Volume 1, Chapter 5: Cheng Muyan Provokes Su Tingwan!

The air began to grow stifling.

Fu Xicheng pulled Su Tingwan into his arms. Su Tingwan woke from her nightmare with a light gasp, slowly opening her eyes. She stared at the bedroom ceiling, her mind drifting in a moment of confusion. The sorrow in her dream had been so profound that she couldn't distinguish it from reality. It wasn't until she felt Fu Xicheng’s presence that her consciousness fully returned.

Her expression turned icy, and her blood seemed to run cold. Without a second thought, she raised her hands to push him away. "Fu Xicheng, let me go."

Su Tingwan’s face darkened. For the past five years, Fu Xicheng had never once considered her feelings. In the past, because she loved him so much and wanted to provide Xixi with a complete family, she had always been submissive. But now, Xixi was dead, and she had already broken up with him—what right did he have to disregard her wishes?

"Fu Xicheng, I told you to let me go, did you hear me!"

Su Tingwan struggled even harder. The moment Fu Xicheng tried to kiss her again, she bit down hard on his lip. She used all her strength, and blood instantly welled up. The metallic taste of blood made Fu Xicheng pause in surprise, and Su Tingwan took the opportunity to shove him away with all her might, rolling out from under his grasp.

Having not eaten for a long time, the simple exertion left her gasping for air, and black spots danced before her eyes. Yet, she did not let down her guard; she wrapped herself tightly in the thin quilt, eyeing Fu Xicheng with defensive hostility, as if ready to fight him to the death if he dared to touch her again.

This display of chaste defiance drained Fu Xicheng’s interest. He rolled off the bed, and as he dressed, his phone slid from his pocket onto the mattress. The screen lit up: over a dozen missed calls from Tangtang. Fu Xicheng suddenly remembered promising to spend the morning with her. He dressed quickly, looking poised and impeccably refined. Without another glance at Su Tingwan, he turned and left.

Only when the front door clicked shut did Su Tingwan’s body go limp, and she collapsed onto the bed. She straightened her clothes and stumbled off the bed.

She pushed open the door to the guest room, clutched her daughter's urn, and her eyes turned red.

***

Fu Xicheng drove to the Green City Rose Garden, where Cheng Muyan and her daughter lived. Hearing the engine, Cheng Ruotang came running out with a rhythmic pitter-patter. Seeing Fu Xicheng get out of the car, she turned her little head away and let out a sharp "hmph" through her nose.

"Is the little princess angry?" Fu Xicheng walked over and picked her up.

Cheng Ruotang wrapped her arms around his neck, tilted her little chin, and said with an air of pampered petulance, "Daddy, if you kiss me, I'll forgive you."

The chill around Fu Xicheng faded, and a smile tugged at his thin lips as he leaned in to kiss her cheek. Cheng Ruotang beamed, burying her face in his neck and cooing with attachment. Watching the little girl who was so easily appeased, Fu Xicheng’s eyes were filled with adoration. This was exactly how he believed a daughter should be: guileless, cute, and possessing a temper that was easily soothed. Muyan had raised Tangtang well. She wasn't like Xixi, who had been spoiled by Su Tingwan at such a young age. He had missed only one appointment, and she had listened to her mother, throwing a tantrum and hiding away.

"Dinner is ready, come in and eat." Cheng Muyan untied her apron and spoke softly from the doorway. As Fu Xicheng approached, she laughed helplessly, "She heard me calling you this morning and kept looking forward to it. When you didn't show up, she wouldn't stop calling you—I couldn't even stop her. Xicheng, I hope she didn't bother you?"

"No, I was just delayed by something," Fu Xicheng replied calmly, carrying Cheng Ruotang inside.

Under the bright lights, Cheng Muyan, whose gaze had been fixed on him, noticed the cut on his lower lip. It was clearly a bite mark. The smile on her face stiffened for a moment. Did the "something" that delayed him mean that Su Tingwan had used her body to keep him there?

***

Eight-thirty was Cheng Ruotang’s bedtime. After Cheng Muyan bathed her and tucked her into bed, Fu Xicheng picked up a bedtime story and sat by the bedside to lull her to sleep. The little girl burrowed into his arms, clutching his neck and whispering with a soft, spoiled tone, "Daddy, don't leave tonight. Can you stay and sleep with Tangtang and Mommy?"

Cheng Muyan, who had just finished cleaning the bathroom, heard this and immediately darkened her expression, scolding her daughter, "Tangtang, don't be naughty."

Being scolded by her mother made Cheng Ruotang feel deeply aggrieved. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she looked at Cheng Muyan with a tear-streaked face, crying, "Tangtang isn't being naughty, Tangtang just wants to sleep with Daddy and Mommy."

As she spoke, tears began to fall in heavy drops. She was heartbroken. She sobbed, "Other children can sleep with their mommies and daddies, why can't I?"

Seeing her daughter cry like this broke Cheng Muyan’s heart. Still wearing the damp clothes from bathing Tangtang, she rushed to the bedside and leaned over to comfort her. Without realizing it, her attention seemed entirely consumed by her weeping child. With a gentle voice and a face full of concern, she coaxed the inconsolable girl, "Tangtang, be good, stop crying, okay? Don't you remember that the doctor told you yesterday not to get too emotional?"

But Cheng Ruotang wouldn't listen; she shook her head like a rattle, insisting that Fu Xicheng stay. She grabbed his sleeve, tugging at it and pleading pitifully, "Daddy, please?"

Yet, for the first time, Fu Xicheng—who had always granted Tangtang’s every request—remained silent. Seeing this, Cheng Muyan’s eyes dimmed. She suddenly pulled Cheng Ruotang into her own arms and forced a smile at Fu Xicheng. "Xicheng, don't mind her, she'll stop crying in a bit. It’s getting late, you should go back and get some rest."

Once freed from Fu Xicheng’s arms, Cheng Ruotang cried even harder. She looked at him, looking utterly abandoned, and sobbed softly, "Daddy, just one night, please? Tangtang is begging you!"

The little girl was convulsing with sobs, looking truly pathetic. Her condition had only just stabilized, and she needed rest; she shouldn't be overly agitated. Finally, Fu Xicheng nodded, agreeing to stay the night.

***

Early the next morning, Su Tingwan received a call from Cheng Muyan, inviting her to meet at a café. She did not refuse, and arrived as agreed.

As soon as she walked into the café, Cheng Muyan raised a hand with a radiant smile, greeting her with feigned naturalness, "Tingwan, over here."

She acted as if it weren't she who had been slapped across the face by Su Tingwan at the hospital just days ago. She was a master of pretense. Su Tingwan walked over with a composed expression.

As soon as she sat down, Cheng Muyan delivered a jab disguised as sweetness, "Tingwan, I ordered a cappuccino for you. I thought you might need something sweet, considering how bitter your life has been..."

"Get to the point." Su Tingwan cut her off, her tone cold. She hadn't come here to listen to nonsense.

Cheng Muyan wasn't annoyed. She smiled faintly, took a shopping bag from beside her, and placed it on the table in front of Su Tingwan, her lips curling into a smile. "This is the clothing Xicheng left at my place last night. I thought I’d bring it to you."