Husband?

"Break... break the engagement!?"

Father Tang clutched his chest, instantly appearing as if he had aged several decades.

"Brother Tang, I know you value your reputation, and I won't make it difficult for you. How about this: your Tang family issues a statement publicly announcing that it is your son Tang Ao who doesn't like Qiao'er, and that it is your Tang family who is voluntarily breaking off the engagement with our Zhou family. This way, your reputation in Longquan City won't suffer any loss. Moreover..."

Father Zhou on the other end of the phone paused for a moment before speaking meaningfully, "Your son Tang Ao has shown quite an affection for that girl named Lin Ruoxue in recent years. In Longquan City, it's no secret. Putting aside today's despicable tactics, the fact that he has confessed to her ninety-eight times in a row... Such persistence and deep affection, even you couldn't compare back in the day."

"Sigh~"

Father Tang sighed deeply. They were all smart people, and the conversation had reached this point. Father Tang knew there was no way to salvage the situation unless...

"Dad! How can you decide my life without my consent!?"

Zhou Qiao'er suddenly spoke up. On this end, Father Tang's eyes lit up with surprise, while on the other end, Father Zhou was startled: "Qiao'er? Why are you at the Tang family's place? According to the itinerary, you should arrive tomorrow!"

"Dad! I hope you take back your..."

"Qiao'er, don't worry, it's all Dad's fault. Back then, in a moment of youthful impulsiveness, I arranged this marriage for you. Today, I will risk everything to cancel this engagement!"

"I love Tang Ao. I, Zhou Qiao'er, will marry no one but Tang Ao in this lifetime!"

"What did you say!?" Zhou Qiao'er's words exploded like a bomb in both the Tang and Zhou families.

"Qiao'er, you're crazy. What kind of person is Tang Ao? How can he be..."

"He can. Only he can be my husband! Dad, if you insist on separating me from Tang Ao, then... I will sever my relationship with you!"

"Qiao'er... you... do you know what Tang Ao has done in recent years? Do you know what he did today..."

Zhou Qiao'er nodded, "I know! I'm fully aware. It is precisely because I understand that I am even more convinced that my judgment has always been right. Tang Ao is the man worth entrusting my life to!"

"What kind of spell did Tang Ao cast on you!" Father Zhou on the other end of the phone was furious, his voice trembling. But knowing his daughter, he understood that once she made a decision, nothing could change her mind.

"Sigh, forget it. Since my daughter likes him... Qiao'er, you must promise me, if you ever feel wronged over there, tell me immediately. Although the Zhou family's business is not in Dragon Country now, if the Tang family dares to humiliate you, we won't stand idly by!"

His words were both an acceptance and a warning to the Tang family.

Father Tang and Mother Tang were overjoyed. Though Father Zhou's words were harsh, he had implicitly agreed to the marriage!

Father Tang quickly responded, "Brother Zhou, rest assured, Qiao'er will be like my own daughter. If this brat Tang Ao ever misbehaves again, I'll personally tie him up and break his legs!"

Tang Ao, standing aside, was dumbfounded.

This...

[This engagement seems to be happening!]

[Oh my God! Zhou Qiao'er is so fierce!]

[If I were her dad, I'd be going crazy. Raising her for over twenty years only to have her taken away by a pig!]

[I have to do something. If the two families forcefully decide this engagement, I won't be able to fight against the elders. If I marry Zhou Qiao'er, how can I maintain my lapdog persona for Lin Ruoxue?]

Thinking this, Tang Ao raised his head, looking displeased, "Zhou Qiao'er, if you think you can have me, you're dreaming. My heart will always belong to Lin Ruoxue!"

"You ungrateful son!"

If Zhou Qiao'er weren't present, Father Tang would have kicked Tang Ao out of the house.

Such a good daughter-in-law, not minding his disgraceful deeds, yet he had the audacity to say such things!

Mother Tang, abandoning her usual pampering, sternly said, "Tang Ao, apologize to Miss Qiao'er and your Uncle Zhou!"

"That's impossible!"

Tang Ao resolutely shook his head, "A forced marriage is never sweet. From the moment I saw Lin Ruoxue, I was deeply attracted to her. Whether it's Zhou Qiao'er or any other woman, I will never love anyone else in this lifetime!"

"Tang Ao!!!"

The roar from the phone's speaker was deafening. Even through the phone, Tang Ao could feel Father Zhou's fury, almost as if he wanted to leap out and skin him alive.

[It's working. Haha, I'm a genius. I've completely enraged Father Zhou. This marriage won't happen even if Zhou Qiao'er likes me!]

[Speaking of which, if I remember correctly, the Zhou family will face an assault from Ye Chen's Dragon King Hall in the next couple of days. Their stock prices will plummet, leading to a fierce battle that will result in a loss of over a billion in cash flow for the Zhou family.]

[If this engagement happens today, the Tang family will have to step in to help, leading to a prolonged business war with Ye Chen's Dragon King Hall. During this time, my pursuit of Lin Ruoxue will leak business secrets, causing the Tang family to collapse, my parents ending up in an insane asylum, and one of them dying from a heart attack.]

[In this life, I, Tang Ao, can accept any plot, but this part must change!]

Hearing Tang Ao's inner thoughts, Zhou Qiao'er froze. Ye Chen, again!

Who exactly was this Ye Chen to make Tang Ao so fearful!

Clenching her fists, Zhou Qiao'er silently vowed that no matter who Ye Chen was or what tricks he had up his sleeve, she wouldn't let him harm Tang Ao or let his family be destroyed!

"My decision is final. This marriage..."

"Husband~!!! Come on, don't be mad at me~"

Zhou Qiao'er's sudden words struck Tang Ao like a bolt of lightning, almost making him collapse.

[What did she just call me?]

[Husband? She called me husband! Oh my God, why am I so excited!]

[I want to hear it again~ Boohoo, this feeling is so wonderful~]