Reborn to Outshine My Ex and His White Moonlight-Chapter 404: Can’t My Performance Convince You Yet?

Chapter 404: Chapter 404: Can’t My Performance Convince You Yet?

Lin Zhiyi looked at Gong Chen in bewilderment.

Just as she was about to ask, Gong Chen’s phone rang.

He took out his phone and glanced at the screen—it was Sang Ran.

A familiar yet distant name struck Lin Zhiyi like a heavy blow.

She took two steps back. "Go take care of it. Xingxing should be going to bed."

She thought Gong Chen would turn and leave like before.

Instead, he hung up the call, put his phone back in his pocket, and leaned close to Lin Zhiyi, whispering, "Did my earlier actions still not convince you?"

"The child’s here, don’t say nonsense." Lin Zhiyi pushed him away, turning her back. "I’m going to bed now."

Seeing that it was indeed late and that the child was staring at them, Gong Chen didn’t pursue the subject further.

"Alright, sleep well. We’ll talk about that man tomorrow."

With that, his expression darkened, and he walked out of the room.

Man?

Lin Zhiyi thought about it briefly before turning to look at Xingxing.

"Xingxing, what did you say again?"

Caught, Xingxing sat up and looked innocent. "I didn’t say anything! Uncle Du really was my dad once!"

Lin Zhiyi froze for a moment before realizing.

"That was the kindergarten’s promotional video."

The principal had approached many parents, but enthusiasm was low—some were busy, and others felt awkward.

After searching around, they finally came up with the idea of asking Lin Zhiyi and Du Qian, who had decent public images, to help.

Usually, the principal took good care of Xingxing, so Lin Zhiyi agreed to lend a hand.

It was nothing more than sharing it around social circles.

Yawning lazily, Xingxing raised her hand. "But still, he acted as my dad!"

Lin Zhiyi sighed in exasperation while laughing. "You did that on purpose."

"I did not. Mommy, hold me and let’s sleep."

Xingxing burrowed into Lin Zhiyi’s embrace.

Lin Zhiyi patted her back. "I’ll take a shower first."

After her shower, the two of them played around for a bit before Xingxing, exhausted, turned over and fell asleep.

Leaning against her sleeping daughter, Lin Zhiyi found peace and drifted off as well.

...

Jing City, hospital.

"The number you’ve dialed is currently unavailable..."

Sang Ran repeatedly kept dialing the same number, but all she got was the cold mechanical voice on the other end.

She clutched her head in agony, her mind filled with the image of Gong Chen reunited with his family.

At that moment, the private doctor brought in specially by the Sang Family knocked and entered the room.

"Miss Sang, I heard some commotion in your room. Are you not feeling well?"

"What did you call me?" Sang Ran’s thin face turned ghastly as her sharp eyes pierced him.

"Apologies, I just arrived and momentarily forgot—Third Madam," the doctor quickly corrected himself and apologized.

Although annoyed, Sang Ran didn’t want to alienate her own doctor.

"It’s fine. How’s my condition?"

The doctor pursed his lips awkwardly. "Currently stable, but Mr. Sang insists that you should go abroad to receive specialized treatment in labs over there."

"My brother spent a fortune hiring your team just to hear that?" Sang Ran retorted unhappily.

"Third Madam, we will do our utmost best, but..."

"But what?" Sang Ran raised her head, glaring at him.

"It’s best if you stop taking other supplements. You’ve had multiple surgeries over the past few years, and your body can’t tolerate them," the doctor advised honestly.

Sang Ran scoffed coldly. "Then tell me, how else can I conceive?"

The doctor was part of the team Sang Li had specially recruited.

His orders were to extend Sang Ran’s life by any means necessary.

But such an outrageous demand wasn’t part of the plan.

Given Sang Ran’s physical condition, her survival up till now had already been challenging. Bearing a child would mean certain death.

Holding onto his ethical duties, the doctor advised truthfully, "Third Madam, your body is completely unfit for pregnancy. Even if forcibly conceived, prolonged medication could harm fetal development—the child won’t survive..."

