Chapter 3: Accompany Me

Lin Zhiyu snapped awake before the call even ended. After quickly scanning the trending hashtags, she rushed to Yiman Garden.

Having repeatedly searched across major platforms without finding any trace of information about herself, combined with Feng Fei’s tone, Lin Zhiyu began to entertain some troubling thoughts.

Surely, she couldn’t have been caught

Their usual meeting spots were always at Feng Fei’s company, yet today was exceptionally set at a restaurant.

Ominous premonitions kept surfacing.

Lin Zhiyu: It seems this is no small matter.

The staff led her all the way to the private room door, pushing it open to usher her inside.

Lin Zhiyu, initially anxious, turned to leave as if she’d seen a ghost the moment she recognized the person inside, not hesitating in the slightest.

Feng Fei, are you trying to get me killed!

But Shen Yanli didn’t let her have her way. As if anticipating her reaction, he had arranged for two black-suited bodyguards to block her escape.

Lin Zhiyu blinked.

Was this really necessary? It was just some fabricated gossip.

Did catching her require such a grand production?

Though it was a dining room, only tea sets were arranged on the square table.

Shen Yanli took a leisurely sip of tea, completely undisturbed by Lin Zhiyu’s dramatic entrance. His Adam’s apple moved slightly before he slowly set down the teacup.

Then, he turned his gaze to her with deliberate calm. “Miss Lin, the tea is getting cold.”

Seeing no way out, Lin Zhiyu reluctantly sat down, steeling herself for his reprimand.

Though lacking justification, she feigned confidence, lifting her teacup while shifting her gaze to the river view outside the window, avoiding looking at him.

The young woman’s eyes shimmered with defiance, her delicate face set in a stubborn refusal, treating him like some monstrous threat to be avoided at all costs.

Shen Yanli watched her intently, a faint flicker of amusement suddenly appearing in his eyes. “Miss Lin doesn’t wish to marry.”

It wasn’t a question, but a statement delivered with certainty that pierced through her ears.

Lin Zhiyu turned back, asking lightly, “If I say I don’t want to, will you still marry me?”

Shen Yanli gave an almost imperceptible nod, answering without hesitation: “Of course.”

“I will marry you.”

Lin Zhiyu: Then that settles it, so what else is there to say?

Shen Yanli patiently explained: “The alliance between our two families involves numerous complex layers this is an unchangeable fact.” He paused. “But since you are to be my future partner, I have no intention of sharing a bed while dreaming different dreams.”

Lin Zhiyu remained unmoved. “Did you summon me here just to say this?”

Shen Yanli smiled faintly. “Of course not. I know Miss Lin intended to use public opinion to pressure me into calling off the engagement.”

“Unfortunately, the Shen family still holds some influence in this area. Naturally, we wouldn’t allow such a thing to happen.”

Lin Zhiyu remained silent.

Here it comes, the blame is coming my way.

However.

He merely asked softly: “You don’t want to marry me? Then who do you want to marry?”

“Do I have to marry anyone? Can’t I just stay with my family forever and take care of my father?”

Anger tinged her exquisite features, her voice rising unconsciously like an arched-back orange cat puffing up its fur.

The corners of Shen Yanli’s lips curved into a barely noticeable arc as he calmly exposed her: “If Miss Lin repeats that enough, she might even start believing it herself.”

“Do you think the Shen family wouldn’t conduct investigations before the marriage alliance? Miss Lin hasn’t had an easy life in the Lin family.”

She remained unmoved. “So what? That doesn’t change the fact that I don’t want to marry you.”

Not wanting to marry means not wanting to marry.

No matter what you say, I won’t marry!

The young woman frowned in displeasure, her lies exposed yet showing not a trace of shame.

This was the first time Shen Yanli had seen her like this.

She was the one lying, yet she blamed others for exposing her.

He spoke slowly, “You don’t want to marry me, but what about afterward? Can you guarantee your father won’t arrange another marriage alliance for you?”

“You managed to stop it once, but can you ensure you’ll succeed every time?”

Lin Zhiyu had no patience for him. “That’s not your concern.”

Shen Yanli wasn’t bothered by her coldness she’d been hostile toward him all day. Young ladies often needed things spelled out clearly, and given the current circumstances, someone had to make her understand the situation.

Ultimately, it was the Lin family’s failure in raising her properly.

He spoke gently, “Miss Lin, I dare not claim to be the best in the entire country, but at least in all of Linjiang City, you won’t find a more suitable marriage partner than me.”

