Luo Wan's difficult childbirth was an unexpected event for Luo Shi.
He had planned everything that would happen on the day of the engagement, except for this one.
It was half an hour later when we arrived at the hospital.
Xie Chi was not there; only his assistant stood there anxiously. Upon seeing him arrive, the assistant hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Mr. Luo."
Luo Shi's cold gaze swept over his assistant from behind: "Where is Xie Chi?"
Luo Wan is having a difficult childbirth, and he has disappeared without a trace?
The assistant hurriedly replied, "I've already informed Mr. Xie, and he should be on his way."
Luo Shi glanced into the ward and could only vaguely see figures moving around through the window: "What happened?"
The assistant hesitated for a few seconds: "President Xie and Miss Luo had an argument. In a fit of anger, President Xie said something like, 'I should have agreed to the marriage if I had known...' Miss Luo fainted after being shocked."
As expected, it was because of Xie Chi again.
Luo Shi gave a sarcastic laugh.
However, Xie Chi said, "I should have agreed to the marriage alliance earlier"? Was it with Jiang Fei?
A sudden surge of displeasure welled up inside him, but he couldn't tell whether it was because of Luo Wan, or...
"Hours?" A woman's weak voice came from inside the ward.
Luo Shi snapped back to reality and looked at her assistant: "Call Xie Chi again. If he doesn't come, he'll never come again." With that, she wheeled herself into the ward.
Luo Wan's face was deathly pale. Despite being due to give birth, her cheeks were terribly thin. Cold sweat from the contractions made her hair stick to her cheeks, her lower abdomen was swollen, and her red eyes were the only color on her face.
"Sister," Luo Shi's wheelchair stopped in front of the hospital bed, "how are you?"
Luo Wan shook her head, her smile gentle: "Wait a little longer. If it still doesn't work, then we'll have the surgery." She was about to say something more, but stopped when she saw Luo Shi's sharp suit and the rose-shaped brooch. "What..."
Luo Shi followed her gaze and looked down. His eyes widened in surprise. He was still wearing his engagement suit and a pair of brooches.
Jiang Fei asked him why he hadn't seen Luo Wan.
In fact, he only told Luo Wan that Xie Chi and Jiang Fei had broken off their engagement, but he didn't tell her that he was going to get engaged to Jiang Fei. He wanted to maintain the docile facade he presented to Luo Wan.
But a fake is still a fake, and it's exhausting.
"Hour?"
Luo Shi snapped out of her reverie, and after a long pause, smiled and said, "It's nothing."
The moment I said it, my heart skipped a beat, but it quickly disappeared.
Luo Wan pursed her lips, about to say something, when footsteps sounded outside the door.
A knock sounded on the door: "Mr. Luo, Ms. Luo, Mr. Xie is here."
Luo Shi's tense thoughts relaxed slightly, and he quickly glanced at Luo Wan: "I'll let him in."
After saying that, he was about to leave.
My hand was suddenly grabbed.
Luo Shi's hand, which was holding the side of the wheelchair, stiffened. Luo Wan's fingertips were slightly cold, and even when they were clenched together with his already cold hand, they could hardly generate any warmth. She held his hand and trembled slightly.
"Xiao Shi, I don't want to see Xie Chi," Luo Wan murmured softly. "Don't go, stay here with me, okay?"
She knew that in this world, only Luo Shi would never refuse any of his requests.
She chose him.
Luo Shi looked down at her holding his hand.
Luo Wan chose him.
first.
But why wasn't there the joy I imagined? I even felt that... the hand holding my hand should have a warm palm, dispelling the coldness from his fingertips.
"Hours?" After waiting for a long time without a response, Luo Wan's voice was somewhat panicked.
Luo Shi looked at Luo Wan, his fingertips inexplicably retreating, then smiled reassuringly: "Okay."
As evening approached, Luo Wan finally went into the operating room.
Luo Shi left the ward, glanced at Xie Chi waiting in the corridor, and ignored him.
As night deepened, Luo Shi's expression changed slightly when he saw his assistant rushing over. He then helped his wheelchair to the lounge next door.
The assistant closed the door to the lounge: "Mr. Luo, all the guests from the engagement ceremony have been sent home."
"Hmm." Luo Shi responded softly, tapping the side of the wheelchair with her hand, looking at the water dispenser next to her, without saying anything.
The assistant was silent for a few seconds before asking in a low voice, "Mr. Luo, the medicine and the people have been arranged. Shall we proceed as planned?"
