Stop Messing Around, Mr Bo! Chapter 2129 - Wen Yuan (23)

“I don’t require permission from anyone.”

He was fully aware that right now, everyone else was far more sensible than himself.

Consult Shang Qiqi?

Ha.

Would he have confined her indoors if she had consented?

She might just be the most level-headed individual at this moment.

She had made a vow to her grandfather in the past, and currently, she fretted over his emotions. Plus, she agonized over Han Jichi, Song Yunshu, the whole Shang family, the Han family, and the Song family.

She had considered virtually every angle.

Was there any point in seeking her opinion?

Thus, no one's approval was necessary for him.

He had forever craved a perfect outcome, and that desire persisted.

The very notion repulsed him. He had observed her maturing gradually and nurtured her with his own hands. Yet, in the end, someone else would snatch her away.

Nobody could fathom the immense dedication he invested in Shang Qiqi.

Why yield her to anyone else?

Besides fury and letdown, Shang Yekun harbored no further sentiments.

Since four years prior, exchanges with his son proved fruitless.

Nevertheless, up until last night, he believed his son would recognize his boundaries.

Now, it amounted to profound disillusionment.

Once rage subsided, only powerlessness remained.

In the end, his excessive faith in the past led him to release control ages ago, entrusting the vast Shang family to him.

He remained his sole heir.

Absent him, to whom could he bequeath the enormous Shang empire?

His son had astutely seized upon his Achilles' heel.

Shang Qiqi gazed upon the composed yet crestfallen elder, her heart twisting in pain.

“Little Uncle, won’t you compose yourself?”

Shang Qingmo stayed motionless, refusing to turn toward her. His tone remained steady.

“Would calming down make you agree to stay with me?”

Shang Qiqi hesitated briefly before replying,

“Settle yourself and restore your reason. I’m certain you’ll see past this turmoil.”

All agreed he was mistaken. With his sharp intellect, how could he fail to perceive it?

Shang Qingmo let out a mocking scoff. “Compose myself? My excessive composure and logic brought us to this point.”

“If you refuse to remain at my side of your own volition, spare your words. I seek just one conclusion now. Ignore everything else.”

Shang Qiqi grasped why Old Master Shang had grown intolerant of conversing with Shang Qingmo over recent years.

They simply couldn’t find common ground.

Shang Qingmo’s phone buzzed repeatedly, its vibrations unmistakable to Shang Qiqi.

Old Master Shang’s device chimed intermittently.

The cocktail party incident from last night had likely spread to the Song family by now, disrupting their daily routines.

Shang Qingmo’s presence in the spotlight ensured constant scrutiny for Song Yunshu.

Should the press detect anything suspicious, they’d pursue relentlessly. Last night’s events were far from ordinary.

She remained ignorant of external developments.

“Little Uncle, pick up the phone first.”

He ought to reassure Song Yunshu without delay.

No sooner had she spoken than Song Yunshu emerged at the entrance.

Bursting inside, she spotted the group in the living room.

She halted momentarily, then marched forward to position herself before Shang Qingmo.

After a prolonged stare, she erupted in a derisive laugh.

“Shang Qingmo, I’ve come right to you on my own. Won’t you offer me an explanation?”

“I apologize for this morning’s incident.”

His aloofness caused Song Yunshu to nibble her lip in humiliation.

“Where is that explanation?”

“Nothing requires explaining.”

Rather than responding to Shang Qingmo, Song Yunshu turned her gaze to Shang Qiqi.

“So you entered this marriage for her sake. Now you seek to dissolve it with me over her? Ultimately… you deny me even basic respect to shield her?”

Shang Qiqi, nearby, appeared stunned. “Annul the engagement?”

Song Yunshu, witnessing her shock, felt torn between laughter and tears. She rubbed her brow, paced briefly, then confronted Shang Qingmo again.

“She’s clueless? Plan to conceal it eternally?”

Shang Qiqi abruptly remembered his words from last night. That was his resolution.

Terminating the engagement…

Would he dissolve it so abruptly?

“Little Uncle, you…”

“This doesn’t concern you. Stay out of it!”

“How can it not involve her?” Song Yunshu burst out. “Must I linger in her shadow forever? She vanished for four years, making it a struggle just to glimpse you. Without my ploy about her hospital stay last time, would you have ever shown up?”

“I’ve stated before: ours is a marriage devoid of affection. If divorce is your wish, I won’t resist or block it. I’ll embrace any decision. You’ve always had freedom.”

“Then why abruptly declare the engagement’s end?”

Shang Qingmo furrowed his brow, reining in his growing irritation.

“I’ve made my stance clear already. Ultimately, it was me who ended the engagement and withdrew the initiative I’d always offered you. I’m sorry. If you’re not pleased, feel free to reject it, but don’t let your emotions hold me back.”

“You know full well that no matter how wronged, innocent, or pained you feel, I can’t share your perspective. I won’t comprehend it or feel remorse. Don’t lay your emotions before me just for me to shatter them!”

