After finishing a small barbecue, Shen Xinyi rode her bike back to town. This was because Lu Fan's parents had returned, and Liu Ruyan, as the deputy town head, could no longer stay in the village. Thus, she openly moved into Lu Fan's home as his girlfriend.
Shen Xinyi had not expected this at all. Liu Ruyan drove Lu Fan's car to and from work, and had also publicly declared her status as Lu Fan's girlfriend. Alas! It was likely that the Liu family hadn't expected this either!
Shen Xinyi rode away, taking Li Jingjing with her. Lu Fan and Liu Ruyan drove back home.
Seeing Liu Ruyan return, Zhao Rongrong happily rushed out, beaming. The women around Lu Fan were all beautiful, and either of them becoming Lu Fan's wife would have pleased the old couple. However, Liu Ruyan was the most capable, so they were naturally the most satisfied!
Zhao Rongrong had been pondering where Liu Ruyan should sleep. To her surprise, Liu Ruyan went into Lu Fan's room and didn't come out. This made Zhao Rongrong both happy and a little embarrassed. Were young people so eager these days?
"Lu Fan! There's something... I should tell you. The Liu family might not agree to our relationship!" Liu Ruyan said, snuggling in Lu Fan's arms, with a hint of apology and worry.
"As long as you are willing, no one can restrain us," Lu Fan replied with a slight smile.
"Fan! The Liu family is not as simple as you think. There are things I can't tell you, but you need to be prepared," Liu Ruyan said with a worried expression. She suddenly tilted her head up, cupped Lu Fan's face with her hands, and leaned in to kiss him.
Lu Fan's heart pounded. He immediately pulled Liu Ruyan into his embrace and met her lips.
*Slap...* Just as they were about to deepen their intimacy, a faint sound, like sand hitting glass in the wind, was heard.
Lu Fan and Liu Ruyan immediately stopped and looked out the window. There wasn't a breath of wind outside...
*Whoosh... Whoosh...* The two pushed open the window and jumped out.
*Hoo...* A figure was seen sprinting towards the back mountain.
"Chase!" Lu Fan and Liu Ruyan dashed after the figure.
At the foot of the back mountain, the figure stopped and slowly turned around. It was Wang Cheng, a retainer of the Liu family.
"Uncle Wang! Is that you?" Liu Ruyan asked, somewhat surprised.
"Alas! Miss! You cannot be with Lu Fan!" Wang Cheng sighed and said.
"But we are already together!" Liu Ruyan stepped forward and held Lu Fan's hand.
"You..." Wang Cheng was almost choked, and after a long pause, he said, "Then... you still have to separate!"
"Hmph! Wang Cheng! You are merely a retainer of the Liu family, and you dare to meddle in the young lady's affairs?" Lu Fan said with a cold laugh. Wang Cheng had not been his match before, and now, Lu Fan could cripple him with ease.
"Lu Fan! Although you cured the young lady's illness, you truly cannot be together!" Wang Cheng sighed. Although he felt that these two young people were a good match, Liu Ruyan still had the Liu family behind her, and her fate was in their hands.
"No one can obstruct our affairs! Uncle Wang! Go back and tell Grandpa that I will comply with the Liu family's requests in all other matters, but my lifelong commitment is my own decision!" Liu Ruyan said firmly from the side.
"Hmph! Ruyan! The Liu family does not tolerate your insolence!" A voice suddenly came from behind a large tree nearby.
"Second Uncle!?" Liu Ruyan was startled. Although she knew it was unlikely that only Wang Cheng would come, she hadn't expected her second uncle to come in person.
*Swish...* Another elder, over sixty years old, emerged from behind another large tree. The elder had bright eyes and an imposing aura, clearly indicating he was a master.
"Ruyan! You must separate from this brat. If you refuse, I will take you back today!" Liu Lanfeng said angrily.
"Second Uncle, I am not a chess piece of the Liu family to be manipulated by others. If you force me to obey you, I would rather leave the Liu family!" Liu Ruyan's eyes flashed with a cold light. She would not let anyone break her relationship with Lu Fan.
"Hmph! You dare to disobey Second Uncle's words? Do you really want your father to come himself?" Liu Lanfeng said, even more enraged.
"I am a member of the Liu family and am willing to work for the Liu family. However, my lifelong commitment is my own, and I will not be a pawn. Even if my father comes, I will not agree!" Liu Ruyan gritted her teeth and said.
"Wang Cheng! Take her back!" Liu Lanfeng said furiously to Wang Cheng.
"Miss! Forgive me!" Wang Cheng said, then lunged forward to grab Liu Ruyan's wrist.
*Slap...* Liu Ruyan suddenly raised her hand and slapped Wang Cheng. *Whoosh...* Wang Cheng was dazed by the blow and stumbled back two steps.
A look of shock flashed in Wang Cheng's eyes. He hadn't expected Liu Ruyan to move so quickly, nor to possess such strength. How could her martial arts have improved so drastically in just a few days?
"Useless!" Liu Lanfeng glared fiercely at Wang Cheng and then signaled to the elder. Since Liu Ruyan was disobedient, they would first teach this brat a lesson to force Liu Ruyan to comply.
*Whoosh...* The elder lunged towards Lu Fan and struck at his shoulder.
"Hmph!" Lu Fan snorted coldly, standing still.
*Slap...* The elder's hand landed on Lu Fan's shoulder, and his expression suddenly changed. He felt as if his hand had struck stone, and it sent a slight pain through his own hand.
"Scram..." Lu Fan suddenly shrugged his shoulder. The elder felt a powerful force surge towards him, causing him to stagger back three or four steps!
"No one can force Ruyan to do anything! Including you!" Lu Fan said coldly to Liu Lanfeng. "You are all relatives of Ruyan. Don't force me to do things I don't want to do."
"Hmph! You will regret this. Let's go!" Liu Lanfeng, his face extremely grim at the unexpected outcome, snorted and turned to leave.
"Xiao Fan!" Liu Ruyan turned and threw herself into Lu Fan's arms. She suddenly felt a sense of grievance and wanted to vent.
"Ruyan! Don't worry! No one can force you to do anything!" Lu Fan reached out, picked up Liu Ruyan, and *whoosh whoosh whoosh...* carried her back to the courtyard. However, he didn't dare to return to his own room, but went directly to the small clinic...
"Fan... why aren't we going back?" Liu Ruyan asked, not understanding.
"The old house isn't soundproof! Hehe!" Lu Fan said with a chuckle.
"Pah... Shameless!" Liu Ruyan's pretty face immediately flushed red. She felt her whole body go weak and buried her head in Lu Fan's embrace.