Chapter 7: Domineering CEO’s Fierce Love

A luxury car pulled up beside them.

Xiao Luo turned to look, only to see Xia Lingyu stepping out of the vehicle. She wore a pair of sunglasses, exuding a powerful aura, stunning and captivating.

However, the moment she opened her mouth, it was pure mockery: “We meet again. I didn’t expect you to still be in such a sorry state.”

Ji Yao had never met Xia Lingyu before. For some reason, seeing this woman sent a chill of fear from the bottom of her heart, and she couldn’t help but shiver.

Panicked, she clutched Xiao Luo’s arm tightly.

Xiao Luo patted her hand and said, “It’s alright, she’s a friend of mine.”

“Friend?” Xia Lingyu repeated the word, her tone a little strange. She was just about to retort, ‘Who is your friend?’

But upon seeing Ji Yao hiding behind Xiao Luo, she felt a knot of discomfort in her chest.

At first glance, Xia Lingyu found this woman entirely disagreeable.

“I have a car. Why don’t I give you a ride?” Xia Lingyu proposed.

Seeing Xiao Luo in such a pitiful state, she could reluctantly allow her to hitch a ride.

Xiao Luo smiled faintly. “I wouldn’t want to trouble Miss Xia. The place we’re going is very close, just a few steps away.”

Hearing her refusal made Xia Lingyu unhappy again. She had kindly offered to drive her, yet this woman was so tactless.

“Forget it, then,” Xia Lingyu managed to utter after holding back for a long time.

She crossed her arms, feigning aloofness as she returned to her car. In truth, there was a stifling tightness in her chest. Turning the thought over in her mind, she decided this uncomfortable feeling was entirely Xiao Luo’s doing. It was best if she kept her distance from Xiao Luo after all.

With a final glance at the two figures, she withdrew her gaze and drove off.

Only after Xia Lingyu had left did Ji Yao breathe a sigh of relief.

Although Xiao Luo said that Miss was her friend, Ji Yao felt the two didn’t seem like friends at all.

Ji Yao thought about it. Compared to that woman, Xiao Luo seemed to belong more to her own world.

A secret delight rose in her heart.

When Xia Lingyu returned home, she found her parents with grim expressions. Seeing her return didn’t improve their mood either.

They had likely already learned that Si Nanyan had been detained for drunk driving.

Such matters spread quickly through high-society circles. It brought shame upon the family name. Father Xia and Mother Xia were both people who cared deeply about face. Hearing that their future son-in-law had made yet another spectacle of himself was deeply humiliating.

From the start, they had disapproved of Si Nanyan, thinking he was a poor nobody unworthy of their only daughter.

Unfortunately, their daughter had the brain of a donkey, stubbornly clinging to Si Nanyan, refusing any advice, and had even finalized their engagement.

With that, Father and Mother Xia resigned themselves to fate, merely hoping their future son-in-law would be somewhat reliable.

Little did they expect Si Nanyan not only dallied with other women but also brought disgrace with his drunk-driving spectacle. He couldn’t be more of an embarrassment.

They glanced at Xia Lingyu, now also finding their own daughter an eyesore.

Father Xia: “This Si Nanyan is no real man.”

Mother Xia: “With a future son-in-law like this, I’ve lost all my pride. I wonder who has such poor taste to fancy a man like him.”

As she spoke, Mother Xia rolled her eyes at Xia Lingyu.

Xia Lingyu: …

You two might as well just read out my ID number.

Feeling somewhat morose, she went straight upstairs.

Father and Mother Xia watched her behavior with some surprise. In the past, when they made pointed, sarcastic remarks, Xia Lingyu couldn’t resist arguing back.

But now, seeing her so dejected, what had happened? Had she perhaps started to come to her senses?

Back in her room, Xia Lingyu couldn’t help but recall the way Xiao Luo walked today. What had happened? And what was the exact relationship between her and the woman at her side…

After a moment, she forcibly banished Xiao Luo’s image from her mind. It was just a woman—what was there worth spending her mental energy studying?

She poured all her energy into her career.

The Xia Clan was a vast conglomerate with countless subsidiaries. Xia Lingyu had displayed a remarkable business talent from a young age. She began interning at the bottom rungs of the headquarters in high school, climbing through her own ability to the position of Financial Director.

