Chapter 7: Admitting You're a Loser Is No Shame

“Wherever I go, you follow—like a relentless shadow!” Su Hanwei suspected that Xu Mu was already regretting his actions and was trailing her to seek forgiveness.

Without her, Xu Mu, the famously good-for-nothing, was nothing at all.

“Even dogs have a sense of shame, but you don’t. A worthless piece of trash is just that—stop trying to embellish your own face,” Xu Mu said lightly, yet his words struck Su Hanwei like a blow, shattering her defenses on the spot.

The Xu Mu she knew could barely utter a word when angry, let alone curse. Now, his mouth was full of venomous words. He must have lost himself and was trying to mask his regret with harsh language.

It had to be that way!

Such a good-for-nothing would never amount to anything in eight lifetimes, yet he had the audacity to insult her? Where did he get the face for that?

Xu Mu must have known she was going to visit Miss Xu and followed her hoping to bask in her reflected glory.

“Look around at who’s here. Do you really think you have the right to see Miss Xu? Xu Mu, if you’re willing to kneel and beg for forgiveness, I might consider taking you in to meet her—so you can see what a true big shot looks like,” Su Hanwei said with biting sarcasm.

She had no intention of introducing Xu Mu to Miss Xu. She just wanted him to make a fool of himself in front of everyone, so they could see that he was less than a dog in her eyes.

She didn’t know exactly what status Miss Xu held, only that her grandfather said she was someone very important.

Seeing so many dignitaries gathered to pay respects, Su Hanwei guessed Miss Xu’s position must be quite high.

Her grandfather had given her a letter of introduction, saying it would guarantee her an audience with Miss Xu.

“Shamelessness aside, don’t you have any self-awareness? Everyone in Liangzhou knows what kind of scum you are—do you not?” Xu Mu said indifferently, not even glancing at Su Hanwei.

Su Hanwei was stunned. Was this still the Xu Mu she knew?

In the past, whenever she got angry, he would immediately grovel and apologize profusely.

But now, she saw only coldness in his eyes.

He must be pretending, trying to feign indifference so she would take the initiative to placate him.

Xu Mu was playing a game of “catch and release” with her—she was sure of it.

She refused to believe she couldn’t make Xu Mu regret his actions.

“Brother Liang Shucheng said he would come to formally propose to my grandfather in a few days, with a grand bridal sedan chair to take me away. He promised me endless silver, whatever I wanted to buy, I could have it. Don’t say I didn’t warn you when you regret it later!” Su Hanwei continued with biting sarcasm.

Trying to provoke me with Liang Shucheng? Does he think I’m still as foolish as before?

Xu Mu’s lips curled slightly, confident his plan was working—Liang Shucheng believed he was about to strike it rich.

“Su Hanwei, for the sake of our marriage, here’s a warning: Liang Shucheng will be bankrupt soon, trapped in a pit of no return, never to find peace. If you don’t want to drag your grandfather down, you’d better end things with him now,” Xu Mu said calmly.

Hearing this, Su Hanwei burst into loud laughter.

She had guessed right—Xu Mu was regretting and wanted her to break things off with Liang Shucheng and come back to him.

“Even if you envy or resent the love I have for Brother Shucheng, there’s no need to curse him like that. Brother Shucheng is talented and capable—far beyond you. Even if you go bankrupt, he never will! Oh wait, you’re already bankrupt,” she taunted.

This woman had no shame, calling Liang Shucheng “Brother” in public, making Xu Mu’s skin crawl.

Her grandfather was just a minor prefect, yet she acted as if she were a golden phoenix adored by all.

Liang Shucheng’s pursuit of Su Hanwei was a calculated move to climb the ranks by leveraging Su Tong’s influence.

“That’s enough. Whether you listen is your business. By the way, do you know who the tax ceremony inside is for?” Xu Mu asked.

“A funeral at the Xu residence—obviously for someone from the Xu family. Could it be for your family?” Su Hanwei scoffed. She thought Xu Mu was truly foolish for asking such a question.

“Never mind, you’ll find out soon enough,” Xu Mu replied.

Just then, a maid appeared at the gate.

The assembled dignitaries brightened with anticipation.

They had all come hoping to meet Xu Shuangyi and forge ties with the Xu household.

“Our humble home is holding a funeral. The young lady is in mourning and cannot receive guests. Everyone please leave. She said she will personally apologize to all on the day of the burial and asks for your understanding,” the maid announced.

Though they did not meet Xu Shuangyi, the officials and nobles understood.

Though Xu Shuangyi was only the adopted daughter of the late master, she spoke for the Xu family.

As the crowd dispersed, only Xu Mu and Su Hanwei remained.

“You didn’t hear the Xu household say the young lady is not receiving visitors, yet you still linger? Why are you so shamelessly following me?” Su Hanwei said coldly.

Xu Mu’s brow furrowed, tempted to slap her.

“Do you really think you’ll get to see Miss Xu?” he retorted, holding back his anger.

Su Hanwei took out the letter and handed it to the maid.

“Please deliver this to Miss Xu. It’s a request from Su Hanwei herself.”

“Wait a moment,” the maid said, entering the residence with the letter and soon returning.

“You may enter.”

“See? When no one else could meet her, I can,” Su Hanwei said, throwing a glance at Xu Mu as she stepped through the gates.

Seeing Xu Mu follow her inside, she turned sharply, pointing at him in anger. “Xu Mu, have you no shame? We are already divorced, yet you still want to ride on my coattails to see Miss Xu? Get lost!”

“Get lost from my home? Isn’t that a bit inappropriate?” Xu Mu sneered.

“Your home? You, a good-for-nothing, have such a grand mansion? Yet you still live in that shabby two-courtyard house? Take a good look at yourself before trying to associate with the Xu family. You’re shameless!” she spat.

She had lived with Xu Mu for three years—she knew exactly what conditions he was in.

Once, his family had two maids, but after his mother spent all their money on medical bills, they were left destitute.

Look at the Xu household—just the servants coming and going numbered at least a hundred.

They shared the same surname, but Xu Mu’s “Xu” was utterly insignificant.

“If not for the fact that I was once your wife, you wouldn’t even have the right to set foot inside the Xu residence today,” Xu Mu said without any courtesy.

Xu Shuangyi allowing Su Hanwei in was meant to show her that Xu Mu was beyond her reach.

“Don’t flatter yourself. Admitting you’re a good-for-nothing isn’t shameful!” Su Hanwei lifted her chin, growing ever more arrogant.

If it weren’t for him being her husband, would he have survived until now? He’d have starved long ago!

At that moment, Xu Shuangyi emerged from the house.