Chapter 3 She Refuses

Hitching a ride? That simple? Zhou Manyun was taken aback for a moment, then secretly delighted. She had witnessed Ye Tian's incredible abilities and was eager to get closer to him.

The three of them got into the car and headed onto the highway, driving toward Zhongdu.

"Ye Tian, are you from Zhongdu as well?" Zhou Manyun struck up a conversation.

"Yes," Ye Tian nodded slightly, not wanting to talk further. "Let me know when we arrive."

Zhou Manyun was momentarily speechless.

She and her younger sister, Zhou Xiaoxiao, were renowned in Zhongdu for their looks, figures, and temperament. While they might not claim to be peerless beauties, they were goddesses in the eyes of countless admirers. Many young gentlemen vied for a chance to dine with them, yet Ye Tian treated them as if they were ordinary passersby.

"What a bad man!" Zhou Xiaoxiao clenched her delicate fists. Even though he was treating her illness, Ye Tian had seen her in her most vulnerable state. Now his indifferent attitude felt like he had taken what he wanted and then wiped his hands clean.

"Xiaoxiao, don't speak nonsense!" Zhou Manyun scolded. "There's still a way to go before Zhongdu. Your condition has just stabilized—rest for a while. If you're bored, play on your phone."

"Alright," Zhou Xiaoxiao pouted. With a man in the car, she couldn't sleep, so she pulled out her phone. "By the way, sis, are we still going to the Zhang family wedding?"

Zhou Manyun glanced at the time. "The wedding hasn't started yet; we have time. Since you're fine now, let's go and offer our congratulations."

"Ah, poor Li Muqing, such a good person, yet forced to marry Zhang Shihao," Zhou Xiaoxiao sighed.

"Who can disagree?" Zhou Manyun echoed. "I heard it's because Li Muqing's father is seriously ill, and only Zhang Shihao can bring in the miracle doctor. Otherwise, how could she marry such a scoundrel..."

Li Muqing!

Ye Tian, whose eyes had been closed, suddenly opened them wide upon hearing the conversation. "Are you certain Li Muqing is being forced to marry Zhang Shihao?"

"Yes," Zhou Manyun nodded. "The wedding is at noon."

Ye Tian's gaze suddenly flashed with cold light!

The girl who had carried him on her back for three days and nights was now facing such a plight!

He could not let this happen!

"Take me to the wedding," he commanded.

Zhou Manyun opened her mouth, wanting to ask more, but upon seeing Ye Tian's icy expression, she dared not argue and silently pressed down the accelerator.

—

Zhongdu.

Imperial Grand Hotel.

Zhang Shihao, dressed in a sharp suit, walked into the dressing room. His impatient hand reached for the waist of a woman.

Her wedding dress was pure white, her makeup subtle and elegant. Her black hair was styled up, revealing a fresh and flawless face, as if a fairy had descended from the heavens—her beauty was beyond compare.

She shuddered, instinctively avoiding his touch, biting her lip. "Zhang Shihao, show some respect. We aren’t married yet."

"Heh, still defiant at this point?" Zhang Shihao withdrew his hand and leaned in, smiling. "Li Muqing, you've already agreed to marry me. What's the point in struggling? But that's fine—a good meal is worth the wait. After the banquet, the wedding night will give us plenty of time! Then, I'll do as I please, and you won't have any say!"

"Zhang Shihao, you’re shameless!" Li Muqing’s face turned pale, her clear eyes filled with rage and humiliation.

"Shameless? Ha! Li Muqing, don’t fool yourself. You begged to marry me! I’m exercising my rights as your husband—is there a problem? I pursued you for years, and you never even looked at me. Now, you’re obediently submitting!"

Zhang Shihao’s tone held a sinister excitement. "Just wait!"

Li Muqing bit her lip so hard it nearly broke the skin, but she could not utter a word.

"Alright, get ready. The wedding is about to begin! If your makeup is smeared from crying, you won’t look good. Remember, behave well later!" Zhang Shihao smiled smugly. "After the ceremony, I’ll have Miracle Doctor Zhu treat your father."

His last words struck Li Muqing’s weakness.

Her eyes dimmed, as if accepting her fate.

The wedding began.

After a passionate introduction, the host turned to Li Muqing. "Today’s bride, Ms. Li Muqing, from this day forward, through sickness and health, poverty and wealth, do you vow to stay by Mr. Zhang Shihao’s side, growing old together till the end of time?"

Luxurious lights shone on Li Muqing, giving her an aura of sanctity.

This should have been the happiest moment of her life.

But her heart was filled with sorrow.

"I..." The words hovered on her lips, wanting to escape. Yet her throat felt blocked, as if by a fish bone, and she simply could not utter the final two words.

Seeing her silence, the crowd murmured in confusion.

The host quickly smoothed things over. "Everyone, please be quiet. Perhaps the bride is too happy today—look, she’s almost moved to tears!"

"Ms. Li Muqing, do you agree?"

"I..." Her voice was hoarse, trying repeatedly to speak, but unable to do so.

She truly did not want to marry Zhang Shihao!

She did not want any connection to him whatsoever.

But when she saw Zhang Shihao’s cold, menacing eyes, a silent warning, her whole body trembled.

She had to marry him!

Only then would he send Miracle Doctor Zhu to treat her father.

Only then would her father have hope of waking up!

Thinking this, Li Muqing took a deep breath.

She resolved to see herself as a commodity.

As long as she could save her father, it didn’t matter whom she married.

"I..." She composed herself, preparing to answer, to let the ceremony proceed smoothly.

Just then, a voice rang out: "She does not agree!"

Boom!

The voice echoed like a bell struck, each word resounding throughout the hotel hall, reaching every ear.

"Damn, that startled me!"

"Who is that? Such a loud voice—it nearly deafened me!"

"Is someone here to ruin the wedding…?"

Amidst the murmurs, all eyes turned involuntarily to the entrance.

A tall, upright young man strode in.

"Who are you, daring to make a scene at my wedding?" Zhang Shihao’s face changed, and he barked angrily.

Ye Tian sneered. "Zhang Shihao, five years have passed, and you still don’t recognize your master?"

"Ma-master?!"

Not only Zhang Shihao, but everyone present was shocked by those words.

This man dared to claim to be Zhang Shihao’s master?

What kind of person was he, to be so bold and reckless?