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Chapter 43: It Was All Just to Spite Herself

After the doctor finished the examination and confirmed she only needed rest to recover, Ji’s mother and father finally breathed a sigh of relief.

“That’s good. But for the next while, you must rest properly, you hear me? As the saying goes, ‘a hundred days to heal bones and tendons,’” Ji’s mother instructed seriously.

Her father chimed in, “Listen to your mom. Just forget about work for now. I’ve invested so much money—I refuse to believe they’d just toss you aside.”

Listening to them go on back and forth, Ji Xueli smiled helplessly.
“I got it. Don’t worry.”

“Let Yanzhou stay with you for now. Your dad and I are going home to grab some things,” Ji’s mother said as she glanced at Ji Yanzhou, who had been standing nearby watching Ji Xueli. She nudged her husband.

“Haven’t we already brought the stuff?” her father asked, confused as he was pulled up and out.

Ji’s mother gave him a sharp slap on the arm and dragged him out.

“…”
Ji Xueli twitched the corner of her mouth. That was so obviously not ‘accidental.’

Ji Yanzhou looked at her. “I’ve looked into the cause of the accident. We should have the culprit by tomorrow.”

“Mm.” Ji Xueli didn’t know what to say to him. Seeing how tired he looked, she just nodded.

“I told you before to stay away from Duan Qingyu…”

“If you’re here to lecture me, you can just leave. I don’t want to hear it.” Ji Xueli raised her hand, cutting him off.

Ji Yanzhou took a deep breath, holding back his emotions.
“Ji Xueli, after what happened, you still insist on this?”

“I don’t understand—why does who I spend time with need your approval?” Ji Xueli looked straight at him.

His expression darkened, and the atmosphere turned tense. His cold gaze felt like it could pierce through her.

“Why don’t you go spend time with Miss Xie? I can manage my own life.” She turned away. He doesn’t even manage his own feelings but constantly meddles in others’ business. Must have a lot of free time.

Xie Yujun?

He thought she was upset because of Xie Yujun. That’s why she got close to Duan Qingyu—to spite him…

Ji Yanzhou misunderstood the meaning behind her words. His expression softened a little.
“She’s just my assistant.”

“Oh.” Ji Xueli picked up a mirror to check whether her face was injured, clearly not caring.

Ji Yanzhou thought she was still throwing a tantrum and continued,
“There’s nothing between me and her—”

“LILI! I heard you woke up! I came straight from the prince’s place! Waaaahhh!”

Before he could finish, Chengdu stormed in, dusty and disheveled, rushing to the bedside and bawling.

“You’re finally awake! Are you in pain? Anything uncomfortable?” he asked anxiously, eyes darting over her.

Seeing him like that, Ji Xueli couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m fine, don’t worry.”

“Ever since I heard about the accident, I haven’t been able to sleep! If I’d known, I would’ve dragged you both into the car myself that night,” Chengdu said, on the verge of tears.

“What’s done is done. Don’t dwell on it. How’s Duan Qingyu?” Ji Xueli asked.

“He’s still unconscious. No idea when he’ll wake up.”

Still unconscious… Ji Xueli immediately tried to get out of bed.
“Take me to see him.”

“The doctor said you need rest—did you forget?” Ji Yanzhou grabbed her wrist, voice firm.

“You’re here too?” Chengdu turned and finally noticed him.

“I have no reason not to go. If he hadn’t protected me, I’d be way more injured.” Ji Xueli said seriously.

Then she held out her hand to Chengdu. “Come on, help me up.”

“Let’s go then. Poor Qingyu, all alone over there…” Chengdu sighed as he helped her.

“That Song Ruo girl didn’t come?”

“Why would we tell her? She’s not even close to Qingyu.”

Ji Yanzhou watched them walk off.
And just like that, the haze that had clouded his mind these past days seemed to lift a little.

Everything she’d done…
Was just to spite herself.

He raised his hand and looked at the bracelet on his wrist. His cold expression finally softened.

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