What would that man be like? Would he be as despicable as He Yining? Would he make things difficult for me? After all, the woman who was supposed to marry him was Shen Yinyin! Wouldn't he be furious that I took her place? Given that I'm not as well-born as Shen Yinyin. Though the Shen family means nothing to the He family, they're still a prominent household. And me... I'm just a tag-along burden, bearing the Shen surname but not truly a daughter of the Shen family... If he gets angry, what should I say? Beg? Or... explain?
Just as Shen Qi's mind was churning with all sorts of thoughts, a light, brisk footstep approached from afar, and a familiar, magnetic voice rang out nearby: "Grandma, I'm back for dinner." Shen Qi's whole body jolted at the sound, and she immediately looked up. When her gaze landed on him, she felt as if struck by lightning! He Yining! Why was he back too?! Oh god! Had he come back to see his sister-in-law? Now that he'd seen her, wouldn't he be shocked and... furious? She'd hidden her identity and appeared by his side—he must be angry that she'd concealed who she was! Yes, if it were her, she'd be furious too!
He Yining's phoenix eyes swiftly swept over Shen Qi's face, catching her utterly stunned expression, and he raised an eyebrow in satisfaction. Shen Qi felt a chill run down her spine as she caught his glance. It's over. It's over. He really is angry! She'd gone from being a little stylist to suddenly becoming his sister-in-law... He was definitely going to swallow her whole!
Old Madam He looked at her beloved grandson with immense satisfaction. She patted He Yining's hand and said, "Every time I ask you to come home for dinner, you always make excuses. That Jinghua Estate is so small—how could it compare to the comfort of the main house?" He Yining replied casually, "It's closer to the company, more convenient for commuting." Shen Qi glanced around but still didn't see her so-called husband, He Yiqi. How strange—wasn't she supposed to meet her husband today? Why hadn't he shown up yet? Could it be that he wouldn't return until evening? If so, that was fine... She'd have more time to brace herself...
Shen Qi quickly averted her gaze and sat primly in her seat, not daring to move. Unlike Shen Qi's stiffness, He Yining was far more relaxed. He casually sat down on the chair next to hers and said with a smile, "Grandma asked me to come back, so here I am! Now that the company's in my hands, I have to give it my all to run it well." "You're always so smooth-talking." Old Madam He gave him a playful glare. "Alright, I won't hold it against you, you ungrateful little thing. Xiao He, is dinner ready? Let's eat!" Butler He replied with a smile, "It's all prepared. Shall we head over now?" Old Madam He nodded. "Let's go." With that, she rose, supported by Butler He, and headed toward the inner dining room.
Once Old Madam He had left, Shen Qi lowered her voice and urgently explained to He Yining, "Listen, I can explain... I didn't—" "Ah, explain? Let's eat first. We'll talk after dinner." He Yining tossed out those words and got up to leave. Shen Qi's mouth went dry. It's over. He Yining really is angry! He doesn't even want to hear an explanation! And why would he? Any explanation would sound so hollow! No matter how she spun it, she couldn't justify hiding her identity! She was doomed!
Shen Qi let out a frustrated sigh and had no choice but to steel herself and follow. The dining room was several dozen meters from the reception hall, and Shen Qi walked behind as if treading on knives, every step a torment. He Yining walked ahead, his tall, straight back and lazy aristocratic bearing constantly reminding Shen Qi of the impending... judgment. She bit her lip, her mind racing through countless excuses, only to realize none of them could convincingly explain things to He Yining! The more she interacted with him, the clearer it became that he was a man of near-supernatural intelligence. No one could pull tricks in front of him. No one could play clever games.
Walking ahead, He Yining seemed to have eyes in the back of his head. The smile in his phoenix eyes was impossible to hide, the corners of his lips slightly upturned, his mood absolutely soaring! He'd been reluctant to come home before. But now... Good thing he did!
