“Moonlight Allure” - Chapter 5

Xiao Nianru turned to Li Han in the driver’s seat and asked softly, “What’s wrong?”

Li Han gripped the steering wheel, her eyes fixed forward and her expression grim. “We’re being followed. Since you’re getting a divorce, I strongly advise against being caught on camera together right now. It would contradict the news of your split. If we announce the divorce later, the public will feel like they’ve been played.”

She paused, then turned back to fix Jiang Xueyin with a piercing stare. “You don’t want this divorce, do you? Did you hire the reporters?”

Before Jiang Xueyin could protest, Xiao Nianru’s gentle voice filled the car. “It wasn’t her.”

“How can you be so sure?” Li Han countered.

“She doesn’t like being photographed,” Xiao Nianru said, casting a fleeting glance at Jiang Xueyin.

Jiang Xueyin’s heart fluttered. After a moment of thought, she said, “It really wasn’t me. If you don’t believe me, I can go out there, catch the guy, and make him delete the photos.”

Surprise flickered in Li Han’s eyes. “You? Think you can handle that?”

Jiang Xueyin tilted her head confidently. “Is there a problem? I am an Alpha, after all.” (And, she noted privately, a judo practitioner).

“You’re in the back seat, so they probably haven’t caught your face yet,” Li Han said with a dismissive shrug. “The moment you step out, you’re just providing hard evidence of a ‘happy couple’ on a date.”

Xiao Nianru considered this. “Let’s just let it go for today. We’ll go out for a meal on the day we finalize the papers and make the official announcement. Even if we’re caught then, people will see it was an amicable split. It might lessen the hostility the ‘Mochi’ feel toward Xueyin.”

Mochi—the sweet, sticky name for Xiao Nianru’s fan base.

“You’re certainly looking out for her,” Li Han remarked, glancing at the rearview mirror.

“Niannian, I’m sorry. I’ve caused more trouble for you,” Jiang Xueyin said, her face a mask of guilt. “I’ll do whatever you say.”

Xiao Nianru gave a soft “mm.” “Then let’s forget about dinner tonight.”

“Okay,” Jiang Xueyin agreed, acting every bit the obedient partner.

Li Han found herself wondering: Since when did she become so compliant? The old Jiang Xueyin was demanding and obsessive; if Xiao Nianru was busy filming, she would throw a tantrum until Nianru came home to keep her company.

“Fine. Where to now?” Li Han checked her watch. She didn’t have enough time to drop them off at separate locations.

“If you have urgent business, Sister Li, please go ahead. Don’t worry about me,” Jiang Xueyin said considerately.

Li Han raised an eyebrow and looked at Xiao Nianru. “The office needs me to handle a few things. Are you coming?”

“Let’s lose the paparazzi first, then head to the office,” Xiao Nianru decided.

Jiang Xueyin felt a secret surge of joy. More time together.

After Li Han shook the trailing car, she brought them into the company headquarters and led them to a lounge stocked with biscuits and tea. They sat on individual armchairs by the window, separated by a glass coffee table.

Jiang Xueyin sipped her warm water, stealing occasional glances at her White Moonlight.

“Have you told your family about the divorce?” Xiao Nianru asked, breaking the silence.

Jiang Xueyin set her glass down and shook her head. “They don’t know yet.”

“I recall your parents froze your bank cards.” Xiao Nianru traced the rim of her teacup, her gaze sharpening. “When do you plan on telling them?”

“After we get the certificate.” Jiang Xueyin knew that if she wanted to exact revenge on those who deserved it, returning to the Jiang family was a necessary step.

“In that case,” Xiao Nianru said, “you should stay at the villa for the time being.”

“No,” Jiang Xueyin refused. “I’ll stay in a hotel.” She didn’t want her head filled with the scumbag’s memories every time she hit the pillow.

“Do you have enough money?” Xiao Nianru didn’t pry for reasons; she only showed concern.

Jiang Xueyin faltered, a lump forming in her throat. “Why are you so good to me? We’re getting divorced, yet you’re worried about my finances? Most people tear each other apart over money during a split.”

“Because I truly did love you once. I want you to be well.” Xiao Nianru’s voice was as soft as a spring breeze, soothing Jiang Xueyin’s soul.

Jiang Xueyin’s heart raced, and she cursed the original host even harder in her mind.

“You take care of yourself, too,” she whispered, lowering her lashes to hide her internal struggle. Nothing mattered more than Xiao Nianru’s happiness.

“I will.” Xiao Nianru looked toward the door. “Xu Wei will be here soon. I’ll have her drop you off at your hotel.”

A while later, a knock sounded. “Come in,” Xiao Nianru called.

A clean, pleasant-looking face appeared as Xu Wei poked her head in. “Nianru-jie, ready to go?”

Xu Wei acted as if Jiang Xueyin weren’t even in the room. In the MC’s memory, Xu Wei’s attitude toward her was usually one of dismissive contempt. She had no respect for a “useless rich second-gen Alpha.”

Jiang Xueyin’s gaze darkened as an forgotten detail surfaced—Xu Wei’s boyfriend had been arranged by the scumbag Alpha. Target for revenge: +1.

Xiao Nianru noticed the change in her. “Is something wrong?”

“Nothing.” Jiang Xueyin suppressed her resentment and walked toward the door. As she passed Xu Wei, she came to a halt.

Xu Wei flashed a polite, empty smile. “Oh, I didn’t realize Miss Jiang was in here as well.”

People were passing by in the hallway, glancing in. Jiang Xueyin leaned against the doorframe, blocking their view, and smiled. “Is there a problem with me staying with my wife?”

Xu Wei’s eyebrows twitched, a hint of sarcasm in her eyes. “But Sister Li said you were divorcing.”

In the next heartbeat, Xu Wei’s expression shifted to one of utter bewilderment.

“I’m sorry, it’s all my fault. You can yell at me if you want.” Jiang Xueyin’s face was suddenly the picture of heartbreaking grievance. Her thick, curled lashes trembled, wet with unshed tears. She bit her lip, suppressing any sound of a sob.

She looked like someone who was suffering immensely but chose to swallow her pain, casting cautious, adoring glances at Xiao Nianru as if terrified of being a burden.

This was the “Jiang Xueyin” Xiao Nianru saw.

The real Jiang Xueyin would never have made that face. A realization finally crystallized in Xiao Nianru’s mind: Jiang Xueyin, like her, had been replaced.

The 84% Affection Rating wasn’t a bug. It was real.

There was someone who had loved her in another world.

Who is she?

Xu Wei stood agape, completely forgetting to defend herself. She looked down on Jiang Xueyin, but she had never actually yelled at her.

“Xu Wei, you go home first,” Xiao Nianru said, her voice trembling slightly.

“But Sister Li told me to drive you.”

“It’s fine. I’ll drive myself.”

Xiao Nianru stood up, took Jiang Xueyin by the wrist, and led her out of the company. Once they were safely inside the car, Xiao Nianru turned to her and finally asked the question:

“Who are you, exactly?”