Chapter Fifty-three Wu Ting's Loss of Composure

After Ma Wu collided with the BMW, the loud impact triggered the alarms of the other cars in the parking lot, creating a cacophony at the club entrance. Wu Ting looked at Ma Wu in surprise, puzzled by his uncharacteristic fury. She leaned forward slightly and said, “Ma Wu, tonight you—”

Before she could finish, several security guards appeared, wielding batons and demanding, “What’s going on? Why did you hit someone else’s car?”

Ma Wu pointed at the BMW X5 parked across two spaces and cursed, “Are you blind? Can’t you see? Isn’t it parked smack dab between two spots?”

The guards were irritated by Ma Wu’s tone, especially since it appeared he was at fault. Wu Di, meanwhile, put on a charming, innocent act. Apologizing sweetly, she said, “Oh, I’m so sorry, big brother. I didn’t mean it. I just got my driver’s license, so parking isn’t my strong suit yet. If you’d waited a moment, I could have moved! No need to be so angry.”

Ma Wu sneered. Wu Di had no intention of moving and had even challenged him with her gaze. Now, she twisted the truth, making herself seem cooperative and him impatient.

Knowing he had to fully embody the role of a spoiled, graceless young master, Ma Wu spat, “Why do you act like a whore? Who just refused to move a minute ago—don’t you know yourself? Playing the martyr while being shameless!”

The guards had now completely sided with Wu Di. Hearing Ma Wu insult her, they closed in. The lead guard knocked on Ma Wu’s car with his baton and barked, “Enough! This isn’t the place for trouble. If you two have issues, take it to the police!”

Ma Wu glared at the guard. “Why are you knocking? Who do you think you are? If you damage my car, can you afford to pay for it? Get lost!”

The guard, incensed by Ma Wu’s abuse, forgot for a moment that these wealthy types were not to be provoked and rolled up his sleeves, ready to fight.

Ma Wu eyed him sideways and laughed, “What’s this? Rolling up your sleeves? Are you hot or do you want to hit me? Go on, if you’ve got any guts, throw a punch.”

Provoked, the guard could no longer suppress his anger and lunged, aiming a punch at Ma Wu’s face.

Wu Di was practically ecstatic, thinking Wu Ting would finally see Ma Wu for the fool he was—uncultured, troublemaking, and that her own carefully constructed image would shine brighter in comparison. Ma Wu truly was a hopeless idiot; she might as well have spared the effort of staging an ambush earlier—just a little provocation and he would fight anyone.

Just as the guard’s fist was about to connect, Wu Ting, who had been silent, suddenly shouted, “Enough!”

The guard turned to look at Wu Ting, surprised at the authority this delicate girl commanded, and paused.

Wu Ting’s face was impassive. She drew a black card from her purse and handed it to the guard. “This is a membership card personally given to me by your club manager. Let’s leave it at that. I will speak with the owner of the BMW X5. My companion spoke out of turn; I apologize.”

The guard examined the card, confirmed its authenticity, and nodded, offering Wu Ting a respectful smile. “Of course, miss. We aim to satisfy every member. We’ll leave you be.”

With that, the guards prepared to depart, giving Ma Wu a disdainful look as they left, thinking, “With that boorish demeanor, how could you possibly deserve a woman so intelligent and beautiful? A true wastrel.”

Ma Wu cracked open a bottle of beer and drank alone, indifferent to the stares of others. He had cultivated a formidable resilience to judgment. For his own reasons, he needed to escalate tensions with Wu Di, even if it meant disappointing Wu Ting.

Wu Di walked over and said to Ma Wu, “Oh, Ma Wu, I didn’t expect so much drama. Why are you so impulsive? If you hadn’t hit my car, the guards wouldn’t have come. If you’d waited a few minutes, I could’ve moved.”

She leaned on Ma Wu’s window, speaking to him as he sat in the driver’s seat.

Ma Wu didn’t even glance at her, simply drinking his dark beer. After a while, he cast her a sideways look and barked, “Take your filthy hands off my car, shut your mouth, and get lost!”

Wu Di’s expression hardened, expertly hiding her inner rage and murderous intent. She circled to the other side of the car and said to Wu Ting, “Wu Ting, cousin, so much has happened tonight. It’s really my fault—my poor driving made Mr. Ma Wu angry, sigh.”

Wu Ting waved her hand and forced a smile. “It’s not your fault. Let’s get together another time.”

Wu Di waved goodbye to Wu Ting, ignoring Ma Wu completely, and prepared to leave in her BMW X5.

Suddenly, Ma Wu, feigning rage, shouted after her, “Wu Di, you and I—this won’t end until one of us is dead!”

Wu Di paused but didn’t look back, leaving without another word. To her, Ma Wu was just a fool with some medical knowledge—a spoiled brat with no cunning. Once Wu Ting and Wu Xin had used up his so-called skills, they’d kick him aside. There was no need to be angry at someone like him.

With that, Wu Di left the club.

Ma Wu sat in his car, silently drinking beer. While he drank, he watched Wu Ting’s reflection in the mirror; she seemed troubled, her large eyes narrowed, her face cold.

