I Was Supposed to Simp for the Female Lead for Three Years to Earn an Armory, but She Took It Seriously - Chapter 18:

Chapter 18: Certain

They had agreed that Zhou Cheng must never be allowed to win her over easily—he had to be rejected three times. Only after the General’s residence begged repeatedly, expressing gratitude and determination to marry her, could she reluctantly accept the proposal. That way, all the noble families in the Capital would look up to her and the Lin family.

But now, it seemed like she had overplayed her hand!!

Zhou Cheng had completely stopped flattering her. Not only did he no longer kneel and fawn over her, he had even turned around and started seeking out Cheng Xianyi?

At first, Lin Jiaoyun had remained composed, convinced that Zhou Cheng was doing this to force her into yielding. But after several days, especially after being humiliated by Zhou Cheng the other day, she was starting to panic.

“Father, what do you mean I’m being dramatic? I did it all to uphold the Lin family’s dignity!” Lin Jiaoyun’s face darkened as she sat down, her fingers gripping her handkerchief tightly. “Those prestigious families in the Capital look down on us, they look down on you for being just a low-ranking fourth-grade official. I was determined to slap them in the face, to make them see what I’m capable of. Even the General’s residence had to beg me to marry into their household.”

She held back the frustration and resentment in her chest for a long time before finally managing to smooth her breath. 

Once calm, her confidence returned. 

With a cold snort, she continued, “Besides, Father, don’t you know how Zhou Cheng has treated me over the years?”

“Last year, when the daughter of the Minister of Rites called me fickle in love, I only needed to tell Zhou Cheng once, and he stormed into the Minister’s residence, tore the young lady’s calligraphy apart, and burned her boudoir. Ever since then, she avoids me whenever she sees me.”

“Not to mention anything I wanted. As long as I casually asked about any rare treasure that appeared in the Capital, it would be in my hands within three days.”

“Could a man like him even live without me?”

Father Lin listened to her calmly, lips pressed together, saying nothing.

It was true—Zhou Cheng had done countless outrageous things for Lin Jiaoyun over the years. If it weren’t for the fact that General Zhou held military power and held a prestigious position, with generations of his family having sacrificed themselves for the Empire, Zhou Cheng would have been reviled by the entire Capital long ago.

Such an outstanding background, treating Lin Jiaoyun like she was the moon itself, and he had never taken a concubine. What young lady in the Capital wouldn’t be moved? Marrying a prince might bring prestige, but it also meant risking death in a power struggle. Marrying someone as loyal and devoted as Zhou Cheng would mean a lifetime of prosperity.

“So what should we do now?” Father Lin asked seriously. “The Fourth Prince is completely out of the picture now, he’s no longer an option. Zhou Cheng is still the most suitable choice.”

“Whether it’s his background, looks, or anything else, Zhou Cheng is the best among all those young men who courted you—and he’s been completely devoted to you. Daughter, how about you give in a little?”

“Just say you’re considering accepting the General’s residence’s proposal. Give him some hope. Don’t be so stubborn.”

If Zhou Cheng were standing here at this moment and heard this conversation between Lin Jiaoyun and her father, he would’ve laughed until tears came out.

Even now, the Lin family still believed Zhou Cheng was playing a game, using the strategy of retreating to advance, trying to win Lin Jiaoyun’s hand in marriage. In their minds, as long as she gave him a bit of hope, tossed him a sweet date, no matter how many slaps Zhou Cheng had endured, he would immediately turn back like a dog, kneeling to flatter her again.

Heh!

What a joke!

They had been dreaming for three years already—it was time to wake up!

Lin Jiaoyun, who had been spoiled by Zhou Cheng to the point of arrogance, immediately rejected Father Lin’s suggestion with pride, “Father! You want me to lower myself to that mutt Zhou Cheng? No. Way!”

“If I yield to him today, then I’ll have to bow my head every time I see the people from the General’s residence in the future.”

“Besides, he’s the one who liked me, the one who begged and chased after me. He’s the one who should speak humbly and lower himself. Why should I give in? Does he even deserve it?”

At this point, Lin Jiaoyun paused for a moment. The confidence and certainty in her eyes made it hard to ignore.

She suddenly stood up. The corners of her lips curled slightly, her eyes burning with overwhelming confidence—a testament to her absolute belief in her own charm. “Father, just wait and see. I don’t believe for a second that Zhou Cheng has truly given up. He can’t live without me.”

“Right now, he’s probably in pain and suffering so badly.”

“He wants to make me jealous? Hmph! Fine! Then I’ll make him jealous too! Let’s see who gives in first!”

Father Lin’s heart skipped a beat, and even his eyelids twitched. “What are you planning to do?”

“Of course I’m going to invite the young master of the Qin family out for tea and a stroll down Flower Street. Zhou Cheng went looking for Cheng Xianyi, didn’t he? If he can look for someone, can’t I? I’m going to spend time alone with the Qin family’s young master and make Zhou Cheng so anxious he’ll be beside himself with regret!”

“And then… he’ll definitely come crawling back to me, crying and begging to reconcile.”

“Do you think I can’t control him? That would be giving him too much face!”

After throwing out those words angrily, Lin Jiaoyun lifted her skirt and walked out the door.

She was absolutely sure—absolutely certain with 1,000% confidence—that as soon as Zhou Cheng found out she went out with another young master, he would come running out of Cheng Residence in a panic, crying along the way. Hahahahaha!

Hahahahahaha!!!

Hearing Lin Jiaoyun’s triumphant laughter echoing behind her, Father Lin didn’t feel pleased at all. Instead, he sat gravely in the main seat, deep in thought.

After a long while, he furrowed his brow and looked at the butler beside him. After hesitating for a moment, he finally asked, “Yuanfang, what do you think?”

“Do you think Zhou Cheng is forcing our family to give in and agree to the engagement?”

“Master,” the butler pressed his lips together and hesitated for a long time before finally voicing his true thoughts, “Young Master Zhou has gotten upset before, but he’s never stayed angry for more than a day.”

“But now… it’s already been four or five days…”

Indeed, it had already been four or five days. Zhou Cheng hadn’t just failed to bring generous gifts to apologize—instead, he had been visiting Cheng Xianyi more and more frequently. Was this really just him throwing a tantrum?

Now that General Zhou was once again favored by the Emperor, preparing to head to the frontier to repel the enemy, the next time he returned to the Capital, he might be conferred the title of Marquis or even King… with a background like that, how could a small household like the Lin family even dare to dream of being in-laws?

Father Lin was starting to panic.

That sense of unease grew stronger and stronger. In the end, he could only cling to those past examples to comfort himself, convincing himself it must be so, it had to be so.

After all, the entire Capital knew how much Zhou Cheng loved his daughter. He had chased her for three whole years—how could he give up so easily now?

What a pity!

Father Lin had overthought it.

Zhou Cheng had only acted like a dog for three years because of the Strategy System’s mission. Now that the task was complete, and the target had even been wrong from the start, what kind of masochist would turn back?

Why bother with Lin Jiaoyun!

Wasn’t his Cheng Xianyi, who only had eyes for him, far more precious?