Chapter 65: Suffering in humiliation and accepting his ex-wife as his stepmother? ?
Since Zhou Jinbai chose to confess to him, he was naturally prepared to be scolded by him.
When he heard Zhou Zexi call him shameless in front of him for the first time, he didn't get angry but laughed instead.
The corners of his lips curled up slightly and he returned to his usual cold look.
Looking up at Zhou Zexi who looked like he was going crazy, Zhou Jinbai felt that human nature was sometimes really despicable.
We don’t cherish what we have, and we only collapse and regret after we lose it. But how many regret pills are there in this world?
If what Zhou Zexi did before did not cross the moral bottom line, it would not be impossible for Su Li to turn back.
But when a man has blatantly cheated on a woman in front of her, and can still call her in the middle of the night to disgust her and show off his power, if the woman still gives him a chance after experiencing these disgusting things, it can only mean that the woman deserves it.
It was obvious that Su Li was not that kind of person. She had a rather stubborn personality and would get jealous whenever Zhou Jinbai said something to any woman. However, she had suffered such a great injustice from Zhou Zexi. If she could turn back, the sun would have to rise from the west.
When she liked Zhou Zexi before, Zhou Zexi had scandals with various actresses. Even if the kissing scenes were very passionate, she did not make trouble because she knew the nature of Zhou Zexi's work.
But when he kissed the woman passionately after filming and even refused to get out of bed, her heart was broken.
His voice remained neutral. "It doesn't matter what you say to me now. Call me shameless or immoral, but compared to you, I'm still a man. We've been father and son for so many years, and I've never thought of competing with you for anything. During the three years that Su Li was married to you, I never even looked at her."
Zhou Zexi clenched his fists until they cracked, and he roared, "But she got together with you right after divorcing me! That night on the Hainan cruise ship, you held her in your arms, right?! Maybe you already liked her before that. I was wondering why you were so supportive of her divorcing me and compensated her so much. It seems like you two have been having an affair for a long time, and maybe I didn't realize it. Maybe you two have been doing it behind my back for a long time. Isn't that disgusting?"
Zhou Jinbai looked at him calmly, "I'm not you. I can't be as disgusting as you. Don't think so badly of me. During the three years she was married to you, she only had you in her eyes and heart. Every time she came home without you, she would go back to her parents' house and never be alone with me. During the three years when she loved you the most, you ignored her, ignored her, and cheated on her. I don't think even the most selfless girl could tolerate that, let alone her stubborn temper."
Zhou Zexi's tears rolled down his cheeks. "You knew she had me in her heart, so why did you attack her?"
Zhou Jinbai calmly lit another cigarette. "Well, I did pursue her. As you said, I've liked her for a long time, but because of my status and my marriage, I couldn't do anything. I could only watch her become more and more disappointed in you, cry for you, and struggle for you. I finally waited for her divorce, and I thought I shouldn't just sit there and wait for death. I should do something. This is the opportunity you gave me, and I have to thank you."
Zhou Zexi's fists were shaking with anger. "You agreed just because you pursued her? It seems she's not a good person either, just a fickle woman."
Zhou Jinbai chuckled, "She must have rejected me. In the end, I still have to thank you. I thought I had no hope, but when she was filming in Hainan, you called her in the middle of the night and let her hear you having sex with another woman. She was so angry that she came to me."
Zhou Zexi, “…”
Zhou Jinbai said, "Maybe when she first got together with me, she was just being angry and seeking revenge, but as time went on, she developed feelings for me. Now, we're so in love that we've decided to get married and get a marriage certificate. She actually agreed to get one, but I felt it was too hasty and sloppy. I need to give her a ceremony. I specially held this banquet today just to let everyone witness that I, Zhou Jinbai, have a significant other. I'll introduce her to everyone I know and make her famous around me. That's all I can give her."
