Chapter 2 - Becoming Dumb Makes People Happy
Lin Quan made an offer that he was quite satisfied with, and then he patiently
waited for their response.
However, one minute, two minutes… Five minutes passed and there was still
nothing from the Qian grandfather-grandson duo.
Lin Quan looked puzzledly at the old man on the hospital bed, who simply
smiled at him without a word. He then turned his confused gaze to Qian Gu, who
was standing beside the bed, and noticed a barely perceptible hint of pity in
his eyes.
Lin Quan was completely confused and the smile on his face gradually
stiffened.
What on earth did this mean? Why couldn't they just say yes with alacrity? The
Qian family was willing to arrange a marriage of convenience with Childhood
Friend No. 7 but not Lin Quan?
Was it that the young master of the Lin family was utterly hideous and too
ghastly to look at?
Although Lin Quan didn't have a mirror with him, he did at least remember how
the novel described the young master of the Lin family, who shared the same
name as him. He was described as having a striking appearance and was supposed
to be quite the looker, so his looks shouldn't be the problem.
Could it be that the Lin family’s young master was underage and thus not
suitable for marriage?
But the young master of the Lin family was twenty years old, not two. Even if
his age was an issue, they could just get engaged and publicly announce the
relationship first. That would work perfectly fine.
So, what was the issue? Surely, it couldn't be that there was some sort of
grudge between the Lin and the Qian family?
Lin Quan really hadn’t paid much attention to this matter before; this was a
clear example of how important it was to be familiar with the original novel.
He continued to ponder. The system said that Qian Gu was a major villain later
in the story so the likelihood of Qian Gu having a deep grudge against Lin
Quan was low. When Lin Quan had dozed off reading the novel, the frail Young
Master Lin had already been farmed to his death by a bunch of people. Since
the little Young Master Lin didn’t even make it to the later parts of the
story, he naturally wouldn't be involved in any plot related to Qian Gu.
Lin Quan couldn't figure it out and with the Qian family not giving him any
straight answers, he felt really awkward standing there.
Lin Quan: Little Temtem, something doesn’t seem right. Why aren't they saying
yes?"
System: Look here, my dearest host, I'm telling you, you really need to take a
good look at the story. Their reaction is all par for the course.
Lin Quan: Ah?
System: The Qian family isn’t short on money. In fact, they’re even wealthier
than the Lin family.
Lin Quan: …
Lin Quan: Little Temtem, I trusted you so much. To think you would actually
trick me?
It was clearly the system who told him to commit to heart that he was the heir
to the Lin family and that he was very wealthy.
System: I didn't trick you; I am working hard to save you. If you insist on
this marriage alliance with the Qian family, I'll have no choice but to lower
your intelligence a bit so you can survive another chapter or two.
Lin Quan: Why gee, thank you so much…
Lin Quan: I thought it was odd they were looking at me like I was mentally
challenged[1]. Turns out it wasn’t just my imagination…
System: This is a dramatic love battlefield novel, not some sweet, lovey-dovey
teen romance.
System: You can't remember the plot and don't bother paying attention to the
character relationships. With all these enemies coming in droves, all this
scheming and battle of wits, you'd be wiped out in a heartbeat. Dumbing you
down is for your own good; you'll be able to live a little easier that way.
System: Friendly reminder, great misfortune has arrived on the fifth floor
outside the hospital room.
System: The Qian family’s tentative marriage partner is Childhood Friend No.
7, who you… Well, not you, who Young Master Lin is madly in love with. When
you suddenly propose a marriage, how do you think that looks to the Qian
family?
Lin Quan: So, you’re saying that the Qian family doesn't believe I'm sincere
about the marriage proposal?
The current Lin Quan could barely fend for himself. Not only was he unable to
offer any benefits to the Qian family, but they’d also have to go out of their
way to help him out of his predicament. Not to mention, everyone and their dog
knew who Young Master Lin was in love with. Lin Quan's actions would only be
seen as deliberately interfering with Qian Gu and Childhood Friend No. 7's
marriage.
Lin Quan was distressed. Why couldn't he have transmigrated into a sweet
romance novel where everything was sugary and simple? Instead, he was stuck in
this gruelling, complicated mess. How was he supposed to navigate this?
Lin Quan: Little Temtem, you won't give up on me easily, will you?
System: I am a dedicated and hard-working system; please do not question my
professionalism.
Lin Quan: Good, good. I still have a chance to save myself, right?
System: Yes. If you can avoid adverse plot developments and steer clear of
storylines relating to great misfortune characters, your HP won't take a hit.
