"I don't believe it, it's absolutely impossible..." Lin Han, from the Yin Family, was like a madman, still muttering to himself.
The chairs in the room were overturned by him, and the porcelain vases, jade articles, and tea tables were all smashed and scattered everywhere.
Just an hour ago, Father Lin informed Lin Han that the Yin Family's steward had sent a letter saying Yin Cui was to marry Young Master Su Yibo of the Su Family.
Lin Han immediately expressed his disbelief, stating that Yin Cui would never agree.
Father Lin told him: "A major marriage decision is made by the parents.
This is already a fact, and besides, the Su Family has sent people to say that Young Master Su is determined to marry Yin Cui.
Our Lin Family cannot afford to offend the Su Family, let alone the Yin Family, which is much smaller than us.
Things have come to this, there's no turning back.
The people of the Su Family are wolves in human skin; if they say they will marry her, they will definitely get her."
Lin Han was so frightened by Father Lin's words that he collapsed to the ground.
His Mother Lin also came forward to comfort him, telling him to completely forget Yin Cui.
The more Lin Han listened, the more anxious he became, his heart filled with agitation and panic.
"Is this really true? We agreed to propose to her family after the New Year, how could it be like this in just a few days?
"No," Lin Han decided to go find Yin Cui and clarify things.
Father Lin and Mother Lin certainly disagreed, so they had someone lock the main gate and ordered their servants to guard him.
The more Lin Han thought, the more anxious he became; the more anxious, the more chaotic, and he began to smash things, kick over chairs, and madly mutter to himself: "I don't believe it, I want to see Yin Cui..."
Lin Han, who had never even had a temper tantrum or argument before, was smashing things like a madman today.
His usual happy, joyful smile had turned into this insane state, which even made the Lin Family's servants unable to help but cry.
Mother Lin cried even more, hugging him and comforting him.
Father Lin began to plead: "Han'er, you are our only son.
If you were gone, what meaning would there be for us to live?
That Su Family kills without batting an eye.
You are too young to understand the cruelty of this world.
Just consider it your father begging you, don't go looking for Yin Cui anymore.
Forget her!"...
Lin Han's madness lasted for several hours; his eyes were red and swollen, his hair disheveled, his clothes torn in several places, and he sat on the ground like an idiot.
After two days of staying on the ground, not eating or drinking, Lin Han suddenly got up and said to his parents: "Father, Mother, I won't be so lacking in self-respect.
I just want to go see Yin Cui and ask her clearly if she's going to marry into the Su Family.
If she is, I'll have nothing to say.
After all the years of feelings we've had, surely I can go see her?
Besides, I'm just going to her house to see her and get a clear answer, so I can completely give up."
Father Lin firmly disagreed; if he and Yin Cui caused any more trouble, it would be problematic.
Furthermore, if Yin Cui cried and said she was forced, and that she would always love Lin Han, then Lin Han would fight the Su Family even if it meant his death.
Mother Lin couldn't comfort Lin Han and feared he would be overly heartbroken and unable to cope physically.
Even if he could endure until Yin Cui and Su Yibo's wedding day, upon hearing the news, his frail body would surely give out and he would pass away...
And even now, not eating or drinking, he would also be finished.
Thinking of this, Mother Lin walked up to Father Lin and pleaded: "Just let him go.
They are about to get married, and Han'er is a sensible person; he won't force anything.
Just let them meet as friends to say goodbye..." As she spoke, she forcefully winked at Father Lin.
Father Lin naturally understood; with his wife on one side and his son on the other, he could only sigh and say: "Alas, alright!
Han'er, remember she is already someone else's wife.
You must be careful with your words and don't make a fool of yourself at her house."
After speaking, he turned and left, not forgetting to grumble: "I only have this one son.
If anything happens to him, how can I explain it to my ancestors..."
Mother Lin understood that these words were meant to warn Lin Han not to act impulsively or foolishly; if not for himself, then for his parents and for the Yin Family.
Mother Lin comforted Lin Han well and quickly ordered servants to bring food.
Lin Han also quietly sat down and ate, then, with the help of servants, went to bathe.
When he came out, his Mother also styled his hair, put a hat on him, and dressed him in new clothes.
His Mother told him not to rush; the sun was about to set, so he should get a good night's sleep and go tomorrow.
Others choose auspicious dates for weddings.
She heard that because Su Yibo had to go out for business, the wedding was scheduled for two months later.
Mother Lin persuaded Lin Han that one night wouldn't make a difference, and she stayed by Lin Han's side all night.
Lin Han had been through enough torment these two days; who knew what he was thinking in his heart?
Only Father Lin and Mother Lin felt even more distressed seeing him.
After Lin Han fell asleep, Mother Lin's tears flowed again.
