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Chapter 5 — The Push and Pull with the “Fiancé”…

It was as if she had a premonition. Lin Keying lifted her head toward the living room door, only to see the once tightly shut door ajar, a crack slanting open. A tall, imposing man dressed in black, his gaze sharp and cold, strode in with an air of forceful chill.

This was the third time she had seen her fiancé. Lin Keying’s heart gave a jolt, and only after tucking the money back into her pocket did she feel at ease.

Compared to the previous two encounters where he had been indifferent but still somewhat courteous, today her fiancé seemed extremely displeased. Though his brows weren’t furrowed, his expression naturally exuded an intimidating aura, emanating a cold energy indiscriminately around him.

Though it was a hot summer night, Lin Keying felt a chill.

Especially since his gaze was off—it was fixed directly on her, as if silently saying she was unnecessary and an eyesore.

Unable to help herself, she swallowed nervously. Watching the man approach with swift, purposeful steps, his eyes still locked on her, she wasn’t sure whether he was staring at her or at the mung bean dessert and wormwood rice cakes on the table.

Could it be that he…

Lin Keying pushed the food on the table toward him slightly, her bright and gentle eyes gazing at the man with a hint of reluctance in her heart. “Young Master, would you like some mung bean soup and wormwood rice cakes?”

She was just being polite—surely this fiancé wouldn’t take it seriously.

After all, no matter how she looked at him, his aura didn’t seem like someone who would eat desserts or snacks.

The man in front of her remained silent. Lin Keying’s eyelashes trembled lightly, like two little brushes flickering, and her clear eyes shimmered with a trace of delight.

He probably wouldn’t eat it.

Her slender, fair fingertips grasped the edge of the mung bean dessert bowl she had just pushed forward, ready to pull it back…

But the man suddenly spoke, his voice deep and concise:
“Mm.”

Lin Keying: “…?”

With tears brimming in her eyes, she watched as the only bowl of mung bean dessert was eaten by the expressionless man. Even the last wormwood rice cake was picked up by his long, defined fingers wielding chopsticks and placed into his mouth, chewed unhurriedly.

The familiar fragrant taste spread through Cheng Wanting’s mouth. Ever since his mother passed away, it had been a long time since he’d tasted flavors from the mainland.

That morning, he had argued with his father at the company, rejecting his suggestion of marrying the daughter of a director from the Jardine family. In the afternoon, he drove alone to the cemetery to pay respects to his mother. He stood before her tombstone for a long time, staring at the photo of a young girl in a floral dress with braided hair—his mother’s first photograph taken after coming from the mainland to Hong Kong.

In a daze, when he returned to the villa on the mid-levels and pushed open the door, he saw a woman dressed in a similar floral dress with braided hair, asking if he wanted something to eat.

Cheng Wanting hadn’t eaten all day and didn’t have much appetite, but he still finished the mung bean dessert and wormwood rice cakes, as if enveloped by a familiar taste.

Lin Keying looked at the food the man had polished off, her heart bleeding—wasn’t this too much? He didn’t leave a single bite!

After eating, the man got up to leave. His broad back paused slightly as he stepped onto the stairs.
“In a while, there will be a ship going to the mainland. I’ll give you more money to take back then—400,000 HK dollars.”

Lin Keying: !!!

Such a good thing!

This fiancé of hers… maybe it wasn’t so bad that he ate all the food!

++++

Ever since discovering that offering food could promote plot progression, Lin Keying became enamored with making snacks to give to her fiancé.

However, her fiancé rarely came to the mid-levels villa—likely busy with work. She understood that and instead inquired through Aunt Hua, Uncle Zhong, and Secretary Yang.

After all, as a child bride, she ought to express her affection and goodwill to her fiancé. Otherwise, how could things develop like in the original novel, where he’d get so annoyed he’d angrily pay her a million HK dollars to break off the engagement?

Aunt Hua and Uncle Zhong watched as Miss Lin made Liangnong rice cakes, gesturing as she worked and even writing his name in traditional Chinese characters as printed in the newspaper. They exchanged a look.

Oh my, Miss Lin really wanted to express her love to the young master!

Their eyes seemed to speak volumes, fully understanding.

Aunt Hua used the living room phone to call Secretary Yang. As the beeping tone sounded, she tried to comfort Lin Keying in clumsy Mandarin:
“Miss Lin, our young master most likely won’t accept it. He’s just like that—you don’t have to be sad.”

Aunt Hua wasn’t making it up. The Cheng family ranked among the top ten wealthy families in Hong Kong, and Cheng Wanting was the youngest leader. Many powerful and affluent families were eyeing him as an ideal son-in-law, and countless admirers were enamored with his handsome appearance.

