To Sink Into You - Chapter 44

The next day, Su Xi and Wen Jiayang obtained their divorce certificate.

Wen Yuxi, now an adult with the means to support herself, didn’t require a court-ordered custody arrangement. Her only obligation was to provide financial support to her parents in their old age.

Su Xi moved out of Quyao Street and rented a small, 30-square-meter apartment with Wen Yuxi’s assistance.

Wen Jiayang remained remarkably calm throughout the process, showing no particular emotional outbursts. He seemed to be plotting something, or perhaps simply biding his time.

Having endured such a traumatic experience, Su Xi’s emotional state was bound to fluctuate wildly. After the move, Wen Yuxi immediately took her mother to the hospital for a check-up. The results confirmed elevated bl00d pressure and bl00d sugar levels.

Health issues couldn’t be ignored. Wen Yuxi stayed with her mother for several days until Su Xi’s condition stabilized completely. Only then, after urging her to return home and comfort her wife, did Wen Yuxi feel at ease enough to return to Ink Moon Manor and resume her normal life.

Ming Qian remained unaware of the recent events, and Wen Yuxi intended to keep it that way. This was a scheme she had orchestrated alone, using despicable and even vile methods. She didn’t want Ming Qian to discover her darker side.

Even if I can keep it hidden for just one more day.

Unfortunately, secrets can’t stay hidden forever. During a casual weekend chat, Ming Qian learned everything from Su Xi.

Over the phone, Su Xi said apologetically, “That child has been staying with me lately and hasn’t been home much. Qianqian, please don’t blame her.”

“Of course not,” Ming Qian replied gently. “Yuxi is filial. It’s only right for her to be with you.”

“Xixi has always taken care of me. I know she must be hurting inside after what happened,” Su Xi sighed. “She’s been sensible and strong-willed since she was little. Qianqian, please comfort her for me.”

Ming Qian nodded. “Don’t worry, Mom. I will.”

“Xixi has always adored you. To be honest, I only feel at ease when she’s with you,” Su Xi said wistfully. “I have nothing else to worry about in this life except for my precious daughter. Please don’t mind my nagging.”

Ming Qian chuckled warmly. “I understand completely.”

“Alright, alright. You must be busy. I won’t bother you any longer.”

“Goodbye, Mom.”

As the call ended, the smile faded from Ming Qian’s lips. She lowered her gaze, rubbed her temples, and exhaled deeply.

Wen Yuxi hadn’t mentioned a word about her parents’ divorce—such a significant event.

That evening, Wen Yuxi finished her temporary work and returned to Ink Moon Manor.

“You’re back?” Ming Qian greeted her, her voice gentle as she wore a sky-blue house dress. “Dinner’s ready. Aunt Yang just left, and the food’s still warm.”

“Okay,” Wen Yuxi replied, changing her shoes and entering the house. As she walked toward the kitchen, a sudden thought struck her. She turned back and asked, “Sister, is something wrong?”

Ming Qian looked puzzled. “What do you mean?”

Wen Yuxi hesitated. “I just feel like something’s off.”

Ming Qian remained noncommittal. “Let’s talk after dinner.”

“…Okay,” Wen Yuxi murmured, rubbing her nose. So, my sixth sense was right after all.

After dinner, the two sat facing each other in the living room.

Wen Yuxi felt inexplicably nervous. “Sister, what’s really going on?”

Ming Qian spoke calmly. “Don’t worry. I just have a few questions.”

“Go ahead,” Wen Yuxi urged.

“At noon, I had a chat with your mother,” Ming Qian said evenly. “Have you been busy with your parents’ divorce these past few days?”

Wen Yuxi’s heart skipped a beat, and she swallowed nervously. “Yes.”

“Yuxi, I’ve told you before, we’re family,” Ming Qian said gently, her gaze warm and steady. “Why didn’t you tell me about something so important?”

“You were busy these past few days,” Wen Yuxi’s eyes darted around. “I didn’t want to interrupt your work.”

Ming Qian sighed, a hint of hurt in her voice. “So, you don’t really see me as family.”

“No! That’s not true!” Wen Yuxi panicked, quickly protesting. “You are my family—a very, very important part of my family! No one else can compare!”

Ming Qian looked genuinely puzzled. “Even so, you still keep me at arm’s length, unwilling to confide in me. Yuxi, is it that I can’t make you feel safe? Or do you think I’m cold-hearted and wouldn’t care about your pain?”

Wen Yuxi’s emotions churned, leaving her speechless.

Ming Qian’s eyes were deep and dark, like a vast ocean or a bottomless night, possessing an extraordinary allure that drew people in. They made Wen Yuxi yearn to catch her attention, even for a fleeting moment.

Biting her tongue to maintain composure, Wen Yuxi asked dryly, “Sister, if… I mean, if… if I wasn’t well-behaved, would you still care about me?”

“What does your behavior have to do with my caring for you?” Ming Qian smiled helplessly. “Yuxi, we’ve grown up together since childhood. Even if we weren’t married, I’d still be your sister. You can always rely on me.”

Deeply moved, Wen Yuxi couldn’t help but ask, “Do you treat everyone this way?”

“Everyone?” Ming Qian raised an eyebrow slightly. “Who are you referring to?”

Wen Yuxi lowered her gaze. “Everyone except me.”

“…Perhaps,” Ming Qian teased with a rare smile. “Is our Yuxi jealous?”

Wen Yuxi looked away, her ears flushing crimson as she pressed her lips together in silence.

Ming Qian said tenderly, “I told you, if you ever fall in love with someone else, I’ll set you free. But if not, we’ll spend our lives together. As your wife, you’ll always be my first priority. No one else can compare.”

Wen Yuxi felt both joy and apprehension. “Then… do you love me?”

Ming Qian’s smile remained unchanged as she replied frankly, “Of course.”

A faint sense of disappointment settled in Wen Yuxi’s heart. Ming Qian wasn’t lying—she genuinely cared for her, but it was far from deep love.

She needed to try harder.

“Since you said I can rely on you…” Wen Yuxi leaned closer, her eyes drooping as she coaxed with a touch of feigned helplessness, “Can I have a hug?”

“Of course,” Ming Qian replied indulgently, pulling Wen Yuxi into her arms and settling the girl on her lap. She asked solicitously, “Do you need my pheromones?”

Wen Yuxi buried her face in Ming Qian’s neck, her voice muffled. “Yes.”

In the long years before she was marked, Ming Qian had only held her three times. The first embrace had warmed her childhood, the second had solidified her love, and the third had bridged six years of time, like a torrential rain on her parched heart.

Compared to the past, they were now intimately close, able to embrace whenever they wished. It was pure bliss.

The bitter aroma of black coffee filled the air, soothing the Omega’s wistful mood. Ming Qian spoke in a tone as gentle as if she were coaxing a child, “Our Yuxi has been working so hard lately.”

Wen Yuxi nestled in her arms, radiating contentment. After a long moment, she murmured, “My mother said she finally had the courage to divorce because I was married and had a home of my own. With no more worries about me, she could finally face her own miserable life.”

Ming Qian hummed softly, “That’s a good thing. I won’t let your mother down.”

Wen Yuxi’s dark eyes glistened with tears. “And I won’t let my grandmother down either.”

Understanding her meaning, Ming Qian smiled gently. “Don’t feel pressured. Choose what makes you happy.”

“I know,” Wen Yuxi replied with a smile.

You’re what makes me happy.

More than anything.