Just as Chen Zhenye was preparing to contact the Qin family to finalize the wedding date as soon as possible,
Qin Xuanye sat in the back seat of the car, slowly closing the partition panel to let the driver focus on driving.
He dialed Father Qin's number.
"Dad, I want to call off the engagement."
An angry voice came from the other end of the phone:
"Nonsense! This was a business alliance from the start, for our relationship with the Chen family, and most importantly, to get close to Elder Wu."
Qin Xuanye closed his eyes briefly, his voice indifferent. "But I don't like Chen Ruanruan, and she's not the Chen family's biological daughter either."
Father Qin chuckled coldly. "So what if she's not biological? I heard Mrs. Chen treats her even better than her own daughter."
"Besides, she holds 5% of the Chen family's shares. That's part of the dowry."
Qin Xuanye had already prepared and investigated this matter.
"Chen Ruanruan's shares are only verbal; Mr. Chen hasn't actually transferred them to her name."
Father Qin: "Alright, then I'll set the wedding date with Old Chen, and we can formalize this matter at the same time."
Qin Xuanye grew anxious.
He shouted into the phone:
"Dad! I won't marry Chen Ruanruan!"
"I love Liuyue!!!"
Father Qin was slightly taken aback.
"You mean the Chen family's biological daughter?"
Qin Xuanye: "Yes. If the alliance marriage is to proceed, it can only be with Liuyue. Otherwise, I'll never go along with your wishes."
Father Qin sighed.
He seemed to be deep in thought.
"The Chen family's biological daughter is good, I hear Elder Wu even plans to hand over the Wu family to her."
"But she's just too good. You're not worthy of her!"
Qin Xuanye felt a pang of panic upon hearing this. "How am I not worthy?"
Father Qin: "Forget about you, even the young master of the Wei family is pursuing her. Tell me, in what aspect do you compare to Wei Miao?"
Qin Xuanye fell silent.
In some aspects, he indeed couldn't compare to Wei Miao.
But he had the advantage of being first.
He was Liuyue's first boyfriend.
They were each other's first love.
He might still have a chance to compete.
Qin Xuanye said solemnly:
"Dad, I'm calling to make my stance clear."
"A marriage alliance with the Chen family is possible, but I will only marry Liuyue."
"If I can't marry Liuyue, then let's call off the alliance."
Father Qin couldn't do anything with his son either.
He said quietly:
"Xiaoye, what you're doing isn't right. Chen Ruanruan may not be the Chen family's biological daughter, but she's been good to you. And you're changing your heart just like that."
"No matter what, you owe her and Mrs. Chen an explanation."
Qin Xuanye didn't deny it.
"Dad, I am indeed very selfish."
"But Chen Ruanruan is just suitable for me, not someone I love."
"As for the blame I deserve, I'll accept it all. I deserve it! I should pay the price for my choice!"
Father Qin ultimately agreed to his request.
He hung up the phone.
The partition in the back seat slowly rose again. Qin Xuanye looked at the driver and asked:
"How much longer until we reach Tao Village?"
The driver replied, "Young Master, after getting off the highway, we can only take the national road. It was under repair last night. We should be able to get there before dark."
"Alright, as soon as possible." Qin Xuanye rubbed his temples.
He opened his phone and saw three or four messages from Chen Ruanruan.
"Xuanye, I really want to go back."
"These Tao family relatives are all so mean, they're bullying me, boohoo."
"If only you were by my side."
Qin Xuanye tapped his fingers and replied: "Is Liuyue being bullied?"
...
"Is Liuyue being bullied?" Chen Ruanruan stared at this reply from her fiancé, her eyes nearly popping out in anger.
Beside her, Chen Haotian asked with concern, "Ruanruan, what's wrong? Who sent you a message? Are you unhappy?"
Chen Ruanruan closed her phone.
She forced a smile and said, "Brother, it's from Xuanye. He's asking if I'm adjusting well to staying in our hometown."
Chen Haotian frowned slightly.
His attitude was lukewarm. "Oh, I see."
Chen Ruanruan was used to it; she knew her brother didn't like Qin Xuanye.
After all, in the eyes of every overprotective brother, no other man is good enough for his best sister!
Chen Ruanruan actually felt smug about this.
After all, her brother was the next heir of the Chen family. As long as her brother loved her, what did it matter if she wasn't the biological Chen heiress?
Once her brother took charge, she would still be the most esteemed Miss Chen.
Suddenly, a noisy commotion came from outside the main gate.
Before Chen Ruanruan could react, Grandma Tao and Jin Minjia came in with a crowd of relatives.
They were all very loud.
Even before entering, their cheerful, boisterous chatter could be heard.
"My, oh my! So this is your biological daughter. She's a real looker!"
"Indeed, much better than the previous one. The other one was just blocking the main gate earlier, with a dark face, looking like someone owed her money."
"But speaking of which, that young man beside Liuyue is really handsome. Is he seeing anyone?"
"What? That's Liuyue's boyfriend? My, she really got lucky."
The relatives chattered away, one after another.
Chen Ruanruan felt somewhat uncomfortable.
Jin Minjia was already pulling her hand, saying, "Come, this is your Second Aunt, say hello."
"That's your Third Auntie, she even held you when you were little... oh wait, she held Liuyue. Anyway, it's the same, she's your real auntie."
"This one, your Great-Aunt. Your maternal grandmother passed away early, and your Great-Aunt treated me like her own daughter."
"And this, your mother's only younger brother, your uncle."
Chen Ruanruan was like a robot, mechanically greeting each one by their title.
Chen Haotian, afraid she was being bullied, quickly stepped forward.
Seeing a young man, the relatives couldn't help but laugh. "We heard long ago that Ruanruan has a fiancé in the city. Oh, is this her fiancé?"
Yes, he's so good to our Ruanruan; he even came along especially for her.
"I heard he's also a young master from a well-matched, prominent family. Our Ruanruan is just blessed with good fortune."
"Absolutely. Back when Minjia was pregnant with this child, I said this baby would be extraordinary once born."
Jin Minjia and Chen Ruanruan were both stunned.
A hint of secret delight flashed across Chen Haotian's face.
Chen Ruanruan spoke in a hurry, her voice turning sharp.
"He's not!"
"Don't talk nonsense! This is my brother, Chen Haotian. We are real siblings!"
"He's very good to me. As for my fiancé, he's busy with something. You'll see him at the wedding!"
The relatives looked embarrassed.
Especially the Great-Aunt.
She glanced at Jin Minjia, then at Chen Ruanruan.
Sighing, she said, "Oh dear! Xiaojia, your biological daughter here has quite the temper."
"Shouting at us elders like that. Well, of course, we're just country folk from the village. How could she truly see us as elders?"
