Chapter 56: Then It Was Not a Dream

"Does it hurt?" Li Dasong asked Ma Rong.

"It hurts, it hurts a lot." Ma Rong felt as though his face must have swollen.

"If you feel pain, then you're not dreaming." Li Dasong remarked, puzzled. "How could He Haoxuan have a BMW X7?"

Ma Rong touched his face and said, "Mr. Li, isn't He Haoxuan just a nobody? He shouldn't have a BMW X7, not even you have one."

"That's true. There must be something wrong here." Li Dasong scratched his head.

Suddenly, Ma Rong's eyes lit up and he exclaimed excitedly, "Mr. Li, I think it's just Li Qingying showing off. She must have spent money to have He Haoxuan rent that luxury car!"

"Hahaha, Ma Rong, actually I thought of that right away, but I wanted to test your intelligence, so I asked you." Li Dasong slapped his thigh, pleased.

How could he not have realized it? Li Qingying and her family were now destitute, and he had seized control of all their expenses.

"Yes, I'm nowhere near as clever as you, Mr. Li. I'll need you to guide me more in the future," Ma Rong replied, living up to his reputation as the top sycophant, instantly making Li Dasong very happy.

After the car passed through several streets, Li Qingying asked He Haoxuan, "Tell me honestly, where did you get this car?"

"I told you, I bought it for you," He Haoxuan said earnestly. "What will it take for you to believe me?"

"Just tell me the truth," Li Qingying said, growing annoyed.

He Haoxuan sighed. "Alright, honestly, I bought it. But if you want a lie, then it’s rented."

"So it was rented after all," Li Qingying finally understood.

When they passed the park ahead, Li Qingying asked He Haoxuan to stop. She took the driver's seat herself, eager to experience the luxury car.

"Not bad. A good car is truly a good car. The X7 handles much better than the X5," Li Qingying said with a smile.

Seeing Li Qingying so delighted, He Haoxuan felt happy himself. The money had been well spent.

"How long did you rent this car for? How much does it cost?" Li Qingying asked.

She had noticed earlier that Li Dasong had purposely brought his flatterers along to mock her.

Thankfully, He Haoxuan had prepared in advance, renting a luxury car to put them in their place. Li Dasong's expression just now had been priceless, as if he’d swallowed ten rotten eggs.

"You can drive it as long as you like. I’ll take care of the rent, so don’t worry," He Haoxuan replied with a smile.

"We’ve never given you any money. Where did you get your funds?" Li Qingying asked.

"I worked outside for several years. I have my own savings. If you want, I can give you half," He Haoxuan thought to himself, wondering how many billions half his money would be.

Li Qingying shook her head, thinking that He Haoxuan's hard labor wouldn’t have earned much. "No need, keep it for yourself. But since Li Dasong deliberately targeted me today, it’s only right that I drive the BMW X7 for a while."

Normally, Li Qingying wasn't vain, but since He Haoxuan had paid the rent and Li Dasong's group had gone too far, she wasn't about to admit defeat.

When Li Qingying drove home, Li Dong and Song Li had already returned.

They held idle positions in the company, and now that Li Dasong was in charge, they were even more ostracized by the family. Unable to stand it, they had simply come home early.

"Ah, Qingying, is that a BMW X7?" Song Li ran out in excitement, waving her hands in the air.

"Yes, Mom," Li Qingying replied, stepping out of the car. Just as she was about to close the door, Song Li snatched the keys from her hand. "Let me drive it tonight. I’m going to Starshine Club to drink with my friends, and I want to show it off."

Li Dong asked Li Qingying, "Is this your car?"

"I bought it for my wife," He Haoxuan interjected.

"Enough, He Haoxuan, stop bragging. If you’re capable of buying such a luxury car for my Qingying, I could die with no regrets," Song Li cursed angrily.

He Haoxuan chuckled inwardly. Well, you can be at peace now.

Li Dong worried, "Qingying, though you’re no longer general manager, you shouldn’t flaunt your wealth. Otherwise, Grandma will check your accounts."

"Yes, Qingying, you wiped all traces clean, right? Don’t let anyone catch you," Song Li fretted.

Song Li suspected that Li Qingying had used embezzled company funds to buy the luxury car. Hmph, that’s how it should be.

With the old matriarch treating their family this way, if they didn’t skim some money from the Fortune Group, how could they justify it?

This time, her daughter had secured a hundred million yuan cooperation project for Fortune Group through her own efforts. She deserved at least ten million in kickbacks—anything less than several million would be too little.

"Don’t worry, Dad, Mom. I haven’t embezzled any company funds. This car is clean," Li Qingying assured her parents, and since her mother wanted to drive it, she didn’t mind. She went inside with He Haoxuan.

He Haoxuan cared little about the several-million-yuan car and went straight to the kitchen to cook for Li Qingying.

After dinner, Li Qingying patted her stomach and sighed, "He Haoxuan, why is your cooking so delicious? Every time, I tell myself I’ll only have one bowl of rice, but I always end up eating two. If I get fat, you’ll pay for it."

"Don’t worry, I won’t mind if you put on weight," He Haoxuan said, bringing over a plate of fruit.

"No, I need to wash the dishes and do some chores," Li Qingying quickly got up and busied herself in the kitchen.

Later, they watched TV together in the first-floor living room, each sitting at opposite ends of the sofa, a little apart.

They watched one program after another, and both went to shower but returned to watch TV again.

In the past, Li Qingying hadn’t enjoyed watching television, but for some reason, she just wanted to stay downstairs.

With a beauty present, He Haoxuan certainly wasn’t going up to rest.

Sometimes, He Haoxuan didn’t watch the TV at all, simply gazing at Li Qingying.

Li Qingying noticed from the start, but pretended not to and kept watching TV.

But He Haoxuan kept staring, making her uncomfortable. "Hey, why do you keep looking at me?" Li Qingying asked.

"If you weren’t looking at me, how would you know I was looking at you?" He Haoxuan replied with a smile.

"Hmph, anyway, you’re not allowed to look at me. Watch the TV," Li Qingying said angrily, hands on her hips, her graceful figure fully displayed.

He Haoxuan shook his head. "The TV isn’t as beautiful as you."

Li Qingying was secretly pleased, but He Haoxuan’s next words annoyed her: "Your TV is too old. I suggest buying a new one—it might be even more beautiful than you."

"He Haoxuan, how dare you call me old? I won’t let you off!" Li Qingying angrily picked up a cushion and threw it at him.

But He Haoxuan’s skills were impressive; he caught the cushion effortlessly.

Li Qingying could no longer contain herself and lunged at him, launching a direct attack.

PS: Please check out my completed novel, "The Immortal Lord of the City." It's a wonderful read.