Chapter 34: The Breakup Fee

Due to hypothermia, Lin Xiyu nearly went into shock. If treatment had been delayed any longer, she might not have survived. At the time, Lin Yiwei was fine—she could even walk—but catching a chill during her period led to persistent fainting and fever after hospitalization, which later developed into pneumonia.

The Chi family covered all of Lin Yiwei’s hospital expenses for a simple reason: she had saved Chi Xiyu’s life. Had she not pulled Chi Xiyu from the water, what awaited them now would be a cold, swollen corpse in the morgue.

Chi Xiyu’s father, Chi Youhuai, personally visited Lin Yiwei in the hospital. He appeared kind and approachable, a talkative middle-aged man who paid for her stay in a luxury suite at a private hospital. He expressed his gratitude in person and instructed the doctors to take good care of her.

As Lin Yiwei’s only relative in Qinggang City, her aunt brought Su Andi to visit her. Of course, this wasn’t out of genuine concern for her health—she knew Lin Yiwei had saved the Chi family’s eldest daughter, a huge favor. The aunt hoped to gain some advantage from her niece through the gratitude of the Chi family.

But within three minutes of entering the room, Lin Yiwei had already driven her away. The scene became chaotic; Lin Yiwei even grabbed a nearby thermos and smashed the fruit basket the aunt had brought to pieces.

The aunt cursed, calling her an ungrateful wretch. She was the outlet for Lin Yiwei’s anger, though Lin Yiwei herself didn’t want to delve into the root cause of her frustration.

Lying in the private hospital’s luxurious suite that felt like a five-star hotel, sunlight spilled into the room, a gentle breeze stirred the sheer curtains, and the soft, sinking mattress embraced her...

Lin Yiwei never knew one could be so comfortable even while sick.

How wonderful it must be to have money.

Wake, eat, eat, sleep, then watch TV upon waking...

She longed to live like a carefree slacker forever, but she couldn’t—she had to stay alert and keep fighting.

Drowsy, Lin Yiwei drifted back to sleep. When she woke again, there were no unpleasant relatives in the room—those whose very presence disgusted her.

Instead, a man was peeling a pomegranate beside her bed.

His hands were as elegant as ever, long and slender with neat, well-trimmed nails and strong knuckles.

A mountain of pomegranate seeds piled on the plate before him. Upon seeing her awake, he gently tilted her chin, then without asking, poured the seeds into her mouth.

Juice splattered everywhere, nearly choking her.

Sweetness flooded her mouth, followed by the annoyance of too many pomegranate seeds.

Xie Bo handed her a tissue; she took it without hesitation, grabbing his wrist to spit the seeds into his palm.

He chuckled softly, washed his hands in the bathroom, then tossed her half a pomegranate to peel herself. He was too lazy to serve her any longer.

“What are you doing here?”

“Just checking if you’re still alive,” Xie Bo replied with a carefree tone.

“Thanks to you, I’m still breathing,” she said.

“You’re really something—running into the canyon in the rain. Didn’t you see the no-entry sign?”

Lin Yiwei no longer wanted to explain; indeed, it was careless. Drowning would have been no injustice. She was lucky to be alive, a mercy from heaven.

Not only was she fine, but Chi Xiyu now owed her his life.

More importantly, the words Chi Xiyu had muttered in his daze convinced Lin Yiwei that Lin Xie was merely a ghostwriter for him, and that he was being restricted.

Otherwise, Lin Xie would not have stayed away from her for so many years—they had once been each other’s whole world.

“So, shouldn’t you thank me for saving your fiancée?” Lin Yiwei looked at Xie Bo. “That way, you’ll have considerable help in the inheritance battle ahead.”

Xie Bo sat down by the armchair, casually resting his long legs on the coffee table, smiling. “In a way, I do owe you thanks. But you didn’t risk your life just for me, did you?”

“Of course I did. For you,” Lin Yiwei played her part, looking at him with feigned grievance. “Just thinking about what might have happened to her, how heartbroken you’d be.”

“My Yi Yi, you’re really too thoughtful,” Xie Bo said, stepping closer and hooking a finger under her chin. “Waking up and already sniping at me—if I’m reading this right, are you jealous?”

“How could you think such a ridiculous thing?”

“Blame me for back then...” Xie Bo trailed off. “You know the circumstances...”

Lin Yiwei cut him off. “You’re just feeling guilty, that’s why you think that. I don’t have those thoughts.”

She turned her face, shaking off his hand.

Xie Bo smiled even wider, his eyes blooming like fiery peach blossoms. He bit into a pomegranate seed, then cupped the back of her head and forcefully fed it to her.

They passed a single seed back and forth until all its juice was sucked dry.

