Without a word, Lín Shūshū slapped Níngxiāng! Jǐnmò grabbed Shūshū's hand and pried it down, "Try slapping her again!"
"It must be you, you slut, who seduced him! That's why he fled at the last moment!" Lín Shūshū’s eyes were distorted with fear. Her hands gestured wildly, her body trembling like a sieve, "No wonder she's always cold to me, always mentioning you and Jǐnmò in three sentences. He must like you!"
"What!" Níngxiāng shook her shoulders, throwing Jǐnmò's hand off, "Sister Shūshū, I've always tried to respect you. Why do you always accuse me without rhyme or reason! When did I ever seduce Brother Jǐn Xī? Yesterday, he asked me about my studies, what I wanted to learn. If it was art-related, he could introduce me to teachers. He also said he thought highly of my artistic talent and wanted to introduce me to H-so
g, and do some borderless charity work along the way. I playfully said I wanted to draw, and he even said he would introduce a great Chinese master to me. That's all! Brother Jǐn Xī wouldn't betray you, I think only you could betray him!"
"How long have you known Jǐn Xī? And you're defending him?! Jǐnmò, control your woman! Tell her to stop seducing someone else's fiancé, can't you satisfy her?! Do you need me to find some men?!" Lín Shūshū wanted to argue further with Jǐnmò and Níngxiāng, but Aunt Lin quickly pulled her aside, "I'm sorry, she's been a little agitated these past few days. She's been a bit sensitive since this morning. I'm sorry, please don't mind them."
The Liang family had all arrived. Lín Shūshū rushed to Liang Yuan's side, "Mom! Why isn't A'xi not here yet? He's not going to not come, is he?"
"He won't. Don't get agitated, don't worry, stay calm!" Lín Shūshū seemed not to have heard a word Liang Yuan said.
"He called me this morning and said he'd come over by himself tonight and had a surprise for everyone!" Father Liang's words finally calmed Lín Shūshū down.
Her eyes welled up with tears, but she held them back, forcing a smile that was uglier than crying. Aunt Lin helped her back.
With only five minutes left until the ceremony, Lín Shūshū had already walked onto the stage. Jǐnmò introduced her to Níngxiāng. Today's ceremony was very simple, with only the exchange of engagement rings, telling her not to be jealous. Níngxiāng pouted; she had no intention of comparing herself.
The guests had mostly arrived. The music and scenery changed. The surrounding LED screens cycled through photos of the two from childhood to adulthood, as well as videos of some activities they had done. Everything was beautiful and elegant, with refined violin music playing in the background.
Níngxiāng had walked around the venue twice but couldn't find her parents. She was a little anxious, not because she worried the Liang family would be displeased, but because those who arrived last usually attracted attention.
As it turned out, the Qin family was indeed the last to arrive. Níngxiāng saw her parents walk in in a hurry and ran over to greet them, "Dad, Mom, why are you so late?!"
Chapter 65: I Will Not Marry You
"Oh dear, your sister wasn't answering her phone!" Mother smiled and was about to say something more to Níngxiāng when a lady came up to them. It was as if she had met an old friend from afar, shouting from a distance, "Xiao Zhang! Is that Xiao Zhang!" without regard for the occasion, a bit like stealing the spotlight.
Her enthusiastic greeting resonated with her mother, and Níngxiāng quickly stepped back a few paces.
"Zhang Yue! It really is you! We haven't seen each other for over ten years, and you're still so beautiful, truly with the potential to be the best actress. Husband, this is my former good sister, Zhang Yue. This is her husband, Qin Ming! Mr. Qin used to visit the set frequently when we were filming. He brought warmth in winter and coolness in summer, so enthusiastic in pursuing our Xiao Zhang." That couple immediately took over her parents, and Níngxiāng seized the opportunity to slip away, otherwise, she would soon be forced into performing, answering questions like: "Is this your little daughter? She's grown so big! So pretty! Do you have a boyfriend? Where do you study..." The ten thousand whys were truly annoying!
Níngxiāng looked around but didn't see Caiyue and was feeling anxious.
"Hey!" Jǐnmò playfully swatted Níngxiāng's rear end. "What are you doing?" Níngxiāng gave him a cold shoulder, still holding a grudge over the "five times vs. five days" incident.
"So Auntie used to be in the entertainment industry!" Jǐnmò laughed. "I never expected that! Do you want to enter the industry? I'll support you! I'll find you a director, and I'll be the producer. Young Master Wu knows plenty of people in the industry; I'll contact him later. By the way, I'll sign you!"
