After Teasing the Crazy Mermaid, He Actually Deceived Me into Marriage - Chapter 55

Half an hour later.

An upscale Western restaurant. The atmosphere was romantic and cozy, attracting many couples for dates.

Fan Yi sat at a corner table, partially hidden by potted plants, secretly keeping a constant watch on a window-side table across the room.

They seemed to be enjoying their conversation.

The stray strands of Si Tang’s hair occasionally swayed as she lowered her head. The warm lighting cast a soft halo around her, making her unintentionally captivating and drawing admiring glances.

Fan Yi grew restless.

8856, sitting across from him, endured Fan Yi’s increasingly intense anger while discreetly cutting into his steak with a small knife.

So delicious.

Over at the other table,

“President He, let’s toast to our future collaboration,” Si Tang said with a light laugh, resting her chin on her hand as she clinked her glass with He Chenzhou’s. Unconsciously, she exuded elegance and charm.

He Chenzhou chuckled softly. As he raised his hand, the simple ring on his ring finger caught Si Tang’s attention.

But her gaze merely brushed over it without lingering or asking any questions.

Rumors had long circulated that He Chenzhou had a mysterious fiancée a fact that was no longer a secret.

“If you need any assistance from the He Corporation regarding the design plagiarism issue, feel free to ask,” the man said with measured composure.

Si Tang nodded. She then shared some of her design philosophies with He Chenzhou, only to discover that they were actually alumni. Moreover, He Chenzhou had also studied design at one point.

“What made you give up design for finance?” Si Tang asked curiously.

“Design taught me how to create value, while finance taught me how to amplify it. I enjoy being the one who sets the rules in the game of capital,” He Chenzhou replied, unabashedly revealing his ambition and thirst for power.

Si Tang gained a deeper understanding of He Chenzhou. He was indeed much like the rumors described.

Meanwhile, Fan Yi was on the verge of losing control. He had to admit, at the very least, this man played the gentleman better than he did, which stirred a strong sense of crisis within him.

He suddenly stood up, intending to approach them. 8856 swallowed a bite of steak and quickly grabbed his arm.

“They’re just discussing business.”

“Discussing business? Do they need to sit that close to discuss business?” Fan Yi suppressed his anger.

8856 glanced at Si Tang and He Chenzhou in the distance and confirmed that the social distance between them was entirely appropriate.

8856: “…”

A jealous man in the throes of envy was truly terrifying.

Fortunately, just then, He Chenzhou received a phone call. He wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin and politely said to Si Tang,

“I have another matter to attend to. My apologies, but it seems we’ll have to end here today. Please forgive my rudeness. I’ll have my driver take you home.”

Si Tang had already arranged for her car to be driven away from Shuiyunjian earlier, so she nodded in understanding.

“Thank you for the meal, President He.”

“You’re welcome.”

He Chenzhou stood up to leave but suddenly seemed to sense something. His gaze swept toward Fan Yi’s corner.

Their eyes met.

Noticing the strikingly handsome yet eerily intense man staring coldly at him, He Chenzhou raised a sharp eyebrow.

How interesting.

He glanced once more at the oblivious Si Tang, surmised the man’s identity, and left with a faint smile.

Watching He Chenzhou’s retreating figure, Fan Yi’s anger did not subside.

“Is he provoking me?” he said in a low voice to 8856.

8856 felt utterly helpless: I really don’t see it.

A jealous madman’s imagination was truly something else.

8856 silently acknowledged this understanding.

Fan Yi coldly withdrew his gaze and looked toward Si Tang by the window. Just then, Si Tang was about to leave. As she turned, she caught sight of Fan Yi and 8856 and paused, instinctively walking over.

“What a coincidence, Fan Yi, Xiao Liu, you’re eating here too?”

Her eyes fell on the empty plate in front of 8856, then shifted to the untouched steak in front of Fan Yi. She wondered if he didn’t even like it medium-well?

“Yes, we’re about to head back. Want to come with?” 8856 said, subtly tugging at Fan Yi’s sleeve.

Don’t glare like that, you fool. Do you want a wife or not?

“Sure,” Si Tang replied, a faint smile lingering on her lips. With half the collaboration matters resolved, she felt much more relaxed.

But Fan Yi was another story altogether.

She’s happy?

Why is she happy? Because she had a meal with that man? Has she taken a liking to someone else? What’s so great about that guy? He’s so cold and aloof no matter how you look at it, he’s not as handsome as me.

Unaware of the countless questions swirling in the mind of the man before her, Si Tang only noticed that he seemed unusually quiet today, his eyes faintly gleaming with a gloomy blue light.

“Fan Yi, are you okay? Are you in a bad mood?” Si Tang asked with concern.

Fan Yi didn’t know how he managed to force a smile onto his face, only that his insides were burning with an unbearable ache, desperate for an outlet.

“I’m fine.”

To Si Tang, it looked like he was putting on a brave face. The anger he couldn’t quite conceal in his eyes felt both unfamiliar and puzzling to her.

She never imagined that the usually gentle Fan Yi could be this furious.

Little did she know that the “gentle” Fan Yi she perceived was currently contemplating murder.

“Let’s hurry back,” 8856 quickly interjected, urging the two to leave.

After politely declining the He family’s chauffeur, Si Tang got into the car with Fan Yi and Xiao Liu.

“I’ll drive,” 8856 seized the opportunity, leaving the backseat to the two of them. “I’ve been studying hard lately!”

He really had brushed up on his human vehicle operation skills.

On the way back, in the backseat.

Fan Yi was uncharacteristically silent.

Si Tang, assuming he was in a bad mood, felt it inappropriate to force conversation.

Receiving no words from Si Tang only deepened Fan Yi’s brooding gloom.

8856, driving, grumbled inwardly: Tsundere.

When they returned to the villa, Si Tang wisely avoided prying further. After a brief greeting, she headed to the study and said to Fan Yi:

“Sharing a study for work might be a bit inconvenient. To avoid disturbing you, I’ll work in another room from now on. I’ve already arranged for office furniture to be moved in tonight.”

Fan Yi remained silent for a moment, saying nothing.

From Si Tang’s perspective, the man’s head was lowered, his soft, ink-black hair looking incredibly touchable, casting a shadow over his brow and revealing a pale chin and crimson lips. For a moment, he almost resembled some kind of dejected canine.

Si Tang couldn’t see the deep, intense blue that had taken over his eyes beneath his lashes, brimming with overwhelming possessiveness and rage.

8856 was so anxious he wanted to spin in place.

You fool, both of you, drop it!

“Fan Yi?” Si Tang asked, puzzled by the prolonged silence.

8856: Asking, still asking this fish is about to go crazy now!

The man never looked up, finally responding with a soft murmur.

“Hmm.”

His voice was hoarse, as if concealing some uncontrollable emotion, like gravel grinding through flesh and blood, sending a scorching shiver through Si Tang.