After the Cannon Fodder A Accidentally Marked the Paranoid Female Lead - Chapter 43

Ming Sian and He Yining left the He manor together; however, they would still have to return for any activities during this period. The He family ancestral worship hadn’t started yet, and early this morning, many relatives had begun arriving at the He manor one after another.

Judging by their arrival times, they must have woken up before dawn.

Today, many people appeared whom Ming Sian had never met, but she had seen their photos. When those people saw her, they sized her up with their gazes and began whispering among themselves the moment she walked away.

The topics of discussion were always the same few: they felt she wasn’t a match, felt her tactics were high-level, or wondered what He Yining was thinking, actually being with an ordinary student and even planning to get married.

Ming Sian didn’t care; anyway, with He Yining standing beside her radiating cold air, they only dared to step forward and greet them. In front of He Yining, they didn’t dare say a single extra word.

It had to be said that He Yining being icy was actually quite good—it saved a lot of trouble. Ming Sian was amused by her own thoughts, causing He Yining to look at her.

“What are you laughing at?”

“Doesn’t Lawyer Ning think that the way they look at me holds both disdain and jealousy?”

The core members of the He family spend the New Year together for the New Year’s Eve dinner. These distant relatives can only come during the first few days of the New Year, and they have to arrive early; otherwise, they won’t even get a chance to chat with the He family core.

By what right did Ming Sian enter the He family’s core circle so easily? If she really marries He Yining, she will instantly become someone they need to curry favor with. Even now, before they are married, they cannot treat her casually; showing a smile is the bare minimum.

Thinking of how those people disliked and looked down on her, yet were forced to put on a smile, Ming Sian truly felt an indescribable sensation.

He Yining stared at her for a while. “Do you care about their gazes?”

“No, I’m just thinking about how many people think I just struck it lucky.”

Ming Sian was used to such looks. Before proving one’s strength, one always has to face skepticism. She actually didn’t mind people questioning her ability—that was easy to prove. What she disliked was that some people always viewed others as inferior.

She had heard plenty of it; almost everyone believed she had used some tactic to stay by He Yining’s side.

“And so?” It wasn’t that He Yining was indifferent; she just felt Ming Sian had more to say.

“And so, we are people from two different worlds. Completely different worlds.”

A forced fit only makes both parties uncomfortable. During her two days at the He manor, Ming Sian became even more certain: she didn’t belong here. The so-called worldly wisdom and small talk didn’t suit her.

It wasn’t that she didn’t understand social graces. In her past life, when handling cases and dealing with clients, she would find ways to gain their trust. Some words had to be said, but that was for the case—to protect the client’s rights and not to assist a villain. But in the He family? What was the purpose?

Ming Sian fell silent. She admitted she had feelings for He Yining, but those feelings hadn’t reached the point where she could live in an environment she hated or abandon her career plans.

Perhaps one day in the future she would regret today’s choice, but that would definitely be after she had achieved success and could truly stand side-by-side with the Eldest Miss.

For now, she didn’t want the brand of the He family stamped upon her.

In other words, she could accept being branded by He Yining, but not the He family. Yet, as long as she was with He Yining, that was an impossibility.

The real He family was completely different from the He family she saw online. Online, the He family was the representative of justice in Hong Kong’s political and legal circles; many international cases were won by He family lawyers, preventing Hong Kong merchants from being bullied by foreign interests.

Looking at the He family’s history, they had always protected the rights of local merchants internationally. Initially, the He family was something to be admired.

It wasn’t to say anything against the real He family, but the He family she saw with her own eyes now was already rotting on the inside.

He Yining was to take over the He family in the future. Ming Sian didn’t love He Yining enough to change the He family together—to change this massive commercial empire. Moreover, she was currently just a student.

Hearing her words, a cold smile appeared on He Yining’s face. “Of course you and I are not from the same world.”

“But, it’s enough that I want you. As for whether you are a match for me, that is your business.”

