Chapter 20: Did Your Conscience Get Eaten by a Dog?

After saying that, South Xiao pushed Xie Chengyu out with a smirk, leaving him fuming and hopping in frustration.

At the main residence of the Xie family, Elder Xie sat on his ancestral armchair, deep in thought.

When Aunt Zhang arrived to serve tea, Elder Xie stopped her and asked, “Have Chengyu and Xiaoxiao been acting the same way these past few days?”

“Acting the same” meant they were still sleeping separately, going their own ways most of the time, barely seeing each other.

Aunt Zhang nodded. “Yes. Living under the same roof, yet they haven’t even seen each other in days—how can this go on like this…”

Elder Xie slapped the armrest hard. “That useless son! What a disgrace!”

Aunt Zhang’s eyes flickered. She leaned in close. “I think Xiaoxiao’s actually a good girl. If they spent more time together, Chengyu would surely fall for her. Maybe we should think of a way to bring them closer?”

South Xiao had no idea what was happening at the Xie family mansion. These past few days, she’d been hanging around the film set, observing shooting sessions, and using her free time to read scripts and write. Life was busy, but fulfilling.

But that afternoon, Xie Chengyu found her and said, “You free tonight? I need you to accompany me to a dinner.”

South Xiao blinked in surprise. “What kind of dinner?”

She and Xie Chengyu were secretly married. Normally, when Chengyu attended events like this, he went alone—or just brought some secretary along as a token companion. He’d never once invited her before.

“It’s my second uncle’s party. Just a small family gathering.”

As soon as she heard that, she understood.

Everyone in the Xie family knew about their marriage. And behind closed doors, they all mocked her—laughing at her disfigurement since childhood, mocking her for being married for three years and never seeing her husband. She knew it all.

So the brief spark of joy she’d felt at the thought of accompanying Chengyu quickly vanished, replaced by dread at the prospect of facing the Xie family again.

South Xiao lowered her gaze. “Alright.”

She didn’t want to go. But they weren’t officially divorced yet. As his wife, she’d do what was expected.

Still, a quiet voice inside her whispered: *Chengyu let Xu Ruoxin call him “husband” in public, yet he hasn’t done one single thing a real husband should. Why should I do the things a wife is supposed to?*

The truth was, she agreed to go because she wanted to be near him.

And that terrified her.

She was supposed to be divorcing him. She should be learning how to live without him—not feeling a secret thrill at the thought of spending time with him.

She needed to push that thought away. Fast.

That evening, South Xiao and Xie Chengyu arrived at a small estate in the suburbs. After parking the car, they followed a servant into the banquet hall.

Only about ten people were there—core members of the Xie family. Among them were Second Uncle and Second Aunt Xie.

Second Uncle was a plump, greasy middle-aged man who was shamelessly lecherous. He kept sneaking glances at South Xiao’s body whenever no one was looking, making her feel physically ill.

Second Aunt was sharp-tongued and materialistic. A year ago, she’d tried to sneak her niece into Chengyu’s bed. Chengyu had thrown her out, and that incident still burned in South Xiao’s memory.

When greeting them, South Xiao gave a cool, polite nod. “Uncle, Aunt.” Then she said nothing more. Her distaste was obvious.

But today, Second Uncle and Second Aunt acted strangely—hovering around her, asking questions, even showing hints of flattery. South Xiao was baffled.

Then a young man in his early twenties approached—handsome, confident, but with a look of open contempt as soon as he saw her.

Second Aunt subtly pinched his arm and whispered, “Keep your eyes down. Say hello to your sister-in-law.”

Xie Huaiyu shot his mother a puzzled glance. She usually despised South Xiao just as much as he did. Why now was she telling him to call her “sister-in-law”?

He turned his head, thinking fast. He gave a slow, sarcastic “Sister-in-law,” then drawled, “We’re all family, finally getting together after so long. Yet you still won’t show your face? That’s awfully distant. How about you take off your mask and let us see who you really are?”

Silence fell instantly across the room.

Even the usually mild-mannered Third Uncle and Third Aunt frowned at Xie Huaiyu, clearly disapproving. The other cousins and nieces exchanged glances, eager for drama.

South Xiao lifted her eyes and stared at him—cold, unblinking.

Xie Huaiyu had always mocked her, humiliated her in front of everyone.

Back then, she’d swallowed every insult to protect Chengyu’s pride, retreating to her room afterward to cry in silence.

But not anymore.

She spoke, voice icy: “You know I’m scarred. You know it. And you still want me to show myself to everyone? What kind of monster are you? Did your soul get eaten by a dog?”