She Lost Memory Before the Divorce

"Actually... Uncle Mu passed away last month from a sudden heart attack."

This news was a bolt from the blue for Mu Lan.

She never expected to hear that her father had died.

"Gone... Gone? How is that possible? My dad always took good care of his health, having regular check-ups every year. How could he just suddenly die?"

Mu Lan's blood rushed to her head in her agitation, as if thousands of needles were simultaneously piercing her brain, and her scalp started to go numb.

The sudden pain made her grasp her hair in anguish, contorting her features together.

Tears uncontrollably fell, clearly signaling that the news of her father's death had struck a deep nerve in Mu Lan.

After all, in her memory, she was just cuddling with Mu Yunsheng yesterday, discussing a family trip overseas after the college entrance examination.

"Lanlan, don't scare me."

"Xiaoman, I don't have a dad anymore."

Mu Lan cried like a child, repeating that last sentence over and over, causing Gu Xiaoman to cry along with her.

Eventually, both cried to the point of exhaustion. Mu Lan curled up on the sofa, her eyes red and breathing in spasms, a sight that would make anyone's heart ache.

"Lanlan, I know that nothing I say now can comfort you, and I realize it's a bit cruel to tell you this now.

But you also know that the Group was Uncle Mu's life's work. With his sudden death, the board of directors has descended into chaos over the selection of a new chairman.

At this critical juncture, the multi-billion project with Jiancheng has also encountered problems. If you divorce Huo Tingxiao now, it won't just be that you've lost a major pillar, but it will also impact the Mu Family.

And to make matters worse, you've lost your memory now, and your family doesn't even know..."

"The fact that I've lost my memory must be kept a secret from everyone, including my mom and my brother."

After a big cry, Mu Lan's emotions finally stabilized.

"So, about you and Tingxiao..."

"I have my own plans."

Gu Xiaoman did not continue to probe; after all, Mu Lan was suffering from amnesia, not dementia, and surely she had her own ideas about what decisions to make.

----------

Huo Tingxiao had rescheduled half a day's worth of appointments to get a divorce.

He was already at the door of the civil affairs bureau when he received Mu Lan's change of heart.

"Huo Tingxiao, I've decided not to divorce."

"Are you playing with me?"

"I'm at your villa, waiting for you to come back and talk."

After she spoke, Mu Lan hung up the phone.

Huo Tingxiao was irritable. Since yesterday, this woman had been leading him by the nose.

But he had to do as Mu Lan said; after all, both parties needed to be present for a divorce, and he couldn't just finalize it on his own.

Half an hour later, Huo Tingxiao returned home, frowning involuntarily at the sight of Mu Lan sitting on the sofa.

"I apologize for breaking our appointment, I'm sorry."

"What tricks are you up to now?"

Clearly, Huo Tingxiao didn't accept Mu Lan's apology.

"No tricks, just a transaction I'd like to make with you.

Once it's done, I will divorce you as I promised."

Huo Tingxiao sneered, loosening his tie and sitting down on an armchair.

His jawline was tense, and his eyes pierced with coldness, obviously displeased by her non-appearance earlier.

"What gives you the right to negotiate a transaction with me?"

The contempt in his tone upset Mu Lan, but she had to suppress her irritation.

"Eligibility? Gu Xiaoman told me that to marry you, I took 5% of my shares in Mu Group as dowry, which just so happened to solve your pressing crisis," Mu Lan said.

"What's borrowed should be returned, reciprocating one kindness with another—isn't that quite normal?"

"I didn't force you to do that. Why should I return something that was offered to me?"

Mu Lan hadn't expected him to be so shameless, and she was so angry that steam seemed to rise from her head, nearly losing her composure.

"You!"

Alright then, if he wanted to play dirty, she'd show him who was better at the game!

"Fine, let's not talk about the dowry. Gu Xiaoman also said that your grandfather has always been very fond of me. He's your most respected elder, and now that he's old, he probably can't withstand the news of our divorce. If anything were to happen to him..."

"Are you threatening me? Mu Lan, is that how much you want to stay by my side?"

Huo Tingxiao felt turmoil inside, and his hand clenched into a fist without his realizing it, his knuckles turning white. He despised being threatened more than anything.

"If you must interpret it that way, there's nothing I can do."

"Huo Tingxiao, the Mu Lan standing in front of you now has lost seven years of memory. She's not the slightest bit interested in you and won't obsess over you, love you, or revolve her life around you like she used to."

"My sole purpose in doing all this is to get you to help my brother through his troubles.

"The day my brother takes his seat as the chairman of Mu Group will be the day we divorce," she declared.

Mu Lan's words left Huo Tingxiao somewhat stunned. As she emphasized over and over again that she no longer loved him, his emotions roiled like a caged beast straining to break free.

What then was the meaning of her affectionate actions over the past seven years? What did her determination to marry him signify?

Even her pleasing him in every way was just an investment, waiting for the day Mu Group would need Huo Tingxiao's aid so she could take advantage?

This realization was extremely displeasing to Huo Tingxiao!

He was used to manipulating others, never expecting someone to dare target him so boldly.

"You think I'd believe such nonsense from you?"

"Believe it or not is your right. It's also fine if you don't want to help."

"But as for divorcing now, I absolutely cannot agree to that."

"In the end, the choice is yours. The sooner you help my brother, the sooner you can be rid of me."

"So, helping my brother is essentially helping yourself.

"Considering how much you despise me, this deal is a steal for you."

Mu Lan's smooth talk actually earned her a bit of respect from Huo Tingxiao.

He had never noticed before how eloquent she could be, even knowing when to back off strategically.

"So, after all is said and done, my benefit is just the divorce?"

Seeing his attitude soften, Mu Lan instantly perked up as if injected with adrenaline and continued to dangle bait.

"Of course not, should you agree to my proposal, I promise to stay within my bounds and act as a shield for you and your lover."

"When the time is right, if you want to elevate her, I'll certainly cooperate and pave the way for your image in public.

"After all, the attitude of your ex-wife is the best PR," she insisted.

These words darkened Huo Tingxiao's expression instantly.

So far, he was beginning to believe the woman might truly have amnesia.

In the past she would be jealous even of his secretary, but now she was openly offering to be a shield?

Ha, she was in for a disappointment, as he had no so-called lover at all. However, for the sake of male pride, he felt it improper to explain, not wanting to seem like he was holding himself pure for her sake.

Huo Tingxiao's silence made Mu Lan anxious. She had played all her cards; if he still refused, what was she to do?

"If these offers aren't enough and you have other conditions, we can discuss them."

"Any conditions?"

Huo Tingxiao's eyes suddenly held a mischievous gleam, as he looked at Mu Lan like a leopard teasing its prey, making her hands sweat with nervousness.