Chapter 313: Chapter 313: It’s Commonly Known as, Cheap! Chapter 313: Chapter 313: It’s Commonly Known as, Cheap! Shen Zichu frowned but didn’t reply.

Mu Lan looked at him, took several deep breaths before she could ask:
“Did you ever love Xiaoman?”

She used the past tense ‘loved,’ but Shen Zichu couldn’t help but show a bitter smile. It wasn’t that he had loved her, it was… that he still loved her now.

But the marriage had been dissolved. Should he pester her persistently? That wasn’t the style of Shen Zichu.

Gu Xiaoman’s personality was such that once it was over, it was over. He knew he had been somewhat reckless at the time, and he had been a bit indecisive in dealing with things, missing the best timing. Now that their relationship had become what it was, he couldn’t blame anyone else.

“Are you trying to vent out anger for her?”

Mu Lan really wanted to curse out loud but she held back.

“It’s not about venting her anger. I just feel like Gu Xiaoman has been wronged.

Shen Zichu, let me tell you something unpleasant–you are even worse than Huo Tingxiao. Huo Tingxiao didn’t love me before, it was my one-sided feelings, so in the end, he wasn’t at fault.

But what about you? You knew very well that if you responded to Gu Xiaoman, this girl would definitely not marry you. What she always wanted was mutual affection.

If you didn’t like her, you could have been upfront about it. She’s not the kind to doggedly pursue a lost cause.

What did she do wrong for you to hurt her like this!

Do you know, when she chose to love you unconditionally, how hard it was for her?”

Shen Zichu looked up at Mu Lan, feeling that there was a deeper meaning in her words.

“What do you mean?”

Mu Lan pursed her lips.

“Xiaoman’s parents divorced when she was very young. Her greatest wish has always been to have a complete family.

Her dad didn’t remarry for her sake, just out of fear that she would feel wronged.

He raised her with all he could, pampering her and bringing her up so well, yet this is how you treat her!”

Shen Zichu looked at Mu Lan. It was funny to think about it–despite being married, their parents had yet to formally meet. There had been a chance to visit Gu Xiaoman’s father, but due to a last-minute academic seminar, he couldn’t leave and missed it.

Now that he thought about it, Shen Zichu felt oddly regretful. He could have attended another seminar; what he remembered was that day when he had called Gu Xiaoman to apologize, and not only did she not get angry, she even comforted him, saying that there would be plenty of opportunities in the future.

Shen Zichu thought the same at the time–once married, there would be many chances to meet each other’s families.

But…

The marriage was over. A whirlwind marriage of just over two months, not even reaching a hundred days. He might have become a dean, but he lost his wife.

Shen Zichu’s mouth felt dry, and at that moment he didn’t know what to say, only managing a strained response:
“I didn’t know…”

Seeing him like this, Mu Lan felt not the slightest bit of sympathy.

“Didn’t know? What could you know? If you were even a little attentive toward her, things wouldn’t have ended this way. Shen Zichu, I wanted to meet you just to tell you, you deserve to miss out on Gu Xiaoman. She’s such a good person and deserves better.

I see that you’ve been distraught lately, but I want to tell you, before you figure out your own feelings, don’t act rashly, for it will only cause deeper hurt.”

Shen Zichu stayed silent for a while, not countering Mu Lan’s words.

Actually, he had thought about it for a long time, truly not understanding what was going on with himself–it hadn’t been that long, could there be so much affection already? He just felt he was not used to it.

After all, he had never had such a tumultuous girl in his life before. His lively life had changed, and so he wasn’t used to it anymore–at least that’s what he had believed.

But after what Mu Lan had said just now, Shen Zichu felt especially distressed. His discomfort stemmed from feeling sorry for her.

Feeling sorry… for Gu Xiaoman.

The thought of her being considerate of others while putting herself in a difficult position made his heart ache unbearably.

He then felt even more that he was a jerk, a scumbag.

Mu Lan was right. Huo Tingxiao might seem heartless, but at least he never took advantage of Mu Lan’s feelings.

As for him…

“You’re right, I indeed don’t deserve her. How is she doing now?”

Mu Lan deliberately provoked him.

“Of course, she’s doing wonderfully, filled with energy every day, and her fanbase is skyrocketing.

She’s now quite a famous blogger on various platforms. Doesn’t that tell you how well she’s doing?”

So, even without him, she could live so well…

Shen Zichu’s feelings were rather complicated. On one hand, he hoped she was doing well, but the thought of her doing so well without him tore at his heart.

This feeling, colloquially, was simply despicable!

“Yeah, that’s good.”

Mu Lan frowned. Was that all he had to say?

“I heard there are a lot of handsome guys abroad. Gu Xiaoman, being so lively and cute, must be very popular.”

“Yeah, she is quite endearing.”

“…”
The man really wasn’t on the same wavelength. Mu Lan didn’t bother wasting more time and turned back to the hospital room.

Shen Zichu stood in the corridor for quite a while, motionless.

Until a nurse saw him and hurriedly asked him to handle an important matter.

Mu Lan returned to the hospital room to find Yunzhan peeling an apple with a fruit knife.

“Done talking? What’s the verdict? You two getting back together?”

“Who’s getting back together with him? He can go be a bachelor for all I care.”

Yunzhan glanced at Huo Tingxiao, only to see him signaling with a look that said, “If you want to live, keep quiet.”

Yunzhan got the message and quietly munched on his apple.

“Men really are no good.”

Mu Lan cursed bitterly, and Huo Tingxiao felt like he had been shot while lying down.

As for Yunzhan, he was used to being cursed at. His skin was thicker than city walls, so he didn’t care in the slightest.

“Wife, I’m one of the good ones.”

A weak retort almost made Yunzhan spit out the apple in his mouth.

This was insane; this man was definitely not the Huo Tingxiao he knew.

“Yeah, except for you, uh, and my brother too.”

Mu Lan amended carefully.

“Right, let’s talk business. You have a piece of land and so does the Huo Corporation. Are you thinking of collaborating with them?”

Yunzhan crunched on his apple, his mouth far from idle.

“I have indeed been considering a collaboration.”

Huo Tingxiao leaned back on his pillow, his tone casual, clearly not denying it.

“Well, I have an idea. Do you want to hear it?”

Yunzhan smiled slyly at Huo Tingxiao, obviously plotting something.

Hou Tingxiao knew his friend had many tricky ideas and became somewhat wary.

“If I say I don’t want to hear it, will you not tell me?”

Yunzhan was taken aback.

Damn, this guy doesn’t play by the rules.

“You’ve got to listen anyway.”

Yunzhan rattled on, and Huo Tingxiao thought he must be crazy.

But Mu Lan thought it wasn’t entirely unfeasible.

“Well, what do you think? Exciting idea, isn’t it?”

“Daydreaming.”

“Quite interesting.”

The couple surprisingly had differing opinions.

However, Yunzhan just laughed heartily. After all, he knew who called the shots in this household.

“Huo Tingxiao, your opposition doesn’t count. Sister-in-law’s vote makes it pass.”

Mu Lan was puzzled. She didn’t say she’d approved it; she just found it somewhat interesting, that’s all.

“Um…”