After the Cannon Fodder A Accidentally Marked the Paranoid Female Lead - Chapter 47

He Yining went back to the He manor for the ancestral worship; Ming Sian had classes and couldn’t go with her.

She had asked He Yining if she should wait until her morning classes were over to go to the He manor together, but He Yining didn’t agree. Instead, she arranged a driver for her to take her directly to the He manor after class.

The moment Ming Sian saw Cheng Cheng, the two stared at each other for a while, feeling much like two dogs eyeing each other.

“So, how does it feel to be a celebrity?” Cheng Cheng asked curiously.

“It doesn’t. Look at how many people in Hong Kong actually recognize me.”

Ming Sian had self-awareness; even if she had over 200,000 followers, out of billions of people, having only 200,000 know her made her—in entertainment terms—a “nugu” (a nobody).

Cheng Cheng shrugged. “It’s like this: I’ve found a few friends I play well with, and we’re preparing to film short videos.”

“Is there a script?”

“No, I was just about to talk to you about that.”

Ming Sian looked at her suspiciously. “You’re not expecting me to write it for you, are you?”

“Yeah. I’ve binged a lot of novels lately, but honestly, filming them into short videos makes them too long. More importantly, I can’t afford the copyrights.”

“And you can afford my copyright?”

Cheng Cheng said as a matter of course, “You’re a shareholder of our ‘Mingxin Cheng-yi,’ do you really need to spend money to buy it?”

“Wha… what?”

What “Cheng-yi”? What was that?

Cheng Cheng handed her a business card, and only then did she see: “Mingxin Cheng-yi” (Ming-Heart Orange-Intent).

“Why is the ‘Cheng’ the one for ‘Orange’?”

“The shop made a typo.”

Ming Sian: “…” What a makeshift operation.

“You didn’t defend your rights?”

“I think it’s destiny. Destiny wants this ‘Orange,’ so we’ll use this character.”

Fine, she’d turned superstitious.

Ming Sian made the business card spin twice between her fingers like a magic trick. “And then? What can I do with this card?”

She looked at Cheng Cheng with amusement. However, while they could cooperate, it depended on the extent; filming videos together occasionally was fine, but if it truly reached the level of establishing a studio or a company, many things had to be made clear. One could say their philosophies had to align.

Otherwise, she could write scripts, but it would only be as a favor to a friend.

Cheng Cheng froze for a moment, then spoke: “Let’s go, class first. After class, we’ll get coffee.”

“Can’t today. I have plans.”

“He family ancestral worship?”

Ming Sian raised an eyebrow. “How do you know?”

Cheng Cheng gave a dry laugh, realizing she had let it slip. She hurriedly said, “Let’s go, let’s go to class.”

Something was off. Actually, there should be news online; the media keeps a close watch on the He family. A major event like ancestral worship couldn’t possibly happen without a single word leaking out.

Cheng Cheng could have easily said she saw it online, but instead, she avoided it like this, indicating she had a channel she couldn’t disclose.

Ming Sian sized her up. “Do you know someone from the He family?”

“No,” Cheng Cheng denied very quickly. “I just saw it online.”

She only then realized her reaction just now was strange, but surely Ming Sian wouldn’t misunderstand and think she was in cahoots with someone from the He family to know their situation.

Wasn’t that exactly how Lan Heqing was bought off after getting close to Ming Sian?

“That…”

Cheng Cheng wanted to explain, but Ming Sian waved her hand. “It’s okay, I understand.”

Cheng Cheng: “???!!!”

“No, you don’t understand.”

Ming Sian was full of question marks. Wasn’t it just that the channel couldn’t be named? What was it that she didn’t understand?

Cheng Cheng patted her shoulder. “Don’t worry, I will always be on your side.”

“Um… thanks.” Since she didn’t know what to say, she just gave thanks.

After class, Ming Sian immediately headed outside. It was almost noon; she didn’t know if she could catch the second half of the ancestral worship.

