Hello, Heir

Zhuang Nainai felt guilty. Before he could say anything, she abruptly looked up and demanded, “Wh-why did you kiss me?”

Si Zhengting looked at her rebellious, shining eyes and felt his temper rise.

She was still so unreasonable and shameless even after five years.

She was the one who started it, why was she the one questioning him?

Si Zhengting loosened his tie and looked down at the girl again. Her eyes glimmered under the starlight, and he felt faint, as if he had travelled back to five years ago.

When he finally returned her affection after her relentless pursuit, he had not known how to show his feelings.

On one fine day, when they were strolling on the school field during break, she suddenly grabbed his hand and then quickly fled.

Now, he held onto her hand tightly.

Zhuang Nainai was blushing just like she did back then. Her gaze shifted. She did not dare to look him in the eyes. Palms becoming sweaty, she said, “Why are you holding my hand?”

What did he answer back then?

A smile formed on Si Zhengting’s lips. In a low ethereal voice, he replied, “Same reason you kissed me.”

They both paused at his words.

Zhuang Nainai was puzzled.

What did he mean by the same reason as hers?

She kissed him for a photo to be taken; she’d use it to get him to marry her.

Even though there was a hint of her deeply-hidden longing and regret in that kiss… it’s impossible for this man to still be harboring any feelings for her.

If that was not the reason… what could it be…?

Zhuang Nainai suddenly brightened upon her realization. “Are you agreeing to the marriage?”

Her question sent a chill into Si Zhengting and froze him over.

His soaring emotions instantly fell and hit rock bottom. He was pulled back from the beautiful memories and was returned to the harsh reality.

The marriage.

He almost forgot: she only re-appeared for the arranged marriage.

If there was no such arrangement, would she have forgotten him forever?

Si Zhengting was back in his icy cold mask in a split second. All the warmth around him vanished.

His eyes closed to a slit and were filled with a burning fire that threatened total annihilation. “Zhuang Nainai!”

Each and every word he uttered was like a knife to her heart. “I’m just curious, when did such a cold-hearted and unfeeling person like you become such a saint? To fight so hard and risk it all for the Gu’s that you’ve only just met and have no feelings for?”

He saw her freeze, but dominated by this anger, he continued his onslaught of harsh words. “Oh, nope, the Zhuang Nainai i knew would not care about them, so you must be coveting the wealth and wanted to marry yourself into an even richer family!”

Cold-hearted and unfeeling?

Coveting the wealth?

Zhuang Nainai looked up, her gaze boring deep into his pitch-black eyes that were maddened with fury and disgust. It was like a punch in her guts.

She bit her lips and clenched her fists tightly.

Was that what he thought of her?

What a jerk!

How could she have left that impression of herself in his heart?

Zhuang Nainai felt her emotions rise high within her and burst out, “NO! It’s all wrong, it’s not because of all these…”

Her outburst brought a gleam to Si Zhengting’s eyes. He looked at Zhuang Nainai and a faint glimmer of hope sprouted deep in his heart. “What is it then?”

Why?

Was it purely for the 500 thousand yuan? Even when she knew that he hated her, what had kept her trying nonetheless?

Zhuang Nainai had never really reflected on these questions before.

If her fiance were not Si Zhengting, would she have tried so hard?

The answer was obvious. She would not.

She held her hands tightly in a fist and focused on him, deliberating if she should say the embarrassing things on her mind.

Si Zhengting’s hope fizzled out with her silence.

What was he expecting?

His gaze returned to its usual state of cool nonchalance.

Watching the headstrong figure of the girl, Si Zhengting demanded, “Give me a reason to marry you.”

A reason?

Zhuang Nainai did not comprehend what he was trying to ask.

However, since he asked, did that mean she still stood a chance?

Her eyes brightened and she quickly replied, “I am your fiancée, it only makes sense that we get married!”

Si Zhengting’s gaze grew cold. It was apparent that the reason was unsatisfactory.

Zhuang Nainai wondered and tried again, “I can cook, I can do the chores, and even warm… the bed…”

“That’s the job of a nanny, not a wife.”

Zhuang Nainai was speechless. The duties of a nanny comprises warming the bed?

The things wealthy people do!

Zhuang Nainai felt a wave of displeasure at the thought of him hugging a nanny to sleep every night.

She struggled to find other reasons. “Well… we have, after all, been together before. I know your likes and dislikes, it will be easier for me to take better care of you.”

Exasperation was written all over Si Zhengting’s face. “Any woman can learn of my likes and dislikes given a couple of days. So Zhuang Nainai, why do I have to marry you ?”

It sounded a lot like prideful boasting, but on recalling how all the eligible ladies in the city drooled after Si Zhengting, she understood that every word he spoke was merely fact.

Zhuang Nainai let out a sigh. As a professional designer, she’d always had a way with words, but at that moment, she could not find a suitable comeback.

Why did he always have to put on an arrogant cold front all the time, like five years ago?

Si Zhengting’s expression grew colder. He took a glance at Zhuang Nainai’s reluctant look and reproached himself. What was he trying to achieve? What reason was he looking for?

He abruptly turned and walked towards the car.

Zhuang Nainai watched him leave and panicked. He wanted the reason so badly. Out with it!

She shut her eyes and shouted aloud, “Si Zhengting! Fine, I will give you the reason! It’s because I still like you, I love you, and that’s why I want to marry you! Is that enough for a reason?”

Si Zhengting halted his steps and slowly turned to face her. His spirits did not lift as he expected – the answer did not sound like it came from her heart.

He fixed Zhuang Nainai in a cold stare. Then, coolly and yet in a heart-wrenching way, he said, “Didn’t you say that you don’t like me anymore five years ago?”

Five years ago?

Zhuang Nainai twisted her fingers and released them. She then replied in a purposefully light and casual tone.