Do you want to get back together with him, or be with me?

“Let go.”

Lu Tingyuan’s gaze landed coldly on the spot where Lu Weian held Ji Qingran’s wrist, sharp and biting like ice.

Lu Weian met his eyes without a hint of fear, showing no intention of releasing his grip.

“Ranran and I were engaged,” he said deliberately, a mocking smile slowly curling at the corner of his mouth. “Lu Tingyuan, she was almost your sister-in-law.”

“Lu Weian, shut up!” Ji Qingran suddenly looked up, her face pale, voice trembling with anger.

She struggled desperately to break free from Lu Weian’s grasp but found him holding on like a vise, leaving her no chance to escape.

“What exactly do you want?” Ji Qingran glared fiercely at Lu Weian, her eyes reddened with fury.

“Your fiancée has been replaced. Can you just stop showing up in front of me?” he sneered.

She could guess the Ji family’s real intention in bringing her back—to use her as a stepping stone for Ji Wanrou, making the world believe Ji Wanrou was the cherished heiress of the Ji family.

And Lu Weian? A man who betrayed his engagement—what right did he have to act so devoted in front of her?

More disgusting than the Ji family themselves!

“Ranran, if I told you I regretted it, would you believe me?”

Lu Weian’s grip tightened. Ignoring Lu Tingyuan’s steady approach, his eyes softened as they fixed on Ji Qingran’s face. “I’ve regretted it for a long time.”

“Lu Weian,” Lu Tingyuan stepped closer, his voice so low it was almost inaudible, yet it carried a bone-chilling coldness, “I’ll count to three. Let go of my girlfriend.”

“Girlfriend?” Lu Weian sneered, full of disdain. “When did my fiancée become your girlfriend? Even if you want to fight me for everything—”

“Bang!”

Before he could finish, Lu Tingyuan’s heavy fist smashed into his face, cutting off his words abruptly.

Blood seeped from the corner of Lu Weian’s mouth.

Lu Tingyuan ignored it, grabbing Lu Weian’s wrist and twisting it hard until he released Ji Qingran.

“Come here.”

He pulled her into his arms, not caring whether she could stand steady or not, carrying her sideways and forcing her into the car. The door slammed shut with a bang as they sped away.

No words were spoken all the way.

Lu Tingyuan’s expression was terrifyingly cold, his knuckles white from gripping the steering wheel tightly. The atmosphere inside the car was suffocating.

Ji Qingran sat in the passenger seat, wanting to explain several times but unable to find the words.

Everyone in Jiang City knew about the discord between Lu Tingyuan and his half-brother. If there was one sure way to enrage him quickly, it was to get entangled with Lu Weian.

She was caught up because of Lu Weian and had silently cursed him a hundred times in her heart.

“I didn’t ask Lu Weian out; he—”

Ji Qingran was about to explain when Lu Tingyuan slammed on the brakes. Unprepared, she hit her forehead hard against the car door, stars flashing before her eyes.

“Get out.”

He took her to his apartment.

Their once-agreed marital home.

It was also where he now lived with Su Yiyi.

Ji Qingran had dark memories of this place and refused to get out as he wished.

Lu Tingyuan said nothing further, silently unbuckling his seatbelt.

He got out, circled around, opened her door, unfastened her seatbelt, and lifted her from the seat with such force that she couldn’t resist.

“Lu Tingyuan, are you crazy?” Ji Qingran struggled angrily.

But he acted as if he didn’t hear her, even seeming annoyed by her resistance, carrying her all the way into the apartment.

The door slammed shut with a bang. Ji Qingran was thrown onto the sofa.

Before she could get up, he gripped her wrist tightly, causing her to wince in pain. “Lu Tingyuan, let go.”

“What, Lu Weian can touch you, but I can’t?”

Lu Tingyuan leaned over, exerting absolute dominance, pinning her to the corner of the sofa. His hands framed her body, trapping her between him and the sofa.

“I heard the Ji family took you back. I skipped three meetings to get here, only to see you cozying up with my brother.”

His dark eyes stared into her, deep as an unfathomable abyss.

“Ji Qingran.”

He spoke her name softly but with clear anger, suppressing a complex emotion. “Are you still thinking about Lu Weian? Can’t forget him? Planning to get back together?”

Ji Qingran frowned. “What nonsense are you talking about?”

“Then tell me, just now when he grabbed your hand and begged you quietly, here—”

As he spoke, he pulled her hand and placed it over her chest, “—did you soften?”

“No!” Ji Qingran struggled, trying to shake off his hand. “Get it straight. Lu Weian’s fiancée now is Ji Wanrou. You know how much I hate Ji Wanrou, how much I hate the Ji family. I wouldn’t touch anything of Ji Wanrou’s—it’s filthy to me.”

“What if he doesn’t want to marry Ji Wanrou anymore?”

Lu Tingyuan pressed down on her, his hot breath fanning her ear, his voice low and seductive. “Lu Weian said he regrets it. He’s been engaged to Ji Wanrou for eight years and still refuses to marry her. He’s been waiting for you, Ranran. Lu Weian still has you in his heart. So—”

He reached up, brushing away the strands of hair near Ji Qingran’s ear with a tenderness that made her feel like a precious treasure. Yet his voice carried a dangerous rasp.

“Ranran, do you want to get back with Lu Weian, or be with me?”

He was so close she could feel his heat—burning and perilous.

“I…”

Ji Qingran was about to speak when he suddenly bent down, pressing a fierce kiss on her lips.

Dominant and forceful, as always, taking without giving.

It almost took her breath away.

“You’re not allowed to choose him, nor am I to see you with him again.”

His voice was deep, each word deliberate. “Otherwise, Ji Qingran, I can’t guarantee what I’ll do.”

Ji Qingran wanted to tell him she no longer wanted either Lu Weian or him.

But Lu Tingyuan’s expression was terrifying now. She parted her lips, choosing to keep quiet for now to avoid provoking him further.

“I won’t get back with Lu Weian.” She turned her head to avoid his gaze. “My engagement to him was arranged by the Ji family, for cooperation with the Lu family. Later, Ji Wanrou took a liking to Lu Weian, and they replaced me.”

As she spoke, a bitter sneer tugged at her lips. “To my own parents, I’m nothing but a disposable tool.”

Those words moved Lu Tingyuan somewhat.

He knew Ji Qingran’s past clearly. But the fact she had been engaged to Lu Weian was a thorn in his heart he could never remove.

Outsiders unaware of the Ji family’s favoritism toward their adopted daughter assumed Lu Weian was simply dissatisfied with Ji Qingran and that the Ji family replaced her with the superior Ji Wanrou.

In other words, he was taking in the woman Lu Weian discarded.

He suddenly recalled Ji Qingran once mentioning in a group chat that she and he had broken up, which only deepened his irritation.

He cupped her face firmly, forcing her to acknowledge her true position.

“Don’t ever mention the breakup again. Ji Qingran, remember this: I saved your life. Unless I don’t want you anymore, you’re mine for life.”

Ji Qingran did not respond.

He was only saying those things now because Lu Weian had provoked him. Once he saw Su Yiyi again, his thoughts might change.

Sure enough, after his fierce declaration, his phone soon rang.

Ji Qingran saw the name on the screen.

It was Su Yiyi calling.