The worship was in the morning. At noon, everyone stayed at the He manor for lunch until the afternoon to follow through with some ceremonies. The banquet continued in the evening, and finally, everyone departed.

The worship took a whole day and was a very important ritual for the He family. Nowadays, it was basically for networking; people who usually couldn’t even meet were all waiting for today to pull some resources for themselves.

So, whether it was ancestral worship or a social gala, the He family members knew the truth in their hearts.

The reason Ming Sian was in such a hurry to get to the He manor wasn’t to participate in the worship, but because He Yining was in her heat period—she naturally had to rush over.

Just now, she remembered something: He Yining and Wei Qin’s first meeting was at the ancestral worship. Wei Qin attended as the godson of a He family relative.

Ming Sian frowned, looking at the scenery flashing past, her heart growing increasingly anxious.

But she soon calmed down. Many things were beyond her control; if He Yining truly wanted to be with Wei Qin, she couldn’t stop it.

Of course, she didn’t want anything to happen between He Yining and Wei Qin. She didn’t like it when she read the novel in her past life, and she liked it even less now.

She raised her hand to check her watch; it was almost twelve o’clock. She sent a message to He Yining— [Arriving in five minutes.]

He Yining didn’t seem busy and replied quickly— [Okay.]

He Yining looked around. Everyone had taken their seats preparing to eat, but because Grandma hadn’t arrived yet, no one dared to move their chopsticks.

She lowered her eyes to look at the cup in front of her and sent another message to her aunt— [Ming Sian arrives in five minutes. It’s fine if Grandma comes in ten minutes.]

He Jin— [I really owe you one.]

— [Youngest Aunt does owe me.]

— [Don’t think that just because I have something I need your help with, you can do whatever you want.]

He Yining raised an eyebrow— [Can I not?]

He Jin— [You can.]

Yes, she could. Since she had something she needed He Yining to do, she naturally stood a head shorter. Who knew He Yining was so sharp and quickly figured out what she wanted to do, immediately asking what her relationship was with that person named Cheng Cheng.

What relationship could there be? A one-night stand relationship.

Even if He Jin didn’t say it, He Yining had investigated it. She had seen the entire process of that day and could naturally guess what happened.

She was curious: how could it be such a coincidence? Her aunt finally returns to Hong Kong, goes to the Royal Bar exactly during the messiest time, and happens to meet Ming Sian’s roommate.

Everything was too coincidental, making her feel it wasn’t a coincidence at all.

He Yining was wondering if someone was pulling strings behind the scenes, but what kind of person could manipulate so many people at once to make all these coincidences converge?

However, as her investigation proceeded, everything turned out to be a coincidence—so coincidental it couldn’t be more so. Furthermore, this was something that had never happened in her dreams.

One should know that so far, everything that happened in her dreams had actually come true, which was why she believed in the dream’s content.

Except, ever since her relationship with Ming Sian progressed rapidly, many things hadn’t followed the original development.

In the dream, although she and Ming Sian ended up together, there were many hardships. Not only did they not trust each other, but Ming Sian had even done many things to escape her. It was truly miraculous that they could end up together.

She wasn’t very interested in the plot of the dream; she just wanted to know if Ming Sian’s pheromones were as enchanting as they were in the dream.

As it turned out, reality was the same as the dream: Ming Sian’s pheromones always made her infatuated.

He Yining stood up, preparing to sit outside for a bit. Only she knew if she felt it was too noisy here or if she wanted to wait for Ming Sian.

She had just reached the reception area outside and sat down when a man walked up and handed her a business card. “Hello, I am Wei Qin, currently one of the partners at Huahe Law Firm.”

Wei Qin looked less than thirty. To become a partner at Huahe at this age was more than just “excellent.”

Huahe was one of the He family’s main law firms. Huahe lawyers focused primarily on criminal cases, though they weren’t bad at others.

But for He Yining, an excellent genius was merely the threshold to meet her. What could one Wei Qin matter?

Wait—in the dream, Ming Sian was insanely jealous because of this person named Wei Qin.

