Serving the People, Shen Family Manor

"Jiang Cheng, you wouldn't want Aunt to hear this recording, would you?"

Jiang Ruoxue waved her phone, brimming with confidence.

Look at that—was that something a heroine was supposed to say?

With that tone, anyone who didn't know better would think you were the villain!

Jiang Cheng's mouth twitched as ten thousand alpacas galloped through his mind.

He had been careless this time—no dodge! Jiang Ruoxue had actually caught him by the handle.

Though Jiang Cheng looked as steady as an old dog on the surface, he was panicking like crazy inside. If Mother Jiang found out, no matter who was right or wrong, it would somehow be Jiang Cheng's fault.

Not to mention that the two families had been friends for generations. Mother Jiang treated Jiang Ruoxue like her own daughter. If Jiang Ruoxue took the opportunity to make some outrageous demand, wouldn't he be finished?

Just imagining that scene gave Jiang Cheng goosebumps all over. He looked at Jiang Ruoxue as if she were a demon.

"Wh-what do you want?"

After swallowing several times, Jiang Cheng finally stammered the words out.

Jiang Ruoxue said nothing. She looked him up and down with a half-smile, then licked her red lips.

Jiang Cheng quickly shrank farther into the corner like a helpless little lamb, while Jiang Ruoxue was the big bad wolf.

The feeling filled Jiang Cheng with shame. He was a villain, yet he had fallen this low. It was the greatest humiliation of his life!

"Jiang Ruoxue, I... I'm warning you. You're a police officer, here to serve the people. You can't do anything illegal!"

Jiang Ruoxue nodded in agreement. The people's police serve the people—but aren't you one of the people too?

In that case, there shouldn't be anything wrong with me serving you properly, right?

"Don't worry. I just want you to do me a small favor."

"A small favor?" Jiang Cheng eyed Jiang Ruoxue suspiciously, disbelief written all over his face. "You're not planning to take one of my kidneys, are you?!"

Jiang Ruoxue rolled her eyes at him. What was he even thinking? Even if I didn't care about him, I should at least consider my own future happiness. Wouldn't that just make things harder for myself?

"I want you to be my boyfriend!"

"Pfft!" Jiang Cheng sprayed out the water he had just swallowed. The cup fell to the floor and shattered, just like his heart at that moment.

Hey! Jiang Ruoxue, were you sick in the head?

The Male Lead was supposed to be your destined partner! Just because he hadn't followed the plot, why had all these heroines become so outrageous?

"No!"

Once he came to his senses, Jiang Cheng refused without hesitation.

Be her boyfriend? That was like carrying a lantern into a toilet—looking for death. He still wanted to live!

"I mean, pretend to be my boyfriend." Jiang Ruoxue's heart stung, but she forced a smile. "My mom has been pressuring me to find a boyfriend every day lately, so..."

So he was just a shield!

Jiang Cheng breathed a sigh of relief. There really had been a scene like this in the plot, except back then, the Protagonist Ye Bufan had pretended to be Jiang Ruoxue's boyfriend.

Maybe because he had failed to follow the plot, the course of events had shifted slightly.

Still, it wasn't a big problem!

As long as the Protagonist began showing off his charm, Jiang Cheng believed the heroines would obediently throw themselves into his arms.

Then he would have nothing to worry about. He only needed to disappear for a few years and wait for the dust to settle. Everything would be fine.

Jiang Cheng nodded and agreed to Jiang Ruoxue's request.

Before long, Mother Jiang returned from grocery shopping. Upon hearing the news, she was overjoyed.

For the entire afternoon, Mother Jiang dragged Jiang Cheng into discussing every detail of the wedding. She did not stop for a moment.

Rather than a discussion, it was more like Mother Jiang's one-woman show. Jiang Cheng only needed to nod along.

"Aunt, isn't it a little early to be talking about this?"

Jiang Cheng's head was about to explode from listening.

"Xiao Cheng, it's better to prepare early for something as important as marriage, don't you think?" Lin Yu said with a smile.

Aunt, you had already said everything. What else could I say?

"That makes sense!"

Jiang Cheng first affirmed Mother Jiang's words, then glanced at his watch. "Aunt, it's getting late. I should be going."

