Mr. CEO, Spoil me 100 Percent! - Chapter 170

Chapter 170: Regarding Our Engagement

 

However, Tianxin thought this was just Xinghe putting on a face, forcing herself to be calm.

After all, what else can the b*tch do?

She must be dying inside!

The thought of Xinghe’s inner turmoil tickled her heart. It made her want to laugh out loud.

Of course, she couldn’t laugh but the smile on her face was bright as ever.

“By the way, Mubai, why did you invite Miss Xia today?” Tianxin, in her gracious mood, decided to share her spotlight with Xinghe, going so far to refer to her as Miss Xia.

This question had been troubling many other people in the box as well.

Right then, the waiters finished serving the food.

“Bon appetit, if there’s anything you need, please ring the service bell,” the lead server said with a smile. Then, he ushered his colleagues out, closing the door behind him.

Mubai didn’t answer Tianxin’s question, instead he picked up a bottle of wine and poured a glass for each of Tianxin’s parents.

This action piqued the room’s interest.

However, they didn’t question him because it was, after all, a sign of respect for Mubai to do so.

“Just now it was Tianxin serving tea, but now it’s Mubai’s turn to serve wine, huh?” Mr. Chu joked.

Old Mr. Xi responded with a slight smile, “It’s only fair.”

Mubai was their junior and was their daughter’s fiancé, serving them wine was appropriate.

However, suspicion rose in Old Mr. Xi’s heart. Others might not understand Mubai but he understood his son well.

Extending the Chu’s formal invitation to lunch, inviting Xinghe without telling anyone, and now serving the Chu’s wine… Something fishy was going on.

But what, Old Mr. Xi couldn’t tell…

However, he would soon find out.

After pouring the wine, Mubai stood up with his own glass and walked to stand beside Xinghe. Then, he turned to face the rest of the room.

Taking in their confused gazes, Mubai announced solemnly, “You’ve been asking why I invited Xinghe here today. Here’s why. It’s because I need to settle some things and the issue in question concerns both her and all of you, so that’s why I have all of us gathered here today.”

“What is this thing that you want to settle, Mubai?” Old Mrs. Xi asked but the moment the question left her mouth, an answer came to her and her face immediately paled.

Tianxin also felt a bad omen coming and started fidgeting in her seat. “Mubai, indeed what is this thing? Has it got to do with Lin Lin?”

“I believe you should know very well what this thing is about.” Mubai glanced disinterestedly at her; Tianxin’s face instantly fell.

“Mubai, just what do you plan to do?” His mother warned him with a quivering voice, “This is a formal setting so don’t do something that you’ll regret.”

“Don’t worry because I’ve thought long and hard about this,” Mubai answered calmly, his tone unwavering.

The atmosphere in the room instantly turned for the worse.

Old Mr. and Mrs. Xi looked at each other anxiously.

They had a feeling that the reason Mubai had them gathered there that day was not going to be something good…

His father glared severely at him. “Mubai, just what are you up to?”

“I’m breaking off the engagement with Chu Tianxin!” Mubai announced suddenly, not giving them any time to prepare.

His parents stared at him with bulging eyes. Disbelief was plainly written on their faces.

Mubai’s single sentence was like a bomb that shook the world!

Chapter 171: You’re Doing This Because of Her?

 

The shock came so suddenly that they didn’t know what to do. They were like a bunch of headless chicken!

They even thought they’d misheard him.

What did Mubai just say?

He’s breaking off the engagement with Tianxin?

He really said… He’s breaking up with Chu Tianxin‽

“No, I must have misheard something…” Tianxin mumbled to herself in shock. Her face was drained of blood and she stared vacantly at Mubai, “Mubai, what did you just say? How come I can’t understand it…”

A shocked Old Mrs. Xi exclaimed, “Mubai, this is not a joking matter! You must have misspoken, right?”

Everyone thought that way, after all, everything was going just fine. Why would he suddenly call the engagement off?

Mubai’s gaze was unmoved so much so that the room got increasingly unsettled by it.

He repeated himself, slowly enunciating every word, “I didn’t misspeak. Today, I’m officially announcing that I’m breaking off my engagement to Chu Tianxin!”

This time, everyone heard him loud and clear.

