C2 Curse or Salvation? 

Li Huang gulped, staring at the man in front of her in a daze.

On the wall were knives and whips. The shelves held collars with spikes. While some were made of steel and metal, the others were carved from wood–looking as if they had just been dug up from the Middle Ages.

Seeing him standing before the morbid background, she couldn't help but freeze and shake. Xi Muqian was far from the modest and gracious man he had seemed to be back in the living room, and now, she could definitely see why some people would believe such rumors. Either way, she steadied herself.

He observed her this entire time. Although his face revealed nothing, his thoughts were already straying from the main topic with his eyes flashing in surprise.

Just now, he had actually assisted her down the steps. His heart didn't stir in annoyance and hatred as it had used to whenever he was around different women, instead, he felt a rush of warmth.

Could it be that he didn't have time to react properly?

Or was there something else?

"Do you want me to not marry you?" Li Huang straightened her back, forcing herself to look at him in the eye.

"You haven't answered my question yet," he said slowly. Although his thoughts were muddled, Xi Muqian continued to look at her, his interest already piqued. "After seeing all of this, do you still want to marry me?"

"Yes." She nodded without hesitation.

"You must be desperate if you're not going to jump ship now." He scoffed, walking closer to her. When they were a foot apart, he whispered, "Let me tell you that being married to me would only be a curse for a woman like you."

"How would you know if it's a curse? For all I know, it could be my only salvation."

The two of them stared at each other for a long time. While his eyes were cold and curious, hers were shining in determination–one that couldn't be flushed out by mere threats and accusations.

Hm... Now, he was further intrigued by her.

Seeing that he still hadn't spoken, she quickly said, "If you don't despise me, then please marry me. I promise that I'll stick to your rules. I won't touch you, and I won't betray you. In this house, we'll be nothing but strangers, I promise."

The coldness of his face faded just a bit. "This isn't a place for you to propose. Why don't we go out and finish this conversation?"

"I...yes." Her cheeks flushed.

They strode out of the basement one after the other before returning to the huge living room. The chandeliers greeted her as she walked in, and she couldn't help but squint in relief. Ah...back to normalcy.

Xi Muqian was still sitting far away from her, but his posture was more comfortable. He leaned in her direction.

"Tell me, what do you want?"

"I need to borrow your hold in this City."

"So you plan on using me?" He sneered.

"I want to protect the Garden my mother had left for me, but I can't do it as the Second Lady of the Li family," she stuttered nervously, taking a deep breath. "And our family has been declining. We're no match for them."

"And who is this 'them'?"

"Shaotian Corporation, Shao Family."

Suddenly, Xi Muqian smiled. "Marrying you would seem more of a hassle than a benefit, don't you think?" He stretched out his arms over his couch. "Not only do I gain one more enemy, but I'd also have to coexist with you. Marriage isn't something I'm looking for right now, so unless you can give me a better reason than this, I'm afraid I have to pass."

Li Huang frowned. He was the most powerful man in Imperial City, and with his gorgeous appearance, he could've been unstoppable if he wanted to be. What reason could she have to get him to marry her?

Her shoulders sagged at the rejection.

Although it wasn't surprising, she couldn't help but feel disappointed.

In Imperial City, the Xi Family was the only family who ever dared go against the Shao Family, especially because of their bad history. Other than them, who else would be willing to stand up against them. Not only do the others not have any financial capabilities, but the Shao Family had kept good ties with almost everyone in the business.

After leaving Xi Muqian's villa in defeat, Li Huang walked straight to her car. There, she saw that her phone had been vibrating in her passenger seat this entire time. She furrowed her eyebrows.

Why was Bai calling her? "Bai?"

"Something happened. Go hide!"

"I...what is it?"

"That shameless old man from the Shao Family decided to hold a press conference. He says that he wants to cancel your engagement with Shao Molee, saying that you lost your virginity before the wedding," Bai spat out, disgusted. "He also said that you decided to give your ownership on Orchid Garden as compensation."

Her grip on the steering wheel tightened.

Were they really that impatient?

"If you appear, you'll be skinned alive by those bastards!" Bai warned. "Stay out of the spotlight for now."

No way. "Where's the press conference?"

"Why? Listen, you shouldn't be up to anything stupid! Now's not the time to be ruled by your emotions."

"There are some things that need to be addressed promptly."

"Why? Do you have anything planned against them? Do you think Young Master Xi will want you once the news is out?" Bai quickly said, slamming her hands onto the table. "Look, you can run away if you offend the Shao Family, but there's no way you'll survive if you offend the Xi Family!"

Li Huang turned her head to glance back at Xi Muqian's villa before taking a deep breath. If she didn't take a gamble now, then what's going to happen to her?

With a sigh, she hung up and checked the location of the press conference.

Halfmoon Hotel.

Fifteen minutes later, she parked her car right at the entrance of the hotel.

As soon as Li Huang had arrived, the press conference had just ended. A dozen of reporters surrounded Old Master from the Shao Family as they walked straight towards the lobby. Their cameras were directed at the old man, as a million questions were thrown out into the air. However, they were all silenced at her appearance.

A few seconds later, they immediately surrounded her slim figure.

"Miss Li, what do you think about the disengagement between the Shao and Lih Family?"

"Did you really betray President Shao before the wedding? Who's the man?"

"Second Lady, are you really going to hand over the rights of Orchid Garden?" You wish!

Li Huang glanced at the two men standing behind the reporters, and her hands clenched into small fists.

Shao Molee only stared at her coldly, looking as if he didn't know her.

She smiled. Oh, the irony.

"I'll answer your questions one by one," she announced in a sickly sweet voice. Her eyes flashed. They better be ready.