Chapter 8: Even Seeking Death Has Its Limits

"Brother Yi, what's wrong? Please, don't be angry anymore, okay?"

Lin Xiaoxiao stood rooted to the spot, sobbing softly. Her tear-filled eyes were a sight that would break anyone's heart.

Jiang Yi ruffled his hair in irritation and looked up at her, already a mess of tears. He forced his emotions down. "I'm sorry. I lost my composure for a moment."

"It's alright, Brother Yi. I understand. It's only natural to be upset after what happened. I'll stay by your side."

Lin Xiaoxiao stepped toward the bedside, carefully taking Jiang Yi’s hand, her eyes brimming with tears. Hearing her words, the restlessness in Jiang Yi’s heart eased slightly.

The two locked eyes. The atmosphere in the quiet hospital room began to heat up. Lin Xiaoxiao leaned in slowly, the two of them close enough to feel each other’s scorching breath mingling. She closed her eyes, anticipating the kiss.

Just then, at the critical moment, a knock at the door shattered the mood.

"Young Master Jiang." The bodyguard walked in, his expression blank. He paused visibly when he saw Lin Xiaoxiao.

"Brother Yi, work comes first. You go ahead and handle it." Lin Xiaoxiao tactfully turned and left the room.

Only then did the man speak, his voice low. "How did it go?"

The bodyguard reported every detail of the intimate interaction between Qin Wanyi and Pei Yunian at the bar. The man’s face turned grim, his fists cracking. Under the bodyguard’s description, vivid images of their intimacy filled his mind.

He slammed his fist into the bedside table, leaving a deep dent in the stainless steel. The bodyguard broke into a cold sweat, panicking and frantically replaying his words in his head, wondering if he had said something wrong to provoke such fury.

"Qin Wanyi, you bitch. How long has it even been, and you're already hooking up with that dog?" Jiang Yi muttered through gritted teeth. He looked up, seeing the bodyguard still standing there, and flared with sudden anger.

"What are you still standing there for? Get my discharge papers ready right now! Go!" Jiang Yi roared, his face flushed, his bloodshot eyes appearing as if they could swallow someone whole.

The bodyguard scrambled out of the room, unaware that the person who had just left was standing right on the other side of the door. She had heard every word of the conversation.

It was Qin Wanyi again!

Even after the divorce, she was still like a ghost that wouldn't go away. She clenched her fists in resentment, cast a glare at the hospital room door, and stormed off.

***

Qin Wanyi returned to the villa. Since her marriage, she rarely stayed there, usually letting the housekeepers come in to clean. The layout remained unchanged. Qin Wanyi sat on the sofa. Caught up in her anger earlier, she hadn't noticed the pain, but now that it had subsided, her ankle began to throb.

Could it really be serious?

A tall figure blocked her view. Pei Yunian didn't say a word, simply kneeling on one knee before her. His warm palm gently cradled her injured ankle, while his other hand expertly removed her shoe.

"What are you doing?" Qin Wanyi pulled her foot back in annoyance, the movement causing a sharp spike of pain.

"Young Miss, I'm applying medicine for you." Pei Yunian’s hand held her ankle firmly, unmoving. He looked up at her, the tenderness in his eyes nearly overflowing.

Once he answered, Qin Wanyi realized she had overreacted. "Just apply the medicine. Don't do anything else." She turned her head away to warn him, her ears burning because of her own reaction.

The man took in her subtle movements. "Understood."

The cold medicine sprayed onto her ankle, leaving a stinging chill. Qin Wanyi frowned, instinctively retracting her foot.

"I'll be gentler," Pei Yunian said softly, his warm fingertips gently rubbing the area where the medicine had been applied. His touch was light, and the stinging sensation gradually faded.

"Qin Wanyi!" Jiang Yi stormed in, standing in the foyer. Seeing the two of them interacting, his anger flared instantly.

"Why are you here?" Hearing the commotion at the door, Qin Wanyi pulled her foot away, her face cold. "Get out."

Jiang Yi glared at the two of them, consumed by rage. "I wondered why it was all so strange. You were the one who begged and pleaded to marry me, yet you were so quick to divorce me this time. So, you had already lined up a replacement. Isn't this 'rebounding' a bit too fast?"

Is this man sick? After they got married, he never came home, spending every day clinging to Lin Xiaoxiao. Now that she had stepped aside to fulfill their desires, what was he doing here?

"Qin Wanyi, you truly are shameless," Jiang Yi spat through gritted teeth.

Qin Wanyi glanced at him and let out a dry, angry laugh. She reached out, grabbed Pei Yunian by the collar, pulled him into her embrace, and stood on her tiptoes to kiss him.

Pei Yunian’s heart stopped. His body went rigid, but the look of shock was quickly replaced by something else, a dam of long-suppressed emotions bursting forth. He cradled the back of Qin Wanyi’s head and deepened the kiss.

He didn't know how long he had waited for this moment. Finally, he had his wish, even if he knew perfectly well that Qin Wanyi was merely using him. He was more than willing.

Jiang Yi watched the scene of them kissing in disbelief. His face turned black, and he trembled with rage. "You shameless bitch!"

The man stopped, his expression cold. He turned to glare at Jiang Yi, and the next second, he strode over and grabbed him, unceremoniously dragging him to the door. The movement was so fast that Jiang Yi didn't even have time to react before he was tossed out.

He stumbled, falling onto the ground in a pathetic heap. When he looked up, he was met with that cold, icy face.

"What are you howling about? Can't you see what we're doing?" Pei Yunian looked down at him with disdain.

Jiang Yi had never been humiliated like this, especially not by a "lapdog." He cursed under his breath and charged forward with his fists raised. Before he could make contact, Pei Yunian kicked him down. He fell face-first, his chin slamming into the floor, the pain twisting his features.

He struggled for a long time before scrambling up, his eyes wild with malice. "Hmph, Qin Wanyi, you divorced me for this dog?"

"It seems your taste is getting worse by the day. Don't tell me you were hurt by me, so you're just finding someone to console you?"

Pei Yunian’s face darkened. He swung a fist into the man’s face. Jiang Yi staggered, nearly falling again, the taste of blood filling his mouth. He spat out a mouthful of blood and stared coldly at Pei Yunian. "I'll kill you!"

Before Jiang Yi could strike again, Pei Yunian caught his hand and twisted it behind his back, making the man wince in agony.

"Since you're the ex-husband, you should be as quiet as if you were dead. Don't come hopping around in front of her again, or you'll regret it."

"The Young Miss is soft-hearted, but I am not. If you dare to pull any more stunts, I have plenty of ways to deal with you."

With that, Pei Yunian released him. Jiang Yi rubbed his sore arm, still furious and unwilling to let it go. "What are you so proud of? No matter what, you're just a dog. You dare to bark at me? Do you think you're worthy?"