Chapter 30 The Pursuers
"You don't need to do anything."
Lian Yi waved her hand magnanimously. Given her eldest sister's docile nature, raised with strict discipline from childhood, even if she harbored thoughts of rebellion due to oppression, but—
It's not that Lian Yi looks down on her older sister, but what use is someone as weak as her?
Besides, the eldest sister is still her uncle's biological daughter. She's so considerate. Of course, she should take the blame when there's trouble. Does she think she can take the blame from her? That's something Lian Yi would never allow.
"Lian Yi! Lian Yi!"
Shouts from friends came from not far away; it was almost as if they were about to broadcast a missing person notice over the loudspeaker.
Lian Yi's eyes were bright, and she stared at Lian Suning with an innocent and kind expression. "Big sister, just pretend you don't know anything later and watch me do my job. Remember, don't take the initiative or refuse. Don't rashly open your mouth and ruin my plan."
“This…” Lian Suning frowned. After calming down a bit, she regretted it. After all, this was about the marriage between the two families. If she really embarrassed her future fiancé.
Isn't that a bit too willful?
Besides, this matter shouldn't involve Lian Yi. Although in Lian Suning's mind, Lian Yi has always been a spoiled and unruly child since childhood, she is still her younger sister.
Lian Suning didn't want Lian Yi to suffer a bad reputation because of her, and to anger her father and the Qian family behind her future fiancé.
"Don't hesitate any longer. You think you can escape once you're on this pirate ship?"
Lian Yi narrowed her eyes and threatened, "Big sister, it's one thing if I don't know about this, but if I do find out, I will not allow a piece of trash to appear in the Lian family under my brother-in-law's name."
"Whether you like it or not, I'm determined to settle this score today."
Her tone and expression were full of arrogant arrogance, as if she didn't take Lian Suning seriously at all.
Lian Suning was slightly taken aback, but a warm feeling seemed to wash over her. Her almond-shaped eyes stared blankly at Lian Yi, and the look in her eyes gradually became firm.
She could hear the concern in Lian Yi's words, and felt helpless for a moment, but more than that, she was deeply moved. She had always thought that Lian Yi disliked her, so during the limited time they met, she chose to keep her distance from this younger sister to avoid upsetting her.
Unexpectedly, beneath Lian Yi's seemingly arrogant and domineering personality, she still cared about her older sister.
Lian Suning took a deep breath, constantly telling herself that as long as her father knew about the Qian family's young master's affairs, he would understand. Even if he valued the marriage between the two families, he would not let her marry such a person.
At most, Lian Yi was just giving the young master of the Qian family a warning and a punishment. As long as she rushed back to explain the cause and effect to her father, she believed that her father would properly and gracefully abandon the marriage alliance with the Qian family.
"Yiyi, this matter is ultimately related to me." A gentle voice slowly rang out under Lian Yi's impatient, tilted head gaze.
Lian Suning paused, her serene face now serious. "So, whatever you do, your eldest sister will stand with you."
"……oh."
Lian Yi was unaware that Lian Suning had actually been introduced to many 'celebrities' and 'newly rich' by her father in the past year or two.
The days of being treated like merchandise, being sold and scrutinized, gradually made this wealthy heiress, who had become accustomed to being the way her parents wanted her to be for over twenty years, increasingly depressed.
She couldn't figure out where these emotions came from, yet at this moment, she seemed to inexplicably become clear-headed.
“My friend is calling me, and that person is probably looking for you too.” Lian Yi lowered her eyes and said, “Big sister, I don’t know how to behave properly, so you’d better be prepared.”
The upward curve of her lips was faintly visible in the shadow of the green plants.
"When the time comes, don't worry about saving face or the bigger picture."
Lian Suning clearly didn't have a deep understanding of her madness. Looking at Lian Yi's smiling and lovely face, she helplessly made a promise, "You know my temperament, but no matter what, I will face this with you tonight."
