Ch 161: The Cannon Fodder Won’t Play Along Anymore [QT]

Mu Xing didn’t even look at Qin Song again and turned back to his own room.

This house belonged to Qin Song. Since the two of them were “married,” they naturally lived together.

But first, they each had their own rooms, and second, Qin Song had spent most of the past six months filming outside, hardly ever home.

It couldn’t really be called a “home.”

Relying on the memories in his mind, Mu Xing found the original owner’s room. He didn’t have many things, so Mu Xing casually packed up what could be used, filling up a suitcase.

Before long, Qin Song came knocking on the door.

“Come in.”

Qin Song stood at the doorway. When he saw the open suitcase spread across the floor, he hesitated before saying, “The luggage doesn’t have to be rushed. You can take your time. I won’t be staying here these next few days.”

“Let’s go handle the paperwork first.”

Mu Xing gave a short laugh.

Qin Song lowered his head to look at him, feeling that this person, who had always been so mild-tempered in front of him, was mocking him.

And Mu Xing did mean it that way: “In such a hurry?”

Not waiting for Qin Song’s response, Mu Xing snapped the suitcase shut, stood up, and said, “Alright, let’s go.”

Dragging along his suitcase to process the divorce papers, Mu Xing figured he must be the first one to ever do such a thing.

He wheeled the suitcase along, and under the shocked and astonished gazes of the staff who clearly recognized Qin Song, he completed the divorce procedure with him.

The whole process was quick.

Outside the hall, Qin Song looked at Mu Xing’s thin figure standing by the roadside, staring at the endless stream of traffic.

Looking at his suitcase, Qin Song asked, “You’re not going back?”

Mu Xing lowered his head, typing on his phone with one hand: “Mm, I’ve packed everything. Later just hire an auntie to clean, and throw away anything extra.”

He looked casual and relaxed.

Not a trace of reluctance or sadness.

Qin Song felt both relieved and guilty at the same time.

He simply couldn’t believe Mu Xing wasn’t sad at all.

He could still remember the young man’s eyes lighting up the first time they met.

Mu Xing had cherished every one of his works, and even in a contractual marriage, had never restrained his affection for him.

So he said sincerely, “I’m sorry, Mu Xing. I know this ridiculous contract marriage caused you a lot of harm.”

“It did cause a lot of harm. You’re just a scumbag with a broken brain.” Mu Xing agreed with his words, then continued under Qin Song’s stunned gaze, “But we’re both adults. We’re responsible for our choices. No one held a knife to my neck to make me agree to your proposal. I was just an idiot.”

Finally finishing with his phone, Mu Xing looked up at him. “So stop saying all that useless nonsense. Don’t feel guilty for me. No need for empty words either. From now on, once we’re divorced, let’s disappear from each other’s lives. Not even friends.”

Qin Song was left speechless by the sharpness of his words. He had never seen Mu Xing like this.

Awkwardly, he changed the subject. “So, what are you planning next? What were you doing just now? Chatting with a friend?”

Just as Mu Xing was about to speak, his phone rang.

He answered, and soon a car pulled up in front of them.

Carrying his suitcase, Mu Xing got into the rideshare. Without even looking back, he waved at Qin Song. “Goodbye, Mr. Qin.”

Qin Song stood watching as the car drove away. Then his own phone rang.

His agent, Yang Shuang, came in with an urgent voice: “You got divorced?”

Yang Shuang didn’t know about the contract between Qin Song and Mu Xing, only that Qin Song had never truly cared for the younger partner seven years his junior.

But she never imagined they would divorce so quickly.

Qin Song frowned. “How do you know?”

They had only just completed the paperwork. He hadn’t even had time to announce it. Was it caught by paparazzi?

Yang Shuang: “…”

She said, “How do I know? Now the whole internet knows.”

Irritated, she hung up. “Such a big deal and you didn’t tell me first. Go check Weibo yourself!”

Puzzled, Qin Song opened Weibo.

The first trending push he saw was:

#QinSongDivorced#

Clicking in, it was a post from Mu Xing just eight minutes ago.

Mu Xing: Stop scolding, stop scolding. Divorced. [Image]

The image was the freshly obtained divorce certificate.

【???】
【What the hell, is this real? Not April Fools, right? Damn, it’s real! Hahaha my Qin finally opened his eyes?】
【I’ve been waiting for this day! Today I won’t curse you!】
【Celebration time! I actually want to set off fireworks!】

This was probably the loudest thing Mu Xing had ever done in the industry.

The original owner had endured half a year of insults from Qin Song’s fans without ever talking back. Not because of some great temperament, but because he tolerated it for Qin Song.

Mu Xing had no such love for this man.

After posting, he logged out of Weibo without caring how much chaos his words stirred.

He took a direct cab home, but before he arrived, his father called.

Mu Jiangtao’s familiar furious roar blasted through: “You unfilial son! What’s going on? You and that Qin Song, divorced?”

Mu Xing said, “Dad, calm down. Yes, divorced.”

Mu Jiangtao roared, “Marriage is such a huge matter and you treat it like a joke? Silent when you got married, silent when you got divorced. What are you even doing? What the hell is going on? Get back here and explain yourself!”

