He must have hated her intensely, his grip so strong that Wen Tingxue’s tears streamed down, unable to hear a word he said.
“Let go! You’re drunk!” she only managed to struggle.
The disparity in their physiques made it seem at first glance as if Song Cheng’lu was forcing himself on her.
Xie Jin’yi, emerging from the restroom, witnessed this scene.
Instinctively.
Without a second thought.
She grabbed a nearby vase and smashed it down with force.
Song Cheng’lu’s head immediately started bleeding.
His eyes flickered over, and upon recognizing her, he grinned, “You’re finally willing to see me…”
It was a gaze filled with intertwined love and hate.
Xie Jin’yi instinctively frowned.
“I missed you so much, Yiyi…”
The bright red blood flowed down his cheek, to the corner of his mouth, making him appear utterly terrifying.
Wen Tingxue was stunned. By the time she reacted, she had already tumbled down the stairs.
Her forehead struck the corner of the wall.
Then, a cacophony of sounds flooded her ears, but she could hear nothing.
Her consciousness quickly faded into blurriness.
…
There was some kind of incident at the intersection, causing a severe traffic jam.
Chi Ze’rui tapped impatiently on his steering wheel, waiting for the car ahead to crawl like a turtle.
The slow speed agitated him.
But there was nothing he could do.
In his boredom, he heard the siren of an ambulance and instinctively looked over.
He noticed a commotion at the hotel next door; it seemed someone was injured, and a crowd had gathered.
Chi Ze’rui found it boring and was about to look away when his peripheral vision caught sight of Song You carrying Wen Tingxue out.
Her porcelain-white face was covered in blood, almost devoid of any signs of life.
With no time to think, he swerved the car in the opposite direction.
Many drivers honked at him, but he paid no mind.
“What’s going on?”
By the time Chi Ze’rui jumped out of the car, Wen Tingxue had already been put into the ambulance.
He could only grab Song You to ask.
Song You, wearing a white shirt, had bloodstains on his chest that were strikingly conspicuous.
“She fell down the stairs, hit her forehead on the wall corner. She’s likely quite seriously injured.”
Song You had a clear impression of him and explained in detail.
Chi Ze’rui frowned, “How did you take care of her!”
“I…”
“I don’t care who she is! She dared to crack my son’s head, I’ll make her pay!”
Song Cheng’lu, his face covered in blood, lay on the stretcher as he was being wheeled out.
His life hung in the balance.
Madame Song stood by, weeping and wailing.
“My son, you must be alright, or how can your mother live?”
“It’s all your fault!” As Song Cheng’lu was sent into the ambulance, Madame Song frantically grabbed Xie Jin’yi’s collar.
“Is it not enough that you’ve turned him into a walking dead? You still want to take his life?! I’m telling you! If anything happens to him, I’ll make you pay with your life!”
Xie Jin’yi was held by bodyguards, enduring several slaps from her.
Just as she finished speaking, the police arrived.
“Take good care of her!”
Madame Song pushed Xie Jin’yi towards them with force, her words spat out through gritted teeth.
The police awkwardly steadied Xie Jin’yi.
Song You did not wish to confront Madame Song directly, but given Xie Jin’yi’s relationship with Wen Tingxue, he couldn’t just stand by.
Seeing his predicament, Chi Ze’rui paused as he was getting into the car, slammed the door shut, and said, “I’ll handle things here. You go to the hospital and keep an eye on things.”
Xie Jin’yi was now quite famous, and such an incident happening without proper handling would lead to trouble.
Song You nodded at him, “Thank you.”
Chi Ze’rui made a call on his phone, impatiently urging him, “Hurry up and go!”
Xie Jin’yi happened to pass by him, looking at him with a complicated expression.
Only to be shoved into the police car.
Chi Ze’rui responded only with a glance from the corner of his eye the entire time.
“Yes, hurry over. I’ll try my best to control the situation here and prevent any leaks…”
-
Two hours later, at G Jewelry.
It was completely dark, and the rain continued.
But it had lessened compared to before.
Ding Xi was driving nearby for an errand when he passed the entrance and noticed Hao Lu’er curled up by the wall, hugging her arms, her long hair mostly soaked.
The hem of her dress, trailing on the ground, was also quite wet, and her slender frame was trembling.
Having seen her a few times before, Ding Xi recognized her.
He got out of the car with an umbrella.
“Miss Hao?”
Ding Xi stopped in front of her, his voice gentle and refined, “Are you…”
The girl looked up, her face deathly pale, her eyes red and swollen from crying. Ding Xi’s expression faltered for a moment, then he extended his hand and asked, “Can you stand up?”
Hao Lu’er’s eyes drooped in despair, “Thank you.”
Her voice was hoarse to the point of cracking.
“It’s alright.”
