The Time-Limited Love and Marriage
Chapter 109

Chapter 109: Chapter 109

"Third Master Fu, this is all a misunderstanding. If I knew Miss Jiang was your niece, I couldn’t welcome her enough!"

The high stance that Third Master Fu took, one that elevated or demoted him alongside his peers, made Old Madam Si realize that regardless of whether Jiang Moxi was a child of the main branch of the Fu Family or a distant niece, she was highly valued by Fu Youhan and was someone they could not afford to neglect.

The words of retention thus slipped out of their mouths.

In addition to that, Old Madam Si also enthusiastically reached forward to grasp Jiang Moxi’s hand.

"She is so handsome. I originally thought Xiaxia and our Ruoruo were already beautiful enough, but having seen you, I now understand the meaning of ’A smile brings out all of one’s charm, making the beauty of others seem less by comparison.’"

Luoxia was standing beside them, her lips bitten pale without a hint of color upon hearing these words.

Si Ruo also couldn’t stand to hear Old Madam Si praising Jiang Moxi so much, especially when she felt belittled by the comparison.

Yet no matter how angry she got, Si Ruo could only glare fiercely, daring not to reveal the truth that Jiang Moxi wasn’t actually Fu Youhan’s biological niece.

Because not only her, but almost everyone in the entire Si Mansion knew that today, Old Master Si had gone to great lengths to invite Fu Youhan to the birthday feast for the purpose of creating opportunities for Si Ruo.

Now, if she recklessly exposed Jiang Moxi’s identity, it would not only be a slap in the face of Old Master Si but also bring shame to the entire Si Family.

What she feared the most was that after the Si Family people learned the real relationship between Fu Youhan and Jiang Moxi, they would no longer allow her to get close to Fu Youhan.

As for Si Lin, his gaze had been fixated on Jiang Moxi all along.

He had previously guessed that the relationship between Fu Youhan and Jiang Moxi was not simple, yet he still felt that it was unlikely they could be together.

After all, outstanding women had never been scarce around Fu Youhan.

Even if Jiang Moxi was exceptionally beautiful, without a distinguished family background or additional capabilities, she shouldn’t be able to make any impact in the eyes of Fu Youhan.

Hence, he had once thought that Jiang Moxi was merely a diversion in Fu Youhan’s life.

But now, Fu Youhan was once again publicly defending Jiang Moxi in an open setting, even at the risk of falling out with the Si Family.

This proved that Jiang Moxi held a special place in Fu Youhan’s heart.

He even thought that the person who should be most anxious about Fu Youhan’s unusual treatment of Jiang Moxi was probably Si Ruo.

But why, upon seeing Jiang Moxi approaching Fu Youhan, did his heart feel as if it was being pricked by something, aching quietly?

However, Jiang Moxi herself didn’t seem to mind the gazes of others, merely feeling that Old Madam Si must have learned some face-changing tricks, able to switch between bullying and flattering with such ease.

Within her slightly surprised state, Fu Youhan’s reproachful voice came once again.

"A few words of praise and you’re so flattered that you forget how she treated you just before?"

The man’s cold and detached words seemed to be scolding Jiang Moxi, but in fact, it was another merciless silent slap to Old Madam Si.

Old Madam Si’s face lost all color from the strike, yet she still had to grin and bear it, putting on a brave face.

"Third Master Fu, it really is just a misunderstanding. If you are dissatisfied with what I said about Miss Jiang just now, I can publicly apologize. Moreover, if Miss Jiang is willing, we can even arrange an engagement between Si Lin and Miss Jiang right now."

Old Master Si had made great efforts to invite Fu Youhan today, not only to create opportunities for Si Ruo but also to seek cooperation with the Fu Family for the latest developments in artificial intelligence.

Currently, the main purpose of Old Master Si’s invitation hadn’t even begun to be discussed, and if they let Fu Youhan leave like this, Old Master Si would definitely not let it slide after the banquet was over.

"Young Master Si and Moxi being together haven’t even received her family’s approval, have they?"

Fu Youhan’s gaze was mocking as it fell upon Si Lin.

Under his lead, everyone’s gaze also shifted to Si Lin.

Seeing Si Lin’s black eyes filled with cold harshness and malice, everyone felt that his true intentions had been exposed by Fu Youhan.

Fu Youhan didn’t wait for him to respond and continued, "If that’s the case, then I will take her back now to discuss this matter with her family."

As soon as the words fell, Fu Youhan turned to look at Jiang Moxi: "Push me back."

Jiang Moxi naturally stepped forward and began to push Fu Youhan towards the main entrance.

Fu Youhan’s determination to leave was unmistakably evident, and Old Madam Si realized that further persuasion was futile and did not try to detain him any longer.

Seeing that Jiang Moxi and Fu Youhan were about to leave, Ye Chen also spoke up: "I’ll go with you."

This really threw Old Madam Si into a fluster.

Fu Youhan and Ye Chen were the two most honored guests at tonight’s birthday banquet, with many of the other guests attending for their sake.

If they both were to leave, then the number of guests tonight would surely be halved, and the Si family would become a laughingstock to others.

Naturally, Old Madam Si tried her best to persuade and stop Ye Chen from leaving.

Yet, the signature smile on Ye Chen’s face had obviously faded.

"Although Night Color is a place of entertainment, it has always been a benchmark in the industry, never forcing anyone into transactions. So, not every girl who enters Night Color is unchaste!"

"Young Master Ye..." Old Madam Si only now realized that she had made a fatal mistake.

In her attempts to prevent Si Lin from being with a girl from such an entertainment venue, she had inadvertently insulted Night Color as well.

And since Night Color was under Ye Chen’s name, it was as if she had scolded Ye Chen too.

Now, Old Madam Si didn’t know how to salvage the situation at hand.

She desperately signaled to Si Lin, hoping he could smooth things over.

After all, before Si Lin went abroad, he was considered an equal match for Fu Youhan, so Ye Chen should show some respect to Si Lin.

But Si Lin seemed not to catch her hints at all, his expression remaining indifferent.

And Ye Chen did not give Old Madam Si another chance to seek help, saying directly, "All clarifications have been made. I wish everyone a pleasant evening. I’ll take my leave now."

Then, Ye Chen left without looking back.

Also, due to the successive departures of Fu Youhan and Ye Chen, the birthday party that should have been lively had not even started before it took on a desolate coldness.

*

After leaving the Si Mansion, Jiang Moxi and Fu Youhan took a ride in Chi Jing’s car, with Ye Chen driving solo in his sports car behind them.

Aside from getting in the car when Chi Jing asked them where they were headed, to which Fu Youhan replied ’Night Color’, there was a long silence inside the car without any other conversation.

Silence, like an intangible thing, enveloped the whole car.

It was not until they were one block away from Night Color that Jiang Moxi seemed to have mentally prepared herself and said to Fu Youhan, "I can explain."

"Finally thought up an excuse?" Fu Youhan’s tone was clearly mocking.

Jiang Moxi said, "It’s not an excuse. I owed Young Master Si a favor, so I agreed to help him with something, and he asked me to help him dodging today’s matchmaking."

"What favor do you owe him?" The light and shadows outside the car window flickered, casting a sharp edge to the man’s taut jawline.

Jiang Moxi’s eyes, brimming with water, slightly stuttered.

Indeed, it was Fu Youhan, who quickly caught the part she most wanted to hide.