"Oh, sign me later! My sister hasn't arrived yet!" Níngxiāng grabbed Jǐnmò, revealing her doubts, "I have an earth-shattering guess. You don't think my sister beat up your brother, do you?"
"Get real! My brother is part of the mafia. Your sister couldn't beat him!" Jǐnmò waved his hand. "My whole family is in the mafia! Are you scared I'll beat you up!"
Níngxiāng was furious. What a pointless joke!
He was not only extremely cunning but also very childish. She finally understood why Lín Shūshū didn't like Jǐnmò anymore. It was because she was attracted to those deeply cultured, arrogant, cold, and seemingly profound men. A man like Jǐnmò, who was flippant, ostentatious, and wretched, was not her type!
*Swish*—the room instantly plunged into darkness.
Speckled starlight surrounded them. From the ceiling to the walls, LED screens displayed a countdown: 10, 9, 8... 3, 2, 1!
After the game start chart, Lín Shūshū appeared on the screen, disheveled, followed by the crisp sound of a heavy slap!
Níngxiāng heard Jǐnmò's surprised "Uh oh!" He covered Níngxiāng's ears.
"What are you doing?"
"Not suitable for children!" Jǐnmò, as if he knew what was coming, held her tighter.
Then, the advanced version of "not suitable for children" began. Lín Shūshū's mouth was forced open... The short video continued, apparently edited. The socialites below covered their eyes and secretly watched. Although it was only a little over ten seconds, the extent of her experiences was fully revealed. Roughly calculated, there were at least over 20 men in the footage...
"Is this... a joke?" someone whispered.
*Slap!* The lights in the room came back on.
"I will not marry you! I'd rather marry a prostitute than you!" Liáng Jǐnxī, dressed in a white suit, walked slowly in, parting the crowd from the entrance of the ballroom.
Níngxiāng then noticed that her sister, Caiyue, who had somehow appeared, was standing beside her.
She was about to greet her sister, but Caiyue seemed dazed, staring at the few people on the stage and walking step by step in that direction.
Liáng Jǐnxī walked alone to the center of the ballroom, took the microphone from the host, and addressed the guests, "Lín Shūshū, I cannot marry you. Firstly, your private life is chaotic and filthy. You have been with 39 men, and you were simultaneously involved with 4 men at one time. I have records and videos; Secondly, your parents are the indirect murderers of my mother; Thirdly, I like you as a sister, I do not love you. Fourthly, the money your family has is stained with blood; you know what happened to those girls! Now, there is a fifth reason."
Liáng Jǐnxī threw the microphone on the ground, strode off the stage, and walked towards Caiyue, who was still walking in a daze. In front of everyone, he cupped her head and kissed her.
Chapter 66: Thanks, Big Brother, for Clearing My Name
"Ah!" Níngxiāng couldn't help but cry out. She quickly covered her mouth, but the scream continued.
It turned out that Lín Shūshū was throwing a tantrum, shrieking with a dolphin-like voice that lasted for over a minute before she fainted. "Cancel! Cancel! The Liang family has gone too far!" Several members of the Lin family turned red-faced and angry, a flock of them leaving the venue, kicking over tables and chairs.
"Let's go!" Jǐnmò pulled Níngxiāng, handed her to an assistant at the door, told her to wait for him at the bar, and then rushed in to clean up the mess.
"Jǐnxī! You! What is going on!" Liang Han looked furious yet clueless.
"It's too terrible! Shūshū must have been framed!" Liang Yuan's horrified face trembled uncontrollably, her hands covering her mouth, unable to believe what she saw. "You've soiled my eyes."
"Big brother, you fought a beautiful battle. I didn't expect you to be so impulsive!" Jǐnmò ran over to Jǐnxī and patted his shoulder.
"You knew all along? Grandson 'biezi' 'biezi'!" Liang Han was so angry he wanted to hit Jǐnmò.
"Hey! Big brother set the trap, and now it's sprung. Why are you scolding me?! I'm more wronged than Dou E!" Jǐnmò clasped his hands together. "Thanks, big brother, for clearing my name."
Liang Han finally understood. It turned out that the people who killed women and turned them into sex slaves were Lín Shūshū's family. They were already in the hotel business and controlled the clandestine channels for smuggling people, which made it easy to transport individuals. The man who sought revenge on Jǐnmò last time was tricked by Lín Shūshū.
The family members had already cleaned up the ballroom, and most of the guests had left. The Qin family hadn't left yet. Caiyue and Jǐnxī's performance made it awkward for the Qin family to approach the Liang family. However, Qin Ming gritted his teeth and brought his daughter Caiyue over. After apologizing profusely to the Liang family, Jǐnxī seized the opportunity to say, "Since I've spoken about Caiyue in front of so many people today, it's considered settled. We won't have an engagement banquet; we'll get our marriage certificates on another day."
