The Emperors Pampered Wife - Chapter 118

Hou Wei Yan’s day was as busy as ever. Despite her aching body and the fatigue building up from all the emergency surgeries she had to take, she still pushed herself and walked towards Xing Ru’s room.

She was informed that he was already safe from any sort of complications but she still wanted to confirm it herself. Xing Ru dotes on her even from before so she had always viewed him as her older brother. That’s why she knows just how workaholic he is. If it weren’t for the twins’ sudden birth, she feared that he would be buried alive in his work.

He might even be holding papers even though he was instructed to rest.

With hurried steps, she strode towards his room and opened the door after hearing giggles inside. She was donning a huge smile on her face and was ready to embrace the twins with open arms.

However, her smile slowly faded and was replaced with a confused look as she saw her new boss with a spoon in his hands and her cute nieces opening their mouths like chicks eager to be fed by their mother.

“Feed me next, Uncle!”

Hearing her twins’ sudden request, Lixue immediately pouted. “Hey, Uncle just fed you earlier. It should be my turn now, Lihua”

“What’s going on here?” Wei Yan finally asked once she got over her surprise. She slowly strode inside alongside Fang Tao and Meixiu. She slowly scanned the room and saw her older cousin grinning and beside his bed was Ji Li Zhao’s outer coat.

Xing Ru wasted no time and hurriedly called her over to his side by motioning her with his hands. “You’re here, Xiao Wei. Come beside me”

“I came to visit…but I wasn’t expecting this” she muttered as she turned towards Ji Li Zhao who had crumbs of biscuits in his obviously expensive suit. She felt bad because she had heard countless times how this man values his things and hates it when his clothes get dirty. “What are you doing here, President Ji?”

Before Ji Li Zhao could make out a word, Lixue who always adored Hou Wei Yan in her relatives’ stories immediately jumped out of her seat and pounced at her esteemed idol. “Auntie!!!”

“It’s nice to see you again, Naughty Xue” she greeted as she safely carried Lixue in her arms. She had met them countless times and was even given the privilege to look after them when Xing Ru got busy in his venture in America.

Lixue giggled at her soft and serene voice. Wanting to feel more of her warmth and seemingly angelic ambiance, she nuzzled in her arms and inhaled her citrus fragrant hair. “Auntie is still as pretty as ever! You’re like a goddess that came down from heaven!”

“You’re still so good in flattery” Hou Wei Yan replied back with a chuckle. Xing Cuifen’s influence in Lixue is surely grand. Xing Ru was never the type to sing flowery flatteries so he could not possibly influence and make Lixue become like this.

After a while, she placed down Lixue and noticed her glancing at Fang Tao and Meixiu. Knowing fully well what she could be looking for, Wei Yan decided to apologize first. “But this Auntie doesn’t have food. I came here in a rush. What should I do?”

“Buy food for me and Lihua” Lixue immediately blurted out as she flashed her infamous puppy eyes. “Auntie will do that right? Lixue will accompany you”

As soon as she saw what Lixue did, she abruptly turned towards Xing Ru with a glare. The latter immediately looked away and was doing his best to avert her dagger-like gaze. “Your father sure taught you well”

This action caused Ji Li Zhao to don an amused grin on her face.

Of course, Hou Wei Yan noticed this almost immediately. She turned her attention on him as he carefully brushed off the crumbs in his white shirt. “President Ji still hasn’t answered my question. What brought you here?”

“Babysitting” he answered without delay as he continued cleaning himself of the mess the twins made.

“What?”

Noticing her confused look, he chuckled and pointed at the man lying on the bed. “I’m here to babysit Xing Ru”

“Hey, stop treating me like a child! You crazy weirdo” Xing Ru vented as he pushed Ji Li Zhao off his bed. He wanted to bicker some more, but he felt sudden chills as a strong presence made itself known. Without a care for his friend, he immediately turned towards Hou Wei Yan who was asking for answers since earlier.

