Chapter 40: You Disdain This Ugly Scar on Me

The sudden ringing in his ears made Kong Chengyu abruptly push her away, his sharp gaze now tinged with a cold glint.

Just a moment ago, they had been lost in a tight embrace, but in the next second, Ding Jia was pushed away without warning. Her face, flushed with passion, looked at him in confusion.

"Let's eat first!" The table was already filled with dishes that had long since gone cold, but Kong Chengyu picked up his chopsticks as if the earlier moment of losing control had never happened.

Gradually waking from her daze, Ding Jia pursed her lips, her voice trembling with tears. "Don't you love me? Do you dislike this ugly scar on me?"

She had been so proactive in pressing herself against him, yet he had pushed her away, acting as if nothing had happened. She couldn't tolerate being treated this way. In the world of their relationship, she had long been the princess he had cherished and protected, showered with all his affection and compliance, never once rejected.

His hand paused mid-air as he picked up a dish. Kong Chengyu glanced at her coldly. "Ding Jia, don't be unreasonable."

"Then, don't leave tonight. Stay with me!" Shocked by his coldness, Ding Jia still mustered the courage to make her demand directly. "Since she's not your real wife, let me fulfill the duties of a wife. Let's live happily like we used to!" Even if she couldn't immediately drive that woman away, she couldn't allow Kong Chengyu to go back, to be with her. He had never treated her so coldly before, and she couldn't give him any chance to change. Moreover, she needed to get pregnant as soon as possible. Only by getting pregnant could she secure the position that had once belonged exclusively to her.

His expression softened slightly, his handsome features becoming more gentle. Kong Chengyu patiently explained, "I've been staying at the company recently. Don't worry. Focus on recovering."

From the moment she hadn't forgotten about the black diamond card even in the heat of passion, he had decided he wouldn't see her again, let alone return to Xiaoyue Residence.

Not daring to push further, Ding Jia put on a pitiful expression, standing up to thoughtfully pick up some food for him. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have acted like that. I'll be more obedient in the future."

No matter what, today's gains had already exceeded her expectations. She was absolutely confident she could drive that woman out of Kong Chengyu's world.

Since that day at the restaurant, it had been nearly half a month since Hua Lianxi had been living alone at Xiaoyue Residence. Every day, she forced herself to stay strong, accompanying Hua Zhenzhen. Gradually, Hua Zhenzhen's thoughts had become clearer, and she occasionally clamored to leave the hospital.

The warm morning sun shone down as Hua Lianxi walked with Hua Zhenzhen in the garden of the sanatorium. The fresh air temporarily lifted the gloom in her heart.

"Xixi, take me away from here. The people here are all abnormal. Look, they're locked in their rooms alone, tied to their beds. It gives me the creeps!" With her thoughts clearer, Hua Zhenzhen had gradually developed a fear of the sanatorium, afraid that one of the patients might lose control and harm her. Moreover, deep down, she refused to admit she had any mental issues.

Sitting Hua Zhenzhen down on a stone bench, Hua Lianxi sat beside her, pondering for a moment before speaking slowly. "Mom, I'm really busy with work right now. If I take you home, I'm afraid I won't have time to take care of you. Wait another two months, and once I'm done, I'll take you home right away, okay?"

Although the attending doctor was pleased that Hua Zhenzhen had regained clarity, he emphasized that she needed further observation, fearing her condition might relapse, leading her to harm herself again or fall back into a confused state, trapped in a tangled world. Therefore, Hua Lianxi didn't dare to take her out of the hospital rashly.

"Hmph, what are you so busy with? If you're so busy, how come you can visit me every day? Are you嫌弃ing me now, not wanting me to come home?" The fear in her heart made Hua Zhenzhen explode in anger, questioning her sharply.

"Auntie, what's wrong?" From not far away, Cheng Shaobai strode over in a white shirt and black trousers. "Auntie, you look better and better. Even the flowers pale in comparison to your beauty!" Handing her a bouquet of red roses, Cheng Shaobai joked with a smile.

"These... are for me?" Her anger not yet subsided, Hua Zhenzhen was suddenly delighted by the beautiful flowers, her face lighting up with joy.

"Of course, flowers for a beauty!" Handing her the bouquet, Cheng Shaobai's gaze fell on Hua Lianxi beside her. "Auntie, Lianxi has been busy designing my house recently. Once she's done, she'll definitely take you home right away, okay? Even if she doesn't, I'll take you home myself. I've already found a place for you!"

Pretending not to notice the expectation in his gaze, Hua Lianxi looked away, softly agreeing. "Mom, don't you even trust Brother Cheng?"

Almost every day, Cheng Shaobai would visit Hua Zhenzhen with gifts. Their relationship had grown so close that Hua Lianxi sometimes wondered if it surpassed her own. Her mother trusted him absolutely, always following his arrangements.

