Chapter 90

Chi Xuan didn't enter the hospital room until half an hour later. After arriving, she changed into a clean set of clothes and dawdled in the bathroom for quite a while before coming out.

Perhaps because she had stood outside so long and caught a chill, her walk was stiff, her legs numb and itchy. Even after changing, she still felt clammy and thoroughly uncomfortable.

Li Bo led Chi Xuan to the door of the hospital room and knocked, calling out, "Second Miss."

The door opened quickly. Chi Wanzhao's voice was flat. "Come in."

Chi Xuan bit her lip, hung her head, and walked inside.

It wasn't what she had imagined.

Upon seeing her, Kong Xiyan appeared nothing short of forgiving—she didn't look the least bit resentful, and even offered her a gentle smile, her expression warm.

Chi Xuan swallowed the lump in her throat and said stiffly, "I'm sorry."

Her gaze drifted elsewhere as she spoke, her hands fiddling with the creases on her jeans, her expression betraying a hint of unease.

Kong Xiyan looked up at her.

She noticed that Chi Xuan and Chi Wanzhao shared at least fifty percent resemblance, yet they felt entirely different. Perhaps it was because Chi Wanzhao often kept a stern face, spoke little, and looked at people with a sharpness hidden in her brows—her presence cold and untouchable.

But Chi Xuan was different.

Even with her face pulled taut, she clearly lacked that presence.

Chi Xuan's eyes darted around, avoiding Kong Xiyan's gaze.

"No need to apologize," Kong Xiyan said just as Chi Xuan seemed ready to apologize again. "This wasn't your fault."

Chi Xuan lowered her head. "Don't think that by saying that, I'll consider you a good person. I—"

Kong Xiyan curled her lips. "Why would I need you to think I'm a good person?"

Chi Xuan blinked, her pretty face flushing crimson.

Seeing her expression, Kong Xiyan stopped teasing and said, "Sit down and talk?"

She noticed Chi Xuan's legs were trembling.

Whether it was because she had stood outside for so long or for some other reason, she was clearly uncomfortable.

At Kong Xiyan's words, Chi Xuan glanced at the spot by the bed. Her legs were both numb and itchy—the chill from outside had faded and warmth was returning, but it didn't feel pleasant, making her want to scratch.

She actually did want to sit.

But since Kong Xiyan had offered, she didn't want to concede so easily.

Chi Xuan stood there in silence. Chi Wanzhao walked over, sighed, and guided her by the shoulders to sit on the edge of the bed, saying coolly, "Do you understand you were wrong?"

Kong Xiyan, seeing her sister-in-law lecturing in that stern manner, was about to chime in when she met Chi Wanzhao's gaze. She chickened out and stayed quiet.

Chi Xuan hung her head. "I was wrong."

She shouldn't have resorted to violence. No matter how much anger she harbored, it wasn't an excuse to hurt someone. That's why she had been standing outside as a self-imposed punishment—not to show anyone, but to find some peace within herself.

Chi Wanzhao saw her head dropped low and her voice weak, clearly showing remorse.

She softened her tone. "I know what you're thinking, but things aren't what you assume. Wang Haining—"

Kong Xiyan took over. "Haining was called here by me."

Chi Xuan looked at her.

Kong Xiyan's eyes were clear as she continued, "Haining is staying in the apartment at my invitation."

Even though she hadn't known about Haining's connection to the Chi family at the time, it was ultimately she who had invited Wang Haining to City B and to the apartment. This shouldn't be blamed on Chi Wanzhao, nor should it be the reason for a quarrel between the sisters.

Chi Xuan stared hard at Kong Xiyan, as if trying to bore holes into her, then clenched her jaw and spat out, "I knew it! You're the one Wang Haining sent to get close to my sister!"

Kong Xiyan blinked.

She really hadn't considered that angle.

Seeing her silent, Chi Xuan stood up indignantly. "Why aren't you saying anything? Did I hit the mark?"

Kong Xiyan let out a helpless laugh. "I—"

Chi Wanzhao spoke flatly. "Chi Xuan, let's talk outside."

Kong Xiyan distinctly heard Chi Xuan take a sharp breath. Then, biting her lip, she looked at Chi Wanzhao with wide, fearful eyes—obviously wanting to refuse but not daring to disobey. Without giving her time to overthink, Chi Wanzhao excused herself to Kong Xiyan and pulled Chi Xuan out of the room.

The door clicked shut.

After leaving, Chi Wanzhao took Chi Xuan to the elevator, rode it to the top floor, and finally stepped out onto the rooftop.

Snow was still falling, though lighter now, and a thin layer had accumulated on the ground. Chi Xuan had changed clothes upon entering the hospital, and since she hadn't worn a coat inside, she had on only a knit top underneath.

Chi Wanzhao opened the rooftop door and draped her own coat over Chi Xuan's shoulders. Chi Xuan quickly refused. "I don't want it."

"Wear it."

Chi Wanzhao didn't give her a chance to decline, helping her settle into the coat before leading her by the hand toward the center of the rooftop. There, Chi Xuan spotted a small sunroom with a stool and a table. Chi Wanzhao guided her inside.

Neither spoke.

Chi Xuan stole a glance at Chi Wanzhao's profile—her jaw tight, lips pressed into a thin line, brows sharp, eyes like suspended pearls.

She bit her lip again and looked away.

Chi Wanzhao was different from Xie Dan and Chi Yifan in her heart.

When everyone at home expressed they could understand the child's situation and accept her return, Chi Xuan knew Chi Wanzhao would never agree.

That was her bottom line.

If that child entered the household, she would leave.

Even if it meant walking away with nothing, severing all ties with the family—leaving cleanly.

