She brought herself to a conclusion. Whoever Mingxia's big gun was had to be very powerful to know Katie's manager; not even Lihua's husband could make such a demanding offer. It could have been only someone from the high circle—the rich elites.
As she was reasoning some things out, her phone rang with Lihua's number on it. Mengyao, irritated by Lihua's constant pestering, adjusted her face and accepted the phone call. She had to use three minutes to listen to Lihua's rant before actually getting to the main point. All that Lihua said was not necessary; however, as she was about to end the phone call, she heard her mention the young master Mu's birthday party. Her interest was piqued at once.
Mengyao rushed over to social media once Lihua's call ended. Scrolling through Weibo, she found the latest headline with a silhouette she never expected to see at such a big party.
…Zhou Mingxia!
Her face transformed into a fuming, red beast as her fists balled sturdily. She had dropped all her fake façade and truly showed her real face. This time around, Mingxia took the wrong path. Mengyao zoomed in on the image on her phone to get a clearer picture. It was a blurry snapshot, perhaps one taken in a rush since events hosted by the Mu family had so many strict rules regarding reporters' presence and pictures. Notwithstanding that, Mengyao was able to detect that she was the one.
The person who had her waist wrapped around by the most powerful man on earth, Mu Lixin, was actually Zhou Mingxia! That slimy crook definitely chose right by dumping Yuxuan and leaping onto greater heights and even into the Mu family. It must have been easy for her to seize such a golden opportunity to get rich and famous.
"I knew it. I knew you were not that good, as Yuxuan said himself. You have more dirty skeletons in your cupboard than I thought. I should have ended it a long time ago. Seems like I would need to do some unveiling some days. She mumbled, her hands clenched against the phone. She smirked cunningly, calling Lihua and thanking her for revealing what a scumbag Yuxuan defends daily.
She needed to scratch off that disgusting mask on Mingxia's face now or never.
"I will make everyone know how ugly you are, including MU LIXIN! I bet he would not hesitate to dump you once he finds out that you've become a public sex toy for old men. Her voice was full of abhorrence, deceit, and, as usual, cunningness. Mengyao fell back on the chair, feeling a little relieved that, after a long wait, she would have the last laugh.
"As long as I am here, you will never excel in anything you do. You will only be a pawn in your own destruction."
...............
In Lixin's penthouse.
The night came quickly and was so unexpected. Bai Yuming and Zhou Mingxia were having the dining room filled up with an opulent and delicious meal. Lixin was in the bathroom, showering for the night. His phone beeped with a new message from Yichen, and aloofly, he declined it. A few minutes later, another call came from him.
"Are you aware that an image of you and Mingxia is flying on the internet? It is getting people talking really badly. They want to uncover the woman next to you. Your grandpa also called. He was worried. Yichen's mouth began to rant from one topic to the next, and in the end, he came to Luyang's issue. He was able to connect with some old professors in the neurology department and get a personal doctor for him. Although he will be back before next month arrives, there is a need to prepare for his arrival. He went by the name Dr. Kai.
There was only one person, apart from Nan Xing, on whom Yichen could rely for his medical expertise, and that was his fourth maternal uncle, Kai Minting. Lucky for Luyang, Minting agreed once he heard about his condition and was very willing to take care of him, which was very unlike him, probably because he added Mu Lixin's name to spice it up.
Who would not want to be an acquaintance of the legendary investment guru, Mu Lixin? Everyone, including his uncle, would want such a cure, which is why he did not delay in booking a flight back to Wuhan to cure Luyang of his medical illnesses.
"I am aware, Yichen. It was her doing. Lixin paused, recalling the minute they were in the car. Mingxia had spoken to him about letting her flaunt his name and reputation to garner the appropriate attention she needed. Somehow, she had made Lixin agree so quickly to her terms. He laughed out loud, forgetting that he was on a phone call with Yichen. He sighed, turning on the hair dryer and drying his wet hair. "Thank Uncle for me. I will have all his expenses paid during his stay here in Wuhan. It is getting late; we will talk tomorrow."
"Hold your horses; what do you mean by it being her doing? When did you start obeying people? She has really bewitched you, Lixin. I was right; she has ill intentions for you. Yichen's suspicious but caring voice echoed out of his phone's speaker. Lixin rolled his eyes painstakingly, about to hang up on him. "Hey, Lixin, are you still there? Answer me!" Lixin was not obeying all her wishes; he was granting all of them, whether they were ridiculous or not. Making her wishes come true—why was that considered bewitching and wrong?
"Do I have to answer you? You talk too much, Yichen. Lixin muttered, cleaning off the leftover water on his body and slipping himself into a baggy pair of shirt and trousers. His hair was left to fall behind his ears. He looked at himself in the mirror and exhaled. That scar was always going to be a part of him, no matter how much he tried. Lixin's right hand reached for a new mask from the box and put it on. "She has no ill intentions for me. You just do not like her. We will talk about Luyang's case tomorrow."
"I will give you a reminder; she has a bad reputation. When he was about to finish his words, Lixin hung up the phone and went straight to the living room. He laid his body on the couch, the remote in his right hand. He lazily skimmed through the channels, occasionally glancing at the two girls in the kitchen.
He smiled, and his smile became a frown as Yichen's words came back to his head. What if she was actually using him? He became alert, went to the kitchen, and pulled her out. He dragged her to the bedroom and shut the door.
"What is your plan? Tell me." Mingxia, who was stunned by his harsh drag, came back to her senses. She retracted herself from him and leaned on the wall. "It would not be funny if you were using me. His words were like silent killers to Mingxia's ears. Her face softened, and she let out the gasp she had held in. She did not want him to have those sorts of thoughts in his head. She was not using him, but everything she did this day seemed to indicate that she was truly using him.
Mingxia had requested a lot, and Lixin granted it all to her in a second. Was he regretting his decision to help her regain her lost reputation? She could understand his plight, and from what Yichen uttered to her in the hospital, she knew Lixin hated when he was deceived. Maybe it was high time she came clean.
"My target is none other than Mengyao and Yuxuan. I made that image go viral so I could get their attention once again. I bet that the incident at Katie's would do the job. I want you to trust me."
"My trust is priceless. Who do you think you are for me to easily give it to you? Lixin said, narrowing his eyes and closing the gap between him and Mingxia. He blocked her way while his hands made their way to her face. "You would not even compensate me in the end. He let go of her like he was irritated by her body, walked to the bed, and sat on it.
Feeling hurt by his actions, Mingxia puckered her lips. She glanced at Lixin on the bed and became somewhat hurt again. She only wanted his trust; why could he not give it to her after the few weeks they have spent together? Was he still doubting her even now?
"I know…" She gave up arguing with him. For the moment, she had to make Lixin comfortable with her. This time around, he was the only one who could help her. "I have a bad reputation; I am disgusting, I know. But give me your trust. I am very loyal, I promise."
She was actually letting him know to what extent she had been broken. Lixin calmed himself, his anger dissipating into thin air. Mingxia smiled and pulled herself toward him. So far, Lixin has not been as terrible as he claimed to be. He might have been described as the worst, but she never saw him that way. Mingxia came closer and closer to Lixin, closing the gap between the two of them.
She leaned seductively closer to his ears and whispered. Her slender body leaning against his own body. "I might not be worthy of your trust, so I want to earn it. List your conditions, and I will comply with them."