“He came by after learning of my accident. Because I can’t take care of the twins and Ah Fen left to get me clothes, I decided to hire him to babysit them”

Ji Li Zhao looked at Xing Ru seriously after hearing his excuse. He actually came here to see Wei Yan and discuss the elder’s opinion regarding her hand in marriage. But since he cannot say that, he could only agree with his excuse. “You should know that hiring me comes with a heavy price”

“Come on, be generous to this friend of yours” Xing Ru teased, fully knowing that Ji Li Zhao has no choice but to agree to any of his requests. He was one of the best cards amongst the Xing Family whom he can use so the marriage proposal can proceed as plan.

He was oblivious that a proposal was no longer needed…because they’re already husband and wife.

“Besides, can’t you just do it for free? I’m sick you know; you should at least do this for a sick friend”

“You’re using your accident as an excuse to laze around” Ji Li Zhao muttered without hesitation. He already received reports from Master Han pertaining to the degree of his injuries.

Apparently, he received minor wounds that would heal in a week or two. He was even permitted to return home but insisted on staying and even went as far as using his family name to ensure that he stays in Yi Lan Hospital.

He gave a side glance to Wei Yan before shaking his head disappointingly towards Xing Ru. He’s making everyone worried and he’s enjoying it. If his wife wasn’t present, he would kick him out of his bed and force him to go home. “You shouldn’t do that President Xing”

Hearing his reply made Xing Ru laugh loudly. He was indeed using his injuries as an excuse to relax.

But what he did could never amount to Ji Li Zhao’s actions lately. He acquired Yi Lan Hospital and was spending a lot of time in it. To many, he looks like a devoted new owner…but he knows that it was all a pretense so he could see Hou Wei Yan as often as possible.

He was quite a good schemer when it comes to this. “Well, President Ji showed me a great example of slacking off. I just followed your lead”

“Are you two quite done yet?” Wei Yan muttered with a sigh. She was listening to them but she could not fully grasp whether they were exchanging pleasantries, sarcasm, or threatening one another.

The two immediately stayed silent as they gave each other a smile. They weren’t moving their lips but they were obviously communicating through their eyes.

Having enough of such a scene and noticing that they badly needed space to talk privately, she turned towards her nieces with a kind smile on her face.

“It’s uncourteous of me to visit without anything with me” she said before extending her hands towards Lixue who was already standing beside her. “Would you like to accompany and buy something delicious?”

Without further ado, Xing Lihua who was comfortably sitting on Ji Li Zhao’s lap jumped off and ran towards her. This caused Ji Li Zhao to chuckle in amus.e.m.e.nt before he looked at the twins as though dejected by what they did. “I guess I’m really no match for the Young Miss”

“Auntie, I want strawberry milk” Lihua said in her gentle and whisper-like voice.

Hou Wei Yan who was quite taken by her gentle nature nodded her head before she held both of their hands. “Then Auntie will buy you strawberry milk”

Having secured the twins in her hands, she waved goodbye to the two gentlemen inside and proceeded to buy foods with Fang Tao and Qiu Meixiu tolling behind her.

As soon as they got outside, she immediately felt the curious gaze directed at her, and not soon after, the sounds of their undying buzz resonated across the hall. She heaved a heavy sigh before she began walking again.

Xing Lihua and Xing Lixue who were observing her since earlier noticed the change in her facial expression. They looked at one another before the talkative and straightforward Lixue asked her directly. “What’s wrong Auntie?”

“My name now seems to be always attached with rumors” she muttered to herself before smiling at them as though what she said was nothing but a useless blunder.

…..

Meanwhile, inside Xing Ru’s room, a tense atmosphere had enveloped that two gentlemen left alone inside. They were intently looking at one another before Xing Ru mustered enough energy to confront the unpredictable man in front of him.

“So, why did you acquire Yi Lan?”

“Wow, you’re immediately going for the gold. Shouldn’t you begin small?” Ji Li Zhao retorted jokingly. He was always the impatient one between them whenever it involves information vital for him and his family.

“That’s not my style, you know that” he answered back seriously. He had a headache because of his sudden explosive news that greatly angered his Grandfather to the point of making his ears bleed with his torturous scolding.

