Just as she thought the dark abyss was endless, a warm light spread across her face. She wanted to open her eyes but was too tired, wanting to sleep forever. Yet, she heard voices.
“What three billion?”
It was Liu Qiusi, her voice sharp and piercing. Somewhat irritating, it made her consciousness clearer.
“How is this possible? No, it can’t be. How can she inherit such a large sum of money?” Liu Qiusi suddenly realized her mistake. “No, I mean, my husband must have been confused before dying. That three billion fund can’t possibly be entirely for my daughter. According to the law, I should at least be entitled to half, right?”
Ou Xueman sighed silently, not wanting to open her eyes, but Liu Qiusi, having lost her reason, shook her shoulders. “Xuan Xuan, wake up. Mommy has something important to tell you. Wake up!”
“Mrs. Tong, this isn’t appropriate. Miss Tong just had surgery and needs rest,” Huang the lawyer advised helplessly.
Surgery? What surgery? It seemed she had fainted, and memories flooded her brain: Tong Baichuan had passed away, the person who loved her was gone. Her world felt void and cold.
Even though she didn’t want to wake up, she couldn’t resist Liu Qiusi’s rough treatment.
However, she still didn’t open her eyes, and her body had little strength left. Her voice was soft, “Huang Lawyer, I give up being the guardian of that fund.”
Liu Qiusi and Huang Lawyer were stunned, not expecting her to wake up and relinquish the coveted sum of money.
Liu Qiusi grabbed the lawyer’s clothes excitedly, “You heard that, right? She gave up, so I’ll be the first heir. Quickly help me process the paperwork.”
Huang Lawyer’s disgust was evident, but he held back. He confirmed with Ou Xueman, “Miss Tong, are you sure you want to give up that fund? This will have legal implications, so you must consider it carefully.”
Ou Xueman, sneering inwardly, decided she didn’t want to be involved anymore. She opened her eyes and stated firmly, “I am certain I give up being the guardian of that fund.” She glanced at Liu Qiusi, “If she wants it, give it to her.”
Liu Qiusi, overjoyed, cupped Ou Xueman’s face, “Truly worthy of being my daughter; I didn’t misjudge you.” She added, “Okay, you just had surgery; you need more rest. Mom won’t disturb you anymore.”
“Surgery? What surgery did I have?” Ou Xueman wondered. She had just fainted; how could that necessitate surgery?
“Oh, Mom forgot to tell you,” Liu Qiusi said, gently stroking her face. “Your ectopic pregnancy was dangerous and at risk of massive bleeding. Fortunately, it was discovered in time. Okay, Mom needs to go process the paperwork with the lawyer. Rest well.” She then hurriedly left the hospital room with the lawyer.
Ou Xueman sat up in shock, her trembling hand reaching towards her lower abdomen. The word “child” flashed in her mind, followed by a wave of pain.
The child, a life that once existed, was lost before she could feel presence. She covered the area tightly, as if expressing her belated love and guilt through her hands.
Tears slid down, moistening her clothes where the child had once been. She bit her lip, suppressing the urge to wail, crying softly.
A tall figure overshadowed her, his coldness driving away the sunlight.
“Even if it wasn’t an ectopic pregnancy, this child was not to be,” he said in a low, emotionless voice, as if speaking about a stranger.
Looking at him with tear-filled eyes, the blurred image of his heartlessness pierced through the teardrops into her heart, leaving a deep wound. Such complex pain made her unable to endure it any longer.
“Ah—” A desolate cry echoed through the quiet hospital room.
The door suddenly opened, and a figure rushed in, striking Di Xihuang’s face.
“Di Xihuang, you’re inhuman,” Tong Yifeng, no longer gentle, was filled with rage.
“Brother Yifeng,” Ou Xueman called, reaching out to him, “Take me away, I don’t want to stay here.”
Tong Yifeng glanced at Di Xihuang lying on the ground, coldly snorted, and carried her out of the room. From that moment, she ended her identity as Tong Yixuan and returned to her original identity.
Her magic was about to disappear, and becoming Cinderella again was not her choice. When Tong Yifeng wanted to take her to England, she refused. For many years, she had lived under someone else’s identity. Now she should return to the beginning and become Ou Xueman again, the one abandoned and forgotten.
[Not Wanting to Say I Love You: Chapter Twenty-One, Eight Years Later]
Suddenly awake, she discovered dried tear tracks on both sides, dampening a warm area on her hair and pillow.
Feeling a tear about to fall, she reached out to wipe it. The teardrop hung on her fingertip, illuminated by the moonlight, making it particularly crystal-clear.
How many years had it been since she thought about that past? Why did she recall it tonight, so vividly, as if reliving each moment of pain?
Sleepless, she sat up and looked at the night sky. Stars dotted the sky, and the full moon shone bright. The silence felt like a gentle hand, softly wiping away her pain.
Walking barefoot on the cool floor was comforting. She turned on the bathroom light, squinting slightly at its sudden brightness. Opening the cold water, she splashed it on her face, washing away the tear tracks and sadness.
As the long-forgotten sorrow faded, she raised her head. In the mirror dotted with water droplets, her exquisite face sparkled, like a delicate orchid covered in morning dew.
Perhaps it was Heaven’s favor for her half-life of misfortune; time had left no traces on her face. Her once round face had faded, leaving only smooth cheeks.
Her once clear eyes, after eight years, were now veiled with an enchanting softness, no longer crystal clear. Below her delicate nose, her plump red lips carried a subtle smile. Wiping water from her face, she dampened her voluminous wavy hair. Water slid down her hair ends onto her chest, partially revealing her impressive bosom beneath the silk slip dress. Tossing her hair, she appeared like a captivating creature in the mirror.
Walking into the kitchen to brew coffee, she returned to the gentle embrace of moonlight under the rich aroma.
Eight years had passed, and though she thought she no longer cared, the pain remained. Could eight years not help her forget? The wound may have healed, but the scar was indelible.
Every memory of him was still vivid. Eight years ago, after making Tong Yixuan disappear, she reclaimed her identity as Ou Xueman. She spent four years obtaining a master’s degree and returned to SZ city to open a small advertising company, putting in minimal effort to simply support herself.
Her requirements were low, yet after four years in the business world, she expanded her company into an industry leader with significant influence in SZ.
Some attributed her success to her focused management, claiming she didn’t spread herself thin and concentrated on her strengths. Whenever such comments arose, she would smile and remain silent. While diversified management was increasingly seen as essential for development, she preferred not to complicate matters, believing solutions would emerge in time.
She kept in touch with Tong Yifeng, who, after the Tong family’s decline, moved to England to start his own securities company. Though he shared good news and concealed difficulties, she recognized the weight of his responsibilities, unlike her own goal of merely supporting herself.
From Tong Yifeng, she learned that Di Xihuang had initially bought a large number of Tong family shares at a high price, then sold them at a low price, creating a false impression of a stock market crash. This triggered massive sell-offs by shareholders, leading the Han family to seize the opportunity to acquire shares.
