Yao Manning bit her lip and took a deep breath.
She had just visited Huo Wenyuan a few days ago, and the old man still expressed his support for her marriage to Huo Zhixing.
Despite Madam Yao's repeated, tactful explanations that the Yao family and the Huo family had not made any agreement, and that the wedding leave should be decided by the young people themselves.
But Yao Manning strongly disagreed.
She was determined to prove herself, and she believed that by marrying into the Huo family, the Yao couple would look at her with more respect. With Huo Zhixing as her powerful backer, no one in the Huo family would dare to look down on her.
Then she won't have to fear anyone finding out about her background.
Because her background will forever remain a secret, crushed under her feet.
“Zhixing,” Yao Manning said, composing herself. “I know you’re just acting on impulse. That Miss Jiang is indeed very nice, but she’s not right for you.”
"Marriage is like building a house. Only when the foundation is solid can you build it higher, right?"
Seeing that Huo Zhixing remained silent, Yao Manning quietly moved closer to him.
The man's sharp, almost perfect features, and the noble, aloof air he exuded, would drive any woman crazy. That's why she was so determined to have him.
Huo Zhixing is far superior to those spoiled brats.
“By the way,” Yao Manning continued with a shameless smile, “there’s a lot of gossip going around that you’re going to introduce the big boss of the West Suburbs project at this banquet… Ha, we’ve been working together for so long, and I go to Huo’s every week for a work summary, but I’ve never seen any big boss!”
"Are you lying to the media? Or... is the big boss actually the grandfather?"
"You're overthinking it," Huo Zhixing said coldly. "Just because you haven't met the big boss doesn't mean he doesn't exist. Don't worry, you'll meet him in a bit."
Yao Manning's expression changed, then she smiled and handed Huo Zhixing a glass of wine.
However, Huo Zhixing said he had given it up.
This surprised Yao Manning.
“This is a fine Burgundy, and it’s been aged quite a while. I remember you used to really enjoy wine tasting, didn’t you?” She scoffed lightly. “Has spending so much time with Miss Jiang changed even your taste?”
"Yes, I've quit." Huo Zhixing smiled. "Cancan said that drinking is bad for your health, so in order to have a healthy baby, I have to be strictly self-disciplined."
"What?"
Yao Manning's face froze, and her lips twitched involuntarily.
"You...aren't married yet."
"yes."
“The Huo family has strict family rules,” Yao Manning said, trying to remain calm. “How could Grandpa possibly allow her to become pregnant out of wedlock and use the child to blackmail you?”
"Blackmail?" Huo Zhixing sneered. "You're wrong. I'm the one who wants to use the child to tie her down!"
"you……"
Huo Zhixing looked thoughtful. "But even if we have a child, if she still refuses to marry me, then I'll have to think of another way."
"Ha, I won't be at ease until she agrees. By the way, Manning, if you have any good ideas, you can tell me too. Don't waste the friendship we have from growing up together!"
A few words from Yao Manning made her lose face in public.
Curious guests glanced over, some whispered among themselves, and others chuckled softly.
Yao Manning's face flushed red and then turned pale, and her skirt became wrinkled from being clutched.
"Manning," came Madam Yao's voice, "what are you doing now!"
"Mom, I..."
Madam Yao glared at her sharply, then looked at Huo Zhixing with a hint of apology.
"Third Young Master, I apologize for disturbing you."
“Aunt Yao, please don’t say that.” Huo Zhixing maintained his respect for his elders. “Grandpa mentioned you and Uncle the day before yesterday and asked me to give them my regards at the banquet.”
"Thank you for your concern, sir," Madam Yao nodded slightly. "The sir has always been very kind to our Yao family, and we are not ungrateful people... If there is anything we can do to help, please don't hesitate to ask, Third Young Master!"
"OK."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Huo Zhixing went to entertain other guests.
Yao Manning was trembling all over, her hands and feet were ice-cold, and she felt a lump in her throat.
Madam Yao gave her a disgusted look and said coldly, "Your father and I are enough here. If you don't like the environment here, you can go home first."
"Mom!" Yao Manning exclaimed anxiously, "Grandpa Huo has already agreed to my marriage with Huo Zhixing, why are you stopping me!"
"Because I have a sense of shame!" Madam Yao said sternly.
Yao Manning bit her lip and remained silent.
Madam Yao grabbed her arm tightly, pulled her to a less crowded place, and glared at her through gritted teeth.
“Even if you were adopted from an orphanage, you’ve lived in the Yao family for over twenty years! I’ve raised you like my own daughter, even more so than I have for Wan Yin!”
"How can you be so shameless!"
"Mom," Yao Manning's voice choked with emotion, "I wanted to marry Huo Zhixing, also for the sake of our family..."
"Shut up!" Madam Yao said sharply. "If you really care about the Yao family, then stop doing such shameful things and stop causing trouble for that Miss Jiang! What good is the Huo family patriarch's support? If the Crown Prince doesn't want to, can he force him to marry you?"
"Yao Manning, you'd better wake up! Don't cause me any more trouble!"
Yao Manning reluctantly agreed, her gaze towards her now filled with hatred.
Madam Yao calmed down and continued, "Also, you don't need to go see Wanyin for me anymore. I have resigned from all my positions at Yao's, and from now on, I will focus on taking care of her at home."
"Mom, you..." Yao Manning was shocked.
"What's wrong?" Madam Yao's deep eyes were filled with suspicion. "I want to take care of my daughter, is there anything wrong with that?"
Yao Manning's palms were sweating with nervousness, and her body trembled uncontrollably.
The reason she dared to bully Yao Wanyin all these years was because Yao Zheng and his wife were usually busy with company affairs and had no time to spare, and Yao Wanyin was ill. As long as she lied to him and said it would be bad for her parents, she would endure any injustice.
Now, Madam Yao is going to take care of her personally...
Yao Manning's eyes darted around, large beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, and her face was deathly pale.
Madam Yao already had a bad feeling.
She approached step by step, questioning, "I heard from the doctors and nurses that you often go to take care of Wanyin... Is that true?"
Yao Manning lowered her head, not daring to answer.
"How exactly did you take care of it?"
"Yao Manning, say something!"
"Mom..." Yao Manning looked at her in panic, not knowing how to defend herself, when she heard a commotion in the crowd.
The media reporters have already rushed to the front.
The hall fell silent instantly. After a while, melodious music slowly began to play, and Huo Zhixing appeared before everyone, holding Jiang Can's hand.
The crowd erupted in uproar.
"Isn't this Miss Jiang, who's always with Young Master Huo?"
"Young Master Huo will introduce the behind-the-scenes boss of the western suburbs land project at the banquet..."
"Could it be this Miss Jiang?"
Yao Manning was also dumbfounded, staring blankly at the center of the banquet hall.
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