If You Could Hear My Heart

Children were crying loudly, elderly people sighed in dismay, and sleazy middle-aged men cursed at others. The clamor of voices was everywhere, making it particularly distressing.

Shen Chi frowned, his face reluctant.

Shen Chi, are you going or not? If you’re not going, then let’s sit down and discuss the divorce first. This first clause of the divorce…

Fine, fine, I’ll go. A wife’s words must be heeded, he answered.

Good, go and get a number first, Xu Chaomu finally said, satisfied, directing him.

Mumu, you sit there and wait for me. I’ll come to find you after I finish the paperwork, Shen Chi pointed to a vacant seat nearby.

Alright, but be quick. Who knows, I might spot a handsome guy and run away with him, she retorted.

I don’t think anyone could be more handsome than me, he boasted.

Pfff, are you going to get in line or not? Are you going or not? Go or not!

I’m going, I’m going, Shen Chi said, admitting defeat.

He reluctantly left her side and queued up at the counter to get a number, feeling like he owed her from a past life.

While standing in line, he kept turning his head to check on her, fearing that she might run away the moment he looked away.

Xu Chaomu, on the other hand, seemed carefree, chatting with an old lady sitting nearby.

My girl, is that your husband? the old lady asked, pointing at Shen Chi.

No, he’s my brother, she lied.

Your brother? How old is he? Does he have a girlfriend?

Big sis, my brother is twenty-eight and hasn’t found someone yet, I’m really worried. Do you know any suitable matches for him? she played along.

You don’t say, I actually do know someone. First tell me, what does your brother do? I’ll help you filter, the old lady offered.

Xu Chaomu pressed her forehead, amazed at how trendy the old lady was, as if she had a database of singles.

Well, he… works at a company, she replied vaguely.

Oh, he works for a company? What position is he at? Assistant manager? Manager? Or maybe a director? I tell you, the position makes a difference; the kind of person he can date depends on it, the old lady explained.

Ha, ha, president… Xu Chaomu couldn’t help but let out.

Ha ha ha, young lady, you sure have a sense of humor. The young girls nowadays are so funny, talking to you makes me feel years younger! the old lady laughed.

Ha, yes, just joking, Xu Chaomu chuckled, covering her mouth.

But seriously, my girl, your family has good genes. Look at yourself, so bright and lovely, and your brother is quite good-looking. But how come he doesn’t have a partner yet? Could it be… The old lady trailed off suggestively.

He’s just too busy with work, but don’t worry, my brother is definitely healthy in body and mind, she assured her.

Little lady, then leave me your contact information. I’ll call you if I see a good match. We really hit it off, the old lady said happily. I must say, I quite like your brother. If I were a few decades younger, I’d chase after him.

Pfft… Xu Chaomu couldn’t hold back her laughter.

Here, leave me your number; I’ll take note of it, the old lady insisted.

Sure…

Just as Xu Chaomu was about to give the old lady her number, Shen Chi suddenly stepped forward quickly, his lips curling affectionately, Wife, stop messing around. Your husband’s number isn’t something you can just give away.

The old lady choked, Uh, wasn’t he your brother?

Yes, a brother-in-law, Shen Chi quickly interjected, while casually stroking Xu Chaomu’s head.

The old lady was clearly annoyed, snapping her phone shut with a loud click!

Young ladies these days are not at all honest; can’t even tell husbands from lovers from brothers, she huffed.

It’s not that… Xu Chaomu tried to speak.

Wife, let’s go. The registration is done; we head to the fourth floor, Shen Chi cut her off.

Without giving Xu Chaomu a chance to speak further, Shen Chi wrapped his arm around her shoulder and forcibly dragged her away.

I finally get a chance to talk to someone else, and you drag me away, Xu Chaomu complained unhappily.

If we don’t leave now, the doctor will be off duty. Besides, there’s nothing worth chatting about, he responded.

Only then did Xu Chaomu drop the matter. Indeed, if they didn’t hurry, the doctor would be off duty.

Shen Chi glanced at the screen holding the number and saw there were still thirty ahead of him; he massaged his forehead in frustration.

You sit here and wait; I’ll go get some air. The smell of disinfectant is overwhelming, Xu Chaomu said.

Don’t go far, he cautioned.

Got it, she acknowledged.

And don’t talk to any more old ladies, he added.

Understood, understood. Stop nagging, or you’ll turn into an old lady yourself, she teased, covering her ears as she ran off. She made her way from the fourth floor down to the first.

She really disliked hospitals, especially the strong scent of disinfectant.

Moreover, at this moment, she wanted to find a phone booth to give Nie Chenglang a call!

It had been days since she’d seen him, and he must be worried, and to top it off, Shen Chi, that man, had taken her phone away!

In the vast hospital, she had no idea where to find a phone booth.

She walked out of the lobby on the first floor and started searching for one.

She was afraid of being caught by Shen Chi, but then again, why worry if caught? She hadn’t done anything wrong.

Looking around with wide eyes, suddenly, she collided with full force into a woman!

Ouch! the woman quickly steadied herself against the wall.

Xu Chaomu was startled too and hastily jumped to the side.

How do you walk? Don’t your eyes look forward? If you had hurt someone, how would you have taken responsibility? the woman admonished before Xu Chaomu could even speak.

Her nurse also steadied her, fearing any mishap.

It was just a brush-by, what’s the big deal? Xu Chaomu scoffed.

But… wait, that woman looked so familiar!

Extremely familiar! Utterly familiar!

Yes, Jian Sisi! Shen Chi’s mistress, Jian Sisi!

Xu Chaomu surveyed her from head to toe. Jian Sisi wore a light pink cheongsam that day, which seemed a bit tight. Xu Chaomu’s gaze instinctively fell on her belly.

It was slightly protruding.

She looked down at herself; no sign of anything.

What brush-by? Miss Jian is pregnant. If she hadn’t reacted quickly just now, you could have knocked her to the ground, the nurse backed up Jian Sisi.

How dramatic, Xu Chaomu dismissed them, intent on finding a phone booth.

What kind of attitude is that? Jian Sisi clearly had a temper. You were in the wrong just now. Apologize to me.

Jian Sisi and her nurse both blocked Xu Chaomu’s path, not allowing her to leave.

Just now, no one touched anyone. So how did it become my fault? Xu Chaomu debated.

Miss, I saw the whole thing. It was clearly your fault. Don’t make excuses; making excuses is just a cover-up, the nurse argued.

A cover-up is like telling stories? Xu Chaomu quipped. Miss Jian really knows how to tell stories.

You recognize me? Jian Sisi frowned.

Who doesn’t recognize you, Miss Jian Sisi, the fiancée of the president of Shen Group? Xu Chaomu said with a smile.