Chapter 24. Marriage? The Car Accident Kind (9)
Today was Xia Xinzhi and Lin Ming’s wedding day. Shen Wan chose to wear a sporty t-shirt dress with comfortable sneakers. A major event was about to unfold, and she needed to be prepared. Sneakers would allow her to run fast and walk steadily, ready for any unexpected situations.
Wen Yingling walked to the staircase and noticed Shen Wan at the entrance below. She paused for a second, observing Shen Wan’s attire. Glancing down at her own dress and pointed heels, she turned to go back to her room.
“Yingling, is something wrong?” Shen Wan called out. Without turning back, Wen Yingling replied, “My feet are a bit uncomfortable. I’m going to change into flat shoes. Wait for me.”
“What’s the matter?”
Hearing that Wen Yingling’s feet were uncomfortable, Shen Wan grew concerned. She quickly ran upstairs, reaching Wen Yingling’s room just as she was about to close the door. With a worried expression, Shen Wan asked, “Did you twist your ankle or scrape it?”
“Neither. The heels are too high and uncomfortable. I want to change,” Wen Yingling said, struggling to maintain her composure in front of Shen Wan’s second personality. She had already lost her composure many times before. “Just wait a moment.”
“If the heels are too high and uncomfortable, don’t wear them. Be like me and wear flats or sneakers. They’re so much better. Heels might look good, but you shouldn’t hurt your feet just for appearance,” Shen Wan said, standing at the doorway.
She watched Wen Yingling’s back, her gaze drifting downward. Suddenly, she noticed the heel length—less than half a finger long. Shen Wan’s expression turned into a cheerful smile. Oh… those heels really were high!
They were much higher than flat shoes, a difference of half a finger length!!!
No wonder Wen Yingling felt uncomfortable wearing them. She should definitely switch to flats for comfort.
“188, I smell the scent of love. Can you sense it?”
[188: “Wan Wan, systems don’t have emotions. I can’t smell love. Can you tell me what love smells like?”]
“Have you ever tasted candy?”
[188 replied robotically, “Systems don’t have bodies, so I’ve never tasted candy.”]
“Oh… that’s a pity! You’ve never even tasted candy.”
188: Whatever the host says goes. Look at how smug she is, only showing off in front of him. If she’s got the guts, she should just pounce on the person and show dad what she’s made of. Why be such a coward?
Wen Yingling changed into a form-fitting casual long dress that accentuated her beautiful curves, reaching her ankles. She wore white sneakers and switched to a simple, elegant clutch. Her shoulder-length black hair was tied back loosely at the nape of her neck.
She appeared before Shen Wan, who was momentarily stunned before saying, “Yingling, you look beautiful.”
Wen Yingling maintained a cold expression. “Let’s go.”
She gently pushed Shen Wan and closed the door behind her. As they descended the stairs, Wen Yingling instinctively supported Shen Wan, a habit formed over the past few months when she thought Shen Wan had mobility issues. The moment she gripped Shen Wan’s arm, she stiffened. “Your leg is fine now. You can walk on your own.” As she was about to let go, Shen Wan quickly grabbed her arm.
“I think there’s still a problem,” Shen Wan said, holding onto Wen Yingling tightly with no intention of letting go.
188: Hilarious! That act is so unconvincing.
“The doctor checked and confirmed your leg has fully recovered. You can jump, skip, and even run!” Wen Yingling stated matter-of-factly, her eyes meeting Shen Wan’s. “What problem are you talking about?”
“How about we discuss it while walking?”
Shen Wan held onto Wen Yingling’s arm as they descended the stairs. Wen Yingling didn’t resist, allowing Shen Wan to hold her. She remained vigilant of their surroundings, especially the stairs, worried that Shen Wan might actually fall.
“My leg has healed, but I’ve developed a kind of post-traumatic syndrome where I feel like my leg is still broken,” Shen Wan said seriously. “Yingling, you don’t know, but now I’m not only afraid of this unfamiliar world, but I’m also terrified of going down stairs or walking alone. Thankfully, you’re holding onto me, or I’d surely fall.”
Wen Yingling pursed her lips slightly. Is that so? Why was it that earlier, when running up the stairs, Shen Wan’s speed was so fast she could have participated in a marathon, showing no signs of fear or unsteadiness?
If it were anyone else, she would have exposed the lie immediately. If it were Shen Wan’s primary personality, she wouldn’t have shown any sympathy and would have revealed the deception. She might have even pushed away those hands that always seemed to cling to her arm. She glanced at her wristwatch, feeling a bit annoyed. She had forgotten to change it again. She owned many watches, some prettier and more expensive than this one, but every time she changed clothes, she forgot to take off this watch. The necklace around her neck was the same – like a strange, stubborn virus taking root on her body.
“Then I’ll hold your hand.”
The myriad of complex emotions in her heart ultimately manifested in these five short words. She sensed the joy of the girl beside her, and her own mood inexplicably improved. “When you no longer want to hold hands, you can let go.”
“How would I know when the after-effects will go away? Maybe they’ll never disappear. If I never remember my past memories and continue to fear this unfamiliar world, I’ll have to trouble you more. After all, you’re the one I trust the most.”
As expected of a second personality that had been suppressed for over twenty years—talkative, unrestrained, and full of glib remarks, always trying to deceive others with her words.
A lifelong after-effect, never remembering the past?
Wen Yingling lowered her gaze. If that were the case, it would be for the best. She didn’t want to see this face one day and feel disgust—it would probably be intense, extreme disgust.
