Chapter 69: The Seed of Suspicion

Xie Zhuojun had a faint recollection of the day he woke up from his coma. His body had lost most of its sensation. Two experienced nurses were hired by the family to massage him, like experts do. His body was stiff though, and his muscles had languished after being still for two years. He was not even able to walk by himself or get dressed without help.

Shangguan Ning had kept him company and helped him with all the necessary exercises. She encouraged him when he was in too much pain to go on. She praised him when he made even a little progress.

In order to make him feel better, she would push him around in a wheelchair. No matter how hot-tempered he was, she would tolerate him and forgive him…

She never cared about her appearance. She was always dressed in an ordinary T-shirt and a pair of jeans. She wore no makeup. She spent all of her time taking care of him. She bought him luxurious clothes and shoes. Something that she denied herself even. She was happy when he was happy.

Unlike her, Xue would be dressed in luxurious and expensive clothes. She always bought the latest edition of shoes and bags. She used only branded perfumes and cosmetics. She put in a lot of effort to ensure that she looked her best everyday.

Four years later, Ning had changed completely. She looked so beautiful. The Jingsheng uniform consisted of a white blouse and a black skirt. It made her look elegant and intellectual. She was able to keep a hold on her emotions and stand up for herself when she needed to.

She was no longer the naive girl who knew nothing else apart from complying to his wishes all the time.

“Ning, you have changed.”

Xie Zhuojun’s tone had a hint of sorrow.

Shangguan Ning was about to leave but stopped, hearing his words.

She stared at him as if she were staring at an idiot. “Xie Zhuojun, do you expect me to still follow you around like a fool, like I used to? Should I wish you all the happiness and die a lonely death myself? It was you who cheated on me and our engagement. It was you who slept with someone else.”

“That is not what I meant, Ning. I hope you can have a good life too.” Xie Zhuojun looked up and explained anxiously.

He felt so guilty about his behaviour towards Shangguan Ning, everytime that she spoke of the past.

He and Xue had both hoped that Shangguan Ning would find someone else who was worthy of her and allow them both to move on with their lives as well.

Suddenly he was struck by a thought. Could that fierce man, whom they met the other day have been Shangguan Ning’s date?

“Ning, who was the man with you at the beach, the other day? He… doesn’t look like a good person. You better stay away from him to avoid being hurt by him later.”

“It is none of your business who I am with.” Shangguan Ning didn’t want anyone to bad mouth Jing Yichen ever. He was her husband and she would always defend him.

Xie Zhuojun felt that she was blind to the ways of the real world. So he sighed and tried to persuade her. “Don’t be impulsive. Don’t just settle for someone and be with him just to annoy me. Love can’t be forced and casual relationships were never your style. So then why do it, Ning? Why? Is it because he is rich? You do know that women of this day and age have learnt how to fend for themselves.”

Shangguan Ning was annoyed. “Xie Zhuojun, you are simply too narcissistic. Do you think that all girls in the world are in love with you?!”

She thought that it was necessary to clarify certain things with this man who thought that the world revolves around him.

“I don’t like you. Nor do I care about what you think. I don’t even need your concern. Every time I run into Shangguan Rouxue, things start to go wrong. She just provokes me and pretends to be all innocent. As for who I am with, it definitely has nothing to do with you. It is so ridiculous that you consider yourself to be this important, that your opinion would matter to me.

Xie Zhuojun was speechless. He never expected Shangguan Ning to get back at him with such sharp words.

A part of him still didn’t believe Shangguan Ning. He was about to say something when he accidentally noticed a diamond ring on Shangguan Ning’s index finger.

He burst out. “Are you married?” He could hardly conceal his astonishment.

Shangguan Ning didn’t say anything at all. She touched the ring and thought of the man she loved. She couldn’t help smiling.

Xie Zhuojun saw her expression clearly.

It was impossible! Absolutely impossible! It was him whom Shangguan Ning loved. How could she get married before him?

With her next words, Shangguan Ning burst his bubble.

“Yes, I am married.” She said.

She hadn’t planned to tell Xie Zhuojun, but he was simply too narcissistic. He and Shangguan Rouxue always brought her nothing but pain. She couldn’t handle them anymore. Now that she had told him that she was married, she hoped that he would never come back here again.

“When ? With whom? Where? Why didn’t I know about it? Are you lying?” Xie Zhuojun asked in disbelief. He wanted to know all the details.

Shangguan Ning looked at him and thought about how hopeless he was. Why should she divulge anything?

“I need to work now. Please leave, and don’t come back again.”

She turned around calmly, opened the door and walked out.

Xie Zhuojun stood in the guest room and didn’t move. He could still see the ring in his mind’s eye.

He knew Shangguan Ning well. She was a girl who liked simple things rather than flashy, complicated stuff. She didn’t like the jewellery most women loved. Had it not been a wedding ring, she would not have even worn it on her finger.

He pulled out his cell phone and was about to call Shangguan Rouxue and ask her if she knew about Shangguan Ning’s marriage. But then he held himself back and decided to pry around on his own first.

He put his cell phone back in his pocket, picked up his briefcase and left Jingsheng Enterprise.

Although he still trusted Shangguan Rouxue, he couldn’t help thinking about what Shangguan Ning had said.

She had said it time and again – Shangguan Rouxue was, in reality, a very different person from whom she pretended to be.

He remembered the incident when he was trying to trace down Shangguan Ning, all those years ago. He looked far and wide, for her latest telephone number, her home address or details of the place she worked at, but to no avail. Xue had managed to find all of Ning’s details, the very same day.

She must’ve had some powerful connections to be able to pull that off.

If Shangguan Ning could undergo such a drastic change from the kind of person she was,years ago.. was it possible for Xue to have changed too ?

No, that was impossible! He shouldn’t suspect Xue!