Volume One, Chapter 43: Do Not Harbor Ill Intentions Toward Xingwan

Chi Xingwan emerged with Xiao Rui and Huang Yusen, and those waiting outside all hurried forward to meet them.

“You go help Secretary Dai wrap things up,” Chi Xingwan instructed Cheng Fan.

Cheng Fan called for backup as he ran upstairs.

Xiao Yu and Xiao Ming crowded around Xiao Rui, circling him to make sure he was unharmed. Relieved, their pent-up anger instantly began to surge.

“Brother, you’re old enough—have you grown in size but not in brains?”

“Exactly! Don’t you know how much homework we have? We wasted an entire day over your little mess without writing a single word—especially our sister, who’s already in high school. If you cause her to do badly on her entrance exams, how will you make it up to her?”

Xiao Rui didn’t dare utter a word in defense. He shrank in on himself, submitting to his siblings’ judgment.

Chi Xingwan mediated, “It’s getting late. You should hurry home. Xiao Rui, spend more time in the sun these next few days. Even though you weren’t drained, you’ve been around Su Tang long enough that some of her darkness has rubbed off on you.”

Xiao Rui nodded fervently. “Got it, Sis.”

After the three departed, Yu Dongli regained consciousness. Supported by Xu Mingyue and Wen Jing, she stood—and immediately locked eyes with Huang Yusen.

The last thing she remembered before fainting flashed through her mind. Her face flushed. Then, remembering how close Huang Yusen had come to being with that woman, her anger surged.

With a sharp slap, Yu Dongli struck Huang Yusen’s face. “You’re disgusting!”

Huang Yusen seized her hand. “Lili, you’re the one I love. I was only bewitched by her—she must have drugged me. Otherwise, I’d never betray you.”

Yu Dongli struggled desperately. “Don’t touch me!”

Xu Mingyue stepped forward to help pry Huang Yusen away. “You jerk! Of all the men in the world, why did you have to fall for it? Let her go!”

Wen Jing, seeing Xu Mingyue act, joined in. Though Huang Yusen was a grown man, the darkness surrounding him was much thicker than Xiao Rui’s, sapping his strength—he was no match for the three of them and was quickly subdued.

“I’m warning you: never appear before me again!” Yu Dongli spat, then left, supported by Xu Mingyue and Wen Jing.

Chi Xingwan brought up the rear. As she passed Huang Yusen, she shot him a meaningful look and offered a word of advice.

“You’ve already been with Su Tang. Your energy is depleted. Eat more nourishing foods and get some sun. Maybe you can recover.”

Huang Yusen stiffened, abandoning any thought of giving chase.

Yu Dongli cried all the way back to campus. Xu Mingyue, always one to respond to gentleness rather than force, had previously quarreled fiercely with Yu Dongli. Now, seeing her distraught, she sat by her side in comfort.

“We’ve been together for three years. He treated me so well. Why did this happen?” Yu Dongli sobbed.

Xu Mingyue patted her shoulder. “Enough. Let the bad go so the good can come. Let it go—it’s better to focus on your studies. Tomorrow, let’s do the experiment together.”

Yu Dongli cried even harder. “All you care about is your experiments. You don’t really care about me. I just broke up, and you’re already telling me to focus on experiments. Can’t you show a little sympathy?”

Xu Mingyue fought back the urge to scold her, managing to hold back.

“Xingwan, don’t you think he was manipulated by that witch—that he only betrayed me because she set him up?” Yu Dongli looked to Chi Xingwan, her eyes filled with hope.

Chi Xingwan replied mercilessly, “If his heart had been steadfast, he wouldn’t have fallen into the trap.”

Yu Dongli nearly fainted from crying.

Chi Xingwan couldn’t be bothered any longer. The next day, she made time to visit the hospital. Xiao Rui, still shaken, not only underwent a full examination but insisted on staying for observation.

Xiao Yu and Xiao Ming eyed him coldly as they lugged their schoolbags.

“The doctor said you’re fine. What’s the point of staying?”

“Brother, come home with us. We really have to get our homework done. We don’t have time to look after you.”

Xiao Rui clung to the hospital bed. “No, I truly don’t feel well. I think I need to stay a few more days. You go ahead—don’t worry about me.”

Chi Xingwan leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, and asked quietly, “Are you sure you don’t want to go home?”

Xiao Rui immediately grew wary. “Sis, just say what you mean. You know I’m not clever enough to read between the lines.”

Chi Xingwan smiled. “You’re weak right now—more susceptible to certain things. Think about it: are such things more likely to show up at home, or in the hospital?”

In a flash, Xiao Rui leapt off the bed. “Let’s go home, now!”

Back at the Xiao residence, Chi Xingwan first went to see Grandma Xiao. The old lady was eager for Chi Xingwan to grow closer to the younger generation and happily let her go find Xiao Yu.

The four of them sat in the garden, chatting over afternoon tea. Mainly, Chi Xingwan asked questions, Xiao Rui answered, while Xiao Yu and Xiao Ming worked on their homework nearby.

“So, when Su Tang first appeared in your hospital room, you didn’t want to go with her?” Chi Xingwan asked.

Xiao Rui nodded vigorously. “She said she’d drugged the two bodyguards. I thought it was wrong—what if something happened to them? I was planning to call the doctor.”

“And then?”

“And then, I don’t know why, but I suddenly changed my mind and went with her without a second thought.”

Chi Xingwan carefully recorded everything and sent it to Cheng Fan.

Her work done, Chi Xingwan took out three jade pendants and handed them over. “Wear these—they’ll ward off evil and keep you safe.”

The three immediately hung the pendants around their necks. Xiao Rui, after putting his on, grinned ingratiatingly. “Sis, how about we add each other on WeChat? It’ll make it easier to keep in touch.”

Xiao Yu and Xiao Ming already had Chi Xingwan’s contact, but Xiao Rui did not, which made him feel insecure.

Chi Xingwan had nothing against Xiao Rui and gave him her WeChat.

Xiao Jin had been watching from upstairs. Seeing Chi Xingwan leave, she rushed down and blocked the trio.

“When did you get so chummy with Chi Xingwan? What were you just talking about?”

Xiao Rui glanced at Xiao Yu and Xiao Ming, signaling them to stay quiet. He replied, “Xingwan is great, and she’s our second sister-in-law. Isn’t it natural for us to be close?”

Xiao Jin blurted out, “Second Brother hasn’t even met her. How do you know she’ll be our second sister-in-law?”

Now a diehard fan of Chi Xingwan, Xiao Rui bristled. “I know you want Chi Yueyao as our second sister-in-law, but let me tell you—it’s not happening. Before Second Brother fell ill, the Chi family wanted Chi Yueyao to take Xingwan’s place, but Second Brother refused.”

“That was Grandma’s decision.”

“Come off it—when has Grandma ever forced Second Brother into anything?”

Xiao Jin was left speechless.

Xiao Rui glared at her. “I’m warning you—don’t harbor any ill intentions toward Xingwan, or our years of sibling affection end here.”

Watching the three walk away, Xiao Jin was filled with regret. She hadn’t meant to argue with Xiao Rui. She genuinely wanted to repair her relationship with Chi Xingwan.