Wu Mansion.
While the Zhu and Wang households were bustling with wedding preparations, Wu Lixi was drowning in her own private storm.
The paper in her trembling hand was crumpled beyond recognition, the ink smudged from the tears that had already soaked through. She paced her bedroom like a restless ghost, her breaths sharp and uneven, chest tightening with every step. Her lips quivered as she muttered to herself, broken fragments slipping through.
"What do I do? What do I do?" Her voice cracked. "Yufan won't accept this child. He doesn't even love me…"
The thought hit her like a blade, and her knees buckled. She collapsed onto the floor, clutching her stomach instinctively, sobs tearing their way out of her throat.
She had no idea how long she sat there, drowning in the sound of her own crying, until a knock echoed through the room, firm but gentle. Before she could compose herself, the door opened.
Xiang stepped inside, his tall frame filling the doorway, sharp eyes narrowing the moment they landed on her. His expression hardened, but he quickly strode over, kneeling to help her up.
"What's wrong?" His voice carried no softness this time, it was steady, probing.
Lixi scrambled, forcing a shaky smile, wiping at her tear-streaked cheeks. "N-nothing. I'm fine, brother."
Xiang didn't buy it. Not tonight. Not when her hands shook like leaves in a storm. He guided her to sit on the bed and lowered himself beside her, his hand rubbing slow circles across her trembling back.
"Talk." His tone left no room for lies.
At first, she clenched her jaw, lips pressed tightly together as if to cage the truth. But the pressure was too much, her heart caved before her willpower did. Words poured out, rushed and frantic, every secret she had tried to bury clawing its way free.
When her voice finally broke into silence, Xiang sat frozen, his broad shoulders tense, his jaw locked. He let the weight of her confession hang heavy in the air before speaking.
"…So, you and Yufan…" His voice was low, dangerous. "…mistakenly had something together."
Her eyes burned with fresh tears, but she forced herself to nod.
"And the end result is, you are pregnant." His words were steady, but each syllable dripped with restrained fury.
She nodded again, smaller this time, like a child fearing punishment.
Xiang's gaze darkened, shadows sweeping over his expression, though he masked it quickly behind a wall of control. "Does he know?"
"I… I'm not really sure." Her voice broke, her fingers tightening around the sheets. "But I think so."
Silence.
The kind of silence that weighed heavier than shouting.
Xiang inhaled deeply, forcing his composure back into place. When he finally spoke, his tone was calm, almost soothing, an anchor for her trembling heart. "Enough. Go to sleep. Everything will fall into place. Don't worry."
She blinked up at him, fragile and small, as he tucked the blanket over her trembling body. He leaned down, pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead, and whispered, "Rest."
Only when she closed her eyes did his mask finally slip. His expression turned stormy, his eyes sharp as blades.
He left the room silently, descending the grand staircase with the quiet, deadly grace of a predator on the hunt. His strides carried him straight through the mansion and into the garage.
Tonight, Yufan was going to face him.
Yang Mansion.
The Yang family's dining table was lively that evening. Ruoxi, who had burst into the Yang mansion earlier with her trademark energy, had also been invited. She was well-loved in the Yang household for her bright spirit, her laughter always seemed to soften even the cold edges of Yufan's parents.
But the peace didn't last.
Yufan was mid-motion, chopsticks poised to bring food to his mouth, when a voice thundered through the hall.
"YUFAN!"
The doors banged open, and Wu Xiang stormed in, his heavy steps shaking the air with raw fury. His eyes locked on his target, and before anyone could react, his hand fisted into Yufan's collar, yanking him up from his chair.
The clatter of porcelain echoed as bowls tipped, but all eyes were frozen on the scene.
"Yang Yufan," Xiang snarled, voice vibrating with barely controlled rage. "My sister is pregnant."
The room fell silent. Utensils hung mid-air, even Ruoxi's mouth fell open in shock.
Yufan, however, didn't flinch. His expression remained unreadable, cold, as though Xiang's words were nothing but passing noise. "…Hmm."
That single syllable made Xiang's blood boil.
"Hmm?!" His voice cracked with disbelief, rage swelling in his chest. "Is that all you have to say? Hmm?"
Yufan's annoyance finally surfaced, his brows furrowing. His reply came sharp, like a slap. "She's not a child, Xiang. She can abort it, or something."
His words cut like a blade, striking not just Xiang but everyone in the room. Wen Yiting gasped. Even Yuze's stoic face darkened.
But Xiang's reaction was instant and brutal.
His knuckles collided with Yufan's jaw in a heavy punch that sent the Yang heir staggering back. The crack of the impact echoed in the hall.
Blood welled faintly at the corner of Yufan's lip. He wiped it with the back of his hand, his gaze simmering, but he didn't strike back.
Xiang's teeth ground together, fury shaking through him. "No, Yufan. Not from you. I never expected this from you." His fist curled again, ready for another blow, until a soft voice cut through the tension.
"Xiang, please."
Ruoxi moved instinctively, her small hand pressing against his arm, her touch light but firm. Her tone was calm, low, almost like a lullaby meant to soothe a raging beast. "Calm down."
Her eyes lifted to meet his, and for the first time, the fire in Xiang's gaze faltered. Icy anger melted, if only slightly, under her steady presence.
"…Ok." His voice was flat, reluctant, but agreed. He shot the Yang heir one last venomous glare before storming out of the hall.
The tension followed him, lingering like smoke.
Moments later, Ruoxi dragged Yufan by the wrist, pulling him out onto the balcony. Cool night air swept around them, carrying the faint rustle of leaves.
Yufan leaned against the railing, exhaling a heavy sigh. "You're about to judge me too, aren't you?" A crooked, sad smile tugged at his lips, bitter rather than amused.
Ruoxi crossed her arms, tilting her head. "Let's not look at this emotionally, Yufan. Let's be logical."
Her finger pressed against her chest. "We're not siblings by blood. But you, Guo Min, and I, we've always called ourselves that. So tell me, what if it was me in Lixi's position?"
His head snapped toward her, eyes narrowing. Without hesitation, his voice was iron. "…I'd destroy any man who did that to you."
The words hit him harder than they hit her. His expression shifted, the fog of arrogance and annoyance clearing from his face. "…It's not like I want to be unfair to her," he admitted, voice lower now. "I just… don't love her. Wouldn't that be worse? To force something I can't give?"
Ruoxi's gaze softened. "Love changes, Yufan. It's not always lightning bolts and sparks. Sometimes it's built, little by little. And Lixi… she's a sweet girl."
She paused, her voice quieting but firm. "Besides, do you think Uncle Yuze would let the Yang family's heir roam the city, fatherless?"
The weight of her words sank in. Yufan turned his gaze outward, staring at the gardens below, as if nature might offer him an answer. His shoulders slumped under the invisible burden he carried.
Then, without warning, he pulled Ruoxi into a tight hug. His chin rested on her shoulder, his voice breaking. "…I'm sorry."
Ruoxi blinked, startled, then patted his back gently. Her words were calm but unyielding. "That apology isn't meant for me. Go fix your mistakes. Be proud, even the strongest people are flawed. That's what makes them human."
She pulled back, gave his forehead a soft pat, and walked away. Moments later, her car headlights cut across the driveway as she drove off toward the Wang mansion.
Yufan stayed on the balcony, staring into the night, the echo of Xiang's punch and Ruoxi's words weighing on him heavier than the silence of the stars.