She Lost Memory Before the Divorce

Chapter 43: Chapter 0043: Make Your Own Choices and Take Responsibility for Them
 

“Miss Mu, you’re too polite; there’s no need for thanks between Tingxiao and me. If you need it, I know a good obstetrician and can make arrangements for you, after all, preparing for pregnancy is a big deal.”

Sheng Xueqin’s words nearly had Mu Lan standing up to give her a round of applause.

To those in the know, they were rivals in love; to the uninitiated, they seemed like the best of friends.

Alone, they couldn’t wait to tear each other apart, but in front of Huo Tingxiao, she’d instantly put on a face of grace and competence.

It would be a waste of talent for her not to pursue acting.

“Miss Sheng, you’re too kind; I appreciate the thought, but Zichu has already made all the arrangements.”

Zichu? Huo Tingxiao raised an eyebrow. Since when had she become so close to Shen Zichu?

“Speaking of Zichu, I haven’t seen him in a long time. With him around, I’m relieved.”

Sheng Xueqin said no more, continuing to eat with elegant movements that nevertheless tasted of wax.

Mu Lan found this lunch quite satisfying; Aunt Li’s cooking was indeed excellent, and the taste was beyond reproach.

Seeing her eat so happily, Huo Tingxiao occasionally added food to her plate, resembling a dedicated feeder.

“Stop it; you’re making me feel like a rice bucket.”

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Mu Lan muttered, eliciting a chuckle from Huo Tingxiao. Their natural and routine interaction left Sheng Xueqin feeling bloated with irritation.

Somehow, someone had called her, providing an excuse to finally end the uncomfortable threesome.

As soon as Sheng Xueqin left, Huo Tingxiao’s voice was flat and indifferent.

“Since when have you been so familiar with Shen Zichu?”

“After a few encounters, we got to know each other. I should actually thank that Liu Na for making such a fuss.”

Mu Lan cleverly omitted to mention that Shen Zichu had used her as a shield, fearing that Huo Tingxiao would find out and inexplicably give her the cold shoulder, which was really exhausting.

“Thankful? Do you mean that you actually want to get to know Shen Zichu better?”

He had a knack for picking out the crucial points.

“Why do you always have to be so thorny when you talk? What did Shen Zichu do to upset you?”

Direct and straightforward Mu Lan had no idea how piercing her words were. Huo Tingxiao’s previously good mood was wiped clean away.

It wasn’t that he was jealous of Shen Zichu; he just couldn’t understand how Mu Lan could be so nonchalant.

“The one who upset me isn’t him.”

Mu Lan was taken aback.

“Then I haven’t upset you either.”

Listening to her tone of innocence was almost enough to enrage Huo Tingxiao to the point of spitting blood.

So, he was the one creating problems out of nothing after all!

Standing up to return to his desk, Huo Tingxiao busied himself with his work, ignoring everything else.

Great, just as feared; Mu Lan was on the verge of tears, wondering what was wrong with this man. Could he be any more petulant?

“Are you angry?”

She pitifully extended her hand, scratching at Huo Tingxiao’s arm, but he remained silent.

“Oh, come on, don’t nitpick my words. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t even bother with Shen Zichu, alright?”

Well, that sounded much more soothing to him.

“And then?”

Ah? Wasn’t that enough? Alright then…

“Then, Gu Xiaoman fancies Shen Zichu. Now, you tell me, my friend surely has to show some support, right?

Otherwise, I’d definitely be accused of valuing love over friendship.”

Valuing love over friendship— he liked that phrase.

“They’re not a good match. Your friend, she won’t be able to handle Zichu.”

Unable to handle? Mu Lan curled her lips at the term.

“If those two love each other, they love each other. What’s all this talk about not being able to handle? It’s not like training a dog.”

Huo Tingxiao watched her speak so seriously, as if she were an expert on love.

“Do you think they suit each other?”

“Whether they suit each other or not is a matter of opinion. I’m encouraging Gu Xiaoman to bravely pursue love. Whether it works out or not, she’ll find out by trying.”

“If you don’t pursue someone you like, you’ll only regret it later.”

So, was she holding that same thought when she married me?

Chasing courageously, not wanting to have regrets?

“And what if the other person doesn’t respond?”

“Haven’t you heard the saying, ‘Loving you is my business, it doesn’t concern you’?

If the affection is mutual, that’s great, but if it’s not, you might as well try to force it a bit, what if the melon turns out sweet?”

“And what if the melon is never sweet…”

“If it’s not sweet, you just turn back once you hit a south wall; you’re responsible for your own choices.

Mu Lan didn’t notice the real meaning behind Huo Tingxiao’s words.

She had no idea how much her words had shaken him!

Was the divorce agreement locked away in his study drawer the decision she made after hitting the south wall?

He couldn’t express what he was feeling at this moment, as if Mu Lan were a kite that could drift away at any moment, slipping out of his hands.

“Ah, I didn’t expect you to be so concerned. Gu Xiaoman is an adult and knows what she’s doing.

You shouldn’t underestimate her, you know. Sometimes the more you understand someone, the more you appreciate their good qualities. If Shen Zichu doesn’t see Gu Xiaoman’s worth, it’s his loss.”

Mu Lan spoke with confidence, unaware that Huo Tingxiao strongly agreed with her words.

Because right in front of him was someone who understood that the more you know someone, the more you know their worth.

Fortunately, that south wall hadn’t collapsed yet, and he still had a chance.

“If Gu Xiaoman knew how good you are to her, she would be touched.”

“She is my best friend after all; who else should I be good to if not to her?

All right, I won’t keep you from working any longer. Your pleasant lunch break is over.”

With that, she smiled and took the food container, ready to leave the office.

“Let He Yan take you.”

“Forget it, I’m not helpless, I can move just fine. The car service is very convenient, you just focus on your work.”

Huo Tingxiao leaned back in his chair and watched her leave.

After Mu Lan left, the office was quiet, and his mind replayed their recent conversation over and over. Huo Tingxiao found himself lost in thought.

———–

Mu Lan, carrying the food container, was about to call a car when a black Mercedes SUV stopped in front of her.

“Where to? I’ll drive you.”

As the window rolled down, she could see the man at the wheel was Lin Yize.

“Senior Lin, I…”

“We can’t park here, get in and we’ll talk.”

Mu Lan had no choice but to do as Lin Yize said, opening the door and sitting in the passenger seat.

Glancing at the food container in her hand, Lin Yize’s smile froze slightly.

“You brought lunch for Huo Tingxiao? Did you cook it yourself?”

“Oh no, the housekeeper made some and insisted I deliver it.

You are…”

“I’ve been tied up in meetings all morning, finally got a break.

Are you in a hurry to get home? If you’re not, could you do me a favor?”

Mu Lan raised her eyebrows, thinking it wouldn’t be right to treat him like a personal driver.

“Please tell me, Senior Lin.”

“It’s my mom’s birthday today, and I forgot to pick out a gift for her, so could I trouble you to choose a gift for her?”

Seeing her hesitate, Lin Yize immediately softened his tone.

“It’s all my fault for being too focused on work. Even her birthday has been affected like this. Sigh, if it’s inconvenient for you…”

“No problem, Senior Lin. If you don’t mind my taste, I can help out.”