8. Killing the Donkey After the Mill Is Ground

Under the gaze of everyone, Si Yun hooked her finger at Ji Hanxiao.

"Let's go."

A hint of a smile flickered in Ji Hanxiao’s eyes as he followed her closely. Qin Yin, finally realizing what was happening, hurried to catch up as well.

"Si Yun, if you take one more step out of here, don't you ever think about returning to the Si family estate!" Du Meifen’s uncontrolled, furious roar echoed from behind.

Si Yun paused for a moment, let out a heavy sigh to suppress the sorrow in her heart, and then, under the astonished and incredulous stares of the crowd, straightened her back and walked out.

Seeing this, Liang Bo’an started to chase after her but was held back by Si Mianmian.

"Brother Liang, are you going to leave me behind again?"

These words were undoubtedly a curse. Back then at the amusement park, he had been one of the people who abandoned this child.

"I..." Liang Bo’an watched as Si Yun’s figure reached the door, feeling as if a force were pulling her away from his own life.

"I’ll go," Ning Muhe said.

Liang Bo’an glanced at her and gave a deep nod. "Tell her that if she continues to act so recklessly, even I won't be able to protect her."

Ning Muhe pursed her lips and curled them into a faint smile. She did not believe Si Yun was that foolish. Though she had always followed in Liang Bo’an’s shadow, Si Yun’s shrewdness and ambition had never been limited to that. Giving up her status as a Si family member meant abandoning everything she had worked for over the years; Ning Muhe felt this was something Si Yun would never actually do. Therefore, she was convinced this was just another one of Si Yun’s dramatic antics to gain the Si matriarch’s attention.

"I will persuade her." She then looked tenderly at Si Mianmian. "Don't worry, Mianmian, I promise you, I will definitely help you secure your position as the eldest daughter of the Si family. No one will be able to hurt you."

Si Mianmian nodded. "Thank you, Sister Muhe."

Ning Muhe walked with a grim expression in the direction Si Yun had left.

Outside the venue, Qin Yin ignored Ji Hanxiao’s presence and grabbed Si Yun.

"Yun, what are you thinking? Haven't you fallen right into Si Mianmian’s trap? She came back just to drive you away. Now look, she’s snatched your man and your family, and kicked you out of the game. Since when did you become so easy to bully? You can’t just give everything up willingly because these people are important to you. Besides, everyone in Sucheng knows the Si family’s prestige today is due to your auspicious birth chart. Just for that, the Si family shouldn't be so ungrateful, and you shouldn't just leave!"

Qin Yin didn't want her best friend to end up with nothing. She didn't care about Si Yun’s status as a Si heiress, but seeing her friend lose everything for no reason made her furious.

Si Yun looked at Qin Yin and couldn't help but hug her. "I always thought you were carefree and lacked drive, and I worried you’d be cheated one day. It seems you’re quite sharp after all," Si Yun said with a smile.

Qin Yin punched her in the chest. "You’re still in the mood to joke about me? Si Yun, what exactly are you planning? The partners aren't yours anymore, and you’ve lost your Si family status. What about those exhibits you spent so long preparing? Are you planning to hold an exhibition on your own?"

Si Yun’s eyes brightened. Qin Yin was stunned, her eyes widening.

"Is that for real? You’re going to do it yourself? But... what will you do all alone? In this world of Su embroidery, without the support of a centennial enterprise like the Ning family, how much influence can a single embroiderer have? If you fail, I’m truly afraid that all your years of effort will go down the drain. You must think this through, after all..." Qin Yin hesitated before continuing, "Even without status, position, or partners, you are still a top-tier Su embroidery master. As long as you can produce stunning work again, you’ll at least be financially secure."

Qin Yin was genuinely anxious for her friend.

"But I haven't produced any outstanding work in two years," Si Yun teased. Before she could finish, a voice cut in.

"Exactly. If I were you, I would honestly apologize to the Si family and at least keep the title of a Si daughter," Ning Muhe said, walking over with a blank expression.

Qin Yin felt her blood boil at the sight of her. In the past, Si Yun had treated Ning Muhe better than anyone, even better than she treated herself, always looking after her like a child. Qin Yin knew she lacked the ambition to stand alongside these two brilliant women, but now...

"Ning Muhe, are you really going to discard the friendship you’ve had with Si Yun for all these years?" Qin Yin demanded.

Ning Muhe’s face darkened. "I am doing this for Si Yun’s own good!" She turned to look at Si Yun with a stern, reprimanding gaze. "Ever since Mianmian returned, you’ve become increasingly sensitive and unreasonable. Si Yun, you’re becoming someone I don't recognize. You used to be gentle, kind, and graceful, but look at what you’re doing today. And what about this man? Isn't it absurd and degrading to just find some random man to make Liang Bo’an jealous? How can he possibly compare to Liang Bo’an? Aren't you just making a fool of yourself?"

Ning Muhe’s words were sharp as blades, slicing through the years of their deep friendship one layer at a time.

Si Yun was about to speak when Ji Hanxiao stepped in.

"You’ve misunderstood. It was the Si Mianmian you speak of who invited me. This is the invitation she sent me. It seems the 'absurd and degrading' one is the person you’re defending." Ji Hanxiao unfolded the invitation and dropped it at Ning Muhe’s feet; the words "Sincerely Invited by Si Mianmian" were particularly eye-catching.

Qin Yin felt an immense sense of satisfaction. With a grin, she hugged Si Yun and said, "I love this little wolf-dog."

Si Yun couldn't help but laugh as she looked up at Ning Muhe. "He was indeed invited by Si Mianmian, but he is truly my person. In your eyes, he may not compare to Liang Bo’an, but here, he is my most capable partner. Ning Muhe, after all these years of friendship, I always thought you were the one who understood me best, but it turns out we are not on the same path. Thank you for your advice, and I wish you success with your embroidery exhibition."

Si Yun gave a clean and decisive conclusion to her relationship with her former friend. But Ning Muhe wasn't done.

"Si Yun, do you really think you can run wild in Sucheng just because of your 'auspicious' birth chart? What a joke. You don't even have a single piece of work now; what are you? I, Ning Muhe, the president of the Ning Corporation, came here with sincerity to advise you. What you should do is listen to me. At the very least, I can ensure you have a living in the world of Su embroidery. You wouldn't want the craft your grandmother entrusted to you to be buried in your hands, would you? So why pretend to be so noble? Do you still think you’re the only daughter of the Si family?"

Ning Muhe displayed her "bossy CEO" side, and these words completely snapped the last thread in Si Yun’s heart.

Qin Yin rushed toward Ning Muhe in disbelief. "Ning Muhe, what are you saying? So what if you're the president of the Ning Corporation? You, you..." Qin Yin hated her own lack of eloquence at that moment.

"So, I heard it said once that you only befriended me because of my birth chart, right?" Si Yun asked quietly.

A flash of embarrassment and shock crossed Ning Muhe’s face. "I... why would I need to care about such metaphysical nonsense?" Ning Muhe looked away, feeling guilty.

Si Yun became even more certain of the authenticity of the information Si Mianmian had sent her half a month ago. She had wanted to disbelieve those attempts at sowing discord, but now it seemed...

"Was our friendship over all these years real, at least?" Si Yun asked.

Ning Muhe’s eye twitched, and she let out a light laugh. "As long as you go back to being the obedient Si Yun and accept Mianmian, nothing will change between us."