When the Male Lead Finds Out I’m the Transmigrator Trying to Win Him Over - Chapter 23

The He family was an old aristocratic family in Bin City, and He Xitong was a rising star among the younger generation. Naturally, many people knew her. But the one who came with her…

“Who’s that? Haven’t seen her before.”

“No idea, maybe Miss He’s friend?”

“She looks kind of familiar.”

“You think every pretty girl looks familiar.”

“No, I mean it. I’ve definitely seen her before.”

“…Wait. I remember now. Isn’t that Madam Yun?”

Yun?

Yun Ruo?!

Those who realized immediately turned to look at Meng Tingmo, only to find him already staring at Yun Ruo, nearly crushing the wine glass in his hand.

Years ago, the Meng family scandal had been the talk of the city, rumors everywhere about Meng Tingmo’s broken marriage. Later, Yun Ruo gave birth to a son and then disappeared. Everyone thought she had divorced Meng Tingmo.

Strangely, Meng Tingmo had not ended up with Jiang Yufei.

Three years ago, the Jiang family faced bankruptcy. Meng Tingmo didn’t lift a finger to help and simply watched them fall. Nobody knew where Jiang Yufei was now.

What was the point? If he didn’t love Jiang Yufei, then why had he fought with Yun Ruo over divorce four years ago?

Otherwise, they could have still been a happy family now.

And Meng Tingmo wasn’t the only one shocked.

Not far away, Han Qi’s pupils shrank as he put down his wine, afraid his eyes had deceived him. Yun Jia fumbled his glass, spilling red wine all over himself.

“Holy shit?” Feng You blurted, looking more excited than anyone else. “That’s sister-in-law? Sister-in-law’s back?!”

He rushed over in a few strides to stand before Yun Ruo. “Sister-in-law, why didn’t you tell me you were coming back? I would’ve picked you up. Where’ve you been all these years? I sent you messages, but you never replied. I thought you hated me too, just because of him.”

And everyone knew who “him” referred to.

Feng You’s enthusiasm left Yun Ruo a bit overwhelmed. She remembered he was the first one in Meng Tingmo’s circle who had truly befriended her. Back when she was still pursuing Meng Tingmo, when everyone else was still sizing her up—wondering if she was after his money or the man—Feng You had been the only one to greet her warmly.

He even took her along to hang out.

Yun Ruo calmed herself and gave him a small smile. “I never hated you. Something happened, and I didn’t see your messages.”

“I knew it.” Feng You clapped his hands, looking like a silly young master, before someone suddenly shoved him aside.

“Jie!” Yun Jia stood there with reddened eyes, wine stains on his suit, gazing at Yun Ruo as if he’d suffered the world’s greatest grievance.

His hair had grown out, styled carefully, glasses perched on his face. Yun Ruo felt dazed—four years had passed, and Yun Jia had changed so much.

She shook her head clear and nodded. “Xiao Jia.”

The same old address, as if there had been no gap of four years, as if she had only stepped out for a walk and returned to find Yun Jia waiting at home.

“Jiejie.” At that call, Yun Jia’s tears spilled freely.

“You’re grown up now. Still crying?” Yun Ruo teased. “Xitong told me you’ve started your own company, already a boss. Amazing.”

But she didn’t do anything else.

Yun Jia froze. After a few seconds, he wiped his own tears away. Suddenly, his heart felt hollow. The joy of seeing her again seemed to vanish.

It was the same title, but not the same affection anymore.

Before, Yun Ruo would’ve tenderly wiped his tears, asked about his troubles: ‘Jiejie will fix it for you.’

But if the problem this time was her, what could she do?

Yun Ruo didn’t notice Yun Jia’s shift, or maybe she did and simply didn’t care. She hadn’t come here for him today.

Through the gap between Feng You and Yun Jia, she saw Meng Tingmo standing in his tailored suit.

The room grew quieter.

Feng You and Yun Jia realized what was happening and quickly stepped aside, leaving Meng Tingmo in full view. Less than ten meters apart, the two locked eyes.

After a pause, Meng Tingmo began walking toward her, step by step.

He Xitong cleared her throat. Feng You and Yun Jia, though reluctant, knew there was no place for them now. They slipped away, leaving only Yun Ruo and Meng Tingmo.

Yun Ruo looked up. Time hadn’t left many marks on Meng Tingmo’s face—he was still tall and handsome, the brows and eyes she once adored still deep and striking. Years of power had only made him more inscrutable, an aura so heavy that just standing there was enough to make one uneasy.

When he was younger, he looked at people with careless ease. Now, four years later, there was no trace of that. He was all steel.

“Meng Tingmo.” Yun Ruo’s voice was soft. “Long time no see.”

His eyes flickered, but he said nothing.

Yun Ruo stepped back, calmer than him. “Not going to say anything?”

He came back to himself and reached for her hand. “Come with me.”

This wasn’t the place to talk.

Yun Ruo sidestepped his hand. “Say it here.”

Whatever they had to say wasn’t a secret—whether in public or private, it was all the same.

His hand froze, then dropped, but only he knew how tense he was.

He had so much he wanted to say.

But when the words reached his lips, only four came out: “Are you doing well?”

