After leaving scumbag A, I Found a Happy Ending with a Flirtatious Beauty - Chapter 86

Lu Yuexi seemed lost in memories, standing dazed before the white porcelain figure until the sound of footsteps on the wooden floor of the corridor snapped her back to reality.

She turned her head, her dark eyes reflecting Meng Ziyan’s silhouette, and couldn’t suppress the upward curve of her lips.

Lu Yuexi had long wanted to visit the Meng residence, but ever since her last fainting episode, she had been confined to a hospital bed. Now, seeing the person she had yearned for, even her heart seemed to beat faster with joy.

Meng Ziyan cast a faint glance her way, her tone as indifferent as plain water: “What brings President Lu to the Meng residence? Weren’t all the wedding details already settled?”

Lu Yuexi stared intently at Meng Ziyan, noticing she was only wearing a thin knitted dress. She stepped forward to take her hand: “The weather’s turned cold outside. Aren’t you freezing dressed so lightly?”

Meng Ziyan sidestepped slightly, her expression clearly showing rejection: “President Lu, please behave yourself.”

Lu Yuexi awkwardly withdrew her hand, her eyes tinged with a trace of loneliness.

“Ah Yan…” Lu Yuexi gazed unwaveringly at Meng Ziyan, her eyes brimming with endless longing. “All these days I’ve been ill, I kept hoping you’d come to see me…”

Meng Ziyan found this utterly tiresome. In the past, when Lu Yuexi was sick, she had cared for her day and night, even collapsing exhausted by the medicine stove yet Lu Yuexi had never uttered such sentimental words. Now, she put on this show of affection, thinking it could move her. But a heart shattered beyond repair could never be mended to its original state.

In this world, there might be “reconciliation,” but there would never be “as it was before.”

Meng Ziyan had no desire to exchange another word with her. Just as she was about to dismiss her, a gentle voice sounded from behind.

“Ah Yan…”

Meng Ziyan turned her head, and Lu Yuexi also looked up.

Under the long corridor with its blue-tiled lattice windows, a tall figure slowly approached Meng Ziyan.

Lu Yuexi’s expression froze the moment she recognized Madame Du Sang.

The three of them had once attended the same elite school. Not only did Lu Yuexi know Du Sang, they had been close friends who shared everything including Du Sang’s love-at-first-sight infatuation with Meng Ziyan.

That day at the Lu residence, when Lu Yuexi had forcefully embraced Meng Ziyan, she had been overjoyed to discover that Meng Ziyan hadn’t washed away her mark meaning Ah Yan hadn’t been with Du Sang after all. But now, seeing her rival, Lu Yuexi couldn’t suppress the jealousy surging within her.

Lu Yuexi stared at Madame Du Sang’s face, her eyes dark with stormy gloom: “So, it was you who took Ah Yan away eight years ago!”

“I should’ve guessed it was you. Your Du family has connections in both legal and underworld circles in M Country, hiding someone wouldn’t have been difficult.”

Madame Du Sang didn’t conceal anything, her expression calm and utterly frank: “That’s right. Ah Yan has been with me these past few years.”

Lu Yuexi no longer hid her fury, her voice low and menacing: “Do you realize she has a family?”

“Oh? So you remember she has a family?” Madame Du Sang took a slow step forward, her tone mocking yet composed. “Did you give her a home? Who was it that left her with nowhere to go?”

“You—” Lu Yuexi was left speechless, the fury in her eyes growing increasingly terrifying.

“President Lu, if you came today to dredge up the past and pick a fight, you’ve achieved your goal. Please leave.” Meng Ziyan turned away without hesitation, tilting her head to murmur softly, “Sang Sang, let’s go.”

Qin Mian had been standing behind Lu Yuexi, maintaining a composed demeanor. Seeing her so angered by Du Sang that she forgot their main objective, Qin Mian quickly stepped forward and tugged at her sleeve, subtly reminding her, “Yuexi, we need to find a way to suppress the board’s reaction.”

