She Cuckolded Yun Huaizhu

Li Wan shouldered her toolbox and headed back to the apartment.

The apartment sat right next to the Yun Corporation building. Yun Huaizhu had arranged it for her so she could get to work easily. It was spacious and tidy, the bed big enough to roll around in, and—most importantly—it no longer had that damp, dust-coated feel.

Back when she'd slept in that run-down computer repair shack in the slums, she used to dream about the days before her parents died. Back then, she'd been her parents' darling too, the pearl in their palm.

She'd always expected to live out the rest of her life in mediocrity, quiet as a mouse.

Ever since she was little, everyone around Li Wan had praised her as a genius—she could use a computer from such a young age. But what she loved most were beautiful gems and pearls of all kinds.

In her free time, she would take apart her necklaces and earrings and remake those pretty things into new pieces of jewelry.

Her parents only ever saw how exceptional she was. They entered her in all sorts of competitions and paraded her in front of business partners she didn't even know.

Li Wan hated those business partners who treated her like a bargaining chip. Every time she was put on display, she felt suffocated beyond words.

Whenever she performed especially well, her mother would give her the sparkling jewelry she loved most. But Li Wan preferred to take those jewels apart and reassemble them her own way.

Every time she appeared before her mother wearing something she'd designed herself, her mother never once noticed that she had taken the original pieces apart.

Later, Li Wan's family went bankrupt, and her parents jumped from a high-rise on the same day.

She lost the parents who had loved her most, her status as a young miss, and her comfortable life.

From that day on, she lived like a rat, hiding from place to place. Sometimes, when she saw sparkling gems again, she couldn't help feeling moved and envious.

Until one day, the woman who wanted custom earrings came to her shop.

The woman brought her the lowest grade of green gem—peridot—yet looked at her with such expectation, saying she wanted to give the earrings with the hidden listening device to her wife.

She thought the woman must love her wife very much, so she crafted the earrings with care. They weren't templated designs like the ones she usually made; they were truly infused with her own feelings.

The stranger, someone she had met only twice, praised her work as beautiful—more beautiful than some high-end custom pieces...

It was the highest praise she had ever heard.

In that moment, she suddenly felt as though a sliver of light had entered her sunless life—and that sliver of light had come from that customer.

...

Li Wan set the heavy toolbox down as she thought of this. She still didn't know Yun Huaizhu's wife's name, or whether she would ever get the chance to see her again.

But not long ago, something had happened that left her uneasy—

According to Yun Huaizhu's plan, she would invite her wife out shopping at the mall, then find some way to leave her wife's phone in the car.

Yun Huaizhu had given her the spare car key beforehand. All she had to do was wait until the two of them left, then go to the car, retrieve the phone, and install the software exactly as instructed.

Yun Huaizhu had given her plenty of time, but she had stood there struggling for a long while, restless with guilt.

She watched the cars come and go in the parking lot while she hid in the shadows like a petty thief, afraid to come out. Before she knew it, most of the time had been wasted; if she didn't move now, Yun Huaizhu and her wife would be coming back.

Only then did Li Wan steel herself, grit her teeth, and go install the software. She cracked the phone password first, then installed it, and the WeChat chat records and call logs were transmitted to her computer.

When she saw that the phone's owner had been chatting with someone named ‘Scum Alpha Su Reformation in Progress,’ she was immediately alarmed—this mistress was far too brazen. The things said in the chat were so explicit, and it seemed they had already been intimate!

The phone's owner seemed fond of giving her contacts strange names. If Li Wan hadn't also had Yun Huaizhu on WeChat, she never would have guessed that ‘Poor Little Pearl’ was how she had labeled the calculating Yun Huaizhu.

Yun Huaizhu must have known for a long time that her wife was cheating; that was why she had this software installed on her phone. But the things that mistress said were truly unbearable to read. To keep Yun Huaizhu from being hurt when she saw them, Li Wan thoughtfully deleted the mistress's previous chat records with the phone's owner.

