Wen Xiao did take her to gastroenterology, confirming that Yan Yi’an did indeed have a mild stomach condition. Wen Xiao then tactfully suggested whether she might want to have a gynecological examination as well.
A hint of mockery flickered in Yan Yi’an’s eyes. “Fine, since we’re here anyway, might as well do a full check-up. That should make it easier for Assistant Wen to report back.”
With that, she turned and headed toward the gynecology department.
There weren’t many people in the hospital late at night. Yan Yi’an’s slender figure drew attention—the mask covered most of her face but couldn’t hide her delicate features, and her cap pressed down over her long, seaweed-like hair.
Wen Xiao had been dismissed and stood straight-backed at the door, unable to hear what was happening inside.
Yan Yi’an lay on the examination bed, feeling somewhat uneasy. The female doctor noticed her anxiety and discomfort and spoke softly to reassure her, “Don’t be afraid, this will be quick…”
The door behind Wen Xiao opened, and Yan Yi’an walked out, a thin sheen of cold sweat on her forehead.
“You two are still young—there’s no rush when it comes to pregnancy. Miss Yan has a cold constitution; if she wants to conceive, she’ll need proper conditioning first,
Wen Xiao was young, and the doctor’s words left him flustered and uneasy, his face slightly flushed. Neither of them managed to clarify their relationship before they left.
Zhou Xizhi stood by the window, listening to Wen Xiao’s report on the other end of the line. “Miss Yan does have a stomach condition. The report shows Miss Yan is not pregnant. The doctor said Miss Yan has a cold constitution and may have difficulty conceiving.”
Zhou Xizhi gave a faint “Mm” in response, then after a moment’s thought, couldn’t help but ask, “How… is she?”
“Miss Yan looks very tired. She didn’t say anything else and was cooperative throughout…”
From behind him came Zhao Ruoruo’s voice, and Zhou Xizhi quickly ended the call.
Behind him, Zhao Ruoruo leaned into his embrace on her own accord, her tone carrying a hint of dissatisfaction. “Who are you still discussing work with at this hour?”
Zhou Xizhi chuckled softly, pinched her nose, and murmured gently, “Wen Xiao. Everything’s been handled—nothing to worry about.”
Zhao Ruoruo nestled against his chest, her eyes glimmering. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Zhou Xizhi was somehow different from before. Remembering the lipstick mark on his jaw from yesterday and thinking of Yan Yi’an, a flash of malice crossed her eyes.
On set, Zhao Ruoruo was kind to everyone—so kind that Yan Yi’an thought someone so wonderful was exactly why Zhou Xizhi would willingly be her knight.
But later that evening, when Zhao Ruoruo saw photos of Wen Xiao and Yan Yi’an entering and leaving the hospital together, her face twisted with fury, her beautiful eyes filled with nothing but venom. She scattered the photos across the floor like a madwoman, clenching her fists.
Thinking back to how Yan Yi’an had been nauseous and vomiting on and off these past days—could she really be… pregnant with Zhou Xizhi’s child?
Though she was far away abroad, she knew every woman around Zhou Xizhi. Yan Yi’an had stayed by his side for two years—was she the only one?
What right did she have?
The night they arrived in Nancheng, Zhou Xizhi had gone straight to Yan Yi’an’s hotel. The thought made Zhao Ruoruo wish Yan Yi’an would simply disappear completely…
Zhao Ruoruo felt a panic she had never known before. She couldn’t bear to imagine what she would do if Zhou Xizhi truly fell in love with someone else.
Nancheng was suddenly hit by heavy rain, and filming was temporarily suspended. The pitch-black, rainy night, punctuated by thunderbolts that seemed to split the sky, stirred an inexplicable unease in everyone’s hearts.
When Yan Yi’an received Zhao Ruoruo’s call, it seemed almost expected—no great surprise.
“It’s me, Zhao Ruoruo.”
On the phone, Zhao Ruoruo’s voice was much colder than usual. She cut straight to the point, “Are you pregnant with Xi Zhi’s child?”
“Did he send you to deal with me?” Yan Yi’an let out a light laugh.
“I’ve seen plenty of women like you. Do you really think Xi Zhi would marry you just because you’re carrying his child?”
A sneer came through the phone. “Stop dreaming. The only reason you stay by Xi Zhi’s side is for fame and fortune. I can give you that. I’ll wait for you on the mountain road. Let’s talk terms.”
Yan Yi’an rarely drove, but fortunately, there weren’t many cars out on the rainy night, let alone heading toward the mountain road. The rain grew heavier, and a sense of tension and unease crept into Yan Yi’an’s heart as she silently tightened her grip on the steering wheel.
