Chapter 66: Verbal Sparring

Luo Yichen’s expression darkened instantly. He said, "My friend, are you questioning my judgment? I, Luo Yichen, am certainly not so blind as to be unclear about my own wife's character."

Shang Qi felt goosebumps rise all over her body at his casual use of the word "wife." She couldn't help but admire Luo Yichen's acting skills, capable of shouting such an intimate term so naturally in front of a vast crowd. Shang Qi’s face turned red again, a detail that the astute reporters immediately captured on their cameras.

Then, another voice rang out, asking, "Miss Shang Qi, rumors say you two are having a shotgun wedding. May I ask how many months pregnant you are?"

Just as Luo Yichen opened his mouth to reply, Mu Lichen tugged at his sleeve and whispered, "Everyone's expressions are weird. They are asking Shang Qi, but you keep jumping in to answer. How can you not make them suspicious?"

Luo Yichen had already noticed this dynamic, but fearing that Shang Qi wouldn't know how to handle such aggressive questions, he had spoken up first. He whispered back, "Why are they all asking Shang Qi? What are the people you arranged doing?"

Mu Lichen replied, "The reporters asking the questions are squeezed right up at the front. My people are in the back. Given this crowd, they won't be able to push their way through anytime soon!"

While Luo Yichen and Mu Lichen were whispering, the reporters grew impatient. One urged, "Miss Shang Qi, please answer my question, won't you?"

The barrage of rapid-fire questions left Shang Qi feeling slightly dizzy. She had never been interviewed before, especially not having to field such sensitive topics. Seeing that Luo Yichen remained silent while the reporters pressed on relentlessly, she finally managed to say, "I am not pregnant."

Clearly, this answer did not satisfy the crowd.

Luo Yichen reached out, pulled her into an arm around her shoulders, and said loudly, "Wife, it looks like we really need to hurry up and have a child. Look how anxious everyone is for us."

Shang Qi turned her head, staring at Luo Yichen with wide eyes. Her look clearly communicated: *What on earth are you talking about?*

Seeing Shang Qi's reluctant expression, the reporters grew even more intrigued. Before they could press further, Luo Yichen added, "Don't be shy! Alright, I know, we can discuss this matter at home."

With that, he turned to the reporters and said, "Everyone, our wedding hasn't even taken place yet. Isn't it a bit too early for you all to be so concerned about our future offspring? My wife is already embarrassed. If you keep asking, she's going to run away in a panic."

This remark immediately silenced many of the reporters. If Shang Qi walked out because of this, they wouldn't be able to ask their subsequent questions, and how would they report back to their editors?

At that moment, a reporter spoke up, "President Luo, congratulations to the two of you on your upcoming marriage."

Luo Yichen replied politely, "Thank you!" He let out an internal sigh of relief, finally glad to hear a "normal" question.

"We saw the news a couple of days ago that you two are about to register your marriage. May I ask how your family feels about this union?"

Luo Yichen gestured to the side and said, "For this question, let me invite my mother to answer."

All eyes turned toward Yao Minzhi, who was seated to the side. She said, "Shang Qi has visited our home several times; she is a gentle and well-mannered child. I am very fond of her, and sometimes I find myself wishing she were my own daughter. I hope that after they are married, they will respect and cherish one another, and bear fruit soon."

Those last four words shocked not only Shang Qi but even Luo Yichen. He thought to himself: *Mother never speaks casually. Grandfather knew about her attending this press conference today. For her to suddenly bring up 'having children,' could this have been Grandfather's instruction?*

Another reporter chimed in, "President Luo, where do you plan to spend your honeymoon after the wedding?"

Luo Yichen answered, "There are many places I'd like to go, but it ultimately depends on whether work permits it. Within the time I can manage, I hope to visit more places. For instance, France, the UK, Japan... I'd love to see them all."

Listening to Luo Yichen banter playfully and parry verbal thrusts with the reporters, Shang Qi felt like a mere decorative vase, placed there simply to look good. She was deeply grateful that she hadn't yet been reduced to a literal puppet; that would have been too tragic.

Noticing Shang Qi's wandering gaze, a reporter asked, "Miss Shang, would you care to share a few words about your upcoming marriage?"

Shang Qi froze, clueless about what to say. Unlike Luo Yichen, she lacked the experience of living behind a mask, leaving her momentarily speechless. Luo Yichen grew secretly anxious—this was one question he couldn't answer for her! At that exact moment, Yao Minzhi beside them put on a look of discomfort.

She said, "Qiqi, it's too noisy here, and my head is spinning. Help me to the lounge so I can rest for a moment."

Luo Yichen immediately asked with concern, "Mom, what's wrong?"

"I'm fine, just need to rest a bit! Chen'er, you stay here and host our friends from the press."

Luo Yichen knowingly replied, "Yes. Qiqi, help Mom inside."

Shang Qi stood up and supported Yao Minzhi as they retreated to the lounge. Once the door closed behind them, Shang Qi asked, "Madam, would you like me to get you a glass of water?"

