Chapter 86: Tonight, You Owe Me Your Marital Duties!
The distance between them was so close that they could both feel each other’s breath.
“It never happened—how could there be betrayal?”
“It never happened? Didn’t you agree to let me keep you?” Yang Fan said.
His hand was already inside Zhong Ziyan’s clothes, but Zhong Ziyan didn’t resist at all.
Suddenly, a surge of electricity jolted through Yang Fan’s body, forcing him to stagger back.
It was as if his blood had been drained—his face turned pale in an instant.
“What is this—”
“You can’t touch me. They placed a light lock on my body. I’m not allowed to give myself to the man I love,” Zhong Ziyan said.
“Who are ‘they’? Jiang Bo?” Yang Fan asked.
“No. It’s the people behind Jiang Bo. He, like my mother, is a half-ability user. He wants to become a true ability user—meaning he wants the heart that’s on my chest.”
“Explain it clearly!” Yang Fan said, frustrated.
“In other words, the heart on my chest was left to me by my mother. It’s both the seed of an ability user and the highest symbol of power in the Zhong family. To claim this heart, it must sense that I’ve truly fallen in love and have given myself to that man. Only then can it be taken.
Alternatively, by following our ancestral rule, it can be claimed through marriage at an auction.”
“So, this auction is because they have no other way?” Yang Fan said.
“Yes. They’ve confined my father, but no matter what they try, it doesn’t work. To prevent me from giving myself to the man I love, they locked me. No man can touch me, and I cannot leave the Zhong family.”
“Who is that man?” Yang Fan asked.
“I don’t know!”
“So, have you ever actually cheated on me?”
“No! This heart is a lock. Unless I’m willing, no one can open it!” Zhong Ziyan spoke frankly, because she knew Yang Fan was the man she loved—it was fate, destined.
As the daughter of a heart painter, her predictions were always accurate.
“That’s good. I’m in a bit of trouble right now; I can’t break the lock they placed, but I can add two more. If I can’t touch you, neither can they. Even if someone manages to marry you, they won’t be able to touch you. Hm, two isn’t enough—let’s add fifty or sixty locks!”
That heart was the highest symbol of power in the Zhong family. As long as they couldn’t take it, they couldn’t wield the family’s strength!
This was precautionary—fifty or sixty locks should keep them busy for years.
“Don’t worry. In a month, I’ll unlock you. Then, we’ll go seek revenge together.”
Zhong Ziyan nodded...
Yang Fan clenched his hand, transferring all sorts of locks he had stored onto Zhong Ziyan. These locks were originally meant to protect Zhao Jing, but Zhao Jing had been blacklisted by the system.
It wasn’t as exaggerated as fifty or sixty locks, but there were still thirty or forty.
“Wait for me to come claim you! Also, do you know where your father is being held?”
“I don’t.”
“Alright, this month is really holding things up!” Yang Fan grumbled.
The system—why did it have to update now? Last night it worked perfectly, but today it’s a mess!
It was maddening...
The auction hall was still lively. The heiress hadn’t appeared for a while, and the bodyguards were starting to worry. Just as everyone was searching, Zhong Ziyan returned...
“Sorry, everyone. This was just a joke—my little sister missed you all, so I gathered everyone to lighten the mood!”
The crowd buzzed with surprise...
“If you really get married someday, you must invite us—we’ll come to celebrate.”
“Yes, Miss Zhong. I, your Brother Song, have loved you since childhood!”
“You’re too kind, Young Master Song,” Zhong Ziyan replied with a smile.
Jiang Bo’s face was dark as iron—he’d have to come up with another plan!
He glared fiercely at Han Fei, who didn’t care in the slightest.
“Jiang Bo, what do you think you’re doing, glaring at Han Fei?”
“What’s it to you?”
The Song family members stood up; the Song and Han families always stood together. Han Fei and Song Shao had been classmates from elementary school through college, always in the same class, the same dormitory, growing up together.
“If you dare glare at my brother, watch yourself tonight!”
The others watched the drama unfold. Jiang Bo snorted coldly and left with his people. He’d arrived arrogantly, but now left in disgrace...
What a fool...
Even Zhong Ziyan felt satisfied and smiled, “Thank you, brothers, for coming.”
With a wave, a group of people brought out food and wine.
“Enjoy yourselves—if there’s anything you need, just let me know!”
...
Yang Fan returned as well, standing beside Huo Xinxin.
He exchanged gestures with Han Fei, giving an OK sign that was clearly seen from the stage.
Zhong Ziyan couldn’t help but glance at Yang Fan—so today’s commotion had been orchestrated by him.
“What did you two get up to?” Huo Xinxin asked.
“Nothing, really nothing this time.”
Huo Xinxin snorted, “Who’d believe that?”
“Honestly, Big Sister, it’s true!” Yang Fan was frustrated—was his reputation really so bad that no one trusted him?
“Alright, then prove it!”
“How?” Yang Fan asked. He couldn’t just turn back time and show her.
“It’s simple. How does a wife usually check if her husband is faithful?” Huo Xinxin smiled.
Yang Fan thought for a moment, uncertain, “Hand in your earnings?”
“Yes, hand in your earnings. Tonight, you come to my place and hand them over so I can check if you’re honest or not.”
“But, Big Sister, we can’t do that!”
“I said you can, so you will. It’s an order—strictly to be followed!”
“I...”
A half-ability user can only use one connection to activate their powers. Just like Jiang Bo’s contact could only use the link to the heart to wield abilities over the Zhong family.
As for the connection between this person and Zhong Ziyan’s mother—it was anyone’s guess. Other families wouldn’t pose much of a problem.
Zhong Ziyan didn’t appear again. Yang Fan ate heartily. Jiang Huai came over, said a few words to Yang Fan, and left.
Because Bai Tiantian wasn’t feeling well, Yang Fan waved him off. Anyway, in a couple of days, they’d all be going to the resort for the opening ceremony.
Han Fei didn’t come over. Until evening, Yang Fan had dinner, and then the gathering dispersed.
Before leaving, the Zhong family’s steward gave each member of the special police team a generous red envelope...
From now on, every opportunity would be seized. Yang Fan was happy to earn some money—he was broke, hadn’t seen a hundred-yuan bill in over a month.
He’d tried to stash some cash, but Ai Xiaomei had taken it all.
“Where to now?”
“Now that there’s money, obviously, let’s go have some fun!” Yang Fan said cheerfully.