The President’s Obsession

It was the pressure from my mother that led me to that dreaded blind date. I had tried everything to avoid it, but her persistence was legendary. Reluctantly, I pushed open the door of the private room, and the sight that greeted me instantly froze me in my tracks.

Seated across the room was a man of breathtaking beauty. His features were sharp, his demeanor exuded a chilling, distant aura, and every line of his face seemed to have been meticulously crafted. Good heavens, where did this Adonis drop from? Before I could properly process the shock, the words tumbled out of my mouth in a desperate, reckless plea: “Hello, let’s get married.”

The man slowly closed the book in his hand, his long, slender fingers pushing the thin-rimmed spectacles up the bridge of his nose. His eyes, dark and fathomless, swept over me. A subtle, meaningful curve lifted the corner of his thin lips.

“Senior Sister, it’s been a long time,” he drawled, his voice a low, mocking melody. “Still using the same old trick to lure innocent boys? Don’t you have any new moves?”

I stood there, paralyzed, a statue carved out of sheer disbelief. Oh, hell! It’s Liang Yue! The very man I had aggressively pursued and then mercilessly dumped years ago. I thought he was still studying abroad. Why was he here, right in front of me?

He frowned, rising from the single-seater sofa. His tall, imposing figure strode toward me, the sheer pressure of his presence making it hard to breathe. Instinctively, I spun around to flee. My hand barely grazed the doorknob before his strong arm slammed it shut. His other arm swiftly encircled my waist, pulling me tight against his body, completely trapping me.

He lowered his head, his face devoid of emotion. His brow furrowed, radiating a palpable, dangerously suppressed intensity.

“Trying to run again?” he whispered. “Jiang Zhi, I truly don’t understand. Every time you see me, you bolt like that. Is it guilt, or are you afraid I’ve come for revenge?”

I was shaking so badly I could barely speak. “I’m… I’m not delicious. Please don’t eat me. How about I treat you to dinner? My treat, okay?”

He curled his lip, his reply sharp and definitive. “No.”

I was on the verge of tears.

Just then, my phone rang, a miraculous lifeline. I fumbled to answer it, oblivious to the fact that I had accidentally hit the speaker button. My mother’s booming voice instantly filled the room.

“Jiang Zhi! I told you to go on a blind date! Where did you run off to? Young Mr. Zhang has been waiting for you for half an hour! If you mess this up again, don’t even think about having a peaceful year!”

I was about to weep. “Mom, are you sure his name is Zhang?” I asked, darting a glance at the face darkening before me. At that moment, Liang Yue looked less like an Adonis and more like an incarnation of a wrathful deity.

“Yes! Zhang! Zhang Huai De. Only a few years older than you, but very healthy. Guaranteed to have two babies in three years!”

“Mom, please stop talking,” I pleaded internally, feeling my soul about to leave my body. Liang Yue’s expression was now black as a stormy night—no longer a wrathful deity, but a vengeful yaksha.

Before I could react further, he snatched the phone away. One second he was shrouded in gloom, the next his face was transformed into a perfect, polite smile.

“Hello, Auntie. I’m Zhi Zhi’s boyfriend. We’ve been together for three years. I’ll bring her home to visit you tomorrow.”

I grabbed my phone back, hastily hanging up. “Mom, my signal is terrible.”

After ending the call, I mustered all my courage and glared at him. “Are you insane? Who gave you permission to lie? We broke up a long time ago!”

The smile in Liang Yue’s eyes vanished instantly. He looked at me with icy indifference, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Jiang Zhi, you were the one who confessed, the one who pursued, and the one who demanded the breakup. Everything was decided by you. So, what am I? Break up? I never agreed to it.”

The hand resting on my waist slowly tightened. His breath brushed past my ear, his voice shifting from cold to deep and pressurized.

“Since you’re going on blind dates anyway, who you choose makes no difference. What’s so great about an older man? That ‘two babies in three years’ plan? Wouldn’t it be better for your younger brother here to take care of that for you?”

My legs went weak; I nearly collapsed. This man was truly a pervert. Seeing my flushed, mortified face, he leaned in further, his voice growing deeper and raspier.

“Aren’t you the one who knows my stamina best, Senior Sister? You were the one who accompanied me to every physical exam back then.”

