Chapter 236 Extra 7

Chapter 236 Extra 7

Although skeptical of the "young ability users" that Old Master Shen had mentioned, the Shen family's situation was indeed dire—they never knew when enemies that Shen's father had offended in the past might come seeking revenge. So for the safety and stability of the entire family, Shen Qinglan ultimately chose to attend Li Fengfeng's matchmaking event.

After all, no matter how worthless his father was, he had still enjoyed the family's wealth and privilege. He couldn't possibly remain indifferent at such a critical moment of life and death.

Besides, if he truly stood by and did nothing while the Shen family fell into complete decline, he wouldn't have any good outcome either.

Because beauty alone was a death sentence!

Rather than being bullied in the future, it was better to use his beauty to latch onto an old man now—at least it would find the family a patron, wouldn't it?

However, thinking it was one thing, but when he actually went to register for the matchmaking event and learned that Li Fengfeng was truly already forty-nine years old, Shen Qinglan still felt some fear and sadness.

Wahhh, that fortune-teller master back then was really unreliable.

He had said Shen Qinglan was a person of great fortune, yet not only had his marriage prospects been full of twists and turns, but now he might even marry an old man older than his own parents!

Would that master want this kind of fortune if it were offered to him?

With this realization, even though Shen Qinglan suppressed his sadness and didn't shed tears at the event, his brows were still tinged with sorrow.

This added a vulnerable charm to his already stunning features.

It also made the other young guys at the gathering who wanted to climb up through Li Fengfeng feel extremely wary!

And then... unsurprisingly, one of the bolder ones, in order to clear away obstacles, made a move against Shen Qinglan, this competitor.

Even though Shen Qinglan wasn't truly foolish and wasn't unfamiliar with various schemes and infighting, he was currently distracted by his sorrow, and there were many people targeting him.

With too many enemies and too few hands, he fell for their trick.

So when Shen Qinglan went to the restroom, he was knocked unconscious and locked inside a stall. By the time he woke up, the matchmaking event had already ended!

"What? It's over? The event is already over? I—I haven't even met General Li yet! Wahhh..."

Shen Qinglan felt like he'd been struck by lightning and broke down sobbing on the spot.

If he failed at the matchmaking, how was he supposed to explain things to his parents when he got home?

Although his mother definitely wouldn't let his father blame him, if his father couldn't restore his official position, the whole family would be in for a bad end.

"Wahhh, it's all my fault, all my fault for being careless and falling for someone's trick. It's all because I'm useless, can't even handle such a simple thing. Wahhh..."

Upon hearing the bad news, Shen Qinglan couldn't help but squat at the entrance of the restaurant where the event was held, crying pitifully, drawing attention from passersby.

Among those attracted by the commotion was Han Zhang!

Although Han Zhang didn't want to meddle too much in his subordinate's romantic affairs, Li Fengfeng had always been loyal and obedient to him, so he had shamelessly dragged Han Zhang over to help him vet the candidates.

Besides that, he also wanted to give Han Zhang, a single guy, the chance to see if there was anyone who caught his eye.

Han Zhang did indeed have some thoughts about finding a partner, so he went along to take a look.

However, there were indeed quite a few young guys at the gathering today with outstanding looks and good personalities, but after looking around, none of them made his heart flutter. He left disappointed.

But since he was already here and had heard that this restaurant's dishes were quite good, Han Zhang didn't rush to leave. Instead, he ate his fill until just now before coming out.

There was no helping it—survivors of the apocalypse, regardless of gender or age, had an extraordinary obsession with food. They could go without anything except a full belly.

Unexpectedly, it was precisely because of this delay that he finally met someone who caught his eye!

The youth crying across from him was only seventeen or eighteen years old. He wasn't a knockout, but he was still a real looker with delicate features and a graceful air.

Most importantly, the youth's eyes were clean and crystal clear, going straight to Han Zhang's heart at first glance.

Now tear-streaked, the corners of his eyes flushed pink, he looked like a frightened, helpless fawn, instantly triggering Han Zhang's protective instincts.

Someone like him, who had survived the apocalypse, wasn't one to easily show kindness. So, plain and simple... he'd taken a liking to this little beauty!

Since he liked what he saw, he should act quickly.

Han Zhang hesitated for less than a second before acting on impulse. He straightened his clothes, strolled over, handed him a tissue, and asked with gentle concern:

"Hello, wipe your face. Crying out here in the wind isn't good for you. Have you run into some trouble? Can I help at all?"

