Now that he was taking the initiative to introduce the women, there wouldn’t be any misunderstandings.
Why did Liu Ruyan hate him in the original story?
It was because the benefits of the marriage alliance weren’t fairly distributed. Luo Xinghe bargained with the Liu family, which made Liu Ruyan feel like she was just a commodity being sold to the Luo family.
That resentment grew.
Liu Ruyan, upset, went drinking alone at a club, where she was harassed by some thugs—only to be saved by Zhou Shuai, who had returned gloriously like a king. That rescue sparked her interest in him.
After that, the two became inseparable, all the way until the engagement banquet where Zhou Shuai made a dramatic entrance, displaying overwhelming charisma and righteousness. He criticized the concept of political marriages and claimed they were ruining Liu Ruyan’s life.
That was the day Liu Ruyan completely fell for him.
Zhou Shuai’s fearless defiance of power and unwavering courage won her heart deeply.
In the book, Luo Xinghe had always considered Liu Ruyan his woman. As the proud young master of the Luo family, he couldn’t bear to lose face or dignity—so he clashed with Zhou Shuai directly.
He ordered his bodyguards to surround and attack Zhou Shuai.
But how could mere bodyguards possibly be a match for Zhou Shuai?
Zhou Shuai caused a huge scene at the engagement banquet, completely disrupting it—and his reputation soared.
Meanwhile, Luo Xinghe had both his legs broken during the incident and was effectively written out of the story for about five chapters.
If Liu Ruyan once got mad over the dowry negotiations…
Then repeating that scenario now should still push her to call off the engagement.
Besides, he wasn’t the wealthy young master anymore—he was Luo Xinghe the delivery guy.
His father wouldn’t let him take the initiative to call off the engagement.
So… he wouldn’t.
He’d just raise the bride price and see how Liu Ruyan responds.
He really was a genius.
Luo Xinghe returned home with the expensive takeout and had dinner with his parents.
Luo Pengtian said in a low voice, “You’d better watch yourself, kid.”
“Being broke, not having a proper job, being wasteful—none of that reflects on a man’s character.”
“But backing out of an engagement—that’s a matter of character.”
“Our Luo family may be in decline now, but we’ve never been the ones to initiate a breakup. Only others back out on us, not the other way around.”
“When someone from the Luo family gives their word, it’s as good as set in stone.”
“If you dare to take the initiative and call off the engagement, then from this day forward, don’t call me your father. You’re no longer my son. The Luo family doesn’t have someone as fickle and dishonorable as you.”
Luo Xinghe grinned and said, “Come on, Dad—of course I won’t call it off. Relax.”
“Hmph… Good.”
Today’s drama involving the Liu family, the Qiu family, and the Song family had made Luo Pengtian realize that these engagements might not be sustainable anymore.
The Luo family had fallen, and if the alliances couldn’t be upheld, that was on them.
They’d accept it if their own son ruined things and brought the downfall.
But for some reason, the brides’ families weren’t backing out anymore.
Instead, Luo Xinghe himself seemed a little… reluctant.
But who was Luo Pengtian? He was a formidable figure who single-handedly led the Luo family to the brink of becoming a hidden clan. He could see right through Luo Xinghe’s thoughts.
Calling off an engagement—what a humiliating thing that would be.
If the bride’s family came to the Luo family to cancel the engagement, it would be because the Luo family had fallen and lost its power—an embarrassment they’d simply have to endure.
After all, you couldn’t expect someone to marry off their beloved daughter only for her to live in poverty and hardship.
But if the bride’s family didn’t want to cancel the engagement, and Luo Xinghe took the initiative to break it off instead—how would the Liu family, the Song family, and the rest of those elite clans maintain their standing in Fengcheng?
The Luo family could absolutely not be the ones to take such an action.
They had already lost everything, and yet these powerful families still chose not to withdraw the engagement—giving the Luo family all the face they could.
And Luo Xinghe wanted to break it off? What kind of man would that make him?
Du Wei gave Luo Pengtian a side glance and said, “You think Xinghe’s stupid or something?”
“These girls are incredible—good personalities, strong backgrounds, and prestigious families. With our Luo family’s situation right now, where else could we find such a good marriage alliance?”
