Chapter 22: Iceberg
Lying in bed, Xia Yangyang felt completely drained. Gu Qichen’s icy face lingered in her mind, a stone lodged in her chest, making it hard to breathe. She turned over as the door burst open. Seeing a confident figure stride in, she frowned.
“Xia Weiwei, it’s common courtesy to knock before entering someone’s room,” Xia Yangyang said.
Xia Weiwei crossed her arms, sneering condescendingly. “Xia Yangyang, this is my home. Everything here is mine, and you’re just a pathetic tenant. Oh, and I forgot to mention, I changed the front door lock. There are only three keys, and none of them are yours.”
“Xia Weiwei, I’m exhausted. Don’t provoke me; it won’t end well.”
“Oh, you want to hit me? Go ahead. I know you’re good at Taekwondo, but you can’t. You’re only living here because of Dad’s guilt. Act out, and he’ll turn against you.”
Xia Yangyang didn’t react. Years of Xia Weiwei’s mockery had made it an expected part of life. Arguing would only exhaust her. She couldn’t afford to antagonize Xia Weiwei, but she could avoid her. She retrieved her noise-canceling headphones, put them on, closed her eyes, and ignored Xia Weiwei.
Xia Weiwei continued spitefully, “Did you have a fight with Gu Qichen? I told you, a man like him would never find you appealing. You’re boring and stiff. He was only intrigued. Tell me, have you two divorced?”
Xia Yangyang remained silent. Xia Weiwei, knowing Xia Yangyang’s nature—that she’d rather die than return home unless forced—was certain something had happened. Xia Yangyang’s late-night return confirmed it. She’d just said Gu Qichen was on a business trip to Japan. Xia Weiwei, however, knew he hadn’t left. Xia Yangyang was lying.
No matter how Xia Weiwei questioned her, Xia Yangyang gave no response. This infuriatingly calm demeanor enraged Xia Weiwei. She stepped forward and yanked off Xia Yangyang’s headphones. “Are you deaf? Can’t you hear me?”
Xia Yangyang grabbed Xia Weiwei’s arm. Her voice was icy. “Give me my headphones back.”
Her headphones weren’t even on, and she’d heard everything. She knew she shouldn’t fight back, but Xia Weiwei’s constant mention of Gu Qichen pushed her over the edge. Xia Weiwei cried out in pain as Xia Yangyang’s grip tightened.
Xia Yangyang flung Xia Weiwei to the floor. Xia Weiwei’s right hand trembled. “Xia Yangyang, you dare!”
Xia Yangyang picked up her headphones. “Leave, or you’ll lose your other hand too.”
Xia Weiwei gritted her teeth. Xia Yangyang was usually good-natured, but today’s outburst confirmed Xia Weiwei’s suspicions. Despite the pain, Xia Weiwei felt a thrill of satisfaction. “I’m not arguing. In your state, it’s no wonder Young Master Gu threw you out.”