Chapter 52: Ill-Timed Arrival

Zhang Xiluo was taken to the hospital, where the attending physician was Xu Xinyi. After a thorough examination, Xu Xinyi looked at Zhang Xiluo lying in bed with concern.

“How is Luoluo?” Mrs. Li hurried forward as soon as Xu Xinyi stepped out of the room.

“Don’t worry, Auntie. It’s just a cold. She’ll recover after some rest. I’ll stay here with her.”

“Alright, I’ll leave her in your care.”

Once Mrs. Li left, Xu Xinyi returned to Zhang Xiluo’s side, gently touching her face. “Luoluo, how could you be so careless?”

Zhang Xiluo slept until the early hours of the morning before finally waking up, with Xu Xinyi still sitting at her bedside.

“Xinyi,” Zhang Xiluo opened her eyes, her head still foggy and her stomach uneasy. “How did I suddenly fall ill?”

“Luoluo, you’re pregnant.” Xu Xinyi frowned, handing her the blood test report. “It’s less than four weeks, so there’s no visible embryo or heartbeat yet. Weren’t you planning to divorce Li Mingye? How could you be so careless?”

Zhang Xiluo was stunned. Xu Xinyi’s words struck her like lightning—at this moment, she was actually pregnant...

“Xinyi, does my mother-in-law know about this?” Zhang Xiluo regained her composure, grabbing Xu Xinyi’s hand. Seeing her shake her head, she said, “Keep it a secret for me. No one can know, not even Xueting.”

“What are you going to do? Such things can’t be kept quiet for long.”

“I haven’t decided yet.” Zhang Xiluo was at a loss. She had never considered this possibility; in her previous life, she had always longed for a child with Li Mingye.

Now, with a child, she was filled with worry.

“I didn’t give you any antibiotics, just some nutrient fluids. If you want to keep the child, you need to be extra careful in the first three months.” Xu Xinyi was worried about Zhang Xiluo’s health. She had always been malnourished, and the risk of miscarriage was high.

“With you here, I’m not afraid.” Zhang Xiluo leaned on Xu Xinyi’s arm, unconsciously touching her abdomen.

“You really are hard to reassure.”

Li Mingye had taken Zhang Xiluo to the hospital, but was soon called away by Zhao Chengyi. Mrs. Li would never allow him to arrange accommodation for Zhou Yao, and he dared not offend her.

Li Mingye eventually assigned Zhou Yao to a property under his name. Zhou Lixun and Li Su’e, greedy as ever, urged Zhou Yao to demand more from him.

His actions greatly displeased Mrs. Li, leading to a heated argument between them.

Afterwards, Mrs. Li surprisingly stopped blaming Li Mingye and decided to ignore everything regarding Zhou Yao, not even caring whether Zhang Xiluo returned to Liuzhou North Garden.

Learning she was pregnant, Zhang Xiluo felt both surprise and delight. The child came at a bad time, yet brought her new hope.

She was determined to leave Li Mingye, to start a new life with her child. This child would never become a bond tying her to Li Mingye.

What should she do...

“Sister-in-law, I heard you were hospitalized. How are you feeling?” Li Zhan appeared at the doorway, dressed casually and carrying a fruit basket.

“Caught a chill.” Zhang Xiluo withdrew from her thoughts. “Dr. Li, you came especially to see me?”

Li Zhan blushed, placing the fruit basket on the table. “It was on my way home after work. Don’t tease me, sister-in-law.”

“Just call me Luoluo.” Zhang Xiluo smiled slightly, disliking the formal address. “Tell me, what brings you here?”

“You’ve got it all wrong. Can’t I simply visit you—and my future little nephew?” Li Zhan’s sunny smile betrayed no awareness of Zhang Xiluo’s unease.

Her brow furrowed, anxiety gnawing at her. Hospital records would show everything; it would be easy for Li Mingye to find out about her pregnancy.

Had Li Zhan already told him?

“Does Li Mingye know I’m pregnant?”

“You haven’t told my cousin?” Li Zhan opened a pack of grapes. “Let me wash these for you. They say eating grapes makes the baby’s eyes bright.”

“Sister-in-law, what’s wrong?” Li Zhan stood up, noticing the odd expression on her face.

Zhang Xiluo snatched the grapes from his hands, returned them to the fruit basket, and said gravely, “No one must know about this.”

Li Zhan, familiar with Li Mingye’s many rumors and aware of his entanglement with Zhou Yao, thought that a pregnancy would be the perfect opportunity to ease marital tensions.

“Sister-in-law, you don’t intend to keep the child? The child is innocent. As a doctor, I hope you’ll think carefully. I’ve seen your test results. You’re not suited for a termination.”

“That’s impossible.” Zhang Xiluo considered for a moment, then explained simply, “I don’t want to be treated like some ninja goddess anymore. I want to live alone with my child.”

“I hope you’ll pretend not to know, and keep my thoughts confidential.”

Li Zhan hesitated, studying her for several seconds before finally nodding, “I understand, sister-in-law. I won’t tell anyone.”

Zhang Xiluo nodded gratefully. After a brief conversation, Li Zhan departed.

The next morning, Zhang Xiluo completed her discharge and messaged Mrs. Li, then returned straight to Qinyuan.

She arrived just as her parents were heading out. The Li family’s pressure was considerable; though the binding cooperation had been suspended, many issues remained unresolved.

“Luoluo, aren’t you at your mother-in-law’s place?” Her mother noticed how pale she looked. “Did something happen?”

“It’s nothing, just wanted to check on you both. Got up early, so I’m a bit tired.” Zhang Xiluo didn’t want them to worry and kept her pregnancy secret. “My mother-in-law asked me to come home. Don’t worry.”

“Then rest for a while. I’ll come back early and cook something delicious for you.”

“Alright, take care on the road.”

After seeing her parents off, Zhang Xiluo went upstairs to her room, showered and changed, then lay in bed browsing her phone.

Lin Yiming had sent her a notification: Longcheng University’s anniversary celebration, with Li Mingye attending as a board member, and Zhou Yao performing as an outstanding student representative.

She thought it over and felt the moment had arrived.

She contacted Jiang Xueting, then removed Li Mingye from the blacklist on WeChat.

“Li Mingye, for Longcheng University’s anniversary, I want to go with you.”

“If you don’t reply, I’ll take it as a yes.”

After a long time, Li Mingye responded with a simple ellipsis.

On the day of the celebration, Zhang Xiluo chose a white cocktail dress, minimal accessories, and a light makeup look. She had Xiao Zhao drive her early to the university gate.

Upon seeing Li Mingye’s car, she motioned for Xiao Zhao to follow.

After getting out, she said nothing, silently trailing behind Li Mingye.

He glanced at her, a flash of admiration in his eyes, and slowed his pace for her.

In the crowd, Zhang Xiluo spotted Lin Yiming waving to her; she nodded in acknowledgment.

“Flirting in public—you’re bold.” Li Mingye’s icy voice sounded behind her. She glanced at him; his voice was so pleasant!

She was about to retort when the stage lights came on, drawing her attention to the center.

Zhou Yao stood elegantly, dressed in a dazzling champagne-colored gown adorned with crystals, wearing a crown like a noble princess.

The formerly expelled outstanding student had returned. Li Mingye truly had power.

Zhou Yao sat at the piano, her fingers dancing across the black and white keys, filling the auditorium with an elegant, winding melody.

Li Mingye’s eyes shone, fixed tightly on Zhou Yao’s face, a look that seemed to see her, and yet someone else.

“You little wretch, get off the stage!”

A discordant voice suddenly rang out in the auditorium...