《After Divorce, Hidden Marriage Husband Became Addicted to Me》 Chapter 1 - 1 1 Chance Encounter ?1: Chapter 1: Chance Encounter 1: Chapter 1: Chance Encounter ¡°There are injured here, come and help¡ª¡ª¡± Rescue calls kept coming through the communicator. Just yesterday, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck Ningjiang City. Tang Xi is a surgeon at North City¡¯s First Hospital. She rushed to the site for rescue operations with a medical team organized by the hospital yesterday morning. She found a victim in the rubble, covered in mud and blood, with indistinguishable facial features and unconscious. His left leg was pinned down by a heavy stone slab, preventing his escape. Tang Xi immediately shared the rescue location via the communication tool and began emergency treatment for him. About three to four minutes later. The man opened his eyes. Tang Xi met his dark, deep, and cold eyes. This man had a strong aura! The man¡¯s eyes shifted slightly. Due to severe blood loss, his vision blurred, and he could only faintly see a white figure in front of him, his voice was extremely hoarse and weak, ¡°You are....¡± Tang Xi was bandaging the man, trying to calm him, ¡°I am a doctor, rest assured, rescue teams will be here soon to get you out, just hold on a little longer.¡± Tang Xi feared the prolonged pressure might lead to blood clots in the man¡¯s legs, risking amputation, and the man had various other wounds, risking fainting again from blood loss. At this moment, the man¡¯s consciousness was weak, but he was determined not to fall asleep. In the air, a faintly elegant fragrance was exceptionally different in the dusty and muddy ruins. The man clenched his fists, squinting hard trying to see the person in front of him clearly. Suddenly, his pupils trembled as he tried to push away the female doctor who was bandaging him, ¡°Move away!¡± In that moment, Tang Xi also felt it¡ªaftershock was approaching with a shaking ground. Above them, a piece of ceiling was about to fall down¡ª As a doctor, without a second thought, Tang Xi threw herself over him, shielding him from the heavy impact¡ª Her figure was slender but held a gentle strength, protecting him beneath her. The man¡¯s dark eyes flashed with shock, seemingly in disbelief, ¡°You....¡± Everything turned dark in front of her, Tang Xi endured the pain in her back, biting her lip and struggling to support herself with her arms, ¡°Are you alright?¡± His voice was hoarse, ¡°Why did you save me?¡± Tang Xi smiled, ¡°I am a doctor.¡± She gently reassured him, concerned he might be scared and restless due to being trapped for too long, ¡°Just hold on a bit longer, rescuers will.... will come to save us. Your leg will be okay.¡± At this moment, the complex shock in the man¡¯s eyes deepened. In the darkness, the woman¡¯s eyes were clear yet bright. After the aftershock, the rubble buried them and time slowly passed. Several times, just as Fu Tingzhou was about to faint, it was this female doctor who kept calling him back from the brink of death. The gentle reassuring voice of the woman in front of him gave him a sliver of strength. He struggled to open his eyes and look at the white figure before him. The man weakly asked, ¡°What is your name, which hospital¡¯s doctor are you?¡± Tang Xi was continuously trying to contact the rescue teams through the communicator, and with the man¡¯s weak voice, she overlooked his question in the emergency. Bearing the pain in her back, Tang Xi took a water bottle from her bag, caressed it gently, and handed it to the man¡¯s mouth, ¡°You should drink some water, you must be very thirsty.¡± The man said, ¡°This is my nose.¡± Tang Xi couldn¡¯t help but laugh, ¡°Sorry, it¡¯s too dark here, I can¡¯t see clearly.¡± The woman¡¯s laughter sounded like a fresh spring, lingering in the man¡¯s mind. She reached out, feeling for the man¡¯s face, and touched his high nose bridge. At that moment, Tang Xi thought that the man in front of her must be quite handsome¡ªthis nose, these facial contours. He must be a very handsome man. Trapped for 24 hours, he had reached his limit, staring at the blurry white figure before him. He grabbed her clothes and asked again, ¡°What¡¯s your... name....¡± Then his head heavily tilted, and he fainted. Tang Xi also reached her limit. Suddenly, a beam of light came through¡ª The rescue team got them out. The man was placed on a stretcher, unconscious, his fingers tightly clenched. The nurse pried open his fingers to find a badge inside, which read: ¡°North City First Renmin Hospital, Department of Psychology, Su Mengshu.¡± ¨C After being rescued, Tang Xi went to the makeshift hospital for dressing, the woman¡¯s smooth, fair back was bleeding continuously from a five-centimeter long wound. A female doctor was treating her wound, ¡°This wound is pretty deep, bear with the pain.¡± Tang Xi gritted her teeth, ¡°Hmm.¡± ¡°You¡¯re from the First Hospital, I¡¯m from the Third Hospital.¡± ¡°Yes, my name is Tang Xi.¡± The female doctor removed her mask, ¡°My name is Xu Jiayi, by the way, this was found by rescue workers in the rubble, they thought it was yours, so they brought it over.¡± What Xu Jiayi handed over was a jade pendant. The color was warm and translucent white, styled with a peace buckle, and a black pendant string. Tang Xi took it, this wasn¡¯t hers, could it belong to the man also trapped in the rubble? Tang Xi asked Xu Jiayi to help find out about the man who was trapped with her. She brought news back that afternoon. A young man whose legs were trapped under the rubble was rescued, but died shortly after. Tang Xi was stunned for a moment, inevitably feeling a sense of sorrow. ¨C After a week in the disaster area, on Sunday, various support teams began their return journey. On the bus, the team leader was checking the number of people. ¡°Where is Su Mengshu? Why isn¡¯t she on the bus?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t look for her anymore, she won¡¯t be taking the bus back with us common folks, she¡¯s returning to North City on a private plane, she might have already landed by now.¡± ¡°You guys might not know, but she saved a big shot during the earthquake, maybe she doesn¡¯t even care about working at our hospital anymore, she¡¯s going to marry into a wealthy family and become a rich lady.¡± On the side, a female doctor gossiped with Tang Xi, ¡°Doctor Tang, do you know about Su Mengshu¡¯s situation? Isn¡¯t she your sister? You were both resting in the same tent.¡± Tang Xi was very tired, her back wound had not fully healed, she leaned against the back of the chair and closed her eyes to rest. Seeing her unresponsive, the female doctor raised her eyebrows and whispered to other doctors nearby, ¡°What a gap between sisters, Su Mengshu is about to become a rich lady.¡± When Tang Xi returned to the Su Family¡¯s home in North City, it was already past 3 PM. The housekeeper, Zhang Ma, happily said upon seeing her, ¡°The Second Miss is back.¡± Tang Xi looked at the people sitting on the sofa, ¡°Dad, Mom.¡± Su Kangrong glanced over, ¡°You¡¯re back.¡± Xia Minjun snorted coldly, speaking disdainfully, ¡°Second Miss? A daughter of a murderer. I could never give birth to such an ominous thing...¡± Zhang Ma sighed and shook her head as she headed to the kitchen. Having been a housekeeper in the Su Family for over ten years, Zhang Ma naturally knew how much Lady Su disliked Tang Xi. Although Tang Xi was nominally the Second Miss, her status was more or less the same as a housekeeper. At the dining table, there was a warm scene of Su Mengshu being affectionate with Su Kangrong and Xia Minjun. Tang Xi¡¯s fingers were ice-cold, she held her soup bowl and took a few sips, finding the meal tasteless. This scene of warmth had nothing to do with her. Because Tang Xi was not the biological daughter of the Su Family. Su Mengshu suffered from a rare blood disorder known as hemophilia, and even had the extremely rare Panda blood type, Rh-negative. Even a small wound could cause unstoppable bleeding and threaten her life. Su Kangrong, in an attempt to avoid future accidents, eventually managed to contact a welfare hospital. The 8-year-old orphan, Tang Xi, was successfully matched with Su Mengshu¡¯s blood type. Su Kangrong and Xia Minjun then adopted Tang Xi under the pretense, but in reality, they used Tang Xi as a mobile blood bank. Chapter 2 - 2 2 The Secret Husband ?2: Chapter 2: The Secret Husband 2: Chapter 2: The Secret Husband ¡°Mom and Dad, I¡¯m full. I¡¯m going upstairs first.¡± Watching Tang Xi¡¯s retreating figure, Xia Minjun disdainfully said, ¡°If we hadn¡¯t adopted her, the daughter of a murderer wouldn¡¯t have had the chance to go to college and become a doctor. You don¡¯t realize how calculating this girl is. Before, when Dean Fu¡¯s son Cheng Yunlang showed interest in Mengshu, Tang Xi deliberately made contact with him.¡± ¡°Mom and Dad, Cheng Yunlang is in the past for me, and as for Cheng Yunlang, if Tang Xi likes him, I¡¯ll let her have him.¡± Xia Minjun became anxious, ¡°How can that be alright? He is the Dean¡¯s son.¡± ¡°Oh, Mom and Dad, my new boyfriend is much more impressive than Cheng Yunlang, he is....¡± Thinking of her boyfriend¡¯s distinguished status, Su Mengshu shyly smiled, ¡°I won¡¯t tell you more, when his health gets better, he said he will visit the Su Family in person. You better prepare well and not embarrass me.¡± Xia Minjun hurriedly asked, ¡°Who is this big shot, Mengshu, tell Mom and Dad...¡± ¨C Tang Xi returned to her bedroom, which was in the attic. The Su Family lived in an old villa, with a small attic above the third floor. It was originally a storage space but became her bedroom after she was adopted. It¡¯s cold in the winter and stuffy in the summer. She took a bath, carefully avoiding the wound on her back. Her cellphone buzzed twice. It was a text message. ¡°Young mistress, young master has returned to the country.¡± Tang Xi sighed after seeing the message and tossed the phone aside. Fu Tingzhou is back! Who would have thought, Tang Xi had been married for two years, her husband being Fu Tingzhou, the second young master of the North City Fu Group, the future helmsman of the Group. Two years ago, financial media estimated Fu Tingzhou¡¯s worth to be over three hundred billion, and now, even more so. However, very few people are aware of this marriage. Neither Su Kangrong nor Xia Minjun knew about it. Fu Tingzhou¡¯s mother, Qin Jianlan, had been involved in charity and philanthropy for decades, subsidizing many orphanages. She always took good care of Tang Xi, and regretted seeing Tang Xi being adopted by the Su Family, treating Tang Xi like an adopted daughter. Three years ago, Qin Jianlan needed heart surgery with only a 30% chance of success. Before her critical condition, the dying Qin Jianlan wished for her son to marry Tang Xi. Thus, a coerced marriage came about. The one who sent the message was Aunt Rong, who had been taking care of Qin Jianlan. Three years ago, the one who went with Tang Xi to the civil affairs bureau was Fu Tingzhou¡¯s lawyer. Tang Xi received a preposterous, cold marriage certificate. And the surgery for Qin Jianlan, it failed. She never woke up and became a vegetative state, comatose to this day. At that time, the Fu Family was in a turbulent and difficult situation, and Fu Tingzhou went far away to England. During this period, Fu Tingzhou made one phone call to her. ¡°I don¡¯t care who you are, I don¡¯t even want to know who you are! I don¡¯t know what methods you used to deceive my mother into agreeing to this marriage, but I¡¯m warning you, do not let anyone else know about our marital affairs. If I find out, I will make sure you die very gruesomely!¡± Hearing the man¡¯s tone, Tang Xi knew he would kill her. Now that he had returned, should she meet him once? But thinking of this man¡¯s disdain for their marriage, Tang Xi felt restlessly irritated and turned over, deciding to stop thinking about it and to live her own life. She and him, they were worlds apart. People who did not belong to the same world. It might be for the best that we don¡¯t interfere with each other. ¨C It was a Friday. After work, Tang Xi received a text message from Aunt Zhang, telling her that there were guests at home and to buy some fresh fruit on her way back. When she returned to the Su Family home, she saw a black Bentley parked in front of the house. The Su Family was in the jewelry business in North City, but on a small scale. Last year, the jade market shrank severely, and the Su Family¡¯s net profit for the year was only ten million. Such a luxury car was beyond the reach of the Su Family. Walking in, the first thing she saw was a strikingly handsome man sitting in the living room, dressed in a black suit, looking sharp and dashing. His deep-set eyes were as cold and piercing as a hawk¡¯s, his nose high, and his thin lips exuded cold-blooded indifference. Su Kangrong and Xia Minjun were carefully smiling at him, afraid of displeasing him. Xia Minjun squeezed a smile into her eyes, feigning a motherly care, ¡°Xixi is here.¡± Su Mengshu seemed quite proud as she stood up and walked over to Tang Xi¡¯s side, affectionately linking her arm, adopting the demeanor of a caring elder sister, ¡°Xixi, let me introduce you, this is my boyfriend, Fu Tingzhou.¡± ¡°Tingzhou, this is Xixi, my younger sister.¡± Tang Xi glanced at the man sitting on the couch, her pupils trembling slightly. Upon hearing this name, she was stunned. She had heard that Su Mengshu was dating a rich boyfriend. But she didn¡¯t know that it was Fu Tingzhou. The man on her marriage certificate had become Su Mengshu¡¯s boyfriend. Her husband turned into a ¡®brother-in-law¡¯. At that moment, she didn¡¯t know how to react. ¡°Xixi, this is your sister¡¯s boyfriend. You should find an outstanding boyfriend just like your sister,¡± Xia Minjun¡¯s face was all smiles as she knew that the Su Family had connected with the Fu Family. She couldn¡¯t wait to announce her daughter as the future Mrs. Fu. Tang Xi pursed her lips slightly, her slender spine erect. She looked at Fu Tingzhou, for the first time, so close, observing this man. Fu Tingzhou lifted his head. Their gazes collided¡ª The man¡¯s eyes were sharp and cold, making him seem distant and unfathomable like a deep cold well. Tang Xi¡¯s heart throbbed violently, and she looked away, bowing her head. He took out a card from his wallet and handed it over, his voice distinct, husky, and cold yet distant, ¡°This is the first time we meet, and I didn¡¯t bring you any gifts. This is a shopping card for Wanlong International Mall, you can buy whatever you like.¡± Tang Xi did not take it. She had not yet recovered from the shock of her husband turning into a brother-in-law. On the side, Xia Minjun immediately said, ¡°Xixi, you really don¡¯t know manners. Your sister¡¯s boyfriend is giving you a gift, you should accept it and thank... after all, Mr. Fu will be your brother-in-law in the future.¡± Tang Xi reached out, her fingers lightly touching the card. It seemed to hold his warmth, sending a tremor through Tang Xi¡¯s hand. The card fell to the ground. She hurriedly bent down to pick it up. Tang Xi said in a soft voice, ¡°Thank you... brother-in-law....¡± After speaking, she turned and headed toward the kitchen, while Aunt Zhang came carrying tea and bumped into her, ¡°Aiya, are you alright, Miss Second?¡± Chapter 3 - 3 3 Secret Marriage Wife ?3: Chapter 3: Secret Marriage Wife 3: Chapter 3: Secret Marriage Wife The tea was scalding, splashing onto Tang Xi¡¯s arm, but she didn¡¯t care and walked straight in one direction, just wanting to escape the man¡¯s gaze behind her. Fu Tingzhou watched the woman¡¯s back as if she were fleeing. The man frowned slightly; she felt somewhat familiar to him. He searched his memory carefully, but he had never met the woman in front of him, and it was also his first time visiting the Su Family, only then did he learn that Su Mengshu had a younger sister. Yet, she gave him an inexplicable sense of familiarity. A whiff of light fragrance passed through the air and Fu Tingzhou¡¯s pupils contracted slightly. Su Mengshu wore a sweet smile on her lips, ¡°Tingzhou, don¡¯t be angry. My sister is spoiled by our family, that¡¯s just her temper.¡± It seemed like she wanted to contrast her own kindness, gentleness, and manners against Tang Xi¡¯s impoliteness in front of Fu Tingzhou. Xia Minjun clearly understood her daughter¡¯s intention, immediately adding, ¡°Yes, I dote on this younger daughter too much, spoiling her, making her disobedient. Unlike Mengshu who is more sensible.¡± Tang Xi went to the kitchen and listened to the voices outside, closing her eyes and leaning against the wall, feeling a suffocating pressure in her chest. A myriad of emotions intertwined in her heart, hard to digest all at once. The conversation continued outside, and Tang Xi secretly peeked through the gap in the door at the man sitting on the sofa, so noble and extraordinary, stunningly handsome. Her heart, thumping wildly. This was a face that felt both strange and familiar to her. Yet, it was the name associated with the only bit of warmth she felt in this world. Such a cold and arrogant person, his eyes also carried a faint smile, but it was for Su Mengshu. Her fingers clenched tightly then relaxed again. Tang Xi had actually seen Fu Tingzhou once, five years ago. But, the Fu Tingzhou back then was different from now. Back then, Fu Tingzhou was dressed in a white shirt delivering a speech in the lecture hall of North City University as an outstanding graduate, and he sponsored ten academically excellent students with their tuition fees. For four consecutive years, she received the scholarship sponsored by the Fu Family. It was with this money that she was able to graduate smoothly. Ever since she started university, she had always been working hard to support herself. Xia Minjun didn¡¯t even pay for the tuition. In her first year, Tang Xi¡¯s mother fell seriously ill, and she worked part-time while secretly saving money for Tang Jingyun¡¯s treatment. There were quotas for aid for impoverished students in the department. Tang Xi was one of them. Tang Xi could never forget how this name brought her a brief warmth. Mrs. Zhang¡¯s cooking sounds came, ¡°Miss Two, could you help me wash some fruits to bring outside?¡± ¡°I heard that the big sister met this boyfriend in the disaster area of Ningjiang City. It was the big sister who saved him. They say he¡¯s the heir to the Fu Family, the foremost wealthy family of North City.¡± Tang Xi quietly washed the fruits, and her thick eyelashes trembled slightly. Mrs. Zhang was a very warm person, looking at Tang Xi. Though Miss Two is not the biological child of the sir and madam, Miss Two has prettier features. Miss Two¡¯s personality is also gentler and delicate, and she looks as exquisite as carved jade. ¡°Miss Two, you should wear makeup sometimes too, don¡¯t always go out bare-faced. If you find a good boyfriend, you can leave home, no need to continue being bullied in this house...¡± She went out and placed the fruits on the coffee table before turning back to the kitchen. But Tang Xi felt like someone was watching her from behind. Did she guess wrong? She turned around, and caught eyes with Fu Tingzhou¡¯s deep, dark pupils, frightening her into a tremble. During the meal, Su Kangrong and Xia Minjun were still rather reserved, fearing that any lack of hospitality might leave a bad impression on Fu Tingzhou. Seeing that Fu Tingzhou had a few more bites of the stir-fried bamboo shoots, Su Mengshu immediately said, ¡°I made this dish, if you like it I can often make it for you.¡± Fu Tingzhou was somewhat surprised, ¡°You made it?¡± His mother was from the south, and he had eaten a lot of southern cuisine since he was young, the dish was sweet and refreshing, he didn¡¯t expect Su Mengshu¡¯s cooking skills to be decent. Aunt Zhang stood by with a serving platter, sighing to herself, clearly, it was the second young miss who made the dish. Tang Xi just coldly watched everything in front of her, bowing her head and silently eating the tasteless food in her bowl, struggling to swallow. After dinner, Fu Tingzhou sat in the living room for a while before leaving around eight o¡¯clock. As soon as Fu Tingzhou left, Xia Minjun hurriedly pulled Su Mengshu aside, ¡°Sweetheart, how are you so impressive? So many ladies have pursued Fu Tingzhou to no avail, and you caught such a prestigious person on your first try, and he¡¯s the future heir of the Fu Family.¡± Su Kangrong was also beaming with joy, ¡°If the Fu Family could take care of our family business, then our Su¡¯s Jewelry will flourish.¡± Su Mengshu was somewhat floating on air, ¡°It must be fate.¡± Mother Su said, ¡°Look, our own daughter is the best, contributing so much to the family. Unlike that ingrate Tang Xi...¡± Xia Minjun¡¯s voice was sharp, while Tang Xi, who was in the kitchen helping Grandma Sun clean up the dishes, came out with a slightly pale face. Hearing Xia Minjun¡¯s sarcastic remarks about her, she walked upstairs to her attic bedroom. Sitting in front of the desk, she began intently reading medical materials. But the man¡¯s face and his pair of dark and cold eyes, were deeply imprinted in her mind. Tang Xi couldn¡¯t help but use the key to open the bottom drawer, taking out two red books from the inside iron box, and opening them. The photos inside were of her and Fu Tingzhou. The only difference was, the photos were photoshopped. On the day of the wedding registration, Fu Tingzhou did not come. An attorney he arranged came instead. He didn¡¯t even care to take the marriage certificate with him and went abroad. Thus, Fu Tingzhou had never met her. To him, she had always been a stranger. In the photo, her face had a slight smile, while the man¡¯s face was as cold as frost. Tang Xi¡¯s fingers gently stroked the marriage certificate, recalling the scene she saw him today, he seemed like he didn¡¯t know her... completely unaware that she was his secret wife. She felt unsettled and couldn¡¯t sleep all night, heading early to the hospital the next day to keep busy. ¨C In the morning, Su Mengshu had the driver take her to the Fu Building, and on the way, at a Chinese restaurant, she ordered two ready-made dishes and put them in her own insulated container. What good is food made by an orphan compared to that made by a restaurant chef? In the CEO¡¯s office, Su Mengshu timidly said, ¡°Did I disturb you by coming here? I saw you liked the stir-fried bamboo shoots yesterday, and since I was off today, I thought of making it and bringing it over to you.¡± Fu Tingzhou had a taste, his expression changed, ¡°Did you make these two dishes?¡± ¡°Yes... Any problem?¡± Su Mengshu watched his expression uneasily, wondering if he noticed the food was different. But how could it be... she had tasted it herself, the chef at this restaurant made dishes tastier and more refreshing than those made by Tang Xi. ¡°If you like them, I can often make them and bring them over.¡± The man only took one bite and did not continue eating, indifferently refusing, ¡°No need.¡± He looked at Su Mengshu, and she felt a shiver in her heart, as his gaze was as cold as frost, seemingly able to see through her thoughts in a flash, which frightened Su Mengshu a bit. She quickly changed the topic with a concerned tone, ¡°Tingzhou, how is your leg injury?¡± Fu Tingzhou¡¯s eyes carried a rare tenderness, ¡°The doctor said, if it hadn¡¯t been for the timely rescue, this leg would have been unsalvageable. Mengshu, thank you.¡± Su Mengshu leaned on his arm and rested her head on his shoulder, ¡°It¡¯s the duty of a doctor, I just did what I should.¡± Su Mengshu was a psychologist, responsible for psychological guidance in the disaster area. She went to the disaster area to show herself off in pursuit of Cheng Yunlang, but she never expected not to see Cheng Yunlang. Instead, she faced many post-disaster injured patients daily and had never really participated in any rescues. She didn¡¯t know who had saved Fu Tingzhou, but this man mistakenly thought it was her. With so many injured and medical staff in the post-disaster area, if he found out it wasn¡¯t her who saved him... Chapter 4 - 4 4 Compensation Causing Trouble ?4: Chapter 4: Compensation, Causing Trouble 4: Chapter 4: Compensation, Causing Trouble Thinking of this man¡¯s harsh and cruel methods, Su Mengshu felt a chill run down her spine. ¡°Mengshu, when we were buried under that wreckage, did you notice a White Jade Pendant?¡± Since waking up, Fu Tingzhou had realized that the jade pendant he always wore was missing, presumably lost in the ruins. This was a gift from his mother, and he had always worn it, which meant a great deal to him. Su Mengshu knew nothing about any White Jade Pendant, after all, it wasn¡¯t her who saved him, she didn¡¯t even know if it was round or flat. Maybe Fu Tingzhou had given it to that female doctor, she felt somewhat guilty, but at this moment she could only bite the bullet, ¡°Ah, that... I¡¯m not really sure, the situation was too urgent at the time...¡± Fu Tingzhou¡¯s dark eyes scanned the woman¡¯s face, scrutinizing slightly. Su Mengshu forced herself to maintain a calm smile, the man didn¡¯t ask further, perhaps, it really was lost. He opened the drawer, took out a chest card from the First Hospital, and handed it to her, ¡°This is yours, take good care of it.¡± At that time in the ruins, his consciousness was scattered, he couldn¡¯t see anything clearly, he only remembered that the woman was dressed in white, with a clear and gentle voice. This chest card was what he had pulled from her clothes with his last bit of strength, and it was because of this that he was able to find Su Mengshu. Thanking her for saving his life. He originally planned to give Su Mengshu some money, but after meeting her, Su Mengshu wanted to be his girlfriend. Fu Tingzhou remembered the time he was buried in the ruins for six hours, without her, he couldn¡¯t have lasted so long. And thinking of the wife his mother forcibly arranged for him to marry, whom he couldn¡¯t help but marry, a trace of intense disgust flashed in his eyes, such a greedy and vain woman, Su Mengshu with her gentle and kind nature was clearly a hundred times better than that woman. But Su Mengshu obviously became uneasy upon seeing this chest card, forcing a smile in front of Fu Tingzhou. She quickly returned to the Su Family, panic shouting, ¡°Maid Zhang, where is the suitcase I brought back from Ningjiang City?¡± ¡°It¡¯s in the storage room.¡± Su Mengshu hurriedly ran to the storage room, opened the suitcase, and looked at the items inside which were some basic necessities she had taken to support the disaster area in Ningjiang City, she picked up a white coat with Tang Xi¡¯s chest card on it. Su Mengshu trembled as if struck by lightning. She and Tang Xi lived in the same tent, perhaps they mistakenly wore each other¡¯s clothes in the rush. So, it was Tang Xi who saved Fu Tingzhou that day in the ruins!!! She became more and more panicked, unable to calm down in the storage room for a long time, fortunately, Fu Tingzhou knew nothing about it. Watching Tang Xi and Fu Tingzhou interact, Tang Xi probably didn¡¯t know yet... Thinking of this, Su Mengshu let out a long sigh of relief. ¨C The wound on Tang Xi¡¯s back had almost healed, but it left an ugly scar. In the changing room, her colleague Ruan Youqing couldn¡¯t help but sigh, looking at Tang Xi¡¯s back, fair and smooth like fine white porcelain. But this scar marred its beauty, ¡°I¡¯m afraid you won¡¯t be able to wear backless dresses from now on.¡± Tang Xi adjusted her clothes, ¡°No wearing, no problem, it¡¯s nothing.¡± She just felt sad for not saving that man properly. If she had arrived a bit earlier, noticed the person buried in the ruins sooner, could she have saved a life? ¡°Next Monday the hospital is holding a commendation meeting, and the list has already been announced. My teacher said you¡¯re included. After all, you performed very well in the disaster area this time.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve just been formally employed; I¡¯ll just focus on working well for now.¡± Just after leaving, Tang Xi¡¯s phone rang. Vice President Zhang asked her to come over. Zhang Tinghua is the deputy director in charge of thoracic surgery, and Tang Xi¡¯s mentor; she had grown under his observation in the department, performing excellently in her support for the disaster area this time. ¡°Tang Xi, keep up the good work. At next Monday¡¯s recognition ceremony, prepare to represent the newly employed medical staff with a speech. Our hospital plans to promote an ambassador, and it seems you¡¯ve been tentatively chosen.¡± Tang Xi was surprised and delighted, ¡°Thank you, teacher, I definitely won¡¯t let the hospital down.¡± However, she did not expect that at the Monday recognition ceremony, the one recognized was Su Mengshu. And this recognition was broadcasted live by official media. Su Mengshu, with her delicate makeup and pure smile, spoke in front of the entire hospital. She appeared like a positive energy goddess, instantly receiving a lot of praise from netizens. Tang Xi bit her lip hard, her eyelashes drooping and dim. Ruan Youqing whispered aside, ¡°How could they do this? It¡¯s so unfair. Su Mengshu didn¡¯t even go to the site for the rescue, she was just doing psychological counseling in the tent the whole time, and she initially went to the disaster area just to chase Cheng Yunlang.¡± Aside from Ruan Youqing, many colleagues from the rescue team quietly discussed this. The unfairness was now public. The wounds on Tang Xi¡¯s back seemed to throb faintly. After the recognition ceremony, Vice President Zhang found Tang Xi alone and expressed his regret. The list had already been decided in the meeting, then suddenly someone mentioned that Su Mengshu¡¯s boyfriend was Fu Tingzhou, and just like that, Tang Xi without any backing was replaced. ¡°You¡¯re still young, keep working hard, opportunities will come.¡± Tang Xi knew, Su Mengshu got the spot by relying on the power of her backer, Fu Tingzhou. In the face of absolute power, no one dares to resist, even if it¡¯s unfair. Su Mengshu became the primary hospital ambassador, her photo hung in the most conspicuous place of the hospital outpatient department, the hospital used her image for publicity, and Su Mengshu¡¯s videos delivering positive energy speeches several times, her Weibo fans increased by hundreds of thousands in a short period. She even gained significant popularity online. Tang Xi arrived at the hospital in the morning to take over the shift from Sister Sun, and then went to the outpatient department. The first thing she saw was Su Mengshu¡¯s life-size standee. Her steps faltered, her pupils slightly shrunk. At five-thirty in the afternoon, when it was time to leave work, she received a call from Ruan Youqing, her voice anxious and panicked. ¡°Tang Xi, I¡¯ve caused a disaster! What should I do!¡± ¡°What happened?¡± Tang Xi had just changed her clothes in the changing room, she picked up her bag and walked out while responding, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± ¡°I was riding an electric bike and accidentally hit a car.¡± Tang Xi frowned, ¡°Are you okay?¡± On the other end, Ruan Youqing¡¯s voice turned teary, ¡°I¡¯m fine, but the other party is asking me for 180,000 in compensation, I don¡¯t have that much money...¡± Tang Xi hurriedly asked, ¡°180,000? Where are you now, I¡¯m coming right over.¡± ¡°I¡¯m at Nanshan Tang.¡± Nanshan Tang sounds like an elegant tea house by its name, but it¡¯s actually a murky den for wealthy folks in North City. Luxury cars were parked at the entrance, she saw Ruan Youqing sitting by the roadside and quickly walked over, ¡°Youqing, how are you doing?¡± Ruan Youqing was crying and shaking her head, bursting into tears, ¡°Tang Xi, what should I do... the other party asked me to come here... to discuss compensation. But I don¡¯t have that much money, 180,000...¡± Tang Xi grasped her hand, steadied herself and said, ¡°I¡¯ll stay with you.¡± The two arrived at the designated private room door. It was Tang Xi¡¯s first time here, she rarely frequented such entertainment venues, only once had she worked part-time as a waitress in an entertainment club, she knocked on the door, and went in with Ruan Youqing. Chapter 5 - 5 5 Reunion ?5: Chapter 5: Reunion 5: Chapter 5: Reunion About five or six men were inside, along with two young, beautiful women with fiery figures. The private room was shrouded in smoke, and Tang Xi coughed as she choked on it. A man was heard saying, ¡°Brother Kuan, is this the chick who hit your car? Brother Kuan, you¡¯ve turned a misfortune into a blessing; the headlight¡¯s broken, but now you¡¯ve got two fairies here.¡± The man called Brother Kuan said, ¡°I just picked up that car two months ago, and you¡¯ve scratched it and broken the headlight. What are you going to do about it?¡± Ruan Youqing bowed her head in haste, terrified, ¡°It¡¯s my fault, but it was your car that suddenly charged out... I was driving properly.¡± Brother Kuan lit a cigarette, his eyes revealing a fierce glint, ¡°You mean to say, it¡¯s my fault?¡± ¡°Brother Kuan, speak a bit more gently, look how scared the little sisters are. Whatever it is, we can talk about it.¡± A man with a smile on his face walked over with a glass of alcohol for Ruan Youqing, ¡°Little sister, Brother Kuan is like this, don¡¯t be afraid. It¡¯s just a broken headlight, right? I¡¯ll compensate you...¡± As he spoke, he grabbed Ruan Youqing¡¯s hand and stroked it, then stuffed the drink in her hand. ¡°Sorry, my friend doesn¡¯t drink,¡± Tang Xi stood in front of Ruan Youqing, her eyes scanning the room vigilantly, her voice cold, ¡°Moreover, my friend was driving normally, and there should be surveillance all along the roadside. Even if we call the police, my friend is not at fault. And your car, it¡¯s not worth 180,000. I can get a lawyer to do a professional appraisal...¡± Tang Xi didn¡¯t know much about cars, but as it happened, Brother Kuan¡¯s car model, they had a high-end version at home. Su Kangrong usually drove this car for show. The bare car cost 3 million, and previously, the driver had an accident on the road, damaging the headlight and costing about 50,000 for repairs. So, this Brother Kuan was entirely trying to extort Ruan Youqing. Brother Kuan was taken aback, apparently not expecting to encounter someone knowledgeable. He looked at Tang Xi, ¡°Then call the police... I, Zhang Haikuan, am not easily intimidated. Your friend scratched my car, and the 180,000 cannot be less! Otherwise, see how I deal with you. I heard you both are doctors, right? What a coincidence, from now on, I¡¯ll bring a few brothers to frequent your hospital and patronize your business, hahaha.¡± Laughter erupted in the private room, and several men stared unscrupulously at Tang Xi and Ruan Youqing. The man who offered Ruan Youqing the drink said, ¡°Brother Kuan, don¡¯t scare the two sisters like that. Come on, come sit with us, have a drink, chat a bit, and let this matter go.¡± As he spoke, he grabbed Tang Xi¡¯s arm and pulled her towards the sofa, but Tang Xi broke free and eyed him warily. ¡°Brother Lin seems so tender and caring for the fairer sex, alright then... It¡¯s just a broken headlight, right? Brother Kuan, it¡¯s no big deal, give the brothers some face, don¡¯t fuss with the ladies...¡± Zhang Haikuan opened two bottles of alcohol, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll give my brothers face. Drink these two bottles, and we¡¯ll consider the matter resolved...¡± Tang Xi looked at Ruan Youqing, and she reached out to hold Ruan Youqing¡¯s arm. She shook her head at her, Ruan Youqing pursed her lips, walked over, and picked up a bottle of alcohol. She had no choice; the 180,000 compensation was an amount she could not afford even if it killed her. She lifted her head and guzzled a few mouthfuls. Her alcohol tolerance was poor; half a bottle later, she began to feel discomfort. On one side, a few men started to jeer. Tang Xi walked over, picking up the other bottle of alcohol, ¡°As agreed, if we finish these two bottles, the compensation is canceled.¡± ¡°What I, Zhang Haikuan, say counts. As long as you finish these two bottles, it¡¯s settled,¡± he said. Tang Xi recorded it, fearing Zhang Haikuan might not acknowledge it later. She tilted her head back and took a few swigs. The fiery liquor burned down her throat, causing stomach spasms. She bore it, finishing a bottle, swaying a bit. At that moment, someone passed her a cup of water. Tang Xi took it instinctively; the harsh taste of the liquor was truly unbearable. She took a sip of the warm water, which made her feel much better. Ruan Youqing looked at Tang Xi, ¡°Are you okay?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine, we¡¯ve finished the alcohol, can we go now?¡± Tang Xi had no desire to linger there. Zhang Haikuan¡¯s eyes circled around greedily, resting on her, ¡°What¡¯s the rush? Play here for a bit, Brother will send you two home later...¡± A man grabbed Ruan Youqing¡¯s arm. She screamed and broke free. She pulled Tang Xi to the door, ¡°What are you trying to do? If you keep this up, I¡¯ll call the police!¡± ¡°Call the police, go ahead and call haha!¡± ¡°Little sister, in our Brother Kangrong¡¯s territory, Brother Kangrong makes the rules.¡± ¡°Since you¡¯re already here, let¡¯s all have some fun together... Make us comfortable, and you¡¯ll get whatever you want...¡± Ruan Youqing picked up a wine bottle from the ground and smashed it against a sleazy-looking man, then quickly opened the door, pulling Tang Xi and running out. ¡°Fuck¡ª¡± The man cursed in pain. ¡°Chase after them!¡± With waves of pain in her stomach, Tang Xi ran frantically, holding Ruan Youqing¡¯s hand, their footsteps chasing behind them, Tang Xi afraid that they would catch up. Suddenly, she saw a familiar silhouette. Not far ahead, nobly elegant, a natural-born king, the corridor lights shining upon him, highlighting his grace. The man was surrounded by a few others. Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, her first instinct was to pull Ruan Youqing and run towards him. ¡°Fu Tingzhou¡ª¡± ¡°Slut! You dare to run!¡± Suddenly, a hand from behind grabbed Tang Xi¡¯s hair and yanked her back viciously. Several men caught up with her and Ruan Youqing. A man made a gesture, seemingly not daring to cause a scene outside, and said in a lowered voice, ¡°Grab these two women and take them to the private room, then we can do whatever we want with them.¡± Ruan Youqing struggled and received a slap on the face. Tang Xi lowered her head and bit into a man¡¯s arm. The man cried out in pain and raised his hand, ready to slap her. Tang Xi trembled and closed her eyes, but after waiting two seconds, the expected pain didn¡¯t come. Instead, she heard a cry of agony from the man. The next second, a hand hooked around her waist. The man¡¯s broad and warm palm rested on her waist, and when Tang Xi opened her eyes, she saw a handsome and captivating face, enveloped in the familiar yet strange scent of ebony. Tang Xi was momentarily stunned. As the sound of bones breaking and Zhang Haikuan¡¯s cries of pain echoed, the bodyguards following Fu Tingzhou had precisely taken care of the men. The man¡¯s eyes gleamed coldly, ¡°Get lost!¡± Zhang Haikuan knew he was up against no ordinary people. Ignoring his pain, he begged for mercy and scrambled away. The hand on the woman¡¯s waist slowly relaxed. It seemed only now Tang Xi snapped out of her daze. Her heart was pounding violently; she didn¡¯t look at Fu Tingzhou, but she could feel his gaze on her. She hurried to help Ruan Youqing up, ¡°Are you okay?¡± Ruan Youqing shook her head, ¡°I¡¯m fine, I was just scared to death. Thankfully, your friend arrived...¡± She glanced at Fu Tingzhou and, sensing the man¡¯s distinguished status, lowered her voice. His presence made her feel somewhat afraid, wondering how Xiao Xi could know such a person... ¡°Xiao Xi, you know him... Who is he?¡± ¡°I...¡± Tang Xi¡¯s lips parted slightly. She looked up at Fu Tingzhou. As their gazes met, his eyes were indifferent, and she caught her breath. Chapter 6 - 6 6 No we have never met before ?6: Chapter 6: No, we have never met before. 6: Chapter 6: No, we have never met before. Who is he? Her secretly married husband of three years on the marriage certificate? Or, her sister¡¯s boyfriend. She lowered her head, whispering inaudibly, ¡°Thank you.¡± A young man in a gray tracksuit following Fu Tingzhou laughed, ¡°Little girl, you know Third Brother, huh... Good students shouldn¡¯t come here, look, now you¡¯ve run into trouble, right? If it wasn¡¯t for meeting Third Brother tonight, you both would have been in danger.¡± Tang Xi slightly furrowed her brows at the man in the gray tracksuit, ¡°I¡¯m not a student.¡± She is 23 this year, has been working for half a year, wearing a white short-sleeved shirt with black jeans, her hair tied in a high ponytail, indeed looking a bit young, which is why she looks especially young at the hospital. Every time she followed Dean Zhang during consultations, she had to wear a pair of black-framed glasses to appear more composed. Ji Chenzhi smiled, glancing at Fu Tingzhou, ¡°Third Brother, you know this little girl?¡± How could he not know her and still come to help? He is a longtime friend of Fu Tingzhou, and knows him too well. This man is not one to act out of pure mercy, yet surprisingly he came over as soon as he heard someone calling his name... How odd... Fu Tingzhou¡¯s eyes were cold and stern, he turned around, his thin lips slightly parted, ¡°Mengshu¡¯s sister.¡± Ji Chenzhi followed up, ¡°So, it¡¯s the second Miss of the Su Family.¡± Tang Xi¡¯s gaze lowered slightly, and when she heard the words ¡°Mengshu¡¯s sister,¡± she bit her lip and looked towards the man¡¯s back, her fingers involuntarily tightening. She took a deep breath, her tone tinged with sarcasm, ¡°Thank you, brother-in-law.¡± The female voice was not loud, a bit hoarse, but Fu Tingzhou heard it, his steps momentarily pausing. Tang Xi walked into the elevator supporting Ruan Youqing. Ruan Youqing glanced at the back of Fu Tingzhou, ¡°That¡¯s Su Mengshu¡¯s boyfriend, the heir of North City¡¯s #1 financial group, Fu Tingzhou, my god... he is indeed very handsome, but... how could he fancy Su Mengshu, must be something wrong with his eyes.¡± Tang Xi lightly curled her lips, closed her eyes, trying to calm her emotions, ¡°Who knows.¡± Ruan Youqing always knew that Tang Xi was the adopted daughter of the Su Family, not favored at home. She couldn¡¯t help but sigh, ¡°Probably that Su Mengshu stepped on dog shit luck, I heard from colleagues in the department that she seemed to have saved a big shot during an earthquake, it was him... Tang Xi, if only your luck was a little better, you gave so much in the disaster area and even got injured, if only you had saved a person with money and power...¡± Tang Xi and Ruan Youqing walked out of Nanshan Tang, the two headed in different directions now that it was late, Ruan Youqing took a taxi. Tang Xi walked to the nearest bus stop, waiting for the last bus of the night. The cool breeze of May still carried a slight chill, gently blowing, when suddenly a burst of heat accompanied by the hum of an engine rose, and a black luxury car stopped beside Tang Xi. The backseat window slowly rolled down, revealing the handsome face of a man. He spoke softly, yet with an unquestionable authority, ¡°Get in.¡± It¡¯s so late, there¡¯s no reason not to take a free ride. She got into the car, her gaze fixed outside the window. Fu Tingzhou¡¯s dark eyes swept over the woman¡¯s face, he spoke in a low voice, his eyes scrutinizing, ¡°Su Xi, have we met before?¡± This name made Tang Xi¡¯s heart skip a few beats. Su Xi? She found it somewhat hilarious, he didn¡¯t even know her name. Meeting his eyes, Tang Xi¡¯s voice slightly trembled, ¡°What... did you call me?¡± In a breath, there was a slight pain in her chest. Then she smirked sarcastically, opened the car window, letting the breeze mess up her long hair. Sporting a radiant smile on her flawless face, she didn¡¯t wait for his answer and firmly and clearly stated, ¡°No, we have never met before.¡± She is his wife, yet they are strangers to each other. Fu Tingzhou gazed at the woman¡¯s profile, deep in thought. The silence was broken by the ring of a mobile phone. It was the lawyer, and Fu Tingzhou asked him to prepare the divorce papers. The space inside the car was small and very quiet. Tang Xi, sitting next to the man, heard his conversation with the person on the other end of the phone, the word ¡°divorce¡± reaching her ears. A faintly sour and mocking smile appeared at the corners of her eyes. She could actually hear her own husband discussing the details of their divorce with his lawyer. Divorce then divorce, she, Tang Xi, was not one to cling on. Yet, listening to her husband discuss details of the divorce with a lawyer made her chest feel unbearably stifled, especially thinking about how the nomination was given to Su Mengshu, taken right from her hands. ¡°Mr. Fu, do you think this world is fair?¡± She bit her visibly blanching lips, her eyes reddened, her voice hoarse and trembling, ¡°Why is it that after all the effort, one doesn¡¯t receive the corresponding result, why do others who haven¡¯t put in anything get to enjoy the fruits of other people¡¯s labor?¡± Fu Tingzhou looked at her reddening eyes, he originally did not intend to answer, but in that moment, he slightly stiffened and said in a deep voice, ¡°Any fairness needs to be fought for. Fairness will only belong to you when you have the capability to talk about fairness.¡± Tang Xi laughed softly, holding back the tears in her eyes. She had never felt the existence of fairness, just a word from the man in front of her could make the hospital leadership hand the nomination to Su Mengshu. Indeed, how ridiculous it was of her to discuss fairness with this man. Her stomach churned, and she fiercely bit her lip, enduring the tumult within, ¡°Stop the car¡ª¡± Xu Ze stepped on the brakes. Tang Xi got out of the car and ran to a trash can at the roadside to vomit, the night breeze hitting her face, sobering her up significantly. She took out a tissue from her bag to wipe the corners of her lips and said hoarsely to the figure behind her, ¡°I can walk back on my own, no need to trouble you further.¡± Fu Tingzhou¡¯s cold eyes rested on her retreating figure. Clearly in great discomfort, yet so stubborn. For some reason, this woman gave him a sense of de?ja? vu, an elusive familiarity. Tang Xi stood up, swaying slightly. Frequent blood draws and getting injured while aiding disaster victims left Tang Xi pale, with waves of darkness crossing her vision. She staggered backward and couldn¡¯t stabilize herself. Suddenly, a hand feebly supported her waist from behind, the masculine scent drawing near. Tang Xi bit her teeth, sobering up, and like a cat whose tail was stepped on, pushed him away and took a couple steps back. Fu Tingzhou observed her wary eyes, feeling somewhat puzzled. As she stepped back, he stepped forward, closing the distance, ¡°Su Xi, are you that afraid of me? Or, are you trying to attract my attention?¡± Tang Xi sneered lightly, ¡°Brother-in-law, you¡¯re overthinking it.¡± This address of brother-in-law, in the evening breeze, somehow sounded particularly grating to Fu Tingzhou¡¯s ears. The man narrowed his eyes, ¡°Do you have any bias against me?¡± Tang Xi just looked at his face, her gaze drifting away in the wind, the man wore a long black windbreaker that fluttered. She clenched her hand tightly, ¡°How dare I be biased, brother-in-law misunderstands, I merely drank too much.¡± After saying this, she walked straight forward. The man¡¯s gaze lingered on her for a long while. Chapter 7 - 7 7 Attend the Banquet ?7: Chapter 7: Attend the Banquet 7: Chapter 7: Attend the Banquet Back in the car, Fu Tingzhou raised his hand to pinch the bridge of his nose, ¡°Head to Longting Courtyard.¡± The breeze brushed by, carrying a faint hint of fresh fragrance, a familiar scent that made the man furrow his brows. ¨C Friday arrived quickly. ¡°Tang Xi, are you free this Saturday?¡± In the department, Tang Xi raised her head to see Cheng Yunlang walking in. After thinking for a moment, she said, ¡°Tomorrow? I¡¯m not very available.¡± She planned to use the weekend to pick up part-time work. Though she was a doctor at the First Hospital, she had only recently become a full-fledged staff member after her internship, with a monthly salary of just over four thousand, including performance bonuses. She took any part-time job she could find in her spare time. ¡°I have a friend¡¯s gathering to attend this Saturday, come with me. I really can¡¯t find any suitable friends to come along, and since we¡¯ve known each other for so long, consider it a small favor for me,¡± he said. Tang Xi had known Cheng Yunlang for a long time, since their university days¡ªshe in her first year and Cheng Yunlang in his third¡ªboth in the same department. With his superior family background, he was a notable figure on campus, hard to ignore even if one wanted to. ¡°Alright then,¡± Tang Xi conceded somewhat helplessly, ¡°See you tomorrow.¡± The party was set to start around 4 p.m. That morning, Tang Xi went to the amusement park and donned a mascot costume to hand out balloons to passing visitors. In this season, it was already stifling inside the costume, with very few willing to do this job. But Tang Xi did because the pay was hourly and settled on the same day. She was in desperate need of money. Dean Tang¡¯s illness had reached a point beyond control. The Su Family wouldn¡¯t give her a penny. In the changing room, Tang Xi peeled off the bulky mascot coat, soaking wet as if she had just been fished out from water. After showering and donning clean clothes, Cheng Yunlang messaged her, asking her location to come pick her up. She was prepared to go by herself, but Cheng Yunlang insisted on picking her up. Left with no choice, Tang Xi sent him the address of the amusement park. When she arrived at the entrance of the park, Cheng Yunlang¡¯s car was already parked beside her. Cheng Yunlang said, ¡°I thought you didn¡¯t like this place. A friend gave me two amusement park tickets last week and I was considering giving them to you...¡± Tang Xi got into the car, taking a seat in the back instead of the passenger¡¯s seat. Quietly, she said, ¡°I do part-time work here on weekends.¡± She didn¡¯t hide it, but told him openly and candidly. The Su Family ran a jewelry business in North City. Although not a large venture, they were nevertheless a well-off household. Tang Xi actually needed to work part-time? This surprised Cheng Yunlang, but he quickly brushed off the matter, smiling as he drove her to a styling studio. A person with medium-length hair came out, ¡°Is this the young lady? Follow me, give me one hour, and I promise to wow you, Young Master Cheng.¡± This was a private, upscale styling studio, generally servicing celebrities and models, with plenty of photos of the stylists together with various high-profile stars decorating the walls. Half an hour later, Cheng Yunlang looked up, taken aback. Watching Tang Xi approach, he slowly stood up. She seemed to be shrouded in a mist, slender but not excessively frail. Her fair skin contrasted with the white dress, imparting a fresh and elegant charm, like a lily blossoming through the fog. Only when she approached Cheng Yunlang and inquired did he snap back to reality. Then, with a cough to clear his throat and gazing into Tang Xi¡¯s clear pupils, he felt almost sacrilegious to lay eyes on a celestial being in the mist, shifting his gaze away as his ears tinged red, ¡°You look very pretty in that dress.¡± Cheng Yunlang had always known Tang Xi was beautiful. The first time he saw her in university, he noticed her straight away. Even the most ordinary clothes couldn¡¯t conceal her poise. ¨C The venue for the banquet was the Shangde Red Wine Vineyard, one of the top ten estates in North City. After getting out of the car, Tang Xi looked at the numerous luxury vehicles and the elegantly dressed crowd. She had thought tonight would be an ordinary gathering with Cheng Yunlang, not realizing it would be a high-society dinner. ¡°Senior Cheng, you didn¡¯t tell me that tonight¡¯s gathering would be at such a posh place.¡± Yun Lang knew that she would definitely not have agreed to come if he had told her. ¡°Just consider it as doing me a favor,¡± he said, reaching out his hand to Tang Xi. Tang Xi slightly pursed her lips, had no choice but to place her hand inside his arm, and the two of them entered the banquet hall together. ¡°Tonight there¡¯s a charity auction banquet, hosted by Mrs. Qin. People from both the political and business circles have come to give Mrs. Qin face. That¡¯s Professor Gao Hanyun from the thoracic surgery department of the Second Hospital and his wife, and over there is our hospital¡¯s vice dean and professor of cardiology, Zhao Jing...¡± Tang Xi glanced at the splendid banquet hall, ¡°Dean Fu didn¡¯t come, right?¡± ¡°My mom didn¡¯t have time, so she sent me instead.¡± Tang Xi sighed with relief, ¡°That¡¯s good then.¡± ¡°Are you that afraid of her?¡± ¡°I¡¯m afraid she¡¯ll see me with you and get the wrong idea. I¡¯m not your girlfriend...¡± A shadow crossed Yun Lang¡¯s eyes. Was he really that bad? She had always rejected him. He mustered his courage, ¡°Tang Xi, I¡¯ve actually always liked....¡± ¡°Tang Xi, what brings you here?¡± A tender and slightly cloying female voice interrupted. Interrupting what Yun Lang was about to say. Yun Lang looked up. Tang Xi turned slightly to the side as well. Mengshu, arm in arm with Tingzhou, approached. Mengshu had dressed up specially for the occasion tonight, very high-profile, wearing a red rose long dress with exquisite embroidery blooming at the hem. Yun Lang looked over, ¡°Mengshu, Third Brother?¡± What, Third Brother? Tang Xi was somewhat astonished, ¡°Fu Tingzhou is your Third Brother?¡± Envy welled up in Mengshu¡¯s heart as she saw Tang Xi together with Yun Lang. Such an outstanding person was actually interested in Tang Xi. How could Tang Xi be so lucky, saving Fu Tingzhou and then gaining Yun Lang¡¯s affection. And she, born a hundred times better than Tang Xi, found herself outshone... With this in mind, Mengshu¡¯s gaze towards Tang Xi turned somewhat venomous. She definitely would not let Tang Xi have an easy time! Within mere seconds, Mengshu nestled up to Tingzhou like a lovebird, her face carrying a gentle smile, ¡°Tingzhou, so you know Doctor Cheng.¡± Tingzhou¡¯s gaze shifted from Yun Lang onto Tang Xi, he said to Yun Lang, ¡°Got a girlfriend? Does your mom know?¡± ¡°I... Third Brother, this is a friend... from my department.¡± He said to Tang Xi, ¡°Since you all know each other, I won¡¯t bother with introductions anymore. How come you never told me that your sister and my Third Brother are together.¡± I heard from Mom that Third Brother was trapped in a quake in Ningjiang City and was saved by a female doctor. So it was Mengshu. But Mengshu went to the disaster area as a psychological counselor. She had always been in the tent working with patients on psychological counseling... How did she get to know Third Brother? Yun Lang was a bit puzzled. Tang Xi turned to look at Fu Tingzhou, not expecting that Fu Tingzhou would actually be Yun Lang¡¯s cousin. The world really is small. ¡°Senior Cheng, I¡¯m a bit tired and would like to sit down in the resting area, please go ahead and chat,¡± Tang Xi said, and then turned around, ready to leave this place that felt a bit suffocating to her. Suddenly, her arm was gripped. Yun Lang looked at the purple marks on her arm¡¯s veins, his brows furrowing with surprise, ¡°Tang Xi, what happened to your arm?¡± Chapter 8 - 8 8 Bumped into His Arms ?8: Chapter 8: Bumped into His Arms 8: Chapter 8: Bumped into His Arms As a doctor, Cheng Yunlang naturally knew that these were traces left from frequent blood extractions. She stood quietly in a white dress, and Fu Tingzhou had actually seen her the moment he entered the banquet hall. At this moment, the man¡¯s gaze fell on her arm, looking at the marks, and he slightly furrowed his brow. ¡°What¡¯s this all about?¡± Tang Xi usually wore a white coat when she was in the hospital. She broke free from the grip, and before she could speak, Su Mengshu couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°It must be mosquito bites, Xixi, is this your first time at such a high-class party? Let me accompany you around.¡± Saying so, she affectionately linked arms with Tang Xi. They went to a slightly quieter place with fewer people. Su Mengshu fiercely said to Tang Xi, ¡°You should know what to do, if others find out, I won¡¯t spare you!¡± Tang Xi recalled how Su Mengshu became frantic and tried to cover up the needle marks on her arm in front of Fu Tingzhou; was she really that afraid of Fu Tingzhou finding out? ¡°So you also know, this disgraceful act.¡± Su Mengshu crossed her arms over her chest, ¡°So what? The Su family has provided for you for 15 years, it¡¯s only right for you to reserve blood for me.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t think that by seducing Cheng Yunlang, you could marry into the Cheng family, do you? Dream on... How could he fancy someone as poor-looking as you. What if Cheng Yunlang knew your biological mother was a murderer, would he still treat you well? A murderer¡¯s daughter is inherently despicable.¡± Watching Tang Xi¡¯s face turn increasingly pale, Su Mengshu smiled smugly and left, clicking her high heels triumphantly. ¨C Fu Tingzhou was surrounded by quite a few people; wherever he appeared, he was the center of attention. ¡°Mr. Fu, I haven¡¯t seen Miss Su, I didn¡¯t expect Miss Su to be a psychiatrist at our hospital, what a coincidence,¡± said a middle-aged man, laughing as he chatted with Fu Tingzhou. Someone nearby said, ¡°Dean Xu, Mr. Fu¡¯s girlfriend works at your hospital, you should really take good care of her.¡± Xu Jinglei said, ¡°Of course, Miss Su has gone to support the disaster area. Our hospital has unanimously decided to make Miss Su the ambassador of our hospital. Her efforts in supporting the disaster area will also be publicly commended. For this, we¡¯ve specially removed a previously fixed doctor quota...¡± Xu Jinglei was initially intending to show his great concern and care for Su Mengshu. But it backfired. Immediately, a CEO said, ¡°Dean Xu, how can you say that? It was Miss Su¡¯s slot to begin with, there¡¯s no need for anyone to yield it, Miss Su is really young and talented.¡± ¡°Right, right, I was confused,¡± he replied. Although Fu Tingzhou currently holds significant power in the Fu Family, ranking third, his mother, Qin Jianlan, is not Fu Yuanheng¡¯s first wife. They say his methods are ruthless, honed bit by bit over time. Fu Tingzhou almost started from scratch in England, climbing his way up from the bottom, until he gained control over the Fu Corporation¡¯s branch in England, and then returned to North City. The day he returned to North City, the eldest son of the Fu family, Fu Yunye, suddenly met with a car accident and became paralyzed in bed. Many said that Fu Tingzhou, who stepped over countless bloodshed to reach his current position, disregarded even familial bonds; his mere glance could send shivers down one¡¯s spine. And soon, Fu Yuanheng was also stripped of his actual power; the Fu family is now completely under the control of Fu Tingzhou. At that moment, the man took a couple of steps forward, his gaze fell on a white figure not far away; she leaned against the window, her eyes slightly downcast, like a tranquil and beautiful ink painting in the noisy, luxurious banquet hall. He thought of this woman, her eyes red yet fierce and cold. No one knew better than him how difficult the word ¡®fair¡¯ was. Nor could anyone understand how he climbed up from the very bottom of this ruthless world. In a world of the weak, there is no fairness. However, at this moment, Fu Tingzhou¡¯s heart felt a ripple... Fu Tingzhou looked at her position again, Cheng Yunlang came over to talk to her, and the woman¡¯s face bore a light smile, which made him feel somewhat glaring... ¨C Cheng Yunlang invited her, ¡°The dance has started, would you like to dance with me?¡± ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m not really... good at dancing.¡± Cheng Yunlang smiled and reached out his hand to her, ¡°I¡¯ll teach you, as an exchange for keeping your secret, how about that?¡± Cheng Yunlang said while looking at Tang Xi¡¯s arm, her arm was fair as jade but the reddish and purplish needle marks looked somewhat terrifying, ¡°...This is your secret and I will not pry, in exchange, dance one song with me.¡± ¡°Alright then.¡± ¡°This is a masquerade ball, pick a mask to wear.¡± ¡°Yun Lang brother...¡± A woman in a light pink flowing gold long dress came over. Cheng Yunlang¡¯s expression changed, ¡°Qiao Jing.¡± Qiao Jing looked at Cheng Yunlang and smiled gently, her gaze landing on Tang Xi, ¡°Brother Yun Lang, who is this, your friend?¡± She reached out her hand to Tang Xi, declaring her territory, ¡°Hello, my name is Qiao Jing, I grew up with brother Yun Lang... and also his fiance?e.¡± Cheng Yunlang frowned, ¡°About our engagement, I do not agree, Qiao Jing, please do not talk nonsense.¡± Qiao Jing stomped her foot, ¡°Brother Yun Lang.¡± Tang Xi did not want to get involved, and said lightly with a smile, ¡°I¡¯m just Cheng Yunlang¡¯s colleague.¡± She did not want to know more about the affairs of these wealthy young masters and rich ladies, Tang Xi nodded slightly to Cheng Yunlang and politely walked a few steps away. Cheng Yunlang looked at Qiao Jing, stressing his tone, ¡°Qiao Jing, I do not agree with the engagement our families arranged, please do not bother me anymore in the future.¡± ¡°Brother Yun Lang!¡± Qiao Jing stomped her foot again. Cheng Yunlang walked a few steps to Tang Xi, ¡°Sorry, I....¡± Tang Xi smiled politely, ¡°Senior Cheng, you don¡¯t need to explain these to me, these are your private matters.¡± Cheng Yunlang opened his mouth, looking at Tang Xi¡¯s calm and beautiful face, he finally did not say it. Tang Xi chose a white swan mask, she stepped into the dance floor with Cheng Yunlang. She could dance a bit, having participated in club activities during her university days, Cheng Yunlang was patient, and Tang Xi¡¯s dance steps gradually became familiar. The surroundings were filled with men in suits and beautifully dressed women, suddenly the rhythm of the music picked up, Tang Xi twirled around following the rhythm, and the Cheng Yunlang in front of her had disappeared, then a man in a gray suit grabbed her hand and the other hand slowly placed on her waist. Carrying warmth. His hand felt like it carried an electric current, Tang Xi shivered entirely. In the dance floor, many people were changing dance partners following the rhythm. Tang Xi looked around for Cheng Yunlang, but the dim lighting around and the occasional stage lights falling made it hard for her to locate him. The hand slightly pinched her waist, a man¡¯s deep voice slowly said, ¡°Focus.¡± She looked up at the man in front of her under the silver metallic mask, his sharp and handsome profile and the faint scent of cigars mixed with ebony on him. It turned out to be Fu Tingzhou. She looked at those eyes under the mask, Tang Xi bit her lip, her spine trembling slightly. Tang Xi misstepped, stepping on his leather shoes. ¡°Sorry, I can¡¯t dance.¡± Dropping this sentence, Tang Xi tried to break free and leave the dance floor. But the man firmly gripped her fingers and pulled her back. She stumbled and bumped into his embrace. Chapter 9 - 9 9 Ill Give You a Fair Chance ?9: Chapter 9: I¡¯ll Give You a Fair Chance 9: Chapter 9: I¡¯ll Give You a Fair Chance The hand resting on her waist was clenched tightly. His force was domineering, leaving no room for refusal. Tang Xi struggled a bit, trying to break free. Then Fu Tingzhou slightly lowered his head, his cold and hoarse voice pressed against her ear, ¡°If you don¡¯t want to draw too much attention, just dance obediently until the end.¡± The dance music continued, and leaving abruptly would indeed attract attention. At the same time, a jealous gaze was directed at her. Tang Xi looked over and saw a woman with a pink fox mask. At this moment, Su Mengshu, upon seeing Fu Tingzhou and Tang Xi dancing, wished she could crush her silver teeth in envy. Suddenly being too close to him, Tang Xi uncomfortable lowered her head, ¡°I¡¯m not very good at dancing.¡± The man looked at the tips of her slightly red ears, gentle and soft; a darkness flickered in his eyes. Then, she noticed that Fu Tingzhou had adjusted his steps a lot to match hers. But still, she accidentally stepped on his foot. ¡°Sorry,¡± she said instinctively, her voice soft, like a kitten brushed by his ear, the sound tickling him, making him feel the air around him a bit stifling. Fu Tingzhou looked down and saw the woman¡¯s smooth and fair neck, which under the dim light, was even more dazzling. As soon as the music ended, Tang Xi listened to the tail of the tune, ready to leave immediately. But she heard Fu Tingzhou¡¯s voice. The man¡¯s thin lips slightly pursed, ¡°Tang Xi, dance one more song with me, and I¡¯ll give you a fair deal.¡± His hand hooked around her waist, firmly not letting go. Beneath the black mask, the man¡¯s eyes hid surging tides, looking at the woman in his arms like a predator eying its prey. The sound of music surrounded the ears. If Tang Xi hadn¡¯t seen the man¡¯s lips move, she would have thought she was hearing things. A fair deal? What fair deal? She neither nodded nor shook her head, because this banquet didn¡¯t give her a chance to answer; a few seconds after the music ended, the light brightened, and the banquet hall¡¯s chandeliers shined splendidly. The ball had ended! In the brightly lit ballroom with shining chandeliers, she pushed away the man in front of her and left the dance floor without looking back. Fu Tingzhou watched the woman¡¯s hasty departure, a flicker of darkness crossing the depth of his eyes. On the other side, Qiao Jing watched Cheng Yunlang rush toward Tang Xi¡¯s retreating figure, biting her lip, wanting to follow, but she was held back by a hand. Qiao Jing looked at the man who appeared beside her, ¡°Xiao Chi, why does Yun Lang like that woman? Her family is so poor, what is there for brother Yun Lang to like about her!¡± Standing next to her, the young and handsome man in a black suit furrowed his brows, ¡°Jingjing, since he has someone he likes, you should let go...¡± ¡°I¡¯ve liked him for so long... I¡¯m his fiance?e... No, I must make that woman suffer! Brother Yun Lang is mine!¡± No one shall snatch him away from her. ¨C The next day, Tang Xi went to the styling studio to return the white dress she wore the day before, and was told that Cheng Yunlang had already paid for it. Carrying the dress, she arrived at the amusement park, not expecting Cheng Yunlang to be there as well. Cheng Yunlang walked out in a mascot costume, seemingly wearing such attire for the first time, his tall figure looking somewhat comical. Tang Xi paused, ¡°You... what are you doing here?¡± ¡°Part-time job.¡± At this moment, the supervisor walked out, ¡°Little Tang, you and Little Cheng go together to the south side to hand out flyers.¡± Tang Xi put on the mascot costume and walked side by side with Cheng Yunlang, ¡°Why do this?¡± She didn¡¯t understand why Cheng Yunlang, a rich heir, would need to come here to do these jobs. ¡°I am not the kind of rich heir who idles his time away. I want to be with you... If you¡¯re working part-time here, I will join you,¡± Cheng Yunlang said decisively, ¡°Tang Xi, I like you.¡± Tang Xi was stunned. ¡°You don¡¯t have to rush to reply. Don¡¯t reject me right away. How about we give it a try?¡± He knew Tang Xi was a stubborn yet gentle girl, and he wanted to approach her gradually in this way, ¡°From now on, as long as I am free every Saturday, I will come and work part-time with you, okay?¡± While Tang Xi was in a daze, At the bottom of her heart, there was more shock. And a hint of, emotion... Cheng Yunlang likes her? Wasn¡¯t his interest supposed to be in Su Mengshu? At work, she looked at the breakfast on the table. Sister Sun came over with a smile, ¡°This is the breakfast Cheng Yunlang brought for you, Tang Xi. I think Little Cheng is quite a nice guy. Are you two... dating?¡± Tang Xi got alarmed and quickly waved her hands, ¡°No, Sister Sun, what are you talking about?¡± Sister Sun smiled, ¡°Little Cheng is a good boy... and you are outstanding too. You two are a good match.¡± ¡°Sister Sun, really, there is nothing...¡± Ruan Youqing walked over, and after Sister Sun had left, she came up to Tang Xi, looking at the breakfast on the table, a delicate meal box with steamed dumplings and soy milk from Yuxiangji. ¡°This is breakfast from Yuxiangji, you have to queue to get this... I¡¯ve been meaning to tell you, Cheng Yunlang likes you, I can tell by the way he looks at you,¡± she said. There was no joy in Tang Xi¡¯s heart, rather her brows lightly knitted, ¡°Isn¡¯t he interested in Su Mengshu?¡± ¡°He likes you!¡± Ruan Youqing slid her chair closer to Tang Xi, ¡°Don¡¯t you really know? Oh my... you are too modest about your looks, have you forgotten that when you first went to the emergency department for internship, a bunch of male doctors asked for your WeChat...¡± A gentle smile appeared on Tang Xi¡¯s face, as she was organizing the medical records, she lowered her gaze, ¡°It¡¯s normal for colleagues to add each other on WeChat.¡± Actually, Tang Xi is quite beautiful, with an understated and calm beauty that is not aggressive but certainly not to be overlooked. At this moment, dressed in a white lab coat with black-framed glasses, she didn¡¯t appear plain but rather elegantly delicate. Ruan Youqing grabbed her hand, ¡°Tell me the truth, what do you feel about Cheng Yunlang?¡± ¡°I...¡± Tang Xi¡¯s gaze fell on a box of steamed dumplings on the table, she shook her head, ¡°Youqing, you know, right now... I just want to cure my mother¡¯s illness...¡± Not to mention, she was also Fu Tingzhou¡¯s secret wife. Cheng Yunlang would have to call her Third Sister-in-law. And... She has known Cheng Yunlang since college, a refined and handsome senior, nothing more. She didn¡¯t want to hold him back. Thinking of his elegant and well-bred fiancee, the gap between her and him was as vast as the distance between clouds and mud. Ruan Youqing sighed, ¡°That¡¯s true. How is Aunt Tang doing now?¡± Tang Xi removed her glasses and pinched between her eyebrows, ¡°Not very well.¡± Ruan Youqing said, ¡°I still have some money, I can spare thirty thousand...¡± ¡°You need to send money to Zhao Yixing; I can¡¯t take your money.¡± Tang Xi shook her head. She knew Ruan Youqing had a boyfriend; Ruan Youqing¡¯s family was ordinary, her parents divorced, and her mother focused all her attention on Youqing¡¯s younger brother. Youqing moved out from home and rented a place to live when she started college. She had been dating a boyfriend for five years now. Zhao Yixing went abroad to study three years ago, relying on the tuition and living expenses provided by Ruan Youqing. Ruan Youqing, who led a frugal life, also supported her boyfriend¡¯s studies abroad. At the mention of Zhao Yixing, Ruan Youqing¡¯s face beamed with joy, as if all the hardships had vanished, ¡°He said he will come back at the end of this year. After he returns, we will get married.¡± From the bottom of her heart, Tang Xi offered her congratulations, ¡°Congratulations.¡± Chapter 10 - 10 10 Ending This Marriage ?10: Chapter 10: Ending This Marriage 10: Chapter 10: Ending This Marriage A box of Shaomai on the table remained untouched by Tang Xi, its price of 89 almost equal to the wages she¡¯d earn in a day of part-time work over the weekend. She decided to find a time to speak to Cheng Yunlang and make things clear. ¨C Tang Xi returned home through the side door in the evening and reached her bedroom in the attic. After taking a bath, she prepared to review some materials on difficult medical cases. When she opened the drawer, she saw a White Jade Pendant, which belonged to the man she had met in the ruins of an earthquake in Ningjiang City; she wanted to find his family and return the Jade Pendant to them. At that moment, Su Mengshu pushed the door open and came in. Looking at the Jade Pendant in Tang Xi¡¯s hand, she said, ¡°What are you secretly hiding?¡± She snatched the Jade Pendant from Tang Xi¡¯s hand, glanced at it, and threw it on the floor, ¡°What kind of trash is this?¡± As for Su Mengshu¡¯s rudeness, Tang Xi seemed to have grown accustomed to it and said coldly, ¡°What are you here for?¡± Su Mengshu tossed a few old clothes at her, ¡°Don¡¯t go around dressed so shabby every day; it makes it look like I¡¯m bullying you to our colleagues at the hospital.¡± Xia Minjun never bought clothes for her; Tang Xi only had a few garments, including a pair of jeans washed to the point of turning white. At this moment, she pursed her lips and pointed to the door, ¡°Get out.¡± Su Mengshu, with arms crossed and portrayed arrogance, said, ¡°Clothes, you can only wear what I have left over. Even Cheng Yunlang, it¡¯s only after I let him go that he shifted his attention to you.¡± ¡°I give you leftovers to wear, and if it weren¡¯t for my benevolence, you and your sick mother, the Dean, wouldn¡¯t even have a bed in the hospital if my father hadn¡¯t made a call on your behalf.¡± ¡°Are you done?¡± Tang Xi¡¯s lips were pale, ¡°If you are done, you can leave.¡± Tang Xi pushed Su Mengshu towards the door and firmly closed it. Su Mengshu put her hand up to block the door and her hand got caught slightly. ¡°Ah¡ª¡ª¡± A scream. Xia Minjun hurried over and without explanation slapped Tang Xi, ¡°You ungrateful wretch, if anything happens to Mengshu, I won¡¯t let you off easy!¡± Tang Xi leaned against the door and slowly sat down, maintaining this posture until the ringing of her cell phone brought her back to reality, revealing an unfamiliar number on the screen. ¡°Hello...¡± ¡°Tomorrow morning at 10 o¡¯clock, come find me in the Fu Building.¡± A deep male voice came through the phone, cold as frost. Tang Xi was startled, her eyes widened, ¡°You... who are you...?¡± A name slowly emerged from the bottom of her heart. ¡°Fu Tingzhou.¡± He said. She gripped the phone tightly, asking tentatively, ¡°What do you want from me? I have to work tomorrow... Can we possibly reschedule...?¡± ¡°I will discuss divorce matters with you. If you are not there at 10 o¡¯clock tomorrow morning, you know what I¡¯m capable of; I hope you will not try any tricks,¡± he seemed to have little patience for this secret wife, with disdain in his tone, and coldly hung up after finishing his words. The pupils of Tang Xi¡¯s eyes trembled, her fingers gripping the phone listlessly drooped down. It felt like a dam filled with water in her chest, a suffocating feeling spreading to her limbs and bones with each breath. The next morning, she applied light makeup to barely conceal the swollen slap mark on her face. Wearing a mask, she arrived at the Fu Building at half-past nine. This was Tang Xi¡¯s first time here, and likely the last. She knew that for Fu Tingzhou, he probably didn¡¯t even know her name, and certainly wouldn¡¯t imagine she was the adopted daughter of the Su Family. This marriage was a mistake from the start. Today, it can finally come to an end. At the front desk, ¡°Miss, Mr. Fu is not here, and there¡¯s no appointment for you today in our system. Perhaps you could wait in the lounge for a moment?¡± ¡°Would you please relay a message for me? Just say, I am Tang Xi...¡± The reception manager gave Tang Xi a once-over, seeing her plain, unadorned outfit and thinking she was just one of those women who came to see Fu Tingzhou out of admiration. After all, there were many women every day who wished to see Mr. Fu. By 10:15, she still hadn¡¯t seen Fu Tingzhou. Tang Xi asked the front desk again, only to be told that Fu Tingzhou wasn¡¯t in the office. Tang Xi redialed the unfamiliar number from last night, but there was no answer. After waiting another fifteen minutes, her cell phone suddenly rang; it was a colleague from the hospital. ¡°Tang Xi, where are you? If there¡¯s no emergency, come back quickly. The hospital is overwhelmed; there¡¯s been a traffic accident on Sanchun Road, and the emergency and reception halls are filled with injured people...¡± Tang Xi hurriedly took a taxi to the First Hospital. The emergency room was severely understaffed, so after changing clothes, she rushed over with a medical kit, looking around as patients bustled in and out of the ER. The hospital was short-handed, and there were too many patients. Most of the attention was on those with severe injuries, leaving many with minor injuries holding their wounds and waiting on the side. ¡°Grandpa, it hurts so much,¡± cried the girl softly. Next to her, the old man was looking for a doctor to examine his granddaughter, but doctors were rushing past him with stretchers, their faces stern as they entered the operating rooms. ¡°Nini, be good, just wait a little longer, it will be over soon.¡± Tang Xi went over to the girl and examined the wound on her knee. The old man immediately said, ¡°Doctor, please help my granddaughter. She keeps crying out in pain. We were just unlucky, passing by the roadside when a truck and a sports car collided, causing the sports car to flip and smash into more than a dozen other vehicles. We got caught in it too.¡± Tang Xi disinfected and bandaged the girl¡¯s knee wound. ¡°It¡¯s not a big issue. Come here for an X-ray when it¡¯s less busy tomorrow. If all is well, you can recover at home for a week.¡± ¡°Thank you, Doctor Sister.