These past few days, she was incredibly busy. She didn’t pester Si Nanyan, nor did she think about Xiao Luo.

Perhaps this kind of life was more normal for her.

That evening, after finishing her work, she got off duty.

The night breeze was gentle, and the city’s nightscape was bustling and splendid. A music hall on the street corner seemed entirely out of place, its electronic signboard emitting a faint glow.

The performances inside this music hall were all free. She figured the place was bound to go bankrupt sooner or later.

Though she thought this, she still walked inside, passing through a corridor. Soon, a beautiful piano melody drifted towards her.

The sound was like crisp spring water, at times slow, at times urgent. It was clear the performer had profound skill.

Xia Lingyu was startled. She had often visited before but had never heard such fluid and confident playing.

She quickened her pace, entering the performance hall from the back door.

The usually deserted hall was surprisingly packed tonight. But the audience was very quiet, all watching the person performing on stage.

A spotlight shone on the distant stage. Beside the piano sat a woman with an exquisite figure. She wore a white slip dress; her glossy, seaweed-like black hair cascaded naturally down her back. Under the warm yellow light, her silhouette appeared serene and beautiful.

Xia Lingyu’s gaze fell on the woman’s fingers. Those jade-smooth, distinct fingers danced nimbly and precisely over the piano keys, and a wondrous melody flowed from her fingertips like drifting clouds and running water.

Without realizing it, Xia Lingyu was entranced.

When the piece concluded, the performer stood and bowed to the audience. Rounds of applause burst from the seats.

“Thank you…” the woman said with a smile.

Xia Lingyu recognized her voice instantly. In disbelief, she thought: “Xiao Luo, it’s you again?”

However, just as she was about to stand, she suddenly saw a man in the front row rise to his feet, holding a bouquet. With a tone thick with emotion, he declared: “Luo’er, you played beautifully!”

He was dressed in a crisp, straight suit, like a Prince Charming. He stepped onto the stage, knelt on one knee, and presented the fresh flowers to his beloved.

Seeing this scene, Xia Lingyu felt her back molars grinding together. Her cold eyes stared fixedly at Si Nanyan.

Was this dog of a man everywhere?

Si Nanyan had been detained for drunk driving, but he indeed had some skills. Using his connections, he got out early without facing any consequences.

On stage, Xiao Luo furrowed her brow, a look of utter difficulty on her face. She said, “Mr. Si, please don’t do this. I don’t like it.”

A dark glint flashed in Si Nanyan’s eyes. He said, “Luo’er, can’t you see my sincerity towards you?”

Seeing Xiao Luo’s silence, he glanced out of the corner of his eye at the people below the stage.

Some people immediately started shouting:

“Miss, such a good man is chasing you, what are you hesitating for?”

“Right, a perfect match, a match made in heaven!”

“This gentleman comes every day on time to watch your performance, to support you. He’s so devoted. What are you still dissatisfied with?”

“Yeah, just say yes.”

“Yes, yes…”

A small portion of the audience began laughing and chattering, eventually stirring up all the viewers to “persuade” Xiao Luo.

Some who didn’t understand the situation were also swept up by the momentum, clapping and cheering: “Say yes! Say yes!”

In their eyes, Xiao Luo and Si Nanyan were indeed a perfect match. It seemed they had known each other for a long time, which led to this scene today.

Standing on stage, Xiao Luo was blocked by Si Nanyan, unable to leave, and pressured by a crowd.

She stood under the spotlight, helplessly biting her lip, looking so pitiful and vulnerable that Xia Lingyu’s heart clenched painfully.

“Luo’er! Just say yes to me,” Si Nanyan lowered his voice, “And I might even consider breaking off the engagement with Xia Lingyu!”

Xiao Luo’s eyelashes fluttered slightly.

Si Nanyan, seeing her expression falter, felt a surge of joy. He continued, “As long as you stay by my side, you will be the only woman I, Si Nanyan, ever dote on.”

Xiao Luo’s gaze flicked past him to a certain person behind him. Her voice was low as she said, “Mr. Si, please stop talking.”

“No! I must speak!” Si Nanyan declared, “Luo’er, I love you. I have loved you for many years…”

“Si Nanyan—” A cold voice rang out from behind him, scaring a shiver through Si Nanyan’s entire body.