After that, following Zhuang Shurong's urging, Xi Xiaye finished three bowls of soup, and then drank some nourishing fluids. Only when she felt incredibly full did Zhuang Shurong let her off.

Ji Zitong came over after breakfast.

When Ji Zitong saw Zhuang Shurong, she was a little nervous, but after a while, she eased.

Unlike Xi Xiaye and some of them, Zhuang Shurong was usually very stern and serious. She had an imposing manner that normal people could not quite handle. Previously, it took Xi Xiaye some time to get used to it too, but eventually, the faint harmony they had now took hold.

Xi Xiaye asked Sis Wang to pack the soup and porridge to bring to the car while she and Zhuang Shurong got in.

As Ji Zitong drove, Xi Xiaye and Zhuang Shurong sat behind.

Zhuang Shurong was actually quite similar to Shen Wenna. She usually quite liked to dress fashionably too. Sometimes, even Xi Xiaye felt like she was older than them while they were beauties who were at the top of their fashion game.

Right now, Zhuang Shurong was browsing a fashion magazine as she chatted with Xi Xiaye interestedly, "This style suits you. You're fair, so this style should show off your charisma. Ooh, and this gown... Normal people won't be able to make it look charming, but I think you can pull it off."

Zhuang Shurong was pointing at a gown in the magazine at this moment as she turned to say to Xi Xiaye.

Xi Xiaye then turned to look at her. Why did she feel like this gown looked quite familiar? It was as though she had seen it somewhere.

"A Qinghua gown with a red-crowned crane... Hmm, it looks really familiar." Xi Xiaye stared at the picture for quite a while, then her eyes flashed and she could not help but mutter softly, "Wasn't this the gown Gu Lingsha wore?"

Even though Xi Xiaye spoke very softly, Zhuang Shurong's keen ears picked her words up clearly. She immediately looked up at Xi Xiaye with a questioning gaze. "What did you just say? What do you mean Gu Lingsha's gown?"

Xi Xiaye felt uneasy with Zhuang Shurong's gaze. She stopped to think and remembered Gu Lingsha's relations with the Mu family from before. Gu Lingsha probably was not someone the Mu family liked after that incident.

She could even feel now from the way Zhuang Shurong said Gu Lingsha's name, unhappiness flowed from her eyes.

She pondered for a moment before saying calmly, "It's nothing. It's just that at VP Wang's birthday banquet the other day, I feel like I saw this gown and I think it looks pretty good."

Zhuang Shurong quickly caught onto the key question. She immediately asked Xi Xiaye, "And that gown was on Gu Lingsha who is coincidentally back in City Z?" Her gaze was hostile, and her face that contained a smile earlier abruptly turned cold.

Now that Xi Xiaye thought about it, Gu Lingsha had messed with the Mu family, and no one would be happy about that.

"Mmm, I did see her at VP Wang's birthday banquet. In fact..."

When she said this, Xi Xiaye suddenly sighed and turned to look out of the car window. "In fact, the person who crashed into Ruan Heng this time was her. She didn't quite get hurt. I heard it was just a slight concussion while Ruan Heng..."

Xi Xiaye did not continue, yet Zhuang Shurong started to look upset. The gloom on her face shifted, but she could not quite read her.

It was not sure how long had passed when a mocking sneer flashed on Zhuang Shurong lips. She said disdainfully, "If she didn't die, she would eventually have to come back."

After she said this random sentence, Zhuang Shurong did not continue. She just closed the magazine with waning interest and leaned back to rest with her eyes closed.

Even if Xi Xiaye wanted to continue asking, upon seeing Zhuang Shurong like this, she could only set her questions aside for now, but she could already clearly feel that the elderly lady did not seem to like Gu Lingsha very much.

It was 9 a.m. when they reached the hospital. Xi Xiaye told Ji Zitong to deliver the breakfast straight to Ruan Heng's ward while she and Zhuang Shurong went for the check-up. Because they had made an appointment beforehand, they did not need to queue, and the check-up was done shortly after that.

The mother and daughter-in-law walked to the backyard of the hospital and sat down on the bench underneath the tree to wait for the check-up results.

"Right, your legs should be less cramped these days, aren't they? I've asked Sis Wang to brew some bone broths for you. I wonder if it worked," Zhuang Shurong asked in concern.

"Much less now. Don't worry. Didn't the doctor say earlier that the baby's quite healthy?"

