Although Mu Fuqian was referring to Mu Yun, his words still reached the ears of the Song family, and they gradually calmed down.
After coughing, Uncle Mu said, "Master Song, please don't get anxious. Now that things have come to this, it's all up to Mu Xing and You Cheng to decide. It's no use for us elders to say too much about the young people's affairs; let them decide for themselves." As he spoke, he looked at Mu Xing.
All eyes turned to them.
Under the intense gazes of the Song family, Mu Xing said, word by word, "Uncle, since that's the case, there's no point in forcing it. Let's call off my engagement with Youcheng."
No sooner had he finished speaking than Brother Song suddenly asked, "Miss Mu, forgive my bluntness, but after hearing about Youcheng's matter, why are you still so calm? Did you already know about this?"
After a moment of silence, Mu Xing simply nodded.
Madam Mu exclaimed in surprise, "What... Ah Xuan, you knew all along? Why didn't you tell us?"
Uncle Song also angrily retorted, "You knew about this all along? How long were you planning to keep it a secret?! Until Man Wenjiang knew about this shameful affair?!"
Seeing his anger, Aunt Mu quickly said, "Mr. Song, please don't be anxious. I suppose our Ah Xuan only found out recently, right? A young lady like you has never encountered such a thing before, so it's understandable that you're flustered and indecisive. There's nothing to criticize about that, is there?"
Mu Xing also said, "Yes, I only found out recently. Seeing the current situation, there's no point in forcing it. I hope Uncle will grant my request."
Uncle Song was so angry he couldn't sit still and wanted to say something more, but his uncle interrupted at the right moment, saying, "Of course, there's no need to force this matter. Ah Xuan has just returned, and her father doesn't know about this yet, so we need to consider it more. As for what to do, Mr. Song, let's wait a few days before deciding." With that, he got up and invited Uncle Song to move to the study, saying that he had some things to say.
This move was intended to ease the tension and give Mu Xing some space to consider things.
Although Master Song was angry, he knew that no matter how the matter ended, he must not let it damage the harmony between the two families. Thus, the Song family members got up and left with their uncle.
As soon as the Song family left, Madam Mu scolded, "You child, you knew about such a big thing and didn't even discuss it with your elders. You just kept it to yourself. What were you thinking?!"
Knowing he was in the wrong, Mu Xing didn't dare to say anything. He could only lower his head and hug his mother.
The aunt standing nearby asked Mu Yun, "And you, child, did you already know? Honestly, you should have explained things to us first, so we could have prepared in advance and avoided this mess. Ah Xuan doesn't understand, don't you understand, you're such a grown-up? Why aren't you going to go with your father? What are you doing standing here watching us?"
Mu Yun was scolded again for no reason, but he didn't dare to talk back. He could only leave with a bitter face.
Seeing her mother's expression, Mu Xing knew she couldn't tell the truth now, so she could only say what wasn't important. She said, "Auntie, please don't blame my brother. He gave Youcheng a good beating when he found out about this. I just felt that Song Youcheng had a hard time too, and wanted to discuss it later. I didn't expect that Young Master Liu would be so reckless as to say it out loud..."
The aunt shook her head as she listened: "You silly girl, he did such a thing behind your back, and you still helped him keep it a secret."
"Yes, I never imagined that Youcheng, who seems so well-behaved, would be just like those spoiled brats," Madam Mu sighed.
Mu Xing had already prepared her explanation for this matter. She said, "Mother, Aunt, you don't understand. Youcheng and the young lady he's with are truly in love. What can I do if I insist on marrying her? Even if Youcheng changes his mind, can we pretend nothing happened? Besides, there are plenty of lovely people in the world. Why should I marry someone who doesn't love me?"
As she spoke, she lowered her head, her eyes reddening: "It's just that I'm an unfilial daughter, causing my parents heartache and bringing criticism to the family."
Wiping away her tears, Madam Mu sighed, "What's all this talk about face? You are my flesh and blood. As long as you are happy, that's more important than any face. If you want to break off the engagement, your father and I will support you. We absolutely cannot let you suffer any injustice."
“But Youcheng was chosen for you by your aunt. When she was on her deathbed, all she cared about was your grandmother and you. Who would have thought that Youcheng would do such a thing? If I had paid more attention, this wouldn’t have happened…” As she spoke, Madam Mu started crying again.
Aunt comforted her, saying, "Don't be too sad. Things have come to this point. It's already very good that you were able to pull back from the brink before things got to the worst. If people's hearts are like this, even without this incident, I'm afraid things will never be peaceful in the future. Ah Xuan is right. There's no reason for daughters of the Mu family to be so eager to please."
As they were talking, his uncle returned to the living room and said that he had seen the Song family off. He then asked Mu Xing what his decision was, and Mu Xing shared his thoughts.
