After the Fake Heiress Died, She Was Filled with Regret - Chapter 122

Chapter 122: Of Course She’d Give a Hug

Emma looked at Xia Shinan, her expression moving from surprise to a helpless smile. Finally, she leaned back against the driver’s seat, sighing as she covered her face with her hand.

“I thought I was hiding it well. I wanted to become your friend first, and then find a suitable time to tell you… or maybe never tell you. I never expected… when did you find out? Was it at the welfare center, the first time we met?”

Xia Shinan shook her head. “At the time, I just felt you looked familiar, but I couldn’t place it, as we truly hadn’t met before. Later, at the auction, when you sat next to me, your profile was very similar to hers.”

Even then, Xia Shinan only had a suspicion and no certainty. It wasn’t until she got into the car today, smelling the car’s air freshener and hearing the piano music, that all these factors confirmed her initial thought, which led to her probing question.

“I see… then your avoidance of me makes sense,” Emma looked at her and slowly began her story. “Actually, I’ve known about your existence for a long time.”

Growing up, she only had her maternal grandparents. Her mother only visited her in the U.S. during Chinese New Year and summer vacations, and she had never met her father.

She even suspected she was Xie Wan’s illegitimate child, which was why she was raised abroad.

Later, during her high school year, she pleaded with her grandmother for a long time until she was finally brought back to China to visit.

She saw her father, who was different from what she had imagined: aloof and cold—a man she couldn’t bring herself to like. Her mother had another girl by her side, whom her grandmother said was named Xia Shinan.

The girl was quiet and gentle, poised and strong. When she smiled, her lips were gently curved, and her eyes were crescent-shaped like a moon. She was participating in a piano competition, composed in her demeanor, and… like an angel.

So, her mother liked someone like that to be her daughter? Emma was naturally outgoing and unrestrained, terribly rough compared to Xia Shinan.

But her grandmother told her that her mother did this to protect her.

After observing closely, she found clues.

Xie Wan’s attitude toward Xia Shinan was something she had never witnessed: excessively strict, without a trace of warmth in her eyes, even giving off a cold and harsh impression.

Emma didn’t understand what kind of girl Xie Wan liked.

A few years later… her mother told her that the girl named Xia Shinan would come to the U.S. to live with her.

“From now on, you’ll be friends. She’s new here, so take good care of her.”

Emma agreed, but her heart was conflicted. The girl had stolen her mother, yet the thought of the girl’s smile made her instinctively want to be friends with her.

Unfortunately, the girl never arrived; she was presumed dead in the plane crash.

Less than a year later, Xie Wan divorced and went to the U.S. Emma was overjoyed; she could finally live with her mother in America.

But every night, her mother would wake up startled, especially during thunder and rainstorms. Her face would be filled with panic and unease, and tears would unconsciously flow, seemingly out of guilt.

Guilt for what? For her? Or for the other daughter? Emma never asked. It wasn’t until Xia Shinan’s name reappeared at the beginning of the year that Xie Wan finally cried loudly, murmuring, “Thank goodness she’s still alive.”

“After that, I’ve always wanted to study Chinese painting, so I took this opportunity to come here and see you,” Emma said, raising her eyes to look at Xia Shinan. She saw that Xia Shinan’s gaze was simply fixed forward, devoid of emotion, very calm.

“Mom told me everything about the past. You endured so much for me in the Xia family. I’m very grateful to you, and that’s why I want to be your friend.”

Xia Shinan blinked. “No need. I can’t forget a lot of things from the past, and I don’t want to bring them up again. As for being friends… let’s just drop it.”

Seeing the disappointment on Emma’s face, she asked, “Is Mom doing well?”

“Yes! She’s doing well, everything is fine. She just misses you a lot. If you’re willing to meet…”

“I’m not,” Xia Shinan interrupted her. “Emma, let’s just let all of this pass. Don’t mention it again, and let’s not meet again.”

With that, she opened the car door. After stepping onto the ground, she turned and said, “Goodbye.”

