What kind of bizarre logic is this?! Wang Xiaoke was dumbfounded. Even if I did “take advantage,” what’s there for a man to lose? I’m the girl here, and I haven’t complained, yet you’re the one feeling wronged? What’s going on here?!

“I didn’t mean it like that,” Wang Xiaoke instinctively retorted.

The man’s distrustful gaze felt like invisible needles pricking her, leaving her restless and uncomfortable. She suddenly felt like she’d committed a grave sin. Avoiding his eyes, she mumbled, “I’m just not ready yet. Besides, I left my ID at home…” The rest of her excuse—so maybe we can reschedule—got stuck in her throat.

Hearing her response, Song Yi instantly perked up, as if fully revived. “As long as you didn’t mean it.”

A warm, harmless smile spread across his face, making him look completely unthreatening. “But if you dare to back out, I’ll take you to court. Even if I can’t win, I’ll make sure your reputation is ruined. Let’s see if any man would still dare to marry you after that.”

Wang Xiaoke: “…”

“As for your ID, I have a car. We can swing by your house, and I’ll take the opportunity to meet your parents. Marriage is a serious matter—it’s only proper to inform the elders.”

Not rushed, huh? We’ve only known each other for how long, and you’re already eager to get married?! Do you even hear yourself? Doesn’t your conscience hurt when you say things like this?

“But… Oh! Don’t you have work? Maybe we should reschedule?” Wang Xiaoke tried to put up one last struggle.

Song Yi gave her a sharp, sideways glance, his tone calm but firm. “If you keep delaying like this, I’ll start thinking that you’re just trying to avoid taking responsibility for me.”

“Nothing of the sort! I was just joking. Our house is that way.” The moment Wang Xiaoke thought about her reputation, she caved instantly and reluctantly gave him directions.

Grrrr…

Wang Xiaoke and Song Yi exchanged a glance. Her big almond-shaped eyes blinked innocently. “I think I’m hungry.”

“There’s a restaurant nearby with decent food. Let’s make do with that for now, my dear wife,” Song Yi said as he turned the steering wheel.

He ordered two bowls of meat porridge and some home-style dishes like stuffed buns and shrimp dumplings for them.

“You said you were hungry, didn’t you? Eat more.”

Wang Xiaoke took a couple of sips of the porridge, hesitated for a moment, and then finally spoke up. “My stomach feels a little uncomfortable. I think I need to use the restroom.”

Song Yi frowned slightly but didn’t suspect anything.

After waiting for an hour and a half with no sign of her return, he felt something was off. His suspicions were confirmed when he asked the server and learned that there was no one in the restroom.

At that moment, Wang Xiaoke was practically fleeing back home, not daring to stop for a second. She even glanced over her shoulder from time to time to make sure no one was following her, terrified that Song Yi might catch up.

There was no way she wanted to marry some random guy with an unknown background, let alone become the laughingstock of the city. Thankfully, that guy didn’t even know her name. If he wanted to sue her in court, he’d have to know who she was first, right?

“No matter what tricks you pull, I always have a way out,” Wang Xiaoke thought to herself with a slight sense of smugness.

“Xiaoke, why are you just getting home now?” As soon as she stepped through the door, a concerned voice came from the living room.

Wang Xiaoke looked up in surprise at the man sitting on the sofa. Wang Chengyao, wearing a black suit, was tall and slim. His facial features had several similarities to hers, with a mature and composed aura.

Sitting beside him was her stepmother, Feng Jin. Feng Jin had long, voluminous black waves and wore a tight black skirt that clung to her hips, paired with a pair of sexy high heels. Despite being in her forties, she still exudes elegance and charm.

“Dad, why are you home?”

“What do you mean, ‘why am I home’? Does that give you the excuse to stay out all night?” Wang Chengyao was clearly upset about her not coming home the previous night. “And I heard from Feng Ning about what happened. Regardless of the details, you shouldn’t have stayed out all night.”

What incident? Wang Xiaoke was a little confused.

Before she could respond, Feng Ning spoke up, “Dad, don’t blame Xiaoke. It’s good that she’s home and safe.”

“Ning Ning, stop spoiling her.” Seeing how much Feng Ning was defending her, Wang Chengyao’s tone softened. He turned to Wang Xiaoke. “Xiaoke, come here. We need to talk. You’re really becoming more and more worrisome.”

He was so gentle with Feng Ning, but so harsh with her. Am I not your real daughter?

Seeing the double standard in his treatment, Wang Xiaoke felt a surge of anger. She retorted, “What makes you think I’m not considerate?”

“You pushed your sister aside, and you stayed out all night, making everyone worry and lose sleep. Don’t you feel the slightest bit guilty about that?”

“I…” Wang Xiaoke was speechless.

Wang Chengyao continued, “I also know about your sister and Lu Ming.”

“You know?” Wang Xiaoke felt wronged, her face full of disbelief. “Then why are you speaking to me like this?”

“This is all your fault,” Wang Chengyao said, his tone filled with frustration. “Your sister and Lu Ming were already in a good relationship, and you just had to meddle. She’s always been accommodating with you, but that doesn’t mean you can take advantage of her and ruin their relationship. Apologize to your sister right now.”

Now Wang Xiaoke understood. These two had clearly teamed up to bad-mouth her to her father, no wonder he was scolding her as if she was the one at fault.

Wang Xiaoke couldn’t help but laugh in anger. “You want me to apologize to her? For what?”

“Are you saying you have a reason to steal someone’s boyfriend?” Wang Chengyao, seeing her strong reaction, assumed she was just an upset child dealing with a breakup. His tone softened. “How can you speak like this? She’s your sister, what’s wrong with apologizing? Don’t you listen to your father?”

“I’ll apologize to anyone, but her? She doesn’t deserve it,” Wang Xiaoke said, her eyes red with tears she was struggling to hold back. She had never felt such disgust for anyone before.

Wang Chengyao didn’t listen to a single explanation from her. Instead, he blindly believed what outsiders said, leaving Wang Xiaoke feeling utterly distressed. In her anger, she turned around, ready to leave.

“What kind of attitude is this? Do you even see me as your father?” Wang Chengyao reprimanded her. He had initially wanted to ease the tension between his two daughters, but seeing her so uncooperative, his face turned stern.

“Chengyao, Xiaoke is still young and bound to make mistakes. Calm down, and let’s talk things through,” Feng Jin spoke up thoughtfully at this moment. Her words were full of care but subtly leaned toward her own daughter without making it obvious.

Seeing his wife’s gentle and understanding demeanor, Wang Chengyao sighed and said with guilt, “In the end, it’s my fault for spoiling her, which caused Feng Ning to suffer so much.”