The Qin house still hadn't let her forget.
Two nights ago, she'd returned at midnight with blood on her face and chaos trailing behind her. Since then, everyone walked on edge, and Song Huifei had slammed down a rule: Xi Jiayi was not allowed to leave the house alone.
So when she stood by the door that morning, bag in hand, Butler Wen was already waiting.
"Second Miss," he said politely, "the driver is ready."
"I don't need—" she started.
"Madam's orders," he cut her off smoothly, tone leaving no room for argument.
The air between them tightened. For a moment, it seemed she would argue. But then her fingers tightened around the strap of her bag, and she exhaled, almost lazily. "Fine."
Outside, the black car gleamed. She slid into the back seat, her gaze falling briefly on the driver who glanced at her through the rear-view mirror.
As the engine hummed to life, Xi Jiayi pulled out her phone, her slender fingers moving quickly over the screen. A single message shot off before she tucked the phone away again, face expressionless.
The driver cleared his throat. "Second Miss, where to?"
Her eyes, half-lidded, lifted toward the window. "Hospital."
---
The smell of antiseptic hit her as soon as she stepped into the hospital.
A nurse cleaned and rewrapped the bandage on her head. Jiayi didn't flinch once, even when the alcohol stung. Her face stayed calm, detached, as though none of this belonged to her.
"All done," the nurse said softly, before slipping out.
The door opened again. This time, it wasn't a nurse.
A tall man walked in, carrying a file. His suit was sharp, his expression serious.
Han Ruiming.
He nodded once. "Miss Xi, before proceeding with this case, I want to confirm everything with you."
She looked at him, eyes cool and indifferent. She stretched out her hand.
He placed the file in it.
Xi Jiayi opened it, flipping through the papers. The room went quiet except for the soft rustle of pages. She took her time, eyes scanning line after line. Her face gave nothing away.
Minutes later, she shut it and handed it back. "Do whatever you want."
Han Ruiming blinked. "You don't want to change anything? Add something?"
"I don't understand these things," she said, her voice light, almost careless. "So just do what you think is right."
Han Ruiming studied her closely. He had expected fear, maybe hesitation, or even anger. But she showed none of it. Just indifference, like the entire matter meant nothing.
It wasn't normal. And it wasn't simple either.
"…Alright," he finally said. "Then leave it to me. I'll make sure the culprits are punished."
They left the ward together, walking side by side down the corridor. Doctors and nurses passed by, but Xi Jiayi walked as if she didn't see them at all, her steps steady, her posture relaxed.
At the main doors, Han Ruiming broke the silence. "Don't worry Miss Xi. We will definitely win this case."
"I'm not worried," Xi Jiayi replied without pause.
He let out a short laugh. "You trust me that much?" There was an arrogance in his voice.
Xi Jiayi's lips curved, but it wasn't a smile. It was sharper, colder. "If the culprit escapes punishment, I'll be waiting outside to torture them myself. So, there's nothing to worry about."
They stopped at the hospital's glass doors, sunlight spilling over them. Han Ruiming turned sharply toward her, stunned by the casual cruelty in her words.
But before he could say a thing, she was already walking away, her back straight, her pace unhurried.
The doors closed behind her, leaving Han Ruiming standing there, his brows slightly furrowed.
For the first time, he wasn't sure if she was fearless… or simply didn't care about the line between justice and vengeance.