Jun Mo Xie could already sense that this girl was no ordinary woman.
Despite her outwardly naïve and pure manner of speech, she possessed an uncanny ability to pierce through nonsense and discern truth from falsehood. Her words carried a strange clarity, almost objective in nature, something exceedingly rare among women of this era.
To be so straightforward, so unshaken by conventions, was already enough to set Sun Xiao Mei apart from the crowd. And though her appearance carried certain flaws that would draw ridicule from shallow eyes, her temperament was commendable without a doubt.
Sun Xiao Mei sat down with an ease that could rival any man's composure, her broad shoulders squared, her back straight as a drawn spear. With a faint smile, she lifted the teapot and poured Jun Mo Xie a cup of steaming tea, her movements firm and steady. Raising her thick eyebrows ever so slightly, she fixed her gaze upon him.
"Young Master Jun," She said, her voice clear and bold, "although we are meeting for the first time, I find that the rumors about you are not in agreement with reality."
Jun Mo Xie chuckled, a mischievous spark flashing in his eyes as he raised the cup. "Oh? And what, pray tell, do you find so different?"
Sun Xiao Mei didn't answer immediately. Instead, her lips curved into a carefree smile, one that seemed oddly fitting upon her rough but honest features. It was a smile that might have looked strange on another woman, but on her, it radiated a raw, masculine heroism.
"To tell you the truth," She began, her tone calm but piercing, "this young woman is not here today to meet Tang Yuan."
Jun Mo Xie's hand paused mid-lift.
"The marriage between Tang Yuan and me was arranged by our parents. As for me, I long ago accepted this misfortune as Heaven's decree... after all, I am an ugly woman, and fate has never been kind to those like me. I have no intention to rebel against destiny. However—"
Her eyes sharpened as she spoke, each word striking like a hammer against steel.
"—I have kept a record of all matters concerning Tang Yuan these past five years. What he did, what he said, where he went, everything beneath the heavens… I know it like the back of my hand!"
Jun Mo Xie nearly spat out his tea, and a chill raced down his spine. He suddenly looked at the collapsed Fatty Tang with immense pity.
'Poor fellow! His future was already painted in grim, tragic colors.'
Sun Xiao Mei turned her gaze towards her unconscious fiancé, her expression calm, yet her words merciless. "Not only is Tang Yuan not a good person, he isn't even a proper gentleman. To put it bluntly... he is a scoundrel from head to tail; a truly vile character!"
Jun Mo Xie couldn't hold back. He slapped his thigh and roared with laughter. "Well said! Hah! You've struck the nail on the head!"
Her lips curved upward, this time with a glib sharpness. "However… this nasty fellow is still genuine by nature. He never hides his likes and dislikes. He voices his hatred as openly as he does his affections. Such people, I like. His reputation is ruined, his conduct a disgrace, and he is mocked by all as unworthy, fat as a pig, dumb as a donkey…"
Her eyes flickered as she glanced sideways at Jun Mo Xie. "As his close friend, surely you know all this better than anyone. So I need not dwell on it. I only wish to stress one thing: despite it all, I have observed his true nature. And I believe that Tang Yuan is still a man, no mere farm animal."
Her words were so firm, so unshakable, that even Jun Mo Xie found himself dumbstruck.
"Therefore," Sun Xiao Mei continued with a light smile, "I have no reason to be dissatisfied. My own situation is not glorious either. To find such a life-companion… it is, in truth, more than I could ask for. In this way, it is apparent that we are a match made in Heaven."
"Ke, ke, ke…"
Jun Mo Xie choked violently on his tea. He simply couldn't find a suitable response.
Since coming to this world, he had never encountered such a woman! She was open about her appearance, frank about her marriage, and not the least bit shy.
Any other woman would have long turned silent, retreating behind coyness or shame. But this Sun Xiao Mei charged forward like a general in armor, delivering her truths without hesitation.
If this wasn't a Heroic Woman, then what was?
"Third Young Master Jun," Sun Xiao Mei suddenly leaned slightly forward, her smile brimming with confidence, "you need not cough so nervously. You are a man who understands worldly matters… so tell me, besides me, who else in this world could possibly tolerate Tang Yuan?"
Jun Mo Xie froze, staring wide-eyed at her, and his mouth gaped like a fish out of water.
'This… this woman is truly a tigress!'
Who else in the world could speak in such a manner? Who else dared?
Dugu Xiao Yi muffled her laughter with her hand, but no amount of effort could stop her delicate shoulders from trembling incessantly. Her bright eyes shone with mischief as she glanced sideways at Jun Mo Xie.
After all, she knew her close friend's temperament better than anyone. Sun Xiao Mei wasn't being serious; she was being coy in her own bold, heroic way.
"I've long been aware of Third Young Master's reputation," Sun Xiao Mei said steadily, her tone half formal, half playful, like a soldier giving a speech yet with the smile of a confidante. "I had guessed that you would aid Tang Yuan by preventing any humiliating circumstances from arising, especially those that might smear the names of the Tang and Sun Families. And for that, this young woman would like to thank you."
With that, she gracefully lowered her head, picked up the teapot with practiced ease, and poured fresh tea into Jun Mo Xie's cup. Her movements were neither dainty nor bashful, but carried the calm steadiness of someone who knew her own weight in the world. "To be able to meet you in person today… Sun Xiao Mei counts herself blessed."
Her words were spoken in an unhurried manner, but every syllable carried weight.
"You are known as wise and far-sighted," She continued, her voice like the slow stroke of a blade being drawn.
"Therefore, you may already know that I am here for two reasons. First—" Her eyes flickered toward the faintly groaning Tang Yuan sprawled like a slaughtered pig on the side, "—to see with my own eyes just how fat my fiancé truly is."
Jun Mo Xie nearly choked on his tea, his lips twitching.
"And second—" Her gaze lifted sharply, settling on him like the point of a spear, "—which was my true priority… to see whether the rumors about your distinguished self hold any truth. Knowing Fatty Tang's nature, I was certain he would drag you along. As expected, I guessed right."
Jun Mo Xie blinked, somewhat dumbfounded.
"Why," He asked slowly, a mischievous edge creeping into his voice, "did you wish to see me?"
His mind whirled. 'This is absurd! She arranged her own blind date with Fatty, but her main purpose was to meet me. Could she be here to settle accounts over that "Wife Gambling" fiasco? Don't tell me she's planning to kill me with words sharper than blades…'
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