Chapter 123: Extra- Childhood Sweethearts (10)

Duan Ling stared straight ahead, his peripheral vision catching Lin Ting’s expressive face. 

“According to the plan you suggested, we can only delay the matchmaking for a few years. After that, we’ll have to think of another way to refuse the introductions. But if we marry, we can put an end to it once and for all.”

Lin Ting fell into thought.

What he said wasn’t without reason.

A few years later, when they were a bit older, Li Jingqiu would definitely grow more anxious about her marriage.

It wouldn’t be surprising if the classic scenario of “threatening to die to force a daughter into marriage” appeared.

Modern-day marriage pressure was already rampant; ancient times were even worse.

Though Lin Ting didn’t agree with it, she understood why such things happened.

After all, every era and person had different mindsets.

If Li Jingqiu weren’t a good mother, Lin Ting would have left her and disappeared.

But aside from being old-fashioned in thought, Li Jingqiu was a genuinely good mother—someone Lin Ting could never just cut ties with.

And since she couldn’t convince her mother otherwise, she had to face the daily, relentless pressure to marry.

Lin Ting had once considered “fake marriage” as a strategy.

But that plan was dangerous.

If she ended up with someone who seemed manageable on the surface but was actually scheming, he might break their three main agreements, use their spousal status to harm her, or secretly siphon off her wealth.

The former was unlikely, since Lin Ting could make anyone regret crossing her.

Who would hurt whom was uncertain.

But the latter was hard to guard against.

After marriage, every penny she earned legally belonged to the “common marital property.”

So she never thought about fake marriage again.

However, if the fake marriage partner was Duan Ling, her worries would be resolved.

They had grown up together, knew each other’s roots and secrets, had no romantic feelings for anyone else, and initially didn’t plan to marry.

Duan Ling’s world was all about his work; hers was about earning money.

Neither interfered with the other.

Their fake marriage wouldn’t be for money or appearances, but for a common purpose: avoiding parental matchmaking pressure.

Most importantly, Duan Ling was wealthier than her.

He would never covet her wealth.

Looking at it this way, fake marriage with Duan Ling was a good choice—an ultimate solution.

Lin Ting confirmed by asking, “You mean we fake marry?”

Duan Ling didn’t answer directly.

Instead, he said, “Marriage isn’t a small matter. I know you need some time to think it through.”

Lin Ting hesitated for a moment.

Her gaze darted uncontrollably, “I do need some time to think.” 

She had only planned to pretend to like each other for a while to avoid matchmaking.

She hadn’t thought about actually marrying to escape it forever.

Her mind was a little scrambled.

“How many days do you want to consider?”

She held out one hand, “Three days. Give me three days to think.”

Duan Ling agreed, “Okay.”

Lin Ting said no more and continued watching the acrobatics.

As she watched, her mind wandered somewhere unknown.

Even after the show ended, she still stood there, arms crossed, motionless.

He observed her reaction carefully, waited a moment, then gently reminded her, “It’s over. Do you want to go see something else?”

Snapping back to reality, she realized the crowd had dispersed except for them, still unmoving.

“There’s a sword swallowing performance up ahead. Let’s go watch.”

With that, Lin Ting stepped forward.

Duan Ling grabbed her wrist from behind, warmth radiating from his touch.

Lin Ting turned to look.

He didn’t let go; instead, he tightened his grip, signaling her to watch the crowd ahead.

“There are many people up front. We could get separated easily.”

She didn’t pull away and continued walking.

Not far off, a man in purple, unable to hear their exchange but seeing them tugging at each other, scowled and turned to Xie Qinghe.

“You have to tell Aunty to cancel your matchmaking with Seventh Miss Lin today. A woman who keeps two boats afloat doesn’t deserve to enter the Xie Family.”

Xie Qinghe averted his gaze and said, “We haven’t confirmed any engagement. We only agreed to meet. Seventh Miss Lin wants to associate with whoever she wishes. I have no right to interfere. How can you say she’s two-timing?”

