Chapter 546: How Could One Not Fall for Such a Woman?

Chapter 546: Chapter 546: How Could One Not Fall for Such a Woman?

Xi Minglan froze, subconsciously looking up at He Zhixuan with a puzzled expression.

"Zhixuan, why are you stopping me from transferring the funds to the Pei Group? The He Group desperately needs the distribution rights for the Lingxi Health Beverage!"

He Zhixuan finally said in a grave voice, "Grandma, I will never, ever marry Pei Yuanbin. Even if you pay him the security deposit, it’s destined to be a complete waste of effort."

Xi Minglan explained patiently, "Zhixuan, you’re worrying too much. President Pei isn’t here to finalize the engagement today. He’s here to break it off! That’s why he proposed the one-hundred-million security deposit."

Break the engagement?

He Zhixuan was dumbfounded. She looked at Pei Yuanbin in disbelief. "Pei Yuanbin, is what my grandmother said true? You really want to break off the engagement?"

Pei Yuanbin nodded and pointed to the torn pieces of the engagement agreement scattered across the floor. "Yes. I’ve already torn it up."

He Zhixuan finally let out a huge sigh of relief. ’From now on, Pei Yuanbin and I have nothing to do with each other!’

"In that case, as a junior member of the family, I won’t interfere in the Group’s core business."

Xi Minglan gave a slight nod and began to key in the password again, her hands trembling.

Just as she was about to enter the final digit, Cheng Yuan suddenly stepped forward. He cleared his throat and said, "Grandma, I advise you not to transfer the money to Pei Yuanbin. He never actually obtained the primary distribution rights for the Lingxi Health Beverage."

A furious glint flashed in Pei Yuanbin’s eyes. ’This bastard! He ruined my plans and now he dares to stand up and expose me?’

’Damn him!’

But the thought of Cheng Yuan’s terrifying strength sent a chill down his spine, and he didn’t dare to object.

Xi Minglan looked up, eyeing Cheng Yuan suspiciously. "And who might you be?"

He Zhixuan openly wrapped her arm around Cheng Yuan’s. "Grandma, this is Cheng Yuan. He’s my boyfriend."

Xi Minglan studied Cheng Yuan carefully. He was quite presentable—handsome, with a bright disposition. He seemed like a decent young man.

’Is such a handsome young man really an ex-convict?’

Xi Minglan didn’t want to rely on hearsay. She asked in a calm voice, "Young man, I was told you’ve been to prison. Is that true?"

Cheng Yuan nodded and answered truthfully, "Yes, I served a two-year sentence. I was released recently."

Instantly, Xi Minglan’s expression changed!

The faces of the other He Family members changed as well!

’So the kid really is an ex-convict.’

Xi Minglan’s face darkened. She snapped, "Zhixuan, have I been too lenient with you? Bringing just anyone home? Break up with this ex-convict immediately! I will absolutely not approve of you dating a criminal!"

He Guosheng’s tone was even harsher. "Zhixuan, before we were merchants, the He Family was a respected family of scholars! We cannot allow our name to be tarnished by an ex-convict! Make this criminal get the hell out of our house now!"

He Zhirou said with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, "Now I finally understand why President Pei wanted to break off the engagement. It’s because Zhixuan found herself an ex-convict for a boyfriend, isn’t it? If I were him, I wouldn’t want a woman some criminal has already used, either!"

With a sullen look, Pei Yuanbin offered no explanation.

This led the He Family to mistakenly believe that Cheng Yuan was the real reason Pei Yuanbin was breaking off the engagement.

In that moment, the He Family loathed Cheng Yuan.

If it weren’t for him, Pei Yuanbin would be their family’s perfect son-in-law. Why would a one-hundred-million security deposit even be necessary?

He Zhixuan didn’t care what others thought, but she cared deeply about Xi Minglan’s opinion.

He Zhixuan quickly explained, "Grandma, Cheng Yuan was framed and sent to prison, but his conviction has been overturned. Besides, Cheng Yuan is an incredible Divine Doctor—he just defeated the Acupuncture Saint, Park Hao! He is absolutely worthy of me. If anything, I’m the one who’s not good enough for him."

