Chapter 717: To Save, Or Not To Save?
Xia Xiaofu was locked up in the hospital for two days, after which she was set free.
She had not seen Ou Luoxi in the past two days. She reckoned that Ou Luoxi did not want to see her anymore. She had done things so resolutely and thoroughly broke his heart.
Ou Ze was right. He had indeed transferred all his a.s.sets to her name. Xia Xiaofu laughed bitterly. Ou Ze had paid such a high price in order to sell this story that he had come up with. She went to the law firm to officially take over all of Ou Ze’s a.s.sets and sold the properties and company stocks for cash before saving them in a concealed overseas account.
She never heard of Ou Ze ever again as someone had intentionally sealed all information regarding him such that there were no rumors travelling around T City. However, these days Ou Ze’s mother had become mentally deranged. Everyone who sees her says that she looks crazy. Chen Ni was eventually forcefully admitted to the mental hospital.
The mental hospital was Chen Ni’s final destination.
Two weeks later, Xia Xiaofu and her mother had finished eating dinner. When her mother stood up to clear away the bowls, Xia Xiaofu swiftly halted her saying, “Let me do it.”
Her mother was delighted. This was the first time Xia Xiaofu had spoken to her in a long time. “Xiaofu…”
Xia Xiaofu pa.s.sed the 6 month old Little Fifth to her mother and said, “Let me clean up and wash the dishes. You can give Little Fifth her shower and then get some rest.”
“Alright.” Her mother took Little Fifth from her arms and walked towards the bedroom.
Just then, Xia Xiaofu called out, “Mum.”
She had not heard her daughter calling her Mum in a long while, and Xia Xiaofu’s mother immediately teared up. She turned around and looked at Xia Xiaofu with red rimmed eyes.
Xia Xiaofu walked to her mother and slowly wrapped her arms around her shoulders, leaning her head on her mother’s shoulders and rubbing against it twice like a child. “Mum, although you’ve many things then I was unable to forgive both you and myself for in the past, I know that it was all out of love for me. You hoped that I would live a good life. It was I who failed to be a good daughter. I was the one who caused you to become this way.
“Xiaofu, don’t say that. It was all my fault. Don’t blame it all on yourself…”
“Mhm.” Xia Xiaofu gently closed her eyes, then opened them to look at Little Fifth. Little Fifth had already weaned and was now asleep after drinking a bottle of formula. Xia Xiaofu reached an index finger out and lightly poked her cheeks, stating, “Mum, I have decided on Little Fifth’s name. She shall be called Xia Xuyan.”
Xia Xiaofu’s mother was taken aback. “Xia…Xuyan.”
Was Little Fifth not going to have her father’s surname?
“Yes, it means beautiful and warm. I do not ask anything of our Xuyan, only that she will lead a warm and happy life.”
Xia Xiaofu’s mother sensed that Xia Xiaofu was being strange today. “Xiaofu, what is wrong with you?”
“It’s nothing.” Xia Xiaofu shook her head. “Mum, I have booked a flight for tomorrow. I will go and travel for a few days, then when I have settled all the overseas matters, I will bring you guys there. You and Little Fifth should stay at Xiao Li’s house for the time being. You can go and get some sleep first. Xiao Li will come and pick you up at around 2AM.”
Ever since Little Fifth was born, Xia Xiaofu was always reluctant to part with her, so her words raised her mother’s suspicion. “Xiaofu, is there something you are hiding from us? Is there a need for Xiao Li to come and pick us up in the middle of the night?”
“Mum, Xiao Li works in the entertainment industry and has a packed schedule, so she is only free late at night. What could I possibly be hiding from you? It’s just that I am too tired recently and want to go away alone to relax a little.”
Xia Xiaofu’s mother was still half-doubtful. Indeed, many things have happened recently, and although she no longer had the right to inquire too much, she had heard the news and knew that everything was blamed on Xiaofu. “Xiaofu, we will follow your arrangements then.”
“Ok, Mum. You can go and get some sleep with Little Xuyan.”
“Alright.” Her mother turned around and went upstairs.
Xia Xiaofu stayed where she was and watched their departing figures, the rims of her eyes slowly moistening.
Without Ou Luoxi’s protection, it did not matter whether he marries Gong Ling. Fourth Uncle will definitely not let her live. The past two weeks had been peaceful, but that was only the calm before the storm. She reckoned that Fourth Uncle will no longer be able to hold back tomorrow. She was completely powerless and helpless at this point in time, so Fourth Uncle will be able to end her as effortlessly as killing an ant.
