After Marrying the Cold and Elegant Beauty, I Fell in Love (GL) - Chapter 22.2

She couldn’t describe this feeling, because from the first moment she saw Yun Yun when she entered university, she knew she had fallen in love with the girl at first sight.

Yun Yun was a person of few words, and her every move exuded a sense of coldness. She always wore formal attire, giving off an air of noble abstinence that perfectly matched Yan Huan’s aesthetics.

Furthermore, she found that every move Yun Yun made captured her heart.

But Yun Yun was in the Student Union; although she wanted to get close, she didn’t like the environment of the Student Union. Yun Yun was also two years older than her, and their majors were different, so there was nothing to talk about.

She had gathered the courage to ask for her contact info, but Yun Yun acted as if she hadn’t seen her and just walked right past. Several confessions had ended in failure.

Later, she asked friends to investigate and found that Yun Yun hadn’t even noticed her at the time, as if she didn’t care about romance at all. Over time, she gave up. Since the “flower on the high peak” couldn’t be plucked easily, she would just watch from afar.

Looking was better than not seeing her at all.

Suddenly, Yan Huan’s phone received a message.

After opening her phone and seeing it, Yan Huan’s eyes immediately went wide, and she frantically nudged Han Shuangshuang with her elbow.

Han Shuangshuang frowned in confusion, not knowing why Yan Huan was reacting so strongly.

Yan Huan placed her phone in front of Han Shuangshuang and whispered in her ear, “Your sister and Long Aodi went to a hotel to get a room. And the hotel they checked into using her ID is actually under my family’s name. The staff told me the room number.”

The Han family was a prominent one and had business dealings with the Yan family. Furthermore, the Han family was famous for having a strict family code and placed great emphasis on their children’s upbringing. Therefore, they had an understanding with other major families: if their children did anything out of line, it should be kept hidden to avoid damaging the family’s reputation. So, when the staff found Han Ruhua checking in, they immediately recorded her ID and room number and messaged their “Great Miss” Yan Huan to ask how to handle it.

“Holy crap, your sister plays quite a game. She actually fell for a man like Long Aodi? That hypocritical man—I never thought someone would actually like him. I heard the money Long Aodi used to buy trolls was given by your sister. They’re half-sisters after all, with half the same blood; your sister is really cruel.”

Yan Huan was about to say more, but Han Shuangshuang had already stood up and secretly slipped out of the classroom through the back door.

As she walked, she messaged Shen Yuru.

The teaching buildings for the juniors and freshmen weren’t in the same place. To get to where Shen Yuru was in class, she happened to pass the small pavilion where she had kicked the “cannon fodder” into the lake on her first day of transmigrating.

As Han Shuangshuang was frantically typing on her phone, she passed the small pavilion and, upon turning her head, saw Shen Yuru sitting there, quietly reading a book.

Hearing the commotion, she looked up, and the two made eye contact.

Han Shuangshuang inexplicably felt that Shen Yuru was waiting for her here on purpose.

Han Shuangshuang: “Sister Shen, you know?”

There was no obvious emotion in Shen Yuru’s phoenix eyes; she merely nodded slightly, her every move full of calculated strategy.

It was as if everything had been anticipated by her long ago.

The word “elegant” appeared in Han Shuangshuang’s mind—truly elegant, as expected of a villain.

Han Shuangshuang: “So what do we do now? Long Aodi bought so many trolls to slander you; I can’t stand it. We can’t just let him off easy.”

The curve of Shen Yuru’s smile widened slightly. Seeing Han Shuangshuang so anxious, she suddenly felt much better.

Those relatives had messaged her again today, making her worry about her marriage since she was graduating soon. They said a girl should marry upon graduation, and since her health was poor and her heart so weak, it was a question whether she could even bear children for her husband’s family. They told her to hurry up, or the massive Shen Group would fall into the hands of outsiders. Every word was a jab at her; she couldn’t be bothered to deal with those people.

Just then, Yun Ruyi had messaged her again, having investigated the channel and consumption records for Long Aodi’s purchase.

Yun Ruyi owned a bar; she didn’t engage in those kinds of illicit dealings herself, but she knew exactly which bars did. So, investigating who sold those things to Long Aodi was very simple.

In just one day, she had investigated the price, dosage, and source of what Long Aodi bought.

She also took the opportunity to tell Shen Yuru about Han Shuangshuang’s spending in various bars.

