Xi Xinyi, who still had tears streaked all over her face, quickly grabbed the windbreaker and covered herself. She wrapped herself up tightly as if her life depended on it!

"You can talk now." His words contained no emotions.

Xi Xinyi was on the verge of breaking down as her whole body trembled. She looked at the ruthless man before her in fear. It was her first experience of being so close to hell.

What a cruel move! In order to make her talk, he...

What a heartless and cold man with such an elegant appearance on the outside! No one could ever imagine he was such a cold and cruel person!

She knew that if she kept her mouth shut, she would definitely face a tragic end. He was more than capable of seeing her get raped. Even when she was pregnant, he would not feel an ounce of sympathy for her.

How wicked!

Xi Xinyi could not stop herself from shivering. The tear trails on her face remained and she had an odd sensation pooling in the pit of her stomach. It must be from the shock just now!

She covered her stomach frantically as she seemed stupefied. "It wasn't me... I admit that I sent people to tail Han Yifeng before, but they didn't... they didn't get any useful information as well. Those photos... Actually, actually... Mr. Wen sent them to me... I don't know anything. I didn't do it! It's not me!"

"Mr. Wen?"

Mu Yuchen's eyes darkened when he heard that name. He glanced at Xi Xinyi's terrified face. "Who's Mr. Wen?"

Xi Xinyi shook her head wildly as she looked into Mu Yuchen's eyes and tried her best to explain herself, "I don't know! I really don't know! I've only seen him once. He was the one that initiated our meeting and I couldn't see his face... I don't know who he is or how he looks like! I'm telling you the truth. I didn't do it!"

"Back then, when you worked with the newspapers and magazine companies, whose idea was it?"

Mu Yuchen still remembered that Ah Mo had blocked the leak of the news regarding Xi Mushan and Shen Wenna. Xi Xinyi was not someone important enough for them to consider publishing this news, but Xi Xinyi was very confident, so she probably had someone backing her up.

"Mr. Wen! It's Mr. Wen! It's all his idea! Chairman Mu, this has nothing to do with me. I don't know what Mr. Wen is planning!"

Xi Xinyi just pushed all the responsibilities onto Mr. Wen.

Mu Yuchen threw her a frozen, sharp gaze. He glared at the timid Xi Xinyi quietly as he gave her a cold reminder, "You'd better make sure what you've just said is the truth. Otherwise, you know very well what the consequences will be."

"I told you the truth! It's the truth! Chairman Mu, I didn't do any of those. It's not me! Please believe me!" Xi Xinyi curled up in fear as she explained. She lowered her eyes to hide the anger inside them.

Just wait for now, Xi Xiaye!

I'll make sure you experience the embarrassment I experienced today by tenfold in the future!

She assumed Xi Xiaye had accused her and was deliberately trying to frame her!

That must be it!

Only that witch would want her to die. She would just love to see Xi Xinyi fall into hell!

"Are you planning a plot against Xiaye?" Noticing her clenched fists, Mu Yuchen glared at her fearful face warningly. "Or are you thinking about how to get your revenge for tonight?"

His laughter was as cold as ice and Xi Xinyi's trembling became worse as she raised her head in fear.

Mu Yuchen walked towards her slowly after he took several photos from the man in the black suit beside him. He scanned through them before throwing them in front of Xi Xinyi. "Take a look!"

Xi Xinyi picked them up and saw that they were photos of her being humiliated by the beggars from earlier.

It was extremely clear that she was totally naked and several beggars were kissing her breasts. It was uch a vulgar and erotic scene with her being fully exposed and having nothing to hide. It was very much comparable to some pornographic videos!

If these photos were shown to the world, what would Xi Xinyi's future be?

Anyone did not need to think hard to know!

Yue Lingshi was the best example of that!

She was unwilling to step out of the house aside from playing mahjong with some of the lower-class people! Otherwise, she would be flooded by curses and criticisms!

"Arghhh!" Xi Xinyi tore the photos apart uncontrollably. Her eyes were filled with anger and madness. "This isn't me! This isn't me! Why are you doing this to me!? Why!?"

