Chapter Seven: Beauty?

Compared to the street swept by cold winds where you could hear a pin drop, the train station was bustling like a marketplace. The passengers streaming in and out were in such a rush, it would hardly be an exaggeration to say they looked as if they were all racing to snatch a bride.

Once Lin Yang confirmed the caller was that girl, Leng Nini, he didn’t hesitate for a second—he turned on his heel, went downstairs, and once again took possession of his flashy red BMW sports car, heading for Jinhai Train Station at rocket speed.

From the sound of her sobbing, it seemed she’d had another falling out with her family. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have run out into the crime-ridden night—especially not when she was such a stunning beauty that even a pig would be sent into a frenzy at the sight of her.

After queuing for what felt like ages, he finally reunited with the security beauty. It took a struggle to reach the second-floor waiting hall, and when he looked up, even Lin Yang was left speechless. Although he’d expected a sea of people, the reality was still shocking. Now he truly understood what it meant to be “frighteningly crowded.”

A beauty is always an exception—no matter the place, she is an unmistakable sight to behold.

A pink jacket, long legs outlined by tight jeans, a pair of adorable Winnie-the-Pooh sneakers, a bold, wild hairstyle, and a suitcase that looked like it could hold half her wardrobe—such a girl stood out in any crowd, impossible to ignore.

Leng Nini, having spotted Lin Yang as well, didn’t care for decorum; she immediately took off, dragging her massive suitcase as she ran toward him.

Her unruly behavior, of course, drew countless eyes.

“Brother Yang!” Her affectionate greeting had enough sweetness to make anyone’s skin tingle.

But Lin Yang, obviously used to such onslaughts, just grinned in response, immune after so many past “attacks.”

“Let’s go! We’ll talk in the car—too many people here.” Lin Yang spoke in a low voice, grabbing the suitcase from her hand. The moment he took it, he regretted it; damn, it was heavy—this girl was truly something else.

Once in the car, Leng Nini seemed to have forgotten all her grievances; she pouted her cherry lips and began to pass judgment with the air of a connoisseur. “This car’s not bad, but it’s nothing compared to the Lamborghini you used to drive.”

Lin Yang was speechless. He wondered how she’d react if she knew he was currently driving an Audi A4. He shrugged helplessly. “It’s not mine. Can’t afford to be picky when you’ve run away from home. I’m broke—having an Audi A4 is already a blessing.” He was giving her fair warning, so she wouldn’t complain later. “Alright, now tell me what happened. Don’t tell me it’s another childish tantrum.”

At the mention of her troubles, Leng Nini, who had just been all smiles, burst into tears, the tears flowing like a sudden rainstorm—enough to drown Lin Yang.

Knowing her temperament, Lin Yang wisely refrained from consoling her; she’d always bounce right back after a good cry.

But things didn’t go as expected. Half an hour later, as they neared his place, she was still crying, showing no sign of stopping. Left with no choice, Lin Yang decided to break his own rule and tried to comfort her, soothing the poor girl who was now a tear-streaked mess.

After wearing out his tongue and parching his throat, she finally choked out the whole story.

Lin Yang, whose self-control was legendary, couldn’t help but curse. “What nonsense! Marry that useless, uncouth, good-for-nothing scoundrel? Your father must be out of his mind!”

His words were a double blow—scolding that infamous playboy and, by extension, Leng Nini’s own father, who, for all his charm, lacked true capability.

Speaking of Leng Nini’s family background, it was just as illustrious as Lin Yang’s—military, business, and political circles, all accounted for. The difference was her never-seen grandmother’s fertility; while the Lin family produced only one heir per generation, the Leng family was positively thriving—three sons and two daughters, five-to-one ratio, and none of them were pushovers.

It was precisely because of this that internal strife became a major issue. With the patriarch’s health failing and his retirement, the eldest son, Leng Feng, took over, but lacked the commanding presence to unite the clan. Thus, voting became the only way to resolve disputes.

Take Leng Nini’s arranged marriage, for example. Except for her debonair father, everyone else had surprisingly agreed. The minority couldn’t overrule the majority, so the marriage was decided. But Leng Nini was never the type to meekly accept her fate. When she learned she was to be married to the notorious scoundrel from the Jiang family, her reaction was nothing short of fury. She had no interest in him—only boundless disgust. He was the sort of person she’d avoid for a lifetime, if possible.

