Chapter 38: Favoritism

Zhao Chengyu had been quietly observing Li Yaqin, his deep eyes seemingly able to see through everything.

He discovered that this seemingly ordinary country girl was not as simple as she appeared.

Her eyes flashed with a maturity and calmness beyond her years, even a hint of…calculation?

Zhao Chengyu's brows furrowed slightly; he began to develop a strong interest in this woman.

“An oil and grain factory? A slaughterhouse?” He Chengyang scoffed, as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world.

He looked Li Yaqin up and down, thinking that this country girl probably didn't know her place. These were places she couldn't just come and go as she pleased.

Wanting a big house with a yard? That was wishful thinking!

“Without our help, you probably wouldn't even know which way the door opens!”

He Chengyang's words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Li Yaqin's head.

Li Yaqin's expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure.

He Chengyang was right. In this era, getting into an oil and grain factory or a slaughterhouse was incredibly difficult.

Let alone a large house with a yard—it was practically a pipe dream.

But so what? Li Yaqin wasn't a puppet to be manipulated!

She had her spatial ability; that was her greatest strength!

She clenched her fist, her eyes resolute as she looked at He Chengyang, saying each word slowly and deliberately.

"I just want to go there, to be a warehouse manager—easy work, easy pay."

Zhao Chengyu suddenly spoke up, "It's not impossible, but saving your life isn't enough."

Li Yaqin slowly stopped, turned around, and looked at Zhao Chengyu with piercing eyes, her inner alarm bells ringing.

She knew it wouldn't be that simple! This man was indeed a cunning old fox!

"What do you want?" Li Yaqin's tone was cold, seemingly calm, but in reality, she had already prepared for the worst.

Zhao Chengyu didn't answer Li Yaqin's question. He simply looked at her silently, his eyes deep and complex.

After a long while, Zhao Chengyu finally spoke.

"I can agree to your conditions."

Zhao Chengyu's words shocked both He Chengyang and Li Yaqin.

"Chengyu, are you crazy?"

He Chengyang looked at Zhao Chengyu in disbelief, thinking his friend must have gone mad.

Zhao Chengyu ignored He Chengyang; he only looked at Li Yaqin.

"But I have one condition."

"What condition?"

Li Yaqin asked.

"I want you to be my wife."

Zhao Chengyu's voice was low and hoarse, and a strange light flickered in his eyes.

Li Yaqin's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected Zhao Chengyu to make such a request.

Looking at Zhao Chengyu's handsome yet cold face, a complex mix of emotions welled up inside her.

What exactly did this man want?

Zhao Chengyu explained, "I've been pressured into marriage lately. My marriage either has to be a political alliance to strengthen my family's power, but unfortunately, there's no suitable candidate."

"Or I could choose a less desirable woman—someone who won't hinder my work or career, who won't hold me back, and who will help me manage the household. Most importantly, this woman must be clear-headed, not greedy, and not want more."

Zhao Chengyu continued, without waiting for Li Yaqin's reply.

"Before meeting you, you weren't on my radar. But after meeting you, I find you're quite self-aware and clear-headed."

He paused, his gaze fixed intently on Li Yaqin. "What's your reply?"

Li Yaqin looked at Zhao Chengyu. This man laid everything bare, seemingly honest, but actually pressing her relentlessly.

If she were truly an ordinary village girl, she probably would have been overwhelmed by this sudden "pie in the sky" and happily agreed.

Unfortunately, she wasn't!

She, Li Yaqin, would never be anyone's appendage!

"Thank you for your kind offer, but right now I just want to find a job and settle down." Li Yaqin refused without hesitation, her tone calm and firm.

He Chengyang chuckled, about to make a sarcastic remark.

But catching a glimpse of Zhao Chengyu's cold, piercing gaze, he swallowed his words and wisely kept quiet.

Seeing the usually composed Zhao Chengyu falter filled him with immense joy, a feeling as refreshing as drinking an ice-cold soda on a hot June day.

Zhao Chengyu, however, wasn't annoyed. Instead, a subtle smile played at the corners of his lips, his tone remaining calm.

"It's alright, it's your choice. But," he paused, his gaze fixed intently on Li Yaqin,

"If you're considering marriage, please consider me first."

