Chapter Two: Li Wenhao

Ling Tian felt a bit frustrated—he had found himself in an arranged marriage.

“Are you surprised?” Mu Qingcheng asked, her expression calm and composed, as if the matter had nothing to do with her.

Ling Tian nodded. “Actually, it’s not a big deal. Marriages between prominent families are almost always tied to interests. Arranged marriages aren’t unusual. I just didn’t expect such a thing to happen to me.”

Truthfully, Ling Tian was puzzled as to why the old man had set up this engagement.

Mu Qingcheng remained indifferent. “You and I are only engaged in name. Whether we actually marry is still uncertain.”

“Marry? Even if you’re willing, I might not be,” Ling Tian said, touching his nose as if he’d been given some great advantage.

“You…” Mu Qingcheng nearly fainted from anger. Though her family wasn’t the top-tier among Yunhai’s elite, Mu Qingcheng herself had many admirers, most of whom were sons of influential families. Now, she was actually being rejected by a man—and not just any man, but one who looked completely unimpressive.

“Don’t be so tense. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave,” Ling Tian put down his teacup and prepared to stand, showing no particular regard for the stunning beauty before him.

Before Ling Tian could rise, Mu Qingcheng stomped her foot, venting her frustration, then said coldly, “Tomorrow, you’ll start working at my company. I’ll assign you to the general affairs department.” For now, Mu Qingcheng didn’t know what Ling Tian was capable of, so the safest choice was to send him to a department where he could meddle or do nothing as he pleased—a place for idlers.

Ling Tian paused, turning to look at her. “Your company?”

“I’ve already arranged it. Someone will guide you when you arrive. That’s all—now you may go,” Mu Qingcheng said coldly.

Before Ling Tian could move, Mu Qingcheng suddenly stood and lunged toward him.

Ling Tian instinctively assumed a defensive posture and prepared to counterattack. With his strength, he could easily subdue Mu Qingcheng with a flick of his finger. Fortunately, he quickly realized she had no murderous intent, so he withdrew his attack, letting her hold onto his arm.

“Qingcheng, I’ve been looking for you everywhere—I didn’t expect you to be here.” A handsome young man, impeccably dressed, entered with several burly bodyguards. His appearance was quite charming, but the arrogance and frivolity in his demeanor were off-putting.

Li Wenhao smiled as he approached the table, his gaze fixed on Ling Tian. Though he smiled, his eyes were full of threat and warning.

“Qingcheng, who is this? Aren’t you going to introduce me?” Li Wenhao sat down next to Mu Qingcheng, crossing his legs in a casual, insolent manner.

Mu Qingcheng’s expression turned cold. “You have no right to call me by my name. This is my fiancé.” She tightened her grip on Ling Tian’s arm, forcing a faint smile.

“You have a fiancé? How come I didn’t know?” Li Wenhao stared at Ling Tian for a full minute. He weighed his options: he knew most of Yunhai City’s notable figures, but Ling Tian was a stranger, and his clothes were clearly cheap. Besides, Mu Qingcheng’s family only held some influence locally, with little power elsewhere.

Soon, Li Wenhao concluded that Ling Tian wasn’t anyone important—even if he had some abilities, he wouldn’t dare provoke Li Wenhao. The Li family was one of Yunhai’s four great families, with roots even in the capital.

A shield for someone else? That was Ling Tian’s first thought, but it didn’t quite fit—after all, they were engaged.

Watching his fiancée being bullied in front of him, Ling Tian couldn’t let it slide, even if their engagement was only nominal.

“Is there something wrong with your eyes?” Ling Tian gave Li Wenhao a cold glare. His previously calm gaze became sharp and fierce, like a gleaming sword, impossible to meet directly.

Li Wenhao involuntarily avoided Ling Tian’s gaze, then grew furious. He, always above others, felt challenged. “You have no idea who you’re dealing with. I could scare you just by saying my name,” he said angrily.

Seeing Li Wenhao’s anger, Mu Qingcheng grew anxious. She knew his character well—he was capable of anything, backed by the Li family. Li Wenhao could easily make Ling Tian pay for his words.

