Chapter 38: Beginning to Study the Art of War?

Qin Chuan looked at Liu Zhennan, who wore an earnest smile, and found himself at a loss for words. He'd always been the one pushing to take the role of 'father-in-law,' yet suddenly someone was reversing the roles—and doing so perfectly logically. This caught Qin Chuan off guard.

“Dad, what are you saying? Who changes how they address someone before the wedding? Brother Chuan, just ignore my father. He has a quirky sense of humor and likes to joke with people he admires,” Liu Qingcheng interjected before Qin Chuan could respond.

“Yes, yes, Xiao Chuan, as soon as I met you, I felt an instant connection. That’s why my old habit of cracking jokes flared up,” Liu Zhennan quickly followed her lead, easing the tension. His earlier words had been a test, probing Qin Chuan’s attitude toward the engagement.

Even if Qin Chuan felt a bit displeased, Liu Zhennan believed his daughter would easily smooth things over, and perhaps even leave Qin Chuan with the impression that she was considerate and understanding.

With a woman as beautiful, intelligent, and capable as her, would Qin Chuan really be willing to call off the engagement?

A subtle, almost imperceptible smile flickered across Qin Chuan’s lips. To secure his alliance, Liu Zhennan had even cast himself as the stern figure, though his approach was a little clumsy.

Surrounded by the entire Liu family, Qin Chuan entered the manor. Only then did he realize how breathtaking it was—a perfect blend of classical architecture, complete with pavilions, towers, artificial hills, and stone bridges. Everything one would expect to see in the grand estates of period dramas was present in the Liu family’s manor.

“Xiao Qin, the dinner banquet is ready. Shall we eat and chat?” Liu Zhennan suggested after a brief tour.

Qin Chuan nodded. Although the engagement hadn’t been directly discussed, he could sense the Liu family’s stance—Liu Qingcheng included—they were all eager, almost desperate, to see this engagement through.

Watching all this, Lan Jin was quite surprised. She had assumed the rivalry with Liu Qingcheng was just a contest between women back at the company. Now, seeing the whole Liu family’s attitude, it was clear they wanted to cling tightly to Qin Chuan.

From this perspective, her grandfather’s respectful humility paled in comparison. She couldn’t help but wonder how Qin Chuan would decide in the end. Would he fall under the spell of this enchantress, Liu Qingcheng?

This thought made Lan Jin nervous and uneasy. Her grip on Qin Chuan’s arm unconsciously tightened, as if frightened he might vanish if she let go.

Inside the manor’s dining room, a large round table capable of seating thirty awaited them, covered with a dazzling array of dishes. Even Qin Chuan, picky about his food, found his appetite stirred by the sight and aroma.

As they took their seats, Liu Zhennan intended to give Qin Chuan the guest of honor’s seat, but Qin Chuan politely declined. After all, he had come to break off the engagement—he couldn’t very well act as the host.

“Uncle Liu, thank you for your generous hospitality tonight. Allow me to offer you a toast,” Qin Chuan said, raising his glass.

Liu Zhennan’s smile never left his face; he seemed almost overwhelmed by the gesture and, when clinking glasses, respectfully lowered his rim. Even though Qin Chuan was the one offering the toast, Liu Zhennan treated him with utmost care, never adopting the airs of an elder. In this, he was much like Lan Weimin.

After several rounds of toasts and dishes, Qin Chuan was about to steer the conversation toward the engagement when Liu Zhennan spoke first: “Xiao Chuan, I’d like to share my thoughts about the engagement. If my perspective is unreasonable, I hope you’ll forgive me.”

“You’re much too polite, Uncle. I’m not one for beating around the bush. Please, say what’s on your mind,” Qin Chuan replied with a gentle smile.

Lan Jin immediately perked up her ears but pretended not to care, not realizing she’d been fiddling with her chopsticks in the soup bowl for quite some time.

“Since you’ve put it so plainly, I’ll speak freely,” Liu Zhennan said sincerely, his tone turning solemn. “This engagement between you and Qingcheng was arranged by your master and me. Personally, I very much hope you two can be together. But marriage is not a trivial matter—times have changed! I propose that you and Qingcheng spend some time getting to know each other. If you find yourselves compatible, continue with the engagement; but if not, we’ll call it off. You both deserve the chance to truly understand one another. What do you think?”

Liu Zhennan’s words were heartfelt, without a trace of pretense, but Qin Chuan still caught the fleeting glint of calculation in his eyes.

“A masterful retreat in order to advance,” Qin Chuan mused. These days, business owners seemed less interested in economics or management and more in the art of war.

Still, Liu Zhennan’s suggestion was difficult to refuse. His argument was flawless, both logical and reasonable. Given the history between his master and the Liu family, it would be inappropriate to be too ruthless.

“Let’s do as Uncle Liu suggests,” Qin Chuan replied after a moment’s thought.

Liu Zhennan breathed a discreet sigh of relief and shot a glance at Liu Qingcheng, as if to say, “It’s all up to you now.”

Liu Qingcheng’s lips curved into a smile that could outshine any beauty in the palace, making Qin Chuan’s heart flutter for three seconds. Not that he didn’t want to be swayed longer—he would have, had it not been for the sudden, sharp pain in his side, forcibly dragging him back to reality.

Clearly, Miss Lan was dissatisfied with Qin Chuan’s answer; for a moment, a surge of inexplicable jealousy welled up in her heart.

“Very well, let’s set a period of three months,” Liu Zhennan declared. “By then, you’ll both know if you’re right for each other.”

Three months was neither too long nor too short—a lot could happen. Especially with the upcoming business negotiations with the eldest Miss Long in half a month: the engagement could serve as a powerful bargaining chip.

Qin Chuan could largely guess Liu Zhennan’s intentions, but he didn’t mind being used as a banner; he considered it a way to settle the debt between his master and the Liu family. Besides, he might even collect some “interest” from Liu Qingcheng over these three months—a prospect that seemed anything but a loss to him.

The dinner lasted until after ten o’clock, with everyone thoroughly enjoying themselves. Liu Zhennan invited Qin Chuan to stay overnight, but Qin Chuan politely declined.

However, just as he was about to get into the car, Liu Qingcheng hurried over and whispered a few words in his ear, making him regret not staying.

“I’d prepared several sets of private outfits for you to review, but since you won’t stay, I’ll just have to show you next time,” Liu Qingcheng’s coy voice seemed to echo in his ears.

As soon as he boarded the business car, Qin Chuan found Lan Jin fuming with anger.

“Jin’er, do you know what I just missed out on because of you?” Qin Chuan said, feigning heartbreak.