{Chapter: 140 I caught you, right?}
The weather was warm, with a slight breeze stirring the leaves, as Yu Shanshan arrived at the prestigious WuShi Fighting Club. Today, she had chosen a floral dress, the fabric swaying gently as she stepped out of the car. The moment her feet touched the pavement, her gaze swept across the club's entrance—and what she saw immediately made her eyes light up as brightly as a million-watt bulb.
There, standing side by side, were Lin Yuan and Chi Qian.
The sight of them together sent a rush of excitement through Yu Shanshan, her mind instantly jumping to conclusions. Her face practically glowed with mischief as she let out an exaggerated gasp.
"Wow! Cousin, why are you here?!" she squealed, her voice carrying across the parking lot.
Without hesitation, she took off running, her heels clicking against the pavement as she charged toward Lin Yuan. Then, with the enthusiasm of a child who had just spotted their favorite toy, she launched herself at him, arms wide open.
Lin Yuan barely had time to react before she practically flew into his arms, forcing him to catch her in a firm embrace. He let out a sigh, shaking his head as he steadied both of them.
"Why can't I be here?" he replied with a smirk. "What, did you think this club was some top-secret hideout meant only for you and Chi Qian?"
Yu Shanshan grinned but didn't let go, clinging to Lin Yuan like a koala. Her legs wrapped around him slightly as she hung on with practiced ease.
Lin Yuan narrowed his eyes and poked her forehead. "Aren't you an adult now? Why are you still acting like this? Hugging me in public all the time—have you no shame?"
Yu Shanshan, however, was completely unfazed by his words. She only pouted and looked up at him, eyes full of playful confidence.
"What's the problem? I don't feel ashamed at all," she said smugly.
But the moment she noticed Chi Qian looking at them, her body stiffened. As if a switch had flipped, she immediately jumped down from Lin Yuan and stepped back, folding her arms across her chest.
With a dramatic huff, she placed her hands on her hips and accused, "Hmph! I see what's going on here! I know that Chi Qian often comes to this club. I've been here plenty of times with her. But you, Cousin? Since when did you start coming here? Be honest—Are you guys already together? Are you two sneaking around behind my back?"
She leaned in, squinting at Lin Yuan suspiciously. "Cousin, you are heartless! Have you abandoned your dear sister the moment another girl showed up?"
Her exaggerated accusations made Lin Yuan chuckle.
"Stop being ridiculous," Seeing Yu Shanshan reprimanding, Lin Yuan smiled and said, "Stop making a farce, I just got my membership card here today and happened to meet Chi Qian here today."
Yu Shanshan blinked. "That's weird. I remember telling you that Qian Qian likes to wear gray and pink, but I don't recall ever mentioning that she frequently visits this club… Or did I?" She tapped her temple, feigning deep thought. "Could it be… am I getting Alzheimer's at just eighteen? No way! I'm still a young and beautiful girl!"
Bam! Bam! Bam!
Before she could continue her nonsense, three sudden thwack landed on the top of her head.
"Ow!" Yu Shanshan yelped, clutching her head.
She turned to see Chi Qian smiling sweetly at her, though her hand was still shaped like a knife.
"What was that for?!" Yu Shanshan whined.
Chi Qian tilted her head innocently. "What exactly did you tell Brother Lin Yuan? Hmm? Colors? What colors? You're finished, Shanshan. I'm telling your mother everything today!"
Yu Shanshan paled. "No! Please don't! I was just joking!" She turned to Lin Yuan and grabbed his arm in desperation. "I'm wrong! Don't tell her! Don't be like this! I'm just kidding! Brother, please help me clarify things! These are all you asked me, and I just told you! You are a big pervert here, wanting me all day to take a peek at Qian Qian's changing clothes!" Yu Shanshan cried out to Lin Yuan for help.
Silence.
The words had left Yu Shanshan's mouth before she could stop herself, and the realization hit her a second too late.
Lin Yuan's expression darkened. "Huh? I'm a what?"
Chi Qian, who had been playfully teasing, suddenly stopped, her eyes narrowing slightly. The corner of her lips curled upward as she looked at Lin Yuan with a mix of amusement and curiosity.
Yu Shanshan gulped. She had only meant to escape her predicament, but now she had dragged Lin Yuan into the mess too.
But what she said with a jittery mouth, only made Lin Yuan join the battle.
