Forced to Marry a Female Billionaire CEO-Chapter 563: Soon Arriving Home

However, although Shi Hongda was cursing inwardly, he didn't show the slightest hint of it on his face. He adopted a commanding air. "I've thought it over. You don't have to leave. Just get in the van with us."

He knew he couldn't enthusiastically invite Xu Ke into the van, as that would definitely seem suspicious. A commanding tone, however, might not arouse Xu Ke's suspicion.

Nearby, Bai Qian'er's expression was one of surprise. She glanced at Xu Ke with a hint of disbelief. Did he really just luck out like a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse?

Tang Yingchang, his head slightly bowed, gave a barely perceptible shudder of his shoulders...

But just then, Xu Ke raised an eyebrow. "I don't feel like getting in now." 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"Why?"

"Qian'er is right," Xu Ke replied. "Besides, weren't you just saying you didn't welcome me? Why the sudden change of heart? What are you plotting?"

Beside Shi Hongda, the Yin-Yang Elders and Fang Caizhe shot him a baffled look, sharing the same confusion. What is Shi Hongda doing? Has he lost his mind?

Xie Jiancheng, standing nearby, was completely lost. What is Xu Ke up to? Didn't he just want to get in the van? Why is he refusing now? Was he actually persuaded by Bai Qian'er?

Shi Hongda hesitated for a moment, then looked at Bai Qian'er. "...You think Xu Ke will be safer if he doesn't get in the van?"

Bai Qian'er nodded.

"Well, actually..." Shi Hongda faltered, suddenly at a loss for words.

He was now filled with deep regret. If only I'd agreed when Xu Ke first asked! Why did I have to let it get this complicated?

"If there's nothing else, we'll be leaving now," Xu Ke said, turning to pull Tang Yingchang away.

Shi Hongda's eyes widened at the sight. Is the cooked duck about to fly away? That can't happen!

"Hold on!" Shi Hongda suddenly shouted. "You can go, but Tang Yingchang stays."

Xu Ke stopped and turned, frowning. "On what grounds?"

"Fine, I'll be straight with you," Shi Hongda said, a hint of scorn on his face as he pointed at Tang Yingchang. "I never wanted you in the van. I want *him*."

Tang Yingchang's brows knitted together like two writhing earthworms before relaxing. "Why? I intend to accompany Mister Xu on his journey."

"It's simple. Three Innate Great Perfectionists offer stronger protection," Shi Hongda stated blandly. "Since we are all Tianhai's top combatants, we should naturally do our part to welcome the young talent from the Northern Dragon Guard. If we run into any trouble over the next hundred-plus kilometers, I will have Madame Yu hold you personally responsible."

Tang Yingchang was taken aback. What on earth is this nonsense Shi Hongda is spouting?

But at that moment, Xu Ke stepped forward, an expression of panic and anxiety on his face as he exploded, "You old coot, are you using the Northern Dragon Guard to threaten us?"

"Of course not!" Seeing Xu Ke's reaction, Shi Hongda grew even more smug, believing he had found Xu Ke's weak spot. "It's up to you whether you get in the van or not. If you don't, you'll just have to take responsibility for whatever happens."

"Why, you...!" Xu Ke ground his teeth, acting as if he'd been genuinely threatened. "Fine! Elder Tang and I will get in. But if anything happens, it's all on you!"

"You don't have to get in!"

"Shut your mouth, you old fool!" Xu Ke retorted. "As if Elder Tang and I could be separated!"

Unprovoked, Shi Hongda raised an eyebrow. "I invited you earlier, and you refused?"

"None of your business! What's wrong with me wanting to get in now?"

A vein throbbed on Shi Hongda's forehead, but he forced himself to endure the insults for the sake of his plan. He sneered, "Fine. If you want to come crawling, I won't stop you."

"Hmph." Xu Ke snorted, then turned to Xie Jiancheng. "Mister Xie, thank you for your help. I'm getting in the van now."

"No problem," Xie Jiancheng muttered, taken aback. "Take care."

Xu Ke nodded and, to everyone's surprise, pulled Tang Yingchang into the van with him.

Nearby, Fang Caizhe and the Yin-Yang Elders were completely perplexed. What on earth are those two doing?

Xie Jiancheng, meanwhile, raised his eyebrows in sheer disbelief. Could Xu Ke really be threatened by such a flimsy excuse from Shi Hongda? And put on such a show of being flustered but forced to comply? Impossible, right? He was sure Xu Ke had some other scheme in mind, but he couldn't figure it out, leaving him to agonize over the puzzle.

Only Bai Qian'er and Tang Yingchang subtly turned their heads away. Only a fool like Shi Hongda would actually believe Xu Ke's act.

As he got into the van, Xu Ke's face, hidden from the others, was a mask of helplessness. I can't wait any longer. Normally, an excuse like this from Shi Hongda wouldn't be enough to threaten me... but I'm afraid his simple mind won't come up with a better reason to force me into the van. If this drags on, things will only get more complicated.

So, he had no choice but to force the issue and get in.

As Xu Ke passed Bai Qian'er, he suddenly remembered the van was hers and figured he should ask. "Qian'er, you don't mind, do you?"

A flicker of speechlessness crossed Bai Qian'er's dark eyes before she forced a smile. "No problem. Elder Shi has a point. Elder Tang's strength will be like adding wings to a tiger for us."

"Great!" Xu Ke wasn't really listening. He and Tang Yingchang climbed inside, picking seats in the very back next to several large boxes.

After Xie Jiancheng left and a venomous-looking Fang Caizhe boarded the van, Zhuge Changyang glared at Shi Hongda, whispering urgently, "Give me a reason."

"With him in the van, he's easier to control. Understand?" Shi Hongda explained briefly.

The Yin-Yang Elders were no fools. Realization dawned on them instantly, followed by sinister smiles. "Brother Shi, you really do think fast."

"And using Madame Yu as a pretext to threaten Xu Ke into the van was truly resourceful!"

After hearing Shi Hongda's explanation, they immediately understood his bizarre behavior. So that was it! He got Xu Ke into the van to control him!

Hearing their praise, a look of pride inadvertently crossed Shi Hongda's face. "You flatter me!"

He was inwardly praising himself as well. That was brilliant, thinking on my feet like that! Demanding Tang Yingchang get in while pretending not to want Xu Ke... It was a classic feint, and my roundabout tactic caught him completely off guard. It seems I'm still as sharp as ever!

Just then, Xu Ke poked his head out of the van and yelled, "Are you getting in or not?"

Shi Hongda's expression stiffened before he let out a cold laugh. "We're getting in!"

He thought grimly, Once we're on the move, you're a dead man, Xu Ke!

BANG—

The van door slammed shut.

Carrying ten people, the van pulled away from the Deyun Hotel, bathed in the morning sun. As they set off, Xu Ke sent a message to Wong Qifu: "How about we have lunch together later?"

By the time Duan Zhuo'er got the van onto the highway, Wong Qifu had replied: "Okay. I'm not going to the office today. I'll be waiting for you at home."

Xu Ke smiled at the message and was just about to type a reply.

Just then...

SCREECH—

The van braked sharply.

"Fuck! Who the hell is that?" Duan Zhuo'e yelled from the front passenger seat.

A Wuling Hongguang van with no license plate had stopped directly in their path.

Seeing this, Xu Ke glanced over and met Shi Hongda's smug, sinister gaze.

He just smiled faintly and calmly finished his reply to Wong Qifu:

"Okay. I'll be home soon."