"It’s okay, I’m here."

Han Wanwan slowly sat up, resting her head against my chest. After a while, she sat up straight and looked at me, saying, "Nangong Yang, do you know? I was actually someone else’s shadow all along!"

Han Wanwan spoke slowly to me. I glanced around, grabbed a tissue from the bedside table, and handed it to Han Wanwan. She took the tissue and steadied her emotions.

"Nangong Yang, do you know? I’ve been enduring in silence, but... I can never get over that hurdle in my heart. These past few years, I’ve been someone else’s shadow all along. Nangong Yang, when we first met and got to know each other, it all happened so quickly. I thought I had found my other half in life, which is why things progressed so fast. It was all what I imagined..."

As Han Wanwan spoke, she buried her head in the bed and started sobbing uncontrollably.

Seeing Han Wanwan like this, I didn’t know how to comfort her. Lin Zhong’s ex-girlfriend ran to Z city to find him. Although Lin Zhong told her he was already married, Han Wanwan found out. Lin Zhong’s ex-girlfriend secretly called Han Wanwan out and told her everything. It turned out that Han Wanwan’s temper wasn’t due to pregnancy or by being influenced by others; she had been enduring all along. Even her strong heart has a vulnerable side. Han Wanwan needed to vent, and I, being so oblivious, hadn’t noticed.

That girl left after meeting Han Wanwan, since Lin Zhong was already married and made it clear he wouldn’t divorce. She probably felt it was pointless to stay.

"Since Lin Zhong made his stance clear, why are you still so upset?" Before me, Han Wanwan looked like a child who had suffered a huge grievance.

"There’s just a knot in my heart."

"It’s not good for the baby, you know?" I, who don’t know how to comfort others, had to use the unborn baby as an excuse.

Han Wanwan gradually stopped crying.

"How did Madam Lin find out?"

"I had a fight with Lin Zhong, and in a fit of anger said I wanted a divorce. That’s when Mom stepped in to teach Lin Zhong a lesson. She doesn’t know about the ex-girlfriend."

"You’re lucky to have such a good mother-in-law."

"What’s there to envy? Look at what Lin Zhong did!"

Han Wanwan said angrily, her nasal voice heavy from the crying.

When I came out of Han Wanwan’s room, Madam Lin was already in the kitchen preparing lunch. Lin Zhong was sitting in the living room, smoking, looking quite desolate. I walked straight up to him and punched his shoulder!

"What kind of mess have you made?" I plopped down next to Lin Zhong.

Lin Zhong rubbed his shoulder and looked at me with a face full of grievance. "I’ve explained everything very clearly. And there’s really nothing between me and her."

"Han Wanwan is pregnant now, of course she’ll overthink. Just give her some space, will you? You haven’t been in contact with that girl, have you?!"

"Of course not, I’m not stupid!"

Hmph, I thought you were, "So you really did take Han Wanwan as that girl’s shadow in the beginning?"

"No, don’t listen to Han Wanwan’s nonsense. Their personalities are completely different! Han Wanwan just can’t get over it. Help me persuade her when there’s a chance."

Although Han Wanwan is my best friend, Lin Zhong is also my closest buddy. I really don’t want to see things end badly between them.

"Of course, as long as you behave, I’ll definitely help you."

"Nangong Yang, you haven’t had lunch yet, right? I’ve prepared it, come join us." Madam Lin, who originally had a worried face, now wore a smile as she addressed me.

"Thank you, Auntie. I’ll go get Han Wanwan." I glanced at the dining table, filled with all of Han Wanwan’s favorite dishes. Seems like my worries were unnecessary.

Han Wanwan had already gotten up and changed out of her home clothes.

"Are you going out?" I looked at her in confusion.

"Are you coming with me shopping this afternoon?" Han Wanwan asked, twisting her waist in front of the mirror.

"I have to work this afternoon, don’t I? I hardly even have time for lunch, and you want me to go shopping? Sister, I know you’re feeling down, but in my current situation at work, I can’t afford to skip."

"Are you coming with me or not?"

"Alright, alright, but you have to eat first." I carelessly agreed, my brain seemed to have shut down, and my self-control was poor.

I took Han Wanwan to the dining table, making eye contact with Lin Zhong. He understood immediately and supported Han Wanwan to sit down. She just sat there quietly, letting Lin Zhong serve her dishes, without lifting a finger herself.

"Come on, eat, Han Wanwan. Look, these are all your favorites. Don’t sulk, I’ve already lectured Lin Zhong." Madam Lin joined us, serving a bowl of soup in front of Han Wanwan.

I sat quietly, discreetly took out my phone, and sent Xiao Fang a text message, "I have something this afternoon, help me take a leave."

"Alright, don’t worry." Xiao Fang quickly replied.

After receiving Xiao Fang’s reply, I ate in peace. Han Wanwan also started to eat on her own. During the meal, it was mainly Madam Lin and I chatting; Han Wanwan focused on her food, ignoring Lin Zhong even when he spoke to her.

Watching Han Wanwan like this made me feel uneasy. Fortunately, the girl had the sense to leave; if she had ill intentions, who knows what trouble could have arisen? Given Han Wanwan’s temperament, she’d surely divorce.

Before we set off, Lin Zhong gave Han Wanwan a card. I didn’t see what kind of card it was, and I thought Han Wanwan would refuse, but she took it naturally and put it in her bag.

I chuckled internally; Han Wanwan was venting in her own way. At Han Wanwan’s current spending level, Lin Zhong’s hard work this month might be for nothing.

I supported Han Wanwan as we left the house, and before leaving, I made a face at Lin Zhong. Serves him right! Lin Zhong, contrary to his usual self, made a pleading gesture toward me, to which I responded, OK!

Walking down the street, Han Wanwan suddenly stopped, shook off my hand, "I’m not sick, why are you treating me like a patient and holding me?"

"Hey, kid, I’m just worried about you."

"..."

"Lin Zhong gave you a bank card, didn’t he? Planning to use the card to vent your anger?"

"What venting with a card? It’s swiping the card!"

"My bad, isn’t it the same meaning?" Considering your bad mood, I won’t argue with you.

"Nangong Yang," Han Wanwan suddenly looked at me seriously.

"What’s up?" Han Wanwan’s gaze made me uneasy.

"If it were you, what would you do?"

If it were me, what would I do? I chased after Huang Puchen persistently back then. Even if something like this happened to us, the ball probably wouldn’t be in my court, would it?

"Why do you ask?" I looked at Han Wanwan nervously. Could she be thinking of something bad again?

Han Wanwan ignored me and walked straight into a jewelry store...

I watched her swipe the card without blinking, and I took the bag graciously handed over by the beaming sales assistant.

That’s real white silver!

Lin Zhong probably got a text alert by now, his heart must be bleeding.

We shopped all the way from one end of Peace Street to the other, and finally to Mao Ye Mall. Even though we didn’t find any desired clothing in the end, I looked at the heap of bags before me—besides jewelry, clothes, shoes, there were even cosmetics? This is crazy...

"Do you feel better now?" I finally sat on the curb, exhausted, while Han Wanwan, with her big belly, didn’t even complain about back pain.

"Not better! But I’m tired!"

Ha, finally tired, my dear Madam.

"Shall we head home?" I tentatively asked.

"No!" Han Wanwan’s eyes squinted into slits.