"If you don’t slap her, I’ll keep her in solitary confinement." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

With those words from Huo Zhenyang, Jiayi finally clenched her teeth and raised her hand toward Chu Xinyu’s face with a slap, smack!

Another arc was swung, another smack!

After three slaps, Jiayi stepped back a few paces, gasping for breath!

But it had to be said, the pent-up frustration in her heart was gone, and indeed it was much more satisfying!

Chu Xinyu’s face was already injured, and now it swelled and turned blue; she couldn’t even speak.

Seeing Huo Zhenyang’s face looking a bit better, Xuan Yu couldn’t help but interject, "Is that enough, Boss?"

If the slapping continued, the kitten’s hand would start to hurt, just like this was perfect. Huo Zhenyang shrugged, noncommittal.

The two bodyguards, understanding the Boss’s wishes perfectly, let go of Chu Xinyu and stepped back.

Chu Xinyu sprung up from the chair, rushed into Xuan Yu’s arms, covered her swollen cheeks, and began to sob, "Mummy..."

But she dared not say more, was it not enough already?

What if she angered this man of unpredictable moods once more?

Xuan Yu patted her daughter’s back and beckoned Nie Yixiao to take care of her. After composing herself, she went to Jiayi.

She lifted Jiayi’s hands, her gaze soft, "Jiayi, I’ve heard you’ve been hurt and forgotten many things. Your sister is just impulsive by nature. You wouldn’t blame her, right? She hurt you, and Huo Zhenyang has punished her as well, so things are even now. It’s just a minor issue, let’s let bygones be bygones. I’m here to take you back home this time."

The woman’s tone was very kind, the typical tone of a mother speaking to her daughter.

If Jiayi hadn’t remembered those memories and thought this woman was indeed her mummy, she guessed she might truly throw herself into her arms and have a good cry.

But now...

She slid her small hand out of the woman’s palm, cold and unyielding, without a hint of sentimentality.

Jiayi took two steps back, her gaze fixed on Xuan Yu’s delicate face, and got straight to the point, "You are not my biological mother. I joined the Chu Family of S Country later, correct?"

Xuan Yu was taken aback, and even Chu Xinyu stopped crying.

Had the girl... remembered some things?

The older ginger is the hotter.

Xuan Yu quickly regained her composure, "Yes, but you’ve been with the Chu family for several years now, and we’ve built a familial bond. Last year when you and your two sisters went on a trip to China and lost you, your daddy is still a bit upset with them. These days, your daddy is busy with business in China and couldn’t extricate himself, so I had Xinyu bring you back first. I didn’t expect that there would be such a misunderstanding between you sisters, that’s why I came personally."

Seeing Jiayi still pondering and silent, Xuan Yu struck while the iron was hot, and stepped forward to touch her hair, wanting to embrace her, "Be a good girl, come back home with mummy, all right? If you agree, you can leave today. You don’t know how much your daddy misses you, I can almost guess how happy he will be when he sees you."

Nie Yixiao also persuaded from the side, "Jiayi, please go back once, after all, the Chu family are your relatives."

It was fine until Nie Yixiao spoke. As soon as he did, Jiayi’s heart felt like it was pricked by needles; she reflexively pushed Xuan Yu away, retreating several steps, then bit her lip and glanced at Nie Yixiao.

The girl’s gaze was complicated, filled with heartache, reluctance, and resentment.

Nie Yixiao’s heart stirred; could she have remembered about their past?

If she could recall that she was not Xuan Yu’s biological daughter, and that she joined the Chu family later, there was a good chance she also remembered him.

In an embarrassingly silent moment that lasted several minutes, Huo Zhenyang finally straightened his suit, after observing from the sidelines.

The well-defined knuckles of his elongated index finger tapped rhythmically on his suit button, his tone was languid yet brooked no opposition:

"Let Jiayi speak for herself about whether or not she will return to the Chu Family. Nobody else can make that decision for her."

With the head of the family having spoken, who dared to object?

Everyone’s gaze focused on the girl.

Jiayi suddenly felt her mind go blank, "I want to think it over some more."

Xuan Yu ground her teeth, wanting to continue persuading; a young girl’s heart is always tender, plus she can’t really abandon her family. A few more words of persuasion should surely be enough to convince her.

But Huo Zhenyang’s brows were already slanted in challenge, "Madam Chu, did you hear that clearly? Please give her some time to think it over."

Xuan Yu tried to hold back her irritation and maintain politeness, "Mr. Huo, this is a matter for the Chu Family, and Jiayi is our daughter. It shouldn’t be your place to interfere."

Huo Zhenyang adjusted the slightly open collar of his shirt; a devilishly smug smile appeared in his deep, enigmatic eyes, "I forgot to mention to Madam Chu that Jiayi and I are already engaged. We are now fiancés. Once she decides to go back, I will accompany her to Nanga City to visit the Chu Family."

Nie Yixiao’s complexion changed.

Xuan Yu was shocked as well, engaged?

Wait? How could there be time to wait? The royal banquet of S Country was just a few days away, and the selection of the Crown Princess would be decided that evening.

Moreover, how could she let Huo Zhenyang go back with this girl?

This girl already belonged to Huo Zhenyang.

If Huo Zhenyang knew that Jiayi was going back to marry Crown Prince Ya Chen of S Country in her sister’s stead, how could he possibly allow it?

No, she must make Jiayi obediently go back with her alone, and Huo Zhenyang must not find out.

Xuan Yu’s eyes grew darker, revealing a fierce and unwavering resolution.

At that moment, Huo Zhenyang was walking out with Jiayi.

The bodyguards of the Huo Family followed closely behind.

"Jiayi... do you really not want to go back with mommy and sister right now? What is there for you to consider? S Country is your home, the Chu Family is your blood kin!"

Xuan Yu hurried a few steps and called out urgently, forgetting the dignified composure of a noble lady.

A group of S Country bodyguards also rustled as they followed the lady.

George, who was at the very back, turned around, spread his arms, and blocked Xuan Yu’s path, his voice as steely as iron, harsh and merciless:

"Madam Chu, was Miss Jiayi not clear enough, or was the Boss not clear enough?"

Xuan Yu stopped in her tracks, took a breath, lifted her chest, and assumed the air of a noble family’s lady:

"Mr. Huo, Jiayi is the daughter of the Chu Family. It’s only right that she goes back with us now. I don’t think you have any right to stop that, do you?"

Nie Yixiao’s gaze darkened and he said, "Madam Chu is not wrong. After all, the Chu Family is a noble family of S Country. You have been humiliating Xinyu these past two days. Out of respect for the fact that we are in China, and considering that Xinyu did indeed make a mistake, Madam Chu hasn’t said anything and has been very polite in the negotiations. Now, how can you not allow Jiayi to return to her own family?"

"Jiayi is the daughter of the Chu Family, my daddy’s daughter, my sister, not someone Mr. Huo can monopolize," Chu Xinyu also chimed in firmly from the side.

Just as George was about to speak, he saw the bodyguards in front part ways.

Huo Zhenyang turned his head, his mysterious gaze deep and unfathomable, giving no hint of his emotions, and his thin lips curved into a just-right sneer:

"I do have that right."