She wouldn’t think about what Ming Sian was struggling with or what kind of public pressure Ming Sian would face. She felt Ming Sian was mistaken—surely she didn’t think that because she had been gentler lately, she could negotiate terms.

He Yining’s tone was icy. “You and I are only in a contract relationship. Until the contract is terminated, fulfilling the agreement is your responsibility. As for what you think of the He family or me, who cares?”

Ming Sian was stunned for a moment, then suddenly laughed. She had almost—almost thought that He Yining’s heart had undergone some change toward her, just as she had also been moved.

By saying these things, she just wanted to firm up her own career planning and not waver. Even if she fell for He Yining, it was not as important as becoming an absolutely successful woman in her career.

The right person will always be waiting on one’s own broad road without requiring her to give up anything; nor did she want He Yining to give up anything for her.

What she hoped for was that both would walk the paths they wanted to walk. As for whether they would meet at the finish line and what their relationship would be if they did—she would wait until she became more excellent.

If the Eldest Miss had also been moved by her, she would inevitably waver. Fortunately, the Eldest Miss had not been moved.

While such confident and arrogant words from the Eldest Miss made her breathe a sigh of relief, they also made her heart ache intensely.

However, she quickly adjusted. Sometimes love is only suitable for slow personal savoring; enjoying this slight sourness in the dead of night might not be so bad.

“Yes, I shall follow the Eldest Miss’s teachings.”

Ming Sian responded with a smile, leaned back against the car seat, and closed her eyes. Her eyes felt hot, as if something was about to burst out. Fortunately, she kept her eyes closed, and after enduring it for a while, the stinging sensation in her nose vanished.

She could feel He Yining looking at her, but she had no intention of opening her eyes. Regardless, they had reaffirmed their relationship once again; it hadn’t changed because of the closeness of the past few days.

She had also roughly figured out the boundaries of their interaction. For He Yining, no matter how intimately they usually got along—even acting like an ordinary couple—it was fine, as long as she didn’t forget there was a contract between them and didn’t start acting sentimental.

They could be intimate, but they couldn’t cross that red line.

He Yining looked at her profile, her hand tapping lightly on the leather seat from time to time. Then she picked up a bottle of water and took a sip; this bottle had been twisted open by Ming Sian.

He Yining didn’t mind their intimacy; they could interact like a couple daily. But compared to her career, Ming Sian held not a shred of weight.

Career would always be ranked first for her.

A career could take her to the peak; even after she died, her name would surely be mentioned among excellent lawyers.

What were the benefits of being with Ming Sian? Yes, helping her soothe her pheromone turmoil and comforting her during the heat period. But Ming Sian only needed to do those two things, and she wouldn’t treat her poorly.

As for “two worlds,” Ming Sian’s soul came from another world while she was a native of this one—could they ever be from the same world?

Of course, they were from the same world now.

If Ming Sian was talking about the family gap, she didn’t care. If she couldn’t make Ming Sian stay by her side willingly, then she would force her to stay.

And why did Ming Sian have to say those things? Did she think a few short sentences could change her mind?

Ming Sian saying those things felt more like she was reminding herself: don’t be moved, don’t fall in love.

He Yining was in a decent mood. At least the Ming Sian she understood now was essentially similar to herself. She understood herself; usually, when she felt the need to emphasize something, it meant her heart was wavering.

Ming Sian’s heart had already begun to beat for her.

After putting down the water, He Yining picked up her tablet and found the official website for internal journals. Major cases were published there, along with important cases that might even change future rulings. Reading them when she had nothing to do might be useful later; with her memory, she could commit them entirely to heart.

After browsing a few cases, she found none that could change a verdict. Just as she was about to exit, she scrolled to an article. Importantly, the article was signed by Ming Sian.

Her hand, which was about to close the tablet, stopped. She began to browse the article, and the more she read, the more satisfied she became. Ming Sian’s writing style was good. This case was a bit difficult to understand—early-career lawyers might not follow it—but through her conceptualization, the case became very clear.

