Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
âNo,â Xiao Yichen responded coldly. He had no intention of explaining anything and continued eating.
Ning Yanâs heart skipped a beat. Upon sensing that her son might be evading the truth, she persistently prodded with a smile, âYichen, arenât you going to tell me? Even the paparazzi captured photos of you escorting Bai Luâs home. Are you twoâ¦â
âMomâ¦â This time, Xiao Yichen cut her off directly. He looked at his mother sternly and asked, âWhat are you trying to say?â
He was sure his motherâs earlier comment was not her real concern.
Given her sonâs inquiry, Ning Yan decided not to conceal her intentions. She stated plainly, âIf you like Bai Lu, you can bring her home and let us meet her. Although Bai Lu is from the entertainment industry, there havenât been any negative rumors about her, unlikeâ¦â
âWhat are you examining? Her figure or her appearance?â Xiao Yichen asked sharply, fully aware of his motherâs aim.
In the third year after that woman left, his mother occasionally whispered in his ear, urging him to file for divorce and marry another woman. Over the past few years, he had become all too familiar with his motherâs thoughts.
âWe donât want to know about those things. We just want to see her compared to Lin Wan, whoâ¦â Before Ning Yan could finish her sentence, Xiao Yichen erupted.
âMom.â Xiao Yichen was furious, fixing his gaze on his mother and struggling to contain his emotions.
He detested those two words!
Upon witnessing her sonâs anger, Ning Yan trembled and dared not say another word.
Xiao Ruiling, seated at the side, was also taken aback. Having just returned, she was not fully aware of her familyâs affairs or her parentsâ stance on her brotherâs marriage over the years, so she refrained from commenting earlier.
âYichen,â Xiao Shengdong called out to his son, urging him to calm down.
Upon looking at his son, Xiao Shengdong continued, âYour mother is concerned about you. Itâs not that we didnât give you time before. Weâve waited for over two years, but thereâs been no news from Lin Wan. Itâs the fifth year now. Do you want to keep wasting time?â
Xiao Yichen listened in silence.
âYouâre our only son. Weâve placed all our hopes on you. Is it wrong to care about you?â Xiao Shengdong inquired. âLet me tell you today, if anyone dares to jeopardize your future, even Lin Wan, I wonât let them off.â
Xiao Shengdongâs final words were almost a command. His son could not be ruined by someone who had already left. If Xiao Yichen refused to get a divorce because Lin Wan was absent, he would dispatch people to search the entire international community. He would bring the divorce agreement and have Lin Wan sign it personally.
Xiao Yichen understood his fatherâs frustration. He struggled to manage his emotions and, after a prolonged silence, declared, âDad, Mom, I wonât get a divorce, and I wonât marry any woman other than her.â
With that, Xiao Yichen turned around and left.
âYichenâ¦â Xiao Ruiling wanted to call out to her brother, but as she watched him exit, she realized she couldnât stop him.
Once Xiao Yichen departed, the atmosphere in the room soured. Ning Yan felt a deep sense of remorse. While she believed her actions were for her sonâs benefit, she and her son were obstinate. She felt worse than anyone; after all, he was her son!
âIf only Lin Wan were back!â Ning Yan sighed helplessly. With Lin Wanâs return, she would at least have something to anticipate regarding her sonâs relationship, regardless of its nature.
âSighâ¦â Xiao Shengdong sighed, rose from the table, and left the restaurant.
After driving out of the mansion, Xiao Yichen called Luo Zishen and Luo Ziyan, asking them to meet at their usual spot for a drink.
In the opulent private room of the bar under the Eastern Empire, Luo Zishen was already present when Xiao Yichen arrived.
Xiao Yichen greeted Luo Zishen. He sat on the sofa and poured himself a glass of wine.
âWhatâs wrong? Are you in a bad mood?â Luo Zishen inquired casually, noting Xiao Yichenâs expression and actions..