Howard Liu Loses His Temper
May Parker led the Evans Family, huffing and puffing, to find another restaurant to eat at. She was fuming inside, unable to calm down, and cursed, "That wretch Lily Evans dared to embarrass me in public! Just wait until I tell my husband—he'll teach her a lesson!"
Mrs. Zhao tried to calm her down. "Meixiang, let it go. Your wedding is coming up soon. Don't cause any trouble that might mess things up."
Lila Green chimed in, "That's right, Meixiang. Once you marry into the Leo Family and become the young mistress, you can deal with Lily Evans however you want. Why rush it now?"
May Parker thought about it and realized they had a point. She huffed, "Fine, let that shameless Lily Evans be smug for a few more days!"
After finishing her meal, May Parker headed straight to the Leo Family to find Howard Liu. As soon as she saw him, she clung to his arm and whined, "Honey, I saw several gorgeous pieces of jewelry today. Can you give me another two hundred taels of silver to splurge? Oh, and I heard Serenity Vegetarian Bistro just opened at Tenmile Hill. Can you take me there to try it out?"
Howard Liu was already seething, and the mention of Serenity Vegetarian Bistro made his temper flare even more. He shoved May Parker's arm away and snapped, "Why can't you just stay home? What were you doing wandering around Phoenix Academy? And that scene you caused at Serenity Vegetarian Bistro—you've completely ruined my reputation! May Parker, do you even know what shame is!?"
May Parker was instantly flustered. How did Lila Green know about her causing trouble at the vegetarian bistro? Could it be... Lily Evans tattled on her!?
May Parker gritted her teeth in resentment at Lily Evans, but had to swallow her pride and explain to Howard Liu in a low voice, "Husband, I wasn't causing a scene. I just wanted to go in for a meal, but who knew that dog of a gatekeeper would look down on me and bar my way? I only said a few words—how is that making trouble?"
"Wretch! You're still spouting nonsense and refuse to admit your fault!" Howard Liu's forehead bulged with veins as he jabbed a finger at May Parker's nose. "Do you know who was in Serenity Vegetarian Bistro at that very moment? My classmates, my teachers! If word gets out after we marry that I took a shrew like you as my wife, how will I ever show my face again? My classmates all come from powerful families—I worked so hard to build those connections, and I still need their help for my business. Now, thanks to your scene, you've brought disgrace on the Leo Family! And my teachers—my future in the capital depends on their support. I was counting on them to pave the way for my career! Because of you, they've formed a bad opinion of me and will never help me again. Are you trying to ruin my future?"
May Parker's face turned red with embarrassment. She stammered, "I—I didn't mean to make trouble!"
In truth, Howard Liu was just exaggerating to scare her. Seeing May Parker turn pale with fright, he secretly felt delighted, thinking, "This village bumpkin really is ignorant and crude. Just a few harsh words and she's fooled."
May Parker was so terrified she lost all composure. "Husband, I didn't mean to!" she pleaded.
Howard Liu snapped, "What's done is done—there's no point in talking! Here's what we'll do: the wedding will be held in your village, and the banquet too. After the wedding, you'll stay at your family's home for a while. Once things calm down, I'll bring you to the Leo Family."
May Parker immediately protested, "Husband, how can we do the wedding like that? Who ever heard of the bride's family hosting the banquet and the bride staying at her own home after marriage? If the villagers find out, how will I ever show my face again?"
Howard Liu roared, "Now you care about your reputation? If you hadn't embarrassed yourself so badly, would I have to hide from friends and family to hold the wedding? I haven't even complained yet, and you dare object? That's final. If you don't like it, then don't marry!"