Belated Romance (Mu Tongrui)

“It can't be... no...”

Fu Lingye left for his office. Why would he be on Bohai Bridge?

He might not be the victim. No, it must be someone else.

The owner saw Mu Tongrui burst into tears. After a moment of hesitation, she asked Mu Tongrui, “The

victim isn't someone you know. Right?”

“No... That's impossible.”

The phone rang again on the floor.

Mu Tongrui snapped back from her state of shock as she scurried over to pick it up with her shaky

hands.

“Dad! Did they call to clarify? They made a mistake, right?”

Fu Zhengyuan's voice sounded weak, “The police called for me to go. You're his wife, so I think I

should let you know.”

Mu Tongrui's heart dropped. Everything around her seemed to fall apart before her eyes.

Her mind went blank as if she was having a flight-or-fright moment. Mu Tongrui did not know how she

got to the police station. She only knew she was nauseous, and her body felt sick from the amount of

shaking she had.

Supporting himself with a walking cane, Fu Zhengyuan was awaiting her at the entrance. Next to him

was his assistant.

Fu Zhengyuan told her, “Let's go in. I think they asked us here to update us on the case.”

Mu Tongrui's soul had left her body. Her empty shell went along with whatever was given to her. With a

brittle voice, she answered, “Yes...”

The talk with the police officer did nothing but to further devastate Mu Tongrui.

He said, “I'm sorry to let you know that the search is drawing a blank.”

Glaring with blood-shot eyes, Mu Tongrui bawled, “Then get everyone you got! Also, there's no way it

could've happened. Lingye has exceptional driving skills. This is all a big mistake! You need to fix it!”

Fu Zhengyuan furrowed his brows, “Tongrui, try to compose yourself.”

Mu Tongrui tugged his sleeve as she begged, “Please, dad. Get them to increase the manpower. I'll do

whatever... Please.”

“Lingye's the only son I've left. Of course I don't want anything to happen to him. I already disposed all

my resources to help. All there is left to do is let them do their job.”

Mu Tongrui's hands dropped while she dissolved into tears. She sniffled between words, “He

promised... to come home early for his birthday. I still have to celebrate with him... Dad... could this be

a birthday prank?”

“Let's not get too worked up until we have a concrete answer. Try to calm down for the baby. In

moments like this, you have to stay strong for both your baby and Sweetheart. Understood?”

Mu Tongrui could not calm down. Nor could she stay patient.

Fu Lingye could be drowning right now. Yet she was sitting here doing nothing.

She wanted to save him.

However, her lack of swimming skills didn't allow her to.

Mu Tongrui buried her face in her hands, crying her heart out.

Seeing Mu Tongrui break down, Fu Zhengyuan turned to his assistant, “Zhi Jie, drive Mrs. Fu home.”

“Sir, would that be to the family house?”

Fu Zhengyuan nodded his head, “In this state, she needs to be taken care of. Have Aunt Lan make her

some calming soup. For the baby's sake, don't let her get too emotional again.”

“Consider it done.”

Moments later.

Shaken to her core, Mu Tongrui sat on the bed in a trance.

Aunt Lan came into the room with a bowl of the lily bulb and date kernel soup, which was known to be

effective in aiding with relaxation. She recommended, “Have some soup. It'll help. If you feel ill at ease,

I'm always here if you need a listening ear.”

Rather than responding to Aunt Lan, Mu Tongrui shot up and ran out of the house.

Aunt Lan put the bowl down to run after her, “Young Mistress Tongrui! Where are you going?”

“Bohai Bridge! I have to find him!”

“Mr. Fu already sent help. The officers are there too! Besides, you can't do much even if you're there.

Please, think about the baby. High stress levels can have a bad effect on babies.”

Mu Tongrui appealed, “Aunt Lan. I have to be there. I need to know what's happening right away.”

“Please rest at home. Mr. Fu will handle the situation for you... Not long ago, Lingye asked me to give

him a bunch of pregnancy recipes to help with your low level of progesterone. He was never in the

kitchen growing up because of his father's discouragement, but he wanted to cook for you because he

cared about this baby. Please, for his sake, take care of yourself.”

Mu Tongrui's tears streamed down her cheeks as she collapsed onto a chair.

Everything was out of Mu Tongrui's hands now. This was the moment she was forced to resign herself

to her fate.

“Aunt Lan, he'll be all right. Won't he?”

“God bless, He has to survive this. He couldn't possibly leave you and Sweetheart.” Aunt Lan soothed

her.

“Yes. There's still Sweetheart. He wouldn't leave us alone in this world.” Mu Tongrui persuaded herself

with her wishful thinking.

Mu Tongrui grasped Aunt Lan's hands, “We have to keep this from Sweetheart when she comes back

from school. This is too much for a little kid.”

“Yes. Mr. Fu said the same thing. At the same time, you have to stay strong. Sweetheart is a smart girl.

We need to act normal, so she doesn't suspect anything.”

