Xiao Kui nodded frantically: “Yes, yes! I ran into Xingran’s sister first. She and her driver are handling it…”
The helicopter took off. Mu Shanyi accompanied Sheng Xingran, rushing Li Zi to the pre-arranged hospital on the mainland.
The reception halted. After both families calmed the guests, they gathered in the meeting room to await news.
The atmosphere was oppressively heavy, with many things to consider.
Li Zi’s fate was uncertain—how to handle the aftermath? Could tomorrow’s engagement proceed as planned? How to explain to friends and family?
“What kind of friend is she to Xingran? So tactless.” Miao Ling grew more irritated the more she thought.
Ni Xiaoying was annoyed too: “She’s Xingran’s university alumna. She usually seemed so sensible. No idea what got into her tonight.”
Miao Zhu stood by the window. The wedding company hadn’t received notice of cancellation, and they were now setting up new decorations on the lawn.
Miao Zhu recalled Li Zi’s odd behavior that evening and Sheng Xingran’s evasiveness. What were they hiding?
Certain overlooked scenes from the past suddenly connected.
In Sheng Xingran’s studio, she first noticed Li Li because Li Zi hinted that Li Li had slept in Sheng Xingran’s bed.
“Woke up? Slept for half an hour, weren’t you tired?”
Then at Tang Yuwen’s glamping homestay, Li Li showed up uninvited because Li Zi had leaked the info.
“Sorry, Xingran, I thought you invited Li Li, so I mentioned it to her…”
“Li Li came on her own; the homestay couldn’t refuse your friend…”
During the Southern France trip, Li Zi told her Flora was pursuing Xingran, and Li Zi sent her the video of Flora and Xingran kissing.
“I’m just reminding you—Flora is super popular in our circle; lots of people like her.”
Xingran’s work made the art competition shortlist, so she stayed extra weeks in France. Li Zi hadn’t returned home either, staying by her side.
“Watched a movie until dawn.”
“Just with Li Zi, no one else.”
At the lakeside camping half a month ago, Tang Yuwen teased Li Zi about her crush, and Li Zi blushed and changed the subject without denying it.
Tonight, Li Zi, unable to voice her blessing, those tear-filled eyes lingered in Miao Zhu’s mind.
“Longlong, do you know why Li Zi did this?” Miao Ling rubbed her temples in headache.
Miao Zhu turned around and shook her head.
It was past three in the morning when Mu Shanyi called, saying that Li Zi had pulled through and was out of danger.
The heavy stone weighing on everyone’s hearts finally dropped.
“A-Heng, is Xingran with you?” Miao Ling snatched Miao Zhu’s phone and asked anxiously.
Mu Shanyi’s slightly fatigued voice spread through the air: “Xingran had a stress reaction. She’s resting in the hospital room after getting a sedative.”
Ni Xiaoying jumped up from her chair upon hearing this: “Xingran treats Li Zi like a good friend. Seeing her best friend rushed into the ER must have been too much for her!”
Miao Ling quickly comforted Ni Xiaoying while asking Mu Shanyi, “What about the engagement ceremony?”
Mu Shanyi replied, “I’m sorry, but with this incident happening right before the ceremony, Xingran said she respects whatever decision Miao Zhu makes.”
“No one wanted this to happen.” Miao Ling was, of course, extremely displeased with such an inauspicious event occurring right before the ceremony—postponing it might lead to complications the longer they waited. “Xingran has been preparing for this all month and put in a lot of effort. All our friends and family from both sides have already arrived… Longlong, what do you think?”
Fearing the Sheng Family might back out, Miao Ling looked to Miao Zhu, who cooperatively murmured an “Mm.”
“So we proceed as planned?” Miao Ling sought confirmation from Sheng Hong and Ni Xiaoying as well.
After all, it wasn’t a formal wedding. Since Li Zi had been saved, and the Sheng Family agreed, they decided to hold the engagement ceremony as scheduled.
Miao Ling breathed a sigh of relief and said some polite words: “A-Heng, we really owe you big time tonight. If it weren’t for you—”
“Auntie Miao.” Mu Shanyi interrupted her. “I’d like to speak with Miao Zhu alone for a moment.”
“Sure, sure.” Miao Ling handed the phone back to Miao Zhu.
Since Mu Shanyi wanted to speak privately, Miao Zhu turned off the speaker and held the phone to her ear.
A crisp metallic click echoed through the line—like the sound of a lighter’s lid snapping shut.
“Sister A-Heng.” Miao Zhu called softly.
Another “click,” and Mu Shanyi spoke: “Li Zi did this because of Xingran. She likes Xingran.”
“Xingran thinks she didn’t handle her relationship with Li Zi well, which led to this incident. She’s afraid you’ll overthink things and didn’t dare tell you directly, so she asked me to pass it along on her behalf.”
Miao Zhu had already suspected as much, but having it confirmed still left her silent for a moment before she finally said, “I understand.”
She had no interest in dwelling on whatever schemes Li Zi had tried against her. She was only puzzled: how much must one like someone to be willing to give up their life for it?
The sound of a grinding wheel, followed by a flame flickering to life.
Mu Shanyi lit a cigarette.
All was quiet, but outside, rain had begun to fall unnoticed, pattering against the leaves and windowsill with a soft rustle.
Miao Zhu glanced distractedly out the window, but Mu Shanyi’s voice pulled her back.
“Baby, don’t overthink it. Go get some rest.”
