Cooperation (1)

"You took quite a long time." Yan Qing Shan questioned Zi Jue as she patted the spot beside her, gesturing him to sit down. Zi Jue's apathetic eyes transformed to warm, tooth-achingly sweet ones. Lan Jing Er almost fell from his chair from this all too drastic change.

"Sorry about that, my darling. Something cropped up and they weren't sure how to deal with it." Zi Jue drawled slowly as he took Yan Qing Shan's hand. He then turned to the dumbfounded Lan Jing Er.

"And this must be Young Master Lan? Tsk. Baby, he's not even half as handsome as me. Why bother going to this pointless meeting?"

Yan Qing Shan sputtered the tea she took a small sip of when she heard Zi Jue's unexpected words.

'Baby, that's my brother we're talking about. Slow down a little.' She lamented a little in her mind. Yan Qing Shan stared at Zi Jue, her eyes widening a little. Why was she not informed that Zi Jue was this... shameless?

Meanwhile Lan Jing Er froze up as if an arrow went past through his very heart. If Zi Jue's tone had been joking, his statement would still have been acceptable. However, he said his piece with such a straight face that his glance burned the former to his bones.

Lan Jing Er's reaction is quite understandable. His looks were considered top-notch and coupled with his background, it was no wonder he was the dream husband of girls from all over. In fact, if he had aspired to be an actor, he would have been a famous in an instant.

Except, compared to the heaven-defying features and aura of the smiling devil he was merely... normal.

She coughed lightly. "Jue, dear. Has nobody ever told you not to state the obvious?"

Lan Jing Er felt another arrow pass through his heart. It seems like he had been insulted a second time.

"Young Master Lan, this is my boyfriend. Zi Jue." Yan Qing Shan introduced the shameless koala beside her in order to get rid of the awkward air.

"Correction. Husband. I'm her husband." Zi Jue intervened.

"We're not even married yet." Yan Qing Shan scowled and elbowed him. Her actions only earning a light chuckle from Zi Jue. Lan Jing Er could only stare at the two people who was unabashedly feeding him dog food. At this point, he felt as if he was the biggest light bulb in the world.

'Is this really my marriage meeting? Why does it feel like these two are actually the ones who were set up?' Lan Jing Er sighed.

Nonetheless, he didn't miss the name that Yan Qing Shan mentioned.

'Zi Jue? Why does that name sound familiar?'

Lan Jing Er glanced up at the man who held Yan Qing Shan's hand tenderly. Searching his memory for any information about him. And then, it hit him.

Zi Jue of Zi Corps. The emperor of Zi City.

Lan Jing Er didn't seem to have heard of any news that this great emperor persona already had a lady. In fact, despite being a famous bachelor himself aside from being the wealthiest, and most powerful, women choose to appreciate such god in the sidelines. For as dreamy as he sounds, Zi Jue was also infamous for being ruthless even with women. Lan Jing Er had a lot of questions nonetheless, it would be better for him to keep it to himself. This was Zi Jue after all.

He coughed slightly which took the attention of the two. "I think it's safe to assume that the reason Miss Yan will not be entertaining further marriage talks is this gentleman here. Alright. I honestly have no problem with it. I only attended this meeting at the behest of my parents."

Lan Jing Er paused slightly and gave the two a sincere smile. Even if they were feeding his single face dog food a while ago, it cannot be denied that the thing he abhors the most is separating two people who love each other so obviously. Arranged marriages were so overrated and was the bane of true love. Lan Jing Er was quite a hopeless romantic. It was only too bad that for someone like him, true love was a little bit of a whimsical dream.

"Miss Yan doesn't have to worry about the elders as well, I will deal with them myself." Lan Jing Er continued.

Yan Qing Shan raised her brow at Lan Jing Er.

'Still too good-hearted. This brother of mine, your heart of gold will just lead to people taking advantage of you.' Yan Qing Shan shook her head indistinctly at him.

"I will have to trouble Young Master Lan for this." Yan Qing Shan responded.

"If there is nothing else, then I shall be on my way. Thank you for taking the time to meet me." Lan Jing Er stood up, bowed slightly and headed for the door.

However, a cool, melodious voice rang out and stopped his hands from turning the doorknob open.