Chapter 2 Something Was Off

As Tang Muyue squinted, the things that happened in the past flashed back across her mind as if she was watching a movie. Everything Song Jingyuan had said in Tang Muyue’s past life hurt the latter like long-term poisoning. Song Jingyuan had led Tang Muyue astray through coaxes and slanders, eventually brainwashing Tang Muyue into believing that getting married to Li Xuanxiao was akin to entering the gates of hell. Song Jingyuan had told Tang Muyue the man who loved her the most was Gu Chenxuan, and it was only with him that she could have her happily ever after. Upon Song Jingyuan’s deceit, Tang Muyue gradually walked into her trap unaware of what was coming for her, and finally died a miserable death. How laughably foolish was I back then! I was stupid enough to trust Song Jingyuan’s words and believe that I loved Gu Chenxuan. I was so naïve to plot against Li Xuanxiao whenever I had the chance, and even tried to escape from him. So naïve that I caused scenes everywhere and was labelled a slut by everyone. Tang Muyue closed her eyes; tears of regret rolled down her cheeks. Now that she knew what the devilish woman had up her sleeves, she would never let the tragedy happen again. I won’t let Song Jingyuan have things her way again! Tang Muyue got down the bed and put on a bathrobe. She paused for a moment, holding onto the doorknob before opening it. Song Jingyuan breathed a sigh of relief outside the door. She pulled Tang Muyue aside and said, “Finally! I thought something had happened to you – you scared the hell out of me!” Song Jingyuan was on tiptoe. She peeked into the room and bombarded Tang Muyue with a series of questions in a condemning and interrogative tone, “Muyue, didn’t we make a promise that you would sneak out last night? Why did you sleep in the room? Did… Young Master Li do anything to you?” Song Jingyuan was checking out Tang Muyue from head to toe. Her gaze was stern, as if she was looking for something. Tang Muyue lowered her sight as she clenched her fists, trying to hold back her emotions. How could she ever forget what Song Jingyuan had lured her into doing? Last night was the engagement ceremony between Tang Muyue and Li Xuanxiao. All the elders were present, and Tang Muyue had no option but to follow Li Xuanxiao into the room. It was then that Song Jingyuan sent a text to rush Tang Muyue into getting Li Xuanxiao drunk, before instructing her to find an opportunity to escape during the night. She had let Song Jingyuan down. Tang Muyue smirked in her mind. She did follow Song Jingyuan’s instruction last night, but Li Xuanxiao had sky-high tolerance for alcohol. He even saw right through Tang Muyue’s trick. Alas, Tang Muyue had no intention to explain herself, either. With hindsight, it is so obvious what motive Song Jingyuan has toward Li Xuanxiao. Just how dumb was I to have been deceived by her? In her mind, Tang Muyue laughed at herself for having been so stupid. Soon, she collected her thoughts and replied calmly, “Oh, I fell asleep last night.” Song Jingyuan was slightly nervous, “You fell asleep? How could that be? How about… Young Master Li? Were you guys together last night?” Song Jingyuan gritted her teeth. She had waited for Tang Muyue all night, but to no avail. She felt uneasy and could not keep her curiosity in check anymore, so she appeared at Tang Muyue’s doorstep first thing in the morning. “You’re right, we were together last night. It was our engagement night after all, wasn’t it only normal for us to spend the night together, by ourselves?” said Tang Muyue while staring at her. Song Jingyuan was shocked by her response. She was unsure why she had detected a slight hostility from Tang Muyue’s words. Even those eyes seemed hostile towards her. “Muyue, what are you talking about, you know I didn’t mean that…” Song Jingyuan stopped her speech as her thoughts were suddenly distracted by the love bite behind Tang Muyue’s neck. Song Jingyuan’s pupil contracted. She couldn't help but shouted, “Muyue, your neck, that was…” Tang Muyue reached behind her neck with her hand to feel the spot, then acted like she was panicking and attempted to cover it with her hair. She evaded eye contact with Song Jingyuan and remained silent for a moment. Just as Song