Divorce Only Makes a Son-in-Law Stronger-Chapter 66. Each harboring their own schemes
"Have you had your fill of staring? This man is the genuine Prince of Sha Country!"
Stubborn Su Gang suppressed the suspicion in his heart and quickly put his phone away. Yet, he couldn’t help but steal a few more glances at Lin Fan.
Perhaps I’m just overthinking this? Who else could appear at such a major state event if not someone of immense status? Not to mention, that man was clearly a personal bodyguard for a member of the Sha Country Royal Family. Lin Fan? What qualifications could he possibly have for a job like that!
"Yuan Youwei, Taozi, surely you believe me now? My return this time is genuinely for the good of the Yuan family." 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦
Seeing that everyone was stunned, their expressions turning a little unnatural, Yuan Ruohai relaxed and softened his tone. "Our Yuan family may be known as the most powerful family in Haicheng, but we’ve hit a bottleneck. If we want to break out of the Southwest provinces and stand on equal footing with those super-families in the Imperial Capital, we need a massive opportunity!"
He glanced at the silent Yuan Youwei and let out a humorless chuckle. "Youwei, I know you’re still worried that I, your dear second uncle, will snatch your position as the heir. But you can rest easy this time. My sights are set on Sha Country. Those people truly own mines—they’re disgustingly rich!"
At these words, everyone’s expression shifted.
Just imagine, if the Yuan family managed to build a connection with the Sha Country Royal Family... wouldn’t any future collaboration make them an absolute fortune?
Yuan Youwei bit her red lip and suddenly turned to Lin Fan. "Lin Fan, you’re the only one I trust. Tell me... is he really the Prince of Sha Country?"
"...He did mistake me for someone else, but his identity as a prince is real," Lin Fan admitted after a moment of silence.
He didn’t want to reveal his own identity, but he didn’t want to lie to Yuan Youwei either. The photograph had dredged up memories of the past.
Seven years ago, Lin Fan was ordered to return to the Imperial Capital from the frontline in the Northern Territory to participate in a military parade. Due to the large number of foreign dignitaries in attendance, he was temporarily assigned to be the Captain of the Guard for a member of the Sha Country Royal Family. It was during this time that he met Xiao Jie and his sister, Abdullah Adele, eventually becoming close friends with Adele.
But fate is a cruel mistress. Shortly after the ceremony, a heaven-shattering catastrophe struck. The beasts from the Ying family framed his mother, Lin Suxin, forcing her to fake her death to escape. As for Lin Fan himself, he was poisoned by a mysterious individual with the Seven-Core Deadly Lotus. From then on, he changed his name and hid his identity, vanishing from the world...
The tides of time had washed over his memories, leaving them blurred. Looking at the photo of his seven-year-younger self, a heavy weight settled in his heart, and for a moment, he felt like he was looking at a complete stranger.
That’s right. I might as well consider the person I once was to have died seven years ago.
Seeing Lin Fan momentarily lost in a daze before falling silent, Yuan Youwei gritted her teeth and nodded. "Alright. You say he’s real, so I’ll believe you."
"Miss, this is a very serious matter. We still have to—" Mrs. Xue started to say, but a look from Yuan Youwei silenced her.
"Now you have nothing left to say, do you? Lin Fan is constantly at odds with us, yet even he has to admit the Prince’s identity is real!"
Yuan Ruohai and Stubborn Su Gang exchanged a surprised glance.
Why would Lin Fan say that? Well, who cares? As long as Xiao Jie’s identity as a prince is confirmed, everything else will fall into place!
"I’m not interested in this batch of lumber anymore. You can do whatever you want with it," Yuan Ruohai said, waving his hand magnanimously toward the pile of high-quality wood in the warehouse. He was done butting heads with Lin Fan. The pressing matter was to get home and convince the old man to cough up the money!
Just then, Stubborn Su Gang checked his phone, his face lighting up with excitement. "Your Highness, my family has already booked a table at the Hilton International Hotel. They’re inviting us to join them for dinner!"