The old, uncontrolled memories flooded my mind. I immediately felt two streams of blood pour from my nose. Save me! Please, don’t let Liang Yue’s abs appear in my head again!

Liang Yue pulled a tissue from the table and stuffed it into my nose, one hand holding the back of my head to tilt it up. “Still this useless? Haven’t you dated in years?”

I blinked up at him, suddenly meeting his deep, dark eyes. He commanded, “Look at me.”

I pouted, determined not to open my mouth. I haven’t dated in three years because I was busy working, alright? If he thinks I was ‘saving myself’ for him, he can dream on.

Liang Yue gave a cold laugh. “You think I haven’t investigated?”

I was speechless. “Bro, we haven’t seen each other in three years. Don’t tell me you haven’t forgotten about me yet. Besides, I’m not worthy of you.”

He instantly let go. My head hit the back of the sofa, but the impact was soft. There was a pillow already placed there. Even when furious, this man never forgot to look out for me.

Liang Yue put on his suit jacket, his gaze frigid. “You’re right. A woman with an entire fish pond, like you, truly isn’t worthy of me.”

I wanted to explode. Fish pond? I’ve been single for three years, and he calls that a fish pond?

Before leaving, he turned back, a maliciously charming smile on his face. “Oh, I forgot to mention. Your blind date, Zhang Huai De, is my driver. He’s currently on the clock. Thanks to you, I’ll be deducting his pay. Double.”

I stared at him, wide-eyed. This bastard!

He tutted and shook his head. “I can’t believe my Senior Sister has fallen this far. Truly embarrassing.”

I gritted my teeth. Where is my knife? Someone hand me a knife!

It was only as I left the private room that I realized I had walked into the wrong door.

That night, to avoid my parents’ interrogation, I decisively didn’t go home, instead crashing at a friend’s place. My friend was great in every way, except for one fatal flaw: her snoring sounded like a mutated zombie awakening. I stayed awake all night, unable to close my eyes.

The next morning, I arrived at the company in a daze, my body trembling with exhaustion. The moment my butt hit the chair, I slumped over and fell into a deep sleep.

Someone shook my shoulder, waking me up. I thought I was dreaming. Why was Liang Yue standing in front of me in broad daylight? This man was despicable even in my dreams, and even more so in real life. The thought that I had to run away from home and ruin my blind date because of him sent my anger soaring.

I didn’t hesitate. I raised my hand and slapped him hard. It was only a dream, after all.

But the next second, my palm was stinging fiercely. Liang Yue held his face, his eyes wide with disbelief. He pressed his tongue against his reddened right cheek, his voice cold as ice. “Are you crazy?”

I pushed myself up, my temper flaring. “So what if I am? It’s my dream! I can do whatever I want!”

“Liang Yue, didn’t you only play hard-to-get because you knew I liked you?” I continued, enraged by the memory. “I chased you for ten years, ten years! Yet you wouldn’t even let me kiss you!”

The memory of the past made me even angrier. Three years ago, I had worked so hard to win him over. The moment I leaned in for a victorious kiss, he put on a solemn face and calmly lectured me about how a girl should preserve her dignity and cherish herself.

Fuming, I grabbed the collar of his shirt, yanked him toward me, and kissed him hard, even biting him. “Stop with that self-respect act! I want to kiss you, and I’ll kiss you until you die!”

Liang Yue’s pupils contracted, his face flushing crimson. He pushed me away forcefully, breathing heavily, his fingers trembling as he pointed at me. Huh, he was so angry he immediately turned and walked away.

My colleague quickly pulled me back, her eyes full of pity. “Xiao Jiang, that’s our new CEO. Mr. Liang. This company was founded by his father.” She intentionally emphasized: “His biological father.”

The office fell silent for a few seconds before erupting like a disturbed beehive.

I stood there, stunned. I quickly pinched my arm, hard enough for tears to well up. I’m finished. Social execution, officially confirmed.

Earth, please, swallow me whole!

I buried my face in my arms, my whole body burning like a boiled shrimp. Mom, I want to go home. I want to quit. I really can’t handle this anymore.

My manager gently tapped my desk, her eyes filled with sympathy. “Mr. Liang is calling you to his office.”

My face turned pale, and I trembled like a puppy cornered against a wall. Had the moment of reckoning finally arrived? I printed out a resignation letter, adopted a martyr’s expression, and followed my manager to the CEO’s office.

