He Thought She’d Never Leave—Until She Did - Chapter 21

An He studied him for a long moment before finally speaking. Her body leaned slightly forward, her breath brushed his face, and her gaze was cold—her words even colder.

“No.”

Before she left the ward, the monitors beside the bed started beeping. Song Yu reached out blindly, clutching at the air. “Hehe, don’t go. I’m not finished talking, don’t go.”

The once high-and-mighty president of the Song Group now looked like a stray dog begging for scraps. His deep eyes were bloodshot, his breathing unsteady, as if he might collapse at any second.

His injuries this time were indeed serious. In the past, An He would’ve been beside herself with worry—she’d have wished she could bear the pain for him.

But she was no longer the An He of five years ago, the one who had eyes and heart only for Song Yu. Whether he lived or died no longer had anything to do with her. The only person she cared about now was Xixi.

“Mr. Song, stop exhausting yourself. Focus on getting better.”

The door to the hospital room slowly closed, shutting out the sight of Song Yu’s face, pale as paper.

An He walked away without hesitation, as if she and the man inside were complete strangers. In truth, that was exactly how she felt.

Once they had separated, there was no reason to look back.

To each their own peace—that was the best ending.

Sweetie, worried that An He might be hurt, called her immediately. “Hehe, are you okay? Song Yu didn’t do anything to you, did he?”

An He had only gone to the ward because Liu Chen had asked her to; otherwise, she never would’ve gone.

Sweetie knew Liu Chen was one of Song Yu’s trusted aides, so she’d been uneasy all this time.

“I’m fine,” An He said. “I was just about to go see Xixi.”

“How’s Xixi doing? What did the doctor say?” Sweetie pressed.

“The doctor just called. He said Xixi’s awake and has been moved to a regular ward.” It was the best news An He had heard in days. “As long as we schedule the surgery soon, she should be fine.”

“That’s wonderful,” Sweetie said, then quickly added, “If you’re short on money, use mine. And if that’s still not enough, I’ll just sell my apartment.”

“Thank you, Sweetie.” An He’s voice was soft with gratitude. “I’m really lucky to have you.”

“Xixi’s my daughter too. Don’t talk like we’re strangers.” Someone on Sweetie’s end called her, and she quickly said, “I’ll visit Xixi at the hospital later,” before hanging up.

Almost immediately, another call came in.

“What’s wrong?” An He answered.

Tang Wei’s voice came through. “You haven’t managed to gather enough money for Xixi’s surgery, have you?”

An He had always lived by her principles. She and Tang Wei were business partners, so she had never mentioned her financial troubles to him.

It was precisely because she drew such clear boundaries that Tang Wei never knew how to help. If he hadn’t overheard something today, he wouldn’t have known she was in such dire need.

“How much are you short? I’ll transfer it to you.”

“Tang Wei, you know how I am,” An He said quietly. “I can handle the surgery expenses on my own.”

“Handle it how?” Tang Wei’s brows furrowed. “Don’t tell me you’re planning to borrow from Song Yu?”

His tone sharpened. “An He, have you forgotten? You and Song Yu broke up five years ago. Xixi has nothing to do with him—he has no reason to help you.”

He was speaking too fast, his breathing uneven. When she didn’t respond, he realized he’d crossed a line. His voice softened. “I’m not trying to interfere. I just want to remind you—Song Yu’s dangerous. Since you’ve already cut ties, don’t get involved with him again. We’re friends. Whatever amount you need, I’ll help you, Hehe.”

It was the first time Tang Wei had ever called her that.

That nickname—Hehe—had once only been used by the people closest to her. Back then, Song Yu would call her that too. When they argued, he’d call her by just one syllable—“He”—or sometimes, “Keke.”

She shook her head to banish the memory. “Thank you, Tang Wei, but I really don’t need the money.”

She didn’t want to owe him any more favors. It would only make things more complicated later.

“Why do you always reject me?” Tang Wei’s voice trembled. “In your eyes, am I really no better than Song Yu?”

“You don’t need to compare yourself to anyone,” An He replied calmly. “You’re you.”

The call ended on a sour note, and she found an excuse to hang up.

When Xixi woke up and saw her, she wrapped her little arms around An He’s neck and said sweetly, “Mommy, I had a dream.”

“What did you dream about?” An He asked, gently rubbing her head.

“I dreamed about Daddy.” Xixi blinked her bright eyes. “He came back from space! Daddy was super handsome, and he bought me lots of presents. I really, really like Daddy.”

