Evan Yu just raised an eyebrow and then advised, "Well, before that second marriage, take good care of yourself. Don't actually get your head knocked silly."
I muttered, "None of your business," not sure if he heard me clearly.
A young nurse hurried in and called Evan Yu away. After he left, Ginny Deng returned. She seemed to have sorted things out and was now very excited. "Zoe, did your devotion finally pay off? Are you getting everything you wanted?!"
"No, the divorce is still happening." My heart was as still as water. I said calmly, "Hugh Pei has already told Evan Yu and the others, including that Lila Wei, that we're getting a divorce."
The smile on Ginny Deng's face froze. "Huh?"
Even with her years of experience in the dating world, a master of love in her own right, she was momentarily baffled by Hugh Pei and my back-and-forth.
One of them acts completely out of character to help, the other was just feeling guilty and consulting her on what to do. Wasn't this a sign of reconciliation?
But Ginny Deng was Ginny Deng. After a few seconds of confusion, she became even more excited. "Yes! You should still get divorced! A woman can't be so humble. He tortured you for ten years. You can't forgive him just because he showed you a little kindness. After the divorce, let him chase you until he's begging on his knees!"
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Ginny Deng was hilarious. Once Hugh Pei and I divorced, not only would there be no dramatic chase, but he would also welcome a happy ending with Lila Wei, getting married and having children.
Lila Wei's existence was still a major factor in Hugh Pei agreeing to divorce me.
"Alright, alright, your imagination is running wild. Go get me something to eat. I want the eggplant with minced meat from the cafeteria. It's actually pretty good," I said with a smile, urging Ginny Deng along.
"You turn down five-star hotel food for cafeteria eggplant with minced meat. Ai, you!" Ginny Deng complained about my lack of taste, but her body was already honestly on its way to the cafeteria. It was lunchtime, and she'd have to wait in line.
Alone in the room, the smile on my face gradually faded, replaced by a faint sense of loss.
I got out of bed and walked to the window, gazing at the snow-covered ground below. Someone in the hospital was putting up New Year's decorations, creating a nice atmosphere.
Tomorrow was New Year's Day, but I had to spend it in the hospital. How tragic.
As I was lost in thought, I heard footsteps behind me. Thinking Ginny Deng had returned so quickly, I said, "Any plans for New Year's tomorrow? If not, how about spending it with me?"
There was no answer from behind me. Confused, I turned around to see a flustered-looking Lila Wei.
She had light makeup on, which made her look delicate. Her already pretty face wore a faint expression of guilt. She was wearing a long, black polka-dot down jacket with a cinched waist and a sweet bow at the collar. Below, she wore nude leggings and a pair of white mid-calf boots. I could tell at a glance that her clothes were of better quality than before, likely much more expensive, but still brands I didn't recognize.
Today, she seemed a bit more mature and composed.
"Sis Zoe, are you feeling better?" Lila Wei asked softly.
"What do you think?" I looked at her coldly. After the kidnapping incident, my impression of her had plummeted.
After saying that, I went back to my bed and started playing on my phone, not wanting to talk to her.
Lila Wei sat down gently on the chair by the bed. She didn't dare to look me in the eye, but she couldn't help sneaking glances at me. I frowned, put down my phone, and asked, "Is there something you need?"
"No, I was just worried about you," Lila Wei replied softly, biting her lip.
"Why would someone who wishes I were dead be worried about me?" I asked with feigned surprise.
The color drained from Lila Wei's face, leaving her pale. She shook her head vigorously. "No, Sis Zoe, I don't wish you were dead!"
I said coldly, "Really? Then tell me why at the warehouse by the docks, you clearly heard my cries for help but ignored them, even telling Hugh Pei and the others I wasn't there? Later, when Hugh Pei and the others found the place, they could even hear He Kang's ringtone, yet you couldn't hear my desperate screams?"
The string of questions made Lila Wei's face turn extremely pale. She stammered, "Sis Zoe, I'm not that kind of person. You know me pretty well, don't you? I just… I didn't hear it then. I might be a little hard of hearing."
"Someone who studies music is hard of hearing?!" I felt my intelligence was being insulted. "Lila Wei, why have you become like this? That night, Hugh Pei must have told you that we're getting a divorce soon. What's your rush?"
My words exposed the darkness in Lila Wei's heart. She seemed unable to accept that she had done something so terrible. She started to cry. "Sis Zoe, I'm sorry. I think I've been going crazy lately. I… I think I've fallen for Mr. Pei!"
I had a whole list of retorts ready, but at that moment, they all got stuck in my throat.
Lila Wei sobbed, "I know… I know I shouldn't have feelings for him, but he's always so forcefully inserting himself into my life. Unconsciously, I've gotten used to his presence. I started to feel insecure, that I'm not good enough for him, and I'm definitely not as good as you. That's why I was suddenly possessed and did something like that. Sis Zoe, I'm sorry. Please don't tell Hugh Pei, okay?"
Once Hugh Pei finds out, he might not be able to come to terms with his own "one that got away" having turned so jealous and vicious.
I found it ridiculous. "Lila Wei, tell me honestly, did you get used to his presence, or did you fall for his generosity in spending lavishly on you? It's easy to go from a simple life to a luxurious one, but hard to go back. I understand that. Looking at the clothes you're wearing now, I know what you're thinking. Your dad's surgery, the compensation for your demolished house—Hugh Pei took care of all of it. You've gotten used to the convenience that money and power bring, haven't you?"
"No!" Lila Wei became agitated, as if she couldn't tolerate me tarnishing her feelings. Her eyes were red. "It's not like that at all! It's not just about the money. I've truly fallen for him as a person!"
"And, Sis Zoe, it wasn't Hugh Pei who planted the seed of materialism in my heart. It was you," Lila Wei added, her gaze a mixture of sorrow and determination.
"It was you who showed me what a truly wealthy life is like. The clothes and accessories you used to wear—I looked them all up. They're very expensive. And the money you lent me to rent a wedding dress—you lent it so easily to someone you barely knew, and you weren't in a hurry for me to pay you back. And what Julian Qi told me about your car… All of it was something I never understood and never yearned for before."
I was truly shocked. So, in the end, was I the one who pushed Lila Wei to fall at Hugh Pei's feet?
Did I use the power of money to corrupt a pure girl's soul?
Alright, maybe I did have a bit of a desire to show off. In my past life, Lila Wei's appearance led to my family's ruin. In this life, I could let her and Hugh Pei be together, but there was always a part of me that felt unbalanced, so I deliberately did some petty things.
"You can go now," I said, no longer wanting to talk to Lila Wei.