Chapter 026: Am I Still a Man?!

Shi Runrun was stunned, gazing at him for a long moment, unable to react. In the depths of his dark eyes shone a flickering light, revealing tenderness and care.

Yes, he was always one to fiercely protect those he loved…

Just by looking into those obsidian eyes, Shi Runrun saw boundless affection reflected within them. In that instant, her heart felt impossibly warm.

“Nothing happened… I truly didn’t…”

Before she could finish, the man had already taken her small hand in his own, leading her toward the interior of the shopping mall.

“My woman, wherever she goes, is not to be bullied by anyone. Now, let me show you how your husband avenges you!”

His voice was deep as he spoke, guiding her inside.

Shi Runrun stumbled after him, watching his proud figure with a sense of awe.

Indeed, this distinguished man had every reason for his arrogance. He wanted the world to know that no one could ever trample on him—or his woman.

He must have found out about what happened earlier: how she’d been mistreated, accused of theft in the mall.

For a moment, Shi Runrun’s emotions were a tangled web.

She loved how he stood up for her, but she didn’t want him to get into trouble because of her.

More than anything, she knew he’d worked all day and was exhausted. She didn’t want him to lose his temper or raise his hand because of her.

So, as he pulled her into the elevator, Shi Runrun grabbed his wrist, tugging him back gently, her voice soft: “Xiao Xuezheng, maybe we should let this go… I believe in justice, and I didn’t steal anything. Their accusations mean nothing.”

But he didn’t listen, pressing the elevator button and pulling her inside. His voice was low as he asked, “Which floor?”

Shi Runrun pressed her lips together, unable to reply.

He curled his lips into a smirk, letting out a cold laugh. “You don’t say, but I know it’s the seventeenth floor.”

Shi Runrun: …

Nothing escaped his keen insight.

He pressed the elevator button, and they ascended swiftly.

Before they arrived, Shi Runrun tried to stop him again.

But her words were cut short as he tapped her head with his fist.

Turning around, he locked eyes with her, his deep gaze meeting her almond-shaped eyes. His voice was steady as he said, “Shi Runrun, you’ve been falsely accused and bullied. As your husband, if I don’t stand up for you, tell me, am I still a man?”

Shi Runrun: …

He did have a point.

His fierce sense of masculinity would never allow her to be harmed.

But from another perspective, didn’t this mean he cared about her, even just a little?

“Don’t worry, I promise to reason with them—not to raise my hand.”

Soon, the seventeenth floor arrived.

Shi Runrun was pulled out of the elevator by him.

His phoenix-like eyes narrowed, quickly locating the bridal shop. Taking her hand, he led her inside.

It was entirely different from when Shi Runrun had entered alone earlier. As soon as he, impeccably dressed in his suit, stepped in, the female staff’s eyes lit up, and they hurried to greet him.

Some even recognized him and exclaimed, “President of Guangzheng Group! Mr. Xiao?! What brings you here?!”

Xiao Xuezheng narrowed his dark gaze, sweeping over the shop with open disdain.

Just then, Lin Jing—the manager who had accused Shi Runrun of theft—walked over. Noticing him, her eyes sparkled with excitement as she strutted over in high heels, lips painted red.

“Mr. Xiao?! Are you here to buy a wedding dress for your wife? Congratulations! Are you preparing for your wedding?”

Her words were flawless, avoiding any mention of her earlier accusations.

The next moment, Xiao Xuezheng beckoned to Shi Runrun, who was still outside, raising his voice: “Wife, come in.”

Hearing him call out, Shi Runrun had no choice but to enter, steeling herself.

As soon as she walked in, the sales assistants were visibly shocked.

What?!

The girl who looked so poor earlier was actually Mr. Xiao’s wife? The president’s wife of Guangzheng Group?

Instantly, the female staff retreated a step, dropping their gazes in guilt, deeply regretting their earlier neglect.

In the capital, who didn’t know Guangzheng Group?

Rumor had it that the group’s president, Xiao Xuezheng, was ruthless and intolerant of any slight.

Fear crept in—they’d all joined in accusing Shi Runrun of theft, and now Xiao Xuezheng himself was here, perhaps to avenge his wife.

Xiao Xuezheng glanced at Lin Jing, smiling as he asked, “Are you the manager here?”

Lin Jing, used to dealing with important people, replied with a sweet smile, “Yes, Mr. Xiao, I am.”

“My wife tried on a wedding dress in your shop and loved it. Now she wants to buy several for our upcoming wedding. Bring out your most expensive dresses.”

Shi Runrun’s eyes widened in disbelief at the man before her.

What? Did she hear him right?

The dress she’d tried earlier cost over three hundred thousand, and now he wanted all their most expensive ones brought out?

Did he mean to buy them all?

She knew he was wealthy, but this was surely excessive…

Lin Jing, relieved he hadn’t mentioned the earlier accusations and instead wanted to buy more dresses, quickly agreed, “Certainly! Mr. Xiao, Mrs. Xiao, please wait—I’ll have them brought out right away!”

Lin Jing promptly instructed the staff to bring out the five or six most valuable dresses, each worth over a million, and display them before the couple.

These dresses were even more dazzling than the one Shi Runrun had tried earlier, leaving her almost dizzy from their brilliance.

Yet Xiao Xuezheng’s eyes didn’t waver. He gave a wave and declared, “Take them all down—my wife will try them on!”

The sales assistants moved to take the dresses, but Lin Jing stopped them.

She smiled awkwardly at Xiao Xuezheng, “Of course, Mr. Xiao. There’s no problem trying them on, but wedding dresses are delicate—if they get stained, the cost is significant.”

Her implication was clear to anyone shrewd.

In response, Xiao Xuezheng smiled, pulling out his wallet and presenting a black card. He handed it to her with a light scoff, “There’s a hundred million on this. Is it enough for your dresses?”

“It’s more than enough!”

Lin Jing nodded eagerly, signaling the staff, and the dresses were carefully taken down. Shi Runrun was led into the fitting room to begin trying them on.

Five or six dresses later, Shi Runrun was utterly exhausted.

But each time she stepped out in a new dress, standing before him, she saw the light flickering in his deep eyes.

For Xiao Xuezheng, seeing her in such beauty was a revelation. For the first time, his heart stirred.