“Run?”
As she looked at the man in front of her, wearing a black suit and bearing a mocking smile, Qin Nuan swallowed nervously.
“You’ve planned to elope, yet couldn't find a better place?” Lin Xiye surveyed the surroundings with scorn in his eyes.
An old house, furnished with items that had seen better days.
Qin Nuan was looking for a chance to escape while keeping her eyes on him. But, she knew all too well that if she even managed to rush past this door, his followers outside would not let her get away.
“Let's negotiate. Considering the number of women who wish to marry you, why don't we...”
Before she could finish her sentence, her chin was lifted up by him. He chuckled sarcastically.
“Since you lack self-respect, I don't have to take you seriously, do I?”
“Right, you don’t need to take me seriously.”
The man nodded in satisfaction, twisting his wrist.
“Let's settle this with words, there's no need for physical confrontation.”
“Physical action is more straightforward than words.”
“What are you trying to do?” She didn't need to undress to fight him.
“Proceeding to our bridal chamber," he only uttered four words.
"Ye Huan, save me." At the peak of her fear, Qin Nuan instinctively called out the name of the one whom she hoped would appear, and yet also didn't want him to appear.
"You should consider yourself lucky that he can't save you."
Otherwise, the situation would have been more than just an early bridal chamber.
"And you'd best pray that he never appears before me."
"I'll definitely report you." She clenched her fists, her face filled with fury.
"Report me? For what? It's very normal for an engaged couple to lose control of their feelings." He kindly reminded her, surprised by her audacity.
"Even if you have your way, I will never marry you. What era is this? Losing one's virginity doesn't matter at all, and Ye Huan wouldn't mind either."
Her fierce talk ended with her body suffering double, eventually leading to her blackout.
When she woke up again, she was in a car, with a strange scenery outside the window.
Had she been captured and taken back?
Qin Nuan thought Lin Xiyue would take her to his territory and hold her until their wedding day, but he sent her directly back to the Qin family.
Seeing the two people getting out of the car, Mr. Qin carefully smiled to appease Lin Xiyue. However, when he turned to look at Qin Nuan, his face immediately turned cold, raising his hand and delivering a resounding slap.
"Have you grown bold? Apologize to Xiyue now."
"Why should I apologize when I did nothing wrong?" Qin Nuan challenged furiously, holding back her tears.
"Daring to talk back? It seems you'll forget your own family name if you're not taught a lesson today." Another slap swiftly followed his words.
Lin Xiye gently raised his hand to catch Father Qin's slap. "I don't want Nuannuan to take wedding photos while injured."
Hearing Lin Xiye's words, Father Qin instantly changed his expression. "Blame me for not thinking thoroughly, I was confused by Nuannuan."
"Do you know the wedding date?"
"The seventh of next month."
"As long as Xiye decides, that's good." His smile deepened.
The humiliation of being bullied and the father's indifferent attitude reddened Qin Nuannuan's eyes, but she stubbornly refused to yield.
"I hope Uncle Qin will take good care of Nuannuan during these days." Lin Xiye glanced meaningfully at Qin Nuannuan before getting in his car and leaving.
Once Lin Xiye left, Father Qin turned to look at Qin Nuannuan. Looking at her proud face, his hand instinctively raised up.
"Go on, beat me. After you've killed me then you can marry me off to Lin Xiye. Otherwise, as long as I'm alive, I won't show up at the wedding." She could only be Ye Huan’s wife as long as she was alive.
"You..." The raised hand trembled, but in the end, it did not fall.
It’s not because he couldn’t bear to, but because he did not dare to disobey Lin Xiye's words.
Qin Nuannuan, who was confined to her room, threatened with a hunger strike. No matter who tried to persuade her and how, she refused to eat and drink.