She was agitated, tossing her phone aside with a grim expression, unsure if it was because of Jiang Ze Xi or Xia Wan Tang.
Just then, her phone rang.
She brightened, thinking it was Jiang Ze Xi or Xia Wan Tang, but when she picked up the phone, she saw it was her agent, Sister Zou.
She answered, her tone as usual. "Hello, Sister Zou."
"Mm, you have a new arrangement coming up..."
After the call, Xia Wan Fu began packing to head to her work destination. As for whether Xia Wan Tang was alive or dead, that depended on her own fortune. If she died, it could only be said she lacked the destiny to enjoy the blessings of the Ling family. If she lived, then all the better.
Pushing aside her messy thoughts, Xia Wan Fu focused her mind on her work. This job was out of town and would take several months. It was the first time she would be working so far away. As she packed, she couldn't help but think of Jiang Ze Xi, wondering if he would miss her when he returned and found she was gone.
After packing her clothes and some daily necessities, she couldn't resist opening Jiang Ze Xi's wardrobe and taking out a shirt he often wore. She would be away for so long, and she would miss him terribly. His clothes would carry his scent! If she missed him, she could hug his clothes as if he were always by her side.
Just as she was about to fold the shirt and put it in her suitcase, she felt something in the pocket. She reached in and pulled it out. It was a photo of Jiang Ze Xi with a vibrant woman in his arms. The woman had ink-black hair and wore a dignified and elegant off-white knee-length dress. Her features were exquisite, her beauty captivating, and her bright eyes and pearly teeth made her smile radiant. Jiang Ze Xi, beside her, looked at her, his eyes as brilliant as stars, filled with an almost overflowing love.
Her heart pounded violently, and Xia Wan Fu immediately guessed her identity. It was Jiang Ze Xi's ex-girlfriend, Su Jin Ning. Tears blurred her vision. In that moment, Xia Wan Fu felt as if her heart had been carved by a knife. Looking at the gentle and elegant woman in the photo, she understood everything. No wonder she always felt a sense of distance; it was because Jiang Ze Xi didn't love her at all. He had always loved Su Jin Ning, even wanting to mold her into Su Jin Ning's likeness. No wonder he had reacted so strongly the last time she simply changed her clothes. Tears fell one by one, obscuring the people in the photo, but Jiang Ze Xi's brilliant eyes were etched deeply into her heart. As she cried, she began to laugh, laughing at herself, feeling like a fool.
She put the photo back into the pocket and hung the shirt back up. Although she, Xia Wan Fu, had lost everything, her emotions were her last boundary. She took all the clothes out of her suitcase and put them back, then changed into the outfit she had bought herself last time. Finally, with trembling hands, she sent a message to Jiang Ze Xi. "Let's break up."
Though only five words, they took all her strength. She felt hollow, empty. A gust of wind brought a heart-wrenching pain, making it difficult to breathe. After a long while, she pulled herself together, applied makeup to hide the traces of tears, grabbed her belongings, and walked out of the room without looking back.
The housekeeper was in the living room, directing the servants in cleaning. Seeing her descend, he respectfully asked, "Miss, are you going on a trip?"
Xia Wan Fu paused, her gaze piercing as she asked, "Does Su Jin Ning like jasmine flowers?"
Butler Cao was startled, his expression immediately becoming peculiar. He avoided her gaze, unable to utter a word. Xia Wan Fu let out a sarcastic chuckle, pulled her suitcase, and walked past him out of the Ling family villa. From now on, she only wanted a brilliant career and a bright future!
...
When Ling Yu Chen arrived at Lixiang Courtyard, the bodies were already piled high like a mountain, his face deathly pale. He seemed to have lost all strength, his legs weak and unable to stand. Li Bowen and Jiang Ze Xi supported him on either side. His reaction confirmed Xia Wan Tang's death, and the outside world believed Xia Wan Tang had indeed been burned to death in Lixiang Courtyard. However, there were so many bodies, most unrecognizable, making identification impossible. The only way to confirm identity was through DNA testing. But Ling Yu Chen recognized "Xia Wan Tang" at a glance. Among the countless bodies, there was one with a smaller build, wearing a ring on her right ring finger—a ring adorned with a round, brilliant diamond. Ling Yu Chen fainted from grief.
Reporters waiting outside frantically reported the incident, almost certainly concluding Xia Wan Tang was dead. But everyone was puzzled how he knew that body was Xia Wan Tang. So Han Xiao explained the origin and meaning of the two rings. News of the incident flooded the internet, while the Ling family remained unusually calm.
Xia Wan Tang sat on a sofa in the Ling family's secret room, eating an apple, while Madam Ling and Elder Ling doted on her. Her appetite was excellent now, everything tasted good, and she felt strong. However, she couldn't bear to be alone; the incident had left her with significant psychological trauma.
Madam Ling earnestly advised, "My dear, you mustn't do such dangerous things again, alright? Nothing is more important than your safety."
Elder Ling agreed, "Yes, yes, from now on, you'll just stay home and rest. No need to go to school."
"Okay, I'll listen to you." Xia Wan Tang felt like a giant panda now. However, she had indeed frightened the two elders quite badly this time. Because of this incident, all the Ling family's servants had been replaced, for fear of spies. And currently, only the two elders of the Ling family knew of Xia Wan Tang's return. Ling Yu Chen was clearly wary of everyone.
After making a brief appearance outside, Ling Yu Chen hurried back to the Ling family. After being separated for so many days, he hadn't seen Xia Wan Tang. The moment he entered the door and saw her, his unease completely vanished. Elder Ling and Madam Ling consciously made space for them.
Xia Wan Tang watched him walk closer, and the apple in her hand suddenly lost its appeal. She stood up and softly called out, "Yu Chen."
Ling Yu Chen gazed at her, his eyes filled with deep love, his heart pounding. He strode forward and pulled her into his arms, his voice hoarse with the joy of finding what he had lost. "Wife, no more acting out next time."
Xia Wan Tang wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face in his chest. The familiar scent gave her an unprecedented sense of security. They held each other tightly. A long time later, Ling Yu Chen released her, his gaze drifting down to her belly.