Mu Chenchuan couldn’t hold it in and nodded, giving a thumbs-up.
“President, that was a spot-on summary.”
Qi Yanheng fell silent for a moment.
“You’re not talking nonsense, are you?”
“Hah… you can’t believe it either, right?”
A man like Jin Yihan never lacked women around him. How could he possibly engage in something like an online romance that led to meeting in real life—and even get dumped? It sounded like a joke.
“There’s actually a woman in this world who doesn’t fancy him?”
Mu Chenchuan laughed so hard he almost couldn’t breathe.
“I really want to meet that brave heroine who dared dump Brother Han. Brother Han, don’t tell me you’re… not capable in that department?”
From the driver’s seat, Jiang Jingmian spoke leisurely,
“Chenchuan, say less. Brother Han was serious about her. Before I returned to the country a few days ago, he even asked me to help bid on Starry Glimmer.”
Mu Chenchuan smacked his lips.
“That pink diamond? Damn, worth a hundred million. Did he give it away?”
Without shifting his gaze from the road, Jiang Jingmian shrugged.
“It’s still with me. Haven’t had the chance to hand it to Brother Han.”
Mu Chenchuan let out a sigh of relief.
“Good, good. Otherwise that’d be a hundred million down the drain.”
Qi Yanheng spoke seriously,
“Young Master Jin, if it’s not a performance issue, then you probably ran into a sea queen. The type who keeps you at arm’s length—gives you a little sweetness, then disappears. Hooks you until you lose your mind. Quite skillful, actually.”
Jin Yihan turned sharply to the side, jawline taut, cheek muscles twitching. Irritated, he pulled the hood of his sweatshirt over his face.
Her phone number was unreachable. Her social accounts deleted. She had vanished overnight.
She had claimed to be an overseas-born Chinese. He investigated—the identity was fake.
Only now did he realize he had truly been toyed with.
The reason he hadn’t used the Jin family’s power to investigate her was because he still clung to a sliver of hope—that she had simply gone abroad in a fit of anger.
But if he caught her—
If she had dared deceive him—
He had said it before. He’d grind her to ashes.
Mu Chenchuan nodded.
“Exactly. President’s analysis is thorough. She was clearly playing with your feelings—ate her fill and wiped her mouth before leaving.”
He turned to look at Jin Yihan.
“Brother Han, are we still going to the airport?”
Jin Yihan abruptly opened his eyes, his face dark and stormy.
“What do you think?”
Qi Yanheng teased,
“You’re openly skipping out during your internship. Aren’t you afraid Old Master Jin will skin you alive?”
Mu Chenchuan shot a glance at Jin Yihan.
“He said he’d catch his wife before the internship ends. Besides, it’s his own company—he can mess around however he likes.”
Qi Yanheng’s brows drew together slightly.
“You’re going too?”
“I’m just driving him to the airport. She’s not my wife—why would I go?”
Qi Yanheng didn’t dwell on that.
“That’s good. My sister’s already back in the country. About the broken engagement…”
Mu Chenchuan let out a cold snort.
“Relax. I hate arranged marriages the most!”
He curled his lips mockingly, tone teasing.
“But Qi Yanheng, everyone knows you’re obsessed with your sister. Take it easy—fake-incest plots are damaging.”
Qi Yanheng coveting his sister was practically public knowledge.
So from the start, Mu Chenchuan knew this so-called marriage alliance was nothing but the elders’ wishful thinking.
Back then, the engagement had been arranged because Cen Zhenguo had once saved his grandfather during a myocardial infarction. It was repayment disguised as gratitude.
He had no intention of marrying for alliance. Out of respect for Qi Yanheng, he hadn’t torn up the agreement publicly and embarrassed the girl.
Qi Yanheng slipped one hand into his pocket.
“Fine. After school starts, I’ll arrange a dinner and call off the engagement.”
Mu Chenchuan lifted his brow.
