After Being Betrayed I Married the Glamorous CEO-Chapter 151: There are always women whose ambitions soar higher than the sky, yet whose fate is as fragile as paper!

Chapter 151: Chapter 151: There are always women whose ambitions soar higher than the sky, yet whose fate is as fragile as paper!

Shen Bufan brushed it off with a smile. He didn’t want to trouble Shen Fanyun, who had just returned, with his own affairs. "Brother, it’s not about whether things go smoothly or not. I’ll handle it myself."

Shen Fanyun passed a cigarette over, but Shen Bufan didn’t smoke, which was a good habit.

Shen Zheng, a heavy smoker as always, immediately began puffing away with Shen Fanyun when they returned to the living room. This earned them a roll of the eyes from Su Xiyang, though Shen Fanyun was considerate enough to stop after just a moment.

"What exactly happened?" Shen Fanyun asked Qin Lian.

Qin Lian was silent for a moment before shaking her head helplessly.

According to her explanation, they had arranged a marriage for Shen Bufan, considering he was getting on in years. The two had a good first impression of each other, so the matter was settled. The reason it went so smoothly was partly that Shen Bufan really was at an age where he should get married, and partly because the woman was three years his senior.

Shen Fanyun frowned. An age gap of three years in the woman’s favor was considered auspicious, so that wasn’t the problem.

However, based on Shen Bufan’s age, that would make the woman in her early thirties. At that age, she’d be considered a "leftover woman."

Shen Bufan had always been obedient and hadn’t shown much resistance. In fact, he had a girlfriend in college, but unfortunately, the gap between them was too vast. Her family was on a level Shen Bufan could never hope to reach. Moreover, his ex-girlfriend’s parents, who were undeniably high-level intellectuals, had always looked down on Shen Bufan’s humble, rural origins.

Apparently, his ex’s parents had privately approached Shen Bufan, using harsh words and various humiliations to pressure him into breaking up. Afterward, they even had a "cordial" chat with Qin Lian and Shen Zheng. The end of that romance nearly caused the two sides to part on bad terms.

After a two-year hiatus, Shen Bufan resigned himself to his fate. Thinking of his aging parents, he felt it was time to marry and settle down, so he started seeing his current prospect, a woman named Ai Jing. But just as they were about to finalize the wedding date, Ai Jing made an exorbitant demand, requesting a bride price that put Shen Bufan in an impossible position.

"When it comes down to it, it’s my own fault for not being good enough. It seems no girl thinks I’m worthy," Shen Bufan lamented, sitting down on Qin Lian’s other side. "I had a bad breakup with my ex, and now it looks like this one is going to fall through too."

The previous relationship had already left him with a deep psychological scar, and he was afraid this one was doomed to fizzle out as well.

In reality, Shen Bufan was a very easygoing man. Without his glasses, he was quite handsome. After all, he had grown up with Shen Fanyun. With such a handsome older brother, even though they weren’t related by blood, Shen Bufan was bound to be good-looking as well.

"Do you have to marry her?" Shen Fanyun asked.

The question made Shen Bufan pause for a moment.

"A real man never has to worry about finding a wife," Shen Fanyun said.

Shen Bufan remained silent.

Shen Fanyun realized he had been too presumptive. Shen Bufan’s life is completely different from mine. We’re from two different worlds. The way we handle problems, including relationships, is bound to be different.

Shen Fanyun could act on impulse, throwing caution to the wind. Shen Bufan, on the other hand, had to tread carefully, weighing the pros and cons and considering every potential pitfall.

Without self-confidence, a person is naturally timid and hesitant!

"How about we invite her family to dinner tomorrow?" Shen Fanyun suggested. "I want to see for myself what this girl is like."

Neither the elders nor Shen Bufan objected. From his parents’ perspective, they also didn’t want the relationship to end so suddenly after all this time. They planned to try talking again to see if the other side would compromise. If the demands weren’t too outrageous, they could grit their teeth and accept them.

"Your image needs to change," Shen Fanyun then said. "You’re always wearing those glasses, your hair is a mess, and your fashion sense is... indescribable. You need to put in more effort. Men need to take care of their appearance too."

Embarrassed by Shen Fanyun’s lecture, Shen Bufan scratched his head. "Got it, Brother."

At this, Su Xiyang volunteered, "I’m an expert when it comes to style. Tomorrow morning, let’s give your brother a makeover."

Shen Fanyun nodded his approval. He had complete confidence in Su Xiyang, whose taste in clothes was one-of-a-kind.

Su Xiyang continued, "Try to talk things out with them tomorrow. If it really doesn’t work, I’ll introduce you to someone. There are plenty of girls in the world."

Shen Fanyun’s eyes lit up, and he nodded with a smile. "I’d forgotten your company is full of them."

Shen Bufan assumed it was just a polite offer. With my ordinary education and family background, what girl would genuinely like me? He smiled faintly and said, "Thank you, Sister-in-law."

Afterward, Shen Bufan called Ai Jing to arrange for lunch the next day, with both sets of parents in attendance.

Ai Jing just said, "Oh," her voice lacking enthusiasm.

Shen Bufan didn’t have much more to say. We met through an arranged introduction, after all. Our emotional foundation is weak, and we have practically nothing in common. I never even considered how I could spend the rest of my life with a woman like her.

At that moment, Qin Lian was holding Shen Bufan’s left hand while her right rested on the back of Shen Fanyun’s. She didn’t say much, but she was smiling much more. Whenever Shen Fanyun fell silent, she would stare unblinkingly at his profile, her eyes filled with affection.

This scene deeply moved Su Xiyang. A child cherished by their mother is truly different. Compared to them, I might never know what real motherly love feels like.

"Will you be staying here tonight?" Qin Lian asked Shen Fanyun.

Then, she subconsciously glanced at Su Xiyang. Su Xiyang came on such short notice. I haven’t even had time to prepare a proper welcome for her.

"I don’t live far from here, so it’s easy to get back," Shen Fanyun said.

"Okay, have a safe trip back then."

Qin Lian thought to herself that it made sense. Besides, it wouldn’t be proper for Su Xiyang and Shen Fanyun to share a bed before they’re married. It’s against tradition.

On the way back, Shen Fanyun was in a noticeably better mood. He kept recounting childhood stories to Su Xiyang, making her giggle nonstop.

Back at the apartment, Qin Lian watched Shen Fanyun’s car leave the complex, not looking away until it was out of sight. Only then did she reluctantly close the window and draw the curtains.

"Fanyun has changed a lot," Qin Lian murmured.

"No matter how much he changes, he’s still our son!" Shen Zheng joked. "It’s been over a decade, and he’s finally back."

Qin Lian nodded silently, but her heart was filled with a nagging worry. These days, the Han Family practically runs Hangcheng City. I wonder if Shen Fanyun’s return will provoke Han Long’s retaliation again.

"He’s such an important figure now. Surely he wouldn’t keep holding a grudge against a junior like Fanyun, right? Besides, it’s been so many years. It’s all in the past," Shen Zheng muttered, his voice laced with concern.

Qin Lian sighed. "Back then, Fanyun was just a child."