Yun Ruo glanced down at herself. This body had fully recovered, not a single scar left. She nodded. “Pretty well. And you?”

Like an English-class beginner’s dialogue.

“……” Silence.

This wasn’t going well. Could they even continue this conversation? Since when was Meng Tingmo so awkward?

She didn’t want to drag it out. Only couples with lingering feelings found it hard to speak. For them, the love was gone.

She got straight to the point: “I want to see Xiao Han.”

If not for her son, she would never have come to this banquet.

Meng Tingmo waited two seconds. When nothing more came, he asked, “That’s all you want to say?”

She spread her hands. Obviously.

“What about me?”

She blinked in surprise. “…What?”

His gaze bored into hers. “What about me? Don’t you have anything you want to say to me?”

This time, silence was hers.

Then she laughed softly, almost absurdly. “What I want to say is: I want to see Xiao Han.”

Something in those words snapped Meng Tingmo’s restraint. He grabbed her hand, intent on dragging her out of the hall.

She struggled, but he cut her off: “So many people are watching. If you want me to carry you out, I don’t mind.”

She froze. “Do you think you’re acting in some cheesy idol drama?”

He scoffed. Whatever kind of drama it was, he just needed privacy.

Watching closely, He Xitong started to chase, but Feng You held her back. “Tingmo used to be an ass, but he’d never hurt Yun Ruo. Let them talk. If not today, they’ll have to tomorrow.”

He saw clearly: before, it was Meng Tingmo who ignored her. Now…

“I told you,” Feng You smirked, “one day, Tingmo would be groveling.”

He Xitong rolled her eyes. “Late affection is cheaper than grass.”

Exactly, Yun Jia thought bitterly. And Meng Tingmo still thought Yun Ruo had controlled him.

Upstairs, the banquet hall had a private garden. Thanks to the booking, it was empty. Yun Ruo said nothing the whole way as Meng Tingmo led her there. Once they arrived, he cornered her against a wall.

Yun Ruo: …

This was ridiculous.

When he leaned closer, hand rising toward her chin, she warned: “Don’t lift my chin. And don’t pinch it either.”

His hand froze midair.

“If you don’t, I’ll only be staring at your chest or the top of your head. For us to look at each other, you need to step back—two paces.”

So that was what she meant. He retreated exactly two steps.

“Now we can talk.” She sighed in relief. He was too tall, too overwhelming—like a wall blocking out air.

“What do you want to talk about?”

Meng Tingmo almost laughed in fury. From the moment they met, Yun Ruo had been calm, as if he were no more than a stranger. “You vanish for four years, come back only to say you want to see Xiao Han, and then you ask what I want to talk about?!”

“What do you think we need to talk about?!”

“I didn’t vanish. I never left Bin City,” she said honestly.

He froze. He hadn’t told anyone, but starting from the third year, he’d sent people around the world to search for her. Nothing. He thought she was hiding. But she had been here the whole time.

“This body was in a coma for four years. I only woke up recently,” Yun Ruo continued. If this were an old-fashioned novel, she would’ve stayed silent.

But she wasn’t so magnanimous.

She had lied earlier—she did still have feelings.

She hated Meng Tingmo.

“So,” ignoring his stunned expression, Yun Ruo dropped the smile from her lips. “Can we talk about Xiao Han now?”

“You…” His brows furrowed. He hadn’t expected this truth, but her indifference chilled him more.

He took a step forward.

“Don’t come closer. Don’t bring up the past. Don’t talk about feelings. Four years ago, you made it clear—you wanted a divorce. I answered just as clearly. I signed the papers. I didn’t ask for a cent, didn’t take a share of your assets.”

“What ended four years ago doesn’t need reopening now.”

“Let’s be decent about it.”

She said it calmly. She didn’t want to argue.

He probably still believed Jiang Yufei’s words—that he had been controlled into loving her. How could she prove otherwise? Ask the system to bind him, too?

And if that happened, wouldn’t he just say she and the system were colluding to trick him?

There’d be no end to the fighting. Better to step back, live their own lives.

She thought he would cool down after that.

But Meng Tingmo only shook his head, mocking laughter spilling out. “Decent?”

“I’ve been tortured day and night for four years, and you want to sweep it all away with one word—‘decent’?”

She frowned. “Isn’t this what you wanted?”

He faltered.

“You wanted a divorce—I agreed. You didn’t want to see me—I stayed gone. You wanted the child—I left him with you. For four years, that’s how it’s been.”

“Meng Tingmo,” she said quietly, almost cold, “you should be happy.”

The garden was dimmer than the hall. Summer nights were stifling, sweat sliding down temples. Looking at him speechless before her, Yun Ruo felt a prick of irritation.

She had once had infinite patience for him. Not anymore.

“Clearly, today isn’t the day to talk.” She turned to leave. “Please tell Xiao Han that his mother is back, and she wants to see him.”

“As for us—either you figure yourself out first, or never speak again.”

Her heels clicked against the stone path as she strode away. She really didn’t want to stay another second.

At the exit, she pulled open the door—

And there was Han Qi, leaning against the wall, quietly waiting.

“Done talking?” His gaze slid past Meng Tingmo, locking firmly onto Yun Ruo.

“Now it’s my turn.”

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