There was not a pretty smile in sight.

The worst was of course Tianxin. In matters of second, her face was as white as that of a dead person, like she was witnessing the apocalypse happen before her.

The only exception was Xinghe, she maintained the calm countenance she had the moment she stepped into the room.

Even with such a big announcement, there was not a twitch of emotion on her face.

It was as if she saw this coming…

“Why are you calling off the engagement‽” Tianxin stood up fiercely and questioned with her whole body shaking, “Mubai, why would you call off the engagement when everything’s going fine between us? What is the meaning of this, did I do something wrong‽”

“That’s right!” Mrs. Chu also sprung up in fury. “What could our Tianxin have possibly done to you to treat her this way? Calling off the engagement when we’re so close to the wedding, explain yourself!”

“Mubai, what are you doing? Quick, straighten everything out, do you think something like calling off the engagement can be decided so easily?” Old Mrs. Xi screamed as she also stood up.

Mr. Chu who was more collected than the women in the room, interrogated Mubai with a solemn face, “Why are you breaking off the engagement? There must be a reason, right? Don’t tell me it’s because of this woman!”

Mr. Chu’s finger went up and pointed directly at Xinghe—

Immediately, Xinghe became the center of attention.

Tianxin also pointed angrily at Xinghe. “You’re breaking up with me because of her? Mubai, you must be kidding me, you’re telling me you’re calling our engagement off because of her‽ I will not let you do that to me over a woman like her!”

A sudden severe glint entered Mubai’s eyes. “A woman like her? Well, tell me what kind of woman you think she is!”

Tianxin was stunned.

She didn’t expect Mubai would turn on her for Xinghe…

The anger and humiliation in her heart burst into the open.

She yelled furiously, “She is a woman that everyone hates! There is nothing good about her, much less anything good enough for you. I’m the only one good enough for you. If not for her appearance so many years ago, we would have been married. It was her who broke us apart!”

“Xinghe did not break us apart!” Mubai stared at her with a pair of emotionless eyes. “Because it was never my intention to marry you in the first place!”

“You… what…” Tianxin felt her body shook, the blood in her body seemed to have frozen.

Mubai repeated, “Even without Xinghe, I wouldn’t have agreed to our marriage so many years ago. Agreeing to marry you now was the biggest mistake I’ve ever made in my life.”

“…” Tianxin felt like collapsing.

What was Mubai saying?

Chapter 172: She Was My Wife

 

He not only said that he didn’t want to marry her in the first place but also agreeing to marry her now was the biggest mistake of his life?

How could he treat her this way?

He was completely undermining her value, her everything!

Tianxin thought the news about the broken engagement was the biggest blow she would receive that day but this was even worse…

How could he treat her this way!

“Xi Mubai, how dare you say such thing about my daughter‽” Mrs. Chu finally lost it and she screamed at the top of her lungs, “How dare you humiliate my daughter when she has been nothing but the most perfect young lady. If you don’t explain yourself, I’m going to personally teach you a lesson!”

“So, this is how the prestigious Xi Family teaches their son?” Mr. Chu glared angrily at Old Mr. Xi who sat across him.

Old Mr. Xi slammed his palm heavily on the table and glared at Mubai. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done today? Tianxin is your fiancé and she has done absolutely nothing wrong, how can treat her this day? Don’t tell me it is really for this Xia Xinghe?”

“It doesn’t matter because this is the only way to set things right,” Mubai replied matter-of-factly.

“What do you mean by that?” Old Mr. Xi frowned.

Mubai explained coolly, “The meaning is simple. It was because of the fallacious rumor created by them that Xinghe would opt for the divorce, thinking that I’ve betrayed her with Tianxin!”

Old Mr. Xi was shocked, there was such a thing?

Mr. and Mrs. Chu didn’t show any visible change in their response as if this was old news for them.

Old Mrs. Xi’s face was drawn but she straightened her spine and accosted her son, “This is the reason why you’re breaking off the engagement?”

“Mother, do you think this reason is not enough?” Mubai responded to her question with his own.

