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 among the onlookers.

From the ground, people stood in unison, their gazes fixed upward toward the rooftop.

"It’s quite peculiar, isn't it? Why does everyone pick the roof of Xiyang Clothing Mall when they want to jump?"

"You’re right. I still recall a few years back, some guy went up there because he regretted his divorce. He threatened to jump just to force his wife to take him back."

"I remember that incident. In the end, he didn't even jump when given the chance. What a coward, thinking he could manipulate his wife like that. Who would have guessed she wouldn't fall for it? The police eventually dragged him off for disturbing the peace."

"Exactly. So what’s the story today? It’s another man; could it be the same fellow?"

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

"That’s not right. I actually think Xiyang Clothing Mall has excellent feng shui. Out of all the shopping centers in our city, only Xia Yang Mall stays busy every single day. People just come where the crowds are to cause a scene. If they truly intended to die, would they really need to jump? Swallowing a bottle of pesticide would ensure not even an immortal could save them. Why cause such a ruckus?"

"You’ve hit the nail on the head. He’s been standing up there for quite a while without daring to leap. It’s all just for show."

"You’re only half-right. Didn't you notice he’s clutching a child in his arms? I heard he snatched someone else’s kid to use as leverage."

"Good heavens, is that true? Whose child is it? What a stroke of misfortune!"

"The word is the grandmother was playing with the child nearby. This lunatic suddenly appeared and bolted with the kid. How could an old woman possibly keep up with a man in his prime?"

"What a tragedy, and for Xiyang Clothing Mall too. Since people have used their roof for this before, hasn't the management done anything? If you ask me, they ought to seal the rooftop so no one can access it. Look, here we are yet again."

"You can’t really blame Xiyang Clothing Mall. My niece is a salesgirl there. The rooftop used to be a terrace where staff could relax. After that previous incident, the door was kept locked. I heard this man planned it out and broke the lock this time."

"Such a person is truly terrifying and malicious. The police must not let him go..."

.........

"Make way, please move aside, let me through..."

As she listened to the surrounding gossip, Lin Chuxia felt so overwhelmed with anxiety 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 contain herself, "Qin Yang, he took Qi Qi away, he’s up on the roof..."

Qin Yang nodded solemnly, "I’m aware. Let’s head up first. As long as he doesn't spot us immediately, he might not act impulsively."

Despite his words, both of them felt a heavy weight in their hearts, and Lin Chuxia’s hand was trembling uncontrollably.

They sprinted up the four stories in one go, arriving breathless at the top.

The rooftop was already packed with people. Catching sight of the man at the ledge holding 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 spotted Lin Chuxia and then Qin Yang standing beside her, causing his expression to twist with malice.

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

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

Lin Chuxia tried to take two steps forward, but an officer blocked her path, "Don’t move too fast. He’s unstable and 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 properly..."

Lin Chuxia gently patted her mother’s arm. She couldn't bring herself to blame her.

Qi Qi had been raised by her mother since she was an infant. She valued the child more than her own life.

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

Noticing Lin Chuxia’s movements, Li Guangyuan looked over and said, "If we were to jump from here and die together, would we return to that previous time? We would have had a beautiful child then, just like her. I’ve looked closely; this girl 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 there now. You wanted to try it, didn't you? Then let’s try it together."

As Lin Chuxia spoke, she began to walk forward. Qin Yang grabbed her arm in a panic.

Lin Chuxia gave him a look, silently telling him to trust her.

Li Guangyuan suddenly let out a laugh, "I 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 outmaneuver you. If you come over here, I might not even get the chance to speak."

As he spoke, 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 twisted her small body toward her.

This struggling 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 tall.

A fall from such a height would have devastating results.

"I won’t come any closer. Just bring the child back, Li Guangyuan. Don’t hurt her. Say whatever it is you want. I’ll agree to anything within my power."

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

He shifted his gaze to Qin Yang, "Lin Chuxia, I want you to divorce Qin Yang and marry me instead. We’ll 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 hesitating. Can’t do it? It seems this child isn't that vital to you—at least not more important than that man."

Li Guangyuan lifted the child into the air again.

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