Zhang Xianya personally saw Xia Yuhuan off.
At the doorway, she repeatedly urged: “Yuhuan, if you’re bullied at the Xia family, just come directly to the Chi family to find me. I’ll stand up for you.”
Xia Yuhuan nodded in agreement, and only then did Zhang Xianya reluctantly let her leave.
Seeing this, Chi Zhenghao’s eyes darkened slightly.
He bid farewell to Zhang Xianya: “Aunt, I’ll head home first too.”
“Alright, take care on your way back.” After offering this reminder, Zhang Xianya turned and went back inside.
Chi Zhenghao caught up with Xia Yuhuan.
“You’re really going to marry my brother?” Chi Zhenghao asked.
Xia Yuhuan glanced at him and calmly replied: “Yes, why? Is there a problem?”
Through Zhang Xianya’s introduction, she learned that this person was the son of Chi Yanzhou’s second uncle—his cousin Chi Zhenghao.
Chi Zhenghao’s expression was cold and impassive, but now a hint of mockery appeared.
“I just didn’t expect there really are fools in this world who’d jump into a fire pit willingly.”
Xia Yuhuan narrowed her eyes, “Are you saying your brother is a fire pit? And I’m the fool jumping into it?”
“Let’s set that aside for now. What I’m curious about is—he’s your brother. Under these circumstances, someone is still willing to marry him. Shouldn’t you be happy for him? Why are you being so sarcastic here? Can’t you bear to see him doing well?”
Xia Yuhuan could sense the disgust and disdain emanating from Chi Zhenghao.
She didn’t remember offending him in any way and found it utterly baffling.
Though Xia Yuhuan implied he wasn’t a good person, Chi Zhenghao didn’t get angry.
He leaned in close to Xia Yuhuan, forcing her to step back.
“Stand properly, don’t get so close to me.” Xia Yuhuan scolded in a low voice, her expression displeased.
Her current body wasn’t short—she stood at 168 cm, slender and well-proportioned, a very standard figure.
But Chi Zhenghao was 180 cm tall, and when he looked down at her, it made her feel extremely short.
Xia Yuhuan silently cursed: What’s so great about being tall? Using height to intimidate people—shameless.
Chi Zhenghao said: “You think my brother being unconscious, possibly in a vegetative state, is the worst situation you’ll face?”
Before Xia Yuhuan could respond, Chi Zhenghao continued: “My brother has a child. You didn’t know that, did you?”
Hearing this, Xia Yuhuan’s expression faltered slightly.
Chi Zhenghao appreciatively observed her reaction before saying: “I advise you—don’t covet what doesn’t belong to you, or you’ll suffer for it.”
With these words, Chi Zhenghao strode away.
Xia Yuhuan watched his retreating figure, her gaze flickering.
Her changed expression earlier wasn’t because Chi Zhenghao mentioned his brother having a child, but because of the fact that he brought it up at all.
According to Zhang Xianya, to ensure she’d willingly marry into the family, the Chi family had suppressed news about Chi Yanzhou having a child and made everyone keep it from her.
People in the residential compound respected the Chi family’s reputation and naturally wouldn’t gossip about it in front of her.
The Xia family were eager for her to replace Xia Zhuyu in marrying Chi Yanzhou—to live as a widow and become an unwelcome stepmother—so they were even less likely to tell her.
Thus, it wasn’t until Zhang Xianya voluntarily mentioned Chi Yanzhou having a child that she learned about it for the first time.
In contrast, the Chi family were the ones most unwilling to tell her about this.
After all, if she knew, the marriage might change—she might refuse to marry Chi Yanzhou upon learning the truth.
Chi Zhenghao had chosen this moment to tell her about this matter, clearly intending to sabotage this marriage.
He was so resentful of Chi Yanzhou’s well-being—could he be the one who poisoned Chi Yanzhou?
That’s right. While taking his pulse earlier, Xia Yuhuan had discovered that Chi Yanzhou was poisoned.
Although the poisoning wasn’t severe yet, it was hindering his recovery from injuries and suppressing his ability to wake up.
Detoxifying him would be quite troublesome, requiring her personal supervision and a lengthy process, which was why Xia Yuhuan hadn’t mentioned it to Zhang Xianya today.
