However, if that Mr. Wen was really related to Qi Qiming, could Gu Lingsha have been a part of all those incidents too?

If that were true, then the reason she returned this time was probably to go against Mu Yuchen!

Xi Xiaye obviously did not forget the things the so-called Mr. Wen had said to her. From those words of his, she could clearly feel that the person held a grudge against Mu Yuchen!

The more Xi Xiaye thought about it, the more her expression turned solemn. Her brows furrowed into a knot. Even when Su Nan called her a few times, she did not snap back to her senses. Su Nan was worried and quickly pinched her hand. When she felt the pain, Xi Xiaye slowly regained her senses.

"Xiaye, what's wrong?" Su Nan had already wiped her tears away as she looked at Xi Xiaye with wet eyes.

Xi Xiaye shook her head and gently patted Su Nan on the shoulder as she said calmly, "I'm fine. It's okay. I believe that you didn't push her. Don't be too worried either. It'll be fine. I need to take a look at Ruan Heng at the hospital now, and at the same time, understand the situation. You rest well and wait for my good news, okay?"

Su Nan nodded hard as she gripped both of Xi Xiaye's hands tightly.

Xi Xiaye slowly got up. She was still concerned as she explained, "Whatever they ask you, before anything's been confirmed, don't simply answer them. I'll wait for the hospital to clarify and get you a lawyer. Remember, before the lawyer gets here, don't say anything. Got it?"

"Okay, I understand. Don't worry! I trust you! I'll wait right here for you to get me out. Xi Xiaye, thank God you're here... Otherwise... otherwise I... I would've broken down by now..." Su Nan looked at Xi Xiaye with gratitude.

Xi Xiaye just smiled calmly. "Okay, don't think too much about it. I'm leaving now. Wait for my good news."

...

After Xi Xiaye left the police station, she rushed straight to the hospital. She even forgot to have lunch, so it was a good thing that Ji Zitong predicted this and called Maple Residence to ask Sis Wang to prepare some plain porridge and send it over. They managed to meet at the plaza that was not too far from the hospital.

With Sis Wang and Ji Zitong watching over her and after considering the little thing in her, Xi Xiaye forced herself to finish two bowls and drink a few sips of flower tea before she felt much more at ease.

Sis Wang handed a clean handkerchief to Xi Xiaye, as she said, "Missus, the Elder Madam came over this morning. She brought some light snacks for you. She's worried that you'd be too tired in the upcoming days, so she just stayed in Maple Residence. She said she'll only leave when the Master gets back. That way, it'd be easier to take care of you."

Xi Xiaye accepted the handkerchief and wiped her hand as she nodded gladly. "Mmm, Grandmother and the rest have been very considerate."

"Elder Madam's also worried about explaining things to the Master when he returns if you become thinner instead! So, while we still have time, we have to make sure you're nourished." Sis Wang smiled.

Return...

She did not even know when he would be returning!

Xi Xiaye suddenly felt weak and sad on the inside. After she thought about it, she then quickly took out her phone. That was when she realized that her phone was still switched off.

Ji Zitong did not tell Xi Xiaye that Mu Yuchen was rushing home tonight either since she thought to herself that it would be a lovely surprise. Xi Xiaye had been quite worrisome these past few days, so an unexpected turnup would do her good. If this went on, the little baby in her would turn out to be a gloomy little baby!

"I'm good. Don't worry. Go home first. I want to rest for a while. Later, I'll come to the hospital to take a look again."

"Alright, Missus go home earlier today. The Elder Madam's preparing your meal tonight. She told me to tell you. Right, Chief Zhuang will come over too. The calcium tablets that the doctor prescribed for you are still with her."

"Okay, I'll do my best," Xi Xiaye responded before Sis Wang got onto the car and rushed to Maple Residence.

When she watched the shadow of Sis Wang's car vanish in the sea of vehicles, Xi Xiaye quietly averted her gaze. She was about to look up and ask Ji Zitong for the time when she suddenly felt a coldness splatter on her hand. She subconsciously looked up and realized that the cold and hazy sky had begun to pour.

"Director Xi, it's raining. Let's go in." Ji Zitong considerately held up a black umbrella and walked over, shielding her from the drizzling rain.

Xi Xiaye nodded and slowly got up as Ji Zitong reached out to help her.

As Xi Xiaye walked into the hospital, she asked, "How're things on Gu Lingsha's end?"

"I just received news that she's regained consciousness. The people from the police station seem to have just left. Shall we go over now?" Ji Zitong responded.