With this reminder, Lu Yuexi snapped out of her rage and called out to Meng Ziyan, “Wait, take me to see Zhiyuan.”

…………………………………………………………………………

In the main hall, Lu Yuexi sat in the master seat facing south, her expression icy, with a trace of anger lingering at the corners of her eyes and brows.

Qin Mian stood behind her, scanning the crowd murmuring outside the window but failing to spot Chen Guilan.

Strictly speaking, they had mysteriously lost contact with Chen Guilan since receiving the video she sent last night.

Qin Mian assumed she was at the hospital taking care of Taohua and didn’t dwell on it. Besides, Lu Yuexi already believed her words. She glanced at Shen Qiaoyi, who was cowering in a corner, looking utterly lost and guilty, which only fueled Qin Mian’s smug satisfaction.

Just a little more push, and Shen Qiaoyi would be driven away. After that, she could deal with Lu Zhiyuan at her own pace.

In stark contrast to Qin Mian’s sinister glee, Meng Ziyan’s face was etched with worry. The more she thought about it, the more something felt off, the news had been tightly sealed, so how did Qin Mian know? The only possibility was a mole within the Meng household.

Before Meng Ziyan could ponder further, she saw Lu Yuexi rise from the rosewood chair and stride toward Shen Qiaoyi, silently scrutinizing her.

Instinctively, Lu Zhiyuan stepped in front of the little fox, shielding her from that unsettling gaze.

“Miss Shen…” Lu Yuexi’s voice drifted over, low and firm. “You and Zhiyuan aren’t suited. The wedding is called off.”

Even though she knew this was all an act to lure Qin Mian into the trap, hearing such blunt words from Lu Zhiyuan’s own mother still stung. Shen Qiaoyi’s eyes reddened with hurt.

Lu Zhiyuan wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gave a reassuring squeeze, silently telling her not to take it to heart—it was just part of the act.

Watching this, Meng Ziyan felt a pang of heartache.

Proud by nature, Meng Ziyan disdained competing for favor and couldn’t be bothered to defend herself against false accusations. But Shen Qiaoyi and Lu Zhiyuan were the people she cherished most, she wouldn’t stand by while others trampled over them.

Meng Ziyan walked up to Lu Yuexi, her gaze deep and unwavering, a mix of disdain and sorrow twisting her lips. “Lu Yuexi, are your eyes blind? Is your heart blind too?”

Lu Yuexi froze.

She had never seen such an expression on Meng Ziyan’s face before disappointment, scorn, fury, resentment too many emotions tangled together, finally condensed into words.

“Lu Yuexi, do you really lack judgment of your own? Even if your eyes can’t tell right from wrong, you should at least see how much Zhiyuan cares for Yiyi! They’re inseparable, how can you bear to tear them apart like this?”

Seeing Lu Yuexi’s expression waver slightly, Qin Mian feared their plan might fail and hastily stepped in to twist the knife. “Sister Ayan, you can’t say that.Their relationship and the fate of the Lu Group are two entirely different matters. ”

“Shut your mouth!” Meng Ziyan shot Qin Mian a cold glare, for the first time disregarding propriety to rebuke her sharply. “You’re neither a shareholder of the Lu Group nor a senior relative of the Lu or Meng families. You have no right to speak here!”

Qin Mian was startled by her rare emotional outburst, frozen in place momentarily, unable to react.

Meng Ziyan turned and took Shen Qiaoyi’s hand, standing together in front of Lu Yuexi as she said coldly, “Lu Yuexi, if your Lu family won’t acknowledge this daughter-in-law our Meng family will!”

Shen Qiaoyi tilted her head, gazing at Meng Ziyan in stunned silence.

Wuwuwu…

She must have saved the galaxy in her past life to deserve such an amazing mother-in-law like Meng Ziyan.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Shen Qiaoyi’s tightly shut lashes trembled slightly before tears suddenly spilled down her cheeks.

