Chapter 443
**Chapter 441: [Epilogue] Shen Wei (4) Final Chapter**
That afternoon, Shen Wei returned from the office and received a call from Fang Zheng. He expressed his regret over the phone, saying he had some hospital work to attend to and would have to cancel their plans for the evening.
Shen Wei understood. Doctors were always busy.
“Then you take care of your work. We can have dinner another day,” she replied.
Just as she was about to hang up, Fang Zheng suddenly said, “Shen Wei—”
“What is it?” Shen Wei asked.
There was a brief silence on the other end before Fang Zheng continued, “Nothing. I just hope you stay healthy.”
Shen Wei thanked him and ended the call.
The next day, as usual, Shen Wei woke up early and went for a morning run in her neighborhood. The community was quiet, with very few residents, and the morning air was refreshingly pleasant. After running for a while, Li Yuanjing appeared silently, holding a bottle of water.
As spring warmed the days, Li Yuanjing was dressed casually, clearly having put some thought into his appearance. His sharp features stood out strikingly in the morning light.
Shen Wei stopped in her tracks.
They had just parted at the airport yesterday, and here he was again today. But Shen Wei didn’t find it strange; this was typical of Li Yuanjing.
“You live here too?” Shen Wei asked, taking the water from him as a matter of habit.
“I don’t live in this community, but this place belongs to me,” Li Yuanjing replied.
Shen Wei: ...
From that moment on, Li Yuanjing quietly integrated himself into Shen Wei’s life. Having shared a bed with her for decades, he knew exactly how to navigate their relationship.
Years ago, at the Yan Wang Mansion, Shen Wei had used her wits to win Li Yuanjing’s heart. Now, he was applying what he had learned, and the results were becoming increasingly evident. He always maintained the right distance, ensuring Shen Wei didn’t feel repulsed while gradually inching closer to her boundaries.
This ability was something Li Yuanli could never master.
Li Yuanjing bought the spacious apartment below Shen Wei’s, and on the day he moved in, the sunlight was bright. He noticed a few red roses hanging from the balcony.
The flowers were vibrant, stunningly beautiful in the sunlight.
Li Yuanjing stared at the roses for a long time, a smile slowly spreading across his lips.
In the following six months, Li Yuanjing continued to steadily weave himself into Shen Wei’s life. He wouldn’t give other men a chance; he aimed to slip into her world like a gentle stream.
He understood that Shen Wei resisted emotional connections because, deep down, she lacked a sense of security and remained wary of the outside world. So, Li Yuanjing decided to shower her with love, offering her a unique affection.
Little by little, he approached her, gradually encroaching on her territory, like a frog being slowly boiled in warm water.
By the end of the year, as Shen Wei tidied her home, she belatedly realized that many of Li Yuanjing’s belongings had appeared in her space.
Those items stood there with a sense of entitlement, firmly rooted.
Shen Wei opened the wine cabinet, intending to throw away the bottle of wine Li Yuanjing had left behind—holding the slightly chilled bottle, she hesitated and then placed it back.
Let it stay here; the Romanée-Conti is quite expensive.
Everything happens for a reason.
...
Time flew by, and soon it was close to the Spring Festival. The research institute was on holiday, and the busy researchers returned home after months of hard work.
Today was New Year’s Eve. In the morning, Li Qingshun was still in bed, curled up under the covers, reluctant to get up.
With the recent break, she didn’t have to go to the lab every day, so she had been spending time with Zhang He’an at home. They had stayed up late the night before, and the water in the bathroom had run several times.
After dawn, Li Qingshun still felt drowsy, her eyelids heavy.
Zhang He’an woke up earlier, sorting the clothes scattered on the floor and putting them in the washing machine. He opened the curtains and turned on the air purifier, then carefully watered the flowers and plants on the balcony.
Breakfast was ready, and the house was clean.
But Li Qingshun remained in bed.
Zhang He’an brought a glass of lemon water into the bedroom. “Time to get up.”
The room was warm, cozy like spring. Li Qingshun turned over sleepily. “I’ll get up in a bit. I’m not having breakfast; you go ahead.”
“Then I won’t have breakfast either,” Zhang He’an replied.
Li Qingshun kicked off the covers and sat up slowly. She was wearing nothing, the smooth, light silk blanket brushing against her skin. She took the lemon water, gulping down half the glass, gradually waking up to the slightly sour taste.
Holding the cup, she remembered something. “Don’t forget to bring some New Year gifts. We’re going to Shen Wei’s for lunch—after all, the Emperor of Qingguo is cooking, and I have to taste it, even if it’s like a knife in the sky.”
Zhang He’an leaned down and kissed her on the tip of her nose, handing her some clothes. “Okay, get dressed first.”
After breakfast, they busied themselves for a while, and soon it was nearly noon.
Li Qingshun and Zhang He’an, carrying their New Year gifts, drove to the villa area where Shen Wei lived.
Having grown up in the research institute and living in the staff building after marrying Zhang He’an, Li Qingshun had never considered buying property outside.
Arriving at Shen Wei’s luxurious villa area, she admired the beautiful scenery and lovely buildings, feeling a pang of envy. She tugged at Zhang He’an’s sleeve. “Let’s buy a floor here later, and maybe a villa in the south, or even an island by the sea for easy travel during vacations—oh, and let’s ask Li Yuanjing for a discount. After all, his family is in real estate; we can’t miss out on a chance to save some money.”
