If An Ruoqing were to believe that Gong Ming harbored no hatred towards the Yin family, it would be a stretch.
As Yin Yu's wife and Yin Yiyan's mother, she had the responsibility to safeguard her husband and children, ensuring they remained unscathed.
She would never allow, nor would she ever consent to, her daughter being with the son of a criminal.
That was precisely why she had never broached the subject of the childhood betrothal to Yin Yiyan.
She had assumed that all of this would fade into obscurity with the passage of time. Little did she anticipate that Gong Ming would prove so relentless, tracking down Yin Yiyan directly!
An Ruoqing was certain that Gong Ming had come for revenge!
Her complexion darkened further. "Gong Chen! You're well aware of the relationship between our Yin family and yours! I'm warning you, don't push your luck!"
Gong Chen.
The moment the name escaped An Ruoqing's lips, a flood of memories rushed back to Yin Yiyan. She recalled many things.
In her memory, the name of that little follower seemed to be Gong Chen.
Gong Ming's gaze suddenly turned cold, and his voice dropped. "Madam, my name is Gong Ming. Please don't misname me."
The name "Gong Chen" was ill - fated.
Because of the character "chen" (which means "sink"), the Gong family had declined steadily and eventually fallen into ruin.
Thus, from the moment his parents were executed, he had changed his name.
Seeing Yin Yiyan standing beside Gong Ming, looking utterly bewildered, An Ruoqing grew increasingly irritated. Her voice grew sharper. "Yin Yiyan, when did you start seeing him?"
Yin Yiyan turned to look at her mother's stern face. She opened her mouth but no sound came out.
She thought of the past that Gong Ming had mentioned and his parents. Considering her father's occupation, her blood almost froze, and a chill ran through her body.
Her father was his enemy.
Did that mean that she, too, was his enemy?
Perhaps from the very beginning, he had approached her, kept her in the dark, and used her to fend off the childhood betrothal just to make a fool of her?
The hand that had been holding Gong Ming's began to loosen gradually.
Sensing the fading warmth on his arm, Gong Ming twitched his lips, and a flicker of self - mockery flashed in his eyes.
"You make the decision."
Gong Ming lowered his eyes, looking at Yin Yiyan's paper - pale face. His voice was gentle. "When we were kids, you said you'd definitely marry me."
"Do you still remember? You always keep your word."
There was a sense of unwavering certainty in his tone.
Yin Yiyan stiffly raised her head, looking at that deeply - contoured face. For a moment, her mind went blank.
She had received too much information all at once. Her brain had short - circuited.
"Mom, let me think about it." Yin Yiyan's voice was hoarse. She managed to utter, "I need time to sort things out."
"What's there to think about?" An Ruoqing frowned tightly. Suspecting that her daughter had fallen for him, she immediately stood up and roared, "He hates your father. He'll ruin you for revenge!"
Yin Yiyan trembled.
"Will you?" she blurted out, looking up at him.
Gong Ming's heart tightened. He placed his large hand on her waist, his action becoming even more intimate than before. "If I say no, will you believe me?"
"I believe you." Yin Yiyan replied without hesitation.
This reaction took Gong Ming by surprise. For a moment, the usually composed man was flustered.
"Let's go." She tugged at Gong Ming's sleeve. "Before I change my mind, take me away quickly!"
There was a stubborn determination on her face, as if she were ready to face death.
Gong Ming's memory seemed to transport him back to a long - ago time when she had rushed into the group of kids who were bullying him and extended her fair arm to him.
"Run!"
Hearing this, Gong Ming suddenly laughed.
She was still the same as ever, that impulsive tomboy.
The Yin Yiyan who had captured his heart since childhood.
"Yin Yiyan! You're crazy!" An Ruoqing could no longer contain her emotions. She lifted her foot and was about to rush over to grab her. But Gong Ming was quicker. He immediately scooped her up and dashed out of the restaurant at full speed.
He moved swiftly, stuffing her into the car. Then he started the engine and stepped on the accelerator.
The car sped away in a cloud of dust. By the time An Ruoqing chased after them, they were already out of sight.
—
"Wow! This is so exciting!" Sitting in the car, Yin Yiyan was beaming with excitement. She turned to look at Gong Ming, who was calmly driving. "It feels like we're eloping!"
Gong Ming's breathing was a bit ragged. He closed his eyes for a moment. "Yeah, it kind of does."
He had never imagined that the now - composed him would act so recklessly with her.
The current situation was different from what he had anticipated.
Gong Ming had originally thought that once Yin Yiyan realized the long - standing feud between their families, she would leave him. Then he could go after the Yin family without any qualms.
But her choice had shattered all his plans.
She had chosen him over her own family.
Yin Yiyan was still immersed in the excitement of the escape. She turned to look at him, her eyes shining with excitement. "So you're Gong Chen!"
That sense of familiarity had not been an illusion.
Gong Ming closed his eyes and said slowly, "I'm Gong Ming."
"Okay, okay, Gong Ming." Yin Yiyan replied perfunctorily. "Why didn't you tell me earlier? Did you go through all this just to make my mom angry?"
Gong Ming remained silent.
His silence made the atmosphere in the car grow colder.
Yin Yiyan sat in the car, looking intently at his profile. She said word by word, "Did you think I'd reject you so that you could take revenge on the Yin family without any burden?"
The fact that she had so candidly pointed out his original plan made Gong Ming feel as if he were a heinous criminal exposed to the sun.
He pursed his lips and said in a soft voice, "Yes, you're still as smart as ever."
There was not a trace of anger on Yin Yiyan's face. Instead, she looked at him with a smile. "But I've chosen you. What should we do now, sickly boy?"
Sickly boy was what she used to call him when they were kids.
He paused for a moment, his eyes unfathomable. "Yin Yiyan, why don't you hate me?"
"Hate you for what?" Yin Yiyan turned her head, looking nonchalant. "For lying to me for so long or for not showing up for so long?"
She lifted her smiling face, her lips curving upwards. "I've said that I'll always protect you."
"I always keep my word."
...
At this moment, the tightly - wound emotions that had been holding him back suddenly collapsed. Unable to contain his surging impulse any longer, he slammed on the brakes!
Yin Yiyan was caught off - guard. She almost crashed into the front of the car. She put her hand out to stop herself and turned to glare at him angrily. "Why did you suddenly brake? Don't you know it's dangerous..."
Before she could finish her sentence, the man quickly unbuckled his seatbelt, grabbed her chin without hesitation, and kissed her lips!
Yin Yiyan's pupils dilated suddenly. Looking at the approaching face of the man and the familiar scent that rushed towards her, her body tensed up, and she bit down slightly with her teeth.
"Relax, Yanyan." His voice was hoarse and muffled between their lips and teeth.