Chapter 425 - 423: Plan After She Graduates from College
A driver was there to pick her up.
Just as Si Wen was about to get into the car, she saw a familiar figure sitting inside. She froze for a moment. "Dad, why are you here?"
Realizing who it was, she quickly got in.
"What did you think of the trip to Hui City?" Si Mingli asked.
Si Wen’s gaze flickered. "Dad, I just went to celebrate a friend’s new store opening. What thoughts could I have?"
"Hmph. In a couple of days, I’ve arranged for you to meet the Prince of Sha Country. You’ll go see him then," Si Mingli said, dropping a bombshell on her.
"Dad, I just got back, and now you want me to meet some prince? I’m your daughter, not some bargaining chip."
"What nonsense are you talking about? Do you think I want to do this? You look down on every man in the country, so I have no choice but to look abroad."
"Dad, do I really displease you that much? I haven’t even graduated from college, and you’re already trying to push me out the door."
The father and daughter hadn’t been together for long before they started arguing.
The driver glanced at the two of them in the rearview mirror. Their expressions were both grim, but he knew it wasn’t his place to say anything.
Si Mingli was left speechless for a moment.
"Dad, if you really don’t want to see me that badly, then I just won’t come home anymore. Problem solved," Si Wen said icily. "Uncle Zhao, stop the car. I want to get out."
"Miss Si Wen, we can’t stop here."
"If you don’t stop, I’ll jump out."
Hearing Si Wen threaten to jump out of the car, Uncle Zhao quickly pulled over to the side of the road.
Si Mingli was shocked by Si Wen’s sudden outburst. Was I really too hasty? Perhaps I should just wait until she graduates from college.
As soon as the car stopped, Si Wen got out. Uncle Zhao hurriedly followed her.
"Young Miss, the Chairman is just doing this for your own good. Please don’t be angry with him. Let’s go home and talk it over."
"Go home? What home? I’m not even twenty yet, and he’s constantly setting me up with one man after another! People who know what’s going on will think I’m unmarriageable, and those who don’t will think I’m some kind of floozy. Am I really that worthless?"
Si Wen was already furious and no longer holding back, saying whatever came to mind. However, what she said was the truth.
Even Uncle Zhao felt the Chairman was being too hasty. Miss Si Wen just graduated from high school. Can’t this wait until she finishes college? Miss Lin Xi found her own happiness, so why can’t Miss Si Wen? I really don’t understand the Chairman’s thinking.
"Uncle Zhao, I’ll take a taxi to Lin Xi’s villa myself."
Si Wen left him with those words, grabbed her suitcase, and ran off. She then hailed a taxi and headed for Xiangshan Villa.
Hearing that Si Wen was going to Lin Xi’s villa, Uncle Zhao breathed a sigh of relief.
"Chairman, are we going to the office or back home?"
Si Mingli didn’t respond. Instead, he asked, "Uncle Zhao, was I really wrong?"
"Chairman, I’ve watched Miss Si Wen grow up; I’ve always thought of her as a daughter. I know you want what’s best for her—for her to live a life without worry, like a princess. But this really was too rushed. Besides, I don’t think Miss Si Wen needs to rely on a man to live like that. With the Si Family’s resources, it’s entirely possible. Her success with her trendy clothing business proves she’s very capable. She can be her own queen."
Si Mingli leaned back in his seat and let out a sigh. But what if I can’t provide that for her forever? What if the men she finds aren’t good enough? Not every man has a limitless future like Xue Yang, and not every man is capable of lifelong commitment. After so many years in the business world, I know these things better than anyone.
But for now, he decided not to rush things. He would wait until after she graduated from college to reconsider.
Si Wen took a taxi to Xiangshan Villa. She had the code, so she keyed it in and went straight inside. As soon as she entered, she saw Xiao Bai sunbathing in the yard.
Si Wen dropped her suitcase and ran straight toward the cat.
When Xiao Bai saw Si Wen, it scrambled to its feet, meowing nonstop. "Xiao Bai, long time no see!" Si Wen chirped, picking up the cat and nuzzling her face against its fur.
"MEOW! MEOW! MEOW!" Xiao Bai cried in response.
Although it couldn’t speak, one could easily imagine its excitement.
Hearing Xiao Bai’s cries, Auntie Shen came out from the kitchen. Seeing Si Wen, she greeted her, "Miss Si Wen, you’re back!"
"Auntie Shen, I’m back. Thank you for looking after Xiao Bai while I was gone."
"You’re welcome, Miss Si Wen. It was my pleasure. Xiao Bai is adorable; I’m very fond of it, too."
"Right? Xiao Bai is just so adorable. All my troubles seem to melt away when I hold it." I really don’t understand why Mom is allergic to animal fur. If she weren’t, I would have gotten a pet a long time ago.
"Miss Si Wen, you must be hungry. I’ll go prepare dinner," Auntie Shen offered.
"I am. Thank you, Auntie Shen."
"No need to thank me."
Auntie Shen went back into the kitchen to prepare a meal for Si Wen.
"Lin Xi and the others probably won’t be back until just before school starts," Si Wen commented casually during dinner.
"Is the Young Miss... adjusting well over there?" Auntie Shen asked. She had been quite worried about Lin Xi lately. As a woman, she knew how difficult the relationship between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law could be. And since the Young Miss was so gentle, she might not say anything even if she were being treated unfairly. Plus, loving Xue Yang as much as she did, she would likely endure any unkindness from his parents.
"Don’t worry. She’s so happy there, she doesn’t even want to come back. Xue Yang’s parents are very kind people, and they treat her well. They’ve arranged many things just the way she likes..." Si Wen briefly recounted what she had seen during her time at Xue Yang’s home.
Hearing Si Wen’s words, Auntie Shen finally felt her heart settle. "Oh, that’s wonderful. Just wonderful. The Young Miss has lacked maternal love since she was little. If she can find that at the Xue family’s home, that would be for the best."
"Auntie Shen, you can rest assured. I saw it with my own eyes. There are no problems on that front."
After dinner, Si Wen went back to petting Xiao Bai.
...
「Meanwhile, on Xue Yang’s end.」
He didn’t return from his dinner with the city leaders until the early hours of the morning. He was an absolute drunken mess, so much so that Cui Hao had to carry him back.
"How did you drink so much?" Lin Xi’s heart ached to see Xue Yang in such a state.
"They’re all high-ranking officials; there was no way to refuse a drink. Don’t worry too much, Boss Lady. I already made him drink some sobering-up tea. Just make sure you keep an eye on him so he doesn’t choke."
"Cui Hao, it’s very late. Why don’t you stay over at our place tonight? There’s a guest room on the first floor," Zhong Hailan offered.
"Alright. Then I’ll be imposing on you, Uncle and Auntie."
...