Xiao Wenyao's rage burned in his heart, "You lunatic, the child in your mother's womb is your own brother!"
"Brother?" Xiao Jianren laughed as if she'd heard a joke. "My only brother is Xiao Jiannan, the one you abandoned who is now in prison!"
"You... you madwoman..." Jian Hongmei's blood pressure surged, and before she could catch her breath, she fainted.
"Mei Mei! Mei Mei! Doctor, quick, call a doctor!" Xiao Wenyao immediately pressed the call button by the bedside in panic, and doctors and nurses rushed over.
After examining her, the doctor found fresh blood flowing out from below and immediately wheeled her into the operating room.
Xiao Wenyao had no time to deal with his unfilial daughter Xiao Jianren now, only wanting to know if his wife's condition was alright.
After a long while, the operating room door finally opened, and the doctor walked out.
"Doctor, doctor, how is she?" Xiao Wenyao hurried forward to ask.
"What's with your family members? The patient just had a miscarriage, and instead of resting properly, you're bickering loudly in the ward, causing her to bleed again. Do you not care about the patient at all?"
"Her uterus is ruptured. If you still want children, let her recover properly and don't let her get agitated again. But I still advise against having more children - after all, she can't recover as quickly as younger women."
Hearing the doctor's advice, Xiao Wenyao felt some reluctance in his heart.
"But if we do want children, how long would it take for her to recover before we can try again..."
Xiao Wenyao didn't finish his sentence, but the doctor understood his meaning and looked at him disapprovingly. Although silently cursing this husband for not considering his wife's health, as a doctor he had no right to interfere. He just sighed lightly and said:
"As long as she recovers properly and comes in for check-ups periodically, when the results look suitable, you can try for another child."
Xiao Wenyao breathed a silent sigh of relief. As long as they could still have children, it would be fine. They could just spend more money on IVF if needed.
The doctor shook his head, gave a few more reminders, and left.
During this time, Xiao Jianren had been sitting on a bench in the hallway. Seeing Xiao Wenyao's behavior, she gave a cold snort, thinking he supposedly cared so much about his wife, yet even in this state he still wanted children. Her mother really was blind to have taken a liking to such a man.
As Xiao Wenyao looked up, he saw Xiao Jianren's mocking gaze upon him. The rage he should have felt didn't arise - instead, his heart felt strangely calm, unable to stir up any ripples.
It was as if she was a stranger - no matter what outrageous thing she did, he couldn't be bothered to get angry anymore.
Recalling the doctor's advice for rest, as long as Xiao Jianren remained in the Xiao family for a day, Mei Mei would be unable to recuperate in peace.
So it was time for a decisive break.
Seeing her father's indifferent, tranquil eyes, Xiao Jianren didn't know why, but her heart began to panic terribly.
Although she was afraid of Xiao Wenyao's anger, she felt that the present Xiao Wenyao was the most frightening of all.
After all, when Xiao Wenyao was angry, at most he would just beat her half to death. For this incident, he would also do no more than that, and after some time when his anger subsided, she could still live her carefree life.
But now, Xiao Jianren couldn't grasp her father's thoughts, but she knew it definitely wouldn't be as simple as just beating her up.
"Dad..." Xiao Jianren felt anxious, wanting to say something, but was cut off by Xiao Wenyao raising his hand.
"Don't say anything else." His voice was calm yet hoarse.
Xiao Wenyao sat hunched on the bench, his back bent, looking as if he had aged ten years in an instant.
"I didn't raise you properly, and as parents, we share responsibility for that. In view of our many years of father-daughter bond, I'll give you two choices."
Xiao Jianren was baffled, not understanding Xiao Wenyao's meaning.
"First, you turn yourself in to the police station and explain clearly how you harmed your mother, causing her miscarriage. Accept the legal punishment, and after you're released from prison, you'll still be the Young Miss of the Xiao family."
"Second, I won't pursue your legal responsibility, but you cut off your father-daughter and mother-daughter relationships with us. You leave the Xiao family and are no longer part of it, and since you're an adult, you can't take any of the Xiao family's belongings with you."
Xiao Wenyao looked at the wide-eyed, terrified Xiao Jianren, his expression still blank.
"Choose one of these two paths."
Xiao Jianren couldn't believe it. "Dad! I'm your daughter, are you really going to force me down a dead end?"
Xiao Jianren never expected her father to be so resolute this time - she didn't want to choose either going to prison or leaving the Xiao family!
Seeing her thoughts, Xiao Wenyao didn't force her, only saying calmly, "Of course, I won't force you. You can choose neither."
Hearing this, Xiao Jianren finally relaxed.
But the next second, "I'll have my lawyer present the evidence of your crimes directly to the police. Not only will you go to prison, but when you're released, you'll no longer be the Young Miss of the Xiao family."
These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Xiao Jianren's head.
Desperate, Xiao Jianren sneered coldly, "Then aren't you afraid I'll tell the police about all your misdeeds?"
But to her surprise, Xiao Wenyao didn't seem to care, even scoffing, "You think Xiao Jiannan hasn't said that to me before?"
The implication was very clear - Xiao Jianren was truly flustered now, never expecting there to be such an arrangement between Xiao Jiannan and their father.
Her hand trembled as she pointed at Xiao Wenyao, "You... you actually..."
Xiao Wenyao gave a cold snort. "What about me? I've lived more than half my life - I've experienced more than all the paths you've walked combined. After all these years going smoothly, did you think I wouldn't have any preparations? If you think you can take me down, you'd better wonder if you even have that capability!"
Xiao Jianren plopped down on the floor, her lips quivering.
"Enough, I've said what I needed to say. The choice is yours - either you decide, or I'll get a lawyer. You'd better consider this carefully, or you might regret it later."
Xiao Jianren had no choice - going to prison was out of the question. Spending a few years in there, who knew what would happen after her release?
But if she left the Xiao family directly, she could still seek refuge with Ye Junwen, because he had said he would help her. He was her final lifeline - as long as he could assist her, she would still have a chance to return to the Xiao family and control it.
With these thoughts, Xiao Jianren unhesitatingly chose to leave the Xiao family and sever her parent-child relationship.
"Are you certain? Once you leave the Xiao family, you'll truly have nothing."
"I'm certain!" Xiao Jianren answered without hesitation.
A hint of deep disappointment flashed in Xiao Wenyao's eyes, but it quickly disappeared.
He nodded slightly. "If that's the case, I'll have the lawyer prepare the agreement. After you sign it, you'll no longer be a member of the Xiao family in Hai City."
"From now on, we'll go our separate ways, with no more affection between us."