Aside from him, he was nearly crushed to a pulp by their fearsome lioness. Their blunder caused him to take his injury as an opportunity to escape their unwarranted wrath. “Ah Fen is on a rampage because of the sudden news. The mere thought of you attaching yourself once more to Xiao Wei is making her blood boil”

“She should have expected this” he answered almost immediately. He always knew that Cuifen held grudges against him alongside some of their relatives, but he didn’t hold them in contempt and continued to steadily make good connections with them.

No matter what they tried against him, he resolved it smoothly leaving a good impression on others. This way, they are slowly forgetting the past mistake he did. All of that effort was for them to accept him as a suitable candidate as Hou Wei Yan’s husband.

That was his aim from the very beginning and he never swerves from it. “I didn’t establish a good relationship with the Xing just so we could be mere friends. You know that, right?”

Xing Ru bit his lower lip as soon as he heard what Ji Li Zhao said. He knew from the start that he befriended him with the intention of using him as a means to marry his cousin. At first, he was against him, but his skills and his goal setting made him change his mind. His determination caused Xing Ru to support him.

He knows that despite what he said, he was already considered his close friend. Hou Wei Yan would suit him well and vice versa…that’s what he always believed. That’s why his concern for him is quite deep.

“Why are you barring your fangs now? You should have given it more time. I haven’t fully cleared out your name to the Elders yet” he muttered in quite a desperate tone. “Up until now, they believe that you’re the one bringing misfortunes to Xiao Wei. Their perception of you only got worse because of this news”

He was slowly but steadily changing their perception of him. Of course, because he was a second offender, clearing his name took longer than expected. He was nearly in a stage where they would include him in the least of possible groom candidates for Hou Wei Yan. If he suddenly shows them his eagerness, all his efforts might go to waste.

This was only because…Xing Ru believed that he was only aiming to become a groom candidate.

“I’ve waited long enough, Xing Ru” Ji Li Zhao honestly said. He cowered countless times to be on the offensive stance because he also believed that he was at fault and he no longer had any right to make her happy.

But seeing her again after eight years of abstinence made him change his mind. The thought of seeing her happy with another man could kill him. That’s why even though there are still fears of her memories returning, he still pursued her…because he could no longer be happy with another woman.

She was the one for him and he was the one for her, he already wrote it on the moon.

“I’m not even going all out yet. This is only minimum of what I want to do. The world needs to know that she’s mine, but I still have problems with my Uncle so I cannot do so. Once everything is settled, I will publicly announce who she is in my life”

“You’re asking for an all-out war with the Elders. You know how much they adore Wei Yan. Without their full consent, you shouldn’t do such a thing!” Xing Ru seriously said.

The Elders—with his Grandfather Xing Mingli as it’s leader, holds the greatest authority and influence in the family and their businesses. If they do not approve of Ji Li Zhao, they will do all means to eliminate him so he could no longer show himself in front of them or Wei Yan.

Considering the prowess, they possess, even with Palisades behind his back alongside the other Bei and Ji assets, they could crush him even if it will take a considerable amount of time. If Ji Li Zhao loses his life, his men and family wouldn’t sit idly by and would surely retaliate causing another wave of bloodbath.

Who knows when will such a bloodbath end?

He wouldn’t allow such a thing to happen! For both his family and his dear friend, he will stop it at all costs.

“I only need her mother’s permission” Ji Li Zhao suddenly said causing Xing Ru’s train of nasty thoughts to abruptly stop. He slowly and confusedly turned towards Ji Li Zhao.

The latter smirked at him. “And because I already attained it, your Elders opinion won’t matter anymore”

“Auntie Mei Yi did what?!”

Xing Mei Yi, an entity who could bend Xing Mingli and the other Elder’s decision to her favor. She was a well-loved child that’s why no matter what she said or what she did, they would undoubtedly support her.

She was the last obstacle Ji Li Zhao needs to face if he wants to marry Hou Wei Yan because her overprotective nature knows no bounds.

Or so he thought.

Xing Ru could not believe what he just heard. Considering how she dotes on Hou Wei Yan more than Xing Mingli does, he believes that she would disapprove of any man marrying her daughter. She will deem everyone unacceptable because that was the type of woman she is.

