"An Nuan, you've used this tactic before. Do you really think it will work again?"
Xu Ruo Wei’s face broke into a triumphant smile, her tone laced with mockery. This time, she wouldn't let An Nuan succeed. An Nuan had outsmarted her so many times before; she wouldn't make that mistake again.
Just as An Nuan was about to speak to persuade Xia Wan Qing, Xu Ruo Wei slapped her. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.
She yanked An Nuan’s hair, dragging her to the ground. Crouching down, she gripped An Nuan’s chin and said coldly, "I told you, I won't let you succeed this time. But you wouldn't listen, so An Nuan, this is your just desserts."
An Nuan was pinned down by Xu Ruo Wei, unable to move.
Fear gripped her heart. Xu Ruo Wei was truly intending to harm her this time.
Xu Ruo Wei glanced at Xia Wan Qing, who was stirring restlessly. "This fool," she cursed inwardly, "she's been tricked by An Nuan so many times and still hasn't learned. Even now, she's still believing An Nuan's lies."
"Fool," she thought, but didn't say it aloud. Now was not the time for them to argue; they needed to present a united front.
"Wan Qing, you don't actually believe An Nuan, do you?"
"Even if she kneels down and you torment her now, have you considered what happens after you let her go? Next, it will be Nangong Jin who acts against you."
"After being schemed against by An Nuan so many times, haven't you learned your lesson?" Xu Ruo Wei said, filled with exasperation.
Xia Wan Qing hesitated. Recalling how she had almost been fooled by An Nuan moments ago, her smile faltered. She glared fiercely at An Nuan and strode over, kicking her directly.
"An Nuan, you're truly vicious. You almost had me killed."
Xia Wan Qing had been so focused on humiliating An Nuan that she hadn't thought about the consequences. It was only after Xu Ruo Wei spoke that she realized the danger.
Xia Wan Qing stepped forward, yanking An Nuan's hair and forcing her to face her. She said coldly, "An Nuan, you've really gone to great lengths."
"You were so close to succeeding."
"Were you feeling smug just now? Were you happy?"
"Do you know? Your happiness and smugness almost ruined me."
"Fine, An Nuan. Since you want to scheme against me, I'll make you pay."
"Now, you can scream your lungs out, and no one will help you. I'll record your miserable state the entire time."
"You can go ahead and say whatever you want. But by then, you'll likely be infamous. Oh, and if Nangong Jin knew how dirty you are, he probably wouldn't protect you like he does now."
With that, Xia Wan Qing dragged An Nuan up and threw her in front of the men.
"This is a rare opportunity, don't waste it. You know, once this opportunity is gone, it won't come again."
"If you don't cherish it, don't blame me."
"She's Nangong Jin's woman. Think about it, sleeping with Nangong Jin's woman – isn't that worth it for a lifetime?"
"However, you'd best keep your mouths shut about this. Some things cannot be said carelessly."
Xu Ruo Wei considered for a moment, then spoke again, "Of course, if you do speak out, you need to think carefully about the consequences."
Xia Wan Qing listened, her heart pounding. She gently tugged Xu Ruo Wei's sleeve and asked softly, "Are you telling the truth? Will this really be so serious? I just..."
Xu Ruo Wei knew exactly what Xia Wan Qing wanted to say and do.
"Xia Wan Qing, do you know? You can't back out now. Just listen to me obediently."
An Nuan found their conversation laughable.
These people were so obedient to Xu Ruo Wei's words. Xu Ruo Wei was willing to do anything to harm her.
Xu Ruo Wei's words made some of the men hesitate, but there were also bolder ones.
One man stepped forward, stroking his chin, and eyed An Nuan greedily.
"I'll do it, I'll do it."
The man said eagerly, "Such a rare chance doesn't come by often. I must seize it properly."
"To die under a peony is a romantic ghost."
After saying this, the man began to act impatiently. Most importantly, his words emboldened those who had been hesitant, and now they all dared to act. They all eagerly stepped forward.
The men surrounded An Nuan, looking at her, ready to make their move.
An Nuan tried desperately to evade them, but there were too many of them, and she couldn't escape.
Just then, An Nuan shouted loudly, "Xu Ruo Wei, if you do this to me, then all the things you've done will be known to everyone. You better think carefully."
Xu Ruo Wei's expression flickered. "The things she's done?"
Did An Nuan have some leverage over her?
No, that was impossible. She had been so discreet. How could An Nuan have any leverage?
"What nonsense are you talking about? I destroyed all the evidence of those things. I won't believe a word you say."
An Nuan smiled and said coldly, "I've already secured that evidence. If anything happens to me, that evidence will be released. Then, you'll be truly ruined."
"An Nuan, you really dare to say that. Do you think I'm foolish enough to believe you?" Xu Ruo Wei said coldly. "I've been fooled by you so many times; I won't be fooled again this time."
"Xu Ruo Wei..." An Nuan called out.
Xu Ruo Wei ignored her, saying coldly, "What are you still waiting for? Do I need to tell you what to do?"
The men, like hungry wolves, pounced.
Xu Ruo Wei was overjoyed. Everything was proceeding as she wished. Most importantly, no one was stepping in to say or do anything.
But just as she thought everything was successful, that no one would come to save An Nuan, and that this was An Nuan's day of reckoning, the door was kicked open.
The men, seeing the prize about to slip away, were unwilling to give up.
They immediately began to curse.
"Xi Zhou, you... How could you be here?" Xu Ruo Wei, whose face had been full of triumphant smiles, instantly lost her smile upon seeing Shen Xi Zhou.
Xu Ruo Wei quickly threw herself into Shen Xi Zhou's arms, sobbing and complaining.
Clearly, she had forgotten all the things she had done.
Yan Bai, standing by, let out a cold snort in his heart. He had met shameless people before, but this was the first time he had encountered someone this shameless.
She had orchestrated all of this herself, yet she acted as if she were the one who had suffered greatly. Who was she trying to fool?