“Yiyi, don’t cry. It’s nothing serious. Mommy’s got your back!”

Meng Ziyan gently wiped her tears, her eyes crinkling with warmth as her features softened. “Our Meng family might not be as wealthy as the Lu family, but we’re no small fry either. The Meng Group owns twenty-five trading firms and three five-star hotels nationwide. Don’t worry, Mommy can afford to take care of you, your monthly allowance will stay the same.”

Shen Qiaoyi couldn’t help but laugh inwardly. Such a wonderful mother-in-law only strengthened her resolve to tear Qin Mian apart.

Those who had hurt Meng Ziyan.

None of them would come to a good end.

Shen Qiaoyi slowly stepped forward to face Lu Yuexi, lifting her tear-streaked eyes at the most pitiable angle, fully showcasing her fragile and fearful demeanor. “Auntie Lu, I know my humble background makes me unworthy of Yuanbao,  but I’m also a respectable Omega. Yuanbao and I truly love each other. Why can’t we be together?”

Before Lu Yuexi could respond, Qin Mian jumped in first with an accusation. “Respectable? Would a decent Omega poison someone out of jealousy?”

Shen Qiaoyi wept like a delicate flower, her body swaying as if on the verge of collapse from grief. Lu Zhiyuan steadied her just in time, and Shen Qiaoyi leaned into her embrace, sobbing pitifully. “Yuanbao have I done something to displease Madam Qin? Why is she framing me?”

“I see now… Last time at the café, she and Miss Nie came to warn me. They said if I kept clinging to you, they’d… they’d break my arms and legs…”

“Shut up! I only told you to stay away from Zhiyuan! When did I ever threaten to break your limbs.” Qin Mian cut herself off mid-sentence, realizing she had slipped up. She instinctively glanced at Lu Yuexi’s expression and stiffened at the sight of her furrowed brows.

This damned girl Shen Qiaoyi, whom Lu Zhiyuan protected like a treasure, was clearly no pushover. Her pitiful act was even more convincing than Qin Mian’s own acting, and her tricks ran deeper.

She was too good at setting traps.

Qin Mian no longer dared to underestimate her, carefully weighing her words before speaking. “Shen Qiaoyi, stop twisting the subject. Answer me, why did you give Tao Hua milk laced with peanut juice when you knew she was allergic? Just because you couldn’t stand her sister? A vicious, jealous Omega like you has no right to be the Lu family’s mistress!”

Shen Qiaoyi nestled against Lu Zhiyuan, sniffling hard. “Madam Qin seems to know my family quite well.”

Qin Mian scoffed. “Don’t try to trap me with your words, Shen Qiaoyi. I’ve known Chen Molly for a long time. She saved Zhiyuan years ago, and I was the one who handled the compensation negotiations with the Chen family afterward.”

Qin Mian gloated inwardly. No matter how clever Shen Qiaoyi was, her youth meant she couldn’t possibly outmaneuver her.

Shen Qiaoyi’s fingertips lightly scratched Lu Zhiyuan’s palm.

Lu Zhiyuan received the signal, her cold gaze fixed on Qin Mian for a moment before suddenly curving into a smile. “Mrs. Qin is right, she does know Jasmine. Since they’re acquainted, why don’t we all meet up for a reunion?”

With that, she called toward the small compartment at the innermost part of the main hall, “Jasmine, Peach Blossom, Mrs. Qin misses you dearly. Come out and see her.”

Peach Blossom came bouncing out, holding an enormous cotton candy, and threw herself at Shen Qiaoyi’s legs. “Fox Sister! This cotton candy is magical it balloons up like a balloon when you open the bag!”

Shen Qiaoyi patted Peach Blossom’s head before slowly turning to look at Qin Mian.

Qin Mian looked as if she had been struck by lightning, her eyes widening as she sprang up from her chair. “She wasn’t she in the hospital being treated…?”

