Chapter 86: The So-Called Turning Point
That smile held an indescribable magic, drawing people in unconsciously.
Xia Chenge dared not look at Ling Hanmu any longer, clutching the box and rushing into the house.
Wei En was quite surprised to see her return and was about to ask something when she had already run upstairs in a few steps.
Xia Chenge returned to her room and took out the dress, examining it closely. Even she, a girl who didn’t pursue beauty much, was captivated by this dress.
The dress was a simple, short cut, themed around the starry sky, with a gradient of blue. The magnificent yet understated skirt was adorned with brilliant rhinestones, like the vast universe, making it impossible to look away.
Xia Chenge instantly fell in love with the dress, caressing it a few times with great fondness before folding it back into the box.
She then took out the gilded invitation and opened it. The bold, vigorous handwriting clearly indicated it was written by Ling Hanmu himself. This earnest attitude stirred something in Xia Chenge’s heart.
Xia Chenge put down the invitation with a sense of helplessness, unsure how to refuse Ling Hanmu’s kindness at that moment.
For someone like him, it was usually others who tried to please him; when had it ever been his turn to cautiously try to please others? Xia Chenge had no idea what it was about her that caught Ling Hanmu’s eye, making him lower himself like this.
Although Ling Hanmu usually appeared domineering, proud, and childish, Xia Chenge knew that Ling Hanmu was actually very kind. She didn’t want to hurt him.
Xia Chenge admitted she had a good impression of Ling Hanmu, but it wasn’t love. She still needed to find a way to make Ling Hanmu lose interest in her. Becoming friends with Ling Hanmu was the most suitable path forward!
However, Xia Chenge thought about it and decided to make plans after Ling Hanmu’s birthday banquet.
She put her things down and went out again.
Ling Hanmu was still waiting for her at the Xia family entrance. The morning light hit him, casting a faint golden hue over him, making him look like a boy who had stepped out of a comic.
The Xia family driver was also waiting at the entrance. Xia Chenge signaled him to drive the car back and walked directly to Ling Hanmu’s car.
“Let’s go!”
Ling Hanmu’s face lit up with a smile, and he personally opened the car door for Xia Chenge to get in.
The reporters hiding in the shadows, staking out Xia Chenge, were stunned by this scene. They couldn’t believe what they were seeing: Ling Hanmu was being so considerate and caring towards the notoriously ill-reputed Xia Chenge?
Xia Chenge’s peripheral vision swept over their faces, a subtle mockery curling at her lips.
Tomorrow was when the real show would begin; today was merely an appetizer!
“The banquet starts at six in the afternoon. I’ll pick you up at four,” Ling Hanmu said, explaining tomorrow’s arrangements as he drove.
“No need, I can go by myself.” Xia Chenge didn’t want to steal the spotlight and attract attention right from the start.
Ling Hanmu began to act pitiful again: “It’s my birthday, I’m the boss, and what I say goes. You can’t object to my arrangements.”
“Young Master Ling!” Xia Chenge turned her head to look at him and said very seriously, “Have some dignity, please! Thank you!”
Ling Hanmu burst into laughter at her words: “Why would I need dignity? I only need you.”
Xia Chenge: “…”
Some people are truly invincible when they decide to discard their dignity.
“Alright, I won’t tease you anymore. I’m serious now. I will pick you up tomorrow, but at two in the afternoon.” Ling Hanmu’s laughter subsided, and he became serious.
“Two o’clock?”
“Yes, I want to present a stunning Xia Chenge to everyone. Can’t you fulfill this wish of mine?”
“Your intentions aren’t that simple, are they?” Xia Chenge vaguely felt Ling Hanmu had a conspiracy, but she couldn’t figure out what about her he would scheme against.
Ling Hanmu said pitifully, “Why do you always think of me so badly? I’m a good person.”
“Bad people usually don’t say they are bad people,” Xia Chenge retorted, “and judging by your expression, it won’t be anything good.”
“You’ll know tomorrow. It will definitely be a good thing!” Ling Hanmu assured Xia Chenge.
Xia Chenge eyed Ling Hanmu suspiciously but ultimately said nothing. After all, there wasn’t much Ling Hanmu could do to her.
“You have to protect me well tomorrow. A pack of hungry wolves is eyeing me; I’m just a poor little lamb.” Ling Hanmu started playing the victim again. “Otherwise, I’ll be torn apart by the wolves, and you’ll lose a powerful backer.”
“…” You’re the wolf, aren’t you? Xia Chenge retorted impatiently and simply ignored him.
Ling Hanmu’s attempt to elicit a reaction failed, and he sighed with a bit of frustration. This girl was truly heartless; the road ahead was long!
——
Meanwhile, after Xu Jingyun was driven away by Madam Ling that day, she stayed listlessly at home. Every time she thought of Xia Chenge’s words, she felt a wave of fear.
The person she hired to follow repeatedly assured her that Xia Chenge had indeed gone upstairs with Ling Hanmu and had not come out since. Her father had also obtained video surveillance from the location through connections, and there was indeed no record of Xia Chenge leaving. Xu Jingyun couldn’t figure out how Xia Chenge had gone downstairs.
Coupled with Xia Chenge’s strange behavior after waking up from the hospital, Xu Jingyun began to become increasingly suspicious, thinking that Xia Chenge might truly be dead.
Just as Xu Jingyun was lost in thought, Xia Minglan suddenly rushed into her room and excitedly told her, “Yunyun, there’s always a way out. Our situation has a turning point.”
Xu Jingyun paused upon hearing this, then coldly pushed Xia Minglan away, “What are you doing here again? Haven’t I embarrassed myself enough?”
Xu Jingyun increasingly looked down on Xia Minglan, feeling that Xia Minglan was a drag, a pig teammate.
Xia Minglan’s expression turned somewhat ugly. She tried her best to keep her voice calm: “Yunyun, do you know that the Ling family and the Xia family had a marriage contract? They are planning to announce it at Ling Hanmu’s birthday banquet!”
“What?” Xu Jingyun shot up. “The Ling family and the Xia family had a marriage contract?”
“This is absolutely true. It’s said that Old Master Ling made the arrangement with your maternal grandfather,” Xia Minglan said.
Xu Jingyun’s voice immediately became sharp: “That means it’s between Ling Hanmu and Xia Chenge? Why? Why does Xia Chenge have a marriage contract with Ling Hanmu?”
Her emotions were extremely agitated; she simply couldn’t accept this fact.
“I’m not sure. It’s said that Old Madam Ling found this information while going through Old Master Ling’s belongings. It mentioned this matter, but it didn’t specify who it was with. Old Master Ling has passed away, so only your maternal grandfather knows the details. I plan to ask your maternal grandfather, and you’ll come with me,” Xia Minglan said.
“So, as long as your maternal grandfather confirms the engagement was between you and Ling Hanmu, everything will be fine, and you won’t have to worry anymore.”
Xu Jingyun trembled nervously: “Really?”
“You’re my daughter, why would I lie to you? When we go to the Xia family later, remember to behave well. Mom will act according to the situation, and you be smart too. As long as you become Ling Hanmu’s fiancée, nothing will be a problem.”
“Yes, I will!” Xu Jingyun secretly encouraged herself. The Ling family and the Xia family had such a connection; the turning point came too quickly.
Who would have thought that she would become Ling Hanmu’s fiancée so soon?
