Chapter 37 People Must Put Themselves First, or Heaven Will Destroy Them
She was at the height of her triumph now, her mood light as she said:
“Miss Nan didn’t bid on anything? I saw several pieces of jewelry that would have really suited Miss Nan…”
Hearing this, Lin Yan bristled with anger, and even Nan Xiao felt a flicker of fury.
After all, Xu Ruoxin herself had once called Nan Xiao “ugly” and “hideous.” If she was a “ugly woman,” how could any jewelry suit her? Clearly, Xu Ruoxin’s words were a jab, mocking that Nan Xiao hadn’t bought anything.
“Xiao Xiao did bid.” Lin Yan stepped forward. “Didn’t Xie Chengyu bid? If he did, then that means she did.”
She cast a glance at Zhou Wen, who was carrying the items, and her lips curved slightly.
“Four items in total, right? Those are marital property. Xiao Xiao can just take two.”
Xu Ruoxin’s expression stiffened.
Though she had chosen them, the payment had been Xie Chengyu’s—so strictly speaking, they were his property.
Her smile faltered slightly. “Miss Lin, isn’t that a bit impolite? Those jewels were gifts from Chengyu to me.”
“Heh, I don’t care who Xie Chengyu ‘gives’ them to.” Lin Yan’s eyes were full of disdain.
“The fact remains, he hasn’t divorced Xiao Xiao yet. Legally, anything he buys is joint marital property. If you don’t understand, go look it up.”
At this, Xu Ruoxin’s face went completely sour.
She tugged lightly on Xie Chengyu’s sleeve, speaking with a hint of grievance: “Chengyu…”
That gesture sent Lin Yan’s anger spiking, while Nan Xiao felt a wave of sadness and humiliation.
In a low voice, she said: “Yan Yan, let’s stop. Let’s go.”
Her marriage to Xie Chengyu was a transaction. He could spend money however he liked, on whomever he liked—she had no right to interfere.
“No way. We can’t just let it go.” Lin Yan whispered fiercely.
“Even if your marriage is hidden, plenty of people in this circle know. And now, before the divorce, Xie Chengyu parades a mistress around openly. Don’t you remember the stares you just got? The whispers?”
Nan Xiao’s face paled.
She had just heard plenty of cruel murmurs—about her being ugly, pitiful. If she hadn’t stopped Lin Yan, a fight would already have broken out.
“And look at Xu Ruoxin’s arrogance.” Lin Yan pressed on.
“If she had stepped aside politely, fine. But you didn’t hear her meaning just now? Xiao Xiao, she’s trampling on you, and you still want to let her?”
Nan Xiao’s fists clenched, the ache in her chest growing heavier.
Yes. She hadn’t done anything wrong. So why should she keep swallowing Xu Ruoxin’s bullying?
She lifted her gaze straight at Xu Ruoxin and said:
“Whether I buy anything is none of your concern. Do you really think we’re on ‘friendly terms’ to chit-chat about that?”
“And after everything you’ve done to me, do you think I could still speak to you nicely?”
With that, she pulled Lin Yan along, her voice cold: “Please move aside. My friend and I need to pass.”
Xu Ruoxin bit her lip hard. Though she hadn’t lost anything tangible, she felt a burning frustration, one that stopped her from immediately stepping aside.
At that moment, Xie Chengyu spoke quietly:
“You’re upset?”
He was looking directly at Nan Xiao.
His dark eyes sought out hers, searching for her emotions—but his gaze slipped lower against his will.
Nan Xiao’s fitted gown traced every graceful line of her figure; the faint reveal of her chest made her beauty even more enticing.
Her eyes, always beautiful, were now highlighted by meticulous makeup, her glances liquid and captivating.
Below that, the mysterious butterfly mask—altogether she exuded an aura both sensual and enigmatic. Did she even realize how alluring she looked tonight?
Nan Xiao instinctively wanted to deny it, but then thought—why should she deny it?
She nodded. “I am upset. Please step aside. I want to leave.”
Truthfully, she was somewhat afraid of Xie Chengyu. But as long as he wasn’t angry, she still dared to show her true emotions.
Xie Chengyu studied her profile. Since arriving, she hadn’t looked at him even once—why?
“What do you want? I can buy it for you.”
What he meant was that those items had been chosen by Xu Ruoxin, so they couldn’t be given to Nan Xiao. But whatever Nan Xiao wanted, he was willing to buy separately for her.
The words startled Xu Ruoxin. Her eyes widened, and her fingers curled tightly into fists.
Nan Xiao too was surprised, but she quickly understood: this must be him worrying rumors would reach Old Master Xie, who would scold him. So he only said it to save face?
“I don’t need anything,” she answered. “If I want something, I can buy it myself.”
She had already asked twice for them to move, and they still hadn’t. She couldn’t bring herself to say it a third time.
So instead, she brushed past Xie Chengyu’s side—forcing a wider space for Lin Yan to slip through.
To Xie Chengyu, though, it was her soft body brushing against him.
The warmth of her skin, the faint fragrance, even through his suit—it sent a jolt through him, freezing him in place as though struck by lightning.
Nan Xiao tugged Lin Yan out with her.
Lin Yan was still fuming, holding Nan Xiao’s hand. “That bastard Xie Chengyu—his conscience finally stirred and he wanted to buy you something. You shouldn’t have refused. Opportunities like that don’t come twice!”
“Xiao Xiao, I know what you’re thinking.” She softened her tone. “You believe your marriage to him was a transaction. You took his money, he took your presence to ‘ward off ill luck.’ You feel you owe each other nothing now.”
“But don’t forget—you’re carrying his child. Whether you keep it or not, it hurts you either way. Taking more from him is only fair.”
“And even if it’s not fair, so what? People must put themselves first, or Heaven will destroy them. Think more of yourself. Xie Chengyu won’t miss what he gives you—it can only do you good.”
Nan Xiao chuckled at her words, but Lin Yan wasn’t wrong. She nodded. “Alright. Next time, if he gives me something, I won’t refuse.”
Barely half an hour later, once she was home, Zhou Wen called:
“Madam, President Xie said he’d like to buy you some things. Just send me what you want.”
“We’re divorcing. Don’t call me ‘Madam’ anymore,” Nan Xiao said. “I’ll think about what I want and send it to you later.”
