When the Male Lead Finds Out I’m the Transmigrator Trying to Win Him Over - Chapter 11

Jiang Yufei rarely attended the Meng family’s banquets.

There was long-standing enmity between the two families’ elders. The Meng family would never invite anyone from the Jiang family. In the past, when Meng Tingmo was obsessed with Jiang Yufei, he invited her twice, only to be scolded harshly by his father. Meng Senior had warned him that if he ever dared to bring anyone from the Jiang family again, then both he and the Jiang family would be thrown out together.

Years later, Jiang Yufei appeared once more.

“Tingmo.” Jiang Yufei waved at Meng Tingmo and walked over. She had come with Meng Tingmo and Yun Jia, but had been delayed a moment because she went to the restroom.

Had she entered together with Meng Tingmo, it surely would have caused an uproar.

After all—Meng Tingmo was already married.

Still… Jiang Yufei’s eyes swept lightly over Yun Ruo. The scene now would be no less dramatic.

When she entered, not many people noticed. But once she called out to him and walked up to his side, people gradually realized what was happening.

“Isn’t that someone from the Jiang family?”

“That’s Jiang Yufei! Meng Tingmo used to be madly in love with her years ago. I thought it was over, but who would’ve thought—”

“Didn’t they say the couple was loving and devoted? What is this then…”

“Must be fake. Probably Meng Tingmo just found a placeholder to marry. I’ve heard his wife has no power or influence. Divorce would only take minutes. Once his parents accept the Jiang family, he can just marry Jiang Yufei.”

“Then his wife is so pitiful.”

Whispers buzzed from all sides. Yun Ruo’s gaze followed Jiang Yufei. When Jiang Yufei reached out and hooked her arm through Meng Tingmo’s, Yun Ruo instantly released her hold on him as if burned.

Too absurd.

She stared at Meng Tingmo in disbelief. On such an occasion, while she was carrying his child, he had chosen to humiliate her in public.

She dared not imagine how others viewed her now—pity, gloating, waiting for a spectacle, or maybe indifference. But no matter what others thought, nothing hurt more than Meng Tingmo’s betrayal.

He clearly knew the consequences, yet still brought Jiang Yufei here.

Yun Ruo’s eyes flustered, darting from Meng Tingmo to Yun Jia. Since Yun Jia had come with them, he must have known about Jiang Yufei. But he hadn’t stopped it. Nor had he warned her…

Their gazes met only for a second before Yun Jia awkwardly looked away—turning his back on her.

Yun Ruo’s body wavered, unsteady on her feet.

“What is the Meng family doing? The husband brings his mistress here just to slap his wife in the face?”

“Alright, alright, everyone knows how much Meng Tingmo loves her.”

“Look at Madam Meng’s expression. She looks like she’s about to break.”

Break? Yun Ruo was already shattered. If not for holding on by sheer will, she would’ve left immediately.

Her eyes returned to Meng Tingmo. His face was as calm and expressionless as ever, not betraying a single emotion. He only met her gaze in silence—yet he did not pull away from Jiang Yufei’s grasp.

At that critical moment, Madam Meng came forward to support Yun Ruo. Standing nearby, Han Qi let out a breath and quickly withdrew his hand. In such a high-society gathering, if he had touched Yun Ruo, who knew what kind of rumors would spread.

“Aruo, it’s alright.” Madam Meng patted her hand comfortingly and led her away. “I only recognize you as my daughter-in-law.”

During Father Meng’s speech, only Madam Meng and Yun Ruo stood behind him. Meng Tingmo was left abandoned in the hall, treated like a stranger. Madam Meng didn’t even spare him a glance.

Did they think she’d give Jiang Yufei face for the sake of family reputation? Laughable! She wouldn’t even give Meng Tingmo face!

Scumbag man and cheap woman! If they dared show up, they’d better be ready for the consequences!

“Looks like your mother will hate me even more now,” Jiang Yufei whispered to Meng Tingmo. She had expected this outcome.

Meng Tingmo lowered his gaze, pausing briefly on the hand that clung to his arm. “You never said beforehand that you’d go this far.”

“Arm in arm?” Jiang Yufei shook their linked arms lightly. “Please, that’s nothing intimate. You should be glad I didn’t just kiss you outright.”

His eyes sharpened. He glanced back at the dais where Yun Ruo stood.

What happened today was a declaration. It told everyone that he and Yun Ruo were no longer a loving couple. Call it betrayal, call it fickleness—whatever they thought, the truth was that he and Yun Ruo were finished.

He wanted her to leave him.

And there was no better candidate than Jiang Yufei to make that happen.

