Who was Xing Yiyue anyway? What was so special about her, compared to Feng Tianhua's other ex-lovers that Tang Moyu had heard about?
Xing Yiyue was a B-rated actress who managed to smitten Feng Tianhua after he rescued her from a sexual assault. Their first meeting was then followed by several coincidences that led to a romantic interest between Feng Tianhua and Xing Yiyue.
Tang Moyu had met the woman several times, but she treated her with indifference and kept a safe distance from her. Even though she was aware that her fiance was foolishly in love with another woman, Tang Moyu had long prepared herself for this.
She might not have experienced a romantic relationship in her life, but she could tell that the two were head over heels for each other.
"You might be his wife, but you cannot be his lover," her mother had once told her.
"Is that really alright, Mother?" Young Tang Moyu asked. She was confused as to why people marry for business or politics and not for love.
"Because successful men cheat and you have to accept it, dear." her mother tried to explain. "The reason they have affairs outside their marriage is because they think they won't get caught. They also assume that even if they do get caught, they won't get in trouble, because they have more than enough resources to cover it up."
"Moyu, do not believe in love. Do not let your heart cloud your judgement," her elder sister added.
Tang Moyu didn't understand it at first, but now, at the age of twenty-four years old, she finally understood what her mother and her sister meant all those years ago. It was because men often don't bother about the long-term effects of their actions on others, only the short-term gains.
Wealth, fame, and power are attractive to many women, who make themselves available to powerful men like Feng Tianhua. When powerful men such as businessmen are away from home for days and weeks at a time, which is often the case, loneliness and the desire for female companionship can trigger infidelity.
In other words, it's easy for these men to find willing sex partners.
Many men have positions that require a lot of responsibility and authority. They perform well under high stress, and they continually need and enjoy excitement or challenges to drive them forward. An affair gives them the same type of exhilaration in their private life, so she wasn't really surprised when she heard about Feng Tianhua seeing other women behind her back.
As long as she holds the title of 'Madam Feng', those women weren't worth her time and attention.
Tang Moyu had been working hard for the past three years as a financial planner for Feng Conglomerate and had seen the same scenario happening to other businessmen over the course of her career.
"Do not waste your time groveling about it, Moyu. You just need to be a beautiful, healthy, and capable wife. Your worth as a wife will hold you up against those women your husband would take in as his lovers. They might be able to warm his bed but at the end of the day, a man would need a capable woman by his side and not some woman who only knows how to open her legs." Her family had taught her.
This was why Tang Moyu, at her current age, didn't have any semblance of understanding of what a romantic relationship feels like. She found those sappy romance novels and TV shows exaggerated.
What was so sweet about a man giving a woman flowers? Their beauty was fleeting as well as the 'love' of a man. What was so sweet about a kiss beneath the rain? People who stayed soaking wet would surely get a bad cold and get sick later, which was ridiculous in Tang Moyu's opinion.
The only sweetness that Tang Moyu knew of in her whole life was the dessert she consumed after every single meal.
In her slumped state, Tang Moyu could hear the heavy rain pouring outside. As the sound of the rain gets louder, the colder her heart gets.
"Feng Tianhua, if there comes a day when you realized that you've wrong me today…" The tears that rolled down from Tang Moyu's eyes caught Feng Tianhua off guard. This was the first time he saw her shed tears and display an emotion that was different from her cold and impassive face.
However, he quickly regained his ruthless facade with his eyes filled with hatred against her.
"Wronged you? Tang Moyu, you are the one who wronged me and Xing Yiyue in this life!" He roared back at her. "You listen to what I say today, Tang Moyu because I'll only warn you once! Stay away from Xing Yiyue! Stay away from my wife!"
The moment he uttered those words, everyone's mood changed completely. The air stilled into a shock of silence and Tang Moyu's eyes flew open. Everyone glanced at each other, unsure of what they heard.
Did just Feng Tianhua call Xing Yiyue as his wife? Then what would happen to Tang Moyu now?
Li Meili looked at Feng Tianhua, confused. A deep frown furrowed her brows while Tang Moyu stared at him in a daze. It was clear to her what had happened.
