Chapter 519: Not even a True Dragon Son of Heaven can match him!

"Ah??" Lin Yuan was completely stunned, a bit dazed??

Shen Nan Zhi's cheeks instantly flushed red, like a ripe apple.

But she still forced herself to meet Lin Yuan's gaze.

Shen Nan Zhi's voice trembled slightly as she whispered, "I... I think your previous suggestion was right. If I want to avoid premature ovarian failure and be able to get pregnant smoothly later, I must date and regulate my hormone levels, right?"

She paused, as if shedding all pretense, and added candidly, "But you also know I have a problem with low libido... Over the years, I've met many people and felt repulsed by them. I simply can't form an intimate relationship."

"But... but with you it's different. When we do experiments together and discuss problems, I never feel any rejection; instead, I feel quite at ease. So I thought, if you don't mind, we could... give it a try."

When Shen Nan Zhi said those words, her pretty face was already flushed all over.

"No, I do mind..." Lin Yuan almost blurted out his refusal.

But after he said it, he realized his tone was too eager.

"Ah?" This time it was Shen Nan Zhi who was stunned.

The flush on her face vanished instantly, replaced by a pallor.

She instinctively lowered her head, looking at her toes.

Shen Nan Zhi's voice carried an undisguisable sense of loss: "Is it because I'm too old that you feel uncomfortable? Or am I not meeting your dating criteria? Sorry, I was too abrupt—just pretend I never said anything."

As she spoke, she turned and headed toward the lab, her slender back radiating an indescribable desolation.

"Director Shen, wait!" Lin Yuan hurriedly stepped forward to call her back.

Lin Yuan's tone held some apology: "Director Shen, I didn't mean it that way! Please don't misunderstand. You're not old at all—38 is the prime of your life. Besides, you're beautiful, intelligent, highly capable, and you keep your figure in great shape; any man would be attracted to you."

Shen Nan Zhi heard this and looked at Lin Yuan with a complex expression in her beautiful eyes.

Shen Nan Zhi asked softly, "Then why aren't you willing to give it a try with me?"

Lin Yuan coughed embarrassedly.

He reached up to scratch the back of his head, his gaze somewhat evasive.

In the end, Lin Yuan still spoke honestly: "Because... I already have someone I like."

Upon hearing that, a flicker of loss crossed Shen Nan Zhi's beautiful eyes.

He, already has someone he likes?

"Who is she? Is she someone from the company?" Shen Nan Zhi curiously lifted her head, a hint of surprise flashing in her amber eyes.

She unconsciously scanned the images of her female coworkers in her mind, trying to identify possible candidates.

Lin Yuan firmly shook his head and said, "No, she's someone I met outside; she doesn't work at the company."

Upon hearing the four words "not at the company," the light in Shen Nan Zhi's eyes dimmed slightly.

Her long lashes gently lowered, veiling the loss in her eyes.

Shen Nan Zhi stayed silent for two seconds, then couldn't help but ask, "Then... is she better than me?"

The moment she asked that, even she felt it was a bit childish.

Shen Nan Zhi's cheeks warmed slightly, so she lifted the water cup on the table to hide her embarrassment.

Lin Yuan turned his head, looked at her seriously, and said, "You two are different; they can't be compared. But you both excel in your respective fields—she's lively and straightforward, you're steady and professional, both very attractive qualities."

"Okay~" Shen Nan Zhi gave a soft reply, her fingers tightening slightly around the water cup.

She had lived this long, yet this was the first time facing a man that made her feel so nervous and awkward.

The coolness of the cup traveled from Shen Nan Zhi's fingertips... down to her heart, intensifying her sense of loss a bit more.

Shen Nan Zhi quickly adjusted her emotions; when she lifted her head, the depths of her eyes had regained their usual composure.

"Lin Yuan, since you like her, why don't you actively pursue her? Meeting someone you like isn't easy."

Lin Yuan's gaze instantly darkened.

He walked to the window, gazing at the sky outside that glimmered faintly, his tone tinged with self-mockery: "I think we're not really suited. Her family is well-off, while I... I always feel there's a distance between us; she's far better than me."

"That idea is just wrong!" Shen Nan Zhi stood up, earnestly encouraging, "In love, there's no such thing as being worthy or not—only whether you like them. If you meet a girl you like, you definitely shouldn't miss the chance; you must take the initiative. If you keep hesitating, how will you know there's no opportunity?"

She walked over to Lin Yuan and continued, "I've seen too many people miss out because they hesitated, only to regret it later when the other person is already with someone else. What if she's also waiting for you to make a move? What if, because of your withdrawal, another man swoops in and you later think about this—could you bear it?"

