Rumor Has It I Don’t Follow A-Class Morals - Chapter 56

It was the weekend, and Ming Muyao figured that only a few people could possibly show up at her house—none of whom were invited.

Aunt Chen was just the housekeeper, and Su Yin was timid. No matter how you looked at it, Ming Muyao was the backbone of the household. So of course, this kind of situation had to be handled by her.

Which was why, when she opened the door and saw Fang Qiongyan standing there in sunglasses, she wasn’t the least bit surprised.

Fang Qiongyan took off her sunglasses and smiled, revealing two dimples. “President Ming, how come you don’t look surprised to see me?”

Ming Muyao stood in the doorway with her arms crossed, blocking the entrance, and looked at her calmly. “I’m not surprised you’re here at all.”

Fang Qiongyan blinked, confused. She considered asking why, but ended up letting it go. Instead, she lifted the gift box in her hand. “You blocked me, so I couldn’t reach out in advance. I came with a gift today to apologize and wanted to treat you and Miss Su to a meal.”

“Not interested,” Ming Muyao replied bluntly. “I already told you—whatever you’re hoping for, it’s not happening. Stop wasting your time.”

Fang Qiongyan’s eyes flickered, and she gave a soft smile. “President Ming, I just want to become famous. It’s only a temporary partnership—just a month or two. After that, I’ll pack up and leave. I won’t interfere with your relationship with Miss Su.”

“Get lost,” Ming Muyao said, her tone colder now.

Fang Qiongyan stood there awkwardly, unsure of what to say next—until Su Yin appeared behind Ming Muyao.

“Is that a guest?” Su Yin’s eyes flickered slightly when she saw Fang Qiongyan, but she still turned to Ming Muyao and said, “Should we invite her in? I just finished baking some pastries.”

Ming Muyao was about to say She’s not worthy, but Fang Qiongyan quickly squeezed past her, walked up to Su Yin, and took her hand. “Freshly baked pastries? I thought I smelled something amazing earlier. What are you making?”

Su Yin, clearly uncomfortable with the sudden closeness, answered, “Mochi.”

“Mochi? Perfect! I brought jam and bird’s nest,” Fang Qiongyan said as she lifted her gift box. “Let’s head to the kitchen.”

With that, she deftly changed into house slippers and led Su Yin into the house.

“Where’s your kitchen? This is my first time in President Ming’s home—it’s huge!”

Su Yin glanced back at Ming Muyao, who looked thoroughly displeased, but still showed Fang Qiongyan the way to the kitchen.

Ming Muyao watched the two disappear through the kitchen door and unhappily shut the front door.

Fang Qiongyan had ties with the older generation. If things got too messy, Ming Zheng would probably show up and start nagging again.

As much as she didn’t want to admit it, Ming Muyao was still wary of this distant relative. As a mother, even if she hadn’t yet noticed anything strange, she’d eventually figure it out with enough contact.

If she could stall for time, then she’d take it.

Fang Qiongyan really was the clingy type. As soon as she got into the kitchen, she casually rolled up her sleeves and washed her hands, jumping in to help Aunt Chen with making the mochi. Aunt Chen, who had no clue who this person was or why she was suddenly in the kitchen, looked completely baffled.

But Su Yin didn’t seem to mind, and Aunt Chen, being just the housekeeper, couldn’t really say anything. She ended up showing Fang Qiongyan how to shape the mochi, while she opened the bird’s nest gift to make a cool, refreshing porridge.

When Ming Muyao walked into the kitchen, she was met with a warm and cozy scene. Fang Qiongyan, being from the entertainment industry, could charm anyone with a few words. Making Aunt Chen laugh was no problem for her, and now the whole kitchen was filled with laughter, which made Ming Muyao’s scalp tingle.

Damn it, why does everything look so harmonious?

She glanced at Su Yin, who was plating the freshly baked mochi. Just as Su Yin was about to walk out with the tray, Ming Muyao reached out and pulled her out of the kitchen.

Su Yin, startled, nearly dropped the tray. “Careful! I’m gonna spill it!”

Ming Muyao dragged her into the living room. Once they were far enough from the kitchen, she finally turned and looked at Su Yin. “What were you thinking, bringing her into the house?”

Su Yin’s eyes dimmed a little before she slowly replied, “She looked really happy.”

“She’s happy, but I’m not,” Ming Muyao snapped. “That woman’s like a damn leech. I finally got her to back off, and now you’re being all friendly with her?”

Su Yin stared down at the mochi in her hands. After a long pause, she asked, “Did I make things harder for you?”

Ming Muyao was caught off guard.

Su Yin tightened her grip on the tray and looked up at her. “I thought you’d like it this way.”

Like what?

Ming Muyao wasn’t even sure she understood what Su Yin meant. Every word made sense on its own, but together they left her confused. She felt like Su Yin had misunderstood something—but she didn’t know what.

“There’s nothing between me and Fang Qiongyan. Did you see something?” Ming Muyao asked, head aching. “She’s a mess from her time in showbiz—no moral compass whatsoever. Yesterday, she called saying she wanted to join us. Seriously, what kind of dumb romance plot is this?”

