Chapter 1: Breaking the Engagement

Linjiang, a coastal city. Today, the engagement banquet for the Shen and Lin families was specially held on a cruise ship, where the music and the sound of the waves resonated with the gentle evening breeze.

This marriage had been the talk of high society for the past few weeks. No one had expected the prestigious Shen family to announce that they would be joined in matrimony with the Lin family in a month’s time.

Compared to the aristocratic Shen family, the Lin family was only the third-richest family in Linjiang City. To be matched with the Shen family, with its long and storied history, was considered marrying up, a great social climb.

Everyone said Lin Daohai was a lucky man to be able to latch onto a great tree like the Shen family.

As if waking from a splendid dream, the bright lights shone like fire, and the dazzling brilliance reflected by the crystal chandeliers was blinding.

“Dad, hasn’t the engagement party started yet? The Shen family never specified who had to marry him. Just let me marry him, please. You’ve always known, haven’t you? I’ve liked Brother Yanli for so long. How could you let my sister steal him away from me?”

Inside the dressing room, a middle-aged man paced back and forth with a grave expression. A young woman, sitting on the sofa, buried her face in a middle-aged woman’s embrace and sobbed her complaints.

The engagement party was set to begin in half an hour, yet the Lin family still hadn’t decided which daughter to marry off.

Lin Daohai was indecisive. The Shen family was not one to be trifled with. An incident like switching the bride mid-way could, with the slightest misstep, plunge the Lin family back into dire straits. He didn’t dare to act on a whim. “Yuxin, aren’t you making things difficult for me?”

Lin Yuxin wouldn’t hear a word of it. She was determined to marry into the Shen family, come what may. That was the Shen family! Shen Yanli! A prestigious, aristocratic family!

As long as she could marry in, her life would be one of blissful luxury. Why should a wonderful opportunity like this be given to Lin Zhiyu?

She persisted stubbornly, “The Shen family can switch people, so why can’t our Lin family? I don’t care. If you don’t agree, I’ll just go and die.”

“It’s not like you care if I live or die anyway.”

Lin Daohai slapped the back of his hand hard against his palm and tried to persuade her earnestly, “What about the Ge family? What am I supposed to tell them?”

What was the Ge family? Just some minor household. They were nothing compared to the Shen family.

Lin Yuxin was full of ideas; she had already thought everything through for her father. “I’m going to marry Brother Yanli anyway. Out of respect for the Shen family, they won’t dare to make things too difficult for you.”

Lin Daohai couldn’t win against her. He had always doted on this younger daughter and could only sigh repeatedly. “You…Sigh, if you marry him, what will happen to Zhiyu?”

In front of the vanity, a young woman sat quietly, propping her chin up with her hand as she silently watched the drama unfold. Her clear, beautiful eyes held nothing but indulgence for Lin Yuxin.

Lin Zhiyu’s heart felt no sorrow at having this marriage snatched away; on the contrary, she was secretly delighted.

She wished Lin Daohai would agree to Lin Yuxin’s request right this instant.

*Agree with her. She’s crying so hard, just agree with her.*

*You’re not usually this nice to me.*

*What’s with the fake display of affection now?*

This kind of drama had played out in the Lin household more than a hundred times over the past half-month. Lin Yuxin, threatening life and limb, was desperate to take Lin Zhiyu’s place and marry into the Shen family, to marry Shen Yanli.

For some reason, Lin Daohai had lost his mind. He usually doted exclusively on Lin Yuxin, but now, at this critical moment, he was hesitating.

Lin Zhiyu pursed her lips, rolling her eyes.

*You’ve already spoiled her, so just spoil her to the end, Dad.*

*Stop hesitating.*

In three seconds, she had rolled her eyes no less than five times.

*If you’re going to switch the bride, just do it already. You’ve been dithering for half a month without making a decision. I don’t know what you’re so conflicted about.*

Lin Zhiyu complained endlessly in her mind, but her face maintained a gentle smile.

When Lin Daohai turned the conversation toward her, she was more than happy to play along. Hiding her face, she mimicked Lin Yuxin’s tearful tone, her performance even more exaggerated than her sister’s.

“It’s alright, Dad. I don’t mind. If my sister likes him, just let her have him. Anyway… anyway, I… I’ve never hoped for these things.”

She wept a storm of pear blossoms, a picture of pitiful vulnerability that was heart-wrenching to behold. “All I want… all I want is to stay by your side, Dad. I ask for nothing else. I’ll be content just to be with you for the rest of my life.”

Lin Daohai already felt he owed Lin Zhiyu a great deal. Hearing her words made him feel even more guilty.

Seeing this, Lin Yuxin escalated her tantrum. The middle-aged woman holding her also spoke up for her, “Zhiyu has already said so, just let her have her way. She’s our only daughter. Are you really going to let her die?”

Lin Daohai remained hesitant.

Seeing that the soft approach wasn’t working, Lin Yuxin decided to play hardball. She grabbed a fruit knife from her bag and pretended to slash at her wrist. “Fine ”

“Then let me die. I can’t live on if I can’t marry Brother Yanli anyway.”