Luo Shi's hand, which was tapping the side of the wheelchair, froze.
The water in the water dispenser made a "glug" sound, creating a large bubble.
plan.
Indeed, his original goal was to make Jiang Fei leave Jincheng with a ruined reputation.
To administer the medicine.
Arrange for the people who will appear in her room.
Ambiguous photos.
Tonight is the climax of the game; tomorrow, we won't have to act anymore.
Luo Shi unconsciously reached out and gently touched his knee. Although it wasn't a rainy day, a chill inexplicably seeped into his bones.
"Mr. Luo?" the assistant called softly.
Luo Shi snapped out of his daze, glanced at his hands, and quickly released his knees, his eyes filled with surprise and uncertainty, before saying, "...Yes."
The assistant suppressed a long sigh: "I'll arrange it right away."
With that, he turned to leave.
"Wait a moment," came Luo Shi's low, hoarse voice.
"Mr. Luo?"
Luo Shi didn't turn his head, still staring at the water dispenser that was constantly bubbling: "Tell that person that I only want the photos, and if they dare to touch anything they shouldn't," his voice gradually turned cold, "they'll lose their lives."
"Yes," the assistant replied hastily.
Only after the door to the lounge was closed did Luo Shi slowly lower his head and look at his hands.
He was despicable to begin with.
Without those photos, the power in this game lies with Jiang Fei's love or lack thereof. If she loves him, she can get engaged to him; but if she no longer loves him, like Xie Chi's angry words to Luo Wan, if Xie Chi regrets it, will she turn around and be with him?
He doesn't believe that human feelings last.
With those photos, the initiative was in his hands, in his control, including her, her self-esteem, her future, and everything else.
He decides whether the game starts or ends; he likes the feeling of being in control.
...
The banquet hall is on the second floor.
Jiang Fei sat quietly in front of the mirror, carefully applying lipstick to her lips with a lip brush. Her lips were bright red, her eyes sparkling. She hadn't been drinking, yet her cheeks glowed with a rosy luster.
She was still wearing the dress she wore at her engagement party; the starry skirt shimmered under the warm yellow lights.
Jiang Fei put the lipstick aside, wiped her skirt with the back of her hand, looked at the starry sky that was covered by her hand, and smiled softly after a long while.
[System: Your makeup will run soon, why bother, host...]
Jiang Fei scoffed, "What do you know?" Then, she touched her lips with her little finger, "This is a mark."
[System: ...Would the host like to learn about Cheng Ji's storyline?]
Jiang Fei asked in surprise: "Isn't he just a tool to push Luo Shi to abandon me and cancel today's engagement?"
[System: Even tools have dignity.]
As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Fei felt memories beginning to form in his mind.
Cheng Ji was a playboy who spent all his time playing games. His parents' marriage was a business arrangement with no feelings between them. Having Cheng Ji was like completing a family task, and afterwards they each went their own way. Cheng Ji was abandoned to be cared for by a nanny right after birth, and when he reached school age, he was sent abroad.
After completing his studies abroad, he returned to China to take over the family business.
This is his second year back in China.
However, Cheng Ji had no interest in, or rather, was hostile to, matters of the business world. So, he spent his days wandering the streets and alleys, sometimes fighting in underground martial arts tournaments, and sometimes participating in illegal racing. Getting injured was a common occurrence for him.
Uneducated and incompetent, yet yearning for parental care.
The reason he was at odds with Luo Shi was because Cheng Ji's father had once loved a woman who was Luo Shi's mother.
Therefore, he deluded himself into believing that he would have had a happy family even without Luo Shi's mother.
Background information received.
Jiang Fei rubbed her swollen temples, then suddenly remembered something: "How old is Cheng Ji?"
[System: Where?]
Jiang Fei: "...Age."
[System: 22.]
"Mmm," Jiang Fei responded softly.
Footsteps sounded outside the door, followed by a knock: "Miss Jiang?" It was Luo Shi's assistant's voice.
Jiang Fei called out, "Come in." Then, he looked expectantly at the doorway.
The door opened with a click, and the assistant stood in the doorway, holding a tray with a glass of warm water on it. When he met Jiang Fei's gaze, he paused for a moment, sighed inwardly, and then lowered his head: "Miss Jiang, Mr. Luo is still busy. You must be tired after a long day. Have a glass of water and rest. Mr. Luo will be back in a little while."
Jiang Fei could not hide the disappointment in her eyes. She lowered her head and said softly, "I understand."