The Qin couple's mouths almost couldn't close; they had never been so happy. To be honest, they weren't very satisfied with Jǐnmò's marriage to their youngest daughter and didn't want their child to marry too early. Now, if Caiyue, who had a questionable reputation, could marry first, that would be their greatest wish.
Qin Ming almost knelt down to Jǐnxī as if he were a savior. Liang Han and Liang Yuan hadn't reacted yet, but Liang Jǐnxī agreed, "Today was originally Friday. We'll get our certificates next Monday."
"That's wonderful!" Zhang Yue even cried.
The Qin family left with gratitude, while Caiyue transformed into a happy little woman and stayed by Jǐnxī's side.
Jǐnmò exclaimed with delight, "Big brother, you're amazing. I used to think you were just an artist with no savvy in these matters, but I never expected your strategic thinking to be so brilliant! You investigated and clarified everything in just a few days?"
"Because, from the beginning, I never believed Lín Shūshū!"
Liang Yuan's jaw dropped. "Son, even the police believed her, and even A Xiang accepted it, but you didn't believe it?!"
Jǐnmò proudly raised his chin. "I've always only believed Níngxiāng!"
"Why?" Liang Han and Liang Yuan asked in unison.
"Because she's naive and never knows how to lie!" Jǐnmò smiled.
"The police believed her because Lín Shūshū arranged the evidence very well. Níngxiāng believed her because she is kind. In fact, she probably always had doubts, but she was willing to believe Lín Shūshū's words, which shows her pure heart. I didn't believe it because I was a clear observer."
"My son has wisdom after all!" Liang Han was clearly more pleased than disappointed. "Although the Lin family is powerful, what they do is mostly improper. They are not our kind of people, so it's right not to be related by marriage. Now that Jǐnxī's and Jǐnmò's marriages are settled, I can rest assured."
Liang Yuan seemed a little unwilling, but she couldn't say much.
"Big brother, you clean up the mess. I still have a party to attend!"
"Don't go too wild!" Jǐnxī lovingly embraced Caiyue. "Pack your things, and move to the old residence recently."
Chapter 67: You Are Finally Free
When Jǐnmò arrived at the bar, Níngxiāng had already been made up, looking like a princess waiting for her prince. He saw the diamond necklace sparkling on her slender neck from afar.
She wore a red dress, her makeup seductive, with a deep V neckline and an irregular hemline, making her skin appear even fairer. She looked quite different from her usual self.
Recently, he had been careful not to leave any marks on her, wanting to have his way in one go.
Although the venue was quiet with only a few attendants, Níngxiāng's complexion was radiant, her bright eyes twinkling. She seemed quite satisfied with the preparations.
She was pouring herself a drink, full of questions. Jǐnmò hoped their confrontation today would go smoothly and that she wouldn't fall out with him.
He had also changed into a custom-made black suit and entered with an elegant flair. "Hey, thank you! Young Master Wu, that's awesome!"
Young Master Wu pointed to the dancers posing seductively on the pole. "These are professional dancers! Their level is good enough for international competitions; they'll definitely make you proud."
After a brief exchange with Young Master Wu, who had claimed he would avoid such matters, he slowly walked towards the bar.
In the bar, only he and Níngxiāng were the main characters. The rest were service staff, along with some dancers and young handsome men. The others were essentially extras, arranged to be by their sides for publicity. Professional photographers were also ready, and headlines for tomorrow had already been arranged.
Listening to Young Master Wu's words, Jǐnmò felt both excited and a little disappointed. He was doing this for Níngxiāng, but he was reluctant deep down. However, he had to appease her, as a woman forced into his arms would be no fun. He had to make her willing to dedicate herself to him. Now, he decided to completely hide his feelings and let her come to him willingly.
"You're here!" Níngxiāng glanced at her phone. It was only 6:30 PM. "Did you finish everything so quickly? What exactly is going on?"
"Silly girl, you don't even know who wanted to harm you! You're too young, a greenhorn. In my circle, this is the first time I've seen a woman as adorably stupid and kind as you." Jǐnmò affectionately stroked her head and told her about the Lin family's background.
