EHTM | Chapter 12 - The Two of You Are Equally Shameless

The day of Xie Grandma's 80th birthday arrived in the blink of an eye.

In previous years, Shen Donghuan would have gone back to the old family mansion early to help prepare for the celebration.

But this year, she didn't want to go back one minute earlier than necessary, only to end up doing thankless work.

She stayed at her hotel, sleeping in, and didn't leave until 5 PM, when she slowly changed into the evening gown Xie Yuming had sent over and took a taxi to the mansion.

By the time she arrived, night had fallen, and the villa was buzzing with excitement.

Shen Donghuan wore a water-blue gown adorned with tiny crystal diamonds. She looked like a mermaid princess who had just stepped ashore, exquisitely beautiful yet pure.

The moment she appeared in the hall, she instantly captured everyone's attention.

"Mrs. Xie has gotten even more beautiful, and we haven't seen her in just a few days."

"I wonder what her beauty secret is. Her skin is so fair and translucent. Every smile and every glance is like a fairy's. I wish I could be as beautiful as her!"

"Ha. What good is beauty if she's a hen that can't lay eggs? Haven't you heard? Xie Yuming is keeping a mistress outside, and she's already five months pregnant."

"I heard that mistress is a famous actress. She's even coming to Grandma Xie's 80th birthday banquet tonight to pay her respects in person!"

"Look over there. Isn't that the mistress?"

Near the entrance, Fu Ling appeared in a magenta gown. Her belly was visibly swollen. She clung intimately to Xie Yuming's arm, her posture haughty.

It was as if she, not Shen Donghuan, was the true Mrs. Xie.

Fu Ling spotted Shen Donghuan standing alone in the center of the hall. Her fox-like eyes darted around. She gripped Xie Yuming's arm even tighter, practically pressing her whole body against his.

She deliberately flaunted, "Sister, I'm so sorry. My pregnancy is making things a bit difficult right now, and Yuming was worried about me. That's why he let you take a taxi here alone. You're not angry, are you?"

Xie Yuming didn't seem to think an apology was necessary. He said directly, "Fu Ling, don't apologize. Donghuan always comes by herself anyway. She's not so petty as to get upset over something this small."

In an instant, it was crystal clear who was favored and who was despised.

The guests around them couldn't help but whisper among themselves.

"Mrs. Xie has it so rough. In the three years she's been married into the Xie family, she's perfect in every way except for not being able to have children. Her looks and her family background are top-notch. And now she has to endure this kind of provocation from a homewrecker."

"Tsk. If the wife can't have kids, the husband cheats and finds a mistress, gets her pregnant with a bastard child, and brings her straight home. Xie Yuming is basically slapping Shen Donghuan in the face right here in public."

"Poor Mrs. Xie, standing all alone while her husband and his mistress cling to each other."

Shen Donghuan listened to the murmurs around her and looked at Xie Yuming's face, which showed not a trace of consideration for her. She curled her lips into a smile.

Maybe it was because she no longer loved him, but she felt nothing at all.

"Fu Ling, Xie Yuming. How is it that I never noticed how perfect you two are for each other?"

"One is a famous actress eager to announce to the whole world that she's a mistress. The other is a wealthy heir with a wife, yet he cheats and brings his mistress to his own grandmother's birthday banquet."

"The two of you are equally shameless."

She delivered the harshest words in the gentlest tone.

Fu Ling's expression faltered slightly.

She'd expected Shen Donghuan to swallow her pride and keep the peace like she always did. She never imagined Shen Donghuan would call them out directly!

What had gotten into Shen Donghuan? She wasn't the same as before!

A flicker of surprise passed through Xie Yuming's eyes.

In all the time he'd known Shen Donghuan, he'd never heard her say anything harsh. She had always been good-tempered, well-behaved, and obedient.

But today, all he'd done was bring Fu Ling back to the old mansion so Grandma could see her unborn grandson. What was there to be angry about? What was Shen Donghuan throwing a tantrum for?

Xie Yuming said displeased, "Donghuan, stop making a scene."

Then he deliberately said to a nearby servant, "The young madam has had too much to drink. She's rambling nonsense. Take her downstairs to rest."

His tone was irritable and tinged with anger.

The servant immediately approached Shen Donghuan.

"Young madam, "

Before the servant could finish, Shen Donghuan cut her off. "I haven't had a single drop of alcohol. I am completely sober. I know exactly what I'm saying. And besides, what did I say that was wrong?"

Xie Yuming's face turned completely dark, grim as a frozen abyss.

"Shen Donghuan. Have you caused enough trouble? Leave. Now."

The next instant, an invisible pressure descended upon the room. The entire hall fell into a dead silence so profound you could hear a pin drop.

Shen Donghuan faced Xie Yuming directly, forcing her spine straight, refusing to yield even an inch of her composure.

Xie Yuming stared back at her, the pressure emanating from him growing even heavier. He was clearly very displeased with her behavior today.

The air between them froze solid. The temperature plummeted to freezing point.

Just then, a low laugh came from the entrance, shattering the suffocating atmosphere.

"It looks like I came back at the perfect time. The party's certainly lively."

All eyes turned toward the voice. Xie Shu stood there in a black suit, one hand in his pocket, his collar casually flipped open to reveal his sexy collarbone.

He narrowed his eyes at Xie Yuming and Fu Ling pressed together intimately. The corner of his lips curled up, his gaze filled with amusement.

"Big brother, today is Grandma's 80th birthday. What's the meaning of showing up with a mistress? Are you trying to give Grandma a heart attack?"

Xie Yuming's irritation peaked. "Xie Shu, this is none of your business."

Xie Shu let out a wicked chuckle. His long legs crossed the distance in two strides, stopping beside Shen Donghuan. He leaned slightly toward her, his voice carrying a lazy, casual indifference.

"Sister-in-law, you're still too nice and too soft-hearted. If I were you, and my spouse showed up with a mistress, I would've slapped them both and told them to get the hell out of here."

Because Xie Shu had lived abroad for years, Xie Yuming was not close with his younger brother.

Now, hearing Xie Shu speak up for Shen Donghuan, Xie Yuming's face darkened to the point where it could drip water.

His tone grew even heavier. "Xie Shu, this is my family matter. It has nothing to do with you. Stop pretending to be a good Samaritan."

He turned back to Shen Donghuan, his deep voice laced with a hint of threat. "Donghuan, Grandma's birthday banquet is about to start. Stop throwing a tantrum and affecting her mood."

Seeing that Xie Yuming had no regard for Shen Donghuan's feelings and was only pressuring her to back down, Xie Shu felt a surge of displeasure.

He clicked his tongue. "Big brother, you say sister-in-law is the one who's not thinking clearly. From where I'm standing, you're the one who's lost your mind."

"You have a wife as beautiful as her at home, yet you go out and cheat with some B-list actress. You're an embarrassment to the Xie family."

"If I had a wife as wonderful as sister-in-law, I wouldn't even think about cheating on her. I wouldn't even want to set foot outside the door."

Xie Shu and Xie Yuming locked eyes, both radiating open disdain for the other.

The atmosphere instantly became tense, thick with the smell of gunpowder.

As if, in the next second, the two brothers might come to blows right there on the spot.