After My Death, I Became a Heartless Madman - Chapter 48.2

“Shizhou, actually, there’s something else I wanted to talk to you about.”

Aside from stirring things up between Shizhou and Sister Yu and explaining her own mistakes, Su Ziqing had something even more important to discuss.

“Well… you know my family situation. My parents have been pushing me to settle down with someone these past few years, and it’s driving me crazy.”

Song Shizhou nodded. Being pressured by parents to marry did sound frustrating, though she had never experienced it herself in either of her lifetimes. Su Ziqing’s troubles were probably a kind of sweet burden.

When Song Shizhou didn’t respond, Su Ziqing abruptly changed the subject,

“My parents have heard me talk about you a lot. They think you’re amazing great personality, good temper, and highly capable. So they suggested I…”

Su Ziqing leaned in with puppy-dog eyes. Two years younger than Song Shizhou, she looked even more youthful and innocent amidst her usual crowd of admirers.

Song Shizhou froze, instinctively wanting to avoid her gaze, but Su Ziqing circled around her like a little sun,

“Here’s the thing, my parents are hosting a matchmaking banquet for me next week. Basically, they want me to… pick a marriage partner there.”

“Arranged marriages are all the same anyway. My parents will decide, so what difference does it make who I marry?”

“So, Shizhou, would you be willing to come?”

Bai Ruowei descended the stairs slowly, hidden in the shadows of the landing, just in time to hear those words.

“No.”

She and Su Ziqing had been good friends since their student days, so this sudden proposal caught Song Shizhou completely off guard.

But she quickly regained her composure,

“Marriage is a serious matter. It’s not something you can just settle for because of circumstances. Su Ziqing, I can’t help you with this.”

Besides,

Her situation with Miss Bai wasn’t even resolved yet. How could she abandon Bai Ruowei and agree to Su Ziqing’s invitation?

Su Ziqing slumped back onto the sofa, sulking.

“Fine. I knew you wouldn’t agree. But my parents insisted I ask you anyway.”

“Little boat, don’t be mad at me, okay? I was forced by my parents. I also think this is too strange…”

She tugged at Song Shizhou’s sleeve, her tone somewhat odd.

“Don’t be angry with me over this, we’re still good friends.”

Song Shizhou smiled.

Su Ziqing had helped her a lot recently, and besides, she was naturally an unreliable character. If someone else had said such words to her, she would have pondered how much was true and how much was falsehood mixed with sincerity.

“It’s fine, I know what you’re thinking. I won’t be angry with you.”

She glanced at the flowers scattered all over the floor and sighed helplessly.

“As long as you clean up all these flowers, everything’s fine.”

Footsteps sounded from the second floor, and a graceful figure slowly descended. Su Ziqing, who had been hesitating awkwardly moments ago, now had her attention completely captured.

There was only one person in the world who could make the most ordinary white shirt look so fragile, Bai Ruowei.

She had changed her clothes, her white hair casually tied behind her head into a loose bun resting at the nape of her neck. The white curls resembled the bouquet of white roses Su Ziqing had brought.

A pair of pale green eyes met Su Ziqing’s gaze so beautiful, so dazzlingly proud. Yet now, those eyes seemed to hold a pool of tears, as if she were about to cry at any moment.

But the next second, Bai Ruowei turned slightly and stood before Song Shizhou.

It was a subtle, almost possessive gesture.

Song Shizhou paused, unsure how much of their earlier conversation Bai Ruowei had overheard. She wanted to explain, but at the last moment, she swallowed her words.

A devoted fan meeting their idol would surely be ecstatic. Su Ziqing wanted to scream, but remembering who stood before her, she restrained herself.

She extended her hand, scratching her head sheepishly, her expression shy.

“Hello, Miss Bai. I’m Song Shizhou’s friend, Su Ziqing.”

In her heart, she silently added, It’s truly an honor to finally meet you.

Bai Ruowei nodded, reaching out to shake her hand. She reflexively returned the greeting, but the echoes of their earlier conversation still lingered in her ears.

Su Ziqing had confessed to Song Shizhou, even asking if she would consider being her arranged marriage partner.

Su Ziqing’s pheromones carried the scent of sunflowers, a charming fragrance, though her usual affable and unreliable demeanor often made people overlook her status.

Bai Ruowei held her hand. The girl’s palm was soft, yet she felt a sharp sting.

Her heart ached sourly, though she didn’t know why.

