"Old man Liu was my mentor and beacon of light. I was born in an orphanage. Not so good in terms of everything, but my life was fulfilling. Unable to graduate because of various reasons, I worked at low-end ces until someone noted my physique or talent." Lin Fan shrugged as he narrated the past event.


    Ling Qingyu listened patiently without any negative reaction in her expression.


    "He set up an arrangement for me but I went on the journey overseas of nine death one life. Many years passed until I returned when I heard his news of deteriorating health."


    Lin Fan''s sadness and regret were genuine in Ling Qingyu''s eyes. If she lost Amorette or Denise, she would react in the same manner.


    "The arrangement was a promised marriage agreed by the elders of both sides. Now that I''m here, I would like to honor the contract made by our elders. I hope to see your opinion." Lin Fan said gently while staring at her eyes.


    Lin Fan utilized the strategy of selling poor to receive sympathy from Ling Qingyu, whose expression hardly changed.


    How could she not understand the inner state of Lin Fan? She wasn''t a young girl to be fooled. And she wasn''t actually a she to begin with, right?


    Anyone who had an emotional quotient within a normal benchmark would resonate with tragic stories, sympathizing and hoping tofort the protagonist.


    However, telling a tragedy at the first meeting was something Ling Qingyu now newly experienced.


    No one in the right mind would resurface those bad memories and disy vulnerabilities to a total stranger even if someone would soon be their partner.


    Ling Qingyu even doubted her original self, how on earth she epted bing the main pce against this man with such IQ.


    "Mr. Lin, I appreciate your sentiment behind the elders'' wishes, who would dearly be d to see this marriage unfolds. But we live in a modern society where forced marriages and arranged unions are things of the past. We should have the freedom to choose our own paths, especially in the matter of heart." Ling Qingyu spoke in an official tone.


    Regarding Ling Qingyu''s reply, Lin Fan wasn''t surprised. He would be dumbfounded if the cold president epted without any resistance.


    Any woman who strove hard on her work journey would never easily marry. Lin Fan understood their mindset.


    At the end of the day, women always needed another shoulder beside them to lean on and they would soon find in the future—happiness was found in marriage.


    Ling Qingyu might agree with Lin Fan''s point of view in the past. Now, she would merely scoff at this notion, after being taught by Miss System several times.


    Happiness or not rarely depended on others. Even if marriage meant happiness, how many were able to find the right match and live a peaceful joyful marriage?


    Maybepanionship might be a better word than marriage in this context. As long as there was someone who apany you on the harsh journey, that was the true bliss.


    That confidante should not always be one''s marriage partner. Everyone enjoyed life in a different manner.


    What worked for one might not work for others.


    Lin Fan nodded at Ling Qingyu, his lips still smiling. "I understand your perspective, Miss Ling. But let''s not forget our elders really wish for the knot between us. We don''t want to regret them seeing their hope doesn''t happen, right?"


    "I acknowledge your wish to fulfill the elders'' request but that shouldn''t chain us to decisions we''re ufortable with." Ling Qingyu sighed softly. "Marriage should be based on mutual respect and affection."


    Come on, keep pretending, Ling Qingyu said inwardly. If I''m not a big fat ugly girl or not pleasing to the aesthetic, I''m sure you won''t evene in the first ce.


    The reason why Lin Fan didn''t start slowly but got straight to the point was that he couldn''t fool Ling Qingyu. Who was she? The talented businesswoman who survived several tribtions in the business circle.


    That was the helplessness inside Lin Fan. And Ling Qingyu who stayed out of the norm had a higher chance of not obeying the elders'' words.


    "Come to think of it, arranged marriage devoid of emotion must have mutual cooperation and support. Since it''s a business deal, what benefits can you bring me?" Ling Qingyu said with a smile.


    She was looking forward to Lin Fan''s answer. Lin Fan couldn''t confess his background, could he?


    Just a simple phone call could get what he wanted but he wanted a retirement life, without any of these interference. Hidden background, a lonesome confident man exuding the bad boy aura.


    The number one ma to charm women. Ling Qingyu raised the rms several times, to prevent her sisters from even knowing each other. story-at-MvLeMpYr


    "Well," Lin Fan was stuck in words. "It seems like there is none right? Don''t worry, Miss Ling. I''m not asking to get married straight away. We''ll interact with each other and get to know more in the process."


    "Mr. Lin must know who I am." Ling Qingyu hid herughter. "Unless I see the benefits of the deals, you can''t persuade me."


    Ling Qingyu''s voice stumped Lin Fan into deeper thought and his eyes brightened when he saw a new idea.


    "How about I rmend myself to work here as a security guard or maybe your personal bodyguard." Lin Fan said after rubbing his chin in thought, trying out his n. "It''s not me being arrogant, given my past working experience."


    "Oh, what do you do? I''m curious." Ling Qingyu leaned her cheeks over the palm, with her eyes looking for more answers.


    "I quit the job of mercenary after earning a huge sum."


    "How much? If you don''t want to say it, please do as your wish. Forgive my questioning." Ling Qingyu was genuinely inquisitive.


    "Not at all, Ms. Ling. Half a billion dors, my savings." Lin Fan spoke and paused, realizing he was led by Ling Qingyu.


    "It''s pretty good. I expect you to invest some in stocks." Ling Qingyu answered with a smile. "For a young man, to earn this amount and can live a happyfortable life while resting. That''s a high achievement there."


    Ling Qingyu praised Lin Fan without any shyness. Compared to her past life—a dilly-dallying experience, she lost everything in front of Lin Fan—noparison.


    "You made the correct guess. I let someone I trust do a stock exchange and be a shopkeeper. I''m nothing,pared to yours, Ms Lin." Lin Fan almost lost control. Why was she praising him as if looking at a younger generation?


    "Don''t be too polite. I''m sure, you''ll have lots of girls swarming all over you." Ling Qingyu spoke, her eyes filled with irony.


    Lin Fan straightened his back and pretended not to hear Ling Qingyu and changed the topic.


    His intuition warned him not to continue this topic about girls. "So, Ms. Ling. What do you think about my rmendation?"


    Ling Qingyu paused— she didn''t want topletely offend the man before her nor she liked him staying around.


    She carefully ced her words and said. "Given your experience, anyone will fancy your expertise but that doesn''t include me.


    "Why not, Ms. Lin?" Lin Fan''s eyebrows raised. "Compared to the guards you have, I believe you know, they weren''t my match."


    Ling Qingyu''s eyes turned weird. Noparison. What made you so confident? Huh?! Didn''t he feel Tang Ziyi when she guided him to her ce?


    "I do know you''re capable but you have to know my guards are all females." Ling Qingyu stopped her speech, guessing how in the world, Ling Qingyu fell for Lin Fan ording to the script.


    She had to admit, without her steadfast mind, Lin Fan had a high ability to persuade a person from what she didn''t desire to do.