After the Fake Heiress Died, She Was Filled with Regret - Chapter 50

Chapter 50: Could It Be the One Xia Shinan Was On…

In the hospital room, Tang Yin felt dizzy when she woke up. Looking up, she saw a white ceiling and glaring fluorescent lights. Her gaze dropped to the surroundings, then to Ming Jing sitting beside her, playing a game on her phone.

“Why did you bring me here?” she asked, her voice hoarse and her throat very painful.

Ming Jing put away her phone and gave her a sharp look.

“What else? You had a fever and drank so much alcohol. I could only bring you to the hospital!” Recalling going to Tang Yin’s place and finding her collapsed on the floor, she had even thought Tang Yin was dead!

She was so scared she almost called the police.

Tang Yin still felt very dizzy and saw the needle in the back of her hand for the IV drip. She sighed. “Thank you.”

“Thank you my foot,” Ming Jing scoffed. “You’re going to lie down properly in the hospital today, get well, and stop drinking so much alcohol!”

“It’s nothing. I won’t die,” Tang Yin said faintly.

Ming Jing was furious at her half-dead appearance. “I regret it. I shouldn’t have sent you to the hospital. I should have dragged you to the funeral home!”

Tang Yin forced a smile, discovering her stomach also hurt.

“Understood. To prevent you from dragging me to the funeral home, I’ll take good care of myself.”

“That’s good.” Ming Jing looked at Tang Yin worriedly. These past few days, she was either soaking in the bar or slumped at home, looking neither human nor ghost.

“Where is my phone?” Tang Yin looked around and asked Ming Jing.

“Here.” Ming Jing took it out of her bag. “That Auntie Qi has been calling you nonstop. I didn’t answer.”

Tang Yin’s eyes darkened. She opened her phone and indeed saw over a dozen missed calls from Qi Ning, and a string of WeChat messages.

Just then, Qi Ning’s call came in.

Tang Yin paused, then quickly answered.

“Why didn’t you attend the shareholder meeting yesterday?”

Tang Yin leaned against the pillow, closing her eyes and speaking weakly: “Drank too much, slept all day…”

Qi Ning was stunned. “Drinking? Tang Yin, you drank on such an important day. Are you deliberately trying to anger me?”

“Don’t you want to go back to the Xia family anymore!”

Go back to the Xia family?

She used to desperately want to go back. She wanted the motherly love she missed for twenty years, and she wanted worldly things, wealth and fortune, all for her grandmother.

But her grandmother was gone, leaving her alone.

She also hurt the purest girl, leaving her battered and bruised…

So, was going back really meaningful?

Just for that illusory mansion, those unfeeling parents.

Did that seemingly wealthy Xia family, which lacked any warmth, really deserve Tang Yin to return?

Tang Yin had no answer.

“It was wrong of me to be absent yesterday,” Tang Yin said slowly. “As for returning to the Xia family… wait a little longer. Auntie Qi, I need a couple of days to myself.”

Hanging up the phone, Tang Yin put it down and glanced at the frowning Ming Jing. “What’s wrong… you don’t need to worry about me.”

Ming Jing sighed. “If I didn’t know so much, I would definitely side with Xia Shinan without hesitation. But… I watched you suffer.”

Tang Yin closed her eyes. “People always said that one must endure hardship to appreciate life. That it’s reasonable to have bitterness before sweetness. But I don’t understand. Why must people suffer? Wouldn’t it be better for me to just live easily and happily?”

Ming Jing: “Indeed… there are too many people suffering in this world.”

At that moment, the sound of high heels echoed from the corridor outside, getting closer, and then stopping at the door of Tang Yin’s room.

Both looked toward the door, surprised to see it was Xie Wan.

Tang Yin looked up at the woman before her, dressed in a purple qipao, every movement full of elegance.

She was the mother Tang Yin once longed for the most. Previously, whenever she thought of her biological mother being such a beautiful person, the sadness of being insulted and mocked by others would disappear.

However, after learning the kind of person she was, and how she treated Xia Shinan, she no longer wanted her and even hated her.

Now… the woman stood before her.

