Chapter 4: Ms. Jiang made an appointment for abortion.

During the night, the hustle and bustle of the daytime gradually subsided.

Zhou Xiulin held his phone, standing by the window with a graceful figure, listening to the other side’s report with a calm face.

“Miss Jiang left the hotel and took a car back to school. She went to a noodle shop near the school and ate a bowl of noodles,” the other person emphasized, “she ate the noodles cleanly.”

Zhou Xiulin suddenly smiled, “Keep following her. Don’t let her find out.”

The scene from that night might have made him too nervous, and he even had the idea that if Jiang Xiao happened to have a child…

He let out a sigh, unexpectedly feeling a bit of anticipation in his heart.

It’s just that Jiang Xiao’s attitude towards him now showed that she is probably not interested in having any relationship with him. When did he become so repulsive to people?

Zhou Xiulin looked at the colorful neon lights flashing outside the window. He slowly lowered his eyelids and thought of that night. He has probably been living alone for too long.

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Hbsw Dkwzkd pxkzle oauzu, “Mbydj usw.”

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Fbl byzq-piwyvvle yv vbl clepkel. “Ya. Hbsw, Ya. Hbsw-“

Mbl assx oyp iwklv.

She turned off the lights a few times, leaving only a wall lamp, and the bedroom was instantly dimmed.

She brought a bottle of mineral water and placed it on the bedside table after unscrewing the cap.

He closed his eyes and listened carefully to the sounds in the room. He could hear her light breathing. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly felt a soft touch on his lips.

She stole a kiss from him, but it was only for a moment.

He heard her murmur, “It’s cold and tasteless.”

He almost laughed out loud, but managed to control himself. When he reached out to pull her, she let out a surprised cry.

He kissed her deeply and everything just happened naturally.

She might have thought he was drunk and called out his name.

“Zhou Xiulin -” It turned out she knew him.

She gently said, “My name is Jiang Xiao, Jiang from Jiang Ziya, and Xiao from dawn.”

He didn’t know if his hearing was off, but he vaguely heard her say, “Long time no see.”

It was just an impulse that left him with no time to think.

He couldn’t help but stroke her hair. Jiang Xiao had cut her hair short. Her hair brushed against his nose, and it had a light fragrance that smelled really good, which made him hold her even tighter.

The next morning, when he opened his eyes, she was already gone. When he lifted the covers to get out of bed, his right hand was throbbing with pain. She had bitten him, and her teeth had pierced through the flesh, but he remembered her small tiger teeth.

When he tried to find her again after returning to work, he found out that she had already gone out of town for a month.

Jiang Qin said she was going away for a month.

Weeks later, when Zhou Xiulin saw Jiang Xiao again, it seemed like nothing had happened. She spoke calmly and showed no signs of guilt. However, Zhou Xiulin soon realized that her calm demeanor was just a facade. When they faced each other, she would be tense.  Whenever she got nervous, her eyes would unconsciously widen.

His phone rang again.

“Brother, guess where I am?” came Zhou Yanyan’s crisp voice.

“Did you transfer planes in Hong Kong?” Zhou Xiulin said.

“Ah, I can’t hide anything from you,” Zhou Yanyan sighed. “My parents and I bought some gifts, and we’re taking the plane the day after tomorrow. Do you have time to pick us up?”

“I have a meeting the day after tomorrow, but I’ll send my driver to pick you up.”

Zhou Yanyan hummed, “Brother-“

Zhou Xiulin laughed, “I got it.”

“Brother, you’re so kind. See you the day after tomorrow.”

“Take care.”

“Brother, if you bring someone to pick us up, I think Mom and Dad will be very happy.” 

Zhou Yanyan was studying abroad and often kept up with entertainment news in China. Her brother and Cheng Ying had made headlines together several times, so there must be something between them.

“Little girl–“

“I’m 22 years old. Don’t treat me like a kid.”

Zhou Xiulin was slightly stunned. Jiang Xiao was also 22 years old, but their personalities were completely different. Their living environments were different, so their characters were naturally different.

When Zhou Xiulin said nothing, Zhou Yanyan said, “Brother, I won’t disturb your rest. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

The next day at noon, Jiang Xiao, Huang Ya, and Li Li agreed to have lunch together.

Considering Li Li’s pregnancy, the three ordered light food.

Li Li felt embarrassed and said, “Order what you like. Jiang Xiao, don’t you like spicy food? Let’s order a spicy beef dish.”

Jiang Xiao quickly said, “No need, I’m trying to maintain a healthy diet lately, so I’ll stick with something light.”

Huang Ya laughed, “Yeah, I can vouch for her.”

Li Li nodded, “Jiang Xiao, you’re all busy with work, so you really need to pay attention to your diet.”

