“But after I gave everything without reservation, I realized that all of this was just my one-sided wishful thinking.
A butterfly might break its wings ten thousand times for the flowers of spring; my obsession has also left me battered and bruised, but at last, I can see the truth clearly.
Your fondness can be feigned, but your love cannot lie.
Liu Guoqiang, I don’t want you anymore.
For the rest of your life, I hope a gentle breeze blows over the hills and a bright moon fills your heart.
As for my future, from now on, the sky is bright. When I look up, I will see the sunshine.”
The crowd was stunned by Mu Xiaocao’s eloquence.
How could a village girl speak like that?
And fifty yuan!
Hu Lili took fifty yuan a month, and that didn’t even include household expenses.
Over the years, Hu Lili had been sucking Liu Guoqiang dry.
Looking at Hu Lili now, everyone felt more and more that she was a fox spirit who had enchanted Liu Guoqiang until he didn’t even know his own name.
“What did you say?”
Liu Guoqiang felt a sudden, sharp pain in his chest.
“You… you don’t want me anymore?”
Since when did a village girl become so well-spoken!
“Of course my aunt doesn’t want you, and thank you for not treasury her.
Since you don’t cherish her, there will be someone better to accompany her and care for her.
Auntie, let’s go inside. Don’t waste your breath on these disgusting people.”
Liu Guoqiang stared blankly at Mu Xiaocao as she gave Qin Su a radiant smile.
She had always been dull and timid.
But at this moment, with the corners of her mouth curved up and her eyes bright and sparkling, Mu Xiaocao exuded an unprecedented sense of bright vitality. He was actually dazed for a moment.
In just a few days, she seemed to have become much fairer. The dull bangs on her forehead were gone, combed back and pinned up with a clip, revealing a smooth, full forehead.
If she weren’t dressed so simply and poorly, her looks would actually be even better than Hu Lili’s.
Heh, she was smiling so sweetly; how could she possibly divorce him?
Saying she didn’t want him was probably just a joke, spoken against her true feelings.
Qin Muyang glanced at Liu Guoqiang, who clearly had a flash of wonder in his eyes. He pursed his thin lips and followed them inside.
It seemed he needed to pay a visit to Commissar Wang to help Mu Xiaocao escape this misery as soon as possible.
That way, his long-held desire could be fulfilled.
“Little Uncle, how did you find the time to come back today?”
He even helped Auntie Mu out of a tight spot.
“I came back to pick up a few books.”
Qin Muyang glanced casually at Mu Xiaocao, who had yet to recognize him, and walked into the study with a cold face.
Qin Su was clearly used to her uncle’s cold demeanor and didn’t notice anything unusual. She just shouted toward his back, “Little Uncle, stay for dinner tonight! My auntie’s cooking is wonderful.”
Mu Xiaocao chuckled and patted the girl’s head.
“Alright, I’ll cook an extra bowl of rice tonight.”
By the time Qin Muyang lingered and finally emerged from the study, he saw three dishes and a soup laid out on the dining table.
The staple was rice, accompanied by stir-fried pork with cabbage, poached fish slices, sautéed bok choy, and a bowl of tomato and egg drop soup with spinach.
The food was full of color, aroma, and flavor, looking very appetizing.
“You made all of this?”
Qin Muyang was somewhat surprised.
“Yes, there was fish in the kitchen, so I just made these few simple dishes. Try them.”
Mu Xiaocao didn’t feel constrained at all.
Although Qin Muyang looked a bit cold, she felt he was cold on the outside but warm on the inside; she wasn’t afraid of him at all.
Hadn’t even Liu Guoqiang been a bit intimidated by him?
Though she wasn’t afraid, she didn’t stare at Qin Muyang either.
She was a guest, after all, and staring at the host would be very impolite.
Accustomed to housework, Mu Xiaocao was very efficient in everything she did.
Qin Su covered her mouth and giggled.
Her uncle, who usually didn’t pay attention to anything, had already stolen several glances at Auntie Mu.
“Auntie, let me serve the soup.”
Qin Su was extremely happy.
She had finally completed the task her uncle had given her.
Qin Muyang took a sip of the soup.
Hm, it was very good. He could tell only salt had been added, but the flavor was extremely fresh.
He tried a bite of the food.
It was excellent—crisp and refreshing. Not much oil had been used, so it wasn’t greasy. It was delicious, far better than food from outside.
“Your cooking is very good.”
Qin Muyang, who rarely praised anyone, didn’t hesitate to give Mu Xiaocao a compliment.
The three of them enjoyed the meal together, completely unaware that outside in the courtyard, Hu Lili was nearly grinding her teeth to dust.
The reason she had delayed taking the final step with Liu Guoqiang was because of Qin Muyang.
Qin Muyang’s family background was mysterious but powerful; everyone knew that.
It wasn’t that she hadn’t tried to seduce him, but the man was like a cold-blooded machine with no emotions. When he saw a great beauty like her, he either ignored her or scolded her without mercy.
She was frustrated to death.
She, Hu Lili, was the Star Performer of the Cultural and Artistic Troupe. She had the looks and the figure.
After Fu Lei died, the men chasing her could have formed a line out the gates of the Cultural and Artistic Troupe.
But just now, Qin Muyang had actually stepped in to help Mu Xiaocao.
If it were anyone else, Qin Muyang would definitely have avoided them. How could he possibly meddle in such a matter!
Moreover, she saw it clearly: the look in Qin Muyang’s eyes when he looked at Mu Xiaocao wasn’t right.
There was heartache, guilt, and… persistence!
He clearly didn’t know Mu Xiaocao, so why would he have such an emotional reaction!
Setting him aside, many people in the Family Compound were now siding with Mu Xiaocao. If the charge of stealing money was confirmed, how could she continue to stay in the Family Compound?
As the Star Performer of the Cultural and Artistic Troupe, she absolutely refused to be pointed at and looked down upon.
Hu Lili didn’t go back; she waited outside Qin Muyang’s courtyard gate.
It wasn’t until the sky grew dark that Qin Muyang’s figure appeared at the gate.
Truth be told, having finally secured a chance to interact with the girl from his memories, Qin Muyang wanted to stay here tonight.
But he couldn’t allow Mu Xiaocao’s reputation to be tarnished because of him.
As soon as he stepped out, he saw a woman with teary eyes, looking aggrieved and pitiful, blocking his path.
“Qin Battalion Commander, I didn’t do it. I only went in to look for my skirt, which is why I looked through Mu Xiaocao’s trunk.
I really didn’t steal the money, please believe me…”
Qin Muyang took two steps back and gave her a cold look.
“Who are you? You’re crazy.”
Having said that, he bypassed Hu Lili and strode away.
Hu Lili: “…”
You cold block of ice, I curse you to never find a wife in your life!
Qin Muyang: If I’m willing, I can marry whoever I want.
He simply disdained tangling with women who cried at the drop of a hat.
In truth, his heart had long since remained in that small mountain village. He could never forget the person who called him ‘Little Brother’ and gave him infinite warmth…
By the next day, Qin Su went to school after breakfast.
After Mu Xiaocao cleaned the house, she went to find Commissar Wang again.
But just as she stepped out of the courtyard, she saw Liu Guoqiang approaching with a dark, brooding face.
“Come on, follow me home. I have something to say.”