Luo Xiu and Lin Xiyue locked eyes, their hearts filled with a mix of complicated emotions.
He hadn't expected such a melodramatic turn of events was even possible. The stunningly wealthy woman he had spent a crazy night with at the hotel turned out to be his so-called fiancée!
After a brief moment, they both averted their gazes, tacitly pretending not to know each other.
Luo Xiu turned to Lin Youpeng and his wife, Zhang Cui, and said without being subservient or overbearing, "Actually, there's no need to put on this spiteful display. I know you look down on me, and I don't need your approval."
"I've already made myself clear. I don't want anything from the Lin Family. I'm just here to annul the engagement."
"Old Master Lin, my master always said that one must see things through to the end. Now that I've given you the marriage contract, please return the Jade Pendant that my master left in your care."
Lin Daqi set down the marriage contract and smiled faintly. "Since you insist, so be it."
In truth, he also looked down on Luo Xiu, feeling that a country bumpkin like him was unworthy of his precious granddaughter. However, years ago, when he was in dire straits, Luo Xiu's master had saved his life, and he had personally agreed to this marriage. Now that his savior's disciple had appeared with the marriage contract, it wouldn't be right for him to be overly harsh.
Fortunately, Luo Xiu himself didn't want to go through with the arrangement and had come only to break it off.
"Wait!" Lin Xiyue suddenly spoke up.
She strode over to Lin Daqi, took the marriage contract, and began to read it.
After finishing, she said, "Since Grandfather already made a promise, the Lin Family cannot go back on its word. If we break our promise, it will damage the Lin Family's reputation."
"So, Grandfather, I can marry him."
"Xi Yue, you..." Lin Daqi grew anxious at once.
Lin Youpeng roared, "Have you lost your mind? How is a peasant like him worthy of marrying into the Lin Family? Do you want all of Sea City to laugh at us?!"
Lin Xiyue put the marriage contract away, her attitude firm. "I will marry him!"
Zhang Cui shouted, "Lin Xiyue, get back to the company this instant! This is none of your business!"
"Young Master Cao is about to return from the military. You're supposed to get engaged to him the moment he's back. If a scandal breaks out now, how will the Lin Family explain this to the Cao Family?"
She then turned and pointed a furious finger at Luo Xiu, snarling, "You stray dog, get the hell out of my house right now!"
"Stop pretending to be so high and mighty! If you want money, just say so! Everyone knows what you're really after. Didn't you bring this marriage contract here just to get a payoff?"
"Fine, I'll give you money. Now scram!"
With that, Lin Youpeng pulled out a check and threw it at him.
"Is one million enough? A mongrel like you would have to toil for a lifetime to earn this much, wouldn't you?"
SLAP!
The words had barely left his mouth when Luo Xiu slapped him hard across the face.
Lin Youpeng was completely stunned by the blow. He never imagined Luo Xiu would actually dare to hit him.
Nearby, Lin Xiyue's eyes went wide with disbelief.
In the dead silence that followed, Luo Xiu slapped Lin Youpeng again with the back of his hand.
"Fuck you! Watch your damn mouth. Do you really think I'm some clay doll you can knead however you please?"
"You're the dog! Your whole damned family are dogs!"
Luo Xiu knew his days were numbered. Every day he lived was a bonus, so he had nothing to fear and certainly wasn't going to swallow any insults. He might as well do whatever felt good. There was no need to indulge a piece of trash like Lin Youpeng.
Lin Youpeng's face flushed a deep crimson, and he opened his mouth to call for security.
"Enough!" Lin Daqi's cold shout stopped him. He then turned his gaze to Lin Xiyue.
"Xi Yue, Luo Xiu came to annul the engagement. We can't force these things. Let's return the Jade Pendant to him and give him some money..."
Before he could finish, Lin Xiyue grabbed Luo Xiu's hand and pulled him toward the exit.
"This is between him and me. I'll talk to him!"
When they reached the garage, Luo Xiu yanked his hand away.
"Miss Lin, what is the meaning of this?"
Lin Xiyue opened her car door. "Come with me to the Civil Affairs Bureau. We're getting married."
Luo Xiu said, "There's no need for that. Just give me back the Jade Pendant."
Lin Xiyue gave him a deep look. "The Jade Pendant you want is with me. Grandfather gave it to me when I was very young."
"Then please return it to me."
"Marry me, and I'll give it back to you," Lin Xiyue said coolly. "Otherwise, you can forget about ever seeing it."
"You..."
Unafraid, Lin Xiyue tilted her chin up and puffed out her chest. "What? Are you, a grown man, going to hit a woman?"
Luo Xiu sighed. "Miss Lin, why are you doing this? I only slept with you. Besides, you're the one who initiated it..."
"Shut up!" Lin Xiyue's pretty face flushed. "You had better forget what happened that night!"
Luo Xiu shrugged.
Getting into the car, Lin Xiyue said, "Don't get the wrong idea. It's just a sham marriage. Do you really think you're worthy of marrying me for real?"
"I'll be honest with you. My family is trying to force me to marry a disgusting playboy, and I refuse. Compared to him, you're a significant improvement."
Luo Xiu nodded. "I get it."
He figured she just wanted to use him as a shield.
Lin Xiyue continued, "Besides, you just hit my father. He's an incredibly vindictive person. If you don't marry me and become family, he'll find a way to have you killed."
Luo Xiu thought for a moment before finally nodding.
"Fine, I agree. But you have to give me the Jade Pendant after we get married."
A flash of contempt crossed Lin Xiyue's eyes. She couldn't believe he was scared into submission so easily. What a weakling.
But Luo Xiu was thinking that as soon as he got the Jade Pendant, he would make a quick getaway.
"I, Lin Xiyue, am a woman of my word. However, before we marry, we need to agree on two conditions."
"Go on."
Lin Xiyue stared at him and said seriously, "First, we will consummate our marriage once a week. The rest of the time, we'll sleep in separate rooms. You are not allowed near me without my permission. However, when I approach you, you cannot refuse."
"..."