He stood up, said his goodbyes, and made his escape in one smooth motion.

"This child, there are still so many details we haven't discussed."

Lin Yu shook her head helplessly, then glanced at Jiang Ruoxue, who was dozing on the sofa. "Still sleeping? Xiao Cheng already ran away!"

"Jiang Cheng, don't go."

Jiang Ruoxue suddenly opened her eyes and stared blankly around her, only to meet Mother Jiang's gaze.

"Ruoxue, you're awake? Come, let's continue talking..."

Meanwhile, beneath the heartbroken gazes of countless young men, Jiang Cheng and Li Shiyao drove toward Shen Family Manor.

"Senior, why do you look so tired?"

Nonsense!

An entire afternoon of being on high alert—did she know how I got through it?

Jiang Cheng was mentally and physically exhausted and could not be bothered to respond to Li Shiyao.

But this girl's mouth was like a machine gun, chattering nonstop until Jiang Cheng finally snapped.

"If you say another word, get out and walk there yourself."

Li Shiyao lowered her head in grievance, pouting as she muttered, "Senior, I just wanted to say... driving while fatigued violates traffic laws."

Jiang Cheng: "??"

That was like a granny crawling under the covers—she had actually made him laugh!

"Then you drive?!"

A moment later, Jiang Cheng sat in the passenger seat with a complicated expression, silently watching Li Shiyao expertly work the pedals and shift gears.

Wait, she really could drive? That made him look like such an idiot.

"Senior, what do you think? Am I awesome at driving or what?"

Li Shiyao raised her head and puffed out her chest, looking like she was begging for praise.

Jiang Cheng's lips curled wildly upward. After holding it in for a long while, he finally squeezed out one word. "Awesome!"

Having received Jiang Cheng's praise, Li Shiyao seemed even more excited. With one stomp on the accelerator, the speed shot past a hundred.

"Did you bring your driver's license?"

Li Shiyao shook her head. Jiang Cheng frowned. "What if we run into traffic police later?"

"Senior, it's not that I didn't bring it."

Could it be that she did not have one?

Jiang Cheng: "..."

Open the door, I'm getting out!

Watching the speed climb to one hundred and twenty, Jiang Cheng's face went pale. Damn it, she was driving this fast without a license?

Was she worried the King of Hell did not have enough work, so she was rushing to boost his performance?!

"I just didn't bring it today!"

Li Shiyao stuck out her tongue playfully. "Hehe~ I scared you, didn't I, Senior?"

Could she stop pausing so dramatically when she spoke? She was going to scare someone to death.

Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, Jiang Cheng pretended to remain calm. "Boring. I wasn't scared at all."

After a journey of speed and thrills, they finally reached their destination without incident.

Shen Family Manor.

At that moment, it was already packed with guests. Everyone invited here was a prominent figure in Jiang Cheng.

The instant Jiang Cheng appeared, he caused quite a stir.

As the Jiang Family's only son, his identity alone was enough to make everyone eager to befriend him. The eyes of many young ladies from wealthy families practically gleamed as they looked at him.

Li Shiyao wrinkled her delicate nose and clung tightly to Jiang Cheng's arm like a kitten guarding its food.

It was as if she were saying, Back off. Senior is mine!

"What are you doing?"

Jiang Cheng felt the soft, warm sensation against his arm. He wanted to pull away, but he could not.

Li Shiyao refused to let go. She looked up at Jiang Cheng with tearful eyes. "Senior, I'm afraid I'll get lost."

Could she come up with an even less believable excuse?

Jiang Cheng was helpless. With everyone watching, he could only let Li Shiyao do as she pleased.

"Isn't that Campus Belle Li? She's actually with Young Master Jiang."

"Could it be that Young Master Jiang has given up pursuing CEO Mu?"

Quite a few wealthy young heirs whispered among themselves. Jiang Cheng ignored them and found a corner to sit down in.

Just then, a Black Business Car slowly pulled up.

A tall woman with a cool, aloof aura stepped out, followed by a simply dressed young man.

Almost at the same time, two voices rang out in surprise.

"Is that him?!"