Chapter 183 - Two Different Paths (1)
While Shen Zichen and Li Chuntao were busy exchanging their vows, both looking forward to facing another chapter of their lives as husband and wife, Lin Meirong's situation was getting worse each day as Mu Jianyu's hatred for her grew stronger.
Mu Jianyu regretted his poor choice every day since he came to the realization that she wasn't worth it. Knowing that he shouldn't have trashed his own wife for a woman as shallow as Lin Meirong. He didn't have a chance to make up for his mistakes because Ying insisted on divorcing him; he had lost all the love and respect she had for him and nothing could change her mind.
Almost half a year ago, he arrogantly asked her for divorce. Now, months later, Ying had crushed all the hopes he had to repent and seek forgiveness for his sins. She told him he was now 'free' to search for the happiness she could never give him.
Wasn't it ironic? That when he blindly fooled himself to believe that he didn't love her anymore, he broke her heart. But now when they are no longer together, what he wanted more than anything was to stay by her side, even if Ying looked at him with disgust and contempt.
A man like him didn't deserve to be happy. This was heaven's punishment for him.
A stamp of his name ended the marriage he built with her for years because of his stupidity.
After their divorce, rumors about Li Xiuying and Shen Zichen being romantically involved with each other reached his ears. The two were spotted in public places, his ex-wife being much happier than when she was with him.
'Ying…' he clenched his fists on his side and could only watch from afar as Shen Zichen took his ex-wife away from him.
To have the courage to see her with another man, he knew he wouldn't. He knew the moment he saw Ying, he would want her back more than anything, but it's impossible as she obviously didn't want him anymore. He had killed the heart that loved him.
Of course, many women threw themselves at his feet, hoping to entice him, but none of them could compare to Li Xiuying. Her eyes, her smile, the softness and silkiness of her long hair, Mu Jianyu couldn't help but look for a trace of her in any woman he encounters. His heart wanted her back so badly.
Mu Jianyu resigned from Redux Entertainment to spend more time with his mother, whose condition had worsened since he and Ying's last visit. None of the doctors could explain what caused his mother to lose her mind and act like a madwoman. Song Xiangrong couldn't even recognize her own son.
"Mother… what happened to you?" Mu Jianyu held his mother's wrinkly hand as the old woman mumbled incoherent words to herself. What could have caused this madness?
He had received a call a week after his divorce, informing him that his mother's condition was getting worse. It was unthinkable that Song Xiangrong would be like this after his last visit with his wife.
Song Xiangrong looked scared and wary of the people visiting her. The mere sound of the door can make her squeak and curl herself in the corner like a scared cat. The worse thing was whenever she heard the clattering of the silverware, the old woman went hysterical and cried for forgiveness.
After talking to her doctors and settling the bills that were overdue, Mu Jianyu left to visit the mother of his child. He found her pacing around her living area, one hand rested on her bump.
As Mu Jianyu looked at her, he couldn't help but imagine Ying being round with his child. The one who should be carrying his child shouldn't have been Lin Meirong, but there was no way for him to turn his back now.
"What are you doing?" He questioned her as he took a seat, aware of the impending headache coming his way.
It had been like this since Ying had left him. Whenever he met up with Lin Meirong, they always ended up arguing. He was then reminded of what had happened between her and Ying during their last encounter.
Lin Meirong might be the mother of his child but she would never be his wife. This, Mu Jianyu had decided. He was planning to take custody of the child, not giving Lin Meirong a chance to be involved in their child's upbringing.
Her reputation and attitude weren't something a child should see growing up. He wasn't even sure where this woman came from. Mu Jianyu tried to run a background investigation on her after his divorce but it led him into a dead end. It was as if her past was erased intentionally.
This made him suspicious of her. It also didn't help that Lin Meirong refused to tell him anything about her past and what kind of family she came from. Truly, ignorance was the worst crime of all.
"My back hurts and I couldn't even sleep at night. How am I supposed to sleep when this brat refuses to cooperate with me." Lin Meirong growled, annoyed that the child in her womb was pretty useless. She was now regretting not aborting this child when she had the chance before.
Mu Jianyu's face darkened at her words. Even if Lin Meirong didn't want this child, she shouldn't blame the baby for it. He couldn't understand how a woman like her could dislike her own flesh and blood.
"Don't blame her. You are the mother. It's your responsibility to take care of her." He scowled at her.
They learned that Lin Meirong was carrying a girl the same day they both met Li Xiuying and Shen Zichen. Mu Jianyu had wanted a boy, but still, knowing this baby was his, he had no other choice but to accept his daughter.
"Bear with it a little more. You'll give birth soon," he added.
To give birth to this bastard that had no use for her? Well, at least she wouldn't have to suffer for too long once she gave birth to this child, but she wondered what Mu Jianyu's plan was after this. He wouldn't abandon her, right?
She scoffed and crossed her arms.
"As if I have other choices," she grumbled to herself.
But as she looked at him, Lin Meirong couldn't deny the fact that he was keeping his distance from her. It was obvious that he wasn't here willingly. Li Xiuying might have left him, but he remained stubborn to accept that his ex-wife wouldn't come back to him anymore.
No one was strong enough to wait forever. If one waited for too long, they'll just end up breaking their own selves. How long would it take for Mu Jianyu to break down? Lin Meirong wondered. To crumble from external pressure and to lose himself because of one woman? How foolish could he be?
When she first heard that Li Xiuying divorced him, she initially thought that she would be able to have him fully to herself now that he got his freedom from his wife. She went to his apartment expecting he would welcome her this time. However, she didn't realize that the man was only disgusted by her.
'A mistress is just a mistress' Lin Meirong finally understood what it meant.