¡± Soon after, Tang Xi was surrounded by a group of patients with minor injuries. Perhaps because they had been waiting too long, the injured patients were growing impatient, but there were no free doctors in the emergency room at the moment. Tang Xi methodically took out bandages and antiseptic from her medical kit, checking and dressing each injury in turn. For the more serious ones, she directed patients to the triage desk for registration, fearing that a simple treatment might worsen their wounds. Not far away, a gaze lingered on her, the man initially swept his eyes briefly over her, but his stare did not leave her for a long time. The woman was bent slightly, wearing a white coat, with hair casually tied back revealing delicate earlobes, a face mask on, her skin very pale. When suturing wounds she would wear glasses, ordinary and even a bit outdated black-framed ones, but on her face they added a tranquil and refined look. She was earnestly stitching up a wound on a boy¡¯s leg, the boy crying, and she reached into her pocket to hand him a piece of candy; her expression was serious. There were many injured people around her, and when she spoke, her tone was clear, gentle, and carried a stabilizing force. Those patients also gradually calmed down from their anxiousness, seemingly placing their trust in her. Fu Tingzhou slowly withdrew his gaze, the man leaning against the wall, his left hand lightly supporting his right arm, blood trickling from his fingertips, steadily dripping onto the pristine floor. Xu Ze came running, out of breath, ¡°Nobody¡¯s at the nurse station. This accident has paralyzed the entirety of Sanchun Road. This is the closest hospital, so all the injured have been brought here. Mr. Fu, please wait a bit longer, I¡¯ve already contacted Dean Ning, and he is sending someone.¡± Fu Tingzhou¡¯s gaze swept over the injured patients in the emergency room. Apart from those with severe injuries who had been taken to the operating room for rescue, those with minor wounds were waiting outside. There were dozens of people, and he looked serious, ¡°It¡¯s a mess, no need to trouble Dean Ning.¡± ¡°But, Mr. Fu, your arm...¡± A white medical kit was placed at Fu Tingzhou¡¯s feet, and the woman in the white coat approached. Fu Tingzhou smelled that familiar scent again, a mix of antiseptic that irritated his nerves. Tang Xi took out bandages and disinfectant from the kit, not looking up as she was intent on helping more people quickly. She asked directly, ¡°Where are you injured? Your arm? Can you roll up your sleeve? Can the arm move? Do your fingers have sensation? Do you feel dizzy or nauseous, and is there any other discomfort?¡± Fu Tingzhou looked down slightly, startled while he began to remove his suit jacket, replying, ¡°My fingers can feel, I was a bit dizzy at first, but not anymore.¡± Tang Xi, hearing the somewhat familiar male voice, raised her head. Chapter 11 - 11 11 My surname is Tang my name is Tang Xi ?11: Chapter 11: My surname is Tang, my name is Tang Xi. 11: Chapter 11: My surname is Tang, my name is Tang Xi. The man who wanted to divorce her and stood her up was actually here. Tang Xi took out a pair of scissors from the medicine box and cut open his sleeve, looking at the shocking wound, the woman slightly frowned. On the side, Xu Ze cautiously asked, ¡°Doctor, how is Mr. Fu, is the injury serious?¡± ¡°It didn¡¯t reach the bone.¡± Tang Xi lowered her eyes, disinfected the wound, applied medicine, and spoke lightly, ¡°The wound is quite long, it needs stitching. My stitching skills are average, I will call another doctor over.¡± Saying so, she was about to leave. ¡°Other patients are okay, but not when it comes to me?¡± His voice was calm as he asked, but it carried an invisible pressure. Fu Tingzhou grabbed her wrist, ¡°Or is it that you don¡¯t want to.¡± ¡°Mr. Fu is honorable, my skills are poor and not up to the mark.¡± Tang Xi said, calmly breaking free from his wrist. ¡°So you do know who I am, I thought, you were going to continue pretending not to recognize me.¡± Fu Tingzhou looked at her, his dark eyes flashed waves, and he uttered her name, ¡°Su Xi¡± From beginning to end, her tone was cold and unrecognizing. This woman, he had only met a few times, but the feeling she gave him was complex and familiar. It was then Xu Ze understood, so it was Miss Su the Second, no wonder she looked somewhat familiar. Tang Xi took a deep breath, lifted her head to meet Fu Tingzhou¡¯s eyes, with a very official smile she responded, ¡°Mr. Fu, you still have wounds on your hand, my stitching skills are not good and might not match your status. I also have other patients needing my attention...¡± At that moment, a female doctor passed by. ¡°Oh dear, Little Tang, you¡¯re too modest. Last month at the department¡¯s stitching contest, you took first place.¡± Tang Xi ¡®ah¡¯ed, and awkwardly smiled at the female doctor, ¡°Sister Sun, aren¡¯t you on a break today?¡± ¡°A phone call and here I am,¡± Sister Sun said to Fu Tingzhou, ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate our Doctor Tang because of her young age, but her skills are absolutely top-notch, rest assured.¡± The air lapsed into a brief silence. Xu Ze also sensed this awkwardly dead silence and stepped back two steps. Beneath the mask, Tang Xi¡¯s face blushed, about ten seconds later, the man coldly sneered, breaking this awkward atmosphere. Tang took out the needle and thread and began stitching, the man kept silent from beginning to end. She, on the other hand, was not so calm, seeing the wound on the man¡¯s arm, her fingers slightly trembled, and the needle also lightly tugged. Fu Tingzhou¡¯s thin lips curled into a faint cold smile, ¡°Indeed, not very skilled.¡± Tang Xi, ¡°.....¡± After finishing the stitching, she packed up the medical box ready to leave, but Fu Tingzhou stopped her by the wrist, she lifted her gaze, meeting the man¡¯s dark and deep eyes, Tang Xi bit her lip, ¡°Let me go.¡± The man stared at her, his dark eyes flashed a cold light, ¡°Your last name is Tang?¡± She caught her breath, ¡°Um...¡± ¡°What is your name?¡± Tang Xi clenched her teeth, composed and firm, she took on his words, and when she said her own name, she felt an unexpected sense of release, ¡°My name is Tang Xi.¡± This was the first time, she told him her own name. She is not called Su Xi, she¡¯s called Tang Xi. If she was going to be found out anyway, it didn¡¯t matter. This marriage was neither loving nor voluntary, he was bound to know of her existence sooner or later, she just didn¡¯t expect that this man would end up being her brother-in-law, Tang Xi also did not intend to deliberately hide it. However, she felt that they were about to divorce soon, there was no need to mention it. When the time comes, being known by the Su family people wouldn¡¯t be beneficial to her anyway. ¡°If your last name is Tang, why didn¡¯t you object when I called you Su Xi?¡± Unexpectedly, Tang Xi saw no other emotion at the bottom of the man¡¯s eyes. In that moment, Tang Xi understood. She realized that perhaps Fu Tingzhou never even knew the name of his wife whom he had never met. To a favored son of heaven like Fu Tingzhou, she was nothing but a burden his dying mother pushed onto him before he set off quickly for England, immediately forgetting who she was. ¡°We are not even close... names are just symbols anyway...¡± Tang Xi looked into Fu Tingzhou¡¯s eyes, her voice hoarse and sour... She secretly ridiculed herself, feeling pathetically hopeful when she had just mentioned her name, hoping that he might show some reaction upon hearing it. Tang Xi found it both ridiculous and pitiful. He didn¡¯t even know his own name. He didn¡¯t want to know, disdained to know. Turning around and picking up the medicine box, she had been squatting for too long, and typically suffering from anemia and low blood sugar, she felt somewhat dizzy. She staggered a few steps, feeling a buzzing in her ears. Everything before her eyes turned pitch black, and Tang Xi slowly collapsed. Xu Ze shouted, ¡°Miss Su Xi¡ª¡± Fu Tingzhou saw the slender figure of the woman slowly falling, and he quickly stepped forward. A similarly white figure was one step ahead of him and caught Tang Xi. Cheng Yunlang held her, ¡°Tang Xi, Tang Xi are you alright?¡± Tang Xi raised her hand to rub her forehead, ¡°I¡¯m fine, thank you, Senior Cheng.¡± Cheng Yunlang looked at her with concern, ¡°You¡¯re too exhausted, take some rest.¡± ¡°I¡¯m already fine.¡± Tang Xi, not liking the touch of strangers, politely took a step back and pushed Cheng Yunlang away, ¡°Doctor Cheng, since you are here, I will go back to my department to rest.¡± Fu Tingzhou watched this scene, the woman relying on the man¡¯s embrace, the man¡¯s eyes gradually turning colder. Xu Ze said, ¡°It seems to be the young master Su, should we go over and greet him?¡± Fu Tingzhou had already turned around, walking away briskly with a displeased expression. Tang Xi returned home in the evening, tired after a day¡¯s work. After sorting out recent patient medical records she went to take a shower, suddenly remembering that today was supposed to be the day she would divorce Fu Tingzhou. She took out her phone. Tang Xi composed a text message, ¡°I agree to the divorce, don¡¯t want any of your property, you set the time.¡± Fu Tingzhou, just out of the shower, saw the message and snorted coldly, no property? The words coming from such a covetous person were simply ridiculous. Using tricks again, playing hard to get, thinking that by pretending to be weak and pitiful he wouldn¡¯t divorce her? Asking for nothing, this kind of woman clearly wanted more. He replied with a terse, ¡°You better be.¡± Fu Tingzhou tossed his phone onto the table, stood up, and walked restlessly towards the floor-to-ceiling windows. He looked out at the night-shrouded North City. His brow furrowed deeply. Three years ago, had his mother not forcefully arranged this marriage while critically ill, he would have never married her. A plain orphan girl, somehow forced his mother into such a request on her deathbed, he despised this arrangement, and even more so resented such a scheming woman. He had seen too many such vain women, merely approaching him for his money. Such a woman, still unworthy of being his wife, Fu Tingzhou¡¯s wife. Chapter 12 - 12 12 Leaving Early or Late the Outcome is the Same ?12: Chapter 12: Leaving Early or Late, the Outcome is the Same 12: Chapter 12: Leaving Early or Late, the Outcome is the Same Tang Xi looked at the text message on her phone, lying in bed, unable to sleep despite being extremely tired. She thought of her biological mother, whom she had never met. She only knew she was born in a prison and sent to an orphanage, where she was raised by the director Tang Jingyun until she was adopted by the Su Family at the age of eight. Tang mom said that her biological mother died in prison when she was two or three years old. She didn¡¯t know what crime her birth mother had committed; the word ¡°murderer¡± was tremendously heavy. The next morning she had the day off, Tang Xi went to the hospital ward to visit Qin Jianlan. Auntie Rong took very good care of Qin Jianlan; her complexion was healthy, and there were no bedsores on her body. Tang Xi prepared a basin of warm water and helped wipe Qin Jianlan¡¯s cheeks. Having grown up in the orphanage, she often saw Qin Jianlan, who was passionate about charity work and was gentle and kind. In Tang Xi¡¯s heart, she had already come to regard Qin Jianlan as family. ¡°Auntie Qin, I met Fu Tingzhou. He is indeed as outstanding as you said, but we just weren¡¯t fated to be together. We¡¯ll be getting divorced soon. Don¡¯t worry, even if I¡¯m no longer his wife, I¡¯ll still come visit you when I have the time,¡± she said in a soft, tender voice, holding tightly Qin Jianlan¡¯s hand, ¡°Auntie Qin, you¡¯ll definitely get better.¡± ¨C It rained continuously for a week in North City. At mealtime, Tang Xi overheard Su Mengshu telling Xia Minjun that Fu Tingzhou had gone to England but he would hurry back for her birthday. Ever since they decided to get divorced, and he stood her up due to a car accident, Tang Xi had not seen him again. So, he had gone to England. But this had nothing to do with her. That man, distant as the stars, was unattainable. This ridiculous marriage, whether ended sooner or later, would result in the same outcome. Soon it would be Su Mengshu¡¯s birthday; in previous years, Mengshu would invite her friends to rent a private room, and her friends would inevitably give her skincare products and handbags as gifts. But now things were different since Su Mengshu became Fu Tingzhou¡¯s girlfriend. She now mingled with some of the famous socialites of North City. Coincidentally, Tang Xi¡¯s birthday was the same day as Su Mengshu¡¯s. Tang Jingyun had found a note left by Tang Xi¡¯s biological mother in her swaddle, stating her birthday was on May 10th. On her birthday, Tang Xi went to the traditional medicine hospital ward to visit Tang Jingyun. Tang Jingyun, now dependent on dialysis, was gaunt with a sallow complexion, but she showed a kind, gentle smile at the sight of Tang Xi, ¡°Xi is here.¡± ¡°Tang mom, how have you been feeling these past few days?¡± ¡°Much better.¡± However, those words were merely to comfort herself and Tang Xi. At this moment, Tang Jingyun was in a state of complete exhaustion. As a doctor, Tang Xi was very aware of it. Patients with uremia cannot drink water, so Tang Xi was peeling an apple for her, but within half an hour, a tall and slender handsome young man walked into the ward, ¡°Sis, you¡¯re here.¡± ¡°Shiyue,¡± Tang Xi said with a smile looking at him. This was Tang Jingyun¡¯s son, Tang Shiyue, a seventeen-year-old senior in high school. ¡°Sis, look what I brought you.¡± Tang Shiyue said with a sunny smile, holding a small cake and a bowl of ramen in his hand. Tang Xi¡¯s eyes were warm with tears, it was here that she felt the warmth of her family. A candle was lit atop the eight-inch cake as Tang Shiyue asked her to close her eyes and make a wish. With her hands clasped together, Tang Xi closed her eyes, wishing for their mother¡¯s illness to get better. Tang Jingyun looked at Tang Xi with affection, ¡°Xi, it¡¯s about time you found a boyfriend. Mom really hopes to see you get married before she closes her eyes for the last time; that way, I can rest easy.¡± A lump formed in Tang Xi¡¯s throat, ¡°Mom... you won¡¯t have any trouble, medical technology has advanced so much, your illness will get better.¡± Tang Shiyue said, ¡°Yes, Mom, it¡¯s my sister¡¯s birthday today, you¡¯re definitely going to get better.¡± Tears welled up in Tang Jingyun¡¯s eyes. Having been tormented by illness for many years, she embraced her two children. Although Tang Xi was not her own, she had grown up in her welfare home and had been treated like her own daughter. If 15 years ago, Su Kangrong and his wife hadn¡¯t come to the welfare home to adopt Tang Xi, she would have raised her too. After eating the longevity noodles, Tang Xi stayed in the hospital ward talking with Tang Jingyun at noon, while Tang Shiyue left soon after due to an afternoon class. Tang Xi stayed until around five in the afternoon when she was urged by one call after another. Because tonight was Su Mengshu¡¯s birthday party, Su Mengshu had invited many socialites to celebrate on the yacht, and it was said that Fu Tingzhou would also be there. To maintain her ¡®good sister¡¯ fac?ade, Su Mengshu naturally needed to drag Tang Xi along for comparison. She didn¡¯t want to go, but if she didn¡¯t, she would face a lecture from Xia Minjun... Better to avoid trouble where possible. ¡°Mom, I have to go now, I¡¯ll come to see you tomorrow.¡± She took the bus to the birthday party location, the celebratory yacht at North City Harbor. Once on board, several socialites were chatting on the deck. Surrounded by them, Su Mengshu was dressed in a pink lace gown with a tiara on her head, looking every bit the princess. ¡°Mengshu, you¡¯re so kind-hearted to invite that ingrate of a sister to such a high-class gathering. Look at how she¡¯s dressed, like a complete bumpkin.¡± ¡°Yeah, Mengshu, look at her ¨C jeans and a white shirt, and coming empty-handed, it¡¯s so shabby... She clearly doesn¡¯t take your birthday seriously at all.¡± Su Mengshu smiled gently, ¡°After all, she is my sister, what does a gift matter... ¡± ¡°I heard that young master Fu is also attending your birthday party tonight, Mengshu, he treats you so well.¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve heard he just got off the plane today and is rushing over here. Young master Fu¡¯s feelings for you are pretty clear, and when you become Mrs. Fu, don¡¯t forget to look out for us sisters.¡± Listening to the sycophantic voices around her, Su Mengshu¡¯s face showed a smug smile, as if she was really about to become Mrs. Fu. Her gaze settled on Tang Xi, who was sitting in a nearby resting area. A young gentleman approached her to strike up a conversation. Even in such plain clothes, some young gentleman fancies her. What is there to like about such country bumpkins! Su Mengshu¡¯s face darkened. She feared that the longer she waited, if Fu Tingzhou found out it was Tang Xi who had saved her, then she would be finished. Having Tang Xi around was like a ticking time bomb. Standing up, she said, ¡°You guys keep chatting, I¡¯m going to the restroom.¡± Su Mengshu walked into the cabin and took out her phone to dial a number, ¡°Have you found the person you were supposed to find?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, everything¡¯s arranged... two thugs; they¡¯ll definitely take care of it for you tonight.¡± After hanging up the phone, Su Mengshu was in a good mood, Tang Xi, tonight, I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯re in for a treat! She lightly stroked her belly; Su Mengshu had been injecting ovulation drugs for a month, tonight everything was ready, not only would she remove Tang Xi, the ticking time bomb, but she would also successfully secure Fu Tingzhou. Chapter 13 - 13 13 The Breaths Hot and Dominant Kiss Follows ?13: Chapter 13: The Breath¡¯s Hot and Dominant Kiss Follows 13: Chapter 13: The Breath¡¯s Hot and Dominant Kiss Follows Outside, a commotion could be heard. Su Mengshu raised her head to see Fu Tingzhou arriving, and she hurried outside. The arrival of the man instantly attracted many gazes. Tang Xi sat in a corner of the rest area, looking at the man¡¯s tall and upright figure, watching Su Mengshu cling to his arm, demure as a bird, she pursed her lips, her lashes cast down gently. What status did Fu Tingzhou have? To attend Su Mengshu¡¯s birthday gathering, Su Mengshu clinging to his arm as if announcing to the world that she was the future Mrs. Fu, filled many socialites with envy. One must know the Su Family was but a small business entity. Being listed under the Fu Family was like ascending to the heavens. ¡°Tingzhou, thank you for coming tonight. I thought you wouldn¡¯t come,¡± Su Mengshu said. Fu Tingzhou glanced at Xu Ze, who stepped forward to present a gift box, ¡°Miss Su, this is the gift from the gentleman.¡± Su Mengshu opened it and her eyes lit up at the sight of the limited edition bracelet; she promptly put it on her wrist, ¡°Thank you, I love it so much.¡± There were just over a dozen socialites and young masters to celebrate Su Mengshu¡¯s birthday. A long table was set, and Tang Xi casually found a seat. A waiter brought over a six-tiered white swan cake. Su Mengshu, ¡°This isn¡¯t what I ordered...¡± The waiter said, ¡°It was ordered by Mr. Fu.¡± Su Mengshu¡¯s face turned red as she looked at Fu Tingzhou¡¯s handsome, charming profile, ¡°Tingzhou, it¡¯s so good to have you with me on my birthday.¡± Fu Tingzhou had just gotten off the plane and was somewhat tired, a faint smile on his face, ¡°Make a wish.¡± The cake was quickly cut, and Tang Xi received a slice as well. She took a bite with her head down, it was sweet, a luxurious kind of sweet. Today was also her birthday. It was the first time she tasted such an expensive cake, her heart slightly sour, so this was what a cake costing tens of thousands tasted like... She never wasted food, and quietly finished off the small cake. ¡°Tang Xi, you¡¯re Mengshu¡¯s sister, but how come there¡¯s such a big disparity between you and Mengshu? Just look at you, dressing so plainly and once you sit down, all you know is eat, eat, eat like a bumpkin, nothing like your sister¡¯s etiquette and manners...¡± Tang Xi didn¡¯t even lift her head, knowing from the voice that it was Su Mengshu¡¯s younger sister Xu Manxue. Without raising her head, she replied faintly, ¡°A few days ago in the ward, I met a patient.¡± Xu Manxue, ¡°What does your meeting a patient have to do with me?¡± ¡°He worked at a bank, I heard, the Xu Family mortgaged two villas for a loan of fifty million and couldn¡¯t repay it. Your dad has become a defaulter and has been notified, you¡¯re going to be bankrupt soon.¡± Xu Manxue turned pale, ¡°You... you¡¯re talking nonsense!!¡± ¡°Whether I¡¯m talking nonsense, you know in your heart.¡± Tang Xi lifted her gaze and saw Xu Manxue¡¯s defense break, and she smiled gently, ¡°My attire may be plain, but what about you? An out-of-season dress trying to save face.¡± Xu Manxue abruptly stood up, trembling with anger, but what Tang Xi said was the truth. The Xu Family¡¯s technology business was going to go bankrupt soon, and her cozying up to Su Mengshu was in hopes of borrowing a bit of the Fu Family¡¯s power... Many socialites around them were quietly talking, nibbling on the gossip about the Xu Family going bankrupt. Su Mengshu didn¡¯t expect Xu Manxue to make such a fool of herself. She quickly laughed and said to Fu Tingzhou, ¡°My sister and Manxue are friends, they just love to tease each other like this usually...¡± She glared at Xu Manxue, signaling her not to embarrass herself further. Xu Manxue had no choice but to sit back down with a dry laugh. The woman sitting next to Tang Xi wore a blue dress, her skin was very fair, her smile sweet, ¡°I¡¯m also a Tang, my name is Tang Tian, it¡¯s nice to meet you for the first time. I didn¡¯t even know you were Su Mengshu¡¯s sister before. I hear you¡¯re a doctor, that¡¯s really impressive.¡± Tang Xi smiled slightly, and said politely, ¡°Hello.¡± Tang Tian blinked, ¡°Are you really Su Mengshu¡¯s sister? You don¡¯t seem like it at all.¡± Tang Xi remained silent. She was the foster daughter of the Su Family, treated worse than a servant, a fact unknown to outsiders. All the outsiders knew was that she was the sister of Su Mengshu, the so-called second young lady of the Su Family. ¡°Let¡¯s add each other on WeChat, so we can hang out more in the future.¡± Tang Tian¡¯s smile was sweet, her round, apple-shaped face very approachable. Unlike those high-society ladies who mocked her, Tang Tian¡¯s smile was genuinely sincere. Tang Xi didn¡¯t refuse. She took out her phone and they added each other on WeChat. Waiters bustled back and forth serving dishes; one passed by Tang Xi, handing her a glass of juice which she sipped as she looked down. Su Mengshu caught this scene with her eyes, her lips curling into a triumphant smile. She picked up a glass of wine and offered it to Fu Tingzhou, ¡°Tingzhou, thank you for coming to my birthday party tonight and for preparing all these surprises for me.¡± The yacht was bathed in a soft glow, making the man¡¯s features even more sculpted. He looked at Su Mengshu¡¯s delicately smiling face, ¡°As long as you like it.¡± He took the wine glass and had a sip. The alcohol seemed hotter than usual. After drinking it, he soon began to feel a stifling heat. A cool breeze blew, bringing a hint of refreshment. Fu Tingzhou had rushed back from England today. After an afternoon flight, he came straight here to celebrate Su Mengshu¡¯s birthday. Now, rubbing his temples, the man was feeling fatigued. Seeing this, Su Mengshu quickly suggested, ¡°You must be tired, why not rest in the lounge for a while?¡± The man massaged his temples and nodded. After a morning flight and days of continuous work, he indeed felt exhausted. Watching Fu Tingzhou leave, she knew the drug was taking effect. Su Mengshu¡¯s smile deepened at the thought that after tonight, she could become Mrs. Fu. Tang Xi sat down in the rest area and rubbed her temples. She didn¡¯t understand why she felt so exhausted and a sudden heat enveloping her body. A waiter approached, ¡°Miss Tang, someone is looking for you in lounge 04.¡± Tang Xi stood up, ¡°Me?¡± Who was looking for her? She walked through the cabin, where there were a total of four lounges. As she slowly approached, the heat inside her body suddenly intensified. With a frown, Tang Xi felt her vision blur. What was happening? She hadn¡¯t drunk any alcohol that evening, only a glass of juice... Why did she suddenly feel so unwell? A wave of dizziness struck her. Her steps became unsteady as she reached a lounge door. She looked up fuzzily at the number 01, and at this moment, oblivious to the waiter¡¯s mention of someone looking for her, she just wanted to rest as she felt uncomfortable. As a doctor, she realized something was wrong with her state. Her fingers touched the doorknob and gently turned it¡ªit was unlocked. Stumbling, Tang Xi entered the room. It seemed like there was someone inside. ¡°Sorry for disturbing,¡± she said, ready to leave. The next second, the person inside came closer. Tang Xi felt the world spinning and a hand steadied her waist. Fu Tingzhou felt a burning heat that was unbearable. He looked at Tang Xi and lifted her chin, his hot breath approaching her face, ¡°Who let you in?¡± Tang Xi slapped his hand with all her strength. Amid her struggle and panic, she became somewhat clearer and recognized the man in front of her¡ªit was Fu Tingzhou?? Why was he here too? Chapter 14 - 14 14 Brother-in-law We Slept! ?14: Chapter 14: Brother-in-law, We, Slept! 14: Chapter 14: Brother-in-law, We, Slept! Then, she slapped him forcefully. Biting her lip viciously. The man¡¯s excitement intensified, his kisses became scorching and wild; Tang Xi was like a fish on a chopping board, her struggles were insignificant in front of him, like an ant¡¯s. The room was dimly lit, Tang Xi looked at the man¡¯s handsome and unique face, the strong scent of alcohol mixed with agarwood surrounding her. Suddenly, this man¡¯s face overlapped with the memory buried deep inside her, the figure of the man standing in the school auditorium wearing a white shirt, presenting her with a scholarship. A sudden sense of tearing apart and dark longing overwhelmed her, and a tear rolled down from the corner of her eye. Fu Tingzhou... Do you know that I am Tang Xi? The wife on your marriage certificate, the wife hidden from the world for three years... Tang Xi... Time passed, the silvery white window curtains fluttered gently, and the evening breeze slowly blew away the ambiguous scent in the room, leaving the woman¡¯s clothing and the man¡¯s suit scattered on the floor. Tang Xi¡¯s face was pale, she looked at the man in front of her, both had sobered up by now, the drug¡¯s effects had dissipated, she picked up the clothes from the ground to cover her body. Her lips trembled, she opened her mouth, but couldn¡¯t utter a sound as she looked into the man¡¯s dark and indifferent eyes. The pain on her body was a clear testament to what had just happened. Fu Tingzhou¡¯s face was as gloomy as water, his fists clenched tight, looking at the red marks on the woman¡¯s pale and slender shoulders, the remnants of intimacy. Although she covered herself with clothes in front of her chest, it barely concealed her, revealing a pair of long and pale legs. His pupils shrank, his voice was hoarse to the extreme, ¡°Tang Xi, it was you who tampered with my drink.¡± Tang Xi looked at him; so he was suspecting her... She took a deep breath, feeling a dull pain in her chest, ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡± ¡°My drink was tampered with too; I didn¡¯t know you were here as well...¡± She hadn¡¯t finished speaking when a pain struck her jaw; he had seized it. The coldness in the man¡¯s eyes was chilling, ¡°Tang Xi, I advise you not to harbor such thoughts about me. Using such despicable means will only make others feel disgusted.¡± To him, her defense seemed pale and weak. Tang Xi grimaced with pain, but upon hearing his words, she laughed a pale and mocking laugh. ¡°What are you laughing at?¡± He narrowed his eyes. The smile on the woman¡¯s lips was irritating to him. ¡°I¡¯m laughing at you,¡± Tang Xi enunciated each word through clenched teeth, ¡°Brother-in-law.¡± He bent down slightly, and as he drew closer, Tang Xi saw his handsome face enlarge before her eyes. Her breath caught, the strange yet familiar masculine scent approached; she sensed danger and tried to evade, only being able to lean back, but as she was sitting on the edge of the sofa, her back was pressed against the sofa¡¯s back. The man towered over her like a Shura king emerging from the shadows, ¡°You know what happens when you provoke me.¡± Their proximity was quite suggestive. Breaths intertwined. But Tang Xi sensed a dangerous aroma. The coldness in his eyes told her it would be easy for him to kill her. With such closeness, inhaling the scent of agarwood, her body tensed up. Clutching the piece of clothing, at that moment, aside from this single garment, she was naked. His dominant gaze made her shiver involuntarily, yet she clenched her teeth, ¡°Brother-in-law, if I were you, I¡¯d get dressed now and get out, to avoid raising suspicions if too much time passes. I believe you wouldn¡¯t want others to find out...¡± Tang Xi struggled to suppress her pounding heart as she gazed directly into those stern and icy eyes, ¡°We... slept together.¡± The next second, her throat was choked off. She couldn¡¯t utter a single word. Tang Xi watched the fury in his eyes. His countenance was coldly handsome and sinisterly grim... ¡°Threatening me, is that your purpose?¡± A frosty light shot through Fu Tingzhou¡¯s eyes. She stubbornly met his gaze, ¡°Whatever you say, brother-in-law...¡± Two seconds later, he slowly let go of his grip, straightened up, picked up his suit from the ground, and put it on without casting another glance at Tang Xi. His face had regained its composure. But when he looked at the half-naked woman, a complex emotion flickered in the depths of his eyes before being overtly eclipsed by undisguised disgust; he hated being manipulated and deceived the most. ¡°Tang Xi, be a good Second Miss of the Su Family, I do not wish for a third person to know about this matter. Otherwise, you know the consequences of angering me.¡± Having said that, he strode towards the door. She fought back the sourness in her eyes, ¡°Rest assured, brother-in-law, I¡¯m tight-lipped.¡± The man¡¯s pace faltered, his fingers touching the doorknob. For some reason, hearing this term ¡®brother-in-law¡¯ was particularly grating and unpleasant. With a ¡°bang,¡± the man slammed the door and left. Tang Xi slowly stood up, picked up her clothes from the floor, dressed herself, and smoothed out the wrinkles on her clothes. The ambiguous aura was still lingering in the air; her face was pale... It¡¯s alright, Tang Xi, it was just a dream. Just treat this night as a long dream. Soon, she would divorce him, and they would each go their separate ways. She collected her emotions and left the rest area. On the deck, everything was normal, as if no one noticed someone was missing. And someone as transparent as Tang Xi would be even less noticed. Plus, many of the guests who came to celebrate Mengshu¡¯s birthday today were still high, all drunk... ¨C Meanwhile, in Rest Area 04. A woman was tied to a bed, a cloth stuffed in her mouth, her body naked and covered in bruises and purples. After having their way, two men with dyed yellow hair smoked cigarettes, with one saying, ¡°This chick is quite wild, definitely not a virgin. Brother Wu told us tonight¡¯s was a fledgeling for us to ¡®treat gently.¡¯ Su Mengshu¡¯s eyes were bloodshot with hatred. She wanted to scream but her mouth was sealed; her struggles only led to more merciless abuse from the two men. Ahhh ahhh ahhh ahhh Where did it all go wrong, why!! WHY!! She was the one who had arranged for the waiter to bring Tang Xi here!! ¡°Damn, look at this chick¡¯s gaze, she¡¯s acting like she¡¯d kill us both, hahaha, keep hating, don¡¯t hate on us though, we¡¯re just getting paid to do a job, and it¡¯s your fault for offending someone,¡± one guy laughed as they took turns again, half an hour later. Yellow Hair took out his mobile phone and made a call, ¡°Brother Wu, the job you gave us is done. The woman was well treated by me and Qiangzi. Don¡¯t worry, she¡¯s not dead; still breathing. So, about the money... Brother Wu, we did the job for you, when are you going to pay me and Qiangzi?¡± After receiving the transfer, the two men quickly left. Before they went out, they untied Su Mengshu and removed the cloth from her mouth, knocking her out before she could speak. Yellow Hair took several photos of Su Mengshu¡¯s naked body, and then the two departed. Time passed, and Su Mengshu finally opened her eyes. She bit down on her lip, suppressing the screams welling up in her throat. Ahhh ahhh ahh! She was going mad, frenzy engulfing her; everything was supposed to be perfectly planned, why did it turn out like this. Chapter 15 - 15 15 Paths Crossed Yet Strangers ?15: Chapter 15: Paths Crossed, Yet Strangers 15: Chapter 15: Paths Crossed, Yet Strangers She wanted to check on Tang Xi¡¯s miserable condition in the 04 lounge, but never expected... As soon as she pushed the door open, she was dragged onto the bed by two thugs. She had found these two thugs to disgrace Tang Xi, but why was she the one lying there? Where was Tang Xi? She picked up the clothes from the floor and put them on, then walked out, opening each lounge one by one, but no one was there. She walked onto the deck and saw several young masters drunk and slumped over the tables, fast asleep, along with a few high society ladies she used to hang out with privately. Three hours had already passed, and it was now midnight. Su Mengshu took out her phone and dialed her fifth brother¡¯s number; on the other end, her fifth brother was almost boasting about his accomplishments and asked why he couldn¡¯t reach her phone. The expression on Su Mengshu¡¯s face twisted, but she couldn¡¯t say a word. She couldn¡¯t let others know that she had been slept with by two thugs. She hung up the phone and walked over to Xu Manxue. Seeing her drunk and passed out on the table stirred her anger, and she smacked Xu Manxue¡¯s face, ¡°Wake up.¡± Xu Manxue opened her eyes, groggy, ¡°Ah... Mengshu....¡± ¡°Where is Fu Tingzhou?? Where is Tang Xi?? Didn¡¯t I tell you to take Tang Xi to the second lounge?¡± Xu Manxue burped, ¡°Fu Tingzhou... oh... he left, his assistant said he came here after disembarking and was tired, so he left early. And Tang Xi... she also left...¡± Hearing that Fu Tingzhou had left early, Su Mengshu breathed a sigh of relief. It¡¯s just a pity that she missed such a good opportunity tonight. She didn¡¯t have many chances to interact with Fu Tingzhou... She was like lifting a rock only to drop it on her own foot. Su Mengshu¡¯s beautiful face turned malevolent, Tang Xi, I have plenty of ways to deal with you. You can dodge once, but let¡¯s see if you can dodge a second time. ¨C By the time she returned to the Su Family, it was already past two in the morning. She took a bath, looking at the marks all over her body in the mirror, and the belated discomfort and pain told her what had happened tonight. How could this happen... Tang Xi raised her hand to rub her brow, as what happened tonight was completely beyond her expectations; she had never thought that she would... have a relationship with Fu Tingzhou. With a faint sourness in her eyes, Tang Xi washed her body, her lips tightly pressed, her slender shoulders trembling slightly, and tears mixed with the warm water trickling down. Lying in bed, she couldn¡¯t fall asleep for a long time. Until the next day, Tang Xi ate breakfast in a distracted manner and then hurriedly went to the hospital. Ruan Youqing saw the fatigue under her eyelids, ¡°Did you not rest well?¡± Tang Xi sighed, ¡°Yeah, I had insomnia last night.¡± Ruan Youqing handed her a glass of water, ¡°Cheer up, we have an early meeting later on. After the meeting, we¡¯ll have rounds to do, and after rounds, you can rest for a brief ten minutes.¡± Tang Xi smiled, ¡°Hmm.¡± ¡°Oh, let me use your phone, mine is out of battery. I need to call Zhao Yixing.¡± Tang Xi opened her bag only to find it empty save for keys and a wallet. Where was her phone? Ruan Youqing saw her expression and took her bag, ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you forgot to bring your phone.¡± Tang Xi hadn¡¯t checked her bag since returning last night... her phone... Her lips pursed, ¡°I¡¯ve lost my phone.¡± Ruan Youqing knew that Tang Xi had been using the same phone for four years; it was very laggy, but she was reluctant to replace it. She only used it for simple office apps, making calls, and receiving text messages, not willing to spend money on a new phone. ¡°Lost it, could it be in the wrong place?¡± Tang Xi raised her hand to her brow, suddenly feeling a headache. Really, when it rains, it pours, ¡°I kept it in my bag...¡± ¡°Don¡¯t panic,¡± Ruan Youqing said, borrowing a phone from her colleague Sister Sun and handing it to Tang Xi, ¡°Your phone still has battery, right? Call your phone, maybe if someone kind found it, they¡¯ll return it.¡± ¨C Fu Building, President¡¯s Office. The man¡¯s slender fingers played with an old-fashioned cell phone in his hand. A ringtone started to play. This cell phone, last night, he found inside his own suit. The phone was buzzing with vibration. The screen displayed the words ¡®Sister Sun¡¯. After the phone ringed once, it started ringing again. Fu Tingzhou answered the call, but before he could speak, he heard a familiar female voice, soft, calm, with a touch of urgency, ¡°Hello, this is my phone, I accidentally lost it, may I ask if you picked it up? Could you please return it to me... I¡¯ve been using this phone for many years, it¡¯s outdated, it wouldn¡¯t sell for much second-hand... I¡¯m willing to give you 500 yuan as thanks...¡± On the other end, Tang Xi used Sister Sun¡¯s phone to ask again, ¡°Are you listening?¡± Fu Tingzhou listened to the familiar female voice, his dark eyes narrowed fiercely. Thinking back to what happened last night, a darkness flashed in his eyes. At that moment, there was a knock on the door; the man ended the call and threw the phone into a drawer. A woman dressed in a white OL suit walked in, her smile was graceful as she approached the desk, ¡°Tingzhou, you haven¡¯t been home for a while, dad said he wants you to come home for a meal this week.¡± The man¡¯s slender fingers tapped on the desk absentmindedly, his voice maintaining its usual indifference, ¡°In the company, Vice President Ji, you should still address me as President Fu.¡± Ji Qingtan¡¯s beautiful face froze with her smile. Then, hurt appeared in her eyes, ¡°Tingzhou, must we be so estranged... We have known each other since we were young...¡± Fu Tingzhou¡¯s face was expressionless, as he looked at Ji Qingtan with only indifference in his eyes, ¡°Sister-in-law, when you chose my older brother three years ago, you should have understood that some matters, once you make a choice, you have already decided the outcome.¡± ¡°You...you are blaming me...¡± Ji Qingtan¡¯s voice trembled, ¡°Back then, I didn¡¯t... wasn¡¯t it because I was pressured by my family...¡± The man sneered coldly, the corner of his lips carrying mockery, ¡°Vice President Ji has said enough; you can leave now, I have no interest in reminiscing old times.¡± Ji Qingtan took a deep breath, and with grievances, she turned around and left. Xu Ze knocked and entered, just in time to see Ji Qingtan leave. He walked up to Fu Tingzhou, ¡°Sir, Miss Su is here.¡± Fu Tingzhou frowned slightly, ¡°Have her wait in the reception room.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The reception room is on the same floor as the President¡¯s Office. Su Mengshu sat on the sofa, feeling a bit nervous inside. She had calculated everything last night; she intended that after spending the night, she would pretend to lean weakly into Fu Tingzhou¡¯s arms. As long as they slept together, she would have an excuse to bring up the engagement. She also didn¡¯t know if Fu Tingzhou would find out she was the one who drugged him last night. Given Fu Tingzhou¡¯s character, if he knew she was pulling these kinds of tricks behind his back... he wouldn¡¯t let her off. Her end would be miserable! The sound of the door opening rang out, and Su Mengshu looked towards the entrance. Immediately, she put on a smile. ¡°Tingzhou, I took the day off today, just thought I¡¯d come and see you.¡± She held a thermos, ¡°This is chicken soup that the housekeeper stewed all night.¡± Fu Tingzhou ¡®hmm¡¯ed, walked over, and sat down. Su Mengshu felt somewhat guilty, cautiously gauging his mood, ¡°Tingzhou, I¡¯m sorry for drinking a bit too much last night, I didn¡¯t even realize when you left... I met many old friends I haven¡¯t seen in a long time, and my alcohol tolerance is bad, I got drunk after just a glass or two.¡± Mentioning last night, his face changed slightly. Chapter 16 - 16 16 A World of Difference ?16: Chapter 16: A World of Difference 16: Chapter 16: A World of Difference Recalling the incident from last night, Tang Xi¡¯s stubborn and clear face came to mind, and he pursed his thin lips, ¡°I left early last night and forgot to tell you.¡± Su Mengshu breathed a sigh of relief, glad that he did not suspect her. She held onto Fu Tingzhou¡¯s arm, ¡°I¡¯m already very happy that you could come for my birthday.¡± Watching Su Mengshu¡¯s smiling face, Fu Tingzhou said, ¡°It¡¯s your birthday, so naturally, I should come back. I have time at noon, I can have lunch with you.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Su Mengshu completely relaxed. It seemed that Fu Tingzhou was unaware of what happened last night. She tried hard to present herself as a gentle, kind, and ladylike figure in front of him. The two had lunch together at the top floor in Fu Tingzhou¡¯s private restaurant, and Fu Tingzhou asked Xu Ze to take Su Mengshu back to the Su Family. Xu Ze was driving when, to avoid a child who darted into the road, he suddenly slammed on the brakes. Su Mengshu¡¯s body lurched forward due to inertia, and she scolded in dissatisfaction, ¡°What are you doing! Can¡¯t you drive!? You almost hurt me!¡± Xu Ze was taken aback and saw Su Mengshu¡¯s beautiful face contorted slightly with anger through the rearview mirror, and he said, ¡°I apologize, Miss Su.¡± Su Mengshu put on an arrogant air, ¡°Hmph, just a driver, be more careful. If this happens again, believe it or not, I¡¯ll have Tingzhou fire you!¡± Xu Ze furrowed his brow; although he was Fu Tingzhou¡¯s special assistant. However, he had followed Fu Tingzhou for a long time, and when Fu Tingzhou was in England, Xu Ze had been by his side, supporting him in his endeavors, practically Fu Tingzhou¡¯s right-hand man. At this moment, seeing Su Mengshu¡¯s arrogant and rude demeanor, Xu Ze was somewhat astounded. This Miss Su, usually in front of Mr. Fu, displayed demureness and understanding... it turns out it¡¯s all an act... in private, her true face has been revealed. The car stopped at the Su Family¡¯s place, and Su Mengshu got out. Xu Ze continued driving. After passing through several streets, he spotted a familiar figure on the roadside. She was hurrying, seeming to want to hail a taxi, her face anxious. Tang Xi¡¯s mother had collapsed and was currently being resuscitated. When Tang Shiyue couldn¡¯t reach her, he called the thoracic surgery reception to inform Tang Xi. ¡°Miss Tang, where are you going? I¡¯ll give you a lift.¡± A car stopped in front of her, and Xu Ze rolled down the window. ¡°Assistant Xu.¡± Tang Xi was somewhat surprised, and after hesitating for a moment, she got into the car in her urgency. There was no one else in the car, and Tang Xi relaxed a little. ¡°Assistant Xu, please take me to the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital.¡± Seeing Tang Xi¡¯s anxious expression, he quickly drove off. ¡°Miss Tang, you seem very anxious. Is there anything I can help with?¡± Tang Xi pursed her lips, ¡°A relative of mine fell ill and is being resuscitated.¡± Upon hearing this, Xu Ze increased his speed, and around two o¡¯clock, the car stopped at the entrance of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital. ¡°Thank you, Assistant Xu,¡± Tang Xi expressed her thanks before getting out of the car and running off. Watching Tang Xi¡¯s departing figure, the thank you she had just uttered seemed to linger in Xu Ze¡¯s ears. Her politeness and gentleness were not pretense; remembering the arrogance of the Su Family¡¯s young mistress, the difference in their characters was indeed quite significant... ¨C Outside the resuscitation room, Tang Xi came running, gasping for breath, and she looked at Tang Shiyue, ¡°How is Tang Mom doing?¡± Tang Shiyue¡¯s eyes were rimmed with red, ¡°We just signed the critical condition notice, she was fine just yesterday, then suddenly...suddenly she collapsed.¡± Tang Xi leaned against the wall, trying to steady her breathing. She stared at the tightly shut door of the resuscitation room, her heart clenched. As time slowly ticked by, Tang Xi, being a doctor herself, finally understood what the feeling was like for the family members waiting outside the operating room. An hour later, the door of the resuscitation room opened. The doctor came out, it was Tang Jingyun¡¯s attending physician Xu Chen, a disciple of the father figure in nephrology, Professor Gao, ¡°Dr. Tang, I know you are also a doctor, and we are colleagues. You should understand that for your mother¡¯s condition, there is only one way out, which is a kidney transplant.¡± Tang Xi bit her lip hard, ¡°Um, my mother now...¡± ¡°Her condition is very serious, if she doesn¡¯t get a transplant, she won¡¯t make it through the month.¡± But a kidney transplant would cost at least 500,000 yuan. Tang Shiyue swayed slightly, his fists clenched as he knelt on the ground and cried, ¡°Doctor, please, I beg you to save my mother.¡± He looked at Tang Xi, ¡°Sister...what do we do...¡± At that moment, it was as if the sky had collapsed. Tang Jingyun was taken to the intensive care unit. Tang Xi, dressed in a sterile gown, entered and knelt by the bed, holding Tang Jingyun¡¯s hand. The woman¡¯s eyes were closed tightly, and various tubes were inserted into her body to sustain her life. ¡°Tang Mom... I won¡¯t let you be in danger, I will definitely save you.¡± Since she was little, it was only by Tang Jingyun¡¯s side that she felt warmth, and she had always treated Tang Shiyue like her own brother. After walking out of the intensive care unit, she saw the boy sitting on the ground outside the door; she bent down and took Tang Shiyue¡¯s hand, ¡°Shiyue, you go to class first, leave this to your sister.¡± The boy¡¯s voice was choked, ¡°Sister...is mom really...going to die?¡± ¡°No, she won¡¯t!¡± Tang Xi¡¯s voice was trembling but firm, ¡°Your sister won¡¯t let anything happen to mom. Leave the surgery expenses to me. You go to class first, the college entrance exam is coming, and you can¡¯t fall behind. If mom wakes up, she would definitely want you to focus and do well on next month¡¯s exam.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± It seemed as if the boy had suddenly grown up. Tang Shiyue wiped away his tears, ¡°Okay, I¡¯m heading to school now.¡± Tang Xi stayed at the entrance of the intensive care unit for a while, then went to the doctor¡¯s office. ¡°We need a kidney transplant. I hope Dr. Xu can keep an eye out for a suitable donor and notify me... I... I will find a way to raise the money.¡± She left the traditional medicine hospital. The sunlight fell on her, but she couldn¡¯t feel any warmth. Walking somewhat numbly along the road, she didn¡¯t know how long she had walked when she took a deep breath, calmed down, and went to the bank to gather all the money from several cards into one account. Looking at the amount, the 500,000 RMB needed for the transplant surgery seemed as unreachable as climbing to the sky... Let alone 500,000, she couldn¡¯t even come up with 100,000 right now. Tang Xi sat on a bench by the roadside, unable to hold back her tears; she didn¡¯t know what more she could do. Was she just going to watch her loved one leave this world? A profound sense of helplessness swept over her. For a week straight, Tang Xi worked during the day and sought various part-time jobs at night. Any exhausting work was acceptable. Ruan Youqing felt some pity for her, but she didn¡¯t have much money herself. After receiving her salary, she sent it to her boyfriend and only had thirty to forty thousand left, which she took out and gave to Tang Xi. In the noodle shop, eating her noodles, Tang Xi¡¯s eyes reddened, ¡°Youqing, thank you.¡± ¡°What¡¯s there to thank for? We¡¯re friends, aren¡¯t we?¡± Tang Xi lowered her head as tears still uncontrollably flowed down. Ruan Youqing said, ¡°After we finish eating, we¡¯ll work part-time together tonight. Tomorrow¡¯s Sunday, I¡¯ll accompany you. Aren¡¯t you going to work part-time at the amusement park?¡± ¡°Mhm.¡± The next morning at eight o¡¯clock, Tang Xi and Ruan Youqing arrived at the amusement park. By the end of April, it was gradually getting hotter, and few wanted to wear mascot costumes to work there, so the amusement park usually hired temporary part-time staff. The salary was settled daily and charged by the hour, which was convenient for Tang Xi who was short on cash. She and Ruan Youqing changed into their mascot costumes. ¡°Sister Xu knows you need money. These past few days, the amusement park started a new game called the venting mascot. Wearing a mascot costume, you cross a balance beam while people throw sandbags at the mascot, a hundred bucks for an hour.¡± That much? Without hesitation, Tang Xi nodded immediately. After putting on a bulky penguin outfit, Sister Xu led her to the venue, a square sandbox with a balance beam set up over it, only wide enough to walk on one foot at a time. Guests buy sandbags to throw at the mascot, using this act to vent their emotions. ¡°Little Tang, our safety measures here are pretty good. The bottom is filled with sand; even if you fall, it won¡¯t hurt too much. If you do fall, you have to climb back up quickly so as not to delay the guests¡¯ fun, alright?¡± ¡°Got it.¡± Tang Xi stood on the balance beam, walking cautiously. A sandbag hit her from behind, and she staggered for a moment, but steadied herself. A few boys threw their sandbags at her. ¡°Come on, hit the penguin!¡± ¡°This penguin is so clumsy, knock it down!¡± A barrage of sandbags came flying, and though she wore the thick mascot costume, it was still painful and also very hot. Tang Xi struggled to catch her breath. She couldn¡¯t dodge, and several times she was knocked down into the sand. But she got up and walked back onto the balance beam. More and more guests came to play the game, Throwing sandbags to vent the anger from their lives. The force was very strong. Sweat damped her hair, uncomfortably sticking to her cheeks. Falling multiple times off the balance beam, her body bruised in shades of blue and purple, she still quickly climbed back up. The surrounding laughter, urging her to get up again, was suffocating, and it took her a few minutes to gather herself before slowly standing up. ¡°Yi, Tingzhou, what¡¯s this? It looks fun.¡± Tang Xi, trembling on the balance beam, lifted her gaze. Through the sweat before her eyes, she saw two familiar figures approaching fuzzily. Su Mengshu stood demurely beside Fu Tingzhou. She seemed to want to maintain her image as a lady, ¡°This staff member looks so pitiful.¡± Countless sandbags flew towards Tang Xi, and her movements on the balance beam appeared clumsy. As she moved, her eyes again fell on the figures of Su Mengshu and Fu Tingzhou, and a sense of powerlessness mixed with discomfort flooded her chest. She bit her lip hard, tasting the blood between her teeth. A chasm apart; is this the disparity? Suddenly, a sandbag hit her hard on the head¡ª Tang Xi fell sharply off the beam. Chapter 17 - 17 17 Deceived by Her Illusions ?17: Chapter 17: Deceived by Her Illusions 17: Chapter 17: Deceived by Her Illusions A wave of dizziness overwhelmed her, and her ears rang. It seemed like she couldn¡¯t catch her breath, her eyes were failing her, and at this moment, she was truly exhausted. Sweat melted into her eyes. She lay in the sand, hearing tourists around her vaguely saying. ¡°Is everything okay? Was anything damaged?¡± ¡°My god, did it hit her head?¡± She clenched her fist tightly, not looking at Fu Tingzhou and Su Mengshu anymore, Tang Xi, your life is like this log bridge, no matter how difficult, you must go on. Staff members helped her up. Tang Xi took off her clothes backstage in the resting room, feeling as though she had just emerged from water, panting heavily, like a fish out of water, her arms and spine aching unbearably. Sister Xu walked in, ¡°Little Tang, you only worked for a little over two hours. Here¡¯s 200 yuan, I can¡¯t give you more. I know you¡¯re desperate for money. If there¡¯s a chance to earn money in the future, I¡¯ll arrange something for you.¡± ¡°Thank you, sister.¡± Tang Xi¡¯s pale lips accepted the two banknotes. Watching Sister Xu about to leave, Tang Xi couldn¡¯t bear the pain in her body and quickly said, ¡°Sister Xu, I¡¯m also free this afternoon...¡± Sister Xu looked at the pale face of the young woman in front of her and frowned, ¡°You... take a rest for a bit.¡± She grew anxious, ¡°Sister Xu, I really can do it.¡± ¡°All right, then you rest a bit, have lunch, and in the afternoon, you¡¯ll still be doing the venting doll job, taking turns with Xiao Liu.¡± After a quick bath, Tang Xi changed her clothes, resisted the dizziness in her head, went outside, got a boxed lunch, took a couple of bites, and then vomited it out in disgust. Reluctantly, she went to buy the cheapest bottle of mineral water from the vending machine. Only after drinking several gulps did she feel a bit better. Suddenly, she noticed two familiar figures not far away. Su Mengshu was arm-in-arm with Fu Tingzhou, walking over slowly, chatting and laughing. Tang Xi immediately turned around and walked in the opposite direction. Su Mengshu raised her eyes and saw the back of Tang Xi. She gritted her teeth. Looking at Fu Tingzhou, she realized that the man was also watching that direction. This damn Tang Xi! She cursed silently in her heart, ¡°Tingzhou, what are you looking at... oh my, that back looks so familiar, it seems like Xixi. This morning, I told Xixi that you would accompany me to the amusement park, I didn¡¯t expect Xixi to be here too.¡± Fu Tingzhou, ¡°Mengshu, what¡¯s your relationship with your sister... like?¡± ¡°Ah... this...¡± Su Mengshu hesitated, then her eyes reddened slightly, ¡°Actually, my relationship with Xixi isn¡¯t that great. Mom and dad dote on her a lot and feel much guilt towards her. So, at home, as the older sister, I always give in to her, but ever since we were kids, she never behaved. Whatever I had, she wanted too, and if she didn¡¯t have it, she¡¯d take it away... Even when she was little, she stole mom¡¯s jewelry to sell for money and hung out with unsavory boys from school. You know, the Su Family is nothing in North City... If it weren¡¯t for our chance meeting and getting through the earthquake together, I wouldn¡¯t be standing by your side...¡± Su Mengshu deliberately concocted this story. She just wanted to slander Tang Xi, afraid that Fu Tingzhou would genuinely take an interest in Tang Xi, more afraid that Fu Tingzhou would find out she was an imposter, ¡°After Tang Xi found out about us, she became very jealous. You shouldn¡¯t be fooled by her usual gentle and innocent appearance... it¡¯s all a facade. She just pretends to be kind and innocent to deceive everyone, even Cheng Yunlang has been deceived by her facade...¡± She bit her lip, ¡°I know she¡¯s my sister, and I shouldn¡¯t talk about her behind her back, but I¡¯m scared...¡± The man¡¯s voice was calm, without a ripple, ¡°Scared of what?¡± ¡°She... she¡¯s also secretly setting her sights on you...¡± Su Mengshu clutched Fu Tingzhou, ¡°Tingzhou, I love you, but if you also like my sister, I will let go. I will adhere to your wishes... I won¡¯t be a woman who clings desperately.¡± Su Mengshu intentionally strategized to retreat as a means of advancing. Men all like such understanding women, especially in a prominent family like the Fu family, where Fu Tingzhou is surrounded by distinguished ladies. Su Mengshu purposefully acted this way. The man frowned, ¡°What did you say.¡± He steadied Su Mengshu¡¯s shoulders, and as he saw her tearful appearance, the man said, ¡°Don¡¯t think nonsense in the future, and don¡¯t talk recklessly either.¡± Su Mengshu turned her tears into laughter, ¡°Mhm.¡± Fu Tingzhou¡¯s brows furrowed, ¡°She¡¯s too scheming, you and your sister should keep a certain distance from now on.¡± Su Mengshu blinked her eyes, trying hard to appear innocent and pure, ¡°Mhm....¡± ¨C Tang Xi had been working for an additional two hours that afternoon, and she really couldn¡¯t hold on any longer. Her body was tense as a bowstring, as if it was going to snap at any moment. Seeing her face so pale, Ruan Youqing got a fright. ¡°I know you¡¯re anxious to raise money for Dean Tang, but you can¡¯t ignore your own health. If you go on like this, you¡¯ll collapse.¡± Her lips pale, she murmured, ¡°There¡¯s not much time left...¡± Ruan Youqing embraced her with heartache. Leaning in Ruan Youqing¡¯s arms, Tang Xi slowly closed her eyes, taking a brief rest. It was past nine o¡¯clock when she got home that evening. In the living room, Xia Minjun¡¯s voice was filled with laughter, ¡°What did you say? Fu Tingzhou agreed to attend the jewelry exhibition? Oh my god, darling you¡¯re amazing.¡± Su Mengshu wore a smile, ¡°Of course, I am his girlfriend after all.¡± Xia Minjun said, ¡°Your dad invited him twice, and it was like throwing a stone into the ocean. Turns out, it was better coming from you. You¡¯re so devoted to him... maybe before long, you¡¯ll be the young mistress of the Fu Family...¡± She quickly looked at Su Kangrong, ¡°Old Su, look at how impressive our daughter is.¡± Su Kangrong also smiled, ¡°Mengshu, you must seize this opportunity, there¡¯s no better catch than the third young master of the Fu Family.¡± ¡°I know.¡± Su¡¯s Jewelry is a small jewelry company in North City, with a net profit of only ten to twenty million a year. In the entire North City business district, it¡¯s a rather low-tier existence. Tang Xi hesitantly approached Su Kangrong, ¡°Dad... I want to borrow some money from you.¡± ¡°Borrow money?¡± Before Su Kangrong could reply, Xia Minrui expressed dissatisfaction, ¡°Tang Xi, our family has provided for your food, drink, and schooling, we¡¯ve already given enough. And now you still want to borrow money, do you really see our family as an ATM?¡± ¡°I will borrow, and I will repay it.¡± ¡°Repay? How will you repay?¡± Xia Minjun rolled her eyes, ¡°You earn only a few thousand a month from your internship, Old Su, I¡¯ve always said this girl is an ingrate.¡± Su Kangrong frowned, ¡°Enough Minjun... Xi is also our daughter.¡± He looked at Tang Xi, ¡°Xi, tell dad how much money you want to borrow.¡± Tang Xi quickly said, pleadingly, ¡°Dad, Dean Tang¡¯s illness can¡¯t wait any longer, now the only option is a kidney transplant. We¡¯ve already contacted a kidney source and it¡¯s estimated to cost five hundred thousand. The doctor says the surgery must be done this month. I can write an IOU and repay the amount in regular monthly installments.¡± After contemplating for a moment, Su Kangrong said, ¡°Tang Xi, I have a card here for you, there¡¯s fifty thousand in it, you can use it for the emergency. Dad has recently invested in a new jadeite mine, and all the money is tied up in it. We can only circulate funds after the initial sale.¡± ¡°Thank you... Dad...¡± Tang Xi took the card, clutching it tightly. But the sense of helplessness became even heavier. Chapter 18 - 18 18 Tang Xi Its Actually You! ?18: Chapter 18: Tang Xi, It¡¯s Actually You! 18: Chapter 18: Tang Xi, It¡¯s Actually You! The next morning, Tang Xi went to the mobile service hall and got a new SIM card. She visited a used electronics market, looking for a cheap mobile phone to use temporarily. Being without a mobile phone really wasn¡¯t an option. ¡°Sir, I just need a phone that can make calls and send texts,¡± she said. The shop owner frowned at Tang Xi, ¡°Where can you find such outdated phones these days? Take this model, it¡¯s 70 percent new. I¡¯ll give you a discount.¡± ¡°Thank you, sir.¡± Tang Xi inserted her SIM card and powered on the phone. Tang Xi opened the WeChat group. She knew a woman named Sister Li who often posted part-time job opportunities in the group. After a busy afternoon, Tang Xi arrived at South Mountain Hall in the evening. She changed into a waiter¡¯s uniform. Inside the changing room were young ladies around Tang Xi¡¯s age, some with familiar faces, often recognizing each other from part-time work here. ¡°Tang Xi, you¡¯re working tonight too? What a coincidence,¡± said a quietly beautiful young girl greeting Tang Xi. Tang Xi smiled, ¡°Yeah, I have the day off.¡± The young lady was Yu Na, a junior at a university in North City. Due to her mother¡¯s illness, Yu Na had been working part-time to pay for her tuition and her mother¡¯s medical bills. Seeing Yu Na reminded Tang Xi of herself four years prior, in the same situation. Tonight, Tang Xi was assigned to a private room with a class reunion, about 20 people, and they didn¡¯t leave until around eleven. Tang Xi and Yu Na cleaned up the trash, tidied the private room, got a signature from the supervisor, and received their pay for the evening. Yu Na bit her lip, ¡°Supervisor... about what you said last time... does it still stand?¡± The supervisor smiled, ¡°Of course. Have you thought it through?¡± Yu Na¡¯s face was very pale, and after what seemed like a struggle, she finally nodded, ¡°Yeah.¡± Tang Xi was taken aback, realizing something, and called out to Yu Na. Yu Na looked at Tang Xi, with a numb expression in her eyes, ¡°Tang Xi, you don¡¯t understand... I can¡¯t carry on... My mom is not going to make it... late-stage liver cancer, she will die without imported medicine... it¡¯s a painful way to go.¡± Tang Xi clenched her fists tightly, opening her mouth as she certainly understood Yu Na¡¯s feelings. The supervisor nodded and then turned to Tang Xi, ¡°Little Tang, you should consider it too. I know you need money, what¡¯s the use of dignity for the poor?¡± Seeing Tang Xi just lowering her head without any reaction, the supervisor didn¡¯t press further and left with Yu Na. Tang Xi walked out of South Mountain Hall. That night, she arrived at the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital. She spent the night with Tang Jingyun, who was still lying in the ICU, unconscious. Tang Xi sat down on the hallway¡¯s rest chair. The hospital at night, especially near the ICU, was very quiet. Almost everyone inside was critically ill, and the families outside seemed to have become numb to how serious the conditions were, their faces devoid of expression. It became slightly cool as the sky began to brighten. Tang Xi was awakened by a series of hurried footsteps. Then came crying and resuscitation sounds. Tang Xi opened her eyes and glanced at her phone¡ªit was around 4:30 in the morning. A patient from the ICU had suddenly collapsed and was being resuscitated, while their family collapsed to the floor crying. Tang Xi stood up, the crying in the silent hallway was chilling. She walked over, and the relatives, a husband and wife, were supporting each other in tears. Tang Xi recognized them; their patient, the wife¡¯s mother, shared a room with Tang Jingyun and suffered also from late-stage uremia. She had just been declared beyond help... Tang Xi felt a chill down her spine. She stepped back twice and leaned against the wall, as if she had lost all her strength. She did not want, did not want Tang Jingyun to end the same way... Around 8 a.m., Tang Shiyue arrived, bringing a breakfast of soy milk and a plain steamed bun for her. ¡°Sis, I don¡¯t have classes today. Let me stay here with mom so you can rest,¡± he said. ¡°Okay, call me if anything comes up. I¡¯ve changed my number and will send it to you on WeChat,¡± Tang Xi replied. Tang Xi went to the hospital, proceeded with the usual routine¡ªmorning meetings, rounds, reviewing patient records, and as Zhang Tinghua¡¯s right hand, took part in open-chest surgery. During the lunch break, Tang Xi was exhausted but couldn¡¯t fall asleep. When she closed her eyes, all she could think about were the wails from early that morning. She went out, bought some fruit, and took it to visit Qin Jianlan. Qin Jianlan was still the same, in a coma. Rong Auntie kept persuading Tang Xi to get along well with Fu Tingzhou, but Tang Xi just smiled, ¡°Rong Auntie, I... I¡¯ve changed my number. I¡¯ll let you know in advance when I come to visit Auntie Qin. If Mr. Fu is also here, just remind me so I can avoid him.¡± Chapter 19 - 19 18 Tang Xi Its Actually You!_2 ?19: Chapter 18: Tang Xi, It¡¯s Actually You!_2 19: Chapter 18: Tang Xi, It¡¯s Actually You!_2 She spent half an hour in the hospital room, giving Qin Jianlan a massage while he was still in a coma; although he was unconscious, the regular care could not be neglected. Upon seeing this, Auntie Rong sighed to herself, wondering how such a good and kind young mistress could be so disfavored by the young master... Soon, Tang Xi left. Qin Jianlan was also in the First Hospital, but their wards were not on the same floor; after crossing a garden, Tang Xi returned to the thoracic surgery ward. ¨C One o¡¯clock in the afternoon. Qin Jianlan¡¯s hospital room. Fu Tingzhou looked at the pastries on the bedside table and asked, ¡°Did someone come to visit mother?¡± Auntie Rong replied hesitantly, ¡°I...this....¡± She stuttered, afraid of provoking Fu Tingzhou¡¯s displeasure. After all, the last time the young mistress and young master had parted on bad terms. Fu Tingzhou¡¯s face darkened, seemingly knowing who had come. He said to Xu Ze, ¡°Throw it out.¡± Auntie Rong hurriedly intervened, ¡°Young master... you misunderstood the young mistress, she really is a very kind girl. During these three years you were abroad, she almost came every week, helping to change madam¡¯s dressings and wipe her body, assisting me in taking care of the lady...¡± ¡°If she is as kind-hearted as you say, she wouldn¡¯t have forced my mother, demanding that I marry her.¡± ¡°Since she often comes, you should have her contact information. Tell her to pick a time to get the divorce.¡± These past few days, he tried contacting her, but found her phone was switched off all the time; he figured she probably didn¡¯t want the divorce and was intentionally dragging it out. Auntie Rong was alarmed, ¡°This... how could you, young master...¡± ¡°If the lady wakes up, she would be heartbroken. Everything the lady does is for your benefit, young master. The young mistress is kind-hearted and a good match for you.¡± ¡°It seems Auntie Rong that you¡¯ve been caring for my mother for so long that you¡¯ve grown senile. Since you like that woman so much, as of today, you can resign. I will arrange for a professional nurse to take care of my mother.¡± Auntie Rong knew that the young master¡¯s orders were not to be changed. Clenching her teeth, she said, ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll contact the young mistress for you... but please reconsider, young master.¡± Under Fu Tingzhou¡¯s gaze, Auntie Rong had no choice but to call Tang Xi. The call was just connected. Fu Tingzhou directly said in an indifferent and nonnegotiable tone, ¡°Tomorrow morning at ten, the Civil Affairs Bureau. Let¡¯s get divorced.¡± Tang Xi was startled, seemingly not expecting Fu Tingzhou to call her using Auntie Rong¡¯s phone. ¡°I have to work tomorrow, and rest on Friday.¡± ¡°All this talk, isn¡¯t it just about the money? Name your price.¡± All these talks about work were excuses. He¡¯d called her multiple times with no answer; she was obviously avoiding him just to stay in the position of Mrs. Fu for the money. Tang Xi clenched her phone. Her lips suddenly turned pale. After half a minute, she took a deep breath, ¡°Fine... I...¡± She gritted her teeth, ¡°500,000.¡± With this, mom Tang could be saved. Fu Tingzhou knew it; this woman was dodging him everywhere just to ask for more money. Now her true colors were shown, and he felt disgusted, ¡°Fine, if I don¡¯t see you at the entrance of the Civil Affairs Bureau tomorrow, you¡¯re dead!¡± After hanging up, he looked at Auntie Rong, ¡°You see clearly now, haven¡¯t you? This is the kind-hearted woman you talked about?¡± This woman, with her guise of kindness, had been fooling his mother completely. All for money! The next morning. Having just finished her night shift, Tang Xi raised her hand, rubbing her sore neck. After changing her clothes, she prepared to have breakfast and rush to the Civil Affairs Bureau. Her phone started to ring. It was from Su Mengshu. She didn¡¯t answer. After the phone rang three times, she finally picked up, ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Just reminding you not to forget, to deposit blood for me.¡± Tang Xi¡¯s fingers clenched tightly, she took a deep breath and hung up the phone. One last time, Tang Xi, this is the last time. After today, she would be free. After the divorce, and getting the money for mom Tang¡¯s kidney transplant, she would submit her papers to apply for the university¡¯s study abroad program, leave North City and leave the Su Family. After signing the voluntary blood donation agreement, Tang Xi arrived at the blood station; the female nurse who drew her blood recognized her, ¡°You¡¯ve been coming here quite frequently, at this rate, you¡¯ll break down.¡± Tang Xi smiled faintly, as if seeing the morning sun. Her pale cheeks had shallow dimples, but it was a happy smile, ¡°In the future, I probably won¡¯t be coming anymore.¡± As the needle entered the vein in her arm, Tang Xi looked at her arm, bruised with marks from multiple punctures, looking somewhat frightful. Finally, she could be free. After being Su Mengshu¡¯s walking blood bank for 15 years, she finally saw the light. As she walked out of the blood donation station, Tang Xi¡¯s steps were a bit unsteady; she raised her hand to her forehead, suppressing waves of dizziness, and raised her head to look at the sky. The weather in May wasn¡¯t too hot, but Tang Xi felt wrapped in the warmth of liberation. Indulging herself today, she took a taxi to the Civil Affairs Bureau. She had arrived only two minutes earlier when a black luxury business car slowly approached. After the car stopped, Fu Tingzhou got out. He looked at Tang Xi, and his expression noticeably changed for an instant. Tang Xi stood straight, looking at him, with pale lips and a faint smile, a smile of liberation, ¡°Let¡¯s go in.¡± He seemed somewhat astonished, and after a few seconds, the surprise on the man¡¯s face turned into shock, his icy eyes filled with tempestuous rage. Tang Xi stood tall, ¡°You set the appointment for Wednesday, and here I am.¡± Xu Ze was even more shocked, mouth agape. The young mistress was... Tang Xi? My God! This!! He had investigated before, finding that the young mistress was an orphan girl from a welfare institute that had been personally assisted by the lady, surnamed Tang. He could never have imagined that this person was Tang Xi? Fu Tingzhou¡¯s face showed cracks, veins on his forehead bulging, his hands clenched into fists, as if gritting his teeth, he murmured the name, ¡°Tang Xi, it¡¯s you?¡± Chapter 20 - 20 19 Miracle Appears Qin Jianlan Awakens ?20: Chapter 19: Miracle Appears, Qin Jianlan Awakens 20: Chapter 19: Miracle Appears, Qin Jianlan Awakens The thing he hated most in life was deception! At this moment, staring at the woman in front of him, he was trying his best to suppress his emotions, but the bulging veins on his forehead betrayed him. Fu Tingzhou had never imagined that his secretly married wife of three years was Tang Xi! The sister of Su Mengshu, Tang Xi! They had just met not long ago! He had been completely fooled by this woman! The man looked at her with a dark expression, as if his heart could not calm down for a long time, and his eyes carried a deep loathing. No wonder, no wonder she was capable of deceiving his mother. A fair and slender hand passed over a card, ¡°500,000, transfer it to my card.¡± Fu Tingzhou watched Tang Xi, very good, she¡¯s really gutsy, this woman still dared to ask him for money. He reached out and grabbed her wrist. Tang Xi only felt as if her hand bone was about to be crushed by this man. Her eyes reddened slightly, ¡°It hurts...¡± A bloodthirsty chill flashed in the man¡¯s eyes, ¡°The thing I hate most in life is deception, Tang Xi, I will not let you off.¡± Tang Xi was in such pain that her face turned pale, ¡°500,000!¡± She met his gaze, unyielding. She saw the man¡¯s face dark and turbulent as if about to erupt, but her eyes still showed no fear, obstinate and stubborn, ¡°We had an agreement, the money.¡± Xu Ze watched Fu Tingzhou¡¯s fury and secretly felt alarmed, this young mistress really was lost in greed. Even at this time, she was still mentioning the 500,000. After a long while, Fu Tingzhou let go of her hand, as if in disgust, he took out a handkerchief to wipe his phone. He strode into the Civil Affairs Bureau. And Tang Xi followed behind, she moved her wrist, feeling excruciating pain, the look this man just gave her was as if he truly wished her dead, she checked her wrist, it wasn¡¯t broken, but it was injured and probably needed half a month to recover. The two were in line. At this time, Tang Xi¡¯s phone rang. She glanced at it and saw it was a call from Aunt Rong, but she didn¡¯t answer. Two seconds later, Fu Tingzhou¡¯s phone rang. ¡°Hello?¡± The voice of Aunt Rong sounded panicked on the other end, ¡°Young master, the madam!! The madam has had an accident, come quickly!¡± Tang Xi beside the man also heard it, her face turned white. Qin Jianlan had an accident! Tang Xi followed Fu Tingzhou in a rush to the hospital. Inside the ward, doctors and nurses surrounded her. Upon seeing Fu Tingzhou and Tang Xi arrive, Aunt Rong hurriedly said, ¡°The madam is awake, the madam is awake!!¡± What? A smile appeared on Tang Xi¡¯s face, Aunt Qin is awake. A miracle occurred. She knew it, Aunt Qin did so many good deeds, and finally, she saw light. She was sincerely happy. The doctor had also finished examining Qin Jianlan and walked over to Fu Tingzhou, ¡°Mr. Fu, let¡¯s talk about your mother¡¯s condition outside.¡± Outside in the corridor, Fu Tingzhou frowned, ¡°How is my mother?¡± ¡°The situation with Madam Qin is that her body is very weak, but waking up is truly a miracle. However, in order to bring her condition under control, she must undergo surgery again, otherwise, her life will be in danger.¡± Fu Tingzhou, ¡°When is the surgery?¡± ¡°Madam Qin¡¯s current physical condition has not yet recovered. She needs to be in the best state after recuperating for three months before surgery can be performed. But in these three months, she must not be subjected to any major emotional fluctuations and needs to rest.¡± ¨C Inside the hospital room. Tang Xi looked at the emaciated figure on the bed, her eyes reddening. She walked to the bed, knelt down, and took Qin Jianlan¡¯s hand. Qin Jianlan had been in a coma for three years, and her senses were now slowly coming back to her. She looked at the familiar figure before her, ¡°Xiao Xi...¡± Qin Jianlan tried hard to grip Tang Xi¡¯s hand. She hadn¡¯t thought that she would be able to open her eyes again... ¡°Aunt Qin,¡± Tang Xi choked up, ¡°It¡¯s me.¡± Qin Jianlan struggled to prop herself up, wanting to sit, and Tang Xi helped her by placing a pillow behind her back. Qin Jianlan felt a bit more comfortable. Having been in a coma for so long, her fingers were still numb, and her speech was not fluent. Fu Tingzhou walked into the hospital room and saw Qin Jianlan holding Tang Xi¡¯s hand, chatting warmly, while Tang Xi¡¯s profile was docile, occasionally nodding with a faint smile. This obedient appearance was starkly different from the indifferent face demanding money from him not long ago, as if she were two different people. In front of her mother, she really knew how to pretend! Fu Tingzhou approached, ¡°Mom...¡± ¡°Tingzhou...¡± Qin Jianlan looked at her son. Having not seen each other for three years, the thing she couldn¡¯t let go of the most when she chose the procedures was Fu Tingzhou. The woman slowly lifted her trembling hand, and Fu Tingzhou bent down, his cheek pressed against her hand, his voice gentle, ¡°Mom... Tingzhou is here.¡± Qin Jianlan took Fu Tingzhou¡¯s hand, and then took Tang Xi¡¯s hand, bringing their hands together. With a hoarse and struggling voice, the woman said, ¡°Good... children, seeing you... together, Mom... is at ease.¡± The man¡¯s hand, dry and warm, covered the back of her hand. In that moment, Tang Xi felt as though an electric current had passed through her; her fingertips trembled lightly. Tang Xi lightly pursed her lips, her gaze flitting over to his profile. His other face was bathed in the light from outside the window. It made her see him indistinctly. Tang Xi said, ¡°Aunt Qin, the most important thing for you now is to rest well and recover your health.¡± ¡°Silly child, are you... still calling me aunt?¡± Qin Jianlan looked at her affectionately. Tang Xi paused. Not to call her aunt... To call her... But by what title should she do so? Although she and Fu Tingzhou hadn¡¯t gotten a divorce yet, the end of this absurd marriage was an inevitability. Fu Tingzhou¡¯s voice was gentle and husky. His other hand held Tang Xi¡¯s shoulder lightly but firmly. He said to Qin Jianlan, ¡°Mom, you¡¯ve just woken up, and Tang Xi is too thrilled. Isn¡¯t that right, Tang Xi?¡± He looked at her, his eyes warning. Tang Xi nodded and softly said, ¡°Mom...¡± Qin Jianlan smiled, ¡°Xiao Xi, Tingzhou, my greatest wish is to see the two of you well together. Come and tell me about what has happened these three years...¡± Fu Tingzhou¡¯s phone rang once. He glanced at the caller ID and said, ¡°Mom, I¡¯m going out to take a call.