Zhiqin Beauty Design Studio
A huge signboard hung in a building in downtown Taibei. The storefront was designed with a transparent glass curtain, allowing people to see the layout of the studio at a glance.
The first floor was about 30 square meters, and the shelf space on the right-hand side contained many neatly arranged beauty products. There was a specially designed bar counter behind it, with crystal cups and coffee cups of different sizes placed on it.
There was a round table and three round chairs in front of the "" shaped table. After the guests had enjoyed the most comfortable beauty and skincare, the boss would personally serve the tea she brewed for the guests to drink and chat about the recent situation, making the guests feel at home.
On the left-hand side was the cashier. There was a spiral escalator that led to the second floor. From the stairs to the last square, it was accompanied by gentle music. The soft voice was amplified by the loudspeaker. The Japanese design was elegant and comfortable.
In order to make the guests feel natural and unrestrained, the boss spent a lot of effort on the decoration.
The clear sky outside the window should have made people happy, but at this moment, Zhiqin Beauty Design Studio was shrouded in dark clouds.
There were several tall and muscular men standing on both sides of the design studio's door. Their faces were more ferocious than the one before them. They were all wearing black suits and sunglasses, which added to their terrifying aura. Such a scene was undoubtedly not giving face to the shop owner and was prepared to scare away the customers who came to the door one by one!
The atmosphere in the studio was on the verge of exploding. Everyone held their breaths and focused!
"It's useless to say anything. I'm not going back, and I won't accept your ridiculous arrangements!”Facing her father's arrangement, Hua Menglan's beautiful face was filled with disgust. She avoided her father like the plague!
It was only when he was at his wit's end that his great father would think of her existence.
She was born into a well-known underworld family. As long as she heard the name of her father, Hua Shizhan, everyone would be terrified and avoid him.
In her impression, her father had always ignored her existence and had never cared about her life or friends. He had only left her to the servants to take care of her.
Because of her underworld background, she had almost no friends to confide in since she was young, which also created her quiet and introverted personality.
It wasn't until she met Xichen, Lian Qian, and Zhiqin that she was able to break free from her father's control over her life. She thought that she could create her own sky, but she didn't expect that such days would only be short-lived.
Her father's appearance had completely interrupted her dream, and his appearance would take away her hard-earned clear heart.
Moreover, his appearance was just to force her to agree to a marriage.
"I'm not looking for you to discuss it, but you have to accept this arrangement!”Hua Shizhan said without any room for discussion. His face, which was over sixty years old, was covered with the marks of time.
In the past few years, he had been eager to whitewash his career, but in the face of the provocation and destruction of his enemies in the martial arts world, his career was almost on the verge of stopping. He could not support it anymore.
At the moment of imminent danger, he remembered that he still had a daughter that he could use.
"I can't get close to her!"
She had left home for a period of time. If it was not for her father's help to investigate Xue Mu Yang's matter, her whereabouts would not have been discovered so quickly. What a mistake!
"This marriage has already been decided. You can't say no!”
Although Hua Shizhan was over 60 years old, his eyes were still bright. It was not difficult to see how powerful he was when he was young.
"You never cared about my existence!"
The conversation between them was not like a father and daughter at all. Instead, it was like an enemy with a deep hatred.
"If you don't agree, this shop is ready to close down.”His tone was full of threat.
Hua Menglan glared at him angrily, her entire body trembling in anger!
The father and daughter stared at each other, neither willing to give in.
"So be it. Don't worry, Menglan. We won't watch your father destroy your happiness.”Yi Lianqian jumped out and spoke out for justice.
Even if the situation outside made her tremble with fear, for the sake of her good friend's lifelong happiness, she decided to go all out and let them kill her or torture her.
"Yes, I support you too." Liu Xichen stared at Hua Menglan firmly.
Father Hua's appearance had disrupted Meng Lan's peaceful life. She was afraid that her future would be even worse.
"Me and Mommy too." Can Jie held Hua Menglan's hand.
Yan Zhiqin, who was standing behind Can Jie, also said,"No matter what decision you make, we will support you. You don't have to worry about us.”
"What a touching friendship!" Hua Shizhan snorted and glared at the people present before finally shifting his gaze back to Hua Menglan.
