Urban Villain: The Game of Wealth and Women

[Chapter: 3 Total Personal Assets: 5 Billion]

Didn't he always yearn to be married to her? In the past, Lin Yuan would rush to her side at every opportunity, tirelessly courting her using all kinds of means. He was like a shadow, always tagging along wherever she went. But today, he maintained a distance, exuding an air of cold indifference. And what's more, he was the one taking the initiative to retire from their engagement!

"Are you serious?" Yan Ruyue asked, her voice laced with disbelief.

Lin Yuan nodded, his tone firm and resolute. "I'm serious. In the past, I was ignorant, completely neglecting your feelings. But now, I've come to understand. A forced melon plucked from the vine is never sweet."

Yan Ruyue stood stunned, completely flabbergasted by Lin Yuan's words. For so long, she had dreamed of breaking free from this engagement—an arrangement forced upon her by her domineering mother. She found Lin Yuan's past behavior utterly repulsive, his constant groveling and desperate attention nothing short of suffocating. The very idea of this marriage contract filled her with disgust. And now, after years of wishing for it, the engagement was ending just like that?

"Can I trouble you to speak with our parents?" Yan Ruyue asked, managing to force herself into a semblance of calm. But deep down, she was cautious—she couldn't trust this sudden change so easily.

Lin Yuan immediately understood her apprehension. After all, it was their elders who had arranged the marriage. Yan Ruyue's mother had always dismissed her objections, firmly insisting the engagement remain. It made sense she would doubt his sincerity now.

"Alright, I'll call my parents right now," Lin Yuan replied nonchalantly, his tone steady and unwavering.

Yan Ruyue let out a small breath of relief. Watching him dial the number in her presence convinced her he was serious. It wasn't just empty words. Yan Ruyue couldn't help but notice how different Lin Yuan was today. His eyes, which once burned with desperation and possessiveness, now seemed calm and clear. For the first time, she felt a sense of ease in his presence.

"Thank you," she said softly, her usual icy tone thawing ever so slightly. She didn't hate him as much as before—today, he was unexpectedly tolerable.

Lin Yuan didn't respond immediately as his call had connected.

"Hello? Xiao Yuan? Why are you calling me now? Weren't you supposed to be spending time with Ruyue, trying to build a relationship?" Lin Yuan's mother, Meng Yuelan, answered with mild confusion.

"I want to break off my engagement with Yan Ruyue," Lin Yuan said bluntly.

"What?! Break off the engagement? But I've already spoken with Ruyue's mother, and everything is set for your wedding this year!" Meng Yuelan exclaimed in shock.

"Yes, I want to end it," Lin Yuan reiterated, his tone as steady as ever.

"What's going on? Tell me the truth, Xiao Yuan. You've been infatuated with Ruyue for years. Why this sudden decision?" Meng Yuelan pressed, struggling to make sense of the situation.

But Lin Yuan wasn't in the mood to explain himself over the phone. "I'll come home and explain everything later. For now, just let Dad know."

Without waiting for a reply, he hung up the call.

"All done," Lin Yuan said, turning to Yan Ruyue.

"Thank you," Yan Ruyue replied, her tone lighter this time, with a touch of genuine gratitude.

"It's no big deal. Marriage should be based on mutual feelings, not forced obligations. Without love, there's no happiness. I'm sure we both deserve better than this arrangement," Lin Yuan remarked casually, waving his hand as if to dismiss the matter.

Yan Ruyue looked at him, her eyes widening slightly in surprise. His words echoed her own feelings—feelings that had been ignored and dismissed by her family. For the first time, Lin Yuan seemed to truly understand her.

"If that's all, I'll be going now," Lin Yuan said, stepping into his Rolls-Royce and driving off without a moment's hesitation.

Yan Ruyue watched him go, her mind swirling with confusion. This wasn't the Lin Yuan she knew. The clingy, desperate man she had despised for years was nowhere to be seen. It was as if he had transformed into an entirely different person.

Could it be that he's truly changed?

Letting out a deep breath, Yan Ruyue felt an enormous weight lift from her shoulders. For so long, the marriage contract had felt like a chain binding her, suffocating her freedom. And now, it was gone. Just like that. A faint smile tugged at her lips as relief washed over her.

Perhaps Lin Yuan wasn't as terrible as she once thought.

---

[Ding! Counterattack point +10!]

Lin Yuan, driving down the road, suddenly heard the mechanical voice of the system in his mind.

"What are these counterattack points? And how do they work?" Lin Yuan asked, his curiosity piqued.

[The 10 counterattack points were awarded because the first heroine, Yan Ruyue, experienced a slight improvement in her impression of the host,] the system explained.

[Counterattack points can be used to enhance the host's attributes or upgrade the host's skills. Additionally, this is your current attribute panel.]

As the system spoke, a dark blue panel materialized in Lin Yuan's mind.

[Host: Lin Yuan]

[Counterattack Points: 10]

[Wealth: 5 Billion]

[Attributes:]

Strength: 103, Speed: 105, Reaction: 104, Charisma: 120, Physique: 110 (Average human stat: 100)

[Skills:]

Medical Skills: Divine Level

Car Skills: Intermediate Level

Violin: Intermediate Level

Calligraphy: Intermediate Level

English: Elementary Level

[Note: Every 100 counterattack points can increase one attribute. You can also acquire new skills for 100 counterattack points. Upgrading skills costs double the points required for their acquisition.]

"Got it." Lin Yuan nodded, studying the panel closely. His wealth of 5 billion and above-average attributes didn't surprise him—after all, he was the epitome of success.

"By the way, Shen Lan," Lin Yuan said, having decided to give the system a more fitting name, "What are the stats and skills of the protagonist, Ye Feng?"

The newly named Shen Lan didn't answer immediately, but Lin Yuan felt a sense of satisfaction. Even the system sounded better now.

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References

If you have to use force to break a melon off the vine, it won't taste sweet (because it's only when the melon is ripe that it can be removed with just a slight twist) (idiom) / fig. if sth is not meant to be, it's no use trying to force it to happen. Do you want the literal meaning or do I post it like this? Do comment to inform me.

Xiao means little. It is often used by the Chinese elder generation to speak to the younger generation who are close to them. Many families in the Indian subcontinent also use this term.

Shen Lan means dark blue in Chinese

*****

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