An Yan maintained an outward calm.
But her other hand, hanging at her side, had its fingers unconsciously pressed together, gently rubbing each other.
This was a sign of her nervousness.
All around, the silence was profound.
Even the sound of the piano that served as background seemed to vanish.
The girl's skin was pale and delicate, her face devoid of any trace of makeup.
The only adornment on her entire body was a thumb ring hanging around her neck.
Her healthy, fair skin created a strong visual contrast with the profound sense of history emanating from the thumb ring!
Li Tianyao's gaze fell on her as he studied her, his amber eyes holding a hint of inquiry and scrutiny.
An Yan thought he was weighing the pros and cons, and with a slight curve of her lips, she said,
"As long as you agree, I can fulfill one of your wishes."
"Provided that it doesn't violate any laws or regulations and is technologically feasible."
"Of course, if you find our relationship unsuitable at any point, you also have the right to end it."
"As long as the relationship ends normally, any promise I've made will stand."
"Let me clarify: by a 'normal end,' I mean one preceded by advance notice—a peaceful breakup, not suddenly finding some woman to humiliate me."
Lin Shang's face instantly darkened!
The atmosphere grew terrifyingly silent.
All eyes were on this handsome man.
This was a friend of the Mu Family's elder young master, Mu Chenyuan.
And aside from the Li Family of Shangjing City, they couldn't imagine who else could befriend Young Master Mu, let alone outshine him.
This little country girl was done for!
Mu Chenyuan was also stunned.
He had left for just a few minutes, and already a woman was targeting Tianyao?
His gaze, filled with interest, lingered on Li Tianyao, and he even found himself unconsciously holding his breath.
He was just waiting to see what method Tianyao would use to deal with this bold country girl.
Was he going to break her delicate hand that she dared to extend towards him? Or order someone to drag her out and throw her into the moat? Or simply leave her at Wan'an Mountain Wildlife Park for some close encounters with the animals?
Unexpectedly, within moments, Li Tianyao actually took the pretty little hand before him.
As he parted his thin lips, his deep, pleasant voice sounded,
"Alright!"
Mu Chenyuan: "???"
The onlookers stirred again, their gazes intense.
No one had expected that this seemingly indifferent and noble man would agree to a little country girl's proposition!
In full view of everyone, An Yan smiled happily, pulling Li Tianyao's hand as they approached the Lin Family members.
"Look, isn't the man I found a hundred times better than Lin Shang?"
Mu Chenyuan: "..."
He was stunned numb. Never in his life had he imagined seeing Tianyao being shown off by a woman like this!
The Lin Family members: "..."
They were unsure of his real identity, but they all knew he was a distinguished guest brought by Young Master Mu.
Lin Shang glared furiously at Lin Yueru.
If Lin Yueru hadn't piped up, An Yan would have already left. How could this scene have unfolded?
Truly, more of a hindrance than a help!
Lin Shang bent over to pick up the check from the ground, dusting it clean before presenting it to An Yan with both hands.
His voice regained its usual gentle and courteous tone, exuding warmth.
"Yanyan, since you have a new choice, you should take this money. If you ever face any difficulties, just let me know, and I'll help if I can."
An Yan stepped back in disgust, widening the distance between them.
"I don't want things that have gotten dirty!"
It was unclear whether she was referring to the check in Lin Shang's hand or to Lin Shang himself.
After she spoke, she left, holding Li Tianyao's hand.
Behind them, Li Tianyao's men emerged from the crowd, a dense throng following them.
Dead silence!
Even those who couldn't guess the man's identity could vaguely sense from the scene that the Lin Family had courted serious trouble.
"Young Master Mu, I... I implore you, please plead with him on behalf of our Lin Family!"
Lin Shiping's limbs went weak, and he knelt directly before Mu Chenyuan.
Mu Chenyuan smiled.
"Plead for what? Isn't it just that the girl your Lin Family despises has eloped with my friend? It's no big deal. Get up."
Lin Shiping breathed a sigh of relief. He guessed this man probably didn't have a particularly significant background. After all, if he truly were from the Li Family of Shangjing City, would Young Master Mu speak so dismissively?
Just as he was about to get up, Mu Chenyuan's voice rang out again.
"Hold on, let me get this straight. The girl you bullied eloped with my friend. So, that means she's going to be my friend's fiancée, right?"
"Which is to say, you bullied my friend's fiancée?"
Mu Chenyuan tutted, pausing for two seconds.
"Then that means... you're bullying me!"
Lin Shiping: "..."
Mu Chenyuan crooked his finger, summoning Li Han. Then, he pointed to the sky.
"Look!"
Li Han asked, "What does Young Master Mu wish for this subordinate to see?"
Mu Chenyuan drawled, "The sky... it's getting cold!"
...
An Yan, holding her new fiancé's hand, walked out of the Lin Family's main gate.
A Rolls-Royce Phantom screeched to a halt in front of them.
A neatly dressed chauffeur exited the car and bowed respectfully.
"Miss, good day. I am Old Xiao. The Master sent me to pick you and the Young Master up and take you home."
Li Tianyao's eyes darkened slightly.
A 'mere village girl'? With a Rolls-Royce in the family? No wonder she dared to say she'd grant him a wish.
An Yan turned to Li Tianyao calmly.
"Oh, I told my dad I'd bring my fiancé home today. You..."
An Yan hesitated, then let go of the hand she had been holding.
"You helped me just now, so my promise to grant you one wish still stands. What would you like?"
Li Tianyao's amber eyes suddenly darkened, his fingertips subconsciously brushing against each other.
His gaze swept over the thumb ring on her neck. He chuckled softly.
"Are you implying that after using me, you intend to discard me? Little miss, what do you take me for?"
An Yan's brows furrowed slightly.
"I mean, if you're unwilling, there's no need to force yourself!"
"Not at all!"
The man chuckled lightly. "I think this is quite good!"
From the moment he saw the thumb ring, he had no intention of letting her go. Although he didn't yet know her relationship with that person, her presence—and the thumb ring—meant that person would appear sooner or later. The status of fiancé... quite good!
The back seat of the Rolls-Royce was spacious. The man spread his legs slightly as he leaned back, his knees almost touching the seat in front.
He alone occupied nearly two-thirds of the back seat.
His posture was quite imposing. Of course, it might also be because his legs were so long. An Yan inexplicably felt as if this car was his domain!
She disliked this feeling and cleared her throat.
"My name is An Yan, what's yours?"
"Li Tianyao."
"Why did you come to this banquet today?"
Instead of answering, he asked her, "Why did you choose me?"