The Master and His Wealthy Fiancée

A jolt of delight went through Chen Dong. Li Huiran seemed to have misunderstood something.

This was his chance to salvage the situation. He instantly sent telepathic messages to both women.

To Murong Qing, he sent, 'Li Huiran thinks you're Li Wang's mother, that's why she's acting this way. Don't be angry. There are complications with our marriage. I'll explain later!'

To Li Huiran, he sent, 'She's not Li Wang's mother. You've made a mistake!'

Li Huiran's eyes widened as she stared at Chen Dong, her expression a silent question.

'She's my fiancée!' After a moment's thought, Chen Dong finally decided to send this to Li Huiran.

Li Huiran froze on the spot, looking as if her very soul had been ripped from her body.

Murong Qing gave a haughty snort, grabbed Chen Dong's arm, and started to leave.

Watching Chen Dong being dragged away, Li Huiran wanted to call out to him, but no sound would come. She bit her lip until it bled, oblivious to the sting. The piercing agony in her heart was an anguish she had never experienced before.

The moment Chen Dong's figure disappeared through the main gate, tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

She grabbed her purse, lowered her head, and hurried upstairs, locking herself in her room.

She buried her face in her bed and wept in silence.

'It was only a fake marriage. What right do I have to blame him?'

But the more she thought this way, the more dejected Li Huiran felt. She remembered everything about Chen Dong, how he always stepped forward when the Li Family was in peril. She remembered his searing kiss at the hotel and scrubbed her lips furiously with her sleeve, as if in disgust.

It was the first time in her life that she, Li Huiran, had been so utterly humiliated, yet the sense of injustice and loneliness in her heart felt strangely familiar.

Outside her room, the Li Family and Wang Mengyu were extremely worried.

"Huiran was fine just a moment ago. It didn't look like she was losing. How did she suddenly become like this?"

"Dad must have used telepathy, like this!" Li Wang's voice echoed in everyone's minds.

Li Jianwen flew into a rage, roaring viciously, "That bastard Chen Dong! How dare he treat my daughter this way! Let me go teach him a lesson!" With that, he started to storm out.

"Stop!" Li Qinghe called out sharply, halting him.

"Chen Dong might have his reasons. We don't understand what happened between them, so don't you go acting recklessly!"

Li Jianwen looked indignant. "Dad! Huiran is your granddaughter! I've never seen her in such a state. If that's not being wronged, then what is it?!"

Li Qinghe's aged face was stern, but his eyes were sharp. "I'm not blind. Huiran is my own granddaughter, and of course I cherish her dearly. But even now, are you two still not going to come clean to me about this foolish stunt you've pulled?" he growled, stamping his cane in anger.

Li Jianwen froze, his eyes filled with confusion.

Just then, Li Huiran's door flew open. She walked out holding two small red booklets—her and Chen Dong's marriage certificates.

Everyone watched her cautiously. She carried herself with a sharp, confident air, and her makeup was still exquisite—she must have touched it up. Only her red, swollen eyes proved she had been crying.

She held the marriage certificates up for everyone to see. "Grandpa, I'm sorry! I lied to you. My marriage certificate with Chen Dong is a fake!" With that, she tore the two booklets in half.

Li Qinghe shook his head and sighed helplessly. *Sigh*…

Li Huiran continued, "That woman, Murong Qing, isn't Li Wang's mother. But she is the wife that Chen Dong admitted to with his own mouth!"

Li Qinghe set his cane aside and ran a hand over his face, sighing again.

Xia Yi wrapped an arm around her daughter, her voice gentle. "It's okay, Huiran. We'll find someone new."

Wang Mengyu also took Li Huiran's hand. "Honey, a three-legged toad might be hard to find, but there are plenty of two-legged men out there!"

Xia Yi tapped her on the back of the head. "You're a young lady. What kind of nonsense is that to be spouting?"

Wang Mengyu rubbed her head in mock pain. "Aunt Xia, I was just trying to comfort Huiran!"

Feeling a bit out of place, Li Wang was about to run down to the living room to watch TV. But Li Huiran, thinking she was about to leave too, broke free from Xia Yi's embrace and grabbed her hand.

"You can just stay here. Don't worry. Your irresponsible father is probably off being lovey-dovey with your new mommy. He won't have time for you!"

Li Wang shook her head, speechless. "Oh," she said. She didn't really care about any of this.

Xia Yi watched this exchange with relief. She was very fond of Li Wang and had been afraid that after her falling out with Chen Dong, Li Huiran might kick the girl out to vent her anger.

It would have been awkward for anyone else to bring up the subject, so for Li Huiran to say it herself greatly eased their worries.

"Huiran, I'll make you your favorite food today. And let me tell you, the way you threw that checkbook was so badass! If I'd had a move like that back in the day, I wouldn't have been scared of that Yuan Wenwen at all…"

Li Jianwen said wearily, "Honey, haven't I told you? Yuan Wenwen is already dead…"

After placating the Li Family, Li Huiran returned to her room. She slid down against the door, clutching her chest as silent, gut-wrenching sobs wracked her body.

'If only I had accepted this marriage for real from the start… I'd probably be happy now, right? At least I wouldn't be in so much pain!' Li Huiran whispered to herself.

Her sorrowful expression slowly hardened with resolve, and a sharp glint returned to her vacant eyes. A pair of sharp scissors appeared in her hand.

She muttered to herself, "Chen Dong… It's time I forgot you."