Entering the dining room, everyone took their seats in order. Shen Qi sat properly in her chair, hands folded on her knees, careful not to overstep. Old Madam He kept observing Shen Qi. She noticed that this girl was genuinely well-mannered, not just putting on a temporary act, and grew even more satisfied. So the Shen family had traded a pearl for a rotten stone, discarding the real gem. Old Madam He had once been half-doubtful of what the fortune-teller had said years ago. Especially after seeing Shen Yinyin's notorious lack of refinement. But in many matters, it was better to believe than to risk disbelief. Standing where she did, Old Madam He couldn't afford any misstep for the He family. So, despite disliking Shen Yinyin, she'd still decided to let her marry in. But unexpectedly, the Shen family had dared to look down on He Yiqi as an adopted son and, without the He family's consent, swapped the bride! When Old Madam He found out, she was furious. And then word came that the eldest son wouldn't marry either—it would be the second son instead! Old Madam He was so angry she washed her hands of it, letting them do as they pleased! So from the wedding until now, she'd never summoned the new granddaughter-in-law. It was only after her anger had cooled that she finally called for her, and found her far better than expected. Old Madam He breathed a sigh of relief. She'd been secretly watching her grandson and noticed that He Yining showed no sign of rejection toward the girl. It seemed there might be something between these two.
Throughout the meal, Shen Qi ate with a mix of emotions, tasting everything yet nothing. After dinner, Old Madam He gave her orders: "The room's ready? Go rest early." Shen Qi's face went pale. So it had come at last. Was she to wait in the room for He Yiqi's arrival?
He Yining's phoenix eyes flicked toward Shen Qi, a hint of a smile in his brows and eyes. Old Madam He didn't miss that smile and felt deeply reassured. Good, good. Her grandson was satisfied after all! It seemed a great-grandchild was within reach!
Shen Qi silently followed the maid to the room assigned to her. Before she could collect herself, the maid had already withdrawn. Shen Qi stared blankly at the exquisite, luxurious furniture that seemed too beautiful to touch. Was she really... about to have something happen with He Yiqi?
Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door. Shen Qi tensed up. Ah... ah... was it He Yiqi? Was he about to come in? What... what should she do?
The footsteps stopped at the door, and then it opened. Shen Qi was so nervous she didn't dare lift her head, standing with her back to the entrance. Her hands twisted together as she debated whether to use the excuse that her period hadn't ended yet to gracefully avoid him.
Just as her anxiety peaked, the footsteps slowly passed her and moved deeper into the room. Passed... passed her... Shen Qi's head shot up, and He Yining's back suddenly filled her vision. Huh? Why had he come into this room? This was supposed to be her and his brother's room! Oh, right. He must be here to demand an explanation. She'd said before dinner that she wanted to explain! He was here to confront her, wasn't he? How was she supposed to explain this?
Stammering, Shen Qi said, "He Yining, listen to me. It's not what you think—" "Hmm?" He Yining responded lazily, plopping down on the sofa and picking a macadamia nut from the exquisitely carved sandalwood fruit plate, popping it into his mouth. Shen Qi bit her lip. "I didn't mean to hide my identity from you! I swear!" He Yining ran a hand through his hair, looking both roguish and devastatingly handsome. "And then?" "Marrying your brother wasn't my idea either." Shen Qi bit her lip again, deciding to come clean. Otherwise, she had no idea how she'd end up dead! He Yining raised an eyebrow, unable to suppress the amusement in his eyes. Sure enough, she still thought she'd married his brother. Heh heh heh... The game was about to begin!
Fidgeting with her fingers, Shen Qi stood before He Yining with a sincere expression. "The one who was supposed to marry your brother wasn't me—it was my... sister, Shen Yinyin. She just didn't want to go through with it, but the Shen family owed the He family a marriage contract, so I... I have no ulterior motives, really! I swear! I've never even met the eldest He son! I have no intention of climbing the social ladder!" "Mmm..." He Yining nodded, his phoenix eyes narrowing, the upturned corners looking utterly enchanting. "I promise I'll find a way to keep my distance from the eldest He son! I won't let anything happen between us! Once the year is up and I'm not pregnant, the contract between our families will be void, and we'll go our separate ways with no strings attached." Afraid He Yining wouldn't believe her, Shen Qi laid out her plan. "I've already decided to leave after a year." "Leave?" His phoenix eyes snapped to her, a glint of sharpness flashing. "Go where?" "Anywhere. I'll disappear completely and cause no trouble for the He family!" Shen Qi was on the verge of raising her hand to swear by the heavens! He Yining lowered his eyelids, his expression turning indifferent, his displeasure unmistakably conveyed to Shen Qi. She took it as disbelief and added, "You have to trust me—I'm not lying. I've already started looking for a place to live after I leave. I'll find a small fourth-tier city, far from H Province, and live quietly under a new name. I'll cut all ties with everything here, completely and utterly!"