She then sat next to Ou Xueman and whispered, “The show is starting. But the best is yet to come.”
“What exactly are you up to?” Ou Xueman casually asked.
“Just sit here and watch the show; I guarantee it’ll be exciting and you won’t need to buy a ticket,” Huang Tianli replied mysteriously.
Across from them, Zeng Min and Di Xihuang had vastly different expressions: one looked shy like a new bride, the other grim like the king of hell, but both were silent.
Zeng Min stood next to Di Xihuang, who neither invited her to sit nor greeted her. She felt awkward, clutching her handbag tightly.
“Miss Zeng, sit here,” Ou Xueman said, patting the seat beside her to alleviate her embarrassment.
Di Xihuang glanced at her without speaking. Huang Tianli and Owen exchanged meaningful looks, with Huang Tianli finally nudging Owen and whispering, “You don’t need to worry; this womanizer always treats them like this, and they seem to accept it, almost enjoying his mistreatment.”
Zeng Min overheard Huang Tianli’s loud voice, her face turning pale as tears threatened to fall.
Ou Xueman understood her feelings and handed her a tissue, saying, “Everyone has been young and has had fantasies that blind them. But you’re different. You know what kind of person he is, yet you fall into this situation. Why torture yourself?”
Owen looked at her deeply, as if her words rebuked her own past.
“Yeah, this womanizer is terrible besides his looks, especially with that temper of his,” Huang Tianli added.
Ou Xueman rolled her eyes and slapped Huang Tianli’s forehead, saying, “And what exactly are you doing?”
Huang Tianli shrugged innocently, “He likes women, so I’m just bringing the women he likes.”
Though her words seemed simple, they hinted at deeper meanings. Before Ou Xueman could think more, another knock came, and Huang Tianli volunteered to open the door.
This time, Ou Xueman was stunned – the person looked familiar, like a singer whose name she couldn’t recall.
“Let me introduce her,” Huang Tianli said enthusiastically, “This is our popular multi-talented entertainment queen – Zheng Xiaoxiao.”
Before Huang Tianli could invite her in, the woman entered confidently, swaying her hips and immediately clinging to Di Xihuang, cooing, “Darling, why haven’t you come to see me in so long? Have you found a new love and forgotten your old flame?” She eyed Zeng Min with envy.
Huang Tianli exclaimed, “This woman seems too old to still be in the flower-hearted playboy’s roster. I don’t remember seeing her before.”
Hearing this, Di Xihuang felt a sudden urge to spank Ou Xueman’s bottom, prompting uncontrollable laughter from Ou Wen.
Finally, holding his aching stomach and wiping tears from his eyes, Ou Wen said, “She is… she is the housekeeper of the Tian Mu family.”
“Xihuang, you’ve completely lost your image in front of these two!”
Ou Wen finished speaking and continued laughing while slapping the table.
Di Xihuang felt both angry and amused but mostly helpless, her gaze soft with light dancing like fireflies.
The old woman standing in the doorway walked in strictly and respectfully, her face cold and expressionless.
“As expected of Di Ying’s housekeeper. Like master, like servant, they’re all expressionless,” Huang Tianli said sarcastically while wiping her dress with a tissue.
Ou Xueman laughed lightly, recalling Di Ying’s overly serious face, thinking “expressionless” was apt.
The old woman bowed deeply to Di Xihuang and spoke in Japanese. Ou Xueman didn’t understand, but Di Xihuang’s frown relaxed, though her face became even colder. It seemed it wasn’t good news, but as long as it didn’t involve her, she didn’t care.
Ou Wen frowned as well, and Huang Tianli, looking increasingly annoyed, leaned in and asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Someone is crying, making a scene, and threatening to hang themselves again,” Huang Tianli replied contemptuously.
Ou Xueman was slightly stunned. “Tian Mu Xiang Hui?”
“Who else could it be? She doesn’t feel comfortable if she doesn’t attempt suicide once or twice a year.”
This time she’s trying a new method, saying she’ll slit her wrists,” Huang Tianli said impatiently.
Di Xihuang’s group of women had a gloating expression.
“Xihuang, go take a look,” Ou Wen advised, seeing Di Xihuang seemingly indifferent.
Di Xihuang glanced at Ou Xueman, picked up the phone from the table, and walked out.
He still did not plan to see Tian Mu Xiang Hui. Although she didn’t understand their relationship beyond kinship, Tian Mu Xiang Hui was letting her youth slip away, following his shadow, only to be met with his indifference. This proved he was still as cold and ruthless as eight years ago.
“Sir, put on a coat,” Han Bing said with a gentle smile, holding his suit jacket but was stopped by his cold glance. His imposing manner made her hesitate, feeling extremely embarrassed.
As Di Xihuang walked out of the private room, the women’s attitudes changed dramatically. Moments ago they were gentle and considerate; now they were arrogant.
“Just look at her. She should get a facelift, yet still trying to act young and virtuous,” someone started, and suddenly Han Bing was attacked from all sides.
Han Bing remarked, “Yes, it’s better than some who’ve had extensive surgeries at my age—padded noses, enlarged breasts, liposuction—there’s not a single part of their body untouched.”
“But at least that’s better than someone who’s had surgery but still can’t keep a man,” Zheng Xiaoxiao joined in.
The argument escalated, with the women losing all decorum, hands on hips and faces flushed with rage. Were these noble ladies and pure maidens? Ou Xueman and the others could hardly believe it.
Finally, Ou Xueman, tired of the noise, told Huang Tianli, “You brought them here, so you deal with them.”
Huang Tianli took a deep breath and roared, “Shut up!” Instant silence followed.
Ou Xueman laughed lightly, “What else could they want? I already gave the ST fund to Liu Qiusi, and the Tong family has taken everything. I have nothing left, unless they want my life.” Her last words would later prove prophetic.
“Fool, why would they want your life? I think they just want to divorce you,” Owen said, simplifying the matter.
But Ou Xueman had long since moved past her naive years.
She shook her head and said, “Brother, are you still treating me like that naive little girl? If it were about divorce, we’ve been separated for over two years. Di Xihuang only needs to file a unilateral lawsuit with the court. Why go to such lengths to find me?”
“What’s strange is why Di Xihuang maintains this nominal marriage with you?” Owen voiced her concern.
Ou Xueman’s eyes flashed with something unsaid. She opened her lips slightly but remained silent.
Owen lowered his gaze, hiding his worry. “He once said he just wanted to protect you. As long as you remain his nominal wife, no one would dare to act against you.”
Ou Xueman let out a cold snort, her lips curving into a smile that revealed nothing.
Suddenly, the group of women, agitated by Huang Tianli’s words, grew louder, interrupting the conversation.
Suppressing her anger and feeling suffocated, Ou Xueman stood up, her height already imposing. She drew the fish-intestine sword Owen had given to Di Xihuang, stabbing it into the table with such force that it blinded everyone momentarily as she rolled up her sleeves.
Her eyes were filled with cold intent, resembling a demon queen about to devour souls, akin to Di Xihuang.
“Keep arguing. I’m not one to show mercy. If you annoy me, I’ll make sure you all need plastic surgery,” she said in a soft yet ruthless tone.
Though no one knew her identity, being a guest of Di Xihuang and acting brazenly suggested she was important. For a moment, no one dared to act recklessly.
