C27 Follow Him

Seeing that everyone had fallen into an agreement, Xiao Chuhee used this time to stand up and address them, "Why don't I get the maids to prepare the dishes?" Her head was held up high, but there was a sense of apprehension flashing across her eyes. The happenings that had just transpired must've shaken her, Moo Nuannuan noted mentally.

Moo Wanqi didn't even bother to look at her. Since the video was already out, there wasn't any reason to pretend that they had good relations. Plus, she was far too exhausted to play her part. Moo Liyan ignored the disrespect and simply nodded in response.

The older woman's face soured at their lack of respect, but she didn't say a word. It was obvious that the video's contents had shaken the roots of their family. "I'll be going now," she excused herself, tightly gripping the fabric of her dress.

As soon as she had passed Moo Nuannuan, she paused and said, "Follow me."

Moo Liyan and Moo Wanqi were already seated at the other end of the study, so they were none the wiser as to what they were whispering about. It wasn't as if they cared either, being far too engrossed with their own conversation.

Glancing up at her biological mother, she nodded and followed her out.

As soon as they were out of sight, Xiao Chuhee immediately pulled her into her old bedroom. Closing the door behind them, she held her daughter's shoulders and stared at her. "That video," she started as she analyzed her reaction. "Was it taken by you or not?"

What? Even Moo Nuannuan couldn't help but be slightly surprised. She thought that by getting rid of Moo Liyan, she'd be able to get out of this scath-free. What she didn't expect was for her own mother to doubt her intentions–the same woman who had affirmed her stupidity time and time again.

In her eyes, Xiao Chuhee was a woman who had completely placed her life in that man's grasp. All her hopes and dreams were banked on Moo Liyan's success. As such, her opinions never mattered, and she had grown into a woman with no say in a lot of things. Until now.

"No." She shook her head rapidly. Her eyes were clear and bright.

Her daughter's opinion of her was true. Xiao Chuhee was the type of woman who didn't have her own opinions, and even if she did, she kept them to herself. However, as Moo Nuannuan was her biological daughter, she knew her like the back of her hand. This matter just wasn't as simple as the others had initially thought.

"Your father and sister trust you very much, you know," she warned sincerely. "You shouldn't lie to them."

Xiao Chuhee didn't have a good family background when she was young. With her parents both having blue-collared jobs, she was used to the life filled with struggles and contempt, but she was a beauty with a heart of gold for the people around her. That was the reason why Moo Liyan was so taken of her.

Moo Nuannuan had thought that her mother had met her Prince Charming and later lived a happy-ever-after. However, it was only when she was older did she finally understand that Moo Liyan married her not because he loved her, but it was convenient for him to have a woman in his life–to take care of the two children his late wife had left behind.

In reality, her mother was no princess, but a nanny who just so happened to warm his bed.

What he did for her mother to be so taken with him, she wouldn't know.

"I'm a little hungry." Not bothering to respond to Xiao Chuhee's comment, she simply lowered her head, unsure of what else to say.

Ever since she had forced her to marry into the Mu family, Moo Nuannuan had grown to resent her bit by bit. And at this point, even if they were connected by blood, they had never been more apart. Her hands clenched into fists.

Seeing the exhaustion and fear in her daughter's eyes, Xiao Chuhee also felt it to be a bit too much.

"You may leave." Her voice was softer this time.

"Thank you." As soon as Moo Nuannuan walked out of the old bedroom, the timid expression on her face had faded completely. And a hint of mockery and deceit flashed across her features. Her fists clenched even tighter as she turned to the next corridor.

Ever since she had married into the Mu family, she didn't want to be involved with her biological family anymore. All she ever wanted was a peaceful life. Although she had never met her husband, and his cousin was as notorious as he could be, it was still better than the resentment she faced in this household.

However, it seemed that the Moo family just refused to let her go.

Since that was the case, then they might as well have the taste of their own medicine.

When she passed by the study, she noticed that the door was left ajar. She peered inside to see that the room was already empty.

Had they gone downstairs?

Moo Nuannuan had just walked down the stairs when she heard murmurs coming from the living room. Other than Moo Wanqi and Moo Liyan's shower of compliments, there was a distinctive male voice that echoed across the hall.

Had they invited a guest over? Who was it?

She peered in the living room to get a better look at their guest, only to be left completely stunned. Her jaw dropped, and her eyes widened. Him again!

