The Counterattack of a Wealthy Family's Substitute

"If I told you that Yao Yingxi's kidnapping was just a warning, and that she knows who did it, would you still leave?" Seeing that Xiu Yan was losing patience, Liu Hui looked up at him, her lips slightly curled up, not letting go of any frown or doubt on Xiu Yan's face.

"She knew?" Xiu Yan hesitated for several seconds before sitting back down. "If Mrs. Xi said that, could it be that you did it?"

The Liang family's bankruptcy was partly due to Liang Pingyin's deliberate miscarriage to frame Yao Yingxi, which damaged the group's reputation. Liu Hui is Liang Pingyin's aunt and has close ties to the Liang family; therefore, it's not without motive that she might have targeted Yao Yingxi.

Moreover, given that Xi Yuanchen had previously broken off his engagement with Liang Pingyin, he didn't believe that Liu Hui hadn't pinned some blame on Yao Yingxi.

Liu Hui crossed her legs, picked up her coffee with a half-smile, and took a sip: "I'm not that stupid. Young Master Xiu, what is your status? Do you think I have the ability to confess my sins in front of you and still protect myself?"

Her statement was quite factual; the Xiu family was a large and powerful clan, and if they wanted to kill someone, it would be more than enough.

Although she is now Xi Zhishen's wife, given Xi Zhishen's personality, he will kick anyone who damages his interests, regardless of whether they have been married for decades.

“I can believe what Mrs. Xi said for now, but…” Xiu Yan paused deliberately, his eyes fixed on Liu Hui, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned, but the smile did not reach his eyes: “Mrs. Xi is a smart woman, and I don’t have much time to waste on you. If Mrs. Xi is still playing coy, then I’m sorry I won’t play along, right?”

Liu Hui had not yet spoken.

Xiu Yan continued, "Anyway, Xiao Xi is with Xi Yuanchen now, and Xi Yuanchen is capable of protecting her. Why should I worry about what the person who kidnapped Xiao Xi will do next?" It was unclear whether he was saying this to Liu Hui or to himself.

“From what I understand, Yao Yingxi hasn’t had any good experiences since she got together with Xi Yuanchen. The Xi family has complicated relationships, and I believe that Young Master Xiu, who has been in high society, has heard about this.” Liu Hui played with her fingers. “Moreover, Xi Yuanchen’s father has never acknowledged Yao Yingxi, and he would never agree to let Yao Yingxi enter the Xi family. This kidnapping was done by Xi Yuanchen’s father.”

She spoke casually, as if the man she was talking about had nothing to do with her.

Xiu Yan's expression grew increasingly grim. Although he had already guessed some of these things before, the difference in status between Yao Yingxi and Xi Yuanchen was too great, and Xi Zhishen would not agree.

But no one expected Xi Zhishen to send people to kidnap Yao Yingxi, and to such a remote place no less.

Thinking back to what happened that night, Xiuyan felt increasingly conflicted.

"Why should I believe what you say?" He regained his composure and looked at Liu Xin in front of him: "Mrs. Xi, don't forget who you are, and what makes you think I would believe you are really that kind?"

“I’m not that kind-hearted. Putting aside my relationship with the Liang family, even if I were Xi Yuanchen’s stepmother, I would not agree to let someone like Yao Yingxi, who has no background or status, into our Xi family. A woman like her can’t bring us any benefits.” Liu Hui tapped the table: “Being mismatched in terms of social status doesn’t just refer to family background, but also to values ​​and ideas.”

“Xi Zhishen thought so too, otherwise he wouldn’t have had her kidnapped.” Liu Hui stared at Xiu Yan.

"Mrs. Xi, aren't you afraid I'll record this and take it to the police station?" Xiu Yan raised an eyebrow. "I'm curious why Mrs. Xi would tell me this. You've said before that 'not a good match' refers not only to family background but also to values ​​and beliefs. How can you guarantee I'll be with Yao Yingxi because of what you said?"

Regarding values ​​and ideas, although he didn't spend much time with Yao Yingxi, from what he knew, her values ​​and ideas weren't bad. On the contrary, she had her own opinions and personality on many things, even though her family background wasn't as good as the Xi family's. But looking at the entire Country C, how many families could compare to the Xi family?

"I'm telling you now, so I naturally believe you wouldn't do that, Young Master Xiu," Liu Hui said with a smile.

"I didn't expect Mrs. Xi to know me so well." Xiu Yan emphasized the last few words.

"I don't know much about that. I just can tell from others that you've been sitting here for so long because you're interested in cooperating with me."

"Oh...? Is that so?" Xiu Yan feigned ignorance. "Then, Mrs. Xi, please tell me, what value do you offer that would make me want to cooperate with you?"

“I have little value, but Yao Yingxi does. Young Master Xiu, you are a businessman, so I'm sure you can analyze what is in your best interest.” Liu Hui put her legs down and placed her hands on the table. “Does Young Master Xiu really care about letting Yao Yingxi stay with Xi Yuanchen all the time, risking her danger from time to time?”

"That's the woman you love, are you willing to let her go?" Seeing Xiu Yan hesitate, Liu Hui leaned forward, her lips slightly curving upward as she looked at Xiu Yan: "Young Master Xiu, don't say that as long as Yao Yingxi is happy, that's all that matters. You're willing to just watch her from afar like this? As someone who's been through it all, I don't believe in that kind of nonsense."

A hint of sarcasm flashed in her eyes. In her opinion, those who pretended to be helpful were hypocrites.

Xiu Yan pondered for a while before speaking, "What do you want me to do?"

If Yao Yingxi is happy and safe with Xi Yuanchen, he can stay out of it and just watch her from afar, even if he misses her terribly.

But one thing led to another: ever since he met Yao Yingxi, she had been in constant danger, and now Xi Yuanchen's father was still in the same situation.

"It's very simple. Just spend more time with Yao Yingxi and create misunderstandings for Xi Yuanchen. Naturally, Yao Yingxi will be disappointed in Xi Yuanchen." Liu Hui chuckled, a sharp glint of hatred flashing in her eyes where Xiu Yan couldn't see.

"That's it?"

"Yes, that's it."

"Then why should I trust you and not do anything to harm Yao Yingxi?" Xiu Yan was still worried. His intention in cooperating with Liu Hui was that if Xi Yuanchen couldn't protect Yao Yingxi, then he should let go, instead of letting Yao Yingxi knowingly risk her life.

"You can't catch a wolf without risking your cub. At the crucial moment, we still need to put Yao Yingxi in danger. Otherwise, given the relationship between Yao Yingxi and Xi Yuanchen, they will definitely never be separated, and Yao Yingxi will already be dead." Liu Hui said calmly, "You've probably heard about Xi Zhishen's methods, Young Master Xiu, so I don't need to remind you."

Xiu Yan remained silent for a while before speaking: "Then hurry up and try to separate Yao Yingxi and Xi Yuanchen before Xi Zhishen makes his next move. Also, you need to tell me in advance what Xi Zhishen is going to do, otherwise our cooperation will be terminated."

He picked up his coffee, took a sip, and looked at Liu Hui. He wasn't sure if cooperating with Liu Hui was the right thing to do, but he was also thinking that Yao Yingxi might encounter danger again soon. Although he knew in advance, there was no way to prevent it.

Last time, Yao Yingxi managed to escape and also luckily encountered him, but what about next time? Will he be so lucky?