Chapter 542

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Meeting Jiang Yuner’s gaze, Wang Haoran spoke with quiet sincerity. Read on CrimsonScrolls.net #dbe31c8446

“What I mean is, from the first moment I saw you, I wanted to be your friend.” Read on CrimsonScrolls.net #dbe31c8446

He could have said something more direct, more intense, but he held back. This girl was shy, gentle, and easily flustered. If he pushed too hard, she might pull away. So he softened the words, gave them a tender edge. Read on CrimsonScrolls.net #dbe31c8446

But even phrased this way, Jiang Yuner clearly understood. Read on CrimsonScrolls.net #dbe31c8446

After all, if it were just about being friends, would he still be holding her hand like this? Read on CrimsonScrolls.net #dbe31c8446

“I… I felt the same,” Jiang Yuner murmured, her voice barely audible. Read on CrimsonScrolls.net #dbe31c8446

“Really? You’re not lying to me?” Wang Haoran’s tone lit up with a mix of surprise and joy. Read on CrimsonScrolls.net #dbe31c8446

“If I didn’t mean it,” she said softly, glancing down at their joined hands, “I wouldn’t have let you…”

Then, as if needing to clarify, she added, “But don’t think I’m an easy girl. Other than my family, you’re the first guy who’s ever held my hand.”

Wang Haoran deliberately showed a moment of excitement, letting the emotion ripple across his face. But a breath later, he let out a sigh and slowly released her hand.

That sudden emptiness in her palm made Jiang Yuner feel inexplicably disappointed.

And yet… something clicked in her heart.

“I was too impulsive,” Wang Haoran said, his voice low. “I shouldn’t have said all that. Let’s wait until your match is over. We can talk about personal things afterward.”

Jiang Yuner nodded slowly, her emotions churning beneath the surface.

They continued exploring the pavilion together, with Wang Haoran maintaining a respectful distance this time. Even as they walked side by side, he deliberately left space between them.

Jiang Yuner noticed. That subtle distance stung a little.

But she wasn’t the kind to speak up. Her personality was quiet and reserved, so she didn’t try to close the gap. Still, inside her chest, her heart felt like a jar of mixed spices had been tipped over—confused and complicated.

Though he didn’t look at her directly, Wang Haoran was watching her reactions the entire time. Every shift in her expression, every flicker in her eyes—he caught it all.

His earlier words had been calculated. He gently led her thoughts in a certain direction, presenting her with two choices.

If Jiang Yuner won the upcoming match, then being with him would become difficult. His family, his friends, even the public—they would never accept her.

But if she lost, then everything would fall into place.

Of course, to any outsider, it would be clear that Wang Haoran was playing with fire—using Jiang Yuner’s feelings to subtly steer her toward holding back in the match. Manipulative? Definitely.

But Jiang Yuner didn’t see it.

Blinded by affection and too pure to read between the lines, she never suspected a thing.

Even Wang Haoran had to admit to himself—he was being shameless. Yet in the end, none of it really mattered.

Jiang Yuner might be strong enough to defeat Jing Lu, but she can never beat Qin Fan.

Her loss was inevitable.

All Wang Haoran was doing was trimming away the excess steps along the way.

After strolling a bit longer, he offered to take her back.

On the way, he found an excuse to borrow her phone.

And while she wasn’t looking… he blocked Qin Fan’s number.

He already knew Qin Fan didn’t have a shot with Jiang Yuner. But that didn’t mean he wanted the guy annoying her with calls and messages.

As far as Wang Haoran was concerned, anything that made Qin Fan miserable was worth doing.

In the luxurious mansion, Qin Fan was helping Jing Lu train while glancing repeatedly at his phone.

He already sent Jiang Yuner several messages, but he did not receive a single reply.

At first, he figured she must be in the middle of training. But as evening approached, and there was still no response, he grew restless.

Even if she was training, she’d need to eat, right?

Unable to hold back any longer, Qin Fan stopped texting and called her directly.

But all he heard was the busy signal.

He frowned, thinking she might be on another call.

But when he tried again after a while, and then again, and again, it was always the same—line busy.

A sinking feeling began to gnaw at him.

Could it be… she blocked his number?

His face darkened.

“Master, you don’t look too happy,” Jing Lu asked, curious. “Is something wrong?”

“Kids shouldn’t ask too many questions,” Qin Fan replied dismissively.

Jing Lu wisely dropped the subject. Instead, he brought up something he’d been thinking about.

“Master, I probably won’t be able to beat Jiang Yuner in terms of overall strength before the match. Maybe you can teach me some unconventional tactics? Something tricky I can use to catch her off guard and win?”

If you win, Qin Fan thought to himself, then how the hell am I supposed to perform in the final? How do I become the hero? How do I flip the script and clear my name?

Outwardly, he stayed calm. “Those tricks are too advanced. You wouldn’t be able to learn them in time. Just stick to regular training.”

In truth, he did have techniques Jing Lu didn’t know. And there were even shortcuts that could help him master them quickly.

But Qin Fan wouldn’t risk it.

Because if Jing Lu actually wins, it would ruin everything he planned.

Jing Lu couldn’t read his master’s thoughts. He respected Qin Fan too much to question him, so he accepted the answer without doubt.

That night, after dinner, Wang Haoran lounged in the villa’s main hall for a bit before heading upstairs.

His phone rang.

It was Song Zhihui.

“I asked Anna to go with me to Mu Wang Pavilion today,” she said over the line.

Wang Haoran’s heart skipped. “You told her about us dating, didn’t you?”

“How did you know that? Are you a worm living in my stomach?” she teased, sounding genuinely surprised.

Now it all made sense. No wonder Feng Anna had the nerve to sneak out without telling him. She had Song Zhihui covering for her.

When Wang Haoran didn’t reply, Song Zhihui continued.

“What’s wrong? Are you mad? I know I promised not to tell anyone about us, but Anna’s different. She’s my best friend. She won’t spread it around, so don’t worry, okay?”

Wang Haoran didn’t want to argue. Instead, he changed the topic.

“Are you still staying at the Jinhao Hotel?”

“Yeah,” she said. “But I’ve been thinking about buying a place here in Qingling. Do you have any recommendations?”

“I’ll help you check out the listings and let you know,” he offered immediately.

He couldn’t leave this to her. If she randomly bought a house near his villa, things could get messy fast.

“Great. Just let me know when you find something. Money isn’t an issue,” she said breezily.

“Rich girl, huh? You really do have money to burn.”

“Of course. That’s why you don’t have to worry—I’m not with you for your family’s wealth,” she laughed.

“Then what do you like about me?” he asked.

“Your face, obviously. I just like looking at you. Can’t explain it,” she replied playfully. “But what about you? What do you like about me?”

“Your long legs,” he answered without thinking.

“That’s it? I’ve got tons of great qualities. You really didn’t notice any of them?” she said, pretending to pout.

“I haven’t noticed them yet,” he said, his voice turning serious. “But once we spend more time together… I’m sure I will.”

Song Zhihui’s thoughts immediately went sideways.

But hearing how earnest he sounded, and knowing how bashful he usually was, she figured he didn’t mean anything dirty by it.

Still… even after clearing that up in her head, a faint sense of disappointment lingered in her heart.

This guy… why was he so dense?

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