Seventy-Four

family mansion, but not the couple of Li Haonan or even Li Yi. Those gathered here were all friends close to Li An.This Li An grew up in an extremely wealthy family; his domineering and arrogant natur...Chapter 74

Ruan Xi sighed as she looked at Ni Xuanyi. "Meng Meng really cares about you and would do anything to protect you. Even if he agrees to marry me, if he finds out that my brother is going to make things difficult for you, he will still confront our family! He's willing to die for you!" When Ruan Xi spoke up to this point, she felt a profound sense of melancholy and loneliness. Knowing that the man liked another woman but being unable to let him go herself was truly despicable.

"Sis Ruan, let’s not think about it too much right now. Why don’t you take me to see Meng Meng" Ni Xuanyi sat up from her sprawled position; she was most concerned about Meng Meng at the moment.

Ruan Xi hesitated before nodding and whispering, "Meng Meng is being held by my brother, but since my brother isn't home these days, I can go see him. To avoid my brother meeting you, let's not ask for permission from my brother and secretly visit Meng Meng."

Ni Xuanyi really didn’t want to face the sinister Ruan Zhao; she nodded in agreement. The two of them changed into casual pants and sneakers, then quietly left their room.

Ruan Xi’s garden was vast, with many houses dotting it. Walking through felt like entering a maze built by Li An in the Li family's garden. Later on, Ruan Xi explained to Ni Xuanyi that her house wasn’t actually a maze but because her father had several concubines, each living in their own separate building, making it look chaotic.

They walked all the way to the back of the garden before spotting a two-story building constructed with large blocks of blue stone, looking very sturdy. Each room only had small windows barely bigger than heads, resembling prison cells.

"Meng Meng is here," Ruan Xi looked somewhat guilty at Ni Xuanyi.

Seeing Meng Meng confined in such a place made Ni Xuanyi feel heartache. She quietly asked Ruan Xi, "Will they let us in"

"They probably will; just show your authority like I do," Ruan Xi took a deep breath and straightened her back. Ni Xuanyi also assumed a commanding posture. Over the years, she had been to countless luxurious or colorful places with the Li brothers, and it naturally endowed her with an air of noble composure.

Ni Xuanyi and Ruan Xi approached the door, only to be intercepted by guards: "Miss, you can't go in."

"Why not" Ruan Xi glared.

"Master Ruan Xiao just gave instructions; without his permission, no one is allowed inside." The guards here follow orders from Ruan Xiao.

"My brother He just got back and immediately told you such trivial matters" Ruan Xi asked in disbelief, her eyes widening.

The guard was also afraid of Ruan Xi. After some thought, he said: "Yes, Master has just gone inside."

"What My brother went in" This time, Ruan Xi was truly alarmed; as far as she knew, only Meng Meng was being held here. What could Ruan Xiao want with him

Ruan Xi rushed forward regardless of the consequences, shouting and kicking the guards out of her way: "Move aside! Let me in!"

The guards did not dare to retaliate but also wouldn't let her pass, merely enduring her attacks.

Ni Xuanyi stood by hesitantly, unsure whether she should intervene or take the opportunity to slip inside.

"Ruan Xi, what are you up to here" A cold voice rang out from within.

Ruan Xi immediately stopped and answered in a somewhat fearful tone, "Brother, they won't let me in."

"I'm the one who doesn't want you to come in. Why are you causing trouble with them" As Ruan Zhao's voice grew closer, he slowly emerged from inside.

"I want to see Meng Meng!" Ruan Xi was anxious about what her brother had done to Meng Meng and tears welled up in her eyes.

"Why do you need to see him so urgently The more respectfully you treat him, the less he wants to acknowledge you. He doesn't take you seriously," Ruan Zhao sniffed before spotting Ni Xuanyi standing a little distance away. His gaze flickered and an amiable smile immediately spread across his face, "Xuanxuan, you're here too!"

Ni Xuanyi saw that his smile was genuine; she turned her eyes around and said hesitantly to Ruan Zhao, "Brother Ruan Zhao, I've been orphaned since young and often bullied as a child. Back then, Meng Meng always helped me. Over the years, I've treated him like my own brother. Now that I heard he's marrying Sister Ruan Xi, I'm very happy. Can you let me in to see him I want to talk to him and convince him to marry his wife immediately."

Ruan Zhao was melted by Ni Xuanyi’s pleading voice, especially when she clarified the nature of her relationship with Meng Meng; he nodded without hesitation, "Alright, you can go in together with Ruan Xi. I'll wait for you outside."

Ruan Xi didn't expect Ni Xuanyi to be so persuasive that even Brother's stubbornness couldn't resist it. She grabbed Ni Xuanyi's hand and happily ran upstairs.

"Xuanxuan, you're amazing!" Ruan Xi thought about seeing Meng Meng soon, she hugged Ni Xuanyi for a kiss.

Ni Xuanyi chuckled; if this Ruan Zhao claimed to like her now, she wouldn't let him off easily and would make good use of the situation.

Both of them were eager to see Meng Meng. They hurried up to the second floor, where there were still people guarding the entrance to Meng Meng's room, but this time they didn't stop Ruan Xi and Ni Xuanyi from entering.

They knocked on the door, but there was no answer inside. Ru Xi thought something might have happened to Meng Mang and hurriedly pushed the door open. The room was empty, except for the sound of water running in the bathroom, suggesting that Meng Mang must be taking a shower.

Ni Xuanyi took this opportunity to glance around the luxurious "prison cell." It was equipped with a television, DVD player, and an opulent bed—no less than what you'd find in a five-star hotel.

Ru Xi knocked on the bathroom door loudly, calling out, "Meng Mang, I’m here!"

The sound of water soon stopped. Meng Mang grumbled as he opened the door and walked out wrapped only in a narrow towel around his waist. Seeing Ni Xuanyi standing inside the room, he was surprised and immediately retreated back into the bathroom, loudly scolding Ru Xi, "You wicked woman! Why didn't you tell me Xuanxuan was here!"

Seeing that Meng Mang was unharmed, Ru Xi let out a sigh of relief and laughed heartily at his rant.

This time when Meng Mang came back out, he had dressed properly. His face remained flushed, however; he awkwardly looked at Ni Xuanyi and asked, "Xuanxuan, why did you come back"

"When I heard my brother is getting married, how could I not return" said Ni Xuanyi with her hands behind her back, smiling sweetly at Meng Mang.

“What marriage Don’t believe a word she says!” Meng Mang’s face turned even redder; he glared at Ru Xi.

"Brother, in my heart you're always like a hero. You’re loyal and brave, with true responsibility—truly a man," said Ni Xuanyi, feeling nauseous after saying such cliché words.

“Ni Xuanyi, stop putting on such high-minded airs!” Realizing her intention, Meng Mang sat down on the sofa in anger. “Are you here to help Ru Xi Do you both plan to force me into marriage Which side are you on Whose interests do you represent”" Li Yi frowned slightly, his gaze focused on Tang Molili."Our work may not intersect, but I've seen her bring documents upstairs before. She has a very distinct appearance that leaves an impression,"...