Chapter 14: The Show Begins

“Don’t stand here sighing, Brother Chuan! Hurry up! I can’t wait to see that ugly thing make a fool of herself,” Lan Jin said, letting out a gleeful giggle before sliding her arms smoothly into Qin Chuan’s. The sensation at his elbow was unmistakable, and Qin Chuan inwardly gave Lan Jin a big thumbs-up. This girl was a keeper—when it came to acting, she really went all out. Yes, she held him perfectly! Next time, he thought, they could be even more intimate.

Just as the two stepped into the office building, the receptionist at the front desk stopped them.

“May I ask who you’re here to see?” The young woman asked with a professional smile.

“I’m here for Liu Qingcheng,” Lan Jin responded promptly.

“So you’re here for our President Liu! Do you have an appointment?” The receptionist’s manner became noticeably more attentive.

Lan Jin shook her head, her tone commanding, “I don’t need an appointment.”

The new receptionist was momentarily intimidated. She quickly ran through the key members of Liu Qingcheng’s family in her mind but didn’t recall any sisters of similar age. Her gaze shifted to Qin Chuan, remembering rumors she’d heard that President Liu changed boyfriends at a remarkable pace. Could this be an ex-boyfriend showing up with a new girlfriend?

Very possible.

With that thought, the receptionist became visibly wary, her attitude cooling and growing distant.

“I’m sorry, miss, but our company has strict rules. If you don’t have an appointment, you cannot see President Liu directly. Please don’t make things difficult for me.”

Her words were official and polite, but the message was clear: she was telling them to leave.

“It’s easier to see a king than his attendants...” Lan Jin began, but Qin Chuan interrupted her with a cheerful smile, “Beautiful, just give Liu Qingcheng a call. Tell her a handsome guy named Qin Chuan is here for her. Who knows, maybe she’ll be so pleased she’ll give you a promotion and a raise!”

“But…”

“No buts! Let’s say you don’t get promoted or get a raise—I promise to cure your cervical spondylosis. You’ll never suffer from dizziness or nausea again.”

As Qin Chuan spoke, the receptionist’s guarded expression gradually shifted to surprise and delight. Her cervical spondylosis had tormented her, bringing bouts of dizziness and nausea, and sometimes kept her awake at night from pain. She’d been to hospitals, seen doctors, tried medication and massages, but nothing helped much. If it could be cured, that would be wonderful.

“Are you a doctor?” she asked.

Qin Chuan replied solemnly, “Please call me Miracle Healer. Thank you.”

The receptionist twitched her lips—this guy was certainly self-absorbed. But his proposal wasn’t unreasonable, and he seemed confident. Maybe his relationship with President Liu wasn’t simple after all.

“All right then! Please wait here, I’ll report to the president’s office right away.” With that, she dialed the president’s secretary, who replied she would inform Liu Qingcheng immediately.

“I’ve reported already. When will you fulfill your promise?” the receptionist asked Qin Chuan.

Qin Chuan smiled, “Don’t worry, beautiful. After I meet Liu Qingcheng, I’ll definitely keep my word.”

The receptionist rolled her eyes; she doubted Liu Qingcheng would pay any attention to Qin Chuan. Similar situations had happened before, and the president’s secretary always sent them away.

“No matter what, you can’t back out…” she started, but suddenly the elevator doors opened with a loud sound and footsteps echoed.

Looking toward the commotion, she saw several people step out of the president’s private elevator. In the center was Liu Qingcheng, the CEO.

“How is this possible?” The receptionist was utterly shocked.

The next scene nearly made her jaw drop.

“Qin Chuan, why are you only just here? Father said you’d be coming to Binhai soon, so I’ve been carrying the household registration book with me. Let’s go to the civil affairs bureau and register our marriage right now—what do you think?” Liu Qingcheng waved the registration book, her charming face filled with excitement and eagerness.

Register for marriage?

What did I just hear?

The receptionist was stunned, her eyes wide in disbelief.

At the same time, someone else was equally shocked—Qin Chuan. His surprise came from two things.

First, he had only told Lan Weimin, someone with a past connection to him, about his return to Binhai. So how did Liu Qingcheng know? As far as he remembered, he’d never had any dealings with anyone surnamed Liu.

Second, Liu Qingcheng’s attitude stunned him. In his experience, these heiresses were usually reluctant about arranged marriages; for example, Lin Wanyu had flatly refused such a union between families. But Liu Qingcheng was so proactive it bordered on excessive, and her excitement was genuine, not a hint of pretense.

Still, Qin Chuan found Liu Qingcheng’s looks and demeanor quite pleasing: delicate features, willow brows, every smile and frown exuded charm.

Lin Wanyu was alluring but never vulgar; her every move carried a cold elegance that kept others at a distance. Lan Jin was pure and seductive in her own way.

But Liu Qingcheng, whether in her features or demeanor, was pure enchantment. Even a simple smile brimmed with spring-like allure.

The instant Qin Chuan saw Liu Qingcheng, he thought of one piece of furniture—the bed. Though he prided himself on his strong will, her coquettish smile made him feel dizzy with desire.

“This woman is a real temptress,” Qin Chuan silently concluded.

Noticing Qin Chuan’s reaction, Liu Qingcheng’s smile deepened; she was ready to take their relationship to the next level.

But before Liu Qingcheng could act, Lan Jin darted between them.

“Temptress, get lost! Brother Chuan is my man. Give up your unrealistic hopes or don’t blame me for being rude,” Lan Jin declared, launching into battle mode with the posture of someone ready to fight anyone who dared to steal her man.

Here it comes!

The show was about to begin!

Qin Chuan beckoned to the still-stunned receptionist, who finally snapped out of her shock. She now realized Qin Chuan was no ordinary man—after all, to have two exceptional women vying for him, he must be extraordinary. Her attitude became even more respectful.

“Sir, is there anything I can do for you?”

“Do you have sunflower seeds or watermelon? Bring them quickly.”

Seeing Qin Chuan’s eager, excited expression, the receptionist felt utterly bewildered.