Chapter 54 - I Want a Daughter

about to turn twenty-three years old, but she had lost her job and her lover. She had no home or support system. What she now possessed was a credit card that once belonged to Li An, the person who s...Chapter 54: I Want a Daughter

Standing in front of Yan Luoxi was the renowned iron-blooded and formidable tycoon Li Haonan, who was famous across Southeast Asia's black and white societies. This man exuded an arrogant and stern aura that only someone long accustomed to being at the top could possess; his every glance and movement radiated a terrifying presence.

"What is your name"

Despite Li Haonan's effort to soften his tone, it still made Yan Luoxi feel extremely nervous. Aunt Liu, who was holding her shoulder, also trembled slightly, "Luoxi... Quickly... quickly answer Mr. Li’s question!" Her anxious voice fluctuated like a tidal wave.

"Li... Uncle Li, my name is... Yan Luoxi." Yan Luoxi was smart enough to know that Li Haonan worked for her father's company and politely addressed him as "Uncle Li."

"Hm." A fleeting look of satisfaction flashed in Li Haonan’s icy eyes, but it only made Yan Luoxi feel colder due to his intense gaze, almost making her cry again.

"How old are you this year"

The sweet voice, faint fragrance, and warm smile—all surreal—Yan Luoxi was like she was dreaming as she looked at the woman who suddenly appeared beside Li Haonan. This woman was very beautiful with long black hair reaching her shoulders, pale pink skin as delicate as a baby’s, and large clear bright eyes.

While it wasn't rare to see women with perfect facial features like an artwork, this lady wasn’t just beautiful; she carried an innocent purity that seemed otherworldly. Even when not speaking or smiling, there was an infectious joy and vitality about her, as if she were a carefree angel who had accidentally fallen into the mortal world.

Later, as Yan Luoxi grew up, she came to realize that for a woman to possess such charm and poise, there must be an extraordinary man in her life who is capable of everything, loves her immensely, adores her endlessly, indulges her whims, and yet has the strength, patience, and responsibility to handle all the messes she creates.

"You're Luoxi, right How old are you this year" The woman reached out and gently stroked Yan Luoxi's dumbfounded little face, repeating her question.

Yan Luoxi finally came to her senses and answered in astonishment: "Sis, I'm eight years old this year."

Liu Haonan, upon hearing the words of the Yan family girl, barely frowned beside her. Even after a decade of such mix-ups happening hundreds of times, he still felt slightly uneasy when it happened one thousand and first time.

"Little Luoxi, you can call me Aunt Li or Gu Xiaobei; just don't call me Sis, otherwise some people might not be too pleased!" The woman giggled twice before remembering they were in a funeral parlor and quickly stifled her laughter.

The crowd following Liu Haonan laughed mischievously at the sight of his tense and frustrated expression.

As time went by, Liu Haonan's status continued to rise, fewer people dared to joke with him, but only Gu Xiaobei still brazenly teased him without any regard for propriety.

Only this little woman could make the formidable Liu Haonan act like a docile lamb; even when being mocked, he wouldn't dare show anger or speak up. Everyone was free to laugh at his expense.

Yan Luoxi didn't join in the laughter; she had completely frozen.

Aunt Li!!!

This lively, amiable, beautiful and charming lady in her early twenties would turn out to be Aunt Li, a middle-aged woman with slightly gray hair, cold and stern, holding a high position as Mr. Li's wife!!!

While Yan Luoxi was dumbfounded here, it didn't affect the actions of those around her. Li Haonan exchanged pleasantries with Aunt Liu for a moment before instructing his secretary to hand over a check to Aunt Liu. In his corporation, every employee who died on duty would receive substantial compensation.

Aunt Liu looked at the amount on the check in fear and unease, declining it vehemently, "I only lived with Yan Da for five months… we didn't register our marriage… I'm not considered a legal wife to him… I can’t accept his money…"

Aunt Liu wasn't someone of high moral standards; she also liked money. She had been tired of living in poverty, which is why after much thought, she married Yan Yongsheng. Money meant more to her as an orphan and widow than it would to most people. She wished for a rich life without worrying about finances, but the astronomical sum before her eyes she couldn't accept.

This money was what Yan Yongsheng exchanged his life for. As someone who only lived with him for five months, she shouldn’t benefit from this windfall. Otherwise, she would be plagued by guilt for the rest of her life. "Mr. Li, Mrs. Li, if you insist on giving something… these funds should go to Luoxi..."

Li Haonan wasn't an indecisive person and was naturally cold-hearted and ruthless, rarely affected emotionally except by Gu Xiaobei.

Hearing Aunt Liu’s reasoning, he decisively instructed his secretary: "Divide the money on this check into four parts. Give three-quarters to Yongsheng's daughter and one-quarter to Ms. Liu." As a rational and cold person, he wouldn't be impressed by Ms. Liu's high moral character and sense of integrity, leading him to show leniency.

He calmly instructed his secretary to properly arrange for Yan Luoxi’s future life. Despite his arrogant nature, he didn’t plead with Aunt Liu to continue raising Yan Luoxi due to her being alone and destitute.

Gu Xiaobei understood her husband's cold and ruthless nature better than anyone else. The adorable little girl in front of her was about to become an unfortunate orphan; even with a vast fortune, she would still be an orphan. No matter how much wealth she accumulated, she would remain a vulnerable child unable to escape the pain of being abandoned. She might never feel a sense of belonging for the rest of her life.

Gu Xiaobei, who had been abandoned by her parents since childhood, understood this all too well.

The husband was about to leave and, as usual, he instinctively took her hand, sheltering her beneath his wing. The little girl, having just lost her father, stared at him with foggy eyes, seemingly entranced, completely unaware of the terrifying fate that awaited her.

Gu Xiaobei, who was soft-hearted, felt a prick in her nose and tugged at Li Haonan's trouser cuff without hesitation.

Li Haonan immediately sensed his suit tail being pulled hard, an obvious signal of childish pleading.

Gu Xiaobei had a thin skin; she could tease him openly in public but never showed affection or petted him in front of others. Whenever he looked down, all he would see was her biting her lower lip and looking at him with anticipation.

This time was no different. The tall Li Haonan immediately crouched down when he saw his petite wife's expression and leaned close to listen to what she had to say.

"Dad, I want a daughter!" Gu Xiaobei whispered softly, in a delicate voice.

Li Haonan’s blood rushed to his head at the suggestive comment from this little rascal. But when he met her eyes, the blood drained back down again.at all; it had a small V-neckline and round sleeves. Layer upon layer of pure black gauze covered her just above her knees, accentuating her slender legs that were as smooth as jade. This enhanced her...