Chapter 44: How the Heck Do You Even Chase a Man?

Lin Wuming was panicking.

If he agreed… Even with his lower half thinking, he knew this whole situation was an absolute trap.

Forget whether the wedding would actually happen—if it somehow did, it’d only bring a mountain of trouble right after.

He was just a nobody from a minor branch family in some backwater town—no background, no strength.

How the heck was he supposed to deal with all the trouble that would come knocking?

Sure, Miss Liu might have serious backing, and she could probably protect him publicly.

But in the shadows?

One knife in the back, and boom—dead.

But if he refused…

The girl had come all the way here for him.

To turn her down so bluntly wouldn’t just be cold—it would probably offend her deeply.

And she was a noble lady.

If she got upset and decided to take it out on him, that’d also be a bad ending.

So what was he supposed to do? Lie down and accept death?

“Sigh… forget it then…”

Liu Yingfeng looked at him for a moment, then gave a soft sigh.

“Since you’re not ready, I won’t push you, Young Master. Once you’ve thought it through, let me know.”

“Okay.”

Lin Wuming instantly felt relief wash over him.

His goodwill toward the girl grew even more.

Beautiful, kind, understanding…

If he had even a shred of power or influence, he’d never let down a girl like her.

Unfortunately, the reality was that he was still too weak.

He just couldn’t afford to accept that kind of blessing.

Because Lin Wuming hadn’t forgotten—he wasn’t alone.

He had a junior sister to look after… and his senior sister too.

They were all just “ordinary people.”

If he got wrapped up in anything dangerous, they might get dragged down with him.

Especially his senior sister.

Back when he was starving, she’d fed him, taught him music, gave him a way to survive.

She was kind and pure-hearted.

Someone like that was too easy to hurt.

“I’m sorry.”

He bowed deeply, sincerely, to the Liu family girl before him.

“It’s fine.”

Liu Yingfeng shook her head gently and smiled.

“You may not like me right now, but I don’t believe you’ll never like me. I’ll prove my sincerity with my actions. You’ll see!”

“…”

So… you weren’t planning on giving up at all, huh?

Lin Wuming had mixed feelings.

On one hand, having a gorgeous girl chase after you was every man’s dream.

On the other hand… why did it feel so much like a curse in his case?

Still, she had already said she wouldn’t force him.

That was already being very respectful.

He really couldn’t say much more.

“By the way… earlier on the viewing platform, do you know who threw me this thing? I need to return it…”

Lin Wuming suddenly remembered and pulled out the crystal-blue gem—the Sea Crystal Pearl.

He really wanted to thank the person who had thrown it to him.

That one gem had let him turn the tide of battle, win the reward, and more importantly—it had saved his life during the assassination attempt just now.

He had to return it, and properly express his gratitude.

“…”

Liu Yingfeng’s face turned slightly red as she looked at the gem in his hand but said nothing.

“It was the Miss who gave you that gem, Young Master.”

Ling’er, unconcerned with subtlety, answered for her directly.

“Huh?”

“And this Sea Crystal Pearl was something Miss bought specially for you. It symbolizes longevity and peace between you two… So just keep it, okay? No need to return it.”

“This…”

Lin Wuming looked at the gem in his hand, then back at Liu Yingfeng.

He suddenly felt even guiltier.

They didn’t even know each other properly.

Yet he had dismissed her as a cannon-fodder fiancée who’d come begging for a break-up and had even sent her a cancellation letter.

Looking back now… when she received that letter, she must’ve been really hurt.

Yet despite all that, she hadn’t hated him.

Instead, she’d traveled all the way from the capital to this tiny corner of the empire just to clear things up in person.

Now, even with her strength and status, she still insisted on honoring their engagement—willing to marry a nobody like him.

And even after he turned her down, she wasn’t angry.

She respected his decision.

Where on earth could you find a woman like that?

Where could you find a wife this good?

He looked down at the gem again.

Somehow, it felt heavier in his hands now.

He silently nodded and tucked it back into his robe.

And in that moment—he felt a weight settle in his chest.

A sense of responsibility.

Such a devoted, sincere woman…

He couldn’t just let her down.

He had to work hard, become stronger, and at least be worthy of her kindness.

Yes. That’s it.

That’s the reason he was feeling this way.

Absolutely not because of how gorgeous she was!

“Young Master doesn’t need to overthink all this…”

Liu Yingfeng seemed to see through his inner turmoil.

“When we marry in the future, there will be no distinction between ‘you’ and ‘me’. And… I don’t want you to feel forced into anything because of these little things.”

Her voice was calm, but her tone was filled with confidence.

“I believe… one day, I’ll make you truly fall for me.”

Lin Wuming blinked, surprised.

…He had to admit, that line just now did move him a little.

“The day is getting late. You must be tired, Young Master. Rest well.”

With that, she gave Ling’er a glance, then turned to leave.

“Well then, Young Master… take care. Until we meet again.”

Ling’er quickly picked up the assassin’s corpse and followed her mistress out the window.

Lin Wuming watched their silhouettes vanish into the night, completely dazed.

Beside him, He Yingying puffed out her cheeks, clearly a little jealous.

But even she had to admit—if it weren’t for that pair of maid and mistress, her Senior Brother would’ve died tonight.

Heck, she might’ve died too.

And more importantly, pointless jealousy would only make her look immature.

Senior Brother might come to dislike her.

She had to work hard—become stronger, more capable.

So that in the future, even if they had to compete…

Senior Brother might give her a bit more of his attention.

***

“Miss, you were so cool just now!”

Not long after they left the inn and dumped the corpse somewhere, Ling’er’s eyes were sparkling as she looked at her mistress with admiration.

“Especially when you said you’d make the Young Master fall for you—that was so powerful! He was totally stunned by you!”

“Ah… mm…”

Liu Yingfeng’s lips twitched, her reply weak and stiff.

She looked like she might cry any second.

Sure, she sounded confident and charismatic just now.

But in reality—

‘Can someone PLEASE tell me how to actually chase a man??’

‘I… I didn’t have a clue what I was doing!’