Immediately upon entering, Xilian stormed towards Mu Chen and grabbed him by the neck, strangling him. The room erupted in shock, gasps filling the air. Jing Ning's voice rang out, loud and clear, "Why are you strangling him like this?"
Xilian released Mu Chen's neck and turned towards Jing Ning, his eyes blazing with fury. Without warning, he slapped her, the sound echoing through the stunned silence. "How dare you speak to me? You are the one who caused all this. Don't make me vent my anger on you," he spat.
Everyone was frozen, stunned by the scene unfolding before them. Mu Chen's face darkened, his eyes filled with a fierce, protective rage. "How dare you slap her? Who do you think you are?" he demanded, his voice trembling with anger.
Xilian looked him up and down, his expression a mix of contempt and bitterness. "Who do I think I am? Since we were kids, you stole everything that was mine, and now you steal my fiancée," he retorted.
Mr. Mu stood up, his voice commanding. "Stop all this."
Mu Chen turned to Mr. and Mrs. Jing, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "Are you willing to give your daughter to a man who doesn't respect her? He even slapped her in front of you."
A heavy silence followed, the weight of the question hanging in the air. Finally, Mrs. Jing stood up, her voice firm. "I disagree with this marriage. I want Jing Ning to choose the person she loves."
Mr. Jing's face twisted in anger. "Are you insane? Mr. Mu, I sincerely apologize to the Mu Family for what happened today. We are leaving now. I will talk with Jing Ning."
Mr. Mu responded calmly, "Don't worry, Mr. Jing. Mu Chen and Mu Xilian are both my sons. Whoever Jing Ning chooses among them is fine."
For the first time, Mrs. Mu spoke, her voice cold and unyielding. "I disagree. Jing Ning and Mu Chen will never get married. She will only marry Xilian."
Mu Chen knelt before his mother, his voice pleading. "Mom, please don't say this. I have never needed your help before, but this is the first time I am asking for something. Please allow me to marry Jing Ning."
Mrs. Mu's expression remained unchanged. "Chen, I have already decided, and I won't go back on my words."
Mr. Mu patted Mu Chen's shoulder. "Chen, go and have some rest. We will talk tomorrow."
-———-
It was already past midnight when Jing Ning and her parents arrived at the Jing villa. The tension was palpable as they entered the living room.
Mr. Jing's voice was stern. "Jing Ning, come and sit. I want to talk to you."
Mrs. Jing interjected, her voice resolute. "If you want to talk to her about Xilian, I have already disagreed with this marriage."
Mr. Jing's frustration was evident. "What are you talking about? Can't you understand our company's situation now?"
Mrs. Jing remained calm. "Mu Chen and Xilian are both from the Mu family, so she can choose Mu Chen."
"But Mu Chen doesn't interfere with the Mu Family's business affairs, and Xilian is the vice president of M Group. He is the only one who can help us," Mr. Jing argued.
Jing Ning's voice was filled with sorrow. "Dad, Mom, please stop all this. I'm sorry, it's all my fault."
Mrs. Jing turned to her daughter with a gentle smile. "Don't worry, daughter. You have the right to choose the person you love."