Chapter 57: The Luo Family's Forced Marriage

Shang Qi was also shocked by the scene before her. Suddenly, she felt that Luo Yichen was so pitiful, and she also felt that she was truly a bit cruel. She asked herself in her heart: What on earth have I done to make a man who never shows weakness cry? How did this matter end up becoming my fault? What should I do so that our family can survive properly?

Luo Yichen wiped away his tears, said nothing more, and stood up to leave. Shang Qi stared at the ground and said, "It is not that I am cruel, but too many things have happened, and I do not even know how to handle them anymore. From that terrifying night, to the endless rumors that followed, and recently to my mother's serious illness, I feel as though I am trapped in a swamp. The more I try to escape, the deeper I sink."

Luo Yichen stopped in his tracks and turned back to look at Shang Qi. She had her head buried in her knees, and her gaze was somewhat vacant. This woman he deeply loved was already like a startled bird, no longer able to endure any further blows. She was like a soap bubble floating in the air, which would vanish into thin air at the slightest touch.

Luo Yichen walked back and squatted down in front of Shang Qi. He extended his arms and embraced her, who was utterly vulnerable. Out of instinct, Shang Qi fiercely resisted the intimate contact with a man. Once again, using the last of her strength, she tried to break free from Luo Yichen's confinement, yet she still could not escape.

Luo Yichen held her tightly and said softly, "Let us put those matters aside for a while, alright? Let me hold you, just for a little while, okay?"

This time, Shang Qi did not push him away because she felt she had no strength left. Her whole body felt as though it were falling apart, and she practically slumped against Luo Yichen. Luo Yichen warned himself in his heart: As a man, no matter how difficult things are, you must endure. Only then can a woman rely on you and stay by your side. Such cowardly behavior must never happen again.

After a long while, Luo Yichen let go of her and asked, "Can we truly not start over?"

Shang Qi shed painful tears and said, "You have done so many things that hurt me, how can we possibly start over? I did not want others to know about my lover-like relationship with you, yet you actually used this to strike at me. Now that you have succeeded, I truly have no power left to fight back."

Luo Yichen's head buzzed with a loud hum, and he began to regret the things he had done in the past. If he had realized earlier that he could not let go of Shang Qi in his heart, he would not have acted that way. However, the boat was already cooked, and nothing could reverse the situation. Shang Qi pushed Luo Yichen away and left by herself. Luo Yichen did not chase after her because he knew that once something was lost, it was lost forever.

At that moment, Luo Yichen's phone rang. Mu Lichen said, "It is terrible! Luo Corporation's stock has hit the lower limit! At this rate, it will hit the lower limit again tomorrow."

Luo Yichen's expression changed slightly, and he asked, "Does Grandfather know about this situation?"

Mu Lichen said, "How would I dare to tell him?"

Luo Yichen turned around and got into the car. As he started the engine, he said, "I am heading to the company right now. Compile the company's recent situation, and we will talk when I get there."

With that, he drove rapidly toward the company. Upon arriving at the company, the secretary looked at Luo Yichen in surprise. She clearly had not expected him to appear at the company at a time like this. Luo Yichen walked into Mu Lichen's office and saw Luo Shixun discussing countermeasures with Mu Lichen. He asked, "Is there anything abnormal in the company's operations?"

"No! Everything has been running smoothly. However, rumors have recently been circulating that the residential buildings under construction by Luo Corporation have severe quality issues. I have already handed this matter over to the public relations department to handle," Mu Lichen replied.

"How much circulating capital does the company have left?"

"It is all gone, and our liabilities continue to increase. If the stock keeps falling, we are going to go bankrupt."

Luo Shixun said, "I have already transferred funds from the American side, which should sustain us for a little while."

"It is useless. The gap is too large, and any funds poured in will simply go down the drain. Unless the stock market stops falling, there will be no turning point."

Just then, Elder Luo pushed the door open and happened to overhear their conversation. He said, "Chen'er, didn't you propose marrying Shang Qi? Given how things stand, you two should hurry up and hold the wedding!"

"Grandfather, Shang Qi does not agree to the marriage. I have already done too many things to hurt her. If I use marriage to shackle her to my side again, it will only bring her even greater harm."

Elder Luo said angrily, "You good-for-nothing! How can you give up the entire Luo Corporation and your own life just for a woman? No matter what, you must go through with this marriage!"

Luo Yichen felt once more that his grandfather was truly cruel. How could he completely disregard his own opinion and decide everything? Luo Yichen said stubbornly, "I am a good-for-nothing! Shang Qi will never submit either!"

"That is not up for her to decide! Shixun, you immediately arrange to meet with Shang Wendend and finalize this marriage." With that, Elder Luo walked out of the office.

Luo Yichen punched the wall, and fresh blood stained the snow-white surface. Luo Shixun stopped him and said, "Do not do that!"

Mu Lichen also advised, "Just listen to Grandfather's arrangement! He is doing all this for the sake of the Luo Corporation."

Luo Yichen roared, "If I have to be despicable enough to use a woman for my own benefit, can I still be considered an upright man?"

Although Luo Shixun felt a pang of heartache for his son, he also knew that this matter was of paramount importance. Right now, Luo Yichen had to marry Shang Qi in order to quell the situation.

