—

Meanwhile, at the Mu family villa, Wang Lan was sitting on the couch with glasses perched on her nose, scrolling through comments under Jian Jia Studio’s recent Weibo post on her tablet. She’d like any positive remarks about Mu Wan and downvote anything negative about her or the studio.

Turning to Mu Jianhua, she commented, “That kid Kuang Ye is dependable. Originally abroad, but as soon as he heard Wan wan was in trouble, he rushed back immediately.”

“Apparently, the recording used for the clarification was also brought back by him. The more I think about it, the more I like this son-in-law.”

Her tone turned cold as she recalled something. “That Kuang Shuyu really turned out to be someone you can’t judge by appearances. Thankfully, Wanwan cut her losses in time.”

The matter with the Yuan family had caused such a stir that anyone with some status in S City was aware of it. These days, encountering anyone from the Kuang family meant enduring ridicule.

It wasn’t as if other families didn’t have similar scandals, but at least their problems were out in the open. Like stepping around a pile of dung—you avoid it and move on. Kuang Shuyu, however, was different. He disguised himself as gold when he was nothing but filth, only to make others sick when they reached for him.

Mu Jianhua furrowed his brows. “Wife, don’t you think something about this feels strange?”

Wang Lan raised a brow. “What’s strange?”

“Kuang Shuyu was secretly such a scoundrel, but there wasn’t the slightest hint of it before now. Back then, if it weren’t for Old Master Kuang insisting on swapping the engagement, we might not have objected to Wanwan marrying him. After all, the two grew up together, and we watched him grow up.”

“So, was he just good at hiding it, or was someone covering for him behind the scenes?”

When the scandal about Kuang Shuyu first broke, an unquenchable anger had ignited in Mu Jianhua’s chest. His Wan wan had spent so much time with that beast, even studying abroad with him. And he had even asked Kuang Shuyu to take good care of her.

It was a relief that nothing major had happened in the end, or else Mu Jianhua wouldn’t rest until Kuang Shuyu paid for it.

Wang Lan caught the deeper implication in her husband’s words. “Are you saying Grandfather Kuang deliberately covered up for him?”

Mu Jianhua shook his head. “Probably not. If he had, he wouldn’t have been caught off guard when the Yuan family called off the engagement and held a press conference. That made the matter so public.”

Because of this scandal, the Kuang family’s stock had plummeted, incurring significant losses.

Wang Lan’s expression darkened. If it wasn’t Grandfather Kuang, then it could only be…

Her face twisted with anger. “Unforgivable! So, if Kuang Ye hadn’t been found and asked to take over Kuang Shuyu’s engagement, would Grandfather Kuang have kept it a secret and let us marry Wan wan into their family?”

Mu Jianhua sighed. “My father used to tell me that Grandfather Kuang was infamous for his ruthless tactics. But back then, he used them against his enemies. Now, he’s using them on us, on Wan wan.”

Wang Lan clenched her fists as memories of Kuang Ye’s injured hand and Wan wan’s past heartbreak over Kuang Shuyu came flooding back. Her teeth clenched with fury.

“The Mu family won’t let this go.”

—

After a night of intimacy, Mu Wan groggily got out of bed, feeling a dull ache in her waist.

“You’re awake,” Kuang Ye murmured, pulling her back into his arms. His tone was still heavy with sleep, clearly not fully awake yet.

Mu Wan teased him, “Oh, so our little Mr. Snail isn’t going downstairs to play the good househusband today?”

Kuang Ye chuckled. “I ordered delivery from Zui Xian Private Kitchen. The food in Country H is so awful I need to cleanse my palate.”

On a winter morning, even with the heater on, the bed’s warmth was irresistible. Mu Wan snuggled back under the covers and asked, “Are you still going back to Country H?”

Kuang Ye opened his eyes. “No. Today’s the last day of the knockout rounds.”

Mu Wan sat up, suddenly alert. “The last day? What time is it? Can we watch it in bed while we eat?”

Kuang Ye hesitated for a moment, his eyes darting. “This round isn’t worth watching. Let’s just wait for tomorrow’s finals.”

Something about his demeanor seemed off. Mu Wan wondered if ST was up against a tough opponent and Kuang Ye was worried about losing face. She patted his hand reassuringly.

“Don’t stress, Ye Shen. As you always say, victory and defeat are normal in competition. Besides, the knockout rounds don’t affect your entry to the finals. Just take it easy.”

Before Kuang Ye could respond, his phone rang. It was the delivery. Resigned, he muttered, “You’re going to find out sooner or later anyway. Just cast it to the TV. I’ll go get the food.”

—

Soon, Kuang Ye returned with the delivery. He set up the food on a portable table by the bed, adjusting its angle so the dishes were right within Mu Wan’s reach.

Mu Wan noticed the spread and quipped, “Didn’t you say this was to cleanse your palate? Why are all the dishes my favorites?”

Kuang Ye hung up his robe in the closet and climbed back into bed wearing a light pajama set. He leaned in to kiss Mu Wan on the corner of her mouth and whispered, “Yesterday already did the cleansing—with your sweet kisses.”

Mu Wan: “…”

She pinched his cheek, her ears turning red, and sternly scolded him, “It’s first thing in the morning! Can’t you show some decency? And I’m about to eat—aren’t you ashamed of yourself?”

On the bed, Kuang Ye played the rogue, puckering his pinched face into a pout and giving her another kiss. “I brushed my teeth.”

Mu Wan: “…I haven’t!”

Kuang Ye: “I don’t mind.”

Mu Wan: “But I mind!!!”

Kuang Ye lowered his head, looking like a kicked puppy, then raised his eyes to glance at Mu Wan. Up, down, up, down—until he finally sighed in exaggerated grievance.

“Jie Jie, you’re being so unreasonable.”

Mu Wan: “…”

Defeated, she picked up a meatball with her chopsticks and stuffed it into his mouth. “Eat more, talk less!”

This mouth not only spouted teasing remarks but also mastered the art of feigning innocence. Too dangerous!

Kuang Ye’s face lit up instantly. Chewing the meatball with delight, he scooted closer to Mu Wan. “More, please.”

Mu Wan pretended to grumble, “More, my foot,” but her chopsticks betrayed her, picking up another helping of the spicier dishes Kuang Ye preferred.

She’d always favored lighter flavors, but Kuang Ye loved strong, spicy tastes.

The two sat in bed, feeding each other bites until the meal was done. Per Mu Wan’s insistence, Kuang Ye cast the HW Global Tournament stream to the TV.

Just as Mu Wan anticipated another thrilling match, the screen showed ST’s mid-laner pulling off a godlike solo play. He fought all five opponents at the river alone, only to be taken down by the tower in the end.

Mu Wan: “???”