Chapter 37: The Qin Family Sets Its Sights on Lu Fan

Lu Fan’s gaze met Jiang Ruxue’s. At that moment, Shen Qianye’s hand was resting on her forearm, and Jiang Ruxue instinctively wanted to pull away.

Yet, deep down, there was a flicker of temptation; she wanted to see if Lu Fan would be jealous upon seeing this scene.

As Lu Fan walked toward her, his eyes falling upon her, Jiang Ruxue felt her heart racing uncontrollably.

However, Lu Fan simply greeted her as one would a friend: "Are you eating here too?"

Shen Qianye had intended to snap back at him, but upon seeing the others behind Lu Fan, he instantly shrank his neck, not daring to make a sound.

Ignoring the question, Jiang Ruxue asked, "What are you..."

Qin An'an, being the type to get acquainted quickly, took the initiative to speak: "Brother Lu Fan, is she your ex-wife? She’s truly beautiful. Hello, sister, my name is Qin An'an."

There was no trace of malice in her tone; her dark eyes were clear and candid.

Jiang Ruxue could only manage a reply: "Hello."

"Is this your new boyfriend, sister? He’s very handsome. You two look like such a perfect match."

To Jiang Ruxue, these words didn't sound like a compliment—they sounded like sarcasm.

But since the girl had just returned from abroad and didn't know Shen Qianye’s true nature, her comment based on their appearance was innocent enough. If she overthought it, she would only be projecting her own small-mindedness onto someone else.

Shen Qianye, on the other hand, was quite pleased. Just as he was about to explain, Jiang Ruxue interrupted him directly: "No, he is a friend. Lu Fan and I are not yet divorced, so I am not his ex-wife."

"Oh? But I heard you’ve already submitted the divorce papers. If you hadn't truly decided to end it, why would you have gone that far? Once that certificate arrives, it’s all the same anyway."

The young girl spoke the most piercing truths with the most innocent expression. Jiang Ruxue had brought this upon herself; she had no way to argue back and could only look at Lu Fan.

But Lu Fan had no intention of explaining. Instead, he said coolly, "I won't disturb you any further."

"Brother, let’s go."

As she spoke, Qin An'an clung to Lu Fan’s arm. Lu Fan’s body stiffened, and he instinctively tried to pull his arm away, but Qin An'an held on even tighter.

Watching the two of them walk away, Jiang Ruxue’s eyes turned slightly red.

She finally realized one thing: Lu Fan was not joking about this divorce. Her belief that he would eventually come seeking reconciliation was nothing but a fantasy.

He was not coming back.

Shen Qianye rushed to say, "Stop looking, he’s already gone. Xue’er, I told you, all men are the same. Lu Fan looked so honest and simple, but the moment he had a little bit of success, he abandoned you and turned to suck up to the Qin family."

"Shut up! He is not like you. Do not use your filthy mind to judge Lu Fan. I have already said what I needed to say—don't bother me again."

With that, Jiang Ruxue hurried back to the Jiang residence. She couldn't do this anymore; she absolutely could not just sit by and wait for her fate.

Lu Fan had never spent time alone with a girl as energetic as Qin An'an. That afternoon, she led him to experience many places he had never visited before.

Looking at himself covered in the stuffed toys he had won, Qin An'an smiled slightly: "Brother Lu Fan, your temper is too good. Miss Jiang didn't know how to cherish you; she will definitely regret this in the future."

Lu Fan didn't think so. If she were going to regret it, she would have cherished him at some point over the past five years; there was no need to wait until now.

"Miss Qin, I have to go pick up my daughter. Let’s end it here for today. I will come to your home tomorrow to perform acupuncture for your father."

"We agreed to pick up your daughter together, and I have nothing else to do anyway."

"That won't be necessary."

Lu Fan took a step back and walked over to the bodyguards who had been following them, handing them all the stuffed toys, keeping only a small rabbit for Xiaoyou.

"Take your young miss home."

Though he was not a martial artist and had a gentle temper, at that moment, he possessed an aura of high-ranking authority.

"Yes, Mr. Lu."

"No, Brother Lu Fan, I haven't met your daughter yet..."

"Goodbye, Miss Qin." Lu Fan turned and walked away, clean and decisive. His task was complete.

Little did he know that after he left, the seemingly guileless young girl curled her lips into a smile of absolute certainty.

She dialed the number for Third Master Qin. "Dad, you weren't wrong. This Lu Fan really is a man of mysterious origins."

"Oh? Have you taken a liking to him?"

"Even though he’s not a martial artist and has no background, his personality is gentle yet not weak; he is considerate, though a bit clueless about boundaries between men and women. Most importantly, he’s handsome. I have a feeling he’s a 'blind box' that might contain a hidden prize. I’m very interested. Don't worry, I will definitely capture him! I'll make him a well-behaved son-in-law for you."

"Then I shall wait and see."

Lu Fan picked up Xiaoyou, handed her the small rabbit, and the father and daughter headed home in warmth.

Just as he went into the kitchen to prepare dinner, he heard Xiaoyou open the door.

"Are we having a guest?"

Xiaoyou sounded somewhat flustered. "Dad, come out and see."

Lu Fan ran out quickly, but the moment he looked at the doorway, he was completely stunned.