The obedient girl glances up, and the tyrannical tycoon kneels down to pamper her.

That look again.

Luo Huai had only ever traveled between the Pei family home and school since she was a child, and occasionally visited the Luo family home once a month. It could be said that she hadn't seen many different kinds of people. Xing Yanzhao was one of the more special people she had met.

Now there's another one, Xing Zhengyu.

Xing Zhengyu and Pei Yuanzhou are considered the elites of this circle. They are both gentle and dignified figures in public, and both have joined their own group's leadership team.

The difference is that the former did not inherit the Xing family business, while the latter is already the true head of the Pei family.

If it weren't for the substitution marriage, if Pei Yuanzhou hadn't only referred to her as his younger sister, and if Pei Youyou hadn't posted those photos, Luo Huai would still be as naive as before, simply believing that Pei Yuanzhou liked her and that Xing Zhengyu's appearance was benevolent towards her.

Having learned from past mistakes, she knew that Xing Zhengyu was nothing but a hypocrite.

Through this incident, she also realized that people in wealthy families all wear masks, including Xing Yanzhao. You might think he's fierce and doesn't know manners, but when he toasts the Pei family, you can see that he's also quite shrewd and worldly.

You said he speaks rudely and never hides his thoughts, but he doesn't say everything he thinks.

Luo Huai was initially a little intimidated by Xing Zhengyu's gaze, but the thought of Xing Yanzhao seemed to lessen her fear.

After all, Xing Yanzhao was more ruthless.

Does it have some effect in warding off evil spirits?

“Exorcising evil spirits…” Luo Huai suddenly smiled.

"What are you chatting about so happily?" Xing Yanzhao's legs came out of the elevator first. He was still wearing a black vest, work pants, and combat boots, and he was sweating as if he had just come back from work.

She was also carrying several plain paper bags in her hands.

Upon getting close, Luo Huai didn't smell any sweaty odor, but there wasn't any other smell either.

Pei Youyou raised her hand and fanned herself, a hint of disdain in her expression.

"Big brother," Xing Zhengyu smiled, "your sister-in-law is injured."

The first thing Xing Yanzhao saw when he stepped out of the elevator was Luo Huai. He didn't see any injuries, but when he got closer, he noticed the cut on her lips.

He reached out and pinched Luo Huai's chin, looking him over.

When did I bite it?

Even Xing Yanzhao himself was puzzled.

Luo Huai's breathing hitched slightly. She looked up at him, motionless and afraid to resist, lest he twist her neck and break it.

“No,” she said softly, “it’s hot.”

Xing Yanzhao thought of the orange juice and boiled water he had prepared.

He let go without saying a word.

She turned to look at Xing Zhengyu and Pei Youyou.

Xing Zhengyu remained expressionless, while Pei Youyou gloated, thinking he had deliberately splashed hot water on him.

Why can't you stand to see Luo Huai doing well?

Xing Yanzhao gave Pei Youyou a sneer, clearly looking down on her, which made Pei Youyou glare back angrily.

Xing Yanzhao pulled Luo Huai's wrist back to the room. He took big strides, while the person behind him kept running with small steps, like he was dragging a small cat that couldn't walk properly.

“Brother Zhao…”

It sounds nice to call someone that.

"Brother Zhao, could you please slow down?"

Soft-spokenness is endearing.

Pei Youyou shook her head repeatedly, "Brother Zhengyu, he wouldn't bully Luo Huai, would he? He even scalded her with hot water."

"I don't know," Xing Zhengyu said. "My brother won't listen to anyone, so I'm sorry to have wronged my sister-in-law."

"What's wronged her?" Pei Youyou pouted, her jealousy evident. "Isn't it you who cares?"

……

Xing Yanzhao placed the paper bag on the sofa, reached inside and took out a set of clothes, a pair of flat shoes and a square jewelry box.

"Let's change and go back to the Xing family."

"Okay." Luo Huai obediently carried the things into the room. Her cotton and linen off-white long dress and brown coat were perfect for late autumn.

