Xing Yuan returned to the home she hadn't visited in many years. Gazing at the familiar surroundings, a hint of melancholy flickered in her eyes.
Time truly was the most ruthless of things. What once moved her now felt utterly indifferent.
Her father sat on the sofa, conversing with a middle-aged man of similar age. Beside him sat a handsome young man.
As if sensing Xing Yuan's gaze, the young man turned. He raised an eyebrow slightly, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
He stood up, his fair fingers extending towards Xing Yuan. He chuckled softly, "President Xing, what a coincidence!"
"Indeed, quite a coincidence," Xing Yuan nodded, her eyes filled with surprise.
She recognized the man before her as her business partner: Yun Li Nan.
She raised an eyebrow and asked, "Are you the one I'm betrothed to?"
Yun Li Nan hesitated for a moment, then nodded, "Strictly speaking, yes."
"However, I'm quite against these old-fashioned marriages. But if it's with President Xing, I suppose it's not entirely impossible to try?"
Xing Yuan's previously gentle expression instantly darkened. "To be honest, I don't like you."
"I guessed as much," Yun Li Nan nodded.
He had anticipated this the moment he saw Xing Yuan's imposing figure approaching. However, he had always been a frank person, especially in matters of the heart, and would say what he felt.
"How can you speak like that?" Xing Father reprimanded in a low voice, his eyes filled with a hint of blame as he looked at Yun Father's suddenly darkened face.
"I can speak however I want!" Xing Yuan rolled her eyes and said unceremoniously.
"I'm your father, and you speak to me like this?" Xing Father's eyes blazed with suppressed anger.
He was angry that Xing Yuan had embarrassed him in front of an outsider. For someone who valued face so highly, Xing Yuan had committed a grave error.
"I speak to everyone like this. Whether you like it or not, why did you call me back if you didn't want to hear it?" Xing Yuan deliberately adopted a roguish demeanor.
Xing Father slammed the table in anger, and Yun Father's face also darkened.
Yun Father questioned, "Old friend, is this the gentle daughter you spoke of?"
Yun Father sized up Xing Yuan. While she was indeed attractive, her temper was truly awful. Could it be that she was unmarriageable and he was meant to take her off their hands?
However, remembering his son's reaction just now, Yun Father turned to Yun Li Nan and said, "Son, do you know her?"
"Yes," Yun Li Nan nodded slightly. "My company has collaborated with her a few times in the past."
"Oh?" Yun Father narrowed his eyes with interest. "Does Miss Xing have her own company?"
Before Xing Yuan could reply, Xing Father interjected, "Just a small venture, child's play. Nothing significant."
"Heh! A company that has reached the international stage can be considered child's play? It seems President Xing truly is an entrepreneur with a century-old enterprise! Such grand words." Yun Li Nan mocked with a forced smile.
Xing Father was taken aback and frowned instinctively. "Nephew, you jest. Xiao Yuan's company is merely an insignificant entertainment firm, far from international development!"
"That small company back then was created solely to promote a certain talent. What future prospects can such a childlike venture have?"
At the time, he had been furious with Xing Yuan's actions. She was highly educated and possessed a unique intuition for business. He had intended for her to join the company.
Of course, the position of CEO would have gone to his son, but having his daughter assist him would have only made his son's reign more stable.
But unexpectedly, she had impulsively started an entertainment company. This had greatly angered him, and their already strained relationship had worsened from then on.
Xing Yuan looked at Xing Father coldly, a flicker of mockery in her eyes. Even though she held no affection for her father, hearing him personally dismiss her achievements still caused an involuntary pang in her heart.
Perhaps this was something she had regretted in the past.
Never acknowledged by her father due to her gender, she had only received his hateful gaze when she eventually challenged his family's enterprise.
"Father, you are truly making a fuss over nothing. In any profession, one can excel. What's wrong with me running an entertainment company with international standards?" Xing Yuan retorted sarcastically.
Xing Father was stunned, his expression complicated, as if he were meeting his daughter for the first time.
He had always known this child was exceptionally capable. If she hadn't been a girl, he would have passed the group to her, and he believed she could have led it to greater heights.
However, she was a girl. The education he had received for years had taught him that the company could only be passed down to a son, and he had never wavered from this belief.
But at this moment, Xing Father couldn't help but wonder how high she could have led the group if he had passed it to her.
He opened his mouth, but ultimately, no words came out.
Xing Can, who had been observing from the side, guessed his father's remorseful thoughts and couldn't help but speak up, "Alright, let's discuss the main topic for today and get some real business done!"
"Fine, let's discuss business properly," Xing Yuan said, glancing coldly at Xing Can.
Yun Father, who had been observing, understood everything. He remained silent for a moment before speaking, "Alright, I'm not here today to listen to your family squabbles. I've come to discuss the marriage with you."
"So, is this marriage to be honored or not? Give us a clear answer. My Xiao Nan isn't worried about not finding a wife. If it weren't for the long-standing agreement, I wouldn't bother making this trip!"
Yun Father was clearly impatient. Yun Li Nan glanced at his father and obediently sat down.
In his family, his father always held the reins and issued commands.
"It was merely a childhood jest between elders. Now that we've all grown up, we're not children anymore. Let's just forget about this marriage," Xing Yuan stated her opinion first.
"No!" Xing Can firmly refused.
He looked at Xing Yuan with sincere eyes. "Sister, in ancient times, this would be considered a marriage arranged by parents and matchmakers. In modern times, since we've agreed, a promise is a promise."
"We're both in business, Sister, you should understand this principle, right?"
"I don't understand!" Xing Yuan replied coldly.
Who wanted to understand such a strange principle? She absolutely refused.
She looked at Xing Can for a moment, then a smile suddenly curved her lips. "Brother, since you say a promise is a promise, they didn't specify who would be married to whom back then!"
"Since you're so eager, I'm sure you'd be very happy to marry them yourself!"