Chapter 64: When Patience Runs Out, Endurance Is No Longer Needed

When Zhang Xiluo saw Zhou Yao’s face, the emotions she had just suppressed surged up again.

Just because she was Qin Xiaoxiao’s sister and bore a similar face, Zhou Yao could easily win Li Mingye’s love. Yet Zhang Xiluo, for loving Li Mingye deeply, had to endure torment and hatred she never deserved.

“My home doesn’t welcome you,” Zhang Xiluo said, tired of Zhou Yao’s false innocence and pretense of naivety. “Just wait outside. He’ll be out soon.”

Zhou Yao’s expression fell. She lowered her head, and when she looked up again, her eyes were cold and vicious. “Sister, are you really so heartless to me? After all, you’re the one who sent me to Mr. Li’s side.”

Zhang Xiluo laughed. The bond between Zhou Yao and Li Mingye was fated; before today, such words might have stung her. But now, she could only pity Zhou Yao.

“Zhou Yao, put away your little schemes. They’re useless against me,” Zhang Xiluo’s gaze was icy. “Even if I hadn’t brought you to the villa, you would have found a way to get close to him.”

“He’s yours. I can’t steal him, and I don’t want to,” Zhang Xiluo was weary of these discussions. “Wait here.”

She walked past Zhou Yao, who suddenly grabbed her hand, her lips curled in malice and calculation.

Zhang Xiluo instinctively shook her off. Zhou Yao, following the slight force, stumbled backward and hit her head hard against the fence behind.

The iron wires slashed her scalp, blood staining the white snow.

“Doesn’t it hurt?” Zhang Xiluo frowned deeply. Zhou Yao was ruthless, even to herself.

“Your strength is something else, sister. I nearly died from that fall,” Zhou Yao raised her face, ignoring the wound on her head. “Can you let me in now?”

“Sorry, no.”

Without hesitation, Zhang Xiluo opened the gate and returned home, leaving Zhou Yao bleeding outside.

She could no longer afford to be soft-hearted; pitying Zhou Yao now would be cruelty to herself.

Li Mingye sat on the sofa. Mother Zhang sat beside him. Hearing the door open, both looked toward Zhang Xiluo.

“Mom, I’m back.”

“Come and sit,” Mother Zhang beckoned her. “Why do you look so pale?”

“It’s nothing.” Zhang Xiluo shook her head. Now, seeing Li Mingye only brought pain. “I’m just tired from walking and want to rest.”

Li Mingye’s expression was gloomy. The conversation hadn’t gone well. His gaze lingered on Zhang Xiluo’s face, brows furrowed tightly.

Zhang Xiluo rose, walking a few steps before stopping. “Zhou Yao is injured, outside the door.”

Li Mingye immediately stood up. “Mom, I’ll go check on her.”

“If you leave now, once you step out that door, our Xiluo will never have anything to do with you again.” Mother Zhang was furious. Li Mingye’s behavior was intolerable.

Li Mingye froze, looking back at Zhang Xiluo. She didn’t turn her head, but went upstairs. He frowned. “Mom, I have to go.”

“Fine, go ahead and get a divorce then.”

Li Mingye walked out. Mother Zhang was shaking with rage, holding her chest as she sank into the sofa.

“Xiluo, Xiluo!” she called loudly. Zhang Xiluo, standing at the corner of the stairs, hurried down.

“Mom, is your heart acting up?” she asked anxiously, kneeling before her. “Take your medicine first, we’ll go to the hospital.”

Mother Zhang nodded, her face growing worse.

Zhang Xiluo supported her outside. Snow covered the ground, making it slippery and hard to walk. She hesitated, afraid to go further.

Just then, Ouyang Chen came jogging across the street.

“Ouyang Chen!” she called loudly. “I need your help.”

“I’m on it.” Seeing the situation, Ouyang Chen rushed into the yard, carried Mother Zhang on his back, and hastened outside.

By the time they reached the hospital, Mother Zhang had already lost consciousness and was rushed into the emergency room.

Zhang Xiluo sat outside, rubbing her hands together, trembling slightly.

She was terrified.

The doctor had warned her not to upset Mother Zhang again. It was all her fault.

“Don’t be afraid, Auntie will be fine,” Ouyang Chen stood before her, offering a cup of hot milk. “Drink some, warm yourself up.”

“Thank you.” Zhang Xiluo looked at him gratefully. If not for his timely arrival, she didn’t know how long it would have taken to get her mother to the hospital.

Her lower abdomen ached faintly. She took a sip of milk, the warmth easing her pain a little.

Father Zhang rushed in. “Xiluo, how’s your mother?”

“She’s still inside.” Zhang Xiluo’s eyes reddened with guilt. “It’s all because of me. Sorry, Dad.”

“Silly child, you’re our daughter. You don’t need to apologize. The one who should be sorry is that brat Li Mingye.” Father Zhang was certain Li Mingye was to blame—he had driven Mother Zhang to the hospital.

No sooner had he spoken than Li Mingye appeared behind him, having heard it all.

“Dad, how is Mom?”

“Don’t call me that.” Father Zhang was furious, waving him away. “I don’t have the fortune to be your father. Leave now!”

Li Mingye’s gaze was deep as he looked at Zhang Xiluo.

She cradled the milk, her eyes vacant, her face deathly pale, her whole demeanor bleak.

She didn’t look up, as if unaware he was there.

His heart ached suddenly, and he wanted to hold her.

“Let’s go. I need a word with you,” Ouyang Chen came over and pulled him aside. “If you stay, you’ll only upset them further.”

Li Mingye gave Zhang Xiluo a lingering look, then followed Ouyang Chen away.

“Dad, I need to use the restroom,” Zhang Xiluo said, rising unsteadily and slowly making her way down the corridor.

Her mind buzzed; her heart was a tangled mess. She hadn’t expected that even divorcing him would be so difficult.

“What a coincidence, meeting again.”

Zhou Yao emerged from the restroom, delighted to see Zhang Xiluo’s disheveled state.

Zhang Xiluo ignored her, walking past. Zhou Yao suddenly stretched out her leg, but Zhang Xiluo’s quick reflexes allowed her to grab the door just in time, avoiding a fall.

“What are you doing?” Blood rushed through Zhang Xiluo, her muscles tensed, her eyes blazing with fury. If she had fallen, the child in her belly would have been lost!

It was the first time Zhou Yao had seen Zhang Xiluo so angry. She instinctively stepped back. “Sister, you’re so fierce. I was just saying hello…”

Zhang Xiluo couldn’t take it anymore. She slapped Zhou Yao across the face. “Zhou Yao, this is my last warning—don’t provoke me again! I never tried to compete for Li Mingye with you. Your schemes against me before, I let them go.”

“But from now on, if you try anything, I won’t forgive you.” Zhang Xiluo warned her, “You’d better behave yourself!”

With that, she entered the restroom.

After washing her face with cold water, she felt clearer. She had to break free from Li Mingye and Zhou Yao as soon as possible.

“Mr. Li, let’s go back. I’m really fine.”

Before she left, she heard Zhou Yao coaxing Li Mingye outside. Zhang Xiluo sneered, took a deep breath, and walked out.

“Zhou Yao, have you forgotten what I just said?”

“Zhang Xiluo, you’re really full of yourself!”