Chapter 936: Chapter 936
Shu Xin didn't come back the whole night, so Ding Fan stayed overnight at Xi Mang's estate with Shu Ying.
Ding Fan had already experienced Shu Xin's temper firsthand. Sometimes, forcibly intervening wouldn't solve anything. For someone like Shu Xin, perhaps experiencing a loss would serve as a valuable lesson for her.
Although Ding Fan and Shu Ying wanted to look for Shu Xin, if they truly found her, Shu Xin might lash out in anger, further complicating things. That outcome would be hard to predict.
Early the next morning, after Ding Fan and Shu Ying had breakfast, Mao Duo finally returned, driving Shu Xin back with him.
The two of them got out of the car, and at that moment, Shu Xin appeared radiant. Her chin was slightly raised, and she carried herself with an even more haughty air.
Ding Fan could tell—Shu Xin had lost her virginity...
"Sister, where did you go last night? I was so worried about you!" Seeing Shu Xin return, Shu Ying became anxious and hurried over to her.
"Where I went isn't something I need to report to you, my little sister," Shu Xin said with a cold snort.
Shu Ying hadn't expected Shu Xin to speak to her in such a tone. She froze for a moment, stunned.
"Shu Ying, last night I went with your sister to town. It got late, so we stayed there for the night. Don't worry—nothing happened to either of us," Mao Duo chimed in, his tone ingratiating.
Shu Ying stepped back, clearly repulsed.
Shu Xin noticed Mao Duo's intentional attempt to engage with Shu Ying, and a trace of displeasure flashed across her face. "Mao Duo, I haven't had breakfast yet. Come keep me company while I eat something," Shu Xin said.
"I'm not hungry. If you want to eat, ask Xi Mang to have the servants prepare something for you," Mao Duo replied indifferently, showing little enthusiasm.
Mao Duo glanced at Shu Ying again. "I'll go get the car ready, and we'll head out soon."
With that, Mao Duo ignored Shu Xin entirely and walked away briskly.
Watching Mao Duo's retreating figure, Shu Xin's expression darkened. She thought back to their moments of intimacy the night before, only to be greeted by his current indifference...
Her brows furrowed deeply.
"Sister, let me get you something to eat," Shu Ying suggested softly.
Shu Xin looked at Shu Ying and shook her head slightly. "I'm feeling a bit unwell. Let's just start the journey."
After speaking, Shu Xin hurriedly followed Mao Duo out.
"Brother Ding Fan, shall we get ready to leave too?" Shu Ying asked from the side.
Ding Fan nodded. "Let's head out as well."
Without delay, Ding Fan followed Shu Ying out as they prepared to leave.
The four of them got into the car. Mao Duo bid farewell to Xi Mang, then stepped on the accelerator, driving out of the estate at high speed.
The seating arrangement inside the sports car was the same as the day before, but the atmosphere was noticeably different. Mao Duo spoke very little to Shu Xin. Even when he did, it was in a perfunctory tone.
The checkpoint set up the day before had already been dismantled. Without any obstructions, Mao Duo drove straight into the city in no time.
The city area of Turkhan Country could be described as lively and bustling.
While the skyscrapers towering over Huaxia's cities weren't present, mid-rise buildings of seven or eight stories could still be seen here.
Driving steadily, Mao Duo soon arrived at a place called the General Huaxia Club.
The General Huaxia Club was a building about eight or nine stories tall. The parking lot was already crowded with cars, and groups of people were gathered at the entrance, engaged in conversation.
There was still some time before the birthday banquet of the Zhonghua Chamber of Commerce president's daughter. Despite this, many people were already present. Judging by the turnout, this president must be a highly esteemed figure.
After Mao Duo and the others got out of the car and exchanged greetings with familiar faces, he led Shu Xin, Shu Ying, and Ding Fan into the first-floor event hall.
Although the party hadn't officially started yet, the hall was already alive with music and activity. It was packed with people, including both Chinese individuals and many locals.
Shu Xin tried to stay close to Mao Duo, but she couldn't shake the feeling that he was intentionally trying to distance himself. This realization left her feeling helpless.
Ding Fan silently observed everything. Mao Duo had already gotten what he wanted, so he no longer had any reason to court Shu Xin's favor.
"Mao Duo! It's been a while," a middle-aged man in a suit approached, greeting him warmly.
Beside him stood a young woman in her early twenties.
The young woman was quite beautiful, her attire impeccably elegant—a striking contrast, marking her as someone from a wealthy family.
"Hello, Uncle Qu," Mao Duo greeted the middle-aged man respectfully. Then he turned to the young woman. "Quting, you're looking more stunning than ever."
Quting smiled warmly, her lips curving into a delightful grin. "Brother Mao Duo, you've only become more handsome," she said sweetly.
Standing nearby, Shu Xin's brows furrowed tightly. Throughout the day, Mao Duo hadn't shown her an ounce of the attitude he was now giving Quting. Shu Xin was visibly upset.
However, seeing that the other party was obviously very wealthy, Shu Xin held back from saying anything.
