Chapter 359

Miao Yijia cried, her shoulders shaking, she spoke up for Chen Songbai: 'It's all my fault; I'll pretend nothing happened; don't blame yourself.'

Chen Songbai's face was as black as a pot bottom, and he began to seriously recall——

He got off work on time today, came back and packed a few pieces of clothing to take to the company dormitory. Last time he left in a hurry, he only brought two sets, which was a bit insufficient for changes. Miao Yijia happened to be cooking; she said her mother had sent a specialty from their hometown and invited him to stay for a meal.

He suddenly remembered he needed to tell her about renting a place; over the past few days, in his spare time from work, he had looked at several apartments, couldn't decide, and wanted her to pick one herself, so he stayed.

Miao Yijia cooked a tableful of dishes and opened a bottle of red wine, which, according to her, was a gift from a friend; she had been reluctant to drink it, but tonight the spread was lavish, and a glass of wine would be perfect.

He didn't want to drink, because he would have to drive back to the company later, but he couldn't resist Miao Yijia's enthusiasm, so he had a glass. Perhaps work had eased up, and he finally wasn't so busy; his whole body relaxed, after one glass he couldn't help but have another, and without realizing it he drank too much.

In his dazed state, he seemed to hear Miao Yijia speaking near his ear, but he couldn't make out what she said; he waved his hand, indicating he didn't want to drink anymore.

Later, he heard her words clearly; she said she would help him back to the room to rest.

Miao Yijia supported him; she was short, he was tall, and they staggered toward the bedroom, his leg bumping the bed's edge, his knee buckling, his balance lost, and he pitched headfirst onto the bed……

After that, he couldn't remember what happened.

The memory cut off abruptly; Chen Songbai pressed one hand on the summer blanket he was using to cover himself and pounded his own head with the other, desperately trying to recall, but he just couldn't.

He tilted his head and also noticed the mess and bloodstains on the sheets; he froze, the color draining from his face, and looked at Miao Yijia. She could no longer speak, only knowing how to cry.

Her crying made Chen Songbai feel vexed and agitated; he furrowed his brows tightly and denied it vehemently: 'Impossible, absolutely impossible; I didn't do anything to you.'

Miao Yijia helplessly wrapped her arms around her bare arms, crying almost to the point of breathlessness; seeing him like that, she forced herself to say: 'I helped you onto the bed, you suddenly grabbed me, shouting my sister-in-law's name in your mouth; I was terrified. My mind went blank for two seconds, and you kissed me; I couldn't break free, and then…… then you……' She covered her mouth, heartbroken.

All the blood in his body seemed to rush to his head; Chen Songbai kept shaking his head, refusing to believe what she said was true, he could never do something so beastly, he muttered under his breath: 'It won't happen, it won't happen.'

Even if he had been drugged, he would never touch his own sister.

Chen Songbai staggered into the bathroom, bent over the toilet and vomited; he felt utterly nauseous, not just from the alcohol. Miao Yijia's description triggered a physical revulsion in him.

He vomited until bile came up, his mouth tasted bitter, and there was nothing left to throw up. Sweat beaded on his forehead; he raised his hand and slapped himself hard across the face: 'How could this happen? She's my sister, how could this happen……'

He seemed to have lost his soul, frantically repeating the same words over and over, his eye sockets bloodshot, scalding tears streaming down.

Miao Yijia couldn't bear to watch him torment himself any longer; she rushed in, her slippers falling off, barefoot, she knelt on the floor and embraced Chen Songbai from behind, pressing her face against his back: 'Don't be like this; I'm not my mother's biological daughter, so I share no blood relation with you. Don't you know I was taken in and raised as an adopted child?'

Her mother had given birth to two sons and wanted a daughter; unable to bear more children due to her health, she brought her home to raise. This was no secret among relatives; during New Year gatherings, when they chatted, it would occasionally come up, never hidden.

Xia Xuan stood apart like an indifferent onlooker, eyeing them coldly, she nodded and gave a chilly laugh: 'So that's how it is.'

Hearing her speak, Chen Songbai jolted as if waking from a nightmare, his body trembling; he turned his head to look at her, saw her pallid face bearing a smile, saw her step back and leave the bedroom.

Chen Songbai grew anxious, wanting to chase after her, but he was burdened by excess weight.

"Xiao Xuan!" he cried shrilly, shoving Miao Yijia, who clung to him, away with force.

Miao Yijia couldn't keep her balance; with a "pa" she fell forward onto the icy ceramic tiles, her elbow bone knocked, sending a piercing, heart‑aching pain.

