Chapter Fourteen: She Cannot Play the Role

Du Zhiye seemed to have heard a joke. She said, “People get divorced after marriage, let alone break off an engagement.”

She looked at Du Qi. “Dad, nothing you say will change my mind. I am calling off this engagement.”

“You—” Du Qi had barely said a word when a sharp pain shot through his chest. He clutched at his heart, his body swaying unsteadily.

Du Zhiye’s eyes widened in alarm. Instinctively, she reached out to steady him, but she was still a step too late.

Du Xin saw Du Qi’s face turn pale and his hand clutching his chest. She realized at once that he was having a heart attack. She rushed over, pushing Du Zhiye aside, and caught Du Qi, instructing the maid, “Aunt Zhang, quickly go upstairs and get my father’s medicine.”

Du Zhiye looked at her outstretched hand, left hanging awkwardly in midair. She let out a self-mocking laugh and withdrew it when no one was looking.

She had never been a considerate daughter; it was a role she simply could not play. She was only the black sheep of the Du family. What was a black sheep supposed to do at times like these?

Ah, yes—do nothing and simply watch with cold eyes.

After Du Qi took his medicine, his complexion improved somewhat. Supported by Du Xin, he looked at Du Zhiye and tried to persuade her gently, “Sister, don’t speak to Dad like that. Everything he does is for your own good.”

Du Zhiye listened to Du Xin’s saccharine words and laughed, her tone laced with mockery. “I am the elder sister—how can I be the only one to enjoy Father’s kindness? Such concern should be given to the younger sister.” As she spoke, her gaze swept to Jiang Yingnan. “But I’m sure my sister is more magnanimous than I am.”

As she said the last sentence, there was a glimmer of triumph in her eyes.

Du Xin’s expression faltered slightly. Her eyes darted instinctively between Du Zhiye and Jiang Yingnan, and her grip on Du Qi’s arm tightened.

“Sister.” She lowered her eyes, wearing a look of aggrieved innocence.

Du Zhiye laughed again. How hopeless—after all these years, Du Xin was still only good at playing the innocent victim. But Du Qi always fell for it.

Sure enough, he soon pointed a trembling finger at Du Zhiye and said through gritted teeth, “You ungrateful wretch.”

Du Zhiye shrugged. She was long accustomed to Du Qi’s favoritism. “That’s right! I’m ungrateful. So save your concern for your precious younger daughter!”

Seeing Du Qi’s anger flare again, Tao Ranming quickly spoke up, “Dad, please don’t be upset. This really is my fault. It’s only right that Zhiye won’t forgive me easily.”

Since their engagement, Tao Ranming had begun addressing Du Qi as “Dad.”

“But please believe me—I love Zhiye very much. No matter what it takes, I will make her forgive me.”

At these words, Du Zhiye let out a cold laugh. Love her? Was that why he cheated on her?

She couldn’t be bothered with their hypocrisy and turned to leave. There would be no answers today; there was no point wasting any more time.

She had barely reached the courtyard when Tao Ranming caught up with her. “Zhiye!”

Du Zhiye turned back, her gaze detached and cool. “What is it?”

Her attitude was icy, and there was even a trace of hatred in her eyes. But Tao Ranming wasn’t angry—he only looked at her with pain and regret.

The morning after their engagement, Du Zhiye had suddenly come to his villa, only to find him stumbling out of the bedroom, his body bare, marked with kisses and scratches—evidence enough of what had transpired the night before.

Du Zhiye had remained calm. She neither wept nor raged, nor did she question him. She only looked at him for a moment, then strode toward the bedroom.

Tao Ranming instantly realized her intent. Just as she was about to reach the door, he slammed it shut.

Du Zhiye froze in surprise, eyes wide as she stared at him. After a few seconds, she said, “Move aside.”

Tao Ranming shook his head, his eyes filled with guilt and panic.

Du Zhiye took several deep breaths before stating plainly, “There’s a woman inside.”

Her words were firm and unyielding.

And of course, his disheveled state and anxious haste to close the door all pointed to one thing—he had betrayed her.

Tao Ranming hung his head so low she could no longer see his face.

A few seconds later, he whispered, “I’m sorry.”

Beyond that empty, meaningless phrase, he had nothing else to say.

Du Zhiye laughed, tilting her head back in an effort to hold back her tears, but they fell regardless, one after another. She sniffed, her voice choked. “Tao Ranming, move aside.”

He shook his head, pleading in his tone. “Zhiye, don’t look.”

Her eyes reddened, her heart aching unbearably. She asked with difficulty, “You’re protecting her even now?”