If that mistress provoked her again later, that would be Yun Huaizhu's business to handle.

After she finished, she suddenly heard a familiar voice from the parking lot. She hurriedly put on a baseball cap, pulled it low, then slung her conspicuous toolbox over her shoulder and left in a rush.

At that moment, Lin Meng was in excellent spirits after a satisfying meal. She even took the initiative to hold Yun Huaizhu's hand—the one who had treated her to dinner. “Zhuzhu, you don't seem to have bought anything today besides perfume. You look a little unhappy.”

Hearing that, a smile immediately appeared on Yun Huaizhu's face. She reached out and affectionately tapped Lin Meng's nose. “Not at all. I'm very happy with Mengmeng-jie. I was just thinking that I'll soon have to send you home, and then we'll have to part. If only I could be with Mengmeng-jie every day—that would make me even happier.”

Lin Meng quickly shut her mouth at that. If Yun Huaizhu came running to her place every day, that would be terrible.

Just as she was thinking this, she noticed someone with a baseball cap pulled very low, carrying a highly suspicious large box, walking past her.

Instantly, her brows knitted tightly, and she began imagining a whole series of criminal scenarios.

Just as her gaze was about to follow the person, Yun Huaizhu suddenly pinched her chin and turned her head back. “Mengmeng-jie, we're about to part soon. You should be looking at me more.”

Lin Meng quickly said, “No, it's just that the person who walked by seemed a bit suspicious.”

When Yun Huaizhu heard this, her heartbeat clearly quickened.

Her Mengmeng-jie usually seemed so oblivious to social cues; she hadn't expected her to be so sensitive about this sort of thing.

Yun Huaizhu let out a slightly guilty laugh. “What are you talking about? Besides, this mall has very strict security. Even if there were bad people, they couldn't get in. And even if someone were doing something bad, that's a matter for the police—it has nothing to do with Mengmeng-jie.”

After hearing this explanation, Lin Meng's suspicions suddenly dissipated quite a bit. As for why she had found that person suspicious—it was probably because the direction they'd come from was exactly where Yun Huaizhu had parked.

Maybe she was just being paranoid.

Lin Meng gave an awkward smile. “Y-yeah, that's right.”

After hearing that, Yun Huaizhu quickly stepped forward and instantly switched positions with her. She used her own body to block Lin Meng's line of sight. “Alright, we should get going.”

Lin Meng hesitated, then nodded. “Mm.”

...

At the Su family's old mansion.

Just as night fell, Su Yurong heard that Su Yutang was feeling unwell and had called Shen Yan over to examine her.

Su Yurong knew her daughter's temperament very well. If she were truly unwell, she would never act like this. It was probably another fake illness, another farce.

She calmly ground ink, then asked Ji Quanying with a helpless expression, “What did Shen Yan say? Is she alright?”

Ji Quanying replied, “According to the bodyguard team captain's report, Young Miss merely caught a slight chill and has some indigestion. Dr. Shen prescribed medicine, and Young Miss fell asleep after taking it.”

Hearing this, Su Yurong suddenly felt something was off and furrowed her brows. “She fell asleep right after taking the medicine? She didn't get angry or shout?”

Ji Quanying nodded. “That appears to be the case, Madam. Forgive me for speaking frankly—isn't it good for Young Miss to be quiet?”

Su Yurong slammed the ink stick down with a pa. Ink splattered onto the character ‘endure’ she had just written. “I'm going to see her myself right now,” she said urgently.

Seeing this, Ji Quanying hurried after her.

In the house in the back courtyard, the bodyguard team was still dutifully guarding the door. When they saw Su Yurong arrive, they quickly said, “Madam.”

A faint trace of anger had already surfaced on Su Yurong's well-maintained face. Her tone was urgent as she asked, “Where is Young Miss?”

The bodyguard captain stepped forward and answered, “Reporting to Madam, Young Miss is still sleeping inside.”

