Chapter 17: The Truth from Three Years Ago
Jingxian Xiang had originally arranged for Xiuqi Chi to come over that evening. However, it was already eleven o’clock, and Jingxian Xiang still hadn’t seen Xiuqi Chi, nor had she received a single message from him.
This made Jingxian Xiang feel extremely uneasy.
After much thought, she called Xiuqi Chi.
Upon hearing Jingxian Xiang’s words, Xiuqi Chi remembered the arrangement and frowned. “Sorry, I was too busy with work today.”
After leaving Yeyun Ye, Xiuqi Chi had been in no mood for anything else, let alone remembering such an insignificant matter.
Jingxian Xiang was displeased with Xiuqi Chi’s answer but could only outwardly feign understanding, though a hint of disappointment colored her tone.
“So that’s how it is. You should tell me earlier next time. I even prepared a candlelight dinner today.” As Jingxian Xiang spoke, she sent a picture. “Xiuqi, when will you be free?”
Listening to the woman’s seemingly innocent tone, Xiuqi Chi felt no warmth as he normally would. He rubbed his temples and merely glanced at the photo Jingxian Xiang had sent.
“Jingxian, my work schedule is very tight during this period. I likely won’t have time to accompany you.”
Xiuqi Chi’s apologetic tone left Jingxian Xiang at a loss for words.
After the call ended, Jingxian Xiang gloomily made another call. “I want to know everything Xiuqi Chi did this afternoon!”
She refused to believe that a CEO like Xiuqi Chi could possibly be this busy!
In less than five minutes, Jingxian Xiang received a pile of photos on her mobile phone.
Without further hesitation, Jingxian Xiang found Yeyun Ye’s number and sent a message: “If you want to know how Feng Ye died, I’ll be waiting for you at Huayue tomorrow at eleven.”
Yeyun Ye saw the message as soon as she woke up the next day. Even though she suspected it might be a trick from Jingxian Xiang, Yeyun Ye couldn’t ignore it. She arrived at Huayue precisely at eleven.
Jingxian Xiang was already waiting for her in a private room.
“Jingxian Xiang, how did Uncle Ye die?”
Yeyun Ye didn’t want to beat around the bush with Jingxian Xiang and got straight to the point after entering.
Jingxian Xiang looked up slightly, her gaze falling on the face that resembled hers by nine-tenths. She let out a cold laugh and unhurriedly gestured to the seat in front of her. “Sit down first. We sisters haven’t caught up in a long time.”
“I don’t think we have anything left to catch up on,” Yeyun Ye frowned, sitting down. Her eyes, devoid of emotion, fixed on Jingxian Xiang. “Who killed Uncle Ye?”
As if not hearing the question, Jingxian Xiang lightly stirred the tea in front of her. “Actually, I’m curious, why haven’t you divorced Xiuqi yet?”
Hearing Jingxian Xiang bring up something irrelevant, Yeyun Ye chose not to speak, silently observing her.
Jingxian Xiang continued undeterred by Yeyun Ye’s silence.
“Three years. A full three years. You’ve been with Xiuqi day in and day out, yet you still haven’t gained a single foothold in his heart. Yeyun Ye, you’re a complete failure.” Jingxian Xiang’s tone was one of pity, but her expression clearly betrayed her schadenfreude. “If I were you, I would have already banged my head against a wall.”
Realizing Jingxian Xiang’s intention was to mock her, Yeyun Ye’s brow furrowed. Mimicking Jingxian Xiang’s usual sarcastic demeanor, she retorted, “What about you? You keep calling me a homewrecker, but the marriage certificate with Xiuqi has my name on it.”
Unexpectedly, Yeyun Ye would talk back to her like this. Jingxian Xiang’s expression turned grim. After regaining her composure, she sneered, “Having the marriage certificate doesn’t change the fact that Xiuqi’s heart belongs to someone else!”
Yeyun Ye’s face sank at these words. She knew Jingxian Xiang was right, and the more it was true, the more pathetic she felt.
Seeing that Yeyun Ye offered no further rebuttal, Jingxian Xiang grew smug. Just as she was about to continue, Yeyun Ye spoke first.
“You went abroad back then because of the Xiang Family, right? And you’ve returned now because of them too, haven’t you?” Yeyun Ye didn’t seem to need an immediate answer from Jingxian Xiang. “Does the Xiang Family want to use you to control Xiuqi? Or to carve up the Chi Family’s assets?”
Caught off guard by Yeyun Ye bringing up these matters, Jingxian Xiang froze, momentarily forgetting to refute her.
“They want to use you to test Xiuqi’s bottom line.” Yeyun Ye stated this with certainty.
Over the years, apart from her foolish infatuation with Xiuqi Chi, she had seen through many other things.
Especially after witnessing Jingxian Xiang’s increasingly ugly expression, Yeyun Ye knew she was likely close to the truth.
“Do you think you’re enjoying wealth and status in the Xiang Family? But they’ve only ever wanted to use you. All they hope for is to squeeze out your last bit of value.”
“Shut up!” Hearing Yeyun Ye’s words, Jingxian Xiang felt her last shred of dignity torn away. She flung the scalding tea at Yeyun Ye. “What do you know! So what if it’s true! Xiuqi Chi is mine! And I’m the only daughter the Xiang Family has!”
“You probably know very well yourself that you are merely an adopted daughter. If you are no longer useful to them, they will abandon you. You are no different from the Ye Family. You understand how they treated the Ye Family back then, so I don’t need to elaborate.”
Yeyun Ye rarely used such sharp eyes and a sharp tone, but when she did, it sent a chill down one’s spine.
Upon hearing Yeyun Ye mention the Ye Family, Jingxian Xiang looked at her abruptly.
No! Impossible! How old was Yeyun Ye then? How could she possibly know about those past events?
Jingxian Xiang’s mind became a chaotic mess. She looked at Yeyun Ye, feeling that no matter what, Yeyun Ye could not be allowed to ruin everything for her.
Seeing the look in Jingxian Xiang’s eyes, Yeyun Ye frowned. Jingxian Xiang hadn’t reacted so strongly before. Why the sudden change?
“The reason you’re saying all this now is because you want me to leave the Xiang Family and leave Xiuqi, right? I’m telling you, Yeyun Ye, stop dreaming! I won’t let you succeed!”
Jingxian Xiang suddenly stood up, her eyes filled with hatred as she glared at Yeyun Ye.
Seeing Jingxian Xiang on the verge of pouncing, Yeyun Ye realized she wouldn’t learn anything about Feng Ye today. She walked towards the door. “We should never see each other again. Since you already consider me an enemy, I will no longer have any sisterly affection for you in the future.”
With that, Yeyun Ye left the private room without giving Jingxian Xiang a chance to speak.
Jingxian Xiang watched Yeyun Ye leave with fierce resentment, a crazy plan already forming in her mind.
