Chapter 14: Persuading Marriage

Outside, in the train station hall, Lin Qingyan shook off Lu Cheng's hand but didn't dare to look at him.

"Ying Ying, I really have to go; the train is about to depart."

She just turned around, but Lu Cheng shouted at her.

"You, stay where you are!"

Lin Qingyan shivered a bit.

Lu Cheng walked over: "I didn't let you leave, so you must not go."

Lin Qingyan finally lifted her head, her eyes already filled with tears; that bastard forced a kiss on her yesterday and today still blocks her from leaving.

"Lu Cheng, you're being way too overbearing!"

"I only acted overbearing once today; try to see if you can get away today!"

Lu Ying gave him a tap: "Alright, you, why are you so fierce toward your sister Qing Yanjie? You're still on duty, hurry back; Qing Yan has me here."

"Qing Yan, the train has already left; even if you want to go, we need to be prepared, and we can't just bring only these few cotton-padded jackets."

Lin Qingyan fell silent, and Lu Cheng finally relaxed.

"Then, sister, I'll go back first; keep an eye on my future wife. If she runs away, I'll have you arrested."

Lu Cheng patted the handcuffs at his waist; angry, Lu Ying kicked him.

"Got you, now hurry up and go."

Before leaving, Lu Cheng leaned close to Lin Qingyan's ear: "I'll tell you, I'm determined to marry you; even if you run to Beidahuang, I'll bring you back."

"You…" Lin Qingyan pursed her lips, a tear of grievance fell from the corner of her eye.

……

Yu'er Hutong.

Lu Ying was tidying up in the bedroom: "This Street Office is really inhumane, they won't even let you bring a blanket, and just send you onto the train like this."

Seeing Lin Qingyan sitting on the bed, silent, Lu Ying held a piece of clothing and sat beside her.

"Still holding a grudge against Lu Cheng? Yes, this kid is indeed a bit of a rascal, but he's also looking out for you, afraid you'd be wronged by cutting in line."

"What Lu Cheng says, you have to take seriously; after all, Beidahuang is so far, you won't know anyone there, and if someone bullies you, you won't have Lu Cheng to protect you."

Lin Qingyan nodded lightly; although she was angry about Lu Cheng's reckless behavior yesterday, she could feel that he was caring for her.

Because of that, she felt very conflicted inside.

She didn't dare to treat Lu Cheng like a younger brother anymore.

"Ying Ying, of course I don't want to cut in line, but there's no way to live here."

"How is there none?" Lu Ying then mentioned the agreement marriage that Lu Cheng talked about last night.

After hearing, Lin Qingyan looked surprised: "Agreement marriage?"

"Right, Lu Cheng said it's just a superficial husband and wife; get a Marriage Certificate, and then the Street Office can't do anything to you, and you also don't have to live with Lu Cheng."

Lin Qingyan didn't understand: "Why does he want to do that?"

"Hmm?" Lu Ying thought a moment: "He says it's to repay Uncle Lin's kindness. But I think it's more than that; in short, it's very strange. As the older sister, I can't see through him. This kid suddenly matured in a day—don't you think that's odd?"

Lin Qingyan still felt it was improper: "But this way, wouldn't it be too unfair to Lu Cheng?"

It was still her first time hearing of such a marriage, a complete sham marriage, and only a scheming Lu Cheng could have thought of it.

Lu Ying sighed: "I already asked him about this last night. But you do understand him; this kid is heartless and doesn't care about divorcing after two years."

"He said it's simply to protect you for two years. He also said that after two years, Uncle Lin will definitely be rehabilitated, and he asked me to tell you to hold on."

Her father's rehabilitation is what Lin Qingyan hopes for most.

"He, did he really say that?"

"Of course, could I lie to you?" Lu Ying leaned forward: "How about it? Has your impression of my brother changed?"

Lin Qingyan's face turned red from the question.

Lu Ying saw her soften and was eager to speak well of her brother.

"Actually, my brother is a bit of a troublemaker usually, but he has a good heart, and he does have many strengths, like this… this…"

"Yes, his merits aren't many, but he has many strengths, like this… this…"

"Forget it, he's just quite a troublemaker."

Lu Ying grabbed his head, thinking that whenever this brother causes trouble, he can even get Mom and Dad worked up.

Lin Qingyan was made to laugh.

"You finally laughed?"

Seeing that, Lu Ying added: "Anyway, this time Lu Cheng is doing it for your sake, and since you'll marry into my family, you'll become my sister-in-law."

Lin Qingyan nudged her: "Stop talking nonsense; we're about the same age, when would I become your sister-in-law? I never said I'd marry him."

Lu Ying laughed: "The point is, you can't refuse to marry him; you've already been kissed on the mouth by my brother. You know his temperament; if you don't marry, he'll start shouting all over the street, and then you'll never find anyone else."

Whenever she recalls Lu Cheng taking advantage of her, Lin Qingyan's anger erupts.

That was her first kiss!

Seeing Lin Qingyan's flushed face, Lu Ying leaned over and whispered: "By the way, Qing Yan, what's it feel like to kiss?"

Lin Qingyan became even more embarrassed: "Ah, Ying Ying."

"Haha." Lu Ying covered her belly and burst out laughing: "Alright, let's not bring it up, but you really should think it over; for now, this sham marriage is the best solution."

Lin Qingyan nodded slightly; staying in Capital City, she could still make a run for her father's rehabilitation, but if she really left, there would be no one to look after her father.

"Then, I'll think about it."

Lu Ying felt reassured; this consideration basically meant consent, since it involved marriage, any girl would be embarrassed to state it outright.

In the afternoon after work, Lu Cheng first took a bus, then a tram, and finally walked back to Gan Yu Hu Tong.

In Hu Tong Li, many people stopped, staring at Lu Cheng in his blue uniform, examining him from head to toe.

"Is this the Beitang family's San'er?"

"He looks like it, but definitely not—what kind of character does Lu San'er have? How could he possibly deserve to wear these clothes?"

"Yes, yes, definitely not, definitely not..."

Waiting for Lu Cheng to stride in with steps that ignore all kin, he returned to Da Za Yuan and directly bumped into Widow Sun, ending up in a full embrace.