"Think about it carefully. The survival of this shop depends on your decision. I want a satisfactory answer tomorrow!”
Without waiting for Hua Menglan's reply, Hua Shizhan left the studio.
"Menglan, don't agree to it. This is related to your lifelong happiness!”Yi Lianqian said anxiously.
Based on Menglan's personality, no matter how unwilling she was, she would still seriously consider her father's words. Moreover, in order to not drag everyone down, she would definitely agree.
But how could they watch her ruin her happiness?
"That's right. What era is it now? There's actually a matchmaker? Ignore him. As long as you don't agree, uncle can't do anything to you!”Liu Xichen frowned, worried about Hua Menglan's decision.
Because once she decided on something, even if the emperor came, he couldn't change it!
He only hoped that she would not blindly ruin her future and the freedom that she had fought so hard for.
"I think we should just give up this studio and find another place to start over.”Yan Zhiqin's clear eyes swept across the people present.
"This is a good idea." Yi Lianqian said.
"No, this studio is everyone's hard work. Moreover, it hasn't been established for long. I can't let you give up this place for me.”Hua Menglan said excitedly.
It can't be like this!
She could not let everyone's hard work go to waste because of her own selfishness.
"We can't let you agree to this marriage. You have to know that once you agree, you might lose your freedom and happiness for a lifetime.”Liu Xichen looked at Hua Menglan worriedly.
At this time, she really hoped that Meng Lan could be a little selfish and not only care about them. She should also think about herself occasionally.
"There's no happiness in a arranged marriage. I really can't imagine you marrying a man you've never met before.”
"It's all my fault. If it weren't for me, Godmother Menglan's whereabouts wouldn't have been discovered.”Can Jie's face was filled with regret and annoyance.
"Menglan, don't make me blame myself. If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't have…"
"Zhiqin, don't say anymore. As long as Xue Mu Yang treats you and your son well, I feel that all the sacrifices are worth it.”
"But…"
"Alright, stop talking. I don't want you to be troubled by my matters. I know what I have to do. Don't worry, nothing will be a problem for me.”
"Menglan…"
Hua Menglan stretched out her hand to stop Yi Lianqian from persuading her.
"That's all. I just want to be alone for a while. I'll definitely tell everyone my decision tomorrow.”Hua Menglan fidgeted with her long hair. Her mood was in a mess and she would not listen to any advice.
She had completely lost her direction in the future. Was she really going to let her father, who had no kinship or humanity, control her life? Was she really left with no choice?
She was just a lifeless puppet doll who had to live in her father's shadow for the rest of her life!
Was she going to bow down to her fate?
It was so chaotic, so chaotic. She couldn't make any decision…
"Where are you going?"
"Don't worry, I won't take things too hard." Hua Menglan revealed a bitter smile and then disappeared under everyone's worried gazes.
The originally sunny weather suddenly began to drizzle as if it could feel their mood…
Hua Menglan walked aimlessly on the street filled with people. Her mind kept repeating the memories of her childhood, but every fragment tore her heart that longed for family love.
The drizzle hit her thin and pale face. The passersby who were hiding from the rain hurried past her. In Hua Menglan's eyes, she only felt more melancholy and disappointment.
Hua Menglan had lost count of the number of times she had been disappointed in her father. She had never existed in his eyes. However, she had lost her mother when she was born, so she had an inexplicable desire for kinship.
However, her father completely ignored her existence. Ever since she could remember, her father would always push her away with a disgusted look on his face. No matter how she acted coquettishly, it was useless. He just let her be sad and disappointed again and again.
Although she had gradually become numb to her father's attitude and knew not to ask for his affection, she gradually distanced herself from him. The two of them did not care about each other at all.
Ever since she left home, she had completely cut off all contact with her family. She thought that she could continue living like this and gradually expel the desire for kinship in her heart.
However, when her father reappeared, he mercilessly destroyed everything she had built and completely hurt her. Who said that there were no wrong parents in the world? Was it her fault for being treated like this by her father?
He completely ignored her thoughts and even wanted to use her marriage to gain benefits. What kind of father was this?