"Mmm, let's go."

Gu Lingsha's ward was the VIP ward on the 19th floor. Xi Xiaye and Ji Zitong walked up and stopped not too far away from the door.

Ji Zitong waved to the two black-suited bodyguards behind her. Immediately understanding, they guarded the door.

"Wait for me outside. I'll call you if there's anything," Xi Xiaye said, and then before Ji Zitong could answer, she had already walked in herself.

Inside the ward, Gu Lingsha was lying on the bed all pale. When she heard the sound of footsteps from the door, she subconsciously looked over and saw Xi Xiaye's figure greet her sight. A faint smile flashed on her lips while she looked with interest at Xi Xiaye.

Without waiting for Xi Xiaye to greet, Gu Lingsha had already spoken up, "We meet again, Miss Xi! Such fate."

Xi Xiaye stopped near her bed and looked at her with dim eyes and a lukewarm attitude. "I find it quite unfortunate instead."

When Gu Lingsha heard her response, her dazzling blue eyes flickered a bit, but she smiled graciously. "Unfortunate? It does seem quite unfortunate. The victim's family was too rash, pushing me down the stairs. My left hand is fractured. The doctor said it might be inconvenient for my mobility after I recover."

When Xi Xiaye heard Gu Lingsha's nonchalant tone, her expression darkened. She spoke with a hint of bitterness in her voice as her gaze was fixed on Gu Lingsha, "Miss Gu, are you saying that Su Nan really pushed you down the stairs?"

"Su Nan?"

Gu Lingsha stared at Xi Xiaye in shock as she frowned. "Do you know this Miss Su Nan, Xi Xiaye?"

She hesitated, then suddenly seemed to remember something as she said in surprise, "Oh, I remember now. I heard that you're good friends with Mr. Ruan and Miss Su, aren't you?"

As she said that, a faint curve flashed on the corner of her lips. Her gaze with which she looked at Xi Xiaye looked a tad more delighted.

Xi Xiaye glared at Gu Lingsha coldly without saying anything in response as she examined her. She did notice a thick layer of bandage wrapped around her left arm and a slight bruise on her extremely sympathetic face. With her exquisitely beautiful appearance, she did seem coldly delicate, yet there was an odd sign of strength and endurance of suffering between her brows.

She did find Gu Lingsha an exceptionally elegant beauty, yet the aura she exuded made her oddly uncomfortable as if there was something sinister about her. She wondered if she was overthinking it.

"Miss Gu, why would you insist that it was Su Nan who pushed you down the stairs?" Xi Xiaye immediately asked frankly.

When she heard the question, Gu Lingsha suddenly smiled. "Oh, it turns out that you've come for this too, Miss Xi? Miss Su's emotional. I don't blame her. After all, with Mr. Ruan in the state that he is, she must be quite shaken too. Thankfully, the police arrived in time. Otherwise, I was really worried that she'd break down."

Xi Xiaye looked down at Gu Lingsha who lay on the sickbed as she said calmly, "But Su Nan said that she didn't push you and that you fell yourself, Miss Gu. I know Su Nan well. She wouldn't irrationally push you down the stairs. Could there have been some kind of misunderstanding here?"

A smile flashed in Gu Lingsha's eyes as she spoke apologetically, "I can understand your worry, Miss Xi. I also express my sympathy for Miss Su Nan's current situation, but the police saw it themselves too. My hands are tied. If you've come for this, then I can only apologize. Uncle Qi will be sending someone to handle this. I almost forgot that Xi Xiaye seems to have some prejudice against me. My current health isn't great and my head is still heavy. I want to rest for a while, Miss Xi, so I won't talk to you for long now."

From the depths of Xi Xiaye's twinkling eyes, a hint of hostility flashed. She did not expect Gu Lingsha to be so begrudging. So, it seemed like she was getting back at her now, was she?

"Hmm, does that mean you've set your mind on the fact that Su Nan pushed you down the stairs?"

"Miss Xi, please watch your words. What do you mean by setting my mind on it? It was there for all to see!" Gu Lingsha frowned and pouted unhappily at Xi Xiaye. "Miss Xi, you should be careful and pick your words carefully, especially for something like this, to avoid creating unnecessary misunderstandings. Don't you think so?"

She was quite the character! Xi Xiaye scoffed haughtily. "Whether it's true or not, we'll know when we check the hospital's CCTV. I heard that you still had a fever a few days ago, so we can't be sure if you've been having illusions from the high fever, so I think there might even be a misunderstanding here. Besides, you also had a concussion, thus it's extremely possible that you could have had an unclear conscience sometimes."