Song Yunshu abruptly realized how pathetic she appeared.

Her emotions toward him amounted to nothing but contempt and revulsion.

That explained the constant sense of restraint he’d felt from her.

She grasped certain truths perfectly. They’d spelled it out long ago—don’t crave each other’s affections.

Yet, resentment still burned within her.

Why would a man who once claimed to love no one go to such wild extremes for another woman?

Hadn’t she stayed by his side all these years?

What was so wrong with that?

“Didn’t you always boast about putting self-interest first? Shang Qingmo, are you so unhinged you ignored the fallout, or just too arrogant to care?”

Shang Qingmo’s deep eyes shifted subtly.

“Song Yunshu, there’s no point taking this so personally right now. Just say what you want. No need to play the wounded party.”

Song Yunshu hesitated a moment before letting out a laugh.

“…Never mind, it’s truly pointless wasting my emotions. But Shang Qingmo, I refuse to be your convenient tool whenever you please. Four years brought me gains, sure, but I won’t stand idly by if you discard it like this. Even just for my own dignity, this won’t end smoothly!”

With that, her smiling eyes glanced over Shang Qiqi. She pivoted, offered a quiet bow to Old Master, then strode out of the villa.

No one else there followed their exchange.

Clearly, secrets lingered about their union that others didn’t know.

Shang Yekun’s expression soured, yet he had no interest in probing Shang Qingmo further.

Asking would achieve nothing.

He drew a heavy breath, eyeing Shang Qiqi. “Qiqi, come home with me now.”

“No.” Shang Qingmo stood firm. He faced the butler. “Uncle Chen, escort my father back. I’ve got matters to resolve. Qiqi… I’ll bring her home eventually.”

Uncle Chen nodded in assent. “Old Master, Young Master has a point. Things are messy out there. Let him sort it out before we discuss Miss Qiqi.”

He stressed “Anxin” on purpose, warning the old man that dragging Shang Qiqi away might provoke who-knows-what from Shang Qingmo.

Better to calm him down first. At minimum, he needed to steady the Shang family’s position.

Shang Yekun pressed his lips tight. He caught the butler’s implication. Lingering here with Shang Qingmo changed nothing anyway.

“Old Master, Young Master’s hurt. We must head to the hospital without delay.”

The butler urged once more. Old Master Shang’s eyes flickered, and he huffed coldly before marching to the door in silence.

Shang Qiqi’s heart jolted at the butler’s final words.

Injured?

So that explained the look on his face when she’d descended the stairs. He was hurt?

As the butler shut the door at last, Shang Qingmo’s rigid frame eased, and he stumbled.

“Little Uncle!”

Shang Qiqi gasped in alarm, rushing to support his arm, but his weight overwhelmed her. Finally, Shang Qingmo gripped the nearby railing and sank onto the stairs.

His complexion had grown even whiter. Brows knit tight, sweat beaded on his forehead and cheeks.

In a frenzy, Shang Qiqi scrambled beside him. Helpless, she gazed at him, voice quivering. “Uncle, what’s happened?”

The servants scrambled to phone the hospital.

“The hospital…”

“I’m not going to any hospital!”

Shang Qingmo cut off the servant sharply. His gruff tone startled her into nearly dropping the phone.

Just then, Shang Qiqi spotted the stark rod welt on Shang Qingmo’s neck. Her eyes widened.

Hands shaking, she tugged his tie and collar aside. Beyond the mark, faint bruises marred his shoulder.

Before she examined further, Shang Qingmo seized her hand.

She lifted her gaze to meet his.

“Did Grandpa strike you?”

Shang Qingmo stared into her reddened, anxious eyes. His lips curved faintly as he dipped his head, resting his forehead against hers.

Shang Qiqi froze in place.

“Yes… He aimed to take you away. I wouldn’t allow it.”

His warm breath brushed her skin, his soft, low voice carrying a mix of triumph and complaint.

Shang Qiqi’s lashes trembled, pain squeezing her chest.

“Let’s head to the hospital.” She tilted her head away from their closeness, glancing at the bewildered servant. “To the hospital, now…”

“No need.” Shang Qingmo turned her down once more, yet upon noticing Shang Qiqi’s anxious look, he instructed, “Call the doctor.”

The servant nodded promptly.

Shang Qiqi let out a relieved breath.

She had figured Shang Qingmo’s wounds were limited to her neck and shoulders.

Yet, hearing the doctor gravely state that his left knee was broken, blood had pooled in his right leg, and both shoulders bore varying injuries, her heart ached with shock.

Had Grandpa truly struck Uncle that brutally?

All just to stop her from leaving?

Despair filled her as she shut her eyes. Why…

Had matters reached this point?

Shang Qiqi remained beside the bed, her hand clasped tightly by Shang Qingmo. His grip was so firm her fingertips paled.

Pain etched his features, yet he wouldn’t release her.