Before leaving, she patted my shoulder, speaking philosophically. “A true warrior is one who dares to face cruel reality. Hang in there.”

I watched her back, harboring only one wish: Sister, please let me follow you!

“How long do you plan to stand outside? Are you planning to be the door god?” Liang Yue’s voice rang out, cold and impatient.

I jumped, quickly stepped inside, and closed the door.

He raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile appearing on his usually cold face. My hand was still on the doorknob. Please, don’t smile that kind of punchable smile, okay? Even if you are an Adonis.

“Come here.” He sat behind the desk, his tone that of a commanding boss.

I gritted my teeth, walked over with resignation, and quickly placed my resignation letter on the desk, rushing to speak before he could scold me. “Mr. Liang, I truly didn’t mean to. I thought I was dreaming.”

His eyes darkened, the smile vanishing in a flash. Without even glancing at my letter, he casually tossed it into the shredder. “You hit me and then you want to run? Things aren’t that easy in this world.”

With that, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me straight into the resting room inside his office. Everyone in the company knew the CEO’s resting room had a bed, but the problem was it was a king-sized bed.

He threw me onto the bed. My heart hammered wildly. I hugged my chest, curled up in the corner of the bed, my voice trembling. “Don’t do anything reckless! This is coercion! I’ll call the police!”

He took off his suit jacket and tossed it onto the rack. His slender fingers gently loosened his tie, the movement lazy, his smile both dangerous and seductive.

“Go ahead. Let’s see how you injured me. It’s probably only worth a few million. Or… how about settling the debt with your body?”

I was so scared I was about to cry. Was this still the Liang Yue from before? The man who would blush fiercely after just a single kiss had turned into this alluring demon. What kind of study abroad program turned someone into such an expert in seduction?

His eyes lingered on me. He curved his lips, finding my awkwardness amusing. His hand reached out, gently grabbed my ankle, and then suddenly tugged. My whole body was dragged toward him.

I admit my guilt. In that moment, my heart was racing, and I even felt a little thrill. Who doesn’t enjoy this kind of half-joking, half-serious flirtation?

But before I could fully recover, he released me, pushed my leg aside, and shoved me off the bed and onto the carpet. Then, he nonchalantly lay down on the bed and yawned.

I froze. He glanced at me, his tone like a master giving an order. “Why are you still standing there? There’s an ice pack in the refrigerator. Bring it here for me to ice my face. Look at how you hit me. I have a party to attend tonight.”

I stood still, clenching my fists. I swear I used every ounce of my rationality not to throw the ice pack directly at his face. Indeed, I should not have placed any expectations on this man.

I wrapped half the ice pack in plastic wrap and obediently walked over, pressing it to his face. That damned Liang lay sprawled on the bed, eyes closed, enjoying my service with a look of utter complacency. I gritted my teeth, looking at the handsome face that had caused me so many sleepless nights. After a moment, my gaze softened. He had definitely gotten thinner. I wondered what his life abroad had been like for the past three years.

The thought flashed through my mind, and I paused, the ice pack halting. My company was a top-tier firm in City A, and the Liang family was wealthy; his life abroad must have been more than comfortable. Foreign women were bold, beautiful, and had hot bodies—far superior to mine. Liang Yue had looks, education, and money; he was the type of person everyone wanted to get close to.

Thinking about that, a bitter taste rose in my mouth. The look in my eyes had somehow morphed into one of resentment.

Liang Yue groaned, sat up, rubbed his cold, red face, and glared at me. “Jiang Zhi, are you trying to kill me?”

I flinched, quickly apologizing. I braced myself for a scolding, but he suddenly leaned in close to me.

“What were you thinking about just now?” He rubbed his cheek while looking at me, his eyes so bright they seemed to want to pierce through my thoughts.

I pushed him away, turning my face. “Nothing.”

His face immediately darkened. He glanced at his watch and pressed the intercom. A moment later, Zhang Huai De, the blind date from the other day, walked in. My official social execution, second round.

I stared at Liang Yue, tugging lightly on his sleeve, lowering my voice to a furious whisper. “If you have something to say, close the door and tell me! Why call someone else in to embarrass me like this?”

Liang Yue smiled again, looking exceptionally pleased. He wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me close against him. Just as the atmosphere turned ambiguous, he pinched my waist hard. I gasped, sucking in a sharp breath. His voice was low, his warm breath fanning my ear.