¡± Qin Jianlan nodded her head. Tang Xi lifted her eyes, her clear pupils sweeping over the departing figure of the man. Just now, she had unintentionally seen it. The caller ID read, ¡°Mengshu.¡± Tang Xi lowered her gaze and began telling Qin Jianlan about the events of the past few years. Outside the hospital room, Fu Tingzhou knitted his brows slightly, ¡°I have a meeting this Friday.¡± On the other end, Su Mengshu¡¯s voice was soft and tender, ¡°Tingzhou, you had promised to come to our family¡¯s jewelry exhibition before. If it disturbs you, I¡¯m really sorry, but I... and my parents are waiting for you. It¡¯s also fine if you come late.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll talk about it when the time comes.¡± He hung up the call and went back into the hospital room. Watching Tang Xi sitting by the bed, gently helping Qin Jianlan with her breathing, with movements delicate and tone gentle, a complex emotion flickered in the man¡¯s eyes. This woman, whom he loathed, could so easily make his mother happy with her obedient and sensible fac?ade in front of her. Watching his mother¡¯s joyful smile, Fu Tingzhou¡¯s expression softened for a few seconds. There was nothing more important than his mother¡¯s health right now. As for this woman¡¯s issues, he would settle the score slowly with her! Chapter 21 - 21 20 Three Months Later Get Out of North City ?21: Chapter 20: Three Months Later, Get Out of North City 21: Chapter 20: Three Months Later, Get Out of North City ¡°Mom, you¡¯ve just awakened and need a good rest,¡± he said as he walked over to support Qin Jianlan, helping her to lie down smoothly. Qin Jianlan clutched her son¡¯s hand, instructing him, ¡°Tingzhou, take Tang Xi back home.¡± Tang Xi knew that this man detested her too much to bother sending her anywhere. She quickly said with a smile to Qin Jianlan, ¡°...Mom, I¡¯m a doctor, I forgot to mention, I work at this hospital. I can come to see you every day from now on...¡± Qin Jianlan¡¯s face carried a smile, ¡°Tang Xi is now a doctor, that¡¯s wonderful...¡± From childhood till now, the few moments of warmth Tang Xi had experienced came from Tang Jingyun and Qin Jianlan. At this moment, looking at Qin Jianlan¡¯s kind and gentle face and feeling her heartfelt praise, she suddenly felt a lump in her throat. Medicine was her beloved career, she labored for her passion, she had never received even the slightest praise or support from the cold Su Family. Now, feeling choked up, Tang Xi fought hard to hold it back. Fu Tingzhou approached her, a hand resting on her shoulder, his voice gentle, ¡°Let¡¯s go, I¡¯ll take you to your department. Don¡¯t disturb Mom¡¯s rest.¡± Tang Xi only felt her shoulder sink. His movement carried a coercive force, the moment they stepped out of the ward and closed the door. The man¡¯s face darkened. The gentleness was replaced by indifference and disgust. He pulled Tang Xi along for a few steps, until they reached the end of the corridor. His gaze was cold yet piercing, causing her to shiver while also feeling a scalding sensation. Tang Xi took a deep breath, ¡°It¡¯s great that Aunt Qin has woken up, but rest assured, I won¡¯t... I won¡¯t refuse to divorce you. It¡¯s already noon, the civil affairs bureau is closed, we can go in the afternoon.¡± ¡°How would I know, once we divorce, that you won¡¯t come to my mother¡¯s ward afterward to cry and complain?¡± Tang Xi didn¡¯t expect him to distrust her so much, she hesitated, ¡°I... I won¡¯t....¡± Suddenly, he grasped her chin fiercely, ¡°Do you think I would still trust you?¡± He gazed at the pale, delicate face of the woman before him, which in his heart no longer held the previous image of innocence and kindness. How could he have imagined that the woman his mother had handed over to him would actually be Tang Xi? And this woman, watching him be together with Su Mengshu, still managed to pretend so innocent and pure... Agreeing to divorce without claiming a penny. Then immediately becoming greedy, asking for 500,000, every step seemingly like playing hard to get, just to raise the bargaining chip higher. Latter asking for 1 million, 2 million! He had been taken for a fool by a woman. Brother-in-law, huh.... When she called him brother-in-law, in her heart, she probably had already calculated how to use this relationship to threaten him for money! Fu Tingzhou¡¯s hand, gripping her chin, slowly exerted force, his voice hoarse as it landed on her face, ¡°Tang Xi, you listen to me! My mother needs to undergo heart surgery in three months, she has just awoken and cannot stand any stimulation. I do not wish for our divorce to upset her. If you want to be Mrs. Fu, I¡¯ll indulge you, we¡¯ll divorce three months from now. But don¡¯t get carried away, during these three months I won¡¯t acknowledge you, nor will I touch you.¡± A second heart surgery after three months? Tang Xi was slightly shocked. As a doctor, she naturally understood the risks of this surgery; an operation three years ago had left Aunt Qin in a coma until today. She naturally hoped for Aunt Qin¡¯s good health. Bearing the pain, she furrowed her brows lightly, ¡°You mean, delay the divorce... alright, rest assured, I won¡¯t tell Aunt Qin.¡± She wished more than anyone for Aunt Qin to be healthy. She didn¡¯t need this man in front of her to trust her or not. But looking at the fury and disgust in his eyes, Tang Xi still felt a sting in her heart. This relationship should have been the closest one between them. Fu Tingzhou released her chin, his eyes sweeping impassively over her face. He took out a handkerchief from his pocket, wiped his hands as if disgusted, and threw the handkerchief into the trash bin. Tang Xi¡¯s breath caught... Watching his retreating figure, Tang Xi bit her lip and couldn¡¯t help but softly call out, ¡°Fu Tingzhou...¡± The man paused mid-step, but did not turn around. Tang Xi quickly caught up to him, mustering all her courage, ¡°I... you, you promised me over the phone, as long as we divorce, you would give me 500,000...¡± Her voice was very small. Tang Xi¡¯s complexion was pale, but she had no other choice. Without this money, Mother Tang would be left to await death in the hospital. Fu Tingzhou sneered coldly, sure enough, a greedy woman who loves money... Looking at her simple and somewhat shabby clothes, her cuffs worn from frequent washing, she presented a picture of frugality. He remembered the first time he met her at the Su Family home, he gave her a card, and the next day she had spent four to five hundred thousand; ever since then, there were expenses every so often, all from luxury shops at Wanlong Mall... She is clearly the Su Family¡¯s spoiled daughter, often frequenting luxury stores and splurging. He recalled Mengshu saying Tang Xi often disguised her greedy nature with an innocent and humble appearance. Turns out it was true. Her previous disguise was too good, even deceiving herself. 500,000 is nothing to him, yet, he has no desire to give it to the woman before him. He would rather throw it to a beggar on the streets than give it to her. Now it¡¯s just the first day of three months, and she is already asking him for 500,000? Gradually she¡¯ll have the gall to use her mother to blackmail him for more! Such women, he had seen plenty. ¡°Tang Xi, I gave you so many chances, yet you did not cherish any of them.¡± In Fu Tingzhou¡¯s eyes, besides disgust, there was also a thick sense of disappointment. Tang Xi bit her lip hard, seeing that he was about to leave. She bravely, yet cautiously, clutched at his sleeve again. The woman¡¯s fingers were pale and taut, as if she was using her last ounce of strength to keep him there, ¡°Mr. Fu... I really, really need this money, I... I have a relative, she....¡± ¡°Are you about to say, you have a severely ill relative who will die without this money?¡± Fu Tingzhou¡¯s voice, filled with indifference, brutally interrupted her, the corner of his lips revealing a hint of mockery, ¡°So you can even come up with such a lame, cliche? excuse? Is this how you seduced Cheng Yunlang? Casting yourself as a pitiful character to win Cheng Yunlang¡¯s sympathy!¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t.¡± Tang Xi felt a pang in her heart. No matter what she said, the person before her didn¡¯t trust her. She didn¡¯t want to ask him for money... The original Tang Xi wanted to cleanly divorce him. She didn¡¯t want anything from him. But she hadn¡¯t anticipated Mother Tang¡¯s condition would suddenly worsen like this. With the only kidney source available, she had to seize the opportunity, ¡°Mr. Fu, I really need this money... I promise to behave and not cause you any trouble. After three months, once Auntie Qin has her surgery, we can divorce.¡± ¡°You promise, what can you assure me with?¡± Fu Tingzhou looked at her anxious expression, not understanding why he suddenly felt so irritable, and abruptly grabbed her shoulders, pinning her against the wall, ¡°Tang Xi! Do you know what you look like right now? It¡¯s disgusting. I agreed to give you 500,000, if you can make my mother happy during this time, maybe I can consider giving it to you in advance. After three months, get out of North City, never to reappear! If you dare show your face in this city, I¡¯ll make your life worse than death!¡± Having said that, he turned around and left. Tang Xi felt her shoulder bones as if they were about to shatter. Chapter 22 - 22 21 I Promise You ?22: Chapter 21: I Promise You 22: Chapter 21: I Promise You She looked at his ruthless silhouette, slowly, the woman squatted down along the wall. Tang Xi raised her hand to massage her brow. She had thought that meeting Fu Tingzhou today would mark the end of their marriage. She would get the money, treat her mother¡¯s illness, move out of the Su family, and submit her application to study abroad through the hospital. But now, everything was in disarray. ¨C Tang Xi had been visiting Qin Jianlan frequently these past few days, bringing her many books. Here with Qin Jianlan, she felt at ease, without any worries. Here, she could feel the warmth of family. In the blink of an eye, a week had passed, and Tang Xi had not seen Fu Tingzhou in these past few days. She vaguely knew from Qin Jianlan¡¯s words that Fu Tingzhou had gone to Jiang City, apparently to handle some issues with a company project. Tang Xi and he were a couple by agreement; she wouldn¡¯t naturally know... She also dared not delve deeper into this topic, afraid of giving away their actual relationship to Qin Jianlan. Sitting in the chair beside the hospital bed, she peeled an apple for Qin Jianlan, the peel as thin as blossoming flowers in her hands. ¡°Xixi, give Tingzhou a call and ask him when he will be back.¡± Tang Xi pursed her lips. Chopping the apple into small pieces, she placed them into a bowl and said, ¡°Mom, he might be busy now. Tingzhou is very dedicated to this project, I won¡¯t disturb him. I¡¯ll call him later when he finishes his work.¡± Tang Xi was afraid that if she called Fu Tingzhou, he wouldn¡¯t answer... Then, it might reveal to Aunt Qin that her relationship with Fu Tingzhou wasn¡¯t good... ¡°You are so sensible. Tingzhou is really lucky to have married you.¡±. ¡°It has been three years already, and there¡¯s still no news of pregnancy. Now that your job is stable and Tingzhou has taken over the Fu family, you two should start thinking about the future.¡± Tang Xi looked down, ¡°Mom... this, we can¡¯t rush it.¡± ¡°Why can¡¯t it be rushed? Mom is looking forward to holding a grandchild.¡± Qin Jianlan saw Tang Xi¡¯s cheeks turn red and took it as her being shy. Soon, it was noon. Qin Jianlan mentioned again that she should call Fu Tingzhou and ask when he would be back. Tang Xi knew if she refused again, it would arouse Qin Jianlan¡¯s suspicions. She bit her lower lip, pulled out her cell phone, and dialed Fu Tingzhou¡¯s number. Unexpectedly, the call connected. Tang Xi was stunned for a moment, not waiting for him to speak, she immediately said tenderly, ¡°Tingzhou, I¡¯m here with mom, have you had lunch?¡± After a silence of two seconds, a deep and husky male voice came from the other end, ¡°Mhm, I just finished eating. How is mom?¡± ¡°Mom is doing quite well, she was in good spirits today and ate a lot at lunch. The doctor said she¡¯s recovering nicely.¡± Tang Xi tightly clenched her fingers, trying hard to keep her voice steady, tender, and coquettishly sweet, ¡°When are you coming back? Both mom and I miss you. You¡¯ve been gone for a week. What work is keeping you so busy? When you¡¯re back, I will definitely drag you to go shopping and have you carry bags for me.¡± Because Qin Jianlan was right beside her. The hospital room was very quiet, Qin Jianlan could hear their conversation. ¡°Alright, alright, it¡¯s my fault.¡± The man¡¯s voice carried a slight laugh and warmth, ¡°I¡¯ll come back tomorrow.¡± His voice sounded in her ears, gentle with a laughing tone, huskily resonating against her eardrums. Tang Xi felt a bit dazed. She knew it was fake. It was a play he was cooperating with her in. But just now, she actually... Actually... had some hope that it would become real... Soon she denied herself internally, Tang Xi, stop dreaming. After hanging up the phone, Tang Xi also sighed with relief. She looked at Qin Jianlan, ¡°Tingzhou said he will be back tomorrow. Mom, don¡¯t worry about it. A man should be busy with his career, and as his wife, I support him fully.¡± ¡°I was not wrong about you; you are the most suitable for Tingzhou.¡± Qin Jianlan propped herself up with her arms, and Tang Xi helped her put a pillow behind her back so she could lean comfortably, Qin Jianlan held her hand, ¡°Xixi, promise mom no matter what happens in the future, always stay by Tingzhou¡¯s side, don¡¯t let him be alone.¡± Tang Xi¡¯s gaze was lowered. She was massaging Qin Jianlan¡¯s legs. Qin Jianlan had woken up, but due to prolonged unconsciousness, the blood supply to her legs was insufficient, and she still couldn¡¯t walk. She pursed her lips lightly. He won¡¯t be alone. He still has Su Mengshu. Tang Xi just said softly and weakly, ¡°Mom, he won¡¯t be alone.¡± She really wanted to avoid this topic. ¡°Actually, Tingzhou had a tough time growing up in the Fu Family. He must have told you about my situation. His father Fu Zongheng and I were each other¡¯s first love, but alas, we couldn¡¯t withstand his family¡¯s arranged marriage; he left me, marrying another distinguished lady, Cheng Xinyi. Tingzhou was actually a month older than the Fu Family¡¯s eldest son. I had just broken up with Zongheng when I found out I was pregnant with Tingzhou, and that woman also became pregnant shortly after. I was a single woman who gave up her studies to raise Tingzhou alone. Later on, the patriarch of the Fu Family, Fu Yuanshan, found me. He wouldn¡¯t allow Fu¡¯s descendant to be raised outside, so he forcefully took Tingzhou away. At that time, I didn¡¯t have the power to stop it, and I also wished for Tingzhou to have a better life. But outsiders always rumored that Tingzhou was an illegitimate child, he was never well-received in the Fu Family. The waters in the Fu Family are too deep, Fu Zongheng had two sons, the elder, Fu Yunye, and the younger, Fu Yunsheng, both born to Cheng Xinyi. But Yunye died in a car accident, and Yunsheng died of illness when he was young. Only Tingzhou grew up strong, no one thought he could take over the reins of the Fu Family, every step he took there was hard, outsiders always said he was too cold, but if you get to know him, you¡¯ll find he¡¯s not what you think.¡± Qin Jianlan almost burst into tears as she spoke. Even now, after Cheng Xinyi died, Fu Zongheng became a monk, Qin Jianlan has spent her whole life without ever entering the Fu Family, without any formal recognition... She hated the Fu Family, and even more so Fu Zongheng. Fu Zongheng claimed to like her, yet after his wife and children left, he simply became a monk... Only left by herself... With no formal recognition, burdening Tingzhou with the stigma of being an illegitimate child. Tang Xi was somewhat astonished. She had not expected that Fu Tingzhou had been through so much. She was never interested in high society gossip and didn¡¯t know that Fu Tingzhou was an illegitimate child... She held Qin Jianlan¡¯s hand, not knowing how to comfort her. Qin Jianlan smiled faintly, ¡°It¡¯s all in the past... everything is past...¡± Qin Jianlan has always been very pleased with Tang Xi; she likes Tang Xi¡¯s peaceful and kind nature, only such a woman could accompany her son. All those women chasing after her son have calculation and vanity in their eyes; they all want to be the women of the Fu family, none are truly capable of getting along... Qin Jianlan clasped Tang Xi¡¯s hand again, saying earnestly, ¡°Xixi, promise mom don¡¯t leave Tingzhou, accompany him on this journey.¡± Tang Xi just looked into her eyes, Qin Jianlan¡¯s gaze was piercing, making Tang Xi¡¯s throat momentarily hoarse, making her unable to meet her eyes, and she could not refuse, ¡°Mom, I promise you.¡± Chapter 23 - 23 22 Such a Clichéd Pick-up Method ?23: Chapter 22: Such a Cliche?d Pick-up Method 23: Chapter 22: Such a Cliche?d Pick-up Method Fu Tingzhou returned the following afternoon; after coming back, he made a visit to the hospital to see his mother, spending some time with Qin Jianlan in the ward. In the evening, he drove to the Su Family home. Arm in arm with Fu Tingzhou, Su Mengshu said, ¡°Tingzhou, I thought you wouldn¡¯t be back until tonight?¡± Immediately, Su Kangrong instructed the kitchen to prepare dinner, treating the man with utter respect. Su Kangrong was nervously bowing his head. Though Fu Tingzhou was his junior, in his presence, Su Kangrong felt so overpowered by his aura that he couldn¡¯t lift his head, his forehead slick with sweat. Tang Xi arrived home to see a luxury car parked at the front door. Without even thinking, she knew it must be Fu Tingzhou who had arrived. She turned and took the side door to enter. Madam Zhang was carrying a meal tray and saw her, ¡°Miss, you¡¯re back, go wash your hands and come have dinner.¡± Tang Xi hesitated in her steps upstairs, but eventually set down her bag, washed her hands, and went to the dining room. Her seat was right opposite Fu Tingzhou. The woman demurely lowered her eyes as she sat down, quietly eating throughout, not even adding a few more dishes. She just ate the vegetarian dish in front of her, as Tang Xi tried hard to blend in with the air. Not to disturb the festive scene before her... But Xia Minjun couldn¡¯t help but nitpick, ¡°Xixi, how can you be so rude? Your sister¡¯s boyfriend is here for dinner, and you don¡¯t even greet him.¡± Tang Xi clenched her chopsticks tighter. Her knuckles turned pale and stiff. She slowly lifted her eyes, meeting the man¡¯s pitch-black ones across from her. Yesterday, she had a phone conversation with this man; he said he would be back the day after tomorrow. Yet now, he was here in her home. She opened her mouth, her voice hoarse and frail, ¡°Brother-in-law.¡± He was Su Mengshu¡¯s boyfriend. Aside from ¡°brother-in-law,¡± she didn¡¯t know what else to call him. This ¡°brother-in-law¡± carried no hint of sarcasm, instead, it was calm and resigned, as if accepting her fate. When the man heard this, his eyes were dark and unfathomable. The seemingly obedient and bowed head of the woman in front of him, however, felt incredibly ironic to him, fueling his dislike even more. Su Mengshu chuckled, ¡°Xixi, we are hosting a jewelry gala at our home this Saturday. It¡¯s very important, so remember to dress up and attend.¡± Su Mengshu would never pass up an opportunity to humiliate Tang Xi. She wanted all the guests and relatives to see that in the Su Family, she was the only Miss, the princess, while Tang Xi was just a maidservant fit to clean the princess¡¯s shoes. She deliberately stressed the words as she emphasized ¡°dress up and attend.¡± Because Su Mengshu knew very well that Tang Xi hardly had any decent clothes to speak of. Luxurious evening gowns were even more out of the question. Tang Xi said, ¡°I have duties at the hospital this Saturday.¡± Xia Minjun scoffed, ¡°You¡¯ve really been spoiled by us. The jewelry gala is such a big event, and here you are making excuses. Master Fu, please excuse us. Tang Xi is different from Mengshu; Mengshu has been sensible since she was little, while Tang Xi is a wild child. She wouldn¡¯t even attend such an important family gala...¡± Fu Tingzhou¡¯s brows furrowed slightly as he looked at the woman sitting opposite him. Her complexion was fair, eyelashes low-hanging; she seemed indifferent to everything, not a single word of retort. In the end, all she did was nod and say, ¡°I know.¡± Fu Tingzhou¡¯s lips tightened with displeasure. Did this woman have to put on the act of being a bullied and fragile figure even in front of her own family? Or was it because he was here, and she was putting on a show for him? Su Mengshu had twice invited him to attend the Su Family¡¯s jewelry gala, which clearly signaled that its success was very important to the Su Family. And yet Tang Xi, as the Second Miss of the Su Family, appeared so unconcerned about this event. Was it due to a lack of manners and upbringing, or just her nature revealing itself? ¡°Mom and Dad, I¡¯ve finished eating. I¡¯m going out for a walk,¡± Tang Xi said as she stood up and left. She didn¡¯t give Fu Tingzhou a single glance. It was as if she felt a burning, icy gaze on her back, following her until she left through the door, and then it disappeared. It wasn¡¯t until an hour later, after Fu Tingzhou had gone, that Tang Xi returned home. She arrived in the kitchen and helped Aunt Zhang clean up the dishes. ¡°Aunt Zhang, when Fu Tingzhou comes to our house next time, please let me know in advance.¡± She could stay out longer, coming back later. On Saturday, Su Kangrong hosted a jewelry gala. He invited many well-known figures from the business community. Everyone came for Fu Tingzhou¡¯s sake, who would have thought that the small Su Family¡¯s jewelry business could actually connect with the great Buddha figure of Fu Tingzhou. Su Kangrong, wearing a black suit and hair slicked with gel, navigated through the group of executives, introducing the theme of tonight¡¯s jewelry gala. The event showcased the latest jewelry items from dozens of families within the jewelry circle, displayed in the hall. Su Mengshu stepped out in crystal shoes and a crystal tiara, her body draped in a white, high-end elegant evening gown like a dazzling swan. By her side were her two younger sisters, Xu Manxue and Song Yating. The two sisters spoke words of flattery, making Su Mengshu feel especially proud. ¡°Mengshu, look, isn¡¯t that your poor sister over there? As expected, dressed in a plain T-shirt and long pants, she looks just like a country bumpkin.¡± ¡°Mengshu is the real Su Family¡¯s heiress, what¡¯s that bumpkin compared to her? She¡¯s not even fit to carry Mengshu¡¯s shoes.¡± Su Mengshu curled her lips smugly, enjoying the flattery. Looking at Tang Xi¡¯s figure not too far away, she was dressed in a simple white shirt and black jeans. After greeting Su Kangrong, she casually took a seat in the rest area. At that moment, a handsome young man walked over and struck up a conversation with Tang Xi. Xu Manxue¡¯s eyes widened, ¡°Isn¡¯t that Shu Mingluo from the Shu Family? His reputation is top-notch, and he is the young master of the Shu Family. Why is he approaching Tang Xi, that bumpkin? Could it be that he¡¯s taken a liking to her?¡± Su Mengshu looked over. She gritted her teeth. Even in plain clothes, Tang Xi somehow always attracted attention wherever she went. Even the Shu Family¡¯s young master seemed interested in her. No, she had to deal with Tang Xi quickly! It would be best to ruin her reputation and make her disappear from North City entirely! She had no intention of hurting Tang Xi so deeply, but it was necessary since she was in her way. Su Mengshu walked over to Xu Manxue and whispered something in her ear. ¨C ¡°Sorry to intrude, Miss, do you have time tomorrow?¡± Tang Xi looked at the unfamiliar young man in front of her, her eyebrows raised slightly, ¡°Who are you? What do you want? We don¡¯t seem to know each other, do we...¡± Asking if she has time tomorrow right off the bat? This way of hitting on someone... isn¡¯t quite right... ¡°It was impolite of me, you just look so much like someone I used to know, it¡¯s uncanny.¡± The young man sat down beside Tang Xi, ¡°Allow me to introduce myself, I am Shu Mingluo.¡± Shu? Even if Tang Xi didn¡¯t follow North City¡¯s news much, she knew that the Shu Family was the richest family in North City, ranking alongside the Fu Family. The man in front of her is from the Shu Family? But she looks like someone he used to know? Such a cliche?d pick-up line... Chapter 24 - 24 23 Sudden Incident ?24: Chapter 23: Sudden Incident 24: Chapter 23: Sudden Incident Tang Xi gently furrowed her brow, ¡°Sorry, I don¡¯t know you.¡± Faced with the sudden approach of a strange man, Tang Xi remained vigilant. She did not tell him her name, although this was somewhat impolite. Shu Luoming also realized he was being too abrupt. The girl before him was on alert, but he was simply too excited. He had actually seen a girl who looked similar to his aunt. The man pulled out a business card and handed it over, ¡°This is my business card. If you need any help, you can come to me.¡± Tang Xi just politely smiled faintly. Shu Luoming walked to a quiet place and immediately made a phone call, ¡°Dad, I just saw a young woman who looks a lot like Aunt... Our family has been searching for her for over a decade with no leads; this girl might be related to Aunt...¡± ¡°Luoming, there are too many people trying to impersonate a Shu Family¡¯s daughter these days. The old man is still ill; let¡¯s not rush this matter.¡± The eldest daughter of the Shu Family, Shu Jingli, has been away from home for many years, and the only darling princess of the Shu Family has completely disappeared without a trace. In recent years, quite a few impostors have appeared, which is why the Shu Family has become more cautious about this matter. In the banquet hall, after the man left, Tang Xi was about to pick up the business card to have a look when a hand beat her to it. Xu Manxue raised an eyebrow, ¡°You just met and you¡¯re already flirting with the young master of the Shu Family, shameless. Don¡¯t you own a mirror to look at your poor and shabby appearance, thinking you are worthy of their esteemed status?¡± Tang Xi took out her earphones from her bag, put them on, and played a song on her phone. Seeing this, Xu Manxue stomped her foot, ¡°You are Mengshu¡¯s sister, and it¡¯s so disgraceful for you to come to a banquet dressed in such a shabby way. Mengshu was kind enough to prepare two dresses for you, go to the resting room and try them on, so you don¡¯t bring shame to the Su Family¡¯s face.¡± Seeing that Tang Xi didn¡¯t move, Xu Manxue said, ¡°This is an important banquet that Uncle Su places great importance on, you wouldn¡¯t want to let him down.¡± Tang Xi pursed her lips slightly. She looked around at the banquet hall filled with fragrant perfumes and glittering jewels. Her own plain clothes were totally out of place here. After hesitating for a moment, she followed Xu Manxue to the second-floor resting room. Su Mengshu invited her to attend just to humiliate her. Su Mengshu was dressed in an elegant gown like a princess, while she herself didn¡¯t even have any decent clothes to wear, let alone an evening dress. But now, a pale pink skirt was placed in front of her. She checked the zipper to make sure Su Mengshu hadn¡¯t tampered with it, to avoid being caught in an embarrassing situation with her clothes suddenly falling apart, only then did she change into the skirt. The dress, which was Su Mengshu¡¯s size, was a bit loose around her waist, but it fit just right with a waistband. She didn¡¯t do anything with her hair; her black hair draped over her shoulders as she slowly walked down the stairs and entered the banquet hall. Many eyes fell upon Tang Xi, as if they were discussing who she was. Which family¡¯s daughter was she? Why haven¡¯t they seen her before? ¡°Hey, Tang Xi, it really is you.¡± A sweet voice called out her name. Tang Xi followed the sound and looked over, smiling faintly, ¡°Tang Tian, you¡¯re here too.¡± Tang Tian was wearing a Chanel-style suit today. She came to Tang Xi¡¯s side and playfully stuck out her tongue, ¡°I wanted to come over and say hello when I saw you, but my mom dragged me to chat with the older generation.¡± Tang Xi had a good impression of Tang Tian. She was one of Su Mengshu¡¯s circle of girlfriends, but she had a pleasant temperament. Her family was also in the jewelry business but on a large scale, and Tang Tian wasn¡¯t the typical haughty rich girl. Su Mengshu had reached out to her several times without any airs. Tang Tian didn¡¯t like to hang out with the toxic girls in Su Mengshu¡¯s circle. She kept her social circle simple, and Tang Xi, being a gentle personality, they hit it off. After sitting in the resting area for a while, Tang Tian suggested, ¡°Let¡¯s go and check out the jewelry on exhibit.¡± Every family attending today was required to bring over the latest models of the season for the exhibit. They were displayed in a special exhibition area on the south side of the banquet hall. At the moment, the exhibition area was still bustling with many people and numerous media and journalists. Although Tang Xi was studying medicine, she had a decent understanding of jewelry. She and Tang Tian browsed the exhibition area for a while. A commotion arose from outside. Tang Tian glanced over and said, ¡°Could it be that Fu Tingzhou has arrived? Su Mengshu mentioned this morning that Fu Tingzhou would be attending their family¡¯s jewelry banquet. His presence suggests he¡¯s serious about Mengshu... I had thought he wouldn¡¯t fancy someone like Mengshu with her haughty and duplicitous nature...¡± Tang Xi looked up indifferently. She didn¡¯t turn to look outside but instead let her gaze fall on the dazzling jewels in the display case in front of her, unconcerned with the commotion outside. Whether Fu Tingzhou came or not... it was irrelevant to her. Her only wish was to ensure her mother got through surgery and had a better life. And to leave this place herself. Like a lark chirping away, Tang Tian prattled in her ear, to which Tang Xi responded with slight smiles and occasional replies. ¡°It seems that Fu Tingzhou didn¡¯t come, but sent his assistant instead.¡± Tang Xi paused, ¡°Oh.¡± Seeing her reaction, Tang Tian added, ¡°But he¡¯s your future brother-in-law, you know.¡± However, ¡°Whether he will marry Su Mengshu is not certain. I¡¯ve heard from my parents that he has a fiance?e...¡± Tang Xi looked at her. He has a fiance?e? She was not aware of that. Tang Tian continued, ¡°Apparently, the fiance?e is the heiress of the Shu Family, but she¡¯s been lost and living outside for many years; it¡¯s uncertain if she can even be found...¡± The Shu Family? Tang Xi lowered her lashes; tonight, she indeed heard quite a bit about the Shu Family. ¡°With one family possessing immense power and the other wealth to rival nations, the Shu and Fu families arranged a marriage over 20 years ago that is not easily amended. Your sister Mengshu¡¯s desire to marry into the Fu Family might be dashed. It¡¯s said that the old patriarch of the Shu Family has been searching for his daughter and granddaughter¡¯s whereabouts...¡± At this moment, suddenly a sharp and anxious voice pierced through. ¡°The ring in the display case is gone!¡± In an instant, everyone¡¯s attention was captured by this voice, and one by one, they gathered around the center of the banquet hall. The person who spoke was someone Tang Xi recognized; it was Xu Hongyuan, the CEO of Xu¡¯s Jewelry. About 40 years old, his face was wrought with urgency at the moment. This was Xu¡¯s latest diamond ring for the season, not yet on the market, and displaying the unreleased new product at the Su Family¡¯s jewelry banquet had already been a huge favor to Su Kangrong. ¡°Brother Su, the item was lost at your place; shouldn¡¯t you give me an explanation!¡± The diamond ring, worth five million, had vanished into thin air. Su Kangrong, perspiring profusely, immediately sealed off the entire banquet hall, not allowing anyone to leave. Madam Xu suggested, ¡°Call the police, let¡¯s have the authorities handle this. If someone is caught stealing the diamond ring, they won¡¯t be spared!¡± Chapter 25 - 25 24 The One Abandoned ?25: Chapter 24: The One Abandoned 25: Chapter 24: The One Abandoned Su Kangrong also had a stern face. He had been preparing for this jewelry banquet for a month and could not afford any mishaps. The disappearance of jewelry worth five million had him more anxious than anyone else. He immediately appeased Xu Hongyuan, as he still needed to cooperate with Xu¡¯s company in the future, and did not want any grudge to develop over this incident. Many people were discussing animatedly. Who stole the diamond ring. So bold to make a move during such a banquet. The police soon arrived. The entire banquet hall was already sealed off, and whether guests or staff, no one was allowed to enter or leave. The police began a carpet search. But the diamond ring had been put on display in the showcase, and everyone who came had visited the exhibition hall. Almost everyone was a suspect. At this moment, a woman¡¯s voice sounded, ¡°I suggest a body search. Only a body search can prove innocence. I can go first¡ª¡± Su Mengshu, clad in an elegant and pure white dress, walked up to a policewoman to propose a body search. As soon as these words came out, many people started to discuss. There were objections, but more were in agreement. A body search could prove innocence; it was the quickest and most effective method available. Su Mengshu being the first to step forward not only caught the attention of many but also earned their admiration for her courage and nerve. The female guests began lining up for the policewoman to search them. Given they had come to the party in exquisitely elegant evening dresses, the searches were relatively simple. It was Tang Xi¡¯s turn. She opened her handbag, containing only keys, a mobile phone, and other items. She spread her hands to cooperate with the policewoman¡¯s body search. The policewoman felt around her waist and suddenly frowned, ¡°What is this?¡± From Tang Xi¡¯s waistband, the policewoman pulled out an exquisite and luxurious diamond ring, which shone brilliantly under the lights. Su Mengshu seized the opportunity to approach, ¡°Tang Xi, so it was you who stole the ring!¡± Tang Xi turned pale. She immediately defended herself, ¡°No, I didn¡¯t.¡± Looking at the ring in the policewoman¡¯s hand, her fingers clenched tightly. In just a few seconds, many people gathered around her, pointing and talking. Su Kangrong watched her in shock, while Xia Minjun immediately confirmed her guilt, ¡°Caught red-handed, what else do you have to say? Found right under the noses of the police, you thieving wretch!¡± The Xu couple quickly inspected the ring, and after confirming it was indeed their missing piece, their relieved emotions settled. Xu Hongyuan immediately said to Su Kangrong, ¡°Since we¡¯ve caught her red-handed, let¡¯s hand her over to the police for prosecution. We will not let off this thief who dared steal a diamond ring worth five million. This female thief must be severely punished!¡± Su Kangrong hesitated, having cared for Tang Xi for fifteen years, his feelings were not void of affection. She was his daughter too, though not as close as Mengshu, but after raising her for fifteen years... He hurried over, wiping the sweat from his brow, ¡°Brother Xu, things have happened so suddenly, could there be some misunderstanding...¡± ¡°Misunderstanding? With physical evidence, what misunderstanding could there be? Brother Su, are you perhaps acquainted with this thief...¡± ¡°How could that be, our family couldn¡¯t possibly know such a thief,¡± Xia Minjun quickly took Su Kangrong¡¯s hand, whispering in his ear, ¡°Don¡¯t delay our future cooperation with Xu¡¯s company.¡± Tang Xi, seeing Su Mengshu¡¯s triumphant smile, instantly understood... All of this was done by Su Mengshu. The dress, Su Mengshu had tampered with it beforehand. She knew Su Mengshu wouldn¡¯t be so kind to her just to check her dress for secure stitching at the zipper, but she never expected Su Mengshu to go this far... She thought Su Mengshu was just arrogant, but didn¡¯t realize her heart could be so malicious. They actually want to frame her like this. And Xia Minjun, clearly... is in the know... The person whom she¡¯s called ¡®mom¡¯ for fifteen years, is now clamoring for her to spend the rest of her life in prison, urging the police to take her away quickly. A coldness wrapped around her wrist, and handcuffs were clamped on her. Trembling, she looked at Su Kangrong, the word ¡®Dad¡¯ had not yet been uttered when she heard Su Kangrong say to Xu Hongyuan, ¡°I do not recognize this person; she must have snuck in with the intent to steal, hand her over to the police immediately for investigation. Brother Xu, I¡¯m also very distressed that this has happened. Fortunately, the diamond ring has been found.¡± Tang Xi suddenly felt an icy chill, as though plunging into an ice cave. All the words she wanted to explain were suppressed along with it. A tear slid from the corner of her eye, and she looked at Su Kangrong in shock. And Su Kangrong averted his gaze, appearing somewhat guilty. Outside, no one knows that the Su Family has a second young miss. Everyone only knows about the Su Family¡¯s daughter, Su Mengshu, who is the girlfriend of Fu Tingzhou from the Fu Group. Few know that there is another adopted daughter in the Su Family. And in this moment, at this jewelry gala, Tang Xi became the one who is thoroughly abandoned. The police forced her into a police car, her gaze dropping to the cold handcuffs on her wrist, heavy and oppressive. She was dazedly brought to the police station, where inside the interrogation room, a harsh white light hit her eyes. The woman¡¯s pupils contracted sharply. She only had one sentence, ¡°I did not steal anything.¡± No matter what the police asked, she only muttered hoarsely yet firmly, ¡°I did not steal anything.¡± The diamond ring was already found, but Tang Xi was caught red-handed. No matter how she explained, it was all futile and powerless. And what hurt Tang Xi the most, was that her respected father actually... also chose to give up on her. Inside the detention room. Tang Xi leaned against the wall, closing her eyes. Her expression was pale and desperate, images of Su Kangrong¡¯s affectionate yet imposing face floated through her mind; Xia Minjun didn¡¯t like her since she was brought into the Su Family as a child. And Tang Xi knew, she was an outsider. An adopted daughter from the orphanage. But Su Kangrong was different, since childhood Su Kangrong had treated her well, stern like a mountain yet a kind father figure. When Su Mengshu bullied her, Su Kangrong learned of it and would have Mengshu apologize, would ask the servant to make nourishing food for her after she had a blood test, told Xia Minjun not to mistreat her. In times when Tang Jingyun was seriously ill, it was also Su Kangrong who stepped forward to solve the issue of hospital beds for her. Therefore, even after fifteen years in the Su Family, when Su Mengshu was hurt and needed a blood transfusion, Tang Xi went because Su Kangrong stroking her hair said Mengshu was her sister and she needed to help her sister, they were a family. A family... How ridiculous, how absurd. But now, Su Kangrong has chosen to abandon her. The diamond ring wasn¡¯t stolen by her, yet Su Kangrong dared not meet her eyes, even not daring to tell everyone that she is the second miss of the Su Family. From beginning to end, she was the one abandoned, the one cast aside. Having slept in a daze, the police came to tell her, ¡°Tang Xi, someone wants to see you.¡± Tang Xi was brought to the visiting room, and seeing Su Kangrong, couldn¡¯t help but her eyes reddened. She opened her mouth, her throat bitter. ¡°Dad...¡± Chapter 26 - 26 25 Sister-in-Law Please Have Some Self-Respect ?26: Chapter 25: Sister-in-Law, Please Have Some Self-Respect 26: Chapter 25: Sister-in-Law, Please Have Some Self-Respect Su Kangrong saw and hastily said, ¡°Xiao Xi, Dad knows you¡¯ve been wronged, you didn¡¯t steal anything. But you were caught red-handed at the scene, and the Diamond Ring Aurora was found on you in front of everyone. The Xu Family is very angry, and we are about to enter a business cooperation with them. Offending the Xu Family is bad for the Su Family, you should understand Dad¡¯s difficulties...¡± For over a decade, Su Kangrong had been running this small jewelry company without making much headway. Finally, he managed to host a jewelry exhibition that gave him some prestige in front of other jewelry bigwigs. About to collaborate with major families, he naturally didn¡¯t dare to offend the Xu Family. If the Xu Family wanted to sue Tang Xi, he would be even less inclined to speak on her behalf. Tang Xi¡¯s lips quivered with pallor. As she looked at Su Kangrong¡¯s eager and profit-driven demeanour, she realized he did not have a single word of concern for her, only... His own interests. Mouthfuls of false talk about money. And still attempting to masquerade as a doting father to deceive her. Su Kangrong felt guilty too; gazing at Tang Xi¡¯s indifferent pupils, he sighed and softened his tone to continue, ¡°Xiao Xi, you must not tell anyone that you are my daughter. If a lawyer from the Xu Family comes to question you, remember to say you have nothing to do with the Su Family, just say you¡¯re Mengshu¡¯s friend visiting the jewelry exhibition. After all, you wouldn¡¯t want to see Dad lose such an important deal, would you...¡± Listening to these absurd words, Tang Xi¡¯s lips curled into a cold sneer. Her voice hoarse with emotion, ¡°So, Dad, do you only care about cooperation? Just money...¡± Though he felt a pang of regret, Su Kangrong still made his choice, after all, Tang Xi wasn¡¯t his biological daughter, and he was more inclined to cooperate with the Xu Family. But she called out his choice, making Su Kangrong lose face. He said with deep and serious intent, ¡°Xiao Xi, you need to think of the bigger picture... Dad knows you¡¯ve suffered inside.¡± Tang Xi gripped her fingers tightly, feeling somewhat powerless. She looked at Su Kangrong, as the image of the father in her heart crumbled abruptly. Her voice trembling, she finally couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Dad, do you believe me?¡± Her gaze on Su Kangrong was intense. With her spine erect, Tang Xi bit her teeth, ¡°I did not steal the ring.¡± ¡°Xiao Xi, Dad knows you¡¯ve been trying to raise money for Tang Jingyun¡¯s illness, but you shouldn¡¯t have chosen this way...¡± Upon hearing what Su Kangrong said, Tang Xi let out a wry smile. She said no more. Nobody believed that this was all a scheme by Su Mengshu. Even if she told Su Kangrong, he would unquestionably side with Su Mengshu, and everyone else would be accusing her, Tang Xi, of being an unscrupulous thief. Lowering her head, the woman seemed enveloped in grey. Seeing that Tang Xi remained silent, Su Kangrong thought she had acquiesced and quickly comforted her with a smile before leaving. Tang Xi stayed at the police station for three days, where she met with the lawyer Su Kangrong had hired for her, as well as the legal team from the Xu Group, all of whom affirmed her as a jewelry thief, albeit one caught before the theft could succeed. Facing a lawsuit from the Xu Family over the five million-dollar diamond ring could mean a prison sentence for Tang Xi. In the morning, the police interrogated Tang Xi once again. Tang Xi spoke in a weak and hoarse voice, ¡°The dress was prepared by Su Mengshu. I was wearing simple clothes that day, and this pink gown was Su Mengshu¡¯s spare. I didn¡¯t know the ring was in the waistband.¡± There indeed were doubts about the case, and a policewoman said, ¡°You should notify your family or friends to find a defense attorney for you.¡± Tang Xi¡¯s expression faltered for a moment. A defense attorney? Ha¡ª The lawyer Su Kangrong had hired for her was nothing but a good-for-nothing, insistent on her pleading guilty and asking for forgiveness from the Xu Family. Family and friends? That person who forsook her, leaving her to be taken away by the police without a word, and who visited her only to remind her not to reveal she was the Su Family¡¯s adopted daughter, for fear it would disrupt his business, was her ¡°Dad¡±... Tang Xi shook her head, ¡°I am an orphan.¡± She was taken back to the holding cell once again. The woman leant against the wall with her back, shrinking herself into a corner. Here, it had already been three days... The only thing she was worried about was Tang Jingyun. Tang Shiyue was still in high school without any source of income, and she herself was deeply trapped in this situation. What about her mother¡¯s surgery expenses... The woman buried her face in her knees. She regretted it, regretting that she hadn¡¯t done the same as Yu Na. What dignity do the poor have? What¡¯s important is to survive the present. ¨C Fu Family. Meanwhile, inside the study. Old Mr. Fu Yuanshan of the Fu Family was practicing calligraphy; with his final stroke completed, his writing was vigorous and forceful. ¡°Tingzhou, it has been three years, when will you bring your wife home for us to see?¡± He was aware of his grandson¡¯s secret marriage. Three years ago, Qin Jianlan had informed him. But this was a hidden marriage, unknown to outsiders. However, three years had passed, and Qin Jianlan had awakened from her coma. It was time to set a date to announce it. Although the Fu Family had a marriage arrangement with the Shu Family, the Shu Family¡¯s daughter had been lost since a young age, and it was uncertain when she would be found. Was he expected to have his grandson wait indefinitely? Old Mr. Fu was unwilling. That¡¯s why he tacitly approved the wife arranged by Qin Jianlan. Though he didn¡¯t like her, he didn¡¯t hate her either. It was time to make it public, which would also shut the Shu Family up, as he did not want his grandson to wait forever for the Shu daughter¡ªwho knows if she could even be found... When mentioning Tang Xi, the man frowned lightly, ¡°Grandfather, I will divorce her.¡± The old gentleman was immediately displeased, ¡°Ridiculous!¡± ¡°This is my personal matter, I hope Grandfather will not interfere too much.¡± Fu Tingzhou¡¯s attitude left no room for compromise, instantly igniting the old gentleman¡¯s anger. Fu Yuanshan slammed the table but sighed with a sense of helplessness. The old gentleman owed Fu Tingzhou. And the Fu Family owed Qin Jianlan even more. Qin Jianlan was originally the first love of his eldest son, Fu Zongheng, but because of a family-arranged marriage, Fu Yuanshan forcibly broke them apart. When Qin Jianlan was critically ill, she said she wanted to arrange a marriage for Fu Tingzhou, and Fu Yuanshan immediately agreed. Although he had never met the girl, since Qin Jianlan was satisfied, she must be fine. During the three years of Qin Jianlan¡¯s coma, the old gentleman had also secretly investigated the matter. The girl was from an orphanage, with an ordinary background. Qin Jianlan was always passionate about charity and liked this girl a lot. Old Mr. Fu was also very firm, ¡°If it¡¯s because of that Su Family girl, Su Mengshu, I disagree. You don¡¯t need to consider it further; I won¡¯t let such a girl marry into the Fu Family.¡± Fu Tingzhou¡¯s eyes darkened, he did not expect that his grandfather was also so satisfied with Tang Xi, ¡°I will divorce Tang Xi after three months. As for my marriage, I would not trouble Grandfather to worry about it.¡± Having said that, Fu Tingzhou left the study. The phone rang once, and before the man could answer it, he coldly looked up at Ji Qingtan approaching him, her voice soft, ¡°Tingzhou, do you have time now? I want to talk to you.¡± ¡°Big sister, if it¡¯s work-related, we can discuss it at the office on Monday, or if it¡¯s urgent you can contact my assistant right now. If it¡¯s personal matters...¡± the man paused his indifferent speech, ¡°There is nothing private to discuss between you and me.¡± He walked down the stairs. Ji Qingtan¡¯s eyes reddened as she watched his retreating figure; clenching her teeth, she hurriedly followed, ¡°Tingzhou,¡± ¡°Big sister, this is the Fu Family, please conduct yourself with proper respect!¡± The man¡¯s cold words finished and he strode away. Chapter 27 - 27 26 Its Actually Him ?27: Chapter 26: It¡¯s Actually Him 27: Chapter 26: It¡¯s Actually Him Ji Qingtan bit her lip as she watched his retreating figure, never expecting Fu Tingzhou to be so heartless towards her, showing none of the affection they once shared. Originally, Ji Qingtan thought that, given Fu Tingzhou¡¯s cold and aloof nature, there would be no other women around him, and she would be the only one able to get close to him. As long as she waited for Fu Yunye to die, she could openly be with him. Even though she had betrayed him, considering their past affections, as long as she showed her vulnerable and innocent side, it was only a matter of time before he would forgive her. Since she was 15, she had been with the Fu Family, and had known the Fu brothers for over a decade. Originally, she thought that the eldest son of the Fu Family, Fu Yunye, would be the heir, but to her surprise, after marrying Fu Yunye and a year later, he was injured in a car accident, damaging his spine and legs, condemning him to a wheelchair for life. Now, Fu Yunye was recuperating in another residence, and Ji Qingtan visited him once a week. The two maintained their marital relationship. And who could have predicted that the least favored Third Young Master Fu, seen as an illegitimate child by outsiders, would eventually stand at the very pinnacle of the Fu Family? At this moment, Ji Qingtan regretted her actions and felt jealous of Su Mengshu. Fu Tingzhou was walking down the stairs when a voice came from his phone. ¡°This is the police station, is this Fu Tingzhou? Your wife is suspected of involvement in a theft case....¡± The man frowned slightly, pausing in his steps. His wife? Suddenly, his eyes narrowed. Tang Xi?! ¨C Tang Xi was resting with her eyes closed when she heard footsteps outside. She knew it was either a summons for an interrogation or someone coming to see her. It was probably the former; the Su Family wouldn¡¯t come to see her out of kindness. It had been two days since Su Kangrong warned her, and Xia Minjun along with Su Mengshu would probably relish the thought of her being locked up for life. A policewoman came in, ¡°Sign here, and you can leave?¡± What? Tang Xi opened her eyes. She could leave? For a moment, she was stunned, seemingly unable to grasp the reality. The policewoman said, ¡°The Xu Family has withdrawn the lawsuit, saying it was a misunderstanding. Your husband is waiting outside for you, once you sign, you can leave.¡± Tang Xi had just signed her name. What husband. She was bewildered, not understanding the policewoman¡¯s words. Just yesterday, the Xu Family¡¯s lawyer was still saying she might face prison time. And now, she was to be discharged without charges? Walking out of the police station, Tang Xi realized it was raining outside. She had no umbrella, but filled with joy at actually leaving the police station, she didn¡¯t mind the pouring rain, hugging herself and rushing forward. The freedom to breathe felt so good. Yet at this moment, Tang Xi didn¡¯t know where she could go... Back home? Back to that unfamiliar place called the Su Family¡¯s home? But that wasn¡¯t her home. ¡°Beep¡ª¡± She had taken a few steps when suddenly she heard the sound of a car honking. Tang Xi stopped in her tracks, amidst the blurry rain night. She watched a black Maybach parked not far away, the bright headlights glaring, and she raised her hand to shield her eyes, seeing through the misty rain the unique crest on the license plate belonging to the Fu Family. She vaguely knew who was sitting in the car. The car window rolled down halfway, and a man¡¯s cold, indifferent eyes swept over her face, Fu Tingzhou gently parted his lips, his commanding tone devoid of warmth yet leaving no room for refusal, ¡°Get in the car.¡± In that moment, Tang Xi suddenly recalled the policewoman¡¯s words, ¡°Your husband is waiting outside for you.¡± Looking at his handsome profile, Tang Xi seemed frozen in place. The man, running out of patience, spoke again with evident annoyance, ¡°Get in the car.¡± Tang Xi finally settled into the car, instantly enveloped by warmth. It dispelled the chill at her fingertips. Tang Xi¡¯s clothes hadn¡¯t been changed for two days, completely soaked, making her look particularly awkward inside the luxury car. The car interior carried a faint scent of ebony. Outside, the rain pattered against her eardrums. But at this moment, her thoughts were somewhat chaotic. Her heartbeat began to quicken, as if giant vines, silently, were entwining around her heart, slowly tightening. Out of the corner of her eye, she glimpsed the man¡¯s hand resting on the armrest, his fingers long and unadorned, casually placed there, his knees elegantly crossed. The car slowly started as the man pressed the accelerator. The scenery outside the window rushed by. The car¡¯s interior was quiet, the relentless rain outside seemed to disturb Tang Xi¡¯s heartstrings, and she finally looked toward the man¡¯s handsome and refined profile, whispering, ¡°Thank you.¡± It was very late, the night deep and silent. Why did he come to rescue her? The police had said that the Xu Family dropped the charges, so it must have been him... who helped her. After all, the Xu Family is someone even Su Kangrong dares not offend. It could only be him, only this man before her has that kind of power. But why would he help her... Could it be because of Su Mengshu? Thinking of this, Tang Xi¡¯s complexion turned pale. But apart from this, she could think of no other reason. Suddenly, her thoughts became disordered; looking at the swiftly passing scenery outside, she realized this was the route to her home. Was Fu Tingzhou taking her back to the Su Family? No, she won¡¯t go back! Almost immediately, Tang Xi instinctively said, ¡°I¡¯m not going home.¡± She assertively said, ¡°I¡¯m not going back, just drop me off at any hotel.¡± Clearly, the man was not going to follow her arrangement; Tang Xi grabbed his hand, almost disturbing his steering, Fu Tingzhou frowned at her, ¡°If you want to die, roll out by yourself, don¡¯t involve me.¡± Tang Xi¡¯s face turned pale, almost immediately releasing her hand and reaching for the door handle to open the car door. The door was locked. Tang Xi said, ¡°I want to get out of the car.¡± The man¡¯s speed did not decrease, she almost shouted, ¡°Fu Tingzhou, I want to get out of the car!!¡± ¡°Screech¡ª¡± The sound of the tires rubbing against the ground. The car abruptly stopped. Due to inertia, Tang Xi¡¯s body leaned forward, her heartbeat accelerated, and glancing sideways at the man¡¯s indifferent face and icy eyes, Tang Xi slightly shuddered. She is a very unsuccessful wife. This is a marriage that was forcibly pursued. She took a deep breath, the faint scent of ebony making her feel bitterness in her chest, she looked at Fu Tingzhou, ¡°Goodbye.¡± After speaking, she opened the car door. Cold wind and heavy rain suddenly attacked her as she prepared to get out. Suddenly a hand restrained her wrist. The next second, a force pulled her back, and the car door was closed accordingly. As Tang Xi found herself collapsing back into the seat, she heard the man¡¯s oppressive tone mixed with the chill of the rainy night, ¡°Did I allow you to leave?¡± Tang Xi looked at him, her chin seized by him, Fu Tingzhou¡¯s eyes cold as ice, ¡°Carrying the name Mrs. Fu, you got locked up in the police station, suspected of stealing a million in jewels, Tang Xi, don¡¯t you think you owe me an explanation!¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t steal anything.¡± Tang Xi frowned in discomfort, seeing the anger on his face, she said again, ¡°Whether you believe it or not, I didn¡¯t steal anything.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll get to the bottom of this matter!¡± ¡°I never thought I would trouble you...¡± Tang Xi couldn¡¯t even dare to think that it was Fu Tingzhou who bailed her out from the police station in the middle of the night, the air filled with the slightly bitter scent of ebony, her eyelashes trembling slightly as she looked at his face, once again trying to defend herself, she didn¡¯t want in her heart... She didn¡¯t want him to misunderstand her. She didn¡¯t want to be labeled as a ¡®thief¡¯. Chapter 28 - 28 27 Do You Believe Me ?28: Chapter 27: Do You Believe Me? 28: Chapter 27: Do You Believe Me? ¡°I didn¡¯t steal anything, as for how the ring was found on me... There must be surveillance in such a large banquet hall, one look and it will all be clear...¡± The man slowly released his grip, and an ¡®hmm¡¯ sound was pressed out from his throat. Behind them, a car honked its horn, and Fu Tingzhou pressed down on the accelerator to continue driving. Yet, within Tang Xi, ripples began to form in her heart. Hmm... Does this mean he believes her? In that moment, a light slowly lit up in the depths of the woman¡¯s eyes. She gazed at his profile. Her lips quivered slightly, ¡°Do... do you believe I didn¡¯t steal anything?¡± ¡°Such an obvious and foolish act, what good would it do for you if you did it?¡± This matter was full of doubts, and Fu Tingzhou, certainly not lacking in brains, quickly understood it upon careful thought. He glanced at her indifferently, his voice devoid of fluctuations, ¡°I will naturally get to the bottom of this matter.¡± Tang Xi¡¯s eyelashes trembled gently. She struggled to hold back the sourness in her eyes. The woman slowly closed her eyes. A breeze blew through the car window, caressing her face. She had endured for two days. Finally, someone believed her. She had never, never felt this way before. The feeling of being trusted. Her voice was muffled, struggling to contain its trembling, ¡°Thank you, Fu Tingzhou.¡± The man heard a slight sob in her voice, and his expression froze for a moment. In his peripheral vision, he saw the woman with her head lowered, seemingly devoid of her usual vigor, looking as ragged and downcast as an ostrich, her white blouse wet and clinging embarrassingly to her barely concealed figure, and his pupils darkened slightly. Seemingly in some agitation, he tugged at his tie. He let out a low and cold snort, ¡°What a hassle.¡± Then, he swerved the steering wheel fiercely, making the car turn into the left lane and drive away. Tang Xi looked out the window at the road, not knowing where Fu Tingzhou was taking her, but not going back to the Su Family¡¯s home... That was enough. ¨C Half an hour later. In the rain and mist, the car entered an upscale residential area. Longshan Villa was Fu Tingzhou¡¯s private residence, occupying a vast area. On the highly valuable Chunhui Road within the bustling city, the villa was visibly decorated with high-grade woods such as podocarpus and metasequoia. The car stopped in front of the entrance after passing through the garden. ¡°Mr. Fu, you¡¯re back.¡± Fu Tingzhou shed his suit jacket and instructed, ¡°Prepare a guest room for her.¡± The servant in the villa, a kind-faced auntie in her forties, looked at Tang Xi, ¡°Miss, the guest room is on the second floor to the left. Please follow me. You should take a bath first.¡± Tang Xi took a glance at Fu Tingzhou; he was already climbing the stairs, leaving her with only his retreating figure. ¡°Just call me Auntie Song, miss. You go ahead and take your bath first, and I¡¯ll prepare some late-night snacks for you.¡± ¡°Thank you, Auntie Song.¡± Tang Xi saw her heading toward the door and hurriedly called out, ¡°Auntie Song, do you have... spare clothes I could change into?¡± ¡°This is the master¡¯s private residence, and he almost never brings women here. There are only Mr. Fu¡¯s clothes... Speaking of which, you are the first woman Mr. Fu has brought back.¡± Tang Xi cast her eyes downward, I see... How could that be possible. He hasn¡¯t brought Su Mengshu back here before? Longshan Villa... The name of this villa sounded somewhat familiar to her ears. She was drenched to the bone and didn¡¯t think much before walking into the bathroom; at the moment, she only longed for a hot shower. Having not been able to change her clothes during her two-day stay at the police station, she turned on the shower and the warm water enveloped her. Tang Xi closed her eyes. Suddenly, she flung her eyes open. Wait, this place is! Longshan Villa, three years ago, before Qin Jianlan¡¯s surgery, he had brought her here once. At that time, Fu Tingzhou was not around. Qin Jianlan said, this was the marriage room for him and Fu Tingzhou, and she would live here after their wedding. Heh¡ª So it was here. After her shower, her soaking wet old clothes were really not wearable, so Tang Xi, wrapped in a bath towel, went to the bedroom and saw a men¡¯s black shirt neatly folded and tidily ironed laid out on the bed, brought by Auntie Song. In her memory, Fu Tingzhou was always in a black suit and black shirt, looking distant as a snow mountain, his handsome and noble face like a cold statue... She had no other choice but to put on the black men¡¯s shirt. The shirt was long, covering her hips. She blow-dried her hair to a semi-dry state, took out her phone from her bag, which had long been out of battery, and barefooted she went downstairs, ¡°Auntie Song, do you have a charger?¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll go find one for you.¡± But within two minutes, Auntie Song came back with a charger that didn¡¯t match Tang Xi¡¯s phone model. Tang Xi¡¯s phone model was so outdated it couldn¡¯t keep up with the times. The woman frowned. She wanted to check WeChat for messages in the hospital group; though it was Saturday, she had duties, and after unexpectedly missing a day of work... she didn¡¯t know what would happen. Auntie Song said, ¡°Miss, if you need to make a call, there¡¯s a landline in the living room.¡± Tang Xi shook her head; after all, no one truly worried about her, the Su Family probably wished she would stay in prison forever. It was too late now, she just wanted to let Ruan Youqing know she was safe, and then deal with it tomorrow. ¡°Miss, have some supper, you must be hungry.¡± Tang Xi indeed was very hungry, both tired and hungry; she nodded, ¡°Thank you, Auntie Song, for the trouble at this late hour.¡± ¡°It¡¯s no bother at all,¡± Auntie Song said cheerily. Tang Xi was about to head towards the kitchen when suddenly, she heard the sound of panting behind her, the heavy breathing of an animal, which in the quiet living room, accompanied by the outside rain, gave a somewhat creepy feeling. She felt a chill down her spine, slowly turned around, and saw a large dog ¡®staring¡¯ intently at her, the outsider. Tang Xi blinked, pupils dilated as she watched the large dog lunge towards her¡ª ¡°Ah¡ª¡± Fu Tingzhou emerged from the bathroom, hearing the woman¡¯s scream; his brows furrowed, he quickly put on his robe and stepped out. Tang Xi was trembling with fright and pale-faced by the large dog¡¯s scare. She hurriedly backed away, nearly losing her footing and falling, but an arm encircled her waist and Tang Xi crashed into a mild and familiar masculine scent. A deep male voice came from above her head, ¡°Sixteen, sit.¡± The excited dog wiggled its tail and sat down, waiting for Fu Tingzhou¡¯s next command. The woman in his arms shivered. Fu Tingzhou looked down at her pale, panicked face. Dressed in a black shirt, she was slim and delicate, his shirt hanging loosely on her, her slender, fair legs contrasting sharply with the black of the shirt. The man¡¯s eyes narrowed, while Sixteen, after sitting for two seconds, ran towards them again. Tang Xi shook continuously with fright. Fu Tingzhou frowned and intensified his tone, ¡°Sixteen.¡± The silver-gray large dog howled once. Tang Xi¡¯s heart was racing from the scare, but seeing that the big dog in front of her meant no harm, she finally breathed a sigh of relief, still in the man¡¯s embrace. The woman came to her senses, her face instantly flushed red, and she hurriedly backed away a certain distance, her heart pounding rapidly, the air still faintly filled with the man¡¯s oaky fragrance. Her voice still shaky, she looked at the large dog, ¡°So you¡¯re called Sixteen huh...¡± Only when calmer did she realize, Sixteen was a large Alaskan Malamute, silver-gray with black patches. It wagged its tail, tilting its head while looking at Tang Xi, which, with its large body, seemed somewhat comical and cute. Tang Xi couldn¡¯t help but crack a smile, no longer that frightened. Chapter 29 - 29 28 Do Not Let Down ?29: Chapter 28: Do Not Let Down 29: Chapter 28: Do Not Let Down Mustering her courage, she raised her hand and touched its head. Its tail wagged even more joyfully. Auntie Song came out with a bowl of sweet dumpling soup, ¡°Sixteen belongs to Mr. Fu, he doesn¡¯t like interacting with strangers. It must have scared you.¡± Fu Tingzhou was dressed in ash gray loungewear, freshly washed hair giving him a softer, bulkier look, without the usual coldness, instead conveying a touch of a handsome young man¡¯s charm. Auntie Song said, ¡°I¡¯ve prepared some late-night snacks. Have some with us, Mr. Fu.¡± Fu Tingzhou sat at the dining table. Tang Xi happened to sit opposite him. From time to time, Sixteen would run over. Although Tang Xi knew it wouldn¡¯t hurt her, the sight of such a large dog charging towards her still made her tense up, gripping the spoon in her hand tightly. In truth, she was quite afraid of dogs. In her childhood, after school, the Su family¡¯s driver picked up Su Mengshu and left, while she had to walk home alone and was chased by a stray dog for two streets. The dining room was very quiet. Only the sound of the soup spoon clinking against the bowl could be heard. Tang Xi really was hungry. The scent of the food made her stomach embarrassingly growl. She lowered her head a bit awkwardly, eating the sweet dumplings in her bowl. She quickly glanced at Fu Tingzhou sitting opposite her. He was slightly bowed, looking at his phone, with fluffy soft hair. Tang Xi recalled the image of him dressed in a black suit during the day; meticulous, cold, and handsome ¨C a stark contrast to his current appearance. It felt as if she had glimpsed a side of him she had never seen before. Tang Xi¡¯s lips tightened subtly. It was almost midnight, and a clock in the living room began to chime. ¡°Fu...¡± She opened her mouth, having just made a sound. When she heard Fu Tingzhou say, ¡°Tomorrow, leave this place.¡± The tone was indifferent, devoid of emotion, even somewhat impatient. Clearly, his temporary accommodation for her was already the extent of his benevolence. Tang Xi¡¯s heart clenched. Watching Fu Tingzhou¡¯s retreating figure heading upstairs, she put down the dish in her hand and chased after him. From a distance of one floor, she couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Why did you rescue me?¡± She finally uttered the question that had been weighing on her heart. How could he have known that she was wrongfully imprisoned, and why would he rescue her... ¡°Being imprisoned under the title of Mrs. Fu, the police contacted me. Do you think I was eager to save you? Not to mention, you¡¯re also Mengshu¡¯s sister.¡± Mengshu¡¯s sister... Those words felt deeply ironic to her. Digging her nails into her palm, she took a deep breath and said, ¡°What if I say, I was framed and it was directed by Su Mengshu?¡± Fu Tingzhou turned around to look at her and coldly warned, ¡°She¡¯s your sister, you should at least have the minimal respect for her!¡± Tang Xi was initially startled. Then a pale smile appeared on the corners of her lips. She thought, now she understood. If she weren¡¯t currently known as Su Mengshu¡¯s sister, if she were to die in prison, he probably wouldn¡¯t even give her a second look, let alone rescue her... Su Mengshu is so pure and beautiful, how could she do such a thing... and even with ten mouths, I can¡¯t explain it clearly. Perhaps Fu Tingzhou would think that it was me who framed Su Mengshu. Lying in the unfamiliar bed at night, the air filled with the faint scent of ebony, Tang Xi couldn¡¯t sleep. When she finally did, it was Fu Tingzhou¡¯s face in her dreams. She seemed to be in a pale and icy snowfield when suddenly a hand, warm to the touch, grasped hers and led her towards a place bathed in light. She opened her eyes and sat up. Realizing only afterward that she was in an unfamiliar environment. She was no longer in the detention center... Fu Tingzhou had already taken her away from there. It was warm here, but it was not her home after all. Tang Xi left at five in the morning; it was still early. The villa was silent when she departed. She didn¡¯t return to the Su Family, but went to the hospital instead. Upon arriving at the changing room, she found a set of spare clothes in the locker and changed into them, Because she had unjustifiably missed three days of work, the hospital also meted out punishment, deducting half a month¡¯s performance bonus. At noon, eating in the hospital cafeteria with Ruan Youqing, Tang Xi had no appetite. Ruan Youqing, looking at her pale complexion, expressed her concern, ¡°Where have you been these past few days? I couldn¡¯t reach you on the phone.¡± Tang Xi, with no one to confide in, looked at Ruan Youqing, opened her mouth as if she had much to say, but in the end, she just said, ¡°It¡¯s all in the past...¡± ¡°Look at yourself, you¡¯ve become so thin in just a few days. Did the Su Family mistreat you again...¡± Tang Xi and Ruan Youqing had known each other since high school, and they had applied for the same major at the same university. Having known each other for over a decade, she knew very well about Tang Xi¡¯s situation; the Su Family had officially adopted her as a daughter, but in reality, they treated her as a portable blood bank! ¡°Youqing, I want to move out of the Su Family...¡± ¡°I support you! I¡¯ll come with you tonight to look for a place outside.¡± A smile appeared on Tang Xi¡¯s face as she looked at Ruan Youqing, ¡°Mhm.¡± Ruan Youqing¡¯s phone buzzed, and she looked at the caller ID with a sweet smile, ¡°Yixing, yes, I¡¯m at lunch, what about you? Did you eat yet? Oh, wait, you¡¯re in the U.S., it should be time for you to rest now, right?¡± ¡°Mhm, Qingqing, I need some money for an academic research project I¡¯m doing lately, could you send me some money...¡± Ruan Youqing was slightly stunned, ¡°How much? Thirty thousand?...¡± She didn¡¯t have that much money on hand, but hearing her boyfriend say how important this research was for his academic career, Ruan Youqing nodded immediately, ¡°I¡¯ll find a way to gather it; you don¡¯t need to worry about me, Yixing.¡± Ruan Youqing wanted to chat more with Zhao Yixing, but the line was cut off on the other end. Tang Xi looked at Ruan Youqing, her brows faintly furrowed, ¡°Is Zhao Yixing asking you for money again? Didn¡¯t you just send him 4,000 for living expenses last month?¡± ¡°It¡¯s different, this time Yixing needs it for a very important academic research project, it¡¯s crucial to his studies,¡± said Ruan Youqing with sweetness in her eyes when mentioning Zhao Yixing. ¡°Youqing, for the two years that Zhao Yixing has been studying abroad, you¡¯ve sent him over a hundred thousand, all from your own frugal savings. A grown man, relying on his girlfriend to send him money to support his studies...¡± Tang Xi said, her lips pressed together. Ruan Youqing squeezed Tang Xi¡¯s hand, ¡°I know you¡¯re worried about me, but don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve been with Yixing for four years, since university, I know what kind of person he is. His mother is not in good health, and it was not easy for him to get the opportunity to study abroad. If I don¡¯t support him as a girlfriend, how will he cope alone? But it¡¯ll be over soon, he¡¯ll be back after this year, and we will definitely invite you to our wedding.¡± Looking at the smile on Ruan Youqing¡¯s face, Tang Xi frowned deeply, hoping Zhao Yixing wouldn¡¯t let Ruan Youqing down... Chapter 30 - 30 29 Picking Up from the Airport ?30: Chapter 29: Picking Up from the Airport 30: Chapter 29: Picking Up from the Airport The evening had set in, and within the Su Family Restaurant, a warm atmosphere enveloped the space. No one noticed Tang Xi¡¯s return, except for Auntie Zhang, who was carrying a serving tray. She saw Tang Xi and exclaimed with surprise, ¡°Second Miss, you¡¯re back.¡± Su Mengshu turned pale and looked shocked as she exchanged a glance with Xia Minjun, clearly unable to believe it. What, Tang Xi had come back? Tang Xi had changed her shoes in the foyer and walked into the living room. Su Mengshu hurried over and stared at Tang Xi standing there, her eyes wide, ¡°How did you get out!¡± Tang Xi, looking at Su Mengshu¡¯s frantic state, curved the corners of her lips slightly, ¡°Yes, indeed, I¡¯m out.¡± ¡°Tang Xi, I didn¡¯t expect you to be so capable. To think you could get out of the police station after stealing, did you sneak out!¡± Su Mengshu was so shocked that her words were incoherent. ¡°I got out, and you all seem to be disappointed. Thanks to the police for clarifying that I didn¡¯t steal anything. As for why that ring ended up on me, I believe the truth will come out soon.¡± As Tang Xi watched Su Mengshu¡¯s face grow paler and her guilty, defensive demeanor, she faintly smiled, ¡°Evil deeds will bring about one¡¯s own destruction. Su Mengshu, the police will also find out the things you¡¯ve done.¡± She walked directly towards the stairs, while Su Mengshu cursed loudly on the first floor and Xia Minjun quickly came out to comfort her daughter. She glared at Tang Xi, ¡°You little bitch, you got lucky this time!¡± Tang Xi paused in her steps. A bitter smile spread across her lips; this was the person who she had called ¡®Mom¡¯ for 15 years. She turned to look at Xia Minjun, the woman¡¯s gaze was cold, ¡°So, Xia Minjun, you knew about this too, right? You knew that Su Mengshu deliberately framed me, so your whole family has been hoping for me to go to jail, haven¡¯t you?¡± Seeing her gaze, Xia Minjun suddenly felt a chill down her spine. The bitter look in the young woman¡¯s eyes was so cold, it almost frightened her, but since they had already torn their facades... Xia Minjun spoke bluntly, ¡°Tang Xi, you were never a part of our Su Family. We just adopted you out of kindness. Besides, you say Mengshu and I framed you; do you have any evidence? Without evidence, that¡¯s defamation!¡± Su Kangrong walked out of the restaurant, stopping Xia Minjun. Then he looked at Tang Xi, his eyes revealing a hint of joy mixed with... the guilt of a guilty conscience, ¡°I received a call from Mr. Xu this morning; he said the Xu family won¡¯t pursue your responsibility, which is good... Xixi, your dad has also been running around for the past few days for your sake. You should understand your dad¡¯s hardship.¡± The image of Su Kangrong as a father had already collapsed in Tang Xi¡¯s heart. At this moment, just hanging her gaze low, she found it all absurd and laughable. She didn¡¯t want to see any of these three people before her. ¡°I will move out of here.¡± After saying that, she turned and walked upstairs. Her bedroom was in the attic on the third floor. She had once truly considered this place her home. But it ultimately wasn¡¯t. She wanted to leave this place, leave this hypocritical Su Family. Tang Xi¡¯s luggage was actually very minimal, a small suitcase, a few clothes, daily necessities, and mostly books. Thick medical books. She left the Su Family early in the morning. Before leaving, she said goodbye to Auntie Lin. In the 15 years at the Su Family, Auntie Lin was the only one who had been somewhat nice to her. She didn¡¯t want to stay in this place for another minute. Tang Xi took the morning off to go and look for a rental. After looking around, I finally settled in a small complex in Qinghe Lane. It¡¯s quite far from the hospital, but there¡¯s a subway within a 10-minute walk from the door, which means convenient transportation, and most importantly, it¡¯s cheap. Almost all the houses here are for rent¡ªold, dilapidated buildings with five or six floors, surrounded by some disorder. Anyone could rent a place here, with all types mixed together, but having a place to stay and leaving the Su Family, Tang Xi already felt content. She rented a top-floor apartment and got a discount of three hundred on the rent because of a leaky roof. After a busy morning cleaning, she opened the windows and looked at the living room bathed in sunlight¡ªa one-bedroom, one-living room setup. Dust danced in the air. Despite being tired, she felt a sense of freedom. Having lived here for a week, the soundproofing of the place was not great. At night, one could often hear strange noises as well as drunkards knocking on the door, but Tang Xi gradually got used to it. ¨C ¡°Xixi, do me a favor, I have a surgery this afternoon.¡± ¡°Hmm, what do you need? Just tell me.¡± ¡°Yixing has a friend coming to North City, and he hopes I can help entertain them. I¡¯ve sent the details to your WeChat. Can you go pick them up from the airport and arrange a hotel for her?¡± In the morning, Tang Xi had done a thorough cleaning at home, and around two in the afternoon, she hurried to the airport. She took out her phone and looked at the message Ruan Youqing had sent her. ¡°Lin Quan, black hoodie, T3 arrival gate.