She wondered if she would be able to escape.
When she had told Fourth Uncle that Little Xuyan was Ou Luoxi’s daughter in the hospital ward that day, as a mother, she felt sorry and pained that she had to involve her child in this, but Fourth Uncle’s next target would surely be Little Xuyan, so she had to be fully prepared.
If she really met with misfortune tomorrow, the doc.u.ment in her mailbox would be sent out by Xiao Li. The only person she could entrust Xuyan to was Ning Qing. The overseas bank account would be sufficient for both her mother and Little Xuyan to lead a comfortable life. With the Lu Family and Ning Qing’s wealthy status now, she hoped that Fourth Uncle would spare her mother and Little Xuyan on the account that she had already died, and he’d hopefully let the past die with her.
This was the worst case scenario, where she would use her life to exchange for everyone’s liberation and a better tomorrow.
Except that it was so hard to say goodbye.
No matter how many wrongful things her mother had done, she did not want to let her mother see her own daughter die. Furthermore, Little Xuyan was only 6 months old and was already missing a father. It pained her that she might lose her mother as well. Also, the man whom she loved wholeheartedly, she was so reluctant to let go of his hand…
Xia Xiaofu walked into her room and sat on the bed, stroking the bedsheets. Just two weeks ago, she was still sleeping here in his embrace. How happy they were at that time.
But now…
Just then, a melodious ringtone sounded; her phone was ringing.
Xia Xiaofu hesitated. Who could be calling her at this hour?
She picked up her phone. To her surprise it was…Ou Luoxi.
Her scallop-like teeth bit her lips harshly. Should she pick up? What was he calling for?
After a few seconds of internal struggle, she accepted the call.
“h.e.l.lo…”
There was only silence on the other end, even his breathing could not be heard.
But Xia Xiaofu knew that Ou Luoxi was there. “Luoxi,” she called out gently.
“I would like to hear your explanation now.”
A clear and concise statement and his familiar rich voice immediately brought tears to Xia Xiaofu’s eyes. She swiftly lifted her tiny hand and covered her mouth to not let him hear her crying.
They had already gotten to this step, and she had said so many hurtful things in the hospital. What did he…want her to explain now?
He was trying to give her another chance.
A chance to reconcile, a chance to be together.
But so what if they reconciled? So what if they were together? She would only be a stumbling block in his life. She was incapable of helping him overcome the current situation which was full of troubles from all directions. She would only make his life harder.
Xia Xiaofu bit her lower lip so hard that it started bleeding. She cried silently and laughed silently. “Luoxi, you are finally willing to hear me explain. My vision was blurry so I saw the number on the detonator wrongly. Luoxi, I didn’t do it on purpose. You have to believe me… There are so many people who have misunderstood me. Ah Li does not look at me kindly, and Miss Gong Ling’s father had also questioned me. Not only did he threaten me, but he also said you are his son-in-law. Luoxi, you would never marry Gong Ling, right? You…”
Ding, ding. Two beeps sounded as Ou Luoxi hung up on the other end.
Listening to the busy tone in the phone, Xia Xiaofu’s eyes slowly closed, and sparkling hot tears rolled down rapidly and landed on her dress…
She laughed and cried at the same time. Ou Luoxi, thank you for all the love you have given me in this life.
I’m sorry, but you will definitely not remember a girl called Xia Xiaofu in the future, right? You will no longer remember how much she used to love you.
…
The next morning, Xia Xiaofu left the condominium with a small suitcase in tow. She flagged down a cab along the main road. “Sir, to the airport.”
“Got it.” The driver stepped on the gas.
The cab drove forward without stopping, making a few turns along the way. Xia Xiaofu looked out the window and realised that this was not the right way to the airport, but by then, the driver had already brought her to the suburbs. “Sir, did you make a mistake?” she asked.
The driver stopped the cab on a barren slope, then opened his door and ran out. Xia Xiaofu saw that the driver was reporting something to a row of men wearing black clothes.
Xia Xiaofu got out and asked, “Who are you people? Why did you bring me here? Send me back right now, or I will call the police.”
One of the men glanced Xia Xiaofu over, and his eyes glinted. Cursing, he demanded, “Wasn’t there supposed to be an old woman and a child? Where have they disappeared to? But this woman is really a beauty. I have never seen such a pretty woman.”
“Haha, you’re right, Brother Xiong, this woman is really exquisite. Look at that bright watery skin. I can barely control myself.” Another underling obscenely rubbed his palms together.
