Volume One, Chapter 110: They are now engaged to be married.

When Xu Zhi heard those words, she was momentarily stunned, a subtle feeling stirring within her. Yes, they were now engaged to be married. She looked at Liang Jinmo, who was also watching her; she saw the slight swelling on one side of his face, and her heart tightened.

Xu Heping, upon hearing this, shouted angrily, “Fiancée? Did I ever give my consent to that?!”

In his rage, his voice rose sharply. Zhao Nianqiao, who had just caught up, couldn’t help but interject, “Why are you yelling? This is a residential street—if you shout any louder, you’ll have the whole neighborhood out here watching!”

Reminded by her words, Xu Heping realized he was losing his composure. Still, unwilling to be cowed, he glared fiercely at Liang Jinmo. “Don’t think just because Mu Zhi isn’t here today you can do whatever you like. Xu Zhi is my daughter, and I have the final say!”

Standing behind her, Xu Zhi spoke up, “My life is my own to decide.”

Xu Heping stared at her in disbelief. “What do you mean by that? Are you really planning to go with him?”

She replied, “Since I’ve decided to get engaged to him, of course I plan to be with him. And since you’ve never wanted me as your daughter, I’ll leave today.”

Xu Heping’s teeth clenched in fury. “Are you out of your mind? You actually intend to stay with this bastard? Do you want to ruin yourself?!”

“He is my fiancé,” Xu Zhi said calmly. “Even if I ruin myself, it has nothing to do with you.”

Xu Heping’s eyes nearly bulged from their sockets. “I’m your father! If it weren’t for me, would you have grown up at all? And now you’ve got some nerve—teaming up with outsiders to undermine me! You unfilial child!”

Zhao Nianqiao could take no more. “When have you ever treated Zhi well? And you expect her to be dutiful to you? What nerve.”

“Why are you meddling?!” Xu Heping, utterly exasperated, raised his hand, poised to strike Zhao Nianqiao.

But before the blow could land, Liang Jinmo caught his wrist.

Xu Heping frowned and glanced over, catching sight out of the corner of his eye of several people approaching from the other end of the street, pointing and whispering.

Liang Jinmo spoke up, “Uncle Xu, my reputation is already in tatters; I have nothing to lose. Are you sure you want to keep making a scene here?”

Xu Heping was nearly beside himself with rage. “Who do you think you are, telling me what to do?”

Liang Jinmo, ever conciliatory, released his hold. “Then I’ll refrain from advising you.”

With that, he stepped to the side and looked directly at Xu Zhi, holding out his hand. “Zhi, come here.”

“You... you...” Xu Heping was struck dumb, forced to watch as Xu Zhi calmly walked around him, placing her hand obediently into Liang Jinmo’s.

Zhao Nianqiao, observing Xu Heping’s apoplexy, couldn’t help but feel a rare sense of satisfaction.

She knew as well as anyone that Xu Zhi couldn’t go home now. After all his scheming, Xu Heping’s plans for the engagement had been destroyed in a single day, and his wrath was burning for an outlet. If Xu Zhi went home, not only would she face a beating, but it would be worse than ever before.

Other matters could wait. For today, at least, she had escaped unscathed, and Liang Jinmo’s timely arrival to take Xu Zhi away suited Zhao Nianqiao perfectly.

She looked at Liang Jinmo, a boy she’d never much noticed before. Half his face was swollen—he’d likely been beaten by Liang Zhenguo as well—but he’d still rushed here as quickly as possible, waiting for Xu Zhi.

Suddenly, her heart eased. Perhaps there was no need to worry so much after all. She smiled at Liang Jinmo and said, “I’ll leave Zhi in your care for now.”

Liang Jinmo squeezed Xu Zhi’s hand and said to Zhao Nianqiao, “Auntie, I’ve prepared our home. I’ll take Xu Zhi there now. Would you like to come with us and have a look?”

Zhao Nianqiao was taken aback, truly surprised.

Xu Zhi, too, couldn’t help but look up at Liang Jinmo.

He must have realized that if Xu Zhi left, Zhao Nianqiao would become Xu Heping’s new target, so he wanted to take her along as well.

Xu Heping could stand no more—Liang Jinmo not only wanted to take Xu Zhi but also Zhao Nianqiao, whom he used to threaten Xu Zhi!

Blinded by fury, he lunged forward, reaching for Xu Zhi’s hand.

“You have to come home! I’m still your father! I haven’t agreed, so you can’t just run off with someone, especially a man! Have you no shame?”

Liang Jinmo stepped in front of her, shielding Xu Zhi.

Though Xu Heping wasn’t short, Liang Jinmo towered over him, and in their standoff, Xu Heping’s anger was no match for Liang Jinmo’s imposing presence. Driven to madness, he yelled, “I’ll call the police! You can’t just take my daughter!”

Zhou He, who had been reluctant to help Liang Jinmo, couldn’t hold back any longer and rushed over, shouting at Xu Heping, “Go ahead and call! Take a look—does your wife or your daughter stand by you? At your age, is this how you behave? Aren’t you ashamed?”

When it came to arguments, Zhou He was far quicker with words than Liang Jinmo. Xu Heping, berated by a complete stranger, staggered, nearly losing his balance.

Alone, he was clearly no match for the two young men if it came to a fight.

He fumbled for his phone, his hands trembling with rage. “You… you… just you wait, I’ll call the police right now!”

By now, a small crowd had gathered, watching and whispering among themselves.

Xu Zhi felt herself immune to embarrassment at this point. She called out to Zhao Nianqiao, “Mom, will you come with us?”

Zhao Nianqiao, eager to escape the scene, didn’t hesitate and made her way straight to Liang Jinmo’s car.

Xu Heping reached out, “Where do you think you’re going?!”

Zhao Nianqiao dodged his grasp. “Where do you think? Am I supposed to go home and wait for a beating? Even if the police come, I have something to say—I still have the medical report from last time. I’ve had enough of you. Go ahead and call the police; I can’t wait.”

Xu Heping’s hands shook so much he dropped his phone, utterly humiliated.

Darkness swam before his eyes, his legs went weak, and he felt himself about to faint. He had to clutch the car for support, barely steadying himself. “Don’t you people… have any sense left…”

“We’re leaving,” Liang Jinmo said, gripping Xu Zhi’s hand and leading her to the car.

Zhou He and Zhao Nianqiao ignored Xu Heping and got in as well.

And so, Xu Heping was left alone at his doorstep, forced to watch as Liang Jinmo’s car drove off with Xu Zhi and Zhao Nianqiao.

Though only a handful of bystanders remained, it was more than enough to leave him utterly disgraced.

Moving stiffly, he turned and took a few faltering steps before darkness finally claimed him and he lost consciousness.