Chapter 58 - What About Xiaohua?!

"No, thanks. You can blame my manner for it, but I'm exhausted now. Save it for tomorrow."

Everyone was stunned by her remarks. Actually, even Li Caiyi was amazed by how rude she was. She did not know she had it in her.

Li Jirong slammed the armchair with a flushed face, looking extremely upset. "Very good! Now you even learn how to talk disrespectfully to your parents. I must have been too lenient with you all this time! Don't get cocky just because you win one measly competition."

It seemed he was so angered he forgot to maintain his face in front of the noble Meng Renshu. Li Caiyi snorted. "So what? Should I keep sitting and listening to you talking about stocks and the nation's economic situation? As you said, what I earned for myself today was only a measly achievement, so you don't have to care if I'm here or not. But Father, aren't you forgetting something?"

Li Jirong's face turned awkward after hearing that, and he was suddenly at a loss on what to say. Li Caiyi knew her father must be worried she would bring up their bet in front of Meng Renshu; that was why he kept trying to divert everyone's attention away from her by talking about other things.

If he was that worried, then he should not have restrained her from leaving. His twisted desire to see Li Caiyi being ignored and humiliated was the one who brought this upon himself.

Li Caiyi smirked. "I don't mind staying here and talking about some other things that might be more interesting if that's what Father wants."

Li Jirong glared at Li Caiyi, but he could only suppress his fury inside. Meng Renshu was the sole heir of Meng Corporation, and he could not let the Li family reputation be tarnished just because of his useless daughter!

Left with no choice, he reluctantly said with a wave of his hand, "Forget it. Don't stay and spout nonsense here. Just go to your room."

"Then I'll be leaving first."

Li Caiyi was about to leave when Meng Renshu called out to her.

"Xiaoyi, wait!"

Li Caiyi groaned inwardly. She almost escaped from this situation; why would he call for her? With a bit of resentment in her heart, Li Caiyi reluctantly looked back. "What?"

Of course, Meng Renshu could tell that Li Caiyi was upset. Meng Renshu thought that Li Caiyi was in a hurry to return to her room because of his presence. Because she hated to see him so much, she was not even willing to stay around for a chat. Meng Renshu was very sad and lonely. He came here to speak with her, but he only made her uncomfortable instead.

So he called out to her impulsively, but his tongue stiffened when his gaze met with her impatient one.

"I…" Meng Renshu could not finish his sentence. He forced his brain to work for him, and suddenly an idea popped out. "I want to talk to you and your family about our arrangement for my upcoming coming-of-age party."

Li Caiyi was alarmed as soon as those words left his mouth. She was like a cat whose tails had been stepped on as she exclaimed, "What arrangement?! There is no arrangement! I refuse!"

Li Caiyi did not notice the crestfallen look on Meng Renshu's face after her vehement refusal because her focus was elsewhere. Sure enough, Li Jirong's eyes sparkled in delight after he heard the word 'arrangement'.

"Renshu, care to tell Uncle what do you mean by that?"

"Uncle, I was going to invite all of you to my coming-of-age party, and I want Xiaoyi to become my partner that day, but…." Meng Renshu glanced at Li Caiyi sadly and sighed. "It seems I have to change my plan."

"What are you talking about? Of course, Xiaoyi would be happy to accompany you on that important day!"

Li Caiyi's eyes widened incredulously hearing that, "What? No, I—"

"Xiaoyi was just too shy. I remembered she enjoyed following you around and was very fond of you. Don't mind her harsh words. Women sometimes act in opposition to what their heart desires."

Meng Renshu's flame of hope was burning again after hearing Li Jirong's encouragement. As long as Li Jirong and Su Suyin agreed, even if Li Caiyi refused, she would have to comply at the end of the day. Meng Renshu did not want to use a sly trick like this if he could help it, but Li Caiyi left him with no choice.

"Then, Uncle, do you agree Xiaoyi became my partner that day? What about you, Auntie?"

While Li Jirong and Su Suyin agreed with a radiant smile, Li Caiyi's face turned ashen. She discreetly sneaked a glance at Li Chunhua, curious about her thoughts about this, but the said person was busy peeling some nuts and munched it quietly. There was no sign of dissatisfaction at all on her face. Li Caiyi was baffled by that.

'How can that be?! I know she loves Meng Renshu a lot. She even cried all night when Father forced the two apart.' Li Caiyi thought was in a mess, and the matter suddenly concluded when she was distracted.

"Then, it's settled! I'll leave Xiaoyi in your hands for that day." Li Jirong said as if the decision had been finalized.

"Wait a minute! What about Xiaohua?!" Li Caiyi exclaimed.

Meng Renshu wished Li Caiyi would not bring this up. He stole a glance at Li Chunhua and was surreptitiously relieved when the girl did not seem to mind.

"Xiaoyi, of course, Xiaohua will attend my party as well. Don't worry because you won't be alone." Meng Renshu's words of reassurance only put her more on edge instead.

"But I didn't want to!"

Li Jirong glared at his foolish daughter annoyedly, but he could not lose his temper again in front of Meng Renshu. He initially thought that Meng Renshu liked Li Chunhua, but it did not seem to be like that anymore. Well, he did not care which one, as long as it was his daughter who won Young Master Meng's affection. He would not let Li Caiyi ruin this chance!

Li Jirong threw a side glance at Su Suyin, and being his wife for years, Su Suyin could guess what he was trying to say. So she stood up and rubbed Li Caiyi on the back.

"Xiaoyi, don't be rude like that. Renshu had already gone so far as to ask for our permission to take you as his partner. He was very courteous and considerate of you, and didn't you always look up to him? Don't cause any more scenes and just agree with it. You won't lose anything doing this."

Li Caiyi knew there was an underlying meaning under the words 'you won't lose anything'.

For her father, of course, pushing her to Meng Renshu would be beneficial for the family, but Li Caiyi would not be able to keep her sanity intact. If she showed up with Meng Renshu on an important day like that, who knows what people would say about them?

"Mother, I—"

"No buts. Everything has been settled, so you can return to your room now, young lady. I'm not impressed with your attitude today. You become more and more unreasonable each day."

Li Caiyi could do nothing when her parents had announced their approval.. Her head was throbbing already.