Chapter 55: Ouyang Chen Is a Bit Mysterious

Zhang Xiluo screamed and stumbled backward. Several mutilated dead cats hung from the garden wall, and the yard was littered with trash that had been thrown in.

Her parents, alarmed by the commotion, hurried over to see what had happened. Both were shocked by the gruesome sight and quickly shut the door.

Nausea roiled in Zhang Xiluo’s stomach. Clutching her mouth, she rushed to the bathroom and retched in agony.

“Luoluo,” her mother called softly, following her inside and gently patting her back.

“This is outrageous! Who could be so heartless?” Her father’s face was flushed with anger as he pulled out his phone to contact the security in their residential complex.

No outsiders were allowed to enter such a high-end neighborhood without permission, so it should have been easy enough to check the surveillance footage to find the culprit.

Unfortunately, the security system was being upgraded that day, and there was no footage available from anywhere in the complex.

“Mom, I’m fine,” Zhang Xiluo said weakly, pressing a hand to her aching abdomen as she stood with her mother’s support. “Just a little nauseous, nothing to worry about.”

“You look pale. Go rest in your room for a while. Your father and I will handle this.”

Not daring to push herself, Zhang Xiluo returned to her room, lay down, and gently caressed her lower belly to comfort the little one growing inside her.

“At home?”

Ouyang Chen sent a message, accompanied by a photo of the gate to Qinyuan.

“Yes.”

Zhang Xiluo found it uncanny that he somehow knew she was at Qinyuan.

“Can you come out for a moment? I have something to discuss with you.”

“I’m not feeling well. Maybe another day.” Concerned for her baby, and recalling Xu Xinyi’s advice to rest immediately if she felt unwell, Zhang Xiluo put her phone aside to close her eyes and recuperate. She tried to empty her mind, refusing to let her thoughts spiral.

About ten minutes later, her mother knocked on the door. “Luoluo, are you asleep?”

“No, come in.”

Ouyang Chen followed behind her mother into the room, frowning as he took in Zhang Xiluo’s haggard expression.

“Chen, you two talk. I’ll get you some water,” her mother said, leaving the room.

“Thank you, Auntie.” Once her mother had left, Ouyang Chen opened the door as wide as possible and took a seat in the chair by the bed.

“You’re quite the gentleman,” Zhang Xiluo teased, leaning upright. “Is something urgent?”

“Yes. I saw what happened in the yard.” His gaze was icy as he took out his phone and played a video. “Do you recognize these people?”

In the video, three individuals wearing baseball caps and masks, each carrying a black backpack, crept through the complex, glancing at door numbers as they passed.

“Where did you get this?”

“From the camera at my door.”

“You’re clairvoyant?” Zhang Xiluo asked, growing more curious about his uncanny abilities. She had just discovered the mess in the yard, yet he already had the footage—especially when the entire complex’s surveillance was down.

“Coincidence. My dog went missing, so I checked my camera. The complex’s cameras aren’t reliable.” Ouyang Chen answered lightly.

“That really was a coincidence.”

Zhang Xiluo watched the video again, recognizing a familiar figure—Zhuo Tongtong. Her distinctive gait gave her away; the mask could hide her face but not her mannerisms. Truly a foolish woman.

“She’s Zhou Yao’s classmate.” Zhang Xiluo sent the video to herself and returned the phone. “Thank you.”

“It’s nothing.” Without lingering, Ouyang Chen got up to leave, meeting her mother at the door.

“Leaving already?”

“I’ll help Uncle Zhang clean up the yard,” Ouyang Chen replied naturally, heading downstairs as her mother watched, stunned.

Her mother handed the water to Zhang Xiluo but hesitated, as if she wanted to say something.

Zhang Xiluo, absorbed in the video on her phone, didn’t notice her mother’s expression.

Zhou Yao was cunning, always preferring to use underhanded tactics, with Zhuo Tongtong as her pawn.

From beginning to end, Zhang Xiluo was forced into a passive, persecuted role. Even if these petty acts of revenge were discovered, they could be dismissed as the impulsiveness of a young girl.

Before she and Jiang Xueting could even publish their prepared statement, Zhou Yao had already made her move, eager and impatient. It reminded Zhang Xiluo of Zhou Yao’s former self—utterly without scruples when it came to being with Li Mingye.

She was no saint and had no intention of forgiving Zhou Yao, nor that foolish Zhuo Tongtong.

Ouyang Chen helped tidy up the yard, and even installed a new surveillance camera he had brought himself.

Her mother invited him to stay for dinner. Midway through the meal, Li Mingye and his mother arrived.

Seeing Ouyang Chen at the table, Li Mingye’s face darkened—looking for all the world like they were a happy family. Even Li’s mother’s face soured, and for a moment she was at a loss for words.

Zhang Xiluo rose politely and greeted her, “Mom, come have a seat. I’m not feeling well, so I’ll head upstairs.”

She genuinely was unwell—not just because she didn’t want to see Li Mingye.

“Come, have a seat,” her mother said, less than enthusiastically, inviting them to the sofa. “Some heartless wretch tossed dead cats into the yard today and frightened Luoluo terribly.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll handle the situation online. Our families’ relationship won’t be affected,” Li’s mother said, trying to smile as she composed herself.

“Our Luoluo has already decided to get a divorce. As for those dead cats, I will find out who did it. I won’t allow anyone to harm my daughter.” Her mother’s tone was firm, leaving no room for compromise.

Li’s mother faltered, her expression growing worse as she glanced at Li Mingye.

Li Mingye glared at Ouyang Chen, fury brimming in his eyes. Ouyang Chen, meanwhile, ate calmly and unbothered.

“If you have nothing more to say, please leave,” Zhang Xiluo’s mother said, issuing a clear dismissal. “If this involves our two companies, we’re not afraid. Luoluo is our only daughter, and we will never allow her to be wronged.”

“It’s not so serious. Let’s all calm down and talk about this another day,” Li’s mother replied, dragging Li Mingye away. As soon as they stepped outside, she began to scold him, but he ignored her, his mind filled with the image of Zhang Xiluo and Ouyang Chen eating together.

The scandal between Li Mingye and Zhou Yao continued to ferment online, with all kinds of rumors spreading.

Zhang Xiluo paid none of it any mind—she was simply waiting for the divorce papers from Li Mingye.

On the third day after the dead cats incident, she found an opportune moment at school to intercept Zhuo Tongtong.

Seeing Zhang Xiluo, Zhuo Tongtong was full of schadenfreude.

“Well, well, old woman, how do you still have the nerve to show your face?”

“I’m here to return the favor,” Zhang Xiluo replied with a smirk. “You gave me quite the gift. I thought I should reciprocate.”

“Don’t talk nonsense—those dead cats weren’t from me!” Zhuo Tongtong, in her stupidity, blurted out a denial and then hurried to cover her mouth.

“Really? It wasn’t you?” Zhang Xiluo fixed her with a piercing gaze, as if she could see right through her.

“So what if it was? What can you do about it? Our dear Yao Yao is about to take your place. You won’t be smug for long. Once she becomes Mrs. Li, I’ll make sure you pay!”

“I do like girls as cute as you,” Zhang Xiluo said with a laugh—she had already recorded everything.

With a tap, the recording echoed through the campus broadcast system, Zhuo Tongtong’s words ringing out for all to hear.

“You! Turn it off!” Zhuo Tongtong panicked, lunging at her, claws bared to snatch the phone.

Zhang Xiluo instinctively dodged, but her foot slipped. She was about to fall, and Zhuo Tongtong seized the chance to pounce.

It’s over—my baby!