Zhuang Ruoting was stunned.
The sharp pain on her cheek was nothing compared to the shock and hurt she felt in her heart.
It was already the 21st century, a new era, and she never imagined she would still be treated as merchandise, bought and sold, and forced to adhere to the decaying etiquette of the Three Obediences and Four Virtues.
Just for being with Ying Chen, just for helping him collect a debt out of loyalty, she was slandered as "involved with a stranger"!
And this was before she had even married into the Liao family. If she were to marry into the Liao family, she could imagine what kind of scene it would be.
She feared she would be confined to the house like a pet dog, only to be taken out for a walk when her master was in a good mood!
And the purpose of being taken out would be merely to show off a beautiful dog to others, not to consider the dog's feelings!
The thought of such a life sent shivers of fear through Zhuang Ruoting.
"No! I would rather die than marry into your Liao family! And I will never marry your son!"
Zhuang Ruoting screamed at Liao Yifan's father.
At this moment, she truly harbored thoughts of death.
She thought that at least this would make Liao Yifan's father hesitate, if not deter him entirely.
Unexpectedly, Liao Yifan's father sneered and said, "Die? Do you think death will absolve you of your unfulfilled obligations? Even if you die, your corpse will be carried into the Liao family, and you will become the Liao family's daughter-in-law! However, your groom will not be Liao Yifan, but the deceased Liao Zhixian!"
Liao Zhixian was a nephew of the Liao family.
He had died in a car accident many years ago, which had even made the newspapers.
Who would have thought Liao Yifan's father was so cruel?
Even in death, he would not let Zhuang Ruoting go, and would still arrange for her corpse to be married to his nephew!
"Devil! You are a devil!" Zhuang Ruoting trembled with rage.
Despite her strong resistance, her face was etched with despair.
Because she knew that with the Liao family's status and power in Hong Kong, if they wanted to, she could not escape.
Even if her parents were reluctant, they would eventually have to obediently send her to the Liao family.
Moreover, in her parents' eyes, marrying into the Liao family was an opportunity many people dreamed of but could not obtain!
"Tomorrow I will announce this marriage to the public, so starting tomorrow, you will obediently learn how to be the Liao family's daughter-in-law. As for Yifan, whether you like him or not, I don't care."
"As long as you can give the Liao family an heir, you will have fulfilled your mission."
Liao Yifan's father said coldly.
He regarded Zhuang Ruoting as nothing more than a tool for procreation.
Liao Yifan's father had long been disappointed in his son, and his only hope now was for his grandson to be successful.
And Zhuang Ruoting, with her high education, outstanding appearance, sharp intellect, and good family background, naturally became his first choice for improving the family's genes.
"Ruoting, there's nothing wrong with marrying me. It's better to be taken advantage of by me than by other scumbags. At least I am sincere towards you..."
Liao Yifan's greedy gaze swept over Zhuang Ruoting's graceful and youthful figure, and he swallowed, saying.
Facing the coercion of the Liao father and son, Zhuang Ruoting's vision darkened, and a feeling of her life being utterly ruined and the world completely extinguished arose within her.
She didn't even look at the Liao father and son, and murmured, "Before, I didn't understand why women in ancient books chose to die to demonstrate their chastity. Now I understand, it's because they truly had no other choice!"
"Then... I will follow their example. Not only will I not be a living person, but I won't even leave a complete corpse for your Liao family!"
After speaking, Zhuang Ruoting suddenly lunged towards a large feng shui fish tank that the Liao family had placed in the living room.
It was conceivable that if the fish tank shattered, not only would Zhuang Ruoting die, but the glass shards would also ruin her face and injure her body.
Even the fierce piranhas in the fish tank would madly gnaw at Zhuang Ruoting.
This was what Zhuang Ruoting meant by "not leaving a complete corpse."
"No, Ruoting!" Liao Yifan exclaimed in alarm.
"Hmm?" Liao Yifan's father's expression also changed slightly. He hadn't expected Zhuang Ruoting to be so resolute.
Only Ying Chen remained calm from beginning to end.
It was not until Zhuang Ruoting's head was about to hit the fish tank that Ying Chen flashed forward.
He appeared in front of Zhuang Ruoting.
He gently extended a palm and blocked Zhuang Ruoting's forehead.
"Dying to prove your integrity is noble, but to die for such despicable people is somewhat laughable."
Ying Chen said leisurely.
"Not to mention, you are far from needing to die to prove your integrity. If you can't resolve this engagement, then just destroy the Liao family. If the entire Liao family is gone, what will they use to force you?"
Hearing Ying Chen's words, Zhuang Ruoting was dumbfounded.
Regardless of whether Ying Chen was boasting, his approach to solving the problem was astonishing and awe-inspiring.
If you can't solve the problem, then solve the person who posed the problem?
This was truly... a stroke of genius!
The Liao father and son nearby turned extremely pale upon hearing Ying Chen's words.
Especially Liao Yifan's father, his face darkened like water, his eyes flashing with intense ferocity and killing intent.
For many years, no one in Hong Kong had dared to utter such words!
Even when other families clashed with the Liao family, they only thought about how to win the conflict, never about annihilating the Liao family!
And Ying Chen, instead of remaining silent, spoke of wiping out the entire Liao family!
It was like a toad yawning – a huge breath!
"Kid, you truly don't know the immensity of heaven and earth! Do you think this is your rural village in the mainland? Where any thug or bully can run rampant? Let me tell you, this is Hong Kong!"
"The rules here are different from your countryside!"
"If you dare to act tough and ruthless here, there is only one outcome – you'll be thrown into the sea to feed the fish!"
Liao Yifan's father said sternly.
Ying Chen looked at Liao Yifan's father with a hint of mockery and said, "I'd like to see how you plan to throw me into the sea to feed the fish? Relying on the two of you useless pieces of trash? I doubt you could even feed pigs!"
"..." The Liao Yifan father and son exchanged glances, both enraged.
*Clap, clap!*
Liao Yifan's father clapped his hands forcefully.
"Master Hong, it's time for you to show yourself!"
"Five million, and I'll hire you to smash this kid's mouth and pull out his teeth one by one! Let's see if he can still talk tough then!"
Upon hearing the name Master Hong, Zhuang Ruoting's expression changed. She immediately forgot about dying to prove her integrity and pushed Ying Chen, "Hurry and go! You must leave! They've hired the 'Double Flower Red Baton' of the Sanhe Sect! He's a renowned master in all of Hong Kong! You're definitely no match for him!"
"Where there's life, there's hope. Save your life first!"
However, Ying Chen remained unmoved.
Not only did he not flee, but he looked at Liao Yifan's father with a sneer and uttered words that made Liao Yifan's father's pupils shrink: "If you can make that Master Hong appear, I will voluntarily give up the debt and never set foot in Hong Kong again!"