"You'd better stay put. Only we know what happened tonight and no one else, but if I find out that you're trying to pull something funny, these photos will be published in every newspaper and magazine. Of course, the Han family will receive a special photo album too. Also, if there's any news about Mr. Wen again, I suggest you cooperate. Or else, these photos will make you lose everything, understand?"

Mu Yuchen's icy cold voice reached her, shaking Xi Xinyi as her fear had reached its maximum. She took a deep breath while feeling more pain in the stomach, but she was too afraid not to give a reply.

She nodded and replied in despair, "Yes... I understand! I understand!"

Mu Yuchen gave her a cold smile before standing up and turning around.

"Clean things up around here and send her back, but before that, get her to a hospital!"

He vanished out through the stairs before Xi Xinyi's body weakened and she fell to the side.

The night was getting late. The quiet Maple Residence was surrounded by a gentle warm light as a faint light quietly embraced this peaceful place.

It had been some time since Xi Xiaye was done preparing dinner, but the man was not home yet.

She sat on the sofa watching TV for a long while, but she could not sit still anymore, so she waited outside the door.

The night zephyr was cooling. On the staircase outside of the entrance of the villa, Xi Xiaye sat down in a comfortable spot and looked up into the sky. Stars filled the night sky and the moon was nowhere to be seen.

As she was trying to look for the Big Dipper, she heard the sound of a car closing in.

She raised her head and looked over. As expected, she soon saw the man walking towards her.

His tall figure strode past the dim street lamp and stopped right before her.

"What are you doing here? It's cold outside. Get in!" Before she could say anything, his strict tone reached her. However, she could feel the warm kindness in his voice as he then grabbed her by her shoulders.

"It's alright. It's not particularly cold today. Anyway, why are you so late today? I've been waiting for a long time." She picked on her long hair as she looked at him and sounded like she was complaining.

"There was a bit of jam on the way back. Go back in now. It's cold outside, and you've just recovered." He chuckled as he put his arm over her skinny shoulders. His eyes were filled with love, and he sported a totally different look from his cruel, cold self earlier.

"I'm not that weak, alright? I'm not made of mud!" She rolled her eyes at him as she just let him drag her back inside.

The meal on the dining table was still warm, so there was no need to reheat the dishes.

Xi Xiaye was somewhat a beginner at cooking and she hardly had any presentable dishes. Instead, she had just made several simple dishes.

He did most of the cooking ever since they got married. The man was a particularly clean freak, especially when it came to having meals. He did not like how others did things and preferred to do it himself. Nonetheless, he took it as a hobby, and he really enjoyed cooking for her.

He was pretty much a stay-at-home person. If his work and necessary socializing were taken away, he would mostly stay at home to play games or do some reading whenever he was free, very different than the usual men from rich families. They had been married for around half a year now, but Xi Xiaye had never seen him frequently visit entertainment clubs, and even if he did, he was usually accompanied by Su Chen and Zhou Zimo. They just drank and played cards together.

When he was eating elegantly, he noticed the woman opposite him staring at him continuously, so he stopped and then looked at her. He then pointed at a plate with some red and green stuff in it and asked, "Why are you looking at me? What is this?"

Xi Xiaye raised his eyebrows as she put on an awkward expression. "That's... Mapo beancurd. I know it doesn't look nice, but it's the first time I'm making this dish."

Mr. Mu used his spoon to stir the dish. There was not one solid-looking tofu.

"Are you sure this isn't soft beancurd dessert?" He gave her a teasing smile.

"Of course! Here, have some wine, Mr. Mu."

She straightened her back as her eyes darkened and she gave him a warning stare.

He smiled and nodded.

They had several drinks together, and the dinner went on pretty well. The only thing that desired room for improvement would be Xi Xiaye's cooking. She herself did not eat much, yet Mr. Mu was kind enough to finish everything up.

Towards the end of the meal, Mu Yuchen suddenly felt that he should not let her go into the kitchen again. Otherwise...

After dinner, Xi Xiaye went upstairs while Mu Yuchen cleaned up the dining table and the kitchen. He only went upstairs half an hour later.

He opened the door and was about to head inside when he smelled a pleasant fragrance and suddenly stopped. Xi Xiaye was standing right beside the door. Her face seemed pale and her eyes were uneasy.

