Chapter 7: What a Cliché Plot?

It wasn’t until Lin Ye spoke that the Lan family finally noticed that Lan Shiyun had brought a man home.

“Who are you? Do you have any right to speak here?” The voice came from a young man, around twenty years old, dressed in trendy brands, multiple earrings in his ears, exuding the air of a reckless young heir.

He was Lan Shiyun’s second uncle’s son, Lan Zihao.

“What are you waiting for?!” Lan Yuandong’s voice rang out sharply.

Two bodyguards exchanged glances, ready to grab Lan Shiyun, but the next moment, they were stopped in their tracks by a chilling, bone-deep coldness.

With just a look from Lin Ye, the two guards were so terrified they lost all strength to move forward.

They had been bodyguards for over a decade but had never encountered anyone so terrifying; a single glance shattered all their courage.

“What nerve, acting so brazenly in the Lan household!” Lan Yundong said sternly, his face cold as he stared at Lin Ye.

“He’s the one I brought. What’s the problem?” Lan Shiyun said coldly, stepping in front of her father.

“Cousin, weren’t you supposed to dislike men? Why do you bring all kinds of people home?” Lan Zihao feigned surprise with an exaggerated expression. “I get it now—your dislike of men is just an act. Behind the scenes, you play around more than anyone.”

“Lan Zihao, watch your words!” Lan Shiyun’s anger was barely contained, her tone growing harsher.

“Oh, oh, oh, now that you’re chairman, you even lecture people at home,” their second aunt, Huang Ruchun, said sarcastically.

Lan Shiyun sneered inwardly—this was the attitude they usually had.

At that moment, a strong, aged voice suddenly echoed from upstairs.

“Such noise and disorder—what kind of decorum is this!”

Upon hearing the voice, the Lan family immediately stood up respectfully.

An elderly lady of about seventy, supported by a maid, slowly descended the stairs. Lan Yuandong hurried forward to take over from the maid. The previously quarrelling family instantly quieted down as the old lady was helped to sit in the central seat on the sofa.

“Mother, Dr. Zhou advised you to rest more. Why are you coming downstairs?” Lan Yuandong bent down, speaking softly.

“I was disturbed by your noise.” Shui Xuemei raised her eyes, scanning everyone. Though her voice was soft, it carried immense authority. Her gaze then settled on Lan Shiyun. “Shiyun, I personally promised the Wang family. Now you’re backing out—what about the honor of the Lan family?”

Even in front of her grandmother, Lan Shiyun could not soften her tone, her anger evident.

“Grandmother, I don’t want to marry.”

“A man should marry when grown, and a woman should marry when of age. You’re twenty-three, the right age for marriage. Young Master Wang is handsome and well-born—a perfect match. What dissatisfaction could you have?”

“Dissatisfaction? I haven’t even met him. How could you expect me to be satisfied?”

---

“Lan Shiyun, do you really think being chairman makes you special? You dare speak to your grandmother like this?” Their second aunt seized the opportunity to sneer, “The Wang family is a noble house in the provincial capital. Marrying into it is a blessing from a past life!”

“Selling a daughter is selling a daughter—no matter how you sugarcoat it, you’re shameless.”

Listening to the Lan family’s conversation, Lin Ye almost laughed aloud. He had never seen people so shameless.

He thought such clichéd daughter-selling plots only existed in over-the-top novels. If he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn’t believe the Lan family would stoop to such foolishness.

Judging by all this, Lan Shiyun’s life in the Lan family was far from easy.

But as soon as these words were said, even the matriarch frowned and looked over: “Who is this person, daring to speak so freely in my Lan household?”

“I am—”

“He is Lin Ye, my boyfriend!” Lan Shiyun interrupted before Lin Ye could speak, then subtly tugged his arm and whispered so only they could hear, “Play along for now. I’ll give you a raise afterward.”

Lin Ye was stunned. How did he suddenly become a scapegoat?!

This plot twist was exactly like a melodramatic novel.

No, he should read fewer novels in the future—his mind was starting to warp.

After Lan Shiyun’s declaration, everyone in the Lan family stared at Lin Ye in disbelief.

Everyone knew Lan Shiyun hated men; not only did she refuse to date, she couldn’t even interact normally with them. So where did this man come from?

“Did you say he is your boyfriend?” Shi Qin scrutinized Lin Ye carefully. “What family are you from? Where do you work? Do you have a house? A car?”

A series of pointed questions.

Lin Ye scratched his head and answered truthfully: “I grew up in the mountains. I work as a bodyguard. No house, no car.”

At this, everyone showed disdain.

“A hillbilly from the mountains, worthy to be with my daughter?” Shi Qin sneered sharply.

Lan Zihao took the opportunity to taunt: “Better get lost quickly. If you want to climb up to our Lan family, at least see if you’re worthy! What can you compete with Young Master Wang? You smell like mud!”

Their second aunt mocked in a shrill voice: “What are you anyway? You’re not worth a hair on Young Master Wang’s head. Who let you step through our Lan family gate?”

Instantly, the entire Lan family turned their hostility toward Lin Ye, unleashing a torrent of verbal abuse.

At that moment, Lan Yuandong sneered and said, “You and Shiyun are together only for money. Here’s a card with two hundred thousand yuan. Take the money and get lost.”

---

A bank card was thrown at Lin Ye’s feet, dripping with insult.

“Dad! Lin Ye and I truly love each other!” Lan Shiyun snapped, unable to endure it any longer.

“What makes him better than Young Master Wang?! You won’t have a good ending with him!”

Watching the father and daughter bicker, Lin Ye shrugged helplessly. “Why do you think I’m worse than that Wang fellow?”

His words stunned the Lan family before they burst into laughter as if hearing the funniest joke in the world.

“Hahaha, cousin, your taste in men is terrible. This hillbilly is not only incompetent but a bit crazy too,” Lan Zihao mocked relentlessly.

“He actually thinks he’s better than Young Master Wang? Who do you think you are? Do you deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as Young Master Wang?”

“He’s definitely not worthy to compare with me,” Lin Ye said seriously.

He possessed unparalleled medical skills, was a rare cultivation genius, and at a young age had reached the pinnacle of martial arts. A spoiled rich kid was certainly no match for him.

“How arrogant!” A man slightly younger than Lan Yuandong sneered. “You dare insult Young Master Wang?”

He was Lan Shiyun’s second uncle, Lan Jinbei.

“Mother, this is a genuine Qi Pill that Young Master Wang specially sent you. Martial artists take it to increase their inner power; ordinary people can take it to extend their lifespan.”

As he spoke, an exquisite little box was placed before the matriarch. Inside was a smooth, jet-black pill that, when opened, released a strong medicinal fragrance. The Lan family inhaled it deeply, feeling refreshed and invigorated.

“Young Master Wang truly is from a noble family, so generous!” Shi Qin smiled.

Even the matriarch nodded approvingly. “Young Master Wang is thoughtful. We must thank him properly another day.”

Lan Jinbei looked at Lin Ye with a sneer. “Young Master Wang’s generosity is beyond your reach. What can you possibly offer to compare with him?”

“If you want to marry the Lan family’s eldest daughter, you better bring something better than this Qi Pill. Otherwise, don’t blame the Lan family for being ruthless.”

Everyone mocked Lin Ye. This Qi Pill was a renowned high-grade elixir, one they had only heard of but never seen. What could a hillbilly from the mountains possibly offer that surpasses this?

Yet Lin Ye merely glanced at the so-called Qi Pill and blurted out, “A worthless poisonous pill, and you all treat it like a treasure. It seems you really have no worldly experience.”