At that time, Jiang Youli found Duan Jinghan's words utterly baffling, but she didn’t dwell on it. She simply replied, "Why would you ask that? I’ve never thought of it that way."
Duan Jinghan fell silent for a moment before hanging up.
For the next week, he didn’t reach out to her—no visits, no calls. Jiang Youli happened to be busy developing a new medication and had no time to spare for him.
Then came the day Qi Huan visited her, and Duan Jinghan finally called—only to break up with her out of the blue.
Huh…
Could it really be, as Qi Huan suggested, that she hadn’t been proactive enough in the relationship?
Seeing her frown, Qi Huan chuckled. "Don’t overthink it. That’s just my personal speculation. Either way, you’ve already broken up, and now I’m your fiancé."
"Whatever. He’s the one who ended things. A jerk is a jerk—no excuses change that." Jiang Youli had no interest in deciphering Duan Jinghan’s motives for the breakup, nor the insulting message he’d sent afterward about "keeping" her.
Qi Huan, satisfied that she truly no longer cared about her ex, smiled. "Good."
His earlier remarks weren’t meant to defend her ex.
He simply didn’t want Jiang Youli to soften if she later discovered Duan Jinghan still loved her, leaving room for lingering attachment.
He wanted her heart to belong to him alone.
Qi Huan asked again, "So, about that lunch we mentioned earlier?"
Jiang Youli patted her stomach. "Sure, let’s go eat."
With that, she personally pushed Qi Huan’s wheelchair.
Cheng Jing, who had been waiting nearby, noticed the session was over and hurried over.
"Miss Jiang, I’ll take care of the wheelchair. You’ve worked hard for three hours—please rest and have some water and snacks." His tone was respectful as he handed her the refreshments he’d prepared in advance.
Having served Qi Huan for so long, Cheng Jing understood one thing clearly: this time, his master was serious about Jiang Youli. Otherwise, why would he fuss over something as trivial as snacks?
Without a word, Jiang Youli let go of the wheelchair, accepted the snack bag, and stepped aside. She opened it and began munching on a box of biscuits with relish.
Qi Huan watched her from the corner of his eye. The dappled early autumn sunlight filtering through the trees fell on her face, her cheeks puffing slightly as she chewed—a mix of boldness and endearing charm.
It was just an ordinary scene.
Yet to him, it was rare and captivating.
With every passing moment, his resolve to make Jiang Youli his wife grew stronger.
...
Qi Huan took her to a nearby countryside restaurant. As he explained, it was one of his ventures—more of a private kitchen for hosting guests than a profit-driven business.
Having spent years in the village, Jiang Youli could tell the ingredients were all fresh, organic farm produce.
Seeing her enjoy the meal, Qi Huan smiled. "If you like it, we can come here often. The menu changes regularly, so you won’t get bored."
Jiang Youli nodded. "Sure. We can celebrate holidays and anniversaries here."
Qi Huan raised a brow, feigning ignorance. "Anniversaries like…?"
She set down her chopsticks and counted on her fingers. "Our first meeting, our engagement, and our future wedding anniversary, for starters."
His eyes crinkled with amusement. "Deal."
Just then, her phone rang again.
Same unknown number as before.
Reading her subtle expression, Qi Huan guessed who it was. "If you want to end this for good, I can answer it for you."
Jiang Youli thought it was a good idea and handed him the phone.
Qi Huan took it, swiped to answer, and spoke calmly.
"Jiang Youli, I’m at the train station. Where are you? I don’t see you."
"She’s having lunch with me."
A pause. Then, an unmistakable edge of anger.
"Who are you? Why are you answering her phone? Put her on!"
"I’m her fiancé. Since you’ve been harassing her after the breakup, I’m making it clear—stay away from my future wife."
"She got engaged right after we broke up? Do you really expect me to believe that? Let me talk to her!" The fury in his voice burned hotter.
"If you don’t believe me, we’ll send you an invitation to the wedding," Qi Huan replied, unshaken.
"Put. Her. On. The. Phone!"
"Since it’s over, let it end cleanly."
With that, Qi Huan hung up and returned the phone. "Seems he’s not giving up."
His hunch was right.
Duan Jinghan’s feelings for Jiang Youli were genuine. His breakup after becoming a wealthy heir wasn’t about greed—it was a pride-driven attempt to humble her, to flip the power dynamic in their relationship.
But Duan Jinghan had miscalculated. Now, no amount of regret could undo it.
Jiang Youli was his fiancée, and Qi Huan would never let anyone take her away.
"Whether he gives up or not doesn’t matter," Jiang Youli said just as the unknown number called again.
This time, she decided to settle it herself and answered.
"Duan Jinghan, stop bothering me. We’re done."
A long silence. When he spoke again, the arrogance was gone, replaced by pleading.
"Youli, I was wrong. I never meant to break up—I just felt like you didn’t care, and I thought… if I made you lose me, you’d realize what you were missing."
Jiang Youli was speechless.
"How old are you? That’s the dumbest plan I’ve ever heard. Break up, tell me I’m not good enough, then ‘generously’ offer to keep me?"
"I know… I messed up. I don’t know what got into me. I just wanted you to value me, not treat me like some pathetic lapdog…" His voice cracked with tears.
The raw emotion gave her pause, but her resolve didn’t waver. She lowered her gaze. "Duan Jinghan, you’ve known me for two years. You know how I am."
"I do… I was arrogant, trying to ‘win’ this relationship. But Youli, can’t you give me one more chance? Do you really feel nothing for me? Is this really the end?"
"Youli, I really am the heir to the Duan family in Jing City. All that breakup and ‘keeping you’ nonsense—I take it all back. I’ll marry you properly, give you the life you deserve…"