Mu Xing couldn’t help but move the phone a little farther from his ear. He nodded repeatedly. “Okay, okay, Dad, I’ll come back right now and explain everything to you.”

Mu Jiangtao said, “If you don’t come back now, then you’ll never… hmm?”

He paused. “You’re coming back right now?”

Hearing the hesitation in his tone, Mu Xing’s eyes curved in a smile. “Yes, I’m already in the car. Dad, I’m sorry. I’ve been too reckless these days.”

That “sorry” was the one thing the original Mu Xing most wanted to say to Mu Jiangtao.

All the fire in Mu Jiangtao’s chest collapsed in an instant at that light “sorry.”

Where Mu Xing couldn’t see, his eyes stung. He took a deep breath before scolding in a low voice, “I’ll deal with you when you get back!”

Mu Xing knew very well how his father’s hard mouth hid a soft heart.

Smiling, he carried his suitcase home.

The Mu family lived in the villa district of the southern city, also known as the rich area. The housing prices were outrageous—without a fortune, one couldn’t even dream of it.

His older sister, Mu Lin, managed the Mu family business. She didn’t usually live here, only returning on weekends when she had time.

They were full siblings, but Mu Xing had gone abroad with his mother when he was young, so the two were quite estranged.

As soon as he entered, Mu Xing saw Mu Jiangtao sitting on the couch in the living room with a stern face.

The moment he saw him, Mu Jiangtao let out a heavy snort.

The housekeeper came over to take his luggage, whispering, “Young master, sir is actually very worried about you.”

“Chen Ma!” Mu Jiangtao snapped.

Chen Ma hurriedly pushed Mu Xing’s suitcase away.

In the past, whenever Mu Xing saw his father like this, he couldn’t help but talk back. His grandfather and mother were gentle, artistic types who spoke softly at home. To him, Mu Jiangtao’s temper made him seem like a tyrant.

And according to the original’s memories, when he first returned home, he’d actually been curious and hopeful about his father.

But the first time he came back, the very first words Mu Jiangtao said when he saw him were, cold-faced: “Go shave that hair off before you step into this house. Gaudy, shameful—what do you look like?”

The disdain in his voice was impossible to miss.

Father and son clashed right from day one.

The original dug in his heels, kept his silver hair, and ran off into the entertainment industry. That led to another argument with Mu Jiangtao.

And before there was ever a chance to reconcile, news broke of his flash marriage with Qin Song.

Mu Jiangtao called, scolded him, and told him to get out and never come back.

For half a year, the two had no contact.

Looking back, father and son, reunited after so many years apart, had never once sat down for a proper conversation.

Thinking of the original’s final feelings of confusion and despair, Mu Xing sighed inwardly.

He walked over and sat down in front of Mu Jiangtao.

Mu Jiangtao glanced sideways at him.

Remembering that his hair was still glaringly silver, Mu Xing spoke up first. “I’ll go out tomorrow and dye my hair back.”

That was clearly yielding.

Only then did Mu Jiangtao turn to look at his youngest son. In a low voice, he said, “Tell me first—what exactly happened here?”

If it were the original, there was no way he would ever have told the truth.

Whether out of pride and not wanting to lose face, or because of his feelings for Qin Song and his instinct to protect him. Even if it meant lying to himself, he wouldn’t let anyone know that it had all been a cold, contractual marriage.

But to Mu Xing, none of that mattered.

Compared to family—especially a hard-mouthed but soft-hearted father who truly cared for him—what did all that count for?

Family meant being able to expose your wounds in front of them without fear.

And at a time like this, if he still refused to admit anything, with Mu Jiangtao’s fiery temper it would only spark another fight.

So calmly, he explained the entire situation with Qin Song to his father.

What he got in return was a fierce glare full of bitter disappointment.

Mu Jiangtao nearly roared, “Are you stupid? The man was obviously using you, and you still jumped straight into the trap! That Qin Song—what kind of god is he that you like him so much? Your mother and grandfather raised you all these years just for you to go throw yourself away like that?”

“And for this, you let his damned fans curse you for so long. How did I end up with such a fool for a son!”

Mu Xing suddenly stood up.

Mu Jiangtao thought his son was about to storm out again. Sometimes, after an outburst, when his son left, he regretted it in secret. He did want to sit down and talk to him properly.

But after all these years apart, they were already strangers. And with his bad temper, once it flared up, he couldn’t control it.

But instead, Mu Xing simply stood, poured a glass of warm water, and handed it to him.

Sincerely, he said, “Dad, don’t be angry. Have some water and calm down. I really was stupid before.”

Mu Jiangtao froze.

His older daughter Mu Lin, who had rushed back fearing another blow-up after seeing the news, also froze.

Mu Jiangtao’s mouth was still half open, his eyes wide as he stared at the water cup and his foolish son.

Seeing him not take it, Mu Xing thought he was still furious.

He quickly added, “I’ve figured it out now. I really was blinded before, liked Qin Song so much I lost my head. But now that I think about it, he’s not so great—he’s not even better looking than me, right? Don’t worry, I won’t be that stupid again.”

To prove his sincerity, he nodded firmly. “Really!”

❣╰(⸝⸝⸝꒳⸝⸝⸝)╯❣