Chapter Fifteen: Are You Asking to Die?

“Jiang, I know I shouldn’t be calling you at this hour, but General Manager Xu said if I don’t get you back, I’ll be fired…”

I knew it—Xu Zhixia would always drag her personal grudges into her dealings with subordinates.

“Xiao Zhu, you were there today. No matter who it was, what Xu Zhixia did is absolutely unacceptable and unforgivable.”

“My divorce from her isn’t just about signing papers; I want us to sever all ties forever.”

“Sorry, Xiao Zhu, I can’t help you. You’re on your own.”

After saying that, I hung up and turned off my phone.

Even if this marriage can’t be dissolved, I’m not someone to be trifled with or avoided.

From now on, whoever wants to deal with Xu Zhixia’s mess can do it themselves!

“Heh, I thought you’d end up playing the doormat again, but you’re really standing your ground this time.”

Lin Xingfan was halfway through his cigarette. “Pass me your ashtray. I haven’t smoked in a while; it feels weird to light up again.”

“Tsk, you’re wasting my smoke, huh?”

“What are you saying? I’m sacrificing myself for the health of a brother—you should be grateful!”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Alright, alright, you’re right no matter what. Besides, there aren’t many left; after this pack, I’m done buying.”

Standing on the balcony for a while, the sun’s heat made my whole body flush and dizzy.

I waved to Lin Xingfan. “It’s so hot out here. Do we really have to stand on the balcony to talk? Should I come over, or will you?”

“True, it’s only early July. I don’t even want to imagine how hot August will be.”

Looking at the short distance between us, I suddenly had a bold and ridiculous idea.

“We’re so close—maybe I should just climb over.”

No sooner had I said it than I pretended to lift my leg onto the railing, only to see Lin Xingfan’s face turn pale.

“I swear, you really want to die, don’t you? This is the thirtieth floor! If you fall, I’ll need a shovel to scrape you up!”

His words instantly painted a bloody picture in my mind, giving me goosebumps. I quickly withdrew my leg.

“Forget it, dear old dad; I’ll come over to you instead.”

Before long, Lin Xingfan pushed open the door and came inside.

“Didn’t Ji Leqing tell you to rest a bit? Why can’t you sleep?”

“How could I sleep? These past few days have been more tumultuous than all the years I’ve lived combined.”

First, diagnosed with late-stage stomach cancer, only three months to live. Then, a divorce battle with Xu Zhixia. My ex-girlfriend became my doctor. My father’s belongings were burned. I moved into Bijiang Mansion…

I could probably write an autobiography titled My Underdog Life. I wonder if anyone would buy it.

Thinking of this, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud, then caught Lin Xingfan staring at me like I was crazy.

“Did the shock make you dumb? Maybe I should take you to see a neurologist or psychiatrist?”

“Don’t talk nonsense—you’re the one who’s dumb. I’m just thinking maybe I sinned in a past life for the heavens to play such a cruel joke on me now.”

Lin Xingfan’s smile faded as he grew more somber and exasperated.

“I told you to cherish Ji Leqing, but you didn’t listen. You insisted on hanging yourself on that crooked tree, Xu Zhixia.”

“You’re in this mess because of your own doing. I’ve never seen a man so hopelessly love-struck as you.”

Yeah, all my suffering is self-inflicted.

Before, I thought I was a pure and honest man caught in a tragic love story like in a movie. Now, I realize I’m just a clown who keeps avoiding reality and numbing himself. Xu Zhixia’s insults weren’t entirely undeserved.

Seeing my downcast expression after his jab, Lin Xingfan sighed heavily. “Enough. Stop thinking about her.”

“You haven’t been back to see Aunt Jiang for a while, right? While you’re still physically able, find some time. I’ll come with you.”

“I’m afraid if I see my mom, I won’t be able to hold back…”

There’s a mysterious connection between mother and child. It’s uncanny. Shortly after my diagnosis, my mom somehow sensed something was wrong and called me.

I can still fool her over the phone, but if I see her in person, I’ll probably collapse into her arms and cry.

I shook my head. “Not yet. I’ll wait until I’ve sorted everything out with Jian Xia before going back.”

“Besides, didn’t you and Ji Leqing both believe that miracles can happen to me?”

“I want to see how my treatment progresses. I don’t want to give my mom hope only to crush it again—it would be too painful.”

Lin Xingfan hesitated for a long moment but said nothing, only nodding. After a while, he changed the subject.

“I’m on duty tonight and won’t be back until tomorrow morning. If you can’t sleep, I’ll have a colleague prescribe something for you.”

“The stomach is an emotional organ—the more you stress, the worse it gets. Don’t bottle things up.”

“If you’re angry, let it out. If you disagree, confront it. When you’re at peace, your stomach will be comfortable, and only then might you get better.”

It had been years since I’d heard Lin Xingfan nag like this. Though nostalgic, it was a bit annoying.

“Got it. How come you’ve never been this long-winded before? You nag more than my mom!”

“You’re picking on me now? Heartless.”

I waved my hand as Lin Xingfan left, not forgetting to close the door behind him.

Lying in bed, perhaps soothed by the deep talk with my good friend, I gradually began to feel drowsy.

I don’t know how long I slept until a thunderclap startled me awake.

As I sat up, a cool breeze carrying dampness brushed against my face.

The curtains fluttered wildly in the wind; the balcony door was still open.

I went out to the balcony, now shrouded in darkness as the city’s skyscrapers lit up one by one.

The sun had long since vanished. The sky was heavy with dark clouds, streaked by flashes of lightning followed by booming thunder.

Xu Zhixia had always been afraid of thunder—ever since I first met her, she’d been terrified.

“Tsk, why am I thinking of her again? What bad luck.”

It was bright and sunny this morning with no forecast of rain, but the weather turned in the afternoon. This year’s weather was truly strange.

The wind pressure on the thirtieth floor was strong. I moved the potted plants inside one by one before locking the balcony door.

No sooner had I locked it than a torrential downpour began, the raindrops pattering dully against the door.

“This balcony door is really sturdy—probably could withstand a typhoon.”

Suddenly, I remembered Lin Xingfan was probably already at the hospital on duty. I should check if his balcony door was closed.

I hurried to his room but didn’t find him. Instead, I ran into a drenched Ji Leqing.

Her soaked white shirt clung to her skin, outlining her alluring curves. The black lace bra beneath was clearly visible.

Her sleek, dark hair hung wet over her shoulders; rainwater trickled down her jawline to her neck and disappeared into the slightly open collar, revealing her décolletage.

My gaze traced down her slender yet well-shaped legs.

The hem of her shirt just covered her hips, teasingly exposing what was barely concealed, stirring my imagination.