Chapter 15: Scared to Death

“Uncle, do you want me to call them over there?”
“No need. Tonight we’ll have our fun, you all come along. Just make sure to take good care of everyone,” Yang Fan replied with a smile.
“Haoyu, we’ll be having dinner there tonight,” Xu Tao said, patting Liu Haoyu on the shoulder.
“That’s a given!”
…
Yang Fan didn’t mind. Since he’d joined this company, there had been a few gatherings—according to the boss, they were to foster camaraderie.
Of course, with the boss’s stingy nature, one could never eat enough, nor enjoy singing karaoke properly, but attendance was mandatory. Besides, Zhao Jing was going this time; how could he not?
The large classroom, the appearance of the twin sisters—it stirred envy in everyone, a mix of admiration and jealousy. Yang Fan had erased all traces of the twins’ existence, for their presence was known only to Wang Huai, his trump card, which even Wang Huai’s father was aware of.
Lin Ruo and Lin Xi did not sit with Yang Fan and his group, choosing instead the last row. Their cold demeanor kept everyone at bay; no one dared approach them.
Yang Fan thought for a moment and decided to let them study the skill from the prize wheel, so they wouldn’t just sit there idly.
“Yang Fan, Wu Qian is eyeing you again. By the way, what did she write in that love letter yesterday?”
“Why are you all so gossipy?” Yang Fan said with a pout.
“You haven’t even opened it, have you?” Zhang Chen slapped the table and continued, “That’s not right. No matter what, she’s deeply infatuated with you.”
“Exactly. We shouldn’t reject beauty and happiness. How can you bear to turn down a girl’s affection? Haoyu, what do you think?”
“I think, Uncle, I’d rather sit in the front row,” Liu Haoyu waved his hand and walked off.
“See, Haoyu can’t take it anymore, and neither can we!”
Zhang Chen and the others sighed in unison. Yang Fan shot them a glare. When Wu Qian’s gaze swept over again, Zhang Chen and the others moved to the front, leaving Yang Fan alone.
Yang Fan cursed his useless friends, resolutely ignoring Wu Qian’s glances. He didn’t want to ruin the girl’s feelings.
Being fickle—never a good thing…
Bai Tiantian was still happy, having let go of her resentment and forgotten the past. All she saw now was a blissful future.
Sometimes, when their paths crossed, all they exchanged was a smile.
Zhou Mingming came over again, and this time he brought Wu Qian along, probably seeing that Yang Fan was sitting alone.

Girls are shy and really do need someone to lead the way.
This time, Yang Fan had a close look at Wu Qian. Before, during university days, he’d only occasionally glanced at her, thinking she was just a cute type.
That delicate demeanor, those pitiful little eyes—he knew perfectly well that this kind of girl was the ideal lover in a man’s heart.
But Yang Fan simply wasn’t moved. From Bai Tiantian to Zhao Jing, from Xu Zihan and Ai Xiaomei to Lin Ruo and Lin Xi, all the women around him were aloof goddesses.
Well, Ai Xiaomei didn’t quite count; she was a complex mix of emotions. Yang Fan sometimes suspected he had a masochistic streak, needing to be battered by goddesses until he doubted his own existence before becoming as cold as them.
In truth, aloofness meant no one loved you…
After Zhou Mingming finished the introduction, he left, leaving Yang Fan and Wu Qian in awkward silence.
For a first conversation, what should they talk about?
“Hello, I’m Yang Fan.” He extended his hand.
“I’m Wu Qian.”
Their hands clasped tightly—just a social gesture, but Wu Qian’s face was flushed, her heartbeat quickened, and she showed that shy, girlish embarrassment.
At the front, Zhang Chen and the others were delighted not to move; they were more than happy to give Wu Qian their spot.
In the back, Lin Ruo’s eyes flashed with fury. Playboys were everywhere, but such blatant flirtation was intolerable.
As the elder sister, if she didn’t intervene, her poor little sister would end up the one abandoned.
She stood up abruptly, Lin Xi clutching at her sleeve, refusing to let go.
“Sister, don’t worry, I won’t do anything to him.”
“But—”
“I’m going to scare him to death!” Lin Ruo shook free of Lin Xi’s hand and strode over to Yang Fan’s right, sitting down firmly.
Yang Fan was startled. Though his Eye of SkyNet was still active and he’d overheard the sisters’ conversation, he had no idea what she intended.
He felt a growing sense of unease…
“Darling, do you not love me anymore? Are you going to abandon me?”
Yang Fan’s eyes widened in shock. Before he could react, Lin Ruo grabbed his hand as well, their fingers tightly interlaced.

Wu Qian’s expression grew even more awkward. Of course, being in the last row, only Wu Qian could see what their hands were doing beneath the desk.
“I’m sorry, I won’t disturb you anymore,” Wu Qian said, crestfallen, and left.
Yang Fan wanted to call out and explain, but thought better of it—he’d never planned to get involved with Wu Qian anyway.
“What are you trying to do?” Yang Fan couldn’t help but ask.
“Me? I’m just fighting for my sister’s right to love. Don’t worry, whether you’re a playboy or not, or how many girls like you, it’s none of my concern. But I’ll drive them all out of your world, one by one!”
“No, I really don’t love your sister.”
“That’s your business. Since you’ve lost all shame, I as her sister have nothing left to lose either.” Lin Ruo sneered, stood up, and returned to her seat.
“Listen to me!”
Yang Fan was instantly frustrated. The slave seal truly bound them both. His thoughts were filled with Zhao Jing.
Lin Ruo returned to her seat, watching Yang Fan’s collapse with satisfaction.
“Sister, please don’t do this!”
“Don’t worry, I’ll stand up for you. Remember, I want you to be happy,” Lin Ruo said.
“But, sister…” Lin Xi started to speak, then fell silent.
Because even if she wanted to confide, the seed of her slave seal would grow, and once it blossomed, it would automatically imprint anyone of the same bloodline.
It was a terrifying chain reaction. Fortunately, her world contained only her sister, but she couldn’t drag her sister down as well.
Yang Fan brooded for a long time, finally confessing that he’d placed the slave seal on Lin Xi. If he didn’t, Lin Ruo would tear him and Zhao Jing apart.
It was a major issue, but Lin Ruo refused to believe it. And with Lin Xi keeping silent to protect her sister, Yang Fan had no witness.
Yang Fan was completely stunned.