Chapter 132: The Dog Is Behind You

“Xinyi, I’m here.” Zhang Xiluo hurried over and embraced Xu Xinyi. “What happened to you? Why did you do this to yourself?”

“Luoluo, I think I made a mistake,” Xu Xinyi said, tears streaming uncontrollably as she saw Zhang Xiluo. “I shouldn’t have been so stubborn. My parents don’t need me that badly.”

“Take your time and tell me everything. I’ll get you a glass of water.” Zhang Xiluo checked her over and saw no injuries, feeling a bit relieved. She opened the curtains and windows, then poured a glass of water for Xu Xinyi. “The house is such a mess, I thought I came to the wrong place.”

“The entire Li Linhao family disappeared. My parents are really angry this time. I don’t know what means they used, but they drove Li Linhao’s family away,” Xu Xinyi explained.

Shortly after posting on social media, news came from the hospital that Li Linhao’s mother was critically ill. After Li Linhao rushed over, he went missing. Their entire family seemed to have vanished into thin air. Xu Xinyi contacted many people but couldn’t find any trace.

By the time Zhang Xiluo called her, she had already lost contact with anyone related to Li Linhao.

Xu Xinyi had threatened her mother with hunger strikes and even suicide, but her mother refused to relent. She had been holding on stubbornly until now but finally couldn’t bear it anymore.

“Luoluo, what should I do?”

“Xinyi, you once advised me that love isn’t everything in life. I didn’t listen to you then and ended up with a broken heart and no happiness. You know me—I’m hopeless when it comes to love. I don’t know how to advise you,” Zhang Xiluo sighed deeply, holding Xu Xinyi’s hand tightly. “I think you can wait. The condition your mother set to make him leave is probably money or his mother’s health.”

This kind of plot often appears in novels and dramas: when identities don’t match, money is often used to sever relationships.

“If he took money and left, he’s not worth your sorrow. If he left without money, it means he didn’t want to cause you trouble and proves he truly loves you. Calm down first, find out the truth about this, and then we’ll look for him together.”

Xu Xinyi was persuaded by Zhang Xiluo and nodded repeatedly. As she stood up, she said, “You’re right. Thank you, Luoluo.”

“Xinyi, where are you going?” Zhang Xiluo grabbed her arm, eyes full of worry. Of the three of them, she was the most level-headed and now the one most concerned.

Love really is a dangerous thing.

It can take lives at any moment.

“Home. I need to talk to my mother.”

“You should shower and change first. Looking like this will only make your mother angrier,” Zhang Xiluo urged her to calm down.

Gradually, Xu Xinyi regained her composure. She took a hot bath, changed into clean clothes, had dinner with Zhang Xiluo, and then returned to the Xu family mansion.

Only after seeing her enter did Zhang Xiluo feel at ease and leave.

As for how the conversation between Xu Xinyi and her mother went, she didn’t ask. After that day, Xu Xinyi returned to her normal routine, going to and from the hospital on time.

Zhang Xiluo chatted with her occasionally but never pried about Li Linhao.

Time flew by, and soon it was the day of Jiang Xueting’s baby’s full moon celebration. The Zhao and Jiang families jointly sponsored a grand banquet.

As for whether to invite Li Mingye, Jiang Xueting and Zhao Chengyi disagreed. Jiang Xueting was firmly against it, and she was still sulking with Zhao Chengyi on the day of the banquet.

When Zhang Xiluo arrived, she saw Zhao Chengyi trying hard to appease Jiang Xueting.

“Wife, don’t be mad. This is what both our parents want. If it were up to me, I definitely wouldn’t invite Brother Li. I’d just invite him separately for a meal,” Zhao Chengyi said, looking aggrieved as he gave Jiang Xueting a diamond-studded necklace. “Please forgive me, darling.”

Jiang Xueting, holding her baby and with her back to him, couldn’t help but smile, her mouth nearly splitting to her ears. Seeing Zhang Xiluo, she handed the child to Zhao Chengyi and walked over.

“Luoluo, sorry I couldn’t stop that dog Li Mingye from coming.”

“It’s okay. We’re in similar circles, we’ll meet anyway. I’ve come to terms with it. We can’t avoid going out just because we’re afraid of dogs. At worst, we just keep our distance and don’t let him bite,” Zhang Xiluo smiled. She never imagined that the ‘dog’ she spoke of was standing right behind her, looking darker than a polished shoe, with a face that seemed ready to devour her.

“Luoluo, I think you’re about to get bitten,” Jiang Xueting saw Li Mingye and swallowed hard. “Don’t blame Luoluo. If you have any grievances, take them out on me. ‘Dog Man’ is the nickname I gave him.”

Zhang Xiluo turned and saw Li Mingye full of fury. She thought to herself, was she just unlucky? Every time she badmouthed Li Mingye, he seemed to overhear it.

“Brother Li, why are you just arriving? Come, look at my son,” Zhao Chengyi quickly approached, holding the child to ease the awkwardness for his wife.

Li Mingye reluctantly followed Zhao Chengyi to one side.

Jiang Xueting patted her chest. “You scared me. Looking at his expression, I was afraid he’d eat you alive next.”

“Look at your courage—fearless of heaven or earth,” Zhang Xiluo teased her but felt a surge of anxiety herself. If Li Mingye made a move now, she really wouldn’t be able to handle it.

After all, defaming an ex after divorce isn’t something one can be proud of.

“Where’s Xinyi? Why hasn’t she arrived yet?” Jiang Xueting glanced toward the entrance. “I called her this morning, and she didn’t answer. She wouldn’t forget, would she? Today is her eldest son’s full moon celebration.”

“Impossible. Don’t worry yet; it’s not time,” Zhang Xiluo felt a twinge of concern as well. “You go inside and greet the guests. I’ll wait here for her. I’ll call you if anything happens.”

“Okay, you come in soon, too.”

Standing at the entrance, Zhang Xiluo glanced at her phone and was about to call Xu Xinyi when she saw her stepping out of a car.

Xu Xinyi wore a purple cocktail dress, linked arms with her mother, looking well. Upon seeing Zhang Xiluo, she greeted her warmly.

“Luoluo, you were waiting for me?”

“Hello, Auntie,” Zhang Xiluo greeted Xu Xinyi’s mother, then nodded to Xu Xinyi. “Yes, you’re late. Xueting was worried. Let’s go find her.”

Following Zhang Xiluo, Xu Xinyi kept smiling without a break. She leaned close to Zhang Xiluo’s ear and whispered a secret.

She had contacted Li Linhao.

Since it wasn’t convenient to talk about it here, Zhang Xiluo didn’t ask further. As long as Xu Xinyi was happy, that was enough.

All the invited guests had arrived. Zhao Chengyi’s father and Jiang Xueting’s father went on stage to give a speech, thanking everyone for attending the full moon banquet.

Zhang Xiluo sat at the maternal side’s table, while Li Mingye sat at the marital side’s table, their seats directly opposite each other. She felt extremely uncomfortable, constantly lowering her head to avoid meeting Li Mingye’s icy gaze.

At that moment, several people entered the hotel lobby, causing a great commotion.