"Okay, okay, okay!" Hua Zhenzhen agreed repeatedly, her trust in Cheng Shaobai unwavering. "Then I'll wait for you to take me out of here. You must come to our house often for meals!"

"Hua Zhenzhen, it's time to go back to your room for blood pressure and medication!" Shortly after, a nurse in a white uniform appeared before the three of them, coaxing Hua Zhenzhen back to her room.

Having just come out to enjoy the sun and fresh air, Hua Zhenzhen was reluctant to return to the empty, pale room, her face scrunching up like a child's.

"Mom, be good. Take your medicine first. Only after you've finished all your medicine can we go home." Adjusting her mother's clothes, Hua Lianxi smiled warmly, as if she were the mother comforting a sulking child. Unconsciously, their roles had reversed.

Watching Hua Zhenzhen walk away with the nurse, Cheng Shaobai leaned in close to Hua Lianxi, a warm smile on his face. "Just had the chef make it!" He handed her a box, his voice soft and comforting. "Take your time with the design. There's no rush."

The lady of his house wasn't yet secured, so the design could wait. Moreover, the design was based on her preferences, and it had to be perfect for her.

The sudden closeness made Hua Lianxi instinctively lean back, creating distance between them. "I just had breakfast!"

She didn't take the box, but Hua Lianxi immediately recognized it as the tiramisu from the restaurant she had once loved.

"Eat it later!" He pressed the box into her hands, his warm palm touching hers, before straightening up. Cheng Shaobai hid the disappointment in his eyes. "I'll head back to the company now. I'll come by tomorrow."

As long as he wasn't traveling, he would visit the sanatorium every day because she was here. He was certain she would be here with Hua Zhenzhen, and seeing her daily had become the most important part of his day.

Placing the box on her lap, Hua Lianzi looked down at it, a bitter smile on her lips.

Her phone suddenly vibrated in her pocket. Hua Lianxi took it out, staring at the number on the screen in surprise.

"Hello, this is Lianxi," she answered softly, her gaze fixed on the swaying yellow flower buds in the distance.

"Young Madam, this is Auntie Yang. The old lady's blood pressure has spiked, and she's feeling dizzy. She wants you to accompany her to the hospital." Auntie Yang's voice came through clearly, and Hua Lianxi immediately stood up in alarm, completely forgetting the tiramisu on her lap. The box fell to the ground.

"Dizzy? Then have the driver take her to the hospital right away. I'll call Kong Chengyu!" A spike in blood pressure was no small matter, and Hua Lianxi immediately thought to call Kong Chengyu.

Hearing the urgency in Hua Lianxi's voice, Auntie Yang quickly stopped her. "No, no, the old lady just feels a bit uncomfortable. She wants you to accompany her for a check-up. There's no need to bother the young master."

In the Kong family mansion, Fang Xiufang, who was next to Auntie Yang, covered her mouth to stifle a laugh, gesturing for her to end the call quickly before her ruse was exposed.

"Young Madam, are you at Xiaoyue Residence? The old lady is on her way to pick you up with the driver."

"Is Grandma really okay? She's not dizzy or has a headache?" Hua Lianxi kept confirming, afraid that if something serious happened, she wouldn't be able to handle it.

"Child, I'm fine. Where are you now? I'll come pick you up. I've already made an appointment with the doctor." Unable to listen any longer, Fang Xiufang finally took the phone, her voice steady and calm. "It's been so long since I've seen you. Grandma just misses you!"

Hearing her cheerful voice, Hua Lianxi finally relaxed, her heart settling back into place. "I just happened to be out for a walk. I'll head straight to the hospital and wait for you there."

Remembering she was still at the sanatorium, Hua Lianxi decided to meet Fang Xiufang at the hospital where she had already made an appointment.

"Child, let Grandma take a look. Have you lost weight? Is that boy not treating you well? Tell Grandma, and I'll punish him for you!" As soon as she saw Hua Lianxi at the hospital, Fang Xiufang scrutinized her with a worried expression, convinced she had lost weight.

Arm in arm with Fang Xiufang, Hua Lianxi felt a warm flow in her heart at her concern, unconsciously leaning in to kiss her cheek. "Lianxi hasn't lost weight. Thank you for your concern, Grandma."

"Hmph, is that boy stopping you from telling me? Don't worry, tell Grandma, and I'll make him pay!" Squinting with a smile, Fang Xiufang gently pinched her arm, determined to teach Kong Chengyu a lesson.

"Grandma, which doctor did you make an appointment with? Which floor?" Avoiding any mention of him, Hua Lianxi deliberately changed the subject, leading Fang Xiufang toward the doctor's office.

"Third floor. First, we'll check your blood pressure, then do an ECG." Noticing her evasion, Fang Xiufang continued to smile, not pressing the issue about Kong Chengyu, but she was determined to drag him back to the old mansion for a good scolding.