Volume One, Chapter Seven: Let Your Husband Come Out and Introduce Himself

The smiles faded from everyone’s faces, replaced by surprise. Zhou Yi paused, glancing deliberately at her bare, unadorned hands, then smiled and said, “You really have thought of every excuse just to turn me down, haven’t you?”

Su Li knew no one would believe her.

She couldn’t very well drag Mo Xingyuan out for a walkabout.

“I’m not making things up just to refuse you,” Su Li said, helpless.

“Then let your husband come out and meet us,” Zhou Yi’s smile remained gentle and warm.

Su Li bit her lip, explaining, “He’s busy…”

“Su Li,” Zhou Yi cut her off, “I chased you all the way from the capital to Jiucheng because I truly like you.”

He didn’t care about the way others looked at him. His sincerity was plain, his affection unmistakable. “If you’re truly married, I wish you happiness. But if you’re lying to turn me down, there’s no need for that.”

“I hope you’ll give me—and us—a chance.” Zhou Yi took another step forward. “I really like you and want to be with you.”

The people nearby were visibly moved.

None of them could understand why Su Li would reject Zhou Yi. After all, he was outstanding in every way.

So someone spoke up, “Give him a chance, won’t you?”

Everyone had enjoyed Zhou Yi’s hospitality tonight, and they all knew why he’d arranged this dinner. They started encouraging Su Li to give it a try.

At that moment, Su Li’s phone rang.

Seeing the name on the screen, her eyes brightened visibly.

She answered.

“Honey…”

The sugary sweetness in that single word made Zhou Yi’s expression shift, and the others exchanged glances.

Su Li breathed a quiet sigh of relief. No matter how much the person on the other end disliked her calling him that, it was his own doing.

“We’re just finishing up here. Are you done with work?” Su Li heard only silence on the other end, but pressed on, “I’m at Years Rest, yes, it’s fine, I’ll wait for you.”

She didn’t expect him to truly come, nor did she remember to ask why he’d called.

After hanging up, Su Li smiled wryly. “That was my husband just now.”

“You really are married?”

“Yes, I am.”

Zhou Yi’s face darkened.

Seeing this, someone nearby joked, “Such a big deal as getting married, and you never said a word. If we hadn’t asked today, we’d never have known you had a husband. You’ve kept it so secret—since we finally have the chance, at least let us see who’s lucky enough to have married you.”

Others chimed in.

Su Li realized they just wanted to see if she was lying.

She felt a little uneasy.

The marriage was real, but letting them meet Mo Xingyuan… was another matter entirely.

What married woman couldn’t even bring out her own husband?

Backed into this corner, Su Li could only force a smile, bracing herself.

She had no idea how awkward she looked.

“Maybe some other time. He’s still not finished with work, and I’ve no idea how long it’ll be.”

“No worries, it’s still early—we’ll wait with you,” Zhou Yi pressed, relentless.

Su Li gave a dry laugh.

With so many people watching, she couldn’t just ask Lu Jing to find a man to play her husband.

“It’s raining,” someone remarked.

Su Li looked out through the glass window. Rain fell against the pane, blurring the city lights.

Now they had all the more reason to wait a little longer.

The longer they waited, the hotter Su Li’s face grew.

The marriage was real, and her husband not showing up was real, too.

In her situation, truth and falsehood both became real.

The rain grew heavier, the streets nearly empty.

Suddenly, her phone rang again.

Seeing the caller, Su Li’s heart skipped a beat.

She drew a breath. “Hello?”

“Still not coming out?” Mo Xingyuan’s tone was cold and distant.

Su Li was startled and looked out the window. “You’re here?”

“Embarrassing.”

“…”

Su Li bit her lip; no matter how unpleasant his attitude, at least he had saved her from her awkward predicament.

She hung up and turned to the others. “My husband’s here. I’ll be going now.”

“We’ll walk you out.”

Su Li smiled.

She couldn’t help but wonder why Mo Xingyuan, who so disliked anyone knowing about their relationship, had suddenly been so kind as to come pick her up.

With doubts in her mind, she left the restaurant. The street outside gleamed, slick from the rain.

A black Maybach idled by the curb, hazards flashing.

Su Li wasn’t sure if it was the right car and was about to call and check when the driver’s door opened.

Chi Mu stepped out, holding an umbrella, and walked toward her.

“Young madam.”

His words left everyone else glancing at each other in surprise.

Su Li felt a bit awkward.

“Sir is waiting for you in the car.”

“Alright.” Su Li addressed her colleagues, whose expressions ranged from shocked to envious, “I’m going now—let’s get together again sometime.”

Chi Mu raised the umbrella above Su Li’s head and escorted her to the car.

He opened the rear door, and Su Li saw Mo Xingyuan sitting upright inside, eyes closed, utterly uninterested in the world outside.

Su Li got in, and Chi Mu closed the door behind her.

He folded the umbrella, got in, and started the car.

Those standing outside watched as the car pulled away.

Someone remarked, “Su Li really married well.”

“Why won’t her husband show himself? Who is he, anyway?”

“With a chauffeur like that, her husband must be someone. Maybe he’s a big shot, afraid to be recognized, so he stays out of sight.”

“Or maybe he doesn’t love her at all. Otherwise, who gets married and tells no one? And even if he comes to pick her up, he won’t show his face. Someone who truly loves her wouldn’t act like that.”

Su Li could imagine what they’d say, but she didn’t care.

She was only curious why Mo Xingyuan would condescend to pick her up tonight. Though he didn’t show his face, he’d rescued her.

“Thank you.”

Mo Xingyuan opened his eyes slowly. “Someone chasing after you?”

Su Li paused and looked at him.

Zhou Yi hadn’t brought flowers when they left, and the two of them hadn’t walked out together. How did he know?

A sudden thought flashed through her mind, and her eyes widened. “You saw all along?”

So that was why he’d called her.

That call had been deliberate!

Her eyes sparkled, but the man showed no intention of answering.

“Yes,” Su Li admitted truthfully.

“Why not marry him?”

Su Li pouted. “I don’t want to marry someone I don’t love.”

Mo Xingyuan’s gaze darkened. “What a coincidence.”

Su Li didn’t understand. “What?”

“I don’t want to marry someone I don’t love, either.”

“….”

Su Li fell silent, staring straight ahead.

Their conversation ended abruptly.

He must be thinking about the woman who left him for another country.

He’d had it rough, she thought.

His life was counting down, the person he loved had left without a word, and in the end, under parental pressure, he’d just married anyone.

Su Li could understand how he felt.

“Stop the car.”

Chi Mu pulled over, thinking he had a command.

He only heard his cold, detached voice: “Get out.”

He turned his head slightly, addressing Su Li.

Su Li pressed her lips together, surprised, but not exactly upset.

He’d already done her a great kindness—there was no need for him to see her all the way home.

Without a trace of resentment, she opened the door and got out.

The rain was fine and dense, instantly covering her clothes with a myriad of droplets.

She closed the door and stood by the roadside.

The car had just started to move when it stopped again.

Chi Mu got out and handed her the umbrella. “The rain’s heavy. Take this.”

“Thank you,” Su Li accepted without protest.

Chi Mu returned to the car, which drove off.

Su Li watched as it merged into the flow of traffic until it disappeared.

Inside the car, Chi Mu glanced in the rearview mirror. “Since you were being so considerate, why make her get out in the rain?”

“I don’t like it.”

Mo Xingyuan looked out the window. The rain fell endlessly, the road slick and shining, the water on its surface like a layer of mirrors.

Chi Mu said no more.

Dislike is the original sin.