¡± Tang Xi wanted to ask for more details, maybe a photo, but when she made a call, Ruan Youqing didn¡¯t answer, probably in the operating room. She seldom left North City and had never taken a flight before. She felt a bit lost as she entered the hall, but after asking around, she found her way to the arrival gate, which was swarming with people. Tang Xi scanned the crowd, and as people gathered to pick up their friends began to disperse, she locked eyes with a tall, slender young man wearing a black hoodie. In that moment, Tang Xi was stunned; as she looked at him, he was also looking at her. While watching her, he took out his phone for a quick glance, then continued to look around, apparently waiting for someone. Another ten minutes passed, and there were hardly any people left around. Tang Xi slowly walked over and gently coughed twice, ¡°Hello, may I ask if you are... Lin Quan?¡± The young man frowned lightly and involuntarily his gaze followed the voice to settle on the woman¡¯s face. Her face was dotted with fine beads of sweat, apparently from having run over. Her skin was very white, her cheeks a touch red at the moment, and her hair casually tied in a high ponytail made her look fresh and lively. Xiao Chi pinched his phone and spoke softly, obviously surprised, ¡°Tang Xi?¡± Tang Xi¡¯s eyes brightened¡ªshe was recognized? It must¡¯ve been Ruan Youqing who talked about her; it seemed she had found the right person. ¡°You must be Zhao Yixing¡¯s friend, Lin Quan, right? I¡¯m standing in for Ruan Youqing to pick you up. She¡¯s tied up with surgery,¡± Tang Xi said apologetically, ¡°By the way, you probably didn¡¯t eat on the plane, did you? Let¡¯s get something to eat first, then go to the hotel. Have you booked a hotel?¡± The man hesitated and nodded, then followed her to leave. Tang Xi helped him with his luggage. Xiao Chi looked at the woman¡¯s slight and slender figure, then reacted and slowly reached out to take over, ¡°I can handle it myself; you lead the way.¡± He never expected to encounter Tang Xi here. As he was pondering how to approach her, she unexpectedly came to him. The corners of the man¡¯s mouth lifted subtly¡ªif she came to him willingly, then he couldn¡¯t be blamed. Chapter 31 - 31 30 Picked Up the Wrong Person ?31: Chapter 30: Picked Up the Wrong Person 31: Chapter 30: Picked Up the Wrong Person A social media-famous Chinese restaurant that is simply decorated and low-profile. ¡®Lin Quan¡¯ brought her here. Tang Xi frowned slightly, watching his familiarity with the place, he didn¡¯t seem to be new to North City. For such a famous Chinese restaurant, she felt somewhat constrained; it was Tang Xi¡¯s first time here, and subconsciously, she felt a bit of a pinch¡ªdining here must be expensive. But after all, he was a friend of Zhao Yixing, and Ruan Youqing had instructed her herself. Tang Xi secretly gritted her teeth, decided to let it go, and endured. After being seated, ¡®Lin Quan¡¯ handed her the menu, ¡°Take a look, anything you¡¯d like to eat?¡± Tang Xi glanced at the prices and her eyes widened. So expensive? A meal here must cost thousands. She didn¡¯t order and handed the menu back to him, ¡°You order, you are the guest. It¡¯s your first time in North City, right? After we eat, I¡¯ll take you to the hotel.¡± The man handed the menu to the waiter, ¡°Serve your signature dishes, please.¡± Tang Xi had a late breakfast, so she wasn¡¯t hungry. She watched ¡®Lin Quan¡¯ eat a few bites and put his chopsticks down, then she asked puzzledly, ¡°Is it not to your taste? Do you want to order something else?¡± After all, it was what Ruan Youqing asked for, and he was a friend of Zhao Yixing. Tang Xi looked at the six-dish two-soup spread¡ªdid none of it suit his taste? It seemed that this ¡®Lin Quan¡¯ was quite picky. Six dishes, over two thousand yuan, Tang Xi instantly felt the pinch. The man picked up the menu again, preparing to order two more dishes. Tang Xi looked at the almost untouched dishes on the table and quickly stopped him, ¡°You haven¡¯t eaten these.¡± The man raised his eyebrows lightly, ¡°I don¡¯t like them.¡± ¡°Um...¡± Tang Xi was stunned for a moment. ¡°You don¡¯t like any of these?¡± This Lin Quan is really wasteful... Tang Xi felt helpless, although this man was Zhao Yixing¡¯s friend and it was her first time hosting, she should show some respect. But at that moment, Tang Xi hesitated then said, ¡°This is too wasteful. If you don¡¯t like it, don¡¯t order so much. Just two or three dishes are enough for the two of us. Ordering so much and then not eating, wasting food, it¡¯s not right.¡± Xiao Chi was stunned for a moment; he looked at the slightly angry woman in front of him. At this moment, her eyes slightly widened. Like a cat that had its tail stepped on, there was an indescribable cuteness. It was the first time someone told him not to waste. He lightly raised his eyebrows and put down the menu. ¡°You, are you short on money?¡± The man pointed it out directly. Tang Xi¡¯s face slightly reddened, the woman pursed her lips. She was short on money, very much indeed. But being short on money wasn¡¯t illegal or wrong. Tang Xi didn¡¯t feel there was anything wrong. Though her face was slightly red, her eyes were clear and firm, and she did not argue but directly admitted, ¡°Yes, money is a good thing, who doesn¡¯t need it?¡± The man looked at her with some amusement. This woman was indeed interesting, different from what he expected. This was good too; hopefully, the time that follows won¡¯t be so dull. ¡®Buzz buzz¡¯ Tang Xi¡¯s phone vibrated. She answered it immediately. ¡°Youqing, is the surgery over?¡± On the other end, Ruan Youqing¡¯s voice was a bit urgent, ¡°I just came out, Xiao Xi, did you pick up the wrong person? Zhao Yixing called me in anger, saying Lin Quan waited at the airport for over an hour and then went to the hotel on his own.¡± ¡°What?¡± Picked up the wrong person? Tang Xi slowly lifted her head to look at the young man in front of her. Her phone was an old model, and given that they were in a second-floor private room, the space was quiet. Her call, the urgent voice of Ruan Youqing on the other end, the man across clearly heard as well, and when their eyes met, he still lightly smiled and raised his eyebrows. She stood up, looking warily at him, ¡°Who are you? You¡¯re not Lin Quan!¡± On the other end, Ruan Youqing exclaimed, ¡°What¡¯s wrong Xiao Xi, who are you with?¡± Tang Xi hung up and sent Ruan Youqing a message to talk later. She looked at the man opposite her. He also stood up, a charming smile on his face, ¡°Hello, let me introduce myself, my name is Xiao Chi.¡± Tang Xi¡¯s expression darkened for a moment, feeling deceived. Clearly, this man had just pronounced her name, and when she asked if he was Lin Quan, he didn¡¯t refute it. It was obvious that he was intentionally playing her. Although she didn¡¯t know him, it was clear that he was deliberately toying with her. However, she nodded slightly, maintaining the most basic courtesy, ¡°Since it¡¯s a misunderstanding, it¡¯s good to clarify. Please enjoy your meal; I will leave first.¡± Speaking, Tang Xi walked straight out of the private room. As she descended the stairs, someone was climbing up, and they almost bumped into each other, Tang Xi gently sidestepped. Unexpectedly, the other party started to be relentless, ¡°Are you blind?¡± This sharp female voice. Tang Xi looked up at her. Lin Manxue snorted coldly, ¡°Tang Xi, so it¡¯s you. Hooking up with rich people, huh? Even coming to such an expensive restaurant to eat.¡± Tang Xi ignored her and kept walking down with her head down. She then heard Xu Manxue chatting with her girlfriends, ¡°This woman is Tang Xi, Mengshu¡¯s shameless little sister, look at the clothes she¡¯s wearing, a poor ghost, I could smell the rotting scent of poverty as she passed by me, you probably don¡¯t know, but she was jailed a few days ago for stealing jewelry, and now she¡¯s probably hooked up with a rich guy and got out...¡± ¡°I also heard, she hooked up with her brother-in-law... which is why Mengshu, being kind-hearted, doesn¡¯t bother her...¡± Tang Xi¡¯s face turned pale, and she paused in her steps. Her fingers clenched tightly, but eventually, she weakly let go. She slowly lowered her eyelashes and walked out of the restaurant. The 3 PM sun at the end of May was warm, but she couldn¡¯t feel any warmth. ¨C Xiao Chi slowly walked down the stairs, passing by two young women who were talking about Tang Xi¡¯s name, completely lacking the demeanor of wealthy daughters, full of abusive words. The man slightly raised an eyebrow. He reached the cashier where the manager respectfully looked at Xiao Chi, ¡°Young Master, was there anything unsatisfactory about today¡¯s meal?¡± This Chinese restaurant belonged to the Xiao Group¡¯s catering industry. Xiao Chi casually hummed, carelessly tapped on the table, ¡°Those two women who just left, don¡¯t serve them. Don¡¯t let them come in the future either.¡± The manager hesitated, ¡°But... Miss Xu and Miss Jiang are our gold card members...¡± Before he could finish, seeing Xiao Chi¡¯s gaze turning cold, he trembled and immediately said, ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Then he notified the waitstaff, and in a few minutes, Xu Manxue and her girlfriends, cursing and swearing, were thrown out the door by two bouncers. ¨C In the evening, she chatted with Ruan Youqing about this Xiao Chi incident. Mistaking someone for someone else. But from Ruan Youqing, she learned that Lin Quan was a woman. ¡°What, she¡¯s a woman?¡± She initially thought this name belonged to a man. Ruan Youqing seemed a bit frustrated mentioning this, as she also didn¡¯t know beforehand that Lin Quan was a woman. Zhao Yixing didn¡¯t tell her either, making her now somewhat embarrassed. It¡¯s not that she was insensitive towards the females around Zhao Yixing; she chose to trust Zhao Yixing. However, Zhao Yixing had called her, complaining that she hadn¡¯t taken Lin Quan seriously enough. Ruan Youqing frowned, ¡°Yixing, you didn¡¯t say Lin Quan was a woman at first, and also...¡± ¡°Youqing, I¡¯m sorry, I was just too hasty earlier. Lin Quan is a very good classmate of mine; her family runs a finance company. She helped me a lot abroad, and this time when I return to my country, she also helped me network...¡± Ruan Youqing, ¡°Alright then... I¡¯m off tomorrow, I¡¯ll take her shopping.¡± ¡°Youqing, I knew you¡¯re the best. When I return, I¡¯ll spend lots of time with you.¡± Thinking of their happy future together, a smile appeared on Ruan Youqing¡¯s face, ¡°Alright.¡± Chapter 32 - 32 31 I Shouldnt Have Offended You Right ?32: Chapter 31: I Shouldn¡¯t Have Offended You, Right? 32: Chapter 31: I Shouldn¡¯t Have Offended You, Right? Tang Xi arrived at the hospital early the next day and was busy all morning. After a quick lunch, she discussed the details of a surgery with a patient¡¯s relative and notified Vice President Zhang. At the nurses¡¯ station, someone called out to her, ¡°Doctor Tang, someone is looking for you.¡± Tang Xi responded and made her way to the nurses¡¯ station. The delivery person looked at Tang Xi, ¡°These are your flowers, please sign for them.¡± Tang Xi was momentarily stunned by the bouquet of 99 roses; she didn¡¯t order any flowers, did she? The delivery person said, ¡°These are from Mr. Xiao.¡± Xiao? Tang Xi thought of the man she met yesterday, could it be him? She didn¡¯t want them, but she didn¡¯t want to trouble the delivery person either, so she signed for them. The nurses at the station chuckled, ¡°Oh, Doctor Tang, got yourself a boyfriend, huh...¡± Another nurse added, ¡°Yeah, Doctor Tang, that flower shop is a celebrity hotspot and isn¡¯t cheap at all.¡± Tang Xi simply said, ¡°If you like them, you can keep them at the nurses¡¯ station.¡± ¡°Thank you, Doctor Tang.¡± Tang Xi had not taken Xiao Chi¡¯s gesture of sending flowers to heart at first, but to her surprise, flowers from him continued to arrive at the nurses¡¯ station for three consecutive days. Tang Xi frowned, and on the fourth day, she told the delivery person, ¡°Could you please let this gentleman know that I don¡¯t want his flowers and that he shouldn¡¯t waste his efforts.¡± ¡°This... I¡¯m just taking orders, there¡¯s nothing I can do...¡± Tang Xi¡¯s phone rang, it was an unfamiliar number; she glanced at it and answered, ¡°Hello?¡± ¡°Did you like the flowers I sent?¡± ¡°Xiao Chi?¡± Tang Xi¡¯s brow furrowed, puzzled by his antics, ¡°How did you get my contact information?¡± ¡°Doctor Tang, are you free? How about dinner tonight? My car is parked at the entrance of your office hospital, waiting for you.¡± For Xiao Chi, getting someone¡¯s number was a piece of cake. Tang Xi stared at her phone, biting her lip. A mix of helplessness and speechlessness. Nurse Lu Qing at the station said, ¡°Sister Tang, the guy is pursuing you, it¡¯s just dinner... You¡¯re so beautiful, it¡¯s not like you lack admirers, and I think this wealthy young master doesn¡¯t seem too bad.¡± Tang Xi was surprised, ¡°How do you know he¡¯s a wealthy young master?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you ever go online, Sister Tang? These flowers are from Yunge Flower Art, the top celebrity flower shop in North City. You think this small bouquet of roses is simple, but they use premium imported flowers. The amount he has spent on flowers these past few days is already in the five digits... Only a rich guy could afford to send such expensive flowers.¡± When it was time to leave work, Tang Xi walked out of the hospital and saw a flashy red sports car parked at the entrance. At the hospital entrance, almost everyone passing by were in taxis, carrying families of patients and such ¡ª the one or two flashy sports cars instantly attracted many gazes. Tang Xi planned to ignore it and walked with her head down towards the high-speed train station. Behind her, the beep-beep of a car horn¡ª Tang Xi¡¯s phone vibrated. A text message, ¡°If you don¡¯t get in the car, I don¡¯t mind following you all the way.¡± Tang Xi reluctantly got into Xiao Chi¡¯s car, raising her hand to rub her temples lightly, ¡°Young Master Xiao, I don¡¯t think I have offended you, and we don¡¯t really have anything to do with each other.¡± Xiao Chi rested one hand on the steering wheel, looking relaxed and at ease, as he stepped on the gas pedal. At the hospital entrance. Fu Tingzhou paused, the man lifting his eyes to watch the departing limited edition sports car, his gaze sharp. By his side, Xu Ze glanced at it and said, ¡°That seems to be the Xiao¡¯s car.¡± After saying that, Xu Ze noticed a change in the atmosphere around him; the man¡¯s displeasure was evident. ¨C Tang Xi casually mentioned an address, got out of the car, and walked away without looking back. Xiao Chi watched her graceful retreating figure and clicked his tongue twice. How merciless, to cast someone aside after using them. I have to say, he has actually started to take an interest in this woman... Xiao Chi made a call to a friend, ¡°Let¡¯s go, time to drink. We¡¯re pulling an all-nighter tonight.¡± Once at the bar, Xiao Chi leaned back in the booth, legs crossed, surrounded by his fair-weather friends. He took a glass of alcohol handed to him and downed it in one go. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Young Master Xiao? You seem to be in a bad mood.¡± Another person commented, ¡°Young Master Xiao has been chasing a female doctor recently, hasn¡¯t he? Did he hit a wall? It¡¯s rare to see someone that even Young Master Xiao can¡¯t win over. It¡¯s been two weeks, hasn¡¯t it? Young Master Xiao still hasn¡¯t managed to snag her?¡± ¡°All it usually takes is a flick of Young Master Xiao¡¯s finger, and the women come flocking. Other than Qiao Jing, who else would be so hard to handle...¡± At the mention of the name Qiao Jing, Xiao Chi¡¯s face turned sour. The group promptly fell silent. Someone glared at the person who had spoken, criticizing them for bringing up the one topic to avoid. All of these friends knew better than to mention Qiao Jing in front of Xiao Chi. Bringing her up now was simply adding fuel to the fire. Xiao Chi kicked the coffee table with his foot, ¡°She is indeed tough to handle, but by next week at the latest, I will have this woman in my grasp.¡± His fair-weather friends erupted into a chorus of laughter. Having smoked two cigarettes, Xiao Chi¡¯s phone rang amidst the noisy backdrop. He rose to find a quiet corner to take the call. ¡°Brother Song, what¡¯s the deal with Young Master Xiao? I thought Qiao Jing was the one he liked? Why is he chasing another woman now?¡± The one called Brother Song, whose full name is Song Ziling, often hung around Xiao Chi and was familiar with Xiao Chi¡¯s affairs. At the moment, Song Ziling said, ¡°That... it¡¯s not so simple to explain in a few words. Be cautious from now on, don¡¯t mention Qiao Jing in front of Xiao Chi...¡± Song Ziling spoke slowly. Qiao Jing was the unattainable love of Xiao Chi¡¯s life. They had grown up together, but unfortunately, Qiao Jing had fallen for Cheng Yunlang. And Cheng Yunlang was infatuated with Tang Xi. Xiao Chi, seeking revenge on Cheng Yunlang, started pursuing Tang Xi. His real intention was to humiliate Cheng Yunlang by winning Tang Xi over. After hearing this, the playboy replied, ¡°That Tang Xi is really that difficult to handle? She must be playing hard to get. With Young Master Xiao¡¯s good looks and family background¡ªwhy not set a trap to help him out? Women are easy to chase; we can stage a ¡®hero saves the beauty¡¯ scenario...¡± Song Ziling frowned, agreeing it was a good idea but still cautiously advised, ¡°Just don¡¯t go overboard.¡± ¡°Jingjing, it¡¯s so late; is there anything urgent you needed to call me about?¡± In a slightly quieter place by the window, Xiao Chi gripped his phone, his eyes and eyebrows softened with a smile. ¡°Sob, I just had a nightmare... Xiao Chi, did you manage to win over Tang Xi or not... She¡¯s always appearing in front of Cheng Yunlang in the hospital now. Cheng Yunlang is completely head over heels for her, he¡¯s even planning to bring her abroad for a study program. There are only two spots, and the other one has to be me!¡± ¡°Jingjing, don¡¯t worry, I will definitely get Tang Xi.¡± ¡°Xiao Chi, you¡¯re always the best to me... that nightmare just now scared me to death... I dreamed that Tang Xi got married to Cheng Yunlang sob sob sob....¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid, Jingjing...¡± ¡°Xiao Chi, if only Cheng Yunlang would treat me the way you do...¡± After hanging up the phone, Xiao Chi clenched his fists and fiercely pounded the windowsill. ¨C After that luxury car drove away, Tang Xi walked out of an unfamiliar residential complex. She just wanted to shake off Xiao Chi; she wasn¡¯t actually living there. She boarded the nearest bus. It was the evening rush hour, and the bus was crowded. The delicate hand of the woman gripped the handrail; she pulled out her phone and looked at the text message from the attending nephrologist: ¡°We have a kidney available at the Traditional Medicine Hospital this Wednesday. If you have decided to undergo surgery, please pay the fees in advance. If you miss this opportunity, it might be difficult to find another suitable kidney.¡± Tang Xi was well aware that if this chance was missed... Tang Jingyun might not survive long enough for another. Right after she got off the bus, her phone buzzed non-stop. ¡°Are you Tang Shiyue¡¯s older sister? Tang Shiyue has been detained at the Second District Police Station for getting into a fight and injuring someone...¡± Chapter 33 - 33 32 Is There Something You Cant Say to Me Directly ?33: Chapter 32: Is There Something You Can¡¯t Say to Me Directly? 33: Chapter 32: Is There Something You Can¡¯t Say to Me Directly? Upon receiving this phone call, Tang Xi¡¯s mind exploded with a buzz. ¨C Second District Police Station. Tang Xi hurried over and saw Tang Shiyue. Looking into her eyes, Tang Shiyue lowered his head, his eyes reddening, ¡°Sis... I¡¯m sorry, it doesn¡¯t matter that he insulted me, but he cursed my mom saying she was going to die... I know I did wrong... but he provoked me first.¡± Tang Xi opened her mouth but couldn¡¯t say a word as she looked at the seventeen-year-old boy in front of her. He had less than a week until the college entrance examination... And now, everything had come to an abrupt halt. But Tang Xi couldn¡¯t utter a word of reproach; instead, tears slowly streamed down her cheeks. ¡°Sis, don¡¯t settle, the Fu Chenglin family is rich and powerful, don¡¯t waste any money on me, save it for mom¡¯s illness...¡± Soon, a policewoman came over to take her for questioning. Afterward, everything was a blur, her mind in chaos. Friends and parents involved in the brawl with Tang Shiyue crowded the police station. Tang Shiyue had injured a classmate named Fu Chenglin, and then a fight broke out between two groups. Fu Chenglin was still lying in the hospital, reportedly with a head injury. She numbly grasped the policewoman¡¯s hand, repeatedly asking, ¡°Can he still take the college entrance exam? My brother is about to...¡± The policewoman slowly shook her head. Tang Xi hurried to the hospital. Fu Chenglin¡¯s mother was at the entrance of the ward, and upon seeing Tang Xi, she started hurling insults, ¡°Like brother like sister, dreaming of a settlement! I¡¯m going to make sure that little beast rots in jail! He dared to injure my son, he¡¯ll spend his life behind bars!¡± Confronted with the humiliation, her straight spine slowly bent as she clenched her fingers, ¡°Madam Fu, please I beg of you, don¡¯t sue my brother! He¡¯s about to take the college entrance exam, it was his fault, and I apologize on his behalf.¡± The lady sneered. ¡°My son can¡¯t take the exam either, he suffered a head injury, what if there are long term consequences, can you compensate for that?¡± Tang Xi stood there pale-faced, stunned. ¡°Madam Fu, I beg you, I¡¯ll cover all of Young Master Fu¡¯s medical expenses... If there¡¯s anything else you require as compensation, I¡¯ll do my best to fulfill it.¡± ¡°My family is not short of that money, I want to ensure that Tang Shiyue, that little beast, spends his life in prison!¡± It was already evening, the night breeze blowing her hair, as the woman walked aimlessly down the street alone. Slowly, she squatted down and hugged herself. A dazzling car light came on, followed by a sharp buzz as a black sedan grazed past her, accompanied by the driver¡¯s curse, ¡°Damn, suicidal much! Get out of the way!¡± Tang Xi didn¡¯t know how long she had been walking on the road; although it was a May night, she felt bone-chillingly cold. Another text message arrived on her phone. It was from Qin Jianlan, asking if she had dinner yet? Asking if she wanted to come over for some late-night food... Tang Xi was in no mood for it, but she couldn¡¯t bring herself to refuse Aunt Qin. ¨C Eight o¡¯clock in the evening. The city hospital¡¯s deluxe ward. Tang Xi held a bowl of wontons, and Aunt Rong smilingly handed her a cup of water, ¡°I made some extra tonight, the madam thought you were working the night shift, so she asked you to come over and try some.¡± Looking at Qin Jianlan¡¯s kind and gentle smile, Tang Xi finally felt a bit warmer, ¡°Mom... how have you been feeling lately, is there any discomfort?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine, just a bit dizzy from lying here every day. Seeing you and Tingzhou makes me feel much better,¡± Qin Jianlan said hurriedly, urging Tang Xi to eat while the food was hot. Tang Xi was also a bit hungry. She hadn¡¯t had a drop of water since getting off work. Her stomach began to cramp. So much had happened in just a few hours. After having a few bites of wonton soup and feeling the warmth here, Tang Xi thought of her brother at the police station, and of Tang Jingyun waiting for life-saving treatment in the ICU. She bit her lower lip, seemingly at her wit¡¯s end. She remembered Fu Tingzhou¡¯s instructions not to disturb Qin Jianlan¡¯s recovery. Still, she took a deep breath and said. ¡°Mom... I have a favor to ask... I hope you can help me...¡± ¡°What is it?¡± Seeing Tang Xi¡¯s pale face, Qin Jianlan quickly said, ¡°No matter what it is, mom will help you.¡± ¡°Mom... I want to borrow 500,000... I have a... a very good friend whose family is in trouble and needs money. I don¡¯t want to bother Tingzhou...¡± ¡°You gave me a scare, I thought it was something serious...¡± Qin Jianlan smiled gently, ¡°You and Tingzhou are husband and wife, your issues are his issues. What¡¯s this bother or trouble, as a couple, you should help each other.¡± Tang Xi forced a pale smile, remembering this man¡¯s disdain for her, she tried to make her voice sound more cheerful, ¡°Tingzhou has been very busy recently... As his wife, how can I bother him with every little thing... but my friend is in a bit of a hurry...¡± ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll have Aunt Rong transfer it to you later,¡± Qin Jianlan patted Tang Xi¡¯s hand. ¡°Mom... can you not tell Tingzhou about this...?¡± Before she could finish her words, she heard a deep male voice slowly rising. ¡°What is it that you can¡¯t tell me?¡± Tang Xi¡¯s face turned white in an instant. Her shoulders trembled slightly. As she slowly turned around, she saw Fu Tingzhou standing at the entrance of the ward, the man strode in with a smile on his face, and walked to the bedside to wrap his arms around Tang Xi¡¯s shoulders, ¡°What are you hiding from me, talking to mom?¡± Although he smiled, Tang Xi saw the indifference in his eyes. Seeing her son and daughter-in-law getting along well, Qin Jianlan also smiled, ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal, Ah Zhou, you shouldn¡¯t be working all the time. Pay more attention to the things around Xixi.¡± She looked at Tang Xi, ¡°Xixi, just speak directly with Tingzhou, and if this young man dares to brush you off, just come and tell me, I¡¯ll see how I deal with him!¡± Tang Xi knew Qin Jianlan meant well for her. But at this moment, she couldn¡¯t smile, a stiff smile tugged at her lips, her heart was covered with ice, and she kept her gaze down, not daring to look into Fu Tingzhou¡¯s eyes. After staying in the ward for a while, Qin Jianlan felt a bit tired. At nine o¡¯clock in the evening, Tang Xi and Fu Tingzhou left the ward. Her hand was still in the crook of the man¡¯s arm, but the moment they stepped out of the ward, he coldly shrugged off her hand, his eyes not hiding his disgust and anger. At the end of the corridor, the man¡¯s face was frosted over, as he harshly gripped her chin. ¡°You haven¡¯t taken my words to heart at all, pretending to be obedient on the surface but going behind my back to ask my mother for money. Is this how you used to deceive my mother too? Today a friend is in trouble, tomorrow a relative is in trouble, is there a single truth in your mouth? My mother treats you well, yet all you think about is how to swindle money from her!¡± Tang Xi was struggling to breathe. ¡°I... didn¡¯t... not before...¡± But one of Fu Tingzhou¡¯s sentences cut her deeply. Yes, Aunt Qin was so nice. She had been so good to her since she was little. And now, as she is seriously ill, she is still troubling her, asking to borrow money from her... It was utterly ridiculous!! Chapter 34 - 34 33 Xiao Chis Pursuit ?34: Chapter 33: Xiao Chi¡¯s Pursuit 34: Chapter 33: Xiao Chi¡¯s Pursuit Thinking of this, Qin Jianlan¡¯s gentle and kind face appeared in her mind. She gave up struggling and explaining, and instead calmly closed her eyes. The recent events weighed on her shoulders. This wasn¡¯t the first time she felt powerless. She couldn¡¯t bear to watch Tang Mama leave and yet, there was nothing she could do to save her loved one. And her own younger brother, locked up in the police station, missed his college entrance exam. At this moment, she was enveloped in exhaustion, weakness, and pain. Thinking of this, a tear slid down the corner of her eye. The man¡¯s hand trembled as he let go. Tang Xi slowly opened her eyes, looking at the man¡¯s handsome cold face, she weakly and hoarsely said, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I shouldn¡¯t have come to disturb Aunt Qin...¡± She slowly stood up, desperately holding back her emotions, and turned towards the direction of the elevator. Maybe this was fate. She wanted to spend the last moments with Tang Mama. ¡°Stop!¡± Fu Tingzhou¡¯s face regained its composure, and he watched her thin and frail silhouette from behind, not knowing why, but seeing her cry just then stirred complex emotions in him, then he said sternly, ¡°I will give you 500,000, but this is the last time. You have no room to bargain with me. Once my mother¡¯s surgery is over, get as far away as you can.¡± Tang Xi shuddered, turning to look at him. A light slowly began to shine in her eyes. ¡°Thank you, thank you Mr. Fu,¡± Tang Xi sincerely thanked him. She hadn¡¯t expected him to agree; even though his face was icy now, she felt extremely grateful. She also feared he might change his mind or delay, and quickly went over to ask, ¡°When will it be transferred to my account?¡± Seeing her cautious look, all he could see was greed in his eyes, and he mocked coldly, ¡°You really love money that much.¡± This woman really opened his eyes! Just a moment ago she looked like she was at death¡¯s door, but the mention of money seemed to revive her immediately. Such acting talent wasted if not in the entertainment industry, watching her careful smile trying to please him, Fu Tingzhou found it utterly grating. He had once been interested in such a woman... Truly adept at pretending; his mother was deceived by this act... But 500,000 wasn¡¯t a big deal to him, and although he disliked this woman, as long as she could make his mother happy, it was good enough. ¨C Nephrology Department at the Traditional Medicine Hospital. Tang Xi paid the fees and hurried to the doctor¡¯s office. She discussed the surgical procedure as quickly as possible, and then kept vigil at the ICU entrance all night without closing her eyes, until ten o¡¯clock the next morning when Tang Jingyun was wheeled into the operating room. The surgery lasted a full six hours. Tang Xi¡¯s heart was in her throat the entire time. Ruan Youqing took a leave of absence to stay by her side the whole time. When the surgery was over and the doctor came out saying it was very successful, she felt dizzy, as if a weight had lifted from her heart, a sense of relief washing over her. Ruan Youqing hugged her, ¡°Did you hear that? The surgery was very successful, Auntie is okay now, okay now!¡± The tears couldn¡¯t be held back, and Tang Xi choked up. Not daring to rest, she asked Ruan Youqing to stay with Tang Jingyun while she hurried to the police station to tell Tang Shiyue that Tang Jingyun¡¯s surgery was successful. ¡°Sis...¡± Tang Shiyue¡¯s eyes reddened with excitement. ¡°Shiyue, you also need to take care of yourself. I¡¯ll find you a lawyer, don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m here for everything.¡± Tang Jingyun woke up the next day, and after a week, all her vital signs stabilized. She asked about Tang Shiyue, but Tang Xi kept it from her. She told Tang Jingyun that Tang Shiyue was participating in a mathematics competition, currently in closed training; it was best to keep it a secret while they still could. If Tang Jingyun found out that Tang Shiyue was supposed to take the college entrance exam but was now in the police station, she probably would be so shocked that she¡¯d faint on the spot. At this moment, Tang Xi could fully understand Fu Tingzhou¡¯s feeling of not wanting external affairs to disturb Qin Jianlan. As a child, one would generally not want one¡¯s mother, especially when seriously ill, to be disturbed by external affairs. Tang Xi decided to find a time to have a good talk with Fu Tingzhou. To clear up some unnecessary misunderstandings. She agreed to the divorce and would not cling to him. ¨C ¡°Xiao Xi, give Shiyue a call. I miss him,¡± Tang Jingyun lay in the hospital bed, gazing at Tang Xi with a pleading look. Tang Xi was cutting fruit, paused upon hearing this, looked up with a smile, ¡°Mom, Shiyue is preparing for a competition, it¡¯s closed, he can¡¯t answer the phone.¡± ¡°He was supposed to be preparing for the college exam, how did he end up in a competition... don¡¯t let it affect the college exam...¡± Tang Xi finished cutting the fruit and adjusted Tang Jingyun¡¯s blanket, ¡°His math scores are good, representing the school in competition is normal, and for the college exam, maybe his competition results will come out and he¡¯ll be exempted from the exam.¡± Hearing this, a smile appeared on Tang Jingyun¡¯s face. Tang Jingyun¡¯s husband had died early, and Tang Xi hadn¡¯t met him; she vaguely knew his surname was Qin, rumored to have died in a car accident. Tang Jingyun managed the orphanage alone and raised Tang Shiyue by herself. She had high hopes for this son. Tang Shiyue had indeed been doing well, maintaining good grades from junior high through high school. In the second round of mock exams, he ranked in the top 50 of his grade. Especially in mathematics, with a normal college exam, he could have a very promising future. But now... This year¡¯s college exam might be cancelled, and if the case is serious, possibly even next year¡¯s too... ¡°Mom, I have to go to work this afternoon. Call me if you need anything, or just let Auntie Li, the caretaker, contact me,¡± ¡°Okay, don¡¯t delay your work. I¡¯m fine here, feeling good.¡± Tang Xi didn¡¯t go to work that afternoon but went around looking for a lawyer to defend Tang Shiyue. The mistake was Fu Chenglin¡¯s initial malicious provocation and he was the first to throw a punch. But after an afternoon of searching, Tang Xi returned to her rented room, dragging her exhausted body. The next day at work, Ruan Youqing noticed her poor condition and after some inquiry. Ruan Youqing said, ¡°I¡¯ll accompany you to various law firms after work tonight.¡± Tang Xi nodded. As she passed the nurse station, a female nurse called out to her, ¡°Sister Tang, your flowers.¡± Tang Xi looked at the blooming pink roses on the table, without needing to guess, she knew they were from Xiao Chi, this wealthy young master was really persistent, what was he really up to, Tang Xi frowned lightly, ¡°Just leave them here.¡± After she left, two nurses whispered among themselves. ¡°Who is pursuing Dr. Tang? Looks like they¡¯re quite wealthy.¡± ¡°Yeah, very persistent too. It¡¯s been a week now, flowers every day, this bunch of rare varieties costs over a thousand. It¡¯s surprising to see Dr. Tang, who¡¯s usually so humble and frugal, attracting the pursuit of wealthy people.¡± ¡°Maybe it¡¯s some pot-bellied middle-aged man.¡± They laughed together. Chapter 35 - 35 34 Moving on So Quickly ?35: Chapter 34: Moving on So Quickly 35: Chapter 34: Moving on So Quickly Ruan Youqing was nearby, feeling indignant as the group of nurses chattered endlessly. She stomped her foot, walked over, grabbed the roses from the table, and said, ¡°Perfect, I¡¯ll put them in the staff restroom to remove the smell.¡± A few nurses looked at Ruan Youqing and muttered, ¡°No manners.¡± ¡°Even if I lack manners, I wouldn¡¯t mock people behind their backs.¡± The nurse¡¯s face turned red. Ruan Youqing snorted coldly and strode away. ¨C When Tang Xi left the hospital in the afternoon, the sound of car horns filled the air. Xiao Chi drove up in a flashy red sports car, wearing sunglasses and tilting his head at her, ¡°Get in.¡± ¡°I still have things to do.¡± Tang Xi eyed him warily and stepped back. Xiao Chi pressed the horn again, ¡°Won¡¯t you even ask where we are going before refusing?¡± He took off his sunglasses and jerked his chin at her, ¡°Get in, I¡¯ll take you somewhere.¡± Tang Xi looked at him suspiciously. As she hesitated, another horn sounded. Xiao Chi¡¯s car was blocking the way, and the cars behind were displeased. Tang Xi had no choice but to get in the car. Before she could even fasten her seatbelt, the man floored the accelerator, causing Tang Xi to turn pale and tightly grasp the door handle. Xiao Chi watched her panicked expression and a smirk appeared at the corner of his mouth. Tang Xi pursed her lips and muttered softly, ¡°Boring.¡± However, to her surprise, Xiao Chi brought her to Jingrong Law Firm. The receptionist changed her usually haughty attitude upon seeing Xiao Chi, quickly bowing respectfully and saying, ¡°Young Master Xiao, Attorney Chen is waiting for you in his office.¡± When the receptionist saw Tang Xi behind Xiao Chi, she was momentarily startled. Because when Tang Xi had come yesterday afternoon, she had rejected them impatiently and arrogantly. At this moment, it was somewhat awkward. Inside the office, a handsome and composed man in a gray suit sat on the sofa. He watched as a man and a woman entered, his gaze moving from the man¡¯s face and briefly sweeping over the woman¡¯s face. Xiao Chi walked in, ¡°Fourth Brother, it¡¯s not easy to get a moment with you...¡± He turned to Tang Xi, ¡°My friend, the boss of Jingrong, Chen Jinyan.¡± The name Chen Jinyan was familiar to Tang Xi. She had seen this man in various financial and legal magazines¡ªNorth City¡¯s most famous lawyer, rumored to have never lost a case he took on. She stared at Xiao Chi, momentarily stunned, as it had not crossed her mind that Xiao Chi would bring her to meet Chen Jinyan. Xiao Chi put on his sunglasses, ¡°Haven¡¯t you been looking for a lawyer these past few days? Well, there¡¯s no better lawyer in North City than my Fourth Brother. I¡¯ll wait for you in the lounge outside, and we¡¯ll go eat after you¡¯re finished talking.¡± With that, he left. Tang Xi stood in front of Chen Jinyan, her lips pursed. She had heard of Chen Jinyan¡¯s reputation, but at this moment, she felt no relaxation at heart, knowing the issue involving Tang Shiyue was troublesome. Chen Jinyan gestured to her, ¡°Sit, since you are Xiao Chi¡¯s friend, tell me what¡¯s on your mind.¡± After Tang Xi explained the situation regarding Tang Shiyue, Chen Jinyan frowned, ¡°This matter is indeed tricky. However, your brother is a minor and is the defender, so there is still a chance.¡± Tang Xi¡¯s eyelashes fluttered slightly, and her face brightened a bit. ¡°You can go back first, my assistant will contact you later.¡± ¡°Thank you, thank you so much.¡± Tang Xi bowed deeply and sincerely thanked him, suddenly feeling a breath of relief. As she left the office, Chen Jinyan¡¯s gaze lingered on her retreating figure, sizing her up slightly. If he wasn¡¯t mistaken, he had seen this woman before... But specifically, he could not remember. However, she and Xiao Chi, the typical playboy, were completely mismatched and certainly not his usual type. Xiao Chi really has changed his tastes. ¨C ¡°So, is everything resolved now?¡± Tang Xi had a smile on her face, she previously thought Xiao Chi was a flirtatious wealthy playboy, but now, she sincerely thanked him, ¡°Thank you, Young Master Xiao.¡± If it weren¡¯t for Xiao Chi, how could she have found the top lawyer in North City. Now, Shiyue would be saved. ¡°Alright, your matter is resolved, now it¡¯s time to solve mine, come on, let¡¯s go eat.¡± Tang Xi didn¡¯t refuse again, ¡°I, I¡¯ll treat you.¡± As a way of saying thanks. ¡°You?¡± Xiao Chi eyed her outfit, although this woman was fairly attractive, her fashion sense was really poor; this whole outfit from a street stall probably didn¡¯t cost more than 200 yuan in total. A simple white blouse and black jeans. It¡¯s just her face, still quite pleasant to look at. ¨C Half an hour later, the car stopped, now close to the edge of Hai City. At night, the beach was bustling. A beach party, bikinis and beach shorts everywhere, Tang Xi¡¯s neatly dressed appearance seemed quite out of place. ¡°Young Master Xiao, your girlfriend, not bad.¡± A young man whistled at Tang Xi. Xiao Chi raised his hand, placed it on Tang Xi¡¯s shoulder, and pulled her close as they walked to a long table and sat down. Xiao Chi handed the menu to Tang Xi, ¡°Order whatever you want.¡± Tang Xi chose a dish casually, looking around at the seaside barbecue stalls. The table was full of Xiao Chi¡¯s rowdy friends, many of whom had women clinging to them scantily dressed, revealing sultry figures. By comparison, she really seemed like she belonged to another world. ¡°Young Master Xiao, it¡¯s been a while, your taste has changed. You like this plain water style now...¡± a woman cooed as she looked at Xiao Chi. Xiao Chi took a drag on his cigarette, smiled, and remained silent. On the other hand, a young man said, ¡°Let Young Master Xiao change his taste once in a while.¡± Then everyone burst into laughter. The woman laughed wildly, her chest quivering, deliberately leaning into Xiao Chi¡¯s embrace, ¡°Young Master Xiao, you have a new girlfriend and you don¡¯t care about me anymore.¡± Xiao Chi blew out a smoke ring, smiling somewhat wanton, ¡°vivi, like you said, I have a new girlfriend now.¡± ¡°Young Master Xiao is busy, but I have time, vivi, let brother keep you company,¡± another young man wrapped his arms around the woman¡¯s waist. Although vivi liked Xiao Chi, she didn¡¯t want to offend these wealthy young men, quickly started drinking with them with a smile on her face, but occasionally, her cold gaze slashed towards Tang Xi. Who knows what¡¯s with Young Master Xiao, to actually like this kind of plain water. The seaside barbecue, the evening breeze blowing. Tang Xi raised her hand to tidy up her hair messed up by the wind, casually tied it in a ponytail, still strands of hair on her cheeks, she ate a few bites of food, then glanced at her wristwatch. She had no interest in such gatherings, if Xiao Chi hadn¡¯t forcibly brought her, Tang Xi would never come. Xiao Chi opened a bottle of wine and handed it to her, ¡°It¡¯s only been half an hour, and you¡¯re already so eager to go back, I helped you a lot, and now you turn your back on me?¡± Tang Xi wasn¡¯t much of a drinker, but drinking a few sips wouldn¡¯t get her drunk, she took it, had a sip, the cool beer quenching some of the hot air from the September evening breeze. ¡°Young Master Xiao, you haven¡¯t mentioned how long I should stay here.¡± Chapter 36 - 36 35 Falling into Water ?36: Chapter 35: Falling into Water 36: Chapter 35: Falling into Water ¡°Wait until it¡¯s over,¡± Xiao Chi tossed her a lighter, then leaned in with his handsome face. With the cigarette between his thin lips, his speech was somewhat muffled, ¡°Light it for me.¡± The evening breeze was gentle, and the woman¡¯s pale fingers hooked slightly, igniting a dull blue flame with the lighter. She raised her hand to shield it slightly, bringing the flickering flame close to Xiao Chi¡¯s lips. He squinted his eyes and took a drag, exhaling a pale blue ring of smoke. Tang Xi sat beside him, the scent of tobacco carried by the wind. She frowned slightly and gave a light cough. Xiao Chi, with a careless air, leaned back in his chair, flicking ash from his cigarette, observing Tang Xi through the haze of pale smoke. He saw her slender figure yet upright posture, in a white short-sleeved shirt and black jeans, her face almost bare with no trace of makeup, her hair tied up in a clean high ponytail. She indeed seemed out of place here. Exceptionally pure. Pure to the point of being white and clean. This woman¡¯s face, upon closer inspection, was truly beautiful, no less than the high-born ladies and daughters of wealthy families by his side, perhaps even more naturally beautiful than those women. Next to him, a playboy was having a great time with the woman he brought, getting handsy after drinking for a while, the woman lightly panting with laughter. On the other side, another couple was cuddling and flirting. Meanwhile, Tang Xi sat there, looking down as she ate from her bowl and plate, like a lily blooming slowly in the night, pure as the moon, beautiful without awareness of it. Xiao Chi looked at her, taken aback for a moment. He had never encountered such a woman by his side... A young master that had grown up with a golden spoon in his mouth, surrounded by women as numerous as the carps crossing the river; at his beck and call, all sorts of women would come running eagerly. No wonder Yun Lang actually liked her. Thinking of Cheng Yunlang. He took a fierce drag of his cigarette, ¡°Tang Xi, name your price.¡± ¡°What?¡± She turned her head to look at him. ¡°Name your price, to be my girlfriend.¡± A faintly mocking smile appeared on Tang Xi¡¯s lips. ¡°Young Master Xiao, you¡¯ve had too much to drink; I suggest you drink some lemon water to sober up.¡± Xiao Chi sat up straight, ¡°I¡¯m serious.¡± ¡°And so was my previous statement,¡± Tang Xi admitted that she did not possess such charm to have the Xiao family¡¯s young master take a liking to her. She also had no desire to fall into the love affairs of these wealthy young masters, who could profess affection at one moment and discard it heartlessly the next. Xiao Chi, ¡°200,000 a month, is that enough? 500,000? 1,000,000?¡± He watched her face, devoid of any emotional change, and Xiao Chi did not understand. No one dislikes money; the women who used to like him were after his wealth, so why couldn¡¯t he secure the ordinarily born Tang Xi with money? His expression darkened for a moment. Song Ziling came over and said to Xiao Chi, ¡°Let¡¯s go, head to the boat; don¡¯t just sit here...¡± Possibly feeling like he lost face, Xiao Chi ignored Tang Xi and left with a few buddies for the ferry. The playboys scattered at the beach stalls also got up and went along. Tang Xi sighed softly, glanced at the time¡ªit was now 8 p.m.¡ªand decided she would leave after waiting a little longer. At that moment, two girls approached her, ¡°It¡¯s so boring sitting here alone, come up to the deck with us.¡± These two women were also with the group of playboys. Tang Xi did not want to go, but they dragged her along, teasing, ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go. Look at how conservatively you¡¯re dressed, we all know what¡¯s going on. Everyone¡¯s here to snag a rich guy, stop the act.¡± ¡°Dressing so conservatively, you¡¯re obviously aiming for the ¡®pure and innocent¡¯ image. You know Xiao Chi likes that type, so you¡¯re doing it on purpose... Your eyes are good though, among these playboys, Xiao Chi is the handsomest and wealthiest, and the most generous. Girl, you¡¯ve got some tactics...¡± Tang Xi let the two of them pull her along without objecting because she knew that arguing with them would be pointless. On the deck, the group of playboys had already started having fun. Tang Xi walked to the side, leaning against the railing, watching the rolling waves outside. ¡°So you are Tang Xi... I didn¡¯t expect you to have such tricks, being able to seduce Young Master Xiao.¡± The sea breeze, along with a strong scent of perfume, swept by. Tang Xi turned her face and saw the woman named Vivi approaching her, accompanied by Vivi¡¯s girlfriends. Tang Xi slightly furrowed her brows, ¡°Is there something you need?¡± ¡°Why pretend? Isn¡¯t it just about using your pretty face? Let me tell you, Young Master Xiao is not serious about you; it¡¯s just a fling. He will dump you in a few days. Don¡¯t really think you¡¯ve secured a wealthy guy.¡± Tang Xi looked at the woman in front of her. She hadn¡¯t taken a good look at the beach earlier, but now this woman stood before her, and Tang Xi could see more clearly ¨C a red bodycon dress hugging her voluptuous figure, large wavy hair, makeup bright and beautiful. She spoke indifferently, ¡°You should be saying this to yourself.¡± Vivi¡¯s face immediately changed, ¡°Hmph, I¡¯m not like you. Young Master Xiao has someone he likes, a rich heiress. Someone of your sort shouldn¡¯t even dream of climbing up to Young Master Xiao. I¡¯m just pitying you and giving you a heads-up.¡± Having said that, she sashayed away with her girlfriends. Tang Xi casually lifted her eyes, looking in the direction of Xiao Chi, who was sitting at a card table playing with three other playboys. Her phone vibrated in her bag, and Tang Xi was about to take it out to check. Suddenly, a force from behind pushed her. She didn¡¯t see who it was, and as the world spun, she fell overboard. Immediately after, someone yelled, ¡°Man overboard! Someone¡¯s fallen overboard!¡ª¡± ¡°Young Master Xiao, that woman you brought has fallen into the water.¡± Xiao Chi was playing cards. Hearing this, he rushed to the railing and saw amidst the rolling waves, the woman struggle for a moment before disappearing. He cursed, ¡°Damn it, someone save her quickly!¡± ¡°Shit.¡± Xiao Chi stared at the turbulent waves, and without a second thought, he dove in. Song Ziling saw Xiao Chi jump down and felt his heart skip a beat, ¡°Xiao Chi.¡± He turned to a young playboy beside him, ¡°Did you go too far? Xiao Chi can¡¯t swim! With the waves this higher, if a life is lost...!¡± The playboy also looked somewhat guilty, ¡°I just wanted to help Young Master Xiao, didn¡¯t I? He has been after this woman for two weeks without success. I thought to stage a heroic rescue, but didn¡¯t think...¡± Watching the waves quickly engulf them both, Song Ziling, who had old ties with Xiao Chi, swiftly tied a safety rope to another playboy who could swim and jumped into the sea to rescue them. ¨C On the shore. A slender figure crawled out of the water, dragging an unconscious man with her. Tang Xi was soaking wet. She adjusted her breathing and, seeing Xiao Chi choking on water, checked his condition and started performing CPR on him. Five or six minutes later, Xiao Chi coughed and opened his eyes. He slowly sat up, as if remembering how the sea had enveloped him, threatening to take his life; the man now gasped for breath, his complexion pale. Xiao Chi¡¯s gaze was somewhat blurry as he looked at the figure before him. A gust of wind came, making him shiver, which also made him much more alert. He stared at the woman before him, stunned. At that moment, she was completely drenched, her white top outlining her delicate figure, her long black hair dripping with water. She had a pale complexion but no panic in her expression, her eyes carrying a look of cool defiance and calm. And she still maintained the posture of a doctor performing emergency measures on a patient, only relaxing when she saw him awaken. Chapter 37 - 37 36 Compensation ?37: Chapter 36: Compensation 37: Chapter 36: Compensation Knowing it was Tang Xi who saved him, Xiao Chi wanted to say thank you, but he opened his mouth and, out of pride, didn¡¯t say anything. Tang Xi stood up, saw that he was alright, and said indifferently, ¡°Go to the hospital for a chest CT to check, just in case you got water in your lungs to avoid infection.¡± Xiao Chi looked at her, or more accurately, stared at her, as if he couldn¡¯t see through this woman in front of him. Watching Tang Xi turn to leave. Xiao Chi followed, ¡°Hey, where are you going?¡± Tang Xi glanced at him, ¡°Going home. Do you think you should still be here partying considering your condition, young master Xiao?¡± Xiao Chi paused and then said, ¡°I... I¡¯ll take you home...¡± ¡°No need.¡± ¡°Tang... Tang Xi....¡± Xiao Chi called out to her retreating figure, wanting to say thank you, just watching Tang Xi¡¯s figure get further and further away. Xiao Chi watched her figure, slightly lost in thought. Behind him, Song Ziling and the others hurried over, ¡°Brother Chi, are you alright?¡± Seeing Xiao Chi standing alive and well, Song Ziling finally breathed a sigh of relief. Just now, when Xiao Chi was engulfed by the sea, he and a friend had gone down to look for him but couldn¡¯t find him anywhere, which scared Song Ziling into a cold sweat. If the young master of the Xiao Family had an accident while out with them, patriarch Xiao would surely skin them alive. Xiao Chi looked at the few people in front of him, ¡°Who pushed Tang Xi into the water?¡± A young man walked out with his head lowered in fear, ¡°I... I... I didn¡¯t think it through...¡± he just wanted to play the hero saving the beauty. ¡°Damn it, are you crazy?¡± Xiao Chi angrily gave him a kick. The young man clutched his abdomen and fell to the ground. Xiao Chi still felt unsatisfied and went to kick him again, but was held back by Song Ziling, ¡°Brother Chi, Xiaolin didn¡¯t do it on purpose...¡± ¡°Luckily Tang Xi can swim; otherwise, I¡¯d be dead tonight too.¡± ¡°Is this Tang Xi¡¯s phone?¡± Song Ziling picked up a cell phone from the ground that had been soaked through, and it couldn¡¯t be turned on. Xiao Chi took it and glanced at it, noting the model had been out of date for several years, it would even seem outdated on the second-hand market... After all, the Su Family is a jewelry company, how come Tang Xi¡¯s stuff is so shabby, remembering her daily simple attire, cool and calm demeanor, and dislike of smiling. Such a somewhat dowdy and poor woman, and he, Xiao Chi, had actually been chasing her for a week without success. He went back to the deck with a few brothers; their party tonight was an all-nighter, having booked the entire cruise ship, and Song Ziling was a bit worried about him, ¡°Brother Chi, should we go to the hospital to check?¡± Xiao Chi didn¡¯t feel anything wrong with his body and waved his hand, ¡°It¡¯s fine, no big deal.¡± A woman with a swaying waist came over, ¡°Young master Xiao, are you okay? We were scared to death just now.¡± The woman rubbed her voluptuous body against his arm, but at this moment, Xiao Chi, looking at her heavy makeup and the strong scent of women¡¯s perfume in the sea breeze, frowned with a look of disgust, ¡°Go away, don¡¯t bother me.¡± In his mind, however, he recalled the natural beauty and coolness of Tang Xi¡¯s bare face. He paused for a moment. ¨C Tang Xi lost her phone, the money in her bag was waterlogged, and she took a taxi home. The cab driver was also nice, seeing her drenched and even showing concern. The waterlogged bills were accepted by the driver too. Tang Xi repeatedly thanked him and went home to take a hot shower. The next day, Tang Xi still caught a cold. Waking up in the morning, her throat was sore and her nose was stuffed. She sat up, took her temperature, and though she wasn¡¯t feverish, she was hit by a severe cold. At the hospital, Tang Xi changed her clothes and saw Ruan Youqing yawning wearily as she changed. Tang Xi frowned and asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong, did you not sleep well last night?¡± Ruan Youqing glanced at her, dark circles under her eyes. ¡°Yixing¡¯s mom had a stroke and collapsed last night, the neighbor called me. They took her to the clinic, and when I arrived, it wasn¡¯t looking good, so I brought her to our hospital overnight. She¡¯s now staying in the neurology ward,¡± she explained. ¡°Why did the neighbor call you instead of Zhao Yixing? It¡¯s his mother, not yours...¡± Since Zhao Yixing went abroad to study these past few years, Ruan Youqing had made many sacrifices for him. She paid for his education and took care of his sick mother. Ruan Youqing laughed, ¡°Even if they had called him, he couldn¡¯t come back. He¡¯s about to graduate; it¡¯s just a matter of a few days.¡± ¡°You¡¯re just too careless... Has Lin Quan left?¡± Ruan Youqing patted Tang Xi on the shoulder, ¡°Lin Quan and Yixing are classmates, and he¡¯s been helpful to his work. As his girlfriend, I think I should try to be understanding...¡± She trailed off, her gaze falling, ¡°He said he hopes I can trust him.¡± ¡°You actually believe what men say...¡± Tang Xi and Ruan Youqing stepped out of the changing room. Her throat hurt like fire, her voice hoarse, ¡°Anyway, make sure you save some money to yourself. Don¡¯t give all your earnings to Zhao Yixing. He¡¯s a grown man; he can earn his own money through work too...¡± ¡°Alright, alright, I get it.¡± Ruan Youqing forced a smile, hiding the fatigue on her face, ¡°Stop worrying about me. Look at yourself, you haven¡¯t seen how you sound for a day, caught a nasty cold...¡± Tang Xi shrugged, ¡°I¡¯ve had bad luck recently, running into a scoundrel...¡± After the morning meeting and rounds, a nurse passed by Tang Xi, ¡°Doctor Tang, someone is looking for you at the nurse station.¡± Tang Xi nodded; she had just finished her rounds and now had a brief moment of respite. She walked to the nurse station and from a distance saw a young man dressed in black sportswear, holding flowers and laughing playfully with sunglasses on, leaning on the nurse station while a female nurse blushed as she looked at him. Tang Xi stopped in her tracks. The next second, she turned and walked in the opposite direction. Xiao Chi took off his sunglasses, ¡°Hey, Tang Xi.¡± He walked over to Tang Xi holding the flowers, prompting the patients and nurses passing by to glance over. Two female nurses whispered among themselves. Most were surprised; there had been someone crazily pursuing Tang Xi, sending flowers daily, and they all thought it must¡¯ve been some greasy, fat man. But who would have guessed it was a handsome, wealthy young master from a rich family? Their eyes filled with envy as they looked at Tang Xi. Tang Xi frowned, ¡°Xiao Chi, what are you doing here?¡± ¡°Really, you¡¯re such an unamusing and unaffectionate ice beauty. You look so pretty when you smile, don¡¯t frown the moment you see me. I came... to thank you for last night, thank you for saving me,¡± he said. ¡°Just fulfilling my duties as a doctor.¡± Seeing that she was about to leave, Xiao Chi grabbed her arm. ¡°This is for you.¡± A cold object was pushed into Tang Xi¡¯s hand, and she looked down to find a cell phone. The latest model iPhone. Xiao Chi said, ¡°Your phone is so beat up; consider this compensation.¡± ¡°Thank you, Young Master Xiao.¡± Tang Xi did not reject the gift. ¡°I¡¯ve applied for your leave, starting this Wednesday. Accompany me to a place to relax and take a vacation trip. Don¡¯t refuse. Chen Jinyan will be there too. Don¡¯t you want to talk to him about your younger brother?¡± he proposed. Hearing that Chen Jinyan would also come, Tang Xi did indeed hesitate. Seeing her hesitate, Xiao Chi immediately said, ¡°Alright, it¡¯s settled then. I¡¯ll pick you up on Wednesday.¡± Chapter 38 - 38 37 Warning ?38: Chapter 37: Warning 38: Chapter 37: Warning The elevator doors opened. A man in a black suit stepped out, flanked by two middle-aged men in white lab coats. Fu Tingzhou asked, ¡°Dean Qi, how is Old Book¡¯s condition?¡± Qi Junheng looked towards the person beside him, ¡°Tinghua, Old Book is under your care, is he ready for surgery soon?¡± Zhang Tinghua nodded, ¡°Currently, Old Book¡¯s condition is stable, the surgery is scheduled for next Monday.¡± Fu Tingzhou took a few steps forward, then suddenly stopped. Next to him, a nurse whispered, ¡°Doctor Tang¡¯s boyfriend seems quite wealthy, he often sends her flowers.¡± Zhang Tinghua raised his head and called out, ¡°Tang Xi.¡± Tang Xi broke free from Xiao Chi¡¯s hand and came over, ¡°Teacher, Dean Qi...¡± She looked at Fu Tingzhou and pursed her lips slightly. Xiao Chi walked over, ¡°Third Brother Fu, what a coincidence.¡± The Xiao Family had had several collaborations with the Fu Family. Although they were not close family friends, they still maintained a harmonious relationship. Zhang Tinghua looked at his favorite disciple and introduced her to Dean Qi, ¡°Dean Qi, this is the gifted disciple I told you about.¡± Dean Qi looked at Tang Xi and nodded. He then looked at Xiao Chi, the young master of the Xiao Family, whom he was also familiar with. He would also visit Old Master Xiao every New Year. ¡°Xiao Chi, what brings you to the hospital?¡± ¡°Uncle Qi... Let me introduce you, this is my girlfriend.¡± Saying that, Xiao Chi raised his arm and draped it over Tang Xi¡¯s shoulder. Tang Xi looked at the smile on his mouth, knowing it was deliberate. She wanted to break away, but Xiao Chi¡¯s arm was held tightly. Fu Tingzhou raised his eyes, his gaze swept lightly over the woman¡¯s face, then he strode forward, walking past her without pausing. But Tang Xi sensed it, he was angry. He snorted coldly, ¡°Dean Qi, Director Zhang, is this how things are done in your hospital? Romancing during working hours?¡± Dean Qi wiped the sweat from his forehead and exchanged a glance with Zhang Tinghua. Both were clueless as to what had just happened. Everything was fine just a moment ago, and now, suddenly, the air pressure around them had dropped significantly. Dean Qi, ¡°Yes, yes, it is my lack of strict supervision.¡± ¨C Tang Xi looked at Xiao Chi, ¡°What exactly are you trying to do?¡± ¡°Do you like Fu Tingzhou?¡± Xiao Chi looked at her, emphasizing each word, ¡°You, like, him.¡± He stared into Tang Xi¡¯s eyes, but the woman¡¯s eyes were as calm as water. He was disappointed; he saw nothing, though he thought he could see the waves and fluctuations of emotion in the depths of her eyes. However, her eyes were as placid as Mirror Lake. Clear and unmarked. ¡°Young Master Xiao, did you come here just to ask me such boring questions? It¡¯s getting late, I have to get busy. If you feel unwell, go make an appointment at the clinic.¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t like him and don¡¯t have a boyfriend, wouldn¡¯t it be right for you to be with me?¡± Tang Xi, ¡°Young Master Xiao, do you like me?¡± Xiao Chi was taken aback. As he stood stunned, Tang Xi smiled faintly and turned to leave. She arrived at the nurse¡¯s station, looking at the case files laid out on the counter. Cheng Yun Lang came over, ¡°Tang Xi...¡± ¡°Doctor Cheng, I was just about to find you, the patient in bed 05, their situation...¡± She picked up the case file to take a glance, but before she could finish, Cheng Yun Lang interrupted her, ¡°Tang Xi, are you together with Xiao Chi?¡± Anxiety showed on his face, ¡°Do you not know about Xiao Chi... You two can¡¯t be together. He¡¯s not serious about you; you¡¯re not right for each other.¡± Seeing no particular expression on Tang Xi¡¯s face, Cheng Yun Lang anxiously grasped her hand. ¡°Doctor Cheng.¡± Tang Xi sighed softly, ¡°Cheng Yun Lang, I don¡¯t understand what you¡¯re talking about.¡± ¡°I...¡± Cheng Yun Lang bit his lip, seemingly after a struggle he said, ¡°Young Master Xiao like him, spoiled by his family, does not have true feelings for you...¡± ¡°Tang Xi, I don¡¯t want you to get hurt.¡± ¡°There¡¯s nothing between us, Doctor Cheng. We¡¯re working now, this is bed 05¡¯s case file, I hope you¡¯ll take a look.¡± After saying that, she pulled her hands free. Tang Xi handed the medical case to Cheng Yunlang, and after he received it, she turned around and left. ¨C Fu Tingzhou came here to visit an elder. He entered the ward and left about 20 minutes later. As soon as he walked out, he saw Tang Xi struggling to break free from Cheng Yunlang¡¯s pulling and tugging. The man slightly squinted his eyes. She flirts with Xiao Chi at one moment, and hooks up with Cheng Yunlang the next. This woman really can¡¯t sit still for a moment. Is she that desperate for a man? Tang Xi bowed her head and walked forward, planning to go to the office, when suddenly a dark figure blocked her way in front of her. She tried to sidestep him, but a hand stopped her by the waist, and the next second, the door of an office beside them swung open, and the man¡¯s strength pulled her in. With a ¡°snap¡±¡ªthe door closed. The next second, the man grabbed her chin and pressed her against the wall. ¡°Fu Tingzhou, what are you doing?¡± She raised her hand, pushing against his chest. Fu Tingzhou looked at the woman¡¯s fair face, with his thin lips pursed, ¡°One moment it¡¯s Xiao Chi, and the next it¡¯s Cheng Yunlang. I didn¡¯t expect you¡¯re quite capable.¡± ¡°What does this have to do with you?¡± Her voice sounded somewhat hoarse and weak. His hand that was gripping her chin gradually tightened, ¡°You tell me, does it concern me? You are still my wife in name, cavorting with other men. Do you think I should applaud and cheer for you? Tang Xi, recognize your status!!¡± Tang Xi looked at him, her chest heaving, ¡°My status, besides you and me, who knows I am your wife? Fu Tingzhou, don¡¯t you also like my dear sister?¡± She raised her hand, patting his to break free from his restraints. She would have been better off not saying that, as anger flashed in the man¡¯s eyes instantly! ¡°Sharp-tongued!¡± Suddenly, he leaned down. The man¡¯s kiss descended upon her. Tang Xi was taken aback, her pupils trembling. It seemed she hadn¡¯t expected him to do this... And Fu Tingzhou was also stunned for two seconds, apparently surprised by his own impulsiveness. The next second, his hand firmly held her waist, deepening the kiss, wildly and fiercely, as if a storm was raging. If last time, he was drunk and lost in passion, Then now, he was sober. And she was sober too. This kiss, carried a scent of punishment and possession, enveloping her. Tang Xi weakly clung to his back, whimpering, begging him to let go. But the man kissed her even more crazily. ¡°Bang bang¡ª¡± There was a knock on the door. The nurse¡¯s voice came through, ¡°Eh, I just saw Doctor Tang go in, is she not here? Dr. Ruan, are you urgently looking for Tang Xi? Maybe you should call her.¡± ¡°She lost her phone, otherwise I would have called earlier.¡± Tang Xi¡¯s eyes widened. She looked at him in panic. But the man showed no signs of panic at all. He hugged her tightly, their breaths slowly intertwining. The scent of ebony completely enveloped her. Tang Xi was pressed against the wall by him, with no chance of resistance. It wasn¡¯t until Tang Xi could hardly breathe, that the man finally released her. Tang Xi¡¯s legs went weak, and she nearly collapsed to the ground. Fu Tingzhou¡¯s hand gripped her slender waist. Her cheeks were flushed, breathing shallowly. Chapter 39 - 39 38 Shu Jingli ?39: Chapter 38: Shu Jingli 39: Chapter 38: Shu Jingli Tang Xi gritted her teeth, ¡°Fu Tingzhou!¡± At this moment, the woman¡¯s lips were crimson, and her eyes were also brimming with tears, looking bullied yet defiantly stubborn. Her pupils, however, were so clear that they seemed to drown one in their depths. ¡°Don¡¯t look at me like that.¡± Fu Tingzhou¡¯s eyes darkened, he lowered his head, drew close to her, their cheeks merely half a centimeter apart, his voice hoarse and low at her ear, ¡°When you climbed into my bed, you knew I was no gentleman. You meticulously maneuvered close to my mother, all to marry me and become Mrs. Fu. Now, we are not yet divorced. If I see you seducing other men again, I have many ways to deal with you.¡± Tang Xi¡¯s heart thumped like thunder. In the air, a strange yet somewhat ambiguous atmosphere lingered. Tang Xi, with eyes red and soft, looked at him. His hand was like iron; she struggled in vain, was he seeking her response? Tang Xi felt somewhat amused by anger. He clearly did not like her, clearly liked Su Mengshu, yet now, he was warning her against getting close to other men... ¡°I have nothing to do with Xiao Chi.¡± In his dark pupils, it seemed a fire was burning, his voice lowered, ¡°How do I know whether it was you who initiated things with him.¡± Tang Xi¡¯s face turned pale; so in his eyes, this was the kind of person she was. Footsteps came from outside again, followed by the sound of a door handle turning. ¡°How come it¡¯s locked.¡± Tang Xi, hearing the sound of the door handle turning, bit her teeth and pushed Fu Tingzhou, but the man did not move, his dark eyes intensely watching her. She said, ¡°Mr. Fu, rest assured, I¡¯m not into Cheng Yunlang¡¯s type.¡± ¡°Then what type do you like?¡± Seeing Tang Xi didn¡¯t answer, the man asked again, ¡°Like Xiao Chi?¡± ¡°Even if so, whatever I have with Xiao Chi has nothing to do with you.¡± She looked at him, boldly meeting his eyes, not stepping back at all. Originally, she wanted to explain things properly to him, but she realized, she and him, can¡¯t even manage a few calm words. Outside, the sound of keys jingling came. It must be someone trying to enter and finding the door locked, getting a spare key. This is the second consultation room of the inpatient department, the abrasive sound of keys near her ear irritated her nerves, but Tang Xi still did not step back, staring at Fu Tingzhou, as if silently saying, being discovered here by someone, wouldn¡¯t really harm her, and for Fu Tingzhou... it seemed not either. It¡¯s just more gossip for after-dinner conversation. As the door of the consultation room was opened from outside, Fu Tingzhou turned around, he walked to the door, just as someone pushed it open from outside. Sister Sun looked at him, ¡°Ah, someone¡¯s here.¡± Sister Sun walked in and saw Tang Xi, ¡°Little Tang you are also here... just now, who was that... looks somewhat familiar, you and him...¡± Tang Xi glanced down at her lips and said, ¡°That¡¯s a patient¡¯s family member, his kidneys are failing, he didn¡¯t want to book a specialist appointment, wanted me to check his lab results for free...¡± Sister Sun looked at Fu Tingzhou¡¯s retreating back; the man had just stepped out, upon hearing this, he paused in his steps, his eyes sidelong towards Tang Xi, a warning evident in his gaze. Tang Xi spread her hands, curling up her lips, ¡°No need to walk you out, if you have any more questions you can make an appointment at my clinic.¡± Sister Sun also kindly said, ¡°Yes, kidney problems are serious, young man you are still quite young, you should get it treated well, this afternoon is Director Zhang¡¯s specialist appointment, you could try that...¡± Tang Xi shrugged her shoulders towards him, seeing the beaten look in his eyes, she felt a breath of relief in her heart. There was a deeply satisfying sense of revenge. She held Sister Sun¡¯s hand, ¡°Sister Sun, what are you looking for?¡± ¡°I lost my keys, there¡¯s a problem at home and I need to go back. I looked everywhere, and I think I left them here this morning when I was talking with two patients about their conditions.¡± ¡°Let me help you.¡± Tang Xi bent down and saw a string of keys on the floor, with Mickey Mouse pendants attached to them, ¡°Is this it?¡± ¡°That¡¯s it.¡± That afternoon, Tang Xi learned that Fu Tingzhou had visited a prestigious elder this morning who was prepared for surgery starting from two in the afternoon. As Zhang Tinghua¡¯s second assistant, with Cheng Yunlang being the first. In the operating room, besides Zhang Tinghua, Dean Qi, Director Xu from the neurology department, and others were all present. It was evident that this elder held a distinguished status. Tang Xi didn¡¯t ask more, as she wasn¡¯t a very curious person. For someone like Fu Tingzhou to visit, surely it was a prominent elder of high standing in North City. Tang Xi observed the entire process, assisting Zhang Tinghua. She and Cheng Yunlang also coordinated well together. Until six hours later, when Zhang Tinghua put down the scalpel and took a deep breath, Tang Xi was responsible for the suturing. The surgery concluded, Tang Xi¡¯s back was covered in cold sweat. Walking out of the operating room, she was washing her hands, chatting idly with a female doctor from neurology, only then did she learn that this elder was the well-known Commander Shu from North City¡¯s military family. No wonder this surgery was given such high importance by the hospital. Tonight Tang Xi had a night shift, and Zhang Tinghua did not rest either. Zhang Tinghua seldom handled the night shifts here, but because the elder had unstable conditions after this afternoon¡¯s surgery, he instructed Tang Xi to call him immediately if anything happened at night. After eating dinner, Nurse Xu Shuang brought Tang Xi a cup of milk tea. A female nurse said, ¡°From the afternoon until now, a dozen or so people have been coming in succession to visit old Mr. Shu, and their presence... all were kept outside.¡± Xu Shuang said, ¡°That¡¯s old Master Shu, you don¡¯t know, the Shu Family¡¯s position in North City.¡± Tang Xi seldom engaged in such gossip, but she also knew of the Shu family, enormously powerful, a word from old Master Shu could shake North City. No wonder, before the surgery, Fu Tingzhou visited him. And there were rumors that the Shu and Fu families had marital ties. Suddenly, at this moment, the emergency bell rang, it was from room 202 of old Mr. Shu. Tang Xi immediately instructed a nurse to find Zhang Tinghua, and then hurried to the room with Xu Shuang. Upon opening the room, they saw the family¡¯s panicked expressions. Tang Xi walked over, quickly yet calmly checked old Mr. Shu, ¡°Sir, can you hear me? If you can, blink your eyes.¡± The old man blinked his eyes. Tang Xi breathed a sigh of relief, she told the family, ¡°He is awake now, his condition is still manageable, don¡¯t worry. Keep a close eye on him tonight.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± The nurse was changing Mr. Shu¡¯s dressing, Tang Xi was about to leave, when suddenly, old Mr. Shu tightly grabbed Tang Xi¡¯s hand, his voice hoarse, ¡°... Jing... Li¡± ¡°Grandpa, you¡¯ve mistaken her, she is not your niece.¡± In the room, a young man came over and took old Mr. Shu¡¯s hand, but old Mr. Shu held on even tighter, continuously calling out, ¡°Jingli.¡± Chapter 40 - 40 39 A Joint Excursion ?40: Chapter 39: A Joint Excursion 40: Chapter 39: A Joint Excursion ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Doctor, but I think my grandfather has mistaken you for someone else...¡± Shu Xuyang gently patted the old Mr. Shu¡¯s hand, ¡°Grandfather, please let go, she is a doctor here.¡± Tang Xi also spoke gently, ¡°Sir, I am a doctor here.¡± The door of the ward was pushed open from outside, and young master Shu Xuyang of the Shu Family looked up to see the newcomer and called out, ¡°Dad, Grandfather has woken up, but he mistook this lady doctor for our aunt.¡± A middle-aged man dressed in a smoke-gray suit, handsome and refined, approached. Shu Rongjun glanced at Tang Xi and was stunned. It¡¯s so similar! These eyes, they are too similar to his sister¡¯s. No wonder the old man mistook her. Although Mr. Shu had awoken, his mental state was average, and he soon let go weakly. Eldest son Shu Rongjun escorted Tang Xi out of the ward, ¡°Excuse me for asking this, but I wonder who your parents are...¡± ¡°Dr. Tang, you¡¯re here, the patient in bed 3 is in bad shape, breathing rapidly and weakly.¡± A nurse hurried over. Tang Xi immediately followed. Shu Rongjun watched Tang Xi leave, he took out his phone and dialed his assistant¡¯s number, ¡°Check someone for me, there¡¯s a female doctor with the surname Tang in the cardiothoracic surgery department of the first hospital, get her files for me.¡± Within half an hour, Shu Rongjun¡¯s phone vibrated. A message came through with Tang Xi¡¯s personal information. Shu Rongjun glanced at it and saw Su Kangrong written in the father¡¯s column of Tang Xi¡¯s profile. She also has an older sister working in this hospital, he might be overthinking it... Another one, a person who looks a lot like little sister Jingli. Back in the ward, Mr. Shu, Shu Huaili, fell asleep again after regaining consciousness due to the effect of the medication, while Shu Xuyang said, ¡°Dad, Grandfather just mistook that female doctor for aunt. Aunt has been missing since she left home twenty-five years ago.¡± Shu Rongjun sighed, ¡°Your grandfather was mistaken; over the years, there have been too many people who resemble Jingli. Every time it¡¯s hope followed by disappointment...¡± Mr. Shu Shu has a total of three children: eldest son Shu Rongjun, second son Shu Ronghao, and youngest daughter Shu Jingli. Twenty-five years ago, Mr. Shu¡¯s most beloved youngest daughter, Shu Jingli, had a conflict with the family, left in anger, then unexpectedly became pregnant and had a daughter. Since then, there has been no further news. Every day Mr. Shu lives with guilt, and ever since Mr. Shu started searching broadly for the granddaughter lost to the outside world, many have come to impersonate her. Many young women who look alike come to falsely claim kinship, all for the sake of coveting the Shu Family¡¯s wealth. In the evening, Shu Mingluo rushed to the ward to discuss the person he saw who looked a lot like Shu Jingli with Shu Rongjun. ¡°Yes, it is Tang Xi, a doctor here. Dad, you¡¯ve already met her.¡± ¡°She indeed resembles her, but she is the daughter of the Su Family; we were mistaken...¡± ¨C Wednesday morning at nine o¡¯clock. Tang Xi¡¯s phone rang. Xiao Chi¡¯s voice came through from the other end, ¡°Give me the address; I¡¯ll come to pick you up.¡± His voice was muffled; Xiao Chi drove to the Su Family, but was told by the Su Family¡¯s servants that Tang Xi had moved out long ago. ¡°What?¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t forget what we¡¯re supposed to do today, did you?!¡± Xiao Chi¡¯s voice was somewhat impatiently urging, ¡°Give me the address; remember you promised me.¡± Tang Xi gave the address. Xiao Chi hadn¡¯t heard of this place before. He set up the navigation and the car wound around, finally stopping in front of a low, shabby residential building. He got out of the car, took off his sunglasses, and frowned ¨C what kind of place was this? He had lived in North City for so many years, yet he was unaware that such a poor, dilapidated place existed here. How could this woman live here! Xiao Chi walked up the stairs. The soundproofing here was mediocre at best, the air carried a hint of mildew, and as a door opened, the woman standing at the doorway was scantily clad with heavy makeup, her body exuding the scent of cheap perfume. She eyed Xiao Chi with a sparkle in her gaze, ¡°Handsome, wanna come play in my room? We can play anything you want...¡± Xiao Chi frowned as he made his way up the stairs to the fifth floor. Just then, Tang Xi opened the door, ¡°I¡¯ve finished packing.¡± Xiao Chi looked at the small suitcase in the woman¡¯s hand. As a man, he instinctively took it from her, lifting it slightly, ¡°Is this all you have? We¡¯re going to stay somewhere for a week.¡± ¡°Yes, this is enough,¡± Tang Xi closed the door. Following Xiao Chi down the stairs, passing the third floor, that woman opened her door again, applying nail polish while giving Tang Xi a cold snort, then cooed seductively, ¡°Mister, I am much cheaper than her, come see me when you have time...¡± Tang Xi¡¯s face turned red. She met Xiao Chi¡¯s amused gaze. ¡°I... I don¡¯t know her. She¡¯s just a tenant here,¡± she still wanted to explain a bit. Although she didn¡¯t know Xiao Chi very well. Xiao Chi raised an eyebrow, watching her face flush white, seeing her awkward and flustered demeanor; he simply felt this woman was incredibly clear and pure, like the bright moonlight, untainted by any filth... He just casually responded and didn¡¯t ask Tang Xi why she was living there instead of with the Su Family; these things were none of his business. Xiao Chi approached her merely for a bit of fun, just to make Qiao Jing happy. Tang Xi watched his cold and aloof figure behind the sunglasses and softly smiled. How could this rich young master possibly be interested in someone like her? It was nothing more than a fleeting amusement. She didn¡¯t bother explaining further, following Xiao Chi down the stairs and getting into his car. Eventually, the car stopped at the airport. Xiao Chi¡¯s phone rang, ¡°I know, I¡¯ll be there shortly.