“When we’re on the set, we have no choice but to eat boxed meals.”

“Oh, speaking of which, I’m lacking a bridesmaid. Which one of you two can be my bridesmaid?”

Huang Ya pointed to Jiang Xiao.

“I can’t do it.” Jiang Xiao shook her head.

Li Li and Huang Ya both looked at her.

Jiang Xiao forced a smile. “I’m not suitable. My family situation… There are many rules and customs for marriage.”

A bridesmaid should be someone with good fortune, and she wasn’t suitable.

“What are you talking about?” Li Li said seriously, “Jiang Xiao, we’ve been classmates for four years. Do you think I don’t know what kind of person you are?”

Huang Ya spoke up, “Then I’ll do it. I haven’t done it before.”

Jiang Xiao licked her lips and smiled.

During the meal, the three of them had a lively conversation. Li Li talked about her pregnancy, and Jiang Xiao listened attentively, occasionally asking questions.

Huang Ya teased, “Jiang Xiao, why are you suddenly so interested in babies? Do you want to have a child too?”

Jiang Xiao’s hand trembled, almost spilling the juice in her cup. “I just think it’s amazing that there’s suddenly a baby in the belly.”

“Then hurry up and get married, so you won’t envy Li Li,” Huang Ya joked.

Jiang Xiao’s face stiffened. “I need to focus on my career now.”

Li Li sighed softly. “I envy you guys. From now on, I’ll be a yellow-faced married woman.”

Jiang Xiao and Huang Ya both booed at her and joked, “You’re a winner in life with both a degree and a marriage certificate, and in six months you’ll have your own baby. Isn’t that great?”

Li Li smiled lightly. “That’s because you didn’t see my reaction the other day. Anyway, being pregnant is not easy. But I feel like my baby has feelings inside me.”

Huang Ya found it unbelievable. “So small and already have feelings?”

Li Li nodded. “You’ll know when you’re pregnant in the future. Life is amazing.”

Seeing Li Li’s happy look, Jiang Xiao became even more uneasy. This meal didn’t dispel her thoughts, she couldn’t keep this baby.

Early the next morning, Jiang Xiao went to the hospital alone. She wore a mask and a hat, queued up for registration, and remained exceptionally calm.

Over the years, she had long been accustomed to not relying on anyone.

However, she couldn’t stand it when others looked at her with pity. Jiang Xiao didn’t feel that she was particularly pitiful; this was the price she paid for obtaining something she wanted.

Jiang Xiao was a practical person, and she didn’t dream of climbing up. In the past year or two, she had heard many stories of female stars using their children to climb the social ladder.

Had Zhou Xiulin encountered such a situation in recent years?

She didn’t know if she would regret it in the future, but there was still a pain in her heart, like being stung by a wasp, the pain slowly gnawing away at her.

The operation was scheduled for the afternoon. When she signed the form, she couldn’t describe the feeling in her heart; it felt empty. At the moment she wrote her name, only she knew how much determination it took, as if she had burst a balloon filled with all her heart’s desires.

She touched her belly and whispered, “Little bean sprout, I’m sorry.”

Zhou Xiulin was on his way to the airport that day when his phone rang on the highway. When he saw who was calling, his eyebrows furrowed.

“Mr. Zhou, Miss Jiang has gone to the hospital.”

“What’s wrong with her?” Zhou Xiulin’s face changed suddenly.

“Miss Jiang made an appointment for an abortion.”

Zhou Xiulin was usually calm and didn’t show his emotions, but at this moment, his face tightened. He hung up the phone and immediately called Jiang Qin.

He spoke clearly and slowly, “You must call Jiang Xiao back to the company immediately, no matter what it takes.”

Jiang Qin had never heard Zhou Xiulin speak in such an urgent tone before. “Okay, Mr. Zhou.”

“Don’t mention me. Comfort her well. I’ll be back in about two hours.”

“I understand.” Jiang Qin was startled and wondered what Jiang Xiao had done to make Zhou Xiulin react so strongly. Had she stolen company secrets?

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Xiulin told the driver, “Go back to the company.”

The driver was surprised. “Aren’t we going to pick up Mr. and Mrs.?”

After seeing Zhou Xiulin’s intimidating gaze, he quickly added, “I’ll take the tunnel back. It’ll be quick.”

Zhou Xiulin had a cold face and furrowed brows, remaining silent. He had never encountered such a difficult situation since he established Huaxia Film and Television.

He raised his hand and rubbed his forehead. Jiang Xiao really…

Gradually calming down, he called Jiang Qin again, “Speak nicely to her. Don’t scare her.”

Jiang Qin was already sweating profusely. Could someone tell him what had happened?

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