At that critical moment, Sheng Xia suddenly arched her leg. Amidst the sharp gasp beside her ear, she saw Gu Cheng’an’s face contorted in pain, and the hand gripping hers loosened.
This was the perfect chance to escape. Without another thought, Sheng Xia shoved Gu Cheng’an aside and bolted for the door.
Behind her came the sound of something heavy hitting the floor. Gu Cheng’an hadn’t expected Sheng Xia to be so ruthless—kneeing him in that spot and pushing him with such force. Caught off guard, he fell hard onto the floor.
As he hit the ground, his eyes caught Sheng Xia slipping away like an eel.
Sheng Xia fled for her life, wrenching the door open and dashing straight for the elevator. Once outside the building, she found a security guard, borrowed a phone, and called Jing Ci.
“Your Mr. Gu has gone crazy, Assistant Jing! Hurry over and take him to the hospital! If that doesn’t work, find a woman for him—maybe Liu Mianmian?”
While speaking to Jing Ci, her gaze landed on Liu Mianmian herself, who had just stepped out of a car, looking utterly exhausted.
Sheng Xia felt as if she’d spotted a savior. “Miss Liu, Mr. Gu is looking for you! Please go up right away.”
At two in the morning, Gu Cheng’an and the unconscious Liu Mianmian were rushed to the hospital by ambulance.
Jing Ci followed them to the hospital, while Sheng Xia stood shivering downstairs, disheveled, barefoot, and wrapped only in a nightgown.
Only after watching the vehicles carrying the group disappear into the distance did she finally return barefoot to her room. Closing the door behind her, Sheng Xia let out a long breath.
What the hell? Wasn’t Gu Cheng’an supposed to like Liu Mianmian?
If so, why had he knocked Liu Mianmian out when she’d sent her up to help him relieve his urges?
Unless he hadn’t knocked her out—maybe she’d passed out from exhaustion?
Damn, that’s way too intense!
That quack doctor’s medicinal wine was truly potent. Sheng Xia had hidden downstairs and caught a glimpse of Gu Cheng’an being carried out—he looked terrifying, like a wolf, no, more like a lion.
Goodness, thank heavens she hadn’t taken the risk herself!
Sheng Xia clutched her chest. Her poor heart couldn’t take this.
Barefoot, she walked back inside and noticed Gu Cheng’an’s bag, phone, and other belongings still lying on the coffee table. Still shaken, she sank onto the sofa, her eyes suddenly falling on the divorce agreement placed on the table.
She picked it up, read through it, and leaped to her feet in shock.
How vicious!
Thank goodness she’d come to her senses in time, or Gu Cheng’an’s scheme would have succeeded.
Not only would he have slept with her, but he’d also have made her leave penniless and drowning in debt.
The thought that, had she been even slightly less resolute, she could have ended up a debt-ridden pauper sent a chill down her spine.
That Gu guy was truly wicked, utterly wicked!
From now on, she’d have to tread carefully. She absolutely must not give Gu Cheng’an any leverage over her again.
At the hospital, Gu Cheng’an lay in bed with an IV drip, his face dark and brooding after taking medication.
His good friend and attending physician, Ye Nuozhou, walked in with a smile. “What happened tonight? Did Sheng Xia pull some trick on you?”
Gu Cheng’an pressed his lips together, refusing to speak. Ye Nuozhou continued, “Your wife is quite something. She sets you up but won’t let you touch her, then sends Liu Mianmian over instead. What’s her game? Is she really that magnanimous? But I heard she’s head over heels in love with you, completely obsessed. If she loves you so much, how could she bear to send you into another woman’s bed? Is she trying to please you? That’s taking generosity a bit too far, isn’t it?”Gu Cheng’an remained silent. Ye Nuozhou glanced at his phone and burst out laughing. “It’s trending! They’re saying you were caught cheating with Liu Mianmian in the marital home on Sheng Xia’s birthday, and Sheng Xia chased Liu Mianmian barefoot, beating her so badly she’s now in a coma…”
“Shut up!” Gu Cheng’an finally spoke.
Ye Nuozhou laughed heartily. “Which damn paparazzi came up with this? I’m dying of laughter!”