Lin Zhiyu glanced back at him. The man sat elegantly, composed and calm, treating her with nothing but kindness. Though his motives were impure, from start to finish, every word he’d spoken had been for her benefit.

He was right in terms of appearance, character, and family background, no one in Linjiang City could surpass him.

So what? Not wanting to marry meant not wanting to marry.

You men conduct business why must you use us women as bargaining chips?

Shen Yanli continued, “Do you know why it was you who was chosen for this marriage, not your sister? Lin Daohai dotes on her why would such a ‘good opportunity’ fall to you otherwise?”

Lin Zhiyu’s expression finally softened slightly. She had wondered about this, but no one in the Lin family was willing to tell her the truth.

Could it be related to that Ge family?

Shen Yanli leisurely provided the answer, “It’s because of the Ge family. Ge Hong has taken a liking to her. He’s holding Lin Daohai’s weakness, forcing him to sell off his daughter. A woman connected to another man isn’t qualified to become the future matriarch of the Shen family.”

“So, it had to be you.”

Then, calmly, he steered the conversation to the main point. “If Lin Yuxin were to marry into the Shen family, do you think your stepmother, Tao Qian, would allow you to stay in the Lin family and mend your relationship with Lin Daohai?”

“What should be given to the Ge family to settle the matter peacefully? Miss Lin Zhiyu?”

Lin Zhiyu’s expression shifted. She understood what Shen Yanli meant.

Tao Qian wouldn’t allow her to remain at home, and the Ge family would be the perfect place to send her.

She had met that man before.

A middle-aged man in his forties, with a greasy head and a large face, his body bloated with fat. At his age, still unmarried either his standards were too high, or he wanted everything but no one wanted him.

Recalling Lin Yuxin’s dramatic outburst, she frowned and muttered under her breath, “No wonder she made such a scene.”

If it were her, she wouldn’t want to marry him either.

Tao Qian saw her as a thorn in her side and wouldn’t let her stay in the Lin family.

If she were to reconcile with Lin Daohai, her stepmother’s precious daughter’s inheritance might change hands something Tao Qian would never allow.

So, the final outcome was clear: if she didn’t marry Shen Yanli, she would have to marry Ge Hong.

Lin Zhiyu’s delicate brows furrowed.

This plot felt so familiar she had read it in novels hundreds of times.

How could something like this happen to her?

Just yesterday, she had been hesitating, unsure of what role she was meant to play in this world she had transmigrated into.

Now, it was all clear.

Wasn’t this the classic setup for a male and female lead?

She lifted her gaze to look at Shen Yanli.

Perhaps she wouldn’t even live long enough to marry Ge Hong she might transmigrate back before that day came.

Shen Yanli seemed to have anticipated her thoughts long ago. He picked up the remote control beside the tea set and pressed a button lightly.

With a click, the black panel behind them turned transparent, revealing the very subjects of their earlier discussion in the adjacent room.

Lin Zhiyu was momentarily stunned.

You could actually do this?

In the private room, Lin Daohai offered an ingratiating smile, bowing his head and bending his waist as he poured wine for Ge Hong. “What brings you the leisure to invite us today, President Ge?”

Ge Hong accepted his service without reservation and got straight to the point: “Lin Daohai, I won’t beat around the bush. I heard your family is about to form a marriage alliance with the Shen family? I came to confirm the one being married off isn’t Xinxin, is it?”

“Haha, you see…”

Lin Daohai attempted to laugh it off, but Tao Qian stood up and stopped him. She picked up a small portion of food and placed it in his bowl.

Without changing her expression, she said, “The Shen family took a liking to Xinxin at first sight. It’s almost settled now. We had no choice even though we mentioned she was already promised, the Shen family insisted, saying they only wanted Xinxin.”

“President Ge, what do you think…”

At this, Ge Hong’s expression darkened. He slammed his chopsticks down, his face full of anger. “Hah, well done, Lin Daohai. You’re the first in Linjiang City to dare play me for a fool. Since you show no regard for our relationship, don’t blame me for what comes next.”

Before he could escalate, Tao Qian hurriedly intervened, “No, no, no since we’re here, there must be another way.”

She placed her own chopsticks in front of Ge Hong, soothingly patted his back to calm him, then naturally sat down, pretending to discuss the matter. “To be honest, our family has another older daughter. Her beauty is said to surpass even the most celebrated…”

She pushed a photo forward, looking as though she was certain it would satisfy him. “I brought a photo. Why not take a look first? Who knows, you might like her?”

