Chapter 22: 22

Bai Zhen Zhen was clearly a member of the Bai family, yet she was being currently being protected by Elder Huo while her biological father stood aside silently.

Even Bai Zhen Zhen felt that the situation was ridiculous.

At this moment, Bai Zhen Zhen really wanted to ask her “father”: “Didn’t you say you came here for the sake of your daughter?! Why aren’t you talking now?!”

However, her desire to live made her keep her mouth shut.

Contrary to expectations, Father Bai didn’t even feel a trace of shame, even feeling that Elder Huo was being too nosy.

“Elder Huo, this is our Bai family’s business. It would be below your identity to insist on intervening.” Father Bai said.

Elder Huo’s smile didn’t diminish at all, replying: “My identity right now is Zhen Zhen’s grandpa. How could it below me to protect my own granddaughter-in-law? On the other hand, I really want to ask you, Mr Bai — You said that your second wife and step-daughter has suffered. Then have you ever tried to understand the suffering of your biological daughter?”

“I will take care of my daughter myself. I don’t need other people to teach me.” Father Bai was slightly angry and frustrated.

Elder Huo chuckled lightly, saying: “Mr Bai, you’re willing to let your biological daughter suffer in order to give your second wife and step-daughter a good life. You must feel that you’re very selfless and heroic. However, my apologies, I cannot empathise with you. After all, blood is thicker than water. If it was me, I would only want the best for my beloved grandson.”

Elder Huo held Bai Zhen Zhen’s hand, patting it lightly: “Zhen Zhen, I want to thank you for accompanying Huo Xiang. Although I don’t know how you fell in love with each other, I believe that it should be a beautiful story. I hope that you can continue to be happy together, and not choose to sacrifice yourself because of anyone’s objection.”

“Grandpa, thank you…” Bai Zhen Zhen was touched, gratefully saying to Elder Huo.

At the same time, she was also vaguely ashamed. After all, Huo Xiang and her were only married in name, even the “marriage” was fake.

“Elder Huo, I don’t think we need to continue this meal.” Father Bai suddenly stood up, his expression stiff, “Our Bai family will not let our daughter live by flattering the rich. Although we are poor, but we still have our backbone; our dignity.”

“Mr Bai, no one here has ever doubted your backbone and dignity.” Elder Huo replied, “If you are holding grudges against me because of what I said just now, it doesn’t matter. We have different ideologies, but that has nothing to do with the children’s marriage.”

Bai Zhen Zhen also said: “Dad, you’ve witnessed Elder Huo’s attitude with your own two eyes. If I won’t be bullied if I marry into the Huo family!”

“That’s what they say now. When you really marry into their family, it will be a whole different scenario altogether! Do you think I wouldn’t know!” Father Bai said bitterly.

Bai Zhen Zhen didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry, replying: “But I’m already married in.”

Saying so, she looked helplessly at her father.

She had always thought that the most difficult existence in the book were those vicious supporting females. She had never expected that there would be someone who was even more aggravating.

Father Bai was trembling with anger, pointing a finger at Bai Zhen Zhen saying: “You- You’re really determined — Not to divorce him?!”

Bai Zhen Zhen saw her father’s behavior and became afraid that the system would suddenly issue another “warning”. She could only change the topic: “Dad, since you don’t want to eat, why don’t you go back first. Let me have some time to think about it.”

“What do you mean?” Father Bai paused.

“I don’t want to hurt Huo Xiang, nor do I want to go against your wishes. You need to give me some time to calm down and think about it.” Bai Zhen Zhen said perfunctorily.

…Think about how to deal with you.

Huo Xiang immediately reacted, saying to Father Bai: “Yes, Uncle Bai. Things have happened so quickly, why don’t we all just calm down…”

Father Bai said: “I will give you at most three days. Within three days, you must have a divorce!”

He gave Bai Zhen Zhen a look: “Zhen Zhen, if you continue to be disobedient, then don’t blame me for disowning you!”

Bai Zhen Zhen: ???

Why did he make it sound like she really wanted to recognise him as a father?!

— Bai Zhen Zhen: “If he disowns me, then can I casually fight him in the future?”

— System: “If there’s no father-daughter relationship, of course you can.”

— Bai Zhen Zhen: “Wow, that’s great–“

— System: “But before that, if your father-daughter relationship collapses because of you, it goes against your character settings and your experience will be resetted.”

— Bai Zhen Zhen: “…”

After throwing down those ruthless lines, Father Bai left the room without looking back.

