Chapter 14: Only Schemes Win Hearts

Leng Linglong originally disliked Ye Ningwan greatly, feeling that she had stolen Zhan Hanjue. But now, after hearing her words, her impression of her greatly improved, and she quickly pulled her to sit down: "Quickly tell me, what did Cousin say about me to you?" Ye Ningwan chuckled lightly and said leisurely, "We just met, not very familiar with each other. Since getting married, he hasn’t spent much time with me, only today he brought me here. He didn’t say much, just that there is a pretty and lovely girl here who is very important to him. He told me to be respectful and courteous, and not to make her angry. Otherwise, when we go back, he’ll make me kneel on a washing board and won’t give me food." "Pfft," Leng Linglong couldn’t help but laugh. Then she said proudly, "You don’t need to be scared, Cousin is just trying to scare you. He usually doesn’t like to bother with people; he won’t make you kneel on a washing board, nor will he not give you food. Also, I wouldn’t tell Cousin and complain that you made me angry." "Thank you so much, Miss Leng." Ye Ningwan was genuinely grateful. Leng Linglong said proudly, "You’re welcome, just listen to me well in the future. I will definitely put in a good word for you in front of Cousin and ensure he doesn’t punish you easily." "Miss Leng is so beautiful and kind, you and Mr. Zhan are a perfect match made in heaven." "You think so too? I’ve always thought that." Leng Linglong was even more delighted and looked at Ye Ningwan more favorably. Ye Ningwan sighed sadly and pitifully, "To be honest, Miss Leng, the Ye Family couldn’t tolerate me, so they married me off to the Zhan Family. I live in constant fear every day, having no other grievances, just wanting to survive. But Mr. Zhan has a bad temper. Of course, Miss Leng might think he’s good-tempered, but that’s towards Miss Leng, not me. So I really don’t know what to do, can I ask Miss Leng for some advice and help?" "But I rarely see Cousin either, he doesn’t like coming to this side much. He’s here mostly because Grandma asked him to come today." Leng Linglong replied, feeling troubled. "Isn’t Mrs. Leng Mr. Zhan’s aunt? Why is Mr. Zhan unhappy to come?" Ye Ningwan asked in confusion. Leng Linglong shook her head, "I’m not very clear on it, but it seems... it has something to do with the car accident thirteen years ago. Cousin’s father died in that accident, and Cousin also lost his eyesight in that accident. At that time, some people suspected it was Aunt’s doing. Hmph, how could that be, Aunt is Cousin’s real aunt, how could she harm her own brother and nephew? Maybe Cousin heard those rumors and doesn’t like coming to the Leng Family because of that." Ye Ningwan’s eyes darkened, the car accident back then, was it also related to the Leng Family? "Sometimes I suspect, does Cousin still think it’s related to the Leng Family, so he doesn’t want to marry me?" Leng Linglong sighed. Ye Ningwan snapped back to reality, looked at her disappointed expression, and smiled in comfort, "You’re overthinking it. Didn’t you also say Mr. Zhan married me to ward off his fate of bringing misfortune to his partners, since I don’t mind such things. You’re the one he likes, he doesn’t want you to take risks." "That’s true, the way you put it, you do become my benefactor. Don’t worry, if you accidentally die, I’ll definitely give you a grand burial." Leng Linglong promised. Ye Ningwan: "..." "Then I’ll thank Miss Leng in advance. But, you said Mr. Zhan also lost his eyesight in the accident, what happened?" Ye Ningwan asked again. Leng Linglong said, "I know this, I heard Aunt mention it before. After the car accident, Cousin was seriously injured, and when he woke up, he couldn’t see. Grandma cried for a long time. They sought many famous doctors, went abroad for treatment, but nothing worked. A couple of years ago, we heard of a renowned doctor named Bai Zhi, who was supposedly very skilled, so Cousin has been having people search for him, but there’s been no news." Ye Ningwan curled her lips. So Zhan Hanjue had never met Bai Zhi, he was just looking for Bai Zhi. How fortunate, she could just seize this chance to ask him some questions. "Ye Ningwan." Suddenly a stern shout startled both Ye Ningwan and Leng Linglong. They quickly looked up and saw Zhan Hanjue approaching, accompanied by the house butler. Ye Ningwan hurriedly stood up and walked towards Zhan Hanjue. "Did you finish talking with Aunt? Are we leaving?" "Cousin, I was chatting with Miss Ye. She’s a very nice person, please don’t punish her when you get back." Leng Linglong also ran over, pleading on behalf of Ye Ningwan. Ye Ningwan bit her lip; how could this girl really say such a thing? As expected. Zhan Hanjue’s expression turned stern, he tilted slightly towards Ye Ningwan, his voice low and cold: "Punish?" Ye Ningwan awkwardly explained with a chuckle, "I and Miss Leng hit it off at first sight, Miss Leng was just concerned about me." Zhan Hanjue snorted coldly. Leng Linglong instinctively reached out to grab Zhan Hanjue’s hand: "Cousin, won’t you stay here for lunch...?" But just as she made contact, Zhan Hanjue coldly shook her off. Leng Linglong, being slender, stumbled back several steps from the retrain, nearly falling down. She bit her lips with her white teeth, looking pitiably at Zhan Hanjue, almost on the verge of tears. Ye Ningwan couldn’t bear it any longer and reprimanded Zhan Hanjue, "Miss Leng just admires you, must you be so heartless?" Zhan Hanjue’s face darkened again, but he said nothing, grabbing her wrist and yanking her away. "Ouch, ouch, let me go." Ye Ningwan cried out in pain. But Zhan Hanjue’s face remained calm, he didn’t speak, nor did he release her, pulling her into the car before letting go. Ye Ningwan’s eyes welled up with tears from the pain, before she could check if her wrist was bruised, she was grabbed by the throat by Zhan Hanjue, who had climbed into the car after her. Ye Ningwan’s eyes widened. Was he... was he going to kill her! One of her hands reached for the silver needle. But Zhan Hanjue, this blind man, like he had a third eye, seized her hand reaching for the silver needle. "You think I’d suffer the same loss twice?" Zhan Hanjue snorted coldly as he leaned in closer. Ye Ningwan struggled with all her strength but couldn’t break free. Knowing discretion is the better part of valor, she squeezed her eyes shut hard, trying to squeeze out a few tears to gain sympathy. Then she quickly realized he was blind and couldn’t see her crying anyway. So she coquettishly pleaded, "Honey, what did I do wrong to make you so angry? Tell me and I promise I’ll never do it again." "Don’t pretend to be weak with me." Zhan Hanjue not only didn’t relent but increased the pressure with his hand. Ye Ningwan felt she was suffocating, struggling to breathe. She realized that if he applied just a bit more force, he would choke her to death. Thinking fast, she continued to plead with a weak voice, "It’s okay if you kill me... Grandma will be very sad if she finds out. Last time... when I observed Grandma’s face... her health didn’t seem too good! It’s okay if I die, but I’m afraid... Grandma can’t take it." Sure enough, mentioning Old Mrs. Zhan, the pressure from Zhan Hanjue’s hand eased. Ye Ningwan pressed her advantage, "Besides, I know you’re looking for Bai Zhi. I know where Bai Zhi is. Let me go, and I’ll tell you." "Fine, deal." Zhan Hanjue finally let go.