Chapter 4: The Breakup
Zhou Yuheng looked at Lin Xilan with eyes full of disdain.
“Lin Xilan, you really are shameless.”
Lin Xilan’s expression remained unchanged as she asked Zhou Yuheng, “How did the family find out about you and Xiao Li?”
Mentioning this made Zhou Yuheng angry. He stared at Lin Xilan, his eyes darkening. “Are you playing me like that—one thing in front of me, another behind my back?”
Lin Xilan immediately defended herself. “Nonsense, I didn’t snitch.”
She truly didn’t have the time for that; she had been very busy lately.
Zhou Yuheng obviously didn’t believe her. Only Lin Xilan knew about this, and she had a motive to report him. If not her, then who else?
He glanced at the detested Lin Xilan and asked, “What exactly do you like about me? What good comes from you holding onto this marriage?”
“Lin Xilan, can you just let me go?”
Lowering her head, Lin Xilan looked at Zhou Yuheng’s shoes. After a moment of silence, she raised her head again, her eyes showing a different expression than before.
She said, “Maybe one day I’ll come to terms with it and stop being so persistent, but not now.”
After saying this, she quickly changed the subject.
“By the way, about you and Xiao Li—if you want to find out who told the family, you should check with your friends. You two have been openly appearing together at various events. Many people know about it, so it’s not necessarily me who ratted you out.”
Hearing this, Zhou Yuheng was indeed reminded. It was true that he and Song Qingli no longer avoided showing up together at different occasions.
He silently made a mental note of it.
---
Zhou Yuheng and Lin Xilan were effectively trapped inside the Zhou family mansion.
The mansion was a classic Su-style garden, clustered yet private.
Recently, the patriarch of the Zhou family was celebrating his eightieth birthday, so all the descendants had returned.
Zhou Yuheng hadn’t seen Song Qingli for a long time, and because of this, he was heartbroken.
When Lin Xilan entered the room, she was hit by a heavy, stagnant atmosphere.
Her husband was brokenhearted!
At this moment, Lin Xilan didn’t actually want to comfort Zhou Yuheng, fearing that if she did, he might fall for her.
But sometimes, circumstances forced her hand—especially when money was involved.
In the room, Zhou Yuheng was half-reclined on a bamboo lounge chair, his long legs lazily crossed. A book covered his face, and sunlight filtered through the vintage wooden window, casting a warm glow on him.
“Ahem—”
Lin Xilan cleared her throat softly. Zhou Yuheng pulled the book away from his face, glanced at her indifferently, then looked away, too lazy even to speak.
Lin Xilan stepped forward and sat beside him. She sighed and said, “I know you’re upset, but hang on. After grandpa’s birthday, you’ll be able to see Xiao Li again.”
Zhou Yuheng snorted coldly and casually threw the book on the floor. “Lin Xilan, cut the act, will you? Shouldn’t you be happy right now?”
Just thinking about how Song Qingli had blocked all his contact methods made his chest feel tight and suffocated.
---
Lin Xilan forced a smile. “I’m not really happy, but at a time like this, it’s better not to cause trouble. When you get out, I can help you explain things to Xiao Li, alright?”
Her ingratiating attitude made it hard for Zhou Yuheng to be harsh with her. Several times, when he was on the verge of exploding in anger, Lin Xilan pulled him back.
“Zhou Yuheng, I will help you.”
At her words, a soft laugh escaped from his nose...
---
The patriarch’s birthday celebration was extraordinarily grand, with relatives from far and wide gathered.
Lin Xilan sat in a low-profile corner of the living room but was still noticed.
The old man looked at her and asked, “Xilan, where’s Yuheng? Why isn’t he out here?”
Lowering her head, Lin Xilan’s mind raced, trying to come up with an excuse to cover for Zhou Yuheng.
“Xilan?”
The old man gently called again. Lin Xilan lifted her head, a faint smile touching her lips. Dimples appeared on both cheeks.
“Grandpa, Zhou Yuheng has an upset stomach. He’ll be out soon.”