Chapter 962: Calculating Scholar 17

Tang Wan immediately said, “Maybe no one mentioned it in front of you? But I did hear people talking about us like that behind our backs.” As she spoke, her expression dimmed slightly, as if hurt by the gossip.

Seeing this, something stirred in Li Fuze’s mind. Recalling certain “confession techniques” from his past life, he quickly put on a serious expression and said in a deep voice, “Wan Wan, I have to tell you this clearly—that’s not a rumor. I really do treat you as my future wife.”

Tang Wan: …

You can really spin it, can’t you?

Future wife? More like future cash cow.

On the surface, however, she widened her eyes in shock. “Y-you… how can you think that? I’ve always treated you like an older brother!”

This time, it was Li Fuze’s turn to freeze.

“You… what did you say?” he asked, as if he hadn’t heard correctly.

Wasn’t Tang Wan supposed to be secretly in love with him? What was this about treating him like a brother?

Seeing the disbelief on his face, Tang Wan grew flustered, her voice hurried and sincere. “What I said is true! I’ve had no parents since I was young. Brother Afu, you’ve always protected me like a brother, and Auntie and Uncle treat me like their own daughter. I’ve long thought of you all as my family. Brother Afu… how could you think of me as a wife?”

“Impossible… didn’t you say you liked me?” Li Fuze asked, caught completely off guard.

Tang Wan nodded seriously. “Yes, I did say that—but I meant I like you as a brother!”

Then she looked at him with a mixture of fear and disbelief. “But I never imagined that you… you would have such thoughts about me! If Auntie and Uncle found out, they would definitely scold you!”

Of course, in reality, Mother Li would have been delighted if Li Fuze married Tang Wan. But at this moment, Li Fuze was left completely speechless.

What could he even say?

He had always believed that Tang Wan was firmly within his grasp, deeply in love with him. Yet now he was being told that all those admiring looks had been nothing more than a younger sister’s respect for her elder brother—not the affection of a girl in love.

For the first time, Li Fuze felt utterly shaken.

He had mastered countless PUA techniques in his previous life and had succeeded time and again. How could he fail with a simple, naive girl from an ancient village?

At this moment, Tang Wan reached out and slowly began to close the door, her voice soft but firm. “Brother Afu, let’s just pretend this conversation never happened. I won’t tell Uncle and Auntie either. You’ll still be my good brother… I don’t want them to scold you because of this.”

Hearing this, Li Fuze forced a stiff smile. For the first time, he found himself at a loss for words.

Meeting Tang Wan’s disappointed gaze, he nodded slowly. “I understand. I must have overthought things. Don’t worry—I know what to do.”

Originally, he had come today intending to bring up marriage with her. In his plan, Tang Wan would have been overjoyed. As for formal arrangements, he had no intention of actually completing them. That way, once he rose to power in the future, it wouldn’t hinder him from marrying into a wealthy family.

After securing her position, Tang Wan would naturally devote herself to his future, and he could openly use her to support his ambitions. With her help, he would no longer have to worry about money for his studies.

But what he hadn’t expected… was that Tang Wan had never even considered marrying him.

The so-called affection he had relied on—was nothing more than a misunderstanding.