Feng Tianhua betrayed her by marrying Xing Yiyue. That one thing she tried to work hard for the past two decades ended up in another woman's hands.
Tang Moyu was beyond shocked. Her chest ached to the point where her breathing was painful. What would happen to her now? What would become of her now?
Because of Feng Tianhua's love for Xing Yiyue, everything she had was taken away. Their families, the time they spent together as they worked hard to revive the Feng Conglomerate he had inherited from his father, the sleepless nights she spent burrowing her head into the strategic financial plans to help him meet his long-term financial objectives for the company.
The long years of hard work and strict education she underwent were for naught because Feng Tianhua had simply cast her aside for Xing Yiyue.
Wasn't she the one who worked hard and helped him all this time to reach the status Feng Conglomerate had right now? Wasn't she the one who reduced the spending, paid off the debts, and helped the company to save and invest for the future?
Then why was another woman harvesting the fruits of her hard work right now?
"And for you to call my wife a tramp?" Feng Tianhua sneered at her. "Shouldn't you be looking at yourself, Tang Moyu? To actually sleep with another man even before our marriage and carry a bastard… were you planning to let me wear a green hat before marriage?"
A collective gasp could be heard around them as everyone looked at Tang Moyu with disgust.
'Oh, my! It was Young Miss Tang who cheated on him?'
'Did she actually plan to let Young Master Feng take responsibility for her bastard child?'
'This is insane. And here I thought she would become Madam Feng.'
The people around her… Tang Moyu felt disgusted and rage in her heart. They only swamped her because of the gains and favors that they could rip from her later. And now that she was being reduced to nothing, they were the first ones to throw stones at her.
Seeing her pathetic state, Feng Tianhua scoffed and turned around, leaving her in a mess. The moment he turned his back on her, their worlds were severed forever.
From then on, Tang Moyu swore she would never believe in the love of a man.
How did she end up pregnant anyway? And just how did Feng Tianhua find out about it when it was only her and Li Meili who were aware of her pregnancy?
Tang Moyu knew that her best friend, Li Meilin would never sell her out, unless there was a person who'd been aware of the fateful night she had spent with a stranger.
Her memories of that night might not be clear, but she could recall fragments of what had happened before she lost her consciousness.
The bar inside the hotel was filled with patrons and guests. It was lively as expected, but Tang Moyu and her team waited for Feng Tianhua to arrive with their VIP guests that night.
On the stage, women were doing sexy dances. The music was loud and Tang Moyu had a deep frown on her face, annoyed that she needed to spend time at this place.
The only people who could enter this place were either those from rich families or celebrities who didn't care about throwing money from their own pockets.
Although she appeared calm and collected, she couldn't wait to end this charade and retire for the night. Tang Moyu pushed the bridge of her glasses up and looked at the group of men coming her way. She stood up once she spotted Feng Tianhua with them but she caught sight of Xing Yiyue following behind him.
She raised a brow at her fiance, but Feng Tianhua ignored her unspoken question as if he didn't care about her opinion of him bringing Xing Yiyue with him. Ever since Tang Moyu found out about Xing Yiyue, she had instinctively done everything she could to avoid this woman.
Tang Moyu hated confrontation. Not because she was afraid, but she didn't like to lose control of herself over some petty people who couldn't keep their legs close. She didn't think a woman like Xing Yiyue was worth her time when she could spend it on something more productive.
Also, she didn't want to get entangled in the web of jealousy and schemes Feng Tianhua's women had.
Tang Moyu returned her attention to their VIP guests. These were some of the prospective investors she'd invited for a discussion regarding a partnership. If they were able to close this deal, then Feng Conglomerate would be able to secure their spot for the next five years. After all, the Yun Group was currently number one within Shenzhen.
After a brief exchange of greetings, Feng Tianhua sat across her with Xing Yiyue by his side. Tang Moyu wasn't annoyed but how could he bring his woman at this crucial moment? Xing Yiyue smiled awkwardly at her, aware of the irony of the situation.
