Chapter Sixty-Two: The Father-in-Law Comes Calling

At that moment, Elder Luo and Mu Lichen arrived. Elder Luo asked, "Lichen, what exactly is going on?"

"They did register their marriage yesterday. I think Luo Yichen might have taken Shang Qi back to the apartment," Mu Lichen replied.

Shang Wende shouted anxiously, "What? Where is the address?"

Yao Minzhi advised, "Dear in-law, the children have their own decisions. As elders, we should interfere less."

Luo Shixun felt that Shang Qi’s disappearance was serious. The Luo family had already been actively preparing for the wedding. If the bride suddenly vanished, what would they do? He said, "Lichen, lead the way. Let's all go find her together."

Shang Qi had been heavily drunk last night and hadn’t woken up until mid-morning. Luo Yichen had stayed by her side until dawn before finally falling asleep. No matter how they were called, neither could be awakened. Their phones rang nonstop, yet they slept soundly. Suddenly, Shang Qi turned over, her thigh landing right on Luo Yichen’s waist. He winced in pain and instantly woke up.

Seeing Shang Qi’s peaceful, angelic sleeping face, Luo Yichen couldn’t help but reach out and gently hold her, as if she were made of glass, afraid that any force might shatter her. Shang Qi, still half-asleep, felt the weight on her body. She tried to push Luo Yichen away but was met with a heated kiss.

While kissing her, Luo Yichen began to behave a little less innocent. Shang Qi’s soft moans made it impossible for him to stop. Just then, the doorbell rang. Luo Yichen pretended not to hear it, but the ringing persisted. He feared waking Shang Qi. If that happened, he wouldn’t gain any advantage and might even face severe punishment. Reluctantly, he released her and went to open the door.

Once Luo Yichen opened the door, Shang Wende immediately barged in, shouting, "Is Qi Qi with you?"

At the same time, the others poured in as well. Seeing his father-in-law angry, Luo Yichen hurriedly explained, "Dad, I forgot to call you last night. Please don’t be angry!"

Hearing his son’s changed tone, Luo Shixun was certain that Luo Yichen and Shang Qi had registered their marriage. He felt a surge of joy, thinking that this would save the Luo family from crisis. He advised, "Dear in-law, don’t worry! When we get back, I will give this brat a good scolding."

Seeing the father and son playing along, Shang Wende was furious. He shouted, "Stop talking nonsense! When did I ever agree to Qi Qi marrying this bastard?"

Xi Jingpeng quietly reminded, "Uncle, we should find Qi Qi first."

"Right!"

With that, Shang Wende pushed past the crowd, heading toward the bedroom. Luo Yichen tried to stop him, but Xi Jingpeng blocked his way. The two argued fiercely, nearly coming to blows. Mu Lichen intervened, "Let’s talk this out calmly, don’t fight!"

Xi Jingpeng angrily demanded, "What did you do to Shang Qi last night?"

Luo Yichen deliberately provoked him, "She’s my wife now. What I do with her is none of your business! Last night we..."

Suddenly, Luo Yichen remembered something and rushed to stop Shang Wende. Meanwhile, Luo Shixun was urging him not to lose his temper. Shang Wende insisted on finding Shang Qi first. They argued endlessly at the bedroom door, creating a chaotic scene.

Luo Yichen approached, saying, "Dad, please sit down and rest. I’ll call Qi Qi out."

Hearing this, Shang Wende realized his daughter was indeed inside. Worried she might have been mistreated again last night, he had rushed in without hesitation.

As Luo Yichen kissed Shang Qi again, she began to awaken. With the commotion outside, she was fully alert. Sitting up, she realized she was completely naked. Trying to recall last night’s events, it dawned on her that Luo Yichen must have carried her to bed.

Just as Shang Qi was feeling both embarrassed and angry, panic-stricken, a crowd suddenly burst into the room. She screamed in shock. Shang Wende saw his daughter wrapped in a blanket on the bed and immediately understood what had happened the night before. Xi Jingpeng noticed the hickey on Shang Qi’s shoulder and cursed Luo Yichen as a complete scoundrel. Turning, he tried to grab Luo Yichen by the collar to beat him, but was stopped by Mu Lichen.

Luo Yichen quickly took off his robe and draped it over Shang Qi. He shouted at the others, "You all go out first."

Shang Wende refused to leave. He approached the bed but was blocked by the Luo couple. Yao Minzhi said, "Dear in-law, if you stay, it will only make Qi Qi more embarrassed. It’s better if you go out for now."

Thus, Shang Wende was "asked" to leave, and Xi Jingpeng was literally "escorted" out by Mu Lichen. After locking the door, Luo Yichen turned to find Shang Qi biting her lip tightly, silent. A chill ran through him, and he grew anxious.