Of course, Mu Qingcheng still didn’t know Ling Tian’s true identity. In her mind, he was simply someone her grandfather arranged for her, likely an ordinary person, given his shabby appearance.

“Li Wenhao, if you have the guts, come after me,” Mu Qingcheng stepped to the side, shielding Ling Tian like a protective hen.

Ling Tian felt awkward. Wasn’t it always him protecting others? Now, a woman was shielding him—it was a bit unsettling.

“Kid, if you’re brave, step out. Don’t hide behind a woman’s skirt,” Li Wenhao mocked, seeing Mu Qingcheng’s nervousness as proof Ling Tian was nobody special.

That remark crossed Ling Tian’s line.

Ling Tian swept Mu Qingcheng into his arms and whispered in her ear, “Even if you’re using me as a shield, I don’t mind. Right now, you’re my woman—at least in name.”

This was her first time so close to a man, and the masculine scent lingered at her ear, warm and ticklish. Mu Qingcheng felt her face burning, blushing and shy against her own will.

“Kid, this is a high-class venue with a lady present. Why don’t we step outside to talk?” Ling Tian gently placed Mu Qingcheng back in her seat and walked forward.

Li Wenhao felt as if Ling Tian’s gaze was a blade, impossible to confront. He knew his own strengths—he was an expert at drinking and flirting, but in a fight, he’d be knocked flat with one kick.

“You’re not worth my time. My bodyguards will deal with you,” Li Wenhao stood and quietly retreated two steps. The loyal bodyguards stepped forward, shielding him and assuming defensive stances.

The atmosphere grew tense. With his bodyguards, Li Wenhao was as arrogant as ever. Mu Qingcheng was especially nervous; she knew the bodyguards were former special forces, hired at great expense. If a fight broke out, even if Ling Tian weren’t killed, he’d at least end up crippled.

“Master Li, leave this minor issue to us,” one bodyguard said obsequiously. “Should we break his arm, his leg, or send him to the afterlife?”

Arrogant! Ignorant!

To speak so brazenly in public, in front of so many people.

“How can you talk like that? I’m a kind and merciful person—why resort to violence?” Li Wenhao boasted smugly, convinced of his victory.

The bodyguard hurried to reply, “Master Li, you’re right. What do you wish?”

Li Wenhao slouched in his chair, gesturing grandly. “Cripple his legs. Go on.”

Mu Qingcheng was fuming—Li Wenhao was shameless, talking one way, acting another, and still claiming to be merciful.

“Tsk, I’ve seen shameless people, but never anyone as shameless as you,” Ling Tian said with contempt. He despised Li Wenhao’s type: useless, relying on family power to cause trouble—a true disgrace to his family.

“Li Wenhao, you’re outrageous. If you dare, I’ll call the police right now!” Mu Qingcheng pulled out her phone, ready to dial.

“He asked to talk outside—it’s not as if I forced him,” Li Wenhao replied innocently.

Ling Tian stopped Mu Qingcheng from speaking and said to Li Wenhao, “Let’s go. Enough wasting time.” Then he turned to Mu Qingcheng, whose face was tense, and said, “Be good, wait for me here.” He even patted her tender cheek.

Mu Qingcheng’s face flushed, but her thoughts were entirely on Ling Tian.

“You can’t go!” Mu Qingcheng cried desperately, only to find she couldn’t move—her legs felt numb, as if she’d been crouching too long.

She could only watch as the four burly bodyguards followed Ling Tian downstairs.

Li Wenhao grinned maliciously at Mu Qingcheng. “Qingcheng, you might want to consider changing your fiancé.”

“You’re despicable,” Mu Qingcheng replied coldly. “If anything happens to Ling Tian, I’ll never forgive you.”

“You should worry about yourself first,” Li Wenhao laughed. “Someone, please escort Miss Mu to the car—I’d like to treat her to some coffee.”

Mu Qingcheng hadn’t expected Li Wenhao would try to force her. For the first time, she felt afraid. If Li Wenhao really acted on his threat, the Mu family’s power might not be enough to stop him.

“I meant to deal with you later, but you went and found yourself a random fiancé. To keep others from taking advantage, I might as well do so myself,” Li Wenhao said, his face dark, leering at Mu Qingcheng.