Chapter 11: Jealousy

Lin Xi Lan nearly spat out her porridge.

She grabbed a tissue and pretended to compose herself as she wiped her mouth. "Are you okay, Zhou Yuheng? Have you had some misunderstanding with Xiao Li recently? Do you need me to help clear things up?" she asked ingratiatingly.

Zhou Yuheng put down his spoon and leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest with a languid air.

"What's gotten into you? Don't want me to come back? Lin Xi Lan, didn't you love me?"

Love my ass!

Those words were burning on Lin Xi Lan’s tongue, itching to spit them right in Zhou Yuheng’s face. But she held back—she still needed something from him.

Her expression shifted instantly. Flashing a flattering smile, she said, "Of course I love you. But your change has me a bit unsettled. Zhou Yuheng, can you tell me exactly what’s going on?"

Zhou Yuheng studied Lin Xi Lan carefully. His instincts told him something was off about her, but if he wanted to understand her true intentions, it wouldn’t be easy.

After breakfast, upon receiving a message from Song Qingli, Zhou Yuheng hurriedly left the villa.

...

As he stepped out of the elevator, Zhou Yuheng saw Song Qingli leaving with a suitcase.

"Where are you going?" he asked, stepping forward to grab the suitcase.

"Home," she replied.

Song Qingli wasn’t a local of Haicheng; she had come from another city to study there.

"..."

Zhou Yuheng understood. He furrowed his brows slightly. "Xiao Li, didn’t you promise to give me some time?"

Tears welled in Song Qingli’s eyes. She looked up at him—this face she truly loved. But no matter how much she loved him, she wasn’t willing to cross her boundaries.

...

"Wasn’t the time I gave you enough? I trusted you to handle things, so I did what I least wanted to do. And what did you do?"

"What did I do?" Zhou Yuheng asked.

Song Qingli took a deep breath and wiped away her tears. "You went back to the villa with her yesterday, didn’t you?"

"Yes."

Zhou Yuheng didn’t deny it.

His honesty broke down Song Qingli’s defenses.

"So if that’s the case, there’s no reason for us to be together. I don’t want to share a man with anyone."

She tossed aside the suitcase and walked toward the elevator. Zhou Yuheng suddenly pulled her into his arms.

"Xiao Li, I went back to the villa yesterday because I wanted to see what tricks Lin Xi Lan was playing. I did mention divorce to her, but she refused."

Song Qingli wasn’t in the mood to listen; she just wanted to create a scene.

"She refuses because she still loves you. You two have a marriage protected by law. And what about me? As long as she doesn’t step aside, I’ll always be the one kept in the shadows. I don’t want to live my life in the dark. I want to stand in the sunlight."

"Zhou Yuheng, I’m only twenty-five. I have a better future ahead. Why do you want to put me in this position?"

Her small fists pounded on Zhou Yuheng, one hit after another. "I really can’t hold on anymore. Do you think this is fair to me?"

Zhou Yuheng held her tightly, his eyes full of guilt.

"It’s not fair. But please, give me a little more time."

Song Qingli looked up at him, tears glistening. "I gave you time, and yet you go to be with Lin Xi Lan? When you went back to your villa with her yesterday—did you do it?"

She bit her lower lip.

"No, I didn’t touch her."

Zhou Yuheng said, "When I love someone, I love only that person. I wouldn’t touch another woman. I’m not that kind of man."

...

"I want this to end soon, too."

Song Qingli turned her head aside and said, "Lin Xi Lan won’t let go."

Jealousy crept in. "The day I came to your house, she told me she was the granddaughter-in-law appointed by your grandfather—that she has the final say in your marriage."

"I know. It’s a declaration of sovereignty."

"She really said that?" Zhou Yuheng asked.

"Do I need to lie to you?"

Song Qingli gently pushed him away, but he tightened his hold instead.

"Xiao Li, trust me. Lin Xi Lan won’t be our obstacle."

Zhou Yuheng wasn’t one to make empty promises. Though he spoke little, he kept his words close to his heart.

But Song Qingli didn’t see it that way; she felt his attitude was somewhat dismissive.

"Trust you? Won’t I just end up disappointed? Will you end up back with Lin Xi Lan?"

Zhou Yuheng was resolute. "No."

...

"Achoo."

Lin Xi Lan sneezed, rubbing her nose. She wondered who was gossiping about her behind her back again.

"Take some medicine. It’s allergy season again."

Hearing the voice, Lin Xi Lan looked up...