My parents are also very worried about this matter. After Gu Xiang and Miao Miao left in the evening, my mom pulled me aside and talked to me for a long time, mainly expressing her concern and asking what I was thinking.
I know that her worry is for my sake, so I first needed to calm her emotions: "It's okay, Mom. Miao Miao just said that the divorce decree will be coming soon. It's certain that I will be divorcing Wang Xu. Even if he really finds out about my fake pregnancy, so what? He deserves to believe it."
While comforting my mom, I also tried to soothe my own feelings. This helped me feel better too. Yes, this is indeed a particularly absurd situation. What difference does it make if it has happened? I haven't harmed anyone; it was just a lie, and it should be fine.
However, this little bit of tension and worry faded when I didn't see Prince Xuan at work the next day. My mood suddenly lifted significantly. Seeing Gu Xiang looking calm made me realize something, and I quickly approached him to thank him for his kind arrangements.
"Don't think I'm only considering you; after all, I also want some peace and quiet."
With Prince Xuan absent, at least this day could be more relaxed, making work much easier. While I was contemplating whether to go home for lunch, Gu Xiang invited me to join him. After agreeing, I followed him downstairs and took a seat in the restaurant.
Naturally, Gu Xiang wanted to ask about the situation between me and Wang Xu. He said he wasn't approaching me as a psychologist but as a friend who wanted me to have someone good to talk to. After all, he is very good at keeping secrets, which I knew.
I chuckled and nodded, fully trusting Gu Xiang's character. I was indeed feeling pent up and wanted someone to confide in, and Gu Xiang was just that person. I told him a lot about how things had come to this point with Wang Xu, and how Lu Ming had indirectly affected my family.
I couldn't possibly not harbor resentment towards Lu Ming. After learning the truth, I often thought about how much better things would be if that incident had never happened. Humanity wouldn't have to be exposed in such a raw way; it could remain buried underground and continue in harmony.
Even though there was a possibility of infidelity from Wang Xu after that incident, it couldn't erase Lu Ming's fault. His actions still made me grit my teeth in anger.
"Do you really hate Lu Ming for doing this?"
I nodded: "Of course! I can't be like a saint who doesn't mind such things happening to her. On the contrary, I'm extremely concerned about it. I believe he is the direct cause of the destruction of my family!"
"He has definitely caused harm to your family, no doubt about that. But have you considered what would have happened if he hadn't told you?"
Gu Xiang's words caught me off guard. I had never considered what would happen if Lu Ming hadn't told me this, but he chose to speak up, didn't he?
"Actually, he could have carried this secret indefinitely. The consequences of his actions at that time might not have been anticipated in such detail, but he must have assessed the range of negative impacts. So, for him back then, no matter what happened, as long as it didn't affect his goals, it was acceptable."
"He could certainly accept it; after all, it's not his family. But how am I supposed to accept this? Just because it has a minimal impact on him doesn't mean I should bear the burden."
Gu Xiang shook his head and patiently continued explaining, "That's not what I mean. I just want to tell you that from Lu Ming's perspective, he didn't have to help you midway. The extent of the impact on your family might have been something he anticipated, but choosing to help and then giving up all rights afterward was a decision he made only after meeting you."
Hearing this made me uncomfortable. Gu Xiang is Lu Ming's friend and naturally speaks from his side. I'm just a victim in this situation; how could I possibly find it reasonable to understand the motives of someone who inflicted violence upon me?
Regardless of his intentions in doing this, it was excessive for me.
"Alright, alright, I know you probably don't want to hear this. Let's leave it at that. I'm just sharing part of my analysis with you. You can choose how to act afterward. Of course, Lu Ming, like before, must have anticipated the possibilities that would arise because you are both my good friends. With things being so tense between you two, I also want to play the peacemaker, but it seems I'm not doing a good job at it. Please forgive me."
I waved my hand dismissively. "No, Gu Xiang. As an observer in this matter, you might see things more comprehensively, but I'm the one suffering from the consequences. I can't be magnanimous enough to understand everything he did to hurt me. All I know is that before this, I hadn't harmed anyone, and that's enough for me."
"Yes, I know you're a kind and thoughtful girl who will figure out what to do. Just focus on taking care of yourself for now."
Our conversation about Lu Ming reached this point without much resolution. It had been a long time since I'd seen Lu Ming; after all, if he wanted to avoid me, it would be easy for him. Our chance encounters in the vast sea of people required a bit of luck.
