Chapter 47: He Agreed

Li Mingye’s expression flickered; his brows knit tightly together, his cold face softened by the glow of the lamp, as if he were cloaked in a sheen of frost. He stood there in silence for a long time, unmoving.

Zhang Xiluo did not want to wait any longer. She wanted to leave, but then Li Mingye spoke, his voice low and distant.

“I haven’t figured it out.”

Zhang Xiluo was startled—his answer was wholly unexpected. She had thought he would say she was a clinging pest, a sycophant, a wife only by law, or perhaps the person he hated most.

Her chest felt stifled, the corners of her eyes grew wet, and every breath sent a sharp pain through her lungs. She wanted to laugh, but the sound would not come.

“Hahaha.” She forced a laugh, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I’m not even worthy of being your sycophant. If that’s the case, why won’t you let me go?”

“I don’t believe you truly care about the shares in our family. Li Mingye, do you realize that every day spent with you is torment for me? I must divorce you!”

After being reborn, she had tried her best to suppress her feelings and seek her own liberation, hoping to end this unhealthy marriage quickly.

Yet he refused again and again, pushing her into the depths time after time.

She could not escape. All she could do was watch as everything spiraled out of control, once more feeling the sting of failure and helplessness.

“Yes, Zhou Yao’s fate was my doing. I wanted to kill her. If you want revenge for her, go ahead.” Zhang Xiluo could not suppress her grief anymore. She tilted her chin up, staring at Li Mingye with a provocative gaze.

Suddenly, she grabbed a cushion from the sofa and hurled it at his face. He caught it effortlessly, his complexion growing even darker, the corners of his mouth sinking as he struggled to rein in his anger.

“Li Mingye, you’re a fool! Zhou Yao’s past is so chaotic, yet you can accept it. Why not simply marry her? If she really wanted to, why make such a scene?”

She had used these tricks before, all just to get Li Mingye’s attention.

Such crude schemes—couldn’t he see through them?

“Li Mingye, you bastard! Isn’t it you who hates women who cry, make a scene, and threaten suicide? Why is it that with her, all you feel is pity?” She pressed up against him, tearing at his clothes.

In that moment, she felt herself reliving her previous life, all over again.

Except back then, it had been to hold on to him.

Li Mingye seized her wrists, his eyes reddening. “Enough!”

Zhang Xiluo was stunned. He pushed her onto the sofa, his gaze ablaze with fury. “If you want a divorce so badly, I’ll grant it!”

With those words, he stormed upstairs in anger.

He agreed…

Zhang Xiluo stared blankly at his retreating figure, feeling cracks splinter through her heart as pain spread through her limbs and bones, her chest aching more fiercely than ever.

She had never expected that hearing his agreement would hurt so much. The old feelings surged back—resentment, reluctance.

Zhang Xiluo, isn’t this what you wanted?

She tried to reason with herself, forcing herself to calm down. As time ticked by, her heart gradually settled.

She got up and went upstairs, only to find Li Mingye in the room.

He lay on the bed, his back to her, eyes tightly shut as if already asleep.

Zhang Xiluo considered leaving, but in the end, she settled on the sofa.

When morning came, she awoke in bed; Li Mingye was already gone. With his promise, there was no need for her to stay at the villa any longer.

Their quarrel last night had been relayed to Li’s mother by Aunt Li, who promptly arranged to meet Zhang Xiluo.

After dropping off her things at Milan International, Zhang Xiluo went to the appointment.

“Luoluo, didn’t you say you wouldn’t divorce?” Li’s mother got straight to the point, displeased. “He just helped you resolve your problems recently—you should know how to be grateful.”

“Mom,” Zhang Xiluo replied, not bothering to hide her thoughts. “The two companies no longer have any business ties, and he’s found his true love. I should leave.”

“That woman has a humble background. I will never let her set foot in our home,” Li’s mother declared firmly. “Don’t worry, I’ll deal with her completely.”

Li Mingye was protecting Zhou Yao—how could she possibly handle it?

If not for Zhang Xiluo taking the blame for the suicide attempt, Li Mingye would have already caused chaos at home.

For Zhou Yao, Li Mingye would risk the entire Li family, never fearing his mother.

“Mom, I don’t want to talk about this anymore,” Zhang Xiluo said, her face pale, her stomach feeling unwell. “I’m not feeling well.”

“You can’t only think of yourself. I hope you’ll consider the bigger picture,” Li’s mother said, leaving first without a thought for Zhang Xiluo’s feelings.

Her attitude had changed because she cared about interests, not because she liked Zhang Xiluo. If Zhou Yao were a suitable candidate, she would have been the first to support their divorce.

Zhang Xiluo’s stomach felt terrible, so she had Xiao Zhao drive her back to Milan International. She hadn’t eaten since yesterday afternoon; after a simple bowl of noodles, she lay down to rest.

Jiang Xueting called, and Zhang Xiluo answered sleepily.

“Hello.”

“Luoluo, where are you?” Jiang Xueting sounded anxious, full of concern. “About Zhou Yao’s suicide—did that bastard give you trouble?”

“He kicked down my door—does that count?” Zhang Xiluo replied coolly. Jiang Xueting paused, then burst out laughing.

“That bastard’s IQ is dropping—he actually did that?” Hearing Zhang Xiluo’s calm tone, she relaxed. “Stay out of sight for a few days. Xin Yi said he’s like a demon lately—everyone’s scared of him.”

“Got it.”

After hanging up, Zhang Xiluo went back to sleep.

The next morning, knocking woke her. She got up to open the door—Li Mingye stood outside.

It made sense; apart from Jiang Xueting and Xu Xin Yi, only he knew where she lived.

“Don’t say anything,” Zhang Xiluo said quickly, stopping him from speaking. “I saw your mother yesterday, then came here to sleep—I just woke up. I haven’t touched your precious flower!”

Li Mingye’s face was dark, his gaze at her as if she were an idiot. “Come with me.”

“Where?” Zhang Xiluo clung to the door, refusing to let go. “I won’t go—let go, I haven’t even changed my clothes.”

“Zhang Xiluo, if you don’t want your mother to die of anger, come with me now,” Li Mingye said coldly, his face grim.

She released her grip and let him drag her outside. “What happened? I have a right to know!”

Why wasn’t he at the hospital with Zhou Yao, but here bothering her—and involving her mother? Could it be that Zhou Yao’s matter had been discovered?

“Li Mingye, explain yourself.”

“No time, just get in,” Li Mingye said, indicating she fasten her seatbelt before flooring the accelerator.

Zhang Xiluo felt uneasy. Judging by Li Mingye’s demeanor, something serious was happening. “Can’t you explain while you drive?”

He glanced at her but said nothing. It was rush hour, and the road was crowded; he braked frequently, making Zhang Xiluo nauseous.

He took her to Liuzhou North Garden, and she was utterly confused—had the families started fighting?