CHAPTER 281: CHAPTER 272: IT PROBABLY ISN’T LOVE

Li Meng and Li Lie came here not only to take Yu Xiaolian to the Prince Mansion as a concubine but also to retrieve their indenture contracts. Although they now have Prince Jin as their backing, the Yu Family wouldn’t dare to use the indenture contracts to go to Prince Jin and demand people. But having those contracts, of course, is best to retrieve and destroy them.

After Yu Xiaolian returned the Li family brothers’ indenture contracts to them, Li Meng and Li Lie briefly exchanged pleasantries with Yu Xiaolian and left.

After all, Yu Xiaolian was engaged, so they couldn’t force her, could they?

After the Li family brothers left, Yu Xiaolian looked at Su Jingchen, "Shall we talk?"

Su Jingchen nodded.

Yu Xiaolian took him to the backyard of Taotao Residence.

"What just happened was just an expedient measure..."

"I know." Su Jingchen interrupted Yu Xiaolian, "I won’t overthink it, don’t worry."

Yu Xiaolian: "..."

How about you think more? Maybe I’ve changed my mind now!

"Oh... alright then!" Yu Xiaolian secretly pouted.

Su Jingchen, this straightforward iron block, expecting him to create some surprises for her seems unlikely.

Apart from his looks and talent, his emotional intelligence is practically negligible.

Yu Xiaolian and Su Jingchen went to the temporary rented house in Bridge Alley, where they found out that Su Dafu had come with Zheng Yuanfeng. But Zheng Yuanfeng had to stay in Caozhou for a few days because of business matters.

This was the first time Su Dafu met Yu Xiaolian. He first thanked her for saving Su Jingyue, and after some courtesy exchanges, Su Dafu began to scrutinize Yu Xiaolian.

She was wearing unconventional clothes, her hair was not long as other women’s, and she had a few pink hairpins, simple yet playful.

A round face, big eyes, a small mouth.

Her eyes seemed unusually black, making her eyes look particularly big and bright.

Su Dafu didn’t realize that Yu Xiaolian’s eyes looked that way because of contact lenses. After observing her, he privately confirmed in his heart that it was no wonder his son rejected the Magistrate’s daughter; Yu Xiaolian was indeed somewhat attractive.

Su Dafu actually wanted to become in-laws with the Linzhou Magistrate, but he couldn’t persuade his son, who was unwilling.

To be honest, Lin Zhiping, the son of the Linzhou Magistrate, was his son’s classmate, and marrying the Magistrate’s daughter would benefit his son’s career, but his son stubbornly refused to agree.

Eventually, after being pressured, his son admitted he had someone he fancied, the daughter of the landlord where they once rented a house in Yangcheng, surnamed Yu.

After Su Dafu made some inquiries, he shook his head like a rattle-drum and spent half a month persuading Su Jingchen, giving him examples of the benefits of marrying Lin Zilan and the disadvantages of marrying Yu Xiaolian.

Even after comparing Lin Zilan and Yu Xiaolian in every aspect, Su Dafu couldn’t persuade the stubborn Su Jingchen.

Therefore, he was always curious about Yu Xiaolian, and now seeing her in person, he had to take a good look.

Being scrutinized by Su Dafu made Yu Xiaolian feel a bit uneasy, and she suddenly felt like she was meeting her boyfriend’s parents.

Sure enough, her instincts were right, as Su Dafu began to inquire about her family.

He asked how many people were in Yu Xiaolian’s family, what their livelihood was, and if there were any engagement plans now.

Yu Xiaolian looked at Su Jingchen, raising her eyebrows silently asking, what’s going on?

No matter how much she raised her eyebrows, Su Jingchen pretended not to notice and just kept adjusting his cuffs.

Yu Xiaolian wondered if Su Jingchen had invited her over because of family pressure to marry.

But... it shouldn’t be!

Su Jingchen isn’t even fourteen yet, Su Dafu is a bit too anxious.

