Ch. 1321..1330

Nothing To Give But My Heart Chapter 1321

Suddenly, Han Muzi stretched out her hands and wrapped them around Ye Moxuan, then gently rested her head on his shoulders. “Don’t you panic, and don’t you be afraid, for memories will only remain as memories. Other than messing with your mind, it has no other powers. Let bygones be bygones. I am now by your side, as well as Little Bean and Little Sprout, and your grandfather too.”

The soft tone of Han Muzi’s words were like soothing sounds caressing Ye Moxuan’s heart. His fingers twitched as he wrapped Little Sprout in his arms even tighter now. The two corners of his lips lifted and formed a smile. What Muzi said was right. Although he had gone through some stormlike trials, what was most important now was having his loved ones with him. He was indeed on the brink of death, but wasn’t he alive and well now?

At that, Ye Moxuan raised his eyebrows. “Are you saying these things so that I will stop following you?”

Han Muzi let out a gentle cough with an awkward expression. “I didn’t mean that. You were looking so sad just now and I only wanted to comfort you. Otherwise, you might go crazy one day for thinking too much.”

Ye Moxuan cast a short glance at her and reached out his finger to pinch her nose. “Naughty girl.”

The two of them were like lovebirds, fooling around and displaying playful affection at each other.

Ever since Lin Xuzheng had bumped into Xu Yanwan the other day in Han Group, he had been feeling restless. So he hired someone to investigate Xu Yanwan’s background. After all, she had all of a sudden declared that she was bankrupt, and he wanted to find out why.

After the investigation was completed, he found out how Xu Group came to a downfall from a prestigious international company. Upon reading those information, Lin Xuzheng was overwhelmed by how a powerful corporation like Xu Group could collapse just like that. Just overnight, Xu Yanwan was left all alone in the Xu Family.

Humans had feelings, even toward strangers. After finding out about Xu Yanwan’s encounters, he felt a gush of empathy and compassion for her, not to mention that the three of them had been growing up together since they were young. Perhaps the reason for this was also because of his treating Xu Yanwan like his own sister. And most importantly, he had always been aware about her feelings for Han Qing. However, Lin Xuzheng had always thought that Han Qing was like a lone ranger who would never marry, and that Xu Yanwan’s feelings toward him were destined to be unrequited. What he didn’t expect was the appearance of Yan who won over Han Qing’s heart in the end. He also didn’t expect that Xu Yanwan’s family business would go bankrupt, leaving her alone to make ends meet and subsequently came to work in Han Group.

He grew more restless just by thinking about these. But soon after that, his lips lifted and turned to a sneaky grin. His friend, Han Qing had always been calm and rational. Lin Xuzheng wondered how would Han Qing have reacted if he had two women—one of them was his childhood sweetheart, while the other was his beloved woman—fighting for him? Honestly, Lin Xuzheng was very keen to see the reaction of Han Qing, but the consequences would be too huge to bear. Thus, Lin Xuzheng planned to ask Xu Yanwan out for a chat.

When Xu Yanwan received the call from Lin Xuzheng, she wasn’t surprised at all. Ever since that day that they had bumped into each other in the office, Xu Yanwan had figured that he would come looking for her very soon. “You were faster than I thought. Although you were not managing the company all these years, it seems to me that the power of Lin Group in North City had not diminished at all.”

Smiling, Lin Xuzheng said, “It looks like you have already expected that I would be looking for you?”

“Yes.” Xu Yanwan nodded. “I just didn’t expect that it would be so soon.”

Instead of beating around the bush, Lin Xuzheng asked her out for a meet-up straight away. They fixed a date to meet in a cafe. As Lin Xuzheng was sitting there waiting on the second floor, his range of vision covered well over the boundaries of the building below. From afar, he could see Xu Yanwan walking toward the cafe through the window.

In her olden days, Xu Yanwan had the services of her chauffeur with her private car at her disposal, bringing her to wherever she wanted to go. All of her attire and accessories were only luxurious items. In contrast, her dressing today was no different from what she wore on the first day he saw her in the office. It was definitely not tailored-made for her and the heels that she was wearing were obviously not fit for her too. The woman who was once the Young Lady of the Xu Family had been degraded to this state.

Taking a sip from his cup of coffee, Lin Xuzheng was finding difficulty in explaining his mix of emotions. Back then, the three of them had a close bond with each other. They were still young and naive. When Lin Xuzheng was in a relationship with his girlfriend later on, he slowly drifted away from the group. Then, Xu Yanwan migrated with her parents. And now…

Xu Yanwan stepped into the cafe. After mentioning her name to the waitress, she was led upstairs.

“Here.” Lin Xuzheng stood up and pulled out the chair for Xu Yanwan like a gentleman.

Watching this scene, Xu Yanwan stood at her spot. After a while, she finally commented, “I’m no longer the Young Lady of the Xu Family, so please stop doing all of these.”

Lin Xuzheng raised his eyebrows. “Xu Yanwan, do you think I did this because of your status?”

Xu Yanwan pursed her lips, staying silent.

“It’s for the sake of our past friendship for growing up together. Do you understand?” Still speaking, Lin Xuzheng angled his finger and flung it against Xu Yanwan’s forehead. “Your whole family is bankrupt but you could at least see me as a big brother, right?”

“Brother?” Xu Yanwan was startled, staring back at Lin Xuzheng.

“We grew up together since we were young. When I was a teenager, you were only this tall.” Lin Xuzheng gestured with a wave of his hand. “When you went to school and was courted by the boys who stalked you after you rejected them, I settled the matter for you.”

Xu Yanwan plunged into those memories as they started to surface in her mind. Indeed, the three of them grew up together. She was the only girl among them, so she was always under an extra amount of special protection. But all of these extra protections mostly came from Lin Xuzheng, not from Han Qing… Unless she requested help from him personally, or if he had happened to be at the scene, then he would have no choice but to help her.

“It’s just a bankruptcy. You are a big girl now; you can overcome all these difficulties. There is nothing to be upset about.”

Xu Yanwan glanced down as she chuckled. “Yes, it’s just a bankruptcy.”

It’s just a bankruptcy… What’s the big deal? she thought. It was really not a big deal, but Xu Yanwan just wanted to break down and cry. After all, she had nothing left. She had even lost Han Qing who was so perfect. With that, Xu Yanwan’s eyes began to well up with tears.

“I have no other intentions. The reason for my asking you out today was just for a catch-up as a friend.”

After Lin Xuzheng beckoned her to have a seat, Xu Yanwan tried to compose herself as she raised up her head with some sense of dignity.

Nothing To Give But My Heart Chapter 1322

“Here, choose anything that you’d like to eat.” Lin Xuzheng passed the menu to her and said, “I remember you used to like dessert. Would you like to have one?”

“No.” Xu Yanwan shook her head, “I am not keen for dessert anymore like I used to.”

Desserts could lift up one’s spirits. However, they could pose quite a number of disadvantages too. Besides increasing the chances of weight gain and diabetes, they caused an elevated blood sugar level. Come to think of it, there wasn’t a need for Lin Xuzheng to be concerned about this in the past, because her parents would keep an eye on her eating habits whenever she had too much dessert. But now?

She had nothing and no one else to care for her; no one would check on her if she had a good night’s sleep. She had to learn how to stand on her own feet and take good care of herself, not overexerting too much over things which were beyond her abilities.

At last, Xu Yanwan ordered a cup of black coffee. Across the table, Lin Xuzheng was left speechless when he saw what she ordered. She was staying away from the food that she used to like; as for the food that she disliked, she even…

Staring at Xu Yanwan, Lin Xuzheng’s feelings of empathy toward her grew stronger—he recalled how devastated he too had been when he lost his wife. Even until now, he was not confident enough to say that he had completely overcome the agony of grief.

Sipping her coffee, Xu Yanwan could taste the bitterness in her tongue and mouth as it slowly dripped and spread into the depths of her heart. She wasn’t even sure whether it was just the pure taste of the coffee or her mood that was bitter. Only after drinking half of her coffee did Xu Yanwan finally look up and raise her gaze at Lin Xuzheng. “Xuzheng, just shoot. You asked me out because you have something to tell me, right?”

Lin Xuzheng was lost for words as he was taken aback by her abrupt question. Sigh, this girl really is smart and quick-witted. I asked her out just this once but she could already figure out my intention. “What’s wrong? I can’t ask you out for a chat? Must I have something specific to tell you?