Her eyes reddened as she went on. “Mommy, can you call Daddy and tell him to come home? Just say that Xixi misses him. All the other kids have daddies, but I don’t. I really miss mine.”

“Please?”

An He gathered her into her arms and murmured softly, “Okay. Mommy will call Daddy later and ask him to come back.”

“Yay! I’m gonna see Daddy!” Xixi cheered, her little voice full of joy. “Mommy, I love you so much.”

An He kissed her on the forehead. “Mommy loves you too.”

The attending doctor entered. Once Xixi was settled, An He followed him to the office. “Doctor, how’s my daughter’s condition?”

“It’s serious,” he said. “What happened last night could happen again at any time. The most urgent thing is to perform the surgery as soon as possible.”

An He wanted nothing more than that, but the surgery cost was still short. “I’m still raising the money. As soon as I have enough, we’ll go ahead.”

“I understand your situation,” the doctor said, “but let me remind you—the sooner the surgery, the better her chances. Every day you delay increases the risk.”

“I understand,” she said quietly.

When she left the office, her mind was blank. She stood alone at the end of the corridor for a long time. She had grown up in the Song family, always conscious of her status as an adopted daughter, never daring to overstep.

Even the allowance Song Mother had given her, she’d barely touched.

After she broke up with Song Yu, she returned every cent and every piece of jewelry. She’d made some money from selling a house, but in the past two years, most of it had gone toward Xixi’s treatments.

Her studio was doing better now, but it wasn’t hers alone; the funds she could use were limited.

At most, she had a few hundred thousand left—still far from enough for the operation.

Helplessness consumed her. She leaned against the wall and let the tears fall.

In the five years she’d lived in Los Angeles, she had learned to do everything on her own. It had been a long time since she cried—but now, she simply couldn’t hold it in.

After a while, she wiped her face clean, composed herself, and returned to the ward. Before entering, she took out a compact mirror and checked her reflection carefully. Seeing nothing amiss, she finally pushed the door open.

“Mommy, you were gone so long! I missed you so much!” Xixi said the moment she saw her.

An He pulled a stuffed bear from her bag. “Mommy went to buy you a present. Do you like it?”

“I love it!” Xixi giggled, playing with the toy. An He watched her with a faint smile.

They were lost in their own little world, unaware that someone was watching them through the window.

That someone was Song Yu’s cousin. She snapped several photos before finally walking away.

That night, Song Yu got a call from his mother, summoning him to the family’s convalescent home.

Still recovering and unable to move, he answered coldly, refusing to go. Song Mother’s voice hardened. “If you don’t come, you’ll regret it.”

He hung up before she could finish.

Later that same night, Song Mother fell ill from anger and had to be rushed to the hospital. It took the doctors all night to stabilize her.

The next morning, she demanded to see Song Yu again. This time, Liu Chen answered the call. Looking at his pale, weakened boss, he said, “Madam said it’s urgent. She wants to see you as soon as you return to Nancheng.”

“Tell her I’m abroad,” Liu Chen said, covering for him. “I’ll be back in a week.”

“Then tell him to come straight to me the moment he returns,” Song Mother said.

It was rare for her to sound so anxious.

Liu Chen hesitated. “Sir, maybe Madam really does have something important.”

Song Yu’s eyelids drooped, his face expressionless. “What could possibly be so urgent?”

Every word tugged at his wound, and his face grew even paler.

Liu Chen handed him his medication. Song Yu swallowed it and rasped, “How’s she doing?”

“She’s been at the company during the day and the hospital at night.”

“Hospital?” Song Yu looked up sharply. “What’s she doing at the hospital?”

“Seems she’s taking care of a patient,” Liu Chen said. He didn’t know the details.

“A patient?” Song Yu’s brows furrowed. “She’s only just returned to Nancheng—who could she possibly be caring for? Find out. I want to know why she’s there.”

“Yes, sir.”

But before Liu Chen could uncover anything, Song Yu saw it with his own eyes—something he’d never wanted to see.

A week later, he forced himself out of the hospital. On his way back to the company, he stopped by a shopping mall and happened to catch sight of a familiar figure.

Without thinking, he followed her. Just as he was about to call out, a small, childish voice rang out from the other side.

“Mommy!”

The next second, a little girl ran straight into An He’s arms.

An He caught her easily, kissed her cheek, and tapped her tiny nose with a smile. “Didn’t Mommy tell you not to run? You’ll fall. Walk slowly.”

The girl stuck out her tongue playfully and wrapped her arms around An He’s neck. “Mommy, Xixi was wrong. I won’t run again. Don’t be mad at me, okay?”

