Chapter 32: Some Expectations Will Fall Through Part 2

Miao Ling erupted in fury. She had thought Miao Zhu’s lies were bad enough, but she hadn’t expected her to talk back!

“What exactly do you want?!” She stepped forward and slapped Miao Zhu across the face!

Miao Ling cared deeply about face, and Miao Zhu was her facade. Even when disciplining her before, she never touched her face. This showed how furious she was.

The slap whipped Miao Zhu’s head to the side, the heavy force making her stumble two steps.

Her vision blackened, the world spun, her ears rang in a vacuum—until the burning pain on her right cheek snapped her back.

“You already guessed, didn’t you? Why else would you be so mad?” Miao Zhu knew her face would swell. The muscles felt out of control. Facing Miao Ling like this, she felt no fear—only relief.

“I slept with someone else,” she said, her lips twitching lightly.

“Don’t you know shame?!” Miao Zhu’s nonchalance fueled Miao Ling’s rage; her temples throbbed as she raised her hand again. This time, Miao Zhu blocked her. “Don’t hit me.”

Her tone remained mild.

“Xingran’s coming back. Hard to explain my face like this.”

Miao Ling’s gritted teeth froze, her glare shifting.

She kicked aside the offending leather restraints and, oddly, lowered her voice with a rare hint of panic. “If you still want to hide it from Xingran, then why do something so outrageous!”

“Just curiosity. Playing around.” Miao Zhu said.

Her racing heart overpowered the sting on her face. Did others have moments like this too—realizing the suffocating mountain weighing them down was just a brittle front?

Staying out all night and the sex toys were mere symptoms. Miao Ling’s real anger stemmed from fear that the marriage alliance with the Sheng family would fall apart. Learning Miao Zhu didn’t want it exposed turned Miao Ling from adversary to secret ally.

She saw through her mother’s greed, her human frailties.

Just like that…

Miao Zhu ached for her past self, trapped night after night.

“Xingran wronged you first, so you’re doing this for mental balance?”

“Xingran won’t know. You’ll keep it secret for me, right, Mom?”

“Of course I’ll help…” Midway, Miao Ling realized Miao Zhu had led her. She hardened her face, regaining authority. “Who was it? Did she lead you astray?”

“No one. It’s over.”

“It had better be. I don’t want this happening again!” Miao Ling was still fuming but swallowed her anger to keep Miao Zhu in line. “Come straight home after work from now on. Cancel all pointless socializing!”

“Got it,” Miao Zhu agreed meekly. “Mom, I’m going to ice it.”

Icing didn’t help much, so Miao Zhu applied some ointment too.

The cool cream spread across her face, easing the pain somewhat.

It was leftover from last time—the night Sheng Xingran caught her on a date with He Zizhou, when Mu Shanyi had bought it for her.

Gazing at the object, Miao Zhu thought of her and pouted aggrievedly.

The clash with Miao Ling held no real grievance; she had yielded again, but Miao Ling hadn’t truly won.

But maybe Mu Shanyi would feel sorry for her.

Would she?

Two nights later, Mu Shanyi video-called. Before answering, Miao Zhu dimmed the floor lamp and sat with her back to the light, making the slap mark on her face less obvious.

Seeing the dim room lighting, Mu Shanyi’s voice softened further. “Getting ready for bed?”

“Mm, yeah.” Mu Shanyi was abroad, where it was evening. Miao Zhu spotted the business jet in the background and realized she was at the airport—unclear if she’d just landed or was about to take off.

Clutching a sliver of hope, she asked, “Are you coming back?”

“Not yet.”

“Oh…”

Someone spoke to Mu Shanyi off-screen. She turned to them, and the camera dipped, leaving only her jawline and neck in view.

The hickey on her turned neck was still there.

Fainter than two days ago, but conspicuous. Mu Shanyi had gone on her trip with it uncovered…

A surge of emotion hit Miao Zhu. She whispered to the screen, “I want to see you.”

The camera lifted again.

Mu Shanyi didn’t respond—maybe she hadn’t heard. She gazed quietly at Miao Zhu, her gentle features suddenly grave. “What happened to your face?”

Miao Zhu: “…Nothing.”

“Turn up the light.” Mu Shanyi’s tone brooked no argument.

Miao Zhu paused but didn’t comply. “Sister A-Heng, the ointment you bought works great. It’s almost better.”

“Some rude person outside?”

“No.”

Not outside meant home. Miao Zhu understood Mu Shanyi was narrowing it down. She didn’t have to hide it from her.

Mu Shanyi’s brows furrowed deeper. “Because you didn’t come home that night?”

“It was something else. It’s resolved.” Miao Zhu didn’t want Mu Shanyi dwelling on it.

Mu Shanyi wasn’t easily fooled. “If you need—”

“I don’t.” Miao Zhu guessed her intent and cut her off firmly. “If my mom finds out about you, it’ll be trouble for you. Sister A-Heng, don’t get yourself into that.”

The camera captured Miao Zhu’s anxious worry. The next second, the video froze, then disconnected.

“Were you busy? I called earlier and you didn’t pick up.”

“……Just now? I was showering.” Miao Zhu was dazed. Sheng Xingran’s international call had cut off her video with Mu Shanyi.

“The exhibition’s set for this week. I can be home before Mid-Autumn Festival!” Sheng Xingran was in high spirits, eagerly updating her.

“Great. We’ll celebrate your win then.” As she spoke, Miao Zhu minimized the call and reopened WeChat, going to her chat with Mu Shanyi.

【Mia: Got a call coming in】

【Mu Shanyi: Xingran?】

Miao Zhu’s fingers hovered for seconds. Lying was pointless; bedtime calls could only be Xingran.

【Mia: Yeah】

“Longlong, how about we schedule the engagement for next month?”

“Next month might be rushed? The rings are ordered, but the gown style isn’t finalized, and making it takes time…” The chat went silent; Miao Zhu knew Mu Shanyi wouldn’t reply.

“End of the month might work?” Sheng Xingran consulted her.

“…Huh? What?” Miao Zhu’s mind wasn’t on the conversation; her fingertips tapped the screen.

【Mia: I want to see you】

【Mia: Can I come find you?】