Old Mrs. Xi flared up and retorted, “Of course! How can you call off the engagement because of an insignificant detail like this? That’s right, we did do some unsightly things to force Xia Xinghe away, but it was practically harmless. Furthermore, it’s a fact that she’s not good enough for you anyway. At the end of the day, I’m just looking out for you, son, I can’t let you end up with a wife that is as useless as this woman! Therefore, everything that happened then was all my idea, if you want to find someone to blame, be mad at me, it had nothing to do with Tianxin.”

“If she had nothing to do with it, why did she play-act to trick Xinghe alongside you?” Mubai’s voice was laced with hurt and disappointment. “Mother, you have no right to scheme and break up my marriage much less Chu Tianxin! This is my marriage we’re talking about, is that so insignificant to you that you’re willing to plot against your own son?”

Cowed by Mubai’s words, Old Mrs. Xi opted for a change of tact.

“In other words, you’re treating us and Tianxin who loves you to death this way because of Xia Xinghe?” She asked forlornly.

“Mubai, I’m sorry for what I did, I shouldn’t have done those things but I only did it because I love you!” Tianxin wailed taking cue from Old Mrs. Xi, her tears fell like they were from an open faucet. “I’ve loved you for so many years, yet you have the heart to treat me this way because of Xia Xinghe?”

She thought this would appeal to Mubai’s sense of sympathy.

However, the fierceness in his gaze only became more pronounced.

“In your mind, Xinghe is completely insignificant so you are free to do whatever you like to her, isn’t that so?”

“…” Well, is that wrong?

Even Old Mr. Xi thought that way. He didn’t manifest it as obvious as his wife but he too didn’t consider Xinghe as someone important.

In their eyes, Xinghe was an invisible person, a character small enough to ignore.

Therefore, they really didn’t think what Old Mrs. Xi and Tianxin did to Xinghe was anything serious.

It was as Old Mrs. Xi said, unsightly but not over the line…

“No matter how unimportant you all might perceive her but she was my, Xi Mubai’s, lawfully wedded wife and the mother of my son!”

Chapter 173: Care About Her

 

Mubai’s declaration came as a shock to everyone present.

Even Xinghe couldn’t help but turn to look up at him.

None of them knew he valued Xinghe so greatly…

Tianxin could feel her legs giving way.

She could still somehow accept the fact that Mubai didn’t reciprocate her love but witnessing Mubai’s concern for Xinghe pushed her right over the edge!

She would rather Mubai ignore her than have him love another woman!

Doesn’t he love no one and care for nobody?

Could it be that he had always set store by Xinghe?

This thought sent Tianxin spiraling into a deep chasm of despair. She felt her world imploding around her.

“No…” She shook her head in a daze. It was unsure whether she was convincing herself or Mubai. “Mubai, tell me this isn’t true. This can’t be true. It’s impossible that you still care about her because if you do, there wouldn’t be a divorce in the first place. Am I right? So, you must be lying to us!”

Suddenly, Mubai’s face showed he was experiencing a plethora of complicated feelings.

When they were married, even though he didn’t love Xinghe, it didn’t mean that he didn’t respect her and care about her.

She was after all his wife, she deserved all the respect the title begot. Of course, it was respect but not love.

But now… He asked himself truthfully and he had to admit there was a possibility that he couldn’t say the same anymore…

However, Mubai didn’t care to explain his inner thoughts to the rest of them.

Instead, he said, “In any case, that’s everything I want to say. No matter how any of you think of this arrangement, I have to make things right by Xinghe. I will officially announce to the public that the break is a mutual decision between the two families. Furthermore, from now on, please treat Xinghe with the respect she deserves because even after the divorce, she is still my son’s mother!”

“No…” Tianxin collapsed onto Mubai’s arm and started weeping. “Mubai, I can’t let the engagement be over like this. I admit my mistake, and I swear I’ve learnt my lesson so please don’t call off the engagement! I know this is your anger talking, I’m willing to accept any and all punishment but please just take back your words. Please don’t do this to me…”

Mubai shook her off gingerly but firmly, adding, “This is not my anger talking, I’m being absolutely serious.”

“…” Tianxin was stunned into speechlessness. She felt chills running all over her body.

She had just recently been overjoyed by knowledge of his love towards her the night before…

But somehow, everything had changed overnight…

Before today, she was still his fiancé, their marriage and eventual happily-ever-after a sure thing.