"Huh? I'm a pervert? I asked?"
Under the teasing of the two, Yu Shanshan, whose face is already a little fat from pinches, has become even more swollen and red as an apple. Yu Shanshan cried and said. "Ahem! Anyway, both of you are too good-looking, and I—an ordinary but still extremely beautiful girl—have to suffer through life! Do you even know what it feels like to struggle?"
Chi Qian smiled and said, "Brother Lin Yuan, leave her alone, her face will soon swell."
Lin Yuan also smiled and said, "You don't need to worry Qian Qian. I know her face very well."
Yu Shanshan, realizing she had lost the battle, huffed and puffed.
Looking at the two unsympathetic people, Yu Shanshan wanted to cry her eyes out without tears but seemed to have discovered something suddenly.
Her eyes lit up and said. "E-yo?! What's this? Did I just catch you guys red-handed?!" she exclaimed. "Since when did you start calling each other 'Brother' and 'Qian Qian'? Weren't those names reserved just for me right!!"
Her gaze darted toward Chi Qian's outfit, and her jaw dropped. "Wait a second! That shirt you're wearing—isn't that a man's shirt? Is that my cousin's?! I knew it! I understand everything now!"
Chi Qian's face turned slightly pink.
Yu Shanshan gasped. "WuShi Fighting Club? More like WuShi Fighting Club Hotel! I need to go in and check the rooms!"
After all, Chi Qian is still an inexperienced girl.
Yu Shanshan's mouth does not have any breaks.
Even though Chi Qian was always calm, because of what Yu Shanshan said, her cheeks became slightly red, mainly because she did have something subtle with Lin Yuan today.
Chi Qian is a little shy.
Lin Yuan sighed, grabbing Yu Shanshan by the ear. "Don't talk nonsense, we just practiced fighting together for a while, and then target shooting. Because we all are a little bit close, it is better to call each other familiar names. Isn't that normal among friends?"
Yu Shanshan had tears in her eyes as she looked at the text message Lin Yuan was about to send to her mother. "Yes, Cousin! You're right, totally right! No problems at all!"
Chi Qian couldn't hold back her laughter anymore.
Seeing Yu Shanshan's tears fill her eyes because of what Lin Yuan showed her, Chi Qian couldn't help but laugh.
There are skies above skies and mountains beyond mountains. (T/N: There will always be someone better, some place better, some things better.)
Yu Shanshan had no choice but to accept her defeat.
Still clinging to Lin Yuan's arm, she tried begging for mercy, but he was having none of it. With little effort, he lifted her and tossed her back into the car.
Yu Shanshan, shocked by his strength, blinked in disbelief. But after a moment, she nodded to herself.
Yu Shanshan was also shocked by Lin Yuan's tremendous strength.
But in the end, she decided to take the credit to her recent weight loss success.
Yes! This must mean she had lost weight!
Even her weak cousin can lift her with one arm, which is just perfect.
Well, as a beautiful girl, she is perfectly thin.
Perfect! She decided she will eat one less meal today.
Chi Qian called out, "Brother Lin Yuan," before getting into the car herself.
Lin Yuan raised a hand in farewell as the two girls drove away, Yu Shanshan sticking her head out the window at the last second.
"Cousin! The banquet the day after tomorrow is boring! You must go! Otherwise, no one will play with me!"
Her voice carried in the wind as the car sped off.
Lin Yuan blinked. "A banquet?" he murmured before heading toward his own vehicle.
Shi Shengnan, who had been waiting patiently in the driver's seat, turned to him. "Master, where to?"
"Home," Lin Yuan said, leaning back with a sigh.
---
He had been very busy all day. He did horseback riding, bought bodyguards, and fought at the WuShi Fighting club.
Lin Yuan finally returned home.
But then, although he had a busy day, he had gained so much today.
He did not only get a loyal bodyguard, but also a top killer.
Adding to that, he has improved a lot in his fighting skills and shooting skills alike.
Lin Yuan's habit is to gamble only when he is at an advantage and to seek stability when he is at disadvantage.
After eating and preparing to sleep, Lin Yuan went upstairs.
But just when he was about to enter his room, his mother, Meng Yuelan, suddenly went downstairs.
"Yuan'er," she called out, "remember, we're attending the banquet at the Mei family's house the day after tomorrow!"
*****
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