Chapter 11: Should I Even Go In?

Xie Chengyu’s expression darkened slightly. A month ago, he’d been set up—by someone—and it was Xu Ruoxin who had saved him. And in doing so, she’d become pregnant with his child. She wasn’t nearly as bad as people made her out to be.

He stood up, voice calm. “Come outside for a minute.”

Without waiting, he stepped out first. Nan Xiao’s face had gone pale. She followed him out of the room.

In the hallway, Xie Chengyu turned to her. “I’ll make sure Ruoxin doesn’t bother you again. And please tell your friends to stop insulting her.”

Nan Xiao bit down hard on her lower lip—so hard it threatened to draw blood—but Xie Chengyu couldn’t see it behind her mask. She nodded, trying to say, *Yes, I understand*, but no words came out.

She felt wrecked. All she wanted was to get away.

Xie Chengyu noticed something was off. “What’s wrong?”

She shook her head. “Nothing. I’m leaving now.”

And without another word, she hurried off, afraid that if she stayed any longer, she’d break down and cry.

What kind of man was Xie Chengyu?

He wasn’t exactly cruel. From the start, his attitude toward her had been clear:
She was brought into the Xie family as a bride to perform a lucky marriage for Old Lady Xie—just a transaction. He wouldn’t love her. But he’d pay her well. That was the deal.

For three years, he’d sent her money every month. At their wedding, he’d given her a generous share of assets. On paper, he’d done nothing wrong.

But Nan Xiao still hurt—deeply.

Because she loved him. And in his eyes, there was only one person: Xu Ruoxin.

Outside the hospital, Nan Xiao clutched her chest, leaning against the wall to steady herself.

After a few breaths, she hailed a taxi and headed back to the villa. At the same time, Xie Chengyu returned to the ward.

“Chengyu,” Xu Ruoxin said softly, lifting herself slightly. “Did Nan Xiao seem off just now? Is she okay?”

“She’s fine.” His tone was flat.

Xu Ruoxin glanced at him, testing the waters. “So… when can we live together? I asked the doctor during my prenatal checkup—she said it’s better for both parents to do prenatal bonding.”

Xie Chengyu sat back down. “We haven’t officially divorced yet. It wouldn’t be fair to her.”

That was his way of saying no. Instantly, Xu Ruoxin’s eyes welled up.

“Chengyu… do you not like me anymore? Are you still angry about me leaving you in college? I know I was wrong.”

Back then, they’d fallen in love. When Old Mr. Xie found out, he’d personally investigated Xu Ruoxin’s background—and was horrified. Her parents were migrant workers. She was studying at a film academy, likely destined for stardom. To him, she was everything unacceptable.

He forced them to break up. Xie Chengyu refused.

But soon after, Xu Ruoxin broke it off herself—on purpose. She wasn’t really ready to leave. She just wanted to test him.

She never expected him to agree. Worse, he didn’t even try to stop her. So furious, she left the country.

A year later, she cooled down and came back—only to find out Xie Chengyu had already married someone else.

“I don’t hate you. Don’t overthink it.”

Xie Chengyu paused, then spoke.

Then he stood. “I need to go back to the office for a meeting. Rest up. Call me if you need anything.”

As he left the hospital, Xie Chengyu found himself thinking about Nan Xiao’s eyes again.

There was something hypnotic about them. Whenever he talked to her, he couldn’t help but stare into her gaze—trying to read her emotions through her pupils.

Today, she’d looked troubled. What was going on?

It was just a passing thought. After all, Nan Xiao was nothing more than an inconsequential figure in his life. He pushed it aside quickly.

But on the drive back to the company, a strange unease settled over him—like something was missing.

When he reached his office, he passed by the secretary’s desk. The coffee table was empty. Suddenly, he realized what was off.

Today was Wednesday. For the past three years, every Wednesday, Nan Xiao had brought him a bowl of Du Zhong pigeon soup. Today, it wasn’t there.

He turned away, walked into his office, and began working. An hour later, he left the Xie Group headquarters and drove back to the ancestral estate.

At the gate, he spotted a figure standing there—hesitating, unsure whether to step inside.

He parked the car and walked over. “Why are you just standing here?”

Nan Xiao looked up, her eyes clouded with conflict. “I… I don’t know if I should go in.”