Volume One, Chapter 108: Colluding in Misdeeds

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After dinner, Chi Xingwan arrived at the hospital and went straight to Yang Jing’s room, where Yang Jing was already asleep. She examined Yang Jing from head to toe, confirming that she was genuinely ill and that the dark energy from the Chi family was not at play. There was no need to stay any longer, so Chi Xingwan turned and left. Just outside the ward, she ran into Chi Yueyao and Chi Qianyu.

“Coming and going so soon? Chi Xingwan, my mother is your aunt; don’t you think you should fulfill your duties as a niece?” Chi Qianyu grabbed Chi Xingwan to stop her from leaving.

Chi Xingwan sneered, “What, her husband and child both died, and now she expects her niece to take care of her?”

“You...” Chi Qianyu was too angry to respond.

Chi Yueyao’s tone was calm, “Xingwan, I know you don’t like us, but in this world, no one can escape social obligations. Even if it’s just for show, why not stay and keep Aunt company for a while?”

Chi Xingwan smiled lightly. “I don’t know what you’re scheming, but I’ll say this once more: if you don’t provoke me, I won’t provoke you. But if you don’t leave me alone, I will make you pay.”

With that, she left without even glancing back at Chi Qianyu and Chi Yueyao.

Chi Qianyu trembled with anger. “Yueyao, did you hear her attitude? How dare she talk to me like that?”

Chi Yueyao comforted her softly and secretly sent a message.

Though the hospital was quiet on the surface at night, through the eyes of a spiritual master, it was bustling. Recently deceased souls wandered about—some confused and unaware they were dead, some crying and struggling to return to their bodies, others muttering endlessly, still trying to warn their families who could no longer hear them.

The myriad scenes of human life extended beyond the living world, manifesting vividly where most could not see.

Chi Xingwan weaved through the crowd and, heading toward the parking lot, suddenly heard a repulsive voice.

“Xingwan, long time no see.” Xiao Duo smiled as he blocked her path.

Chi Xingwan furrowed her brow slightly. She noticed something different about Xiao Duo—there was not a trace of dark energy on him.

But how could this be? Someone like Xiao Duo actually reformed and sought redemption?

Xiao Duo tried to soften his voice, “Xingwan, I...”

“Wait.” Chi Xingwan interrupted. “Given our relationship, don’t call me by my name. Call me sister-in-law.”

Xiao Duo’s mouth twitched. “Alright, sister-in-law. It’s rare to bump into you at the hospital. How about I treat you to a cup of coffee?”

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“Rare? What coffee at this hour? Besides, with you, I’m afraid I’d just end up vomiting.”

Xiao Duo suppressed his anger and forced a smile. “I know you’re biased against me, but I’ve changed. I hope you’ll give me a chance to prove myself.”

Chi Xingwan found it absurd. “If you want to prove something, go to your parents and grandmother. Why come to me?”

“You saved my life, and you know about my situation. That’s why I want to prove myself to you.”

His words made sense, but Chi Xingwan still suspected ulterior motives.

“No need. I’m not interested in your matters.” She bypassed him and continued toward the parking lot.

Xiao Duo grabbed her arm. “Are you really going to be this guarded against me?”

Chi Xingwan moved her fingers subtly. Out of his sight, a golden thread wrapped around his wrist and snapped tight.

“Ah—”

Xiao Duo stared at his reddened wrist, stunned. “What did you do to me?”

Chi Xingwan looked at him coldly. “I could do a lot worse. If you’re wise, don’t provoke me.”

She strode away, leaving Xiao Duo clutching his wrist alone.

Chi Yueyao approached, voice cold, “How come the eldest son of the Xiao family can’t even handle a woman?”

Xiao Duo glared fiercely. “Chi Xingwan is no ordinary person!”

Chi Yueyao had been standing farther away and couldn’t see how his wrist got injured. She assumed Chi Xingwan must have learned martial arts or self-defense.

“You’re the one chasing her, sending flowers to my house every day. How long has it been, and now you want to give up?”

Talking about this made Xiao Duo annoyed. He genuinely wanted to pursue Chi Xingwan; after all, women liked flowers, jewelry, and bags.

He ordered a bouquet daily from the florist to send to the Chi residence for her, but he didn’t know Chi Xingwan had not been living there and wasn’t even in Yanjing City recently.

He felt foolish for doing all that without realizing it.

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Chi Yueyao continued, “I’m helping you out of your sincerity, but after I created an opportunity for you, you just let her go?”

Xiao Duo sneered coldly, “Helping me? You’re just helping yourself.”

Chi Yueyao’s expression darkened.

“Chi Yueyao, don’t think I don’t know your intentions. You refused to marry Xiao Yue when he was foolish, but now that he’s better, you want to get back together. You use me and still treat me so rudely. Who do you think you are?”

Xiao Duo mocked mercilessly. “You think you’re some big name at school, and a few inexperienced people fawning over you makes you believe you’re a celestial fairy?”

Chi Yueyao trembled all over. A cold wind swept through, as if it would blow away her fragile form like a scrap of paper.

Xiao Duo had struck a nerve. She longed to be like a celestial fairy—noble and adored.

That was why she refused to enter the entertainment industry, insisting instead on being known as a young violinist.

Her goal was to marry into a wealthy family; only the most prestigious man was worthy of her.

She had always thought this way and never felt she had missed out. But Xiao Duo could not say this in public, not even when alone with her—he simply could not!

“In that case, we have no reason to cooperate anymore. Do you think without you, I can’t win over Xiao Yue? You’re overestimating yourself.”

Xiao Duo sneered, “Can you even get a meeting with Xiao Yue now?”

Chi Yueyao’s eyes flashed with ruthlessness. “Xiao Duo, how do you know I can’t see him? Don’t forget, Xiao Jin is my good friend—I can go to the Xiao family anytime.”

Xiao Duo was speechless. Just thinking of Xiao Jin made him irritable. That girl never saw him as her elder brother; she was always trailing after Xiao Yue.

Chi Yueyao watched his expression carefully and breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed Xiao Duo didn’t know about the rift between her and Xiao Jin.

“Xiao Duo, think carefully. Are you sure you don’t want to work with me? Without the information I provide on Chi Xingwan’s whereabouts, you really won’t find her.”

Chi Yueyao suppressed her anger and coaxed him gently.