She frowned and sized up the person in front of her, wanting to know just how much charm Wei Qin had to make Ming Sian jealous.

Wei Qin was $180$+ cm, quite tall, with a clean look—suit and white shirt—looking like a male star attending a banquet.

In this world, as long as a man is clean and not ugly, it’s enough; besides, Wei Qin was actually somewhat handsome.

He Yining, however, frowned. She was not a stranger to this Wei Qin. In the dream, this Wei Qin was incredibly annoying, staring at her all day with a look of deep affection as if he were the most devoted man in the world. If she didn’t agree to be with him, she would be loathed by the entire world.

It was quite staggering how well a person could pretend.

If she weren’t a member of the He family, if she weren’t the successor, would Wei Qin still be this patient?

He Yining couldn’t help but think of Ming Sian. Ming Sian was the one with true patience, doing things silently without a word of credit. Even while exhausted, she could still serve her so patiently.

Meanwhile, Wei Qin always looked at her with those eyes, calculating for his own benefit.

He Yining sneered. There were plenty of young men more excellent than Wei Qin. Who did he think he was, actually daring to dance in front of her?

“From Huahe? Huahe is in my Eldest Aunt’s hands, isn’t it? Are you her person?”

She looked coldly at Wei Qin—upper-middle looks, upper-middle ability, upper-middle foresight. A total “Upper-Middle Bro.”

How could he compare to Ming Sian? Ming Sian never looked at her with those eyes; they were equals.

Ming Sian wouldn’t look at her with such direct eyes, yet every move was extremely gentle. She didn’t have to lift a finger for anything to be handled perfectly.

Like last night—even though she had zero strength, Ming Sian knew she was a bit of a germaphobe and wouldn’t want to sleep like that. So despite being tired, Ming Sian still served her comfortably.

In terms of excellence, Ming Sian wasn’t inferior at all, and her looks were even more stunning.

There was no need to compare “top-tier” with “upper-middle”; the gap was visible at a glance.

Wei Qin was excellent, but compared to Ming Sian… no, by what right did he compare himself to Ming Sian?

Her indifferent, even colder words made Wei Qin feel awkward for an instant.

Anyone even slightly related to the He family knew that the different branches only maintained a front of harmony. In reality, they all wished for the other to make a major mistake and drop out of the race.

Now anyone with eyes could see the old lady valued He Yining more. Except for those who had already picked a side and had to stick it out, everyone else was shifting.

Since Wei Qin could become a firm partner so young, he naturally didn’t mind. He said softly: “I am nobody’s person. Of course, if Miss Yining has a need, I am willing to be at your service.”

“Tsk. Don’t call me so intimately. I’m misandrist.”

Wei Qin: “…”

He knew He Yining was very cold and acted indifferent to everyone. Since she had spoken so much to him, he was actually a bit happy, even overthinking whether he was different to her than others. How could he have known she would say that?

It’s fine. As long as he drove away the flies around He Yining, she would be able to see him.

For example, Ming Sian.

Wei Qin looked up and saw Ming Sian walking this way. He couldn’t help but frown, doubting if his eyesight was failing and he was mistaken.

As it turned out, the newcomer was Ming Sian—that annoying woman.

Wasn’t it said that given Ming Sian’s status, even if she was dating He Yining, she wasn’t worthy of coming here? So how did Ming Sian get in?

Not seeing Ming Sian all morning had made him believe those words, and his mood was even quite pleasant.

But seeing Ming Sian at this moment, his good mood was completely destroyed. Even if Ming Sian was very good-looking, so what? The two were competitors.

Ming Sian saw He Yining and strode over. Seeing Wei Qin, her steps paused for a second. No—I am the ‘Main Empress.’ Why fear an interloper? It should be the interloper giving up the seat to me.

Even if this man was Wei Qin, she didn’t think He Yining would be moved. Not in the novel, and definitely not in reality.

Ming Sian walked over openly and stood beside He Yining, looking every bit the “Main Empress.” “And this is?”

“Don’t know him.” He Yining didn’t even have the intention of introducing Wei Qin. What level was he to be worth her mentioning?

