Chapter 9: Still Legally Married

When Nan Xiao arrived, Xu Ruoxin was already seated by the window, waiting for her.

Xu Ruoxin wasn’t strikingly beautiful by celebrity standards—she was average at best—but she carried herself with a certain sultry charm. Always in a dramatic wave of red hair and bold red lips, she exuded an unmistakably feminine allure.

Nan Xiao sat across from her and said quietly, “Ms. Xu. Go ahead.”

Earlier, Xu Ruoxin had called, saying she wanted to talk about her college days with Xie Chengyu. That’s why Nan Xiao came.

She knew this was like cutting her own heart out—but she just couldn’t help wanting to know what life had been like for Xie Chengyu before her.

Xu Ruoxin opened her phone. There were photos of her and Xie Chengyu from their university days—both wearing white button-downs and track pants, looking younger, softer, more innocent than they did now.

“Ms. Nan,” Xu Ruoxin began, “we were together since college. Back then, Mr. Xie didn’t approve of my family background. He forced us to break up. But Chengyu refused to let go—he nearly caused a full-blown family rift over it…”

“Even though we eventually split for other reasons… ever since then, Chengyu never dated anyone else. He’s waited for me all these years. He’s incredibly loyal…”

Nan Xiao kept her head down. To anyone else, her expression was unreadable. But inside, her heart had twisted into a tight, aching knot.

“Ms. Nan,” Xu Ruoxin asked curiously, “don’t you want to say anything?”

Nan Xiao wore a mask. Xu Ruoxin couldn’t see even a flicker of emotion on her face. She was desperate to read her mood.

Nan Xiao lifted her head. Her eyes were clear, sharp, almost unnervingly calm. “What exactly are you trying to tell me?”

Xu Ruoxin’s lips curled slightly—but her voice remained cold, flat.

“Ms. Nan, wasn’t it *you* who asked Mr. Xie to withdraw the divorce filing? Chengyu’s heart has never been with you. You’re wasting your time.”

Nan Xiao froze.

How did Xu Ruoxin know about the withdrawal?

It didn’t matter. What mattered was that she was accusing her—defaming her. Still, Nan Xiao kept her voice steady. “You’re mistaken, Ms. Xu. I didn’t do anything like that.”

Xu Ruoxin clearly didn’t believe her. She tilted her head, smiling faintly. “Of course you like Chengyu. He *is* a man with undeniable charm. But people should know their place.”

“You two aren’t suited. You’ll end up resenting each other. Do you know what people have been saying about you these past three years? They call you pathetic. Laughable. Sad.”

Silence.

Nan Xiao’s fingers trembled slightly.

She wanted to snap back: *I already told you it wasn’t me! Can’t you understand simple words?* But years of upbringing held her back. She couldn’t bring herself to speak like that.

Then—out of nowhere—a figure suddenly lunged forward, snatching the coffee off the table and dousing Xu Ruoxin from head to toe.

“*You*—can’t you hear plain English? She *said* she didn’t do it! And you’re still spouting nonsense like a broken record. Are you trying to torture people on purpose?”

…

“Yanyan?”

Nan Xiao shot to her feet, stunned. She stared at Lin Yan, furious and flushed, completely unprepared.

“What are *you* doing here?”

Lin Yan still clutched the dripping coffee cup, scanning Xu Ruoxin from head to toe.

Her hair was soaked, plastered to her face. Xu Ruoxin glared at her, trembling with rage, her arms shaking.

Lin Yan glanced at her once, then turned away. “I came here to sign a contract with a client. Just finished.”

*Thud.*

She slammed the coffee cup down on the table, then locked eyes with Xu Ruoxin.

“Listen, *Ms. Xu*. No matter what, they’re legally married now. You’re not some innocent bystander—you’re the third party. Showing up like this, stirring things up… don’t you feel *ashamed*?”