Chapter 35: Rejection

The Zhao and He families—what prestigious families they were!

They were behemoths at the pinnacle of power, their influence shifting with a wave of their hand, possessing boundless wealth, the dream home of countless women.

So many socialites and ladies, exhausting all their efforts, hoped to win their favor, dreaming of a modern-day rags-to-riches story.

But this woman from the countryside had refused them?

This sudden turn of events was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples that were hard to believe.

Could it be that she looked down on them?

This thought filled He Chengyang, one of the self-proclaimed exceptional men present, with an indescribable sense of defeat.

It felt as if his pride had been pierced by invisible needles.

Impossible!

He Chengyang had absolute confidence in his own charm.

From appearance to family background, they were all exceptional individuals, like proud peacocks. How could they tolerate being rejected by an ugly duckling?

Li Yaqin keenly noticed the fleeting surprise on their faces.

She sneered inwardly, enjoying the thrill of controlling the situation like a cat toying with mice.

This was the effect she wanted—to make these self-important fellows experience the disparity in their abilities.

On the surface, however, she feigned trepidation.

As if overwhelmed by their illustrious status, even her breathing became cautious.

"You... are too outstanding." She lowered her head slightly, her slender neck tracing a graceful curve.

But her peripheral vision quickly swept over Zhao Chengyu and He Chengyang, taking in the surprise in their eyes.

She sneered inwardly, but her expression became even more submissive, her voice barely audible.

A slight, almost imperceptible tremor ran through her, as if she were terrified by this sudden "blessing."

"I... how could a country girl like me be worthy of... really, utterly unworthy."

"It's my honor to serve tea and water to these two distinguished guests."

Li Yaqin's lowered eyelashes trembled slightly, like butterfly wings, concealing the true emotions in her eyes.

She silently added in her heart, "You are unworthy of me!

My golden finger is my strongest reliance, something you mortals can never reach.

With this heaven-defying space, what do I need men for?

Men will only hinder my resource acquisition speed, becoming stumbling blocks on my path.

With this miraculous elixir, once the storm has passed and the golden age arrives,

she can completely build her own business empire.

At that time, not only the Zhao family and the He family, but the entire world will grovel at my feet!

"I...I know my own limitations, I don't dare to hope for too much."

Li Yaqin kept her head down, her voice growing softer and softer, as if talking to herself, or perhaps to the air.

It was as if she had mustered all her courage to speak.

"I just hope to have a stable place to stay, so I won't be a burden to you."

"If I could have...a job that isn't so public, a job that pays well and is easy."

"Just enough to eat and wear, I'd be...I'd be incredibly grateful."

She disguised herself as an ugly duckling, so insecure she felt worthless, not daring to hope for the favor of swans, only seeking a small, peaceful haven.

This way, he could temporarily escape their entanglement and buy himself more time to plan for the future.

Zhao Chengyu's lips curled into a slightly amusement.

It was as if he were watching an interesting drama, or appraising a rare antique waiting to be sold.

He found this girl increasingly intriguing, like a pill coated in layers of sugar.

You never know what flavor the next layer will hold—a sweet temptation or a deadly poison?

Interesting, truly interesting.

However, whatever it was, he had the patience to savor it slowly.

This girl's thoughts were exactly what he wanted.

Zhao Chengyu had never intended for her to be his wife; it was merely a bargaining chip for a family alliance.

His true purpose was to use her to test the He family's bottom line, and… verify some of his suspicions.

She was still young; perhaps she didn't yet understand what the names Zhao and He represented.

What does this mean? Like a naive fawn, she doesn't yet understand the dangers of this forest.

That's why she made such a choice, choosing a seemingly ordinary path.

Little did she know, this path had already been ensnared by his inescapable trap.

But it doesn't matter; there's plenty of time. Time is the best hunter.

She's already in his grasp; where can she fly to?

Zhao Chengyu has plenty of time and patience to slowly train this disobedient little fox.

