The two of them exchanged a glance.
Meng Xiang was so nervous he hardly dared to breathe, swallowing a mouthful of saliva.
Xia Liuyue tilted her head slightly, studying him through his misty, unfocused eyes.
She thought there shouldn't have been any flaws in her performance just now.
As she was pondering, she heard Yan Hechuan speak again:
"Nurse, what's your name? I'd like to thank you."
Xia Liuyue couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
Huh?
So that's what it was.
Yan Hechuan appeared aloof and distant on the outside, keeping people at arm's length.
Was he really so moved by the 'kind-hearted little nurse' that he wanted to develop something different?
That didn't seem likely.
He wasn't that kind of playboy. Of course, his physical condition was one limiting factor, but his mindset was also quite old-fashioned—he wasn't the type to chase after women.
Otherwise, Tang Yinyao would have long been glued to Yan Hechuan's side, terrified of him incurring any romantic debts.
She wouldn't have so much free time to hover around Du Jiashu, teasing this backup option now and then.
Xia Liuyue replied in her usual tone, "Liuyue."
Meng Xiang's pupils instantly trembled!
No, sis!
Sister!
Why are you so honest, telling the truth just like that?
You're really playing with fire.
But Xia Liuyue was confident that with Yan Hechuan's cold and detached personality, he definitely wouldn't remember the name of his fiancée's best friend's arranged marriage wife.
After all, the connection was so convoluted, it really wasn't worth his concern.
Sure enough.
Yan Hechuan nodded and said, "Thank you, Miss Liu."
The corners of Xia Liuyue's lips curled up as she gave a slight nod.
"You're welcome."
With that, she turned and walked away.
Yan Hechuan's lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something but stopped himself.
Meng Xiang quickly chimed in, "Brother Yan, well, although my senior sister has a bit of a temper, she is still your fiancée after all..."
Yan Hechuan chuckled lightly. "You've misunderstood."
Meng Xiang let out an 'ah?' sound.
Then he added,
"What did I misunderstand? Me? You just stopped that nurse, asked for her name, and thanked her."
Yan Hechuan shook his head slightly.
"No, I was just puzzled."
Meng Xiang immediately widened his eyes, asking warily, "Puzzled about what?"
Yan Hechuan paused in thought before speaking unhurriedly,
"Just now, when she was leading me to the nurses' station, her arm brushed against my jacket."
"But I didn't develop a rash. Besides Yinyao, she's the second person whose contact doesn't cause a reaction. That's why I'm puzzled."
"What exactly triggers this condition of mine..."
Meng Xiang had actually wanted to mention this earlier.
The rich lady had spent the whole morning playing the part of Tang Yinyao, getting close to you, and you didn't have any allergic reaction.
He had been wondering about it too!
But thinking was one thing; Meng Xiang still replied,
"Ah, Brother Yan, isn't that normal?"
"Think about it, you're currently on an IV drip. The medication has entered your system, so even if you come into contact with an unfamiliar woman, the drug's effects might prevent the rash from appearing."
That explanation seemed to make some sense.
So, what just happened was merely a coincidence.
Yan Hechuan nodded thoughtfully, though in his mind, he was still considering having Assistant Chen investigate the nurse named Liu Yue at this hospital if the opportunity arose.
It might be helpful for his allergy condition.
...
"Ding—unlocked."
It was almost 5 a.m. when Xia Liuyue finally returned home.
As the door lock clicked open, she unexpectedly ran into Du Jiashu, who was wearing a black suit jacket and was just about to leave.
In an instant,
she understood.
She said with a smile, "So early? Going to see Tang Yinyao off at the airport?"
Du Jiashu looked at her with an unfriendly expression.
"Why didn't you come home last night? I was waiting for you."
Xia Liuyue remained unruffled, her tone indifferent.
"Look, I don't question you going to see Tang Yinyao off at the crack of dawn, so don't question me either."
Du Jiashu said coldly, "I am your husband."
Xia Liuyue stared at him with a smiling expression.
But her words were even more ruthless than his.
"Yes, through a business arrangement."
"To put it bluntly, this marriage is just a transaction."
If Du Jiashu had managed to maintain his composure before, hearing this sentence made him completely lose it!
The veins on his hands bulged.
What did she mean by 'each doing their own thing'!
Apart from his emotional attachment to Yaoyao, he was physically clean.
It was Xia Liuyue who had been a player before the marriage.
He never said it out loud, but deep down, it bothered him immensely.
"Hey, you'd better get going. Any later and you'll miss seeing Tang Yinyao off." Seeing him stare at her angrily, Xia Liuyue's smile widened even more.
A subtle expression flickered across Du Jiashu's face.
He suddenly asked,
"Why aren't you angry anymore? Why don't you care that I'm going to see Yaoyao off?"
In the past, if she knew her husband was going to see off his 'good buddy' or help Tang Yinyao with something, Xia Liuyue would have been deeply upset.
Her words would have implied that Du Jiashu, as a married man, should keep his distance from his unmarried female "good buddy."
Du Jiashu never listened before.
He found Xia Liuyue annoying and nagging.
Did she think getting married could tie him down?
But now, seeing her completely indifferent, for some reason, Du Jiashu felt a pang of discomfort.
Xia Liuyue, having been up all night, was exhausted and let out a yawn.
Covering her mouth, she said in a lazy tone,
"Go ahead! She's your good buddy, of course you should see her off."
"As your wife, I support it. If you didn't go, Tang Yinyao would be all alone."
"Her fiancé is blind, and her good buddy doesn't come to see her off at the airport. Just thinking about it makes her seem pitiful."
Du Jiashu looked at her deeply.
Somehow, perhaps his mind went blank,
he blurted out,
"You come with me. Yaoyao is magnanimous. If she sees you coming to see her off, she might let go of last night's wine-throwing incident."
As he spoke, he reached out to grab her arm.
Xia Liuyue shook him off immediately.
A faint, mocking smile played on her lips.
"Oh? She's magnanimous and can forgive me for throwing wine at her."
"But I'm not magnanimous. I will never forgive her for causing the death of my child."
"Du Jiashu, have I given you too much face?!"
The next second.
"Slap—"
A crisp slap landed on the right side of Du Jiashu's pale face, leaving a clear red handprint.
Xia Liuyue had used all her strength.
A burning pain spread across his face. Du Jiashu was momentarily stunned. After a pause, he started to raise his hand but then hesitated again.
Remembering the lost child.
He ultimately swallowed his anger.
"Liuyue, if this slap makes you feel better, then it's worth it."
After saying this, Du Jiashu pulled open the door, wrapped himself in his black jacket, and disappeared into the night, which was just beginning to show hints of dawn.
The car started.
Heading towards Tang Yinyao's home.
Xia Liuyue tilted her head, her dark eyes like deep, still pools.
She thought to herself: One slap and you think we're even? You're thinking too simply!
Just you two wait. She will reclaim every bit of the suffering she endured, piece by piece.
