“Don’t you want to see the person you love wagging their tail and begging for you? I thought you were the dominant one, General Manager, but it turns out you’re submissive…” Cheng Zhili’s eyes sparkled with amusement, seemingly oblivious to the fact that Fu Laiying was seething with rage.
“I’m not like you, twisted in the head!” Fu Laiying retorted with a cold laugh.
“What a pity~” Cheng Zhili sighed, then suddenly remarked, “Why is your bow tie not tied properly?”
Fu Laiying instinctively looked down, only to feel a warm touch on his lips.
It was Cheng Zhili kissing him.
“Eek—”
Whistles of teasing laughter echoed around them.
Cheng Zhili stepped back, his smile shy and bashful, snuggling up to Fu Laiying like a little bird.
Fu Laiying’s face turned crimson with anger, like a volcano about to erupt.
That scene just now made it look like he had kissed Cheng Zhili first!
Despicable!
Fu Laiying couldn’t help but glance in Cheng Zhixia’s direction, and sure enough, he saw Cheng Zhixia’s face pale, swaying as if about to collapse.
His heart sank, feeling utterly uncomfortable.
He wanted to escape, but was trapped by invisible chains.
—Struggling was futile.
Cheng Zhili leaned close to his ear, his smile flawless, “Darling, thank you for cooperating with my performance~”
Fu Laiying’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down, his gaze piercing as he looked at Cheng Zhili, “Cheng Zhili, you bastard!”
Cheng Zhili raised a hand to tap his lips, his demeanor affectionate, “Be good, from now on, call me wife.”
Fu Laiying clenched his fists, his chest heaving, barely restraining the urge to hit someone.
Cheng Zhili wasn’t intimidated, instead he stuck out his tongue to lick the finger that had just brushed Fu Laiying’s lips, his tone suggestive, “I just love how you can’t stand me but can’t do anything about it.”
Fu Laiying nearly ground his teeth to dust.
Just then, Wenxiu approached with a gentle smile, “Laiying, Zhili, the ceremony is about to begin. You have the wedding rings, right? Better check just in case!”
Since it was a same-sex marriage, the ceremony wasn’t complicated. Cheng Wenbin, as the father, and Cheng Zhixia, as the best man, would follow behind Cheng Zhili to Fu Laiying, then the two would exchange vows and rings.
Cheng Zhili took the ring box out of his pocket, opened it to confirm, then said, “Mom, I’ve got the rings here, but who knows if Laiying might pretend to lose them.”
“This child loves to joke,” Wenxiu chided with a glance, “In such an important occasion, how could Laiying joke around? Right, Laiying?”
“Hmm.” Fu Laiying lowered his eyes and responded, then opened his own ring box.
Two simple yet elegant men’s silver rings lay quietly in the black velvet box, with the initials F and C engraved on the inside, representing Fu Laiying and Cheng Zhili’s surnames.
“Very well, I’ll notify them to play the music, you two get ready,” Wenxiu said, giving Fu Laiying a gentle push.
Fu Laiying shot a discreet glare at Cheng Zhili before reluctantly following Wenxiu onto the wedding stage.
It was a T-shaped stage.
Cheng Zhili walked to the end of the “T” and saw Cheng Zhixia and Cheng Wenbin already waiting there.
“Zhili!” Cheng Wenbin sighed, gently patting Cheng Zhili’s shoulder, his eyes seemingly glistening with tears.
Hypocrite.
Cheng Zhili sneered inwardly, but outwardly he smiled warmly, “Dad, today is a happy day, how can you cry? And brother, aren’t you happy for me? I’m marrying the President of the Fu Group!”
Cheng Zhixia’s face was expressionless, seemingly numb, but his eyes were filled with reproach, staring intently at Cheng Zhili as if to say: How could you steal my husband?
Hee hee.
Cheng Zhili’s smile grew even brighter.
To be honest, in the past, he never imagined he, as a man, would compete with someone for another man. That was something women did, but now, he found it exhilarating! As long as Cheng Zhixia was unhappy, he wouldn’t bat an eye even if he had to act like a woman!
At that moment, the emcee’s voice rang out, “Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the wedding banquet of Mr. Fu Laiying and Mr. Cheng Zhili! On this beautiful night, let’s welcome the much-anticipated newlyweds!”
As soon as the words fell, the music of the “Wedding March” began to play, and all the guests looked up.
“It’s starting,” Cheng Wenbin said, discreetly tugging on Cheng Zhixia’s sleeve, then putting on the most perfect and dignified smile of his life as he stepped forward to link arms with Cheng Zhili.
Cheng Zhili suppressed his disgust, stepping forward with a smile towards Fu Laiying.
No rush, the slap in the face will come soon.
Thinking they could rely on him to climb higher with the Fu Group? Ha, don’t dream too big!
In just a moment of distraction, Cheng Zhili was already standing in front of Fu Laiying.
“Laiying, I’m entrusting Zhili to you!” Cheng Wenbin said with a face full of satisfaction.