“You are… the girl who was swapped with Xia Shinan?” Xie Wan looked up, sizing up the girl’s face. “The one who is my daughter?”

Tang Yin looked at her coldly. “Yes. How is it? Are you very disappointed?”

Xie Wan’s smile was gentle, but her words were utterly cold, like a soft-edged knife.

She shook her head. “No, I’m pleasantly surprised.”

“It’s only a pity I didn’t recognize you earlier. A ruthless person like you is better suited to the Xia family than Xia Shinan. She’s too obedient and too kind, unlike you.”

Tang Yin looked at her in disbelief, then laughed aloud. “You truly are a good mother!”

Xie Wan ignored Tang Yin’s sarcasm. “I won’t pursue the matter between you and Xia Shinan. I’ve already completed the paperwork for Xia Shinan to go abroad. I came here to ask you if you’d like to go with her.”

“You two can continue your studies in the US and forge your own paths. I consider this to be the limit of my benevolence.”

Tang Yin clenched her fists. At this moment, she felt transported back to her childhood.

She was bullied by classmates, called a fatherless and motherless wild child, and her grandmother was called the dirtiest old woman who picked up trash.

Later, the teacher found out and invited the parents of the other child.

“Student Tang, our Qi Fan didn’t mean it. Please forgive him. You’ll all be good friends in the future. Auntie will buy you candy, okay? And pizza… you must have never had it.”

Xie Wan was like that parent, with a superior attitude, hoping that a little benefit could erase her mistakes and make Tang Yin forget the past pain.

What did Tang Yin do back then?

She rushed over and, in front of the parent, beat their child until they were bruised and swollen.

Now, Tang Yin still overturned the candy Xie Wan offered.

“I don’t care for it! Just let Xia Shinan study well in the US. I’m not going.”

“I don’t like her at all. All of this was planned by me to get revenge on her and you. And you want me to go to the US with her?”

“If she goes to the US, that would be great. Then I won’t have to worry about seeing her again.”

Xie Wan was stunned, then gradually broke into a smile. “Then I respect your choice.”

Neither of them noticed a girl in a blue dress standing outside the door, who turned and left sadly after hearing the conversation inside.

At the shopping mall, Xia Shinan strolled leisurely, linking arms with Qian Yu.

Xia Shinan looked around, unable to generate any interest.

“I actually lack nothing. There’s no need to specially buy any clothes or anything else. If I really need something, I can buy it once I get there.”

Qian Yu disagreed. “Have you seen the posts on Xiaohongshu? Essential items for international students: what sanitary napkins, Lao Gan Ma, and thermal underwear!”

Xia Shinan was amused. “Shouldn’t we be going to the supermarket then?”

“Of course we’re going to the supermarket for a big haul! But I still want to buy you other things.” Qian Yu mumbled, buying Xia Shinan a comfortable set of pajamas, jewelry, necklaces—anything beautiful that suited Xia Shinan, she wanted to buy.

The two walked up to the second floor. Xia Shinan froze, looking at the photography studio in the distance.

Qian Yu followed her gaze. “What’s wrong?”

Xia Shinan didn’t answer, just smiled faintly, bitterly.

“Shall we come back to take photos for your birthday?”

“Okay!”

She and Tang Yin had also promised to come and take couple photos together.

Thinking back now, she didn’t know if Tang Yin’s words back then were sincere or just casual coaxing.

It was likely only she took it seriously.

Now, circumstances had changed. She and Tang Yin had broken up, and the studio now displayed family portraits.

“It’s nothing,” she replied flatly.

“Let’s go… we still need to go to the supermarket.” Qian Yu looped her arm through hers and headed to the escalator to go downstairs.

Xia Shinan quietly followed, but occasionally looked back at the photography studio until it was out of sight.

“Shinan…”

Qian Yu sighed helplessly, looking at Xia Shinan beside her.

Xia Shinan did go to the hospital that day, but she seemed to have missed Tang Yin. She didn’t seem particularly sad when she returned, but the melancholy in her eyes was undeniable.

Just like now… she didn’t know what was special about that store, but there was definitely something Xia Shinan couldn’t let go of.

