The Eleventh Year of Secretly Loving Her - Chapter 6

Zhong Xiran’s heart jolted as she lifted her eyes to him.

The cold white light from the ceiling spilled down, illuminating his sharp, narrow eyes.

Her fingers clutched her phone tightly, yet tears brimmed uncontrollably in her eyes.

Afraid of being seen, she tilted her head slightly upward, struggling to maintain control.

She had never imagined that the one to protect her in this matter would be Qi Sinian.

Yet among all the members of the Zhong family, including her parents, not a single person spoke for her.

The room was so silent that a pin drop could be heard.

Yu Shulan was Zhong Xiran’s mother; to scold her was only natural.

But since it was Qi Sinian who spoke, who would dare contradict him?

Qi Sinian rarely visited the Zhong family. Though usually distant, he was always polite. This was the first time he had spoken so bluntly to Yu Shulan.

And in front of so many people, Yu Shulan’s face flushed red and pale by turns.

After a moment, Zhong Guangcai pulled Yu Shulan back and reproached her, “She’s grown up now. Stop scolding her all the time.”

Then he turned to Qi Sinian and said, “Sinian, this was our mistake. I apologize on Xixi’s behalf.”

“Apologize for what?” Qi Sinian’s voice was calm. “It was I who told her to meet Huo Xin.”

Everyone was stunned.

Zhong Xiran froze again, staring at him in disbelief—why… why would he say that?

Qi Sinian’s tone remained utterly flat, as if he were speaking of something trivial.

“I told her to go and put an end to things, to return what needed to be returned.”

“My men were waiting outside the whole time. From the moment she entered the room to when she came out, it was no more than twelve minutes. What could she possibly have done?”

This was clearly beyond everyone’s expectations.

Zhong Guangcai was dazed for a moment before quickly realizing something was off.

If that were the case, Zhong Xiran would have said so herself long ago. There’d be no need for Qi Sinian to step in now.

The fact that he had come here specifically, and spoken these words in front of so many people…

Zhong Guangcai quickly broke into a relieved smile. “So that’s how it was. I was too anxious these past few days and forgot to hear Xixi’s explanation.”

He turned kindly to Zhong Xiran. “And you, Xixi, you’re always bottling things up, but how could you keep something this big to yourself?”

Everyone knew it was just empty words, but no one would call it out.

Qi Sinian extended his hand toward Zhong Xiran. “Come here.”

He had often told her “come here” before, always with indifference, casually, in the tone of an order.

And he had never once reached out his hand first.

For the first time, Zhong Xiran found herself cherishing those two words as she slowly walked toward him.

Before everyone’s eyes, Qi Sinian took her hand and said evenly, “I’ve been negotiating a semiconductor acquisition these past few days. My phone was off during the closed talks. You’ve always been understanding. I trust you won’t blame me.”

Zhong Xiran wished she could sink into the floor.

She shook her head. “Of course not.”

His palm was warm, and that warmth traveled up her arm, reaching her heart. The heart that had been suspended in midair finally felt grounded.

Qi Sinian didn’t even bother lifting his eyelids. “Since this is just a misunderstanding, we’ll take our leave.”

Zhong Guangcai quickly interjected, “You’ve already come, stay for a meal before leaving.”

Qi Sinian lazily lifted his eyes, sweeping a cold gaze across everyone present.

The gesture was deliberate, and Zhong Guangcai immediately understood it as a sign of displeasure.

As expected, Qi Sinian said blandly, “No need. I prefer peace and quiet.”

Zhong Guangcai replied, “Alright, alright. Next time you find the time, we’ll have a family meal together.”

Qi Sinian neither confirmed nor denied.

He was just about to lead Zhong Xiran out when Zhong Guangcai suddenly received a call from the neighborhood security office saying a group of reporters had gathered at the main gate, wanting to interview Qi Sinian.

Qi Sinian stiffened.

He had barely been back for long, yet reporters had already caught the scent. Clearly, someone had tipped them off the moment he left the resort.

A cold smile tugged at his lips.

Zhong Xiran looked at him, worried and guilty.

Qi Sinian had always been low-key, rarely attending public business events.

And now, because of her, he was being forced into the spotlight.

