"You married your daughter to me, and you harmed her to this state! Jiang Cheng! What exactly did you do to her?" Ji Mu's palms trembled, wishing she could strangle Jiang Cheng right then.
Ji Zhi Xiu did not stop her; he knew Ji Mu needed to vent.
Jiang Cheng covered his face, forcing a smile, "Mom, it's all a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding... Hear me out..."
Ji Mu withdrew her trembling hand, "I don't want to hear anything you say. I'll wait for Zhi Lan to wake up and let her speak for herself."
Jiang Cheng glanced at the woman lying in bed, a hint of fear creeping into his heart. "How... how is she?"
"How dare you ask? The child is gone, and she's in a coma. All thanks to you."
Hearing this, Jiang Cheng felt a pang of sorrow. His child was gone...
Seeing Ji Mu's agitation, Ji Zhi Xiu feared she might do herself harm. He massaged his temples and said, "Mom, stop talking. Zhi Lan isn't resting peacefully."
"As for Jiang Cheng," Ji Zhi Xiu pondered, "Zhi Lan is still married to Jiang Cheng. Let Jiang Cheng stay here to take care of her for now. You go back tonight, and let Jiang Cheng watch her. I'll have someone keep an eye on him."
Ji Mu naturally agreed. She nodded, "I'll go back and prepare some food for Zhi Lan. I'll be back later."
After he left, only Jiang Cheng and Ji Zhi Xiu remained in the hospital room.
Jiang Cheng felt as if he were being fried in oil. His legs felt weak standing, and he dared not sit. He glanced at Ji Zhi Xiu, but quickly averted his gaze before their eyes met.
Ji Zhi Xiu noticed his subtle movements. A coldness flickered at the corner of his lips as he leaned his head on his hand and closed his eyes for a brief rest.
Ji Zhi Lan did not wake up that night. As daylight broke, Ji Zhi Xiu got up, arranged for Xiang Long to keep an eye on Jiang Cheng, and returned to the villa.
Jiang Mian was still asleep. Seeing her peaceful slumber, Ji Zhi Xiu's heart settled.
He lifted the covers and slipped into bed, pulling Jiang Mian into his embrace.
When Jiang Mian woke up again, she felt refreshed, her head clear and her vision sharp. She was still thinking about what Ji Zhi Xiu had said. She grabbed Ji Zhi Xiu's slender, jade-like fingers, looking up at him pleadingly, "My head doesn't hurt anymore... Can we not go to the doctor this time?"
Ji Zhi Xiu smiled, "No. You promised me. What about next time if this one is better?"
Jiang Mian knew it was for her own good. She reluctantly nodded, "Alright then."
"That's a good girl," Ji Zhi Xiu murmured. "Also, we might have to postpone our trip to Jiangnan by a few days. Zhi Lan had an accident, I'm sorry."
Jiang Mian's spirits lifted, "What happened to her?"
"The child was lost, and she's in the hospital."
Jiang Mian frowned. Although Ji Zhi Xiu spoke without much emotion, she knew he must be worried about his sister.
"It's okay. Let's deal with Zhi Lan's situation first. There's no rush to go back to Jiangnan," she said, looking up and smiling to comfort him.
Ji Zhi Xiu hummed, "I'll have to go see her again later."
Jiang Mian nodded, "Go ahead."
Ji Zhi Lan woke up in the afternoon. Her first act was to call Ji Zhi Xiu.
Ji Zhi Xiu was just walking to the door of her room. He answered the phone and walked in, "You're awake?"
Ji Zhi Lan propped herself up, saying urgently, "Brother, let Jiang Cheng handle this."
Her appearance was gaunt, but her voice was firm. Ji Zhi Xiu nodded slightly, "He's here. Try not to get too upset when you see him. Take care of yourself."
"Don't worry, Brother, I'll take care of my own body." She gave a pale smile, knowing without asking that the life in her womb was gone...
It was all Jiang Cheng's fault, that scumbag!
Recalling the scene she saw before she fainted, Ji Zhi Lan felt her heart shatter.
Jiang Cheng had gone out to buy food. Xiang Long didn't care what happened to him. When he returned after eating, he saw Ji Zhi Lan awake and tried to run.
But Ji Zhi Xiu's gaze was like a blade, pinning him in place.
He licked his lips, "Zhi... Zhi Lan, you're awake. How are you? Are you still feeling unwell anywhere?"
Ji Zhi Lan closed her eyes. Seeing him now, she found him utterly hypocritical. Suppressing her anger, she spat out, "Jiang Cheng, I never expected you to be bisexual."
"Dating me while being with your manager, and playing the submissive role for love. You've really got a wild streak."
Ji Zhi Lan had never imagined such a disgusting thing would happen to her.
She also never imagined Jiang Cheng would be so bold as to bring someone home, and into their marital bed...
That day, she had planned to get all dressed up and go for a beauty treatment. Halfway there, she realized she had forgotten her phone. When she returned, she stumbled upon this disgusting scene.
In her shock and rage, she attacked the two men. Unexpectedly, Jiang Cheng accidentally pushed her down the stairs.
The last thing she saw was their panicked faces over the staircase railing. She even had to call the ambulance herself.
"It seems I wasn't wrong about you and your manager last time. I even believed your lies, thinking you were being harassed at work."
Jiang Cheng had no defense. This was undeniable evidence, especially with Ji Zhi Xiu present. Any attempt to explain would be futile.