"That's good then. When your mother gets back, she'll have a grandchild to carry. A few days ago, she was just telling me about how sad she was that she couldn't see you go through this journey."

"Are you often in contact with my mother too?" Xi Xiaye looked at Zhuang Shurong, slightly surprised.

Zhuang Shurong nodded. "Of course, I get along with your mother. Previously, when her eyes were okay, we chatted quite happily on WeChat. Now, we can only do calls, but I believe she'll be recovering very soon."

Zhuang Shurong was quite optimistic. Earlier, she and Shen Wenna had been classmates. Now, they could progress to being good friends and were even in-laws!

The mother and daughter-in-law chatted back and forth. Their relationship was quite harmonious and joyous, yet when someone else saw this scene, it was a different feeling altogether.

Gu Lingsha stood at the staircase by the walkway as she watched the two of them chat happily on the bench. Her pale face looked gloomy as an odd and complicated light gathered in her blue eyes, invoking curiosity within Yang Sheng.

Yang Sheng had heard much about Zhuang Shurong's stern demeanor and stiffness, so he could not help but gush, "Miss Gu, it's Director Xi of Glory World and Chief Zhuang! How rare to see Chief Zhuang in public! It's usually so hard to even meet her!"

When Gu Lingsha heard this, a cold light flashed in her eyes fleetingly. Then, she suddenly laughed dryly.

Hearing the sound of Gu Lingsha's grim laughter, Yang Sheng was stunned. He subconsciously turned to look at her, yet at this moment, she had already lowered her gaze and turned to look to the side.

"Is she still like that? Looks like that isn't so," said Gu Lingsha calmly. The contents of her words confused Yang Sheng, and he did not understand what he meant.

He thought about it before asking, "Miss Gu, were you very close to Chief Zhuang before this?"

She wrapped herself with the coat tighter as she replied indifferently, "I'm not."

Yang Sheng recalled Gu Lingsha's relationship with the Mu family previously, and his expression turned stiff. He was well aware of the situation, so he did not ask further after that. Instead, she looked up to look at the bench where Zhuang Shurong and Xi Xiaye sat under the sun and sighed. "I did meet Chief Zhuang quite a few times before this. It's quite hard to imagine that she would have such easy-going moments. She's the famous stern iron wrist in the world of politics. Many people are..."

She did not continue while a smile just curled up on her lips. Yang Sheng softly reminded, "It's best not to simply discuss matters like that. Be careful. The walls might have ears."

Gu Lingsha knew the kind of person Zhuang Shurong was. While she had never gotten any goodwill out of Zhuang Shurong, much less have chatted the casual way she was chatting with Xi Xiaye right now.

In the past, even though she had very carefully tried to please Zhuang Shurong, all she would have gotten would be an indifferent nod.

So, back then, her mother had told her that even if she married into the Mu family, she might not have pleasant days to come, but...

"Miss Gu, you're right. The sun's pretty lovely. How about we go out to sunbathe too? Master Qi's schedule for today is packed, but he's worried about you, Ms. Gu, so he sent me to come and see if you need help with anything."

Gu Lingsha gazed up at the warm sun on the horizon, then sat down on the bench on the side.

She watched the figures of the two people on the bench again as she suddenly asked Yang Sheng softly, "Are you saying that the person I got into an accident with is this Xi Xiaye's best friend's husband?"

Yang Sheng responded with a nod, "Yeah, Director Xi has been good friends with Miss Su and Mr. Ruan since they were young. Miss Su and Mr. Ruan have just been married for less than a year. Their daughter is only two months old. According to the doctor, his condition is quite concerning. Master Qi has also been helping him contact some doctors, hoping for him to regain consciousness soon."

"Is Lei a good friend of Miss Xi? If that's the case, I really put him in a tight spot, huh?" Gu Lingsha looked at Yang Sheng, her blue eyes flickering with a guilty light as she smiled wryly.

"Miss Gu, don't blame yourself. Master Qi's just doing his best as a friend. Director Xi and Chairman Mu are partners with Master Qi, aren't they? Master Qi feels bad that such an incident has happened as well." Yang Sheng sighed, disheartened.

"Doing his best as a friend..." Gu Lingsha muttered softly, yet a skeptical smile flashed across her eyes. "Can they actually let go of all the past grudges and be friends? That requires a lot of courage! I really don't understand him anymore... Please help me check which ward Mr. Ruan is staying at."

Yang Sheng hesitated before nodding and then leaving very quickly.

