never cause trouble again."

Xia Qingwan sobbed and swayed slightly. She let go of the teacup, slid off the sofa cushion, and snuggled back into his arms.

Ye Peixiu half-knelt, hugged her tightly, lowered his head and kissed her wet hair continuously.

The side hall, which was a scene of chaos and blood and flesh flying everywhere five minutes ago, is now completely quiet.

There were only the two of them.

-

According to Xia Changping's subordinates, he was desperate and wanted to return to the old house to ask Xia Huiqing for the old man's inheritance so he could use it to bribe people and try to save the company.

However, what he didn't know was that the people who reported his company were what he considered to be his connections.

Indeed, Ye Peixiu didn't even need to lift a finger; those with vested interests in the Ye family would naturally "sensibly" help him get things done.

After this incident, Xia Huiqing fell seriously ill.

During her hospitalization, Ye Peixiu visited her personally once.

First, they suggested that she and Grandma Xi go south to a warmer place to recuperate. Second, they informed her that Xia Changping had been ordered to stay home and that the public security and procuratorate would prosecute him after gathering all the evidence. This process would not be quick and might take several months.

Later, Liang Xinwu also went to the hospital several times and advised Xia Huiqing to go to a quiet place to recuperate.

There were too many memories in the Xia family's old house, and she couldn't stand the stimulation anymore.

Xia Qingwan had to attend a winter vacation training course while going to the hospital every day. However, Xia Huiqing always burst into tears when she saw her, so the doctor ordered her not to visit her for the time being.

Before the Lunar New Year, under Ye Peixiu's arrangement, Xia Qingwan and Liang Xinwu accompanied Xia Huiqing and Grandma Xi to fly to the south.

After settling in, Xia Qingwan and Liang Xinwu flew back to Beijing.

Xia Qingwan returned to the old house. In the desolate and empty living room, Xia Mingzhou was sitting on the sofa. When he saw her, he stood up and walked over to touch her head.

She forced a smile. "What's wrong? You seem to have matured a lot."

Xia Mingzhou said nothing, his expression full of emotion.

The winter setting sun hung low, slanting across the entire living room, and everything was plunged into a hazy, warm color.

-----------------------

Author's Note: Finally, we've come this far. Our late Qing Dynasty children can finally shed the burdens of the previous generation, break free completely, and joyfully begin their new lives.