Luo Yichen opened the wardrobe, found his clothes, and handed them to Shang Qi. "Put these on first."

Shang Qi snapped, "What did you do to me last night?"

"What do you think?" Luo Yichen met her hateful gaze, feeling uncomfortable.

Shang Qi threw a cushion from the bed at him, yelling, "Luo Yichen, how can you take advantage of someone like this?"

"Don’t forget, I’m your legal husband now. Whatever happened last night is perfectly normal."

A tear slipped down Shang Qi’s cheek, soon followed by a torrent of sobbing tears. She felt Luo Yichen was her nemesis, impossible to escape. Before this man, she was always so weak, with no room to resist. At this moment, she could only blame herself for falling for such a man blindly.

Shang Qi’s tears softened Luo Yichen. He raised his hand to wipe them away but was pushed away by her. "Don’t touch me!"

"Put the clothes on."

Shang Qi glared with red-rimmed eyes, wishing she could devour Luo Yichen alive. Her look made him realize he might have taken the joke too far. If this continued, she would only grow to hate him more. He didn’t want to be kicked out by his wife just after registering their marriage.

Luo Yichen explained, "Last night, I only helped you bathe. I didn’t do anything else."

"What?" Shang Qi was both embarrassed and angry, half-believing his words.

"Are you really that dense? Can’t you tell if you slept with a man or not?"

Shang Qi blushed deeply at his words. Luo Yichen thought she was most adorable this way. He resolved to gently guide her, not letting her become more extreme. That incident had shocked her greatly but shouldn’t become a lifelong nightmare.

He handed the clothes to her again. "Hurry and put these on. Your father has come looking for you; we need to explain things."

Recalling the earlier scene, Shang Qi felt utterly ashamed. How had she ended up so helpless, trapped on the bed? Her father must be so disappointed. Luo Yichen saw her frozen in place, staring blankly ahead.

He quickly shifted tactics. "If you don’t want to wear them, fine! Actually, I like you just the way you are now."

Shang Qi, furious, raised her hand to slap him. The blanket slipped, revealing glimpses of her bare chest. Luo Yichen’s eyes caught the sight, a teasing smile playing on his lips.

"Where are you looking?" Shang Qi snapped.

"Straight ahead! Do your eyes look backward? Don’t hide it—I’ve seen enough more than once. Why be so shy?" Luo Yichen said nonchalantly.

"Get out!" Shang Qi wanted to throw him out immediately.

Luo Yichen shoved the clothes into her hands. "How about this? I’ll tell everyone you were too tired last night and need more rest now."

At first, Shang Qi thought he was sparing her embarrassment, but thinking it over, she realized what he was implying. She shouted, "No need! Turn your face away; I’m putting on clothes."

She couldn’t let him go out alone. Who knew what lies he might spin—her father would surely be mortified. Luo Yichen, not wanting to remain at odds, spoke to provoke her. Though reluctant, he complied with her request to "turn around." After all, her father was still waiting outside for an explanation.

Once Shang Qi was dressed, she said, "You can turn back now."

Luo Yichen glanced back: the clothes hung on her small frame like a sack over a stick. He crouched down to help roll up the overly long pant legs. Shang Qi instinctively shrank back, wary of being so close.

Noticing this, Luo Yichen kept working. Shang Qi moved her leg aside and said, "I’ll roll it up myself."

Luo Yichen looked at her helplessly but said nothing.

In the living room, Shang Wende was furious. He shouted at the Luo couple, "Your son has done this kind of thing repeatedly—aren’t you ashamed?"

Yao Minzhi, who had raised Luo Yichen, hated hearing bad words about him. Calmly she said, "This is Yichen’s apartment. There’s no sign of a quarrel inside. Besides, they are legally married now. As elders, there’s no need to fuss over this."

Mentioning the registered marriage, Shang Wende suddenly lost confidence. He had seen Luo Yichen’s attitude earlier—it was clear the matter was irreversible.

Xi Jingpeng interjected, "Qi Qi only agreed under pressure. Such a marriage is invalid."

"Ling nephew, this is a family matter of the Luo family; it’s best you don’t interfere. I know you’re busy, so I won’t keep you," Luo Shixun assumed a senior tone.

He had long suspected Xi Jingpeng’s interest in Shang Qi. Things were already complicated enough. He could not let his son be further entangled by this rival. With Luo Shixun’s words, Xi Jingpeng had no grounds to stay. He said, "Uncle, I’ll wait in the car."

Yao Minzhi smiled, "Let Yichen see you off later. Why trouble the dear in-law with this?"

"Lichen, see off the nephew first, then head to the company," Luo Shixun said.

With no choice, Xi Jingpeng left under Mu Lichen’s escort.