You cheated, I divorced, why are you kneeling and begging me? - Chapter 8

“My fiancee, Nanxi,” Mu Yichen introduced.

Amidst the surprise, the crowd stepped forward one after another. “So this is Mrs. Mu. We’ve long heard of you.”

Being the center of so much attention made Nanxi uncomfortable. After all, it had been years since she last lived as a young lady of high society, and she wasn’t sure how to handle the situation.

Mu Yichen noticed her unease and extended his hand, his gaze meeting hers. Nanxi understood his gesture and placed her fingertips in his palm. After a warm clasp, he led her inside amidst the respectful gazes of the onlookers.

“Mr. Mu, the old master has arrived and wishes to see you,” his secretary, Hou Jian, reminded him.

Mu Yichen settled Nanxi comfortably. “Wait for me.”

Nanxi nodded and sat obediently. Such occasions were not her forte, and she had hoped to keep a low profile. But no sooner had she taken her seat than a familiar voice reached her ears.

“Xiaozhe, I heard Mr. Mu brought his fiancée. If we get to meet her, we might be able to build some connections. Who knows, there might even be a chance for collaboration.”

Qin Xiaozhe: “Whoever caught Mu Yichen’s eye must be a daughter from an elite family.”

“I wonder which girl is so fortunate to have won Mu Yichen’s favor,” Lin Rufei remarked enviously, stepping closer to get a better look. But as her eyes scanned the room, they landed on a familiar face. “Isn’t that Assistant Nan?”

Nanxi looked up and met Lin Rufei’s disdainful gaze.

She hadn’t expected to run into Qin Xiaozhe and Lin Rufei here.

Feeling irritated, she turned to leave.

“Xiaozhe, this is a business banquet, a place for people of status. Did Nanxi use your name to sneak in?” Lin Rufei asked, glancing at Qin Xiaozhe.

Qin Xiaozhe’s eyes fixed on Nanxi’s face. “Didn’t you resign? Why are you still using my name?”

Nanxi glared at him. “Qin Xiaozhe, do you think you’re that important? Entry to this banquet requires an invitation. I came on my own. I don’t need you.”

Qin Xiaozhe indeed hadn’t given Nanxi an invitation. When he received the invitation yesterday, he had considered bringing her along. But she had been making a fuss about divorce, resigned without reason, and caused quite a scene. Naturally, he wasn’t about to indulge her, so he brought Lin Rufei instead.

“If you didn’t rely on me, who else would help you?” Qin Xiaozhe demanded angrily.

Nanxi retorted, “None of your business.”

But Qin Xiaozhe thought otherwise. In his eyes, Nanxi only cared about him. If she hadn’t come to the banquet for him, what other reason could there be? “You did this on purpose, didn’t you? You knew I’d be here, so you found a way in. Dressing like this just to catch my eye and make me take you as my companion, right?”

“You’re overthinking it,” Nanxi said dismissively, turning to leave.

But Lin Rufei suddenly gasped in surprise, grabbing Nanxi’s arm and staring at her dress. “This dress, It’s the Dream Fantasy Gown designed by Master DC. How is it on you?”

Nanxi had no idea what the Dream Fantasy Gown was. Mu Yichen had provided the dress for her, so she wore it.

“Let go.”

“How do you have this dress?” Lin Rufei couldn’t believe her eyes. This was a haute couture piece even she couldn’t get her hands on. How did Nanxi have it?

Soon, she reached a conclusion. “You couldn’t have been kept by some old man, could you?”

Qin Xiaozhe’s expression darkened at her words. So that was how she managed to get into the banquet by engaging in such shameless behavior. Even if it was for his sake, he wouldn’t allow it.

“Take it off!” he snapped.

Nanxi refused. “This is my dress.”

Lin Rufei reached out to grab her, but Nanxi pushed her away.

Lin Rufei nearly stumbled and looked at Qin Xiaozhe with a pitiful expression. “Xiaozhe, look at her.”

Qin Xiaozhe steadied Lin Rufei and snapped at Nanxi, “Are you so desperate that you’d sell yourself for a dress? Take it off!”

Nanxi’s voice was firm. “I told you, this is my dress. I’m attending this banquet as part of my job.”

“Your job?” Qin Xiaozhe scoffed in disbelief. “You’ve been blacklisted in the industry. Who would dare hire you?”

“Exactly, Nanxi,” Lin Rufei chimed in. “Xiaozhe had you blacklisted in the industry because he wanted you to come back to the company. After all, aside from Qin Corporation, no other company would take someone with such a lack of professional ethics.”

“Lack of professional ethics?” Nanxi let out a bitter laugh. “Qin Xiaozhe, search your conscience. How much have I given to Qin Corporation over the years? How dare you accuse me of lacking professional ethics?”

Qin Xiaozhe fell silent.

It was true that Nanxi had done a great deal for the company. Over the years, he had assigned her the toughest tasks because she loved him and couldn’t bear to see him struggle. She always found solutions, and the company’s current success owed much to her contributions.

But no matter how much she had given, it couldn’t erase her mistake. Jealous of Lin Rufei, she had left the company without even handing over her responsibilities utterly irresponsible.

“Considering what you’ve done for the company, I’ll give you one more chance,” Qin Xiaozhe said coldly, certain she would immediately yield. “Come back now, and I’ll promote you to manager of the assistant department. I’ll even turn a blind eye to the scene you caused at home, as if nothing ever happened.”

Nanxi was blacklisted, unemployed, and alone. Where could she go without him? Though she had acted unreasonably this time, he could grant her another chance in light of her years of hard work.

Nanxi sneered. “Qin Xiaozhe, cheating is cheating. Once you’ve strayed, you’re tainted. My eyes work just fine, I won’t pretend to be blind.”

“Nanxi! Don’t you dare disrespect me!” Qin Xiaozhe roared.

“I don’t want your respect. Since you have none to give, why not keep it for yourself?” Nanxi shot back.

“You!”

“Qin Xiaozhe, we’re divorced. You like Lin Rufei I’ve stepped aside. From now on, don’t bother me anymore. My life is none of your business.” Nanxi pushed past Qin Xiaozhe, who stood in her way, and turned to leave.

The voluminous skirt of her dress brushed against Qin Xiaozhe’s leg, the fabric scraping through his trousers and piercing his heart with pain.

The thought of her dressed so brilliantly, mingling among men, filled him with irritation. The moment he had seen her, he had been stunned and admiring he never expected her to look so radiant and elegant in a gown.

A surge of possessiveness erupted in his chest. He grabbed her arm, dragging her forcefully toward the exit.

“Qin Xiaozhe, have you lost your mind? Let me go!” Nanxi struggled.

Qin Xiaozhe tightened his grip, lifting her into his arms and refusing to release her. “Let you go? So more men can stare at you? Or so you can serve some old man? Don’t forget, I’m your husband!”

She had never worn such a dress for him, yet now she was parading it in front of so many men at a formal event. He would not allow it!

Nanxi pushed against him with all her strength. “We’re divorced!”

“Without the divorce certificate, it doesn’t count!” Qin Xiaozhe held her tightly, refusing to let go. What did it matter if they had signed the divorce agreement? In his eyes, Nanxi was his and always would be!