8 p.m., Luo Group.
"President Luo, didn't you say you would settle our payments before eight tonight?"
"That's right, President Luo. Has something happened?"
Luo Ming sat in the conference chair with a headache. He had never expected the Huo Family to be so petty. They shared the surname Luo, and wasn't Luo Beishi his son too? Why wouldn't that do?
Besides, if the Huo Family didn't like Luo Beishi, why hadn't they returned the goods?
He had even moved all his luggage out! Damn it! That unfilial son!
"Please go home for now. I'll give you an answer tomorrow. I'll make up the overdue payments as soon as possible." Luo Ming forced a smile and looked apologetically at everyone present.
"Hmph! If I'd known your Luo Family was doing so badly, I would never have worked with you!" A female business partner stood up and cursed viciously.
"President Luo, you have to keep your word."
"That's right, President Luo. You've really dragged this out too long. We've given you more than enough time."
Seeing some leave in anger, some with sighs, and others in disappointment, Luo Ming was filled with unspeakable misery. Why hadn't the Huo Family said a word beforehand?
No! Since his son had married into their family, he had to get the money! He took out his phone and called Luo Beishi.
"Beep... The number you have dialed is currently busy. Please try again later."
Thinking he really was on another call, Luo Ming called Luo Beishi every few minutes, only to get the same result!
Had that unfilial son blocked him?
Luo Ming found it hard to believe, so he called from his landline. The call connected quickly, but before he could demand to know why that unfilial son had blocked him, a cold voice came from the other end.
"Hello. Who is this?"
Luo Ming swallowed his anger, his tone turning cautious. "Beishi, have you eaten? Dad needs to talk to you."
He heard a chuckle from the other end before Luo Beishi said, "Don't. You're not my dad. What can I do for you, President Luo?"
Hearing this, Luo Ming thought that unfilial son really had gone too far. Now he wouldn't even call him Dad. Did he think he had the Huo Family backing him? What a joke.
"I just wanted to ask if you could help Dad ask Old Master Huo about our bride price. Dad still hasn't received it..."
Luo Beishi let out a silvery laugh on the other end. After laughing for a while, his tone grew even more sarcastic. "That won't do. I'm the one who married in as a substitute, not Luo Bai. What right do you have to take the bride price?
"Besides, you raised me for twenty years, and my biological parents raised Luo Bai for twenty years too. Don't try to threaten me with the debt of raising me. Luo Bai had a much better life over there than I did~"
Luo Ming said, "You! Were you the one who told Old Master Huo not to pay?"
Luo Beishi said, "I was. That's a whole ten billion, you know. Old Master Huo wanted to take that money from my husband. That won't do. I can't let my husband lose out. My husband's money didn't just fall from the sky. Why should he give it to you?"
Luo Ming was so furious that his chest began to ache. Dropping the act, he gritted his teeth and cursed, "Do you think marrying into that family means you can do whatever you want? Dream on!"
Luo Beishi didn't care about that. "Doesn't matter to me. Wishing you a thriving business, President Luo. Bye-bye~"
"I'm furious! That unfilial son!" After Luo Beishi hung up on him, Luo Ming began smashing things all over his office in a rage.
After hanging up, Luo Beishi felt thoroughly satisfied.
"Host, you're amazing! You really are suited to being a villain!"
"Of course. The Luo Family's greed is downright ugly. They pulled this substitute marriage stunt and still have the nerve to ask the Huo Family for money. Shameless!"
"You're right, Host!"
Beside him, Huo Cixiao didn't know what to say for a moment. His bargain wife really wouldn't even take the money. Then again, none of it would end up in his hands anyway. If he couldn't have it, he would destroy it!
Their conversation had also told Huo Cixiao that his bargain wife had been forced to marry him, a man in a vegetative state, rather than marrying him willingly. Did that mean his bargain wife had no intention of killing him at present?
Also, from what he had said, it sounded as though his situation in the Luo Family hadn't been very good. Otherwise, he wouldn't have had that attitude.
And if he had been forced to marry him while the person he liked was Huo Cifeng, shouldn't his bargain wife have been miserable, crying, wanting to escape, and even complaining about everything?
Why would he take care of him so patiently? He couldn't even attend class without worrying about leaving him at home...
Huo Cixiao's mind sank into endless turmoil again.
"Hubby, tonight, let's tell the story of Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf..."
Over ten minutes later.
Huo Cixiao was speechless. Are these stories for me or for you?
And why are they all such outrageous versions?
Little Red Riding Hood ended up living happily ever after with the Big Bad Wolf? Is that how it ends? What about Grandma?
The next day, Saturday.
"It's nine now. I'm taking you to the villa's little garden to get some sun." It was autumn, so after dressing Huo Cixiao in warm clothes, Luo Beishi carried him out.
The two bodyguards at the door nearly dropped their jaws!
They watched their petite madam carry their boss out, looking utterly at ease.
Luo Beishi had read the bodyguards' profiles yesterday, so he knew the bodyguard at the door was called A Hu.
"A Hu, you two, help me take two lounge chairs and two blankets to the garden."
"Yes, Madam!"
Luo Beishi didn't want to do it this way either, but putting Huo Cixiao in a wheelchair meant securing him with several rounds of straps. Too much trouble.
Under the astonished gazes of everyone in the villa, Luo Beishi carried him into the garden and set him on a lounge chair.
Uncle Chen hurried over, making Luo Beishi worry that the old man might fall.
"Slow down, Uncle Chen. What if you fall?"
"Oh dear, Young Madam, those hands of yours are far too precious. With those slender arms and legs, what if you hurt yourself? The young master is so heavy. You could have put him in the wheelchair and pushed him over."
"He's not heavy. I'm strong. Even if Huo Cixiao got as fat as a ball, I could still carry him."
Huo Cixiao had no desire to get as fat as a ball.
Also, had Luo Beishi carried him downstairs? The butler had mentioned slender arms and legs. Was he very thin and small?
How dare he carry him in front of all these people! Didn't he have any face to save?!
"It's autumn now, hubby. It's a little chilly, so let's get a blanket over you..."
Listening to Luo Beishi's constant chatter, Huo Cixiao felt as though he was getting used to it. What was going on?
He couldn't see or feel anything, yet Luo Beishi's words could build one scene after another for him.
Half an hour later.
"You can't come in! Third Miss!"
"Get out of my way!" Huo Qiuya snapped impatiently, storming into the quiet little garden and soon reaching Luo Beishi.
She reached out to slap Luo Beishi.
With his eyes closed, Luo Beishi caught her hand and flung it aside without using much force.
"What? What brings the Huo Family's third miss here? Didn't you see the sign in the garden saying outsiders and dogs aren't allowed?" Luo Beishi opened his beautiful amber eyes, his tone cold.
"How dare you call me a dog!" Huo Qiuya tried to raise her hand to slap him again, but A Long immediately caught her wrist.