The short messages that followed were all from Zhao Jianhua, filled with insults and threats… truly unbearable to read.
It was then that she truly realized how incredibly low Zhao Jianhua's character was. He possessed a few paltry coins and had meticulously presented himself as a refined gentleman.
Only naive girls, unfamiliar with the world, would mistake him for a wealthy and courteous man. She had been so foolish before.
Just as she was about to call her mother back, Zhao Jianhua's phone rang again.
She stared at Zhao Jianhua's number, her scalp prickling as if she were looking at something terrifying and unclean, hesitating to answer.
But she couldn't avoid it forever. Gritting her teeth, she answered. All she heard was Zhao Jianhua's furious roar from the other end: "You little slut! What did you do last night to make me lose two important investors!"
"Zhao Jianhua!" she mustered her courage and shouted back, "I won't be controlled by you. If you dare to post those videos online, I'll call the police! The videos are the best evidence. I'll tell the police that you drugged me!"
"You dare to report me? Don't forget you took my money. That means it was voluntary!"
"Fine, even if it was voluntary, it was a transaction between buyer and seller, and our deal is done!" Xi Xianya also yelled, "I will not be controlled by you to accompany other men!"
"You've got guts!" Zhao Jianhua sneered, "I can choose not to post your videos online, but I can show them directly to your mother. I'd like to see her reaction when she sees her daughter like this!"
"Despicable and shameless!" Xi Xianya said, filled with both anger and hatred.
"It's time I showed you just how despicable and shameless I can be." Zhao Jianhua was about to hang up.
Xi Xianya panicked, knowing her mother could not withstand such a blow. It would worsen her condition and could even cost her life.
"Wait!" Xi Xianya had no choice but to soften her tone. "It was my fault last night. I'll do anything for you, except accompany other men. That's my bottom line, or we can both go down in flames!"
"Tsk tsk," Zhao Jianhua said with amusement, "If you won't accompany other men, then come and accompany me now. Let me vent my anger!"
Xi Xianya said, "I'm not feeling well. I can't today."
"Then I'll have no choice but to come to your house and find your mother..."
"Where are you? I'll come to you." Xi Xianya had to agree.
"Of course, I'm at the hotel. I'll send you the location shortly."
After ending the call, Xi Xianya stood still for a moment, clutching her phone. Suppressing the sadness in her heart, she called her mother.
"Xiao Ya, why didn't you come home last night? Is everything alright?" her mother asked anxiously as soon as she answered.
Smiling at the phone, she shed silent tears and said, "Mom, I'm fine. Last night, the bar had an extra singing session, so I slept at a female colleague's house."
"Oh, that's good."
"Mom, have you gone for your hospital check-up? When did the doctor say the surgery can be scheduled?" Xi Xianya asked.
Her mother replied unhurriedly, "I don't dare to go for the check-up alone. I was hoping you could accompany me when you have time."
"Your surgery can't be delayed any longer. I'll take leave in a couple of days to accompany you." Her mother, accustomed to a comfortable life, was sometimes less resilient than her.
"Okay, I'll wait for you."
"Yes, Mom. I'm at work now, so I can't talk much. Make sure you lock the door at home and don't open it for any strangers. Don't go out if it's not necessary, and rest at home more," she instructed.
Her mother said, "Okay, I know. Do you think I'm a child?"
"Mom, you've always taken care of me and doted on me. Now it's my turn to dote on you like a child," she said, trying to cheer her mother up.
"You, you're still a child yourself. Don't overwork. Come home early tonight, I've stewed some nourishing soup for you," her mother said, laughing on the phone.
"Okay."
She cast a reluctant glance at Ai Yifeng's residence. After tidying the table, she limped away silently.
Indeed, the pleasure was fleeting, but she would cherish the memory of last night forever.
...
Ai Yifeng was very busy that day. To match the cost accounting with the finance department, he had to make further revisions to the proposal.
He couldn't remove the core parts of the proposal, nor could he let the cost price be too high. Balancing these two aspects was a real headache.
But the thought of Xi Xianya recuperating at his place gave him the first desire to finish work early and go home.
After work, he went to a renowned restaurant and packed some of their signature dishes. When he returned to his residence, he found it empty.
The items on the dining table had been cleaned up, and the long-empty kettle was filled with boiling water, but Xi Xianya was nowhere to be seen.
Even though he had applied medicinal wine to her foot last night, it wouldn't have healed that quickly.
Her ankle would still hurt today, making it impossible for her to walk far.
Perhaps she had gone out to buy something nearby. He wanted to call her phone, only to realize he hadn't asked for her number.
They hadn't added each other as friends either. If they didn't happen to meet, or encounter each other at the company, it would be difficult to contact her.
For a moment, he patted his head, feeling quite foolish.
If she didn't return, he would have to wait until tomorrow to find her at the group's office.
Looking at the packed meals he had bought, and thinking he would have to eat alone again, he lost his appetite. He opened one of the dishes and ate casually, just to fill his stomach.
At night, he had no mind to think about the bidding proposal. He spent the entire night playing games online.
She hadn't returned to his residence. She must have gone home.
The next day, he arrived at the group's office early. Instead of going to the network department first, he went directly to the top floor.
He hadn't slept much last night, but seeing Xi Xianya already starting her cleaning duties on the top floor, he felt completely energized. He noticed she was still walking with a slight limp as he looked at her back.
He quickly went up to her side and asked, "Good morning. Why didn't you rest at my place yesterday? You should have rested for a few more days. You don't need to come to work so soon."
"It's nothing," Xi Xianya replied with a faint voice.
Ai Yifeng sensed something was wrong. He noticed she was wearing sunglasses while working.
The top floor had the strongest heating, yet she was still wearing a high-necked sweater. The whole person gave off a strange feeling.
"Why are you wearing sunglasses indoors? Aren't you hot wearing so many clothes?" Ai Yifeng asked himself, then answered, "Are you not feeling well?"
"I'm fine," Xi Xianya tried to distance herself from him. "Manager Ai, please don't disturb me while I'm working."
"From now on, just call me Yifeng. By the way, what's your phone number? Let's add each other."
"There's no need," Xi Xianya turned to avoid him.
"What's wrong with you?" Ai Yifeng guessed and asked, "Did your godfather do something to you again?"
"No..."
Ai Yifeng grabbed one of her arms and suddenly took off her sunglasses. Seeing the dark circles around her eyes, he gasped.
"He hit you?"
"What nonsense are you talking about? I just fell when I was walking because my leg hurt." Xi Xianya snatched her sunglasses back and put them on again.
Ai Yifeng still held her arm, saying, "Don't be afraid, I'll help you confront him!"