Still… his eyes fell once more on the hand holding him. Without expression, he quietly pulled free.

In a corner, Yun Jia overheard Fang You and his mother complaining.

Fang You muttered, “Meng Tingmo’s crazy, doing this in public. Hasn’t he any decency?”

“Yun Ruo’s such a good woman. Ah, if only she’d liked me instead.”

His mother smacked him hard. “What nonsense! Do you want to ruin her reputation?”

Fang You hurried to explain, “I just mean Yun Ruo would’ve been better off with anyone else. Look at what this bastard did—shameless!”

His mother nodded in agreement. “If he can’t forget that Jiang woman, he should’ve kept it private. Why humiliate Yun Ruo so openly? How’s she supposed to face people now? What a disgrace.”

Fang You bobbed his head.

Yun Jia clenched his fists.

His face was dark because of what had just happened. On the way here, he’d discovered Jiang Yufei was in Meng Tingmo’s car. He had felt uneasy about it. Jiang Yufei had even asked him if he still couldn’t let go of Yun Ruo.

“She stole your sister’s body. She’s despicable! Do you really see her as your sister?”

He had downed several gulps of alcohol, unable to hold it. It burned his throat, eyes reddening.

But when he remembered Yun Ruo’s expression on seeing Jiang Yufei, and the look she gave him—he could hardly breathe.

Tonight, he was an accomplice.

Slowly, Yun Jia crouched down. He didn’t know what to do. Yun Ruo had taken his sister’s body, true. But—

Thinking of all the care Yun Ruo had given him over the years, he asked himself: if it were him, could he have done the same?

It was supposed to be just using the relationship, but she had acted with such genuine devotion.

So if Yun Ruo hadn’t been using him—if she had been sincere all along…

Yun Jia bit his teeth hard. He seemed to glimpse an irreversible future of ruin.

The banquet ended, and guests departed.

Yun Ruo sat in the courtyard, dazed.

After Father Meng’s speech, Madam Meng had taken her back to her room. She worried Yun Ruo would feel miserable staying in the hall and told her not to mind the banquet, just to take care of herself.

“At first I wasn’t satisfied with you. But people are made of flesh, and after years together, I truly do like you as my daughter-in-law.”

Madam Meng touched her head gently. “As long as I’m here, Jiang Yufei will never step foot into this family.”

Is that so? Yun Ruo silently asked herself. Jiang Yufei won’t enter the Meng household?

She smiled faintly. Deep down, she knew the decision wasn’t Madam Meng’s to make. It lay in Meng Tingmo’s hands.

He was her husband. He was the one who could decide whether this marriage continued.

Her belly stirred with a kick from the baby. Yun Ruo returned to herself and rose, leaning on a pillar.

The child was quiet by nature, rarely troubling her. Even her morning sickness hadn’t been severe—she could eat, drink, and sleep well.

When she had first learned she was pregnant, she thought she was the happiest woman in the world.

Her child would be born into love.

Yun Ruo stepped into the villa.

In the study, Meng Tingmo tilted his head to avoid the teacup his father hurled at him.

“You’ll be the death of me!”

Father Meng looked around—only one teacup left on the table. He almost wanted to lift the whole desk and smash it on him.

Madam Meng stood cold-eyed, making no move to intervene. If Meng Tingmo hadn’t been grown, they would’ve gladly given him a mixed beating.

“What on earth is wrong with you?” Madam Meng couldn’t fathom what her son was thinking. “You insisted on marrying Yun Ruo back then, and now you treat her like this? Do you even realize how much you’ve hurt her?”

Meng Tingmo lifted his eyelids. Hurt? Was her pain greater than his?

“Go and apologize to her.” Father Meng gave a direct order. “Once the child is born, I’ll transfer some shares to her.”

That should settle Yun Ruo’s heart.

“Impossible.” Meng Tingmo’s voice was icy. Whether it was apologizing or giving her shares, he would do neither.

Father Meng nearly exploded again, pointing a trembling finger at him. “Then what do you want? To be with Jiang Yufei? Over my dead body!”

“Tingmo!” Madam Meng tried to persuade him too. “Aruo is your wife. You promised to treat her well.”

But Meng Tingmo remained unmoved.

No matter what his parents said, he was determined not to reconcile with Yun Ruo.

At last, Madam Meng sighed. “Then speak plainly. What are you planning?”

Standing tall with his back to the door, Meng Tingmo’s face was set with unwavering resolve. His voice dripped with ice:

“I want a divorce.”

Madam Meng froze.

Outside the door, Yun Ruo covered her mouth with trembling hands, tears streaming down her face.

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