Chapter 8: Deliberate Actions
Huayue Restaurant was a common haunt for the wealthy elite of Z City. Only business magnates or politicians could afford to step inside; those without status wouldn’t even be able to reach the doorstep.
When Xiuqi Chi arrived with Jingxian Xiang, he was immediately recognized. People eyed the woman beside him with curiosity, whispering amongst themselves.
Jingxian Xiang reveled in the attention. While inwardly pleased, she feigned apprehension, subtly moving closer to Xiuqi Chi.
“Xiuqi, did they recognize me? Will this cause you trouble? Let’s walk faster…” she murmured.
Upon hearing her words, Xiuqi Chi frowned slightly. He glanced at the gossiping crowd, then gently patted Jingxian Xiang’s hand. “No one would dare to gossip.”
Seeing that Jingxian Xiang still looked uneasy, he added, “You will be my rightful Mrs. Chi from now on.”
*Mrs. Chi.*
Jingxian Xiang repeated the words to herself, a genuine smile gracing her lips. She nestled closer to Xiuqi Chi. “Xiuqi, you’re so kind.” As she spoke, she took his hand.
The gesture was somewhat abrupt, and despite it being Jingxian Xiang, Xiuqi Chi still felt a reluctance towards a woman’s touch.
“Jingxian…”
Before Xiuqi Chi could finish speaking, Jingxian Xiang looked up at him, her eyes filled with infinite tenderness. “What is it?”
Xiuqi Chi couldn’t bring himself to ask her to let go. He shook his head. “It’s nothing.”
Jingxian Xiang smiled again.
Where Xiuqi Chi couldn’t see, her eyes were clouded with malice. How could she not sense his resistance? From the embrace at home, Jingxian Xiang had felt his stiffness, and now, holding his hand was no different.
He had done far more intimate things with that b*tch Yeyun Ye, yet he couldn’t even bear to be touched by her? Jingxian Xiang seethed inwardly. The more he resisted, the gentler she became.
Inside private room 312, every detail of the decor exuded opulence. Chengan Xiang and Yunxi Liu occupied the main seats. Chengan Xiang showed no particular expression upon seeing Jingxian Xiang and Xiuqi Chi arrive, but Yunxi Liu greeted them warmly.
“Dad, Mom.” Jingxian Xiang looked at Chengan Xiang, feeling a flutter of apprehension. Xiuqi Chi, on the other hand, appeared at ease. “Mr. Xiang, Mrs. Xiang.”
When he saw the supplements and gifts brought by Xiuqi Chi’s assistant, Chengan Xiang’s eyes narrowed before he finally said, “Mr. Chi, please sit.”
Seeing that Chengan Xiang showed little regard for Xiuqi Chi, Jingxian Xiang’s heart tightened. She bit her lip, glancing worriedly at Xiuqi Chi, not wanting to lose him because of her father.
Xiuqi Chi pulled Jingxian Xiang down to sit with him. Chengan Xiang cut straight to the chase. “Have you divorced that woman from the Ye Family yet?”
The question was pointed, but Xiuqi Chi showed no hint of guilt. “No.”
This answer clearly displeased Chengan Xiang. Before he could say anything further, Xiuqi Chi interjected, “If this matter isn’t handled properly, the external rumors will only get worse.”
Yunxi Liu, sensing the tense atmosphere, immediately signaled to Jingxian Xiang. The two women began to appease the men beside them.
Chengan Xiang did not express much satisfaction with Xiuqi Chi’s explanation. He slowly pushed away the tea Yunxi Liu had poured for him. “You have many ways to get a divorce. Now that you want the world to know about your relationship with Jingxian, why are you still dragging your feet!” As the chairman for many years, Chengan Xiang possessed an imposing aura that commanded respect even without anger.
However, the person sitting opposite him was Xiuqi Chi. “Chairman Xiang, if I recall correctly, when Jingxian was unable to fulfill the engagement, it was you and Mrs. Xiang who proposed that your adopted daughter, Yeyun Ye, marry into the Chi family, wasn’t it?”
Xiuqi Chi sneered but did not expose Chengan Xiang’s true intentions. The Chi family had fallen on hard times, and the Xiang family had initially looked down upon them. Although Jingxian Xiang was also adopted, she was a carefully cultivated pawn. Yeyun Ye, brought back from an orphanage, was considered far less valuable and thus the most suitable candidate for a political marriage with the Chi family. Of course, Xiuqi Chi kept these thoughts to himself, deciding to give Jingxian Xiang’s father some face.
Chengan Xiang was about to retort when his phone rang, interrupting the conversation. Seeing that it was Wang An calling, Xiuqi Chi knew without answering that Yeyun Ye had woken up. He hung up and continued speaking to Chengan Xiang. “I will handle matters with Yeyun Ye. My marriage with Jingxian is something I am merely informing you of.” Despite his smile, there was no trace of happiness on Xiuqi Chi’s face.
At the hospital, Yeyun Ye had not spoken a word since waking up. Looking at Wang An standing in the hallway, she knew instantly that he had been sent by Xiuqi Chi to monitor her. Staring at the bright streetlights outside, Yeyun Ye thought back to her time at the orphanage. She had been naughty and run away from the orphanage. The streetlights were bright, yet the surroundings were eerily quiet. It was a winter night with falling snow; she had curled up in a corner. If Uncle Ye hadn’t found her, she might have died that night.
Remembering this, Yeyun Ye struggled to get out of bed. As she opened the door and took a step out, Wang An blocked her path. “I’m going out,” Yeyun Ye said, looking at Wang An. “Did he say I can’t leave?” After all these years, Yeyun Ye understood Xiuqi Chi as well as she understood herself. He wouldn’t have Wang An control her freedom, especially with Jingxian Xiang now in the picture. As expected, Wang An instinctively shook his head. Seeing this, Yeyun Ye pushed past Wang An. “If possible, I hope you won’t tell Xiuqi that I’ve left.” With that, Yeyun Ye left the hospital without hesitation.
The city, nearing eight o’clock, was still quite lively. Yeyun Ye soon got into a taxi. “Take me to Sheng’an Welfare Institute.” The driver nodded, muttering, “Little girl, where are you going? I saw on the news that the director of that welfare home got into trouble and it’s been sealed off.” Yeyun Ye’s hands, resting on her knees, slowly clenched. As she got out of the car, she looked seriously at the driver. “Director Ye is a good person. He was framed by someone. I am from Sheng’an Welfare Institute. I believe the person manipulating things behind the scenes will be brought to justice.” Yeyun Ye gazed at the desolate welfare institute, yet it felt as though her time there was just yesterday.
The rusty iron gate creaked as it was pushed open. Yeyun Ye walked in, following the path she remembered to Director Ye Feng’s office. Fortunately, no official seals had been placed yet. Once inside, Yeyun Ye began searching through Director Ye’s computer. The password was no secret. After entering the date the welfare home was established, she accessed the system. The computer wallpaper was still the group photo of her and the other orphans from back then, warming her heart. It solidified her conviction that Director Ye’s death and those events were deliberate.
