After the True Heiress Travels Back
Chapter 396: Is the Head of the Family Just a Figurehead?

Chapter 396: Chapter 396: Is the Head of the Family Just a Figurehead?

"Are you willing to break off the engagement now?"

Shi Yaoguang’s words fell like a sledgehammer, striking Shi Yiqing’s heart with raw force.

Break off the engagement...

Did she want to?

With no benefits tethering them, was there any need to maintain it?

Shi Yiqing was unsure.

Quan Sicheng was initially full of confidence.

How Shi Yiqing would choose, did it even need to be said?

She and Sicheng were truly in love, childhood sweethearts for so many years, their bond far more significant than money or status.

However.

The certainty in his heart did not last long.

Because...

Shi Yiqing was retreating.

Minutes passed, and she showed not the slightest inclination to decide.

This was no longer hesitation, she clearly seemed to be tacitly consenting.

Shi Yaoguang observed Shi Yiqing and deliberately asked against her wishes, "Seeing as you’re so deeply attached to Quan Sicheng, I presume you don’t want to part ways with him, do you?"

As soon as she finished speaking, she met Shi Yiqing’s gaze, wavering as if she had something to say but hesitated.

Shi Yaoguang smiled slyly at her, her voice laced with a hint of seduction, "Or are you saying you’re not truly devoted to him, so now that he’s lost everything, you’re planning to go your separate ways?"

Shi Yiqing didn’t dare look at Quan Sicheng, but even without looking, she knew he was watching her.

His piercing gaze was simply too compelling to ignore.

Noticing her dilemma, Shi Yaoguang didn’t forget to add fuel to the fire, "You really should think this through. Is it better to separate from him now, while no one knows Quan Sicheng is just a penniless bastard, or wait until everyone knows his true status before you propose breaking off the engagement?"

"By that time, those who accuse you of despising the poor and loving the wealthy will surely be many."

Shi Yiqing was of course aware of this, but she was genuinely unable to make up her mind in a moment.

Quan Sicheng’s true identity could not bring her any benefits, it might even become a burden to her.

At this moment, the wisest choice would be to leave him, to protect herself.

But...

Quan Sicheng had his own way out, after all, Old Master Quan was still around.

He wouldn’t just watch Quan Sicheng end up with nothing. Even if he couldn’t help openly, he would certainly provide some support in secret.

The current issue was, she wasn’t certain to what extent this support would go.

Whether it was worth risking her reputation to continue tying her fate with Quan Sicheng.

During the ten minutes that followed, Shi Yiqing was in turmoil.

The heart of Quan Sicheng also went from initial nervousness to gradually cooling down.

There was nothing more to say, Shi Yiqing’s attitude had become very clear.

Just when he had convinced himself that Shi Yiqing would definitely give up on their marriage, Shi Yiqing spoke up.

"I disagree with breaking off the engagement!"

As Shi Yiqing spoke, she stood tall, her gaze fierce as she looked at Shi Yaoguang, her tone exceptionally firm.

"I refuse to break off the engagement with Brother Sicheng!"

Upon hearing this, Shi Yaoguang was not too surprised, observing her particularly indomitable expression, she clicked her tongue lightly, "Are you truly unwilling to break off the engagement?"

Shi Yiqing nodded vigorously, and with a gaze that looked down on an outsider, she addressed Shi Yaoguang, "No matter what kind of identity Brother Sicheng has, our feelings for each other will not change. Don’t think you can persuade me with just a few words!"

Shi Yaoguang shrugged her shoulders. "I didn’t mean to convince you."

She glanced at Quan Sicheng, a hint of sympathy in her eyes, "I just wanted to see how committed your fiancée could be to you. Now it seems, not very~"

The tone of Shi Yaoguang’s voice reached a pinnacle of sarcasm.

But what she said was not wrong.

The attitude of Shi Yiqing was already very obvious.

Even though she eventually chose Quan Sicheng, the hesitation and indecision in making that choice were also clear.

When Shi Yaoguang bluntly pointed it out, Quan Sicheng felt a burning shame on his face.

The elder Mr. Quan was also getting annoyed.

He said to Shi Yaoguang with a hostile tone, "You’re young, I advise you to watch your words."

Shi Yaoguang’s brows lifted slightly. "Watch my words? Could it be... did I say something wrong?"

Wearing an expression of great distress, she looked towards Quan Jinbei, "Husband, do you think I said anything wrong?"

Quan Jinbei naturally said, "You didn’t say anything wrong."

Shi Yaoguang nodded in satisfaction. "Right, I knew I didn’t say anything wrong. Elder Sir, why would you tell me to watch my words out of the blue?"

As she spoke, she feigned an epiphany. "Ah, I get it now!"

"You must be using indirect criticism, right?" Her gaze swept over to Shi Yiqing, her tone carrying a sense of "we both know what’s going on," "You want to tell someone something, but are too embarrassed to do so directly."

"Although she stayed reluctantly, at least she stayed, right? You worry that if you said something to her, she would give up being with your illegitimate son, so you have to accommodate her like this. I can understand that, but... "

She drawled on, "People shouldn’t be indulged, though. If you have something to say, just say it directly. After all, you’re the elder, and no matter what, she’s going to be with your son, she’ll have to suppress some resentment."

Shi Yaoguang’s words were cutting, but she herself had never conformed to them.

The elder Mr. Quan’s face was turning green. "You’re good with words, so why don’t you set an example?"

Shi Yaoguang shrugged indifferently. "I don’t need to set any example."

"Although I’m with your son as well, I don’t need your approval, Sir."

The elder Mr. Quan’s face darkened. "I don’t agree with you being with my third son, you dare to be with him..."

He choked on his own words before finishing.

And truth be told, Shi Yaoguang being with Quan Jinbei really did not require his approval.

Thinking of this made his face grow even darker.

Shi Yaoguang felt a sense of gratification within, and her expression towards him became more accommodating. "Elder Sir, don’t worry about these things. Previously, you and your illegitimate son wanted to be together and engaged in actions that crossed generational boundaries, which were a no-go."

"Now it’s possible. You and your son can openly step out together, directly tell others about your relationship, and don’t need to consider my husband any longer."

"Living this way, I’m sure both you and your son have fantasized about it. How about it, am I not incredibly considerate?"

Watching Shi Yaoguang call herself considerate, the elder only felt an even greater sense of suffocation.

He thought for a moment, then looked at Quan Jinbei, "You just let her speak her sharp-tongued words like this?"

Quan Jinbei countered, "Is there a problem with that?"

The elder Mr. Quan: "..."

There truly was no problem.

After a moment of silence, he spoke again, "You’re supposed to be the head of the family. She does all the talking, and you’re just for show?"

Truly, Quan Jinbei seemed just for show.

Up to now, he had barely spoken a word.

Yet Quan Jinbei seemed quite content with that, "Is there a problem?"

"How my wife and I get along is not something for you to worry about."

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