Xu Yanwan gave a weak smile. “I don’t think it’s that simple. The other day when we met at the office, you looked like you had a lot going on in your mind and you wanted to speak with me but you didn’t. You were probably occupied with something else, so you didn’t come up to me. That was not too long ago, and you have now asked me out. Something is definitely up.”

“Alright, you are still smart like before.”

“Go ahead, Xuzheng. What do you want to tell me?”

“It’s nothing. I recall that there were always the three of us together. You were abroad before this, so we didn’t have any chance to meet up. Now that you are back, I want to take this opportunity to ask Han Qing along, so that the three of us can catch up with each other.”

Xu Yanwan frowned after hearing what he said. Ask Han Qing along?

“Yanwan, if you agree, I can call Han Qing now and fix the time—”

“No!” Xu Yanwan interrupted him and declined his offer even before Lin Xuzheng could finish his sentence.

“I am who I am now and not the old Xu Yanwan anymore. Let bygones be bygones. There’s no point to reminisce.” Upon finishing her sentence, Xu Yanwan stood up and quickly walked toward the exit.

With a flash in Lin Xuzheng’s eyes, he ran after her to stop her.

“Lin Xuzheng.” Xu Yanwan raised her head to look at him, not expecting that he would block her way. “What do you really want? You wanted Han Qing and I to meet up so that he will find out that I’m working in his company now. That’s your true motive, right?”

Lin Xuzheng couldn’t admit it, but Xu Yanwan hit the nail on the head this time. He indeed wanted Han Qing to find out about this. Xu Yanwan’s smile had now become sorrowful, her eyes filled with disappointment. “I didn’t expect that you who claim to be my brother would plot against me.”

“Yanwan, how is this plotting? Now with your situation, why are you still being so stubborn?”

“So are you feeling sorry for me now?” Xu Yanwan approached him closer and closer one step at a time, with her hands pressing on her chest. “You think that my job is too lowly, or that I’m broke and miserable, or that I must be pitiful as both of my parents are now dead, so you want to extend your hand of charity? Are you treating me like I’m some sort of a beggar?”

Lin Xuzheng was about to comfort her but after hearing what she said—the last part was too much—he was enraged. “Xu Yanwan!” Xu Yanwan came to a halt and stood there at the same spot. “If you still cherish the friendship we have since we were young, then you should know that we are always good friends. It’s the most logical and reasonable thing for friends to help each other out. What are you thinking? Why are you acting against us?”

It is reasonable for friends to help each other out. Yes, that’s what Xu Yanwan used to think. But why couldn’t she accept this now?

Watching her standing there in silence, Lin Xuzheng said, “No, I should correct myself. You are not against us.”

Xu Yanwan shivered a little and seemed to know what he was about to say. She intended to interrupt him, but it was too late.

“Perhaps the person you are against is Han Qing!”

Xu Yanwan’s eyes widened, staring at Lin Xuzheng. She let out a voice and chuckled. “Why do you say so?”

“Am I wrong to say that?” Lin Xuzheng pursed his lips, marching toward the table and sat on this seat, tapping his index finger on the table. “You agreed to meet up with me and talk with me. Now when I mentioned Han Qing, you are acting like you were hurt. So why don’t I guess the reason why you are against Han Qing?”

“Stop it!” Xu Yanwan interrupted him again.

“Is it because you don’t want to listen or is it because you are too afraid to listen?”

“Lin Xuzheng!”

“I always knew that you liked him since we were young.” At last, Lin Xuzheng had spoken his mind. With a stunned look on her face, Xu Yanwan looked at him in a daze, not believing that he had actually said it.

Hearing her own thoughts spoken out loud in words, Xu Yanwan was dumbfounded and speechless. “So? What’s your point of telling me these?”

Lin Xuzheng was quiet. Xu Yanwan was taking steps toward him now. “If you refuse to answer, I will answer it for you. You think that because of my feelings for Han Qing that made me want to work in the same company as he is, right?”

Upon hearing this, Lin Xuzheng frowned.

“So now, is it beyond my understanding that I no longer have the right to choose a company and work there? Lin Xuzheng, why do you have to stick your nose in my affairs? When I sent my resume to the employers, Han Group was just one of them. They recruited me. What’s the problem with me working in Han Group? I don’t want Han Qing to know about my presence here in the company. I just want to work hard and that’s all. Is there something wrong about that?” Xu Yanwan who used to be calm and soft-spoken almost lost her temper in front of her “brother” whom she grew up with.

Lin Xuzheng approached Xu Yanwan as he walked in front of her. He lowered his head and gazed upon her. “Work hard? But are you sure that is truly on your mind?”

Nothing To Give But My Heart Chapter 1323

Lin Xuzheng and Xu Yanwan grew up together. He knew her too well. Aside from her parents, he was the person who understood her the most. Lin Xuzheng was like a mind-reader, skilled in observing and analyzing human behavior. Xu Yanwan was also capable of hiding her true feelings. If he hadn’t grown up with her, Lin Xuzheng probably would not be able to read her mind or understood her well too.

“What do you mean?” Xu Yanwan looked at him in surprise, smiling uncomfortably.

Wearing a serious expression on his face, Lin Xuzheng continued, “You have joined the Han Group for quite some time now, so you must have known that Han Qing has a girlfriend.”

“So what?” Xu Yanwan asked.

Lin Xuzheng frowned. So what? “Don’t you like him?”

“I do. I won’t pretend in front of you. I do like him, but what does it have to do with him having a girlfriend?”

Lin Xuzheng was dumbstruck and couldn’t respond.

“Just because he has a girlfriend now, does it mean that I can’t have a secret crush on him?” Xu Yanwan pressed her chest, emphasizing every word out loud. “I grew up with Han Qing together. I have loved him for as long as I have known him. Even after I went overseas, I have never stopped loving him. Just because he has a girlfriend now, must I relinquish all my feelings toward him? Can’t I even work in the same company with him?”

Lin Xuzheng was lost for words from her string of questions. But soon, he found a way to respond. He strided forward, rested his arm on Xu Yanwan’s shoulders and uttered softly, “He found someone that he loves now. Why do you have to do this?”

“I am willing to do it.” Xu Yanwan drew back from him by taking a step back. She glanced coldly at Lin Xuzheng. “It’s my business that l like him and it has nothing to do with anyone else. Even if we grew up together, you have no right to pry into my personal life.”

Lin Xuzheng pressed on. “Even if he never loves you back, is it okay too?”

“Yes!”

Lin Xuzheng’s lips moved, about to say something. Upon seeing this, Xu Yanwan immediately cut him off before he could speak a word. “Xuzheng, please say no more. Nobody can interfere with one’s relationship. I believe you know this better than me. If someone comes along and tells you to let go of your late wife and remarry, would you agree?”

Her words pierced deeply through his heart. Lin Xuzheng’s late wife was the soul of his life and no one was allowed to blaspheme about their relationship. If someone were to tell him to remarry, he would turn against him. At the beginning, there were people who tried to talk him into it. But later on, nobody ever did it again.

“You have nothing to say now, haven’t you? Great, from now onward, please don’t talk to me about this anymore. Rest assured, I won’t do anything else.” Xu Yanwan sniggered at the last sentence. Thereafter, she turned her back to him and left.

Lin Xuzheng stood still and stared blankly for a while before he drifted back to reality. He sat down and gently pressed his forehead between his eyebrows. What a headache. Xu Yanwan was way more stubborn than he thought. After so many years, she had changed a lot. The only thing that remained unchanged was her stubbornness. She won’t do anything else? He sure hoped that was true. Or else… the last thing he wanted was for Han Qing and Xu Yanwan to turn against each other. Otherwise, the relationship that they once shared and cherished in the past would be shattered completely.

What Lin Xuzheng had in mind was to take on Xu Yanwan to work in his company so that he could watch over and take care of her. After all, it broke his heart to see her in such a pitiable condition. Too bad, she was too bull-headed.

After Xu Yanwan left the cafe, she turned the corner and stood still. Tugging a strand of her hair behind the ear, she wiped off the tears that were starting to well up in her eyes. Until today, she never felt that the world was an unfair place. In the end, it was all because of what her father did that resulted in the current state with the Xu Family. She was also holding herself responsible for not stopping her father in time. But what about now?

What had she done wrong? She was only working in a company and that was all. Yet, Lin Xuzheng had called her out. Although they grew up together, it was obvious from his tone and words that he never cared for her personally. He didn’t even ask me how I was, Xu Yanwan thought.

