Chapter 107: How About I Try to Get a Feel for It First?

The Lan family estate.

As soon as Qin Chuan stepped into the main hall, he was met with the icy glare of Lan Jin.

"So, you've finally decided to come back after gallivanting with that vixen, Liu Qingcheng, until now?" Lan Jin remarked with biting sarcasm.

Qin Chuan rubbed his nose, feeling awkward. At this moment, Lan Jin looked exactly like a disgruntled young wife who had caught her husband cheating but felt powerless to do anything about it.

"Is little Jin jealous?" Qin Chuan asked with a grin.

"Jealous?" Lan Jin let out a cold laugh, retorting sharply, "What do I have to be jealous of? You aren't my man; didn't we agree from the start that this was all just an act? Did you think I actually fell for it? What a joke. There are plenty of men who like me, Lan Jin—why would I waste my energy on a heartless flirt like you?"

Though Lan Jin spoke with fierce indignation and feigned indifference, a bitter, indescribable ache lingered in her heart. These words weren't so much meant to sting Qin Chuan as they were an attempt to convince herself not to wallow in resentment.

"Are you done?" Qin Chuan asked with interest.

Lan Jin snorted, "I'm done!"

"There is one thing I need to tell you. After you attend the cocktail party hosted by Long Wuhen, I will likely be heading to Gusu City..."

"If you ask me sincerely enough, I might agree to go with you," Lan Jin interrupted, puffing out her cheeks. Her expression seemed to say: *Hurry up and beg me!*

Qin Chuan rubbed his nose awkwardly. "Actually, what I wanted to say was that you don't need to come along to Gusu City. You’ve already attracted enough trouble here in Binhai; I’m afraid the Lan family won't be able to handle any more..."

"Don't bother saying it. It's just because you have Liu Qingcheng with you and don't need me anymore, right? Qin Chuan, don't you think you're being excessive? This is a classic case of killing the donkey after the grain has been ground... no, that's not it. It's just you discarding your allies once you've crossed the bridge."

The more she spoke, the more aggrieved she felt. Her eyes grew misty, a sight so pitiful it was hard not to feel for her.

"Liu Qingcheng isn't coming," Qin Chuan said in a low voice.

"Really?"

Lan Jin’s face lit up, the mist in her eyes vanishing instantly. Qin Chuan was left stunned—was this the height of acting talent?

Qin Chuan nodded with a serious expression, though he silently added to himself: *The one coming along is the superstar Tan Shuying, whose beauty and temperament are in no way inferior to Liu Qingcheng's.*

Seeing Qin Chuan hold her gaze with such confidence, Lan Jin concluded he wasn't lying. For some reason, knowing Liu Qingcheng wouldn't be there made her feel much better. However, the thought that Liu Qingcheng and Qin Chuan had already grown so close soon brought her mood down again.

"Brother Chuan, are you planning to completely part ways with Sister Yu? After we left the Qingcheng International Building today, her mood was clearly very bad. Plus, it seems she's been having trouble with her business lately. Don't you think you should go comfort her?" Lan Jin probed.

In truth, her feelings were complicated. She wanted Qin Chuan to comfort her good friend, but she also didn't want them to get too close.

Qin Chuan sighed helplessly. "I won't lie to you. Due to certain special reasons, I actually hope to be with Lin Wanyu, but feelings aren't something you can force. Forget it, let fate take its course."

Seeing the resignation on his face, Lan Jin felt a twinge of sympathy. She didn't know what these "special reasons" were, but she could sense their gravity.

"Should I tell Sister Yu about this?" Lan Jin hesitated.

Qin Chuan sighed lightly and asked casually, "By the way, what kind of trouble is Lin Wanyu having? If I can help, I'll take care of it for her. After all, only if her business goes smoothly can we succeed in annulling our engagement."

"It seems the spokesperson is trying to extort more money. Because they were so close, the endorsement fee was only a verbal agreement. I never expected that little star to be so unscrupulous—just because a web drama she starred in recently became a hit, she's demanding several times the original fee. It's simply outrageous."

Lan Jin was incensed as she spoke. Her excitement caused the curves of her chest to heave, leaving Qin Chuan feeling slightly dizzy.

"What is the endorsement for?" Qin Chuan pressed.

Lan Jin blinked her large eyes, thinking for a moment before answering, "It seems to be for jewelry. It's a pillar industry for Sister Yu's family. The new product launch is the day after tomorrow, but the promotional ad isn't finished yet, which is causing a huge delay. Brother Chuan, do you have a way to solve this?"

"Look at you, what could possibly stump me?" Qin Chuan paused, then lowered his voice. "If I help Lin Wanyu solve this, can you offer me a reward? I don't expect anything from her; she's cold to me all day, and I'm not one to offer warmth to a cold shoulder."

"Brother, just tell me what reward you want. I'll satisfy it however I can, as long as you help Sister Yu get through this," Lan Jin whispered back.

Qin Chuan was delighted. Lan Jin truly had a playful side, distinct from Liu Qingcheng's fiery intensity—Lan Jin was more like the purity of early spring.

"Since you're so helpful and willing to contribute, come to my room tonight. Let's talk about life and ideals," Qin Chuan said with a smirk.

Lan Jin refused to back down. "Fine! Whatever you and Liu Qingcheng talked about, I want to talk about the same."

Qin Chuan paused, wondering if Lan Jin had been too hasty—or if his previous phrasing had led her to a misunderstanding.

"Are you... sure?" Qin Chuan tested the waters.

Lan Jin replied with an air of indifference, "Isn't it just using your hand to solve your problem? I'll just treat it like lifting weights at the gym."

"Great metaphor! Very vivid! I have to give you a big thumbs-up!" Qin Chuan gave her a thumbs-up. Seeing the smug look on her face, he decided to turn up the intensity to show her how treacherous the world could be. "Little Jin, I must be honest with you: Liu Qingcheng... used her mouth to lift those weights."

"What?"

Lan Jin jumped back like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. She stared at Qin Chuan in shock, her large eyes filled with disbelief. "You're sure you're not joking?"

"Do I look like I'm joking?" Qin Chuan pointed at his nose.

Lan Jin was left speechless. She suddenly felt she had been too careless, and that Qin Chuan was playing dirty by giving her no room to retreat.

"Brother Chuan, I just remembered I have something to do. I won't keep you company—goodbye!"

Before Qin Chuan could respond, Lan Jin turned and ran. Watching her slightly flustered retreating figure, Qin Chuan found it highly amusing. Teasing the little Miss Lan always put him in a good mood.

Elsewhere, in her room, Lan Jin patted her heaving chest with her left hand while fanning her flushed face with her right, yet she still felt unbearably hot.

"That vixen Liu Qingcheng, how could she do such a thing? Didn't she feel ashamed at the time? She really has no sense of propriety..."

Lan Jin's voice trailed off, her gaze fixed on the fruit bowl on the table.

"Maybe I should see what it feels like?"

With that thought, her slender hand reached slowly toward a banana.