Several sisters from the Lin Family chased out from the banquet hall together.
Leading them was Lin Rui's second cousin, Lin Yue, followed by the third cousin Lin Mei, fourth cousin Lin Ruxue, and fifth cousin Lin Qian, while she, Lin Rui, ranked sixth among the Lin family girls.
It was heard that there were three younger female cousins who, because they had not reached the marriageable age, had not attended the wife-selection event.
At that time, Shivam was standing with his good friend He Zheng on the other side of the hotel, seemingly waiting for their car.
Shivam lifted his eyes and saw Lin Rui being surrounded but he made no move.
He Zheng's deep eyes narrowed slightly as he motioned with his chin towards Shivam, "Your fiancee is being attacked by her cousins."
Shivam glanced at He Zheng, his eyes profound, "If Lin Rui doesn't have the ability to extricate herself, she would get shredded by others as my wife."
He Zheng paused, then chuckled, "You make a good point. I'm just curious why you chose this country bumpkin?"
Shivam, with one hand in his pocket, glanced over at Lin Rui from afar, and said with a deep meaning, "Out of a forest of flowers, a single patch of green stands out. I didn't see anyone else, just her."
He Zheng laughed again, "True, you don't often come across a plain Jane like her. It's quite unique at first sight. But will the old master like your choice?"
Shivam's handsome face remained indifferent, his gaze fixed on Lin Rui's face, half-concealed by black-rimmed glasses. Her face was indeed quite ugly.
Even he found it unpleasant to look at.
"He just wanted me to choose one of the Lin family girls, and I did. What's there for him to be dissatisfied about?"
Just then, the car arrived.
Shivam was in no hurry to board, instead, he continued to watch the drama unfold from a distance.
He Zheng looked at his good friend and sighed, "You're openly defying the old master this time."
Shivam curved his lips slightly, "He should have anticipated this outcome."
He Zheng heaved a sigh, "The old master probably didn't expect you to rebel like this, choosing a country girl for a wife. Is she presentable enough to be the Group's young mistress?"
"She's presentable," Shivam said playfully, eyeing Lin Rui in the distance with an inscrutable look. "Ugly, maybe, but smart."
He Zheng was taken aback and followed Shivam's gaze.
Lin Rui, faced with provocation from her several cousins, remained composed.
There seemed to be a certain aura about this country girl.
Lin Rui stood at the hotel entrance, looking at her cousins' aggressive demeanor, and asked calmly, "Cousins, what do you want with me?"
"Yokel," Lin Yufei scorned while sizing up Lin Rui, " Shivam actually set his sights on you. Do you think you're worthy?"
"Indeed, I'm not," Lin Rui nodded, her tone even.
Lin Yufei was stunned for a moment, not expecting Lin Rui to admit it. She furrowed her brows, sizing Lin Rui up and down.
She couldn't understand how a country bumpkin like Lin Rui could catch Shivam's eye.
Why would he choose Lin Rui in front of everyone, when any other girl from the Lin Family was miles better than this country yokel?
She had no looks, no education, no cultivation; why should she be chosen?
Lin Yufei frowned and snapped, "Rube, you are indeed unworthy, but to think you'd actually refuse Shivam? You must be playing hard to get."
Lin Rui, called a rube, wasn't angry, her expression remained calm as though the insults weren't directed at her.
She pushed her glasses up her nose and spoke unhurriedly, "Yes, I'm playing hard to get."
"Ha, I wouldn't have guessed you had such scheming, you yokel," cursed Lin Yufei. "You are shameless to think you can play hard to get, looking like that."
Lin Rui kept her head down and didn't respond, the very picture of someone who was being bullied.
Her third cousin, Lin Mei, scoffed coldly, "Lin Rui, I'm telling you, if Shivam finds out about your schemes, he definitely won't marry you. Don't think you can win his favor with your little tricks!"
"Then please do me a favor and tell him that I'm playing games with him. Even better, suggest that he choose you. I have no objections," Lin Rui said indifferently, then turned to leave.
Lin Xiguang stepped in front of her, blocking her exit. "How dare you insult third sister."
Lin Rui glanced at these hostile cousins and said calmly, "Dear sisters, I really don't mean any of this. If any of you wants to marry Shivam, feel free to band together to seduce him. I truly have no objections."
"You, vulgar!" Lin Yufei cursed, embarrassed and annoyed.
"Shameless," Lin Mei also started to curse.
Lin Xiguang glared at her with a red face, "You really are a bumpkin, vulgar and shameless."
Lin Rui frowned slightly, losing patience, "Fourth sister, when you curse, it's everyone's business. Why do country folks deserve your insults? They haven't taken your food; why should they take your abuse?"
"You!" Lin Xiguang was at a loss for words.
Lin Rui didn't give her the chance to respond and continued, "Dear cousins, if any of you can persuade Shivam to choose you as his wife, I will send you my blessings."
"You really are vulgar and shameless!" Lin Yufei reached out to grab Lin Rui.
Lin Rui stepped back, still smiling, then looked in Shivam's direction, "Sisters, your god of a man is watching from across the street. I don't mind being seen as vulgar, but if he sees you ganging up on me like this, the image of the Lin Family's delicate daughters will surely plummet."
The cousins immediately inhaled sharply and all looked towards the other side.
Indeed, Shivam and He Zheng were standing in front of the luxury car, watching this side.
When they turned their heads back, Lin Rui had disappeared.
"Where's Lin Rui?" Lin Mei asked.
"She ran off."
"Damn it, Shivam saw us, what do we do?"
Shivam and He Zheng got into the car.
He Zheng's laugh was meaningful. "She actually escaped the trap, quite interesting, huh."
Shivam's sharp eyes scanned the direction where Lin Rui had left. That girl was indeed quick.
In the instant her cousins turned their heads, she had turned and walked away without any hesitation.
Shivam narrowed his eyes slightly, a faint smile on his lips. "She says she's playing hard to get, do you believe that?"
He Zheng was taken aback, then shook his head. "Who knows, but she seemed pretty determined when she rejected you at the banquet hall."
Shivam looked off into the distance, "She indeed was serious about rejecting me."
He Zheng remembered Lin Rui's words about worrying Shivam might make rash moves, and couldn't help laughing, "Quite a humorous bumpkin. I suddenly find her quite interesting. Choosing her could be a stroke of luck."
Shivam gave him a glance, "Among all the Lin family girls, aside from Lin Rui, who else is worth my choosing?"
He Zheng was stunned, then smiled playfully, "True, choosing those fierce ladies over the down-to-earth girl who just returned to town, when's the registration?"
"Tomorrow morning," Shivam said in a deep voice.
He Zheng frowned. "I don't understand the old man, why is he in such a hurry?"
Shivam said coldly, "He owes the Lin Family, and he's making me repay the debt. It's a deal between willing parties; I have nothing to complain about."
He Zheng: "....."