Chapter 103: Li Mingye’s Hatred for Zhang Xiluo

“Zhang Xiluo, I hate you! Let’s die together and go to hell together!”

Li Mingye grabbed Zhang Xiluo’s arm, pulling her into his embrace. Zhang Xiluo collided with him, still shaken and wide-eyed.

“Lolo!”

Ouyang Chen pulled Zhou Yao aside, dragging her to the side. She lost her balance and sat down on the ground, dazed and sobbing foolishly.

After witnessing this scene, Zhao Chengyi was filled with disgust toward Zhou Yao.

“Get lost.” Zhao Chengyi rushed over to chase her away. “You sly, manipulative woman. Trying to ruin my wedding? I won’t let you off.”

“You’re all bullying me! You’re all bullying me!” Zhou Yao wailed on the ground, tears streaming down her face. Lu Tiantian stayed by her side, trying to help her up.

Zhou Yao staggered as she followed Lu Tiantian out. Her clothes were soiled, her shoes had come off, and her handbag lay forgotten on the ground. One by one, the layers of her glamorous façade were being stripped away.

Zhang Xiluo watched Zhou Yao’s retreating figure and sighed deeply. Li Mingye had not protected her.

Was it because she had caused the death of his child?

Or was preserving face at this moment more important than the substitute Zhou Yao?

Zhang Xiluo didn’t know, and she no longer cared to ponder it. She walked over to Jiang Xueting’s side, where Jiang Xueting held her hand.

“I apologize to everyone. Because of my issues, I disrupted the mood. I am truly sorry and hope that from now on, we can all witness the happiness of the newlyweds together.”

Zhang Xiluo bowed in apology to the guests. She glanced at her parents and saw support and encouragement in their eyes, moving her deeply as she nodded in gratitude.

“Dear guests, please be seated for the meal. The groom and I will go table to table to offer our toasts and thank you all for attending the wedding of Zhao Chengyi and me,” Jiang Xueting said, taking back the microphone with a joyful smile. She spoke up for Zhang Xiluo, feeling that this marriage was worth it.

The master of ceremonies stepped up at the right moment to enliven the atmosphere, and the wedding scene gradually returned to normal. The screen lit up with Jiang Xueting and Zhao Chengyi’s wedding photos alongside various sweet moments.

Still, Zhang Xiluo felt sorry for Jiang Xueting. Such a dreamy wedding had been interrupted by the mess caused by her and Zhou Yao.

“Xueting, I’m really sorry for ruining your wedding.”

“Don’t say that. This was all part of my plan. This wedding was epic—exposing a scheming woman, slapping down a scoundrel. It couldn’t have been more satisfying. I’ll cherish this wedding forever.”

Jiang Xueting pulled Zhang Xiluo into a warm embrace. “Lolo, I’m truly happy. I hope you find happiness too—happier than I am.”

Zhang Xiluo held her tightly, tears flowing uncontrollably.

When Li Mingye confronted her just moments ago, she hadn’t cried. Now, if she had to choose, she would choose friendship without hesitation.

They had always supported and cared for her, helping her at all costs.

With such friends, Zhang Xiluo could be single her whole life and still be incredibly happy.

“You must be tired too. Go back and rest first. Leave the toasting to me,” Xu Xinyi came over, gently patting them both. Jiang Xueting nodded repeatedly, urging Zhang Xiluo to rest.

“Xueting is in your hands. Don’t let her drink too much. And you don’t drink too much either. I...” Zhang Xiluo’s tears flowed endlessly.

Xu Xinyi wiped her tears, cutting her off. “Stop babbling, just go. I’ll take care of her, and myself too.”

Zhang Xiluo nodded and returned to the dressing room to gather her things.

Ouyang Chen stood by the door, seemingly waiting for her.

“Is this your plan?” Ouyang Chen approached, his gaze strange.

She looked at him, not understanding. “I’m going home to shower and sleep.”

Ouyang Chen paused, frowning slightly. “Not a bad idea. Get some good rest.”

“Strange,” Zhang Xiluo muttered under her breath, crossing past Ouyang Chen into the room. When she came out with her things, he was gone.

He was probably off to toast with Zhao Chengyi. Zhang Xiluo glanced toward the banquet hall, then turned and headed outside.

She hadn’t driven herself, and passing the parking lot, she saw Li Mingye standing by a car, pinching a cigarette, his head bowed in thought.

He must be full of hatred for her—finally finding his true love’s substitute, only to have her ruin everything.

But who else could he blame?

She was a victim too.

No matter what, it was Li Mingye’s own matter now and had nothing to do with her anymore.

Li Mingye seemed to notice her too. They silently exchanged glances for a few seconds before she looked away and kept walking forward.

He didn’t stop her, and she knew clearly that this was truly over.

From now on, they would be worlds apart with no intersection.

She had loved this man for two lifetimes. From now on, she would let him go completely. For the child lost, for the new life ahead, she would no longer entangle with Li Mingye.

Zhang Xiluo left the parking lot and got into a taxi. Since her rebirth, she had never felt this relaxed.

The car turned right, and not long after, she saw a traffic accident.

Zhou Yao lay on the ground, covered in blood. Lu Tiantian knelt beside her, helplessly crying and shouting. Nearby, the wails of ambulances and police cars alternated.

The scene resembled her own fatal car accident years ago. Blood was everywhere, and only the driver, Xiao Zhao, had stayed by her side helplessly. She had heard the ambulance sirens but never lived to see rescue.

She didn’t stop but drove on. This had nothing to do with her anymore.

Zhang Xiluo averted her gaze, her eyes moist but her heart calm—neither sorrowful nor joyful.

She let go of everything from the past and of Li Mingye.

Back home, Zhang Xiluo soaked in a hot bath and fell into a deep sleep.

In her dream, she saw the younger Li Mingye from their school days, his face lit with a smile, his features not so cold. He smiled at her and walked toward her. Just as she hesitated, Li Mingye passed by her side.

She turned and saw him with a girl—Qin Xiaoxiao, his true love. They were together, their faces glowing with happiness.

Zhang Xiluo smiled too, a smile of release and peace. She didn’t follow but calmly walked in another direction.

This time, she chose not to love Li Mingye.

Her parents came home, called her to sleep, and made her some food.

“Lolo, are you okay?”

“Dad, Mom, I’m fine. I’m really good.” Zhang Xiluo ate heartily and smiled at her mother. “Mom, I want to go abroad. I want to continue my studies.”

Her parents exchanged a glance. “Your father supports you. Where do you want to go?”

“To the top art school. I plan to go first and then apply.” She was confident and wanted to take this opportunity to leave Long City.

“When are you leaving?”

“Tomorrow.”

“All right. We support you.”

Grateful for her parents’ understanding, Zhang Xiluo went to her room, packed her things briefly, and told Xu Xinyi and Jiang Xueting about her decision.

Early the next morning, Jiang Xueting and Xu Xinyi came to Qin Garden. Zhang Xiluo was not surprised; she knew they wouldn’t want to see her go.

“Lolo, come back soon.”

“We’ll be waiting for you.”

“Got it. You should go back now.”

Zhang Xiluo hugged them and, without looking back, passed through security…