Chapter 24: A Nocturnal Conversation

As soon as Zhou Yuheng said this, Lin Xilan could no longer hold back. She grabbed a cushion from the sofa and hurled it at him.

"You’re a complete bastard. Is threatening people the only thing you know how to do?"

"I’ve already told you, Song Qingli has nothing to do with me. I haven't had any feelings for you for a long time, okay? I wouldn't stoop to such filthy tactics."

Zhou Yuheng caught the cushion and threw it to the floor, looking up at Lin Xilan.

"What did I even say to make you so worked up? I’m not going to do anything to you; I haven't reached that point yet."

Lin Xilan remained silent. After a moment, Zhou Yuheng spoke again: "I just wanted to ask why you refuse to divorce me. In your eyes, I must seem like a pretty terrible person."

"Did you strike some kind of deal with Zhou Kejian?"

If Zhou Yuheng hadn't mentioned the name, Lin Xilan might have almost forgotten it was the name of the elder Mr. Zhou.

"..."

Having reached this point, Lin Xilan felt there was nothing left to hide.

"He promised to find a kidney donor for my younger sister."

Zhou Yuheng was skeptical. "Your sister only fell ill recently. I recall that even before that, you didn't want a divorce."

Lin Xilan was more direct this time. "I wanted to use you to get money."

Lin Xilan was often stubborn; she would never admit now that there was a time she didn't want a divorce simply because she was in love. Hearing this answer, Zhou Yuheng didn't feel disappointed—he only felt that things had become easier to manage.

"Fine. If I give you the money and promise to do everything in my power to treat your sister, will you agree to a divorce?"

"I will."

Lin Xilan’s answer was crisp and decisive.

"Good. Then this is our agreement: you must not tell anyone else. As long as I fulfill my end, we will divorce."

"Fine."

Lin Xilan’s defenses began to lower. She felt that today’s Zhou Yuheng was somehow different from the one she had known. Driven by curiosity, she asked, "So, did you and Song Qingli really break up? Or is this whole thing just part of your plan?"

In Lin Xilan’s mind, Zhou Yuheng was a very clever man; he was by no means the useless, illegitimate son the rest of the Zhou family took him to be.

A long time passed after her question, and Zhou Yuheng said nothing. Just as Lin Xilan was about to give up, he spoke.

"It’s not a plan."

Lin Xilan murmured, "Oh. I thought it was. You’re acting quite differently today compared to your usual self."

Zhou Yuheng asked, "Different how?"

"Your attitude toward me. You used to be desperate to get rid of me, but things feel a bit different today."

Zhou Yuheng found that he actually felt quite inclined to chat with her today. "Let’s have a drink."

He poured wine into another glass. Lin Xilan sat down and asked, "Is it poisoned?"

Zhou Yuheng gave her a look of utter exasperation. "Your life isn't worth me throwing away my own future."

Lin Xilan made a face. "I certainly hope so."

She took a sip of the wine. It wasn't good; it tasted bitter.

She set the glass down and remained silent, truly not knowing what else to say. Zhou Yuheng, however, had more to add.

"I heard your grandfather and Zhou Kejian were friends."

"Yes," Lin Xilan replied. "Very good friends. My grandfather died saving Zhou Kejian’s life."

Zhou Yuheng had never cared about this before, but he had always been puzzled as to why someone as ordinary as Lin Xilan could receive such protection from Zhou Kejian.

"Is that the only reason? Zhou Kejian seems very partial to you."

Lin Xilan rolled her eyes at him. "What other reason could there be? It’s not like Zhou Kejian is in love with me."

"..."

A vein pulsed on Zhou Yuheng’s forehead. "Lin Xilan, you would do well to speak properly."

Lin Xilan shrugged. All her sleepiness had vanished, replaced by a strange sense of excitement.

"Let’s change the subject then. Tell me, my dear husband, you were clearly head-over-heels for my best friend—why has she suddenly turned into someone else’s arms?"

"I really want to know."

*Because this is the retribution you deserve.*

Lin Xilan kept that final thought buried in her heart.