Chapter 9

It took them more than two hours to finish their romantic wedding dinner. They finished their dinner relatively early, so after Lu Shijin picked up the bill, he suggested staying on the hill to admire the night view before returning to the city later that night. Tang Ruochu didn't have any objections. Although this was just a marriage partnership, she had to admit that she was having a good time. More importantly, he seemed to have a calming effect on her and she was able to forget her troubles when she was with him. She found it amazing that he had this effect on her. She had only known him for less than a day, but for some reason, she felt at ease when she was around him. The night view from the hill was gorgeous. There was a gentle breeze and the stars and moon were clearly visible. Tang Ruochu and Lu Shijin went to the observatory to gaze at the stars before they went up the hill and explored some of the scenic spots. When the temperatures started to drop around 10 p.m. that night, Lu Shijin finally suggested that they leave. They descended the mountain and Lu Shijin took Tang Ruochu home. Tang Ruochu got out of his car and said goodbye to Lu Shijin. "Thanks for arranging such a beautiful dinner tonight. Have a safe trip home." Lu Shijin rested an arm on the car window and looked intently at her with his dark eyes as he said softly, "When do you intend to move in?" "I'll start packing when I get home. If everything goes well, I'll move in within the next two days," Tang Ruochu said. ... Lu Shijin nodded. Then, he stretched out his hand and said, "Give me your phone." Tang Ruochu paused in surprise before she handed her phone over as he had requested. Lu Shijin keyed in a series of numbers and said, "This is my private number. Drop me a line after you're done packing and I'll ask Mu Ling to pick you up." Then, he stepped on the gas pedal and drove off. Tang Ruochu stood on the spot and watched as his car drove off into the darkness. She finally headed into the house after she could no longer see his car. All the lights in the Tang family home were still turned on at this late hour. Their housekeeper, Uncle Zhao, came up to greet her after she walked into the house and said politely, "Miss, the Old Master asked that you go up to the study when you get home. He has something he'd like to say." Tang Ruochu froze in surprise before she glanced in the direction of the study and said with a hint of sarcasm, "What would he have to say to me?" "Uh..." Uncle Zhao hesitated and looked at her sympathetically as he said, "Miss, someone from the Ji family came over today. Miss Ruoruo and Mr. Yinfeng's wedding date has been decided and it... is the date when you were supposed to marry Mr. Ji." ... "What?" Tang Ruochu said as she stiffened and looked at Uncle Zhao in disbelief. ... "Miss, please don't be too upset," Uncle Zhao said with a sigh. He looked at Tang Ruochu in concern because he was afraid that she'd end up doing something rash. ... Tang Ruochu remained silent. She felt a glacial chill well up in her chest that left her feeling breathless. She took a deep breath and struggled to hide how upset she felt as she slowly walked toward the study. The door to the study wasn't closed and she spotted her father drinking tea on the sofa through the door, which was left slightly ajar. Tang Ruochu's hands clenched into fists before she pushed the door open and entered the study. "You're back?" her father asked. "Uncle Zhao mentioned that you have something to say to me. What would you like to talk about?" Tang Ruochu said icily. She skipped the pleasantries and got straight to the point. ... Tang Song seemed to have gotten used to Tang Ruochu's attitude toward him. He wasn't bothered by her attitude and he slowly put down the cup of tea in his hand before saying, "I wanted to tell you that your sister's marriage to Ji Yinfeng has been finalized." Tang Ruochu's eyes were clear and her voice sounded as though it was covered with ice as she said coolly, "I'm already aware of this." "You are?" Tang Song said and he paused for a moment, as though he was a little surprised. ... "Yes. I wouldn't have known that my 'good father' would backstab me if Uncle Zhao hadn't told me earlier," Tang Ruochu said derisively and her eyes flashed with hatred. ... "What do you mean?" Tang Song said as his face darkened. He was upset by Tang Ruochu's blunt words and the hatred in her eyes. "Was I wrong? Ji Yinfeng was my fiancé right up till today. He betrayed me and got together with that bitch Gu Ruoruo. I wasn't expecting you to forbid them from getting married but I can't believe that you actually agreed to this! What kind of position does this put me, your biological daughter, in?" Tang Ruochu couldn't hold back her anger and her eyes flashed with rage. ... Tang Ruochu could ignore Ji Yinfeng's betrayal and Gu Ruoruo constantly making things difficult for her, but she felt bitterly disappointed by Tang Song's approval of the wretched couple's marriage and how he had even chosen the exact date that she was supposed to marry Ji Yinfeng. Tang Song felt a twinge of guilt as well and he looked away shiftily after Tang Ruochu hurled those accusations at him. His tone softened as he said, "Ruochu, I know how upset you are but there's no other way to resolve this matter between your sister and Ji Yinfeng, so I could only agree to their marriage. Ruoruo's engagement party will be held in three days and they are due to be married in two months' time. You would have to appear at both events as you're part of the family, so please stop holding it against us." Tang Ruochu couldn't believe what she had just heard. "What... did you just say? Do you mind repeating yourself?" Tang Ruochu felt as though she was hearing things. ... Was he... actually asking her to attend the wretched couple's engagement party? "Hahaha..." Tang Ruochu's eyes widened in disbelief and she felt all her blood rush to her head as she barked out an angry laugh. "You're truly a great father! Gu Ruoruo stole my fiancé but instead of standing up for me, you're asking me to attend their engagement party? Hahaha, I've learned something new today. You treat your own daughter like trash while treating the daughter of your mistress like a precious gem. "I'd really like to know if you're truly my biological father. Please let me know if you are not my biological father because I feel extremely saddened by the fact that I'm your daughter!" Tang Song's words had hurt her so deeply that she lashed out harshly back at him as though she had lost her mind. "How dare you!" Tang Song roared in rage. "I admit that Ruoruo had made a mistake but she's already pregnant with his child. What's done cannot be undone. Do you think I could forbid them from getting married when she's pregnant? I didn't admonish her because I tried to spare a thought for Xiaowan's feelings. Do you understand?" ... "Does that mean I deserve to be thrown under the bus?" Tang Ruochu said as she laughed coldly. She took a deep breath and forced her disappointment and bitterness down before she said calmly, "You're not fit to be my father. My mother would have never stood idly by and watched me suffer if she was still alive." Then, she turned to walk out without a second's hesitation. She stopped right before stepping through the door and added, "I'll be moving out over the next few days. I won't be attending Gu Ruoruo's engagement party, so you should give up on that idea right now."