Chapter 16: The Dramatic Scene

After having a vegetarian meal at Qingyun Temple, Xia Yuan thought Qin Mohuai might not have much of an appetite. But to her surprise, he polished off the vegetarian crab roe cake and the vegetarian roasted chicken that she couldn’t finish.

He didn’t seem particularly upset.

In the original novel, the crazy male lead and the female protagonist were always at odds, but there was never any mention of wanting a child.

Now, with Xia Yuan replacing the original heroine, Qin Mohuai was constantly pestering her about having a child. Did he think she was easier to handle because of her gentler nature?

Hmph.

Typical double-standard man.

Xia Yuan lowered the car window to enjoy the fresh air. The hot breeze tousled her dark hair, and her delicate eyebrows, fluttering like mist, hid a touch of longing for freedom.

Four girls around her age strolled by the sidewalk, chatting and laughing. Their white skirts swayed in the wind, and they each held a cup of milk tea, their faces lit up with endless conversation.

Qin Mohuai’s large, well-defined hand rested on the back of her head, gently rubbing it. Xia Yuan, gazing out the window, caught his attention.

“What are you looking at?” he asked.

Xia Yuan turned her head, snuggling into Qin Mohuai’s chest. Her delicate face was partially buried, hiding her emotions from him.

If he saw…

The influential and scheming Qin Mohuai would never miss even the slightest hint of her feelings.

“I want some milk tea,” Xia Yuan said clearly, though her voice was soft and gentle, with a hint of seduction that tugged at his heart.

Qin Mohuai kissed the top of her head. “Milk tea isn’t healthy. Be good.”

Tch.

Xia Yuan rolled her eyes.

Her small waist seemed to deflate, collapsing onto Qin Mohuai. His hand, which had been around her slender waist, now rested on her soft, round bottom.

The softness immediately struck Qin Mohuai deep in his heart.

The sensation was delightful, even more thrilling than when he first learned to ride a horse or surf.

Such a little temptress.

Xia Yuan, feeling a bit defeated, whimpered in his arms. “I know milk tea isn’t healthy and that I shouldn’t eat junk food while preparing for pregnancy. But if it means I can have a baby with you, I can overcome my cravings.”

She didn’t really crave milk tea; she just wanted to experience the joy that those girls seemed to have.

Qin Mohuai, sensitive and suspicious, noticed something and leaned in, staring directly into her eyes. He grabbed a lock of her unruly blue hair and, with dark, intense eyes, said, “Are you envious of their freedom in short skirts and milk tea? Do you want to be as carefree as they are? What about me? Don’t you want me anymore? I knew it, you’re a little liar. All that sweet talk about only wanting a baby with me is just to fool me. Darling, unless I’m dead and turned to dust, you will never have that milk tea!”

Xia Yuan’s eyes, full of delicate mist, blinked. It would be a lie to say she wasn’t scared, but she wouldn’t provoke Qin Mohuai like the original heroine did because she already had a firm grip on the mad dog’s leash.

Xia Yuan leaned in, whispering a few words in his ear.

The man’s fierce, dark eyes shifted dramatically. His hand, gripping her slender waist, tightened, and his voice became hot and impatient. “Don’t go back on your word! Otherwise, I’ll definitely lock you in a small dark room!”

Xia Yuan’s face flushed. “I promised you with my own mouth. Why would I go back on my word?”

It was just about wearing some revealing clothes and inappropriate accessories to please him, hoping it might increase his affection.

Before Qin Mohuai could order the driver to hurry home, he received a call from Yang Yi.

“What’s up?”

Yang Yi’s low, hoarse voice startled him.

Yang Yi chuckled, “I hope I’m not interrupting anything important?”

Qin Mohuai coldly retorted, “Then I won’t be answering your call.”

Yang Yi: “…”

He couldn’t keep up with Qin Mohuai’s sharp tongue, so he switched to business.

After hanging up, Qin Mohuai’s face showed a hint of dissatisfaction. “There’s a business gathering I need to attend.”

Xia Yuan breathed a sigh of relief. He would be socializing, smoking, and drinking, so maybe she wouldn’t have to wear those chaotic outfits tonight.

Qin Mohuai, seeing through her thoughts, curved his lips into a smirk. “Come with me.”

Xia Yuan: ?

Xia Yuan walked into the luxurious private room and noticed that the seat next to Yang Yi was empty, presumably reserved for Qin Mohuai.

