The Fake Heiress's Inner Thoughts Were Heard by Her Entire Family

Chapter 146

"Miss Jing, were you out on business?"

Jing Yi kept her eyes on the road ahead, responding calmly, "Yes." How else could she have coincidentally been able to pick him up?

Thinking of the earlier incident with Wang Boqi, Shen Huaichu casually probed, "Was it a date?"

Jing Yi frowned slightly, as if recalling something unpleasant.

"How could it be!" She added, "Let's just say it was work involving some acting."

A barely noticeable smile played at the corners of Shen Huaichu's lips. "Is it that demanding? Does the Jing family heiress need to juggle multiple roles?"

Life isn't easy, Yi Yi sighed.

"What can I do? I took on this task myself."

Though she said that, if given another chance, Jing Yi would still make the same choice.

"Is there somewhere you'd like to go?" Shen Huaichu suddenly asked. Jing Yi looked ahead, confusion flashing in her eyes. "Where?"

Wasn't she supposed to be taking him home?

The 'Ghost' stopped by the roadside. Looking down, there was a deep flight of stairs. Shen Huaichu had already stepped out of the car.

Jing Yi followed suit, admiring the verdant forest below. It was truly beautiful.

"Shall we?" Shen Huaichu extended his hand to her again.

Jing Yi looked up at him, seemingly reminded of that figure on the cruise ship. "I'm not wearing an evening gown today." So she didn't need help with the stairs.

Besides, these stairs weren't that steep.

Shen Huaichu nodded slightly, saying softly, "I know."

You know, yet your hand is still extended?

Jing Yi pressed her lips together slightly before placing her hand in his, once again feeling his cool fingers.

Shen Huaichu led her down, step by step, with a hint of carefulness, until they reached the last step.

It was a small platform offering views of the lake, bridge, and highway, though the North River was nowhere in sight.

Jing Yi curiously ran to the wooden platform, taking in the scenery before her.

"It's so beautiful! Is this your secret hideout?"

Shen Huaichu's lips curved into a slight smile as he slowly walked to her side.

"You could say that."

He would occasionally come here to feel the breeze and clear his mind. Since hardly anyone came to this area, it really was like a secret hideout.

Jing Yi glanced around the ground briefly, chose a spot with a good view, and sat down, patting the space beside her.

"Don't just stand there, sit down."

She was acting as if this was her own home, already playing host.

Amusement flickered in Shen Huaichu's eyes as he sat down beside her.

They sat quietly for a while, neither speaking, but Jing Yi felt at ease.

She had been spending almost every dream lately acting alongside Wang Boqi.

Sometimes dreaming of Jing Zeqian questioning her predecessor, sometimes of Jiang Miaomiao mockingly comparing them while heavily pregnant, sometimes of her predecessor completely selling out Hengjing and Huarui Group.

She felt she was on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

Jing Yi suddenly recalled what Lin Ruiqing had told her about Shen Huaichu, instantly relating to his experiences.

She gazed at the lake's surface, which sparkled with light, her eyes reflecting glimmers of brightness.

"Shen Huaichu, isn't acting exhausting?" Jing Yi asked vaguely. Shen Huaichu paused slightly, his voice becoming low, "I don't find it particularly tiring."

His great revenge remained unfulfilled, and his uncle and aunt's family were all wary of him. They wanted him to be someone unthreatening, so that's exactly who he pretended to be.

Whether it took ten years or twenty.

Jing Yi closed her eyes slightly, concealing the emotions within them.

How could it not be exhausting? She was worn out after just a few months, let alone Shen Huaichu who had been acting for over a decade.

"Jing Yi, if you find it exhausting, you don't have to wade into these troubled waters." Whatever needed to be done, he could handle it.

Jing Yi smiled. As expected of Huarui Group's CEO - though this plan was known only to the Jing family, Shen Huaichu had still figured out the general idea.

"Shen Huaichu, I also have people I want to protect."

Though she hadn't been with the Jing family long, apart from her grandmother at the orphanage, this was the first family she had managed to have in either of her lives.

Jing Yi cherished this hard-won kinship dearly and wanted to protect them.

Shen Huaichu gazed at her, his deep eyes filled with unfathomable emotions, internally sighing slightly.

He had originally planned to work directly with Jing Zeyou, but now it seemed that might not be the best approach.

Jing Yi turned to look at him, her round almond eyes curved like crescents, dimples appearing one deeper than the other, "Don't you think I'm impressive?"

Her eyes were clear and bright, seeming to capture the sparkling reflections from the lake's surface.

Shen Huaichu's lips curved upward as he nodded, saying softly, "Very impressive."

The pride in Jing Yi's eyes couldn't be more obvious. Shen Huaichu stared at her intently, his gaze lingering on her form.

"By the way, how is Aunt Shen lately?"

Shen Huaichu withdrew his gaze, a faint smile playing at his lips, "She's doing well, though she still mentions you occasionally."

Jing Yi had been very busy lately, and Shen Huaichu had only seen her a few times. Meanwhile, Shen Tu was unusually interested in their progress, often making subtle inquiries.

"Then you must help me tell auntie that I didn't mean to neglect visiting her." It's just that she had been truly busy lately.

Shen Huaichu nodded, "I understand."

They continued chatting by the lake, and whether it was the incredibly peaceful environment, the comfortable gentle breeze, or simply Jing Yi's exhaustion...

Jing Yi appeared to be losing consciousness, thoroughly overcome with fatigue. She leaned against the platform's railing, her head nodding repeatedly.

Shen Huaichu noticed this and grew concerned, unconsciously steadying her shoulder. Slowly, Jing Yi gently leaned against his shoulder.

Her breath tickled his neck, causing Shen Huaichu to stiffen slightly, instinctively holding his breath before gradually relaxing.

Aliali: 674546a7c4f3f33ac44c928aShen Huaichu lowered his gaze to look at the person resting on his shoulder, his deep eyes containing barely perceptible emotions.

This was the first time he had seen Jing Yi so close up, with her defenses down, soft and peaceful.

For a moment, Shen Huaichu found himself reluctant to look away, but after a while, he finally shifted his gaze, adjusting to make Jing Yi more comfortable.

Looking at the sunset before them, his heart felt more content than it had in a long time.

......

Night, Jing Family Residence

Jing Yi carefully glanced toward the villa's living room before approaching Uncle Li, who had just come out of the building.

"Uncle Li, has my second brother returned?" Her voice was barely above a whisper, as if afraid of disturbing someone.

"The second young master returned in the afternoon." Jing Yi drew in a sharp breath - surely fate was conspiring against her!

Uncle Li added with a smile, "Though he should be in his room now, the living room is empty."