It's not that she can't accept arranged marriages; as a scion of a wealthy family, she should have these kinds of awareness.
Lian Suning kept telling herself that she just... didn't want to marry such a morally flawed stranger.
…
The two left in different directions.
Lian Yi walked slowly to the parking area with her hands in her pockets. The empty space that was full of cars was now somewhat deserted. Li Xilai, who had been waiting there, immediately put away his phone when he saw her.
"My dear lady, where have you been? The competition is about to start!" She wrinkled her nose, complaining as she opened the passenger door.
"Hurry up, get in the car!"
Lian Yi got into the car and asked directly, "Do you know someone named Qian Jingrui?"
"Huh?" Li Xilai, who was gripping the steering wheel, paused for a moment, then looked in the rearview mirror as she reversed and recalled, "I have a vague impression. Was he here tonight too? He's the grandson of the shipping magnate, I think he's the second son's child."
"So, what's wrong with this person?"
Lian Yi didn't deny it at all, and nodded, saying, "Yes, the Qian family is probably going to arrange a marriage with my uncle's family. Tonight is probably the night he and my older cousin are arranged to meet privately."
Li Xilai stared wide-eyed in surprise, then pondered, "I heard that Qian the Ship King is getting old, and his children have all recently returned to the country to stay by his side. His second wife has arranged a marriage with your uncle's family. This news has been kept very well hidden. It seems that Qian the Ship King is really not going to make it."
How many children from wealthy families are simple-minded? Li Xilai guessed the power struggle that was currently unfolding in the Qian family just from these few words.
“I’ve heard that Qian Jingrui has a decent reputation. He’s quite capable among our generation, but there are many capable people in the third generation of the Qian family.” Li Xilai smiled. “His parents are quite capable, managing to get in touch with your uncle.”
Simply relying on personal ability, or getting married and having a great-grandchild as soon as possible, is not enough to sway the shipping magnate.
But if he can marry a wife from a powerful family, at such a moment, it's like having a bunch of extra bargaining chips out of thin air.
As for how much Uncle Lian will profit from this afterward, that remains unknown.
Lian Yi chuckled lightly, "Really? But I really don't like him."
"Understood."
Li Xilai didn't ask why, but calmly gripped the steering wheel and drove towards the racetrack.
Lian Yi has her reasons for doing things, and to ask her the reason at this point would be beneath one's dignity as a friend.
She smiled slightly and asked excitedly, "So, how do you want to play?"
“Since we’re in Huanyue, let’s follow Huanyue’s rules.” Lian Yi rested her chin on her hand and said calmly, “He wants to marry my eldest cousin. Whether he’s sincere or not, he has to get past me first. Even if he’s the young master of the Qian family, what can he do without some ability?”
Li Xilai nodded in agreement, even though she knew that Lian Yi was a troublemaker in the Lian family and had never had such a good relationship with the eldest sister in the family.
"Yes, as the younger sisters, we have to help our older sisters investigate properly."
"Should we involve Xiaohai and the others in this?"
Lian Yi shook her head. "Some of their businesses have ties with the Qian family, so let's not drag them into this."
Being called a bunch of cronies, Li Xilai and his gang share a similar madness and arrogance with Lian Yi in their nature.
But these outrageous behaviors show that they are able to quickly analyze the pros and cons.
No matter how powerful the shipping magnate is, he can't reach into the vast ocean of clouds. Besides, this time only one of his many descendants suffered. They were just playing around and didn't cross the line. At most, they would get a scolding.
Li Xilai smiled and stepped on the brake. "Alright, after this is over, I'll have to take the blame for you again and get scolded for not being loyal enough."
The track entrance is shaped like an inverted V. To the left is a cliff. Although it is not high, at night, the lights on the fence have a limited range, so it looks pitch black.
The right side was bustling with activity. It was a wide slope with many cars parked in a staggered pattern. Tables and chairs had already been set up next to the cars, and the headlights alone illuminated the area brightly.