¡± Taking Tang Xi, he boarded the plane. Just before getting on, Tang Xi caught a glimpse of a logo on the plane; she must have been overthinking it, right? How could this be Fu Family¡¯s private plane? No sooner had she walked in, someone said, ¡°Xiao Chi, we¡¯ve been waiting for you.¡± Xiao Chi shrugged his shoulders, then wrapped an arm around Tang Xi¡¯s shoulder, and before she could react, introduced her to the people inside the cabin, ¡°My girlfriend, Tang Xi.¡± Laughter erupted in the cabin. ¡°Not bad, Xiao Chi. We had heard you changed your taste but didn¡¯t expect it to be true. You like this pure and innocent ¡®little cabbage¡¯?¡± ¡°Vivi must be heartbroken. Xiao Chi, who used to loiter among the flowers, has actually settled down.¡± ¡°Quite interesting, Xiao Chi. You¡¯ve got taste for sure. Pure is pure, and she¡¯s pretty enough too.¡± ¡°What are you saying, as if Xiao Chi would fancy someone who isn¡¯t beautiful? Hahaha....¡± But Tang Xi¡¯s face was growing paler by the second. She looked at the group of young gentlemen chatting and laughing in the cabin, her eyes landing on the man sitting in the seat with a cold, somber, and aristocratic demeanor. She had just agreed to accompany Xiao Chi on a vacation to take his mind off things, but she did not know... That among them was Fu Tingzhou. Recalling that this was the Fu Family¡¯s private plane, and that Fu Tingzhou had previously mentioned at the Su Family¡¯s place that the company was involved in a tourism island development project that was about to commence... An announcement hadn¡¯t been made public; it was a tourist resort invested in by Fu¡¯s enterprise with billions of yuan, ready to open to the public soon. For this reason, some friends from the social circles were invited for a trial visit, all of them influential young masters and ladies. Could it be this project? The man¡¯s gaze was ice-cold and sharp, locking eyes with her in the air. That look seemed to say, ¡°Tang Xi, you¡¯re in big trouble!¡± Chapter 41 - 41 40 A Trip Together 2 ?41: Chapter 40: A Trip Together (2) 41: Chapter 40: A Trip Together (2) Tang Xi¡¯s heartbeat skipped a beat! At this moment, a puzzled and somewhat astonished female voice came from behind, ¡°Tang Xi??¡± Su Mengshu and her friends walked over, having just come out of the restroom. She was shocked to see Tang Xi appearing here and almost couldn¡¯t keep her composure. Hastily, she managed her emotions since many distinguished guests and Fu Tingzhou with his friends were also present. It only took Su Mengshu a few seconds to adjust her mood, and with a smile like a caring big sister, she affectionately took Tang Xi¡¯s hand, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you were busy? A few days ago, when your brother-in-law invited you, you said you had to work. It¡¯s so good that you are here now...¡± Inwardly, she was secretly surprised, thinking this little bitch had some tricks up her sleeve, having actually seduced Xiao Chi. Originally thinking she would spend a week here with Fu Tingzhou to deepen their relationship, the sight of Tang Xi not only shocked Su Mengshu but also made her feel a bit guilty. She feared something might happen between Tang Xi and Fu Tingzhou and that he might discover it was she who had been impersonating someone else. Watching Su Mengshu¡¯s hypocritical face, Tang Xi showed no emotion. She didn¡¯t want to play along with her act any longer and withdrew her hand to find a seat and sit down. Looking outside, the plane had already started to move. As it jolted slightly, she instinctively wanted to find her seatbelt to fasten it, but being her first time on a plane, she had to look around for it. From behind, laughter echoed, ¡°Country bumpkin.¡± However, Su Mengshu said gently, ¡°Manxue, don¡¯t talk about my sister like that. It¡¯s normal that Xiao Xi has never flown before and doesn¡¯t know how to operate it.¡± ¡°Sister Mengshu, you¡¯re really kind. Being your sister must feel very blessed,¡± said another socialite who was in Su Mengshu¡¯s clique. Tang Xi slightly pursed her lips, looking outside the window, the plane having already taken off. She gazed at the blue sky, witnessing the clouds at this angle for the first time and couldn¡¯t help but take a few photos with her phone. Beautiful things subconsciously make you want to share them with someone close by, and sitting beside her was Xiao Chi, who was busy playing cards on his phone with some friends. All of a sudden, her hand reached out and tugged at his arm. Then a woman¡¯s voice next to his ear, ¡°Look, it¡¯s so beautiful.¡± Engrossed in his game and unexpectedly disturbed, Xiao Chi looked up somewhat impatiently. Upon seeing the clear sky and the pure and beautiful face of the woman smiling beside him, it seemed as if her face was glowing. Even without any makeup, it stood out captivatingly. Without realizing it, Xiao Chi was stunned. Many socialites pursuing him were pretty, but none were naturally beautiful and clear like Tang Xi. The sound effect on his phone reminded him that he lost the game. From behind, someone shouted, ¡°Young Master Xiao, are you playing or what? You got killed.¡± Yet Xiao Chi¡¯s gaze lingered on Tang Xi¡¯s face without shifting away. It took a few seconds before he came back to reality and said to Tang Xi, ¡°What¡¯s so beautiful about it, it¡¯s ugly as hell.¡± He quickly started a new game to cover up his momentary heart flutter. Really, what was he thinking? He likes Qiao Jing, how could it possibly be Tang Xi, who appears as simple as a country bumpkin? Tang Xi just smiled gently, not bothered by Xiao Chi¡¯s words, and continued looking out the window. All of this was observed by a gaze from behind. Fu Tingzhou tugged at his tie, feeling somewhat annoyed as he stood up. Seeing the woman smiling sweetly at Xiao Chi, so happy, he found it particularly irritating. Even a playboy like Xiao Chi had been seduced by her, he had truly underestimated this woman¡¯s methods! He only felt it unworthy on behalf of his mother. His mother held her in such high esteem, yet she was full of lies and deceit. Following Xiao Chi around and even coming to his mother crying, trying to swindle money! Thinking this, Fu Tingzhou¡¯s expression turned cold, his hands clenched tightly. He himself had not realized how easily Tang Xi could manipulate his emotions. Su Mengshu followed the man¡¯s gaze and looked over, her heart secretly shocked, could it be he had discovered something? ¡°Tingzhou, I¡¯m really happy for my sister, if our parents knew that she has found a new boyfriend, they would probably feel relieved as well.¡± She deliberately gritted her teeth and emphasized the word ¡®new¡¯. Her mind was thinking of how to fabricate stories to tarnish Tang Xi. But the man apparently was not interested in hearing these, he even looked somewhat displeased and did not want to hear about Tang Xi¡¯s past from Su Mengshu¡¯s mouth. He looked at Su Mengshu and interrupted indifferently, ¡°Mengshu, I need to take a call.¡± Then he just left. Su Mengshu¡¯s face turned from pale to flushed, but in public, she could only maintain a smile and a ladylike demeanor. She looked at Tang Xi in the distance. These seven days, watch how I deal with you! ¨C Four Seasons Pearl Hotel. This is established by the Fu Group, situated beside the sea, a high-end vacation tourism hotel. The cheapest rooms start with four digits. It is now in the internal use phase, and next month when Fu Group launches the tourism press conference, it will officially announce this private sea area for public tourism services. This costly and luxurious hotel begins its official operation. Guided by a waiter, Tang Xi arrived at her room. The third floor, upon opening the window, one can see the sea view outside. One can smell the scent of the sea breeze. ¡°Madam, here is your afternoon tea please enjoy, if you need anything you can call for assistance.¡± Tang Xi organized her suitcase a bit, took out some daily necessities, took a bath, and around five or six in the afternoon, the doorbell rang. She immediately changed into a light blue long dress and went to open the door. Xiao Chi stood outside, ¡°There¡¯s a party on the beach now, let¡¯s go together.¡± He looked at Tang Xi¡¯s wet hair and the light blue long dress on her body, slightly raised his eyebrows, although the style of the dress was very plain, it looked good on her. Tang Xi hesitated, ever since she knew that Fu Tingzhou and Su Mengshu were also here, she intentionally wanted to avoid them. She did not want to meet them face to face. ¡°Young Master Xiao, can I perhaps stay in my room tonight...?¡± ¡°You are the woman I brought here, if I go there alone, wouldn¡¯t it make others laugh at me?¡± Mocking him, Xiao Chi, that he couldn¡¯t even handle an ordinary bumpkin. ¡°Young Master Xiao, I am not your girlfriend, and I hope you stop spreading such words.¡± Xiao Chi¡¯s face turned cold instantly, having his face slighted several times, Xiao Chi¡¯s tone was not very pleasant. ¡°Many people beg to be my girlfriend and can¡¯t get the chance, and you¡¯re picky? Tang Xi, do you really think I¡¯m interested in a bumpkin like you?¡± Tang Xi knew that a young master like Xiao Chi, who had everything, would inevitably get angry being rejected by her. ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant.¡± Her voice was hoarse yet clear, ¡°I know I¡¯m not worthy of a rich young master like you, I hope you wouldn¡¯t joke about that with me.¡± ¡°What if I said I wasn¡¯t joking, and I really wanted you to be my girlfriend?¡± Chapter 42 - 42 41 Xiao Shao Dont End Up Holding the Bag ?42: Chapter 41: Xiao Shao, Don¡¯t End Up Holding the Bag 42: Chapter 41: Xiao Shao, Don¡¯t End Up Holding the Bag Xiao Chi advanced step by step intensively, his tall figure almost looming over the woman in front of him, ¡°Tang Xi, being my girlfriend has many perks, endless money, endless luxury goods, doesn¡¯t that tempt you?¡± ¡°If Young Master Xiao only wishes to find an obedient pet to be his girlfriend, I believe, vivi would be more suitable. But doesn¡¯t Young Master Xiao dislike that too?¡± Xiao Chi paused, taken aback. Moments later, he spoke seriously, ¡°Chen Jinyan is here too, right now on the beach. Are you sure you don¡¯t want to go over there? I heard your brother is still detained at the police station, his trial is next week. Don¡¯t you want to know how your brother¡¯s case is going?¡± Tang Xi knew that Chen Jinyan had agreed to act as Tang Shiyue¡¯s defense attorney entirely due to Xiao Chi¡¯s assistance. In the past few days, only Chen Jinyan¡¯s assistant had contacted her once. After all, for a renowned lawyer like Chen Jinyan, her matters might just be trivial. Yet she was completely in the dark about the details of the whole case, her heart also fraught with anxiety. On the beach there was a table over ten meters long, filled with a variety of meals, barbecues, exquisite desserts, and high-end beverages. It could seat about twenty people, and at this moment, it was nearly full. Xiao Chi and Tang Xi walked over and took their seats. Suddenly, a woman with a sarcastic voice said, ¡°Tang Xi, you¡¯re really something, aren¡¯t you? Changing men by your side in just a few days, how did you manage to catch Young Master Xiao? Teach us your ways.¡± As soon as the woman spoke, a few of her companions broke into laughter. Tang Xi simply lowered her gaze and quietly ate the food on her plate, treating all surrounding noises as if they were mere air. ¡°How could Mengshu have a sister like you, dressed so shabbily and poorly? What brand is that on you, it¡¯s not some cheap knock-off from a street stall...hahaha.¡± Xiao Chi didn¡¯t spare the woman any respect, finding her unbearably noisy, ¡°Jiang Mengrou, if you can¡¯t speak, then keep your mouth shut. I don¡¯t know if what she¡¯s wearing is from a street stall, but your dress is definitely ugly, so low class.¡± Jiang Mengrou¡¯s face turned pale, but looking at Xiao Chi, she dared not retort. They could come only because they were basking in the light of ¡®Miss Su Mengshu¡¯s younger sister¡¯. Otherwise, with their own family backgrounds, they wouldn¡¯t qualify for such high-class private trips, visiting to preview the yet-to-open Fu¡¯s tourist area, which involved billions in investment. Su Mengshu feigned anger and scolded her companions before turning to Tang Xi with ¡®concern¡¯, ¡°Xiao Xi, you know Mengrou and Manxue mean no harm, they were just joking with you. Don¡¯t take it to heart; they are my friends, and naturally, they are your friends too.¡± Jiang Mengrou quickly smiled at Tang Xi, ¡°Yeah, I was just joking earlier. Tang Xi, you¡¯re not really angry, are you?... How about this, let¡¯s all play a game together.¡± She exchanged a look with Xu Manxue, who instantly agreed, ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s play a game.¡± Su Mengshu then stood up, ¡°Tingzhou, you¡¯ve arrived.¡± Fu Tingzhou took his seat, sitting opposite Tang Xi. Caught off guard, she looked up and their eyes met. The next second, a piece of braised pork rib was placed in the bowl in front of her, accompanied by Xiao Chi¡¯s casual tone, ¡°Try this, you look so thin, you should eat more meat, stop eating those vegetables.¡± Tang Xi wondered if it was an illusion. After Xiao Chi placed that piece of pork rib down, she felt Fu Tingzhou¡¯s gaze on her become even colder. This made her unintentionally tense and somewhat restless. ¡°Let¡¯s draw cards. Whoever draws the Ace of Hearts gets punished; they can choose to drink or tell a truth,¡± Xu Manxue spoke as she pulled out a deck of cards from her bag, distributing them one by one to everyone. The last card was also handed to Tang Xi. She didn¡¯t notice Xu Manxue¡¯s triumphant look. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s reveal our cards!¡± One after another, people showed their cards. ¡°I¡¯ve got the Three of Hearts.¡± ¡°Boring, it¡¯s not me.¡± ¡°Who is it? Who has the Ace of Hearts?¡± Xiao Chi flipped his card over in boredom, revealing a Six of Diamonds. Xu Manxue called out, ¡°Who is it? Who hasn¡¯t shown their card? You can¡¯t avoid the punishment, our main purpose for coming out is to have a fun atmosphere.¡± In the end, only Tang Xi and Fu Tingzhou were left holding cards. He found no interest in this game. The man revealed his card, a Joker. He raised his eyes, his gaze falling on the woman opposite him. At this moment, everyone¡¯s attention gathered on Tang Xi, all staring at the card in her hand. Tang Xi hadn¡¯t expected that it would be her turn. Under everyone¡¯s watchful eyes, she revealed the card in her hand. It was, to her surprise, the Ace of Hearts. Xu Manxue walked over with a glass of white liquor, ¡°Will you drink or tell the truth?¡± Tang Xi frowned, looking at Xu Manxue, she couldn¡¯t help but wonder if it was too much of a coincidence that the last card was given to her by Xu Manxue. She had no choice. She wasn¡¯t good at drinking, and feared she would pass out on the spot after drinking such a glass of liquor. A hand reached out, taking the glass of wine, ¡°I¡¯ll drink for her.¡± After Xiao Chi finished speaking, he drank the liquor in one go under the astonished gaze of everyone present. Having finished drinking, he turned the glass upside down on the table. Xu Manxue was somewhat unwilling to let it go, ¡°Mr. Xiao, we are all just here to have fun. How can we just break the rules like this? It should be Tang Xi¡¯s turn to drink. If she can¡¯t drink, then answering a question truthfully would suffice... By drinking for her, aren¡¯t you breaking the rules...¡± Someone in the crowd muttered, ¡°Yeah, if you can¡¯t play, then don¡¯t join in the game...¡± Xiao Chi¡¯s expression changed instantly. He picked up another glass of white liquor from the table and downed it. With a stern face, he drank three successive glasses and inversely placed the last one on the table, ¡°Now, is that enough?¡± Xu Manxue had no choice but to nod stiffly; after all, she did not dare to offend the Xiao Family. ¡°Let¡¯s continue the game then.¡± The atmosphere soon became lively again. After another round had passed. Xu Manxue had three cards left in her hand. She approached Tang Xi, ¡°Draw one.¡± Everyone seemed eager to watch the unfolding drama. Tang Xi drew a card. Upon opening it, it was the Ace of Hearts again. Xu Manxue smiled, ¡°Wow, what a coincidence, it¡¯s your turn again. Make a choice, truth or drink.¡± Some people chimed in, echoing Xu Manxue and starting to tease. ¡°Yeah, don¡¯t be a spoilsport and make Mr. Xiao shield you with drinks again...¡± ¡°It¡¯s just a glass, why come here if you can¡¯t handle the game?¡± Tang Xi took a deep breath, ¡°Truth.¡± She knew that if she didn¡¯t make a choice, tonight¡¯s event wouldn¡¯t end. Anyway, it didn¡¯t matter to her. Tang Xi had never done anything she was ashamed of in her life; she wasn¡¯t afraid to be questioned. Xu Manxue exchanged glances with Su Mengshu. Her eyes circled around, and with a cough, she asked, ¡°Who was your first kiss with?¡± At that moment, Su Mengshu spoke softly, ¡°Manxue, how could you ask such a question... Even if Xiao Xi had a few boyfriends before, it¡¯s still her private matter.¡± She put on the facade of a caring big sister. As though she genuinely had Tang Xi¡¯s best interests at heart. Xu Manxue covered her mouth, ¡°Oops, I spoke without thinking... Mr. Xiao, I¡¯m so sorry...¡± Immediately, someone from the crowd said, ¡°What kind of question is that? If it were me asking, with so many boyfriends, who was the first time with? Mr. Xiao, don¡¯t end up the rebound guy....¡± ¡°Doesn¡¯t Mr. Xiao wonder if it was Tang Xi¡¯s first time with you?¡± ¡°Exactly, such promiscuity. Today she¡¯s onto Mr. Xiao, yesterday flirting with the doctor in the hospital, and I heard... she even tried to seduce her own brother-in-law...¡± The voice gradually trailed off, followed by, ¡°Perhaps Miss Tang is still a virgin...¡± ¡°Whether Tang Xi is a virgin or not, Mr. Xiao should have the most say, shouldn¡¯t he?¡± Chapter 43 - 43 42 He is right here! ?43: Chapter 42: He is right here! 43: Chapter 42: He is right here! ¡°Hahahaha.¡± Suddenly, the entire beach erupted into laughter among the wealthy young men and ladies. Tang Xi¡¯s face turned pale, inch by inch. Xiao Chi lifted his foot and fiercely kicked a chair beside him, his eyes cold as he scanned the crowd, his voice then subdued. However, many gossiping eyes continued to watch Tang Xi, as if watching a spectacle. Tang Xi looked up and noticed Fu Tingzhou was also looking at her. She was slightly dazed, ¡°My... my first kiss, I don¡¯t even know who I gave it to, I didn¡¯t recognize him.¡± Immediately, there were exclamations. ¡°Kissed without knowing him??¡± ¡°Xiao, I didn¡¯t realize your girlfriend looks innocent but plays quite daring.¡± ¡°Never thought Su Mengshu, such a gentle and kind girl, her little sister turns out to be wild at heart.¡± ¡°Xiao, being a playboy in romance, must have been seduced by someone quite skilled,¡± said a girl sourly as she looked at Tang Xi. To these girls, Xiao Chi was handsome and wealthy, with an excellent family background. Bringing a country bumpkin to join them felt like a slap in their faces. Hearing her say she casually gave her first kiss to a stranger, Fu Tingzhou¡¯s expression darkened instantly. He looked at the pale-faced woman, who now wore a faint smile, and unconsciously clenched his fists. Damn it! She can still smile? Listening to the mocking voices around her, all the disparaging words. Tang Xi didn¡¯t care, lifted a glass of wine, took a sip, felt the harsh burn of the liquor in her throat, indeed, this liquor was nasty. ¡°It was during an earthquake, three months ago, a major earthquake occurred in Ningjiang City. He was a severely injured patient, I gave him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation right away, provided all urgent medical aid, used almost all the medication I had in my emergency kit on him...¡± Her voice was raspy from the alcohol. The voice wasn¡¯t loud. But it spread with the wind. The surrounding chatter slowly disappeared. Many people were stunned as they looked at her. And Fu Tingzhou, shocked as he watched her! Su Mengshu¡¯s face immediately showed panic. Oh no, she can¡¯t continue speaking. In that moment, she instinctively, guiltily, fearfully looked at the man beside her. But Su Mengshu realized that she simply couldn¡¯t understand, didn¡¯t really know Fu Tingzhou; even now as handsome as ever, he looked intimidating to Su Mengshu. She didn¡¯t know what he was thinking. ¡°Xixi, you¡¯ve really had too much to drink,¡± Su Mengshu stood up and hurried over. ¡°You can¡¯t drink any more, look at the nonsense you¡¯re speaking.¡± ¡°That earthquake, weren¡¯t you there too.... many people died, as doctors, aren¡¯t we supposed to treat and save people?¡± Tang Xi ignored Su Mengshu, her mind drifted back to the man she met during the earthquake. Tang Xi didn¡¯t know why, but her heart filled with melancholy, it was a pity she couldn¡¯t save him... Xiao Chi looked at the woman in front of him, surprised, ¡°So, it was to save someone.¡± ¡°Yes, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, something every medical personnel knows, and also a common emergency procedure depending on the patient¡¯s condition....¡± Many people exchanged glances. After all, they had just loudly mocked Tang Xi, now it backfired on them. Unable to save their faces, the atmosphere quieted down for a few seconds before everyone started chatting about other things. Tingzhou¡¯s gaze remained fixated on her face, his voice trembling slightly, overwhelmed with urgency, ¡°What is his name!¡± Mengshu felt a sudden jolt in her heart. It¡¯s over. She trembled. The woman¡¯s complexion was pale, fearing that Tingzhou would discover the truth, she hastily spoke before Tang Xi could, ¡°My sister drank too much, she spoke while drunk...don¡¯t trust it...¡± Her eyes widened, afraid to make another sound under his cold and grim gaze. This man, he was truly terrifying. Mengshu gritted her teeth; she was unwilling to let her carefully laid plans fall apart! Tang Xi, she would bring Tang Xi down with her! Even if she couldn¡¯t become Mrs. Fu, it wouldn¡¯t be Tang Xi¡¯s turn either! Tang Xi lifted her gaze; her eyes, cold and clear, looked at him. Then, she shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t know his name, nor his age. He died, and I failed to save him... If I had gone earlier, perhaps, he might have had a sliver of hope, if the rescue team had found us earlier...¡± In that moment, Mengshu felt as if a weight had been lifted from her heart. It appeared that Tang Xi really didn¡¯t know that the man was Tingzhou, thinking that he had died in the earthquake. This was too good. ¡°Ah, what a sad thing,¡± she said, yet smiling. Tingzhou, however, seemed somewhat disappointed... After reflecting, he was surprised; he had actually been hopeful. Hopeful for what? Was he hoping that Tang Xi was the female doctor who saved him? Such a ridiculous thought. Looking at Mengshu beside him, gentle and gracious, Tingzhou found himself unable to understand his own feelings... Just a moment ago, he actually hoped that it was Tang Xi who had saved him, not Mengshu. Thinking this, he suddenly felt somewhat guilt toward Mengshu. After all, this woman risked her life to save him, yet he felt... he didn¡¯t have much affection for Mengshu during this relationship. It¡¯s just another round in the game. The Ace of Hearts appeared in Tang Xi¡¯s hand again. Xiao Chi couldn¡¯t stand it any longer, ¡°Xu Manxue, you did that on purpose!¡± ¡°That¡¯s not fair,¡± Xu Manxue complained, ¡°It was Tang Xi ¡®luckily¡¯ drawing it herself.¡± Tang Xi had already figured out Xu Manxue¡¯s targeting towards her, she just smiled; she had never been treated fairly from childhood, and this time was no exception. Xu Manxue hooked her lips proudly, ¡°The first time you had, who did you give it to?¡± Such an explosive topic. As soon as she finished, a hissing sound surrounded them, some looking at Xiao Chi. ¡°Do I need to say? Xiao wouldn¡¯t use second-hand goods, haha.¡± In that moment, her eyes felt a bit sour. While Mengshu, on the other hand, seemed somewhat pleased, as though she couldn¡¯t wait to brand Tang Xi with a label of indecency and a disordered private life before everyone. She immediately asked worriedly, ¡°Xixi, how could this be... did you really sleep with someone else? Who was that man? Tell me, and I will definitely tell our parents to make him take responsibility for you.¡± With a face full of gentle concern, joy glinted at the bottom of her eyes. ¡°He, is right here.¡± Her eyes were hazy, yet bright as the moon. Chapter 44 - 44 43 Falling into the Sea ?44: Chapter 43: Falling into the Sea 44: Chapter 43: Falling into the Sea The woman chuckled, her laugh taking on a different kind of beauty. She looked at Fu Tingzhou, muttering again, ¡°He¡¯s right here.¡± The man squinted his eyes, a trace of ferocity in his gaze. Tang Xi stood up, her blue long dress scattered by the sea breeze like a sea sprite stepping onto the shore in the dark night. Everyone¡¯s eyes were fixed on her, unable to look away as she took the vodka from Xu Manxue¡¯s hand and tipped her head back to drink it. She drank fast and urgently. The liquor was spicy and bone-chilling as it went down her throat. Head hung low, she chuckled lightly, ¡°That person you want to know about... Mengshu, are you curious?¡± Mengshu was stunned for a moment, ¡°Ah, Xi, what are you talking about, you must be drunk. Let your sister help you back to rest.¡± This damn girl is drunk and ranting nonsense, Mengshu promptly supported Tang Xi away from the dining table to prevent any more absurd outbursts about heroic rescues. ¡°Mengshu is really a good sister, but that Tang Xi is too despicable, just randomly sleeping with men... it couldn¡¯t be Young Master Chen, right... I heard Tang Xi likes to seduce rich men... did Young Master Chen get charmed too...¡± ¡°Shit, what are you talking about? I wouldn¡¯t be interested in such second-hand goods...¡± Zhang Chen chuckled as he stroked his chin, ¡°But her looks and figure are indeed very appealing, if Xiao Chi gets tired of her and doesn¡¯t want her anymore, I wouldn¡¯t mind taking a turn....¡± ¡°Come on, Young Master Chen, you switched five girlfriends last month...¡± ¡°Such gold-digging women need to be careful not to catch diseases...¡± ¡°If she gets pregnant, she might cling to you, Xiao Chi, you have to be careful.¡± The surrounding frivolous talk continued unabated; these young masters of wealthy families never restrained their speech. Suddenly, a woman¡¯s scream was heard. ¡°Ah, Third Young Master Fu, your hand¡ª¡± Fu Tingzhou crushed the glass in his hand, shattering it into pieces. Blood dripped down like pearls off a string. His expression was dark and cold, scanning the faces of the people around him. Suddenly, the place fell silent, the air filled with extreme pressure. All was dead silent except for the sound of the waves blowing. The socialites and gentlemen who were just laughing merrily now didn¡¯t dare to breathe a word, not wanting to displease Third Young Master Fu.... The young men looked at each other, not understanding what got into Fu Tingzhou, why he suddenly lost his temper... Fu Tingzhou stood up, his gaze sweeping across several faces, as Xu Manxue bowed her head in fear. Those gentlemen who were just maligning Tang Xi also trembled. The man kicked a chair fiercely, causing a loud noise. Everyone around shivered. Fu Tingzhou¡¯s chest felt stifled, his fists clenched tightly. His eyes were cold and piercing like ice. The pain from the palm of his hand was especially sobering. He looked at Zhang Chen and the others, coldly said, ¡°You can go now.¡± Zhang Chen didn¡¯t know what had happened or why he had offended Third Young Master Fu, but now he didn¡¯t dare to breathe heavily, cowering and trembling as he pleaded for pardon and moved away. Fu Tingzhou also pressed his brow. He did not linger any longer, directly leaving. Only after he left did everyone else breathe a sigh of relief. ¡°The look in Third Young Master Fu¡¯s eyes just now was terrifying.¡± ¡°Who offended him...¡± ¡°Don¡¯t know, probably drank too much.¡± ¡°Oh my god, there¡¯s blood all over the floor...¡± a lady said pale-faced. ¨C Mengshu supported Tang Xi as they walked back, passing by a yacht along the way, Mengshu¡¯s eyes shifted slightly. Tang Xi had drunk two glasses of vodka and was a bit drunk now. She staggered slightly as she walked. Mengshu hooked her lips, thinking it¡¯s late at night by the seashore, if someone fell off the boat into the water and drowned... There were no cameras around. She glanced at Tang Xi, pulling her up onto the deck. Mengshu supported Tang Xi while standing in front of the railing, looking at the dark blue turbulent seawater below. Suddenly, her phone rang. In the quiet deep night, it was particularly jarring. Mengshu, feeling guilty, jumped in fright. Seeing the call was from Xu Manxue, ¡°Hello, what¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know what happened to Third Young Master Fu, he suddenly got angry, crushed a wine glass and got hurt... and now no one knows where he went.¡± ¡°What, I¡¯ll come back right now.¡± Mengshu hung up the phone, gritting her teeth as she looked at the drunk and dazed Tang Xi. She started the yacht, hurriedly leaving. Tang Xi, if you die, don¡¯t blame me. Blame yourself for blocking my way. Tang Xi propped herself against the railings, feeling slightly unwell as the sea breeze brushed her face, which helped clear her mind slightly. She raised her hand to rub her forehead. Where is this... The ship rocked suddenly, causing Tang Xi to stagger. She quickly grasped the railings to steady herself. Suddenly, another wave crashed over. Tang Xi¡¯s body lurched forward violently. The next second, she fell into the water with a ¡®thud¡¯. In an instant, seawater surged into her mouth and nose, blocking her breath. Struggling instinctively, the woman found herself sinking faster. She knew how to swim, but being drunk, she lost all consciousness. ¡°Mmm¡ª¡± Her ears started ringing, and her body felt paralyzed. She couldn¡¯t move. Death enveloped her. Seawater surged into her mouth and nose... Her body slowly descended. Tang Xi, with blurring vision, saw a vague figure swimming desperately towards her at the last moment. A hand embraced her in the water. The man¡¯s solid arms wrapped around her waist. ¡°Tang Xi!!¡± ¡°Open your eyes, Tang Xi!!¡± ¡°Wake up!!¡± ¡°Damn it!! Open your eyes, Tang Xi!!¡± Someone was shouting her name loudly. It felt like her chest was being pressed by a heavy weight. She felt uncomfortable but trapped and unable to move. Then, her lips felt cold. Soft lips pressed against hers, bringing fresh air. Carrying a familiar yet strange scent of ebony and aloeswood. Who? Who is shouting her name? Tang Xi suddenly coughed several times, and the next second, her eyes opened. Her vision was hazy. It felt as if the world was spinning. She looked at the blurry male figure in front of her. Did he save her... Seeing the woman wake up, Fu Tingzhou¡¯s tense body relaxed a bit. Just a moment ago, when he saw her pale face not breathing, it gave him a shock. If he had not happened upon her falling into the water, this woman would have drowned tonight. Thinking of this, he felt a bit scared. His heart tightened. The man took a few deep breaths, then the tense expression on his face disappeared, restoring his usual indifference. He snorted coldly and stood up, ¡°Now that you¡¯re awake, stop pretending to be dead.¡± ¡°You... who are you...¡± She said hoarsely. Then the woman slowly reached out her hand to touch the figure. It was as if she couldn¡¯t focus her vision. ¡°Don¡¯t even recognize who I am.¡± ¡°Xiao... Young Master Xiao...¡± she said instinctively. Because in her subconscious, during this trip, among all those high-born young gentlemen and ladies, only Xiao Chi was willing to approach her. It never crossed her mind that the person who saved her was Fu Tingzhou. In that instant, the man¡¯s face darkened. Chapter 45 - 45 44 Mistaking me for Xiao Chi ?45: Chapter 44: Mistaking me for Xiao Chi? Tang Xi, are you seeking death? 45: Chapter 44: Mistaking me for Xiao Chi? Tang Xi, are you seeking death? It was as if a cat whose tail had been stepped on had its emotions suddenly explode, ¡°Xiao Chi? Tang Xi, you really have the guts!¡± She mistook him for Xiao Chi. He clenched his back teeth tightly, ¡°Tang Xi, open your eyes wide and see who I am!!¡± Fu Tingzhou reached out, holding the woman¡¯s chin. The next second, a dominant kiss fell on her lips, ravaging them fiercely. ¡°Mmm¡ª¡± the woman struggled uncomfortably. Between the lips and teeth, the taste of blood filled the air. Her lips had been bitten and broken. At that moment, the man was like a mad beast. But the more she struggled, the stronger his force became. The silent beach was deserted and empty. Her water-blue long dress was torn apart, Tang Xi trembled as she stared wide-eyed at the person in front of her. The pain on her lips made her slightly more lucid. Tang Xi never thought it would be him. The person who saved her was Fu Tingzhou. How could it be... How could it be him... He hates her so much, why would he save her? In that moment, she stared at the face before her, dazed. At the same time, an almost suffocating discomfort enveloped her. The woman was gasping for breath, her strength getting weaker. Fu Tingzhou finally let go of her. Tang Xi breathed heavily. She was wearing a water-blue long dress that had gotten wet and clung to her body, outlining her perfect figure. Due to her struggles, she was weak all over, her chest heaving slightly and her pale cheeks bearing a flush of red, which surprisingly added a touch of glamour to her. Like a spirit of the night. Trembling weakly, yet possessing a striking beauty. Fu Tingzhou¡¯s throat moved slightly. ¡°Now, do you know who I am?¡± Tang Xi nodded her head, trembling in fear, ¡°Fu Tingzhou...¡± Hearing the woman call out his name with a hoarse and weak voice, the anger in the man¡¯s eyes did not dissipate. He took off his coat, threw it on her face, bent down, and lifted her up. They walked into a ship docked at the shore. The next second, he threw the woman onto a somewhat cold and hard bed. It was clear that no one had been here for a long time. The air conditioning wasn¡¯t even on, she shivered from the cold. At this moment, what frightened her more was the sinister look in the man¡¯s eyes, ¡°Mr. Fu... I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t know this was a travel gathering you organized...¡± Tang Xi thought that because she did not inform him in advance and agreed to Xiao Chi accidentally entering here, interrupting him and Su Mengshu, that caused him to become angry. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Fu...¡± The water-blue long dress lay scattered on the floor. ¡°So you don¡¯t like it? Are you still thinking about Xiao Chi? You didn¡¯t take my warning seriously, I said stay away from Xiao Chi!! Tang, you are Fu Tingzhou¡¯s wife!! Flirting with other men, even becoming Xiao Chi¡¯s girlfriend, do you know what you¡¯re doing!¡± This woman, constantly challenging his bottom line! Completely ignoring his warning, blatantly being together with Xiao Chi. ¡°I with Xiao Chi...¡± she wanted to explain that she and Xiao Chi are just ordinary friends. But the man in front of her seemed to give her no chance to explain. He said she is his wife. But... Who knows... No one knows that she, Tang Xi, has been his hidden wife for three years. Only she knows that Su Mengshu is his girlfriend. Thinking of this, the woman¡¯s eyes reddened. She is human too. She can feel pain too. ¡°You call me your wife, what about Su Mengshu?¡± She looked into his eyes, her fingers clenched tightly, knowing that saying this would make him even angrier, yet she still spoke... ¡°Do you think you are even worthy to be compared with her?¡± ¡°Yes...¡± Tears swirled in her eyes. She saw the gloom in the depths of his eyes. Su Mengshu is like a noble rose, while she, she¡¯s nothing but a lowly being trampled in the mud... Does she deserve better... ¡°Did Xiao Chi sleep with you?¡± ¡°What.¡± ¡°I¡¯m asking you, did Xiao Chi sleep with you?¡± The man¡¯s large hand gripped her jaw. Tang Xi shook her head with difficulty, her voice trembling, ¡°No...not...¡± She painfully said, ¡°I¡¯ve only been with you... that time at Su Mengshu¡¯s birthday party....¡± The man stood up, staring at her pale trembling body, his pupils tense, his words chillingly cold, ¡°I was drugged by you that day, who knows what happened.¡± A daze flashed through the bottom of her eyes; after a long while, her bloodless lips moved mockingly, ¡°Then I don¡¯t know...just like you know, I have too many boyfriends, how should I know...who I have been with...¡± Sure enough, the man¡¯s forehead vein twitched a few times. He raised his hand to her chin, ¡°Say it again, who have you been with!¡± Tang Xi¡¯s eyes defiant and self-mocking, she gritted her teeth, her eyes carrying a faint smile, ¡°With you.¡± But Fu Tingzhou didn¡¯t believe this statement. ¡°Xiao Chi, right? Do you like him?¡± ¡°Is that any of your business?¡± She slapped at his hand, struggling hard to break free from this man¡¯s control, but he pinned her again onto the cold bed. ¡°I¡¯ll ask you again!! Do you like him!¡± His eyes flashed stormy waves, as if just waiting for this woman to nod and say she liked him, he would strangle her! Her black hair wet and spread out, at this moment she laughed, yet stubbornly asked, ¡°Tell me, does Su Mengshu know we are here right now?¡± ¡°Does she know her so-called boyfriend is sleeping with her sister now? Probably not, does she know her sister has been his secret wife for three years! Fu Tingzhou, your affection is so cheap, your affection is nauseating! Xiao Chi is different, even if he¡¯s a notorious playboy, he¡¯s not hypocritical like you! Heartless, cold!¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± She stared directly at his rage, her eyes calm as a dead lake... ¡°Buzzing¡ª¡± The man¡¯s phone vibrated. Fu Tingzhou picked up the phone to have a look. Tang Xi laughed disdainfully, a bit hoarse, ¡°Is it Su Mengshu calling? Answer it, why don¡¯t you dare?¡± ¡°Tang Xi, you are courting death!¡± ¡°Fine then. Kill me!¡± She seemed to be venting as she yelled. Anyhow, since her mom had surgery, she had no more concerns. Living was really tiring. Being the Su family¡¯s blood bank for twenty-three years. Her body had slowly been run down. Young, yet suffering from various types of anemia. Her name is Tang Xi, not Su Xi... Accurately speaking, Tang Xi is not even her real name. She doesn¡¯t even have an exact birthday. Only able to be Su Mengshu¡¯s accessory. Same birthday, only Su Mengshu wore the crown on her head. In the Su family, on the surface, she is the second miss, but actually lives worse than a servant. Death, what is there to fear. She, Tang Xi, is not afraid at all. Having repressed it for a long time, as if about to explode, she bit her lip looking into his dark eyes, absolutely fearless of his fierce anger. Chapter 46 - 46 45 Dreaming Again He Holds Her ?46: Chapter 45: Dreaming Again, He Holds Her 46: Chapter 45: Dreaming Again, He Holds Her The silence was terrifying. Only the man¡¯s cell phone continued to vibrate. If he hadn¡¯t controlled himself, he feared he might have strangled this woman to death. Never before had anyone dared to provoke him like this, to enrage him. And never before had anyone been able to stir his emotions so easily. In front of Tang Xi, he seemed like a living person. Not like the cold and indifferent man who always wore a mask. The light slowly faded from the woman¡¯s eyes. Finally, there was only silence, as still as the surface of Mirror Lake. Fu Tingzhou¡¯s fingers couldn¡¯t help but tremble. He slowly released his grip. Fu Tingzhou seemed to be suppressing his emotions forcibly, ¡°You want to die? That would be too easy for you. I¡¯ve already given you the money you wanted. Don¡¯t forget our agreement; there are still two months left.¡± Tang Xi opened her eyes. She coughed a few times as she touched the sore spot on her neck where she had been choked. The temperature here was very low, and she shivered from the cold. The moment the man¡¯s coat landed on her face, she shivered again. His coat was damp. It was filled with moisture and cold air. Uncomfortable against the skin. But without the coat, it was even colder. And she didn¡¯t even have a single piece of clothing on... Her gaze fell on the blue dress scattered on the ground. Fu Tingzhou turned and strode out. Watching his departing figure, Tang Xi instinctively opened her mouth. If she were left here alone, she might freeze to death tonight. But in her current state... Gradually, the cold made Tang Xi¡¯s consciousness blur. She leaned against the bed, curling up and hugging herself tightly. Consciousness slowly faded... Suddenly, the cabin door was kicked open from the outside, as if bearing the impatience of its owner. A soft and warm object enveloped her. Tang Xi opened her eyes, appearing astonished as she looked at the man in front of her. Hadn¡¯t he left? Why had he come back? The clothes on the man were still wet. He had a stern face, ¡°What are you looking at? Do you really want to freeze to death here? If you can walk, then do so. Do you expect me to carry you?¡± Tang Xi held tightly onto the blanket on her body, finally feeling a little warmer. She got out of bed, her feet seeming to have lost all sensation. She had no idea when her shoes had disappeared. The man walked a few steps and then stopped, ¡°Dilly-dallying, can¡¯t you walk faster?¡± Tang Xi struggled to keep up with him. Descending from the cabin, her feet touched the soft, damp sand. She felt as if her whole body had been frozen, her feet stiff and unsure how to move. Fu Tingzhou stood three meters away, scolding in a low voice, ¡°Such a hassle.¡± He walked over and hoisted her up in his arms. From this angle, Tang Xi could see the man¡¯s perfectly contoured jawline. Tang Xi felt as if the entire night had been a dream. She dreamed that she had fallen into the water and that Fu Tingzhou had saved her. She dreamed that Fu Tingzhou had bitten her lip and forcefully taken possession of her. And she dreamed that he held her and took her to a warm room. ¨C After taking a shower, Fu Tingzhou stepped out of the bathroom with water still on his palms, which seemed to sting particularly at that moment. He frowned. Looking at the wound in his palm that had been soaked raw by seawater, white and devoid of fresh blood, it was a hideously torn mess. He hastily patched himself up with the medical kit. On the bed, the woman started to sleep restlessly. Muttering sleep talk. He frowned and walked over. Only to hear her utter in her dreams... ¡°Xiao Chi... Shiyue.... my brother, he...¡± Fu Tingzhou clenched his fists, the wound that had been tended to began to bleed again, slowly staining the bandage red. He really wanted to strangle the woman in her sleep right there and then. Time and time again, she tested his limits. Indeed so cheap, even in sleep not forgetting men. Xiao Chi, Xiao Chi! If she liked Xiao Chi so much, she might as well leave for good! He actually found such a woman interesting, Fu Tingzhou, you must be insane. The man stepped out onto the balcony, his pupils crimson, chain-smoking several cigarettes in a row. This woman, to actually disturb his emotions. Truly ridiculous! Ridiculous, and absurd. After a whole pack of cigarettes, the man returned to his usual indifferent demeanor. ¨C The next early morning. The woman lying in the bed opened her eyes. Her blurred vision gradually became clear as she looked around at all the unfamiliar things. The air was filled with a strange yet familiar masculine scent. She was stunned for a moment. Then she sat up, the thin blanket slipping off her, and Tang Xi, realizing what had happened last night, blushed. Afterward, she looked at the bedroom in front of her, not her own. It was clear that a man¡¯s bedroom was even more upscale and luxurious. The faint aroma of ebony lingered in the air. Tang Xi knew this was Fu Tingzhou¡¯s bedroom. Only now, to her surprise, he hadn¡¯t left her behind... Instead, he had brought her back with him. Thinking back to the events of last night, had he not saved her, she truly might have drowned in Mirror Lake. A throbbing pain came from her forehead; Tang Xi raised her hand to rub her temples, her gaze sweeping the room. The bedroom was decorated to suit a man¡¯s tastes, probably his exclusive apartment; everything here was pervaded with a cold presence, just like him. She got out of bed, trying to find some clothes to wear. No clothes, how would she go out... ¡°Click¡± a sound. The sound of the door opening, Tang Xi was startled. The man walked out of the bathroom. His smoke-colored bathrobe loosely tied around his waist, hinting at his well-defined abs. He lifted his hand, casually wiping his hair. His gaze, dark as ink, scanned over the woman¡¯s fair skin, and his pupils darkened instantly. Tang Xi, realising she was unclothed and marked with last night¡¯s intimacy, blushed and almost the next second dove back under the covers, clutching the blanket tight to conceal herself. ¡°Hmph.¡± Watching her panic-stricken like a rabbit, the man scoffed disdainfully. It wasn¡¯t as if he hadn¡¯t seen it before. Remembering how this woman played around several men, he found her current demeanor nothing but hypocritical. What was she pretending to be innocent for, thinking she could deceive him once more? ¡°Why... why are you here?¡± The woman bit her lip firmly. ¡°This is my bedroom, you tell me why am I here?¡± Fu Tingzhou picked up a cigarette from the bedside table, lit it up, and his gaze brushed over the pale, naked curve of her back, where faint bruises were visible, recalling last night¡¯s madness on the abandoned boat. A shadow fell over his eyes but seeing her now, he felt an unequivocal physical desire. On this matter, he had never had excessive desires, the only two times were with the woman before him. Fu Tingzhou¡¯s private life was exceptionally clean, and though he met many women, not one could arouse his physical interest. But this woman he despised, so easily stirred different emotions within him. Undeniably, he did not find Tang Xi¡¯s body repulsive, in fact... he was somewhat addicted. Looking at her exposed skin, like white snow in the dark of night, her slender waist reminded him of last night... The man took a harsh drag of his cigarette, the blue-white smoke veiling his face, ¡°Remember to take medicine last night.¡± Chapter 47 - 47 46 The Spirit of Contract ?47: Chapter 46: The Spirit of Contract 47: Chapter 46: The Spirit of Contract Tang Xi bit her lip tightly. Her back was frail and slender, tense all over. Upon hearing the man¡¯s words, a surge of grievance welled up. She looked at him; smoke obscured his face, the contours of his handsomeness barely visible, but his eyes¡¯ emotions remained undiscernible. Her lips trembled with a hoarse voice, ¡°You said that for these three months, we¡¯re just pretending to be a couple, you wouldn¡¯t touch me.¡± Upon hearing this, the man exhaled a faint puff of smoke, then his thin lips curved slightly, ¡°I must have also mentioned that whatever your past romantic history is, since you¡¯ve gone to such lengths to crawl into my bed, keep a distance from those men outside. How did you do that? Hmm? Not seeing you for a few days, and you¡¯ve become Xiao Chi¡¯s girlfriend, even seducing a playboy like him; who knows what dirty things you¡¯ve been doing behind my back.¡± How could Tang Xi have anticipated that Xiao Chi would bring her to a tourism development project hosted by Fu Tingzhou? ¡°Regarding this matter, I can explain.¡± The man coldly interrupted, ¡°I don¡¯t want to hear any of this. You just need to remember, for these three months, keep away your wanton maneuvers, and take good care of my mother.¡± He was very close to her. The distance between their faces was only about ten centimeters. The breath between them mingled, almost giving a sense of an intimate tangle... If at this moment their exchange wasn¡¯t filled with cold sarcasm, if in the man¡¯s eyes there wasn¡¯t a look of disgust towards her. The closeness of their breaths could easily be mistaken for a hazy illusion filled with ambiguous desire. Drawing near, he inhaled the scent belonging to the woman¡ªlight and barely there, refreshing and mist-like, indistinct yet bearing an almost drug-like effect. Fu Tingzhou suddenly felt a dryness in his throat. The man¡¯s strong self-control maintained his clear mind. But now looking at her, swollen lips, black hair scattered over her delicate shoulders... He actually felt an impulse to press her down ruthlessly. Just like last night. ¡°Uh¡ª¡± Tang Xi suddenly widened her eyes. Following that, the thin blanket that had been covering her was pulled away by the man¡¯s large hand. A cold, aggressive kiss fell upon her. Last night, he had bitten her lips until they bled. Now, sudden pain assaulted her. The man¡¯s force was anything but gentle. Tang Xi instinctively resisted, ¡°Uh, let...let go...¡± Her voice was broken and hoarse; her fists punched against the man¡¯s shoulders, the force almost imperceptible to him. Tang Xi had not expected that this man who just a moment prior had disdainfully declared he wouldn¡¯t touch her, reminding her to recognize her place as nothing more than a partner by agreement soon to part, was now starting to violate her... Indeed, a man¡¯s words are forever unreliable. ¡°Fu Tingzhou!¡± She fiercely turned her face away. The next second, pain erupted on her jaw as he forced her face back, deepening the kiss. Their breaths entwined. Fu Tingzhou propped himself up on his arms, a trace of dark light flickering in his eyes, ¡°Pretending? Weren¡¯t you quite happy last night?¡± Tang Xi felt the heat of shame, softly speaking, ¡°You forced me.¡± A mysterious smile crossed the man¡¯s lips, as he lowered his head, his voice pressing down on her reddened ears, ¡°Alright, then let me show you whether it¡¯s me forcing you, or you being willing.¡± Tang Xi didn¡¯t know why Fu Tingzhou would have such a perverse pleasure. He always looked like such a cold and indifferent person, with only sternness in his eyes, perpetually exuding an oppressive strength and a depressive ambience. Standing by his side in the summer, there would be no need to turn on the air conditioning. Yet in bed, it was altogether different... His dominance carried a chilling tone of compulsion, utterly lacking any gentlemanly demeanor. She bit her lip. Utterly silent. She didn¡¯t know, the more she did this, the more it aroused his desire to conquer. Eventually, she lost the battle. ¨C Tang Xi once again sat up and looked at the man changing his clothes. Her gaze left his well-defined muscles, her cheeks flushed, but her voice was husky and defiant, ¡°You just said, you wouldn¡¯t touch me.¡± The esteemed CEO of the Fu Corporation, actually going back on his word. Fu Tingzhou raised his hand, straightening his cuffs, and upon hearing her words, he looked up coolly. His face had returned to its usual cold and indifferent expression as if the man who had just been lost in passion wasn¡¯t him. Tang Xi tightly clutched the thin blanket, her gaze staring straight at his face, ¡°I would hope, Mr. Fu, that you could show a little more contract spirit.¡± A stack of money, tossed onto the bed. The woman¡¯s face turned pale. There was a feeling, of being humiliated. Dignity seemed to be trampled upon. The man looked down at her from above, ¡°Is this enough?¡± She clenched her teeth tightly. Not a word came out. These red banknotes seemed to slice through her heart in an instant. Hearing that casual ¡®Is this enough?¡¯, all the sourness surged to her heart, Tang Xi struggled to restrain the sourness in her eyes, her pale lips trembling as she looked at him, ¡°Is having money that amazing? Well, let me tell you, it¡¯s not enough!¡± Fu Tingzhou¡¯s originally indifferent face now looked somewhat sinister as he once again took out his wallet, from which he pulled out a card and threw it onto her face. ¡°Is this enough!¡± Tang Xi couldn¡¯t quite understand her feelings at that moment, as if her heart had been ripped apart and trampled upon uncomfortably. She looked at the banknotes scattered on the sheets, all a silent irony. In this relationship, she had always been the one being pushed forward. At first, she had a girl¡¯s longing for this marriage, but she clearly knew it was nothing but an illusion in a dream. Such a man was far too distant from her; they were never from the same world. Never were. The woman slowly reached out her hand, picking up the banknotes scattered across the sheets. The card was tightly gripped in her palm. Its edges felt as if they were about to cut through her skin. She took a deep breath, trying hard to do so. When she raised her head to look at him, her face forced into a stiff smile, ¡°It¡¯s enough.¡± Just at that moment. There was a knock on the door from outside, followed by Su Mengshu¡¯s voice, ¡°Tingzhou, are you there?¡± His expression barely changed as he responded through the door indifferently, ¡°Mengshu, what¡¯s up?¡± ¡°Tingzhou, the sea breeze outside is nice today, and I heard that the surrounding coffee shops and bistros are open. I want you to accompany me for a stroll.¡± Su Mengshu¡¯s voice was soft and sweet. But there was no expression on Fu Tingzhou¡¯s face. He merely gave the woman¡¯s slender figure on the bed a cold glance before swiftly leaving. Listening to the sound of the door closing. Tang Xi slowly closed her eyes. She tried hard to calm her own heart. Two more months, just two more months to endure! The ¡°buzz buzz¡± of the phone vibrating sounded. Tang Xi picked up the phone from the bedside table; it was her own. She saw the name ¡®Qin Jianlan¡¯ flashing on the screen. Chapter 48 - 48 47 Fever ?48: Chapter 47: Fever 48: Chapter 47: Fever She took a few deep breaths to adjust her emotions before quickly answering the phone. ¡°Hello, Mom, did you wake up early and have breakfast already?¡± ¡°It¡¯s well into the day already... Silly girl, look at what time it is now.¡± It was Qin Jianlan¡¯s laughter from the other end. Tang Xi glanced at the time; it was already half-past nine. ¡°Mom... I overslept.¡± ¡°I had Aunt Rong make some snacks. Come over and eat when you¡¯re free.¡± Tang Xi forgot to tell Qin Jianlan that she would be going out for a few days, ¡°Mom, I¡¯m outside now, I¡¯m with... Tingzhou. We are at the seaside resort he developed.¡± ¡°What, you are with Ahzhou?¡± Qin Jianlan was somewhat incredulous. Although she could see that her son wasn¡¯t rejecting Tang Xi on the surface, their emotional bond hadn¡¯t grown stronger, and it worried her. She frequently brought the two together, and now hearing Tang Xi was in a vacation resort, Qin Jianlan suspiciously said, ¡°Really? Xiao Xi, don¡¯t lie to your mom....¡± ¡°Mom, why would I lie to you? It¡¯s true...¡± ¡°Mom, if you don¡¯t believe it, you can video call me...¡± Two seconds later, Qin Jianlan¡¯s video call came through. Tang Xi wrapped in a blanket, turned the camera around, her voice trying to sound cheerful, ¡°Mom, look, this is Tingzhou¡¯s room, I just woke up... Mom, don¡¯t call me too lazy...¡± Qin Jianlan knew her son well. One look and she could tell it was her son¡¯s favorite style of interior decor. Cold as an ice cellar. Upon seeing her son and daughter-in-law traveling together, Qin Jianlan relaxed completely, ¡°You slept until now, didn¡¯t you? Did Ahzhou bully you last night?¡± Her face turned red, ¡°Mom... what are you talking about.¡± Qin Jianlan laughed joyfully, ¡°Good child, you two have fun together, no rush to come back. Mom is really looking forward to you guys having some good news.¡± ¡°Mom... that matter is still a long way off...¡± ¡°Xiao Xi, mom knows I¡¯ve been unconscious for these three years, you¡¯ve suffered... ¡± Knowing her son¡¯s temperament, Qin Jianlan thought surely this rascal had been neglecting Tang Xi until her awakening started to bring them closer, ¡°Xiao Xi, as long as you carry Ahzhou¡¯s child, once there is a child, your relationship will improve a lot, and nothing will be able to break your bond.¡± ¡°Mom... ah, this... isn¡¯t something I can decide alone. Besides, Tingzhou and I are both busy with work... it can¡¯t be rushed, let¡¯s take it slowly...¡± ¡°Yes, it can¡¯t be rushed, it¡¯s my muddle-headedness... But mom really wishes to see your and Ahzhou¡¯s child before I close my eyes forever, then I¡¯ll have no regrets...¡± ¡°Mom, you will live to a ripe old age, you definitely will.¡± ¡°Hahaha silly child, living a hundred years, wouldn¡¯t mom turn into an old monster then?¡± ¡°Mom, I just want to be by your side always, to see you every day...¡± She paused, ¡°Tingzhou feels the same.¡± ¡°Xiao Xi, mom also wants to see you and Ahzhou every day...¡± For this, Qin Jianlan also wants to live well. ¡°Mom, once you get your health in order, we¡¯ll prepare for the surgery. It¡¯s been three years now, and this kind of surgery has also advanced a lot, the success rate is higher, Tingzhou and I will be with you.¡± ¡°Okay... okay...¡± After hanging up the call, Tang Xi clenched her phone tightly. Aunt Qin, I genuinely hope you live to a ripe old age. But Aunt Qin, Fu Tingzhou has someone he likes... We are going to divorce soon... You¡¯ve been so kind to me, yet I still let down your expectations... ¨C A waiter-like person delivered clothes to Tang Xi, and she changed clothes before leaving the man¡¯s room. When she entered the elevator, she realized this was the top floor, Fu Tingzhou¡¯s private suite. Her room was on the third floor. A plain standard room. Tang Xi returned to her room, took a shower, feeling very tired, she lay on the bed and fell asleep. When she opened her eyes again, it was sunset. The window framed a vast splendid seaside sunset. The intense, brilliant sunset slowly merged with the dark coastline. She was struck by the beautiful scenery outside the window for a moment. It was her first time seeing the ocean, the first time seeing a seaside sunset, and she couldn¡¯t help but take a few extra looks. No wonder rich people liked such lavish vacations; even a regular standard room here costs a four-figure sum. All of this was completely contrary to her original life trajectory. But all of this, it was beautiful. So beautiful that it seemed almost surreal before her eyes. Tang Xi developed a fever. She opened her suitcase and took out a fever-reducing pill to swallow. Probably because of falling into the water last night. Her eyelids were heavy and drowsy. She lay in bed and fell asleep again. She was awoken again by the sound of knocking on the door. Opening her eyes, everything was dark. She groped for the switch, turned on the light, and walked to the door to open it. She saw Xiao Chi with an anxious expression on his face. ¡°The phone¡¯s out of battery, and you didn¡¯t answer the door. Tang Xi, I thought you had fainted inside,¡± Xiao Chi leaned against the doorway, ¡°Let¡¯s go, the food city is having a trial opening.¡± This sea area tourist region is a major development project of the Fu Corporation, with tens of billions invested. It offers all kinds of food, drink, and entertainment, with local specialties for food. Now that it¡¯s starting trial operations, it¡¯s definitely not to be missed. ¡°I... Mr. Xiao, can I not go?¡± Xiao Chi scoffed disdainfully, ¡°Look at you, so scared and cowardly. Are you afraid of bumping into Fu Tingzhou? Or is it heartbreaking and jealousy-inducing to see Fu Tingzhou and your sister being affectionate together?¡± ¡°I have a bit of a fever, and I don¡¯t want to move,¡± she tried to explain, but Xiao Chi was just a stranger to her, she had no way to explain... After all, who would know that she is still Fu Tingzhou¡¯s secretly married wife. And, she truly had a fever and felt too lethargic to move. Xiao Chi looked at her skeptically, noticing the flush on her cheeks and her slightly disheveled hair from just getting up; he didn¡¯t suspect anything wrong, and touched her forehead, ¡°It¡¯s so hot!¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go, to the hospital to have it checked out.¡± There¡¯s a hospital within just five kilometers of here. The man grabbed her slender hand and pulled her along to leave. Tang Xi shrank back, ¡°I am a doctor, you know.¡± Xiao Chi stopped, right, this woman is a doctor. He looked at her, ¡°Are you really okay?¡± ¡°Hmm, just a bit of a low fever. I¡¯ll be better after sleeping it off tomorrow.¡± Her voice was nasally as she spoke. Xiao Chi looked at her in this state and couldn¡¯t help but laugh a bit ¨C when this woman had a fever, she was a lot tamer. She even looked more agreeable. Her voice was kind of strangely cute. ¡°Then you sleep, I¡¯ll go on my own,¡± he said. Tang Xi nodded. She went back to bed, charged her phone, and fell asleep. Though she had slept all day, the fever made her feel more exhausted the more she slept. She woke up because she was hungry. She hadn¡¯t eaten much since last night. Rubbing her brow, she glanced at the time ¡ª it was already past ten at night. At this moment, she was no longer feeling sleepy. Tang Xi took her temperature; she still had a slight fever, but it was much better. She got out of bed and drank some water. Her throat was dry and hoarse to the extreme. There was a knock on the door again. Tang Xi walked over to open it, and just as she did, Xiao Chi walked in. He boldly sat down on the sofa and crossed his legs arrogantly. His gaze swept over her room. ¡°Do you and your sister have some kind of grudge?¡± he asked. Tang Xi didn¡¯t understand what he was talking about. Xiao Chi explained, ¡°This is the room at the very edge, on the third floor, the most basic standard room.¡± Each of the wealthy young masters and ladies who came here for tourism almost all stayed in high-class suites. Only Tang Xi was in a cramped standard room. He sat on the sofa, feeling crowded. Tang Xi smiled, ¡°This place is quite nice; you can still see the sea at sunset.¡± The smile on her face was genuine. Xiao Chi was taken aback, this silly woman, how could she be so easily contented. Chapter 49 - 49 48 Are You Avoiding Him ?49: Chapter 48: Are You Avoiding Him? 49: Chapter 48: Are You Avoiding Him? He placed the items he was carrying on the coffee table, ¡°Eat up.¡± After two seconds, he added, ¡°Just picked it up on the way.¡± Tang Xi didn¡¯t expect Xiao Chi to come so late to bring her dinner, she was stunned for a moment before opening it, and instantly, the aroma of the dishes filled the room. Tang Xi looked towards Xiao Chi. She hadn¡¯t anticipated that he would bring dinner for her? A faint warmth welled up in her heart at that moment. Despite seeming like a rich heir who is always ready to argue, he is actually... quite considerate. Tang Xi took out the food from the bag. They were all snacks. It must be the seaside food street developed by the Fu¡¯s that he mentioned, and to Tang Xi¡¯s surprise, there was even a cup of milk tea. After taking a sip, her throat felt warm. Having filled her stomach, Tang Xi smiled at Xiao Chi, ¡°Thank you, Xiao Chi.¡± ¡°Thank me for what?¡± Xiao Chi froze for a moment as he watched Tang Xi¡¯s serious demeanor and the smile on her lips, suddenly finding that she seemed even prettier after not seeing her for just a few hours, despite being ill. Without makeup and in plain pajamas, her smile was stunningly beautiful. Xiao Chi hastily waved his hand in a dismissive gesture, ¡°It was nothing.¡± In truth, it wasn¡¯t ¡°nothing¡±. He knew she was stuck in the room with a fever and specifically bought some snacks before leaving. He stood up, ¡°You¡¯ve finished eating, so I¡¯ll be leaving. Remember tomorrow...¡± He coughed twice, ¡°Forget it, seeing you looking so weak is really troublesome. Just rest up well, I won¡¯t call you tomorrow.¡± Watching Xiao Chi¡¯s retreating back, Tang Xi had wanted to inquire about Chen Jinyan, but then thought better of it. Xiao Chi had already helped her a lot; without his connections, she wouldn¡¯t even have managed to meet someone like Chen Jinyan. Chen Jinyan¡¯s assistant had contacted her several times, briefly updating her on Tang Shiyue¡¯s situation. This year¡¯s college entrance examination was fast approaching, and he certainly wouldn¡¯t be able to participate. If Fu Chenglin¡¯s parents decided not to settle and instead pursued legal action, she heard that Fu Chenglin came from a well-off family... she feared that Shiyue¡¯s future might be ruined. ¨C The next day, Tang Xi¡¯s fever had subsided, though she still had a sore throat and a stuffy nose. She went to the front desk wanting to find out Chen Jinyan¡¯s room number, but then thought that it might be inappropriate, so she decided to wait for him in the lobby¡¯s lounge area instead. She figured, didn¡¯t they organize a trip to the island today? Then Chen Jinyan should be going as well; she should be able to meet him here. Laughter and footsteps approached. Su Mengshu, Xu Manxue, Jiang Mengrou, and a few other ladies walked out together, wearing brightly colored bikinis that were very eye-catching. The air was filled with the rich scent of women¡¯s perfume. Su Mengshu, draped in a shawl, revealed a pair of long, fair legs. She raised an eyebrow and glanced at Tang Xi, muttering under her breath, ¡°Some people really have nine lives...¡± ¡°Why do we have to go to the island with this bumpkin? It¡¯s so bad for luck, really puts a damper on things.¡± ¡°Oh come on, let¡¯s not bother with such a person. Look, she doesn¡¯t even have a decent outfit...¡± A socialite in Su Mengshu¡¯s entourage commented, then suddenly covered her mouth, ¡°Oh Mengshu, my apologies, I forgot she is your sister... I didn¡¯t mean to target you.¡± Su Mengshu quickly said in a mild tone, ¡°Xiao Ning, it¡¯s me who should apologize, I didn¡¯t manage my sister well.¡± Engaged in their own conversations, they had already performed a whole drama without Tang Xi saying a word. Right now, Tang Xi didn¡¯t want to bother with them and remained seated in the lounge area, taking her phone out to check the time; it was exactly nine o¡¯clock in the morning. ¡°I just bought this bikini, I wonder if Mr. Chen will like it,¡± one of the socialites said, blushing. ¡°Xiao Ning, with your figure, I bet Chen Jinyan will notice you right away, I¡¯ve heard he¡¯s quite the prestigious lawyer in North City and it seems he doesn¡¯t have a girlfriend...¡± Su Mengshu walked up to Tang Xi and spoke loudly on purpose, ¡°Tang Xi, I have an extra swimsuit, do you want to change into it and come with us?¡± ¡°No need.¡± Tang Xi smiled slightly, her tone slightly heavier, ¡°Thank you for your kindness.¡± Su Mengshu maintained an elegantly proper smile on her face. She bent over and said in a tone audible only to the two of them, ¡°You really are lucky, Tang Xi, to have not died in the sea. Rest assured, I won¡¯t make things easy for you.¡± Tang Xi¡¯s fingers clenched tightly. She knew that her fall into the water had something to do with Su Mengshu! However, at the moment, she didn¡¯t let Su Mengshu¡¯s words provoke her emotions but instead stayed calm and collected in her response, ¡°My dear sister, rest assured, you¡¯re still alive, how could I dare to go ahead of you?¡± Su Mengshu gritted her teeth, about to say something, when footsteps approached. Then came the respectful voice of the receptionist, ¡°President Fu.¡± Fu Tingzhou walked out, followed a few steps behind by young masters like Xiao Chi. Tang Xi stood up, her gaze sweeping around, but she did not see Chen Jinyan anywhere. When Xiao Chi saw her, he walked over and naturally blocked her shoulder, ¡°Didn¡¯t you get told to rest? Why are you out and about? Since you¡¯re out, come join us.¡± Tang Xi stepped back, subconsciously trying to avoid Xiao Chi¡¯s touch. That¡¯s when Xiao Chi grabbed the back of her collar, leaning in close to her, ¡°Stop avoiding, Fu Tingzhou has already gone with your sister.¡± Tang Xi looked towards the entrance; by now, Fu Tingzhou and Su Mengshu had already left, and only a silhouette could be seen. She breathed a sigh of relief subconsciously. Recalling her composure, she looked at Xiao Chi, ¡°I¡¯m not avoiding, I just feel... uncomfortable.¡± Xiao Chi bit on a cigarette, not bothering to argue with her, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Tang Xi had no choice but to follow. Today, everyone was preparing to play on a small island. The tourist district developed by the Fu family is backed by Haiwang Island. A tourist area developed with tens of billions invested, the biggest investment was on this naturally formed island. As well as the surrounding chain of products. Several yachts were docked by the shore. Handsome men and beautiful women dressed coolly, seemingly all waiting to surf the seas and stroll on Haiwang Island. Tang Xi, dressed in simple long clothes and pants, was pulled onto a two-person jet ski by Xiao Chi. ¡°Hold tight to me, or don¡¯t fall off,¡± he said, then abruptly twisted the throttle and sped off¡ª Tang Xi¡¯s screams were drowned in the sea breeze. Instinctively, she held onto Xiao Chi, preventing herself from falling off. In the distance, a deep gaze kept watching her, and when he saw the woman holding onto Xiao Chi, Fu Tingzhou¡¯s face clearly showed displeasure. Su Mengshu was wearing a light pink bikini, draped in a beige shawl. The sea breeze tousled her long hair. Today her makeup gave off an innocent and pure look, very calculated. Although it appeared to be light makeup, not a detail was missing, including eyeliner and doe eyes. ¡°Oh my, the wind is so strong,¡± she exclaimed. The shawl could not fully cover her partially exposed figure; with a delicate, tiny scream, the gaze of many gentlemen shifted towards her, with Zhang Chen staring intensely. Su Mengshu smiled shyly, holding her shawl, yet felt extremely smug inside. She loved the attention, especially from these wealthy individuals, unable to take their eyes off her. But on the surface, she acted bashfully, ¡°Tingzhou, let¡¯s quickly get on the yacht.¡± As she spoke, she tried to link arms with Fu Tingzhou, but he had already walked ahead. Su Mengshu¡¯s attempt fell through. Chapter 50 - 50 49 Island Adventure ?50: Chapter 49: Island Adventure 50: Chapter 49: Island Adventure Her smile froze for a moment at the corners of her lips. Following Fu Tingzhou onto the yacht, Su Mengshu found that the man¡¯s gaze was never on her from beginning to end; instead, he kept looking towards Tang Xi and Xiao Chi¡¯s yacht. Su Mengshu clenched her teeth, the yacht rocked in the waves, and she let out a startled cry as she fell towards the man. But before she could get close to him, the man¡¯s hand stabilized her shoulder. After she was seated securely, Fu Tingzhou said, ¡°Be careful.¡± With her face turning red, Mengshu said, ¡°Tingzhou, thank you.¡± However, she realized that the man, maintaining courtesy, let go of her as soon as she was steady, which turned Mengshu¡¯s face pale. She had thought about spending a week on this tour, the time for just the two of them that could have deepened their relationship, but who knew... It had been over two months since she started being with Fu Tingzhou, but he had not even touched her in the most basic way. This had made Su Mengshu somewhat impatient. A breeze blew by. Fu Tingzhou, frowning at the strong scent of perfume in the air, looked at Su Mengshu, ¡°What¡¯s that smell on you?¡± Seeing that he asked proactively, Su Mengshu immediately responded with a ladylike smile, ¡°Ah... it¡¯s a specially formulated perfume, do you like it, Tingzhou?¡± This perfume cost her a lot, crafted by a private high-end perfumer. The man¡¯s thin lips slightly pursed as he looked at the face in front of him, feeling an inexplicable irritation in his heart. Ever since the earthquake in Ningjiang City, he searched for this woman for several days, eager to hear news about this female doctor and desperate to see her. He didn¡¯t know when it started but his feelings for Su Mengshu had changed, finding their interactions dull and even...irritating... ¨C Tang Xi felt a bit seasick, and with Xiao Chi driving the yacht in a very wild manner, Tang Xi¡¯s complexion was somewhat pale when they arrived at the small island. After calming down for two minutes, she managed to suppress the urge to vomit. She looked at this tiny island. There was a manager responsible for the event, named Gao Song, who was currently giving an introduction. ¡°Our small island is a natural one, rich in pearls. Hence, we have a pearl harvesting area. For the ladies who are interested, we can also offer on-site pearl harvesting and jewelry processing. Over there is the casual dining zone, and behind us is the natural forest exploration area. Because this island has natural scenery, we haven¡¯t overdeveloped it to maintain the fun, and for this exploration, we¡¯ve buried a lot of ¡®treasure¡¯ inside. Of course, I know that all you young ladies and gentlemen might not care much about these things, but it¡¯s all for the sake of having more fun. Would everyone please take a medical kit we¡¯ve provided, in case of any unforeseen need.''¡± Zhang Chen and the others couldn¡¯t wait any longer, ¡°Alright, stop blabbing.¡± He and a few other sons of privilege were the first to walk in. Gao Song couldn¡¯t help but remind loudly, ¡°There are many primitive, unexplored areas inside, please return immediately if you see any fences to avoid wandering too deep. We also have maps available here; the red areas on the map are not covered by a signal...¡± If these young elites got trapped inside, it would be troublesome... But clearly, this group of rich young ladies and gentlemen didn¡¯t want to listen; more than a dozen of them rushed in ahead. Gao Song wiped the sweat from his forehead somewhat helplessly. Xiao Chi put his hand on Tang Xi¡¯s shoulder, ¡°What are you standing around for? Let¡¯s go.¡± Tang Xi didn¡¯t want to go in, ¡°I¡¯ll wait for you outside.¡± ¡°We¡¯ve come all this way, it¡¯d be boring not to go in and have some fun.¡± ¡°Xiao, your girlfriend doesn¡¯t seem to give you face.¡± Xiao Chi snorted lightly at the wealthy young man, ¡°Go away, scram to the side, don¡¯t bother me.¡± Left with no choice, Tang Xi picked up a medical kit and followed behind Xiao Chi. A girl walked in and looked at Tang Xi, ¡°You¡¯re taking that? It¡¯s heavy and ugly.¡± Tang Xi spoke seriously, ¡°The humidity here means there are definitely insects, so it¡¯s safer to carry this. It can also be a precaution in case of an emergency. If someone gets bitten by a venomous insect or snake, this could save your life.¡± Clearly, no one listened to her words. One after another, quite a few yachts were coming over. Gao Song was busy arranging things on the island when he noticed Fu Tingzhou¡¯s yacht approaching and hurriedly went to welcome it. Su Mengshu felt terribly seasick; right after landing on the island, she felt the world spinning, Xu Manxue supporting her as she could barely walk straight. Gao Song quickly arranged for medical staff to take her to the rest area. Fu Tingzhou scanned the area, while Gao Song reported to him that many people had already gone on their adventures. ¡°However, many young ladies and gentlemen didn¡¯t bring medical kits or maps, only Tang Xi brought them and went west with Young Master Xiao Chi...¡± Upon hearing this, Fu Tingzhou looked toward the western region. His gaze grew deeper. ¨C This part of the forest clearly wasn¡¯t over-developed; the path was overgrown with weeds. The deeper they went, the more mosquitoes, mice, and ants there were and the shrubs were almost as tall as an adult person. Tang Xi felt an itch on her neck, as if bitten by some insect. She took out a spray from the medical kit and quickly sprayed it. ¡°Ahh¡ª¡± someone screamed from behind. ¡°My foot hurts so much.¡± The woman¡¯s voice carried a hint of cry. Upon hearing this, Tang Xi, acting on her doctor¡¯s instinct, hurried over to bend down and check. Perhaps realizing that Tang Xi was a doctor, the lady quickly asked, ¡°My foot hurts a lot, is it going to be broken?¡± Tang Xi lowered her gaze and carefully examined, ¡°It¡¯s alright, just a sprain.¡± She took out the medical kit and immediately performed the necessary first aid. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s fine.¡± The relieved young lady, looking at Tang Xi¡¯s serious demeanor and remembering how she had followed the trend in ostracizing Tang Xi before, suddenly felt embarrassed and her cheeks flushed red, ¡°Thank you, my name is Sheng Muxin.¡± Tang Xi nodded slightly with a smile. ¡°My name is Tang Xi.¡± The few girls following Sheng Muxin also crowded around, expressing their concern. These girls, delicate like sheltered princesses, had never suffered much. Now in this place, with mosquito bites and the hot, humid air, their exquisite makeup started to run, and they all revealed their weariness. Tang Xi took out sprays from the medical kit and distributed them. The young lady who had ridiculed Tang Xi for carrying such a heavy and ugly medical kit blushed as she accepted the spray, wanting to say thanks but feeling too embarrassed to speak, especially since they had joined Su Mengshu in making things difficult for her a few days ago. The young ladies quickly sprayed themselves, feeling much refreshed and relieved from the itching. Observing Tang Xi from a distance, they whispered, ¡°I think she¡¯s quite good...¡± ¡°Yeah, not like what Xu Manxue said...