Emma was stunned, watching the retreating figure, and couldn’t help but feel lost. Suddenly, she remembered the words Xie Wan had stressed to her before she came to China.

“That child may seem weak, but her inner strength is greater than anyone’s. Since she chose to appear in the public eye, she must be very decisive. If… she is unwilling to talk about the past with you and unwilling to contact me, then just let it be.”

Emma had a premonition that, aside from the screen, she would never see Xia Shinan again.

“Goodbye, Angel.”

Back home, as soon as Xia Shinan entered the room, she smelled the aroma of sweet and sour pork ribs, and her anxious mood instantly disappeared. She put on a smile and walked into the kitchen, a faint smile gracing her lips as she watched Tang Yin busy herself.

For her, as long as she and Tang Yin were well, peaceful and beautiful like this, it was enough.

She wouldn’t forgive or reconcile with the past, but she knew what was important now, and those unhappy memories would slowly fade away.

With this thought, Xia Shinan walked into the kitchen and gently hugged Tang Yin from behind.

Tang Yin paused her work and responded with a soft laugh. “Sneaking in like that, aren’t you afraid of scaring me?”

“You didn’t hear me come home?” Xia Shinan didn’t believe it.

“Of course I did. I was actually worried about you because you took so long to come back,” Tang Yin allowed her to hug her, sprinkling a handful of sesame seeds into the pot before turning off the heat.

“Wash your hands and eat? Or hug for a little longer?” She clearly felt that Xia Shinan’s mood wasn’t quite right, but since the other person wasn’t speaking and only wanted a hug, of course she would give a hug.

Xia Shinan tightened her arms, rubbing her cheek against Tang Yin’s clothes, unwilling to let go.

“Rub lightly. You’re getting foundation all over my clothes,” Tang Yin said with a contained laugh.

“How could I…” Xia Shinan mumbled, looking up, but Tang Yin’s black pajamas indeed had some foundation smeared on them. She was extremely embarrassed.

“Let’s eat quickly!” She immediately let go and stepped back two paces. “I’m going to wash my hands first!”

Seeing her run off faster than a rabbit, Tang Yin shook her head helplessly. She should have kept quiet; she could have gotten a longer hug.

Three dishes and one soup were placed on the dining table. Xia Shinan walked out of the restroom, staring at the dining area distractedly. Usually, this table held only takeout or instant noodles, but now it was filled with fragrant home-cooked food. It truly felt like home.

“What are you staring at? Time to eat,” Tang Yin said, setting the rice bowl down and looking at her.

“Okay.” Xia Shinan quickly walked over and sat down, taking the bowl and chopsticks Tang Yin handed her. “Thank you.”

“Thank me for what?” Tang Yin sat across from her and placed food in Xia Shinan’s bowl first.

“Thank you for letting me feel like I have a home again.” The first time she felt the warmth of a home was in that tiny, dilapidated rental room, where she, Tang Yin, and Grandmother Tang had dinner together. That meal stayed with her for a long time.

Later, the time she lived with Tang Yin was also unforgettable, but after the incident, she never dared to reminisce. Every time she thought those beautiful moments were just Tang Yin’s pretense, it brought her pain.

But now, they seemed to be back in that time.

No, it was better than that—warmer. Tang Yin was using her own way to make Xia Shinan increasingly believe that their decision to get back together was profoundly right.

“It’s what I should be doing,” Tang Yin looked at her, her eyes overflowing with gentle affection. “When you’re busy with work, you don’t eat properly, and when you rest, you only think about sleeping. You won’t be able to handle it if this continues. You must eat well.”

In her heart, the fact that Xia Shinan had once drastically lost weight because of her was an eternally difficult hurdle. She wanted Xia Shinan to eat more, not to get fat, but for the sake of her health.

As long as Xia Shinan was healthy, Tang Yin would hate herself a little less.

“Oh, right. Ming Jing pleaded with me for a long time today, so I promised her I would return to Haicheng to work next week,” Tang Yin said. “I might have to break my promise of being your little assistant.”