He frowned as he put his hand on her shoulder and asked gently, "What's wrong?"

Xi Xiaye calmed herself down and suppressed the panic inside her. With a deep breath, she looked at him in the eyes. "I just gave Su Nan a call... I found out about the news. I... I..."

His expression darkened as he cursed deep inside. Embracing her in his arms, he comforted, "What's the big deal? It's nothing to panic about!"

"Why didn't you ask me anything? And you're trying to hide it from me? Those photos... I don't know..."

Xi Xiaye then realized the reason for him applying leave for her and taking her phone away, aside from giving her time to rest, was also because of this.

"About what?" He gave her a meaningful glance and asked, "If Qi Lei is better-looking than your Mr. Mu?"

Xi Xiaye was stunned for a moment. She shook her head and replied to him with a genuine expression, "You're much more handsome than him!"

Mu Yuchen nodded, apparently very satisfied with her reply. He then continued, "Is he more attractive than your Mr. Mu?"

Xi Xiaye gave it some thought. Master Qi was no more than a hooligan to her. Of course, he was incomparable with Mr. Mu. Although Mr. Mu could be quite a bastard at times, he was still mostly very attractive and charming.

Xi Xiaye shook her head again.

He smiled calmly., "Then, what should I ask about? It's hard to lower your standards once you've experienced better just like buying clothes and jewelry. If you have a priceless diamond, would you still look at street stall ornaments?"

Xi Xiaye was once again dumbfounded by his words!

What diamond and street stall ornaments?

Her eyes widened slightly as she looked at him.

This person!

How shameless!

Was he saying he was the diamond and Qi Lei was the street stall ornament?

"Moreover, you can't even satisfy me, so how are you going to have the energy to deal with him? I heard there are only the same few reasons that cause a marriage to fall. Those reasons don't apply to us. You don't have a criminal motive."

"What reasons? How do I not have a criminal motive? Actually, Qi Lei is pretty okay..." She was like a curious little baby as she stared at him.

"Do you want to know?"

He looked at her from above as a grin gradually appeared on his face. His burning eyes sent off a pressure towards her, so she grabbed onto his shirt and nodded.

"First, the inability to satisfy your material needs. Secondly, the lack of emotional communication. The third, unhappy sex life."

He went straight to the point!

Xi Xiaye was counting with her finger when he listed down the reasons.

Before Xiaye could react, the man continued to explain, "The first one to us is the most impossible. As for the second one, your husband can see through those thoughts of yours. As for the third... that's not even an issue. Was there a time when you didn't pass out from being too satisfied?"

"Enough, stop talking! Bastard! You're the one satisfied! Not me!"

Before he could finish, Xiaye had already turned red, yet he continued to use such a calm and serious tone. He spoke so casually, and many images flashed through her mind, making her feel embarrassed, yet this fellow did not look affected at all.

"Missus, I realize that you've learned how to lie to me."

"I did not..."

"Whether you did or not, we'll know once we try!"

"Argh! What are you trying to do?"

"Proving whether you've lied to me."

"You've tricked me again, you shark!"

...

The next morning.

Xi Xiaye pitifully curled up in her blanket. Both her hands pulled onto the blanket and covered herself tightly. The warm and comfortable bedroom was not too hot, yet there was a thin layer of sweat on her forehead and her whole body was soft. All her energy had been depleted by him, and she has not yet recovered until now.

He had already gotten out of bed and finished washing up before he returned to his reserved and elegant gentleman appearance as if that man who had been a beast not too long ago was not him.

Xiaye felt like he seemed to be quite eager about this recently. Earlier, he had even extorted a confession from her. How could she stand his teasing? She almost answered everything he asked. After that, she had even very embarrassingly wept.

The memories swiftly flashed past her mind again. The more Xiaye thought about it, the more she found it embarrassing. She wanted to dig a hole to hide in as she pulled her blanket up to cover her face. Suddenly, she felt the space beside her sink in, and instantly, she knew who it was.