"Nonsense!" Sang Ran interrupted sharply. "Leave."

Fearing an emotional outburst, the doctor hesitated no further and left the room.

Moments later, the door swung open again.

Seeing the visitor, Sang Ran looked as if she’d found salvation.

"Auntie."

"How’s your health? Why’d you suddenly faint?" Wen Qing slowly sat beside her bed, holding her hand.

Sang Ran dared not speak openly, especially given Wen Qing’s closeness to Old Mr. Gong now.

She forced a weak smile. "It’s nothing, just feeling a bit off with the change in seasons."

"That’s fine, but otherwise, I’d have trouble explaining to Old Mr. Gong," Wen Qing remarked, her gaze deliberately mentioning the elder.

Sang Ran’s face darkened further at the mention.

"Auntie, please don’t tell him I’m in the hospital."

"I won’t, but your complexion looks awful. If he sees you like this, how will he have any hope for you to give him a healthy grandson?"

The mere mention of childbirth left an acrid taste in Sang Ran’s mouth.

More than three years ago, Old Mr. Gong had started with benign verbal encouragements—a subtle push masked as kindness.

Half a year into the marriage, he privately ensured the kitchen specifically prepared medicinal dishes for her.

If she refused, he’d imply that it was his care for her and rejecting it was inappropriate.

Even though the remedies often caused discomfort afterward, she accepted them as a dutiful daughter-in-law.

A year later, he abandoned subtlety. Criticizing her inability to hold onto a man became routine.

He’d frequently remind her that there were countless women vying to bear Gong Chen’s child.

Occasionally, he’d mention Gong Chen dining with various women, urging her to act quickly.

Regardless of the business-like nature of those outings, such comments led Sang Ran into spiraling self-doubt and paranoia.

Eventually, the elder began comforting her, offering advice to reinstate her role in her husband’s life, even persuading Gong Chen to return home to accompany her.

Unknowingly, Sang Ran had become utterly controlled by his words.

With Wen Qing’s long-standing companionship, Sang Ran grew to trust her deeply.

She started drinking herbal medicines as Wen Qing suggested to nurture herself.

Initially, the remedies did make her feel considerably better, but over time, their effects waned inexplicably.

Seeing Sang Ran remain silent, Wen Qing thoughtfully placed a thermos flask on the table.

"This was specially prepared for you by an old Chinese medicine doctor invited by Old Mr. Gong. It’ll gradually work wonders."

As she watched the concoction pour into the bowl, nausea surged within Sang Ran.

"I don’t want to drink it."

Wen Qing paid her protests no mind, pushing the bowl closer. "It’s Old Mr. Gong’s gesture. He mentioned that once Third Young Master returns, he’ll have him come back to stay at the estate for a few days to give you a chance."

In the past, such words would always leave Sang Ran utterly tethered to their scheme.

But now, staring at the steaming bowl, her thoughts wandered to the so-called "opportunities" of the past.

Those chances had led to nothing but distant separations.

Not to mention knowing full well why Gong Chen had traveled to Gang City this time—this bowl of medicine mirrored her marriage.

It held nothing but darkness and bitterness.

And swallowing all of it was solely her burden.

With that, Sang Ran grabbed the bowl and smashed it onto the floor.

"There’s no chance left! Nothing at all!"

"Sang Ran! What are you doing? Fortunately, I brought a spare. Hurry up and drink it, while it’s still warm! Or Old Mr. Gong will be displeased."

Wen Qing ignored Sang Ran’s outburst entirely, pouring another bowl with an air of imposition.

Her gaze carried a sharp edge, clearly indicating Sang Ran had no choice but to comply.

Resigned, Sang Ran thought of the repercussions of Old Mr. Gong’s anger—her position within the Gong Family would be rendered useless, and she’d lose what little access she had to Gong Chen.

She ceased resisting and tilted her head back, draining the bitter concoction.

Wen Qing stood over her, her expression faintly amused, her lips arcing into the slightest of smiles.