Chapter 16: He's My Boyfriend

Lin Fan could more or less guess what Wei Liang was thinking, but what could he do? With spoiled rich kids like this, the best way to keep them from causing trouble was simply to kill them. Yet if Lin Fan were to kill him now, it would stir up unnecessary complications. After all, the kid was the heir to the Pujiang Group. To kill him in broad daylight would surely bring unwanted attention from those above. Though it might not amount to anything serious, trouble would inevitably follow—especially from his uncle, Lin Haotian, who would nag endlessly. Besides, Lin Fan did not want those in power to know he had returned.

After weighing his options, Lin Fan decided to let Wei Liang off for now. If the boy had any sense, he’d best stay away; otherwise, Lin Fan wouldn’t hesitate to send him to the grave.

If not for Zhao Ying, Lin Fan would never have gotten entangled with this troublemaker. After Wei Liang left, Lin Fan stared at the mess on the floor, feeling perplexed. With Zhao Ying’s intelligence, how could she be interested in someone like Wei Liang? The thought alone was absurd; Lin Fan resolved to find a chance to ask her about it.

Wei Liang appeared to be just another privileged brat, but he was adept at disguising himself, playing the part of a devoted lover. He knew how to win a woman’s heart, how to make them feel special. For rich kids like him, what they can't have is always the most desirable. During his university years, he pursued Zhao Ying for three years, employing a new tactic every day. Money was no object for him, and Zhao Ying, being a woman, longed for attention. In time, she was bound to be moved. In truth, Wei Liang’s relentless pursuit was not just because Zhao Ying was stunningly beautiful; there was another reason tied to her identity—something Lin Fan could not possibly know.

When the time seemed right, Lin Fan chatted idly with Xu Qiang, gave him some instructions, and then left. Should he call Feifei first? After some thought, Lin Fan put his phone away. Giving her a surprise was better than calling, since he hadn’t properly spent time with her since his return.

Lin Fan had only ever attended middle school before being taken into Falcon. This seemed to be his first time entering a university. The thought amused him—a dignified leader of Dragon Soul mercenaries, yet not even a middle school graduate. But these days, education was one thing, life another; the two weren’t necessarily connected. Lin Fan cared little for others’ opinions; at least, that’s how he saw it.

He watched the couples scattered across the lawn, their lives peaceful and full of color. Lin Fan wished he could live like them, but he knew it was impossible—at least, not now. He once believed he should live for his country and people, but after the nation abandoned him four years ago and he spent several more years in Dragon Soul, Lin Fan realized that a man should live for those he loves and his brothers. In this world, countless organizations covet Dragon Soul’s position. A single misstep, and he wouldn’t even know how he died. Lin Fan could not afford to stop; he had to keep leading Dragon Soul upward. With his parents’ vengeance still unfulfilled, how could he allow himself a peaceful life?

Unknowingly, he arrived at the academic building. He’d already learned that the Department of Economics and Finance was holding a seminar on the third floor that morning. Lin Fan entered just as class was dismissed, students flooding out. He struggled to squeeze inside.

Su Fei’s mood had improved these days; at least, she had moved past her parents’ deaths. Yet Lin Fan’s return hadn’t brought her the companionship she hoped for, leaving her somewhat disappointed. Was her brother no longer as fond of her as he was when they were children? Lost in thought, she slammed her pencil onto the desk and frowned.

At that moment, a handsome young man slid into the seat beside her, flicked his fringe, and smiled, “Hey, our department’s having an event soon. Are you coming?”

Su Fei turned to look—it was Yu Weihua, the department’s acknowledged heartthrob. She didn’t know him well, but had heard other girls discuss him: good-looking, wealthy, his father the mayor of T City, and so on. His sudden approach was strange. “What event? Why haven’t I heard about it?” In truth, Su Fei had no idea that Yu Weihua had set his sights on her since her first day at university, waiting for the right chance to invite her out.

He chuckled, “Of course you wouldn’t know—it was just decided. I’m inviting everyone out for barbecue, then karaoke. You must come. Honestly, you’re the only one I ever wanted to invite.” His words were full of emotion, though his eyes burned with desire—a detail Feifei failed to notice.

