The Emperors Pampered Wife - Chapter 108

Another day has dawned in Li Wei Mansion. Hou Wei Yan who has quite an early schedule today woke up early and was ready to start her day in Yi Lan Hospital. She walked towards Xie Na who just woke up and arrived at the living room. “Xie Na! I’ll be leaving first. I’ll try to come home as early as possible so we can eat dinner together”

“Take care” Xie Na muttered while smiling. She then pulled Wei Yan in a hug before she released and waved her hands at her. “Don’t cause trouble! I won’t be there to help you”

“I should be the one saying that” Wei Yan grumbled as she placed a tender kiss in Xie Na’s temple. After doing so, she immediately left with a smile on her face. She was looking forward to dinner and her ecstasy at such thought made her blind to Fang Tao’s worried gaze at Xie Na.

As soon as Wei Yan left, Ji Li Zhao who was hiding in his office finally came down and called out Xie Na who was still gazing sadly at the road Wei Yan took. “Xie Na”

“Brother Li Zhao” she replied sadly. She didn’t dare look at him in the eye and continued gazing at the empty road. Hou Wei Yan already left and that was probably the last time she will see her.

“You told me you will tell her” Ji Li Zhao asked worriedly. He didn’t want Wei Yan to end up wallowing in sorrow because she didn’t send Xie Na to the airport herself.

“It’s better this way” Xie Na muttered as she closed her eyes. She feels bad that she’s leaving her best friend this way but she wanted to stay on track. She already made her decision and she plans on sticking to it until the end. “If she accompanies me to the airport my resolve will only waver”

“Besides, I don’t want to see her crying face nor receive her rants. She’s better off far from me when she learns what I did” she added before flashing Ji Li Zhao a smile. She knows that he’s also worried that this will affect their still blossoming relationship so she gave him a reassuring gaze. There’s nothing to worry about because at this point, Wei Yan is already head over heels for him so this isn’t enough to shake their relationship. “She’ll understand. I wrote everything she needs to know in that letter”

Ji Li Zhao looked at Xie Na seriously before he sighed. She’s still as stubborn as ever and it’s making him worry. What if she finds trouble abroad because of her headstrong attitude? Should he post more guards for her?

“Let me accompany you in my wife’s stead” he offered but Xie Na shook her head at him.

She’s grateful that he’s taking care of her even though she caused plenty of trouble for him. She didn’t want to waste any more of his precious time. “I know you’re a busy man. Besides, the one fetching me is someone trustworthy and capable. You have nothing to worry about”

He was still worried about her, but in the end, he decided to take a step back because he knows just who will fetch her. She’s as a level headed person and has the strength comparable to Han Yixue so he felt at ease. If it’s that person, then Xie Na is in good hands. “Take care”

“I will” she replied with a huge smile on her face. Not a moment too soon, she boarded the car that Ji Li Zhao prepared. Once they were on the road, she began thinking of Wei Yan. She’s probably in Yi Lan Hospital by now. —Wei Wei is probably shocked right now’

…..

As soon as they stepped inside Yi Lan Hospital, Wei Yan immediately sensed everyone looking at her and whispering to one another. She was unbothered by their stares but she can’t help but be curious at their recent gossip about her. “What is it this time?”

“Doctor Hou!” a loud shout erupted from the hallway. Hou Wei Yan’s eyes were immediately drawn to the petit lady running towards her. Long Lee panted as soon as she arrived in front of Wei Yan. It took her a few seconds before she clung to her coat as though desperate about something. “Is it true? Did she really resign?”

“Who?” Wei Yan asked in confusion. So, all the buzzing is about someone’s resignation. Who could it be?

Her confused look and words caused Long Lee to pull back her arms nervously. So she doesn’t know? Is it alright for her to know about this from her?

Long Lee’s hesitation caused Wei Yan to tilt her head in confusion. “Who resigned, Long Lee?”

“Doctor…Xie Na” she slowly revealed while gulping down her own saliva. The nervousness she’s feeling is akin to that time when she needed to take the licensure examination. She wasn’t sure why she’s feeling this way. It’s probably because she’s worried about what Wei Yan’s reaction will be and what she will do next once this rumor is confirmed.

Hearing Xie Na’s name paired up with the rumor of resignation baffled Wei Yan. She slowly looked around and sighed when some people continued to whisper while listening to their conversation. Seriously, these people need to visit the rehabilitation center for gossipers…if there is one that is.