Meanwhile, Xi Xiaye and Zhuang Shurong chatted for a while before Ji Zitong went over, and Xi Xiaye went to visit Ruan Heng.

Zhuang Shurong coincidentally decided to meet some friends in Hospital T too. When she saw Xi Xiaye and Ji Zitong vanishing in the walkway, she was about to go and meet them. Then, she turned around and walked away.

When she saw Gu Lingsha sitting on the side, Zhuang Shurong was a little surprised, but she was extremely calm and pretended as if she did not see her and continued walking ahead.

As Gu Lingsha watched Zhuang Shurong walk past her, broodiness flashed in her eyes. Both her hands subconsciously clenched tightly and she endured it for a while before she could not help but speak up, "Aunt Zhuang, long time no see. Are you so terribly busy that you can't even say hi?"

When she heard Gu Lingsha greet her out loud, Zhuang Shurong stopped walking and turned to her side to glance Gu Lingsha with apathy, "Since you know how to call me Aunt Zhuang, then you're acknowledging your status as one of the younger generation. My eyesight isn't too great. If you hadn't greeted me, how would I have known that the person sitting there is you?"

Zhuang Shurong was cold as always. She was far different from the easy-going and loving person while chatting with Xi Xiaye earlier.

Upon hearing that, Gu Lingsha laughed bitterly and replied quite sweetly, "Well, in that case, I'm really sorry. It was my fault! Aunt Zhuang, you're naturally beautiful. Five years have passed and you haven't quite changed. You're as radiant as you were from before, and all spirited and sprightly."

Zhuang Shurong did not say anything. Her sharp line of sight swept across Gu Lingsha with her classic stern and incisive look which showed that she was unflustered. Gu Lingsha felt the pit of her stomach tighten in anxiety!

She almost forgot how incredible this Zhuang Shurong was. Every time she met her, Gu Lingsha would feel a lack of confidence. With that sly fox in the Mu family, all of them were difficult to deal with.

"Aunt Zhuang, why are you looking at me like that?" Gu Lingsha muttered.

"Miss Gu, five years ago, I didn't care whether you had a reason, but since the incident has happened, it's a reality that no one can change. These five years, I don't want to know what happened to you either. Right now, the only outcome is that Lingtian has passed while you are still alive. Qi Feng is probably still alive too, isn't he? I don't care what you're back for this time, but if you're thinking about bad intentions, don't blame me for not being courteous. You know my temper and tricks well enough, don't you?"

Zhuang Shurong was always frank, and she did not care about beating around the bush with Gu Lingsha.

Admittedly, when Zhuang Shurong said that, Gu Lingsha's expression froze.

"Since you like Qi Feng, you should guard him well. Ah Chen was happy to let you two be as well even though he didn't tell me the reason. I could already guess that you were behind it. You can't have your cake and eat it. I don't care what has conspired between the Gu family and the Qi family, but I definitely won't allow someone with bad intentions to marry into the Mu family."

When Gu Lingsha heard Zhuang Shurong, her expression darkened, and she could not help but defend herself. "Aunt Zhuang, you're the same as before. You're simply prejudiced against me. I don't blame you, but please don't insult my integrity!"

"Insult your integrity? Are you sure you have an ounce of integrity? Dare you say that you've been honest to Ah Chen and Lingtian?"

Zhuang Shurong's cold voice entered her ear with the breeze, making Gu Lingsha's heart ache, yet she remained upright. She was about to say something when Zhuang Shurong had already walked past her.

"Aunt Zhuang, about Lingtian, I'd like to personally apologize, but I... All these years, I haven't had it that great either. Aunt Zhuang..."

Before Gu Lingsha could finish, Zhuang Shurong had already walked ahead in huge strides. Clearly, she was not willing to stay for another second.

As she watched Zhuang Shurong's figure move further away, Gu Lingsha clenched her fists. She was not sure why Zhuang Shurong disliked her so much. She clearly received very different treatment from Xi Xiaye.

Years ago, when she had agreed to marry Mu Yuchen, Zhuang Shurong had come looking for her. She had failed to dish out good advice and had even spilled coffee onto her.

However, she was not the same as she had been years ago anymore. Now, she would get all her justice for all of the grudges. She had to have whatever she should. She, Gu Lingsha, had returned from a blood-soaked rebirth. Was all the strife and struggle not for this?

She indifferently looked at Zhuang Shurong's figure as she moved further away. Then, the dark storm brewing in Gu Lingsha's eyes gradually vanished.

