Chapter 20: Kneel and Beg Me

Chi Mu today.
Her dark circles are heavier.
Her left arm is wrapped in white gauze.
A faint, medicinal scent drifts from it.
Fu Ningli waits until she has finished her tenth yawn before asking, "Didn't sleep well again last night?"
"Mm, insomnia. But I should be able to sleep quite well tonight."
"What happened to your arm?"
"Allergic."
"..."
Fu Ningli does not expose her.
She once said that the Seven-Haze Lotus could heal her face.
So, she must have already begun the process.

A few days later.
Fu Ningli sees that Chi Mu’s right arm is also wrapped in white gauze.
Soon after, her gait becomes strange.
Her legs are stiff, rigid as pillars.
Gradually, white gauze appears on her face as well, spreading beyond the confines of her mask.
A few more days pass.
The gauze on her arms is removed.
Her walk returns to normal.
She still wears a black mask, but this time, the gauze beneath it is gone.
Seeing her in high spirits while performing acupuncture, Fu Ningli thinks she must have successfully healed herself.
He asks Uncle Zhang to buy a cake to celebrate.
Chi Mu is startled when she sees the cake. "Is it Uncle Zhang's birthday today?"
Fu Ningli smiles. "Yes, it is a day worth celebrating."
Uncle Zhang stands to the side, watching Chi Mu enjoy the cake, smiling without a word.
...
Today is Chi Zhen'er’s recognition banquet.
Chi Lifeng issued her a death order: she must bring Chi Mu to the banquet tonight.
Otherwise, their family would go bankrupt, end up living under a bridge, and be forced to feed on the wind!
For the past month, Chi Mu has vanished without a trace.
It took much persuasion for Chi Zhen'er to finally get Mother Zhang to help her contact Chi Mu.

Chi Mu is fishing by the riverbank at Yongjiang Park.
It is snowing today, and her bucket is empty; not a single fish.
Chi Zhen'er arrives through the wind and snow. Seeing Chi Mu sitting by the bank, she suppresses the urge to push her into the water, grits her teeth, and walks forward. "Sister, you haven't been home for a month. Mom and Dad miss you."
Chi Mu gazes at the river, silent.
Chi Zhen'er clenches her fists, and finally, bows her head to plead, "Tonight is my recognition banquet. I want to invite you to attend."
Chi Mu remains silent.
Chi Zhen'er takes a deep breath. "What exactly do I have to do for you to attend?"
At this, Chi Mu finally turns to look at her.
Her fox-like eyes hold a mocking glint.
She speaks, her voice playful. "Kneel and beg me."
"Chi Mu, don't go too far!"
Chi Zhen'er is so angry her eyes turn red.
Chi Mu frowns, her voice languid. "Going too far... you told me never to appear before you again, and now you want to invite me to your recognition banquet? If I just show up like that, wouldn't I lose face?"
"Then can I just say I'm sorry?"
"Either kneel or leave. Don't disturb my fishing."
"..."
Chi Mu is immovable.
Thinking of Chi Lifeng’s threats and the fear of returning to her former life of hardship, Chi Zhen'er steels herself and kneels straight down!
The ground beneath her knees is muddy.
A thin layer of snow, melting into water, chills her to the bone.
The whispers of passing pedestrians reach her ears.
Chi Zhen'er lowers her head, humble as dust. "Please, attend my recognition banquet."
Chi Mu glances at her, her gaze cold and clear. "Fine."
Chi Zhen'er stands up and turns to leave.
In her tightly clenched fist, sharp nails pierce her palm, and bright red blood drips between her fingers, staining the white snow on the ground.
She will definitely get even for today's humiliation!
Chi Mu brushes the snow from her shoulders and slowly retrieves her fishing hook.
A fellow fisherman nearby exclaims, "Your hook is straight and has no bait. How are you supposed to catch fish?"
Chi Mu picks up her empty bucket and smiles. "Only those who are willing take the bait."
...
Returning home, Chi Mu finds Ji Yu standing at the door. She frowns slightly. "Why aren't you going in?"
"Sister, I've been hijacked."
"What?"
Ji Yu points to the black Rolls-Royce parked by the road. "My brother forced me to bring him to see you. I refused, so he threw me in the car. I was forced to do it; don't yell at me."
Chi Mu follows his finger.
The car door opens, and Ji Yuanjing steps out, wearing a crisp suit, his expression cold and aloof.
He walks quickly and stops in front of Chi Mu, stirring up a flurry of snow.
Chi Mu arches an eyebrow, a hint of confusion in her eyes. "Ji Yu says you're looking for me? Is something the matter?"
"Yes, let's talk."
Ji Yu goes off to hoe the fields.
In the living room, only Chi Mu and Ji Yuanjing remain.
Ji Yuanjing produces a golden evening gown and a gorgeous gilded mask, offering them to Chi Mu. "Tonight is Chi Zhen'er’s recognition banquet. I thought you might attend."
"Chi Zhen'er’s gown was designed by Lewin, but this one is from the hands of Blake, Lewin’s mentor. Whatever she has, I will ensure you have something better."
"I had this mask designed to match the style of this gown. Chi Mu, I have realized that outward appearance is just a rotting skin. I don't care about it, so you shouldn't feel inferior either."
"I reacted too strongly last time. Please, don't take it to heart."
Ji Yuanjing finishes and waits for a response.
Chi Mu falls silent.
After a long time, she speaks. "Mr. Ji, you are a good man, but Chen Yao and I grew up as childhood sweethearts. Our bond is very deep—"
"He was caught embracing your sister, and you still can't bear to break up?"
"I love him very much. Besides, there is currently no evidence that he cheated with my sister. I trust him."
"..."
Ji Yuanjing, frustrated by her stubbornness, is speechless for a long time.
Chi Mu watches his awkward expression, trying hard to keep up the act of being deeply in love. "Mr. Ji is a man of high moral character; surely you wouldn't want to lower yourself to become the 'other man,' would you?"
"How could I ever be the 'other man'!"
"Mm, good, don't be."
The conversation dies there.
Ji Yuanjing, still unwilling to give up, takes a step back. "Keep the gifts. Let's start as friends."
"Mm, that's fine."
"Don't just agree to my face. I will attend Chi Zhen'er’s recognition banquet, and I want to see you wearing the clothes and mask I gave you."
"Very well, Mr. Ji."
Ji Yuanjing feels slightly relieved, but then remembers Ji Yu hoeing in the backyard, and the relief vanishes. "Why does Ji Yu have the key to your villa?"
"He is my younger brother. It's perfectly normal for him to have a key to my house."
*I could be your brother.*
Ji Yuanjing almost blurts it out.
Fortunately, he stops himself.
He must have gone mad to want to be Chi Mu’s brother!
There is plenty of time ahead.
He refuses to believe he won't catch evidence of Chen Yao's infidelity!
Once he kicks Chen Yao out, he can take his place!
...
Dusk falls.
Two hours remain until Chi Zhen'er’s recognition banquet.
Chi Mu, having nothing better to do, hacks into Chen Yao's computer.
In his D drive, there are many videos of him and Chi Zhen'er intertwined.
At this very moment, his computer is sitting in the hotel where the banquet is being held.
The camera is wide open, recording the man and woman engaging in their illicit affair in the room.
The faces of Chen Yao and Chi Zhen'er are clearly visible.
Chi Mu clicks her tongue, closes the computer, and shakes her head with a soft sigh. "Chen Yao, oh Chen Yao, I never imagined you had such a depraved hobby."
She puts on the evening gown and the mask, then gets into the car headed for the banquet hotel.
Tonight.
The real show is about to begin.