“What kind of nonsense are they spewing now? She just took a leave because she’s not feeling well” she muttered to Long Lee after she shaking her head at everyone’s gossipy attitude. She better do something to stop them from spreading rumors about her and her team.

Despite hearing Wei Yan’s answer to the rumor, Long Lee didn’t stop fidgeting and Wei Yan noticed this. She slowly held Long Lee in her arms and made her look at her so she can get the truth out of her. For a rumor to happen, something must have happened to trigger it. The question is, what is the factor affecting this all?

“But the head nurse…the head nurse announced it herself” Long Lee finally blurted out which made Wei Yan release her grip on her shoulders as she entered a state of disbelief.

Xie Na resigned?! But she was fine earlier?!

Without saying anything more, Hou Wei Yan walked away and strode at a fast pace towards the Office of the Head Doctor in Xie Na’s Department. It took her a few minutes to reached it and as she arrived, she was already out of breath. Nonetheless, she did her best to call out the Head Doctor who was already frowning with a crumpled paper of what seems to be Xie Na’s resignation letter. “Doctor Sheng”

“Doctor Hou” the head doctor called out while sighing. She then looked at her directly in the eye with disbelief and rage marked in her eyes. “Why did that pesky brat resign all of a sudden? Now I’m left to pick a substitute for her”

“She really resigned?” she asked in disbelief. So, it was all true?!

“She didn’t tell you?” Doctor Sheng asked which made Wei Yan flinch. It was well known that she’s Xie Na’s best friend and yet she didn’t even know this important decision. She remained silent as she contemplated Xie Na’s reason. Was this her plan all along?

If yes, then those words that she blurted out to her, which of those are laced with lies? Was everything a lie?!

With this in mind, Wei Yan can’t help but bite her lower lip and clench her fist in vexation. Can she even be called her best friend?

Worried at the frustrated look in her face, Doctor Sheng stood up and approached Wei Yan. Slowly, she ruffled her hair which made the latter look up to her. “If I see her, I’m going to give her a long lecture for this mess. So, don’t hesitate to tell me where she is”

“Who gave the resignation?” Wei Yan asked once her mind was in a good state once more. When did she have the time to hand her resignation? Surely it wasn’t yesterday and she was almost certain that Xie Na didn’t hand it herself because if she did, Doctor Sheng would fry her in boiling water on the spot.

So, who instigated all of this? Who aided her in executing this move?

Doctor Sheng raised her brows at Wei Yan’s question before she slowly turned towards Fang Tao who was waiting by the door in silence. Hou Wei Yan traced her line of sight and anger immediately flooded her system with the next words that came out of her mouth. “That guard of yours”

Fang Tao did it behind her back?! Bloody Hell, she trusted him all this time, and yet he dares keep such important information from her?!

With the little sanity she had left, Hou Wei Yan bowed at Doctor Sheng before she dragged Fang Tao out of the room. In fast motion, she brought him back to her office where she immediately threw him a glare filled with rage and betrayal. “What is this nonsense?! Why did you hand over a resignation letter?!”

“Because I was ordered to do it” Fang Tao replied honestly.

His words caused Wei Yan to halt her rage. Baffled, she looked at him. Her rage was wavering and was now warped with confusion but the sense of betrayal remained in her system. Fang Tao works for her husband and he takes his order as his priority which means that if her husband ordered him to meddle with Xie Na’s employment he would oblige without asking her about it.

With this in mind, she can’t help but feel a sense of insecurity. That’s right Fang Tao works for her husband which means most of her decisions will not matter if her husband rejects it. This worries her but right now, she needs to focus on this matter with Xie Na. “By my husband?”

“By your best friend” Fang Tao replied sternly. He then fumbled in his coat and took out a letter before he gave it to her. “She wants you to read it”

Wei Yan’s hands were shaking when she reached out to receive the letter. If she accepts this, she acknowledges the fact that her best friend created a decision without including her in it. Although bothered by this, she summoned all the courage that she has and accepted it.

Once it was in her hands, Fang Tao walked towards the sofa and allowed her to read it on her desk. Wei Yan glanced at him and he flashed her a look which states that if she has questions, she can turn to him. With this, Wei Yan finally sat on her seat and slowly opened the letter.

“To my most beloved best friend…I’m sorry…You always viewed me as a brave woman but at this point on, I’m not. I’m afraid of the repercussions of my actions and the turbulence it will bring to the Xie Family. I know them better than anyone else and this pregnancy will surely bring out the bad side they badly hid. I decided to keep the child and you supported me with it, so I chose to leave before my brothers could hear of anything. I don’t want to risk the life of my child and I certainly don’t want people to talk bad about you because of the decision I made” her hands trembled even more as she read the letter.