The more she heard, the deeper Su Yurong's suspicions grew. As if unable to control her anger, she shouted, “Open the door at once!”

“Yes.”

The heavy titanium alloy door was pushed open by two bodyguards together. As soon as Su Yurong entered, she stormed up the stairs.

When she reached Su Yutang's bedroom door, she suddenly stopped.

Although Su Yutang always loved to defy her, the child was also quite obedient at times. Maybe today she wasn't trying to be contrary.

Su Yurong had forcibly confined Su Yutang in the old mansion, and it had already damaged their mother-daughter relationship. If she now barged into Su Yutang's bedroom without any reason, Su Yutang would surely hate her even more, wouldn't she?

What if Tangtang really was sick?

Reason returned to her just in time and pulled Su Yurong back. She stood outside the door and gently knocked. “Tangtang, I heard you're sick, so Mama came specially to see you.”

After she knocked, Su Yutang still didn't come to open the door.

So she knocked again. “Tangtang, I know you resent Mama a little, but Mama is doing this for your own good. You've been far too willful these past two years. Drinking and gathering with your friends—I had no objection. Even driving sports cars around and putting yourself in danger, I let that go. But you cannot use your status as the Su family heir to put so many people in the Su family at risk.”

Meanwhile, the person inside heard the voice and struggled desperately, muffled sounds of “mmph—mmph—” escaping her throat.

Su Yurong assumed Su Yutang was sulking, so she continued to reason with her, voice thick with emotion. “Tangtang, Mama only has you as a daughter. You were clever and sensible since childhood. Though you're willful at times, Mama has always indulged you. But on this matter, Mama cannot give in. Your temper has grown more and more volatile. You need to calm down and learn how to be a leader who can manage a large family. Mama is telling you all this for your own good. Otherwise, once the day comes when Mama is no longer here, what will you do?”

After Su Yurong finished, the person inside still made no sound.

Su Yurong sighed helplessly, then said through the door, “Since you won't answer, Mama will take that as your consent. Mama is coming in now.”

Three seconds passed, and still no one inside responded.

Unease prickling in her heart, Su Yurong opened the bedroom door. Inside, she saw Su Yutang lying on her side, almost entirely buried under the blanket.

At the sight, Su Yurong suddenly recalled that her Tangtang had been like this as a child—whenever the child was sulking, she liked to wrap herself up in the blanket.

She didn't know when the child had grown up and stopped doing these childish things.

Su Yurong was happy about Su Yutang's growth. But she still missed that adorable little Tangtang who would let her hold her, who only knew how to nestle against her and call her Mama.

Su Yurong gradually drew closer, then carefully sat on the edge of the bed. She reached out and placed her hand on the blanket. “Alright, Tangtang, don't be angry anymore. Mama is doing this for your own good. What overnight grudge could there be between mother and daughter?”

Just as she placed her hand on the blanket, an unusual sound came from beneath it: “Mmph—mmph mmph...”

Hearing that sound, Su Yurong's heart went cold. She shot to her feet and yanked the blanket open—and there lay Shen Yan, golden-haired, trussed up tightly, a cloud-brocade silk scarf stuffed in her mouth.

That scarf was the one Su Yutang had been wearing when she ordered the bodyguards to bring her back.

At the sight, Su Yurong let out a cold, helpless laugh. Everything she had just said had been pearls before swine. No... the ‘swine’ wasn't even here.

In that moment, the anger in her heart surged straight to her head.

Su Yurong pulled the scarf out of Shen Yan's mouth. Shen Yan took a deep breath as if she'd finally been saved, then sobbed tearfully to Su Yurong, “Madam, it's terrible—Young Miss knocked me unconscious and tied me up like this!”

Su Yurong's voice was fierce as she shouted, “Bian Hui! Get in here!”

The bodyguard captain hurried up at the shout. “Madam, what are your orders?”

Su Yurong stared at her. “How long has it been since that ‘Dr. Shen’ left this house?”