Su Fei understood the implication of his confession. As the saying goes, “One doesn’t strike a smiling face.” Since he was so friendly, it was hard for her to turn him down outright.

Just then, a familiar voice sounded from outside the door, “Sorry, but she won’t be going anywhere today, because she belongs only to me.” The moment he said it, Lin Fan regretted it; such words could easily be misinterpreted as him being Feifei’s boyfriend, though he had no such intentions. He only hoped Feifei wouldn’t read too much into it.

Instinctively, Su Fei looked toward the doorway. Leaning against the frame, with one hand idly twirling his slightly long fringe—just as Yu Weihua had done—it was none other than Lin Fan. Yet, the same gesture, when performed by Lin Fan, carried a hint of devil-may-care charm, leaving a unique impression—at least in Feifei’s eyes. Perhaps it was the scar that made Lin Fan seem far more mature than Yu Weihua.

“Brother, why are you here? You didn’t even warn me,” Su Fei’s mood brightened instantly upon seeing Lin Fan appear in her classroom. She rushed over with a smile.

“He’s your brother, not your boyfriend—why are you so excited? Besides, your brother isn’t much to look at, nowhere near as attractive as you,” Yu Weihua stepped forward before Lin Fan could speak, addressing Feifei.

He had thought Lin Fan was Su Fei’s boyfriend, but upon hearing her call him ‘brother,’ Yu Weihua breathed a sigh of relief—at least he still had a chance. In fact, regardless of whether Lin Fan was Feifei’s boyfriend, Yu Weihua never really stood a chance; Feifei already liked someone else.

“Hmph, my brother is way more handsome than you. Maybe you should look in the mirror before you think of pursuing me,” Su Fei didn’t seem to intend to let Lin Fan speak, rejecting Yu Weihua with a few sharp words.

Lin Fan feigned innocence, glanced at Yu Weihua, and let Feifei pull him away.

Yu Weihua watched their retreating figures, a shadow flickering in his eyes. As the mayor’s son, he was not used to being humiliated while pursuing a girl. Yet his father had repeatedly instructed him to keep a low profile for a while and not cause trouble. Otherwise, Yu Weihua would never have stood by and watched Feifei walk away with Lin Fan.

In this situation, what could Lin Fan say? He couldn’t just rush over and beat the kid up—that would make the leader of Dragon Soul seem petty. It was merely a minor episode, and Lin Fan paid it no mind.

Walking along the road, with Feifei clutching his arm, Lin Fan suddenly felt as if he had returned to his childhood. Back then, he and Feifei lived carefree lives, going to and from school together, playing and laughing. But now, everything seemed to have changed.

Driving through the city, Lin Fan found a nice restaurant. He and Feifei entered, chatting and laughing. To outsiders, they might have seemed like a pair of lovers in the throes of romance, but in Lin Fan’s heart, Feifei was nothing more than a cherished sister. Since she was his sister, Lin Fan harbored no other thoughts.

Feifei ordered several dishes in quick succession—all of them Lin Fan’s favorites. After all these years, his tastes hadn’t changed, and it was remarkable that his little sister remembered them so well. Lin Fan smiled and shook his head, saying nothing. As long as Feifei was happy, he didn’t care how many dishes she ordered. Besides, it was rare for him to have authentic Chinese food abroad.

In daily life, Lin Fan had no particular requirements for clothing—comfort mattered most. Those who claimed attire was a symbol of status were, in his eyes, talking nonsense. But when it came to food, Lin Fan was particular; he would never mistreat his stomach, no matter what. Seeing a table full of his favorite dishes, Lin Fan’s appetite soared.

Watching her brother eat heartily, Feifei, sitting across from him, smiled—a genuine smile from deep within.

Yet it seemed Lin Fan’s world was destined never to be peaceful, not even at mealtime. “He’s my boyfriend,” a woman’s voice sounded in Lin Fan’s ear just as the two were eating.

Instinctively, Lin Fan looked up—the mouthful of rice he was about to swallow nearly sprayed everywhere. Fortunately, his composure held; otherwise, the embarrassment would have been immense.