He personally took charge of her diet, carefully balancing nutrition in every meal, which touched her, but her doubts never diminished.
Every three days, she unconsciously fell asleep at the same time, waking up without noticing anything unusual. She hid her doubts, remaining cautious around him.
Three days later, she chose not to drink the milk he brought, secretly pouring it out when he wasn’t watching while pretending to be asleep.
She felt someone enter the room with him, and something heavy was pushed in, leading her to realize they were performing an ultrasound on her, as if giving her a physical examination.
Ou Xueman pondered whether Xi Huang was hiding a diagnosis from her to prevent worry.
“Everything is normal,” the doctor announced. Although she couldn’t see him, she could tell from his voice that he was Chinese. Di Xi Huang sighed with relief, continually thanking the doctor. After they left, Ou Xueman decided to confront him about her doubts. However, an unexpected visitor’s arrival deepened the misunderstanding.
Unable to wait for him to return, she walked out and heard a familiar voice excitedly speaking to him in Japanese.
Standing on the second floor and leaning on the railing, she saw Tian Mu Xiang Hui looking disheveled, her rushed departure evident in her bare-faced appearance.
In that moment, Ou Xueman noticed Tian Mu Xiang Hui glance at her, remaining expressionless before bursting into loud sobs, losing her usual composure.
Di Xi Huang scolded Tian Mu Xiang Hui in Japanese, and even though Ou Xueman didn’t understand, she realized he was reprimanding her. Tian Mu Xiang Hui shot a glance filled with hatred toward the upstairs.
After Di Xi Huang left, Tian Mu Xiang Hui’s true nature emerged.
“I never thought you would be that bitch,” she said.
Ou Xueman shot back, “I also realized you still haven’t climbed to the position of Di’s wife after eight years.”
“You…” Tian Mu Xiang Hui was furious. “Don’t be too pleased.”
She then smiled triumphantly, “Do you think you can secure this position just by reappearing after eight years? Just like before, you’re still just a pawn.”
Tian Mu Xiang Hui’s words struck Ou Xueman’s most vulnerable spot, and her face turned pale.
Seeing her silence, Tian Mu Xiang Hui became pleased, “Do you think Xi Huang protects you so much because he doesn’t want to divorce you?”
Her words addressed her doubts, causing unease.
Wagging her finger, Tian Mu Xiang Hui continued, “Don’t get it wrong. Xi Huang doesn’t want to divorce you because he doesn’t want to divide the property. He has used too much funding dealing with the Yamaguchi-gumi and is currently short on cash. If he divides half with you, he faces bankruptcy.”
“He’s just trying to pacify you by deceiving you again, hahaha,” she continued, laughing uncontrollably. “I truly sympathize with you; being deceived by the same man repeatedly makes me doubt your intelligence, hahaha…”
Waves of dizziness swept over her, making her sway. But her self-respect wouldn’t allow her to fall. She stubbornly smiled, not realizing it appeared more pitiful than crying.
“You think I’ll believe you just from these few words?”
Tian Mu Xiang Hui coldly snorted, “You really won’t give up until you see the coffin. Do you know about the stress test on nineteen banks in the United States?”
Sitting on the sofa, she resumed her noble posture. “Although all banks under the Di Group were not on the unqualified list, given the current financial crisis, if the US unemployment rate rises to twelve percent, all banks under his group will tend toward being unqualified. At that time, he would need about ten billion to ensure the common stock equity capital ratio remains above three percent as required by the US government.”
Ou Xueman found herself believing Tian Mu Xiang Hui’s logical words, and despite her desire to defend him, she couldn’t find a reason to do so.
Tian Mu Xiang Hui left arrogantly, leaving Ou Xueman feeling as if she had fallen into an abyss again.
Was it all a deception? Why had he lied to her repeatedly? Were those passionate declarations of love false? Was love just a tool for him?
She sat motionless on the cold floor, feeling her body heat drain away.
Unknowingly, the sky darkened. She heard a car’s engine and knew he had returned.
For a moment, she wanted to get up and return to the bedroom, pretending to know nothing. But she realized she no longer had the strength to pretend.
“Xuan Xuan, why are you sitting here?”
Di Xi Huang came upstairs and saw Ou Xueman sitting desolately on the floor, her eyes reflecting the despair of their last encounter eight years ago. Panic washed over him.
He suddenly remembered Tian Mu Xiang Hui. Had she said something to Ou Xueman?
“Xuan Xuan, don’t overthink. I went out just to bail Di Ying out,” Di Xi Huang explained hurriedly.
But Ou Xueman remained unmoved, making him anxious. He wondered what Tian Mu Xiang Hui had said to provoke such desperation.
“Xuan Xuan, I know I shouldn’t interfere with Di Ying anymore, but she is my mother.”
“Mother!” Ou Xueman laughed bitterly. “You have a mother, but doesn’t Owen have a mother? His was killed in Di Ying’s conspiracy.”
Di Xi Huang trembled, shocked she knew about Owen’s involvement, which he had just learned.
Leaning on the railing, Ou Xueman’s smile was desolate. “What? Surprised? Betrayed by someone you’ve always trusted? Aren’t you angry?”
Di Xi Huang’s heart broke at her smile. He wanted to embrace her, but she harshly slapped away his hand. Although Owen’s betrayal shocked him, he felt no resentment, believing there must be a reason for his actions.
What pained him most now was her rejection, and the hard-won intimacy between them had vanished in an instant.
“Xuanxuan.”
“Don’t call me,” she stepped back, forcing herself to distance from him, resisting until she lost consciousness, still rejecting his embrace.
——I——am——a——dividing——line——
When she awoke, she saw the haggard Tong Yifeng, who tightly held her hand, his sunken eyes filled with the joy of finding her again.
Only then did she realize how selfish she’d been, disregarding those who cared for her and foolishly falling into a trap.
“Xuanxuan, Xuanxuan, oh my God, where have you been? Do you know how long I’ve been looking for you? I was so worried,” Tong Yifeng said while kissing her hand.
“I’m sorry, brother, I’m sorry.” She could think of nothing else to say.
Seeing the intent gaze from Tong Yifeng, she begged, “Brother, take me away…”
“Okay, we’ll go.” Though he didn’t understand her urgency, he wanted her safe.
“Serena is pregnant.”
Grace’s exclamation stunned them both.
I’m pregnant? Ou Xueman unconsciously reached to touch her abdomen, wanting to feel the tiny life.
“What nonsense are you talking about?
Tong Yifeng reacted first, roaring at Grace.
“This is the doctor’s diagnosis report,” Grace timidly handed over the report.
Tong Yifeng examined it carefully, finally crumpling it in disbelief. He grabbed Ou Xueman’s shoulders and shook her. “No, no, you won’t. Don’t be afraid, Xuanxuan. We’ll get rid of it; you won’t have this shameful memory.” He thought she had been humiliated during her disappearance.
“No!” Di Xihuang shouted. “We can’t do that. The child is innocent and healthy.”
When he learned about it, he felt happy. But knowing the child came from their unethical relationship, he understood she wouldn’t want it. Nevertheless, he hoped they could keep the child, regardless of any disabilities. He secretly kept the child, having doctors monitor its health.
“Child? Child!” Ou Xueman muttered in a daze.
Tong Yifeng lunged at Di Xihuang, but Jessica and others quickly subdued him and took him out of the room.