Ding Xi took her hand and helped her up.
But she had been squatting for so long that her legs were numb.
She couldn’t stand steadily at all.
Ding Xi gentlemanly placed his palm on her waist, his fingers barely touching her.
“I’m so sorry…”
Hao Lu’er apologized awkwardly, trying to stand.
But she failed several times.
Ding Xi chuckled, “It’s okay, just treat me like a pillar, no rush.”
It was a normal comforting remark, but Hao Lu’er burst into tears, burying her face in his chest.
Her crying was silent.
So, it wasn’t until her clothes became damp and warmth spread that Ding Xi realized she was crying.
He fumbled in his pocket for tissues and handed them to her.
…
When they got into the car, Hao Lu’er had already composed herself.
His jacket was draped over her shoulders.
But she was still cold.
“About today…”
She clutched the hem of her still-damp skirt and looked at him, hesitating.
Ding Xi guessed what she wanted to say and chuckled, assuring her, “Pillars don’t talk.”
“Thank you.” Hao Lu’er nodded gratefully, “If you ever need my help in the future, just ask.”
“Mhm.”
Ding Xi responded casually, not taking it to heart.
During a red light, he casually asked, “In this weather, why didn’t you have your boyfriend pick you up? Isn’t he in the capital?”
He remembered her boyfriend was a race car driver.
He assumed he was competing abroad.
“Mm…” Hao Lu’er’s expression flickered with confusion for a moment.
A few seconds later, she turned her face to the window, her voice calm, “He’s probably busy with something.”
“Hm?”
Ding Xi didn’t quite understand.
But he soon caught the drift of her words.
This must have meant she called, and he agreed, but…
Remembering her expression when she looked up earlier, Ding Xi pursed his lips apologetically, “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
Hao Lu’er offered a faint smile.
After all, she was already used to it.
However, if there was a next time, she’d still rely on ride-sharing drivers.
In two hours, no matter how unlucky she was, she should have been able to get a ride.
But she had inexplicably stuck to her spot, afraid he wouldn’t find her if he came.
In the end, she actually coughed up blood.
Ding Xi braked sharply. Fearing she’d hit her head, he instinctively reached out to protect her, only to find her forehead burning hot.
“You have a fever,” Ding Xi frowned, “I’ll take you to the hospital.”
“No need…”
Hao Lu’er tried to refuse, but when she spoke, blood came out, staining Ding Xi’s hands.
A rare moment of dishevelment, she cried, covering her face, shrinking into a ball, helpless and desperate.
-
Hospital.
After the stitching surgery, the medical staff wheeled Wen Tingxue out.
They were preparing to transfer her to a regular ward.
Yu Wenli and Chi Ze’rui followed.
On the way to the elevator, they ran into Ding Xi.
Their eyes met. Chi Ze’rui frowned and asked, “Who are you?”
Chi Ze’rui didn’t recognize Ding Xi, but he was holding Hao Lu’er.
As he approached, he noticed blood on her.
“What happened to her?” his voice dropped a few degrees.
Ding Xi sneered, “What do you think happened to her?”
Hearing his voice, Hao Lu’er weakly opened her eyes. Upon recognizing him, she asked weakly, “Why are you here too? Are you injured?”
Even in this situation, her first reaction was to worry about him.
Ding Xi felt it was not worth it for her.
Chi Ze’rui frowned, “No, Tingxue is injured.”
Hao Lu’er then noticed Wen Tingxue on the hospital bed, still unconscious.
“What happened to her? Is it serious?”
Even though she was in pain herself, she was always concerned about others.
Ding Xi had truly never seen such a foolish girl.
His pity for her deepened.
“Alright, stop talking, or you’ll vomit blood again.”
He said this deliberately for Chi Ze’rui to hear.
Hoping he would pay more attention to her.
“Vomit blood?” Chi Ze’rui’s expression creased, “What exactly happened to her?”
“I’m fine…”
Hao Lu’er shook her head gently, seemingly not wanting him to know that he was the cause.
Ding Xi, however, couldn’t stand such a scumbag, “You left her at the company entrance for two hours, and you’re asking me what happened to her? I’d like to ask you, since you promised, why didn’t you pick her up? Do you know how cold it was today?”
“Mr. Ding…”
Hao Lu’er looked at him helplessly, her tear-filled eyes pleading.
Ding Xi had no choice but to shut his mouth.
“Didn’t you go home already?” Chi Ze’rui frowned, “Why were you waiting there foolishly? Couldn’t you get a taxi?”
His words had a questioning tone.
Ding Xi was displeased, but Hao Lu’er chuckled, “Chi Ze’rui, do you believe everything I say?”
She looked at him mockingly, her gaze sharper than usual.
Realizing his tone was off, Chi Ze’rui softened his attitude and reached out, “Give her to me, I…”
He paused, then hesitated as he looked back.