Zhang He’an smiled warmly. “Sure, whatever you say.”
The two of them knocked on Shen Wei’s door, but she wasn’t home; she had gone out to pick someone up. The door was opened by Li Yuanjing.
As soon as the door swung open, Li Qingshun caught sight of the... apron Li Yuanjing was wearing.
It was an adorable pink Hello Kitty apron, so striking that even Li Yuanjing’s usually cold face seemed a bit comical and cute.
Li Qingshun couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
Li Yuanjing remained unfazed; he didn’t care about others’ opinions as long as Shen Wei liked it.
Walking into Shen Wei’s house, Li Qingshun found the place warm and elegantly decorated. A large bouquet of fresh red plum blossoms adorned the coffee table, and a popular TV drama played in the background.
“Make yourself at home,” Li Yuanjing said casually.
Zhang He’an stood up. “I’ll help you wash the vegetables.”
Li Qingshun leisurely leaned back on the sofa, picking up the remote to switch to a popular movie. The newly released historical mystery film starred Li Yuanli, who played his role to perfection, embodying the character’s ruthlessness, resentment, and obsession.
The film received rave reviews, and Li Yuanli was expected to contend for three Best Actor awards.
Li Qingshun munched on chips, engrossed in the movie.
Before long, Shen Wei returned home with Huo Ze. Knowing Li Yuanjing was there, Huo Ze had dressed up meticulously, looking exceptionally handsome.
But upon seeing Li Yuanjing and Zhang He’an in the kitchen, he felt a bit outclassed.
Even in an apron, their looks, physique, and wealth overshadowed Huo Ze.
He scratched his head awkwardly, feeling a bit inferior.
Lunch wasn’t ready yet, so Shen Wei and Li Qingshun sat on the sofa watching the movie. Shen Wei was thoroughly enjoying the film, especially Li Yuanli’s impressive performance.
“Lunch is ready,” Li Yuanjing announced as he walked into the living room, turning off the TV with a firm hand.
The lunch spread was lavish.
The dining table was lively. At first, Huo Ze was intimidated by the presence of Li Yuanjing and Zhang He’an, remaining quiet like a clam. But gradually, he loosened up, starting to chat and boast about his childhood stories with Shen Wei in the mountain village, filling the table with laughter.
Li Yuanjing listened intently.
After the meal, Huo Ze reluctantly left Shen Wei’s home. As she walked him downstairs, he couldn’t help but ask, “Sis, are you planning to marry that rich guy with the last name Li?”
Shen Wei playfully tapped his head. “Mind your own business.”
Huo Ze covered his head, half-jokingly saying, “I thought I’d have the upper hand, but who knew a nouveau riche would come out of nowhere. Sis, Happy New Year!”
Shen Wei smiled, her eyes curving. “Happy New Year!”
Huo Ze drove away.
Back upstairs, Shen Wei found the dishes already washed. Li Qingshun had set up the mahjong table and invited Shen Wei to join her for a game.
With four of them, they had just enough players.
Li Qingshun threatened Zhang He’an, “Don’t let me win; if you’re a man, show your true skills!”
This wasn’t just any game of mahjong; Shen Wei, Li Qingshun, Li Yuanjing, and Zhang He’an were all sharp-minded, with excellent memories for cards.
After several rounds, the competition was fierce, with wins and losses evenly matched, making for an exhilarating game.
They played mahjong all afternoon, and as dusk approached, Li Qingshun reluctantly said goodbye to Shen Wei, promising to continue their game next time before leaving with Zhang He’an.
On New Year’s Eve, fireworks were banned in the capital.
Li Yuanjing drove Shen Wei to a private luxury villa outside the city. The villa had a great view, overlooking the city lights as the New Year approached. Shen Wei sat in the courtyard, holding a cup of hot water, while her laptop displayed the company’s overseas plans.
“Ding—”
A text message notification chimed on her phone.
Shen Wei checked the message; it was from Li Yuanli, simply reading: “Happy New Year.”
Li Yuanli hadn’t given up on pursuing Shen Wei, but unfortunately, he always lost out to the competitive Li Yuanjing, who had the upper hand.
Shen Wei replied with a “Happy New Year” and set her phone aside.
The countdown to the New Year was approaching.
Shen Wei put down her documents and gazed at the city beyond the mountains. Li Yuanjing came to her side, sitting close, the night breeze tousling their hair.
Bang—
The first brilliant firework exploded in the sky.
The villa’s speakers played the countdown to the Spring Festival Gala, with the hosts wishing everyone a Happy New Year. In the night sky, fireworks bloomed like wildflowers, illuminating half the sky.
Shen Wei watched the fireworks while Li Yuanjing watched her.
He gazed at Shen Wei, captivated. Through the storms of life, past and future faded like clouds, and their new journey was just beginning. Li Yuanjing took Shen Wei’s hand and softly said, “Wei Wei, Happy New Year. I’ve always been here.”
Shen Wei smiled.
“Happy New Year,” she replied.
The fireworks burst forth, marking the start of a new year.
————
**[Epilogue Complete]**
*Still ongoing...*
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