She wouldn't regret it.

Chi Xuan had believed Chi Wanzhao would hold that line, would never cross that boundary. But she had never imagined that not only had she accepted Wang Haining, she'd even let her live in the apartment!

To Chi Xuan, it was like a thunderbolt from a clear sky. She didn't even know what expression to wear when she saw Wang Haining in the apartment.

How laughable.

It turned out she was the only one still holding on.

She felt abandoned and betrayed by everyone.

That's why she couldn't hold back...

And on top of that, there was their mother's matter.

She couldn't accept Wang Haining even more because of that.

As these thoughts churned, Chi Xuan lowered her head and sat silently on the stool.

Chi Wanzhao sat down beside her and looked at her legs, asking, "Feeling better?"

Chi Xuan looked up at the gaze fixed on her legs and gave a soft "Mm."

Much better than in the hospital room. Still a little numb, but no longer itching. Chi Wanzhao pulled the hem of her coat over Chi Xuan's knees.

Her expression even as she said, "Xiao Xuan, I know what you're thinking."

Chi Xuan pushed her hand away, feigning indifference. "No, you don't."

Chi Wanzhao: "I do. Mom told me everything."

Chi Xuan snapped her head up to look at Chi Wanzhao, her entire demeanor shifting like a porcupine that had its quills removed.

Her eyes welled up, her lips moved wordlessly, but she remained silent.

Seeing this, Chi Wanzhao said gently, "Knowing doesn't mean I can condone it."

"And this matter is no excuse for you to hurt others, do you understand, Chi Xuan?"

Chi Xuan's head dropped, her attitude softening considerably. "I know."

"But I—"

Chi Wanzhao cut her off. "No buts."

Chi Xuan let out a small "Mm."

Chi Wanzhao's heart softened at her obedience, and her expression gentled. "Also, your sister-in-law—Xiyan—only learned about Wang Haining's relation to our family yesterday."

Chi Xuan's head shot up, disbelief in her eyes. "Second sister, what if that woman is someone Wang Haining deliberately planted by your side?"

"Chi Xuan."

Chi Wanzhao's voice carried a hint of frost. "She's not 'that woman.' She's your sister-in-law."

Chi Xuan froze and looked at Chi Wanzhao, seeing the earnestness in her bright eyes, as if the title truly mattered to her.

She swallowed hard. "S-sister-in-law, so what?"

"She's still Wang Haining's person."

"She's not."

Chi Wanzhao clasped her hands, a trace of irritation creeping into her tone. "Do I need to repeat myself?"

Chi Xuan sensed the sudden anger and bit her lip, staying silent.

Seeing her like that, Chi Wanzhao's irritation subsided, but she still couldn't help stepping out of the glass room to take a breath of cold air before coming back in. With a slightly stiff expression, Chi Xuan asked, "You still haven't explained why you let Wang Haining stay at the apartment."

"Are you forgiving her?"

"Do you plan to take her back to Country A?"

She fired off several questions in a row. Chi Wanzhao answered evenly, "I wouldn't say forgive. I do intend to let her meet Dad. As for why she was in the apartment—"

"If you're willing to listen, I'll tell you a story."

Chi Xuan blinked.

A story?

Ever since she could remember, her second sister had been cold by nature. Forget telling stories—even if you pestered her, you'd have to read her mood first. Now she was offering to tell a story on her own, and Chi Xuan immediately caught on.

This story... might be her second sister's own story.

She lowered her gaze, took a breath, and nodded. "Go ahead."

Chi Wanzhao patted her head and parted her lips.

Outside the sunroom, the wind howled and snowflakes danced, but inside, a faint warmth lingered.

Occasionally, Chi Xuan's soft murmurs drifted out. "Impossible."

"I don't believe it..."

"Then what about Grandma..."

"What?"

"Second sister, you..."

Doubts echoed from the glass room, not loud, before being carried away by the wind.

Kong Xiyan lay in bed for a long while, her gaze fixed on the direction of the hospital room door, wondering if Chi Wanzhao and Chi Xuan were taking too long.

Could they possibly be throwing punches?

Then she dismissed the thought.

Given Chi Wanzhao's personality, if she were truly furious, the worst she'd do would be to send Chi Xuan back to Country A—she'd never resort to violence.

She nodded firmly at her own reasoning.

Just then, a dull pain shot through the back of her head, making her frown.

As she reached to rub the spot, the hospital room door clicked open, and Chi Wanzhao and Chi Xuan walked in one after the other.

Their expressions were unreadable. Chi Wanzhao had her usual cold demeanor, while Chi Xuan stood to the side with her head down.

None of the three in the room spoke. Kong Xiyan's gaze was calm; Chi Xuan sneaked a glance at Chi Wanzhao's profile before awkwardly shuffling to Kong Xiyan's bedside and saying, "S-sister-in-law, I'm sorry about today."

Her tone was sincere—a world of difference from before.

Kong Xiyan was stunned.

Chi Xuan added, "Sister-in-law, can I come see you tomorrow?"

Kong Xiyan hesitated for a moment. "Sure."

Chi Xuan let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you, sister-in-law. See you tomorrow."

She then looked at Chi Wanzhao. "Second sister, I'll head off now."

Chi Wanzhao nodded and walked her to the door, watching until Chi Xuan and Li Bo descended the stairs before closing the door and returning.

Kong Xiyan was still a bit dazed. Only when Chi Wanzhao sat beside the bed did she speak up. "What did you do to your sister?"

Chi Wanzhao looked at her with knitted brows. "Nothing. She's young and doesn't know better—a good scolding set her straight."

Kong Xiyan: ...

Are you serious?