Xu Yanwan was not counting on Lin Xuzheng to care for her, but she was only hoping that he would not meddle in her affairs. What he did today was well over his boundaries.

Xu Yanwan shut her eyes in an attempt to calm herself down. After pulling herself together, she hurriedly left. Before long, she was back in the office. In fact, she had applied for a half-day leave to meet Lin Xuzheng, so her supervisor was surprised to see her returning to the office so soon. “Yanwan? Didn’t you take half a day off? Why are you back so quickly?”

Xu Yanwan smiled as she uttered, “Miss Wenwen, it was all settled, so I came back early.”

“I see.” Jiang Wenwen glanced at her in satisfaction. “Excellent, you have all your focus on your work. But I notice that your eyes are a little reddish. Were you crying?” Upon finishing her words, Jiang Wenwen loomed forward to face Xu Yanwan, looking hard at her.

Her sudden approach had startled Xu Yanwan. Shaking her head with a smile on her face, she explained, “No, it was the sand that got into my eyes while I was walking by the road just now. I rubbed my eyes and that was how I got them. Do I look awful, Miss Wenwen? I think I should go to the bathroom to freshen up.”

“No, no, it’s not awful! You are a pretty girl, and you look even more adorable with those pinky eyes.” Jiang Wenwen patted her shoulders tenderly. “Silly girl, you are very capable, but your personality… is too stubborn. If you have any difficulties, feel free to share them with me. I’m not young anymore and I have gone through quite a lot—I can help in solving your problems.”

“Thanks for your concern, Miss Wenwen. That’s nice of you.”

“Silly girl, you better go to the bathroom and wash your eyes.” Jiang Wenwen gently pushed her shoulders while Xu Yanwen left after that.

Just as she had walked away, Jiang Wenwen spotted from the corner of her eye a silhouette hiding at the entryway. At the moment she glanced toward the entrance, the person quickly shrunk behind the door.

Jiang Wenwen narrowed her eyes as she strode toward the door. “It’s you?”

The receptionist was caught speechless.

“What are you doing in my department?” Jiang Wenwen was then silent for a while.

The receptionist took a quick glance at where Xu Yanwan stood earlier as she inquired, “Miss Wenwen, is Xu Yanwan working under your supervision?”

“Yes, that girl is hardworking and smart. I plan to provide her with more training, as she is soon potentially my new helpful assistant.”

Nothing To Give But My Heart Chapter 1324

“Is she that smart?” The receptionist wondered as she rested her hand on her chin. With an expression full of doubts, she asked, “Is she that efficient?”

“Definitely. She is extraordinary.” After saying that, Jiang Wenwen looked at her curiously. “Why are you asking this? Did you put aside your work and come all the way here just to gossip with me?”

“No, of course not. I just want to make sure if she is here.”

Jiang Wenwen’s suspicion toward her only grew stronger upon hearing what she said. This receptionist was such a busybody. She was the one who frequently spread gossip in the group chat. Right now, she was even here discussing with her about Xu Yanwan.

Or could it be that there’s something worth gossiping about Xu Yanwan?

While Jiang Wenwen was immersed in her own thoughts, her string of doubts were interrupted by what the receptionist uttered next.

“Wenwen, you have such great foresight. Who knows? If you treat her well, you might get promoted in the future.”

Jiang Wenwen remained silent. She couldn’t comprehend what she had just heard.

Surprised at the clueless look she caught from Jiang Wenwen, the receptionist asked, “Wenwen, don’t you know who she is?”

“Who are you referring to? Are we talking about the same person?” Jiang Wenwen shot back at her question.

“You are so slow-witted, Wenwen! She is the one that we’re always talking about in the group chat. She is President Han’s fiancée!”

Jiang Wenwen was dumbstruck and at a loss for words.

“What? Xu Yanwan is President Han’s fiancée?”

The receptionist was slightly speechless when she saw Jiang Wenwen’s shocked expression. “Wenwen, you are really unbelievable. She was around you all these while, and yet you didn’t realize anything until now.”

How would Jiang Wenwen have known about that? She didn’t expect that President Han’s fiancée would be working under her supervision and taking instructions from her.

Seriously?

“What should I do now? Since she is President Han’s fiancée, does President Han know that she is here? If he knows that I keep giving her orders with all these tasks to carry out, what will happen to me?”

“What are you thinking, Wenwen? Even if she is his fiancée, let’s not forget about the fact that he has another girlfriend. We still can’t say for certain if she would successfully get rid of his girlfriend and officially become Mrs. Han, but… since you said that she is smart, I think she might have ways of getting rid of that kept woman.”

Jiang Wenwen replied, “Is that so? She is so quiet and dedicated to her job. I think she is here to work.”

“How is that possible, Wenwen? If she is only here for work, why must she choose to work at Han Group? Why not somewhere else? I think she is just lurking around here while waiting for her chance!”

After hearing what the receptionist said, Jiang Wenwen actually thought what everything she said made perfect sense. Yes, why would Xu Yanwan pick Han Group if she just wanted a job?

She could’ve picked somewhere else. Since she is here, does that mean…

Jiang Wenwen and the receptionist exchanged looks at each other.

“Would it be too late for me to get on her good side now?”

“We have to plan this out well. It would be wise for us to shower her with all the flattery if she could successfully eliminate President Han’s current girlfriend and become his official wife. But what if she fails? That current girlfriend is whom President Han chose for himself. If she did successfully become Mrs. Han in the future, what would happen if she found out about what we have done? Would she…”

“You are overthinking, Wenwen. So what if she is his girlfriend? She is still a kept woman, and a kept woman deserves to be punished!”

“But from the beginning, the wife is always defeated by the mistress.”

The receptionist was unable to refute that.

Jiang Wenwen’s reasoning and explanation made sense too. With that, they both caught themselves in a dilemma.

“Let’s see how it goes later on.”

“Why don’t you go back first? ”

After Jiang Wenwen ushered the receptionist away, she went back to her place and sat down. With eyes staring at Xu Yanwan’s seat, she appeared to be in deep thoughts.

Prior to that, she had no idea that Xu Yanwan had this other identity. Xu Yanwan gave her a good impression as a smart new employee, and she even felt glad about it. Besides, Jiang Wenwen also felt that Xu Yanwan would be of great help to her if she spent some effort to train and mold Xu Yanwan as her assistant.

However, it turned out that she was President Han’s fiancée.

Even though this identity of Xu Yanwan’s had not been verified, she did not brag about it publicly. Besides, it was said that she left with President Han’s sister and only came back to Han Group now.

Jiang Wenwen entered the group chat and started to discuss it with everyone there.

“Guys, is it true that Xu Yanwan is President Han’s fiancée? Has anyone of you investigated and verified her identity?”

Initially, everyone in the group chat was talking about something else and they kept quiet when they first saw Jiang Wenwen’s message. Shortly after that, they started a heated discussion on this matter.

“Even though it is not official, I don’t think she is lying. After all, not everyone can pretend to be President Han’s fiancée. He is not an ordinary man. Many people have come and look for President Han, but none of them were bold enough to impersonate as someone related to him.”

“I agree. She can’t be that stupid to work in Han Group if she lied about being President Han’s fiancée.”

“Why are you suspecting her all of a sudden, Wenwen? Could it be that you don’t think she is President Han’s fiancée?”

Jiang Wenwen saw that message and replied instantly, “Don’t you think that we should verify this first? We can’t just assume what she said is true. It can be risky.”

“How can we verify it then?”

“It’s simple.”

Jiang Wenwen began to put her thoughts into words by typing it out to everyone in the group chat.

At the sight of Xu Yanwan coming back from washing her face in the restroom, Jiang Wenwen instantly went up to her and held her hands in a friendly manner.

“My dear Yanwan, after deep consideration, I think that you should share your concerns with me. I shall help you with your burdens.”

Xu Yanwan was doubtful upon hearing those words. Why do I feel like Jiang Wenwen’s attitude is different?

“Wenwen, is everything alright?”

Jiang Wenwen was taken aback by her response. She couldn’t believe how smart Xu Yanwan was. Xu Yanwan could sense that something was up solely based on what she just said.

Jiang Wenwen put on a sweet smile as she thought of that.

“Of course! Nothing happened, my dear. What are you thinking? I realize that you took a half-day leave but you came back so soon, not to mention with a pair of swollen eyes. That breaks my heart. You said that you are fine, but I still think that you should share your problems. That will be better for you. What if you are distracted by your emotions during your work?”

