CHAPTER 212: CHAPTER 212: A PAIR OF DOOMED LOVERS

Zhuang Jie Ning’s hand gently caressed her flat belly, smiling with grace, "Li Shiheng, you should be grateful to me now. If it wasn’t for me, and you died, your dad would have been left without a successor."

The words were excessively sharp and harsh. Li Shiheng was mentally prepared, yet his face still turned an ashen hue.

He coldly watched Zhuang Jie Ning, the most gentlemanly and cultured of Xiangjiang’s elite. At this moment, his smile was ironic, carrying barely concealed fury, "Zhuang Jie Ning, you really are something."

"Why didn’t you speak so assertively in front of Bian Yue?" Zhuang Jie Ning did not care at all about Li Shiheng’s rage. Her smile was smug as she turned to Li Tingmo, "Dad, if Shiheng talks to me like this, what if it scares your precious grandchild?"

Rage ignited in Li Tingmo’s chest, but he could only bear the sarcasm and mockery from Zhuang Jie Ning for the greater good, suppressing it.

Li Tingmo persuaded, "Shiheng, there was never any affection between you and Jie Ning, but she is still your wife in name. Things that ought to be given to her must be given to her, especially since the Li Family needs an heir."

Su Youxue stood aside, her body feeling waves of chill. She thought she had seen enough deceit and darkness, yet at this moment, she still found Li Tingmo’s callousness unbelievable.

Despite knowing it was inappropriate, she couldn’t help herself, "Uncle Li, the person on the sickbed is your own son. With him being so weak, how can you let Zhuang Jie Ning provoke him like this!"

Li Tingmo was stung by Su Youxue’s words and became furiously embarrassed; his face turned red as he coldly glared at Su Youxue, bellowing, "Shut up! This is a conversation between my son and me. It’s not your place to interject!"

Li Shiheng frowned, looking at Su Youxue who was biting her lip, uncertain, and said in a deep voice, "Youxue, go outside first. I have some words to discuss with them alone."

With concern, Su Youxue glanced at Li Shiheng before stepping out.

Zhuang Jie Ning sat down on the sofa, her smile serene as she observed Li Shiheng’s expressionless face, feigning surprise, "Why are you looking at me without speaking? I thought that you would have a lot to say to me, after all, we are going to be married."

Li Shiheng’s face was indifferent. "Zhuang Jie Ning, I have no interest in your private life, but I must know who the father of this child is."

Zhuang Jie Ning raised an eyebrow, purposely looking puzzled as she spoke slowly, "What would you do once you know? Surely you don’t want to deal with this man? Li Shiheng, if you actually did that, I’d think you cared about me."

Li Tingmo pinched the bridge of his nose, his expression somber as he looked at Zhuang Jie Ning, "Enough, cut it short. Answer Shiheng’s question—whose child is it?"

Zhuang Jie Ning slightly reined in her smile, her demeanor completely indifferent and flippant, "I forgot."

"What did you say?" Li Tingmo even felt as if he had misheard, stunned as he looked toward Zhuang Jie Ning, his eyes filled with astonishment, "You forgot?"

"Yes," Zhuang Jie Ning’s smile deepened, her bright eyes friendly towards Li Shiheng, her smile becoming more enchanting, "After all, with so many men, how can I remember clearly whose child I am carrying? Li Shiheng, why don’t you ask the people of the Li Family, who exactly is it that got me pregnant?"

Zhuang Jie Ning was even more emotionally out of control than Li Shiheng had imagined.

She was simply using herself to retaliate against him. They both couldn’t escape this arranged marriage. Zhuang Jie Ning didn’t want it in her heart, but she had no means to resist. Therefore, she chose to do something that choked her, just like he did when he chose to keep Su Youxue by his side, becoming a thorn in Zhuang Jie Ning’s eyes.

Before their marriage, they had already become the crude mold of a resentful couple.

Li Sihe thought of Bian Yue at that time; she, too, was once his fiancée. Back then, her heart and eyes were filled only with him, truly in love with him, this man with a dark soul.

He had let her down, so now, Li Sihe was willing to regard this marriage as his punishment.

He regained his composure and spoke calmly under Zhuang Jie Ning’s expectant gaze: "If you don’t remember, let it be. This anniversary is not so important. You still need to take good care of yourself. This child is very important."

The smile on Zhuang Jie Ning’s face froze. She looked coldly at Li Sihe, her eyes filled with resentment and her emotions suddenly erupting, "Why aren’t you angry? Li Sihe, show your anger. Are you not in pain? Why is it that only I am suffering? Why!"

"Do you want me to be in pain?"

Tears fell expressionlessly from Zhuang Jie Ning’s face. She looked at Li Sihe’s pale, frail countenance, his eyes dull, and she numbly smiled, "Yes, I want to see you in pain. This marriage should be an unhappiness for both of us. I am in so much pain I wish I could die. Why can you act as if nothing’s wrong? It’s not fair!"

"Just bear with it for a while longer, I’m going to die soon, aren’t I?"

Li Sihe’s tone was gentle, he even gave Zhuang Jie Ning a smile, like a graceful gentleman in front of the outside world, saying, "After I die, you will have a child, along with the title of Mrs. Li. Your life will be broad. For now, let’s just tolerate each other."

Li Tingmo showed a look of compassion, looking at Li Sihe’s cold demeanor, he couldn’t help but speak in a hoarse voice, "Shiheng, don’t be like this... Your mom would be heartbroken to see you this way."

"Father, let’s not talk about this. Let’s talk about the wedding. How do you want to handle this wedding?" Li Sihe smiled, speaking calmly, "After all, it is the last time I’ll get married in this lifetime. Might as well do it properly."

Zhuang Jie Ning’s emotions completely collapsed; she fell onto the couch, crying out loud...

The night was deep; inside the villa, Bian Yue sat beside Bian Shu, wiping the palms of her hands.

Most of the time, Bian Shu’s mind was not clear. She sat on the bed with a dull expression, nodding continuously, lost in her thoughts.

Bian Yue softened her voice as she looked at her state, saying, "Sister... I’m sorry, I didn’t come to see you last night. I’ve been somewhat busy these days."

Bian Shu was still immersed in her own world. Unperturbed, Bian Yue continued: "Do you know? Today, something bad happened around me. Li Sihe’s illness has worsened. I don’t know how long he can live, and... according to the doctors, he could lose his life at any moment. Sister, I never thought about him dying..."

"Li Sihe..." Bian Shu murmured the name. In the next instant, she suddenly fixated her gaze on Bian Yue, with bloodshot eyes, "Li... Li..."

"Sister, are you alright?" Bian Yue was startled by her emotional outburst and hurriedly said, "I’ll contact the family doctor. Wait for me."

"Bian Yue, I’m fine," declared Bian Shu as if suddenly regaining her senses. She looked at Bian Yue and abruptly grabbed her hand, "Why are you upset for the Li family’s people?"