Yet, the young master kept his distance from all of them, to the point of seeming heartless. His mind was focused solely on business—shipping, commercial buildings, real estate—raising the Cheng family’s status. He didn’t even have a trace of a woman around him.

Lin Keying struggled to understand Aunt Hua’s comforting words, but her heart remained calm. Smiling sweetly, she wrote: It’s alright. It’s just my sincere intention.

Uncle Zhong and Aunt Hua both sighed in unison—what a foolish girl.

They knew their young master too well.

Sure enough, Secretary Yang politely declined Aunt Hua’s request to deliver soup to the young master.
“Madam Hua, the young master has been extremely busy lately. He barely has time for tea or meals, let alone soup.”

Aunt Hua hung up the phone and waved her hand at Lin Keying, the meaning clear.

Lin Keying suppressed the curve of her lips, forcing a touch of sadness and quietly gave up for now.

But she figured expressing affection and being annoying couldn’t be done just once or twice. Later, she started calling Secretary Yang herself to ask if she could bring soup, desserts, or snacks to the young master.

At first, Secretary Yang thought Miss Lin was simply expressing gratitude. But after receiving calls repeatedly, three or four times, his expression became strange.

As the young master’s child bride—even if the engagement was about to be dissolved—she shouldn’t be this attentive to their young master!

At that moment, Cheng Wanting had just signed a contract for Universal Shipping Group’s second-half-year shipping agreements. The Cheng family now controlled half of Hong Kong’s shipping market, rivaling the British-funded Ocean Shipping Group.

Most exported textiles, rubber products, and electronics went by sea—either via Cheng’s ships or those of Ocean Shipping. Thanks to controlling such a critical transportation channel, the Cheng family had connections with numerous major companies and wielded considerable influence.

As he flipped to the next document, Cheng Wanting glanced up at Secretary Yang Minghui, who looked hesitant to speak.
“What is it?”

“Young master,” Yang Minghui cautiously organized his words,
“Miss Lin has been calling every day at noon these past few days, saying…”

“Saying what?” Cheng Wanting recalled a pair of clear, bright eyes.

“She says she wants to bring you food.” Secretary Yang’s heart pounded. What kind of situation is this!

Miss Lin must be crazy.

Cheng Wanting’s hand holding the pen paused briefly, but he resumed signing with a calm expression moments later.
“How’s Liu Zhigao’s side?”

Caught off guard that the young master suddenly asked about Wharf Holdings, Yang Minghui froze for a second before quickly responding,
“Both sides are in a stalemate. I heard Jardines wants to step in and mediate.”

“Mm.” Cheng Wanting finished signing, capped the pen, and with full confidence said,
“Let them fight and negotiate first. We’ll wait behind the scenes. In a few days, we can spread rumors at Star Properties—say that Universal is interested in Wharf as well.”

“Understood.” Secretary Yang had followed the young master for years and naturally understood his nature—whatever he set his sights on, he never missed.

After wrapping up business, Secretary Yang prepared to leave the GM’s office, but as he turned, he heard the young master speak:
“Confirm the ship going to the mainland in half a month. Send Miss Lin away.”

“Yes.” Secretary Yang suppressed a tinge of gossiping curiosity, only sighing that the young master was still as resolute as ever. As soon as someone showed even a trace of affection or attentiveness, he decisively blocked them, not allowing a sliver of closeness.

Especially since Miss Lin was also the child bride of the young master’s cousin—utterly ridiculous!

…

Secretary Yang thought the young master wouldn’t meet Lin Keying again, but to his surprise, that notion was shattered the very next day.

As usual, Lin Keying called Secretary Yang at noon. By now, she wasn’t even putting her heart into it—she still called and expressed her goodwill but didn’t actually prepare food or drinks.

It would be rejected anyway.

As the beeping tone ended, Lin Keying smoothly spoke:
“Secretary Yang, does the young master have time today? It’s very hot today, so I specially made a refreshing dessert for him.”

Based on the past few days, Secretary Yang should have sternly declined at this point and advised her not to trouble herself. Lin Keying would then persist stubbornly, waiting for her fiancé to lose patience and be eager to get rid of his clingy child bride.

But this time, there was a moment of silence on the other end. Lin Keying’s slender fingers twirled the phone cord, and she softly called out:
“Secretary Yang…?”

“Then bring it over. Universal Building, 32nd floor.”

Lin Keying: …?

The unfamiliar yet faintly familiar deep voice on the other end—wasn’t that her fiancé!?

Weren’t you rejecting me every day? Why are you agreeing today!?

At that moment, Lin Keying had nothing prepared—truly a dessert from a dream.

She hurriedly left the mid-levels villa, packed some chilled mung bean dessert and curry fish balls from Aunt He’s dessert stall, and grumbled all the way to Central’s Universal Building.

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