Reborn to Redeem: Their Abusive Love
Chapter 24: Precious Youth

Chapter 24: Chapter 24: Precious Youth

Rain lashed Hong Kong Island that night. Even though the hospital was brightly lit, the surrounding roads were engulfed in darkness.

After seeing He Li off, Xu Si stood by the windowsill. Through a curtain as thin as gauze, she watched the reporters below, clad in raincoats, tenaciously staking out their positions.

It had been a long time since she had witnessed such a scene. The most vivid memory that surfaced was the day she declared bankruptcy and left the Xu Mansion in disgrace.

The rain had been just like this that day, with reporters eagerly swarming her, almost shoving their microphones into her mouth.

"Miss Xu, is this the result of investment failure or defeat in the family inheritance battle?"

"Miss Xu, please answer. Having squandered your family’s wealth, what are your feelings right now?"

"Miss Xu, your net worth plummeted overnight. You’re no longer a wealthy heiress. How will you live? Do you have any goals?"

Betrayed by her family, Xu Si had been unable to utter a word at that moment. All of Hong Kong Island had reveled, anticipating the price the failure would pay. This time, however, Xu Si was much calmer. Her expression betrayed nothing as her well-defined fingers rhythmically tapped on the windowsill. Her soft, curly black hair, spread over her shoulders, trembled in the light, cool breeze.

She hadn’t asked Pei Zhen to stay with her at the hospital.

Pei Zhen had obediently waited for her at the Xu Mansion and had even called her in the evening to ask if she was all right.

Xu Si had said she was fine.

Pei Zhen had chuckled. "Then I’ll wait for you to come back, Auntie."

Auntie. Xu Si savored this term in solitude. It represented her guardianship over the young man, who, just as she wished, regarded her as an indispensable family member.

An owl alighted gracefully on the windowsill, seeking shelter from the rain. It tilted its head, scrutinizing everything.

Xu Si closed the slightly ajar window and, at peace, drifted off to sleep.

「The next morning.」

All over Hong Kong Island, newspapers and news broadcasts were covering the previous night’s shooting incident. The radio in her hospital room was no exception; a slightly staticky voice droned on through the speakers.

"Xu’s Real Estate Group announced at 8:10 this morning that the company’s actual controlling shareholder, Miss Xu Si, was attacked by kidnappers yesterday and is currently undergoing treatment in the hospital. Her two paternal uncles have been kidnapped and taken out to sea; their current condition is unknown. Furthermore, the kidnappers have demanded an astronomical ransom of ten million HKD. The Xu Group has been mired in bankruptcy rumors for the past half-month. Whether they can afford this ransom remains uncertain. We will continue to report on this developing story."

The broadcaster’s clear, well-articulated voice spread throughout Hong Kong Island.

Following her overseas sister-in-law’s advice, He Li wanted to find reporters. Her plan was to spin a tale about Xu Si hoarding a vast fortune while callously refusing to save her uncles, thereby attempting to pressure her through public opinion.

But then, news of the Xu Family’s impending bankruptcy came to light. This revelation effectively choked her, making it difficult for her to say anything credible.

Given the timeline of events, no one would believe her. And those few who might have believed her wouldn’t offer any help. Her only path was blocked.

As the sun slowly set, tears of frustration blurred He Li’s vision.

She lingered outside the hospital, continually weighing the pros and cons. She debated whether to flee to America with her property or mortgage it to Xu Si to obtain the money to save her husband. Either choice entailed gains and losses.

Undecided, her gaze suddenly fell upon a familiar figure. Just as she had seen him that other day, the young man was dressed in a smart uniform. He alighted from a black car, bypassed the reporters’ cameras, and slipped in through the back door.

That orphan, He Li thought. She wanted to call out to him but realized she couldn’t remember his name.

The moment she opened her mouth, the reporters behind her noticed. Recognizing her as the woman who had claimed to be Xu Si’s aunt the previous night, they swarmed around her, thrusting their microphones forward, nearly smearing her delicate lipstick.

"Hello, Madam! Please tell us, was this an accident or a struggle among the powerful families?"

"How exactly was your husband kidnapped? Could you share the specific details?"

"The kidnappers are demanding a ten million HKD ransom, and the Xu Group is facing a severe bankruptcy crisis. How are you feeling right now?"

"If your husband cannot be rescued, how will you manage your life moving forward? Do you have any plans?"

He Li felt like she was going mad. At a time like this, these vultures were actually asking about her feelings?

She clearly had no training in dealing with the press. Anger swelled in her chest, and with a quivering voice, she yelled at the reporters, "Get lost!"

In the hospital room, Xu Si wore a loose, warm white sweater. It softened her radiant features, making them appear exceptionally tender. Under the winter sunlight, her skin seemed as fair as snow—harmlessly appealing, yet exuding an almost palpable, underlying sense of danger.

She was staring at the commotion unfolding below.

Anshi brought several contracts into the room, along with a few newspapers fresh off the press that day. He laid them out on the table for Xu Si to review.

Xu Si turned, picked up a contract, but her gaze inadvertently fell upon the front page of one of the newspapers.

Bold, enlarged font screamed a sensational headline: [The Rakshasa Heiress, Miss Xu: Afraid to Reveal Her Demon-Like Face?]

... Xu Si was speechless.

She picked up the newspaper and read it carefully. The article claimed she never appeared in public, speculating it was likely because she was ugly. It also mentioned that although her father had passed away, she had never stepped up to manage the company. The piece even insinuated that Xu Si was the mastermind behind her uncles’ kidnapping, a style purportedly mirroring her father’s.

Xu Si pointed to the article and murmured, This is outrageous. Who is the reporter for this paper? He actually said I’m ugly and that I’ll never get married.

But, it had to be admitted, the reporter had a sharp eye and certainly dared to write.

Anshi picked up that newspaper, noting its name. "It’s a small, unknown tabloid on Berri Road."

Xu Si nodded. "Buy it out. And take all copies of today’s edition from that newspaper to the crematorium and have them burned."

A young heiress, seemingly composed, yet quick to demand the destruction of anything unfavorable to her, often has a silent, taciturn assistant by her side. Such an assistant is typically just as ruthless, readily indulging her decisions.

Anshi was the greatest support Mr. Xu had left for Xu Si. True to form, Anshi simply nodded. "Yes." He then turned and left the room.

On that blustery winter day, Xu Si glanced up and met a pair of warm, smoke-gray eyes belonging to a young man.

Pei Zhen had arrived silently.

Surprised, Xu Si subconsciously wondered, Is the soundproofing in this hospital any good? Did I just ruin my gentle image in Pei Zhen’s eyes?

Apparently not.

Pei Zhen’s expression was normal as he slowly walked in, holding an exam paper. This was his second exam since entering Imperial Noble Private Academy, and he had ranked first in his grade. His teacher had written on his evaluation form:

[This student has performed outstandingly and exhibits proper conduct. The academy hereby awards a scholarship of ten thousand HKD as encouragement.]

The money had been placed in an envelope.

Pei Zhen had carried it all the way. Emulating Anshi’s meticulous habits, he carefully placed the evaluation form and the envelope of money on the tulip-filled table. Smiling, he said, "Auntie, the monthly exam was moved up. I didn’t tell you because I knew you were busy. I got first place, and this is the reward from the school."

The heartfelt sentiments of youth are the easiest to discern—not world-shaking, perhaps, but utterly sincere.

Xu Si didn’t touch the money. Instead, she picked up the report card, as if that thin piece of paper were more valuable than ten thousand HKD.

"Azhen, you’re so excellent! Truly amazing," she praised.