Not just Qin Mian, but everyone present had their expressions change drastically. Lu Yuexi and Meng Ziyan simultaneously stepped forward. “What, what is going on here?”

Lu Yuexi immediately recognized Chen Jasmine standing quietly to the side and asked softly, “Jasmine, do you still remember me?”

Chen Jasmine nodded.

Lu Yuexi softened her voice further. “Can you tell me what happened?”

Chen Jasmine glanced timidly at her, then at Qin Mian, before quickly lowering her head. “It was Mrs. Qin, she sent me to the Meng residence to get close to Zhiyuan to sabotage her relationship with Miss Shen. But Zhiyuan only had eyes for Miss Shen, so I couldn’t complete the task. Then she told me to mix peanut juice into Peach Blossom’s food and frame Miss Shen…”

Qin Mian’s face darkened, but she was a master of performance. By the time Lu Yuexi’s gaze turned to her, she had already adopted an innocent, pitiful expression. “Jasmine, how could you lie like this for someone you like? Auntie took care of you when you were in the hospital. Child, don’t be foolish. Even if you lie to help Zhiyuan, she won’t like you…”

“I…” Chen Jasmine was clearly no match for Qin Mian. A few words from her left Jasmine too ashamed to lift her head.

Shen Qiaoyi watched coldly. She was finally beginning to understand how Qin Mian despite being inferior to Meng Ziyan in looks, temperament, and background had managed to repeatedly convince Lu Yuexi that she was an untainted white lotus rising from the mud.

Her ability to think of a way to turn the tables in this split-second crisis, coupled with her pitiful acting skills, made her practically unbeatable in the white lotus profession.

Not to mention, she had one trump card the “debt of life” Lu Yuexi owed her parents.

How could someone as kind and naive as Meng Ziyan ever be her match?

Shen Qiaoyi trembled with anger until she suddenly felt her fingers being squeezed. She looked up into Lu Zhiyuan’s calm, steady eyes.

Instantly soothed, she quietly watched Qin Mian continue her performance.

Qin Mian dabbed at the corners of her eyes with a tissue. “Where have you taken Aunt Chen? Bring her out—she can prove I’m not lying.”

Lu Zhiyuan’s gaze sharpened as she raised a hand toward the door and said quietly, “Bring her in.”

The bodyguards holding Chen Guilan in custody at the Meng residence responded in unison, dragging her into the main hall.

Qin Mian’s face lit up with joy as she prepared to turn the situation around, but Chen Guilan suddenly lunged at her with eyes full of fury: “Qin Mian, you vicious woman! You wouldn’t even spare my only son. How foolish I was to realize only now that you’re in cahoots with those loan sharks! I worked my fingers to the bone for you, and yet you let them chop off my son’s fingers…”

Qin Mian’s face turned deathly pale as she flailed her arms, grappling with Chen Guilan in a tussle, shrieking, “Someone! Get this madwoman off me!”

The onlookers were all too happy to watch them tear into each other like dogs, and no one stepped forward to intervene. It wasn’t until Lu Yuexi’s sharp reprimand that Chen Guilan was finally pulled away.

Chen Guilan was now seething with hatred, wishing she could tear Qin Mian apart limb by limb. She spared no detail in exposing all the wicked deeds Qin Mian had done, even embellishing them further.

Lu Yuexi slowly turned her head, her face gradually draining of color. By the time she fully faced Qin Mian, her expression was terrifying, as though she was seeing her for the first time.

“A-Mian, I always thought you were gentle and kind. I never imagined you could be so cruel. How many evil deeds have you hidden from me?”

Qin Mian trembled uncontrollably, barely daring to meet Lu Yuexi’s eyes, unable to utter a single word.

Lu Zhiyuan’s icy voice drifted faintly into Qin Mian’s ears: “Intentional assault causing disability unlawful detention poisoning at Ziyue Hotel and on top of that, Yiyi’s car accident attempted murder. With all these crimes combined, how many years do you think she’ll get?”

