The intense commotion vanished momentarily as the iPad powered on. The host's impassioned voice burst forth from the screen, relentlessly reciting information while bills flashed one after another, alongside a contract drafted by the media—each word clearly displayed, filling the entire screen.
Kong Zhendong's anxious expression gradually drained to ashen gray as the incriminating evidence appeared on the screen. Without a word, he turned and headed toward the operating room door.
"Customized girl? Frankly, you're just a gold digger. Hah! You're willing to marry a stranger for money. I finally see through you. No wonder Grandma's gifts to you were all rejected—you just take whatever you can get!" Lin Xiao gritted her teeth at the chaotic scenes displayed on the screen, condemning Hua Lianxi's character. She was so furious she nearly threw the iPad to the ground to unleash the anger trapped in her chest.
"That's enough! Are you finished?" Kong Chengyi growled coldly. "If all you care about is that, then you can leave. Grandma doesn't need to see you!" His patience snapped—right now, the most important thing was Fang Xiufang, still lying in surgery, yet Lin Xiao persisted in bringing up accusations. He could endure no more.
"What kind of attitude is that? I'm your mother! I somehow became mother-in-law to this mysterious woman. Don't I have the right to find out what's going on? Reckless shopping, reckless credit card charges—isn't that money from the Kong family?" Lin Xiao yelled miserably, feeling wronged and refusing to admit fault.
"I'm sorry. Everything is my fault. I shouldn't have become a customized girl! I shouldn't have…" If she had not become a customized girl trying to quickly earn enough for Hua Zhenzhen's medical fees, she wouldn't have had to pose as Kong Chengyi's wife. She wouldn't have invaded the Kong family or caused Fang Xiufang such painful blows and lies, pushing her to the brink of life and death. All this was because of her.
"According to reliable sources, Hua Lianxi's mother is a mental patient who was once a homewrecker. These are photos we painstakingly obtained!" The scrolling report on the iPad shifted from covering the contract between Kong Chengyi and Hua Lianxi to digging into Hua's background. "The woman in the photo is Hua Lianxi's mother, Hua Zhenzhen! Because she was a homewrecker and broke up families, Hua Lianxi carries her mother's surname!"
Lin Xiao, who had been glaring at Kong Chengyi, suddenly lowered her head and stared intently at the screen. A roaring noise burst in her ears as the name "Hua Zhenzhen" echoed repeatedly in her mind. The delicate woman on the screen was identified as Hua Zhenzhen.
Covering her ears, tear-streaked Hua Lianxi was incredulous that the media had mercilessly dug up her mother's past, cruelly exposing her most tragic history like repeatedly stabbing her open wounds with a sharp blade, leaving her raw and bleeding.
Lin Xiao bit her lip, holding her breath. Her trembling hand rewound the short video and leaned close to the screen, squinting to identify the woman. Suddenly, there was a sharp "crack" as the iPad slipped and fell straight from her hands.
Kong Chengyi, still staring at the operating room door, heard the crash and turned his head, only to see Lin Xiao wildly lunging at Hua Lianxi.
"Divorce! Divorce immediately! No matter what, divorce her now!" Lin Xiao, utterly furious, glared at Hua Lianxi and pushed her away with both hands. "Bad family, bad upbringing! You're not from a good family!
Taking a long stride, Kong Chengyi raised his hand and effortlessly caught Lin Xiao, who was in a crazed state. "What are you going crazy for? Listen carefully: say one more word, and get out of this hospital immediately!"
Lin Xiao's skinny arms ached from the hold, and Hua Lianxi, weak and powerless, lost her balance as Kong Chengyi restrained Lin Xiao, falling heavily to the floor.
"I just want to see Grandma come out safely. I just want to see her; I want to tell her I won't go. I want to ask Grandma for forgiveness…" Falling painfully to the ground, Hua Lianxi murmured, her thoughts still clutching Fang Xiufang.
"Kong Chengyi, this woman must leave the Kong family immediately. You must sever all ties with her—not a single connection!" Lin Xiao's eyes were bloodshot as she demanded fiercely. "I absolutely will not allow a homewrecker to enter the doors of the Kong family, never ever!" She refused to let Hua Lianxi set foot in the Kong family home again, nor to have any relationship with Kong Chengyi.
Gripping Lin Xiao's arm, Kong Chengyi pursed his lips and silently stared at the still-sitting Hua Lianxi, as if making a final decision.
"Doctor, how's my mother? Has she awakened?" Kong Zhendong suddenly spoke anxiously, blocking the doctor who was just about to exit the operating room.
