Chapter 56: An Absurd Farce

At the critical moment, Lin Yiming appeared, steadying her and shielding her from Zhuo Tongtong.

“Are you alright, sis?” he asked.

Zhang Xiluo, still shaken, shook her head. “Thank goodness you were here.”

Lin Yiming blushed at her praise. He let go of her and stood protectively in front of her, warning Zhuo Tongtong not to try anything.

“Lin Yiming, you still dare say there’s nothing between you and her?” Zhuo Tongtong put her hands on her hips, her words echoing repeatedly from the loudspeaker. “How could you do this to Yaoyao?”

“My conscience is clear. My relationship with my sister is open and aboveboard!” Lin Yiming didn't want to argue further. He shielded Zhang Xiluo as they left.

“You two just wait!” Zhuo Tongtong shouted angrily, pointing at Lin Yiming. “Make that old woman shut off the broadcast!”

“Zhuo Tongtong, a brain is a good thing—you should try having one. I’m too old to play games with you, so you’d best not provoke me further.” With that, Zhang Xiluo turned off the recording.

She took Lin Yiming and left. Not long after, Zhuo Tongtong was summoned to the police station for questioning and had to answer for her actions.

“Sis, I know everything that’s happened lately,” Lin Yiming said, his face filled with worry. He did not believe that Zhang Xiluo was responsible for the recent scandals. “No matter what happens, I trust you.”

Zhang Xiluo smiled wryly. Here was a young man she had only recently met, willing to place his unconditional trust in her—while Li Mingye, whom she had loved for seven years, would not offer her a shred of faith.

“Thank you for today. I’ll treat you to a meal sometime.”

“Alright.”

Lin Yiming watched as Zhang Xiluo walked away. Her slender figure became deeply etched in his heart.

As soon as Zhang Xiluo returned to Qinyuan, she received a call from Zhou Yao, who wanted to meet her.

“Sis, can we talk about Tongtong?”

“I don’t have time.” Zhang Xiluo rejected her flatly. “Don’t waste your energy on me, and don’t bother with pointless things.”

Zhou Yao’s persistent meddling had become repulsive to her. She had made her position clear long ago—she would not entangle herself further with Li Mingye.

After a few moments of silence, Zhou Yao spoke again. “Aren’t you at all curious why Mr. Li treats me so well? If you have time, I can tell you.”

Zhang Xiluo had always thought that Li Mingye was drawn to Zhou Yao’s innocence, that she was his unattainable white moonlight. But Zhou Yao’s words suggested there was more to the story.

“I’m not interested.” She had already chosen to leave, so there was no need to know the reason.

Without another word, Zhou Yao hung up.

Zhang Xiluo immediately blocked her number to keep her peace of mind intact.

Pregnant women sleep especially deeply, and she slept from noon until evening. When she awoke, her phone was full of missed calls.

“Luoluo, why didn’t you answer?” Her mother pushed open the door, worry on her face. “I thought something had happened to you.”

“I was sleeping too soundly and didn’t hear.”

“Get ready, we’re going to Li Mingye’s family home.”

“I’m not going,” Zhang Xiluo refused. She didn’t want to see Li Mingye, nor did she want them to discover her secret.

Her mother sighed. “Some things have to be faced. When you didn’t answer, they came to my office themselves. We can’t keep turning them away. Your father and I will be there—no one will let you suffer.”

Reluctantly, Zhang Xiluo changed her clothes and went with her mother to Liuzhou Beiyuan.

“Luoluo, we’ve been waiting for you for so long,” Li Mingye’s mother greeted her warmly at the door, holding her hand and exchanging pleasantries with her mother.

As the matriarch of the Li family, she was a master of theatrics—both outside and within the family.

Zhang Xiluo saw through it, but said nothing. She followed her inside and was instantly stunned.

Zhou Yao was there.

Her aunt sat on the sofa, casting a contemptuous glance at Zhang Xiluo and speaking with biting sarcasm, “Luoluo, you really aren’t easy to invite. We waited all afternoon, and finally you’re here.”

“Sorry,” Zhang Xiluo replied coldly.

“Don’t apologize to me—the star of the show is here. Let’s get started.” Her aunt rolled her eyes, produced a large red envelope, and tossed it in front of Zhou Yao.

Zhang Xiluo was bewildered. Her aunt covered her mouth and laughed, her words carrying a double meaning. “You’ve gained a new sister.”

“Yes, from now on, Zhou Yao will be your sister. Your father and I have decided to make her our goddaughter,” Li Mingye’s mother said to Zhang Xiluo with a smile. “Mingye only thinks of her as a younger sister.”

Zhang Xiluo couldn’t believe such a melodramatic farce was unfolding in the Li family—and she was the protagonist.

A flash of resentment and hatred crossed Zhou Yao’s eyes. She looked at Zhang Xiluo, her smile insincere. “Are you surprised, sis? I didn’t expect I’d be so lucky, either.”

Throughout it all, Li Mingye remained silent, occasionally glancing at Zhang Xiluo.

Zhang Xiluo couldn’t understand why the Li family insisted on such a self-deceiving charade, when they could simply choose divorce.

Her father stood up and pulled at her arm to leave.

“This isn’t something that can be brushed off. Our family doesn’t need any more sisters for Luoluo.” He was furious. “Our ties as in-laws end here.”

“Dad, don’t be hasty.” At last, Li Mingye spoke. He walked over to Zhang Xiluo’s father, his gaze complicated as he looked at her. “Even if we divorce, it will not be because of Zhou Yao.”

As if!

Zhang Xiluo didn’t expose him, wanting to preserve what little dignity remained.

“Hmph.” Her father didn’t believe him, glaring. “With things already like this, you still have the nerve to deny it! I never agreed to let Luoluo marry you in the first place!”

“Let’s all calm down and talk this over,” Li Mingye’s mother tried to mediate.

“There’s nothing to discuss. We’re leaving.” Zhang Xiluo’s mother seized her hand and they left, driving away at once.

Li Mingye followed them in his car all the way back to Qinyuan. Zhang Xiluo ignored him, leaving him outside.

Her father wanted to go out and drive him away, but her mother stopped him.

That night, Zhang Xiluo slept restlessly. She dreamed she was back in her previous life, endlessly chasing after Li Mingye. Their ceaseless arguments, his coldness, his indifference—all stabbed at her heart like knives.

She woke in a cold sweat. Outside, Li Mingye was gone.

She took a hot bath, changed, and went downstairs. Her parents had already left for the company, but had left her breakfast on the table.

After yesterday’s scene, their relationship with the Li family was now thoroughly strained. Zhang Xiluo was worried; she didn’t want her parents’ company to be ruined because of her.

Zhou Yao contacted her from a different number, still asking for a meeting, saying she had something to tell her. If not for the absurd farce of yesterday, Zhang Xiluo would have refused without hesitation.

Now, she was truly curious about this so-called reason.

They arranged to meet at Lin Yiming’s café. She contacted Xiao Zhao, only to learn he was running a high fever and needed to rest.

Since her pregnancy, she avoided driving herself. She took a cab to the café.

After getting out of the car, she didn’t see Zhou Yao, but she did spot Zhuo Tongtong outside the café.

Her face was sallow and filled with rage, her eyes so venomous it was as if she wanted to kill Zhang Xiluo.

Zhang Xiluo instinctively frowned and tried to turn away, but suddenly someone stepped in front of her, blocking her path.

“Where do you think you’re going?”