After Teasing the Heroine and Running Away, I Was Forced into Love - Chapter 18

But others wouldn’t let him off so easily.

Under the dizzying, ambiguous lights of the bar, He Shanjian was surrounded by a group of friends.

As the saying goes, these so-called friends weren’t truly there to comfort him; most were just there to laugh at his misfortune.

“Shanjian, I heard your sister stole your woman.”

“Your sister is too ruthless! She won’t let you touch any real power in the company, and now she’s even stealing your women? That’s just too much…”

“She doesn’t even treat you like a human being!”

The words were followed by waves of laughter, like a surging tide that could drag a man under, leaving him unable to breathe, unable to surface, suffocating to death.

“I’ve told you all, there was nothing between me and that woman. It’s just the media making things up.”

He Shanjian was visibly angered, clearly not expecting such treatment from his friends.

But his true hatred burned for his damned sister. Without her, he would be the rightful heir to the Tianze Group.

Now, these people would be fawning over him like a god of wealth, too afraid to offend him!

“So what if she stole a woman? Just admit it. We feel sorry for you. Order as many as you want later, and we’ll cover it.”

Another round of raucous laughter erupted.

He Shanjian felt his dignity being shattered, bone by bone, by their mocking laughter, as if each jeer were a hammer blow to his spine.

His fists clenched tightly.

His eyes burned crimson.

“He Roushuang… Shi Qing… neither of you will get away with this!”

As He Shanjian plotted to overthrow He Roushuang, he remained blissfully unaware that his half-sister was scheming against him as well.

On He Roushuang’s desk lay a photograph of a woman wearing only a white shirt, her features gentle and impossibly tender—the very essence of a “white moonlight” figure, the purest of pure.

“Xu Wangjin…” He Roushuang murmured, propping her cheek with one hand. The name of the woman in the photo was etched deeply into her memory.

Why?

Because this woman was the male lead’s “white moonlight,” the original object of his affection for whom the female lead served as a mere substitute. She was the mastermind who tormented the protagonists from beginning to end, the ultimate puppet master.

The woman was undeniably beautiful. He Roushuang scrutinized the photo, noting the striking resemblance to the female lead—nearly seventy percent.

Yet their auras were worlds apart. One exuded a bewitching allure, while the other radiated a serene detachment, a frail beauty that seemed to transcend worldly concerns.

This was a stark contrast to Shi Qing, the thorny rose.

If He Roushuang intended to target the male lead, his “white moonlight”—the woman he cherished most—would undoubtedly be a critical vulnerability.

She needed to establish contact with Xu Wangjin. Though she hadn’t yet devised a concrete plan to exploit this connection, becoming “besties” with the white moonlight was an urgent priority!

Because of this connection, she could use Xu Wangjin.

He Roushuang lowered her gaze slightly, a hint of self-reproach in her eyes.

I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to use you. It’s just that surviving in this world is more important.

He Roushuang silently confessed in her heart.

Just then, a knock came at the door.

“Sister, dinner’s ready.”

Shi Qing gently blinked her eyelashes, calling He Roushuang out. For a moment, He Roushuang felt a pang of guilt, her hand trembling as she nearly knocked the photos off the table.

“Okay.”

She quickly stacked the photos, placed them in a drawer, stood up, and went to the dining room. However, He Roushuang remained somewhat distracted throughout the meal.

It wasn’t that the food was bad; on the contrary, the female lead was an excellent cook.

Rather, she was pondering how to become close friends with Xu Wangjin, who was living far away in a foreign country. It seemed quite challenging.

Since she couldn’t think of a better approach for now, she would have to start by obtaining Xu Wangjin’s contact information. It was the only way to foster a connection.

He Roushuang remained unaware that her indecisiveness had already caught Shi Qing’s attention.

Shi Qing was burning with curiosity about the document He Roushuang had hastily shoved into the drawer.

Though she mentally reminded herself that it was wrong to steal or peek at her employer’s belongings, the nagging unease persisted like rising steam—even with a lid on, some would inevitably escape.

So, while the young mistress was in the bathroom, Shi Qing had already slipped into her study.

Her movements were as soft as a tabby cat sneaking a bite of fish, making not a sound.

Shi Qing…

You’re just trying to understand her preferences. There’s no need to feel guilty or ashamed.

As she turned the gilded doorknob, Shi Qing continued to reassure herself. She told herself that this step was necessary to truly understand He Roushuang.

After all, He Roushuang was unlike most people she had met. Though she was clearly drawn to beauty, she showed no urgency in pursuing it.

Shi Qing reached the desk and opened the drawer. But instead of the company documents she expected, she found a photograph of a woman.

Some photos showed the woman standing in an art studio, while others depicted her seated in a café. Each pose was different, but all the subjects gazed directly at the camera. The woman’s eyes were as clear as autumn waters, yet her entire face possessed an innate allure.

This allure was natural.

But the lingering air of melancholy and detachment seemed cultivated over time.

She’s so much like me, Shi Qing realized almost instantly.

So this is why He Roushuang values me so much. Is this also why she’s been unwilling to touch me until now?

The revelation struck her like a bolt of lightning, yet a wave of discomfort still churned within her. She refused to accept that she was merely a substitute for someone else.

Her fingers ached to crush the photo, but Shi Qing couldn’t explain her reaction. She had only come for the money; she shouldn’t be developing genuine feelings.

She took a deep breath, feeling a stinging sensation in her nostrils.

In the end, she returned the photo to its place in the drawer, pretending nothing had happened.

Who is that woman?

Curiosity gnawed at her mind, but there was no one to answer.

Still… I’ve always been just a maid. Why should I care so much about this?

One day, she would have to leave He Roushuang’s side.

Instead of clinging to her like a dodder vine, Shi Qing repeatedly reassured herself that this affection had never been genuine. Yet she couldn’t suppress the ache in her heart.

Shi Qing pretended nothing had happened, but deep down she knew that if that woman returned, her position would be in jeopardy.

This was unacceptable. Her plan had only just begun to unfold.

As Shi Qing descended the stairs, she saw He Roushuang emerging from the bathroom, her hair already dry and carrying a faint scent of bath gel.

“You should shower soon too,” He Roushuang said with a smile, noticing the meaningful look in Shi Qing’s eyes.

“What’s wrong?” He Roushuang asked, touching her cheek in confusion. She had just bathed and checked her reflection; surely no dust had settled on her face.

“Nothing,” Shi Qing replied with a gentle shake of her head.

I need to work harder, she thought. Winning He Roushuang’s favor is paramount.

Remembering the woman’s white-clad figure in the photograph, Shi Qing began to ponder how closely she could mimic that appearance.