Chapter 55 p3
Ying Xi, oblivious to the online frenzy, turned to Mo Yuwei.
“Well, well, well, Miss Mo. You called Xin Yao a homewrecker, but it turns out you’re the other woman! Or rather, the fourth woman!”
“Shouldn’t you apologize to Xin Yao? After all, you slapped her in public and encouraged people to bully her online!”
Her words were like slaps to Mo Yuwei’s face.
She had been raised in a world of privilege, sheltered from hardship and humiliation. And now, she was the subject of public ridicule.
Her face pale, she wanted to faint, but she couldn’t, her body frozen in place, a silent scream trapped in her throat.
But Ying Xi, her anger directed solely at Li Xu, not at Mo Yuwei, who was also a victim, turned to glare at him.
“You tried to kill me!”
“You bastard! I told you I was pregnant with your child, and you tried to kill me!”
“How could you be so cruel?!”
Li Xu, his body trembling under the weight of everyone’s stares, finally snapped, his voice a furious roar.
“You’re lying!”
“You crazy bitch! You and Xin Yao are working together! You’re trying to ruin me!”
He had to silence her!
He took a step towards her, his expression menacing.
Just then, the doors to the ballroom opened.
Everyone turned to see several plainclothes police officers entering the room, their gazes scanning the crowd.
“Which one of you is Li Xu? He’s under arrest for attempted murder.”
Li Xu, frozen mid-stride, slowly turned around.
As he was being led away, his mind still reeling from the sudden turn of events, he felt like he was in a dream, his world crumbling around him.
Then, he saw Xin Yao, sitting in a quiet corner, her gaze cold and indifferent as she watched him being taken away.
He finally understood who was behind this, his teeth grinding together in frustration.
But it was too late.
He was now in the same position as the original Xin Yao, silenced and condemned, his life ruined.
And Xin Yao, watching him go, her expression impassive, wouldn’t waste a single word on him.
Meanwhile, the news of Li Xu’s arrest was spreading like wildfire online.
His fanbase, already dwindling after the news of his relationship with Mo Yuwei, had now completely turned against him.
He had been with Xin Yao all along, cheating on her with another woman, exploiting both of them for his own gain.
And after finding a richer girlfriend, he had not only dumped them but had also tried to destroy their reputations.
He was a monster!
[Industry insiders reveal Li Xu’s history of social climbing.]
[Those three women are so pitiful!]
[It’s disgusting!]
But what was truly terrifying was the realization that he was capable of murder, that he wouldn’t hesitate to eliminate anyone who stood in his way.
He was a dangerous man.
The news was so shocking that many people had initially dismissed it as fake, until a video of Li Xu being arrested surfaced online, confirming the rumors.
Even his most devoted fans were now silent, their faith in him shattered.
[Wait, if this is all true, then Xin Yao is the real victim! She was bullied and slandered online!]
[She tried to explain! She tried so many times, but no one listened!]
[Ying Xi is also a victim! I’m her neighbor! She’s been devastated by this!]
As the evidence mounted, Li Xu’s carefully constructed image crumbling, public opinion shifted, no longer condemning Xin Yao, but sympathizing with her.
[They’re so pitiful! Exploited for years, then targeted for murder! He’s a modern-day Chen Shimei!]
[I’m crying! I’m a Xin Yao fan! I’ve always believed in her! I knew she wasn’t capable of such things! You all judged her without even knowing her!]
[I get upset when people say mean things about me online. I can’t imagine what Xin Yao has been through.]
The comments section exploded, the online discussions heated and passionate.
Xin Yao, her eyes glazing over at the sheer volume of messages, closed the live stream and put away her phone, no longer wanting to read them.
She looked at the chaotic scene before her, the engagement party in ruins, Mo Yuwei slumped in her chair, the guests whispering amongst themselves, then quietly slipped out of the ballroom.
Outside, the sun was shining brightly.
Ying Xi emerged a few moments later, standing beside Xin Yao, a triumphant smile on her face.
Xin Yao turned to her. “Want to grab some dinner? Or I can drive you home.”
Ying Xi, her eyes shining, suddenly hugged Xin Yao, her voice a soft whisper in her ear.
“Thank you.”
Then, releasing her, she smiled, her usual cheerful demeanor returning.
“I think I’ll pass on dinner. I need some rest. I have an appointment tomorrow… to take care of this.”
“It’s such a beautiful day. I hope it stays like this.”
“Safe travels, Xin Yao. And it seems someone’s waiting for you.”
Huh?
Xin Yao, following Ying Xi’s gaze, turned around.
Xu Jingyu, dressed in black, her face hidden behind a mask and a hat, stood by a car, her long legs crossed, the sunlight illuminating her figure, making her look even more beautiful.
Seeing Xin Yao, she put away her phone and stood up straight.
Xin Yao said goodbye to Ying Xi and ran towards Xu Jingyu, throwing herself into her arms, her embrace filled with the joy and relief of their reunion.
Xu Jingyu’s arms wrapped around her, her chin nuzzling against Xin Yao’s head.
