Although Qi Luozhou was already walking fast enough, Shen Wanwan still felt he was moving too slowly.
And that unbearably awkward “Look over here!” had already pushed the atmosphere to its peak.
001 dutifully reported in her ear.
{They’re all looking at you~
{Oh no, maybe they’re looking at the male lead too.}
Qi Luozhou came to a stop in front of Shen Wanwan. His long lashes lowered slightly, and a faint smile tugged at his lips.
“What do you need me to do?”
Shen Wanwan met his eyes and calmly made her request.
“Touch my hair.
“And look at me with affection.”
Qi Luozhou let out a low chuckle and cooperated without hesitation.
His movements were incredibly gentle as he softly tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
When those charming, peach blossom eyes gazed at her, there was tenderness—and a touch of flirtation.
No wonder he was the youngest Best Actor in history.
His performance was flawless, as natural as breathing.
Behind Shen Wanwan, a chorus of envious gasps sounded.
Such a reaction delighted her immensely.
Since they loved watching drama and gossiping so much…
Then she’d give them a good show.
Right at that moment, Qi Luozhou very obligingly reached out his hand.
His fingers were long, palm slender and graceful.
Shen Wanwan, quite satisfied, placed her hand in his.
The two walked off hand in hand, looking every bit the picture of a couple madly in love.
Everyone watched them leave, and finally someone couldn’t help but murmur:
“Who was that?”
“What’s Shen Wanwan’s relationship with him?”
“He’s so handsome. That side profile just now—wow. He even kinda looked like God Zhou!”
“So… Shen Wanwan actually dumped Su Tingxuan, didn’t she?!”
Once inside the elevator, Shen Wanwan withdrew her hand.
In the confined space, just the two of them, there was no longer a need to continue the act.
Once they got into Qi Luozhou’s car, her expression completely relaxed.
The scent inside the car, like the man himself, was pleasant.
With the black-tinted windows shut tight, blocking any curious eyes from the outside, Shen Wanwan crossed her arms and leaned back against the seat, letting out a displeased tsk.
“Are you laughing at me?”
She’d been bothered by that faint smile on his lips since earlier.
Sure enough, the corners of the man’s mouth curved up even more.
“No. I just think you’re very cute.”
Shen Wanwan didn’t appreciate being called cute one bit.
But she couldn’t be bothered to correct Qi Luozhou. Staring at the street scenes flowing past the window, she fell silent for a moment, then decided to lay everything out up front:
“As you can see, I’m a vain woman.
“I won’t allow anything imperfect to happen to me. Whether it’s appearances or reality, I want both.”
She paused here and finally turned to look at him directly.
“Qi Luozhou, you still have a chance to back out now.”
Qi Luozhou met her gaze, his eyes steady and dark.
She had beautiful eyes too—rounder in shape, which made her look innocent and pure.
But the sharpness in her expression masked those softer traits, giving her an aggressive edge.
They stared at each other for a long time, neither looking away. Finally, his Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, and he let out another low laugh.
“Same.”
Same? What does that mean?
Shen Wanwan frowned in annoyance.
Qi Luozhou leaned back with a relaxed posture and said casually.
“As you can see, I’m also a shallow man.”
“Whether it’s appearance or reality, I want a wife who’s beautiful enough. We’ll respect each other after marriage. I won’t interfere with what you like to do, and as for what you want…
“Aside from love, I can give you everything.”
At this, Qi Luozhou’s voice paused briefly.
“You still have a chance to back out now.”
001 was about to protest that the male lead wasn’t supposed to be like this!
In the book, he was a master of sweet talk!
But before it could speak, it felt Shen Wanwan’s mood shift.
She was pleased.
It was obvious, his words had pleased her.
{So strange. Why are you happy? Isn’t ‘I love you’ supposed to be what women love hearing most?}
If rolling her eyes weren’t so unladylike, Shen Wanwan would’ve given 001 the biggest eye-roll ever.
“What’s so great about hearing ‘I love you’?”
Love had no place in her life.
