Moonlight Allure - Chapter 10

Inside the tin box lay many small cards, each chronicling the differences between her original world and this one. Xiao Nianru was terrified that one day, she might forget where she truly came from.

The card labeled “Family” was tucked at the very bottom. Thinking of her current family felt like sinking into a lightless swamp; the weight of it made it hard to breathe.

She turned to the window. Thick, relentless clouds were surging toward the earth; a storm was brewing. The wind whipped at the curtains, its howling whistle sounding like a voice whispering for her to follow it.

Xiao Nianru walked to the edge and rested her fingertips on the sill. Looking down from the sixteenth floor, it seemed so high, yet if one were to leap, the ground would rush up in an instant. It wasn’t actually that far.

Suddenly, her phone vibrated.

Li Han: It’s about to pour. Don’t forget to close your windows.

The message snapped her out of her trance. She pulled the window shut with a sharp tug. There was at least some solace in knowing she had one true friend.

Returning to her desk, she prepared to close the box but caught sight of a slightly yellowed card—her “Love” card. It bore only one name: Jiang Xueyin.

Before transmigrating, she had never been in love. The entertainment industry was too cynical; she couldn’t see through people’s hearts. Many had pursued her, but she neither felt a spark nor dared to let herself feel one. After transmigrating, the “Affection Rating” system made everything tangible. Sincerity could be measured at a glance.

But hearts are fickle. Even a 60% rating can fade into indifference. The original Jiang Xueyin’s 60% had been driven by pheromones and infatuation; once the passion withered, only twisted possessiveness remained.

So why, Xiao Nianru wondered, does the current Jiang Xueyin have a rating as high as 84%?

She couldn’t find an answer. She took out a fresh card, wrote “Jiang Xueyin” on it, tucked it inside, and locked the tin box.

Jiang Xueyin had scouted several office locations, but none felt right. As evening approached, she dismissed the agent. Sitting on a sofa in the lobby of an office tower, she prepared to hail a ride, only to see the sky churning with bruised clouds.

She hadn’t brought an umbrella.

She looked at her chat with Xiao Nianru, debating whether to ask for help, but ultimately decided not to be a burden. She booked a car instead.

But fate had other plans. The car arrived, only to get stuck in a massive traffic jam at the intersection, the map was a solid line of deep red. With the subway too far away and the evening rush in full swing, she could only pray the rain would hold off.

The next second, the sky opened up in a torrential downpour.

I need to learn to drive. Immediately, she thought. If she had her own car in the garage, she wouldn’t be standing here, stranded and damp.

She finally made it home, sprinting through the gates to avoid the worst of the spray. Inside, she found Jiang Jue sitting in the lounge, looking sharp behind gold-rimmed glasses as he scanned a newspaper.

Hearing the commotion, Jiang Jue set the paper aside, grabbed a towel, and walked over. His gaze softened as he handed it to her. “Why didn’t you call me if you didn’t have an umbrella?”

As long as she wasn’t a threat to his position, he was still the “loving” older brother.

“I thought you were busy,” Jiang Xueyin said, keeping her eyes low to hide her thoughts.

Jiang Jue paused. “It’s Sunday. I stayed home. Go take a shower; I’ll have Auntie Zhang brew some ginger tea so you don’t catch a cold.”

“Thanks, Brother.”

After her shower, Jiang Xueyin watched the rain hammer against the glass. On a whim, she messaged Xiao Nianru: [The rain is so heavy today. I forgot my umbrella.]

This time, the reply was instant: [Where are you?]

Jiang Xueyin: [I’m already home! Don’t worry, Niannian. I only got a little wet. It’s no big deal!] She added a cute, “puppy” emoji at the end.

Xiao Nianru: [Good.]

Jiang Xueyin didn’t care if the concern was meant for her or the original host; she accepted it all the same. She felt as though she were floating in a sea of pink bubbles.

A knock sounded at her door. “It’s me,” Jiang Jue called out.

“Come in.”

Jiang Jue entered with a steaming bowl of ginger tea. He set the tray on the coffee table. “Drink up before you get the chills.”

“Thank you for bringing it up yourself, Brother.” Jiang Xueyin felt a bit overwhelmed by the attention.

Jiang Jue sat on the sofa, his eyes flickering with a calculated light. “Actually, I wanted to ask you something. Mom and Dad mentioned you want to start a photography studio? Do you need me to find someone reliable to help you get it off the ground?”

“That would be great,” Jiang Xueyin smiled. Having a professional handle the logistics would save her immense effort.

“She was a university classmate of mine. Double degree in Law and Business Management. Great personality, very capable.” Jiang Jue paused. “But she’s a Beta. You’ve met her before.”

“What’s wrong with being a Beta?” Jiang Xueyin asked, a hint of indignation in her voice. “As long as someone is capable, gender shouldn’t matter. Everyone deserves to be treated equally.”

In both this world and her real one, Betas were often unfairly labeled as “mediocre.” In this society, Alpha-preference was the unspoken rule. But Jiang Xueyin knew better—there were frail Alphas, powerful Omegas, and brilliant Betas.

Surprise flitted across Jiang Jue’s face. He hadn’t expected his formerly vapid sister to say something so profound. In the past, she had viewed Omegas as playthings and Betas as invisible.

“I’m glad to hear that. I’ll send you her WeChat. She’s currently abroad but will be back in two weeks. You can schedule a meeting then.” He sent the contact: Lu Qian.

“Thanks.” Jiang Xueyin picked up the tea. The spicy-sweet liquid warmed her throat and settled in her stomach like a comforting fire.

“Rest well. I’m heading out.”

“Goodnight, Brother.”

The next morning, the divorce remained unmentioned. Jiang Xueyin felt a complex mix of relief that they were still legally “wives” and sorrow that Xiao Nianru was showing mercy to the original scumbag’s reputation.

However, there was good news: Ruan Mingyue messaged her. The lab results confirmed the “extra ingredients” in the wine. Once the evidence chain was complete, they would move to prosecute.

She was finishing breakfast when a commotion erupted in the courtyard. Butler Zhou Ming hurried in, his brow furrowed in a deep scowl. He leaned in and whispered urgently:

“Young Miss, the Song family has arrived to make a scene. I’ve already notified the Master and Madam, and they are on their way back. Should you hide in your bedroom for now?”