The gentle touch made Xin Yao giggle, her arms tightening around Xu Jingyu’s waist.
“Have you been waiting long?”
“Yes,” Xu Jingyu murmured, her voice soft, “a very long time.”
Xu Jingyu had wanted to accompany Xin Yao, to support her, but Xin Yao had insisted on handling it alone, not wanting to involve her.
So, Xu Jingyu had waited outside, her anxiety growing with each passing moment, time seeming to slow down.
The street wasn’t the best place for a conversation, their identities too easily recognized, so after a brief exchange, they got into the car.
Xin Yao had expected Xu Jingyu to ask about the engagement party, about what had happened, about how she was feeling.
But Xu Jingyu simply turned to her and asked, “It’s getting late. Are you hungry?”
Xin Yao, surprised, then thoughtful, replied, “Is there anything you want to eat?”
“How about malatang?”
“Huh?” Xin Yao looked at her, surprised. “Ms. Xu, you don’t seem like the type to enjoy malatang.”
Xu Jingyu’s tastes were usually light and delicate, her aversion to spicy food well-known.
Xu Jingyu smiled.
She had been studying Xin Yao’s preferences, learning about her likes and dislikes, her love for spicy food a stark contrast to Xu Jingyu’s own.
She wanted to try the things Xin Yao enjoyed.
And Xin Yao, of course, wouldn’t refuse.
Twenty minutes later, they sat at a small malatang restaurant recommended by Meng Wanqing, their phones untouched, ignoring the online frenzy, the unanswered calls piling up.
It was still early, and the restaurant was almost empty, just the two of them.
Like the time they had shared a bowl of wontons, they sat close together at the small table, their arms almost touching.
Xu Jingyu, trying malatang for the first time, frowned slightly, a thin sheen of sweat on her forehead.
Xin Yao, seeing her reaction, couldn’t help but tease her.
“Ms. Xu, you can’t handle the spice?”
How dare she question her tolerance?
Xu Jingyu, her expression unchanged, took another bite, then declared, her voice calm and even, “I’ve adapted.”
“Oh really?” Xin Yao drawled, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
She glanced around, making sure no one was watching, then leaned closer, her lips brushing against Xu Jingyu’s ear, her voice a husky whisper.
“I can make you lose your composure with a single sentence. Want to bet?”
Xu Jingyu’s eyelashes fluttered, her dark eyes glancing at Xin Yao’s face.
“What sentence?”
Xin Yao leaned even closer, her breath warm against Xu Jingyu’s ear, her voice a seductive murmur.
“Want to come over to my place tonight?”
Xu Jingyu choked, the spice suddenly overwhelming, a burning sensation spreading from her stomach to her throat.
She covered her mouth with her hand, coughing, then grabbed a napkin and wiped her lips, taking a sip of water to soothe her burning throat.
She looked at Xin Yao, her eyes sparkling with a mix of amusement and something darker, more intense.
“Yaoyao, you did that on purpose.”
“Mm-hmm,” Xin Yao raised an eyebrow, a playful smile on her face. “I did.”
Then, her voice softening, she added, “Or how about… you come over to my place?”
In the end, they went to Xu Jingyu’s apartment.
As they reached the door, Xin Yao realized it was her first time visiting Xu Jingyu’s home, a sudden excitement filling her.
But as she opened the door and turned on the lights, she froze, her eyes widening in surprise.
One wall of Xu Jingyu’s living room was covered in shelves, and the shelves were filled with jars of candy, all shapes and sizes, their colorful wrappers creating a dazzling display, like a miniature galaxy.
It was clearly a collection, carefully curated and meticulously organized.
But Xu Jingyu didn’t like candy. Who was it for?
A tear rolled down Xin Yao’s cheek.
Her heart swelled with emotion, like a thousand butterflies taking flight.
She had thought she was the only one who remembered, the only one who carried the torch of their past love, her memories a bittersweet burden.
But Xu Jingyu, even without her memories, had been loving her, instinctively, her soul recognizing Xin Yao’s.
Even without remembering, you still loved me.
Xin Yao turned to Xu Jingyu, her voice trembling slightly.
“When did you start collecting these?”
Xu Jingyu, seeing Xin Yao’s tears, rushed towards her, gently wiping them away.
“Why are you crying? I thought you would like it.”
“I don’t remember when I started. I just… one day I realized I was collecting them.”
Her words only made Xin Yao cry harder.
Xu Jingyu, her hands cupping Xin Yao’s face, her voice gentle and concerned, asked, “What’s wrong? Don’t you like it?”
“I… I’m just worried about getting cavities,” Xin Yao sobbed, her nose wrinkling slightly.
“Then don’t eat too much.”
“And I think they’re expired!”
“No, they’re not. I take good care of them. I throw away the expired ones.”
“That’s not it. I just…” Xin Yao looked at her, her eyes shining with tears, “I just like you too much.”
Xin Yao’s tears softened Xu Jingyu’s gaze, and she gently kissed Xin Yao’s forehead.
“Me too. I like you… too much.”
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