Novels2Search
The warmth of autumn (TWA)
Chapter 41: The twisted fate

Chapter 41: The twisted fate

To Qiu Wen's surprise, the usual paintings hanging around were making more sense to him the moment his eyes laid on the pseudonym of each of the paintings that early morning; Snowbell.

It was Xue Ting's paintings all along being so close to him and it proved that Qiu Yeh had always known where she was. For a moment, Qiu Wen was furious at Qiu Yeh for hiding the facts, knowing how desperately he was searching for Xue Ting but then realised he had no right. Cause he was the one who insisted on not letting Xue Ting know about herself rescuing Qiu Yeh. Back then, he thought it was for her own good but now, he knew it was for fear that she would go estranged from him.

The moment he ever laid eyes on Xue Ting when they were young, he knew he wanted to be with her always but through time, he caught himself giving in to his best friend and now, he was risking it again to give in to his brother. There wasn't anything he could do if it was Qiu Yeh as he knew how well Qiu Yeh had taken care of his little family.

He owed it to Qiu Yeh.

Xue Ting had finally confirmed her suspicions when she saw her paintings and knew Qiu Yeh had known her whereabouts all along and it was him who had been helping her discreetly.

"I want to speak with you alone." Xue Ting said to Qiu Yeh. His gaze met with Qiu Wen who forced himself to nod in agreement. Qiu Yeh knew their situation wasn't as simple and that it was urgent at this hour since Qiu Wen had brought her to a very secret hideout of his.

Qiu Yeh led her to his office where Xue Ting's most exquisite paintings were hung. She remembered the autumn tree she painted when she was missing Qiu Wen one autumn where the twins were entering puberty and next to that painting was the swirls of dragonfly. It was when a dragonfly land on her and inspired the painting in the hope to be able to meet Qiu Wen someday.

"So, it was you all along… You knew where I hide. You knew it all… So, was Jang's cove your plan too?" Xue Ting questioned as Qiu Yeh looked at her guiltily. "Xue Ting I just wanted to ensure you're safe and you were heavily pregnant with complications…"

Xue Ting began to tear up as her thoughts went to May. Qiu Yeh quickly passed her some tissues. "Was May part of your …" She squinted at him as she winced at the thought of finding out if their friendship was fake could break her instantly.

Qiu Yeh knew and counted his blessings that he wasn't at that level else he would be just the same as his mother.

"No, she wasn't. She was… a coincidence. She needed an artist and I introduced her to you discreetly. No doubt, I was also a shareholder and helped to boost her revenue which was indirectly helping you. Then, I realise it was too obvious that I decided to pull out as a shareholder by name and transfer the shares and money to you instead." Qiu Yeh explained as he looked at her paintings.

Xue Ting sighed at how well his business mind was. It was clearly a win-win situation when she recalled how she counted her blessings back then for meeting such a good samaritan shareholder who willingly sold everything to her for free.

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"Xue Ting I am sorry. I really just wanted to ensure you're safe and the kids are well taken care of." Qiu Yeh explained as Xue Ting smiled recalling her dream.

"So, it was also you whom I save back in the jungle when we were younger?" She asked which took Qiu Yeh by surprise.

"I thought you didn't remember?" He asked in confusion.

"I didn't. I thought it was just me and Qiu Wen till I had a dream of it. Again. And I roughly saw you this time…" Xue Ting explained as their gaze met each other.

"Thank you. I couldn't believe I could finally properly thank you, Xue Ting. If it wasn't because of you being so brave, my brother and I wouldn't have made it." Qiu Yeh stepped forward towards her.

"You have returned the favor. So, thank you too." Xue Ting said as she smiled.

"If you knew earlier it was me as well you saved, would things have been different?" Qiu Yeh couldn't help but ask as Xue Ting confirmed her gut feeling that indeed Qiu Yeh did have feelings for her.

"You know how sinister all this turn out?" Xue Ting looked at her autumn tree painting as she gently reached out to it.

"I drew all these with Qiu Wen in mind. This was where I first saw him… and this was the reflection of hope to meet him again someday." Xue Ting sighed.

"I never knew I would meet him again and that these paintings would end up here. Perhaps, it was also part of your plans?" She asked as Qiu Yeh looked away, feeling guilty.

Xue Ting smiled briefly knowing she was right. "Qiu Yeh, thank you so much for everything. My twins and I are forever grateful to you. But, my heart had always belonged to him from the very beginning."

Qiu Yeh nodded adamantly as though anticipating her answer. "When do you intend to tell him the truth?" His question shocked Xue Ting for a moment.

"What do you mean?" She asked for clarity. "I know the identity of their father by accident when trying to donate blood to save you. The nurses nearly thought I was their father." Qiu Yeh explained and that was enough to Xue Ting feel all guilty.

"I don't know. When. How or where to start…" Xue Ting teared up as Qiu Yeh held her shoulders.

"Take your time. I know how much you had been through for him. I know partly it's also because of my mother. So, take all the time you need. I am glad you're by his side now and I hope you wouldn't leave him. He needs you." Qiu Yeh comforted as Xue Ting nodded skeptically wanting to clarify some unspoken messages in Qiu Yeh's words but she hesitated for fear it would upset Qiu Yeh.

"Keep it a secret for now, please?" Xue Ting pleaded as he nodded with a smile before they left the office.

Qiu Wen was glad to see Xue Ting walking towards him with a loving smile and holding on to him when they left the bar after bidding farewell to Qiu Yeh. The look in her eyes just made him know his brother wouldn't stand a chance that way.

After the visit to Qiu Yeh, Qiu Wen looked after Xue Ting the entire early morning while she slept as he occasionally dose off. He knew whenever she falls sick, it was not easy for her to recover. He quickly gets up to prepare breakfast for the twins.

"Good morning! What brings you to prepare breakfast?" Joy asked happily as Qiu Wen quickly set the table.

"Your mummy had a fever last night. I have been looking after her. Don't worry, I will stay home to look after her and work. Hurry have breakfast first!" Qiu Wen said while Joy quickly got up from the chair and sprinted upstairs to find Xue Ting still in bed in Qiu Wen's room.

"Mummy… are you alright?" Joy touched her forehead which was still very hot as Matthew who caught up on what was going on, stepped into the room to comfort his sister. Xue Ting was deep in sleep after her medication that she didn't stir at their conversation.

"Mummy will recover Qiu Qiu… She always recovers slower." Matthew said as Qiu Wen walked in.

"She had always been that way since young. So, both of you should hurry and I will send you both to school." Qiu Wen urged as Joy shook her head.

"No, no… We will take the bus. Stay here and look after mummy. She will be very clingy sometimes." Joy said worriedly as Qiu Wen gently patted her head and gave her a hug.

"Your mummy will be more worried if I don't send you both. Have you thought of learning to drive?" Qiu Wen asked as the twins looked at each other and back at Qiu Wen as they shook their heads.

"When's your birthday?" He asked. "It had passed in April. The 8th." Joy said as it strike Qiu Wen to do a mental maths on when they were conceived. It was exactly on the same month Xue Ting left that autumn in August.

"Daddy, you're alright?" Matthew upon noticing the change in his mood quickly asked as Qiu Wen nodded.

"Oh, then you both can start to learn to drive. I will sign you both up." He suggested as the twins nodded skeptically while they all left for breakfast and a drive to school as Xue Ting rested in bed till late noon.