Fu Laiying didn’t respond, but he caught a glimpse of Cheng Zhixia’s resentful gaze.
As if accusing, questioning why he abandoned him.
Fu Laiying took a deep breath and extended his hand to Cheng Zhili.
Cheng Zhili curled his lips and took it.
“Please exchange wedding rings, newlyweds!” The emcee’s voice was filled with excitement.
Cheng Zhili and Fu Laiying simultaneously took out their ring boxes and placed the rings on each other’s fingers.
Immediately after, the emcee excitedly announced, “Please exchange a kiss, newlyweds!”
Good-natured laughter erupted from the audience, with some even egging them on to kiss quickly.
Cheng Zhili smiled sweetly at Fu Laiying, “Darling, be proactive and kiss me!”
Fu Laiying clenched his fists, using immense willpower to suppress the urge to turn and leave. He stiffly raised his hand, wrapped it around Cheng Zhili’s nape, and slowly leaned in. In his peripheral vision, he seemed to see Cheng Zhixia’s tearful eyes and the satisfied smiles of his parents on stage.
Fu Laiying suddenly found it ironic.
Then, he lowered his gaze and saw Cheng Zhili still smiling.
Disgusting!
Fu Laiying furrowed his brows deeply and bit down hard on those beautifully curved lips!
It hurt a bit.
Cheng Zhili frowned slightly, then retaliated by biting back.
The two seemed to be waging a battle with their mouths, but to onlookers, it appeared to be a passionate French kiss.
Wenxiu discreetly wiped the cold sweat from her forehead and breathed a sigh of relief.
No matter how bad their relationship was in private, they should at least put on a show for appearances, right? Her son was too straightforward, his feelings were always written on his face, but luckily the guests either didn’t notice or pretended not to.
“The newlyweds are truly in love! Let’s give them a warm round of applause!” the emcee shouted.
“Clap clap clap—” Applause thundered.
Fu Laiying released Cheng Zhili with a blank expression.
Their lips were now bright red, as if they’d eaten spicy hotpot. Anyone who didn’t know better would think they were deeply in love!
The emcee was about to announce the end of the ceremony when Cheng Zhili spoke up, “May I have the microphone? I have something to say.”
The emcee was taken aback.
This wasn’t part of the plan?
But since the person asking was the star of the wedding and also his guest, the emcee hesitated for a moment before handing over the microphone, “Please.”
“Thank you.” Cheng Zhili smiled as he took the microphone, “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for attending my wedding.”
“Zhili, what are you doing?” Cheng Wenbin asked uneasily, unable to hold back.
Cheng Zhili acted as if he hadn’t heard, continuing, “There’s something I want to announce on this important day.” He took a deep breath, his eyes almost glowing, “From today onwards, I—Cheng Zhili, officially sever all ties with Cheng Wenbin!”
“Boom—”
His words caused an uproar.
Whispers immediately filled the audience.
“Cheng Zhili! Have you lost your mind from happiness?!” Cheng Wenbin struggled to maintain a smile, instinctively reaching to snatch the microphone from Cheng Zhili.
Cheng Zhili deftly dodged behind Fu Laiying, continuing into the microphone, “And I hereby declare that I am at odds with the Cheng Family! From now on, any company or individual collaborating with the Cheng Family will be my enemy!”
The murmurs grew louder.
Everyone was bewildered.
They had thought the Cheng Family would soar to new heights, and had been eagerly trying to curry favor with Cheng Wenbin. But in the blink of an eye, the Cheng Family’s fortunes had turned, falling out with Cheng Zhili, who had risen to prominence!
Life truly is full of ups and downs!
Many couldn’t help but feel a sense of schadenfreude.
“Cheng Zhili!” Cheng Wenbin’s face turned ashen, unable to maintain his smile, “Do you know what you’re saying?!”
“Of course I do.” Cheng Zhili smiled, “Cheng Wenbin, I just want to watch you and your Cheng Corporation crumble step by step! I look forward to that day, and it shouldn’t be too far off!”
“Ungrateful wretch!” Zheng Xue suddenly jumped onto the stage, her eyes red with anger, “Not only did you steal Zhixia’s fiancé, but now you’re targeting our family! We should never have taken in an illegitimate child like you! A mistress’s child will always be a mistress’s child!”
Cheng Zhili ignored her, smiling sweetly, “Oh, when did my darling Laiying ever get engaged to Cheng Zhixia? How did he become Cheng Zhixia’s fiancé? And Mrs. Zheng, it was Cheng Wenbin who pretended to be single and deceived my mother’s feelings. Alas, my mother was young and beautiful, while you were already old, fat, and ugly.”
“You little brat, what did you say?!” Zheng Xue shrieked, lunging at him.
Cheng Zhili nimbly stepped back, smiling, “Besides, do you think I don’t know why you took me back to the Cheng Family back then? Do I need to announce it to everyone here?!”
