My Villainous Persona Collapses as My Family Reads My Mind - chapter 14

Shen Que had heard such brazen words more than once before.

He stared steadily at Meng Zhiyi as she walked toward him. The girl before him wore a mint green dress, her delicate features even more radiant under the sunlight.

She walked over with a bright smile, dazzling in every way.

He had to admit, Meng Zhiyi truly had a striking appearance.

But when he thought of all the absurd things she’d done…

Shen Que sighed inwardly and collected his thoughts.

Meng Zhiyi approached Shen Que, already bracing herself for a storm. She’d even planned out how she would perform when the time came.

Yet, to her surprise, Shen Que didn’t mention breaking off the engagement, nor did he show the usual disgust or rejection toward her.

“This is from Grandma.”

Shen Que’s tone was cold as he handed her the bag.

Meng Zhiyi blinked, looking at the exquisite bag being offered to her. Although she’d thrown it to the ground before, Shen Que must have replaced it with a new one.

Instead of taking it, Meng Zhiyi put on a stubborn, unreasonable front and continued her act: “Is it really from Grandma? Or is it something Song Wei didn’t want, so you’re giving it to me?”

After saying that, she seemed to think her provocation wasn’t enough, so she added, “Shen Que, I may like you, but I have my dignity too. If you keep getting tangled up with Song Wei, I’ll retaliate in kind!”

[I’ve dropped such an obvious hint. That thing with the photos online-he should be coming to settle accounts with me, right?]

[Even though the person in the photo is my Eldest Brother, as long as I don’t say anything, Shen Que won’t know. He’ll just think I’m indiscreet and dislike me even more. Perfect!]

[Once I find out who leaked the photos, I’ll definitely send them a red envelope.]

Shen Que lowered his gaze, quietly listening to Meng Zhiyi’s jubilant inner thoughts.

When he learned that the man in the photo was Meng Zhizhou, he was indeed a bit surprised.

So, the photo incident wasn’t something she orchestrated herself.

“Grandma asked me to bring you home for dinner. If you want to know whether the gift is really for you, you can ask her yourself.”

Shen Que’s voice was cool and emotionless.

After handing the gift to Meng Zhiyi, he tilted his chin toward the black SUV parked by the roadside not far away.

“Let’s go.”

Seeing things weren’t going as she’d expected, Meng Zhiyi scrunched up her face, her mind racing.

“Um… I have class today.” Meng Zhiyi was reluctant to go back with Shen Que.

The way the Shen Matriarch looked at her was too doting; facing that kind old woman, she felt a bit guilty.

Shen Que slipped one hand into his pocket, his dark eyes calmly watching the awkward girl before him.

In the past, she’d have done anything to go home with him. Now, she didn’t want to.

“I’ve seen your class schedule.”

The implication was clear: that excuse wouldn’t work.

Meng Zhiyi: “…”

[Damn, since when did this guy pay so much attention to me? I haven’t even looked at my schedule, and he already has?]

[So annoying. What excuse should I use now?]

Listening to her frustration, Shen Que couldn’t help but smile, turning away to hide the curve of his lips.

“Hmm?” Shen Que turned back to her, raising his brows.

“I… I’m not wearing any makeup. Isn’t it a bit rude to meet Grandma like this? Maybe…”

She hadn’t even finished saying she wouldn’t go when Shen Que interrupted, “It’s fine. If you want to put on makeup, I’ll wait for you here.”

“….”

Meng Zhiyi gritted her teeth in secret, finally giving up and following Shen Que back to the Shen Family.

All the way, Shen Que focused on driving, not saying another word to Meng Zhiyi.

She leaned her head against the window, her mind a tangled mess.

For some reason, ever since she’d met the Shen Matriarch at the hospital, a strange emotion had lingered in her heart.

It felt as if she’d forgotten something very important.

“We’re here.”

She didn’t know how much time had passed before Shen Que’s voice pulled her out of her wandering thoughts.

