The Jiang Family, Jiang Ruoxue's Scheme!

"Hey, Mom, what's up?"

On the way back to the Jiang Family, Jiang Cheng picked up the call, and Mother Jiang's voice came through.

"Did you drop off Shiyao?"

"Yeah, I did."

Jiang Cheng rubbed his brow, muttering to himself, Who's really your kid here?

On the other end, Mother Jiang hummed in satisfaction, then said, "Your Aunt Jiang just got back from abroad and brought me a gift. Pick it up on your way home."

"Mom, the Jiang Family's not exactly on the way, is it?"

Jiang Cheng's face fell as he cautiously tested the waters.

It wasn't that he didn't want to go—Aunt Jiang had always treated him well, and a visit was only right—but the key issue was that woman, Jiang Ruoxue!

Who knew what kind of trouble she'd stir up this time...

Beep beep~

Jiang Cheng stared at the hung-up phone and decisively turned toward the Jiang Family.

In situations like this, it was no longer his call to make.

Go or not, he had to go.

In the Jiang Family living room, Mother Jiang was beaming as she video-called a middle-aged beauty.

It was Jiang Ruoxue's mother, Lin Yu.

"You're staying for good this time, right?"

"Yeah, I'm done with things over there. From now on, I'll be in Jiangcheng."

Lin Yu stretched and let out a long sigh. Time hadn't left a mark on her face; instead, it had only made her more mature and captivating.

They exchanged a few pleasantries before hanging up quickly.

Meanwhile, at the entrance of the Jiang Family villa, Jiang Cheng sneezed out of nowhere. "Who's plotting against me now?!"

Rubbing his nose, he glanced at the villa, then clasped his hands together and bowed sincerely to the Bodhisattva Statue hanging in his car.

"Bodhisattva, please let Jiang Ruoxue not be home!"

Taking a few deep breaths, Jiang Cheng walked to the door and pressed the doorbell.

Ding-ding~

A moment later, the door swung open, and a beautiful woman appeared before Jiang Cheng.

"Aunt Jiang."

"Is that you, Xiao Cheng?" Lin Yu looked at the gentle, handsome young man in front of her, surprised.

Jiang Cheng nodded. Lin Yu smiled warmly, sizing him up, then enthusiastically invited him inside.

"Haven't seen you in years, Xiao Cheng—you've gotten even more handsome. I almost didn't recognize you."

"If your mom hadn't said you were coming, I really might not have guessed."

The Bodhisattva came through!

Jiang Cheng craned his neck to scan the surroundings, letting out a long sigh of relief when he didn't spot Jiang Ruoxue.

His whole body relaxed, and his tone became easygoing and natural.

"Aunt, you're still as young as ever. You could pass for my older sister."

Lin Yu's smile widened at that. "Xiao Cheng sure knows how to talk. With that silver tongue, you must be sweeping plenty of girls off their feet."

Just as they were chatting, a voice suddenly rang out from upstairs, dripping with delighted surprise.

"Jiang Cheng!"

That familiar voice hit him like a death sentence. Jiang Cheng forced a smile, his mouth twitching almost imperceptibly.

He didn't need to guess who it was!

Putting on a brave face, he turned around to see Jiang Ruoxue coming downstairs in a spaghetti-strap nightgown, barefoot.

Her skin was like snow, her figure devilish—enough to make anyone's blood race.

"Did you come to see me?"

"No!" Jiang Cheng shot back without a second's hesitation.

If Aunt Jiang weren't here, he'd have bolted on the spot.

Look at you?

If you hadn't thrown the Male Lead into the Police Station, I wouldn't have gotten tangled up with that girl Li Shiyao in the first place.

Jiang Cheng silently shot Jiang Ruoxue a blank look. Do you have any idea how much damage this did to me?

Hearing Jiang Cheng's swift rebuttal, the light in Jiang Ruoxue's eyes dimmed.

This kid—I think she's fallen for Xiao Cheng!

Lin Yu, watching from the side, noted this to herself. She was thoroughly satisfied with Jiang Cheng.

Whether it was character, looks, or family background—and most importantly, her daughter's feelings—as a mother, she had to give it her full support.

"Xiao Cheng, Aunt is going out to buy groceries. Stay for dinner today."

With that, Jiang's mother shot Jiang Ruoxue a meaningful glance.

Jiang Ruoxue secretly rejoiced, glanced down at her own figure, and gave a light hum. "Jiang Cheng, you're not getting away!"

Jiang Cheng suddenly felt as if he were being stalked by a Primeval Beast, and he couldn't help but shiver.

"Sigh."

He reluctantly agreed. Given the friendship between their families, there was no way to refuse.

Jiang Ruoxue certainly wasn't about to pass up such a perfect chance to be alone with Jiang Cheng.

"Jiang Cheng, are you hungry? I'll cook some noodles for you!"

To capture a man's heart, you first have to capture his stomach.

"Not hungry. No need." Jiang Cheng was sparing with his words. Who knew if Jiang Ruoxue might add something to the food?

If he fell into her trap, he'd never be able to explain himself.

"Fine then!" Jiang Ruoxue sighed, turned, and went upstairs without any hesitation.

Jiang Cheng breathed a sigh of relief. If you'd given up earlier, that would've been fine. That's more like it!

The Heroine should be revolving around the Male Lead. Why keep pestering me, the Villain?

But it's not too late to realize that. To err is human, to forgive divine.

Finding a place to sit, Jiang Cheng silently prayed that tonight's Shen Family Banquet would go smoothly.

Please, no surprises!

Rustle, rustle~

The sound of running water came.

"Jiang Cheng, I forgot to bring my towel. Can you bring it in for me?"

Jiang Ruoxue's voice drifted down from upstairs, immediately putting Jiang Cheng on alert.

You've got to be kidding?

If I go in, I'll see everything. I'm afraid you'll try to pin this on me!

With that thought, Jiang Cheng decisively refused.

"Where's your maid? I'll have her bring it to you."

In the bathroom, Jiang Ruoxue heard Jiang Cheng's words and fumed.

I'm being this forward, and you still don't react? Are you even a man?

Is my figure not good enough? Or am I not tempting enough?

But whatever—I love that my Jiang Cheng plays the gentleman. It makes conquering him all the more satisfying!

Suppressing her resentment, Jiang Ruoxue cooed, "Mom gave the maid the day off. No one's home today."

Afraid Jiang Cheng would refuse again, she quickly added, "Just leave the towel at the door. Otherwise, I'll have to come out and get it myself!"

Come out?

No way. What if I accidentally see something? You'd have me wrapped around your finger!

Jiang Cheng decisively said, "No, don't come out. I'll bring it to you."

As long as I'm quick, it should be fine. Even if Jiang Ruoxue tries something, she won't have time.

In the bathroom, Jiang Ruoxue's lips curled into a smile. She looked at herself in the mirror and made up her mind.

On the other end, Jiang Cheng swiftly found the towel and hurried upstairs, afraid Jiang Ruoxue might lose patience and come out.

The bathroom door was frosted glass, revealing a hazy silhouette that outlined a graceful figure.

The sound of running water was like a beautiful melody, tapping against Jiang Cheng's heart.

Indeed, hazy beauty is true beauty!

No wonder so many people like those "oddly shaped" clothes. Anyone would find this unbearable—it's pure torture.

Snapping out of his daze, Jiang Cheng couldn't help but curse Ye Bufan's incredible luck.

Here I am, the sole heir of the Jiang Family, a perfect catch—rich and handsome—and I'm being outshone by some rustic brute.

The Protagonist's Halo—terrifying, indeed!