¡± Feeling tired from the walk, Tang Xi sat in front of a tree stump to rest and sipped on water. She took out the map and started to examine the layout of this area. Hearing a few guys saying they wanted to continue exploring to the east, and with Xiao Chi among them, Tang Xi slightly frowned and looked at the map of the eastern area, which was closer to the center of the forest; it¡¯d be unsafe to go further in. ¡°Young Master Xiao,¡± Tang Xi called out to Xiao Chi. With slightly pursed lips, she said, ¡°It might be unsafe inside, let¡¯s just stroll around the outside area.¡± Xiao Chi hadn¡¯t spoken yet. A young rich kid said, ¡°What¡¯s the fun in staying here? A real man should go inside and have a look. We have so many people, what¡¯s there to be afraid of?¡± Zhang Chen, ¡°Yeah, Xiao Chi, if you¡¯re scared just stay here and play house with your girlfriend...¡± Chapter 51 - 51 50 Encounter with Danger 1 ?51: Chapter 50: Encounter with Danger (1) 51: Chapter 50: Encounter with Danger (1) Zhang Chen has always been at odds with Xiao Chi, and now he bursts into laughter with a few wealthy young men. Reverse psychology, very effective, Xiao Chi calmed down and walked with a few friends further inside. Tang Xi quickly grabbed his arm, ¡°Xiao Chi.¡± She passed the map from her bag, ¡°Take this with you.¡± The situation inside was unknown, giving this to him would be helpful. Xiao Chi nodded, ¡°You wait for me outside. If you don¡¯t want to play here anymore, just go back.¡± Watching Xiao Chi¡¯s figure gradually disappearing into the jungle, along with Zhang Chen and those few wealthy fellows, the group of more than a dozen people dwindled by more than half, leaving only a few girls. Sheng Muxin had rested and with some support, she was leisurely touring the surroundings, the girls mostly took out their phones to take pictures. Someone approached Tang Xi and awkwardly muttered, ¡°Sorry.¡± Tang Xi, who was kneeling and organizing the medical kit, slowly lifted her head and recognized the young lady. It was the socialite who had mocked her for carrying an ugly and heavy medical box before entering. Tang Xi nodded faintly. The socialite¡¯s face flushed, and she then said, ¡°I¡¯m An Lan, thank you for your insect repellent.¡± Seeing Tang Xi continuing to focus on packing the medicine, An Lan quickly squatted down too, ¡°What is this?¡± Tang Xi followed her gaze, ¡°This is a painkiller.¡± ¡°And this?¡± Tang Xi, ¡°This is for disinfection.¡± Seeing that An Lan had not left, Tang Xi looked at her again, ¡°Ms. An, is there something else?¡± ¡°I... uh...¡± An Lan coughed twice, then hesitantly said, ¡°That... the other night... I didn¡¯t mean to follow Su Mengshu and target you... I¡¯m sorry.¡± So it was about that incident, Tang Xi knew there was no malice from her, she smiled a little, ¡°I didn¡¯t take it to heart.¡± An Lan patted her chest and then Tang Xi¡¯s shoulder, ¡°From now on, you¡¯re a friend of An Lan. If you need anything, just tell me, I will definitely help you!¡± Tang Xi looked at her eager righteousness and couldn¡¯t help but laugh, ¡°There¡¯s no need for that.¡± ¡°Then you haven¡¯t forgiven me! I really didn¡¯t mean to follow Su Mengshu against you! It¡¯s all Su Mengshu and that Xu Manxue, always talking about you behind your back...¡± An Lan bit her lip because the words were vulgar, ¡°Anyway, it won¡¯t happen again. If your sister bullies you, just come to me!¡± Tang Xi looked at An Lan¡¯s sincerity, taken aback, ¡°Thank you.¡± An Lan blinked, ¡°Thank me for what?¡± The woman grinned, ¡°Thank you for coming over and saying thank you.¡± An Lan was outgoing, she found Tang Xi to be good-natured and knowledgeable, followed her around asking about this and that, and they exchanged WeChat contacts. In the blink of an eye, it was afternoon, and the jungle was damp and hot. ¡°So thirsty, do you guys have any water?¡± ¡°Mine¡¯s gone.¡± ¡°Water is too heavy, I only brought one bottle and now it¡¯s almost out...¡± ¡°Should we go back then?¡± ¡°No way, look at the sign ahead, we¡¯re about to find the ¡®Treasure¡¯, I¡¯ve posted on Weibo before coming, if we just go back now, how can I explain to my fans.¡± Fu¡¯s investment in a multi-billion tourism project was a huge marketing success, with over a million reservations online. These people were the first to enter and naturally did not want to give up easily. Along the way, the ¡®Treasure¡¯ boxes contained vouchers from Fu¡¯s food, jewelry, medicine, real estate, and tourism industries, along with gold card discounts. Not long ago, a socialite found a jewelry gold card that could be used to purchase the latest luxury jewelry from the Fu¡¯s collection. Although these socialites and heiresses were not short of money, the surprise of opening a blind box and receiving a unique gift was something they still looked forward to. Tang Xi remembered, she had seen the map before, and with her memory, she recalled there was a water source nearby. ¡°I remember the water source is to the east, I¡¯ll go check it out. You all stay here and don¡¯t get scattered.¡± An Lan looked at Tang Xi, ¡°I¡¯ll go with you.¡± Tang Xi glanced at the shoes An Lan was wearing, thinking how these socialites, despite coming here for an expedition, were still wearing leather boots, ¡°You wait here, there are lots of bushes ahead, and those shoes are impractical.¡± About half an hour had passed. An Lan heard a series of footsteps approaching and thought it was Tang Xi. As she lifted her head, she heard a girl¡¯s voice filled with surprise. ¡°Fu Tingzhou, how did you come here?¡± Fu Tingzhou walked over with a young man. That young man glanced at Sheng Muxin, who was resting in front of a stump, and immediately walked over with a frown, ¡°What happened, is it serious?¡± Sheng Muxin shook her head but her eyes turned red with grievance, ¡°Brother, I¡¯m fine, I just twisted my ankle by accident, Tang Xi has already bandaged it for me.¡± Sheng Huai¡¯an picked her up and said to the man, ¡°I¡¯ll take my sister for treatment first.¡± Fu Tingzhou¡¯s gaze swept around, looking at the several socialites present, his voice was cold yet distinctive, ¡°Where is Tang Xi?¡± ¡°She went to find a water source.¡± An Lan pointed in a direction, ¡°Over there, to the east, she¡¯s been gone for over half an hour...¡± Fu Tingzhou¡¯s brows furrowed, and he strode in that direction. A socialite wanted to strike up a conversation with Fu Tingzhou, but she couldn¡¯t even touch the hem of his clothes. She said with a sour tone, ¡°What¡¯s the relationship between Tang Xi and Fu Tingzhou... Fu Tingzhou seems to be quite concerned about Tang Xi¡¯s matters...¡± An Lan spoke up, ¡°Zhao Siyu, what¡¯s it to you?¡± ¨C Even though it was already afternoon, it felt especially stuffy in this dense jungle where the sky was obscured by the tall trees, with only a few strands of light visible. She scooped up some water and washed her face. This was a treated and drinkable water source, and Tang Xi had finally found it. She was about to head back the same way to inform An Lan and the others. She had taken a few steps forward when suddenly she heard footsteps. Could it be An Lan and the others? She raised her eyes and saw a familiar tall figure. Tang Xi was startled for a moment. Fu Tingzhou, why was he here? She took a step forward. Suddenly, she heard the man¡¯s voice lower, ¡°Stop, don¡¯t move!¡± Tang Xi was startled, and her steps came to an abrupt halt. She looked at him blankly, not understanding why? Had she annoyed him again? ¡°I...¡± Fu Tingzhou¡¯s brow was furrowed, and he spoke sternly, ¡°Shut up!¡± Tang Xi pursed her lips, a bit at a loss. The man stepped closer and closer to her, his thin lips slightly pursed, his handsome face grew serious, and he slowly reached out towards her shoulder. And Tang Xi, suddenly heard a rustling sound coming from behind her, her face instantly turned pale, and her whole body was filled with a chill. In the corner of her eye, she saw something green on her shoulder... There was a snake! Tang Xi suppressed the scream that was about to burst from her throat; at the moment the snake lunged at her, she abruptly closed her eyes. One second, two seconds. There was no pain as she had imagined. She opened her eyes to see the man who had appeared before her; his hand had already caught the snake by the neck. Caught off guard, his arm was bitten. Noticing his complexion turning pale. Tang Xi¡¯s gaze fell on the man¡¯s hand, and tremblingly spoke out, ¡°Fu Tingzhou, your hand¡ª¡± Chapter 52 - 52 51 Encounter with Danger 2 ?52: Chapter 51: Encounter with Danger (2) 52: Chapter 51: Encounter with Danger (2) A clear bite mark on the man¡¯s arm. Tang Xi¡¯s eyes widened as she looked at him, not expecting that it was he who had saved her. But why... This wasn¡¯t the moment to dwell on that, she hadn¡¯t brought her medical kit, but Tang Xi tried hard to calm down and quickly took off the scarf from around her neck to bandage above the wound. The woman pulled out a small knife she carried with her, slit open the wound on his arm and on seeing the color of the fresh blood, she remembered the greenish small snake she had seen in the corner of her eye. It was bad, the snake was poisonous! She couldn¡¯t think any further, bent her head down, her lips covering the wound on his arm, sucking out the venomous blood to reduce the spread of the poison. Fu Tingzhou¡¯s body shook, astonishment flickering in his eyes as he looked at her, ¡°What... are you doing, are you crazy?¡± The woman¡¯s eyelashes drooped, her complexion pale and eyes serious and clear. She grabbed his arm, preventing him from moving. At that moment, the woman¡¯s strength was significant, Fu Tingzhou was so astonished that he forgot to struggle. Tang Xi spat out several mouthfuls of blood, her lips bright red but her voice was serious and composed, ¡°I¡¯m a doctor, you need to follow the doctor¡¯s orders.¡± In that instant, the man was slightly mistaken. The woman in front of him felt strangely familiar. ¡°Tang Xi, have we really never met before?¡± Upon hearing this, Tang Xi staggered. The woman¡¯s gaze remained low, fixated on the man¡¯s wound. She furrowed her brows lightly, ¡°We met once five years ago.¡± ¡°At... North City University, Mr. Fu, you represented your company in awarding scholarships to a group of students, and I was one of them. Luckily, I received the scholarship award.¡± That was a summer five years ago. Even inside the lecture hall, it was as stifling hot as it was at that moment; she wore a plain white short-sleeved shirt and black long pants, while the man, dressed in a black suit, stood at the podium, his voice steadily projecting through the microphone, she was very close to him. That was the most recent time. Since then, the next time she heard the name Fu Tingzhou was from Qin Jianlan. Fu Tingzhou carefully recalled it, but he had no impression of the event the woman mentioned. The Fu Group has sponsored many students, and he had long forgotten such minor occurrences. Only now, listening to her, did the man come to find out. ¡°You... you¡¯re Su Kangrong¡¯s daughter, do you still need sponsorship?¡± The woman was seriously treating his wound, her eyelashes trembled upon hearing this, ¡°Yes, how could I still need sponsorship... Mr. Fu, just take my words lightly...¡± She stood up, ¡°You¡¯re injured, let¡¯s leave this place quickly.¡± She knew this man didn¡¯t like her, so she walked ahead of him, guessing, he already considered her a person full of lies. Although the Su family wasn¡¯t extremely wealthy, Su Kangrong¡¯s jewelry company still had an annual profit of ten million, living in a villa area with chauffeurs for transportation, how could his daughter be so poor that she needed sponsorship to study... Of course, he would think that she was full of lies. For money, any excuse would be made up. At this moment, Tang Xi didn¡¯t want to explain any of these, just to quickly get out of here, in less than two months, after getting divorced, they would part ways. When they arrived at the place they had been resting, Tang Xi found that An Lan and the others had already left. The medical kit and some other supplies were also taken. She looked around and pointed in a direction, ¡°I remember we came from here. Let¡¯s go this way.¡± The man said nothing, just pursed his lips. Tang Xi turned around, seeing his pale face, it was clear that his condition wasn¡¯t good at the moment. The woman bit her lip and walked over, her hand slowly reaching out, paused in mid-air for a few seconds, and finally, she still supported his arm. ¡°Mr. Fu, can you hear me talking?¡± Fu Tingzhou looked at her, dizziness flickering before his eyes. He vaguely saw the woman¡¯s anxious face. He nodded. Tang Xi let out a slight sigh of relief and supported him as they moved forward, the man¡¯s body gradually becoming powerless, almost leaning on her strength. Tang Xi¡¯s figure was slender and frail, holding up his almost collapsing body. She helped him to a tree stump and sat down, taking out her mobile phone. Looking at the weak signal, she tried several times to make a call but couldn¡¯t get through. This is troublesome. ¡°Fu Tingzhou, does your phone have a signal?¡± The man raised his hand to rub his brow, the wound on his arm burning like fire, gesturing that his phone was in his pocket. The woman¡¯s hand fumbled in his trouser pocket, taking out the phone, which only had one flickering bar of signal. The situation was more serious than Tang Xi thought. She looked at Fu Tingzhou as he closed his eyes and leaned against the tree, his lips pale, his brow furrowed, his face bearing an abnormal flush, seemingly in great discomfort. She raised her hand, her palm approaching the man¡¯s forehead. It¡¯s so hot! He had a fever. We can¡¯t just sit here waiting for death. It¡¯s already close to four in the afternoon, and if they hadn¡¯t gotten out by dusk, the consequences would be unthinkable. ¡°Fu Tingzhou, Fu Tingzhou,¡± she gently patted the man¡¯s shoulders. His eyelids were heavy, slowly lifting. Looking at the anxious expression of the woman in front of him, her lips moved but Fu Tingzhou couldn¡¯t hear clearly at the moment, his ears ringing, devoid of her voice. Only her anxious expression flickered before his heavy eyes, like shattered fragments. ¡°Fu Tingzhou¡ª¡± Suddenly, her voice seemed to come from the clouds. The man¡¯s pupils shrunk slightly. ¡°Fu Tingzhou, you can¡¯t sleep!¡± Tang Xi urgently said with a pale face, forcibly supporting him and pulling his arms to help him stand up, they had to get out, they couldn¡¯t just sit here and wait for death. The man¡¯s body almost completely pressed down on her frail shoulders. Tang Xi struggled to half carry and half support him as they walked forward. The woman¡¯s face was covered in fine sweat. Fu Tingzhou¡¯s eyes blurred open, under the effect of the snake venom, he was almost completely weak, hallucinations seeming to appear before him. The jungle was stuffy and windless. Yet he smelled a light, refreshing fragrance. Very subtle, indescribable natural scent, not the rich fragrance of perfume, as if it was a natural light floral scent innate to someone. This scent. Matched the smell in his memory. Fu Tingzhou tried hard to keep himself alert, and clasping her wrist, he slowly exerted strength. Tang Xi looked at him somewhat surprised, ¡°You¡¯re awake? You can¡¯t sleep! Fu Tingzhou, look at me!¡± The man¡¯s gaze was heavy, white light flickered in front of him, his body slowly fell, someone caught his spine, urgently accompanying his shoulders shouting his name. Fu Tingzhou, Fu Tingzhou¡ª In the humid and stuffy jungle of Ningjiang City, and within the ruins, there was also this trace of scent... He held her wrist, murmuring, ¡°Mengshu, is that you?¡± Tang Xi was startled. Her pupils slowly dimmed. She bit her lip, unknowingly tasting the rust flavor. The lip she hadn¡¯t realized was bitten. He... Did he mistake her for Su Mengshu? Opening her mouth, her voice came out a bit hoarse and weak, ¡°I am Tang Xi.¡± Chapter 53 - 53 52 Saved ?53: Chapter 52: Saved 53: Chapter 52: Saved The man had already closed his eyes. Tang Xi took a deep breath, spasms in her chest, and she shouted excitedly, ¡°I am Tang Xi, Fu Tingzhou can you hear me? I am Tang Xi!! Don¡¯t fall asleep, Fu Tingzhou, open your eyes and look, I am Tang Xi, not Su Mengshu!¡± She clenched her fingers tightly. As if numb, it took a long while before she felt a pang of pain in the palm of her hand, her fingernails sinking in deeply. It took a long time for her heart to calm down. Looking at the man¡¯s unconscious face, Tang Xi bit her lip, ¡°Is Su Mengshu so important to him?¡± He, likes Su Mengshu so much. Even in his unconsciousness, he was calling out Su Mengshu¡¯s name. A moment later, Tang Xi gave a self-mocking smile, her face pale. Yes, she was just his most despised secret wife. And Su Mengshu, she was his publicly recognized girlfriend. She supported him against a large tree and took off her sports jacket to cover him. The woman took a deep breath to steady her emotions, then stood up to look at his current state. Fu Tingzhou, you saved me, I won¡¯t let anything happen to you. She turned and her figure swiftly disappeared into the jungle. ¨C On the island, at the exit of the jungle, Xiao Chi and Zhang Chen came out one after another. Several young masters were clearly taught a lesson here, with scratches all over their exposed skin on their faces, necks, and legs, and bites from insects. Zhang Chen cursed as he took an anti-itch spray from a medical kit, finally feeling a bit relieved, ¡°What the hell is in there!¡± His eyelids were all swollen from the insect bites. Gao Song breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing several people emerge; it was good that these wealthy young masters were okay. Xiao Chi took a glance around, ¡°Where¡¯s Tang Xi?¡± An Lan came over, ¡°Tang Xi hasn¡¯t come out yet. Sheng Muxin sprained her ankle, Sheng Huai¡¯an came to find her, and Fu Tingzhou went to look for Tang Xi, so we all came out together.¡± Speaking of this, An Lan bit her lip, ¡°Both Fu Tingzhou and Tang Xi haven¡¯t come out yet.¡± Xiao Chi frowned. Upon hearing that Fu Tingzhou had gone to find Tang Xi and both had not yet emerged, Su Mengshu let out a sharp scream. She looked at Gao Song, ¡°What are you waiting for? Go find them!¡± At this moment, she was trembling with fear. Completely devoid of the joy from the vacation that had just started a few days ago. Her mind was a blank slate now. She was in a complete panic. Ever since she found out Tang Xi was also here, she felt as uncomfortable as if sitting on pins and needles every day. She had a premonition that sooner or later, Fu Tingzhou would find out that it was Tang Xi who saved him during the earthquake. And once that came to light, Not to mention securing the position as Mrs. Fu, she herself would be done for. Currently, Su Mengshu was completely devoid of the gentle and ladylike facade she usually held; she was cursing at Gao Song like a shrew. Many around felt surprised but could understand. After all, her boyfriend and her sister were both in the jungle; she must be overly worried. Gao Song also panicked, sweat streaming down his forehead. He hurriedly reached for his pager to call the search and rescue team waiting at the hotel. If something happened to Mr. Fu in there, his own life wouldn¡¯t be enough to pay for it. It was already five o¡¯clock, still daylight outside, but inside, it was about to get dark. Gao Song had no idea how Fu Tingzhou and Tang Xi were doing, praying they hadn¡¯t lost their way in the vast forest that could swallow a person at any moment. Thinking about this, Gao Song¡¯s legs trembled. ¨C Her field of vision was pitch-black. Tang Xi stumbled forward, pushing aside the tall leaves before her; there was no longer a hint of light, and she could only rely on the dim light from her cellphone. Fu Tingzhou was still waiting for her. Even though she was exhausted, she did not stop for a moment. Suddenly, a pain shot through her palm. By the blurry light of her cellphone, she looked at the heel of her left hand and saw a bite mark, while a small green snake swiftly disappeared into the undergrowth. Tang Xi¡¯s lips were pale. She didn¡¯t have time to tend to the snake bite on her hand and hurried forward. She didn¡¯t know how long it had been, her breathing became rapid, her legs felt as if they were filled with lead from exhaustion, and she was utterly spent. She knew this was not the time to rest. But... She was so tired... She really wanted to just stop and rest against a tree for a while. ¨C The entire rescue team entered the forest, and it was only after they had gone that the team leader Jiang Yunzheng realized how complicated the situation was. Not only was there no signal here, but snakes, insects, rats, and ants were everywhere, and what¡¯s worse, it was stiflingly hot and humid. And now that it was dark, visibility was reduced. Even with professional lighting, it was as if they were punching into cotton, with darkness before their eyes like heavy clouds. The man gave orders in a calm, deep voice, ¡°Old Zhang, Brother Xu, Xiao Song, you guys lead one team to the east; Old Bai, Ah Dong, Xiao Jiang, you¡¯re with me to the west.¡± Several teams groped their way forward. Tang Xi didn¡¯t know how long she had been running; her cellphone had run out of power. Before her was a sea of darkness, oppressively dense. Her legs seemed to have gone numb and were beyond her control. She stumbled, not knowing what had tripped her. The woman struggled to push herself up with her arms. Once, twice, she fell hard. Tang Xi¡¯s vision blurred, but she gritted her teeth; no, she couldn¡¯t just collapse, Fu Tingzhou was still waiting for her. A feeling of weakness and despair overwhelmed her. It was as if she were once again standing amidst the ruins of the earthquake in Ningjiang City. That was Tang Xi¡¯s first rescue operation after graduating from university. She had been determined to study medicine and become a doctor to save lives and heal the wounded since high school, and she hadn¡¯t stepped back when the earthquake struck. But she did everything she could. Yet, she wasn¡¯t able to save that man. If only... if only she had arrived a little earlier, if... if only she had held on a little longer... maybe that man could have been saved. At this moment, she bit her teeth and stood up; pain shot through her ankle. Her face turned pale as she bore the pain, trying to calm herself down. Just then. A bright light shone over. Footsteps followed. ¡°Someone¡¯s here, quick¡ªcome!¡± Along with a man¡¯s voice, a tall figure ran up to her, helping her up, ¡°You¡¯re Tang Xi, right? Where¡¯s Fu Tingzhou?¡± Tang Xi grabbed the man¡¯s arm; he had the handsome features of a young man and was wearing a rescue team¡¯s logo on his clothing. She breathed a sigh of relief, finally able to catch her breath, and hastily said, ¡°He¡¯s inside.¡± The man glanced at Tang Xi and said, ¡°I¡¯ll have someone take you out; there are doctors outside.¡± ¡°No, you don¡¯t know the way. I¡¯ll take you to Fu Tingzhou; he was bitten by a snake, and it¡¯s severe.¡± After speaking, Tang Xi turned and took the lead. The man realized the seriousness of Fu Tingzhou¡¯s snake bite and looked at Tang Xi with concern. Perhaps Tang Xi didn¡¯t realize that at this moment, her white blouse was torn by leaves and branches, and there were cuts and scratches on her cheeks, neck, and wrists. Without caring for herself, she led the way towards Fu Tingzhou¡¯s location with the utmost speed. Chapter 54 - 54 53 Break Even ?54: Chapter 53: Break Even 54: Chapter 53: Break Even The man slowly opened his eyes. In his ears, the sound of insects chirping could be heard. In his field of vision, it was pitch black. Surrounding him was a deserted area, he squinted and looked around, his pupils constricted, where was Tang Xi? Had she... left? So eager to leave him behind. In his heart, there unexpectedly arose a feeling of loss. Never would he have imagined that she would just walk away and leave him here. Indeed, why wouldn¡¯t she leave? Or else stay here to die in this trap? No cell phone signal, no medication, surrounded by mosquitoes and ants, and it was already night. Fu Tingzhou slowly sat up, stabilizing himself by leaning on a tree. The man¡¯s lips were tightly sealed, carefully observing the movements around him. Fu Tingzhou had never imagined that one day, he would face such a dilemma, if it weren¡¯t for saving that woman... In his mind flashed a pair of clear and stubborn eyes of a woman. He shook his head, but that woman¡¯s face seemed to be unconsciously engraved deep in his mind. Damn it! This woman, with those eyes pretending to be pure and innocent, had deceived him! Yet, he felt only disappointment in his heart, but no regret. No regret for having saved her. Struggling to take a few steps forward, the man finally ran out of energy. He, Fu Tingzhou, had never thought that he would end up trapped like this. Leaning against the tree, the man¡¯s tall stature slowly collapsed. Suddenly, a clear female voice. ¡°Fu Tingzhou¡ª¡± The voice was anxious and trembling. He barely opened his eyes, watching a woman stumbling hurriedly towards him; the stifling air seemed to carry a faint fragrance of refreshing flowers. He squinted his eyes, ¡°Tang Xi.¡± Was he hallucinating? This face, how could it appear so clearly before him again? ¡°It¡¯s me.¡± The woman embraced him, supporting his slowly falling body, she held him tight, her voice choked with sobs, ¡°Fu Tingzhou, it¡¯s me.¡± Surprise flickered in his eyes, ¡°Weren¡¯t you... didn¡¯t you leave?¡± ¡°You saved me, how could I possibly leave.¡± The woman¡¯s voice clearly came through, ¡°You were unconscious, I went to fetch a rescue team, they are here, we will be saved. You saved me, and I also saved you, we are even now.¡± So she wanted to draw a line with him just like this? Fu Tingzhou gathered all his strength to grasp her wrist, his palm was burning hot, scalding her skin, ¡°Tang Xi, listen clearly, I saved you from drowning, and including this time, it¡¯s twice! We will never be even! You will always owe me!¡± ¡°You...¡± Tang Xi widened her eyes, not understanding why this man suddenly became upset, clearly weakened by poison yet still so strong, the grip on her wrist hurt. ¡°Ouch, let go.¡± She bit her lip, pulled out her wrist, but suddenly saw the man¡¯s palm. A fierce, somewhat pale scar, obviously a recent cut, treated but barely bandaged, slightly crusted over. What happened... She didn¡¯t remember when he got injured. She always thought that the man only had the snake bite wound. This wound was such that it clearly hadn¡¯t been seen by a doctor, likely already infected. Hurried footsteps approached, the rescue team had arrived. A helicopter circled overhead. ¨C In the hospital, Fu Tingzhou opened his eyes. His palm was held by someone, and as he made out who it was, he frowned, ¡°Mengshu, why are you here.¡± Su Mengshu¡¯s eyes were red, ¡°Tingzhou, you¡¯re awake, you scared me.¡± She cried and threw herself into his arms, her shoulders trembling slightly, ¡°I was so scared.¡± The man gently patted her back, ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Su Mengshu sobbed, ¡°Tingzhou, as long as you are fine, that¡¯s all that matters.¡± ¡°How is Tang Xi, where is she.¡± He remembered, he was with her. He remembered, at the moment before closing his eyes, she came. Was it all a dream? Or just a hallucination before he fell into a coma. ¡°Ah, her...¡± Hearing the man inquire about Tang Xi just after waking up made Su Mengshu¡¯s face almost contort, she tried to smile, ¡°My sister should be having dinner with Xiao Shao, she left with him just after coming out...¡± As she spoke, Su Mengshu shyly smiled, ¡°Xiao Shao seems to care a lot for my sister, I really hope they have a good time together.¡± She said this while watching Fu Tingzhou¡¯s face darken. Su Mengshu smiled triumphantly, this was the effect she wanted, ¡°Tingzhou, you¡¯ve just woken up, do you feel uncomfortable anywhere? I¡¯ll call the doctor over immediately.¡± ¡°No need, it¡¯s late and you¡¯ve also had a long day, go rest.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not tired, I just want to stay by your side and look after you. The doctor said you just had snake venom neutralized, you need someone to take care of you, how can I leave at a time like this.¡± Su Mengshu¡¯s voice was tender, her smile ladylike, showing genuine concern for him. Fu Tingzhou felt a bit guilty, Su Mengshu was so considerate for him, yet he felt annoyance towards her, his eyes softened, ¡°Thank you for your hard work.¡± ¨C ¡°Miss Tang, I am going to apply your medicine, if it hurts, please endure it a bit.¡± Tang Xi smiled, ¡°I am a doctor too, I can handle this kind of pain.¡± Usually, she was the one applying and changing bandages for patients. Now, it was her turn. The back of her hand had a snake bite, fortunately, it was not venomous. Unexpectedly, there was a scratch on her ankle, continuously oozing blood. ¡°You, a young lady, why go to such a dangerous place?¡± The young male doctor frowned, helping her treat the wound. This is the Fifth Hospital of North City. The nearest hospital to the scenic area, Tang Xi and Fu Tingzhou were rescued, they were transferred by private car overnight and brought here for treatment; only after knowing that Fu Tingzhou was out of danger did Tang Xi come to the emergency room to treat her wounds. She stood at the door of the ward, seeing him awake and holding Su Mengshu. After treating her wounds, Tang Xi left the emergency room. Perhaps being a doctor, she smelled the scent of disinfectant in the air, yet her mood gradually calmed down peacefully. The emergency ward of the Fifth Hospital was also quite busy. Throughout the night, ambulances intermittently delivered patients. She watched a few men in black jackets in the hallway. It was the rescue team that had saved her and Fu Tingzhou from the jungle, she walked over, ¡°Captain Xu, you¡¯re here too.¡± ¡°There¡¯re too many unknown small bugs deep in the jungle, I got bitten a few times and it hurts and itches severely,¡± a young team member spoke and smiled. ¡°Yeah, the bushes inside were as tall as people, the leaves sharp as blades, accidentally got a few cuts,¡± another member added. Their situation was not serious, so they waited outside, not wanting to trouble the doctors during busy times and planning to go in after the more urgent patients had been seen. The man called captain, around his early thirties, with close-cropped hair and wearing a black jacket had a tough demeanor, and sharp, hawk-like eyes, he looked at Tang Xi, ¡°Isn¡¯t Miss Tang going to see Mr. Fu?¡± Chapter 55 - 55 54 Bandaging ?55: Chapter 54: Bandaging 55: Chapter 54: Bandaging Jiang Yunzheng initially thought that Tang Xi and Fu Tingzhou were a couple trapped inside together. When he hurried over, he even saw the two of them hugging each other. That¡¯s why he asked that question. Tang Xi smiled faintly, ¡°I¡¯ve seen it, Captain Jiang, wouldn¡¯t you go and tend to the wounds?¡± The speaker was a young man beside Jiang Yunzheng named Adong, who scratched at the mosquito bites on his arm, ¡°Brother Zheng said we shouldn¡¯t disturb the patients... It¡¯s just a minor thing for us.¡± Tang Xi was somewhat surprised. She did not expect Captain Jiang, who seemed to have a tough exterior, to be so attentive to details. Seeing several people in front of her, who had obtained multiple injuries while trying to rescue her and Fu Tingzhou, she went to the nurse¡¯s station, fetched some medicine, and came over. ¡°Let me help you guys.¡± Adong was somewhat surprised, ¡°You?¡± Tang Xi grinned, ¡°I am a doctor, I still possess the basic skills of dressing and medicating wounds.¡± ¡°So Miss Tang is a doctor.¡± Adong smiled, ¡°It¡¯s been itching me to death, the bugs inside were as big as coins. Even for a grown man like me, it feels quite uncomfortable.¡± Tang Xi took the medical kit and started treating their wounds one by one. Some wounds worsened due to excessive scratching. She approached Jiang Yunzheng, ¡°Captain Jiang.¡± Jiang Yunzheng took off his jacket, revealing his muscular arms, with a scratch on his upper left arm. Tang Xi took care of the dressing. The man slowly lifted his dark eyes, gazing at the elegant and pure face of the woman in front of him; almost bare-faced yet exceptionally clear and beautiful. Jiang Yunzheng looked away towards the distance. The man murmured softly, ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°You¡¯re welcome.¡± Tang Xi returned the medical kit to the nurse station and then left the emergency room. Not far away, Jiang Yunzheng¡¯s gaze lingered on the woman¡¯s slender and gentle silhouette, in the air filled with the scent of disinfectant, yet carried a faint fragrance of Gardenia. That was her scent. Adong chuckled and nudged Jiang Yunzheng¡¯s arm, ¡°Brother Zheng, that Miss Tang is really nice. Not only is she beautiful, but she is also gentle. Grandma Shu has been urging you to get married. I think Miss Tang is quite suitable...¡± Jiang Yunzheng spoke indifferently, ¡°What nonsense are you talking about, she is Fu Tingzhou¡¯s girlfriend.¡± ¡°No, Brother Zheng, you misunderstood. Her sister is Fu Tingzhou¡¯s girlfriend, Fu Tingzhou is her... brother-in-law.¡± Jiang Yunzheng frowned, so that¡¯s how it was. He lifted his eyes towards the direction where Tang Xi had disappeared. He subconsciously reached for his phone, then touched an object in his pocket, took it out, and it was Tang Xi¡¯s phone. At the time Tang Xi fell to the ground, he picked up her phone, and later followed her back into the depth of the jungle to find Fu Tingzhou. Due to the urgent situation, he had forgotten to return it to her. Staring at the phone, Jiang Yunzheng was somewhat lost in thought. In his pocket, his own phone vibrated. Jiang Yunzheng looked at the caller ID and quickly answered, ¡°Grandma, you haven¡¯t gone to sleep yet?¡± ¡°I heard from Mother Su that you haven¡¯t gone home yet, where have you been so late?¡± ¡°There was a sudden matter at my squad.¡± ¡°You are ignoring such a huge family estate, insisting on doing this search and rescue work... You are nearly thirty and still not getting a girlfriend. What about Miss Dong from the Dong Family who grandma introduced last time? She¡¯s gentle, well-educated, and comes from a good family background, and our Shu Family has collaborated with them several times.¡± ¡°Grandma, I don¡¯t like Dong Yuewei, let¡¯s end this matter here.¡± ¡°Then what type do you like?¡± ¡°I...¡± Jiang Yunzheng pursed his lips slightly, clenched the phone he found in his left hand, and the faint smell of Gardenia appeared again at his nose, ¡°Grandma, you should rest first.¡± After hanging up, he looked down at Tang Xi¡¯s phone. He instructed Adong, ¡°Go find out which hospital Tang Xi works at.¡± Adong¡¯s eyes lit up, ¡°Brother Zheng, are you planning to take the initiative?¡± ¡°I... just wanted to give her the phone.¡± ¨C Tang Xi left the hospital, hailed a cab, and shared it with a young girl, heading towards the city center from the coastal area of North City. Upon arriving at her rental place, the driver¡¯s car stopped in an alley. Having lost her phone, Tang Xi felt a pang of loss. She ran back upstairs to get some cash for the driver, suspecting that she had lost it while stumbling through the jungle. It was now around five o¡¯clock in the afternoon. She returned to the rental room, exhausted, and drank some water. This trip was called off because she and Fu Tingzhou got stranded on an island, but at this moment, Tang Xi didn¡¯t want to deal with anything; she just wanted to sleep well. Lying on the couch, the woman slowly closed her eyes. This sleep lasted until the next day. Tang Xi propped herself up with the help of her phone, feeling groggy and starting to run a mild fever. She opened the drawer, took out an ibuprofen, and, looking at the bright sky outside the window, subconsciously changed clothes to go to work. It was only when she walked out the door that she remembered she was still on her ¡®holiday.¡¯ Xiao Chi had requested a week off for her. It had only been four days so far. Three more days to go. And her luggage was still in the hotel. Tang Xi went downstairs and bought a vegetarian bun at a breakfast stall near her. She located a store and used a public phone to call Xiao Chi. The second time she called, he answered. ¡°Xiao Chi, it¡¯s me, Tang Xi.¡± ¡°Damn, where did you go? You weren¡¯t at the hospital either.¡± ¡°Ah, I... went home.¡± ¡°Where are you?¡± Xiao Chi yelled impatiently, ¡°I can¡¯t reach you when I call; what kind of crappy phone are you using? I can¡¯t even hear clearly. You always use these cheap things. Tang Xi, let me tell you, if I can¡¯t contact you again, I¡¯ll throw your luggage into the sea to feed the sharks!¡± Listening to Xiao Chi swear vociferously on the other end, Tang Xi couldn¡¯t help but laugh. And Xiao Chi heard her voice. ¡°What¡¯s so funny!¡± ¡°Xiao Chi, I¡¯m home. I¡¯m sorry, I lost my phone... that¡¯s why I¡¯m calling you now... my suitcase...¡± ¡°What a hassle, I know, you¡¯re so forgetful. Did you really lose the phone I gave you?¡± ¡°Sorry, it wasn¡¯t intentional.¡± ¡°Call ended.¡± With those two words, the line went dead. The man¡¯s irritable voice seemed to linger in her ears, but Tang Xi¡¯s face bore a smile, not feeling angry because she knew although Xiao Chi seemed like a haughty young master, he was not a bad person. That afternoon, Tang Xi received a courier package. It was her suitcase. Xiao Chi had sent it over, and everything inside it was intact. In the afternoon, she cleaned up the rental room, and feeling bored by herself with no phone available, she decided to make a trip to the hospital. She remembered from last week¡¯s schedule that Ruan Youqing was on night duty tonight. ¡°Weren¡¯t you traveling with Xiao Chi? How come you¡¯re back so soon?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t ask, it¡¯s a long story.¡± Tang Xi smiled, ¡°I¡¯ll be back at work tomorrow.¡± ¡°Your vacation isn¡¯t over yet. You don¡¯t know, but Xiao Chi really has power. When he visited the dean¡¯s office, even the dean bowed his head and dared not speak loudly.¡± ¡°Come on, it¡¯s not that exaggerated.¡± Tang Xi took her hand, ¡°Have you eaten? Let¡¯s go have dinner together.¡± The two went to a ramen shop near the hospital. They were regulars here. The lady boss was also familiar with them, even remembering their dietary preferences. Tang Xi remembered Zhao Yixing¡¯s mother had suffered a stroke and was hospitalized, with Ruan Youqing paying for the medical expenses and visiting every day. After taking a bite of noodles, she asked, ¡°How¡¯s Zhao Yixing¡¯s mother doing?¡± Chapter 56 - 56 55 Petty People are Troublesome ?56: Chapter 55: Petty People are Troublesome 56: Chapter 55: Petty People are Troublesome Ruan Youqing has been worrying recently, ¡°Don¡¯t even mention it, I¡¯ve requested help from Director Jiang of the Neurology Department, but it¡¯s a bit tricky. Moreover... she¡¯s not cooperating with the treatment. You don¡¯t know Zhao Yixing¡¯s mom, she... she can¡¯t be left alone and she refuses to have a caretaker, but I have been on shifts these past few days and couldn¡¯t make time, I can only visit the ward when I¡¯m free.¡± ¡°Is it that serious? Have you discussed it with Zhao Yixing? Isn¡¯t he coming back?¡± ¡°His studies are demanding right now, and even if I tell him, it will only make him anxious; he can¡¯t fly back immediately...¡± Seeing the dark circles under Ruan Youqing¡¯s eyes, Tang Xi knew that she had not rested well these past few days while taking care of Zhao Yixing¡¯s mom. ¡°I¡¯ll cover your shift tonight, you go back and get some proper rest.¡± ¡°Tang Xi, my dearest, you¡¯re the best, always knowing how to care for me.¡± ¡°Go get some rest, and don¡¯t visit Zhao Yixing¡¯s mother¡¯s ward. There¡¯s a nursing aide... If you really can¡¯t put your mind at ease, you could find a dedicated caretaker.¡± Ruan Youqing swallowed a mouthful of noodles and sighed, ¡°Mhm.¡± She didn¡¯t want Tang Xi to worry; after all, Tang Xi was her good friend and was already tired herself... Dean Tang¡¯s condition had just stabilized, and Tang Shiyue had missed his university entrance exams because he was held up at the police station. With that thought, Ruan Youqing pursed her lips slightly. ¡°How are things going with Shiyue? What did the lawyer say?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a bit troublesome. The person he injured is a rich kid who isn¡¯t asking for compensation but instead wants Tang Shiyue to go to jail to get some revenge. Xiao helped me find a lawyer; I¡¯ll visit the law office tomorrow.¡± ¨C In the evening, Tang Xi took over the night shift for Ruan Youqing, busying herself between the department and the ward. Meanwhile, Ruan Youqing, who originally planned to catch the last subway home, received a call from Nurse Zhang. ¡°Dr. Ruan, please come over quickly.¡± ¡°What happened?¡± Ruan Youqing was startled, thinking something had happened to Zhao Yixing¡¯s mother, Li Sumei. She promptly exited the subway station and hurried towards the hospital. ¡°It¡¯s just really troublesome. That Ms. Li is too difficult to take care of, I quit. Please find someone else.¡± Knowing that Li Sumei was fine, Ruan Youqing breathed a sigh of relief and quickly said, ¡°Nurse Zhang, everyone in the hospital knows how diligent and attentive you are in caring for patients. Could you please put in a bit more effort for these few days? I can offer you extra compensation.¡± ¡°Dr. Ruan, it¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to help you, but let¡¯s talk when you get here.¡± Ruan Youqing frowned as she arrived at the ward and immediately smelled something foul upon entering. Nurse Zhang, holding a mop, looked at her, ¡°You¡¯re finally here. Take a look for yourself. I¡¯ve never met a patient this disobedient; she soils the bed with feces and urine, doesn¡¯t listen, curses and spits at me when I try to clean her, even the doctors got scolded away when they came to treat her.¡± Ruan Youqing looked at the middle-aged woman lying on the hospital bed and walked over with a frown, ¡°Auntie Zhao, you can talk to me if you have any concerns. But you can¡¯t refuse treatment from the doctors, Yixing is really worried about you...¡± ¡°It¡¯s all because of you, you vile woman!¡± Li Sumei sat up and began cursing at Ruan Youqing, ¡°You think I don¡¯t know? You seduced my son, he wanted to come see you and you stopped him. I¡¯m in this state and still can¡¯t see my own son. My son is so brilliant, attends the best university abroad, a top student. And what are you? Just a little hospital doctor. Are you worthy of him? Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know about your background, your father is a gambler, your mother is blind, and you have a good-for-nothing brother, your whole family is no good!¡± Ruan Youqing was stunned for a moment. She looked at the woman in front of her, whose mouth was opening and closing, spitting saliva, as if she was a common shrew. Her voice was so loud that it attracted the attention of passing patients and medical staff, who stopped to look over. Ruan Youqing¡¯s face turned slightly pale, and she lowered her voice, ¡°Auntie Zhao, I respect you as Zhao Yixing¡¯s mother, that¡¯s why I¡¯ve been taking care of you repeatedly. I¡¯ve paid for your medical bills, and even Zhao Yixing¡¯s expenses to study abroad.¡± Li Sumei¡¯s voice was as sharp as the screeching of glass, causing Ruan Youqing¡¯s heart to ache. ¡°It¡¯s right for you to pay; what do you amount to? My son taking a fancy to you is already your good fortune, isn¡¯t it right that you should pay for his overseas studies? Did I beg you to pay for my medical expenses? You¡¯re just trying to please me, hoping my son will marry you. You think I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re plotting.¡± Li Sumei got off the bed and sat directly on the floor. ¡°How could I be so miserable, my son doesn¡¯t know the suffering I¡¯m enduring here, it¡¯s all because of you, this mean woman, seducing and deceiving him!¡± At the entrance of the ward, a crowd began to gather, drawn by the gossip. Ruan Youqing watched coldly as the middle-aged woman on the floor threw a tantrum, her slim fingers tightly clenched, again and again enduring. ¡°You all have to judge for me, my son is studying abroad as an outstanding student, and this woman here, she clings to my son like a venomous tongue without letting go. I am sick like this, and she actually doesn¡¯t allow my son to come back to see me. This woman is a doctor here, you all mustn¡¯t seek her out when you¡¯re sick, it will be the end of you!¡± Saying so, Li Sumei burst into loud crying and screaming. Outside, murmurs arose from the crowd. Ruan Youqing endured to the utmost, ignoring the middle-aged woman sitting on the floor going crazy, turned to close the door, ¡°I¡¯m sorry for the disturbance caused by my aunt, she has a mental illness, and has been receiving treatment, but with little effect.¡± Nurse Zhang quickly said, ¡°Indeed, she¡¯s not in her right mind, she¡¯s the most difficult patient I¡¯ve ever had to take care of. Dr. Ruan has been good to her, visiting her almost every day.¡± From inside the ward, the sound of banging against the door and the piercing yelling of Li Sumei could be heard, ¡°You shameless wretch, seducing my son!!¡± A patient passing by remarked. ¡°I think she looks like she¡¯s mentally unstable too, just look at this state...¡± ¡°Yeah, you can tell she¡¯s not sane.¡± Slowly, the crowd that had gathered at the door of the ward began to disperse. Nurse Zhang refused to take care of Li Sumei at all costs, and it was only after Ruan Youqing offered to pay double for a single day that she reluctantly agreed. The voice of Li Sumei continued from behind, and Ruan Youqing did not want to endure it any longer, so she violently pushed the door open. Li Sumei was knocked to the ground unprepared. Ruan Youqing closed the door, watched her coldly, and then took out her phone, dialing Zhao Yixing¡¯s number, ¡°Don¡¯t you want to ask why your son isn¡¯t coming to see you? Fine, let me let you listen. But you have to promise not to make a sound, otherwise, I¡¯ll give you a shot of sedative and you¡¯ll sleep for three days and nights.¡± Chapter 57 - 57 56 Why Not Seek Him Out ?57: Chapter 56: Why Not Seek Him Out 57: Chapter 56: Why Not Seek Him Out Li Sumei looked genuinely distressed. As she looked at Lin Quan, her satisfaction grew. When she heard that the other party¡¯s family owned their own company, Li Sumei quickly and warmly grasped Lin Quan¡¯s hand¡ªher demeanor entirely different from that of the shrewish figure sprawled on the ground just ten minutes earlier. ¡°Miss Lin, you just mentioned that your family runs a company. What field is it in?¡± ¡°It¡¯s our family business. My parents manage a small technology company that recently cooperated with Ruiou International. Have you heard of Ruiou International? It¡¯s a subsidiary of Fu Group...¡± As she spoke, a hint of pride flashed in Lin Quan¡¯s eyes. Having the opportunity to collaborate with a subsidiary of Fu Group is an immense honor and an indirect proof of the company¡¯s strength. Li Sumei had never heard of these details, but she knew the name of the Fu Family, and her satisfaction with Lin Quan in her heart increased instantly. ¨C The next day, Tang Xi was on the night shift, but there wasn¡¯t much to do tonight, and she had managed to rest for four or five hours. At eight o¡¯clock in the morning, the doctor who was supposed to take over her shift hadn¡¯t arrived yet. Her colleague, Sister Qiu, called to say that there was an issue at her child¡¯s school and that she would be half an hour late. Tang Xi told her to take care of her matters first, and she began her rounds methodically. Shu Huaili was startled upon seeing the female doctor who walked in. She looked so similar. Even though he knew she had no relation to Jingli, the resemblance was uncanny. Especially when she wore the mask, only her eyes were visible; those eyes were strikingly similar. He had people look into this female doctor¡¯s family background. She was the daughter of the Su Family. This Su Family, an insignificant household, had been frequently mentioned in his ears recently. That young man of the Fu Family, Fu Tingzhou, was actually involved with the daughter of this small-time jeweler. Although Fu Tingzhou had a marriage arrangement with his family many years ago, Jingli had never returned, and there was no news of his granddaughter either. He didn¡¯t take it upon himself to interfere, but he was definitely not pleased. The female doctor who bore such a striking resemblance to Jingli also came from this humble Su Family. Tang Xi was recording blood pressure and various data, ¡°Sir, you are recovering well. Teacher Zhang has told me that according to your current condition, you can be discharged next week.¡± The old gentleman gave a commanding ¡®hmm¡¯ in response. Shu Rongjun asked a few questions about dietary recommendations, and Tang Xi informed him one by one. At this moment, there was a knock on the door. A tall man pushed the door open and came in. Seeing the visitor, Shu Rongjun said, ¡°Yun Zheng, you¡¯re here. Your grandfather was just talking about you.¡± Tang Xi had finished her examination and was about to leave when she turned around and saw the newcomer. The man was very tall, with a sturdy and strong build, but he did not come off as overly muscular. Instead, he gave the impression that he exercised regularly and led a highly disciplined lifestyle. Jiang Yunzheng? She was momentarily taken aback and nodded politely. Even though they weren¡¯t friends, it was Captain Jiang who had rescued her and Fu Tingzhou just two days ago. But she had not expected that Jiang Yunzheng would turn out to be the grandson of Elder Shu? Shu Huaili looked at him, ¡°I heard from your mother that you took on a mission and left a few days ago, even missing the matchmaking meeting.¡± ¡°Grandfather, there was a last-minute issue in my team,¡± he replied. ¡°You¡¯re at the age to get married too, don¡¯t use work as an excuse for everything. Even if you don¡¯t like the arrangements your mother has made, at least consider her feelings.¡± ¡°I understand,¡± Jiang Yunzheng said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry about my affairs, focus on getting better. The doctor mentioned you need to undergo another surgery later this year.¡± ¡°All because you youngsters exasperate me so, each one more troublesome than the last.¡± ¨C ¡°Doctor Tang,¡± a deep male voice called out her name. In the corridor, Tang Xi stopped in her tracks and turned around. Looking at Jiang Yunzheng, she was somewhat surprised. The man strode over and pulled out a cell phone from his pocket, offering it to her, ¡°You dropped your phone, and it so happens that I found it.¡± ¡°Ah... Thank you.¡± Tang Xi quickly expressed her gratitude, unable to contain the joy in her heart, relieved that she had found her phone and could save some money. ¡°So it was you who found it, that¡¯s great. You didn¡¯t need to deliver it in person, I truly appreciate it.¡± ¡°It¡¯s on my way.¡± Jiang Yunzheng paused for a moment, ¡°I was planning to give it to you the day before yesterday, but I forgot.¡± She had only met Captain Jiang a few times, not enough to call him a friend. Since he had gone out of his way to return her phone, Tang Xi felt she should offer some token of appreciation, and so she tentatively suggested, ¡°I¡¯m not sure if Captain Jiang has the time? I¡¯d like to invite you to dinner as a thank you.¡± You can¡¯t just awkwardly say a dry ¡®thank you¡¯ and end it there, right? ¡°How about tonight? I¡¯m a bit busy today.¡± ¡°Ah, tonight?¡± Tang Xi nodded, ¡°Okay, see you tonight then.¡± Jiang Yunzheng took out his phone, ¡°Tell me your phone number.¡± Tang Xi gave her number and smiled politely as her phone started ringing; she knew it was Jiang Yunzheng calling. For some reason, even though Jiang Yunzheng looked stern, she didn¡¯t feel alienated or uncomfortable around him, but instead, there was a sort of... strange familiarity. Even though they had only met once. How odd... ¨C Tang Xi returned home and took a nap. In the afternoon, she went to the hospital to visit Tang Jingyun. As soon as Tang Jingyun saw her, she grabbed her hand and asked where Tang Shiyue was and if he had come back. Tang Xi pursed her lips. She had avoided this topic several times already, and if she evaded it again, Tang Jingyun might start to suspect something. Tang Xi knew that she could not keep it a secret forever. But the longer she could delay it, the better. It looked like Tang Jingyun was recovering better and better after the surgery. ¡°Shiyue got admitted early because his mathematics is excellent. He¡¯s currently working with a renowned professor in a science and technology project over the summer break.¡± Hearing what Tang Xi said, a smile appeared at the bottom of Tang Jingyun¡¯s eyes, ¡°This child has always been good at math. Call him for me. It¡¯s been half a month since I last saw him.¡± Looking at the expectation in Tang Jingyun¡¯s eyes, Tang Xi tried to muster up some energy, ¡°Mom, not just you, I haven¡¯t called him for several days either. You don¡¯t know, that professor is very impressive, and the project they¡¯re working on is confidential. Shiyue is the youngest member in their team, and he can¡¯t miss such an opportunity.¡± ¡°Right, I was silly to forget. This is a great opportunity for Shiyue¡¯s future...¡± Tang Jingyun nodded, ¡°I¡¯m much better now, too. The doctor said I can be discharged next week. When Shiyue comes back, I want to see him off to university.¡± ¡°Yes, Mom Tang, you should rest well now. The most important thing is to recover.¡± ¡°Xi Xi, I always feel... my eyelids twitching, and I¡¯m unsettled inside.¡± ¡°Mom, you¡¯re just in the post-operative adjustment phase. You¡¯re too tired.¡± After leaving the hospital, Tang Xi took a taxi to Jingrong Law Firm. The receptionist saw her, ¡°You must be Miss Tang, right? Lawyer Chen said to go straight to the second conference room when you arrive.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Tang Xi arrived at the conference room and saw Chen Jinyan already waiting inside. She walked in; she hadn¡¯t had a chance to speak to Chen Jinyan the other day. Worried about Shiyue¡¯s situation, she hurriedly asked, ¡°Lawyer Chen, is there any progress with my brother¡¯s case?¡± ¡°This morning, I sent Qi Lin to visit Fu Chenglin. They insist that it was Tang Shiyue who instigated the assault, causing head injury to Fu Chenglin. There are no eyewitnesses to prove that it was Fu Chenglin who provoked it first, and there¡¯s no surveillance footage either. Meanwhile, Fu Chenglin is still in the hospital.¡± Tang Xi bit her lip tightly, ¡°Lawyer Chen, you¡¯re the best lawyer in North City; if even you can¡¯t do anything, does that mean my brother really has to go to prison?¡± Chen Jinyan wore a black suit with a dark red tie and rimless glasses, which reflected a faint blue, tranquil light as the man lowered his head. ¡°Miss Tang, instead of coming to me, you might want to approach Fu Tingzhou. Fu Chenglin is his clansman; with just one word from him, Fu Chenglin¡¯s parents wouldn¡¯t dare to object.¡± Chapter 58 - 58 57 Living in His House ?58: Chapter 57: Living in His House 58: Chapter 57: Living in His House Stepping out of the law office, Tang Xi gazed at the busy flow of traffic on the streets. Chen Jinyan¡¯s words echoed in her mind. She hadn¡¯t expected that Fu Chenglin was actually related to Fu Tingzhou. Her thoughts were a mess, and she didn¡¯t know what to do for a moment. Just then, her phone began to vibrate frantically. She stared at the caller ID showing ¡®Fu Tingzhou¡¯ and was momentarily stunned. Immediately, she answered the call and took a deep breath, ¡°Mr. Fu...¡± ¡°Where are you?¡± The man¡¯s voice was somewhat urgent. Tang Xi casually gave her location. ¡°Stay there! Don¡¯t go anywhere else.¡± After the man finished speaking, he hung up. Tang Xi stayed put, not knowing what he was up to, but she didn¡¯t leave, waiting for about ten minutes. A high-end business sedan pulled up beside her. Xu Ze opened the car door, ¡°Madam, please get in the car.¡± The car eventually stopped at Longshan Villa. Tang Xi had just walked into the living room for a few seconds when Aunt Song handed her the landline phone, from which came Qin Jianlan¡¯s gentle and loving voice. Tang Xi instantly understood. It turned out that Qin Jianlan had called the home phone, prompting Fu Tingzhou to urgently ask her to come over to avoid being exposed. After all, in Qin Jianlan¡¯s eyes, they were a married couple living together. ¡°Mom...¡± Hearing Tang Xi¡¯s voice, Qin Jianlan finally felt relieved, ¡°I heard from auntie that you were on a night shift yesterday and are still catching up on sleep. Did I disturb your rest?¡± ¡°Mom, I was planning to come see you later today. What would you like to eat tonight? How about the almond crisp from our usual place? They¡¯ve also introduced many new items recently, do you want to try the taro rolls?¡± Fu Tingzhou stopped the car and walked in, his steps hurried, just in time to hear her softly asking these questions. He paused, then strode forward. Aunt Song hurriedly said, ¡°Sir, you¡¯re back.¡± Qin Jianlan also heard the sound from the other end, ¡°Is it Tingzhou that¡¯s back?¡± Tang Xi lifted her eyes, looking towards him. ¡°Yes, he just came back.¡± In a few low-spoken moments, the man had already walked up to her. Tang Xi clearly smelled his scent, a cold mix intermingled with a faint... scent of ladies¡¯ perfume. This perfume had a long-lasting fragrance, she used to smell it often at the Su Family. This was a perfume specially commissioned by Su Mengshu from a perfumer, rumored to be exclusively custom-made, the only one in the world. A slight frown crossed her brow, imperceptibly. The man took the landline from her hand, ¡°Mom.¡± Tang Xi watched him, now talking gently to Qin Jianlan with a tender expression. Seeing him like this, he must have rushed here. If it weren¡¯t for this phone call from Qin Jianlan, she wouldn¡¯t have stepped into his home a second time. After hanging up the phone. Fu Tingzhou frowned at her, ¡°Starting tomorrow, you¡¯re moving here, staying on the first floor, and you¡¯re not allowed upstairs.¡± Tang Xi smiled faintly upon hearing this. She didn¡¯t provide an answer. After about two or three seconds, Tang Xi adjusted her emotions and met his eyes again, ¡°I have a home, why should I live here, just to handle Aunt Qin¡¯s sudden visits?¡± ¡°Mengshu told me you moved out.¡± Tang Xi didn¡¯t need to guess how Su Mengshu exaggeratedly told Fu Tingzhou about her disobedience to parental authority, how her parents were heartbroken and finally agreed to let her move out. In Fu Tingzhou¡¯s world, she must be a woman who rebels against family, has a promiscuous private life, is vain and greedy, and full of lies. And Su Kangrong and Xia Minjun became loving parents. Su Mengshu became a national role model of a good elder sister. Feeling a spasm in her chest, Tang Xi replied indifferently, ¡°Yes, I have moved out.¡± She was originally thinking about how to find him, meet him, talk about Tang Shiyue¡¯s issue, and even prepared to do some things he liked, lower her stance, and ask Fu Tingzhou to say a few good words to get the Fu Chenglin family to relent. But at this moment, she was completely at a loss. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll be going,¡± Tang Xi said, turning to walk towards the door. ¡°Tang Xi, when I gave you that 500,000, do you remember what you promised me? To comply with any of my demands. My mother is starting to suspect our relationship, she might call the villa at any time; I don¡¯t want her to be disturbed by this. From tomorrow, you are moving in here.¡± His expression was stern and his attitude was so authoritative that she could not resist even slightly. The woman slowly curved her lips into a shallow smile, ¡°Living here, aren¡¯t you afraid that Su Mengshu might come, see us, and misunderstand?¡± ¡°I will handle Mengshu. Living here doesn¡¯t mean I acknowledge your status. Don¡¯t foolishly covet things that aren¡¯t yours. Aunt Song, prepare a room on the first floor for her.¡± Meanwhile, Aunt Song was somewhat surprised. Although the first floor had many rooms, they were all rest areas and storage areas, and only a family housekeeper like her lived on the first floor. How could a lady live on the first floor? But to Fu Tingzhou¡¯s words, she as a lone servant dared not object. She immediately went to prepare a bedroom. Tang Xi watched the man¡¯s figure slowly ascend the stairs, her hands clenched tightly. She turned around and left the place. Aunt Song having prepared a bedroom, discovered Tang Xi had already left, she went upstairs to knock on Fu Tingzhou¡¯s study, ¡°Sir, the lady has left.¡± Fu Tingzhou stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, his gaze fixed outside. He naturally saw that Tang Xi had already left. This woman, sometimes, he actually had an unfathomable feeling about her. ¨C Shortly after Tang Xi left. A taxi stopped at the entrance of Longshan Villa District. Su Mengshu got out of the car, astonished at the sight of the luxurious villas in front of her. It truly was one of the top ten villas in North City, the superb location and design were enviable. Thinking that this place would be hers in the future, Su Mengshu couldn¡¯t hide the smile on her lips as she walked in, carrying a food container. The security guard at the door stopped her. Slowly taking off her sunglasses, Su Mengshu arrogantly said, ¡°I am Fu Tingzhou¡¯s girlfriend.¡± The two security guards looked at each other. ¡°I¡¯m sorry miss, but you can¡¯t go in.¡± Su Mengshu snorted coldly, ¡°I am Fu Tingzhou¡¯s girlfriend. Do you believe I can get him to fire you right now? Even stopping me? Are you blind?¡± The security guard made a phone call. Aunt Song was the one to answer. After about two minutes, Su Mengshu, carrying the insulated container, walked up to the villa. Su Mengshu entered, wearing an elegant and decent smile, looking at the man sitting on the couch, ¡°Tingzhou, I¡¯ve stewed soup overnight. Prepared to deliver...¡± Her words were interrupted by the man¡¯s cold response, ¡°Who allowed you to come here?¡± ¡°Ah...¡± Su Mengshu blinked her innocent eyes, briefly taken aback by the man¡¯s aloof demeanor, ¡°Sorry Tingzhou, I shouldn¡¯t have come.¡± This was her first time here, and she barely had two seconds of happiness before she annoyed him. Inside, she was a bit panicked, knowing that Fu Tingzhou least liked others touching his private space. Chapter 59 - 59 58 Serendipity ?59: Chapter 58: Serendipity 59: Chapter 58: Serendipity Su Mengshu knew that this man was the most unfathomable. After being with him for three months, aside from visiting his company a few times, and him dining at the Su Family¡¯s home a few times, there had been no progress at all. Not to mention having any private space just for the two of them. Su Mengshu always felt that this man did not like her and that his agreement to be her boyfriend was merely to thank her. The more this was the case, the more panicked she became. At this moment, she couldn¡¯t help but cry softly, ¡°I will never come here without informing you again, I¡¯m sorry Tingzhou... I brewed soup all night thinking about you just discharged from the hospital and busy with work, worried about your health...¡± Seeing Su Mengshu¡¯s tears, Fu Tingzhou gently frowned, ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to blame you, I¡¯m sorry I spoke too harshly just now.¡± But just now, that was indeed his most primal attitude towards the woman in front of him. Su Mengshu¡¯s eyes were red, and she choked up. ¡°Tingzhou, do you... not like me?¡± Fu Tingzhou did not respond to her question, but said, ¡°In the future, just call Xu Ze for matters, and leave trivial tasks such as making soup to the servants. You don¡¯t need to trouble yourself and get tired.¡± But Su Mengshu¡¯s heart trembled. She could not feel any warmth from the man¡¯s words. He seemed like a cold sculpture, not offering her any feelings, and this left Su Mengshu feeling anxious and helpless. She could only try hard to curve her lips into a smile, sitting beside Fu Tingzhou, striving to create a gentle and sensible facade, ¡°I am not at all tired, Tingzhou. I¡¯m really worried about your health since you started working right after being discharged.¡± She feared that Fu Tingzhou would be angry, and not daring to stay much longer, she quickly left after a few minutes. When she left Longshan Villa, the bodyguard still thought she was really the future lady of Longshan Villa, bowing his head obsequiously and respectfully letting her pass, which Su Mengshu found satisfying. Someday, she would definitely live here. A luxury white sedan sped past, splashing water from a puddle onto Su Mengshu¡¯s dress, and she screamed, frowning, ¡°Are you blind?¡± The car stopped abruptly with a screech. The door opened, and a young, charismatic woman stepped out. The woman, dressed in a white Chanel suit, glanced coldly at Su Mengshu, ¡°This isn¡¯t a place for ordinary people to come, security, what¡¯s going on, letting anyone in like this?¡± The bodyguard bowed his head, ¡°This is Mr. Fu¡¯s girlfriend.¡± Ji Qingtan furrowed her brows and scrutinized Su Mengshu from head to toe. ¡°So you are Su Mengshu.¡± I really don¡¯t understand what Fu Tingzhou sees in such a vulgar woman. Thinking to herself how she was not inferior to this woman, Ji Qingtan pursed her lips slightly, ¡°This is Longshan Villa. Tingzhou least likes others coming here uninvited. He must have told you. Don¡¯t be so clueless. Tingzhou is only repaying you for saving his life. He will never truly marry you. Stop daydreaming.¡± After finishing her piece, she got into the car which then sped away. Leaving Su Mengshu no time to react, she stomped her foot, ¡°Who is this, so rude!¡± At the same time, alarm bells went off in her heart. This woman had a very aggressive demeanor. Luxury car, wearing designer brands, this was not something she could compete with. She looked to be of no ordinary status. And her mentioning Tingzhou so affectionately. The bodyguard then said, ¡°This lady is Miss Ji, Mr. Fu¡¯s sister-in-law.¡± Su Mengshu didn¡¯t believe it, what sister-in-law, it was clear... that she was interested in Fu Tingzhou. She suddenly remembered, Fu Tingzhou¡¯s elder brother Fu Yunye had survived a car accident and was confined to a wheelchair... So this woman was Ji Qingtan. Back at the Su Family home, Su Mengshu threw a tantrum in her bedroom, throwing everything off the coffee table and desk. Maid Zhang stood outside the door with fruit, not daring to make a sound. Xia Minjun came up, holding the fruit, frowning at the messy scene. ¡°Mengshu, quickly tell mom what happened, weren¡¯t you just delivering chicken soup to Third Young Master Fu?¡± ¡°Mom... Fu Tingzhou just doesn¡¯t like me.¡± Xia Minjun quickly sat down the tray, ¡°Does it matter whether he likes you or not? How could such a distinguished man easily fall for a woman? In his eyes, there are only business and the Fu territory, no room for trivial romances. As long as you can bear his child... everything will be yours. How are the arrangements mom asked you to make? You and Third Young Master Fu spent several days on the island... were you able...¡± Su Mengshu grew irritated thinking about this. ¡°It was all Tang Xi¡¯s fault, ruining everything!¡± The originally pleasant duo trip was spoiled by her. ¡°That Tang Xi and her mother are both sluts! They just like to seduce other men!¡± Xia Minjun clenched her teeth. ¡°Mom, do you know who Tang Xi¡¯s mother is? Isn¡¯t she a murderer?¡± ¡°I¡¯m talking about that despicable woman, Tang Jingyun, your dad¡¯s middle school classmate. The welfare home she runs, your dad secretly helped a lot. If it weren¡¯t for me finding out early.¡± ¡°How could someone as noble as the Third Young Master Fu fancy such an orphan girl? Listen to mom, do it this way...¡± Xia Minjun whispered a few words into Su Mengshu¡¯s ear. Su Mengshu said, ¡°At most, it will just get Tang Xi fired from the hospital, but he is Vice President Zhang¡¯s favorite disciple, it might just end up as a suspension for a few days...¡± ¡°Silly girl, what do you know? Think about it, what would Fu Tingzhou think if he knew she was such a person? No man likes a woman with a tarnished reputation, whether it¡¯s true or false, repeated enough times, the reputation gets ruined; who would care about so-called truth?¡± Su Mengshu immediately showed a smile, ¡°Mom, you¡¯re really capable.¡± She won¡¯t let off that despicable woman, Tang Xi! ¨C Cloud Western Restaurant. It was Tang Xi¡¯s first time here. She was looking at the address Jiang Yunzheng sent her on WeChat. As soon as she walked in, someone promptly asked her, ¡°Is it Miss Tang?¡± ¡°Yes, I am.¡± She nodded. The waiter led the way. Tang Xi went up and saw Jiang Yunzheng sitting in a corner by the window. The reason the Cloud Western Restaurant was named so is because it is located on the 66th floor of a business building in the city center. Extravagantly luxurious, the design style is unique. Open-air design. Very picturesque. And the prices are moderate, not gravitating towards the luxury circle, most of the middle-class workers can afford it here. Jiang Yunzheng wore casual clothes today, ash-gray. The weather was already getting hot, and his coat sleeves were rolled up revealing his wheat-colored, powerful arms. The waiter came over with two drinks, and then the menu. It was already evening, the sky bright with the sunset. And for Tang Xi, it was her first time observing the sunset from this distance and angle. She slightly squinted at the brilliant, lush evening glow, so beautiful that she spaced out for a few seconds. When she came back to herself, she felt a bit out of sorts and apologized to Jiang Yunzheng with a shy smile. Jiang Yunzheng smiled lightly, ¡°This restaurant is owned by a friend of mine. He said he could give us a 30% discount today. Order whatever you like.¡± ¡°I should be the one saying ¡®order whatever you like,¡¯ I¡¯m treating today. Thank you for finding my phone. Otherwise, buying a new one would¡¯ve cost quite a bit.¡± Tang Xi said as she handed Jiang Yunzheng a menu. She casually ordered a plate of pasta. ¡°Returning a found phone to its owner is just a simple gesture.¡± Jiang Yunzheng looked at the serene and pure smile on the woman¡¯s face in front of him, feeling inexplicably familiar with Tang Xi. It was the first time he felt so comfortable interacting with Tang Xi, although they had only met a few days ago and seen each other a few times. He didn¡¯t resent meeting her at all. ¡°Miss Tang, have we met before?¡± Tang Xi froze for a moment, looking at Jiang Yunzheng, the man sitting in the backlight. At that moment, with the scarlet twilight behind him, it seemed a gentle halo surrounded him. She spoke quietly, ¡°Maybe not...¡± ¡°Yunzheng, what a coincidence that you are also here.¡± A gentle and smooth female voice followed, then the distinct sound of a woman¡¯s high heels. Jiang Yunzheng looked up, ¡°Miss Ji.¡± Ji Qingtan, arm in arm with the man beside her, came over with a smile, ¡°We¡¯ve known each other for over a decade, but you still call me Miss Ji, that¡¯s too distant. Oh, this is...¡± As she spoke, her gaze fell on Tang Xi¡¯s back. Tang Xi slowly turned around, her gaze sweeping from Ji Qingtan to land on Fu Tingzhou. Her heart thought trouble, this really isn¡¯t good timing; it¡¯s always the people you least want to encounter that you run into. Then, she glanced lightly at Ji Qingtan¡¯s hand, which was tightly holding Fu Tingzhou¡¯s arm. She raised her eyes again, her gaze clashed with the man¡¯s in the air. Chapter 60 - 60 59 Fu Tingzhou is different towards this woman ?60: Chapter 59: Fu Tingzhou is different towards this woman... 60: Chapter 59: Fu Tingzhou is different towards this woman... Ji Qingtan¡¯s lips carried a hint of a smile, ¡°Yun Zheng, is this your girlfriend? Aunt Shu would be very happy to know you have a girlfriend.¡± After finishing, she looked towards Tang Xi, ¡°Hello, my name is Ji Qingtan, I am Yun Zheng¡¯s friend.¡± Tang Xi¡¯s lips twitched slightly as she lightly said hello. Jiang Yunzheng said, ¡°A few days ago, during a search and rescue mission, I found Tang Xi¡¯s phone and returned it to her; she invited me for a meal as thanks.¡± Ji Qingtan slightly widened her beautiful eyes, ¡°So she¡¯s not Yun Zheng¡¯s girlfriend. Miss Tang really seems a good match with Yun Zheng.¡± She looked towards Fu Tingzhou and smiled, ¡°What do you think?¡± Fu Tingzhou ignored her and walked straight to a table to sit down, his legs crossed, his cold and handsome face showing no expression as his gaze faintly swept over Tang Xi¡¯s face. Ji Qingtan sat down smiling across from Fu Tingzhou and called the waiter over. ¡°Tingzhou, I remember you don¡¯t like Thai chilies, but this soup is quite good, do you want to try it?¡± Fu Tingzhou glanced at his watch and said casually, ¡°You decide.¡± ¡°Alright, these dishes, all to your taste,¡± Ji Qingtan¡¯s face showed a beautiful and appropriate smile, as if she had long memorized the man¡¯s preferences and tastes by heart. The waiter accidentally knocked over a hot drink while serving the meal. ¡°Ah, sorry miss.¡ª¡± Tang Xi took out a tissue and wiped the stain on her clothes, the temperature wasn¡¯t hot, she wasn¡¯t scalded, seeing the anxious waiter, she didn¡¯t blame him, ¡°It¡¯s okay, don¡¯t worry.¡± The waiter breathed a sigh of relief, ¡°Very sorry, madam.¡± Jiang Yunzheng slightly furrowed his brows and handed over some tissues, ¡°Are you sure it¡¯s okay?¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine, it wasn¡¯t very hot.¡± There were some marks on her blouse, she stood up apologetically saying, ¡°I¡¯ll go to the restroom to clean up a bit.¡± As she passed by Fu Tingzhou and Ji Qingtan, from the corner of her eye she glimpsed Ji Qingtan¡¯s gentle entwined gaze towards the man. As a woman, Tang Xi naturally understood this type of look. Ji Qingtan¡¯s feelings were written all over her face. She liked Fu Tingzhou. And the man, when he met her gaze, his eyes carried a warning. This left Tang Xi feeling somewhat bitter. What was he warning about? Warning her not to disturb his time with Ji Qingtan? Tang Xi went to the restroom, rinsed the stain on her clothes with water; the juice left a rich color on the white shirt. It was somewhat difficult to clean. After a brief treatment, Tang Xi didn¡¯t linger and returned to the restaurant, just as she walked in, she heard a woman¡¯s panicked voice. ¡°Save my daughter¡ª¡± ¡°Who can save my daughter.¡± ¡°Is there a doctor, call 120, my daughter is dying...¡± Tang Xi narrowed her eyes, immediately followed the sound and walked briskly. In front of a table, a woman about in her early 30s, her face covered with tears and panic, her voice trembling, surrounded by people, the waiter had called for the manager, as such sudden events were beyond the normal server¡¯s control. Jiang Yunzheng also rushed over upon hearing. Their eyes met, both realizing the seriousness of the situation. Tang Xi immediately pushed through the crowd and squeezed in, seeing the girl lying on the ground with her face red and lips turning purple. She immediately calmed down, hugged the girl, and half-kneeled on the ground. ¡°What did she eat?¡± The woman on the side said, ¡°Save my daughter, she just ate a grape, and I wasn¡¯t watching her closely...¡± The situation was urgent, Tang Xi had encountered such cases a few times in the emergency room. Small children should not eat things like lychees, jujubes, or grapes, to avoid choking and causing suffocation. Many parents are unable to remain calm in such situations; although the Heimlich maneuver is often popularized in communities, most parents do not know it. Compared to the panic of others, the woman¡¯s face remained calm and composed. Tang Xi quickly performed emergency procedures on the girl, and in just a few seconds, the girl coughed. A grape was vomited out. Accompanied by some vomit that landed on Tang Xi¡¯s hands, she didn¡¯t mind herself but immediately took out a tissue to wipe the girl¡¯s cheek. Seeing her breathing again, she also sighed with relief. ¡°It¡¯s okay now.¡± The girl¡¯s mother almost burst into tears of gratitude, ¡°Thank you so much, thank you very much.¡± She saw her daughter vomit on Tang Xi¡¯s hands and quickly apologized. Tang Xi simply said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, you check on your daughter first, soothe her, and be more careful in the future.¡± The girl also crying, ¡°Mommy, hug.¡± The girl¡¯s mother hurriedly hugged her daughter, filled with the excitement of a narrow escape. Many people gathered around them, Tang Xi¡¯s actions earning admiration from many bystanders. ¡°How impressive and beautiful. She saved a child¡¯s life in just a few seconds.¡± ¡°Hey, isn¡¯t that Doctor Tang? I remember you, the thoracic surgeon from the First Hospital. I think I saw you when my grandmother was hospitalized for a pneumothorax...¡± ¡°So she¡¯s a doctor. It¡¯s rare these days to see such young, capable, and calm doctors.¡± A little further away. Ji Qingtan gritting her teeth, ¡°Tingzhou...¡± Fu Tingzhou¡¯s eyes had been fixed on Tang Xi the whole time. From the moment the girl¡¯s mother called for help, he had been paying attention to the situation, until about ten seconds later when Tang Xi rushed over and calmly saved the girl¡¯s life. From beginning to end, the man¡¯s gaze never left her. The man¡¯s pupils were dark and profound, like a bottomless dark well. Only after Tang Xi left the restaurant did he return his gaze to Ji Qingtan, his tone indifferent, ¡°Is there something?¡± Ji Qingtan shivered under the man¡¯s cold gaze, then smiled, ¡°Yun Zheng¡¯s girlfriend seems quite impressive, looks like she¡¯s a doctor.¡± Fu Tingzhou did not like the phrase ¡®Yun Zheng¡¯s girlfriend¡¯, his brows slightly furrowed, ¡°Jiang Yunzheng said, she is not his girlfriend.