Uncle sighed and said, "It's best that you can think this through. I imagine your father feels the same way. When he returns, discuss it with him. If he makes a final decision, then ask your Uncle Song and other relatives to clarify things, return the contract and tokens, and the matter will be considered closed. However, I have something to attend to recently, so let's wait for your father to return and handle this matter. And most importantly, don't rush to tell the old lady. She and Fuxue are of the same mind, and she's worried about your important matter. If she finds out now, I'm afraid it won't be good."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
When Mu Yiqian returned, Madam Mu and Mu Xing told him about the annulment of the engagement. Mu Yiqian was inevitably angry for a while, but he and Madam Mu shared the same attitude: they absolutely could not let Mu Xing suffer.
In that case, the annulment of the engagement is now finalized.
The next morning, Madam Mu sent someone to Mr. Green Water's residence, hoping to invite him to perform a divination.
Madam Mu rubbed her temples and said, "I've been thinking about it, and when you and Youcheng got engaged, Master Lushui's divination was clearly auspicious. Why did things suddenly change? We should ask him to do another divination."
Mu Xing had never believed in that fortune teller, and upon hearing this, he simply said, "Doesn't that just prove his predictions are inaccurate? Mother, have you forgotten? When I first came back, didn't he say I'd have a bloody disaster? And now I'm perfectly fine, so that old charlatan is clearly wrong..."
"Don't talk nonsense." Madam Mu glared at her. "How can you say such things? Hurry up and drink some water to swallow it back."
Mu Xing curled her lip indifferently, picked up the milk, and swallowed her words.
After breakfast, Mu Xing accompanied Madam Mu in the living room to wait for Mr. Green Water.
Still preoccupied with her relationship with Shu Wan, Mu Xing looked at Madam Mu and whispered, "Mother, what happened yesterday was all because Song Youcheng developed feelings for someone else, but honestly, I can't say I like him that much myself. Look, you and my father, my aunt and uncle, they all married because they were in love. If I break off my engagement and meet someone I truly love... if, if her family background isn't as powerful as the Song family, or as orthodox..."
Before she could finish speaking, Madam Mu sighed and said, "Actually, your father and I talked for a long time last night. The reason we agreed to the engagement was simply because we felt that Youcheng was a child we had watched grow up, and we knew him well. As for family background and wealth, although our Mu family is only a middle-class family, we are not lacking in that kind of help."
"Even with all this effort, I never expected this to happen. In the end, even the best people can change. Youcheng's change of heart is ultimately because you've been abroad for so many years. We're all young kids, everything is new and exciting, how can we talk about unwavering devotion? These days, things are completely different from our time."
Stroking Mu Xing's hand, Madam Mu sighed with deep emotion: "So, in the future, if you meet someone you truly love, we don't need him to be incredibly wealthy or have lofty ambitions; those are all superficial. As long as he loves you and treats you sincerely, we won't ask for anything else."
"Yes, I know." Leaning against Madam Mu's shoulder, Mu Xing thought silently, "Shu Wan is just like that. She likes me and is genuinely good to me. Even if she wants to hide and run away, I know that all the feelings she has for me are right here."
In this chaotic world, only she stands out like a unique green mountain, crashing into my eyes.
After waiting for half a day, the person sent out finally returned, saying that Master Green Water had gone on a pilgrimage, leaving behind only a divination text, and instructed him to deliver it.
Lady Mu took the divination slip and read: "Beware of repeating past mistakes; it's better to change course and start anew. Enjoyment makes one unaware of the passing time; remain vigilant and avoid recklessness."
After looking at it over and over and confirming that there were no annotations, Madam Mu asked the servant, "What does this mean? Did Mr. Green Water give any other instructions?"
The servant shook his head and said, "No, the people in the master's household said that it was something like 'stupid and incomprehensible, but those who can understand will comprehend it,' and there was no other explanation."
Mu Xing chimed in, "I knew this Mr. Green Water was just being mysterious. He must have run away with his valuables as soon as he heard I was going to call off the engagement, afraid of ruining his reputation."
Madam Mu glared at her and said, "I don't think this divination is a good omen. Your father and I will be dealing with the annulment of the engagement in the next few days. You stay home and don't wander off, understand?"
Mu Xing pouted and agreed, but in the afternoon, she secretly changed into men's clothes and slipped out.
The Song family bracelet is still with Shu Wan. Mu Xing couldn't retrieve it back then, but now he thinks it's time to get it back. If they're going to annul the engagement, they should do it cleanly. He can give Shu Wan another one as a token of his own goodwill.
Besides, on the day the big candles were lit, Shu Wan clearly cared a lot about the engagement. Now that the engagement has been called off, of course it's time to tell her.
Finally, humph, with Sun Yimin watching her like a hawk, she has to keep a close eye on him, doesn't she?
It was already five o'clock when Mu Xing left home. She hurried to the jewelry store, intending to buy another piece of jewelry for Bai Yan. However, the store that usually supplied jewelry to the Mu family didn't have a very good selection today. She looked for a long time but couldn't find anything she liked.
I looked at a few other stores, but I was still not satisfied. By the time I finally had a flash of inspiration and chose a women's watch at Bulova, it was almost seven o'clock.
After a bumpy ride in a rickshaw to Yuejiangli, Mu Xing glanced around and suddenly remembered the shortcut Bai Yan had taken with her before, which seemed to be shorter than taking the main road by rickshaw.
