Chapter 8: Rest Assured, You Won't Burn Out

Shang Beiming paid the remaining balance and left happily, clutching the ring.

Ever since he refused to be with Lin Xianxian and began treating her with relentless cruelty, his grandfather had frozen his cards, insisting that if he wanted to marry the woman of his choice, he would have to support her himself. If his mother hadn't fought for him to be appointed president the moment he joined the company, his grandfather would have even thrown him into the company to start from the very bottom.

Fortunately, the salary of a president was not low. However, it was barely enough for him to get by; even buying this ring had required him to cut back on many of his usual expenses.

But his Xin-Xia wouldn't mind such things! Thinking of Qin Xinxia, Shang Beiming’s mood lifted again. It was just as well; now that he had dumped that woman on his uncle, he could finally have the free, romantic life he desired!

Shang Beiming left in high spirits. He did not know that at this very moment, Lin Xianxian was also very happy. How could she not be? She had received millions in jewelry the moment she stepped out, and after getting into the car, Shang Yang had even handed her a card.

"It’s my secondary card. Buy whatever you need."

"With no limit?" Lin Xianxian asked, unable to hide her surprise.

"Mm."

"Aren't you afraid I'll max it out in one go?" she asked curiously.

Shang Yang glanced at her. "Don't worry, you won't be able to."

So confident? How much money was in his primary account? Or rather, how much was his entire business empire actually worth?

Lin Xianxian couldn't help but grumble inwardly, then fell into deep thought as she recalled the plot.

[Strange. According to the original plot, Lin Xianxian was supposed to demand this card from Uncle Shang just to show off in front of the female lead. Why did Shang Yang give it to me on his own when I didn't even ask?]

[Also, if I recall, while the original card had a high limit, it was still capped, wasn't it?]

[I remember a scene where Lin Xianxian runs into the female lead and, just to show off, opens a VVIP membership that requires a five-million-dollar spend just to activate...]

[There was another time when the female lead was working a part-time job, and Lin Xianxian, wanting to get her fired, bought the entire shop for several times its value. The female lead was indeed fired, but she was actually happy because, according to the plot, the manager had wanted to close the shop anyway due to financial struggles and poor business...]

[Later, the manager was so grateful to the female lead that their relationship became even better. Tsk, tsk, I, this wicked supporting female character, really am just a dressmaker for others throughout this whole story.]

[No, the even more pathetic one is Uncle Shang!]

Lin Xianxian looked at Shang Yang. [I’m still using his money to pave the way for others! Simply unbelievable. The biggest sucker in the entire book—Shang Yang!]

The "biggest sucker" himself: "..."

***

Old Master Shang was very pleased to see the two return. He had originally thought the age gap between them was too wide and had never considered them in a romantic light. To his surprise, seeing them stand together now, they looked incredibly well-matched. It wasn't just their appearances; even the atmosphere between them was harmonious and beautiful.

However, this beauty was soon shattered.

"Dad? Mom? You’ve arrived at the airport?" Lin Xianxian was stunned when she received the call. "There isn't a holiday right now, is there? You weren't even planning to come back for my birthday, so why are you here all of a sudden?"

Listening to the voices on the other end, Lin Xianxian arched an eyebrow and looked at Madam Shang. Madam Shang’s eyes flickered with a moment of guilt.

A few hours ago, upon learning that the Old Master was adamant about marrying off his younger brother to Lin Xianxian, Madam Shang realized she couldn't stop him, so she decided to manipulate Lin Xianxian's parents. She had exaggerated the situation, telling them that Lin Xianxian had been drugged at the banquet and had slept with the uncle, and that the Old Master was now forcing them to marry.

The two had an eight-year age gap, and while one was a formidable president in the business world, the other was only just about to graduate... Furthermore, the Old Master hadn't even mentioned the marriage to the parents yet. Upon hearing that their daughter was being forced to marry a man eight years her senior—someone who wasn't the Shang Beiming she had previously liked—and that the Old Master had acted behind their backs, they panicked. Thinking their daughter was being coerced, they rushed over.

It was the weekend, and the Old Master had intended to give Lin Xianxian two days to consider things carefully before speaking to her parents once she had agreed. He hadn't expected Madam Shang to contact them prematurely, adding fuel to the fire and making them believe their daughter was unwilling.

The Old Master, having only just learned of this, turned black in the face as he glared at Madam Shang. Madam Shang felt a twinge of guilt, but then she thought: if such a high-quality candidate like Lin Xianxian fell into the hands of the uncle, she would become his asset, whereas her own son was stuck with Qin Xinxia, who came from a mediocre background and had to rely on scholarships and part-time jobs just to afford tuition and living expenses...

Thinking this, she felt justified once more.

The Old Master was about to express his displeasure, but Shang Yang spoke up, "That's fine. It was time to meet Xianxian's parents anyway."

Xianxian... parents?

The Old Master froze, looking from him to Lin Xianxian. When did they become so close? It was then that the Old Master noticed the conspicuous, massive diamond ring on Lin Xianxian's finger. Suddenly, his anger dissipated.

"Fine. Get things ready. Old Chen, check the time... go to the airport and pick up Lin Wen and the others."

Shang Yang said, "I'll go."

Lin Xianxian: [As expected of Uncle Shang, truly responsible!]

[I remember the original plot mentioned that my parents initially preferred Shang Beiming and thought Shang Yang was too old. They only entrusted me to the Shang family because they trusted the Old Master. But later on...]

[Once they actually saw Shang Beiming's attitude toward me and saw him with the female lead every day, my parents grew to like Shang Yang much more. Especially in the original plot, after I, the wicked supporting character, kept using Shang Yang, embarrassing him, and even trying to cheat on him, he still treated me very well...]

[In the original plot, Lin Xianxian married the uncle out of spite, and Madam Shang knew this, which is why she wasn't in such a rush. My parents only knew because the Old Master notified them. He had arranged a private jet to bring them over for the wedding, but now they've arrived early...]

Lin Xianxian hesitated for a moment. [System, when I see my parents in a bit, how should I react?]

Old Master Shang and Shang Yang immediately looked at Lin Xianxian.

System: [Host, your parents will ask you repeatedly if you are doing this of your own free will. This happened in the original plot as well. At the time, Lin Xianxian acted out of spite in the video call and insisted she was willing. But your parents could actually tell you were just being stubborn.]

[If the matter hadn't leaked to the media and caused such a huge scandal that it affected Uncle Shang's reputation, your parents wouldn't have intended to make him take responsibility.]

Lin Xianxian: [Got it! I'll just keep up the act of being a bride married out of spite!]