If what he said is indeed true, then he doesn’t need to place that much effort in wooing the elders anymore. He could no longer fathom the extent of Ji Li Zhao’s communication abilities!

“I know you have doubts as well, but I can’t back down…not when she’s within my grasp” he muttered seriously. The gears had already moved and he was ready to finish his problems with his Uncle. If his estimation is correct, he would be done before her birthday arrives.

The thought of him finally embracing his wife without a mask made him smile unknowingly. “I will continue pursuing her and protecting her. Even if I do it in the shadows, I will do so just so she would remain safe”

“I salute your courage but things will not work out without the Elders approval. You should do something about it first. Don’t be stubborn because what you’re planning on doing might shake the whole Regal Families”

That’s right, what he intends to do might change plenty of things in both a positive and negative ways.

Ji Li Zhao stayed silent at what he said, as though contemplating everything. But after a few seconds, he grinned widely at Xing Ru who instinctively flinched. —This won’t be good.

“Then I should thank you in advance”

“What?”

“You’re going to clear out my name, right?”

Confusion immediately made its way to his face as soon as Ji Li Zhao said this with a grin on his face. “When did I—”

“You just said that you haven’t fully cleared out my name to the Elders yet. So, I expect you would help me fully clear it out” Ji Li Zhao said with conviction. He was referring to what Xing Ru said in their earlier conversations. Whatever happens and whatever situation he is under…when an opportunity rises, he will take it.

Xing Ru who also remembered what he said immediately chuckled before he glared at Ji Li Zhao’s opportunistic attitude. “Seriously…you’re a f.u.c.k.i.n.g handful”

“It’s because you often forget to restrain” he muttered while shaking his head. This is the reason why he could often trap him…because he blabbers when he’s caught in the moment. His lapses are making plenty of opportunities for him. “Thank you for the support, President Xing”

“Don’t be overly reliant on me, you jerk. My influence won’t be enough to make them see you in a new light”

“I know, but your influence could lessen my burden”

Xing Ru nodded his head in agreement. Indeed, his influence is not that great yet but he could help. But of course, he would only help once he gets the assurance he needed. “Don’t waste my effort. If you hurt my little sister, you will surely pay a heavy price”

Ji Li Zhao flashed him a confident smile. “Don’t worry…I exist to stay by her side”

“You better do that” he muttered seriously before pointing at him. “Also, if I call you to babysit my daughters, you must always come. You can’t refuse any of my arrangements!”

“Looks like my days of abusing you is over. The table has been flipped that it’s saddening” he retorted with a sigh. Lihua is manageable but adding Lixue in the equation will surely be one hell of a babysitting episode.

The very thought of seeing Ji Li Zhao having a hard time with his children delighted Xing Ru that he could no longer hold back his laughter. “I’ll make proper use of you…President Ji”

Ji Li Zhao displayed a subtle smile while shaking his head. As they were enjoying their time, the door suddenly opened up.

Both of them hurriedly turned their heads towards it in hopes of seeing Hou Wei Yan and the children…however, a different woman came inside. Her caramel blonde hair swung elegantly as she took a step inside. Her electrifying blue hue scanned the room before she hardened her gaze towards the man sitting on the chair beside her respected older cousin.

“What the hell are you doing here?!” she immediately exclaimed in rage as she took hurried steps towards them. Her anger was directed towards Palisades Esteemed Big Boss, Ji Li Zhao.

He could clearly see how angry she was just by sniffing his presence, but he remained as calm as ever and waved his hands as though greeting a junior in high school. “Long time no see, Xiao Cuifen”

“I’m not glad to see you” Cuifen answered without hesitation before she turned towards Xing Ru with a terrifying gaze. The fact that he owns Yi Lan Hospital already ticked her off, and yet Xing Ru still conversed with him like there’s nothing going on between their two families.

She was now deliberating whether he’s been brainwashed by Ji Li Zhao or was simply being naïve. They are clearly enemies since ancient times and he of all people should remain guarded towards a snake-like Ji Li Zhao. “Why did you allow him inside, Big Brother?!”

“He had something to discuss with me” Xing Ru explained ever so calmly with a gentle smile on his face. He dotes on his cousins, but he could not just throw away Ji Li Zhao who served as great entertainment and ally to him.

