Ch 88: Fine, Let’s Be Friends
“I know whatever I say now is useless. I am guilty, and I have received my punishment…” Cao Xin seemed lost in her own world, her eyes vacant as she gazed out the window, a strange smile playing on her weathered face.
Instinctively, she reached out to touch her belly, repeatedly stroking it. “Quintuplets… they want my life.”
Everyone’s eyes turned to that enormous belly. Five babies? No wonder she looked so tired; carrying that many must be exhausting.
Fu Jinglun tossed the Rubik’s Cube onto the coffee table, leaned back against the sofa, crossed his arms, and nonchalantly said, “No one’s here to listen to your woes. Having children is your business; how many you have is none of our concern. Since Xiao Yao is also here, you can just give her the 130,000 the court awarded. We’ll be witnesses. Let’s get this over with.”
Cao Xin nodded, struggled to sit up, went to a nearby cabinet, took out a wallet, pulled out a bank card, and placed it before Xiao Yao. “This has exactly 130,000 yuan. It’s all the assets Zhao Qianxun left behind. The PIN is six zeros. Take it.”
Xiao Yao didn’t move, so Luo Li took the initiative to take the bank card and handed it to her.
The initial anger and resentment had subsided, but that didn’t mean she would forgive her out of pity. Since the main business was settled, Xiao Yao didn’t intend to stay longer.
As she got up, she couldn’t help but glance at Cao Xin’s belly, her gaze sweeping across the empty house. She casually asked, “Are you alone?”
Cao Xin nodded.
“Where’s the child’s father?”
Cao Xin’s expression changed slightly; she bit her lip and remained silent.
Xiao Yao suddenly felt that those who deserve pity also deserve to be hated. She wasn’t worth sympathizing with. She collected herself and left.
Zhuang Lingyun and Fu Jinglun followed, Xiao Yao and Luo Li walking ahead, the two men trailing behind.
Xiao Yao reached the building where her house was located. She looked up, past memories vividly present, her father’s image still fresh in her mind, while the person in reality had turned to ashes.
Her eyes started to well up. Xiao Yao covered her chest, suppressing her sorrow as she walked away. This house should be sold quickly. Without those familiar surroundings, it wouldn’t hurt so much, right?
Perhaps she should move out of this city with her mother so she wouldn’t be constantly reminded of the past?
The deceased have passed; the living should cherish life. Moving on is the greatest comfort for the deceased, isn’t it? Father…
“Are you alright?” Luo Li supported her, her eyes full of concern. “Should we go to the hospital?”
As Xiao Yao was hesitating, a familiar voice suddenly sounded beside her, “Why the hospital? Are you feeling unwell?”
Zhuang Lingyun had approached unnoticed. Xiao Yao stiffened, quickly glancing at him. Meeting his concerned gaze, she lowered her eyes and shook her head slightly.
Luo Li pulled Xiao Yao behind her, protectively. She said expressionlessly to Zhuang Lingyun, “Mr. Zhuang, we have things to do, so we’ll be leaving. You and your… boyfriend, hehe, boyfriend, right? Feel free to wander around. Goodbye.”
Luo Li’s words were cut short as Fu Jinglun suddenly appeared, grabbing her by the back of the neck and pulling her aside.
Fu Jinglun gritted his teeth, “Say that again, and I’ll strangle you. I haven’t settled the score from this morning, and now you’re pushing your luck! Huh?”
Luo Li, standing at 170cm tall, was almost as tall as Xiao Yao, considered tall among women, but she was lifted like a chick by Fu Jinglun, her lifeblood pinched. She clawed and yelled, “Bastard, let go of me! If you’ve got the guts, let’s fight man-to-man. Ambushing me isn’t manly!”
“Who wants to fight with a woman like you? Your head is full of silly nonsense.”
“You’re the silly one! Your brain is full of crap! Let me go!” Luo Li tried to kick his knee, but failed. “Don’t let people talk? Then don’t give people the wrong idea!”
“Only you would think like that. I ask you, you and Xiao Yao eat and sleep together, holding hands and embracing each other when you go out. You protect and worry about her so much, do you have feelings for her?”
“Go to hell!”
“Still cursing? Unrepentant!”
Fu Jinglun didn’t loosen his grip on Luo Li’s neck. Though he wasn’t using much force, Luo Li couldn’t break free. He finally forced her to squat by a flowerbed, where she was close to tears, wanting to sing a song of conquest.
“Fu Jinglun, let her go.” Xiao Yao panicked, wanting to rescue her friend, fearing Fu Jinglun might hurt Luo Li unintentionally.
Unexpectedly, upon hearing Xiao Yao’s words, Fu Jinglun coldly glanced at her and dragged Luo Li away. Luo Li waved her arms and kicked her legs, shouting. Xiao Yao wanted to chase after them, but Zhuang Lingyun stepped in front of her.
Zhuang Lingyun said, “She’ll be fine. He knows his limits.”
Xiao Yao was anxious and glanced at him again, slightly shifting to the side to get past him, but Zhuang Lingyun again moved to block her.
“I need to talk to you.”
“What…”
“Yaoyao, will you really never want to see me again? Tell me honestly, if my disappearance can bring you happiness, I’m willing to give up everything and leave.”
She suddenly looked up at him, a nervousness she herself couldn’t comprehend evident in her expression.
Zhuang Lingyun smiled softly, continuing, “But if my leaving can’t resolve your feelings, can you give me another chance? I know it’s hard to mend a broken mirror, and I won’t force anything on you. Even if I can’t be by your side in the future… can we still keep in touch as friends?”
Friends? Isn’t that self-deception? They still loved each other, neither could let go. How could they be friends?
Xiao Yao knew Zhuang Lingyun was a clever and wise man. This indirect approach was skillfully executed, perfectly hitting her sentimental weakness.
He was certain she would agree…
Xiao Yao was silent for a moment, then changed the subject, “I want to return all your assets in my name as soon as possible.”
“Let’s call it a partnership,” he said immediately, anticipating her thoughts. “I’ll provide the capital, you’ll put in the effort, and we’ll split the profits. How does that sound?”
Xiao Yao didn’t speak, just looked at him.
Zhuang Lingyun smiled slightly, “It’s too much trouble to keep transferring things back and forth, and changing names also costs money. This is the best solution.”
“Do you really want to be friends with me?” Xiao Yao asked, pausing before adding, “Good friends wouldn’t interfere with each other’s marriage, right?”
Zhuang Lingyun’s expression stiffened. “You… do you have plans to remarry?”
“After all… I won’t be single forever, will I?”
He swallowed, managing a weak smile after a moment. He nodded. “Yes, if you meet someone suitable, I… I’ll be happy for you and give my blessings.”
Xiao Yao smiled softly, lowering her head to hide the tears quickly welling up in her eyes.
This is so heartbreaking. Why did she say that…?
“Then, let’s be friends.”
✦ ✦ ✦
