After Teasing the Heroine and Running Away, I Was Forced into Love - Chapter 17

Yet Shi Qing could still sense He Roushuang’s presence nearby, her warm breath stirring Shi Qing’s thoughts and emotions, forcing her to confront the reality of the situation.

“I told you the reason, didn’t I?”

“It’s because of my brother.”

Shi Qing blinked slowly. Of course she knew—it was all because of He Shanjian.

“But if it’s just to spite your brother, Sister He, your sacrifice is far too great.”

Spending so much money to support Shi Qing went completely against a businesswoman’s instincts. It was practically a losing proposition. While beauty had its value, it certainly wasn’t worth this much.

Shi Qing understood all of this perfectly well.

“You know my sacrifice is great, so you want to compensate me?”

He Roushuang chuckled softly. Though she coveted the female lead’s looks and figure, she wasn’t a lecher and could restrain herself.

“You don’t need to do this. I know there’s no emotional foundation here; you’re forcing yourself.”

“That’s not right.”

He Roushuang shook her head gently, then opened her eyes. Even without makeup, she possessed an undeniable presence—a blend of imperious authority and the pampered grace of a young heiress.

“But I can’t shake this unease. The only way I know to repay you is to make you happy.”

“Even foxes and white snakes repay kindness this way. Why shouldn’t I?”

Shi Qing tilted her head slightly.

She leaned down, her lips brushing He Roushuang’s ear as she spoke, sending a ripple through He Roushuang’s heart like a pebble dropped into a still lake.

“Or is it, Sister He, that you think my technique is lacking?”

“That’s okay. I can learn.”

“You have to give me a chance to improve.”

No wonder she’s a top student, He Roushuang thought. Every word she speaks is like a golden bean popping out, making my heart itch.

He Roushuang finally understood why elderly people were so easily swindled by health product salespeople.

If Shi Qing were a salesperson, He Roushuang, as an old woman, would have emptied her coffin money and the cash she kept wrapped in plastic bags under her mattress.

Resist… resist.

Whether you make the female lead pout or make out with her, there will be consequences.

He Roushuang silently warned herself. When she opened her eyes again, her resolve had hardened slightly.

“Let’s cultivate a relationship first, even though I adore your face.”

After speaking, He Roushuang playfully patted Meng Lang on the shoulder, determined to play her role to the fullest.

“But I simply can’t bring myself to be so candid with someone I have no feelings for,” she said earnestly.

Shi Qing listened intently, nodding in agreement. She understood that providing emotional support was part of her mission.

After all, He Roushuang had already donated three to four hundred thousand yuan and transferred a substantial sum to Shi Qing’s account, significantly easing her financial burden.

This money should sustain her mother for a long time, even against the insatiable appetite of hospitals.

“Alright,” Shi Qing replied, turning to lie on her side.

“I’ll remember the cost of the suit. If you want to charge interest, that’s fine. I don’t want you to pay for my mistakes.”

Shi Qing remained firm in her principles. In her eyes, Miss He had already been taken advantage of enough times. There was no need for her to be the one to foot the bill for the suit.

“Don’t worry about it,” He Roushuang said, shaking her head gently. She rolled closer to Shi Qing, reaching out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind Shi Qing’s ear.

“As for you, you’ll be my personal maid for a while to make up for things. Quit all your jobs. Once the storm has passed, I’ll bring you into the Tianze Group.”

After all, the Tianze Group was still a major player in the original novel’s setting, even if it wasn’t some absurdly wealthy world-leading conglomerate.

It was undoubtedly the city’s flagship enterprise. Once Shi Qing joined, she’d have the freedom to soar like a bird in the sky and leap like a fish in the sea.

Shi Qing froze, stunned by He Roushuang’s increasingly kind treatment. She didn’t know how to react.

“Alright, time for bed.”

“My little maid.”

He Roushuang yawned and closed her eyes again, but this time sleep didn’t come as easily as before. Every time she shut her eyes, Shi Qing’s face loomed close.

She could still vividly recall the sensation of their lips touching.

This was truly…

He Roushuang, a straight woman, had been stirred up by Shi Qing’s teasing. She remained awake all night, her eyes half-closed, but her mental state was a mess.

She almost wanted to kick Shi Qing out to the adjacent room, but that would be too obvious. The thought crossed her mind, but He Roushuang suppressed it.

Yet she couldn’t shake the feeling that if she continued to avoid physical intimacy with Shi Qing, it would eventually arouse suspicion.

What would she say then?

I only took you as my lover out of pity, so you could afford your mother’s medical bills. I have absolutely no interest in you. See? I never touch you.

That would be too cruel, wouldn’t it?

He Roushuang mentally condemned herself after even hearing those words in her own head, as if she were posting a scathing critique on Weibo or Douban.

So, after brushing her teeth that morning, she finally mustered the courage to turn around and face Shi Qing, who was following closely behind her.

“What’s wrong?”

“Are you going to change clothes?”

Having been rejected twice already, Shi Qing was feeling disheartened. Perhaps Sister He was right—she wasn’t attractive enough, their feelings weren’t deep enough, and even rolling around in bed together felt meaningless.

Then, He Roushuang leaned in.

Without a word, she tilted her head slightly. Since their heights were nearly equal, she could naturally kiss Shi Qing’s pink lips without having to look up or down.

It was just a fleeting, shallow kiss, like a dragonfly skimming the water, yet it made Shi Qing’s heart bloom like fireworks.

“Go resign from your job today. I’ll have Assistant Wang accompany you. If they refuse to pay your wages or try to harass you, leave it to him to handle.”

Resigning through official channels would take much longer, but He Roushuang was the villainess—why bother with formalities?

“Okay.”

Shi Qing’s cheeks flushed crimson. She never imagined He Roushuang would initiate a kiss that morning.

So, Sister He does have some feelings for me after all, right?

He Shanjian had been in poor spirits for days. After a brutal beating from his father, he’d been confined to bed, recuperating. Now, finally recovered, he was free to go out.

Almost as soon as his injuries healed, he headed to his usual bar to drink and chat with his old buddies.

He Shanjian was an ambitious man, eager to be busy, but the company’s power remained firmly in the hands of his damned sister.

This left him stuck with a meaningless, idle position.

Despite his deep resentment, he couldn’t defy the wishes of the shareholders and his father.

Damn it!

I’m Father’s son! My mother was his legitimate wife!

What is He Roushuang anyway?!

The mere thought of her infuriated him.