Chapter 57 Scheme[Part 3]

"Was it your idea or Zhou Yi's to have dinner together?"

"It was Zhou Yi's idea. He doesn't want to ruin the bond between you and me, so he thought we should talk."

"Have you ever considered that as long as he exists, there will always be a crack in our relationship?"

"Why do you insist on thinking this way? Zhou Yi has always wished us well. Ever since we got together, he's been nothing but kind to you. Why do you keep assuming the worst about him?"

Xia Qiuzhi's words were like pouring gasoline onto an already blazing fire.

Wang Xuan was so enraged that his thoughts became muddled, and his words began spilling out without restraint.

"He's only nice to me because of you, isn't he? Don't you realize how deeply he cares for you? Why are you still keeping him around? Isn't one man enough for you? Do you really need Zhou Yi constantly checking up on you? Are you that desperate for male attention?!"

Wang Xuan's tone dripped with accusation.

He rarely lost his temper with Xia Qiuzhi, but seeing her reconnect with Zhou Yi today had clearly struck a nerve.

To make matters worse, Zhou Yi had grown not only more handsome but also wealthier, leaving Wang Xuan gripped by a rising sense of panic.

He knew he couldn't compete with Zhou Yi anymore. If Zhou Yi decided to step back into her life, who would Xia Qiuzhi choose? The answer seemed painfully obvious.

Hearing these words, Xia Qiuzhi froze for a moment before her eyes welled up with tears, which began cascading down her cheeks.

"Since I've been with you, I haven't had any other male friends besides Zhou Yi. Are you asking me to abandon all my friendships for you?"

"Anyone but Zhou Yi."

"He's been my friend for over ten years. He stood by me through the toughest times of my life."

"Look at you, always coming up with excuses. You refuse to distance yourself from him no matter what. I don't want to hear any more stories about your past with him."

"I… I've already treated him coldly. Why are you still so hung up on his presence?"

Wang Xuan struggled to find the right words. There were things he didn't dare—or couldn't—say outright. If Xia Qiuzhi ever pieced everything together, it would spell disaster.

He softened his tone slightly. "Fine. Let's go ahead with dinner. It's time we had a proper conversation with him."

Arguing further with Xia Qiuzhi would only play into Zhou Yi's hands.

Xia Qiuzhi let out a sigh of relief, replying in a subdued voice, "Alright, but don't act unhappy when we meet. Zhou Yi is already…"

"—Enough!" Wang Xuan slammed his hand on the table, gritting his teeth. "Even agreeing to see him is me swallowing my pride. Don't push it."

Xia Qiuzhi wiped away her tears, feeling wronged.

"Why are you being so harsh today? You've never acted like this before."

"What you said was completely out of line. You didn't even consider my feelings as your boyfriend."

Out of line?

Xia Qiuzhi was bewildered. All she wanted was for Wang Xuan to get along peacefully with her friend. What had Zhou Yi done wrong?

He hadn't done anything. In fact, in this situation, the fault lay entirely with Wang Xuan.

In the past, she had said countless hurtful things to Zhou Yi, yet he had never once spoken harshly to her. But Wang Xuan couldn't manage that level of patience.

Thinking about this, she lowered her gaze in disappointment.

Now, even if she felt angry or upset, Zhou Yi wouldn't comfort her anymore.

She suddenly wondered whether alienating Zhou Yi for Wang Xuan was worth it.

A flicker of doubt passed through her eyes.

"Forget it. I don't want to argue anymore. Think carefully about whether you're truly in the wrong."

With that, Wang Xuan ended the call.

Xia Qiuzhi stood on the balcony, staring blankly at the night sky. Her mind drifted back to the days when she and Zhou Yi used to stargaze on the orphanage roof.

That night, a shooting star streaked across the heavens, and they both made wishes under the stars.

She had asked Zhou Yi what he wished for.