Lin Wanyuan felt quite sympathetic towards Guan Zhizhi. While beautiful, she was burdened by too much drama. The man she loved couldn't marry her, and she was surrounded by countless admirers she didn't fancy. It was all quite perplexing for her.
Beautiful women attract trouble. Xie Sui didn't think she was pitiable; these were sweet problems.
However, after this incident, Liu Kai's dissatisfaction with Xie Sui grew. Without Xie Sui's interference, Miss Guan wouldn't have left him.
Liu Kai felt he had done nothing wrong. In wealthy, influential families, didn't men have numerous women? He had been devoted to Guan Zhizhi for so long and treated her well enough. Why couldn't she accept his marriage to Miss Meng?
Apart from the official title, Liu Kai could give her anything.
Like Liu Zixiong, he couldn't give her the status she desired, which was precisely what a woman valued most.
Especially for an established celebrity like Guan Zhizhi, money was no longer the priority; status was.
After the farce ended, everyone had their fill of spectacle. The next day, the news broke. He Mengchao escorted Guan Zhizhi away, followed by Liu Kai and Miss Meng, Meng Xiaowei. The paparazzi, with two photos, spun tales of love triangles and quadrangles spanning three full pages, the relationships between them too complex to be described by such terms.
Chaotic, yet captivating.
Guan Zhizhi, seeing the reports the following day, was so angry she wanted to cry. What had she gained all these years?
He Mengchao wasn't with her. Instead, he was at Xie Sui's villa. He was about to undertake something significant, unsure of himself, and needed Brother Xie's support.
Xie Sui was swamped. Today, he had to take Doudou and Dingding to their elite school. His eldest and second sisters' families were also leaving. It was a morning of seeing people off and children to school, leaving him utterly exhausted.
Lin Wanyuan went to the company. She had managed businesses before, and now it felt natural. She decided to leave domestic worries behind and enjoy the thrill of being a CEO. A good mood naturally led to well-behaved children.
Xie Sui engaged in a battle of wits with the children, coaxing and threatening them until they were finally settled. Being a homemaker was not that easy, was it?
Being a dad was even harder. Doudou and Dingding were more sensible, not crying or throwing tantrums. San'er and Si'er, just learning to walk, ran all over the house. Constantly watching them to prevent falls was far more tiring than working.
Only after the two little tyrants fell asleep did Xie Sui attend to He Mengchao.
"How did it go? Did you succeed last night?"
He Mengchao replied indignantly, "Brother Xie, what are you implying? I genuinely like Miss Guan. Am I the type of scoundrel who takes advantage of misfortune?"
Xie Sui countered, "You don't understand. Women sometimes don't know what they want themselves. You need to be assertive and take the initiative. They might say no, but deep down, they're hoping you'll be more intense. You're a wealthy young master, surely you understand these things?"
"Do you understand so well? Then I'll tell sister-in-law."
Xie Sui instantly caved, "We men are discussing matters. Why involve her? If you dare to tattle, our friendship is over. I won't help you anymore."
He Mengchao said, "I want to propose to Miss Guan, but I'm afraid she won't agree and will get angry again. What then?"
Xie Sui patted his shoulder. "Be brave. She's always angry anyway, so one more time won't matter. Even if she rejects you, you can give up. You've pursued her for so long; it's already been difficult. If Guan Zhizhi is insatiable, she'll never be happy in this life. You should leave this crooked tree sooner rather than hanging yourself. Look at Feiyang; he's doing quite well in the mainland, even brought back a mayor's daughter. The Du family also fell into his hands. He's achieved success in both career and love."
He Mengchao felt happy for him. "Feiyang was also well-taught by Brother Xie. With his old ways, let alone a mayor's daughter, no woman would marry him."
"Haha, indeed. Don't be a coward. If you're a man, be brave. You're good in every way, except you lack a man's decisiveness and boldness. A woman like Guan Zhizhi likes a man stronger than her, not a sycophant."
"I'm not a sycophant."
"Aren't you?"
He Mengchao lost his confidence. In this relationship, he had always been afraid to take the initiative, which was indeed looked down upon.
"Then I'll go propose."
"Right, be bold. Guan Zhizhi is in a period of emotional vulnerability right now. If you strike forcefully, you can break through her psychological defenses. It's best to get engaged and married, then go on a honeymoon abroad. As for the Liu and Meng families, you can live your sweet lives, and they will be miserable."
"Then, Brother Xie, help me. How can I propose romantically?"
Xie Sui stroked his chin, and a mischievous idea popped into his head. Romance? That meant shock and awe. He whispered with He Mengchao, and after an hour of discussion, He Mengchao, emboldened by him, went to make arrangements that very day.
Guan Zhizhi and Meng Xiaowei's contest for a man, and Liu Zixiong's father and son both liking the same woman, would continue to draw attention.
Reading the nonsensical reports, Guan Zhizhi was afraid to go out.
She stayed home like an ostrich for the entire day. Her agent called her to the company; there were films to shoot and several advertisements to film. She couldn't just stop working.
Dodging the reporters, she left the house. The car drove along Hong Kong's most prosperous streets, a route Guan Zhizhi took several times a day. Today, however, the traffic seemed unusually heavy.
"What's going on? So much traffic, we'll be late."
The driver said, "Miss Guan, I'm doing my best, but there's nothing I can do."
Her assistant was busy checking her schedule and coordinating with the directors, her phone constantly ringing. She hadn't paid attention to these matters.
Suddenly, Guan Zhizhi saw a giant photo of herself, her most beautiful and pure image, displayed on an entire wall of a shopping mall, attracting countless gazes.
Below it read, Miss Guan, I like you, please marry me!
And below that was a photo of He Mengchao on one knee, holding a ring.
At that time, there were no high-tech screens that could produce such realistic photos; this was already the most advanced technology.
Not to mention the entire wall of the shopping mall; the advertising cost alone was not a small sum.
"Oh my god, Miss Guan, is this a proposal to you?"
The driver's jaw dropped. The assistant, having just hung up the phone, felt a surge of anger. "My dear, my darling, can you stop causing trouble?
There are negative reports about you everywhere. You still want to get married? Do you want Sister Yang to tear you apart?"
Guan Zhizhi replied, "I didn't! I didn't know anything about it! Someone is proposing to me, but I haven't agreed!"
Her assistant had been with her for several years and knew very well what she desired. Suddenly, she exclaimed excitedly, "A proposal? Who is it? Young Master He?"
"It's him."
Guan Zhizhi's heart was filled with mixed emotions. He Mengchao had appeared just in time the night before and rescued her. At that moment, her heart had raced, and she had developed an unusual feeling for He Mengchao.
This bold proposal further stirred her emotions. She had always longed for a title, for the right to attend various occasions openly with her boyfriend, to show affection and sweetness, satisfying her vanity.
But the Liu father and son couldn't give her the status she desired, and now Meng Xiaowei had appeared. She dared not imagine what the outside world would say if Meng Xiaowei married Liu Kai.