But considering how many people here married at fifteen, it wasn’t that strange.

Thinking about how Su Jingchen had just helped her recently, as a reciprocal gesture, she thought she should also help him a bit.

Yu Xiaolian obediently answered Su Dafu’s questions, mentioning her family has five people: parents, a brother, and a sister, and they currently run a grocery shop.

As for engagement, she hadn’t thought about it yet.

Of course, she hadn’t thought about it because she didn’t have a partner!

Su Dafu wanted to ask more, but Su Jingchen interrupted, "It’s too late, I’ll escort you home."

Hmph, at least he has a conscience. If Su Dafu kept asking, Yu Xiaolian would explode.

You can ask, sure, but that gaze is very unsettling, making it feel like she was a commodity to be appraised and sold.

Hmph, if I hadn’t given Su Jingchen a heads-up, you’d have been killed by bandits long ago, and you wouldn’t even have the chance to play the big shot here.

Su Dafu’s gaze carried contempt, which Yu Xiaolian clearly saw and felt.

As soon as she got outside, Yu Xiaolian discontentedly asked, "What do you mean? Is this the thank-you feast you mentioned?"

Su Jingchen looked at Yu Xiaolian, "Did it make you uncomfortable? I’m sorry.

I apologize to you on his behalf!"

Yu Xiaolian frowned, puzzled, "Did your father force you into a blind date?"

Su Jingchen nodded, then shook his head, "He can’t control me, don’t worry!"

Yu Xiaolian walked down the steps first, "Why should I be worried or not? You’re not mine."

Su Jingchen silently followed her, remaining speechless throughout.

When they were almost at Xiangyang Lane, Su Jingchen suddenly asked, "What kind of person do you want to marry?"

Yu Xiaolian tilted her head and thought for a moment, "The man in my heart should be calm, as steady as a mountain and broad as a river.

He should be subtle, capturing charm without a word.

He should be noble, like the moon rising in the east with a favorable wind.

He should be open-minded, considering a hundred-year gap as just a minor distance.

He should be strong, moving with vigor like a rainbow, walking as quick as wind.

He should be full of spirit, with the universe at his side, dignified, capable of astonishing feats without losing innocence.

Ordinarily, he should be able to amuse me and make me happy, that’s enough.

Yu Xiaolian wore a mischievous smile, borrowing the classic quotes from Uncle Quan.

"I can become that person!"

"Hmm?"

"I can become the person you want to marry!"

"Really? Then I’ll wait and see." For some reason, seeing the serious expression of Su Jingchen, Yu Xiaolian felt a sudden urge to laugh.

And she didn’t hide it; when she wanted to laugh, she laughed.

Su Jingchen took out a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to Yu Xiaolian, "This is for you!"

Yu Xiaolian took it with surprise, oh, he’s making progress, knowing to give gifts now.

After opening the handkerchief with great anticipation, Yu Xiaolian found it amusing and frustrating; inside, there was a silver note.

Su Jingchen explained, "I didn’t know what you like, so I gave you money to buy it yourself!"

Yu Xiaolian suddenly felt like she had been gifted a black card by a domineering CEO.

It’s just that Su Jingchen doesn’t earn money now, and giving her so much money at once, she wondered if Su Dafu knew about this.

"I can’t take this money!"

Yu Xiaolian pushed the handkerchief back into Su Jingchen’s hand.

"Why?"

"No reason, I don’t need money!"

Seeing Su Jingchen’s slightly disappointed expression.

Yu Xiaolian suddenly felt a twinge of heartache, what was happening to her? Had she unknowingly developed different feelings for Su Jingchen?

Yu Xiaolian shook her head, no, sympathy is not love.

Her coroner friend’s daughter told her that love is about giggling at the sight of him and missing him when he’s gone. She didn’t feel that way about Su Jingchen, so it shouldn’t be love.

Yes, it’s not.

She just couldn’t bear to see him upset.