So that woman beside her ex-husband was Duan Fangya.
After meeting Ruan Qiaoqiao’s gaze, Duan Fangya looked at Su Mai with a soft, almost clinging expression.
Seeing his eyes still fixed on Ruan Qiaoqiao, she took the initiative to walk over and spoke gently.
“Qiaoqiao, you don’t need to keep yesterday’s incident in mind anymore. I’ve already explained it to Amai. You didn’t push me into the water on purpose. Although I’m still a bit weak now, I’m not angry with you. Really.”
An Ruyi looked at the pair in disgust and let out a cold sneer.
But Ruan Qiaoqiao merely raised her brows slightly.
Oh? So this is what hypocritical acting looks like in real life.
“Miss Duan, right? Are you trying to force me into apologizing to you?”
“No, no, I don’t mean that,” Duan Fangya quickly denied. “It’s just… I heard you divorced Amai out of anger, and I was worried you were overthinking because of me, so I wanted to apologize. And also explain again—I really have nothing going on with Amai.”
“An apology, huh… alright, I’m listening. Go on.”
Ruan Qiaoqiao picked out the words she wanted to hear, folded her arms, and looked at her with faint amusement in her eyes—though the smile was clearly mocking.
Duan Fangya froze for a moment, not expecting her to actually push it this far.
Wasn’t she supposed to be clinging to Su Mai right now, refusing to let go?
That was what Duan Fangya had planned for. But this time, Ruan Qiaoqiao had divorced him so cleanly.
Something was off.
Could it be… she was like her?
No. If she were like her, she would never have agreed to divorce. Without Su Mai, where could she possibly find a better man?
“Miss Duan, weren’t you going to apologize? Why aren’t you speaking anymore?”
Su Mai, who had been silent all along, frowned slightly when he saw Ruan Qiaoqiao becoming sharp again.
“Ruan Qiaoqiao, stop causing trouble. Xiaoya and I are innocent. Why should she apologize for something she didn’t do wrong?”
Before Ruan Qiaoqiao could respond, An Ruyi stepped forward angrily.
“She offered to apologize herself! Who said Qiaoqiao forced her? And what do you mean ‘innocent’? Su Mai, be honest with yourself—do you really have no guilt at all?”
An Ruyi’s voice grew sharper.
“Qiaoqiao and I were in medical training together. Her grades were even better than mine—she could’ve become a doctor earlier than I did. But because your mother was ill and your family needed someone to take care of things, she gave up her studies without a word just to support you from behind.”
“After your situation stabilized, she wanted to work, but you quietly gave the job that was meant for your family member to this woman. Is she even your family member?”
“Qiaoqiao barely had any clothes in her wardrobe, but because this woman said she had nothing suitable to wear for work, you gave all your fabric coupons to her.”
“You never even took Qiaoqiao to a movie, yet when this woman was upset, you would accompany her. Go ask around—what husband goes to the movies alone with another woman?”
“You said she returned to her family and was struggling, so you helped her out of childhood friendship. But was Qiaoqiao’s life any easier? She gave up everything for you—what did she get in return?”
Ruan Qiaoqiao was slightly stunned.
If An Ruyi hadn’t said it, she wouldn’t have known she had endured so much.
What an extreme love-brain. Even Bao Zheng would probably call this level legendary.
Su Mai stood there in silence, his gaze slowly shifting back to Ruan Qiaoqiao.
Seeing the emotional change in his eyes, Duan Fangya quickly stepped in, her eyes turning red as she grabbed Ruan Qiaoqiao’s hand.
“Qiaoqiao, I’m sorry. I didn’t know I caused you so much grievance all these years. Please don’t blame Amai because of me. He’s always been kind since childhood and can’t stand seeing people suffer. He only helped me because we grew up together…”
Ruan Qiaoqiao calmly pulled her hand away, as if touching something dirty, and brushed it off before looking at Su Mai.
“No wonder the first time I woke up and saw you, I instinctively disliked you. You say you’re helping others out of kindness—I don’t object to that. But why should my interests be sacrificed for your kindness? And then I get blamed for not being generous?”
“I’m not a Bodhisattva sitting in a temple. Why should I be responsible for your universal compassion?”
Her tone remained calm and detached. Su Mai couldn’t find a trace of the warmth she once had.
This version of her was even more suffocating than when she used to cry and make a scene.
But he still didn’t think he had done anything wrong.
“Ruan Qiaoqiao, you’re a cadre’s family member. It’s only right to make some concessions for the masses. Besides, the job matter wasn’t even entirely my decision—”
Duan Fangya quickly interrupted him, her eyes red.
“Amai, don’t say anything more. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have kept bothering you…”
An Ruyi sneered.
“Shut up already. You say you shouldn’t bother him, but you never stopped. Disgusting.”
Then she pointed at Su Mai.
“And you, Su Mai—listen carefully. Losing Qiaoqiao will be your biggest regret sooner or later. But by the time you regret it, it’ll be too late, because my Qiaoqiao has already—”
She stopped abruptly.
She wasn’t about to tell this scumbag that Qiaoqiao had already remarried.
Let this pretentious woman keep acting. Su Mai would eventually realize she wasn’t even worth Qiaoqiao’s fingernail.
And when he finally regretted it—
Ruan Qiaoqiao had already married someone else.
He could go cry about it.
Ruan Qiaoqiao didn’t bother explaining either. Why waste words on strangers?
She simply looked at Duan Fangya coldly.
“Miss Duan, let me give you some advice. Between being shameless and acting virtuous, you should pick one and commit. Trying to do both just makes you look disgusting.”
With that, she turned and left with An Ruyi, not bothering to look back.
Duan Fangya, seeing Su Mai’s attention drawn away again, quickly turned tearful and tried to regain his focus.
“Amai, I’m sorry… it seems Qiaoqiao won’t calm down anytime soon. Maybe I should explain things to her again later…”
Su Mai cut her off flatly.
“No need.”
As for An Ruyi’s words—that he would regret it?
He wouldn’t. And he couldn’t possibly.
But somewhere deep down, an unfamiliar feeling flickered in his chest.