"Being chased by another man..." Lin Yuan murmured, repeating those words, his heart feeling as if struck by a heavy hammer.

Yeah, Qin Bore is so great—cheerful and kind-hearted.

Around her, there's definitely no shortage of suitors.

Lin Yuan always retreats using "not suitable" as an excuse.

But if he really misses out, he'll regret it for the rest of his life.

Watching Lin Yuan's expression shift across his face.

Shen Nan Zhi knew her words were taking effect, so she softened her tone: "If you like someone, go after them—there's nothing shameful about it. Even if it doesn't work out in the end, at least you tried, so you won't have regrets. You're an outstanding person; don't let fear make you miss out on happiness."

Lin Yuan remained silent for a long while before nodding and saying, "Thank you, Director Shen."

Shen Nan Zhi set down the water cup and said softly, "From now on, in private, you're not allowed to call me Director Shen; just call me Sis Nan Zhi~"

Lin Yuan stared for a moment, then corrected himself: "Okay, Sis Nan Zhi."

……

The next morning, Lin Yuan sat in the office chair of the R&D department.

His thoughts were a bit scattered.

Lin Yuan's finger hovered above the phone screen, hesitating for a full ten minutes.

Only then did he finally summon the courage to open Qin Bore's chat window.

Lin Yuan deleted and revised, eventually sending a simple message: 【Miss Qin, what are you up to?】

The message was sent successfully.

Just a few minutes after sending it, the phone vibrated.

Qin Bore's reply came unusually fast: 【On a blind date.】

A blind date?

Seeing Qin Bore's reply? Lin Yuan was dazed?

Lin Yuan sprang upright from his chair, his phone almost slipping from his hand.

He stared at those two words, checking them over and over, his heart clenched as if by an invisible hand, instantly sinking to the bottom of the valley.

Qin Bore……has she already been pursued by other excellent men?

Shen Nan Zhi's earlier words still rang in his ears.

Did Lin Yuan's hesitation and timidity ultimately cause him to miss Qin Bore?

Loss flooded over him like a tide.

Lin Yuan felt somewhat complicated and uneasy inside, and he replied: 【Miss Qin, why did you suddenly go on a blind date??】

【Arranged by my family.】On the other end of WeChat, Qin Bore's reply remained equally brief, devoid of any emotion.

Lin Yuan stared at the screen and let out a long sigh.

His fingertips hovered over the keyboard for a long time, but in the end he still couldn't type a single character.

Since Qin Bore is already on a blind date, he has even less of a chance.

Lin Yuan chose to give up.

There's no need to keep entangling with the other party.

Lin Yuan silently exited the chat interface and closed WeChat.

……

Meanwhile, inside the provincial military district compound.

Inside a reception room.

Qin Bore was sitting in the reception room, elegantly holding a coffee cup.

Her calm gaze fell upon the man opposite her.

The man looked young, about thirty years old.

He wore a crisp military uniform, with the Senior Colonel insignia on his shoulder straps especially conspicuous.

A thirty-year-old Senior Colonel is already a rarity in the military; to call him a true dragon among men is no exaggeration.

"Your name is YeHaiqiong, right?" Qin Bore took a slight sip of coffee, her tone giving away neither joy nor anger.

YeHaiqiong gave a slight nod, his posture straight as a pine, every movement exuding the steadfast competence of a soldier: "Miss Qin, hello."

"Was it your family who arranged for you to come here on a blind date with me?" Qin Bore set her coffee cup on the saucer, producing a clear clink.

"Yes." YeHaiqiong said, taking out an exquisite silk velvet gift box from his briefcase.

He pushed the gift box toward Qin Bore, saying, "This is a meeting gift I prepared for you; I hope you like it."

Qin Bore glanced at the gift box; inside was a delicately designed diamond bracelet, shimmering brilliantly, obviously valuable at a glance.

She let out a scoff, pushing the gift box back: "Senior Colonel Ye, giving a lady luxury goods upon first meeting is too abrupt and inappropriate."

"Miss Qin, you needn't feel burdened; it's merely a token of my sincerity." YeHaiqiong did not retract the gift box, his tone earnest: "I know you turned down the engagement with the Jin Family's Young Sect Master; that courage earns my respect and strengthens my resolve to pursue you."

"The Jin Family wields power over the court; aren't you afraid of offending them?" Qin Bore raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement flickering in her eyes.

"I am a soldier; I defend the nation and protect the people, not the interests of family authority." YeHaiqiong's gaze grew firmer: "No matter how great the Jin Family, reason must prevail. You are single now, and our blind date is proper both emotionally and rationally—what is there to fear?"

Qin Bore smiled: "Senior Colonel Ye, your courage is indeed not small."

