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"You are such a despicable woman, taking advantage of your injury to coerce him into marrying you, aren't you?"
Yuan Manling stormed into the Feng Family residence, completely losing her usual elegance and grace.
"Miss Yuan, thank you for the reminder," Xian Xiang said with a smile, her gaze making Yuan Manling feel like she was doing something foolish.
"You shameless person," Yuan Manling retorted.
"Oh? What do you think I look like?" Xian Xiang innocently pinched her own cheek.
"You..." Yuan Manling was so furious that her lips began to tremble.
Xian Xiang slowly approached her, looking directly into her eyes with a smile and said, "Yuan Manling, did you know? I heard about you and Brother Zong Ran before I came to Shanghai. I know he doesn't love me; there are too many tragedies with arranged marriages. I don't want him to repeat the same mistakes, so I'm actually glad he met you in Shanghai. Although it makes me sad, I never intended to break you two apart. I won't be your enemy. I respect you, so please respect me as well."
"Hmph, a country bumpkin like you wants me to respect you? Dream on." Yuan Manling pushed towards Xian Xiang.
She fell onto the sofa, feeling a slight pain in her back. Shaking her head with a smile, she whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Yuan Manling, you're really not a smart person!"
"What do you mean?" Yuan Manling asked with her hands on her hips. Just then, footsteps echoed from the stairs as Feng Zongran descended with a dark expression.
Yuan Manling hurriedly approached him and said, "Zongran, so you're home!"
Feng Zongran ignored her and walked straight to Xian Xiang's side, leaning down to ask with concern, "Are you alright? Did you hurt yourself?"
"I'm fine; I sat down by myself," Xian Xiang replied.
"Still trying to deceive me? I saw everything from the stairs," Feng Zongran said.
He turned his gaze back to Yuan Manling and said with mild anger, "Man Ling, you've gone too far."
"I... she was clearly bullying me!" Yuan Manling stomped her foot in frustration before turning and running out.
"Push him and tell him, 'Go after her!'" Xian Xiang urged.
"She always throws a tantrum. I can't keep indulging her like this. She looks down on you for being from the countryside, and she'll eventually look down on me too," Feng Zongran sighed as he placed a cushion behind her.
"Brother Zong Ran, I'm sorry for affecting your relationship by coming here," Xian Xiang said softly.
"This has nothing to do with you. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have realized there were so many issues between us," Feng Zongran smiled, casually brushing his fingers against her face.
But as his hand touched her cheek, both of them froze. It was the first time Feng Zongran had touched any part of Xian Xiang's body besides her hand since they were children.
It was an impulsive action, and as they locked eyes, an unfamiliar emotion flickered in their gazes.
Not far away, Uncle Huai stopped a servant who was coming over with tea, shushing them to leave.
They both laughed at the same time. Feng Zongran withdrew his hand while Xian Xiang shyly lowered her head, her face turning as red as an apple. Feng Zongran felt a bit flustered and stammered, "I have to go to the company. Wait for me to come back for dinner tonight!"
"Okay," Xian Xiang nodded vigorously. Feng Zongran smiled, waved goodbye to her, and called for Uncle Huai to prepare the car before heading out.
Xian Xiang touched her flushed face, still reminiscing about the moment they just shared, unable to help but giggle softly.
At that moment, the phone rang. Xian Xiang picked it up; it was Chen Siyu calling to invite her out for Western food that evening. She declined outright because she wanted to wait for Feng Zongran to return for dinner.
Unfortunately, despite Xian Xiang's hopeful anticipation, Feng Zongran never came back that night.
...
Yuan Manling announced proudly that she was pregnant, and all of Xian Xiang's hopes were utterly shattered.
They were having a child; all her efforts had been in vain.
Yuan Manling didn't see being unmarried and pregnant as shameful at all. She directly demanded that Feng Zongran marry her in Shanghai first before returning to Old Town to meet the Feng family elders.
As night fell, Feng Zongran found himself unable to sleep, sitting in his room and smoking one cigarette after another.
Xian Xiang gently pushed the door open and walked in, reaching out to take his cigarette. "Brother Zong Ran, stop smoking and get some rest," she said.
Feng Zongran looked at her, guilt washing over him as he replied, "Xian Xiang, I'm sorry."
"You haven't done anything wrong to me. You love Yuan Manling, and she is carrying your child. When our parents find out, they'll be overjoyed and won't oppose your marriage," Xian Xiang said, pretending to be calm.
The more she spoke this way, the sadder Feng Zongran felt. He took her hand and said, "I really drank too much that day; everything that happened is beyond my knowledge. If I had been even slightly aware, I wouldn't have..."
"It's too late; there's no point in saying anything now," Feng Zongran said with a bitter smile as he shook his head.
"I shouldn't have come to Shanghai," they both said in unison.
Staring at each other in shock, they suddenly understood each other's feelings. A bittersweet smile crept onto their faces as the taste of sorrow filled their hearts.
She stood while he sat, resting his head against her abdomen, his arms gently wrapping around her waist. In a hoarse voice, he said, "Xian Xiang, I'm sorry."
Xian Xiang pressed her lips tightly together and reached out to stroke his head. "Don't say you're sorry. Thank you for letting me love you for twelve years; that's enough for me to cherish for a lifetime."
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