Chapter 172: Insisting on Being a Fool
Cheng Feng was stunned for a moment, completely at a loss for how to respond. Lin Shuo had made it very crystal clear—it was a "notice," not a "consultation." There could hardly be any phrasing more cold and devoid of human warmth.
"I know you have always been thoroughly dedicated to company matters, but you had better stay out of my personal affairs. I will explain things to the Chairman myself later on. All you need to know is that I am definitely going to marry Ni Xiaoxiao." Lin Shuo delivered these words without the slightest trace of emotion, as if deliberately suppressing something within.
Faced with Lin Shuo's attitude, a surge of resentment welled up in Cheng Feng. Even though he could perceive Lin Shuo's restraint, he still could not help bursting forth with indignation. "Is Yi Rou's love for you nothing more than a bargaining chip for you to hurt her?" Having shouted this, he felt his entire chest burning with fury. That night, Lin Shuo had walked away without a backward glance, leaving Cai Yirou to endure the pointing fingers of everyone present. When had she ever suffered such humiliation? Yet she had stubbornly held her temper in check, keeping her head held high even as she finally walked out of the banquet hall, while her heart had shattered into pieces in an instant.
On such a chilly night, dressed in a thin, fragile evening gown with her spine held rigidly straight, she had stood beneath the camphor tree and smiled bitterly at Cheng Feng. "There's nothing to be done. I thought I would feel the sweet taste of victory, but now I truly look like a drowned dog. Still, thank you for bringing me tonight."
That sorrowful look in Cai Yirou's eyes back then, Cheng Feng could still dredge up from his memories now. Every time he replayed it, it became more deeply etched into his mind, whereas Lin Shuo seemed forever possessed of a heart of stone toward her. He simply could not comprehend why Cai Yirou should be reduced to such a miserable plight.
Catching the crucial point in Cheng Feng's words, Lin Shuo feigned deep thought before experiencing a sudden flash of realization, and could not help laughing. "Yi Rou? How affectionately you address her! Don't you think your interrogation of me is entirely superfluous? If I remember correctly, you were her senior back abroad, and I heard she had quite a few suitors at the time." Lin Shuo raised an eyebrow and cast a sideways glance at Cheng Feng. "You must have been one of them!"
As if his sorest spot had been touched, Cheng Feng was instantly struck speechless. Pressing his advantage step by step, Lin Shuo retorted, "If you like her, go chase after her instead of putting on some grand, righteous act in front of me. If you truly care about her well-being, you should help her see clearly who the one truly cherishing her is."
"I did no such thing," Cheng Feng flatly denied. "I simply cannot stand watching you trample upon Yi Rou's sincere devotion. Lin Shuo, even though you are my boss, I have to speak my mind. In what way is Yi Rou lacking? How is she unworthy of you? On the other hand, what does Ni Xiaoxiao compare to Yi Rou? Stop being so foolish, and do not expect the Chairman to tolerate you gambling with the future of Maoyuan!"
"How could you possibly understand Xiaoxiao's worth!" Lin Shuo detested nothing more than others meddling and passing judgment on Xiaoxiao. Cheng Feng's words naturally struck a raw nerve, prompting him to say with utmost gravity, "Maoyuan did not even exist when I was born, and I certainly cannot take it with me when I die, but for as long as I draw breath, I will never let anything happen to it—and the same goes for Xiaoxiao. And as for you, of all things to be, why choose to play the fool? Don't let others exploit your feelings!"