The more Zhou Zexi listened, the more irritated he found it. In the three years that Su Li had been with him, no one knew that he and Su Li were married. They were all in the entertainment industry, and when they occasionally ran into each other, they pretended not to know each other, just like strangers.
In fact, he noticed Su Li's sadness, but he didn't care. He felt that his journey was the ocean of the universe, not a little woman like Su Li.
At that time, because he was sick, there was no one to take care of him, so Su Li took on the responsibility of taking care of him. He thought that this girl was fragrant, soft, and beautiful, and he thought she was someone he could play with.
After having enough fun, he can give her some money and leave.
But he didn't expect Su Li to ask for marriage. He originally thought that he could divorce when he got tired of playing around, and it wouldn't be a big deal. Anyway, as long as he had fun, it would be fine. But he didn't expect that this decision would lead to his downfall.
After the divorce, he watched her begin to shine in her own field and realized that he might have missed something. But no matter how hard he tried, he could not touch Su Li's clothes.
What made him even more devastated was that now, the woman he had previously looked down upon was being held in the palm of his father Zhou Jinbai's hand, and they were going to get married.
Zhou Zexi covered his face and burst into tears. "Can you please not marry her? You can marry anyone, but please don't marry Su Li. I can't stand it. If you two really get married, I will die in front of you."
Zhou Jinbai watched coldly. He had never thought Zhou Zexi was so bad.
He asked Zhou Zexi, "Have I ever treated you unfairly over the years? I've suffered so much for you, and now you don't even want to see me happy. Zhou Zexi, I've never fought for anything in my life. I wanted to raise you and build a foundation for you. I'd be content if you could live a better life than I did. I've spent most of my life living for you, and now you're threatening me like this."
Zhou Zexi slowly slid down from the sofa and knelt on the ground. "Dad, please don't marry Su Li. I beg you. I really can't stand what you've done to me. I know I was wrong, and I've decided to repent. Please let me see Su Li and I'll tell her, okay?"
Zhou Jinbai didn't say anything, just let out a long sigh. Just as he glanced at his watch, Hou Jiangyong called.
He hung up the phone, knowing it was time.
He has to get down to business.
When Zhou Zexi saw him stand up to leave, he crawled over on his knees and hugged his legs to prevent him from leaving.
He shook his head indignantly, "No, really not. Please, give me another chance, Dad. We are the closest people. You can't leave me for Su Li."
Zhou Jinbai clenched his hands into fists slightly, and did not give up everything he pursued because of his pitiful behavior.
He left the reception room. "In your eyes, I'm just with your ex-wife, but you don't know what I've done for her. I can't give her up. Besides, she's pregnant now."
Zhou Zexi's sky collapsed the moment he heard that she was pregnant. He felt dizzy and the world seemed to have become unrecognizable to him.
He knelt there, his head buzzing, watching Zhou Jinbai's figure disappear in the magnificent first-floor hall.
Su Li was still waiting for Zhou Jinbai and was almost asleep. She looked at her phone over and over again and felt that these ten minutes were a bit long.
Just as she was complaining about Zhou Jinbai not caring about her, there was a knock on the door. Su Li quickly got up from the sofa and shouted outside, "Uncle Zhou?"
Zhou Jinbai's cold and calm voice came from outside, "It's me, time's up, Litchi."
Su Li took a deep breath and opened the door for him. "It's finally time, otherwise I would have starved to death. My stomach is already growling."
Zhou Jinbai looked at her and smiled, letting her hold his arm. "Let's go find them."
Su Li took his arm and asked him if his makeup was smudged or his hair was messy.
Zhou Jinbai said no.
He took the room card and went out to lock the door. Su Li's cell phone, round fan and Baobaodou were all left in the room.
She really thought it was just a meal, and she kept asking Zhou Jinbai what delicious food he had along the way. Zhou Jinbai listed all the food she liked, and Su Li was almost dying of greed.
As a result, after arriving at the venue, she and Zhou Jinbai appeared on a huge stage. As soon as they appeared, the spotlight shone on them.