Xia Shinan chuckled. “Did you really mean it? I thought you were joking. You go back and work in peace. After being away for so long, the company must be in turmoil. I know it worries you.”

Several times when she woke up late at night, she had seen Tang Yin leave the bedroom and go to the living room.

In the dark room, the cold light from the laptop screen illuminated Tang Yin’s focused expression. She was so engrossed she didn’t even notice Xia Shinan coming out to look for her.

“I’m also joining a film crew next week. After filming wraps, I’ll go to Haicheng and keep you company for two days,” Xia Shinan said seriously.

Tang Yin raised an eyebrow at her words. “Only two days?”

“Then I’ll work hard to try and get a few more days?” Xia Shinan tilted her head at her, blinking her eyes. She was very versatile, sometimes looking like a cute little rabbit, and other times like a stunning fox when she smiled.

“Good, hurry and eat,” Tang Yin quickly said. “The sweet and sour pork ribs are best eaten hot.”

“Mhm!” Xia Shinan took a large bite. Her eyes curved into a smile. “Delicious!”

After dinner, Tang Yin didn’t let Xia Shinan help with the cleanup, handling everything herself. “You’re already tired from work. Just sit and chat with me; don’t help. By the way… was your shoot today difficult?”

Xia Shinan shook her head. Her mood had improved significantly after the meal. Thinking about the Emma situation again, she wasn’t so depressed anymore and simply laid all the facts out for Tang Yin.

Tang Yin turned to her after listening. “Do everything according to your heart. Don’t let these things restrict you.”

“I heard her say Xie Wan is healthy and doing well, and that’s enough. I don’t want to deal with anyone else or anything else.”

“Mhm, then we won’t deal with it.”

Xia Shinan smiled softly. “Good.” Afterward, she leaned in and lightly kissed Tang Yin on the chin, then urged her. “Hurry up and clean the dishes. Don’t be lazy.”

Tang Yin smiled, turning back to the sink to continue washing the dishes, saying gloomily, “What’s the rush? It’s only a little past seven. The night is still young.”

Xia Shinan immediately realized. “I didn’t mean… that.”

“But I do mean that,” Tang Yin turned her face to look at her. “How about… you go shower first? We’ll save time.”

“Shameless,” Xia Shinan laughed, scolding her, and turned to leave the kitchen.

Tang Yin listened to her footsteps fade, and her smile slowly receded, remembering what happened after she saw Emma’s file this afternoon.

She had called Emma.

“Hello, I am Tang Yin.”

“Tang Yin… CEO Tang of SN? May I ask why CEO Tang is suddenly calling me? I don’t believe we know each other.”

“Miss Xia doesn’t need to play games with me. After all, you and I share the same bloodline. Didn’t you know?”

Emma paused for a moment. “You found out? Tang Yin, you’re not calling me because you’re worried about me fighting for the Xia family assets, are you? I’m truly not interested in that meager inheritance.”

Tang Yin chuckled softly. “I’m not foolish enough to fight you for that. I’m calling you as Xia Shinan’s girlfriend to warn you not to get close to her again.”

“Why?” Emma was confused. “Tang Yin, you can be her partner, and I can’t even be her friend?”

“Of course not,” Tang Yin pursed her lips, her expression radiating coldness. “Your presence will only make her feel bad and remind her of unpleasant things from the past. It won’t be good for either of you. If you want to study painting, I can introduce you to a well-known professor at A University, but please stay away from Xia Shinan.”

“On what grounds?” Emma laughed aloud. “Are you going to restrict her freedom? You have no right to stop her from making friends, not even as her partner!”

“You’re right, I don’t have the right. But I know Xia Shinan will dislike you,” Tang Yin stated with certainty.

“We’ll see about that.” Emma was furious. “Tang Yin… even if we share the same blood, mine is ultimately more noble than yours. Did you forget, you are the child of a mistress!”

“Oh,” Tang Yin lowered her eyes. From the moment of her birth, she was just herself: Grandmother’s granddaughter, Xia Shinan’s girlfriend. Her other identities didn’t matter.

“Then we’ll see.”

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