Chapter 17

“Beiwang is indeed right, Chu Wei. This matter is truly Beichen’s fault, and it has absolutely nothing to do with you.”

Madam Mu spoke with a solemn expression, showing no inclination to side with Mu Beichen just because he was her son.

In her view, right was right and wrong was wrong—family ties could not blur the line between them.

“If Beichen had any objections to this engagement, he could have said so directly. Your uncle and I would never have forced him to marry you.”

“What we hoped for was to find you someone who would truly love and cherish you, not merely to have you marry Beichen for the sake of it.”

Her tone carried genuine care and affection for Chu Wei.

“Besides, when Beichen agreed to this engagement, he never once mentioned that he liked someone else. How old was he back then? How could he possibly have had a girlfriend?”

Madam Mu continued her reasoning, “So if we’re talking about who interfered, it’s actually Xu Xueqing who came between the two of you.”

“We will personally go to the Xu family to get an explanation—find out how they are raising their daughter. Can’t she find a man on her own?”

“Or is she determined to cling to someone who’s already engaged?”

“Mom, and also—big brother’s friends said bad things about Chu Wei, saying she’s not as good as that Xu Xueqing. And big brother just let them say it, without defending her.”

Mu Beiwang spoke angrily, clearly upset about the matter.

Hearing this, Madam Mu’s body trembled violently, and she almost collapsed to the ground.

Xia Chu Wei reacted quickly, rushing to support her. “Auntie, are you alright?” she asked anxiously.

“I’m fine, just a little angry,” Madam Mu said, forcing herself to suppress her fury.

Chu Wei comforted her gently, “It’s just a few words, I don’t care about them. Please don’t get so worked up.”

Seeing that Madam Mu’s emotions were still unstable, Chu Wei looked at her worriedly and said softly, “Auntie, don’t be upset. Your health is what matters.”

“It doesn’t matter what they say. I truly don’t mind.”

Chu Wei turned toward Mu Beiwang and shook her head. “Beiwang, stop talking.”

Seeing his mother’s condition, Mu Beiwang felt a twinge of fear and quickly shut his mouth. He didn’t dare say another word.

He thought to himself bitterly—if he really made his mother sick from anger, his father would surely beat him half to death.

Madam Mu took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.

She looked at Chu Wei and Mu Beiwang, her expression stern. “Why stop talking? I want to know exactly who had the nerve to belittle my Chu Wei like that!”

“Mu Beichen, others might not know what kind of person Chu Wei is, but don’t you?”

“Even if you don’t like her, she is still your fiancée, and your engagement has not yet been dissolved.”

“She’s also the daughter of your father’s lifesaver—the one our family owes a great debt to. We wish we could cherish her more than anyone else.”

“And yet, you just stood by while she was belittled and insulted in public? Is your heart made of stone?”

Madam Mu’s voice broke, and she couldn’t help but cry.

“Mom, I’m sorry,” Mu Beichen said, looking at her with remorse.

Those words from his friends had never been taken seriously by him, nor had he thought they would hurt Chu Wei.

He had no idea that yesterday, she would overhear and witness everything at the door.

Madam Mu looked at him with eyes full of disappointment. “The one you should be apologizing to isn’t me—it’s Chu Wei.”

“How could you treat her this way? You let her be branded a homewrecker in front of your friends, and you allowed them to trample on her while praising Xu Xueqing.”

“Your father and I have always cherished Chu Wei as if holding her in our palms, afraid she might suffer even the slightest grievance—but you?”

“How could you do this? When your father and I are gone someday, how will you ever face her parents?”