Marriage?
Lin Han saw my distressed look and hugged my neck, asking, "What, am I such a beautiful woman marrying you, and you're still wronged?"
I pushed her hand away. "Are you worthy of me?"
As soon as I finished speaking, Lin Han used her hands and feet to unleash a barrage of attacks. I didn't dare to fight back, fearing that if I accidentally broke anything in this ancient-style home, it might be an irreplaceable antique, and millions could be lost with one slip.
...
I left after breakfast and returned for lunch. Looking at the table full of dishes, my appetite was lacking; I really couldn't eat much. So, I picked up my bowl and cautiously ate my rice.
Lin Mama saw this and asked, "Little Tang, doesn't it suit your taste?"
"No, I'm afraid this bowl might be some antique, priceless."
Lin Han's eyes curved with a smile. She snatched my bowl and refilled it with rice, saying casually, "It was bought at the supermarket for 12.8. If you don't have any discernment, don't embarrass yourself in this house."
After Lin Han spoke, the whole family laughed. Perhaps it was because she was so natural with me that I felt the smiles in this home were less perfunctory than before.
"Little Tang, after lunch, I have something I want to chat with you about."
What was coming had finally arrived. I glanced at Lin Han, who signaled her helplessness. I looked at Grandpa, who looked at me blankly, "Who is this young man? Why is he eating with us?"
Fine, this was a powerful move. I gave Grandpa a thumbs-up in my heart.
After the meal, I followed Lin Mama to the study, contemplating the words of the old ghost. A strategist doesn't necessarily use their schemes for deception; this skill can be applied to careers and love.
According to the current trend, my marriage with Lin Han is inevitable. I can't say I won't marry Lin Han, or my plan would fall apart.
Lin Mama was also a forthright person; Lin Han's personality was quite similar to her mother's. She entered the room, closed the door, and got straight to the point: "I've thought it over carefully. You and Lin Han cannot live like this aimlessly. Tomorrow, you'll go to the Civil Affairs Bureau to get your marriage certificate. We'll pick an auspicious date, have your parents come over, and we'll have the wedding in Xi'an. You don't need to worry about the expenses."
"Aunt, I don't think Lin Han and I are suitable to get married right now."
"What do you mean? You're already living together, and Lin Han says you're in love. Why can't you get married?"
"Aunt, please listen to me."
Though I couldn't speak tearfully, my words were sincere. I claimed that the past two years had been filled with hardships. I was an ordinary child who dropped out of high school, found a random job, and played games while working. A 평범한 life was supposed to begin, but fate had other plans. By chance, my friend and I went to Ruili, were swindled, and lost everything.
My friend attempted suicide but survived. I, with Heaven's grace, was saved by a piece of stone I bought that skyrocketed in value, rescuing my otherwise short life. Later, Lin Han and I met in the ghost market. As we were around the same age, we hit it off. Moreover, I readily admitted that although Lin Han and I lived together, we hadn't engaged in any romantic relationship. In a sense, we were just compatible roommates.
Perhaps because of this, Lin Han told me about running away from home. She missed her family but didn't want to return, a contradiction. So, I took it upon myself to lie, saying we were married and starting a family, wanting to visit her parents, and used other excuses to persuade Lin Han to come back.
...
This story, neither long nor short, even felt a bit rambling and illogical to me. But Aunt Lin believed it. She was a bit emotional, her eyes teary. I secretly chuckled. Since meeting the old ghost, my lying ability has grown exponentially. Before, anyone could see through my lies, but now, I can lie with a straight face, my heart not skipping a beat, as if everything I said were heavy truths.
This matter should be resolved. I haven't even cohabited with your daughter, so we shouldn't need to get married.
Sometimes, with the identity of a strategist, one becomes overconfident. Before entering the room, I analyzed the current trend as my marriage with Lin Han being inevitable. This is called "heaven" in a game, and I, through eloquent words, wanted to defy fate. The truth is, I was wrong.
"Child, you are truly a good person. Lin Han meeting you is the greatest fortune of her life. Your marriage with Lin Han is settled by Auntie, no changes. You'll get your certificate tomorrow, pick an auspicious date, and get married."
"What? No, no, Aunt, didn't you understand what I said?"
"How could I not understand? Your experiences with Lin Han, though not the most unusual, are rare. And during your time together, your character has been pure and straightforward. Moreover, our family, you might not find it strange, Lin Han's father is a bit traditional, and Lin Han is stubborn. When she and her father argue, I can't support Lin Han. Yesterday, I asked Lin Han's father's opinion, and he also supports your marriage."
What kind of people are these? An old schemer who feigns senile dementia despite being healthy, a seemingly gentle grandmother who offends no one yet knows everything, and now a mother so eager to marry off her daughter to maintain their mother-daughter relationship. Most importantly, why is Lin Zhiyuan joining the fray? Don't you know my identity, Lin Zhiyuan? You know better than anyone why I'm here. Now, you, Lin Zhiyuan, in your capacity as the head of the family, have just conferred upon me the status of a son-in-law. Are you afraid your beautiful daughter won't get married?
