The Narcissistic Jiang Luohan

Capital City, Marquis Yong'an's Estate, study.

Amidst the stifling atmosphere, Zhang Qingyue, who had been silently observing, slowly raised her head.

Her gaze was the calmest, revealing a shrewdness that could see through people's hearts.

"Actually, we still have one more way."

Zhang Qingyue's voice was not loud, but it silenced the noisy discussions. "I believe that Zhang Yu's abnormal behavior isn't because he's truly heartless, but because there's a reason behind it."

"Third Sister, what do you mean by that?" Zhang Heng asked with a frown.

Zhang Qingyue stood up, her gaze sweeping over everyone as she explained methodically:

"Think about it, what kind of person was Zhang Yu before?

He was obedient to Mother, always yielded to Brother Heng, and was always accommodating to Sister Luohan, wishing he could give her his heart.

But why did he suddenly change?"

She paused, emphasizing her words: "It all started from when he took the blame and went to prison, and when he learned that Brother Heng was going to get engaged to Sister Luohan!"

"These two events, one ruined his future, and the other took away his beloved.

For a man, this is an unbearable humiliation and a devastating disaster."

Qin Xuehua nodded thoughtfully upon hearing this. "Qingyue makes sense. Although that scoundrel is a waste, he was indeed very obedient to me before. His reaction this time is indeed too extreme."

"So,"

A calculating smile curved Zhang Qingyue's lips:

"His current 'toughness' is likely an extreme form of self-protection. He's sulking, venting his inner dissatisfaction.

He doesn't really want to destroy the Marquis Estate; he just wants us to see his pain, to know that he also has a temper."

"Third Sister, you mean... he's acting?"

Zhang Wanning asked in surprise.

"You could say that."

Zhang Qingyue looked at Jiang Luohan, her eyes filled with meaning.

"Especially because of Sister Luohan.

We all know how deep Zhang Yu's feelings for Sister Luohan are.

To watch the woman he loves marry his own brother is a blow that could drive him mad.

Everything he's doing now, refusing to help, watching coldly, is all a show of defiance towards Sister Luohan, telling her—'You'll regret leaving me'."

Jiang Luohan's previously agitated mood instantly shifted upon hearing these words.

An indescribable sense of vanity and satisfaction began to grow and spread in her heart like poisonous weeds.

So... it was like this?

Zhang Yu became so extreme because he loved me too much and couldn't accept losing me?

He's doing all this to get my attention, to make me regret it?

This thought instantly transformed Jiang Luohan's resentment towards Zhang Yu into a sense of superiority, looking down on everything and in control.

She knew it; how could Zhang Yu, that sycophant, truly let her go?

His previous indifference was just a clumsy tactic of playing hard to get.

"Sister Qingyue's analysis is extremely accurate."

Jiang Luohan slightly raised her chin, regaining her proud, ethereal demeanor, her tone laced with pity and disdain.

"Zhang Yu... truly has deep feelings for me.

I just didn't expect him to resort to such self-destructive methods to gain my attention. It's too childish, too pathetic."

"Since we've identified the root cause, there's a solution."

Seeing that Jiang Luohan had taken the bait, Zhang Qingyue immediately struck while the iron was hot.

"The one who tied the bell must untie it. Since Zhang Yu was provoked by the marriage between Sister Luohan and Brother Heng, let's temporarily... postpone the public announcement of this engagement."

"Postpone?"

Zhang Heng's expression changed, showing some reluctance.

"It's just to show Zhang Yu; it's not a real postponement."

Zhang Qingyue soothed him.

"Then, let Sister Luohan visit Zhang Yu in the Heavenly Prison, speak some soft words to him, tell him the engagement is off, and coax him if necessary."

"This..."

Jiang Luohan frowned slightly. Asking her to yield to that waste, Zhang Yu, was simply a trampling of her pride.

"Sister Luohan, I know this is asking a lot of you."

Zhang Qingyue took Jiang Luohan's hand and earnestly persuaded her.

"But this is for the future of the Marquis Estate, for that 'gold mountain' that can continuously produce Qi Nurturing Pills!

As long as Zhang Yu has a change of heart, the alchemy workshop can reopen, and then you'll have all the resources you could ever want?"

"That's right, Luohan."

Qin Xuehua quickly chimed in, "Just think of it as coaxing a dog. Keep him stable for now. Once he fixes the alchemy workshop and pays off his debts, how things go from then on will be up to you."

Jiang Luohan's heart wavered.

She craved Qi Nurturing Pills so badly, craved that feeling of her cultivation rapidly improving.

If all it took was a few lies, a bit of acting, to get all of that back, it seemed... not entirely unacceptable.

"Moreover,"

Zhang Qingyue lowered her voice, her tone laced with a hint of seduction:

"Think about it, Luohan. How ecstatic would Zhang Yu be to see you return?

He used to worship you like a goddess. Then, won't he be completely in your grasp?

Whatever you want him to do, he'll have to do it.

Isn't this feeling of controlling a man's life and death intoxicating?"

These words struck Jiang Luohan's heart completely.

She not only wanted the Pills but also reveled in the feeling of being madly adored and controlling everything.