CHAPTER 314: CHAPTER 314: WHO IS MORE UNFORTUNATE

Li Sihe felt a piercing sting as his deepest fears were hit upon; his expression turned increasingly icy as he slowly said, "It’s fine if she hates me, the final outcome is a matter between Bian Yue and me. However, Bai Xu, this shouldn’t be your reason to betray me!"

"If you feel that my actions constitute betrayal, then I have nothing to say." Bai Xu lowered his head, his expression sorrowful, his voice hoarse, "As for how you wish to settle accounts with me afterwards, I will take it. But, even if you don’t want to hear it, I still have to say, you should not continue down this dark path. If you could let go of Miss Bian, it would be better for everyone."

Zhuang Jie Ning kept her eyes closed, listening to their conversation. Suddenly, she laughed.

Her laughter made the already deadly still atmosphere turn eerily strange. Li Sihe coldly looked at her, "What are you laughing at?"

"I’m laughing at how, despite all your intricate planning, you end up with nothing in the end. Li Sihe, I was too foolish, foolish enough to believe that you could actually make Bian Yue leave Shen Jinci willingly and stay by your side."

Zhuang Jie Ning shook her head as she laughed, her face full of mockery, "Perhaps, the Bian Yue I saw isn’t the Bian Yue of today, but the 16-year-old Bian Yue. Unfortunately, that Bian Yue, who was full of love for you, is destined never to return."

These words stabbed deeply into Li Sihe’s chest, his face unreadable, covered in a layer of cold air; his gaze towards Zhuang Jie Ning was filled with hostility.

"What are you looking at me like that for? Did I say something wrong? Li Sihe, even if you can fake your death and deceive everyone, what does it matter? You are destined to lose, completely losing to Shen Jinci over the matter of Bian Yue!"

Zhuang Jie Ning had once witnessed the years when Bian Yue loved Li Sihe the most.

At 18, Bian Yue was helpless in the Li Family, her heart hung on Li Sihe, oblivious to anyone else.

Back then, Zhuang Jie Ning had a good relationship with Bian Yue. Sometimes, after school, along with Wen Jiao, they would share many secrets, being close friends.

In those times, Bian Yue confessed her feelings to Li Sihe and received his response; sometimes she would smile secretly even during classes.

Zhuang Jie Ning had once asked Bian Yue, "Have you ever loved someone this much? What does liking someone feel like?"

Bian Yue propped her cheeks, thought deeply, her face filled with the beauty of youth, and said, "It’s probably like constantly thinking about someone, suddenly remembering them during anything you do. Yet, oddly, you just saw him."

To Zhuang Jie Ning, Li Sihe was not a figure of romantic interest; he was merely a marriage partner favored by her father, more like a trophy of victory.

Now, with Bian Yue having removed this prize, Zhuang Jie Ning blamed Bian Yue for a while.

But that was merely a young girl’s competitive desire, nothing to do with love, so it came and went fast.

Her real hatred for Bian Yue began the moment she saw Shen Jinci.

Bian Yue got the man she fell in love with at first sight effortlessly; the latter fought desperately for her, loving her deeply.

Zhuang Jie Ning looked at Li Sihe, the sadness in her laughter apparent, "Li Sihe, do you know how much Bian Yue used to like you? But now, let alone Bian Yue, even I feel that you’re unworthy of her affection."

Li Sihe’s face was gloomy as he listened to Zhuang Jie Ning’s mad words, saying nothing.

Instead, it was Bai Xu next to them, who nervously looked at Zhuang Jie Ning and said in a deep voice, "Miss Zhuang! Don’t say any more!"

"Why can’t I say it!" Zhuang Jie Ning sneered, she looked around the icy hall, the corners of her lips mocking, "Li Sihe, you tell me... between you and me, who is truly more unfortunate? Having gained and lost, and never having had at all, which is more tragic?"

Bian Yue didn’t know how long she had been driving; she knew this road was deserted, so she went anyway, just hoping for the best.

But now, as the sky darkened, the little luck in Bian Yue’s heart gradually faded.

Until in the distance, a weak light broke into Bian Yue’s vision.

Hope ignited in Bian Yue’s heart, without any hesitation, she headed towards that dim light.

There just had to be someone; she could then contact Shen Jinci and finally leave this place.

Bian Yue thought this, pressing harder on the accelerator.

The car stopped under a small flat villa, Bian Yue got out, and looked at the closed door in front of her, gently knocking.

"Hello! Is anyone there!"

The next moment, the door slowly opened, revealing the face of a middle-aged Chinese man.

He sized up Bian Yue, moving slightly aside, saying, "Come in."

Bian Yue stood still, trying to see into the room, but the man, tall and imposing, made it impossible.

Bian Yue stepped back, took out a stack of cash from her pocket, "Hello, I would like to borrow your phone, this is your payment, could you give me your phone if it’s convenient?"

"Come in first, then I’ll give you the phone," the man said.

Bian Yue’s politeness was slowly replaced by a cold demeanor.

She suddenly turned to leave.

But the man anticipated her intentions, swiftly stepping forward, grabbed her shoulder, and pulled her into the room.

"Let me go! Let me go!" Bian Yue struggled, tempting with interests, "What do you want? Money? Fame? Or resources? I can give you anything, just let me go!"

The man scoffed, "At this critical moment, you are still in the mood to negotiate?"

He pushed Bian Yue into the room, when she saw the person sitting inside, the panic on her face faded, leaving only calmness.

The room was sparsely decorated, and there sat Li Tingmo, seemingly smiling as he watched her.

He said, "Bian Yue, long time no see. Sorry to keep you here for a while."

Bian Yue sarcastically chuckled, sitting down, "You intend to use me to threaten Li Sihe?"

Li Tingmo, raising an eyebrow, was somewhat surprised by Bian Yue accurately stating his intention, "I thought you would think I wanted to use you to threaten Shen Jinci."

"Taking Shen Jinci as an enemy now would be like hitting a stone with an egg. But using me to threaten Li Sihe is indeed a cutting strategy," Bian Yue said.

Li Tingmo chuckled, "Originally, this place was indeed a shelter prepared by Li Sihe for you, but after all, I’m his father. How could he outwit me? Within thirty minutes, I had replaced all the staff with my people. If I’m not mistaken, Li Sihe must have already received the news of your abduction."

Bian Yue nodded, laughing, "No wonder, no wonder I got out so easily. Turns out, from beginning to end, this was all Li Sihe’s calculation. I’ve really learned something."