She was both confused and annoyed. Looking at Su Yin, she asked, “You don’t actually think the more people the better… do you?”

Su Yin blinked. She didn’t understand some of the terms Ming Muyao used, but the more the better—that, she heard loud and clear.

“…I guess that could work,” Su Yin said.

Ming Muyao: …

Speechless. Literally speechless.

Seeing Ming Muyao’s face darken, Su Yin lowered her gaze and said softly, “You used to be like this too, so I’m not surprised. But if there ever comes a day you don’t want me around anymore… could you tell me?”

If it came to that, she’d rather leave than stay and watch Ming Muyao with other people. That would hurt too much.

She could take her mom with her. At least then, she’d still have a home.

Hearing Su Yin say something like that made Ming Muyao’s heart sink.

In the end, this was all because of the original Ming Muyao’s messy past. God knows how many relationships she juggled—probably enough to make an octopus jealous. No wonder Su Yin thought this way now.

Ming Muyao had thought that all her recent efforts had changed Su Yin’s view of her. But clearly, that old image of her as a heartless player was still firmly in place.

I really must be cursed.

Ming Muyao let go of Su Yin’s hand, her voice sounding hollow. “Actually, I…”

I’m not that person. I’d never do something like that.

But she couldn’t say it. No matter how she tried to form the words, they wouldn’t come out.

How could she say she wasn’t from this world? That the real Ming Muyao died in a car crash, and she was just someone who took her place? That would sound completely insane. She didn’t want to scare Su Yin.

And more importantly—if she told Su Yin that all of this was just a story in a book… how would she look at her then?

No matter how she thought about it, now wasn’t the right time.

So Ming Muyao shut her mouth and walked out with her things.

Su Yin held the plate of mochi and watched Ming Muyao leave without looking back. Her eyes stung, as if tears were about to fall at any moment.

She shouldn’t have blamed Ming Muyao.

The woman was already doing her best. It was her own fault for hoping for too much—hoping for something that was never real. And now, with her heart shattered, she didn’t even know how to pick up the pieces.

Ming Muyao didn’t go anywhere special after she left—she went straight to the office to work overtime.

She couldn’t face Su Yin’s questions, and she had no way of explaining why she was so different from the original Ming Muyao. So for now, she just wanted to avoid it all and see if she could come up with a better solution.

But she knew full well that the original’s reputation was a stain she’d never be able to wash away. If Su Yin inviting Fang Qiongyan into their home was just the start, then talk of divorce wouldn’t be far off either.

Still, one problem at a time.

Ming Muyao had always believed that when you couldn’t fully control a situation, the best move was to stay calm and wait. Sooner or later, things might take a turn.

Around 9 p.m., Aunt Chen called to say Su Yin had gone to bed and that she should come home soon.

Only then did Ming Muyao pack up her things and head back.

When she got home, Aunt Chen was waiting for her at the door. Before Ming Muyao could say anything, Aunt Chen whispered, “That Miss Fang left not long after you did.”

Aunt Chen had called as soon as Fang Qiongyan left, but she knew the real issue wasn’t her—it was Su Yin.

Which was why Ming Muyao stayed away as long as she did.

Seeing how exhausted Ming Muyao looked, Aunt Chen asked gently, “Did you two have a fight? Yinyin didn’t really talk to me today. She skipped dinner and went upstairs early.”

“She didn’t eat?” Ming Muyao was about to offer to take her something—but then she remembered the way Su Yin had looked at her earlier and felt a pang in her chest.

I’m not that Ming Muyao. Why does she have to judge me by that person’s standards?

But it wasn’t Su Yin’s fault. She didn’t know the truth. Ming Muyao couldn’t blame her.

After a moment, she sighed and said, “If she doesn’t want to eat, let it be. Just leave some pastries out—she might get hungry in the middle of the night.”

Aunt Chen nodded. “Do you want to try the mochi Yinyin made? It’s cold now, so the texture’s not as good. But I feel like you should still taste it.”

Ming Muyao paused, her eyes softening. Then she quietly said, “Bring me a couple. I haven’t had any yet.”

Aunt Chen quickly returned with a plate holding two round mochi. Ming Muyao told her to go rest, then carried the plate upstairs.

As she passed Su Yin’s room, she noticed the faint glow of a light beneath the door. So she’s still awake. Or maybe… she’s just afraid of the dark.

Ming Muyao stood outside the door for a long time before finally turning to head back to her own room.

She set the plate of mochi down, then decided to check on Su Yin after all. But when she opened the door, she was startled to see Su Yin crouched at the guest room doorway, hugging her knees, a look of quiet sorrow on her face.

She clearly hadn’t expected Ming Muyao to come out again. Her pale little face snapped up, filled with surprise and confusion.

Su Yin stared blankly at her. She really thought… Ming Muyao was done with her.

“It’s late. Why aren’t you sleeping?” Ming Muyao asked softly.

The two doorways cast long shadows down the hallway, their figures stretched side by side.

Su Yin didn’t respond. She just stared at her, frozen in place.

Letting out a deep sigh, Ming Muyao finally reached out her hand and said, “Tonight… sleep in my room.”