Qin Mian’s brow twitched violently, her desperate will to live gripping her heart. She lunged forward and clung tightly to Lu Yuexi. “Sister Yuexi, I can’t go to prison. I can’t! I’m my parents’ only child. Sister Yuexi.”

A flicker of hesitation crossed Lu Yuexi’s expression, and that momentary weakness weighed heavily in Lu Zhiyuan’s eyes, clogging her chest with suffocating frustration.

She was deeply disappointed in Lu Yuexi, yet she knew her sister still harbored some pity for Qin Mian. Only by turning that pity into hatred could Qin Mian be completely crushed.

Lu Zhiyuan exchanged a glance with Xia Rong behind her, signaling her to bring everyone in.

From the brightly lit main hall emerged two hunched elderly figures. The moment they entered, they prostrated themselves at Lu Yuexi’s feet, trembling as they called out, “Young Miss…”

Lu Yuexi looked down, her gaze jolting in shock. “Uncle Quan, Auntie Quan… What are you doing here? Weren’t you taken abroad by your children?”

Uncle Quan had once been the Lu family’s steward and was the closest to Lu Yuexi. Seeing the servants who had raised her, Lu Yuexi was overwhelmed with emotion, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

She reached out to help Uncle Quan up. “Uncle Quan, let’s sit down and talk.”

Uncle Quan grasped Lu Yuexi’s arm, tears of grief streaming down his weathered face. “Young Miss, you’ve been so blind. You had such a precious pearl by your side, the young madam yet you failed to cherish her, instead treasuring that worthless, black-hearted imitation.”

“I never went abroad. Qin Mian drove us out of the Lu household…”

Qin Mian flushed with panic and snapped, “Uncle Quan, what nonsense are you spouting?”

Lu Yuexi shot her a cold glare. “Shut up. Let Uncle Quan speak.”

Uncle Quan wiped his tears. “We accidentally caught Qin Mian poisoning the old madam. That’s why she found an excuse to banish us.”

Lu Yuexi’s expression turned stunned. “Poisoning?”

“Yes, the medicine that the young mistress brought from her family to treat the old madam’s headaches. Qin Mian added inhibitors to it, which is why the old madam’s pain only worsened…”

“The old madam, influenced by Qin Mian’s instigations, believed the young mistress had malicious intentions in giving her the medicine…”

Lu Yuexi could hardly believe her ears and asked hesitantly, “How did I not know about any of this?”

Nanny Quan crawled forward on her knees, clinging to Lu Yuexi’s legs. “The young mistress endured all these grievances without letting us tell you. She didn’t want to put you in a difficult position…”

“Miss, the young mistress has truly been so good to you. Yet from the day she entered the Lu family, she has suffered nothing but humiliation…”

“During the wedding procession, Qin Mian deliberately mixed up the bridal shoes to displease the superstitious old madam. When crossing the fire basin, she had someone pile the flames higher to publicly shame the young mistress…”

Hearing these details for the first time, Lu Yuexi felt a surge of anger and guilt. She raised her eyes remorsefully toward Meng Ziyan sitting across from her, only to find her sitting perfectly still with her head slightly bowed. Her expression was eerily calm, her eyes devoid of any light not the stillness of blindness, but the deathly silence of willfully looking past her.

“Miss…” Nanny Quan’s voice was filled with sorrow and indignation, enough to shatter even the hardest heart. She stared directly at Lu Yuexi. “It was the young mistress who kowtowed every three steps to beg for medicine for you. It was she who tirelessly brewed your medicine day and night. All these merits were stolen by Qin Mian, who not only never did any of this for you but even deliberately knocked over the medicine stove to injure the young mistress. Miss, how could you betray such a devoted Omega?”

Lu Zhiyuan listened quietly, clenching her teeth as she struggled to contain her emotions. Though she had witnessed Qin Mian’s schemes against Meng Ziyan before, there were many underhanded plots she hadn’t seen. Hearing each meticulous detail from the old servant now, she could barely restrain her fury.