He delighted in feeding her pomegranate seeds, his breath hot against her skin: “I like that you get jealous like this.”

Lin Yiwei knew he was greedy and stingy when it came to love—he wanted others to love him but was reluctant to give much in return.

“Bastard.”

She bit down hard, drawing blood from his lower lip; the metallic, salty taste filled her mouth.

Xie Bo licked the salty taste, then kissed her more passionately until she was nearly breathless. Only then did he gently soothe her, licking inside her mouth.

“Yi Yi, I really felt guilty that day,” he said, running his fingertips over her jawline absentmindedly. “But I had no choice.”

“Did I ask for an explanation? Don’t flatter yourself,” Lin Yiwei pushed him away.

Xie Bo stood and straightened his collar, lowering his gaze on her.

His pale face bore a flush from their recent intimacy, his lips swollen from her biting, wet and tempting.

Fragile in appearance, but with barbs all over.

“Do you have anyone close to you?” Xie Bo asked curiously.

“Why do you ask?”

“For someone close to you, are you this prickly too?”

“Aren’t we close enough?”

“True, seems this is just your nature.” Xie Bo couldn’t resist leaning down to hug her again, kissing her forehead and the sides of her nose.

He was almost addicted to her.

“Any other family?” he asked softly. “Besides those annoying relatives you kicked out, I can contact them to come take care of you.”

Lin Yiwei clenched her hand under the covers.

“No. I’m an orphan. My foster parents... they’re not really family.”

Xie Bo’s lips curved slightly as he stroked her head. “Looks like I’m the only one taking care of you.”

Before he could finish, his phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and immediately stood to answer. “Dad, I’m on my way.”

As he left, he instructed two men in black suits by the door, “Don’t let anyone she dislikes in to bother her. If she needs anything, tell me.”

...

In the executive office of Xie Corporation, Xie Sizhuo had just finished a meeting. Seeing Xie Bo approach, he waved him in.

The assistant made a hot Americano with sugar but no milk for Xie Bo.

Xie Bo smiled, and the assistant blushed, suppressing a smile as she left.

Xie Sizhuo was used to his son’s charm—like his mother, he had a flirtatious streak.

Despite this, he was reliable, smart, and clear-headed, so Xie Sizhuo valued him.

“Chi Youhuai spoke to me briefly. He said you saved his daughter.”

“It doesn’t count. Someone else saved her. I just happened to find her,” Xie Bo replied honestly.

“Chi Youhuai said you searched the woods in the rain for hours, worried about Chi Xiyu’s safety.”

Xie Bo’s dark eyes darkened. “It’s only natural. I’ve known Xixi for so long.”

“You did well. Chi Youhuai is grateful, and I’m proud. Though I dislike the way you show off your cars, you never neglect your duties and never disappoint me. That’s something your brothers can’t match.”

Xie Bo gave his signature sly smile. “They have their dreams; I follow in your footsteps.”

Xie Sizhuo knew he worshipped him, the empire he built, and longed to inherit it.

His ambition was never hidden.

Sipping tea, Xie Sizhuo continued, “Within reason, you can have hobbies and like someone. You’re young—I was your age once.”

Xie Bo’s smile faded, sensing his father’s tone shift.

“You can like someone, but keep it within bounds. We’re a family like this; our children mustn’t indulge in anything, whether racing or love. I hope you understand.”

Xie Sizhuo never spoke plainly; he only hinted, leaving room for interpretation.

After years, Xie Bo had grown accustomed to this.

His father knew about Lin Yiwei.

Xie Bo replied immediately, “I know my limits.”

“Good.”

Not wanting to continue, Xie Sizhuo changed the subject. “By the way, Chi Youhuai mentioned the union between the Xie and Chi families. I haven’t formally told you, but you must have some idea.”

“Yes, I know.”

“Originally, your second brother was unmarried and would have been a better match, but Chi Youhuai said his daughter only likes you.” Xie Sizhuo casually lit a cigar. “It’s not finalized. I’ve been watching for better candidates. Frankly, I don’t like that girl much.”

“Dad, you can decide,” Xie Bo said.

“What do you think?”

“It’s... too early,” Xie Bo said firmly. “I’m only a sophomore.”

“It is early, but time flies. Look at you—I brought you home when you were just a kid, and now you’ve grown up so fast.” Xie Sizhuo exhaled a smoke ring. “If you agree, deeper cooperation with the Chi Group is possible, with some concessions on profits. Both sides need to tacitly agree on the marriage to finalize upcoming projects.”

Xie Bo wanted to say yes—he knew he should—since it would be all gain and no loss.

His background wasn’t as strong as his older brothers’, and the Chi family’s support would be a powerful boon.

