However, Li Manni failed to remember that some things were simply unforgivable; and no amount of apology would be able to bury the hatchet.

  Xia Ruoxin tidied her daughter’s soft hair and put on her little hat.

  Was Rainy really going? Xia Ruoxin reached out and held her daughter’s face with both hands. “It’s so cold today. Are you sure about going?”


  “Mm, hmm.” Rainy nodded her little head emphatically. “Mommy, I want to go to school and learn a lot of things. I want to buy Mommy a big house and lots of Dollys.” She made a huge circle in front of her with her tiny hands.

  Xia Ruoxin had not expected that Rainy, at her tender age, would want to go to school with an ambition which was to buy her lots and lots of dolls.

  She took out a small mask from her pocket and put it on her daughter. Then, she took Rainy’s hand and made their way to the kindergarten after which she would go to work, too. If Rainy didn’t go to school, she would bring her along with her to the art studio. Everyone there would welcome Rainy because she was obedient and wouldn’t make a fuss.

  “Mommy, carry me.” Xia Ruoxin bent down at her waist and scooped her daughter up. Rainy was wearing so many layers of clothing that she resembled a bear cub. In her chubby frame, Xia Ruoxin was having difficulty carrying her.

  “Mommy, I will walk on my own.”


  Rainy held her mother’s hand and refused to let her mother carry her. Beneath her tiny mask, one couldn’t see much of her expression; but one could certainly feel her imposing manner.

  “Okay.” Xia Ruoxin held her daughter’s hand tightly and walked slowly matching her steps with the little girl’s.

  A man approached them at this moment and blocked their path.

  Rainy lifted her head, but she blinked her bright eyes when she saw that man. Then, she lowered her head and clenched her teeth as she played with her little fingers

  “Ruoxin.”


  The man’s voice sounded hoarse. Was it a charm in its nature, or was it due to the ripples of emotions in his heart? Xia Ruoxin gripped her daughter’s hand tightly. She lowered her head and looked at her daughter’s face with her mask on, and then she bent down and carried the little girl who looked like a bear cub.

  This time, Rainy didn’t insist on walking on her own. On the contrary, she buried her head into her mother’s chest. Her big, round eyes stared at Chu Lui constantly; but right now, no one noticed her sullen little face which looked exactly the same as that man.

  “What are you doing here?” Xia Ruoxin rested her weak left hand on her daughter’s head, putting a distance between the girl and that man as well as his line of vision. Was she supposed to be glad that Rainy was actually wearing a face mask now?

  “I’ve come to visit you.” Chu Lui’s throat was dry. Since when had he started to act so cautiously? He was worried about gaining and losing, and he could be this terrified.

  “There’s no need.” Xia Ruoxin carried her daughter and walked past him. However, she felt her elbow tightened. She stopped and stared at the big hand holding on to her elbow.

  This pair of hands had caused her ultimate destruction. She had nothing now; what else could he want from her?

  I

  Chu Lui parted his lips. His hand was holding on to that elbow to the point of crushing it.

  “I’m divorced.”


  Xia Ruoxin smiled in mockery.

  “Mr. Chu, so what if you’re divorced? Is it my concern? Don’t tell me that you wanted me back in your life, Mr. Chu. Didn’t you say it before? You won’t even look at me, a filthy woman if all the women in the world are dead. I will dirty your house and the air you breathe. So Mr. Chu, please stay far away from me. Otherwise, you will cause your own death by breathing in the disgusting air around me.”


  She hurled all his cruel and abusive words back at him. Those exact words he had said to her in the past.

  How did it feel to be sad? How did it feel when one’s heart ached? What could be one’s sore point? Chu Lui was experiencing it thoroughly right now. This was the bitter retribution that he had planted over the years. He pursed his lips into a straight line. He could taste the bitterness bit by bit in his mouth.

  “You hate me?”


  He searched her face greedily for the familiarity between both of them he hoped to see in her eyes.

  Yes, she was still the same. He could see the little girl’s features in her—the one he knew when they were young. In his memory, the girl should have the same features. He remembered the little bride whom he was destined to marry. She was beautiful with big eyes and a chubby face. When he returned from his time abroad, the girl’s features had faded in his mind. However, he could recognize the amulet that he had given to her all those years back. It didn’t occur to him to ask for verification, and he simply confirmed that girl was Xia Yixuan.

  He didn’t know who he was trying to lie to or who he was going to pin the blame on.

  Xia Ruoxin yanked her arm away, but that man’s hand held on tightly like a pair of pliers. It refused to budge an inch.

  “You hate me?” he asked again, dead set on getting a reply.

  Hated him? Oh, yes. He wanted her to hate him. He didn’t believe she would treat him with such unfamiliarity and calm.

  Xia Ruoxin suddenly laughed until her eyes teared up. Then, a sense of peace washed over her. There wasn’t any sadness or happiness.

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Chu. I don’t hate you.” Xia Ruoxin looked straight into Chu Lui’s dark and profound eyes. His features were deep and vivid. Four years ago, he was showing off his ability like a sharp sword which was stained with too much emotion. Four years later, he became an ancient sword; reserved, simple, and unadorned. However, he had matured over time. He started to hide his emotions better.

  She no longer had any love for this man, and she had nothing to do with him other than the little girl in her arms.

  A gust of cold wind blew at Chu Lui’s face. He felt as though there was a hole in his heart.

  Ha. She didn’t hate him. When there was no love left, how could hate exist? His hand continued to hold tightly onto Xia Ruoxin’s elbow. As he applied more pressure, Xia Ruoxin also began to frown.

  Was he trying to break her elbow?

  Suddenly, there was a snap. It sounded like something had broken, and the weird atmosphere between them vanished, too.

  At this moment, a little hand hung in mid-air. Slowly, Chu Lui released his hand. He could barely feel the pain on his wrist.

  Xia Ruoxin quickly pulled her daughter’s hand back and pressed her head into her chest. She retreated in fear, terrified that this irate man would harm the child in her arms.

  “Don’t worry.” Chu Lui’s lips were pursed so tightly that it hurt. “I won’t fuss with a child. That man’s child has beautiful eyes like yours.”


  Xia Ruoxin could feel the tightness in her chest. She rested her chin on top of her daughter’s head. Then, she raised her eyes and looked at Chu Lui’s face. She wouldn’t allow her fears to be detected by Chu Lui.

  “Mr. Chu, you can stop with your compliments.” She laughed sarcastically. “I am an infertile woman. Remember? Are you telling me that I am raising someone else’s child to look like me?”


  “It’s not what I meant.” Chu Lui was at a loss for words at her retort.