That day, after returning home from the Zhou family, Shi Yin was still thinking about Zhou Chengyuan.

In the original novel, it never mentioned that he liked Shi Yin; the two of them didn’t even have much interaction.

But now, looking back at Zhou Chengyuan’s reactions, something didn’t feel right from the very beginning.

A girl with whom he had no emotional ties and wasn’t even very familiar said she wanted to marry him, and he actually agreed.

If this could be explained as a strategic marriage alliance beneficial to the Zhou family’s business, then what about everything that followed?

Shi Yin’s photo went viral, and he indulgently said, “As long as you like it, I don’t mind.”

When Shi Yin playfully drew on his face and was caught, instead of being angry, he teasingly responded with ambiguous, flirtatious remarks.

He casually gave her a pink diamond worth hundreds of millions as an engagement gift, saying, “Use it as a betrothal gift.”

He even naturally held her in his arms and said, “How could your little uncle not like you, Yinyin?”

So?

Was Zhou Chengyuan implying… he liked Shi Yin?

Huh???

Shi Yin was suddenly confused.

Sigh, why didn’t the original author write more about this man? That way, she could at least understand him a bit and wouldn’t be so puzzled now.

Unable to figure Zhou Chengyuan out, she always felt a little uneasy around him.

Because this man seemed way too scheming. She feared that if she wasn’t careful, she’d fall into one of his traps.

What she didn’t know was that the moment she set her sights on Zhou Chengyuan after transmigrating, she had already helped him dig the pit and jumped into it herself.

Zhou Chengyuan didn’t even need to lift a finger.

Now, all that could be said was that she was foolishly helping him fill the pit in.

Three days later, 8:00 AM.

A black car stopped outside the Shi family’s house. A man in a well-tailored suit got out from the backseat but sat in a wheelchair as soon as he stepped out, pushed by his caretaker, Chen Meng.

Chen Meng wheeled Zhou Chengyuan into the living room. Tang Yulin had just brought out a steaming hot plate of dumplings. Although the two families agreed not to make the marriage public, Tang Yulin still wanted to do the best for her precious daughter, even if she wasn’t fond of Zhou Chengyuan’s frail health.

When Shi Yin came downstairs with a big red suitcase, Chen Meng quickly walked over and took it from her.

She was dressed in a Chinese-style form-fitting red dress with matching red crystal heels. The dress had intricate lace detailing around the neckline and chest, and the back exposed the butterfly bones. It hugged her waist tightly, accentuating her delicate curves.

The hem of the dress, adorned with tassels, reached her ankles and complemented the shoes perfectly, highlighting her fair and luminous skin. Her slim calves were flawless, and her feet delicate and smooth—making the red contrast even more stunning.

The dress and shoes had been custom-made by a designer Zhou Chengyuan contacted the night Shi Yin told him she wanted to marry him. They were delivered the day before by Chen Meng, who told her, “These were specially designed by someone Mr. Zhou hired. He hopes you’ll wear them tomorrow.”

Shi Yin was surprised. She hadn’t expected Zhou Chengyuan to be so attentive, even arranging a custom wedding outfit for her.

Wait a second… something didn’t add up…

How the hell did Zhou Chengyuan know her measurements and shoe size???

Though the original Shi Yin had signed with a company, she was still new and hadn’t developed much of a public profile. Her online information was incomplete—height and weight maybe, but not her three sizes.

So… rich people can just find out everything?

Shi Yin sat down, and Tang Yulin placed two pairs of chopsticks in front of her and Zhou Chengyuan. “It’s a wedding custom for the bride and groom to feed each other dumplings,” she said, getting teary-eyed as she pushed the bowls toward them. “Hurry, eat while it’s hot.”

Zhou Chengyuan picked up a dumpling, blew on it gently, and brought it to Shi Yin’s lips.

Shi Yin blinked and took a bite, then watched in disbelief as Zhou Chengyuan ate the rest of the dumpling—one she had already bitten.

Shi Yin: “…”

You did that on purpose, didn’t you?

After the dumplings, Shi Yin left for the Zhou house with Zhou Chengyuan.

As Shi Yin and Zhou Chengyuan, hand in hand, walked out the door, Tang Yulin called after her with a choked voice: “Yinyin… Yinyin…”

Shi Yin turned around. Tang Yulin rushed over and hugged her, wiping away tears and sobbing, “You must come back often, visit your mom and dad.”

Shi Yin had never experienced motherly love in her real life, but at that moment, she was genuinely touched. She hugged Tang Yulin back with a gentle smile. “I know, Mom and Dad, take care. If you miss me, just say so—I’ll come right back.”

“Okay, Mom,” she said, wiping Tang Yulin’s tears, “Don’t cry anymore, your makeup’s a mess.”

“I’m leaving now, but I’ll be back the day after tomorrow,” she added, winking playfully.

The day after tomorrow was the traditional “return to the bride’s home” day.

