Chapter 133: Li Mingye's Fiancée

"Does the entire Dragon City business circle intend to isolate the Mu family? Not inviting us to such a grand event—what is the meaning of this?" Mu Peipei walked in with a few attendants. She was dressed formally, and the person beside her was holding a large gift box.

"Since we came uninvited, I hope you aren't displeased. This is a gift I've prepared for the little one. Please accept it with a smile."

Mu Peipei motioned for someone to open the box, revealing a basin of gathering wealth filled with various items for infants. Her gesture was exceptionally generous, far more prestigious than simply handing over a million dollars.

"Guests are welcome here. Come in." The father of Zhao Chengyi's secretary walked over, had someone take the gift, and said, "Miss Mu, please sit over here."

"No, I want to sit with my fiancé."

Mu Peipei lifted her chin triumphantly and walked straight up to Li Mingye. "Add a chair for me right here. I will sit in this spot."

As soon as she spoke, the banquet hall erupted into a murmur, and many people began to whisper among themselves. Li Mingye had never made this matter public, and everything was still speculation; Mu Peipei's stunt genuinely shocked everyone present.

Li Mingye's expression grew even darker. He didn't even spare Mu Peipei a glance, and the waiters did not dare to bring an extra chair, plunging the atmosphere into an awkward silence.

"Miss Mu, you should take a seat in the ladies' section instead."

"Very well, I'll take her seat." Mu Peipei pointed at Zhang Xilu, her arrogance undiminished, with a hint of provocation added to her face.

"Are you here to pick a fight!" Jiang Xueting could no longer contain her temper. Had her mother not held her back, she would have rushed over and thrown punches. "It's my son's one-month celebration, and you aren't welcome, yet you showed up on your own. As for that little gift of yours, you can keep it for yourself."

Jiang Xueting waved her hand to make Mother Jiang release her. "Don't dream of taking Luoluo's seat. You, Li Mingye's fiancée? What a laughingstock—you're not worthy!"

Zhang Xilu looked at Jiang Xueting with deep admiration; Jiang Xueting was practically her vocal proxy.

"I say I am, so I am!" Mu Peipei stiffened her neck and didn't forget to glance back at Li Mingye. "If you don't believe me, just ask Uncle and Auntie of the Li family."

Hearing Mu Peipei's words, Zhang Xilu couldn't help frowning, a sense of loss washing over her. She was more inclined to believe Mu Peipei; without the support of the Li family, Mu Peipei would never dare utter such words on an occasion like this.

Besides, when she married Li Mingye back then, it had also been with the consent of the Li family elders, forcing her way into marriage with him.

If she could do it then, Mu Peipei naturally could do the same now.

The Mu family brought immense resources with them; how could the Li family refuse the icing on the cake?

She had long since heard rumors that Li Mingye was going to marry Mu Peipei, and hearing it again now only filled her with irritation. Since Li Mingye hadn't stepped forward to deny it immediately, the matter was likely a foregone conclusion.

"You are not welcome here. Get out." Jiang Xueting was already furious. Disregarding Mother Jiang's obstruction, she prepared to rush forward and drive Mu Peipei away.

Zhang Xilu stood up directly and intercepted Jiang Xueting. "If Miss Mu wishes to sit in my seat, she may. Once she understands my identity—if she doesn't mind, I naturally have no problem with it."

She was Li Mingye's ex-wife, a fact known to everyone present.

Mu Peipei wanted to use this opportunity to humiliate her and vie with her for dominance, but the moment Zhang Xilu uttered those words, Mu Peipei had already lost.

Li Mingye's expression flickered slightly. He raised his head to look at Zhang Xilu, a trace of admiration in his eyes.

Subconsciously meeting his gaze, Zhang Xilu shot him a fierce glare. As if he had any right to look at her! Before the divorce, she had to deal with endless flocks of buzzing flies, and even after the divorce, someone still regarded her as an imaginary rival.

She had no idea what she owed Li Mingye that required two lifetimes to repay.

She disdained playing petty schemes, but she would not allow herself to be bullied at will either, especially now that she was divorced from Li Mingye and was simply Zhang Xilu.

She must never bring shame upon her parents.

"Miss Mu?" Seeing that Mu Peipei remained silent, Zhang Xilu prompted her, "Shall I make way?"

"Step aside." Mu Peipei raised her eyebrows triumphantly and walked straight toward her seat. "Consider yourself sensible."

Zhang Xilu chuckled softly, signaled the waiter to add a chair next to Xu Xinyi, and went to sit there herself.

The Mu family had lost face due to Mu Peipei's foolishness, and she herself was spared from having to face Li Mingye head-on—truly killing two birds with one stone.

"Luoluo, you were amazing." Xu Xinyi praised, giving her a thumbs-up.

"I've always been amazing." She wasn't wrong; she had always been exceptional, but throwing her heart and soul into Li Mingye had made her forget her own radiance.

Having returned from abroad, she had grown far more confident.

The people Mu Peipei brought with her hurried to her side and whispered a few words in her ear. Mu Peipei's complexion darkened instantly, and she sprang to her feet.

"Zhang Xilu, have you no shame! I haven't even married Li Mingye yet, and you're already cursing me into becoming his ex-wife?"

"If you don't feel you've embarrassed yourself enough, then keep making a scene." Zhang Xilu looked at her indifferently. Whatever scant goodwill she once had for her had vanished entirely because of Mu Changjia. "The Li family's reputation may not matter, but your mood is what's truly important."

Mu Peipei's face turned pale and then flushed, her eyes reddening with rage. She stamped her foot fiercely and overturned the table.

"You just wait! I will make sure you never know a moment of peace." Mu Peipei stormed out, not forgetting to glare at Li Mingye before she left. "All of you, just wait."

With Mu Peipei's departure, this farce came to an end. The one-month banquet proceeded as usual, with only a few individuals whispering about the incident in private.

Zhang Xilu's table was rearranged, and no further negative impact ensued. The young couple were conversing with the elders while the child had already fallen asleep.

Wondering if her acquaintance with Jiang Xueting was a curse, since both of her major life milestones had been disrupted because of her, Jiang Xueting felt a growing sense of guilt.

When the time came for Jiang Xueting's second child's one-month celebration, she simply wouldn't come...

"Luoluo, accompany me for a walk outside. It's been a long time since we last spoke."

As Zhang Xilu was lost in thought, Mother Li appeared out of nowhere, gently patted her shoulder, and invited her with a warm expression.

"Auntie." Zhang Xilu quickly stood up and greeted her politely. She wanted to refuse, but with everyone around watching her, she could only nod. "Alright."

Mother Li led Zhang Xilu out of the banquet hall. Following closely behind Mother Li, Zhang Xilu walked through the hotel lobby and out into the courtyard.

Mother Li found a deserted spot to sit down, then looked at Zhang Xilu. "Luoluo, it's been more than three years since you and Mingye divorced, hasn't it?"

Zhang Xilu nodded, and Mother Li continued, "I can understand that you haven't let go of him in your heart. However, you cannot keep ruining his prospects for a good marriage, can you?"

This was a statement Zhang Xilu could not agree with. When on earth had she ever ruined Li Mingye's marriage prospects?

"Auntie, I think you've misunderstood. Mingye and I cut ties a long time ago." Her expression was unsightly, her voice slightly chilling, yet polite nonetheless.

Unconvinced, Mother Li shook her head and sneered, "You can't fool me. I know very well how deep your feelings for him are. Tell me, what will it take for you to let go completely! You are no longer qualified to be my Li family's daughter-in-law, and I hope you have some self-awareness!"