Finally, Yun Ruyi reached a conclusion:

[Han Shuangshuang was just a kid before, only just turned eighteen. She was always being treated like a ‘sucker’ and always wanted to make things difficult for her stepmother and stepsister, but she couldn’t outtalk them and wasn’t that calculating. She was always being backstabbed, so her reputation kept getting worse. And she’s as stubborn as a mule, refusing to explain herself. Over time, it just became like this. To think that 1/10 of the money I used to open this bar was contributed by Han Shuangshuang. Calculating it this way, I owe her a favor. In short, the kid isn’t bad, but as for you, it’s better to stay away from her. After all, she’s a Han.]

Shen Yuru recalled the words Yun Ruyi had said to her.

To her, Long Aodi was just a small fry; she wasn’t in a hurry to deal with him, because she only needed a simple trick to easily send him to hell, never to return.

However, Han Shuangshuang’s reaction surprised her—she was so anxious, her concern written all over her face.

Since her parents died, she had never felt such straightforward concern from the “falling cherry blossoms.”

Shen Yuru looked at Han Shuangshuang and suddenly asked, “Long Aodi harmed me, so why do you seem more indignant than I am?”

Han Shuangshuang felt she was truly more anxious than the person involved. With such a good opportunity in front of Shen Yuru, why wasn’t she taking it?

Did Long Aodi have such a strong protagonist halo that Shen Yuru still had no guard against him?

“Of course it’s because I like you, Sister Shen! I don’t want you to suffer any harm. Long Aodi’s motives are impure—a total ‘Phoenix Man.’ He’ll do anything to achieve his goals. I just want to get justice for you.”

Only by taking out Long Aodi could she lower Shen Yuru’s Blackening Value. Besides, a man like Long Aodi was better off out of the picture; just looking at him was annoying.

Shen Yuru clutched her chest, feeling waves of warmth flowing into her heart, making it beat incessantly. All her frustration was swept away, like a rainy day suddenly clearing up.

The curve of Shen Yuru’s lips widened, and her voice was very light. As if moved by Han Shuangshuang’s emotions, she did something unprecedented and followed Han’s lead: “Then I’ll listen to you. Follow me.”

The two arrived at the hotel entrance according to the address Yan Huan had given.

Shen Yuru looked at Han Shuangshuang’s earlobe, rubbed her own index finger pad, and finally couldn’t help but gently pinch Han’s earlobe with her thumb and index finger.

Han Shuangshuang jumped, clutching her earlobe and instinctively backing away two steps, looking at Shen Yuru with a guarded face.

She couldn’t help it; her ears were very sensitive, and she had almost cried out just now.

Shen Yuru’s face was normal, and she showed no embarrassment for her actions, as if it were as natural as playing with a cat or dog. “Didn’t you say I hadn’t given you a reward for your hard work? I’ll pay you back today.”

Han Shuangshuang blinked her puppy eyes before suddenly understanding what Shen Yuru meant.

Because she had said many bad things about her stepmother and stepsister in front of Shen Yuru, Shen Yuru hadn’t dealt with Long Aodi yet, holding back until Long Aodi and Han Ruhua were linked so she could deal with both at once as a favor to her.

Although Han Shuangshuang wasn’t the original host and didn’t care much about the history between the host and the step-family, her heart still felt warm.

After all, Shen Yuru was truly considering her.

Even though Shen Yuru was cold on the surface and her words weren’t very pleasant, she could truly sense her mood.

This must be what it means to be cold on the outside but warm on the inside.

Han Shuangshuang immediately shook her head, throwing away that scary thought. Shen Yuru had a weak heart and was cold in both face and heart; she couldn’t trust the big villain so easily.

Han Shuangshuang: “Did Sister Shen call the police?”

Shen Yuru nodded, but then looked at Han Shuangshuang like she was a little dummy. “Of course I wouldn’t do such a thing personally. I’ve already had someone report this room; the police will be here in a moment.”

So the two returned to the first-floor lobby of the hotel, where a dedicated waiter prepared high-end desserts for them.

Sure enough, after a while, two police officers found that room.

Shen Yuru was sitting calmly in her chair, holding a high-quality porcelain teacup and sipping her tea, still unhurried.

Han Shuangshuang, however, was anxious, for after all, Long Aodi had a protagonist halo. She didn’t know if this would be enough to take him out.

After a while, Han Shuangshuang saw Han Ruhua, wrapped in a blanket and crying uncontrollably, and Long Aodi, who looked like he had just been splashed with cold water and had only just woken up.

Long Aodi was in a terrible state; his shirt was off and his pants weren’t even pulled up properly as he was dragged out by the police. Han Ruhua huddled in her blanket and refused to move.

Once Long Aodi came to his senses, he immediately understood: he had been set up by Han Ruhua.

“Junior, what is going on? How could we be in the same bed?”

Han Shuangshuang took a handful of melon seeds and started watching the show from a corner.

Han Ruhua was a standard white lotus, and the green-tea female lead didn’t have much brain power; she could only look at Long Aodi with teary, pitiful eyes.

