Mrs. Lin was taken aback, feeling somewhat conflicted, "But... but what about Xiao Xi? I've assured you that you could marry her with my blessing."

"Isn't Xiao Xi still young?" Lin Chuan frowned and said, "She doesn't understand these things yet. Sooner or later she'll meet a man she likes, right? Let her dream for now. Once she's in college, she'll surely find her true love."

"Ah!" Mrs. Lin became somewhat gloomy and asked, "Chuanzi, what does Miss Tang do? And her family?"

"Mom, let's not talk about that." Lin Chuan replied with a smile, "I can assure you she's a good girl."

"But, it seems her family's background is much better than ours," Mrs. Lin frowned and said, "Marriage is all about matching social status. If they don't match, there will eventually be problems."

"Look at what you're saying." Lin Chuan chuckled, "With your son's qualifications, am I still not good enough for her?"

"Of course not." Mrs. Lin shook her head, proudly saying, "My son is also outstanding, very much so."

Despite saying this, Mrs. Lin always had a feeling that Tang Yumeng's family and background were somewhat extraordinary. She could vaguely perceive it from her actions and demeanor, or sense something subtle from her aura. But Mrs. Lin couldn't quite articulate this feeling.

......

In Jiangbei City, at Mingdian Coffee.

On New Year's Eve, Bai Yifan felt something was amiss. Especially since Tang Yumeng met Lin Chuan, her emotions seemed a bit strange. She didn't even finish watching her favorite musical that night and left in a hurry. That evening, Bai Yifan had planned to express his feelings to Tang Yumeng once again. But seeing that she didn't seem to be in a good mood, he gave up on the idea.

That night, Tang Yumeng stayed at Shangri-La Hotel. And this morning, she left without saying goodbye, which made Bai Yifan even more suspicious of Lin Chuan.

Tang Yumeng was in a good mood originally, but after seeing Lin Chuan, her mood took a complete 180-degree turn. Most importantly, when she saw Lin Chuan, she clearly chased after him for a while and even scraped her hand. So, after having lunch, Bai Yifan immediately followed her to Jiangbei City. He intended to have a serious talk with Tang Yumeng.

Bai Yifan's expression was somewhat displeased.

Before long, Tang Yumeng's Audi arrived, and she walked into the café with graceful steps. In the lobby, many people turned their heads to look at her. This beautiful woman, after meticulous dressing, appeared even more stunning. She was like a flickering flame in the darkness, illuminating and immediately drawing everyone's attention.

Seeing this scene affirmed Bai Yifan's resolution to possess Tang Yumeng. He thought to himself, Tang Yumeng is mine; no one else can take her away.

Women have vanity, but that's just materialistic; men too have vanity, but it's with women.

The man whose woman is beautiful will be the object of others' envy. That's male vanity.

"Xiao Yu." Bai Yifan stood up.

"You got here quite quickly," Tang Yumeng responded with a smile.

"I don't understand what you mean," Bai Yifan shrugged and said, "Are you referring to the speed at which I arrived at the café, or is it about how swiftly I followed you from the provincial city to Jiangbei City?"

"This..." Tang Yumeng showed a hint of apology, "I'm sorry, I didn't want to disturb you this morning, so I left without saying goodbye."

"Have a seat." Bai Yifan nodded and asked, "What would you like to drink?"

"Whatever," Tang Yumeng glanced at Bai Yifan and said, "You didn't come just to treat me to a drink, did you?"

"Yes and no," Bai Yifan replied with a wry smile. "You left without saying goodbye, aren't you afraid I'd be worried?"

"That's why I sent you a text message," Tang Yumeng chuckled.

"Xiao Yu, I want to ask you, what exactly is your relationship with Lin Chuan?" Bai Yifan asked bluntly. This wasn't his usual style, but driven to this point, he had no other choice, otherwise, he feared he wouldn't be able to control his emotions. Clenching his teeth, Bai Yifan said, "Ever since you met Lin Chuan last night, your mood has been off. Tell me, is there something going on between you two?"

"What do you think?" Tang Yumeng neither denied nor confirmed.

"You couldn't possibly be with him, could you?" Bai Yifan said in astonishment, "That guy is not worthy of you."

"Oh? Why do you say that?" Tang Yumeng asked curiously.

"I've looked into his family background," Bai Yifan smiled and said, "His ancestors for three generations have been farmers. His dad was a college student who later went to the countryside. After returning, he retook the college entrance exam and was assigned to Changlin Machinery Factory as an engineer. Later, he left this world due to a serious illness. His mother raised him single-handedly. In high school, he confessed to a girl named Yang Zi and was harshly humiliated by her. Since then, he vanished for eight years. He only returned last October."