But now, he so heartlessly called off the wedding, stomping on her hopes and dreams.

Why… why did so many things I knew to be true change overnight!

Of course, this is all Xia Xinghe’s fault!

Ever since the b*tch made her reappearance, everything started to go wrong.

Now Mubai is calling off the wedding because of her. Therefore, everything is her fault!

Tianxin, of course, didn’t see this coming. How could she imagine that Xinghe would manage to ruin everything she had going for her in such a short amount of time!

She glared viciously at Xinghe who remained a paragon of serenity. It took great self-restraint on Tianxin’s part to not leap forward and strangle Xinghe.

“Xia Xinghe, I bet you’re very satisfied with this outcome, right‽ You must be very happy ruining my relationship to Mubai! You purposely said those words yesterday to garner this effect, how can you be so evil‽ Have you no heart?”

Yes, the b*tch must be doing this on purpose.

The more Tianxin thought about it, the more confirmed she was in her conviction.

She appealed to Mubai anxiously, “Mubai, this is all an evil scheme by Xia Xinghe. Everything that happened last night was part of her plot! She wants to ruin our relationship so that she can stand a chance to get back together with you! How despicable! You mustn’t fall for it!”

Chapter 174: Uneven Contract

 

“Enough!” Mubai growled, he glared at Tianxin coldly, demanding, “So what if this is all her scheme? Don’t you dare forget who started the scheming and plotting! Or do you people expect Xinghe to just take everything as it is? Do you even consider her a fellow human being, and where am I in all this? She is my ex-wife; does she not deserve the respect that entails‽”

Tianxin widened her eyes in shock, she asked with obvious disbelief, “So, you… value her more than me?”

“What is the matter with you? Can you even see beyond yourself?” Mubai grumbled in frustration. He refused to waste another second talking to this woman.

How come he had never realized how conceited Chu Tianxin really is?

To be fair, it was not entirely Mubai’s fault because she hid it extremely well.

She always put up a perfect facade around him.

However, the mirage finally cracked to reveal a woman who would go so far as to ruin his own and other people’s name to get to him.

How could he marry such a scary woman?

Even as a prop, he would consider her a complete waste of space.

Furthermore, he didn’t love her to begin with. To prevent the tragedy in his previous marriage from repeating itself, Mubai was already debating canceling the engagement.

The revelation from the night before was the straw that tipped the scale.

He had to do things right by Xinghe.

Not only did she not get any benefits when she was his wife, she was also treated so badly by his own family members. He might not have loved her then but he couldn’t allow such injustice to come to pass in his own household.

Moreover, she did give him the most precious present of all, his son.

Xinghe had sacrificed the most luscious period of her youth to stay in their marriage and give him a child but for all that, what did she get in return? A slap on her wrist and crosshairs on her back.

And now they wanted him to marry the woman that plotted against his own son’s mother? Did they seriously consider him a cat with no claws?

Perhaps he was normally too agreeable to their demands that they had forgotten who he was!

Mubai’s sudden aggressiveness surprised all of them.

However, the Chu Family would not take this sitting down!

Mrs. Chu stepped forth to interrogate, “Since you don’t care about my daughter, why agree to the marriage in the first place? How can you go back on your words and treat my daughter this way!”

Mubai gave a grim laugh.

“Mrs. Chu, I purposely kept my tone light to help your family save face but since you’ve asked, should I remind you how your whole family has begged for this engagement? Have you forgotten what I repeatedly told you that day? I said, I am not in love with your daughter.”

Mrs. Chu’s face fell. There was humiliation and anger boiling underneath it.

It was the same for all the Chu’s…

Mubai was openly demeaning them.

However, what he said was the truth.

They wanted Tianxin to marry him so badly that they were practically one step away from kissing the ground he walked on. Mubai had solemnly warned them that he felt nothing towards Tianxin. If they wanted to force the engagement, she had to prepare to survive a loveless marriage.

Deluded by their pride, they thought Tianxin could make him love her after they got engaged. However, at the end of the day, they didn’t mind even if Mubai didn’t have warm feelings towards them as long as they could gain access to the Xi Family’s riches and fame.

Tianxin marrying into the Xi Family was their key to a life of limitless luxury.

