Bowing to Arranged Marriage [Rebirth] - Chapter 21

According to Luo Xiaoli, it was the Zheng family who hired a lawyer to bail Kang Minghong out. But so what? The evidence had already been submitted. Once the two men who had kidnapped her were arrested, with both witnesses and material evidence in place, Kang Minghong would still end up behind bars.

“By the way, who gave you this evidence in the first place?” Luo Xiaoli asked.

Zheng Xiyun froze for a moment before answering, “Mu Qing gave it to me.”

Luo Xiaoli said, “If possible, I suggest you ask her for help in tracking down those two men. If she could gather that evidence, she must have strong resources. Although their methods were amateurish, their counter-surveillance skills were decent. Public officials deal with numerous cases daily, so finding them quickly might be difficult. The evidence you provided earlier mostly involved Kang Minghong’s dealings with his college classmates and his surveillance of you in other aspects. We absolutely must find those two witnesses to ensure a watertight case.”

Zheng Xiyun didn’t agree outright. “Hmm, I’ll think about it.”

Luo Xiaoli fell silent, not pressing further. After all, she didn’t fully understand the relationship between Zheng Xiyun and Mu Qing. Some things could only be hinted at.

After ending the call with Luo Xiaoli, Zheng Xiyun didn’t reach out to Mu Qing again. She was already grateful for the evidence Mu Qing had provided. Zheng Xiyun didn’t want to ask for more help. It always made her feel guilty, as if she were taking advantage of Mu Qing’s feelings.

But she still needed to confirm whether it was truly the Zheng family helping Kang Minghong.

Zheng Xiyun drove home. When she entered and saw Kang Minghong in the living room, it felt like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over her head.

“Xiyun?” Kang Minghong stood up in a panic, wanting to approach but unable to move.

Zheng Xiyun raised her arms, crossing them defensively over her chest. A posture that gave the illusion of safety. Her hands trembled slightly beneath her arms, but her expression remained composed, even carrying a faint smile. “Kang Minghong, you actually have the nerve to come to the Zheng family. I can’t help but admire your audacity.”

“What’s wrong with him being here?” Zheng Yoaquin stepped forward, linking arms with Kang Minghong to assert her ownership. “This is my home. I decide who can come!”

Zheng Xiyun looked at her with bitter amusement. “Your home?” Her gaze turned icy as she stared at her father. “Whose name is on the deed?”

When the house was purchased, Zheng Jiangling, to prove his loyalty, had registered it under Zheng Xiyun’s mother’s name. Now, the property was part of her mother’s estate, meaning the ownership belonged to Zheng Xiyun.

Zheng Jiangling’s face darkened instantly. “What, are you planning to kick your own father out now?”

Zheng Xiyun’s expression hardened, her jaw clenched so tightly that if not for her hair obscuring it, the taut muscles along her cheeks would have been visible to the three of them.

Zheng Jiangling’s expression grew even darker. At this moment, Zheng Xiyun truly seemed capable of throwing them out.

“Xiyun!” Kang Minghong spoke again, his voice laced with restrained pleading. “Don’t argue with your uncle because of me. I only came because I was worried about Yoaquin.”

Kang Minghong gazed tenderly at Zheng Yoaquin before turning back to Zheng Xiyun, the sorrow in his eyes barely contained. “Believe it or not, apart from falling in love with Yoaquin, I’ve never done anything to betray you. I don’t know who’s trying to frame me, but I trust the law will clear my name.”

Zheng Yoaquin spat venomously, “Zheng Xiyun! Are you happy now? You have no idea how stupid you are! This was a trap set by the Mu family! But it’s good you fell for it, so Minghong can finally see your true colors! I wish I could.”

“Yoaquin!” Zheng Jiangling sharply cut off her unfinished words.

Yet Zheng Xiyun could easily imagine the malice festering in her heart. The mockery in her eyes deepened. “Who’s really the fool here? We’ll see. And Zheng Yoaquin, even if you’re now on Zheng Jiangling’s household register, you’re still a bastard, and your mother is still a mistress.”

“Zheng Xiyun!” Zheng Jiangling, clutching the trembling, heartbroken Zhang Meiyan, glared at Zheng Xiyun with bloodshot eyes, his malice undisguised.

In her past life, things had never escalated to this point. Zheng Xiyun had never imagined her father could look at her this way. She had thought there was at least some familial affection between them.

Taking a step back, Zheng Xiyun observed their pitiful display of unity and smiled. “Move out. This is my house. I’ll give you time, just get out.”

With that, she turned and left, unwilling to spare them another glance.