Then came the days of waiting for the divorce decree. Every minute felt excruciating as I waited and worried about whether anything unexpected would happen with Wang Xu. One day when Gu Xiang mentioned medication for treating depression, a heaviness settled in my heart and I suddenly shouted out.
In that moment, fear spread through me like wildfire; such terror came from memories that were merely details yet transformed into a lethal dagger.
I left the medicine at Wang Xu's home, along with the bottle on the hillside. If Wang Xu really discovers it and connects it to my Depression, it would definitely prove that I am not pregnant.
"What’s wrong? What are you thinking about?" Gu Xiang quickly helped me up, his expression gentle and calm. He was observing me closely in his capacity as a doctor.
"I think I'm going to start overthinking again."
Gu Xiang frowned.
The things over there are like a ticking time bomb. I worry that they will truly be discovered. Miao Miao immediately reassured me that the chances of that happening are very slim, almost negligible, urging me not to dwell on it. We are so close to finalizing the divorce; I shouldn't scare myself.
Yes, I have already succeeded halfway, but it's absurd how suddenly I thought of the loopholes in the details. How can I avoid this?
"Don't worry, Wang Xu probably won't go back home anytime soon. Besides, even if your relatives do find out, they can't read, so they might just think it’s nothing and throw it away. There's no way they would wait for Wang Xu and your mother-in-law to come back and discover it; that’s just unreasonable. You really shouldn’t worry anymore."
Miao Miao explained the possibilities to me bit by bit. I knew I was mostly being overly anxious, but whenever I thought about it, fear crept in unconsciously. Miao Miao said that the pressure I've been under lately has affected my condition and urged me to cooperate more with Gu Xiang for an early recovery.
I also returned home to stay, thinking that spending more time with my family might improve my mood. When I went back, I realized I had hardly any clothes suitable for the changing season, so I took the initiative to invite Miao Miao to go shopping at the mall to see if we could buy a couple of outfits.
Miao Miao also enjoys shopping, and we chatted and laughed as we walked into the mall, picking out suitable clothes. It had been a long time since such a scene occurred; the last time was during a quarrel with Wang Xu. Back then, I deliberately wanted to spend more of Wang Xu's money, feeling that every little bit counted and was better than giving it to someone else.
While we were selecting clothes, suddenly a prolonged "Yo-ho!" came from behind us. Turning around, I saw—of all people—Deng Xiaomei.
Deng Xiaomei stood there with her arms crossed in front of her chest, looking at me and Miao Miao with a disdainful expression. Although I found her attitude annoying, I first checked to see if anyone else was around. Once I confirmed that only Deng Xiaomei was there, I felt much more at ease.
"It’s quite a coincidence to run into you all here. Some people must be feeling pretty smug after getting their hands on some money, coming here to buy things is expected. What are you looking at? This bag costs over ten thousand; I guess you can finally afford it."
Deng Xiaomei snatched the bag from my hand, examining it closely. Her voice was grating. As she tugged at it, my nail scratched the surface, leaving a tiny mark. However, given the bag's high price, Teller was watching closely and immediately said he wanted to check it.
The inspection was fine, but the mark was attributed to us. Teller asked who would take responsibility for it. Deng Xiaomei quickly shirked the blame: "This bag has always been in their hands; of course, it's their responsibility. Don't try to pin this on me."
Miao Miao let out a cold laugh: "The bag was perfectly fine when it was with us. You insisted on taking it; there are cameras here that recorded everything clearly. We can check the footage to see whose fault it is."
Deng Xiaomei's face turned red as she refused to accept any responsibility. But as Miao Miao said, the staff had witnessed everything. Not only did I and Miao Miao believe it was Deng Xiaomei's fault, but the staff also expressed hope that she would take responsibility.
In the end, Deng Xiaomei started a loud argument in the store, turning a luxury shop into chaos.
Finally, the staff had no choice but to warn her that if she continued to cause a scene, they would call the police. Upon hearing this, Deng Xiaomei became even more agitated and shouted, "You want me to pay? Do you know who I have backing me? Do you believe I could smash this store?"
Deng Xiaomei was there getting worked up by herself while Miao Miao calmly replied, "If you can afford to smash it, then go ahead. You can't even take responsibility for a single bag; who exactly is behind you? Let’s hear it."
Miao Miao's words made the staff stifle their laughter, while Deng Xiaomei glared at her with a flushed face.
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