If this article were read by students, it would be very useful for their future.

Hmm… was Ming Sian very short on money?

Many lawyers publish papers for fame, which is beyond reproach. Ming Sian was still a student and couldn’t submit to the professional column of the internal journals; she could only publish legal stories or case analyses.

These things didn’t help a career much, but they provided manuscript fees.

He Yining guessed that Ming Sian must be short on money since she was willing to write even these semi-professional articles.

While He Yining was browsing the journals, the car had unknowingly arrived at their residence.

Ali stopped the car and spoke into the intercom. “Eldest Miss, we’ve arrived.”

Hearing the intercom, Ming Sian snapped her eyes open. They had indeed returned to the neighborhood.

She quickly opened the car door. On the other side, Ali had already opened the door and was waiting for He Yining to step out.

Just as the two got out of the car, Huo Qi came out of the building entrance carrying trash. Seeing them, she wasn’t surprised. “I was just saying I’d go to the He manor in a couple of days for New Year’s greetings. I didn’t expect you back.”

A trace of speechlessness flashed in the depths of He Yining’s eyes. “I sent you the time.”

Otherwise, how could Huo Qi have come down to throw out trash so coincidentally? In this neighborhood, owners didn’t need to come down to throw out trash themselves; there was dedicated cleaning staff for that. Where was the coincidence in “bumping into” her?

Moreover, Huo Qi hadn’t spent the New Year with her family but had returned to this neighborhood instead—she was waiting for her.

“You two wait for me, I’ll throw this out.”

Huo Qi quickly tossed the trash into the bin and jogged back. “Why didn’t you stay a few more days? The He family ancestral worship hasn’t even started.”

Talking with her friend, He Yining was much more relaxed. “Hong Kong is only so big, the distance isn’t far. I’ll just go back when there’s an event.”

“By the way, Grandma He found my mother and did a redistribution of her inheritance. She also established an agreement to give you some things under her name in advance.”

After delivering the news, Huo Qi asked in a low voice, “What happened at the He manor?”

He Yining was wearing a loose Daoist robe—no, it was more a combination of a Daoist robe and a qipao; it was quite loose and wouldn’t touch the injury on her back.

She wasn’t using the wheelchair. She was walking slowly and wearing loose clothes, so Huo Qi hadn’t noticed anything.

He Yining said nothing, gesturing to talk once they were inside.

Huo Qi sensed a major event had occurred and was anxious to know. The moment the elevator opened, she stepped out. “Quickly, I’ll make you some hand-ground coffee.”

She really wanted to know how big of an event had happened at the He manor to make the stubborn Old Madam He, who refused to divide the estate while alive, suddenly decide to give some assets to He Yining first.

It wasn’t an equal split, nor was it given to several people; it was given to He Yining alone.

Back home, Ming Sian silently went to pour water and brought the tools for hand-ground coffee, handing them to Huo Qi. Didn’t she want to make hand-ground coffee?

Huo Qi: “?”

She silently gave Ming Sian a thumbs-up and started grinding the coffee, her expectant gaze fixed on He Yining. “Can you talk now?”

He Yining looked at Ming Sian; clearly, she wanted her to tell the story.

Ming Sian sighed inwardly. “Then let’s start from the first day we arrived at the He manor.”

They arrived outside the He manor, and the first person they met was He Chenzhang. She skimmed over the argument between the two sides, then mentioned meeting Grandma He and what happened outside Grandma’s door.

Having finished this, Ming Sian paused. Huo Qi followed up impatiently, “And then?”

Then… she glanced at He Yining. “Lawyer Ning was called away by President Mo.”

She didn’t know the specific details, only that He Moyu had used the family law.

Hearing this, Huo Qi stood up in anger. “No, why did Aunt Mo use the family law? Even the old lady didn’t say anything.”

In her view, the old lady was the head of the He family. Her attitude was clearly a tacit consent, so there was no need to cause extra trouble. He Yining was now the head of a law firm and very likely the future head of the He family. To be treated this way—if word got out, He Yining would lose face completely. Being subjected to family law at this age—those who didn’t know would think He Yining was immature or flighty. But in reality?

