Switched Marriage: The Coddled Little Wife Chapter 803: Epilogue (Part 10)

A massive crowd had already assembled below by the time Lin Chuxia reached the clothing mall.

Police officers were on the scene, working to maintain order and keep the area clear.

The people standing on the ground were all looking up toward the rooftop with a single-minded focus.

"It’s quite odd, isn’t it? Why do people always pick the roof of Xiyang Clothing Mall when they want to jump?"

"That's a good point. I still recall someone going up there a few years back because he regretted his divorce. He threatened to jump just to force his wife into a remarriage."

"I remember that incident. He didn't even jump when he had the chance. What a coward, thinking he could manipulate his wife that way. Who would’ve guessed she wouldn’t fall for it? The police eventually hauled him off for disturbing the peace."

"Exactly. So what’s the story today? It’s a man again; could it be the same person?"

"You might say Xiyang Clothing Mall has terrible feng shui. Why do these things keep happening here?"

"I disagree. I think the feng shui at Xiyang Clothing Mall is excellent. Out of all the malls in the city, only Xiyang Mall stays busy every single day. People just come where the crowds are to make a scene. If they truly wanted to end it, would they really need to jump? Drinking a bottle of pesticide would ensure not even an immortal could save them. Why cause such a ruckus?"

"You’re right about that. He’s been up there for quite a while without jumping. It’s all just for show."

"You’ve only got half the story. Didn't you see the child in his arms? Word is he kidnapped someone else’s kid to use as leverage."

"My goodness, is that true? Whose child is it? How incredibly unlucky!"

"I heard the grandmother was playing with the child nearby. This lunatic appeared out of nowhere and bolted with the kid. How could an old woman possibly catch a grown man?"

"What a tragedy, and for Xiyang Clothing Mall too. Since people have used their roof for this before, shouldn't management have done something? They really ought to seal the rooftop so nobody can get up there. See, it's happening all over again."

"You can't really blame the mall for this. My niece is a salesgirl there, and she told me the roof used to be a terrace where staff could relax. After the last incident, they locked the terrace door. I heard this man planned it out and broke the lock himself."

"Someone like that is truly terrifying and wicked. The police better not let him off easy..."

.........

"Move aside, please let me through..."

Hearing the whispers of the crowd, Lin Chuxia felt so anxious that she was on the verge of tears.

Suddenly, a large hand gripped her wrist. She turned to see Qin Yang approaching from another direction, his face etched with worry.

The moment she saw him, Lin Chuxia couldn't hold back her emotions. "Qin Yang, he took Qi Qi... he's up on the roof..."

Qin Yang gave a firm nod. "I know. Let’s head up. As long as he doesn't spot us right away, he might not do anything reckless."

Despite his words, a heavy weight pressed on both their hearts, and Lin Chuxia’s hand wouldn't stop trembling.

They sprinted up the four flights of stairs, reaching the top breathless.

The rooftop was already packed with people. Catching sight of the man perched on the edge with a sobbing child, Lin Chuxia couldn't help but scream, "Li Guangyuan, if you have a problem, deal with me! Put the child down!"

Li Guangyuan looked at Lin Chuxia and then at Qin Yang standing beside her, his expression twisting with malice.

"You really are fickle, aren't you? Even at a moment like this, you’re stuck to another man. It seems you don't care much for this child after all."

He pulled the child closer, watching her cry with a disturbing sense of interest.

Lin Chuxia tried to take a few steps forward, but an officer blocked her path. "Don't act rashly. He’s unstable right now and he has the child. You mustn't provoke him."

Zhuang Jingshu had already rushed to Lin Chuxia’s side, her face drenched in tears. "Xiaxia, I’m so sorry. It’s my fault for not watching Qi Qi closely enough..."

Lin Chuxia gently patted her mother's arm. She knew her mother wasn't to blame.

Qi Qi had been raised by her mother since she was a baby; she valued the child’s life more than her own.

The connection between her mother and Qi Qi was perhaps even deeper than the bond between the child and her actual parents.

Noticing Lin Chuxia’s movement, Li Guangyuan glanced over. "If we leaped from here and died, would we go back to that time? We would have had a beautiful child then, just like her. I’ve looked at her closely. This child resembles you, Chuxia. Did you know? I’ve imagined what our child would look like countless times. It’s a shame she’s a girl; a boy would have been better."

"Fine, I’m coming over. You wanted to try it, didn't you? Then let’s do it together."

As Lin Chuxia spoke, she began to walk forward. Qin Yang grabbed her arm, his eyes full of concern.

Lin Chuxia gave him a look to reassure him.

Li Guangyuan suddenly let out a laugh. "I’d suggest you stay right there, Lin Chuxia. No one in this world knows you better than I do. I don't think I could ever outplay you. If you come over, I might not even get a chance to speak."

As he talked, he shifted the child to his other side.

He was perched on the very edge of the ledge, and with that movement, little Qi Qi was left dangling in mid-air.

Seeing her mother, Qi Qi’s cries intensified as she squirmed her small body toward her.

This struggle made the situation even more precarious. If Li Guangyuan’s grip slipped, the child would plummet.

The four-and-a-half-story commercial building stood at least twenty meters high.

A fall from that height would be fatal.

"I won't come any closer. Just bring the child back, Li Guangyuan. Don't hurt her. Tell me what you want. I’ll agree to whatever you ask."

Li Guangyuan suddenly erupted in laughter. "Really? It seems I made the right move today. In our past life, nothing could break you; but in this life, you finally have a weakness."

He shifted his gaze toward Qin Yang. "Lin Chuxia, I want you to divorce Qin Yang and marry me so we can start over. I promise to treat you well. Can you do that?"

Lin Chuxia stared at him, remaining silent.

Li Guangyuan laughed once more. "See? You claimed you’d agree to anything, yet here you are. You can't do it? It seems this child isn't that important to you—at least, not more important than that man."

Li Guangyuan lifted the child higher again.

Lin Chuxia’s pupils shrank in terror. "Li Guangyuan, what is the point of this? You know that even if I married you, I would never be happy."