054 No Debts Between Us! (Please Add to Favorites)

If a person is not truly at the end of their rope, they would never resort to such desperate measures. That was precisely the situation Lu Yiqing found himself in now. He had never wanted things between himself and Su Yunjin to reach this point, but he had no choice.

Whether it was his father or Su Yunjin, since the game had already begun, he would never be content to remain a mere pawn!

His icy gaze fell upon Su Yunjin’s face—so incomparably beautiful, yet to Lu Yiqing, it brought no pleasure, only deep revulsion.

At this moment, Su Yunjin’s expression changed from initial confusion to utter shock and disbelief.

“An engagement? What engagement?”

Her mind spun rapidly; even the air seemed to thin. Compared to earlier, Lu Yiqing now felt as imposing as a mountain looming over her.

She had an engagement?

She actually had an engagement?

Why had her grandparents never mentioned it all these years?

Astonishment, surprise, shock, incredulity—all these overwhelmed her, and finally, Su Yunjin took a half-step back, clearly reeling from the blow.

But soon, a new courage to seek the truth lit her eyes. She met Lu Yiqing’s gaze and enunciated each word: “Explain yourself.”

“Explain? Haven’t I been clear enough? You can’t seriously be unaware of the childhood betrothal, can you?”

The smile on Lu Yiqing’s face twisted into mockery; he looked at Su Yunjin as if she were some farcical clown.

Though Pei Xuan had said Su Yunjin knew nothing about it, could anyone really keep a childhood engagement so perfectly hidden in this world?

Unaware? Not know? Who could say that wasn’t just an excuse?

So, did Su Yunjin truly not know, or was she simply feigning ignorance?

“You have a point—I should know about a childhood engagement. But unfortunately, I truly don’t. Still, I understand what you mean today.

You want to break off the engagement, right?

Very well, I’ll oblige you. Tomorrow I’ll ask about it, and if it’s true, I won’t cling to you.”

Meeting Lu Yiqing’s eyes, Su Yunjin absorbed all his loathing.

She didn’t care what Lu Yiqing thought of her. What mattered was whether this engagement was real.

If it was, she could understand Lu Yiqing’s position.

Young masters from wealthy families might appear radiant and privileged, but in reality, they lacked even the basic freedoms ordinary people took for granted.

From birth, their lives were arranged for them—good or bad, they had little say in anything. It had always been so.

Marriage, especially, was like this.

When necessary, it could be nothing more than a transaction.

And now, it seemed that both of them, unwilling as they were, had become bargaining chips in a deal.

Yet, understanding was one thing—Su Yunjin would never allow her marriage to become a mere commodity. The person she married must be her own choice.

“If that’s the case, all the better,” Lu Yiqing replied through gritted teeth.

Compared to his rage, Su Yunjin was calm as a still lake, her eyes utterly devoid of emotion.

Their eyes met. Su Yunjin spoke quietly, “Is there anything else, Mr. Lu? If not, it’s getting late and I should go. If there’s more to discuss, I’d rather we talk tomorrow. It’s late, and I’ve just finished rehearsal—I have no desire to delve into something so complicated right now.”

Physically, Su Yunjin could easily have spent the entire night arguing with Lu Yiqing about this sudden engagement.

But that would have been pointless.

People are never clear-headed at night; decisions made then are muddled at best.

In fact, the best thing one can do at night is read. Right now, Su Yunjin wanted nothing more than to go home, complete her evening studies, and sleep.

Lu Yiqing opened his mouth, intending to provoke her further, but suddenly felt as if he had punched a pile of cotton.

In front of Su Yunjin, he seemed nothing more than a petulant child.

If he pressed her too hard, not only would Su Yunjin look down on him—he himself would find it contemptible.

Rubbing his brow, Lu Yiqing said, “I’ll see you home.”

“That won’t be necessary, Mr. Lu. At this hour, I couldn’t bear the scandal if you saw me home—if the gossip online starts up again, our relationship will become even murkier.”

“You actually care about what’s online?”

As soon as Su Yunjin finished, Lu Yiqing gave a cold laugh, thick with sarcasm.

Seeing Lu Yiqing like this, Su Yunjin’s lips curled faintly as well. “Mr. Lu, perhaps you should get your head checked at a hospital when you have time.”

“Hmm?”

“Confidence is good, but don’t be arrogant. The Internet doesn’t belong to you. Do you really think you know more than everyone else?”

Su Yunjin’s tone was cool and indifferent. Having said her piece, she nodded slightly, turned, and left.

At the doorway, Pei Xuan had been restlessly pacing for some time. As Su Yunjin passed, he wanted to say something to her.

But Su Yunjin merely nodded at him and walked away.

What Su Yunjin failed to notice was that, once her figure had vanished down the corridor, Pei Xuan slipped into the office like a furtive mouse.

“Yiqing, shouldn’t we see her off? It’s late—having a girl head home alone isn’t safe.”

He had waited outside the office earlier, giving Lu Yiqing and Su Yunjin enough space to talk.

He didn’t care what the outcome was, but it seemed wrong for a young woman to head home alone at such an hour.

“Then you go. I’ll stay here. Come pick me up once you’ve seen her home.”

Lu Yiqing rubbed his aching temples.

From Pei Xuan’s eyes, he could see his old friend’s cold contempt for his ruthlessness.

But who could testify that he had just offered to see Su Yunjin home and she had refused?

But… it didn’t matter!

Su Yunjin agreeing to call off the engagement was more important than anything.

Of course, he still had to deal with the trouble this would bring with his father, but he could weather any storm!

With Lu Yiqing’s permission, Pei Xuan hurried after Su Yunjin.

But when he reached the lobby, he saw her getting into a taxi. The driver stepped on the gas, and the car sped away.

Watching the taxi disappear, Pei Xuan sighed.

When he returned upstairs, he found Lu Yiqing sitting on the sofa, eyes closed, lost in thought.

“Yiqing.”

“She’s gone?”

“Yes.”

“Then let’s go, too.”

Lu Yiqing stood and headed for the door. After a few steps, he turned to Pei Xuan. “By the way, look into who started the rumors about Su Yunjin and Zhang Zhichang.”

Previously, he hadn’t wanted to get involved in such matters. But if Su Yunjin truly went through with the annulment, he could consider this a gesture of goodwill.

A fair exchange—neither side would owe the other anything.