Ming Sian’s voice was slightly raspy; she was naturally indignant on He Yining’s behalf. “Disobedience.”

“Disobedience? How hilarious. If A-Ning is ‘disobedient,’ then my mother and I are enemies?”

Huo Qi contemplated. “If you ask me, this matter should be made into a big deal. Let those who don’t know the situation understand that A-Ning being subjected to family law wasn’t her fault. The old lady agreed; it was Aunt Mo going against the old lady. It’s not even clear who is the disobedient one.”

In a normal family, children certainly listen to parents, and the grandparents should ideally not speak up. The He family was different; no one believed anyone’s word could override Old Madam He’s, not even He Yining’s biological mother.

In the He family, Old Madam He held absolute authority. He Moyu’s move was somewhat challenging the old lady’s authority. Making this public wouldn’t benefit He Moyu; instead, it would let everyone know that He Yining receiving family law wasn’t because she made a mistake.

Seeing that both Ming Sian and He Yining were silent, Huo Qi advised, “You should think about it—anyway, the old lady doesn’t plan to choose from the second generation. Aunt Mo’s reputation certainly isn’t as important as A-Ning’s.”

He Yining calmly drank her water, while Ming Sian smiled. “You’re right.”

“What do you mean?” Huo Qi always felt there was something she didn’t know.

“Perhaps you’ll know the news soon.”

“Wait, what?” Just as Huo Qi was about to press further, her phone rang. She could only pick it up with an impatient face, saw it was her mother calling, and answered helplessly.

After chatting for two minutes, Huo Qi hung up. With both heartache and admiration, she said, “For a moment, I don’t know if this beating was worth it or not.”

It turned out the reason Old Madam He contacted her mother to transfer some assets to He Yining in advance was indeed because of this beating. It was compensation and also a way to soothe her.

“Of course it wasn’t worth it,” Ming Sian said firmly.

Huo Qi was startled, then nodded. “You’re right. Even if A-Ning didn’t receive this beating, those things would still belong to her eventually. Now it’s just been moved forward. Besides, A-Ning doesn’t need to obtain profit through family law.”

However, after He Yining knew she couldn’t escape a punishment, she chose to provoke He Moyu into using the family law to intensify the conflict and gain greater benefits.

In fact, even if He Yining hadn’t coldly refused but had explained the facts to them, would she have escaped this beating? Not necessarily.

He Yining’s method was to keep matters in her own hands, quickly think of a response, and maximize the benefits.

It had to be said—no matter what He Yining did, she pursued maximum profit. Use family law? Fine, but don’t expect to get away unscathed; something must be paid. For instance, this time He Moyu used the family law, and Grandma He required her to give 10% of the assets under her name to He Yining.

10% was quite a lot, with continuous returns, worth several billion. According to current trends, it could save He Yining five years of struggle.

Additionally, the compensation given by Grandma He was even greater: a portion of authority within the He Group.

Even so, Ming Sian felt it wasn’t worth it. According to the novel’s plot, everything in the He family belonged to He Yining—that was a known fact. Was it worth compensating her with things that would be hers in the future?

But He Yining hadn’t awakened to the plot yet. Making this decision was about maximizing profit.

If word got out, no one would think it wasn’t worth it. Getting a beating in exchange for assets worth ten billion was certainly worth it. Many would think that even if no money was given, if parents hit you, they just hit you—at most it was a bit humiliating, but you couldn’t exactly disown your parents.

But every family is different. Some people have very good parents, and a beating is just a beating. But if it was like He Yining’s mothers, or Ming Sian’s parents, or the original host’s parents—by what right? They weren’t worthy.

However, Huo Qi’s words surprised her. It turned out many people believed He Yining was the future head of the He family.

True—Huo Qi and the others were all supporters of He Yining. If they thought she wasn’t capable, they wouldn’t support her.