After hearing what she said, Xu Yanwan finally let her guard down.

So, it was because of work that had caused Jiang Wenwen to act differently than usual. Xu Yanwan thought that something had happened.

Then again, what could’ve happened during that short period of time I was in the restroom? I must have lost my mind these few days, thanks to my colleagues.

“Don’t worry, Wenwen. I won’t let my personal issues affect my work.”

Nothing To Give But My Heart Chapter 1325

Seeing her being so quiet, Jiang Wenwen knew that she wouldn’t be able to press on, but she did not want to give up either. With that, she could only change her method of asking questions.

“Oh right, what course did you take the last time? Why did you choose to work for our company?”

Now that Jiang Wenwen brought up the past, Xu Yanwan kept her guards up again.

Perhaps because of the many hardships she had experienced, she grew more vigilant and cautious around other people.

Xu Yanwan thought to herself that she wouldn’t trust anyone again except for Han Qing.

“My family business couldn’t thrive, and we had some financial problems. So, I have started working instead.”

That wasn’t considered a lie, nor was she eager in revealing everything about herself neither. Xu Yanwan was satisfied with her own response, and she had no intentions of answering more questions. Thereafter, she changed the topic immediately. “Wenwen, I haven’t organized the data you gave me this morning. I shall do it now and send it to you later.”

It looks like she is not keen to say anything further, Jiang Wenwen thought to herself.

A thought flashed through Jiang Wenwen’s mind as she nodded nonchalantly.

“Sure, go ahead.”

After Xu Yanwan left, Jiang Wenwen started to have second thoughts about her. Indeed, this woman is not an easy opponent. She is careful with her words, and it’s impossible for me to dig out anything from her.

But she couldn’t ask her in a direct way either.

That was frustrating.

Ever since Yan found out about her pregnancy, she was more mindful with everything she was doing. She even tried to tone down her actions by not having big movements or by skipping and jumping about freely. Instead of her usual tight jeans, she had changed her dressing into loose skirts or a hooded sweatshirt dress.

Luo Huimei would tease Yan when she saw her dressed like that.

“Have you changed your preferences, or what now?”

Yan looked away with guilt. “No I didn’t. I just felt like trying on cute styles these days and looking more youthful.”

Luo Huimei rolled her eyes at what she heard. “Oh please, are you pretending to be young at your age? Be careful. You might scare some people away.”

Hearing what Luo Huimei said, Yan stuck out her tongue and pulled a funny face at her before running away.

After running for a few steps, she stopped and subconsciously touched her belly. Startled, she thought to herself how it slipped her mind for a moment again that she was now pregnant.

She had to constantly remind herself that she was now expecting a baby. Even though the fetus was only one month old, she felt empowered with energy.

Such a blessed feeling.

She really, really wanted to share this happiness with Han Qing, but it wasn’t the right time to tell him now; she would keep it from him at the moment.

Anyway, there was still a long time to go before the fetus would be entirely formed, and she was not anxious about it either. Therefore, she decided to wait it out patiently.

Although Yan was pregnant and didn’t feel like going places, she would still leave the house for Han Qing. As usual, she boiled some soup and was making preparations to bring it to him in an insulated lunch box.

Mr. Zhou felt a tint of jealousy when he saw that. He whined to Luo Huimei, “They said a married daughter is no longer a family member and has to be devoted to their husband. Look! Our daughter has not yet been given in marriage, but she is already devoted to someone else!”

Upon hearing that, Luo Huimei stared at Yan’s back as she was leaving. Shaking her head helplessly, she sighed. “I know, our daughter is so deeply in love with Qing.”

“I am afraid that she will be at a disadvantage in the future.”

“What are you talking about? Qing understands Yan, and he treats her pretty well. She won’t be at a disadvantage .”

Mr. Zhou clenched his fist. “Anyway, if he dares to let my daughter suffer, I will punch him and make him a handicap, even if it costs me my life.”

Hearing that, Luo Huimei didn’t know what to say.

When Yan arrived at Han Qing’s company, the receptionist immediately recognized her and greeted her.

Their usual greetings consisted of mere nods at each other. However, today, the receptionist came out from her desk and went up to Yan.

“Wait a moment…”

Yan was shocked.

The receptionist smilingly looked at the insulated lunch box that Yan held in her hands, and asked her gently, “Are you here to deliver soup to President Han again?”

Yan responded with a nod and asked, “Is there something wrong?”

“No, nothing at all!” The receptionist waved her hands with a shy expression on her face. “It’s just that I have a question to ask you.”

“What is it?”

“I had some noodles in your restaurant before. It was so delicious!”

When Yan heard about the compliments about her food, her impression of the receptionist changed. With eyes glowing with excitement, she beamed, “You like the noodles? That’s great. You can come by as often as you want.”

“Really?” The receptionist was shocked, her eyes wide open. “Don’t you dislike me? We used to have conflicts before.”

“Why would I dislike you? It was all in the past.”

If she had held a grudge against her, she wouldn’t have greeted her everytime she came in from the entrance.

“You are such a nice person,” the receptionist said. “No wonder President Han likes you, and you became his girlfriend.”

Yan’s cheeks became flushed upon hearing those words. Not knowing how to respond, she let out a gentle cough.

Out of a sudden, the receptionist stepped in closer and held her arms intimately. Feeling flustered, Yan wasn’t sure how to respond from the unexpected display of affection. Not only that, she wasn’t really fond of it.

She seldom came as close to someone, what more from a receptionist who was just an acquaintance. Moreover, she thought that it would be rude to just push her away like that. Besides, she was afraid that her gesture would hurt the receptionist too, so she decided to be patient.

“You’ve decided to forgive me? Can I get a discount at my next visit to your restaurant if I mention that you’re my friend? Your noodles are so tasty. If I were not able to resist myself and go there every day, I might end up spending all of my salary there.”

Yan couldn’t help but laugh at what the receptionist said. “Don’t worry, that won’t happen. Our noodles are affordable at a reasonable price. But since you are an employee of Han Group, I will give you a 20% discount for your meals at our restaurant.”

“Really? Thank you! You are such a nice person! Can I chat with you for a little while more?”

With all the praises about the food at her restaurant, Yan let her guard down as she continued her conversation with the receptionist.

Sensing a lowered sense of cautiousness from Yan, the receptionist grabbed the chance and further inquired, “Did you know that all of us have been envious of you as President Han’s girlfriend? We think that you are so blessed and capable because you have captured the heart of such a qualified man like President Han. How did you do it?”

“Umm…” Yan bit her lips and thought about it for a moment, before answering with a slight tilt of her head, “Perhaps it was because I’m a thick-skinned person?”

“Thick-skinned?” The receptionist was shocked. “What do you mean by that?”

Yan smiled in a shy manner. “I was the one who pursued him, and I did that for quite a long time.”

She didn’t put much thought into what she said because she just treated it as an innocent conversation between them girls.

Upon hearing that, the receptionist replied, “You were the one who pursued him? Wow, I can’t believe this! There used to be some employees in the company who wanted to pursue President Han too, but none succeeded. You must have some special method, right? Other than that, why would President Han fall in love with you?”

Special method? Aside from being thick-skinned and having strong determination, Yan couldn’t think of any other special method.

After a moment of deliberation, she just shook her head.

Nothing To Give But My Heart Chapter 1326

“In my opinion, there isn’t a particular way around this. All that matters is that the feelings reciprocate and both parties can sense one another’s feelings.”

“Is that so?” The receptionist responded with a puzzled look on her face. “Even if the other person can sense your feelings, they need to develop the same feelings for you too. Whose feelings are not true here? Nevertheless, you are the only one who succeeded as President Han’s girlfriend. Tell me, what was your trick to get him wrapped around your fingers like that?”

Trick?

The sound of that word subconsciously painted a frown on Yan’s face as she composed herself to correct the receptionist’s statement.

“There are no tricks. How could you use such a word in describing a relationship? What we have is real.”

Feeling somehow irritated by how Yan’s answers were not on point, the receptionist snapped, “Why don’t you just cut to the chase and tell me what made President Han fall for you? There is no point in beating around the bush. The point here is not whether it is real or not!”

At this point, Yan was speechless.

Thinking that she must have misheard what was said, Yan could not contain the astonishment in her gaze toward the receptionist.

