Little Miss Witch: Revenge of the Tainted Angel

Chapter 198 - New Beginnings (2)

In a blink of an eye, three weeks had already passed. Shen Zichen and Li Chuntao arrived at the Li Mansion just in time to meet the guests. Several prominent personalities from the entertainment industry and business circle came to celebrate 'Li Xiuying''s birthday, forgetting about the existence of the other twin who was living abroad. 

Cameras flashed towards them, blinding Li Chuntao's eyes. Today was her birthday, yet she didn't feel like celebrating it. For the past seven years, she celebrated it alone in a foreign land with only phone calls being shared between her and her twin sister. 

Now, being back, Li Chuntao didn't want to do anything but return home with her husband. As if sensing her distress, Shen Zichen gave her hand a squeeze as they walked away from the ballroom where the party was being held. 

"Are you alright?" He whispered to her ear, while greeting one of the guests that they met in the hallway leading to the private garden of the Li Mansion. 

Li Chuntao hummed but didn't say anything. When they reached the garden, she shivered slightly from the cold night breeze. She was wearing a red dress that reached up to her knees. The bodice hugged her torso in a nice fit. 

Shen Zichen removed his coat and placed it over her shoulder as she took a seat on the nearest bench. 

"I miss Ying," she confessed to her husband, after confirming that they were out of everyone's earshot. Her eyes gleamed with tears as she realized she would have to celebrate all her birthdays alone from now on. 

Shen Zichen's eyes softened and he held his wife closely. He'd noticed that ever since they got married, Li Chuntao rarely talked about her older twin. Not that he doubted that Chuntao had already forgotten about Ying.

"I know, but you'll need to bear it for the meantime. Though I still don't understand why you invited Yao Qigang tonight." Shen Zichen looked around, trying to see if someone was eavesdropping their conversation. 

He was aware of the plans she'd been cooking up these past weeks that were related to that man. Up until now, Shen Zichen couldn't believe that Yao Qigang and Lin Meirong were able to kill Li Xiuying under those circumstances. It was stupid and irrational, but a woman's wicked heart surely can do impossible things when she's cornered. 

"I need him here. After weeks of mental torture, I'd like to see how much longer he can pretend that he did nothing to Ying." 

According to Su Ling's reports, Yao Qigang had started to show signs of being paranoid lately. A little disturbance in his peace was enough for him to be guarded against the people around him. 

Because 'Li Xiuying' had finally recovered her lost memories, he must be on the edge about the accident he plotted to kill her. Li Xiuying was everywhere and wherever he looked, there was always something to remind Yao Qigang that he was being hunted. 

Since it was like this, how can she waste such an opportunity to push Yao Qigang on the edge? 

"Should we go back? They must be looking for the birthday girl." Shen Zichen reached one hand and took a flower before placing it on Li Chuntao's hand. 

"Plumeria in this season? I should commend Auntie Yue's ability." Li Chuntao let out a low laugh as she remembered what plumeria symbolized. 

New beginnings. 

She couldn't help but wonder if this was also what Ying would wish for her. Ying was someone who was filled with kindness in her heart, but because of it, she also lost her life. Li Chuntao sighed softly, feeling her long tresses fluttered along the breeze. 

'New beginnings, huh?' She thought. Knowing that karma had truly hit Lin Meirong hard with her cancer, she felt that maybe a new beginning once her revenge is over doesn't sound so bad after all.

Lin Meirong's time was now limited in this world. Li Chuntao couldn't help but pity those children Lin Meirong had. However, it was actually a good thing that the woman chose to abandon her children for their own good. 

Meng Huan and his sister had moved to the same city where Lin Meirong was residing, starting a better life without her. Li Chuntao had helped him open a small business downtown, so he could work while looking after his son. Meanwhile, Meng Lan had managed to return to her previous profession as a nurse at their local community hospital. 

Li Chuntao chuckled. The possibility of Lin Meirong meeting the Meng siblings was quite high. Seeing the kind of life her estranged husband led now, would Lin Meirong regret leaving Meng Huan? 

Shen Zichen's eyes softened at the sight of his wife's smile. While he knew that it only meant misfortune for other people, he didn't care one bit, as long as she was happy and content. Lately, it seemed like revenge was starting to lose its hold on Li Chuntao's drive to continue living. Although her revenge plans were still ongoing, the emptiness in her eyes was starting to be replaced with a light sparkle. 

"Happy birthday, dear," Shen Zichen murmured. Li Chuntao felt his hand tilting her head gently before a pair of firm lips covered hers, the surprise on her face slowly relaxing as she returned his kiss. 

There were still times when she still couldn't believe that he loved her and married her. It hurt her to think that while Ying had done good in her life, she wouldn't have Shen Zichen if her twin sister had not passed on and caused her whole family so much grief and pain. 

It was bittersweet to have Shen Zichen back in her life, for eternity, and she hated that she had to lose Ying first before she was able to sort her feelings for him. 

Shen Zichen released her lips and noticed the distraught on her face. 

"What's wrong?" He asked, his fingers reaching to run over her smooth cheek. 

Li Chuntao looked away, a little ashamed that he'd caught her at one of her weakest points. 

"Nothing.., it just got me thinking.." 

"About?" He pressed, his eyes looking down at her face intently. 

"About how I'm taking advantage of Ying's death," Li Chuntao admitted in shame. 

At her words, Shen Zichen's eyes dramatically widened in shock. 

"What?" Shen Zichen whispered with concern in his voice, his eyes trying to meet hers. "Chuntao…" 

"I'm here, with you," Li Chuntao's eyes turned misty as she chewed her lower lip. "I have you, your affections, but Ying has lost everything, including her life." 

Shen Zichen froze, his mouth slightly agape while Li Chuntao tried to rein her emotions in control. 

"It's because she's no longer here that I have you… dare to say that good things came my way after her death." She whispered. "Can't you see that I'm the one who's benefiting from it?" 

Shen Zichen remained silent for a while, watching his wife shut her eyes to hide her disappointment in herself. 

"Tell me, are you glad that she's dead?" He breathed out his question. 

"God, Zichen! No! Of course not! I would never wish any harm to befall my sister." 

"Then did you wish she had died?" He pressed on, which made Li Chuntao realize the absurdity of this conversation. 

"Never." She shook her head. "I wish more than anything that she is here with us." 

"Then how can you say you're benefiting from her death?" Shen Zichen asked, "Ying… more than anyone would wish you to be happy even if she's gone. You and I didn't want to be in this situation and I know that Ying wouldn't want to see you suffer because of her. What's happened, happened. Don't blame yourself, Chuntao.. It's not your fault."