Just as she was about to race up the stairs and hide in her old bedroom, Moo Liyan immediately waved her over. His tone was unusually gentle, far from the hardened voice he used whenever she was around. "Nuannuan, come over," he invited sweetly. "Tingxiao asked his cousin to come and pick you up. Sit with us."

She didn't even have the time to hide the surprise on her face as she moved over. Why the heck was he even here?

Mu Jiachen was wearing a dark suit today. From the fabric alone, she could tell that it was custom made, and the cut must've been pretty expensive–definitely far more expensive than all their clothes combined. He sat there casually. Although his face revealed no emotions, there was something about him that had rendered the entire room silent.

Feeling her gaze, he looked up at her. "Sister-in-law, Cousin Tingxiao asked me to come and pick you up."

The smile on his face deepened, and there was an ambiguous tone wrapped around his voice.

"I...okay," she said with great difficulty.

However, Moo Wanqi must've thought of something suspicious about their interaction, because she immediately moved closer to Moo Liyan to whisper a few words. AS she did, she glanced at Moo Nuannuan a couple of times, with her eyes filled with contempt.

She didn't need to listen in to know that her sister didn't say anything good.

Mu Tingxiao used this opportunity to observe Moo Nuannuan's actions. As his eyes swept across her red and swollen cheeks, viciousness flashed across his pitch-black eyes. The grip of his hand on the armrest tightened, and his eyebrows furrowed.

No matter how ugly she was, she was still his woman!

Never in his life had he attacked her before, yet her own family had the nerve to do it! Pathetic!

Mu Tingxiao glanced over at Moo Liyan and Moo Wanqi who were sitting on the other side of the table. Turning to look at Nuannuan once more, he patted the seat next to him. "Why don't you sit down?" He smiled simply.

At first, she didn't want to go over and sit. The last thing she needed was to arouse more questions from her own family, but there was something about his unrestraint towards her that made her more cautious. Not knowing why he came to the Moo family today, she decided to shut her mouth and follow him.

There was no way Mu Tingxiao would let him pick her up.

Just as she had sat down behind him, he turned towards her. "Sister-in-law's face is so swollen." His tone was faint. "I almost couldn't recognize you."

Only then did she remember the slap that Moo Wanqi had given her. Her sister had hit her so hard that her cheeks felt numb from the pain, even when blood had trickled over the corners of her lips. So many things had happened in the last hour that she had completely forgotten about this matter.

While Mu Tingxiao was speaking, he deliberately glanced in Moo Wanqi and Moo Liyan's direction.

If looks could kill, Moo Wanqi would've already been twelve feet under. Back when he had first arrived, she was already scared of the powerful aura surrounding him, and now that he was inquiring of the swollenness of her sister's face, her heart started to remble. She shot her a threatening look.

Moo Nuannuan's face tightened with fear. "I–I accidentally fell."

She was a bad liar.

"Is that so?" His eyes narrowed.

Not daring to look him in the eye, she simply lowered her head in response. "Yes."

He smiled and said nothing more.

Although other people would've taken this expression at face value, Moo Nuannuan knew well enough to read between the lines. 'You really don't know what's good for you, do you?' His grin seemed to say as he retracted his hold on her.

Whether Mu Jiachen came to pick her up because of Mu Tingxiao, it still showed how much the Young Master cared for her from an outsider's perspective.

If she had told his cousin that her face was caused by none other than her sister, then he would surely stand up for her. Even if it was for appearances' sakes. No one was allowed to mess with the Mu family, no matter how ugly.

However, Moo Nuannuan didn't say a word. After all, she could handle all her family matters on her own. Plus, there was no saying what Mu Jiachen was capable of if she had told him, so she didn't want to involve him in this matter too much.

"Young Master Mu has come all this way," Moo Liyan intercepted, satisfied with his daughter's excuse. "Why don't you have dinner with us before leaving?"

"Sure."

Moo Liyan wasn't expecting this response, but he was certainly not disappointed.

Although Mu Jiachen was only connected to the Young Master as his cousin, it still wasn't wrong to curry favor from him. After all, any member of the Mu family was more powerful than them. And to have one on their side would be a blessing.

Just as he was about to say more, the maid walked in to inform him of a phone call. Moo Liyan got up to answer the phone. Within a few seconds, Moo Wanqi excused herself and followed suit. His intimidating aura was just far too strong to bear on her own.

Next thing they knew, they were the only ones left in the living room.

Looking around to make sure no one was listening, Moo Nuannuan frowned. "What are you doing here?"