Chapter 87

The atmosphere in the car was heavy, and Chi Wanzhao's expression was far from pleasant. Kong Xiyan stole a few glances at her before lowering her eyes and asking, "What exactly is going on?"

"Does it have something to do with Haining?"

She had suspected it back in Changning. The way Haining and Chi Wanzhao behaved toward each other was strange; they always gave her the impression of having known each other before.

But after that, there were no other signs.

It was as if it had all been her imagination.

Hearing her question, Chi Wanzhao raised the partition in the back seat, leaving just the two of them in the rear compartment. Kong Xiyan looked at her in confusion. "What's wrong?"

"Wang Haining."

Chi Wanzhao paused, then turned to meet Kong Xiyan's gaze. "Is my father's child."

Kong Xiyan was stunned, her clear eyes flickering with astonishment. It was as if her words had shaken her entire mind, leaving it blank.

What did that mean?

What did she mean, Haining was her father's child?

Then what about Haining and Chi Wanzhao?

Impossible.

Kong Xiyan shook her head vigorously, her heart racing, her mind spinning as she shot back, "Are you joking with me?"

Chi Wanzhao wrapped an arm around her shoulder, resting her chin on top of her head, and said softly, "I'm sorry. I should have told you sooner."

She had originally planned to confess to Kong Xiyan within the next couple of days, but she hadn't expected Chi Xuan to come.

And go straight to the apartment.

Running into Wang Haining.

Which had led to this uncontrollable situation.

Kong Xiyan's face stiffened. She looked up at Chi Wanzhao, pressing her lips together, and asked, "Why didn't you tell me before?"

Chi Wanzhao frowned, her expression tightening.

Kong Xiyan's anger began to simmer. "Why didn't you tell me earlier? You and Haining - you two really kept it well. You ought to be cast in a drama yourselves, you two..."

Hearing the anger in her voice, Chi Wanzhao hugged her tightly. "I'm sorry."

She lowered her head, murmuring several apologies close to Kong Xiyan's ear.

This vulnerable demeanor was a stark contrast to the proud woman she usually was.

Held in her arms, breathing in the familiar scent, Kong Xiyan's fury gradually subsided, though her eyes still carried a hint of anger. She turned her head away. "Why are you apologizing to me? I didn't..."

"Mmph!"

Before she could finish, Chi Wanzhao sealed her lips with a kiss, unwilling to hear the hurtful words that might follow.

Kong Xiyan patted her chest weakly - a soft, gentle touch; she couldn't bring herself to use any real force, more like a kitten's paw.

Chi Wanzhao held her wrist with one hand, the other arm tightening around her shoulder. Her eyes were shut tight during the kiss, her long lashes trembling. Kong Xiyan pulled back slightly, brushing her fingers over Chi Wanzhao's face, and asked, "Are you afraid?"

Chi Wanzhao looked up at her, her face slightly pale. She lowered her gaze and said, "I'm afraid I made the wrong decision."

Kong Xiyan didn't grasp the meaning behind her words, simply gazing at her fixedly. Chi Wanzhao took her hand, interlacing their fingers, and then briefly recounted the matter between Wang Haining and the Chi family.

When the story ended, an eerie silence filled the car.

Neither of them spoke.

The car came to a stop, and Lu Han hurried around to open the door, knocking on the window. "CEO Chi, we've arrived at the apartment."

Chi Wanzhao and Kong Xiyan exchanged a glance, then both stepped out of the car.

Inside the apartment.

Wang Haining and Chi Xuan each sat on one side, while Yanyan lay sprawled on the coffee table. Li Bo stood off to the side, beads of sweat on his forehead. He kept glancing toward the door, and when he spotted Kong Xiyan and Chi Wanzhao coming in, he nearly rushed over with both hands and feet.

Kong Xiyan's heart sank at the sight of Li Bo's face, which looked ready to burst into tears.

Sure enough, before they even reached the sofa, Chi Xuan jumped to her feet and demanded loudly, "Second sister, what's this woman's deal?"

"Why is she in our home!"