The man rubbed his forehead, “Xie Wu, I think you’re blinded by lard.”

“I’m just speaking honestly,” Xie Qinghe said seriously.

“Besides, there’s no such thing as deserving or undeserving in this world—only liking or not liking.”

The man rolled his eyes.

Xie Qinghe was well protected by the Xie Family and spent all his days studying, which made him a bit naive.

His thoughts were overly simple.

“Do you like Seventh Miss Lin?” the man asked thoughtfully.

“I heard from Aunty that you refused all previous matchmakings for her, but this time you agreed.”

Xie Qinghe was silent for a long moment before whispering, “A graceful lady is the perfect match for a gentleman.”

The man was dumbfounded.

“What does she have to do with a graceful lady? I just saw her slap you across the room. That’s not graceful—it’s crude and unworthy. She’s not a good match.”

Xie Qinghe: “…”

He blushed, “I wasn’t actually thrown. Don’t spread lies.”

The man, knowing Xie Qinghe was thin-skinned, corrected himself, “Fine, you weren’t thrown but knocked to the ground by Seventh Miss Lin.”

Xie Qinghe said nothing.

The man earnestly advised, “There are plenty of fish in the sea. I don’t think Seventh Miss Lin suits you. You should find someone else.”

He was met with stubborn resistance.

“Don’t bother persuading me. A few days from now, I’ll still go to Nan Shan Pavilion to meet Seventh Miss Lin.”

The man groaned, “Do you even know who the man by her side is? Are you confident you can win against him?” 

Although he didn’t know the man, the man’s high status was obvious.

Charisma couldn’t be faked.

Xie Qinghe replied, “He is the second son of the Duan Family and also the Imperial Guard’s Deputy Commander.”

Hearing “second son of the Duan Family” made the man want to give up even more.

Everyone knew the Imperial Guard had more tricks than a sieve.

Even if the Xie Family had high status at court, they couldn’t prevent the Imperial Guard from making things difficult for them in front of the emperor.

Frustrated, he said, “She already has someone she likes. Why bother with matchmaking?”

Xie Qinghe shook his head, “They’re not the kind of relationship you think. They’re just childhood friends, a bit close, that’s all.”

The man laughed at his naivety, “You call that a bit close? Xie Wu, stop deceiving yourself. I don’t think they’re just friends at all. If you end up with Seventh Miss Lin, be careful she doesn’t cheat on you with that man.”

Meanwhile, Lin Ting, watching the sword swallowing, sneezed twice in a row.

Who was speaking ill of her?

She rubbed her nose, and the Agarwood scent from the Incense Sachet in her sleeve kept flowing out, easing the discomfort from the sneezing.

She couldn’t help but glance at the sachet’s owner and noticed Duan Ling now wore a new Incense Sachet at his waist—identical in color and shape to hers.

Carrying the same sachets, their scents were very similar.

Outsiders would assume they were very close.

This had been part of Lin Ting’s plan all along.

But for some reason, the Agarwood’s scent now brought an indescribable feeling.

Was it from that kiss?

Wait, why was she thinking about their so-called kiss again?

Lin Ting shook her head sharply.

Noticing her gaze, Duan Ling smiled and asked, “Do you want this sachet too?”

Lin Ting looked back at the performance nearby.

“No, one is enough for the act. I was just curious how many identical sachets you have.” 

Agarwood was precious, but to him, it seemed like he could have as many as he wanted.

Hearing her, Duan Ling put down his hands, casually saying, “I have hundreds of sachets ready in my room.”

She finally understood why Duan Ling always smelled so good since childhood.

He was basically raised surrounded by Agarwood. 

“Hundreds of sachets? The total of Linguan’s and mine doesn’t even come close to yours.”

Duan Ling looked at her profile and said, “If you ever need sachets in the future, just ask me.”

Lin Ting’s eyes lit up, “You said that yourself, it’s a promise. No backing out.”

Thinking about how much money she’d save on incense and how she could use precious Agarwood, she pushed that strange feeling aside.

He raised his eyes and replied, “Have I ever broken a promise?”

