Chapter 6 Framed

Xie Nanzhi's face was pale, and there was a hint of astonishment in her eyes.

It turns out she did it on purpose, deliberately letting herself hear.

That's true. If it wasn't intentional, why would they leave the door ajar and make such a lewd noise without restraint?

Xie Nanzhi casually pressed the record button.

Then Xie Xiyan chuckled and leaned close to her ear, saying sarcastically, "Xie Nanzhi, I'm going to take your things—your father, your mother, your brother, your fiancé, and your dear husband."

Xie Xiyan's beautiful face beamed with an even wider smile. "I just want you to know that what you worked so hard to get, I can easily take for myself. You will always be a piece of trash under my feet."

Recalling the soft moans from earlier, Xie Nanzhi couldn't shake the image of what she had just imagined.

She recalled what Pei Jingchuan had said outside the ward that day... He had gone to such lengths for Xie Xiyan, so what had she been to him all these past three years?

Despite the heartache, Xie Nanzhi felt a surge of anger and could no longer resist slapping her face.

But just as her fingertips touched Xie Xiyan's cheek, a gasp was heard, followed by a series of clanging sounds.

Xie Nanzhi stood there, still not understanding what had happened.

Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps came from behind her, and a crisp slap landed on Xie Nanzhi's face, causing her to fall to the ground.

Pei Jingchuan's eyes were bloodshot and filled with rage.

"Xie Nanzhi, are you crazy? How dare you?"

"I've always known you were jealous of Xi Yan, but I never imagined you'd be so heartless as to push her down the stairs. Xie Nanzhi, you disgust me."

Pei Jingchuan roared madly, veins bulging on his forehead, his eyes filled with no affection as he looked at Xie Nanzhi.

Xie Nanzhi forced a smile, a chill running through her body, and she trembled violently.

This was her beloved husband, the one who sentenced her to death without even asking what happened. He could have pretended otherwise, but when Xie Xiyan was involved, his true colors were revealed, and he couldn't keep up the act for a moment longer.

How ridiculous! Her heart ached so much it was almost numb. "Pei Jingchuan, if I said I didn't push her, would you believe me?"

Pei Jingchuan's face was gloomy, as if Xie Nanzhi were an utterly wicked villain, his cold eyes as sharp as knives.

How could I believe you?

After saying that, Pei Jingchuan rushed downstairs and picked up Xie Xiyan, whose face was full of pain.

Hearing the commotion, Madam Xie and Xie Yuanyang also rushed over.

Mrs. Xie was frantic with worry. "What happened? What's wrong with my precious daughter?"

Xie Xiyan was still conscious, but her face was indeed pale. She held Madam Xie's hand and said, "Mom, I'm fine. Don't blame Nanzhi. She definitely didn't mean it."

Immediately, Madam Xie's cold gaze shot over.

Before Madam Xie could speak, Xie Yuanyang rushed to Xie Nanzhi's side at top speed and kicked her in the waist.

Xie Yuanyang had a violent temper and glared at Xie Nanzhi with a repulsive expression.

"Xie Nanzhi, Mom is right, you are an ungrateful wretch. Ever since Xiyan was found, you have been targeting her at every turn. Why are you so vicious? Xie Nanzhi, did our Xie family make a mistake in raising you? Why did that car accident three years ago only take away your eyes and not kill you outright?"

Why didn't they... run her over?

Xie Xiyan sat on the ground, supporting herself with one hand and pressing her stomach with the other.

A sharp pain shot through my lower abdomen, but it was nothing compared to the intense agony in my heart; a chill ran through my entire body.

She was in too much pain to speak, let alone explain. But even if she wanted to explain, these people wouldn't believe her anyway.

As the footsteps faded into the distance, everyone accompanied Xie Xiyan to the hospital.

Xie Nanzhi stood alone in the same spot, her lips pale, ignored by everyone.