Su Li subconsciously stepped back, and Zhou Jinbai pulled her forward.
As they appeared, the lights in the venue dimmed a little, and the lights on the stage began to focus, with all attention fixed on them.
When Lin Youqin saw Zhou Jinbai coming out with Su Li, she almost fell off the stool. Zhang Qingchi was quick to support her.
"Teacher Lin?"
Lin Youqin pointed at the two people on the stage in disbelief, "The person he's proposing to is Su Li?"
Zhang Qingchi smiled awkwardly, "Actually, I just found out about this too."
Lin Youqin was shocked and sat down on the stool. "Isn't Su Li his daughter-in-law? What's going on?"
Zhang Qingchi shook his head. "I don't know either. It shouldn't be the case. If it's my daughter-in-law, how could she be with him?"
Lin Youqin gritted her teeth and said, "He said it himself. When he came to me to buy the copyright, he said he wanted to promote his daughter-in-law. I just didn't know his son was Zhou Zexi at that time."
Zhang Qingchi wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and said, "Maybe they are divorced. Otherwise, how could they be together?"
Lin Youqin stood up and left angrily. "This is against common sense. I really thought Zhou Jinbai was a good guy. This is really shameless. Su Li is not planning to stay in the entertainment industry anymore. If this gets out, her reputation will be ruined."
Zhang Qingchi held her back and said, "Don't worry, listen to what Old Zhou has to say."
Su Li was suddenly illuminated by the spotlight, and all eyes were on her and Zhou Jinbai. She was really scared.
But she couldn't show her fear, so she grabbed Zhou Jinbai's arm and gritted her teeth, "What are you doing?"
Zhou Jinbai took her to the podium, picked up the microphone, and spoke in a very official manner, "Thank you all for taking the time out of your busy schedules to attend my proposal ceremony. It's just a formality, but it's the only way for everyone to get to know my soon-to-be-married partner, the future Mrs. Zhou."
As soon as he finished speaking, the audience started to make a commotion.
Zhou Jinbai gestured for them to calm down. "Not many people in my circle know her. Perhaps you'll ask me why I chose someone so young. Men are all like this. Asking is unnecessary, isn't it?"
Someone in the audience started to boo, "I really thought you weren't interested in women. Turns out you're just not pretty enough!"
Zhou Jinbai didn't refute, and his expression was smiling, which he didn't usually have. "Anyway, thank you all for your kindness. I'm treating everyone to dinner today. Feel free to order whatever you want. As long as this hotel has dishes, I'll buy you all. Please don't hesitate. I'll waste a little of your time and witness my happy moment."
There was warm applause from the audience.
"Zhou Dong is fine, my sister-in-law is incredibly beautiful!"
"I'm so lucky. I've never seen such a beautiful woman."
"It seems Chairman Zhou still prefers beauties, hahaha."
"Propose, propose!"
A single stone caused a thousand ripples. After the word "proposal", everyone started shouting in unison.
"Propose, propose!"
Zhou Jinbai turned his head to look at Su Li.
When Su Li knew what he was going to do, her emotions changed from fear at first to being touched, and she felt like crying.
She had never been taken so seriously before, and she thought that being with Zhou Jinbai was just a matter of being together. When the time was right, they could get a marriage certificate, but they didn't even dare to hold a big wedding.
But Zhou Jinbai specially planned a proposal ceremony.
Her eyes felt a little sore, and she lowered her eyes and blinked before looking at Zhou Jinbai.
Zhou Jinbai took the microphone and held her hand and walked forward a few steps.
His voice was cold and deep, and he turned to face her. "I know a lot of people think I'm with you because you're beautiful, and I also know they think you're with me because I'm rich, but I never care about these negative comments. In my eyes, as long as you're by my side, nothing else matters."
Su Li choked up in her throat. She looked at his expression, listened to him speak, and didn't know how to respond.
