Beiyin's heart trembled, and a wave of warmth surged within her.Although marriage was a last resort, she had to admit—compared to Song Lingqian, his younger uncle was much more like a real human being.
"Thank you for helping me just now. You were the one who called Grandpa Song, right?""Yeah, just made a call," Huo Shiqing replied.
Beiyin remembered that Grandpa Song had said his youngest son was too busy and just made a phone call before leaving. She couldn't help but click her tongue."Grandpa Song was right inside just now. You didn't even go in to see him?"What kind of son was he?
Huo Shiqing narrowed his eyes slightly.Strange. Grandpa Song wasn't even related to him—why should he go in?That odd suspicion rose again. His newlywed wife seemed… to have misunderstood his relationship with the Song family.
Without changing his expression, Huo Shiqing smoothly shifted the topic."I'm surprised Miss Mu actually gave up the guest presenter position."
Beiyin: "…"Her expression froze.What did that mean? Did Huo Shiqing think she was joking when she said she didn't mind? Did she come off as petty to him?
She explained, "Getting involved with Song Lingqian feels unlucky to me. And besides…"
Besides, she was afraid that if she made a fuss, it would upset Grandpa Song.That nomination was given to her by Grandpa Song—if he had turned around and handed it to Mu Qianrou, and she made a scene, wouldn't that just make the old man feel bad?
From her expression, Huo Shiqing guessed the part she didn't say and raised an eyebrow in surprise.So she tolerated Mu Qianrou for that reason?He had assumed she was prickly like a little hedgehog—turns out her temper was actually quite soft.
An hour later, Huo Shiqing dropped her off at Yujing Garden. Just as he was about to get out of the car, his phone rang.
It was Chu Xiao."Shiqing, time for your follow-up at the hospital."
For once, an irritated expression crossed Huo Shiqing's usually calm face.
Chu Xiao sighed on the other end,"You can't just ignore your condition. Come on, let the doctors take a look. You're still young—it's treatable."
Beiyin froze, then her expression turned horrified."…'Ignore your condition'? 'Still young'? 'It's treatable'…?"
Huo Shiqing looked perfectly healthy and had all his limbs intact—what kind of condition needed constant hospital follow-ups?Wasn't there only one unspeakable affliction that fit this description?
And now they were just talking about it in front of her like it was nothing? Was that really okay?
Beiyin's face flushed bright red, and she hurried out of the car."Mr. Huo, Young Master Chu is right. Medical science is so advanced these days—whatever it is, I'm sure it can be cured. You should go now!"
With that, she bolted off like a rabbit and vanished from sight.
Huo Shiqing ended the call, his eyes flashing with a dangerous glint.…Wasn't his wife misunderstanding him just a little too much?
——
Uncle Zhang, the butler, had prepared afternoon tea for Beiyin.After finishing it, she went straight upstairs and took a nap.
When she woke up and looked out the window, the sky was already pitch black.
Beiyin didn't know if Huo Shiqing had returned or not, but thinking about that "condition" of his…Well, it probably wasn't something that could be resolved so quickly anyway.
She was about to go downstairs for dinner, but just as she stepped onto the stairs, she heard a woman's voice—"I'm carrying Shiqing's child! That bitch upstairs is nothing!"
The sharpness in the voice made Mu Beiyin frown.
Uncle Zhang's tone was calm and unruffled,"Miss Lu, the lady is the woman recognized by the master. Please do not disturb her."
"How dare you speak to me like that, you servant! That bitch upstairs took advantage of me and Shiqing when we were arguing—she's a shameless homewrecker! I'm going to kill her!"
Mu Beiyin understood now. So it was Miss Lu… This young lady from the Lu family was truly spoiled—always talking about "killing" others.
Uncle Zhang's face darkened,"Second Miss Lu, you know very well why the master canceled the engagement! If you continue to cause trouble, I won't hesitate to call the Lu family!"
Lu Xixue's expression stiffened sharply, as if something had been exposed. Then she became flustered and angry, suddenly raising her hand,"I said shut up! Ah!"
Mu Beiyin hurried down the stairs, caught Lu Xixue's hand, and twisted it hard.
Lu Xixue screamed in pain,"Bitch! Let me go! Do you have any manners?!"
Mu Beiyin sneered,"So it's you, Miss Lu. Coming into someone else's home, crying, causing a scene, and hitting people—does the Lu family really teach you manners?"
Both Huo Shiqing and Uncle Zhang had mentioned the broken engagement, saying it was because of something Lu Xixue had done.
And from Lu Xixue's expression, Mu Beiyin knew she was guilty.
Since she caused this herself, what right did she have to blame Huo Shiqing and call Mu Beiyin a homewrecker?
Angrily, Lu Xixue grabbed a cup of hot tea nearby and, without thinking, splashed it over Mu Beiyin's head.
Unexpectedly, Mu Beiyin was quicker—she caught Lu Xixue's hair, dodged to the side, and said coldly,"If you're sick, go see a doctor. What are you showing off for with me?"
A maid quickly stepped forward and forcibly dragged Lu Xixue away.
Lu Xixue looked at Mu Beiyin's retreating back, full of anger and resentment, unwilling to accept defeat.
She was so close—so close to becoming Mrs. Huo! She only made a small mistake; Shiqing would have forgiven her by now if it weren't for this bitch sneaking in and stealing him!
"What are you so proud of? With our Lu family backing me, I'll take Shiqing back sooner or later! You think marrying him is such a big deal? Shiqing and I have long since been husband and wife in practice!"
Mu Beiyin paused, then suddenly turned around, looking at Lu Xixue with a strange, chilling gaze.
She waved the maid away, and for a moment, only the two of them remained in the living room.
Lu Xixue was smug."I'm telling you, I'm already carrying Shiqing's child. What are you? You'd better step aside early. Maybe I'll spare your worthless life. But once my child is born, I want you dead!"
Unexpectedly, Mu Beiyin suddenly smiled, her eyes gleaming as she leaned in slightly."Lu Xixue, you're carrying his child?"
A flicker of pleasure flashed in Lu Xixue's eyes,"Of course—"
"But don't you know," Mu Beiyin interrupted, feigning confusion, "he can't perform, can he?"
…
…
Just then, Huo Shiqing had reached the doorway and suddenly heard that sentence.
He finally understood what kind of misunderstanding his wife had about him.
Inside the villa, Lu Xixue suddenly realized what those words meant. Furious, she raged,"You're lying!"
"It's true," sighed Mu Beiyin,"He told me himself. Oh, and Chu Xiao—you know him, right? Young Master Chu also said he has a hidden illness. Miss Lu, are you really carrying his child?"
"Impossible! Shut up, shut up, shut up!"
Lu Xixue was so angry she couldn't think straight. She reached out to slap Mu Beiyin, but before her palm could touch Mu Beiyin's face, Bai Ji kicked her aside!
Huo Shiqing stood at the door, hands behind his back, silhouetted against the light.
The man spoke clearly and slowly,"Second Miss Lu, do you want me to personally ask you to leave?"
The villa fell silent for two seconds.
Mu Beiyin was surprised—Huo Shiqing was such a gentleman, yet he actually said the word 'leave' out loud.
What on earth had Lu Xixue done?