They were so blinded by profits that they didn’t care about the lack of love in their daughter’s relationship.

Therefore, this engagement was, from the very beginning, an uneven contract. They were the passive and weaker party. Their position was precarious.

So, could they really fault others for their own greed?

Chapter 175: Apology Not Accepted

 

Mubai had never considered himself a lawfully good person. He was responsible for himself and himself only. He was not one to care about other people’s feelings.

His treatment of the Chu family that day was already a rare exception for him.

If not for the fact that his own mother had a hand in the scheme that ruined his earlier marriage, how he handled this would’ve been a lot worse.

He thought they would be clever enough to accept the break without a fuss, to save their own face.

But they had the audacity to try to morally shame him…

These people really thought because he had an engagement with Tianxin, he was in their debt? That it would give them the moral high ground‽

They were sorely mistaken.

Since they wanted to do this the hard way, there was no reason for him to hold back anymore.

The fact was even if Tianxin did nothing wrong, he would still rescind the engagement.

He didn’t want to marry another woman that he didn’t love.

In this boring life of his, he finally found something that piqued his interest so he didn’t to waste any more time with frivolities.

He didn’t care if what he did hurt the peace between the two families or anyone’s feelings.

Better be hurt now than regret it for the rest of his life.

Furthermore, he was more than capable to back up his aggression and do as he wished.

Therefore, if he wanted to seek justice for Xinghe, no one could stand in his way.

Tianxin and her family felt Mubai’s aggression at its full force.

At that moment, Tianxin finally realized she isn’t at all familiar with him.

In her mind, Mubai was an easy-going person albeit a little hard to approach.

But now she finally saw the real Mubai, his remoteness which she misconstrued as natural aloofness was actually born out of ruthlessness!

His ruthlessness, she realized, could be aimed at her even if they were engaged and had known each other for decades.

Tianxin knew it was in her best interest to bow out of this relationship while Mubai gave her this chance.

But, she just couldn’t…

She couldn’t part with everything Mubai stood for: his power, wealth, prestige, and looks. Every single part of him was something she couldn’t let go of.

Tianxin equated losing him to losing the world.

However, Mubai was adamant that the engagement was over, how could she salvage the situation?

Tianxin’s eyes fell on Xinghe and she threw herself at Xinghe’s mercy, “Xinghe, I know what I did was wrong. Can you please forgive me? I beg you please…”

She thought if Xinghe forgive her, Mubai would also forgive her.

Since she had gotten down to Xinghe’s level to beg her, the b*tch should have no reason not to forgive her.

Xinghe slowly stood up and walked past Tianxin as if she didn’t hear her. She told Mubai, “I thank you for returning to me the justice I deserve. I’m very satisfied. If there’s nothing else that concerns me, I shall take my leave.”

“Xia Xinghe, did you not hear me? I said I’m sorry, can you please forgive me‽” Tianxin hissed through gritted teeth. Hatred tore at her heart from having to apologize to Xinghe.

She couldn’t stand the b*tch’s smug face. She would deal with her after Mubai took her back!

Of course, the bastard son would have to suffer for his mother’s sin too!

One day, sooner or later, she would remove this pair of mother and son that had blocked her way at every turn.

The hatred roiling in Tianxin’s eyes was plain for Xinghe to see.

Xinghe looked at her coolly, and these words tumbled out of her red lips, “Your apology… is not accepted!”

“You—” Tianxin’s face was red with anger.

Mrs. Chu hollered in anger, “Xia Xinghe, how dare you take a mile while we already gave you an inch‽ My daughter has already extended her sincerest apology, what more do you want?”

Chapter 176: Fondness Towards Her (End of the Engagement Arc)

 

Old Mrs. Xi joined in, “Xia Xinghe, Tianxin did not do anything truly offensive towards you, did she? She has already lowered herself to such an extent to apologize to you, do you have to be so petty?”

Even Old Mr. Xi felt Xinghe had crossed the line…

After all, Tianxin had apologized, did she have to be so narrow-minded?

Only Mubai approved of Xinghe’s action.

To accept the apology or not was her prerogative. Why must she accept the apology just because Tianxin apologized?

If he was in her position, he wouldn’t accept the apology either.

