"Does Lixin have any connection with Muchen Zhou?" Her eyelids lifted up, and she stared into Bai Yuming's eyes. Mingxia was distressed after hearing what Yeong had to offer. According to her statement, her mother remarried after her father's death, and in the long run, Muchen hasn't been treating her that well. He imprisons her, directs her life, and beats her on top. In order to prove herself, Yeong opened her sleeves to expose the scars on her back. They were many, ugly, and scary scars on her body—the same scars Mingxia got.
"I am his maid and not his assistant. You can contact Skyler for the boss's whereabouts daily if you are looking for Muchen. He knows more than me in that aspect; besides, I am only a housemaid," Bai Yuming answered courteously with a smile on her face, while in her heart she held concern for the young miss. It had not been up to two weeks, and she was already getting herself involved in the messy business of the Mu.
Bai Yuming's heart tucked painfully, knowing how anxiety almost ate Mingxia up. They had come to have a full body check, and ever since then, she had been thinking a lot and had to recall the doctor's words several times, which was unlike her. Bai Yuming pouted her lips worriedly and looked back at Mingxia.
"I hate to pry into your life, but I am really disturbed by your questions. Did you have a fight with Lixin last time? I saw how he walked out on you and slammed the door loudly. I did not want to interfere with your business, so I ignored it. Your constant queries prove that."
"How do I put it now?" Mingxia pouted her lips. Her brows were creased, thinking of a way to stop Bai Yuming from worrying about her. She was fine, at least for now. In addition, her family's issue was very complicated for an outsider to understand. Let's just say my father is an asshole."
"You had a father?" Curiosity piqued Bai Yuming's interest as she squatted down on her knees to listen to the young girl. To be honest, Bai Yuming never knew that Mingxia's parents were still alive. On a stormy night, Lixin made a call, requesting feminine wear, a bath towel, and soft nightwear that night. She had not fully understood what he meant or why he needed female supplies until after three and a half months, when she finally got to meet Mingxia in the hospital. She was pale and feeble, and her skin dried up. Her lips had broken lines and slowly turned blue. She was attached to the beeping monitor, and from afar, she could see her semi-lifeless body. Since then, Bai Yuming grew fond of the comatose Mingxia and took her time to read, play, and chat with her even when she was in a coma.
Luckily, she woke up not too long after Bai Yuming's daily visit and was diagnosed with paralysis. Lixin himself refused to disclose whose daughter he was, but from seeing his soft, caring nature around her, Bai Yuming guessed Mingxia was someone very special to him. The way he took care of her proved she was not an ordinary being—could it be the woman in the picture the boss adores every day?
"I wish I did not from the onset," Mingxia sulked up as bitterness filled her heart. People say fathers were the best things that ever happened to them; they give protection, care, and show love; nevertheless, hers was a different case. She never had a perfect father, nor did she have a whole family, yet Mingxia never gave a shite about that. Every day, she worked hard to please her father, keeping in mind that he adored her. She worked hard to excel, and when she was about to graduate from high school, that was when it began! Her father snapped daily at her, unleashing his anger on her. Every night was a nightmare for her; she went to sleep with scars imprinted on her body and woke up only to see that he had never changed.
Life did have a harsh way of making her suffer!
"I never knew my mother; I had a sister, but she died when I was much younger. I only had my dad, and that was when the love he gave to me when I was small vanished. I did not know when I would get used to his yelling and canes. I was a prisoner in my own home; my movements were restricted like a slave. My voice was never heard. I had to keep silent even when I fought for my opinion to be noticed. Not too long ago, I found out I was only a pawn in my father's stupid scheme. He confessed that he was the one who killed my mother and sister. I wish… In fact, I am only a rejected soul!"
"They might have rejected you, but I will never do so!" A masculine voice stormed the both of them from behind, resulting in them gazing at where the voice came from. It was him—the person she wanted to talk to.
Mingxia wiped her tears away unconsciously and put on a brief, fake smile. She signaled for Bai Yuming to help her with the wheelchair, and before she could react, her cheeks were cupped into a ball by Lixin. He stared into her dark eyes and rubbed her hair.
"I am here with you. Do not cry." His words were comforting, therefore putting Mingxia at ease. How she wished someone cherished her the same way Suyin, Bai Yuming, Lixin, and Haoru did for her. If she had those people in her next life, then it would be by chance. Her tears disappeared, and she sniffed in her snorts into her back nostrils. His soft palms sent shivers down her spine—inexplicable but good shivers.
Her body was lifted from the wheelchair and taken directly into the car, with Bai Yuming dragging the wheelchair behind them. Carefully, he laid her in the front seat, strapped the seatbelt, and instructed Bai Yuming to go home, saying that they would come home later. Bai Yuming nodded and gave them some private space, and in the next second, she boarded a cab straight back to the mansion. It was only the two of them left in the car, and Mingxia could not resist stealing glances from Lixin while he drove. His face was a masterpiece, although she found it hard to deeply scrutinize it because of the mask. Anyway, she enjoyed watching him. His sexy pink lips merge with each other, and his focused attention is on the road.
"Did I not tell you never to leave the house without a disguise? Your safety is at risk!" Lixin's hoarse voice kept her in a daze until she understood what he was saying. She bit her lips and looked down. How could she forget to put on her disguise after speaking to Yeong? "You do not want to speak?" He sighed in frustration, ruffling his hair, and laid back on the car seat. His skillful driving made it easy for him to steer the Lamborghini with only one hand. His gestures were all worn out, and tiredness was written plainly on his face.
…Did he also have a hard day too? Mingxia peeked again at him and proceeded to speak up. It was hard to find her voice, especially when she had been crying a while ago, but she managed to do so.
"I have something to tell you, and before I start, you must agree to it. I know a way to kill two birds with one stone. My father and your father are working together for shady reasons best known to them, and knowing who my father is going up against is not the best option either. I want to be your lawyer."
"I want to be your lawyer." Mingxia paused in her statement and deeply stared into his eyes. "I want to fight with you; believe me, I am not making a mistake. My father needs to be taught a lesson, and having me on your team would make it faster."
"And have you risked your life? That is not going to happen, Mingxia." He laughed amusingly, thinking she was only joking with him to make the atmosphere livelier. She frowned and balled her fist. He also thought she was weak, too. Disappointment filled her heart, and she gazed away from him. Her fist softened when his palms landed on hers. "I understand you want to repay me back. There is no need for that."
"So, do you think it is because I feel guilty for your kindness that is why I want to risk my life to repay you? You flatter yourself too much."
"I do? How come I have never heard you compliment me this way? Lixin replied sarcastically refuting her words. Therefore, he was the bad guy for caring for her now! "I care about your health and your safety too. It is too dangerous. I have to get myself involved but you…That cannot do. You are still recuperating and putting you in danger is not the best solution,"
"I thought about that before coming to me you. Lixin, I am not feeling guilty, I only want to help. Besides, my ruthless father is involved with Haoyu's sue case, and having you face him alone is inimical. I saw your sue letter and I am very sure those two have a reason for teaming up."
"Did you snoop around my things?"
"Take a guess…"