Yang Su Ping and her daughter also didn’t have the face to continue staying, slipping away with Father Bai.

****

Bai Zhen Zhen stayed behind.

She apologised to Elder Huo: “Grandpa, I’m really sorry. You invited us to dinner with good intentions, yet it ended up like this because of my family.”

“It’s ok.” Elder Huo shook his head, “Zhen Zhen, don’t blame me for nagging too much. Though Huo Xiang loves you and dotes on you, but your father is ultimately his father-in-law. It’s not convenient for him to speak his mind. Today, I have spoken harshly to your father on behalf of him, I hope you don’t take offense.”

“Grandpa, what are you talking about. Not only did you not blame my family for being impolite, but you even protected me. I understand it very well.” Bai Zhen Zhen said.

“Yes, I know. You’re a good child!” Elder Huo was extremely gratified.

“By the way, I have arranged a conference the day after tomorrow to formally announce Huo Xiang being my grandson and heir.” Elder Huo paused, before continuing, “Zhen Zhen, at that time, your relationship with Huo Xiang, do you want to…”

“Grandpa, can you not announce it?!” Bai Zhen Zhen asked.

Seeing Elder Huo was a little perplexed, Bai Zhen Zhen explained: “I’m not talking about keeping Huo Xiang’s identity hidden, but I want to keep our marriage hidden for now. Besides, I’m going on a business trip within these two days, which will last quite a few months. I don’t think I can even attend Huo Xiang’s conference.”

Huo Xiang added on: “Yes, grandfather, I haven’t had the time to inform you on this. Zhen Zhen is working at a big company and is deeply trusted by her boss. Recently, she was assigned to go overseas for a project, which may take a long time.”

“Which company? Do you need me to make an appearance to discuss with the boss to postpone the trip?”

“Don’t, grandfather,” Huo Xiang took the lead, speaking for Bai Zhen Zhen, “Didn’t you say previously, Zhen Zhen is an independent girl. She has her own career, so with regards to her job, we shouldn’t interfere too much.”

Bai Zhen Zhen gave Huo Xiang and appreciative look.

In her heart, she sighed with emotions: This person is worthy of being my friend!

“However, you are newlyweds. To be separately so soon after, isn’t it too cruel!” Elder Huo sighed.

“As the saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. The feelings between Zhen Zhen and I will not falter with such a small challenge.” Huo Xiang said firmly.

He smiled and acted spoiled: “Besides, I haven’t met you in so many years, I should take the opportunity to be filial to you and accompany you…”

This sentence was super effective. Elder Huo immediately burst into cheerful laughter.

“You ah! Filial piety is having a child with Zhen Zhen and giving me a great-grandchild sooner!”

“Heh heh, having a child, we’ll have it tonight!” Huo Xiang chuckled conspiratorially while winking at Bai Zhen Zhen.

Bai Zhen Zhen smiled “haha”.

In her heart, she rescinded her words praising Huo Xiang.

****

After dinner, Elder Huo returned to his room to rest with the butler’s help.

Huo Xiang originally wanted to send Bai Zhen Zhen home, but seeing that her mood was down, he suggested to take a walk outside first.

It was already nighttime. The moon was hiding behind a curtain of dark clouds, faintly illuminating their path.

On the main street, the neon lights brightly lit up the city.

Bai Zhen Zhen strolled while deep in thought. Huo Xiang thought that she was conflicted, and suggested: “Zhen Zhen, your father’s attitude is so determined. How about we… just call it quits and divorce? Either way, I will listen to you.”

Bai Zhen Zhen didn’t answer immediately.

She and Huo Xiang were originally in a fake marriage, just to let those people give up on her. And she planned to leave the city tomorrow, so this marriage relationship would only exist in name. Whether or not to divorce, it didn’t matter much to her.

However, one should live well with their heads held high. Even if it was an illusory world, Bai Zhen Zhen couldn’t take it lying down.

— Why should her decision be controlled by those people? Her biological father was foolish and her stepmother and stepsister were tricky and vicious. They would never walk a mile in her shoes, why should she give in to them?!

Elder Huo spoke correctly. Kindness was not just forbearance and flattery!

“Not divorcing!” Bai Zhen Zhen made up her mind, proclaiming with steel-like determination.

“Why?” Huo Xiang asked.

