Chapter 12: The Strategy of Feigned Retreat

Mu Yinyin’s gaze tightened slightly. But in the next moment, a trace of irony flickered in her eyes.

Of course.

Today was the day Nan Shiqing was discharged from the hospital; naturally, Fu Siyue would personally pick her up. She should have anticipated this.

Then, she heard He Xia’s somewhat excited voice at her side, “They’re back! Yinyin, sit for now, I’ll go take a look.”

Mu Yinyin rose slowly. At this moment, it was impossible for her to remain sitting motionless in the living room.

Soon enough, she walked to the doorway. Unexpectedly, she saw Fu Siyue bend down and scoop Nan Shiqing out of the car’s back seat in his arms—a princess carry.

Mu Yinyin’s pupils contracted. She had never experienced such treatment. Even after years of marriage, there had been no intimacy between them; she could count the number of meals they’d shared at the same table on one hand. They’d never even held hands, let alone embraced like this.

And yet, here they were.

They hadn’t even divorced yet, and he was already acting this way.

A cold sneer flashed in Mu Yinyin’s eyes; the awkwardness she’d felt earlier at the company had long since vanished.

Nan Shiqing had just been lifted by Fu Siyue and, from the corner of her eye, spotted Mu Yinyin at the doorway. She didn’t look over, knowing Fu Siyue hadn’t noticed. She feigned fluster, “Siyue, don’t do this, you’re married after all. If my sister saw—” She faltered, as if unsure how to put it, as if shy, a jumble of emotions.

To Mu Yinyin, it was nothing but pretentious affectation.

But then, that was typical of a white lotus. Understandable enough.

Fu Siyue gazed at Nan Shiqing, his face darkening, voice displeased, “So what if she sees?”

No sooner had he spoken than he sensed a chilly gaze and turned to see Mu Yinyin standing at the door, eyes fixed on them.

His brows furrowed, a cold sneer flickering in his eyes.

Feigning indifference to lure him in.

Mu Yinyin had been unusually quick to agree to the divorce; he suspected she was up to something.

He’d run into her at the hospital, at the restaurant, and now she was here for Nan Shiqing’s discharge. Did she really think he couldn’t see through her?

Impatience flashed clearly in Fu Siyue’s eyes.

“Sister—” Nan Shiqing’s startled voice snapped Fu Siyue back to himself. She spoke again, flustered, “Siyue, you, you should put me down. I can walk on my own.”

She tried to struggle, but Fu Siyue tightened his hold, his tone stern yet patient, “Don’t move. Your health isn’t good; you need to take care of yourself.”

His magnetic voice was full of patience. Mu Yinyin laughed softly.

Nan Shiqing truly had her ways; otherwise, how could she command such concern from this man?

Unable to break free, Nan Shiqing looked helplessly at Mu Yinyin, words on the tip of her tongue, “Sister, I…”

He Xia sensed the tension and hurriedly said, “Come, come, let’s talk inside.”

Fu Siyue didn’t reply, striding into the villa with his long legs.

Mu Yinyin hadn’t spoken a word from start to finish, nor had she lingered outside like He Xia waiting for them to enter. Instead, she headed straight into the living room.

Watching her graceful retreat, Fu Siyue’s gaze darkened.

Nan Shiqing had been observing him all along, and when she noticed the shift in his mood, her expression changed. Something was off!

Since seeing Mu Yinyin at the hospital that time, after her sudden change in character, Nan Shiqing couldn’t shake the feeling that Fu Siyue’s attitude toward Mu Yinyin was somehow different.

Even if… his tone toward Mu Yinyin remained as scornful as ever, she still sensed a subtle shift. This man was acting strangely.

“Siyue?”

Fu Siyue shed the oppressive aura around him, lowered his eyes to her, and saw the panic in her gaze. His expression softened slightly, “What’s wrong?”

Nan Shiqing glanced at Mu Yinyin, who hadn’t even looked back, and drew a quiet breath, speaking in a small voice, “The way we are… I’m afraid my sister… I’m afraid it might affect your relationship…”

“There’s no need to worry. This has nothing to do with you,” Fu Siyue interrupted her firmly, quickening his pace.

A cold glint flickered in Nan Shiqing’s eyes.

Something was off!

Fu Siyue’s behavior was very unusual. She couldn’t say exactly what, but she felt he was paying attention to Mu Yinyin in a way he never had before.

Had Mu Yinyin done something after her sudden change?

As she wondered, Nan Shiqing fixed her gaze on Mu Yinyin ahead—but could discern nothing.

Just then, the servants began bringing out the dishes.

Fu Siyue carried Nan Shiqing to the dining table, gently setting her down, his every movement tender and protective.

To Mu Yinyin, the scene was painfully glaring.

He Xia entered, glanced at Mu Yinyin, and said with a smile, “Yinyin, come sit and eat.”

Mu Yinyin’s expression was calm, saying nothing, yet casually walked to the table.

Fu Siyue’s gaze grew sharp, but this was her home; he couldn’t object, especially since Nan Shiqing always defended her self-interested sister, and even He Xia treated Mu Yinyin like her own daughter. He had no grounds to protest.

He simply couldn’t fathom why someone as ungrateful as Mu Yinyin was worth defending.

Fu Siyue pressed his thin lips together and turned away from Mu Yinyin.

He Xia noticed Fu Siyue’s mood and sought to distract him, smiling gratefully, “Mr. Fu, please sit. We’re truly grateful for your help with Shiqing.”

Fu Siyue’s expression softened and he nodded, “It’s nothing.”

He pulled out a chair and sat beside Nan Shiqing.

The table was rectangular, with three seats on the long side and two on each short end. Fu Siyue and Nan Shiqing were seated on the long side; He Xia would sit opposite, but Mu Yinyin didn’t want to sit with her.

Nan Shiqing sat in the middle of the long side, Fu Siyue to her right. Mu Yinyin chose the short end to Nan Shiqing’s left, keeping her distance from them all.

As she pulled out her chair, Fu Siyue’s gaze darkened.

He sneered inwardly, eager to see what trick Mu Yinyin would play next.

But sometimes, overconfidence turns into arrogance.

Fu Siyue never realized that Mu Yinyin hadn’t come here of her own accord today.

Nor did Mu Yinyin know Fu Siyue would be bringing Nan Shiqing home.

It was all coincidence—yet in Fu Siyue’s mind, it became Mu Yinyin’s calculated strategy.

But Mu Yinyin didn’t care what Fu Siyue thought. Though they’d barely interacted, after three years of marriage, she could guess exactly how he’d maliciously interpret her actions the moment she saw the mockery in his eyes.