Yao Minzhi sat down on the sofa, removing the hand from her forehead. Her complexion was rosy and full of vitality, showing not a trace of illness. She said, "Qiqi, I know you married Xian'er out of helplessness! But that was your wedding announcement press conference just now. When the reporters asked for your thoughts, how could you just stay silent?"

Instead of answering her question, Shang Qi countered, "Madam, were you faking illness?"

"Wasn't I covering for you? If you had kept staring blankly like that, who knows what the reporters would have written next."

Shang Qi thought to herself: *Luo Yichen's mother seems kind and approachable, yet she possesses such plotting skills. It seems the waters run very deep in the Luo family! Everyone here has the ability to put on a facade whenever they please. No wonder Xi Jingpeng told me back then that I could never be a match for them. But things have come this far; I can only take it one step at a time.*

Seeing that Shang Qi remained silent, Yao Minzhi continued, "I've spent nearly thirty years in the Luo family, witnessing all sorts of schemes and deceit. Qiqi, since you've married in, you must adapt to this environment. Just now at the press conference, Chen'er protected you at every turn, and you should consider his feelings too. Let the past remain in the past; a person must always look forward."

Knowing she could not afford to defy Yao Minzhi's wishes right now, Shang Qi replied, "I understand. Madam, you should rest for a while."

Sensing that Shang Qi's response was insincere, Yao Minzhi couldn't guess what the young woman was plotting, leaving a lingering sense of unease in her heart.

Meanwhile, Luo Yichen continued fielding questions from the reporters with a constant smile on his face. However, every time he thought of Shang Qi's expression, a bitter feeling welled up inside him. This was supposed to be a joint press conference for their wedding, yet here he was, left to carry the entire show alone.

Mu Lichen, standing nearby, decided it was time to rescue Luo Yichen from this charade. He stepped forward and said, "Dear friends of the press, I know you still have many questions. However, Madam Luo is feeling unwell, and President Luo needs to check on her. Please understand; any further questions can wait for another time."

Following his cue, Luo Yichen said, "I once again thank everyone for your blessings regarding my marriage. Thank you all!" With that, he turned and left. Mu Lichen smoothly took over the microphone, announcing, "Does anyone else have questions? I can answer whatever I'm at liberty to address."

Leaving the noisy venue behind, Luo Yichen didn't immediately go to the lounge to check on his mother. Wanting a moment of quiet, he walked over to a second-floor balcony and stood there in a daze. Suddenly, he sensed someone watching him from the shadows. Deliberately loosening his tie to project a look of fatigue, he calmly walked toward the lounge without letting on.

The stalker did not follow him closely, and Luo Yichen chose not to alert the enemy prematurely. He knocked and entered the lounge, where Yao Minzhi and Shang Qi were chatting casually.

Luo Yichen said, "Mom, let me take you home. Qiqi, help Mom and follow me to the car."

Obediently, Shang Qi supported Yao Minzhi as the three of them headed toward the parking lot. Reporters were already waiting by Luo Yichen's car. The moment they saw the three approaching, they swarmed forward.

One reporter shouted, "President Luo, we heard you dropped the lawsuit and announced your wedding. But how do you reconcile the fact that you still haven't dropped the charges against Miss Shang?"

Shock and anger flared inside Luo Yichen. He thought to himself: *Why hasn't Shang Qi dropped the lawsuit? Is Xi Jingpeng meddling behind the scenes, or is she trying to pull a fast one on me with a double cross? I cannot take this lightly. With all these reporters watching, I can't give them an opening.*

With that thought, he pulled Shang Qi into an embrace and smiled, "Wife, our marriage has already been made public. Have mercy and let me off the hook, won't you?"

Seeing the arrogant and overbearing Luo Yichen publicly pleading for mercy, the reporters burst into loud laughter. Someone teased, "Miss Shang, you surely can't be planning to send your husband to prison, can you?"

"That's right! President Luo, you can't be such a henpecked husband!"

The teasing left Shang Qi thoroughly embarrassed. Upon hearing that Shang Qi hadn't dropped the lawsuit, a look of displeasure settled across Yao Minzhi's face. She snapped, "Chen'er, take me home immediately!"

Luo Yichen said, "Please make way, everyone. My mother isn't feeling well!" With that, he opened the car door and ushered Yao Minzhi inside. However, the reporters immediately surrounded Shang Qi, who was left behind, firing questions: "Why did you marry President Luo after filing a lawsuit against him? Is there some hidden story behind this?"

Shang Qi was a clever woman. If she had felt somewhat flustered at the earlier press conference, observing the performances of Luo Yichen and Yao Minzhi had given her a clear understanding of the situation. Looking calmly at the reporters, she replied evenly, "Perhaps pre-wedding jitters are just playing tricks on me. Regardless, we both hope to receive everyone's blessings."

Hearing her words, Luo Yichen chimed in, "Indeed! Thank you all for your blessings." With that, he pulled Shang Qi into the car and drove off into the distance.

Inside the car, Yao Minzhi didn't even spare Shang Qi a direct glance. She demanded angrily, "Shang Qi, how could you possibly fail to drop the lawsuit?"

Shang Qi replied, calm and poised, "Perhaps there were some issues with the withdrawal documents submitted by the lawyer, and they got rejected."