Even after the doctor bandaged his wounds and departed, he held on.

Shang Qiqi gazed at him blankly. She sensed he hadn’t rested well the night before. Now relaxed slightly, exhaustion showed in his eyes.

“Come up.”

Moments later, Shang Qingmo pulled her hand abruptly.

She shattered the quiet, appearing somewhat dazed.

Shang Qingmo shifted aside, creating space for her.

Shang Qiqi stayed put, prompting Shang Qingmo to ask, “Should I carry you onto the bed?”

She pressed her lips together, eyeing him. “Little Uncle, this isn’t right…”

Shang Qingmo sat up without a word.

Shang Qiqi startled. “What are you doing?!”

“Come up.”

“…”

As Shang Qingmo seemed ready to rise from bed, Shang Qiqi finally eased down slowly.

Her slim frame clung to the edge. The gap she kept from Shang Qingmo irked him. Staring at her back, he pressed on,

“Move closer.”

Shang Qiqi quieted briefly before inching inward softly.

He fell silent afterward. Just as Shang Qiqi assumed nothing more would happen, he shifted toward her suddenly.

His heated chest molded to her back, arm draping her waist. Gradually, he pulled tighter, nearly merging her into himself.

He nuzzled her neck, warm breaths grazing her skin.

Tension gripped her body amid his voice.

“I need some sleep. Stay put and don’t go, alright?”

Shang Qiqi clutched the sheets tensely, murmuring a soft agreement.

Silence lingered behind her for a bit, his breaths deepening steadily.

Shang Qiqi scanned the room’s decor. Strangeness outweighed familiarity here.

Even four years back, visits to this room were rare.

This was his domain. She dimly recalled childhood days when he seldom permitted entry.

Only occasional pestering worked, countable on one hand over a decade.

She’d fantasized this moment endlessly before, but dared not now.

Astonishingly, it unfolded for real.

Yet complications abounded. A mere choice couldn’t untangle it.

She hadn’t foreseen the engagement’s cancellation.

Even announcing it with Han Jichi—could rumors truly die?

Maybe her uncle spoke truth.

She shouldn’t have returned.

Could he then act as if she never had?

A fierce tightness choked her chest abruptly.

After ages, she drew a deep breath, releasing it gradually.

That motion caused the arm at her waist to clench, a rough whisper emerging.

“Do what?”

Shang Qiqi’s heart twinged at his wariness. Lips bitten fiercely, eyes shut, she feigned sleep by turning into his chest.

Shang Qingmo lifted his arm a touch, spotting her peacefully nestled against him. Eyes flashing, he lowered it to embrace her.

Pretending before Shang Qingmo left Shang Qiqi jittery.

Still, somehow, sleep claimed her in his hold.

Awakening, the bed beside her lay empty of Shang Qingmo.

She bolted upright, checking bathroom and wardrobe—empty.

Door flung open, she dashed downstairs. A servant rushed up.

“Miss, what happened?”

“Where’s my uncle?”

The servant answered, “Master went out. Lunch now?”

Shang Qiqi shook her head. “But he’s hurt…”

“Likely urgent company matters.”

Shang Qiqi halted.

‘Right.’

Chaos surely reigned outside today, all awaiting his handling.

How much could he bear injured so gravely?

What of Grandpa?

The Song family.

The Han family…

Her gaze flicked to the door, but the servant stepped in the way.

“Miss, Master ordered you to stay and rest after eating…”

Shang Qiqi understood—he’d never allow her departure.

She dropped her eyes and stayed quiet for a moment before heading toward the dining room. “Prepare lunch for me first.”

The servant breathed a sigh of relief.

*

Reporters had swarmed the Hua Chen TV building since early morning.

At last, Shang Qingmo made his appearance.

Security personnel quickly ushered Shang Qingmo right to the television building's entrance.

“CEO Shang, did you choose to cancel the engagement this morning?”

“I heard the Song family is still in the dark. After four years engaged to Miss Song, why skip the wedding and abruptly declare the annulment?”

“President Shang, rumors say you ended the engagement over your niece? Engaged to Miss Song for four years, yet you avoided the wedding because of your niece?”

Shang Qingmo abruptly halted his steps and spun to face the reporter behind that final question.

The crowd of reporters fell silent bit by bit, thrusting their microphones forward as they anticipated Shang Qingmo's words.

“The engagement and its cancellation stemmed from my own issues. Grip that pen in your hand firm, or you can set it aside for good.”

This was clearly a warning.

The reporters refused to let such blockbuster news slip away.

“So, Mr. Shang, could you explain your relationship with your niece right now?”

Under the intense stares of all, Shang Qingmo's gaze grew shadowy for an extended moment before he finally uttered his response.

“She’s not my niece.”

Chaos erupted instantly.

This amounted to openly admitting his feelings to everyone.

With Shang Qiqi not being his niece, a relationship between them was possible.

(2022, Wishing everyone the best. Best wishes to you all. Best wishes to all.)