"Maybe my older brothers don't need me either," Shawn Yan said with a self-deprecating smile. "After all, my father is getting old."
Yina Yin seemed to understand.
Currently, the head of the Yan Family is Shawn Yan's eldest brother.
His father is over seventy and has already stepped down.
As the saying goes, a county magistrate can't compare to the one in charge now.
No matter how authoritative the old chairman is, he can't suppress the new one who has taken over.
Shawn Yan's position is indeed a bit awkward.
Although he is a legitimate son, his age doesn't give him any competitive edge, so naturally, the family just keeps him well provided for.
The Yan Family will make sure he eats and drinks well, but they won't let him get involved in the core of power.
Once she figured this out, Yina Yin understood why Mr. Yan, Sr. would bring Shawn Yan to the matchmaking event.
Dad must understand too—Shawn Yan is just here to make up the numbers.
Because Dad would never allow me to marry a man who's just a pretty face.
Mr. Yan, Sr. brought him here partly to help him relax, but also to give Shawn Yan a bargaining chip. That way, after he passes, his two older sons won't bully the youngest, since the Yin Family would be backing him.
Whether Shawn Yan could win Yina Yin's heart wasn't really that important.
No doubt, Mr. Yan, Sr. had paid a price for this too.
After all, Charles Yin has always been one to never get up early for anything without profit.
Everyone knew the score, but no one said it out loud.
Thinking about it this way, Yina Yin couldn't help but feel a little sympathy for Shawn Yan.
But Yina Yin hid it well, never letting Shawn Yan notice.
At that moment, Ethan Yin was telling Cherry Miller about Shawn Yan.
"How to put it... Shawn Yan's nickname, 'Little Princess', really isn't an exaggeration," Ethan Yin said. "Don't worry, Mom and Dad would never agree to let Yina marry into the Yan Family. Mr. Yan, Sr. only brought him here so Dad would back him up. Mr. Yan, Sr.'s health hasn't been great these years, and he probably won't last much longer... He gave Dad a huge benefit this time, so in return, Dad will support Shawn Yan. But support is one thing—he'd never sacrifice his daughter's future for it."
"So the Chairman's favorite was Winston Fan, right?" Cherry Miller said with a sigh. "It's a shame Winston was eliminated early."
"Yes," Ethan Yin nodded. "Dad did think highly of Winston Fan. But he wouldn't force Yina just because of that. Now that Yina has made it clear she's not interested, Dad won't push it. Personally, I think Winston is a great guy too. But he has one weakness—he's too soft-hearted. To put it bluntly, he's too much of a gentleman, so it's easy for people to cling to him. Yina is straightforward, but not everything can be glossed over. The whole incident with Wendy Fang was the perfect excuse for Yina to turn him down, so we just went along and dropped the subject."
"Mrs. Fang must be pretty disappointed, huh?" Cherry Miller asked with a smile.
"I can't say for sure if she's disappointed, but Winston Fan getting tangled up with Wendy Fang probably makes him regret it sometimes," Ethan Yin said sharply, not mincing words. "Wendy Fang's horizons are too narrow—she can't adapt to the rules of our circle. At first, it's all fresh and exciting, and they're all lovey-dovey. But after a while, Wendy will find it exhausting and feel out of place. Winston's a workaholic; he'll never notice Wendy's little worries. Over time, conflicts will build up, and eventually, they'll drift apart."
"Right now, because Mrs. Fang doesn't like her, Winston Fan might feel rebellious and think Wendy Fang is great. But if Mrs. Fang stopped objecting, he probably wouldn't care about Wendy anymore," Cherry Miller shrugged. "It's just a late phase of rebellion."
"Winston Fan has always been the model young master among us nobles. When we were kids, the rest of us were all mischievous and got into trouble, but he never did," Ethan Yin continued. "But nobody's perfect, right? So sooner or later, Winston's going to trip up over Wendy Fang. Still, that's none of our business!"
"Are the Chairman and Mrs. Yin really disappointed?" Cherry Miller asked.
"They're a little disappointed, yes," Ethan Yin nodded, "but it's not a big deal. Yina's only twenty-one—she's got plenty of time to choose. We're not in a rush."
"Yina even asked me if there's a way to dodge all this. She's a little stressed and doesn't know how to face everyone else," Cherry Miller said. "Actually, I want to ask you too—is there anywhere I can hide for a bit? The Yin Family elders are all watching me."
After saying that, Cherry Miller gave a bitter smile and continued, "By the way, hasn't Sean King been learning to farm? How are things going on your end? Maybe I should just go with Sean! If I'm there, the Monroe Family will feel more at ease too."
Ethan Yin hesitated for a moment and said, "It's pretty tough over there."