“Enough. Stop fooling around. Brother Xiong, we have orders from the upper levels to deal with this neatly. Now that two of the people were not on board, we have to report back immediately. Let’s not waste any more time,” yet another underling voiced out.
Brother Xiong kicked that man without hesitation. “I’m not deaf. Do I need you to repeat? But before getting down to business, we can let our brothers have some enjoyment first. Isn’t it such a waste to just slit a beauty’s throat like that? Haha.”
Xia Xiaofu had known that it would be difficult for her to escape today, except that she had thought she would get a quick death, but it seems that before dying, she would still have to be tortured and humiliated.
She glanced behind her. There was a cliff at the edge of the slope. She turned and ran towards the cliff.
Behind her, the men started cursing again. “Chase after her!”
Xia Xiaofu ran with all her might. The cliff was nearing, just a bit more. She could even smell the fresh, salty smell of the sea, and a small smile appeared on her lips. She just had to jump, and everything would be over.
She reached the cliff and without any hesitation. She opened her arms wide and jumped.
However, her silky hair was caught by a large hand, and she staggered backwards. Smack! A slap landed on her face. “d.a.m.n you, what a fierce s.l.u.t. Wait and see what I will do to you.”
Someone dragged her into the shrubs by her hair while the other men yelled excitedly in support.
Xia Xiaofu dizzyingly looked up at the white clouds above. She closed her eyes in despair, a s.h.i.+ny tear rolling down her face silently.
…
Late at night in the villa, Ah Li ascended the stairs and opened the door to the master bedroom.
There was an acrid smell of alcohol in the air, and a pile of bottles lay on the carpet. Ou Luoxi was fast asleep on the sofa in crumpled clothes.
Ah Li approached him and called out, “Young Master.”
This made Ou Luouxi open his eyes slowly. Other than the bloodshot eyes, his gaze was clear and completely sober. He pressed his hand on his forehead and hoa.r.s.ely asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Young Master, I have just heard news that Miss Xia had gone to the airport early in the morning, but on the way, there was an incident, and Miss Xia was kidnapped. I have investigated those men, and…they were under Fourth Uncle’s orders. It seems like he wants Ms. Xia’s life.”
Ou Luoxi did not reveal any emotion. He retracted his long legs and sat up. Perhaps he was having a headache as he still had a hand pressed to his forehead with his eyes closed. “To the airport?”
“Yes. It was reported that Miss Xia had taken over all of Ou Ze’s a.s.sets a few days ago and had an inventory sale for all the valuable things in T City. it seems like Miss Xia wanted to leave this place and immigrate overseas.”
Ou Luoxi did not speak. The servant brought him hangover soup which he quietly finished.
Ah Li could not tell what he was thinking, so he felt a little panicked. “Young Master, to save, or not to save?
Ah Li was actually also internally confused, because as an underling, Young Master was in a predicament right now. Young Madam had already been discharged from the hospital and Young Master made time to visit her everyday. Everyone was talking about how Young Master had finally come around. With Young Madam being so important to Fourth Uncle and Ah Gan, Young Master had obtained an obvious advantage in his current situation, to Young Master’s delight.
From this perspective, Ah Li really did not want Young Master to destroy the current relations.h.i.+p he had with Fourth Uncle because of Xia Xiaofu during this critical period of time, so he hoped that Young Master would choose not to save her.
But from a personal point of view, has Young Master really come around? If he has, why would someone who does not usually touch alcohol drink till he is hungover? Ah Li had returned to T City with Young Master, so he could clearly see Young Master’s feelings for Xia Xiaofu.
From this perspective, he also did not wish for Young Master and Xia Xiaofu to have such an ending.
Ou Luoxi stood up and took a bathrobe with him to the bathroom. He did not turn around nor did he reveal any emotion as he turned around and coldly said, “Doesn’t she want to leave? Then we will let her leave… We’re not saving her.”
…
Xia Xiaofu opened her eyes groggily and vacantly stared at the crystal chandelier above her head. Where am I?
Her head was pounding. She closed her eyes and thought about how she was dragged into the bushes by those men. Someone started tearing at her clothes, then she fainted.
She sprang up from her bed and pulled the blankets off her body. Her clothes had been changed, and she was wearing a set of pyjamas.
She felt herself carefully. Although her body ached, it was not that kind of pain. She probably was not raped.
Then who had saved her?
Xia Xiaofu lifted her head and looked around the room. There was no one in sight. Just then, she saw a handsome figure standing on the room’s balcony. The person was wearing a black night-robe and was enjoying the breeze quietly.