The Fiery Bride

The tension in the room was palpable as Feng Guiri stepped forward, his voice laced with barely concealed anger.

"Enough, Ruoxi. You will show respect to Young Master Jiang."

Feng Ruoxi merely raised an eyebrow, her expression indifferent. "Hmm, whatever."

Jiang Zhiming chuckled, leaning in to whisper something to Jiang Yukang. "I can see why she caught your eye."

Feng Zhengzhi, sensing the impending disaster, spoke up. "As you can see, she is adamant about this."

Jiang Yukang's gaze never wavered from Feng Ruoxi as he replied, his tone cool and detached. "Then, it's our cue to go, Grandpa. I won't be picking another bride here. The marriage alliance is over."

The Feng family was struck by a deafening silence, their carefully laid plans crumbling before their eyes. Feng Zhaoxuan, who had been quietly observing the exchange, finally spoke up.

"Ruoxi, show some respect."

But Feng Ruoxi was not one to back down. She narrowed her eyes and dropped a bombshell. "You were busy all week telling me to reject this marriage. Now, I'm being disrespectful when I'm doing what you all instructed me to do?"

The Fengs were left speechless, their faces etched with a combination of shock and embarrassment. Jiang Zhiming, however, caught on quickly.

"Oh, I see how it is now," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Feng Guiri, desperate to save face, quickly interjected. "She's lying. Why would we tell her to reject a marriage we are all looking forward to?"

Feng Ruoxi raised a single eyebrow, her gaze cutting through her uncle like a sharp blade. "Ah, maybe to get one of your girls to marry Jiang Yukang?"

Zhang Lihua's face contorted with rage. "Shut up, you insolent brat!"

Feng Ruoxi's eyes narrowed, her voice dripping with disdain. "You are not my mother. Be careful not to raise your voice at me."

Feng Meiling and Feng Xiuying stood there, fuming in rage. This was not how they had envisioned the events unfolding.

Jiang Yukang, seemingly amused by the entire exchange, chuckled softly. "So, I take it you don't really mind marrying me?"

Feng Ruoxi fell silent, her mind racing as she weighed her options. It was either she married Jiang Yukang or be continuously mistreated in this household until she could find a way to move out. The Feng household was draining her, and quite frankly, she didn't care about the politics anymore.

With a sly smile, she finally spoke. "You are quite a handsome man."

Jiang Yukang's lips curved into a satisfied smirk. "I will take that as a yes."

Jiang Zhiming observed the exchange with a smile, nodding approvingly. "I like her. She's fiery."

Feng Zhengzhi and Feng Guiri exchanged nervous glances, their carefully constructed plans crumbling before their very eyes.

Feng Zhaoxuan and Qiao Yingyao, on the other hand, both wore triumphant smiles. This turn of events was aligned with Qiao Yingyao's plans to get rid of Feng Ruoxi, while it also aligned with Feng Zhaoxuan's desire to ensure he remained respected in the household, which might even add points to him inheriting the family company and becoming the chairman in the event of Feng Zhengzhi's death.

The room was thick with tension, as the Fengs grappled with the unexpected turn of events, while the Jiangs seemed to be in complete control of the situation.

Jiang Yukang's gaze remained fixed on Feng Ruoxi, a predatory gleam in his eyes. "Well, then, I suppose we have an engagement to make official."

Feng Zhengzhi, sensing the need to regain some semblance of control, cleared his throat. "Yes, yes, of course. Let us finalize the details, shall we?"

Jiang Zhiming nodded, his expression one of triumph. "Excellent. I believe we have much to discuss."

As the adults delved into the technicalities of the engagement, Feng Ruoxi found her mind wandering. She had never imagined herself in this position – betrothed to the arrogant and powerful Jiang Yukang. It was a far cry from the life she had envisioned for herself, but she couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement at the prospect of the challenges that lay ahead.

Jiang Yukang, on the other hand, seemed to be relishing the situation. His gaze would occasionally linger on Feng Ruoxi, a predatory smile playing on his lips. It was clear that he saw her as a challenge, a puzzle to be solved, and he had no intention of letting her go without a fight.

The discussion between the elders continued, with the Fengs desperately trying to salvage what they could from the situation. Feng Guiri and his wife were visibly displeased, their dreams of marrying off their daughters to the Jiang heir shattered.

Feng Zhaoxuan, however, sat back, a satisfied smile on his face. He knew that this turn of events would not only secure his own position within the family but also potentially pave the way for him to become the next chairman of the Feng Group.

As the meeting drew to a close, Jiang Yukang stood up, his gaze sweeping across the room. "I believe we are done here. Feng Ruoxi, shall we?"

Feng Ruoxi felt a surge of apprehension, but she refused to let it show. With a calm nod, she followed Jiang Yukang out of the room, her steps measured and confident.

The Fengs watched as the couple departed, their expressions ranging from resentment to resignation. Feng Zhengzhi let out a heavy sigh, realizing that he had underestimated the young Jiang heir and the strength of Feng Ruoxi's resolve.

As Jiang Yukang and Feng Ruoxi made their way to the car, the air between them was charged with a tension that was both palpable and intriguing.

Jiang Yukang broke the silence, his voice smooth and calculated. "So, Feng Ruoxi, now that you've agreed to this marriage, what are your intentions?"

Feng Ruoxi met his gaze steadily, her own expression unreadable. "My intentions? I'm afraid I don't have any, Jiang Yukang. I'm simply a pawn in this game of politics, just like you."

Jiang Yukang's brow arched, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "A pawn, hmm? I don't take kindly to being manipulated, Feng Ruoxi. You'd do well to remember that."

Feng Ruoxi's lips quirked into a sardonic smile. "And I don't take kindly to being told what to do. We'll just have to find a way to co-exist, won't we?"

Jiang Yukang's gaze narrowed, and for a brief moment, Feng Ruoxi caught a glimpse of the man beneath the aloof facade. "Co-exist? My dear, we'll do more than just co-exist. After all, you're about to become my wife."

The implications of his words sent a shiver down Feng Ruoxi's spine, but she refused to let it show. Instead, she met his challenge head-on.

"Then I suppose we'll have to learn to find a balance, Jiang Yukang. One where we both get what we want."

The car pulled up to the curb, and Jiang Yukang gestured for Feng Ruoxi to enter. "I look forward to seeing what you have in mind, my dear fiancée."

As Feng Ruoxi settled into the plush leather seat, she couldn't help but wonder what she had just gotten herself into. The Jiang heir was a formidable opponent, and she knew that navigating this new reality would require all of her wits and skills.

But Feng Ruoxi was no stranger to challenges. She had faced death countless times in her previous life, and she was determined to emerge victorious in this new game of power and politics. With a renewed sense of purpose, she braced herself for the journey ahead, knowing that she would need every ounce of her strength to survive.

The car glided smoothly through the streets of Kyoto, carrying the unlikely pair towards a future that was shrouded in uncertainty. But one thing was clear – Feng Ruoxi and Jiang Yukang were about to embark on a captivating dance of wits, passion, and deception, where the stakes were high, and the consequences could be deadly.