Chapter 11: Not Even Afraid of Death

Peng Nan looked innocent. "Second Young Mistress, you shouldn't put it that way. Madam sent me here to ensure the health of your pregnancy. If you were careless and suffered a miscarriage, I was the one who ended up getting scolded by Madam."

Her eyes instantly welled up with tears, a truly heart-wrenching sight.

Kong Lingxin felt nothing but disdain. *What kind of doctor are you? With such talent, you’d have a bright future as an actress!*

Meng Zexiao ignored Kong Lingxin. He pulled Peng Nan to the dining table, had her sit down, and said, "Let's eat first. After that, I'll drive you home."

Upon hearing that Meng Zexiao was going to take Peng Nan home, Kong Lingxin was secretly delighted. This would be her chance to go back to her room, pack her clothes, and move into another bedroom.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but chuckle aloud.

Both Meng Zexiao and Peng Nan looked at Kong Lingxin in surprise, wondering why she had suddenly laughed for no reason.

Meng Zexiao recalled seeing her in the study earlier, curled up in a chair with her arms around her knees. She had looked like a terrified child, sweat beads trickling down her fair forehead. As crystal-clear tears rolled down her cheeks while she kept mumbling "No, no," her skin had appeared as translucent as jade, stirring an involuntary sense of pity within him.

Although this woman had been by his side as his wife for a year, he had never once thought to understand her. He had ignored her, and he had demanded that she ignore him in return.

Yet, after not seeing her for a month, she seemed to have undergone a total transformation. Once a person of no consequence, she now radiated a dazzling light that made one unable to help but look at her twice.

Seeing Kong Lingxin effortlessly steal Meng Zexiao’s attention, Peng Nan felt unwilling to concede. She offered one of her self-righteous remarks: "Second Young Master, this braised wood ear mushroom and shrimp dish is excellent. It’s good for your health; you should eat more."

With that, she reached out to place some in his bowl.

Kong Lingxin looked at Meng Zexiao and said, "What Dr. Peng means is that this black wood ear mushroom can warm the kidneys, boost yang, and nourish the essence. It is primarily used to treat nocturnal emissions, impotence, and infertility in men. It’s perfect for you!"

Peng Nan’s chopsticks, mid-air with the mushroom, froze. She looked at Meng Zexiao, clearly embarrassed.

Her hand trembled, and the mushroom slipped, landing right on Meng Zexiao’s hand.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." Peng Nan pulled out a tissue to wipe the oil off his hand, but Meng Zexiao pulled his hand away, leaving her reaching for nothing.

Watching their clumsy performance, Kong Lingxin’s appetite was suddenly whetted. While they were both preoccupied with their own agendas, she filled her stomach.

She set down her chopsticks and said to Peng Nan, "Is our family's food not to your liking, Dr. Peng? You’ve barely touched your meal. If that’s the case, I’ll tell the kitchen not to keep you for dinner anymore, so as not to waste food. Wouldn't you agree, Zexiao?"

As she uttered the last two words, Kong Lingxin felt goosebumps crawl all over her skin.

Seeing Kong Lingxin’s sudden hostility toward Peng Nan, Meng Zexiao knew that their affair had likely been discovered. As to when she found out, he really couldn't say.

Men always like women who are jealous over them, and Meng Zexiao was no exception.

He looked at Kong Lingxin with a smirk and said, "Alright, as you wish. We won't keep Dr. Peng for dinner anymore."

His answer caught both of them off guard.

*Oh no,* Kong Lingxin thought. *Now is not the time to fight with Peng Nan over Meng Zexiao. I still need him to drive her away so I can slip back to my room.*

Peng Nan was utterly dejected. *Fine, Kong Lingxin. I worked so hard to get close to the Second Young Master, and I won't let you ruin it! Just wait, I won't let you have it easy!*

Peng Nan smiled. "Actually, Madam asked me to stay and accompany you both for dinner. She is always worried that you two don't eat properly. Since I am acting on her behalf, I must comply."

