After Teasing the Heroine and Running Away, I Was Forced into Love - Chapter 47

Inside the Xu Clan’s mansion, crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and the walls were adorned with large oil paintings, portraits of Xu Wangjin’s mother.

The woman in the portraits wore a voluminous gown, her gloved hand resting on a mahogany chair. Delicate white flowers and buds twined around her lace gloves.

He Roushuang recalled from the novel that the Xu Clan had always been matriarchal, with men typically marrying into the family and holding little power. Their personalities were as soft as shrimp.

The scene before her matched the book’s description perfectly. In the grand hall filled with lush greenery, two figures were seated.

A woman occupied the main seat, dressed in a silk gown, her neck adorned with a string of perfectly round, lustrous pearls.

“Good afternoon, Aunt.”

He Roushuang had been in this world for several months now.

In her previous life, facing such opulence would have left her speechless with nervousness. But now, having handled countless deals worth hundreds of millions, she had cultivated a calm and composed demeanor.

Though initially, when signing those massive contracts, He Roushuang had been overwhelmed by the sheer number of zeros.

Her fingers trembled, causing her signature to slant more than once.

She had to deliberately spill coffee on the documents, forcing her assistant to bring fresh copies.

But now, He Roushuang could sign billion-dollar deals without batting an eye.

“Roushuang, don’t be so formal. I used to hold you when you were a little girl.”

The woman set down her black tea, a smile in her eyes. When she smiled, fine lines crinkled at the corners of her eyes, but these wrinkles only enhanced her beauty.

He Roushuang: …

Why does this line sound so familiar?

It’s like I’ve heard it in the real world before.

“I never imagined my daughter would end up… involved with you.”

The teacup clinked softly against the porcelain saucer as she set it down.

To be honest, neither did I…

But He Roushuang dared not voice this to Madam Xu. She could only steal glances at her.

“If I remember correctly, Roushuang, there were rumors about you… with a young woman.”

Madam Xu’s tone sharpened. He Roushuang didn’t know what to say, but they had already rehearsed their story on the way here.

Shi Qing watched the two figures grow smaller as they walked away.

She couldn’t describe the feeling. It felt like her entire life had been a journey of abandonment. Her father had abandoned her, and her mother might leave at any moment.

Now, the only person Shi Qing could rely on was He Roushuang, whom she even needed to save her mother. How could she possibly expect this love to be reserved solely for her?

Yet her heart still rebelled. By the time Shi Qing realized it, she had already walked a considerable distance and arrived at the villa’s edge.

She stopped there. Any further would be entering a forbidden zone, off-limits to someone of her status.

But the urge to know more persisted. Shi Qing knew her actions were no different from those of a thief, yet she continued walking along the villa’s wall.

Flowers bloomed at the base of the wall, butterflies danced among them, and their fragrance drifted on the breeze.

The villa’s glass was exceptionally beautiful. The top section featured stained glass, while the lower portion consisted of clear, embossed panels, lending it a distinctly vintage feel.

For an ordinary person, the clear glass would have rendered the interior completely indistinct.

However, Shi Qing was no ordinary person. Her vision was excellent, allowing her to see clearly even at a distance. Through the blurred glass, she could make out the scene inside.

Shi Qing stopped in her tracks.

She saw four figures, their forms slightly obscured by the embossed glass. Two were seated, while the other two stood.

Shi Qing immediately recognized He Roushuang. The cream-colored blazer she was wearing was one Shi Qing had personally selected from her closet.

How could she possibly fail to recognize it?

Shi Qing hid completely within the flower bushes, unable to hear what was being said inside the room, but she could observe the movements of the people inside.

“That’s true,” He Roushuang said.

“But it was just something I did to provoke He Shanjian Qian’s foolish behavior.”

Taking a deep breath, He Roushuang forced herself to say these words, though they went against her heart. The entire hall fell into a moment of silence, and no one spoke again.

After a long silence, Madam Xu finally spoke again.

“I’m relieved to hear you say that. I asked so many questions because I was worried Wang Jin might be feeling wronged.”

He Roushuang nodded.

“It’s fine. As long as the misunderstanding is cleared up.”

Just when He Roushuang thought this perfunctory meeting with the parents was about to end and she was about to breathe a sigh of relief, Madam Xu spoke again, this time with a suspicious tone.

“But I still have my doubts, Roushuang… Could this be a scheme concocted by my stubborn daughter to avoid an arranged marriage and continue her architecture studies?”

A mother knows her daughter best—that saying rang true.

He Roushuang’s back prickled with sweat.

“That’s impossible, Auntie. Don’t overthink it.”

“If that were the case, how could I possibly have time to play such a childish game with Wang Jin when I’m so busy?”

He Roushuang maintained her composure. She knew this deal wouldn’t be easy, but since she had agreed, she had to see it through, striving to leave no room for doubt.

“Then you two should act more affectionate,” Father Xu said, breaking his silence. “At least make us believe it’s real.”

The man had a well-groomed beard, giving him a refined and approachable air. Yet his sharp features hinted at the handsome youth he must have been, explaining how he could have fathered such a beautiful daughter.

Clearly, the Xu parents had been deceived by their troublesome daughter, Xu Wangjin, countless times.

They initially doubted her sudden introduction of a girlfriend, but this time, their belief outweighed their skepticism, largely due to He Roushuang’s status.

If it weren’t genuine affection, why would the CEO of a major corporation bother playing house with their daughter?

How do we make them believe?

This was a question they had discussed beforehand.

As He Roushuang hesitated, a fragrant breeze brushed past her. Before she could react, a warm sensation pressed against her cheek—Xu Wangjin’s heated breath.

He Roushuang instinctively stepped back, dodging Xu Wangjin’s lips. Perhaps it was a physiological reaction, but she simply couldn’t continue the act.

She already had Shi Qing. Even a beautiful woman wouldn’t change that, especially not in public!

Is this a kiss?

Although a real kiss would have been less intense than a Western cheek kiss, for reserved Easterners, this was already considered a bold act, especially in front of parents. Truly worthy of being the “white moonlight,” truly deserving of her overseas education.

He Roushuang was stunned.

Touching her cheek with her fingertip, she glanced at the Xu Clan parents with a slightly panicked expression. Damn! I think I messed up my performance…

She didn’t dare meet their eyes.

What else could I do? I’m not a professional actress, and I don’t have a system to help me.

Moreover, He Roushuang felt like she had already turned into a heartless woman, flitting from one man to another.

But under the scrutiny of so many eyes, she suddenly couldn’t speak. No… I can’t let this happen, she told herself.

The play has already begun; it can’t end now. I have to keep acting.

Little did she know, Shi Qing was watching the entire scene unfold from outside the window.

The series of blows was too much for anyone to bear, let alone Shi Qing.

For a moment, she couldn’t describe the feeling—a bitter, aching pain. Is the one person I finally cared about going to be snatched away like this?

From her angle, it looked like the two were kissing each other’s cheeks, openly displaying their affection to their parents.