Chapter 28: Testing the Waters

After nearly an hour, Zhang Xiluo’s delivery finally arrived. She looked down at the clump of mushy noodles and lost her appetite entirely.

The doorbell rang again, prompting Zhang Xiluo to be extra cautious. Only after confirming who was outside did she open the door.

"Ouyang Chen, what are you doing here?"

Ouyang Chen stood at her doorstep, holding a thermal food container.

"Auntie asked me to check on you," he said, carrying the container in one hand and gently guiding Zhang Xiluo inside with the other.

"My mom?"

"Yes." Ouyang Chen had been to the hospital and learned that Zhang Xiluo had returned home.

"Are you close with my family?" Zhang Xiluo recalled that their families had neither business nor personal ties.

Ouyang Chen opened the container and laid out the food, including a bowl of pork trotter soup he had prepared for her.

"We’ll be familiar soon enough. Auntie and Uncle already know about the car accident. They want you to stop investigating."

Zhang Xiluo was troubled by this matter; it involved Li Mingye and Zhou Yao, and she hadn’t figured out how to broach the subject.

"Mu Leyu has been arrested and likely won’t get out," Ouyang Chen’s eyes darkened as he mentioned her.

"Did you tell them?" Zhang Xiluo instinctively blamed Ouyang Chen’s loose tongue, a reputation that would likely never change.

Mu Leyu deserved punishment for her wrongdoing, but unfortunately, she wouldn’t point to Zhou Lixun.

"Are you planning to hold this grudge forever?" Ouyang Chen asked with a frown. "The police went to the hospital."

"So that’s it. Women can be petty; how long we hold grudges depends on the situation."

"If you want, I can have her testify."

Zhang Xiluo paused mid-bite and shook her head. There was no need for a direct confrontation with Li Mingye. Before their divorce, she didn’t want any more conflicts with him.

Zhou Lixun would soon be his father-in-law; even if he was sent to jail, he could be pulled out. It was meaningless.

"I didn’t expect you to be such a good cook," Zhang Xiluo said, changing the subject after eating her fill.

"If you like it, I’ll cook often."

Zhang Xiluo glanced at Ouyang Chen, full of confusion—had he given up on Zhou Yao? Instead of chasing her, he had time to cook!

"Ouyang Chen, do you have someone you like?"

"I’m not sure if it counts as liking," Ouyang Chen’s expression grew melancholy. He took a deep breath. "She loves someone else."

Wasn’t he talking about Zhou Yao! Zhang Xiluo looked at him sympathetically and encouraged him, "If she’s not married, you still have a chance. Even if she is, people can get divorced. Don’t give up!"

"You really think so?" A hint of joy flashed in Ouyang Chen’s eyes, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

"Yes, you still have a chance." Zhang Xiluo wasn’t just saying it. She had died young in her previous life and never witnessed their ending; perhaps Zhou Yao would end up with Ouyang Chen after all.

"Alright, I’ll follow your advice and try my best."

After Ouyang Chen tidied up and left, Zhang Xiluo took another nap. Jiang Xueting returned late at night, bringing her supper.

Seeing the glow on her face, Zhang Xiluo couldn’t help but ask, "Did you go on a date?"

"No, I was handling something for my sister, but I did meet a man." Jiang Xueting smiled sweetly. "He seems pretty nice, like he struck right at my soul—his looks and build are exactly my type."

"Hopeless romantic."

"I’m not! He asked for my contact info, and he’s handsome with a good drinking record."

Judging a man by his drinking habits—only she would do such a thing.

Jiang Xueting stayed close to her, then drove her to the hospital after they woke up, starting by disinfecting the wound on her face.

"Xinyi, will it leave a scar?" Jiang Xueting pulled Xu Xinyi aside, making sure Zhang Xiluo couldn’t hear.

Xu Xinyi tapped her head. "Of course not. The wound isn’t deep. You take Luoluo to see Auntie; I have an emergency surgery and will find you later."

"Yes, ma’am, busy woman."

Jiang Xueting helped Zhang Xiluo to the ward. Her mother looked a little better, with her father attentive at her bedside.

"You hurt your foot; stop coming to the hospital and rest at home," her mother said tenderly.

"Got it." Zhang Xiluo sat beside her, holding her hand. After wrestling with herself for a while, she cautiously asked, "Mom, if I had fewer shares, would it affect our family much?"

"Luoluo, do you need money?"

"No, just curious. I don’t really understand these things," Zhang Xiluo forced a smile, trying hard to cover up her real intentions.

Now was not the best time to mention divorce.

Her parents exchanged a glance, and her father spoke, "It depends on the percentage. One percent versus ten percent makes a big difference. If you plan to sell your shares, it’s like giving our company away to someone else."

She knew that already. Judging from their reaction, they wouldn’t agree to let her transfer shares to Li Mingye.

"Luoluo, be honest with Mom—what’s going on?"

"Really, nothing," she met her mother’s gaze calmly, "I’m just asking."

"Why didn’t Li Mingye come with you today?" Her father looked at the door, clearly dissatisfied with Li Mingye.

He hadn’t shown up yesterday, and today he was still absent.

He didn’t care at all about his in-laws.

"He’s busy, don’t worry about him."

She wasn’t lying—he was busy accompanying Zhou Yao.

Just then, Li Mingye’s parents arrived carrying fruit baskets, with Li Mingye trailing behind, looking displeased.

"Father, Mother." Zhang Xiluo ignored him and rose to greet her in-laws.

"Mother, Father." Li Mingye also greeted them. Hearing Zhang Xiluo’s words from outside, he wanted to strangle her—she really was planning to divorce him and give away his shares!

"Dear, you must take good care of yourself. If you need anything, let us know—we’re all family," Li’s mother said sincerely, holding Zhang’s mother’s hand.

Li’s father exchanged a few polite words with Zhang’s father before launching into a discussion about work.

Li Mingye stared coldly at Zhang Xiluo the whole time, making her uneasy. Whenever she thought of him protecting Zhou Lixun, anger bubbled up.

He coddled Zhou Yao while stalling her, and she had no idea what he really wanted.

"Mom, I’ll head home first. I’ll visit again later," Zhang Xiluo didn’t want to share a room with them.

"Father, Mother, take your time," she said, bidding farewell to her in-laws and letting Jiang Xueting help her out.

"Luoluo, how does that jerk have the nerve to come here! I’d love to rip off his mask—pretending to be a good guy!" Jiang Xueting fumed, itching to confront him. If she could beat him, she would’ve done it already.

Zhang Xiluo smiled faintly. She no longer cared about these things. Soon, she and he would go their own ways.

Li Mingye followed behind them with a dark expression. Jiang Xueting glanced back by chance and let out a startled cry, "Why are you following us?"

"Going home," Li Mingye ignored Jiang Xueting and reached out to grab Zhang Xiluo’s arm.

"I’m not going back to the villa. Let go of me; both our families are here—I don’t want to make a scene," Zhang Xiluo shook off his hand.

"Not divorcing anymore?" Li Mingye’s brow twitched, his voice low.

"You’ve agreed?" Zhang Xiluo was both surprised and delighted. Seeing Li Mingye walk ahead, she hurriedly hobbled after him.

"Wait for me!"