Chapter 22

Wen Jianxin felt that she and hospitals were simply fated to clash.

Otherwise, why had she been running to the hospital so often lately?

But deep down she knew the truth.

It wasn’t that she clashed with hospitals—it was that she had a blood-deep enmity with Xu Wangzhi.

After the humiliation she suffered in the family compound, she didn’t even dare imagine how people would look at her the next time they met.

A soft, gentle voice sounded by her ear.

“Mom, don’t worry. The doctor said as long as she rests properly, there’s still hope…”

It was her sister-in-law’s voice, but to her it sounded hazy, distant.

Hope?

She struggled to open her eyes. A snow-white ceiling came into view.

The voices faded away, and her mind drifted in and out, messy and unclear.

Was something wrong with her body?

Or… was she about to die?

Her body felt unbearably heavy; she couldn’t move at all.

A dull cramp twisted in her stomach, and the pain between her legs had gone past numbness.

A bitter laugh echoed in her heart.

In all her life, this was the first time she had ever felt such shameful, soul-rending pain.

Should she hate that man, or should she “thank” him for granting her this agony beyond compare?

One thing she was certain of—if a knife were in front of her right now, even if she couldn’t move, she would still muster every ounce of strength left in her body to stab it into that man’s chest.

What a pity her strength was never as great as his; every time he subdued her with ease.

Otherwise, the one lying in this hospital bed right now would have been him.

Her head grew heavy again, and her barely opened eyes fell shut, helplessly.

Shang Lingzhu watched all this, tears welling uncontrollably.

“I’m sorry. It’s my fault.”

She whispered, not daring to move closer.

Even in her dreams, the image haunted her—her daughter lying naked and lifeless on a hospital bed.

She had been wrong. She should never have prioritized family honor, obeyed her husband’s arrangements, and forced her daughter to marry a beast against her will.

Now it was far too late. A marriage between two families could not be severed with a single word.

Her regret consumed her, but it was useless.

All she could do now was try, however feebly, to make amends to her daughter.

But lowering her head in grief, she knew full well—what her daughter needed was not this.

And she was powerless.

She couldn’t even stand as a mother and seek justice for her child.

She closed her eyes in torment, suppressing the sour ache in her chest, her body sinking weakly against the chair back.

Bai Chuqiang, her daughter-in-law, felt just as distressed.

Compared to seeing her sister-in-law broken and fragile, lying weakly on the bed, she would rather see the aloof, proud, untouchable girl she had once been.

But all she could do was offer pale, powerless comfort to her mother-in-law.

“Mom, this isn’t your fault.”

At that moment, she realized how fortunate she herself was.

Though separated from her husband by distance, he was a gentle, courteous man. He might not dote on her, but he respected her, always consulted her before making decisions, and never imposed his will.

She had a pair of lovely twins.

Her mother-in-law, though strong-willed, came from a noble family and was fair and reasonable.

The only mistake she had ever made was in handling her daughter’s marriage.

If it had been her, she would never force a daughter to marry someone she did not love—she would always honor her child’s wishes.

The Wen family was already prestigious enough; there was no need to bow or compromise in marriage matters.

…

In the hospital garden, Wen Zhouyi shed his usual mild and gentlemanly demeanor, his eyes dark as he stared at Xu Wangzhi.

“I remember telling you—if you ever hurt my sister again, I’d make you pay dearly. You haven’t forgotten that, have you?”

Xu Wangzhi stood with his hands in his pockets, gaze fixed on him.

“I haven’t forgotten.”

That arrogant attitude ignited Wen Zhouyi’s fury.

Instead of rage, he let out a cold laugh, nodding slowly as he rolled up his sleeves and advanced leisurely toward him.

“Good. I’m glad you remember.”

Stopping just a step away, his expression sharpened into killing intent.

“Listen carefully. I will take my sister away. From today on, man and wife, we’re finished. We’ll go our separate ways.”

Xu Wangzhi’s face twisted into a snarl, viciousness burning in his eyes.

“Once she entered the Xu family, she became mine for life. Even as her brother, you have no right to take her from me!”

“Heh.”

Wen Zhouyi sneered, and with a sudden motion, drove his fist hard into Xu Wangzhi’s face.

Caught off guard, Xu staggered back a few steps, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. He licked it away with a smirk.

“I’ll let that punch go. But if you dare again, don’t blame me for being merciless.”

“Cut the crap!”

The fire in Wen Zhouyi’s chest had no outlet, and this man before him filled him with boundless disgust. Swift and fierce, he lunged forward, his long leg swinging in a brutal kick toward Xu’s stomach.

Xu sidestepped, hatred flashing in his eyes.

“You dare defy me!”

He stepped in, his fist a blur of speed, and slammed it into Wen Zhouyi’s abdomen.

Wen’s expression contorted for a moment before hardening, his counterattacks growing sharper, each blow carrying lethal intent.

Both men were proud sons of heaven, leaders among their peers, and neither would yield.

Once the fight began, there was no easy end.

Though Wen Zhouyi had left the army for years, and despite keeping up his training, his skills were not as sharp as before.

Xu Wangzhi, on the other hand, was infamous in the military as a ruthless fighter. On missions, he always sought out the most dangerous tasks, and each time he returned alive, decorated with medal after medal. Even without the Xu family, he carved out a career of brilliance on his own, his promotions soaring like a rocket.

Had Wen Zhouyi not intervened this time, Xu’s rank would have risen even higher.

A man with a crippled leg had become the army’s brightest warrior. Those who once scorned him ended up with nothing but respect.

Despite his foul temper, arrogance, and domineering nature, his brilliance eclipsed all flaws.

All except in Wen Jianxin’s eyes.

She herself was a favored daughter of heaven, raised in luxury, proud and independent.

No matter how dazzling others were, before her they became ordinary, their brilliance muted.

Xu Wangzhi was never her type to begin with, and on top of that, he had forced himself upon her, doing things against her will again and again—so much so that he had sent her to the hospital repeatedly.

Given the current state of things, there was no chance the two would ever grow old together.

The fight was eventually discovered by passersby.

A woman’s scream brought it to a halt.

Wen Zhouyi was the first to stop. His handsome face was covered in bruises, but he calmly straightened his disheveled clothes, his expression cold as he looked at his equally battered opponent.

“I always keep my word. Between you and my sister—it’s over.”

“Impossible!”

Xu Wangzhi roared, the taste of blood thick in his mouth.

He glared at him, eyes vicious.

“Stay out of this! Don’t think that just because you’re her brother, I won’t do something to you. I let the last time slide. But if there’s a next time, don’t expect mercy!”

Wen Zhouyi gave him a cool glance, his tone indifferent.

“Bring it on.”

Then he turned and walked away with calm, elegant composure.

In that moment, he resembled Wen Jianxin—aloof, untouchable, dismissive of the world.

That very air of disdain was enough to infuriate anyone who faced them.

Xu Wangzhi stared at his retreating figure, his fists slowly tightening until he smashed them against a nearby pillar.

Blood seeped out, but he didn’t care.

All he could think of was his brother-in-law’s determination to take Wen Jianxin away from him.

Damn it. Damn it all!

No one could take her from his side.

No one!

Onlookers, frightened by his crazed expression, hurriedly scattered.

Madman. Truly a madman.

Xu Wangzhi forced down the storm in his chest and lowered his eyes, noticing the wrinkles on his clothes. A faint crease appeared between his brows as he fell into thought.

Then he turned quickly and strode away.

He couldn’t appear before her in this state.

He needed to change into fresh clothes, to stand before her clean and composed—

Oblivious to the swollen, bruised face that startled everyone who passed him.