At the beginning of the ascent, there are four huge screens on the mountainside. Later in the race, drones will film the route and broadcast the live on these screens.
The hillside above is an open-air area accessible only to VIP customers, featuring a swimming pool, a bar, and a DJ setting up his equipment.
Li Xilai parked the car downstairs and walked uphill with Lian Yi.
The two were already quite good-looking, and they attracted a lot of attention as they went uphill. Occasionally, someone would cast an interested glance at them and try to get up and strike up a conversation, but they would soon be pulled back by their companions.
It wasn't because of their family backgrounds that these people thought their companions didn't need to make a fool of themselves.
It's simply because I can't bear to see my companion suffer because of ignorance. If I try to chat up a rich heiress, at most I'll be laughed at for being a toad trying to eat swan meat.
Who can I strike up a conversation with?
If you don't want to die young, then don't do it.
"Let me tell you, with so little money, Huan Yue is truly one of the best at running a race car on such a large scale." The young man with a pockmarked face looked excited and proudly showed off.
"It's a pity that it's strictly controlled now. Otherwise, if we could still place bets like before, wow, that would be really exciting." He sighed regretfully.
Qian Jingrui had a polite smile. Although he was dressed casually, his well-groomed hairstyle and his gentle smile exuded an air of sophistication.
He smiled slightly, "It's only right to obey the law. It's just for fun and relaxation. I'm not interested in illegal things."
"You're short on cash, but you're incredibly sensible!" The pockmarked man gave a thumbs-up, his expression exaggerated and his voice loud, completely oblivious to the young master opposite him who frowned briefly before quickly returning to normal.
Qian Jingrui didn't respond, suppressing the disdain and contempt in his heart.
The Lü family has some influence in Yunhai. More importantly, he needs someone to spread the news of his trip with Miss Lian within the circle.
Otherwise, he wouldn't bother associating with someone like Lü Ping under normal circumstances.
Qian Jingrui's polite smile became more genuine as he whispered to Lian Suning beside him, "Do you not like this kind of occasion? If you're not used to it, shall I take you home first?"
Lian Suning sighed inwardly, but a smile had already habitually appeared on her face. She gently shook her head, "It's okay. It's my first time watching a race live. I'm quite curious."
“Hey, Miss Lian, you’ve come to the right place.” Lu Ping said with a smug smile, “Look at all these cars down here: Pagani, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Cadillac! It’s not just people from Yunhai; many players from other places have also come.”
"My car is down there too, you'll see it in a bit—"
His loud, booming voice, which usually made people frown, suddenly fell silent, like a duck being choked.
Qian Jingrui and Lian Suning subconsciously looked up at him and saw Lü Ping staring at the entrance with an exaggerated expression, so they curiously followed his gaze.
Qian Jingrui looked at him with admiration, but quickly regained his composure with a faint smile.
He looked away and said naturally, "Yunhai is indeed a place where beauties come from."
There were actually quite a few people in Lu Ping's field of vision, but the two girls gave off a unique aura as they walked.
Especially the girl wrapped in a white down jacket, her face was small and delicate, her nose was slightly red from the cold air, and her round eyes held a pair of amber pupils.
They were all beautiful, but what made Qian Jingrui feel even more uneasy was the arrogance and unrestrained expression that naturally flowed from her face, and the domineering air in her eyes that seemed to look down on him.
Qian Jingrui paused for a moment, and when Lian Suning looked at him, his smile showed no sign of anything amiss.
"When I met you, I already knew that your reputation was well-deserved."
Lian Suning's hand, which was resting lightly on her thigh, clenched tightly. Qian Jingrui may not have realized it, but she, being observant, noticed the change in his eyes just a moment ago.
“...Is that so?” She lowered her head slightly, as if she were shy because of the straightforward praise.
Qian Jingrui maintained his social composure, smiled but didn't say anything more. He looked at Lü Ping, only to find that Lü Ping seemed frozen in place, which was rather exaggerated.
