The entire shift in his demeanor left Yu Ke bewildered and somewhat unnerved! Although she had no idea what Yang Dongtian was thinking, the look in his eyes made her skin crawl!
"Um, Elder Yang..."
Just as Yu Ke was about to get to the point, Yang Dongtian suddenly walked over, grabbed her hand, and pulled her to sit beside him.
"Oh right, the little lass from the Yu family, what's your name?"
Yu Ke, completely taken aback, replied, "Elder Yang, this junior's name is Yu Ke."
"Yu Ke? A good name, simple and memorable. As they say, a person is like their name."
Elder Yang was all smiles now, his attitude exceedingly warm, which made Yu Ke feel rather uneasy.
Could this old man be a pervert? I’ve barely met him, why is he so enthusiastic about me?
Yu Ke’s panic surged. After all, according to rumors, Elder Yang's strength hadn't significantly waned with age; he still firmly held his position as an elder of the Martial Arts Association! If he harbored any ill intentions towards her, Yu Ke felt she wouldn't stand a chance of resisting!
Fortunately, despite Yang Dongtian's warm demeanor, he didn't make any inappropriate advances and maintained a certain distance. After a moment of composure, Yu Ke directly stated her purpose.
"Elder Yang, this junior has a favor to ask of you."
Yang Dongtian's expression froze.
"Aren't you here to see my son?"
"Ah?"
Yu Ke considered it for a moment and said, "You could say I'm here for your son."
Yang Dongtian immediately relaxed. However, Yu Ke's next sentence caused his face to change drastically.
"This junior is here to ask you to let my friend go. The person who injured your son is my friend."
Yang Dongtian shot up from his seat, his voice laced with anger. "Are you saying you came here tonight to plead for a man?"
Yu Ke became a bit confused. Although the situation was indeed as he described, for some reason, when Yang Dongtian put it that way, she felt a strange sensation.
Furthermore, the aura emanating from Yang Dongtian suddenly intensified. The same feeling of being targeted by a wild beast that Huang Zigang had experienced earlier now washed over Yu Ke!
Amidst her confusion, Yu Ke immediately lowered her head, not daring to meet his gaze.
"I'm asking you a question!"
Yu Ke, startled, replied hesitantly, "Yes, yes, I am."
However, as soon as the words left her lips, Yu Ke felt a sudden release. The overwhelming pressure that had made it difficult to breathe vanished.
Yu Ke looked up and saw that Yang Dongtian had regained his calm expression.
"I see, I was overthinking things."
Under Yu Ke's bewildered gaze, Yang Dongtian suddenly walked back and forth in front of her with his hands clasped behind his back.
"Lass, are you married?"
"Not yet," Yu Ke answered honestly.
"Do you have a boyfriend?"
"No..."
Yang Dongtian's eyes lit up again, and he immediately said, "Alright, as long as you agree to marry my son, I won't pursue the matter of your friend any further."
"No!"
This time, it was Yu Ke who shot up from her seat. But realizing her position, she immediately apologized.
"Senior, I apologize, but this is impossible. The reason I fell out with my family is because they arranged a marriage for me..."
Yang Dongtian's brows furrowed. "Who?"
"Huang Zigang of the Huang family."
"I see!"
Yang Dongtian instantly understood the entire situation, a cold smile forming on his lips.
"It's good you escaped; that fellow isn't worthy of you at all!"
Although the person before her was truly terrifying, Yu Ke was also genuinely moved at this moment! She was the first person who had supported her with such conviction since she had fallen out with her family!
However, Yang Dongtian's next sentence caused Yu Ke's impression of him to do a complete 180-degree turn.
"Lass, marry my son; my son is definitely worthy of you!"
Yu Ke chuckled wryly. "Senior, feelings cannot be forced. Otherwise, I would rather die than accept arrangements that do not belong to me."
Yang Dongtian's brows furrowed slightly. After a moment of contemplation, he suddenly nodded. "Indeed, I was too hasty. Feelings still need to be cultivated."
Finally, the old man has come to his senses, Yu Ke secretly breathed a sigh of relief. However, before she could fully exhale, another statement from Yang Dongtian stifled her.
"How about this: as long as you agree to date my son, I will also refrain from pursuing your friend."
"Huh?"
Yu Ke had not expected Yang Dongtian to be so persistent. After a moment of stunned silence, she reiterated her stance, "Elder Yang, this junior means that if there are no feelings, it's impossible to be together, even as a couple."
"Then there's nothing to discuss!"
Yang Dongtian waved his hand dismissively and turned away, clearly leaving no room for negotiation.
Yu Ke stood there, unsure how to speak.
"You may leave. If you don't agree, then have your friend come see me."
Yu Ke's expression changed slightly. At this moment, she suddenly realized she might have done something foolish...
It was possible that Yang Dongtian would use Li Chonglou to suppress her! In other words, what might have been a non-issue could now become a problem!
Thinking of this, Yu Ke felt as though she had caused Li Chonglou harm.
If I hadn't called him to come out...
If I hadn't come to see Elder Yang...
The more she thought about it, the dimmer her expression became. Yet, she ultimately did not agree to Yang Dongtian's terms.
"Senior, please allow me to consider this first."
After speaking, Yu Ke turned and left the ward. Yang Dongtian also turned to watch her retreating figure, a flicker of emotion in his eyes.
Outside the ward, Yu Ke walked down the corridor in a daze, bumping into several people before her attention returned somewhat.
"What should I do? Am I really going to become the girlfriend of someone I've never met?"
Yu Ke's emotions were in extreme turmoil. She was unwilling to accept a fate not of her own choosing, yet she also didn't want Li Chonglou to suffer any misfortune because of her.
Torn and unable to decide, Yu Ke didn't even realize how she had managed to leave the hospital.
Looking at the people hurrying past, Yu Ke suddenly felt that her life was truly terrible; there were always things she couldn't handle that came her way unbidden...
"Life, truly, must..."
Just then, a mobile phone ring interrupted her negative thoughts.
It was Li Chonglou. Yu Ke hesitated for a long time before finally choosing to answer the call.
"Did you find the contact information?"
Yu Ke fell silent.
"Hmm? What's wrong? Did something happen?"