He looked up toward the shop interior, and Hua Lianxi smiled sorrowfully. "No more need, no need ever again. No matter how beautiful a flower is, even if it blooms passionately, it's still just a flower—inevitably, it will be discarded!" No matter how she adorned Xiaoyue Residence, she was ultimately someone who would leave; she would never have the chance to tend the hyacinths or see them bloom again with fervor.
Dragging her frail and weak body forward, Hua Lianxi finally pushed open the door of Xiaoyue Residence.
The game began with a contract signed by both sides, but now it seemed the end of the game was not up to her. All she could do was wait at the starting point for Kong Chengyi—to wait for his final decision or a harsher confrontation.
The headline "Kong Chengyi's Custom-Ordered Wife" swept across the entire city like a tidal wave. Whether on television, online media, or even Weibo—the platform most capable of guiding public opinion and spawning memes—the detailed inside story was spreading wildly, flooding all news channels. For a time, the whole city buzzed with excitement over the "custom-wife."
"Boss, according to the investigation, it was 'Xing Weekly' that obtained definitive insider information and rushed into the live broadcast opening ceremony. But no matter what means I used, 'Xing Weekly' refuses to reveal their source, only saying it was a young woman who gave them the scoop!" Late at night, the hospital corridor was quiet and dim. Ke Jie's usually slick hair hung loosely, and his slightly plump face showed deep fatigue.
Wearing only a white shirt and black trousers, his slender fingers hooked over a suit jacket casually draped on broad shoulders, Kong Chengyi's short hair still stood upright. His sculpted, resolute features betrayed no sign of unease or confusion despite a whole day of worry and overwhelming public scrutiny.
He glanced up at the glaring incandescent lights, thought for a moment, then nodded slightly, his tone firm and resolute. "We must have conclusive evidence to identify the whistleblower, no matter the cost—even if it means making 'Xing Weekly' disappear from this city!"
An immense, senseless storm had violently erupted, catching them unprepared and striking down his grandmother. Whoever stirred this hornet's nest would pay a heavy price.
"Chengyi, Grandma's awake!" Lin Xiao's clear and joyful voice suddenly rang from behind. Kong Chengyi turned swiftly and entered the ward, extinguishing the cigarette in his hand on the trash bin as he moved.
"Grandma, how are you feeling now?" Bending close, Kong Chengyi tenderly brushed Fang Xiufang's cheek with one hand while carefully observing her expression.
Once spirited and mischievous like a living treasure every day, the old lady now lay weak like a deflated balloon, both hands hooked to an IV drip, an oxygen mask over her nose. Monitors for heart rate and blood pressure surrounded her, ready to sound alarms at a moment's notice.
Seeing this scene tightened Kong Chengyi's icy heart and strengthened his resolve not to spare the supposed whistleblower—and even 'Xing Weekly' was now marked for destruction.
Fang Xiufang fluttered her eyelashes weakly, slightly opened her eyes, glanced at her anxious grandson, then closed them again as if unwilling to see him.
"Grandma!" Receiving no response, Kong Chengyi straightened sharply, raising his handsome brows. "If you won't answer me, I'll have the broadcast studio torn down immediately!"
Apart from the newly established broadcast studio, Kong Chengyi believed nothing else could threaten her now.
"Chengyi, is that what you should say? Grandma just woke up—she's already very tired!" Standing nearby, Kong Zhendong, seeing his son's shamelessness, scolded him quietly, his face etched with deep concern, fearing his harshness might cause another life-threatening crisis.
"Hmph, damn bastard!" A dry, hoarse voice faintly emerged. The oxygen mask clouded over slightly, yet Fang Xiufang still squinted without opening her eyes to look at Kong Chengyi.
"Fine, I'm a bastard! Rest well, we'll be home soon!" Kong Chengyi grinned with relief as all worry vanished. He leaned down and pressed a kiss on her forehead. "Your handsome grandson's kiss will make you better in no time!"
Feeling Kong Chengyi's warm lips on her forehead, Fang Xiufang finally opened her eyes slowly and, in a low voice, uttered a sharp warning word by word: "You little brat! Wait until I settle the score with you!"
"Then you'd better behave and receive your treatment obediently, or how else will I punish my bastard?" Kong Chengyi responded heartily, clutching her withered, waxy, wrinkled left hand against his cheek—both distressed and comforted by her tenacity.
"There are so many wealthy and beautiful daughters in this city; who could lose in looks to that mysterious woman? You actually spent money on that absurd custom marriage? Chengyi, you've truly lost your mind this time. You have to divorce her immediately—how can two strangers be husband and wife? Do you understand what I mean?" Seizing the chance, Lin Xiao urgently expressed her view in front of Fang Xiufang, hoping to gather more support for her decision.
