Chapter 3453

Tang Sihai said: "Madam Ye, please rest assured. We also dare not keep this hidden from the young master forever. Once everything settles and the young master succeeds in his revenge, we servants will naturally tell him the truth."

Xiao Churan pressed her lips, thought for a long while, then nodded slightly and said: "If this is best for Ye Chen, then we'll do as you say. We'll first disappear from his world."

Tang Sihai added: "Madam Ye, may I ask when you plan to leave? I will make all preparations in advance."

Xiao Churan hesitated for a moment, thought long and hard, then said: "Ye Chen and I had agreed to go to the Maldives together for New Year. Over these many years, we've never once traveled together. I don't want to miss this chance. Also, one month after New Year is February 2, Dragon Head Raising Day, which is Ye Chen's birthday. I want to celebrate his birthday. I don't know if this request is too much."

Tang Sihai nodded understandingly and said: "I understand Madam Ye's plan, but I don't know what Madam Ye intends to do on February 2, or where you will be then, so I can make preparations in advance."

Xiao Churan shook her head and said: "I also don't know how Ye Chen plans to spend his birthday next year. I'll ask him when the time comes, then let you know after it's decided."

Tang Sihai hurriedly said: "During this time, I will stay at Qixia Temple. Madam Ye, if you have any matters, you can come find me here."

"Good." Xiao Churan let out a soft sigh, her expression somewhat dazed, then said: "Tang Sir, I today……am rather tired. If there's nothing else, I'll head back first."

Tang Sihai quickly bowed and said: "Thank you for your trouble, Madam Ye."

Xiao Churan gave a bitter laugh, just turned to leave, when she subconsciously thought of the date February 2, then suddenly recalled something and immediately asked Tang Sihai: "By the way, Tang Butler, I have a question. I hope you can answer truthfully."

Tang Sihai immediately said: "Madam Ye, please ask!"

Xiao Churan pondered for a moment, then said: "I have a favorite singer named Gu Qiuyi. She is also the sole daughter of a prominent capital-circle family, with family assets worth hundreds of billions. Since her debut years ago, she has never had any scandal. She has always said she entered the entertainment industry to find her fiancé. I suddenly recalled that she once came specially to Jin Ling on February 2, Ye Chen's birthday, to hold a concert. Before, I didn't understand, but now thinking about it, it seems there might be some connection between her and Ye Chen."

Saying this, Xiao Churan paused slightly, looked at Tang Sihai, and asked: "Tang Butler, could you please tell me truthfully: what is the relationship between Gu Qiuyi and Ye Chen?"

Gu Qiuyi is Xiao Churan's favorite singer. Not only because she sings well and is beautiful, but more importantly, she can be considered the only female celebrity in the entertainment circle who has never had any scandal, not even a normal relationship.

Just now, Xiao Churan suddenly recalled Gu Qiuyi's concert on February 2 of that year.

First, the timing of February 2. February 2 is Ye Chen's birthday. Gu Qiuyi chose this day to come to Jin Ling and hold a concert. Originally, Xiao Churan thought it was merely a coincidence, but after learning Ye Chen's background, she suddenly felt the possibility of it being a coincidence should not be great.

Second, Gu Qiuyi has always been searching for her fiancé, which is common knowledge in the entertainment circle. Originally, Xiao Churan didn't think of Ye Chen in this regard, but now she suddenly feels that this might be related to Ye Chen's disappearance from society since childhood.

Third, Gu Qiuyi's performance at the concert that day. That day, Gu Qiuyi wore a wedding dress and sang the song "Tomorrow I Will Marry You." Xiao Churan hadn't thought much of it before, but now, combining these points, she feels that Gu Qiuyi's wedding dress that day was meant for Ye Chen to see, and the song "Tomorrow I Will Marry You" was meant for Ye Chen to hear.

Just now, she told Tang Sihai she wanted to spend Ye Chen's birthday with him before disappearing from his side, and her mind suddenly recalled that year's Ye Chen birthday concert. The more she thought about it, the more she felt something was off.

Tang Sihai was also somewhat surprised at this moment, not expecting Xiao Churan to ask such a question.

After pondering for a moment, he sighed and said: "Since Madam Ye has asked, I will naturally answer truthfully. Miss Gu's parents and the young master's parents are sworn brothers. Since childhood, both sets of parents had already arranged the marriage, intending to marry Miss Gu to the young master. Moreover, Miss Gu has always considered herself the young master's fiancée since childhood. Even though the young master disappeared very early, she has remained steadfast in this belief."

Xiao Churan's heart was filled with shock. Hearing this answer, she was not shocked, but her heart felt especially uneasy.

It is not merely because Ye Chen concealed his identity and background from herself, but also because she knows that, in fact, Ye Chen and Gu Qiuyi have already recognized each other! Otherwise, how could Ye Chen bring himself to eat together with Gu Qiuyi while bringing herself along?

At this moment, Xiao Churan's heart feels even more complicated.

Ye Chen's background secret kept from herself, I can understand to some extent. But he met with the girl he is engaged to, and even brought myself along, while only I am kept in the dark—this makes it hard for me to accept.

She knows that her own background and status are utterly unworthy of Ye Chen. Even her grandfather, back then, was merely a servant in the Ye household. Moreover, Ye Chen not only has the Ye family background, but his mother's An family is far stronger than the Ye family.

The gap between them is almost equivalent to the geographical concept of the so-called antipodal point (zhí), that is, the point on Earth directly opposite oneself. It is the farthest distance in this world.

Looking at Gu Qiuyi again, even Xiao Churan feels that she is the one who matches Ye Chen in social standing.

Not only is her family background excellent, but the two families are also old friends, and the two have grown up together since childhood, with the engagement in place. No matter how one looks at it, she is more suitable for Ye Chen than I am.

Xiao Churan's emotions suddenly plummeted. In front of Gu Qiuyi, she feels she only deserves to feel ashamed of her own inadequacy, and cannot compare herself to her.

If this is the case, then what exactly is my marriage to Ye Chen?

When I married him, I actually did not love him.

But I had promised my grandfather not to regret it, so I never thought of divorcing him.

Now thinking about it, it seems more like fulfilling my promise to my grandfather.

Back then, I also privately and clearly told Ye Chen that I would marry him, but only because my grandfather required me not to disagree. We would not have a real marital relationship. If Ye Chen agreed, I had no objection. If Ye Chen disagreed, I would not insist.

Actually, at that time, I said this also hoping Ye Chen would voluntarily give up, but I never expected that Ye Chen at that time would agree without hesitation. Even after several years of marriage, sleeping on the floor, he never complained, nor did he ever overstep the boundary even half a step.

Over these years, Xiao Churan's feelings for Ye Chen have gone from nothing to having, gradually warming, but she has always regarded Ye Chen as family. Whether there is love, she herself cannot tell.

But at this moment, she suddenly feels a heartache.

It is also from this moment that she realizes, deep in her heart, her feelings for Ye Chen—she doesn't know since when—have already begun to contain the shadow of love.