Without thinking, Sheng Jingshi instinctively reached out to wipe something from her face, but he saw Chu Xia subconsciously lean back to avoid him.
Chu Xia blinked and noticed the man’s gaze darken for a moment.
Only then did she realize he had been trying to wipe her mouth, so she took a tissue and cleaned it herself.
Sheng Jingshi withdrew his hand mid-air, suddenly feeling a wave of helplessness.
But in Chu Xia’s eyes, he looked expressionless—seemingly a little displeased.
The servant was already used to the silent atmosphere and respectfully said to Sheng Jingshi, “Mr. Sheng, the driver has arrived.”
He nodded, then glanced at the plate in front of Chu Xia and frowned slightly. “Not eating anymore?”
Chu Xia had no appetite and too many thoughts on her mind, so she weakly shook her head.
He didn’t force her. He picked up his coat and stood. “Then let’s go.”
“Go where?”
“The hospital.”
“Now?” Chu Xia bit her lip. “Don’t you have to go to the company today?”
Sheng Jingshi raised an eyebrow. “I also need a physical examination.”
You’re as strong as a bull. You can choke me with one hand and you still need a checkup?
Chu Xia silently complained but only said “oh” and followed him out.
A servant noticed she hadn’t taken her coat and was about to remind her, but Sheng Jingshi had already picked it up for her, along with her shawl, like a “gentle househusband” following behind her.
At the hospital, Chu Xia was taken directly to a VIP room and fitted with a wristband by enthusiastic medical staff.
“Miss Chu, would you like some warm water? You’ll need a urine test later.”
“What exactly do I need to check?” she asked.
The nurse glanced at the form. “It’s a couple’s premarital checkup—standard examinations.”
“Marriage checkup?” Chu Xia was surprised.
Sheng Jingshi had finally lost his mind?
When she came out after changing, Sheng Jingshi was already waiting outside. Even the loose hospital gown looked like high fashion on him.
“Why is this a marriage checkup?” Chu Xia asked softly.
“Because we’re getting married,” he said expressionlessly.
Chu Xia: “?”
He signed the form without looking up. “I’ve thought it through. We’ll do the premarital exam domestically, register overseas. When the time is right, I’ll introduce you to my family and friends. You can make friends, open your gallery, or visit your father—but only after we’re married.”
He once believed not getting married was a way to protect her, and that marriage was only a tool for transactions. But their recent conflict made him realize marriage could also be something else—something that gives them both security.
If they were married, she wouldn’t be out with other men anymore.
“I’ll solve our problems one by one,” he said, looking at her.
Chu Xia froze.
She suspected this was just empty promises, but his expression and tone were too serious.
“But your family won’t agree…”
“Then we’ll go abroad. Get it done first.”
At that moment, Chu Xia realized he had already made a full plan.
What she had always wanted—the future she had been chasing—was right in front of her. But looking at Sheng Jingshi’s eyes, she suddenly felt a sting in her chest.
Thinking she was hesitating, he added, “I’ll make up for the proposal. We’ll also have another wedding in China, exactly how you want it.”
Chu Xia’s eyelashes trembled slightly. A rare trace of guilt rose in her.
She softly said “mm,” then hugged his waist.
“Please remember this moment,” she said.
“What moment?” he asked, stroking her hair.
“The moment you love me.”
Because I’m afraid that in the future, when you hate me too much, you’ll forget it.
“I love you every moment,” Sheng Jingshi said softly.
Afterward, when they separated for examinations, Chu Xia quietly used the excuse of going to the bathroom and escaped the hospital.
She hailed a taxi barefoot in subzero weather.
“Huating Road, No. 5.”
Half an hour later, she arrived at Jiang Suizhou’s home.
“What wind blew you here today?” Jiang Suizhou asked with a smile, scanning her.
“Did you escape from a mental hospital?”
“Let me stay for one night,” Chu Xia said flatly.
Jiang Suizhou laughed and opened the door. “Welcome, my little bird.”
But Chu Xia wasn’t in a good mood.
She knew very clearly she had already lost her dream of becoming a wealthy wife.
There are two types of people who live well: those born lucky, and those bad to the core.
She was only average bad, so she didn’t live well.
If she had kept her pregnancy a secret, married Sheng Jingshi abroad, she could have made him believe the child was his. Even if he later found out and divorced her, she would still have taken half his wealth.
But when she looked into Sheng Jingshi’s eyes, she softened.
She saw his sincerity.
And she couldn’t bear to let him be humiliated.
What man would willingly marry a woman carrying another man’s child?
Sheng Jingshi would become a joke in the entire Beijing elite circle.
So Chu Xia ran.
On the surface, she escaped the engagement. In reality, she “released” Sheng Jingshi like a caught fish.
She couldn’t go to Lou Fan, and contacting Qiao Nian would only trouble her, so in the end she could only turn to Jiang Suizhou—because only the Jiang family had the power to restrain a losing Sheng Jingshi.
But only if he was willing to help.
“Can you move my father out of the nursing home?” she asked.
Jiang Suizhou smiled, but there was no warmth in his eyes.
“What makes you think I’d help the murderer of my brother?”
“Name your condition,” she said calmly.
“I want you back by my side.”
“Anything but that.”
He chuckled, eyes half-lidded, dangerous yet relaxed.
“You’re useless to me now? As long as Shen Siren hasn’t fallen and the Shen family hasn’t collapsed, you’ll always be useful.”