“Senior Sister, you said it yourself. When we close the door later, don’t cry for your mother.”

I froze. Zhang Huai De looked at us with an indescribable expression, very sensibly placing a gift box down and reporting seriously, “Mr. Liang, everything has been tailored according to Miss Jiang’s measurements.” He then turned and left, not daring to look at me again.

I stood dumbfounded. My measurements? I stared blankly at Liang Yue.

He leaned down, close to my ear, his tone playful. “Senior Sister, I’ve measured every centimeter of your body. Why are you so surprised?”

My entire body went numb. Heaven help me, what karma did I create to turn a formerly serious and aloof man into this shameless rogue?

He seemed to read the expression on my face perfectly. “Before, I thought you liked the scholarly, proper type, so I had to act for a few years. Later, I realized you meant it when you said you were leaving, so I didn’t need to pretend anymore.”

My jaw dropped. “You mean you were acting the whole time before?”

He chuckled softly. “Was my acting not convincing? You used to be obsessed with that shy look. You loved to tease me like that.”

He opened the gift box, taking out a black evening dress. His fingertip traced the fabric, the movement suggestive, making my heart race. “Forcing me against the wall and intentionally whispering in my ear in the library, just to watch me blush.”

“Do you think I played that scene well?”

I was speechless. “So, those things were all fake?”

He let out a slight sigh, looking a bit troubled. “Not entirely. You truly were my only woman at the time. The blushing was real, and the effort to act cold was also real.”

“Your being angry was real, you blockhead!” I spat. “Don’t use those phony excuses to defend your idiotic behavior back then!”

I must have hit a nerve. He glared at me, so angry that he threw the dress right at me. “Go change. You’re coming to a party with me tonight.”

“Why should I?” I immediately countered. “You can’t take personal revenge just because I insulted you. Don’t exploit your employees like this!”

He raised an eyebrow, his voice turning instantly cold. “Because I pay your salary every month. Because I pay your insurance. Because I am the biggest investor in your life. Is that enough?”

I was completely silenced. What utter humiliation. This evil capitalist, his exploitative face is truly hateful.

I finished my silent cursing and rushed into the washroom, slamming the door like a panicked rabbit. In truth, I was only afraid he would actually cut off my insurance. God, when will my parents become rich so I don’t have to be an employee anymore? I truly am a both unfilial and perpetually poor child.

I changed into the dress and walked out. Liang Yue was half-sitting, half-reclining on the bed, his eyes focused on his laptop screen. Hearing the sound, he looked up. In that instant, his gaze completely froze.

“Come here.” His throat moved slightly, his voice deep in an unfamiliar way. His eyes were so gentle I almost forgot that just minutes ago, this man had driven me to the brink of tears.

I hesitated, then slowly walked over. He placed the laptop aside, stood up, and gently pressed my shoulders, guiding me to sit on the edge of the bed. Then, he opened another box. Inside was a pair of high-heeled shoes from a famous brand. It was the style I had loved so much, looked at repeatedly, but never dared to buy because of the exorbitant price.

Liang Yue knelt on one knee in front of me, lifted my foot, and carefully put the shoe on. I was silent, my throat tight, unable to utter a single word. His face softened, his eyes calm, his voice low and slow, as if reliving an old memory.

“In our sophomore year of college, you were the host for the freshman gala. Back then, you and I pooled every penny just to afford one evening dress. You kept the high-heeled shoes you liked for a long time but finally chose to buy a cheaper pair. I sold my beloved model kit to buy those shoes for you. You were so angry you cried, then you took the shoes and sold them, making me use the money to buy the model back. In the end, you still wore those ordinary shoes onto the stage. That night, you were radiant as always. I stood beneath the stage, watching you shine.”

“In that very moment, I vowed to myself that from then on, anything you liked, I would never let you use a substitute for. I want to give you the best, the one and only, beyond comparison.”

He looked up at me, his eyes so earnest that my heart trembled. “Jiang Zhi, you deserve all the most beautiful things in the world.”

His voice slowed, a little choked, the corner of his mouth curving into a bitter smile. “For the past three years, I’ve constantly wondered why we were so good together, only to end up unable to reach the end of the road. You were the person I wanted to marry since I was eighteen, and yet I lost you.”

