Chapter 88

When Xin Xin returned from the hospital, lost and disheartened, Xia Yuwei had already left. She locked herself in her room and cried bitterly for a long time, feeling more wronged and indignant with every passing moment. This was the first time in her life she had truly wanted something, tried to grasp something, yet fate had been so cruel—she had fallen from paradise straight into hell. She had just grown accustomed to the envious gazes of others; now, she would face looks of pity and disdain. The disparity was too overwhelming. And Lu Yichen’s attitude toward her today—it had hurt her so deeply.

But hadn’t she already resolved to cheer herself up and forge ahead? Yes, she must press on!

The sedative she’d secretly ordered online had just arrived. Like a thief, she took the small packet of white powder, paid, and fled.

Pulling herself together, she knew Xia Yuwei wouldn’t be tactless enough to return and ruin her plan, but she still called to remind Xia Yuwei to come home late, preferably not at all, lest she witness something awkward. On the phone, Xia Yuwei paused and said she had a date with Senior Ye that evening, and even if Xin Xin wanted her back, she probably wouldn’t come. — Ah, there was much meaning in that remark… The two seemed to be getting along well… So Xin Xin must try her best too!

She searched recipes online, copied down the methods and ingredients, and went to the supermarket to buy everything. Cooking was truly a challenge for her.

At home, she’d always had her parents, sister, and brother; at school, there was her beloved Yuwei. She’d always been scatterbrained, at most helping a little. Now, with everything resting on her shoulders, she felt genuine anxiety.

After returning, she attempted to cook, busying herself in the kitchen for hours, trying several times to make fish soup. Each time, she tasted it with hope, only to be utterly disappointed in her culinary abilities.

Why was Yuwei’s cooking always perfectly seasoned, while hers was either too salty or too bland, burnt or undercooked? Was she truly destined to fail at this meal, with no hope of winning his heart back?

Xin Xin almost lost heart again… Tears fell into the soup…

“Wait… Isn’t there such a thing as takeout in this world?”

If she couldn’t rely on herself, she could rely on external help—there was still hope!

“Yichen, you’re here!” Having prepared everything, Xin Xin sat at the dining table. When she heard the doorbell, she hurried to open the door.

Yichen responded coolly and stepped inside.

“Yichen, I’ve prepared everything. I was only waiting for you. I personally cooked many delicious dishes for you today—come and try them.”

They sat at the table, which was indeed laden with food. In a small basket sat a bottle of red wine. Because of Lu Yichen’s obsession with cleanliness, he always dined separately. Xin Xin had made all necessary arrangements.

Lu Yichen’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. He glanced toward Xia Yuwei’s bedroom.

“Where is she?”

“Who?” As Lu Yichen looked away, Xin Xin seized the moment to pour a little red wine into a goblet and add a pinch of white powder...

Suppressing her nervousness, Xin Xin swirled the wine and set it before Lu Yichen, only then realizing he meant Xia Yuwei. She feigned ease.

“Oh, you mean Yuwei? She went out early this morning. I called her—she said she’s on a date with Senior Ye, and their day’s activities are all planned.”

“Senior Ye seems mature and steady, but deep down he’s quite romantic. I wonder what surprises he’ll bring her today…”

Xin Xin wanted to remind Lu Yichen—see how sweet others are… Couldn’t we also be… She didn’t notice his reaction…

As Xin Xin spoke, Lu Yichen’s face grew darker, his eyes blazing. His right hand gripped the chopsticks tightly, until finally, unable to bear it, he slammed them onto the table with a loud crack, startling Xin Xin.

Ah, Xia Yuwei!

That deceptive enchantress!

Last night, how tenderly she had nestled in his arms, her breath mingling with his, lips entwined in passionate embrace, gazing at him through tearful eyes, initiating a hug, tugging his ear in playful reproach, making his heart melt and sink into her fleeting softness.

He thought from that moment she belonged to him, would never leave, would never waver; all her previous oddities could be forgiven!

But how had she treated him?

Today, in the blink of an eye, she left him for another man’s embrace!

That enchantress! That calamity! That deceiver!

Lu Yichen’s heart raged wildly at Xin Xin’s words.

His emotions soared and plummeted, one moment in the clouds, the next in the abyss. Being with her was truly exhilarating, truly addictive! He had to seize her, seize her, never let her drift between two men! He would make her understand—such behavior was wrong, deeply wrong! She must pay for her two-timing ways!

“Yichen, come, let’s have a drink—to our peaceful breakup…” Seeing him staring so intently, Xin Xin feared he might leave for some unknown reason, so she raised her glass quickly.

Ordinarily, he would disdain such wine, but now, he only wanted to drink!

Lu Yichen picked up the goblet, clinked glasses with Xin Xin absentmindedly, and downed it in one gulp.

Xin Xin had focused her whole night on this drink; seeing him drain it so decisively, her heart raced wildly…

She prayed for everything to go smoothly, prayed the drug would work, prayed she could captivate him, win back his heart…

Both were lost in their own thoughts, oblivious to each other’s intentions.

For Lu Yichen, this dinner was purely perfunctory. He’d hoped to see Xia Yuwei, to enjoy a meal she cooked. Instead, not only was she absent, he’d heard news that infuriated him. He wanted to drink—he wouldn’t stop at just one glass, he would drink many…