Chapter 31: Sister Comforts You

Mother Zhang called out to him, and he greeted them before sitting down on the sofa.

The atmosphere was a little awkward. Zhang Xiluo glanced at him and took the initiative to speak. “I’ll stay here with my mother for a few days and go back later.”

“No need, your father is here with me,” Mother Zhang refused, shooting Zhang Xiluo a look to stop her from being stubborn. “Go back with Mingye. If there’s anything, talk it over properly.”

“Mom.”

“Be good. Go back now.”

Zhang Xiluo knew her mother meant well, so she didn’t argue further. She packed up her things and left with Li Mingye.

Just before they left, Mother Zhang whispered something to Li Mingye. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, reassuring her that everything was fine.

Once they got in the car, Li Mingye’s expression changed instantly, a chill radiating from him.

“Zhang Xiluo, have you forgotten what I told you?” Li Mingye drove out of Qinyuan, his voice icy and thick with anger.

Zhang Xiluo’s heart sank. This infuriating man was about to lose his temper again.

She tried to explain in a gentle tone, “I haven’t forgotten. I really know nothing about this. Would you believe me if I said so?”

“What do you think?”

She sighed helplessly. His reaction was just as she had expected. “If you don’t believe the truth, there’s nothing I can do.”

Li Mingye’s anger only intensified. He slammed on the brakes and stopped the car by the roadside.

“Do you take me for a fool? Stay away from Ouyang Chen. I hope this is the last time!”

“Absurd.” Zhang Xiluo didn’t want to continue the conversation. He should be confronting Ouyang Chen, not warning her here.

“If you’re so afraid of being cheated on, just get a divorce.”

Li Mingye pounded the steering wheel in frustration. He turned to her, his eyes blazing with fury. “You want a divorce so you can be with someone else? Zhang Xiluo, don’t even dream about it.”

“Li Mingye, are you out of your mind? The one who’s always having affairs and making headlines is you!” Zhang Xiluo let out a bitter laugh. This man had the audacity to turn the blame on her.

“Do you really not know whether those rumors are true or not?”

Zhang Xiluo was taken aback. Was this his way of explaining himself? For a moment, her heart fluttered, and a flicker of joy appeared.

Did this mean she mattered to him?

But she quickly sobered. What did an explanation matter? It wouldn’t change anything.

“What about Zhou Yao? Was your relationship with her just an act too?” There was a trace of bitterness at the corner of Zhang Xiluo’s mouth. She saw the slight change in his expression and knew the answer already.

She didn’t want to bring up Zhou Yao or compare herself to her anymore, but Li Mingye seemed blind to his own feelings.

Li Mingye turned away, silent for several seconds. “I’ll handle things with her.”

“You don’t need to tell me. Just drive.” Zhang Xiluo suddenly felt exhausted. Every time they talked about divorce, it only led to arguments.

The rest of the way was silent. Li Mingye dropped her off at the villa and drove away.

Today was Zhou Yao’s surgery. The fact that he even found time to visit her mother’s house surprised Zhang Xiluo.

Zhou Yao’s surgery was a great success, and Li Mingye stayed by her side in the hospital for days without leaving.

Zhang Xiluo had grown indifferent to this kind of news. She no longer cared who he was with or how long he stayed.

She remained at the villa only to reassure her parents.

“Madam, Old Madam is coming over today. Should I call Mr. Li home?” Aunt Li came to inform Zhang Xiluo after getting a call from Li’s mother.

“Ask her yourself.” Zhang Xiluo felt annoyed, living under constant surveillance. “I’m going out at noon. I have things to do. Arrange dinner, please.”

“Understood. When will you be back?”

“Before dinner. Let me know when she arrives.”

Zhang Xiluo changed her clothes and asked Xiao Zhao to drive her around the city. Jiang Xueting was busy dating some handsome guy, Xu Xinyi was busy saving lives at the hospital, and only she seemed completely idle.

“Madam, where to?” Xiao Zhao glanced at her through the rearview mirror.

Zhang Xiluo shook her head.

At that moment, she received a message from Lin Yiming.

“Sis, do you have time? I want to talk to you.”

“Where are you?”

“I’m at the shop. Want to come over? I’ve got coffee ready.”

“I’ll be there soon.”

After replying, Zhang Xiluo asked Xiao Zhao to head to the café. A “temporarily closed” sign hung outside.

Lin Yiming looked haggard, stubble covering his chin, dark circles under his eyes, gazing blankly out the window.

When he saw Zhang Xiluo, he stood up and apologized. “Sis, I’m sorry. I really can’t focus on work today, but I’ll work twice as hard from now on.”

She nodded and sat across from him. “What happened?”

Lin Yiming brought her a cup of coffee, set it down, then buried his head in his hands, clutching his hair in anguish.

“It’s over between us.” After a long silence, he spoke in pain. “I knew she was having surgery, so I brought her favorite chestnuts to the hospital.”

“Her father wouldn’t let me in. I messaged her, and she told me to leave.” He looked up at Zhang Xiluo, eyes red. “Her father said she’s with your husband now.”

She had guessed as much. Seeing Lin Yiming in such agony, she saw her old self.

When she learned Li Mingye was with Zhou Yao, she had tried to ask her mother-in-law for help, and even begged Li Mingye to come back.

She had done everything she could...

She understood this pain and despair better than anyone.

“So, what did you want from me?” Zhang Xiluo forced herself to remain calm.

“Could you talk to your husband…” Lin Yiming asked cautiously, watching her expression closely.

Zhang Xiluo laughed, stirring her coffee slowly. “Can you control Zhou Yao?”

“No.” Lin Yiming shook his head in defeat. “I’m sorry, sis.”

“I know how you feel. If you can’t change it, try to accept it.”

Lin Yiming’s eyes turned red. He didn’t know what to say.

“Come on, I’ll take you out to relax.” Zhang Xiluo pulled him up. “There’s nothing you can’t get over.”

She took him to the mall, picked out a few sets of clothes for him to try. He wanted to refuse, but she scolded him until he gave in.

“Do I look good, sis?”

“Not bad. Pack up everything he tried on,” she told the sales assistant, handing over her card, and chose a blue casual outfit for him to change into.

Clothes, bags, watches, a new haircut… Zhang Xiluo gave Lin Yiming a complete makeover. She hooked sunglasses onto his ear and nodded in satisfaction.

“Sis, are you trying to keep me?” Lin Yiming looked at his unfamiliar reflection, glancing timidly at her.

She burst out laughing and deliberately took his hand, asking flirtatiously, “And if I said yes, would you refuse?”

Lin Yiming blushed to his ears, not daring to look at her, his whole body trembling with nerves.

“I’m teasing you.” She let go of his hand and motioned for him to follow.

His gaze on her changed, but he followed silently behind.

Her phone rang. She stepped aside to answer, then returned in a much better mood.

“Come on, let’s go somewhere else.”

“Where to?”

“You’ll know when we get there.”