She smiled and said, “Okay, I know you always keep your word. To show my thanks, I’ll buy two jars of Autumn Dew White wine and send them to your Manor. How’s that? Am I being loyal enough?”

Duan Ling’s eyelashes twitched slightly.

Autumn Dew White was one of the more expensive wines in Jingcheng.

She was really willing to buy two jars for him…

But Lin Ting treated the two siblings equally.

Besides giving different birthday gifts, she always bought things in pairs.

Perhaps Duan Xinning would get some too.

Thinking of this, his mood lightened a bit and he asked casually, “Are those two jars just for me, or will Linguan get some too?”

Lin Ting had spent too much this month and needed to balance her budget.

“The two jars are just for you this time. I’ll buy some for Duan Xinning next month.”

Duan Ling looked her in the eyes, “Really?”

“Why would I lie to you?” 

The sword swallowing act ended, and Lin Ting pulled him away.

As the sunset’s afterglow faded, Duan Ling escorted Lin Ting back to the Lin Mansion.

Just as they arrived at the gate, Li Jingqiu stepped out of the Manor.

Whether by coincidence or because she had someone watch the front was unclear.

Lin Ting hurried over, “It’s getting late. Are you going out?”

Li Jingqiu said calmly, “I’m not going out. I just happened to pass by the gate and saw the Duan Family’s carriage parked here. I guessed you were back. Did you have a good time today?”

“We did, quite enjoyable.” Lin Ting exchanged a glance with Duan Ling.

Li Jingqiu looked at Duan Ling, her gaze lingering on the half-exposed pink handkerchief at his waist.

Such an ugly handkerchief could only have been embroidered by Lin Ting.

For Duan Ling to carry such an ugly handkerchief, he must really like Lin Ting—not like the playboys of Jingcheng who only toyed around.

Li Jingqiu smiled brightly, “Ziyu, thank you for escorting Leyun today. Want to come in for tea before you leave?”

Lin Ting subtly shook her head where Li Jingqiu couldn’t see and gestured toward the Duan Family’s carriage.

“I still have things to do. I won’t come in this time. I’ll visit another day.”

Duan Ling didn’t stay long.

He greeted Li Jingqiu politely and turned to leave.

Lin Ting didn’t enter the Mansion immediately.

After the carriage had left, Li Jingqiu said, “You don’t have to meet with Xie Wu Gongzi anymore. I’ll go to the Xie Family tomorrow to make that clear.”

She asked knowingly, “Why?”

Li Jingqiu grabbed Lin Ting’s ear and pulled her into the Manor, whispering where only they could hear, “What’s going on between you and Ziyu?”

Lin Ting played along, “What are you talking about? I don’t understand a word.”

“Still not confessing?”

She kept up the act, “Confess to what? I really don’t understand.”

Li Jingqiu closed the door after entering the courtyard and said, “I followed you two to Lianxin Lake this morning. I saw everything. Do you think you can hide it from me?”

Lin Ting feigned surprise, then flushed red, “You… you saw?”

Some people don’t want to believe what they hear from others but do believe what they see with their own eyes.

Li Jingqiu was exactly that kind of person.

“Didn’t I ask if you had someone you liked before? Why didn’t you say anything then?”

Lin Ting opened her eyes wide and lied, “I just found it a bit strange. After all, Duan Ling and I grew up together. Suddenly, we went from friends to…”

She left the sentence hanging.

“Foolish child.” Li Jingqiu tapped her forehead.

“If you like him, then you like him. Why worry so much? I won’t oppose it.”

Lin Ting suppressed the smile tugging at her lips, “Oh, I know.”

***

Night fell with clouds covering the sky, casting dim light.

Lin Ting bathed and went to bed but woke up abruptly in the middle of the night.

Perhaps because she had lost her first kiss, she had her first ever erotic dream.

In the dream, a person whose face she couldn’t see kissed her, then licked her lower…

Actually, Lin Ting thought having an erotic dream was quite normal, but her heart still raced and her body grew warm because of it.