Zhou Jinbai talked to himself, as if all the people in the audience were just decorations and did not affect his mood at all.
"I've been floating like duckweed for half my life, without family or home, and I don't know what the meaning of life is. But since I met you, I know my life has meaning, and I have hope for the future. I especially want to have a home with you. No matter how others scold or question me, as long as you stand by me, it's all good. So... Litchi, will you marry me?"
A tear fell in Su Li's eyes. She didn't know what to say. She seemed to have become stupid and couldn't speak.
The people in the audience were all cheering, "Marry him! Marry him! Say yes to him!"
After Zhou Jinbai asked, seeing that Su Li didn't move, he knelt on one knee again, put the microphone aside, took out an exquisite small box from his suit pocket, and after opening the box, there was a pink diamond ring inside.
Engagement ring.
Su Li looked down at her, her tears turning from one drop into two lines, and her lipstick-coated lips trembled slightly.
Zhou Jinbai asked again, "Are you willing?"
Su Li looked at his expectant eyes, her mood changed quickly, and she smiled again.
She nodded heavily and extended her right ring finger towards him.
Zhou Jinbai looked at her and smiled, then put the ring on her finger. "Once you agree to it, you can't go back on your word."
Just as she was putting on the ring, a roar came from outside the arena, "Su Li, if you agree to him today, I will die in front of you two! Before I die, I will make you both live a life worse than death!"
The hoarse roar was so scary that a group of people were still immersed in joy, but were frightened by the sound.
Zhou Zexi was making a scene like a madman, and was taken away by several security guards before he could even enter.
Everyone was stunned. Zhou Jinbai stood up, his emotions still stable. "It's okay, don't worry."
When he stood up, all the lights in the venue lit up, the balloons above popped, and countless flowers fell from the sky.
Zhou Jinbai opened his arms and said, "Hug you."
Su Li rushed into his arms happily and hugged him tightly.
The people in the audience started to make noises again, "Give me a kiss, give me a kiss!"
Zhou Jinbai wanted to kiss her, "Wife, let me kiss you?"
Su Li was embarrassed and didn't kiss him. "There are so many people watching, don't."
Zhou Jinbai pointed at the group of people below the stage and said, "Quiet down."
The proposal ceremony was completed, and Hou Jiangyong breathed a sigh of relief.
Zhou Jinbai took Su Li's hand and went off the stage, greeted everyone, and then asked Hou Jiangyong's people to start serving the dishes.
To be honest, this was really a surprise, a surprise that Su Li never expected.
She thought Zhou Jinbai was not a romantic person.
After all, her relationship with Zhou Jinbai is very awkward.
But he still planned the ceremony carefully.
She is valued by Zhou Jinbai.
After the ceremony, Lin Youqin left first.
Li Zhuzhu sat in the audience, her face propped up, feeling only envy and jealousy. "If one day, a man could treat me like this, I would die without regrets."
After the banquet began, Zhou Jinbai took Su Li back to the VIP suite and prepared a separate dinner for her, fearing that the food outside might be dirty.
He was going to deal with Zhou Zexi's matter. Just as he was about to leave after sending Su Li back, Su Li pulled him in by his tie.
Zhou Jinbai wanted to say later, but Su Li closed the door and kissed him.
"Uncle Zhou is bullying me again without telling me in advance. I almost made a fool of myself."
Her nimble tongue hooked around his, as if they could never be separated.
Zhou Jinbai was gasping for breath due to her kiss. He gave up struggling and hugged her and kissed her.
He ate all her lipstick, revealing her original color.
If it weren't for her pregnancy, Su Li would have slept with him here.
After kissing for a while, Zhou Jinbai let her go and wiped the saliva he left on the corner of her lips.
"You eat first, I'll go deal with Zhou Zexi."
Su Li hugged him tightly, "When will you be back? Did he scold you?"
Zhou Jinbai patted her head and said, "Go ahead and scold me. It's not the first time I've been scolded. I'll be back after you finish your meal."
