"Don't say that, they're a pair of orphans and widows, quite pitiable, with no man in the house. A lot of things are inconvenient for them. Besides, as neighbors, it's just a small favor, nothing to make a big fuss about, right?" Hao Jian said. If it weren't for Sister Lan taking him in, he probably would have had to sleep on the streets.
At that time, he was pretty foolish too, getting pickpocketed right after getting off the plane, losing his wallet with all his bank cards and cash. The idea that the mighty God of Death had his wallet stolen by a pickpocket would be enough to make countless people laugh their heads off.
Back then, Sister Lan saw Hao Jian squatting downstairs at her building, smoking and catching the breeze. She called him into her home, prepared food for him, and arranged a place for him to stay; she even let him live there rent-free for the first month. Hao Jian has always remembered this kindness.
Hao Jian didn't overthink it like Shu Ya, although he had spied on Sister Lan, he never thought about starting anything with her.
How could he have the heart to bully them when they were already in such a vulnerable position?
"In that case, why don't I introduce a boyfriend to her?" Shu Ya suggested.
Sister Lan didn't have a man, so introducing a boyfriend to her would give her someone to rely on, and perhaps she wouldn't cling to Hao Jian anymore?
"This, isn't that a bit inappropriate?"
Hao Jian felt something was off about this. Sister Lan had been single for so many years without a man, there must be a reason. Introducing a boyfriend to her seemed quite presumptuous, didn't it?
"What's wrong with that? Didn't you say it yourself, that it's inconvenient for her without a man in the house? She can't stay single forever, can she?" Shu Ya crossed her arms and stared at Hao Jian with a sneer:
"Or is it that you have some improper thoughts about her?"
Hao Jian hurriedly defended himself. What a joke, Sister Lan treated him like a younger brother, and he just saw her as an older sister, nothing more.
Of course, occasionally peeping at Sister Lan taking a bath was one of Hao Jian's greatest joys!
"Then why are you so fiercely opposed? She herself hasn't even objected yet." Shu Ya huffed, convinced that this guy definitely had some ulterior motive.
"I just think it's a bit presumptuous for us outsiders to do this, and Sister Lan would probably find it very strange," Hao Jian shared his doubts with Shu Ya.
"And, you know, she hasn't remarried for all these years, I guess it has to do with Tongtong. I think she's worried that finding another man might not be good for Tongtong."
"That's easy, then we just find someone good to Tongtong," Shu Ya said nonchalantly.
"It's not that easy." How many men can truly not care when it comes to marrying someone with a kid?
"Hey, I feel like you're always opposing me!" Shu Ya got a bit angry.
"No, you might be overthinking it," Hao Jian said with a wry smile.
"Alright, I'll leave this task to you, but you must ask Sister Lan for her opinion. You can't just do whatever you want, got it?"
"Don't worry, I have a sense of it."
Shu Ya replied cheerily and then nodded, starting to think about how to set Sister Lan up with someone while snickering to herself now and then.
Watching this, Hao Jian just shook his head and said no more.
Upon arriving at the company, no sooner had Shu Ya stepped out of the car than a man approached her.
The man wore a purple suit, his hair slicked back, a confident smile on his face, exuding a grand and graceful presence.
Seeing this person, Shu Ya's expression showed slight impatience: "Zhao Ziliang, what are you doing here?"
Hao Jian had also gotten out of the car and immediately recognized the man in front of him as the one he had shared an elevator with before.
"Shu Ya, do you have time for lunch today? I'd like to take you out to eat."
Zhao Ziliang pretended not to see the expression on Shu Ya's face and asked cheerfully.
His expression appeared sincere and genuine, as well as naive—something most women would likely find difficult to refuse.
But Shu Ya wasn't most women, she coldly replied, "I don't have time, not now, not ever. Don't come back again."
Then, she pushed past Zhao Ziliang and headed straight for the elevator.
How strange, she thought. She could maintain her composure and clarity with Zhao Ziliang, so why couldn't she keep her cool when faced with Hao Jian?
What in the world was this!
"I won't give up. I'll come to your company to find you from now on. If not today, then tomorrow; if not tomorrow, then the day after. I believe that one day you'll be moved by my true feelings," Zhao Ziliang shouted at Shu Ya's retreating figure.
Hao Jian curled his lips in a mockingly astonished expression, not expecting Zhao Ziliang to be so persistent.
He thought: Rich, handsome, and so devoted—what woman wouldn't want such a man? They've all but gone extinct in this world.
So, this fool is definitely not that kind of man!
Upon hearing this, Shu Ya stopped in her tracks, and seeing her reaction, Zhao Ziliang's face lit up with surprise, thinking maybe his words had touched her.
The next moment, Shu Ya turned around and walked back, staring straight at Zhao Ziliang.
"Shu Ya," Zhao Ziliang said with a gentle smile, calling her name.
"Do you realize that you're being a bit too zealous with your affection?" Shu Ya mocked.
Zhao Ziliang's smile stiffened, but he feigned confusion as he looked at Shu Ya.
"With your looks and wealth, women must be throwing themselves at you, which probably also fosters a strong sense of confidence, maybe even arrogance. Yet, here you are, deigning to chase after me, unfazed and devoted no matter how much I push you away—it's beyond reason," Shu Ya taunted.
Zhao Ziliang's acting wasn't bad, but he had overdone it.
Which fool would pursue a woman he might not even win, risking insult, when countless others freely offered themselves?
Shu Ya certainly wasn't narcissistic enough to believe she could make a man fall so madly in love with her.
If Zhao Ziliang was going to such lengths, he must have an ulterior motive!
"Shu Ya, you can doubt my sincerity, but I absolutely won't allow you to trample on it!" Zhao Ziliang feigned anger in his response.
"You claim you're sincere; alright then, prove it. Transfer all the companies under your father's name to me, and I'll believe you're sincere. Plus, I'll agree to marry you. How's that?" Shu Ya asked, smiling.
"This..." Zhao Ziliang hesitated, naturally, he was thinking of an excuse to counter.
Then, with a spark of indignation, he said, "No need, if I can't have your heart, I don't want such a marriage!"
Hao Jian blinked, at a loss for words to describe his feelings; he felt as if ten thousand Caonima were galloping through his heart.
This act, he'd give it a hundred points!