Chapter 28: Ruses

The woman’s eyes were misty with desire, her hands draped around his neck, lost in the moment. "What..."

But when she opened her eyes and saw the cold, grim expression on the man’s face, a chill went through her. "Ah, I was just... if you don't like it, I won't do it. It was just a bit of fun..."

Mu Anyan’s expression turned cold, and the passion that had been there a moment ago vanished just as quickly. He pulled away, turned, and headed into the bathroom. The sound of cold water crashing against the floor echoed, while Fang Muqing remained on the bed, oblivious to the shift.

Five minutes later, he emerged from the bathroom, already wrapped in a bathrobe.

"You should go." Those three words were all that fell from his lips, spoken with complete indifference.

Fang Muqing sat on the bed, her heart sinking. Looking at his cold demeanor, she asked in shock, "What’s wrong with you?"

"Nothing," he replied with particular coldness. He reached for a pack of cigarettes on the nightstand, pulled one out, and bit down on it. "I’m not in the mood today."

He then walked to the window, opened it, and stood there, staring out into the darkness as he smoked.

Fang Muqing sat on the bed, her hair draped over her waist, staring at him blankly.

He had never been like this before.

Yet, she didn't dare to dwell on it. Being sensible, obedient, and knowing how to play the part were her strengths. She had tried to act coquettishly when they were intimate in the past, but his reactions had always been cold. Ever since then, she had learned the meaning of restraint; even when Jiang Mugui slapped her, she had only dared to offer a small protest, never daring to make a scene.

She assumed he was still angry about what had happened earlier. "Anyan, I’m truly sorry. I didn’t know you minded that..."

Mu Anyan interrupted her again: "You should leave."

She suddenly felt that his back looked like that of a stranger. She mocked herself internally—women truly had a common flaw: they all believed they were special, and they all believed the high-and-mighty men they captured would eventually fall for them.

She had a sudden, intense premonition that things between her and Mu Anyan were over.

***

Once Mu Anyan ensured he had calmed down, he prepared to head back to S City.

Before leaving for the airport, he tried calling Jiang Mugui, but she didn’t answer. This didn’t come as much of a surprise; some things didn’t need to be said aloud. He didn’t push the matter, deciding to visit her the next time he was in Haicheng.

Once he was back to handling company affairs, other things were cast to the back of his mind. A week after his return, he checked in with her teachers at school regarding her progress. They told him she hadn't missed a single class since then, which put his mind at ease.

However, when he checked the bank account he had provided for her, he found that not a single cent had been touched.

He felt a bit puzzled, but didn't think too much of it until he received a call one night. He was busy reviewing documents and didn't check the caller ID. "Hello?"

"Anyan, it’s me."

"Who is this?"

A mocking laugh came from the other side. "It’s only been a few days since the divorce, and you’ve already forgotten my voice?"

Her tone was vibrant, lacking the decadent, listless air she had carried throughout their marriage. Once Mu Anyan realized who it was, he asked, "Is something the matter?"

Jiang Wei asked from the other end, "I heard you went to Haicheng to see Mugui?"

"Yes."

"How is she?"

Mu Anyan frowned. "Can’t you ask her yourself?"

Jiang Wei clicked her tongue. "Your temper is still as terrible as ever. I had a fight with her these past two days, so can’t I ask you instead?"

Mu Anyan remained composed. "I returned last week."

"So, you haven't been in contact with her for about a week either?"

Mu Anyan recalled the pitiful sight of her with her sprained ankle, and his heart stirred slightly. He suddenly wondered if he had been too strange that day. As he considered whether to visit Haicheng early, the voice on the phone continued: "Let me tell you, she used your card before the start of the semester... You know, my husband’s financial situation isn't great right now..."

"I know," he replied curtly, then asked, "Have you transferred any living expenses to her lately?"

Jiang Wei said, "No. Like I said, she’s been using your card, so why would I send her money? She hasn't even called me much..."

Mu Anyan said he understood and hung up the phone.

Jiang Wei rolled her eyes at the phone and then cleared the table to eat the midnight snack her current partner had made for her.

He booked the earliest flight for the next day and landed by nine in the morning. Since it was the weekend, he waited until ten-thirty to call her, but Jiang Mugui still didn’t answer.

He went to meet with a local contractor first. After finishing his business, he called Jiang Mugui again that evening, and this time, she answered.

Jiang Mugui: "Hello?"

He said, "It’s me."

The girl asked, "I know. What’s up?"

He couldn't quite gauge her mood. "Is your foot feeling any better?"

The girl’s voice was languid, devoid of emotion. "It’s been better for a long time."

He decided to cut straight to the point. "Your birthday is in half a month. I have meetings at the headquarters during that time and won't be able to make it to Haicheng, so I wanted to give you your gift tonight."

The person on the other end seemed slightly surprised. "Where are you now? Haicheng?"

The man replied, "At the entrance of your school."

"Got it," the girl said.

After the call was cut off, Mu Anyan stared at the screen, lost in thought for a few seconds. He wondered if she was in a bad mood again, but there were some things he couldn't explain clearly. This was all he could do, and to him, it was for the best.

Thirty minutes later, she arrived.

It was autumn now. She wore a light jacket over the small dress she always favored, her hair loose. Her dark eyes sparkled in the night light. There was no emotion on her fair face; in fact, she seemed to be in a good mood.

Accompanying her was a handsome young man who looked like a bit of a delinquent, probably in his early twenties.

It wasn't the same person who had sent her off from school last time.

He had his arm around her, and she was holding his wrist, the two of them appearing incredibly intimate.

After crossing the street, she laughed and said something to the man. The man then lit a cigarette and waited ten meters away from the car, watching as she opened the door and climbed into his vehicle.

Mu Anyan tightened his grip on the steering wheel instinctively.

When the girl opened the door, she brought in a gust of wind, and with a soft 'click,' she also brought in the faint scent of alcohol.

Her beautiful, alluring eyes flashed twice in the night air. She spoke in a soft voice, "Where is the gift? Give it to me."

Mu Anyan remained expressionless. "Have you been drinking again?"

The girl let out an 'ah,' and only then did she raise her arm to sniff at herself. She laughed, "I thought I hadn't had enough for you to smell it."

Mu Anyan glanced sideways and saw the man outside take a few puffs of his cigarette before heading toward the hotel across from the school to talk to the front desk.

His heart sank for no reason.

He withdrew his gaze and looked at her. Her eyes were very bright in the darkness, carrying a hint of anticipation—perhaps for the gift, perhaps for something else.

"The dormitory curfew has already passed. How are you planning to get back later?" he asked, checking the time on the dashboard while keeping his tone neutral.

"It’s fine. I’m not going back to school later."

The girl smiled, her eyes curving into crescents. Her voice was sweet and sugary, making no attempt to hide anything, yet she urged him, "Oh, stop nagging. Hurry up and give me the gift."