Chapter 23 - Fated Engagement

Xia Zhuozhuo sat upright, looking solemn: "You speak." Ning Suixiang sighed softly, as if considering how to start: "Child, Mom has arranged a marriage for you." Xia Zhuozhuo raised her head suddenly, her eyes full of disbelief. After a while, she found her voice again, and her voice trembled slightly: "Mom... I just came back, are you going to let me get married now?" Could it be that Ning Suixiang's heart is also like Liu Yueru, with no place for her as a daughter? If so, what is the point of her staying here? Ning Suixiang's eyes were slightly red, and her voice was choked with sobs: "Mom also wants to keep you around, but you have heard a little about the situation at home. Mom is useless and may not be able to protect you, so I can only find someone who can protect you." Xia Zhuozhuo understood a little in his heart. Ning Suixiang and Liu Yueru are different after all. Everything Ning Suixiang did was for her to live a better life. She gently held Ning Suixiang's hand, her fingertips trembling slightly: "But, things may not be as simple as you think. Dad suddenly disappeared, obviously someone is plotting against us, including your company..." Ning Suixiang became more solemn after hearing this. "Someone is plotting against us? You mean..." "The person in charge of the Si family, Si Jinyan." Xia Zhuozhuo slowly uttered the name. Ning Suixiang was obviously a little surprised: "Do you know Si Jinyan?" Xia Zhuozhuo didn't want to reveal his identity too early, so he said vaguely: "On my way back, I got a general understanding of some big figures in the city now. Si Jinyan... I have heard of this name." Ning Suixiang didn't suspect anything, but just frowned. Si Jinyan... This name is not unfamiliar to her, but she didn't have much intersection. However, she inexplicably thought of the young man she met at the Du family today, the young man who was surrounded by everyone and called "Master Si". Could it be that he is Si Jinyan? No, that's not right. The temperament of that young man doesn't match the cold and ruthless nature of Si Jinyan's rumors. Moreover, the name she heard was Si Shenxing... Ning Suixiang thought to herself that it would be difficult for her to find a more reliable support except for the Si family. "Don't worry, engagement is just a stopgap measure." Ning Suixiang gently patted the back of Xia Zhuozhuo's hand, "We'll think of a way after the storm has passed." Xia Zhuozhuo's lips slightly raised, but seemed a little stiff. She was about to speak when Xia Er came in. "Madam, it's bad! Someone is outside, saying they are coming to take the house!" Ning Suixiang's face suddenly changed: "What? Take the house?" "They said that we forced it to be mortgaged." Butler Xia looked anxious. Ning Suixiang sat up from the bed anxiously when she heard this: "Although the company has filed for bankruptcy, the house is not mortgaged! What basis do they have to take the house?" "I don't know much about this, but I looked at the contract, and it does have the court's seal on it." Butler Xia handed over a contract. Ning Suixiang snatched the contract and flipped through it. Her face became more and more ugly, and finally she slapped the edge of the bed: "How dare they! How dare they do this!" Seeing this, Xia Zhuozhuo hurriedly pushed Ning Suixiang back to the bed: "Mom, you are not fully recovered yet, lie down and have a good rest. I will take care of the things outside." "Are you... okay?" Ning Suixiang looked at Xia Zhuozhuo with worry. "If it really doesn't work, I'll call you again." Xia Zhuozhuo comforted. "Okay then. Butler Xia, call Xiaoliu and Xiaowu, don't let Zhuozhuo get hurt at all!" Ning Suixiang ordered. Butler Xia left in response. Xia Zhuozhuo followed Butler Xia downstairs and walked into the living room, only to see several ferocious men standing at the door, looking unquestionable. "Why should we give our home to you? If you don't get out, I'll call the police!" Xia Liu stepped forward and shouted angrily. The leading man sneered: "You really don't want to drink a toast! In this case, forget about the three days!" "You--" Xia Liu was about to explode, but was stopped by Xia Zhuozhuo. "Where's the contract? Let me see it." Xia Zhuozhuo said calmly. The leading man looked Xia Zhuozhuo up and down, and a flash of surprise flashed in his eyes. But soon, he returned to his indifferent look: "Who are you?" "I am the seventh daughter of the Xia family. I have the right to see your contract." Xia Zhuozhuo said neither servile nor arrogant. The man raised his eyebrows and threw the contract in his hand to Xia Zhuozhuo: "Look! Take a good look! It's written clearly in black and white!" Xia Zhuozhuo ignored the man's sarcasm and looked down at the contract in his hand seriously. The court's seal was clearly visible, and it did say that the house had been mortgaged and successfully auctioned in the court. Such a large manor was sold for only 10 million yuan. This price is an insult to the Xia family. Xia Liu also came over and after seeing the words clearly, he was furious: "We have never mortgaged this manor! We didn't even know it was auctioned! Who are you? Who agreed to mortgage the manor?" The man smiled contemptuously: "This is none of your business. I just bid normally and bought this manor. However, your boss seems to owe us a lot of money, so it is natural to use this manor to pay off the debt." "Asshole! That yard is for our dogs! Do you want us to live in a doghouse?" Xia Liu was furious. "You can live there or not. It's good to have a doghouse. Otherwise, you guys will have to live under the overpass!" Another man sneered. "You don't think your family is still the rich family it used to be? The company has gone bankrupt, and everyone has gone to jail. You still want to live in a mansion?" Another man laughed. "You——" Xia Liu was about to get angry, but was pulled by Xia Zhuozhuo's sleeve. At this time, Xia Huaiwu hurried back from outside. When he saw several cars parked at the door, he had a bad feeling in his heart. He ran in quickly, asked about the situation, and stared at Xia Zhuozhuo with angrily: "It's all your fault!" Xia Liu was dissatisfied: "Fifth brother, if you want to blame someone, blame them! Why are you talking about Xiaoqi?" Xia Huaiwu snorted coldly: "You don't know? It was she who ran to the Du family to cheat! This house may be taken by someone sent by the Du family!" "Cheat?" Xia Liu looked at Xia Zhuozhuo, his eyes full of doubts. Xia Zhuo nodded: "I went to the Du family, but I went to treat my illness, not cheat." Xia Liu was relieved when he heard this. He turned to Xia Huaiwu and said, "Did you hear that? You misunderstood Xiaoqi! Apologize now!" Xia Huaiwu cursed angrily, "What are you apologizing for? I saw it with my own eyes! How could it be fake? You believe her who just came back! And you don't believe me, your fifth brother?" "She went to the Du family and pretended to be a miracle doctor! She made Mr. Du spit blood! That's why the Du family came to take revenge! I told her long ago! Let her apologize! But she refused! She turned around and ran back home to pretend to be innocent! Don't let her fool you!" Xia Huaiwu became more and more excited as he spoke, as if he wanted to vent all his anger on Xia Zhuozhuo.