Judging from the look in Yan’s eyes and her facial expression, the receptionist realized that her anxiousness got the better of her and she might have crossed the line by speaking words she shouldn’t have. At that, she quickly attempted to explain what she had meant.

“Um… I was a little tense earlier and may have overstepped some boundaries with my words. I am very sorry for that.”

Although the receptionist seemed sincere with her apologetic gestures, Yan still doubted her intentions and nodded perfunctorily.

“Well then, if there are no further questions, I will be on my way. This soup needs to be delivered to Han Qing.”

She then gestured to the flask in her hands.

Despite having the luxury of time, Yan decided to take her leave as the receptionist was a bore with all her badgering questions, leaving Yan with no clue as to how to respond.

Seeing that there was not much of a conversation to strike up any further, the receptionist did not press on further and let Yan carry on with her way.

Shortly after Yan left, the receptionist let out a disdainful laugh.

Sure enough, President Han was pursued by her. She must be ashamed to share the details out of fear that her tricks will be perceived by others.

At that instant, the receptionist pulled out her cell phone as she notified those who were in the group with her presumptions.

Immediately, people in the chat group became riled up upon hearing this.

“I’m positive that this woman must have pulled off some brazen acts! In addition to selling noodles, she is also a shameless seductress. Ugh! What a cunning woman!”

“Why is she so reluctant to share? What could be so embarrassing that she cannot bring herself to speak about it? After all, she is supposedly the President’s wife in the future!”

“If only I had known that President Han would succumb to such contemptible methods, I too would… I would have…”

With just that one sentence, it spoke the minds of all the women in the chat group.

Now, not all the women in Han Qing’s staff shared the same ideology. It was only this group of women who enjoyed their fair share of gossip, much like the saying birds of a feather flock together.

What started off with a good number of people in the group started dissipating as the gossips began making their rounds in their dialogs. When they got into swearing, even more people withdrew from the group.

Gradually, only several meddlesome ones were left.

They rarely interacted with one another, unless of course, it involved conversations about other people’s private lives which really did not concern them. Those affairs seem particularly exhilarating to them.

Yan could barely piece together the brief conversation she had with the receptionist. At the same time, she could not shake off the odd feeling she was sensing from her. What was the receptionist trying to find out? Could she possibly be asking about the way of pursuing Han Qing? Should that not be the case, why was she so persistent in asking so many questions, even to the extent of lashing out in anger when I was not feeding her the answers she wanted?

While she was replaying the scene in her mind, Yan had unknowingly headed in the wrong direction. She only came to realize about it as she was wondering where the elevator was after walking for quite a distance.

I’ve taken the wrong way!

With a flash of thought of turning back, Yan spotted an elevator in front of her. However, it was not one used exclusively by Han Qing.

Regardless, she would still arrive at the floor that Han Qing was on.

Yan then quickly walked over and pressed the elevator button.

At that moment, another hand too was reaching out. Their hands touched ever so lightly as they retracted as fast as they brushed their hands against each other. Slowly, both of them looked up when their eyes met.

Yan was laying her gaze on a girl of a thin and slender figure, who was well suited up. She had fair skin, delicate facial features with a soft look in her eyes. Carrying herself with a gentle and elegant composure, she also had a disposition of one who was well-educated.

As for Xu Yanwan, her pupils shrunk when she casted a glance on Yan, her heart skipping a beat. Nevertheless, she quickly composed herself.

She was caught off guard as she was not expecting to run into Yan.

It was Han Qing’s … girlfriend.

His current girlfriend.

Xu Yanwan had not expected to meet Yan so soon. Looking at her innocent eyes, Yan threw her a warm and kind smile.

“Hi, are you going up too?” Yan took the initiative to say hello as a gesture of politeness.

Her light and crisp voice pulled Xu Yanwan back to her senses. Glancing at the person in front of her who was now Han Qing’s girlfriend, she was unable to fathom what she felt in her heart.

A taste of bitterness ran from the tip of her tongue all the way to the back of her throat.

Her lips quivered as she cleared her voice and nodded. “Yes…”

She then turned her head carefully without taking another look on Yan. Subsequently, she pressed on the elevator button.

Yan sensed something odd about her expression, for she saw how Xu Yanwan looked at her with a daze, as though she was confirming something that had been lingering on her mind.

However, seeing that Xu Yanwan had glanced the other way without uttering a further word, Yan did not bother to initiate a conversation either.

Both the ladies shuffled into the elevator the second it arrived.

Xu Yanwan walked in first ahead of Yan and stood there with her back pressed against the wall. Tracing her footsteps, Yan followed behind closely as she came to the front of the elevator and pressed on the floor button. Xu Yanwan could clearly see that Yan was heading to the floor of the president’s office.

The bitterness in her heart grew even stronger.

At that moment, Yan turned her head toward her with a big smile and asked, “What floor are you heading to? Let me press the button for you.”

Xu Yanwan recomposed herself and blurted out a floor number not too far from the one Yan was heading to.

After pressing on the designated floor buttons, Yan fixed her gaze ahead without another look back. Meanwhile, Xu Yanwan just stood there, staring at Yan’s back blankly.

Donned with a soft green hooded sweater dress, Yan paired her outfit with a pair of comfortable flat-bottomed shoes. Her long lustrous hair that reached close to her waist was tied back into a neat ponytail behind her ears—simple yet with a hint of youthfulness.

Just by looking at her outfit and complexion, one would easily believe that she was still a high school student.

However, judging by her attire, it wouldn’t even cross a person’s mind that she was actually in fact Han Qing’s girlfriend.

Han Qing’s girlfriend…

How would she picture Han Qing’s girlfriend in her mind?

Oddly, Xu Yanwan never gave a moment’s thought to this question. In fact, she had always pictured herself to be spending the rest of her life with Han Qing most definitely.

But everything happened too fast and before she knew it, it was too late.

Even then, Xu Yanwan couldn’t help but feel that for someone like Han Qing—cold and distant but a capable man—his girlfriend should be elegant, generous, sophisticated and attractive, even a girl who exuded a style of trendiness perhaps.

She thought of it all, but never once did she imagine that that person would be a mere little girl.

Nothing To Give But My Heart Chapter 1327

A girl dressed very much like a student.

Thinking about it carefully, Xu Yanwan could help but wonder. How could Yan be a good match with Han Qing? How did he fall for her in the first place?

Xu Yanwan contemplated as she was clenching her fists and relaxing them several times before finally settling on keeping her fits clenched ever so tightly.

Upon learning that Han Qing now had a girlfriend, she had thought of giving up. However, her seeing him once again awakened the strong, ardent feelings she had put aside many years ago.

The sight of Han Qing overwhelmed her heart with emotions she thought she had already let go, causing it to once again burn with desire.

Then again, Xu Yanwan realized that her love for Han Qing had not dwindled at all. Instead, she merely disregarded it and hid it over the years.

It was not that she had never struggled before!

She was, after all, the eldest daughter of the Xu Family.

Even with the bankruptcy of the Xu Family’s business, she was still undeniably the eldest daughter—a lady of virtue, with much grace, wit, and courtesy.

How could she still miss and long for someone else’s boyfriend?

However, she liked him first before anyone else did. Furthermore, her feelings for him started since they were still a bunch of kids.

Even though she had been away for a while, she couldn’t quite accept the fact that he was seeing someone else in his life.

If she was sensible enough, the best thing she should do now was to stop craving for the love of Han Qing, and to focus on restoring the prosperity of the Xu Family.

Despite all of that… she was not willing to let him go!

Obviously, the girl in front of her was just mediocre. It might be true to a certain extent that she was no longer the privileged girl that she used to be, but Yan was not much better than her. How could Han Qing take a liking to such a girl?

If Han Qing could fall for someone such as Yan, couldn’t Xu Yanwan live up to that standard too?

Xu Yanwan’s mind was in a mess. Her moral sense was on the line between doing the right thing and listening to the evil voices in her head.

Ding!

A sharp sound echoed.

The loud resonance jolted Xu Yanwan from her thoughts.

Coming back to her senses, she saw Yan turn around with a kind expression on her face as she asked, “You’re getting off here, right?”

For some reason, Xu Yanwan felt her footsteps light with an almost ethereal pace. Yan’s appearance in front of her felt illusory, as if her vision was somehow clouded.

Is she good or bad?

How would she decide?

Her footsteps became lighter as she paced forward. All of a sudden, her head started to spin when the lass whose presence put her into deep thoughts abruptly shouted, “Hey! Are you okay?”