Bian Hui had glimpsed Shen Yan tied up like a zongzi the moment she entered the room. Knowing she had made a grave mistake, she answered quickly, “Madam, it's been two hours.”

Su Yurong advanced on her, the pressure radiating off her. “Mobilize everyone to find her. If she isn't brought back tonight, you can get out!”

“Yes, Madam. I'll see to it at once!”

With that, Bian Hui assembled the people waiting downstairs and left with them.

She felt extremely puzzled.

Because Su Yutang and Shen Yan had completely different hair colors—one black-haired, one golden-haired—Bian Hui hadn't paid it any mind. After all, no matter how much a person changed, they couldn't possibly change their hair color that quickly, right?

When that ‘Dr. Shen’ left two hours ago, her hair had been a striking golden yellow.

Could Young Miss have left wearing a wig?

...

The streetlights in the residential compound were dim with age.

When Lin Meng got out of Yun Huaizhu's car, Yun Huaizhu still wanted to walk her upstairs. Lin Meng had wanted to keep Yun Huaizhu company today, to make her happy—how could she trouble her with a round trip now? So she politely declined.

At that, Yun Huaizhu immediately looked utterly disappointed and sad.

Lin Meng didn't know what to do. She recalled the moments she'd spent alone with Yun Huaizhu before, then stepped forward and gently hugged her. “Zhuzhu, it's not like we'll never see each other again. When I have my day off next week, let's go out and have fun together, alright?”

Clearly, Lin Meng's initiative warmed Yun Huaizhu right up; in an instant, her mood cleared from cloudy to sunny, and she melted into Lin Meng's embrace, unable to pull herself away.

“Okay, then Mengmeng-jie has to keep her word.”

Lin Meng nodded firmly. “Mm. How about we pinky-swear?”

Hearing this, Yun Huaizhu looked up at Lin Meng's adorable face and smiled happily. “Mengmeng-jie is always so lovable.”

But just then, when she wanted to kiss Lin Meng's cheek again, she suddenly noticed that Lin Meng had gone back to wearing her old glasses.

A sense of unease rose in Yun Huaizhu's heart. “Mengmeng-jie, why aren't you wearing the contact lenses I gave you? Are they uncomfortable, or is the prescription wrong? Should I take you back there another day to get them checked?”

Lin Meng froze at those words, her guilt almost impossible to conceal.

She didn't dare say that the contact lenses Yun Huaizhu had given her had fallen out that night at the banquet, while Su Yutang was biting and gnawing at her.

Contact lenses like that—once lost, they were gone for good.

She lowered her head, filled with guilt. “I-I'm sorry, Zhuzhu. Those contact lenses accidentally fell out when I was at the banquet. Were they very expensive? Do you need me to...”

Just as Lin Meng said this, Yun Huaizhu gently pressed a finger to her lips.

Yun Huaizhu looked at her with a tender smile. “It's my fault. Contact lenses are easy to lose—I should have prepared more pairs for you. Next week, when Mengmeng-jie goes out with me, I'll take you to get checked again and buy you a few more pairs.”

Hearing this, Lin Meng was instantly stunned.

She even felt like crying.

What a wonderful person Yun Huaizhu was, and yet she had cuckolded her.

Seeing that she was so moved she was about to cry, Yun Huaizhu leaned in close, as if pressing her face against Lin Meng's, and spoke in an ambiguous posture. “Mengmeng-jie, I've told you—between good friends, there's no need to be so particular. If you really treat me as a friend, don't say those unnecessary things, because they really make me sad.”

Hearing this, Lin Meng's eyes reddened slightly. She quickly nodded. “Okay...”

As if moved by how wonderful Yun Huaizhu was, guilt and shame kept her rooted to the spot, unable to move. Seeing her dazed expression, Yun Huaizhu took the opportunity to leave a kiss on her forehead.

The warm touch pulled Lin Meng's thoughts back. She suddenly opened her eyes wide, and Yun Huaizhu's incomparably beautiful face filled her vision. “Good night, Mengmeng-jie. Sweet dreams.”

