Chapter 95: Zhou Yao is Up to Her Old Tricks Again

Zhou Yao lowered her head, biting her lip as she struggled to calm the jealousy and fear swirling within her. She quickly composed herself, and when she looked up again, her expression had returned to its original calmness.

“Sis, what did you say? Of course I’ll take care of Mr. Li. I don’t understand any of these accounts. The money I owe you has already been paid off by Mr. Li on my behalf. From now on, I’ll just pay him directly,” Zhou Yao said, her face innocent and sweet, her voice soft and honeyed, much like when they first met. Yet, her eyes no longer bore that pure, untainted look.

“All right, Zhou Yao, everything you say is right,” Zhang Xiluo smiled faintly, playing along with her act.

The matter with their uncle had been resolved, and now Zhang Xiluo had plenty of time to deal with Zhou Yao. She had held back for so long because she refused to stoop to Zhou Yao’s level.

It was clear that Zhou Yao had crossed a line this time, and Zhang Xiluo would no longer let her go.

What Zhou Yao cared about most was her relationship with Li Mingye, and Zhang Xiluo’s earlier words had struck a nerve, deliberately provoking her, pushing her to continue down a dark path.

“Those who commit injustice will bring about their own downfall.” Zhang Xiluo was waiting for the perfect moment to crush Zhou Yao once and for all.

Seeing Zhang Xiluo’s smile, Zhou Yao suddenly felt a pang of fear. As Zhang Xiluo turned to leave, she hurried after her, blocking her path.

“Zhang Xiluo, don’t think you can scare me. I’m not afraid of you. You’ve become a villain online. If I add fuel to the fire, you’ll suffer terribly,” Zhou Yao warned, her voice trembling with barely concealed menace.

“Call me by my name—it sounds better. Stop being so awkward and pretentious; it’s nauseating to hear,” Zhang Xiluo said, her expression unchanged, but the curve of her lips grew wider.

Zhou Yao’s eyes darkened with venomous hatred, murderous intent welling up inside her.

“Aren’t you worried I might kill you?” she challenged.

Zhang Xiluo glanced at her, then looked behind her and asked, “Li Mingye, why are you here?”

“Did you hear what Zhou Yao said?” Zhang Xiluo smiled coldly.

Zhou Yao’s face drained of color. She hurriedly explained, “Mr. Li, it’s not like that…”

She turned around but didn’t see Li Mingye. Her eyes filled with bitterness and resentment as she glared fiercely at Zhang Xiluo. “You played me!”

“That’s right, I did. If you don’t want others to know, then don’t do it. Zhou Yao, from now on, I’m going to settle the score with you,” Zhang Xiluo said, leaving those words behind as she turned and walked away with an air of casual confidence.

Even as the elevator doors closed, Zhang Xiluo could still feel Zhou Yao’s murderous glare burning into her back.

Zhou Yao had caused her too many losses; she was determined to see Zhou Yao suffer the consequences of her wickedness.

Zhang Xiluo didn’t want to keep driving Li Mingye’s car, so she hailed a taxi outside the hospital to return to Qinyuan. It was nearly midnight when she arrived, and her mother was waiting for her on the sofa.

“Mom, why aren’t you asleep yet?”

“How could I sleep if you’re not back?” her mother replied, a hint of displeasure in her voice. “I know you still have feelings for Li Mingye. I worry you’re forgetting your past pain.”

Zhang Xiluo sat beside her mother, wrapping an arm around her and solemnly promising, “I won’t get involved with him. He got hurt because of me before, and he just had a high fever and lost consciousness after drinking. I brought him to the hospital and then came straight back.”

“Hmm, I’m just worried you’ll get hurt again,” her mother said, patting her arm gently. “Go to sleep now. It’s almost dawn.”

Close to midnight, Li Mingye’s fever finally subsided. When he opened his eyes, he saw Zhou Yao sleeping beside the bed.

He furrowed his brow slightly, disappointment filling his gaze. His movement startled Zhou Yao awake, and she looked at him with joy, holding his hand tightly.

“Mr. Li, how do you feel? Is there any discomfort?”

“Where is Zhang Xiluo?” he asked.

“Your sister took you to the hospital and left. If you need to reach her, I can get your phone,” Zhou Yao replied obediently, thoughtfully picking up his phone from the table.

“No need. You can go now,” Li Mingye said, dismissing her.

Feeling wronged, Zhou Yao’s eyes welled with tears. “Mr. Li, rest well. I’ll leave now.”

Li Mingye sent a message to Zhang Xiluo, questioning why she had left him alone at the hospital.

When Zhang Xiluo woke and saw the message, she was almost amused by anger. She replied, “I’ve already been merciful by not letting you fend for yourself. I’m your ex-wife, not your servant. Don’t bother me unless it’s necessary.”

After sending the message, Zhang Xiluo got up to wash up. She was going to her uncle’s house with her mother today. Her uncle was getting married.

On the way, Jiang Xueting sent her a message with a video link.

Zhang Xiluo opened it and saw Zhou Yao looking pitiful and fragile, suppressing her emotions as she sorrowfully recounted her story.

“I’m sorry my existence has affected others’ lives. I have thought about ending my life. But I can’t let go of my parents and brother. They have suffered because of me, and I already feel so guilty.”

Zhou Yao paused, wiped her tears, and continued, “Now, my father is in a coma. We have nothing left to sell. Reluctantly, I’m asking for help here. I will study hard and work hard, and in the future, I will repay society and those kind-hearted people.”

“Many know I know Mr. Li. Our relationship is pure. He has helped me a lot, but I can’t rely on him for everything…”

“Lolo, that third party Zhou is stirring up trouble again. She’s shameless,” Jiang Xueting commented, disgusted by Zhou Yao’s contradictory stance. “Lolo, should I step in?”

After watching the video, Zhang Xiluo replied, “Don’t bother with her. No need to get angry. Soon she won’t be able to make a fuss anymore.”

“Lolo, what’s your plan? Let me know if you need help.”

“Keep it quiet for now.”

Zhang Xiluo turned off her phone and listened as her mother talked about her uncle’s situation.

Her uncle was remarried. His new wife was from a neighboring city. When her uncle had his accident, she had cared for him tirelessly and never left his side.

The new wife wanted to marry him as soon as possible, so they chose today to register their marriage without a ceremony, just a simple family dinner.

Zhang Xiluo envied her uncle for finding such a devoted companion.

“Sometimes, the first person you meet isn’t necessarily the right one,” her mother hinted knowingly. “Look at your uncle’s first wife. They were married less than a year before she ran off with someone else. After she left, your uncle’s career finally took off.”

“Yeah, you have to have the right fate,” Zhang Xiluo joked casually, eager to avoid the topic lest it lead back to her and Li Mingye.

At her uncle’s house, bright red wedding banners were posted, and several cars were parked outside. The door stood open.

As Zhang Xiluo’s family entered, they saw Li’s eldest aunt and her family holding gifts, chatting with the new wife.

Seeing Zhang Xiluo, the eldest aunt suddenly became lively and approached her.

“Lolo, quickly tell your uncle—we’re all family, don’t be so distant.”

“Sorry, we’re not family,” Zhang Xiluo replied coldly. “Li Mingye and I are divorced.”

“You—!”