Arrested for impersonating a powerful figure's girlfriend, but forced into a formal relationshi

The evening clouds hung low, and the pond deep in the courtyard was bathed in the sunset.

The winding stone bridge spans the water, its carved railings edged with gold by the afterglow of the setting sun.

Sheng Yinian stood by the pond, scattering fish food into the water with his fingers.

A faint weariness lingered between his deep-set eyes and brows.

The koi gathered and then dispersed, their tail fins shattering a pool of shimmering gold.

Footsteps came from the secluded path.

It was the crisp sound of high heels stepping on the stone pavement.

"Happy birthday! I've been looking for you for so long! It turns out you are... oh, my foot!"

Accompanied by a soft cry.

A supple body lunged straight toward the tall, upright figure by the pond.

Sheng Yinian scattered all the fish food in his hand into the pond.

Just as that body was about to press against him, he indifferently lifted his foot and slowly walked towards the side path.

"Thump!"

A shapely figure crashed into the pond, splashing a large spray of water.

A huge, fiery red wave spread out in the water.

"Sheng Yunian... save me..."

The sounds of splashing and terrified crying came from the pond.

"Sheng Yunian... I can't swim..."

Sheng Yinian left with steady, slow steps, without even changing his rhythm.

The gardener heard the cries for help and rushed over, just in time to see Sheng Yinian's back disappearing at the end of the path.

He glanced down at the woman struggling in the water, then at the deserted path. He didn't dare to help.

Just as he was undecided, he was surprised to find that the woman had already swum ashore on her own.

She tossed her long, red hair, which was covered in seaweed, picked up her high heels floating on the water, and put them on gracefully.

"As expected of the largest golden turtle in the capital, it is indeed difficult to catch."

After saying that, she swayed her slender waist and walked away confidently down another path.

"Luckily, there are plenty of turtles in the capital, so I don't necessarily need yours."

-

Sheng Yunian stepped through the hanging flower gate and passed through the sandalwood carved screen wall.

Sheng Shutong, dressed in a light blue satin cheongsam, gracefully came forward to greet her.

Happy birthday, Yu Nian.

She held the phone in her hand, the screen flashing.

"Your video call is here."

Sheng Yinian took the phone and frowned slightly as he looked at the screen.

The figure in the picture... is a savage.

Beneath a clump of wildly growing, unrecognizable, messy hair was a rough, dark red face covered in dry, cracked skin, and below that, a haphazardly protruding beard...

"Seventh Uncle".

A scream burst from the screen.

"I am your unfortunate nephew, Sheng Shichen!"

"Do you still remember me, Uncle Seven?"

"Seventh Uncle, I was wrong, I was really wrong."

"I repent, I've turned over a new leaf, I'll never do it again, please let me go back, Uncle Qi!"

"Ever since Xu Chuan caught me and sent me to this godforsaken desert to plant trees, I haven't had a single good day!"

"They force me to work every day, and if I don't work, they pinch my thighs until they've developed calluses!" Uncle Qi.

"Seventh Uncle, look at me!"

"Look at my face! It's practically cracked open like the East African Rift Valley!"

"If I don't go back soon, the skincare products I had professionally developed for my skin type will all expire. That would be such a waste, Uncle Qi!"

"And my hair! I hired a personal stylist for eight figures, and it's just sitting there doing nothing. We can't let him get away with this for nothing, Uncle Qi!"

"Seventh Uncle, take a good look, this place is no human being..."

"I think..." Sheng Yinian interrupted him calmly, "the soil and water there are quite nice, good for people."

As soon as he finished speaking, the person in the camera suddenly staggered.

Immediately afterwards, accompanied by a muffled thud and a cloud of dust, the screen shook violently.

The final image focuses on a dirty hiking boot with its sole almost falling off.

Sheng Shutong turned her face away, her shoulders shrugged, and her muffled laughter just wouldn't stop.

"Auntie, is that you, Auntie? Are you still there?"

The messy, unkempt hairstyle reappeared in the shot.

This time, it got covered in sand and grass clippings again.

"Auntie, please beg for me, Auntie!"

Sheng Shutong suppressed the urge to burst out laughing.

"Oh dear, what's wrong? My intermittent hearing loss has flared up again, and I can't hear anything at all right now!"

It's really no wonder she didn't care about the child.

After all, Pei Yu is currently a hostage in the United States, and there's nothing she can do to help him.

The people in the video also seemed to realize that they couldn't count on her at all.

"Seventh Uncle, please let me go back. I can't stand this awful place for another day."

At this moment, not only were there constant howls on the screen, but shouts also came from the courtyard.

Sheng Yinian looked up.

In the courtyard, Old Master Sheng was chasing Sheng Wangcheng with his cane.

Sheng Wangcheng ran around the yard.

It's called running, but it's not much faster than walking.

The old man chased after him, holding his cane.

Every time he swung his cane, Sheng Wangcheng would cry out "Ouch!" and leap forward.

Sheng Wangcheng dared not run fast, for fear that the old man would not be able to catch up.

If he were to fall in his haste, then Sheng Wangcheng would be the eternal sinner of the Sheng family.

If you don't run fast, the cane will really hit your legs!

The huanghuali cane struck his calf with pinpoint accuracy each time, causing both pain and numbness.

"Dad, take it easy, don't strain your back!"

"Stop talking nonsense!"

Another cane.

Sheng Wangcheng wanted to cry but had no tears.

He is nearly seventy years old, and his hair is all white. Outside, everyone calls him Mr. Sheng.

When he got home, his grandfather beat him like he was beating his grandson.

No, it's like beating a dog.

The old man couldn't bear to hit his precious grandson.

"Dad, I was really wrong. Can you take a break?"

The old man struck down with his cane again.

"I told you not to meddle in other people's business!"

"I told you not to bring just anyone home!"

Sheng Yinian withdrew his gaze and returned it to the phone screen.

A glimmer of hope ignited in the eyes of the person on the screen.

"Seventh Uncle, I really don't want to stay here for another six months!"

"Then let's add another six months."

"...No, Uncle Seven, that's not what I meant. I meant that half a year is too long, not that..."

The video was cut off before the other party could finish speaking.

-

Yun Miao was fast asleep in bed when she received a call from Lin Shuhe.

I checked the time and it was already 9:10, so I quickly got up and got ready.

The gathering was held at a barbecue restaurant, which was very close to the hotel.

The three arrived at exactly 9:30.

During the meal, Lin Shuhe spoke on behalf of the three of them.

Yunmiao and Xia Xixi rarely spoke, only silently eating their meals.

The meal was scheduled for late, and since it was a time-consuming barbecue, we didn't know when it would be over.

Yunmiao glanced at the time; it was already ten o'clock.

I suddenly realized I hadn't called Sheng Yinian tonight.

So, she left the private room under the pretext of going to the restroom, taking her phone with her.

I found a quiet corner and was about to make a call when I heard footsteps behind me.

She turned around and saw Lu Yin.

"Yunmiao, are you avoiding me?"

Yun Miao was stunned for a moment.

For a moment, I didn't realize what he meant.

Lu Yin drew closer and closer.

"When I waved to you while we were queuing this morning, your eyes darted away unnaturally."

"When we were eating just now, I tried to steer the conversation towards you, but you didn't respond or even look up at me."

"We're halfway through our meal, and you suddenly come out again, even though the bathroom is in the opposite direction from here."

"So Yunmiao, can you tell me why you're avoiding me?"