"Ji Zhuo, can you please stop doing this...?"
She knew she had no right to defend herself at this moment. Every word she uttered would only ignite Ji Zhuo's already raging anger. So she could only soften her voice and plead almost humbly.
"Ha, so you usually seduce men with this pitiful look?"
What exactly do you want from me?
"I used to cherish you like a precious jewel, but you pretended to be high and mighty in front of me. I had barely left the capital when you couldn't wait to sleep with someone else and got pregnant with another man's child. I forgave you, but what about you?!"
Ji Zhuo's chest heaved violently, each word seemingly squeezed out from between his teeth, his anger like a volcano about to erupt, as if it would devour Lin Xihe at any moment.
"You said you were going to rescue people and told me to wait for you to come back, but what happened?"
"I cherished you so much. Before you left, I couldn't bear to touch you even with a single finger, and yet you treated me like this! Lin Xihe! How could you do this to me?"
Ji Zhuo's voice grew louder and louder until it was almost a scream. The pain and grievances in his voice were overwhelming, yet he had nowhere to vent them.
Under this barrage of questions, Lin Xihe felt her defenses completely crumble.
Her eyes stung uncontrollably, and tears streamed down her face like a broken string of pearls. In the darkness, she seemed utterly vulnerable, as if her spine had been removed.
"I'm sorry, it's my fault, Ji Zhuo. I have no face to see you again... I don't dare to ask for your forgiveness. I only ask to leave with Tang Bao and never appear in front of you again to get in your way."
Lin Xihe leaned against the door, as if supporting her body as she was about to collapse, remaining motionless and letting her tears flow freely.
"Then who will repay me for all the suffering I have endured?"
Ji Zhuo's voice gradually choked up, as if something was stuck in his throat: "You just casually said sorry, and I deserve to suffer all this? Tang Bao, I will never give it to you. We'll live in hell together, and neither of us will have an easy time!"
"No, Ji Zhuo, if you want revenge, come at me. Can you please give my daughter back?"
Lin Xihe took a step forward in a panic, her hands instinctively reaching out, but she quickly pulled them back just before they touched Ji Zhuo. She didn't want to be disliked by Ji Zhuo again.
"Give it back to you? So that you three can be reunited and enjoy family bliss? What a joke!"
Ji Zhuo was unwilling to waste any more words; exhaustion left him with little energy left even to argue.
He turned around, dragging his heavy steps, and slowly walked deeper into the house.
"I'm tired, don't come again."
Ji Zhuo felt a buzzing in his head and a splitting headache; he had never felt so physically and mentally exhausted. He walked to the bedside, his legs went weak, and he collapsed heavily onto the bed as if all his strength had been drained, staring blankly at the dark ceiling.
Lin Xihe had no time to think at this moment; all she could think about was getting her daughter back.
She hurried forward and stood straight in front of Ji Zhuo's bed, pleading again, "Ji Zhuo, please."
However, the person on the bed remained as still as death, making no sound and giving her no response whatsoever.
Lin Xihe watched his retreating figure, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
She knew in her heart that Ji Zhuo had always doted on Tang Bao, and leaving Tang Bao here meant there was no need to worry about her safety for the time being. Besides, Ji Zhuo had already been helping to take care of Tang Bao for so long, and although the two of them were having a falling out, she couldn't force the issue.
Of course, at this juncture, she couldn't allow any conflict between Gu Qinghuai and Ji Zhuo.
Gu Qinghuai would definitely go to the Lin residence to find her today. If she lingered here too long, Gu Qinghuai might come knocking on her door. Thinking this, she helplessly looked at Ji Zhuo, who was unresponsive on the bed, and whispered, "I'll come again tomorrow..."
After saying that, Lin Xihe turned around and walked out of the room into the courtyard.
Lang Feng was still quietly waiting there, so she walked over.
When Lang Feng saw her, he still bowed respectfully: "Greetings, Miss Lin."
Lin Xihe didn't bother with pleasantries and quickly asked, "Does Tang Bao live there? Can I go see her?"
Lang Feng looked troubled. After hesitating for a moment, he shook his head and said, "No, Master has ordered that you and your people are not allowed to enter the Ji residence. You are even less allowed to see the young lady."
Ever since his master heard his report, he had witnessed his master's emotional breakdown and subsequent deep sorrow, and he was anxious for him. He knew that only Miss Lin could resolve his master's inner conflict, so he did not obstruct him as his master had previously instructed.
They had hoped that Miss Lin's arrival would make their master feel better, but who knew that their master would suffer even more instead.
"They won't let me come..." Lin Xihe murmured to herself, her eyes filled with disappointment.
"Yes, I specifically told you not to come again," Lang Feng repeated helplessly.
Upon hearing this, Lin Xihe turned back and glanced at the dark room once more.
If I leave now, given Ji Zhuo's current anger, it's uncertain whether I'll even be able to get into the Ji residence tomorrow.
Gu Qinghuai has already returned to the capital, and he must be eager to see his daughter. He will definitely go to the Lin residence today.
After much deliberation, Lin Xihe gritted her teeth and said to Lang Feng, "Could you let Ling Shuang and the others go back first? If anyone comes looking for me, have Ling Shuang tell them that I didn't pick up Tang Bao today and am resting because I'm a little tired. Tell her to make sure they stop them for a day..."
Upon hearing this, Lang Feng understood Lin Xihe's meaning: if General Gu came looking for him, Ling Shuang should use these words to dismiss him.
Her master is suffering terribly and almost dying, yet Miss Lin is still thinking of someone else.
Lang Feng felt somewhat dissatisfied and couldn't help but say, "Miss Lin, our master is also a person of flesh and blood. Please don't always hurt his feelings..."
Lin Xihe opened her mouth, but didn't know how to respond, so she could only whisper, "Thank you for your trouble."
"Also, young lady, it's best not to sneak off to see the little girl. There are guards there, and you won't be able to get in," Lang Feng reminded her again.
"I understand," Lin Xihe replied dejectedly.
Lang Feng turned and left, feeling uneasy. He wondered if his master would blame him for what he had done, but he couldn't bear to see his master suffering like this every day.
Lin Xihe watched Lang Feng's departing figure, hesitated for a moment, and then slowly walked back to Ji Zhuo's room.
She stood blankly by the bed for a long time, but Ji Zhuo on the bed remained motionless.
Lin Xihe couldn't tell if he was really asleep or deliberately ignoring her, but she knew that Ji Zhuo was skilled in martial arts, and he must have noticed that there was someone else in the room long ago.
Lin Xihe sighed helplessly, left the bedside, and walked to the other side of the daybed.
She slowly sat down, leaning against the window. Just then, the wind picked up suddenly outside, and soon, dense raindrops began to pelt down.
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