So, in the end, she chose to leave instead of confronting her family? She told her countless times that her family loves her. In the end, it didn’t get through her, huh.

“I don’t want your name to get tainted with mine so before anyone could know of my pregnancy, I decided to leave. The thought of parting with you once more is terrifying but seeing you get thrown in the chaos of my decision terrifies me more than anything”

Hou Wei Yan tightened her grip on the paper after reading what she wrote. The paper crumpled in her grasp because of the anger she’s currently feeling. —This idiot. In the end, you didn’t believe that I could handle any chaos thrown at me. Did you not think that I would feel guilty for being the reason why you left? You’re leaving alone in order to protect me…when you should be gathering people to support and protect you because you’re pregnant!

Without her realizing, tears had welled up in her eyes. Like a broken dam, her tears flowed without a halt as she continued reading the letter Xie Na left for her.

“I’m sorry if things ended up this way. I’m sorry for not telling you beforehand. Reaching this decision was hard and I know for myself that if I see you before I leave if I see your crying face and if you beg me just once, my resolve will crumble. I don’t want to make another mistake and I want to protect you this time. I want to protect you and everyone else from the chaos that will ensue once my pregnancy is leaked out. I will contact you and will come back when the time is right. In the meantime, enjoy your life there and never forget…that I love you with all my heart. This child, you’ll be able to carry it once I return. I promise you that”

Hou Wei Yan’s heart ached with the thought of Xie Na leaving for everyone’s protection. She’s selfish for deciding without consulting her and yet selfless for leaving behind everything for her child. There are other ways but in the end, she chose this course which will ensure the safety of her child. However, this path is cold and lonely and she will suffer greatly.

“P.S…Don’t cry. This is only temporary parting; I will be by your side once more” the final words that Xie Na wrote remarked.

Wei Yan slowly closes the now crumpled paper. She heaved a heavy sigh before slumping on the couch and closing her eyes. —So, you’ve really become a mother, Xie Na. Selfless and unconditional. You who used to be afraid of being alone but now you’re willing to fight that fear for your child.

Her childish best friend is no longer childish at all. She matured into a woman willing to sacrifice everything to protect her child even if it means she will face the battle alone. She wanted to fight with her all the time, but perhaps this is a sign for her to let go of her tight grasp of Xie Na.

She’s now free and she finally found the strength to be independent. Even though this parting is painful, perhaps they need this to grow into the better person they can be.

With this conclusion in her mind, she sighed and looked at Fang Tao who was cautiously looking at her reactions. She wiped the tears in her face and flashed him a smile. “She already left?”

“She’s still at the airport” Fang Tao answered without hesitation.

Wei Yan nodded her head before she asked another question. “Did my husband help her?”

“Yes” he answered once more but this time his voice was low and he appeared nervous. He gulped down before he looked at her worriedly. “Are you angry at the boss?”

“No” Wei Yan replied with a smile on her face. She’s still angry at Xie Na for not telling her anything but if this is her final decision, who is she to meddle with it? She had done enough damage by meddling at her romantic affairs. “This is her choice and I understand why she chose this path. But I can’t help but worry. Can you continue monitoring her?”

Fang Tao breathed a sigh of relief. “The Boss has already made all the arrangements needed for her rendezvous. Xie Na will be safe under our protection”

“Please, make sure that she is. I don’t know what I will do if harm comes her way and I’m not by her side”

“Rest assured, Madame” Fang Tao answered with conviction.

Curious, Wei Yan looked at Fang Tao while tilting her head. Did his love for her fade already? Did he manage to move on that fast?

When she saw the worried look on his face, Wei Yan immediately knew the answer to such a question. Fang Tao isn’t over her and from the looks of it, it won’t end soon. “Are you okay with her decision? You could accompany her if you want”

“I have a task to do” he remarked as he looked at her seriously. He is bothered by her departure but he needs to prioritize the survival of their organization. Aside from that, her being away from the future epicenter of their battle will put him more at ease. “Besides, even if I’m not by her side, I can still continue protecting her from the shadows. This way she won’t feel uncomfortable”

His devotion to both her husband and best friend is on another level. But if he continues this on, he might find himself too wounded to pick himself up. “I admire your devotion, Fang…but if it becomes painful, I suggest that you stop. There’s no need for you to utterly destroy your heart”

“I’ll remember that” he answered with a smile on his face. Perhaps his devotion is the only good thing about him. He’s not sure if Xie Na will accept him but he can support her without asking for anything in return if she ever rejects him.

