Velvet Chains of a Tycoon

Du Xiaomei widened her eyes and stared at Qin Ran: "Yang Cheng said he didn't see you at all, so who did you have a blind date with?"

"With the gentleman at table 11."

Qin Ran said irritably: "You didn't tell me the man's name, just that it was table 11 at Huiyue Pavilion. Since there was a man at table 11, I went on a date with him."

Du Xiaomei: "You just went on a blind date like that?"

"Yes, not only did I go on a date, but we also got married."

Qin Ran walked irritably toward her spare bedroom: "Sister-in-law, I'm moving out now. Don't worry, I won't let you pay for my tuition anymore. Whether I'm studying for a master's or a doctorate, I'll handle it myself. I won't sponge off you."

Du Xiaomei's expression immediately changed: "You're moving out just like that? It's your business to marry someone you found on your own, but Yang Cheng is willing to give a dowry of 500,000, and the person who marries you should also give a dowry of 500,000."

Qin Ran put her hand on the door handle and looked at Du Xiaomei: "Sister-in-law, are you marrying me off or selling me?"

Du Xiaomei retorted unhappily: "What selling you? Which family doesn't ask for a dowry when marrying off a daughter?"

"It's true that a dowry is asked for, but how many families ask for 500,000 right off the bat?" Qin Ran shot back.

"Also, I hurriedly got married today because I thought the other person was someone you found. Before the blind date, you didn't tell me to ask for a dowry of 500,000, did you? If you had, the other party wouldn't have agreed, and I wouldn't have been able to get married, would I?"

"You..." Du Xiaomei was flushed with anger. "You went off and got married on your own, and now you blame me?"

Qin Ran didn't bother to argue. She pushed open the door to the spare bedroom, took out her suitcase, and started packing.

Du Xiaomei, furious, grabbed her phone and called her husband. "Qin Jian, come back quickly! Your sister has sold herself cheap!"

Qin Ran packed her luggage and came out. Du Xiaomei was no longer in the living room, and the master bedroom door was closed. She knocked. "Sister-in-law, I'm leaving now. I'll come back to see you and brother when I have time."

There was no response. Qin Ran dragged her suitcase out the door. She was used to Du Xiaomei's alternating hot and cold behavior.

Walking out of the community, she sent a WeChat message to Lu Sheng: "Where do you live? I'm moving over now."

She expected a delayed reply, but Lu Sheng responded quickly: "My house is in Songhu Garden, but the key is with me. Wait for me at the KFC opposite Lu's. I'll bring the key out for you."

Qin Ran: "Okay, I'll take the subway. I'll be there in half an hour."

It was only four subway stops, and she arrived in twenty minutes. She waited five minutes at the KFC entrance.

Lu Sheng arrived and handed her a small cowhide envelope. "Songhu Garden. You'll live there from now on. I generally won't go back unless there's a special situation."

His briefness let Qin Ran sense his aloofness and distance.

"If it weren't for the marriage certificate, I'd feel like I'm being kept by you," Qin Ran said, looking at the envelope but not taking it.

"Take it," Lu Sheng commanded.

Qin Ran involuntarily reached out and took it. Indeed, as a senior executive of a large enterprise, his presence was commanding.

"Okay, you have the final say," she conceded.

"Then that's it. Goodbye," Lu Sheng said, turning to leave.

"Mr. Lu, wait!" Qin Ran stepped forward and grabbed his wrist.

Lu Sheng turned back, and she quickly let go, as if electrocuted.

"What else is there?" His voice and gaze were equally cold.

"Three things," Qin Ran said, matching his pace.

"First, leave a contact number so we can reach each other at any time. Don't refuse. Not everyone checks WeChat constantly. Our marriage involves our families. If something comes up, I need to find you immediately."

Lu Sheng, though cold, wasn't unreasonable. He took out his phone. "Give me the number. I'll call you."

Qin Ran recited her number, and Lu Sheng dialed it.

"Second, although I'm a student, I'll be a senior next year. I'll intern and do part-time jobs, mostly living on campus. But I'll stay at home on weekends and give you 2,000 yuan for living expenses monthly."

A hint of a sneer crossed Lu Sheng's face. 2,000 yuan was the cost of one meal for him. But he didn't say "no need."

"Third, what do you think about married life?" Qin Ran asked seriously.

Lu Sheng snorted. "Women nowadays are really straightforward. We're just living together. Until I like you, don't even think about climbing into my bed."

"Okay!" Qin Ran agreed. His unattainable attitude was exactly what she wanted.

After parting ways, Qin Ran took the subway to Songhu Garden. As she was about to enter the community, Qin Jian called.

"Xiao Ran, your sister-in-law said you got married. What's going on? Come back and explain clearly."