Chapter 24.2

The salesperson had sharp eyes and could gauge people well.

Although Ruan Mingfu dressed simply, her fair complexion and attractive appearance suggested she was from a wealthy background. It was hard to believe such a person couldn’t afford a bicycle.

“Ruan Mingfu!”

As Ruan Mingfu was about to leave, she heard someone calling her from behind. Turning around, she saw Gu Yilin approaching.

Right, Gu Yilin worked here.

“It really is you,” Gu Yilin said with surprise. “I thought I must have been mistaken. I didn’t dare call you. What brings you here?”

Gu Yilin pulled Ruan Mingfu aside.

“How did things go?”

After leaving the hospital, she went to find her uncle. Although her uncle didn’t have as much influence as Zhou Dahu in the county, he still had some say.

But her uncle kept talking about this and that and just refused to agree to her request, and even her aunt couldn’t persuade him.

Gu Yilin had been anxious all afternoon and was relieved to see Ruan Mingfu.

“Zhou Dahu has been arrested,” Ruan Mingfu continued, “His downfall will likely implicate a lot of people.”

Gu Yilin snorted, “Well, they deserve it. But you haven’t told me—how did you end up here?”

“My fiancé brought me here.”

Gu Yilin’s eyes lit up.

She looked behind Ruan Mingfu but saw no one. She glanced around but still didn’t spot him.

Ruan Mingfu tugged at her, “Stop looking, he’s downstairs. I’m just wandering around.”

Without seeing Ruan Mingfu’s fiancé, Gu Yilin felt a bit disappointed.

“Take me to see him,” Gu Yilin insisted, determined to meet Ruan Mingfu’s fiancé today.

In such a remote countryside, what good could there be? Gu Yilin even felt that Li Zheng was better. She looked at Ruan Mingfu with pity…

If Ruan Mingfu’s fiancé turned out to be unremarkable, at most she would refrain from mocking her.

Ruan Mingfu grabbed Gu Yilin, “Why do you want to see him?”

Gu Yilin sighed.

Given how anxious her so-called friend was, her fiancé must be pretty disappointing.

“Now that Zhou Dahu is dealt with, what are you planning to do?” Gu Yilin asked directly, “Are you still going to keep the engagement?”

Since the other party didn’t measure up, and Ruan Mingfu looked like a flower, why cling to such disappointment?

If it were up to her, she’d just break off the engagement and compensate him with some money.

He could take the money and find a younger woman, and Ruan Mingfu would be free from this burden.

Sounds good!

Ruan Mingfu had just been considering this matter.

But since the other party had helped her so much, wouldn’t it be a bit ungrateful to break off the engagement?

“Ruan Mingfu, you can’t be foolish,” Gu Yilin’s voice dropped as she leaned in and whispered, “I heard from my uncle that your parents might be rehabilitated. When they come back, you won’t lack for suitors.”

Ruan Mingfu’s ears heard nothing but the word ‘rehabilitated.’

Though she wasn’t the original person, she knew from the original memories that Ruan Mingfu’s parents had only one child, her. They treasured their daughter like a precious gem and indulged her every whim.

“Is what you said true?” Ruan Mingfu grasped Gu Yilin’s hand, afraid she had misheard and wanting to confirm the news.

Gu Yilin nodded. “Of course it’s true.”

She had pressed her uncle for this information, and he had revealed it to appease her.

“That’s wonderful!”

“So, what are you thinking?” Gu Yilin asked, grabbing her arm. “Do you want to break off the engagement?”

Ruan Mingfu’s beautiful face showed some distress.

Suddenly having to end her engagement with Xie Yanzhao was something she was reluctant to do.

Though he could be annoying at times, Xie Yanzhao was generally reliable. For example, even when she was irritating him at night, he didn’t get angry. And most importantly… he had a great physique and was handsome!

Seeing Ruan Mingfu’s suddenly flushed face, Gu Yilin’s eyes widened as if she had realized something.

She covered her mouth, fearing she might say something too loudly. After calming down, she whispered, “Could he have… done something with you?”

Ruan Mingfu’s thoughts drifted back to Xie Yanzhao pressing her against the wall and kissing her.

That assertive, eager intensity, and the way he seemed to want to devour her… his solid and powerful shoulders…

Ruan Mingfu’s face turned even redder, resembling a blooming begonia in spring.

She squirmed under her friend’s gaze and stammered, “No.”

“Men are really despicable!” Gu Yilin sighed in relief. “Don’t let him deceive you.”