“Hey ”

This time, Lin Daohai was thoroughly panicked. He and his wife rushed to stop her.

The glint of the knife under the light flashed into Lin Zhiyu’s eyes. She remained outwardly unmoved but was inwardly shocked.

*Seriously, big sis? You’re going this far?*

*Wow, who would dare fight you for this? You marry him. It’s all yours, all of it.*

With Lin Yuxin putting on such a show, Lin Daohai had no choice but to compromise. He snatched the fruit knife away and reluctantly agreed to her demand.

He patted Lin Zhiyu’s shoulder comfortingly. “Zhiyu, it’s alright. Dad owes you far too much. It’s good that you’re staying. From now on, Dad will make it up to you at home, okay?”

Lin Zhiyu covered her face tightly with her hands, secretly despising his hypocrisy.

This wasn’t the first or second time. As long as it was something Lin Yuxin wanted, there was nothing she couldn’t get.

Whenever Lin Daohai’s heart softened and he gave in to her, a tiny bit of guilt would arise for Lin Zhiyu, and he would solemnly promise to give her something better in the future.

And then? Then there was no ‘and then.’ He would forget by the next time and just make another promise.

In the half-month since she had transmigrated, she had figured out the Lin family completely.

A biased father, a wicked stepmother, and a favor-stealing younger sister.

A typical blended family plot from a novel.

It was utterly cliché.

But this suited Lin Zhiyu’s wishes perfectly. It was better not to marry. What kind of decent person gets married right after transmigrating into a book, and to a complete stranger at that?

Whether he was a man or a ghost, she didn’t even know what he looked like, and they wanted her to marry him. *In your dreams.*

In any case, she couldn’t stand to stay in this godforsaken place for a moment longer. Finding a way back home was the top priority.

Wiping away tears that came on command, she nodded with her face hidden. “Okay, I’ll listen to whatever you say, Dad.”

This was a new skill she had learned in the past half-month. Lin Daohai liked people who went along with him. As long as she cried, his sense of guilt would be stirred.

Once he paid attention to her, Lin Yuxin and her mother could only glare at her viciously, not daring to trouble her further.

Killing two birds with one stone.

Lin Daohai tossed the fruit knife aside. Having achieved her goal, Lin Yuxin stopped her fussing. The family embraced each other affectionately. The harmonious atmosphere was incredibly moving to watch.

Lin Zhiyu sat alone on the makeup chair, watching it all with disdain. The face hidden behind her hands held only an uncontrollable smile.

*He finally agreed.*

*Lin Yuxin, this wasn’t easy for either of us.*

Just as she was secretly rejoicing, she was abruptly interrupted.

“Lin Daohai, who gave you the nerve to make this decision for the Shen family?”

The dressing room door was pushed open from the outside without warning. The man in the lead held the door, respectfully making way for the person who had arrived.

The man walked over slowly but showed no intention of entering. He wore a pair of silver-rimmed glasses and a well-tailored black suit, the cuffs rolled up once to reveal a platinum watch on his wrist.

His tall, slender figure looked down upon the dressing room, his emotionless eyes exuding a silent, oppressive aura.

He glanced impassively at Lin Zhiyu in front of the vanity before walking straight past.

Seeing the visitor, Lin Daohai was about to greet him but saw he had no intention of stopping. “Yanli, you’re here. Why didn’t you ”

Lin Zhiyu looked up and her eyes met the man’s outside the door for a fleeting moment.

*Yanli? My ex-fiancé, Lin Yuxin’s future husband?*

*He looks so cold and indifferent. Probably not easy to get along with.*

As Lin Zhiyu was thinking, the man behind him walked in and spoke with a deadpan expression, “Our President Shen isn’t here to exchange pleasantries with you. I’m afraid Mr. Lin hasn’t quite grasped the situation.”

Seeing this man, Lin Daohai’s attitude was also extremely respectful. “Not at all. The youngsters at home were just fooling around. It will be who it was meant to be. You can rest assured.”

Lin Yuxin was unwilling. “Dad ”

“Does Miss Lin still wish to seek death?”

A bodyguard picked up the knife from the floor and handed it over. The man took it unhurriedly and twirled it twice before her eyes. “Then be quick about it. Don’t delay the engagement ceremony.”

Lin Zhiyu couldn’t help but let out a snort of laughter.

*As if she has the guts. She’s just banking on her father’s doting.*

Tears welled up in Lin Yuxin’s eyes as she tried to gain his sympathy. “Does Brother Yanli have to be so heartless?”

Assistant Chen was unmoved. “Master Shen currently has only one son. Where did this ‘sister’ of yours come from? In the past, anyone who tried to falsely claim relations with the Shen family has never met a good end. Would Miss Lin like to try?”

Seeing his unyielding stance, Lin Zhiyu secretly thought, *This is bad.*

*I’m doomed. Now he’s my husband again.*

She lamented repeatedly: *No, I just got rid of one tough problem, why is there another?*

The fruit knife was right in front of her face. No matter how much Lin Yuxin wanted to marry him, she didn’t dare act rashly now. Her eyes were fixed on the gleaming silver blade, not daring to move.