Lin Quan weighed his options for two seconds. He couldn’t just sit around and
wait to die—he had to fight back.
He turned to Grandpa Qian and Qian Gu and shrugged resignedly, "Alright, I'll
be honest with you; I know who you're planning to marry and I won't agree to
it."
This time, the elder’s smile became a bit more apparent—he seemed to have
accepted this answer.
Lin Quan felt utterly defeated. He didn't want to conform to his original
character, but the others didn't see it that way. It was as if Lin Quan's
obsession with Childhood Friend No. 7 justified any crazy behaviour, while his
genuine desire to marry Qian Gu was seen as completely abnormal.
All he wanted was to arrange a marriage, replenish some health, and stick
close to Qian Gu to improve his survivability. Why was it so difficult?
Lin Quan had already been dumbed down by the system and he didn't mind making
himself even dumber.
He said honestly, "I've been cooped up in this sanatorium so I'm not entirely
sure about the Qian family’s situation. But it's a fact I am indeed rich. The
Qian family might not be short on money, but having more is always better than
having less. As long as the Qian family doesn’t marry that person, feel free
to make any demands."
By inserting himself between Childhood Friend No. 7 and Qian Gu's possible
marriage of convenience was of great benefit to him. It greatly increased his
chances of getting close to Qian Gu.
Lin Quan: Little Temtem, how's my performance? Wasn't it extra real and
touching that I was willing to do anything for Childhood Friend No. 7?
System: Oh, host of mine, your acting is way too over the top beyond words.
Good thing your character doesn't require much acting skill—being this stupid
should be good enough.
Lin Quan: I'll take it that you're complimenting me…
By the bedside, Qian Gu leaned slightly towards the old man and whispered
something. The elder looked a bit surprised. He glanced at Qian Gu but still
nodded his head. "Alright, you decide."
Qian Gu asked, "Young Master Lin, who has to jump off a building to save
himself, are you sure the Lin family fortune is still in your hands?"
A small smile crept onto Lin Quan's face. He was absolutely certain—the
information the system had told him couldn't possibly be false. The reason
those people kept rushing to the hospital, frantically trying to squeeze
whatever they could out of him, was because they didn’t have things of much
value in their hands.
Young Master Lin only had eyes for Childhood Friend No. 7. But when it came to
using money on matters unrelated to him, he wouldn’t budge an inch—his bratty,
young master temper on full display. As such, before Childhood Friend No. 7
made his move, the bulk of the Lin family's fortune was bound to remain under
Lin Quan's name.
With the help of the system, Lin Quan calmly explained to Qian Gu which key
assets of the Lin family still belonged to him, using this to prove his worth
as a top-notch partner.
At the same time, this also reminded Lin Quan that after he had sorted out
this current pickle, he really needed to study the plot properly and get to
grips with the ins and outs of the situation.
The moment he loses the system's support, he'd be as good as dead.
In that moment, Lin Quan was confident. "As long as I don't sign my name and
give my nod of approval, nobody can take even a single cent from the Lin
family."
He was faced with two options. One was for Qian Gu to call off the marriage,
and Lin Quan would pay a hefty price to help the Qian family get through their
crisis. Second was for Lin Quan and Qian Gu to marry, solve the Qian family’s
troubles, and get divorced whenever he felt like it after that.
Lin Quan said without hesitation, "I'll choose the second option; I'll marry
you."
"Why?" Qian Gu asked.
Lin Quan's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Because it sounds fun, don’t you
think? I’m really looking forward to seeing what expression that man will have
when I marry you."
Qian Gu's voice remained flat. "It's a pointless attempt; you won't get the
results you're after."
"Doesn't matter, we won't know unless we try," Lin Quan said.
Lin Quan was really going all out with his performance, all to dispel the Qian
family’s doubts and get closer to Qian Gu. He was coming up with excuses
left and right, not caring if they were childish or silly, as long as they
worked.
"Is it worth it?" Qian Gu asked.
"Yes." Lin Quan being able to stick to Qian Gu to get HP was more worthwhile
than any business deal. He stretched out his hand, then gently closed it.
"When I fell, you grabbed my hand. You saved me. So, I'm willing to gamble on
my luck again."
Qian Gu didn't say anything else on this matter. "In that case, the person
outside the door—deal with it."
Lin Quan: "…"
Didn't they just happily agree to get married? As his fiancé, shouldn't Qian
Gu be the one to help him deal with the unwelcome guest outside? Lin Quan was
unwilling to lose the HP he worked so hard to accumulate.
Lin Quan: Little Temtem, help!
He'd make sure to memorise the plot when he had the time. Who was the person
outside? Was there any more character info?
