“Ruyuan!” Fang Shijun appeared in front of Lin Ruyuan at the worst possible moment, shamelessly saying, “Can we talk?”
Lin Ruyuan frowned at him. “There’s nothing for us to talk about. Step aside!”
Fang Shijun planted himself firmly in front of her, blocking her way. “Ruyuan, I’ve been thinking carefully these past few days. I don’t want to annul the engagement. Let’s go register our marriage immediately.”
Fang Shijun’s audacity was like a fortress—he could say the most shameless things without hesitation.
Was he thinking that marrying Bai Jingxu wouldn’t make money for the Fang family, so he couldn’t let go of Lin Ruyuan, their personal “cash cow”?
Even after the scandal about his illegitimate child had come out, he still had the nerve to propose marriage.
Lin Ruyuan felt disgusted looking at his self-satisfied, sentimental expression.
“Get lost!” She was furious—people like him didn’t deserve attention.
“Ruyuan, I know you care about the kids, but they’re already here. I can’t just strangle them, right?” Fang Shijun said awkwardly. “Actually, these two kids won’t affect us at all. Think about it—before you knew they existed, wasn’t our relationship just fine?”
“Our relationship all these years—I don’t want to count it anymore. Jingxu is now married into the Ding family; she has nothing to do with me. Stop caring about it!”
The commotion between the two drew many classmates’ eyes, curious to see what was happening.
Then Fang Shijun went a step further and knelt in front of Lin Ruyuan. “Ruyuan, everyone makes mistakes when they’re young! You have to forgive me! Don’t deny me a chance. I’m begging you! Let’s register our marriage now. From then on, we can do whatever you want!”
A man on his knees—golden knees, as they say—made the onlookers’ eyes widen in shock.
Lin Ruyuan could tell he was doing this deliberately, trying to force her into compliance in front of their classmates.
If he had put even half this cunning into business, the Fang family would have already been thriving.
Lin Ruyuan gave him a cold look. “Are you done talking?”
Fang Shijun nodded. “I’m done.”
“Since you’re done talking, it’s my turn.” Lin Ruyuan’s voice was calm but firm. “Fang Shijun, we’ve been engaged for five years! Your illegitimate child is five years old! You’ve been deceiving me from the start. You even had your parents recognize Bai Jingxu as a goddaughter. What, the whole family fooled me, treating me like a clown? All because you valued my ability? Wanted me to work for your family as a laborer and money-making machine!”
Around them, people gasped.
They had thought it was a romantic scene, but it turned out to be exposing a massive fraud.
Fang Shijun’s face tightened. “No, Ruyuan, it’s not what you think.”
“Now that we’ve annulled the engagement, I don’t want any more entanglements with the Fang family. You don’t need to cause me any more trouble.” Lin Ruyuan enunciated each word clearly. “Fang Shijun, do you understand?”
He understood perfectly.
He just wondered how Lin Ruyuan knew about the children.
But the key issue was: if she didn’t marry him, he wouldn’t get the 500,000 yuan from his grandfather.
Without the 500,000 yuan, he couldn’t help Jingxu “escape her suffering.”
So no matter what, he had to fight for himself one last time.
“Ruyuan…” Fang Shijun reached out, planning to grab her leg, but before he could, a few male classmates suddenly pushed him away.
“You’re shameless! She’s already made herself clear, and you’re still pestering her!”
The one pointing at him was Ma Shengli.
“Exactly! I’ve never seen anyone so shameless.”
“Hurry up and leave!”
Several male students from the Agriculture Department stood up for Lin Ruyuan, looking ready to intervene if Fang Shijun didn’t leave.
Seeing this, Fang Shijun realized the situation was bad. If he didn’t leave now, it would be worse.
He came to propose, not to fight.
Fang Shijun grumbled, “Ruyuan, think carefully. I’ll come back for you!”
Ma Shengli even made a fake punching motion, scaring Fang Shijun into running away.
Lin Ruyuan finally understood: with people like him, only a firm hand works.
No amount of reasoning would succeed. His shamelessness made him unstoppable.
“Thanks just now,” Lin Ruyuan smiled lightly. “I’ll treat you to a meal sometime.”
“No need. It’s what we should do—helping someone in trouble is just what you do!”
Ma Shengli laughed and waved to the other onlookers. “Everyone, go back to your own business—nothing to see here!”
Lin Ruyuan felt a warmth in her heart, noting their kindness.
Of course, there was still one major problem: Fang Shijun’s persistence.
After thinking it over, she decided only Old Master Fang could handle him.
At the military courtyard.
Returning there, Old Master Fang was delighted to see her. “Ruyuan, you’re here?”
“Grandfather Fang,” Lin Ruyuan greeted politely. “I came today because I need you to take care of something.”
“Tell me,” Old Master Fang nodded repeatedly. Anything Lin Ruyuan asked within his power, he would do.
“I won’t marry Fang Shijun.”
Her voice was low and serious. “Grandfather Fang, he’s harassing me and it’s already affecting my normal life.”
“Ah…” Old Master Fang’s face grew serious, and he sighed hesitantly. “Ruyuan, I know this useless grandson of ours isn’t worthy of you. He’s made you suffer, but now that it’s happened, all I can do is try to make it up to you as best I can…”
“The way you intend to make it up doesn’t necessarily help me,” Lin Ruyuan said with a light smile. “Fang Shijun’s heart isn’t with me. Even if you forced him to marry me, can you guarantee the future? I want a man who truly loves me. If a woman marries the wrong person, it ruins her whole life. You’d be ruining mine!”
“No,” Old Master Fang said firmly, meaning no such thing. He only wanted Lin Ruyuan to be happy.
All of the Fang family’s possessions would be hers in the end.
Looking at Lin Ruyuan, he suddenly felt he might be using his authority unfairly.
The girl didn’t want this, and he was trying to force it.
A forced marriage never works.
Sigh. Looks like they were never meant to be a family.
“Ruyuan, I understand what you mean. Don’t worry. If that scoundrel dares to trouble you again, I’ll break his legs myself! And no matter who you choose in the future, when you marry, I’ll prepare a generous dowry for you!”
Lin Ruyuan smiled faintly. “Grandma always said that you don’t need to repay the old lifesaving debt. As a soldier, your duty is to protect the country and the people. The military already gives you a pension. No one owes anyone anything!”
“You don’t understand.” Old Master Fang’s eyes reddened. “Ruyuan, you’ll never understand…”