Qin Bore set down her coffee cup, leaned slightly forward, and locked eyes with him: "But sorry, our blind date is destined to come to nothing."

YeHaiqiong visibly startled for a moment, a crack appearing in his composure: "Why? Is it that I haven't done well enough, that I'm not outstanding enough? Or are you still wary of the Jin Family?"

"If I feared the Jin Family, I would not have rejected the engagement in the first place, nor would I have come to Jiangnan of my own accord." Qin Bore shook her head, her tone carrying a subtle softness.

Qin Bore replied lightly: "Senior Colonel Ye, I admit you are outstanding. A thirty-year-old Senior Colonel, viewed across all of China, is a rarity. Your future is limitless, and you conduct yourself with propriety. But…… I could never come to like you."

"Then why is that?" YeHaiqiong's brows knit tightly.

He believed that, whether in family background, ability, or appearance, he was top‑tier, yet this was the first time anyone had so bluntly rejected him.

"Because I already have someone I like in my heart." Qin Bore's gaze drifted to the window, landing on a distant plane‑tree.

The coolness in her eyes was instantly replaced by tenderness: "Besides him, any other outstanding man appears dim and lackluster in my sight."

YeHaiqiong's pupils contracted slightly?

YeHaiqiong fell silent for a few seconds, as if making some decision.

He spoke solemnly: "Next year, I am highly confident of receiving an extraordinary promotion to major general. With my status and resources, I can become the strongest support for your career and guarantee lifelong peace for you and your family. Miss Qin, I sincerely like you; I hope you'll give me a chance—we can start by getting to know each other."

"A thirty‑year‑old major general?" Qin Bore's eyes flashed with surprise.

But she quickly regained composure: "That certainly warrants early congratulations. If you succeed, you would likely become the youngest general in the country in recent decades."

Qin Bore paused, yet remained calm: "Even so, I would not change my mind. Senior Colonel Ye, you have no chance. That man's place in my heart is unmatched; even if you became a general, you could not replace him."

YeHaiqiong was utterly stunned.

He stared at Qin Bore's earnest expression……in disbelief!

He himself was about to be promoted to the youngest general in Yanxia. This, too, could not move her?

After a long while, YeHaiqiong finally spoke slowly, his tone tinged with inquiry and curiosity: "Miss Qin, I am truly curious—just who is that man? What makes you so enamored with him, and how outstanding is he really?"

Qin Bore lifted her coffee cup, took a light sip, her eyelids drooping slightly, her tone flat yet hinting at a cherished regard: "Him? He's merely an ordinary, insignificant person."

"An insignificant person?" YeHaiqiong's brows furrowed tighter, clearly unable to accept this answer: "Miss Qin, with your standing, you are never lacking in talented youths; why would you care so much about an insignificant person?"

Qin Bore lightly pressed her red lips, speaking softly: "I like him; it's fate. Senior Colonel Ye, you wouldn't understand."

YeHaiqiong's face darkened slightly.

He had never been so obsessed with a woman before; even after a clear rejection, he still was unwilling to let go easily.

YeHaiqiong asked, "Miss Qin, do I really have no chance at all? I can wait, or I can change for you, as long as you give me a chance."

"Sorry, Senior Colonel Ye, you have no chance whatsoever." Qin Bore set down her coffee cup, leaned back slightly, and spoke in a tone that allowed no room for compromise: "My heart is small; it can hold only one person, and that person has never been you."

Having said that, Qin Bore picked up the jacket draped over the back of the chair, stood up gracefully and decisively: "Colonel Ye, I've taken up your time, so I won't disturb you any further. I'm going to find my man; I have a date."

"Miss Qin!" YeHaiqiong sprang to his feet, his voice tinged with urgency, "I won't give up! Before you nod and agree to me, I won't leave Hangcheng; I'll show you my sincerity."

Qin Bore's steps paused, she turned her head and glanced at him.

Qin Bore said solemnly, "SeniorColonel Ye, what's the point? Feelings can never be forced by persistence; even if you stayed here your whole life, I would never like you."

As her words fell, she no longer lingered, turned and briskly walked out of the café.

Sunlight fell on her, stretching her silhouette slender...

Outside the café, a red Ferrari was parked at the curb.

Qin Bore opened the car door and got in, just fastening her seatbelt when she eagerly pulled out her phone.

She opened the chat window with Lin Yuan.

Although Lin Yuan had suddenly stopped replying to her WeChat.

But Qin Bore didn't mind.

Because she would take the initiative.

Qin Bore lightly pursed her red lips and proactively sent a message to Lin Yuan:

【Chef Lin, would you have dinner with me tonight? I want to eat your cooking.】