"Child, what do you think? Do you agree?" Lin Mama urged me as I stood there dumbfounded.
Could this be a scheme? Lin Han likes me, she's already reconciled with her father, and to marry me, she's had her father lure me to Xi'an. It's over. My mind is a mess. I quickly interrupt my own wild thoughts.
"Aunt, it's not that I don't want to marry Lin Han, nor that I don't love her. You see, we're still young. After a few years of struggling in society, I've come to understand that society needs educated talents. I'll stay in Xi'an with Lin Han for a while. When Lin Han stabilizes emotionally, I'll return to my hometown to retake the college entrance examination."
This delaying tactic seemed to work. Lin Mama frowned, finally stopping her push for marriage. She pondered for a moment and said, "In our family, education isn't important, and we don't value it much. Besides, you're not young anymore, and it's not the age for high school. How about I let Lin Han's father think of a way to help you, and we buy a degree?"
"Aunt, I want to pass the exam myself. I don't want Lin Han and my future to depend on you. We're grown up; we'll eventually have to be self-reliant, right?"
"What are you saying, child? Who said you're relying on us? We only have one daughter, who else would the money go to if not you? Aren't you being self-reliant by managing it yourselves?"
When I first became a strategist, if I had encountered someone like Lin Han's mother, I would have retreated long ago. Truly, I'm not lying. If this continues, I'll be at my wit's end. Tomorrow, I'll be getting my marriage certificate.
"Aunt, you can't interfere with our lives, right? Lin Han doesn't want this either, does she? If you're too forceful..."
I didn't finish my sentence, but the threat was implied.
"Alright then, I'll discuss it with Lin Han and consider your education issue first."
"Thank you, Aunt!"
I secretly wiped a cold sweat. This was too terrifying. No matter how capable that "X driver" is, I need to deal with him quickly and leave Xi'an.
...
When I found a moment alone, I recounted my nerve-wracking experience to Lin Han. She laughed heartily, then looked at me with her bright eyes, gazing deeply, "Do you really not want to marry me?" My heart pounded at her words. I quickly changed the subject, "I've thought of a way to deal with Lin Zhiyuan."
"What way?"
"A cooperative scheme."
Lin Han was already very interested in strategy. After reuniting with her mother recently, although she shed many tears, she had been in the best mood for the past two years. Having her help me with a plan now was like adding flowers to an already beautiful brocade. As expected, Lin Han agreed without hesitation.
...
In the afternoon, Old Tie took me to meet someone. The person in charge of the "Heaven" project, legally speaking, the legal representative and general manager of this entity. This is the person with the most power in the organizational structure of Heaven Art Collection Co., Ltd.
This person is named Zhang Mao. He has slender legs, a large belly, and is in his forties. His appearance suggests he is a shrewd individual.
We ate at a restaurant adorned with Tang-style lanterns. The place had wooden tables and chairs, and the aroma of food mingled with the chirping of birds. Old Tie knew my taste and ordered several specialty local dishes for me: not too spicy, with plenty of meat.
Old Tie raised his wine and introduced Zhang Mao, saying, "We're all from the same world, so I won't beat around the bush. This is the renowned 'X driver' Zhang Mao."
"I've heard so much about you!"
Old Tie chuckled, as if he had returned to his younger days, and directly challenged me, "Have you heard this name? What do you mean 'heard so much about him'?"
"How could I not have heard of it? The 'X driver' enjoys fame in the strategist circle, and among the police, the 'X driver' is an elusive presence."
I wasn't speaking out of politeness. This surprised Zhang Mao. "What should I call you, brother?"
I smiled gently. "For people like us, do you think the name obtained by prying would be genuine?"
Zhang Mao was taken aback, then burst into laughter. "Interesting. Tell me your plan. Lin Zhijun is not someone who can be easily deceived."
"Lin Zhijun is not deceived not because he is shrewd, but because his professional knowledge is strong enough. If our deception is designed logically, his extensive professional knowledge can actually become a double-edged sword."
"I don't understand what you mean."
"There are seven Qianlong thumb rings in a set. Your Qianlong thumb ring set has six genuine ones and one fake."
Exposed, Zhang Mao's expression remained as calm as ever. "Not many people know about this matter, and you couldn't have determined that one of the thumb rings was fake by looking at the VR display."
"Brother Zhang's judgment is correct. The reason I determined that thumb ring was fake is because I know where the genuine one is."
Old Tie's expression soured slightly, while Zhang Mao remained composed. "How much money are you planning to swindle from Lin Zhiyuan?"
I held up three fingers and said with a grin, "Let's start with thirty million to warm up."