After Teasing the Heroine and Running Away, I Was Forced into Love - Chapter 46

He Roushuang had wasted countless hours and exhausted her efforts trying to win over Xu Wangjin, only to find the very condition she had dreamed of now within her grasp.

How could she not be tempted?

But doing so would undoubtedly hurt Shi Qing.

As He Roushuang wrestled with her dilemma, a voice inside her roared fiercely:

“He Roushuang, save yourself first!”

“If you can’t protect your own wealth and status, how can you protect Shi Qing?”

“Rely on her tragic Female Lead fate?”

“When has a romance novel’s Female Lead ever escaped torment? You know this! At the very least, she’ll suffer until the grand finale!”

These words jolted her out of her hesitation, snapping her out of her love-struck daze. He Roushuang suddenly understood, enduring the sharp pain in her heart.

“Very well,” she said, forcing a smile. “Such an irresistible offer… how could I possibly refuse?”

Just when Xu Wangjin thought her plan had failed, He Roushuang’s cheerful agreement stunned her.

“Really?!”

Xu Wangjin rarely lost her composure, but in her excitement, her usual gentle, moonlit demeanor vanished completely.

She didn’t seem to mind in the slightest.

As long as she could study her beloved architecture and avoid an arranged early marriage, He Roushuang was willing to accept anything.

“We’re good friends, aren’t we? Of course I’ll help you.”

He Roushuang struck a noble pose, but she didn’t dare turn around, afraid to face the heartbroken person behind her.

I’ve been so good to her.

And now I’m practically groveling before this so-called “white moonlight.”

He Roushuang couldn’t even deceive herself. She was truly too hypocritical. No matter what she said later, Shi Qing would never believe her.

“In that case, I’ll tell my mom later.”

“But…”

“You should probably hide your little girlfriend.”

Xu Wangjin teased, glancing at Shi Qing with a mischievous smile. Before He Roushuang could reply, Shi Qing stepped forward.

“I will.”

He Roushuang had expected Shi Qing to deliver those words with bitterness, but her voice was soft and gentle, completely devoid of emotion.

This woman is unnervingly composed.

Even Xu Wangjin sometimes struggled to maintain such composure.

Shi Qing wanted to pull He Roushuang away from the gathering, but the party hadn’t yet broken up, and leaving without permission would be too impolite.

Shi Qing gripped He Roushuang’s hand tightly, her palm slick with a fine layer of sweat. He Roushuang could feel the intensity of her possessiveness.

“You don’t want me to leave?” she teased, only to see Shi Qing shake her head.

“I don’t deserve you.”

This self-deprecating remark stung He Roushuang. She didn’t want to hear Shi Qing belittle herself like that, but… the words had already been spoken. A wave of sorrow washed over her eyes, like a glacier cracking apart.

Everything seemed to be telling He Roushuang: What difference is there between my current despicable behavior and the male lead’s?

“It’s just an act,” Shi Qing said, her lips still pressed into a tight line, unable to muster any joy.

“But our relationship is fragile too, isn’t it, Elder Sister?”

Two consecutive questions left He Roushuang breathless, unsure how to respond.

No, our relationship isn’t fragile at all!

He Roushuang wanted to tell Shi Qing, but she knew her words would likely sound weak and hollow in this moment.

Soon, Xu Wangjin emerged.

Her steps were light and brisk.

The gathering was small, mostly Xu Wangjin’s friends and classmates from China—a sort of belated welcome-home celebration.

After all, she was a busy woman and couldn’t meet with every classmate individually.

A faint smile played on her lips. Her mother had promised that if she and He Roushuang were truly in a romantic relationship, she wouldn’t pressure her so urgently about marriage.

Firstly, it wasn’t particularly difficult for two women to have children. Secondly, He Roushuang, as the CEO of Tianze Group, held even greater social status than Xu Wangjin, who was still a student.

As long as her daughter’s partner met the standards of the upper class, her parents wouldn’t be so anxious—they might even want to secure the relationship.

“My mother wants to meet you,” Xu Wangjin said, glancing at Shi Qing. Gazing at the face so similar to her own, a startling thought flashed through her mind:

Could it be that He Roushuang chose Shi Qing as her partner because she resembles me?

But she kept the thought to herself.

They were both adults, and everyone needed to save face. Maintaining mutual dignity was the best way to ensure a win-win situation.

“Are we starting the act already?” He Roushuang asked, surprised that the performance was beginning so soon.

She couldn’t get into character right now.

“Just a few minutes, Roushuang. It won’t delay you. Once this scene is done, you can go back.”

Xu Wangjin always spoke with deliberate slowness.

She glanced at her watch, twisting her wrist. They had already wasted several minutes, and she couldn’t keep her mother waiting any longer.

“Alright.”

Might as well go all the way.

Having agreed to Xu Wangjin’s request, He Roushuang had to see this through smoothly. Only then could she demand that Xu Wangjin give her younger brother a cold shoulder.

He Roushuang turned to look at Shi Qing, who was behaving remarkably well. She nodded approvingly.

“Sister, I’ll wait for you here.”

He Roushuang felt a sense of relief. No wonder she’s the Female Lead—she’s so sensible. If it were her, she’d be exploding with frustration.

“Thank you for your patience.”

He Roushuang hugged Shi Qing tightly, like a master about to leave home, clutching her pet cat and showering it with kisses.

However, she stopped herself from going further. According to Xu Wangjin’s script, they were supposed to be a genuine couple right now. Shi Qing was merely a plaything she had found to relieve her boredom.

In truth, many wealthy families didn’t mind such affairs. After all, their children often indulged in youthful indiscretions, as long as they ended things cleanly before marriage.

As she watched the two figures grow smaller in the distance, Shi Qing felt an indescribable emotion surge within her. She clenched her fists tightly.

“Sister…”

“You lied to me, didn’t you?”

She had claimed he was her younger brother’s “white moonlight,” yet the moment he returned to the country, she had rushed to chase after him, even agreeing to play the role of his girlfriend.

Even Shi Qing, with all her rationality, couldn’t deceive herself. The relationship between them was strange, and their rapid intimacy suggested they had been involved before.

Should I back down? Shi Qing asked herself inwardly.

She didn’t want to… and she wouldn’t.

I should have just taken the money, avoided investing too much emotion, and spared myself the heartache.

But now that she had fallen into this deep pit, how could she simply walk away?

That’s why Shi Qing refused to stay put. Only a fool would do that. She needed to see what else lay between these two.

So she followed them silently.

Focused on seeing her mother, Xu Wangjin didn’t notice the tail trailing behind them.