"Their family started with the hotel industry. Their business style is dark and ruthless, almost like the mafia. Besides collecting intelligence, illegal private filming, and keeping prostitutes, they also use hotels for drug trafficking. The reason they've survived and stood tall for so many years is that they almost monopolize the hotel industry in the three major cities of A, B, and C. They also hold evidence of solicitation, prostitution, bribery, and illegal dealings from many tycoons, leaders, celebrities, and prominent figures. No one can touch them. This time, Lín Shūshū wanted to marry into the Liang family, which is a nice way of saying she wanted to launder her reputation, or more bluntly, drag us down with her. Brother Jǐnxī, on the surface, is an artist, but in reality, he's a beacon of justice. He has a private detective agency that specializes in investigating difficult cases and miscarriages of justice. This time, Lín Shūshū's framing of you and slandering me was too hasty and poorly planned, leaving loopholes, which is why my brother was able to capture them all at once. In fact, my brother has been monitoring them secretly for many years."
Níngxiāng listened, confused. Hearing that Brother Jǐnxī was a low-key detective made her eyes almost pop out. She exclaimed what an operation that was!
"So I have a Sherlock Holmes beside me, no, a Ferumoxi!"
"Yes, if you hadn't shown up temporarily and disrupted the plan, and if they hadn't targeted me, they wouldn't have exposed themselves so quickly." Jǐnmò grinned at Níngxiāng. "Now it's good, no one is following us, and no one is monitoring me anymore. You are finally free, Fragrant Secretary!"
Níngxiāng suddenly figured something out. Everything during this period was just an act.
She suddenly realized that apart from unintentionally helping them eliminate demons and monsters, she had been toyed with by Liang Jǐnmò for two months.
Admittedly, the moment she learned the truth, her head felt so swollen, she felt like a balloon floating lightly into the sky, then exploding with a bang, leaving nothing behind!
The only thing that brought her back to the ground was a block of ice, smashing down mercilessly, falling into her heart and pulling her down.
This block of ice was the cruel fact that he didn't love her!
Chapter 68: You Never Loved Me
All of this was a show! A cruel reality show!
Thinking of this, she felt somewhat suffocated, and her expression naturally became unpredictable, fluctuating between hot and cold.
"So, when did this whole grand plan begin?" Níngxiāng clung to her last hope, thinking perhaps it wasn't from the very beginning.
"You mean, game start?" Jǐnmò stroked his clean-shaven chin. "From the moment you were dressed up as a cat lady. At that time, Mother was persuaded to drug me. I found out about this immediately. Because my brother discovered that they could no longer hold back. Recently, the police had been targeting the Lin Group and had contacted me several times in secret. It's true that my brother is a hidden detective, but the police rely on him quite a bit and had already asked him to thoroughly investigate the Lin Group. According to my brother's plan, the police and the tax department jointly investigated the Lin Group's accounts recently. Of course, they didn't find anything, but this was a deliberate attempt to stir up trouble. Only then did the Lin family want to join forces with the Liang Group and use our manufacturing industry to quickly launder their reputation."
Níngxiāng nodded, seeming to understand, yet also not understanding. "At least Aunt Liang knew about it, right?"
"She didn't. Only my brother and I knew about this matter; even Father only knew a little." Jǐnmò said with pride. "However, I still admire my brother; he's truly amazing. In my eyes, he's Zhuge Liang reincarnated! The Phoenix Cub reborn!"
Níngxiāng suddenly realized. Some people pursue love, while others are just fulfilling a plot requirement?! Was the relationship between Liang Jǐnxī and Lín Shūshū superficial all these years?
Liang Jǐnxī's deep scheming was also terrifying. She was starting to feel a little afraid of Brother Jǐnxī.
"My brother never loved her. He did have some good feelings for her, but after getting in touch, he discovered that their family's affairs were very strange. That's why he discovered through tracking that Lín Shūshū was deeply involved. But we guessed that the Lin family would eventually clear her of all charges."
"So, why did you and I… engage in all those actions, and create so many scenes? Was it to provoke Lín Shūshū?"
"Not entirely!" Jǐnmò smiled. "You are indeed to my liking in many aspects, but I also had the intention of retaliating against Lín Shūshū. She rejected me twice and completely broke my heart, so much so that I hadn't had a heart flutter for many years, and I was unwilling to have physical contact with women. But after my brother told me about her affairs, I let go. I realized that my true feelings were misplaced."
"So, you never loved me?" Níngxiāng hadn't expected herself to ask such a question.
"What is love? It's hard to define. My body is infatuated with you at all times; that's for sure." Jǐnmò took her hand and placed it on his waist. "Feel it quickly. You have indeed accomplished what many women cannot."
"So, we don't need to cooperate anymore to make our parents call off the engagement!" Níngxiāng suddenly jumped up, all the pressure released. Of course, the fact that Liang Jǐnmò only saw her as a pawn made her a little uncomfortable, but...