C19 I will Believe It If You Lie to Me!

Chen Yaru had long since pegged Wang Changyu as a thug. How could such a ruffian suddenly reform? There had to be a scheme at play.

She barely acknowledged him, instead taking Zhang Xiaolong by the arm and heading inside.

"Is this gentleman Miss Chen's new chauffeur?" Wang Changyu, lacking any tact, began to pick on Zhang Xiaolong.

Chen Yaru bristled with irritation. True to form, this man hadn't changed a bit. But rather than losing her temper, she wrapped her arm around Zhang Xiaolong's even more affectionately. "Actually, I'm his driver. I've been behind the wheel the whole way."

Before Wang Changyu could respond, she blissfully rested her head on Zhang Xiaolong's shoulder. "But with a boyfriend as handsome as mine, I'm more than happy to drive him around every day."

"Let's not keep them waiting. Uncle has been looking for you, and he's probably getting impatient," Zhang Xiaolong interjected, cutting short the overt display of affection.

"Sure thing," Chen Yaru replied with a flirtatious nod, pleased with his reaction.

The pair continued on, paying no mind to Wang Changyu as they walked shoulder to shoulder toward the villa. Inside, the hall was bathed in soft, inviting light, with elegant men and women mingling in pairs or small groups, each wearing their most charming smiles.

Zhang Xiaolong whispered to her, his voice so soft it seemed like an intimate exchange. "Aren't you laying it on a bit thick?"

"I'm the one who's at a disadvantage here, and it doesn't bother me. What are you worried about?" Chen Yaru retorted with confidence, then glanced at him with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "Oh, don't tell me you've never been in a relationship and haven't been this close to a girl before? If that's the case... I might just give you a chance."

Zhang Xiaolong was at a loss for words. He caught the implication behind hers but still found the situation hard to believe. "You hardly know me. Aren't you worried I might be some kind of con artist?"

"If you dare to deceive me..." Chen Yaru halted, feigning ferocity, but then she couldn't help but let out a gentle giggle, her eyes softening, "I'd let it slide!"

Her declaration was bold, leaving Zhang Xiaolong bewildered.

Luh Xiaoya had once confessed her feelings with similar courage, but they had been well-acquainted by then, unlike this encounter with the striking young lady who seemed to have made up her mind about him at first sight.

"Ru."

Feeling awkward, Zhang Xiaolong was relieved when someone called out Chen Yaru's name.

"Dad." Chen Yaru turned toward the voice, showing no sign of releasing Zhang Xiaolong.

"This is..." Chen Zhaomin observed his daughter's closeness with the young man, noting his impressive demeanor, and was understandably curious.

"His name is Zhang Xiaolong," Chen Yaru quickly interjected, "Xiaolong, this is my father, the general manager of Distant Vast."

"Hello, Director Chen. Actually, I'm here today to inquire about..." Zhang Xiaolong was cut off before he could finish.

Chen Yaru's delicate hand swiftly covered Zhang Xiaolong's mouth, "What Xiaolong means to say is that he came especially to see me... and of course, you too, Dad."

"Oh?" With years of business acumen, Chen Zhaomin sensed something amiss from his daughter's unusual demeanor. "And what do you do, Xiaolong?"

"I'm a farmer..." Once again, Zhang Xiaolong was silenced.

"Xiaolong manages an agricultural group in Yanjing," Chen Yaru interjected.

"An agricultural group in Yanjing? That must be quite a large and renowned operation. Which one is it?" Chen Zhaomin asked with a knowing smile.

"Actually..." Zhang Xiaolong began, but this time he gently caught Chen Yaru's hand before she could cover his mouth again, "Actually, I'm just a farmer. I'm here to see if Distant Vast Company can customize a glass greenhouse. Miss Chen mentioned someone was bothering her, so she brought me along as a buffer..."

Before she could finish speaking, Chen Yaru's delicate high heels clicked across the floor, and she shot an angry glare at him.

"Stop this nonsense!" Chen Zhaomin reprimanded his daughter in a low voice, clearly concerned about drawing attention. He quickly turned to Zhang Xiaolong to apologize, "I'm sorry, Mr. Zhang. My daughter tends to be quite playful."

"It's quite alright," Zhang Xiaolong said, feeling the weight of the stern gaze upon him, yet responding with a generous spirit. "Actually, Miss Chen is a very kind person. She's even agreed to give me a discount."

Chen Yaru covered her forehead with her hands, too embarrassed to look at her father again.

Chen Zhaomin didn't know whether to laugh or cry. His daughter could indeed come up with the most unexpected ideas. To recruit someone as a buffer, she had even made such a promise, and this young man was surprisingly willing to play along.

As he considered Zhang Xiaolong, Chen Zhaomin's heart stirred. He took a more careful look at the young man, silently nodding in approval.

His daughter might be a bit impulsive, but her judgment was sharp. The young man before him claimed to be a farmer, yet he possessed a dignified air of confidence that surpassed that of many high-born gentlemen. He was truly exceptional.

Glancing back at his daughter, who appeared reluctant yet somewhat petulant, he finally grasped something. After excusing himself to Zhang Xiaolong, he took her aside.

"Ru, do you like this young man?" Chen Zhaomin asked directly.

Chen Yaru hesitated, then lowered her head and murmured, "Yes."

"Hehe, my daughter does have excellent taste," Chen Zhaomin complimented her.

"Dad, do you think he's good too?" Chen Yaru's eyes sparkled as she looked up eagerly. "He's really wonderful, the best man I've ever met."

Chen Zhaomin shook his head gently and sighed, "But regardless, you need to get to know him better. You can't just act impulsively!"

"I'll get to know him, I promise. Today... it was just a happy coincidence, so..." Chen Yaru said, her tongue peeking out sheepishly.

"I trust you, and I trust my own judgment. It doesn't matter to me whether he's a high-ranking corporate executive or the farmer he claims to be. Ultimately, we need to see who he really is," Chen Zhaomin stated earnestly. "And, uh... does he like you too?"

One would think there wouldn't be any need to ask such a question. With Chen Yaru's looks and the wealth of her father, Chen Zhaomin, she would have no shortage of suitors. The combination of these two attributes should make her even more desirable.

However, having observed Zhang Xiaolong's demeanor and attitude, Chen Zhaomin wasn't entirely convinced.

"He's definitely going to like me," Chen Yaru declared, biting her lip with determination. "And if he dares not to, I'll make sure to cling to him."

Chen Zhaomin was at a loss for words. Since when did his daughter have to resort to clinging to someone to be noticed? But he was well aware of Yaru's stubbornness; advising her otherwise would be futile. With a resigned shake of his head, he turned his attention back to his own affairs.

Chen Yaru was about to rejoin Zhang Xiaolong when she suddenly froze, her face draining of color.

The host of the party, Wang Han, had emerged, accompanied by a strikingly handsome young man who made even Wang Changyu pale in comparison.