The soft peals of laughter, intermingled with a tinge of exasperation, filled the night.
Qiu Mu-Cheng froze momentarily when she heard that voice. The gloom that had darkened her heard vanished instantly and was replaced by a heart full of joy.
Her husband was here.
Qiu Mu-Cheng did not get out of the car immediately though. She turned her head away sulkily and ignored Ye Fan. She seemed to be punishing the young man for his lateness.
"Husband? Your wife's not here. This must be a mistake.” Wang Ming frowned at Ye Fan's words.
He told Ye Fan to move his car out of the way before he called the cops.
But Ye Fan ignored Wang Ming's warning completely as he pulled his door open, got out of his car and approached Wang Ming's car.
"What do you think you're doing? Are you thinking of hitting me? Somebody, come, quick!" A terrified Wang Ming began to yell for help. He had wilted slightly when he had seen Ye Fan step out of his car with an unhappy look on his face. He was sure that the young man was going to beat him up.
Ye Fan simply pulled him aside.
Then, he continued walking until he reached Wang Ming's car. He pulled the door to the backseat open.
Qiu Mu-Cheng stared in shock and disbelief as the young man carried her out of Wang Ming's car.
Wang Ming's eyes turned red with fury at the sight.
"You scoundrel, what do you think you're doing? How dare you assault Miss Qiu in public! I'm warning you, let go of her right now! Otherwise, you're going to get it from me!" Wang Ming yapped furiously at Ye Fan like a dog gone mad.
In the midst of his fury, he appeared ready to hit Ye Fan.
He hadn't even had the chance to hold the hand of the woman whom he was interested in and here was this young ruffian, lifting her into his arms. This must be what one felt like when their wives were stolen from them and their fathers killed right before their eyes.
Rage burned inside Wang Ming.
"Let me down, you ruffian! Scoundrel, let me down! Everyone's watching!" Qiu Mu-Cheng flushed in Ye Fan's eyes and wouldn't stop struggling.
They were right outside the office.
It was the end of the day. The employees of Mufan Group were streaming out of the building.
Everyone was watching them.
She was the CEO of Mufan Group and here she was, being held in someone's arms like some hapless woman. The reputation that she had carefully crafted of herself as a distant and intimidating CEO would be destroyed if her employees were to see her like that.
How was she to face everyone in the company after that?
But Ye Fan didn't care at all.
The more the woman in his arms struggled, the tighter his grip grew.
Ye Fan seemed intent on provoking Wang Ming. He threw a smile at the latter while keeping his arms around Qiu Mu-Cheng. "You have anything to say about my carrying her?"
"Of course! Let her down right this instant or I'll kill you!" Wang Ming was fuming. He had never seen a man so brazen.
He had not only acted like an absolute cad in public but had crowed about it.
"Is that all it takes to get you mad? What if I tell you that I'm not stopping at hugging her and that I'm going to kiss her as well?
Won't that drive you crazy?" Ye Fan's smile turned sly.
"You wouldn't dare, you scoundrel!" Wang Ming's eyes burned with rage.
He heard the loud smack then. Ye Fan had kissed Qiu Mu-Cheng firmly on the lips.
"He's...really your husband? You're... married?" blurted Wang Ming. He stared at Qiu Mu-Cheng, then stared at Ye Fan, who was standing lazily in the distance.
Wang Ming could feel his heart shatter.
Qiu Mu-Cheng wasn't done talking.
"I'd still like to thank you for the offer to send me home though. Since my
husband's here, I won't trouble you for the ride. I'll head off now. You should head home too.”
She walked up to Ye Fan. "Why are you still standing there? Hurry up and drive me home. You're going to destroy my reputation one of these days!"
Her angry words belied the sweet happiness swelling inside her.
That was women for you, saying one thing and meaning the other. It was a gift that every woman was born with.
The married couple drove off and left Wang Ming and the others standing stupidly in the night.
"Is Miss Qiu really married? To that guy? He doesn't deserve her!"
No one could understand how disappointed and furious Wang Ming felt then.
He was convinced that Qiu Mu-Cheng was too good for her husband.
Then he burst out into laughter.
"That's alright. Their marriage won't last. He doesn't deserve her, after all. Both parties have to be equally matched in order for a marriage to last. I'll use my charms on her and win her over easily.” Wang Ming smiled. His voice was filled with confidence.
The old man next to him shook his head and sighed. "Forget about it, Young Master. You should just give up. You're new to Jiangdong. There are many things that you ought to know but I've not had the chance to share with you yet."
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