He'll make her understand what true power is, what an irresistible fate is!

He wants her to willingly become his pawn, to be used by him.

As for her desire for a job with high pay, little work, and few people to meet?

Zhao Chengyu's mind raced; he'd have to see what she was hiding.

The upbringing of a noble family made Zhao Chengyu unable to show his emotions.

But He Chengyang still caught a fleeting, almost imperceptible interest in his slightly narrowed eyes.

And hidden beneath that interest was a...determined determination.

Zhao Chengyu sneered inwardly. Over the years, he had never failed to get what he wanted.

He always had patience for his prey, letting it run free for a while, enjoying its final moments of freedom.

Then, when the time was right, he would capture, tame, and possess it.

Li Yaqin, you can't escape my grasp.

Now, let's see just how many surprises you can bring me.

Zhao Chengyu narrowed his eyes slightly, his deep gaze as sharp as a hawk's, fixed intently on Li Yaqin.

The fleeting resistance deep in Li Yaqin's eyes, like a shooting star across the night sky, brief yet clearly captured by him.

It was an undisguised rejection of their status and position, like icy water extinguishing the flames burning in his heart.

Li Yaqin keenly sensed Zhao Chengyu's gaze, like a sharp knife trying to cut through her disguise.

She lowered her eyes subtly, concealing the coldness within them.

Her mind raced, calculating. This young master of the Zhao family was indeed as unfathomable as the rumors suggested.

It seemed that to remain unscathed in this murky water, she had to be even more cautious.

He Chengyang's face was like the weather in June, changing rapidly, alternating between pale and flushed, finally becoming so gloomy it seemed one could wring water from it.

Li Yaqin's crisp and decisive rejection was like an invisible slap across his face, stinging painfully.

He suppressed his anger, striving to maintain a calm facade.

But his clenched fists and slightly trembling fingertips betrayed his inner resentment.

What angered him even more was the subtle aloofness and…indifference that lurked beneath Li Yaqin's seemingly respectful demeanor and tone.

It was as if their conversation was nothing more than a troublesome affair she had to deal with.

He Chengyang almost laughed out loud in anger. Sweet words could erase her refusal? Hmph!

He, the eldest son of the He family, had always been the center of attention, pampered and adored. When had he ever been so disliked?

Which woman hadn't fawned over him like bees to a flower?

They went to great lengths, wearing heavy makeup and striking alluring poses, all just to catch his eye, hoping to climb the social ladder and rise from humble beginnings to become a phoenix.

Ridiculous, utterly ridiculous.

Even more ridiculous was his unwillingness to accept it; his heart felt like it was being scratched by cat claws, both itchy and painful.

Did he really have to lower himself and humbly explain to a country girl how remarkable the He family was, how vast their wealth and power were?

He Chengyang shook his head, a bitter smile playing on his lips. If he did, he would truly become a clown, a laughingstock.

He sighed softly, his voice tinged with weariness.

Before leaving the house today, he had even had his hair styled by a stylist and chosen his most expensive outfit.

Now, it all seemed like a farcical, utterly foolish spectacle.

What troubled him even more was that, in the eyes of the elders, his and Zhao Chengyu's presence here today was a meticulously planned blind date.

Originally, they did indeed use this opportunity to appease their families' pressure to get married.

To avoid being bombarded with endless blind dates and introductions later.

In short, it was a mutually beneficial arrangement.

However, when he was truly rejected, He Chengyang felt a tightness in his chest, a visibly painful sensation.

It felt like a prized possession had been suddenly discarded like trash.

Disappointment, frustration, and a vague sense of defeat.

Zhao Chengyu narrowed his eyes.

His deep gaze, sharp as a hawk's, locked onto Li Yaqin.

He clearly caught the fleeting resistance deep in Li Yaqin's eyes.

It was an undisguised rejection of their social standing.

This woman is indeed different from those ordinary women.

Interesting.

He wants to see what tricks she has up her sleeve.