After finishing the drink, it marked the end of the evening's enjoyment.
"Alright, I won't stay any longer. We'll gather when Jingrong returns. I'm heading back now, and you're treating this time. I'm broke."
Setting down the empty glass, Shu Yimo grabbed the car keys nearby and abruptly stood up.
"Yimo... I have some, I can give you..."
Shi Xian stood up, a bit worried.
Shu Yimo frowned, unable to suppress a few coughs, her chest aching again. With a pale face, she waved her hand. Without waiting for Shi Xian to say another word, her slender figure had already disappeared past the dim wall lamp, vanishing at the staircase.
"You're always so stubborn. Even when you're like this, you act like it doesn't matter..."
Shi Xian watched Shu Yimo's disappearing figure, feeling an ache in her chest she couldn't suppress, her eyes welling up with an irrepressible sheen.
She, Shi Xian, had never felt heartache for anyone else, except Shu Yimo!
That Shu Yimo who would give up everything to protect her and Ling Jingrong!
...
Leaving early was due to the unbearable pain from the injuries on her body.
The incident in the prison a few days ago must have been premeditated. When she left the Lan Residence earlier, Long Chengyu gave her a bottle of medicinal liquor to apply to herself.
Shi Xian was highly observant, and Shu Yimo didn't want her to worry. She thought applying it after they met was soon enough. Recalling those unpleasant things always made her feel stifled, short of breath, and exacerbated the clarity and severity of the pain from her injuries.
Driving, Shu Yimo headed directly back to her apartment complex, the sky already having turned dark.
The wind remained cold, and the rain showed only a slight reduction.
Shu Yimo parked the car in the downstairs space, stepping out with a weary body and heading inside the apartment building.
Qinhuai Small Building, the name of this apartment building.
Three years ago, Shu Yimo purchased an apartment here, on the seventeenth floor. It wasn't large, two bedrooms and two living areas, less than a hundred square meters.
Comfortably and warmly decorated in a simple European style, one main bedroom, one study, it suited her solitary living.
She took a hot shower, pulled out the medicinal liquor, and endured the pain to apply it to her wounds. Then, she curled into the bed, drifting into a deep sleep.
...
Shu Yimo wasn't sure how long she had slept, only that she was abruptly awakened by a knock at the door.
Upon awakening, much of the pain had subsided.
The medicinal liquor Long Chengyu gave her was very effective; right after applying it yesterday, the pain eased slightly, and after waking from a night's sleep, at least she was not enduring that excruciating pain anymore.
She simply washed her face, then struggled to lift her arm to put on a trench coat, and finally went to open the door.
As soon as the door opened, a tall, dark figure came into view.
Seeing the visitor, Shu Yimo was momentarily stunned, her eyes flashing a hint of chill as she silently observed the man who suddenly appeared without speaking a word.
The man, dressed in a black suit, had a vaguely handsome face filled with solemn restraint. Even though he was over fifty years old, his good maintenance made him seem only around forty.
An Zijie, Shu Yimo's father.
Years in the political arena had molded him into a hardened, indifferent person.
So, upon seeing his daughter after two years, his face lacked any fluctuation of emotion.
"Why are you here?"
Shu Yimo's hoarse voice softly resonated.
An Zijie glanced at her, then stepped inside the room with large strides. When Shu Yimo turned to look, all she could see was his cold, retreating figure.
Shu Yimo closed the door and followed him.
An Zijie sat down on the living room sofa. Shu Yimo poured him a glass of water. She placed it in front of him and then sat on the sofa beside.
"Why were you released early?"
An Zijie's cold voice echoed, taking the water and sipping briefly.
Shu Yimo also glanced at him indifferently, lowered her gaze, and didn't reply.
"Was it your uncle's connections?"
Seeing Shu Yimo not responding, An Zijie asked.
"What, do you think I should have been locked up longer?"
Shu Yimo's tone was flat, devoid of detectable emotion.
"This time you went too far; you can't blame others. I can't control you, but you are a daughter of the An Family. Besides yourself, you must also consider us. All these years, I..."
"You've had it tough reaching your position! I know what you're about to say."
Shu Yimo interrupted, completing his thoughts herself.
She took a breath, leaned back slowly against the chair, and raised her indifferent eyes to her father, a smile forming on her lips, "You're quite the official, putting justice above family, sacrificing your woman isn't enough; even your own daughter became a stepping stone. I finally understand why my mother refused to marry you..."
"How could she be happy married to someone like you?"
"You wouldn't understand the issues between your mother and me. Besides, I never sacrificed her, not once, and I've said this many times!"
An Zijie's face cooled as he explained.
Shu Yimo chuckled indifferently, "Do you think I'd believe that? Much like two years ago when I said I didn't, you didn't believe me either, did you? Anyway, my mother has no consciousness now, nearing death without retaining her reputation, while you've risen smoothly. She must never have expected this result, right?"
"About your mother, the evidence is irrefutable; I'm powerless."
"Helpless? Do you believe my mother would do such things, knowing her character?"
Shu Yimo sneered and slightly leaned forward, meeting An Zijie's black eyes with her own, clear eyes, only one truth mired in the depths—
"Let's be honest. I know why you did it. It's just that you don't care about us at all. For my mother, you never tried to clear her name. When I was imprisoned, you stood by and watched. You bear no blame for reaching this point. I just want to see if you had any care for me, if the An Family cared at all!"
Pausing, she took a cold, sharp breath—
"No, none at all! For you, it's always been about your career."
In Shu Yimo's eyes, a chill flashed as she slightly straightened up, her gaze fixed on An Zijie's face.
An Zijie's expression cooled, his face dark with unpleasantness, his voice cold, "These two years inside haven't tempered your arrogance. Have you ever stood in my shoes or considered my position?"
The smile on Shu Yimo's lips grew colder.
Watching, An Zijie felt rage welling in his chest, ready to erupt. Yet, he restrained himself!
Every time the father and daughter met, it ended in discontent. This time was no different!
'Bang!'
The heavy door slam resounded. Staring at the closed door, Shu Yimo glanced at the still steaming glass of water, her gaze slowly chilling...