He took the water glass and drank it all in one gulp without even looking at it.
The assistant politely walked out.
Jiang Fei tapped the side of the cup, making two crisp clinking sounds, and couldn't help but laugh.
Luo Shi is really "generous".
She got up and turned off the bedside lamp, watching the room fall into darkness. She sat on the edge of the bed and waited quietly.
Cheng Ji leaned against the corner of the first floor, lazily watching the lights in the second-floor room dim. He raised an eyebrow, waited a while, then extinguished the cigarette in his mouth, licked the wound on the corner of his mouth, got up, and went inside.
As soon as I entered the banquet hall, I saw two figures walking upstairs.
Cheng Ji narrowed his eyes. He recognized the person in front of him; it was Luo Shi's assistant. But the person behind him was a complete stranger.
Once they reached the second floor, Luo Shi's assistant disappeared, leaving only the strange man walking towards Jiang Fei's room, holding... a camera?
Cheng Ji pondered for a few seconds, then smiled.
No wonder Luo Shi, who only had eyes for Luo Wan, suddenly had another woman in his life, and this woman just happened to be Xie Chi's ex-fiancée.
Luo Shi is really ruthless.
However, it's actually more fun.
He walked slowly forward and patted the stranger on the shoulder.
The man turned his head and felt a sharp pain in the back of his neck. His vision went black, and he lost consciousness.
Cheng Ji got up and was about to walk towards the room, but then remembered something and picked up the camera from the stranger's hand.
The door opened with a "snap," filling the room with darkness.
"Luo Shi?" The woman's voice was low and hoarse by the bedside, with an unusually soft tone at the end.
Cheng Ji paused in his steps.
This voice sounds familiar.
It was just like the "You scared me to death" I heard at the restaurant that day, but not as...ambiguous as it is now.
"Hmm?" Not hearing a response, Jiang Fei asked again in a low voice, as if murmuring softly.
Cheng Ji squinted, his eyes finally adjusting to the darkness, and he could finally see her clearly.
Her cheeks were flushed an unnatural red, her eyes were hazy, her dress had loosened slightly, revealing her smooth neck, and her consciousness was wavering.
He glanced quickly at the water glass beside him, and understood immediately.
He paused for a moment, then sat down on the edge of the bed.
Jiang Fei moved closer to him, her voice dazed and soft: "Luo Shi..."
Cheng Ji's breathing hitched slightly, and a faint, warm fragrance emanated from her body.
After a long while, he smiled slightly and deliberately lowered his voice: "It's me."
As he spoke, he stroked her wrist with one hand and pulled her down onto the bed.
The zipper of the dress was gently pulled open by a hand, gradually falling down to reveal snow-white skin. Cheng Ji half-closed his eyes, feeling that the white skin was dazzling. He slowly covered her body.
Their breaths mingled, a deadly ambiguity.
Cheng Ji felt a soft hand climb up his chest, gently embracing him and brushing against the wound on his chest, causing him to freeze for half a second in pain.
An action that is almost imperceptible.
But the hand stopped.
Jiang Fei's hand, like a gentle veil, lightly caressed the wound, lingering around it. Her charming voice couldn't hide her worry: "You're injured..."
Cheng Ji looked up and cautiously gazed into her eyes.
It was still all blurry, filled with the bewilderment and emotion that came with being drugged.
He gradually felt reassured and prepared to continue.
However, the next second, he suddenly froze.
A kiss as light as a feather, carrying a faint fragrance, landed on the wound on his chest, accompanied by a soft, comforting whisper: "It won't hurt anymore..."
Cheng Ji's arms around the woman froze completely. He felt as if he had been petrified, all the blood rushing to his head, his brain spinning, only his chest feeling light.
The wound doesn't seem to hurt much anymore.
He suddenly pulled Jiang Fei away, staring at her hazy eyes and flushed cheeks.
She couldn't tell who he was at all.
Then, he lowered his head and bit her collarbone hard.
Only when Jiang Fei cried out in pain did Cheng Ji finally release her, holding her firmly in his arms.
Feeling a little uncomfortable with their nearly naked bodies pressed together, Jiang Fei shifted her body.
Cheng Ji impatiently pressed her down, his voice low, half threatening and half displeased: "Don't move."
Jiang Fei paused, this seemed different from the plot.
The mark was left on his chest, and his body was frighteningly tense, but then it suddenly stopped...
She frowned, sensing something, glanced at the top of his head, and then didn't move.
long time.
