Chapter 543: Chapter 543: In Her Previous Life, She Was No Match for Lai Shengxia
Tang Li nodded. Before leaving the office, Feng Qi added, “This morning, the Lai and Qin families dissolved the engagement, and Lai Shengxia has already moved out of the love nest she shared with the young master of the Qin Group, Qin Yansheng.”
After getting off the plane, Tang Li had no time to follow the related news.
Because Lai Yuaner had been involved in the entertainment industry since childhood, the entire Lai Family attracted considerable attention. Especially Lai Shengxia, who was an elegant and dignified socialite, was often admired for her grace and poise by netizens. Even when Shen Na exposed that Lai Shengxia schemed against Tang Li, few believed it; instead, many thought Shen Na was trying to shift the blame onto Lai Shengxia.
When Lai Shengxia and Qin Yansheng got engaged, the media called them “the best couple of the year among the wealthy.” Now that their love affair had come to an end, it was like a stone causing a thousand ripples.
As for the reason for the breakup, there were a plethora of rumors.
Both parties involved did not respond directly.
Tang Li felt that it must be related to Han Jifeng.
Lai Shengxia left Han Jifeng in the first place because of the Han Family’s downfall. In her past life, Lai Shengxia got divorced and returned home, and later rekindled her old flame with Han Jifeng. Having lived through two lifetimes, Tang Li saw some things clearer – had Han Jifeng not become the Minister of Justice, it was uncertain whether Lai Shengxia would have returned to him.
Even if Lai Shengxia had always loved Han Jifeng, love was not her top priority, this much Tang Li had understood clearly in her previous life.
Tang Li still vividly remembered sitting across the elegantly dressed Lai Shengxia in that café that caught fire, listening as she told her that just that morning, she had undergone an abortion procedure at the hospital.
As to the child, it was the result of a night when she and Han Jifeng lost themselves in passion.
At that time, Lai Shengxia shared many details of her relationship with Han Jifeng. They had been lovers since college. Han Jifeng wasn’t a particularly lively person but liked kissing her in dimly lit corridors. During summer holidays, they would go camping, and Han Jifeng would carry her up half a mountain just because she thought the view of the stars would be better from a different peak. They would also kiss in the tent late at night, falling deeply in love as many couples do.
The many details Lai Shengxia recounted were like sharp needles, each one pricking Tang Li’s heart over and over, leaving her outwardly intact but inwardly scarred.
It was from then on that Tang Li gradually recognized her half-sister’s true colors.
She spoke of not wanting to ruin her marriage, but every word was laden with provocation.
And she, Tang Li, was completely vulnerable in front of Lai Shengxia.
The café was located near the Ministry of Justice.
Lai Shengxia’s choice to meet her there seemed more like a show of power.
After getting married, Han Jifeng did not like her visiting his workplace. Once when Tang Li went to bring him some documents he had left behind, she discovered that Han Jifeng’s colleagues all thought he was single; he had never mentioned to them that he was married.
Especially after Han Jifeng took the position of Minister of Justice, she feared it would not look good, and she scarcely visited the Ministry of Justice anymore.
On the rare occasion she did go, she ended up discovering his affair with Lai Shengxia.
But now, Lai Shengxia was showing off to her that she could come and go at the Ministry of Justice as she pleased. Compared to her, Lai Shengxia seemed like Han Jifeng’s wife, while she was the one who couldn’t be brought out in public, the wife who was disliked and had to stay home trying to please the mother-in-law to maintain this sad marriage.
Later, a fire broke out at the café. Han Jifeng rushed to the scene.
Ignoring the firefighters’ warnings, he dashed into the blaze and scooped up the unconscious Lai Shengxia in his arms.
From beginning to end, he never so much as glanced her way.