Chapter 13: Unprecedented Ruthlessness

Nevertheless, no matter what, she did not care. Since they were already divorced, Fu Siyue could think whatever he pleased. She no longer needed to try so hard to make him fall in love with her. Three years of youth had not warmed this man’s heart, so there was no need to continue trying. From now on, she only wanted to live the life she desired. Once she had avenged her father and cleared his name, she would live for herself. No one would be able to stand in her way, and she would never again live for anyone else.

Mu Yinyin picked up her chopsticks and ate quietly. She had come back with a purpose, but there was no need to fight against her own hunger; she might as well eat first. She kept her head down, eating in utter silence, which made Fu Siyue’s gaze darken even further.

Minutes passed, and Nan Shiqing noticed that Fu Siyue seemed to have been watching Mu Yinyin the entire time. A wave of irritation and frustration washed over her. No, she could not allow them to reconcile!

After a pause, she looked at Mu Yinyin and managed a weak smile. “Sister.”

Mu Yinyin’s eyes turned cold as she looked up at her. Though she said nothing, her expression made every emotion clear. It was as if she were saying: Don’t call me sister. It’s disgusting.

Nan Shiqing’s expression froze, and she hurried to speak. “Sister, please don’t be angry. I know… you’re upset. Blame me, blame my poor health. This isn’t Siyue’s fault. He’s always been grateful to me, that’s why he insisted on personally taking me home from the hospital. Just now, he even…”

He carried me out because—well, for this and that.

She had wanted to say more, but it wasn’t the right time, and she regretted not being able to provoke Mu Yinyin further. Still, it didn’t matter. She had left it unsaid, but everyone was clever enough to know what she meant.

Fu Siyue’s gaze turned even darker. “Shiqing.”

Just those two words, nothing else. But Mu Yinyin understood—he was saying there was no need to explain so much to an outsider.

Mu Yinyin let out a soft laugh. Yes, that was true. She was about to be his ex-wife—if not an outsider, what was she? Now that her father was gone, even the last thread binding them together had snapped. Soon, Fu Siyue would marry Nan Shiqing, and she was not Nan Shiqing’s real sister—if not an outsider, then what was she?

Her smile was tinged with mockery and disdain—yet not a trace of sorrow.

All three at the table noticed, each with their own reaction. Nan Shiqing’s brows drew together imperceptibly. Why was this happening? Had Mu Yinyin become more cunning? Why wasn’t she angry or heartbroken? At a time like this, she ought to say something sharp and biting, to further destabilize the couple’s relationship. But if she just remained silent, it was truly strange.

But in the next moment, Nan Shiqing realized she’d been overthinking it.

Mu Yinyin spoke, her lips curved in a half-smile, “You don’t need to explain anything to me. Whatever you choose to do is none of my concern. After all, love is a matter of mutual consent—even if there’s infidelity during a marriage, it doesn’t matter. I won’t go to court to sue my husband and my half-sister.”

Nan Shiqing’s face changed. “Sister, you… I—no, we’re not like that, not like you think. I…”

She looked flustered, unable to eat another bite, and put down her chopsticks.

Fu Siyue’s face grew even grimmer. He glared coldly at Mu Yinyin, his voice icy. “Mu Yinyin, playing hard to get is a trick you’ve used enough times. Do you think this will get you anywhere?”

Excitement flashed across Nan Shiqing’s eyes, but outwardly she looked worried and quickly grabbed Fu Siyue’s arm, her expression innocent and anxious. “Siyue, don’t be like that.”

He Xia could barely hide her satisfaction. It truly was her own daughter—no one knew better how to manipulate men. Now she was curious to see how Mu Yinyin could possibly stay by Fu Siyue’s side any longer!

She quickly turned to Mu Yinyin as well. “President Fu, Yinyin, don’t get angry, let’s calm down and talk things over.”

Fu Siyue’s grim expression eased a little, and the oppressive atmosphere in the room seemed to dissipate.

Mu Yinyin laughed with renewed scorn.

Look at this.

They say three women can put on a whole play, yet either Nan Shiqing or He Xia alone could carry a drama by themselves. Now that the two were working together, they had Fu Siyue dancing circles around them. She truly wanted to see the moment Fu Siyue finally saw through Nan Shiqing—what would that look like?

She was already impatient to witness his humiliation.

Nan Shiqing, all the while feigning innocence and clinging to Fu Siyue’s arm, continued to call him by his intimate name. She played the role of the delicate flower perfectly. Yet Mu Yinyin remembered that Fu Siyue was a notorious germaphobe, but he didn’t mind Nan Shiqing’s touch—not even a little.

Mu Yinyin smiled wryly. In the end, she simply wasn’t worthy.

With everyone’s eyes on her, Mu Yinyin found it almost amusing—she had become the focus of their attention.

She didn’t hesitate, speaking in a calm, even tone. “Whatever has or hasn’t happened between you is none of my business, and I’ve heard enough. Fu Siyue has already given me the divorce papers, I’ve signed them, and we’re just waiting for a convenient time to pick up the certificate from the registry. Both of us have made up our minds, so there’s no need for any more persuasion. I don’t want to hear it, and you—”

She paused, the corners of her lips curling into a mocking smile, her voice heavy with sarcasm, “There’s really no need.”

Nan Shiqing’s face changed, and she shook her head in panic. “Sister, don’t be like this! I really don’t want to ruin your marriage, that’s not my intention at all.”

He Xia hurriedly chimed in, “Marriage is a serious matter, Yinyin, you must think carefully.”

As she spoke, He Xia also looked at Fu Siyue. “President Fu, you really should reconsider—both of you—”

Fu Siyue turned a cold gaze on Mu Yinyin and sneered, “So tell me, who have you been putting on this act of the resentful wife for? Do I really need to say what kind of person you are?”

There had never been such cruelty in his voice before.

Mu Yinyin calmly put down her chopsticks.

“It seems that today’s meal can’t be enjoyed in peace after all.”

Nan Shiqing: ???

She hadn’t even had two bites! Meanwhile, Mu Yinyin’s bowl was almost empty—she had already eaten her fill, and now she said the meal couldn’t go on?

Fu Siyue continued to glare coldly at Mu Yinyin, about to say something more, but she cut him off, apparently unwilling to listen further. “Then let me say a few words. After that, I’ll leave, and give you all some space.”

Nan Shiqing: ?

What was she up to now?

If she left, how could they possibly finish this meal? She had been hungry all day!

He Xia also looked at Mu Yinyin with feigned concern. “Yinyin, you…”