Bab 12: Chapter 12 : Scheming Husband

Xiulan has been enjoying the "No Hongqi Week" for two weeks now.

Apparently, Hongqi has been mysteriously busy. He's out of the country for business stuff, secretly preparing and planning the wedding on his own, and also busy ending his relationships with different women.

"This time, I want you to send yellow flowers and a Cartier bracelet to Han Meili. Also point to her that she better not appear in my life ever again." Hongqi commanded to Secretary Yang Bo via phone. He's currently in Italy for a new investment and also to buy wedding rings.

"I understand, Master Hongqi. I will do that today." Secretary Yang Bo said. Yang Bo thought that his boss' relationship with Han Meili ended a long time ago. It was unnecessary to send her farewell gifts when they are not even communicating anymore. Unless his boss sneakily met up with her while he dated Gong Yuming.

"I also want you to send the same stuff and message to Gu Jia Shu. I want you to finish all these tasks before I come back in S city." Hongqi added.

"Yes, Master Hongqi." Yang Bo affirmed and waited for Hongqi to end the call.

When Hongqi finally ended the call, Yang Bo sighed heavily. His boss is really impressive. He managed to still meet these women secretly without getting caught by the paparazzi.

The women Hongqi mentioned were the in same tier as Gong Yuming. They were the current "it girls" in showbiz.

Props to these women, they never exposed their relationship with Hongqi unlike Gong Yuming.

Yang Bo became very busy ending these relationships ever since Hongqi left the country. If he adds those two on the list, it'll be five women by now. His boss is indeed a notorious player.

Though Yang Bo has been secretly doing this awkward task, it never slips from Song Nuo Shu's ears.

"Look at your fiancé, he's sending Cartier bracelets to his women as farewell gifts. Isn't he too generous?" Nuo Shu sarcastically implied to Xiulan. She's currently in Xiulan's apartment to visit her precious little sister also to report this juicy gossip.

When Nuo Shu got this information, she immediately went to visit her little sister and reported it to her. Her sister must know these kinds of things so she won't fall to that man's trap. Nuo Shu has a bad feeling towards Hongqi ever since she found out that her father announced that he wanted Xing Hongqi as Xiulan's husband.

"Where did you get that kind of info?" Xiulan asked while she was busy eating pumpkin seeds, comfortably lying on her soft sofa and watching cartoons in her living room.

It was a Sunday and Xiulan decided to take advantage of this day just to slack off.

"Honey, I have ears from hell. I got them from their managers." Nuo Shu proudly said.

"Why are they sending you this kind of info anyway? Are you bribing them?" Xiulan asked again. She doesn't understand the point of sending this info to her sister. What are they getting from her sister for them to reveal such information? Especially that they are the managers!

"No, they were just very talkative. You know I'm still relevant in show business. They try to win my favor by sharing some gossips." Nuo Shu revealed.

Even though Hongqi's women were famous celebrities, they still have to go under Nuo Shu's approval when it comes to advertisements and modeling gigs.

Nuo Shu's opinion is very important to advertisers and fashion agencies. Her opinion is God level that these enthusiasts would follow her words because she knows best.

"Wow. I always forgot that you are someone important in show business." Xiulan said and was amazed by her sister's undying influence.

"Anyway, enough of that. So what are you going to do?" Nuo Shu impatiently asked.

"Going to do on what?" Xiulan asked while her attention is still on the TV.

"Your fiancé is too much. Sending Cartier bracelets to five women as farewell gifts! Isn't that problematic? Why are you so calm about this? He will be your future husband!" Nuo Shu stressed. She's more frustrated than Xiulan.

Xiulan sighed and glanced at her big sister before putting her attention back to the TV.

"I don't have any feelings for him, sis. Just let him be." Xiulan nonchalantly said.

Nuo Shu gritted her teeth. This little sister of hers really bugs her to death! She's too calm and it's not normal anymore.

Nuo Shu stands up and angrily exited Xiulan's apartment without saying a word.

Xiulan was taken aback by her big sister's tantrums. She knows that her sister is concerned over her marriage. She understands her but right now she's not really bothered by Hongqi's affairs. What should she do? Fake her problems and stress?

She stands up from the sofa and went to get her phone in her room. She saw that her phone is blinking and it is a signal for notifications.

Most of the messages and missed calls were from Hongqi and Wenyan. Hongqi kept asking about her preferences, likes and dislikes. Even though he's not physically present, his virtual clingy presence somewhat infuriates Xiulan. He would call time to time then would ask random questions or bombard her with his unsolicited handsome pictures.

Since she's too lazy to reply, she decided to reply to Hongqi later. She scroll to Wenyan 's messages and started reading it.

"What?!" Xiulan gasped at Wenyan 's messages. She immediately called Wenyan and she can't help but frown from frustration.

"Sis, you called." Wenyan finally answered.

"Yah! What do you mean I'm getting married next week? Who told you that and where did you get that wedding invitation? Why is my name in there!?" Xiulan somewhat lose her cool. She saw her name and Hongqi's name on a red and gold wedding invitation and their names are also embroidered on branded robes with gold dragons imprinted on it as a wedding souvenir.