No one had ever understood her struggles and pain. Whatever it was, they would have to at least suffer it once, including Mu Yuchen!

Lingtian, Qi Feng, and her child who did not make it, and now Wei Wei...

When she thought about this, she suddenly lowered her head and reached out to caress her flat belly while shutting her eyes painfully.

If it were not for that accident, he would probably be going to school now just like little Wei Wei. He would have been just as cute and as smart.

The corner of her eyes started to tear up. After a long while, she slowly opened her eyes and pushed the tears in her eyes back with much difficulty. She inhaled a deep breath and returned to her usual beauty and elegance.

After going through the many misfortunes, she was already used to holding back her emotions as she wished. This time for her return, there were too many things she needed to do. Taking revenge was just one of them.

She, Gu Lingsha, had never been a weakling.

'Mu Yuchen, you looked down on me, Gu Lingsha. One day, I will make you suffer more than I did and lose more people than I did. Someone like you doesn't deserve to be happy. Your brother's blood is on your hands. What right do you have to happiness?' Gu Lingsha silently vowed in her heart.

Right now, things had only just begun.

A faint smiled curved on Gu Lingsha's lips before she sighed. Then, at this moment, Yang Sheng, who had gone over to find out about some things, had returned.

"Miss Gu, I've checked and Mr. Ruan is in VIP ward no. 19 on the 15th floor. He hasn't regained consciousness, and his condition doesn't look too good." Yang Sheng told Gu Lingsha everything he found out.

Gu Lingsha nodded in gratitude. "Thanks, Assistant Yang. I'm fine here. I know you're busy too. You don't have to care about me. I want to be alone for a while, so you should leave first. If there's anything, I'll call you or Lei. You don't have to accompany me. I'm quite tired too."

"Miss Gu, I..."

"I'm used to it. It's fine. Go now. I'll go back and lie down for a while."

Without waiting for Yang Sheng to finish, Gu Lingsha had already gotten up and walked into the building. In the end, Yang Sheng could only stand there, stunned. He did not follow after her either.

Gu Lingsha's figure vanished slowly at the end of the corridor and he frowned. He was about to call Qi Lei, yet just as his hand reached into his pocket, there was suddenly the sound of footsteps from behind him. Just as he thought it sounded familiar, he quickly turned and saw Qi Lei strolling over with both hands in his pockets.

"Master Qi!"

Yang Sheng quickly went up, and then caught his breath before saying softly, "Master Qi, Miss Gu, she..."

"What did you say to her earlier? What did she ask you about?" Qi Lei squinted and looked at the retreating Gu Lingsha before turning to look at Yang Sheng.

"Master Qi, Miss Gu told me to find out which ward Mr. Ruan was in. Right, Miss Gu even asked me if you were really good friends with Chairman Mu and Director Xi."

As Yang Sheng said this, he could vaguely feel Qi Lei's expression tense up. His gaze seemed to dim a little, so he did not continue.

Qi Lei did not say anything. He fell silent for a long while, and in the end, turned to leave.

"Master Qi, where are you going?" Yang Sheng quickly followed him.

"Back to the office," Qi Lei said, and then walked down the stairs.

...

On the staircase on the corner of Ruan Heng's ward, Su Nan looked in a daze at the exquisitely beautiful woman who had suddenly appeared before her. She could not believe that the person who crashed into her husband's car and caused Ruan Heng to be severely hurt and be in a coma would be this radiantly beautiful woman before her.

"I'm really sorry, Mrs. Ruan. I hope that Mr. Ruan will regain consciousness soon too. I heard that someone from the police will come over to ask about the incident, but before that, I hope we could peacefully resolve this. Here, this is a little token of sincerity from me."

Just as Su Nan was looking at her while enduring all the sadness and fury, Gu Lingsha just smiled, appearing oddly humble as she gave Su Nan a $200,000 check.

Su Nan looked up with a dull gaze at Gu Lingsha. She brushed the check that Gu Lingsha handed over away. "I don't want your money. I want you to return Ruan Heng in one piece to me. Why were you driving while you had a fever? If you don't know how to drive, then don't! Return Ruan Heng to me! It's all because of you! It's all your fault!"

Su Nan had already broken down these past few days, and she was extremely wan and sallow at this point.

Gu Lingsha frowned as she looked at the check that Su Nan had brushed to the ground. She glanced up at Su Nan. "Mrs. Ruan, both sides were wrong in this. Isn't it a bit much to just put all the blame on me?"