Manipulating Everyone Against Protagonist

"How have you been these years?" Shen Qingqiu asked, her voice cool and detached. Her expression was emotionless, reminiscent of a block of ice.

This was her nature, further magnified by her years of martial arts training in the mountains. Despite the excitement of seeing Yun Che again, she maintained an icy exterior.

"Just the same old," Yun Che said with a wry smile. "I've been busy with my studies. When I have free time, I play the piano or tend to my garden…"

Shen Qingqiu remained silent upon hearing this, knowing he spoke the truth. Growing up together as childhood sweethearts, she knew Yun Che was always the well-behaved child, the kind that other parents pointed to as an example.

She was somewhat surprised that after so many years, he hadn't changed. Born into a top family like the Yuns, maintaining his true self was indeed rare. After this exchange, neither Yun Che nor Shen Qingqiu spoke further.

…

"Qingqiu, why don't you take Xiao Che for a walk in the garden…" Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Shen Feng suggested, puzzled as to why the two suddenly fell silent. Shouldn't they be excited to meet after eight years?

"Okay… Yun Che, come with me," Shen Qingqiu replied and then turned to Yun Che.

"Okay," Yun Che smiled slightly, without asking further. They left the living room, one following the other.

In the garden, a myriad of flowers vied for attention on the lawn – roses, orchids, tulips… Shen Qingqiu had always loved flowers.

During her absence, Shen Feng had people maintain the garden. The flowers in the garden had been changed many times over the seasons, and today, they finally welcomed their true owner.

Shen Qingqiu squatted next to a rose bush, gently touching the petals of the roses with her delicate hands. It was June, and the roses were in full bloom, looking exceptionally beautiful in the summer heat.

Yun Che stood silently to the side, pulling out a cigarette from his pocket and lighting it, taking a deep inhale.

It was his habit to smoke when contemplating something. At this moment, he was thinking about how to make Shen Qingqiu fall in love with him…

"When did you learn to smoke?" Shen Qingqiu frowned slightly and turned to ask Yun Che.

"A few years ago. Why?" he replied.

"Smoke less. It's bad for your health," Shen Qingqiu said coldly, her tone icy but betraying a hint of concern that was unmistakable.

"Are you worried about me?" Yun Che smiled lightly, amused. Was she already concerned about him even before they were married?

Shen Qingqiu fell silent. She didn't understand why she had blurted out that concern. Did she like Yun Che? She didn't feel it, at least not currently.

Her personality had always been cool, and though she had a good relationship with Yun Che in childhood and even talked about marrying him, it was just child's play, not to be taken seriously.

Eight years had changed a lot, and her fondness for Yun Che was buried deep in her heart. If she hadn't gone to the mountains to train, she might have been deeply attached to Yun Che by now.

Yun Che wasn't surprised by her reaction. Knowing the story from the book, he was aware that Shen Qingqiu still harbored feelings for him deep down.

Otherwise, the author wouldn't have written over ten thousand chapters without letting Ye Chen win over his senior sister. However, her feelings were deeply buried and needed to be slowly unearthed.

…

"Do you still like roses?" Yun Che changed the subject, trying to lighten the mood.

"Yes, roses are noble and elegant. I've always loved them."

"Unfortunately, their blooming period is short. In about half a month, they'll start to wither," Yun Che mused. It was mid-June, the peak of the rose season, but they would soon begin to fade after June.

"Beautiful things are always fleeting, but it's enough that they grace the world with their presence," Shen Qingqiu added.

"Since you love roses so much, I can ask a friend abroad to airship some from Austria for you," Yun Che offered.

"Thank you…" she replied.

"No need to thank me. It's just roses, and I am your fiancé. It's what I should do," Yun Che said teasingly.

Shen Qingqiu didn't counter Yun Che's words, perhaps unsure how to. As he said, whether she acknowledged it or not, Yun Che was her fiancé, the man destined to be with her for life.

Moreover, she didn't dislike Yun Che; perhaps this was her best destination.

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