He thought to himself — She wouldn’t have actually fallen in love with me, right? This all-encompassing charm of mine…

“I’ve already spent my money, I can’t let you off just like that.” Bai Zhen Zhen replied.

Huo Xiang pursed his lips: “…That’s- That’s true, special deals are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.”

“Sigh, but you’re so clever, do you have any good ideas?” Bai Zhen Zhen asked.

Huo Xiang thought for awhile, before replying: “There is a way…”

“Let’s hear it.”

“Aren’t I now the heir of the richest man? We can just spend money to find a forger to forge a fake divorce certificate to show your dad, telling him that we’ve already divorced. Wouldn’t that work? Anyway, you’re going on a business trip soon, I believe your dad won’t investigate too deeply into this.”

Bai Zhen Zhen found that the idea was pretty good, and nodded her head.

She said: “Ok, then I will wait for you to arrange the fake divorce certificate before informing my dad and going on the business trip.”

“Oh, by the way,” Bai Zhen Zhen added on, “We will only tell my family about our divorce. If you meet Ling Hao Chen or the Chen siblings outside, remember you need to keep the secret. In front of outsiders, we are still husband and wife.”

“No problem.” Huo Xiang agreed straightforwardly.

— System: “Ding~ Female lead happiness points +2. I warmly remind you, as of right now, you have accumulated 11 happiness points.”

— Huo Xiang: “It’s still ok; it’s back to the double digits again.”

— System: “Knight, are you really prepared to let the female lead leave like this?”

— Huo Xiang: “Yes, letting her do what she wants is a form of happiness! Besides, it’s not like she’s not coming back. The accumulation of happiness index isn’t restricted by time.”

— System: “But this will affect your main mission progress. Didn’t you always look forward to completing the main mission sooner and returning to reality?”

— Huo Xiang: “Since I’m already here, and now I’m even the heir to the world’s richest man, of course I must enjoy this period of time before tackling the mission! I’ll just take it as the fees for protecting the female lead these few days!”

— System: “I’m actually speechless.”

Bai Zhen Zhen had no idea that the man before her actually had a system bound to him as well. She also would never think that this man had the same personality as her, “shirking responsibility” and always “trying to find an easy way out”.

“Zhen Zhen, since it will take some time to forge a fake divorce certificate, do you want to come to my conference?” Huo Xiang suggested.

Bai Zhen Zhen frowned: “I won’t go…”

If it was previously, she would be open to going. She couldn’t wait to rub it in those people’s face and announce that she was already taken. But now that Huo Xiang’s identity was different, if those people with ulterior motives knew about how she managed to “seduce” the heir to the world’s richest man, she wouldn’t even know how many vicious supporting females would pop up to torment her!

“Ah, that’s the most important interview in my life. I really hope that as a friend, you would be able to attend.” Huo Xiang pretended to be disappointed.

Bai Zhen Zhen glanced at him before considering what he said.

That’s right, she had already agreed with the Huo family that they wouldn’t publicise her relationship with Huo Xiang on that day. Then if she attended the conference as a friend, it wouldn’t attract any attention! She could also broaden her experience and even freeload a luxury gourmet banquet.

She would never let go of a single opportunity to make the most of such petty gains!

“Ok, then I’ll go!” Bai Zhen Zhen agreed.

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She further instructed: “You need to expedite the process of forging the divorce certificate. My dad only gave us three days to do it.”

“You can trust me to handle things! It’s not the first day that you met me, don’t you know me? I can be described in a single word — Fast!”

Bai Zhen Zhen was silent for a few silents, before looking at Huo Xiang, saying amusedly: “Men cannot be too fast.”

Huo Xiang: ???

****

The two of them continued to walk forward, chatting with one another. Before long, they passed by a familiar place.

Wasn’t that the hospital she had sent her dad to, which was also the place shet met Huo Xiang for the first time?

Huo Xiang suddenly thought of a dessert store, asking Bai Zhen Zhen: “It’s a little hot, do you want to eat some desserts?”

“Ok!” Bai Zhen Zhen also had the same thoughts.

“The last time I was staying in the hostpial, I visited a dessert store. The mango pomelo there was especially authentic. It’s just through the alley in front. I’ll take you to try it!”

Bai Zhen Zhen had absolutely no resistance to food, immediately nodding excitedly: “What are you waiting for, lead the way!”

With that said, she rushed ahead of Huo Xiang, skipping through the alleyway.

However, as soon as she entered the alleyway, she turned her head and screamed “Ah!”

