"Mingyue, what are you doing? He's the one who saved me, the Prince Charming I told you about! Don't ruin our good fortune, or I'll disown you." Ming Yan'nan said nervously, seeing Mingyue reject Yue Zan for her. She whispered a threat in her ear and even pinched her.
Mingyue grumbled inwardly, suddenly recalling an old saying. When the sky is about to rain and a mother wants to remarry, nothing can stop it. Her own mother was threatening to disown her for love.
"Fellow student, you can join us too!" Yue Zan's voice was pleasant, like spring water flowing through the mountains, clean and pure. His smile was warm and charming, making Mingyue a little dazed. What woman could refuse a man like this?
"No one offers kindness without a reason. Do you have an ulterior motive? Do you invite every girl you meet for a meal? I've seen plenty of playboys like you. Don't set your sights on Ya'nan, or you'll regret it." Mingyue steadied herself and said fiercely. She was here on a mission, so she deliberately spoke this way. Firstly, she wanted Ming Yan'nan to think Yue Zan's character was questionable. Secondly, she wanted Yue Zan to back off and stop bothering Ming Yan'nan.
Despite Mingyue's rudeness, Yue Zan's smile remained unchanged. He didn't seem angry at all and even tried to explain. However, the teacher on the podium was already tapping the blackboard. Yue Zan had no choice but to turn back and sit down obediently.
"Mingyue, help yourself to whatever you'd like to order." In the most upscale restaurant in Wangjiang City, Yue Zan ordered for himself and Ming Yan'nan. He then handed the menu to Mingyue, who had been wearing a dark expression since they entered. His smile remained, showing no hint of displeasure.
"Are you showing off your wealth by bringing us to eat here? Ya'nan isn't a materialistic gold digger; this is an insult to her." Mingyue opened the menu and said, finding fault with everything. She couldn't help it; Yue Zan's charm over Ming Yan'nan was too great. In the time it took her to go to the restroom, Ming Yan'nan had already accepted Yue Zan's invitation. Now, Ming Yan'nan wouldn't listen to anything she said. She was like someone under a spell, impossible to stop, so she could only follow. Mingyue suspected that if she hadn't dragged her along, Ming Yan'nan might have eloped with Yue Zan on the spot.
"Mingyue, what nonsense are you talking? Yue Zan is treating us to a meal at such a high-class place. We should thank him. Also, the dishes he ordered are all my favorites. How thoughtful, how considerate, how gentlemanly! Why are you acting like you're looking for a fight?" Ming Yan'nan pulled Mingyue aside and whispered in her ear. Despite her complaint, her face was flushed with shyness.
"I know Ya'nan isn't a materialistic girl. I'm not inviting you here for any other reason than I feel Ya'nan would really like the fried rice here," Yue Zan said with a smile, as if he hadn't noticed Mingyue and Ming Yan'nan's whispering.
"Who exactly are you, and where are you from?" Mingyue suddenly became serious. Ming Yan'nan's words reminded her that they had no prior connection. The last time they met was only for a brief ten minutes. How could Yue Zan know what Ming Yan'nan liked to eat? Furthermore, Yue Zan mentioning fried rice made Mingyue even more wary. This Yue Zan was not simple, because the place they were eating was called Wangjiang Lou, the most upscale restaurant in Wangjiang City. The dishes were exquisite, but the prices were also steep. Years ago, after He Si got married and started her own business, she became successful and had brought her wife and daughter here to eat. Mingyue remembered that her mother's favorite was Wangjiang Lou's fried rice. Yet, this Yue Zan, who had just appeared, must have done his homework. Therefore, Yue Zan must have some hidden agenda and was deliberately approaching them. He wanted to disrupt the relationship between He Si and Ming Yan'nan and change their life trajectories. This meant Yue Zan was no ordinary person. So, as Mingyue questioned him, she secretly released her divine sense, penetrating Yue Zan's body to check for any anomalies. However, after the examination, she found nothing unusual.
"Mingyue, are you wondering about my family background? I'm twenty years old this year, from Chuncheng. My family is in the building materials business. My parents died in a car accident two years ago, and now I'm alone. I've hired people to manage the company, and the annual profits are quite good." Yue Zan introduced himself calmly, his expression unchanging.
"Yue Zan, I'm sorry! We shouldn't have brought up your sad past. I understand how you feel. My aunt also passed away three years ago, and I never met my parents since I was young. Don't worry, from now on, I'll be your family, and I'll treat you well." Ming Yan'nan said with a heartbroken tone, her eyes already teary. Mingyue rolled her eyes. Women in love were indeed foolish. Did he look sad?
"Yes, you are my family. Don't be sad for me. Having you is my greatest fortune." Yue Zan looked at Ming Yan'nan with deep affection, raising his hand to wipe away her tears. He caressed her hair as if comforting a child.
"Take your hand away. Where are you touching? If you dare to lay a hand on her again, believe it or not, I'll chop it off. Ya'nan, let's switch seats." Mingyue shouted, standing up to block between them. Mingyue didn't enjoy the meal at all. She spent the entire time preventing the two of them from getting too close, which was more exhausting than fighting zombies in the apocalypse. In the end, she had to drag Ming Yan'nan back to the dormitory.
"Mingyue, why are you always targeting Yue Zan? Don't you like him? He just transferred here today, he shouldn't have offended you." Although she was a little displeased with Mingyue's actions today, Ming Yan'nan couldn't bring herself to get angry with Mingyue. She spoke gently, "This? Ya'nan, I'm testing him. He's your Prince Charming, and you like him so much. But you've only met him once, and you don't know his personality, temper, or background. What if he's a player, a scumbag? What if you get hurt? As your sister, I naturally have to help you vet him, don't you think? Also, I'm telling you, you've just started interacting, so even if you like him, don't let him realize it. Otherwise, you'll be at a disadvantage in the relationship. He'll think you're chasing him, making you seem cheap. Men have a common flaw: what they get easily, they don't cherish."
Mingyue knew that if she continued to strongly oppose them, it would provoke Ming Yan'nan's rebellious streak, and she might even confirm her relationship with Yue Zan and distance herself from Mingyue. So, she changed her approach, hoping to slow down the pace of their budding romance.
"Really? That sounds very reasonable. Then what should I do? How can I make him value our relationship?" Ming Yan'nan looked at Mingyue with a naive expression, full of curiosity.
"Of course, it's true. I have a boyfriend, you know. I know much more than you, a love novice. Here's what you do: starting tomorrow, let's ignore him for a few days. See how he reacts. If he's just playing games with you and doesn't truly like you, he'll give up and look for new targets." Mingyue acted like a love guru, successfully deceiving Ming Yan'nan.
After leaving the dormitory, she called Ji Shiyou for help. The enemy had appeared, and time was running out. Her delaying tactic wouldn't last long. She needed to change her plan and take the initiative.