When Ma Hongsheng looked over with suspicion in his eyes, Cheng Rui remained perfectly calm. With a soft sigh, she began explaining, “My son’s been obsessed with Bugattis lately. I tried buying him a model car, but he threw a tantrum. He said he wanted a real one.”
She gave a helpless smile, her expression filled with a mother’s gentle patience. “I didn’t know how to calm him down. Just then, I heard someone was selling a Veyron, so I bought it. But the little rascal changed his mind again as soon as the car arrived. Said he didn’t like it anymore.”
As she spoke, she looked to Ma Hongsheng with an apologetic gaze. “You were still unconscious back then, so I couldn’t talk to you about it first. I wasted several tens of millions just like that. It was all my fault.”
Listening nearby, Wang Haoran couldn’t help but admire Cheng Rui’s skill at spinning lies. Her performance was flawless, the delivery smooth and natural. She was almost as good as him.
Ma Hongsheng chuckled and waved it off. “It’s just a car. A few tens of millions is nothing. Don’t worry about it.”
After reassuring her, he turned his attention to Qin Fan, who had been circling the Bugatti like a moth to a flame, his eyes gleaming.
“Master, do you like this car?” Ma Hongsheng asked with a smile.
“I do,” Qin Fan replied, unable to hide his desire.
“Then I’ll give it to you,” Ma Hongsheng said generously. “Consider it a token of gratitude.”
“I couldn’t possibly accept something like that,” Qin Fan said, pretending to hesitate.
“This is just a small gesture from your disciple. Please accept it,” Ma Hongsheng urged sincerely.
“Then I’ll gratefully accept,” Qin Fan replied, his voice modest, but his eyes practically glowing.
Wang Haoran clenched his fists in silence.
That car was his.
Ma Hongsheng was using his own damn car to win favor with the protagonist. He couldn’t stop it, couldn’t speak up, and could only watch helplessly.
Damn it.
“Rui, could you take care of the transfer paperwork?” Ma Hongsheng asked casually.
“Of course,” Cheng Rui answered with a nod.
“By the way,” Ma Hongsheng added, “did you give Master the five hundred million in liquid funds we talked about?”
“The company’s short on cash right now,” Cheng Rui replied smoothly. “I haven’t been able to free up the funds yet, but everything should be ready by tomorrow morning.”
She then turned to Qin Fan and added, “The vehicle transfer will also be finalized by then. Around eight in the morning, both the money and the car will be ready. I’ll have someone deliver them to you, or would you prefer—”
“I’ll come get them myself,” Qin Fan said, almost bursting with excitement.
“Master, it’s almost dinner anyway. Why don’t you stay and eat with us? You can even stay the night. That way, you won’t have to make another trip,” Ma Hongsheng offered warmly.
“That sounds good,” Qin Fan agreed without hesitation.
A subtle flicker passed through Cheng Rui’s eyes, too quick for anyone to notice.
If Ma Hongsheng hadn’t made the offer himself, she had planned to suggest it. Now that he did it for her, it saved her the effort.
After a little more touring around the estate, it was finally time for dinner. Ma Hongsheng insisted that Wang Haoran and Tantai Yaoyue stay as well.
Following the meal, Tantai Yaoyue prepared to leave with Wang Haoran.
“Yaoyue, it’s already dark out. Why don’t you stay the night too?” Qin Fan suggested, clearly hoping to spend more time with her.
“Right, Junior Sister,” Ma Hongsheng chimed in. “There are plenty of rooms here. No need to rush home.”
“Thank you both for the kind offer,” Tantai Yaoyue replied gracefully. “But I have some things to take care of back home. Another time, perhaps.”
She had always told her sisters never to stay out overnight. As the eldest, she held herself to that standard, too. No matter how tempting the situation, she wouldn’t allow herself to make an exception.
“I understand,” Ma Hongsheng said, not pressing the matter.
“Haoran, drive safe, alright?” Qin Fan added with a warm smile, speaking with the tone of a future brother-in-law.
Wang Haoran caught the implication in his words and silently cursed Qin Fan. Still, he maintained his simple, honest smile.
“I will. Don’t worry.”
Turning to Tantai Yaoyue, he said gently, “Sister, let’s go.”
“Alright,” she replied with a nod.
The two of them left the mansion together.
As the Pagani cruised along a riverside road, Tantai Yaoyue looked out the window and suddenly gasped.
“The night view is beautiful.”
She had hardly gone out at night since returning to Qingling, and this was the first time she truly saw the city’s nightscape. Her eyes were wide, her gaze fixated on the shimmering lights reflected on the river.
Wang Haoran glanced at her, then eased his foot off the gas and guided the car gently to the roadside.
Tantai Yaoyue turned to him with a curious look. “Why are we stopping?”
“Sister,” he said as he got out, “if it’s beautiful, then let’s take some time to enjoy it.”
He walked around to the passenger side and opened her door.
She didn’t object and stepped out to join him.
They leaned against the railing by the riverbank. She stared at the flowing water and sparkling lights, while he watched her profile—soft, luminous, breathtaking in the quiet of the night.
At first, she didn’t notice. But after a while, she could feel his eyes on her. She turned slightly and met his gaze.
“Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?” she asked, her tone light but her eyes flickering with unease.
“There’s nothing on your face,” he said earnestly. “I just think you’re more beautiful than any night view. I couldn’t help myself.”
The words came straight from the heart. Her profile really did outshine the entire city behind her.
【Ding. Host has stirred the heart of the female lead Tantai Yaoyue. Gained 1000 Villain Points!】
Tantai Yaoyue, though the eldest of her seven sisters, had never been on the receiving end of such heartfelt words from a man. Because of her past, no one ever dared speak to her like this.
And now, the one saying them… was the very man she had secretly fallen for.
Her heart pounded wildly in her chest, beyond her control.
“You… Why are you saying this all of a sudden?” Her voice was barely a whisper, but something in it hinted at hope.
Wang Haoran read the longing in her eyes and felt a moment of hesitation.
He reminded himself that he needed to rein in this habit of speaking sweet nothings so casually.
“It doesn’t mean anything,” he said with a sheepish grin. “I just honestly think you’re prettier than the view.”
He couldn’t bring himself to respond to the deeper emotion in her voice, so he feigned innocence.
“Can you stop calling me ‘Sister’?” she snapped, her tone suddenly sharp.
“But… you are my sister. What else am I supposed to call you?” Wang Haoran said helplessly, still playing dumb.
Qin Fan was too powerful. He couldn’t challenge him just yet. To stay under the radar, he had to maintain the image of being Tantai Yaoyue’s younger brother. Even if she was stunning beyond words, he had to resist temptation.
Tantai Yaoyue heard his reply and fumed silently. In her mind, she imagined throwing him into the river just to blow off steam.
Then, with a cold huff, she spun around and climbed back into the passenger seat.
“Let’s go home.”
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