Chapter 25: Exhilaration

Zhou Yuheng shifted his body, settling into the most comfortable position as he leaned lazily against the sofa. With a slight lift of his gaze, he glanced at Lin Xilan. "Do not ask about things that do not concern you."

Lin Xilan curled her lip. "If I'm not allowed to ask anything, then don't bother talking to me."

Just as Zhou Yuheng began to retort, a sudden wave of nausea overcame him. He furrowed his brow, rose abruptly, and doubled over to retch.

"..."

Lin Xilan scrambled to turn on the lights. When the pool of red liquid on the floor came into view, she had to admit she was truly frightened.

"My god, you're vomiting blood."

Zhou Yuheng said nothing, though he vomited a few more times in succession. Lin Xilan had no desire to be a widow, so she rushed him to the hospital.

In the hospital room, Zhou Yuheng was hooked up to an IV drip.

Lin Xilan pulled out her phone and said to him, "Look at you, you've developed a gastric hemorrhage because of Song Qingli. She’s bound to be heartbroken when she finds out."

"I have to give her a call."

Zhou Yuheng sounded impatient. "Stop pestering me."

But Lin Xilan was firm. "Zhou Yuheng, stop trying to be a hero, will you? I know you must be missing Song Qingli right now. I’ll call her for you; maybe if she knows you’re sick, she’ll come to the hospital."

"Besides, I’ve always felt that Song Qingli must have had her reasons. Zhou Yuheng, you two must not let a misunderstanding tear you apart."

Lin Xilan was so incredibly earnest that she seemed less like a wife and more like a doting mother to Zhou Yuheng.

"Don't be a busybody. Don't call."

Zhou Yuheng tried to stop her, but it was futile; he was bedridden and powerless to intervene.

"I'm not being a busybody. Zhou Yuheng, you helped me, so I want to help you. I’m calling Song Qingli."

Lin Xilan was the type to do exactly what she said. Within seconds, she had dialed Song Qingli’s number.

"Xiao Li, it’s me, Lin Xilan. Zhou Yuheng is in the hospital. He has a gastric hemorrhage."

Lin Xilan put the call on speakerphone so Zhou Yuheng could hear.

After a long pause, Song Qingli finally spoke from the other end. "I’m not coming. We’ve already broken up. Besides, doesn't he have you?"

Hearing this, Lin Xilan glanced at Zhou Yuheng and continued, "No, the person Zhou Yuheng wants isn't me—it's you, Xiao Li. Zhou Yuheng and I are getting a divorce soon. Please, come back."

Lin Xilan was playing her part to perfection; she was a sycophant through and through.

"..."

Another long, heavy silence followed.

Just as Lin Xilan was about to lose her patience, Song Qingli spoke again: "Zhou Yuheng and I have nothing to do with each other anymore. Stop looking for me. I have my own life and my own relationship now."

Oh?

Joy blossomed in Lin Xilan’s heart—not because she thought she could still be with Zhou Yuheng, but because of the sheer thrill of seeing her revenge unfold.

However, Lin Xilan didn't let it show on her face. She feigned devastation, continuing her performance.

"Xiao Li, don't be like this. You still love Zhou Yuheng, don't you? Is there something you're hiding?"

Song Qingli: "Enough!"

Zhou Yuheng: "Enough!"

Startled by the dual outburst, Lin Xilan could only silently hang up the phone.

"Zhou Yuheng, maybe Xiao Li was just saying that in the heat of the moment. Your love story is truly so moving."

Lin Xilan held back her tears. "You need to focus on recovering. Even though we’re getting a divorce, I have loved you. I want you to be safe, and I want you to be healthy."

As she finished speaking, she nodded firmly. "I mean that from the bottom of my heart. Even if we aren't together in the future, I won't hate you. After all, I truly did like you once."

Zhou Yuheng remained silent, and Lin Xilan tactfully said, "Get some rest, then. I’ll be going."

As she turned her back to Zhou Yuheng, the sadness in her eyes was instantly replaced by a smirk.

Lin Xilan walked away with her head held high like a victor, flicking away her fake tears as she went.

-

At the Zhou Group’s café.

Hua Zhan shook his head helplessly as he watched Lin Xilan. "How did I not realize the student I trained had such a flair for drama?"

Lin Xilan sat in a chair, crossing her legs with a cup of coffee in hand, looking absolutely radiant.

"That's all thanks to you, Master. You have no idea—I even managed to get lost in my own acting just now. This segment should be included in the acting textbooks at the film academy."

Hua Zhan chuckled. "You, oh you. I don't even know what to say. You make yourself look like the victim, yet you’re clearly no pushover. Those two are being played like fiddles."

Hua Zhan, of course, knew that the call from the hospital had been intentional, because he knew her well.

"By the way, there's one more thing I think I can tell you. Once you hear it, you might feel even better."

Lin Xilan’s eyes lit up at the news, and she immediately urged him, "Tell me, Master, what is it?"