Her headstrong ways did not budge for Gu Lingsha. Xi Xiaye put a hand in her pocket as she stared coldly at her.

Indeed, when Gu Lingsha heard this, her expression darkened slightly. She was about to say something when Xi Xiaye continued, "Ruan Heng and Su Nan did not offend you, Miss Gu, but anyone can make mistakes, so forgive them when possible. I'm sure you know the truth of this incident best. Such a nice family being tormented so terribly has everything to do with you, Miss Gu. Anyone with even a little bit conscience would feel bad—" Xi Xiaye pointed to where her heart was and fixed her gaze on her. "— right here, Miss Gu. Are you someone like that?"

Gu Lingsha's lowered gaze hid the disdain that flashed in her eyes. She turned away and did not look at Xi Xiaye anymore. Clearly, she was being hostile, so she asked her to leave. "Then, you may go investigate! I don't need anyone to judge the kind of person I am."

Xi Xiaye's apathetic lips curved up slightly. There was a faint ruthlessness on her expression, but she did not say anything anymore. She just shot Gu Lingsha a glance, and then turned to leave the ward.

When she heard the sound of the door close, Gu Lingsha then turned to glare at the door. A sneer curved on her lips.

Already anxious?

She was just getting started!

She took in a deep breath and then held her heavy and hurting head before she finally closed her eyes slowly.

"Director Xi!" When she saw Xi Xiaye walking out, Ji Zitong quickly went up to her from the side.

"Let's go see how Ruan Heng's doing," Xi Xiaye's expression was a little gloomy as she softly said, and then walked ahead.

Ji Zitong frowned in concern. She looked grimly at the two bodyguards before the three of them silently followed after Xi Xiaye.

However, they had just taken a few steps when there was suddenly the clear sound of footsteps from the front. Xi Xiaye subconsciously looked up and Qi Lei's handsome and slightly demonic face greeted her sight.

At that moment, he held a bouquet of violets in his hand. They looked very pretty, and she knew they were for Gu Lingsha.

Qi Lei stopped in that instant too. When he saw Xi Xiaye, he was clearly a little shocked.

"Why are you here?" he asked softly.

Xi Xiaye lowered her gaze indifferently and fell silent for a while. She turned to the side and walked past him slowly.

"Don't you already know? Or you can go ask Gu Lingsha yourself," she replied, then her frail body continued ahead while Ji Zitong and the rest followed her very quickly.

Qi Lei's handsome brows raised as he abruptly turned to watch Xi Xiaye as her figure moved further away. After a while, he held a hand to his forehead and sighed with a shrug. Then, he sighed to himself again.

This woman was genuine. Once this incident happened, she became unhappy. Only someone like Mu Yuchen could handle her.

Qi Lei massaged the space between his brows a little helplessly. He thought about it and could only shake his head before he walked towards Gu Lingsha's ward.

"Lei, you're here!" When Gu Lingsha saw Qi Lei from her bed, a soft smile rippled on her face.

Qi Lei nodded as he put the bouquet onto the table on the side. Then, he turned to Gu Lingsha, that demonic smile flashing across his face. "How are you feeling? Yang Sheng told me all about it. It's a good thing you're okay. Otherwise, I'd be sad again."

Gu Lingsha smiled plainly. Her clear blue eyes looked at him as she said softly, "It's nothing. It's just this hand that's probably done for. I'm really plagued with misfortunes, aren't I? Bad mishaps one after another. I can't even escape it. Don't you think I'm quite unlucky?"

He could hear helpless sorrow and a plain bleakness in her tone.

Qi Lei looked at her with his serene eyes as the curve on his lips widened. He pulled a chair out from the side to sit beside her.

"Isn't it just a fracture? With the medical technology nowadays, it shouldn't be too hard to heal," Qi Lei assured as he poured Gu Lingsha a glass of water.

Gu Lingsha did not reject it and lowered her head to take two sips. "Uncle Qi's just sent someone over too. Lei, you and Uncle Qi... Can't you just sit down and have a proper talk? Actually, he still cares about you very much. It's just that he and Aunt Wang are a little tensed. Aunt Wang's also the kind of stubborn person who won't give in. Sometimes, I'm quite worried too. It's not like Uncle Qi's doing well when things are like this."

She sighed again. "They've been at each other's throats for decades now. It should be time to stop."