“I thought about it relentlessly, until my heart became hardened. Strong liquor couldn’t erase the stupid affection I have for you. No matter where I went, there was only one person in my head. It was you.”

He bit his lip, his voice noticeably shaking. “I tried to endure it for three years, but I can’t take it anymore. Jiang Zhi, nothing else can make me stop missing you. I love you. Let’s get back together. I truly can’t bear this anymore.”

I stared at him, my heart in complete disarray, unable to distinguish my emotions. Just moments ago, we were arguing fiercely, yet now he was laying his heart bare before me.

“What if I don’t like you anymore?” I bit my tongue lightly, not daring to meet his eyes.

Liang Yue paused. He lowered his head, his lips pressed tightly together. After a long silence, he slowly spoke each word. “If I’ve tried my best and still can’t keep you. If you truly don’t love me anymore, then I will leave your world. You know this. I’ve never been your obstacle. I’m just your retreat.”

My heart clenched with a sharp pain. But Liang Yue, the person truly hindering you is me.

“That’s just a lie,” Liang Yue thought to himself. “Jiang Zhi, you can only love me for the rest of your life. No matter what method I have to use, I will make you mine. My love has never been pure. I am inherently a despicable person, and the feeling I have for you has been steeped in terrifying possessiveness from the start to the end.”

This was the first deal Liang Yue directly oversaw since officially taking the helm. Even if he didn’t say it, I knew the importance of this cooperation to him. Before his return, his father had repeatedly negotiated with Mr. Wang, a man notoriously cunning in the business world. They had wined and dined, done all the necessary networking, but the contract remained unsigned. It was obvious he was waiting to see which side, our company or An He, would offer a more attractive price. In their last meeting, Mr. Wang demanded a further 3% profit reduction, causing Liang Yue’s father to angrily walk out.

On the way to today’s meeting, I reported the entire previous process to Liang Yue and candidly shared my thoughts. “Things got too tense last time. I’m afraid it will be difficult for you to change the situation this time. Mr. Wang is not easy to deal with. He clearly has someone backing him to dare act so aggressively.”

Liang Yue took off his glasses, gently rubbing the space between his eyebrows. His voice was calm and steady. “It’s fine.”

“I’m still worried. Don’t take this lightly. If you can’t close this contract, your CEO position could be easily shaken. I heard your half-brother is only a year younger than you. Everyone knows your father’s second wife is actively pushing her son for that position. If you fail this time, the opposition will definitely seize the opportunity to force you out.”

But he only smiled, a calm smile as if everything was neatly under control. “Don’t worry, I can handle it. Don’t frown anymore. It’s not pretty.” That half-joking, half-coaxing voice relaxed my tense heart.

We sat in the private room for nearly half an hour, and Mr. Wang still hadn’t appeared. I guessed he was deliberately trying to save face after the last time. I glanced at Liang Yue, fearing he would lose patience, but he calmly brewed tea, even pouring a cup for me. “Try it.” I looked at him in surprise. This composure was breathtaking. What had three years abroad molded him into, that every gesture carried the demeanor of true authority?

Almost two hours later, Mr. Wang finally strolled in. “Sorry for being late. I hope Mr. Liang understands.” He smiled kindly, his large belly shaking slightly, looking like a benevolent Maitreya Buddha, but his eyes were full of calculation.

“It’s nothing,” Liang Yue smiled, continuing to pour tea. I reached out to take the cup, but he deftly avoided me, personally placing the cup in front of the opponent. “I brewed this tea. I hope you’ll do me the honor of tasting it.”

Mr. Wang didn’t touch the teacup, maintaining his smile. “My time is precious. I have a dinner appointment tonight with the person in charge from An He. If Mr. Liang wants to discuss cooperation, why don’t you get straight to the point? The conditions remain the same: a 3% reduction, or no contract.”

He was clearly trying to assert dominance, leaving no room for negotiation. I nervously looked at Liang Yue, but he just took a sip of tea, the corner of his mouth slightly curved, his expression unchanged.

“The person in charge of An He just left my office and also has a dinner appointment with me tonight. How did he end up having an appointment with you first? How about this: let’s all have dinner together tonight. I’d like to see what price they are offering.”

The smile on Mr. Wang’s face instantly stiffened. Continuing to talk was awkward; remaining silent was also not an option. Liang Yue leisurely drank his tea, his voice light yet every word was sharp.