Yang Yi seemed surprised that Qin Mohuai had brought Xia Yuan out for socializing. For a moment, he was at a loss and didn’t arrange for anyone else to give up their seat.

Xia Yuan, with her keen eyesight, spotted milk tea on the menu!

She took a seat near the door, directly across from the main seat but still quite far away.

Hmm.

This was a perfect spot for a sneaky treat.

Qin Mohuai, with a cold expression, sat beside Yang Yi. His well-tailored white shirt looked casual yet elegant, adding a touch of nobility to his demeanor.

The young men and women in the room, dressed in suits and elegant attire, were all vying for Qin Mohuai’s attention.

Some wanted him to invest in their ventures.

Some sought his guidance.

Others were eyeing Xia Yuan, who came in with Qin Mohuai but didn’t appear to be his secretary.

If she was a mistress, why wasn’t she sitting next to him?

Huang Tao, wearing a solid gold Rolex, discreetly added a bit of something to the bottle of wine he opened. He filled Xia Yuan’s empty glass with a smile that was somewhat polite, “Beautiful lady, I’m Huang Tao. You can call me Tao Ge. May I ask for your name?”

If she wasn’t Qin Mohuai’s woman, he would take advantage.

Xia Yuan looked at the glass of wine and then at Huang Tao, her expression becoming somewhat complex.

Why did this scene feel familiar?

The woman sitting to Xia Yuan’s left picked up her glass and splashed it in Huang Tao’s face, scolding, “How does it taste? Do you think this is some kind of place where you can drug the drinks?”

Huang Tao was shocked that Ouyang Jing had called him out directly. His face turned red, and he was so angry that he looked ready to hit someone.

Xia Yuan suddenly understood why this scene felt familiar—it was the first meeting between the male and female leads!

However, instead of being a minor character pushing the romance plot forward, she was the one replacing the original heroine.

The wealthy men and women holding their glasses put them down, their gazes turning hostile toward Huang Tao.

How dare such a lowly person sit among them! But Huang Tao was lucky to have a brother-in-law who was a high-ranking official, making everyone both envious and disdainful.

Yang Yi wished he could cover his eyes.

Qin Mohuai’s fiancée had just saved his current girlfriend!

What a dramatic scene!

Ouyang Jing wasn’t intimidated by Huang Tao. With sharp words, she criticized him from head to toe, infuriating him to the point where he almost vomited blood. His short, fat fingers were already gripping a beer bottle.

Ouyang Jing: “Do you know who I am? How dare you!”

Sitting between them, Xia Yuan discreetly sipped the milk tea the server brought her, unwilling to miss out on a drink even amidst the chaos.

Such a gluttonous girl.

Qin Mohuai pinched the bridge of his nose, his cold and magnetic voice stern, “Please ask Mr. Huang to step outside and cool off.”

Two burly bodyguards escorted Huang Tao out of the private room.

Ouyang Jing looked at Qin Mohuai. Was this her fiancé?

He looked much better in person than in the photos, but his stern aura was overwhelming.

Soon, Qin Mohuai stood up and left, casting a warning glance at Xia Yuan.

Immediately, right now, leave with me.

Xia Yuan reluctantly got up and thanked Ouyang Jing.

Ouyang Jing: “You’re welcome. I couldn’t just stand by and watch anyone being bullied.”

After Xia Yuan left, her friend, Song Cien, hugged Ouyang Jing’s arm excitedly, “Jingjing, your fiancé was so cool just now. He scared Huang Tao with just one sentence. He’s really standing up for you!”

“Although he’s a bit aloof, that’s not a bad thing. It’s perfect for keeping away those swarmy women. Did you notice? Qin Mohuai’s nose is very prominent. They say men like that are very capable. Jingjing, you’re really lucky~”

“By the way, why didn’t you chase after him to ask for his private number? Old Master Qin specifically organized this gathering to have you two meet. Go after him; he shouldn’t be far!”

Ouyang Jing: “Chasing him for his private number would be too cheap. I’m not going.”

Song Cien agreed, “True. If you want Qin Mohuai’s private number, just ask Old Master Qin. You’re his carefully selected granddaughter-in-law. By the way, I want to be a bridesmaid at your wedding.”

She glanced at the floor-to-ceiling window and said anxiously, “Jingjing, look! The person you helped just got into Qin Mohuai’s car! Let’s go catch them in the act. The little vixen is stealing your man!”

Ouyang Jing quickly walked to the window, frowning. “He’s not my man. Since I don’t agree with the engagement, he probably doesn’t want it either.”

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