He persuaded, "Shang Qi has already suffered too much criticism. Your marrying her can actually allow her to temporarily escape those idle gossips. As for your life together afterwards, that will depend on you. Treat her well after marriage, consider it making amends for this nightmare!"

These words caused Luo Yichen to calm down. There was another reason why he did not want to marry Shang Qi: the fact that Shang Qi had threatened him with a recording left him full of misgivings. Grandfather had once said that keeping a woman who wanted revenge by one's side was a very dangerous thing. Yet he could not tell his grandfather about this worry, fearing that he would resort to other methods to deal with Shang Qi.

He asked desolately, "If I treat her well, will she forgive everything?"

"You cannot be certain that she will not forgive!" Luo Shixun replied. Having said that, he prepared to go and see Shang Wendepend.

After Luo Yichen left, Shang Qi could no longer control herself; she buried her face in her knees and sobbed bitterly. Her tears soaked the front of her clothes, yet they continued to flow unabated. Her shoulders trembled slightly, sweat dripped from her head, and her entire being was immersed in endless sorrow.

At that moment, she did not even know who to resent. Was this fate? Why must it torment her so? Thinking of her mother still lying in the hospital, Shang Qi dried her tears and hurried toward the hospital. Upon reaching the hospital, she discovered that the room was empty.

Shang Qi hurriedly asked a nurse, "Excuse me, where is the patient from this bed?"

"She just suffered another myocardial infarction and has been taken to the operating room."

Shang Qi was stunned into complete shock.

"Miss, what is wrong with you? Do you feel unwell anywhere?"

Only then did she snap out of it, turn around, and run toward the operating room. Shang Wendepend and Xi Jingpeng were anxiously guarding the entrance of the operating room. Seeing Shang Qi running over like a madwoman, Xi Jingpeng hurriedly said, "Do not panic yet! Auntie is undergoing a minimally invasive cardiac stent procedure, the risk is not high."

Shang Wendepend also said, "Qiqi, do not worry too much!"

"Why did Mom have another sudden attack?" Shang Qi's eyes were filled with anxiety.

Xi Jingpeng replied, "For heart disease patients, relapses are very common. Once the surgery is over, this condition will ease."

Finally, Yu Xiufen's surgery concluded, and everything went smoothly. At that moment, an uninvited guest suddenly arrived. It was none other than Luo Shixun.

He said to Shang Wendepend, "I heard your wife is very ill?"

Shang Wendepend felt extremely uneasy about his visit. He had clearly rejected reconciliation last time, so why had Luo Shixun come again this time? With the two families at loggerheads, there was no way he was here to visit a patient.

"She just finished surgery and is out of danger," Shang Wendepend responded cautiously.

"Can we talk alone?"

After Shang Wendepend agreed, the two of them got into Luo Shixun's car. Shang Wendepend asked, "What do you want with me? Just spit it out!"

"Let Yichen and Shang Qi get married!"

Shang Wendepend immediately raised his eyebrows in anger and said, "That is impossible!"

"Heart disease patients must avoid agitation above all else. If this lawsuit drags on, I am afraid it will cost her life." When he said the final sentence, Luo Shixun's tone carried an obvious threat.

Shang Wendepend widened his eyes and said angrily, "Despicable!"

"Oh?" Luo Shixun sneered and said, "We are about to become in-laws, I am just giving you a kindly reminder. The follow-up treatment for the mother-in-law still requires a considerable sum of money. If Shang Qi marries into our family, the betrothal gift from the Luo family will be one hundred million."

Shang Wendepend dared to be angry but dared not speak, pondering inwardly: Luo Shixun is no ordinary person. For him to issue such a threat means he must have made thorough preparations. Xiufen has just finished surgery, and he seized this exact moment to force me into submission, firmly believing that I would not dare to resist. Besides, we truly need the money right now. As the saying goes, all is fair in war! I will agree to him for now and figure out another plan later.

Thinking of this, Shang Wendepend said, "Fine, I agree to this marriage. But right now, rumors about Qiqi are flying all over the place outside. Surely you do not want them to get married amidst countless gossips?"

"You do not need to worry about that; I will have the public relations department handle it. Let them register their marriage tomorrow, and set the wedding date for three days from now. How about that?" Luo Shixun closely observed his reaction.

Shang Wendepend was startled and said, "Why so urgent? Xiufen just had surgery; we have to wait until she is better before holding a wedding. Besides, there is a lot to prepare for a wedding, it cannot be done so hastily."

"Rest assured, the Luo family will definitely let Shang Qi marry into our family in grand style."

Upon hearing this, Shang Wendepend truly had grievances he could not voice. Just as he was about to refuse, Luo Shixun added, "Do not stall and make excuses anymore! Otherwise, I will assume you were merely humoring me and never intended to let your daughter marry."

With no other choice, Shang Wendepend had to swallow the words he was about to say. Upon returning to the hospital, Shang Qi asked, "Dad, what did Luo Shixun want when he came to see you?"

Shang Wendepend pulled his daughter close and said in a low voice, "He said he would offer a betrothal gift of one hundred million and wants you to marry Luo Yichen. Otherwise, he will continue to use public opinion to attack you. Fearing that your mother would suffer another shock, I pretended to agree to the marriage. However, Luo Shixun actually expects you and Luo Yichen to register your marriage tomorrow and hold the wedding the day after tomorrow."