If it were in the past, she definitely would not believe it, but ever since she got together with him, Xi Xiaye did not feel like Xi Xiaye anymore. No, rather, Xi Xiaye felt more and more like Xi Xiaye now. She no longer had to carefully try to please or deal with anyone, and she could do whatever she wanted. She no longer needed to deliberately conceal all of her emotions.

"Okay, get up and have breakfast. Ji Zitong and the rest of them are on the way over. It's been so many times now. Why are you still so shy?"

He had already picked out the clothes for her. As he reached out to pat her little head, he flashed a smile. His dark eyes held a warmth of doting that was hard to conceal. He reached out to pull the blanket away from her.

She glared at him angrily. "You're the one who's shy!"

"No, you!"

He grinned and set the clothes aside on the bed. "Apologies. It was I who didn't know how to control myself."

When he said this, he felt helpless too. Every time it happened, he only wanted more. He simply wished he could make them one!

As for Qi Lei or Han Yifeng, he admitted that he was a little upset with Han Yifeng. After all, she did like Han Yifeng before and had even done so many foolish things that made him unhappy. However, now, he did not feel anything anymore because he believed that the happiness he could give her was nothing these two could measure up to.

He wanted her to like him, admire him, and feel like she could never leave him. He wished that wherever she went, she could only return to his side in the end.

This feeling was actually quite incredulous. In the past 30 years or so, he had journeyed all over in his military career, sank and swam in politics, and struggled in business. Amidst these storms, he was used to the change in human relationships and the hypocrisy of the world. With such cold apathy, he had never experienced any love. The reason he had chosen her was merely that he wanted to break free of his life then, and only because he did not find her repelling, yet who would have thought that after they got married, this thing called love would begin to sprout?

It turned out that some people were not unmoved, and not inherently reserved and apathetic. They have only yet to meet the right person within the chaos of these worldly affairs.

When she heard this, she then peeked out from underneath and silently watched him. She thought about it then said, "I'll go look for Qi Lei and hold a press conference right away to clarify this."

"You don't have to worry about it. Your husband has a great plan! I just need to let you suffer for a few days, Missus. It's quite bad out there. Can you hold up under the pressure?"

He contemplated, then combed through her beautiful long hair with his fingers.

Upon hearing this, she immediately nodded and quietly lowered her gaze. "As long as you believe me, I don't care about other people. It's not like I haven't faced such criticisms before. I'm used to it."

He felt his heart ache at these words as he did not forget the things she had been through. He quickly reached out to hug her shoulders and planted a kiss on her forehead. "Mr. Mu and Missus Mu are very much in love. How can we let them slander us recklessly?"

"Do you have a plan?" She looked at him, puzzled as her vision was faintly blur.

"Mmm, don't ask. You've got me. Just be calm." He smiled mysteriously and did not say much to her.

She shot him a look from the side with a sigh and covered his eyes to turn his head around. Then, she picked the sleeping gown from the side up to put on. She held the clothes that he had picked for her and swiftly got down from the bed to run to the bathroom.

Mu Yuchen turned to see that she had already vanished into the bathroom. He then smiled with a heartwarming light in his eyes. After a while, he got up and tidied the bed.

He changed the new bedsheets and was about to bring the dirty sheets to the bathroom when he heard a dry heaving sound from inside. His expression changed and he quickly went in to see Xiaye vomiting miserably by the sink. It was all acid regurgitation...

"How are you?"

He anxiously walked over and frowned as he held her. Immediately, he realized that she looked quite pale.

Xi Xiaye washed her face, rinsed her mouth, and then held her chest and shook her head. "I'm fine, It's probably my old illness."

Obviously, Mu Yuchen knew what the so-called old illness was. He knew that she had slight gastric when they had just gotten married. She had been like this for a few mornings too, that was why he had to align her three meals. Even the tea was changed to Pu Er tea which was good for her gastric.

"Wasn't it better? You haven't been eating well these two days. Eat more later."

...

Breakfast was plain. It was Chinese porridge with some side dishes, and Xi Xiaye ate quite a lot of it.

A short while after breakfast, the doorbell rang. It was Ji Zitong and the rest waiting at the door.

The husband and wife quickly tidied up and left the house.

"Chairman Mu, Director Xi, good morning!"