This was the first time Kong Xiyan had seen Chi Xuan. She was a young woman of eighteen or nineteen, dressed stylishly with delicate makeup, and her furious expression bore a resemblance to Chi Wanzhao's. She stormed up to Chi Wanzhao and berated her, "Second sister, why aren't you saying anything!"

"Why is this woman here?"

"When did you bring her home?"

"Didn't you swear you'd never let her set foot in the Chi family again!"

Her hysterical shouting made it seem as though Wang Haining's very presence made it hard for her to breathe. Chi Wanzhao pressed a hand on Chi Xuan's shoulder and called out behind her, "Li Bo, take Third Miss back to the Old Mansion."

"No way!"

Chi Xuan violently tore herself free from Chi Wanzhao's grasp, stepping back two paces, her pretty eyes blazing with fury.

Chi Wanzhao's face suddenly turned icy cold. "Chi Xuan, go home first. I'll explain some things to you later."

Chi Xuan jabbed a finger at Wang Haining. "She's the one who should leave! Why should I be the one to go? Second sister, what's gotten into you! It's her fault we no longer have a home. Why do you still side with her!"

Kong Xiyan had learned in the car about the Chi family's hostility toward Wang Haining.

But she hadn't expected it to be this severe.

That they couldn't even tolerate her for a moment.

Chi Wanzhao's expression was cold, a sharp edge hidden between her brows. When she looked at Chi Xuan, her gaze was piercing with frost. She pressed her lips together and said, "If you keep this up, I'll send you back to Country A right now."

Though her voice was low, an intimidating aura radiated from her, making it impossible to doubt she meant it.

Chi Xuan was trembling.

Whether from anger or fear of Chi Wanzhao was unclear. Her features contorted as she stared fixedly at Wang Haining.

Wang Haining calmly rose from the sofa, turning to Kong Xiyan. "Xiyan, if there's nothing else, I'll head back to Changning soon. Come visit when you have time."

Kong Xiyan hastily called out, "Haining."

Chi Xuan's gaze shifted to Kong Xiyan, and she asked, "Who is this?"

Chi Wanzhao's tone was already harsh, her eyes sharp as blades. She parted her thin lips slightly and said, "She's your sister-in-law."

"Sis... sister-in-law?"

Chi Xuan's gaze darted from Kong Xiyan to Wang Haining, and in a flash of understanding, she announced, "I get it now."

"Wang Haining, you're despicable! You used this method to get close to my second sister!"

Chi Wanzhao had no idea what was going through that head of hers, but her last shred of patience was spent. She reached out, grabbed Chi Xuan, and said, "Come with me!"

"I won't!"

Suddenly, in a fit of temper, Chi Xuan wrenched her hand free. She looked at the people standing before her - Wang Haining, her so-called sister-in-law, and her deranged second sister!

They were all crazy!

Completely out of their minds!

Chi Xuan's fury was impossible to contain, burning until her eyes turned red. Her face, so similar to Chi Wanzhao's, was set tight, and her teeth ground audibly as her whole body tensed.

Wang Haining paid no attention to Chi Xuan's tantrum. She casually greeted Kong Xiyan and turned to head upstairs to pack her bags, but Chi Xuan bellowed, "Stop right there!"

Her voice was so loud it was grating.

Kong Xiyan couldn't help but frown.

Chi Xuan was in a very bad state, as if she harbored a blood grudge against Wang Haining. Seeing that Wang Haining hadn't stopped, she lowered her head, scanned left and right, and then in a flash walked to the coffee table, grabbed a vase as thick as an arm, and hurled it!

She moved too fast and threw with fierce force, catching Chi Wanzhao off guard.

The vase arced through the air. Kong Xiyan, in a burst of speed, rushed forward and shoved Wang Haining out of the way. A sharp pain struck the back of her head, along with the cries of Chi Wanzhao and Wang Haining.

"Xiyan!"

"Xiyan!"

The next moment, someone caught her. Chi Wanzhao's face appeared right before her eyes, pale as death, her gaze locked onto her, teeth trembling slightly, even the arms holding her shaking.

Kong Xiyan tried to speak, but her vision blurred, and she collapsed limply into Chi Wanzhao's embrace.

The commotion instantly silenced the apartment.

The floor was littered with vase shards, glinting with a cold sheen.

