Chapter 105: Asymmetry on Both Sides

Tan Shuying was momentarily dazed, unable to grasp the meaning at first. However, when she heard Qin Chuan deliberately emphasize the inflection on the vulgar character, the underlying implication became crystal clear.

It was the same old routine, the same familiar flavor!

"How vulgar!" Tan Shuying blushed, chiding him sharply.

Qin Chuan rolled his eyes, looking entirely innocent as he replied, "I’ve been working myself to the bone for you, and you’re not even going to feed me? Isn't that a bit stingy? For a superstar of your caliber, you’ve surely made plenty of money, yet you’re this tight-fisted. It really goes to show how social morals are declining!"

"I hope you’re talking about actual food," Tan Shuying retorted crossly.

Qin Chuan let out a long sigh. "It’s true what they say: those with dirty minds see dirt in everything. I’m being perfectly pure here, yet I’m still being misinterpreted—it’s truly beyond me!"

Tan Shuying decided she didn't want to engage with him anymore. Aside from his constant smooth-talking, this guy had an incredibly thick skin, and he was particularly adept at playing the victim while being the aggressor.

"Just tell me, can you agree to the conditions I mentioned earlier?" Qin Chuan pressed.

Tan Shuying said in a low voice, "If the 'action' you're referring to is a noun, I’ll agree. If it’s a verb, I won’t. It all depends on whether you can be serious for once."

"I am being perfectly serious!"

Before Tan Shuying could fully exhale, she heard Qin Chuan whisper an addition: "Is there anything more serious than the noble cause of continuing the human race?"

*Thud!*

Tan Shuying nearly stumbled and fell. She felt that if she continued to associate with Qin Chuan, she would inevitably be turned into a "little lewd girl" herself.

However, considering Qin Chuan’s handsome appearance, his formidable combat prowess, and his exquisite medical skills, Tan Shuying felt he was worth further observation. What if his other merits outweighed his flaws?

With that thought in mind, she decided not to reveal her true identity just yet. If his flaws turned out to be even greater, it wouldn’t be too late to find a way to annul the marriage contract then.

While she was lost in thought, the wailing outside the villa had ceased. A moment later, Zhuo Yihu walked in, looking utterly exhausted.

A close observer would notice that his clothes were soaked through with sweat, and a faint, visible steam rose from his head—it was clear he had used his full strength in disciplining his brother.

"You two, carry him in and let Mr. Qin take a look," Zhuo Yihu commanded the two lackeys nearest to him.

Soon, Zhuo Yiji was brought in by two burly men. Tan Shuying looked over with curiosity, only to see that Zhuo Yiji had passed out cold. From his waist down, he was drenched in blood; "flayed and mangled" was hardly an exaggeration. It was a truly wretched sight.

Qin Chuan nodded in satisfaction and said, "Xiao Hu, hurry and send your brother to the hospital. But remember, today I’ve given you face. Otherwise, even if he had nine lives, they wouldn't be enough to pay for what he’s done. Do you understand?"

"I understand!" Zhuo Yihu wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, his heart finally settling. Qin Chuan’s meaning was clear: the matter ended here, and bygones would be bygones.

"Thank you for your magnanimity, Mr. Qin!"

Zhuo Yihu knelt on both knees and kowtowed, his voice filled with genuine sincerity.

Qin Chuan waved a hand. "No need to be so formal. Who knows, I might need to ask a favor of Brother Hu in the future!"

"Mr. Qin, you jest. How could you ever need to 'ask' me for anything? Whatever you need, just say the word. I, Zhuo Yihu, will never say no," Zhuo Yihu replied hurriedly.

"With that promise, I’m at ease. To be honest, I was worried you might hold a grudge, given that I had to discipline your own brother," Qin Chuan said, his tone suddenly sharpening.

Zhuo Yihu shuddered violently. He understood perfectly that this was a veiled warning. He immediately declared, "How could I? It was my brother who was in the wrong from the start. That you didn't kill him is already an act of extreme grace. If I were to hold a grudge, would I not be being completely ungrateful?"

Qin Chuan was satisfied with this response. Zhuo Yihu was truly a seasoned veteran of the streets; in terms of knowing when to bow to the inevitable, even wealthy young heirs like Guo Zikun couldn't compare.

"Good, as long as you don't hold a grudge. And one more thing: have your brother release the family of Miss Tan's bodyguard."