Meng Zhiyi got out of the car, staring blankly at the mansion before her, which looked just like an ancient royal residence.
Shen Que handed the car keys to the approaching bodyguard and said to the woman beside him, “Let’s go, Grandma is waiting for us.”

“You live in the royal residence?” Meng Zhiyi asked instinctively.

Shen Que paused for a moment, something flashing quickly in his eyes.

“Mm,” he replied, not exposing the slip Meng Zhiyi had inadvertently revealed.

He didn’t want to startle Meng Zhiyi.

Meng Zhiyi secretly clicked her tongue.

No wonder everyone called Shen Que the Jing Circle Prince. With his family background, he truly deserved the title.

[ε=(´ο｀*))) Sigh!]

Shen Que quietly perked up his ears, wanting to hear what she would mutter in her heart this time.

But after waiting a while, Meng Zhiyi had no further inner monologue.

The two walked side by side inside. Just as they rounded the screen wall, they saw Song Wei walking toward them.

Meng Zhiyi raised her eyebrows, a hint of mischief flickering in her eyes.

[So that’s it. No wonder Shen Que suddenly agreed to bring me back.]

“?” Shen Que, walking beside her, glanced at her in confusion.

[The photo scandal has already made the hot search; the Shen Matriarch must know about it too. Shen Que brought me here, and Song Wei is here as well-are they planning a three-way interrogation?]

[Alright, so this is where they’re waiting for me!!]

[Let me think about how to handle this later-should I deny or admit it? If the Shen Matriarch thinks I put a green hat on Shen Que, won’t she be furious and hurt her health?]

[Even though I’m eager to complete the task, it wouldn’t be good if someone died.]

Meng Zhiyi was brainstorming, pondering how to make the Shen Matriarch change her attitude and start to dislike her.

Shen Que felt his temples throb.

He wondered, are girls’ inner thoughts always this active?

He hadn’t done anything, yet this girl had already imagined so much.

Song Wei approached with a gentle smile, just about to speak, when she saw Shen Que take Meng Zhiyi’s hand.

Meng Zhiyi: “?”

Song Wei: “?”

[Bro, are you determined to dig your own grave?]

[You’re holding another woman’s hand in front of your future wife-are you looking for trouble?]

Shen Que tried hard not to be affected by Meng Zhiyi’s inner voice, tightening his grip on her hand.

“Let’s go, don’t keep Grandma waiting.”

With that, Shen Que led Meng Zhiyi straight past Song Wei.

At that moment, Song Wei could no longer maintain her smile. Her hand at her side clenched tightly as she struggled to keep her emotions from showing.

She stood in place, working to calm herself, then rearranged her expression and turned to walk toward the garden.

In the garden, the Shen Matriarch stood in a dark red qipao before a blooming rose bush, holding a pair of small scissors, happily pruning the flowers.

Beside her stood an elderly man with equally white hair.

“Grandma, we’re back,” Shen Que said gently, leading Meng Zhiyi over.

Hearing this, the Shen Matriarch turned around. The moment she saw Meng Zhiyi, a smile immediately appeared on her face.

“Yiyi, you’re here.”

Meng Zhiyi wasn’t sure whether the Shen Matriarch knew about the photo incident, so she decided to wait and see.

She greeted obediently, “Hello, Grandma.”

The Shen Matriarch came forward, pulling her away from Shen Que’s side, then said to the elderly man beside her, “Quick, have the servants bring the iced sweet rice balls from the fridge. Yiyi likes them.”

Hearing this, Meng Zhiyi was a little surprised.

[How does the Shen Matriarch know I like iced sweet rice balls? The original host didn’t even like them!]

At that moment, the question in Meng Zhiyi’s heart almost burst forth.

“Grandma, how-”

She had just started to ask when Song Wei walked over, smiling, “Grandma, Meng Mother is here.”

Everyone turned to see Meng Mother following beside Song Wei, her face dark.

She walked up to Meng Zhiyi and said sternly, “Meng Zhiyi, kneel!”