Zheng Xue’s pupils contracted, and she stopped in her tracks, staring blankly.
Cheng Zhili knew? How did he know? What exactly did he know?
Cheng Zhili curled his lips, enunciating each word, “It’s because my heart and Cheng Zhixia’s heart…”
“Enough!” Cheng Wenbin suddenly roared, the veins on his neck bulging.
Cheng Zhili looked at him with a half-smile.
Even a tiger doesn’t eat its cubs.
If it were exposed that Cheng Wenbin planned to transplant his son’s heart to another son, his reputation in the entire upper circle of D City would be ruined. Who would respect him then?
So, he couldn’t allow Cheng Zhili to speak out.
But why should Cheng Zhili listen to him?
Cheng Zhili sneered, “What, you dare to do it but not admit it? Can you say you never thought of transplanting my heart to Cheng Zhixia? Because you needed the Zheng Family’s influence? Because you thought Cheng Zhixia was going to marry Fu Laiying?!” His voice was amplified by the microphone.
Fu Laiying, standing close by, felt his pupils contract, his heart pounding.
What did Cheng Zhili just say?
“No! It’s not true!” Cheng Wenbin blurted out in denial, clearly flustered. Being confronted with his past thoughts in front of so many people, even with his composure, he couldn’t help but reveal a hint of panic.
“Zhili, how could you think that of Dad!” Cheng Zhixia couldn’t help but speak up, “Dad never mistreated you after bringing you home, yet you always think someone’s out to get you! Dad has always loved you!”
Cheng Wenbin bit his lip, saying nothing, trying hard to put on a hurt expression.
“Love me?” Cheng Zhili wanted to laugh, “A man who had an affair while his wife was pregnant, how much could he love me? A man who brought me back to the Cheng Family because my heart matched yours, Cheng Zhixia, how much could he love me? Cheng Zhixia, as the beneficiary of all this, don’t pretend to be innocent. You, you and everyone in the Cheng Family, disgust me!” He turned cold, “Where are the security guards? Why haven’t you thrown out these people unrelated to the wedding?”
“You dare!” Cheng Wenbin’s face turned red with anger.
If they were thrown out today, the Cheng Family’s reputation would be in tatters!
The security guards exchanged glances, not moving.
Some people couldn’t help but look at Fu Laiying and Fu Zheng.
They were the real hosts here. To these high society people, Cheng Zhili was just borrowing the tiger’s might.
However, what happened next left them stunned.
Cheng Zhili looked at Fu Zheng with an innocent expression, “Dad, it seems no one is listening to me?”
Fu Zheng immediately responded in a stern voice, “What are you standing around for? Get them out of here!”
Fu Laiying was in a daze, so he didn’t speak up.
Wenxiu chimed in, “Escort the Cheng Family and Zheng Family out!”
The Fu family head had spoken, openly siding with Cheng Zhili!
“General Manager Fu!” Cheng Wenbin was shocked.
He couldn’t understand what kind of spell Cheng Zhili had cast on Fu Zheng and his wife to make them so obedient!
A group of security guards no longer hesitated, stepping onto the stage to drag Cheng Wenbin and the others away.
“Laiying!” Cheng Zhixia instinctively sought help from Fu Laiying. He reached out, trying to grab his arm. The dazed Fu Laiying snapped back to reality at the sound, but stood frozen, unsure how to react.
Just as Cheng Zhixia’s hand was about to touch Fu Laiying—
“Fu Laiying!” Cheng Zhili called out.
Fu Laiying instinctively looked over.
He saw Cheng Zhili standing at the edge of the stage, smiling slightly, then suddenly falling backward!
The stage was only as high as a table leg, not very high, but Cheng Zhili was pregnant! If he fell, the baby…
Fu Laiying’s pupils contracted, his body moving faster than his mind, rushing over to catch him. He moved so quickly that he completely avoided Cheng Zhixia’s hand!
Cheng Zhixia watched as the two gently landed off the stage, feeling that scene was incredibly glaring. He, who had always been a heartthrob, kept facing setbacks with Fu Laiying! And it all started when Cheng Zhili and Fu Laiying got together!
Cheng Zhixia’s face twisted for a moment, so quickly that it was almost unnoticeable.
Then, he was grabbed by the security guards and forcefully dragged away.
“No!” Cheng Zhixia staggered, clutching his chest, gasping in pain.
“Stop!” Zhao Chao rushed over, supporting Cheng Zhixia, looking distressed, “Zhixia, are you okay?”
Cheng Zhixia seemed not to hear, only staring fixedly at Fu Laiying.
Unfortunately, his usual innocent act didn’t attract any attention from him.
Cheng Zhixia lowered his eyes, subtly avoiding Zhao Chao’s hand, “Let’s… go!” With that, he turned and headed for the exit of the banquet hall.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Fu Laiying, eyes red with anger, couldn’t help but shout at the smiling Cheng Zhili, “Cheng Zhili, are you crazy?!”