Chapter 3 Li Luo Who Wants to Annul the Marriage

Jiang Qing'e fell silent for a moment and said, "Although I want to tell you that you're just turning seventeen tomorrow, why are you acting so mature?" "However, what you said does make some sense, but I have no interest in others; at least I don't reject you." Li Luo forced a bitter smile and said, "Sister Qing'e, that marriage contract is more out of your gratitude towards my parents. I believe your feelings for them are far stronger than for me, but I really don't need such gratitude." After saying that, Li Luo lowered his head and slowly spoke, "I know that asking you to retract the marriage contract might be unrealistic, but..." He raised his head and looked directly into Jiang Qing'e's eyes, "I hope you can give yourself, and me, a chance." Li Luo paused and continued, "We can make a deal. Before I have enough ability, you help me maintain control of the Luo Lan Mansion. If when I take over the Luo Lan Mansion, you can ensure it suffers minimal loss, then as a token of gratitude, I will return the marriage contract to you. How about that?" Jiang Qing'e remained silent, her slender jade fingers lightly tapping rhythmically on the table. The silence lasted for quite a while until she finally spoke softly, "Li Luo, you really don't like me?" Li Luo was momentarily stunned, then took a deep breath and said, "Sister Qing'e, you may underestimate your allure and excellence. For someone your age, your charm is universally appealing. If I said I didn't like you, that would be too disingenuous and hypocritical." "However, I don't need this marriage contract." Jiang Qing'e raised her delicate brows, and her small hand suddenly slapped the coffee table. Bang! Li Luo was startled and quickly shifted his position backward, saying, "Let's discuss this properly, no need to get physical." Jiang Qing'e shot him a glance and said coolly, "Li Luo, it seems you have improved in your eloquence after some time apart. What you said does have some merit. I can treat this matter as a transaction. When you're ready to take over the Luo Lan Mansion, I will hand it over to you intact. At that time, you can return the marriage contract to me." Upon hearing this, Li Luo felt a wave of relief wash over him, but at the same time, a sense of inexplicable loss surged up from the depths of his heart, causing him to inwardly curse himself for being so pathetic. "Your words today have made me see you in a new light. It seems you are no longer a child." Li Luo was somewhat irritated: "A child? How am I still a child?" Jiang Qing'e ignored his words, merely watching him with a half-smile and said, "But Li Luo, I must remind you one last time, are you really planning to go through with this transaction? Once this marriage contract is retracted, you may find that you have no hope for the rest of your life." Li Luo narrowed his eyes, pressing his arms on the coffee table, he straightened up and looked down at Jiang Qing'e, their faces just a foot apart. "Jiang Qing'e, I truly do not care for this marriage contract at all, because in the future, I want you to personally return the marriage contract to me, not to my parents." Jiang Qing'e's golden pupils reflected Li Luo's handsome face, and the hint of a smile at the corners of her lips intensified. She clearly understood Li Luo's meaning: the reason for returning this marriage contract to her was that she currently felt no romantic interest in him, and when she later returned the marriage contract to Li Luo, it would signify that she had developed feelings for him. "Sit down," she said, her red lips parting slightly. An inexplicable force suddenly appeared, pressing Li Luo back down onto the bench with a heavy thud, causing him to wince. Thus, the earlier tension was instantly diffused. Jiang Qing'e supported her chin with her hand, lazily glancing at Li Luo, saying, "Your abilities are limited, but your words are quite bold. I've seen many young talents over the years, but no one has dared to speak to me like this." "Li Luo, don't aim too high; your goals are unrealistic. However, if you really want to give it a try, I can give you a chance." Her golden pupils shimmered, mysterious and profound. "Waiting for you at the Holy Xuan Star Academy is just the first step. If you can't even achieve this, you can treat everything you said today as the rebellious whims of youth and forget about it." Li Luo chose not to say more this time; he simply leaned against the car window, gradually closing his eyes and calmly said, "Then you just wait." Jiang Qing'e gazed out at the streets and buildings passing by outside the window, sunlight spilling into her eyes, and then she smiled subtly. There was a rare softness in her gaze. The carriage sped along, and after a while, Li Luo suddenly opened his eyes, puzzled, and said, "Isn't this the way home?" Jiang Qing'e nodded slightly and said softly, "We're going to the Golden Dragon Treasure House to pick something up." She turned her golden pupils towards Li Luo. "Before Master and Madam left, they specifically left something for you, saying you should open it when you turn seventeen." Li Luo's heart trembled at these words. His parents left something for him?