Chapter 18: Fooled

Chapter 18: Fooled

Yun Shuiyao never imagined that her plan to manipulate Yun Mu would backfire, and she would end up being the one threatened with exposed evidence!

She was asked to post on Weibo to quell the online uproar?

In her dreams!

Her eyes turned cold as she quickly dialed Lin Wanqing's number.

"Yao'er, did Mumu come to the hospital to find you? The internet is abuzz with news that Mumu physically assaulted Ho Jinzhou. What's going on?"

The moment the call connected, Yun Shuiyao anxiously inquired, her tone filled with concern for Yun Mu.

Yun Shuiyao's fingers clenched, and she sniffled softly, "Yes, Sister did come by..."

"Wanqing, why are you crying?" Lin Wanqing paused, hesitantly asking, "Did your sister bully you again?"

"No!" Yun Shuiyao hastily denied, speaking softly, "It's only right for Sister to be angry at me. As long as she doesn't hurt Jinzhou anymore."

Indeed, Yun Mu struck Ho Jinzhou.

Lin Wanqing's heart sank.

Yun Shuiyao continued, "Mommy, can you please talk to Sister? If she truly hates me and Jinzhou, then whatever she does to us is fine. But she can't continue to sabotage herself like this, associating with some shady stranger..."

Upon hearing this, Lin Wanqing exclaimed in surprise, "What stranger? Did Mumu have an affair?"

"How could it be false when I saw it with my own eyes? She brought that man to the hospital today, and everyone there can attest to it."

It had even become common knowledge!

Lin Wanqing was utterly disappointed in her daughter, and at the same time, she felt deeply remorseful. She blamed herself for not having educated her daughter properly, which led to her committing such a mistake.

"Yun Shuiyao, focus on getting better first. I'll make sure to properly discipline Mumu."

Upon hearing this, Yun Shuiyao hung up the phone contentedly.

Yun Mu, just wait for your punishment!

In the luxurious car, Huo Tingcheng drove with unwavering focus, his demeanor aristocratically aloof.

In contrast, Yun Mu lounged nonchalantly in the passenger seat, proudly fiddling with the video evidence in her hand.

Huo Tingcheng glanced sideways and said, "If you want to expose this, I can assist you."

Yun Mu, currently backing up the video, grinned. "I don't have any plans to expose it for now."

Huo Tingcheng frowned. "You didn't stage this scene today just to seek revenge, did you?"

He had seen the online video of Yun Mu attacking Jinzhou and the marketing accounts manipulating public opinion. It wasn't hard to guess that Yun Shuiyao was behind it all.

Could this woman really endure such an insult?

Yun Mu put down the camera, lifted her gaze, her eyes captivatingly enchanting as she looked at the man driving with a teasing smile. "That doesn't make sense. Why would you help me, Huo Tingcheng?"

"None of the media in the entire Imperial Capital would dare to risk exposing a scandal involving Miss Yun unless I intervene," Huo Tingcheng stated straightforwardly.

"But aren't you fond of Yun Shuiyao?" Yun Mu queried, puzzled.

Huo Tingcheng's eyes darkened. "Who said I like her?"

"Then who do you like?"

"Hmm... That's none of your business." Huo Tingcheng's face turned grim.

If he didn't want to say, then so be it.

Yun Mu wasn't a gossip monger and had no interest in knowing.

"Still, thank you," Yun Mu sincerely expressed her gratitude. "Thank you for stepping in just now and teaching that person a lesson."

Huo Tingcheng's eyes flickered at the unexpected thanks.

He turned his gaze and, upon meeting Yun Mu's clear, bright eyes, his heart skipped a beat without warning.

However, Yun Mu quickly averted her gaze, captivated by the scenery outside the window. Her eyes sparkled as she examined this unfamiliar city with keen interest.

Huo Tingcheng studied the girl before him. At times, she was as docile as a white rabbit, at others, alluring and captivating, and sometimes, fierce and resolute. What experiences had this twenty-year-old gone through to hone such cunning and tactics?

Recalling how this woman had knocked him out earlier, Huo Tingcheng's face darkened, and he began to settle scores.

"I want an explanation for knocking me out," he demanded.

Yun Mu's heart skipped a beat. She couldn't escape this after all...

Her enchanting eyes darted around as she pouted, putting on an innocent and pitiful act.

"I had no choice at the time; you were delirious. I had to find a way to stabilize you. Although my method was a bit rough, I couldn't exactly use my own body to detoxify you, could I?"

"Hell no!" Huo Tingcheng bellowed in disgust.

His expression was one of utter disdain!

"I know you have no regard for me. After all, even my biological parents don't like me and sent me away because they were ashamed of me. I understand that you think I'm manipulative and look down on me, but do you have any idea what kind of life I've led? I've always been the one abandoned and sacrificed, enduring scorn and humiliation. Don't I deserve to fight back once?"

As Yun Mu spoke, her tale grew more miserable, her tone more earnest and indignant.

Huo Tingcheng recalled her file—sent away as a child, tormented in a rehabilitation center, and finally used as a substitute bride by her parents...

"I didn't mean it that way, nor am I looking down on you." For some inexplicable reason, he felt a twinge of guilt.

Yun Mu opened her eyes to glance at the man beside her. Seeing his change in attitude, she cunningly smiled.

At a red light, Hao Tingcheng parked the car.

She pointed at a dessert shop outside the window and, taking advantage of the situation, said, "Then treat me to a cake."

Hao Tingcheng gave her a sidelong glance, feeling tricked by this woman.

However, he eventually steered the car to the side of the road and parked.

Yun Mu curved her lips into a smile.

Such a pushover, this man.

The dessert shop Yun Mu randomly pointed at was a renowned, long-established establishment in the capital city. Their cakes were sold in limited quantities daily and were highly sought after by the elite and nobility. The variety of sweets they offered was abundant and dazzling.

Yun Mu genuinely wanted to indulge in some desserts.

No one is born a female warrior. In her previous life, she had envied other little girls for their pretty dresses and delicate treats.

Yet, from a young age, she had only tasted cake once, and that was followed by a night spent doing horse stance as punishment.

As the heir of the Yun family, her childhood had been filled with relentless, inhuman training – sweets like these were indulgences she had to resist.

But now, having been reborn, she intended to make up for all the pleasures she had missed out on before!

Huo Tingcheng noticed her longing gaze and slightly reddened eyes, resembling that of an undisciplined little girl.

"Want it? Then buy it. Why are you standing there?" He strode ahead towards the dessert shop, his long legs leading the way.

Yun Mu snapped back to reality and followed closely behind.

However, just as they stepped into the dessert store, someone called out to them.

"Mumu? It's really you!"

Yun Mu turned around to see a elegantly dressed and beautifully aged woman approaching her with astonishment.

It was none other than Yun Mu's biased biological mother, Lin Wanqing.

In her hand, Lin Wanqing held a cake, clearly not expecting to bump into Yun Mu here. As she approached, her gaze was immediately drawn to Huo Tingcheng standing nearby.

Huo Tingcheng stood tall and handsome by the counter, dressed in all black, his model-like figure and chiseled features captivating. Upon seeing Lin Wanqing, he subtly positioned himself to shield Yun Mu from view.

Could it be that this is the 'pretty boy' Yaoyao mentioned?