Moonlight Allure - Chapter 9

Jiang Xueyin had never heard Xiao Nianru speak to her with such icy detachment. Even when the original scumbag had deeply hurt her, Nianru had always maintained a facade of dignified grace.

Jiang Xueyin lowered her head, looking utterly dejected. “If I were truly guilty, how could I have walked out of that police station unscathed?”

“I’m sorry,” Xiao Nianru’s voice softened immediately upon hearing that. “I was just a little worried about you.”

“I know.” Jiang Xueyin forced a small smile. “You’ll know the full truth soon enough. I should go.”

“Do you need a ride?”

“No need. I think my parents are here.” Jiang Xueyin rubbed her nose guiltily. She still wasn’t sure how her parents would treat Xiao Nianru now.

Xiao Nianru turned around and saw the Jiang couple stepping out of a black sedan. They faltered for a moment when they saw her standing with their daughter.

“You’ve moved back home?” Xiao Nianru asked softly.

Jiang Xueyin nodded. “Yes, I’m home.”

“That’s good. Then I won’t intrude further.” Xiao Nianru was about to turn away when Jiang Tingshuo called out to her.

“Miss Xiao.” Jiang Tingshuo looked at her with a heavy gaze. “My daughter’s reckless behavior has caused you much pain. If there is anything you want, please ask. If it is within the Jiang family’s power, we will make it happen.”

Xiao Nianru shook her head. “That won’t be necessary. I only ask that Xueyin shows up at the Civil Affairs Bureau tomorrow to finalize our divorce.”

“I will personally see to it,” Jiang Tingshuo promised.

Xiao Nianru gave a slight nod and walked away. Jiang Tingshuo turned to glare at his daughter, his voice sharp with frustration. “Alright, she’s gone. What are you still staring at? Get in the car!”

Despite the harsh tone, the underlying concern was unmistakable.

Inside the car, Song Zhia sat beside Jiang Xueyin, covering her daughter’s hand with her own. “Tell us, what happened?”

Jiang Xueyin explained the entire situation with Song Siyuan, finishing with a tentative question: “You, you won’t try to cover for him, will you?”

Jiang Tingshuo’s eyes shifted as he let out a cold snort. “Things have reached this point; the public outcry has already ignited. Even if we wanted to save him, we couldn’t. Besides, that brat actually dared to target you.”

“Xiao Xue, Song Siyuan committed a crime,” Song Zhia added, her voice gentle yet unwavering. “Even if he is my nephew, we will never protect him. Your father and I are always on your side.”

“Mom.” Tears welled up in Jiang Xueyin’s eyes. In her real life, her parents would have either been indifferent or told her to “reflect on her own actions” and endure it.

Jiang Tingshuo’s voice softened slightly. “Enough. Next time something like this happens, tell us directly. We’ll handle it. You don’t need to put yourself in danger. What’s an Alpha doing crying? Did you learn nothing but how to weep in those three years away?”

“I’m not crying,” Jiang Xueyin sniffled, quickly wiping her face.

Song Zhia chuckled softly, patting her daughter’s back. “It’s okay. Cry if you want to. Whether you’re an Alpha, Omega, or Beta, as long as you’re human, you have emotions. It’s better to let them out.”

Jiang Xueyin let out a small, watery laugh. “Mm.” If only they had been my real parents all along, she thought.

“As for the news, it was leaked by the Shengyun Group,” Jiang Tingshuo noted grimly. “We’ve already contacted the media to have the photos removed.”

Jiang Xueyin shook her head. “Scrub the photos, yes, but let the story itself grow. We need to make sure Song Siyuan is the focus. The police will clear my name, and then we’ll sue the marketing accounts for defamation.”

“That works,” Jiang Tingshuo nodded, signaling the driver to start the car.

During the smooth ride back, Jiang Xueyin’s new phone vibrated. She sat up instantly to check the message.

Xiao Nianru: Sister Li suggests we postpone our trip to the Civil Affairs Bureau. With everything that just happened, if we divorce immediately, the public might turn their spears on you.

Jiang Xueyin stared at the screen, her vision blurring. With trembling fingers, she typed out: [Why are you being so good to me?]

After a long silence, Xiao Nianru replied: [I’m just putting myself in your shoes. I don’t want to see you buried under a mountain of abuse.]

Jiang Xueyin: [Thank you. And I’m sorry. I’ve caused you more trouble.]

She closed her eyes, tears rolling down her cheeks. How could I not fall for someone so kind?

The next day, the search results for Jiang Xueyin and Song Siyuan were pinned at the top of the rankings. Around 9:00 AM, the Beijing police released an official statement: Song Siyuan was the primary suspect in a drug trafficking ring, and Jiang Xueyin was commended for her role in his capture.

The wind shifted instantly. Weibo was flooded with vitriol directed at Song Siyuan, while many “liked” the news of Jiang Xueyin choosing justice over family.

As she ate breakfast and scrolled through comments, she messaged Ruan Mingyue to thank her.

Ruan Mingyue: No need. It was my job. No need for dinner either; if we’re caught, it’ll look like we’re colluding. Hard to explain.

Jiang Xueyin sent a “Thank You” sticker and went back to Weibo, where she proceeded to “like” every single one of Xiao Nianru’s posts from the last six months.

As Jiang Tingshuo was leaving for work, he stopped to ask, “Weren’t you supposed to finalize the divorce today?”

“It’s postponed,” Jiang Xueyin said, pausing her spoon. “We have to wait for the storm to blow over.”

Her father looked at her deeply for a moment, his gaze unreadable, before heading out.

At her new apartment, Xiao Nianru sat on the sofa while Li Han paced in front of her. “You, you don’t actually want to stay married, do you?”

“No,” Xiao Nianru denied firmly. “It’s just that a divorce right now would be detrimental to her.”

“But the police statement is out! She’s a hero! Even if you divorced now, the attention wouldn’t necessarily be negative,” Li Han groaned. “Nianru, tell me the truth. Are you having second thoughts?”

“Sister Li, don’t worry. I haven’t changed my mind. I know exactly what I’m doing. She is Jiang Xueyin, and it’s best to leave a bridge unburned for the sake of future meetings.” Xiao Nianru paused. “Last night, her parents even offered me compensation.”

In truth, those were secondary reasons. Her real motivation was her suspicion: this high-affection Jiang Xueyin likely came from her original world. She was just unable to say it.

“And you refused the compensation?” Li Han knew her well. Xiao Nianru had never been with the Alpha for money.

“Yes, I refused.”

“Fine, have it your way.” Li Han knew she couldn’t win this argument. “Rest today. Auditions are tomorrow.”

Once Li Han left, the smile faded from Xiao Nianru’s face. She entered her study with a serene expression and opened an old, rusted tin box.