Chapter 14

Yuan Yuan Lin and Zhanting Lu both looked at Lin Qian’s retreating back, assuming she was heartbroken and lonely. The thought made them both feel quite pleased with themselves.

Clinging to the man’s arm, Yuan Yuan took the initiative and said sweetly, “Brother Zhanting, I heard Grandpa hasn’t been feeling well, so I bought some canned fruit for him. It’s soft and sweet—he’ll definitely find it easy to eat.”

Just hearing her words made Lu Zhanting feel warm inside. He hadn’t expected Yuan Yuan to be even more gentle and considerate than Lin Qian. Thinking back on how he’d been worried earlier, he felt foolish. He should’ve broken off the engagement with Lin Qian much sooner.

At that thought, he suddenly remembered something important.

His family had given Lin Qian a bride price of 666 yuan, and now that the engagement was off, that money would need to be returned.

Knowing that Yuan Yuan was Lin Qian’s cousin, he immediately asked, “Your cousin still hasn’t returned the bride price we gave. Do you know what your uncle and aunt plan to do about that?”

Yuan Yuan tilted her face up and cooed sweetly, “Don’t worry, Brother Zhanting. You know how much my aunt and uncle dote on me. The bride price your family gave is still with them. Honestly, I always thought 666 yuan was too much for my cousin to ask for anyway. How about we arrange a time for both families to meet? I’ll talk to my uncle and aunt and ask them to return the money to your family. At the same time, we can also discuss our wedding.”

Her voice was soft and coquettish. Zhanting, who had never encountered such a bold and passionate girl before, couldn’t help but stare at her lips as she spoke.

After a moment’s thought, he said, “You’re right. These are separate matters. Have your family return the bride price first. Then both families can formally discuss our marriage.”

Yuan Yuan nearly lost her composure. Mentioning the bride price had been a strategic move—a way to show her sincerity by taking a step back. She hadn’t expected Zhanting to take her up on it so seriously.

It wouldn’t have been such a big deal, but the Lin family had just been robbed today. Their home was basically cleaned out. She didn’t believe they could come up with 666 yuan now.

What should she do?

Not far away, Bai Aiyun, dressed in a nurse’s uniform and stepping out for some fresh air during her shift, happened to spot Lu Zhanting standing hand-in-hand with another woman.

The moment she saw Yuan Yuan’s seductive demeanor, she could tell this woman wasn’t someone to be underestimated.

She might even rival Bai Aiyun herself when it came to charming men.

How had Lu Zhanting suddenly ended up with someone like her?

Lu Zhanting was supposed to be hers—she wouldn’t let any other woman take him away.

Bai Aiyun walked straight toward them.

“Zhanting, is this your new girlfriend?” she asked.

Lu Zhanting froze. He hadn’t expected to run into Bai Aiyun here—and for her to misunderstand the situation.

He quickly pushed Yuan Yuan away. “I… Aiyun…”

Bai Aiyun glanced at him with that nervous expression of his and instantly knew he was still completely hers.

She smiled gently and said, “Zhanting, as your older ‘sister,’ let me give you some advice. You’re still engaged to Lin Qian. You should keep your distance from other women. What if Lin Qian finds out? How would you explain it?”

Lu Zhanting looked more and more guilty under her gaze. He really wanted to explain.

But Yuan Yuan spoke up first. “So you’re Zhanting’s sister? Hello, I’m Lin Yuan Yuan. Lin Qian is my cousin. We’ve already exchanged engagements—so I’m actually Zhanting’s fiancée now.”

“Exchanged engagements?” Bai Aiyun’s eyes turned to Lu Zhanting for confirmation.

He nodded. “Yeah. Today Lin Qian threw a fit and demanded we break off the engagement. I agreed. Just now, I decided to be with her cousin instead.”

As he spoke, he nervously watched Bai Aiyun’s expression, as if asking for her approval.

When he had originally gotten engaged to Lin Qian, it was only because Bai Aiyun had agreed.

Yuan Yuan knew who Bai Aiyun really was—she wasn’t buying that “sister” nonsense—but she had to stay calm. She still needed to marry Lu Zhanting, and all that mattered was that he would treat her well afterward.

So, suppressing her discomfort, she forced a smile. “Sister, don’t worry. I was raised by my aunt and uncle. I’ll treasure this relationship with Zhanting far more than my cousin ever did. Our relationship won’t end the way theirs did.”

Bai Aiyun’s expression turned stiff. She replied coolly, “No need to call me sister. I only call myself that because I’m a few years older and have known Zhanting a long time. Once you two are truly married, then you can call me sister.”

Yuan Yuan immediately felt suppressed by Bai Aiyun’s presence and wasn’t happy about it.

What gave this recently widowed woman the nerve to speak to her like that?

But she held back—for now. Once she became Lu Zhanting’s wife, she’d be the one with the last laugh.

Lu Zhanting could tell Bai Aiyun was unhappy and quickly looked for an excuse to send Yuan Yuan away. “Yuan Yuan, why don’t you go home for now? I’ll talk to my parents and get back to you tomorrow.”

Yuan Yuan put on her most obedient face. “Alright, I’ll listen to whatever Zhanting says. These are the gifts I bought for Grandpa—please make sure to give them to him.”

Once Yuan Yuan left, Lu Zhanting said, watching her walk away, “Aiyun, look how obedient she is, right?”

Bai Aiyun snorted, “Sure, she’s even more bold and aggressive than most girls in the world. You two aren’t even married yet, and the way she looks at you—it’s like she wants to devour you.”

“Aiyun, let me explain. No matter what, I only have you in my heart. We even have a child together—Xiao Qiang, he…”

“Shut up! Do you want to get Xiao Qiang—and yourself—killed?”

Bai Aiyun turned to glare at him, eyes red with anger.

Seeing her like this made Lu Zhanting feel like his heart had been carved out. “Aiyun, don’t be mad. I know I owe you too much in this life. But I swear, you’re the only one I’ll ever love.”

Bai Aiyun turned away, her voice full of sorrow. “There’s no need to talk about love between us anymore.”

Lu Zhanting grew more anxious and tried to explain, “Aiyun, you know I only wanted to marry to ease my parents’ worries and to protect you from public gossip. Lin Qian lost it today and tried to sabotage us, so I decided to switch to her cousin. If you think Yuan Yuan isn’t suitable, I won’t pick her. Is that okay?”