Xinghe scanned the room of detractors and smiled, “You’re right, I am a petty woman so don’t do me wrong because I will remember it forever.”

“You will hate me forever? What do you plan to do to me?” Tianxin asked fearfully. Perhaps she hadn’t recovered from the earlier shock because her acting here was a bit overboard.

Xinghe snickered at her laughable acting and a murderous intent surged up within Tianxin.

As if assessing the situation for the first time, Tianxin suddenly realized how inferior she looked beside Xinghe.

She tried to regain her footing but the moment she came down to beg Xinghe, she had lost.

“I’m not going to do anything to you because you’re not worth my time. Don’t think too highly of yourself,” Xinghe said before leaving.

Tianxin ruined her marriage so it was only fair for her to ruin her engagement, tit for tat as they say.

Since she had achieved her target that day, there was no reason for Xinghe to stay and look at the bunch of annoying faces.

Xinghe strode out the box like she owned the world and Mubai moved to follow.

“Mubai, stand right there. This fiasco is not over yet; you are not allowed to cancel the engagement to Tianxin!” Old Mrs. Xi called after him.

Mubai turned around and said coldly, “I’m not allowed to, mother? Do you want me to get a lawyer in here? Try me.”

“You…” His mother was shell-shocked, how could he talk to her this way?

He was her son. The wife she chose for him was for his own good, how could he not see that?

However, she knew she couldn’t force him into any decisions that he refused to make, even if she was his mother…

Mubai swiveled around and left.

After a while, Tianxin realized she should chase after him but she stopped at the door because Mubai had left the building.

Watching his back, her eyes swirled with venom.

Xia Xinghe, you ruined my life, I will never forgive you!

…

After Xinghe exited the hotel, she stood at the entrance and didn’t leave.

Just like how she predicted, Mubai appeared not long after.

“Were you waiting for me?” He stared intensely at her.

“Yes,” Xinghe admitted, “I want to see Lin Lin.”

He knew she would come up with this specific request that day.

He realized how much she cared for their child from the times they’d interacted recently.

He felt guilty because his family had always stood in her way when she wanted to visit Lin Lin. He understood her desire to be with Lin Lin.

At the same time, Mubai admired Xinghe.

She knew it would be impossible for her to just waltz in and see Lin Lin so she decided to bolster her own backing first.

Only then could her demand be heard.

Despite the fact that it was still not enough for her to claim custody, he admired this hardworking attitude of hers.

Of course, it didn’t hurt that Xinghe’s other personal qualities were admirable as well.

Mubai had admiration for outstanding individuals and he realized his ex-wife was definitely one of them.

He didn’t hide his fondness for Xinghe. “Let’s go. Lin Lin is over at the old family mansion, without me, they won’t allow you entry.”

Chapter 177: She Didn’t Care About Him

 

Xinghe nodded, she knew as much – which was why she waited for him.

She got into Mubai’s car and they headed over to the Xi Family’s old family mansion.

The old mansion belonged to Mubai’s grandfather. The Xi Family’s patriarch was still alive and Xinghe had met him once or twice.

But they had never exchanged words.

Mubai’s grandfather was a stately man. Even at his old age, his presence could still stun people into inactivity.

The first time Xinghe met him was at her wedding to Mubai.

Naturally every single member of the Xi Family was present but no one dared to do anything out of place in his presence.

A girl accidentally interrupted her elder and he gave her a look so withering that it probably scarred her for life.

That was Xinghe’s only impression of Mubai’s grandfather; a man that was as impressive as a king.

And today, she would have to face him, the single person who held the highest power in the Xi Family!

Mubai also thought of the upcoming meeting and he reminded her, “My grandfather probably won’t object to you seeing Lin Lin but do not mention the issue of custody or he will make sure you’ll never see Lin Lin’s face again.”

“I don’t even have the right to raise my own child… Don’t you find that amusing?” Xinghe asked softly, her tone full of self-deprecation.

Mubai’s expression turned serious and answered truthfully, “You can’t control the fact that Lin Lin was born into the Xi Family.”

“The greater fact is that Lin Lin is my son. One day, he’ll be mine again. Just watch me,” Xinghe said confidently.