Chen Songbai stood up, a wave of dizziness hitting his head; he took two steps pursuing her, then realized he wasn't clothed, hurried to the wardrobe to pull on a T‑shirt and trousers. But just as he stepped out of the wardrobe, Miao Yijia blocked his way.

"You've been drinking, you can't drive, you……"

Before she could finish, Chen Songbai swept her aside again with great force; Miao Yijia slammed into the wall, feeling pain everywhere in her body. She clenched her teeth tightly, offered no further resistance, and gazed gloomily at Chen Songbai's retreating back.

Only after leaving the residential complex could Xia Xuan no longer hold back her tears. She had rushed out so hastily that her canvas bag was left at home, and she had neither phone nor wallet on her.

She didn't want to see Chen Songbai; she wiped her tears, ran to the roadside to hail a car, and returned to Su Jinru's place.

She borrowed the driver's phone to call Xia Yue. When she reached the estate gate, Xia Yue was already waiting there, having paid the fare, and looked anxiously at Xia Xuan as she stepped out of the car.

"What's wrong?" Over the phone Xia Yue had already sensed her mood was off: "You didn't go home, so why are you back here?"

Xia Xuan didn't want to speak; thinking of that scene filled her heart with sorrow and despair.

It felt like heaven was playing a joke on her.

Xia Yue didn't ask further; she took Xia Xuan's hand and turned to go back into the estate.

Su Jinru had already returned to her own room, leaving a lamp on in the living room; Xia Yue switched on all the other lights, flooding the place with brightness, making it clear to see Xia Xuan's lost‑and‑forsaken state. Xia Yue felt heart‑pained and helpless, she held Xia Xuan's head against her chest: 'If something unhappy happens, tell the elder sister; the elder sister will help you, don't bottle it up inside and hurt your body.'

Xia Xuan closed her eyes, her shoulders trembling, tears falling silently.

After a moment, Xia Yue felt the front of her clothing become wet, a patch of warmth that instantly turned cold.

Xia Xuan refused to speak, and Xia Yue couldn't bear to keep pressing her; the two sisters clung together.

With a creak, the door opened; Youyou came out in a long nightgown, tiptoeing, she had been waiting for her mother to tell her a story, almost asleep, but she hadn't arrived yet: "Mom…… uh, aunt?"

Xia Yue turned to look at her, her expression soft: "Be good, go to sleep first. Auntie's feeling a bit unwell; Mom will keep her company."

"Oh." Youyou retreated back to her room and gently closed the door.

After who knows how long, the doorbell rang; the person buried in Xia Yue's arms startled, shifting slightly. Xia Yue patted her shoulder and whispered reassuringly: "It's fine, I'll go check."

Xia Xuan hung her head, her lashes still damp, her fingernails repeatedly digging into her palm.

Xia Yue leaned against the door to peek through the peephole; the person outside was Chen Songbai, his complexion no better than Xia Xuan's, equally lost and disheveled, his hair wet—whether from water or sweat, unknown.

Xia Yue didn't understand the situation; she guessed the two had quarreled, and dared not rashly open the door to let Chen Songbai in. She turned sideways to the sullenly seated Xia Xuan on the sofa and said: "Chen Songbai is here; do you want to see him?"

She clearly saw her younger sister's shoulder twitch, then she lifted her head, her eyes wounded, and without hesitation shook her head.

"Don't open the door; I don't want to see him." She never wanted to see him again in her lifetime.

Seeing his face would make her think of the disgusting things he had done.

Xia Yue respected her wish and did not open the door for Chen Songbai.

A few seconds later the doorbell rang again; Xia Yue ignored it.

After several successive rings, Su Jinru in the room was awakened. She usually went to bed early; if she had nothing to do, she would be in bed by seven or eight at night. The air‑conditioning made it too cold, so she had thrown a thin knitted cardigan over her pajamas, opened the door, and stepped out of her room.

"Who is it, constantly ringing the doorbell?" Su Jinru yawned, glanced casually, saw Xia Xuan in the living room, and widened her eyes in surprise: "Xuanxuan, you weren't supposed to have gone home? Why are you here?"

"It's Chen Songbai outside." Xia Yue said awkwardly, "They had an argument, and Xuanxuan doesn't want to see him."

Su Jinru didn't know what had happened between the couple: "Since they're already here, it's better to talk things out face to face."

Xia Xuan, as if struck, burst into tears, yet her expression was resolute: "No one is allowed to open the door for him. I don't want to see him."