Chapter 24: Why Listen to Strangers?

“No need,” she said quietly. “Just take care of Grandfather. He’s the one who needs treatment most right now.”

With that, Xie Chengyu turned and walked away. The old man let out a wail, pointing at his grandson’s retreating back and cursing him nonstop until the figure vanished from sight.

Nan Xiao felt her heart freeze. Last night’s unexpected encounter had confused her—she’d foolishly believed things between her and Xie Chengyu had changed. But how could they?
Look at him—he still loved Xu Ruoxin!
He’d kept himself pure for her last night, and today he’d taken a beating just to protect her reputation. What was she even still dreaming about?

Suddenly, Nan Xiao realized how pitiful she looked. She couldn’t keep going like this.

“Xiaoxiao,” the old man whispered, voice cracking. “Grandfather’s sorry… When Chengyu comes back, I’ll make sure he pays for what he did. I’ll get you justice…”

“Grandfather,” she interrupted gently, “please don’t do any of that. Me and Chengyu… we’re not meant to be. His heart belongs only to Miss Xu. And honestly—we’re not compatible. You should start preparing yourself… to accept her.”

As Nan Xiao finished speaking, she turned and walked away. The old man stood frozen, stunned.

What was happening? One after another—they all ignored him now?

Dragging her weary body away from the main house, Nan Xiao suddenly felt lost. Directionless.

Xie Chengyu had told Zhou Wen to refile the divorce papers. That meant, legally, they were still married—but officially, they weren’t.

She couldn’t stay in the main house. But she didn’t want to go back to Lanting Garden either. Where else could she go?

After a moment’s thought, she hailed a taxi and headed to Lin Yan’s place. But when she arrived, she found Lin Yan slumped alone in the living room, drunk beyond recognition.

Empty bottles littered the floor—seven or eight of them piled up around her feet. She was still drinking, glass in hand.

Nan Xiao snatched the bottle away with a sharp snap. “What the hell is wrong with you? Are you trying to kill yourself?”

Lin Yan blinked slowly, her foggy eyes clearing. She didn’t reach for the bottle. Instead, she fumbled under the coffee table, pulled out a cigarette pack and lighter, lit up, and took a deep drag.

She used to smoke—back when she was younger. But Li Jingting hated it, so she quit. Now why was she doing it again?

Nan Xiao frowned.

“Chen Jiayi’s back.”

Lin Yan exhaled a cloud of gray smoke, the haze blurring her face. Nan Xiao couldn’t see her expression—only hear the hollow tone in her voice.

“Li Jingting went to pick her up first thing this morning.”

Nan Xiao’s brow knitted tight. She moved closer and wrapped her arms around her friend. “Yanyan… don’t cry.”

Lin Yan turned her head, burying her face into Nan Xiao’s shoulder, shoulders trembling as quiet sobs escaped.

Nan Xiao stayed with her all night. The next morning, she ordered breakfast, and they ate together in silence. Then she headed to the set.

The morning shoot wasn’t important, but Nan Xiao suddenly felt nauseous. As soon as she arrived on set, she threw up everything she’d eaten. She decided to rest in the lounge instead.

A knock came at the door. Nan Xiao assumed it was a crew member. “Come in,” she called.

But it wasn’t a staff member.

It was Grandfather Xie—leaning heavily on a cane.

“Grandfather,” she rushed over, taking his arm. “What are you doing here? You shouldn’t have come…”

He seemed calmer than yesterday. He gripped her arm, glancing around nervously before whispering:

“Xiaoxiao… why didn’t you two… *do it* the other night? That medicine was top-tier. I even had your uncle lock the door. How could Chengyu possibly resist?”

Nan Xiao’s face flushed instantly, her expression mortified.

“Grandfather… Chengyu doesn’t like me. Of course it wouldn’t work. And you know my condition already.”

“Oh, Xiaoxiao, don’t be upset. I didn’t mean it like that…”

Truth was, Grandfather Xie had never cared much about appearance. To him, the ideal mistress of the household needed character, integrity, and competence—all of which Nan Xiao had in spades.

Looks? Who cared?
His own son had always been obsessed with young, beautiful women—spent his whole life chasing skirts, never accomplished anything. The wife he brought home? Better if she wasn’t too stunning.

“Grandfather, I know you didn’t mean it that way. But that’s just reality.”

That “reality” was simple: Chengyu didn’t love her. And Grandfather knew it. He sighed, patted her hand, then slowly limped away.

After he left, Nan Xiao felt drained.

The old man really did care about her. Years ago, when her stepmother and stepsister caused trouble, he’d even blocked a flying vase meant for her head. If it had hit, who knew what would’ve happened?

But Grandfather was stubborn—insisted she marry Chengyu.
Back then, she’d seen it as her lifeline. Now it felt like a chain.

*Bang.*

The door flew open again. Nan Xiao instinctively turned—thinking it was Grandfather returning.

But it was Xu Ruoxin, chin lifted high, walking in like she owned the place.

Nan Xiao shot to her feet, annoyance flashing across her face. “Miss Xu. Did you forget to knock?”

Xu Ruoxin flicked a strand of hair over her shoulder, sneering. “You actually made Grandfather drug Chengyu? You’re so ugly—how dare you even try something like that? Don’t you feel ashamed?”

Nan Xiao clenched her fists. “Did you eavesdrop?”

“Ha. Leave the door half-open, and you’re asking for someone to listen?”

“You learn logic from thieves? So if you’re pretty, and someone abuses you, it’s your fault, right?”

Silence.

Xu Ruoxin’s face stiffened for a second—but quickly recovered.

She scanned Nan Xiao from head to toe, her gaze dripping with contempt. “What does it matter what you say? You’re ugly. It’s a fact.”

“Do you think your body’s good enough—and with that drug’s effect, men will fall for you? Let me tell you—no. Not even close.”

“Maybe you should look in the mirror every day. See how repulsive you really are. No man would ever want someone like you. Especially not Chengyu—someone so *high-quality*. Look at him—he won’t even touch you.”

Her tone was calm, almost conversational. But every word was a knife.

Nan Xiao’s fingers trembled with rage.

But then—she calmed down.

At first, she wanted to scream. She wanted to shout that the drug wasn’t hers—it was Grandfather’s. She hated being falsely accused.

Then she realized: Xu Ruoxin didn’t care about truth. Her goal was humiliation—to push Nan Xiao into giving up, to force her to leave Chengyu fast.

So she had to stay composed. She couldn’t let this woman control her.

Yes, she was divorcing Chengyu. But only if *he* wanted it. Legally, they were still husband and wife. Why should she listen to some outsider?

“Miss Xu,” she said coolly, “what business is it of yours whether I divorce Chengyu or not? Even if I’m ugly, how does that affect you? What if Chengyu *actually* falls for me one day—can you stop him? And more importantly—*who are you to stop anyone*?”