Chapter 453: A Masterful Move
According to Bai Xinyue’s plan, she was supposed to take charge of Wu Sheng, and they would be the ones to care for him.
As for Su Li, she was supposed to get lost—the farther, the better.
The moment Bai Xinyue came to her senses, she took Ye Xilan in hand, hoping that for once, she would pull her weight and completely separate Su Li and Wu Sheng.
But in the end... in the end... forget about being intimidated by Wu Qihua, Ye Xilan didn’t even dare to face her at all.
After spreading the story that she had gone blind saving Wu Sheng, Bai Xinyue had spent the last two days dropping hint after hint, both subtle and obvious, trying to get Ye Xilan to step up.
Unfortunately, Ye Xilan had neither the intention nor the capability to do so.
And Wu Qihua was no pushover, either. Bai Xinyue’s plan had completely backfired, leaving her with no choice but to visit Wu Sheng as often as she could.
Every time she saw that nuisance Su Li, Bai Xinyue found her to be a complete eyesore.
She was skilled at manipulating people’s emotions. She used others to put pressure on Su Li, hoping she would take the hint and leave.
But Su Li was completely unfazed and even turned around and argued Ye Xilan into a stuttering mess.
Bai Xinyue knew exactly why Ye Xilan had come today. She had hoped for a better outcome, but it ended in another complete disaster.
Bai Xinyue took a deep breath and finally stepped forward.
Bai Xinyue’s worried voice was music to Ye Xilan’s ears.
Ye Xilan instantly heaved a sigh of relief. When she turned and saw Bai Xinyue, it was as if she had found her backbone—or at least an ally.
"Xinyue, you’re just in time! I was just telling Su Li to know her place and leave Wu Sheng..."
This was the real reason Ye Xilan had sought out Su Li. If she hadn’t run into Tang Yuanxiao, she wouldn’t have gotten so sidetracked.
Bai Xinyue, of course, knew what Ye Xilan was up to, and she quickly cut her off.
"Aunt Ye, let’s head back for now."
Bai Xinyue looked troubled, her face a mask of misery.
Seeing Bai Xinyue’s expression, Ye Xilan’s heart immediately went out to her, and she shot back.
"Go back? No way. Since we’re on the topic, we’re going to get this all cleared up today."
Her fighting spirit reignited, she turned to Su Li. "You’re a fast talker, and I can never win an argument with you, so I’m not going to debate. I’m just going to tell you one thing."
"Xinyue went blind for Wu Sheng’s sake. If you have any conscience, you should let them be together instead of standing in their way. Morality, justice—everything is on Xinyue’s side."
This was what Ye Xilan truly believed, and it was the same conclusion most people reached after hearing Bai Xinyue’s story.
Bai Xinyue had lost an eye for Wu Sheng. How could he possibly let her down?
Ye Xilan’s words made Su Li’s face twitch.
She couldn’t even begin to describe how she felt. "So, if Bai Xinyue had lost an eye for your husband," she shot back, "would you divorce him and let her take your place?"
Ye Xilan’s eyes widened. "What nonsense are you talking about? How can you even compare..."
"Why can’t I compare them? Isn’t it the same logic? If you wouldn’t do it, then don’t stand there making such ridiculous pronouncements. It’s easy for you to talk," Su Li retorted instantly, not holding back in the slightest.
"You’re twisting my words..." Ye Xilan was speechless again. She had to pause for a moment to find her voice. "Come back and talk to me when you’re willing to do it yourself."
Su Li couldn’t be bothered with her nonsense. She called out to Tang Yuanxiao, took Little Tang Mo by the hand, and turned to walk back to the hospital room.
Tang Yuanxiao frowned, glancing at Ye Xilan and Bai Xinyue before following Su Li.
He had only said a single sentence since the conversation started. After that, Su Li had instantly shut down every word from Ye Xilan, leaving Tang Yuanxiao with no chance to speak.
Eventually, he just decided to keep quiet.
Even someone as unobservant as Tang Yuanxiao could tell Su Li was in a foul mood. And who could blame her after hearing something like that?
Watching Su Li and Tang Yuanxiao walk away, Ye Xilan’s face turned purple with rage.
"Xinyue, look at them! Did you hear what she said?"
Bai Xinyue watched Su Li’s retreating figure, her good eye narrowing dangerously, but her words were placating.
"Aunt Ye, I’m so sorry you had to go through that. I had no idea Su Li could be so sharp-tongued."
"I’ve known for a long time that she has a sharp tongue. Xinyue, it’s my fault for being useless. You’ve done so much for Wu Sheng, sacrificed so much... He should be with you."
Hearing Ye Xilan’s words, Bai Xinyue quickly consoled her.
"Aunt Ye, please don’t say things like that anymore. I did it willingly. What happened to my eye is my own problem, and I will bear the consequences myself."
She bit her lip. "I never intended to use this to threaten Wu Sheng, or to use my blind eye to force him into anything. Wouldn’t that just put him in a difficult position? Please, Aunt Ye, don’t say things like that again."
"Oh, Xinyue." Ye Xilan was stunned, not expecting Bai Xinyue to say something like that.
"Aunt Ye, I mean it. Please don’t say that anymore. We absolutely can’t make things difficult for Wu Sheng."
Tears welled in her eyes, but her expression was one of resolve, her gaze firm.
Looking at how mature and understanding Bai Xinyue was being, Ye Xilan’s heart ached for her. "You poor child, being so considerate only means you’re the one who suffers."
The more Bai Xinyue refused to take credit, and the more she acted like a mature, wronged victim, the more Ye Xilan’s heart ached for her, and the more determined she became to fight on her behalf.
And it wasn’t just Ye Xilan; most other people would have reacted the same way.
Of course, Su Li didn’t hear the exchange between Bai Xinyue and Ye Xilan.
She led Little Tang Mo and Tang Yuanxiao into the room. "Auntie, it’s time to eat."
Wu Qihua’s spirits lifted at the sight of Little Tang Mo. "Little Mo, you’re here."
"Grandma Wu, we made dumplings!" Little Tang Mo greeted her with a bright smile.
"Auntie," Tang Yuanxiao greeted Wu Qihua as well.
A complex emotion flashed in Wu Qihua’s eyes when she saw him. "Little Tang, you’re here. Come in, come in. We’ve troubled you again."
Tang Yuanxiao quickly shook his head. "It’s no trouble at all. I... I just want to do whatever I can to help."
Tang Yuanxiao meant every word. ’I’ll never forget the huge favor Wu Sheng did for me back when I was in trouble—helping me find a nursing home and later sending me four thousand yuan.’
’Wu Sheng had done it partly because I had previously saved Su Li. That reason filled me with complex feelings, but it didn’t change my desire to do more to help now.’
’With Wu Sheng lying in that hospital bed, there was only so much I could do. Taking the time to cook and bring some food over was the least of it.’
Wu Qihua could clearly see Tang Yuanxiao’s sincerity.
"Alright, then I won’t say any more." She felt a mix of sorrow, happiness, and pride.
Pride, because her son, Wu Sheng, had so many wonderful comrades.
Wu Qihua hadn’t known Tang Yuanxiao before and had rarely heard Wu Sheng mention him. But over the last two days, she had gotten to know him well.
She’d never have guessed that Tang Yuanxiao—Su Li’s ex-husband and, in a way, a former rival—was actually such good friends with Wu Sheng.
It was truly remarkable.
Tang Yuanxiao and Little Tang Mo had already eaten, so the dumplings they brought were for Su Li and Wu Qihua.
Little Tang Mo expertly began to massage Wu Sheng’s hands and feet, checking on his condition with a practiced air.