You cheated, I divorced, why are you kneeling and begging me? - Chapter 12

“President Mu, Mr. Zhao is here to see you,” Hou Jian announced as he escorted a short, middle-aged man into the office.

Zhao Dong got straight to the point as soon as he saw Mu Yichen. “President Mu, is Miss Nan here?”

He had heard that the eldest daughter of the Nan family was now working as a project manager at Mu Corporation and had come directly to find her.

Mu Yichen was puzzled. Why had Zhao Dong come to his office looking for Nan Xi?

“What’s the matter?” he asked.

“It’s like this,” Zhao Dong explained. “We had an appointment yesterday to discuss work matters, but she never showed up. I tried calling her today, but her phone was still unreachable. Knowing she’s juggling responsibilities at two companies, I went to Nanyuan Corporation, but she wasn’t there either. So, I came here.”

A sense of unease settled in Mu Yichen’s heart. He had been away on a business trip to a neighboring city for the past two days and hadn’t checked in on Nan Xi.

“Go check if Manager Nan is here,” he instructed.

Hou Jian acknowledged the order and left to carry it out.

When he returned, he reported, “President Mu, Manager Nan hasn’t been to the company for the past two days.”

“Find out where Qin Xiaozhe is, and do it quickly.”

The pungent smell of disinfectant hung in the air. Nanxi slowly opened her eyes and stared blankly at the stark white ceiling above her. Where was she?

“You’re awake?” Qin Xiaozhe approached as soon as he noticed her stirring and sat down beside her.

Seeing how pale she looked, he reached out to hold her hand, but when he saw her cold expression, he withdrew it.

This was the consequence she deserved for leaving him. It was time she learned her lesson.

With that thought, his expression turned icy. “So this is the life you’ve been living since you left me? Look at what you’ve become, Nanxi. Come back and continue being Mrs. Qin. I can pretend none of this ever happened.”

The events of the past two days flashed through Nanxi’s mind. She remembered now, Qin Xiaozhe had forcibly taken her back and confined her at home, causing her to faint from low blood sugar.

Before, she had only thought Qin Xiaozhe was unfaithful and tainted, and she no longer wanted to be with him. But now, after he and Lin Rufe had exposed her at Mu Corporation and he had imprisoned her without her consent, his actions only filled her with hatred.

Slap!

She struck Qin Xiaozhe across the face.

He deserved it.

Qin Xiaozhe’s head snapped to the side from the force of the slap. His eyes burned with anger as he glared at her.

“What do you think you’re doing?” he demanded furiously.

He had done so much for her, yet she remained unsatisfied. He had never worried about anyone as much as he worried about her. Now, because of her return, he was constantly stressed, and she had the nerve to lose her temper.

“I should be the one asking you what you’re doing!” Nanxi pointed at him, her voice sharp as a blade, piercing straight into Qin Xiaozhe’s heart. All the pent-up anger and resentment she had been suppressing came pouring out.

Qin Xiaozhe had never seen Nan Xi so enraged and felt a twinge of guilt. “I’ve already compromised by giving you the position of assistant department manager. How could you still”

“Do you really think I can’t survive without you?”

She looked at the determination in Qin Xiaozhe’s eyes and let out a scornful laugh. “Qin Xiaozhe, I stayed by your side before because I cared about you. Because you saved me, I stayed out of gratitude and love. But now, you’re nothing but trash in my eyes. And I, a shining pearl, have my own place to shine brightly.”

Qin Xiaozhe’s pupils contracted slightly. Nanxi’s words felt like a sharp thorn piercing his heart. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

She loved him so much, how could she bear to leave him? She must be jealous, throwing a tantrum.

“Is it because of Rufei? I can reassign her duties and keep her away from the Qin Corporation.” He conceded once again.

He felt he had compromised repeatedly, and if Nanxi still refused to yield, it would only prove her unreasonable.

“What she does has nothing to do with me. That’s your business.”

As she spoke, Nanxi pushed back the covers and got out of the hospital bed. She wanted to leave; she didn’t want to face this madman, Qin Xiaozhe.

