```

The silence then ensued.

Until Wang Xiaoqiang dropped He Saixue off at the film set, they hadn't spoken a word. Wang Xiaoqiang set her down and said, "Go back and sleep quickly,"

He Saixue gave Wang Xiaoqiang a lingering look and uttered a thank you before turning to walk away.

The next day, a rain fell, and shooting couldn't proceed. Wang Xiaoqiang was holed up in the villa watching TV when He Saixue suddenly came to visit, which surprised him somewhat.

Because the rain was heavy, He Saixue's clothes were drenched, causing her to sneeze repeatedly.

Wang Xiaoqiang immediately found a set of Xia Guifang's clothes and handed them to He Saixue, "Take a hot shower and then change into these clothes."

He Saixue didn't ask whose clothes they were, she just took them and went into the bathroom.

He Saixue recounted the hardships of being an actress, saying, "Not to mention the exhaustion, the worst is fear of people gossiping. I went to your house for a meal yesterday, and now everyone is spreading rumors about us, saying we're turning a fake romance real, that last night was nominally about having dinner, but actually about finishing what hadn't been finished..."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xiaoqiang was also startled. The entertainment industry really wasn't for the faint-hearted, indeed prone to scandals. However, having a scandal right at his own doorstep was really bad news.

"Little Qiang, now the whole crew is talking about us, saying we're dating..." He Saixue said, biting her lip.

Wang Xiaoqiang said, "Don't bother with what they say. The innocent are clear, and the guilty are muddy; we just need to be clear in our own consciences."

"But I really can't stand it," He Saixue bit her silver teeth and said, "Little Qiang, why don't we just announce that we're dating."

After saying this, He Saixue's face blushed.

"..." Wang Xiaoqiang was left speechless.

"Instead of letting those people guess and be suspicious, we might as well just tell them... to shut them up."

"But, but we're not in a romantic relationship, this..." Wang Xiaoqiang felt somewhat aggrieved – it was like drawing upon himself a whole lot of trouble without any benefits, and that too right at his doorstep, and with Xia Sanwa also in the film crew. This was absolutely not okay.

"Little Qiang, don't you like me?" He Saixue asked, shyly lowering her head.

"It's not that, Sai Xue, as you know, I've been married."

Wang Xiaoqiang was feeling tormented and hesitant. Just then, a voice called out from outside the villa, "Little Qiang, Qiangzi brother, are you home?"

When He Saixue heard someone calling, she calmed down.

Wang Xiaoqiang struggled free and went out of the villa to see it was Wang Dacheng from the village, a few years his senior.

"Qiangzi, you're home..." Wang Dacheng was holding an umbrella and also wearing a raincoat, wrapped up so tight he looked like a stuffed doll. He looked odd, and if it weren't for Wang Xiaoqiang's keen sight and senses sharper than ordinary people, he wouldn't have even recognized it was Wang Dacheng.

"Little Qiang, you're home..." Wang Dacheng was pleasantly surprised to see Wang Xiaoqiang at home.

"Brother Dacheng, what's up?" Seeing Wang Dacheng dressed in a raincoat and holding an umbrella, Wang Xiaoqiang couldn't help but show a curious smile.

"Uh, there is a matter..." Wang Dacheng looked around covertly, his demeanor secretive. "Little Qiang, if you're free, come over to my place to drink..."

"To drink...?" Wang Xiaoqiang was even more puzzled now. This Wang Dacheng was an honest man, who rarely touched alcohol and was seldom seen drinking with others. Today, however, why did he want to invite him to drink? Hmm, he must need something from me.

```

Wang Xiaoqiang thought for a moment and nodded, "Alright, but let's not prepare any alcohol, Brother Dacheng..."

"We must prepare it, Little Qiang, don't be polite, just follow me." Wang Dacheng said and started to pull Wang Xiaoqiang along.

Wang Xiaoqiang shrank his hand back, "Brother Dacheng, you go ahead, I'll be there in a bit, I still have guests at home, I need to send them off first,"

"Hmm, that's fine then, I'll be waiting for you at home." Wang Dacheng said.

"Ah, you go back first; I'll definitely come over."

Wang Dacheng had not expected someone as important as Wang Xiaoqiang to agree to his request so readily, and without putting on any airs, he couldn't help but admire him.

So, he left first.

After seeing Wang Dacheng walk away, Wang Xiaoqiang went back into the villa and said to Hee Saixue, "Sai Xue, you go back to the crew first, I have some things to handle…"

Hee Saixue felt a bit awkward, 'Little Qiang, can't I stay at your house for a while…'

Seeing her say this, Wang Xiaoqiang could only nod and spread his hands, "Of course, you can stay as long as you want."

"What about staying until tomorrow then?"

"It's up to you," Wang Xiaoqiang shrugged.

Hee Saixue really didn't leave; she took off her shoes and sat on the sofa, turned on the TV, and started watching. Wang Xiaoqiang got her some snacks,

Hee Saixue smiled sweetly; she loved sweets, especially while watching TV, and Wang Xiaoqiang's gesture really struck a chord with her.

Wang Xiaoqiang left the villa.

"Aren't you going to take an umbrella?" Hee Saixue asked as she saw Wang Xiaoqiang was about to head out without one.

"No need; a little rain is no big deal," Wang Xiaoqiang said as he walked out, only to find the rain had gotten heavier. Consequently, he released a Spiritual Spring, transforming it into a Spiritual Energy Umbrella, held above his head, and then headed towards Wang Dacheng's house, wondering what Wang Dacheng wanted from him as he walked.

Wang Dacheng was an honest man who lived by farming. He was shrewd and managed to sustain his livelihood by trading mountain goods. Although not wealthy, he led a life full of flavor. Also, Wang Dacheng was a lucky man in love, having married a village beauty named Li Ruifang. The only flaw was that in the four-plus years since their marriage, Li Ruifang hadn't been able to conceive. As Wang Dacheng watched other men's wives grow round with child, he grew anxious and would diligently exert effort on his wife at night, but no matter how many times he tried each night, Li Ruifang just couldn't get pregnant.

Seeing others rejoice in the birth of sons, Wang Dacheng grew increasingly anxious, while Li Ruifang, eyeing other families' children, couldn't help but feel envious, blaming her own uncooperative womb.

A year later, after Li Ruifang still hadn't conceived, the couple became desperate, so they went to the hospital for an examination. After the check-up, the conclusion was that Li Ruifang was perfectly healthy with nothing wrong, and the problem lay with Wang Dacheng.

The doctor said Wang Dacheng had dead sperm with an extremely low survival rate, causing infertility. As a result, they prescribed him herbal remedies to drink.

He drank them for three years.

After three years of drinking the remedies, Wang Dacheng still couldn't impregnate his wife.

Of course, during those three years, Wang Dacheng hadn't forgotten to go to other hospitals for examinations or to seek other renowned doctors. He didn't skimp on money and consumed a lot of medications, yet, the outcome remained the same—Li Ruifang still wasn't pregnant.

(To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your vote for recommendation or monthly tickets; your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)

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