On the first floor, the two headed towards the supermarket, but Xia Shinan stopped. She murmured:

“Little Yu Mao, I’m leaving tomorrow.”

“Yes, early tomorrow morning, I’ll take you to the airport.”

Xia Shinan shook her head. “I’m leaving tomorrow, and I can’t leave… with such lingering reluctance.”

Qian Yu stared at her blankly. “Shinan, what do you want to do?”

Xia Shinan’s eyes were much more determined: “I want to see Tang Yin one last time.”

Not “want to,” but “must.”

Tonight Bar was usually quiet, and even more so today. Ming Jing had posted a “Closed Today” sign, but she was busy behind the bar, making non-alcoholic drinks for the person upstairs, then serving them.

It was still the same location as last time. The previous meeting ended with an argument, and after Xia Shinan left, Tang Yin wept uncontrollably.

But now, everything was so peaceful, as if nothing had happened.

Xia Shinan smiled and said thank you when Ming Jing served the drink.

“Thank you, Sister.”

“It’s nothing. You’re… leaving tomorrow, right? It’s good that you came. Consider it a farewell drink.” Ming Jing said, glancing at the expressionless, cold-faced Tang Yin.

“Talk slowly. Call me if you need anything.”

Ming Jing went downstairs, but the two still didn’t speak.

Tang Yin kept her gaze lowered, trying to guess with her ears and her heart what Xia Shinan was doing, and what her expression was like.

Finally, unable to bear the silence, she looked up and asked, “What do you actually…”

Her gaze met Xia Shinan’s eyes. Had she been watching her the whole time?

Tang Yin didn’t understand. She had made everything clear that day. She was leaving tomorrow. Wouldn’t it be better to end things cleanly?

Why did they have to meet again?

Xia Shinan spoke softly, “I heard you were in the hospital a couple of days ago, but I didn’t dare to visit, afraid of disturbing you. Are you… feeling better?”

“I’m fine,” Tang Yin turned her face away, refusing to look at her. “You don’t need to care about me. We have nothing to do with each other anymore.”

Xia Shinan lowered her gaze, tightly clenching the corner of her clothes with her fingers, and gathered the courage to continue: “I-I know about Grandmother’s passing.”

Tang Yin looked back, her eyes full of shock. Thinking of her grandmother closing her eyes in front of her, a wave of grief washed over her.

Her chest heaved for a moment. She asked, “What exactly are you trying to say?”

Xia Shinan’s eyes were full of guilt. “I also heard that night, it was because Mom went to see Grandmother…”

Tang Yin closed her eyes, forcing back the tears.

“So, you’re here to apologize for her? Xia Shinan, you’re not the Xia family’s daughter anymore. You don’t need to apologize for her.”

“No,” Xia Shinan quickly said. “I don’t know what happened, but after thinking about it, it’s all my fault. If it weren’t for me, she wouldn’t have gone to see Grandmother. Maybe Grandmother wouldn’t have…”

She paused. “Tang Yin, I understand what you did to me.”

“You had a very difficult childhood, but that hardship should have been mine. I took your place and always lived a better life than you. I owe you.”

“I can’t even begin to imagine how you managed to be so brave, enduring such a long, difficult time.”

“You are amazing. You are wonderful.”

“I believe you will be even better in the future!”

Tang Yin’s eyes widened. She was completely frozen, staring blankly at the girl in front of her.

She was always called naive, called foolish, but in fact, she understood many things. She just never blamed others, always looking for reasons within herself.

Xia Shinan smiled just like before. “What I just said was a sincere apology, as the girl who took your place for twenty years.”

“But… Tang Yin, your pretense deceived my sincerity.”

Xia Shinan’s heart trembled as she finished speaking. “This, I cannot forgive you for.”

“I’m leaving tomorrow. As you wish, we won’t see each other again.”

“I wish you all the best and that you get everything you want.”

Xia Shinan left, not even touching the drink on the table.

This made Tang Yin feel disoriented, as if Xia Shinan had never come, and everything that happened was a hallucination.

The wooden stairs creaked as Xia Shinan descended. Tang Yin looked up, her face already covered in tears.

“Aren’t you going to chase her? If she leaves tomorrow, it’s truly over,” Ming Jing asked.