“Senior, I truly like you. Believe me, I will definitely save you.”

Long Aodi steadied his mind, broke free from the police’s grip, and stood his ground.

Han Shuangshuang couldn’t help but “tsk” twice. As expected of the author’s favorite male lead, even in this state, he was merely a bit disheveled, yet still exuded an arrogant air.

Long Aodi: “We are boyfriend and girlfriend; it’s not what you think. Ruhua, explain it to everyone quickly.”

Han Ruhua also wanted to explain, but the Han family moved faster. Suddenly, several black-clad bodyguards appeared in the lobby, spoke to the police, and took Han Ruhua away.

After that, the police’s expressions changed, and they pulled out handcuffs to arrest Long Aodi.

Shen Yuru watched Long Aodi’s panicked face and curled her lips, speaking beside Han Shuangshuang.

“I truly don’t know where Long Aodi got the courage to think Han Ruhua would protect him. The Han family is a major business family and places great emphasis on reputation. This kind of family is very selfish and won’t allow anyone to smear them. Moreover, Long Aodi is just an ordinary student. Han Ruhua is also expected to contribute to the family through an engagement in the future. How could the Han family tolerate a poor nobody getting close to them?”

Han Shuangshuang blinked her puppy eyes and suddenly understood.

Indeed, two people lying in a hotel room for no clear reason and being reported was not a glorious thing. To protect Han Ruhua’s reputation, the Han family would surely clear her of everything, and Long Aodi would have to bear all the consequences.

Furthermore, the police pulled out something else: “Someone also reported you for purchasing illegal drugs. We need to investigate. Please come with us.”

Long Aodi panicked immediately, thinking of what he had put in Shen Yuru’s drink. But he was confident Shen Yuru wouldn’t find evidence, so he gritted his teeth and refused to admit it.

“You have no evidence! On what grounds are you arresting me? I am a proper university student and the President of the Student Union. Do you know how much this will affect my reputation? Can you compensate for that?”

At that moment, the sound of leather shoes on the tiles was very distinct.

Han Shuangshuang followed Shen Yuru as they walked toward Long Aodi.

Shen Yuru: “I have evidence.”

When Long Aodi saw Shen Yuru, his eyes turned red with rage, as if he wanted to rush forward and tear her apart.

Han Shuangshuang immediately blocked him, her puppy eyes showing a fierce light as she glared back at Long Aodi.

The police also immediately restrained Long Aodi.

Long Aodi roared at Shen Yuru, “You’re lying! How could you have evidence? It’s impossible! You’re shameless—you have a crush on me, and since you can’t have me, you want to ruin me, right?”

Hearing Long Aodi speak about Shen Yuru like that made Han Shuangshuang’s anger flare up. She clenched her fists tightly; if Long Aodi said another shameless word, her fist would surely land on his face.

Shen Yuru’s expression didn’t change; she still looked calm, as if she were completely unaffected by Long Aodi. “These are his purchase and consumption records, as well as his account and the surveillance from the kitchen at the time. And I… am the victim.”

The Han family bodyguards, afraid of losing face, had left quickly after taking Han Ruhua.

Several other black-clad men entered the lobby; they were from the security department of Yan Huan’s family hotel, brought there for fear that Han Shuangshuang and Shen Yuru might be in danger.

Long Aodi was completely panicked now. If these things were proven, he would likely be expelled, and his whole life would be ruined.

He had worked so hard to get out of that mountain village; he wasn’t going to let it go.

He had grown used to the prosperity of the big city and had been the leader in his own circle for so long that he could no longer stand being looked down upon or living a life of supplication.

It was all because of Shen Yuru. If it weren’t for her, he could have risen to the top and lived an upper-class life.

“You shameless bitch! After you drank that stuff, didn’t you find someone to sleep with anyway? Why act so pure?” As Long Aodi spoke, he tried to rush toward Shen Yuru, but he was luckily blocked by the bodyguards as the police checked the records at the front desk.

Long Aodi cursed resentfully, “I gave you face by liking you! Otherwise, who would want that broken body of yours? This Han Shuangshuang? You’re both perverts, disgusting, playing around more than anyone…”

Before Long Aodi could finish, Han Shuangshuang’s face went cold. She raised her fist and landed a punch right on Long Aodi’s nose, gritting her teeth and using all her strength.

Long Aodi closed his eyes in pain, his nose broken and blood flowing from his nostrils.

