Breathing hard as she ran, He Ruchu threw herself in front of Shen Siyuan and blocked the incoming punch.
She had just gotten off the bus and was about to head home when she saw someone swinging at Shen Siyuan.
Looking closer, she realized it was her own second brother, He Yi’an.
She immediately panicked and shouted without thinking.
“Second Brother, what are you doing?”
Her round almond-shaped eyes glared at him reproachfully.
As the male lead of the novel, Shen Siyuan was definitely not someone easy to provoke.
In the original story, after the female supporting character died tragically, He Yi’an who adored his younger sister tried to punish Shen Siyuan and avenge her.
The outcome was predictable: he met a terrible end as well.
Now that she had transmigrated into the story and was surrounded by people who genuinely loved the original owner, He Ruchu felt she had to do more than just keep herself away from the male and female leads.
She wanted to help these family members avoid the same tragic fate.
The moment He Yi’an saw her, he pulled her protectively to his side.
“Little sister, are you alright?”
Then he shot Shen Siyuan a fierce glare.
“Don’t worry. I won’t let you suffer for nothing. I’ll make him give you an explanation.”
He Ruchu instantly felt a headache coming on.
She had only just managed to stop Shen Siyuan from insisting on registering their marriage she couldn’t let her brother ruin it now.
“Second Brother, listen to me. This is all a misunderstanding. Go home first, and I’ll explain everything slowly later.”
As she spoke, she glanced at Shen Siyuan.
The man leaned against the jeep with an indifferent expression, revealing nothing about his mood.
Unable to read him, she could only apologize.
“Shen Siyuan, I’m sorry. My brother didn’t mean it.”
“You’re busy, so we won’t bother you anymore.”
With that, she grabbed He Yi’an and dragged him away.
“Little sister, what are you doing?”
He Yi’an, still eager to stand up for her, looked confused.
“Did he threaten you?”
“No, no! You’re overthinking it.”
He Ruchu shook her head repeatedly and tugged him along faster.
“Let’s just go home.”
Shen Siyuan watched her retreating figure coldly and curled his lips into a faint smile.
Hah. What game is she playing this time?
When Shen Siyuan returned home and stepped through the door, he found the living room full of people.
At the head of the sofa sat his grandfather, who was usually too busy to be home.
Beside him sat his grandmother, then his parents, followed by his second uncle’s family.
Shen Siyuan paused briefly before walking over and greeting everyone.
After signaling for him to sit, Old Master Shen spoke first.
“Siyuan, tell us what exactly happened between you and the He family girl?”
He had already heard all the rumors spreading through the compound.
But he did not believe that the grandson he had personally raised would do such a thing.
“That’s right, Siyuan,” Grandmother Shen added anxiously. “Your grandfather has already suppressed the rumors for now, but if this isn’t handled properly, it could seriously damage your future.”
Shen Siyuan was silent for a moment before saying calmly,
“I’ll submit a marriage application.”
Old Master Shen looked at him steadily.
No matter the reason, this was indeed the best solution for the current situation.
But…
“Have you thought it through?”
Shen Siyuan nodded lightly.
“Yes.”
“Siyuan, marriage is not something to treat lightly,” his mother said, unable to stay silent.
Truthfully, she was being selfish too.
She understood her son’s feelings to some extent and didn’t want him to settle.
Turning toward her, Shen Siyuan replied,
“Mom, I know.”
She opened her mouth to say more, but Grandmother Shen spoke first.
“Actually, that He girl is quite pretty. She and Siyuan look rather well matched.”
Mrs. Shen frowned slightly.
Being pretty was hardly enough.
Just thinking about the girl’s impulsive personality gave her a headache, let alone imagining her as a daughter-in-law.
Grandmother Shen continued,
“I’ve met the girl before. I don’t think she’s bad at heart.
And she’s still young. If you guide her carefully, she’ll improve.”
“But…” Mrs. Shen began.
“That’s enough.”
Mr. Shen interrupted gently.
“Siyuan has already made his decision, so we’ll handle it that way.”
Old Master Shen nodded in agreement.
His thoughts were similar to his wife’s.
He remembered He Yaoguang somewhat favorably.
A man of decent character likely wouldn’t raise a truly terrible child.
After considering it for a moment, he looked at his son.
“In the next couple of days, choose a time to visit the He family with Siyuan and discuss the marriage.”
Mr. Shen agreed.
“Alright.”
The sooner this was settled, the sooner the gossip could be silenced.
Shen Siyuan rubbed his temple.
“Let’s register the marriage first. We can talk about the rest later.”
Old Master Shen responded,
“We’ll discuss the details after you return from the He family.”
With that, he stood and headed for the study.
The others gradually dispersed from the living room.
Shen Siyuan also rose and went upstairs.
As he turned into the hallway, a voice called out behind him.
“Brother Siyuan.”
He frowned slightly and glanced over.
Standing there was his mother’s adopted daughter.
Xie Qingwan.
Shen Siyuan wasn’t particularly close to her; he mostly heard about her from his mother and others in the compound.
Seeing him stop, Xie Qingwan hurried over.
“Brother Siyuan, are you really going to marry He Ruchu?”
She hadn’t gone downstairs, but she had heard everything that happened below.
She could hardly believe that Shen Siyuan who had always despised He Ruchu had voluntarily suggested registering a marriage with her.
His brows tightened again.
He nodded faintly, then subtly stepped back to increase the distance between them.
“But why?” Xie Qingwan took another step closer. “You clearly don’t like her. Are you really going to marry her just because of some rumors?”
“Brother Siyuan, I don’t believe you’re that kind of person. Did He Ruchu do something to threaten you? Tell me, and we’ll solve it together, alright?”
“I really don’t want to see you marry someone you don’t love.”
Listening to her, Shen Siyuan’s expression grew colder.
“This is my business. You don’t need to interfere.”
Xie Qingwan stiffened.
“But… but you’re my brother. How can I watch you be forced into this?”
“This is my own choice.”
His voice remained calm and unreadable.
After one final glance at her, he said nothing more and walked past her into his room.
Xie Qingwan stared at the closed door, her chest rising and falling unevenly.
Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she thought,
What exactly happened between Brother Siyuan and He Ruchu?
Why would he make such a choice?
No… I have to find out. I can’t let him sacrifice himself like this.
Dragging her second brother home, He Ruchu quickly discovered they had visitors.
In the living room, a young man sat chatting with her parents.
He looked about the same age as the original owner.
He wore a white shirt and black trousers, along with gold-rimmed glasses.
A polite smile rested on his face.
Unlike Shen Siyuan’s cold detachment, this man carried a gentle, refined elegance.