¡± ¡°Ah... look at my memory, I just feel that Yun Zheng has never had a girlfriend. Aunt Shu also urges him anxiously. Miss Tang might not be now, but maybe in the future, they look quite matching, both talented and beautiful,¡± she said, while observing Fu Tingzhou¡¯s expression. Seeing Fu Tingzhou¡¯s frowning face, Ji Qingtan¡¯s heart skipped a beat. She had originally thought that Fu Tingzhou liked Su Mengshu, but now it might not be the case... But that shouldn¡¯t be right. Did he recognize that Tang Xi? Even if he knows her, Tang Xi was dressed plainly, her clothes a mere 200 yuan from head to toe, how could Fu Tingzhou be interested in such a shabby-looking woman. Perhaps she was overthinking it? Women, naturally sharp with their sixth sense. From the moment Ji Qingtan and Fu Tingzhou arrived at this restaurant, she noticed from the first sight that Fu Tingzhou treated this woman differently... ¨C Chapter 61 - 61 60 Unworthy of Him ?61: Chapter 60: Unworthy of Him 61: Chapter 60: Unworthy of Him Tang Xi walked out of the restroom. Jiang Yunzheng was at the door. Tang Xi smiled apologetically, ¡°I¡¯m sorry to have kept you waiting for so long; I was supposed to treat you to a meal today, but now that it¡¯s already this late, we haven¡¯t even had dinner.¡± Jiang Yunzheng revealed a hearty smile as he looked at Tang Xi, with a hint of admiration in his eyes, appreciating her calm and collected rescue of the little girl earlier. ¡°Consider this meal as me inviting you then. Do you have time later on?¡± ¡°How can that be...¡± Tang Xi glanced at the time on her phone. It was only about six in the evening, ¡°I have time.¡± ¡°Then let me treat you to a meal.¡± ¡°Ah?¡± Tang Xi¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°I¡¯ll take you somewhere. I often go there to eat with my teammates. Let¡¯s... get to know each other, make a friend.¡± The man stretched out his hand, his voice clear and bright, ¡°My name is Jiang Yunzheng, the leader of the North City Rescue Center¡¯s main team.¡± Seeing his sudden seriousness, Tang Xi also extended her hand, her voice steady, ¡°My name is Tang Xi, a thoracic surgeon at North City First Hospital.¡± ¡°My car is parked downstairs. You go ahead; I left my phone on my seat. I¡¯ll go get it.¡± Tang Xi nodded, ¡°Okay.¡± ¨C Half past six in the evening. The car stopped at the entrance to the night market behind the third middle school. The snack street was full of delicious food. Tang Xi was somewhat surprised that Jiang Yunzheng would bring her here. Jiang Yunzheng parked the car and came over, ¡°Come on, the night market is just starting. I often come here to eat with my teammates, and I¡¯m not sure what you like, but there¡¯s bound to be something here you¡¯ll enjoy. It¡¯s on me.¡± The place was buzzing with life, completely different from the atmosphere at Cloud Restaurant. Although the Western restaurant wasn¡¯t expensive, there was a subtle restraint there for Tang Xi, where the dining was quiet and refined. The gentle conversations amidst the diners felt framed by an invisible boundary. But here, there was a faint scent of fireworks. A sense of unbridled comfort. ¡°Then I won¡¯t stand on ceremony,¡± Tang Xi said with a smile. This food street, located behind the third middle school on another street, was bustling at this hour not only with people getting off work for dinner but also many students. Every stall was crowded with people. Tang Xi bought quite a few items, an experience she had not had in a while. Jiang Yunzheng brought her to a small noodle shop they often frequented. He was a regular here, and no sooner had they sat down than the owner came over, ¡°Jiang Yun brought his girlfriend.¡± Tang Xi smiled, ¡°You¡¯ve misunderstood, boss.¡± The owner didn¡¯t miss the chance to sing Jiang Yunzheng¡¯s praises, eagerly promoting him to her. Jiang Yunzheng was a bit overwhelmed and hurriedly said, ¡°Uncle Lao, please busy yourself. It¡¯s very lively in the shop today.¡± ¡°Alright, alright, I won¡¯t disturb your meal,¡± the owner said, leaning in close to Jiang Yunzheng and whispering, ¡°Jiang Yun, you¡¯ve got good taste. This lady looks wonderful. You should hold onto her well.¡± Jiang Yunzheng glanced at Tang Xi. The woman was quietly looking at her phone, her visage serene and beautiful. Amidst the bustling noise, she exuded a tranquil and tender charm. It caught him off guard for a moment. The taste of noodles at this shop was really good, and Tang Xi lit up after a few bites. She rested her chin in her hand, listening to Jiang Yunzheng share stories about participating in various rescue operations with the search and rescue team. She thought the last time she and Fu Tingzhou got trapped in the jungle was dangerous, but through Jiang Yunzheng¡¯s stories, she witnessed even more perilous events, fostering a profound respect for rescue workers. Her phone buzzed. Tang Xi smiled apologetically at Jiang Yunzheng. She looked down at the caller ID. It was Fu Tingzhou¡¯s call. The woman took a deep breath. In a moment of hesitation, several seconds passed, and he called a second time. She answered, ¡°Hello, what¡¯s the matter?¡± ¡°Am I interrupting your date with a man? Tang Xi, don¡¯t forget who you are!¡± The man¡¯s tone was not pleasant but rather sharp. Tang Xi bit the corner of her lip, ¡°Think what you want.¡± ¡°Come to the hospital, I¡¯ll be waiting for you at the entrance of the inpatient department.¡± ¡°I visited Aunt Qin yesterday.¡± Fu Tingzhou snorted coldly, ¡°Come to the hospital, fifteen minutes. I don¡¯t want to say it a second time, if you don¡¯t come, you¡¯ll bear the consequences!¡± ¡°Fifteen minutes?? But....¡± Before she could finish, the phone was hung up with an aggressive and cold attitude. The woman¡¯s breath hitched, this was an outright imposition! Fu Tingzhou did it on purpose, didn¡¯t he? Jiang Yunzheng observed her expression, ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°Sorry, Mr. Jiang, something came up, I have to make a trip back to the hospital.¡± ¡°No problem, work comes first, let me drive you.¡± ¡°No, don¡¯t trouble yourself.¡± Tang Xi appreciated that Jiang Yunzheng had returned her phone; she intended to invite him to dinner as a thank you, but it was constantly delayed, and now, she didn¡¯t feel like having a pleasant meal, nor did she want to trouble him further. ¡°It¡¯s no trouble, I can visit my grandfather at the hospital anyway.¡± He rose as he spoke. Upon hearing this, Tang Xi had no choice but to follow. ¨C It was around eight o¡¯clock in the evening. The hallway of the high-end inpatient department was only occupied by medical staff and had just finished their rounds, making the corridor feel somewhat empty and quiet. The man was leaning against the wall, tall and straight. He walked to the trash can nearby and tapped off some cigarette ash. The coldness in his brow and eyes suggested he was in a foul mood. As Tang Xi approached, she could sense an oppressive feeling in the air. Sniffing the faint smell of tobacco, she knew this man smoked, but she seldom saw him do it. Fu Tingzhou glanced at his wristwatch, ¡°Twenty-five minutes.¡± Tang Xi bowed her head, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I... I¡¯ve rushed over as fast as I could, your call was so sudden...¡± ¡°Was it my call that was so sudden, or did I interrupt your date with Jiang Yunzheng?¡± ¡°Ah... No, it wasn¡¯t like that. I just dropped my phone in the jungle, he found it and returned it to me, I invited him to dinner as thanks...¡± The next second, the man¡¯s figure appeared before her. Enveloping her. Tang Xi could smell the mixture of ebony and tobacco on him, a somewhat suffocating scent. Before she could speak, the man¡¯s fingers, carrying the scent of tobacco, pinched her chin. ¡°How many times do I need to tell you before you take my words to heart? Are you so desperate to seduce men that the moment Xiao Chi dumps you, you turn around to entice Jiang Yunzheng? You really do have some tricks, Jiang Yunzheng is the esteemed grandson of the Old Master Shu, from a distinguished family; you certainly have an eye for rich men.¡± She knew this man had a venomous tongue. He was cold when he was cold, and even colder when mocking someone, sending chills down one¡¯s spine. She explained anyway, ¡°Jiang Yunzheng just found my phone. That day when we were trapped and I felt dizzy. I ran to find a rescue worker, I was in such a hurry that I dropped my phone. Captain Jiang found it and returned it to me. It¡¯s that simple.¡± The man snorted, but his expression noticeably softened. Fu Tingzhou put out the cigarette in his hand and extended his arm towards her. Tang Xi watched his action, not understanding how the man who was just icy and angry could appear to have significantly softened... She subconsciously lifted her hand and gently placed her fingers in the crook of the man¡¯s arm. The two walked to the entrance of Qin Jianlan¡¯s hospital room. Fu Tingzhou said, ¡°Jiang Yunzheng is Old Master Shu¡¯s most beloved grandson. I advise you to give up on that thought; his family is of much higher standing than the Xiao Family, and they would never let their son be with a woman like you. You might as well stop dreaming.¡± The corners of Tang Xi¡¯s mouth twitched into a faint smile, ¡°Alright.¡± Her pacifying attitude, in contrast, made Fu Tingzhou even more irritated. Chapter 62 - 62 61 Hes Here ?62: Chapter 61: He¡¯s Here 62: Chapter 61: He¡¯s Here The man suppressed his fury, looking at the woman¡¯s fair and serene profile. He recalled the afternoon at the Cloud Restaurant, how this woman had calmly and collectedly saved a girl¡¯s life. Fu Tingzhou was somewhat unable to figure her out. She was clearly greedy, vain, and selfish, always thinking of how to seduce wealthy men, yet sometimes she gave him a sense of icy, stubborn independence. Tang Xi had already pushed open the door, holding the man¡¯s hand as they walked in. Qin Jianlan was naturally very pleased to see them. She immediately asked Aunt Rong to cut some fruit. Her health was recovering well now; she could slowly walk a few steps with a cane out of bed. Tang Xi visited almost daily to chat with her and accompanied her in physical rehabilitation. Tang Xi went to the kitchen to help Aunt Rong wash the fruits. In the sickroom, Qin Jiulan looked at her son, ¡°Ah Zhou, you¡¯re busy with work, but you should also spend more time with Xiao Xi, take her shopping, and buy some clothes. She is a modest and gentle person, not liking too lavish clothes, but as a husband, you should care more for her.¡± She could see that Tang Xi¡¯s clothes were worn out. Apart from the white lab coat, Tang Xi¡¯s usual attire was very simple and plain. ¡°Yes, I understand,¡± Fu Tingzhou said, ¡°It¡¯s my fault, I¡¯ve overlooked these.¡± Qin Jianlan nodded, not wishing to press her son too hard. She knew her son well, convinced that if he fully understood Tang Xi, he would definitely grow fond of her. She patted Fu Tingzhou¡¯s arm, ¡°Tomorrow is Saturday, take Xiao Xi out shopping, watch a movie, do things couples do, have some time for just the two of you.¡± As they were talking. Tang Xi carried a plate of sliced oranges over, overhearing Qin Jianlan¡¯s words, her eyelashes fluttered, ¡°Mom, Zhou is busy tomorrow, and I also need to come to the hospital...¡± ¡°Tomorrow is the weekend, Xiao Xi, you always make excuses for Ah Zhou...¡± Qin Jianlan was extremely satisfied with her daughter-in-law, Tang Xi, whom she had watched grow up and whose character and morals she understood. Such a woman was fit to stand by her son¡¯s side. Fu Tingzhou spoke in a gentle tone, ¡°Listen to mom, tomorrow I¡¯ll take you out.¡± Although Tang Xi knew they were just pretending to be a loving couple in front of Qin Jianlan, each time she saw the gentleness in his eyes and heard his gentle voice, she would freeze for a couple of seconds. Such gentleness would never belong to her. She smiled, ¡°Alright.¡± The two stayed in Qin Jianlan¡¯s room for about half an hour. It was time for Qin Jianlan to rest, so Tang Xi and Fu Tingzhou left. Upon stepping out of the sickroom, the man let go of her hand. Tang Xi¡¯s fingers remained in the position of holding his hand, stiffening for a few seconds before slowly letting go. She stood still and looked up at his tall silhouette, about to disappear from her sight. The woman walked very slowly. Then she heard the man¡¯s voice not far away, ¡°What are you dawdling for, hurry up!¡± ¡°Ah...¡± Tang Xi looked at him ¨C he had actually stopped. Was he waiting for her? She hurried over. She was somewhat out of breath as she walked with him into the elevator. Exiting the elevator, they were in the underground parking garage. Fu Tingzhou opened the car door and got in, giving her a glance. Tang Xi opened the car door and sat in the passenger seat. The man was concise, ¡°Address.¡± ¡°Ah, me?¡± Was he asking where she lived? To take her home? Tang Xi pursed her lips slightly, looking at his side profile. ¡°Hmph, besides you, is there a second person here?¡± Fu Tingzhou glanced at her from the corner of his eye. ¡°Xingfu Road, number 19.¡± Tang Xi gave him the address near her home¡¯s subway station. The man furrowed his brows, seemingly unfamiliar with the place. He turned on the GPS, and after driving around in circles for about an hour, the car finally entered a narrow alley. Fu Tingzhou stepped out of the car and looked at the small, dilapidated tube houses in front of him. Above his head was a dense mass of electrical wires, and the air carried the musty scent of moldy soil. The comings and goings of the residents here were mixed. He looked at Tang Xi, ¡°Do you live here?¡± Tang Xi got out of the car, gripping her bag tightly, ¡°Yes, I live here.¡± The woman¡¯s face showed little emotion, her expression indifferent, as she looked down, ¡°Thank you, Mr. Fu, for bringing me back.¡± After saying that, she turned and walked into one of the units. Fu Tingzhou watched her disappearing figure, his brows furrowed. He surveyed the area, his frown deepening the more he looked. ¡°Hey, handsome, are you alone?¡± Accompanied by a voice, a voluptuous woman dressed in a red bodycon dress approached, wearing heavy makeup, clearly ready to entertain clients at any moment. She looked at the man¡¯s face, her eyes gleaming, not expecting to meet such a handsome man. Moreover, one so wealthy. This car must be worth tens of millions, and Tang Xi actually got out of it... Thinking this, she felt a twinge of jealousy. Living here in such poverty, yet managing to catch a wealthy, and such a handsome man. ¡°Handsome, I¡¯m very cheap, and skilled too. For such a handsome man like you, I can even do it for free.¡± Saying so, she slowly reached out her hand. Before her hand could touch the man¡¯s sleeve, Fu Tingzhou looked at her with disgust, ¡°Scram¡ª¡± ¡°Hey handsome, don¡¯t be so fierce, huh? I¡¯m much better than that Ms. Tang, why don¡¯t you consider me instead?¡± Fu Tingzhou narrowed his black eyes, ¡°What did you say?¡± ¡°Hmph, just captivated by that Ms. Tang, huh? I don¡¯t know what tricks that woman has to hook such a handsome man like you.¡± Watching Fu Tingzhou¡¯s expression, the gaudy woman laughed loudly, ¡°You don¡¯t think she¡¯s some pure little lady, do you? Then you¡¯re mistaken; who knows how many men she¡¯s been with...¡± Fu Tingzhou clenched his teeth fiercely, ¡°Tang Xi!¡± He walked toward the unit, the veins on his forehead bulging with unrestrainable anger. ¨C Tang Xi reached the door, suddenly hearing a rustling sound, she turned alertly to see the door across open, a middle-aged man standing at the doorway. ¡°Ms. Tang, right? Sorry if I scared you...¡± The man stepped out, his gaze greedily fixed on Tang Xi¡¯s beautiful face, ¡°We¡¯re neighbors, we haven¡¯t met much... It¡¯s unsafe for a girl like you living here alone, we¡¯re neighbors after distant relatives, if there¡¯s anything, you can tell me.¡± As he spoke, he reached out his hand towards Tang Xi¡¯s arm... The soft touch under his fingers made the man¡¯s eyes shine, she was truly a fine piece... ¡°What are you doing?¡± Tang Xi stepped back defensively, trying to open the door, but the old lock wouldn¡¯t budge. She leaned her back against the door, pulling out her mobile phone. She yelled at the man to calm herself down, ¡°If you continue like this, I will call the police.¡± ¡°Me like this, huh? Pretending to be pure, a whore like you, coming out to sell yourself, I¡¯ll pay and that¡¯s it.¡± Saying this, he lunged towards Tang Xi, grabbing her wrist and pinning her against the door. The woman screamed. ¡°Ah¡ª¡± Holding her phone, she swung it forcefully forward like a brick, hitting him in the eye, he cursed angrily and grabbed her hair, slamming her head against the door. Tang Xi was immediately struck by a wave of dizziness. She could no longer stand steadily. At that moment, an external force pulled the middle-aged man away, he cursed loudly, then suddenly felt a pain in his face as he was punched. Tang Xi shook her head, her vision clearing. She looked at a familiar and tall figure. Chapter 63 - 63 62 Living Together ?63: Chapter 62: Living Together 63: Chapter 62: Living Together Fu Tingzhou.... How could it be him. At this moment, Fu Tingzhou was throwing punch after punch at the man, while the middle-aged man screamed and wailed as he lay on the ground, covering his head with his hands. It seemed as if he was not relieved, his face gloomy as water, and he suddenly lifted his foot and kicked forcefully. The middle-aged man wailed a few times before his voice gradually weakened. Tang Xi hurriedly ran over and hugged the man¡¯s waist, ¡°Stop hitting him, stop it, or he won¡¯t make it.¡± The woman pressed against his back, and the man, gasping for breath, his body tensed, clenched his fists, and kicked the man away with one foot, a cold sternness flashing in his dark eyes. Tang Xi¡¯s voice trembled, ¡°Fu Tingzhou...¡± Upon seeing him gradually calming down, the woman slowly loosened her grip. She looked up, meeting his dark and stormy eyes, and she shivered. The air pressure was terribly low. The man walked towards her step by step. Tang Xi instinctively stepped back, ¡°Fu...¡± The next second, her chin was gripped. His grip was firm, causing her some pain, and she frowned, ¡°Fu Tingzhou.¡± The man gritted his teeth, ¡°Are you so desperate for men? Any sort will do? You can stomach such a man?¡± Tang Xi originally wanted to thank him, for saving her. But at this moment, faced with his mocking words, she bit her pale lips hard, unable to utter a word... Didn¡¯t he see everything? It was this person who bullied her, why misunderstand it so. Is it that whatever she does, in Fu Tingzhou¡¯s eyes, it¡¯s always wrong? She meets with Jiang Yunzheng for a meal, and it¡¯s considered seducing Jiang Yunzheng, trying to marry into a wealthy family. The man squeezing her chin gradually exerted more pressure, his eyes tightening as he stared at the woman¡¯s face in front of him, his eyes filled with endless disappointment and rage, ¡°Do you still know who you are, you are my, Fu Tingzhou¡¯s wife! Living here! Interacting with these indecent people, Su Mengshu said you were doing this profession and I didn¡¯t believe it, but now I¡¯ve seen it, living in the same building as these street girls, Tang Xi, you really have broadened my perspective!¡± For the first time, Tang Xi realized that some people¡¯s words could be so icy cold. Like an ice knife. Shattering her completely. Her lips seemed to have bitten out fresh blood. ¡°I asked you to move to Longshan Villa, and you refused. Was I hindering your business? Can¡¯t you bear it for three months? How much did this old man give you? I¡¯ll give you ten times more. You really disgust me.¡± Fu Tingzhou finished speaking, then let go of his hand. The man¡¯s hand immediately clenched into a fist, and veins bulged on his forearm. Tang Xi coughed, ¡°I... I...¡± The woman trembled, trying to speak multiple times, her emotions surging, nearly choking up, through the faint mist in front of her eyes, she looked at the man before her. Before she could even speak. The middle-aged man on the ground got up and ran downstairs, shouting as he ran, ¡°Help! Murder! Someone is committing murder!¡± Instantly, it enraged Fu Tingzhou. His anger having no other outlet, the man turned and walked downstairs. Tang Xi was stunned, instantly realizing that if she did not stop him, things would turn disastrous. She hurriedly ran over and grabbed the man¡¯s arm, ¡°Fu Tingzhou, Fu Tingzhou, I¡¯ve called the police, they will handle it, you can¡¯t act violently, if you continue to hit, it could lead to death.¡± Why would the man listen to her, his whole being like an enraged leopard, his eyes filled with a bloodthirsty viciousness. She held tightly onto his waist, ¡°Fu Tingzhou, Fu Tingzhou!¡± Her strength was very weak, but she tried her utmost. The man gasped heavily, grabbing her hand, her arm so slender it seemed he could break it with just a bit of force, as she trembled holding him. ¡°I¡¯m just renting a place here, this man is the neighbor across, he harassed me tonight, thank you for helping me.¡± The man didn¡¯t make a sound, but his anger subsided a little. ¡°I can move to Longshan Villa, for this last month I will behave and do anything you tell me, I will remember my place and won¡¯t contact anyone else.¡± ¡°Good, remember what you just said.¡± She looked at him somewhat cautiously, ¡°I....I have a condition...¡± A sarcastic smile appeared on Fu Tingzhou¡¯s face, he knew, this woman would not just obediently listen, as expected... Money, villa, luxury goods, as long as she asked he would fulfill her requests, as long as he could ease his mother¡¯s worries for this last month, he could endure it temporarily. ¡°Speak!¡± Taking a deep breath, Tang Xi released her arms, ¡°I...I have a younger brother, his name is Tang Shiyue. He¡¯s in his final year of high school, he missed the college entrance exams because he hurt someone, the other party wants to sue him, I hope you can...help me. The student he injured, his name is Fu Chenglin...now Fu Chenglin¡¯s parents have already found a lawyer, and are about to go to court...¡± Fu Tingzhou¡¯s tone was heavy, with a hint of doubt, ¡°What, your brother?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± She lowered her head, ¡°My brother, I hope Mr. Fu can help me, as soon as you help me, I will immediately move to Longshan Villa to stay with you and take care of Aunt Qin, this month, I will behave.¡± She opened her mouth wanting to explain more, but merely gave a bitter smile. Even if she did say it, would Fu Tingzhou listen? She is not some daughter of the Su Family... Living here is not about soliciting work from the streets, she really has no money, this place is the cheapest within affordably renting range from the subway station to the hospital. ¡°I will have Xu Ze take care of it.¡± The man said coldly before turning and walking down the stairs. Tang Xi said softly, ¡°Thank you.¡± The man stopped after a few steps. ¡°What are you standing there for?¡± ¡°Right now? Move over right now?¡± She was somewhat astonished. But the man had already walked away. Tang Xi hurriedly packed up her luggage; it was too late to cancel the rent this late. The man¡¯s car was parked downstairs. She placed her luggage in the trunk, climbed into the car, not daring to sit in the front seat, but in the backseat instead. Inside the car, there was a strong smell of smoke. The woman caught a glimpse of the cigarette pinched between his fingers. The car sped off suddenly, she wasn¡¯t seated firmly, jostling a bit. The smell of smoke was strong, the woman couldn¡¯t help but cough a few times. Fu Tingzhou lifted his gaze, seeing her pale face through the rearview mirror, always looking so pitiful, Miss Su, leaving a villa unoccupied to live in a dirty place like this... He rolled down the window, pinching off the cigarette. ¡°Tang Xi, this is my last warning, do not test my limits, this month, behave properly as Mrs. Fu.¡± Her brows and eyes trembled slightly, ¡°Okay.¡± At 11 p.m., the car drove into Longshan Villa. This place, compared to where Tang Xi had been living, seemed like heaven and hell. Aunty Rong enthusiastically helped her with her luggage, continuously commenting on how little she brought. ¡°Madam, just tell me whatever you need, I¡¯ll help you shop for it.¡± Tang Xi smiled and shook her head, ¡°There¡¯s no need.¡± ¡°This is your bedroom, I¡¯m sorry madam, the master is just temperamental, he will allow you to move up in a few days when he is in a better mood.¡± Tang Xi looked at the place before her, it was a large area fixed up from a small warehouse, equipped with a bed, wardrobe, and desk, all decorated warmly, the bed sheets a light pink. For the coming month, this would be where she lived. Chapter 64 - 64 63 Will Not Go Back on Ones Word ?64: Chapter 63: Will Not Go Back on One¡¯s Word 64: Chapter 63: Will Not Go Back on One¡¯s Word A large dog came running in with its tail wagging, and Tang Xi smiled as she bent down to pat Sixteen¡¯s head. Auntie Song looked at the simple surroundings and wanted to say something, but, seeing the gentle smile on Tang Xi¡¯s face, she sighed instead. Tang Xi took out her belongings from her suitcase. She didn¡¯t have much; most of it was books. Sixteen was holding a book in its mouth and looking down. Tang Xi quickly patted the dog¡¯s head, half crying and half laughing, ¡°No biting, this is a very important book!¡± Sixteen seemed to understand human speech, releasing the book from its mouth and whining to her for affection. Tang Xi hadn¡¯t expected that such a large dog could also have its cute moments. She had only met Sixteen twice, and yet it remembered her. It¡¯s easy to suffer from insomnia in a strange place. Here, Tang Xi could not sleep, feeling the unfamiliar room was filled with his scent, a cold and distant odor. The woman turned over in her sleep and woke up from a dream. She got out of bed and looked at the wind outside. Once upon a time, she wouldn¡¯t have dared to dream that she would be living here. So close to this man. Everything felt like a dream. ¨C Early in the morning, Tang Xi woke up very early. She went to the kitchen to help Auntie Song prepare breakfast. Auntie Song was so surprised that she repeatedly asked her to go out and wait. Tang Xi laughed lightly, ¡°Back at home, I often helped Aunty with breakfast. Two people make it quicker.¡± Saying that, she rolled up her sleeves and started picking vegetables. ¡°Madam, if the master sees this, I¡¯m afraid he¡¯ll scold me,¡± said Auntie Song. Tang Xi pressed her lips together slightly, ¡°He won¡¯t.¡± Fu Tingzhou wouldn¡¯t care about these things, especially those related to himself. While picking vegetables, Tang Xi listened to Auntie Song talk a lot about Fu Tingzhou, including his personal preferences. She hadn¡¯t expected this man to be so picky with food, refusing to eat this or that. ¡°The master doesn¡¯t like food that¡¯s too spicy, nor does he favor sweets,¡± Auntie Song said. Tang Xi responded with a faint ¡°Oh,¡± thinking to herself how difficult he was to serve... Auntie Song watched her skilled knife work, surprised. She hadn¡¯t expected Tang Xi¡¯s culinary skills to be so good, thinking she was a lady whose hands had never been stained by spring water... ¡°Young mistress, your culinary skills are really good; the master will definitely be happy to eat the dishes you make,¡± she commented. Tang Xi¡¯s hand stopped cutting for a moment. She probably wouldn¡¯t even get to be disliked... ¡°Auntie Song, has he always lived here alone?¡± Tang Xi asked. ¡°Yes,¡± Auntie Song sighed, ¡°besides Miss Ji coming over, almost no outsiders come to disturb him. The master wouldn¡¯t allow anyone else into his private domain.¡± ¡°Is Miss Ji Ji Qingtan?¡± Tang Xi asked. ¡°Don¡¯t misunderstand, madam. Miss Ji is the master¡¯s sister-in-law, and the master¡¯s elder brother, who is also the eldest young master of the Fu Family... Last year, he got into a car accident and now has to spend his life in a wheelchair...¡± Auntie Song explained. Around 7:30. Fu Tingzhou came downstairs and entered the dining room. Tang Xi was quietly eating breakfast, her first time sharing a morning meal with this man. There was an indescribable feeling. She bowed her head and ate quietly. There was a faint expectation in her heart as she watched him pick up a dish she had made. Her fingers clenched the chopsticks tightly. When she saw him frown after taking a bite, the woman bit her lip. He didn¡¯t like it... Perhaps he guessed it was made by her. What was she anticipating just now? Tang Xi quickly finished the food in her bowl, stood up, and said, ¡°I¡¯m off to work.¡± It¡¯s like what a wife says to her husband when she¡¯s leaving for work in the early morning. He is indeed her husband. The difference is, he looks at her with disdain. The woman changed her clothes and came to the door, a man¡¯s voice came from behind, ¡°I¡¯ll pick you up after work tonight.¡± She turned around, somewhat puzzled, looking at him. ¡°Last night, mother mentioned that I should take you shopping for a few clothes.¡± Her eyes dimmed slightly, so it was because of this. ¡°No need, I can buy them myself.¡± ¡°Dressing so shabbily every day, as if I¡¯m mistreating you when you flitter about in front of mother, Tang Xi, you¡¯re doing this on purpose, aren¡¯t you!¡± Clearly the second daughter of the Su Family, Su¡¯s Jewelry may not be a huge enterprise, but it¡¯s normal to buy a few clothes, yet this woman purposely wears washed-out white shirts and trousers every day, you¡¯d think she came from the slums... ¡°I understand... Actually, you don¡¯t need to accompany me, I won¡¯t waste your time.¡± ¡°Hmph, who knows, you might refuse me outwardly but then run to mother tonight to complain.¡± Tang Xi was aware that his misunderstanding of her was profound, so she chose not to say anything more and turned to leave the place. Longshan Villa is located in the most valuable area of Lan City, taking a taxi from here is very expensive, and it takes nearly 25 minutes to walk to the nearest subway station. A black Rolls Royce passed by her. Xu Ze was driving the car, ¡°President Fu, that seems to be the madam...¡± The man glanced sideways out the window, looking at the slender figure of the woman. Soon, she walked into the subway station. Xu Ze said, ¡°Madam seems to take the subway often for her commutes, and it¡¯s on the way to Lu¡¯s and also passes by the First Hospital... Maybe...¡± He wanted to suggest taking Tang Xi along. But seeing Fu Tingzhou¡¯s stern expression, he didn¡¯t dare to speak up. The man¡¯s voice was oppressive, ¡°Xu Ze, when did you start caring about Tang Xi?¡± ¡°President Fu...¡± Xu Ze was startled, he knew well that Fu Tingzhou was not fond of Tang Xi, and hurriedly said, ¡°I just feel that the madam seems to be a very pure and indifferent person.¡± ¡°Hmph, pure and indifferent.¡± The man closed his eyes, ¡°Since you want to take her along, tell her when you leave tomorrow.¡± Xu Ze¡¯s face lit up with joy, the master has agreed. Actually, the master is not that cold-hearted. ¨C At 8:30 in the morning, the man arrived at the office. Xu Ze handed over the information he had found yesterday. ¡°Sir, this is the information about Fu Chenglin you asked me to check on. Half a month ago, he had a dispute with his classmate Tang Shiyue and injured his head. He¡¯s still in the hospital. As for the madam, she has hired Attorney Chen Jinyan, but even with Chen¡¯s involvement, it¡¯s not easy to resolve this matter. There was no surveillance at the scene of the brawl, and the few passersby were either friends of Tang Shiyue or friends of Fu Chenglin, each holding to their version of events. Furthermore, Ms. Zhang, Fu Chenglin¡¯s mother, is now refusing mediation...¡± Fu Tingzhou took the information, glanced at it, and narrowed his eyes slightly, ¡°Tang Shiyue, what is the relationship to Tang Xi?¡± He pondered these two names. Both surnamed Tang? He recalled the woman saying, Tang Shiyue is her brother... but isn¡¯t she the daughter of the Su Family? Xu Ze said, ¡°I¡¯ve checked Tang Xi¡¯s personal information. There¡¯s a gap that¡¯s been deliberately erased. All of Tang Xi¡¯s records from eight years ago are unavailable.¡± The man threw the documents on the table and ordered indifferently, ¡°Tell Fu Jiang that we¡¯ll let this matter slide.¡± Xu Ze nodded, ¡°Yes.¡± Fu Jiang is Fu Chenglin¡¯s father, running a technology company that barely survived several financial crises, went kneeling at Fu Yuanheng¡¯s side crying, completely dependent on the Fu Family like it¡¯s a towering tree, also a remote relative of Fu Tingzhou. According to the family hierarchy, Fu Chenglin should actually call Fu Tingzhou ¡®uncle¡¯. He had promised Tang Xi, and he would not break his word. Chapter 65 - 65 64 Pregnancy ?65: Chapter 64: Pregnancy 65: Chapter 64: Pregnancy Tang Xi finished her rounds, feeling a wave of nausea rush up her throat. She furrowed her brows, trying to suppress it. But the feeling became increasingly strong. Unable to resist, Tang Xi rushed to the restroom to throw up. She washed her face, trying to make herself feel better. A colleague glanced at her, ¡°Doctor Tang, you don¡¯t seem to be in good shape recently.¡± Tang Xi smiled, ¡°It¡¯s probably because I didn¡¯t rest well last night. I¡¯m just tired.¡± The colleague was a woman doctor in her 30s with a family. She looked at Tang Xi, ¡°Doctor Tang, I saw your boyfriend a few days ago...¡± She hesitated, ¡°I didn¡¯t want to bring it up and affect your relationship, but you should know that we women can¡¯t stand such things. Your boyfriend is still dating you, but he¡¯s getting intimate with other girls. I saw that woman almost plastering herself on his arm during lunch...¡± Tang Xi was momentarily stunned. Then she realized the colleague must be talking about Xiao Chi. Ever since Xiao Chi extravagantly sent flowers every day, the entire department thought they were dating... The young master was never short of admirers; he must have just been seen by the colleague. ¡°I... Sister Li, I¡¯m not with him.¡± She really didn¡¯t know how to explain this misunderstanding. ¡°Not together, huh? That¡¯s good then. I was just thinking, such wealthy young masters often treat relationships as a game; I was worried you¡¯d be mistreated.¡± ¡°Thank you, Sister Li.¡± ¡°No need to thank me, I actually wanted to ask you for a favor.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°My period has started a few days ago, and my back and legs hurt so much I can barely stand. Can you swap shifts with me tomorrow, and cover for a day? I¡¯ll cover for you next time.¡± ¡°No problem.¡± Tang Xi smiled; it wasn¡¯t a big deal. After Sister Li left, she slowly realized something... Her period hadn¡¯t come at all. A wave of nausea surged up from the depths of her throat again. Tang Xi¡¯s face gradually turned pale. Not daring to think further, she took leave and exited the hospital. She didn¡¯t dare to get checked at her own hospital, so she quickly took a taxi to the second hospital. ¡°Miss, congratulations, you are pregnant, about five weeks now.¡± Tang Xi trembled all over. She touched her flat belly unbelievingly. She was actually pregnant? Five weeks, that would have been last month... Last month, during Su Mengshu¡¯s birthday party, in that break room. The woman pursed her lips, her expression somewhat dazed. The female doctor observing her emotional changes said, ¡°You should discuss with your husband. If you don¡¯t want it, it¡¯s best to terminate early. It¡¯s not good for your health to wait too long.¡± Tang Xi walked out of the hospital. Her mind was in turmoil, her hand resting on her belly. She had never thought that she would be pregnant with this man¡¯s child? Should she tell him? Almost the next second, she dismissed the thought. Her phone buzzed with vibration. She answered it immediately. ¡°Doctor Tang, are you free now? Please come back quickly, we have a patient with pneumothorax who urgently needs surgery. Doctor Cheng is leading the operation, and we need an assistant. We can¡¯t get through to Doctor Xu and Sister Qiu...¡± She immediately replied, ¡°I¡¯m on my way back.¡± In the operating room. Tang Xi changed into her scrubs and walked in, cooperating with Cheng Yunlang throughout the surgery. About an hour and a half later, the surgery was successfully completed. Tang Xi touched her neck and stepped out. Cheng Yunlang called out to her. ¡°Tang Xi, I¡¯ve applied to study abroad, and I heard you applied too... If everything goes as expected, the list will come out next month, and then we can go together.¡± ¡°Senior Cheng, I think I¡¯ve made myself very clear.¡± Tang Xi knew that Cheng Yunlang was a very gentle and refined person. He was a good man, but she only saw him as a senior and, at the same time, perhaps a friend. A hurt look flickered in Cheng Yunlang¡¯s eyes, ¡°Is there really no chance at all?¡± Tang Xi said earnestly, ¡°Senior Cheng, you are an outstanding person, and there will certainly be more outstanding women beside you, worthy to stand with you. I¡¯ve heard you¡¯re going to be engaged to Miss Qiao.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t be getting engaged to her. Tang Xi, come with me.¡± He said, somewhat agitatedly grasping Tang Xi¡¯s arm, ¡°We¡¯ll go to England together, I will find someone to arrange our slots.¡± This might be the first time the gentle and refined Cheng Yunlang pursued someone so actively, so directly, so desperately wanting to win her over. Tang Xi took a step back but couldn¡¯t break free from his grip. He held on tightly. As if he wouldn¡¯t allow her any chances to step back. Doctors and nurses coming out of the operating room from time to time glanced over. Someone whispered, ¡°Looks like it¡¯s Doctor Cheng and Doctor Tang...¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t see it coming, these two having an affair.¡± ¡°Wasn¡¯t Doctor Tang with that rich young master just a few days ago...¡± Tang Xi, looking into the fervency in his eyes and failing to break free, said helplessly, ¡°Senior Cheng, what if I say... I¡¯m already married?¡± She knew Cheng Yunlang was a good person who had helped her many times. She didn¡¯t want to lead him on. Besides, she was still Fu Tingzhou¡¯s wife, and Cheng Yunlang should be calling her ¡®Sister-in-law¡¯. Even in the future, there could be no outcome between her and Cheng Yunlang. She had never thought of him that way. Right now, it was better to let him give up on her completely. ¡°What did you say?¡± Cheng Yunlang was taken aback, ¡°Are you joking?¡± ¡°I¡¯m married, my husband is Fu Tingzhou.¡± Cheng Yunlang¡¯s eyes widened, his pupils contracted, and his whole body shuddered. Tang Xi took a deep breath, ¡°Let go, and I¡¯ll prove it to you.¡± He slowly loosened his grip, as if weakened, staring intently at her face, carefully digesting every word she said. Tang Xi took out her phone and dialed Fu Tingzhou¡¯s number, ¡°Husband, I might come out late tonight, it¡¯s fine if you come to pick me up ten minutes later.¡± On the other end, Fu Tingzhou thought she was in Qin Jianlan¡¯s hospital room; after all, normally she wouldn¡¯t call him, let alone address him as ¡®husband¡¯ with such a gentle tone, ¡°Hmm, did you have lunch?¡± ¡°I did, won¡¯t disturb you further.¡± After speaking, Tang Xi immediately hung up. She looked up at the man in front of her, ¡°You should recognize your third brother¡¯s voice, right? You should call me ¡®Sister-in-law¡¯.¡± His voice hoarse, almost trembling, filled with disbelief and shock, ¡°Sis...ter-in-law...¡± ¡°I married him three years ago, but it has always been kept a secret publicly. So, Senior Cheng, thanks a lot for your help and care for such a long time. I too hope that you can find happiness and joy in the future.¡± After finishing, Tang Xi turned around to leave. A profound bitterness flashed in Cheng Yunlang¡¯s eyes, ¡°Tang Xi, I don¡¯t believe it. My third brother is Su Mengshu¡¯s boyfriend; you can¡¯t be unaware!¡± He could even see that his third brother had animosity towards Tang Xi. How could it be... How could they already be married? This was simply unbearable for him to accept. ¡°That¡¯s between him and me, our private affairs, Senior Cheng, and I hope you won¡¯t interfere with our business.¡± After speaking, Tang Xi walked away quickly. Cheng Yunlang stared at her retreating figure, silently devastated. He clenched his fists tightly and slowly closed his eyes. Chapter 66 - 66 65 Accompany Her Shopping ?66: Chapter 65: Accompany Her Shopping 66: Chapter 65: Accompany Her Shopping 5:30 in the afternoon. Tang Xi finished her shift and walked out of the hospital, only to see Fu Tingzhou¡¯s car parked not far away. Her fingers involuntarily tightened as she approached, opened the car door, and sat inside. Fu Tingzhou glanced at the time, ¡°You¡¯re fifteen minutes late.¡± ¡°...Sorry,¡± she said. ¡°A patient suddenly felt unwell.¡± The man started the car. The two of them were silent all the way. The car drove for about half an hour and arrived at the Longtai Mall in the city center. The man¡¯s strides were large; Tang Xi had to jog to keep up with him. Looking at his back, Tang Xi¡¯s hand subconsciously reached for her abdomen. She had been in a daze ever since she found out she was pregnant at noon. Fu Tingzhou led her to a women¡¯s clothing store. The sales associate in this high-end luxury store could immediately tell that the man before her was of a distinguished status; the subtle cufflinks on his sleeves showcased an unmistakable identity. ¡°Sir... ah... Miss, what would you need? Our store just received a lot of new arrivals today.¡± The sales associate¡¯s gaze fell on Tang Xi. The woman was indeed attractive, but her attire was surprisingly plain and frugal... It was hard to associate her with the clearly superior-looking and prestigious man before her. Fu Tingzhou pointed to Tang Xi and said to the sales associate, ¡°Find her a few suitable pieces of clothing.¡± ¡°Ma¡¯am, please follow me.¡± This was Tang Xi¡¯s first time in such a high-end women¡¯s clothing store where even a simple white shirt would cost a four-digit price. Her eyes widened as she picked up a moderately-priced beige dress, ¡°Just this one.¡± ¡°Ma¡¯am, would you like to try it on? The fitting room is over here.¡± Tang Xi glanced at the man in the resting area¡ªhe sat there with a faint air of aloofness surrounding him. She knew that he didn¡¯t want to go shopping with her or accompany her to buy clothes; he was merely fulfilling a task arranged by Qin Jianlan. Tang Xi said softly, ¡°No need, just wrap it up, please.¡± ¡°Alright ma¡¯am, this dress is one thousand three hundred and ninety.¡± Tang Xi glanced at the person in the resting area and took out her phone to prepare for payment by scanning a code. On the side, the sales associate said, ¡°Ma¡¯am, the gentleman who came with you has a gold card from this store which can be used for a discount.¡± Tang Xi¡¯s eyes lowered, ¡°No need.¡± He had already helped her by giving her five hundred thousand for her mother¡¯s kidney transplant. In one more month, there would be no further relationship between the two of them. She would accompany him, fulfilling the tasks arranged by Qin Jianlan. She could also buy her own clothes. Carrying the paper bag, she walked up to Fu Tingzhou, ¡°I¡¯ve made the purchase, let¡¯s go...¡± ¡°Just this one?¡± The man frowned as he looked at Tang Xi, his gaze lingering on her fair face for several seconds. Fu Tingzhou walked over to a row of women¡¯s clothing, ¡°Just wrap up these ones according to her size.¡± The sales associate paused, then quickly responded, ¡°Certainly, sir.¡± Tang Xi hurried over and gently tugged at the man¡¯s sleeve, paused for a moment, then let go, ¡°No need, I can¡¯t wear so many...¡± The man¡¯s gaze fell on the blue dress displayed in the window. Suddenly, an image of the woman in a light blue dress with a faint smile on the island popped into his mind. His gaze intensified, ¡°This one, wrap it up too.¡± ¡°Sir, this piece is a limited-edition item. We only have this one in our store, and it has already been reserved by a lady.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll pay ten times the price.¡± The two sales associates exchanged a glance, then immediately contacted the store manager. Meanwhile, Fu Tingzhou took out his phone and dialed Xu Ze¡¯s number. Within three minutes, the store manager arrived, his face wearing an ingratiating smile, ¡°Mr. Fu, I had no idea you were here, my apologies.¡± Fu Tingzhou gave a faint ¡®hmm¡¯ in response, his eyes knowingly gazing at Tang Xi, ¡°Try this dress on.¡± A sales associate led Tang Xi to the dressing room and took out the blue dress. Tang Xi looked at the dress, under the showcase lighting it had the faint blue hue of a mermaid¡¯s garb. Slightly darker under actual light, the waist was adorned with blue sequins, but it wasn¡¯t ostentatious, suitable even for everyday wear. The neckline was a gentle V-neck paired with a faint blue lace, revealing a woman¡¯s delicate and fair collarbone. She changed into the dress, let down her casually tied-up hair, and let it drape over her shoulders. The sales associate said, ¡°Ma¡¯am, you look really beautiful in this dress, Mr. Fu really has an excellent eye.¡± Tang Xi slightly curved her lips, looking at herself in the mirror. The dress came down to two centimeters below her knees. The sales associate reminded her, ¡°Ma¡¯am, you could try taking off your glasses.¡± Tang Xi sometimes wore glasses at work, often forgetting to take them off when she was busy. Her prescription was not strong, but it was for convenience at work. The black-framed glasses looked somewhat dated, yet she couldn¡¯t care less about such things. At that moment, the woman took off her glasses. The sales associate repeatedly praised that only she could perfectly pull off this dress, which was only available in two pieces throughout North City, one in this store and one in a branch, both of which had been reserved. ¨C Fu Tingzhou sat in the lounge area with his knees crossed. Tang Xi had been in the dressing room for over ten minutes. He lifted his hand to glance at his wristwatch, and when he lifted his gaze again, the woman had already come out. Upon seeing her, he was momentarily taken aback. Soon, he regained his composure, his expression as calm and peaceful as a lake, and almost nobody noticed the brief look of astonishment that crossed his face as he looked at her. Fu Tingzhou had seen many beautiful women in his life. Why he would show a look of infatuation and astonishment at the physical appearance of a woman, only he himself knew. The woman before him was like an elf stranded on a deserted island, her quiet and gentle gaze was like a vortex, attracting him. From the very first moment Fu Tingzhou saw Tang Xi at the Su Family house, he knew that his gaze would momentarily linger on her. Tang Xi approached him and almost subconsciously asked, ¡°Does it look good?¡± Fu Tingzhou didn¡¯t answer that it looked good or not; he stood up, handed over his card, instructed the store manager to send the clothes to Longshan Villa, and then refocused his gaze on the woman before him, deep and cold. With her eyes demurely downcast, the blue dress made her skin appear even more pale, faintly revealing the bluish-purple veins underneath. After taking off her black glasses, there was a soft impression on the bridge of her nose. Her skin was so fair that the slightest indent appeared reddened. He couldn¡¯t help but remember how sensitive her skin was; a firm grip would leave her red for a long time. The man¡¯s voice was somewhat husky, ¡°Keep it on.¡± After saying that, Fu Tingzhou walked out first. Tang Xi watched his retreating back, his recent words echoing in her ears. She stood there dazed for a few seconds before hurrying after him. As she glanced back, she saw her reflection in the showcase window, along with his... The blue dress and his black casual attire seemed to overlap. Chapter 67 - 67 66 Remember Your Identity ?67: Chapter 66: Remember Your Identity 67: Chapter 66: Remember Your Identity He walked quickly, and she followed with some difficulty in her white high heels. By the time they reached the elevator, she couldn¡¯t help but reach out and tug at the man¡¯s sleeve, asking softly, ¡°Are we going somewhere else?¡± Weren¡¯t we just buying clothes? The man, hands in his pockets, headed to the jewelry area after getting off the elevator. Tang Xi looked at the dazzling jewelry in the display cabinets, each piece expensive, ¡°No need, we¡¯ve already bought a lot of clothes, Aunt Qin¡¯s task is completed.¡± Fu Tingzhou hummed indifferently, ¡°Choose if you¡¯re told to choose.¡± ¡°Then...¡± Tang Xi scanned the jewelry in the cabinets, her gaze settling on a ring, a simple and understated design. She had the salesperson take out the ring and slipped it on her ring finger. The ring fit perfectly. ¡°Can I... can I have this ring?¡± Their marriage, from a bizarre beginning to now, she hadn¡¯t had anything. Fu Tingzhou lowered his gaze to capture every expression on her face, seeing the faint hope flicker in her eyes, his lips pressed into a line, ¡°Tang Xi, recognize your place.¡± Her shoulders trembled slightly. With a weak laugh, ¡°I know, twenty-eight days left.¡± She removed the ring from her finger, ¡°My status, I remember it very clearly.¡± He squinted, coldly telling the salesperson, ¡°Wrap up those necklaces and earrings.¡± When Fu Tingzhou left the jewelry area, Tang Xi followed behind him calmly. She did not ask where they were going next. All the things that needed to be bought were bought. But wherever he wanted to go, she would follow, because Qin Jianlan¡¯s task was to have Fu Tingzhou accompany her shopping. The fifth floor is Longtai Mall¡¯s dining area; now it¡¯s around seven in the evening, and several popular stores are already full. The two reached a Chinese restaurant. Tang Xi ordered a light porridge, but with her first spoonful, her stomach churned. She frowned and stood up, ¡°I¡¯m going to the restroom.¡± Five minutes later, she came back and saw a woman sitting in her place. From this angle, only the back was visible. As she approached, Tang Xi realized it was Ji Qingtan. ¡°Miss Tang... so the friend eating with Tingzhou is you.¡± Ji Qingtan displayed a beautiful smile, unable to fully hide the shock in her eyes as she had come here for dinner with Maocheng Group¡¯s vice president and hadn¡¯t expected to see Fu Tingzhou sitting alone; she had walked over, not expecting that Tang Xi was dining with Fu Tingzhou. A woman¡¯s intuition is indeed correct. Fu Tingzhou and this Tang Xi... They indeed know each other. At the moment, however, Ji Qingtan did not vacate the seat willingly. This was a seating area for two, and Ji Qingtan sat in her place, asking a waiter to add another chair. ¡°Sorry, Miss Tang, I have some work matters to discuss with Tingzhou, so please sit here for now. I truly hope I¡¯m not interrupting you.¡± Internally, Tang Xi thought, you are indeed interrupting. The waiter brought another chair over. Tang Xi sat down helplessly, cradling the bowl of porridge and continued to eat with her head down. She looked at Fu Tingzhou; the man¡¯s face was expressionless, nearly devoid of any emotion, his eyes indifferently on Ji Qingtan, ¡°Sister-in-law, it¡¯s after work hours. If you want to discuss work, let¡¯s talk at the meeting tomorrow.¡± For a few seconds, Ji Qingtan¡¯s smiling lips stiffened, but she quickly recovered, ¡°I was eating here with the vice president of Maocheng, Chen Yuanzhou, and we were discussing Zhen Garden, which is one of the Fu family¡¯s key projects this half year... I thought you might be interested.¡± ¡°This project is handled by An He, you can discuss it with him tomorrow.¡± Listening to Fu Tingzhou¡¯s calm tone, Ji Qingtan bit her lip hard, her voice trembling slightly, ¡°Tingzhou...do you still hate me?¡± As she spoke, she turned to Tang Xi, ¡°Miss Tang, I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯d like to talk to Tingzhou privately for a few minutes, please...¡± Tang Xi sighed inwardly and stood up, ¡°Then... I¡¯ll go out first...¡± After finishing, she didn¡¯t even glance at Fu Tingzhou, and directly left with her bag. The man¡¯s gaze followed her until she left, and then his expression turned cold. ¡°Ji Qingtan, my elder brother is still bedridden and needs your care. It¡¯s getting late, you better go back early to avoid worrying him.¡± ¡°Tingzhou, it¡¯s my fault.¡± Tears slid down the beautiful face of the woman, ¡°I married Yun Ye because I was tricked. When I woke up, I was already in his bed, and when the reporters and media swarmed, I had no idea how to explain... I could only marry Yun Ye to protect myself. It¡¯s you I¡¯ve always liked, it has always been you, my feelings never changed...¡± Fu Tingzhou stood up, his handsome face darkened, and he only spoke with a heavy warning, ¡°Five years ago, before I had established myself in the Fu Family, you turned to Fu Yunye¡¯s embrace. After Fu Yunye¡¯s car accident, when I returned from England, you told me that your heart belonged to me. Put away your cheap and hypocritical emotions, if you want to have a place in the Fu Family, just take good care of my brother, otherwise, you will get nothing.¡± After saying that, the man prepared to leave. Ji Qingtan grabbed his arm, ¡°Tingzhou, do you still remember what my brother told you back then....¡± ¡°You should be grateful that I still remember, otherwise, do you think a person who betrayed me could still stand here and talk to me?¡± Ji Qingtan¡¯s face turned pale, and she shivered as she recalled the man¡¯s means. And Fu Tingzhou also left with big strides. Watching his back, Ji Qingtan bit her teeth, no, she wouldn¡¯t give up just like that. She wouldn¡¯t let go so easily. She had been in the Fu Family for ten years, she couldn¡¯t bear to get nothing and spend her life guarding a paralyzed person. ¨C Fu Tingzhou walked out, scanned around but didn¡¯t see the woman¡¯s figure. He took out his mobile phone and dialed Tang Xi¡¯s number. After calling twice, no one answered. Where did this woman run off to! At the moment, Tang Xi was sitting on the chair on the first floor, biting into the vegetarian bun in her bag. She glanced at the time, figuring Fu Tingzhou and Ji Qingtan probably needed more time to talk. Family drama of the rich, she really didn¡¯t want to hear about it. Although Ji Qingtan seemed beautiful and gentle, she actually gave off a rather aggressive aura. Tang Xi knew somewhat about the Fu Family¡¯s affairs through Qin Jianlan. The eldest young master of the Fu Family, Fu Yunye, needed to sit in a wheelchair because of a car accident. The feud between him and Fu Tingzhou was unclear, Fu Yunye¡¯s car accident back then was even suspected by many to be Fu Tingzhou¡¯s doing, but Qin Jianlan told her that it had nothing to do with Fu Tingzhou. It was an accident. The driver, while swerving to avoid a pregnant woman running across the street, made a sharp turn causing the accident. Fu Zongheng lost a son, and with his eldest son in an accident, he took a blow and became a monk. During that time, things within the Fu Family were turbulent, Fu Tingzhou went to England and only returned two months ago. Suddenly, a broadcast announcement rang out. ¡°Little friend Tang Xi, your uncle is waiting for you on the sixth floor at the cinema. Please go find your family after hearing this broadcast. If you are lost in the mall, you can contact any staff member on site.¡± Chapter 68 - 68 67 Movie ?68: Chapter 67: Movie 68: Chapter 67: Movie Tang Xi bit into a steamed bun and blinked her eyes. When the broadcast sounded for the second time, she finally stood up swiftly. Realizing the situation, she devoured the bun in a few bites and quickly headed for the elevator. ¨C Tang Xi arrived at the cinema. It seemed there was a new movie release, the place crowded in the evening, especially with couples. All the seats in the resting area were taken. She looked around and took out her phone, noticing that Fu Tingzhou had called her twice. She had been busy in the afternoon and her phone had been on silent; she hadn¡¯t noticed until now, so she hastily made a call back. ¡°Fu... Uncle, where are you?¡± After speaking, she couldn¡¯t help but cough. There was a sense of wanting to laugh. She didn¡¯t laugh, but the man on the other end did, his faint smile sounding almost like an illusion to Tang Xi. ¡°Near the ticket machines.¡± ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll be right there...¡± Before she could finish her sentence, the call was disconnected on the other end. Being unfamiliar with the place, she scanned the surroundings and was about to rush over when her phone vibrated in her bag. At this moment, Tang Xi¡¯s phone rang. It was a call from Chen Jinyan. ¡°Hello, Chen Lawy...¡± ¡°The matter with Fu Chenglin has been resolved; your brother is okay. Around 5 PM today, Fu Chenglin¡¯s father, Fu Jiang, personally went to withdraw the charge. I have already instructed my assistant to handle the formalities, your brother will be released tomorrow.¡± She exclaimed delightfully, ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Yes, only Fu Tingzhou could have persuaded Fu Jiang. Your brother won¡¯t have any problems, let him prepare for the college entrance exam next year with peace of mind.¡± ¡°Um,¡± Tang Xi clenched her phone tightly. Fu Tingzhou had interceded, and so, her brother was safe. It seemed as if in an instant, the sky had cleared. The weight on her chest was lifted. She took a few steps and then saw the figure standing near the ticket machines. The man was dressed in neat black sportswear, tall and imposing, a stark contrast to his usually stern and harsh demeanor in a suit, he now seemed more casual and carefree. To Tang Xi, it was rare to see him like this. He blended in almost perfectly with the young college couples around him. A few girls blushed and came up to flirt, but they were indifferently rejected by Fu Tingzhou. Tang Xi knew that she shouldn¡¯t harbor any fantasies about this man. Yet, she didn¡¯t know when it had started, but she hadn¡¯t been able to completely detach herself from this whirlwind of emotions as she thought she could, perhaps since the first time she saw him in the lecture hall five years ago, his image had been etched in her heart. Fu Tingzhou seemed to have seen her, Tang Xi approached with her head lowered, ¡°Sorry, my phone was on silent.¡± After pausing for a few seconds and hearing no response, she added, ¡°Thank you for my brother¡¯s matter.¡± The man¡¯s gaze fell on her arm, ¡°What happened to your arm?¡± Only then did Tang Xi realize, she usually wore long sleeves and pants, and even more so in the hospital. Now, wearing a light blue dress, her arms were exposed, revealing the chronic needle punctures from frequent blood tests. Occasional blood donations do not leave marks. But Tang Xi was different; the accumulation of years of frequent punctures left purple bruises on her arms that could not heal. She was startled and hid her arms behind her back, her voice very soft, ¡°Mosquito bites...¡± Fu Tingzhou seemed to have asked casually and did not intend to delve deeper. ¡°Is Tang Shiyue your brother? His mother¡¯s name is Tang Jingyun, what is your relationship with Tang Jingyun?¡± he had looked up the information, Tang Jingyun was the head of an orphanage and was acquainted with his own mother. Fu Tingzhou remembered that his mother once mentioned she had supported an orphan girl since childhood, was very satisfied with her, gentle and kind, and wanted him to marry her when she was critically ill. That was Tang Xi. But how could Tang Xi be an orphan, isn¡¯t she the second miss of the Su Family? The woman bit her lip tightly, her lips gradually turning pale. ¡°If I say...¡± She hesitated, about to speak. At this moment, the sound of ticket checking and entrance announcements came from the broadcast. She looked at his back, shaking her head, not understanding what she was doing. Telling him that she had a miserable life, that she was Su Mengshu¡¯s blood bank, an adopted daughter of the Su Family, her biological mother a murderer, her father¡¯s whereabouts unknown. Would he then feel less disgust towards her? Or, would her tragic life story gain her some of his sympathy? With less than a month until she leaves here, what¡¯s the point of this brief sympathy? She is not Su Mengshu, not the one he loves. Cheap pity, she does not need it. ¨C The movie soon started. Tang Xi and Fu Tingzhou walked into the cinema hall. The light instantly went dark, not many seats were taken, the hall was quite empty, she sat next to Fu Tingzhou, no one around them. The screen was playing a romantic comedy. In the briefly brightened light, she looked at the man¡¯s profile. His profile was sharp and clear in the alternating darkness and white light. The two-hour movie ended quickly. She got into Fu Tingzhou¡¯s car, and the man drove towards Longshan Villa. Throughout the journey, the two said nothing. Close to home, the man coldly spoke, ¡°Meet mother tomorrow, you should know what to say.¡± ¡°Yes, I understand.¡± She would carefully play the role of his wife, telling Qin Jianlan how loving they were. Her demure and understanding demeanor, yet the man didn¡¯t seem pleased; sitting in the back of the car, Fu Tingzhou glanced at the rear-view mirror, saw the woman¡¯s pale and delicate face as she looked out the window, her neckline slender. ¡°I¡¯ve asked you before, what¡¯s your relationship with Tang Jingyun.¡± He initially looked up her information, her birth mother was Xia Minjun. Tang Xi¡¯s fingers slowly clenched, relaxed after a few seconds, but her body was tense, she slowly looked up towards him, ¡°Is it that important?¡± ¡°Today a brother, who knows if tomorrow you might have a sibling who¡¯s done something wrong and needs my help, I have to be clear about it.¡± ¡°It won¡¯t happen again,¡± Tang Xi said, ¡°Thank you, Mr. Fu.¡± They returned to Longshan Villa. The dog, Sixteen, came out enthusiastically to greet them. Tang Xi bent down to hug Sixteen; Fu Tingzhou, seeing Sixteen completely ignoring himself, bewildered. He had raised this dog for three years abroad, and brought it back with him when he returned to the country, the dog ignored everyone else, but was unexpectedly enthusiastic about this woman. Mrs. Song came out, ¡°Ma¡¯am, I¡¯ve stewed snow fungus and lotus seed soup, have some.¡± Tang Xi nodded, she stood up, her body swaying a bit with dizziness. Mrs. Song exclaimed, ¡°Ma¡¯am are you okay?¡± Fu Tingzhou went upstairs, heard the sound, paused, and turned back down. Looking at the woman¡¯s pale face, he frowned slightly. ¡°What happened.¡± In his mind, this woman always seemed sickly, very thin, even holding her felt frail. Tang Xi was startled when Fu Tingzhou approached, was he concerned about her? Chapter 69 - 69 68 Terminate the Pregnancy ?69: Chapter 68: Terminate the Pregnancy 69: Chapter 68: Terminate the Pregnancy Song Auntie on the side said, ¡°Sixteen just pounced on the madam, and the madam didn¡¯t stand steady.¡± Sixteen wagged its tail, swaying beside the man¡¯s leg. ¡°Sixteen, go upstairs with daddy.¡± The man glanced indifferently at the woman. ¡°Since you know Sixteen is big, don¡¯t get too close to it, looking all day like you haven¡¯t eaten enough. Song Auntie, give her an extra meal at night and make sure she finishes it.¡± Tang Xi opened her mouth, but the man had already gone upstairs with Sixteen. Song Auntie said, ¡°Madam, you look too thin. It¡¯s not good for your health. The sir is right; you should eat more.¡± Tang Xi felt like she was hallucinating. Just now, she actually saw a hint of concern in the man¡¯s eyes, but how could that be... He, how could he care about her. Sitting at the dining table, she ate a few spoonfuls of tremella soup, but she had no appetite and could not eat anymore. Her stomach churned, only feeling nauseous. It¡¯s only been a few weeks, why is the reaction so strong. Tang Xi was afraid that Song Auntie would notice something, ¡°I¡¯ll go eat in the bedroom. I still have some work unfinished.¡± ¡°Okay madam, I¡¯ll help you bring it over.¡± ¡°No need, I can manage by myself. It¡¯s late, Song Auntie, you should rest early after you finish your work as well,¡± said Tang Xi. Tang Xi returned to her bedroom, turned on her computer, a notebook computer she had haggled for in a second-hand market years ago, often freezing. She logged into the software and reviewed patients¡¯ messages left online. WeChat blinked. ¡°Tang Xi sister, I¡¯m Qiao Na. I... have a favor to ask of you.¡± Tang Xi looked at the message and the name, and then she realized, this was a young college girl who had a part-time job with her at Nanshantang. They hadn¡¯t chatted much on WeChat; she had merely noted her down, so she had forgotten for a moment. She remembered, Qiao Na... It seems she was with a wealthy businessman, to afford her mother¡¯s medical treatment. ¡°Hmm, what is it?¡± ¡°Tang Xi sister, I really don¡¯t know what to do... I can only come to you for help. Are you available these days?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s meet on Saturday. I¡¯m off work then. We can talk in person,¡± said Tang Xi. ¨C In the study room. Fu Tingzhou took a bath and sat at his desk, fiddling with something in his hands. He didn¡¯t know why, but he had impulsively bought it back. In the man¡¯s hand, he held a ring, simple and elegant in design. In his mind echoed the cautious questioning of the woman when she looked at this ring, with a faint plea in her eyes. After refusing her, he had bought it back anyway. A complex emotion filled Fu Tingzhou¡¯s chest. He clearly didn¡¯t like her, even despised. But why... when he saw her looking sad and disappointed, did he feel uncomfortable? It was as if something pricked his heart. ¨C The next morning. At the dining table. Song Auntie made century egg and lean meat porridge, but at the first sip, Tang Xi couldn¡¯t suppress her nausea. She paled and quickly ran to the bathroom to vomit. When she returned to the dining table, the man¡¯s gaze deepened as he looked at her. Song Auntie said, ¡°Madam, you¡¯ve been like this often recently. Is it possible... have you gone for a check-up? There might be a surprise.¡± Song Auntie was thinking that if madam was pregnant, it might ease the relationship with Mr. Fu a lot. As her words fell, the woman¡¯s face turned as pale as paper. ¡°No, Song Auntie, don¡¯t talk nonsense... I just have a bad stomach,¡± said the woman. Raising her eyes, she met the man¡¯s cold black eyes, Tang Xi¡¯s breathing hitched. He stared at the woman¡¯s face, ¡°Tang Xi, I¡¯ve reminded you to remember to take your medicine. I advise you not to have too much hope. I hope you take my warning to heart.¡± ¡°Sir Fu, you are overly concerned. Rest assured, the thing you are worried about won¡¯t happen,¡± said Tang Xi. ¡°I also hope that I¡¯m just overthinking.¡± Tang Xi didn¡¯t eat anything, she went back to her bedroom to grab her bag and was ready to leave when she reached the door. She heard a man¡¯s calm and indifferent voice behind her, ¡°Tang Xi, do not attempt to use the child to threaten me, if you are pregnant, then abort it. The position of Mrs. Fu is not something you can aspire to.¡± It felt like her heart was blocked Tang Xi found it hard to breathe. She laughed at herself mockingly, ¡°Fu Tingzhou, rest assured, after Aunt Qin¡¯s surgery, I will leave North City.¡± After saying this, she strode away. Watching the woman¡¯s retreating figure, Fu Tingzhou felt a heaviness in his chest, he looked at the food in front of him and also had no appetite. Her answer was what he had hoped for. But he couldn¡¯t feel happy. ¨C In the police station, Tang Xi signed the papers. Tang Shiyue came out from the inside, she hugged him and gently patted the youth¡¯s back, ¡°It¡¯s good that you¡¯re okay, let¡¯s go back quickly, Mom has been asking about you.¡± Holding Tang Xi¡¯s slender figure, the youth¡¯s voice choked, ¡°Sister, I¡¯m sorry.¡± Tang Shiyue knew that during the days he was detained, Tang Xi must have been worried for him. ¡°Sorry, sister, I won¡¯t be so impulsive in the future.¡± ¡°Yes, everything has passed, it¡¯s all in the past.¡± Tang Xi¡¯s eyes reddened, ¡°Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s go see mom, she has been missing you recently, I didn¡¯t even know how to keep it from her anymore. She just had her surgery and is recovering well, she can be discharged in a few days.¡± Not far away, a black Rolls-Royce was parked. Xu Ze said, ¡°Sir, it seems that¡¯s your wife and... her brother she mentioned.¡± The man¡¯s gaze was profound, he watched the two tightly hug each other, a clear displeasure emerged between his brows. Watching them get into a taxi. Fu Tingzhou spoke lightly, ¡°Follow them.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Xu Ze immediately drove to follow the swiftly moving taxi, which eventually stopped at the entrance of the municipal hospital. Fu Tingzhou got out of the car and caught up with the two figures ahead. Finally stopping outside a hospital room, he watched Tang Xi and Tang Shiyue laughing as they walked inside, the man approached the nurse station, ¡°Who is the patient in room 12?¡± ¡°Sorry, we cannot disclose the patient¡¯s private information.¡± Fu Tingzhou¡¯s lips tightened slightly, ¡°The woman who just entered is my wife.¡± ¡°Uh...¡± The nurse hesitated for a moment, ¡°Her mother had a kidney transplant surgery and is now in recovery.¡± ¡°When was the surgery performed?¡± ¡°Half a month ago.¡± Fu Tingzhou remembered that half a month ago, that woman had tried to borrow money from her mother and he found out. She claimed she had a relative who urgently needed money to save their life, and he had given her 500,000, thinking at the time she was using a relative as an excuse to scam money, he never expected... Was it actually true?! But isn¡¯t she the daughter of Su Kangrong? According to the information, it does not show that Su Kangrong had divorced and remarried. ¨C In the hospital room, Tang Jingyun tightly held the hands of Tang Shiyue and Tang Xi. ¡°Silly child, isn¡¯t it just a botched college entrance exam? Mom doesn¡¯t blame you, as long as you and your sister are doing well, Mom is relieved.¡± Just now, Tang Xi and Tang Shiyue used the excuse of Shiyue feeling upset about botching his college entrance exam and needing to go out to get some air to deceive Tang Jingyun. This also explains why Tang Shiyue hadn¡¯t appeared during this period of time. Tang Shiyue knelt on the ground, ¡°Mom, I was wrong, I made you and sister worry.¡± Tang Jingyun looked at her son, ¡°Shiyue, you really owe your sister an apology, Xiao Xi did too much for me... you also need to be more sensible, if it¡¯s botched, we can just try harder next year.¡± ¡°Yes, I realize my mistake.¡± ¡°Xiao Xi, go handle the discharge procedures for mom, the expenses here are too expensive, I¡¯m already fine now.¡± Tang Xi walked over, adjusting Tang Jingyun¡¯s position to make her more comfortable, ¡°Mom, I¡¯ve paid the money, just rest assured and stay a few more days. The doctor said you need an observation for a week.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve already spent hundreds of thousands on the surgery, where did you get so much money.¡± Tang Xi averted her gaze somewhat evasively, ¡°Mom, didn¡¯t I tell you? It was my... boyfriend who paid...¡± Chapter 70 - 70 69 They adopted Xiao Xi because ?70: Chapter 69: They adopted Xiao Xi because.... 70: Chapter 69: They adopted Xiao Xi because.... ¡°Then you should bring him over, let mom have a look.¡± ¡°He... is very busy with work, when he¡¯s free... I¡¯ll definitely bring him over to see you.¡± Tang Xi wore a smile on her face, she tried hard to make her smile natural and joyful. She did not want to deceive Tang Jingyun but she felt helpless, thinking to herself if Tang Jingyun insists on meeting, she might pay someone to play the role. Telling a lie once, means having to keep up with it forever. ¡°I want to see our little Xi¡¯s boyfriend, if he¡¯s suitable, we can settle things this year, then I can be at ease.¡± ¡°Mom... Alright, I¡¯ll bring him over in the next few days when I have time.¡± Tang Jingyun simply nodded with a smile. Seeing her looking somewhat fatigued, Tang Shiyue hurriedly smoothed things over, ¡°Mom, I¡¯ve met sister¡¯s boyfriend, he¡¯s really outstanding and treats sister well. Don¡¯t worry about sister.¡± ¡°You even dare to talk, you¡¯re the one making people worry, do you know your absence recently scared mom... scared me to death...¡± As Tang Jingyun spoke, she started to wipe her tears, and Tang Shiyue quickly embraced her. Seeing this, Tang Xi said she was going out to fetch water, and walked out carrying a kettle. She didn¡¯t go to fetch water, instead, she sat down on a chair at the side. Not far away, Fu Tingzhou was watching her. The woman had her head lowered; her whole person seemed fragile, just a slip of a figure, her black hair covering her brows and eyes, it was unclear what she was thinking but she seemed enveloped by a silent stillness and sadness. Among the bustle of patients and doctors moving around her, it was as if she was inside a transparent glass cover, broken yet peaceful. Fu Tingzhou¡¯s features were stern, but his gaze did not leave her, his eyes growing darker. ¨C After leaving the hospital, Tang Xi made a phone call to Xiao Chi, but she hung up before the call went through. She really was panicking, how could she think of having Xiao Chi pretend to be her boyfriend, after hesitating for a moment, she dialed the phone of a male colleague in her department. ¡°Doctor Zhao, are you free tomorrow? Help me with a favor...¡± Tang Xi briefly explained the situation, the person on the other end immediately said, ¡°I thought it was something serious, don¡¯t worry little Tang, I¡¯ll come over tomorrow.¡± The next morning, Tang Xi saw Zhao Tianqi in front of the traditional medicine hospital. Zhao Tianqi is a resident doctor in thoracic surgery, four or five years older than Tang Xi, with a scholarly and gentle appearance, not particularly handsome but very approachable. He is very popular in the hospital. Seeing him carrying a box of milk and some supplements, Tang Xi immediately said, ¡°You didn¡¯t have to go through all this trouble, you¡¯re helping me, how can I let you spend money.¡± ¡°It¡¯s no trouble, how can I come visit Auntie empty-handed?¡± Zhao Tianqi looked at Tang Xi, ¡°Let¡¯s go inside, little Tang.¡± ¨C Meanwhile, Fu Tingzhou walked into the ward. In Tang Jingyun¡¯s ward, he observed the room, where all five beds were occupied by patients with their family members nearby, the small space seemed crowded. Besides the persistent smell of disinfectant typical in a hospital, there was a mix of other smells that were not pleasant. And Tang Jingyun was lying on an added bed at the very back. He walked over. His eyes landed on the woman lying in the bed, around 40 years old, thin-framed, her condition seemed fairly good as she sat knitting wool, unaware of someone approaching. ¡°Young man, who are you looking for?¡± A family member of the patient in the next bed looked at Fu Tingzhou, as this man¡¯s physique and looks were too outstanding and easily attracted attention. Tang Jingyun looked up. Fu Tingzhou walked over. Tang Jingyun was somewhat surprised. Someone came looking for her? ¡°You are....¡± Fu Tingzhou spoke calmly, ¡°What is your relation to Tang Xi? What is your relationship with her?¡± ¡°You are... you know Xiao Xi? You are...¡± Tang Jingyun said, ¡°You are her boyfriend, right?¡± Fu Tingzhou frowned. Tang Jingyun immediately smiled with joy, somewhat flustered and caught off guard by meeting Xiao Xi¡¯s boyfriend under such circumstances. She didn¡¯t want her illness to hold Xiao Xi back, as these days many people don¡¯t want their partners to have parents who are seriously ill. Tang Jingyun spoke gently, looking at him, clearly very satisfied, not having expected Xiao Xi to find such an outstanding boyfriend. She felt reassured now. ¡°I am her mother, just yesterday Xiao Xi mentioned you to me, you have been very busy at work. I heard you also paid for the surgery, I really feel embarrassed... please have a seat....¡± Fu Tingzhou came over and sat down on the companion chair beside him, ¡°Are you her biological mother?¡± Hearing that, Tang Jingyun sighed. ¡°Xiao Xi probably hasn¡¯t told you.... She¡¯s a very sensitive and stubborn child. She was different from the other girls in the orphanage from a young age... I am not her birth mother, she was sent to my orphanage just after she was born.¡± The man¡¯s frown deepened. She¡¯s an orphan? This was beyond his expectation. The information showed that Tang Xi was the biological daughter of Su Kangrong and Xia Minjun. Could it be that someone from the Su Family tampered with the records, altering the information? But why would they do that? Being adopted isn¡¯t something... that¡¯s unspeakable. And Su Kangrong and Xia Minjun seemed rather good to Tang Xi as well. ¡°Xiao Xi was adopted by the Su Family when she was eight years old and has been raised by them since then, still calling me ¡®Mama Tang¡¯... My body is failing, renal failure, and she has always been raising money to see me treated.¡± Fu Tingzhou, ¡°Does the Su Family not care? She is the second young lady of the Su Family, it shouldn¡¯t be that they can¡¯t even afford surgery costs.¡± For Su Mengshu, a single outfit, a bag, a piece of jewelry costs tens of thousands. Tang Jingyun¡¯s throat tightened, she sighed deeply and shook her head. After a few seconds of silence, she continued, ¡°Those wealthy people, how could they be so kind... Xiao Xi has always kept this from me... She has endured a lot of humiliation alone, suffered a lot of hardships, who could truly care for a daughter without a blood relation, it¡¯s all just a facade...¡± ¡°Thank you for being willing to spend money to treat me. I also have some savings, so living normally won¡¯t be an issue in the future. It won¡¯t affect you and Xiao Xi. She is a good child, it¡¯s just that I, her mother, am useless. I¡¯ve never raised her, yet she has to raise money to treat my illness...