Gu Cheng’an couldn’t laugh. He never dreamed that after Sheng Xia ran away, she would call Liu Mianmian up.
What kind of person does something like that?
Who the hell said Sheng Xia was madly in love with him? What kind of love is this?
Sheng Xia took another shower, changed clothes, and hurried to Su Qiao’s apartment, knocking on her door. “I almost fell into Gu Cheng’an’s trap tonight.”
Sheng Xia explained the divorce agreement situation. Su Qiao gritted her teeth. “How despicable and shameless!”
“Yeah, I almost fell for it. If I hadn’t been strong-willed, I’d have been kicked out by now and left with over a billion in debt.”
“Didn’t you only use the card for three years? Three years is three hundred million. Where did the over a billion come from?”
“The dowry, wedding expenses, all sorts of miscellaneous things, including benefits for my family. I calculated it, and it adds up to that much.”
“That’s too cruel! Not a single penny spared!” Su Qiao cursed angrily.
Sheng Xia and Su Qiao took turns cursing Gu Cheng’an until, before they knew it, dawn broke.
Sheng Xia’s phone rang. It was Madam Gu calling.
Was she coming to demand answers?
Having experienced Madam Gu’s attitude before, Sheng Xia didn’t answer. Su Qiao picked up instead. “Hello, Madam Gu. Xia Xia has a fever and is at the hospital.”
Since Su Qiao answered, Madam Gu couldn’t say much and hung up resentfully.
After hanging up, Su Qiao said, “Let’s go to the hospital and lie down too. Playing sick? Who can’t do that?”
At the hospital, Madam Gu wore an angry expression, while Gu Cheng’an looked impatient. “Mom, why are you here so early in the morning?”
“How could I not come? This Li Shengxia is too outrageous. Couldn’t she have talked things out properly instead of making such a scene? Is the injury on your forehead from her? Who gave her the nerve to lay a hand on you?”
“It wasn’t her. I accidentally fell.”
“Hmph, don’t cover for her. Isn’t it normal for a man to have female friends outside? Especially someone of your status? That Li Shengxia can’t handle social situations or manage a household. She’s jealous and causes trouble—who could stand her? I’ll talk to your grandparents right now and have you divorce her.”
Gu Cheng’an frowned at Madam Gu’s undisguised disgust when mentioning Sheng Xia. “Enough, stop talking! Go back!”
After Madam Gu was sent away by Gu Cheng’an, Jing Ci entered. “The trending topic has been suppressed. As for the young mistress…”
“Don’t mention her!” Gu Cheng’an said impatiently. His phone rang, and he answered with a respectful expression. “Grandfather!”
“What happened last night?” Old Master Gu’s voice was stern from New Zealand.
Gu Cheng’an had no choice but to explain. “It was a misunderstanding. Nothing happened between me and that celebrity. The paparazzi made it up.”
“Cheng’an, you know there’s no smoke without fire. Last night was Xia Xia’s birthday. You didn’t spend it with her but got caught up in a scandal with a celebrity. I know exactly what you’re up to.”
Gu Cheng’an felt utterly wronged. “Grandfather, I really didn’t! Did Sheng Xia say something nonsense again?””It has nothing to do with Xia Xia. That child hasn’t said a single word to us yet. I called the butler, and he said she’s hospitalized with a high fever.”
“She’s faking it.”
“Whether she’s faking it or not, you can just ask the doctor, can’t you? Cheng’an, I know you don’t like Xia Xia, but as I’ve said before, Xia Xia is a good child with a kind heart. Time will reveal a person’s true nature—you’ll slowly come to see her goodness.”
Sheng Xia must have bewitched her grandparents somehow, making Old Master Gu and Old Madam Gu always favor her.
Gu Cheng’an felt deeply displeased, but his respect for Old Master Gu forced him to suppress his frustration. After Old Master Gu scolded him a few more times and reminded him to visit Sheng Xia and buy her a gift as an apology, he finally hung up the phone.
Gu Cheng’an’s hand gripping the phone showed bulging veins, and his expression darkened further. That woman Sheng Xia was actually sick?
He refused to believe it even if he died. Recalling Old Master Gu’s instructions, Gu Cheng’an turned to Jing Ci and asked through gritted teeth, “Which room is she in? I’m going to see her right now!”