Mubai didn’t find her declaration pompous instead he raised his brows with interest. “Where does your confidence come from?”

“Every man and woman is the master of his or her own fate. I believe man could accomplish anything if he puts enough effort and desire behind it.”

“Xia Xinghe, do you know I find this attitude of yours…” Mubai purposely paused before continuing with a smirk, “highly alluring?”

Xinghe didn’t even blink.

She didn’t care how he found her or what his opinion of her was.

Her expression had remained the same from when she was at the hotel to after she got into his car, one of indifference. He was like her driver, ferrying her to her destination, their relationship not going beyond that surface level.

It was not that she was arrogant.

It was more like he didn’t occupy any space in her heart, not even an inch.

To her, he was a passer-by in her life, a pretty face that was not even worth remembering or caring about.

Mubai realized this and it was hard for him to not get affected by it.

He started to gain interest in her but she didn’t reciprocate the feeling? He couldn’t help but feel… rejected.

This was the first woman that could arouse his interest, but of course, she was more of a character than he was, she didn’t even consider him a man worth paying attention to.

The thought made Mubai chuckle. He was greatly amused.

“So, everything that happened last night was done on purpose?” he asked suddenly.

Xinghe looked straight ahead and shrugged, “That’s right.”

He didn’t specify what the thing was but she admitted freely.

“But why?” Since she didn’t care about him, there was no reason for her to care who he married.

If that was the case, why lead him to break up his engagement?

In any case, Tianxin’s argument that it was because Xinghe wanted to get back with him was definitely untrue.

So then… why?

“Tianxin is not qualified to be my son’s stepmother,” Xinghe suddenly came out with the truth.

Mubai grinned even harder. “Well, I’ve got to appreciate your honesty. But, if she’s not qualified, who is? Eventually, I will have to remarry.”

“Truthfully? No one.”

“In other words, you think no one is good enough to be my wife?”

Chapter 178: To The Old Family Mansion

 

Xinghe replied without missing a beat, “If you give me back my son, anyone is good enough.”

Of course, anyone but her.

“What are you going to do then, chase away all the women who approach me?” Mubai asked with interest. His tone seemed to suggest that he was encouraging her to do so…

Xinghe’s lips curved into a slight smile. “I’m not that interested in your life, I just want my son.”

“But he is my son too and is destined to stay inside the Xi Family.”

“I already told you, I will find a way to get him out.”

“There is one way that is fairly simple,” Mubai tilted his head to look at her and said, “Get back together with me.”

Xinghe blinked slightly but there was no obvious change in expression on her face.

Mubai waited with inexplicable anxiety for her response. She finally said, “You sure have a vivid imagination.”

“…”

She would not get back with him and she would claim back her son through her own effort.

It was why she was going to the Xi Family’s old family mansion.

She was willing to try anything to get Lin Lin out.

If that was really impossible, she must find ways to decrease the possibility of him running into danger. Of course, her focus would still be on springing him out of the Xi Family.

In fact, there was already an idea brewing in her mind, it was to go through Mubai’s grandmother.

Mubai’s grandfather, Xi Gang was once a prominent political figure in Hwa Xia.

Even after he retired, he retained his regality. No one dared to defy him in the Xi Family.

It was because of him that Xi Family could be the giant force it was that day.

If Xi Gang agreed to let Xinghe temporarily have Xi Lin’s custody, the rest of them would have no choice but to agree.

Of course, Xi Gang wouldn’t listen to her request. There was only one person in the entire Xi Family that he would listen to.

That was his wife, Mubai’s grandmother.

Xinghe didn’t know much about the Xi Family’s hierarchy but of one thing she was sure.

There was only one person who could persuade and dissuade Mubai’s grandfather, that person was his first wife.

She was referred to as his first wife because they had been divorced many years ago. However, they still stayed under the same roof. In fact, Xi Gang had been treating and loving her like she was still his wife.

Why they got divorced in the first place, Xinghe was clueless as well, but she didn’t intend to find out.

She only needed to convince her.

…

They finally reached Xi Family’s old family mansion.

It was situated at City T’s famous Prosperity Hill.

Like the name suggested, Prosperity Hill was home to the rich and famous.