The couple hadn't rested well these past two days either, and tomorrow, who knew what would happen again...
Mother Lin rested her head on her son's bedside, sitting on a chair, and also fell asleep.
The next day, Lin Han tidied his attire and boarded the carriage.
Father Lin specifically ordered a few trustworthy servants to accompany them from behind, as they were not in the city, and the servants could ride horses.
Father Lin did not go, but Mother Lin accompanied him directly in the carriage.
Lin Han's heart was actually constantly in turmoil and panic; the pain had not yet manifested.
He was afraid of losing Yin Cui, and even more, he didn't believe Yin Cui would abandon him.
"Yin Cui is being forced"? Lin Han kept comforting himself this way, but what could I do?
Ask her to elope together?
What if she really chose to stay and marry?
How should I speak to her if such a thing suddenly happens and I meet her?
How should I deal with her family?
...If he truly lost her, his pain would erupt....
Soon, they arrived at Yin Cui's house.
Lin Han went directly up and asked the Yin Family's gatekeeper to report their presence.
After a long wait, it wasn't Yin Cui who came out, nor her parents, but her elder brother, Yin Zhongda.
"Aunt Lin, Lin Han, is there something you need?" Yin Zhongda asked calmly.
"I wanted to see Yin Cui; I have something to discuss with her," Lin Han replied softly.
"Looking for my sister? She's not available to see guests right now, please understand.
Because she's preparing to get married, she needs to do some pre-wedding preparations during this time," Yin Zhongda replied with a somewhat disrespectful attitude.
"Yin Cui is getting married? To whom?" Lin Han, hearing this, felt like he'd been struck by lightning, and he anxiously asked, losing all reason.
"It's Young Master Su Yibo of the Su Family.
Our two families have already set the engagement, and Yin Cui will marry him in two months."
As he spoke, Yin Zhongda held his head much higher, and after finishing, he turned his body to the side, no longer directly facing Lin Han and Mother Lin.
Hearing that Yin Cui was indeed marrying Su Yibo, coupled with Yin Zhongda's arrogant tone and averted gaze, Lin Han nearly fainted on the spot.
His masculine dignity and reason prevented him from collapsing in front of everyone.
Dignity meant he couldn't lose face and collapse in front of others at this moment.
Lin Han suppressed the pain in his heart, composed himself, and then softly said, "Brother Yin, Yin Cui and I have been classmates and good friends for many years.
I have something to discuss with her now; could you please allow us to meet?"
"No, this is a critical time.
No interference is allowed with our wedding preparations.
Whatever it is, we can discuss it later.
I'm very busy with wedding arrangements during this period, having to distribute wedding invitations everywhere.
If it weren't for our long-standing friendship, I wouldn't even have time to come out and see you.
Our Yin Family could simply send a servant out to inform you."
Yin Zhongda made it clear: "I'm only coming out to see you because we are acquaintances.
Things are different now; our Yin Family has allied with the Su Family.
I won't be as polite as before when I speak.
You should mind your status; is my sister someone you can just see whenever you want?"
This was clearly stating that there was no possibility between Yin Cui and Lin Han; Lin Han, don't be so deluded.
"Brother Yin, the wedding is still two months away, I just want to see Yin Cui..."
Before Lin Han could finish, Mother Lin quickly interceded: "Nephew Yin, my son just wants to see Yin Cui, it's harmless.
Please let them meet."
She used to call him Zhongda directly, but now, speaking humbly and pleading, she even invoked their old acquaintance with the term "nephew."
Indeed, the Yin Family used to be inferior to the Lin Family, even only one-tenth its size.
Now things were different; having allied with the Su Family, their status had risen considerably.
Naturally, they were no longer as humble as before.
The Su Family immediately sent a betrothal gift worth three times the Yin Family's assets.
This wasn't because Young Master Su Yibo was kind to the Yin Family; it was because of the Su Family's high status, such an amount was necessary for a pre-wedding gift.
It was Su Yibo's own face, and he wouldn't be stingy.
The main wife arranged for Su Yibo by his family was the daughter of a great general; that wedding betrothal gift was literally two hundred times the Yin Family's assets, plus three rare items that money couldn't buy.
Marrying Yin Cui as a wife was enough to give Yin Zhongda even more status over the Lin Family.
Secondly, the Yin Family would not allow Lin Han to see Yin Cui again; it was to make them both completely give up hope and not cause any further trouble at this time, especially since the two were still innocent and hadn't publicly announced their relationship.
"No, see them out." Yin Zhongda waved his hand and turned to return to his mansion.
The gatekeepers immediately followed to close the main gate...
Lin Han finally couldn't hold on; pain and intense anxiety overwhelmed him, and he fainted to the ground.