The Dangerous Man

Xia Yanxi did not flinch nor move one bit when the hand impacted the side of her head. The pain came like a strike of lightning, leaving her ears ringing after it had ended. 

Even so, she remained still. Her eyes still taunting them. 

"Huo Changsheng, this slap shall now sever any relationship between me, you, and this family. Whatever feelings I had for the family are now gone!" 

To be honest, the moment she overheard the malicious conversation, the plan to gift her away to a certain Mr. Gu, she knew she could no longer remain as part of the family. 

Ever since her mother's passing, Huo Changsheng had never cared for her. In his eyes, there was only Yao Manlian and Huo Shiyu. 

When Yao Manlian entered this household, she changed her own daughter's surname to that of Huo. It might have been an act of repayment, to express her gratitude to the man who had accepted her. However, after the slap, her suspicion about the identity of Huo Shiyu was confirmed. She was the product of an affair between Changsheng and Manlian. 

How else would one explain the love Huo Changsheng had for Huo Shiyu? Xia Yanxi was his real daughter! His legitimate daughter even though she had taken her mother's surname! 

Huo Changsheng scoffed. 

"I do not care about you! However, know this… If you do not obey me, I will stop providing for your brother's medical fees!" 

Her brother, Xia Mu, was diagnosed with Leukemia, and it was discovered that Xia Mu was not Huo Changsheng's legitimate child. 

Since then, Huo Changsheng would not even look at Xia Mu, even Xia Yanxi was treated coldly. This was all because of the uncanny resemblance between her and her mother. Every time he saw her, he could not help but be reminded of himself as a cuckold. 

Xia Yanxi remained adamant. The taunting smile was still on her face. She knew, even if she were to admit defeat, Huo Changsheng would still not continue to pay for her brother's medical fees!

"How do you want me to obey? If I did yesterday, I would have been violated by a man! Huo Changsheng, know that I am not some marionette that you can play with!" 

Even if he did not pay for her brother's medical fees, Xia Yanxi would find a way of her own! 

Just then, the door flung open and a servant approached the family "meeting". 

"Master, mistress. Miss Huo and Mr. Bai are here." 

Mr. Bai?

Was Wenxuan back from his work trip overseas?

Xia Yanxi hurriedly turned around and looked at the door. 

It was him indeed. The man who had been inside her head for so long, her fiance of five years, Bai Wenxuan. Adorned in a deep green suit with two rows of buttons, a creaseless white undershirt, and a pair of black slacks to complement his entire ensemble, Bai Wenxuan waltzed in, strutting about his large built, parading himself with a face, both handsome and cool. 

The girl, right next to him, was Huo Shiyu. She was not beautiful, not like the rose that Xia Yanxi was, but a cute, innocent-looking, and seemingly fragile girl, like that of a fickle indoor plant. One that had never been tainted, touched, nor tested, the kind that men desired to care for. Xia Yanxi knew the truth. Despite having such a pure, innocent appearance, the girl had the vilest poison flowing through her veins. 

For as long as she could remember, Huo Shiyu had always tried to have what Xia Yanxi had. If she could not have it, she would break down in tears. Since she already had a look that was extremely innocent, once the waterworks started, Huo Changsheng would rush to her side. And every time he did, only Yao Manlian and Aunt Xu would try to speak for Xia Yanxi. Well, she tried, but Xia Yanxi knew better now. Yao Manlian was only setting up the stage back then… 

As she looked longingly at Bai Wenxuan, something caught her eye. It was how Huo Shiyu was clinging closely to Bai Wenxuan, how her slender, fragile arms were wrapped around his… 

When did the two of them become so close?

"Shiyu! Wenxuan! Come in! Come sit!" Huo Changsheng exclaimed in delight. 

Even though she had verbally severed whatever ties she had with Huo Changsheng, she could not help but feel devastated when her father completely ignored her existence when the two arrived.