Outside, by the car, Chen Meng opened the door. Shi Yin helped Zhou Chengyuan into the backseat, then got in herself.

As the car door closed, Shi Yin looked out the window at her parents standing by the door, watching her leave, and sighed quietly.

If she didn’t marry Zhou Chengyuan, the Shi family might be doomed.

Now that things had come this far, there was no turning back. She could only move forward—wait for Zhou Chengyuan to pass away, and then she’d be single again.

She turned her head—and locked eyes with Zhou Chengyuan.

Shi Yin suddenly realized she should be acting sad, pretending to be a bit emotional.

So she lowered her gaze, pouted slightly, sniffled, and tried to look like she was holding back tears.

Sure enough, Zhou Chengyuan pulled her into his arms, gently stroked her head, and whispered, “Good girl.”

After arriving at the Zhou home, Shi Yin personally wheeled Zhou Chengyuan into the main hall. They offered tea to Zhou Jinfeng. According to custom, Shi Yin was supposed to start calling him “Dad,” but since she’d always called him “Grandpa Zhou,” he didn’t expect her to make the switch.

But to his surprise, Shi Yin did it.

She picked up a teacup from the tray brought by Chen Meng and respectfully handed it over with a bright smile. “Dad, please have some tea.”

To her, changing how she addressed someone wasn’t a big deal. After all, she was a professional actress in real life—this kind of thing was easy for her.

Besides, she hadn’t been the one calling him “Grandpa Zhou” for twenty years anyway.

Zhou Jinfeng stiffened at the word “Dad,” even getting goosebumps—it felt odd.

But it was a joyful day, and he was pleased. He took the cup, sipped it, then pulled a big red envelope from his pocket and handed it over. “Take it.”

“Thank you, Dad!” Shi Yin’s voice jumped an octave at the sight of money.

Her cheerful cries of “Dad” made Zhou Jinfeng beam, and Zhou Chengyuan showed a strange satisfaction. Only Zhou Siyang looked utterly miserable.

He didn’t want to attend this family ritual at all, but he had no choice. Now, he stood there, watching the girl who used to follow him everywhere now standing beside his uncle, smiling so brightly.

Next up: his turn to greet her 🙂

He’d have to call someone younger than himself “Auntie,” and someone who had once been by his side constantly.

“Zhou Siyang,” Zhou Jinfeng called, grinning. “Come and greet them.”

Zhou Siyang: “…”

Could he say no?

He had never wanted a hole to crawl into so badly.

But reality was harsh—he had no choice. He walked over to Zhou Chengyuan and Shi Yin. “Congratulations, Uncle…”

He paused, looked at Shi Yin, whose eyes sparkled with playful anticipation.

“Dear nephew,” Shi Yin cut in before he could finish. She pulled a red envelope from her red purse, waved it before him, and said with a grin, “Call me Auntie, and this red envelope is yours.”

Zhou Siyang was so mad he clenched his jaw, fists tightening, and stared at her as he forced the words out: “Congratulations, Uncle and Auntie. Wishing you a happy marriage and lots of children.”

Shi Yin was satisfied. She handed over the red envelope with a big smile. “Thanks for the blessings, dear nephew. Auntie will work hard to give you a little brother or sister soon!”

She just wanted to get back at Zhou Siyang for all the pain the original Shi Yin had endured because of him and his so-called true love. She didn’t think too much about what she was saying.

But in Zhou Chengyuan’s ears, her words were sweet music.

He wished he could drag her back to the room and start trying immediately.

Zhou Jinfeng was also delighted. He teased, “Why not give Siyang both a little brother and sister at once?”

Shi Yin blushed and playfully hid in Zhou Chengyuan’s arms. “That depends on Chengyuan.”

Chengyuan.

It was the first time she called him without “uncle” or “little uncle” attached.

Zhou Chengyuan lowered his eyes, a pleased smile on his lips. “I’ll do my best.”

Zhou Siyang, now at the bottom of the family hierarchy: “…”

Can he still live in this house?

Though the Zhou family was large, Zhou Jinfeng’s branch wasn’t. He only had two sons, and his eldest and daughter-in-law had died in a plane crash when Zhou Siyang was young.

Now he only had a youngest son and one grandson.

But the youngest son’s health had been deteriorating for years, with death seeming imminent—until he unexpectedly got married.

Zhou Jinfeng, now old, only wanted the family to be whole. With a daughter-in-law now in the house, he hoped to soon have a grandchild.

That way, even if Zhou Chengyuan passed away, he’d still have something to remember him by.

After lunch, two uniformed workers were brought into the hall by the butler, Wu Kang.

“Sir, the civil affairs officers are here,” Wu Kang said.

Shi Yin was stunned.

Civil affairs officers?

She looked at Zhou Chengyuan in surprise. He seemed calm and explained, “I’m not in good health, and since your father wanted to keep this private, I had to ask them to come here.”

Shi Yin: “?”

Do rich people really just do whatever they want?