Yao Shujing left. Mo Guiyi took the letter and went back inside.
Ming Siling was standing straight inside the room. It was unclear how long she had been standing there, but the look she directed at Mo Guiyi was filled with anger and hatred. Especially when her gaze swept across the letter in Mo Guiyi’s hand, she looked as though she wanted nothing more than to kill her.
In her previous life, Ming Siling had also overheard this, but back then, Mo Guiyi was so consumed by the excitement of receiving Painter Wen’s reply that she completely failed to notice Ming Siling’s reaction. This time, however, Mo Guiyi had no intention of letting her misunderstand again.
Mo Guiyi sat down in the living room, raised her eyes to look at Ming Siling, placed the letter on the table, and said, “Do you want to read it? Go ahead and read it, then.”
Ming Siling looked at the letter, then back at Mo Guiyi, completely unable to figure out what game she was playing. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell my brother about this?”
As a certain thought hit her, Ming Siling flared up with anger once more. “Did you do this on purpose? You clearly knew… you knew that even if my brother found out about this, he wouldn’t do anything to you! You’re just taking advantage of the fact that he won’t, intentionally stepping all over my brother’s dignity! What did my brother ever do to wrong you? He treats you well, dotes on you, and gives you whatever you ask for. Mo Guiyi, do you really think there’s no one in the Ming family who can deal with you? I’m telling you, as long as I’m in this family, don’t even dream of making a cuckold out of my brother!”
“I never thought of doing anything like that,” Mo Guiyi sighed. “Would you believe me if I told you there’s nothing going on between that painter and me?”
Ming Siling let out a cold snort. Would she believe it? Only a ghost would believe that!
Mo Guiyi smiled helplessly. “It’s true. I really do appreciate him, but only for his art. It was Yao Shujing who kept fanning the flames on the side, insisting on pairing us up and instigating me to betray your brother. In the past, I was foolish and did plenty of stupid things, but I’ve figured everything out now. From now on, I’m going to live a solid, down-to-earth life with your brother. Siling, won’t you trust me?”
Ming Siling narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing her.
Mo Guiyi grabbed Ming Siling’s arm and shook it gently. “Siling, I need your help with something. Really, just help me out, please?”
Keeping this Painter Wen around was like keeping a ticking time bomb. In her past life, after her mother-in-law found out she had eloped and run away, she fell deathly ill, and even after recovering, her body was left with chronic ailments that took her life just a few years later. Moreover, to corner her, Yao Shujing had spread rumors everywhere claiming she had an illicit affair with this painter. She could no longer afford to keep such a hazard around. He had to be dealt with.
“Come on, please, Siling,” Mo Guiyi shook her arm again.
Ming Siling’s gaze swept over Mo Guiyi’s delicate and pretty face. Those clear, beautiful eyes made it impossible to refuse her request. Ming Siling’s cheeks grew slightly warm, and she said with a tone of feigned annoyance, “Fine, fine, I get it. I’ll help you, alright?”
Mo Guiyi curved the corners of her lips. Seeing the triumphant look on her face, Ming Siling felt a fresh surge of annoyance. Why was her willpower so weak that she had actually agreed to Mo Guiyi’s request?! She… she must have used some kind of charm arts! That was how her mother and eldest brother had been bewitched by her!
“Siling, come here, sit down,” Mo Guiyi said, tugging at Ming Siling’s sleeve.
Even though Ming Siling was thinking in her head that she wouldn’t obediently listen to her, her body uncontrollably sat down anyway.
Mo Guiyi placed the letter into Ming Siling’s hand, a look of distress on her pretty face. “Siling, I really am completely innocent when it comes to this Painter Wen. I happened to see his paintings once by chance and really admired his technique, which is why I started corresponding with him through letters, but…”
Mo Guiyi’s delicate eyebrows furrowed. “He asked to meet me at the alley entrance at eight o’clock tonight. The two of us are a man and a woman, and on top of that, I’m a married person. What would it look like if word got out about me meeting a man late at night? So, could you please accompany me?”