"Big brother sent that to me. One of his friends sent those images to him. He thought your relationship with Hongqi was a hoax at first but when he saw those pictures, he immediately sent it to me and asked for a confirmation. I told him you are preparing for the wedding. Aren't you?" Wenyan said.

Xiulan can't believe where the images came from. It's from Wenyan's big brother, big brother Wen Wuzhou, her almost childhood crush but it ended too fast because he didn't support Wenyan. But the question is; when did they start to communicate again?

"I thought big brother Wuzhou ended all his communication with you?" Xiulan confusedly asked.

"Yes, he did. But he tried to reach me again two years ago. At first I was hesitant to talk to him but he was really nice and very supportive of my decisions. I forgot to tell you, I'm sorry." Wenyan apologetically said. He was so happy that his big brother finally talks to him again that he forgot to report it to Xiulan.

"Ahh… I see. It's okay. I was just surprised. Anyway, those images you sent to me. Who were the main sources?" Xiulan went back to the main topic. Though Wuzhou is finally in good terms with Wenyan again, it wouldn't change the fact that he ousted his own brother before.

"They are from big brother's friend. They were actually boasting that Xing Hongqi picked their brand as a wedding souvenir and also to produce the wedding invitations." Wenyan informed. Wenyan's not sure why Xiulan is asking him about this stuff.

"Yikes! Don't tell me, Hongqi has been secretly preparing it by himself? Fuck, I'm doomed." Wenyand suddenly realized.

Wenyan was waiting for Xiulan to talk but she was too quiet.

"Hello? Hello? Xiulan, are you still there? Hellooooo?" Wenyan is now worried. He's now frantic that he exposed a surprise wedding.

Xiulan can't help but be shocked. Written on the wedding invitation, the wedding date will be next week! She was speechless! She can't believe that she's going to get married next week!

But she hasn't met Hongqi's family yet. As far as she knows, Hongqi only has his father now; he doesn't have any siblings as well. His mother died five years ago because of cancer. His father never remarried but has tons of girlfriends. Like father, like son indeed.

Xiulan doesn't know why she became nervous and on panic mode.

"Xiulan? Are you still alive? Hello?" Wenyan tried to get Xiulan's attention again. He's now deeply worried.

"Ah. Sorry, this information really shocked me. I'm going to call you later, okay?" Xiulan said and immediately ended the call without waiting for Wenyan to respond.

Wenyan looked at his phone and cursed himself. He just exposed a surprise wedding! He wanted the floor to devour him now. "I'm so sorry, Xing Hongqi. I really thought that both of you were preparing it." Wenyan sulked.

Xiulan doesn't know why she suddenly feels so nervous. She thought that she's prepared but seeing that wedding invitation and souvenirs made her whole system panic.

Xiulan blew a heavy breath and bit her lips. She wanted to call Hongqi and confirm it if the wedding date is real. But what if he's really secretly preparing the wedding? She doesn't want to expose him like that.

After a long deliberation, Xiulan decided not to ask Hongqi. She'll just wait for next week and she'll try to prepare herself as well.

After two days, Hongqi finally went back to S city. He finally bought the wedding rings and he's so excited to get married. Five more days and the Xing and Song family will finally merge.

He's excited because he wanted to start his campaign and oust the damn mayor already. Though the election is still far, he believes that he will win this.

When Hongqi came back, Xiulan became vigilant of Hongqi's affairs and schedule. She just wanted to know if the wedding date is legit! Her mouth is itching to ask him but it's supposed to be a secret.

She waited and waited for Hongqi to say or hint something but he never did! Until the day before the wedding date, Secretary Yang Bo told her to go to Oriental Pearl Dragon Hotel tomorrow and she must be there by eight in the morning.

It was a huge hint already. Xiulan's anxiety worsens. She was expecting it was a just a joke but apparently she's really getting married tomorrow.

Obviously her family knows it but they remain secretive. Her sisters also diligently cooperated with Hongqi this time. How the hell did they manage to be quiet and secretive? If Wenyan didn't expose such information, she might look like a deer in the headlights tomorrow.

"Tsk. You scheming husband." Xiulan quietly uttered and glared at Hongqi using the side mirror of his car. She can't help but whisper it. She'll get crazy if she didn't let it out.

"Did you say something?" Hongqi suddenly asked and glanced at Xiulan. He was driving Xiulan back to her apartment. They just finished eating their dinner.

He actually heard what Xiulan said but it made him confuse and nervous.

"Scheming husband… that's what she said." Hongqi thought.

He doesn't know if it's regarding his women affairs or it's something else. He can't just suddenly apologize because it will make him look guilty. He'll just wait for Xiulan to attack him.

Hongqi is sure that Xiulan's gazes have meaning. He's not sure if it's contempt or allure. She's nonchalant but her eyes say something.

Hongqi sweated. They are going to get married tomorrow. If he can't solve this problem tonight then he has to make sure Xiulan will say yes tomorrow.