Surprise! The Fake Heiress is Actually an Ancient Master of Metaphysics! - Chapter 40

Tan Hongzheng stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and said coldly, “Recently, there have been rumors that the young master of the Liu family has a boyfriend, and the Lius are quite troubled by it.”

“Let’s take this opportunity to strike a deal with the Liu family—have Yueyue marry him. We’ll claim the child is the Liu heir’s. The two rumors might just turn into a happy story.”

Liu Yun widened her eyes, looking at him with utter disappointment. “You actually want Yueyue to marry him as a beard? I won’t agree to this!”

Tan Hongzheng frowned. “Do you have a better idea? Her belly is so big now—who would be fool enough to take the fall?”

“She was just recognized as part of the Tan family, and already she’s caused so much trouble. The company’s fortunes have been declining because of her! Do you want to wait until the company goes completely bankrupt before you’re satisfied?”

Liu Yun clutched the hem of her clothes, pressing her lips together, unsure of what to say.

Tan Hongzheng sat beside her and patted her hand. “If you can see reason, we’ll have another child. If you refuse to understand, then I’ll find someone else to have one with.”

Liu Yun immediately looked up. “How dare you! Have you forgotten who sold everything to support you when you were at your lowest?”

Tan Hongzheng smirked. “It’s precisely because I remember your kindness that I haven’t sought anyone else. But this time, you must listen to me. Otherwise, no amount of gratitude will matter!”

His company was his life. Without it, all the people he had crossed in Nancheng would come to trample on him. He had no intention of becoming a public pariah.

Liu Yun fell silent for a long time before finally relenting.

Ever since Tan Yayue returned to the Tan family, strange things had indeed been happening.

Liu Yun was a believer in metaphysics, and she couldn’t help but wonder if Tan Yayue’s ill fortune was bringing down the Tan family—even causing the company to lose money.

“Fine. After this is settled, we’ll have another child.”

Tan Hongzheng nodded in satisfaction and pulled her into his arms, though there was no warmth in his eyes.

The next afternoon, crowds of reporters swarmed outside the examination halls, waiting to interview the first candidate to emerge.

Tan Lingyin strolled out leisurely—there were still over twenty minutes left before the exam ended.

After finishing the test and confirming all her answers were correct, she had turned in her paper early.

“Quick, quick! The first candidate to submit early is coming out!”

The moment the media caught sight of Tan Lingyin, they swarmed the entrance.

Seeing them approach, Tan Lingyin smiled and waved in greeting.

Her fair, makeup-free face, her fox-like eyes curved in a smile, and her delicate, slightly adorable features instantly captivated everyone present.

Camera flashes went off incessantly, every lens trained on her.

“Miss, you handed in your paper early with such confidence—aren’t you worried your results might not be ideal?”

“Did you submit early because you couldn’t answer the questions, or because you knew them all?”

“Do you usually turn in your exams early at school too?”

Questions flew at her one after another, the clamor of voices making it hard for Tan Lingyin to keep her smile in place.

This was her first time facing so many cameras, and she hadn’t expected the pressure of being in the spotlight to feel so real.

Picking out a few questions she could hear clearly, she replied, “I answered all the questions correctly and checked my paper before submitting. I left early because I have something to attend to. Please make way—thank you.”

The security personnel at the examination venue immediately shielded her, allowing her to smoothly make her way through the crowd.

Once Tan Lingyin had squeezed through, she spotted the Rolls-Royce waiting by the roadside at a glance.

Zheng Han promptly opened the car door for her to slip inside.

Seated inside, Tan Lingyin met Huo Jingyan’s gaze. “What brings you here?” she asked.

Huo Jingyan handed her a cup of iced milk tea without answering her question. Instead, he asked, “How did the exam go?”

“It went incredibly smoothly! Getting into Jing University won’t be a problem at all!” Tan Lingyin beamed as she took the milk tea from him. “Thanks! I can’t believe you even thought to bring me a cold drink!”

Zheng Han chimed in from the side, “Mr. Huo went to the shop himself to buy this. I thought he’d suddenly taken a liking to milk tea, but it turns out it was for you, Miss Tan.”

Curious, Tan Lingyin asked, “Have you ever had milk tea before, Mr. Huo?”

“Never,” Huo Jingyan replied. He had no interest in overly sweet things, and he’d heard they weren’t healthy.

The only reason he’d bought it was because Tan Lingyin loved it. She often asked Zheng Han to drive her to buy a cup on their way home from school.

Today, when he came to pick her up, he’d inexplicably thought of getting her some milk tea.

Tan Lingyin immediately offered her cup to him. “This flavor is really good. Want to try a sip?”

A shadow flickered in Huo Jingyan’s eyes as he glanced down at the straw.

Seeing his hesitation, Tan Lingyin felt a bit awkward. “There’s only one straw, so never mind.”

Just as she was about to withdraw her hand, her wrist was caught.

Unlike her naturally cool body temperature, the man’s large hand was warm—especially the palm pressed against her skin, radiating heat.

Huo Jingyan leaned down and took a small sip from the straw.

Tan Lingyin watched his Adam’s apple bob before eagerly asking, “Is it good?”

Releasing her wrist, Huo Jingyan replied indifferently, “Too sweet.”

“Milk tea is supposed to be sweet. Sweet things make you happy,” Tan Lingyin said, casually taking the cup back and pretending it was no big deal as she took another sip. “I love sweet things.”

Her soft pink lips wrapped around the thin straw, and Huo Jingyan’s eyes darkened. He turned his head to look out the window.

His Adam’s apple moved quickly, the lingering sweetness still in his mouth.

He couldn’t tell if it was the sweetness of the milk tea—or hers.

As they neared the villa, Huo Jingyan finally spoke. “Now that the exams are over, how about a nice dinner tonight?”

“Sure! Where should we go?” Tan Lingyin agreed, thinking it was indeed time to celebrate and treat herself. “My treat!!!”

She was wealthy now, and treating someone to a meal was nothing.

“You sure about that?” Huo Jingyan raised an eyebrow slightly, his deep black eyes studying her, a faint smirk playing at his lips.

Tan Lingyin nodded repeatedly. “Of course! I’ve got ten million in your account—feel free to use it!”

“Then tonight, we’ll dine at the most luxurious restaurant in South City,” Huo Jingyan said, fingers interlaced as he rested them on his lap, watching her with amusement.

Tan Lingyin agreed without hesitation. “Deal!”

…

Meanwhile, Tan Yayue saw the photos of herself with a swollen belly circulating online and learned she was to marry Young Master Liu as a “tongqi” (a wife in a same-sex marriage facade). She was so furious she nearly passed out.

All her plans had been ruined!

Liu Yun looked at her with pity. “No one expected the ghost pregnancy to suddenly grow. I had no choice, and your father thought long and hard before coming up with this solution.”

“Tonight is your engagement banquet with Young Master Liu. Let me help you change, and we’ll leave soon, alright?”

Tan Yayue lowered her gaze to her phone and said coldly, “I understand. I’ll change my clothes myself. You can leave now.”

Liu Yun didn’t dare to upset her and had no choice but to exit the room.

Tan Yayue tapped rapidly on the screen, swiftly editing and sending out two messages.