C8 Tang Ning

"Mr. Ho, would you like to change your clothes?" the nurse asked, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Ho Li then realized his clothes were stained with blood, his expression darkening further, which made the previously teary-eyed nurse shudder involuntarily. "Keep an eye on her," he instructed.

Ho Li had arranged for Tang Xin to be in a private care ward. With the bill settled, the service was top-notch. The nurse nodded eagerly and saw Ho Li off.

After showering and putting on fresh clothes, Ho Li received a call from Tang Ning.

Tang Ning had recently learned about Ho Li's night out at the club with Jiang Jingyu and Zhan Jin and was calling to probe for details.

"Mr. Li, have you been very busy lately?" Tang Ning's voice was soft and sticky, yet it inexplicably irked Ho Li.

"There's a lot to handle at the company," Ho Li responded dismissively.

"Mr. Li, you haven't visited me in a while," Tang Ning said, her tone a mix of complaint and coquettishness. "You used to enjoy the desserts I made, right? I was thinking of making some more and bringing them to your office tomorrow, if that's okay?" Her voice was timid, betraying her hesitation to overstep.

"Just focus on taking care of yourself," Ho Li said, frowning slightly. "With your health, you shouldn't be doing this yourself."

"But you said you loved my desserts the most," Tang Ning's voice dropped, a hint of manipulation in her words. "I just want to make something that will please you, Mr. Li. My health is so poor right now, if I can't even make desserts to cheer you up..."

Tang Ning was adept at playing the vulnerable card, and it worked. Ho Li softened, "You can make less, don't feel pressured. Regardless of how the desserts turn out, you mean the same to me."

Tang Ning's smile was one of triumph; Ho Li was still indulging her. She knew she was different from Tang Xin. The thought of Tang Xin sparked a devious idea in Tang Ning.

"Mr. Li, have you heard from your sister lately? Could she be mad at me? Even if she did hit me, I shouldn't have spoken harshly to her..." Her voice was laced with feigned hurt and sorrow, but inwardly, she was bursting with glee.

True to form, upon hearing Tang Ning's words, Ho Li's expression chilled. The fleeting warmth he felt for Tang Xin, who had taken a knife for him, quickly dissipated. How could he have nearly forgotten that Tang Xin was a woman of venomous intent? He was almost duped by her petty schemes.

"You're not wrong," Ho Li stated coolly. "The one at fault is Tang Xin. You don't need to concern yourself with this anymore."

Tang Ning ended the call, thoroughly pleased. She was indifferent to Ho Li's dealings with other women; they were never going to be in the spotlight anyway. But Tang Xin was a different story. She had leveraged her act of saving Ho Li to carve out a place in his heart, and Tang Ning was determined not to let her return and upend everything.

With the call concluded, any remnants of affection in Ho Li's heart crumbled, and his icy demeanor towards Tang Xin swiftly returned.

Just then, the hospital relayed news that Tang Xin had regained consciousness and was causing a commotion about being discharged.

Ho Li's face hardened. Was she resorting to such theatrics upon awakening and finding him absent, all to force his presence? It seemed Tang Xin hadn't changed at all; he had simply misread her.

If she was so eager to see him, he would grant her that wish. She would come to regret it in due time. Meanwhile, Tang Xin, anxious about settling her medical bills and agitating to leave the hospital, was blissfully unaware of the tempest that was about to engulf her.