Seeing Elena standing nearby, Liam suppressed his rising temper and chose not to engage with Julian anymore.

He had learned a lesson: never argue with Julian, because this guy is more noisy than a group of aunties at the market.

After returning to the Elena residence, Elena’s mother had already prepared a table full of dishes.

Elena smiled as she walked to her mother's side and praised: "Mom, this is too lavish; we are truly in for a treat today."

Julian added from behind: "Indeed, thanks to Auntie Shi, we can have a grand feast today."

Elena’s mother was coaxed into a radiant smile: "You two are truly a pair of comedians. Hurry and eat, or the food will get cold."

Throughout the meal, Elena kept putting food on Liam’s plate, but every bite tasted like wax to him.

What was it like to not be favored by your future mother-in-law? Liam was experiencing it firsthand.

After dinner, Liam and Julian left in their respective cars.

One was full of joy, the other was icy-faced.

Their personalities were like water and fire—entirely incompatible.

Chapter 25: Engagement

Shi Residence.

Elena’s father sat on the sofa with a grave expression: "Since it’s now impossible for you to marry into the Liam family, it makes no difference if you marry into the Bai family instead."

Before the words were even cold, Vivian refused sharply: "No! The men in the Bai family are all old. Auntie said that if I marry, she’ll give me shares of the Liam Group, I..."

"Enough! Your auntie can barely save herself right now, how would she have the time to care about you?" Her father roared in anger, cutting off the rest of Vivian’s words.

Vivian’s expression stiffened, and she bit her lip, her eyes filled with hatred: "I’m not marrying him, regardless."

"Rebellious daughter!" Her father, incensed, raised his hand and struck Vivian across her left cheek.

"Smack!"

The sound of the slap left Vivian stunned for a moment.

Just then, her older brother, Shi Qing, walked in. He gave a fleeting glance at Vivian’s swollen face before turning his gaze back to their father.

"Father, the Bai family has arrived."

Hearing that the Bai family was at the door, Vivian’s expression darkened even further. She grabbed her bag, prepared to go upstairs to her room.

But her brother’s angry voice boomed from behind her.

"The Bai family is here specifically to see you. What kind of behavior is it to go back to your room?"

Vivian paused, gripping her bag tightly, and curled her lips in self-mockery: "So... brother, you also think I should marry into the Bai family?"

Shi Qing’s expression shifted, but he quickly concealed it: "Of course."

Vivian turned around, staring straight at Shi Qing, her smile bitterly twisted: "If this is what you also wish for, I will certainly do it."

Saying this, she turned to head upstairs again.

Her father’s roar came from behind: "You still want to run? Do I have to have you tied up to meet the Bai family?"

Vivian’s eyes were hollow, devoid of any light. Her voice was flat and emotionless.

"Since we are meeting distinguished guests, it’s not unreasonable for me to dress up a bit before coming down, is it?"

With that, Vivian ignored the voice behind her and went straight upstairs to her room.

As she drew her lipstick in the mirror, Vivian’s hand trembled slightly, causing the line of lipstick to go crooked.

Just as she reached for a paper to wipe it off, Elena’s happy smile appeared in the mirror.

"Unfair! Unfair! This is all your fault, all Elena’s fault!" Vivian suddenly lost control of her emotions, grabbed the jewelry box from the table, and smashed it against the mirror.

"Bang!" With a loud crash, the mirror shattered into countless cracks, reflecting Vivian’s crazily distorted face in the fragments.

After changing her clothes, Vivian walked downstairs with an elegant gait, wearing a light-colored dress.

A group of people had already gathered in the large living room downstairs.

"Father, Mother." Vivian walked to her parents’ side with a beaming smile, acting obedient and lovable.

Her father was slightly taken aback; he hadn't expected his daughter, who had just been so aggressive, to change her attitude so quickly.

But he showed no extra emotion, maintaining his stern face as he gave a soft hum.

