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On a bustling street, Xia Qingxue clung to Xiao Ruoyu's arm and gently shook it. Concern was evident in her voice as she asked, "Sister Ruoyu, did our husband bully you?"
Xiao Ruoyu's cheeks flushed an enchanting shade of red. She avoided Xia Qingxue's gaze and stammered, "N-Noā¦ he didn'tā¦"
In truth, Su Chen had indeed kissed her forcefully in the private room earlier. That counted as bullying, didn't it? And then there was her promise to marry him if he helped her resolve the Xiao family's internal strife.
Thinking about how she might end up sharing a husband with her closest friend, Xiao Ruoyu's heart felt strangeāboth embarrassed and inexplicably unsettled.
Xia Qingxue giggled, covering her cherry lips with her hand. "Oh, he definitely bullied you. Otherwise, you wouldn't be acting so shy!"
"Youā¦ stop talking nonsense!" Xiao Ruoyu pinched Xia Qingxue's waist lightly, her face even redder.
Unfazed, Xia Qingxue pulled her closer and teased, "Sister Ruoyu, you have to seize this chance! Marry him already. He adores you!"
"Thisā¦ this is too much!" Xiao Ruoyu protested hurriedly, waving her hands in refusal.
Even though she had agreed to Su Chen's terms, she wasn't mentally prepared to face such an enormous change yet.
"Why not? Our husband is so incredible and clearly has feelings for you. Letting him slip away would be such a waste!" Xia Qingxue blinked her big, bright eyes, her tone brimming with confidence.
Xiao Ruoyu sighed softly after a moment of hesitation. "Let's not talk about this now. We should head back first."
"Alright." Xia Qingxue shrugged, sensing something amiss but deciding not to press further. Together, they headed back to the Xia family estate.
---
In the Xiao family estate, within the solemn confines of Xiao Tiancheng's study:
Bang!
A loud crash echoed as Xiao Tiancheng slammed his hand onto the desk, reducing it to splinters. His face was livid, his aura oppressive.
"What insolence! Su Chen, you deserve death!" he roared, his fury palpable.
Learning that Su Chen had spent ten million top-grade spirit stones to acquire the broken jade pendant had driven him into a rage.
Xiao Tiancheng had sacrificed so much in his bid to claim that pendant, believing it to be the key to unlocking their family's ancestral inheritance and securing his position as heir.
But Su Chen had swooped in at the last moment, taking it right out of his grasp. How could he not seethe with resentment?
"Tiancheng, calm down," came Ye Fan's soothing voice. He stood to the side, his gaze sharp. "This matter is far more complex than it seems."
Xiao Tiancheng frowned, suppressing his anger. "What do you mean by that, Brother Ye?"
Ye Fan's lips curled into a mysterious smile. "After the auction, Su Chen sent someone to deliver that broken jade pendantā¦ to your sister."
"My sister?!" Xiao Tiancheng's face contorted in shock. "You mean that wench Xiao Ruoyu?!"
Ye Fan nodded solemnly. "Indeed. It seems Su Chen and Xiao Ruoyu are deeply connectedāfar beyond what meets the eye."
Xiao Tiancheng was momentarily stunned, his mind racing as he processed this new information. Bitterness and suspicion brewed in his heart.
Ye Fan seized the moment to sow further discord, his voice low and insidious. "Brother Tiancheng, think about it. Why would Su Chen, a powerful figure with limitless potential, go out of his way to curry favor with Xiao Ruoyu? There's no doubt they're plotting something against you!"
As the implication sank in, Xiao Tiancheng's rage rekindled. His fists clenched tightly, his knuckles cracking ominously.
"Xiao Ruoyu! I underestimated you. To think you'd conspire with Su Chen to sabotage my rise! How dare you betray the family for your selfish gains!"
Ye Fan's eyes gleamed coldly as he pressed on. "Tiancheng, we can't let this slide. We must expose their illicit dealings to the family elders. Once they learn Xiao Ruoyu brought an outsider into the family's internal affairs, do you think she'll escape punishment?"
Xiao Tiancheng's eyes lit up with malicious glee. "Brilliant! If we expose her actions, she'll be ruined, and the position of family head will be mine!"
"Exactly." Ye Fan's tone turned even darker. "And to ensure her complete downfall, we can spread rumors about her improper relationship with Su Chen. Public disgrace will rob her of any remaining support."
"Hahaha!" Xiao Tiancheng burst into laughter, his excitement evident. "Excellent! I'll see to it immediately. Xiao Ruoyu will regret ever crossing me!"
As Xiao Tiancheng stormed out to set their plan in motion, Ye Fan's expression darkened further. A cruel smile played on his lips as he murmured to himself, "If I can't have her, no one can. Su Chen, let's see how you save her this time. Xiao Ruoyu, I'll destroy you both!"
---
Meanwhile, Su Chen, having completed his "business" with Chu Yanran, stepped out of the private room with a satisfied smirk. Arm in arm with Chu Yanran, he exuded an aura of confidence that drew every eye in the auction hall.
"Thank you for your patronage, Young Master Su," greeted Hong Ling, the auction house's star hostess. She waited at the entrance, her stunning figure draped in a seductive red gown.
Su Chen's gaze swept briefly over her before he nodded coolly. "If you have anything worth my attention, I'll consider coming again."
"Of course! I'm Hong Ling, the house's top auctioneer. Should you ever need anything, feel free to summon me. I'll personally see to your requests," she purred, her alluring eyes fixed on him.
Unfazed by her charms, Su Chen simply waved her off. "Noted. You're dismissed."
Stung by his indifference, Hong Ling's smile faltered, but she quickly recovered, watching as Su Chen and Chu Yanran walked away. Her eyes gleamed with a mix of frustration and intrigue.
"He's got nerves of steel, that one," she muttered, licking her lips with a predatory glint.
---
Outside, the lively streets were abuzz with activity. Su Chen's appearance caused an immediate stir among the crowd.
Just then, a familiar voice rang out, laced with feigned cheer.
"Su Chen, you're a hard man to find!"
āāāāāāāāāāāāā
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