Chapter 9

Inside the wrecked office, Xu Wangzhi stood cold and motionless.

He could hardly believe it—he had just returned, only to be struck by the soul-crushing news.

How dare she… just get rid of their child like that.

Wang Jin stood not far away, head bowed so low he barely dared to breathe.

Xu Wangzhi’s eyes, icy and venomous, fell on him.

“Useless!”

Wang Jin drew in a sharp breath, bent his back even lower.

“Sir, I failed to carry out your orders. I will resign from this position, and from this day forward, I will never appear before you again.”

Xu Wangzhi let out a cold laugh.

“Resign? Heh… you think quitting means I’ll let you off?”

His expression was dark, merciless.

“Anyone responsible for killing my child… will never walk away unscathed!”

Wang Jin closed his eyes, his heart already dead.

“Sir, Miss said she would bear the consequences herself. I couldn’t stop her. For that, I’m sorry. I beg you, spare me this once. In the next life, I’ll repay you even as a beast of burden. For now, I just want to leave this place. Please… grant me that.”

Xu Wangzhi’s rage flared hotter, and he kicked Wang Jin viciously in the chest.

“She said it, and you took it seriously. I said it, and you shoved my words into a dog’s belly! You want me to forgive you? Fine—bring my child back to life!”

Agony seared through Wang Jin’s chest as he was sent flying, crashing heavily onto the floor. Curled up, writhing in pain, he could no longer move.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

The door rattled under pounding fists, and a careless voice rang out.

“Xu Wangzhi, what the hell are you doing in there? The Commander wants you—now. Hurry it up, don’t waste time.”

“Get out!” Xu Wangzhi roared.

His mind was filled with nothing but the thought of his lost child. He had no patience for anything else.

Gu Haijun frowned. His lazy tone instantly sharpened into sternness.

“What are you yelling at me for? The Commander called you for urgent business. Get moving. Whatever’s going on here can wait until you’re back.”

Hearing that, Xu Wangzhi forced himself to calm down. Straightening his uniform, he didn’t spare a glance at the man crumpled on the ground as he unlocked the door and strode out.

When the door swung open, Gu Haijun peeked inside—and sucked in a sharp breath.

Hiss. What the hell happened here?

The whole office was a disaster zone, and a half-dead man lay sprawled on the floor. The scene spoke for itself.

Then he looked at Xu Wangzhi’s expression.

Good lord. Colder than death itself.

Like the King of Hell come to claim souls.

Unable to resist his curiosity, Gu Haijun asked, “What’s going on here? Why are you so furious? Tell me—maybe I can help.”

Xu Wangzhi ignored him, striding away with long steps.

Left behind, Gu Haijun scowled, then quickened his pace to catch up, pressing on with his nosy questions.

“Come on, tell me what happened. I’ll give you my two cents.”

Xu Wangzhi suddenly halted, his gaze sharp as blades cutting into him.

“If you don’t want to die, stay away from me.”

He marched on without another word.

Pinned by that lethal glare, Gu Haijun shivered. He had wanted to keep following, but all courage drained out of him.

Whatever happened had clearly been catastrophic. Best not to provoke him.

Meanwhile, Wen Jianxin remained oblivious to the storm about to break. She lounged idly in the courtyard, basking in the sun.

Bai Chuqing sat nearby, watching her from the corner of her eye.

The woman reclining in the rocking chair wore such a calm expression, not a hint of turmoil. Anyone looking at her would think she was still an innocent young lady—untouched by scandal, untouched by the loss of a child.

Her composure was startling. Her willpower, chilling.

Even Bai Chuqing couldn’t help but click her tongue inwardly.

To dispose of a child in utter silence, then carry on as if nothing happened—eating, drinking, smiling like normal. Truly extraordinary.

This little sister-in-law was… unusual.

So unusual, Bai Chuqing found herself wary.

Of course, Wen Jianxin was fully aware of the gaze upon her. But she didn’t care.

Her thoughts were elsewhere—on Xu Wangzhi’s return, and how her hard-won peace was about to be shattered.

She had thought of escape, but her mother had been keeping her under strict watch.

With only three days left until the wedding, there was no chance to run.

Yet she wasn’t discouraged.

Even marriage… so what?

No one could force her to do anything she truly refused.

If Xu Wangzhi wanted to marry her, she would grant him his wish. He’d better not regret it.

Her mood was so light her smile even brightened under the sun.

Rising lazily, she went inside, brewed herself a cup of top-grade Biluochun tea, and carried it to her room.

