Helpless, the bodyguard nodded. Make it quick.

On the other hand, Sheng Xiao had lost any interest in a conversation with Third Brother when he saw that Third Brother needed permission from his own bodyguards. Youve made your bed. Theres nothing to say now.

Even so, Third Brother took a deep breath and chuckled self-deprecatingly. Seems that way. Still, Im getting married tomorrow.

Enjoy your life as newlyweds then. You might get an unexpected surprise.

With those words, Sheng Xiao wound up his car window, and had Xu Che drive past the gates.

Third Brother did not understand Sheng Xiaos hint at all, and merely felt that Sheng Xiao was belittling him now.

Lets go back, Third Young Master.

Third Brother nodded, and returned to his car.

At this moment, he had no dignity to speak of.

***

Sheng Xiaos car stopped just behind the gates. He was not at all relieved even after watching Third Brother leavealthough he had said before that he would not help Third Brother, he took his little one by the hand when he reached home, intent on going out for a bit.

Where are we going?

Hu Mansion. Sheng Xiao said. Ill have a business discussion with Chief Hu, while you visit Miss Hu.

Although Mu Qiqi didnt understand why he was in such a rush, she understood very well when she saw how quiet her man was being.

Her Xiao Xiao was in fact a tsundere. Even if he kept saying that he would let Third Brother notice and understand himself, the fact is that he still considered Third Brother family.

However, his visit was very sudden. Couple that with the Sheng family marriage of convenience with the Hu family, Papa Hu promptly became wary when he heard of Sheng Xiaos arrival.

With Sheng Xiao being deadly enemies of the Sheng family, he wondered what the Sheng family would think if he met Sheng Xiao now.

Moreover, everyone was aware that Sheng Xiao had a good relationship with Third Brother. If Sheng Xiao came to make a mess of things and sabotage the marriage, would Papa Hu not lose more than he gained?

Still, since Zhongteng had military connections in Jianchuan, he had to receive Sheng Xiao despite his misgivings.

Hence, after hesitating for half a beat, Papa Hu ended up arranging for his butler to bring Sheng Xiao and Mu Qiqi into the living room.

I wonder what business Chief Sheng would have, visiting me so late in the night. He said courteously.

I am aware that you would be wary about my appearance at this time, Chief Wu, but I assure you that Im not here to sabotage the wedding. Likewise, I am not here to act as a mouthpieceI simply have a partnership to offer and wish to learn if youre interested, and of course, my own fiance is interested in meeting your daughter as well, but I assure you again that it absolutely has nothing to do with the wedding tomorrow. I wonder if you would allow us, Chief Wu?

It was certainly an important matter given the late visit, but

Could you promise that you wont obstruct the wedding tomorrow?

I promise.

Well, whats the harm in letting Young Madam meet my daughter then? In fact, Papa Hu was not actually worried, since Sheng Xiaos arrival meant that they would meet Hu Ran today regardless. If Papa Hu was not being compliant, there was no telling if tomorrows wedding would go smoothly.

Please be seated, Chief Sheng. Young Madam, my daughter is on the second floorplease feel free. Chief Hu pointed the way.

Mu Qiqi nodded and went up the stairs.

Xiu, Hu Rans maid was taking care of Hu Ran then.

Lady, youre

Xiu, could you come out for a second? Let Young Madam have a few words with Xiao Ran. Hu Rans stepmother said, suddenly appearing behind them.

Though Xiu was hesitant, she had to do as she was told, closing the door as she left.

That was when Hu Ran flashed a dumb smile at Mu Qiqi. Who are you?

Miss Hu Mu Qiqi leaned in to whisper into her ear. An eleven-year-old child wouldnt stick to handicrafts, flower arrangement, or manga for so long.

Hu Rans face fell. But just as she attempted to shout at the door to call for Xiu and stop Mu Qiqi from continuing, Mu Qiqi had already clamped her hand over her mouth. Dont shout, she told her. Im not here to expose you. Whether you are really dumb or faking dumb, Im here for one simple reason

To you, getting married into the Sheng family might be an escape from your stepmother, but its both a humiliation and mockery to the other person.

He had no choice other than to take you as wife because of his own family. Still, Im going to tell you this, Miss Hudo not go on the same path as the Sheng family and hurt him even more after you go to the other side, since his willingness to marry you is a lifeline offered to you. I hope that you could understand his situation.

Remember one thing: to choose for his sake.

Hu Ran looked at Mu Qiqi seriously then, presuming that Mu Qiqi was a former flame of Third Brothers.

After all, she had mostly stayed at home in the last two years and rarely heard about what went on out there, nor was she sure about who the girl before was.

That was why she could not trust Mu Qiqi then, even if she did consider her words seriously.

At first, she believed that the Third Sheng Brother did not have a girlfriend or any lady he admired, which was why she was comfortable with the arranged marriage. Now that it came to light that Third Brother had a girlfriend, she would have to marry Third Brother with less sincerity, and divorce him immediately when she left the Hu family.

Third Brother clearly did not have any say in the arranged marriage since he would marry her despite knowing that she was dumb. It would have been someone else even if it was not Hu Ran tomorrow, and with that in mind, it was all the better for Hu Ran to be the one getting married.

Hu Ran did not respond to Mu Qiqi and continued playing dumb. While Mu Qiqi knew very well that Hu Ran understood her, she just did not know that Hu Ran had misunderstood the connection between her and Third Brother.

Soon, Mu Qiqi left Hu Rans room, just as Sheng Xiao made things clear with Papa Hu.

I did not expect Young Madam to be so quick. Papa Hu said.

I wont tell anyone else about what happened tonight. No one would know about my visit. Sheng Xiao assured Papa Hu then.

This way, please, Chief Sheng

Papa Hu personally saw Sheng Xiao off, before quickly returning to Hu Rans room to check on his daughter. Fortunately, she was the same as ever, and did not behave out of the ordinary because she met Mu Qiqi.

While Papa Hu had no idea what Mu Qiqi told Hu Ran, it would not be important as long as it did not affect tomorrows marriage registration.

***

Xiao Xiao, you guessed right: that Miss Hu was definitely playing dumb. Those eyes of hers are too expressive for an eleven-year-old. Mu Qiqi told Sheng Xiao on the way home. I just hope that she wont bully Third Brother, and that is as far as we could help Third Brother.

Sheng Xiao said nothing, but the profound hatred against the Sheng family he was showing in his eyes was hardly disguised.

Hence, Mu Qiqi held his arm and leaned her head on his shoulder. Even you can be powerless when it comes to certain things.

I just thought of something else Sheng Xiao suddenly started.

Hmm?

Why didnt you make clear who you actually were? He asked.

Mu Qiqi was taken aback. Uh, could there have been a misunderstanding?

Shes a halfwit now. She would have to keep pretending even if there is a misunderstanding

Why do I have the feeling that I made trouble for Third Brother?

Well, she would eventually learn about who you are, since she is marrying over there.