But Qin Xiaozhe wouldn’t allow it. “What will it take to satisfy you, Nanxi? Even throwing a fit has its limits!”

“Who’s the one being unreasonable here?” Nanxi couldn’t understand. “Qin Xiaozhe, you’re the one who said you loved Lin Rufei and treated me as her substitute. And now you’re the one who wants me to stay. Is this what you call love for Lin Rufei? Or have you just grown used to my care, wanting to relive the sweetness of your first love while still enjoying my attention?”

“I’m only pitying you!”

“I think you’re the one to be pitied!” Since Qin Xiaozhe showed no mercy, Nanxi saw no need to spare his feelings. She laid it all bare. “Lin Rufei came back to you right after her divorce. Don’t you ever wonder if she truly loves you or just finds you a convenient backup? If she really loved you, why would she leave you when you loved her the most?”

Nanxi’s questions struck a nerve deep in Qin Xiaozhe’s heart.

A pain that drew no blood.

He had his suspicions, of course, but she was the woman he loved most. He didn’t want to dwell on such thoughts. Now that Nanxi had exposed everything, he felt as if his pride had been trampled under her feet.

“My affairs with her are none of your business.” Qin Xiaozhe stepped closer, his eyes fixed on Nanxi’s face as he grabbed her arm. “You’re coming home with me, and you’ll return to work at the Qin Corporation. You’re not going anywhere else.”

“Let go of me, Qin Xiaozhe!”

Ignoring her struggles, Qin Xiaozhe pulled Nanxi along and left the hospital room.

But as he opened the door, he collided with Mu Yichen, who had rushed over in a hurry. For a moment, he froze.

“President Mu?”

“Mu Yichen, you’re here.” Seeing him, a glimmer of hope flashed in Nanxi’s eyes.

Mu Yichen nodded at her, his gaze falling on Qin Xiaozhe’s grip around her wrist.

He was holding her so tightly that her wrist had already begun to turn red.

“Let her go!” he commanded coldly.

Qin Xiaozhe wanted to release her, but then he remembered he was Nanxi’s husband and grew stubborn. “President Mu, this is a family matter. You have no right to interfere.”

“Nanxi’s affairs are my concern today!” With that, Mu Yichen reached out and seized Qin Xiaozhe.

Before Qin Xiaozhe could react, Mu Yichen locked his other hand around his neck, then swiftly struck his wrist, forcing him to release Nanxi.

“Are you all right?” Mu Yichen gently touched the reddened spot on Nanxi’s arm.

Nanxi shook her head. “I’m fine.”

Qin Xiaozhe’s face darkened with fury. “What is the meaning of this, President Mu? Nanxi may be your employee, but she is my wife. It’s inappropriate for you to meddle like this.”

“Is this how you show concern for your wife?” Mu Yichen pointed at the hospital gown Nanxi was wearing.

Qin Xiaozhe had no retort.

Still, his status was clear. No matter what, he wouldn’t let Mu Yichen take Nanxi away today.

“This is between her and me. As an outsider, President Mu, you have no right to interfere.”

“Who said I’m an outsider?” Mu Yichen raised his voice, casting a glance toward Nanxi as he spoke.

Nanxi looked back at him, feeling a warmth in her heart at his protective stance. She gave a slight nod, silently supporting his decision.

Witnessing their interaction, Qin Xiaozhe frowned slightly. How dare they exchange such intimate glances right in front of him, as if he, her husband, didn’t exist?

“Nanxi, come here. As long as you return, we can discuss anything,” he said, making what he considered his greatest concession. He had compromised repeatedly Nanxi couldn’t possibly manage without him. She should be content with his offer.

Yet, Mu Yichen took Nanxi’s hand, holding it gently in his palm as if it were something precious. “She won’t be going back. She has me now.”

Qin Xiaozhe was incredulous. “Mu Yichen, what do you mean by that?”

Mu Yichen smiled gently, his tone calm but striking Qin Xiaozhe like a silent slap across the face. “I forgot to mention, Nanxi’s identity isn’t that of Mu Corporation’s project manager. She is the fiancée of Mu Corporation’s CEO.”