Mu Tongrui bobbed her head in agreement as she swallowed her tears back, “You are right. No matter

how hard it is, I will put on a brave front. I'm sure Lingye will return safe and sound by tomorrow

morning at the latest.”

“That's the right attitude. Now let's finish the soup and try to get some sleep. That should get rid of the

ill look on your face.”

Mu Tongrui gulped down the soup.

Mu Tongrui cried herself to bed. Worn out, she eventually fell asleep.

Aunt Lan came in and gingerly placed a blanket on her.

Mu Tongrui's sleep was troubled. Frowning, she burbled, “Lingye, come home... to us...”

Aunt Lan sighed deeply, then she tucked Mu Tongrui's arm under the blanket. She then carefully closed

the door as she walked out.

Aunt Lan walked downstairs and saw Fu Zhengyuan in the living room. Playing with his walking cane

on the sofa, he checked, “How's she?”

“Young Mistress Tongrui is sleeping now but she's still emotionally unstable.”

Fu Zhengyuan let out a sharp exhale, “Let her be. Sweetheart will be home anytime now, careful what

you say around her.”

“Of course. I'll keep that in mind.”

A black Bentley pulled into the yard.

Liu, the driver carried Sweetheart down the car. With her backpack on, Sweetheart ran into the house.

Detecting the stinging silence in the room, Sweetheart was bemused. She tilted her head as she

scanned her surroundings.

“Hello? Where's everyone? No one is here to welcome me home. Hmph!”

Sweetheart pouted as she entered. She ran to her grandfather, who was seemingly dispirited.

“Grandpa. Why didn't you pick me up today?”

“My darling. I'm so sorry but I've been busy. Can you let Uncle Liu fetch you just for a few days?”

Sweetheart was not satisfied with that arrangement but she agreed, “Okay...”

“Didn't you say last night that you want to watch Peppa Pig with Zehan today? He'll be home soon.

Why don't you put it on while we wait? I'll have Aunt Lan make you some yummy munchies. Dinner will

be a bit late today, but you get to munch on snacks for now. How does that sound for you?”

“Oo. Sounds good to me! Grandpa, are Daddy and Mu'mu home? I saw Mu'mu's jacket on the rack.”

Impressed by her observation, Fu Zhengyuan paused for a second before he fibbed, “Yes. She's back

but your daddy is too busy to come home today.”

Sweetheart's brows wrinkled, “Why is everyone extra busy today? Where is Mu'mu? I wanna play with

her!”

Aunt Lan said, “She gets tired easily now that she's pregnant. She's taking a nap now but I'll take you

to her when she wakes up.”

“Okey-dokey. I'll start the cartoon then.” Sweetheart was convinced.

“Alrighty, Sweetheart. Enjoy. Aunt Lan, go with her.” Fu Zhengyuan replied.

“Yes, sir.”

Mu Tongrui opened her heavy eyelids to see a pitch blank room.

She looked out to realize that it was already night time.

Lingye! Is there any update now?

Mu Tongrui shot up from the bed to go downstairs. While she was on the stairs, she overheard a

conversation between Fu Zhengyuan and Xiang Nanqian.

“Dad. No news on Lingye?”

Fu Zhengyuan shook his head in hopelessness, “Not yet. The chances of his survival are very slim...”

“He'll be fine. Don't worry too much.”

Though she had ceased from weeping, Mu Tongrui's tears rushed down like waterfalls again.

No. Fu Lingye won't die.

On the way to Lijiang Island last time, he survived the shipwreck. It will turn out the same this time too.

Mu Tongrui entered the living room. After taking a deep inhale, she stated, “Dad. I wish to go to Bohai

Bridge.”

Fu Zhengyuan had pucker between his eyebrows, “What for?”

“I want to wait for him there. I'm sure he's still alive and he will come back to Sweetheart and I in one

piece.”

Xiang Nanqian glowered at Mu Tongrui spitefully, “Why does trouble always follow after you two started

dating? Mu Tongrui, you bring bad luck to Lingye!”

“Nanqian, quit the nonsense!'

“Dad! All thanks to her, Lingye broke his arm last time in a car accident. This time, he went missing and

we don't even know if he's alive! She-”

Raising his voice in frustration, Fu Zhengyuan cut her off, “That's enough.”

Mu Tongrui covered her mouth as she cried to hold back her weeping. Then, she scurried away.

Fu Zhengyuan's brow twitched, “Mu Tongrui! Came back here now!”

Disregarding his command, Mu Tongrui kept going.

Fu Zhengyuan caught up with her with a jacket, “Hold on!”

Mu Tongrui halted. She turned with a tear-stained face, “Dad. I promise I won't disturb anyone. I just

want to wait for him there.”

Fu Zhengyuan passed her the jacket. With a softer tone of voice, he permitted, “Even so, you still need

to dress for the weather. It's windy on the bridge. You don't want to stunt the baby's growth if you catch

a cold.”

“Dad...”

“It's not safe to go alone. I'll have Liu drive you there.”

Mu Tongrui took the jacket, “Thank you, dad.”