*Hmph, trying to pressure me with Madam? I’m not even afraid of death; why would I be afraid of a woman?* Though she thought this, Kong Lingxin remained calm and stood up to leave the dining room.

Peng Nan glanced at Kong Lingxin’s retreating back, thinking her words had worked. *Even though this woman has done a 360-degree turn in how she treats the Second Young Master, she is still as afraid of Madam as ever.*

Throughout the meal, the three of them were preoccupied with their own thoughts. Only Kong Lingxin didn't deny herself and ate her fill.

As she climbed the stairs, Kong Lingxin caught a glimpse of them. Meng Zexiao wore a gloomy expression, while Peng Nan looked resentful.

Unsure if Meng Zexiao would actually drive Peng Nan home, Kong Lingxin hurried back to her room to pack her clothes the moment she was out of their sight.

The room was on the second floor. To keep a safe distance from Meng Zexiao, she took her things to a guest room on the north side of the fifth floor.

Opening the floor-to-ceiling windows, she could hear the sound of the waves, which lifted her spirits.

For reasons unknown, Meng Zexiao actually drove Peng Nan away after dinner. Watching his Porsche disappear into the night, Kong Lingxin sneered. *A handsome face, yet he does such despicable things.*

After ensuring the door was locked, she hummed a tune and headed to the bathroom to shower, feeling incredibly relieved.

*Wow! Even the guest bathroom is luxuriously decorated.* Looking at the snow-white bathtub, she decided to treat herself to a relaxing hot soak.

With her hair pinned up, surrounded by a tub full of white foam and wearing headphones to listen to music, she felt wonderful.

After finishing, Kong Lingxin wrapped herself in a bath towel and stepped out of the bathroom.

The moment the sliding door opened, she was stunned. Meng Zexiao was sitting on the bed, staring straight at her, his eyes fixed on the parts of her body covered only by the white towel.

Her perfect figure made Meng Zexiao’s throat tighten.

Kong Lingxin glared at him furiously. "How are you here!?"

Meng Zexiao tilted his head, looking at her with a smirk. "This is my house. Why wouldn't I be here?"

Kong Lingxin retreated, asking, "But I clearly locked the door!"

Seeing her back away, Meng Zexiao stood up and moved closer, step by step. "I already warned you. This is my house. Even if you lock the door, I have ways to get in!"

Kong Lingxin turned and bolted toward the bathroom. She knew Meng Zexiao would take retaliatory measures, so she ran as fast as she could.

Meng Zexiao was no pushover. Seeing her turn, he knew she wanted to hide in the bathroom. He strode forward and reached out to grab her, accidentally pulling off her bath towel.

Kong Lingxin didn't panic or try to fight; she just kept running out of his sight.

Meng Zexiao was stunned by her back view, wondering how he had never noticed his wife had such a great figure.

Taking advantage of his momentary distraction, Kong Lingxin successfully ducked into the bathroom and slid the door shut.

Once she had calmed down, the thought of being bullied by Meng Zexiao again made tears well up in her eyes. She had wanted to save herself for the man she truly loved, but her first kiss had been stolen, and now he had seen her back. At this rate, she would be completely devoured by him soon!

The silence was eerie.

Kong Lingxin shivered with anger.

Meng Zexiao stared blankly at the glass door. Although he couldn't see her clearly, he knew she was terrified and helpless inside. That slender shadow curled up in the corner stirred a sense of pity in him.

He turned, walked to the bed, picked up her pajamas, and went back to the door. "Open up, I’m giving you your clothes."

Kong Lingxin was bewildered and at a loss. "Go away, I don't want to see you."

Hearing this, Meng Zexiao felt a pang of sadness. He couldn't believe his own feelings; since this woman had returned, she had been able to sway his emotions. *What the hell!*

He stood at the door and said softly, "I’ll leave your clothes on the bed and head out now."

Kong Lingxin couldn't believe her ears, but she remained on guard.

Only after the bedroom door had been shut for several minutes did she timidly crack the door open. Confirming that Meng Zexiao was truly gone, she stepped out and quickly got dressed.