A chuckle escaped Xiao Cheng as he extended his hand. “You can read pulses, can’t you? If you’re so desperate to know, why don’t you check for yourself?” The color drained from Shen Lan’s face, her eyes darting nervously. “Mr. Xiao,” she said, her voice brittle, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Xiao Cheng’s long fingers drummed a slow rhythm on the armrest. “I recall, four years ago, the doctors gave up on Lu Yunfan’s legs,” he said, his tone deceptively casual. “They said he’d never stand again. Yet now he’s perfectly healthy, as if nothing ever happened. Would you call that a medical miracle, or is there another reason?” Shen Lan’s heart leaped into her throat, a cold sweat prickling her back. From the moment Xiao Cheng had proposed she come with him at the banquet, even offering to help her get revenge on the Lu family, Shen Lan had been on her guard. She believed no one showed kindness without a reason, especially not a man like Xiao Cheng, the heir to a powerful family. He wasn’t the type for random acts of charity. She had no talent or beauty, and her parents were long gone. His interest in her had to be driven by some ulterior motive. And now, that motive was slowly coming into focus. Sure enough, Xiao Cheng spoke again, his voice low and deliberate. “I pulled you out of that Lu family hellhole. How are you going to thank me?” Shen Lan’s gaze flickered as she continued to play dumb. “Aren’t I going to be cooking for you? For free, no less. I’d say that makes us even.” At that, Xiao Cheng laughed. “Not even close.” Shen Lan pressed her lips together. After a moment, she dug into her bag for her wallet. With a flash of hesitation, she pulled out every last bill and coin, reluctantly shoving the small wad of cash into his large hand. “This is everything I have on me. It’s all yours.” Xiao Cheng stared down at the cash in his palm—a motley collection of red hundred-dollar bills mixed with fives and tens, and even a few loose coins. For a moment, he was completely dumbfounded. When he processed it, he let out a laugh that was half anger, half disbelief. “Shen Lan, this is a first. The first time anyone has ever tried to pay me off. You’ve got some real nerve.” In the front seat, the driver, Liu Lin, watched the entire exchange in the rearview mirror, his shoulders shaking uncontrollably as he fought to suppress a laugh, tears already welling in his eyes. It was the first time he’d ever seen Xiao Cheng look so flabbergasted, and it was hilarious. Xiao Cheng’s glare was so fierce, his jaw clenched, that Shen Lan flinched. “It’s my first time paying someone off, too,” she whispered. “You’re… you’re very lucky.” Liu Lin finally lost his battle, letting out an audible snort of laughter. Xiao Cheng’s face was thunderous. After a long moment, the corner of his mouth twitched. He unceremoniously stuffed the wad of cash into his pocket. Into the silence that followed, Shen Lan asked cautiously, “You took the money… so, are we even now?” Xiao Cheng shot her a sideways glare, and Shen Lan wisely snapped her mouth shut. … After Shen Lan had gone with Xiao Cheng, Lu Yunfan remained at the doorway, his expression dark and unreadable as he stared in the direction their car had disappeared. The sudden ringing of his phone pulled him from his thoughts. He answered. Zhou Xinran’s sultry voice purred from the other end. “Yunfan, are you coming over tonight? I can’t sleep without you. I want you.” Lu Yunfan, already looking for a distraction from his simmering frustration, immediately agreed. “Yes. I’m on my way.” “I’ll see you at the usual place. I’m going to take a shower… and wait for you.” She drew out the last few words with suggestive promise. A fire ignited low in Lu Yunfan’s belly. “Mmm,” he managed, his voice suddenly hoarse. After hanging up, Lu Yunfan turned to get his car, only to find his parents and sister staring at him. Lu Yuncing’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Brother, are you going to see Sister Xinran?” Lu Yunfan nodded, a bit uncomfortable. Tao Lan was pleased. Though she looked down on the Zhou family, Zhou Xinran was miles better than that orphan Shen Lan, whose family had gone bankrupt. Only Lu Yunfan’s father stared at him with a heavy gaze. “I don’t care how you amuse yourself outside this house,” he warned, “but you *will* marry Shen Lan.” Lu Yunfan’s expression turned ugly. “Dad, I don’t understand. Why are you so obsessed with forcing me to marry Shen Lan? Is it because of some ridiculous childhood betrothal? Because she took care of me for four years? Do I have to sacrifice my entire life for that?” “He’s right, Dad! Shen Lan is so ugly, just looking at her is enough to make you sick. If Brother marries her, he’ll be trapped looking at that face for the rest of his life. It would be torture!” Lu Yuncing chimed in, defending her brother. More importantly, she couldn’t bear the thought of having such an embarrassing sister-in-law. Tao Lan also felt her son was being wronged and looked at her husband with dissatisfaction. “If you’re worried about the Lu family’s reputation, I can handle this…” “Handle what?” her husband snapped at her. “Stay out of Shen Lan’s business.” Being reprimanded in front of her children made Tao Lan’s face flush with humiliation, and her loathing for Shen Lan, the cause of it all, deepened. His father looked up at Lu Yunfan, his tone layered with meaning. “Yunfan, I would never do anything to harm you. Marrying Shen Lan is for your own good.” “And another thing. After today, Shen Lan is undoubtedly holding a grudge. You need to visit her at the Xiao residence, show her some concern. Use that charm you’re so good at using on women and make sure she’s wrapped around your finger again.” Lu Yunfan’s face was ashen, his fists clenched tight at his sides. Any trace of wistful loss he might have felt vanished completely, replaced by a wave of pure disgust and humiliation. He despised being backed into a corner. Marry Shen Lan? It was a pipe dream. Not in this life, not in the next, and not in the one after that. Impossible.