Never in a million years did Li Jing think Lin Xinyan would pay them a visit, but she remained hospitable. After all, the former was Zong Jinghao’s wife.
“You’re alone?” The older woman asked.
Lin Xinyan hummed in reply.
“Who is it? Of all times…” Wen Qing walked out of his study room, and he was stunned to find out who their guest was.
The man looked around to see if Zong Jinghao was here, but was a little disappointed when he saw no one else.
“What are you doing here?” He asked nonchalantly.
Lin Xinyan stood still like a statue and stared at him quietly.
The man before her eyes was related to her in so many ways. By right, she should be nervous and elated.
Yet now, she felt dejected.
Her eye contact made Wen Qing feel uncomfortable, and he looked away, “Why are you staring at me like this?”
Lin Xinyan still did not turn her attention elsewhere. She pressed her voice and said in a gentle tone, “Can we talk?”
Wen Qing frowned. “Did he ask you to come?”
Did Zong Jinghao ask her to be our mediator?
Wen Qing could not help but feel delighted at the thought of it.
“Nope. He doesn’t know I’m here.”
A line formed between Wen Qing’s brows. He then responded in a cold voice, “What possibly could we talk about?”
“Am I your enemy? Why can’t we talk?” Lin Xinyan got a little agitated all of a sudden. It was not because of how aloof Wen Qing was. It was because of how confused and exhausted she was in trying to make sense of this mess.
Wen Qing pressed his lips and did not utter a word.
Li Jing walked over, put on a smile, and nudged her husband, “Come on. Perhaps she does have some important matters to discuss with you.”
Wen Qing’s expression softened. While Li Jing was dragging him to the study room, she turned around and looked at Lin Xinyan. “Come.”
She made Wen Qing sit on a chair and whispered to his ears, “Think about Zong Jinghao. He’s your sister’s only child. Are you really going to cut ties with him? I know this is not what you want. The more you pull a long face, the more your nephew is going to fall out with you, and the more depressed you’d become.”
The woman understood her husband too well, and what she said was a wake-up call for Wen Qing. He finally calmed down and looked at his wife, “Alright. Give us some space then.”
Let’s see what Lin Xinyan wants to talk about.
Li Jing gave her husband a pat on his shoulder and grinned at Lin Xinyan. “Coffee or tea?”
The guest shook her head, “No, thank you.”
“Have a seat.” Li Jing pulled a chair over for her.
Lin Xinyan thanked her and sat on the chair. Wen Qing sat right opposite her across the other end of a square coffee table. Li Jing then left the room and closed the door.
“What do you want from me?” He asked.
She pressed her lips and looked at Wen Qing seriously, “I’m not your enemy and will never be.”
All of a sudden, their eyes met, and Wen Qing felt a little uneasy.
“I’m here to ask you one question, and I hope you’ll answer me honestly.” Not knowing what to expect from him, she looked at him and was overwhelmed by fear and anxiety.
She was afraid that Wen Qing was the cause of Cheng Yuxiu’s death.
Whatever outcome it might be, she knew she had to face the moment of truth.
Without a choice, she asked in a trembling voice, “Did you kill Cheng Yuxiu?”
Wen Qing squinted and stared at her in silence. “Is this what you want to ask?”
Lin Xinyan nodded with assurance. “Yes.”
…
Wen Qing paused for a moment and answered, “Yes.”
His answer struck her like a bolt of lightning. Lin Xinyan soon realized she was not as strong and steady as she thought she was, and she immediately lowered her head to hide her expression from him.
She bit her lips and tried to control her tears.
Though she had anticipated this answer, she was not ready to accept it.
How should I face Zong Jinghao from now onward? And Cheng Yuxiu too. How should I react to this answer? How?
“I always thought Zong Jinghao and I are destined to be together. But I was wrong. Him being around me is not a blessing but a curse.” All because of his family.
My mom and my uncle…
Lin Xinyan slowly lifted her head and stared at Wen Qing but still failed to stop her body from shaking. She grabbed onto the chair tightly as she struggled to breathe properly. Veins began to pop up all over the back of her hands, but she tried to regain her composure. The corner of her mouth quirked up, and she said, “If given a choice, I’ll want nothing to do with the Wen family.”
She took a deep breath and continued, “Not now, not in the future.”
“What do you mean? How are you related to the Wen family?” Wen Qing, too, felt a little uneasy.
Lin Xinyan took out a letter from her bag. Before handing it over to the man, she made it clear, “I don’t know what this letter is about, but I pray that you and I are not related.”
Finished speaking, she then placed the letter on the coffee table.
“I hope this’ll be the last time we meet.”
Lin Xinyan then walked out of the study room. Li Jing, who was busy cooking in the kitchen, wanted her to stay for dinner. The older woman even hoped she could invite Zong Jinghao over, so they could clear up all the misunderstanding they had.
“Give Jinghao a call, will you? Ask him to come for dinner.” Li Jing was still as hospitable as ever.
Lin Xinyan stood still like a mannequin for a bit and did not react to anything she said. She then walked out of the house. I just want to get out of this place as soon as possible.
Li Zhan happened to return home when she reached the door. He picked up the pace and went after her, “Why did you come alone?”
Suddenly, Lin Xinyan’s vision turned blurry, and she could no longer stand properly.
Just when she was about to collapse, Li Zhan ran toward her and grabbed hold of her.
I’m so tired. She gradually tilted her head upwards and saw the man who was holding her. Though her vision remained unclear, she recognized him and asked in a hoarse voice, “I thought you’re not at home?”
“I’m worried. What did my dad do to you?” Li Zhan was agitated and was ready to reason it out with Wen Qing.
Lin Xinyan pulled his sleeve gently and shook her head, “Nothing.” It was as if her soul was drawn away from her body. Her legs were so weak. She tried her best to stand on her own, “Please do me a favor.”
“How can I help?” Upon noticing how frail she was, Li Zhan asked, “Do you want to go to the hospital?”
The woman shook her head. “Bring me to my car.”
She needed to rest for a while before heading back. Her husband would suspect if she were to go home in such condition.
Li Zhan could not stand to see her in this miserable state anymore. He placed his hand around her waist, carried her up, and walked toward her car.
The bodyguard who was waiting outside all the while opened the car door right away, and Li Zhan placed her safely on the passenger’s seat.
He was so worried about her that he himself got into the car as well.
Lin Xinyan’s eyes remained shut. She massaged her forehead with one hand and tried to stay awake. “Could you get me some water?”
The subordinate then gave her a bottle of mineral water. She twisted the cap and guzzled down the water. Feeling a little better, she looked at Li Zhan and said, “I’m going home now.”
“Are you sure my dad didn’t do anything to you?” Seeing how frail she looked after leaving the house, the man was skeptical.
Lin Xinyan shook her head and reiterated, “It’s getting late, and I should go home now.”
Li Zhan had no choice but to get out of the car. He couldn’t follow her back to the villa. He was too ashamed to meet Zong Jinghao.
After getting out of the car, he closed the door properly.
“Let’s go.” Lin Xinyan said in a cold voice.
Her bodyguard then started the engine and left the Wen residence.
After they arrived at the villa, Lin Xinyan stayed in the car and gently patted her cheeks to regain her composure. Only when she felt she was ready to face the people around did she step out of the car.
At this time, she noticed the other two cars parked at the courtyard.
