Chapter 21: He Is Simply Wicked

Slicing a steak slowly with a knife and savoring red wine in small sips—to Lin Chen, this was far less satisfying than devouring meat skewers and gulping down ice-cold beer. He had often teased himself about this to Su Xiran, saying that he probably wouldn't change in this lifetime, destined never to be a man of refined tastes, but forever someone of the common streets.

Su Xiran loved Western cuisine and ate it with such grace that she was frequently approached by men posing as successful professionals before she could even finish her meal.

Although Lin Chen’s way of eating Western food often caused collateral damage, leading to her being looked down upon by others, she never minded. Whenever Lin Chen downed his glass of red wine in one gulp, she would simply refill it for him, watching him with a gentle gaze.

Lin Chen’s personality was never one to compromise. He would wear a cold, disgusted expression whenever he encountered someone he disliked, being blunt and straightforward. Because of this, many said he would never get anywhere in society.

Yet, while Lin Chen could treat anyone else with a frozen face, he could never bring himself to be cold toward the gentle older sister sitting before him. She seemed to be his nemesis, his soft spot.

When he first arrived in this city, he was a young man full of passion but also harboring a sense of fear toward this prosperous and indifferent place. It was this gentle, beautiful woman who had kept holding his hand and leading him forward, never once looking down on him.

Lin Chen stuffed another large piece of beef into his mouth, swallowed it after only a few chews, and then grinned sheepishly at Su Xiran. "Sister Xixi, why are you looking at me like that? It’s as if I’ve done something to let you down..."

Su Xiran said with a hint of resentment, "I don’t know why, but I always feel like you’re drifting further and further away from me. If I hadn't called you this time, I don’t know when you would have ever taken the initiative to call me."

Seeing that look of grievance in her eyes, Lin Chen’s heart skipped a beat. He laughed, "Hehe. So I’m really that important to you, Sister Xixi? Could this be that old saying, 'a day apart feels like three autumns'?"

He blinked and joked playfully, "Sister Xixi, you don't like me, do you?"

A flush suddenly appeared on Su Xiran’s face. Flustered, she snapped in a mix of embarrassment and anger, "I do not! Don't talk nonsense."

Seeing this, Lin Chen chuckled, "Haha. I’m just kidding, no need to be so nervous. You’re several years older than me and have always treated me like a younger brother; naturally, I wouldn’t get any crazy ideas."

He spoke with an air of righteous indignation. As for whether he truly had any thoughts about this beautiful and sexy older sister in his heart, only he knew.

Hearing this, Su Xiran reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "Who is several years older than you? It’s only three years! Does that really make such a difference? And who treated you like a little brother? You are not my little brother! Lin Chen, you are so heartless. I’ve been so good to you, and it turns out that in your heart, I’ve always just been an old woman!"

With that, she glared at him, her expression tinged with hurt and grievance. She was clearly angry. Su Xiran rarely got angry, but when she did, even the fearless Lin Chen found himself intimidated.

Lin Chen was at a loss. He said sheepishly, "Sister Xixi, why are you angry? Did I say something wrong? I didn't mean you're old; I just meant you’re a few years older than me. Of course, you’re still a super beauty."

Seeing his blockheaded expression, Su Xiran sighed and said no more. Instead, she said with a troubled look, "Lin Chen, my family is arranging a blind date for me this time. Looking at the situation, it seems they’ve already made up their minds, and they’re just waiting for me to go back and go through the motions."

Lin Chen felt an immediate wave of discomfort. He frowned and asked, "What does that mean? If you don't want to, can they force you? It seems your stepmother really doesn't have good intentions."

Su Xiran’s biological mother had passed away when she was young. After her mother died, her father remarried. Her stepmother had given birth to a son and a daughter, making three children in total, and Su Xiran was the one who wasn't cherished. Because of the family's poverty and the high cost of her siblings' schooling, she had been forced to drop out of school despite her excellent grades. She had run off to Yuehai City alone at a young age to make a living, sending most of her earnings back home.

Even so, her stepmother never treated her with warmth, acting as if everything she did was expected. She had repeatedly set Su Xiran up on blind dates with unprincipled "rich second-generation" types, clearly hoping to profit from the connections or marry her off to someone wealthy.

Su Xiran said with a troubled expression, "Regardless, she is an elder. She says the person she found this time is exceptionally outstanding and insists I go meet him, even threatening that if I don't go back, I should never return home again. I have to go back at least once."

Lin Chen was losing his cool. He hurried to say, "Sister Xixi, what do you mean? You’re not actually going to go on that blind date, are you? Let me tell you, those guys are just stinking flies buzzing around because you're beautiful and have a great figure. They’re no good—don’t you dare fall for their tricks! These people look polished on the outside, but they’re beasts in human skin, worse than animals, utterly devoid of conscience..."

Lin Chen went on a tirade with an expression of deep hatred, as if the men circling Su Xiran deserved to be carved into pieces. Before he could finish, Su Xiran burst into laughter.

She beamed like a flower, smiling like a fox that had just caught its prey. "So, you’re really afraid of me going on a blind date, huh? You were putting on such a serious act just a moment ago, and you dare say you don't have any improper thoughts about your sister. Hmph!"