The mountain road, as its name suggested, wound steeply and precariously along the mountainside.
Yan Yi’an drove carefully the whole way, reaching the halfway point.
Suddenly, a piercing honk from behind cut through the curtain of rain. Yan Yi’an instinctively glanced at the rearview mirror. Ahead was a curve with no room to yield, but the car behind refused to let up, its blaring horn grating on her nerves.
Yan Yi’an silently pressed the accelerator, forced to speed through the turn. But as she rounded the mountainside, a blinding beam of light shot straight at her, dazzling her so completely she couldn’t see a thing. She instinctively raised a hand to shield her eyes while her foot slammed desperately on the brake…
“BANG.”
A deafening crash.
Yan Yi’an’s head spun, her body throbbing with pain all over. Warmth trickled from her scalp, running down through her hair and streaming along her cheek. Her nostrils filled with the nauseating stench of blood.
Through the shattered glass, a woman stumbled out of the wrecked car ahead.
Blood covered her head and face, making her look like a demon unleashed on the rainy night. She crawled up to Yan Yi’an’s window, grinning in a way that sent chills down the spine.
“Yan Yi’an, you’re finished.”
It was Zhao Ruoruo.
“You lunatic, do you have no regard for your own life?” Yan Yi’an cursed under her breath.
“Without Xi Zhi, what use is my life? So I need to stay alive—just to watch you die.”
Yan Yi’an was shaken by the madness in Zhao Ruoruo’s eyes. She truly was a crazy woman. “So you planned this. You lured me here, deliberately staged this accident, just to kill me?”
“No—to make your life worse than death,” Zhao Ruoruo cackled wildly.
“You pretended to use your pregnancy to force me to leave Xi Zhi. When I refused, you ran me off the road—premeditated murder…” Zhao Ruoruo had already scripted the entire accident in advance.
Yan Yi’an frowned, a phrase surfacing in her mind: a beauty with a viper’s heart…
“So what if you’ve been by Xi Zhi’s side for two years?”
“For every ounce of pain I feel, Xi Zhi will hate you that much more. I want you completely ruined, spending your days in a prison cell regretting the day you ever crossed paths with me.”
Zhao Ruoruo laughed triumphantly, the torrential rain unable to dim the smugness on her face. She pulled out her phone and dialed a number she knew by heart.
The more frantic Zhou Xizhi’s voice sounded on the other end, the more Yan Yi’an’s heart tore with pain.
Rain soaked her face, and for a moment, she couldn’t tell if it was tears or rainwater…
“Xi Zhi… come save me…”
Zhao Ruoruo’s voice was faint and weak. Yan Yi’an leaned to the side, watching her performance in silence, inwardly admitting that her acting was truly impressive.
Zhou Xizhi had already been on his way back to Fangcheng, but the heavy rain had him stuck in traffic. Upon hearing Zhao Ruoruo’s plea for help, he immediately turned around and headed back.
After hanging up, Zhao Ruoruo curled her lips into a faint smile, looking at Yan Yi’an with a pitying gaze. Taking in the bloodstains covering her body, she sneered, “Xi Zhi will be here soon. Do you think he’ll spare you even a single glance?”
A cold glint flashed through Yan Yi’an’s eyes.
“Zhao Ruoruo, I’ll make you regret ever crossing paths with me too.”
Yan Yi’an’s consciousness was already fading, yet she still stubbornly whispered the words out.
Zhao Ruoruo paid it no mind, casting a mocking glance at her.
She never regretted anything.
Yan Yi’an had never felt time pass so slowly. She watched the clear rain splash off the shattered glass and drip onto her body, chilling her limbs to the bone, feeling her life ebb away bit by bit, as if silently waiting for death…
Zhou Xizhi arrived quickly enough. He recognized Zhao Ruoruo’s car and drove straight toward it. Through the haze, he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure flashing past in the distance. Yan Yi’an parted her lips slightly and called out “Zhou Xizhi.”
The pattering sound of rain drowned out everything else—in the whole world, only she could hear that call.
Zhao Ruoruo was covered in blood, wedged in her seat, eyes tightly shut, breathing faintly. The sight was shocking to Zhou Xizhi, whose already pale complexion turned even whiter. Deep concern filled his eyes as he carefully lifted her out of the car.
“President Zhou, Miss Yan is here.” Wen Xiao, who had arrived with him, discovered that Yan Yi’an was actually in the car behind.