But all Xu Yanwan could see was a world of pitch darkness.

As Xu Yanwan lost her balance and fell, Yan subconsciously extended her arm of support as Xu Yanwan gently dropped toward her.

Although they were similar in height, it was a bit difficult for Yan to support the whole weight of Xu Yanwan. With the thermos in her hands, Yan had to act quickly as she immediately put it down to catch Xu Yanwan with both hands.

“Are you okay?” Yan gasped. Despite her calling out for several times, Xu Yanwan’s pale face remained unresponsive as she faded in and out of consciousness in Yan’s supporting arms. All Xu Yanwan could vaguely hear was a faint voice from afar, but she couldn’t muster up any strength to respond.

At the hospital.

Xu Yanwan woke up to the smell of disinfectant in her throat. Her eyes immediately popped open in shock.

Having spent a good amount of time at the hospital when her father was unwell, Xu Yanwan was all too familiar with this unpleasant smell.

A blank surrounding like a canvas of white snow greeted her as she opened her eyes.

She was at the hospital.

What had happened to her prior to this?

“You’re awake!” A sweet and crisp exclamation echoed next to Xu Yanwan’s bed.

She turned to the direction of the voice as she saw Yan right beside her.

It’s her… Han Qing’s girlfriend. Why is she here?

“You scared me to death. Your face went so pale and you suddenly collapsed. The doctor said that you were overly fatigued and your body was malnourished. That is why you had fainted.”

Yan smiled kindly then, as she stepped forward to tuck the quilts to the corners of Xu Yanwan’s bed.

“You have a good rest now.”

Listening to her kind words, Xu Yanwan’s heart sank. Why must she be the one who helped me? Why do I have to faint right in front of Han Qing’s girlfriend?

In that case, wouldn’t her heart be in a deeper sense of turmoil?

Xu Yanwan’s lips started to quiver in her attempt to murmur a few words, but her dry lips made it almost impossible. Yan then turned around and poured her a glass of warm water as she helped her to sit up to have a sip.

Quenching her thirst, Xu Yanwan felt a stream of relief on her lips and down her throat. She then stared at Yan intently trying to recollect her thoughts and finding the right words to say.

“Thank you…”

Apart from these two syllables, Xu Yanwan left herself tongue-tied.

With a smile painted on Yan’s face, she replied, “You’re welcome.”

She felt that Xu Yanwan appeared rather distressed. Her pale complexion, her thin frame and her slender build coupled with the words of the doctor really got Yan worried.

As Yan was digesting all of her observations, the doors to the ward flung open.

A tall figure walked in.

Initially, Xu Yanwan was unbothered by the sudden presence of this person. It wasn’t until she looked up to see who had come to visit her that her shock got her pupils to dilate and constrict involuntarily.

How could it be that Han Qing is here? Why is he here?

“You’re back.” Yan got up on her feet as she walked toward Han Qing. “Have you sorted out all the procedures? Miss Xu just woke up, and she looks okay.”

Miss Xu?

Xu Yanwan’s face turned white as a sheet of paper when she heard of the way Yan addressed her. Having said that, Yan had probably known who she was.

Moreover, she couldn’t have kept the fact in the dark any longer that she was working for Han Group.

“Yes,” replied Han Qing lightly as he glimpsed over Yan toward Xu Yanwan who was sitting behind her. As he locked his gaze back onto Yan, his look seemed softer and calmer, as he continued to speak with her in a hushed voice.

Their conversation was almost inaudible. All Xu Yanwan could see was his thin lips moving. She had to withdraw her gaze from him as the longer she looked at him, she felt all the more upset.

It was a blur as to how long their conversation took place when Yan thereafter nodded obediently and headed out of the ward.

Noticing that Han Qing was now alone with her in the ward, Xu Yanwan’s heart started racing.

Now that Han Qing sent his girlfriend away, is he planning to stay on with me?

A glint of hope warmed up Xu Yanwan’s heart.

Han Qing walked toward the bed as he pulled out a chair and sat down.

There was a whiff of awkwardness in the air, and Xu Yanwan was suddenly lost for words.

Do I complain? But on what basis am I qualified to do that? Do I even have the right to do so?

As Xu Yanwan was struggling for words, Han Qing broke the silence with a wrinkle in his eyebrows.

“Yanwan.”

Upon hearing Han Qing speaking her name, Xu Yanwan’s eyes started to turn red. However, she tried hard to swallow her emotions as she slowly raised her head to look at him.

“The Xu and Han Family have always been in good terms with each other. Previously, you made a personal choice to decline my offer of help and I respected your decision. But look at your condition now. Do you think that your father would be happy or even relieved if he found out that his daughter has suffered so much grievance now that she has returned from abroad?”

Nothing To Give But My Heart Chapter 1328

Xu Yanwan felt her heart sink once again. She was extremely displeased with what she had heard. During the whole time that Han Qing was speaking, he repeatedly referred to the friendship between the two families with no mention of personal relations whatsoever.

She even concluded that the only reason he was sitting here was because of her surname.

These realizations caused Xu Yanwan to carve a forced smile beneath the agony she was feeling.

“Had I not carried the Xu Family’s name, would you have even come to see me here?”

Han Qing did not respond to her.

“This here is exactly why I am unwilling to accept help. Xu is my family name; there is no denying that. My father may have bridged a friendship with the Han Family but that has got nothing to do with me. Does that make you feel better? You can just ignore me.”

Han Qing looked at her helplessly, probably because he did not see this coming from Xu Yanwan.

Nevertheless, she was after all the eldest daughter of the Xu Family. Being cultivated with a well-educated background, she always spoke very diplomatically, being careful not to step on any toes. But today, she set the record straight between the two of them.

After a long pause, Han Qing replied to her by asking, “Now that you have said this, do you need me to remind you that we both grew up together?”

Xu Yanwan’s eyes welled up as she listened to what he said. Do you still remember that we grew up together? she said in her heart.

“The Han and Xu Family have always been on good terms. You and I grew up together, Yanwan. Now that the Xu Family is no longer in power, it is my responsibility to be there for you as an elder brother seeing that you’re younger than me.”

Elder brother!

Xu Yanwan once again felt like her heart was ripped out of her chest. She had loved Han Qing for many years now; how could she possibly digest the fact that he just addressed himself as her brother? How could she settle with being a sister to him?

She then felt that he might as well have left this unspoken.

Replaying this in her mind with both eyes closed, Xu Yanwan uttered, “I think you’ve said enough. I don’t want to accept your help. Is it your girlfriend who brought me to the hospital today? Thank her for me, and consider it that I owe her a favor. Should the opportunity present itself for me to return this favor, I definitely will.”

She did not want to be indebted to anyone, more so to Han Qing’s girlfriend.

Han Qing’s face lightened upon hearing Yan’s name being brought up. He then replied to Xu Yanwan, “Your emotions are rather unstable. Don’t go to the company for the time being. I will notify the department to give you paid leave.”

Xu Yanwan looked up to Han Qing almost immediately and responded, “No! I don’t need a break. I want to get back to work.”

Paid Vacation? I’m not one to enjoy that!

“Han Qing, let’s get one thing clear; I do not need your pitiful gestures.”

“This is not an act out of pity, Yanwan,” explained Han Qing. He then stood up, his tall body towering over Xu Yanwan. With a stern voice, he insisted, “You are now an employee of the Han Group. Seeing that you had fainted on the job due to fatigue, the Han Group takes full responsibility for your welfare and well being.”

Xu Yanwan had yet to process what she had just heard when a knock at the door distracted her.

“President Han.”

It was Su Jiu. She had rushed over after receiving the call from Han Qing.

“Secretary Su, your task hereon is to keep an eye on her. Please take care of her, and don’t let her run around,” Han Qing instructed her.

Upon hearing the task she was assigned with, Su Jiu couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows. Nevertheless, she complied and echoed after him, “Gotcha, President Han! I will see to it that Miss Xu is well taken care of.”

With that, she looked over at Xu Yanwan and her lips curved into a smile ever so lightly.

“Hello Miss Xu, I am President Han’s secretary, Su Jiu.”

However, Xu Yanwan remained silent. He is sending someone to accompany me? What about him?

Han Qing left soon after giving instructions to Su Jiu, who then closed the door behind him and looked back at Xu Yanwan who seemed rather peculiar.

Sometime later, she asked Xu Yanwan, “Would you like a glass of water, Miss Xu?”

