"Lin Xi, who allowed you to use that tone?"
Lu Yunxi's words were cut short as the driver abruptly slammed on the brakes. Lin Xi was pushed into Lu Yunxi's arms, making her see stars. Thankfully, Lu Yunxi protected her head with his hand; otherwise, she might have suffered a head injury.
"Sorry, Mr. Lu," the driver kept apologizing.
"Drive more attentively," Lu Yunxi coldly remarked and then turned his gaze to Lin Xi. "Who allowed you to speak like that?"
"Darling, it was you who asked me to beg, remember?" Lin Xi continued to use her coquettish, soft-spoken voice.
After so many years of marriage, this was almost the first time she had ever acted coquettish toward Lu Yunxi. Previously, she was afraid he wouldn't like it, afraid he would think she was being too dramatic, so she had always held back. But now, since they were both going to get a divorce anyway, she had become more courageous. After all, even if he didn't like it, it would be the last time.
"Sit properly," Lu Yunxi instructed Lin Xi.
Lin Xi immediately sat up straight.
"In the future, mind your tone," he cautioned.
"Okay," she replied.
Her answer didn't seem to satisfy him. "Okay what? Just hearing it won't do; you have to remember."
"Okay, I'll remember."
"Remember, especially not to use that tone with other men," Lu Yunxi added.
After saying that, he couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Lu Yunxi, what are you doing? You've gone crazy! You're about to get a divorce; can you even control her after that?"
He loosened his tie in frustration, feeling a bit relieved that he could breathe again.
When applying the ointment, Lu Yunxi's movements were gentle and delicate. His fingertips lightly caressed Lin Xi's neck, as soft as feathers, creating a tingling sensation. Especially his breath, it brushed against her soft earlobe, indescribably seductive. Lin Xi couldn't help but shudder slightly, and Lu Yunxi's fingers trembled as well. His deep, enigmatic eyes made it impossible to discern his emotions.
After applying the medication, Lin Xi let out a sigh of relief.
At a red traffic light intersection, Lu Yunxi suddenly spoke, "Turn left and go to the mall."
A bewildered Lin Xi asked, "Aren't you going to the office today?"
"My grandfather's birthday has been moved up, and we haven't prepared a gift," he explained. Lin Xi immediately understood and nodded, "I'll go with you."
The two of them headed directly to the jewelry section of the mall. As soon as they arrived, they heard a soft call, "Yunxi!"
Lin Xi turned around and saw Fang Qinglian. She was momentarily stunned, unable to believe her eyes until she saw Fang Qinglian sitting in a wheelchair.
How could this be?
Her legs?
She had never heard anyone mention that Fang Qinglian had leg issues. Wasn't she a dancer?
Lin Xi felt like she had been struck by lightning and stood there in shock for a long time.
It wasn't until Lu Yunxi spoke, "Why are you here? It's so cold inside the mall, and you're dressed so lightly. Aren't you cold?"
While speaking, he took off his own coat and draped it over Fang Qinglian.
Feeling embarrassed, Fang Qinglian looked at Lin Xi. "Actually, it's not cold. He's just overly concerned and afraid I might catch a cold."
She clearly said this on purpose for Lin Xi to hear.
Lin Xi lowered her head, remaining silent.
Fang Qinglian turned her gaze back to Lu Yunxi. "I heard that your grandfather's birthday has been moved up. I want to pick a gift for him. Since you're here, do you know what your grandfather likes? Would you accompany me in selecting a gift?"
"Great!" Fang Qinglian immediately smiled happily, resembling a gentle young woman. "Xiaoman, I'm a bit thirsty; can you get me my water?"
"Oh dear, Miss, I'm sorry, the thermos flask is empty. I'll call them to bring a bottle," Xiaoman replied.
Lu Yunxi promptly interjected, "How long do they take to deliver? I'll go pick it up myself. You two wait here."
Then, he turned to Lin Xi. "I'll be right back."
"Alright," Lin Xi nodded.
After Lu Yunxi left, Fang Qinglian dismissed Xiaoman. In an instant, it was just the two of them.
Lin Xi moved her lips, about to speak, but Fang Qinglian beat her to it. "He's always like this. He insists on taking care of every little detail concerning me personally."
"I've told him to delegate to his assistants, but Yunxi says he can't trust anyone else."
Although Lin Xi didn't want to hear about their loving relationship, these words wormed their way into her mind.
Lu Yunxi was indeed very attentive. In two years of marriage, he never forgot her birthday, all sorts of anniversaries, and holidays, but every time, Lin Xi had to take care of the arrangements. He had never done any of it himself.
On the other hand, Fang Qinglian only asked him to fetch some hot water for her, and he insisted on doing it himself.
As expected, comparison was the root of all unhappiness.
Lin Xi, oh Lin Xi, you've lost miserably.
After a moment of silence, Fang Qinglian spoke first. "Shall we talk?"
Lin Xi nodded.
Seeing Lin Xi staring at her legs, Fang Qinglian spoke up. "It seems you really don't know."
Lin Xi shook her head. "I've never heard about your legs being like this. Yunxi never told me."
"Of course, Yunxi wouldn't have told you." Fang Qinglian's tone became agitated. Maybe realizing this, she took a deep breath and immediately regained her composure. "I'm sorry; I got carried away."
"Not only Yunxi, but the entire Lu family would probably not dare to tell you."
"Why?"
"Mr. Lu is an absolute authority in the Lu family. Any order he gives, who dares to defy it?"
Feeling perplexed, Lin Xi asked, "Mr. Lu treats me as his own granddaughter just because my mother saved their lives, right? But sometimes, I wonder if my mother had been the one who saved them, would my relationship with Yunxi be different? Could I have married him as I wished?"
A sense of impending dread washed over Lin Xi. For some reason, she felt that there was something she didn't know, something that was unraveling layer by layer.
"What do you mean by that?" Lin Xi's breathing became rapid.
"When Mr. Lu was determined to match you with Yunxi, he wanted Yunxi to marry you. But Yunxi didn't agree. They had a standoff for a long time, but Yunxi was still young, and all the power in the Lu family was in Mr. Lu's hands. He used various methods to pressure Yunxi. In the end, Yunxi couldn't resist, so he was forced to marry you."
"No, you're lying."
Lin Xi suddenly became like a hedgehog, fiercely resisting.
Fang Qinglian smiled silently. "I'm speaking the truth because Yunxi married you back then to protect me."