Wei Qin: “…”

Ming Sian was naturally happy. She had been wondering what the first meeting between He Yining and Wei Qin would look like; if it was like this, she was very satisfied.

She nodded politely to Wei Qin, stood next to He Yining, and naturally took her hand. “Did Sister specifically come out to meet me?”

“No.”

“Then being here, it couldn’t be that you were chatting with that man, right?”

“I came to meet you.”

He Yining made a choice decisively. Forget everything else; compared to the two options, it was better to say she came out for Ming Sian. Besides, she had indeed come to meet Ming Sian.

Wait—looking at Ming Sian’s smiling face, He Yining suddenly felt a wave of heat rush to her head. Why did she have to choose between those two options? she clearly could have not answered.

Damnable Ming Sian.

He Yining pulled her hand back from Ming Sian’s and gave a cold snort. “You’re late.”

Ming Sian: “?” She had come non-stop after class. To actually say she was late was clearly retaliation.

“Lawyer Ning truly insists on arguing even when she’s unreasonable!”

“Are you saying I’m being unreasonable?”

“I wouldn’t dare.”

“That means I am.”

“No, I am the one being unreasonable.”

“Hmph.”

All that responded to Ming Sian was He Yining’s single “Hmph.” Amid the indifference, she somehow heard a trace of coquettishness.

The two arrived at the dining hall. Many eyes landed on them. Many people had come to the He manor today who hadn’t seen Ming Sian but had heard of such a person; naturally, they had to gossip.

Seeing the two enter holding hands, He Zhenduo looked at them coldly, then saw Wei Qin following closely behind. He was the first to attack: “Ancestral worship today yet arriving so late. A-Ning, this fiancée of yours truly needs to be disciplined properly.”

He spoke only to He Yining, clearly disdainful of talking to Ming Sian, maintaining a superior attitude. Who did he think he was?

He Yining looked at him coldly, her tone icy: “Mind your own business.”

He Zhenduo hadn’t expected her to speak to him like this for a “live-in Alpha,” and he slammed his cup heavily onto the table in anger.

He Zishu couldn’t help but mock: “Tsk. Just a cousin, yet he truly thinks of himself as the eldest grandson and future heir. Does he think it’s ancient times?”

“You—He Zishu! You’ve been banished to the Mole District. What right do you have to speak of me?”

“How do you know I was talking about you? Are you ‘filling the seat’ (taking it personally)?”

He Zishu looked indifferent. Every member of the third generation of the He family had a bit of assets; as long as they didn’t invest recklessly, they would live comfortably for life. Living in a luxury mansion and driving a luxury car was no problem at all.

He Zishu was equally antagonistic to everyone, but she hated He Yining more. However, if she caught an opportunity, she wouldn’t let anyone off.

Beside her, He Chenzhang smiled. Who didn’t know his sister’s offensive power? He’d truly be sad for the guy.

He Zhenduo styled himself as the He family’s eldest grandson, acting haughty all day. Having his face “slapped” on the spot, he was naturally angry.

Looking at the indifferent He Yining, the mocking He Zishu, the laughing He Chenzhang, and the “watching the show” looks of the remaining cousins, the fire in his heart could no longer be suppressed.

“Disrespecting your elder brother—He Zishu, you are simply arrogant.”

He Zishu sneered. “Why don’t you tell Grandma to strip me of all my positions in the He family then?”

She was practically begging for it. Working in the Mole District was worse than just quitting and giving herself a holiday to go travel.

He Zishu didn’t like working. She just coasted through it. It couldn’t be helped; He family children had to work. Only by being outstanding enough would they obtain more rewards.

Grades since childhood, various certificates, rewards for getting into different universities, and achievements after starting work—the family gave rewards for everything.

He Zishu was glad she wasn’t in the same year as He Yining; otherwise, she might never have taken first place or obtained so many rewards.

The He family’s rewards were all cold, hard cash. Like He Yining—why did she have so much real estate and money just after starting work? Those were rewards from childhood through adulthood.

