Volume 1, Chapter 49: We're Dead Anyway, What Does It Matter?

Fang Lanru looked at Shen Yikang in disbelief. "You... how dare you hit me?"

Shen Yikang had lived as a coward for half his life, suppressed by Fang Lanru at every turn. Never had he expected that, out in public, he would actually strike her across the face.

I was equally surprised.

Ever since Meng Xiangyi returned to the family, Fang Lanru had scolded me countless times in similar fashion. Every single time, Shen Yikang would simply sit to the side and smoke in silence, never once uttering a word to defend me. Let alone disciplining Fang Lanru—that was something entirely beyond the realm of possibility.

Shen Yikang’s hand trembled slightly, his eyes tinged with red. Lowering his voice, he spoke with palpable displeasure, "Keep your voice down. Is this something glorious to broadcast?"

Stunned by the blow, Fang Lanru took a moment to register his words, failing to grasp his intent right away.

I, however, understood instantly.

Shen Yikang hadn't hit Fang Lanru for my sake; he did it because her outburst had thoroughly exposed his past infidelity. Timid as he was, he cherished his reputation above all else. Back in the day, Fang Lanru had been captivated by his upright and kind demeanor, and outsiders viewed him as a gentle, refined, and dashing man. Yet even a man of this caliber had kept numerous mistresses behind her back.

One of those mistresses was my biological mother, Meng Wan.

Initially, Fang Lanru and Meng Wan had been close friends, but Meng Wan used that very connection to climb into Shen Yikang's bed. At that time, Fang Lanru was already pregnant with Meng Xiangyi, and Meng Wan conceived shortly after. Wanting to secure a wealthy life for me, Meng Wan deliberately induced a premature miscarriage to give birth to me, then switched me with Meng Xiangyi.

Meng Xiangyi had been born half an hour before me. Meng Wan bribed a doctor at the Shen family’s private hospital, and the scheme succeeded.

When Fang Lanru discovered the truth at the age of thirteen, she fainted in rage multiple times. She had known about Shen Yikang's affairs outside, but never in her wildest dreams had she imagined one of the women would be her dearest friend—a friend who had secretly swapped her child. How could she not be furious? How could she not harbor resentment?

That was why she had despised me all these years, going to every length to drive me out of the house. Yet, because a fortune-teller had predicted that Meng Xiangyi would face a grave calamity and needed someone born in the Year of the Pig to act as a shield, Fang Lanru finally relented.

I knew Fang Lanru hated Meng Wan, and I knew my mother had wronged her. That was why, no matter how harshly she insulted me over the years, I never talked back, choosing instead to bear it in silence.

When all was said and done, Shen Yikang had only acted for himself.

Seeming to finally process what had happened, a surge of fury rushed to Fang Lanru's head. "So you know it's not glorious, do you? What were you doing earlier then?! Shen Yikang, who do you think you are, daring to hit me? Have you completely lost your mind?"

Stepping forward swiftly, Fang Lanru raised both hands and began to slap Shen Yikang fiercely across the face from left to right. Within moments, two bright red handprints blossomed across his cheeks.

Bo Congnan stood nearby, paying no heed to the farcical scene unfolding before him. His gaze remained fixed entirely on the doors of the operating room, his perspiring palms betraying his inner turmoil. He was worried—worried about Meng Xiangyi.

I stood to the side like a detached spectator. Previously so eager to rush to Country M to rescue me, he now had eyes and a heart for no one else since disaster had struck Meng Xiangyi.

Meng Xiangyi had been severely injured this time, and the surgery was still ongoing by morning.

Li Shuo glanced at the flight departure time and murmured to Bo Congnan, "Boss, if we don't leave now, it will be too late."

Bo Congnan had sat outside the operating room doors all night. Fatigue filled his eyes, and heavy stubble shadowed his jaw.

The lights of the operating room remained on, and there was no telling when Sister Xiangyi would come out. It was all his fault; he shouldn't have spoken with such harshness back then. If anything happened to Sister Xiangyi because of him, he would never forgive himself.

Staring at the operating room doors, Bo Congnan said, "I will leave once the surgery is over."

"But Madam..."

Before Li Shuo could finish, Bo Congnan shot him a warning glance. Only then did Li Shuo remember that the Shen family members were still present. It wouldn't matter if they found out the wife had been kidnapped, but he dreaded the prospect of them discovering the truth about the MB endurance race back then. That was a secret Bo Congnan kept buried deep in his heart; if others found out, they might use it as leverage to threaten him.

After an indeterminable wait, the doors of the operating room finally swung open. Fortunately, the procedure had gone smoothly, and Meng Xiangyi's injured calf would recover fully with proper rest.

Inside the ward, all three of them crowded around Meng Xiangyi's bed.

"Don't be afraid, Xiangyi, Mother is here."
"What would you like to eat? Father will go buy it for you."
"Sister Xiangyi, are you alright?"

Lying in the hospital bed, pale and weakened from the surgery, Meng Xiangyi offered them a gentle smile. "It's so good to have you all."

Indeed.

How wonderful.

Seeing this scene, I couldn't help recalling what happened when the accident occurred at the racing track. I had been rushed to the hospital, and when I regained consciousness and was out of danger, my vision was nothing but a blur. Not a single family member was by my side.

In truth, I had asked the nurse to call the Shen family for me back then, but they had been too busy caring for the ailing Meng Xiangyi to even answer the phone. As for Bo Congnan, upon hearing that Meng Xiangyi had missed the race due to a stomachache, he had specially gathered all sorts of trinkets to cheer her up.

At my most vulnerable, when I needed them the most, everyone around me had chosen Meng Xiangyi. I had weathered those dark, desolate days entirely alone.

Yet this time, Bo Congnan knew full well I would be in danger in Country M, and my captors had even used my life to threaten him. He knew I might die! Yet he still chose to stay with Meng Xiangyi.

Watching them surround Meng Xiangyi, scenes from the past replayed endlessly in my mind. Suddenly, I turned my back to them and looked out at the faintly lit dawn in the distance. Pure white snowflakes danced endlessly, drifting into my eyes with a chilling sharpness.

Aside from those thirteen years of happiness, my entire life, until death, remained a bitter winter.

Unable to hold back any longer, Li Shuo leaned close to Bo Congnan's ear to remind him, "Boss, the plane is about to take off. If we don't leave now, we truly won't make it."

Meng Xiangyi spoke in a weak voice, "Congnan, if you have things to attend to, go ahead. I'll be fine; your matters are more important."

Bo Congnan patted the back of Meng Xiangyi's hand. "Sister Xiangyi, I want to stay with you a little longer."

With that, he gestured for Li Shuo to step outside.

Seeing this, Li Shuo could only sigh inwardly and turn to leave. The doctor had clearly stated that Miss Meng’s life was not in danger, yet the boss insisted on staying by her side. Meanwhile, his wife remained alone in a foreign land at the mercy of vicious thugs. To put it bluntly, his wife's life was hanging by a thread in their hands, yet the boss felt no concern whatsoever, choosing instead to guard someone whose life was not at risk. It was truly chilling.

Having guessed this outcome long ago, I felt no surprise in my heart.

Gazing at the falling snow filling the sky, I smiled faintly.

I was already dead anyway; what did any of it matter now?

Fang Lanru and Shen Yikang stepped out to purchase daily necessities for Meng Xiangyi's hospital stay. The moment they left, Meng Xiangyi turned her pale face toward me and softly spoke, "Didn't you say you were done interfering with my life? Why are you here again?"