Chi Wanzhao lowered her head, touching the back of Kong Xiyan's head. Warmth met her fingertips, along with a faint scent of blood. Her face was ashen, and she didn't even dare to look.

Wang Haining was the first to react, stepping over to Chi Wanzhao's side to check Kong Xiyan's wound. Chi Wanzhao gently pushed her away, then with a sudden motion scooped Kong Xiyan up and turned to leave.

Only then did Chi Xuan snap out of it, calling out weakly, "Second sister."

Chi Wanzhao ignored her. Chi Xuan hurried over, grabbing Chi Wanzhao's wrist. "Second sister, I'm sorry, I..."

"Li Bo."

Chi Wanzhao spoke calmly, her voice icy.

"Take Third Miss back to the Old Mansion."

Li Bo quickly complied and stood beside Chi Xuan. Seeing that she still wanted to follow, he urged, "Third Miss, let's go back."

Chi Xuan had no choice but to watch as Chi Wanzhao carried Kong Xiyan away, with Wang Haining following behind.

She hung her head.

The apartment stood empty, and a faint smell of blood occasionally drifted to her nose.

Making her all too aware of what she had just done in her rage!

Her hands were still trembling at that moment.

Li Bo stood off to the side for a long while before finally coaxing, "Let's go, Third Miss."

Chi Xuan looked at the scattered debris, her emotions in turmoil.

She bowed her head and followed Li Bo out of the apartment.

The sunlight fell upon her, but she didn't feel warmth - instead, a chill crept up from the bottom of her heart.

Li Bo helped her into the car. Seeing her silence, he wanted to console her but didn't know where to begin. Chi Xuan remained quiet as well, her usually cheerful face now clouded with worry and dejection.

Not long after, her phone buzzed in her bag. She opened it, and at the name on the screen, her eyes reddened instantly.

"Mom."

Xie Dan could tell something was wrong from her voice and quickly asked, "What's the matter?"

"What about your sister?"

"Did you find your sister?"

Chi Xuan sobbed, "I found her."

"But Mom, I messed up."

Xie Dan: ...

On the way, Chi Wanzhao had contacted Zhou Sheng to arrange for medical personnel at the hospital, so the moment they arrived, they were personally greeted by the vice president and taken inside. A doctor was also arranged to examine Kong Xiyan's injury.

Fortunately, it wasn't serious. The wound was small, and a few stitches were all that was needed.

Still uneasy, Chi Wanzhao insisted the doctor run a full physical exam on Kong Xiyan. The doctor opened her mouth as if to object, but after glancing at the vice president beside her and then at Chi Wanzhao's stern expression, she quietly lowered her head and said, "Alright."

Seeing that Kong Xiyan was okay, Wang Haining let out a long breath, her tense heart easing. She patted her chest, relief washing over her - just moments ago, her heart had been twisted with worry.

Kong Xiyan's head was wrapped in gauze, and she was still asleep. Chi Wanzhao and Wang Haining didn't dare disturb her. After all the tests were done, they quietly stepped out of the ward.

Wang Haining said calmly, "Once Xiyan wakes up, I'll head back to Changning. Your sister..."

Chi Wanzhao's face tightened as she interjected, "She's still young and doesn't understand."

"I'll teach her."

She couldn't hide the sharpness at her brow, her eyes bright as pearls even as her gaze kept returning to the hospital room door, peering through the small pane of glass at the figure lying in bed.

After a moment, she finally looked down.

Wang Haining nodded. "She's still young; it's normal that she doesn't understand. Don't be too hard on yourself."

"I'll head back first to grab some clothes for Xiyan."

After all, it was a head injury - it would be prudent to observe her in the hospital for a couple of days.

Chi Wanzhao didn't stop Wang Haining from leaving, but as she turned to go, Chi Wanzhao asked, "Do you want to go see?"

See?

See who? That dying man, of course.

If she hadn't known everything, Wang Haining would have gone to see him, if only out of propriety - after all, he had cared for her and her mother for so long, and she had held him in high regard.

But now...

She shook her head, her voice drifting down the corridor into Chi Wanzhao's ears.

She said, "No need."