Her high heels clicked lightly, yet each step felt unbearably heavy. The scorn on her face moments ago had given way to a stinging ache in her nose. But she didn’t regret witnessing this scene. Otherwise, she might have clung to the same illusions as in her past life, deluding herself into thinking there was still some faint trace of affection between them. The pain now only made her resolve firmer.

Back in her car, Zheng Xiyun forced herself to suppress all emotions. Through the car’s Bluetooth, she dialed Mu Qing’s number. As the car moved forward, she focused entirely on the road, refusing to let her mind wander back to that wretched family.

“Did you miss me?” Mu Qing answered almost instantly, as always.

This time, Zheng Xiyun didn’t retort sharply. Her voice strained, she said, “Can you do me a favor?”

“What’s wrong?” Mu Qing immediately picked up on her distress, her teasing tone shifting to concern. “What favor? Where are you?”

Zheng Xiyun’s throat tightened. A sudden wave of pain crashed over her, tears welling up and spilling down her cheeks. Unable to drive safely, she pulled over and gave Mu Qing her location. But then, she found herself unable to speak another coherent word.

The overwhelming loneliness reminded her of the day her mother died, the same helpless sorrow, as if the entire world had forgotten her. Though physically unharmed, every part of her ached—her throat, her eyes, her lungs, and most of all, her heart.

Mu Qing was relieved to be nearby. She urged her driver to rush to Zheng Xiyun’s location. Spotting Zheng Xiyun’s parked car, Mu Qing leaped out and ran toward it.

The car doors were locked. Mu Qing knocked gently before opening the passenger side and slipping inside.

Zheng Xiyun had already stopped crying, but her reddened nose and the corners of her eyes couldn’t hide the fact that she was heartbroken.

“What’s wrong?” Mu Qing frowned deeply, raising her hand to cup Zheng Xiyun’s face, gently wiping the redness at the corners of her eyes with her thumb.

Zheng Xiyun wanted to pull away, but the warmth of Mu Qing’s palm seeped through her skin, and suddenly, she froze. Her eyes were filled with sorrow and grievance that she couldn’t conceal no matter how hard she tried.

She took another deep breath, steadying her emotions, and said to Mu Qing, “The two men who kidnapped me back then still haven’t been found by the police. Can you help me? Otherwise, Kang Minghong might escape legal punishment.”

“Okay,” Mu Qing agreed immediately, without the slightest hesitation. “I’ll contact my brother later and have him investigate. I’ll definitely help you find those two men.”

Zheng Xiyun looked at her, then raised her hand to grasp Mu Qing’s, pulling it away from her face. She shook her head and said, “I’m using you…”

Mu Qing was taken aback, then smiled. “That’s fine too. At least you called me, not Zhang Yi.”

Zheng Xiyun’s fingers were icy cold, gripping Mu Qing’s hand even tighter. The chill of her fingers made Mu Qing wince slightly, but she still gazed at her with a gentle smile.

“Because Zhang Yi couldn’t help me,” Zheng Xiyun said, her heart a tangled mess of emotions. She didn’t understand herself. She wanted Mu Qing’s help, yet at the same time, she didn’t.

Mu Qing turned her hand to hold Zheng Xiyun’s. “A-Yun, no matter the reason, I’m willing to help you. From now on, whenever you need me, just give me a call, and I’ll come to your side, just like today.”

The dam of emotions inside Zheng Xiyun burst once more. She hadn’t cried in years, let alone in front of anyone else. But now, she wanted nothing more than to sob her heart out.

Mu Qing watched as tears streamed down Zheng Xiyun’s cheeks without warning, and her heart shattered. She pulled Zheng Xiyun into her arms, letting her bury her face in her shoulder, and patted her back softly. “Cry, just cry. It’ll be better after you let it out.”

Zheng Xiyun finally broke down, weeping loudly.

From the moment she was reborn—no, from the moment her mother died, from the moment she learned of Zheng Yoaquin’s existence, from the day Zhang Meiyan entered their home. All the grief and resentment in Zheng Xiyun’s heart erupted at once.

No one had ever stood by her side. She had always fought alone, struggling, scheming for the sake of her obsession, only to meet a violent end. Even after her rebirth, she remained lonely, still on her own. The sorrow, once unleashed, felt like it would tear her apart, the pain so overwhelming it was unbearable.

“Xiyun,” Mu Qing murmured softly once Zheng Xiyun had calmed slightly, her voice laced with heartache. “Marry me, okay? That way, they won’t dare to bully you anymore.”