With cold, hard cash as the stakes, when every child understands the importance of money, how could they not work hard?

Forget He Yining—even that idiot He Chenzhang had started studying seriously. After all, the genes were there; with effort, grades could still be improved.

As long as they weren’t children who were poor performers since childhood, many now had significant assets and could be completely independent. If they didn’t want to compete with others, they could live very well on their own.

Like He Diqing—currently living in the Mainland with abundant conditions, not participating in He family affairs at all, nor wanting He family resources. Her life alone was very comfortable.

He Zishu had only one impression of this cousin: “Little Transparent.” She was always invisible. Last time He Diqing suddenly stood up against the Eldest Cousin, only then did she truly look at this cousin and investigate. Only then did she find out how excellent this cousin was—studying at a Mainland elite university and entering a “Red Circle” firm upon graduation. She hadn’t used He family resources, yet she had now become a partner.

She heard she even had a girlfriend. One should know that whether a female Beta is with a female Alpha or a female Omega, they cannot reproduce. So they weren’t together for the sake of continuing the lineage or for profit from the start.

She couldn’t help but feel a bit envious of He Diqing. She wondered if she chose to do the same, would she also be happy?

But it was impossible. The family had arranged a partner for her. To bring down He Yining, a marriage alliance was necessary.

That’s right—she wanted to trip up He Yining. Thinking of this, He Zishu discarded the longing for happiness in her mind. As long as it was to go against He Yining, what did it matter if it was a thankless task?

The He family had many children and used a “Gu-rearing” (survival of the fittest) model. If you take a bit more, others take a bit less, so the competition was fierce. Yet they were educated to maintain a front of deep sibling affection to the outside.

With so many people at the worship today—many distant relatives, even some from the He family in the Mainland who brought the main branch’s genealogy—it was the day the He family least wanted to lose face. Anyone who lost the He family’s face today could imagine the punishment.

He Zishu suddenly realized that as soon as she spoke, the conflict had become between her and the Eldest Cousin. But she couldn’t help it; she truly couldn’t stand He Zhenduo, this “pretentious man.”

He Chenzhang was also a pretentious man. They all were.

Ming Sian was amused by He Zishu’s performance of “ending everyone”—she really was a lunatic.

In the novel, He Zishu was like this: she only wanted to deal with He Yining, but she couldn’t stand people being pretentious. How to put it—she was a pure lunatic.

He Yining lowered her eyes, her peripheral vision catching the smile on Ming Sian’s face. She couldn’t help but slightly hook her lips. She usually loathed the He family struggles most and always stood aside; as long as they didn’t bother her, she couldn’t be bothered with them.

Seeing the smile on Ming Sian’s face, she tried to understand why she was smiling. As it turned out, looking at this scene from another perspective was indeed a bit funny.

One man losing his cool, and one girl regretting her inability to grasp the point—it really was quite amusing.

He Yining, who had always loathed these struggles, actually found a funny point in them. Indeed, the people around you can influence your mindset.

He Yining was a cedar tree, the entire tree sealed in ice. She viewed others as a goddess views the world—without emotion, nor feeling the need to pay them any mind.

When the person standing beside her was Ming Sian, she began to learn to look at this world through Ming Sian’s eyes. It turned out this world was actually quite interesting—not just about profit, struggle, or calculation.

Ming Sian felt an intense gaze. she raised her eyes to meet it, her gaze intertwining with He Yining’s. There were many things in those beautiful eyes she couldn’t decipher, but she saw some things as well.

Appreciation, realization, pleasure, and… an indescribable feeling.

Just a feeling, yet it felt like an electric current running through Ming Sian’s heart. She wondered if He Yining knew some kind of lightning-based magic; she was always making her heart tingle.

Longing…

She felt herself longing for many things, and every one of them was related to He Yining. she suddenly discovered that her “career brain” was at this moment being gradually replaced by romantic feelings. Everywhere she looked, she thought of He Yining.

Hey! Ming Sian, wake up!