The sound of timid begging was heard. Yue Lingsi dared not be cocky, and she looked terrified at the man before her.

She knew the methods of these people since she had seen for herself the way a debtor who could not pay back was beaten until they were severely handicapped. She still had lingering fears at the thought of such bloody thirsty methods. In fact, most of these people were criminals. When they worked in the underground gambling dens, they were all vicious and merciless.

As a result, Yue Lingsi was quite afraid at the moment too. She definitely dared not provoke them lightly.

However, just as Yue Lingsi said that, the man laughed coldly. "Give you a few more days? The boss has given you enough. If it were not certain people, you wouldn't have been able to stand after the brothers' second visit to you! It's best if you behave. Quickly pay up. Otherwise, don't blame us for being vicious!"

"Boss... but I've been a little tied up with things recently. Can you ask your boss to just give me a few more days? Three days! Just three more days!" Yue Lingsi gasped and suppressed the fear in her heart as she extended her fingers and pleaded softly.

"Hmph! You only have two choices today: either you return the money or leave your pair of legs behind. Choose yourself. You have five seconds to decide!"

They were still gangsters who definitely would not be ambiguous with these things. Yue Lingsi could not help but shudder at the man's cold words. The fear in her heart spiked sharply. She quickly went up and begged, "Please, boss! I beg of you to tell your boss. Three days! In three days, 'ill definitely bring the money to you and settle this debt! Please just extend it by a few more days for me, please! Please!"

"Enough, I already told you. You only have two options today. You either leave your legs behind or pay us back! After three days, you'll ask for three more days. Do you think we're fools? One!"

That man glared at Yue Lingsi as he started to count threateningly.

"Two!

"Three!"

Yue Lingsi's whole body tensed as it shuddered. Fear made her tremble all over as she rushed up and held that man's wrist. "Please! Please, just a few days more! I'll definitely get all the money ready! Please!"

"Get lost! Four!' That man pushed Yue Lingsi away with a hand and continued counting.

"No! No, please! Just a few days more! Please!"

Yue Lingsi turned pale from fright as she went up to him half-rolling and half-crawling. She held onto the man's pants and cried, "Please! Next time, I'll definitely pay you back! Please!"

"Five!"

The man was indifferent to Yue Lingsi's tears and terror. He mercilessly finished counting till five. When Yue Lingsi still would not yield, he nodded to his two subordinates on the side and said, "Cripple her legs!"

"No! No! No, please! I'll call my daughter and son-in-law right away! She has money! She has money! She'll definitely get someone to send money over right away!"

Yue Lingsi was scared witless. She quickly sat up and took out her phone. First, she found Han Yifeng's number and quickly called it, yet the dial tone indicated that his phone was switched off as always!

She breathed in sharply, and then quickly found Xi Xinyi's number which she called swiftly.

After a while, the call was answered.

Right now, Xi Xinyi had given birth and moved back to the Han residence. Yes, she had moved back to Han residence!

On the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, she had moved into the Han residence following Huang Ziyao's arrangements.

At that moment, she was sleeping in a daze. Earlier, she was already annoyed by the child's ruckus. She had finally coaxed the baby to sleep and was so tired that she could barely keep her eyes open.

She glanced at the phone screen, but eventually picked up the call. Now, when she received Yue Lingsi's call, she was in an extremely bad temper and she growled in an attacking tone, "Why are you calling me so late at night?"

The other day at the hospital, she had slapped her twice in front of Han Yifeng, and even said those things. Han Yifeng had probably heard most of it.

She could not do anything good and had made things worse instead!

When Yue Lingsi heard Xi Xinyi's voice, her panicked heart finally eased slightly. She did not notice Xi Xinyi's unhappy and annoyed tone as she choked on her sobs. "Xinyi, I was wrong. Quickly come and save me. I owe a gambling den $10 million. They came looking for me today. If I don't give them money, they will cripple my legs! Xinyi, I'm really scared. Can you help me pay the $10 million?" Yue Lingsi could barely finish her sentences clearly.

On the other end when Xi Xinyi heard this, a sneer of disdain flashed across her face. "You've already used this same way to take millions from me. Do you think I'm a bank? $10 million! Where am I suppose to get that money? Don't you know how to change your methods? I don't have money!"