Lin Quan wasn't foolish enough to meet a dangerous character on his own. Since
he decided to get married with Qian Gu, it was only necessary to sort out
certain matters in front of the Qian family.
Soon, a young man in his early twenties, dressed in flashy clothes, strutted
into the hospital room. He wasn't bad-looking, and his attitude towards the
Qian family was acceptable, but he was ridiculously arrogant towards Lin
Quan.
That person threw a document in front of Lin Quan. "Sign it."
According to the system’s reliable intel, this person was Lin Quan's Brother
No. 3. Not a biological older brother but a paternal cousin. He was also one
of Lin Quan's love rivals.
This cousin’s biggest trait was that, like Lin Quan, he was madly in love with
Childhood Friend No. 7, like really madly in love. It's just a pity this
cousin was as lucky as Lin Quan to inherit the family fortune, resulting in
him being extremely displeased about Lin Quan becoming the new heir.
But despite him being such a cocky fellow, every time he brought over a
document, the original Lin Quan would always sign it. All the documents he
brought were closely related to Childhood Friend No. 7, providing him with
all-around support and protection.
Although the little young master of the Lin family didn’t like seeing this
cousin of his, it was nothing against his deep love for Childhood Friend No.
7. Young Master Lin would typically contact Childhood Friend No. 7 first,
bring up the matter, express a few words of concern, and then sign the
document with no hesitation. This was the only bit of enjoyment the little
Young Master Lin had during his lucid moments at the sanatorium.
Lin Quan picked up the document, casually flipped through it, and was
instantly amused.
Lin Quan: Little Temtem, things are getting interesting.
Lin Quan: Isn't this the piece of land that Qian Gu just said he wanted me to
sell to him?
Lin Quan: What's happening here? The Qian family wants this plot of land and
Childhood Friend No. 7 heard word about it. So he wants to take this land for
himself and make a deal with the Qian family? Could the "great misfortune" be
hinting that things would be bad for me if I were to give this land to
Childhood Friend No. 7?
System: Do you want to look into this?
Lin Quan: What kinda joke is that! No way I'm investigating anything.
Ignorance is bliss.
Lin Quan: All the complicated scheming of big families has nothing to do with
me. They can fight all they want. I'm just here to watch from the sidelines,
not to get involved.
Lin Quan didn't sign the document. He closed it and set it aside, then
casually spat out a single word, "Nope."
Mr Cousin here was all ready to start mocking Lin Quan and walk away with the
signed document. Who would've thought Lin Quan would pull such an unexpected
move?
The sneer on his face immediately froze and he couldn't help but raise his
voice, "What did you say?"
"I said. Nope." Lin Quan repeated, enunciating each word.
"No?" This cousin glared daggers at Lin Quan. "Do you have any idea how much
trouble you'll cause for him by pulling this nonsense?"
Lin Quan neither got angry nor annoyed. "I don't know. I've been confined to
the sanatorium day in day out and am completely clueless about the outside
world. Either way, I can't give away this piece of land."
"Why the hell not?" His cousin was furious. "You…"
"I've given this land to my fiancé," Lin Quan calmly dropped a bombshell, then
added, "Congratulations. You've won. From now on, I won't compete with you for
him."
As for that Childhood Friend No. 7 whom he had never even met, whoever fancied
him could go ahead and pursue him. It had absolutely nothing to do with Lin
Quan.
1. Written as "关爱智障" which literally translates to "caring for the mentally challenged". There are actual charities/organisations that use this phrase for their cause but online, it's more of a meme. It's often used to mock someone for saying or doing something particularly stupid as if they need special care or attention↩
A/N:
Lin Quan: Hahahaha, I'm going to hold onto this Lucky Lifesaver Charm [Written as "保命大吉" this is going to come up a lot and I'm open
to suggestions] and get married to him!
Qian Gu: My marriage partner is a little silly.
If you don't mind, it'd be nice if you can rate this novel on NU if you've
enjoyed it so far!! ( ̧⸝⸝⍢⸝⸝)ෆ
Please feedback to me in the comments below if you find any typos or
terrible grammar, etc that you think I should change. Or maybe you think
my interpretation is completely off lol Help me help you have a better
reading experience ahahah what a tongue twister XD
Thank yous!! (˶‾᷄ ⁻̫ ‾᷅˵)
I hope you enjoyed this chapter and have a great day!!
You can support me by sending some love in the comments or through the button below
Thank yous!! (˶‾᷄ ⁻̫ ‾᷅˵)
I hope you enjoyed this chapter and have a great day!!
You can support me by sending some love in the comments or through the button below
peace lilies~