Chapter 678 - 681: Accept Your Fate

Chapter 678: Chapter 681: Accept Your Fate

Li Qiong had just calmed down a little when he heard Hua Manman’s taunting, provocative voice.

"Look at you. Even a nobody can see that I’m deliberately trying to provoke you.

Yet you, the dignified Crown Prince, let me lead you by the nose so easily.

You can’t even control your own emotions.

Are you sure you can be a competent King? Will you be able to rule the realm?"

These words were barbed, every single one striking a nerve with Li Qiong.

Seeing Li Qiong’s expression darken, Mr. Zhu spoke decisively.

"Your Highness has many matters to attend to. There’s no need to waste your precious time here. You can leave this woman to me."

Li Qiong tried his best to suppress the urge to erupt in anger. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"I will take my leave."

With that, he turned to leave.

Just as he was walking out the door, he heard Hua Manman say nonchalantly—

"I really regret saving an ungrateful wretch like you."

Li Qiong stopped in his tracks.

Mr. Zhu bowed slightly, clasping his hands. "Farewell, Your Highness."

Li Qiong knew he should leave, but his legs seemed to be rooted to the spot, refusing to obey.

Hua Manman tilted her head and looked at him. "What? Didn’t Princess Consort Zhen tell you that I saved you?"

Li Qiong met her question with silence.

Hua Manman continued, "Judging by your reaction, you must have known. Knowing I risked my life to save you, you can still use me with such a clear conscience. Truly worthy of you, our clever Crown Prince."

Li Qiong couldn’t bear it any longer and fled the room as if escaping for his life.

Once again, only Hua Manman and Mr. Zhu were left in the room.

Mr. Zhu said, "You were deliberately provoking him. You want him to kill you in a fit of rage so we can no longer use you to threaten Li Ji."

Hua Manman clapped weakly. "Mm, you’re right. Bravo."

Mr. Zhu was not an impulsive youth like Li Qiong. He completely ignored Hua Manman’s sarcasm and said flatly,

"You only have one life. Once you’re dead, you’ll have nothing.

Even if Li Ji truly accomplishes great things in the future, he might not remember your sacrifice.

After enough time passes, he’ll forget you.

In the end, your sacrifice will only matter to you."

Hua Manman yawned and replied perfunctorily, "Mhm, you’re right."

Mr. Zhu walked towards her.

"This world is just a novel. The person you’ve fallen for is merely a fictional character. They’re all fake, but you are real. There’s no need for you to sacrifice yourself for them."

Hua Manman said, "Everything you’ve said is right. Are you done? If you’re done, please leave. Don’t disturb my rest."

A look of disappointment flickered in Mr. Zhu’s eyes.

"It seems you’ve been blinded by love. I must make you understand that there are many things in this world far more important than love."

With that, he raised his right hand and reached for Hua Manman.

Hua Manman grabbed his wrist.

"What are you doing?"

Mr. Zhu answered, "Helping you by washing away your memories. Forget that man. From now on, you only need to live for yourself."

Hua Manman swore without hesitation.

"Shut the hell up, you moron!"

The next second, the dagger hidden under the blanket shot out!

Mr. Zhu’s expression changed. He dodged hastily, narrowly avoiding a fatal blow.

But a deep gash was still cut across his chest.

Strangely, no blood flowed from the wound.

And the wound was healing at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Mr. Zhu grabbed Hua Manman’s hand, snatched the dagger from her, and threw it to the floor.

Having not eaten for three days, Hua Manman’s body was already completely exhausted.

But she still refused to accept her fate, lowering her head and biting down hard on the back of Mr. Zhu’s hand.

Her teeth clearly broke the skin, but she didn’t taste any blood.

Mr. Zhu said coldly.

"It’s useless. You can’t kill me."

Hua Manman released her bite and watched the wound on the back of his hand heal rapidly.

She cursed, "You monster."

Mr. Zhu said, "Accept your fate."

Hua Manman retorted sarcastically, "Haven’t you heard the saying, ’My fate is in my hands, not the heavens’?"

Mr. Zhu looked at her as one would a disobedient child and said with a sigh of resignation,

"Since you’re so disobedient, I’ll let you see with your own eyes how your fate has been firmly in my grasp from the very beginning. Those so-called choices were nothing but illusions. You were born with only one choice: to be controlled by me."

With that, he reached out a finger and touched Hua Manman’s forehead.

Hua Manman’s vision went black, and her consciousness plummeted.

After a dizzying spell, she could finally see her surroundings clearly.

She found herself standing in a magnificent, splendidly decorated hotel.

Mr. Zhu was standing right beside her.

A waiter carrying a tray walked past them but acted as if the two of them didn’t exist.

It was as if he couldn’t see them at all.

Hua Manman asked warily.

"Where is this?"

Mr. Zhu: "This is where your parents first met."

As soon as he finished speaking, Hua Manman saw the door to a private room open, and a handsome man in a suit walked out.

She recognized him at a glance—it was her father when he was young.

The man had clearly drunk a lot; his face was a little flushed.

He wanted to go to the restroom to wash his face and cool down.

Just then, a waiter pushed open the door of the private room across the hall and went inside.

The man saw two portly, lecherous men inside, forcing a young woman to drink.

The woman was struggling desperately, but to no avail.

Anyone could see what would happen to the woman if she were forced to get drunk.

Hua Manman immediately recognized her—the woman being forced to drink was her mother when she was young.

She wanted to rush over and save her but was stopped by Mr. Zhu.

"It’s useless. They can’t see you."

Hua Manman turned her head to look at her father.

But she saw him merely glance at the woman in the private room before looking away, preparing to leave without a care.

Mr. Zhu spoke beside her.

"Your father is a businessman. He’s seen this kind of scene countless times. He won’t intervene to save someone unless there’s a profit to be made."

Hua Manman shook her head. "That’s impossible. My mom once told me that the reason she met my dad was because he saved her when she needed help the most."

"Your dad did save her, but that’s because I gave him a push. Just like this..."

With that, Mr. Zhu raised his hand and gave the man in the suit a gentle push from behind.

Caught off guard, the man stumbled and bumped into the waiter’s back.

The waiter cried out in alarm, falling forward and sending the tray of drinks in his hands CRASHING to the floor.

The private room instantly fell dead silent.