After The Divorce, My Dad Was Abused and Cried - Chapter 32

Nighttime.

At the Grand Prestige Hotel.

Jian Muyu linked arms with Pei Yichen as they attended the birthday banquet of a certain bigwig in Kyoto.

The man claimed he just needed to make an appearance to build connections for future business, but insisted on bringing her along.

He said that showing up to such an event without a female companion would be humiliating.

“This counts as extra work. You’ll have to pay me more!” Jian Muyu drawled lazily.

“Jian Muyu, have you fallen into a pit of money?!” Pei Yichen accused.

“Did you only realize that today? No money, no deal!” Jian Muyu turned as if to leave.

“Fine, fine, fine! I’ll pay, okay?!” Pei Yichen hurriedly pulled her back.

In the end, Pei Yichen agreed to pay double her fee, and only then did Jian Muyu reluctantly agree to accompany him.

But after smiling nonstop throughout the evening, her face felt stiff.

Finally catching a rare moment to breathe, she slipped away to the balcony.

The spot was rather secluded, rarely visited by others.

Jian Muyu loosened her ten-centimeter high heels. For that double pay, she really had gone all out.

After a whole night, her legs ached with soreness.

She bent slightly, massaging her calves.

When she got back later, she’d definitely demand Pei Yichen add more to her fee!

“You’re Jian Muyu?”

Just then, a strange male voice suddenly sounded.

Jian Muyu lifted her head in puzzlement.

Standing before her was a man she didn’t recognize.

“Do we know each other?” Jian Muyu asked curiously.

“How much did Qi Yuqing pay you?” The man arrogantly questioned.

Jian Muyu froze for a moment, then quickly figured out who he was.

She straightened her posture gracefully, smoothing down her hair.

Only after restoring her composure did she respond coolly:

“So you’re Miss Qi’s defendant. By the rules, we can’t meet privately before court. Please leave.”

“I don’t want to see you either.” The man looked impatient. He pulled a stack of checks from his pocket, scribbled an amount, and tossed it at her.

Jian Muyu glanced down, picked up the check between two fingers, and arched a brow at the figure written on it.

“Well, aren’t you generous, Mr. Big-Spender?”

“This amount is enough for you to take on ten cases. Take the money and drop Qi Yuqing’s lawsuit.” His tone dripped with condescension.

But Jian Muyu only let out a laugh.

“What are you laughing at?” His brows furrowed tightly.

She didn’t answer. Instead, right in front of him, she ripped the check in two.

“What are you doing?!” he shouted, his voice rising.

“You really underestimate me. You think you can buy me off with this little money?”

“What am I to you—one of those little mistresses you keep outside who’ve never seen the world?”

Jian Muyu tossed the shredded pieces in his face.

“You—!” His face darkened, livid with rage.

He raised his hand, ready to strike this insolent woman.

But Jian Muyu only curved her lips into a mocking smile, standing still, not even thinking to dodge or fight back.

Yet his slap never landed.

Because halfway there, a strong hand intercepted it.

Both Jian Muyu and the man turned toward the newcomer.

They froze in surprise.

“President Xi…?” the man stammered, stunned, unable to believe his eyes.

Why was this powerful figure here?

Xi Peijue didn’t even spare him a glance. With a flick of his hand, he threw the man aside.

“Scram.” His thin lips spat out the single cold word.

The man knew exactly who Xi Peijue was.

With Xi Peijue’s power, he could crush him with a single finger.

At a time like this, he dared not say another word.

Even though he had been humiliated, he could only slink away with his tail between his legs.

The balcony was instantly left with only Xi Peijue and Jian Muyu.

Facing his tall, commanding figure, Jian Muyu suddenly felt the air grow thin.

That night flashed back in her mind.

She turned her gaze away, uneasy.

“His hand was already about to land on your face, and you didn’t even think to dodge?” Xi Peijue’s tone brimmed with anger.

“Dodge? Why should I? If his hand touched my face, I could make sure he lost everything—even his underwear.”

“Speaking of which, President Xi, you ruined a good deal for me,” Jian Muyu complained, regaining her composure.

“So I was wrong to step in?” Xi Peijue’s brows furrowed into a sharp crease.

“Exactly. President Xi should know—not every rescue is a heroic deed.” She huffed coldly, clearly blaming him.

Xi Peijue’s chest ached with frustration.

He had just saved her, yet not only did she not thank him, she was actually scolding him?

“You’re ruthless not only to others, but to yourself as well—using even your own body as a bargaining chip.” His voice carried a surge of turbulent emotions.

Ruthless to others?

Jian Muyu’s face darkened at his words.

Was he implying she had been ruthless to him?

When had she ever been ruthless to him?

It was he who had been ruthless to her!

“President Xi, slandering someone also carries legal consequences!” Jian Muyu bit out each word.

“Slandering? I don’t see what I said was wrong.” Xi Peijue’s eyes narrowed.

“Then tell me, in what way have I ever been ruthless?” Jian Muyu lifted her chin, meeting his gaze defiantly.

“Abandoning husband and child—is that not ruthless enough?” Xi Peijue’s voice turned hoarse.

“That was because I…” Jian Muyu almost blurted it out.

But at the critical moment, she forced the words back down.

She couldn’t let Xi Peijue discover the existence of Xiao Zhan and Tian Tian!

“Because you what?” Xi Peijue pressed coldly.

“Nothing. You’re right—I did abandon my husband and child.” Jian Muyu’s expression smoothed over, as if nothing had happened.

“Jian Muyu, why did you marry me in the first place?!” Xi Peijue’s fists clenched at his sides.

“Xi Peijue, don’t you forget—you were the one who insisted on marrying me!”

“I wasn’t the one shamelessly begging to marry you!” Jian Muyu raised her head, meeting his gaze with stubborn defiance.

Xi Peijue’s breath caught in his throat.

“So just because it was I who proposed, that’s why you left me so decisively, so cruelly?” His voice grew hoarse, tinged with bitterness.