Chapter Thirty-Six: The Young Master of the Chen Family (1.3)

Could it really be that she was a terrible person? Otherwise, why would even Long Fei, her bodyguard, look down on her? But what right did a mere bodyguard have to meddle in her affairs? What puzzled Ye Qian even more was why she cared so much about Long Fei’s opinion of her. Just this morning, their relationship had been so intimate at home—she’d even dragged him out of bed herself—yet now, an invisible distance seemed to have grown between them, making her heart ache all the more.

From a distance, a handsome young man approached her. He wore a white T-shirt, deep blue track pants, and a pair of Xtep sneakers, giving him a lively, sunny appearance. Normally, Ye Qian would have fled as if avoiding the plague, but today she stood her ground, determined not to back away after enduring for so long.

The young man was Chen Xin, the only son of Chen Liangcai, the municipal party secretary. Not only was he strikingly good-looking, but he was also president of the university’s Taekwondo club, hailed as the best Taekwondo fighter at Jiaotong University. With such talent, he was a renowned figure on campus, and as the saying goes, a gifted man suits a beautiful woman. Despite his legion of admirers—many of them attractive and curvaceous—Chen Xin’s heart belonged solely to Ye Qian.

In Jiangsu and Zhejiang, there were the Four Young Masters; in Guangdong, the Five Tigers; in Beijing, the Crown Princes; and in Shanghai, there was Chen Xin. He bore no grandiose titles, but not only at Jiaotong University—even across all of Shanghai—his status as the city’s “Crown Prince” was a given.

Chen Liangcai had just returned from cadre training at the Party School and was a prime contender for the upcoming Politburo reshuffle—his power was at its zenith. Naturally, Chen Xin’s standing soared alongside his father’s, and it was no exaggeration to say that, in Shanghai, Chen Xin wielded power on par with Mayor Zhou Jin.

Thus, all those in the know believed Chen Xin and Ye Qian made the perfect match. Political-business alliances were nothing new, so Chen Liangcai had openly expressed support for his son’s pursuit of Ye Qian on several occasions. Although he always phrased it jokingly, the choice of public occasions made his intentions unmistakable.

Yet Ye Wentian always feigned ignorance. No matter how rampant the rumors, he acted oblivious, deflecting all inquiries onto his daughter, Ye Qian. He gave the impression of an open-minded father, but in truth, he had his own considerations—he didn’t think much of Chen Xin.

Spotting Ye Qian from afar, Chen Xin hurried over, worried she might dodge him again.

“Ye Qian, have you eaten?” His feelings for her were no secret among the students of Jiaotong University.

“Whether I’ve eaten or not is none of your business.” Ye Qian had no intention of being polite to Chen Xin.

Chen Xin frowned; something seemed off about Ye Qian today. In the past, even though she didn’t want to talk to him, she’d still give him some face, however perfunctory. She’d never been this blunt. What had gotten into her? Had she swallowed gunpowder this morning?

“What’s wrong?” Chen Xin asked with a smile, moving closer to her.

Ye Qian immediately took a few steps back and said sternly, “Chen Xin, do you need something from me?”

“Ah?!” The question caught him off guard. He hadn’t come with any particular reason, but being quick-witted, he immediately grinned, “Oh, it’s like this—my father just got back from Party School, and tonight, why don’t you come over to our place for a family dinner? My mother’s been talking about you nonstop!”

The invitation was ambiguous—what did he mean by a family gathering? Ye Qian was the heiress of the Ye family; Chen Xin, the son of Chen Liangcai. Their families were worlds apart.

Ye Qian, fuming, snapped, “Chen Xin, I think you’re mistaken. You are you, and I am me. Why should I go to your house for dinner? And from now on, don’t come looking for me. Let me be clear: there’s absolutely nothing possible between us!”

Chen Xin didn’t seem the least bit upset by her words. In his view, Ye Qian didn’t understand the political implications; she was an outsider. A marriage between the Chen and Ye families was more than just two people—it was an alliance. Ye Wentian held great sway in Beijing, and if Ye Qian married Chen Xin, it would surely elevate Chen Liangcai’s status in the capital, while also boosting Ye Wentian’s power—a win-win. Of course, the only one likely to lose was Ye Qian herself, as the victim in matters of the heart.

“Ye Qian, I know you’re upset today. I’m not angry. I’ve said before, I truly like you, and it has nothing to do with anything else. I promised I’d always be good to you, so don’t worry—I won’t give up. One day, you’ll be my bride!” Chen Xin kept his charming smile, standing graciously by her side.

Ye Qian gave a scathing laugh. “Then you can wait—wait until iron trees blossom and rivers run dry. Wait until every man on earth is dead—maybe then I’ll consider you!”

With that, she turned and walked away. Arguing with Chen Xin in this sweltering heat was foolish—she might as well drive home. She’d thought venting at Chen Xin would make her feel better, but it had only made things worse. Whenever she thought of Long Fei, the gloom in her heart only deepened.

A flash of something cold appeared in Chen Xin’s eyes as he watched Ye Qian’s retreating figure, a trace of ruthlessness passing over his face—then, suddenly, he smiled.

Spring is no time for study; summer’s heat is perfect for sleep.

Long Fei wanted nothing more than to sleep, but he had nowhere to go. It was clear that he’d have to get a place in the dorms—at least then, he wouldn’t have to wander the campus alone under the blistering sun.

He’d already registered, and was about to call Ye Qian to go home together, but knowing she was still angry, he thought better of it—she’d only make things difficult for him if he called now. So, he put his phone away.

By his reckoning, Phoenix should be arriving in Shanghai any day now. At the thought of Phoenix, Long Fei’s expression darkened. There were things he wished he didn’t know—if only he could forget. Now that he knew, he could no longer treat Phoenix as he once had, yet he couldn’t tell her the truth. He’d rather shoulder all the guilt himself if it meant Phoenix could be happy. But in reality, Phoenix was only growing more miserable.

Phoenix felt Long Fei had changed, and for her, Long Fei had always been her sky. Now that her sky was gone, it was as if she’d lost the sun in her life. She spoke less and less, and seeing the change in Phoenix pained Long Fei so deeply it was hard to breathe. He didn’t know how long he could keep this from her, nor did he know what his limit was.

With a sigh, he sat on the flowerbed just as Ye Qian’s red Ferrari roared past, speeding out the school gates. She hadn’t even looked at him, leaving him behind at Jiaotong University without a second glance. Long Fei wished he could drag her out of the car and give her a good scolding. By the time he reached the gates, her car had vanished far down the road.

Long Fei shook his head helplessly, but then noticed something odd—a completely unremarkable Volkswagen Santana had followed Ye Qian’s Ferrari out. Long Fei knew that car—it was the one Ye Wentian had secretly assigned to protect Ye Qian. But trailing behind the Santana was a suspicious van—what was that about?

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