Chapter 10: A Pure White Lotus, So Beautiful

Xu Ruoxin clenched her back teeth so hard they ached, fury boiling under her skin like steam about to burst.

But she quickly composed herself, pulling out a few tissues and slowly dabbing at the coffee stain on her cheek—calm, deliberate, elegant.

"South Xiao," she said, voice cool and measured, "you know damn well whether I'm telling the truth or not."

"And I’m not the third party. If you don’t believe me, go ask Chengyu yourself. Ask him if I am."

With that, Xu Ruoxin gave her one last disdainful glance, then turned and walked away with the grace of a woman who’d just left a battlefield—and won.

Lin Yan stared after her retreating figure, jaw clenched, whispering through gritted teeth: “That woman—act like a whore, then play the saint? What a fucking hypocrite!”

South Xiao pressed her lips together tightly, silent.

Ruoxin had dared her to go ask Chengyu himself—meaning she was confident he’d back her up. That meant their relationship was strong, solid. Unshakable.

Then, suddenly, South Xiao clutched her stomach, grimacing in pain.
“Yan… I don’t feel so good…”

“What’s wrong?” Lin Yan shot up, grabbing her arm in alarm.

South Xiao shook her head. It was just a wave of nausea—sharp, sudden—but gone in seconds. Weird.

She’d always had a weak stomach. Discomfort was nothing new. She dismissed it.

Just then, Lin Yan’s client returned. After double-checking South Xiao’s condition, she went back to chatting with the client. South Xiao hailed a cab and headed home.

As soon as she stepped through the front door, her phone buzzed. She answered without looking.

"Hello?"

"South Xiao." Chengyu’s voice was tight, edged with suppressed anger. "What did you say to Ruoxin this afternoon?"

South Xiao paused, reaching for her shoes. "Nothing. Why?"

"She’s in the hospital with contractions," Chengyu said flatly. "The baby almost didn’t make it."

"..."

Her hand froze mid-motion. Her body trembled slightly.

It took her several seconds to find her voice again.
"Is she at Tianhe Hospital? Send me the room number."

Tianhe was the closest hospital to the café. That’s why she asked—she suspected Ruoxin might be there.

A moment later, Chengyu confirmed it. South Xiao slipped her shoes back on, grabbed her keys, and headed out.

She needed to clear things up face-to-face. Not divorcing wasn’t *her* choice—it was the old man’s demand. And she’d make sure Ruoxin never came near her again.

At Tianhe Hospital, South Xiao knocked softly on the ward door. A quiet "Come in" echoed from inside. She pushed the door open.

Inside, Ruoxin lay propped up on pillows, Chengyu sitting beside her like a devoted husband. The scene was picture-perfect—peaceful, tender, almost too perfect.

South Xiao’s chest tightened, sharp as a needle prick. She gripped the doorframe hard, then stepped forward.

"You came." Chengyu’s expression was cold, unreadable.

South Xiao nodded, opening her mouth to speak—when Ruoxin, pale but determined, lifted her head slightly and spoke first.

"Miss Nan," she said, voice soft with apology, "I’m sorry I misunderstood you earlier."

"...?"

South Xiao frowned. "What are you talking about?"

Ruoxin looked at her with eyes full of regret.
"I realized right after I said it—I mean, Grandfather must’ve chosen you because he saw something good in you. You’re kind. You wouldn’t be chasing Chengyu like some desperate woman."

"My contractions have nothing to do with you. The doctor said it was likely the coffee. I already explained everything to Chengyu."

She settled back into the pillow, exhausted but smiling—serene, even radiant.

South Xiao’s fingers curled into fists.

It felt like punching a cloud—no resistance, no satisfaction.

She stared at Ruoxin’s eyes—soft, innocent, pure as a white lotus. But why? Why this act?

Then it hit her.

Ruoxin had acted fast—probably afraid South Xiao had recorded her. This was damage control. Preemptive strike.

Before she could think further, the plain-looking middle-aged woman on the sofa stood up abruptly, voice rising with emotion:

"You weren’t having contractions from coffee! You’ve been drinking it nonstop for days. So why now? Why today?"

"It’s because *this woman’s friend* called you a mistress—and poured hot coffee all over your face! You were shocked, stressed—you reacted physically!"

"Mom!"

Ruoxin cut her off sharply, turning toward Chengyu, her face paling.