Chapter 60 Dragged Home

Shang Qi said, "Why should I go home with you? Don't forget what you promised me!"

Luo Yichen said with a serious expression, "Once we get our marriage certificate, we are a family. What is wrong with you coming back to our home with me? I haven't broken any agreement."

Shang Qi retorted unconvinced, "You are confusing concepts! Let me out of the car right now."

Luo Yichen ignored him and drove straight toward the apartment. Seeing that the car doors could not be opened, Shang Qi simply sat still in the car. So many things had happened recently, leaving her emotionally and physically exhausted. The car swayed gently, just like a cradle. Shang Qi gradually drifted off to sleep...

When Luo Yichen parked the car, he once again saw Shang Qi's sleeping face. However, she was sleeping very uneasily. Her brows were tightly furrowed, and sweat was streaming down her cheeks. Luo Yichen nudged her gently and said, "Wake up, we're home."

Shang Qi opened her drowsy eyes and said, "How did I fall asleep?"

Luo Yichen raised his hand, intending to wipe away the sweat for her. He said, "It's not comfortable sleeping in the car. Go take a bath and sleep properly inside!"

By this time, Shang Qi was fully awake. She pushed Luo Yichen's hand away, opened the car door, and stepped out. Having no other choice, Luo Yichen said, "We've already registered our marriage, are you still afraid of living with me?"

Shang Qi ignored him and continued walking away.

Luo Yichen grabbed her and said, "Given the current situation, what results do you expect to achieve by going to the hospital and arguing with your father?"

Shang Qi remained silent, determined to leave. Hardening his resolve, Luo Yichen said, "Getting our marriage certificate doesn't mean everything is over. The lawsuit hasn't been settled yet. Reporters are still watching our every move. If you and your father are caught arguing on camera, it will only cause more trouble!"

Shang Qi stopped in her tracks and said, "If you had just said that earlier, why bother putting on a show of caring about me? Aren't you tired? Just watching you exhausts me! What you said makes sense. Let's go! I'll go back with you."

Luo Yichen's expression froze instantly, and he stood rooted to the spot. Hearing the word "show," he finally understood completely: Shang Qi regarded all his care and reluctance to let her go as mere acting. It wasn't that she refused to accept his goodwill; she didn't believe in it at all. He felt utterly lost—what on earth could he do to make her believe him?

Shang Qi walked slowly, once again warning herself: everything Luo Yichen said and did was for the benefit of the Luo family. In his eyes, interests superseded everything else. Such a person could never truly fall in love with anyone. Therefore, she could not believe a single word he uttered.

Luo Yichen and Shang Qi reached the entrance of the apartment. To their surprise, they found Yin Guizhen standing by the door holding a large bag of groceries. Luo Yichen thought to himself: Oh no, how could it be such a coincidence that we ran into her? What is Guizhen doing here again? I hope Qiqi doesn't misunderstand!

Yin Guizhen had learned from Mu Lichen that Luo Yichen was going to register his marriage with Shang Qi. Today, she had followed them all the way to the Civil Affairs Bureau. The moment she saw Luo Yichen dragging Shang Qi out, Yin Guizhen was so furious that she clenched her delicate fists, her fingernails digging deep into her flesh. She forced herself not to rush out, desperately and calmly plotting a countermeasure. That was why she had appeared here.

Yin Guizhen put on a gentle smile. Pretending to know nothing, she said, "Yichen, I brought you some more food."

Shang Qi had no interest in the "good show" unfolding before her. Her face remained calm and unruffled, as if she hadn't heard a thing. Luo Yichen, however, felt a secret surge of anxiety. He was afraid Yin Guizhen might blurt out something fabricated. If he were to be saddled with the accusation of messing around with his ex-wife, it would be even harder for him to redeem himself in front of Shang Qi.

Luo Yichen said, "Guizhen, there's food here. Didn't I already tell you not to come back?"

"I was just worried about you!" Yin Guizhen's voice carried a seductive charm that would stir any man's heart.

At this moment, however, Luo Yichen did not dare harbor any such "improper thoughts." He stated clearly, "From now on, Shang Qi will take care of me."

Yin Guizhen could not help feeling a wave of annoyance. Smiling insidiously, she insinuated, "Are you afraid of your wife? It seems I was too lenient with you back then. But the woman by your side should at least have a magnanimous demeanor. Didn't I share you with her for three years back then?"

Hearing the word "share," Shang Qi glanced at Yin Guizhen. Noticing that her reaction had been provoked, Yin Guizhen pressed on even harder. She said to Shang Qi, "It seems you don't understand these things yet. Would you like me to teach you? Or how about this, you can teach me how to captivate a man's heart."

Seeing that she came with ill intentions, Luo Yichen put on a stern face and said, "Stop provoking people on purpose! If you have nothing else to do, just leave!"