Best if I'm in them.

...

Lin Meng walked back toward her building in a bit of a daze. She began to think about the relationship between Su Yutang, herself, and Yun Huaizhu.

In the novel, Su Yutang and Yun Huaizhu were a couple. What about now?

It seemed she was the only one who thought those two were a couple. Their relationship had shown no development at all so far.

The original novel's plot was full of physical and emotional torment, but through that torment, the two of them had developed deeper and deeper bonds and connections.

All those plot points had vanished into thin air with her intervention. Up to this point in the story, Yun Huaizhu and Su Yutang didn't seem to have made any real progress.

The two of them neither loved each other nor even saw each other often.

Could they still fall in love under these circumstances?

What was completely at odds with the novel's plot was that the person frequently meeting both of them was her.

She was like an outsider who had suddenly barged into their world. Although she had prevented the plot points she hadn't wanted to see when reading the novel, the current situation wasn't much better than the novel.

Because if the two of them never met, they would never develop feelings for each other—so what kind of CP was that?

At this moment, the skyscraper in Lin Meng's heart called ‘Plot’ was tilting even more.

If someone came along now and gave it a gentle push, that building might collapse completely.

Besides feeling guilty toward Yun Huaizhu, Lin Meng was also wondering whether she was in the world of the plot or the real world.

Sometimes she couldn't even tell herself what she was doing.

She remembered that when she first read the novel, she had been deeply drawn in by this kind of theme—this sea of love and hatred.

Although the novel's plot was clichéd and melodramatic, reading this kind of novel had one advantage—the love and hate described in it were so intense, intense enough to stir the scant emotions she had.

She needed some strong stimulus to feel alive in this world.

The love and hate between Su Yutang and Yun Huaizhu in the novel were real, and her intervening in the plot to stop them from tormenting each other was also real.

But the current plot was completely different from the novel. What was she supposed to do?

Lin Meng stood under the streetlight, the dim light stretching her somewhat desolate figure long.

She didn't know how long she stood there. By the time she started walking again, her feet had gone numb.

Lin Meng let out a deep sigh. No matter what, they were still the original plot's characters. If she could bring them together, she would. If she truly couldn't, then seeing their lives slowly improve would be good too.

With that thought, Lin Meng went upstairs. When she reached her floor, she suddenly noticed a woman sitting outside the door of her rented apartment.

The woman was curled into a ball, her hands folded over her head, which was buried low.

And what surprised Lin Meng even more was that this woman's hair was golden—just like the sneaky person she had seen when she first arrived at the compound.

Could this person be some kind of criminal?

Lin Meng's heart lurched. She stopped in her tracks and prepared to take out her phone to call the police. But in the next moment, the golden-haired woman seemed to sense her movement and raised her head.

When Lin Meng saw this, her heart nearly stopped from fright.

She didn't even have time to see the person's face clearly before she turned to run. When the golden-haired woman saw her, her eyes lit up.

Lin Meng had still been some distance from the woman just now, but before she could run more than a few steps, the woman darted behind her like lightning.

Those slender, fair arms wrapped around her from behind, holding her tightly.

Lin Meng's heart nearly leaped into her throat.

In the dim hallway, she caught sight of the person's arm from the corner of her eye. The woman's arm was as white as mutton-fat jade, but it looked trained—with the slightest exertion, muscles would bulge in cords, and beneath the fair skin she could see blue veins.

Lin Meng felt this person could strangle her with just a bit more force. As if frightened voiceless, she opened her mouth. “Th-that, impulsiveness isn't a good habit. Are you tired? I can let you come into my home and sit for a while. Just please don't do anything foolish.”

She didn't know how she managed to say that, but when facing a vicious criminal, all she could do was placate them. Because angering this person would certainly not end well for her.

After Lin Meng said these words, her heart pounded wildly.

And in the next moment, the woman's cool breath brushed against her ear. “Darling, it's me.”