Chapter 19: Not Letting Her Go

Wen Sui seemed startled. "A child..."

Si Yao coaxed her gently, "A child. Have a child with Xing Jue."

"But I..." Wen Sui faltered, biting her lip. "I can't do it myself."

"You're not alone, you have me," Si Yao replied with a bright smile. "Sui Sui, you're really capable."

On the way, Si Yao received a call from Xing Jue.

He told her to come serve him at the office.

She immediately turned the car around and headed to the company.

When she saw him, he was still in his alcohol-reeking clothes from the night before, and she frowned. Their childhood had been hard, but Si Yao always valued cleanliness, and she’d made sure the obedient little Xing Jue did too.

As he grew, Xing Jue became even more particular about his appearance.

But now, dressed like this—where had he been?

A trace of confusion flickered in her eyes.

Xing Jue unbuttoned his shirt, speaking carelessly, "What are you thinking about?"

Si Yao shook her head. "Shall I run a bath in the inner room?"

"I'm exhausted. Just wipe me down," Xing Jue said, turning and settling lazily onto a chair, his long legs propped on the desk.

Si Yao went to close the door.

"Leave it open."

She paused, said nothing, and went inside to fill water and wring a towel.

When she returned, Xing Jue was still sprawled out, reading documents, his long legs stretched and bent. The black suit trousers only highlighted the lean muscles of his upper body; from a distance, he looked like a portrait of a male model.

Si Yao’s gaze lingered on him for a long moment.

A light laugh brushed her ear. "Is it nice to look at?"

Si Yao lowered her eyes and walked over.

"Kneel," Xing Jue commanded, his tone casual but brooking no argument.

Si Yao knelt beneath the desk to wipe him down.

She had barely started when footsteps sounded outside.

Drowsiness crept up on Si Yao, and she yawned, unable to stifle it.

A sweet, soft voice called from the doorway, "Ah Jue."

It was Wen Sui, her tone sticky and cloying.

Si Yao froze, instinctively glancing at Xing Jue.

His upper body was bare, his belt discarded on the side, and her own position was ambiguous, to say the least.

After Wen Sui had successfully edged out Xing A-ni for the position of Mrs. Xing, the next step for Si Yao was to leave the Xing family. No matter which step was taken, the heroine Wen Sui was always involved.

Si Yao felt a headache coming on and curled up further beneath the desk.

But Xing Jue wouldn’t allow it. His hand gripped her chin, gliding slowly down her neck, his tone gentle and nonchalant, "What brings you here?"

"I... I brought you some food," Wen Sui replied softly.

Si Yao had given her the menu and the money, told her to find a good restaurant and bring a meal. Wen Sui, impulsive after eating, had come straight to the office—at the most inopportune moment.

Xing Jue kept his legs crossed, his hand idly grazing Si Yao’s neck. "Come here."

He was speaking to Wen Sui, of course.

Si Yao sighed quietly. If Wen Sui caught her in this compromising position, it was better to step out and explain. After all, with so many exes, Si Yao and Wen Sui’s relationship was the closest—she’d even taken a couple of slaps for defending her.

With that thought, she made to go out.

But the hand on her neck pressed down harder, forcing her head lower, and Si Yao shrank back, trapped.

"Little thing, do you want to marry me?" Xing Jue asked.

Si Yao froze.

Wen Sui’s voice trembled, "I do."

"How far would you go to marry me?" Xing Jue’s tone was tinged with laughter.

"I’d do anything," Wen Sui replied instantly.

The room fell silent for a moment.

Then Xing Jue continued, "Never let Si Yao, that servant, leave the Xing family. Make her work for us for life—cooking, cleaning, raising our children. Can you do that?"

Si Yao stiffened.

Wen Sui was quiet for a while, then asked, "Why?"

Xing Jue didn’t answer, but posed another question, "If you agree, I’ll marry you, no matter the cost. How about it?"

His voice was light, almost teasing.

Yet Si Yao felt as if she’d been struck hard, trembling all over.

Wen Sui agreed without hesitation.

"And if you go back on your word?" Xing Jue asked.

"Then let lightning strike me down, let me die a miserable death."