Meanwhile... Hospital.
The room was quiet.
Morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a pale glow across the white walls. The steady beeping of the monitor filled the space.
Yufan had not left her side.
He had spent the entire night in the hospital, only sending his driver home at dawn to bring him a change of clothes. Even now, his shirt sleeves were rolled up, his hair slightly disheveled, exhaustion evident in every movement.
And yet.
Despite staying beside her the whole time, they hadn't spoken. Not once, they stole glances instead. And whenever their eyes met, they would quickly look away.
Yufan distracted himself with calls, his voice low and controlled, handling work like nothing had changed while Lixi pretended to sleep.
But the silence between them was suffocating. Heavy with everything they hadn't said.
"…" "…"
Yufan finally cleared his throat, fingers tightening slightly against the armrest as he forced himself to speak.
At the exact same moment, "…Yufan." "Lixi."
They both paused.
A faint, almost awkward stillness followed.
Yufan exhaled softly. "You go first."
Lixi hesitated, her fingers tightening slightly against the bedsheet. "…Thank you." She swallowed before speaking. "I know I forced you into this marriage… recklessly." A small, bitter smile flickered across her lips. "So… I'm sorry, Yufan."
Her gaze lowered. "And now… the baby…" Her voice broke slightly, but she pushed through it. "…is gone."
Silence stretched between them.
"…So," she continued, forcing the words out, "if you want a divorce… I won't stop you."
The words lingered in the air.
Yufan didn't respond immediately.
He simply let out a slow breath, his eyes closing briefly as if steadying himself. "…It was a bad foundation," he admitted quietly. "This marriage." A pause. "And I'm sorry too."
His voice dropped. "For neglecting you… and our child." Yufan stood up. Then walked toward her. When he reached her bedside, he didn't hesitate.
He went down on one knee.
Lixi's breath hitched.
Gently, carefully, he took her hand in his. "If your heart… and your mind don't want to stay with me anymore," he said softly, his voice steady despite everything, "I won't force you."
A pause, his grip tightened just slightly. "But…". His eyes lifted to meet hers. "If you're willing to give me another chance …then I promise, this time, I'll do everything right."
Lixi's eyes widened, tears gathering instantly.
Yufan lowered his head, resting it lightly against their clasped hands. "I've hurt you so much," he whispered. "I'm sorry, Lixi… I'm so sorry."
Lixi parted her lips, ready to respond...
But before words could leave her mouth, the door opened.
Slowly, quietly, the two of them turned.
Zhu Zihan walked in. His presence immediately shifted the atmosphere.
He paused just a step inside, his sharp gaze taking in the scene, Yufan kneeling by the bed, their hands clasped, Lixi's tear filled eyes.
For a brief moment, something flickered across his face. Then it was gone. His lips pressed into a thin line as he straightened. "Good morning, Lixi," he said calmly.
"Good morning, Brother Zhu," Lixi replied, still slightly startled.
Silence fell again.
Zihan and Yufan's gazes met as usual.
Yufan was the first to break it. "What brings you here this early?" he asked, standing up slowly. "You'd normally be on your way to the office by now."
Zihan didn't answer immediately. Instead, he walked further into the room and took a seat. The air grew… strange. Minutes passed.
No one spoke. Lixi and Yufan exchanged a quick glance, both visibly confused now.
Zihan wasn't someone who wasted time, he doesn't sit in silence without purpose. Something was off.
Finally. "… Lixi," he began. His voice was lower than usual. "I…" A pause. A rare one. "…I'm sorry."
That alone was enough to freeze the room.
Zihan…?
"…for putting you in that situation," he continued. "You are not my responsibility, but the fact that you almost lost your life in my house…". His jaw tightened slightly. "…that is my fault."
Yufan and Lixi blinked at the same time.
"…Brother Zihan, you didn't..." Lixi started quickly.
"It is my fault," he cut in, firm but not harsh. His gaze didn't waver. "Guo Min was the target. If you weren't there that day…"
His words trailed off. For a moment, he looked away. Then back at her. "…Just focus on getting better."
He stood up. "I'm sorry, Lixi. You see me as a brother. I should have protected you too." His fingers twitched slightly at his side, an unusual sign of unease. "…I'll do better." And then... Zihan bowed.
A full, deliberate bow. Lixi's eyes widened instantly. "Brother Zihan!"
She tried to sit up too quickly, shock overriding her weak state. "Careful." Yufan was immediately at her side, steadying her before she could hurt herself.
Lixi shook her head, still stunned, her voice soft but sincere. "It's alright, Zihan… no one is perfect," she said gently. "Even someone as calculating as you can make mistakes."
A small pause.
"Everything is alright now."
Zihan straightened slowly after the bow, lifting his head. A faint smile appeared on his lips... rare, but genuine. "Thank you," he said quietly. "I'll see you both later in the evening."
With that, he turned and walked out of the room.
The door closed softly behind him.
Silence lingered for a moment.
Then... "That was… unusual," Yufan muttered, brows slightly furrowed. "What's going on with him?"
The question hung in the air, not directed at anyone in particular.
Lixi tilted her head slightly, a small smile forming despite everything. "…Maybe Guo Min had something to do with it," she said thoughtfully. She paused, then added with a soft chuckle, "He looked… pitiful."
The smile on her lips widened just a little. "But he'll be fine. Guo Min isn't as heartless as Ruoxi."
"Who did you just call heartless?" The door swung open.
Ruoxi walked in, eyes narrowed, teeth lightly gritted in mock anger.
"I woke up early this morning," she continued dramatically, placing a hand on her chest, "in all my beauty and glory, just to bring you breakfast." She held up the takeaway bags like evidence. "And this is how you repay me?". She pouted deeply.
"First Mom and Dad, then Guo Min, now you?" she went on, clearly offended. "What did I do in this life to deserve such betrayal?"
Yufan let out a quiet scoff, shaking his head slightly. Lixi, on the other hand, couldn't help it. She laughed. The air in the room felt lighter.
Serene Hotels (1:00 PM)
By the time Guo Min and her secretary, Xiao Mei, arrived, it was already past noon. The car rolled into the underground garage, the engine going quiet as the doors unlocked.
"Congratulations, ma'am," Xiao Mei said with a bright smile as they stepped out and walked toward the elevator. "Another office added to your collection."
Guo Min gave a small, calm smile. "Thank you. Congratulations to us." She paused briefly before adding, "I'll be leaving things here in your care."
Xiao Mei nodded immediately. "Of course, ma'am."
They walked through the lobby and up to the executive floor, their footsteps steady and purposeful.
But the moment they entered her office Guo Min stopped. Her gaze landed on the figure sprawled across the couch. "…Zihan?" she called.
No response, only a stir.
Her office wasn't as grand or imposing as the Zhu Empire. Instead, it carried her personality, minimalistic, elegant, and quietly luxurious. A spacious room with polished wooden flooring, sleek work tables, expensive leather chairs, and a separate lounging area with soft couches for rest. Xiao Mei's office sat just a door away.
Guo Min stepped further inside, her brows knitting slightly.
Still no response.
She walked closer.
And then she noticed his hair slightly disheveled. His posture is loose. A pillow in hand, as he slept.
Guo Min raised a brow, surprised. Without a word, she turned slightly and signaled to Xiao Mei.
Xiao Mei immediately understood and slipped out quietly, closing the door behind her.
Guo Min set her bag and tablet down on her desk. A quiet exhale left her. Instead of waking him, she simply turned away.
She clipped her hair up neatly, walked over to the sofa opposite him, and sat down. Tablet in one hand. Stylus in the other.