“Tch, you’re even more anxious than I am. Relax, I’m not interested in your sister. Even with a knife at my throat, I wouldn’t marry her.”
“Mm. I hope you keep your word.”
After ending the video call, a servant knocked on the door.
“Young Master Qi, Master and the eldest young lady have returned.”
Qi Yanheng’s hand trembled slightly around his phone.
Cen Zhi Ning was home?
In the living room, Cen Zhi Ning held Cen Zhenguo’s arm, resting her head on his shoulder.
“Dad, I’m not leaving the country this time. I plan to finish my studies in Jingbei and stay by your side to keep you company.”
Cen Zhenguo’s eyes reddened slightly. He hadn’t expected that after three years, his daughter had truly grown up.
“It’s good that you’ve thought it through. I’ll have Yanheng arrange your school matters. In a couple of days, you can report to the academy directly.”
Cen Zhi Ning nodded.
“Thank you, Dad. I know I used to be spoiled and willful. I won’t make you angry anymore.”
Cen Zhenguo’s eyes softened.
“The marriage alliance was my fault. Yanheng talked to me for a long time. If you truly don’t want it, we can cancel the engagement…”
Cen Zhi Ning wore a calm smile.
“Dad, I’ve grown up now. I’m part of the Cen family. If the alliance can really elevate the Cen Corporation, I’m willing.”
Cen Zhenguo’s eyes welled with tears.
“I never thought Ning Ning would become so sensible.”
“Mm. Feelings can be cultivated. If we’re truly incompatible, we can discuss breaking it off later.”
“My good child. How could I possibly wrong my daughter? Actually, the alliance partner isn’t bad. I selected him carefully. You can try getting along first.”
On the staircase, Qi Yanheng’s previously composed expression turned grave.
Given Cen Zhi Ning’s fiery temperament, she would never have agreed to an arranged marriage.
What had gone wrong to change her mind?
He descended slowly.
“Ning Ning agreed to the marriage?”
Cen Zhi Ning looked up at the composed Qi Yanheng, a faint smile at her lips, deliberately calling out sweetly,
“Brother, what do you think?”
She enunciated the word brother very clearly.
Everyone knew Qi Yanheng’s identity in the Cen family was awkward at best.
His steps paused slightly.
Ever since Qi Rumei married into the Cen family, Cen Zhi Ning had never once called him “brother” again.
For the first time, he couldn’t read what she was planning.
“Of course, Ning Ning’s wishes matter most.”
Cen Zhi Ning snapped her fingers.
“OK, then it’s settled. Dad, remember to send me my fiancé’s contact information.”
Cen Zhenguo nodded.
“Yanheng, you’re close with A’Chuan. Pass his contact to Ning Ning.”
Qi Yanheng maintained a faint smile and nodded.
“Alright.”
He sat down on the single sofa opposite, watching silently as Cen Zhi Ning continued clinging to Cen Zhenguo and acting coquettish.
His fingers tapped lightly against the sofa armrest, a trace of irritability surfacing.
Cen Zhi Ning ignored him, instead chattering endlessly about interesting stories from abroad, making Cen Zhenguo laugh heartily.
Watching her lips move as she spoke, Qi Yanheng’s eyes darkened.
At noon, she had reacted fiercely and refused to return home with him, stubborn to the core.
Now she acted as if nothing had happened, playing the obedient daughter to make Uncle Cen happy.
It seemed she was declaring war on him.
Interesting.
The little girl was baring her claws, planning to fight back.
Was she finally going to fulfill the declaration she made three years ago?
At that moment, Qi Rumei approached with freshly brewed tea. Carrying herself elegantly, she poured a cup for Cen Zhenguo, then gently asked,
“Ning Ning, it’s rare for you to be home. These past few years abroad must have been hard. You’ve slimmed down quite a bit. Was life uncomfortable?”
She poured another cup and handed it to Cen Zhi Ning.
“Come, have some tea.”