Shen Qinglan was crying his heart out when suddenly a shadow loomed over him, and then a tissue appeared in front of him.

Although he had a somewhat spoiled temperament, he wasn't one to snap at strangers. Grateful for the stranger's kindness, he quickly wiped away his tears and thanked him:

"Thanks, but... you can't help me with this..."

But before he could finish his thanks, Shen Qinglan froze the moment he looked up and got a look at Han Zhang's face.

All thoughts of the failed matchmaking and his sadness vanished in an instant. His mind went blank except for one thought:

This gentleman was so handsome, so dashing, so commanding—how could a man this good-looking exist?!

The young lad's dazed expression was downright adorable.

It also made Han Zhang's lips curl up without him even realizing it.

He had always known that his appearance was outstanding—plenty of men and women had been drawn to him before—but back then, he'd never felt much of anything about it.

But this kid's reaction made him proud of his looks for the first time.

Nothing beats falling for someone at first sight—only to realize they've fallen for you too.

Han Zhang's smile grew even gentler. Pretending to be curious, he teased the boy:

"So, you're here for General Li's matchmaking thing too? Did you not get picked, and that's why you're crying?"

Hearing that, Shen Qinglan couldn't possibly admit it!

If he admitted he'd come for the matchmaking too, what if this handsome guy thought he was some gold-digging social climber?

Although he didn't think there was anything wrong with wanting nice things—who didn't want a good life?—such a quality truly wasn't endearing.

He didn't want this man to dislike him. He wanted to get to know him!

So, completely forgetting his family troubles at the sight of this handsome man, Shen Qinglan hastily wiped away his tears, his cheeks flushing bright red, and hurriedly explained:

"No... no, I'm not here for the matchmaking! I just happened to be passing by when my coin purse was stolen. It was my favorite design, and I really loved that thing, so I couldn't help crying."

But after saying this, he realized how lame his excuse sounded—his coin purse was still hanging right there at his waist, clearly not stolen!

Immediately, his face flushed crimson with embarrassment, and he wished the ground would swallow him whole.

Han Zhang found it amusing but didn't expose him. Instead, he played along, feigning sudden realization, nodding with a smile in his eyes:

"I see. I was just thinking—of all the young lads at General Li's matchmaking gathering today, you were by far the most handsome. How could you possibly have been rejected?"

"You... you... I..."

The blunt compliment made Shen Qinglan's ears burn. He felt both embarrassed and delighted, and his cheeks flushed even redder.

Embarrassed because Han Zhang was basically flirting with him, wasn't he?

Sweet because Han Zhang was chatting him up like this, which meant he was interested too, right?

He forced himself to stay calm, tugging at his clothes, his gaze darting as he stammered, trying to change the subject:

"How... how do you know none of the other lads today are as handsome as I am? Are you a friend of General Li's, standing guard inside earlier?"

The young lad was subtly fishing for his name and identity.

Han Zhang instantly caught on to his little trick, and the amusement in his eyes deepened:

"Not a friend, just happened to look around today, and I truly think you're the best-looking of them all."

He wasn't lying—he was Li Fengfeng's boss and his brother-in-arms, not just a friend.

With that, he deliberately pretended not to know ancient customs and, following modern etiquette, extended his hand for a handshake, testing the waters again:

"Hello there, young master. I'm Han Zhang. Might I have the honor of knowing your name?"

"You... hello... I... my name is Shen Qinglan..."

Shen Qinglan was flustered by this sudden intimate gesture, his ears turning crimson.

He really wasn't used to this kind of physical greeting, but the moment his eyes landed on Han Zhang's strikingly handsome face, he couldn't help losing his composure. As if possessed, he immediately put his hand in Han Zhang's.

He even added, "My family all call me Lan Geer."

Meaning Han Zhang could call him *that* too!

Meanwhile, he was making excuses for Han Zhang in his mind: judging by this gentleman's clothes and short hair, he must be one of those people from Hua State.

Hua State had completely different customs, so Master Han's behavior must be their normal greeting. He couldn't judge him by the old customs of Zhao State.

He was just greeting him normally, not teasing him at all!

Shen Qinglan tried to convince himself over and over, but when he looked up and met Han Zhang's smiling eyes, his cheeks burned even more fiercely.

The admiration in those eyes was impossible to hide.

Master Han really was so handsome.

He'd just take one look, one more look...

Then one look after another, endlessly, his eyes glued to Han Zhang, unable to look away.