The Art of Face Slapping

After reading the texts, a thought dawned upon her. This exact night was the second time Athena refused the marriage alliance publicly at that.

Yes, it happened on her 18th birthday. Through this, it might have offended the Choi Empire and brought the Wu Corporation down to ashes. The heir didn't really appear much in the novel nor in the drama.

But he was always mentioned in the novel as a close friend and cousin of the male lead. And he's always on the phone in the drama like No Deal or Deal's Banker, he was helping the Male lead in the shadows. Heck, he might even be the one who brought a tragic end to her family.

In the novel, after eloping, the Wu Corporation started to collapse, in a span of 3 years, the Wu Corporation were publicly humiliated and suffered great losses. The Wu brothers severed their ties with George Huang Wu and his family. The Li family also discarded Athena's mother which is their only daughter. With that in mind, Athena stood up and straightened her posture, chest out, chin up.

Let the art of face slapping commence! Lace your venomous words with a little bit of sweetness. Thank goodness the recent memories of this body is still fresh in her mind so Athena have an advantage.

"Everyone, thank you for attending my birthday party. I would like to apologize for causing a scene. I am still young and in a rebel-phase. But it seemed that I was unknowingly hurting my family in pursuit of my puppy love, and through this I regret all of my previous actions." She lamented and walked over to Li Meili,

"Younger cousin Meili, I am sorry, I did not know he was your boyfriend. Cousin Meixiu introduced me to him and took me to dates. It seems that, we were both tricked by this despicable boy!" She pushed her phone bearing the text messages.

Li Meixiu: Han Donghai has taken a fancy on you, why not meet him?

Wu Hexie: Really?

LM: Silly cousin! Of course since you are very beautiful! If you really don't want that marriage with that scary heir, why not find a suitable and more capable man.

LM: As your closest cousin, I am worried about your happiness.

LM: He said he wants to take you out on another date! I'm so happy for you~

Athena read the texts aloud for everyone to hear.

"What!?" Li Meili glared at her older sister.

"Meili-er, I--" Athena cut Meixiu and continued her speech.

"Younger cousin Meixiu, thank you for always being there with me. You even encouraged me to choose my happiness." Athena then read the newest message.

"Han Donhai will be waiting for you at the backdoor, I will take cover for you during the our birthday banquet tonight! Also don't forget to wear the dress tonight, My mom personally bought it!' Really, younger cousin, you are such a sweetheart. Even risking yourself for the elopement the three of us planned!" Athena smiled and patted Meixiu's shoulders and turned to her aunt and cupped her aunt's hands with her chubby ones.

"Auntie, this dress is terribly pretty. I don't mind the mourning color and victorian style, although it is itchy and heavy and is probably not appropriate for the occasion, but it's the thought that counts right? I love the color black. Also thank you for treating me to the beauty parlor earlier, you even paid for bleaching my hair as well as my pretty dark make-up. I just hope, I won't get in trouble in school. I wanted to refuse earlier but I also don't want to be an unfilial niece."

She smiled at her maternal relatives and went back to her parent's side.

"Mom, Dad, forgive this daughter for being like this. This won't happen ever again. After falling from the veranda and drowning in the pool, I was given a second chance to live. I know now that it was all an illusion and I was foolish enough to rebel against my own family.

I will be an obedient daughter from now on and accept the marriage alliance with all my heart. I will not dishonor the Li and Wu family." She went to her knees and bowed her head.

Athena was trembling nervously. This is her first time speaking in front of many influential people.

"Our precious jewel!" Her parents cried and hugged her once again.

The spectators gasped, some cried because of this filial and heart warming scene. Everyone was moved.

The three ladies of the Third Li household stood there gawking at the suddenly eloquent Athena Hexie Wu.

'She's supposed to be foolish, shy and unfilial to her parents! How did her temperament change?' The mother and daughter thought.

"Older cousin Hexie, I'm sorry for accusing you. It seemed that I was also fooled by my cheating boyfriend. Uhuhuhu I will break up with him and find a much more handsome and loyal boyfriend! I will ruin that Han Donghai, thank goodness I didn't gave my virginity to him" Li Meili spoke loudly.

'What the heck?! This kid is just 14 years old. I guess people are more mature in this novel, heck she's even dating an 18 year old' Athena thought.

No longer enduring the embarassment, Chen Mingzhu slapped her youngest daughter and reprimanded her.

"Shut your mouth! You are embarassing the Li family!"

"No you shut up! I will tell Grandma what you have been up to! Spending all our monthly money on Older Cousin Hexie's and Big sister's dresses! What about me? When did you ever spoil me? And you Big Sister! You big fat liar! You told me that the Young Master of Choi Empire is supposed to be your fiancè and Older Cousin Hexie stole him from you! You even told me that we will be richer than the Wu family after you marry him!" After saying her piece, Li Meili quickly fled from the garden.

"That-- that's not true! Auntie, Uncle, Everyone, that's not true! I would not dare say those things! I am not worthy of becoming Young Master Choi's wife although I really love him!" Li Meixiu stuttered and cried crocodile tears.

'She's still acting like a white lotus? The heck?!'

"You useless daughter! You told her that? Why on earth did you spoil our plans to that talkative brat! Both of you are an embarassment of the Li Family!" Chen Mingzhu was red with anger.

"Chen Mingzhu! You dared to question my parental skills, but you are worse than me! It seemed that you were just criticizing yourself! And stop dragging the Li's name!" Li Lifen was disappointed at her sister-in-law. Just what did her brother see in this childhood enemy of hers.

"You b*tch! You stole everything from me! George was supposed to be mine! I was his first love!" Chen Mingzhu grabbed the bread knife in the nearby desserts table and charged towards Li Lifen, killing intent was really evident.