Chapter 667 - 666: Switching the Bride

This is what she and the others in the family compound were saying.

"...A divorced woman is hardly a match for Wu Sheng. She probably finally came to her senses, realized she was in the wrong, and just disappeared on her own."

In her view, Su Li had disappeared of her own volition, simply because she knew she wasn’t good enough for Wu Sheng.

Ye Xilan maintained some sense of propriety within the family compound, not daring to show too much special affection for Wu Sheng. To the uninformed, it just looked like Wu Sheng was so exceptional that Li Xian held him in high regard. They assumed Ye Xilan, also an admirer, was simply concerned on their behalf.

The wives and ladies of the family compound were just like any other women. They would gossip from time to time and share their opinions.

Over time, everyone else’s opinion of Su Li had changed.

After Wu Sheng and Su Li were in the news together, these people stopped saying she wasn’t good enough for him. Only Ye Xilan remained unchanged.

Her story never changed.

No matter what position Su Li achieved, how brilliant she became, or what great accomplishments she made—even if she surpassed Ye Xilan herself—Ye Xilan’s opinion would never change.

Because Su Li was divorced!

That one reason was enough to invalidate everything else.

Ye Xilan’s thinking was just that simple, yet it was something she would never change in her entire life.

And people like Ye Xilan were all too common, both in this era and in later generations.

Ye Xilan just felt that Su Li was not worthy of Wu Sheng.

When they learned Wu Sheng was frantically searching for his fiancée just before their wedding, everyone was worried and full of speculation. Only Ye Xilan claimed Su Li had simply "known her place."

In the two days since Su Li’s disappearance, Ye Xilan had done nothing but actively chat and gossip with people in the family compound.

Wa Wa Lian was at a loss for words regarding Ye Xilan’s behavior.

When Wu Sheng heard from Wa Wa Lian that Ye Xilan was up to her old tricks, the corner of his mouth lifted in a sneer, but a dark glint shone from the depths of his eyes.

Ye Xilan seemed completely innocent right now, but Wu Sheng had never stopped having her watched.

But Ye Xilan was composed and hadn’t slipped up at all. In a situation like this, it meant either her actions were flawless, or she was truly innocent.

Time would prove her innocence, but Wu Sheng didn’t have time to wait.

Wu Sheng stood in the darkness, silent.

Wa Wa Lian waited a moment. Seeing Wu Sheng wasn’t speaking, he tentatively called out.

"Boss?"

"Got a smoke?" Wu Sheng glanced at him.

Wa Wa Lian nodded hurriedly. "Yeah, Boss, hang on a second."

Wa Wa Lian quickly ran off, returning a moment later.

Wu Sheng took the cigarette and box of matches, lit one, and took a deep drag.

He choked and started coughing after just one puff but ignored it and took another deep drag.

Wa Wa Lian stood to the side, hesitating to speak. "Boss, you haven’t smoked in years..."

Wu Sheng didn’t reply. He took two more puffs, then fiercely stamped the cigarette butt out on the ground, his expression resolute as if he had just made a decision.

"Let’s go." Wu Sheng started walking forward.

"Where to, Boss?" Wa Wa Lian asked hurriedly.

Wu Sheng was about to answer when his eyes fixed on something ahead, and he stopped.

Wa Wa Lian looked over, and his expression changed.

A car had stopped up ahead. Li Xian got out and forced a smile as he looked at Wu Sheng and Wa Wa Lian.

Wu Sheng and Wa Wa Lian had been talking by the gate, not expecting to run into Li Xian.

Li Xian looked at Wa Wa Lian. "Xiao Zhang, I need a word with Wu Sheng."

Wa Wa Lian tactfully hurried away, leaving only Wu Sheng and Li Xian.

Wu Sheng watched Li Xian calmly. Li Xian looked at Wu Sheng’s bloodshot eyes, then at his haggard, stubbled face, and sighed.

"I heard about what happened. I’ve been meaning to find you, but... since we’ve run into each other, could we find a place to talk for a minute?"

Wu Sheng said nothing.

Li Xian paused, then added, "I just want to see if I can help..."

Wu Sheng cut him off and agreed. "Alright."

Li Xian’s eyes lit up, and he was suddenly at a loss. "Then... then should we go to the office, or to my place?"

Li Xian also lived in the family compound, but his house was much nicer, with better security. These were detached houses that were generally inaccessible, though many people had visited as guests.

Wu Sheng could have been assigned a house there as well, but he had refused it. Instead, he chose a regular apartment in the family compound, farther away, and used it like a dormitory.

Li Xian had dreamed of getting closer to Wu Sheng, of even just sharing a meal with him at the same table, but he’d never had the chance. He should have suggested the office, but on a whim, he mentioned his home.

Because subconsciously, he wanted to comfort Wu Sheng.

He spoke impulsively and regretted it the next second, but he didn’t want to take it back. ’Li Kai Xuan moved out after getting married. He usually visits often, but he definitely won’t be here at this hour...’

In an instant, too many thoughts raced through Li Xian’s mind. He even considered what to feed Wu Sheng and which of his own resources he could offer him.

Li Xian had originally thought that with Wu Sheng’s capabilities, there was no need for him to intervene directly—just helping behind the scenes would be enough. But now it seemed that wasn’t the case. He would have to offer his full support...

As Li Xian thought this, his gaze grew firm again.

Wu Sheng stared at Li Xian, his expression unreadable in the dim light. Finally, he nodded.

"Okay."

"Good, good." Li Xian was ecstatic. He rubbed his hands together, turned back, and was about to open the car door for Wu Sheng.

But Wu Sheng told Li Xian to take the car first; he would walk over.

Disappointed, Li Xian didn’t dare say anything lest Wu Sheng change his mind. He quickly got in the car and headed home to wait for him.

Li Xian genuinely wanted to help Wu Sheng. Wu Sheng’s pain was agonizing for him to watch. Besides, he was also worried about Su Li; he was quite fond of the young woman.

Wu Sheng watched Li Xian’s car drive away, his expression inscrutable, before he finally started walking after it.

After getting out of the car, Li Xian rushed home as fast as he could.

When Ye Xilan heard him return, she hurried out to greet him, helping him with his shoes and taking his hat and overcoat.

"You’re home pretty early today. Have you eaten? I’ll go warm up some milk for you."

Ye Xilan was devoted to Li Xian, always taking meticulous care of him. She fussed over him every day when he came home, and Li Xian was used to it.

Her words went in one ear and out the other; he wasn’t really listening.

He paced around the room, wondering if anything needed tidying up and what food and drink he should prepare for Wu Sheng.

"Go cook some dumplings. If there are no dumplings, make noodles. Add an extra two eggs. We have a guest coming," Li Xian said to Ye Xilan.

Without a second thought, Ye Xilan agreed. "Having someone over again? Alright, I’ll cook for you."

She went into the kitchen and made small talk with Li Xian. "Old Li, have you heard? They still haven’t found that Su Li. If you ask me, with the wedding invitations already sent out, it’d be humiliating not to get married, right?"

Ye Xilan said probingly, with false sympathy, "I think they still have to go through with the wedding. They can’t afford to lose face, no matter what. If it comes to it, they could just find a new bride..."

Ye Xilan’s heart burned with excitement as she spoke.