Yu Wenli deliberately lowered his voice and said, “You stay with her, I’ll look after things here.”
His fame was too high now; sometimes, even with full disguise, he could be recognized.
Therefore, the best approach was to disguise his voice as well.
“…” Chi Ze’rui reluctantly withdrew his gaze and said to Ding Xi, “I’ll take care of her. Sorry to trouble you.”
“It’s alright.”
Ding Xi handed her over to him.
They were a couple. Even if they argued, it was none of his business.
So, even though he disliked him, he had no right to keep her.
Unexpectedly, the girl in his arms actively grabbed his clothes, looking at him with soft, helpless eyes, “Mr. Ding…”
She called out, her voice like a kitten’s.
Soft and childish.
Ding Xi’s heart skipped a beat, and he withdrew his hand, saying, “I’ll do it.”
Before Chi Ze’rui could react, he left, holding her.
As they brushed past each other, he deliberately bumped into him.
Chi Ze’rui, caught off guard, stumbled a step.
He was able to see their retreating backs.
He was somewhat taken aback.
But what surprised him even more was Hao Lu’er’s attitude.
VIP Ward.
Chi Ze’rui stood outside the door smoking, but in the midst of his preoccupation, he glanced at Que You, “What’s the situation? Are you done with Luo’er?”
Although he arrived the latest, he arrived just in time.
He had witnessed such a dramatic scene.
Chi Ze’rui, biting on his cigarette, said, “She has someone by her side. She doesn’t need me.”
His attitude was casual.
Que You frowned, sizing him up, and asked, “Are you jealous?”
“Jealous?” Chi Ze’rui laughed and shook his head, “What a joke. I couldn’t be happier.”
He wished Hao Lu’er would leave him sooner.
Que You stared at the expression on his face, “Are you serious?”
“Mhm.” Chi Ze’rui nodded, his expression calm, “I hope she finds true love more than anyone.”
Que You looked for a few more seconds, sure that he wasn’t lying, and couldn’t help but curse, “You’re truly a scumbag. Didn’t she treat you well? She vomited blood because of you this time, can’t you go and see her? Will you die?”
Chi Ze’rui exhaled smoke and shook his head, “No need.”
Que You: “…”
“You deserve to die alone!” Que You cursed in exasperation.
Chi Ze’rui smirked, his demeanor nonchalant, “I’m so sorry, but there are plenty of people who like me. Should I introduce you to a couple?”
“Heh,” Que You retorted, “What a shame, the one you like isn’t among them.”
Chi Ze’rui’s smile froze instantly.
-
Another ward.
She sat there, lost in self-doubt and waiting, until dawn.
Even during her time back in the country, busy with work and him, she often forgot herself.
Looking back now, it truly wasn’t worth it.
The despair in her eyes was so intense that even her tears carried a hint of sorrow.
Ding Xi, unable to bear it, wiped them away for her, “It will pass.”
He comforted her, his tone extremely gentle.
Hao Lu’er smiled, “Let’s hope so.”
This meant she hadn’t let go.
Ding Xi didn’t understand, “Then just now…”
Just now, she could have gone into his arms, why insist on him?
Hao Lu’er looked at him apologetically, “I’m sorry for dragging you into this, but at that moment… I really didn’t want him.”
He had wanted to embrace her, but he quickly hesitated.
Even for a second, to her, it was an insult.
She couldn’t accept it.
-
Five in the morning, police station.
Song Cheng’lu was severely injured.
After so long, there was no sign of him waking up.
Madame Song vowed that Xie Jin’yi would pay with her life, so the police naturally couldn’t let her go easily.
She was brought back and was being interrogated.
She was still being interrogated.
It was the same few lines repeated over and over, Xie Jin’yi’s mouth had gone dry.
“Can you,” she requested, her face pale, “can you pour me a glass of water? I’m really thirsty.”
“First, tell us the whole story,” the interrogator adjusted the lamp beside him, “If you don’t make things difficult for us, we naturally won’t make things difficult for you.”
The bright light pained Xie Jin’yi’s eyes. She instinctively turned her face away and said, “Everything I’ve said is true. If you don’t believe me, you can check the surveillance footage!”
“You!”
“Oh dear, after such a long interrogation, let’s all take a break?” Song Jiam’ao came in to pour water and said, “Fourth Master Han just called, saying he’ll be here soon.”
This statement had two meanings.
One was to inform the interrogators that Xie Jin’yi was Han Xianyun’s person, so don’t rush her.
The other was to tell Xie Jin’yi that Han Xianyun was coming to save her.
But Xie Jin’yi didn’t think so. Given the relationship between the Song and Han families, Han Xianyun rushing back overnight was probably not to save her, but to abandon her.