Feng Tianhua leaned his body on the leather seat and put his arm on the back of Xing Yiyue's seat as if he was staking a claim on her.
Meanwhile, the president of the Yun Group, Yun Zhen was eyeing Tang Moyu. A slight smile appeared on his lips, hidden behind his glass, as he watched her cold countenance. Just like what everybody said about Tang Moyu, not only did she have skills, earning her the title 'Empress', but her mannerisms and face didn't show any signs of weakness nor interest.
However, it was obvious that this Tang Moyu wasn't Feng Tianhua's woman. Since the man was stupid enough to acknowledge the real queen, he wondered if he should make a move to lure her to his side.
Yun Zhen was a few years older than Feng Tianhua and had seen enough women know what they wanted from a man like him. However, this was one of the rare times that he met a woman who can look at him straight in the eye without succumbing to his charm. It was a pity that she already belonged to Feng Tianhua.
After two long hours of talking between the two parties, the Yun Group considered to have a partnership with the Feng Conglomerate, just as long they could present a proper and decent proposal in eight weeks' time.
Tang Moyu then excused herself and went to the bar, saving herself from any trouble that may arise with Xing Yiyue around. After a few drinks, her face flushed as she down another glass of alcohol.
Although she appeared calm seeing her fiance and his current girlfriend showing up together tonight, Tang Moyu didn't like the implication of it. It made her feel like she was the unwanted woman here, when in fact Xing Yiyue shouldn't even dare to show her face anywhere near an engaged man.
Minutes later, Xing Yiyue appeared and accompanied her at the bar.
"I don't know what they were talking about, so I come here, Sister Tang," she sheepishly said.
Tang Moyu raised a brow at her while holding her glass with one hand. Xing Yiyue was wearing a fitted deep pink mini dress with a strapless design that accentuated her hourglass figure. Even though she was two years younger than Tang Moyu, it was obvious that she had been through several hardships in life.
Meanwhile, Tang Moyu was still wearing her black business suit, a pair of black spectacles on her face. Usually, she uses graded contact lenses throughout the day but she always removes it after working hours to let her eyes rest.
"Please don't call me your sister. We are not related nor connected to each other."
The smile on Xing Yiyue's face immediately faded and she lowered her eyes in shame.
She was deep in her thoughts that she didn't notice Yun Zhen taking a seat next to her.
"Miss Tang, why are you here drinking alone? Shouldn't you be celebrating with everyone?" When he noticed Xing Yiyue next to Tang Moyu, his eyes slightly widened. The two were great beauties in his opinion. One was sweet and warm like a sun, the other was a cold beauty that could freeze the entire hell with one look.
"Ah, President Yun." Xing Yiyue blinked her innocent round eyes on Yun Zhen, "Please don't mind us. Sister Tang and I were just having a girly talk."
Yun Zhen ignored her and decided to look at Tong Moyu's impassive face.
"Let's have a toast, Miss Tang. To be honest, I only agreed to cooperate because you were able to convince me," he told her.
"Thank you, President Yun but I'm not the only one who worked hard for the proposal," Tang Moyu corrected him.
Xing Yiyue, who was ignored by the most powerful man in Shenzhen in favor of Tang Moyu, scowled. Feng Tianhua had high regard for this woman and although she knew he loved her deeply, he had made it known to her that Tang Moyu was to be his wife and that wouldn't change.
A sinister smile curled her lips. She discreetly popped a pill into the glass she was holding, giving it a stir until it dissolved before placing it in front of Tang Moyu before taking another glass for herself.
"I agree with President Yun, Sister Tang. Let's have a toast. You and Tianhua have worked hard for this." She lifted her glass and gestured to Tang Moyu to take the spiked drink she prepared for her.
She smiled proudly as Tang Moyu slightly nodded at her and watched as Tang Moyu gave a toast to President Yun and finished the glass of alcohol she'd given her.
Xing Yiyue held back her anger. What empress? What Madam Feng? The title of being Madam Feng would be hers! She'll make Tianhua get rid of Tang Moyu for her sake!
'Tang Moyu, you didn't wrong me, but your mere existence is an obstacle for me.'