Ma Wu had never seen Wu Ting like this before. She was always childlike, but now it was clear: Wu Ting was angry. Her aura was so strong that Ma Wu felt a little suffocated. After finishing his beer, he started the car and drove toward Jing Mountain Apartments.

Throughout the drive, Wu Ting was expressionless and silent.

As they drove, Wu Ting suddenly said, “Stop.” Her voice was cold as if tempered by ice.

Ma Wu glanced at her in confusion. “Stop? We’re not at Jing Mountain Apartments yet.”

Wu Ting’s eyes were red, her voice tinged with distress as she repeated, “I said, stop!”

Ma Wu didn’t argue, pulling over to the roadside and looking at Wu Ting, who was on the verge of tears.

Her luminous eyes brimmed with tears as she stared at Ma Wu, her gaze unfamiliar. After a long silence, she asked, “Ma Wu, I don’t understand. Why do you suddenly seem like a different person? Your behavior tonight is strange—do you realize that?”

Ma Wu’s heart ached at her appearance, but he couldn’t reveal his true intentions. Wu Ting didn’t know Wu Di’s real nature; if he told her, she might inadvertently give herself away. Wu Di was no harmless character. If he wanted to protect Wu Xin’s position, he couldn’t afford to give Wu Di any advantage. Wu Di must not learn that Wu Xin and he had seen through her.

So Ma Wu suppressed his pain and finally replied, “I don’t know what’s strange about my behavior.”

Wu Ting’s tears slid down her pale, delicate cheeks. She shook her head and said, “You feel unfamiliar, Ma Wu. I always thought you were a gentleman—reserved and cultured. Why are you acting like this tonight?”

Ma Wu fell silent—a drama of silent men and weeping women.

After a few questioning words, Wu Ting’s tone softened. She approached Ma Wu, gently turning his face toward hers and asked, her voice trembling, “Did I do something wrong to upset you? Tell me, Ma Wu. I’ll change, so you can be the Ma Wu you used to be, okay?”

The subtle scent of fresh grass from her lips tempted Ma Wu to embrace her, kiss her, and confess that everything tonight was an act, a performance for Wu Di’s sake.

But circumstances would not allow it.

Ma Wu forced a faint smile and said, “Wu Ting, you haven’t done anything wrong. But I don’t think I have either. Wu Di, that little brat—she deliberately refused to give way, and it pissed me off.”

Wu Ting shook her head, her thick black hair swirling in the confined space. “No, Wu Di isn’t like that. She’s just not very skilled at parking. If you’d waited, it would have been fine—”

Ma Wu waved her off and sighed, “Wu Ting, you’re very clever and mature most of the time. But you have this trait: once you believe something is good, you never doubt it.”

“Wu Di has always been by your side, helped your father find a doctor for his illness, so you think she’s good—one of your trusted allies. So you often use your feminine intuition to judge her, overlooking many small details.”

“And me—you think I’ve always helped you, so you trust me unconditionally, introduced me to your father, even sold assets to help me. I’m grateful. But you must understand, sometimes those closest to you can still stab you in the back.”

“Do you realize? If I were planted here as your enemy, when you introduced me to your father, when you gave me significant funds, you would have already lost. Ting, even if you believe someone is good, you should keep your guard up—otherwise, you might suffer for it later…”

This was the greatest warning Ma Wu could give Wu Ting. She was flawless with strangers, mature and impenetrable, but with those she believed to be good, she let her guard down entirely, trusting without reservation.

He would never harm Wu Ting, but Wu Di was different!

Wu Ting sobbed, cutting off Ma Wu’s words, “I don’t want to hear it. I don’t want to hear it, Ma Wu. You suddenly became so rough tonight. I’m really scared—I’m really scared I’ll lose you. I don’t know what I did wrong for you to change like this.”

“Ma Wu, is it because I’m too close to Wu Di? Are you jealous—is that why you’re angry? I won’t be with him. To me, he’s just a good brother. My heart is set on you—it will always be you, Ma Wu…”

With that, Wu Ting suddenly lunged forward and kissed Ma Wu.

Her tongue was wild and confused, swirling in Ma Wu’s mouth as if to truly confirm his existence.

Perhaps Ma Wu’s sudden change tonight made Wu Ting fear losing him for the first time, causing her to lose her composure.

After a long entanglement, Ma Wu gently pushed Wu Ting away. She was breathless, her eyes filled with passion. She gazed at him seductively and whispered, “Ma Wu, take me—please?”

A bitter smile touched Ma Wu’s lips. He knew this wasn’t the right moment for Wu Ting; she was simply driven by the fear of losing him and wanted him desperately to keep him close.

But Ma Wu would not take advantage. He looked at Wu Ting with indulgent tenderness, kissed her forehead, and murmured, “Not now, Ting. I will never leave you. I’ll always be good to you. Trust me.”

He gently pushed Wu Ting away and looked at her seriously.

“Wu Ting, I think we both need to calm down—really calm down.”

“Don’t stay at my place tonight. I’ll take you back to the Wu family.”