Chapter 253: Chapter 253

Hua Xiaomo pulled open the car door. As she got out, she finally said, "President Qi... forget me. We’re not from the same world. I don’t think I’ll be able to attend when you get married, but I’ll still wish you well... That’s all I have to say. Let’s not see each other again. Take care."

After saying this, Hua Xiaomo turned swiftly without looking back and quickly ran towards Yuehu Residence, number 81. She soon disappeared from his sight.

Qi Longbing watched her receding figure grow smaller until she entered the gate and vanished completely. Only then did his thoughts slowly begin to return. If I give up, I can easily imagine this is where things between us would end. Those words she said would become a historic moment. But, ironically, could I, who have always controlled the lives of others, really be led around by the nose by a woman? That doesn’t seem like my personality at all, does it?

"Hua Xiaomo, what gives you the right to dictate things? Who gave you that authority?" Qi Longbing chuckled to himself, his gaze growing even colder. A malevolent scheme glinted deep within his eyes, and the faintest of smiles touched his thin lips. It looked like a smile, but it was cold—as cold as an evil Angel floating up from hell.

Hua Xiaomo, don’t think that just because I indulge you, you can do whatever you want... Want to get married? That depends on whether I’m tired of you yet! You want to slip away mid-game before I’ve had enough fun? Not a chance!

Meanwhile, Long Shangxuan returned to his garden villa. He quickly turned on the Butterfly Brooch’s camera, connected it to his computer, and tried to extract the photos, but there was nothing.

Why is it blank? Long Shangxuan was completely puzzled, his mind racing. He turned the switch off and on several times, but still, no images appeared.

Could it be... she didn’t use this camera to take the photos? Long Shangxuan frowned, stood up, and paced the room. But that’s impossible. Xiao Mo clearly said she had taken compromising photos of Qi Longbing. She couldn’t be wrong about that.

As a thought struck him, Long Shangxuan quickly picked up his phone. But the next second, when he found the number, he resisted the urge to call. Soon, he grabbed the Butterfly Brooch camera again, left the house, and drove rapidly towards Yuehu Residence, number 81.

Hua Xiaomo opened the door. Seeing who was standing there, she smiled and said, "Brother Long, you’re here! Come in quickly! Mom just finished cooking. Join us for dinner."

"...Yeah," Long Shangxuan nodded with a smile and had dinner with Hua Xiaomo and her mother.

"Shang Xuan, when are you going to take our Xiao Mo to meet your parents?" Su Ronghua asked.

"Mom... what are you saying? Am I in such a hurry?" Hua Xiaomo frowned involuntarily. Was I, Hua Xiaomo, really that desperate to get married? No way, I’m no marriage fanatic. But finding someone who truly suits me isn’t easy...

Long Shangxuan smiled, thought for a moment, and then answered, "My father teaches abroad and doesn’t often return to the country. My mother passed away a long time ago."

"Oh..." Su Ronghua responded. She glanced at Hua Xiaomo out of the corner of her eye, giving her a look that signaled her not to interrupt. Just dating isn’t enough. If two people decide to get together, they need to know each other’s backgrounds thoroughly. Follow current novels on 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹✦𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✦𝓷𝓮𝓽

"What’s your father’s name then? And, if you get married, your father would come back to the country, right?" Su Ronghua asked again.

"If we get married, he’ll definitely come back. My father’s name is Liang Jianjun," Long Shangxuan said.

Liang Jianjun? Su Ronghua was startled. She looked again at the young man before her. In that instant, she finally understood why he had seemed familiar from the moment she saw him—he was Liang Jianjun’s son! Could the world really be this small?

"Mom, what’s wrong? You shouldn’t stare at people like that," Hua Xiaomo interjected.

"It’s not that. I just find it strange. Your father’s surname is Liang, but yours is Long?" Su Ronghua said, a hint of suspicion in her eyes. That name forced long-sealed memories to resurface...

"Auntie, it’s : my mother’s surname was Long, so I took her surname. Later, while I was still in school, my mother died in a car accident. My father is a devoted man, and to honor her memory, he had me change my surname to Long," Long Shangxuan slowly explained, his gaze shifting subtly towards Hua Xiaomo.

"...Meeting someone you like during the best years of your life is a kind of fate, and I will cherish this fate," Long Shangxuan said tenderly, his eyes full of gentle affection.

Combined with such a vivid and emotional speech, almost any girl would be moved by such sweet words. If it weren’t for that night and the matter of this house, I would surely be deeply touched, vowing in my heart to marry no one but him.

But at that moment, she merely pursed her lips into a faint smile and said nothing more. Whether his feelings were genuine or feigned, I don’t want to investigate too deeply...

They finished dinner quickly.

Long Shangxuan proactively helped Su Ronghua clear the table and dishes, actively presenting himself as a good future husband in front of her. Hua Xiaomo, meanwhile, was guided by him to watch television on the sofa. She smiled but said nothing. Watching him bustle about between the kitchen and dining room, she felt an inexplicable pang of sadness in her heart. However, she quickly averted her gaze, stopping herself from dwelling on any more confusing thoughts.

After a little while, Long Shangxuan came out and handed her a drink. "Here, have some of this!"

"Thank you," Hua Xiaomo said, taking the drink. She temporarily suppressed the chaotic thoughts in her mind.

"What’s wrong? You look very tired," Long Shangxuan asked with concern.

Hua Xiaomo forced a smile. "Not at all, why do you say that? It’s just that staying here every day with nothing much to do gets a little boring."

Long Shangxuan naturally put an arm around her shoulder and smiled. "So that’s it. I was hoping you’d relax for a few more days! I didn’t expect my Xiao Mo would want to start sharing my burdens so soon. Well then... how about coming to work at my company in a couple of days?"

Hua Xiaomo looked at him and replied, "Mhm."

"Tonight, there’s a reception on the 19th floor of the Mohai Zongheng Building. Come and join us!" Long Shangxuan said, looking at her, his narrow, upturned eyes shining with a slick gleam.

Hua Xiaomo hesitated for a moment. "Brother Long, that’s your corporation’s reception, isn’t it? It might not be appropriate for me to go."