C16 The Only Moment of Brilliance

"Is everything here?" Soong Yichen glanced at Mu Wanxing's suitcase, his gaze lingering on her face. "I'll take you..."

"Miss Mu, it's so chilly out here. Any man passing by would feel sorry for you sitting in the wind like this." Kin Qier's voice suddenly cut in, interrupting Soong Yichen.

Mu Wanxing's heart sank as she looked up to see Kin Qier approaching with a smug expression. She and Soong Yichen had just signed the agreement, and they hadn't even finalized the divorce yet, but he was already eager to bring Kin Qier over!

Kin Qier even mocked her for sitting there looking pitiful. The way she addressed her had changed too; she used to at least call her Mrs. Soong.

Apparently, Kin Qier felt she hadn't made her point clear enough, so she continued, "Couldn't the Mo family's car fit Miss Mu? Leaving you here like this, the staff should really be better trained."

Soong Yichen finally caught on to the implication. "Mu Wanxing, you're not taking your own family's car back? Do you expect me to personally drive you home? Do I look like someone with time to spare?"

Mu Wanxing remained silent.

He certainly wasn't too busy—just preoccupied with ushering Kin Qier into his life.

Kin Qier clung to Soong Yichen's arm, leaning on his shoulder playfully. "Yichen, having Miss Mu sit here isn't a solution. If someone sees, they might think you kicked her out. Why don't you take her home? I can go in by myself."

As she spoke, she touched her chest, frowning slightly.

Yichen asked urgently, "Qier, are you feeling unwell again? Let me take you inside."

With that, he picked up Qier and quickly headed indoors.

Wanxing watched them, catching Qier's smug smile. From her angle, Yichen couldn't see it, but she could see it clearly.

She took a few deep breaths to suppress the strong discomfort in her heart. Maybe someone like Qier was more suited for a family like the Soongs, one that could devour you whole. She wished them harmony and prosperity.

"Wanxing, why are you still looking inside? Don't bother; some people aren't worth your time," Ann Ling said, gently patting Wanxing's shoulder.

Wanxing noticed Yichen and Qier had disappeared from view, though she could still faintly hear their laughter. She turned away. "Ann, you're here. Let's go."

Ann Ling took Wanxing to her place, noticing her lingering sadness. "Wanxing, cheer up. From now on, live for yourself."

Wanxing blinked back her tears. "Okay."

"Let's find a place to celebrate your newfound freedom," Ann suggested.

Wanxing, not wanting to dwell on memories of Yichen, agreed. "You plan it."

Later, Wanxing was taken to a bar by Ann Ling.

Royal Élysée Hotel.

“Yichen, Wanxing just left like that. I’m worried she might change her mind and not donate her heart to me,” Qier said seductively from beneath Soong Yichen.

Soong Yichen paused reluctantly, raising his head. “She promised me she wouldn’t back out.”

“She might have said that, but don’t forget about her friend. She’ll definitely try to influence her.”

“That’s true. So, what should we do? Should we bring her back? Keep them apart?”

“Let’s have someone keep an eye on her for now. Her friend is the real troublemaker.”

“I’ll make a call to arrange that right now.”

...

Wanxing had always been the quintessential good girl, never touching a drop of alcohol. But today, she desperately needed to numb herself with it. Before Ann Ling could even persuade her, she was already drinking heavily.

Through her blurred vision, she saw Ann Ling stand up. Her speech was already slurred. “Ann, Ann, where are you going?”

“Someone invited me to a birthday party, and I forgot. What should I do?” Ann Ling looked frustrated. “Should I take you home first?”

“I’m not going back. I haven’t had enough yet. I want to keep drinking.” Wanxing didn’t want to face reality.

“What should I do then?” Ann Ling scratched her head. “How about I call a friend to keep you company while I pop over to the party?”

“Sure.” Wanxing clung to her drink, not thinking anymore.

Ann Ling stepped outside to make a call.

"Miss Mu, what are you doing here... drinking so much?" Kin Lan approached, startled by Mu Wanxing's condition.

"Hey, Kin Lan," Mu Wanxing managed to recognize him, offering a smile that looked more like a grimace.

"Stop drinking. I'll take you home," Kin Lan said gently, carefully removing the glass from her hand.

Mu Wanxing pouted but didn't resist, allowing Kin Lan to help her up and guide her outside.

"Miss Mu, are we heading home?" Kin Lan asked once they were in the car.

"No, not home! Not home!" Mu Wanxing immediately protested.

Kin Lan looked concerned. "Then where are you staying?"

Mu Wanxing, too intoxicated to remember the name of Ann Ling's apartment complex, grew more confused the harder she tried to think. Eventually, she closed her eyes and quickly fell asleep.

Kin Lan, at a loss, tried calling Ann Ling, but there was no answer. He finally parked the car outside a hotel.

With Mu Wanxing fast asleep and unable to walk, he had no choice but to carry her inside to get a room, unaware that someone was watching them.

The next morning, Mu Wanxing woke up with a pounding headache. She realized that drinking wasn't her forte and vowed not to overdo it again.

"Take some medicine; it'll help," Kin Lan suggested as he approached.

Mu Wanxing finally noticed Kin Lan's presence and realized they were in a hotel. It took her a moment to recall the events of the previous night. She instinctively glanced down at herself, relieved to find her clothes intact. Kin Lan was also fully dressed, though he looked a bit tired.

Had he stayed up all night watching over her? Suddenly, she remembered something Soong Yichen had once said: "Remember, don't think a man helps you out of the goodness of his heart. I know exactly what men think of women."

She shot a quick glance at Kin Lan and then mentally chided herself for letting Soong Yichen's words get to her. There are still plenty of good people in the world.

Noticing Mu Wanxing's reaction, Kin Lan lowered his gaze. She quickly composed herself, sat up, and accepted the medicine and water he offered. "Thank you."

"No need to thank me," Kin Lan replied gently.

After taking the medicine, Mu Wanxing felt much better. "Mr. Kin, thank you for taking care of me last night."

"I'm just glad you're okay."

Kin Lan looked at her carefully and asked, "Miss Mu, was something bothering you last night? You drank quite a bit."

Mu Wanxing's expression darkened. She had gotten a divorce. Her ties with Soong Yichen were severed for good. The only connection left was when Soong Yichen would come asking for her heart donation.

In front of him, the only moment she might shine was probably when she pulled out her heart. Imagining that scene, her heart ached intensely, making it hard to breathe.

"Miss Mu, are you okay? Is something hurting? Is it your hand? Did I accidentally hurt your hand last night?" Kin Lan asked urgently.

Mu Wanxing felt even worse inside, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face. Even a stranger like Kin Lan showed more compassion than Soong Yichen ever did.

"Let me see," Kin Lan said, assuming the tumor on her hand was causing her pain, and hurriedly rolled up her sleeve.

Just then, the guest room door was kicked open with force.