The two walked out hand in hand. Their driver, Wen Yingting, had been waiting by the car door. Looking at their attire and then at his own suit and shiny shoes, with his hair carefully styled, he couldn’t help but feel out of place. Why did he feel like he was dressed wrong? These two women looked like they were going on a sightseeing trip.
Regardless, seeing them emerge, Wen Yingting quickly opened the car door for them before taking his place in the driver’s seat to head to the wedding venue. Through the rearview mirror, he saw the two holding hands, with Shen Wan smiling and whispering something. His sister showed no signs of impatience. Though her face remained expressionless, this attitude was truly remarkable—he rarely enjoyed such treatment himself.
“Wan Wan, when are you moving back home?” Wen Yingting interjected casually.
Before Shen Wan could respond, Wen Yingling said, “When driving, no distractions, no idle chatter.”
Wen Yingting: “…” Alright, alright, whatever she says is correct. He’d stop the idle chatter.
He glanced at the few cars following behind them, feeling exasperated. Was it really necessary to bring bodyguards to a wedding? His sister was really indulging Shen Wan too much. He felt a bit jealous—he had never received such treatment as her brother.
At the Xia residence, in Xia Xinzhi’s room.
Xia Xinzhi had finished her makeup, hair, and changed into her wedding dress. She looked at the bride in the mirror with satisfaction, finally the day had arrived.
Suddenly, she frowned, clutching her uncomfortable stomach. Seeing the bride’s face in the mirror twist into a grimace, she quickly forced a smile.
Today was an extremely important day. She wouldn’t have chosen this time if she had a choice, but it was the only day she would encounter Shen Wan. In the future, it would be impossible to carry out her plan, as it was said that Shen Wan was always accompanied by ten bodyguards wherever she went.
She hated Shen Wan. If it weren’t for her, her relationship with Lin Ming wouldn’t have been so difficult, and she wouldn’t have had to resort to this method to marry him.
Why was her stomach so uncomfortable?
It was because she had been preparing for today’s event, barely eating for the past few days to slim down her stomach. With Lin Ming busy preparing for their wedding and the Lin family watching, they hadn’t been living together recently.
So, she had to quickly flatten the growing bump on her stomach.
At four months pregnant, there was some visible swelling, though her belly was actually smaller than that of a typical four-month pregnant woman. She had always been slim, and with her classmate’s help in concealing it, others would only think she was maintaining her figure through exercise, which explained the small belly.
Little did they know how much she had eaten recently to put on weight around her stomach, nearly bursting her stomach!
Then starving herself for the past few days—no wonder she felt awful. If it weren’t for her makeup, she would look terrible.
She touched her abdomen, which was actually wrapped tightly. In reality, her stomach was much flatter than before. After the incident occurred and she “lost the baby,” she could finally eat a proper meal.
Xia Xinzhi’s mind was filled with thoughts of various delicious foods. She desperately wanted to indulge in a feast – she was truly starving!
Starving oneself was truly miserable.
“Xinzhi.”
“Xiaoron, you’re finally here.”
Xia Xinzhi quickly closed the door. She had only invited Zhang Xiaoron as her bridesmaid. Zhang Xiaoron was the former classmate who had provided her with the fake pregnancy certificate. A few years ago, Xiaoron’s family had encountered significant financial troubles, and Xinzhi had helped her out.
“I brought the item for you.” Zhang Xiaoron took out a small blood bag from her purse, about half the size of a palm. “Later, tie this blood bag to your inner thigh. When Shen Wan bumps into you and you fall, puncture the blood bag. I’ve called my two cousins to come as well. In the chaos, they’ll help take you to the hospital where I work. If we act quickly, we can pull off this deception without a hitch.”
Zhang Xiaoron was doing this for the money. The amount Xia Xinzhi was paying her was significantly more than what she earned at the hospital.
“Good.”
Xia Xinzhi looked at the blood bag, her eyes hardening. This time, she would also get her revenge on Shen Wan for stealing her man.
……
“What’s this image?”
Wen Yingling inadvertently glimpsed the photo on Shen Wan’s phone. It was in black and white, vaguely resembling the shape of a fetus. Wen Yingling paused for a second. “Is this an ultrasound of a fetus?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Whose?” Wen Yingling instinctively glanced at Shen Wan’s abdomen, noting her slender waist. She silently breathed a sigh of relief, wondering why she had even considered that possibility.
“It’s from an online blogger. She’s been documenting every ultrasound since she got pregnant. I just happened to come across it.”
“I see.” Wen Yingling fell silent.
“Yingling, why did you look at my stomach just now? Did you think it was mine?”
Wen Yingling glanced at Shen Wan. “You’re mistaken. I didn’t look.”
“You definitely did. I’m not wrong about that,” Shen Wan said with certainty.
Wen Yingling conceded, “Fine, I looked. It was unconscious.”
“I could never have a child.”
Wen Yingling lowered her eyes, her voice cold as she said, “You will when you get married in the future.”
“I won’t.”
“Why not?” Wen Yingling asked reflexively.
Then she noticed Shen Wan’s pitiful gaze. “This world is so unfamiliar to me, truly frightening. The only person I can trust is you, Yingling. How could I possibly marry and have children? After experiencing a scoundrel like Lin Ming, I’ve given up on romantic relationships. Yingling, I might end up alone for life.”
Wen Yingling glanced at Shen Wan, who was clinging to her arm and resting her head on it. Her voice was low, audible only to the two of them. “I’m not interested in romantic relationships either. If you’re really afraid of this world, don’t you still have me?”
Whether her fear was genuine or not, as long as she didn’t disappear, there would always be a Wen Yingling to accompany her in this world.