Then, with swift footwork, she retreated back to Huo Xiang’s side, tightly hugging his arm, her whole body trembling.

Huo Xiang was shocked: “What’s wrong?”

Fear lingered within Bai Zhen Zhen. She didn’t dare to look forward, only stretching out a trembling finger and pointed forward.

Huo Xiang took a closer look.

The alleyway was dimly lit. He could vaguely see a man curled up, squatting against the wall of the alley.

If he listened carefully, he would even hear weeping sounds.

No wonder Bai Zhen Zhen would be frightened. Without psychological preparations, even a big man like him would be frightened on first glance.

“It’s probably a homeless man…” Huo Xiang whispered to Bai Zhen Zhen, “Let’s take a different path.”

Bai Zhen Zhen quickly nodded.

Just as she was about to leave with Huo Xiang, the system’s voice sounded out in her mind.

— System: “The system has identified a lead character. Host, do you really want to leave him to die?!”

— Bai Zhen Zhen: “Lead character?! A homeless man?!”

— System: “The novel’s third male lead, Xi Xixi.”

Bai Zhen Zhen was stunned.

Xi Xixi? How could he appear here?!

Huo Xiang turned back and found that Bai Zhen Zhen was still frozen at her original spot. Puzzled, he asked her: “Why aren’t you coming?”

His alarm would only be issued the first time he met a lead character, thus he didn’t know who the “homeless man” was.

Bai Zhen Zhen shushed Huo Xiang, before pointing to the man squatting in the distance, whispering: “That’s not a homeless man, that’s the person we saw previously at the shopping mall lucky draw, the person who won before us… that idol…”

“It’s him?!” Huo Xiang was astounded.

“Wasn’t he the popular newcomer of that boy group? It’s already deep into the night, how could he be here and in this state…”

Bai Zhen Zhen also found it strange.

She tried her best to recall the relevant plot in the novel.

Suddenly thought of a chapter!

In that chapter’s plot, the female lead was hurt by love and took a stroll around the river by herself. Just nice, she bumped into Xi Xixi, who wanted to jump into the river.

At that time, Xi Xixi was being ostracised within the group, suffering greatly. However, his reticent personality didn’t allow him to speak his mind, causing the public opinion of him to deteriorate, with many netizens criticising him. He couldn’t bear the pressure from multiple fronts, and with his depression rearing its head, it gave birth to the thought of committing suicide.

Bai Zhen Zhen remembered that during the chapter, the female lead stopped Xi Xixi from committing an action he would regret, and drank the night away with him. To Xi Xixi, the words they exchanged while drinking not only enlightened him, but also saved him.

However, because Bai Zhen Zhen transmigrated into the novel, in this parallel world, the female lead didn’t go to the riverside from heartbreak, instead following another person to eat dessert nearby — So, the third male lead followed the adjusted plot and appeared here?!

Yet another fateful encounter that she couldn’t escape from!

“Zhen Zhen, don’t tell me you want to go over and greet him…” Huo Xiang asked tentatively.

Based on his knowledge, the third male lead named Xi Xixi would also bring pain and harm to the female lead in the future. The previous warning had already reminded him that what he should do was to keep the female lead away from these characters, the further the better.

Seeing that Bai Zhen Zhen kept silent, Huo Xiang continued: “You’re not familiar with him, it’s better to turn a blind eye. He is also an idol. If you’re photographed by the paparazzi, it will implicate you!”

“But if I don’t help him, he will die.” Bai Zhen Zhen said.

Huo Xiang was dumbfounded.

Was it really that… serious?!

During these few seconds, Bai Zhen Zhen made a decision — to save him!

Even if he was just an NPC, he was still alive in front of her now. More importantly, the last time she went to withdraw money bank and was almost robbed, it was this youth who had saved her.

Thus, she grabbed Huo Xiang’s hand, sincerely asking: “Ah Xiang, I want to give you an important task. This task involves a person’s life and death, please be sure to complete it successfully!”

Huo Xiang’s eyes twitched, his lips trembling as he asked: “Can I refuse…”

Bai Zhen Zhen shook her head solemnly.

“What do you want me to do?” Huo Xiang sighed.

He didn’t intend to continue to struggle, only hoping that after he finished his task, the female lead happiness index would rise.

“Go and enlighten that kid,” Bai Zhen Zhen said, “He’s not even 20 years old; he has a long life ahead of him. It’s just that the pressure he’s facing is too great, and there’s no one around him who cares about him or helps him, causing him to be depressed. Take it as doing a good deed and accumulating good karma by helping people in need. If he becomes popular one day, you will also ride on his coattails!”