"Mao Duo, I'll bring Quting around to greet a few old friends first. Later, you two can have a proper chat," the middle-aged man said before walking away with Quting.
As she walked off, Quting gave Mao Duo a playful wink.
"Mao Duo, after all, I'm your fiancée. Why didn't you introduce me?" Once the pair had walked away, Shu Xin spoke up, trying her best to suppress her anger.
A flicker of impatience crossed Mao Duo's face. "Shu Xin, do you even understand the situation? That was Boss Qu. Even my dad treats him with great respect. His business empire spans the entire Middle East. In front of someone like that, can you please not cause trouble?"
Shu Xin's face turned pale at Mao Duo's words. After pausing briefly, she replied, "What about Quting, then? I saw how you were exchanging flirtatious glances with her."
"Can you stop?" Mao Duo raised his voice.
Shu Xin was taken aback. Since meeting Mao Duo, this was the first time she'd seen him act this way.
"Who do you think you are?" Mao Duo sneered. "Do you think I don't know what's on your mind? You're just trying to latch onto me so you can live the life of a wealthy wife. Let me tell you, you're just a farmer's daughter. We're from completely different worlds… So, I suggest you understand that we should keep our distance from now on."
Hearing Mao Duo's words left Shu Xin utterly stunned, as if struck by lightning.
"Mao Duo, what are you saying? Don't tell me you've forgotten last night, when you…"
Before Shu Xin could finish her sentence, Mao Duo cut her off. "Last night? What about last night?"
Faced with Mao Duo's aggressive questioning, Shu Xin suddenly didn't know how to respond. By now, many onlookers had turned their attention toward the commotion.
Shu Xin certainly couldn't admit, in front of so many people, that Mao Duo had slept with her the previous night.
"Enough. From this moment on, stop following me," Mao Duo declared. He pulled out a check, quickly scribbled something, and handed it to Shu Xin.
"Here's fifty thousand yuan. Take it," he said, thrusting the check into Shu Xin's hands.
"Mao Duo…" Tears streamed down Shu Xin's face as she lunged toward him, grabbing his arm.
"Shu Xin, fifty thousand is already generous. Don't get greedy." With a forceful shove, Mao Duo pushed Shu Xin aside.
Staggering, Shu Xin fell heavily to the ground.
Without another glance, Mao Duo strode off.
Shu Xin sat on the ground, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face.
"Sister… Are you alright?" Shu Ying rushed over and gently helped Shu Xin to her feet.
Shu Xin suddenly clung to Shu Ying, sobbing bitterly.
Ding Fan watched from the side, hoping that this incident would teach Shu Xin a valuable lesson and dissuade her from chasing material wealth in the future.
As Mao Duo had pointed out, Shu Xin's intentions had been far from genuine. She approached Mao Duo not out of love, but for personal gain.
The outcome was pitiful for Shu Xin, but it was also self-inflicted.
These situations are consensual. If Shu Xin hadn't been willing yesterday, Mao Duo wouldn't have been able to coax her into bed.
That said, Mao Duo's public humiliation of Shu Xin was undeniably excessive.
"I need to get some air," Shu Xin said to Shu Ying.
The ballroom was crowded with people. Crying here would only embarrass Shu Xin further, so she opted to step outside for some peace.
Shu Ying nodded. "Alright, Sister, let's go. I'll join you outside."
With that, Shu Ying supported Shu Xin as they left.
Ding Fan glanced toward the crowd. Mao Duo was already deep in conversation with Quting. After observing for a moment, Ding Fan also stepped outside. Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⁂𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⁂𝔫𝔢𝔱
Shu Xin's emotions were turbulent. If she were to do something irrational, Shu Ying alone wouldn't be able to stop her.
Outside, Shu Xin continued crying while Shu Ying tried to console her.
"Shu Ying, do you think I was too much? Maybe Mao Duo couldn't handle it, which is why he acted the way he did earlier… Perhaps… Perhaps deep down, he still cares about me… Right?" Shu Xin asked, her voice trembling.
Shu Ying, inexperienced in matters of the heart, didn't know how to respond.
Ding Fan genuinely felt sorry for Shu Xin at this moment. She was so distraught that she had lost her grasp on reality, even believing the fault lay entirely with her.
"You didn't do anything wrong. Mao Duo got everything he wanted from you. You no longer hold any allure for him. He's just moved on to his next target," Ding Fan said bluntly.
"No… Impossible… Impossible…" Shu Xin shook her head frantically.
"It's not impossible. If you don't believe me, think carefully about Mao Duo's attitude toward you yesterday versus today," Ding Fan said calmly.
Ding Fan's goal was to help Shu Xin achieve a moment of clarity. If she didn't, she would only hurt herself further or do something even more reckless.
After a moment of reflection, Shu Xin stared blankly into the air.
She finally understood that Mao Duo's actions had been all about getting her body.
If that weren't the case, why else would he treat her so coldly and callously today?
He had gotten what he wanted, so she was no longer worth his attention.