"Shut up! Let Mom rest! She just woke up!" Kong Zhendong turned and hushed her sternly, his dark eyes glaring fiercely at Lin Xiao, not allowing her noisy interruptions.
Lin Xiao, who had been rapidly complaining to Fang Xiufang, was suddenly cut off by Kong Zhendong's glare. Seeing his sharp look, she froze momentarily and fell silent, even averting her gaze like a misbehaving child.
"But this matter is urgent! How can you marry such an unknown woman? It must be solved immediately—Kong family's reputation is ruined, and we must sever ties with that woman!" After a few quiet seconds, Lin Xiao raised her voice again, continuing to argue.
No matter what, she absolutely could not tolerate Hua Lianxi staying in the Kong family. Even if she only held a title, she considered it a stain on the family's name.
"That's enough!" Kong Chengyi, who had been silent and unwilling to respond, suddenly turned his head, shooting a cold, ruthless gaze at Lin Xiao. His Adam's apple bobbed fiercely as he shouted, "Grandma needs rest!"
Before life and death, everything was insignificant. Now that Fang Xiufang had just awakened, Lin Xiao was so eager to settle scores over his relationship with Hua Lianxi—accusing and raging unfairly—and he could not tolerate it.
His familiar features seemed to be glazed with frost, and his fierce shout made Lin Xiao shiver. She immediately shut her mouth, lowering her eyes and looking at the ground like a child who had done something wrong.
"You all, leave!" Fang Xiufang, closing her eyes again, turned her face away, refusing to look or hear any more discussion or argument about the matter.
"I'll stay and watch over her. You all can go back!" Kong Zhendong, calmly monitoring the various machine readings, wore a solemn expression and didn't want to see the two of them.
Glancing again at Fang Xiufang, who stubbornly turned her face away, Kong Zhendong quietly hummed in acknowledgment and strode out of the ward first.
"Mom, I'm going home first. I'll come back to see you later!" Seeing Kong Chengyi leave, Lin Xiao hurried toward the door, intent on catching up.
"Chengyi!" Just as he exited the ward, with strangers passing by here and there, Lin Xiao called out anxiously, ignoring the curious glances of others.
As if she were unheard, Kong Chengyi continued confidently towards the elevator, showing no hesitation at her calls.
Seeing he was about to enter the elevator, Lin Xiao broke into a quick trot. Her designer handbag swung wildly, her high heels clicking loudly on the spotless floor as she caught up to Kong Chengyi standing beside the elevator.
"Chengyi, listen to your mother! You can't keep this woman—whether it's a fake marriage or not, you have to divorce her immediately. Absolutely no stain on the Kong family's reputation!" Sweeping Hua Lianxi away from Kong Chengyi, cutting off any ties with the Kong family had become urgent. Even though she feared his anger, Lin Xiao still insisted on making her position clear.
Kong Chengyi's sharp eyes landed on Lin Xiao's exquisitely made-up face. He snorted softly, as if hearing a ridiculous joke.
"Stain the Kong family's reputation? Hearing that come from you—don't you find it ironic?" Hands in pockets, his cold gaze was like that for a stranger. "You have no right to say these things!"
Lin Xiao's chest rose and fell heavily as she panted, suddenly turning pale as if realizing something. She stepped back unconsciously. "Chengyi, you… this is…" She lost her usual sharp tongue, stammering as she tried to clarify but dared not voice her doubts easily.
Kong Chengyi looked at her quietly, lips pressed tightly together, unwilling to explain.
"Chengyi…" Lin Xiao whispered sorrowfully, attempting to step forward slightly, resting her left hand on his wrist.
With a mocking smile, Kong Chengyi glanced down at her well-maintained, pale hand on his wrist. "You mind your own business too much!" His affairs had never been hers to manage.
Receiving his scornful, icy gaze, Lin Xiao's heart sank. Her delicate expression instantly crumbled. Her hand slowly loosened, and her crimson lips moved, forming broken words. "I…"
She had always known her son was distant from her but thought it was just his usual aloofness—that only Xiufang could receive his gentleness. She never imagined he truly despised her.
Seeing her hurt expression, Kong Chengyi's coldness did not abate. His chiseled features twitched slightly, as if suppressing a surge of anger.
Suddenly, his phone vibrated in his palm. After a moment, Kong Chengyi withdrew his cold gaze, took out his phone, glanced at it, then pressed the answer key and softly said, "Hmm?"
"Don't be afraid, they won't get into your house. Lock the doors and pull the curtains tight. I'm on my way now!" His previously softened, resolute features hardened instantly at the news in the call. His eyes narrowed slightly as he swiftly calculated the next steps.