Song Xi's face turned ashen.
Lou Yuming thrust his phone before her eyes, his voice accusatory, "Go on, call him. Show me how you manipulate us, uncle and nephew, at your whim."
Song Xi felt an inexplicable fear. Even at her most difficult, she had never seen such a cruel and cold-blooded side to him. He was like a different person.
She began to feel genuine dread. But there was no turning back. She had intended to grit her teeth and proceed, but before she could even touch the phone, he tightened his grip, as if intending to snap her wrist.
Song Xi's expression contorted instantly.
"So capable," Lou Yuming whispered like a demon near her ear, "Continue."
He had expected her to retreat and know her place. But to his astonishment, she actually picked up the phone, looked at him, her lips pale, and said, "Pass...word."
Lou Yuming's face darkened like ink with rage. He threw the phone out of the car window.
"Get out!"
Song Xi froze. "But you said..."
Lou Yuming showed no mercy, shoving her out of the car.
Song Xi landed on her backside, her face a picture of grievance.
Yao Yifan had intended to help her up, but a chilling voice from within the car commanded,
"Drive!"
Yao Yifan dared not disobey. He returned to the driver's seat and his breath hitched when he saw a cigarette butt at Lou Yuming's feet. Without a word, he drove away.
No one dared to provoke Lou Yuming when he was smoking; everyone knew that.
Song Xi never imagined she would end up in such a predicament. Though her relationship with Lou Yuming was bound to end, her plan was for a dignified, peaceful separation.
Instead, it had all fallen apart today. Zhang Qi was truly her nemesis! It was all his fault!
She sighed, looking at the bruise on her wrist, then glancing at the phone Lou Yuming had thrown nearby. She then dusted herself off and walked over.
It wasn't broken. It should fetch a few thousand yuan, enough to cover her medical expenses.
Song Xi returned to her rented room, looking weary.
Yi Xiaoling emerged from the bedroom. News of Zhang Qi picking Song Xi up in a new sports car that morning had already spread like wildfire at school. Yi Xiaoling had called and messaged Zhang Qi repeatedly, but received no reply. She was anxious to the point of desperation. Now that Song Xi was back, she immediately asked, without any pretense, "Where did you and Zhang Qi go today?"
Song Xi leaned against the sofa, her voice weak, "To see his grandmother."
Yi Xiaoling gasped, "He took you to meet his parents!"
"Sort of," Song Xi replied, getting up and heading towards her bedroom.
Yi Xiaoling trembled with anger. Why? How was Song Xi worthy?
"Wait!" she called out, "Then why didn't Zhang Qi come back with you?"
Song Xi lacked the energy to placate her now. She replied, "How would I know," and closed the door.
Yi Xiaoling's face soured. So proud! Just wait until she found an opportunity to announce her relationship with Zhang Qi to the world! Then, let's see what she does!
After Song Xi woke from a nap, she received a payment notification text from the hospital.
Her head ached, and her vision blurred.
When it rains, it pours. She pooled all the money she had, which was just enough to cover this quarter's hospital fees, leaving her with nothing for living expenses.
She felt a deep sense of unease. She wanted to cry but felt it would be melodramatic. So, with a stinging nose, she went to check Lou Yuming's WeChat. Since they had broken up, asking for some breakup money wasn't unreasonable, right?
She chose her words carefully, crafting her message for a long time. Finally, summoning her courage, she sent it, only to be met with a glaring red exclamation mark.
He had deleted her!