Besides, Mu Wansheng did not think that Fan Shixin would marry her. Even if he were willing to marry her, the price to pay for calling off the engagement with the Luo family would be huge.
The Mu family and Luo family had signed an agreement prior to the engagement.
The party who calls off the engagement will have to compensate thrice the sum of money invested to the other party for breaching the contract. However, the decision to get a divorce could only be initiated by the Luo family, and the Mu family had no say in it.
That sum of money was massive to Mu Wansheng, and she definitely wouldn’t want to put Fan Shixin in a spot. Besides, Fan Shixin could not afford the compensatory sum either.
Hence, she definitely couldn’t call off the engagement.
Her marriage was practically a transaction.
She was just a sacrificial object.
After she had left Fan Shixin’s apartment back then, the bodyguards from the Mu family had found her and brought her home forcefully. Her mother then spoke to her in the nicest way she ever did and even apologized to her. She had also given her some money to return to Fan Shixin. Although she was not on close terms with her mother, the soft-hearted Mu Wanshang had conceded when she saw her mother cry.
Nothing could be changed at all.
She could not call off the engagement, let alone the wedding.
She sat on the dressing table and looked at her reflection in the mirror after dolling herself up. She could not stop recalling the romantic encounter they had last night.
She felt that Fan Shixin was a good man whom she could rely on.
However, she could not bring him any trouble.
She was filled with nervousness; the engagement ceremony was to begin in the evening.
It was not the engagement ceremony that made her nervous so much as the fact that Fan Shixin would be present too.
She was overwhelmed with anxiety at the thought of meeting him again that night.
The guests invited to the engagement ceremony included the closest friends and relatives of both families.
Her mobile phone rang.
After taking a look at the caller display, she instructed the servants to go out while she answered the call alone in the dressing room.
“Hello.”
“Didn’t you say that you would marry anyone? Why don’t you marry me?”
Tears welled up in her eyes the moment she heard his words.
“I don’t need you to take responsibility for me. What happened last night was just an accident.”
He teased, “Accident? Didn’t you plan it beforehand? I’m asking you once more. Why don’t we get married?”
After a moment of silence, she answered, “No, I don’t intend to marry you. Forget about what happened last night. Chief Fan, I’ll erase it from my memory too. I won’t cancel the engagement, and I’ll be marrying him in the future. This is my marriage that can’t be changed.”
Fan Shixin asked in displeasure, “You’re not going to regret this?”
“Yes, I won’t regret my decision.”
He ended the call while Mu Wansheng removed her earphones, feeling tense and troubled.
When the ceremony officially began, the emcee made the first speech.
“To all valued guests, dearest friends, and family, welcome to the engagement ceremony of Mr. Luo Xing and Ms. Mu Wansheng. On this joyous occasion, let us give our greatest blessings to the newlyweds-to-be.”
All the guests began applauding enthusiastically.
While the emcee made the rest of the speech, Mu Wansheng walked out together with Luo Xing, dressed in her engagement dress. They stood right next to each other.
She dared not look at the guests at all throughout the ceremony.
She obviously did not think that he would crash the wedding, for he was a mature and sensible man who definitely would not act so rashly.
The wedding date was announced. Their wedding was to be held in a month’s time. After the engagement ceremony, she returned to her room to get changed.
She entered the washroom, only to discover that Fan Shixin was inside.
“Chief Fan… how did you end up here?”
“I was waiting for you.” He locked the door and hugged her tightly. “Wansheng, marriage is a serious matter. You can’t be hasty or rash when it comes to getting married. Besides, we’ve already gotten intimate with each other. Why don’t you marry me?”
“I can’t marry you. It’s not because you’re not good enough. I’m just not allowed to do so,” she said softly.
His unique scent lingered below her nose. Extremely agitated, Mu Wansheng said, “If only my family didn’t sign the marriage agreement with the Luo family. If the engagement can be called off, I’ll definitely marry you.”
“Why can’t you marry me? Make things clear,” said Fan Shixin.
Shaking her head, she said, “Hurry and go out. It won’t be good if others see us.”
“Did you know that you took my virginity last night? I won’t let you go unless you take responsibility for it.”
Mu Wansheng said apprehensively, “You’re lying.”
“Why would I even lie to you? I’m not a loose or promiscuous man. You made me really happy last night. Wansheng, do you really not know the reason I chose to stay with Wu Pingyang and visit the Mu family with gifts even after finding out about her true colors?”
“No.”
He said truthfully, “Because Xiao Bai told me about your engagement. I visited the Mu family home to see you openly. I did it all for you. I don’t want you to marry Luo Xing. He doesn’t deserve you.”
Mu Wansheng was touched and delighted to hear his words. However, she soon snapped back to reality. Biting her lip, she said dejectedly, “I’ve already made up my mind. Don’t say anything else. I can’t call off the engagement.”
Fan Shixin could not understand why she was so dimwitted. However, he did not force her because he was well aware that she had her own reasons.
“Does it still hurt?”
“Not anymore,” she answered, blushing shyly because she knew exactly what he was referring to.
“Okay, I won’t force you, but you can’t ghost me. Do you get what I mean?’
“Yes,” she answered with a nod.
Fan Shixin kissed her on the forehead and said, “I’m leaving now.”
“Alright.”
Mu Wansheng watched him leave before turning to look at herself in the mirror, filled with a mix of emotions.
As soon as Fan Shixin exited, Mrs. Mu entered. “What did Pingyang’s boyfriend say to you just now?”
“He was looking for Pingyang but she obviously isn’t here,” Mu Wansheng answered calmly.
“You look much better today. Seems like the beauty facial you underwent yesterday was really effective.”
“Mother…”
“Yes? What’s wrong?” Mrs. Mu asked.
“Luo Xing and I will never be happy together. You understand that, don’t you?” Mu Wansheng said, staring at her.
“Wansheng, I know what you’re trying to say. If you’re still worried about his ex-girlfriend, I’ll think of a way to get rid of her completely.”
Mu Wansheng frantically interjected, “Don’t… that’s not what I’m concerned about. If you do that, Luo Xing would resent me to the core. I don’t love him anyway, so I don’t mind that he hasn’t made a clean break with his girlfriend. Mother, you have no idea what I want. I don’t want money or authority. I just want a man who truly loves me.”
“Didn’t you use to say that that pauper truly loved you and doted on you? But what happened in the end? He still cheated on you and made another woman pregnant, didn’t he? Love is not as practical as money. I won’t do you any harm. Once you become the Young Madam of the Luo family and build your own wealth, you can always have a boyfriend so long as no one discovers your relationship. You’ll have my support too. If Luo Xing can date other people, so can you.”