“The dirtiest, most disgusting person is you!” Han Shuangshuang stared at Long Aodi with a chilling face, her fists trembling with rage. “You are absolute scum, not even human. You’re full of ambition, wanting to reach the sky in one step and turn into a phoenix. What? If the branch doesn’t hold you, you say the branch is dead? Take a good look at yourself! Just because people gave you a few compliments, you really think you’re someone. Shen Yuru is beautiful, smart, and from a good family—a pure and innocent girl. To you, it’s like a toad staring at a swan. When you couldn’t eat the swan’s meat, you slandered the swan as an ugly duckling? You think that brings you two closer? Wake up! Look at your own hideous face. Stop showing off your ‘golden boy’ mentality to everyone, okay? It’s disgusting. If you dare say another word, I will make sure you never recover in this lifetime.”

The ruthlessness in Han Shuangshuang was plain to see.

Beside them, the bodyguards hesitated whether to pull Long Aodi away or the nearly out-of-control Han Shuangshuang.

Shen Yuru felt her index and thumb pads itch again; she felt she should be holding something.

Listening to Han Shuangshuang’s words on her behalf, Shen Yuru hooked her index finger into Han Shuangshuang’s pinky.

As if to soothe her, she stroked the side of Han Shuangshuang’s pinky with her thumb pad, again and again, as gentle and rhythmic as petting a dog.

Since her parents died, she knew that in this world, there was no longer anyone to stand up for her; she could only rely on herself.

She had heard more and more slandering voices; having heard them enough, she had become numb.

Because she gradually found that arguing was useless; the image in that person’s mind was already set. They would only believe they were right and that what they saw was real; arguing with them was a waste of time.

But that didn’t mean she didn’t truly take these slandering words to heart.

Han Shuangshuang’s emotions were intense and straightforward, truly like a sunlit dog—as if her world only consisted of her owner. Her love was always sincere and always favored one person.

And she was currently at the center of that love.

So this was what it felt like to be protected and trusted unconditionally.

It was… truly a nice feeling.

Shen Yuru took a step forward to stand beside Han Shuangshuang. Her phoenix eyes looked coldly at Long Aodi. “You will pay the price for your insults and slander.”

Long Aodi looked at Shen Yuru and Han Shuangshuang resentfully, shouting at the police, “She just hit me! My nose is broken! It really hurts! Go and arrest them too!”

The bodyguards all lowered their heads, indicating they hadn’t seen anything.

And the police, who were questioning the front desk, hadn’t noticed things on Long Aodi’s side.

The front desk girl, with a gentle smile on her face and a ballpoint pen in her hand, raised her hand and threw the pen far away, shattering the surveillance screen on the wall. “I’m sorry, sir, but our hotel’s cameras broke two days ago and haven’t been repaired yet, so we cannot get the surveillance footage from just now. If you have any questions, please contact my manager.”

The police had also heard the words Long Aodi had spoken, so they had no intention of pursuing this and directly led him away. No matter how resentful Long Aodi was, he could only accept the reality.

Han Shuangshuang spat a few times toward Long Aodi’s direction to clear the bad luck.

However, watching Long Aodi being led away by the police was truly satisfying. A hypocritical petty man like him deserved retribution.

Han Shuangshuang turned her head to look at Shen Yuru.

Shen Yuru felt that Han Shuangshuang’s expression at that moment was very much like a puppy asking for a reward after helping its owner drive away a bad person.

“Sister Shen, don’t worry, no one will bully you again as long as I’m here!”

As she spoke, Han Shuangshuang even patted her chest—but since there were chest pads inside, it didn’t bounce.

Shen Yuru noticed the bruise on Han Shuangshuang’s knuckles, a wound caused by the hard punch to Long Aodi’s nose.

Her heart couldn’t help but soften.

Who could have the heart to refuse a large Golden Retriever that was wagging its tail, full of sunshine, acting a bit silly, and smiling at people?

So, Shen Yuru gently took Han Shuangshuang’s hand, brought it before her eyes, and lowered her head slightly, as if she were going to press her lips to the wound. But Han Shuangshuang snapped her hand away.

“It’s dirty! I just hit Long Aodi. I’ll wipe it first; don’t be in a hurry, Sister Shen.”

Just as Han Shuangshuang was frantically searching her pockets for a tissue, her head was suddenly pressed down, and Shen Yuru’s face enlarged before her eyes.

Han Shuangshuang’s breath hitched; she saw Shen Yuru rise slightly on her tiptoes, and her lips were pressed against Han’s forehead—light and itchy, as if brushed by a feather, leaving only a hint of warmth.

Shen Yuru’s voice was as pleasant as ever, light and calm, with a faint, lingering fragrance that was soothing. “This is your well-deserved reward.”

Han Shuangshuang was a bit dazed; once she came to her senses, she touched her forehead. Why did it feel like Shen Yuru was coaxing a puppy?

She wasn’t a puppy!

Hmph!