LITTLE COWARD

"Mo Xiao, the reason I refused back then wasn't because I still had feelings for you. Talking about money felt like it would ruin things between us," Bai Qing looked at him coldly. "But now I've come to realize, no matter how well I behave, in your eyes, I'm still beyond redemption. So I might as well talk only about interests with you. Feelings? They're just burdens."

She had finally figured it out.

So her heart no longer ached as much.

Even though Mo Xiao had already become a part of her life.

Tearing him away would be painful.

But he was now nothing more than decaying flesh in her heart.

If she didn't cut him out, it would be fatal.

If she didn't, her whole self would rot away.

Mo Xiao sneered coldly, "A burden?"

"Yes, useless things are burdens," Bai Qing replied indifferently. "So, are we divorcing or not?"

"No," Mo Xiao responded icily.

"Not divorcing?" Bai Qing smirked. "What, have you fallen for me?"

"Bai Qing, don't flatter yourself." Mo Xiao's voice was cold. "I'm not divorcing because you haven't agreed to donate bone marrow to Qiqi."

Bai Qing stared at him blankly. "I won't donate. So, let's keep dragging this out. After all, the one who's desperate for this divorce isn't me."

Nor is it Mo's family.

It's you and Yun Qiqi.

"Why are you refusing?" Mo Xiao grabbed her wrist. "If you just agree, everything would be yours. Yet you refuse to budge, Bai Qing, could it be that you're still..."

Bai Qing stared at him, tension filling her.

Could he suspect she was pregnant?

"Do you still have feelings for me?" Mo Xiao asked coldly.

Bai Qing bit her lip.

This man always made her feel so nervous, so on edge.

"No, I don't love you anymore." Bai Qing lowered her dark eyes. "Mo Xiao, I want a divorce, but I will never donate my bone marrow to her. If you don't agree, then we'll see each other in court."

She was utterly exhausted.

She really wanted to escape everything.

"Take me to court?" Mo Xiao suddenly sneered. "Fine, I'll see it through to the end."

"Mo Xiao, I don't want it to come to that." Bai Qing's voice was soft but hoarse. "You know, if we go to court, our relationship will be exposed to everyone."

Exposed to everyone?

Mo Xiao scoffed. "Let them know, then."

With that, Mo Xiao walked into the bathroom.

Bai Qing took a deep breath, a look of helplessness crossing her face.

She and Mo Xiao were caught in a vicious cycle.

She refused to donate bone marrow, and he refused to divorce.

She wanted the divorce, but she wouldn't give her bone marrow to Yun Qiqi.

Because she was carrying a baby.

It was utterly exhausting.

Mo Xiao stood under the hot shower, water streaming down his tall, well-sculpted body.

He was the kind who looked slim in clothes but muscular without.

At this moment.

His mind was filled with images of Bai Qing.

Of her crying, of her smiling, of her heartbreak, and of her sharp words when she argued with him.

He didn't understand why he remembered it all so vividly.

Yesterday, when he saw her step out of Qiao Jiayi's car, he felt an irrational surge of jealousy.

Qiao Jiayi—he had looked into him.

A man in his second marriage, with a daughter, running a small publishing company.

A good-natured man, thoughtful towards his employees, and well-regarded in his industry.

But why would Bai Qing want to marry a man in his second marriage, and with a child?

After showering, he stepped out.

Bai Qing was still sitting at the table, intently sketching.

Today, she wore a simple, comfortable loungewear set, her long hair tied up and resting over her left shoulder.

She looked soft and adorable, a picture of quiet domesticity.

Mo Xiao walked over and lifted her from her chair.

Bai Qing froze. "What are you doing?!"

She grew nervous.

Fresh from his shower, could it be that he...

Last time was out of necessity.

This time, she didn't want to indulge him anymore.

He had been with Yun Qiqi.

He was tainted.

"Why are you so tense? I'm not going to devour you," Mo Xiao said coldly.

Bai Qing bit her lips. "We can talk this through, but Mo Xiao, if we're divorcing, then act like it. Don't touch me!"

Don't touch her?

"Do you think you can make that decision?" Mo Xiao's tone was icy.

Bai Qing pressed her lips together, her voice soft but cold. "If you force me, I'll scream. This isn't our apartment. If Grandma and the others hear me, they'll think you're abusing me, and they'll definitely intervene."

"Have I ever abused you?" Mo Xiao's face darkened.

She really knew how to make things up.

"I feel like you're close to it." Bai Qing's boldness didn't waver. "In any case, all intimate actions should stop. We are divorcing. Have some respect."

Mo Xiao sneered, "And what if I refuse the divorce?"

Refuse the divorce?

"That would only be temporary. You're only keeping me around because you want me to donate bone marrow to Yun Qiqi. If not for that, we would've divorced long ago," Bai Qing said unhappily.

"What if I just refuse to divorce?" Mo Xiao's gaze lingered on her face, smooth like a peeled egg, flawless.

Her skin—how was it so perfect?

Too delicate, though.

The smallest bump would leave a noticeable mark.

It made one feel protective.

"Then we'll just drag it out," Bai Qing said, resigning herself. "In the worst case, we'll drag Yun Qiqi to her death."

Mo Xiao's face darkened.

Bai Qing slipped out of his arms and stood nearby, smoothing her dress. "Mo Xiao, if you divorce me, you and Yun Qiqi can be together openly. Otherwise, you'll never have the chance. Don't you fear she'll live her life full of regrets?"

Mo Xiao remained cold.

"You can stop using my uncle's situation to threaten me. I've been more than patient with you. Even though I've been your wife all these years, who really knows about it besides a few people?" Bai Qing's voice trembled with grievance. "You know that my parents' old colleagues at Ren'ai don't even know about us. But one day, if they find out, have you thought about what might happen?"

"All these years, you've only ever used money to buy me, thinking that's all I care about. Or you've used my uncle to threaten me. You've never once considered my feelings, not even a little." Bai Qing's voice broke. "It's such a pity that I misplaced my trust in you. But now I want a divorce, why is it so hard? If you keep refusing, don't blame me for making this public."

"What are you planning?" Mo Xiao asked, his gaze sharp and cold.

"I'm going to tell everyone that I am your wife, and Yun Qiqi is the other woman. How do you think she'll react?" Bai Qing threatened him in return.

Mo Xiao merely laughed coldly. "Fine. If you, Mrs. Mo, want the world to know, how about accompanying me to a ball tonight? There, you can announce it to your heart's content."

Bai Qing sensed a trap. "I won't go. I'll just post a Weibo."

"I think you're too scared. A little coward," Mo Xiao mocked.