He frowned, secretly sighing that he was indeed a nouveau riche.
Just as he was about to speak, Lü Ping made a move, his expression turned strange, and he sat up straight without any apparent reason, giving Qian Jingrui the feeling that he was very uncomfortable.
"Yo—"
"Isn't this Young Master Lü?"
A girl's clear, slightly mocking voice rang out from very close behind him, accompanied by a rich but not cloying floral fragrance. Qian Jingrui's body tensed slightly; he could even feel the subtle rustling of the girl's clothes.
"Lu Ping, why didn't you even greet us when you saw us? It's so disheartening." Another pleasant voice rang out, but it was tinged with sarcasm.
Qian Jingrui relaxed slightly and smiled. It seemed that she was a wealthy young lady who had some grudge against Lü Ping.
He suppressed the vague thoughts in his mind. Although he did look down on Lü Ping, the other party was the host, and he also needed to leave a good impression on Lian Suning.
Confident that his emotional intelligence could ease the situation, Qian Jingrui was about to speak when the girl behind him leaned closer, startling him.
However, the person who was close to him was Lian Suning, who was standing next to him.
Whether he felt relieved or regretful, Qian Jingrui's face showed just the right amount of confusion as he turned his head slightly to look at them.
Lian Yi leaned on the armrest of the chair Lian Suning was sitting on, so close they were almost touching, her smile sweet and innocent. "I didn't notice you were here, big sister."
Lian Suning blushed slightly. She had never been so intimate with Lian Yi before, and she was indeed a little uncomfortable.
Mainly, I'm not used to her being so obedient to me.
Ignoring the unexpected feeling of being flattered, Lian Suning coughed lightly, "My friend and I came to watch the game. We heard that this club is very famous, so we came to see for ourselves."
"Oh, I see." Lian Yi chuckled. "It's rare to see such a well-behaved girl like you at this hour. So you're out with your friends."
Her gaze fell on the person opposite her.
Having abandoned his carefree sitting posture at some point, Lü Ping, now sitting upright, keenly sensed that Lian Yi and Li Xilai were watching him, and immediately squeezed his legs together.
He raised his face, forcing a smile, "No, no, no, she came with Qian Shao."
Qian Jingrui, who was still wondering about the girl's identity, was even more surprised by Lü Ping's quick explanation, but when he thought about the deeds and reputation of this little princess of the Lian family that he knew, his surprise dissipated a bit.
He didn't care what kind of person Lian Yi was. His experience and background over the years gave him the confidence to subdue this little princess.
"Hello, I'm Qian Jingrui," he introduced himself during the brief pause.
Her smile was just right, neither overly enthusiastic nor cold, elegant and gentle. "I invited Su Ning to watch the match."
Lian Yi glanced at him, and the man calmly looked back and nodded politely to her.
His demeanor was very proper; he had a noble appearance yet possessed an approachable and friendly charm. The serious look in his eyes made people feel respected, which easily made them feel favorably towards him.
Did I speak to you?
But the next moment, Lian Yi's calm question seemed to freeze the smile on Qian Jingrui's lips.
"I'm sorry." His frozen smile seemed to be just an illusion for everyone. He glanced at Lian Suning and said with a hint of helplessness, "After all, I asked Suning to come out a bit late, so when I met her family, I couldn't help but feel a little impatient and wanted to explain things clearly."
This statement seems reasonable at first glance, but it sounds rather ambiguous to the ear.
Lu Ping's lips twitched slightly. He glanced at Qian Jingrui, and with his experience, he wanted to remind him that Lian Yi was clearly up to no good, so he shouldn't be so confident.
But after being glanced at with a smile by Li Xilai behind Lian Yi, Lü Ping immediately became obedient.
"Better to die for your fellow practitioners than for yourself"—this is an eternal and unchanging truth.