"So this is Vivian. She’s such a well-behaved girl." Mrs. Bai was quite satisfied with this future daughter-in-law.

Vivian flashed a perfect smile and greeted her politely: "Hello, Auntie Bai."

Mrs. Bai nodded with a smile and affectionately took Vivian’s hand: "Bai Chi is on his way. I’ll have him take you out for a stroll later."

A flash of disgust crossed Vivian’s eyes, but it vanished instantly as she obediently agreed.

"Then I shall respectfully comply."

After the conversation, the parents of the Bai and Shi families were very satisfied with the marriage, even beginning to discuss the wedding date.

Vivian hadn't interrupted once from start to finish, just sitting quietly on the side like a doll displayed in a storefront.

About half an hour later, the fiancé, Bai Chi, rushed in.

"I’m sorry, there was a bit of a traffic jam today." Bai Chi looked apologetic.

Vivian looked Bai Chi up and down. Just as the rumors said, he had status, but his appearance was ugly, and he had a large black mole on the corner of his mouth.

He was barely 1.7 meters tall, and at nearly forty years old, he had yet to marry.

The daughters of wealthy families all avoided him like the plague.

"You child, you should have made a call if there was a traffic jam, letting Vivian wait for you for so long." Mrs. Bai pretended to blame him as she pulled Bai Chi over, making him sit in the empty seat next to Vivian.

As soon as Bai Chi sat down, Vivian smelled a heavy stench of tobacco. The pungent odor made her want to stand up and leave immediately.

"Where are you going again?" Her father asked impatiently, his brows tightly furrowed.

Vivian clenched her hands and turned to look directly at her father: "I want to go out for some fresh air. Is that not allowed?"

Having said this, she walked out of the living room.

Vivian had barely left when her father immediately ordered Shi Qing to follow her.

Chapter 26: Wearing Flowers in This Life

Vivian stopped once she reached the garden.

"Come out and talk. There are no spies of the old man here."

As the words fell, Shi Qing walked slowly to her side, silent as a wooden statue.

Vivian turned to look at Shi Qing, who was a head taller than her: "Shi Qing, don't you think it’s ridiculous that you’re the one who was adopted, but I’m the one less favored?"

Shi Qing’s expression changed slightly, his voice deepening: "The blood flowing through your veins is that of the Shi family, so you have the duty to bear these burdens."

Vivian let out a cold laugh, as if she had heard a joke.

"I’ve always lived for the family’s interests. Do you know? Liam’s car accident was also arranged by me."

Shi Qing frowned, looking at Vivian in confusion: "He is your fiancé."

"So what? Auntie said that as long as he died, she would give me five percent of the Liam Group shares." There was not a shred of guilt in Vivian’s eyes, and her tone was matter-of-fact.

Shi Qing fell silent, offering no response.

"Do you think I did something wrong?" Vivian asked, looking at Shi Qing.

Shi Qing shook his head slightly: "You did well. So, did you get what you wanted?"

At these words, Vivian’s eyes were immediately covered with a layer of viciousness: "Unfortunately, that car accident didn't manage to kill Liam. It’s truly laughable."

Shi Qing remained silent for a long moment before sighing softly: "Marrying into the Bai family might be the best way for you; they only have Bai Chi as a child."

As soon as he finished, Vivian looked seriously at Shi Qing, emphasizing each word: "What about you? Do you also wish for me to marry into the Bai family?"

Shi Qing froze for a moment before slowly spitting out two words: "Of course."

These simple words were like a bucket of ice water poured over Vivian, chilling her heart completely.

"Since this is what you wish, I will certainly do it. But before that, I have more important things to attend to."

After saying this, a murderous glint flashed in Vivian’s eyes.

Every year in October in Yangcheng, there is a grand fireworks show across the city.

Liam had agreed with Elena long ago to go watch it together.

When it was time to get off work, he grabbed his coat and opened the office door, only to see Xu Chen waiting outside.

"Liam, take me along to see it too." Xu Chen pleaded earnestly.