Chapter 459: Chapter 459: Be Careful of Aunt
Lin Zhiyi did not want to say anything to Sang Ran.
Sang Ran gave a bitter smile, “What more can I do to you like this?”
Lin Zhiyi glanced at Gong Chen and still walked slowly to Sang Ran’s side.
“Go ahead.”
“I’m sorry, Zhiyi. I wasn’t trying to force him to take a stand earlier; I just wanted him to look at me one more time.”
Sang Ran’s voice was very low, and she had no strength left.
But from her pale, trembling lips, it was clear she was trying very hard.
Lin Zhiyi inwardly resented her.
But hearing this apology, her nose tingled with sourness.
Sang Ran said, “Just now, while watching Old Mr. Gong argue, I suddenly understood that phrase: he doesn’t love me; he won’t love my child either.”
“I am a pawn, and so is my child; I’m truly foolish.”
“Zhiyi, I know you won’t forgive me; I also know that my repentance is too late.”
“Cough… cough…”
Sang Ran reached out to grab Sang Li’s hand, eyes red, “Brother, I miss Dad, I want to go home.”
Sang Li’s voice was hoarse, “Dad is downstairs, he’ll be here soon; he brought your favorite food.”
“Brother, why hasn’t Dad come yet?”
Sang Ran seemed like she didn’t hear him and repeated herself.
Sang Li couldn’t utter another word.
Sang Ran’s hand touched Lin Zhiyi’s wrist, her eyes suddenly widened.
“Zhiyi, I’ve made mistakes, I’m sorry to Xingxing and the Third Young Master… be careful… aunt…”
The last word barely made it past Sang Ran’s throat.
Lin Zhiyi only heard “be careful,” but her sixth sense made her look towards the door of the ward.
Wen Qing stood there calmly, with no hint of sorrow.
In the next second, Sang Ran’s hand slipped from Lin Zhiyi’s wrist.
It all happened in just a few seconds.
Lin Zhiyi didn’t even have time to react.
“Xiao Ran! Xiao Ran!”
Wen Qing suddenly rushed over, pushing Lin Zhiyi aside.
She angrily said, “What did Xiao Ran say to you? Why did she… just die after speaking?”
Lin Zhiyi paused, realizing the guilty look in Wen Qing’s eyes.
Wen Qing seemed very concerned about what Sang Ran had said.
“Tell me!” Wen Qing pressed aggressively.
Lin Zhiyi retorted, “Respect for the dead. Why isn’t President Wen a bit sad? I remember you said you treated Xiao Ran like your own daughter. Is this how you treat your daughter?”
Wen Qing froze, immediately wiping her tears away.
But was soon pushed aside by the arriving Mr. Sang and the Sang Family.
Mr. Sang’s hair was already graying, and seeing his daughter’s condition, his eyes reddened.
“Xiao Ran, Dad is here, wake up.”
“Xiao Ran, didn’t you say you wanted to eat some pastries? Dad brought them for you.”
Mr. Sang held Sang Ran in his arms, filled with grief.
Lin Zhiyi stepped back, her back touching a warm embrace.
She looked up at the man behind her, her throat seeming blocked.
Gong Chen held her shoulder, whispering, “Let’s give them some space.”
“Alright.”
Lin Zhiyi followed Gong Chen out of the ward.
As she looked down the extended corridor, her heart gradually calmed down.
Just as she was about to speak, Wen Qing also left the ward.
Meeting her gaze, Wen Qing immediately dried her tears, ignoring Lin Zhiyi with slight arrogance, and looked at Gong Chen.
“Third Young Master, I’m afraid the scene will hurt too much, so I’ll leave first.”
With that, she left, stepping away in her high heels.
Listening to the sound of her high heels, Lin Zhiyi frowned, “Does she look at all like she’s hurting from the scene?”
Gong Chen sensed something odd.
“What did Sang Ran say to you?”
“I’m not sure; it sounded like ‘be careful, Aunt.'”
Lin Zhiyi recalled.
Gong Chen’s gaze deepened, as if lost in thought.
After a while, Sang Li walked out of the ward.
Seeing his unsteady steps, Lin Zhiyi immediately went to support him, worriedly asking, “Mr. Sang, are you okay?”
She didn’t manage to support him steadily; a hand pulled her aside, leaving Gong Chen to support Sang Li.
Sang Li glanced over but didn’t ask anything further.
“That woman is gone.”
That woman?
Lin Zhiyi was momentarily stunned and then remembered that the black-haired woman who claimed to be pregnant with twins was also gone without anyone knowing.
