After Teasing the Crazy Mermaid, He Actually Deceived Me into Marriage - Chapter 40

Long before Si Tang delayed announcing her choice, He Moheng’s calm façade finally began to crack. The young woman on stage shone as brilliantly as the moon, yet her gaze swept past him without a trace of emotion. He couldn’t pinpoint where things had gone wrong.

Until she raised her hand and pointed in the direction behind him.

Suppressing the unease and panic in his heart, He Moheng instinctively followed the crowd’s gaze and turned to look.

In the shadows stood two exceptionally handsome men. On the right was a dashing young man with cake crumbs at the corner of his mouth. But the one on the left was especially striking.

His features were so flawlessly handsome they seemed almost unreal, a perfect bone structure, captivating eyes and brows, with jet-black hair and dark pupils that accentuated his jade-like fair skin, yet somehow tempered the faint hint of roguishness about him.

A meticulously tailored black suit highlighted his tall, upright figure. His narrow eyes, curved in a faint, enigmatic smile, were unfathomably deep. His demeanor was noble, as if untouched by worldly concerns, even carrying a trace of refined, scholarly elegance.

Yet his aura was inexplicably intimidating.

He Moheng prided himself on his ability to read people, but he couldn’t see through this unfamiliar man at a glance.

Si Tang lifted her gown and gracefully descended from the stage, step by step, moving toward that man. Her gaze never left his face for a moment, tinged with a hint of surprise and admiration.

A sense of weightless panic surged like a tide in He Moheng’s heart. As she passed by, he instinctively reached out and grabbed her wrist.

“Tángtáng.” His voice was disbelieving, tinged with a note of accusation.

His eyes were slightly red, as if he had been deeply wronged and grievously betrayed.

From a short distance away, Fan Yi’s eyes darkened for an instant, and he nearly lunged to break that hand. But before he could act, Si Tang coldly shook off the grip.

“Mr. He, are we acquainted? Please show some restraint.”

Her gaze was as if she were looking at a stranger, her tone calm and composed.

He Moheng’s throat tightened, his eyes widening abruptly. His voice grew hoarse, “You’re joking, aren’t you, Tangtang.”

But Si Tang paid him no mind and walked directly up to Fan Yi.

The young woman gazed at that breathtakingly handsome face, her eyes lingering over the strikingly familiar features. Her heartbeat quickened uncontrollably.

She tilted her head slowly and spoke in a firm, gentle voice.

“Sir, would you be willing to become engaged to me?”

Fan Yi lowered his gaze slightly, looking at the person he had yearned for day and night over the past three years. His body tensed, and he felt his icy cold temperature rise a few degrees. Suppressing the tremor in his throat and chest, a flicker of amusement rose in his dark, ink-like eyes.

But before he could respond, Si Tang suddenly moved even closer. Fan Yi’s body stiffened even more intensely.

Why was she suddenly so close?

She had never taken the initiative to approach him like this before.

Memories of romantic stories and dramas flashed through Fan Yi’s mind. His gaze fell on Si Tang’s rosy, soft lips, and a burning, almost predatory anticipation flickered in his eyes before he restrained himself and looked away, afraid of frightening her.

Si Tang leaned close to his ear.

“Help me. If you agree to a marriage of convenience with me, I can offer you a considerable reward.”

Her cool, clear voice whispered beside his ear. Fan Yi’s expression darkened for a moment as he concealed his disappointment.

Glancing at 8856 beside him, who was winking and making faces, he suppressed the urge to simply abduct the girl and lock her away. On his face, he forced a gentle and harmless smile one he had practiced countless times in front of the mirror.

“I’m willing.”

Si Tang’s heart raced as she looked at the smile on his lips. This feeling was something she had only experienced when she first met He Moheng, but she no longer believed in love at first sight.

Up close, his face was even more stunning. His flawless, fair skin, a pair of captivating peach-blossom eyes with a hint of deep blue, and hair the color of light ink, gleaming like silk and casting faint shadows over his brows it all made him look incredibly touchable.

Moreover, his face seemed like a perfect replica of the silhouette from her dreams, even more so than He Moheng. Si Tang couldn’t help but marvel at how uncanny this coincidence was.

The girl extended her hand to him.

Fan Yi grasped it firmly.

The man’s palm was cold, and Si Tang couldn’t help but glance at him. Why was he as cold as ice?

Meanwhile, those in the crowd who knew the inside story were displeased. Some spoke up in defense of He Moheng.

“What does Miss Si mean by this? Is she toying with Young Master He?”

“Wasn’t it said that Miss Si and Second Young Master He were a couple? Just two days ago, they were planning to announce it at a gathering. What’s going on?”

“What? Miss Si is really like this? Poor Second Young Master He! Was he dumped?”

Like a stone thrown into calm water, the crowd erupted into gossip and speculation.

“And who is this young man? Does anyone recognize him?” someone suddenly asked curiously.

At this, everyone shook their heads, admitting they had never seen him before.

Seizing the opportunity, Si Xi spoke up from the crowd.

“Everyone invited to this banquet is a prominent figure from the capital or Haicheng. Since no one recognizes him, could he have snuck in?” She gasped dramatically, then feigned pity, adding, “To think Miss Si would choose an ordinary person.”

As for the subject of the discussion, Fan Yi, he was lost in the sensation of holding that warm, soft hand, completely oblivious to the buzzing chatter around him.

“May I ask your name, sir?” Lin Sui stepped forward, her gaze lingering on Fan Yi with a hint of admiration.

Si Tang gave the distracted Fan Yi’s hand a light squeeze, unaware that the tips of his ears had suddenly turned red.

Snapping back to reality, he lifted his eyes and looked politely yet distantly at the newcomer, quickly identifying her as someone important to Tangtang.

He then offered a reserved yet gentle smile. “Grandmother, my name is Fan Yi.”

Both Si Tang and Lin Sui were taken aback.

Si Tang: Is this guy that smooth? He’s already calling her “Grandmother”?

Surprisingly, Lin Sui didn’t seem displeased. She nodded with a kindly smile and asked, “May I ask what your family does? How many are in your household?”

Fan Yi replied smoothly, “My parents passed away early, and I’ve been relying on my younger brother. We’re in the jewelry business and occasionally collect antiques. I’ve just returned from abroad recently.”

Lin Sui nodded and glanced at the handsome young man beside him. “Is this your brother?”

They don’t look alike, the old lady thought to herself.

“Yes, Madam. Hello, I’m Xiao Liu,” 8856 stepped forward with a smile. “But Fan Yi and I aren’t biological brothers. He adopted me.”

Si Tang glanced at this overly handsome young man.

She hadn’t expected someone who looked like an idol trainee to have such abstract and casual name.

“Old Madam Yun, don’t be fooled! This person’s words can’t be trusted, who knows if they’re true or false!” someone in the crowd suddenly spoke up. “At the very least, I’ve never heard of this person in Haicheng, nor have I heard of any jewelry business family named Fan!”

“That’s right, I haven’t heard of them either. Everyone here came with invitations the threshold isn’t low, they’re all people on the rich list. How come I’ve never heard of this Fan family? Could they have sneaked in from somewhere? I’ve heard that top escorts from high-end nightclubs specialize in exploiting such loopholes to sneak into upscale venues and latch onto wealthy women.” The one who said this was the playboy from the Xie family, ranked second in the capital. He was pleased to see Si Tang change her choice at the last moment, but he was quite dissatisfied that he hadn’t been selected.