To Sink Into You - Chapter 19

September 1st marked the official start of the university semester.

Ink Moon Manor was about a twenty-minute drive from the school. Shen Kang, who had served as the Ming Family’s driver for over two decades, was tasked with driving Wen Yuxi to and from school each day. He was very familiar with her and treated her with paternal affection, as if she were his own daughter.

That afternoon, Shen Kang parked the car at the school gate as usual, waiting for Wen Yuxi to finish classes.

When the dismissal bell rang, Wen Yuxi emerged from the school with the crowd, got into the car, and settled in. “Sorry for the wait, Uncle Shen.”

“No problem at all,” Shen Kang replied with a smile, picking up a pastry box from the passenger seat. “Miss Wen, here, have some cream puffs.”

“Thank you, Uncle Shen,” Wen Yuxi said, her almond-shaped eyes curving into a smile. She opened the box and took a sniff. “They smell delicious.”

“Madam Ming just called,” Shen Kang said as he started the car. “She wants you to visit the estate. Would you prefer to go there directly, or should we head back to Ink Moon Manor first?”

“Mom wants to see me?” Wen Yuxi pondered for a moment. “Let’s go straight to the estate, then.”

It seemed Ming Yang’s investigation into Wen Jiayang had yielded results.

After arriving at the manor, Wen Yuxi greeted Zuo Lian and Ming Yi. Just as before, Ming Yang led her to the study for a private conversation.

As soon as the door closed, Wen Yuxi asked before Ming Yang could speak, “Mom, have you found out who drugged me?”

Ming Yang paused, carefully choosing her words. “Yes, Xiao Yuxi. Please listen calmly. Over the past few days, I had your parents investigated. We discovered that your father purchased a potent fever-inducing drug through an illegal website.”

Wen Yuxi’s eyes widened in disbelief. “My father? How could he…? Why? Why would he want to harm me?”

Ming Yang soothed her gently. “Don’t get upset, dear.”

The rims of Wen Yuxi’s eyes reddened. “Mom, will my father go to prison?”

Ming Yang hesitated. “It’s uncertain. Under Empire law, your father’s actions constitute attempted crime, punishable by imprisonment ranging from one month to two years. However, the drug did cause physical harm to you, so the severity of the penalty may be higher. Ultimately, it depends entirely on your decision.”

Wen Yuxi was surprised. “My decision?”

“Yes. Your situation is unique. He’s your direct relative, and a criminal record would negatively impact your future. Moreover, his motives remain unclear. If you choose to sign a letter of forgiveness, all penalties against him can be waived. The choice is entirely yours.”

Wen Yuxi blinked, pondered for a moment, and asked, “If I choose to sign the letter of forgiveness, will the Investigation Team still question him about his motives?”

Sending Wen Jiayang to prison now would not only result in a short sentence but also alert Su Xi, making it a counterproductive move.

She wanted to ensure that Wen Jiayang would never be able to harass her again for the rest of his life.

Ming Yang replied, “Yes, it’s a mandatory procedure. There’s no way to avoid it.”

“Alright, I’ve decided to sign the letter of forgiveness,” Wen Yuxi said without hesitation. “When the Investigation Team questions my father, please don’t alarm my mother. Her health is fragile, and she can’t handle the stress.”

What a kind, filial, and considerate child, Ming Yang thought, nodding gently. “Good. Today’s meeting was mainly to confirm your decision. If you hadn’t signed the letter, the Investigation Team would have arrested your father immediately. Since you’ve chosen to sign, they can’t act rashly and will notify you in advance.”

“That’s good. Thank you, Mom.” Wen Yuxi rubbed her chin and asked, “Has there been any progress in tracing the website?”

“Not yet. The trail went cold quickly,” Ming Yang said. “For nearly a century, the Investigation Team has been locked in a battle of wits with various pharmaceutical smuggling organizations. Such airtight counter-surveillance tactics are rare. This is a tough nut to crack, and it will take time.”

“…I see.”

“Don’t worry about that,” Ming Yang said, ruffling Wen Yuxi’s hair with a smile. “Let the professionals handle it. Come on, let’s go downstairs and have Sister Wu cut us some watermelon.”

Wen Yuxi smiled, her lips curving into a sweet smile. “Okay.”

On September 7th, Wen Jiayang was taken in for questioning by the Investigation Team. To keep Su Xi in the dark, Wen Yuxi and Ming Qian took her out for the day, treating her to meals, shopping, and a movie.

After dinner, Ming Qian drove the mother and daughter home.

“Aiya, why did you two bring me along on your date?” Su Xi teased, her face brimming with amusement. “Qianqian, you shouldn’t have spent so much on me. You’re too generous!”

Ming Qian smiled warmly. “It’s my pleasure, Mom. Don’t be so formal.”

As they reached the entrance of their apartment building, Su Xi stopped and turned to Wen Yuxi. “You can see me off here, Xixi. Go home with Qianqian now. You two deserve some quality time together.”

“But Sister Ming Qian has work to do tonight,” Wen Yuxi protested, raising an eyebrow at Ming Qian to signal her to play along. “I’ll be so lonely by myself, right?”

Ming Qian chuckled softly. “Yes, Mom, I’m busy tonight. I’ll pick up Yuxi tomorrow.”

“Alright,” Su Xi said. “Work comes first, Qianqian. You go ahead and get busy.”

After saying goodbye to Ming Qian, Wen Yuxi linked arms with Su Xi and headed upstairs. As they opened the door to their apartment, they found Wen Jiayang already home.

“Dad.”

“Mm,” Wen Jiayang replied, his face betraying exhaustion despite his forced smile. “You’re back. Have you eaten?”

“Yes, I have. What about you?” Wen Yuxi asked.

“Not yet.”

Su Xi exclaimed, “Aiyo!” and hurriedly set down her bags. “Even when you’re busy with work, you need to eat! I’ll make you something.”

“Let me handle it,” Wen Yuxi interjected, stopping her mother. “Mom, you should go take a shower and rest. You’ve been out all day.”

Su Xi pinched her daughter’s nose, her eyes crinkling with a smile. “Alright, then. I’ll go shower. You make dinner for your dad.”

After Su Xi closed the bedroom door, Wen Yuxi turned to Wen Jiayang, her tone flat. “Today’s events have nothing to do with me. The Investigation Team uncovered everything.”

“Your father knows,” Wen Jiayang said, his voice hoarse and his tone utterly sincere. “Daughter, thank you for being willing to sign the letter of forgiveness. I promise I’ll never do anything so foolish again.”

Wen Yuxi smiled coldly, noncommittal.

Wen Jiayang had often said such things when he used to beat and berate her and her mother.

Each time, he claimed to sincerely repent, but he never changed. He apologized endlessly, yet continued to make the same mistakes.

When Su Xi was young, Wen Jiayang had coaxed her into quitting her job to become a full-time housewife. Now, after decades of being disconnected from society, she had long lost the ability to support herself independently. No matter how much she suffered, she couldn’t leave her husband, gradually growing numb to the hardships.

During their worst conflicts, Wen Yuxi had begged her mother to divorce him, but Su Xi had instead tried to persuade Wen Yuxi, saying, “Your father is actually a good man. He was just driven to this by your grandfather. You’re his daughter—you need to learn to forgive him.”

Wen Yuxi resented this, but she was powerless to change it.

She knew Su Xi wasn’t wrong; she had simply been conditioned by Wen Jiayang.

She also knew she wasn’t wrong; she just wanted to escape, to escape by any means necessary.