Wife Takes the Reins: The Calm CEO

Chapter 12: The Pre-Wedding Deal

“See? You’ve even made the young lady laugh.” Old Gong steered the conversation toward Li Xiaowan. “All right, Xiaowan, this is the owner of ‘Sea of Night.’ You can call him Brother Gong, haha. He’s a funny guy who loves to joke around—he even once had the usually stoic Zheng nearly laugh herself silly.” Yu Feilan knew Li Xiaowan had misunderstood, so he quickly explained and introduced him; he certainly didn’t want his subordinates to think he had a thing for men. In fact, even without Yu Feilan’s explanation, Li Xiaowan could tell that they were simply joking around, and that their relationship was definitely more than just casual. “President Yu, I understand,” Li Xiaowan said, knowing that Yu Feilan must think she was reading too much into it. “Lan, there’s no need to explain things to someone who’s all brawn and no brains,” Feng Lingzheng blurted out out of the blue. “May I ask, Feng Dong, did I incur some grudge or enmity against you in my past life—or even the one before that? Why do you have to pick on me at every turn?” Li Xiaowan was completely at a loss for words. “I just don’t like the look of you.” Feng Lingzheng’s simple statement felt like a sharp blade piercing Li Xiaowan’s heart. It reminded Li Xiaowan of all these years she’d spent struggling alone through wind and rain, enduring countless hardships and trials just to barely make it to where she was today. Even the strongest heart has its moments of vulnerability—and this was one of them. Feng Lingzheng’s emotionless reply finally shattered the inner wall Li Xiaowan had long believed to be impenetrable, causing it to collapse in an instant. As the wall crumbled, the tears she had been holding back welled up in her eyes. All four people present could clearly see Li Xiaowan’s restraint. The looks they cast her way ranged from pity and concern to indifference; no matter the expression, none was particularly jarring—except for the hint of schadenfreude in Feng Lingzheng’s eyes, as if he were taking malicious pleasure in her misfortune. Yet while a person’s expression can be deceptive, their heart never lies. No one knew just how much pain he was feeling at that moment. Through Li Xiaowan’s silhouette, he seemed to see once again the girl who had stood shoulder to shoulder with him under the cherry blossom tree many years ago—yet now, everything had changed beyond recognition. Yè and Yu Feilan, seated beside Feng Lingzheng, both instantly understood the source of the complex emotions in his eyes. During that sorrow-filled period of Feng Lingzheng’s life, they had been both witnesses and companions. “Listen, everyone,” Old Gong said, trying to lighten the heavy mood, “for busy people like you, tonight is a rare chance to get together. Do we really have to make the atmosphere so serious?” Yu Feilan immediately agreed, “Old Gong is absolutely right. Just think about how long it’s been since we’ve all gathered together like this. Let’s take this chance to drink our hearts out.” “Exactly, Lan, Old Gong. When I was in the United States with Ling Zheng Ge, I missed you guys so much. There were several times I just wanted to fly back right away to have a good drink with you,” Ye chimed in. “But I never would’ve imagined we’d have an outsider joining us tonight,” Feng Lingzheng said without a hint of hesitation. “Didn’t Xiaowan… say she was hungry a while ago? Old Gong, hurry up and bring us something to eat!” Yu Feilan had originally been about to say, “Wasn’t it you who brought Xiaowan here?” but upon second thought, she realized it might be inappropriate, so she swallowed the words she was about to say. But Feng Lingzheng’s next words left Li Xiaowan and the other three so stunned their jaws nearly hit the floor. “Before we begin, please allow me to make an announcement. Li Xiaowan, since you can’t pay back my car repair bill, let’s make a deal: if you agree to marry me—merely as a formality, of course—then your debt to me will be completely forgiven from this day forward.” “Zheng, have you lost your mind?” Yu Feilan was so shocked she couldn’t believe her ears. “Yeah, Zheng, you’ve always been so level-headed and composed, whether in your personal life or at work. What’s gotten into you tonight?” Old Gong said with a look of astonishment. “Ling Zheng Ge, did your uncle and the others pressure you?” Ye hit the nail on the head. “Yes, Ye is right. If I don’t take action now, I’m afraid I’ll become a sacrificial lamb in this family-arranged marriage. No matter how strong-willed, stubborn, or defiant I am, I can’t let them be hurt time and time again. You all know—especially my grandmother; she doesn’t have much time left,” Feng Lingzheng said, his voice choked with emotion. Li Xiaowan finally understood. At this point, she realized deeply that even if she were to confront him about his broken promise, it would only be seen as a feeble excuse. However, she would absolutely never agree to such an absurd and domineering form of repayment. “I firmly refuse!” her voice was firm and resounding. “Li Xiaowan, I’m not asking for your opinion—I’m informing you. At 8:00 a. m. tomorrow, a car will be waiting for you outside your apartment building. If I don’t see you there, you’ll bear all the consequences yourself!” Feng Lingzheng slowly raised the wine glass resting on the table and swirled it gently; bathed in the wine-red glow, she exuded an otherworldly, demonic aura. Li Xiaowan fell silent. She recalled what Qi Xin'er had said earlier; to her, Feng Lingzheng didn’t look like a supernatural being at that moment—she looked more like a devil. “Zheng, don’t act on impulse.” Yu Feilan wanted to try to dissuade Feng Lingzheng once more. He feared that Feng Lingzheng might do something