Chapter 91: The Fastest Romance in History!
"The key point is… I also like you."
Hearing Ye Lingling's blunt words, everyone was stunned into silence.
Ye Lingling, who was always aloof, cold, and unapproachable, was actually confessing to a man. And it was to a young man she had just met, whom she had known for less than a quarter of an hour.
Qin Ming and the Shi brothers instantly felt their worldviews collapse, almost to the point of tears.
If falling in love were this easy, then why were they still single after so many years?
As for Dugu Yan, she was completely stunned at this moment and had even forgotten to feel jealous.
Only Zhou Chen remained calm and composed.
As a professional who had studied psychology, Zhou Chen understood Ye Lingling's personality very well.
She was an extremely introverted, highly self-centered girl with mild depression.
Because of this, she was not good at socializing or interacting with others. When she encountered someone or something she liked, she would express it directly, without caring about others' opinions or feelings.
A girl like Ye Lingling, who was so straightforward, would never change her mind once she had decided on something.
When it came to friends and love, she was often even more loyal and devoted than ordinary people.
Of course, if anyone dared to reject her, they had better be prepared to be hated by her for a lifetime.
The so-called tales of hatred born from love and murder driven by passion often referred to people like Ye Lingling.
So Zhou Chen felt rather troubled about how he should respond.
"Why aren't you saying anything? Don't you like me?"
Seeing that Zhou Chen remained silent, Ye Lingling grew anxious. Her beautiful eyes stared intently at Zhou Chen through the black veil.
"I like you. A beautiful, cold, gentle, and generous girl like you—who wouldn't like you?"
Zhou Chen praised her with exceptional sincerity.
Directly rejecting Ye Lingling was something only an idiot would do. If she stormed off in anger, he would probably end up completely offending the Ye family.
Needlessly offending the Undying Nine Heart Begonia family, which possessed a healing-type Titled Douluo, was not something Zhou Chen was foolish enough to do.
Hearing Zhou Chen's words, Ye Lingling's agitation, which had been close to a breaking point, suddenly eased.
However, while her personality had its issues, her intelligence did not. She immediately pressed on, "Since you like me, why didn't you accept my confession just now?"
Hearing this, Zhou Chen rolled his eyes internally.
Was that even a confession?
Saying "I've taken a liking to you" sounded more like something a rich woman would say when picking a boy toy. He, Zhou Chen, might occasionally live off others, but could he accept such a humiliating arrangement?
He always believed in living off others with dignity.
Of course, these thoughts stayed in his mind. If he said them out loud, not only would he offend people, but the perfect image he had worked so hard to build would be completely ruined.
Maintaining his smile, Zhou Chen looked straight into Ye Lingling's sea-blue eyes and said sincerely, "The reason I didn't agree earlier is because I already have a girlfriend."
"That's Dugu Yan, right? It's fine. She and I are best friends of many years. We can take care of you together. After all, the great nobles of Heaven Dou City are basically like this. Besides, which man doesn't dream of having multiple partners? Do you think I don't know?"
Ye Lingling spoke righteously, completely ignoring the strange looks from the people around them.
Dugu Yan was rendered speechless. This girl was really not holding back at all, directly arranging her, a so-called 'best friend,' on the spot.
Hearing Ye Lingling's words that directly pointed at the nature of men, even Zhou Chen, who was usually thick-skinned, felt a bit awkward.
Still, he said sincerely, "Not just Dugu Yan. I have other girlfriends as well."
"It doesn't matter. I don't mind. One more or ten more are essentially the same. Since I can tolerate Dugu Yan, I can tolerate others."
Ye Lingling said calmly.
As soon as these words fell, everyone was speechless.
Zhou Chen had nothing left to say either. Ye Lingling had blocked every possible path of retreat for him. What else could he say?
The legendary conversation killer was clearly her.
With a hardened heart and clenched teeth, Zhou Chen looked at Ye Lingling and said bluntly, "Fine. I accept your confession. What do you plan to do next?"
"Meet the parents."
Ye Lingling showed no stage fright and arranged things methodically. "My home is inside Heaven Dou City, near the imperial palace. My mother isn't around these days. When she returns, you'll come with me to meet her to discuss our marriage."
"If possible, invite Uncle Tang as well. After all, he is our matchmaker."
"Alright, I agree."
Since Ye Lingling had already cast aside her dignity, Zhou Chen saw no reason to keep his own.
He said in a deep voice, "After meeting the parents, you'll also need to meet your future sisters. Otherwise, how will you all get along later?"
"No problem."
Ye Lingling nodded slightly, agreeing as readily as if she were buying vegetables at the market.
In just a few short exchanges, the two of them had already become a couple.
Such a rapid romance made everyone present feel as if they were living in a dream.
Qin Ming looked at Zhou Chen, his heart filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred.
He was thirty-four years old and still didn't have a girlfriend. Yet Zhou Chen, at such a young age, already had more than one girlfriend.
Such a womanizer actually had beautiful girls throwing themselves at him.
Was it just because he was good-looking?
Were women really that superficial?
After bitterly questioning the heavens, Qin Ming turned and left.
If he stayed any longer, he was afraid he would get so angry that he would have a heart attack.
Seeing Teacher Qin leave, the Shi brothers bade Zhou Chen farewell and also departed.
However, when the two brothers left, they looked somewhat dazed, as if their outlook on life, values, and the world had all been reshaped.
As for Dugu Yan, even if she wanted to leave, she had nowhere to go, because this was the entrance to her apartment.
Besides, why should she leave? If anyone was leaving, it should be Ye Lingling.
Glancing at Ye Lingling, Dugu Yan sighed inwardly.
Just moments ago, she had been thinking about how to compete with Zhu Zhuqing for Zhou Chen. Who would have thought that so soon, karma would strike?
She was shocked by Ye Lingling's directness and courage, and also felt self-reproach, blaming herself for not being brave enough.
If she had confessed to Zhou Chen earlier, how could Ye Lingling have beaten her to it?
No, she had to take action quickly as well.
Dugu Yan encouraged herself inwardly.
"Since everything is settled, I'll head home."
Ye Lingling glanced at Zhou Chen and said calmly, "As far as I know, you don't seem to have a home in Heaven Dou City. Why don't you come live at my place?"
"No. He already agreed to stay with me tonight."
Dugu Yan did not know where her courage came from. She stepped forward, linked her arm around Zhou Chen's, lifted her chin, and looked at Ye Lingling.
"That works too. Then tonight, Yan'er, you'll take care of him."
The corner of Ye Lingling's lips curled up slightly, and a rare trace of a smile flashed in her eyes.
She took a deep look at Dugu Yan, then decisively turned and left.
(End of Chapter)
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