Everything else, on the other hand—the more, the better.
“Qi Luozhou.”
Shen Wanwan’s tone rose slightly at the end, clearly in a good mood.
“Deal.”
Half an hour later, a black Maybach drove into a lavishly decorated garden villa.
Qi Luozhou helped Shen Wanwan out of the car.
“Now it’s your turn to cooperate.”
He held out his hand to her.
Shen Wanwan stepped forward and took his hand. Just as she moved, Qi Luozhou interlaced his fingers with hers, clasping her hand tightly.
Before they entered, Shen Wanwan double-checked with him.
“Anything I should be careful about?”
Qi Luozhou gently tapped the back of her hand with his fingertip, as if to give her strength.
“Just… don’t be scared.”
Oh?
Shen Wanwan gave a small nod and followed him inside the villa, head held high.
In general, the dynamics of wealthy families were notoriously complicated, and internal scheming was common.
But who was she?
Shen Wanwan had never been afraid of such settings.
They entered together.
But the expected storm didn’t arrive. As the butler announced that the Young Master had brought his girlfriend back, a noblewoman in an emerald-green qipao quickly emerged.
“Wanwan, you’re here!”
The woman grabbed Shen Wanwan’s hand, then pulled her into an enthusiastic hug.
“Oh, Luozhou is just too much! You’ve been dating for two years, and he only now tells me. Sons are never thoughtful. But soon, we’ll be one big family…”
Shen Wanwan: ?
The ever-proud Miss Shen had entered with her guard up, ready for battle—but hadn’t anticipated this kind of welcome.
She visibly froze in the woman’s embrace, glancing nervously at Qi Luozhou.
Shen Wanwan had always been someone who could resist aggression but was defenseless against kindness.
If someone came at her hard, she’d go harder.
But if someone softened up, she’d melt.
Qi Luozhou explained at just the right moment, “This is my mother.”
Shen Wanwan politely said, “Hello, Aunt.”
Qi Luozhou’s mother beamed with joy, chatting excitedly.
“Oh, Wanwan, you’re so beautiful!
“You’re still quite young, aren’t you? How did Luozhou manage to snatch you up like that…”
Shen Wanwan suddenly felt that this marriage alliance, from every angle, seemed quite fitting.
Her mother and Qi Luozhou’s mother would probably have plenty to talk about.
It was Father Qi who finally spoke up, “Alright now, don’t keep Wanwan standing there. Come in, have a seat.”
Only then did Mother Qi let go. “Oh dear, I just got so excited seeing you… Come, come, come, sit down!”
Both of Qi Luozhou’s parents were well-maintained and amiable, which made the whole meal go surprisingly smoothly.
When they found out that Shen Wanwan’s father was Shen Rong, Father Qi even gave Qi Luozhou a surprised look.
The Qi and Shen families were about equal in wealth, with the Qi family perhaps holding a slight advantage.
But the Qi’s had never intended for their son to marry into any elite family.
Even back when Qi Luozhou had refused to take over the family business and insisted on becoming an actor, his parents had fully supported him.
Soon enough, Father Qi smiled warmly.
“Luozhou is truly lucky to marry someone like you.”
Qi Luozhou sat upright beside them, sipping his tea.
Shen Wanwan nodded as if it were only natural.
After they left the Qi residence and got into the car heading home, Shen Wanwan grumbled:
“Qi Luozhou, your family was a huge disappointment!”
Qi Luozhou raised his eyebrows. “Hm?”
Shen Wanwan pouted, “I was all geared up for battle!”
Qi Luozhou nodded knowingly.
“Didn’t realize that’s your preference.
“I’ll tell them to act differently next time.”
He said this in his usual calm and serious tone, which made Shen Wanwan burst out laughing.
“I suddenly feel very satisfied.”
His family had simple dynamics.
His parents were harmonious.
It was… pretty great.
“Qi Luozhou, my parents are really nice too.”
As she smiled, her eyes sparkled with light.
“Mhm,” Qi Luozhou looked into her eyes. “I’ll propose as soon as I can.”