After that heart - to - heart talk, the relationship between Ling Nuan and Huo Linsheng had softened a bit.
On the day of the Wen family banquet, Huo Linsheng asked Fang Chao to make an appointment at a studio for Ling Nuan.
While Ling Nuan was getting her makeup done, the two of them had a phone call.
"I'm swamped with work at the company. I might be a bit late. I'll pick you up around 6:30 and then we'll go together," Huo Linsheng instructed.
According to Huo Linsheng's plan, he would get off work around 6 o'clock, drive to Ling Nuan's place in half an hour. After picking her up, they would arrive at the Wen family's around 7 o'clock for the birthday banquet.
But plans often go awry.
Just as he was about to leave, Meng Shuluo showed up out of the blue.
"Meng Shuluo?" Huo Linsheng was a bit surprised when he saw her. "Why are you here at this time?"
Meng Shuluo looked annoyed. "That Wen Li must be out of his mind. He drove away the male companion I had arranged. Now he insists that I be his female companion at the birthday banquet of Grandma Wen. Am I supposed to be his date at that banquet? Is he crazy?"
Huo Linsheng glanced at the time and said, "What Wen Li did was inappropriate, but I can't really help you right now." He reminded her, "I have to go pick up my wife."
Hearing this, Meng Shuluo felt a bit embarrassed. "Sorry. I just instinctively thought of asking you for help. I forgot you're already married. You'd better go quickly. Don't keep Ling Nuan waiting."
"What about you?" Huo Linsheng asked.
Meng Shuluo replied, "I'll pretend to be sick. I won't go to the banquet. I'll go check into another hotel and hide."
Huo Linsheng just grunted in response, clearly not wanting to get involved in the mess between Wen Li and Meng Shuluo.
They were both heading to the parking lot, so they walked together for a while.
When they reached the parking lot, just as Huo Linsheng was about to say goodbye to Meng Shuluo, Wen Li suddenly popped up.
"Shuluo, please be my female companion!" Wen Li's target was clear as he charged straight at Meng Shuluo.
Wen Li's sudden appearance really scared Meng Shuluo. She was caught off - guard and by the time she came to her senses, Wen Li had already grabbed her shoulders.
"As long as you agree, I can go to Shanghai with you anytime, Shuluo. I really like you."
Huo Linsheng was also stunned for a moment.
Wen Li seemed quite normal before. Why was he acting so strangely now?
But seeing Meng Shuluo struggling in Wen Li's grasp, although Huo Linsheng really didn't want to get involved in this nonsense, due to the relationship between the Meng and Huo families, he couldn't just turn around and leave.
"Wen Li, let go," Huo Linsheng stepped forward and reminded him.
Wen Li ignored him and stared intently at Meng Shuluo. "Shuluo, I know what you want. Aren't my conditions good enough? As long as we get married, my family will unconditionally support you. And I'm willing to go to Shanghai with you. Although my family's influence in Shanghai is not that strong, business is done nationwide these days. My family can also help your family develop in Beijing and open up the Beijing market!"
Meng Shuluo was on the verge of a breakdown. "Wen Li, can you let go of me first? I'm not planning to get married or date for the time being. This has nothing to do with how good you are or your family's situation."
Meng Shuluo was no match for Wen Li in terms of strength. She struggled for a while but couldn't break free.
"Wen Li, you're hurting me. Can you let go?" Meng Shuluo softened her tone.
Hearing this, Wen Li loosened his grip a bit and then looked at Meng Shuluo nervously. "Sorry. Does it still hurt?"
Meng Shuluo ignored him. As soon as she was free, she took a couple of quick steps and hid behind Huo Linsheng.
Huo Linsheng: "..."
Although he really didn't want to meddle in other people's business, the current situation clearly didn't allow him to just leave.
He still shielded Meng Shuluo behind him.
Seeing Meng Shuluo like this, Wen Li looked heart - broken.
Not wanting to scold Meng Shuluo, he could only vent his anger on Huo Linsheng. "Brother Linsheng, aren't you already married? Why are you still entangled with Shuluo? Do you want Shuluo to be your mistress?"
Huo Linsheng: "?"
Huo Linsheng's face darkened. "If you weren't causing trouble here, I'd already be on my way to pick up my wife!"
Hearing this, Wen Li immediately said, "Brother Linsheng, no one's stopping you. You can go pick up sister - in - law now."
Huo Linsheng: "..."
"Wen Li, since when did the Wen family teach you to force things on others against their will?" Huo Linsheng said coldly. "I'm not interested in meddling in your mess, but Meng Shuluo is in poor health."
Hearing this, Wen Li looked heart - broken. "Brother Linsheng, do you suspect that I'll hurt Shuluo? How could I ever hurt her?"
Huo Linsheng was starting to get a headache.
Meng Shuluo whispered behind him, "Huo Linsheng, get him to leave. I don't want to see him. I don't know what's wrong with him today. I must have been crazy to come to Beijing and get myself into such a big mess."
Although Meng Shuluo whispered these words, Wen Li heard every single one of them.
"Shuluo, do you hate me that much?" Wen Li was deeply hurt.
Meng Shuluo's words were not very nice. A person with a bit of dignity would know when to stop or just give up and leave at this point. But Wen Li was a stubborn person. He just had to get to the bottom of it.
So after Meng Shuluo said those words, Wen Li was determined to drag Meng Shuluo out from behind Huo Linsheng.
Meng Shuluo hid behind Huo Linsheng and refused to come out.
Huo Linsheng was forced to be caught in the middle.
Finally, he couldn't stand it anymore. When Wen Li reached out his hand, Huo Linsheng grabbed his wrist and warned him coldly, "Wen Li, get a hold of yourself. She's the young lady of the Meng family!"
After saying that, he just threw Wen Li aside.
Although Meng Shuluo was just an adopted daughter of the Meng family, she was the only girl in the Meng family's younger generation and was doted on. If anything happened to her in Beijing, the Meng family would never let it go.
No matter how powerful the Wen family was, if they really clashed with the Meng family, it would be a lose - lose situation.
Wen Li couldn't afford to offend Meng Shuluo either.
Under Huo Linsheng's warning, Wen Li seemed to regain a bit of his senses.
He lowered his head, looking a bit dejected. "Sorry, Brother Linsheng."
Huo Linsheng gave him a deep look and then turned to Meng Shuluo. "I'll take you first."
Since he had already gotten involved, he might as well see it through.
At least he had to separate Meng Shuluo and Wen Li, send Meng Shuluo away, and then take Wen Li back to the Wen family. But this way, he wouldn't have time to pick up Ling Nuan.
After telling Meng Shuluo this, Huo Linsheng took out his phone and sent a message to Ling Nuan. He also instructed Fang Chao.
"Something suddenly came up here. I've asked Fang Chao to pick you up. You go there first. We'll meet at the entrance."
Ling Nuan was still getting her hair and makeup done. She wasn't surprised when she saw the message. After all, the company was really busy at the end of the year.
She quickly replied with a "Okay".
Just as Huo Linsheng was about to send another message to Ling Nuan, Meng Shuluo walked beside him and whispered her thanks. "Huo Linsheng, thanks for this. Please apologize to Miss Ling for me. I've really troubled you guys."
Just as her voice faded, Wen Li suddenly rushed over again.
Huo Linsheng was busy replying to the message and didn't react in time. Wen Li really managed to grab Meng Shuluo.
Meng Shuluo was startled. Then her face turned deathly pale, her vision went black, and she fainted.
"Meng Shuluo!"