Now that she had money in hand, Mu Wanwan wanted to buy herself a piece of softer cotton fabric.
The undergarments she wore were already torn. It was time to make a few new ones.
The cotton sold at the supply cooperative was all coarse cloth, while the fabrics at the department store were of much better quality.
Having just earned money, she was in a good mood. She hummed a tune all the way to the department store.
“Xinxin, this fabric really suits you. It makes your skin look so fair. I’ll buy it and give it to you.”
“No need, Sister Xiao Ru. It’s too expensive! I can’t let you spend so much on me.”
Lin Huiru smiled and patted Wen Xin’s arm. “Why are you being so polite with me? I brought plenty of money today. Whatever you like, I’ll buy it for you.”
Wen Xin beamed and linked her arm more intimately with Lin Huiru’s.
“Sister Xiao Ru, I knew you treat me the best!”
While smiling, Lin Huiru caught sight of Mu Wanwan entering from the corner of her eye. A calculating gleam flashed quickly through her gaze.
“Xinxin, isn’t that Mu Wanwan over there?”
At the mention of Mu Wanwan’s name, Wen Xin frowned.
Following Lin Huiru’s line of sight, she saw that it was indeed her.
“What a coincidence. Let’s go say hello. Wen Lin will be here later—we can all shop together.”
Lin Huiru suggested it proactively.
Wen Xin was reluctant.
“Sister Xiao Ru, let’s not go over. Mu Wanwan sticks to my brother like glue.
If she hadn’t forced him to marry her, you’d be my sister-in-law. She’s just a country bumpkin—she’s not worthy of my brother!”
Wen Xin looked at Mu Wanwan with clear disdain. If not for Grandpa liking her and bringing her from the countryside to the capital, she would never have stepped foot here in her lifetime. Because her brother married a village girl, their family had been mocked. Wen Xin could barely hold her head up in the compound.
Lin Huiru smiled shyly, clearly pleased by the words, though she still said gently, “It wouldn’t be polite not to greet her. Besides, she and Brother Wen Lin are already married. You should be a little courteous.”
Wen Xin wrinkled her nose but was eventually pulled along.
Mu Wanwan had just begun selecting fabric when the two blocked her path.
“Wanwan, you’re here to buy fabric too? Perfect—Xinxin and I can help you choose!”
Lin Huiru wore her signature gentle smile.
Mu Wanwan’s expression turned cold.
Ever since the hospital incident, Lin Huiru had deliberately sought her out again and again. Did she really think she was stupid just because she hadn’t fought back?
But in her previous life, she truly had been foolish.
Lin Huiru had constantly provoked her, and she would take the bait every time—throwing tantrums while Lin Huiru played the innocent victim. It always looked like Mu Wanwan was bullying her.
Wen Lin had misunderstood her countless times. She had swallowed so much grievance.
But not anymore.
She no longer cared what Wen Lin thought of her.
If Lin Huiru dared to provoke her, she would pay for it.
“This fabric suits you quite well. If you like it, I’ll buy it for you. Brother Wen Lin has given me plenty of fabric before—I can’t even use it all.
If you need any, you can come by sometime and take a look. It would be a waste otherwise.”
Lin Huiru spoke warmly, reaching to take Mu Wanwan’s hand.
Before she could touch her, Mu Wanwan stepped back several paces, keeping her distance.
“I don’t need it.”
Her voice was icy, devoid of emotion.
Wen Xin immediately flared up.
“Mu Wanwan, what’s with that attitude? Sister Xiao Ru is being kind, and you’re giving her a cold face?”
“Xinxin, don’t. I know Wanwan is still angry at me. I was sick at the wrong time and interrupted their wedding night. That was my fault.”
Lin Huiru tugged at Wen Xin, her face full of guilt.
Then she turned back to Mu Wanwan.
“Wanwan, it’s all my fault. As long as you can calm down, I’ll do anything.”
The performance made Mu Wanwan feel sick.
She had no intention of wasting her second chance entangled with people who weren’t worth it.
But since Lin Huiru had come looking for trouble—
“If you’ll do anything, that’s what you said.”
Mu Wanwan’s lips curved slightly. Then, without warning, she raised her hand and slapped Lin Huiru twice across the face.
She was fast.
Lin Huiru was stunned. She hadn’t expected Mu Wanwan to actually strike her.
When she came to her senses, both cheeks were burning. A vicious light flickered in her eyes, but she forcibly suppressed it and let tears spill instead.
“Lin Huiru, don’t you get tired of acting all day?”
Mu Wanwan asked mockingly, her clear almond eyes locking onto Lin Huiru’s.
Lin Huiru’s heart skipped.
Since when had this idiot become clever? That gaze—sharp, penetrating—felt like it could see straight through her.
“Mu Wanwan, what are you doing? You actually dared to hit Sister Xiao Ru? You’re vicious!
Don’t you know her health is poor? She didn’t mean to get sick that day! Even if you’re angry, you can’t hit someone!”
Wen Xin exploded, stepping in front of Lin Huiru protectively.
“You heard her just now. She said she’d do anything. I just wanted her to get slapped.”
Mu Wanwan said it calmly, without the slightest guilt.
Wen Xin was momentarily speechless. Then she saw a tall figure approaching and immediately found her backbone.
“Brother! Come here quickly! Mu Wanwan has gone too far! She actually hit Sister Xiao Ru—so petty!
How could you marry someone like this? She doesn’t deserve to step into our family! She’s just a shrew!”
Wen Lin strode over.
Seeing the clear handprints on Lin Huiru’s cheeks, his expression darkened instantly.
Lin Huiru secretly rejoiced but pretended to be magnanimous. “Brother Wen Lin, I’m fine.”
“How could you be fine? Sister Xiao Ru, you’re just too kind!”
Wen Xin fumed.
Wen Lin turned to Mu Wanwan, his voice cold.
“Did you hit Xiao Ru?”
Mu Wanwan let out a cold laugh.
“I did. So what?”
“Mu Wanwan! Apologize to Xiao Ru right now!”
His face was terrifyingly dark, a chill radiating from him.