The more she spoke, the more enraged Ji Zhi Lan became. She swept everything off the bedside table onto Jiang Cheng, gritting her teeth, "We have to get a divorce."
If it weren't for her current physical condition, she would have dragged this scumbag to get the divorce papers right then. She had considered divorce, but never thought it would be for such a reason.
What a pity for her unborn child. Though just a small embryo, it had been with her for several months, and Ji Zhi Lan had already developed feelings for it.
Jiang Cheng dared not dodge. He scrambled to pick up the items, tears flowing freely, "Zhi Lan, please let me explain? My love for you is real, you are the only one in my heart. That was an accident. I was sometimes powerless. I lived in pain every day..."
Ji Zhi Xiu frowned, "Xiang Long, gag him."
"Yes."
It was so annoying.
After saying all that, Ji Zhi Lan felt her strength completely drained. She beckoned, "Come and help me."
Xiang Long released the gagged Jiang Cheng and stepped forward to help her lie back down.
The man's large hands were strong, easily supporting her. Ji Zhi Lan felt less exertion as she lay down, panting, "Brother, there's one more thing. Take back my house. The house you gave me, this mother and son don't deserve to live in it!"
Ji Zhi Xiu had gifted the house in Ji Zhi Lan's name precisely to prevent such a situation in the future.
Ji Zhi Xiu had watched this farce from beginning to end without a word. He walked to the bedside and looked down at her, "Rest well. Mom will visit this afternoon. Xiang Long will handle everything else. Just tell him if you need anything."
Ji Zhi Lan nodded vigorously, suppressing the urge to cry, "Thank you... Brother, I'm sorry for making you worry again."
"We are family, don't say such distant things. Learn your lesson too."
Ji Zhi Lan sniffled, "I know, Brother. You can go if you're busy."
Ji Zhi Xiu said no more and turned to leave the room.
Once everyone was gone, Ji Zhi Lan reached out to Xiang Long, "You go out too. Don't come in without my permission."
"Yes, Miss."
It suited him perfectly. He had been guarding the young lady for two days and hadn't had time to take his boyfriend home to meet his parents. As he stepped out, he decided to call her...
With everyone gone, Ji Zhi Lan turned on her side. Thinking of her unborn child, she couldn't help but shed tears.
"My baby, it's my fault... I wish you a good family in your next life."
Jiang Cheng, with his mouth gagged and tied to a chair, wriggled as everyone left, trying to secure a glimmer of hope for himself.
However, Ji Zhi Lan buried her head in the covers, too weary to even look at him.
...
Ji Zhi Lan was discharged from the hospital a week later.
On the day of her discharge, she went to complete the divorce procedures.
In front of the Civil Affairs Bureau, Ji Zhi Lan asked Xiang Long to release him. Under the sunlight, she smiled brightly, "Jiang Cheng, not pursuing you and your mother to the bitter end is my last act of mercy. Get lost, go far away, and preferably never appear before me again."
Jiang Cheng finally had the chance to speak, "Ji Zhi Lan! Where's my mother? Where did you send my mother?"
"That's hilarious. What does it have to do with me where your mother is? She's an old woman, what could I possibly do to her?"
Since she was taken away, he hadn't seen his mother. The thought of his aging mother being driven out of her home filled Jiang Cheng with hatred.
Ji Zhi Lan saw his reaction and sneered dismissively, "Jiang Cheng, I advise you to behave. Don't forget the one million I lent you. You said it was an investment with a friend, but it all went to your boyfriend, didn't it?"
"If you dare to cause any more trouble, I guarantee you won't be able to survive in Beijing."
Ji Zhi Lan put on her sunglasses, "Get lost!"
Jiang Cheng glared at her resentfully. He took a step forward, but before he could act, Xiang Long blocked him.
"Fine, very fine! Even after years of marriage, you show no sentimentality, Ji Zhi Lan!"
Ji Zhi Lan was genuinely afraid Jiang Cheng might go mad. Looking at the tall figure before her, she remembered that her brother had left Xiang Long for her, and she had nothing to fear.
Jiang Cheng returned to his apartment complex, hoping to find his mother by chance. If she wasn't there, he figured she must have returned to their hometown.
As soon as he entered the complex, someone grabbed him, "Son! My son! You're finally back!"
Jiang Cheng pulled her away, shocked, "Mom! What are you doing?"
He then pulled his mother to the side to avoid being seen by passersby.
His mother took off her janitor's hat. In just a few days, she looked much older. She clasped her son's hand, tears streaming down her face, "How are you? Did Ji Zhi Lan treat you badly?"
"What could she do to me? We're divorced now, and the child is gone. As for you, did you get hurt when she sent people to repossess the house?"
"I had just returned from school when her people came to take the house. I could only quickly grab my important belongings." His mother worried, "There were still many valuable things I didn't have time to... She wouldn't let me take them. I was afraid you wouldn't find me when you returned, so I found a job as a cleaner here. I live in the basement on the first floor. It includes food and lodging, and the work is decent."
Jiang Cheng listened with a heavy heart. He hugged his mother, "I'm sorry, Mom. It's all my fault. Don't worry, I still have some money. We'll go back to our hometown."
"We're going back home and not coming back?"
At this point, his mother dared not ask for anything else. As long as her son was safe, she was content.
Jiang Cheng gritted his teeth, his voice like a ghost, "Yes, we're going back."
The Ji family had ruined him to this extent. He had lost his job and his money. He would never let Ji Zhi Lan off the hook!