10. We Are No Longer Friends

The girl refused to admit it.

Ning Muhe spoke with a dark expression.

“Starting today, Si Yun is my friend, and she belongs to me, Ning Muhe. Anyone who lays a hand on her will be crossing the Ning family.”

“Are you really Ning Muhe from the Ning family?!” The girl named Yan Yan’s lips trembled as she spoke.

Ning Muhe sneered coldly.

“Now that you know, get lost.”

That day, Si Yun was led out of the darkest alley of her life and greeted by the most dazzling and radiant light.

“Thank you, Ning Muhe.”

Si Yun felt she would say those words to Ning Muhe for the rest of her life.

Yet at this moment, she had just struck her—how unbelievable.

Memories flashed by, and the fury and hatred raging in Ning Muhe’s eyes made Si Yun ready to be struck back. But Ning Muhe’s raised hand did not land on her face; it missed entirely.

Si Yun was pulled from behind by a strong force, stumbled backward, and fell into a warm chest.

“Ji Hanxiao?” Si Yun whispered.

Ji Hanxiao spoke with an expressionless face.

“Even if we can’t reveal our identities outside, I can’t just stand by and watch my benefactor get beaten.”

“Si Yun!” Gritting her teeth, Ning Muhe’s voice was fierce. Si Yun looked up and met her eyes—bloodshot and devoid of any compassion.

“Ning Muhe, from now on, we are no longer friends,” Si Yun said calmly after gathering her thoughts.

“What are you talking about? Who gave you the right to say that? Don’t forget who saved you back then, who helped you get to where you are today. You’ve got no right to say those things to me! Without me, what are you? Some so-called top embroidery master? I was the one who supported you, gave you your reputation. Now, kneel down and apologize like a dog begging for forgiveness, or else…”

“Slap!” Another crisp slap landed on Ning Muhe’s face. It felt as if Ning Muhe had endured all the slaps she would ever receive in this lifetime.

In Su City, who would dare treat her like this?

“Qin Yin!” Ning Muhe roared fiercely, losing all dignity.

Qin Yin’s playful expression vanished, replaced by a solemn and chilling demeanor that even startled Si Yun. That carefree Qin Yin only appeared this way when her parents had passed away.

“Ning Muhe, I once respected you because you possessed many qualities I admired—the talent, ability, appearance, and Si Yun’s unconditional trust. But today, I realize how pitiful you truly are. Your talent is mediocre; although you have a clever mind, your abilities, your looks, and Si Yun herself all mean nothing to me now. You never truly considered Si Yun your friend; you arrogantly saw her as your possession. You’re utterly pathetic!” Qin Yin judged coldly, reducing Ning Muhe—once the proud young lady of the prestigious Ning Group and the Jiangnan Textile Factory—to nothing.

Furious, Ning Muhe stepped forward but was blocked by Ji Hanxiao and couldn’t move. Enraged, she screamed, losing all composure.

“You bastard, get out of my way. I’ll have you thrown out of Su City so you’ll have nowhere to stand.”

Ji Hanxiao smirked.

“Try me.I'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.