Miss Bai lowered her gaze, the sharp edges of her demeanor retracting like the spines of a wild animal, revealing an unexpectedly vulnerable gentleness. There was a unique allure and beauty when a proud person bowed their head. Su Ziqing suppressed the stampede of excitement in her heart and managed to say,

“Hello…”

As soon as Su Ziqing spoke, an awkward silence settled among the three, though she remained oblivious. She began arranging the flowers she had brought on the table various types of roses in full bloom.

“Today is Shizhou’s studio opening, so I brought some flower baskets.”

Bai Ruowei reached out and lightly touched the damp petals.

“Miss Su is very thoughtful, these flowers… are indeed quite beautiful…”

But would someone really give roses to celebrate a friend’s occasion?

As it was getting late, Su Ziqing carefully removed the freshly made clay mold and placed it gently beside the one Miss Bai had just finished.

For some reason, Miss Bai felt the two molds looked somewhat similar.

Had Shizhou also taught Su Ziqing?

Bai Ruowei’s eyes trembled slightly. The sudden thought made her heart ache instantly. Perhaps she was no longer the one who held all privileges in Shizhou’s eyes. Perhaps her standing in Shizhou’s heart was now equal to Su Ziqing’s. Perhaps Shizhou had already accepted Miss Su’s marriage proposal.

The fragrance of osmanthus grew increasingly heavy. Night had fallen completely. After washing her hands, Su Ziqing bid farewell to Song Shizhou,

“Zhou Zhou, I’ll head out now if there’s nothing else. If you can’t handle all these flowers, you could give them to nearby shops good relations are always useful.”

Song Shizhou nodded, “Thank you for bringing me flowers today.”

Su Ziqing paused, glancing at Miss Bai, suppressing her urge to ask for an autographed photo.

“I’ll… take my leave then.”

The scent of sunflowers gradually faded, leaving the room quiet again. The osmanthus fragrance wrapped around Song Shizhou like countless silken threads, as if pleading for her to stay.

Bai Ruowei sat silently on the sofa, lost in thought. After what felt like an eternity, she finally spoke slowly,

“Don’t agree to the marriage alliance with Su Ziqing. You’re good friends, a loveless marriage won’t bring happiness.”

Song Shizhou chuckled softly, finding the words strangely familiar.

“I never intended to.”

Her tone carried a hint of amusement,

“But even if it’s not Su Ziqing, there will be others.”

Bai Ruowei replied calmly,

“Then at least let me compete with that person fairly.”

Song Shizhou paused,

“Fair competition?”

“Actually, Chairman Chen has been urging me to find a suitable marriage partner. Su Ziqing meets all the requirements for an alliance. Moreover, she’s willing.”

“I have no plans to join the Council and will focus on business. Miss Su’s family specializes in porcelain, our union would be mutually beneficial. Miss Bai, shouldn’t you congratulate me?”

As these teasing words landed, Bai Ruowei felt her heart shatter.

“I would congratulate you… but what you mentioned… I could also…”

Bai Ruowei clutched tightly at Song Shizhou’s sleeve, refusing to let go. The osmanthus scent grew heavier. Song Shizhou instinctively touched her forehead.

Burning hot.

Song Shizhou froze,

“You have a fever?”

“Not a fever.”

Bai Ruowei quickly interjected.

No wonder the osmanthus fragrance had become overwhelmingly strong, almost uncontrolled. Miss Bai sat primly on the sofa, her lowered eyes glistening with unshed tears. Upon closer look, her cheeks bore an unnatural flush.

Setting aside their entangled emotions, Song Shizhou reached for her phone.

“Give me your phone. I’ll have Mia take you to the hospital.”

Bai Ruowei shook her head, refusing.

“No need! Mia is busy now. Besides, it’s just a cold, no reason for the hospital.”

Song Shizhou took the phone anyway, her tone firming,

“You have a high fever now. I’ll ask Mia to pick you up.”

Perhaps because she was truly distraught, the current Miss Bai was no match for her. In the struggle, Bai Ruowei was pinned beneath her, revealing a glimpse of fair skin beneath the white shirt, a slender and beautiful waistline.

The call connected quickly, but the incessant ringing only added to the agitation. After about twenty rings, there was still no answer.

“Why wouldn’t Mia answer your call.”

Song Shizhou instinctively lowered her head, only to suddenly feel someone tug at her sleeve the next moment.

“Shizhou, don’t agree to an arranged marriage with someone else, and don’t drive me away.”

Bai Ruowei’s voice was pitiful in a way she had never heard before, like a little puppy drenched in rain.

She called her “Shizhou.” She looked so pitiful. Song Shizhou’s heart pounded fiercely twice.

All her cold and detached methods seemed to lose their effect in the face of this rare, fragile Bai Ruowei.

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