She wrinkled her delicate, jade-like nose in a playful and triumphant way.

"Hehe."

Lin Chen laughed awkwardly, scratched his head, and was momentarily speechless.

Su Xiran teased, "Dummy!"

She then explained, "I’m just going back to deal with it. Besides, didn't I say I’d have you pretend to be my boyfriend and go back with me? If I bring my boyfriend along, how could I possibly go on a blind date with someone else?"

Lin Chen finally realized. Right, hadn't she asked him to play that role before? If she asked him to act as her boyfriend, she naturally wouldn't be dating anyone else.

Just as he understood, a man’s voice filled with surprise called out, "Miss Su! I didn't expect to see you here. What a coincidence!"

A man in his thirties, wearing a suit and looking rather suave, walked over with a fiery look in his eyes as he stared at Su Xiran.

Su Xiran frowned slightly, then put on a polite, professional smile. "Mr. Lai, indeed. You’re here too? What a coincidence."

Mr. Lai smiled. "Yes, what a coincidence. It seems we are truly fated. Since we’re so fated, why don’t we sit together?" With that, he sat down uninvited.

The table wasn't small, and three people could fit, but Su Xiran didn't welcome him. She felt a flicker of annoyance, but she quickly hid it.

This Mr. Lai was the owner of a magazine company that collaborated with her firm. She had met him a few times, and every time, he would swarm around her like a fly. She found him disgusting, but she couldn't afford to burn bridges, as her company had many projects with his magazine.

Mr. Lai acted as if he didn't notice her displeasure at all. He looked at her and chuckled, "Miss Su, why does it feel like you’re always avoiding me? Haha, I don’t bite. Every time we meet, you leave after only a few words. Come to think of it, we’ve never really had a good chat, and I haven't even properly introduced myself. Let me do that now: Lai Gaojun, 33, owner of Tianxing Magazine, and unmarried."

He emphasized the word "unmarried" with a deliberate tone.

Su Xiran just offered a perfunctory smile, as if she hadn't heard a word.

Lai Gaojun didn't care. In his view, no matter how cold a woman was at first, once she was conquered, they were all the same—destined to submit beneath him.

He had investigated Su Xiran. A woman from a small county with no background, and he’d never heard of her having connections to any big shots. He’d heard that the general manager of her modeling agency, Liu Shanhua, seemed to have an interest in her, but lately, he seemed to avoid her like the plague. Though he didn't know why, he believed that with his own "talents," taking down this beautiful but unconnected woman wouldn't be difficult.

With a lecherous smile, he reached out toward Su Xiran’s fair, delicate hand. "Miss Su, I’ve introduced myself; surely a handshake is acceptable?"

He thought to himself that if he could fondle her hand a bit during the shake, she would surely understand his intentions, and he would get a bit of an advantage.

Su Xiran didn't even need to shake his hand to know exactly what he was thinking. She had seen too many "successful men" like this, with lust hidden deep in their eyes, over the past few years. She only felt nauseated.

However, refusing even a handshake would be a public slap in the face. She furrowed her brows tightly.

At that moment, a voice spoke coldly, "Don't shake his hand."

It was Lin Chen. Seeing Lai Gaojun reach out with his eyes fixed on Su Xiran’s hand, looking as if he wanted to grab and knead it, Lin Chen felt an urge to gouge the man’s eyes out.

Su Xiran was startled by Lin Chen’s words, then she laughed, putting on an obedient expression. She said to Lin Chen, "Alright, I won't shake it. Don't be angry."

She then turned to Lai Gaojun. "Mr. Lai, I’m so sorry. Since my boyfriend doesn't want me to, I cannot shake your hand."

Lai Gaojun acted as if he had just noticed Lin Chen sitting next to her. His expression shifted, and he forced a smile at Su Xiran. "So, Miss Su has a boyfriend? But don't you think he’s being a bit too controlling? Not even allowing a handshake? What era are we in? It’s unbelievable. Miss Su, how can you tolerate a man like this?"

Su Xiran put on a pitiable yet sweet look, sighing helplessly. "What can I do? I’ve set my heart on him, and he’s just so domineering. He always has the final say in my affairs, and I dare not say no to him. If I do, he’ll bully me when we get home. He’s just so bad!"

As she finished, her voice turned shy and coy, leaving plenty to the imagination.

*Damn it, it looks like Su Xiran has already been 'taken' by this guy!*

Lai Gaojun was consumed by jealousy. Looking at Lin Chen, who had nothing remotely impressive about his appearance, he felt even more irritated. How could this loser make such a goddess so willing and submissive that she dared not say a word against him? He didn't deserve her!

Just as he was about to mock him, a waiter brought a bottle of red wine over and placed it on the table, saying respectfully, "Greetings. Our boss asked me to bring over this 1995 Romanée-Conti. He hopes the distinguished guests here will enjoy it."

Hearing this, Lai Gaojun was first incredulous, then he began to grin triumphantly. He hadn't expected the restaurant manager, with whom he’d only shared a few meals, to give him such face by gifting him a '95 Romanée-Conti. It was unbelievable—how generous!

A 1995 Romanée-Conti was priceless; even if you could find one, it would cost over a hundred thousand per bottle!