Will Lovers Eventually Become...

An Yi's series of flashy moves finally made Aunt Zhou see through him.

This silly boy was showing off his wealth!

"Oh my, impressive! So this is an air conditioner—no wonder it felt so cool the moment I stepped in."

Aunt Zhou took the 300 yuan and three loose coins, casually placing the braised beef she was carrying on the table.

An Yi waved his hand smugly. "It's nothing, just a Gree-brand air conditioner worth 2,599 yuan. Really no big deal."

"So rich, huh? How about paying back your debts first then?"

Aunt Zhou was equally delighted, asking with a beaming smile.

An Yi: "..."

Miscalculation.

Only now did it dawn on him—while the rent might have been settled, he still owed Aunt Zhou quite a bit of money.

"This braised meat isn’t much. I’d have brought more if I’d known. You two enjoy it."

Aunt Zhou cheerfully walked off with two stacks of red bills, counting them with her fingers as she went. Her steps were light, her entire demeanor glowing as if she’d shed ten years off her age.

Shen Muxuan stared longingly at the braised beef, swallowing hard before glancing at An Yi, who now looked like he’d aged ten years. "Aren’t you eating?"

An Yi gazed mournfully at his last remaining 10,000 yuan. "No appetite. You finish it. My heart hurts."

Shen Muxuan cheered and dug in with gusto.

An Yi looked at the remaining money and felt a renewed sense of crisis.

With just enough for the underground boxing ring’s entry fee, should he go back for another round?

"Hey, An Yi, I want to buy some new clothes."

Shen Muxuan blinked up at him with puppy-dog eyes.

She seemed to have figured out the trick—An Yi was soft-hearted. A little sweet-talking and acting cute would do the trick.

"Fine, but we’re short on cash, so just one outfit! Damn, where’d all the beef go? You barely left any!"

"You said you weren’t hungry!"

"That’s braised beef! I haven’t seen it in almost half a year! Also, turn off the AC. Electricity’s expensive."

......

The weather in July was as unpredictable as the padded size of a girl’s bra—changing at a moment’s notice.

After a heavy downpour, the sky turned a pristine blue, as clear as a freshly washed crystal vase.

On the bustling commercial street,

Qin Yao crouched down, gently stroking a mud-streaked kitten. Drenched by the rain, its fur was matted and dirty.

"You must be hungry. Here, try some chicken."

She carefully tore the meat into small pieces, cradling them in her palm as she fed the tiny creature.

"It’s filthy," Lin Chen remarked from beside her.

Qin Yao shot him a glare. "You’re the filthy one! Take off your jacket."

"Why my jacket?"

"Just do it, no questions!"

Under her insistent demand, Lin Chen reluctantly shed his coat.

Qin Yao carefully wrapped the frail kitten in it. "I know it’s uncomfortable, but bear with it for now. Stay in here for a bit."

Lin Chen: "..."

"That jacket’s expensive. I want reimbursement," Lin Chen said seriously.

"It’s just a coat. Approved."

Humming a tune, Qin Yao carried the kitten down the street, a picture of effortless grace.

Behind her, Lin Chen trailed with a stormy expression.

And behind him, the old butler watched with barely contained excitement.

"At last, at last!"

Uncle Fu, the family steward, nearly teared up seeing Qin Yao and Lin Chen walking side by side without immediate conflict.

This was a breakthrough—they could finally walk together without instantly bickering. Now, they at least waited two sentences before arguing.

Still, Uncle Fu was overjoyed.

The ice had been broken. The rest would follow naturally.

As the Qin family’s steward of over thirty years, Uncle Fu knew exactly why President Qin had assigned Lin Chen as Qin Yao’s personal bodyguard.

It was all intentional.

President Qin wanted Lin Chen as his son-in-law—impressed by his skills, but even more by the power behind him.

Lin Chen himself might not even realize just how formidable his hidden influence was.

At the thought, Uncle Fu sighed softly.

The adult world ran on interests.

Bringing Qin Yao and Lin Chen together was little more than a strategic alliance.

Though they currently couldn’t stand each other, President Qin was desperate for them to make it work.

Watching the pair walk ahead, Uncle Fu smiled.

He rather liked Lin Chen—sharp, decisive, and with the physical prowess of a trained soldier.

A bit cold and quiet, but otherwise flawless. In his eyes, Lin Chen was a good match for the young mistress.

Definitely better than that street punk they’d run into at the night market last time!

"Hey, stop. I want this."

Lin Chen halted, pointing at a designer outfit in a store window.

Qin Yao checked the price tag and nearly exploded. "Are you insane? That’s over 10,000 yuan! You could buy a hundred of your usual rags for that!"

Lin Chen countered coolly, "You said you’d reimburse me."

"That’s extortion! Highway robbery!"

As the two teetered on the edge of another spat, Uncle Fu hurried over to mediate. "No need for quarrels! It’s just a jacket. I’ll handle it."

"Uncle Fu, he’s just a bodyguard. Why do you treat him like some young master?" Qin Yao muttered under her breath.

Uncle Fu chuckled. "Mr. Lin is a highly valued guest—President Qin went to great lengths to hire him. You should be more accommodating, young lady."

Qin Yao rolled her eyes.

A hundred million! For this brute?

Uncle Fu’s mission was clear: play matchmaker.

Close proximity bred affection, after all.

Two attractive people spending enough time together were bound to develop feelings.

Honestly, standing side by side, they looked like a golden couple—almost like they were made for each other...

Suddenly, Uncle Fu’s cheerful expression froze.

He’d just noticed something. In terms of facial features, Lin Chen and Qin Yao bore an uncanny resemblance, especially around the eyes and nose. The more he looked, the more striking the similarity became...

A thought struck him. Twenty years ago, President Qin had traveled abroad...

"No, no. That’s ridiculous. What am I thinking?"

Uncle Fu broke into a cold sweat, unnerved by his own speculation.

It couldn’t be. President Qin wanted Lin Chen as his son-in-law. There was no way...

"Uncle Fu, you’re sweating so much. What’s wrong?" Qin Yao asked curiously.

Fanning himself with his loosened tie, Uncle Fu forced a laugh. "N-nothing! Just the heat. It’s so hot today, haha..."

The more he studied the two young faces, the more his panic grew. He needed to report this to President Qin.

Even if the idea seemed absurd, he had to be sure.

Lin Chen found the old man’s behavior odd.

Uncle Fu was clearly hiding something—but what?

"It is pretty hot," Qin Yao agreed, squinting at the blazing sun.

She handed the kitten, still wrapped in Lin Chen’s jacket, back to him. "Hold this. I’m going to buy cat food."

"I’m a bodyguard, not a nanny."

"Just take it, got it? Or do you not want that hundred-million salary anymore?"

Across the street...

A black business sedan idled quietly as the man in sunglasses inside picked up his walkie-talkie and slowly started the engine.

"Qin Yao is alone. Get ready on your end!"