Tang Yumeng smiled and said, "I didn't expect you to have done your homework so thoroughly?"

"Xiao Yu, tell me, you're not really together with Lin Chuan, are you?" Bai Yifan asked almost pleadingly.

"No," Tang Yumeng shook her head.

Bai Yifan immediately let out a sigh of relief, thinking to himself, it's logical; how could an ordinary, mediocre man like Lin Chuan be a match for an outstanding woman like Tang Yumeng. However, he was shocked by her next statement: "But, we're almost there."

Hiss...

Bai Yifan took a deep breath, stunned, and said, "Xiao Yu, you... you're lying to me?"

"I'm not lying to you," Tang Yumeng smiled, "Yifan, we can only be best friends. You really are a good man, but... I don't think we are suitable for each other. It's not because of your family background, nor is it because of your personality, it's just... I feel like there's a certain feeling missing between us."

This feeling Tang Yumeng couldn't articulate nor explain.

Bai Yifan gave off the impression of an elegant nobleman, like an aristocratic young master. But Lin Chuan was quite the opposite, this man who was always laughing and carefree, full of vulgar words. However, he had a delicate heart.

With Bai Yifan, she felt as if their interactions were always courteous. Having seen many such refined young masters like Bai Yifan, perhaps due to mingling too much at various parties, she had grown tired of such polished gentlemen. Instead, she was interested in a rough and tumble, unrefined man like Lin Chuan.

"Why?" Bai Yifan asked with a frown, "In what ways am I inferior to him?"

"You are much better than him in many aspects," Tang Yumeng earnestly looked at Bai Yifan, "In terms of family, background, you're streets ahead of Lin Chuan; in terms of looks, temperament, you're also much better than Lin Chuan; in terms of money, capability, you're stronger than Lin Chuan."

"Then why would you choose him over me?" Bai Yifan pressed.

"But what I need is not a man with a good family background, nor one with a vast fortune," said Tang Yumeng, somewhat awkwardly, "I need a true hero, a man who can shoulder responsibilities and embrace the world with his heart."

"Is he that man?" Bai Yifan asked.

"He is," Tang Yumeng nodded, "Maybe everyone knows that the hero of the October bank robbery was Lin Chuan. During the last chemical plant explosion at Pioneer Chemicals, it was Lin Chuan who stepped forward, risking his life to shut the furnace valve, saving Jiangbei City. On our trip to Wujiang, he used his own body to shield me from a deadly bullet. Yifan, if it were you, would you dare to do the same?"

"I..." Bai Yifan was lost for words.

He wouldn't dare to stand up in any of those situations. During the bank robbery, there were four robbers armed with submachine guns, even the police were cautious, and the SWAT teams did not act rashly. How could he, a mere mortal, possibly do anything? Regarding the chemical plant, not to mention going inside to shut the valves, when he heard about the explosion at Pioneer Chemicals, his first reaction was to move back to the provincial capital because there were rumors of a chemical leak, with a pungent air that could threaten life. As for taking a bullet...

In the end, Bai Yifan simply hung his head.

"That's right, you're excellent." Tang Yumeng nodded, "But what I need is not just an outstanding man, I need someone who truly cares for the world and can really protect me."

"I can do that too," Bai Yifan said through clenched teeth, "Who says one has to be reckless to care for the world? If one loses their life, how can they protect you in the future?"

"You don't understand," Tang Yumeng said with a helpless smile.

"You just want to be with him, don't you? Why bother finding so many reasons and excuses?" Bai Yifan said, somewhat annoyed.

"Since that's what you think, then I have nothing more to say," Tang Yumeng said with a calm smile.

Bai Yifan softened his tone, "Xiao Yu, please be with me. Life is long, what's needed is brains, not brute strength. I admit that Lin Chuan has brute strength, but how can a man without brains protect you?"

"Yifan, when looking at someone, we shouldn't view them through tinted glasses," Tang Yumeng said after glancing at him.

"I haven't," Bai Yifan shook his head.

"You've already been blinded by your own anger," Tang Yumeng said solemnly, "You should stay calm."

"Xiao Yu, I am very calm," Bai Yifan said earnestly, "I have never been more calm in my life than at this moment. It's precisely because I'm calm that I understand what I need and I understand what I cannot afford to lose. You are my greatest love; without you, what meaning does my life have?"

"You will find someone better than me," Tang Yumeng glanced at Bai Yifan, then looked down at the coffee on the table, "With your excellence, surely thousands of women are pursuing you. Believe that you will find your true love. Right?"

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