With that in mind, she simply paid the bill, put the watch box in her jacket pocket, and walked alone into the alley.
Outside the rows of white houses, spotlights flashed incessantly, painting the sky with an ambiguous smoky blue that hung heavy overhead.
Mu Xing walked behind the clamor, separated by only a wall, yet the sounds and sights were completely different. The aroma of exquisite food and snacks wafted from the back window, mingled with the stench of filthy excrement. Lewd words and lewd chants rose higher and higher, accompanied by the meows of night owls, creating a strange and peculiar atmosphere.
As she hurried along, she couldn't help but wonder what Bai Yan would have been thinking when she wandered through this passageway in the past.
The sky still clung to darkness, the alleyway unlit and obscured by the houses on either side, shrouded in gloom. As the noise grew louder and more chaotic, the alleyway gradually quieted down.
Amidst the noise, Mu Xing suddenly heard what sounded like a pebble being kicked behind him.
Hmm? There are other people taking shortcuts too, or maybe they're clients who come to pee in the alley?
At first, she thought about it casually, but gradually, a strange unease suddenly welled up in her heart.
There was more than one person behind him.
Her habit of observing patients' conditions over the years made her keenly aware of the continuous breathing sounds; either there was an asthma patient behind her, or there was more than one person.
These days, even urinating requires forming cliques?
Feeling uneasy, Mu Xing subconsciously quickened her pace, but she soon realized that the person behind her was also catching up. The previously indistinct footsteps began to pound, echoing and crashing in the narrow alley, like a violent and exciting symphony.
What are they going to do?
Her first thought was of the robbery Tang Yu had mentioned, but she had previously assumed it was a fabrication. The security posts in this area were mainly located at street corners; if it were just a robbery, why would Tang Yu have followed her for so long?
If it's something else... could it be that mysterious lady from before?
Before he could think it through, the commotion behind him grew louder and louder. Mu Xing suddenly remembered that Bai Yan had mentioned a long-abandoned garden ahead. If they were planning something…
Looking up, she suddenly caught a glimpse of a dark figure flashing by in the distance. For a moment, Mu Xing felt her blood rush to her head, and her mind went blank. But quickly, she realized that the person was just urinating against the wall.
Most importantly, the back door that this person opened was not closed!
Upon seeing the faint yellow light emanating from that door, Mu Xing's heart pounded violently, as if struck by a heavy hammer.
She forced herself to remain calm and kept walking forward. Just as Mu Xing walked past, the man shook his leg and pulled up his pants.
Just as the man turned around, Mu Xing strode over and grabbed him in a hug.
"Who are you—"
"Are you peeing?!" With his heart pounding, Mu Xing shouted, "Let's go in together!"
The footsteps behind him suddenly quickened, and before the man could react, Mu Xing shoved him through the door, slammed the door shut behind him, and ran inside without stopping.
"Who are you? You're not allowed in here!" The man, bewildered, tried to grab her, but just as he reached out, the wooden door behind him was kicked open.
"stop!"
Mu Xing ran forward without looking back, but she also rushed into a brothel. Before she could reach the front hall, people who heard the noise at the back door had already blocked her way.
"Where did this brat come from! Daring to trespass in my shop!"
Caught between two forces and with no way forward, Mu Xing had no choice but to circle around to the table in the back hall, then rush out of the kicked-open wooden door. As soon as his feet touched the stone pavement, he began to run without stopping.
Although she was back in the alley, this detour bought her a little time, and she also saw that the people chasing her were all dressed in black, with uniform clothing, so they couldn't be just thugs committing crimes.
"Stop!" Chasing sounds soon came from behind. Mu Xing naturally couldn't stop. Fortunately, she usually liked sports, and after a burst of running, she was not caught.
During their chase, not a single person peeked out from the white houses on either side.
As the abandoned garden he had passed earlier drew closer, Mu Xing steeled himself and decided to simply climb over the wall and rush into the garden. He hoped that amidst the chaos, he could reach the security office on the other side of the street, where he might still have a chance of survival.
But before she could run over, gunshots rang out behind her!
The sound of wind breaking filled her ears as she watched a stone wall beside her explode, the scattered lime almost blinding her.
However, she had no other choice. She pushed off the garden wall with one foot, pulled herself up with both hands, and with a twist of her abdomen, she leaped onto the top of the wall. But at the same time, a tearing pain shot through her waist, and Mu Xing lost her strength and fell heavily into the wall.
Chapter 59
The moment she hit the ground, Mu Xing's mind went blank. Her temples throbbed, her ears rang, and the top of her head felt like it was about to explode. Kneeling on the ground, she couldn't even pinpoint where the pain was coming from.
Using all her might to support herself as she knelt up, she hastily wiped herself, leaving her hands sticky and wet with something that smelled of blood.
Bleeding? Where is the bleeding...?
Feeling nauseous and dizzy, Mu Xing knew he had to leave.
She crawled a few steps using both hands and feet, managed to grab onto a tree, struggled to her feet, and continued walking forward.
The tinnitus gradually subsided, and the chasing sounds behind me stopped for some reason. The only sounds in the garden were the soft, fragmented footsteps and increasingly heavy breathing.