Upon hearing this, Qi Lei's gaze darkened and his expression turned blank. "This is between them. Don't interfere and just recover well. Did Xiaye come looking for you earlier?"

Qi Lei looked at Gu Lingsha coolly. He was not interested in Qi Qiming and Wang Qin's matters at all. He would only find it the world's biggest mockery if he talked more about it.

"Xiaye? Xi Xiaye... What a sweet name... Are you very close to her?"

A small smile appeared on Gu Lingsha's face as she looked at Qi Lei with interest.

Qi Lei squinted and smiled at her as he said in a deep voice, "I guess we're quite close. Previously, they've treated me to a few meals, and I steal food from their house too. It feels like quite a good relationship." He did not hide his relationship with Mu Yuchen and Xi Xiaye either.

When Gu Lingsha heard his light-hearted humor, she suddenly smiled sadly. "Looks like you've been doing quite well these past few years."

She suddenly paused and her eyes dimmed. "Sometimes, I really admire you all. At least, you can live a happy life like normal people while I..."

"Shasha, now that you're back, you can also live a simpler and relaxed life. Since those things are in the past now, let them stay in the past. I've roughly understood your matter with Miss Su Nan too. You hurt your hand and you were slightly grazed, so it's not too huge of a matter. However, Miss Su Nan is still locked up at the police station. This is just a small matter. Mr. Ruan is still in coma right now. Earlier, didn't Xiaye come looking for you about this too?"

It was rare for Qi Lei to say so many things at a go.

Upon hearing Qi Lei's words, Gu Lingsha was stunned. She silently looked up in surprise, and there was a light of mixed feelings in her eyes.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Qi Lei asked with raised brows.

Gu Lingsha just laughed and lamented sadly, "Lei, why do I suddenly feel like upon my return this time, you've changed so much?"

"Changed so much? In what way? Aren't I still the same Qi Lei? Still that skinny boy who said he wanted to protect you..." Qi Lei smiled and lifted a hand to fix a strand of hair that had gotten stuck on her face. There was a gentleness in his eyes.

"No, Lei, you've changed... If this was before, you'd definitely give that person a lesson without hesitating if you heard someone hurt me. You were impulsive, and because of that, you were scolded by Aunt Wang. I really thank you for protecting me as always, but now, you've changed. You've become more mature and steady. I'm happy about that."

As Gu Lingsha said this, she slipped into her memories and her eyes started to become misty. She thought and thought about the past, then suddenly giggled. "I remember back then, I didn't like you. I thought you were an arrgant bumbeetle. After that, I realized that no matter what, the first person who would protect me was always you while Lingtian would always protect me from the dark. After so many years, there are still so many things I remember very clearly, but those things will only become memories. We're still around, but Lingtian... He's gone forever..."

"Okay, Shasha, don't think about those things anymore. The most important for you to do right now is to heal well. I listened to you and didn't call to inform Uncle Gu and the rest. Don't worry. Even if I've changed, I'll still protect you, but, Shasha, have you changed?" Qi Lei said as he helped her fix her blanket.

When Gu Lingsha heard his straightforward question, her movements stiffened, then she smiled wanly. "What do you think?"

Qi Lei shook his head. "Five years is quite a long time, so I can't tell, but I do hope that you can make it a non-issue. Xi Xiaye's quite a vulnerable person too. She's like glass. It's not easy being pregnant, and Ruan Heng and Su Nan seem to be her best friends. Because of Ruan Heng's matter, no one's been doing well either. Is that okay?"

After Qi Lei said this, Gu Lingsha immediately fell silent. She looked up and fixed her gaze on Qi Lei, whispering softly, "Lei, do you like Xi Xiaye?"

Qi Lei was stunned by this question. His handsome face started to blush involuntarily and he could not quite calm down. After a while, he suddenly shook his head and grinned. "How's that possible?! I wouldn't fancy such an uninteresting woman. Mu Yuchen has bland taste, and Xi Xiaye is his cup of tea. I still like beautiful and mature women like you. Besides, I am a very moral person. A married woman is a fatal poison that you can't touch. She and Mu Yuchen are probably like you and Qi Feng. They're a harmonious couple."

"A harmonious couple? Do you know about him and Xi Xiaye?" Gu Lingsha probed.

"It's obvious. Any man can tell that he cares about Xi Xiaye. As for Su Nan's matter, you..."

"Tell that to Uncle Qi. He's already sent for someone to help me handle it, so I can rest easy. I'm fine with it as long as Uncle Qi doesn't look into it."

...