Chapter 37: If You Don't Look Out for Yourself, Heaven Will Punish You and Earth Will Destroy You

She was in high spirits now, her voice light and cheerful. “Didn’t Miss Nan take any photos? I saw several pieces of jewelry—so many of them would’ve been perfect for her…”

The moment she said that, Lin Yan’s face darkened. Even Nan Xiao looked irritated.

Xu Ruoxin had *personally* called Nan Xiao a “ugly girl,” a “monster”—how could an “ugly girl” possibly suit any jewelry? This wasn’t just casual talk—it was a thinly veiled jab at Nan Xiao.

“Sasha did take pictures,” Lin Yan stepped forward, cool and calm. “If Xie Chengyu took them, then they’re hers too.”

She glanced sideways at Zhou Wen, who was carrying bags, and her lips twitched upward slightly.

“Four items total, right? All marital assets. Sasha gets two.”

Xu Ruoxin’s expression froze.

Yes, those were her items—but the payment came from Xie Chengyu. Strictly speaking, they belonged to him.

She tightened her lips slightly. “Miss Lin, this is hardly polite. Those were gifts Xie Chengyu gave me.”

“Hmph. I don’t care who Xie Chengyu gives things to,” Lin Yan shot back, her eyes sharp with disdain.
“Regardless, he and Sasha aren’t divorced yet. By law, anything he buys belongs to both of them. If you’re clueless about the law, go look it up.”

That was the final straw. Xu Ruoxin’s face turned pale.

She tugged weakly at Xie Chengyu’s sleeve, her voice trembling. “Chengyu…”

Seeing that, Lin Yan’s anger flared. Nan Xiao felt a wave of pain and humiliation rise in her chest.

She leaned in, voice low. “Yanyan… let’s just go. We don’t need this.”

Her marriage to Xie Chengyu had always been a transaction. He could spend money on whomever he wanted—she had no right to stop him.

“No,” Lin Yan whispered fiercely into her ear. “We can’t just walk away. You two may be secretly married, but everyone in the circle knows your relationship. And now, while you’re still legally married, he’s dragging his mistress out like this—how many cold stares did you just endure? Don’t you remember?”

Nan Xiao paled.

She’d heard enough snide remarks—about her looks, her worthlessness, her pathetic situation. If it hadn’t been for her holding Lin Yan back, there would’ve been a fight already.

“And look at Xu Ruoxin,” Lin Yan continued. “That smug attitude. If she’d just stepped aside quietly, fine. But didn’t you hear what she implied?”

“Sasha,” she pressed, “she’s *directly* stepping on you. Do you really want to keep letting her get away with it?”

Nan Xiao clenched her fists. Her heart ached more than ever.

Right. She’d done nothing wrong. Why should she let Xu Ruoxin push her around?

But she couldn’t control where Xie Chengyu spent his money. She turned sharply toward Xu Ruoxin and said, “What I buy or don’t buy—what’s it to you? Do you really think we’re on such intimate terms that you can judge my choices?”

“And after what you did to me? Do you honestly think I’d still speak to you nicely?”

With that, she grabbed Lin Yan’s arm and stepped forward, voice icy. “Please move. My friend and I need to pass.”

Xu Ruoxin bit down hard on her lower lip. She hadn’t lost anything—yet she felt a tight knot of rage building inside her. It kept her rooted in place.

Then Xie Chengyu spoke, low and quiet. “You’re upset.”

He was talking to Nan Xiao.

His dark eyes locked onto hers, searching for emotion—but his gaze slipped downward, almost involuntarily.

She wore a form-fitting evening gown, sculpting every curve with elegant precision—the slender waist, the soft fullness below, the subtle swell of her chest barely hidden beneath fabric. The silhouette alone could make any man’s pulse race.

Her eyes were already striking—now framed by flawless makeup, her lashes fluttering, her gaze gliding like liquid fire.

And beneath it all, the mysterious butterfly mask, adding an air of seductive secrecy. Did she even realize how dangerously alluring she looked tonight?

Nan Xiao instinctively wanted to deny it. But then she paused. Why should she?

She nodded. “Yeah. I *am* upset. Please move. I need to leave.”

She was afraid of Xie Chengyu—deeply so. But if he wasn’t angry, she wouldn’t hold back her feelings.

He stared at her profile. Since he’d arrived, she hadn’t looked at him once. Why?

“What do you want?” he asked. “I’ll buy it for you.”

His intention was clear: those items were what Xu Ruoxin wanted—so they couldn’t go to Nan Xiao. But if Nan Xiao wanted something else, he’d buy it for her himself.

But Xu Ruoxin stiffened. She lifted her eyes, stunned. Her fingers curled into fists.

Nan Xiao blinked, surprised—but only for a second. Then she understood. He was trying to avoid gossip reaching the elder Xie. If the old man found out, he’d punish him. So this was just a cover.

“I don’t need anything,” she said flatly. “I can buy what I want myself.”

She’d said “move” twice already. They still didn’t budge. She didn’t want to say it a third time.

So she simply squeezed past Xie Chengyu’s side—harder than necessary, creating space for Lin Yan to slip through.

To Xie Chengyu, though, it was her soft body brushing against him.

A warm, floral scent washed over him. Her smooth skin grazed his jacket, and even through the fabric, he felt the heat of her.

For a split second, it was as if an electric current shot through him. His whole body went rigid.

Nan Xiao pulled Lin Yan through without hesitation.

Lin Yan was still furious. She gripped Nan Xiao’s hand. “That bastard Xie Chengyu finally has a conscience and wants to buy you stuff? Don’t turn him down. Once this chance passes, it’s gone forever.”

“Sasha,” she added after a pause, “I know what you’re thinking. You see this marriage as a deal—money for a wedding ritual. You took his money, he got his ‘luck’—you’re even. No debts.”

“But don’t forget—you’re carrying his child. Whether you keep it or not, it’s going to hurt you. Taking more isn’t unreasonable.”

“And even if it *is* unreasonable? Life’s brutal—people have to look out for themselves. You’re not hurting anyone. Xie Chengyu can afford it. Be kind to yourself. What’s the harm?”

Nan Xiao laughed softly. But Lin Yan was right. She nodded. “Okay. Next time he offers something, I won’t refuse.”

Less than half an hour later, back home, Zhou Wen called.

“Madam,” he said, “Mr. Xie wants to buy you some things. Just tell me what you want—I’ll send it over.”

“We’re getting divorced,” Nan Xiao replied. “Don’t call me Madam anymore. I’ll check what I want. I’ll text you when I decide.”