Seeing that she was being given the cold shoulder and driven away, Yin Guizhen began to put on a pitiful, sorrowful act. With tears welling in her eyes, she said, "With such a major crisis happening, this woman hasn't done a single thing for you except drag you to court. I've worried about you day and night, and even rushed over to take care of your daily life. Why can't you feel any of this? Has she really completely bewitched you?"

Seeing Yin Guizhen turning black into white and portraying herself in such a light, a surge of anger ignited in Shang Qi's heart. Luo Yichen understood Yin Guizhen's bitterness; after all, during his most difficult times, this woman had remained steadfastly by his side. Yet he did not want to make things too ugly.

He said, "Guizhen, I've always been grateful for what you've done. But this has nothing to do with romantic love, and I must ask you not to harbor any more illusions."

To be rejected so thoroughly in front of Shang Qi, how could Yin Guizhen save face? She raged, "Fine! Since this woman has stolen your soul, you'd better watch out—she might go looking for other men later."

She turned back to Shang Qi and sneered, "Once a man has been drugged, he loses control no matter who it is. In this game, you really are brilliant! I bow to your superior skills."

Subjected to such an insult, Shang Qi could no longer turn a blind eye. Suppressing the fear in her heart, she suddenly linked her arm through Luo Yichen's.

Wearing a triumphant smile, Shang Qi said smugly, "Are you really that jealous of me? Let me share some good news with you: we just got our marriage certificate today. From now on, I am Mrs. Luo. He is my man, and no one else is allowed to touch him. Do you know why he divorced you in the first place? It was precisely because of that 'magnanimity' of yours back then. However, I should actually thank you. Otherwise, how could I have attained the happiness I have now?"

Luo Yichen never expected her to strike back at Yin Guizhen with such sharp-tongued wit. Before he could speak, Shang Qi turned to him with an alluring look and said, "Chen, hurry up and open the door. Today can be considered our first day as newlyweds after all! I certainly don't want to waste time here."

Luo Yichen felt that Shang Qi was acting quite abnormally at this moment. Yin Guizhen, on the other hand, was trembling all over with rage. Seeing that Yin Guizhen had indeed turned to leave, Shang Qi suddenly prepared to open the door and walk away.

Luo Yichen said, "Qiqi, I know you're hurting inside. But you can't run away from this forever. We're holding our wedding the day after tomorrow; you need to get used to living with me!"

"What a joke! How could I possibly live with a wolf like you? Once this public storm blows over, I hope we can get a divorce as soon as possible. Also, your father said that once we registered our marriage, he would give me one hundred million. Where is the check?"

Luo Yichen looked at Shang Qi in disbelief. He refused to believe that this woman had only married him for money and a future divorce. Years ago, he had parted ways with Yin Guizhen precisely because he resented her for marrying him with ulterior motives. And now, the woman he had just married turned out to be exactly the same.

He asked, "Is one hundred million really that important to you?"

"What do you think? My innocence, my reputation, and even my entire future have all been staked on this. Isn't that worth this much money?" Shang Qi said with a mocking tone.

Hearing the resentment in her voice, Luo Yichen's mood improved slightly. He also understood that Shang Qi wouldn't come around so quickly. Anyone in her position would be furious. Playing along with her words, he said softly, "Money is not a problem. Whatever amount you want, I will give it to you."

As he spoke, Luo Yichen produced a gold card. He handed it right in front of Shang Qi and said, "This is a supplementary card to my credit card, backed by the assets of the Luo family. You can overdraw it as much as you like."

Shang Qi glanced at the gold card with utter disdain. Luo Yichen took in every nuance of her expression. By now he could be certain that Shang Qi's previous words were merely said out of spite. He added, "Don't just stand there staring. Don't you want it?"

Shang Qi took it and said, "Why wouldn't I want it? The more the better, right?"

Luo Yichen nodded. He didn't care how much money he gave his woman, as long as it made her happy.

"Then thank you. It turns out that getting married comes with quite a few perks! I really didn't expect that simply registering a marriage could earn me so much." With that, she turned and walked toward the door once again.

Seeing that despite saying so much, he still couldn't make her stay, Luo Yichen grew somewhat irritated. He said in a stern, chilling voice, "Wait. Do you think this place is somewhere you can just come and go as you please?"

Shang Qi did not stop walking, merely tossing back, "Don't worry, I'll use this money to find a few women and send them your way. I have to make sure I treat you right!"

Luo Yichen was truly provoked. He stepped forward, grabbed Shang Qi, and threw her onto the sofa. Shang Qi showed no weakness, glaring back at him with bloodshot eyes. At this moment, she was not afraid of Luo Yichen at all. The wedding had not yet taken place, and he still needed her as a chess piece. Therefore, no matter what she did, he had to endure it. She was certain that Luo Yichen would never dare to do anything to her.

However, the one thing Shang Qi failed to account for was that Luo Yichen genuinely loved her. When a man is provoked to this extent, it becomes difficult to judge his actions using normal logic. Even if the consequences were disastrous, Luo Yichen could no longer let Shang Qi run wild like this.