Xu Mian’s cold, sharp eyes narrowed as she looked at Xu Lin with a chilling lack of warmth.
Wang Fang tugged at Xu Lin, signaling that now was not the time to completely break with Xu Mian.
She lowered her voice and asked, “The Cheng family… what exactly do they want?”
The Chengs were powerful not just in Lincheng, but also in Kyoto.
Cheng Yu was a playboy, but he was the sole heir of the Cheng family. Wang Fang had originally thought that by using Xu Mian’s face, she could curry favor with the Chengs.
This way, when Xu Mian married, the Xu family assets would remain, and Xu Die could establish a connection to eventually take control of the Xu family business.
Now everything was ruined.
“Grandma Cheng is furious. She wants me to bring Xu Mian to give Cheng Yu an explanation!” Xu Lin returned, humiliated by the matriarch, anger radiating off him. “Xu Mian, look at the mess you’ve caused me!”
Since Lin Yin’s death, Xu Lin had taken over the Xu Group. It had been a long time since anyone had humiliated him so openly.
Xu Lin, enraged, coldly glared at Xu Mian. “I’m doing this for your own good, wanting to see you find happiness. Why do you have this attitude? I’m your father would I harm you?”
Xu Mian lifted her eyelids slightly, sneering at Xu Lin. “If you think Cheng Yu is so great, why not let Xu Die approach him instead?”
At that, Wang Fang immediately stepped forward to shield Xu Die.
Xu Lin instinctively frowned and blurted, “Xu Die cannot!”
Xu Mian scoffed. “Why not?”
“That’s Cheng Yu,” Xu Lin said without thinking. “His reputation in Lincheng is terrible, he’s a playboy, leaving a trail everywhere. Xu Die isn’t strong enough how could she handle it? Even if I wanted connections, I would never sell my daughter like that.”
Xu Mian nodded and let out a short laugh. “You wouldn’t sell Xu Die, but you think you can sell me, huh?”
Xu Lin froze.
Xu Die smiled faintly, showing no hurt at all.
“Looks like, Mr. Xu, you never really treated me as your daughter. Then in the future, if I make you all leave the Xu family, I won’t feel guilty about it either.”
Xu Lin panicked and tried to explain.
But the words were already out. He stumbled over his speech several times, finally managing a weak, thin response: “You’re just different from Xu Die.”
Wang Fang quickly stepped forward to clarify. “Mianmian, your father doesn’t mean that. In this family, you are his biological daughter. Xu Die… she’s not the same. Your father thought Cheng Yu was suitable, so he wanted you to approach him. You misunderstood him. You’re just too stubborn.”
“Your father has always treated you well. See? You got into trouble, and he immediately went to apologize.”
Xu Mian leisurely sat back in her chair, her tone nonchalant. “Is that so? Or was he just brown-nosing the Cheng family out of fear of revenge?”
Xu Lin’s eyes narrowed. “Xu Mian! What nonsense are you talking about? You think your father is that kind of man?”
Xu Mian didn’t bother answering. She yawned and walked upstairs.
Xu Lin, unwilling to give up, followed. “Xu Mian, you are going with me to the Cheng family to apologize right now! Cheng Yu is still in the hospital. His handsome face got smashed, you have to go with me!”
Xu Lin blocked the door. “If you don’t go with me, no one sleeps tonight.”
When Wang Hao received the message, Xie Yan was in the kitchen preparing lunchboxes.
Wang Hao rushed in.
“Mr. Xie, something happened! Xu Lin took Miss Xu to the Cheng family!”
Xie Yan slammed the knife to the side. “They rear-ended you, and now it’s Xu Mian causing trouble?”
Wang Hao’s expression was one of helplessness. “We can’t afford to offend them, but since Lin Yin’s death, the Xu family’s power has waned.
If someone wants to retaliate, they naturally go after the Xu family first.”
After all, the Xie family was powerful in Kyoto. Even if the Chengs were influential, they wouldn’t dare provoke Xie Yan.
But what they didn’t realize they had provoked an even bigger force!
Xie Yan turned and left immediately, telling the kitchen staff, “I’ll be back later. Store the ingredients properly.”
He still needed to make tomorrow’s lunchbox for Xu Mian.
Wang Hao followed him out hurriedly.
Meanwhile, Xu Mian had been dragged into the Cheng household by Xu Lin.
Grandma Cheng sat in the center, Cheng Yu’s fingers bandaged, with a steering wheel imprint on his face.
Xu Mian tugged at her lip.
Cheng Yu immediately covered his mouth. “Xu Mian! How dare you laugh?”
Xu Mian crossed her arms casually, asking, “Your face… it’s smashed, but at least you have some self-awareness.”
Cheng Yu gasped and pointed at her. “What do you mean? Xu Mian, don’t get too arrogant!”
Grandma Cheng narrowed her eyes, displeased, glancing between Xu Mian and Xu Lin. “Mr. Xu, are you here to apologize, or to anger my grandson?”
Xu Lin immediately tugged on Xu Mian’s sleeve, trying to push her forward. “Xu Mian! You’re crazy! Kneel and apologize now!”
Xu Mian’s eyes were calm. “If you want to kneel, you kneel. If you want to be the lapdog of a wealthy family, I won’t stop you. Don’t drag me into it.”
Hearing this, Grandma Cheng slammed the cup beside her.
“Xu Mian!”
Xu Mian raised an eyebrow, looking at the imperious matriarch, sneering. “As far as I know, your grandson has caused harm to many good girls. He can hurt others but can’t suffer losses himself? That’s unreasonable.”
The elderly matriarch, used to spoiling her grandson, said, “In our Cheng family, if someone dares to offend us, we fight back! Since you’re so defiant today… someone! Show this high-and-mighty Xu family girl what Cheng family authority looks like!”
At that, Xu Lin’s face changed drastically.
He immediately stepped forward. “Grandma Cheng, the child doesn’t understand, don’t take it seriously. We still need to do business together. Don’t worry. I’ll have Xu Mian kneel and apologize to your grandson!”
Cheng Yu tugged at his lip, seeing Xu Mian’s stunningly elegant face, a sly smile curling his mouth. “Kneel. Come lick my shoes!”
As he spoke, Xu Lin’s face flushed with embarrassment not because Xu Mian was being bullied, but because she represented the Xu family. If this got out, where would the family’s face go?
Grandma Cheng smiled coldly, watching Xu Lin struggle. “Do as my grandson says.”
Xu Lin pressed his lips together and leaned close to Xu Mian. “Mianmian, just do as Cheng Yu says. Get it over with quickly and go home.”
Xu Mian didn’t move.
She lazily surveyed the Cheng family members.
Her gaze was provocative, blunt, and indifferent.
Grandma Cheng’s face darkened little by little. “Fine. Since the Xu family daughter has so much backbone, let’s see how long that backbone lasts!”
“Someone! Properly teach her a lesson!”
Cheng Yu laughed excitedly, pointing at a group of henchmen behind him. “Hey! Don’t hit the face leave that for me to play with.”
Grandma Cheng looked at Xu Lin and asked quietly, “Mr. Xu, are you standing here with your daughter, or will you step aside so blood doesn’t splash on your face?”