Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Tang Shihan hurried to the Tang family estate, where Tang Yilin and the entire Lin Lei family were already present. Seeing the inscrutable smile on Tang Yilin’s face, Tang Shihan’s sense of foreboding grew stronger.

“Shihan, the fact that you secured the contract with Longhai Group is something the whole Tang family is grateful for,” the matriarch said, emerging with her dragon-headed cane. Her aged face betrayed no emotion. “Longhai Group is one of the nation’s leading conglomerates, so this partnership is of tremendous importance. To ease your burden, and to ensure smooth cooperation between the Tang family and Longhai Group, I’ve decided Yilin will work with you on this project.”

“Yilin and I together?” Tang Shihan was momentarily stunned.

The matriarch nodded. “Yilin is highly skilled in public relations. She’s handled many major external projects for the Tang family. One of you manages internal affairs, the other external—surely that’s ideal?”

Hearing this, Tang Shihan felt both aggrieved and helpless. She had spent countless nights drafting the proposal, pouring her heart and soul into securing this contract, exhausting herself physically and mentally. Yet now, she found herself forced to share the fruits of her labor with Tang Yilin. It was an injustice she could neither protest nor ignore.

But Tang Shihan dared not defy the matriarch’s decision, so she could only grit her teeth and agree.

That evening, returning home, Tang Shihan collapsed onto the sofa, weariness etched across her face.

Ye Fengyun brought her the medicine to stabilize her pregnancy, urging her to drink it promptly. Tang Shihan took the bowl, sipped the bitter concoction, and was overcome by its harsh taste, coughing as tears welled in her eyes. She wiped them away with determination, forcing herself to swallow both bitterness and tears.

Ye Fengyun noticed her troubled mood and guessed something had happened at the matriarch’s side. He approached and asked, “Honey, is something weighing on your mind?”

Tang Shihan said nothing, staring blankly at the empty bowl, sighing deeply.

“Why not tell me about it?” Ye Fengyun sat beside her.

In the past, Tang Shihan would have scorned him, telling him to keep his distance. But now, she no longer rejected his presence so vehemently.

With a sigh, she recounted the events of the evening to Ye Fengyun.

After listening, Ye Fengyun smiled, unconcerned. “That’s all? Relax, honey. I’ll handle it. I guarantee Tang Yilin will withdraw from the Longhai Group project on her own and sincerely apologize to you.”

Tang Shihan shot him a glare, her tone sour. “Would it kill you to stop bragging? Tang Yilin has Lin Lei, and Lin Lei has the Lin family backing him. What do I have to rely on? Only myself.”

Her voice was tinged with grievance as she glanced at Ye Fengyun, then sighed and shook her head slowly. She had never expected Ye Fengyun to have connections or resources, but she hoped he would be pragmatic, steady, not arrogant or boastful—at the very least, someone who could lend her a hand at work.

Unfortunately, in her eyes, Ye Fengyun was not that kind of man.

After taking her medicine, Tang Shihan fell asleep on the sofa.

Ye Fengyun tidied the table, then gently carried Tang Shihan back to the bedroom.

In his arms, Tang Shihan murmured in her sleep, “Mom, I’m so tired. I wish I had a shoulder to lean on. Why did you choose a man like this for me…”

A single tear slid down her cheek.

Seeing this, Ye Fengyun felt something stir deep within him. He had come to the Tang family as a live-in son-in-law because his master had told him that when the Ye clan was annihilated years ago, Tang Shihan had saved his life. He was here to repay that debt.

Yet, as days and nights passed in close proximity, Ye Fengyun found himself drawn to this resilient girl—especially since she was carrying his child.

He carefully placed Tang Shihan on the bed and gently wiped the tear from her eye.

“Shihan, rest assured. What’s yours—no one else can take from you.”