“No,” replied Xu Yanwan who then pressed on. “Where is Mr. Han?”

Sure enough, just as Su Jiu had expected, she was asked about President Han. “Mr. Han’s girlfriend is still waiting for him outside. He is most likely about to send her home.”

About to send his girlfriend home?

Xu Yanwan lowered her eyes in astonishment.

As it turns out, he did not send his girlfriend away earlier. Instead, he merely had her waiting outside her hospital ward. He is going to send her home now while his secretary stays here to watch over me.

From what it seemed, the treatment she received was a world apart from the treatment Han Jing’s girlfriend received.

Regardless of the reality of her situation, Xu Yanwan still had unrealistic fantasies of what could happen.

She closed her eyes, trying hard to swallow the lump in her throat.

You are so stupid… to be sitting here fantasizing about someone who already has a girlfriend.

A silence bestowed upon the ward as no one spoke thereafter.

Meanwhile, Yan waited for quite a while before Han Qing showed up.

Seeing the look on his face, a curious Yan asked, “How is your friend?”

When Han Qing noticed that she only had one layer of clothing on her, he unbuttoned his jacket and put it over her shoulders.

“You’re only wearing that? Aren’t you feeling cold?”

As soon as Yan had the jacket on her, she felt the warmth of the clothing. Slightly stunned, she responded by saying, “I’m not feeling cold as I have been running around quite a bit.” Yan did not realize how her words came out till it was too late. She quickly attempted to correct herself from what she had uttered anxiously. “I didn’t mean it that way; I just wanted to say that…”

“There is no need to explain yourself to me, silly,” Han Qing said as he lightly caressed Yan’s nose. “You can say things just the way they are with me.”

“Okay!” exclaimed a rather touched Yan. She wrapped her arms around his and leaned on his shoulders ever so lightly as they walked hand in hand. “How did you and Miss Xu meet?”

asked Yan who had been holding herself back from asking this question any sooner. Her curiosity had gotten the best of her when she noticed how anxious Han Qing had become when he learned that Xu Yanwan had been in an accident. She was after all, a woman too.

This was the first time Yan was seeing Han Qing in this state.

She had always thought that Han Qing was cold and detached; never did she expect that he would have this side to his character. After that, Han Qing sent them to the hospital and then went to get the procedures sorted out.

It was also during this time that Yan came to find out that the woman’s name was Xu Yanwan.

However, Yan did not know this person, nor did she know what the relationship between Han Qing and this woman was, although she was quite certain that there was more to them than just being a boss and his subordinate.

This was what drove Yan to ask about how they met.

Han Qing, having been able to read Yan like the back of his hand, playfully asked, “ Why do you ask? Are you jealous?”

Yan blushed red upon hearing this and rebutted his question, “Why would I be jealous? I merely asked who she is…”

“Isn’t that jealousy right there?”

“I’m really not…”

“The Xu and Han Family had a very good relationship in the past. Our families were friends. Xu Yanwan returned to China some time ago, and that is when I came to know that the Xu Family was in trouble. Her parents had passed away but she was unwilling to accept help.”

Yan was taken aback when she heard about the passing of Xu Yanwan’s parents. “Oh, dear!” How could this be? Her life must have been torturous.

Nothing To Give But My Heart Chapter 1329

A family that was well acquainted with the Han Family…

Yan let out a huffed sigh. She finally understood why Xu Yanwan seemed very educated and well-mannered during their encounter in the elevator. As it turned out, she was a young lady from an honorific family.

“Then, does this mean that she had decided to work at the Han Group because she didn’t want to accept any help? Were you aware of this?” Yan pressed on further.

Han Qing shook his head in response to her question. With a purse of his lips, he added, “Had she not fainted today, I would not have come to learn that she was working in Han Group.”

Han Qing then took Yan by her shoulders and said, “Let’s go, I’ll send you back home first.”

Yan complied and followed suit. As they walked hand in hand, Yan couldn’t help but replay Xu Yanwan’s situation in her mind. A girl who has lost everything dear to her so abruptly and yet refuses to accept the help of her friends. She has bared the entire thing on her own with nobody supporting her back. That must truly be hard for her.

As much as she had strong opinions about the situation, Yan knew she couldn’t say much to Han Qing about Xu Yanwan. It was, after all, a matter between the two of them. On top of that, she felt that she should not be nosy.

Xu Yanwan who had been in the hospital all afternoon requested to be discharged.

“Miss Xu, President Han has ordered me to take good care of you. Your body is still very weak. It is best that you stay in the hospital until you recuperate,” Su Jin intervened.

“No,” refused Xu Yanwan at once. “I know myself better. I was feeling a little under the weather earlier, but I am perfectly fine now. Secretary Su, please help me with the discharge procedures.”

However, Su Jiu rejected her in a firm tone. “The instructions I have received was to take care of you for a few days, and on that note, it will be dark soon. What can I get you for dinner, Miss Xu?”

Xu Yanwan went silent with the secretary’s reply.

Well, that was an unexpected response from her. Would she get in my way of leaving this hospital?

Realizing this, Xu Yanwan rolled over and got out of bed, ready to leave on her own instead of pouring out any effort toward getting help from the secretary.

However, Xu Yanwan’s radical act did not benefit her. As soon as she stood up, her vision went blurry and she almost fell forward. It was thanks to Su Jiu’s quick reflexes that her fall was broken with support.

“Are you alright?” asked Su Jiu.

Xu Yanwan had to stay put for a few minutes before she gradually regained her clarity. Her blood pressure was so low that she frequently felt dizzy.

Su Jiu helped Xu Yanwan get back in bed. “Miss Xu, looking at your current condition, you should not be taking your health situation too lightly. Your body has reached its limit and I think the most important thing to do right now is to remain in the hospital till you make a full recovery.”

Although Xu Yanwan’s original intention was to leave, it seemed that with her current health condition, it was not the best decision at the moment. She wondered if she would even be able to make it home on her own after getting herself discharged.

Even if I do manage to get home, what if I faint indoors? There would be no one to notice and tend to me. Wouldn’t that make things all the worse for me? I still need to restore the Xu Family name to its glory days.

Processing these facts, Xu Yanwan did not talk about leaving the hospital anymore. Instead, she pulled the quilt over her body wearily. “Thank you for your advice and concern, Secretary Su. I will rest in bed.”

Obviously, the plan was to leave the hospital. However, after considering recent events and her current condition, Xu Yanwan realized that it was indeed not a good idea.

Very decisive and practical indeed, thought Su Jiu.

“You cannot call it a day without having dinner. Is there anything that you do not want to eat?” Su Jiu added further.

What I do not wish to eat?

In the past, Xu Yanwan disliked most of the food she had tried. There was always something not quite right about most of the food items; they were either tasteless or she simply did not like the flavor.

However, now, who was she to levy such entitlement? Thinking of this, Xu Yanwan smiled in dismay as she said, “There is nothing that I don’t eat. Sorry for troubling you, Secretary Su.”

“In that case, you and I shall have the same for dinner.”

Su Jiu was greeted with a surprise when she opened the door of the ward to head out.

“Yan?”

“Why are you here at this hour?” asked Su Jiu as she made way for Yan to pass.

As soon as Yan walked in, she locked eyes with Xu Yanwan, who was stunned to see her here. Why is she here?

“Well, I presumed that you did not have dinner sorted out for yourself at the hospital, so I thought I’d cook you some food and bring it over,” said Yan as she raised the thermos in her hand. “It’s around dinner time and I hope I arrived in time for you. Shall we eat?”

Upon hearing this, Su Jiu replied, “I was just about to head out to grab some dinner whilst still thinking about what to eat. Had you come a few minutes later, I would have missed you.”

“Really?” asked Yan with a cheeky grin. She put down the thermos on the table and opened it. Immediately, the entire room was filled with a scrumptious aroma.

“Ah, it smells so good! Yan, you must be an excellent cook. This smell makes me drool; it must be delicious. You really are someone to be treasured. I wonder if I would be half as much of a housewife as you are.”

Su Jiu turned around to Xu Yanwan as Yan dished out the food she had prepared.

“Miss Xu, since Mr. Han’s girlfriend has brought us food, we don’t need to go out. Take your time and come over to eat.”

Xu Yanwan sat motionless in the same spot, watching the scene somewhat at a loss.

She never expected that Yan would come to send her food, that too with so much to eat and wearing an excited smile on her face.

