Was That The Reason?

Her words irked Wang Huozhen more and he slammed his fist onto the table in anger. "You unfilial brat, how dare you act presumptuous!"

Wang Rouxi raised a perfectly arched eyebrow and examined the mahogany table with much interest. She did find it amusing how she became an 'unfilial brat' from Wang Huozhen's words.

Oh! He was not actually pertaining to her, but rather her younger sister, Wang Xinji!

Wang Huozhen should not even think of talking to her about filial piety. That slap just then diminished the miniscule respect Wang Rouxi had for this so-called father of hers.

Wang Rouxi lifted her gaze and saw his livid expression. She took a few steps forward and stopped just in front of the table, running a finger on its smooth wooden surface. "This table must be made from mahogany wood, am I right?"

The sudden irrelevant question caught Wang Huozhen off guard. He stood there dumbly, momentarily forgetting his seething anger directed at Wang Rouxi.

"You..." Wang Huozhen pointed a finger at her. "Don't change the topic here, young lady!"

"Oh."

Wang Rouxi retrieved her hand and took a step back, crossing her arms across her chest as she tilted her head to the side. "Can Master Wang tell me what is the main point then?"

From the moment she saw him, Wang Huozhen had slapped her without reason and called her an 'unfilial brat'. She couldn't help but wonder what Wang Xinji did to incur this man's wrath.

Wang Huozhen's eyes narrowed and he said in an enraged tone, "You don't know? Don't act dumb, Wang Xinji! You should know very well what you did that day! You threw our family's face away!"

"How come I don't remember a thing? Will Master Wang be benevolent enough as to enlighten me?" Wang Rouxi replied calmly.

Wang Rouxi's constant referral to him as 'Master Wang' infuriated Wang Huozhen. How dare she not acknowledge him as her father!

But come to think of it, he did hit her earlier. Seeing the glaring red marks on her left cheek, he felt a bit guilty, but it was soon overshadowed by his rage.

"Great!" Wang Huozhen clapped his hands, slowly, in a rhythmic pattern. His head shook side to side with each clap as a mocking smile made its way on his face. "As expected of the Best Actress of the Year! Your oblivious act is truly remarkable!"

Wang Rouxi merely leveled a cold, emotionless stare at him. Her silence egged him on to continue.

Wang Huozhen didn't disappoint as he lashed out at her like a loose cannon.

"You didn't even think about our family's prestige when you walked out on us while we were discussing your marriage with the Xia's! What kind of proper lady are you to run away from home just so you can avoid your fiancé?!"

"Marriage with whom?" Wang Rouxi furrowed her brow.

She didn't remember reading anything about Wang Xinji's marriage in her intelligence report.

Wang Huozhen paid no heed to her and continued, "Did you really think that by constantly appearing in front of the media, I would not be able to do anything to you? You're mistaken, Wang Xinji! You're grossly mistaken!"

"When you decided to join the entertainment industry back then, didn't you wonder why I allowed you to become a measly actress? It's because I can always block and pull down every single project that you have right now!"

"You're lucky that the Xia's didn't take offence at your blunder! Have you made up your mind? You choose. Either you agree with the marriage or say goodbye to your acting career!"

From start to finish, Wang Huozhen only mentioned Wang Xinji and the Xia Family. He didn't say who Wang Xinji's fiancé was.

Wang Rouxi suddenly thought of a ridiculous notion, but she dared not believe it until she heard it straight from Wang Huozhen's mouth.

"Marriage with whom?" She reiterated.

Wang Huozhen glared at her. Still trying to keep up the act, huh?

"Xia Jiannan, who else?"

When she heard Xia Jiannan's name, Wang Rouxi's expression went cold. "You plan to have a business marriage with the Xia's?"

"Don't act dumb now. I've already said it to you before. You will marry Xia Jiannan! Their political influence will be beneficial to our company. Now that Shenyun is still in a coma, we might need their help. We cannot guarantee if the person your Grandmother had chosen to take your older brother's place will be efficient. It's good to have a contingency plan."

At this point, Wang Huozhen felt exhausted after venting all his frustrations at Wang Rouxi. He toned down his voice a notch.

"Oh. So it is like that." Wang Rouxi commented simply.

The two fell into an awkward silence.

Wang Huozhen took this time to observe this daughter of his. He didn't manage to do so earlier as he was overwhelmed with his emotions.

It was now that Wang Huozhen noticed that Wang Xinji had changed so much. It was not only her appearance. Her whole aura changed to a considerable degree that it seemed as though she was a different person altogether.

But how was that possible?

The 'Wang Xinji' in front of him had 60-70% resemblance to Shi Linlang and 30-40% resemblance to him. It couldn't be possible for her to be some other person.

Wang Rouxi was unaware of Wang Huozhen's mistaken thoughts. Her mind was constantly churning over the possible explanation of how the marriage arrangement of Xia Jiannan and Wang Xinji came about.

Although the Wang Empire Estates was bigger than the Xia Corporation, the latter's influence in political affairs was better than the Wang's.

If the Wang's would really have to choose a family to have close ties with, the best option would be the Xia's.

But based on what she had observed about the Xia Family in her visit that day, Xia Renjian and Hua Jinqiu didn't seem to be the type to force their children to marry someone against their will.

They were nothing like this man in front of her who was supposed to be her "father".

If that's the case, then it was Xia Jiannan who was willing to marry Wang Xinji!

No one forced him to agree to this marriage!

Reaching this conclusion, Wang Rouxi felt that familiar emptiness creeping in around her heart.

Ironically, she found herself smiling at this comforting feeling brought about by the emptiness and nothingness she thought she had long forgotten.

'So that's the reason he didn't want to agree to my proposal, huh?' Wang Rouxi derided herself.

Xia Jiannan was actually engaged with Wang Xinji!