Little did she expect that, even before marrying into the Chi family, she already had a suspect in mind for the poisoner.
Xia Yuhuan kept this matter to herself.
Once she married into the family, she would naturally get to the bottom of it.
Xia Yuhuan continued walking toward the Xia residence.
Being slightly directionally challenged, she took a wrong turn but unexpectedly spotted Xia Zhuyu sneaking off with a man into a shadowy area.
The man was one of the assailants who had attacked Xia Yuhuan earlier that day.
Her eyes lit up, and she cautiously moved closer to them.
Xia Zhuyu was visibly agitated at that moment.
“You useless fools! Several of you together couldn’t handle one country bumpkin, and you even let her escape. You’re completely worthless!” Xia Zhuyu hissed angrily.
“Don’t be mad, Zhuzhu. She threw some kind of medicine powder at us, and the pain was unbearable. That’s how she managed to slip away.”
“We weren’t prepared this time, but next time we’ll definitely catch her and get the jade pendant back for you.”
“You wasted such a perfect opportunity this time. How can I count on you next time?”
Xia Zhuyu added, “Lay low for a while and don’t let anyone spot you. I’ll contact you when I need you again.”
Though reluctant, the man had no choice but to obey and leave.
After he was gone, Xia Zhuyu gritted her teeth and muttered under her breath, “Xia Yuhuan, you got lucky this time. Next time, you won’t be so fortunate!”
Xia Zhuyu waited until the man was out of sight before emerging from the shadows, ready to leave.
It was at that moment Xia Yuhuan called out to her, “Xia Zhuyu.”
Xia Zhuyu jumped in fright. When she turned around, her face was pale.
“What are you doing here? How long have you been here?” Xia Zhuyu asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Had Xia Yuhuan seen everything that just happened?
Xia Yuhuan replied, “I just got here. Why do you look like you’ve seen a ghost? Oh, don’t tell me you were up to no good and are afraid I caught you?”
Her feigned ignorance successfully eased Xia Zhuyu’s tension.
Thank goodness—she hadn’t seen anything.
Then, flustered and annoyed, Xia Zhuyu snapped, “You’re the one up to no good! Your whole family is up to no good! I can’t be bothered with you.”
With that, she strode away guiltily.
Xia Yuhuan chuckled softly as she watched her retreating figure.
Although she had overheard most of the conversation between Xia Zhuyu and the man, she had no intention of confronting her directly.
She wanted to keep Xia Zhuyu on edge, anxious and unsettled, living in constant fear.
Catching up to Xia Zhuyu, Xia Yuhuan said, “Earlier, I saw you from a distance walking toward this area with a man. Are you seeing someone? Who is he? Why didn’t I see him when I came over?”
Xia Zhuyu’s recently calmed nerves instantly tensed again.
She probed cautiously, “You… you saw his face?”
If Xia Yuhuan saw it, then she couldn’t let her stay!
A sharp glint flashed in Xia Zhuyu’s eyes, her heart filled with ruthlessness.
Xia Yuhuan could clearly sense the change in Xia Zhuyu’s aura.
She remained inwardly vigilant: I must be careful with Xia Zhuyu and not push her into a corner.
After all, Xia Zhuyu clearly wasn’t someone to be trifled with—she was precisely the type who would do anything for herself.
“Haven’t seen him, why? Is he too embarrassing to be seen?” Xia Yuhuan retorted.
Xia Zhuyu stared at her as if determining whether she was lying.
Outwardly, however, she said: “He’s not my boyfriend, just an ordinary friend. He’s also from the compound.”
“Oh. I thought you were dating him and that’s why you didn’t want to marry Chi Yanzhou.”
“I went to see Chi Yanzhou today. His family’s house is really impressive, and he’s good-looking too. Once he wakes up, the Xia family’s status won’t even compare to his little finger.”
“Such a great marriage prospect, and you’re actually willing to give him up to me. I really should thank you.”
Upon hearing this, Xia Zhuyu sneered inwardly: This fool. What use is good looks or family background when he’s just a vegetative state?
Only an idiot like Xia Yuhuan, who believes their lies that Chi Yanzhou might still wake up, would consider him a good match.