There are countless possibilities of what their conversations contain…but based on how Ji Li Zhao greeted her, she could instantly tell it had something to do with her older cousin, Hou Wei Yan. She crossed her arms in her chest with a huge frown on her face before she clicked her tongue to show both men who disappointed she was at the both of them. “If it has something to do with Big Sister, shouldn’t I be involved? Why didn’t you wait for me?”

“It’s related to business, Ah Fen” Xing Ru clarified before looking at her seriously. He could somehow understand why she still bore some grudges but it doesn’t have direct involvement with her. “Besides, why are you still angry at him. As you can see, he’s protecting Xiao Wei”

As though a rope has been snapped, Xing Cuifen roared as she lost control of her emotions. “Protecting?!”

Angered by the fact that everyone seems to forget what happened to Hou Wei Yan due to Ji Li Zhao, she pointed towards the culprit of her older cousins’ continuous disasters and released all of her pent-up frustrations.

“By protection, you mean the accident in the cliff where big sister had to be in a coma for 2 months and lost her memories of us?! Or you mean that time when he showed up all bloody making Big Sister lose her sanity?!” she snapped angrily. “If that is his way of protection, he’s better off far from her”

“Xing Cuifen!” her older cousin yelled worriedly when he saw her collaring Ji Li Zhao. If he wasn’t confined in bed, he would already run towards her and pull her away. He was just about to yell out her name once more when he noticed Ji Li Zhao’s hands signaling him to stop.

Because of what he did, Xing Ru managed to calm himself in that few seconds. He heaved a heavy sigh and decided to call her out in a much gentler tone. “Ah Fen, stop”

“It’s true!” Xing Cuifen roared once more because she saw how her older cousin condoned what Ji Li Zhao did. After glaring at her older cousin, she swiftly returned her gaze towards Ji Li Zhao and continued collaring him in utter rage.

“Because of you, Big Sister suffered so much to the point that she needed to leave the country…leave her family and friends to recuperate! Big Brother may have forgotten those, but I didn’t”

She had long adored Hou Wei Yan and she thought ever since she was young that she would grow up watching her. But Ji Li Zhao’s actions caused Hou Wei Yan to leave them and she was forced to grow up without the woman she idolized…the woman whom she treated as her light.

Hou Wei Yan’s parting and her suffering caused great grief in Xing Cuifen’s heart. The extent of the damage it created is unfathomable that’s why Ji Li Zhao’s very existence is causing her rage. Because for her…Ji Li Zhao stole her older sister away.

Ji Li Zhao who was well known for his strength remained rooted on the ground. He accepted her rage and didn’t even try to free himself from her grip. He just stood there…listening intently to her every word.

“I have failed to protect her, that I admit” he suddenly said causing Xing Cuifen to flinch. She wasn’t expecting him to admit how wrong he was. She had known him as a cold-hearted man, someone who wouldn’t even look back at the things he had broken.

And yet here he is, openly admitting his fault.

Ji Li Zhao understood where Xing Cuifen’s rage was coming from. But he cannot bring himself to let go of Hou Wei Yan…not now and probably not the in future either. “I lacked the power to protect her then…but things have changed. I may have some shortcomings but I’m protecting her more than you know. All I need is another chance…and this time, I will uphold it”

“You already lost all your chances, Ji Li Zhao” she replied seriously. No matter what he says, she will no longer listen because he left when she needed his explanation and apologies in the past.

Slowly, she released him from his grip and turned away. She was no longer interested in his explanation nor his plans from now on. “Whatever happens and even if big sister approves of you…I will never acknowledge you as the lover befitting her”

“Xing Cuifen…all I need is Hou Wei Yan in my life” Ji Li Zhao blurted out with all honestly causing her to stop walking towards Xing Ru. “But I hope that you would grace us with your blessing. Today may not be that day, but someday, I’ll prove to you that I’m fit for her”

His sudden announcement immediately earned him a glare from Xing Cuifen who couldn’t stomach his confidence. “You’ll only waste your effort”

“I don’t think so” Ji Li Zhao confidently retorted before the door suddenly opened up.

