In the end, Meng Zhiru didn’t go pick her up.
Lou Mingxin returned home on her own.
In the spacious living room, the servants had been dismissed. The man sat on the sofa as if he had been waiting for some time.
The sound of high heels clicked across the floor—drawing nearer, louder, and clearer.
A breeze of perfume swept past, and Lou Mingxin’s elegant and curvaceous figure appeared before him.
Meng Zhiru slowly raised his head, trying to find even a trace of guilt or hesitation on the woman’s face.
But there was none.
She stood above him, high and mighty—as if everything were as it should be.
She even struck first—
“What happened to your face? Who did you fight with?”
As she spoke, her fair fingers tilted up his chin, casually and lazily.
That gesture, that tone—it was no different from teasing a pet.
Meng Zhiru sneered, slapped her hand away, and stood up. Now they were face to face, eye to eye.
See? It was simple.
All he had to do was stand, and this woman no longer looked down on him. On the contrary, she now had to look up.
“You don’t know what happened to my face? My dear wife.”
Lou Mingxin took a small step back and stood still, feigning slight surprise. “How would I know?”
“Escaping from kidnappers wasn’t easy,” Meng Zhiru sighed softly, as if reciting a bitter and tragic aria. “The physical pain was secondary—the despair from being betrayed by someone I loved, that was the real killer. A torment of the spirit—not enough to die, but enough to tear you apart.”
“Kidnappers?” The woman feigned shock. “What kidnappers? Are you alright? Are you hurt?”
Meng Zhiru looked at her steadily, then smiled and nodded. “I’m fine. I have to be fine—how else could I confront you in person?”
“Honey, what are you even talking about?” Her smile was bright and innocent.
“Drop the act, Lou Mingxin! The kidnappers told you to prepare a ransom—what were you doing instead? You were out screwing some boy toy! Not only that, you tricked Little Chen into handing over my company seal and equity documents. You tried to transfer all my assets before I was even dead. You’re ruthless!”
After the initial panic when she first got the call, Lou Mingxin now looked utterly unashamed, even calm.
“Yes. I did all of it. So what? You’re nothing but a dog raised by the Lou family. If we want you dead, you don’t get to live.”
Meng Zhiru laughed coldly. “Don’t forget—dogs bite too!”
“Oh really? Then we’ll just pull out every one of your fangs. Without weapons, no matter how loud you bark, it’s all just for show—don’t you think?”
Her lips curled upward. “Besides, what use is a dog that bites its master? Might as well wring out the last drop of value and let it die where it stands.”
“Lou Mingxin! Did you ever see me as your husband?!” His eyes were burning with fury.
“Hah… husband? You think you’re worthy?”
Even though he had been prepared for her cruelty, Meng Zhiru still felt a stab of pain from her words.
Since the day they married—no, even since they started dating—she’d always carried that superior, condescending air. And he? He’d been the obedient dog, coming when called, leaving when dismissed.
After they married, it only got worse.
At first, Meng Zhiru had truly wanted a life together. But reality crushed that hope. Since everyone already said he was just in it for the money, fine—he leaned into it. Started his own company, mingled in high society—at least then he could live up to the scorn and ridicule.
“I’m not worthy? Hahaha…” He stepped forward, eyes sharp. “You think you’re some noble creature? I may be scum, but I’m the perfect match for your venom—we’re a match made in h*ll.”
Smack—
Lou Mingxin slapped him hard.
“A man should know his place. You’re just a ‘phoenix man’ from the countryside—how dare you compare yourself to me?”
Meng Zhiru wiped the corner of his mouth with his fingertips, unfazed. “That’s right—I’m a phoenix man. But at least I’m a legitimate, legal son. You? You may look noble, but you’re just the daughter of a mistress. You’re not even worthy to carry Lou Mingyue’s shoes!”
That final jab hit the mark.
Lou Mingxin’s eyes went red. “Shut up—”
“Did I say anything untrue? You’ve spent all these years trying to imitate her—but mud is still mud. No matter how much you pretend, you’ll never be the cloud in the sky. So tell me, Lou Mingxin—what do you have to be proud of? If I’m a rat in the gutter, then you’re a maggot in a rotting corpse. Neither of us is better than the other!”
“Shut your mouth—!”
She raised her hand to strike again.
But this time, he caught her wrist and slapped her across the face with a crisp, resounding smack.
Smack!
Lou Mingxin froze. “You… dared to hit me?”
“Is that a problem?” he smiled. “Not only did I hit you, I have a fun little secret to tell you. All those assets you transferred—oh wait, I mean liabilities—are about to suck you dry like leeches.”
Her pupils shrank. “Liabilities?!”
“Oh yes. Probably around ten billion or so. Honestly, I should thank you—for taking on all the risk. I feel great, debt-free. What’s a little slap in exchange? Totally worth it.”
Lou Mingxin stood there stunned. “You and Little Chen… plotted this together?!”
