It didn’t matter.
Not important—just the endgame, as long as it was fun.
The bathroom’s steam wrapped in warmth permeated the air. No lights on, just a few scented candles lit—the candle flames like melted honey wax, reflecting on every water droplet, a soft glow flowing slowly through the space.
The water in the bathtub rippled, splashing sounds amid it all. Miao Zhu clung to the tub’s edge, her nape hooked over Mu Shanyi’s shoulder, her whole body trembling.
Her blurred vision couldn’t make out the distant Glazed Cloud Tower. Lost in passion, she murmured unconsciously, “If only it would snow…”
Mu Shanyi behind her turned her face back: “Baby, let me see your face.”
Mu Shanyi gripped her chin; Miao Zhu’s breathing quickened.
The rich woody fragrance was like a dense net, overwhelming her senses. Her curled lashes held droplets indistinguishable as water or tears; the flush on Miao Zhu’s face deepened.
Mu Shanyi held her tightly in her arms, giving her no room to move.
Their foreheads pressed together, noses touching, Mu Shanyi’s breath growing heavy too: “Baby, does it feel good?”
The intimate words stayed between the two entwined figures. Sheng Xingran, in the underground garage of Tower Shadow Sunny River, heard nothing.
The humiliations from the past 24 years—due to the Mu Family, due to Mu Shanyi—added up to less than tonight.
She had rushed back to Cloud City in a hurry, prepared gifts, foolishly waited in the theater parking lot to surprise her beloved fiancée. What awaited her?
Her fiancée and her good older sister embracing without a care! Stealing away behind her back!
Miao Zhu, who refused even her kisses, was upstairs with Mu Shanyi now—what were they doing?
What else could they be doing!
Slumped in the underground garage, Sheng Xingran bit her teeth hard, her expression twisting. The betrayal she’d witnessed firsthand, combined with logical imaginings, stabbed like ice picks into her heart and organs.
Her declaration of sovereignty over Mu Shanyi at Mercy Grace was a joke—no, from birth, she had been the joke.
Her mother had diligently played the fake, relying on others’ favor to climb classes, and she, the fake’s daughter, should know her place as inferior. Mu Shanyi was born noble—she accepted that!
But Mu Shanyi could have anyone—why her fiancée? Why not spare her last shred of dignity, instead grinding it underfoot? And she’d trusted her, thought she was truly a good older sister, spilling her heart—ridiculous, utterly ridiculous!
And Miao Zhu—the one who understood and cared for her most in the world, who grew up with her—was the one who betrayed and humiliated her the deepest!
Humiliation, resentment… even twisted jealousy—a tAngel of emotions churned in Sheng Xingran’s chest. If she went upstairs right now to confront them and tear off the hypocrites’ masks!
Sheng Xingran suddenly burst out laughing, mocking the reflection in her rearview mirror.
What was there to be sentimental about? Hadn’t she already accepted it?
Whether it was a string of coincidences or the video from Li Zi, since she’d chosen to turn a blind eye and give Miao Zhu a chance to come to her senses, what was she doing now? Even tailing them all the way to Tower Shadow Sunny River—still so unwilling to let go?
The outcome of going upstairs would be nothing more than a huge mess, followed by calling off the engagement with Miao Zhu. Once she removed herself as the obstacle, wouldn’t Miao Zhu and Mu Shanyi just naturally and openly end up together?
She was the one suffering, yet she was supposed to pave the way for them?
No way in hell!
Sheng Xingran broke down and pounded the steering wheel furiously, hitting the horn multiple times. Her pain was like a car horn silenced by a dead battery—unheard by anyone.
Just then, a sedan with its high beams on rushed into the underground garage. After a screeching brake, it blocked the elevator hall entrance directly.
Ni Xiaoying got out of the car with a hostile expression.
“Xiaoying, I don’t think this building is the kids’ wedding house either, right?” Miao Ling climbed out from the other side in a daze. Everything had been fine at the temple—they’d been chatting and sipping tea amiably—but then Ni Xiaoying got a phone call, didn’t even call for the driver, grabbed her, and sped toward the city. The drive had been a blur of speed, and Ni Xiaoying wouldn’t say why, just gave her the cold shoulder the whole way.
A tall figure in a duckbill cap approached Ni Xiaoying, clasping their hands in a bow. Ni Xiaoying shot a glance toward the car, and the person ducked inside, emerging with a bulging envelope tucked under their arm. Not a word was exchanged before they left.
“What is this… what’s going on…?” Miao Ling was full of question marks.
Ni Xiaoying gave Miao Ling a cold sneer. As she moved to press the doorbell intercom by the elevator, Sheng Xingran’s hairs stood on end. She fumbled to open the door and scrambled out of the car. “Mom!”
“Huh? Xingran? What are you doing here?” Miao Ling was even more bewildered. “Aren’t you supposed to be away on business?”
“Mom! Mom, please! Don’t go! Don’t go!” Sheng Xingran pleaded desperately, afraid she wouldn’t stop her in time.
Ni Xiaoying briskly pressed the call button, her red lips parting slightly. “Loser.”