on a whim that she would regret for the rest of her life, and he was also worried about Li Xiaowan’s situation moving forward. After all, aside from Li Xiaowan herself, the other four people present all saw in her the shadow of the person for whom Feng Lingzheng had once given everything, only to end up in agonizing despair. The two women bore an uncanny resemblance, especially in their eyes, which both radiated the same clarity. Yet no one could have imagined that the once-unconquerable Feng Lingzheng would become the one betrayed in love. Only Ye and Yu Feilan clearly saw how, in the years that followed, Feng Lingzheng lived with the bitter taste of being cuckolded. “Rest assured, this isn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision—it’s been thoroughly thought through. All right, let’s call it a night. We’ll drink until we drop together at my wedding banquet some other day.” ” After saying this, Feng Lingzheng turned and walked away with a blank expression. Ye rose to follow her, but before leaving, he cast an anxious glance at Yu Feilan and Old Gong, as if to say, “You two, hurry up and find a way to stop this!” “Old Gong, what do you think we should do next? From Zhen’s eyes, I could see there was no room for refusal,” Yu Feilan said helplessly, looking at Old Gong. “I feel the same way. You grew up with him and worked alongside him—you surely understand Zhen’s thoughts better than I do. It’s just a pity for Li Xiaowan.” After speaking, Lao Gong cast a pitying glance at Li Xiaowan. If he hadn’t been so headstrong back then, he might have had a child as old as Li Xiaowan by now. “Yes, Xiaowan, at this point, I don’t think anyone can help you. There’s nothing Zheng can’t do—only things she’s unwilling to do. Ah!” Yu Feilan couldn’t help but sigh. She never imagined that the reason she’d been made to bring Li Xiaowan along was precisely this. “Since there’s no escaping it, I have no choice but to face it head-on. I certainly can’t prove my resolve by taking my own life!” Li Xiaowan said softly. Her eyes were filled with sorrow, giving her an air of world-weariness—yet she was still in the prime of her life; how could she let her youth go to waste just like this? Just how much hardship must one have endured to have such a look in one’s eyes? What was even more astonishing was that, even so, one could still see the clarity in her eyes at ordinary times—not a trace of impurity—giving the impression that her heart remained pure and untainted no matter the circumstances. Yu Feilan couldn’t help but let his thoughts wander. “All right, then, Old Gong, let’s get together another day. Li Xiaowan, let’s go. Where do you live? I’ll walk you home.” Yu Feilan desperately wanted to help Li Xiaowan, but he couldn’t—and didn’t dare—do more than offer small, insignificant gestures, like simply walking her home on a late autumn evening as night fell. “Ah! President Yu, what did you say?” Li Xiaowan had been in a daze the whole time; in her haze, she seemed to hear Yu Feilan speaking to her. “Xiaowan, don’t overthink it. Just let things take their natural course. It’s very late—let me walk you home!” Yu Feilan repeated, showing no sign of annoyance that Li Xiaowan hadn’t heard him the first time. “Thank you for your kindness, President Yu, but there’s no need to trouble you. I’ll just go back with my friend,” Li Xiaowan said, sheepishly scratching the back of her head—a habit she’d had for many years. “It’s no problem. Since I brought you here, I should see you home. Where’s your friend? Let’s invite her along too!” Yu Feilan said gently, his eyes as gentle and tender as a still lake—it was simply impossible to refuse him again. “Well, I’m afraid I’ll have to put you through the trouble, President Yu. My friend should be right outside the bar. Let me give her a call first,” Li Xiaowan said as she picked up her phone and dialed Qi Xin'er’s number. “Hey, Xiaowan, you finally thought to call me. If you hadn’t, I was about to storm right in,” Qi Xin'er said, her voice tinged with both reproach and anxiety. “I’m sorry. I’ll explain everything to you when I get back. Where are you right now?” The moment Li Xiaowan heard Qi Xin'er’s voice, the sadness in her heart seemed to find instant comfort. She desperately wanted to pour out all her frustrations to Qi Xin'er right then and there, but she realized this wasn’t the right time. “Xiaowan, I’m standing right across from the bar. Can you see me?” ” Qi Xin'er’s heart, which had been in her throat, finally settled. Before receiving Li Xiaowan’s call, she’d been constantly worried, afraid that Li Xiaowan might come to harm—there were far too many examples of women being plied with alcohol and losing their virtue. She would never let Xiaowan suffer such an injustice, so even if the late-autumn wind blew as bitterly as it did, she wouldn’t leave. “No, I haven’t left the bar yet. Xin'er, just stay right there and wait for me—I’ll be out soon.” After saying this, Li Xiaowan hung up the phone, then turned to President Yu and said, “President Yu, my friend is right across from the bar.” “All right, let’s go then!” Yu Feilan led the way toward the bar’s entrance. Sure enough, as soon as she stepped out of the bar, Li Xiaowan saw Qi Xin'er waving vigorously at her, and her eyes welled up with tears. “Xiaowan, is that your friend?” Yu Feilan also spotted Qi Xin'er standing across the street. “Yes, President Yu,” Li Xiaowan replied. “Then go find her first. I’ll go get the car, and I’ll meet you across the street afterward,” Yu Feilan said gently. Li Xiaowan was convinced that even a thousand-year-old block of ice would slowly melt at the sound of his voice. “Thank you, President Yu. I’ll go over now,” Li Xiaowan said, then walked straight onto the crosswalk nearby.