After bathing, Sheng Xiao’s muscular form was exposed as he sat on the couch of this room and spoke to Jing Yun through the phone.

  Since the Shen’s residence other building had bathrooms and studies for each separate room, Sheng Xiao earnestly liked it there despite the antiquated atmosphere over there.

  Tomorrow was the day he would take a brand-new step. Now that he didn’t have dazzling diamonds and the title of Crown Prince, he had to show more composure, restraint, and certainly not behave as he did before.

  Knowing that he would be in talks with potential partners of Zhongteng, Mu Qiqi sat on their bed after her bath and watched her man carefully.

  Although Sheng Xiao was talking to Jing Yun through the phone while reading some data, he knew that a little one was leveling a scorching gaze on him, which really distracted him.

  “How could you peek at me for so long…?”


  Smiling, Mu Qiqi got off the bed and climbed on to his thighs. “Is it your fault for being handsome?”


  “Do you have something to tell me?”


  “Aren’t you going to represent Zhongtong in business talks tomorrow? It’s a new start. I wish my husband a smooth journey.”


  Mu Qiqi looked at Sheng Xiao’s collarbone then, and traced a finger over his tattoo.

  Sheng Xiao lowered his gaze at the little one and gave her lips a soft peck. “At least you have a conscience. Guess giving up on the empire of diamonds isn’t a waste for me.”


  “Well… it’s late. Let’s take a break.” Mu Qiqi now started to draw circles over his chest.

  Taking her by her dainty hands, Sheng Xiao picked her up and carried her back to bed.

  ***

  In truth, after dinner, Huang Yu had gossiped about the Sheng family with Mu Qiqi, telling her the news that the young lady of the Gu family would be a guest in the Sheng family, and that everyone else had their own hunches with such an obvious move between the two families.

  “Old Sheng has found another strong backer for Huang Yao again.”


  “Since the second and third Sheng brothers are not married yet, I’m afraid it would be Second Brother this time around.”


  “Second Aunt, you missed something.” Mu Qiqi smiled at Huang Yu. “Why do you think Old Sheng was in such a rush to call off my engagement with Xiao Xiao?”


  “He prepared Miss Gu for no one else other than Xiao Xiao.”


  “But didn’t Sheng Xiao leave Huang Yao already?”


  “The old man probably still believes that Sheng Xiao is only throwing a tantrum. Moreover, even though Xiao Xiao is now outside, those two families still disregard what he feels and decided on the matter on their own.”


  After all, Mu Qiqi had completely figured out Old Sheng.

  She was basically too familiar with his tricks!

  “Even without Sheng Xiao’s agreement?”


  “When has he cared about his grandchildren’s opinion?” Mu Qiqi asked Huang Yu in return.

  Huang Yu gave her a big thumbs’ up at that. “You are becoming more like the young mistress of Shen family now, and not like that meek girl when we first met. What is there to fear about the Sheng family anyway? Not everyone could marry into the Shen family too.”


  “Qiqi… if… and I’m just saying, if… Sheng Xiao is forced to return and marry the Gu family’s young lady, what would you do?”


  Although that was simply not possible in Mu Qiqi’s mind, she thought carefully about it since Huang Yu asked.

  “If… the day would come that Xiao Xiao must marry the Gu family’s daughter, I would find myself a powerful man… and dump him forever.”


  Huang Yu couldn’t help laughing at her words.

  ***

  In truth, Old Sheng had deliberately spread the word that Gu Ziling was coming to the Sheng family as a guest. Also, it was to let Sheng Xiao know that if he wouldn’t come home, he would never have Huang Yao or the young daughter of the Gu family.

  Naturally, Old Sheng intended to humiliate the Sheng family with that move as well.

  ‘I’ve already called off your engagement, and now I’m about to have another perfect arranged marriage.’ He thought.

  Still, everyone else knew that the Crown Prince didn’t want Huang Yao and would rather nestle himself in the Shen’s residence, and be a penniless brat with nothing to his name.

  It was an important day for the Sheng family tomorrow. Thanks to Second Brother’s arrangement, the Gu family would bring Gu Ziling to the Sheng family as a guest tomorrow.

  In fact, it was the first time Old Sheng would meet Gu Ziling personally, since he only saw her in photos before.

  With so many things happening to the Sheng family recently that left them at a crossroads, the old man intended to hold Huang Yao together by bringing in Gu Ziling, since a good marriage would strengthen his influence.

  He would have the whole world see that Huang Yao had Xu Holdings up front and the Gu family behind him.

  Even if Sheng Xiao was not there, the stock holders had to be filled with confidence in Huang Yao.

  ***

  For the meeting, Second Brother had been busy for days.

  Still, now that the engagement with the Shen family was called off and Eighth Brother being not around, does the old man not care that the guest from the Gu family might be reluctant to come?

  Nonetheless, he was still unaware for now that he was one of the candidates.

  In the morning, several white Maseratis drove together into the Sheng’s house. It was not just Mama Gu who came as a guest this time—but also Papa Gu and Gu Ziling’s aunt-in-law.

  There were only four of them, but they brought eight bodyguards.

  Perhaps they were there to set the stage for Gu Ziling.

  Everyone in the Sheng family was there too, except Sheng Xiao’s immediate family.

  Nonetheless, once Gu Ziling entered the Sheng’s house in her black gown, Second Brother immediately felt as if something had struck his heart.

  All he could think about was the fiery-red lips of hers.

  She had wavy long hair and eggs-like cheeks, and an especially eye-catching mole beneath her delicate brows.

  Of course, such a young lady from a rich family carried an air of coolness.

  “The young lady of the Gu family is truly extraordinary. Ziling, now that you’re here with the Sheng family, you may consider this your own home.”


  “You’re too kind, Grandpa Sheng.”


  Gu Ziling knew very well about the current circumstances surrounding the Sheng family. Her parents mean to let her choose between Sheng Xiao and Second Brother.

  Things would be simple if she preferred Second Brother: an engagement, and then a marriage.

  On the other hand, things would get much more complicated if she liked Sheng Xiao, since…


  He was not with the Sheng family, but the Shen family!

  Naturally, Gu Ziling had heard about Sheng Xiao and Mu Qiqi’s relationship as well.

  “Ziling, take a good look at the second young master. Do you think you’ll like him?” After everyone took their seats, Mama Gu asked her daughter softly, gesturing with her chin at Second Brother who was nearby.

  Gu Ziling merely took one glance at Second Brother before answering her mother, “Isn’t there another?”


  “Does that mean you’re still leaning towards Sheng Xiao?”


  “I would like to meet him.” Gu Ziling insisted on her position.

  “Well, you would have the chance to meet him since you would be staying with the Sheng family for a while. It might be a little troublesome, but it is still up to you.”


  After all, everything is cool as long as it was not some penniless brat.