When Zou Yu was ordered by Qi Shifeng to take Xie Yu away, she seemed quite incredulous.
But she knew Qi Shifeng's temperament all too well.
Hesitating for a moment, she stole a last coy look at him.
She had been an actress for a while, neither outstanding nor mediocre.
That last look at Qi Shifeng was full of sorrow and desolation.
In an instant, a teardrop as precious as a pearl rolled down her cheek, and then she pretended to be strong as she wiped it away.
Set against the sudden downpour outside the window, it was like a lingering and plaintive elegy.
She quickly averted her gaze and hung her head. "Shifeng, I'll wait for your explanation," she said in a soft, coquettish voice, full of grievance and heart - break, as if her words could touch anyone's heart and make even the most hard - hearted person soften.
Even Xu Tingyu couldn't help but glance at her.
She couldn't help thinking that no wonder Xie Yu had managed to capture Qi Shifeng's heart for so many years.
In just a few seconds, Xie Yu had vividly portrayed the image of a wronged and dejected woman.
Xu Tingyu looked at Xie Yu, then turned to Qi Shifeng.
Unfortunately, he had his back to her, so she couldn't see his expression.
What a pity.
She had played the role of the vicious supporting female to perfection today, giving this "little white lotus" Xie Yu a chance.
Now she couldn't even enjoy Qi Shifeng's reaction.
She sighed inwardly several times, then put down the cup in her hand.
Under the light, she slightly curved her lips, showing a faint smile.
This play had to go on, and it was up to her to continue.
But before she could speak, Qi Shifeng came to his senses. His brows furrowed slightly as he dismissed everyone.
Qi Ruixi was reluctant to leave at first, seemingly afraid that they would quarrel.
She summoned up her courage and stood in front of Xu Tingyu, nervously looking at her second brother.
"It was Xie Yu who came here on her own initiative to provoke trouble. It was Mom's idea. Mom wanted to use her to drive a wedge between you and sister - in - law," she said.
"Then she wanted some young lady from the Zhang, Li, Zhao, or Qian family to take advantage of the situation."
"So it's not sister - in - law's fault. Don't quarrel with her. I've already called big brother over. Let's all sit down and have a good talk..."
Before she could finish her plea, she saw Qi Shifeng's eyebrow twitch.
Then, without saying a word, he just made a gesture to Zou Yu.
Zou Yu, like a well - programmed robot, walked over expressionlessly, half - dragging and half - carrying Qi Ruixi away.
Soon, the huge living room was left with only the couple.
Listening to the sound of the torrential rain and howling wind outside, Xu Tingyu looked at Qi Shifeng.
"It's pouring outside. Are you really okay with them taking Miss Xie to the hospital?"
To be honest, she was a bit disappointed that Qi Shifeng didn't go with her personally.
He used to drop everything and rush to her with just a phone call.
Qi Shifeng was almost angered into laughter. "So you want me to go?"
Her expression remained calm and unchanged. "I just feel sorry for her. You're such a coward."
In this matter, she even had a bit more respect for Xie Yu.
She had waited for so many years. Although she was shameless and immoral, she had always fought for him.
But what about him? It seemed that all his courage had vanished after that runaway wedding.
"What did you say?"
Qi Shifeng had expected that she might say something hurtful, or just brush it off lightly like before, or even throw a hysterical tantrum.
But he never expected her to call him that.
He murmured hoarsely, his voice low. His dark eyes stared intently at her, with a hint of ferocity in his gaze.
Xu Tingyu also looked at him, her eyes as if trying to penetrate the chasm of time to see the young man with stars in his eyes before their marriage.
Qi Shifeng couldn't stand her look.
He took a long stride, easily crossing the sofa and coming in front of her. He pinched her chin, preventing her from being distracted.
Preventing her from looking through him at someone else.
"Qi Shifeng, if you love her, why did you marry me? If you had told me earlier, I definitely wouldn't have married you," Xu Tingyu said, forced to look up at him. Her vision was blurred by a mist.
She couldn't see clearly, couldn't understand.
Qi Shifeng tightened his grip on her chin. "Do you regret it?"
She regretted it after they had a child?
When something happened and she was wronged, the first person she would call was Qi Ye.
Did she love him so much?
He was terminally ill, not knowing if he had a tomorrow, and yet she still loved him like a moth to a flame?
"Yes, I regret it. I regret it so much," she said.
"Qi Shifeng, you look down on me, so you probably don't know that there are many people who like me and chase after me."
"I'm not non - you. There will surely be someone who loves me whole - heartedly. But you're cowardly, timid, and greedy."
"You can't let go of the inheritance rights of Qi Corporation, and you can't let go of your white moonlight. You've dragged me into this cage, making it impossible for me to die or live."
Xu Tingyu didn't cry.
She didn't even struggle. She just sat there, exhausted.
Qi Shifeng looked at her, his face solemn. His obsidian - like eyes stared at her, his gaze dark and hard to read.
To Xu Tingyu's surprise, her words didn't seem to anger him.
She felt a bit uncertain. She had thrown such blatant insults in his face, and yet he didn't get angry and leave?
The more uncertain she felt, the more she had to maintain her composure.
She stared back at him.
She didn't know that there was a glimmer of moisture in her eyes and the corners of her eyes were slightly red. Even when she glared at him, it didn't carry much force.
Suddenly, Qi Shifeng lowered his head and kissed her.
Xu Tingyu was finally shocked.
It was raining heavily today, and Xie Yu's provocation was the opportunity she had been waiting for for a month.
There was a new unlicensed car waiting in the backyard of the villa.
As long as she could get rid of Qi Shifeng, she could slip away unnoticed through the greenhouse, get in the car, and run away with Youyou.
Qi Ye had prepared a cruise ship in a neighboring city for her. No identity information was required. As long as she could get there before noon tomorrow, she could leave smoothly.
Her foreign identity had also been arranged.
There were so many places and so many people in the world. It wouldn't be easy for Qi Shifeng to find her.
But she never expected that just when everything was ready, Qi Shifeng didn't leave to escort Xie Yu as she had planned.
She had said the most provocative words, but they still didn't work.
While her mind was still racing, Qi Shifeng had bent down and carried her back to the bedroom.
Only the bedside lamp was on in the room, casting an ambiguous glow on him as it slid across his high - bridged eyebrows.
Xu Tingyu watched helplessly as he quickly took off his shirt and threw it on the carpet.
Then he came to undress her.
His well - defined abs and clear V - line rose and fell with his breathing, coming into her sight.
Xu Tingyu finally panicked and tightly grabbed the hem of her short - sleeved top.
Yes, for the sake of a smooth escape later, she had even worn a short - sleeved top and hot pants, which she would never wear on normal days.
She held onto the hem of her clothes tightly. Whether it was from anger or anxiety, her face was flushed and her heart was pounding.
"Qi Shifeng, you're crazy. You're shameless. Your head is full of nonsense."
This was a turn of events that Xu Tingyu had never expected.
She didn't even know how she had ended up being pinned down on the bed.