Chapter 2: She and I Are Family

Xu Yansang's heart ached as if it were falling apart.

They had shared a bed for two years, yet Zhou Muchuan might have never truly understood her.

Dignity... Wasn't she dignified enough? When their marriage faced problems, she tried to save it, always focusing on the issues between her and Zhou Muchuan, never once involving Qin Sisi.

If she had really wanted to make things difficult, there were countless ways she could have dragged them down.

If she hadn't agreed to the divorce, Qin Sisi would have remained the mistress, forever criticized and unable to hold her head high.

But she didn't do that.

Instead, she chose to let go and fulfill their wishes.

Now, even after the divorce, Zhou Muchuan was still afraid she'd come back to haunt him.

It made her want to laugh and cry at the same time.

Suddenly, a hand reached out and held hers.

A deep male voice sounded beside her, "So, that's your scumbag ex-husband and his shameless mistress?"

The words were like a beam of light pulling Xu Yansang out of her sadness. She was momentarily stunned.

Fu Zhenteng glanced at Qin Sisi, his expression indescribable. "His taste is... questionable."

Qin Sisi's eyes immediately turned red.

Zhou Muchuan's face darkened as he coldly stared at Xu Yansang. "Telling outsiders about our family matters—this is your attitude? Apologize to Sisi right now!"

Qin Sisi quickly said with unease, "Muchuan, I'm fine. Don't make things difficult for Yansang."

Zhou Muchuan looked at her with tenderness. "Sisi, I won't let you suffer any grievances because of me."

Then, he turned back to Xu Yansang, his gaze sharp. "Apologize to Sisi, or this won't end here."

Facing Zhou Muchuan, who was tall and imposing, Xu Yansang found herself lowering her head in resignation.

She opened her mouth but closed it again.

Zhou Muchuan wanted to stand up for the woman he loved—what could she say?

She was just an ordinary person with nothing to her name. Could she really stand against the entire Zhou family?

Just as she was about to swallow her bitterness and let it go, the man beside her suddenly pulled her behind him.

"I said those words. If an apology is needed, it should come from me."

Fu Zhenteng looked at Qin Sisi, his deep voice carrying a hint of sarcasm. "Sorry, I thought with all the work you've done on your face, you weren't satisfied with your looks. If I offended you, my apologies."

"I... I haven't done anything to my face! I was born looking like this..." Qin Sisi's tears fell instantly.

Zhou Muchuan quickly pulled her into his arms, comforting her gently. "I know. My Sisi has always been beautiful."

Qin Sisi started sobbing in grievance.

Holding her, Zhou Muchuan's eyes burned with fury. "Xu Yansang, come here! Who does he think he is to interfere in our family matters? If you don't explain this to Sisi today, don't blame me for forgetting our past!"

Fu Zhenteng firmly held Xu Yansang in place.

He raised his eyes to Zhou Muchuan, a smirk forming. "Family matters? Yansang is already divorced from you. I'm her fiancé now; she and I are family. Please show some respect."

"Fiancé?!" Zhou Muchuan was both furious and shocked. "Xu Yansang, we just divorced! When did this start? Were you cheating on me?"

"I did no such thing!"

Xu Yansang's eyes turned red with frustration. She stepped out from behind Fu Zhenteng and snapped, "Do you think everyone is like you? In our marriage, I was faithful to you and to your entire Zhou family. Don't try to pin your dirt on me!"

Zhou Muchuan's gaze turned cold. "What did I do? I have the right to pursue true love. You agreed to the divorce, and now you're bringing it up—does that make sense?"

Xu Yansang bit her lip, trying to hold back her tears.

Qin Sisi, still looking teary-eyed, said worriedly, "Yansang, I know it's hard for you after the divorce, and I feel guilty too. But you shouldn't rush into marriage just out of spite..."

Fu Zhenteng's voice suddenly cut through the tension, deep and unwavering. "Talking about guilt after stealing someone's husband? Being a mistress and acting all high and mighty?"

Qin Sisi's expression froze.

Zhou Muchuan was about to explode when Fu Zhenteng interrupted with a touch of impatience, "You want an explanation? Don't take it out on a woman—take it up with me. Here's my business card."

He handed Zhou Muchuan a card. "Whatever you want to say, we can discuss it later. Don't ruin our auspicious moment."

He paused and added with a chuckle, "Regardless, thanks for divorcing Yansang. Stick around if you're free—we'll bring you some wedding candy later."

With that, he wrapped his arm around Xu Yansang and walked away.

Zhou Muchuan stood there, stunned as he watched them enter the marriage registry office together.

Xu Yansang... She really dared?!

Qin Sisi looked hurt. "Yansang must still blame me. Otherwise, how could she marry a stranger so recklessly?"

Zhou Muchuan's face was grim as he sneered. "You know how cautious she is. How could she marry a stranger on impulse? She must have been seeing him all along!"

Such a shameless woman! To think he once had feelings for her over the past two years!

He looked down at the business card in his hand. It read: Tianhua Insurance Sales Representative, Fu Zhenteng.

He crushed the card in his hand and tossed it into the trash with disdain.

"Just an insurance salesman!"

Zhou Muchuan sneered, pulling out his phone to call his assistant. "Arrange a meeting with the CEO of Tianhua Insurance. I want to have a talk with him."

He was going to find out what tricks those two were playing!

Inside the marriage registry office, Xu Yansang and Fu Zhenteng signed their names and recited their vows.

In the past, Xu Yansang thought wedding vows were sacred—violating them would bring divine punishment.

But now...

How many people who swore "eternal love and devotion" truly meant it?

Leaving the registry office, they each held a red marriage certificate.

Since they were practically strangers, Xu Yansang politely said, "I have a job interview later. Will you be heading back?"

Marrying a stranger wasn't an impulsive decision.

The child she had been sponsoring for three years had lost their only grandmother and was now in an orphanage. She had been preparing for adoption, and even after the divorce, she didn't want to give up.

For the adoption process, a marriage certificate was crucial.

Moreover, she had nowhere to stay after moving out from the Zhou family, and Fu Zhenteng had a small apartment in the city, which solved her immediate problem.

As for Fu Zhenteng, he wasn't truly interested in women—he was gay and needed a marriage to stop his family's pressure.

Their encounter last night at the bar had led to a quick agreement.

Fu Zhenteng smiled politely. "There's an event at the insurance company today, so I'll head back after this."

Xu Yansang nodded. "I'll get going then."

She quickly boarded a bus, unaware that he watched her leave for a long time.

Once the bus was out of sight, he looked at their marriage certificate and smiled.

No one knew how long he had waited for this day.