After Teasing the Heroine and Running Away, I Was Forced into Love - Chapter 28

“Sister, why aren’t you answering my calls?”

Shi Qing was tipsy, her fair skin flushed in patches like fiery sunset clouds.

Qin Wenlu shook her head helplessly beside her. How could she possibly know why He Roushuang wasn’t answering Shi Qing’s calls?

But out of concern for her best friend, Qin Wenlu could only offer a resigned reply.

“She’s probably busy with work. He Roushuang’s family runs such a massive company—she’s like an emperor, managing a million affairs every day.”

Shi Qing struggled to make out Qin Wenlu’s words, her mind completely consumed by the feeling of being abandoned.

Still, she remembered that He Roushuang disliked her staying out too late. Even for a normal couple, spending the night away from home would be a serious issue.

Shi Qing was drunk, but some others weren’t. Their faces wore expressions of anticipation, as if watching a good show. This gathering was supposed to be a reunion of university classmates, a mixed bag of personalities.

Some were intensely jealous of Shi Qing, thinking, She was doing worse than us just a while ago. How did she suddenly rise to become a phoenix on a branch?

When they saw Shi Qing’s call being rejected, their initial jealousy turned to smug satisfaction. See? they thought. Being a rich man’s mistress isn’t as easy as it looks.

“Shi Qing’s drunk, Qin Wenlu. You should have called a luxury car to pick her up. What’s the point of driving her home yourself?”

Someone spoke up first, their tone laced with mockery. Not everyone looked down on those who sold their bodies for gain.

Seeing someone stirring up trouble, Qin Wenlu frowned slightly.

But inwardly, she felt a surge of relief. Shi Qing was already too drunk to hear this. If she knew what these people were saying behind her back, it would crush her.

“Zhou Hu, if you don’t speak, no one will think you’re mute,” Qin Wenlu retorted, rolling her eyes dramatically. But the surrounding crowd chuckled softly, as if agreeing with Zhou Hu.

“Wenlu, this path isn’t sustainable. You should advise Shi Qing to find a proper boyfriend—someone who can share the family’s burdens.”

Qin Wenlu’s anger flared. She grabbed a glass from the table, ready to throw a shot of strong liquor at the gossiping man, and a slap for every man and woman who had joined in.

No one offered to help when she needed it, but they’re quick to kick her when she’s down.

As He Roushuang stepped through the glass door, she immediately overheard the conversation. Her eyebrows arched slightly as her gaze landed on the man named Zhou Hu.

Well, well, well!

It was a gathering of familiar faces—all the villains from the novel were here. Though she herself counted as one, this was practically a villains’ convention.

Still, there were a few good people present. The author hadn’t gone so far as to trap the Female Lead in a bottomless abyss, devoid of even a sliver of sunlight.

But now, He Roushuang had turned over a new leaf.

Well, not exactly. Considering what she’d done to the Male Lead earlier that day, she was practically the number one villain.

“Looking for a boyfriend for whom?”

He Roushuang still had bandages wrapped around her head, where some of her hair had been shaved off for medical examinations and treatment.

She had adored the original owner’s long, jet-black hair—as thick as seaweed and as smooth as silk, just as described in the novel.

It was a pity some had been shaved off, but… it was a worthwhile sacrifice to bring down the Male Lead.

Everyone turned to stare at the sound of her voice, including those at the neighboring tables. He Roushuang was simply too beautiful and eye-catching, her tailored suit impeccably fitted.

And she was accompanied by bodyguards.

“He Roushuang…”

People stammered, instantly connecting her to Shi Qing’s earlier claim of having a romantic partner.

They had heard the name “Miss He” mentioned earlier, but no one had expected the surname “He” to be followed by “Roushuang.”

He Roushuang’s name was legendary in the city. Tianze Group, the city’s largest conglomerate, was led by her as both president and heir.

Everyone had assumed she would choose a handsome and genetically superior son-in-law.

But no, it turned out He Roushuang shared their orientation, preferring beautiful women.

Shi Qing was undoubtedly one of the most stunning women imaginable, her eyes radiating a captivating, spring-like charm, and the mole beside her nose acting like a fishhook, ensnaring hearts.

No one could resist her allure, their hearts revolving solely around her face.

“You know me, right?”

“Didn’t Shi Qing tell you? I’m her girlfriend.”

He Roushuang’s eyes sparkled with amusement as she surveyed the villains one by one. There was the one who had secretly drugged Shi Qing with hallucinogens, hoping to take advantage of her, only to have the male lead swoop in and claim the prize.

And then there was the one who, consumed by envy of Shi Qing’s beauty, had secretly sabotaged her reputation by spreading rumors among their classmates that Shi Qing was someone’s mistress. To make matters worse, they had photoshopped an image of an old man into a picture with Shi Qing and posted it in their high school and college group chats.

Every single one of them was the kind of person who wouldn’t let go until they’d ruined the female lead.

But…

He Roushuang unconsciously straightened her posture. With me here, none of you will get away with it!

“Miss He, you’re finally here.”

“Shi Qing’s been talking about you non-stop.”

Qin Wenlu was the first to react. She waved He Roushuang over, who found Shi Qing already tipsy, like a little drunken kitten.

Shi Qing’s cheeks were flushed pink, making her look utterly adorable, like a dizzy little cat lying on its back, belly exposed.

“I had to hang up earlier because of some urgent work matters. I hope Shi Qing isn’t mad at me.”

He Roushuang quietly explained why she had hung up the phone, though she wasn’t addressing the drunken woman or her friends.

She was speaking for everyone at the table to hear.

“No, Shi Qing would never be angry with you. She adores you too much. Besides, Miss He, you had a valid reason.”

He Roushuang nodded with a smile.

She then sat beside Shi Qing, who had already fallen asleep in her drunken stupor, her breathing shallow and rhythmic.

“Wake up, my darling. Let me take you home.”

He Roushuang softened her voice as much as possible. To be honest, she had never uttered such saccharine words in her life, but when she actually spoke them, she felt a strange, tingling sensation.

Perhaps it was simply amusing to call Shi Qing by such endearments.

However, He Roushuang’s actions were deliberate. She wanted to assert her dominance, to declare her claim before all the villains present.

She intended to nip any budding romantic interests in the bud, crushing those wild peach blossoms before they could bloom.

In her hazy state, Shi Qing heard someone calling her name and assumed it was Qin Wenlu. She braced herself against the table with one hand and slowly, unsteadily rose to her feet.

“Wenlu, I’m sorry for causing you trouble…”

“I’m not in a very good mood.”

Shi Qing hadn’t expected to be hung up on. First, there was this ambiguous “white moonlight” figure, and now her work seemed more important than Shi Qing herself.

But…

She was just a lover, with no right to throw a tantrum.

No right.

“Who’s Wenlu?”

“I don’t remember changing my name.”

He Roushuang steadied Shi Qing with one hand, waving away the bodyguard’s offer of assistance. She wrapped an arm around Shi Qing’s elbow, and with a slight tug, effortlessly lifted the petite woman into her arms.

Heh heh…

Roushuang smirked inwardly. She’d practiced with sandbags countless times, all to perfect the “princess carry” for her female lead.

Anything the male lead can do, I can do too!

The crowd stared in stunned silence.

“I hope everyone will refrain from sharing this incident online.”

“And please, keep it private offline as well.”

The bodyguard remained behind, opening the briefcase he’d been carrying. It was stuffed to the brim with red envelopes.