Chapter 26

In her fury, Lin Qianqian suddenly heard that familiar voice, then saw Lin Meng lounging comfortably in the luxury car, and immediately also noticed the Ye family steward inside the vehicle.

At that moment, she felt as if struck by lightning, an extremely ominous premonition surged up in her heart.

"You—you how..."

Seeing Lin Qianqian's face turn ashen as paper, her expression terrified, Lin Meng couldn't help but curl her lips in a faint smile.

"You're wondering how I ended up here?"

"Cousin, you don't think I'm unaware of your sneaking into the old residence, do you? You used my name to contact Steward Liu, yet didn't tell me—what are you planning?"

"You wouldn't be trying to take my place and discuss marriage with the Ye family, would you?"

Lin Meng gave Lin Qianqian no chance to explain, directly exposing her scheme.

Beside them, Steward Liu stared at Lin Qianqian with an inscrutable, dark expression.

At that moment, Lin Qianqian felt as if her whole body had plunged into an ice cellar, a chill continually rising.

She was done; not only had the matter been exposed and botched, but it also brought Lin Meng into contact with the Ye family.

Was her dream of marrying into a wealthy family about to be shattered like this?

Lin Meng smirked inwardly; the rain striking Lin Qianqian's body left her unembarrassed, while Lin Meng felt no sympathy.

As the elder sister, scheming against her own younger cousin, Lin Qianqian has truly learned the selfish tactics of Lin Jianyang and his wife.

"Sister, let me explain, actually I..."

"Steward Liu, let's go; don't keep the old master waiting."

Lin Meng glanced at the excuse-making Lin Qianqian, raised her hand and shut the car window, giving her no chance at all.

The car slowly pulled away, splashing mud that drenched Lin Qianqian.

She flailed in the rain, losing her temper and stomping her feet, but only earned mocking laughter from a few guards.

If Lin Meng were to extend an invitation, the Ye Family would likely not turn Lin Qianqian away at the door.

But why would she do that?

Lin Qianqian clearly harbors designs on the Ye Family, so I will certainly not give her a chance to come into contact with its members.

Uncle must still be dreaming of becoming the Ye Family's father-in-law, hoping to forge ties with the Ye Family so as to rise from a rural entrepreneur to a regional tycoon.

Heh, the beads of his scheme have splattered all over his face.

As the car drove deeper in, Lin Meng finally got to see the residences of the wealthy and powerful in Jing Shi.

These mountain villas, either splendid and grand or possessing unique charm, each one was a dwelling she could not afford.

Thinking of the original savings of over a million in her pocket, now reduced to just over four hundred thousand, Lin Meng wanted to cry but had no tears.

Fortunately, the space still exists; as long as she continues to support Ye Heng, she believes he will not let her down.

"Miss Lin, we have arrived."

The Ye Family Old Residence isn't as ostentatiously luxurious as other mansions, but its materials are exquisite, revealing a deep foundation; the Ye Family patriarch is surely a man of refined taste.

As Lin Meng stepped through the Ye Family gate, she heard an unbridled angry shout from inside.

"Old man, are you senile in your old age? You agreed to a childhood engagement decades ago—did you ever ask if I agreed?"

"I, Ye Chenyu, may be unlearned and inferior to my elder brother in your eyes, but I am still your blood grandson—how could you let me marry a village girl?"

Lin Meng blinked. Village girl—was he talking about her?

At this moment, Steward Liu also gave Lin Meng an embarrassed, awkward smile, then hurried inside to prevent that young master from saying anything unbecoming.

Lin Meng pursed her lips and followed, utterly speechless.

So this Ye Chenyu is the childhood fiancé Grandfather mentioned?

They haven't even met, yet he's already despised; it seems this engagement will be ruined whether it succeeds or not.

That fellow himself admits he's unlearned and not outstanding; that can't be blamed on her.

Lin Meng's man can lack wealth, or even be absent, but he must not be unlearned—you can't lift mud to stick on a wall.

"Patriarch, Second Young Master, Miss Lin has arrived."

Steward Liu timely spoke up, cutting off the argument between grandfather and grandson to avoid greater embarrassment.

The Ye Family patriarch glared fiercely at Ye Chenyu, warning him to be silent, then turned with a kind expression toward the person behind Steward Liu.

Lin Meng nodded confidently to the patriarch, courteous yet unafraid.

"Hello, Grandfather Ye, I'm Lin Meng; my grandfather is Lin Congshan. Nice to meet you." She hadn't brought a modest gift…

She had originally felt a bit apologetic, thinking that as a junior visiting an elder for the first time, coming empty-handed seemed impolite.

Now, however, that apology can be completely waived.

Upon hearing the name Lin Congshan, Ye Xiangrong's brow barely twitched, then quickly smoothed as he invited Lin Meng to sit.

Lin Meng remained composed; after a brief casual chat with him, she herself steered the conversation to the engagement.

"Grandfather Ye, childhood engagements are no longer fashionable; I think we shouldn't bind us young people with such outdated rules. It's unfair to me and to your grandson, don't you agree?"

The patriarch's eyebrows twitched as he probed:

"Then what do you mean?"

Lin Meng got straight to the point; she had already decided.

"According to me, let's just call off this engagement; anyway my grandfather has passed away, and even if he were alive he'd surely respect my wishes—just……"

Before Lin Meng finished speaking, Ye Chenyu let out a cold laugh, and the patriarch glared at him fiercely.

Ye Chenyu looked Lin Meng up and down, as if he had already seen through her.

He's all too familiar with this line—could it be that he just wants money?

She knows her status doesn't match the Ye Family; even if she forced her way in, she wouldn't find happiness.

So she chose to withdraw voluntarily, creating the appearance that she understood the bigger picture, and then proposing compensation, which made it seem reasonable and proper.

Even if Ye Chenyu looked down on such tactics, he ultimately didn't speak up to interrupt Lin Meng again.

If he could settle this matter with money, it would also be a good thing for him.

As for the Ye Family's child betrothal, it definitely cannot be fulfilled by his older brother; then the unlucky one can only be him.

The old gentleman, following Lin Meng's words, asked:

"Little one, speak freely about any concerns; our Ye Family and your Lin Family are also old family friends, although in my generation we rarely interact, but if you have any ideas, I will try my best to satisfy them."

Lin Meng saw that the old gentleman was easy to get along with, so she spoke frankly.

"Grandfather previously said that the Lin Family has an item with you; since the engagement is off, I want to take the thing back."

That bracelet, she is determined to obtain it.

Ye old gentleman seemed to have been waiting for Lin Meng to bring this up; upon hearing her words, he immediately reached for the drawer beside the armrest and took out a wooden box.

"Even if you don't mention it, I will still return the item to its rightful owner."

Having obtained the item, Lin Meng found an excuse and quickly left the Ye residence.

That brat stared at her with such blatant eyes, it was almost as if he had carved the words 'slow walk, no see-off' onto his forehead.

Fortunately, she also didn't want to have contact with such a fool; from now on, let bridges be bridges and roads be roads—she and the Ye Family will have no further intersections.

Lin Meng had just left when Ye Chenyu let out a heavy sigh of relief.

"Great, this person still has some self-awareness; she knows her place."

Ye old gentleman stared at him speechlessly.

"Hmph, you're incredibly stupid! Didn't you notice they weren't even looking at you properly? They just don't like you, you idiot!"