Chapter 14: The Cannon Fodder Fiancée (14)

"As far as your dreams go, you can just get lost that far."

The remark shattered Fu Han's fantasies, and with them, his guilt vanished entirely. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end, he remained silent. He gathered Su Murong in his arms and walked out of the restaurant.

They hadn't managed to eat after all. Just like his wedding to Yun Jin, it had collapsed halfway through. He had always wanted to find a chance to make amends, but faced with Yun Jin's sharp retorts, his anger had clouded his judgment, and he had only thought about forcing her to admit she was wrong. He had never considered whether Yun Jin might be hurt or saddened by his actions.

Had he gone too far?

No.

He wasn't the only one at fault; Yun Jin was to blame as well. If she had been able to speak to him calmly, things wouldn't have ended up this way. Fu Han thought that once he was finished with his affairs, he would find another opportunity to talk things over with her properly. He hoped she would rein in her temper and learn to get along with Murong. As long as she agreed, she would still be his wife. He could grant her the dignity she deserved. If not, she shouldn't blame him for being ruthless.

Song Xiao watched with wide eyes as Fu Han walked away carrying Su Murong. Turning back to see Yun Jin playing with her phone as if nothing had happened, she exclaimed in frustration, "You just let him walk away like that? Are you crazy, girl? Fu Han is your husband, not Su Murong's!"

"I know, but I don't want him anymore."

Yun Jin linked her arm with Song Xiao's and walked out of the restaurant. Once she felt the cold breeze, her mind cleared instantly. "I've come to a realization. I won't waste any more time on someone whose heart I can never warm."

Seven years had taught Yun Jin that time was not the best way to win a man back. Fu Han had already proven with his actions that he chose Su Murong, not her. Since that was the case, why should she continue to wait silently by his side like a pathetic sycophant?

"I will draw a line between us and let him fade out of my world completely." Yun Jin gave a wry, self-deprecating smile. "In the world of a sycophant, the sycophant is the protagonist. Now, I officially announce that Fu Han has finished his filming in the grand stage of my life."

"Jin Jin," Song Xiao hugged her tightly in a secluded corner, her eyes filled with heartache. "It's good that you've realized this. I'll introduce you to someone better, and let Fu Han regret this for the rest of his life."

"Actually, to tell you the truth, I've already found someone."

Feeling a sharp gaze fixed on her from behind, Yun Jin immediately let go of Song Xiao and turned around. As she suspected, the person approaching was Xie Yanci, who had missed out on the drama. Seeing that the person hugging Yun Jin was a woman, the furrow in Xie Yanci's brow relaxed slightly.

"And who is this?"

Yun Jin smiled and introduced them. "This is my best friend, Song Xiao. Xiao Xiao, this is President Xie—Xie Yanci."

"A pleasure to meet you." Song Xiao had seen this outstanding man on the day of the wedding and smiled, extending her hand.

Xie Yanci didn't even glance at Song Xiao. He walked straight past her and naturally took hold of Yun Jin's hand, asking, "I'm taking you to dinner—why bring a lightbulb along?"

Song Xiao's smile froze, and before long, her eyes filled with gossip. "What is going on here?"

"It's crowded outside; it's not convenient to talk." Yun Jin pulled her hand away, only for it to be grabbed again within three seconds. After repeating this back-and-forth a few times, she chose to compromise. "Let's talk while we eat."

Upon entering the couple's restaurant, Yun Jin asked for a table in the main dining hall. Xie Yanci let go of her hand and whispered a few words to the waiter. The waiter's attitude did a complete 180-degree turn, and they were immediately escorted upstairs with the utmost respect.

Sitting in the massive private room, Yun Jin still felt a bit uneasy. Was she enjoying VIP treatment ahead of schedule just by leaning on a cold-blooded CEO? Even Song Xiao, who followed them in, was left speechless. She couldn't help but remark, "As expected of President Xie, managing to secure the most expensive room in the place. I'm truly living the high life today."

She sat to Yun Jin's left, poked her in the waist, and whispered, "Honestly, how do you know him?"

"Before the wedding, when Fu Han abandoned me—"

Yun Jin felt a pinch on her right hand. It hurt. She looked up, ready to vent her anger, but when she saw the culprit was Xie Yanci, her frustration evaporated instantly. Being annoyed with him was like punching cotton; it had no effect.

"Just at a bachelorette party, met at 'Nightshade'."

"Oh?" A mischievous glint appeared in Song Xiao's eyes. "No wonder..."

Yun Jin sensed what she was about to say and quickly covered her mouth. "Girl, just focus on eating later. Talk less."

"I have no intention of staying here to be a lightbulb."

Seeing that her friend had found a new path, Song Xiao was genuinely happy for her. She had no desire to intrude on the rare moment of private time the two of them had finally managed to secure. She made an excuse, saying, "I have other things to attend to, so I'll be going. Let's meet up when we're free."

Xie Yanci immediately felt a spark of goodwill toward Yun Jin's friend. After watching her leave with Yun Jin, he couldn't wait any longer and pulled her hand to his lips for a kiss.

Yun Jin hurriedly tried to pull her hand away, chiding, "I haven't washed my hands; it's dirty."

"It's fine, I don't mind."

Counting the days, it had been five days since they last spoke, and Xie Yanci had been missing her intensely. Before the waiter could bring the food, he pulled Yun Jin into his arms and showered her with kisses, only letting go when she was nearly out of breath. A smile traced his eyes. "Did you miss me?"

A blush crept onto Yun Jin's face as she nodded. "Yes."

"Quite honest, aren't you?" Xie Yanci's mood improved significantly. He feigned a stern expression and asked, "How did you introduce me earlier? 'President Xie'?"

Xie Yanci remembered this wasn't the first time Yun Jin had relegated him to the status of a stranger. The little liar would call him "husband" to his face, but behind his back, she called him "President Xie." It had once made him wonder if he had lost his charm; otherwise, how could he have been courting her for so long without moving her heart?

Faced with his interrogation, Yun Jin felt a bit flustered. She protested, "How else was I supposed to introduce you? Should I have said I'm your girlfriend? They would have laughed their heads off; not a soul would believe it. The people who like you could line up all the way to France. I don't have a chance to get close to you."

"Who said that? I'll go tear their mouth apart right now."

Yun Jin immediately blocked him, hurrying to say, "Alright, they weren't wrong. My status really isn't a match for yours."

Xie Yanci stroked her hair, ready to speak, but Yun Jin guessed what he was going to say—nothing more than offering her a title. Being "Mrs. Xie" was out of the question; given her current circumstances, at best, she would be nothing more than Xie Yanci's mistress. Thinking about how she had just called Su Murong a mistress, only to immediately follow in her footsteps, left Yun Jin feeling suffocated.

She buried her head in Xie Yanci's chest and bargained, "How about this—let's just have a relationship where we can break up at any time."

Before Xie Yanci's face could darken, Yun Jin raised her hand and promised, "Don't worry, if there comes a day when you don't want me anymore, I'll leave immediately. I'll be very obedient. I absolutely won't give you the trouble of being unable to shake me off."

"Say that again?"

So, in Yun Jin's heart, he was merely a playmate?

Xie Yanci's good mood vanished instantly. His brow furrowed deeply, and the air around him grew heavy, as if a storm were brewing.