Just when Jiang Fei thought Cheng Ji had fallen asleep, he suddenly gritted his teeth and said, "Damn it."
Cheng Ji's favorability rating: 20.
...
Four o'clock in the morning, at the hospital.
Luo Shi sat quietly by the window at the end of the corridor.
The weather is beautiful today. The moon is bright, the stars are dazzling, and the brightest stars hang quietly in the darkness.
"What star is that?" It seemed like someone was asking him from beside him.
Luo Shi turned her head and saw that the wheelchair was empty and there was no one around.
His fingertips trembled slightly as he looked at the star.
That's the morning star.
Footsteps sounded behind them, and Xie Chi's voice came: "The surgery is over, the baby was born safely, but Wanwan is still in a coma."
Luo Shi frowned: "She's your woman, you don't need to report to me..."
The last word was cut off on the tip of his tongue.
Luo Shi's face paled. He had never admitted before that Luo Wan was Xie Chi's woman, even though she had never chosen him.
Now, those words came out of his mouth without hesitation.
The elevator in the corridor not far away opened with a "ding".
The assistant strode out of the elevator, his brows furrowed. He walked up to Luo Shi and glanced quickly at Xie Chi.
Xie Chi paused for a moment, then turned and left.
“Mr. Luo,” the assistant leaned close to Luo Shi, his voice tense, “Lin Zhou was knocked unconscious and found in a corner on the second floor.” Lin Zhou, the so-called “adulterer.”
Luo Shi frowned, then suddenly remembered something and quickly moved towards the elevator, supporting himself on his wheelchair.
His assistant rushed forward to help him with his wheelchair.
This time, Luo Shi did not refuse, gripping the side of the wheelchair tightly with all her might.
Back at the engagement banquet hall, at five in the morning.
The sky had just begun to brighten.
Luo Shi held the wheelchair with one hand and pressed the other hand firmly against his knee, not understanding why his left leg was in excruciating pain despite the sunny weather.
The wheelchair eventually stopped in the second-floor corridor.
The assistant went to the dressing room next door and came out holding a book, which she handed to Luo Shi: "This morning, the cleaning lady heard some noise in the dressing room and went to check. It seems that this book was left behind by Miss Jiang."
Luo opened the book, and a photograph floated out and landed face down on the carpet.
Luo Shi paused for a moment, then slowly picked up the photo and turned it over.
An ambiguous photo.
In the photo, Jiang Fei, her starry dress half-fallen, leans against another man with flushed cheeks and a dazed look in her eyes. The small mole on her back is particularly clear, and the man's large hand gently embraces her slender waist.
Like... a demonstration.
Luo Shi tightened her grip on the photo.
This is what he wanted, isn't it? It's just that the male protagonist in the photo has changed.
That way, he can end the game completely.
But……
Luo Shi gripped his knees tighter and tighter, his eyes fixed on the photo, as if something was slowly building up in his chest.
The book beside her swayed in the wind, and Luo Shi's gaze shifted slightly; it seemed as if something was written on it.
He opened it, and his eyes suddenly reddened.
On the blank title page, a line of elegant small handwriting reads:
"What's there to be afraid of in thunder? It's just that his legs will hurt when it rains."
Luo Shi stared intently at those words.
On a rainy night, the image of her hugging a pillow and telling him, "I'm afraid of thunder," flashed before my eyes.
It turns out that it wasn't that he was "afraid of thunder," but rather that he was afraid "his legs would hurt."
At that time, while she was concerned about whether his leg hurt, he was plotting how to make her leave Jincheng in a humiliating and complete way.
With a soft "click," the door to the room next to us was opened from the inside.
"Luo Shi?" Jiang Fei's shy voice came through.
Luo Shi almost instantly hid the photo beside him, inexplicably not wanting her to see it.
He looked up at the person who had come, then his gaze froze, and his face turned deathly pale.
Jiang Fei was wearing only a white spaghetti strap nightgown, her bare feet on the carpet. The dark blue carpet made her toes appear even whiter and more translucent. Her cheeks were flushed, and a red mark was visible on her collarbone as she looked at him shyly.
The next second, her shyness turned into worry. She ran to the wheelchair, half-squatted in front of him, and asked anxiously, "By the way, does your chest injury still hurt?"
Luo Shi lowered her eyes, staring blankly at Jiang Fei, not even listening to what she said.
—On her collarbone, there was a dark red, ambiguous tooth mark.
It was extremely glaring.
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