An He pinched her earlobe gently. “I’ll forgive you this time, but no more running next time.”

“Okay! I promise!” Xixi said, grinning brightly.

Song Yu froze in place, struck as if by lightning. Mommy?

She—she had a child?

And why hadn’t the investigation report mentioned that?

Why… why had he never known there was a child?

Why?

Why?

Why?

The hand hanging by Song Yu’s side slowly clenched, the veins at the back of his hand standing out. It took every ounce of strength in his body to keep from losing control.

His voice came out hoarse, trembling slightly, yet cold enough to sting. “Hehe… she’s your daughter?”

An He hadn’t expected to run into Song Yu here. Even without looking up, she could guess his expression. Fearing what he might ask next, she first soothed Xixi, then slowly rose and turned around—positioning herself between him and the child.

“President Song, what a coincidence.”

Song Yu ignored her polite, distant tone and strode forward, his voice low and fierce. “Who is she? Who’s that little girl behind you?”

“Didn’t you already hear, President Song?” An He’s tone was calm. “She’s my daughter.”

If Song Yu had harbored even a sliver of hope before—thinking maybe he’d misheard—then that hope was crushed now.
While he had been drowning in pain, half-dead with longing, she… she already had a child.

“Whose child?” His lips trembled. “Whose is she?”

“Mine.” An He stood tall, her tone unflinching. “I gave birth to her, so naturally, she’s mine.”

“I asked who her father is!”

“That has nothing to do with you, President Song. No comment.”

“An He!” Song Yu seized her arm like a madman, his fingers digging in so hard it felt like he’d crush bone. Bloodshot eyes locked on her. “How could you? How could you?”

An He tore free, her voice icy. “Why couldn’t I?”

Yes—why couldn’t she?

He staggered back a few steps, his voice trembling with fury. “An He, you’re shameless.”

It was the first time in five years anyone had said something like that to her. But Song Yu… would pay for it.

Turning around, she crouched slightly and spoke gently to Xixi. “Didn’t you say you wanted ice cream? It’s right ahead. Go buy some. Mommy will come find you soon.”

Xixi looked between her mother and the furious man. Her voice was soft. “Mommy, that uncle looks scary. Is he going to hurt you?”

“He wouldn’t dare.”

“But he looks like a bad guy. Are you sure you’ll be okay? Should we call Uncle Tang?”

“No need.” An He kissed her daughter’s cheek. “Mommy can handle it.”

Seeing her mother’s confidence, Xixi finally nodded. “Then I’ll wait over there. Mommy, come soon.”

“I will.”

Only after Xixi left did An He lift her gaze again. Her expression turned glacial. With a sharp motion, she slapped Song Yu across the face.

“Song Yu, whether I have shame or not—what does it have to do with you? I haven’t broken up anyone’s family, I haven’t done anything wrong. Even if I had one child, or two, or three, what right do you have to insult me?”

Her anger surged. She struck him three more times before he caught her wrist on the fourth.

“An He, you really think I won’t do anything to you, don’t you?” His voice was guttural, unhinged.

During those seven days in the hospital, he had imagined her coming to see him—even once, just once—to prove she still cared. But she never came.

Desperate, defying the doctor’s orders, he’d discharged himself. Tonight, he had planned to see her.

“What do you want to do?” she lifted her chin, her eyes fearless. “Go ahead and try. See if I’m afraid.”

A mother’s courage was boundless. Since having Xixi, An He had feared nothing. She would protect her daughter—no matter what.

“You’re the one forcing me.”

Song Yu yanked her into the corner, caging her body against the wall. His other hand seized her chin as he crushed his mouth against hers.

It wasn’t a kiss—it was a bite.

He bit at her lips, her jawline, her neck—like a starving wolf that knew no restraint, marking wherever he could reach, not caring if it hurt her.

Because he was the one in pain—unbearable, consuming pain.

An He was his. The thought of her bearing another man’s child burned him alive from the inside out.

The woman he had once placed above all else—how could she ever belong to someone else?

He wouldn’t allow it.

Even if it killed him, he would never allow it.

He gripped her waist, his breath ragged. “An He, you’re mine. No one else can have you.”

An He struggled violently. “Song Yu, I am not yours! You lunatic!”

She raised her hand to hit him again, but he caught her wrist once more.

“Not mine? Then whose are you?” His tongue traced the side of her neck. “Whose child is she?”

“Tang Wei’s?”

At the mention of Tang Wei, a deadly glint flashed in Song Yu’s eyes. If the man had been here, he might already be dead.