"Now that this is settled, I won't linger. Superstar Tan, why are you still standing there in a daze? Let’s go!"

Qin Chuan tugged at the stunned Tan Shuying, who snapped back to reality and hurried to follow him.

After leaving the villa, Tan Shuying still felt as if she were in a dream. From the moment her personal bodyguard betrayed her to their narrow escape, her emotions had been on a rollercoaster, and all of it was because of the man before her.

"Don't be too obsessively in love with me; the world is full of legends about me," Qin Chuan said with smug satisfaction, sensing Tan Shuying’s strange gaze.

Tan Shuying rolled her eyes hard. This guy was a classic example of someone who would get arrogant the moment he was given a sliver of sunlight.

"Superstar Tan, now that you’ve escaped safely, I have two conditions. First, you drive me back to the Lan family estate. Second, when I eventually go to the Tan family in Gusu City, you will pose as my girlfriend to give their young lady a taste of her own medicine. If she’s not as pretty as you, make her retreat; if she’s prettier than you, I’ll turn the annulment into a marriage. No problem, right?" Qin Chuan asked with a smile.

"Ah? Hehehe... *cough*... *cough*..."

Tan Shuying’s initial shock gradually gave way to suppressed laughter. She tried her best to hold it in, fearing she would give herself away, but eventually, she ended up covering her mouth, laughing until tears streamed down her face.

Qin Chuan asked, confused, "Is it that funny? I’m just asking you to bring your acting into real life for a guest appearance. Isn't that right up your alley?"

After a long while, Tan Shuying wiped her tears and said, "No, it’s just... it’s quite interesting. Fine, I agree to your two conditions. Call me before you head to Gusu City. No matter how tight my schedule is, I’ll make time to help."

"It’s a deal!" Qin Chuan could tell she wasn't just humoring him, but her expression seemed odd. He quickly added, "By the way, you cannot notify Tan Shufen in advance. Even though you’re good friends, you must stand unconditionally on my side in this, or I’ll come up with other, less 'serious' requests."

"Hee-hee-honk..."

Tan Shuying let out a laugh that sounded like a goose. After a long time, she finally calmed down, raised three fingers to the sky, and said solemnly, "I, Tan Shuying, swear to the heavens that I will not notify Tan Shufen in advance. If I do, may heaven and earth reject me, may my acting career plummet, may I lose all my roles and endorsements, and may I trip while walking and choke on water until I get pulmonary emphysema..."

"Stop, stop, stop! I believe you!"

Qin Chuan quickly intervened; even he felt the oath was a bit too harsh, especially given her devout demeanor.

"Then I’ll drive you back to the Lan family now."

Tan Shuying opened the door to her sports car and immediately spotted Wei Dapeng, who was still standing there, frozen stiff. Her face darkened instantly.

"What do you plan to do with him?" Qin Chuan asked with a smile.

Seeing the two of them emerge unscathed, Wei Dapeng was shocked beyond measure. He had seen Zhuo Yihu rush into the villa with over a hundred men, many armed with shotguns; he never expected Qin Chuan and Tan Shuying to get out in one piece.

As they spoke, Qin Chuan removed the silver needles from Wei Dapeng’s body and twisted a few more into the center of his forehead. A moment later, Wei Dapeng felt his stiff muscles relax, and he regained the ability to move, albeit sluggishly.

"Young Miss, I was wrong!" Wei Dapeng said, his voice thick with tears and sincerity.

Tan Shuying’s expression was unreadable. Qin Chuan didn't interrupt; this was a personal family matter, and he didn't want to meddle too much.

After a long silence, Tan Shuying said slowly, "Your family should have been released by now. I won't hold this against you this time, but if there is a next time, you know what the consequences will be."

"Thank you, Young Miss, for your forgiveness. It will never happen again. I will serve the Tan family loyally until I die..."

"Shut up!" Tan Shuying cut him off immediately, noticing that Qin Chuan was looking her way. She quickly covered up, "As the saying goes, it’s better to judge by actions than words. I’ll be watching your performance from now on. Now, get over here and drive!"

True enough, once she said this, she felt Qin Chuan’s suspicious gaze fade, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

"This guy is truly sharp. Just hearing the name 'Tan family' and he starts connecting it to marriage contracts," she thought, patting her chest. Then, she noticed Qin Chuan looking at her oddly.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked, feeling guilty.

Qin Chuan replied with a straight face, "I just realized you’re asymmetrical."