But whenever marriage was mentioned, his mind flashed to another girl’s sly smile.

As if she had succeeded in making him hesitate on a path he once walked without doubt.

That little fox...

Xie Sizhuo studied his son’s subtle expressions and said in a low voice: “Chi Xiyu, so young, has won many international art awards. She’ll be a respectable wife, and she’s beautiful. What more could you want?”

“Nothing,” Xie Bo said.

“Then why hesitate?”

“I just think it’s too early to talk about this,” Xie Bo insisted—rare for him. “For both of us, it’s too soon to settle everything. Life’s journey and scenery shouldn’t be decided so early.”

What nonsense was he babbling...

Xie Sizhuo looked at his calm son. “I’m not saying it has to be today, but eventually, it must be settled. So, handle your private life well. I trust you know your limits. If I have to step in and manage it, that girl would be embarrassed.”

That was a warning.

Xie Bo’s fist lightly clenched beneath his sleeve. “I’ll handle it. Don’t worry.”

He left the building; cold wind swept into his collar, biting and sharp.

The Xie Corporation tower stood in the financial CBD like an oppressive mountain, suffocating all beneath it.

Xie Bo opened WeChat, swiping past Weifeng’s contact card, and scrolled down to the delete friend option.

His finger hovered for five minutes, but he couldn’t bring himself to press it.

Exiting WeChat, he opened his mobile bank app and transferred one million yuan to her, then returned to the delete page.

His phone vibrated—a message from Lin Yiwei:

Weifeng: ?

Weifeng: “Thought you deleted me. Even sent the breakup money. Why haven’t you deleted me yet?”

Weifeng: “Honestly, one million is a bit much. I was thinking a hundred thousand would have been enough.”

Weifeng: “Can you add a gift note? I’m afraid you’ll regret it in a few days and ask for it back.”

Weifeng: “I’m not giving it back.”

Weifeng: “Xie Bo, speak! Cat got your tongue?”

She rarely sent multiple messages like this. Usually, she was cold toward him...

Only money could ignite her enthusiasm.

A smile tugged at Xie Bo’s lips as he sat on the steps outside the Xie Corporation, ignoring the dust that might soil his tailored suit.

He liked chatting with her—

thin: “It’s a gift, won’t ask for it back. Use it. If it’s not enough, tell your brother.”

Weifeng: “Do you have some disease you’re trying to infect me with? AIDS? Or...”

thin: “Pay me back.”

Weifeng retracted a message.

Weifeng: “So, are you getting married?”

thin: “No, not happening.”

Weifeng: “I like how you just send money when words fail. Keep it up.”

thin: “I’m coming to find you now.”

Weifeng: “I’m packing to leave the hospital. I wanted to stay a few more days, but the Chi family won’t pay for it anymore after I recover.”

thin: “If you like the hospital, I can pay to keep you there forever.”

Weifeng: “Are you failing kidneys and want me to donate one? Our rhythm is so intense sharing one kidney might be a stretch, don’t you think?”

thin: “Sounds about right. [Pig head emoji]”

At quitting time, several female employees left the lobby and saw the third young master of the Xie family sitting on the steps outside, chatting and texting.

They paused, staring.

They had never seen him smile so bright and clear before.

...

Lin Yiwei carried her luggage out of the private hospital and hailed a car to return to school. Suddenly, an SUV swerved in front of her. Xie Bo pulled her into the car, buckled her seatbelt, and headed straight for the mountain road.

Half an hour later, the SUV stopped before a deserted two-story villa. Xie Bo grabbed Lin Yiwei’s hand and led her inside.

The young girl didn’t understand why he brought her there and struggled: “Hey! I have dinner plans with An An! What are you doing bringing me here? Are you trying to kill me or silence me? That’s ridiculous.”

“Spend the weekend with me. Just you and me.”

“Xie Bo, don’t just do whatever you want, okay?” She looked around the large, empty, vintage house. “This place’s like a haunted house, and there’s nothing around. I’m not staying here.”

Xie Bo held her hand tightly, pulling her close, whispering by her ear, “Lin Yiwei, that really is the breakup money.”

The girl instantly quieted, no longer protesting.

“For the last two days, I just want to be with you—spend a weekend with no interruptions. After that, we go our separate ways. I won’t bother you anymore.”

She didn’t know how to feel—maybe relief, maybe happiness...

But none of that came. Lin Yiwei only felt emptiness.

The whole world seemed like a vast, hollow abyss, and she was utterly lost.

She stopped struggling. Xie Bo lifted her into his arms and walked toward the old, empty mansion, letting the fading sunset completely swallow them.

She held him tightly.