Chapter Fifteen: I Will Make Them Pay for What They’ve Done!

"Where are you? I've prepared the divorce papers. Come and sign them; I'll send you the address right away." Chen Muxue's voice was cold and clear over the phone. She hung up before Su Zheng could respond.

Su Zheng's expression remained unmoved. Since Chen Muxue had agreed to a divorce, all the better.

The entire Chen family was immersed in excitement, ignoring Su Zheng completely. No one paid any attention even as he left. For them, such a useless man would be better off dead in the street.

Lido Café.

Su Zheng followed the address and entered, spotting Chen Muxue. His gaze chilled instantly, for beside Chen Muxue sat Liang Xiaoyu. Next to them was a refined-looking middle-aged couple, who nodded approvingly to Chen Muxue, satisfaction written in their eyes.

"You're here. Come sign the papers." Chen Muxue saw Su Zheng and, her expression complicated, pushed a document toward him.

Su Zheng stared at her pale face, a tumult of emotions rising within. Two years of marriage, in name only, yet he had given everything—only to be met with a divorce agreement. Her cold, resolute expression, combined with Liang Xiaoyu's triumphant, provoking gaze, made the oppression in his chest almost unbearable.

"Heh... This is for the best. Trash like you doesn't deserve to be with Muxue. Better start learning how to beg now, since you'll never again sponge off the Chen family, hahaha..." Liang Xiaoyu laughed arrogantly. Chen Muxue lowered her head, unwilling to speak further.

Liang Xiaoyu's parents were even more contemptuous, fanning themselves as though Su Zheng's presence polluted the air.

"You bastard, what right do you have to shout in front of me?" Su Zheng barked, casting a sidelong glance at Liang Xiaoyu.

"Damn you, what nonsense are you spouting? Who are you calling a bastard?" Liang Xiaoyu shot to his feet, looming menacingly over Su Zheng.

"I'm calling you a bastard. If you don't believe me, ask your mother," Su Zheng replied, utterly serious.

"Ugh!" The first to lose composure was Liang Xiaoyu's mother. Her expression changed dramatically as she hastily rebuked, "You'd better stop talking nonsense. Do you know I could sue you for slander?"

Su Zheng narrowed his eyes. "Go ahead, sue me. Or have a hospital run some tests—let's see if he's really a bastard."

"You..." Liang Xiaoyu's mother was struck speechless, terror flooding her gaze.

Liang Xiaoyu could not fail to notice his mother's guilty demeanor. The revelation hit him like a bolt of lightning, rendering him stiff and motionless.

"We're leaving! Go home, and you'd better explain yourself!" Liang Xiaoyu's father furiously grabbed his wife's arm and stormed out.

"Mom, Dad, don't leave! What about me and Muxue?" Liang Xiaoyu cried, lost and desperate.

"Shut up! You're coming, too. Don't disgrace me further," his father snarled, glancing back with venom.

Years in business had taught the elder Liang to read people; his wife's panic confirmed his suspicions.

Liang Xiaoyu trembled, glaring at Su Zheng before hurriedly following his parents.

Only after the trio departed did Su Zheng pick up the pen to sign the divorce papers.

With a tearing sound, Chen Muxue snatched the agreement and ripped it to pieces.

"What are you doing?" Su Zheng frowned.

"It's pointless now," Chen Muxue shook her head, despair on her face.

Su Zheng sneered.

He wanted to vent, but seeing Chen Muxue's hopeless expression, the words died on his lips.

"Since you're involved with Liang Xiaoyu, there's no reason to drag this out. Let's divorce. No matter how you treat me, for the sake of our two years together, I wish you well," Su Zheng said seriously. He stood, "Wait here, I'll print another agreement."

Without a hint of reluctance, he turned and left.

Chen Muxue watched his retreating figure, resolve flickering in her cold gaze, then rose and departed as well.

When Su Zheng returned, Chen Muxue was gone. Instead, he received a call from Li Yanjun.

Li Yanjun politely informed him that he'd acquired several more red mist herbs and wanted to deliver them personally.

After some thought, Su Zheng decided to visit the Li family himself, to prepare the medicine there and avoid suspicion at his mother's residence.

Li Yanjun was thrilled to learn Su Zheng would come in person, quickly sending a car for him.

The Li family had spent a fortune gathering sixteen red mist herbs from all over, and, per the old master's instructions, presented them all to Su Zheng without reservation.

Li Yanjun also respectfully handed him a special gold-edged invitation, urging Su Zheng to attend a private banquet at the Li family manor in a week's time. As a gesture of goodwill, invitations had also been sent to the Chen family.

Su Zheng nodded his thanks, took the herbs, and after preparing the medicine, experienced tremendous improvement in his health. By the time everything was done, it was nearly midnight. He did not stay overnight at the Li residence, choosing instead to return to his mother's side.

But as he drew near her villa, he saw thick smoke billowing and people rushing about, battling the lingering flames.

Mother was in danger!

Su Zheng's nerves tightened as he raced toward the scene.

"Zheng, over here!" Qiao Lan had come as soon as she got the call. The villa belonged to her. When someone noticed the fire, they swiftly contacted her through the property manager.

Su Zheng found his mother unconscious, but after checking her condition, saw she was unharmed, and his anxiety eased.

Fire and water bring calamity, yet his mother was safe—a stroke of fortune.

"How did the fire start?" Su Zheng pressed.

Qiao Lan shook her head, equally puzzled. She'd questioned the servants, but they all said the flames had sprung up suddenly, with no explanation.

"Let's check the surveillance footage," Su Zheng said after a moment's thought. He sensed this was no ordinary accident.

They went to the property office, and, reviewing the footage, saw furtive figures lurking outside the villa. Su Zheng's fury ignited.

Two people had approached the villa: Chen Muxue and Liang Xiaoyu.

Once the blaze erupted, smoke obscured the cameras and nothing else could be seen.

Bang! Su Zheng slammed his fist onto the table, wrath boiling.

In that moment, his hatred for Chen Muxue surpassed even his loathing for Liang Xiaoyu.

To plot with her lover against her husband's mother—such venom could hardly be called human.

"Poisonous woman! So you're not only heartless and shameless, but utterly cruel. This debt will not go unpaid!" Su Zheng's voice was icy with rage.

He never imagined Chen Muxue could sink to such depravity. His sincere devotion had been wasted on a woman with a heart of a serpent.

"Qiao Lan, don't call the police yet. Use all your resources to investigate every detail of their relationship. I want the world to see them punished as they deserve!"

"Yes, Zheng," Qiao Lan replied, her face frosted with anger.