When Yue Lingsi heard her rejection, she turned pale with fright as she quickly explained, "No! Xinyi! Xinyi! Come save me quickly. I beg you! If you don't give them the money, they'll definitely cripple me, Xinyi!"

"Then, let them cripple you first!" Xi Xinyi heartlessly said before she hung up and turned off her phone! She would not believe Yue Lingsi's nonsense!

Plus, she had finally made her way back to the Han family. If there were any more negative news, the Han family would definitely judge her again, especially the Elder, so she could not let Yue Lingsi pull her down again. If anything, it should only happen after her position as the young lady of the Han family was established firmly!

Yue Lingsi looked stunned at her phone screen that dimmed. Her face was filled with horror and disbelief, yet before she could react, the man had already sneered in disdain.

"Looks like you won't be able to pay up, huh?"

As he said this, he signaled to the other two people, and both of them swiftly held her down. Yue Lingsi struggled hard and screamed in panic, "No! No! You can't touch me! You can't touch me! I'm the mayor's wife. You can't touch me! Or I'll show you what you'll get!"

When that man heard that, a coldness flashed across his face as he ordered, "You're still so reluctant before death! What an unruly woman! Don't hesitate. Get to it!"

"Got it!"

What came after were shrieks as if a pig was being slaughtered. The sound of someone crying out in pain rented the air.

"Help! You thugs! I want to kill you! Ah! Ah! My legs!"

"You still have time to curse us, huh? Slap her mouth a few times too!" The vicious voice commanded, and then the sound of fists and kicks came!

The intense ear-piercing, blood-curdling screech ripped through the night!

After the lesson, Yue Lingsi fainted. She also wet herself from the fright.

The coppery stink of blood vaguely floated in the air. The thugs pulled her up onto the car by the collar and then left.

"Bro Meng, who would've thought that a woman of this conduct would be the Mayor's wife? This has been eye-opening! Mayor Xi was really unlucky to have married a woman like this. Forget about being cheated on, just with her personality alone, she's disgusting!"

"Hmph, drive quickly! She stinks!"

"Where are we bringing her?"

"Simply find a place where she can be easily recognized and toss her there!"

"How about the entrance of that Yueying Culture Media Company. Even if no one's at work, there will be cleaners! Hurry!"

Then, the car drove straight to the city area.

It was already very late at night. At dawn, City Z was slow and quieting down from the bustle. When the car drove past the entrance of Yueying through a small path, Yue Lingsi, who was still unconscious, was tossed right out.

...

The next morning, when Xi Xinyi was still sound asleep, there was suddenly an intense knocking from outside!

"Missus, something's happened! Missus! Quickly go down and take a look! Missus! Madam's looking for you urgently downstairs!"

The servant's rushed voice was heard, rousing Xi Xinyi up from her sleepy daze. When she heard the servant's panicked voice, she quickly asked, "What happened?"

The servant said anxiously, "Missus, it seems like something's happened to your mother, Madam Yue! Madam is downstairs! Even the TV is showing it!"

When Xi Xinyi heard, her expression instantly changed. She could feel that something was off, so she then quickly got up and washed up as quickly as possible before rushing downstairs!

As she reached downstairs, the living room was already filled with the Han family. Elder Han, Han Yu, and Huang Ziyao were sitting quietly, all their eyes fixed onto the TV screen. Their expressions were all gloomy!

Xi Xinyi trembled with fear at this sight. She took a deep breath before walking over.

"Good morning, Grandfather, Father, Mother!" she greeted with a gentle voice.

When she spoke up, the few people turned to look at her. Elder Han looked furious while Han Yu looked helpless and disappointed. Huang Ziyao could not help but sigh.

"It's early in the morning and everyone doesn't look great. Did something happen?" Xi Xinyi asked softly.

Then, Elder Han scoffed coldly and got up in fury as he tossed a newspaper to her.

"Look for yourself! Why do you people keep doing this?! Forget about having peaceful days! Xi Jiyang's not such an unprincipled person. How did he let Xi Mushan marry someone like this?! This is misfortune to the home! Misfortune to the home!"

He sighed and then turned to leave the living room abruptly to go out for some air.