Xi Minglan was speechless. "Zhixuan, I am so disappointed in you! You’re spouting such nonsense just to get me to accept this ex-convict! I heard some news myself. It was Divine Doctor Xue’s master who defeated the Korean Acupuncture Saint Park Hao! Divine Doctor Xue is nearly sixty years old, so his master has to be at least eighty! This ex-convict is still wet behind the ears, isn’t he? He’s probably not even worthy of carrying the shoes for Divine Doctor Xue’s apprentice! How could he possibly be Divine Doctor Xue’s master? I will never, ever agree to you marrying an ex-convict! Listen to me and break up with him right now!"

"Grandma, it really was Cheng Yuan who defeated Park Hao. If you don’t believe me..."

He Zhixuan tried to explain further, but He Guosheng cut her off ruthlessly.

"That’s enough, Zhixuan! Haven’t you caused the He Family enough trouble? Break up with this criminal at once and get back together with President Pei! He is the one who is a truly suitable match!"

He Zhirou took two steps forward, adopting a tone of someone looking out for He Zhixuan’s best interests. "Zhixuan, you’re still young, you can’t see things clearly yet. As your older cousin, someone with more experience, I’m telling you not to be so stubborn, or you’ll definitely regret it later! Listen to Grandma and my father. Break up with this ex-convict immediately! And do everything you can to salvage your relationship with President Pei!"

He Zhixuan’s stance was firm. "Cousin, don’t worry. I will never regret this! I will marry Cheng Yuan or no one at all!"

Cheng Yuan was both moved and filled with self-reproach. ’What can I do to be worthy of her devotion?’

The rest of the He Family shook their heads, looking at He Zhixuan with disappointed, exasperated expressions.

’Zhixuan is just too stubborn!’

He Guosheng threatened, "Zhixuan, if you insist on being this stubborn and marry this criminal, then as your uncle, I’ll have no choice but to expel you from the He Family! Think about it carefully!"

He Zhixuan retorted, not showing the slightest weakness, "Uncle, Grandma is right here. As long as she says nothing, you have no right to expel me from the He Family!"

He Guosheng snorted. "Zhixuan, five years ago, Mother handed all authority over the family to me! I assure you, I absolutely have the right to expel you. If you don’t believe me, ask her yourself!"

He Zhixuan turned a questioning gaze on Xi Minglan.

In order to make He Zhixuan change her mind, Xi Minglan hardened her heart. "Zhixuan, your uncle is the official head of the He Family. He holds all the authority. If he insists on expelling you, there’s nothing I can do."

In an instant, He Zhixuan’s eyes went red.

’It wasn’t that she couldn’t bear to part with her status in the He Family. It was the fear that if she were cast out, she might never see her grandmother again!’

’But for Cheng Yuan, she was willing to give up everything!’

He Zhixuan took two steps forward until she was before Xi Minglan. With a soft thud, she knelt and kowtowed heavily three times.

"Grandma, I won’t be able to be here to take care of you anymore. Please, you must look after your health! Your heart is weak, so always keep your emergency heart pills with you! And your cholesterol is a little high, so try to eat less greasy food!"

As she spoke, tears streamed uncontrollably down her face.

Cheng Yuan watched her, his heart stirred. ’He knew he shouldn’t be falling for her.’

’But how could any man not be moved by a woman like this?’

Xi Minglan was choking up as well. She gently hugged He Zhixuan. "Zhixuan, why are you so stubborn? Would you rather be cast out of the family than give up on this ex-convict?"

He Zhixuan nodded firmly, looking at Xi Minglan through her tears. "Grandma, I’m certain that I can only be happy if I marry Cheng Yuan! I don’t want to spend the rest of my life with someone I don’t love!"

Xi Minglan let out a long sigh. "My foolish, foolish child... Fine. Just go."

He Zhixuan kowtowed to Xi Minglan one last time. Then she turned, lifting her chin stubbornly to keep her tears from falling, and pulled on Cheng Yuan’s arm, ready to leave.

But to He Zhixuan’s surprise, Cheng Yuan gently pulled her back. "Zhixuan, we can’t leave yet."