"You want me to go on a blind date?" Ren Qiuyang's face was full of disbelief. "Mom, you know I already have someone I like! Besides, this Eldest Young Master Peng has been married before!"
Mother Ren sighed. "I know you like Lu Bochuan, and I promised to give you time. But five years have passed. Has Lu Bochuan shown any intention of getting a divorce? Moreover, who in our circle doesn't know how incredibly well Lu Bochuan treats his wife?"
"So what if Eldest Young Master Peng has been married before? If Lu Bochuan actually gets a divorce, his next marriage would be his third." Mother Ren took Ren Qiuyang's hand and patted it. "Qiuyang, Mom knows you truly like Lu Bochuan, but he doesn't like you! You're already thirty-one. How much longer do you plan to wait for him? What if he never gets a divorce in his entire life?"
A tear rolled down Ren Qiuyang's cheek. "Then I'll wait for him for the rest of my life!"
Mother Ren smacked her out of anger. "Fine! Then let that illegitimate son inherit the company, and the two of us can just wait to be kicked out onto the streets!"
"Mom, don't say that. I didn't mean it like that! Don't worry, I've been with the company for so many years, and the board of directors can see my capabilities. That illegitimate son is only twenty-four; what great things can he possibly achieve?" A flash of resentment crossed Ren Qiuyang's eyes.
"But the business world is inherently a man's domain. I once thought your father wouldn't favor boys over girls, but just look at what happened!"
"Qiuyang, let me tell you the truth. I've had someone look into it. Your father has transferred thirty percent of his shares to that mother and son. And... this illegitimate son has already spent two years at the overseas branch, successfully completing several major projects. If you don't quickly find a powerful husband's family to back you, you'll definitely be ousted at next year's shareholders' meeting."
"Although the Peng family isn't as wealthy as the Lu family, their second son is a government official and married the daughter of the military's second-in-command. If we can form a marriage alliance with their family, who on the board of directors would dare say a word against you?"
"Qiuyang, are you truly willing to hand over the family assets to that illegitimate son? Just consider it as Mom begging you, alright?" Mother Ren said, her voice choked with tears.
Ren Qiuyang remained silent for a long time before finally nodding. "Mom, stop crying... I'll go."
The next afternoon, Ren Qiuyang arrived at the blind date location right on time.
Half an hour later, Eldest Young Master Peng finally arrived, fashionably late.
"Miss Ren, sorry to keep you waiting." The man sat down on the sofa, the fat on his belly instantly stretching his suit tight.
Ren Qiuyang looked away.
"May I call you Qiuyang?" Eldest Young Master Peng asked.
Ren Qiuyang forced a smile. "Of course."
"Qiuyang, I actually like you a lot. You're beautiful and capable..." Eldest Young Master Peng launched into an endless stream of praise.
But Ren Qiuyang's heart remained completely unmoved; in fact, she felt rather annoyed.
Having grown accustomed to Lu Bochuan's handsome face, looking at someone as ordinary and out-of-shape as Eldest Young Master Peng made her feel uncomfortable with just a single glance.
Not to mention his uneven teeth.
Ren Qiuyang let the man talk, simply lowering her head in silence to drink her coffee.
Young Master Peng talked for a long time before finally remembering to ask, "Qiuyang, what do you think of me?"
Ren Qiuyang gave a faint smile. "...You're... pretty good."
Eldest Young Master Peng immediately perked up. "Qiuyang, even though I've been married before, if you're with me, I will absolutely treat you well. I already have a daughter, so all you need to do is give birth to a son, and in the future, everything I have will be his."
Ren Qiuyang's hand paused on her cup, a trace of disgust flashing through her eyes.
Another man who favored sons over daughters.
Her father had once said that she was his little princess and that he would spoil her for the rest of her life, but he still ended up having a boy with someone else.
Ren Qiuyang clenched her fists. She would definitely make her father realize that she was ten thousand times better than that illegitimate son.
Eldest Young Master Peng was completely oblivious to her inner thoughts and continued planning their future out loud. "Qiuyang, you're already thirty-one, so it's better if we have a child sooner rather than later. That way, your figure can recover faster after giving birth. My mom had someone look into it, and March 18th next year is an auspicious date. If you're willing..."
Ren Qiuyang interrupted him. "Let's not talk about that right now."
Eldest Young Master Peng had no choice but to change the subject.
It wasn't until six o'clock in the evening that Eldest Young Master Peng finally said he had to leave.
Ren Qiuyang had just breathed a sigh of relief when Mother Ren's phone call came in.
"Qiuyang, Eldest Young Master Peng's mother already spoke with me. Eldest Young Master Peng is extremely satisfied with you. They've even started looking at wedding dates. She also secretly told me that Eldest Young Master Peng has actually liked you for a long time."
"Qiuyang, the Peng family is really quite good. Once you marry, it will definitely be the icing on the cake. Even if your father has any ulterior motives, he'll have to take the Peng family into consideration."
"Besides, Eldest Young Master Peng likes you so much."
"Listen to Mom's advice. Rather than finding someone you like, it's better to marry someone who likes you. Mom wouldn't steer you wrong."
Ren Qiuyang gripped her phone, waiting a long time before replying, "I know."
After hanging up, she sat silently in the coffee shop for a long time before standing up and turning to enter a nearby bar.
It was past ten o'clock when she came out of the bar.
The winter night breeze was bone-chillingly cold. Ren Qiuyang pulled her coat tighter around herself. Not long after stepping outside, she noticed two men following her.
"Hey beautiful, we saw you drinking all by yourself earlier. Heartbroken over love? Don't worry, let us brothers take good care of you, and you'll forget all your troubles." Saying this, the two men reached out to grab Ren Qiuyang.
Ren Qiuyang always kept pepper spray in her bag. She was just about to take it out when she suddenly saw a tall, straight figure walking out of a nearby restaurant.
It was Lu Bochuan.
Ren Qiuyang's eyes darted. She shoved the pepper spray back into her bag, letting the two men grope her as she started screaming, "Help! Somebody help me!"
"Bochuan! Hurry and save me!"
Lu Bochuan quickly heard her.
Seeing Ren Qiuyang being harassed by two men, he raised his foot and kicked them.
Seeing that they were no match for Lu Bochuan, the two men scurried away.
"What happened?" Lu Bochuan asked.
Ren Qiuyang replied, "I ran into some heartbreaking matters, so I went out to drink, and then they followed me."
Lu Bochuan said, "You should take a taxi back."
Hearing him say this, Ren Qiuyang suddenly swayed and fell backward.
Lu Bochuan was startled and quickly caught her.
Ren Qiuyang massaged her forehead. "Bochuan, could you take me back? I drank too much, and my mind is a bit foggy. I'm afraid I might pass out soon. I have an apartment right nearby. Please take me there, it'll be quick."
Lu Bochuan knew that the apartment was only about a ten-minute drive away, and seeing her in this state, he hesitated.
After all, the two of them were friends.
"Wait here for me." Lu Bochuan went to the side to get his car.
Taking advantage of his departure, Ren Qiuyang immediately sent a message to her assistant.
Deliver that pill to my Crescent Moon apartment, immediately!
