Chapter 66: Truly, I Don’t Want to See You

"Maybe," Ouyang Chen was briefly startled, then quickly changed the subject. "Get some rest."

Zhang Xiluo looked bewildered. Did he not even know who he loved? If he didn't want to talk about it, he could have just said so—what kind of answer was that? But considering all he's done to help her, she decided not to press the issue.

"Good night."

In the middle of the night, Zhang Xiluo awoke with sharp pain in her lower abdomen, drenched in sweat. First, she vomited violently, then a wave of panic swept over her.

Fumbling, she called Xu Xinyi.

"Xinyi, my stomach hurts."

"Don't panic. First, check if there's any sign of bleeding," Xu Xinyi soothed her. "Luoluo, try to stay calm. Don't be anxious, it'll be alright."

Zhang Xiluo switched on the light. "There's none," she replied.

Xu Xinyi breathed a sigh of relief. "Then it's fine. Wait for me, I'm on my way."

Curled up, Zhang Xiluo's forehead was covered in beads of sweat, the phone call still ongoing.

"Luoluo, I'm almost there," Xu Xinyi said.

"I'll unlock the door for you," Zhang Xiluo managed to get out of bed, hunched over, moving slowly. By the time she reached the door, she was soaked in sweat. She opened it, then turned to head back.

She barely made a few steps before the pain forced her to crouch down, unable to stand.

"Zhang Xiluo, what's wrong?" Li Mingye suddenly appeared, striding quickly to her side. "Where are you hurting?"

"Li Mingye," Zhang Xiluo gritted her teeth through the pain, "I don't want to see you. Please leave."

Li Mingye's brows knitted tight, a flash of concern in his eyes. Ignoring her protests, he scooped her up.

"I'm taking you to the hospital."

"I won't go. Xinyi will be here soon," Zhang Xiluo clung to the fabric of his shirt, refusing to let him carry her away. "Go, please, I really don't want to see you."

Li Mingye's expression was complicated. Zhang Xiluo felt heavy in his arms, as if she might slip away at any moment.

She didn't want Li Mingye to stay, whispering repeatedly for him to leave.

"Do you really hate me that much? You don't want to see me?" Li Mingye's voice was low and dark.

Zhang Xiluo was startled. The words sounded so familiar—she had asked him the same, years ago.

"Yes, I don't want to see you," Zhang Xiluo bit her lip, determined to end their entanglement. "I had nothing to do with Qin Xiaoxiao. If you hate me, I'll accept it. But from now on, we have nothing to do with each other."

"You really think it's just that simple?" Li Mingye restrained his agitation, forcing himself to speak calmly.

Zhang Xiluo was done talking. She closed her eyes, weakly pounding his chest, tears slipping from the corners of her eyes.

It had nothing to do with her—why blame Qin Xiaoxiao's death on her? If she had known Li Mingye was hopelessly in love with Qin Xiaoxiao, she would never have humbled herself for him. Even if he hated her, all these years of torment should have paid the debt.

Just then, Xu Xinyi entered, saw Li Mingye holding Zhang Xiluo, and her face changed instantly. Her attitude was firm. "Li Mingye, lay her flat—what you're doing will only make her suffer more."

Li Mingye placed Zhang Xiluo on the sofa. Xu Xinyi pushed him aside and began a preliminary examination, gently touching Zhang Xiluo's abdomen.

"The baby is fine—it's probably acute enteritis," Xu Xinyi whispered gently in Zhang Xiluo's ear.

Zhang Xiluo nodded slightly. As long as the baby was safe.

"Li Mingye, it's inconvenient for you to be here. Please leave," Xu Xinyi stood up, blocking him from Zhang Xiluo. "You can rest assured, I'll take care of her."

"She should go to the hospital," Li Mingye insisted. "She seems very ill."

"I'm a doctor. I don't need you to tell me what to do," Xu Xinyi, usually gentle, rarely spoke so sharply. "If you want her to die, then stay and keep upsetting her."

Li Mingye's face darkened, coldness radiating from him, his brows frosted with anger.

He looked down at Zhang Xiluo, his frown deepening. "Call me if anything happens," he said, then turned and left.

Xu Xinyi followed, slamming the door shut as soon as he stepped out.

"What did you eat that wasn't clean?" Xu Xinyi poured her a cup of hot water. "You can't take medicine while pregnant, and acute enteritis is troublesome."

Zhang Xiluo thought carefully. She'd only had a cup of milk at the hospital.

"Avoid it from now on. Pregnancy changes your constitution and affects lactose absorption," Xu Xinyi sighed. "Are you really set on having this child alone? It's a difficult journey."

Zhang Xiluo was resolute. No matter how hard it was, she would persist.

She couldn't take medicine, only endure it. Xu Xinyi tried everything to ease her discomfort. After several trips to the restroom, the pain subsided somewhat.

Xu Xinyi stayed with her, never leaving her side.

The next day, Zhang Xiluo was listless and had to fast. Xu Xinyi took leave to continue caring for her.

To keep her father from worrying, she lied about having a cold and said she'd go to the hospital tomorrow.

"Xinyi, I'm so hungry." Zhang Xiluo lay in bed, tossing and turning, muttering constantly. "Xinyi, are you sure I can't eat?"

"In theory, yes," Xu Xinyi fed her a sip of sugar water. "Hold on a bit longer. Once your stomach stops hurting, you can eat a little."

Just after noon, Xu Xinyi received a call from the hospital—there was an emergency surgery and she had to rush back.

"I'll be back as soon as I'm done. Don't eat anything indiscriminately."

"Okay, got it. Go on," Zhang Xiluo replied.

Xu Xinyi hurried out, reminding her repeatedly not to do anything reckless.

Zhang Xiluo was so hungry her head spun. She lay in bed, drifting in and out of sleep.

She didn't know how much time had passed when the doorbell rang downstairs. Instantly awake, she rubbed her face, threw on a coat, and went downstairs.

"You're back so quickly," Zhang Xiluo opened the door, her smile freezing instantly. "You again!"

Li Mingye was wearing a dark gray coat, a black scarf wrapped around his neck. The scarf was unusual, with a Y emblem sewn onto the fringe.

Zhou Yao had knitted that scarf for him herself.

It suited him.

"If not me, who else would you like?" Li Mingye's face was cold as he gently pushed past her arm and walked in. "Where's Xu Xinyi?"

"Li Mingye, could it be you really fell for me?" Zhang Xiluo found his behavior odd—he showed up whether he had a reason or not, as if deliberately provoking her, hoping she'd drive him away in anger.

"If you want, I can try," Li Mingye's eyes sparkled, but his tone was cold and indifferent.

Zhang Xiluo sneered, shaking her head. "I don't want that, not at all. Li Mingye, you're wearing the scarf Zhou Yao made for you, and telling me you want to try loving me. Don't you think that's laughable?"

"No, I don't," Li Mingye answered with sincerity, meeting Zhang Xiluo's gaze. Seeing the coldness in her eyes, he shuddered inwardly and looked away.

"Li Mingye, how many times must I say it? I don't love you anymore. After what happened with Qin Xiaoxiao, do you think we can coexist peacefully?"

"Zhang Xiluo!"