Xi Xinyi quickly picked up the newspaper that Elder Han tossed over. She was still puzzled as she watched the Elder's figure slowly vanish out the door. With a sigh, she peered down to slowly open up the newspaper, and what she saw was—

Yue Lingsi!

She was a sorry figure in a mess. Her whole body and face were bruised while her white autumn outfit was dirty, and there were clearly soiled marks on her pants.

"Mother? How did she...?" Xi Xinyi looked in disbelief at the newspaper article. Her beautiful eyes flew wide open.

She looked down again, and it was all a summary of Yue Lingsi's scandals. It even mentioned her, Xi Xinyi and Han Yifeng's matters.

Before she could finish, the phone rang and she swiftly picked it up.

"Hello? Madam? It's me, Xiao Wang!"

"Secretary Wang?" Xi Xinyi could immediately tell it was Secretary Wang from his voice!

"Miss Xinyi?"

On the other end, Secretary Wang was a little surprised and then he paused before continuing, "I just checked with the hospital through a call. Madam Yue was sent to Hospital T. Both her hamstrings were severed and one of her arms are hurt too. The situation might not be too promising. I'm at the hospital now. Miss Xinyi, it's best if you come over to visit."

"What did you say? Severed hamstrings?"

When Secretary Wang said this, Xi Xinyi was stunned. She suddenly remembered that Yue Lingsi called her late at night, sounding quite anxious then, but she was extremely sleepy at the time and she thought that maybe she was making up excuses to ask her for money again, so she...

Could Yue Lingsi have been threatened by the debtors then?

Xi Xinyi gasped, instantly turning pale. When Huang Ziyao saw her reaction, she suddenly felt bad for her, so she frowned. "You've just given birth and haven't fully recovered yet. Sit down."

"Mother..."

Xi Xinyi looked uneasily at the newspapers, feeling useless. She slowly sat down on the sofa as Huang Ziyao told her to. Then, Huang Ziyao reached out to take the phone. "Secretary Wang, what did the doctor say?"

"He's still checking her out. They only said that the condition might not be too promising. She might be paralyzed and have to use the wheelchair for the rest of her life."

"Have you investigated what happened? Who would be so vicious and just sever her hamstrings? Aren't they worried about the police?" Huang Ziyao frowned and asked as she turned to look at Han Yu.

Secretary Wang sighed and said softly, "Madam, based on the situation, these are probably the methods of those from the underground gambling dens, but when Madam Yue just woke up, she didn't say who. I've already gotten someone to inform the Yue family. We'll see what they think."

Huang Ziyao then nodded. "Okay then. I'll go over to visit soon."

"Okay, Madam!"

Then, she hung up. Huang Ziyao turned to look at Xi Xinyi. Her tone was heavy and slightly irritated. "I already told you to watch over your mother. Now, she's caused trouble again. Does she think her reputation hasn't been ruined enough? She's really daring! She even went to borrow money from the underground gambling dens. Is she crazy? She's brought herself to where she is today. I'd like to see where she ends up!"

Xi Xinyi was anxious from Huang Ziyao's reprimanding. She seemed panicked and at a loss. "Mother! I'm sorry! I really didn't know that my mother would turn out like this. I've already warned her many times! But... I can't. I have to go see her!"

"Okay, you've just given birth, so it's not suitable for you to move around. Your body's weak too. Let me go see her!" Huang Ziyao sighed, feeling frustrated as she slowly got up.

Xi Xiaye heard about Yue Lingsi through the newspapers as well.

At the dining table, she was used to flipping through the newspapers. When she saw the feature and reports on Yue Lingsi, she was stunned for quite a while. She quickly looked up at the man who was elegantly eating across her before she pursed her lips slightly and stared at him for quite a while.

Mu Yuchen could feel her gaze from across, so he subconsciously looked up and met her questioning eyes. With a chuckle, he asked, "What is it? Why are you looking at me like that? There aren't any flowers on my face."

She raised her brows, and then waved the newspaper in her hand as she asked, "Did you do this?"

"What? What did I do?" He smiled calmly as he reached out to take the newspaper from her. He opened it up and looked at it indifferently before quietly setting it aside.

