Chapter 18: Be Yourself

"Alright." Zhang Xiluo opened the door and left without a moment's delay; in just half an hour, she arrived at the café.

Inside, chaos reigned. Lin Yiming was pinned to the ground by two men—one tall, one short—his face swollen and bruised beyond recognition.

"What are you doing!" Zhang Xiluo roared. The two men hesitated for a moment, but when they saw a woman, they sneered in contempt.

"So, you're his boss?"

"If you have something to say, say it properly. Let him go."

"Money talks, nothing else does. Debts must be paid—it’s only right. Even if the king of heaven shows up, that’s how it goes," the short man said, giving Lin Yiming a kick.

Hearing this, Zhang Xiluo let out a breath of relief. "So it's about money. How much?"

"Two hundred thousand," the short man replied, holding up two fingers.

"Show me the IOU, and I'll give you the money." Zhang Xiluo took back the loan slip, transferred two hundred thousand to him, and told him to get lost immediately.

The two men eyed Zhang Xiluo lecherously, showering Lin Yiming with sarcastic praise for landing himself a rich woman.

Zhang Xiluo helped Lin Yiming to his feet. He apologized guiltily, "I'm sorry, sis. I’ve troubled you again. I’ll pay you back."

"Why did you take out a loan with a loan shark?" Zhang Xiluo was angry, but Lin Yiming hurried to explain. His father had fallen gravely ill, and he’d initially borrowed fifty thousand. Who could have guessed it would balloon into two hundred thousand?

Zhang Xiluo couldn't bring herself to reproach him further; she took him straight to the hospital. His scalp was split, his face bore several cuts, and his arms and legs were covered in bruises.

The doctor advised him to stay for observation. Zhang Xiluo arranged the admission, then bought him daily necessities and food. It was nearly dawn by the time she returned home. She took a shower in the guest room and fell asleep soon after.

Zhang Xiluo didn't wake until noon and discovered a housekeeper had been added to the household—a special arrangement by Mrs. Li to take care of her and Li Mingye.

That evening, Li Mingye wanted her to attend a charity gala. Not only could she not refuse, but she was also required to dress to the nines.

Before, at these gatherings, she and Li Mingye would always arrive separately; aside from being seated together, they had little interaction.

This time, unexpectedly, he had come to pick her up himself.

Zhang Xiluo's appearance that night was breathtaking, yet it failed to capture his attention. He even looked at her with disdain.

"Is the family so poor now you can't even afford a bra insert?"

"Li Mingye, could you act like a human being?" Zhang Xiluo replied with utmost gentleness. "Let's just get a divorce—I really don't want to be with you anymore."

"We’re not getting divorced. We’re not really together anyway."

He wasn't wrong, and Zhang Xiluo had no rebuttal.

She got out and followed behind him, immediately spotting Zhou Yao at the entrance, greeting guests. Zhou Yao wore a red cheongsam that accentuated her curves; her beautiful face stood out in the crowd.

Li Mingye paused for a brief moment, his gaze lingering on Zhou Yao for several seconds.

Zhou Yao never dared to look at him, maintaining only a polite smile throughout.

After entering the banquet hall, Li Mingye abandoned Zhang Xiluo and went straight to the organizer, instructing him to cancel Zhou Yao’s remaining duties for the evening.

From a distance, Zhang Xiluo watched as the organizer led Zhou Yao upstairs, realizing that fate's gears had begun to turn.

Throughout the auction, Li Mingye was nowhere to be seen. When dinner began, Zhang Xiluo received a message from him, instructing her to go upstairs for something important.

Perhaps he wanted to discuss divorce.

The door was ajar. Through the crack, she saw Li Mingye wrapped in a towel, Zhou Yao cowering by the wall, her clothes in disarray and hair a tangled mess, encircled in his arms.

Zhang Xiluo froze for a second. Was this something she was meant to see?

Li Mingye noticed her. Their eyes met. He said nothing, his expression weary as if holding something back with great effort.

"This is your so-called important matter… Should I take a picture now or call a reporter?" Zhang Xiluo was frustrated; she couldn't stay calm. Her heart felt as if it were being twisted mercilessly. She knew she shouldn't care, yet she couldn't shake the sensation of falling into an abyss.

"What nonsense are you spouting!" Li Mingye gritted his teeth and lunged forward, grabbing her arm. "Get in here."

"If I go in, what about her?"