Lin Daohai’s ex-wife had been exceptionally beautiful, and her daughter had inherited every bit of her charm. Every time Tao Qian compared Lin Zhiyu’s face to Yuxin’s, she couldn’t help but seethe with resentment.

A pair of vixens, damn them.

Ge Hong glanced suspiciously at the woman sitting beside him. Tao Qian deliberately leaned closer, smiling. Having navigated romantic entanglements for years, Ge Hong understood her implication perfectly. He slid one hand onto her thigh while picking up the photo to examine it.

In the photo, a young girl sat alone by the bay window, reading. Under the cool light, her calm, earnest face appeared especially delicate and refined even more so than Lin Yuxin’s. His hand on Tao Qian’s thigh unconsciously stilled.

He decided immediately, “I want her. Just her.”

This compensation pleased him deeply. The previously tense atmosphere instantly dissipated. Smiling, he tightened his grip on Tao Qian’s thigh and resumed his usual affable demeanor. “Not bad, Lin Daohai. You’ve raised two fine daughters.”

Lin Daohai humbly waved it off, “No, no.”

He glanced at Tao Qian sitting beside Ge Hong and unconsciously clenched his fist.

Zhiyu, don’t blame your father.

It’s all… out of necessity.

Seeing Ge Hong’s delight, Tao Qian steered the conversation toward the difficulty. “However, this older daughter of mine… well, she’s a bit headstrong and hard to control. I’m afraid she might not be satisfied with you, President Ge.”

Ge Hong didn’t seem bothered. “Headstrong? Even better I like them feisty and unyielding.”

“And what does it matter if she’s dissatisfied? If you tell her to marry, would she really refuse?”

Tao Qian sighed repeatedly, “Ah, that’s the hard part. I’m afraid she really might. This daughter of mine has always had a mind of her own.”

She paused briefly before getting straight to the point. “How about this let Mr. Ge come over tonight to meet her? Perhaps he’ll be able to win our girl over.”

“If things progress to the point of no return, well… then there’s nothing we can do about it.”

His eyes lit up, immediately grasping Tao Qian’s implication. He slapped the table enthusiastically. “Excellent! President Lin, you’ve married quite a capable wife. Your future looks bright.”

Lin Daohai wiped the fine sweat from his forehead. “You flatter me, Mr. Ge. Not at all.”

In high spirits, Ge Hong dropped the subject. “Then tonight it is. I’ll come take a look tonight. If this works out, our past disagreements won’t matter anymore. We’ll be in-laws, won’t we? What son-in-law would turn against his father-in-law?”

“Come, raise your glasses! From now on we’re family no need to stand on ceremony.”

Lin Zhiyu frowned deeply, her cold gaze piercing through the partition to rest on Lin Daohai, who sat comfortably in the next room.

Her clear, beautiful eyes burned with suppressed anger. She tightened her grip on the teacup, watching them in silence.

Reading about such situations in novels was one thing experiencing them firsthand was another.

At least over the past half month, Lin Daohai had treated her decently enough he hadn’t made her suffer.

Yet after everything Tao Qian had said, not only had he not objected, he had tacitly approved. Were Tao Qian and his children his only family? Was she, his ex-wife’s daughter, not his child too?

If Lin Zhiyu had any flaws, naturally Lin Yuxin would take her place. This way, neither side would be offended, and both could benefit.

What a clever scheme.

What kind of parent would push their own child into a fire pit? How could a girl’s chastity and entire future be so casually traded away like merchandise?

She had only been here for half a month and already couldn’t bear it. How had the original owner survived all these years?

She didn’t dare imagine.

Shen Yanli was already accustomed to such scenes. With leisurely composure, he let his gaze rest on the young woman’s face, appreciating the emotions playing across her features.

Lin Zhiyu’s lips were pressed into a tight line, her exquisite face flushed with anger. Yet instead of the expected grief and indignation, she displayed both a fragile delicacy that seemed ready to shatter at a touch, and an aloof, disdainful pride.

It was a rare and remarkable combination.

Shen Yanli ran his fingers over his cup twice before unhurriedly setting it down and walking over to her. Leaning against the table, he extended his right hand.

He lowered his voice in invitation. “The Shen family is holding a banquet this afternoon. Would you accompany me?”