“I understand your demand. Now it’s my turn to give you my conditions. The current price is already optimal for both parties. Any further reduction will only cause losses for both sides. You rely on the fact that the technology you hold is exclusive. But I’ll be frank: An He and I can both choose not to do this project. What about you? Do you dare not to?”

Mr. Wang gritted his teeth. “Then so be it. I’ll sign with An He. They aren’t as stingy as you. You truly lack sincerity.”

Liang Yue laughed, a mix of disdain and confidence. “You misunderstand. An He is my company.”

Mr. Wang was stunned, his face turning pale. I was completely petrified. An He is his, too?

After the contract was signed, he handed the document to me. “Keep it safe. The finance department will have to give you a substantial bonus this month. If they try to find an excuse to avoid it, come straight to me.”

I put the contract away and tilted my head to ask, “Did you bring me along just to share a percentage of the profits?”

He curved his lips, his eyes sparkling with hidden meaning. “You’ve accompanied me on a few trips now. This money is naturally yours. But there’s more.”

“What do you mean?” I glanced at him with caution.

He raised an eyebrow, that familiar sly smile appearing. “I want you to see my assets with your own eyes. When you’re with me, I’m yours, and An He is yours too. From now on, you’ll be the big boss. Doesn’t that sound nice?”

I was speechless. “Thank you very much. You truly are a master of cheesy lines.”

Liang Yue gave the driver a few hundred dollars and told him to call a taxi home. Then, he drove me himself to go shopping.

“Are all these things for your family?” I asked, looking at the piles of shopping bags in his hands.

“Something like that,” he replied vaguely.

Leaving the health supplement store, he pulled me downstairs and casually bought over ten taels of gold. Truly too simple, too thrifty. The exact style of a fuerdai (rich second generation) spending money without a thought.

“Do you think mothers usually like these things?” he asked very seriously.

“I don’t know about other mothers, but mine loves them.” I desperately wanted to add that I loved them too. Who in the world could resist gold?

“Then it’s settled. As long as she likes them, it’s fine.” He nodded in satisfaction.

He packed all the items into the trunk, opened the passenger door for me, and personally buckled my seatbelt. Then, he walked around to the driver’s seat. Unexpectedly, the first thing he said after sitting down made me freeze.

“Which way is your house?”

I was stunned, my mind exploding. Wait a minute! Is he planning to go to my house? I almost screamed. Is this pile of things for my family?

Liang Yue nodded very naturally. “Yes, I already made an appointment with Auntie. I’ll visit in three days.”

I stared wide-eyed. “I didn’t agree to that! Why did you promise that without my permission?”

His eyes narrowed slightly, carrying a hint of coldness, but his voice softened dangerously. “Senior Sister, don’t use that tone with me. That’s my immediate warning.”

He was still smiling, his voice low as if coaxing a child. “You’ve been on blind dates anyway. Compared to those other guys, isn’t marrying me better? I have money, looks, and I’ll be absolutely faithful to you. Besides, your mother is pressing you so hard; you must be tired. How about you use me temporarily to block your mother? That way, you’ll avoid being dragged out on blind dates every day.”

As he spoke, the corner of his mouth curved up, his eyes bright as if he was certain of victory. I had to admit, he was a calculating genius. Every step hit my weak spot. I had no idea how to refute him because he was right. My mother had pushed me to get married so much I was about to go crazy, and he appeared at the perfect moment, a cunning savior.

Fine. Finally, to ensure I could sleep peacefully in my own home for one night, I chose to surrender. I really didn’t want to go back to my best friend’s place. She was a great person, but her snoring was no different from a chainsaw.

Before I could even step into the house, I saw my mother standing in the hallway with a knife. She peered left and right, her eyes wary as if trying to catch a thief red-handed. “Where is your boyfriend?”

I was speechless. My mother laughed coldly, then slammed the blunt side of the knife against her own neck, tears instantly welling up. “Did you mess up again, Jiang Zhi? You’re 25! How long do you plan to make your father and me wait to hold a grandchild?”

I remained silent. Just then, the elevator door opened. Liang Yue stepped out, carrying a stack of gifts so high it almost obscured his face. Under my mother’s stunned gaze, he calmly walked forward and greeted her politely. “Hello, Auntie. I am Jiang Zhi’s boyfriend.” If you ignored the fact that he was baring his teeth when he said that, there was truly nothing to criticize.

