Chapter 101 - What To Do if You’re the Villain and the Heroine Likes You

In the afternoon, He Yunxiao finished his lunch and returned to the study in the Fan residence. After spending these days together, He Yunxiao had become quite familiar with the relatively small Fan residence. He could even find his seat in the study with his eyes closed. Standing at the door of the study, he repeated in his mind: humility, seriousness, courteous, loyalty to the country, etiquette and filial piety, I am a good person… After this self-hypnosis, He Yunxiao gently knocked on the door. "Ziruo, I'm here." From the study, Fan Ziruo's calm and gentle voice was soon heard. "Please come in, young master." Upon receiving the permission, He Yunxiao entered. As he walked in, he saw the beautiful young lady sitting upright at the desk, holding a book, smiling gently at him. In the afternoon, the ample sunlight poured into the study from the window, and the dignified and graceful beauty sat at the desk, holding an open blue-covered novel, with tall bookshelves filled with books not far behind. Dust danced in the air, and their gazes intertwined amidst the sunlight, creating a moment that seemed to be frozen in time. Only the uncooperative birds outside the window liked to make noise, disturbing the quiet of the study with their playful chattering. He Yunxiao couldn't help but be stunned. Since his fondness for Fan Ziruo had grown, her emotions seemed much richer now. Consequently, her smile was something he could often see. As if teasing He Yunxiao, Fan Ziruo saw him standing foolishly at the door and smiled even more. "What is the young master looking at? We've just met this morning. Do you not recognize Ziruo anymore?" He Yunxiao scratched his head awkwardly. He couldn't help but scold himself. He had repeatedly reminded himself to be serious before entering. Yet as soon as he came in, he found himself staring at the young lady. After being chastised by Nan Zhu, He Yunxiao no longer wanted to rely on "deception" to gain someone's favor. Even if there was a risk of annoying Fan Ziruo, he chose to speak honestly. "You are beautiful, and you look even better when you smile. Since I don't see it often, when I do, I couldn't help but look a little longer. Please forgive me, Miss." Fan Ziruo sighed, "Beauty is truly inconvenient." He Yunxiao settled at the desk and heard her say that, finding it somewhat amusing. "Something that ordinary women can't have in their lifetime, something that countless men are willing to love, seems almost worthless in Miss Ziruo's eyes." "Not only worthless, but also a burden." "Miss, saying such things, aren't you afraid of provoking others?" Fan Ziruo sighed, "Those who admire my beauty will eventually admire someone else's as well. Yet all of them will declare solemnly, 'I only like you.' Perhaps their affection is genuine, but they love not the complete me, but only my appearance." He Yunxiao felt increasingly uneasy as he listened. Moments ago, he praised her beauty, and she now says, "They love not the complete her, but only her appearance." He Yunxiao wasn't foolish. After grasping the underlying logic in Fan Ziruo's words, he immediately expressed his sincerity to her. "Ziruo, have you been to the Tingfeng Tower?" "No." "The Tingfeng Tower offers a wide array of items, some of which are quite expensive but sell well. The primary reason is that apart from being functional, these items are also visually appealing. Take the custom-made swords for women as an example. The designs can be personal, with gold and silver inlays and jade carvings. Even the pendants at the hilt of the sword have various options to choose from." "Compared to an ordinary blacksmith shop that only focuses on sharpness, the custom-made swords from the Tingfeng Tower fetch a higher price and have better sales. Good looks and sharpness both matter. There has been the age-old story of 'Zhaokun setting out,' where beauty was used to exchange for peace. Miss Ziruo, born beautiful, despite the nuisances, should cherish it even more." "Leaving aside anything else, if you were to encounter your true love, if you undervalue and neglect yourself, he will also feel sorry for you." Fan Ziruo listened with astonishment as He Yunxiao spoke, feeling somewhat moved. Although she found beauty troublesome, she didn't think it was worth "neglecting herself" to that extent. "After all the things you've said, are you afraid that Ziruo may one day ruin her appearance?" He Yunxiao was naturally afraid; otherwise, he wouldn't have given Fan Ziruo so much advice. With Fan Ziruo's desire for emotional connection, He Yunxiao worried she could actually self-sabotage her appearance in pursuit of "true love." "Of course, I'm afraid. If one day, the lady can't figure things out, she should come to find me." "Why would I find you?" "I will show the lady the power of beauty. If the lady is willing to smile for me, I will then give her shoulder massages and pour her tea." [Fan Ziruo's favorability has risen from 73 to 75] Fan Ziruo, who was always calm, couldn't help but chuckle at He Yunxiao's words. Bowing her head, she covered her mouth lightly with her hand, her big bright eyes brimming with amusement. "It seems the young master likes beautiful ladies very much." He Yunxiao responded candidly, "Everyone has a heart for beauty." "Miss Xiaoxiao is also very beautiful." He Yunxiao continued frankly, "Naturally, not as much as Miss Ziruo…" Danger! "Naturally not as beautiful as Miss Ziruo!" Staring at He Yunxiao, Fan Ziruo's gaze turned sharp as a knife. "Ziruo feels that the young master is a bit hypocritical now." The corner of He Yunxiao's mouth twitched, and he immediately clarified, "Xiaoxiao presents a different demeanor every time, her temper is terrible, she doesn't have good social skills, and she doesn't know how to speak. She only has the advantage of being slightly more attractive. I definitely won't marry her." As Fan Ziruo listened to He Yunxiao's words, she blinked, deducing from his tone that his statement about "not marrying her" seemed genuine. So, she didn't dislike Xiaoxiao as much anymore. However, although Fan Ziruo didn't say it, she still harbored doubts about He Yunxiao and Xiaoxiao's secret. Just this morning, there were three instances. First, he wouldn't let her inquire about Xiaoxiao's character. Second, he spent half an hour outside with Xiaoxiao. Third, he sent her away to be alone with Xiaoxiao. Fan Ziruo wasn't the type to pry into others' privacy, but when these things happened involving He Yunxiao and another woman, she couldn't help but feel uncomfortable. She couldn't exactly pinpoint why it made her feel uneasy, but it simply did. Seeing her reluctant expression, He Yunxiao took the initiative and said, "Ziruo, do you want to ask me about Xiaoxiao and me?" "Ziruo shouldn't ask about it." "Then do you still want to ask?" Although she knew she shouldn't inquire about He Yunxiao's interpersonal relationships, Fan Ziruo irresponsibly nodded. "Mm." Thinking to himself, Fan Ziruo was so intelligent, and Xiaoxiao came around her every day, the truth would inevitably emerge. Instead of hiding it from her, why not tell her earlier? Who knows, maybe she could help me out. "I will tell Ziruo, and Ziruo must keep this a secret for me." Fan Ziruo firmly said, "Fine, I won't say a word even if I die." As a result, the very first sentence from He Yunxiao made her dumbfounded. "Xiaoxiao is not Chu Fan's biological sister." The second sentence. "She actually likes her brother, Chu Fan." The third sentence. "I am helping her make Chu Fan like her back." Fan Ziruo was dumbfounded. Her traditional values were being severely challenged by He Yunxiao's speech.