“No.”

Tang Yin closed her eyes in agony, her whole body trembling.

A soiled person like her, even with the most privileged life, would still be a clown.

Why drag Xia Shinan down again?

Xia Shinan deserved a better person and a brighter future.

“Alright, this is far enough.” After checking her luggage, Xia Shinan only carried a small bag and hugged Qian Yu in farewell.

After their heart-to-heart talk last night, both of them had swollen eyes from crying. Now at the airport, they promised not to cry, but their eyes were already red.

“There’s still an hour and a half until boarding! Stay a little longer! Shinan, I can’t bear to see you go, boo-hoo-hoo…” Qian Yu held Xia Shinan’s arm, refusing to let go.

“If I stay any longer, I’m afraid I won’t want to leave,” Xia Shinan said with a smile. “Especially with such a good friend like you.”

Qian Yu immediately wanted to say, “Then don’t go!” But a second later, she realized it was better for Shinan to leave.

“I’ll call you the first thing when I land,” Xia Shinan coaxed her gently. “We can video chat, call each other every day. Will you come visit me on holidays?”

Though, she probably wouldn’t want to come back here again.

“Then it’s settled. You must stay in touch! You can’t just disappear on me!”

“In your heart, your best friend can only ever be Little Yu Mao!”

“Mmm!” Xia Shinan nodded heavily, hugging her friend tightly one last time, sobbing, “Goodbye, Little Yu Mao.”

Releasing her, she turned and walked towards the boarding gate, waving goodbye to Qian Yu every three steps, until she passed security and was out of sight.

She couldn’t go back, and she shouldn’t go back.

Xia Shinan looked up at her surroundings, still filled with rushing travelers. She used to envy these people, who could fly to different places, busy themselves with their lives.

Now that she was one of them, she realized that most of those hurried steps carried an immense reluctance and attachment to this place.

“Xia Shinan, look forward.”

She murmured, continuing forward to wait for boarding.

Her phone suddenly vibrated. Xia Shinan looked at it, surprised, but answered the call anyway.

“Aunt?”

The weather was excellent today. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the second floor of the bar brightly.

Yet, in this beautiful scene, Tang Yin sat by the window, lifeless.

Ming Jing sighed. “If you stay here any longer, I’ll have to charge you a bed fee.”

Tang Yin looked up at the sound. “You don’t have many customers. Wouldn’t it be good for me to boost your foot traffic?”

Ming Jing scoffed. Her casual words were usually enough to infuriate anyone, but only Tang Yin was immune.

She strode over and sat across from her.

“If you’ve really moved on, then you should go back to school and start attending classes. The final exams are coming up, right? You need to study. Also, your Auntie Qi has been looking for you, hasn’t she? You should decide whether you’re going back to the Xia family or not.”

Seeing Tang Yin’s lack of reaction, she continued: “If you haven’t moved on, then you should have gone to send Xia Shinan off before she went abroad! Even a glimpse of her from afar is better than zoning out here.”

Tang Yin smiled faintly. “I’m afraid if I went, I wouldn’t be able to stop myself.”

Wouldn’t be able to stop herself from asking her to stay, or wouldn’t be able to stop herself from leaving with her?

Tang Yin didn’t know, but she knew she wouldn’t be able to stop herself.

“Everything has ended. The storm will always clear up, right?” Ming Jing comforted her.

Tang Yin rested her head on the table, looking out the window, which was quiet and beautiful. Two sparrows perched on the lush green leaves, then flew up into the sky.

She followed their flight and saw the contrail of an airplane, looking especially lonely against the clear blue sky.

She wondered where it was going.

Could it be the one Xia Shinan was on?

Both their phones vibrated simultaneously on the table. Ming Jing was startled and instinctively checked hers.

“Oh… it’s a news bulletin on Weibo.”

She glanced at it and put it down, then realized something two seconds later and reopened it.

“Tang Yin, Tang Yin!”

Tang Yin looked up. Seeing Ming Jing’s changed expression, she also picked up her phone. The news bulletin that appeared before her eyes read:

Breaking! A passenger plane flying to XX City Airport in the United States has crashed!

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