Coming out of Old Master Fang’s courtyard, Lin Ruyuan could feel the old man’s sense of “despair.” Neither his son, grandson, nor daughter-in-law was capable of running the family business. Handing it over to them meant watching the Fang family decline before his eyes.
Lin Ruyuan’s thoughts raced. She wouldn’t give up on her plan to take revenge on the Fang family just because of Old Master Fang.
All the grievances she suffered in her previous life—she would make them all right in this one.
“……”
Suddenly, her arm was grabbed forcefully. Before she could react, her mouth was covered, and a man shushed her, signaling for her to stay quiet.
Qin Jianchuan!?
Lin Ruyuan furrowed her brow. What was he trying to do?
Qin Jianchuan was tall; Lin Ruyuan barely reached his shoulder.
She had to tilt her head back to see him. The man smiled faintly but didn’t speak.
This time, the distance between them was even closer than before.
The scent of him lingered in her nostrils, making her heart race.
“Jianchuan?” Fang Shijun’s curious voice rang out. Lin Ruyuan stiffened. How did he get here?!
Earlier, she had been walking down an alley outside. Now, she had been pulled into the courtyard by Qin Jianchuan.
Her view was blocked, so she could only hear voices, not see the people. Qin Jianchuan turned his back to her, firmly shielding her from view. Behind her was a wall—she had no escape.
“What are you doing?” Fang Shijun asked again, sensing something odd about Qin Jianchuan.
As Fang Shijun tried to step closer, Qin Jianchuan raised his hand, blocking him from entering the courtyard. “Nothing. She’s my girlfriend.”
Lin Ruyuan’s eyes went wide.
Qin Jianchuan’s thin lips curved faintly. “And you? Are you here to see Old Master Fang?”
“Girlfriend?” Fang Shijun had never heard of Qin Jianchuan having a girlfriend before. He became even more curious about the girl being protected behind him.
What kind of woman could make Qin Jianchuan guard her so carefully?
“Why don’t you introduce her to me?” Fang Shijun raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t we supposed to be brothers?”
Qin Jianchuan’s smile turned slightly cold. “She’s shy. I’ll introduce her another time.”
Fang Shijun didn’t notice Qin Jianchuan’s subtle change in expression and sighed helplessly. “Annoying! How did I not realize Lin Ruyuan was so petty? I just have a son—can’t even accept that!”
Qin Jianchuan’s eyes darkened. “……”
Fang Shijun continued talking to himself. “It’s all my fault for being impulsive. I admitted the kids were mine and Jingxu’s. Now, the Ding family refuses to let her go. I can’t marry Jingxu, I can only watch my woman and son suffer and do nothing.”
“Really?” Qin Jianchuan reached behind him and accurately grabbed Lin Ruyuan’s wrist.
Lin Ruyuan: “!!”
She didn’t want to face Fang Shijun right now, or she wouldn’t have cooperated with Qin Jianchuan.
She had already experienced how shameless Fang Shijun could be.
Here, in the military courtyard, if a fight broke out, she wasn’t sure she could win.
Thinking this, a spark of determination flashed in her eyes—she would strengthen herself!
Next time, she could beat that scumbag up properly.
“Yeah, now my grandfather insists I marry Lin Ruyuan. I have no choice, sigh,” Fang Shijun said helplessly, shaking his head. “Even if it’s just for 500,000 yuan, I have to win her back! I wasn’t just coming to see my grandfather, I wanted to update him so he could prepare the 500,000 in advance!”
“500,000?” Qin Jianchuan asked, as if probing for information.
Fang Shijun nodded. “The Ding family demands 500,000 before they’ll agree to let Jingxu divorce.”
“Oh~” Qin Jianchuan nodded thoughtfully. “I see…”
“All right, I have something urgent to handle. We’ll talk later, brother!” Fang Shijun said, trying to sound casual. “Next time, don’t forget to introduce your girlfriend to me!”
Qin Jianchuan smiled meaningfully. “I will.”
After Fang Shijun left, Qin Jianchuan clearly felt a gentle push against his lower back.
It was as light as a cat’s paw—ticklish.
Qin Jianchuan swallowed nervously and turned around. “I know you don’t want to see him right now. How’s that? I helped you again!”
Lin Ruyuan’s tone was stiff. “Thanks.”
Since when did Qin Jianchuan get so meddlesome?!
Lin Ruyuan stepped forward to leave. Naturally, Qin Jianchuan followed. “I’ll send you home.”
Based on her previous experiences, this time she didn’t refuse.
Qin Jianchuan was willing to be the driver, and Lin Ruyuan noticed he was stubborn.
She didn’t rush to get out of the car this time and asked what she had been wondering, “Qin Jianchuan, what are you trying to do?”
The car was silent for a moment.
Then Qin Jianchuan suddenly laughed. “You didn’t notice?”
Lin Ruyuan: “……” She had no idea what he meant.
Notice what exactly?
“….” Qin Jianchuan unfastened his seatbelt, facing her seriously. “Lin Ruyuan, haven’t you realized? I’m pursuing you.”
“Boom—”
Lin Ruyuan felt as if her brain had exploded.
What did she just hear?!
Qin Jianchuan said he was… pursuing her?!
|???|
What a joke. She had just annulled her engagement with Fang Shijun, who happened to be Qin Jianchuan’s good friend! They had spoken fewer than ten sentences total.
And now he said he was pursuing her?!
“Really?” Lin Ruyuan snorted lightly, clearly skeptical.
“You think I annulled my engagement with your good friend so you could help him take revenge on me?”
“Who said he’s my good friend?”
Qin Jianchuan’s thin lips parted lightly. “At most, my grandfather and his grandfather are close, but he and I are not good friends.”
He was distancing himself immediately.
“Also, I’m happy you annulled the engagement. Why would I want revenge on you? He doesn’t deserve you!”
Qin Jianchuan’s expression grew serious. “Lin Ruyuan, I’m serious. Don’t feel pressured to answer now. We have plenty of time.”
Lin Ruyuan: “……”
So Qin Jianchuan had his grandfather help her annul the engagement, and even left her an inheritance in the previous life…
All because he liked her?
The impact of that statement was too much. Lin Ruyuan couldn’t process it at first.
She got out of the car in a daze. The evening breeze brushed past her face, and her mind began to clear.
Having been deceived by men in her previous life, Lin Ruyuan would not easily trust anyone this time.
Thinking this, she stepped into the courtyard.
“……” Sitting in the car, Qin Jianchuan watched her closely, swallowing nervously.
Would his honesty, so easily spoken, scare her?
She hadn’t shown any reaction yet—so she must have been startled.
Qin Jianchuan felt a twinge of regret. He had definitely spoken too soon.