After Swapping Lives, the Metaphysics Side Character Became the Wealthy Family's Beloved - Chapter 52

“What’s your relationship?”

Li Qiao calmly looked up at Jian Lanfeng, whose eyes concealed suppressed emotions.

“With whom?” she asked.

“He Niannian!”

Li Qiao’s indifferent gaze lingered on his hand. Her tone was cool: “Dr. Jian, that’s none of your business.”

“Qiaoqiao, I’m your fiancé.” Jian Lanfeng’s voice hardened, though a faint smile played on his lips.

That smile was chilling.

“Dr. Jian, it was just casual talk between our fathers. How could you take it seriously? We’re both educated people—how can idle words be binding?”

Li Qiao tried to push Jian Lanfeng away, but his grip was unyielding. His fingers lightly traced her cheek.

“To me, it was never idle talk.” As he spoke, he leaned in closer. Li Qiao remained composed, silently counting down in her head: Three… two… one…

Thud!

Jian Lanfeng collapsed to the floor, unconscious.

He Niannian kicked Jian Lanfeng in disgust, then glanced at Li Qiao. Assured she was unharmed, he kicked him again.

Li Qiao stopped He Niannian. “Mr. He, he couldn’t have laid a finger on me.”

Jian Lanfeng’s behavior tonight had crossed a line. Under Li Qiao’s calming words, He Niannian gradually relaxed.

Now, the question was: How to get Jian Lanfeng out?

After some thought, Li Qiao called for Li Shaoyang’s help.

When Li Shaoyang entered her room and saw two men, his jaw dropped. His chest tightened with frustration, but he resignedly hauled Jian Lanfeng downstairs.

Before leaving, Li Shaoyang frowned at He Niannian. “Ninth Master He, Qiaoqiao is still an innocent girl. Please mind your boundaries.” No entering a young woman’s room uninvited.

“Hmm.” He Niannian replied indifferently.

Li Shaoyang: “…”

Why do I suddenly want to punch him?

Since He Niannian wasn’t leaving, Li Shaoyang refused to go downstairs either.

Li Qiao understood her brother’s concerns—it was natural for an older brother to worry. After all, it was late.

She waved goodbye, and He Niannian’s expression softened. The way he looked at her—

Li Shaoyang’s heart sank.

Under his watchful gaze, He Niannian leaped onto a tree outside the window and nimbly descended back to his own home.

Li Qiao blinked in surprise. So that’s how he got in?

“Chop it down. That tree has to go,” Li Shaoyang declared, pointing outside.

“Second Brother… just take him away first.”

“Fine. Qiaoqiao, remember to lock your doors and windows at night. Some people are nothing but wolves in human clothing.”

Li Shaoyang’s worries were endless. With a predator next door, his heart was in knots.

“Got it, Second Brother.”

After seeing him off, Li Qiao returned to the window and waved goodnight to He Niannian. When he waved back, her lips curled into a small smile.

As she drifted off to sleep, Li Shaoyang downstairs tossed and turned restlessly. He knocked on Li Shaojin’s door.

“Elder Brother, our cabbage is in danger! I’ve uncovered something huge.”

Li Shaojin pulled him inside. In minutes, Li Shaoyang recounted everything, his greatest concern being He Niannian.

“Elder Brother… He Niannian’s cursed to lose his wives. Our sister can’t be with him. We just got her back!”

“He Niannian… isn’t the main issue. From what I’ve seen, Qiaoqiao’s feelings for him aren’t clear yet.” Besides, the future was unpredictable. Right now, Li Shaojin was more worried about Jian Lanfeng.

Li Shaoyang disagreed. “No way. He’s barely met Qiaoqiao a few times—how could he be that infatuated?”

But love was unpredictable. Maybe Jian Lanfeng had fallen for her at first sight.

Regardless, Jian Lanfeng was the one to watch. The bond between the Jian and Li families had long since frayed.

Li Shaoyang nodded solemnly. “I’ll keep an eye out.”

If Jian Lanfeng dared make a move on Qiaoqiao, he wouldn’t hold back.

After calling Jian Lanfeng’s friend to retrieve him (wherever he ended up was none of his concern), Li Shaoyang hung up.

On the Road

Jian Lanfeng woke, rubbing his sore neck and aching abdomen. His expression darkened.

Jiang Feng, driving, chuckled. “Lanfeng-ge, you went to the Li family and came back like this? What’s the point?”

From the backseat, Jian Lanfeng smirked coldly. Though silent, Jiang Feng guessed the truth and gasped. “You’re actually into that little country bumpkin?”

“Jiang Feng, she’s my fiancée. Show some respect.”

Jiang Feng shut his mouth. He and Jian Lanfeng were close friends in their circle.

Their group knew Jian Lanfeng had a fiancée who’d gone missing as a child. They’d once teased him: If you never find her, will you stay single forever?

Back then, Jian Lanfeng had only smiled.

They’d assumed he didn’t care about the arranged marriage—until they saw his home filled with faceless portraits, all imagined versions of Li Qiao.

“Lanfeng-ge… love requires mutual feelings.” Jiang Feng grew uneasy. He’s serious.

“I’m satisfied with her.” Aside from her eccentric hobbies, Li Qiao was perfect.

With a sigh, Jiang Feng dropped him off and left, hoping Jian Lanfeng wouldn’t fall too deep.

Jian Residence

Entering the living room, Jian Lanfeng saw his father, Jian Fengchun, reading a newspaper on the sofa.

“Father.”

“Went to the Li family?”

Jian Fengchun didn’t look up.

Before Jian Lanfeng could answer, his father continued, “Does their girl like you?”

“Probably not.”

The man finally lowered the newspaper, sharp eyes scrutinizing his son. His brow furrowed.

“Lanfeng, remember: Your wife can only be Li Qiao.”

“I know.”

Jian Lanfeng headed upstairs to rest.

In his room, he stared at the wall covered in paintings—all but the latest one lacked faces.

At the center was a new portrait: Li Qiao, fully realized.

His fingers brushed the painted cheek.

Li Qiao… my wife.

The Next Day

Li Qiao accompanied Li Shaoyang to a business meeting at a suburban high-rise.

Upon entering, a faint chill crept over her.

Li Shaoyang noticed. “Qiaoqiao, are you cold?”

“A little. Second Brother… who chose this place for the meeting?”

“Wei Ting’s cousin. He connected us with the client—this is their office.”

As they stepped into the elevator, Li Shaoyang shivered. Why is it so cold?

The other passengers stood eerily silent. He dismissed it—until the elevator stopped at the 44th floor.

“Qiaoqiao… am I seeing things? This building doesn’t have a 44th floor!”

The glowing red numbers sent a shiver down his spine.