Editor: Atlas Studios
Su Zixi felt her heartbeat suddenly skip a beat and quickly lowered her head. âMr. He, Iâve finished washing up.â
He Jingyao heard her voice and turned his head to look at her, smiling with satisfaction.
âDo you like the dress I prepared for you?â He Jingyaoâs voice deepened. âIt suits you well.â
This dress accentuated her long legs⦠His gaze burned.
She had no choice but to nod. âI like it very much. Thank you.â
âYouâre welcome.â He Jingyao slightly curled his lips.
âMr. He.â Su Zixi couldnât hold back any longer. âWhy did you bring me to your home?â
His handsome eyebrows knitted together, as if this question put him in a difficult spot.
âIf itâs because of what happened last night, umm⦠Iâm very sorry. Rest assured, I wonât cling to you because of it. We can pretend nothing happenedâ¦â Su Zixi struggled to speak.
âPretend nothing happened? How could that be!â He Jingyao looked at her deeply.
âI donât need you to be responsible, really.â Su Zixi sincerely expressed, âWhat happened last night was a misunderstanding. I know you didnât mean it. Please donât take it to heart.â
He Jingyaoâs thin lips pressed tightly together, and he looked at her expressionlessly.
Su Zixi thought he was angry and began to stutter involuntarily. âR-really⦠Iâve already forgotten about last nightâ¦â
âIâm serious.â He looked at Su Zixi, his deep eyes extremely focused. âIf youâre willing, we can get the marriage certificate right away.â
Su Zixi looked like she had been struck by lightning!
âGet a marriage certificate?â she exclaimed. âThatâs too hasty!â
âHasty? Shouldnât we get married?â His gaze darkened.
Su Zixi found herself speechlessâ¦
What era is it now?
But looking at Mr. Heâs expression, he didnât seem to be joking.
Su Zixi gritted her teeth and resolutely said, âIâm sorry, Mr. He. I canât marry you!â
âWhy?â He Jingyaoâs tone grew deeper.
âBecause⦠because we donât have feelings for each other.â Su Zixi began, âMarriage is a natural result for two people in love, but we barely know each other.â
âNot familiar?â Mr. He slightly frowned, seemingly surprised by Su Zixiâs strong resistance to the idea of marrying him.
âNot at all!â Su Zixi said, her face turning red.
He Jingyao looked deeply at her flushed face.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
âItâs not possible! I wonât marry a man I donât love!â Su Zixi grew more embarrassed and annoyed.
He Jingyao lightly clicked his tongue, seemingly finding it troublesome.
He had never dealt closely with women before, and his understanding of them came from his rowdy friends, who spoke as if women were objects, easily obtainable.
But this woman, who seemed soft and obedient, had her own strong principles deep down.
Nevertheless, she was already his woman, so she was destined to be his wife!
He Jingyaoâs gaze darkened. âSu Zixi, if you donât marry me now, your father wonât let you off easily when you go home. But if you marry me, you will be the Young Mistress of the He Family, able to walk freely in Yanzhou City.â
For a fleeting moment, Su Zixi indeed felt a bit temptedâ¦
But she knew clearly that she couldnât be so hasty.
She didnât even know the reason why this man was insistent on marrying her.
So, in the end, she still firmly shook her head. âIâm not afraid. After all, he is my father. He wouldnât really hurt me.â
âReally?â He Jingyaoâs gaze seemed to see through the doubt in her heart.
A flicker of uncertainty arose in Su Zixiâs heart.
The current Su Guoâan was no longer the doting and indulgent father he used to be⦠The saying âHaving a stepmother means having a stepfatherâ was indeed true. If she returned home, Su Guoâan would likely still insist on marrying her off to the president of Jianfa.
So, she couldnât go home.
âI⦠I can stay at school for now.â Su Zixi said.
âIf thatâs the case, I wonât force you.â He Jingyaoâs gaze dimmed slightly. âIâll arrange for a driver to take you back right away.â
âThat would be great! Thank you!â Su Zixi said gratefully.
He Jingyao gave her a meaningful look but said nothing.
It seemed a bit too early to say thank you now.