Although I don't know how Qian Jingrui offended this little devil, well... what does it have to do with him!
"Yeah?"
Lian Yi lowered her eyes and whispered in Lian Suning's ear, "Big sister, what is your relationship with him? Why are you afraid that I will misunderstand?"
"I..." Lian Suning had only uttered one word when Lian Yi gently placed her hand on her shoulder, interrupting her.
Seeing this, Qian Jingrui's gaze fell on Lian Suning's slightly lowered face. He noticed her cheeks were flushed and chuckled inwardly, but his tone was very sincere, "You are Suning's youngest sister, right?"
“Me and Su Ning.” He paused, as if waiting for Lian Su Ning’s reaction. Seeing that she didn’t speak, he chuckled and said, “Rather than saying it’s a relationship that’s easy to misunderstand, it’s more accurate to say that I’m pursuing her in a one-sided relationship.”
"Did I talk to you again?"
Lian Yi turned her head to look at him, her slightly round eyes filled with disdain. "Qian Shao? Do you like to strike up conversations so easily?"
"..."
Despite being rebuffed twice in a row, Qian Jingrui remained calm.
He had seen plenty of people who were spoiled and pampered by their families. If he were so easily influenced, he wouldn't have been the one chosen to marry Lian Suning this time.
Moreover, Lian Yi's arrogance had a unique charm in his eyes.
Seeing those cat-like eyes staring at him impatiently, Qian Jingrui's smile faded slightly, but he didn't show the slightest anger as he said, "Sorry, I was a little impatient, cough..."
He didn't say anything more, but after a light cough, his gaze fell on Lian Suning's face, and the implication was very clear.
"You're so anxious, it means you really like my older sister."
Lian Yi's sneer was very soft and fleeting, but no one could ignore it.
"But my eldest sister isn't someone you can just chase after any Tom, Dick, or Harry. Qian Shao looks like a handsome young man, but I don't know if he's as good as he seems. What do you think, eldest sister?"
Lian Suning pursed her lips and gave a soft "Mmm" in agreement.
Qian Jingrui then realized what was going on and chuckled to himself. He hadn't sensed any affection between the Lian sisters. It seemed that the little princess and Lian Suning didn't get along.
So they deliberately made things difficult for him in order to embarrass Lian Suning.
This kind of trick was commonplace for Qian Jingrui. In his opinion, Lian Yi was even acting too naively, revealing her purpose too obviously.
However, given the other party's status, there was indeed no need to be tactful.
He had intended to impress Lian Suning, and Qian Jingrui wasn't worried at all about whether it would anger Lian Yi.
A rich heiress with this kind of personality is always driven by her competitive spirit to take more impulsive actions, as long as she shows more affection for Lian Suning and helps her get through those difficulties.
That would only make her see his excellence and even think of taking him away from her sisters.
Although Qian Jingrui wouldn't actually have such a pipe dream, he wouldn't mind guiding the other party in that direction.
Then his smile became confident. "I don't believe that my self-praise is very convincing, especially since you are Su Ning's sister. If I can gain your approval, I believe it will bring me one step closer to success."
He spoke in a low voice to Lian Suning, "Suning, I hope you won't mind my selfish motives."
Being able to openly admit one's own thoughts is obviously a very likable attitude.
At least the others at the table who were not allowed to speak looked at Qian Jingrui with admiration, and even some of the men couldn't help but want to cheer him on.
Because of Lü Ping's sincere behavior, he held back.
Qian Jingrui looked at Lian Yi frankly, his handsome face smiling slightly, "I don't know what I need to do to make you accept me as Su Ning's suitor, but I'm willing to prove my feelings."
Lian Yi glanced at him with a half-smile. If one didn't know the truth, they would probably think that this man was deeply in love with Lian Suning.
She leaned close to Lian Suning's ear, her voice tinged with laughter, and said, word by word, "Big sister, you're so sincere. What do you think? Maybe I shouldn't make things too difficult for him?"
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