“I know. She was taken away.” Gong Chen said indifferently.
Lin Zhiyi glanced around the ward and suddenly noticed that Old Mr. Gong had disappeared along with the black-haired woman.
Sang Li laughed bitterly, “In such a hurry, it seems your peaceful days are over too.”
“I’ll handle the rest, you first take care of the family matters.”
Even though Gong Chen was a bit jealous, he wasn’t an unreasonable person.
Sang Li is in no condition to do anything right now.
“Mm.” He looked at Lin Zhiyi again, “Zhiyi, I’m really sorry for what Xiao Ran did to Xingxing.”
Lin Zhiyi smiled wryly but didn’t say she forgave him.
“You guys should go back first.”
Sang Li didn’t force her to forgive, and turned to enter the ward.
Gong Chen saw the Sang Family gathering in greater numbers, and led Lin Zhiyi towards the stairs.
Before leaving, Lin Zhiyi glanced back at the ward.
Sang Ran, look at all these people rushing to accompany you.
…
As Lin Zhiyi entered the stairwell, the sensor light overhead hadn’t turned on, and her body was tightly embraced.
The man seemed to want to merge her into his own body.
She was slightly breathless and pushed him.
Gong Chen’s eyes darkened a bit, blending into the dimness of the stairwell.
His lips touched Lin Zhiyi’s ear, his deep voice only audible to the two of them.
“Zhiyi, does it hurt?”
“What?” Lin Zhiyi was momentarily stunned.
The man’s scorching breath sprayed against her neck, making her heart race in the darkness.
“In the dream, you died too.”
His hand cupped her head, looking into her eyes.
Lin Zhiyi pressed her lips together, wanting to tell him it really hurt.
The pain of dying in the fire wasn’t from the flames, but the smoke.
Clearly breathing, yet it felt like countless sharp blades scraping inside her nasal cavity and mouth, her eyes felt like they were bleeding.
Then struggling and suffocating to death.
Finally, her body slowly burned and curled up in the fire.
In the recollection, she felt like she was in the fire, struggling to breathe.
The next second, the man held her tighter.
“Zhiyi, you’re still alive, right?”
“What else? You want me to prove it?”
“Mm.” Gong Chen replied softly.
“How come… hiss… why are you biting?”
Lin Zhiyi’s neck tightened.
“To see if you’re real.”
His bite wasn’t hard, slowly turning into a kiss.
All the way up, finally sealing her lips.
Lin Zhiyi widened her eyes, staring at the handsome face in front of her, noticing the tension in his gaze toward her.
Her raised hand slightly clenched, as if possessed, she didn’t resist but lowered it.
Seeing her soften, the man’s dangerous dark eyes slightly narrowed.
Lin Zhiyi frowned, feeling like she had been tricked.
…
Parking lot.
Chen Jin was waiting for Gong Chen and Lin Zhiyi.
Leaning against the car, he pulled out a cigarette, ready to light it when he realized he didn’t have a lighter.
As he was about to put the cigarette down, a familiar voice sounded by his ear.
“I’ll light it for you.”
Before Chen Jin could react, his collar was yanked over.
Usually at this point, he’d have a knife in hand rather than a cigarette.
But seeing the person, he frowned displeasedly.
Zhou Zhao held a lit cigarette, leaned over to light Chen Jin’s, playfully teasing him.
Chen Jin didn’t react, lit the cigarette, and straightened his collar.
“You’re sick.”
“You’re really boring.” Zhou Zhao flicked the ash off his cigarette and casually said, “The lady’s funeral is planned to be held back in Hai City, probably won’t come to Jing City this year. Don’t say I don’t care about you friends, I’ve prepared New Year’s gifts for all of you.”
Zhou Zhao fished out three bottles of perfume from his pocket, each labeled with names.
Chen Jin, Li Huan, Liao Yi.
“I specially mixed yours, want a sniff?”
“I don’t use perfume.”
But Chen Jin still politely sprayed some in the air.
One sniff and he knew he shouldn’t trust Zhou Zhao.
Hotpot-scented perfume.
Li Huan’s was disinfectant solution scent.
Liao Yi’s…
“No smell.”
“This woman eats too much, conned you guys into dining with me, ate up too much of my salary? Giving her a bottle of plain water is just right.”
Zhou Zhao tutted twice, patted Chen Jin on the shoulder, “I’m off, you guys… don’t miss me too much.”
Watching the departing figure, Chen Jin sprayed Liao Yi’s perfume again.
This time it was genuine perfume, a slight fruit scent, perfect for Liao Yi the foodie.
Zhou Zhao is just like that, loves to play.