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Chapter 477: Chapter 477: Ambiguity Abounds
"What? Someone might be sabotaging us?" Tong Yao frowned, "Who could be scheming behind our backs?"
Si Chen gently shook his head, "Let’s keep our eyes open for changes. If someone is doing something deliberately, they will strike again. Keep an eye out for your safety during ordinary times. I’m not quite at ease since you’re living alone now that mom and dad aren’t at home."
Thinking about the circumstances Tong Yao would have faced if he hadn’t arrived in time, a chill crossed Si Chen’s face.
Noticing Si Chen’s worried look, Tong Yao comforted him, "Don’t worry, I’ll be extra careful. But how did you manage to lose so much weight just after being away for a few months?"
As Tong Yao held Si Chen’s face, she looked at him with her eyes filled with concern.
This was their first extended separation after getting together.
Fortunately, Si Chen had returned to visit her. Otherwise, as soon as things settled down a bit, she would certainly be unable to resist the urge of traveling overseas to see him.
Si Chen landed on Tong Yao’s small, fair and smooth face, which felt as soft as a cotton ball lodged in his chest.
The suppressed longing surged like a massive flood, making Tong Yao feel heat to her face, turning it red.
Since their months-long separation, they hadn’t had any intimacy. The blush, brought by their amorous glances at each other, made Tong Yao somewhat shy.
But in Si Chen’s eyes, Tong Yao’s tender look hit him straight in the heart.
What followed was a natural progression, as the room was filled with an atmosphere of seduction that reached its peak.
Tong Yao wondered if it was her imagination, but she felt that Si Chen was different from before, emitting a distinct aura.
As if he had grown into a new person.
Even at this moment, he had changed. In the past, when Tong Yao wanted to stop, he would indeed stop and asked if he had hurt her.
Now he would observe Tong Yao’s expression, utilizing it to discern her meaning.
Tong Yao, her face now blushing with shyness, wanted to cover her face neatly, but Si Chen leaned in, whispering in her ear with a tempting tone: "Yaoyao, savor every moment with me."
His voice riveted her so much that she lost herself in it, bringing her to the brink of joining him in the abyss.
She had no idea how lengthy their tryst was, she felt sore and weak all over. However, Si Chen was full of energy and even prepared a hot bath for her.
The next morning, Tong Yao awoke, feeling a tingling sensation in her ear, she remembered Si Chen was home.
She turned around, holding Si Chen. Resting her head on his neck, she enquired in her coquettish voice: "Are you about to catch your flight?"
Si Chen replied softly: "No rush, my flight isn’t until two in the afternoon, we can still have breakfast together."
Tong Yao burst out laughing, their playful banter in bed lasted till noon.
Having glanced at the time, Tong Yao asked, "Do you want to go see them at the hospital?"
"No need," Si Chen decisively shook his head, "They listen to Boyi’s orders when I’m not there. If I were to show up, things might go haywire for Boyi."
Si Chen knew them well, Lin Fengying and Si Xiaohui were only compliant because they had no other choice. Should he appear, he feared control might slip from his hands.
Si Chen’s reluctance didn’t bother Tong Yao. They cooked lunch together and after eating, Tong Yao accompanied Si Chen to the airport.
Si Chen ruffled Tong Yao’s hair. "Go home! I’ll visit you whenever I have time."
"Hmm."
Reluctantly, Tong Yao watched as Si Chen disappeared into the airport. Only when he was completely out of sight did she turn to leave.
Knowing someone was scheming behind her back and prodding Zhong Tieshan for money, Tong Yao was worried about the bank loan. Consequently, she went to the bank and inquired from the loan officer.
After learning that there were no issues with the loan, and that the money could be available by the end of the month, Tong Yao sighed with relief.
As she was leaving the bank, she noticed someone coming in. She subtly stepped aside to get a better look and to her surprise it was Cheng Feng.
What a coincidence!
It appeared Cheng Feng also recognized Tong Yao, surprise written all over his face. However, he didn’t pause his stride and walked past Tong Yao without stopping.
Tong Yao bought a newspaper on her way home and once home, her phone rang before she had a chance to read it.
She answered the call and was greeted with Wang Chun’s feeble voice.
Wang Chun hadn’t made a call to her home before. She preferred making calls to Tong Yao’s store, taking the opportunity to chat with Deng Wenwen as well.
This was the first time she was calling her home.
"Achun, how’s your recovery?"
The surgery had been successful and Wang Chun was currently recuperating overseas. They had said she could return home once she was better.
"I’m doing alright," Wang Chun’s voice sounded from the other end.
Tong Yao could sense that something was off, which led to some anxiety on her part.
"Achun, has something happened? Your voice... it sounds like you’re not very happy."
There was a moment of hesitation from the other end and then Wang Chun abruptly said, "Yaoyao, I suspect Akai is hiding something from me."
A ripple of understanding passed through Tong Yao’s mind, "Why do you say that?"
"He keeps taking calls behind my back and acts all secretive," Wang Chun explained.
"Could it be matters related to work and he’s worried it’ll trouble you?", Hao Wenkai had already cut connection with Lin Man and most of his time nowadays was spent accompanying Wang Chun overseas. They shouldn’t be any other blossoming relationships."
"I’m not too sure." Wang Chun expressed worry: "Yaoyao, I keep getting bad feelings lately. I’m worried something major might be about to happen."
"Don’t overthink. It’s most important for you to focus on your recovery. Once you’ve regained your health, you can return home, right?" Tong Yao consoled her.
Fearing that Wang Chun would fret unnecessarily, Tong Yao brought up a few light-hearted topics.
Unknowingly, they had been chatting for over half an hour.
After hanging up, Tong Yao picked up the newspaper she hadn’t managed to read before.
Just as she began to scan through it, an oversized headline, caught her eye.
[A man in a vegetative state for several months suddenly wakes up after devoted care from relatives...]
Tong Yao looked at the photo and small words, surprising herself when she recognized him to be Zhao Wenkai’s uncle.
Not that long ago, Zhao Wenyu’s company declared bankruptcy. Now, Zhao Wenyu’s father had woken up out of the blue.
Thinking back to what Si Chen had mentioned about Zhao Wenkai not wanting his uncle to wake up, Tong Yao suddenly realized why Zhao Wenkai had been so secretive recently.
He was probably driven into a corner.
Despite her friendship with Wang Chun, Tong Yao did not intend to get involved in the Zhao Family’s issues.
This was an internal dispute in the Zhao Family and had nothing to do with her. Right now, she even had her own matters to sort out, there was no room to worry about the affairs of the Zhao Family.
Tong Yao calculated that after repaying the loan for the house, there wouldn’t be much money left. If she invested in more ducks and chickens, she might run the risk of a break in her financial chain.
While the tea shop did make some profit, if used towards the farm and renovation expenses, the proceeds wouldn’t be sufficient.
She started thinking about ways to earn money quickly.
For some reason, she suddenly remembered the term "dealer".
A single trip could yield a profit of several thousands, it was indeed very tempting.
