The man's grip on her chin tightened before his words had even finished.
Su Qi felt a slight pain but didn't cry out.
"Are you threatening me?"
"That's right. If you refuse, I will definitely let Xu Linyun know that we are not divorced, and also let Xu Linyun know that I have moved back to Shallow Bay. She is pregnant, aren't you worried that Xu Linyun will be stimulated and miscarry the baby?!"
Su Qi looked up, her eyes firm and cold. She clenched her fists tightly, her ten fingers digging into her palms. She no longer wanted to be manipulated by this man, no longer wanted to be his plaything to be summoned and dismissed at will. "You're getting bolder and bolder!"
"That's right, Mr. Huo. If you want me to move back to Shallow Bay, you need to show some sincerity. Since you are a businessman, you should understand the principle of transactions. It's a fair exchange, one thing for another. Replacing a female lead should be no difficulty for you!"
Anger flickered in Huo Tingyun's eyes, his gaze burning. His dark eyes reflected Su Qi's icy stare. Every time she looked at him with such emotionless eyes, he felt defeated and dejected.
Replacing a female lead wasn't difficult, but her attitude infuriated him.
"Su Qi, am I just a tool for you to get ahead?"
"What else do you think I am, Mr. Huo!"
Su Qi pulled at the corners of her mouth with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. Even just after waking up, without any trace of makeup or lipstick, her skin was still fair and radiant. Her red lips held a hint of crimson, and her dark eyes were like those of Snow White stepping out of a fairy tale.
However, the affection that used to fill her eyes was gone.
A wave of irritation washed over him.
Huo Tingyun lowered his gaze, grabbed his robe, put it on, and slammed the door shut as he left.
Su Qi heard the bang of the door and tears unexpectedly rolled down from the corners of her eyes. She curled into a ball, her clenched fists held in front of her. Tears continued to fall, soaking into the pillow until a large patch was wet.
When did things become like this? She couldn't even remember. Was it when her brother Su Yan was crippled? Was it the endless loneliness and desolation of lying alone in bed every night? Or was it the gradual extinguishing of her passion by the man's coldness day after day?
After lying there blankly for a while, Su Qi pushed herself up with her arms.
She hadn't eaten much since yesterday, and her stomach was empty. She was genuinely hungry.
After a simple wash, she went downstairs and found that Huo Tingyun had already left. Sister Wu had prepared a table full of breakfast. Seeing Su Qi, her face lit up with joy.
"Miss Su, you're finally awake. Please have something to eat!"
Su Qi paused, her steps downstairs faltering.
It seemed that everyone in the Huo family, including Sister Wu, knew about Huo Tingyun and her divorce. But they didn't know that Huo Tingyun had intercepted it, meaning the divorce procedures had not been completed, and there was no actual divorce.
Su Qi took a deep breath before slowly walking downstairs and pulling out a chair to sit down.
"Miss Su, does the master know about this child? What are your plans? After all, it's Huo family's flesh and blood. Why don't you tell the old master and madam? After all..."
Sister Wu was very worried. The old master had always wanted Su Qi to have a child for Huo Tingyun. Now that she finally had one, and it was five months old, Huo Qingrang and Qin Xue were completely unaware. The child had no status. If the old master saw this from the afterlife, how heartbroken he would be!
Su Qi swallowed the fan-shaped vegetable bun in her mouth, her voice faint, as light as a wisp of mist.
"No need."
Sister Wu was about to say more, but seeing Su Qi's expression, she fell silent. She poured Su Qi a cup of soy milk, sighed softly, and then turned to tidy up the kitchen, busy with her own affairs.
Su Qi slowly ate her breakfast, feeling restless thinking about Huo Tingyun's words. She wasn't sure if he was telling the truth or not. After breakfast, she wanted to go out, but found that her car had been scrapped. Xu Qingfeng's car accident had also affected her car. There were no cars in the garage, so she couldn't leave.
She had to take out her phone and call for a taxi. It arrived quickly. Su Qi said goodbye to Sister Wu and left.
The car stopped at the residential complex. Su Qi pushed open the door and got out, using her key to open the door to her home. Gu Tangxue had already been discharged from the hospital. Seeing Su Qi return, she stood up from the sofa.
"Xiao Su, you're back!"
Su Qi's heart filled with joy. "You're discharged?"
"Yes, just got back!" Gu Tangxue nodded and stepped forward, about to say something, when there was a knock on the door.
Su Qi paused and went to open the door.
Outside, several police officers were standing there.
"Miss Su Qi? Regarding the Xu Qingfeng car accident, we've traced the car to you. Please accompany us to the police station."
Gu Tangxue walked forward nervously, grabbing Su Qi's hand. "Xiao Su, what's going on?"
Gu Tangxue had seen the news when she was in the hospital and learned that Xu Qingfeng was hospitalized, but she hadn't expected this matter to be related to Su Qi.
"It's nothing. You rest and eat first, I'll go."
"No, I'm going with you!"
Gu Tangxue held Su Qi's hand tightly, refusing to let go, her lips pressed together, worry flickering in her eyes.
Too many things had happened these past few days.
She didn't want to see anything else happen to Su Qi.
"Alright." Unable to refuse, Su Qi agreed to let Gu Tangxue accompany her.
Police station.
Su Qi's steps faltered as she walked in.
Xu Ruyun was sitting in the VIP room of the police station, her legs crossed on the sofa. Even indoors, she wore sunglasses. Beauty tea was brewed on the coffee table.
Su Qi's eyes darkened.
She had been planning to find Xu Ruyun, but she hadn't expected her to come to her.
"Miss Su, you're finally here." Xu Ruyun took off her sunglasses. Her face, which had undergone cosmetic surgery, was full of smiles. Although beautiful, it had an unsettling quality. "My father was in a car accident in your car. I've been too busy these past few days and forgot to handle this matter."
"It's fine. You can ask me any questions you have. My car was fine when I drove it. I didn't expect... Mrs. Xu, don't you agree? This matter is truly too strange. Who do you think tampered with it behind the scenes?"
Su Qi smiled at Xu Ruyun, her face as delicate as porcelain, her red lips curved slightly, a vividly captivating face.
Even though she spoke sarcastically, it didn't provoke any anger.
Xu Ruyun was startled. Despite her best efforts to control her emotions, she couldn't maintain her composure and her brows immediately furrowed. "Are you subtly mocking me, Miss Su?"
"Of course not, whoever the culprit is, that's who I'm talking about!"
Su Qi gracefully sat down opposite Xu Ruyun.