¡± Listening to Tang Jingyun¡¯s gradually hoarse voice. A look of astonishment flashed through the man¡¯s eyes. He slowly clenched his fist. In his mind, he recalled how she cautiously asked him for money, humble and at a loss, her face pale, what he said then was just an excuse to scam money, his words had shamed her... She turned out to be the daughter adopted by Su Kangrong and Xia Minjun. He had been to the Su Family a few times, each time Xia Minjun treated Tang Xi with utmost care, and Su Mengshu never mentioned that Tang Xi was adopted. No wonder she looked surprised when he had called her Su Xi back then. It was also not hard to imagine, she often wore simple clothes. In stark contrast to Su Mengshu, who wore luxury brands, they were completely different. ¡°She...¡± the man slowly began, his voice a bit hoarse, ¡°Why did the Su Family adopt her.¡± If one chooses to adopt, they should treat her well. Tang Jingyun was somewhat choked up, ¡°It¡¯s all my fault, I initially thought the Su Family really wanted to adopt a girl, since Su Kangrong had supported the orphanage, I thought his family was kind... but it turns out, they adopted Xiao Xi because...¡± Chapter 71 - 71 70 Holding Her Hand ?71: Chapter 70: Holding Her Hand 71: Chapter 70: Holding Her Hand ¡°Mom, I¡¯m off today, and I came to see you with my boyfriend, brought you some milk and supplements... Ah... Fu Tingzhou, why are you here?¡± The woman¡¯s shocked voice rang out. Her voice was trembling with panic. Tang Xi walked in, carrying things, and stared in astonishment at the figure sitting in front of the hospital bed. It was just a back, but she couldn¡¯t mistake it. Her lips were somewhat pale. What was he doing here? How did he find this place? What did he say to Mom.... Zhao Tianqi, standing by her side, also didn¡¯t expect this situation to arise, looking at Tang Xi¡¯s face as it turned pale as if she¡¯d just started a job. Her mind was in total disarray for a moment, and she hurried over. The area around the hospital room was messy, but his presence seemed distant and cold. Tang Xi reached the bedside, Tang Jingyun smiled at her, ¡°Xixi, you¡¯re here.¡± Fu Tingzhou stood up, his gaze landing on Tang Xi¡¯s face, and what displeased him was that the smile at the corner of her mouth disappeared when she looked at him, as if he was some terrifying beast, her eyes filled with fear and panic. And, a boyfriend? He looked at the person standing beside Tang Xi, his eyes as sharp and cold as ice. In an instant, Zhao Tianqi felt an overwhelming sense of pressure. Who is this man related to Doctor Tang, he seems to have an extraordinary identity, and his gaze is also far too terrifying... Tang Jingyun, belatedly aware, sensed something off in the atmosphere. If the man beside Tang Xi really is her boyfriend, then who is this... ¡°Xixi, what¡¯s going on here, I¡¯m a bit confused.¡± Not just Tang Jingyun was confused, Tang Xi¡¯s mind was extremely chaotic at the moment. Fu Tingzhou spoke in a low and husky voice, ¡°I happened to be passing by, heard... you mentioned before that your mother just had a kidney transplant, so I came to check on her.¡± After speaking, he turned to look at Zhao Tianqi, his cold voice leaving no room for rebuttal, ¡°You can leave now.¡± Zhao Tianqi glanced at Tang Xi, ¡°Xiaotang, this...¡± Tang Xi composed herself, ¡°Doctor Zhao, you go ahead, I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯ll speak to you another day at work...¡± ¡°Alright then...¡± Zhao Tianqi seemed a bit worried, he gently patted Tang Xi¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Xiaotang, we¡¯re colleagues, if something¡¯s up, just tell me, don¡¯t carry it all by yourself.¡± Tang Xi struggled to move, forcing a small smile at the corner of her mouth. After Zhao Tianqi left, she went to Tang Jingyun¡¯s bedside, ¡°Mom... I... There¡¯s been some misunderstanding here, don¡¯t worry about it.¡± She didn¡¯t know how to explain the situation to Tang Jingyun, and what¡¯s more, she never expected Fu Tingzhou would appear here. She looked at him with a pleading gaze. The man met her gaze, and it seemed like she was on the verge of crying out in panic and hurry, but she held it back. For the first time, Fu Tingzhou saw her show such clear vulnerability, he frowned, fell silent for a few seconds, and then said to Tang Jingyun, ¡°There indeed has been some misunderstanding, take care of your health, and I will come to visit when I have time.¡± His words were calm, with a touch of proper politeness. As he spoke, Tang Xi¡¯s heart relaxed a bit. As long as he didn¡¯t reveal her secret, it was fine. ¡°Ah... You young people!¡± Tang Jingyun was anxious at heart, but also heaved a helpless sigh, ¡°Xixi, did you quarrel with Xiao Fu and then brought your colleague here to appease me? Is it because of my illness?¡± ¡°Mom, it¡¯s not what you think, don¡¯t worry about it. Fu Tingzhou and I are good, we just had a little argument. And you were rushing me to bring my boyfriend over, so I just...¡± ¡°Alright, alright, it¡¯s Mom¡¯s fault...¡± ¡°Ah.... Mom, I... I¡¯ll take him out first, he¡¯s quite busy with work. I won¡¯t disturb your rest.¡± ¡°What¡¯s the rush? I¡¯ve finished this already; give it to little Fu.¡± Tang Jingyun said as she quickly tied a few knots with her hands. Having nothing else to do, she wanted to find something to pass the time. She had knitted a black scarf for Tang Shiyue, thinking that Shiyue would be going to college soon, and when he came back for the winter break, she wanted her son to have it for when winter came. Tang Xi hurriedly stopped her, ¡°Mom... he doesn¡¯t need this... he¡¯s not lacking...¡± She was somewhat panicky. She told Tang Jingyun that she had a boyfriend, who was very good to her and wealthy, and that he gave her money for her mother¡¯s surgery expenses. However, the boyfriend was a fabrication, solely to put Tang Jingyun at ease for the surgery and not to worry about the expenses. Now, she was afraid that Tang Jingyun would find out... Who could have imagined that Fu Tingzhou would actually be here? And this man, how could he play along with her act? It¡¯d already be fortunate if he didn¡¯t mock her with indifference; why would he use... such a cheap scarf? His wardrobe was full of high-end luxury brands... The scarf, lovingly hand-crocheted by Tang Jingyun, he wouldn¡¯t fancy it at all. She didn¡¯t want Tang Jingyun to be sad. She even regretted at this moment, regretting that she created a perfect imaginary boyfriend, which consoled Tang Jingyun but now she had to... ¡°Mom, I¡¯m sorry I...¡± I lied to you. Before she could finish her words, Fu Tingzhou took the scarf and tied it around his neck. The man¡¯s neck was long, his figure tall, and the black scarf made him look all the more understated and fitting. The man¡¯s voice was flat, without much intonation, but there was a faint smile at the corner of his lips, ¡°Thank you, Aunt Tang.¡± Tang Xi was stunned. It took her several seconds to snap out of it, as she listened to Tang Jingyun¡¯s laughter. She looked at Fu Tingzhou in surprise. This man... he actually helped her. She had never dared to hope that he would set aside his usual indifference and help her cover up in front of Tang Jingyun. For a moment, she bit her lip. Her chest was filled with indescribable emotions. ¡°It suits you so well.¡± Tang Jingyun praised, ¡°Xi, having such an outstanding boyfriend, you should have brought him to meet me sooner, instead of keeping it a secret from me...¡± ¡°Mom, in the future... let¡¯s not talk about this now, he¡¯s got work to do, I¡¯ll walk him out.¡± With that, she took Fu Tingzhou¡¯s arm and led him out of the ward. As soon as they stepped out of the ward, she released his hand. Tang Xi said softly, ¡°Thank you.¡± Fu Tingzhou responded simply with a ¡®hmm¡¯ as acknowledgment. Tang Xi¡¯s gaze was calm and gentle as she looked ahead, watching the patients come and go, walking side by side with Fu Tingzhou, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to come here. Before I came, I visited Aunt Qin, I told her we went to see a movie together, we went shopping, she was very happy and even said we should come to the ward tonight, she and Aunt Rong were planning to make dumplings for us to eat.¡± It was as if she was calmly telling him, see, I¡¯ve also completed my task very well. But there was no hint of seeking praise for her efforts in her words, only calmness, mechanical as if truly executing a task. ¡°I need to go to the company this afternoon, you go ahead, I¡¯ll come by later.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Arriving at the elevator entrance, Tang Xi looked at the black scarf around his neck, the man in a black suit, which seemed somewhat mismatched. Besides the style, it was mainly the incongruity between a suit costing over a hundred thousand and a scarf worth about ten yuan that prompted her to reach out, wanting to help him take it off. The woman¡¯s fingers were cold, touching the skin on his neck. Fu Tingzhou grabbed her hand. Chapter 72 - 72 71 Apology ?72: Chapter 71: Apology 72: Chapter 71: Apology Even though it was June, her hands were as cold as ice. He frowned. But subconsciously he gripped them tightly. ¡°Let me take it off for you, my mother was so happy... to see you... it¡¯s all over now.... The scarf should be returned to me.¡± Listening to her polite words, Fu Tingzhou was somewhat displeased. Use me and then kick me to the curb? The man¡¯s dark eyes stared at her face, ¡°This was a gift from her to me, you have no right to question it.¡± Tang Xi bit her teeth, her voice crisp and filled with indomitable stubbornness, ¡°I don¡¯t want the scarf that my mother spent three days knitting to end up being thrown in a trash can!¡± ¡°What makes you think I would throw this scarf into the trash can!¡± ¡°That suit of yours is worth hundreds of thousands, isn¡¯t it? The cheapest tie in your wardrobe must be seven or eight thousand. Fu Tingzhou, you have a mother, and so do I, you wish your mother good health, and so do I! I don¡¯t want her painstaking work to be mistreated, such cheap things are not worthy of your noble status, in the end, it¡¯s just going to be forgotten and discarded. You can call me vain, selfish, and fake, but I don¡¯t want you to waste what my mother made with care!¡± As she spoke, the woman defiantly met his eyes. This scarf, much like herself, represented her world. Not something to be worn in the world of this man. Fu Tingzhou¡¯s voice was hoarse and carried a certain resolute crispness, ¡°What if I said I won¡¯t throw it away?¡± He looked at her, she seemed like a little beast at this moment, her fur bristling, guarding her possessions. This was completely opposite to her usual calm and gentle demeanor. As the elevator doors opened, he pulled her hand, leading her into the elevator. When the elevator doors closed, the man reiterated in a deep voice, ¡°I won¡¯t throw it away.¡± ¡°Thank you, I will also take good care of Aunt Qin, making sure she doesn¡¯t notice... anything unusual. Rest assured, after her surgery, I will leave North City immediately, so you don¡¯t have to worry that she will be affected by not seeing me after waking up, potentially affecting her recovery. I will explain clearly to her in a letter that it¡¯s my fault, that I was the one who initiated the divorce, it won¡¯t affect you and Su Mengshu.¡± The boundaries she set were crystal clear, yet Fu Tingzhou¡¯s grip on her wrist gradually tightened, he stared at her face grinding his teeth, ¡°If that¡¯s the case, all the better!¡± Tang Xi hung her head low. She knew he couldn¡¯t wait to divorce her the next day, so that he could make room for Su Mengshu as Mrs. Fu. He really liked her that much, and... disliked her so deeply. The two of them stopped talking, the air was filled with a stagnant silence. The elevator descended slowly, and it made a strange noise when reaching the fourth floor. Tang Xi panicked as she watched the elevator stop at the number, but the doors didn¡¯t open. She reached out to knock on the door, feeling somewhat frantic. It slowly dawned on her that the elevator was broken and they were trapped inside. This was the first time Tang Xi had encountered such a situation, she glanced at Fu Tingzhou, the man¡¯s expression was calm, showing no sign of panic, he pressed the emergency button inside. Soon, a voice came through from the other end. ¡°We have received your signal, and a technician will be there to check on the situation immediately. Don¡¯t panic while stuck in the elevator.¡± Tang Xi also let out a sigh of relief. In the small space, it was just the two of them. The waiting seemed especially prolonged. In such a confined space, the air was somewhat stuffy, filled with the scent of ebony. Tang Xi felt a tickle in her nose, raised her hand to rub it, her voice soft and nasal, ¡°Today, thank you so much, my mother¡¯s recovery has been very good after the surgery, she was old friends with Aunt Qin... In the future, I won¡¯t bother you with such matters again.¡± Fu Tingzhou, ¡°You¡¯ve known my mother since you were little?¡± ¡°Mm....¡± Tang Xi thought for a moment, ¡°Ever since I can remember, Aunt Qin would often come to the orphanage to bring us gifts. She is a very kind person who has done a lot of charity work.¡± Fu Tingzhou could understand why Qin Jianlan had always wanted him to marry Tang Xi ¨C a person well-known from childhood who grew up under watchful eyes, plus his mother was tired of the struggles among the rich and did not like arranged marriages for benefit within the clan. Three years ago, he only knew that his secret wife was an orphan, unaware that she was later adopted. ¡°You were adopted by the Su Family, and when I asked you about it before, you did not mention it.¡± Upon hearing this, Tang Xi looked up at him. Her eyes were burning like water, clear yet intense, ¡°I told you, I had a very important relative who was sick and needed money. I hoped Mr. Fu would lend me five hundred thousand; I would be immensely grateful.¡± Fu Tingzhou stared at the woman, stunned for a moment. Indeed... he thought it was just an excuse for her greed to borrow money... The word ¡°sorry¡± tumbled in his throat, his mouth opened but before he could speak, he heard Tang Xi¡¯s low and hoarse voice. ¡°Because the only person in your eyes is Su Mengshu, so everything I do is wrong! If I wear simple clothes, it¡¯s because I¡¯m feigning weakness and disguising myself. If I move out from the Su Family, it¡¯s because I¡¯m too rebellious, not obeying my family and hurting my parents. If I want to borrow money for the headmistress¡¯s treatment, it¡¯s because I¡¯m greedily asking for too much... My name is not Su Xi, it¡¯s Tang Xi. Fu Tingzhou, you¡¯ve said that in the world of the weak, there is no fairness, and I don¡¯t need pity or sympathy either.¡± For the first time, she spoke to him in such a calm manner. For the first time, the two of them could have such a peaceful conversation. The man trembled all over. He looked at her, his gaze lingering for a long time. Tang Xi kept her brows slightly furrowed, her head lowered, not looking up at him. She didn¡¯t want to see his expression, she just wanted to get what she had to say off her chest. These words had been weighing on her heart for far too long. Speaking them out loud, she felt a sort of joy. ¡°Today, I really want to thank you, thank you for playing the role of my ¡®boyfriend¡¯ in front of my mother. My salary isn¡¯t high, I¡¯ve only graduated recently with no professional titles, and couldn¡¯t raise enough money for her surgery. Several times, because of the surgery and hospitalization costs, my mother wanted to give up. I worked several jobs, and only slept a few hours at night... When she was in the ICU, I was so afraid she would never wake up, and I didn¡¯t know how to raise the money for her surgery. I am very grateful that you agreed to lend me the 500,000, without you, I don¡¯t know what I would¡¯ve done...¡± Her voice was heavy with trembling, but a smile hung on her lips, ¡°I told her that I had a very capable boyfriend who treated me well and even gave me money for her treatment. She was very happy. It was the first time I saw such happiness on my mother¡¯s face. The surgery was a great success, and it seemed like the future was full of hope... She always wanted to meet my boyfriend, and I didn¡¯t know how to keep it from her without making her anxious. So, I asked my colleague Zhao Tianqi to help out by pretending for a bit. I didn¡¯t expect you to be there... Thank you for helping me keep up the charade and making her happy.¡± Fu Tingzhou fell into a long silence, his fists clenched tightly. Suddenly, the elevator jolted sharply. Tang Xi stumbled, and the man¡¯s arms encircled her waist. Her face crashed into a firm chest, but it was a safety that she greedily craved. The next second. The husky whisper pressed close to her ears, ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Chapter 73 - 73 72 In Her Name ?73: Chapter 72: In Her Name 73: Chapter 72: In Her Name Tang Xi¡¯s eyes widened. It was as if she was hearing hallucinations... He was speaking to her. Sorry? She looked up at him, lifting her head. Fu Tingzhou also lowered his head, and their gazes collided. Her lips quivered slightly, never had she imagined, such a proud person apologizing to her? It seemed that in an instant, a myriad of emotions surged in her heart. She bit her lip, feeling an urge to cry. After a few seconds, she struggled out of the man¡¯s embrace and said softly, ¡°It¡¯s not your fault... I know that marrying someone you don¡¯t like is hard. I lied to you first, thinking that you wouldn¡¯t come back from England... I never expected that as soon as you returned, you would become Su Mengshu¡¯s boyfriend...¡± Fu Tingzhou smelled a faint fragrance on her, and his dark eyes narrowed, ¡°Where were you on the day of the Ningjiang City earthquake?¡± ¡°I came to the scene to rescue with the hospital¡¯s support team...¡± Fu Tingzhou pursed his lips, ¡°Did you go to Qinshan Middle School?¡± On that day, just before the earthquake, Fu Tingzhou was participating in a donation ceremony at Qinshan Middle School. He had always carried out charity work under the name of Qin Jianlan, sponsoring some poor children¡¯s education. When the earthquake struck, he was trapped inside. If not for Su Mengshu¡¯s rescue, Fu Tingzhou would no longer exist in this world. But at this moment, he once again sensed a familiar scent coming from this woman. Tang Xi thought for a moment and nodded, ¡°I went there.¡± Fu Tingzhou stared intently at her face. ¡°I went to many places during those days, including Qinshan Middle School. Many children were trapped there...¡± Tang Xi remembered, ¡°At Qinshan Middle School, I was buried under the rubble with a stranger, but I arrived too late, that man couldn¡¯t be saved.¡± The light in the man¡¯s eyes gradually faded away. He felt annoyed, what was he just thinking? He was actually hoping, why wasn¡¯t the person who saved him Tang Xi? That would be so unfair to Su Mengshu... ¡°I heard it was Su Mengshu who saved you.¡± Tang Xi asked softly, ¡°Were you also in Ningjiang City at that time?¡± ¡°Mm.¡± The man responded indifferently. Tang Xi had a doubt in her mind, but she had never asked it out loud. That was, Su Mengshu was always inside a tent in Ningjiang City providing psychological counseling, and it was rare to see her come out to participate in rescues... How did she end up saving Fu Tingzhou? But this... had nothing to do with her anymore. Thinking this, she gave a self-deprecating smile, leaning to the side, waiting for the rescue. About ten or so minutes later, the rescue team arrived, and the elevator doors were opened. Tang Xi and Fu Tingzhou walked out. She watched him drive away, and herself, boarded the bus. Qiao Na sent her a WeChat message, ¡°Sister Tang Xi, I have arrived, when are you coming over?¡± She replied with two words, ¡°Fifteen minutes.¡± After getting out of the car, she arrived at the agreed-upon cafe and saw Qiao Na. The Qiao Na of this moment was completely different from the part-timer Tang Xi remembered... Dressed in an upscale Chanel-style suit, with a delicate makeup. But her abdomen, with its faintly visible bulge. She was pregnant. Sitting across from her with a troubled face, Qiao Na said, ¡°Sister Tang Xi, I don¡¯t know who else to turn to, I can only beg you to help me. I want to terminate this pregnancy, Mr. Xu is getting married and he doesn¡¯t know I¡¯m pregnant. If he finds out I¡¯m pregnant, that woman won¡¯t let me off the hook... I dare not go to the hospital under my own name, they could find out...¡± Tang Xi furrowed her brow, ¡°What do you want me to help you with?¡± Looking at Qiao Na¡¯s face, she pursed her lips, ¡°Qiao Na, your choice back then was simply to save your mother, but now your mother...¡± Qiao Na closed her eyes, speaking in agony, ¡°Her condition is very bad, she¡¯s in a coma, relying on a ventilator to live.¡± Tang Xi was shocked, ¡°How did it suddenly become so serious?¡± Qiao Na shook her head with a bitter smile, ¡°That woman, she¡¯s Mr. Xu¡¯s fiance?e. She knows about me, found my mother in secret and told her I was the one interfering with her and Mr. Xu, my mother couldn¡¯t withstand such a shock, and passed out without regaining consciousness. She is a very ruthless woman, Mr. Xu treats me well, but he is going to marry her. But I¡¯m not the third person... Sister Tang Xi, I¡¯m not, I knew Mr. Xu first. It¡¯s just... he never acknowledges me as his girlfriend... Maybe in the eyes of these wealthy businessmen, we are just... side characters, tools for venting....¡± Tang Xi looked deeply at her, she hadn¡¯t known Qiao Na for long. They met in a part-time job group, she knew Qiao Na came from a poor family, with a mother who was seriously ill and expensive medical bills. Qiao Na, who hadn¡¯t even graduated from college, was supporting a family by herself. ¡°So what are your plans for the future?¡± ¡°I have no means to contend with that woman, Mr. Xu just likes my face, he would not give up an arranged family marriage for me. That woman is from a well-off family, I can¡¯t win against her. I can only take it one step at a time, wait until Mr. Xu gets tired of me, then I can leave.... But before that, I still need money, I need to save my mother.¡± She looked at Tang Xi with a pleading gaze, ¡°I can¡¯t let them find out I¡¯m pregnant, I dare not go to a large hospital by name, but the baby is slowly growing... it will soon become noticeable, I can¡¯t drop out of school... I¡¯m too scared to go to a small clinic, I¡¯m afraid of dying....¡± Tang Xi slowly began to speak, ¡°So you came to find me because...?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t have many friends in North City, and I can¡¯t let people from school know I¡¯m pregnant.... Sister Tang Xi, I beg you, I want to use your name to terminate the pregnancy....¡± Tang Xi understood. Qiao Na wanted to use her identity to register at the hospital and have the abortion. Finding a standard small hospital, no one will notice. If this was in the past, Tang Xi would be unwilling to help, she is no saint and isn¡¯t willing to damage her own reputation. But now, Tang Xi agreed. Her expression calm, she nodded. Qiao Na was somewhat surprised, but after she reacted, she sobbed while thanking her profusely. Tang Xi stood up, went out with her to get a taxi and headed to a standard small hospital on the outskirts of North City. She took out her ID card, registered, and watched Qiao Na enter the operating room. Tang Xi sat outside on the rest chair, placing her hand on her abdomen. The woman gazed downwards. She took out an ultrasound report from her bag, which was hers. She tore up the report and threw it into the bin on the side. Tang Xi picked up Qiao Na¡¯s surgery form, bearing her own name on it. Why she agreed to help Qiao Na, she could have simply refused. But Tang Xi was afraid too... Her circumstances were different from Qiao Na¡¯s, the people she met were different, but similarly, Fu Tingzhou and Su Mengshu would also not tolerate her pregnancy, and every time, the man would warn her to take the pill, there were about twenty days left until their relationship came to an end. If they discovered she was pregnant by then, she couldn¡¯t keep this child either. If that¡¯s the case, might as well... Let them believe that she had already terminated the pregnancy. Chapter 74 - 74 73 Mr ?74: Chapter 73: Mr. Xu 74: Chapter 73: Mr. Xu About ten minutes later, the doctor came out and gave Tang Xi a few words of caution. Qiao Na was very weak, but always grateful to Tang Xi. She took out a card from her bag, ¡°I don¡¯t have much money left, the money Mr. Xu gave me, I¡¯ve used it all for my mother¡¯s treatment. There is some left over here... please take it... Sister Tang Xi, thank you.... If it weren¡¯t for you, I really don¡¯t know what I would¡¯ve done.¡± Tang Xi looked at her but didn¡¯t accept it, ¡°You¡¯ve also helped me.¡± She took a deep breath, ¡°Next month at this time, I probably won¡¯t be in North City anymore, take good care of yourself, and think more about your future, you¡¯ve always been by Mr. Xu¡¯s side, the only one draining away is you.¡± She didn¡¯t agree with Qiao Na¡¯s way of doing things, but at the same time, she had no right to interfere in Qiao Na¡¯s life. Because Tang Xi had also experienced desperation, facing the high medical expenses of Tang Jingyun¡¯s surgery, she knew how hard it was. ¡°Sister Tang Xi, are you leaving?¡± ¡°Yes, I applied for a spot in the hospital¡¯s study abroad program, I should be leaving next month at this time.¡± Qiao Na wanted to say something but her phone rang. Tang Xi stood next to her, and in the corner of her eye, she also saw the words ¡®Mr. Xu¡¯ displayed on Qiao Na¡¯s phone. Qiao Na quickly answered, ¡°I know, I¡¯ll come back right away.¡± After hanging up the phone, she said to Tang Xi, ¡°Sister Tang Xi, I have to go back now, Mr. Xu is here...¡± Looking at Qiao Na¡¯s frail appearance, Tang Xi slightly furrowed her brow and just said to take care of herself. Everyone has their own things to deal with, and she couldn¡¯t help Qiao Na too much. The place where Qiao Na lived was a well-known luxury apartment in North City. As soon as she opened the door, she saw a pair of men¡¯s leather shoes placed at the entrance. She bit her lip and slowly walked in. There was nobody in the living room, but back in the bedroom, the sound of trickling water could be heard. The man was in the bathroom. Qiao Na took a deep breath, picked up the suit that the man had casually draped over the bed, gently brushed it off, and hung it on the coatrack at the door. The bathroom door opened, and the man walked out casually wrapped in a bath towel around his waist. Tall and slender, nearly one meter ninety in height, with tan, sexy skin. Water droplets slid down his well-defined abdomen. And even more captivating was the man¡¯s excessively handsome face. This man was ten years older than her. Qiao Na blushed and whispered softly, ¡°Mr. Xu.¡± ¡°Mhm,¡± the man¡¯s deep voice acknowledged with a nod as he picked up a towel to dry his hair. ¡°I heard from your school teachers that you haven¡¯t been attending classes this week.¡± ¡°I... I know, I will go to class tomorrow.¡± Qiao Na merely kept her head down without giving any reason, her obedient and sensible appearance caught the man¡¯s eye, but only made him frown more, ¡°What¡¯s the matter, did somebody bully you at school?¡± ¡°No...¡± she waved her hand, ¡°I just felt a bit tired and didn¡¯t want to go to school.¡± As the weather gradually heated up and the clothes became thinner, Qiao Na was afraid that her classmates at school would find out. At this moment, as Mr. Xu approached step by step, Qiao Na retreated fearfully, lowering her head like a quail and whispered faintly, ¡°I will go to school tomorrow.¡± A warm hand lifted the girl¡¯s chin. Qiao Na looked into a pair of deep black eyes, and she couldn¡¯t help but hold her breath. She had been with Mr. Xu for three months, but even this close, she was still afraid. ¡°Qiao Na, I don¡¯t like to hear lies,¡± the man¡¯s voice was husky but carried a warmth that was not to be questioned, ¡°Tell me, why don¡¯t you go to school.¡± Qiao Na¡¯s shoulders trembled slightly, the scent of his body wash was the same one she used... feeling somewhat guilty, she dared not look at him, and quickly made up an excuse, ¡°Someone saw Assistant Leng picking me up in his car, and behind my back they gossip about me being a rich man¡¯s mistress... I don¡¯t want to go to school.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll have Leng Chen take care of this matter,¡± Mr. Xu lifted his hand to touch her hair, ¡°Be a good girl and go to school.¡± ¡°Mm-hmm.¡± Qiao Na nodded absentmindedly, but she felt a searing pain in her abdomen, which turned her face pale. He stared at her face, ¡°What¡¯s wrong, where does it hurt?¡± ¡°I... it¡¯s just that I have really painful periods.¡± She embraced him, ¡°Mr. Xu, I¡¯m sorry I can¡¯t tonight....¡± ¡°Do you think I came to see you just to sleep with you?¡± The man¡¯s hand rested on her waist, gently rubbing her abdomen, ¡°I¡¯m going abroad for a few days, there¡¯s a company project, roughly a week before I return. In this week... don¡¯t go causing trouble with Qin Yu on your own initiative.¡± His voice was gentle, yet carried a warning. Qiao Na couldn¡¯t help but whisper, ¡°What if Qin Yu comes after me on her own initiative?¡± What if this woman initiates the trouble, bullies her? Is she supposed to silently endure it? He frowned disapprovingly, ¡°Qiao Na, Qin Yu is a woman who knows the bigger picture.¡± Qiao Na¡¯s heart skipped a beat, feeling aggrieved in many ways. With the pain in her abdomen unbearable, she couldn¡¯t help but tear up. Mr. Xu had no idea how terrible and vicious Qin Yu could be. Yet even if she spoke out, he wouldn¡¯t believe her, nor would he blame Qin Yu for her sake. She knew her own status. ¨C Tang Xi arrived at the hospital in the evening. At the door of the hospital room, she saw Fu Tingzhou. She walked up to him and naturally, familiarly took his arm, and together they entered the hospital room. This was a VIP ward, quite spacious with a private kitchen. Qin Jianlan¡¯s current condition wasn¡¯t suitable for moving to another hospital or home treatment. The problem with her heart could occur at any time, and in case of an emergency, the hospital would be able to provide more timely aid. Shortly after the two of them walked in, in the corridor not too far away... A female figure emerged. Ji Qingtan was holding some fruits and nutritional supplements, planning to visit Qin Jianlan, but she didn¡¯t expect to see Fu Tingzhou and Tang Xi together. She bit her lip, jealousy apparent in her eyes. She had been vigilant against Su Mengshu every day, but unexpectedly, it turned out that Tang Xi was Fu Tingzhou¡¯s secret wife. If Su Mengshu knew that her sister was Fu Tingzhou¡¯s secret wife? Get Tang Xi out of the picture with Su Mengshu¡¯s help, and then easily take care of Su Mengshu herself. With that thought, the corners of Ji Qingtan¡¯s lips revealed a cold smile. ¨C At this moment, at the Su Family residence. Su Mengshu¡¯s phone vibrated, and as she saw the strange text message and picture that came through, she was so shocked that her eyes widened. An unexpected scream slipped from her throat. Xia Minjun heard the noise and rushed over, ¡°Mengshu, what¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°Mom, what am I going to do?¡± Su Mengshu was completely pale, extremely panicked at the moment. Xia Minjun saw the image on her daughter¡¯s phone and was equally shocked; wasn¡¯t that Fu Tingzhou with that little bitch Tang Xi? The two of them holding hands. How could this happen... ¡°Mom, do you think Fu Tingzhou knows that Tang Xi was the one who saved him during the earthquake? Am I finished?¡± ¡°No, you¡¯re not.¡± Xia Minjun calmed down first, helping her daughter up, ¡°Mengshu, tell mom, when you¡¯re with Fu Tingzhou, did he show any signs of strangeness?¡± Chapter 75 - 75 73 There Is No Sin in Loving Someone ?75: Chapter 73: There Is No Sin in Loving Someone 75: Chapter 73: There Is No Sin in Loving Someone ¡°No... he¡¯s been quite nice to me, and even gave me Bulgari¡¯s latest jewelry just a few days ago.¡± Thinking of this, Su Mengshu regained her composure. If Fu Tingzhou knew she had lied to him, he would have come to hold her accountable by now. Clearly, Fu Tingzhou didn¡¯t know. Su Mengshu breathed a sigh of relief. She picked up her phone and dialed the number. A strange mechanical voice came from the other end, clearly, the person wanted to hide their identity and used a voice changer. ¡°Who are you!¡± ¡°Who I am doesn¡¯t matter. Your dear little sister, she is Fu Tingzhou¡¯s secret wife. Has she never told you?¡± Su Mengshu¡¯s eyes widened. What?! Tang Xi is Fu Tingzhou¡¯s secret wife?? They got married?? While she was stunned, the other party had already hung up the call. On the side, Xia Minjun was also anxious. This was the Fu Family, and the thought of Tang Xi becoming Fu Tingzhou¡¯s wife made Xia Minjun¡¯s face extremely ugly. Over the years in the Su Family, she had not been kind to Tang Xi. ¡°Fu Tingzhou might not like Tang Xi. It was clear that the first time he came to our house and saw Tang Xi, he was very unfamiliar... and he has been abroad until recently, while Tang Xi has always been at home. He likely didn¡¯t want to marry Tang Xi, it must¡¯ve been a forced situation. Baby, we must not fall into disarray!¡± Su Mengshu nodded, ¡°Mom, you¡¯re right, we can¡¯t fall into disarray. I¡¯ve heard Tingzhou mention his mother¡¯s matter before. His marriage to Tang Xi must have something to do with his mother... He won¡¯t like Tang Xi. How could he like someone as unsophisticated as Tang Xi?¡± Xia Minjun quickly asked, ¡°How is the matter I asked you to take care of? Is there any sign of pregnancy?¡± ¡°Mom, he doesn¡¯t even touch me...¡± Xia Minjun frowned, ¡°Have you two ever been alone together?¡± ¡°Of course... But Fu Tingzhou is a very restrained man...¡± Xia Minjun stared at her abdomen, ¡°That¡¯s okay. Even when he¡¯s drunk, he never touched you, how would he know? You just need to get pregnant.¡± ¡°But I¡¯m not pregnant...¡± Suddenly Su Mengshu and Xia Minjun looked at each other. Su Mengshu smiled, stroking her belly. Whether she was pregnant or not didn¡¯t matter, whether it was Fu Tingzhou¡¯s child or not wasn¡¯t important. What¡¯s important is that she says she¡¯s pregnant. At worst, the child can ¡®accidentally¡¯ be lost nine months later. By then, she would have become Mrs. Fu. ¡°Mom, I understand.¡± Tang Xi, oh Tang Xi, I won¡¯t let you climb over my head as you wish, Fu Tingzhou is mine, and no one can take him away! To fight with me is to choose a dead end! ¨C 8:30 pm. Fu Tingzhou and Tang Xi left Qin Jianlan¡¯s hospital room, and the moment they stepped out, she slowly removed her hand from the crook of the man¡¯s arm. Maintaining a distance of one meter, they walked one after the other to the underground parking garage. The car had just driven a few steps when Fu Tingzhou¡¯s phone rang. Tang Xi saw the words ¡®Su Mengshu¡¯ displayed on the man¡¯s phone. Suddenly, the car brake was pressed. The woman¡¯s body instinctively leaned forward. Listening to the man¡¯s shocked voice, ¡°What, pregnant?¡± It was Xia Minjun on the phone, crying out, ¡°Mengshu says she can¡¯t keep the child, but... but it will be dangerous for her, Mr. Fu please I beg you to persuade Mengshu, her health is poor, she could die if she aborts the baby. But she says she¡¯s sorry to you...¡± Tang Xi¡¯s eyes widened. She bit her lip. The words ¡°pregnant¡± ¡ª she heard them clearly. At the same time, she saw the man¡¯s panic-stricken face and heard the sound of her own heart shattering. She had never faced it head-on, her feelings for Fu Tingzhou. But she had never denied them, either. Liking someone is not a crime. Her fingers were clenched tightly as she watched the man abruptly turn the steering wheel toward the direction of the Su Family¡¯s home. She didn¡¯t even have time to say, ¡°Let me down, I can walk by myself.¡± The car raced down the road. The car stopped at the Su Family¡¯s doorstep, and the man got out and rushed in. Tang Xi watched his retreating figure, biting her lip hard, leaning weakly against the back of the seat. A few seconds passed before she gathered the strength to open the car door and get out. ¨C The door to Su Mengshu¡¯s room was tightly closed. Xia Minjun was outside, looking like she was about to cry, and hurriedly said when she saw Fu Tingzhou, ¡°Mengshu wanted to have an abortion after learning she¡¯s pregnant, and after I tried to persuade her for a long time, she¡¯s locked herself in the bedroom, not eating or drinking... Mr. Fu, Mengshu doesn¡¯t want to trouble you...¡± Fu Tingzhou¡¯s brow furrowed, and his dark eyes were gloomy, ¡°Are you sure she¡¯s pregnant?¡± He didn¡¯t recall touching Su Mengshu, except perhaps a few times when he was drunk and his memory was hazy. Looking into his eyes, Xia Minjun felt a trepidation as if her heart was laid bare, but there was no other way. Upon learning that Tang Xi was his secret wife, this was the only solution she and Su Mengshu could think of ¡ª a false pregnancy. ¡°Of course... The pregnancy test is still there... Mengshu is your girlfriend... only been with you...¡± Xia Minjun felt a chill all over, this man was truly terrifying. If he found out Mengshu had lied to him, that Tang Xi was his lifesaver, the entire Su Family would be doomed. Such an eventuality must not happen! Xia Minjun quickly covered her panic with cries, ¡°Mengshu has a blood clotting disorder... I advised her against going to the disaster area for the rescue, but she insisted that it¡¯s the duty of a doctor to save lives and heal the wounded.... She risked her life to save you... Now she¡¯s pregnant and worries about troubling you, she wants to have an abortion, but she¡¯ll be in danger of excessive bleeding...¡± ¡°What did you say? She has a coagulation disorder?¡± Fu Tingzhou¡¯s frown deepened. He thought of the woman who had stood in front of him during the aftershock, taking a heavy blow for him, actually risking her life to save him. Immediately, he knocked on the door, calling out Su Mengshu¡¯s name. Su Mengshu was sobbing, ¡°Tingzhou... I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t expect to get pregnant... I¡¯m just your girlfriend, maybe in the future... we¡¯ll part ways, I know I¡¯m not good enough for you... I don¡¯t want to trouble you... I¡¯ll have the abortion, you don¡¯t have to worry.¡± ¡°Mengshu, open the door!¡± With a ¡°bang,¡± Fu Tingzhou kicked the door open, he walked in, ¡°Mengshu, are you alright?¡± ¡°Tingzhou? I... I¡¯ll go to the hospital tomorrow and have the child aborted. Being able to be your girlfriend, accompanying you these two months, I¡¯ve been very happy... I¡¯m not greedy, I don¡¯t ask for much.¡± Saying this, Su Mengshu threw herself into Fu Tingzhou¡¯s arms, sobbing pitifully. Such a pitiful sight, anyone would feel heartache. Tang Xi went up the stairs, seeing all this unfold. It was as if something had viciously stabbed her in the chest. Her hand, unconsciously, gently touched her own abdomen. She forced herself to stand tall, as if preserving her last shred of dignity. Xia Minjun hurriedly said, ¡°No, Mengshu, have you forgotten about your blood clotting disorder? An abortion could cause severe bleeding...¡± Fu Tingzhou¡¯s frown became even more severe, looking at the woman in his arms, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me about your illness earlier?¡± Chapter 76 - 76 74 I Will Marry You ?76: Chapter 74: I Will Marry You 76: Chapter 74: I Will Marry You Su Mengshu softly said, ¡°I don¡¯t want to put you in a difficult position... I¡¯ve been sick since childhood, but I¡¯ve always dreamed of becoming a doctor. However, my parents were worried about me, so I had to give up my own choice and become a regular psychologist. During the Ningchuan earthquake, I signed up without telling my parents... I would save anyone trapped under the rubble...¡± As Su Mengshu spoke, she recited the lines she had carefully crafted, ¡°Tingzhou, I don¡¯t regret saving you. I only regret that I arrived too late. If I had arrived earlier, your leg wouldn¡¯t have been so severely injured...¡± She knew very well that the only feeling Fu Tingzhou had for her was gratitude for saving his life. As long as she insisted that she saved him, this man would not be able to reject her. Indeed, a look of guilt appeared on Fu Tingzhou¡¯s face, and he gently patted the woman¡¯s back, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I never knew... I¡¯ll find you the best doctor.¡± Su Mengshu shook her head, ¡°Tingzhou, just being by your side makes me very happy.¡± ¡°Mengshu, I will marry you.¡± Upon hearing this, Su Mengshu was initially stunned, then blushed. Lying in the man¡¯s arms, Su Mengshu revealed a triumphant smile at the corner of her lips. Meanwhile, Xia Minjun also had a smile on her face. Suddenly, Su Mengshu looked over, ¡°Ah, Tang Xi, why are you here?¡± Hearing this, Fu Tingzhou turned around and looked at Tang Xi standing not far outside the door. At this moment, he felt a bit displeased and irritable, but his words were not very cold, just calmly instructed, ¡°What are you doing here? Wait for me in the car.¡± ¡°Ah Tingzhou... you and Tang Xi...¡± Su Mengshu¡¯s eyes reddened, ¡°Tang Xi, how come you are together with Tingzhou?¡± Tang Xi was truly impressed by Su Mengshu; it would really be a waste if she weren¡¯t acting. This generation¡¯s best dramatic actor award undoubtedly belongs to her. What dream of learning medicine since childhood, but chose to become a psychologist just not to worry her parents? Tang Xi scoffed inwardly, Su Mengshu failed her college entrance exams, and Su Kangrong donated a library to a certain university just to get her enrolled. Moreover, her going to the earthquake area was to chase after Cheng Yunlang. In the disaster area, she stayed inside the tent and didn¡¯t come out, not even participating in any basic rescue efforts. Now, she has completely transformed into a saintly angel clad in white. Su Mengshu weakly said, ¡°Tang Xi, are you and Tingzhou... I don¡¯t blame you. Tingzhou is so outstanding, many women chase after him.¡± She looked at Fu Tingzhou, ¡°Tingzhou, if you like my sister, I can bless your relationship... I will abort the child and just silently watch you...¡± ¡°Mengshu, I will talk to you about Tang Xi and me later. Things between her and I aren¡¯t what you think.¡± Su Mengshu¡¯s eyes reddened, ¡°Really?¡± Tang Xi silently watched everything unfold, turned around, and slowly walked downstairs. Perhaps she should never have come up here, only to humiliate herself. This feeling of heartache... so this is what it feels like. As a thoracic surgeon, she actually got to experience the feeling of heartbreak. In the bedroom. Su Mengshu said in surprise, ¡°So, Tang Xi was the woman Auntie asked you to marry... I¡¯m sorry, I never knew... Tang Xi didn¡¯t tell me either... If I had known, I definitely... definitely wouldn¡¯t have allowed myself to fall for you. It¡¯s my fault...¡± As she spoke, she began to choke up. Xia Minjun quickly interjected, ¡°Mengshu, Mr. Fu doesn¡¯t like Tang Xi, he likes you. Besides, it¡¯s a secret marriage. Tang Xi has even kept it from us, this child is really too much!¡± Fu Tingzhou calmly stated, ¡°I will divorce her, next month I will get engaged to you, you¡¯re pregnant, take good care of yourself.¡± Su Mengshu wore a smile on her face, ¡°Hmm, Tingzhou I¡¯m really so happy.¡± She was about to nestle her face into his chest, but the man had already stepped back, ¡°As such, you rest well, I¡¯ll leave now, and tomorrow I will accompany you to the hospital for a check-up.¡± ¡°Ah, tomorrow.... Alright... I¡¯ll wait for you.¡± Watching the man¡¯s retreating back, Su Mengshu took a deep breath. ¡°Mom, I¡¯m going for a prenatal checkup tomorrow. What if they find out I¡¯m not pregnant?¡± Upon learning that Tang Xi is Fu Tingzhou¡¯s wife, Su Mengshu was panicked and couldn¡¯t think of anything else but to use the pregnancy to keep this man¡¯s attention on her. ¡°Mom has already figured it out for you... the handkerchief I carry belongs to your aunt Jiang, who is an obstetrician at the Second Hospital. You just tell Fu Tingzhou that the Second Hospital¡¯s obstetrics department is the most famous, and have him take you there... Mom will take care of everything for you.¡± ¡°Thank you, Mom. You always think everything through.¡± ¡°Silly girl, once you become Mrs. Fu, aren¡¯t the days of wealth and comfort just around the corner?¡± Thinking of the luxurious days ahead, Su Mengshu¡¯s lips curled up, ¡°But mom, dad doesn¡¯t know about this yet.... he has always liked Tang Xi.... he has scolded me several times for her sake....¡± ¡°He¡¯s busy with company matters now, he doesn¡¯t have the time to concern himself with us.¡± ¨C When Fu Tingzhou returned to the car, he found Tang Xi was gone. As he drove along the street, he saw Tang Xi walking along the roadside by herself. He drove up, rolled down the window, and said, ¡°Get in.¡± Tang Xi looked at the car in front of her; just minutes earlier this man had been affectionate with Su Mengshu, and now he suddenly appeared to pick her up, how ironic. Her heart ached with pain. She bypassed the car and continued walking forward. Fu Tingzhou narrowed his eyes, watching her stubborn and slender figure. In just a few days, she had begun to overstep her bounds. If she doesn¡¯t want to get in his car, so be it! The man pressed down on the accelerator and the car sped away. Tang Xi watched his car disappear before her eyes, while a sneering smile appeared on her lips. She idly continued to walk slowly along the roadside. She should have known this outcome. In his heart, Su Mengshu is the diamond and she is but insignificant grit on the ground. Ah Tang Xi, you¡¯ve sobered up a bit. Just twenty more days, and then you can be free. Yes, just twenty more days to freedom! She stretched her hand to touch her abdomen, ¡°Baby, mom will take you abroad with her.¡± From now on, it would just be the two of them living together. ¨C After driving for a while, Fu Tingzhou stopped his car. He pulled over to the roadside. He lit a cigarette. About 20 minutes passed, and when he realized Tang Xi had not followed, the whole road devoid of her figure, Fu Tingzhou frowned. He turned the car around, driving for a few minutes, and saw the woman sitting on the roadside looking distressed. Tang Xi was massaging her ankle, having really bad luck today as she had sprained her foot while walking. She tried to slowly stand up and took a step forward, but her right ankle couldn¡¯t bear weight and a dull pain struck, making her gasp for air. Suddenly, the familiar sound of tires rubbing against the ground, and Fu Tingzhou¡¯s car stopped in front of her. She was taken aback, watching Fu Tingzhou get out of the car and quickly come to her side. Fu Tingzhou bent down to lift her up, his brow furrowed tightly as he stared at her pale face, ¡°Really troublesome, your physical constitution is really weak, you even sprain your foot just by walking?¡± Chapter 77 - 77 75 He Will Be a Good Father ?77: Chapter 75: He Will Be a Good Father 77: Chapter 75: He Will Be a Good Father She bit her lip tightly. The emotions that she had been forcefully holding back seemed as though they could not be held back any longer. Clearly, she didn¡¯t want to cry. Seeing him holding Su Mengshu, she didn¡¯t cry. Watching him promise to marry Su Mengshu, she also didn¡¯t cry. Watching his car¡¯s shadow disappear, she still didn¡¯t cry. Her foot was very painful from a twist, but she endured it. But at this moment, seeing the man who returned, Tang Xi almost couldn¡¯t hold back her tears, and they silently rolled down from the corners of her eyes. Fu Tingzhou looked at her reddened eyes, his eyes darkened, and he pressed his lips together as he placed her inside the car. The two of them did not speak along the way, until the car stopped again. The car stopped at the emergency department of a hospital. Tang Xi was somewhat stubborn, ¡°I am a doctor, I don¡¯t need to go to the hospital, my foot is fine.¡± Fu Tingzhou ignored her words, bending down to carry her out of the car. Tang Xi struggled a bit, ¡°Let go of me!¡± Fu Tingzhou took her to the emergency, and called a doctor over. The doctor quickly examined her, ¡°There¡¯s some strain, apply some medicine, and you should recover in half a month.¡± Fu Tingzhou looked at Tang Xi in the hospital, ¡°I¡¯m going to get the medicine, you wait here and don¡¯t go anywhere.¡± She lowered her head and murmured a muffled ¡®mm-hmm¡¯. Smelling the faint scent of disinfectant in the air, Tang Xi¡¯s mood gradually calmed down. ¡°Wuwuwu¡ª¡± Suddenly, the crying of a girl could be heard. She looked over and saw a little girl, about four or five years old, crying helplessly at the entrance of the emergency room. She stood up, tiptoed over and asked, ¡°Little girl, what¡¯s wrong? Where are your family members?¡± ¡°Wuu, I can¡¯t find my mommy... I came here with my mommy....¡± ¡°What does your mom look like, sister will help you look for her?¡± ¡°Mhm.¡± The girl took her hand. The vast emergency hall was almost filled with people, with doctors and nurses continuously moving back and forth. Countless patients were being brought in. Tang Xi held the girl¡¯s hand, searching everywhere for her mother. Fu Tingzhou returned with the medicine and Tang Xi was no longer on the resting chair, the man immediately darkened his face, that woman with a twisted foot limped around restlessly, and in just a moment, she disappeared. He had instructed her not to run around, yet she still wouldn¡¯t listen. He searched around the emergency hall, pulling out his phone and making several calls, none of which were answered. Fu Tingzhou pursed his lips, his gaze coldly sweeping over the crowded emergency hall. When he saw that slim figure, he immediately walked over quickly, ¡°Where did you go, who told you to run around! Didn¡¯t I instruct you to wait for me in the rest area!¡± Even he himself didn¡¯t realize that his voice had gradually gotten louder, a mix of scolding, anxiety, and worry all rolled into one. Tang Xi, holding the girl¡¯s hand, hadn¡¯t said anything yet when the girl, somewhat frightened, hid behind her. Fu Tingzhou also saw the girl, ¡°Who is this?¡± ¡°Her name is Ningning, she got separated from her mom, I was helping her...¡± ¡°Did you find her?¡± ¡°Ah?¡± Tang Xi listened to the man¡¯s low inquiry, looked at him, and shook her head, ¡°No, there are too many people, I¡¯ve looked at the nurse station, they are too busy to help.¡± Fu Tingzhou bent down, looked at the girl hiding behind Tang Xi, ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± The girl looked at Tang Xi, and with her encouragement, then said in a small and tender voice, ¡°Ning... Ning...¡± ¡°Full name.¡± ¡°Ruan Ningning...¡± ¡°Did you come here with your mom? Where did you get separated? Before you got separated, did your mom tell you where to wait for her?¡± ¡°Mom said her stomach hurt... so she came with Ningning, dad was busy at work... Mom was in line, Ningning was a bit tired, so she went to play on the side, Mom had told Ningning not to run around... but Ningning didn¡¯t run around... and when she turned around, Mom was gone...¡± the girl timidly said, ¡°Uncle...¡± Fu Tingzhou bent down, looking at the girl¡¯s scared expression, his eyes softened a bit, he then lifted the girl onto his shoulder, and gradually, the girl was not scared anymore, she sat on the man¡¯s shoulders, looking up high into the emergency room, and soon saw a familiar figure. She joyfully shouted, ¡°Mom.¡± The girl¡¯s mother, franticly searching around, nearly cried and hurried over when she heard her daughter¡¯s voice. ¡°Ningning.¡± Fu Tingzhou put the girl down. The girl rushed into her mother¡¯s arms. ¡°Mom, I met kind Uncle and Sister... It was they who helped Ningning find you.¡± The girl¡¯s mother expressed heartfelt gratitude and left with the girl. The girl turned around, waving towards Tang Xi and Fu Tingzhou. Tang Xi also extended her hand, waving back. The next second, her body suddenly felt light. The man picked her up. He strode out. From this angle, she looked at Fu Tingzhou¡¯s face. Recalling how, despite his stern expression, he picked up the girl, let her sit on his shoulders, and was extremely patient with her. Thinking that when Su Mengshu and his child are born, he would probably also... be a very good father. Thinking of this, Tang Xi felt a bit sad and lowered her eyes. ¨C At night, Tang Xi took a bath, sat at the desk and turned on her computer, looking at the computer screen, yet her mind was drifting. From outside came the barking of a dog, which brought her back to reality, and she slowly stood up, tiptoed to the door. She opened the door, and the dog slipped in, rubbing against her legs. Tang Xi, smiling, bent down and petted the dog¡¯s head. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you sleeping yet.¡± A dog couldn¡¯t understand what she was saying, but it was precisely because it couldn¡¯t understand that Tang Xi talked softly to it. ¡°Sixteen, how long have you been with your dad?¡± ¡°What kind of person is he really?¡± Tang Xi slightly pursed her lips.... The image of his indifferent demeanor and yet carrying her to the hospital emerged in her mind. If he hates her so much, why then, treat her kindly. Why not just leave her on the street to fend for herself? Looking at the ointment placed on the desk, she picked it up, held it in her palm, and then put it down. The phone buzzed with vibrations, Tang Xi looked at the message in the part-time job group chat, someone @her, asking if she was free this weekend? The amusement park was short on people to distribute flyers. The weather was getting warm, wearing a mascot costume to distribute flyers was hot and tiring, hence the pay was slightly better. Tang Xi hesitated a bit, but still refused. Her ankle probably needed a week to heal. Her laptop was on the desk, next to which was a glass of water. Sixteen, wanting Tang Xi to play with it, jumped up and knocked over the glass, hot water splashed onto the laptop, Tang Xi exclaimed, ¡°Sixteen!¡± She hurriedly tried to save her laptop. Water had gotten in, the keyboard had already malfunctioned, and the computer started to black out. Outside, Aunt Song heard the noise and came inside, ¡°What happened, madam. Oh, Sixteen, what did you do, you¡¯ve ruined madam¡¯s laptop.¡± Saying this she quickly grabbed a cloth and came over to help wipe. Sixteen seemed to also realize it had done something wrong, whimpering with its head low. Tang Xi petted Sixteen¡¯s head, what did a dog know? It was merely wanting to play with her. She looked at the busy Aunt Song, ¡°It¡¯s alright, I won¡¯t need the computer these few days, it¡¯s late, you should go rest.¡± When Aunt Song left, she took Sixteen with her. Fu Tingzhou, hearing the noise, came down from upstairs, looking towards Tang Xi¡¯s bedroom direction, ¡°What happened.¡± Chapter 78 - 78 77 Moving to the First Floor ?78: Chapter 77: Moving to the First Floor 78: Chapter 77: Moving to the First Floor ¡°It was Sixteen, Sixteen accidentally knocked over madam¡¯s water cup, and the water splashed onto the laptop... The computer broke.¡± Sixteen howled, rubbing against Fu Tingzhou¡¯s leg as if admitting the mistake. The man stood at the stairway entrance, gazing at the tightly closed door. This place used to be a storeroom, used for storing miscellaneous household items, yet he allowed this woman to live here. ¡°Auntie Song, has she ever complained to you that she wants to move to the second floor?¡± ¡°No, madam... is content. She said this is the best room she has ever lived in...¡± Auntie Song wanted to say more, as she could see that the relationship between the master and madam was not good. But as a servant, she had no place to speak. Fu Tingzhou walked to the room door, raising his hand as if to knock. After hesitating for a few seconds, the man¡¯s expression remained unchanged, still indifferent like a calm lake without a ripple. But his hand was already gently lowered. The next morning, as Fu Tingzhou descended the stairs, he heard Auntie Song saying, Tang Xi had already left. Auntie Song said, ¡°Madam said she was going to the repair market to fix the laptop.¡± After breakfast, Fu Tingzhou stood at the door of the woman¡¯s room, which was open. Auntie Song was moving in and out cleaning, he walked in and noticed a medicine bag on the desk, unopened. Inside, the ointment and Yunnan Baiyao Spray were unused. The man furrowed his brow. Clearly her ankle was sprained, yet she didn¡¯t use the medicine. He wondered what this woman was being stubborn about. He surveyed the room. This was Fu Tingzhou¡¯s first time here. The storeroom was actually very small, just over ten square meters. A single bed, a small desk, a wardrobe, and a chair. But the woman had arranged everything very neatly. A light pink comforter was neatly folded. The desk was about a meter long, with a few books on top, all medical-related. There was also a cartoon pink water cup. He slightly frowned and ordered Auntie Song, ¡°Get the upstairs guest room ready.¡± Auntie Song was a bit surprised, her face showed delight. ¡°Yes.¡± The master is letting madam move to the upstairs room. ¨C ¡°Dr. Tang, you have injured your foot, I will take over the surgery this afternoon.¡± The person speaking to her was Sister Qiu. Tang Xi smiled and nodded, ¡°That would be great, thank you.¡± ¡°No trouble.¡± Sister Qiu smiled, ¡°Little Tang, do you have a boyfriend? I have a distant cousin, an English teacher at the Third Middle School, who suits you well; he¡¯s two years older than you. You young people surely have common topics, if you have time this evening, let¡¯s meet for dinner. Just find a restaurant near the hospital.¡± ¡°Ah... this... Sister Qiu, I¡¯m not in a rush.¡± ¡°Why not rush? Just meet and chat, get to know each other, this is my cousin, I know him well, his character is definitely no problem.¡± ¡°Sister Qiu, I certainly trust you, but I... am not looking for a boyfriend right now, as you know, I applied for the overseas study opportunity at the institute, and it should be approved soon... then I¡¯ll be going to England.¡± Sister Qiu nodded, ¡°That¡¯s also true, long-distance relationships don¡¯t work well these days... But my cousin is really outstanding, truly suitable for you, Little Tang, what a pity.¡± Tang Xi was sitting at the nurse¡¯s station checking the condition of the patients today. Holding the medical records, suddenly, the emergency bell rang. Tang Xi stood up, her ankle hurt, but she disregarded it and quickly ran towards the direction of the wards. A tall white figure was ahead of her, running past. As the man brushed past Tang Xi, he left behind a few words, ¡°I¡¯ll go.¡± A brief three words. Tang Xi stopped in her tracks and watched as Cheng Yunlang dashed into the ward. She and Cheng Yunlang hadn¡¯t met for several days. Ever since she told him that she was Fu Tingzhou¡¯s secret wife, his sister-in-law, they had not spoken inside the hospital. Ruan Youqing came over and supported her, ¡°Look at you, all grown up and still spraining your ankle. Did you apply any medicine?¡± Tang Xi raised her hand to rub her brow, ¡°I forgot.¡± ¡°How could you forget that?¡± Ruan Youqing said, helping her into the office. She took out ointment from the drawer, rubbed it in her palm, and applied it to Tang Xi¡¯s ankle. Tang Xi smiled, ¡°Thank you, Youqing.¡± ¡°None of that, do we even need to say thank you to each other?¡± Ruan Youqing carefully checked it, ¡°This sprain isn¡¯t light, it¡¯s fortunate that the bone isn¡¯t injured. How did you manage to do this, not seeing you for one day and your foot turns out like this...¡± Tang Xi opened her mouth, but before she could say anything. Suddenly, a knock on the door was heard. This office area is very large, almost all doctors¡¯ desks are located here. When not busy, they stay here, and meetings are also held here. Ruan Youqing looked at the person standing at the doorway and frowned, ¡°Su Mengshu, what are you doing here? This is not your psychology department, this is thoracic surgery. What, do you have some illness that requires seeing a specialist?¡± There were other doctor colleagues in the office. Someone said to Ruan Youqing, ¡°Dr. Ruan, your mouth is too venomous... What has Dr. Su done to upset you?¡± Su Mengshu didn¡¯t get angry, her face had a sweet smile which she carried to Tang Xi. ¡°Nothing much, just came to see my little sister... After my pregnancy check-up this morning, Tingzhou took me to buy pastries from Yunshan Records. I can¡¯t eat so many myself, so I thought to bring some here for you to share with your colleagues.¡± A few colleagues gathered around. ¡°Yunshan Records¡¯s pastries, these are really hard to get, and they¡¯re limited edition.¡± ¡°Yeah, and they are expensive, but I heard they taste especially good.¡± ¡°Hey, Dr. Su what did you just say, pregnancy check-up? Are you pregnant?¡± Su Mengshu gave a shy smile, ¡°Yes, my boyfriend and I are getting engaged...¡± Unmarried but pregnant, it¡¯s not a glorious affair. However, Su Mengshu proudly announced it because her boyfriend is Fu Tingzhou, North City¡¯s most eligible bachelor, chased by countless women. Suddenly many conveyed congratulatory and envious remarks. Su Mengshu is pregnant and about to be engaged, soon she will marry into a wealthy family and become a rich lady. Ruan Youqing frowned, ¡°Humph, how glorious is that? What¡¯s there to show off about, Fu Tingzhou must be blind to fancy a woman like you.¡± Su Mengshu¡¯s smile emerged at the corners of her lips as she took out the ultrasound report from her bag and handed it to Tang Xi, ¡°You¡¯re a doctor, take a look for me?¡± Watching Tang Xi¡¯s pale face, Su Mengshu felt extremely smug inside. So what if she is now Mrs. Fu? Fu Tingzhou wouldn¡¯t fall for such a country bumpkin! With a fake pregnancy report, she had already won. And for herself, next month at this time, she would be Mrs. Fu! Ruan Youqing took it, tore the ultrasound report to shreds, and threw it into the trash can. She took out a megaphone from her drawer, which she had bought during her emergency department internship when there were too many patients and she needed to save her voice. Just then, she turned the megaphone up to its maximum volume. Grabbing Su Mengshu¡¯s arm, she dragged her out of the office, shouting, ¡°Su Mengshu is pregnant before marriage, let¡¯s congratulate her!¡± She shouted all the way along the thoracic surgery corridor, causing many patients to come out of their wards to gossip. Su Mengshu¡¯s face turned red, her voice hoarse, ¡°Ruan Youqing, what are you doing!¡± Chapter 79 - 79 78 Unexpected Discovery ?79: Chapter 78: Unexpected Discovery 79: Chapter 78: Unexpected Discovery Her strength was not a match for Ruan Youqing¡¯s. Pulling and tugging all the way, they reached a corner, Su Mengshu cursed, ¡°Ruan Youqing, you maniac!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you like to show off? Let me help you. Want me to take you to a few other departments to show off?¡± Su Mengshu gritted her teeth, ¡°Hmph, you are best friends with Tang Xi, right? She hid so much from you and never really treated you as a good friend, and you¡¯re still covering for her! Maybe you don¡¯t know, but Tang Xi is Fu Tingzhou¡¯s secret bride, did you know that?¡± Ruan Youqing was taken aback. Shocked to the core. Tang Xi indeed never told her, and she never imagined... But at this moment, she stared at Su Mengshu, ¡°Oh, so you are the mistress who interfered, shameless.¡± ¡°Fu Tingzhou loves me!¡± Su Mengshu screamed, ¡°I am his girlfriend!¡± Ruan Youqing handed her the megaphone, ¡°Yell louder, let everyone hear how you snatched your own sister¡¯s husband, how you became the third party!¡± Su Mengshu clenched her teeth fiercely, she looked around thankfully no one noticed them. ¡°Let¡¯s see how long you can be proud!¡± After dropping those words, she left; she originally came to brag but didn¡¯t expect to encounter a scoundrel like Ruan Youqing! Arriving at the elevator, Su Mengshu took out her phone and called Fu Tingzhou, ¡°Tingzhou, do you think my sister is mad at me? You bought pastries, I couldn¡¯t eat them, she likes to eat pastries from this place a lot, I thought I¡¯d send some to her... I didn¡¯t expect she and her friend Ruan Youqing to join forces and humiliate me... calling me a premature married third party...¡± The woman¡¯s voice choked, sobbing. ¡°Mengshu, it¡¯s not your fault. You go home and rest first.¡± ¡°Okay, Tingzhou don¡¯t be mad at Tang Xi... I know she is just angry, it wasn¡¯t on purpose...¡± ¨C Tang Xi¡¯s phone vibrated. She looked at the caller ID, hesitated for a few seconds, then answered. Before she could speak, a cold male voice came from the other end. ¡°Name your price, how much money to stay away from Mengshu. After our contract ends, you leave North City, this money should be enough for you to live on. I just hope you don¡¯t disturb Mengshu, she always has you in her heart as her sister, I don¡¯t care what you¡¯ve suffered in the Su Family or how your life has been, but Mengshu has been very nice to you.¡± The woman¡¯s lips trembled palely. Fu Tingzhou, is that what you see with your eyes? Su Mengshu has been very nice to me? ¡°Fu Tingzhou, do you... really like Su Mengshu that much?¡± After asking this, Tang Xi held her breath, listening, waiting for his answer. There was silence for a few seconds on the other end, then the cold voice continued, ¡°Tang Xi, you know, our marriage was entirely for the sake of my mother¡¯s illness. My mother¡¯s condition is now stable, the doctor said we could prepare for the surgery earlier, you should visit her more during this period.¡± Tang Xi bit her lip hard, ¡°After our divorce, you will marry her, right?¡± ¡°Correct.¡± She clenched her fist, feeling as if her chest was being slashed by a knife, she knew it all along, she knew it... ¡°After the divorce, I will transfer one million to your account as a token of my gratitude for taking care of my mother during this time, but on the condition that you do not harm Mengshu. Let¡¯s forget about today¡¯s incident, there won¡¯t be a next time! If I hear you¡¯ve bullied Mengshu again, not only will you not get a penny, but you will also pay the price!¡± After he finished speaking, he hung up the phone. Tang Xi listened to the busy tone from her cell phone, her lips revealing a fragile smile. During this period, their relationship had improved a little. The man stopped being cold and sarcastic towards her. Ever since he found out she wasn¡¯t the daughter of the Su Family, she didn¡¯t know whether he pitied her, but his attitude towards her had indeed become slightly better, although still cold. This made Tang Xi¡¯s heart gradually harbor a small hope. But everything disappeared completely after Su Mengshu got pregnant. She was lost in thought, not realizing when Ruan Youqing came up to her. She put her hand on Tang Xi¡¯s shoulder, felt Tang Xi shudder, and then Ruan Youqing embraced her. ¡°Such a big thing, why didn¡¯t you tell me... That Su Mengshu is just too despicable!!¡± Ruan Youqing cursed angrily, knowing how much Tang Xi had suffered. She lifted the sleeve of Tang Xi¡¯s clothes, saw the bruised needle marks, and grabbed her hand, ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go to Fu¡¯s and find Fu Tingzhou, make him open his eyes wide and see what kind of shameless and hypocritical person his beloved Su Mengshu is!! Let him see how the Su Family has been draining your blood over these years!! How they have tortured you!!¡± ¡°Youqing...¡± Tang Xi gritted her teeth, holding her back. ¡°Did you already know?¡± ¡°That bitch Su Mengshu told me herself! It pissed me off so much!¡± Tang Xi held her arm, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I kept it from you.¡± ¡°What are you apologizing to me for, everyone has their secrets, I have them, and so do you, you have done nothing wrong,¡± Ruan Youqing patted her shoulder, ¡°I just feel it¡¯s not worth it for you. Fu Tingzhou really is blind, to actually think Su Mengshu is some gentle and kind woman!! Let¡¯s go there now, and clarify everything!¡± ¡°Youqing.¡± There was no one in the office at that moment. Ruan Youqing dragged Tang Xi by the arm towards the door, Tang Xi stopped her, ¡°It¡¯s useless, Su Mengshu saved him, no matter what Su Mengshu is like, he will like her. Even if I clarify how hypocritical she is, it won¡¯t change his view of her in his heart.¡± ¡°Su Mengshu really hit the jackpot by saving him during that earthquake. I wish the Ningchuan City earthquake had buried them both.¡± The more Ruan Youqing thought about it, the angrier she became, and she put her arm around Tang Xi¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go out for dinner together tonight. Xu Jiayi is coming tonight, you¡¯ve met her, she¡¯s the doctor who participated in the rescue during the Ningjiang City earthquake with us. She contacted me, let¡¯s go out for dinner tonight together, and forget all these unpleasant things!¡± Tang Xi nodded her head, ¡°Okay.¡± Forget all those unpleasant things! ¨C Tonight, several people came together to a newly opened hotpot restaurant on the street. Xu Jiayi has recently transferred to Tang Xi¡¯s hospital and joined the emergency department. Ruan Youqing suggested they should dine out together frequently, and the three of them raised their glasses. Tang Xi was pregnant, so she didn¡¯t drink much. She drank a cup of warm water instead. Ruan Youqing thought she was in a bad mood and served her some slices of meat, ¡°Eat more, look how much thinner you¡¯ve gotten lately.¡± Tang Xi managed a smile, ¡°Okay.¡± She lowered her head and ate a few pieces of meat, suppressing the nausea in her throat. Amidst the laughter and jovial atmosphere in the hotpot restaurant, Tang Xi gradually felt happier, and a smile appeared on her lips. After dinner, since Ruan Youqing¡¯s home was nearby, she took a taxi home first. Tang Xi and Xu Jiayi shared a cab. Not wanting to return to Longshan Villa, Tang Xi gave the driver her rented apartment¡¯s address instead. Xu Jiayi also had just rented a place, which was soon reached. Suddenly remembering something, Xu Jiayi said, ¡°That person you asked me to inquire about before, he seems fine, because you treated him so timely, he did not die.¡± Upon hearing this news, she was momentarily stunned, this really was the news she hoped most to hear during this time. A smile appeared on Tang Xi¡¯s face, ¡°Really?¡± Chapter 80 - 80 79 No Ordinary Identity ?80: Chapter 79: No Ordinary Identity 80: Chapter 79: No Ordinary Identity ¡°Hmm, I wanted to call you earlier, but I was in the operating room and too busy at that time.¡± Tang Xi felt genuinely happy in her heart, being able to save a resigned life. He still had things at her place. ¡°Could you help me find out his contact information? I want to return his belongings.¡± The White Jade Pendant did not look cheap, and since he carried it with him, it must be an item he cherished. ¡°Hmm, I will try to ask my former colleagues and let you know if I hear anything.¡± At 9 p.m., Tang Xi returned to the house she rented. She cleaned up the dust and tidied up a bit. The furnishings inside the house were simple; when she had gone to Longshan Villa, she only brought some daily necessities and a few clothes. After locking the door, she also took out a doorstop to reinforce it. Only then did she go to the bathroom to take a shower. Here, there were clothes to change into as well, and some medical books piled up on the bedroom¡¯s bookshelf. She originally lived here; this was where her life was. That luxurious villa, just like a delicate birdcage, beautiful and extravagant, yet not belonging to her. She opened a drawer, inside which was a red square box. Upon opening it, inside was a White Jade Pendant with a slight crack at the bottom, like a cloud. The material was clear and lustrous, and it looked expensive. This was what that man had on him during the Ningjiang City earthquake, picked up by rescue workers who thought it belonged to her and placed it on her. That was Tang Xi¡¯s first participation in such a large rescue operation after her internship, where she witnessed the impermanence of life, deeply touching her, and she was very happy to learn today that the man had not died. Though they had never met, her happiness was sincere. At 10 p.m., her cellphone buzzed with vibrations. ¡°Aunt Song, what is it?¡± ¡°Ma¡¯am, it¡¯s so late, why haven¡¯t you come back yet?¡± Aunt Song had even prepared a surprise for her, tidying up the guest room in the afternoon; the guest room was spacious, airy, with an en-suite bathroom and walk-in closet. The master¡¯s feelings for the madam gradually improved, when the laptop of the madam was damaged, the master even bought her a new laptop... If the madam came back and saw it, she would definitely be surprised. ¡°Ah... I, Aunt Song, I¡¯m not coming to stay tonight.¡± Tang Xi casually said, ¡°I¡¯m staying at a friend¡¯s house.¡± ¡°I see...¡± Aunt Song held the phone, looking at the man sitting on the sofa. Fu Tingzhou, obviously, was also waiting for her. ¡°Ma¡¯am, did you miss the last bus because it¡¯s too late? Let me have our driver pick you up, it¡¯s very convenient.¡± ¡°No... Aunt Song, it¡¯s late, you should rest early too.¡± Aunt Song hesitated, glancing at Fu Tingzhou, ¡°Madam, you...¡± The call was already hung up on the other end. ¡°Sir, the madam said she is staying at a friend¡¯s place tonight.¡± The call was on speaker, and Fu Tingzhou had already heard it; he stood up, his expression cold and grim, this woman was clearly just throwing a tantrum over the morning¡¯s incident, he had really been too indulgent with her lately! Becoming increasingly lawless, even learning to stay out all night! Did she really think of herself as the mistress of this place? ¡°Since she doesn¡¯t want to come back, then let her never return!¡± After saying this, the man strode up the stairs. Aunt Song watched Fu Tingzhou¡¯s figure and sighed, noting that this morning the master had ordered the madam¡¯s bedroom to be moved upstairs, how could things change so much in just one day... ¨C Tang Xi went to the repair center the next morning, her computer was still being fixed. The shop owner told her, ¡°Your case is a bit troublesome, and moreover, the components of your computer are already not good. It might be better to add some money and just buy a new one.¡± Tang Xi asked, ¡°How much would it cost to repair it?¡± The owner quoted a price, and Tang Xi frowned. The price was far beyond her affordability. This laptop, which she acquired from the second-hand market during her university days due to her study needs, had been used for several years. Although it was lagging, it was still needed for work. She visited a mall, and noticed that the prices of laptops were almost not cheap at all; even those from ordinary brands cost several thousand. Tang Xi¡¯s mother had just undergone surgery, and although she had recovered quite a bit, no one knew what might happen in the future. Post-surgery healing isn¡¯t just about this short period; there will be many expenses in the future. The sales assistant, seeing the situation, said, ¡°What are you looking at, if you can¡¯t afford it, don¡¯t buy!¡± Tang Xi helplessly pursed her lips. She indeed couldn¡¯t afford it. She had no mood for such pointless conversations and turned around to leave the mall. Just as she was walking to the hall, she suddenly heard a cry of surprise. She quickly looked in the direction of the sound and saw an elderly man fallen on the ground, with quite a few people slowly gathering around. Instinctively, Tang Xi rushed over and pushed through the crowd. A kind person had already called 120 and seemed to know some medical knowledge, trying to perform CPR on the elderly, but it wasn¡¯t quite standard. Tang Xi immediately said, ¡°I¡¯m a doctor, let me do it.¡± After several minutes of emergency treatment, the old man slowly opened his eyes. Seeing the old man waking up, Tang Xi also breathed a sigh of relief. She rubbed her slightly sore wrist, and the surrounding crowd also showed relieved smiles and quickly said, ¡°It¡¯s so good he woke up!¡± ¡°Old man, you really should thank this young female doctor. She saved you.¡± ¡°Yes, if it weren¡¯t for this female doctor, you would have been in trouble.¡± Tang Xi helped the elderly man to sit up. The elderly man looked at Tang Xi, ¡°Was it you who saved me?¡± Tang Xi nodded, ¡°Where is your family? Call them, so they can take you to the hospital for a check-up.¡± The elderly man said, ¡°Thank you.¡± Tang Xi observed that the elderly man had awakened and was in good spirits, which also eased her mind, ¡°Old man, do you have any medical history?¡± ¡°Just old problems, from aging.¡± Somehow, Tang Xi felt that this elderly man had an authoritative air. Dressed in a Zhongshan suit, with white temples and about seventy or more years old, he exuded an extraordinary aura. Tang Xi wasn¡¯t comfortable leaving him alone here, and waited until the ambulance arrived. She intended to leave, but as no family members were around the elderly man, the arriving medical staff assumed she was his granddaughter and called her to get on the ambulance with him. At the hospital, Tang Xi accompanied the elderly man for an examination. She took care of the payment. ¡°Old sir, have you contacted your family?¡± The old man waved his hand, ¡°If you are busy with work, go ahead; you don¡¯t need to stay here with me.¡± Tang Xi said, ¡°I¡¯m off duty today.¡± This old man had a peculiar temperament, his appearance didn¡¯t look like that of someone short of money. He was neat and had an authoritative aura, but he was also stubborn. Even in such a condition, fainting in the shopping mall, he didn¡¯t call his family. During the waiting, Fu Yuanshan glanced at Tang Xi, vaguely feeling that this girl looked familiar, but couldn¡¯t recall where he had seen her. ¡°You are a doctor? So young?¡± Tang Xi smiled, ¡°Yes, at the First Hospital, in the Thoracic Surgery Department.¡± Fu Yuanshan, ¡°You saved me, I won¡¯t let your help go unrewarded. I know the director of the First Hospital. I will speak to him and have him commend you.¡± Tang Xi¡¯s eyes widened, slightly unable to react, ¡°Uh... thank you, sir.¡± It seems this old man has an extraordinary status.