Chapter 11: Any Gossip?

In an instant, all her emotions tangled around her heart, and Mu Yinyin’s eyes brimmed with sorrow and coldness. Her father was gone now. Because she had let her guard down with this mother and daughter, a life had been lost to the zombies. She had never intended to fight for anything in this family; in fact, her father had once told her that if anything ever happened to them, the inheritance would be divided with Nan Shiqing. Yet this mother and daughter were not satisfied with that—they wanted everything from the Mu family.

How laughable!

The door of the villa swung open, and immediately He Xia strode over with enthusiasm, her smile directed warmly toward Mu Yinyin. “Yinyin, you’re here.” But the moment she saw that Mu Yinyin had arrived in a Ferrari, her smile froze for a heartbeat. How could she afford such a car? Wasn’t she supposed to have left the house with nothing? What was going on? Could it be that Fu Siyen had taken pity on her and bought her a car?

Mu Yinyin gathered herself, pretending not to notice He Xia’s odd reaction. She pushed open the car door and stepped out. The woman still wore an apron, suggesting she had been cooking herself. Dressed in gray loungewear underneath, even the apron couldn’t hide her voluptuous figure. Though she already had an adult daughter, it was hard to believe she was over forty—she looked more like a woman just past thirty, her wavy hair falling gracefully past her shoulders, the very picture of alluring charm.

He Xia smiled warmly at Mu Yinyin and said, “Yinyin, you’re finally back. I’ve missed you so much.” Mu Yinyin gazed coolly at the woman before her, noticing that He Xia’s well-maintained face had not a single wrinkle, even when she smiled. A trace of irony flickered in Mu Yinyin’s eyes. All that money for beauty treatments came from her father’s hard work. Sooner or later, she would reclaim it all, inch by inch.

Seeing Mu Yinyin remain silent, He Xia wasn’t embarrassed. She simply smiled and said, “I’m almost done cooking. I’m sure your sister will be back soon, too. Yinyin, come inside.” Without a word, Mu Yinyin stepped into the villa.

Unconsciously, she took in her surroundings. Since marrying Fu Siyen, she had rarely returned home. Back then, she had been intent on cooking for Fu Siyen, determined to be a perfect wife. As a result, she had barely seen her father in the time before he passed. The more she thought about it, the heavier the guilt weighed in her heart.

She drew a quiet breath. She’d wanted to visit her father’s room, but he had always shared it with He Xia, and now, with only He Xia left, the place was nothing like it once was.

“Yinyin, have a seat. I’ll be done in just a moment.” He Xia’s enthusiasm was undiminished, as if nothing had ever happened. The servants in the living room all sensed how much more distant the young lady had become. Each of them glanced at her with confusion—she had never been like this before. What had changed? But it was not their place to ask, so they waited quietly for instructions.

Mu Yinyin withdrew her gaze, restraining the memories that threatened to surface. Just thinking about her father gently reasoning with her or chatting warmly made her heart clench with pain. If it were just herself, she wouldn’t fear exposing anything, but here—that was impossible. Soon enough, she composed herself.

After more than ten minutes, He Xia emerged from the kitchen, apron removed. Seeing Mu Yinyin sitting on the sofa in the living room, her eyes flashed, but she smiled and sat beside her, as if she really were a mother reunited with her daughter after many days apart. She spoke with a familiar closeness. “Sweetheart, you haven’t been home for so long. Are you doing well at the Fu family’s house? Has anyone mistreated you?”

Mu Yinyin’s lashes trembled slightly. In the past, when her father was alive, He Xia had also asked her such questions. Back then, unaware of the mother and daughter’s scheming, she’d responded warmly, not wanting them to worry. But now, perhaps what He Xia truly wanted was to know she was suffering at the Fu household.

A glimmer of coldness flashed in Mu Yinyin’s eyes, but she replied calmly, “No one’s mistreated me. We’ll be getting divorced soon.”

He Xia’s eyes lit up! If Mu Yinyin was willing to let go, then it could finally be over. But she dared not show her delight and instead feigned disbelief. “What?! Yinyin, what nonsense are you talking about? Didn’t you say you two were getting along well?”

Mu Yinyin gave a faint, sardonic smile. “You know better than anyone how things are between us, don’t you?” With Nan Shiqing present, what could He Xia not know? Besides, she was certain He Xia had helped Nan Shiqing behind the scenes with all she had done. Things had come this far—the company had been stolen from her. In their eyes, she was nothing but a fool. What reason was there to worry or pretend any longer?

Oh, that’s right—He Xia had to keep up the act of a good stepmother. She couldn’t let Fu Siyen or the company see her differently. That image—so long as she was alive—He Xia would have to maintain it. How exhausting that must be.

Mu Yinyin had no interest in playing games with her, but since He Xia insisted on pretending, she spoke lightly, “There was never any real affection between us. It’s pointless to keep up the marriage. This way, your own daughter will get her chance.”

The servants: “!”

Gossip? Was something juicy about to come out? “Get her chance?” All the servants knew, thanks to He Xia, that Nan Shiqing had been hospitalized after saving Fu Siyen. Previously, because of Fu Siyen’s relationship with Mu Yinyin, no one thought too much of it, but now…

What did Mu Yinyin mean? Could it be… Second Miss was the other woman? Otherwise, why would the young lady say such a thing?

He Xia’s expression shifted. This damn girl was doing it on purpose! With a glance, she saw the servants’ faces change, and quickly spoke up, “Yinyin, don’t let your imagination run wild. President Fu is just grateful to her for saving his life. If they’re closer these days, it’s only because of you—they’re family, after all.”

Family. Mu Yinyin’s cold smile deepened. With just a few words, He Xia had changed the narrative, making it seem as though Fu Siyen was merely repaying a debt of gratitude, while she herself appeared petty and mean-spirited. Indeed, some servants were already thinking along those lines, but Mu Yinyin didn’t care. Instead, she smiled slightly. “The divorce—it wasn’t my idea.”

He Xia’s expression froze. How could Mu Yinyin say such things so openly? Did she have no shame? Didn’t she care how people would judge her? But in order to disgrace her precious daughter, she was willing to bring herself down as well. Only she would do something so self-destructive just to hurt her enemies.

He Xia had no time to think further and hurriedly spoke with concern, “What happened, did he—”

Before she could finish, the sound of a car engine suddenly came from the courtyard. She turned to look, and was startled to see—it was his car.