“I don’t have any objections on enlightening him.” Huo Xiang agreed, before proudly adding on, “But I need to make this clear. I am now the heir to the world’s richest man, so I don’t need to ride anyone’s coattails, ok?”

“That’s true.” Bai Zhen Zhen laughed.

None of this was important. As long as Huo Xiang helped her on this matter, she wouldn’t be subjected to the third male lead’s affections, and would also have saved a promising youth, killing two birds with one stone.

Thinking of this, Bai Zhen Zhen’s mood improved.

“Go, Pika-Xiang!”

****

Under the dim streetlights, Huo Xiang slowly approached the man sitting in the corner.

Feeling someone approaching, not only did Xi Xixi not raise his head, he even buried his head deeper into his arm. It seems like he was still worried that he would be recognised, especially when he was in such a vulnerable situation now.

“Don’t hide, I know who you are. You’re called Xi Xixi, right?” Huo Xiang plainly exposed him.

Bai Zhen Zhen hid at a corner of the alley, secretly peeking and observing the situation.

Xi Xixi raised his head, his bloodshot eyes revealing suspicion and panic.

The moment Huo Xiang saw his appearance, he finally understood Bai Zhen Zhen’s words — he was really an inexperienced child. He observed his surroundings again, only to find that there were many cans on the ground. There was still a pack of unfinished beer beside Xi Xixi’s thigh.

“You’re drinking? Can I join?” Huo Xiang asked.

Seeing Xi Xixi remain silent, he introduced himself again: “Don’t you remember me? Previously at the opening ceremony of the Xiangju Commercial Mall, you didn’t accept the prize after winning the lucky draw. After that, my girlfriend went up stage to accept the prize, and I proposed to her on the spot.”

“It’s you…” Xi Xixi finally reacted.

Huo Xiang raised his eyebrows and pointed at the beer beside Xi Xixi.

Xi Xixi hesitated for a moment, but took out a can of beer and passed it to Huo Xiang.

Huo Xiang took it and smoothly sat down beside Xi Xixi.

“Talk; if there’s anything troubling you, you’ll feel better after talking about it.”

Xi Xixi bit his lip, but remained silent.

Huo Xiang continued: “Then let me share with you my story.”

Seeing that Xi Xixi hadn’t refused, Huo Xiang started to open up.

“I’m an orphan. Since young, I have never known who my parents were, or where I lived. When I lived on the streets, I would see that the other kids had a father and a mother, but I was all alone. My heart would feel especially upset and inferior. And I was living on the streets, you know how it is, having to go hungry and sleep cold, also often being bullied by others. In other words, it can be summed up in just one word — miserable!”

“But I never lost hope. I thought to myself, I’m also a kind and hardworking kid. It’s impossible for the heaven’s to dislike me; the heaven’s must be testing me! So like a cockroach, I tenaciously survived, improved myself, and got stronger! Slowly, I gained recognition and respect. Even those people who looked down on me previously couldn’t help but cheer me on!”

“Oh right, just two days ago, I even reunited with the family I never knew I had…”

Bai Zhen Zhen, who was secretly observing from a corner, could also vaguely hear the content of what they were talking about. She couldn’t help but feel gratified deep in her heart.

Indeed, she didn’t choose the wrong person. Someone who could spout bullshit with a straight face, if her Brother Xiang claimed to be second place, then no one would dare claim first place.

Suddenly, the system’s voice rang out in her mind again.

— System: “Host, are you sure you want to do this?”

— Bai Zhen Zhen: “Why? I’m also helping him, just using a different way to do so!”

— System: “But according to the novel’s settings, the third male lead love for the female lead would sprout after this incident…”

— Bai Zhen Zhen: “I know, but I just want to save him. I don’t want to be loved by him.”

— System: “Uh, then are you not afraid that Xi Xixi would…”

— Bai Zhen Zhen: “???”

— System: “… fall for… uh… you know…”

— Bai Zhen Zhen: “!!!”

—————————–

Author’s note:

[Small scenario]

Xi Xixi: From today onwards, I am Brother Xiang’s number one braindead fan!!

Bai Zhen Zhen: Xiang Xiang, I was wrong, I shouldn’t have pushed you into the fire…

Huo Xiang: Don’t speak nonsense! We are just normal brothers!!!

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