The Billionaire's Mischievous Sweetheart-Chapter 408 - 405: You’re Too Invested in the Role

Hua Xiaomo watched the anger on his face, her heart aching. If she didn’t clarify things now, she feared he would suffer even more.

"Qi Longbing, let go. What I said is the truth. You’re overthinking this; you’re too absorbed in the role. If you and Miss Pan divorce, what then do you plan to do?" Hua Xiaomo looked at him, a glint in her eyes; she couldn’t lie to him.

She really wanted to tell him her deepest thoughts. She hoped he could understand her and that they would return to their one-year contract, abide by it, and not cross the boundaries of their ’game’.

"What do I want to do? Fine, I’ll tell you what I want. If you, Hua Xiaomo, refuse to marry me, Qi Longbing, that’s fine. Then you must give up Candy’s custody. I will do everything I can to take back Candy’s custody," Qi Longbing responded resolutely, his words backing Hua Xiaomo into a corner, leaving her speechless.

Hua Xiaomo was stunned. She looked at Qi Longbing; she hadn’t expected this to be his plan. But she absolutely couldn’t lose Candy! Candy was her life; if she lost Candy, she didn’t know how she could go on living.

Moreover, Candy had become so accustomed to living in City B; Hua Xiaomo simply couldn’t bear to lose her. If Candy returned to Qi Longbing’s side, facing his vast family, Candy would surely be very uncomfortable. Therefore, she couldn’t leave Candy, and Candy couldn’t leave her either.

"Qi Longbing, you can’t be so selfish! Candy is my daughter. You can’t take her away; giving birth to her had been so incredibly difficult, and you knew nothing of it. Now that Candy is already five years old, you want to take her away? By what right? What gives you the right to do that?" Hua Xiaomo shouted, nearly losing control, unable to continue the conversation with him while still in bed.

Just as Hua Xiaomo was about to get out of bed, Qi Longbing unexpectedly pulled her firmly into his embrace.

"By what right? Because Candy is my daughter. Because it was only by being with me that you had a daughter, that you gave birth to Candy. And my daughter is the future successor of the Qi Imperial Court. How could she stay with you? She should be with me. I can provide her with superior material conditions and, of course, a better life. Hua Xiaomo, if you refuse to marry me, then you will lose Candy’s custody forever."

Qi Longbing wasn’t afraid to threaten her outright. By now, he could no longer tolerate her resistance. He truly didn’t understand why she was so stubborn and unwilling to be with him. They were currently living as lovers—wasn’t that good enough? He didn’t feel any disharmony. Besides, every time he desired her, she kept saying she loved him. Were all those declarations lies?

He didn’t know if he had gone mad, or if this woman had. Why couldn’t she accept him? Why couldn’t she live with him? Wasn’t living together good? Why did she have to be so obstinate, so stubbornly willful?

"No, please, I’m begging you, Qi Longbing, don’t take Candy away, okay? Candy is my life; I can’t lose her." Hua Xiaomo looked at Qi Longbing, tears nearly falling from her eyes. She truly couldn’t face losing Candy. She knew that if Qi Longbing fought her for custody, she would be terrified.

Because, no matter how wealthy her Purple Demon Immortal Inquiry Company was, when facing the more powerful and influential Qi Imperial Court, she knew she would ultimately lose the custody battle.

So, rather than an open confrontation, it would be better for her to beg him privately, speak to him kindly, and try to meet his demands. She hoped that by doing so, he would let Candy stay by her side and stop being so insistent about Candy.

"You can’t lose Candy, and I can’t afford to lose you and Candy, do you understand? Hua Xiaomo, you are my woman, and Candy is my daughter. You are both my family. How can I bear to lose the two of you? The only path now is for you to marry me, and then both you and Candy can return to my arms. Do you understand? If you are clear-headed and understand the situation, you should recognize this reality," Qi Longbing said firmly, looking at her.

No matter what, even if it meant stooping to such despicable means to make her agree, even if he had to use manipulation to possess her, he would do it. This was his only path, his only choice. Regardless of the method, he would never let Hua Xiaomo leave him.

And, of course, her daughter. Her daughter was originally his; it was an unchangeable fact. Candy carried his blood—Qi Longbing’s blood, the blood of the Qi Family. He would definitely keep her by his side.

Hua Xiaomo paused for a long time without speaking. She looked at him, her mind in turmoil. But she hadn’t forgotten her promise; she had once agreed with Zi Yunsui to register their marriage, and they had already planned their future life together.

But she had never expected that due to Zi Yunsui’s sudden hospitalization and Qi Longbing’s arrival, this chain of events would unfold. And now, Qi Longbing was demanding this of her: not only to take back Candy but also for her to marry him, using Candy as leverage to threaten her into the marriage. Her head felt like it was about to explode.

If it were just about the contract, she could endure it. But how was she supposed to endure this? She felt her mind was in complete chaos.

If she agreed to Qi Longbing’s terms, what about Zi Yunsui? When Zi Yunsui woke up one day and discovered all this, how heartbroken would he be? She couldn’t bear to hurt that young man.

Because Zi Yunsui had started the business with her; they had shared many hardships, much pain, and also much joy. It could be said that the Purple Demon Immortal Inquiry Company was founded by the two of them, working hand-in-hand. The success it had achieved today was also due to Zi Yunsui’s indispensable contributions. She couldn’t hurt him further! But now, facing Qi Longbing’s demands, she had no way to answer.

After a long silence, Hua Xiaomo finally responded, "Ah Bing, can you divorce Miss Pan? Will she truly agree to a divorce?"

When Qi Longbing heard her say this, he saw the softness in her heart. He understood that she ultimately couldn’t bear to be separated from her daughter. In other words, as long as he secured custody of Candy, Hua Xiaomo would inevitably follow him.

This matter had become quite clear and seemed easily resolvable.