Zheng Xiyun’s vision was blurred from crying. Her forehead rested against Mu Qing’s wool coat, her eyes fixed on the vast expanse of navy blue before her. At this moment, Mu Qing’s words were like a spell, luring her in. She couldn’t think rationally; her mind was consumed by one thought: Then they won’t dare to bully you anymore.

“Okay,” Zheng Xiyun whispered in reply. That way, she wouldn’t be bullied anymore. The Mu family was powerful. She wouldn’t have to suffer anymore.

The two sat in the car for a while longer, and Zheng Xiyun grew drowsy, her mind somewhat hazy. Mu Qing, worried about her, had her sit in the passenger seat and then took her home.

After driving into the courtyard, Mu Qing got out of the car and took Zheng Xiyun’s hand. Her palm was slender yet carried the softness unique to women—tender, cool, and incredibly pleasant to hold.

Zheng Xiyun stared at the brightly lit, unfamiliar building ahead, her feet rooted to the ground as she resisted with a murmur, “Mu Qing?”

“It’s fine, there’s no one home,” Mu Qing reassured her, giving her hand another gentle tug. Only then did Zheng Xiyun follow her forward.

As Mu Qing had said, the house was empty despite the lights being on. Mu Qing led Zheng Xiyun to her room and had her sit on the bed. “What would you like to eat? I’ll ask the housekeeper to make something for you.”

Zheng Xiyun shook her head. “I want to take a bath.” After crying, she felt as though her entire body was drenched in tears and wanted to wash the sensation away.

“Alright,” Mu Qing said. “Is it okay if you wear my pajamas?”

Zheng Xiyun nodded, watching as Mu Qing pulled out a set of winter pajamas from the wardrobe, followed by a camisole and black underwear. “The camisole and underwear are both new.”

With that, Mu Qing took Zheng Xiyun’s hand and led her to the ensuite bathroom. She ran the bathwater, then placed the pajamas nearby. “Soak for a while. The water’s a bit hot, it’ll feel nice.”

Zheng Xiyun nodded. Once Mu Qing left the bathroom, she locked the door, undressed, and stepped into the tub. The water, much warmer than her body temperature, relaxed every cell in her body. Leaning against the tub, Zheng Xiyun stared blankly ahead.

Mu Qing waited in the room for a while, but when Zheng Xiyun still hadn’t emerged, she went downstairs to check if the congee the housekeeper was preparing was ready.

The Wu family’s housekeeper, Auntie Wu, had been their cook for many years and had practically watched Mu Qing grow up. When Mu Qing came downstairs, Auntie Wu gave her a knowing smile. “So, this is the Zheng family’s child, huh?”

Mu Qing nodded, her cheeks flushing slightly with shyness. “She wasn’t feeling well today, so I brought her home.”

Auntie Wu nodded repeatedly. “Mhm, very good, very good. That child is so pretty. She suits you perfectly.”

Mu Qing smiled, her eyes curving with delight, a proud blush coloring her cheeks. “I proposed to her today, and she said yes.”

“Oh my! That’s wonderful!” Auntie Wu’s eyes lit up with joy. “I’ll whip up a side dish to go with the congee.” Mu Qing nodded. “Yes, make it tasty, Auntie.”

But when Mu Qing carried the congee and side dish upstairs, she found Zheng Xiyun had already fallen asleep in her bed at some point. Her brows were slightly furrowed, her lips slightly pouted, like a sulky child—making her appear much younger than usual.

Mu Qing was utterly charmed by her sleeping face and couldn’t bear to wake her. She carried the congee back downstairs and handed it to Auntie Wu, who wasn’t upset at all and even reminded Mu Qing to be careful not to disturb Zheng Xiyun.

Mu Qing agreed, then quietly washed up and slipped into bed as if it were their wedding night. Gazing at Zheng Xiyun’s sleeping face, she was so happy she didn’t want to close her eyes.

But eventually, she did fall asleep and her sleeping posture was far from graceful.

Zheng Xiyun felt like she was being crushed to death. When she opened her eyes, she realized she had been pushed to the very edge of the bed, with Mu Qing’s limbs tangled around her.

Without hesitation, she shoved Mu Qing awake.

Mu Qing woke up with a silly grin on her face, and Zheng Xiyun suddenly recalled everything from the previous day, feeling at a loss about how to handle the current situation.

But Mu Qing, oblivious to the tension, went straight for the sore spot. “A-Yun, you promised to marry me yesterday!”

Zheng Xiyun looked at her curved brows and disheveled hair, replying coldly, “I was just joking. I regret it now.”

Mu Qing froze in stunned silence, her usually charming eyes now carrying a hint of foolishness.