The next day.
Ruan Mi arrived at the Mu Group on time, but Zhou Mei lingered in the CEO’s office and never came out.
Assistant Zhang Qian leaned in and whispered, “President Ruan, a woman went into President Mu’s office—and she’s dripping with charm. Aren’t you, the legitimate wife, going to go in and take a look? What if President Mu gets devoured whole?”
Ruan Mi chuckled lightly. Of course she was charming—her name was literally Zhou Mei.
Devoured whole? Hah, she wished she could glue the two of them together with superglue while they were at it.
“It’s fine. Your President Mu can resist temptation—he’s a gentleman of integrity. There’s no way he’d fall for some cheap vixen.”
Just as they were talking, Zhou Mei swayed her hips and swaggered into the conference room right behind Mu Xiubai.
Mu Xiubai tapped the table, his expression cold and stern. “Due to business needs, Zhou Mei will temporarily take over Ruan Mi’s position, including all ongoing projects. All departments are to cooperate fully.”
At these words, everyone stared at Ruan Mi in shock.
Zhou Mei stepped forward, flashing what she thought was an elegant and friendly smile. “We’ll be colleagues from now on. Let’s work hard and improve together.”
She then glanced at Ruan Mi, her eyes full of provocation.
Ruan Mi curled her lips, smiled back at her, and led the applause. Soon, waves of clapping rippled through the conference room.
Ruan Mi rose gracefully, picked up the stack of documents in front of her, and placed them before Zhou Mei.
“These are all the company’s current partnership proposals. Everything is here.”
Zhou Mei was pleased with Ruan Mi’s cooperation, but Mu Xiubai watched coldly.
Ruan Mi’s reaction was very unusual, and he couldn’t help but feel suspicious.
His mind drifted back to the image of Ruan Mi getting into a strange man’s car.
Ruan Mi had moved out. Had she been with that man these past few days?
Could Ruan Mi actually be seeing someone else?
Once this thought took root, it couldn’t be erased.
His actions moved faster than his thoughts—he grabbed Ruan Mi’s wrist and pulled her forcefully into his arms.
He didn’t care what anyone around them thought.
Ruan Mi was caught off guard and was about to struggle when Mu Xiubai’s threat came.
“If you want the Jade Pendant, be a good girl and come with me to the office.”
Zhou Mei frowned and tried to follow, but a single look from Mu Xiubai froze her in place.
“Let go.”
The moment the office door closed, Ruan Mi’s expression turned cold, her disgust completely undisguised.
She was a pampered young lady, spoiled since childhood. If it weren’t for her love for Mu Xiubai, she would never have stooped so low as to be his doormat.
“As you requested, I’ve handed over all my work. Process the divorce as soon as possible, then give me the Jade Pendant.”
Faced with Ruan Mi’s assertiveness and rejection, Mu Xiubai felt extremely uncomfortable.
His eyes darkened involuntarily.
He grabbed Ruan Mi’s hand and pulled her toward him.
“Who is that man? Your lover? How long has it been going on?”
The accusation came out like an interrogation, as if he’d personally witnessed Ruan Mi sleeping with someone.
“What man? Are you out of your mind? Do you think I’m like you—spreading my legs for anyone?”
She yanked her hand back, but Mu Xiubai had gripped it hard, leaving it aching.
“I saw it with my own eyes. He even came to pick you up at the company gate. You still want to deny it?”
Mu Xiubai wouldn’t let it go. He didn’t have to love Ruan Mi, and he couldn’t be bothered to touch her.
But he wouldn’t allow any other man to touch her either.
Ruan Mi was stunned for a moment, then remembered Bo Ye picking her up that day.
She let out a mocking laugh. So Bo Ye picking her up had been seen by Mu Xiubai.
Fine. After suffering through years of lovelorn misery, she might as well make Mu Xiubai choke on his own bitterness before she left.
Ruan Mi walked over and sat down in a chair nearby, her eyes filled with derisive amusement.
