Chapter 14: Ruining Shen Qingci’s Reputation

“Why are you looking at me?” He immediately raised an eyebrow. “See? The type of girl I like is gentle and pure, not… you.”

He paused, searching for the right word, then gave up. “Anyway, you’re completely not my type. I advise you to give up early. Don’t be fooled by my looks—then even if we get divorced, you won’t be too upset.”

“Oh.” Shen Qingci replied flatly, neither hot nor cold.

“Oh?!” Xi Xingye didn’t expect that reaction. Could it be that he had gone too far?

The two of them fell silent, each lost in their own thoughts.

…

The older generation trusted astrology the most, so the MC announced the wedding to begin at an auspicious hour.

In the capital, land was precious.

This hotel was one of the most luxurious in the city, usually reserved for state banquets, and not open to just anyone.

When Bai Xiaoli entered, she stared at the grand, magnificent lobby for several seconds.

Once she recovered, jealousy twisted her features.

“Shen Qingci actually married into the wealthy Xi family!”

Years ago, she had schemed to climb onto Shen Rushan’s bed to become the second wife of the Shen family. She thought she had already seen the pinnacle of the capital’s wealth, but what she saw back then was just a tiny fraction!

“Mom, don’t get angry,” Shen Shirou said, holding Bai Xiaoli’s hand. “She’s a Shen family member. We can’t let her make a fool of herself. Didn’t we prepare something for today?”

Recalling what they had prepared, Bai Xiaoli smirked. “Everything’s ready?”

“Don’t worry, Mom. It’s all ready.” Shen Shirou lowered her voice.

“I’ve bribed the staff here. Once the footage plays, all the elite of the capital will see Shen Qingci in compromising photos with multiple men. I spent a fortune making this—Shen Qingci will be completely disgraced!”

No sooner had she finished speaking than the lights went out.

The giant LED screen at the front lit up.

Shen Shirou’s eyes instantly burned with excitement!

But the next second, the screen showed blue skies, white clouds, and streams over little bridges—all just landscape photos.

“You said you’d switch the photos!” Bai Xiaoli frowned.

Shen Shirou was equally incredulous. “How is this possible? I clearly—”

Her expression changed drastically as she looked toward the control panel.

Shen Qingci was standing there, arms crossed, a faint, enigmatic smile on her lips.

A chill ran up Shen Shirou’s spine. She had a bad premonition.

At that moment, a commotion arose at the entrance.

A group of men wielding sticks stormed into the banquet hall.

The leader, a burly man with a full beard, glanced around and met Shen Qingci’s eyes. He nodded subtly. Then he fixed his gaze and pointed his stick at the Shen family’s table. “There!”

Because they had heard there would be entertainment involving Shen Qingci, members of the Shen family’s second and third branches had all come, sitting at the same round table.

“Who are you? Do you know who we are? Should I call the police?” Bai Xiaoli shouted.

The bearded man sneered. “Call them if you want. The Shen family owes debts and won’t pay—I wonder which side the police will take!”

He scanned the room, then raised his hand. “Tie them all up and take them away!”

“Ahhh! Let go of me! Why are you arresting me?”

“Let go! Mom, help me!”

Chaos erupted.

Xi Xingye frowned.

These people had come for trouble, and Shen Qingci was part of the Shen family…

Thinking that, he instinctively searched for Shen Qingci among the crowd.

She had only basic martial arts skills, but with so many men wielding weapons…

Sigh. He decided he’d reluctantly protect her.

Scanning the crowd, he finally saw her: Shen Qingci was grabbing Shen Shirou by the collar, slapping her repeatedly.

The people nearby who said something faced slaps as well. One skilled martial artist, strong and muscular, tried to fight Shen Qingci, but she bent down and executed a perfect over-the-shoulder throw, sending him flying several meters.

Xi Xingye twitched at the corner of his mouth.

This woman was brutal! He almost pitied the poor man who would marry her—what a wife to deal with!

He withdrew his gaze and stepped outside.

On the way, he passed Mr. Xi holding a plate in front of his face. “Why the long face? Where’s your wife? Why aren’t you protecting her? This is your best chance to show off your manly charm!”

Xi Xingye remembered Shen Qingci’s rampage moments ago, and smirked. “She doesn’t need me to protect her. Look for yourself!”

He rolled his eyes and muttered as he walked on.

Mr. Xi looked toward the direction Xi Xingye had gone, puzzled, and fell silent.

Eventually, all the Shen family members were tied up and taken away in a van.

Mr. Xi cleaned up the mess, calmed the guests, and made them promise to keep the day’s events secret. Only then did the chaotic wedding end.

Xi Xingye stepped out of the hotel lobby, the cold air hitting him.

He looked up at the crescent moon, recalling the events at the wedding, and exhaled slowly.

What a restless day.

He had gone out to get some fresh air, but now he felt even more stifled!

His expression darkened further as he got in the car and floored it toward the entertainment district.

When Xu Zijie opened the door, Xi Xingye had just finished a bottle of liquor.

He poured himself a full glass. “Brother Xi, I knew you’d come here. No need to say anything—cheers.”

He tilted his head back and drank. Seeing Xi Xingye in a gloomy mood, he said, “Brother Xi, I know. A perfectly fine wedding was ruined in front of so many people. You must feel bad.”

“Feel bad about what?” Xi Xingye scoffed. “I don’t even love that woman. Whether the wedding happens or not, it makes no difference.”

“Then why are you drinking alone?”

“….” Xi Xingye looked at him with a ‘shut up before you get yourself killed’ expression.

Xu Zijie put an arm around him, was pushed away, then leaned closer. “Brother Xi, let me tell you—your wife loves you too much.”

“Get lost.” Xi Xingye kicked him.

Holding his backside, Xu Zijie continued earnestly, “I mean it. Look at her—she even invited the Shen family, despite their bad relations, just for the wedding. Then all this happened. I even saw her cleaning up after the Shen family before I came out. Why do you think she did that?”

He clapped his hands. “Exactly because the Shen family ruined your wedding!”

“Every single thing she did proves she loves you!”

Xi Xingye paused, a hint of relaxation appearing in his expression.

He picked up his coat and stood up, adding, “Go home and burn all those lousy novels of yours.”

Back home, the clock read exactly 11:55.

He impatiently loosened his tie.

Why did he have to listen to that woman and be home before midnight?

Thinking this, he turned to leave, but stopped just before stepping out.

“Master, where are you going?” Zhang Jie asked.

Xi Xingye’s eyes flickered. “Where’s Shen Qingci?”

Zhang Sao didn’t think much. “Madam hasn’t returned yet.”

Hasn’t returned?!

These three words made Xi Xingye furious.

It was almost midnight, and Shen Qingci still wasn’t home! She had demanded he return before twelve, yet she wasn’t back herself?!

Xi Xingye shouted, “Call her and make her come home! If she’s not back by midnight, I’ll make her pay!”

“Huh?” Zhang Jie was momentarily confused. You… make Madam pay?

“‘Huh’ what? If you won’t call her, should I do it?” Xi Xingye’s voice was loud and arrogant.

He was furious!

At that moment, a movement came from the doorway—Shen Qingci appeared.

It was exactly 11:59.

Meeting her clear, bright eyes, Xi Xingye felt like a firecracker drenched in water—completely useless.

He touched his nose and said nothing, went inside for less than a minute, then peeked out again, his expression flickering.

“Hey, come over here.”