Chapter 256: I Am Determined to Marry You

After Liu Tengnian took his medicine and rested for a moment, his complexion finally recovered slightly.

Liu Xin'ai carefully helped him up and let him sit on the sofa; the expression on her face could not help but show some annoyance, yet it also revealed a sense of conflict.

"Xin'ai..."

Liu Tengnian suddenly spoke in a low voice, calling out to Liu Xin'ai; his tone was not as forceful as before, but instead carried a trace of helplessness.

Liu Xin'ai did not speak, only silently lowered her head.

Liu Tengnian then continued to say: "Xin'ai, Dad is truly doing this for your own good... You have seen Dad's health; you are the eldest daughter of the Liu Family, and you have always shouldered different responsibilities. Marrying into the Qin Family has only benefits for you, and no harm whatsoever... Dad would not harm you; you must agree to this marriage..."

As Liu Tengnian spoke, he suddenly coughed a few times.

Liu Xin'ai snapped back to reality and hurriedly reached out to pick up a cup of hot water, bringing it to his hand.

Liu Tengnian, however, did not take it.

Instead, he continued with his previous topic: "If you do not agree, even if I were to truly die one day, I fear I would not be able to pass on in peace..."

"Dad!"

Hearing Liu Tengnian mention death, Liu Xin'ai hurriedly spoke to stop him, looking at him with a complex expression.

She hated hearing such words the most; the last time was also because her father was sick and hospitalized that she finally compromised and stopped seeing Jiang Chenghao...

Could it be that this time, she had to gamble away her entire life's happiness?

But if she didn't agree...

Thinking of Liu Tengnian's character of always being set in his ways, Liu Xin'ai opened her mouth and nearly agreed, but there was still a deep sense of unwillingness in her heart.

"Xin'ai, there is nothing to consider; this marriage has already been decided."

Liu Tengnian had recovered quite a bit, and his tone of voice returned to that same set-in-his-ways manner from before.

Then, without waiting for Liu Xin'ai to speak, he said directly: "I have already arranged for you to meet the eldest young master of the Qin Family tomorrow at noon. You two should meet and chat; perhaps once you see him, you might find that you like him."

As Liu Tengnian spoke, he slowly stood up, seemingly wanting to go upstairs to rest.

Liu Xin'ai spoke up, unwillingly: "Dad..."

She only said one word before seeing Liu Tengnian wave his hand, signaling that she did not need to say anything more.

"If you still want your father to live a few more years, then be obedient and listen; Dad is also doing this for your own good..."

Liu Tengnian dropped this sentence and slowly walked up the stairs.

The next day—

Liu Xin'ai had barely slept all night; from the morning on, she had been sitting in front of the mirror in a daze.

"Eldest Miss, why don't you take a look at this dress? Which one would you like to wear today? I will have someone go iron it for you right away..."

The villa's housekeeper stood behind Liu Xin'ai, earnestly trying to persuade her.

Liu Xin'ai looked at herself in the mirror with a blank expression. After a long while, she indifferently raised her hand and pointed at a dress without even looking at it, saying in a low voice: "Just this one."

"Yes..." The housekeeper let out a long sigh of relief and immediately had someone take the dress Liu Xin'ai had just chosen to be prepared.

"You all go out first; I want to be alone for a moment," Liu Xin'ai said again.

"Very well, Eldest Miss, please call me if you have any instructions."

The housekeeper agreed again and tactfully led everyone out.

With a "click," the room door was closed.

Liu Xin'ai stared blankly at herself in the mirror, expressionlessly picked up her cosmetics, and applied a simple, light makeup.

Her mind, however, was somewhat blank.

In another hour, she would meet that "fiancé" she had never met before.

Was she really going to compromise like this?

Was her own happiness to be handed over to a stranger she had never met?

A look of loneliness appeared on Liu Xin'ai's face as she suddenly turned her head to look out the window.

How wonderful would it be if she could be as free as the birds outside the window?

But that was impossible...

No matter where she went, her father had the ability to find her.

And that Qin Family...

Liu Xin'ai suddenly thought of something and could not help but slightly furrow her brows.

If she remembered correctly, that eldest young master of the Qin Family was named Qin Yiyan, right?

As for the rest...

Liu Xin'ai searched her mind carefully for a long while, only to suddenly discover that she could not recall any information about Qin Yiyan at all.

Forget it... She would wait until she saw him in person; if he was also being forced by his family to marry...

Liu Xin'ai's eyes flickered for a moment, and a glimmer of hope suddenly rose in the depths of her eyes.

Love is not something that can be forced.

If two people do not love each other enough, then every day spent together is mutual torture.

That eldest young master of the Qin Family... should understand this principle, right?

Noon—

Liu Tengnian specifically had someone drive Liu Xin'ai to the agreed-upon location.

Liu Xin'ai stood at the entrance of the Western restaurant and subconsciously scanned the interior through the glass.

She then saw a man in a suit and leather shoes sitting alone in a corner, with his back to her.

"That must be him..."

Liu Xin'ai muttered in a low voice, pushed open the door, and walked in.

After asking the waiter, she was indeed led to the table she had just seen.

"Miss, this is the place." The waiter smiled and made a gesture of invitation.

At the same time, the man with his back to the two of them turned his head slightly.

The moment she saw the other person's face clearly, Liu Xin'ai's expression showed some surprise.

The man before her was wearing a navy blue suit, his figure tall and upright, his features extremely refined, and his hair combed meticulously.

Yet on his excessively handsome face, there was no expression, and his eyes revealed a hint of coldness, as if nothing before him was worth mentioning.

This man's aura was so powerful that it made one feel somewhat uneasy...

Liu Xin'ai was inexplicably a little afraid of the person in front of her; she smiled at the waiter before sitting down opposite the man.

Immediately, she heard him take the initiative to introduce himself: "Hello, I am Qin Yiyan, your fiancé, and also your future husband."

Qin Yiyan's tone was calm and unruffled as he stated his identity plainly.

Liu Xin'ai was stunned by his statement, and for a moment, she didn't know what to say.

He... does not oppose this marriage?

Why?

He had never even met her before!

Before coming, Liu Xin'ai had thought that the two of them might be able to talk it over, but now she suddenly felt a bit uncertain.

She took a deep breath, forced herself to calm down, suppressed the anxiety in her heart, and then tentatively asked: "I'm sorry, Young Master Qin, I think we still need to discuss the matter of the engagement..."

"Discuss?" Qin Yiyan seemed somewhat surprised that she would say this, his tone finally carrying a slightly rising inflection.

He then asked unhurriedly: "I believe the word 'discuss' can only be used when both parties are able to make decisive decisions regarding the matter, but right now, do you have absolute decision-making power regarding our marriage?"