After a while, she leaned on the handrail and walked down the stairs step by step, her thin body looking as if a gust of wind could blow her away.

The maid watched silently; although no one spoke, it was still somewhat heartbreaking to see.

...

Hospital.

Xie Xiyan underwent a full body examination and found only a few soft tissue contusions, which were not serious.

The Xie family was worried about her and asked her to stay overnight before being discharged, fearing that there might be other latent symptoms.

Mrs. Xie took meticulous care of her, Xie Yuanyang was busy cutting fruit for her, and Pei Jingchuan was busy finding specialists for consultation.

Xie Yuanyang handed her the peeled mangosteen, his eyes filled with heartache. "It's all that ungrateful wretch's fault. How could she be so cruel? She's trying to kill Yan Yan. I'm calling the police right now to have her arrested."

Seeing Xie Yuanyang reach for his phone, Xie Xiyan immediately stopped him, "Brother, don't call the police. We're all family, it doesn't have to come to this. Besides, I'm not seriously injured, brother, let's forgive Nanzhi."

Madam Xie had no intention of letting the matter rest so easily. She said viciously, "That ungrateful wretch is, after all, our Xie family's daughter in name only. If this gets out of hand, it will damage the Xie family's reputation. But since she dared to treat my daughter like that, I will definitely teach her a lesson so she will remember it."

Xie Yuanyang agreed, "Yes, Mom is right."

Xie Xiyan feigned pleading, "Mom, brother, how about we just let it go? I don't blame Nanzhi anymore. And I can understand Nanzhi's thoughts. She feels that I threaten her position and will steal your love. But I'm just here to join you, not to compete with her for anything. I believe that in time, she will see my sincerity."

Xie Yuanyang snorted coldly, his face full of disdain, "Her? She's a snake at heart, a wicked person to the core, beyond saving. Yan Yan, you're just too kind, that's why she always bullies you."

As she was speaking, Pei Jingchuan returned, and Xie Xiyan's gaze instantly shifted to him, "Jingchuan."

Pei Jingchuan put down the test report, his eyes filled with concern. "Does it still hurt?"

Xie Xiyan smiled brightly, "It doesn't hurt anymore. Jingchuan, when we get home, please don't argue with Nanzhi. I think she definitely didn't push me down the stairs on purpose."

Pei Jingchuan remained silent.

Does he not know whether it was intentional or not?

Ever since the Xie family recognized Xie Xiyan, Xie Nanzhi has been targeting her at every turn. Before their marriage, Pei Jingchuan was extremely disgusted with Xie Nanzhi.

After getting married, Xie Nanzhi left the Xie family and the two lived together. He pretended to be deeply in love for three years, almost forgetting Xie Nanzhi's true nature.

She really is someone whose nature is hard to change.

Pei Jingchuan frowned slightly, his voice low, "Xi Yan, I will give you an explanation."

The night was slightly cool, and a biting north wind began to blow in the middle of the night.

Xie Nanzhi lay on the cold operating table.

The surgeon put on medical gloves and asked again before injecting the anesthesia, "Ms. Xie, do you still have a chance to back out? Are you sure you don't want this child?"

Xie Nanzhi stroked her lower abdomen, feeling the baby's pulse beat in sync with hers one last time, and a tear rolled down her cheek.

She choked out a soft "hmm" and closed her eyes tightly.

After the surgery, Xie Nanzhi felt a bone-chilling cold all over her body.

She was covered with a thick blanket, curled up in a ball, and there wasn't another living creature with warmth in the empty ward.

She wanted a drink of water, but she had no strength at all. Gritting her teeth, she barely managed to reach for the cup on the bedside table. The moment she touched the cup, it tipped over.

The last bit of water dripped down the edge of the table, and suddenly, a sense of helplessness welled up inside me.

Xie Nanzhi's throat felt tight, and the tip of her nose felt sore and uncomfortable.

Just then, I overheard two nurses chatting outside the door, and my heart sank even further.