Invincible Dad

Thursday, overcast.

Today's cloud candy was a storm cloud.

On the way to their kindergarten class, Qian Xiao exclaimed, "Big Sis Yiyi, Uncle Xu said that the squiggly lines on the cloud candy are lightning!"

"Look at you, acting like you've never seen the world," Xu Yiyi said, giving him a huge roll of her eyes.

"Hehehe."

Qian Xiao giggled, biting into the candy and feeling as if he were floating on air. The lightning seemed to crackle and pop in his mouth. The strange sensation made Qian Xiao shiver, an excited expression spreading across his face. "Big Sis Yiyi, this storm cloud candy is so delicious! This electrifying feeling is like the taste of first love."

What in the world?

Qian Xiao became even more resolved to follow his big sister's lead.

Follow Big Sis Yiyi. There's candy to eat. Yep, storm clouds are way tastier than white clouds!

* * *

To help Xu Lai make a good impression on her parents, Ruan Tang took him to a barbershop for a haircut. Afterward, they went to a designer brand store, where she planned to pick out a few mature, respectable outfits for him.

Xu Lai, for his part, was enjoying the novelty of shopping with his 'wife' and didn't find it tiring or boring at all.

"This set, this set, and this set. Wrap them all up," Ruan Tang said, having chosen three outfits for Xu Lai.

Xu Lai glanced at the price tags. The cheapest pair of pants was nearly five thousand. He was stunned. So expensive! His monthly salary was only ten thousand before taxes.

"Go on, try the new clothes on."

Ruan Tang pushed Xu Lai into the fitting room. When he came out, she couldn't help but freeze for a moment.

At home, Xu Lai was always very casual: a plain shirt, beach shorts, and flip-flops. Seeing him now in formal wear, he seemed like a complete stranger.

A person's aura can't be faked.

Xu Lai's eyes were incredibly deep, so profound that a single glance felt like it could pull you in.

"Is this the feeling of your heart skipping a beat?" Xu Lai whispered, leaning close to Ruan Tang's ear.

Ruan Tang snapped back to her senses. Panicked, she shoved him away and said icily, "Mr. Xu, please watch yourself. Men and women should maintain a proper distance!"

"I didn't kiss you, though."

"Xu Lai, are you having fun teasing me?"

Ruan Tang glared at him coldly. I admit I was fooled for a moment. This man is still a total rogue!

Xu Lai was helpless.

Is my wife always this serious?

"When you meet my parents in a bit, don't say anything foolish," Ruan Tang said, her expression worried. "And whatever you do, don't let the fact that we have a fake marriage slip."

"I understand," Xu Lai replied earnestly.

Once everything was ready, Ruan Tang and Xu Lai left for the meeting.

The rendezvous was a teahouse built by the sea. The atmosphere was quiet, and its antique architectural style added a touch of elegance. Guided by a server, the two of them entered a private room.

"Uncle? Aunt?"

Upon opening the door, Ruan Tang cried out in astonishment, "Why is it you two? Where are my parents?"

Xu Lai looked over.

Uncle Ruan Qingshan's hair was sparse, almost gone, and while his clothes were loose, they failed to hide his paunchy stomach. Aunt Song Ru, though in her fifties, had delicate features. It was easy to see she had been a beauty in her youth.

Ruan Qingshan set his teacup down and let out a heavy, cold snort. "What, disappointed to see us?"

"No," Ruan Tang said, quickly shaking her head.

Song Ru scrutinized Xu Lai from head to toe before stating in a tepid voice, "Go on, sit down."

"Hello, Uncle. Hello, Aunt," Xu Lai said after taking a seat, placing the small gift Ruan Tang had prepared on the table.

Song Ru made no effort to hide the arrogance on her face. "So, you're Xu Lai? Tell us about your family background and your occupation."

"I come from an ordinary family. I'm currently working as a school doctor," Xu Lai replied.

"An ordinary family..."

Instead of being disappointed, the corners of Song Ru's mouth curled upward. "That's perfect."

"Aunt, what do you mean by that?" Ruan Tang asked, a sense of foreboding creeping over her.