Jingyuan was about to continue with her interrogation, a tall figure walked out from the room. It was Li Xuanxiao. Wearing a black tuxedo, he had a commanding presence and caught the ladies’ attention. “Young Master Li…” Song Jingyuan whispered, her eyes brimming with affection toward him. Li Xuanxiao gave her a cold stare, nodded in return, and walked past the two of them without hesitation. He did not even greet them. Tang Muyue wanted to reach out to him, but because she was not properly dressed, she could only watch him walk. Fine, I shall first deal with the woman in front of me. Tang Muyue drew her attention back to Song Jingyuan reluctantly. Song Jingyuan turned and looked at Li Xuanxiao walk away. At the same time, her gaze became furious; jealousy had taken over her sanity. What she had been most worried about happened last night! She squinted slightly and gripped her fist momentarily, but returned to her usual self as she turned around to face Tang Muyue again. She sounded slightly upset in between the lines, and it almost seemed like she was feeling unfair on Tang Muyue’s behalf. “Muyue, I can’t believe he did it against your will. That’s too much… My heart aches for you. We can’t let things be as they are. We can’t drag it out any longer. It will only put you at an even greater disadvantage!” Tang Muyue couldn’t help but find it funny how hypocritical Song Jingyuan was, and asked, “Oh? So… how would you like to help?” Song Jingyuan couldn’t hold back anymore. She said, “By breaking off the engagement, of course! Muyue, look for an opportunity to do it! Only then will you be free to pursue the happily ever after you have always wanted! Don’t you have a crush on Chenxuan?” Tang Muyue found Song Jingyuan’s words even more hilarious, but she remained calm and replied, “I wanted to… But you know, there’s no way the elders of both the Tang family and the Li family would allow that to happen.” “It’s fine! I will definitely think of something to help you again!” Looking at how nervous Song Jingyuan was, Tang Muyue felt like ripping off her disguise immediately! But now is not yet the time! “Let’s keep it for another day. I’ll go and get changed. Wait for me,” Tang Muyue closed the door as she replied. Song Jingyuan stood where she was. She was sensitive enough to notice that Tang Muyue had changed, although she couldn’t tell how she had changed. In any case, Song Jingyuan was sure that something was off about Tang Muyue after her engagement night. —— Standing in front of the mirror, Tang Muyue laughed sarcastically at herself. She had been fooled by Song Jingyuan in her past life; now, she wanted to get even! Tang Muyue reached the hotel’s lobby after 15 minutes. Song Jingyuan spotted her immediately and waved at her. She rushed over and clung onto Tang Muyue by her arm, just like what best friends would do. “Muyue, let’s go shopping. I saw a gorgeous dress at the outlet the other day and I wanted it so badly… Muyue, you have always praised that I have a good sense of fashion, right?” Tang Muyue smiled, but she knew Song Jingyuan was just looking for someone to foot her bill. She had always been like that – using Tang Muyue as her personal ATM. After all she had experienced, Tang Muyue would not be such a fool to continue letting Song Jingyuan manipulate her. Tang Muyue pretended to be tired and replied, “I’m sorry, but I’ll have to skip. I’m still tired from last night. I feel like heading home to rest instead.” Song Jingyuan was shocked. She hadn’t expected Tang Muyue to reject her. After snapping back to her senses, she showed a twisted expression. “Haha, how could I forget about that? It must have been tiring… Be careful on your way back, then.” Song Jingyuan replied with a stiff smile. Tang Muyue gave her no more attention. When she was about to step into the cab, she could feel a malicious stare behind her. On the way home she gave herself a massage and was finally able to calm down. That was when Li Xuanxiao came into her mind. In her past life, he had kept his distance from her ever since the night of their engagement. Even when they were organizing the wedding, he did not step into the room that had been prepared for them. In her past life she broke his heart; this time, she would get him back. She must.