The richest of them all was naturally the Xi’s. Xi Family’s old family mansion was also the biggest there.

Xinghe had only been here once and she could still remember how overwhelmed she was then.

However, for her second visit, she felt nothing. The place was to her like any other normal places.

Mubai led her into the spacious and luxurious living room. A maid came forth and greeted them reverentially, “Is Young Master here to meet the Old Master? He’s practicing calligraphy with Little Young Master in the study.”

“How long has it been?” Mubai asked.

“Half an hour.”

Xi Gang would spend an hour every day to practice his calligraphy. No one was to disturb him during this period.

In other words, Xinghe and he would have to wait for half an hour.

“When grandfather practices his calligraphy, he doesn’t like to be disturbed. I hope you don’t mind waiting for half an hour,” Mubai told Xinghe.

Chapter 179: We’re Here to See Lin Lin

 

“I don’t mind,” Xinghe nodded, half an hour was nothing.

After all, the reason she was there that day was not only to meet her son but his great grandfather as well.

“Where’s your Madam?” Mubai suddenly asked the main.

“She’s in the back garden, does Young Master wish to see her?”

“That’s alright. I don’t want to disturb her.”

The moment Mubai finished, a woman sauntered into the room and said, “You wouldn’t be disturbing her, she was just talking to me about you yesterday. I’m sure she would love to see you.”

Mubai and Xinghe turned to the source of the voice. A woman about 28-year-old with impeccable dressing, she didn’t have a hair out of place, in their eyes.

Xinghe recognized the woman.

She was Madam Xi’s adopted granddaughter. Her name was Yun Ruobing [1], and like her name suggests she was a frosty kind of person.

It was a by-the-books kind of frigidness, deterring others from any form of human contact.

She didn’t even have the courtesy to hide her apathy towards Xinghe. She never once looked her in the eyes.

It was as if Xinghe was Mubai’s carry-on, not worth her attention…

“Want me to accompany you to the back garden?” Ruobing came forward and asked Mubai with a shrug.

Ruobing was several months older than Mubai, they had a relationship akin to siblings but they had never been close.

Mubai had always treated her with courtesy reserved for distant relatives.

“Thank you but I have something to discuss with my grandfather.”

“What is it?” Ruobing asked while giving Xinghe a side-eye, “Something to do with Xi Lin?”

“Yes,” Mubai answered succinctly, obviously not interested in getting into the details.

Ruobing nodded and left without asking anything more. She passed the living room and went straight to the back garden…

Xinghe glanced at Ruobing’s retreating back and asked Mubai this just to make conversation, “I seem to remember that she also studies computer science.”

Mubai thought she was really interested in Ruobing’s background so he explained eagerly, “You’re right. But her field is different from yours, hers is medical computer science.”

“This means that she is at least somewhat familiar with medicine?”

“Indeed, currently, she is my grandmother’s personal doctor and confidant.”

Xinghe nodded without any further comments.

Perhaps someone did inform Mubai’s grandfather of their arrival because he arrived at the living room before the designated 30 minutes.

However, he came alone.

He sat himself down on the sofa and had on an impassive face. Even facing Mubai, it was like he was the boss and Mubai was his subordinate.

“Well, get on with it. Why are the both of you here?” he asked solemnly without even lifting his head to look at them.

Mubai answered truthfully, “I brought Xinghe here to see Lin Lin and then take him back home.”

Grandfather Xi finally raised his gaze to look at him. There was a lifetime of experience inside his eyes. He studied them incisively and commented, “I heard you broke off your engagement with the girl from Chu Family earlier today for this woman.”

Mubai smiled slightly, “News sure travel fast.”

“Is it really because of her?” Grandfather Xi asked with an indifferent tone, it was difficult to gauge his thoughts.

“I just don’t want to marry a woman that once plotted against my own marriage.”

“The Chu Family and we Xi Family have a long history together. Have you thought of the consequences?”

“I would rather face any kinds of consequences than betray myself to fulfill their wishes,” Mubai replied in an equally indifferent tone. Perhaps, only Mubai could talk to Grandfather Xi this way.

His answer satisfied Grandfather Xi.

Mubai was right. There was no reason for a Xi to lower himself for the sake of fulfilling another’s pipe dreams.