She sipped slowly while reading, occasionally stepping to the window to admire the sky.

The bright heavens, with clouds drifting by, mirrored her current mood—clear, unburdened.

Her lips curved into a dazzling smile.

If she couldn’t escape, she would savor it.

Xu Wangzhi, every ounce of suffering you gave me—I’ll return a hundredfold.

Are you ready?

BANG!

The door flew open under a savage kick.

Xu Wangzhi entered, a storm of frost in his eyes.

Wen Jianxin turned calmly to face him.

“You’re here.”

His gaze was inscrutable.

“I’m here. Have you thought of how you’ll explain yourself? You killed my child, Wen Jianxin—you’re begging for death.”

He slammed the door shut, locking it with a snap, then closed the distance in three strides. His hand clamped around her throat, his voice a whisper from the underworld itself.

“I underestimated you. You really ignored all my warnings. Fine. Then I won’t hold back. I’ll make sure you remember the price of defying me.”

With a violent shove, he flung her to the ground.

Her back cracked against the floor, pain lancing through her body. She let out a muffled groan, then glared up at him with ice-cold eyes.

“Hmph. Just a bastard child. What’s wrong with getting rid of it? Do it again, and I’ll still choose the same. You’re furious, but there’s nothing you can do about it.”

She laughed, reckless and unafraid.

“Xu Wangzhi, you’re nothing but a coward. A cripple everyone pities. Dream on if you think I’ll bear your child.”

She rose to her feet, step by step advancing on him.

“Let me guess—you want to lock me up like an animal, force another pregnancy on me? Well, too bad. I’ve already told your mother everything you’ve done. She was furious, and she promised to punish you severely. Unless you want her dead from rage, you’d better back off. Otherwise, I won’t hesitate to make you the beast who killed his own mother, spat on by the world.”

“Wen Jianxin!”

Xu Wangzhi roared, eyes bloodshot, his hand tightening around her fragile throat. One squeeze more, and this peerless beauty would be gone forever.

For one terrible instant, he truly wanted to strangle her.

Damn woman, always provoking him—now even dragging his mother into it.

Pain crushed her windpipe, but Wen Jianxin only clenched her fists tighter, staring back at him with hatred.

Just as she was about to go all in—ready to drive a hidden silver needle into his temple—he closed in suddenly, crushing his lips to hers.

The taste of blood spread instantly.

It wasn’t a kiss, but a violent bite.

Pain prickled everywhere. Her wrist was seized in an iron grip, and the needle wrenched from her hand.

Shock flickered in her eyes.

How did he know she had something hidden?

The next second, her clothes were torn apart.

In a blink, she was thrown onto the bed.

His voice was devoid of feeling.

“From now on, every time you get rid of one, I’ll make you carry another. Until you give birth.”

She tried to resist, but her strength was nothing compared to a soldier’s.

Ignoring her struggle, Xu Wangzhi took her ruthlessly, without mercy…

The cold room, because of their bodies on the bed, felt almost warm.

Afterward, Xu Wangzhi seized her chin, dragging her close. His hawk-like eyes swept over her.

Her pale skin was covered with the marks he left.

Even his stern face was tinged with color.

But his eyes remained cold.

He reached out to cover hers.

And nodded faintly—pretending tenderness he didn’t feel.

Then his gaze fell to her belly. Pain stabbed him.

That was his first child—gone, snuffed out by her cruelty.

Who could be more vicious than her?

Looking back at her face, his eyes filled with resentment, and a sorrow he refused to name.

The hand gripping her chin weakened.

Sensing it, Wen Jianxin turned away, forced herself up despite the pain, dressed, and walked into the bathroom.

Just before closing the door, she sneered:

“Your technique is pathetic.”

Xu Wangzhi froze, cigarette halfway out of its case.

It took a moment for her words to sink in.

When the sound of running water came from the bathroom, realization hit—and he burst into a bitter laugh.

Pathetic technique?

Heh. She really dared say that.

The flare of a match hid his expression as he lit his cigarette.

Exhaling smoke, he stood.

“Ah!”

A scream burst from the bathroom.

Xu Wangzhi shoved her against the wall, pressing his lips to hers and forcing smoke into her mouth.

Watching her choke and cough in humiliation, his lips curled in a sharp grin.

“Pathetic technique? Then we’ll practice—until you’re satisfied.”

Both drenched under the spray, they didn’t leave the bathroom until night fell.