At some point, Lin Yang lit a cigarette and took a deep drag, blowing out a large smoke ring before getting to the point. After all, as an outsider, what could he do about her family’s affairs? “So what’s your plan? I’m sure they’ll try every trick to get you back.”

Leng Nini shook her head vigorously. She was a few years younger than Lin Yang, and who knew what would happen next? She’d come to Jinhai simply to take things one step at a time.

Sitting in the car, they talked so much they forgot about her accommodation for the night. Only when they got out to fetch her suitcase did Lin Yang realize the problem. He couldn’t let her sleep in the same room with him, could he?

Alright, he had thought about it—maybe even more than once. After all, they’d shared the same bed many times as children, discussing the differences between boys and girls. But now she was a grown woman, her figure blossoming and her charm undeniable—sharing a bed now was out of the question. Yet he couldn’t send such a beauty to a shabby hotel, either.

Flicking away his spent cigarette and thinking it over, he finally spoke. “Nini, why don’t you stay at my place tonight? I’ll go to a hotel, and we’ll figure out a place for you tomorrow.”

Hearing the first part, Leng Nini was overjoyed, but the rest of his words brought a flash of disappointment to her eyes.

In truth, she’d come here intending to tie herself to Lin Yang, forcing her family’s hand. Besides, she had always liked this “big brother” since childhood.

“It’s late. Let’s just both make do here tonight.” Her words were artful, suggestive yet innocent, leaving him with no grounds to object.

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea… you’re a beautiful woman.” Lin Yang understood, in that moment, what it meant to be torn between desire and restraint.

“What? A beautiful woman volunteers to stay with you, and you’re not happy?” She snapped, her quick tongue getting the better of her as her words took on a new, bolder meaning.

“Stay with me?” Lin Yang muttered to himself, his thoughts wandering. “I’m afraid I might do something wrong,” he added meaningfully.

Clearly missing the undertone in his words, Leng Nini asked in confusion, “Do something wrong? What do you mean?”

“Oh, nothing.” Lin Yang waved his hand quickly. Since she didn’t care about sharing a room, why should he, a grown man, worry? In his mind, “If, by some chance, I lose control and sleep with her, I’ll just have to take responsibility.”

But as soon as that thought surfaced, an image of Tang Yixue waving a pair of scissors threateningly at his crotch flashed through his mind, sending a chill down his spine and nearly making him drop the suitcase.

Lin Yang’s place was as ordinary as they came—a five-story apartment building, and he was lucky enough to have a unit on the second floor, saving him the trouble of climbing stairs.

As soon as he opened the door, the typical single man’s scent hit them; it nearly sent the fastidious Leng Nini tumbling back down the stairs.

Seeing her pinching her nose, Lin Yang grinned sheepishly. He was always busy—if he wasn’t meditating or concocting pills in the evening, he was rushing to get things done. Dirty clothes went to the cleaners once a week, and he still had a day to go, so naturally the apartment smelled… odd.

“Wait at the door for a bit—I’ll handle this.” Without waiting for her reply, he darted inside to clean up.

You had to admire his speed—what usually took half an hour, he managed in five minutes flat.

After spraying air freshener everywhere, he finally let Leng Nini in.

After a whole day on the train, surrounded by all sorts of passengers, she felt grimy. No sooner had she stepped inside than she announced her intention to take a shower.

Fortunately, she’d brought her own towels and bath supplies, otherwise Lin Yang really would’ve been in trouble, having to go out and buy them at that hour.

Listening to the water running in the bathroom, Lin Yang couldn’t help but feel restless. Here he was, a single man, with a beautiful girl naked in his shower—what normal man could stay calm? Lin Yang admitted, he was as normal as they come.

After half an hour of torment, Leng Nini finally emerged.

You had to admire her courage—or perhaps it was just her trust in him. She came out wrapped only in a white towel.

Her hair was still damp, her figure curvaceous, her face glowing with beauty and the fragrance of roses lingering from her bath. Watching Lin Yang, who sat on the sofa puffing smoke rings, his Adam’s apple bobbed, and he almost dropped his cigarette.

Seeing his awkward expression, perhaps wanting to tease him, perhaps just to revel in her own beauty, Leng Nini flirted shamelessly, “Am I beautiful?” Her soft, seductive voice left Lin Yang teetering on the edge of disaster.