The rain became heavier and heavier. Hua Menglan's eyes were empty. She walked in the rain like a ghost, as if she was the only one left in the world...
She kept walking aimlessly. No one could save her disappointed heart, and no one could drive away the uneasiness in her heart.
After walking for a short while, the rain suddenly poured down. Hua Menglan raised her head. She thought that the rain could cleanse her wounded soul, but strangely, the rain did not hit her at all.
Hua Menglan opened her watery eyes in confusion. A blue umbrella appeared in front of her, blocking the rain for her.
"I've been watching you for a long time." A deep voice came from behind her.
Hua Menglan was shocked. She immediately turned around and faced the owner of the voice.
"Who are you?" She stared blankly at the strange man in front of her.
He had a pair of dark eyes that flickered with a thought-provoking light, but his lips were pursed into a straight line in displeasure.
But what was he angry about?
"I'm a man who can't stand you abusing yourself like this!”Shangguan Zituo looked at Hua Menglan attentively.
He had been paying attention to her for a long time. From the moment her figure fell into his line of sight, he had been staring at her delicate figure.
It was hard to imagine that such a delicate woman could completely ignore the downpour and walk on the street without a care. She simply treated the merciless rain as a gift from the heavens. She really did not cherish herself.
Seeing the rain pouring down like a flood, he actually felt pity for her. He hurriedly grabbed an umbrella from the back of the car and " saved " this silly woman.
Her melancholic expression made it impossible for him to ignore her existence, let alone not lend her a helping hand.
"I don't know you." Hua Menglan glared at him warily.
"I don't know you either." Shangguan Zituo ignored her angry eyes. "But I don't like your suicidal behavior.”
"The body is mine. What does it have to do with you? You seem to be too nosy.”Hua Menglan glanced at Shangguan Zituo coldly. She pushed away the umbrella in his hand and continued walking.
She seemed to be enjoying the rain. Shangguan Zituo stared at Hua Menglan's back as she walked away, a playful smile on his face.
The short conversation made him clearly understand that this woman was definitely not as weak as she looked. She should be soft on the outside but tough on the inside. She should also be the kind of woman who would insist on her own opinions.
But perhaps it was her cold expression that attracted him, making him unable to not care about her.
With a change of mind, he quickly walked forward and stood behind Hua Menglan. He placed the umbrella in his hand on her head and followed her step by step.
Damn it!
What was this man trying to do?
Hua Menglan turned around angrily. This thick-skinned stranger had really pissed her off.
"If you don't leave, I'm going to call the police.”
"I don't think there's anything wrong with what I'm doing.”
"You invaded my privacy."
"Is it wrong for me to show my love?”
"I don't need a stranger's love.”
"My name is Shangguan Zituo."
"What?"
"You already know my name. I'm no longer a stranger!”Shangguan Zituo looked at her with a smile.
"You're unreasonable. Do you really think I don't dare to call the police?”
A lecher, who cares about his name!
"You won't!" Shangguan Zituo looked at her with confidence.
"Why can't I?" Seeing his confident expression, Hua Menglan couldn't help but become wary.
"Because I won't give you this chance!”
They were originally unrelated to each other. Did everyone have to be grateful to him because he liked to meddle in other people's business?
No! She, Hua Menglan, was not a woman who would compromise easily. Moreover, he was nothing to her, so there was no need for her to be polite to him.
There was no point in saying anything more. It would only be a waste of her time if she continued talking to him.
Hua Menglan completely ignored his confident expression. She just rolled her eyes at him and wanted to continue walking forward.
But this time, she was not so lucky. Shangguan Zituo picked her up unexpectedly and ran in the opposite direction.
Hua Menglan's mind went blank.
What was going on?
What was wrong with this man? How could he kidnap someone in broad daylight?
Hua Menglan struggled with all her might. After a short moment of shock, she screamed.
"Help! Help…"
However, her cries for help did not seem to have any effect, because the passers-by on the street were only concerned with taking shelter from the rain. No one was willing to lend a helping hand to save her.
Suddenly, her body was thrown into the soft seat of the car, and Shangguan Zituo squeezed into the car.