If not for her insistence on seeking that so-called “farewell,” things wouldn’t have turned out this way.

Her eyes glistened with faint moisture, and Qi Sinian thought she was afraid.

He slipped his fingers through hers, intertwining them, as if to comfort her. “Don’t be afraid. I’ll handle it.”

Once inside the car, Zhong Xiran’s nerves began to fray.

Not for herself, but for Qi Sinian.

But after thinking about it, she wasn’t even sure why she was so nervous. Qi Sinian would surely handle it with ease.

She pressed her dry lips together, unlocking her phone to check the latest online chatter.

What she found were waves of mocking comments.

[This woman’s obviously both a green tea b*tch and a white lotus. No doubt about it.]

[I’m kind of an outsider, but even back when Qi Sinian married Zhong Xiran, nobody in the circle thought it would last…]

[No way this marriage survives. She got publicly humiliated, who could put up with that?]

[Think about it, would Huo Xin have suddenly stepped up like this if she hadn’t been in contact with him all along? Is he stupid?]

[She’s both stupid and a total love-brain. Once she divorces Qi Sinian, she’ll never get close to high society again…]

The car gradually approached the main gate.

Zhong Xiran put her phone away and looked at Qi Sinian.

The dim light cast shadows across his face, making his expression unreadable.

The gate swung open, and a swarm of reporters rushed forward.

Even as a film director who had seen many such scenes in the entertainment industry, it was her first time being caught in the middle of one.

It felt almost absurdly dramatic.

Qi Sinian gestured for the car to stop.

As it halted, he said, “Stay in the car.”

Zhong Xiran instinctively grabbed his hand.

Qi Sinian turned back to her.

Summoning courage, Zhong Xiran said, “I’ll go with you.”

She had caused this mess, she couldn’t let him face it alone.

Qi Sinian’s voice was flat. “Have you thought about how you’ll answer the reporters’ questions?”

Zhong Xiran faltered, unable to answer before Qi Sinian had already opened the door and stepped out.

A biting winter wind rushed in, and suddenly Zhong Xiran felt chilled.

The door slammed shut, cutting off the cold air, as though the chill had been nothing but an illusion.

Flashes instantly lit up the area as bright as daylight.

Zhong Xiran peered through the tinted brown car window.

Reporters thrust microphones toward Qi Sinian’s face.

Most of the noise was muffled by the car, leaving only a faint murmur.

Zhong Xiran rolled the window down just a finger’s width.

Noise instantly flooded in like a tide, questions pouring in all at once.

“Will you be divorcing your wife?”

“What’s your opinion on your wife meeting with Huo Xin?”

“……”

Qi Sinian remained composed, handling it with ease.

“I will not divorce her.”

“She naturally informed me before meeting Mr. Huo.”

“As for what they talked about, that is my wife’s privacy. It’s not my place to disclose.”

One reporter asked, “Is Mrs. Qi in the car? Could we hear a few words from her?”

Qi Sinian replied, “My wife isn’t feeling well—”

Before he could finish, Zhong Xiran pushed the door open and stepped out.

Microphones were immediately shoved toward her.

Qi Sinian paused, then pushed through the crowd to her side. One hand shielded the cameras thrust into her face, while the other arm wrapped around her in a protective hold.

Zhong Xiran lifted her gaze to the reporters. “It’s true that I met Mr. Huo, but only to return old belongings. I can stand by my words. I did absolutely nothing to betray my husband.”

She then turned her eyes to Qi Sinian. “And I want to thank my husband for his trust and respect.”

Qi Sinian was slightly surprised.

A gust of cold wind swept by, making Zhong Xiran shiver. Qi Sinian pulled her into his arms without hesitation.

The moment was instantly captured by the reporters’ cameras.

Qi Sinian waited until they had taken enough shots, then fixed his gaze on a particular camera, as if speaking directly to someone through the lens.

“If you truly love someone, you would never throw her into the eye of the storm.”

He adjusted the gold-rimmed glasses on his nose, their lenses reflecting a cold glint of light.

“My wife and I share a deep bond, one that can withstand any trial. Mr. Huo, you’re welcome to try, but let’s see if you can take her from me.”