This was exactly the effect he wanted. Assistant Chen calmly put away the knife, wrapped it in a handkerchief, and placed it back on the table. Before leaving, he shot a cold glance at Lin Daohai as a warning.

Lin Daohai wiped away his cold sweat, not daring to entertain any more ideas.

A few simple words had completely extinguished their thoughts of switching the bride.

Now, it wasn’t just Lin Yuxin who was going to cause a scene; Lin Zhiyu was about to cause one too.

She sat on the makeup chair, seemingly calm, but in her mind, she was screaming at the top of her lungs.

Then, she began to recall the plot of the book, bit by bit.

When she transmigrated here, there were no prompts, no system, as if she had been left to fend for herself.

This meant that even now, she had no idea how far the plot had progressed.

However, in the book, the marriage plot only appeared at the very end. This

This should be the finale.

*If it’s already the finale, why did they let me transmigrate here?*

With no useful information, she tapped her fingers on the table, one by one, in frustration.

No matter what, this marriage could not happen.

Lin Zhiyu looked up at Assistant Chen, who hadn’t gone far. Ignoring Lin Yuxin’s strange look, she chased after him without a second thought.

“Zhiyu where are you going?”

The middle-aged man’s shouts behind her gradually faded. When he saw Lin Zhiyu catch up to Assistant Chen and speak with him, he fell completely silent.

*It doesn’t matter who marries him. As long as the Shen family can save the Lin family from its predicament, marrying either daughter is the same.*

As she was about to catch up to him, Lin Zhiyu realized she didn’t know his name. She tentatively spoke, “Um hello.”

Assistant Chen stopped and reminded her impassively, “Assistant Chen.”

Lin Zhiyu: “Oh, hello, Assistant Chen. Where is President Shen? Can I… um… that is… see him?”

Without a second thought, Assistant Chen directly refused, “President Shen has a video conference. He doesn’t have time.”

The rejection was merciless.

He was bluntly telling her to get lost.

*As expected of a president’s assistant, very professional.*

Lin Zhiyu didn’t want to let this chance go. “Can we just talk for a little while? Could you go ask? Maybe he’s willing. I’ll be quick, just one minute is fine.”

She was, after all, the future Mrs. Shen. Assistant Chen remained silent for two seconds before taking out his phone to make a call.

The other end responded quickly.

He coolly put his phone away. “Miss Lin, you have five minutes. Please be quick.”

Lin Zhiyu couldn’t believe it.

*Wow, five minutes? How generous.*

The lights, wine, and music continued downstairs, while in the VIP lounge on the second floor sat the two main characters of the day.

The man sat upright on the sofa and gestured to the one in front of him. “Please, have a seat.”

His polite attitude and gentle, calm voice were the complete opposite of the personality she had imagined from that fleeting glance in the hallway.

He had a strikingly sharp appearance, and when his face was cold and emotionless, he exuded an inexplicable sense of lofty pressure. She hadn’t expected him to be a warm and elegant gentleman on the inside.

But no matter what his personality was like, this marriage could not happen.

She cleared her throat and didn’t beat around the bush, stating her purpose for coming here directly. “Shen Yanli, I came to discuss calling off the engagement with you.”

Lin Zhiyu sat in the single armchair and, without any subtlety, requested that he break the engagement.

The Lin family couldn’t call it off, but the Shen family surely could.

Since it was going to be called off anyway, it didn’t matter who did it.

The man’s expression, however, remained unchanged. He spoke unhurriedly, “Miss Lin, has your esteemed father agreed to you calling off the engagement?”

Lin Zhiyu: “Whether he agrees or not isn’t important. I don’t agree, and I don’t want to entrust the rest of my life to a stranger. I imagine you feel the same way, right?”

Seeing him waver slightly, Lin Zhiyu quickly expressed her views.

“On the contrary, I do not feel that way.”

Shen Yanli leaned back against the sofa, unmoved. Although his words carried no emotion, his eyes held a soft smile. Upon closer inspection, it was hard to tell which was his true emotion.

He spoke with a placid frankness, as if he were discussing what to have for breakfast. “It doesn’t matter who it is. ‘Mrs. Shen’ is just a title. It can be given to anyone. As long as it’s beneficial to me, I’ll give it.”

“You…” Lin Zhiyu found him utterly unreasonable.

“Miss Lin, you must understand that the benefits brought by a corporate marriage alliance are endless. And you? You say you want to break the engagement. What can breaking the engagement bring me?” He analyzed the pros and cons of this marriage as if he were reasoning with her.

“I am a businessman. I don’t make losing deals. You’ll have to offer a higher price so that I don’t leave empty-handed.”

Shen Yanli sought her brilliant opinion in a calm tone.

Shen Yanli’s expression remained warm and gentle, leaving no room for criticism.

Seeing that he was impervious to persuasion, Lin Zhiyu gritted her teeth, closed her eyes, and blurted out recklessly, “What if I’m not Lin Zhiyu? Would you still insist on marrying me?”

“What?”

The man’s rhythmic, light tapping instantly stopped.

“I am not Lin Zhiyu.”

“To be precise, I’m not the real Lin Zhiyu.”