The Destiny Villainess Wants Me To Work!-Chapter 107: Love? Arrange? Lin Fan As Spouse?

Chu Zhenwu’s sharp gaze swept over Xiao Mu before settling firmly on Chu Jing, and the displeasure in his eyes deepened without concealment. It wasn’t the anger of a family elder worried about his granddaughter. It was the irritation of someone looking at a mistake he had long since grown tired of tolerating.

"Just how long are you going to keep disappointing me?" His voice was low, but every word pressed down like a weight. "First that fool father of yours... and now even you."

The mention of her father made Chu Jing’s fingers curl tightly at her sides. The faint tremor that ran through her body wasn’t from fear—it was something more complicated. Her lips pressed together, and when she spoke, her voice carried a restrained stubbornness.

"Grandpa... I really like Xiao Mu." She forced herself to meet his gaze. "We won’t end like them."

"Enough!"

The word struck like a slap, cutting her off mid-breath.

"You are all nothing but a shame to the Chu Family," Chu Zhenwu said coldly, not even giving her a chance to continue.

For a brief moment, the bustling hall seemed to fall silent around them. A few nearby guests slowed their movements, their attention drifting over, sensing the tension.

Chu Jing’s shoulders trembled slightly, but she didn’t lower her head. There was a fragile defiance in the way she stood there—like a thin thread stretched to its limit, yet refusing to snap.

"After ruining our lives, what else is left? First that woman, and now even you!" Chu Zhenwu continued, his tone growing harsher with each word.

That sentence... finally made her eyes flicker.

Ruining their lives?

For a split second, something cracked inside her expression. But she bit it back, swallowing everything down.

"I don’t care who this man is," Chu Zhenwu said, his gaze briefly sweeping over Xiao Mu again, dismissive and indifferent. "If you still want to keep the surname Chu, you are going to marry the spouse I choose."

"No."

This time, Chu Jing didn’t hesitate.

Her voice trembled, but it didn’t retreat.

"No, Grandpa. You can’t force me like this." Her breathing grew uneven, but her eyes didn’t waver. "I’ve already given up everything. The shares... the company... everything went to Zhiyuan."

Her hands clenched tighter, as if holding onto the last piece of herself.

"You said that was enough."

Her voice softened for just a second—almost begging. She still had a bit of hope that her grandfather would soften.

"Why do I still have to give up the person I like?"

"Still being stubborn?" Chu Zhenwu’s expression darkened completely.

There was no patience left in his voice now.

"Enough nonsense. Later, I will announce your engagement."

He didn’t pause to consider her reaction. To him, this matter was already decided.

"That boy has potential. He has the bearing of a successful man. In the future, I’m certain he will achieve something great."

The implication was clear.

Chu Jing let out a soft laugh.

It wasn’t loud, but it carried a hollow bitterness that made even the nearby onlookers feel uncomfortable.

"I don’t care who he is."

Her voice steadied.

It wasn’t calm, just... empty.

"If liking someone is wrong... then I don’t need this surname."

Her fingers brushed against Xiao Mu’s sleeve, lingering for a fraction of a second before she pulled her hand back.

"From today onwards... my surname is Xiao."

She turned immediately after saying it, not waiting for any reaction.

Her steps were fast, even though she was wearing heels; she didn’t slow down.

As if she slowed down even a little, she would collapse.

Leng Shuang watched her leave, her eyes narrowing slightly. For a moment, she glanced at Chu Zhenwu, her gaze cold and sharp, then followed after Chu Jing without a word.

Chu Zhenwu didn’t even look back.

To him, this wasn’t a loss, but rather a convenience.

In his mind, the matter had already shifted from conflict... to opportunity.

Chu Jing had already lost all rights to inheritance. Marrying her into another powerful family would only create unnecessary complications for Chu Zhiyuan’s future authority. But Lin Fan... was different.

A talented young man. With no background or support.

Easy to bind and even easier to control.

More importantly, he is useful.

That memory of the antique store resurfaced in Chu Zhenwu’s mind. The flaw that even he had failed to notice, saving him from making a big loss.

Also, that treasure, worth millions, which he helped him acquire for a mere hundred thousand, showed his true skill.

Lin Fan... hadn’t even asked for a reward. If he had wanted, he could have bought that treasure himself and made millions in profit. What did it show?

That man is just indifferent to money. Otherwise, why wear such low-quality clothes with his skill?

Such a person, if tied to the Chu family, would be an invaluable asset.

Using Chu Jing in exchange is a profitable deal, no matter how he sees it.

’Xiao Lin may not need money, but my Chu family does.’

Chu Zhenwu thought with a faint, calculating smile.

---

What he didn’t realise... was that Lin Fan’s so-called indifference to money had nothing to do with character.

The reason he didn’t take advantage and make a profit was simply that he didn’t have any money for the purchase price.

Forget a hundred thousand, he barely had 100 RMB overall.

At that very moment, the "promising young man" he valued so highly stood not far away, his gaze fixed, unabashedly, on Fan Biwang’s legs.

Fan Biwang, the top actress of this year, maintained a flawless smile, despite the faint discomfort flickering deep within her eyes. She had approached Lin Fan after noticing Chu Zhenwu personally introducing him to several influential figures.

She thought someone like that... couldn’t be ordinary.

Even if his appearance suggested otherwise. It may be just a peculiar interest.

Besides, connections mattered more than looks.

For someone in her position, maintaining relationships with powerful backers was essential. Popularity or acting skills alone weren’t enough to sustain a career. Without investors, there would be no major productions, no roles worth competing for.

So even when she felt his gaze linger a little too long, she didn’t react.

***

[A.N: Read Author’s Notes!]