“Don’t even mention it—thinking with your lower half really is quite satisfying. I can almost understand you now.”
She even licked her lips, looking like she was savoring the memory.
Mu Xiubai’s face instantly turned ashen.
He lunged forward, planting both arms on the armrests of her chair, pressing his body down until they were inches apart.
“You slept with him?”
His dark, terrifying voice carried a hint of menace.
“Ruan Mi, did you ever think about the consequences before you acted? You should consider the safety of other people’s lives.”
Ruan Mi raised a hand to block him, keeping him at a distance, her brows nearly twisted into a knot.
“Stay away from me. You reek of that fox’s perfume—it’s making me want to throw up.”
Ruan Mi showed no fear at all. If Mu Xiubai thought he could mess with Bo Ye, he’d be the one played to death.
Her wrist was seized again, accompanied by Mu Xiubai’s murderous glare.
“Ruan Mi, is it that I haven’t touched you, so you can’t stand the loneliness? If you’re that desperate, just tell me—I’ll satisfy you.”
With that, he yanked her up and dragged her toward the restroom.
“Mu Xiubai, you’re insane! Let go of me!”
Ruan Mi struggled desperately. She refused to let Mu Xiubai touch her.
“You’re my wife. I haven’t touched you in two years. Now it’s time for you to fulfill your wifely duties.”
Ruan Mi was thrown onto the bed with force, her head spinning. She tried to get up, but Mu Xiubai pressed down on her.
Her hands were pinned above her head, leaving her unable to move.
A heavy, pungent perfume assaulted her nostrils, and Ruan Mi genuinely felt like throwing up.
“Mu Xiubai, don’t touch me with your filthy hands.”
If Mu Xiubai dared to touch her, she would make sure he died an ugly death.
A wicked smile curled at the corner of the man’s lips. “I’m dirty? Who was it that desperately crawled into my bed before, even drugging herself to get there—wasn’t that you?”
Rip. The fabric tore, revealing a snow-white shoulder.
The woman’s delicate, elegant fragrance intoxicated the man.
Especially that hint of red at the corner of her eye—pure yet seductive.
Ruan Mi’s beauty was beyond question; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been chosen as his wife.
An absolute showpiece.
His eyes darkened involuntarily. This delicate flower had been plucked by someone else first.
He genuinely regretted agreeing to Zhou Mei not to touch Ruan Mi.
Ruan Mi saw the heavy lust in the man’s eyes.
“Mu Xiubai, Zhou Mei is still outside. Aren’t you supposed to love her most? Aren’t you supposed to stay faithful for her?
If you do this to me, aren’t you afraid she’ll ignore you?”
Mu Xiubai turned a deaf ear, driven only by primal instinct.
He lowered his head to kiss her neck, his large hand reaching toward the hem of her skirt.
Ruan Mi was about to lose her mind. Drawing strength from nowhere, she raised her leg and kicked down with all her might.
Mu Xiubai winced in pain. Feeling his grip loosen slightly, Ruan Mi pulled her hand free and slapped him across the face.
She put every ounce of strength into it.
Mu Xiubai was stunned by the blow.
Thump, thump, thump. A knock came at the door, followed by Zhou Mei’s voice from outside.
“Xiu Bai, what are you two doing in there? I have something urgent to discuss with you.”
The door was pounded thunderously, and Mu Xiubai regained some of his senses.
Ruan Mi shoved him hard to the side and scrambled to her feet.
“Mu Xiubai, you bastard.”
She flung open the door and stormed out in a fury.
Ruan Mi ran out, still disheveled.
Seeing this, Zhou Mei’s eyes blazed with fire.
She opened her mouth to hurl insults, but Ruan Mi glanced back with bloodshot eyes.
Zhou Mei was startled, and the curses died in her throat.
When the office was left with only the two of them, and Zhou Mei saw Mu Xiubai sitting dazed on the bed, utterly lost in a trance—
Her fingers dug deep into her palms.
Ruan Mi, you bitch.