Chapter 17 The Consequence of Arrogance Is a Pyrrhic Victory

Before he could speak, a delicate voice rang out from the opposite side.

“Siyue, did you… did you really divorce my sister? Please, you mustn’t do this—if you do, it will truly…”

Before she could finish, she was interrupted by Fu Siyue’s cold, mocking laugh.

Nan Shiqing’s expression faltered, the rest of her words suddenly slipping away. What did that laugh mean?

“She didn’t even show up,” Fu Siyue replied, his tone thick with sarcasm and disdain.

Nan Shiqing’s face changed dramatically.

“She didn’t come?”

She looked utterly astonished. No, she really was astonished. Yesterday, Mu Yinyin had spoken so firmly, so decisively—there hadn’t been any hint of deceit. Yet today, she hadn’t gone? Why say such things yesterday, then? Even the most elaborate schemes weren’t played with such finesse.

What on earth was Mu Yinyin up to?

Receiving no answer from Fu Siyue, Nan Shiqing snapped back to herself, feigning a sigh of relief. “That’s good, that’s good… You and my sister shouldn’t divorce. She’s just making a fuss, Siyue. If you coax her a little, things will be fine.”

Her words were all about reconciliation, yet she made Mu Yinyin’s manipulative and willful behavior perfectly clear.

Fu Siyue let out a cold laugh. “I never intended to marry her. This matter doesn’t concern you. Take care of your health; I’m heading to the company now.”

Nan Shiqing’s expression shifted. He was going to the company… So, the divorce wouldn’t happen today. She felt frustrated but could only say, “Mm, as long as you don’t divorce my sister, everything is fine. Go ahead, Siyue.”

Fu Siyue said nothing more and hung up.

Nan Shiqing’s face darkened. Once again, Fu Siyue hung up first. Was it really just coincidence all those times she’d hung up before? She used to believe that Siyue was waiting for her to end the call, but lately things had changed. Was she just being oversensitive?

She bit her lip and set the phone aside.

He Xia hadn’t gone to the company today; instead, she sat beside Nan Shiqing. Both women were settled on the sofa.

He Xia’s brows furrowed, her expression somber. “That shouldn’t be. The way Mu Yinyin acted yesterday, she shouldn’t have missed it. Is this really one of her tricks?”

Nan Shiqing immediately sneered. “If this is just a trick, I guarantee she’ll pay for it dearly—but I’m worried she has some other motive.”

He Xia pondered, her brows tightening as she spoke again. “Nan Shiqing has changed a lot. She’s nothing like she used to be. Perhaps her father’s death made her realize something.”

Nan Shiqing frowned deeply. “I feel the same. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be treating us so differently. Now she’s forcing us to sign—disgusting. But I’d like to see what she’ll do if we refuse to sign!”

He Xia scoffed, placing her phone on the coffee table and leaning back with disdain. “Twice she’s brought up the transfer of shares, both times in front of Fu Siyue. She just wants to embarrass us in his presence. If we care about his opinion, we might return the shares. But that’s nothing to worry about.”

Nan Shiqing’s gaze was tinged with hesitation as she looked at her mother. “But something feels off. She was so forceful, and that Ferrari she drives is questionable. Maybe she’s found some new patron?”

He Xia didn’t respond immediately; instead, she thought carefully. After a pause, she spoke. “For now, don’t break things off with her. It won’t benefit us. While we shift all blame onto her, we need to investigate what she’s been up to lately—see if she’s made contact with anyone powerful.”

“Mm, I won’t distance myself from her for now. Otherwise, Siyue will become suspicious.”

And so, the air in the room seemed thick with the scent of conspiracy.

…

Meanwhile.

Mu Yinyin sat restlessly in her car, not leaving.

She hadn’t gone to work today, intending only to finalize the divorce, but something unexpected happened on the way, and she had to deal with it.

Now, she was troubled.

Fu Siyue’s tone just now suggested he thought she was playing games.

After thinking it over, she recorded a video and sent it to Fu Siyue’s WeChat.

At that moment, Fu Siyue was stopped at a traffic light when he noticed the message from Mu Yinyin. He paused, a bit surprised.

It seemed she hadn’t messaged him in days—not since she’d brought up the divorce.

Her first message since then.

Fu Siyue sneered, certain she was up to something.

He intended to ignore her, but his hand betrayed him, opening the video.

On screen, Mu Yinyin’s stunning face appeared; her expression was calm, almost emotionless, and her voice soon followed.

“Fu Siyue, look carefully. I’m right outside the civil affairs bureau. See behind me? I really had something to deal with earlier—I wasn’t trying to stand you up.”

She turned her head, letting Fu Siyue see her surroundings.

Her voice sounded again. “See? It’s the civil affairs bureau. I’m not lying to you. I know you’re busy, but you’ll have to divorce me sooner or later. Why not settle it now so we don’t waste each other’s time?”

“I trust you don’t want to keep dragging this out, right? Otherwise, I’ll think you’re having second thoughts. Fu Siyue, I’m afraid you’ll fall in love with me.”

The last sentence, heavy with sarcasm, marked the end of the video.

Fu Siyue laughed in exasperation, put down his phone as the light turned green, and drove off, only to check his phone again at the next red light.

Another message from Mu Yinyin.

—Mu Yinyin: [Fu Siyue, I’ll wait for you here. I know you won’t begrudge me a little time.]

—Mu Yinyin: [Everything’s taken care of. This time, nothing will pull me away.]

Fu Siyue scoffed, replying with a voice message.

Mu Yinyin, still waiting in her car, immediately opened the audio.

“Mu Yinyin, your arrogance will get you nowhere. Don’t think I’m so busy today that you can avoid the divorce. In my eyes, you’ll never be worthy.”

In other words, he had no time; he would not go through with the divorce today.

Mu Yinyin was furious, gritting her teeth.

—Mu Yinyin: [If you think I’m unworthy, then come divorce me! You think you’re worthy?]

Fu Siyue ground his teeth. For the first time, he found this woman infuriating.

He put his phone down, refusing to reply.

From then on, no matter how many calls or messages Mu Yinyin sent, he ignored them all.

Mu Yinyin’s expression grew darker and darker. Damn man!

As she agonized over what to do next, her phone suddenly rang.