When Had I, Xiao Fan, Ever Suffered Such Humiliation?

"Wanqing~ What did I do wrong?"

Xiao Fan stood rooted to the spot, crying out to Gu Wanqing in anguish as if he'd suffered some terrible injustice.

"Is it because of Lin Ao? Did he say something to you? Didn't I tell you? Lin Ao isn't a good person. He doesn't love you. All he cares about is money, status, and profit. You don't even exist in his eyes. He's marrying you to take advantage of the Gu Family!"

Xiao Fan rattled off one accusation after another against Lin Ao, as if he'd witnessed it all firsthand. His face twisted with growing anger.

"Did he threaten you? That despicable Lin Ao! What a petty villain! Wanqing, don't worry. Whatever happens, I'll stand by your side and protect you. I also have another identity. I can..."

Xiao Fan kept rambling, his face twisted with grief and indignation, until Gu Wanqing cut him off coldly.

"Enough! I don't care what identity you have. I have not the slightest interest. This has nothing to do with Brother Lin Ao. It's all my own decision. He's not as despicable as you.

"I've said all I have to say. I hope you won't pester me anymore. I don't want to see you again."

"Uncle Gu, let's go."

With that, Gu Wanqing got back into the car. As she passed Xiao Fan, she didn't even raise her eyes to look at him.

She regretted it. She regretted being so impatient. Xiao Fan had still managed to turn his attention toward Lin Ao!

"Uncle Gu! Go protect Brother Lin Ao during this time. Don't worry about me."

Afraid something might happen to Lin Ao, she hurriedly sent Uncle Gu, a Great Grandmaster, to protect him.

"Heh~ Miss, Uncle Gu is very glad you fired that Xiao Fan today. I've long thought he was no good. Young Master Lin is far better than him. And besides, do you think the Lin Family lacks what our Gu Family has?"

Uncle Gu was relieved. If the young miss hadn't kept trusting Xiao Fan, he'd have wanted to go up and give him a couple of "wham-wham" punches long ago.

The man seemed both hypocritical and arrogant. With all his years of experience judging people, Uncle Gu was sure he'd got him right.

"Phew~ I was being foolish. Then let's go back, Uncle Gu."

Uncle Gu was right. If their Gu Family had something, how could the Lin Family, Jianghai's foremost lineage, not have it? The Lin Family had only more, never less.

As Gu Wanqing left, Xiao Fan stood rooted to the spot, his veins bulging and his face flushed red.

"Gu Wanqing! Lin Ao! When have I, Xiao Fan, ever suffered such humiliation? One day, I'll repay you a hundredfold, a thousandfold!"

His expression was twisted, his teeth clenched.

"Just a woman, and she dares insult the master of Dragon Gate like this! Want me to get rid of her for you?"

Just then, a man stepped out from behind a pillar in the parking lot. He had a crew cut, a monkey-like face, and a sinister gaze.

"Monkey! How many times have I told you? You can't act recklessly here in the country! Leave that woman alone for now. Besides, she has a Great Grandmaster with her. I'm no match for him, let alone you.

"I'll deal with this myself. I'll prove in person that I, Xiao Fan, am not someone to be trifled with! Leave Gu Wanqing alone, but Lin Ao..."

A shadow passed through Xiao Fan's eyes.

Lin Ao, just you wait. You're as good as dead!

Lin Ao had no idea that Gu Wanqing had already helped him take the first step away from the protagonist's circle, successfully drawing Xiao Fan's attention onto him.

If he'd known, he would've stamped his feet and cursed, "Sure enough, big breasts mean no brains!!!"

He was staring at his parents with a resentful look.

He didn't wake up until lunchtime, when they called him over and untied him.

"Son~ How about we just skip the engagement?"

When Lin Ao heard Li Wanyu make that bold declaration, his eyes lit up. Maybe there was still hope.

Could Mom have seen how wild Gu Wanqing was today and decided she was too loose to marry into the Lin Family, so she was helping him call off the wedding?

Lin Ao nodded again and again, making his agreement crystal clear.

Seeing that, Li Wanyu was overjoyed. Her son wanted it that badly, too?

"You think so, too?"

"Mhm, mhm, mhm!"

"Good~ Then we won't get engaged~"

"Mhm, mhm, mhm!"

"We'll just get married directly! Then next year I can hold my chubby little grandson! Hahahaha!"

Li Wanyu could already picture her chubby grandson babbling in her arms. She was beaming.

Lin Ao froze on the spot.

"Wait... weren't we calling off the engagement?"

He murmured under his breath.

At his words, Li Wanyu stopped moving. Lin Dong raised his lowered eyes, which gleamed red.

"What did you just say?"

Li Wanyu looked at Lin Ao with a kindly expression.

Lin Dong had already gone upstairs to get his belt.

"Huh? What did I say?"

Lin Dong hadn't realized he'd spoken his thoughts aloud.

It was the first time Li Wanyu had been so furious.

She grabbed Lin Ao by the ear and lifted him right off the ground.

"You little brat! Leave you alone for a day and you'll be climbing onto the roof! You just said you wanted to call off the engagement? Old Lin!!!"

"Coming!!"

Li Wanyu was seething. At her shout, Lin Dong came briskly down from the second floor and expertly tied Lin Ao up with the belt again!

Then he hung Lin Ao from the ceiling. Where had that hook even come from?

Lin Ao dangled there like a silkworm cocoon hanging from a tree.

"Mom! Dad! What are you doing?"

Lin Ao was genuinely scared now. What had gotten into them this time? He'd never had to deal with anything like this in his whole life!

And how had they hung him up there?

"What are we doing? Tell me, did you just say the words 'call off the engagement'?"

Li Wanyu was beside herself with anger. Old Lin stood nearby, snapping his belt with a sharp "crack, crack."

"You brat, listen to me! If you even think about calling off the engagement, I'll beat you to a pulp! Wanqing is such a good girl, and you two even did that today! And you dare say you want to call off the engagement? Not a chance!"

Li Wanyu kept scolding him, while Old Lin swung his belt beside her like a cowboy, cheering her on.

Lin Ao was utterly overwhelmed. What had they even done today? Hadn't Gu Wanqing washed his clothes with her tears and snot? Speaking of which, he still hadn't had a chance to change. Or was it that she'd forced a kiss on him and slipped him the tongue? That part had been a little exciting.

"Mom! I didn't! You heard wrong~ I didn't mean that. I said we should postpone the wedding. You both misheard me~ Postpone, ahhhhh!"

Lin Ao didn't dare provoke his parents any further. He hurriedly begged for mercy, planning to come up with a new strategy later. Otherwise, that belt was about to lash across his face!

A gust of wind swept past.

Lin Ao found himself sitting at the dining table again.

It was as if nothing had happened.

Li Wanyu rested her chin in her hands, humming a tune with a kindly smile as she daydreamed about her chubby grandson.

Old Lin sat with one leg crossed over the other, head bowed as he read the newspaper.

Lin Ao sat dumbfounded in his chair, ruffled by a cold breeze.

"Six!"

Gu Wanqing lay on the bed, resting, a mischievous smile curling at her lips.

"Lin Ao! Just you wait. I'm coming to see you tomorrow!"

She seemed to have thought of something that excited her.

She giggled to herself.

A glistening thread of drool trickled from the corner of her mouth.