Shen Zhi Qiu was momentarily at a loss for how to react. Her emotions were churning violently, and all her rationality and composure seemed to have been instantly emptied.
She lowered her head, desperately suppressing the unease and astonishment in her heart, then slightly raised her head with a faint smile and softly called out, "Brother Mingyu."
"I never expected to run into you as soon as I returned to China."
Si Mingyu said softly, his gaze fixed on Shen Zhi Qiu. Seeing her fidgeting with her fingers, he smiled gently and said, "After all these years, you still do this when you're nervous."
Upon hearing this, Shen Zhi Qiu subconsciously withdrew her finger, and said somewhat awkwardly, "Brother Ming Yu, are you here to see the exhibition too?"
"Yes, my little cousin likes these things and insisted that I come with her. She ran into a friend when she came in and went to say hello. I'll introduce you to her in a bit," Si Mingyu explained gently, a smile playing on his lips.
Shen Zhi Qiu nodded.
Perhaps because they hadn't seen each other for so long, or because of their past connection, the two of them didn't know what to say for a moment, and the long silence made the atmosphere awkward.
Finally, Si Mingyu broke the silence.
"Qingyan, is he good to you?"
Shen Zhi Qiu pursed her lips, glanced in the direction of the banquet, and almost unconsciously shook her head slightly. Even she herself didn't realize that, despite not seeing him for many years, she easily let down her guard in his presence.
Si Mingyu was taken aback at first, his eyes darkening to conceal an almost imperceptible emotion. His hands clenched and unclenched unconsciously in the darkness, as long-buried memories were unleashed. He tried to suppress his feelings, but his trembling voice betrayed his emotions, "Zhi Qiu, I'm so sorry about what happened back then. If..."
“There are no ifs, Mingyu.” Shen Zhi Qiu withdrew her gaze, her guard instantly puffing up. She stared at him intently, past images flashing through her mind, a sharp pain shooting through her heart. Her face turned cold, her icy tone instantly creating distance between them, “I don’t want to bring up the past anymore. It’s all in the past, please don’t say it again.”
"Okay, I understand." Si Mingyu's heart clenched, regret churning within him, but he calmly controlled his emotions, his gaze softening as he looked at her.
Not far away, a pair of eyes were secretly observing them. Catching the tenderness in Si Mingyu's eyes, she glared at Shen Zhi Qiu with hatred.
Just then, a cell phone rang, and Shen Zhi Qiu looked down at it.
Si Mingyu stepped back politely and said gently, "Then I'll go check on my cousin, Zhi Qiu. See you in a bit." He then strode towards the crowd.
"Zhiqiu, where are you? I can't find you anywhere!" Zhou Xiaoran's anxious voice came through the phone. She had been looking at a painting when she turned around and saw Xiao Wanqing and Gu Qingyan making a high-profile appearance. She was afraid that Shen Zhiqiu would be upset, so she quickly called.
Shen Zhi Qiu looked around and saw Zhou Xiao Ran standing in front of a light blue painting. She said softly, "Xiao Ran, I see you. I'll come over to you."
She quickly hung up the phone and walked towards Zhou Xiaoran.
There were steps leading from the grass to the art exhibition area. Shen Zhi Qiu lifted the hem of her light purple skirt and carefully walked up them.
Just as she reached the middle of the steps, a dark figure suddenly darted out from the darkness and shoved her. Caught off guard, Shen Zhi Qiu's mind went blank. As she fell backward, a terrified cry escaped her throat: "Help!" She frantically grabbed at the person's arm with both hands, feeling the fingernails scratching her skin, but it was too slippery and there was nothing to hold onto. She still fell backward uncontrollably.
In the nick of time, a lithe figure swiftly rushed up the steps, wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, and caught her steadily.
Still shaken, Shen Zhi Qiu kept her eyes tightly shut, her legs trembling so badly she couldn't stand up and slid down in an instant.
The person behind her reacted quickly and grabbed her. Seeing that her body was weak, they immediately bent down and picked her up in their arms, gently comforting her, "Zhi Qiu, it's me, don't be afraid."
A wave of fear washed over her. If she had fallen from such a high step, not only would she have lost her baby, but she might have lost her life too. Beads of cold sweat began to appear on her forehead, and her face turned deathly pale. She looked up at the person holding her, and a weary and sorrowful smile slowly appeared on her face. But due to the extreme shock, she turned her head and fainted.
"Zhi Qiu!" Zhou Xiaoran heard her cries for help from above and ran towards her frantically, but it was too late. She watched helplessly as Zhi Qiu fell backward, and she was terrified. Even after confirming that Zhi Qiu had been rescued, the fear in her eyes lingered for a long time as she looked at the long flight of stairs.
The guests, who were clinking glasses and exchanging toasts, were clearly startled and all looked in the direction of the sound.
Si Mingyu strode up, carrying the unconscious Shen Zhi Qiu. His eyes were filled with gloom, and no one knew that his palms were ice-cold. His hands, which were holding Shen Zhi Qiu, trembled slightly with fear, and his heart felt as if it were being pulled down by a heavy object.
Gu Qingyan was also startled and turned around to see Shen Zhi Qiu lying motionless in Si Mingyu's arms.
His expression changed, his lips curled down, and he immediately pushed away the hand in his arm and quickly walked towards Si Mingyu.
"Qingyan." Xiao Wanqing's hand was suddenly pushed away, catching her off guard. She pursed her lips, turned her head and saw the woman in Si Mingyu's arms. Her expression changed, and she said awkwardly to the people around her, "It seems someone has fainted, and Qingyan went to help."
Si Mingyu walked very fast, and Zhou Xiaoran had to jog to keep up with him. She had just heard someone say that 120 had been called and the ambulance would be at the door soon.
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