"I know that girl, Ruan Lan, came to see you secretly yesterday," Song Ru said, taking a sip of tea as if talking to herself.

Ruan Tang's expression shifted.

"Don't worry. She probably told you she's about to get engaged, didn't she?" Song Ru said casually. "Your sister has done well for herself. She caught the eye of the Fang Family of Hangcheng. Next month, she'll be engaged to their second young master, Fang Cheng."

The Fang Family of Hangcheng. Second Young Master Fang Cheng?

Ruan Tang suddenly recalled something and said anxiously, "Fang Cheng had a car accident years ago and ended up in a vegetative state! He's been in a sanatorium ever since, and the experts say he'll never wake up. Why would Mom and Dad agree to this marriage?!"

"Shut your mouth!" Song Ru scolded loudly. "Second Young Master Fang is merely in a temporary coma; he will definitely wake up. Marrying into the Fang Family is a blessing for Ruan Lan. Why shouldn't we agree?"

"That's right. The Fang Family is a top-tier magnate family in Hangcheng, a real estate giant," Ruan Qingshan added. "The Fang Family promised that after the engagement, they'd help the Ruan Family get into the real estate market and get a piece of the pie."

Another business alliance marriage!

Ruan Tang's pretty face was cold with anger. "I don't agree to this marriage! The Fang Family is clearly trying to humiliate my sister!"

"I'm not here to discuss it with you. Besides, your grandfather personally arranged this marriage," Song Ru said before pausing, her eyes glinting with greed. "I came today about another matter. I hear you recently signed a major contract with the Huashang Company."

"Yes..."

"Your scandal five years ago caused the Ruan Family to suffer huge losses. I believe you should transfer your company to the Ruan Family, free of charge."

Song Ru's words made Ruan Tang tremble with rage. She finally understood why her sister had been so hesitant to speak the other day. She also understood why her parents hadn't come, sending her uncle and his family instead.

"Ruan Tang, this is the share transfer agreement. Sign it," Song Ru said, pulling a document from her purse and tossing it onto the table in front of Ruan Tang.

"Is transferring the company grandfather's decision, my parents' decision, or just your decision, Aunt?" Ruan Tang asked icily, suppressing her fury.

"Does it matter?" Song Ru retorted impatiently.

"It matters a great deal!"

"It's my decision," Song Ru said, then added with false sincerity, "But Ruan Tang, my dear, your aunt is doing all of this for your own good. You have a child now; your focus should be on your family. My son just returned from his studies abroad. He's more than capable of managing your company, which would also save you the trouble of mismanaging it into bankruptcy."

"Aunt, I want you to put your hand on your heart and tell me you're truly doing this for my own good."

"Of course."

Ruan Qingshan's face hardened. "She's your own flesh-and-blood aunt! Would she really harm you?!"

Song Ru sighed. "Forget it, Qingshan. Ruan Tang is still young. She doesn't understand our good intentions. She'll get it someday."

Ruan Tang was so furious she was speechless.

It was Song Ru's idea to have me expelled from the family and kicked out of the Ruan household. And now, she wants to take the company I shed my blood, sweat, and tears for over five years to build, and hand it over to my cousin for nothing. What a load of 'I'm doing this for your own good'!

Xu Lai, who had been silent the entire time, suddenly laughed. His smile was cold. "A true aunt, indeed."

"Ruan Tang, is this the bastard you brought with you? Such a sarcastic tone!" Ruan Qingshan slammed his hand on the table and demanded coldly.

"If you're such a dear aunt, why are you selling Ruan Lan to the Fang Family?" Xu Lai's gaze swept over them, sharp as ice. "I suppose it doesn't matter to you if she has to live as a widow for the rest of her life, does it?"

Under that stare, Ruan Qingshan's scalp prickled, and he was horrified.

How did this kid know it was us who contacted the Fang Family and brokered this marriage?

"Qingshan, don't waste your breath on this loser," Song Ru said, pointing at Xu Lai with disgust. "You, get out! The Ruan Family's affairs don't need an outsider meddling!"