Xiang Qingyuan still didn't understand why Lin Yan was doing this, ruining his good intentions.
"I came here this time to tell you that, as you all wished, I am about to get married. Don't let your dad make things difficult for my family anymore." Lin Yan couldn't stand it anymore and finally stood up for herself.
Everything was according to the Xiang Family's wishes, and when Xiang Qingyuan actually heard from Lin Yan that she was getting married, he felt all sorts of uncomfortable emotions.
He hesitated helplessly and said, "Wait for me. I can't give you a good life right now, but on the day I make it big, I will still want you."
Lin Yan felt nauseous upon hearing this.
Xiang Qingyuan was simply shameless! Who wanted him to want her?
"Take your old clothes and get out." Lin Yan's face was ashen, and she trembled with anger.
Xiang Qingyuan said, "Take it, wear it, and dress yourself up nicely. Our Yan'er is the prettiest, it's just that she doesn't have the means to dress well."
"Oh, really? And what about me?"
Hearing the female voice, Lin Yan and Xiang Qingyuan turned around simultaneously.
"Lili, how did you come here?" Xiang Qingyuan showed panic as he looked at Zou Lili.
Zou Lili was looking down; her Valentino studded shoes were covered in mud.
With a disgusted frown, she thought of how this impoverished rural area was mired in mud everywhere, and how the mud on her shoes was an unsightly nuisance.
It was just like her fiancé, annoyingly entangled with a village lover, just as irritating.
Lin Yan had nothing to say to these two and did not want to lay eyes on them.
Zou Lili said, "What's the hurry in leaving? Afraid I'll beat up the mistress?"
Lin Yan was annoyed, "Who is the mistress here? Get it straight."
Xiang Qingyuan was so nervous that he was sweating profusely. To Lin Yan, he seemed ready to kneel down to Zou Lili.
Was this still the man in her heart who used to fear nothing and could handle anything?
Lin Yan completely doubted her judgment of people; everything in the past was just a facade put on by Xiang Qingyuan.
"I have something to say to her alone, go somewhere else." Zou Lili crossed her arms, her eyes cutting into Lin Yan like knives.
"Lili..." Xiang Qingyuan didn't want to leave, fearing that Zou Lili would learn about his relationship with Lin Yan and slander him, saying, "She seduced me, and I never agreed."
Lin Yan's voice conveyed her displeasure, "Lying will bring divine retribution."
Zou Lili, haughty and defiant, said, "Get out."
Xiang Qingyuan had no choice but to step aside, worried about further provoking Zou Lili. As he left, he warned Lin Yan with his eyes not to speak recklessly, or she would be dead.
"I know all about your affairs," Zou Lili moved closer to Lin Yan, her eyes mocking.
Having such a rival embarrassed her, emanating a poverty-stricken aura that was unwelcome.
"I have nothing to do with him, rest assured and go get married," Lin Yan was highly uncomfortable under Zou Lili's gaze.
Zou Lili laughed mockingly, "Xiang Qingyuan is going to marry into my family anyway. Even if you had feelings for him, what right do you have to keep him?"
Lin Yan bit her lip tightly, her fragile and pitiful appearance completely perceived by the oppressive Zou Lili.
"Trash that's thrown away becomes someone else's treasure," Lin Yan said weakly, just wanting to leave quickly.
Zou Lili moved closer and patted Lin Yan's delicate and fair cheek, "Does the village's soil and water still nurture people like this? No wonder Xiang Qingyuan still thinks about you."
After speaking, her eyes suddenly turned ferocious: "Don't let me find out again that you have any contact with Xiang Qingyuan, or I will ruin your face."
Lin Yan felt a deep threat, suppressing her fear, "This is a society governed by law. What right do you have to act recklessly? Take care of your own man and stop him from harassing me."
Lin Yan, who never used to clash with anyone, was fiercely arguing for the first time.
She was extremely scared inside but pretended to be brave, not wanting to appear too weak.
Zou Lili sneered, "Your life is so cheap; how much could it possibly be worth? Don't believe me? Just try it."
After speaking, she wiped her hand with a handkerchief, the hand that had touched Lin Yan's cheek.
We're all people, just divided by wealth, yet Zou Lili kept saying she had a cheap life.
The usually gentle Lin Yan, humiliated and infuriated, lost her reason and really wanted to fight Zou Lili.
Her impulse was quickly stopped by Lin Guoping, who had run over from the Cong Family's house.
Xiang Qingyuan was afraid Lin Yan would speak without restraint, possibly blurting out things she shouldn't.
He was about to get married and couldn't afford any complications, so he ran to the Lin Family and called over Lin Guoping.
"Yan'er, aren't you going to apologize?" Lin Guoping held her back as she was about to rush forward.
Lin Yan still surged forward, "You're the one who stole someone else's boyfriend. Shameless, yet you stand here posing, flaunting your money..."
Lin Guoping tightly covered Lin Yan's mouth, muffling her noises.
Cold sweat soaked Lin Guoping's spine; this girl was becoming increasingly outrageous.
She used to be so obedient; now, for the sake of a man, she continually caused trouble and debased herself.
"Apologize…" Lin Guoping, releasing the hand that covered her mouth, pressed down on her head to make her apologize.
Lin Yan's neck stiffened, but she wasn't surprised; her father would act like this.
Zou Lili scoffed disdainfully, her eyes filled with contempt for Lin Yan.
Lin Yan clenched her teeth and refused to apologize.
Though she appeared soft and weak, once she became stubborn, not even several bulls could pull her back.
"If your daughter won't apologize, then you do it," Zou Lili said in a victorious tone, her lips curling into a smile.
"Dad... we're not wrong; please don't apologize." Lin Yan was defending the last bit of their family's dignity.
Lin Guoping nodded and bowed obsequiously, "My daughter lacks experience and understanding, a wild girl; Miss, please don't be angry, I apologize on her behalf."
A feeling of humiliation surged from Lin Yan's head to her toes.
"Dad... what are you doing?"
Lin Guoping wiped the smile off his face and scolded angrily, "Shut up, I'll deal with you when we get home."
Zou Lili shook her head with a raised eyebrow, amused. "What kind of taste does Xiang Qingyuan have, dealing with these riffraff? "
"Remember what I said; some things, if you're not born with them, you're doomed never to have them. Don't be oblivious to the ways of the world."
After speaking, Zou Lili glared at Xiang Qingyuan, "Aren't you going to leave? Do you feel sorry for her?"
Xiang Qingyuan, like a dog that comes when called and leaves when dismissed, ran to Zou Lili's side.
With a sharp sting in her nose, Lin Yan only wanted to go home, to return to Lu Chenyuan's place, to that tranquil courtyard.
Lin Guoping was immensely frustrated; his usually obedient and sensible daughter, how had she turned out this way?
He pushed Lin Yan's shoulders, disappointed; she staggered several steps backward.
"What am I supposed to say about you, Lin Yan? What are you really up to? Are you trying to drive our entire family to death?"
Lin Yan, full of grievances: "Dad, they are bullying me; it's not me causing trouble."