Silence engulfed the whole office but it wasn’t awkward…rather it was peaceful. Sometimes, peaceful silence like this is needed. Before she goes out and faces everyone’s curious gazes, she needs to revitalize herself with this peace.

A couple of minutes after, Wei Yan’s phone suddenly rang and the familiar ringtone made her smile widely. Without delay, she answered the call and was instantly greeted by her little brother’s baritone voice. “Big Sister”

“What’s up, Xiao Shen?” she greeted back sweetly.

“Are you free this Saturday?”

His sudden question made her halt for a moment. This sounds familiar. “I’m free after lunch. Why?”

“The kids are going to have a costume party at their school. They want to wear costumes that you personally choose like old times” he said while smiling. They usually wear whatever he chose but now they’re begging him to let Wei Yan decide this time around. He’s slightly jealous but with this, they found a good opportunity to spend time with her.

As though cupid has shot an arrow, Wei Yan’s eyes turned sweet and hearts nearly appeared in it as she imagined her cute siblings wearing costumes. “Oh My God, really?”

“Yeah” Junshen answered while chuckling. Hearing his big sister’s excited voice made him laugh because he could imagine the expression written in her face.

“Where should we meet? Should I fetch you?”

Junshen smiled when she asked this. If he allows her to fetch them, she will most probably have a fight with Chungsa who was always on edge as of late. As much as possible, he doesn’t want anyone to ruin their mood. “Let’s just meet in Sister Xiaoling’s mall”

“Okay. I’ll make a reservation at Renegade Restaurant. I’ll meet you guys there” Wei Yan muttered while taking note of their meet up place. She even wrote the stores they need to visit if they want to find the best costume that will suit them. She was now wondering what to make them wear.

Should she go with angels? Prince and Princess? Or should she go gothic? What other stuff is there for the twins to wear? Something that will complement one another? Something sweet and cute.

“Thank you for this, Big Sister” Junshen suddenly peeped which caused Wei Yan to snap out of her trance.

A sad smile suddenly made its way to her face when she heard this. Honestly, this whole situation is making her gloomy. As their oldest sibling, she should know when an event in their school is taking place and should be the one taking the initiative to help them prepare for it. She grew up taking care of her siblings but when she got older her responsibility piled up and that ended up with her plenty of time with them. She was able to always hold them in her arms, everyday…when they were all young.

“We should be doing this more often. I’m sorry if I got so busy”

“It’s okay. We understand” he replied with a smile on his face. He’s no longer a child who would whine when his sister doesn’t give him attention or when she’s doing something aside from taking care of her. He knows just how important her job is. The time she spends in the hospital matters because, in each passing minute, she could save lives. Her work is beautiful and he feels proud when she saves people with that delicate hands of hers. “See you this, Saturday”

“Yeah. See you” Wei Yan replied with a smile before she hung up the phone. Even though the call has ended, she still stared at the screen with melancholy. Before her sadness could seep in her bones, her phone lit up once more and Cao Yingjie’s name flashed on the screen.

Curious of his sudden call, Wei Yan answered it. As soon as the call went through, Yingjie smiled cheekily and greeted her loudly. “Big Sister!”

He didn’t have any class for the day because their teacher got sick. He was waiting for his uncle to arrive when he remembered that they haven’t set the location for their Saturdate.

“Baozi” Wei Yan called out warmly.

Yingjie immediately chuckled when he heard her tone. She sounded concerned and ecstatic at the same time. For sure she’s worried that he skipped out of school. He wasn’t that type of kind though. Even when the lessons often become boring because he learned it beforehand, he never found pleasure with the idea of skipping. Besides, his mother would instantly know if he skipped school…because she has eyes everywhere.

“I called to remind you about our date this Saturday. Where should we eat, Big Sister?”

His statement made Wei Yan halt. So, this is the reason why she felt familiar with Junshen’s conversation. She was already asked out for a date by Yingjie and she said yes. The excitement she felt while imaging the twins wiped out her memories of this event. “I’m meeting my siblings that day. Would it be okay if we eat lunch together?”

“Sure! I always wanted to meet them” Yingjie exclaimed in excitement. He had always wanted to meet with the Hou siblings but was not given such opportunities. They were usually absent when a party happens so he didn’t get the chance to meet them in any event.

