The Devil Doctor's Spicy Love-Chapter 411: Engagement chaos (1)

The chandeliers above Hou mansion’s grand hall glittered, casting light upon the sea of guests gathered for Hou Tengqi and Meng Rin’s engagement ceremony. Murmurs and laughter rippled hushed the crowd, glasses clinked and polite smiles masked talks of politics.

Yet beneath perfection of the evening, tension seeped like an invisible undercurrent.

Bai Caishen stood by the corner of the expansive hall, away from the endless chatter. His sharp suit and calm demeanor made him stand out without effort, but his gaze wasn’t on the guests.

A figure approached him and slightly cleared his throat. "She is getting ready. Unfortunately, we cannot go up to meet her."

His eyes narrowed. His relationship with Chow Mey wasn’t as friendly as it was with Meng Rin. They shared their own troublesome past and the only common link that gelled them was Meng Rin.

"I know."

By now, the attention of many guests was lingering upon the two, many of whom easily recognized them from the entertainment industry. It wasn’t a surprise since Meng Rin belonged to the same world.

She pressed her lips. "I know we have some history but can we please keep it past us tonight?"

He smiled. "I know when to escalate and when to keep quiet. I’m only here for Meng Rin and the only thing that matters to me now is that you care for her."

The lights dimmed and finally Meng Rin came into view. Her sister-in-law, Hou Delan, was escorting her. His eyes followed Meng Rin, who moved through the crowd with grace, bowing her head slightly to the guests. She smiled, but Bai Caishen could see the strain beneath her seemingly calm gaze.

Meng Rin had been his friend for years, a bubbly and cheerful woman who always spread warmth at the set. So watching her caught in the toxic trap of Hou Tengqi’s possessiveness burned like acid in his chest.

Hou Tengqi noticed that gaze too.

From across the hall, the groom-to-be’s jaw tightened. Every time Bai Caishen’s eyes lingered on Meng Rin, it felt like a thorn lodged deeper into his chest. If he could, then he wouldn’t have ever allowed for Meng Rin’s side of guests to attend the engagement ceremony.

But at the end of the day, everything was about the Hou family’s face.

How would it look if there was nobody from the bride’s side? The party would look too lopsided and naturally, gossip would follow.

He excused himself from the group of businessmen flattering him and strode forward, his steps like a storm approaching into Bai Caishen’s calm space.

"Enjoying yourself?" Hou Tengqi’s voice cut through the hum of other voices, low enough for only Bai Caishen to hear.

Chow Mey’s eyes narrowed.

Bai Caishen shifted his gaze toward him. His eyes were steady, unbothered. "It’s a beautiful ceremony."

"Is it?" Tengqi’s lips curved, but the smile never reached his eyes. "Strange. You’ve barely spoken to anyone here. Are you here just to lurk in the shadows and...admire my fiance?"

His brows twitched, yet he held his smile. "I haven’t spoken to anyone here because I don’t have the habit of intruding upon somebody else’s space unnecessarily. I know you people don’t look at us too favorably. And why can I not admire her? Rinrin is my friend. Should I ignore her just because she is now your fiancée?"

The word ’friend’ struck Hou Tengqi like a blade dipped in poison. His teeth clenched, especially when he called her ’Rinrin.’ Only he was allowed to call her that way. She was his woman, after all.

"Friend," he repeated, voice dripping with disdain. "Do you expect me to believe that? A man like you doesn’t circle a woman unless he wants her for himself. You do realize that...Rinrin invited you only out of courtesy, right?"

Chow Mey smiled. "We understand her intentions very well, Mr. Hou," she intervened this time. "But if you think that her invitation is out of courtesy, then it’s probably you who doesn’t understand your ’fiancée’ at all."

Bai Caishen added with a smile. "You like to overthink a lot, Mr. Hou."

"You don’t deny it," Tengqi snapped.

"I don’t indulge baseless accusations."

The edge in his calmness infuriated Tengqi further. He stepped closer, his fists trembling with controlled fury.

"It’s not baseless when I see your feelings for my woman crystal clear. So don’t play the saint with me, Bai Caishen. I’ve seen the way you look at her. You want her. You would take her from me if you could."

He stared at her and let out a chuckle. "Ahhh. You are quite the funny man, Mr. Hou. Anyway, you are free to think what you want. The only thing I care about is Rinrin, who deserves peace and happiness. If you truly give her that, then you wouldn’t have to feel so threatened by my existence."

That sentence alone sliced Hou Tengqi open. He recalled how Meng Rin had asked for a breakup once. If she had asked for one, then didn’t it mean that she wasn’t happy with him? She didn’t look at their relationship the way he was?

The mask of composure he wore for the crowd shattered, revealing a blazing fury underneath. He wouldn’t even be fazed when it came to politics but as long as Meng Rin was involved, composure was never one of his fortes.

His voice dropped, dangerous. "You dare lecture me at my own engagement? Do you think you will walk out of here without consequences?"

Though hushed, their voices had begun to draw curious glances. A few nearby guests whispered, their curiosity piqued at the sight of the groom glaring daggers at a guest.

Bai Caishen didn’t flinch. He leaned in slightly as he murmured. "Threaten me all you want, Mr. Hou. Just remember that jealousy is an ugly emotion for those too weak to hold what they claim as theirs."

Hou Tengqi’s face twisted. He wanted to strike him, to crush that infuriating poise into the ground. But before he could move, Meng Rin appeared at the edge of the crowd, her expression pale as she nervously darted her gaze between them.

"Caishen?" she called softly, stepping closer. "Tengqi... what are you doing?"

Her voice froze Hou Tengqi mid-breath. He forced a smile. "Just talking to an old friend of yours, sweetheart."

Meng Rin’s gaze flicked between the two, tension thudding inside her chest. She could see the storm gathering in Hou Tengqi’s eyes and it terrified her. She opened her mouth to intervene before he would truly lose his temper, but the sound of a sudden, harsh cough cut through the music and chatter.

All heads turned.

Bai Caishen bent slightly, coughing into his hand once, then again, harder this time. The sound was violent, tearing out of him with a force that bent his body forward. His palm trembled against his lips and when he drew it back, faint drops of something crimson stained his skin.