Chapter 4 - She Called Off the Engagement, Should I Cry?

At the dinner table, Chen Fan silently wiped away his tears. He supposed he should be crying, right? After all, the engagement had been called off, though the reason was odd. But as it stood, it seemed like the engagement cancellation had been a success.

Whatever. As long as the engagement was broken, that’s all that mattered.

Jin Lan, sitting nearby, held back her laughter, shaking her head helplessly. She truly felt for Chen Fan. Knowing what was coming and still having to put on an act—he really had it tough.

Chen Tianqiang, Chen Fan’s father, spoke up, “Since your daughter, Lin Qingyue, isn’t interested in my son, I think this engagement …”

Lin Youfu, Lin Qingyue’s father, hurriedly apologized, “I’m sorry, it’s our fault. I’m truly sorry, I apologize.”

Jin Lan coughed lightly and said, “I think what Qingyue said makes sense. Young people today prefer to fall in love on their own. Forced marriages really don’t suit them. Maybe if they spend more time together, sparks will fly?”

Damn, you’re a genius.

Chen Fan silently gave Jin Lan a thumbs up. To be honest, ever since Lin Qingyue had arrived, something had felt off. Normally, the story didn’t develop this way.

Usually, they would start with dinner, during which marriage would be discussed. Then, the male lead would stand up, block Lin Qingyue’s mother’s slap, and loudly rebuke everyone before taking Lin Qingyue away.

But now, they hadn’t even gotten to the meal, and the engagement was already off.

Why did it happen earlier than expected?

Still, it didn’t matter. The show had to go on.

“Uncle, Aunt, this isn’t Qingyue’s fault. I rushed things too much,” Chen Fan said, trying to smooth things over.

Lin Youfu’s wife quickly stood up, saying, “Xiao Fan, thank you. It’s my fault for not raising her properly. I’ll give her a proper scolding when we get home.”

“There’s no need. Let Qingyue do what she likes. Don’t criticize her too harshly,” Chen Fan replied kindly.

“Mom, Dad, since it’s been a while since we all gathered, why don’t we enjoy a nice family meal together?” he added.

Chen Tianqiang looked at his son. The kid’s matured a bit. If it were the past, he’d probably have thrown a fit and sought his parents’ protection.

With some mediation, the atmosphere softened, and everyone began eating and drinking together.

Chen Fan, on the other hand, just ate a little symbolically before heading off to rest.

Taking out his phone, he began writing the second half of today’s diary entry.

[Phew, that was a close one. I thought the engagement cancellation wouldn’t go through, but it did. Finally.]

[That idiot Lin Qingyue, who in their right mind would want to chase after a cold woman like her? If it weren’t for the plot, I wouldn’t even bother.]

[Seriously lacking in brains. She’s actually intrigued by a confession like that.]

[Right, up next, Ye Aotian should start showing off his skills. Soon, some punks will come harass her, and then he’ll fight them off, proudly declaring, “My woman, I’ll protect her.”]

[Pfft, hahaha. What a dumb line. It kills me every time. What’s worse is that idiot Lin Qingyue will actually be curious and excited by it. Ugh, something’s wrong with her brain.]

[If her parents really get blocked by Ye Aotian, and she still has feelings for a guy who disrespects her family, then her moral compass is seriously broken. She’ll ignore her own parents for some stranger?]

After finishing his rant, Chen Fan received his reward.

[Ding! Diary uploaded successfully. Congratulations, Host, you’ve received a reward: Physical Strength +5. Your body has been strengthened.]

Now, this is more like it. Chen Fan flexed his fists, feeling the surge of power in his body. This is what being the protagonist feels like.

Still, it wasn’t something he could use right now. But Chen Fan had discovered something interesting about this world. As long as he followed the plot and did what he was supposed to at the right time, he could do whatever he wanted when it wasn’t time for key events.

Like having some tea, listening to music—little things like that wouldn’t disrupt the plot. After all, it was still a novel, but real life had its own enjoyable moments.

After saying goodbye to his parents, Chen Fan headed off to a familiar haunt.

“Boss, bring me a few entertainers—dancers, singers, whatever. I need a good massage.”

Meanwhile, Lin Qingyue, who was having a late-night snack, was staring at the diary in her hands, deep in thought.

Chen Fan, you’re asking for death, aren’t you?

At that moment, Lin Qingyue really wanted to kill him.

What do you mean I have no morals? And you’re calling me an idiot? How could I possibly be moved by such a greasy confession? And what does his “playing dumb to fool the tiger” act have to do with me?

Lin Qingyue had also received a copy of Chen Fan’s diary. She had thought it was some kind of paranormal event at first. But as she read more, especially the parts about herself, she grew more and more shocked. And then, what Chen Fan had predicted actually started to come true.

She could clearly feel that this guy was just acting. So he didn’t even like her? He was just putting on a fake, pretentious act.

Infuriating!

But then, during dinner, the diary updated again, predicting what was going to happen next.

This made Lin Qingyue suspicious.

Could this really happen?

The diary even indicated that she would encounter some thugs, and Ye Aotian would fight them off before confessing to her again.

How could that be possible?

Lin Qingyue didn’t believe that this world was actually a novel world.

“Hey there, pretty lady. All by yourself?”

Several drunk men surrounded Lin Qingyue.

She looked at them in disbelief. And then, a man appeared. Ye Aotian rushed in and started fighting them.

With a few swift punches, he knocked the men down. The people around gasped in awe, amazed by his strength.

But at that moment, Lin Qingyue felt nothing inside. Knowing exactly what was going to happen took away all the excitement. She now found it all utterly ridiculous.

“My woman, I’ll protect her.”

Ugh.

For the first time, Lin Qingyue felt disgusted.