After a few seconds of petrified silence, my mother’s expression immediately changed from stormy to sunny. She laughed, quickly helping him with the pile of gifts, and didn’t forget to kick me. “This child is so thoughtless, letting someone carry such heavy things!”

I twitched slightly. I didn’t do anything, clearly.

Liang Yue immediately spoke up, his voice as obedient as an exemplary student. “Auntie, don’t blame her. I wouldn’t let Jiang Zhi carry them. A girl’s hands are soft; just let me handle the heavy work.”

My mother smiled so widely her eyes were almost closed. The whole family sat down. When my mother saw the gold he brought, her smile grew even brighter. She asked, “Xiao Liang, what do you do for a living?”

“I’m currently building my own business,” he replied.

“That’s wonderful. Also, you said you’ve known Jiang Zhi for three years. Is that true? Why haven’t I met you before?”

Liang Yue bowed his head, looking slightly embarrassed. “Actually, it’s four years. We dated since college. After graduation, we broke up due to a misunderstanding. I haven’t forgotten Jiang Zhi in these three years. Now that I’m back, I only want to marry her.”

He looked up, his eyes sincere, his voice so serious that it was impossible to doubt him. “For the past three years, I only focused on work and didn’t date anyone else. I’ve returned this time to make it up to her. I can handle the bride price and all the ceremony costs. Just tell me what you need, Auntie and Uncle. I will absolutely not haggle.”

My parents exchanged a look, smiling so widely their eyes almost disappeared. I was utterly confused. Wait a minute, wasn’t this supposed to be fake? Why is he so deeply into the role? He even knew about my mother and father arguing over the bride price! Liang Yue was truly a fox disguised as a white rabbit. Three years of absence, and he had definitely evolved.

My mother, taking advantage of the cheerful atmosphere, pinched my arm hard and whispered a warning. “If you mess this up again, you’d better be ready.”

I was completely bewildered. Mom, are you sure I’m your biological daughter?

I originally thought Liang Yue’s cooking skills would be a total failure, but the dishes he cooked were surprisingly delicious. My mother ate several mouthfuls, her face beaming. “Xiao Liang, your cooking is even better than mine!”

Liang Yue humbly bowed his head and glanced at me, his voice so gentle it gave me goosebumps. “Auntie, I learned to cook for Jiang Zhi. I don’t know if the flavors suit you and Uncle. If there’s anything that needs adjustment, please tell me. I’ll learn and cook it again for you next time.”

My chopsticks froze in mid-air. Excuse me, Liang Grand Actor, you’re overdoing the role!

My mother was laughing almost uncontrollably. “Xiao Liang, I think next week is a very auspicious day. Why don’t you two just go register your marriage?”

Liang Yue smiled, his voice calm. “I have no problem with that. Hearing you say that makes me very happy.”

I interjected coldly. “Next week is a public holiday for the Qingming Festival.”

The atmosphere in the room immediately froze. My mother was silent. Liang Yue was also silent.

After dinner, I walked him downstairs. It was dark, and the night wind carried a chill. I looked at him, my voice devoid of warmth. “I didn’t expect you to be such a good actor. You truly are the Actor of the Year.”

Liang Yue curved his lips into a light smile. “You flatter me, Senior Sister.”

I sneered. “You’re truly shameless. We made it clear this is just an act. Just an act! Get a grip!”

He let out a slight breath, his gaze fixed on my face, unusually serious. “But what if I want to turn fiction into reality?”

I glared at him. “You want to eat leftovers?”

Just as I was about to burst out, a woman’s voice suddenly rang out. “So you weren’t replying to my messages because you were here with her?”

Both he and I froze. I looked at the familiar face before me, my expression immediately darkening.

Liang Yue stepped forward, shielding me, his voice icy cold. “Song Yan, I’ve told you. I have someone I like.”

She almost burst into tears. “But your mother wants us to be together! Your father doesn’t object either! I am the one who is suitable for you! I am the one who can manage the company with you!”

Liang Yue chuckled coldly, his voice full of sarcasm. “That’s just what you think. My mother is dead. The one who told you you’re suitable to marry into my family must be my father’s second wife. If that’s the case, why don’t you go marry her son instead? That way, you…”