“No, he can’t bear to.” The spot on Xia Qiaoxi’s cheek where she had been struck felt burning hot again.
It clearly didn’t hurt anymore, yet where his cool knuckles had touched her skin, it now felt feverish.
“Can’t bear to?” Tang Yushen didn’t believe it.
He had struck quite hard earlier.
“Yes, if he disfigured me, the He family wouldn’t want me anymore.” Xia Qiaoxi chuckled lightly, “Mr. Tang, your love at first sight was also because of this face~”
Only because her face was beautiful would there be love at first sight.
Her clear, lonely features blossomed into a radiant smile, the corners of her eyes tinged with red, her delicate and pretty face revealing a fragile beauty.
Soft yet stubborn, clear and resilient yet healing.
Only she could redeem his century of longing.
Tang Yushen held her hand, lowering his head to kiss her knuckles as he took a deep breath, “Xier, even if you were disfigured, I would still want you.”
“I don’t want to be disfigured…” Xia Qiaoxi touched her cheek, which still felt slightly warm, “I want to stay beautiful.”
Tang Yushen’s eyes held indulgence, “Alright, from now on I’ll always keep you beautiful.”
Not only did Xier look very similar to before, even this love for beauty was the same.
Back then when she crossed the oceans and returned, the gifts she brought him were those suits, dress shirts, watches, and shoes.
She only bought some beautiful dresses for herself.
Yet someone who loved beauty so much, in her previous life when she got injured because of him, only cried in his arms, sobbing as she hugged him saying husband, I’m so glad you’re okay.
Completely disregarding her injured beautiful face.
The Xia family lived in a two-story Western-style villa within Beijing’s Third Ring Road, where summer sunlight was bright and scorching.
Tang Yushen led Xia Qiaoxi out of the car, their joined hands damp with sweat in the sweltering heat.
Xia Qiaoxi glanced at him sideways – even like this he wouldn’t let go?
“Xia Qiaoxi!”
“You dare to come back, come…”
Xia’s father promptly grabbed Deng LiChen’s hand, “Don’t make a scene.”
Deng LiChen stared at Tang Yushen, looking at their tightly clasped hands, “Who is this?”
“The eldest young master of the Tang family.” Xia’s father answered, pulling her arm, “Let’s talk inside.”
“No, this man is holding our Xia Xia’s hand!” Deng LiChen was dragged inside, “Xia Qiaoxi, when did you hook up with him?”
“Last night.” Tang Yushen answered for her.
“Last night, you last night…” Deng LiChen grew increasingly agitated, glaring fiercely at her.
“Do you know how long we searched for you last night? You went off to meet with a man, you made Third Young Master He so angry he had a heart attack. Xia Qiaoxi, is this how I educated you?”
“Everyone says being a stepmother is difficult, I’ve been so good to you, since you were little, music, chess, calligraphy, painting – which haven’t I had you learn?” Deng LiChen grew more excited as she spoke, “I nurtured and educated you so well, and you pull this stunt right before the wedding?”
“If this gets out, where will our Xia family’s reputation be?”
Deng LiChen’s emotions collapsed, tears flowing dramatically, “Wuwuwu, how could you do this to me?”
“You educated me like that only to mold me into a qualified young lady of a wealthy family, to satisfy your selfish desires. You’ve enjoyed all the benefits the He family brought.” Xia Qiaoxi’s clear, resilient face remained calmly composed, “I have no regrets toward you.”
“You…” Deng LiChen’s finger trembled as she pointed at her.
“Enough, say less in front of outsiders!” Xia’s father pressed her onto the sofa, “You two go ahead.”
“Go where?” Deng LiChen agitatedly tried to stand up again.
“I only have one thing I particularly want.” Xia Qiaoxi stared at them. “My ID card.”
Tang Yushen’s dark eyes narrowed. Her ID card?
How unfree must his Xier be, not even having her own ID card in her possession.
“Go get it!” Xia’s father said with a stern face.
Deng LiChen remained seated without moving.
Xia’s father shouted sharply, “What are you waiting for? Go get it!”
Deng LiChen slowly rose and went upstairs.
Tang Yushen pulled Xia Qiaoxi to sit down. In this entire house, the only thing she wanted to take with her was an ID card? Just how had the Xia family been treating her?
She didn’t even have a bag.
Xia Qiaoxi felt uneasy under his intense, profound gaze. “There are some other things too. I’ll go to my bedroom.”
“Do you need my help?”
“No need.” Xia Qiaoxi gently withdrew her hand. “I’ll be down soon.”
Tang Yushen reluctantly released her hand, only wiping the sweat from his palm after she had gone upstairs.
Facing Tang Yushen across from him, Xia’s father felt as if sitting on pins and needles.
Rumors said this eldest young master of the Tang family had no women around him, so how could he have suddenly fallen in love with Xia Xia at first sight?
Could there be some deal between them?
But what could Xia Qiaoxi possibly have that would make Tang Yushen stand up for her?
Xia Qingfeng truly couldn’t figure it out.
Well.
At least it wasn’t some worthless man. Xia Qiaoxi’s taste had been cultivated to be discerning since childhood, and her fate was good too!
When she was young, the He family took a liking to her. Now that the third young master of the He family had a heart attack, she caught Tang Yushen’s eye instead.
She resembled her mother – beautiful.
She probably wouldn’t end up too badly off.
After a few minutes, Deng LiChen came downstairs arm in arm with Xia Qiaoxi, her tone completely changed from earlier fury to gentle, perfectly playing the role of a loving stepmother.
“Xia Xia, without Mom and Dad by your side, you’ll definitely feel unaccustomed. When you miss home in the future, come back to see us.” Tears welled in Deng LiChen’s eyes. “The Tang family might not be as free as your own home. Young Master Tang is talented and handsome, you two should get along well…”
Some people are born actors, but she shouldn’t treat Tang Yushen like a fool!
Just moments ago she was full of resentment and anger, now she’s putting on this caring act.
Xia Qiaoxi felt disdainful inwardly, but nodded slightly on the surface. “I will…”
She stared at the ID card in Deng LiChen’s hand.
Right now, she only wanted her ID card!
Without that thing, she would never be free.
But Deng LiChen handed the ID card to Xia Qingfeng.
Xia Qiaoxi watched helplessly as Xia Qingfeng gave her ID card to Tang Yushen.
Xia Qiaoxi: “…”
This was what she wanted!
Her thing!
Why give it to Tang Yushen!
These two were experts at currying favor with others.
Previously with the He family, now with Tang Yushen.
“Xia Xia, Mom can’t bear to part with you!” Deng LiChen suddenly hugged her tightly. “Sniff… my precious daughter.”
Xia Qiaoxi sighed inwardly. She was being suffocated.
So hot.
So smelly!
So disgusting.
Could she please stop hugging her!
“It’s getting late. I have matters to attend to and need to leave now.” Tang Yushen held Xia Qiaoxi’s hand. “Auntie?”
“Alright…” Deng LiChen released Xia Qiaoxi, wearing an expression of reluctance.
Tang Yushen pulled her away without even bothering with pleasantries, which seemed completely unnecessary.
Xia Qingfeng and Deng LiChen walked arm in arm, seeing them off.
Sitting in the car, Xia Qiaoxi glanced back. This loving performance would probably continue until they drove out of the Xia family villa.
“Xier…”
Xia Qiaoxi snapped back to reality. “My ID card!”
Tang Yushen’s hands were empty.
Where was her ID card?
“Mr. Tang, could you please return my ID card?” Xia Qiaoxi rephrased her question.