"Cough cough cough..."
Lin Fan almost choked to death on a piece of pastry when Liu Lingfei spoke, hastily turning to grab a drink, finally swallowing the morsel down.
Liu Lingfei quickly patted Lin Fan’s back with concern.
"Is your brain okay? I get that other people might plot and scheme, but that’s your own family’s property. Do you really want to turn into a thief in your own home? Even taking one or two pieces, let alone one, would get me thrown in jail for good."
Lin Fan had managed to swallow the pastry and then looked at Liu Lingfei helplessly.
How could she think of sending him to prison upon just meeting?
"Don’t worry, how could I ever let you end up in jail?"
Liu Lingfei laughed playfully.
"I know you want to thank me for saving your life, but when I saved you, it wasn’t for this. Just invite me to a meal and say thank you, that’s enough. Plus, you already gave me your first kiss that day; we’re even now. There’s really no need for formalities. If you still think it’s not enough...well, I can just take the leftovers to go."
Lin Fan looked at Liu Lingfei’s beautiful face and stunning figure. She was proactive and certainly attractive, but he dared not mess with a woman of such illustrious family background. Even if she was willing to be one of his many women, her family would never tolerate such a thing. A fallout could easily lead to him being dumped in a lake. That was a consequence he absolutely could not afford.
"What use is taking these things? I know the vault password and can come and go as I please. After we eat, let’s go to the vault. You can pick out ten or so valuable pieces, and then we can escape by yacht."
Liu Lingfei, excited, pulled on Lin Fan’s arm. "I’ve calculated it already. Just five days of sailing and we can leave the country. Then we’ll find a dock to land, I have hundreds of thousands of US dollars prepared. That should be enough for us to flee to America. After that, we can sell these items and have enough to live on for the rest of our lives."
"Escape... to another country..."
Looking at Liu Lingfei’s serious expression, Lin Fan widened his eyes. "Did you get water in your brain when you fell into the water the other day? Why are you talking nonsense?"
"I’m not spouting nonsense. I want to elope with you. Elopement costs money; taking some things from my own house—what’s the issue?"
Liu Lingfei’s words made Lin Fan laugh despite himself. "I’m living perfectly fine here in the country. Why would I need to flee? Besides, why should we... elope?"
"Because my parents don’t agree with my proposal to offer myself to you, so eloping is the only way. Didn’t I ask you before? You said you’re not married. Once we flee the country, can’t we get married?"
Liu Lingfei’s confident demeanor was both infuriating and amusing. Naïve could be one word for her, given she had an entire plan laid out, but to say she was smart—wasn’t elopement supposed to be based on mutual love and reliance?
"Miss Liu, let’s not joke around. Whether I’m married or not, what does that have to do with us eloping? Including today, we’ve only met three times. You don’t even really know who I am..."
Lin Fan tried to console her but was interrupted by Liu Lingfei. "I know you’re a good person. You’ve saved me twice. What’s wrong with offering myself to you in gratitude?"
"Who says a good person is necessarily suitable for marriage? There are plenty of good people in the world; does that mean all of them should marry you? I just happen to know how to swim and stumbled upon you drowning—that’s why I helped. That alone doesn’t mean anything. Besides, it’s not just your parents who disapprove—I disapprove, too!"
Lin Fan held Liu Lingfei’s round shoulders as he spoke. "I appreciate your gratitude, and I’d be happy if you just invite me for a meal. As for other things, just stop daydreaming."
"What do you mean you disapprove? Is it because I’m ugly or have a bad figure? Why wouldn’t you agree?"
As expected, a rich girl thinks quite straightforwardly. In Liu Lingfei’s mind, Lin Fan had no reason to refuse her.
"You’re beautiful, you have a great figure, and your personality is sweet. You’re definitely one in a hundred, a good woman. But we’re not from the same world. Your world should be carefree, with fine food and drinks at your disposal. I’m just an ordinary person with a normal life. Our values are completely different. You study arts and appreciate life; I studied civil engineering and work for a living. We don’t even have a common topic to talk about. So, no matter if I’m a good person or not, that doesn’t mean I’d be a good husband."
Lin Fan explained patiently, but from the look in Liu Lingfei’s eyes, she didn’t accept his rationale.
"I can change for you. As long as I’m with you, I can even study civil engineering. I can learn anything you’re interested in. After all, you’ve saved me twice; my life belongs to you!"
"It’s not about life or death, love is complicated. Don’t be so eager... we can communicate slowly. You’ll soon realize, I’m really not suitable to be your husband."
Lin Fan held Liu Lingfei’s shoulders, but before he could finish, she cut him off. "There’s no time for slow communication. If we don’t elope soon, I’ll be married off!"