“I know you don’t need me. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been by my side without revealing your identity, watching me search for you in vain.” He turned around, speaking with barely concealed pain. “Can’t you let me do something for you? Didn’t you say you don’t hate me? Tong Yifeng is your brother, but I…” He was unwilling to face this, even more unwilling to admit it, but if being by her side meant being her brother, he was willing. “I’m also your… brother. I want to protect you too.” His final words were weak, almost inaudible.
“Since you know we’re siblings, you should end this marriage even more.” Ou Xueman turned her head away, avoiding his gaze.
“The only people who knew back then are just three. No one else will ever know, right?” Di Xihuang clenched his fists. “Even if we’re siblings, we’re still a legally married couple. You’re not just my sister but also my wife.” And the one I love, he silently thought, even if this love had become a forbidden passion.
“I’m not, I’m not, I’m not!” Ou Xueman shouted.
“Xuanxuan,” his voice was hoarse and deep from pain, “Is accepting my protection so difficult? Even if I’m willing to be your brother?”
“I’m not Tong Yixuan; I’m Ou Xueman,” she screamed, then felt sudden emptiness. “What do you want from me?”
“I…” Di Xihuang fell silent. What did he want from her? She had said she didn’t hate him. Did he want her to hate him to be satisfied? He hoped that when she remembered him, she would still see him as her husband, if only nominally.
“I won’t divorce you,” he reiterated. “Whether you’re angry or hate me, I… don’t want to regret again.” He then left the hospital room in desolation.
Owen became uneasy. “Sis, although the information is not yet definitive, you must be careful. The Yamaguchi-gumi doesn’t know why they’ve released Zeng Min, and there are unclear actions targeting you. It seems to have started when your identity as Tong Yixuan was exposed.” He hugged her tightly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think everything through. I didn’t expect he had backed up Tong Yixuan’s information, drawing you back into this.”
