The black suit bore several inexplicable stains — something between motor oil and greasepaint — while the trouser cuffs and leather shoes were scratched and scuffed, the whole figure utterly disheveled.
But a powerful aura enveloped the man from all sides, making it impossible for anyone to take him lightly.
Under the wash of light, a closer look revealed his handsome face shrouded in an even deeper layer of gloom.
Li Bochen was in a foul mood. He had just run into some oblivious fool who'd hit the accelerator instead of the brakes — if he hadn't been rushing to keep his appointment with Luo Ningxi, he would have made sure that person regretted it…
"Li Bochen?!"
Luo Ningxi nearly thought her eyes were playing tricks on her, yet there was no mistaking it—that was Li Bochen!
This stinky little duck — he was told to make a good impression, and never mind showing up late, how did he end up in such a state?
Looked exactly like someone who'd just come back from collecting scrap……
Of course, she would never have connected Li Bochen to a car accident that had just happened, because aside from being dirty, there was not a single mark on him.
Nor would she have ever dared imagine that Li Bochen would drive such a flashy Bentley.
Like any normal person would assume, she figured Li Bochen probably couldn't afford a decent car—so he'd gone to some secondhand lot and picked up a junker……
Steeling herself, Luo Ningxi stepped forward, hooked her arm through Li Bochen's, tossed out a low "I'll settle the score with you later," and steered him to stand before Luo Yi and her daughter Jiang Jingya.
The instant the woman slipped her arm through his, a familiar, pleasant fragrance wound itself around him with every breath.
The fury in Li Bochen's chest dissipated somewhat, and he let her hold him.
The two of them came to a stop before Luo Yi and the others.
Luo Yi and Jiang Jingya, mother and daughter, stood atop the steps, sweeping him with a look of cold disdain.
"Dad, this is my husband…"
Luo Zhiqin drew a sharp breath. The moment she laid eyes on Li Bochen, she couldn't help but marvel inwardly: *This man is so handsome — even more handsome than Brother Chengnan!*
Yet the corner of her eye inadvertently swept past that smoking wreck of a car……
Tch, what's the use of being handsome? Driving such a beat-up car, clothes all grimy — just another broke loser in the end!
Luo Yi narrowed his eyes, cold and sharp. The man drove a wreck of a car and wore ragged clothes — yet he carried himself with an air utterly unbothered by fortune or slight. No wonder he'd managed to bewitch Ningxi.
"So you're the man who ran off with my daughter?"
Li Bochen was put off by his overbearing manner, but for Luo Ningxi's sake, he went along with it and called out, "Good day to you, Father-in-law."
"Who's your father-in-law? I never agreed to anything—stop throwing that title around!" Luo Yi fired back, practically hopping with indignation.
"Honey, don't lose your temper just yet — we don't want to frighten the child. Let's hear the whole story first…" Jiang Jingya was blooming with joy inside, gently patting Luo Yi's back to soothe him.
Luo Yi thought of his purpose for tonight and forced down his anger. "Never mind," he said. "You're quite a fine-looking man. What do you do for work?"
As a man who stood at the top of the food chain, Li Bochen had encountered all manner of people — whatever scheme Luo Yi was running, he saw through it at a single glance.
Fine. If you're so pleased with yourself and still want to sell your daughter for glory, I'll be happy to play along with your little act!
"As luck would have it, I lost my job a few years ago and have just been muddling along running a small business of my own — nothing compared to the grand empire Director Luo has built…"
How could Luo Yi miss the sarcasm laced through those words? His expression darkened further.
Jiang Jingya kept fanning the flames. "You're still young — when it comes to business, nothing happens overnight. But if you tell us what industry specifically, who knows, maybe we can even give you a hand…"
Li Bochen stroked his chin, his tone perfectly earnest. "Nothing fixed, really. A bit of everything, I suppose."
"You can't even name a single specific duty, yet you keep insisting you can do everything? The way I see it, you can't do anything right!!" Luo Yi suddenly cut in, his voice dripping with disdain.
A wicked little imp leaped with glee inside Jiang Jingya's chest. That dead woman who was Luo Ningxi's mother hadn't been able to hold on to her man either — and now it seemed Luo Ningxi herself had gone completely out of her mind.
Having had someone as outstanding as Yu Chengnan for a boyfriend, how could she possibly fall for a good-for-nothing pretty boy like this?
She smiled and asked, "I wonder who else is in your family?"
Luo Ningxi listened to the two of them echoing each other back and forth, her brow knitting tightly.
Sure, a duck's trade was all about plastering on smiles and selling his body — but men had their pride. What if he pushed too hard and the guy decided to stop giving a damn?
Besides, they were already husband and wife — bound together in glory and ruin alike!
She moved straight to Li Bochen's side, placing herself between him and the threat.
"Are you here to meet my boyfriend or run a background check on him? As long as we have a good relationship and he treats me well, that's all that matters — it's none of your business who's in his family or what he does for work!"
"Ningxi, you're being far too narrow-minded about this. Without material means, how could anyone possibly give you a good life?" Luo Zhiqin said, her voice taking on a pinched, affected tone.
A flicker of amusement crossed Li Bochen's eyes. He gave Luo Ningxi's hand a light pat. "It's fine. We're married now — I should properly explain my family situation to your father. There are quite a few of us at home. Above me are two older brothers and an older sister, and below me there's still a younger sister. Our mother passed away early. Dad's getting on in years now, and he lives with Grandma out in the countryside, growing vegetables and raising some chickens and ducks…"
"What? Rural farmland? You're actually from a rural family — you don't even have urban household registration??"
Once again, Luo Yi went off like a powder keg.
"Luo Ningxi, just look at the man you've found! He's got a whole pile of brothers, sisters, and siblings at home — how could he possibly compare to President Sheng? Get me a divorce this instant. I will not accept this son-in-law of yours!"