Yuan Ruohai was taken aback for a second. After his expression flickered through several changes, he nodded in agreement. "Old Su, you take His Highness there. I need to head home."
Turning his head, he gave Yuan Youwei and her group a humorless smile. "Youwei, Taozi, you’re both coming back with me. The old man will need you as witnesses."
"Great! Dad, you’ve rendered a great service this time. Grandpa will definitely let you stay now!" Yuan Tao said, a wave of relief washing over him.
"What about you? Are you coming back with us?" Yuan Youwei didn’t answer her brother, instead looking hopefully at Lin Fan.
The funeral is over, so he has no reason to stay at the Yuan residence anymore. What excuse can I find to keep spending time with this jerk?
"I’m the Prince’s Chief Security Advisor. I have to stay by his side." Meeting her beautiful eyes, which were filled with silent reproach and sorrow, Lin Fan steeled his heart and looked away.
I can’t just abandon Xiao Jie to please Yuan Youwei, can I?
"No way! Absolutely not! Who the hell do you think you are, Lin Fan? How dare you show your face to Mengqing and the others!"
Before the crestfallen Yuan Youwei could even speak, it was Stubborn Su Gang who exploded, pointing at Lin Fan and furiously berating him, spittle flying.
"If Lin Fan isn’t going, then I’m not going either."
Lin Fan didn’t reply, simply glancing at Xiao Jie. The boy stiffened, instantly understood, and shook his head vehemently at Stubborn Su Gang.
"But... but... Your Highness, Lin Fan is no good! It’s better not to keep him around!" Stubborn Su Gang panicked, desperately trying to signal Xiao Jie with his eyes. However, the boy’s face was set with determination. He staunchly refused to yield, making him seem even closer to Lin Fan.
So, they really do know each other! That whole string of gibberish earlier must have been them reaching some kind of agreement! On the surface, they pretended to have mistaken each other and acted like strangers, but it was all part of a larger scheme!
At this, Stubborn Su Gang’s and Yuan Ruohai’s hearts sank, their faces twisting as if they’d just swallowed a fly.
No wonder Lin Fan acted so out of character to protect Xiao Jie. He was covering for an old acquaintance! This is a real pain... We both know Xiao Jie’s true identity. But if we anger Lin Fan and he exposes everything on the spot, it’s all over!
The two men secretly sucked in a sharp breath and exchanged a quick look.
There’s no other way. For the sake of the money, we’ll just have to hold our noses and accept Lin Fan’s absurd claim of being the Chief Security Advisor!
"Fine, then. Since His Highness insists, I have nothing more to say," Stubborn Su Gang finally agreed with a sullen nod.
With that, the group left the lumber warehouse and parted ways at the wood mill’s entrance. Yuan Ruohai got into Yuan Tao’s car with Yuan Youwei, and they drove toward the Yuan family estate. This left Stubborn Su Gang to lead Xiao Jie and Lin Fan toward the bus stop across the street.
"...This is how you treat His Highness?" Lin Fan asked, completely fed up. He looked speechlessly at Stubborn Su Gang, whose ears were beet-red as he stood by the bus stop.
"Hmph, His Highness is just temporarily down on his luck. What’s the big deal?" Stubborn Su Gang grumbled, before his eyes suddenly lit up. "Your Highness, the bus is here!"
He called out to Xiao Jie with a beaming smile, but then he seemed to remember something. His expression shifted as he glared at Lin Fan. "You were the one who insisted on shamelessly tagging along. So you can be the one to pay the six-yuan bus fare!"
"Are you so broke you’ve gone mad? You can’t even afford a bus ticket?" Lin Fan’s mouth twitched as he boarded the bus and scanned his phone to pay the fare.
He couldn’t care less about what happened to Stubborn Su Gang. However, it seemed the man didn’t actually know Xiao Jie’s true identity and was just treating him as a look-alike. Lin Fan’s interest was piqued.
I’m curious to see how Stubborn Su Gang will torment Su Mengqing and her family this time. Letting them tear each other apart like a pack of dogs... Now that would be a satisfying spectacle!
