6:00 a.m., Xi Family Mansion ;

"Mind your language, Chonglin.", Xi Chongkun roared at his brother, "Rong Xinghe is a soldier. We've no choice but to accept that. What happened today wasn't her fault. She would never want one of the most important days of her life to be ruined like that."

"You don't understand, Brother.", Xi Chonglin countered, his tone discontented and curt negative, "That girl does not belong here! Her world is way too different from ours. Last night was an excellent demonstration of that. Xi family has never witnessed something as dreadful as that. Not to mention, the man shot himself publically, in front of our business associates.

"Rong Xinghe is nothing but the destruction of wherever she goes, whoever she touches. Attacks, assassinations, murders. That is her life. A woman like herself would obviously lack emotions and understanding. What do you think will be the future of her kids? What kind of upbringing do you believe they will have?"

"So he speaks!", at this time, Xi Fang's cold voice resounded throughout the age-old living room.

The moment Xi Chonglin listened to the young man's voice, he felt a chill run down his spine. Ever since the day Xi Yuan was attacked months ago, resulting in him going into weeks of coma, Xi Fang had barely spoken a word to him. He had broken all his ties with his parents back then, for no one was as important to him as Xi Yuan. Not even his own father.

The Xi family elders turned around, only to realize that the man wasn't alone. Behind him, stood Xi Yuan. Aloof. Distant. Radiating darkness that could swallow the whole of them. Clearly, the two men had overheard their conversation.

"Fang...", Luo Youyou stood up from the Europian style black leather couch, approaching her son, "That's not what your father meant."

"He is not my father, Mrs. Xi.", Xi Fang stretched his hand mid-air, thwarting the woman from getting any closer to him, "I made it pretty clear, last time, didn't I?"

"Son, I-"

"Ironical. Isn't it? World's most pathetic and horrible parents bantering about parenting skills.", Xi Fang cut-in, "Tell me one thing. Exactly how many times did you guys attend my or Ying's or Wei's parent-teacher gatherings, when we were in high schools? Where were you when Ying used to prepare Mother's Day and Father's Day cards for you two? What the hell were you busy doing when Wei was almost hit by a truck and lost his life?"

"Fang. Calm down.", at this time, Xi Yuan patted his brother's shoulder, looking down at the ground. "They are still family.", he added.

"I am sorry, brother. But I won't stop until they understand what Sister-in-law Xinghe means to us.", the man shook his head, squinting his eyes at Xi Chonglin, "They do not get to look down upon her. She isn't some ordinary woman trying to seduce you, for the sake of your money or power. She is a warrior. And a warrior never leaves the battlefield.

"This is what they should know about Xiao Xinghe. The so-called socialite butterflies they've found for you wouldn't be able to stand the humiliation if someday, Xi Corporations crumples down to pieces. She, on the other hand, would help you run a roadside restaurant. That is the key difference between high-class betrothals and pure love."

"You are right, Fang.", Li Jungah nodded her head in agreement, "Rong Xinghe, is indeed worth all of it. That girl is very special.

"Yuan, don't take your Uncle's words to heart, alright? Your father and I support you. This wedding is happening, no matter what others think. You have our blessings."

Xi Yuan stared at his mother, dazed for a few seconds before he finally came back to his senses. Blinking vigorously, the man let out a sigh, "Xinghe means everything to me. She is my religion. She is my faith. None of your opinions regarding her, mean anything to me.

"Anyhow, I will never allow her to feel dejected or deserted here, after our marriage. Actually, I came here to announce a decision of mine. Rong Xinghe is not going to stay in Xi Family Mansion after the wedding. We will find a place for ourselves. We will make it our home."

"No! How could you even say that?!", Luo Youyou argued almost instantly, "It's not like we are going to act unjustly towards her. She will be the Xi family's daughter-in-law then. We aren't as inhuman as you think we are, Yuan."

"She doesn't deserve it, nevertheless. All the pressure of carrying out the duties of Xi family's daughter-in-law isn't for her to go through.", the man sighed, "Rong Xinghe is managing the Military of Country X. She's still the acting CEO of the Rong Empire. And after all of that already lying on her plate, I am not going to let her suffer through the petty and domestic requisites."

"Yuan..."

"I am not abandoning my family.", the man assured, solemnly, "I am simply protecting Xinghe. You'll be free to visit us anytime you want, of course.

"But Rong Xinghe is different. That's something all of you believe. And trust me, I understand your concerns.

"Even so, I will never give up on her. Her thoughts, opinions, and decisions will always differ from those of the Xi family. She is, after all, different herself. That's what makes her Rong Xinghe, in the end.

"I don't plan on forcing her to change herself for the sake of adjusting in here. Neither do I expect the Xi family to change themselves for her. Most importantly, I prefer to give her sufficient space. Even after our wedding, my woman will not be accountable to the Xi family, for she is the lioness, I will never allow anyone to tame. She will always have the freedom of her own.

"She can be as diabolical, ferocious, and cruel as she wants. My woman was never meant to do household chores. She was born to be a Queen. And I will never let anyone snatch her crown away. Even if it demands my last breath, I will protect her."

Every word from the man's mouth was a slap across Xi Chonglin's face, as his efforts to provoke Xi Chongkun and Li Jungah against Rong Xinghe went straight down the drain. None of his taunts or mistrust ever mattered to Xi Yuan. For him, the Xi family meant nothing. All along, he had planned to keep her far away from their paws.

Because in his eyes, she was too precious to belittle herself, just to impress his family. No wonder he was known as the wife-doting devil.