Her movements were natural as her gaze swept over Qi Yanheng and Qi Rumei across the table.
Qi Yanheng ate unhurriedly, not even lifting his lashes, as though he hadn’t noticed the father-daughter display of affection at all.
Qi Rumei’s expression was stiff as she tried to blend into the atmosphere.
“Ningning is becoming more and more sensible. She even knows to care about Master now.”
Cen Zhi’ning let out a cold snort and ignored Qi Rumei entirely.
“Dad, don’t eat that. It’s too spicy. It’s not good for your health.”
Throughout the entire meal, she treated Qi Yanheng and Qi Rumei like air.
Qi Rumei’s face darkened.
On the contrary, a faint curve appeared at the corner of Qi Yanheng’s lips.
What clumsy acting.
Ningning was reminding him that she was the rightful, beloved daughter of this family.
Thinking of what she had said three years ago before going abroad, it seemed she truly intended to take back everything that was hers—whether it was Uncle Cen’s affection or the family business.
The little girl was still naïve.
But increasingly interesting.
After dinner, as Cen Zhi’ning passed by Qi Yanheng, she heard him speak softly.
“So after three years abroad, this is all you learned? Competing for favor?”
Her steps paused. She had no interest in pretending to be obedient anymore. Her voice carried undisguised provocation.
“What? Afraid of losing favor and getting kicked out?”
Qi Yanheng smiled faintly.
She still hadn’t realized that in this house, he now held the real authority.
If only Cen Zhi’ning would act spoiled toward him the way she did with Uncle Cen…
The smile at his lips deepened.
“Yes. I’m afraid.”
Cen Zhi’ning placed her hands on her hips, smug.
“Really? Even if you get kicked out of the Cen family, Dad would still fund your studies at the research institute.”
She lifted her chin.
“Oh, right. Send me my fiancé’s contact information. Thanks.”
“He hates women. He won’t marry you.”
Cen Zhi’ning let out a cold laugh.
“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re planning. Who said an arranged marriage requires mutual affection? After living in high society for so many years, you still can’t see that in this class, interests come first.”
Qi Yanheng chuckled softly. Watching her arrogant, domineering posture stirred something in his chest.
He wanted to kiss her.
“To stand at the very top yet be unable to act as you please—that’s true failure.”
Cen Zhi’ning frowned.
“You won’t send me his contact because you’re afraid my marriage will threaten your position, aren’t you?”
Qi Yanheng laughed.
“Fine. I’ll send it to you.”
It wouldn’t matter anyway. Mu Chenchuan was playful by nature, cynical and thrill-seeking, with violent impulses running in his blood. He wouldn’t bother with her. Once annoyed, he’d simply block her. Qi Yanheng wasn’t worried about the marriage at all.
Cen Zhi’ning received her arranged marriage partner’s WeChat. His profile picture was pitch black.
She had just sent a friend request when the system sighed.
【The reason Mu Chenchuan was placed last to攻略 is because he’s particularly difficult. It’s not just his violent temperament—he simply doesn’t believe in love.】
【Tsk. Qi Yanheng’s expression isn’t right. He’s still pretty obsessed with you. He’ll definitely try to stop the marriage.】
【And Mu Chenchuan is close with Jin Yihan and Jiang Jingsheng. The road ahead is long.】
Cen Zhi’ning rolled over on the bed.
“So will the reward double after I succeed?”
【You really are money-minded.】
“Isn’t life about having money and staying healthy?”
【How shallow. Oh right, I remember there was a censored scene in the original novel—Qi Yanheng sneaks into your room and discovers the hickeys on your body. From then on, he starts to feel disgusted toward you…】
“Was it explicit?”
【It was censored. The plot was probably deleted.】
“……”
Thank goodness it was deleted. That was terrifying.
Right now she and Qi Yanheng were like fire and water. He probably wouldn’t dare act recklessly.
After locking her door carefully to make sure that pervert couldn’t get in, she finally felt relieved.
Ding-dong.
Her friend request had been rejected.
Cen Zhi’ning paused, then sent another request.
[Brother, I’m here to rob you—rob a marriage.]
Mu Chenchuan had just seen Jin Yihan off when another friend request notification popped up. Irritated, he rejected it.
Moments later, another request came through—along with a nauseating message. He suddenly realized who it was.
[I’m not your brother. If you want to play some big-brother-little-sister romance game, go find your brother Qi Yanheng.]
Lying on her bed, Cen Zhi’ning hesitated.
What did that mean?
He seemed familiar with Qi Yanheng—did he know about her relationship with him?
Pfft. She and Qi Yanheng didn’t even have that kind of relationship.
She hadn’t kept up with Qi Yanheng during her three years abroad. She only knew he’d been researching artificial intelligence and had founded his own AI company.
From what Pengpeng said, he also held a position in the upper management of the Cen family.
It seemed his connections were impressive.
Was Mu Chenchuan also his friend?
She sent another request.
[I’m not interested in him. Brother, add me and let’s talk.]
Mu Chenchuan accepted.
[I’m not interested in women. I won’t marry you. Let’s find time to discuss canceling the engagement.]
Cen Zhi’ning stared at the message, deep in thought.
No wonder Qi Yanheng was so confident. It seemed the other party truly had no intention of marrying her.
So his “woman-hating” wasn’t just an excuse to break off the engagement.
[I’ve never thought love was necessary. I’m pursuing mutual benefit. I can accept an open marriage. We wouldn’t need to fulfill marital obligations. You can continue being with whoever you like. I’ll be the perfect wife in public. Think about it.]
Mu Chenchuan replied quickly, his tone harsh.
[Does Qi Yanheng know his sister is the type who’ll stop at nothing for money and power? You think I’d marry you for “mutual benefit”? I’m already the winner. I don’t need marriage to secure interests. Understand?]
Zhi’ning: [You really won’t reconsider?]
Mu Chenchuan: [I suggest you agree to cancel the engagement early. Stop pestering me. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being rude.]
Zhi’ning: [Feelings can be cultivated.]
Mu Chenchuan: [Don’t waste your time.]
Zhi’ning: [If you truly end up with someone you love, I won’t interfere. But let’s delay canceling the engagement. Feelings change quickly. Once you actually walk into marriage with someone else, canceling it then won’t be too late.]
She was retreating to advance. With the title of fiancée, it would be easier to攻略 him.
She also intended to kill two birds with one stone—use the engagement to raise her status, intimidate Qi Yanheng, and placate her father. Once she secured the shares, she’d decide later.
Mu Chenchuan: [Are you insane? Even if I stay single my whole life, I won’t marry you!]
She was blocked.
Clearly, he had a fiery temper.
“Tsk.”
As long as she hadn’t succeeded in攻略ing him, she could cling shamelessly. She absolutely refused to cancel the engagement.
She switched to texting his phone number.
[I won’t agree to cancel the engagement. I believe sincerity can move mountains. I’ll wait for you, brother.]
The message sank without a trace.
Cen Zhi’ning wasn’t annoyed.
At some point, calming incense had been lit in the room. Her father was considerate—afraid she’d struggle with jet lag, he had prepared it for her.
She yawned sleepily.
Whatever.
She’d just go to bed peacefully.