Hua Menglan's hand quickly reached for the switch button in the workshop, but Shangguan Zituo was one step ahead of her." It's useless. This car has a central lock. Without my order, you can't get out."”
Hearing this, Hua Menglan stared at him warily and carefully moved to the left, wanting to keep a distance from him. However, Shangguan Zituo deliberately stuck close to her.
"What do you want?"
"I'm not a busybody, but I can't agree with your self-abuse.”Shangguan Zituo stared at Hua Menglan." What's your name?”
"Humph!" Hua Menglan snorted coldly. "You're just a stranger. What right do you have to interfere in my matters? If you don't let me go, I'll definitely make you suffer!”
Shangguan Zituo's lips curled up as he saw Hua Menglan's anger.
In fact, if he were to encounter such a thing, he would also be angry, but her depressed expression touched his compassion. He really could not let her walk alone on the road.
"Once I decide to interfere, no one can stop me.”
Anyway, he had plenty of time to waste with her. Since he had already interfered, he had to interfere until the end.
"You're really ridiculous. I clearly don't know you. Why do you care so much about me?”
Hua Menglan said unhappily. If she could, she really wanted to give him two tight slaps. What was he doing? Who did he think he was?
He actually ignored human rights and wanted everyone to obey his decision. He didn't even think about it. They were two people who had nothing to do with each other. His meddling in other people's business would only make people scoff!
"As long as it's something I don't like, once I decide to interfere, there's no room for negotiation, including you.”
Shangguan Zituo smiled and ordered the driver to start the car.
"Where are you taking me?" Hua Menglan pretended to be calm.
This man's thoughts were too treacherous. In order not to let him see through her panic, she decided to make herself appear calm.
As long as there was a chance to escape, she would never give up.
"You'll know later."
Without giving her any room to speak, Shangguan Zituo closed his eyes and pretended to sleep, hoping that Hua Menglan would stop asking questions.
"Do you think I can sit in the car calmly and wait for your 'we'll know soon'?”This man was too arrogant!
She, Hua Menglan, wasn't a fool. She wouldn't believe her just because she coaxed her!
Moreover, the man in front of her was just a stranger!
"I won't force an unwilling woman. Don't worry!”
It was already unusual for him to lend a helping hand to a woman he had met by chance. He did not want this moment of compassion to cause him to lose face and lose his inner self.
The woman in front of him was really infuriating. She actually treated his care as trash. Not only did she snort, but she also rejected him a thousand miles away.
He didn't expect her to be so stubborn despite her weak appearance.
After spending a short time with her, he could feel that there was a layer of protective film on her that was difficult to break through. This made him want to understand her even more.
He was planning to deal with her to the end because he wanted to know if she would be as indifferent as she was now after removing her protective film.
"There are many men with human faces and beast hearts these days.”Hua Menglan replied.
Shangguan Zituo raised his eyebrows but did not do anything. It was as if he did not comment on her words, making it impossible to figure out his true thoughts.
What was this man up to?
Hua Menglan's watery eyes revealed a sense of wariness. She carefully stared at Shangguan Zituo, who was resting with his eyes closed.
The two of them could be said to be strangers who had nothing to do with each other. They would lend a helping hand to a woman they had met by chance, and even force her to give in when she was unwilling...
If he didn't have ulterior motives, then there must be something wrong with his head. It was best to stay away from such a person!
However, in this car, she was like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered. Could she only continue to wait in fear?
No, she would never compromise with evil forces. Perhaps the driver in the front seat could help her escape.
However, Shangguan Zituo interrupted her like a god. He said coldly,""Don't waste your time. He only listens to me.”
Even if he didn't open his eyes, he knew what Hua Menglan was thinking. However, it seemed that there was no other way to escape from being trapped in this car.
Hua Menglan pursed her lips into a straight line. Could it be that today was her unlucky day? Ever since her father appeared, nothing good had happened to her.
Originally, her father's merciless forced marriage made her want to be alone for a while. However, she was kidnapped by a nosy and ill-intentioned man on the road. Now, he actually restrained her actions and messed up all her thoughts, making her feel uneasy and uneasy.
Where exactly did he want to take her?
Facing this strange and unfathomable man in front of her, she could only take it one step at a time…
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。