Chapter 51: Happy New Year, May All Your Wishes Come True. Part 2

Miao Ling’s attitude nauseated Ni Xiaoying: “This isn’t the time to curry favor with me—telling me to calm down? What are you? Like mother, like daughter. Without Xingran being so bewitched by your daughter, begging me and her dad, do you think we’d be happy with this marriage? Having in-laws like you is embarrassing to even mention!”

“If it’s so reluctant, then there’s no need to continue this marriage.” Being repeatedly ridiculed to her face, Miao Ling could no longer mind her image. She had long resented Ni Xiaoying—whose family background was inferior, and after the Ni Family’s bankruptcy, the gap was like clouds and mud. If not for marrying well by luck, she wouldn’t even deserve to carry Miao Ling’s shoes, let alone ride roughshod over her?

Having endured years as Ni Xiaoying’s lackey, her resentment boiled over. Now with the He Family behind her and Miao Zhu hooked with Mu Shanyi, she feared Ni Xiaoying even less. Arms crossed, Miao Ling shot back: “Trash like us has nothing to say, but how you went from ‘low-class goods’ to ‘high-class’ is quite the story.”

Sheng Xingran’s chest heaved: “Stop arguing.”

Ni Xiaoying, poked at her most taboo spot, ignored Sheng Xingran entirely, unleashing all her fire on Miao Ling: “Not as exciting as you—pimping out your own daughter, smiling and playing piano for clients. I couldn’t do that!”

“I said stop arguing!” Sheng Xingran erupted in fury. “My fiancée cheated with my sister—what are you all doing? Has anyone considered my feelings!?”

Ni Xiaoying jolted at the roar. Sheng Xingran, eyes red, demanded: “This is between me and Miao Zhu, Mom! What exactly are you meddling in?”

Sheng Xingran had once been Miao Ling’s top pick for marriage. Though the romance was between Miao Zhu and Sheng Xingran, Miao Ling had invested no less effort. Seeing Sheng Xingran so devastated after being harshly dumped by Miao Zhu, Miao Ling felt a flicker of pity. She feigned concern: “Xingran, don’t rush—maybe it’s a misunderstanding.”

“No misunderstanding.”

Mu Shanyi suddenly turned her head. From the shadows by the entry door, Miao Zhu held a glass of milk, clutching her bathrobe with one hand as she stood there.

The others in the elevator hall turned toward the voice, and Miao Zhu stepped out of the shadows.

Her fair cheeks flushed pink, her long hair lazily piled over her left chest. She’d drunk half the milk; the bathrobe hem lightly brushed her bare calves, and on her feet were couple slippers matching Mu Shanyi’s style but different color.

She seemed like the other female master of the house, coming to greet late-night visitors before bed.

No panic of being caught in the act, no guilt or embarrassment—convinced Mu Shanyi would back her, utterly fearless, not even pretending anymore?

Sheng Xingran felt as if lightning struck her. Suspicion was one thing; this stark reality was another few could endure.

Why had she and Miao Zhu come to this? They’d just gotten engaged—their happy future was about to unfold!

“Shameless! Skin so thick—”

Miao Zhu’s nonchalant posture poured oil on the fire. Ni Xiaoying rolled up her sleeves to charge, but Miao Ling swiftly shoved her back. Ni Xiaoying whirled, grabbing Sheng Xingran—the motion shook loose her elaborate updo: “You saw it with your own eyes! She admitted it!”

“What am I meddling in? I’m here to wake you up! To let you and A-Heng see her true colors! She’s two-timing, deceiving one after the other, heedless of your sisterly bond. She’s made you a laughingstock! Smeared A-Heng! Since you couldn’t muster the resolve in the garage, Mom will help you!”

“Aunt Ni, that’s not entirely right.”

At the eye of the storm, Miao Zhu set down the milk and approached: “I didn’t deceive Xingran. When she confessed, I told her to forget it. I mentioned it again after returning from France, but she wouldn’t let go. As for the engagement, Mom made me do it—for the company, for the South District Industrial Park project funds. She told me to shoulder this; I couldn’t resist.”

“…” The utterly tactless, naively honest statement infuriated everyone, freezing the atmosphere below zero.

“Longlong, cough…!” Miao Ling coughed awkwardly, winking at Miao Zhu to signal not to blurt out what shouldn’t be said.

“But I did hurt Xingran; I admit it.” Miao Zhu sincerely apologized to Sheng Xingran. “Xingran, I’m sorry, but can you let me go? I don’t want to force myself to cater to you, please you, marry you, or be with you forever. I’ve never liked you.”

Her perfect red lips uttered pleasant sounds, but the words’ cruelty, mocking Sheng Xingran’s one-sided wishes, was like killing and whipping the corpse. Sheng Xingran’s strength drained away; her hands trembled, shoulders shaking too.

Ni Xiaoying’s temple veins throbbed. Miao Ling, however, gained new respect for her daughter. Usually so meek, she cut clean here—no dragging with Sheng Xingran. With words out, no room for turning back, so next she and Mu Shanyi could…

Miao Ling thrilled inwardly, and sure enough, Miao Zhu brought up Mu Shanyi—

“As for Sister A-Heng and me…” Miao Zhu pursed her lips, pausing seconds before sighing: “Aunt Ni, how could I deceive her.”

Unnoticed, Mu Shanyi’s fingers clenched into a fist.

She stared unblinkingly at Miao Zhu, her eyes swirling with intense emotion, like surging tides—fervent and blazing.

“Adults consent mutually; no one’s deceiving anyone… It’s mutual benefit. She doesn’t need to take responsibility for issues between me and Xingran, though Xingran will mind, right? Xingran, it’s my fault—sorry.” Miao Zhu apologized again, gaze on Sheng Xingran. Explaining her and Mu Shanyi’s relationship, she never looked at Mu Shanyi once.