Chapter 9: Fear

“How could this happen…” Xiao Yuyan felt a surge of inexplicable fear upon hearing the news. Although the Xiao family was only a third-rate family, they were still much better off than ordinary people. Their lives were not extravagant, but their monthly expenses were still around two to three hundred thousand, which for an ordinary family, was almost a year’s worth of earnings.

Xiao Yuyan had been admired for her family’s status since she was young, and she was very popular. She had seen some classmates whose parents’ combined monthly salary was only six to seven thousand, which for her, wasn’t even enough to buy a pair of shoes. The vast disparity had made her feel superior since she was a child.

But now, if the Xiao Group changed hands, her life would also change dramatically. This sudden change left her feeling an unprecedented sense of panic and helplessness. She didn’t know what the future held, nor did she know how to face it all.

At this moment, Xiao Yuyan had no time to care about her mother’s condition. Her mind was filled with worry as she turned to Xiao Lin, her voice trembling slightly, “Dad, what should we do now? Do you have any confidence in stopping Jiang Chuan from taking over the Xiao Group?”

Xiao Miaomiao also looked at Xiao Lin anxiously, her eyes filled with worry, “Dad, why don’t we go find Xiao Miaomiao, apologize to her, and beg her not to sell her shares to Jiang Chuan. Or, even if she sells them, we can buy them back.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Lin furrowed his brows, his voice heavy, “Since she’s already sold them, do you think Jiang Chuan will easily give them back?” His voice carried a hint of disappointment and anger towards his two daughters, “You two, you’re good for nothing, you’re just a bunch of troublemakers!”

He took out his phone, quickly dialed a number, and instructed his subordinates to buy back the shares at a high price, attempting to prevent Jiang Chuan from taking over the Xiao Group. However, his heart was filled with uncertainty and worry.

A wave of indescribable shock washed over Xiao Lin. He had never expected Xiao Miaomiao to be so resolute. He had thought that even if they weren’t close, their blood ties would evoke some tenderness in her. However, the reality was a slap in the face. Xiao Miaomiao, at this critical moment, showed no regard for family ties.

Now, Xiao Miaomiao had severed ties with Hong Wen-bin, freeing herself from the shackles of marriage. Xiao Lin couldn’t help but sneer, thinking to himself: “Let’s see how long you can hold out now? The Hong family is powerful, even if she gets divorced, Xiao Miaomiao probably won’t get much out of it. Her once-lavish dowry has probably been squandered. In the end, won’t she have to come back to me and beg?”

Xiao Miaomiao’s beautiful face, even in the second-marriage market, should fetch a good price. She’s been spending lavishly, and I will definitely get back what’s mine, with interest.

As soon as Xiao Miaomiao stepped out of the house, she was greeted by the scorching sun, the heat waves rolling like they were going to melt her. She couldn’t help but frown, a strong urge rising in her heart to immediately return to the cool room, lie down on the soft bed, and enjoy the coolness of the air conditioner.

Just then, her gaze accidentally fell on a villa next to her. A beautiful and extremely elegant lady stepped out of the villa, her demeanor noble and graceful, just as beautiful as her mother. Xiao Miaomiao couldn’t help but take a few more glances, secretly admiring the lady’s beauty.

Ouyang Xuan also noticed Xiao Miaomiao’s gaze. She smiled slightly, as if attracted by the young girl’s beauty and temperament. She found that although Xiao Miaomiao had a flamboyant and charming appearance, her eyes were clear and bright, radiating a kind of purity and vivacity. This made her feel very surprised, because she rarely felt such a strong liking for someone at first sight.

Their eyes met in the air, as if a strange kind of unspoken understanding was quietly growing. Xiao Miaomiao felt Ouyang Xuan’s kindness and closeness, a strange warmth rising in her heart.

Xiao Miaomiao smiled at her and was about to leave when suddenly her head spun and she fainted.

Ouyang Xuan saw this and hurried forward to help the fainted Xiao Miaomiao up. She glanced at the Xiao family, but in the end, she helped Xiao Miaomiao back to her own house.

She didn’t know what relationship Xiao Miaomiao had with the Xiao family, but she didn’t like her being related to Xiao Lin and his family, so she took her directly back to her own house.

Xiao Miaomiao stared blankly at the two certificates in her hand, one declaring the end of her old life—the divorce certificate, and the other opening a new chapter—the marriage certificate. She couldn’t help but smile bitterly, she had actually ended up in such a bizarre situation.

People who get divorced and remarried on the same day might not be uncommon, but Xiao Miaomiao never thought she would be one of them. The stories she had heard about people getting divorced and quickly entering another marriage were often driven by passionate love. However, she, Xiao Miaomiao, was bound to a vegetable due to a table of delicious food.

She turned her head, her gaze falling on Li Jingcheng, who was lying quietly beside her, a strange emotion rising in her heart. This man, from now on, is her benefactor and her nominal husband. She sighed softly.

“If it weren’t for the fact that your family’s chef is a hereditary imperial chef, and I couldn’t afford to buy him, I wouldn’t have chosen to marry you. But since I’m married to you, I’ll take good care of you, have children inherit your legacy, as long as I can eat delicious food every day.”

Xiao Miaomiao stared intently at Li Jingcheng in front of her, a complex emotion rising in her heart. If it weren’t for that accident, which cruelly declared this son of heaven a vegetable, how could she, Xiao Miaomiao, have the opportunity to stand here, becoming his wife? After all, Li Jingcheng was the richest man in the city, his status and position were high above, something she felt she couldn’t even look up to.

She had no chance to even contact him before.

“It seems like I got a great deal. If you hadn’t fallen into a deep coma, how could I have had the chance to become your wife? Even though you’re like a vegetable now, your wealth is enough to make me live comfortably. Not to mention your family’s chef, whose culinary skills are superb, every dish is a delight to the palate. So, don’t worry, I will do my best to carry on your legacy, ensuring that your inheritance has an heir.”

“And I will take good care of you, until the very end of your life.” A flicker of complex emotions flashed in Xiao Miaomiao’s eyes. Her words were blunt, but they were filled with an unspoken determination and resolve.

“I’m telling you, although I’m marrying you as a second wife, I’m still a virgin, you’re not at a loss at all. For your money, my body and soul are yours from now on, I’ll be a widow for you.” Xiao Miaomiao looked at Li Jingcheng and said.