Chapter 8: Slapping the Arrogant Stepsister, The Worthless Father's Embarrassment

"Xu Ningxi, what are you doing? You've gone too far!"

Gu Huai'an's face was full of anger, as if Xu Ningxi had committed some unforgivable sin!

Xu Ningxi's expression was cold, "You should ask her what she just said! I hit her, and naturally, I have my reasons!"

Her stepsister was too shameless, spreading rumors about her and driving a wedge between her and Gu Huai'an, stopping at nothing.

Xu Huanyan's tears immediately began to fall, as she became a sobbing mess.

"Sis, I just wanted to persuade you to come home, it's for your own good."

She quickly looked towards Xu Ningxi's back, stammering, "Dad, don't blame sister, she just got confused and registered for marriage. As for what sister said, that she would never return to our home, that setting foot inside would make her sick, that she would rather starve than go back—all those were said in anger, none should be taken seriously."

Upon hearing this, Xu Hongyuan's anger shot through the roof.

"Unfilial daughter, do you want to rebel against the heavens!"

He raised his hand to slap Xu Ningqi.

But was blocked by Xu Huanyan.

Xu Huanyan struggled to hold Xu Hongyuan's arm, "Dad, after all, we are in public, your face is the most important thing. The family has been disgraced enough, we can't afford to lose any more face."

Xu Hongyuan looked at the red slap mark on Xu Huanyan's face, and felt another sting from the phrase "lose more face."

He pointed directly at Xu Ningxi, "You wicked girl, now that you've grown bold, you dare to speak such big words. Who do you think you are? Without the Xu Family, you are nothing! If you don't come home now, then don't ever think about stepping foot in that home again!"

Xu Ningxi was so angry that her teeth chattered.

Xu Hongyuan was her biological father, yet he cast her out of the house after listening to just a few instigating words from her stepsister, Xu Huanyan.

Fu Hanzheng was watching this scene from not too far away.

Watching Xu Ningxi, already very hurt but trying to put on a brave facade, his heart felt as if it was pricked as well.

He wore a cold expression and called the duty manager over.

"Since when does Zhouqin welcome this kind of clientele?"

The manager was terrified and quickly called the duty staff and security guards, rushing to deal with the situation.

Meanwhile, Xu Ningxi turned to leave.

Facing such a biased biological father, she had nothing more to say.

Xu Hongyuan's face was already unspeakably grim.

His intention was to scare Xu Ningxi, but he didn't expect that Xu Ningxi would not retort at all, as if she had silently accepted the fact.

He followed her and threw out another sentence.

"If you're willing to detach from that man and annul the marriage certificate, we can pretend this never happened."

Xu Ningxi sneered, "And then continue to send me to the Lin Family for a marriage alliance, to help you complete your plan of selling your daughter for glory? No thanks, I won't get a divorce!"

Xu Hongyuan's calculations were as clear as day to anyone who heard them.

Facing Xu Ningxi's sharp tongue, Xu Hongyuan wished he could sew her mouth shut.

Just as he was about to explode, the manager approached him with several security guards in tow.

The security guards all had stern faces.

The manager stepped forward and pointed at Xu Hongyuan, Gu Huai'an, and Xu Huanyan.

His words were far from courteous.

"Your loud arguing here has affected our business. Please leave immediately."

Xu Hongyuan, robbed of his dignity, had an ugly look on his face.

"I am a senior member of this establishment, do you know who I am? I am..."

Before he could reveal his identity, the manager spoke dismissively, "Even if you were the Jade Emperor himself, it wouldn't matter. Please cooperate and leave now."

Xu Huanyan did not expect this turn of events and was hopping mad.

"I've never heard of such a thing. We were just talking a bit loudly, and besides, she..."

She pointed at Xu Ningxi with her finger.

"She was involved just now too! Why don't you kick her out, only us?!"

The manager's gaze lingered on Xu Ningxi's body, and then quickly shifted away.

He straightened his back on purpose, emphasizing, "She is the most prestigious guest here, can you compare to her?!"

Xu Huanyan subconsciously didn't believe it.

"How is that possible?!"

Even Xu Hongyuan felt astonished, "You... you might have made a mistake, right?"

Zhouqin Hotel had a resounding reputation in Beijing, and many famous people liked to dine there, attracting a lot of honorable guests.

The Xu Family was nothing in that regard.

How had his daughter become the most prestigious guest?!

"Exactly! I think you've made a mistake!" Xu Huanyan seized the opportunity to say, "My sister is very ordinary, she..."

She couldn't be the only one stepped on.

If they were to be humiliated, she had to drag Xu Ningxi down with her!

"Ordinary? How dare you call Miss Xu ordinary. Miss Xu is a guest personally invited by our boss; what are you in comparison? You even dare to offend our most prestigious guest! Our Zhouqin is not a place where just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can enter! Get out!"

The manager completely cooled his expression, not showing them any goodwill.

He also called for security, "See those three? From now on, if you see these three faces, throw them out immediately! We at Zhouqin want to keep out riffraff like them!"

Xu Hongyuan knew he was being likened to riffraff, and he was so angry he almost spat blood.

But Zhouqin had powerful backing; he simply couldn't afford to offend them.

Although it was only a lowly manager speaking, it still represented the people behind him.

"Let's go!"

He turned sour, flinging his hand and striding out.

Xu Huanyan harbored resentment.

She had wanted to provoke Xu Ningxi, to ensure she no longer had a place in this family.

Who would have thought, she herself would be thrown out too.

She caught up with Xu Hongyuan, continuing to stir the pot, "Dad, don't you think it's strange? My sister is using our Xu Family's resources, where did she meet Zhouqin's behind-the-scenes boss? Could it be that the manager has been bought off by my sister? My sister is mad at us and finding ways to embarrass us, right?"

Xu Hongyuan was already furious, and hearing this, he flew into a rage.

"That damned brat, she can forget about stepping into the Xu Family's door again! I'll cut off her card right away, let's see what money she has to bribe the manager with!"

Xu Huanyan flickered a brilliant look in her eyes, and said, "Dad, you're too kind to my sister. Such non-menacing little threats are just what's needed to scare my sister, let her realize her mistake."

"After all, my sister has always been the white, rich, and beautiful type, with a house and car to her name, her life outside will definitely be comfortable. We, as her family, don't need to worry too much."

Xu Hongyuan was irate, "She still expects to have a house and car? Those are given by me, and I can take them all back!"

Xu Huanyan finally got her wish.

She had always excelled at adding fuel to the fire.

She wanted to see how Xu Ningxi, turned into a penniless pauper, would manage her life from now on!

Xu Ningxi, still at the scene, looked bewildered.

Since when had she become a VIP and recognized the boss of Zhouqin?

Could it be that they'd mistaken her for someone else?

Just then, Fu Hanzheng arrived.

Seeing him, Xu Ningxi hurried over, "Have you parked the car?"

Fu Hanzheng nodded and directly led her towards a private room.

Xu Ningxi saw, and quickly grabbed him...