“Hehe,” he said softly, as if coaxing a child, “just tell me. Is she Tang Wei’s? Be good.”

His touch made An He’s stomach churn. Her face drained of color, but she looked him straight in the eye and spat the words out, deliberately provoking him.

“Yes. She’s Tang Wei’s. What are you going to do about it?”

“What am I going to do?” Song Yu bit her lip hard enough to draw blood. “Your body belongs only to me. If Tang Wei’s seen it, then he doesn’t deserve to live.”

An He froze. “Song Yu, don’t you dare.”

“If Tang Wei laid a hand on my woman, he should know what’s coming.”

“I am not your woman.”

“That’s not your call.” He pressed against her. “From the moment we first slept together, you were mine. You’ll never escape me, An He.”

Outside, a small, trembling voice called out—

“Mommy? Mommy, where are you? Mommy, I’m scared! Please come out!”

It was Xixi.

An He shoved Song Yu back with all her strength and slapped him once more. Her voice was cold enough to cut glass. “If you dare hurt Tang Wei, I won’t let you go.”

“Oh?” he sneered. “And how exactly will you not let me go?”

“I’ll—” she met his gaze without blinking. “I’ll kill you.”

Xixi came running toward her, eyes red and wet.

“Mommy, I was so scared…” she sobbed, clinging tightly. “I promise I’ll be good, just don’t leave me.”

“Mommy’s not leaving you.” An He lifted her into her arms and soothed her gently. “Didn’t you say you wanted a Barbie doll? Mommy will take you to get one.”

“I don’t want a doll anymore. I just want Mommy.”

“Then don’t worry,” she whispered, kissing her forehead. “Mommy’s right here.”

Mother and daughter walked away together, their figures fading down the street.

Song Yu stepped out from the shadows soon after. Liu Chen jogged up to him, glancing nervously at the blood smeared across his boss’s lips, and handed him a tissue.

“President Song, I found out.”

Song Yu wiped the corner of his mouth. “Speak.”

“The child—Miss An adopted her.”

Song Yu froze. “You’re certain?”

“Certain. The girl’s name is Xixi. She’s two years old. She has congenital heart disease and needs surgery soon.”

Song Yu motioned for him to continue.

“It seems… Miss An’s run into some trouble.”

“What kind of trouble?”

“She doesn’t have enough for the surgery.”

Song Yu’s eyes flickered. “What?”

“I’m not sure what happened between Miss An and President Tang, but she still hasn’t gathered enough money.”

To Song Yu, that was good news.
If there was tension between An He and Tang Wei, it would make things much easier.

“Set up a meeting with Tang Wei. I want to talk to him.”

“Yes, President Song.”

The next night, Song Yu met Tang Wei in person. Both were powerful men, accustomed to control. Neither feared the other.

Tang Wei spoke first. “President Song, what’s this about?”

Song Yu got straight to the point. “Leave An He. Name your price.”

Tang Wei raised an eyebrow. “And if I refuse? What will you do?”

Song Yu took a drag of his cigarette, the ember glowing faintly. “I just wonder how much pain you can take, President Tang.”

“You’re welcome to find out,” Tang Wei said coolly. “Let’s see who’s tougher.”

“No need to test it.” Song Yu’s voice dropped an octave. “I already know you’re not.”

“I’d advise you not to meddle in another man’s family.”

“Another man’s family?” Tang Wei sneered. “What family are you talking about?”

“Mine—and An He’s.”

Tang Wei chuckled. “President Song, you must be confused. At best, you’re her ex. I’m the one she’s with now. Don’t forget—we’re married.”

“A fake marriage,” Song Yu said coldly. “Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten you never got an actual license.”

He had already sent Liu Chen to Los Angeles to confirm it—the marriage certificate was fake.

“You’re too deep in your act, President Tang.”

“Even so,” Tang Wei said, standing, palms pressed to the table, “at least I have an act. You? You don’t even have the right to dream.”

“Tang Wei, don’t test me.”

“How funny. Testing you is exactly what I like best.”

Song Yu’s jaw tightened, teeth grinding audibly. “So you’re not letting her go?”

“Never planned to.” Tang Wei leaned closer, eyes sharp. “I’ll have An He—one way or another. Fake or not, I’ll make it real.”

Before the words fully fell, Song Yu’s fist connected with Tang Wei’s face.

“Fake or real, my ass. You’re courting death!”

Song Yu never held back in a fight. Tang Wei ended up in the hospital.

When An He arrived and saw Song Yu there, she didn’t hesitate—she slapped him hard across the face.

“Song Yu, why don’t you just die?”