Chapter 266: 267: Headline
There were still hordes of journalists outside.
Xia Yangyang knew that tomorrow’s headline would be set.
Half an hour later, Shen Shichuan arrived.
He was dust-covered and worried, “How’s Xiao Bing? How is she?”
Xia Yangyang had never seen Shen Shichuan so flustered.
He had always been so composed; now, however, he looked terrified and had tears in his eyes.
Shen Shichuan had a meeting in Hong Kong today and had taken an early flight.
It’s only twelve noon now.
He must have heard about Shen Manbing’s condition as soon as he got off the plane and rushed back immediately.
Gu Qichen said, “She’s fine, just… shaken.”
Shen Shichuan went into the hospital room.
Gu Qichen said to Xia Yangyang, “Let’s go eat something.”
Xia Yangyang wasn’t in the mood at all.
After lunch, they went to the police station for a statement.
The police had already identified the assailant from today.
He had been a schizophrenic loner suffering from severe delusions. Every day, he watched Shen Manbing’s movies, thinking she was his lover.
There were no windows in his house; it was covered with posters and photos of Shen Manbing.
He had planned this proposal long ago. In fact, he was prepared for Shen Manbing to reject him and had planned to die with her.
The gun he carried was smuggled from abroad. This man was an extremist and was also involved in a criminal case.
He died instantly when he fell from the rooftop today.
By the time they left the police station, it was already dark.
Xia Yangyang remained silent all the way in the car.
Gu Qichen suddenly reached out and held Xia Yangyang’s hand, “The things I said on the rooftop just now, I had no other choice, you can’t overthink it, okay?”
Xia Yangyang was a little bewildered.
In fact, she wasn’t thinking much at all now; she didn’t even know what Gu Qichen was explaining.
Xia Yangyang said, “For the past half month, I’ve been reflecting. Gu Qichen, I don’t think I trusted you enough. I know you did everything you could, spending two billion yuan just to help me out. But I selfishly thought you did it because of Shen Manbing. Although in my heart, I know you trust me, I was still very angry. I kept asking myself why I was so angry. But now, I think I understand. It’s because I was never part of your past. Your past with Shen Manbing is like a mysterious box to me. I can’t see inside. It belongs to the two of you. I’ve been trying to convince myself to understand your feelings for her, just like my past with Lu Haotian. Since I went through it, I know it’s not easy to give up. I’ve always been afraid that eventually, you will think that the woman you loved for so many years is more suitable for you.”
Finally, Xia Yangyang calmly voiced the thoughts that had been weighing on her heart for so long.
All these emotions were what she had been avoiding and concealing.
But the words Gu Qichen said today opened up her heart.
It wasn’t because his words were particularly touching.
Instead, Xia Yangyang understood that for someone of Gu Qichen’s temperament to say such things contrary to his character in public and in front of the media must have meant something.
This was indeed a commitment.
If he betrayed her in the future, he would surely face public condemnation, outcry, and moral blame.
But he didn’t care about any of that.
He didn’t leave any room for retreat in their marriage.
If she still doesn’t trust him after all this, Xia Yangyang felt she wouldn’t be worthy of Gu Qichen’s cherish.
Gu Qichen gave Xia Yangyang a strange look, “Do you think I, Gu Qichen, don’t know what person is most suitable for me?”
“That’s not what I meant, I just… I am not as beautiful as Shen Manbing, not as accomplished, not…”
“All you need is me.”
Xia Yangyang was greatly moved.
But the next second, Gu Qichen was unhappy again, “But what did you mean by you not being able to give up on your many years of feelings for Lu Haotian?”