Wei Yan smiled widely when she heard Yingjie’s statement. Luckily, he’s an understanding kid. “We’ll meet up in Moonlight Dusk Mall”

“Mama will be there as well” Yingjie suddenly informed. He wanted it to be a date with Wei Yan but his mother had free time during that day so he forced her to not place anything more in her schedule and accompany him.

“Okay. I’ll see you in Renegade Restaurant” Wei Yan muttered with an adorable smile on her face. Saturday will be fun with them.

Just a second after Wei Yan’s remark a white Lexus LC car entered the gates of Lipin Academy and stopped in front of Yingjie. A long brown-haired man wearing a corporate suit got out of the car and approached him with a smile on his face. It was his cue to leave, now that his Uncle is here. “See you, Big Sister. I hope it’s Saturday already”

“So cute” she mumbled to herself after Yingjie hung up. She heard a familiar voice from the background so she already guessed that Rai arrived to fetch him. After drawing this conclusion, she turned towards her trusty guard and flashed him a smile. “Fang, help me make a reservation in Renegade Restaurant”

Without hesitation, Fang Tao nodded his head and dialed Makio to make the reservation. While he was busy doing this, Wei Yan went through her contacts and slowly typed a short message to her best friend whom she won’t be seeing in a long time.

…..

Meanwhile, inside the airport which Tianshi Conglomerate owns, Xie Na who was waiting for her friend suddenly received a message. When she saw who sent it, nervousness immediately surged within her but it was instantly replaced with relief when she saw the content of it and a warm smile spread across her face as she reads it like a whisper to the wind. “I’ll be waiting for you…always”

“Thank you for everything, Wei Wei” she muttered as tears of joy and sorrow weld up her eyes. She tightly clutched her phone as though holding on to her precious memories with Hou Wei Yan.

“Xie Na! Xieeee Naaaaaa!” a loud and boisterous voice suddenly boomed which made her turn around in surprise. A huge instantly made its way to her face when she saw the jet-black haired woman who was casually dressed in a white shirt and grey sweatpants. She looked like an ordinary woman, when in fact, her identity is something to take note of.

“Aina!” she called out as she embraced her. “It’s been so long”

The woman giggled at this. After a few minutes, she released Xie Na from her grasp and tightly squished her cheeks like how she used to do it when they were young. “I missed you…I missed China”

“Too bad you can’t stay long this time” Xie Na muttered in dejection. Aina had always wanted to come and visit her but because of her work and her certain distaste to the Han Conglomerate’s Heir, she had a hard time visiting.

“It’s okay. I’ll come back after everything is settled” she remarked, still with a huge and excited smile on her face. She had already received the invitation she wanted and finally finalized her papers of transfer. Once Xie Na is well settled down, she will certainly come back to China. “Wei Wei isn’t here?”

“I decided not to let her come. I won’t be able to leave if she’s here”

Aina immediately frowned when she heard Xie Na’s flawed reasoning. She wanted to scold her badly but decided that it wasn’t best to do it at the airport. Instead, she ruffled her own hair in frustration and looked at her seriously. “Make sure she doesn’t get angry at me. I’ll really strangle you if Wei Wei begins to despise me for conniving with you in this escapade”

“That won’t happen, I promise you that” Xie Na replied while flashing her a smile. Wei Yan already approved and sent her regards which means that she won’t blame anyone who helped her achieve her goal to leave the country and start a new life.

“Shall we?” Aina said as she offered her hands towards Xie Na. She looked at it for a few seconds before she smiled to herself and accepted it. From here on out, she will start a new life…as a mother.

“By the way, what’s the baby’s name?”

Xie Na placed her hands in her stomach as she fell in deep thought. The child doesn’t have a gender yet but she already knows what nickname she wants for him/her. Akin to her best friend who never fails to shine despite the darkness that continues to surround her—her one true star.

“Hmmmm, for now, its Estelle” she muttered while gently rubbing her stomach. It’s not yet noticeable but life is growing within her and she will do her best to protect it and give it a good life worth living. She’ll pour out all the love she has and give it to him/her and make sure that she won’t ever feel like her conception is unwanted.

“Oh, star” Aina said with a smile. She was of French Descent so she knew where Xie Na got that name from. Slowly, she chuckled at this because it was all written in Xie Na’s face who she was thinking while deciding for a nickname. “Hi Estelle, I’m the aunt who will be taking care of you and your mother…Aina Alarcon”