温柔美国人的情歌

Untitled part

"Let me be honest with you, sis," Zhang Yifei began, looking earnestly at the beautiful woman before him. "It's not that you're not great—it's just that I'm terrified of marrying a strong woman. You all are busy day in and day out. Being the husband of a woman like that is exhausting. And let's be real, someone as stunning as Miss Shao deserves a young and accomplished man. I'm just a lowly thug, not worthy of you. So, could you do me a favor? Just tell the old director that I'm too crude and boring for you."

"Let me be honest with you, sis," Zhang Yifei began, looking earnestly at the beautiful woman before him. "It's not that you're not great—it's just that I'm terrified of marrying a strong woman. You all are busy day in and day out. Being the husband of a woman like that is exhausting. And let's be real, someone as stunning as Miss Shao deserves a young and accomplished man. I'm just a lowly thug, not worthy of you. So, could you do me a favor? Just tell the old director that I'm too crude and boring for you."

Zhang Yifei finally mustered the courage to speak his truth. He believed the woman in front of him was kind, sensible, and understanding, and that she would understand his concerns.

Shao Ningdie responded with a soft smile, one so beautiful that it almost took Zhang Yifei's breath away. Her eyes sparkled with amusement, and for a brief moment, Zhang Yifei thought that perhaps marrying this woman wouldn't be so bad—she was certainly easy on the eyes.

"But I'm not very good at lying," she said.

"Please, just say what I told you. I swear, if you do, I'll be forever in your debt," Zhang Yifei declared with a solemn expression.

"You're really putting me in a tough spot," Shao Ningdie said softly, her back turned so that Zhang Yifei couldn't see her expression. After a brief pause, she added, "My father has already told me that today is our engagement day, and they've even set a wedding date."

"What gives them the right to arrange my marriage?" Zhang Yifei exclaimed.

"Because you're an orphan, and since Uncle Li watched you grow up, he's taken it upon himself to make these decisions for you, as your elder..."

If Zhang Yifei had felt unlucky before, now he felt downright cursed.

They hadn't even consulted him before setting up the marriage. Zhang Yifei realized that this visit wasn't just a matchmaking session—it was more like a formality. He suddenly felt like he'd been completely duped.

"Honestly, it's laughable to force two strangers to live together. I'll try to convince them, but I can't promise anything. Just remember, you owe me one."

"Thank you! You're practically a second parent to me," Zhang Yifei said, nearly dropping to his knees in gratitude.

Hearing this, Shao Ningdie's face darkened. Was marrying her really that terrifying?

What Shao Ningdie didn't know was that the prospect of marrying her genuinely terrified Zhang Yifei. He wanted a pretty wife, sure, but he never imagined he'd end up marrying the most sought-after woman in Jiang City. It felt like a death sentence, as if he were crossing every man in the city.

Realizing that he was still holding her hand, Shao Ningdie's cheeks flushed red.

"Sorry, I got a bit carried away. I didn't mean anything by it," Zhang Yifei said, embarrassed.

"So, what's your number?" Shao Ningdie asked, turning around. Up close, her long eyelashes and clear, almond-shaped eyes were mesmerizing. She smelled faintly of something floral, and Zhang Yifei found himself completely captivated.

Zhang Yifei was smitten. If Shao Ningdie weren't the CEO of Xuanyi Group, he would have done anything to win her over.

"What for?" Zhang Yifei asked, still a bit wary despite her beauty.

"How can I reach you without your number? You said you'd go through fire and water for me, right?"

"You're right! A man's word is his bond!" Zhang Yifei declared, giving her his number. Shao Ningdie saved it and immediately called him, letting his phone ring once before hanging up to verify his number. Her number appeared on Zhang Yifei's phone as well.

"Thank you, thank you! Let's go tell them," Zhang Yifei said, lighting a cigarette, feeling an immense weight lift off his shoulders.

Shao Ningdie smiled mysteriously at Zhang Yifei.

"Zhang Yifei, not bad, right? My judgment is still sharp, isn't it?" The old director beamed at Zhang Yifei. This kid had always been a handful, never able to sit still for a moment. It was about time he found a wife to keep him in check.

Zhang Yifei nearly burst into tears at the director's words. Sharp? More like a death sentence!

Shao Tianzhi was also looking at Zhang Yifei expectantly, waiting for his response.

At that moment, a stunning woman appeared out of nowhere, catching Zhang Yifei's eye. She was absolutely gorgeous, with fair skin, a perfectly shaped face, and a pair of charming, almond-shaped eyes. She looked to be in her early thirties.

"No wonder Uncle Li said this kid was honest. They're practically married, and he's still too shy to say a word," the woman teased, giving Zhang Yifei a once-over, clearly pleased with what she saw, like a mother-in-law sizing up her future son-in-law.

The director gave her a sheepish grin. "Yuxue, do you believe me now?"

Zhang Yifei was stunned. This was the first time he'd ever seen the old director look so silly, so earnest.

"Mom, Uncle Li, if you keep teasing me, I'm going to ignore you both," Shao Ningdie said, pouting.

"Snap!" Shao Ningdie's use of the word "Mom" hit Zhang Yifei like a ton of bricks. She was Shao Ningdie's mother?

Zhang Yifei suddenly understood why the director was so insistent that he marry Shao Ningdie. The director must have had a thing for Shao Ningdie's mother, but she had chosen Shao Tianzhi instead. The director was probably still holding a grudge and was using Zhang Yifei to exact his revenge by marrying her daughter.

Yeah, that had to be it. Zhang Yifei was convinced he was right.

But even if that were true, why should his happiness be sacrificed for some old grudge?

"Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore. Now tell me, are you happy with Xiao Zhang?" Yuxue asked, her eyes filled with motherly affection as she looked at Shao Ningdie.

"Mhm," Shao Ningdie murmured, her voice barely audible but just loud enough for everyone to hear.

That little "Mhm" hit Zhang Yifei like a sledgehammer. It was so shocking, it was like the sky had fallen.

Zhang Yifei stood there, dumbfounded. She agreed? All that relief for nothing? The heart that had leaped into his throat now crashed down into the pit of his stomach, shattering into a million pieces. At that moment, Zhang Yifei finally understood the meaning of Shao Ningdie's mysterious smile earlier—it was a classic case of smiling on the outside while hiding a dagger behind her back.

Zhang Yifei could see his future life flashing before his eyes: he'd be at her beck and call, totally under her thumb. He even imagined her wearing a golden crown, holding a scepter, and dressed as the Queen of the Daughter Kingdom, while he knelt before her, begging for her favor.

Betrayed at the last minute. Zhang Yifei finally understood why they say nine out of ten businessmen are crooks.

Then Shao Ningdie, as if reading from a script, repeated his exact words verbatim in front of everyone, like a human tape recorder.

Zhang Yifei stood there, dumbfounded. His "honesty" and "respect for women" had led him to this.

Shao Ningdie, looking as triumphant as a general returning from a victorious battle, approached Zhang Yifei and asked, "Am I not good enough?"

She pulled off the pitiful look so well that it was almost impossible to resist.

"You're perfect, absolutely perfect!" Zhang Yifei replied, sounding utterly defeated.

At that moment, Zhang Yifei felt like a pile of dog poop, completely and utterly under Shao Ningdie's control.