There are also jewelry boxes.

When she opened it, she was nearly blinded by the sight of a blood-red ruby ​​necklace the size of a pigeon's egg, along with a bracelet and a ring.

She doesn't own many expensive jewelry pieces, but that doesn't mean she can't tell the difference between real and fake or their value. Pei Youyou always talks about all sorts of jewelry in front of her, and after a while, she starts to recognize them.

Luo Huai took the jewelry box out, and the man also changed his clothes and sat on the sofa, wearing dark trousers, a blue shirt, and an open brown overcoat.

They were dressed like a couple.

The man stood up, stared at her cinched waist for a moment, then his gaze slowly moved to her wrists and neck, finally settling on the jewelry box.

"It's too valuable," Luo Huai said.

Xing Yanzhao got up and went over, opened the jewelry box, and casually picked up a bracelet made entirely of rubies with his beautiful fingers, putting it on Luo Huai's wrist.

"Why buy something that isn't expensive? I specifically chose the biggest one."

After putting on the bracelet, he picked up the necklace and went behind her to put it on her as well. Luo Huai tried to turn around and refuse, but he grabbed her arms with both hands.

"do not move."

The man's deep, magnetic voice rang in her ears, and his rough fingers brushed lightly against her neck.

Luo Huai froze.

The bright red gemstones encircled her jade-like neck, making her skin appear as smooth as jade.

Xing Yanzhao only used one word: "White".

Then they were going to put a ring on her finger.

Luo Huai spoke first: "I'll do it myself."

The ruby ​​ring was slipped onto the ring finger of her right hand, while her left hand wore the diamond ring from yesterday's wedding.

Xing Yanzhao told her to take off the diamond ring, which was prepared by the Xing family, and it was too small, not as big as the ruby.

Luo Huai was both amused and exasperated.

Does he have some obsession with "big"?

The two left the hotel.

The Xing family's car had been waiting for a long time. The driver watched from afar as the eldest son of the Xing family, who had just returned, and the eldest daughter-in-law, who had just married into the family, entered the household.

One was tall and strong, not to be trifled with; the other was petite and docile—a combination resembling Beauty and the Beast.

It was strangely harmonious.

The driver opened the car door and invited the two people into the vehicle.

The car slowly drove to the Xing family's residence, but the expected welcome did not materialize. Instead, it was deserted and quiet. Occasionally, when the servants saw them, they would lower their heads and walk away in fright, as if they had seen a ghost.

Luo Huai glanced at Xing Yanzhao out of the corner of his eye.

I don't know what he did, but everyone is so afraid of him.

As she approached the living room door, she heard laughter and chatter from inside, a happy family gathering. But the laughter gradually faded when she and Xing Yanzhao appeared. Pei's mother sat up straight, adopting the imposing manner of a mother-in-law, and scrutinized Luo Huai.

Xing Yuru, who had greeted everyone with a smile at the wedding banquet, now only addressed her as "sister-in-law" in a dry tone, lacking the previous intimacy.

Luo Huai heard someone next to him say, "They've been whispering in my ear again."

Xing Yanzhao sometimes couldn't understand how a cannibalistic place like the Xing family could raise such a swaying, innocent girl like Xing Yuru, who believed everything others said and had no judgment of her own.

Luo Huai noticed that Xing Yuru was intimately holding Pei Youyou's arm, and thus understood the meaning behind Xing Yanzhao's words.

She wasn't angry and responded politely.

"Dad, Mom, Yu Rou."

Mr. and Mrs. Xing gave a lukewarm "hmm" and got up to head towards the dining room, where everyone else followed.

Father Xing said, "The four of you should get your marriage certificates as soon as possible. After you get them, I'll take you to the old house for a sacrificial ceremony and a meal, so you can get to know your family members better."

Xing Zhengyu and Pei Youyou said they would go tomorrow.

Xing Yanzhao, who was walking at the back, asked Luo Huai, "Shall we take it?"

Luo Huai looked up suspiciously. Could he really refuse?