Su Li reluctantly let him go, "Come back soon."
Zhou Jinbai responded, "Okay."
Zhou Zexi was detained by Hou Jiangyong's men and locked up in the reception room on the fifth floor.
Zhou Jinbai had no intention of doing anything to him, but if Zhou Zexi's behavior affected the development of Su Li and his company, he could forget their friendship.
He has done nothing wrong in raising Zhou Zexi for so many years.
Zhou Zexi was crying and making a fuss, and the security guards felt that he was embarrassing.
Hou Jiangyong continued, "Your dad is proposing marriage, and you come here like a jerk to mess things up. Others can do this, but you can't, understand?"
As he was speaking, Zhou Jinbai arrived.
He pushed open the door of the reception room and saw Zhou Zexi, who looked half dead, crying and making a fuss.
"He doesn't want me to live. How can he marry Su Li?"
Zhou Jinbai stepped in.
"Why can't I marry her? Even if I were your biological father, I would still marry her if I wanted to. Besides, I'm not your biological father, Zhou Zexi."
"But I've called you dad for almost thirty years, and in the end you married my ex-wife! Zhou Jinbai, you're disgusting!"
Hou Jiangyong was also confused by his words. He felt that he should not listen any longer, so he quickly told the people to leave.
Zhou Jinbai sat aside, his emotions remaining calm. "Your remarks are enough to ruin Lizhi and me. I'll give you one more chance. Shut up and say nothing. Admit that Lizhi is my wife, and from now on you'll still be the eldest son of the Zhou family, Master. If you don't listen and insist on exposing our past relationship, then you won't have an easy time either. I'll hold a press conference and tell everyone you're not my biological child. I'll take you to the hospital for a paternity test. At least she and I will bear some stigma, but it won't bankrupt me."
For the first time, Zhou Zexi felt that his father was a bit scary. "After so many years of relationship, you just say you don't want to leave? If you don't want me, who should I go to?"
Zhou Jinbai's expression was cold. "I will help you find your biological parents, but if you reveal my past relationship with Lizhi, it will basically confirm your extramarital affair. As a popular actor who relies on fans, this will be a devastating blow. Without me, you will probably have trouble making a living, let alone driving a Bugatti or wearing a watch worth tens of millions. Think carefully about what's more important. I won't push you into a desperate situation. If you obey, you will still be my son."
Zhou Zexi, “…”
Zhou Jinbai sighed, "That's all I have to say. Your biological father cheated on my sister and made her pregnant with you, causing her to lose her life at such a young age. I've actually hated him all these years. If it weren't for your mother, we wouldn't have a relationship at all. Even if I had to give up you as a relationship, I, Zhou Jinbai, would still be the same person I am. Nothing would change because of you, Zhou Zexi, or your disappearance. I can live without you, but I can't live without Lizhi."
Zhou Zexi knew he was finished. The moment Zhou Jinbai chose Su Li, he lost.
He was finished. He had no bargaining chips left to challenge Zhou Jinbai.
He couldn't swallow his anger and accept his ex-wife as his stepmother.
He still has feelings for Su Li, and he has been trying to win her back.
But now there is no hope at all.
Zhou Jinbai was silent for a moment before continuing, "She's pregnant with my child now, and there's no way I'd give her up. So, be sensible and don't make trouble. Accept her as your stepmother. The Zhou family will still be the same Zhou family, and you'll still be the eldest son of the Zhou family. When I'm old and retired, I'll keep a portion of my wealth for you. But if you insist on going your own way and trying to destroy everything, I won't let you succeed."
Zhou Zexi seemed to have calmed down, but his calmness was the beginning of his madness. After being silent for a while, he suddenly laughed.
"Hahahaha, this is ridiculous, Zhou Jinbai! If you ask me to recognize someone who used to be my wife as my stepmother, I'll just die right there in front of you!"
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