That evening, Dongfang Wan'er had finished dinner at home and was about to rest when a phone call disturbed her peace.
She paused at the name on the screen, then answered.
"Xiao Ming, what is it?"
Dongfang Ming's anxious voice came through the phone.
"Wan'er, don't let that snake Mo Xie fool you! He's a complete scumbag. He took a woman to a room outside. Who knows what they did all night?"
Dongfang Wan'er held the phone, her expression perfectly calm. Without a trace of anger, she asked,
"Xiao Ming, what are you trying to say?"
Dongfang Ming faltered, then spoke with even greater urgency.
"Don't you get it? Stop seeing Mo Xie! I'm afraid he'll break your heart!"
Dongfang Wan'er pursed her lips and rubbed her forehead, shaking her head helplessly.
"Do you really think I'm that easy to fool?"
"But—"
"That's enough. I know you're looking out for me, but I have my own plans. If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up."
"Wan'er... Fine. I won't bother you anymore."
After the call ended, Dongfang Wan'er looked at her phone and sighed softly.
Ever since Dongfang Ming had learned she liked Mo Xie, he had taken it to heart and brought it up constantly. She was tired of hearing it.
If she hadn't sensed how much her younger cousin relied on her, she might have wondered whether he had a crush on her.
Of course she knew about Mo Xie running off with Tang Yue. Dongfang Ming had talked about it nonstop for two days; it would have been hard not to know.
His warnings had shaken her at first. But once the photos of the Giant Serpent Rider and the story of Mo Xie saving Hangzhou spread, her conviction returned at once.
*The man I've chosen couldn't possibly