Ming Siling narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “You and that Painter Wen really have nothing going on?”
Mo Guiyi widened her eyes in protest. “If we really had something going on, would I ask you to come along with me? That would just be running straight into exposing myself! Siling, please come with me; I can’t find anyone else to accompany me.”
Ming Siling pondered for a few seconds. Unable to withstand Mo Guiyi’s soft pestering, she finally agreed. Honestly, she really couldn’t do anything with her! She wasn’t doing this to accompany Mo Guiyi, of course—she was just doing it to keep an eye on her for her brother, to make sure Mo Guiyi didn’t put a green hat on him! Yes, exactly!
At eight o’clock in the evening, Mo Guiyi and Ming Siling sneaked out together. A figure was standing not far away at the mouth of the alley, and Mo Guiyi told Ming Siling to wait while she walked over alone.
“Painter Wen?” Mo Guiyi called out.
The man standing in the distance turned around. He had a sharp, pointed chin, wore black-rimmed glasses, and had a very pale complexion and a thin build. Aside from a bookish, scholarly aura, he was essentially worthless.
Mo Guiyi hadn’t seen this face in over a year. Back then, she had been utterly infatuated with him, but looking at his face now and recalling how he had stolen all her wealth, her heart was filled with nothing but raw hatred. Back then, she had actually abandoned a good, handsome, and fiercely loving man like Ming Xianbai for a pretty boy like this. She must have been truly blind. No, not blind—she had harbored too deep a prejudice against Ming Xianbai, which had blinded her to all of his wonderful qualities.
“Guiyi, you’re here,” Painter Wen said, stepping forward and attempting to grab Mo Guiyi’s hand.
Mo Guiyi took a small step back. “If you have anything to say, say it right here. It’s late at night, and the two of us are alone together—it’s not appropriate.”
A look of suspicious doubt crossed Painter Wen’s face as he scanned Mo Guiyi’s expression, his brow furrowing slightly. “Are you punishing me because I didn’t reply to your letters these past few days? There was an art exhibition at the school I had to take care of. I promise I’ll never go this long without writing back again, okay? Don’t be mad anymore—if you’re angry, just take it out on me. It hurts me to see you damaging your health over this.”
In the past, Mo Guiyi would have loved hearing such sweet nothings. Now, it just churned her stomach with nausea.
Suppressing her disgust, she put on an expression mixed with surprise and a trace of anger. “What do you mean by saying things like that? Are you trying to humiliate me? I only liked and appreciated your paintings! I never expected I misjudged you—you’re actually this kind of person!”
Painter Wen’s brow furrowed deeper. What on earth was this woman babbling about? Appreciation? How could it possibly be just appreciation towards him! Could it be that playing hard to get for a few days had backfired and gone too far?
Just as Painter Wen was about to say something else, he suddenly heard the sound of a neighbor opening a door. A flash of cunning crossed his eyes, and he stepped forward, grabbing Mo Guiyi’s arm as he softened his tone. “Guiyi, are you mad that I haven’t paid attention to you lately? I’m sorry, I really know I was wrong. Won’t you stop being angry?”
He was quite strong, and when Mo Guiyi tried to shake him off, she couldn’t break free. The sound of their struggle caught the attention of the surrounding neighbors, and as Mo Guiyi saw a few lights snap on and neighbors stepping outside, the coldness in her eyes deepened even further.
Trying to use the exact same old trick to ruin her reputation right in front of everyone again? Too bad she wasn’t as foolish as she had been in her past life!
“Siling! Siling! Come here quickly!” Mo Guiyi shouted at the top of her lungs.
As soon as she saw that man pawing and pulling at her sister-in-law, Ming Siling had already started sprinting toward them, yelling as she ran: “Let go of my sister-in-law!”