Chapter 678: Let Her Feel a Little More Heartache

Cai Xiaotang couldn't be bothered to pay him any mind, replying directly: "Take it if you're going to eat it, throw it away if you aren't."

Li Xiao immediately shut his mouth, knowing when to quit, and didn't say another word, afraid that he might really annoy her; he then prepared to leave.

But Cai Xiaotang suddenly spoke up again: "Hey!"

Li Xiao stopped in his tracks, turned to look at her, and immediately heard her ask: "How long exactly do you plan on staying here before going back? Give me a specific time."

"This..."

Li Xiao knew why she wanted to go back early; the mood that had just recovered a little bit sank instantly.

Was she really that determined to go back and get a divorce?

Li Xiao was silent for two seconds, and in his helplessness, he still found an excuse to brush her off: "This really can't be decided for the moment. I promise you, as soon as things here are handled, I will return to the country immediately, okay?"

"You'd better hurry."

Cai Xiaotang didn't say anything more, just turned and picked up another plate.

Li Xiao gave her a deep look, then turned and walked toward the stairs.

He went straight back to his room, closed the door, set his dinner aside, and paced to the window alone.

The sunset outside the window was beautiful, but he frowned, having no mood to appreciate it, his mind filled with what had just happened in the kitchen.

Although it was a bit childish...

But he had to admit, he just wanted to experience a little more of the feeling of being "cared for" by her.

It seemed that ever since he rejected her confession, the time between the two of them had entered a countdown, ready to end at any moment.

But he didn't want that.

He didn't know when it started, but he seemed to have grown accustomed to having a noisy little woman by his side.

Although she would cause a little trouble sometimes, she was more sincere and carefree than anyone else, and she was attracting his gaze at every moment...

The ease he felt when he was with her was something he hadn't experienced in a long time...

Li Xiao's eyes flickered for a moment, and suddenly thinking of something, he turned and went to the table.

He pulled open a drawer and took out a small box from inside.

Opening the lid, one could see a small ring lying inside.

It was the very ring they had exchanged when the two of them first got married.

Li Xiao carefully pinched the ring and placed it in his palm.

He didn't even know why he carried this little trinket around with him...

It was just that every time he saw it, he inexplicably felt in a very good mood.

Li Xiao stared at the ring for a long time before putting it back, closing the drawer, a helpless smile appearing on his face.

Now, besides stalling for time, it seemed there was no other way?

It had always been him protecting Cai Xiaotang, but in the end, he was the most cowardly one.

He dared not face her feelings, and even less did he dare to face his own.

So what if he liked her?

Some things must never be repeated a second time.

One week later—Li Xiao went to the Hospital for a follow-up with his arm in a sling.

Although he really wanted to keep pretending for a while longer, having an arm in a sling was truly too obstructive to his movements.

In the private Hospital, a foreign Doctor wearing a white coat was carefully examining the X-ray in his hand.

"Li, your injury doesn't have any major problems anymore. It's just a slight hairline fracture. Based on your usual recovery rate, in my opinion, you don't even need the cast. Your subordinates are just making too much of a fuss..."

As the Doctor spoke, he tossed the film aside and shrugged.

Li Xiao was also somewhat helpless upon hearing this: "I said from the beginning that I didn't need a cast, who told you to go along with them..."

The tone of their exchange sounded very familiar, and the man didn't shy away from Li Xiao's identity at all; they seemed to be old acquaintances.

The man took out his tools while speaking: "Lift your arm, I'll help you take the cast off right now..."

"Wait a minute!"

Seeing that he was about to act immediately, Li Xiao hurriedly spoke to stop him, his expression hesitant.

"What's wrong?"

The man looked at him, puzzled.

Li Xiao's eyes flickered for a moment, and he didn't speak, his mind filled entirely with Cai Xiaotang.

For the past few days, the two of them had had almost very little interaction.

Except for meeting in the kitchen at mealtimes, or when Li Xiao actively asked for help with something, Cai Xiaotang almost stayed in her room every day and didn't come out.

What she asked most often was when his injury would finally be better.

Li Xiao frowned slightly, looked down at his arm, and felt conflicted.

If she knew he was already mostly healed, she would definitely plan to return to the country and get a divorce immediately...

"James, just help me cut the bandages, there's no need to remove the cast."

Li Xiao pondered for a moment and finally made his decision.

"Huh? Not remove it? Are you serious? Don't you find it heavy carrying this thing around every day?"

The Doctor was surprised, and after saying this, he suddenly realized something, teasing with a mischievous grin: "Oh... I get it, you wouldn't be wanting to keep this to make your wife feel sorry for you, would you?"

He had hit the nail on the head.

An unnatural expression flashed across Li Xiao's face, and he instantly shot him a glare.

The man immediately knew to be sensible, making a zipping motion across his lips with his hand, then took out the scissors and quickly cut off the gauze on his arm.

Finally regaining his "freedom," Li Xiao immediately moved his arm around, feeling much more comfortable.

Aside from the weight on his hand, his movements would not be affected too much.

"It's just removing gauze, you could do it yourself at home, why come all the way to my place?"

The man muttered a speechless retort.

Li Xiao, however, couldn't be bothered to respond, only patting his shoulder and saying, "Okay, thanks."

Then he turned and left without looking back.

Half an hour later—he returned to the villa.

Before entering the door, Li Xiao couldn't help but look at his arm again, a dark glint flashing in the depths of his eyes.

This should be able to drag things out for a while longer...

As he thought this, a look of self-mockery couldn't help but appear on his face.

To think of such a method to keep someone here, he was truly pathetic...

Li Xiao muttered to himself in his heart while pulling open the door and walking inside.

Then, just as he entered, he saw Cai Xiaotang sitting in the living room, expressionlessly holding the remote control and constantly changing channels on the television.

On the screen, a group of foreign women in swimsuits were on a beach, seemingly broadcasting some variety show.

Li Xiao glanced at it, and just as he was about to speak, he saw Cai Xiaotang suddenly stand up out of the corner of his eye.

"If I want to go out shopping now, is it safe for me to go alone?"

She asked Li Xiao, her tone sounding as if she were bored to the point of exploding.

Upon hearing this, the corners of Li Xiao's lips curled up, and he immediately replied, "Of course you can, wherever you want to go shopping, I'll go with you."

"No need, I can go by myself!"

Cai Xiaotang refused immediately without a second thought, leaving no room for negotiation.