As the door opened, the person outside gradually came into view, imprinted onto Shi Che’s face. The visitor, clad in a long white dress, its hem flowing gracefully, had long, straight, jet-black hair that cascaded down to her waist. Her complexion was fair, her brows beautiful, creating an astonishing impression at first glance.
She held flowers in her hands, stepping lightly into the room with the gracefulness of a lotus, as dignified and elegant as Shi Che remembered, and her aura was compelling.
Shi Che stared at the newcomer, his whole body trembling with force. This face, identical to Ling Chuxia’s, was not at all strange to Shi Che—in fact, it was as familiar as if it were etched into his heart. Yet her entire demeanor was starkly different from Ling Chuxia’s, and onlookers would never associate the two.
Shi Che’s dark eyes immediately narrowed, and a trace of shock slid through the depths of his gaze. Wasn’t Ling Yunshu abroad? How could she be here?
The moment Ling Yunshu saw Shi Che, her steps abruptly halted; it seemed she too had not anticipated encountering him here. Her expression froze for several seconds before she regained her composure.
Without delay, her eyes curved, and the corners of her lips slightly lifted, the sound of her voice gentle and pleasant like murmuring water as she spoke, "Young Master Shi, it’s been a long time."
Shi Che’s gaze held steady on Ling Yunshu, a whirlwind of emotions churning within his eyes—surprise, shock, confusion, and incomprehension all surged forth, so much so that he couldn’t extract himself from these feelings.
Nor had Ling Chuxia expected Ling Yunshu’s arrival; upon seeing her, she let out an involuntary exclamation, "Sis, why are you here?"
Sis... why are you here?
Hearing Ling Chuxia’s voice, Shi Che’s gaze involuntarily swept over to her, and although he saw surprise in her eyes, it was devoid of the shock and puzzlement that mirrored his own.
Furthermore, she asked, "Why are you here," not "How are you here."
This implied Ling Chuxia had met Ling Yunshu before this encounter, and perhaps even knew she had returned to the country...
In a flash, Shi Che’s mind felt as if struck by a piercing light, and suddenly, all his confusion and questions had their answers.
Why, after going to great lengths to conceive his child, Ling Chuxia aborted it without a second thought; why she had clung to the title of Young Madam for so long, only to now declare a divorce so readily.
The truth hit him... It was because Ling Yunshu had returned. Thus, Ling Chuxia could gracefully exit the stage, no longer needing to maintain the marriage or be his wife.
A sensation as if a sharp knife had been plunged into his heart ripped through him, leaving a bloody mess. Tears flickered rapidly in the depths of Shi Che’s eyes before sinking into a dark, heavy stillness. As he looked at Ling Chuxia, his gaze was filled with extreme anger, even hatred.
He had not hated Ling Chuxia even after she schemed to have his child, but now, the hate burgeoned from deep inside him, spreading swiftly to every limb and bone.
How could she be so cruel? Was the child merely a tool to her from the very beginning? Using it to maintain status, then without hesitation, decisively aborting it when it was no longer needed, lacking even a shred of compassion.
That was their child... How could she be so heartless?
An icy coldness began to seep from Shi Che, spreading slowly around him as he glared intently at Ling Chuxia, his eyes seeming to want to tear her apart piece by piece.