“Not to mention Xinghe grew up with them. They’ve been close since they were kids.”
“How could you think Xinghe would want to call it off?”
Luo Pengtian snorted coldly and looked toward the bathroom where Luo Xinghe had gone to shower.
“Hmph, I still think that kid’s an idiot.”
“But whatever… as long as the Luo family doesn’t initiate the break-up, I don’t care. If he can find a way to get them to call it off, then fine—let the engagement end.”
Du Wei shrugged.
For everyday matters, Du Wei made most of the decisions.
Even back when the Luo family was at its peak, Luo Pengtian had always respected her input.
But for major family decisions like this one—he made the call.
That was the tradition and principle of the Luo family.
Du Wei muttered quietly, “Don’t want to marry Xinghe? Please—our family doesn’t even want them. That’s their loss, hmph.”
“My son is the best. So what if he failed in a few investments?”
Luo Pengtian opened his mouth to say something, but didn’t. He just gave a meaningful glance toward the bathroom.
Luo Xinghe, meanwhile, was taking a very spirited shower, mind racing with ideas.
Half an hour later—
Luo Xinghe walked out the door, heading straight for the Liu family estate in Fengcheng.
He was going to raise the bride price!
He was going to demand an absurd dowry—so high that the Liu family would think he was completely out of line and break off the engagement themselves.
Heh.
That way, it wouldn’t count as him breaking it off.
Behind tall walls stood a grand villa, with bodyguards patrolling the grounds.
Dressed neatly, Luo Xinghe walked into the Liu family estate. After announcing his arrival, he was led directly to the main family villa.
Three generations of the Liu family lived in the estate.
Aside from the current head of the Liu family—Liu Ruyan’s father’s branch—there were also a few cousins and extended family members.
In the hallway, Luo Xinghe happened to run into Liu Ruzuo, the only son of the Liu family’s third branch.
When they were younger, Luo Xinghe used to lead the rich second-generation kids of Fengcheng around to play.
But the ones who could earn Luo Xinghe’s approval usually had some real skills.
Liu Ruzuo, on the other hand, always wanted to hang out with them, but Luo Xinghe never invited him.
He didn’t think much of him…
So Liu Ruzuo had long held a grudge against Luo Xinghe, and after the Luo family fell into decline, he never missed a chance to mock him.
Now seeing Luo Xinghe again, Liu Ruzuo greeted him with obvious ill intent:
“Yo, isn’t this the young master of the Luo family?”
“What’s up? I heard my cousin went to your place today to break off the engagement.”
“Still not giving up? Thinking marrying her will help you climb back up by using the Liu family’s resources?”
“Let me tell you, you’re wasting your time.”
“Your Luo family’s entire fortune was blown in three years. Who in Fengcheng would still be stupid enough to do business with you now?”
“Your reputation… it’s like broken bones trampled by thousands—absolutely rotten, haha.”
“Back in the day, you were all high and mighty, every second-gen in Fengcheng revolved around you.”
“Now? You should just prepare to beg on the streets.”
“I heard you’re delivering takeout these days? Hahahaha!”
“Not earning much, huh? Got enough for cigarettes? If not, just let your bro here know.”
Luo Xinghe looked at Liu Ruzuo with a half-smile, completely unbothered.
Even back then, Liu Ruzuo had always been useless.
Terrible at studying.
Terrible at sports.
No skills, no talents.
Just spent his days blowing money and chasing women, never doing anything serious.
Luo Xinghe had always looked down on him—and still did.
He smiled and said:
“The Luo family may have declined, but the connections are still there.”
“I know a very skilled traditional Chinese doctor who specializes in tough cases.”
“Ruzuo, your brow looks dark, your complexion is yellowish, and your tongue coating looks off—I’m guessing you’re not feeling too well, are you?”
Liu Ruzuo was briefly stunned, then replied:
“Quit spouting nonsense.”
Luo Xinghe spoke mysteriously:
“Don’t you often feel soreness in your back and waist? Sleep never feels enough? Your body feels sluggish? Sometimes you lose your appetite, feel weak in the limbs?”
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Thanks for the chapter!