Ruan Mingfu nodded, “Yes.”

Behind them, Xie Yanzhao had an inscrutable expression.

He cleared his throat and met Ruan Mingfu’s gaze, his voice low and attractive. “Have you chosen what you want to buy?”

Ruan Mingfu shook her head. “Not yet.”

Gu Yilin’s eyes widened.

Damn! Isn’t this the extremely handsome guy she saw at the hospital?

He is the useless fiancé of my best friend? !

Xie Yanzhao was tall and well-built, with refined features. The scar on his face added to his rugged charm. His imposing aura made others wary, but to Gu Yilin, it represented charisma.

For the first time, Gu Yilin’s envy was completely unmasked.

She wiped away the imaginary drool and whispered to Ruan Mingfu, “Seriously, break off the engagement with him.”

Xie Yanzhao had excellent hearing and could clearly hear their conversation.

He hesitated, unsure what to say, but heard the young woman continue, “Let me get engaged to him. I don’t mind a second-hand man.”

Ruan Mingfu: “….”

Xie Yanzhao: “….”

Women these days were really bold.

Ruan Mingfu’s face stiffened as she pinched Gu Yilin’s waist, whispering fiercely, “Don’t even think about it. He’s mine!”

Good things are worth fighting for, and people are the same.

Ruan Mingfu had been considering breaking off the engagement with Xie Yanzhao, but now she was protective.

“Ugh—”

Gu Yilin gasped but still managed to say quietly, “Let go. I don’t want him anymore. But… you have to introduce me to someone similar.”

Ruan Mingfu thought for a moment.

“Deal!”

Xie Yanzhao felt his timing was less than ideal.

“Where are you two heading? I can show you around today,” Gu Yilin said, feeling that no one knew the place better than she did.

Ruan Mingfu replied, “No need, I’m not lacking anything.”

Miss Ruan had everything imaginable, including several boxes of jewelry. Except for daily necessities, she wasn’t interested in anything here. Compared to the sophisticated craftsmanship of fifty or sixty years later, the items here were quite rough.

Gu Yilin disagreed, “You came all the way to my workplace, how can you just leave?”

“Marriage nowadays requires the three essentials,” Gu Yilin said, looking at Xie Yanzhao. “Your fiancé isn’t considering buying you a watch? There’s a new batch that just arrived from Haishi, and they look great.”

Xie Yanzhao glanced at Ruan Mingfu’s empty wrist.

“Alright.”

“Really generous,” Gu Yilin’s smile widened as she led them to a display case with various watches, both men’s and women’s.

Gu Yilin addressed the salesperson, “Show us the new batch from Haishi.”

“Sure, Sister Yilin.”

Ruan Mingfu looked at the watches, each bearing the distinct style of the era.

“Do you have to buy one?”

She didn’t want to flaunt such an old-fashioned watch.

Ruan Mingfu tugged on Xie Yanzhao’s sleeve, making his firm resolve soften a bit, “It’s fine. Don’t worry about saving money for me.”

Ruan Mingfu: …

Uh… did Xie Yanzhao misunderstand something?

The salesperson came out with several boxes, opening them one by one, “These are the new models of the year, just arrived. The manager hasn’t even allowed us to display them yet.”

The salesperson’s comment was meant to persuade Gu Yilin into making a purchase.

Gu Yilin pulled Ruan Mingfu over, “Come on, which one do you like?”

She compared the watches to Ruan Mingfu’s wrist one by one.

Even Xie Yanzhao, a grown man, was observing.

“This one’s nice. Though the watch is a bit thin, it could double as a bracelet,” Gu Yilin said, putting the watch on Ruan Mingfu’s wrist with a satisfied smile, “See, it fits so well.”

Xie Yanzhao’s gaze fell on another watch.

The reason being, the watch looked somewhat similar to the one on his wrist. Compared to his own more stately watch, this women’s watch was noticeably more delicate.

Xie Yanzhao picked it up and compared it to Ruan Mingfu’s wrist curiously.

Ruan Mingfu: “….”

Looking at the two watches on her wrist, Ruan Mingfu was even more speechless.

“This one I picked is quite good,” Gu Yilin said confidently.

Xie Yanzhao, not to be outdone, added, “The one I chose is also quite nice.”

Gu Yilin glared at him and turned to Ruan Mingfu, “Which one do you think is better?”

Xie Yanzhao also looked at her.

Although he didn’t speak, his intent was clear from his intense gaze.

Ruan Mingfu: “….”