Hearing the noise, Kong Chengyi released Lin Xiao's arm and quickly turned around, his eyes already bloodshot. "How is my grandmother now? Is the intracranial bleeding under control?"
Removing his mask, the doctor gestured for Kong Chengyi and Kong Zhendong to remain calm. "Young Master Kong, rest assured, the Old Madam's condition is good. She has passed the danger period. The intracranial bleeding is well-controlled. We believe she will wake soon. Currently, we're using conservative treatment so her body can absorb the small amount of bleeding naturally. Once absorbed, her condition will be very good. It is mild at this point."
"Good, good. That's a relief! Please monitor my mother closely!" Kong Zhendong finally breathed easier, confident that Fang Xiufang would soon awaken.
"However, the Old Madam will need to remain in the ICU today for continuous observation. If all goes well, she can be transferred to a normal ward tonight. But be very careful not to let her get agitated. Her blood pressure is still high, and any stimulation could trigger another stroke!" The doctor emphasized the precautions that must be taken.
"Understood!" Kong Chengyi gave a simple affirmation and turned to Hua Lianxi.
Looking up at him, eyes wide, Hua Lianxi, one hand on the ground to support herself and the other wiping away streaming tears, slowly stood up. "I want to see Grandma. I want to wait until she's transferred to a normal ward before I leave!"
She understood Kong Chengyi's cold gaze but had no desire to leave. She desperately wanted to see Fang Xiufang safe without any danger. The guilt in her heart made her long to apologize face to face, to make amends for betraying her deep love.
"Go back!" Kong Chengyi's face tightened and he ground out the words through clenched teeth. At that moment, he suddenly hated the tear-streaked face that inexplicably twisted his heart. "Hua Lianxi, you don't want Grandma to hear your voice and faint again, do you?!"
"Grandma definitely doesn't want to see you. Get out now!" Lin Xiao screamed hysterically from behind, unable to tolerate Hua Lianxi's presence for another second. She had disliked her from the start.
Hua Lianxi stared silently at Kong Chengyi with swollen red eyes. Biting her lips, she felt her voice choke in her throat. All her determination and last hope seemed to vanish in his merciless accusations and cold gaze.
This world would not allow her to enter again. Perhaps, she had never once earned the right to step into it.
"If possible, please tell the Old Madam I am sorry. I have wronged her." Bowing her head as if the person before her were Fang Xiufang herself, Hua Lianxi apologized deeply, then closed her eyes and staggered slowly down the corridor bathed in harsh white light, walking out of the world that never truly belonged to her.
Staring at her thin back and wavering steps, Kong Chengyi clenched his fists tightly. The freshly bandaged wound burst open again, the pain shooting through his chest, causing his sharp features to twitch uncontrollably.
"Lin Xiao, enough with your rampage!" Finally unable to bear her shrill shouting, Kong Zhendong bellowed, frowning as he stopped her from further madness.
Dragging her exhausted, hollow, and expressionless body out of the hospital, Hua Lianxi looked up at the clear blue sky, utterly void of clouds. Her heart felt hollowed out, all strength to carry on lost, her will to live vanished. In this vast world, she stood bewildered and helpless, unsure where to go or where she truly belonged.
She had always known she was lonely. Her life should be hers to decide. She had treated her work as a customized service, never imagining she would hurt anyone or lose herself in the process. She had always believed her rationality was enough to keep her grounded, and all she wanted was the substantial fee from her "customized" jobs.
Yet now, her heart ached from Kong Chengyi's ruthless decisiveness and Fang Xiufang's emergency. At this moment, she was the granddaughter-in-law recognized by Fang Xiufang, Kong Chengyi's true wife.
Tears streamed down her cheeks like broken pearls, falling relentlessly. No matter how fast she wiped them away, new ones instantly filled her face.
The scorching sun beat down fiercely as Hua Lianxi wandered aimlessly among the bustling streets, lost in thought and tears. She crossed streets absentmindedly, passed one intersection after another, unaware even as her heels bled from wear.
Suddenly, she found herself standing before a small flower shop.
She had forcibly walked back near Xiaoyue Residence. Just a few more steps and she'd be there.
Covering her face with both hands, wet tears seeped through her fingers. Deep in her heart, Xiaoyue Residence remained her refuge; instinctively, she returned there during her darkest confusion.
"Miss, what flowers would you like today? Have your hyacinths been pruned again?" The flower shop girl spotted the familiar figure in the narrow store and called out, pleased to see Hua Lianxi's usual contentment when she happily brought fresh flowers home.