“We’re here!” Hou Wei Yan happily greeted as she stepped inside alongside the twins. But her smile dissipated as soon as she saw Xing Cuifen and Ji Li Zhao glaring at one another. The fire flying from their eyes made her instantly sigh. “Every time I open this door, something strange always comes into view”

As soon as her voice traveled towards Xing Cuifen’s ears, she immediately turned around and her glaring gaze turned warm and excited. “Big Sister!”

“Her speed is really something. As expected of a Xing” Ji Li Zhao commented as he walked towards Xing Ru who was silently observing.

However, his silence was broken by his friend’s words. He laughed heartily at his comment and laughed some more when he saw Xing Cuifen’s glare directed at them both. ���I don’t need your compliments”

“Ah Fen, don’t be rude” Hou Wei Yan reprimanded when she saw her younger cousin sending sparks of fury towards Ji Li Zhao.

Her domineering voice made Xing Cuifen pout. She didn’t like to be reprimanded by Hou Wei Yan especially if the reason is the demonic Ji Li Zhao. “But Big Sister—”

“You must always pay respect to your elders. How many times must I tell you that?”

Silence.

Her sudden and yet honest remark sent everyone in the room to fall in ere silence. It took them a couple of seconds to react and each one of them had different reactions unique only to them.

Fang Tao was frozen on the spot, unsure whether to laugh at what she said or cry for his Boss who was just told he was old.

Meixiu smiled warmly as she viewed this as a sign of improvement. Meanwhile, Xing Cuifen donned a huge smirk on her face as though spatting at Ji Li Zhao’s face her victory.

Of course, Xing Ru who was enjoying himself since earlier laughed out loud that his daughters nearly called him a lunatic. He even nearly choked in his own saliva if it weren’t for the frowning Ji Li Zhao who hurriedly handed him a glass of water. He didn’t like what he heard but he cannot see his friend die because of excessive laughter.

It would be much foolish.

As soon as he regained his composure, he turned towards Ji Li Zhao who was still laughing, and patted his back while holding another series of laughter. “She called you old”

His words caused Ji Li Zhao to feel even more irritated. His laughter was annoying because it was akin to a hyena. Now he’s thinking that if time could be reversed, he wouldn’t hand him the water earlier.

“Being called old by the Young Miss hurts more than what Xing Cuifen said” he finally said with a stoic look on his face. “Is this normal? I feel like a thousand knives have pinned my heart…it hurts”

His words sounded so hurt and yet his face said otherwise. Hou Wei Yan saw this quite entertaining so she flashed him a naughty smile. “President Ji sure knows how to joke around…I’m impressed”

“She doesn’t even take you seriously” Xing Ru laughed as he continuously hit Ji Li Zhao’s back. He didn’t even try to hide his enjoyment which made Ji Li Zhao hate him more. “Looks like you’ll have to walk a thorny path before you reach your goal. I pity you”

“If I don’t babysit your twins…you’ll be the pitiful one” he remarked with a serious look on his eyes. With his responsibilities as the heir to Xing Empire and his responsibilities as a father piling up, he will surely collapse if he doesn’t hire a reliable man to hold off his daughters and entertain them in his stead when he’s awfully busy with work.

After calculating how tiring it will be without the reliable Ji Li Zhao looking after his children, he hurriedly raised both of his hands in surrender. “I’m just joking!”

Having enough of the a.d.u.l.ts’ blunder, Xing Lihua approached Wei Yan and pulled the hem of his pants. “Big Sister, can we eat now?”

“Sure”

“I’ll be leaving then” Ji Li Zhao said after he saw his wife happily leading the twins towards the table. “Don’t forget everything that I said, Xing Ru”

Xing Ru waved his hands which Xing Cuifen immediately pulled down to show Ji Li Zhao that she doesn’t vote for him. “Same to you”

“Goodbye, President Ji. Have a pleasant evening” Hou Wei Yan remarked as she bowed down her head towards her boss.

The words she said earlier, with him being old, still lingers in his head. He couldn’t help but smirk as he thought of the many ways, he will torture her later for saying such words towards him. “I will”

Surely, he will have a pleasant evening.