green hat

After his long reprimand, Old Man Huo patted his chest and turned to Xu Wenqi.

He comforted her, saying, " That good-for-nothing doesn't know how to take care of people. A'Qi is very virtuous and generous so don't take this to heart."

Xu Wenqi couldn't help but mock the old man in her heart. Sorry, but she wasn't "virtuous" and "generous" enough to share her fiance with another woman. However, if she continued to make a scene, wouldn't that be a direct slap in the face? Old Man Huo was clearly praising her so she wouldn't be able to say anything more. Thinking of this, the light in her eyes grew slightly colder.

"Grandpa Huo, don't say that. A'Zheng isn't like that and it's true I am generous..."

Before Old Man Huo could breathe a sigh of relief, she continued aggrievedly, "...but not enough to let my fiance embrace another woman."

If Old Man Huo had tried to build a bridge to rectify the situation, Xu Wenqi had directly collapsed it, turning the situation even stiffer than before. Father Xu wanted to say a word or two to shake his daughter awake but Xu Wenqi had more to say.

"But I'll forget about this if A'Zheng fires that woman and never sees her again. Preferably, send her far away so she can't come back."

Xu Wenqi successfully completed her role as the vicious cannon fodder villainess by trying to separate the male lead from the female lead. Of course, Xu Wenqi knew that Huo Lizheng would definitely want to object to such a proposal, which meant he was forced into making a choice whether he would keep his family business or keep the love of his life.

Huo Lizheng wanted to laugh angrily.

'This scheming b*tch was really something,' thought Huo Lizheng furiously.

But what could Huo Lizheng do? Xu Wenqi had tied his hands together, and the easiest way to solve her was to just appease her in front of the Xu family. As for whether or not he'll actually do it, is another matter.

With a hardened jaw, he replied smoothly, "If that'll bring you peace, I'll send her away. Don't be angry A'Qi. You are the most important to me."

Xu Wenqi saw through his hypocritical words and ridiculed him.

'Sure enough, the apple doesn't fall from the tree. The acting of the two of them is really praise-worthy. Hah, as if he would send the female lead away! If anything, he'll bring her closer under the guise of protection or some other bullsh*t excuse.'

Narrowing her eyes, she smiled gently.

"Then in the future, A'Zheng should take care of me more."

"Of course," he answered tenderly.

Seeing the mending relations between the two, the Huo and Xu family were secretly relieved. They would be able to keep the marriage and therefore, the partnership between the two companies. Only Xu Wenqi and Huo Lizheng knew that today was not the end of the discussion. Although Xu Wenqi could not end the marriage directly at the moment, the incident at the breakfast was not a loss for her. Huo Lizheng promised he would no longer meet with Bai Ruqiu but really, which male lead actually send the female lead away when the villainess asks him to do so? So, if she could obtain evidence of the two together, the Xu family would be slapped in the face and thus, angered by Huo Lizheng for going back on his words. After all, the original owner was held as a precious treasure in the palm of the Xu family.

'Aiya, it's really not easy putting a green hat* on myself,' thought Xu Wenqi sadly.

The rest of the meal ended in lively chatter about the upcoming preparations, leaving Xu Wenqi with no appetite to eat. It was only after the breakfast get-together that Mother Xu approached Xu Wenqi at the reception area of the restaurant.

She took her hand warmly and asked with furrowed brows, "A'Qi, you be more understanding. Men sometimes have a thing or two outside but in the end, they always come back. Mom is telling you this for your own good. You liked A'Zheng for so long now, are you really going to let some wild woman come in between your marriage?"

Xu Wenqi's eyes turned a lot more serious and she had the strong urge to remove her hand from the grip of Mother Xu.

She replied with a straightforward tone, "Mom, I'll be honest with you. I don't like him anymore and I'm planning to give up this marriage. It's one woman today and another tomorrow. I don't want to live a life always worrying whether my husband will be loyal or not. This is my decision and I hope you can respect it."

Mother Xu nearly fainted from shock. What on Earth was she hearing? Her daughter who had been in love with A'Zheng from childhood until now suddenly wants to give him up? Why, Huo Lizheng was a well sought out young master! He was the prince of the Huo family and a candidate of the highest caliber that most young misses in the circle wanted to marry.

"What? You want to give up A'Zheng?"

Xu Wenqi nodded firmly and looked at Mother Xu with such conviction that any words of persuasion died on the tip of her tongue.

"B-but you don't like him anymore?"

Mother Xu looked at her carefully for the slightest hesitation and found, to her surprise, none.

"No."

"This- are you sure you won't regret it? You know, I've watched A'Zheng grow up with you. He has a good temper and I'll be rest assured if I left you in the hands of him. Think about this thoroughly and don't be so willful all the time. This is your future!"

Mother Xu was very well aware of the fact that her daughter was simply too arrogant due to the entire family's pampering and indulgent attitudes. She was afraid that Xu Wenqi would clash often with her future husband as a result of her domineering character. Thus, Mother Xu believed Huo Lizheng was a good choice for her daughter as he had a calm, water-like temperament, which would go well with her daughter's fiery nature. But, Xu Wenqi was not the original owner and Huo Lizheng was not as serene as he seemed.

"Mom, I did think about this thoroughly. I don't want to be with him anymore. On weekdays, I may be a little uhm..."

Xu Wenqi paused and tried to think of a nice sounding adjective to describe the original owner.

"...spoiled and a bit extreme and all, but this time, I'm serious. I don't have feelings for him and I don't want to get married to him. I really don't care about him."

Xu Wenqi spoke as sincerely as possible, hoping that her words would get through Mother Xu. Contrary to her wishes, Mother Xu looked even more worried. It was natural for Mother Xu to not believe Xu Wenqi. Her daughter always did what she wanted without thinking too much and normally, Mother Xu wouldn't care about it too much but for goodness sake, this was a marriage they were talking about! Not some new designer bag or new house; this was an important part of Xu Wenqi's future.

"Alright, alright. I'll discuss this with your dad and your grandparents first. You head back now."

Xu Wenqi understood her concerns and knew it wouldn't take simply one day for the idea of engagement to be revoked. She nodded obediently and exited through the revolving glass doors of the restaurant. A cool fall chill fell on her as the amber colored leaves under the sun's aureate beams danced in the breeze.

notes:

green hat* : wearing a green hat means the person has been cheated on or cuckolded

thanks for all for the congratulations !! ( ˶˘ ³˘(⋆❛ ہ ❛⋆)

btw i noticed on the last chap there were comments abt making shen yue enter the room hehe don't worry there will be more chances for a scene like that later

ﾟ･:*｡(ꈍᴗꈍ)｡*:･ﾟalso this novel will be featured on jan 18 under wpc winners woo !!

also i forgot to say my other novel MLINTFL got a contract offer too ??

/ᐠﹷ ‸ ﹷ ᐟ\ﾉ not sure if ill sign that one yet hnhnhnnn