When he did not answer, she repeated softly again, "I'm asking you a question!"

"Do I look like such a despicable person?" He smiled casually, yet his gaze seemed a little odd, and unfathomable. She could not read him.

She rolled her eyes and responded calmly, "I do think you look like the cat that ate canary!"

When he heard her accusation, he instantly chuckled and casually continued softly, "I didn't know that I had such a bad image in Missus's eyes, but since you think so, I might as well tell you that someone as despicable and shameless as me thinks that this little lesson is too easy on her."

"So, you admit that you're despicable and shameless?" Xiaye then grinned and took the porridge he served her. "As long as you don't get into trouble. The Yue family aren't easy people to deal with."

"Are you worried about me?" He did not seem worried. He raised his brows and his lips curled up, turning into a perfect curve.

Xi Xiaye shot him a look and did not answer. She nudged the food before her towards him as she said, "I've seen the information on your desk. After the holidays, you should quickly go over for a look. It's not good to delay the project matters. The sooner you settle them, the sooner you can get back."

Last night, before they could finish discussing, they had fallen asleep. This morning, she remembered. It was no wonder that he had been working hard to complete the work over here. On New York's end, they were collaborating on a project with Zhou Zimo's company and were going to start soon, so Zhou Zimo and he might need to make a trip over soon.

He thought about it, then suddenly announced, "This time, I'll bring you along."

Xi Xinyi gently shook her head and said calmly, "I can't. In my state, how can I go with you? Besides, I have to watch over Fuhua here too. I can usually help to manage some urgent matters at the company too, so you can go yourself."

"No rush. In time, when you're more stabilized."

Obviously, he was worried about leaving her here alone. Besides, for this trip this time, it might be one or two months before he returned. They had never parted this long since they got married, and he was not confident about getting through this.

"I'm fine. You don't have to worry about me either. I'll just have Zitong by my side always. Wasn't that what you had thought of previously?"

"Such a heartless woman! I've thought about arranging for everything. Can't you just properly express a tiny bit of reluctance to part?" Mu Yuchen smirked and reached out to wipe some morsel at the corner of her lips. "I wanted to wait till you're more stabilized before bringing you over with me. That way, I'll be more assured too. Last night, Zimo was getting impatient, so I'll let him go over first."

Xi Xiaye could not help but roll her eyes at him. "I'm not some clingy woman. I'm not that delicate. I won't follow you everywhere. Other people might think that I'm one of those unreasonably jealous wives. In fact, there's Grandpa, Grandmother, and the rest here, so don't worry, but when you go over, you've got to find a time to visit Father and Mother in Los Angeles. I wanted to find time to go too, but with this little thing, it's just not very convenient." Then, she caressed her baby bump helplessly.

"Not a jealous wife? All those quite good looking female secretaries that Li Si chose earlier were all vetoed out by you. Aren't you a jealous wife?" He smiled amusedly at her.

"Do you really want those secretaries? Men and women working together makes work lighter. Do you want me to find you two after the break? And someone with good looks? CEO Zhang's daughter seems to have graduated from Management. I think that if she becomes your secretary, she would be extremely willing too. That way, I wouldn't be counted as some jealous wife, would I? Aren't I a good enough wife?"

Her clear gaze was fixated on him, yet it was filled with an evident warning.

"How could that be? Only with Missus does my work get lighter. To us, 'jealous wife' is a positive term. A positive one! This means that I'm excellent, and, Missus, you're worried about me, which is a good thing!"

He loved that she watched over him, so he eased her thoughts.

"How shameless!"

She glared at him in annoyance. "Straighten out some things at the office before going over after the break. I think it wouldn't be too short of a time. Meanwhile, I'll look over matters here. As for the South River project, you've pretty much completed everything. VP Zhang told me about the project progress a few days ago too. I'll invite Qi Kai and some of the people-in-charge from the other collaborating companies to go over for a look. Let them make a simple early-stage assessment, and then figure out the upcoming work."

"You handle this aspect of work quite well. I'm not worried, I just..." Mu Yuchen frowned and looked subconsciously at her baby bump.

"It's fine, I'll be doing my scheduled check-ups, Ah Mo will be staying behind, won't he?" Xi Xiaye asked.