Chapter 38: If You Want to Know, Yield to Me

Zhang Xiluo immediately sensed something was wrong. She tried to take her phone to check, but her mother stopped her again.

“Mom, this is a misunderstanding,” Li Mingye glanced at the phone and explained calmly, “There’s nothing between me and her.”

After Li Mingye finished looking, Zhang Xiluo took the phone. Her mother had received a photo of Li Mingye in bed with a beautiful woman—the woman was a newly promoted idol from his company, someone with whom rumors had spread about him. Since Zhou Yao had appeared, Li Mingye hadn’t had time to see this woman.

Such things had become so commonplace that Zhang Xiluo no longer felt anything at the sight. Why was her mother so angry?

She’d noticed her mother didn’t look well as soon as she’d entered; now, her lips had lost all color.

“This photo was sent by a competitor. Someone from the Li family released the news that the Zhangs and the Lis are about to part ways.”

Her mother took a deep breath, discomfort evident. “Our company has always operated independently. We’ve never relied on each other. Now, the Li family is spreading this news to force us to make a decision.”

“Even if you refuse, this marriage can end. I’ve already made up my mind,” her mother said, but then she was overtaken by a fierce coughing fit. “Cough, cough. I called you here today just to make my position clear.”

“Mom, have some water.” Zhang Xiluo patted her mother’s back, heart aching.

Her mother gripped her hand, pain flickering across her face. “Xiluo, this time you must listen.”

“Mom, I understand. Are you feeling unwell? Let me take you to the hospital.”

“I’ve been having chest tightness lately. A little rest and I’ll be fine.” Her mother pressed a hand to her chest, taking in several deep breaths.

“You should go now,” Zhang Xiluo said to Li Mingye, effectively sending him away, then helped her mother to her feet.

Her mother’s body was heavy; Zhang Xiluo gave her a pull, but she didn’t rise. Trying harder, her mother suddenly collapsed onto the table.

“Mom!”

Li Mingye immediately stood, scooped her mother into his arms, and rushed outside. Zhang Xiluo hurried after them, accidentally overturning the table—an entire meal crashing to the floor.

Her mother was taken to the hospital and, thanks to timely rescue, her life was no longer in danger.

Zhang Xiluo stayed by her mother’s side, heavy with guilt, feeling undeserving as a daughter. She hadn’t even realized how serious her mother’s heart condition had become.

All her attention had been on Li Mingye. She’d neglected everyone else around her. She hated herself for it.

Holding her mother’s hand, she silently apologized over and over.

“Xiluo, how’s your mother?” Her father rushed in, his eyes full of worry as he saw his wife unconscious.

“She’s out of danger for the moment, Dad. I’m sorry,” she said, tears brimming, her chest tight with pain. “I’ve been such an unfilial daughter.”

“Your mother has never blamed you,” her father said, gently stroking her hair. “She’s only worried you’ll get hurt.”

Wiping her tears away, Zhang Xiluo made up her mind to confront Li Mingye. On the one hand, he refused to divorce her; on the other, he released this kind of news—what was he really after?

Li Mingye stepped out of the doctor’s office to find Zhang Xiluo storming toward him, eyes blazing. His gaze narrowed, and he slowed his pace.

“Li Mingye, we need to talk.”

“I don’t have time.” He refused flatly; there were more important things to do.

Zhang Xiluo blocked his path. “We must talk, or I’ll tell your mother everything about Zhou Yao!”

In her memory, her parents-in-law had once strongly opposed Zhou Yao, nearly causing her harm.

For the sake of her parents, she could only play the villain.

Li Mingye’s expression shifted, a flash of surprise in his eyes. He waved the test results in his hand. “So our mother’s health isn’t so important after all.”

“Give it to me. I can handle it myself.” Zhang Xiluo reached for the test results, but he withheld them.

“Zhang Xiluo, are you a child?” he snapped, frowning. “Stop doing pointless things!”

With that, Li Mingye walked away with the test results. Zhang Xiluo shot him a furious glare, more confused than ever by his intentions.

She’d thought that living this life again, with all her memories, would allow her to steer things her way—but so much was already going off track.

For now, she could only return to her mother’s room. Her mother was still unconscious; the doctor was considering surgery.

“Xiluo, have you thought about what your mother said?” her father asked, working on his laptop at the bedside. The company had just lost a major supplier, resulting in serious losses.

Adding in the penalty fees, the loss would reach nearly a billion.

So far, only a few senior executives knew. But news like this could never be kept secret for long. Once it got out, panic and chaos would spread.

“If you don’t want to divorce, there’s another way: bring Li Mingye into the company and bind him to us. It’s a difficult solution… After all, if we don’t give him real shares, he won’t agree,” her father said, his tone heavy, making Zhang Xiluo’s heart ache.

“Dad, I’ve thought it over. As long as it helps our family, I’ll do anything.” She had a strong suspicion now—Li Mingye was after the shares!

If he couldn’t get them from her, he’d just try to take them by force…

Her father sighed; he couldn’t think of a better solution either.

He insisted on staying with her mother in the hospital, so Zhang Xiluo could only head back to Qinyuan first. The dining room was a mess; picking up a broom, she began to clean, but soon found herself crumpling to the floor, crying in grief.

At that moment, Jiang Xueting called. Zhang Xiluo sniffed hard, trying to steady her voice. “What is it?”

“Xiluo, come out for drinks tonight! I’ve dug up dirt on that mistress Zhou—it’s enough to make her famous,” Jiang Xueting said, excitement in her voice.

“Not tonight. I’m at Qinyuan. My mother’s in the hospital,” Zhang Xiluo replied, wiping her tears away. She had no energy to deal with Zhou Yao now. “Handle Zhou Yao as you see fit.”

“Is Auntie okay? I’ll bring Xinyi and go to the hospital.”

“She’s alright. No need to come. My father’s with her. I need to tidy up here.”

After cleaning up the mess, Zhang Xiluo called Li Mingye. He answered quickly.

“Li Mingye, where are you? We need to talk.”

“At home.”

She paused. “The villa?”

“Of course!”

“I’m coming over now.”

Zhang Xiluo hurried out, driving back to the villa.

That damned man—he’d actually admitted the villa was his home!

When she arrived, Li Mingye was having dinner. Aunt Li had thoughtfully set out a place for her as well.

“Li Mingye, why did you do it?” Zhang Xiluo demanded, having no appetite. “Are you after my shares, or do you want to destroy the Zhangs? Do you really hate me that much?”

“I’ve already apologized to you. I sincerely meant to give Zhou Yao my place, what more do you want from me?” she cried, glaring at him in agitation.

“You’re so noisy,” Li Mingye muttered, frowning. He got up, strode over, and without warning, pressed his lips to hers, silencing her with a kiss.

Zhang Xiluo came to her senses and began hitting him furiously.

“If you want to know the answer, give in to me.”