The clock on the wall ticked by the second until the hour hand pointed at eight, only then did she shake her head and start to pack her things.
First, she took out the clothes and shoes from her handbag. The white dress was hung in the wardrobe, and the red-bottomed shoes were placed on the shoe rack.
These were the birthday gifts he had given her for her eighteenth birthday. She would leave them here.
In the future, whether they were thrown away or given away.
She opened the wardrobe and picked out a few pieces of clothing she often wore.
Her clothes were really ugly.
All Shen Chiâs fault, the clothes he bought for her were all ugly. But from now on, she would wear whatever she wanted, and he could no longer control her.
It was supposed to be quite a happy thing, but Xu Chaomuâs nose slightly soured.
That one piece of lingerie was still there. Xu Chaomu reached out and took it off the hanger, stuffing it into the bag.
After finishing with the clothes, she started to pack shoes, small itemsâ¦
âKnock knock knockâ¦â
The door to her room was suddenly knocked.
Xu Chaomu quickly zipped up her backpack, âWho is it?â
âItâs me, Bai Man.â A voice as light as a orioleâs came through.
Xu Chaomu paused in her actions. Bai Man? Wasnât she at the film set? Was she coming back to sleep now?
She rushed over to open the door for Bai Man, âFourth Sister-in-Law, youâre back.â
Bai Man had indeed just returned from the film set, still wrapped in a green coat. She gathered her hair and peeked into the room, âMay I come in?â
âOf course you can.â
Wearing high heels, Bai Man stepped inside and casually closed the door to Xu Chaomuâs room.
Usually, she had no chance to come to Xu Chaomuâs room. Ever since the incident with the necklace last time, Shen Chi had made it clear to everyone in the Shen Family: without his permission, no one was allowed to enter Xu Chaomuâs room.
Bai Man felt envious now that she thought about it.
âFourth Sister-in-Law, have you had dinner?â
âI ate at the film set. Since I was coming back to the Shenâs, and I heard from Butler Ling that youâd returned, I came to see you,â Bai Man replied.
âI also just got back a while ago.â
âI heard your mid-term exams are over. How did you do?â Bai Man sat down on a chair.
âOkay, I guess. The results will be out in a while anyway,â Xu Chaomu said indifferently.
She knew she wouldnât know the results. Whether good or bad, they didnât have much to do with her anymore.
âChaomu, would you like to study abroad?â
Xu Chaomu looked up confusedly, absentmindedly replying, âFourth Sister-in-Law, as you know, I donât like studying.â
âYour school has spots for studying abroad, and countless people are desperate to get one. It just so happens that I have a connection reserved for you. Wonât you consider it?â Bai Man said in the same indifferent tone.
âFourth Sister-in-Law, rest assured, I wonât fight with you for Fourth Brother. He loves you, and I know that.â
âI didnât mean that. I just think studying abroad would be more beneficial for your future. Moreover, Iâve discussed this with your Fourth Brother. He also thinks that it would be better for you to study abroad.â
Hearing the last sentence, Xu Chaomu paused, not speaking for a long time.
âIf youâre willing, I can have Xiaofeng make the arrangements right away.â
âFourth Sister-in-Law, I can manage my own life. Thereâs no need for you to worry.â
âIâm just offering you a great opportunity. If you donât want it, let it be,â Bai Manâs face looked a bit displeased.
âYes, I donât want it,â Xu Chaomu replied firmly, her face showing her stubbornness.
Why should they arrange her life for her? She didnât want that.
âSuit yourself, but let me tell you, donât keep thinking about Shen Chi. He and I are about to get married. Weâve already registered our marriage. Weâre legally husband and wife,â Bai Man stated.
âIâm not interested in your man. Take good care of him yourself,â Xu Chaomu retorted lightly.
âHe loves me, and I believe him. I just need to sweep away any fox spirits that come knocking at his door,â Bai Man said with a sting in her voice, and Xu Chaomu felt extremely uncomfortable.
No one had ever called her a âfox spirit.â She was not a fox spirit.
She knew that after learning Shen Chi was getting married, she had never bothered him again. Why would they call her a fox spirit?
âFourth Sister-in-Law, I donât know what you mean by that. Iâm not competing with you for Fourth Brother. Why are you so insecure?â
âChaomu, did I say you? There are no shortage of women in the Shen Group who covet your Fourth Brother. Youâre so nervous, could it be that I struck a nerve?â
âFourth Sister-in-Law, I donât want to argue with you.â
âActually, everyone in the Shen Family knows you like Shen Chi. Even though he is getting married, you still stick to him. Tell me, why do you like someone elseâs husband so much?â
âFourth Sister-in-Law, did you come here to argue with me? Since youâve said it yourself, your husband loves you most, why are you still fixating on me?â
âMen are creatures with no self-control. I have to be on my guard against those little fox spirits who try to climb into other peopleâs beds every day,â Bai Man said with a sneer.
âFourth Sister-in-Law, do you really trust your husband so little? My room is just a wall away from his. If I could climb over, would I have not managed to do so in eight years? It shows just how much he loves you.â
Xu Chaomu knew Shen Chi didnât touch other women. He kept himself pure for Bai Man alone.
Even when he was drunk and kissed her, he never touched her.
âXu Chaomu, of course I trust my husband, but I donât trust you,â Bai Man said.
âWhether you trust me or not, thatâs your problem,â Xu Chaomu said indifferently. âIâm going to sleep now, Fourth Sister-in-Law. Please leave.â
She had a good temper, calling Bai Man âFourth Sister-in-Lawâ. If she were not in a good mood, she would directly call her âBai Manâ by her full name.
âBy the way, why did you come back to the Shenâs?â Bai Man said disdainfully.
âI just came to get some things, Fourth Sister-in-Law. Donât forget, youâre not yet married into the Shen Family.â
âWell, Xu Chaomu, donât forget that you have no relationship with the Shen Family at all. I heard that my husband even completed the annulment of the adoption with you? It was a bit heartless, but it also put an end to any little hopes you might have.â
Bai Manâs face didnât show the slightest sign of discomfort as she spoke. If she could get Xu Chaomu out before Shen Chi returned, then there was still a possibility for her and Shen Chi to reconcile.
Sure enough, Xu Chaomuâs face changed, a sour feeling spreading across her chest.
Yeah, he had even processed the notarization with her, and it was more than just being heartlessâ¦
Everyone said Shen Chi was cold and heartless, and on the matter of the notarization, Xu Chaomu had thoroughly experienced that.
He must have disliked her so much to have insistently taken her to do the notarization.
Eight years of affection, even if there was no love, there was still the joy of daily companionshipâ¦
He really was fed up with her.
Xu Chaomu stopped arguing with Bai Man, who was sharply on point.
âFourth Sister-in-Law, you donât have to worry. I wonât return to the Shen Family ever again.â
âYouâd better keep your word. Ah, my baby just kicked me in my belly. You sleep; Iâm leaving now,â Bai Man said.
After that, Bai Man touched her lower abdomen, satisfied, and left Xu Chaomuâs room.