Granny Luo also turned away, wiping tears from the corners of her eyes, while Shen Qiaoyi was already weeping uncontrollably. She couldn’t fathom how someone of Meng Ziyan’s noble standing could endure such sacrifices for love, only to receive no heartfelt reciprocation from Lu Yuexi.

It was truly unjust!

Only Meng Ziyan herself remained unchanged in posture, her expression placid as she gazed indifferently at the teacup on the rosewood table, as though listening to someone else’s story.

The calmer Meng Ziyan appeared, the more despairing Lu Yuexi became. This time, she felt she was about to lose Meng Ziyan completely.

After a moment, Meng Ziyan slowly stood up, ignoring everyone in the room, and walked out step by step with unsettling composure.

“Ah Yan…”

Lu Yuexi wanted to chase after her, but Qin Mian clung desperately to her leg. When she looked up again, she saw Madame Dusang following a meter behind Meng Ziyan, her eyes filled with concern.

Suppressing the wild jealousy in her eyes, Lu Yuexi tried to pull free. “Qin Mian, let go! From now on, I never want to see you again!”

Qin Mian shook her head in despair. “No, I only did all this because I love you too much.Sister Yuexi…”

Lu Yuexi abruptly crouched down, gripping Qin Mian’s arm with enough force to nearly crush her bones. “Out of respect for your deceased parents, I won’t report you to the police. Turn yourself in.”

With that, she refused to spare her another glance and stormed off in anger.

Qin Mian collapsed onto the floor, clutching her arms tightly. Soon, those present heard a sound resembling bird-like sobs disgusting and terrifying, like wails from the depths of hell.

The left wing of the Meng residence had a cobblestone path adorned with colorful lanterns. Under the night sky, the stones shimmered with a rainbow of lights, exceptionally beautiful.

Meng Ziyan walked quietly along the path without pause or backward glance, moving forward aimlessly.

Madame Dusang watched her slender, fragile figure with a pang of heartache and softly called out, “A-Yan…”

Meng Ziyan finally stopped but remained standing with her back turned, maintaining a silent stance.

Summoning her courage, Madame Dusang took a step forward, her voice brimming with unconcealed concern. “A-Yan, if you want to cry, you can cry here. It’s alright! You can cry with me.”

Meng Ziyan turned around with a faint smile. “A long time ago, I told myself I wouldn’t shed another tear for Lu Yuexi. Never again…”

“A-Yan, actually,  I’ve always wanted to tell you, if you ever feel too tired, you can always look back. I’ll be standing right behind you…”

Madame Dusang stood behind her, smiling gently, her eyes curved enchantingly, glimmering in the darkness.

The smile on Meng Ziyan’s lips deepened into a heart-stirring curve as she whispered, “Why don’t you come a little closer? Otherwise, I can’t see you.”

Overjoyed, Madame Dusang stepped forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with her, her tender gaze fully meeting Meng Ziyan’s eyes.

Meng Ziyan lowered her lashes slightly and gave a soft chuckle. “Let’s go. Come back with me—we have two little rascals to deal with. How dare they deceive even me.”

Madame Dusang smirked playfully. “You? You’d never have the heart to punish them.”

Meng Ziyan tilted her head up, letting out a helpless laugh as if she’d been seen through.

Lu Yuexi had chased them all the way to the end of the path, watching silently from afar.

This was her Omega. The tenderness and warmth on Meng Ziyan’s face just now had been unmistakable expressions that should have been hers alone. Yet now, she was smiling for someone else.

Lu Yuexi stared obsessively at their retreating figures, the corners of her eyes reddening with unshed tears.

The strands of hair at her temples fluttered in the breeze, brushing against her lips.

The gentle night wind caressed her cheeks, cool and damp.

Weakly, she raised her right hand and slowly touched her face, only then realizing it was already streaked with tears.

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