"No matter how tough it is, it's fine," Cherry Miller said. "I made a promise—if I don't achieve something, how can I be your wife?"
Ethan Yin finally made up his mind. "I'll think about it," he said.
As for Winston Fan, both Cecilia Gu and Charles Yin felt a bit regretful about what happened.
"Why did that kid get knocked out so soon?" Cecilia Gu couldn't help but complain. "Yina, honestly! Just because of some baseless rumor about Wendy Fang, she gave up so easily."
"She gave up so easily because she doesn't like him," Charles Yin comforted Cecilia Gu. "If she doesn't like him, we shouldn't force it. What we like, our child might not like. Besides, my daughter should be able to choose someone she truly wants, right?"
"She likes Gu Miao, but Gu Miao..." Cecilia Gu trailed off.
"There's nothing we can do about that," Charles Yin comforted her. "We're making backup plans, aren't we? No matter what, we'll keep an eye on her happiness and make sure she doesn't have a hard life."
This chapter isn't over yet ^.^, please click next page to continue reading!
"Linda Fang was chatting with me about all sorts of things just a few days ago, but now she hasn't come to see me at all," Cecilia Gu said. "Is she too embarrassed or just doesn't dare? Sigh, I'll go visit her in a few days! We shouldn't let the kids' issues ruin the adults' friendship."
"You're right," Charles Yin nodded. "The Field Family has been busy lately, and Gu Miao is stretched thin. It's a good chance for Yina to calm down and think."
Cecilia Gu told Charles Yin she wasn't worried.
But how many parents truly aren't worried?
Even though Yina Yin's status is prestigious, love doesn't care about rank.
Heartbreak is something everyone goes through.
Meanwhile, Winston Fan—who everyone was talking about—was at the hospital with Wendy Fang, keeping her company while she got an IV.
Wendy Fang was actually pretty resourceful.
She didn't resort to crying, making a scene, or threatening her life, but she still managed to soften Winston Fan's heart. Aside from work, he made a special trip to the hospital just to be with her.
"Winston..." Wendy Fang said timidly, "You've really worked hard these past few days."
"It's nothing," Winston Fan said, scribbling away. "Just get better soon."
"The doctor said I can leave the hospital tomorrow," Wendy Fang said. "Can I still come see you in the future? I really don't want to move out of your place."
"If you don't want to move out, then stay. I have plenty of properties, and I can't live in them all," Winston Fan said calmly.
"Winston, you always say things like that—are you trying to make me give up?" Wendy Fang's eyes reddened again. "You know I won't give up easily! Winston, thank you for not rejecting me outright. I'll prove myself!"
"Oh? And how do you plan to prove yourself?" Winston Fan smiled slightly.
He rarely interacted with women.
So meeting someone like Wendy Fang for the first time was pretty interesting to him.
"Didn't you say that if I can win Mrs. Fang's approval, you'd accept me? I'm going to work hard at managing the household and do my best to please Mrs. Fang." Wendy Fang clenched her fists. "If I put my heart into it, Mrs. Fang will definitely see my sincerity and effort! She's so kind—she won't make things difficult for me anymore."
Winston Fan didn't know what to say.
After all, who knew his own mother better than he did?
Oh well, since the young lady is so confident, there's no need to discourage her.
"Winston..." came the timid voice again.
"Hmm?"
"I... I... could you call the nurse for me?"
"Why do you need the nurse? Can't I help you?"
"I... I need to go to the bathroom..." she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Winston Fan: "..."
"I'll go get someone." Winston Fan hurried out of the hospital room, his retreating figure oddly endearing.
Wendy Fang stifled a laugh.
Maybe after spending so much time with Wendy Fang, Winston Fan was finding it harder and harder to resist her.
When Wendy Fang was discharged from the hospital, Winston Fan naturally carried her to the car.
"I've already spoken to the villa's housekeeper. Since you just got out of the hospital and are still weak, you can rest for a couple more days," Winston Fan said. "Even though you're a gardener and the workload isn't huge, there's still climbing and lifting involved. If you feel unwell, let me know—don't push yourself."
"Okay!" Wendy Fang nodded happily. "Winston, are you worried about me? I'm so happy!"
Winston Fan just smiled and said nothing.
When Wendy Fang returned to the villa, Tracy Chen came looking for her right away. "Are you okay, Wendy?"
"I'm fine now, the fever's gone," Wendy Fang said, touching her forehead. "Did anything happen while I was away?"
Tracy Chen hesitated, looking at Wendy Fang.
"What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?" Wendy Fang asked curiously.
"Did you know Winston's out of the running?" Tracy Chen said. "Everyone in the villa is talking about it. They say Winston gave up pursuing the heiress because of a girl. Now everyone knows Winston doesn't have a chance anymore!"
Wendy Fang was overjoyed when she heard that. "Really?"