“Yes, that’s exactly what I meant.” Ming Sian gave a light laugh, feeling that with these people around, He Yining wasn’t alone.

Huo Qi tilted her head and looked at her, her expression surprised. “You believe so strongly that A-Ning will win?”

“She is my fiancée, we are destined to be one. If I don’t believe in her, who do I believe in?”

By the time she reached the right age, her agreement with He Yining would still be ongoing, and they were to be married. So, using the term “fiancée” wasn’t out of the question.

He Yining suddenly looked up, a flash of astonishment appearing for a split second—it was too fast, and no one saw it.

Ming Sian saying this was indeed beyond her expectations. It turned out in Ming Sian’s heart, their relationship as “fiancées” was very accurate.

The most interesting thing was that Ming Sian was actually willing to acknowledge their relationship.

This was a fact, and as a fact, there was nothing to be ashamed of admitting. As a lawyer, facts and emotions must be kept separate. When you go to court, playing the emotional card and adding value has a certain effect, but you still have to speak based on facts.

Huo Qi looked at Ming Sian with disdain. “Tsk, how sappy.”

“Am I in the way here? You two were so well-behaved at the He manor, yet you were in such a hurry to get back. Is it because the young couple has been too ‘plain’ lately? Hungry?”

As expected of Huo Qi—He Yining’s good helper at work and “toxic” friend in private. She could say anything, and so naturally.

Ming Sian: “…” How was she supposed to respond to that?

Aside from anything else, He Yining was injured. They should just behave themselves—you sleep in yours, I sleep in mine.

“Alright, if there’s nothing else, you can leave.” He Yining spoke up to drive her out.

Originally she was fine, but hearing those words, her pheromones began to stir. Her period was almost due; the heat period usually occurs three days before menstruation. Plus, her period was irregular; according to the days, the heat period would be these two days.

If it hadn’t arrived today, then it would be tomorrow or the day after. Unless there was a physical issue, it wouldn’t be delayed further.

These few days were a sensitive period. Even just imagining it, the sense of physical abnormality was very obvious.

Huo Qi gave her a side-eye, very dissatisfied with her friend driving her out. “What? I can’t watch from under the bed?”

He Yining gave Huo Qi a cold glare. Huo Qi wasn’t scared at all. “Installing surveillance is fine too.”

Ming Sian looked at He Yining being defeated and couldn’t help but smile. Finally, there was someone who could make He Yining lose.

Meeting He Yining’s cold gaze, she wasn’t scared at all; instead, she looked like she was enjoying the show.

“Go!” He Yining said coldly, clearly having turned shame into anger.

Huo Qi calmly raised both hands. “Fine, fine, fine, I’m going. Choosing beauty over loyalty—forgetting your best friend now that you have a wife.”

While grumbling, Huo Qi slipped away quite fast. Otherwise, she feared He Yining might KO her in her fit of pique.

Watching the driven-out Huo Qi, the smile on Ming Sian’s face grew more obvious.

“Is it funny?” He Yining asked casually. If her answer didn’t satisfy her, she was going to be angry.

“A little.” Ming Sian’s answer was very honest.

She wondered: if He Yining got angry, what would she do? Drive her away, or scold her? It didn’t seem like something He Yining would do.

He Yining’s gaze remained on her for quite a while. She didn’t drive her away, nor did she scold her; she just watched her quietly. Slowly, the temperature in the room began to rise.

“Wash up.”

Two simple words, she said them in Cantonese.

Ming Sian understood. After a moment of reaction, her face turned bright red, and even her neck was covered in a layer of crimson. She understood what He Yining meant.

It’s still early; it wouldn’t be good to do those things now.

She spoke up hesitantly, “How about… we wait until tonight?”

This time, her first reaction wasn’t refusal, but a change in timing. This showed that she had already accepted the relationship between the two, and in this relationship, what she needed to do was also accepted.

They could interact like an ordinary couple, as long as they didn’t test each other.