Whilst Xu Yanwan was still in a daze, Su Jiu had already eaten a piece of meat, and went on to praise Yan, “It’s so delicious, Yan! When are you and Mr. Han getting married? How lucky and blessed he’d be to have you as his wife. ”

Yan felt her face flushed red.

“Secretary Su!” “

Hehe, you are really shy, aren’t you? It is only the three of us here. Besides, Mr. Han is nowhere within earshot. Shake off that shyness and spill the beans! Where are you and Mr. Han in the progress of your relationship? Miss Xu and Mr. Han know each other. I wouldn’t be surprised if she wants to know something too.”

Su Jiu took a glance at Xu Yanwan the second she finished her sentence.

Xu Yanwan still sat there in a daze, taking a long time to suppress the bitterness in her mind. She lifted the quilt and slowly got out of bed, as she slowly made her way toward them much like a robot without emotions.

“Well then, I also want to know.” She smiled as she picked up the bowl and chopsticks to eat with them.

Su Jiu couldn’t help but look at her more intently till she saw for herself that there was nothing wrong with Xu Yanwan. Are Xu Yanwan and President Han just ordinary friends? Is there anything else between them?

“Look, she too wants to know, as do I. Tell us already, Yan!”

Su Jiu wanted to put Xu Yanwan in the spot again as she pressed on. “Alright! So tell us Yan, have you guys held hands before? An innocent kiss perhaps?”

Yan said nothing.

She felt her heart beating faster than usual as she looked at Su Jiu incredulously. She didn’t expect Secretary Su to be so gossipy and cared so much about her love life.

“Secretary Su, you…”

“Wait, perhaps you have already done that?”

“Secretary Su!” Yan exclaimed.

Su Jiu grinned as she pinched Yan’s cheek and teased. “Why are you so shy? We are all women. Right, Miss Xu?”

Nothing To Give But My Heart Chapter 1330

Xu Yanwan looked out to the clouds ever so lightly, whilst on the inside, her heart was almost broken.

She didn’t want to know these things. She did manage to stay away before, but now that the situation had presented itself, she felt as if a generous amount of salt was rubbed on to her bleeding wound.

“Miss Xu, you don’t look too good. Are you okay?” asked Su Jiu, bringing Xu Yanwan back to their conversation.

Xu Yanwan came back to her senses, her pale lips curved into a smile. As if trying to evade the question, she responded differently by saying, “All this food brings me back to a time when I used to be home, when times were much more…”

With that, she paused for a moment as she lowered her eyes without speaking any further.

Su Jiu on the other hand was rather puzzled to see Xu Yanwan’s reaction.

Was she reading her wrongly?

Was the change in Xu Yanwan’s emotion solely because of her reminiscing her family’s past and nothing else?

Su Jiu, however, was not that easily deceived. She might fail to test out Xu Yanwan now, but there would be ample more opportunities to do so in the future.

Why would these have crossed her mind? Whatever it was, it was somehow linked to the fact that she too used to share the same feelings for Han Qing, which was why she knew all too well how another would feel.

Su Jiu could read her like a book judging from her eyes, her interactions and her mannerisms.

However, based on the observations she gathered from Xu Yanwan, it left Su Jiu rather perplexed. Nevertheless, this would be a stone she would not leave unturned.

Yan spent the rest of dinnertime with the two of them. Subsequently, when Su Jiu offered to give her a ride back, Yan politely declined as she headed out by herself, reminding the both of them that she would return again tomorrow with some food if she was free.

Xu Yanwan sat by the window looking outside at the brightly lit houses. Even after a warm meal, her heart felt cold.

That girl…

She was really kind, compassionate, and enthusiastic. He really made a wise choice in choosing her as his mate.

Sure enough, as she thought, he wouldn’t just be with some commoner. There surely had to be something special about the person.

Although it had only been a day since Xu Yanwan had known Yan, Xu Yanwan could see from their interaction that this girl had turned out to be someone with seriousness, persistence, and who possessed a pure kind heart.

These things were indeed very precious and valuable.

Many had a good bout of kindness in them, though they just did not care to act on it.

But as for her, she willingly brought food for them without worrying about the outcome, and that too with such a humble approach.

Xu Yanwan signed in her heart and lowered her gaze.

If Yan had a bad personality, then she might still have reasons to resent her openly and fight for the love of Han Qing.

But technically, now that Yan had saved her, Xu Yanwan was indebted to her.

And the favors kept accumulating with each bout of meal brought over by Yan.

What else could she do?

Xu Yanwan fell into a deep uncertainty once again, and her brain started to hurt. She stretched out her hand as she covered her forehead with her palm when her breathing became a little unstable.

What was she going to do?

Xiao Su was losing his marbles with Jiang Xiaobai’s reckless decisions.

Not only had she brought her belongings over to Xiao Su’s house, she had taken the liberty to stay there. Sometimes, she even slept on the sofa covered in a quilt, simply claiming to be tired.

When Xiao Su got up one morning, he was shocked to find a tuft on the sofa as he thought that the house was robbed. After a closer look only did he realize that it was just Jiang Xiaobai there falling fast asleep.

With a frown upon his face, he walked over to wake her up. Jiang Xiaobai sat up with two dark eye circles staring at him and asked, “What are you doing here so early in the morning?”

“I should be the one asking you this question. Why haven’t you gone home?”

“Oh yes, about this… I was working too late last night, so I thought that I’d just spend the night here. I guess it’s enough for me now; I am very tired and I need to go back to sleep.”

At that, Jiang Xiaobai rolled over and was out like a light.

She was too exhausted.

If it were any other man, she wouldn’t dare to be so relieved, but this was Xiao Su, a man who was already attached with someone else. Even if she were to strip off all of her clothes and stood in front of him, he would not be smitten by her. She had nothing to worry about.

Besides, his sofa was big and comfortable. She’d be fine here.

Completely at ease with Xiao Su, Jiang Xiaobai closed her eyes and was soon fast asleep.

However, Xiao Su’s expression looked a little unpleasant.

How could she be so unmannered as if she didn’t think of herself as a woman at all? Even if he had no interest in her whatsoever, he was still a man after all.

Although I wouldn’t do anything to her, she should at least be mindful of her reputation, right?

“Jiang Xiaobai,” Xiao Su called out her name. However, she just lay there without a response. Feeling helpless, he called out for her again.

“Jiang Xiaobai!”

Sleeping like a log, Jiang Xiaobai did not respond initially. A moment passed before she noticed that Xiao Su was still standing by her side and had not left. Glancing at him with squinty eyes, she then sat up with a rather crossed face.

“I mean like… what do you want? You might not be sleepy or tired in such early hours of the morning, but I am. If there is something you’d like to tell me, can’t it wait till lunch time?”

Xiao Su was a person who liked to tackle things then and there, and not someone who would procrastinate till another time.

“Firstly, you have to get up.”

Jiang Xiaobai stayed quiet for a long time, but she soon realized that he probably wouldn’t leave unless they settled this once and for all. She reluctantly sat up, scratching her head.

“Okay, I’m already up. If you have anything to say, hurry up and tell me now. After this, I’ll be able to catch up some sleep once again.” She was so exhausted that it felt as though her head was about to crack.

Though Jiang Xiaobai was at a sitting position, her eyes stayed shut, without caring less for how she looked.

Seeing her like this, Xiao Su felt that it was already a great achievement to get her up this far, so he left her as she was. He then eyed a suitable spot on the sofa as he sat down and said, “You can’t sleep here anymore from now onward.”

“Huh?” Jiang Xiaobai’s body swayed unsteadily ever so gently as she lazily asked at the same time, “Then where shall I sleep after this then? Shall I go and sleep in your room?”

Xiao Su was baffled upon hearing Jiang Xiaobai’s words. At the same time, judging from her drowsy expression, he thought, Maybe she doesn’t even know what she is talking about. How could there be someone like this?

Looking at her swaying body, Xiao Su was downright helpless, completely at a loss at what to do next. He thereafter stretched out his long arms and held her shoulders to stabilize her. “Stop swaying. Now, listen to me.”

“Hmm… yes, go ahead.” Jiang Xiaobai was no longer moving from side to side, but she unexpectedly fell into his arms, subconsciously grasping the hem of his clothes with both hands. Leaning into his chest and closing her eyes, she drifted back to sleep.

Xia Su was speechless.

He was only initially stretching out his arms to help her. It was she who…

“Can we talk?”

Although Jiang Xiaobai did not answer him, Xiao Su knew that this obviously couldn’t be done.