Volume One, Chapter 13: Everything Came Too Late

“Why are you here?”

Shen Zhi was stunned to find that the driver was none other than Fu Nanfeng!

Only then did she realize this was no taxi at all—at best, it was a private car. She had been so lost in thought that she mistook it for a taxi.

Fu Nanfeng smiled slightly, a look of triumph playing across his face, as if a cunning plan had just succeeded.

“You don’t even need to guess. It must have been Shanshan who sold me out, right?”

In that moment, seeing Fu Nanfeng stirred a strange sense of comfort within Shen Zhi.

Because in front of Fu Nanfeng, she didn’t need to put on a facade or offer any explanations—he could read every expression on her face.

“Shanshan is very worried about you.”

There was tenderness in Fu Nanfeng’s eyes; perhaps it was he who cared for her most.

“Driver, take me to the company,” Shen Zhi said with a bitter smile, teasing.

Fu Nanfeng glanced at his watch leisurely. “It’s about time to get off work, President Shen.”

Suddenly, he braked sharply and turned the car into an alley.

“Get out.”

Hearing Fu Nanfeng’s calm voice, Shen Zhi had no energy left to argue. She decided to let go for today, to unwind and relax with him.

After all, if she went back, she would be alone with her wandering thoughts.

“What are you up to now?”

“I’m taking you to a good place.”

Shen Zhi looked around. The alley was old, with a flavor reminiscent of a quaint Jiangnan town.

A strange sense of familiarity washed over her. She decided to follow Fu Nanfeng and explore.

They stepped into the ancient alleyway. Lanterns hung at the entrance, casting mottled shadows on the cobblestone path, as if every step took her back into times long past.

“What is this place?”

“You’ll see soon enough!”

Fu Nanfeng deliberately kept her in suspense. Shen Zhi snorted but still followed his lead.

As she admired the scenery, her mood relaxed considerably. Perhaps she really should get out more and see the world!

On both sides of the alley, weathered brick walls stood, and through one or two half-open wooden doors came warm light and faint aromas of home-cooked meals, lulling her into a tranquil, cozy reverie.

It felt like returning to her childhood—coming home from school to find her grandmother had prepared fragrant, steaming dishes waiting for her.

At the alley’s end, a small bridge quietly spanned a gentle stream, the water flowing softly beneath, reflecting the drooping willows on both banks like a moving ink painting.

“This place is so beautiful!” Shen Zhi felt a surge of inexplicable emotion, as if hidden here were memories long forgotten.

“All right, we’ve arrived!”

——

At the end of the alley was a secret haven.

The setting sun cast a golden glow over the winding lane. They stopped beside an old stone arch bridge, beneath which the water babbled gently, mirroring the willows and whitewashed walls topped with black tiles.

Shen Zhi lifted her gaze, following the red lanterns hanging under the eaves, while wisps of cooking smoke curled up in the distance.

Fu Nanfeng watched her and softly said, “Remember when we were kids, playing in alleys like this? We used to chase after that old man selling sugar figurines.”

Seeing the elderly sugar-seller by the bridge, memories flooded Shen Zhi’s eyes. She smiled and nodded, “Yes, I always hoped I could get a sugar figurine to eat.”

Fu Nanfeng looked at her tenderly. “Those days were so beautiful. With you by my side, even the air tasted sweet.”

Shen Zhi didn’t meet his gaze, lost in the peaceful moment, as if transported back to the past.

Back then, her grandmother was still alive, and she was never truly alone.

The thought brought a touch of sadness to her heart.

“If only Grandma were still here…”

“Shen Zhi, I want you to remember, no matter what, I’ve always been here.”

Fu Nanfeng took the opportunity to reveal his feelings. After all these years, he had never given up on her.

“Thank you. You’re my best friend,” Shen Zhi smiled, but it was a fragile smile. Then, suddenly, she fainted.

Fu Nanfeng caught her immediately, panicked. “Shen Zhi, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”

But there was no response. Her face turned pale, and she had no strength even to speak.

Terrified, Fu Nanfeng scooped her up and hurried back.

No cars could enter this alley—it was an old pedestrian street—so he ran as fast as he could, holding her tightly, speaking to her relentlessly.

As if afraid she might slip away forever if she didn’t hear him.

“Shen Zhi, don’t sleep! I’m taking you to the hospital right now. Listen to me!”

“I won’t let you sleep, understand?”

...

His voice cracked with tears. He had never heard of Shen Zhi being seriously ill. Aside from some stomach troubles, she had always been healthy.

“Shen Zhi, what else have you been hiding from me? I won’t allow anything to happen to you!”

At this moment, he was like the hero in her dreams, saving her from danger, helping her through hardship.

But he was not him.

The one in Shen Zhi’s heart was a cold-hearted man who cared only for other women.

Seven years of devotion, three years of togetherness—yet not a drop of genuine love was returned.

Weakly, Shen Zhi looked at the anxious face before her, a thousand feelings stirring within.

If only he were He Yunshen.

But he had never been this worried about her.

——

“If only the one I liked back then had been you,” Shen Zhi whispered softly.

Fu Nanfeng stopped in his tracks, gazing at her with a smile that was somewhere between teasing and sorrow. His eyes suddenly welled up with tears.

“It’s not too late now. I’m here.”

With that, Fu Nanfeng quickened his pace. He didn’t know what was wrong with Shen Zhi, but he knew he couldn’t lose her again.

“It’s too late. Everything is too late...”

Tears burst forth from Shen Zhi’s eyes—not for anyone else, but for herself.

She had once believed He Yunshen loved her too, which was why she had married him without hesitation.

Had she known his heart belonged elsewhere, perhaps she wouldn’t be so devastated today.

“It’s not too late. As long as you’re willing, it’s never too late!”

She spoke of learning the truth too late; Fu Nanfeng thought she meant accepting him too late.

But he didn’t mind at all, as long as Shen Zhi nodded.

Soon, Fu Nanfeng carried Shen Zhi into the car and sped toward the nearest hospital.

Inside, the emergency room’s sterile, harsh lights were blinding.

Fu Nanfeng waited anxiously outside, his gaze fixed on the closed door. Every faint sound from within tightened his nerves.

When the doctor emerged, his face grave, he said, “Her stomach condition is severe. Some tissues have begun to show signs of cancer. Surgery and follow-up treatment must be arranged immediately.”

Fu Nanfeng felt as if struck by lightning. His face turned ghostly pale.

His trembling hand gripped the doctor’s arm desperately. “Please, doctor, you must save her. Whatever it costs, whatever it takes…”

His voice broke, tears welling in his eyes as he turned and ran outside.

...

Shortly after, Fu Nanfeng staggered into the ward carrying a bowl of hot porridge. Under the dim light, Shen Zhi lay quietly on the bed, pale as paper, breathing faintly.

He slowly approached, sat beside her, and reached out with trembling hands to grasp her cold fingers tightly.

Tears welled up in his eyes, his voice choked with emotion.

“I’m sorry. If I’d noticed something was wrong earlier, maybe you wouldn’t be so sick.”

His eyes were filled with regret and self-blame.

At that moment, Shen Zhi’s eyelids fluttered slightly, as if a glimmer of tears shimmered there.

In her blurred gaze, she seemed to see He Yunshen’s silhouette.

That familiar yet distant figure gradually overlapped with Fu Nanfeng’s in the haze of her vision...