His words were polite, yet carried an undeniable air of authority.

Li Yaqin bit her lip, thinking to herself that this man was incredibly confident.

She remained outwardly composed, simply asking, "What about the job?"

"No problem." Zhao Chengyu gestured for the waiter to bring the food.

The aroma of steaming hot food instantly filled the air.

He picked up his chopsticks, placed a piece of braised pork in his bowl, and said with elegant composure, "Your job offer and the property certificate for the large courtyard will be delivered to you tomorrow."

Li Yaqin was taken aback. So soon?

Although she was puzzled, with such delicious food before her, she didn't have time to think further and began to devour the food.

Zhao Chengyu watched her wolf down her food, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes.

This little girl is truly a cunning fox. However, even the most cunning fox cannot escape the hunter's grasp.

He seemed to have given her a choice, but in reality, from the beginning, there was only one choice.

After all, he always used any means necessary to achieve his goals.

Going with the flow, seemingly unintentional, but actually meticulously planned, ultimately obtaining what he wanted—this was Zhao Chengyu's style.

And Li Yaqin, this thorny rose, would sooner or later fall into his carefully woven net and bloom for him.

Thinking of this, Zhao Chengyu felt exceptionally pleased.

He ate his meal slowly and deliberately, occasionally putting food on Li Yaqin's plate, appearing extremely attentive.

He Chengyang watched in stunned silence, feeling he understood Zhao Chengyu less and less.

Was this still the same cold-blooded, ruthless Zhao Chengyu?

How could he suddenly become so…gentle?

In the dim light, He Chengyang's gaze swept back and forth between Zhao Chengyu and Li Yaqin.

He stroked his chin. This Zhao Chengyu, who usually avoided women like the plague, what had happened to him today?

Could it be that he had really taken a liking to Li Yaqin?

But Li Yaqin, although somewhat beautiful, her background…

He Chengyang shook his head. A country girl, even if she'd gotten incredibly lucky and saved him and Zhao Chengyu,

wasn't good enough for his distinguished friend.

However, a family of Zhao's social standing would never allow her into their home.

But watching the show was quite interesting.

He Chengyang's lips curled into a smile. He wanted to see how long Li Yaqin could hold out.

Li Yaqin quickly shoveled food into her bowl. The rich aroma of braised pork and the crispness of stir-fried vegetables tasted bland to her.

She was absent-minded, her mind racing with various thoughts, like a high-speed computer calculating the best escape plan.

With a job and a place to live, she was temporarily safe.

Next, she needed to figure out how to use her spatial ability and elixirs to gain a foothold in this era and earn enough money…

She had a job; Zhao Chengyu said she'd receive her job offer tomorrow.

A house was secured; the property certificate for the large courtyard would be delivered to her tomorrow.

The two most intractable problems she faced after transmigrating had been solved so easily, leaving Li Yaqin feeling somewhat surreal.

But as a botanist with higher education in the 21st century, Li Yaqin knew that there were no free lunches, and independence was the only way forward.

Especially in this unfamiliar era, everything is fraught with unknowns and uncertainties. She must quickly plan a way out for herself.

With a stable job and place to live, solving her basic survival problems, the next step is to make money.

In this era, the importance of money is self-evident. Once she solves her financial problems, she can break free from constraints and live the comfortable life she desires.

As for Zhao Chengyu…

Li Yaqin's slender eyebrows furrowed slightly, forming a beautiful arc.

This man is cunning and shrewd; he is definitely not a simple character.

She must remain vigilant at all times, never letting her guard down, and certainly not allowing him to lead her by the nose.

Although this man has solved her most pressing problem, his condition of "becoming her wife"

is truly unacceptable, even repulsive.

"Eat more of these dishes," Zhao Chengyu's deep voice interrupted Li Yaqin's thoughts.

He gently pushed the dishes Li Yaqin had touched onto towards her, his movement carrying a subtle tenderness.

Zhao Chengyu had been secretly observing Li Yaqin. He noticed that her chopsticks consistently landed on these particular dishes, clearly indicating a preference for their flavors.

This seemingly ravenous girl's mind wasn't on the food; she was plotting something.