He felt that if he held that knife, he would suffocate and die.

Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath, repeatedly making psychological suggestions to himself.

He couldn’t give up; it was just a knife, nothing to fear.

He had to conquer it, never give in...

His fingertips touched the handle—

Suddenly, he gripped the knife in his hand!

And those dark psychological suggestions came crashing down on him.

[This is Nangong Xu’s child, kill him, kill him——]

[Nangong Xu is beyond redemption, his child deserves to die too, kill him!] 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

[If you don’t kill his child, he will kill your child, and your two grandchildren.]

[Do it, kill him...]

Do it, kill him, kill him...

Xiao Zexin clenched the knife in his hand, his expression torn between pain and madness.

He felt as if a giant Demon was lurking inside him.

Wanting to break free—

What to do, he couldn’t suppress it!

[Kill Nangong Xu’s child, kill him...]

That voice kept echoing in his mind.

Xiao Zexin used his other hand to grip his right hand tightly.

"No..." He must not do it; he couldn’t do it even if he died!

Xiao Zexin clenched his teeth; a glint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes.

Then he stabbed his thigh hard with the knife!

The intense pain suddenly sobered him up, accompanied by the frightened screams of the servants.

"Sir——"

Xiao Zexin pulled out the fruit knife and threw it forcefully to the side.

Blood gushed from his thigh, but he felt unusually exhilarated.

He realized that if he ever completely lost control, he would self-harm!

The physical pain would quickly bring him back to his senses.

As long as he didn’t hurt Ruyue, what was a little injury?

Nangong Ruyue leaned against the bedhead, somewhat uneasy.

She couldn’t help but look worriedly across the room.

"Madam, what are you looking at?" Chen Fen inquired.

"Nothing." She shook her head.

For some unknown reason, she always felt that something had happened to Xiao Zexin.

Perhaps it was just her overthinking.

************

The next day.

Xiao Zexin was still unconscious.

The injury on his thigh was severe, and he had lost a lot of blood, so his body was somewhat weak.

From the second floor across, a soft piano melody suddenly rang out.

Xiao Zexin slowly opened his eyes.

Listening to this piano music, his soul felt comforted.

But after a while, he frowned slightly.

Because he seemed to hear a trace of sadness.

The person playing would transform their emotions into the piano music; those who understood music could generally discern the player’s mood.

Xiao Zexin propped himself up and looked out the window across from him.

As if through that window, he saw Nangong Ruyue sitting at the piano, eyes downcast, playing earnestly.

Her heart was troubled, and his mood followed mournfully.

He truly didn’t know what to do to get her to leave this place and not waste her time on him.

He had thought about harsh words to provoke her into leaving.

But now, she simply couldn’t stand any stimuli.

Negligence might cause her to miscarry, with dire consequences.

Maybe she knew he dared not stimulate her, which was why she pursued at all costs.

Xiao Zexin leaned against the bedhead and closed his eyes.

He thought to himself, just hang in there a little longer.

Once she had the baby and finished her confinement period, he could probably face her better.

But just thinking about the more than two months ahead.

He was greatly troubled.

Now he felt as if days dragged like years; those two months were indeed no small test.