Rose Manor: Tycoon's Relentless Chase
Chapter 25 - 22: Becoming In-Laws

Chapter 25: Chapter 22: Becoming In-Laws

Hu Yuzhi rushed back home in a frenzy, not even taking off her high heels, and threw her handbag onto the sofa, asking the housekeeper who was cleaning, "Is Yaoyao home?"

The housekeeper straightened up from leaning on the mop handle and pointed upstairs, "Miss came back half an hour ago."

Hu Yuzhi wasted no words and dashed upstairs, not bothering to knock, pushing down the door handle to enter her daughter’s bedroom.

"Yaoyao, Yaoyao, tell mom what’s going on!"

Yin Shuyao had taken a bath and changed into a soft white loungewear after returning home, and just fell asleep when her mother’s loud voice woke her, frowning in displeasure.

Hu Yuzhi sat sideways on the edge of the bed and nudged her shoulder, "Stop sleeping, how did you end up in a hotel with the young man from the Qin Family? Are you trying to worry your mom sick?"

Yin Shuyao, looking exhausted, yawned and slowly got up to lean against the headboard, the quilt sliding off her, revealing marks on her neckline, identical to those in the photos circulating online.

They were indeed kiss marks.

"Mom, can you let me rest first?" Yin Shuyao had anticipated the public uproar following the incident with Qin Fan and she had done everything she could, leaving it up to fate.

"Tell me clearly before you sleep!" Hu Yuzhi said anxiously.

Her mother had always been unconditionally supportive of her, and Yin Shuyao had no doubts about this, having no reason to hide anything. Half-closing her eyes, she shared the entire plan.

Hu Yuzhi listened, and for a long moment, she was petrified, completely unresponsive.

Yin Shuyao tidied the locks of hair cascading over her chest and said, "Things have come to this, and everyone in town knows. If he tries to back out, the Qin Family would have to forgo their dignity."

"How dare you..." Hu Yuzhi was utterly shocked, never imagining that her young, inexperienced daughter could possess such audacity, "How could you dare to plot against the Crown Prince of the Qin Family?!"

"Mom, don’t worry, I’m cautious in my actions, leaving no traces," Yin Shuyao said, her long lashes lowering as she fiddled with her newly manicured nails, a hint of pride in her voice, "Just wait for me to marry into the Qin Family."

Hu Yuzhi felt half worried, half pleased, though something about it nagged at her, "Were those paparazzi you hired? What if they were discovered..."

"Impossible." Yin Shuyao pursed her pink lips, her face full of confidence, "I anonymously tipped them off, saying that Mr. Tan was staying at the Mandiri Hotel, when in fact Mr. Tan really was staying there. They captured us by mistake while trying to photograph Mr. Tan, and even if the Qin Family wanted to investigate, they wouldn’t find anything."

There was another doubt, and Hu Yuzhi hesitated for a moment before voicing it, "Was Qin Fan really drunk?"

With her age and experience, she knew men’s nature all too well. Truly drunk men wouldn’t accomplish anything; yet if he wasn’t, how could he have been taken advantage of?

Yin Shuyao faltered, reluctant to confess.

"You’re still hiding things from me!"

"Alright, alright, I’ll tell you," Yin Shuyao confessed, "I added a little something to his drink, but don’t worry, it was bought from a trusted friend, harmless to the body, it will be metabolized within half a day."

Hu Yuzhi was momentarily silent, wanting to rebuke but unable to speak harshly.

"Mom." Yin Shuyao watched her expression carefully.

"You were too reckless," Hu Yuzhi said, looking at her, thinking this move too risky, and despite her claiming to be cautious, to her, the plan was full of holes, "Why didn’t you discuss this with mom before making such decisions on your own? A girl’s purity isn’t something to joke about lightly."

"Mom, it’s done, please don’t scold me anymore," Yin Shuyao said as she lay back under the quilt, unwilling to listen to her nag, "I’m tired and want to rest, you should leave."

Hu Yuzhi slowly stood up, pounding her right fist into her left palm, pondering that she couldn’t just let the situation develop naturally.

She had to visit the Qin Family and seek Old Mrs. Qin’s intervention.

The door gently closed, and Yin Shuyao, lying in bed, opened her eyes, staring blankly at a certain spot in the room, recalling the scenes from last night over and over.

She loathed Shen Jianian, yet had to disguise herself as her to entice Qin Fan, how could she not hold resentment for her.

*

The Qin Family villa’s living room was suffused with a low-pressure atmosphere.

Old Mrs. Qin had already learned from her granddaughter Qin Sang about the scandal her beloved grandson was involved in. She heard that it had been the talk of the internet all morning, tarnishing the Qin Family’s reputation.

"Where’s your brother?" Old Mrs. Qin slammed the sofa arm heavily, her face full of anger.

"I’ve already called him." Qin Sang stayed by her grandmother’s side, rubbing her back to soothe her anger, "He said he’s on his way back, he’ll explain everything to you once he’s home."

Old Mrs. Qin huffed, her chest tight with irritation.

She had been strong her whole life, in both personal and professional matters, flawless, and now, at this old age, the family had become embroiled in such a scandalous news piece. Her health was still robust; she loved to go out and engage in flower arranging and tea tasting with her old friends. If matters were not handled properly, damaging the family’s honor, she’d have no face to present among outsiders.

"Call your father and have him send someone to deal with the news online, it’s simply vexing." Old Mrs. Qin pressed her hand against her chest, feeling stifled.

"Grandma, I’ll make the call immediately, don’t be too upset, it’s bad for your health." As she spoke, Qin Sang took out her phone to call her father.

It rang for a long time, but no one answered.

Qin Sang said, "My dad has been busy handling international affairs and might be unaware of the situation online."

"What are the people under him doing? Not reporting such a big scandal." Old Mrs. Qin took a sip of tea to moisten her throat.

When the doorbell rang, Qin Sang stood up and quickly went to open it, murmuring, "My brother’s back."

As the door opened, Qin Sang was momentarily taken aback, her face showing surprise. The person at the door was not Qin Fan, but a dignifiedly dressed woman. Over her deep purple qipao was a gray coat, a jade necklace with two loops around her neck, and a crocodile skin handbag, matching the coat’s color, hung on her arm.

Hu Yuzhi exchanged glances with the person inside, seeing her dressed in high-end branded attire, both fashionable and exquisite, combined with her age, she immediately guessed the girl’s identity.

"You must be the second miss? You’re really quite lovely." Hu Yuzhi said with a warm smile on her face.

"Hello, auntie." Qin Sang replied with a slight smile, hesitantly asking, "And you are?"

"I’m from the Yin Family, came specifically to visit Old Mrs. Qin. Is she home?" Hu Yuzhi stood smiling in front of her.

No need to elaborate on which Yin Family. Qin Sang glanced back, seeking her grandmother’s direction.

In the living room, Old Mrs. Qin had already heard the conversation at the door. Her emotions had steadied, and she spoke, "Sang Sang, let Aunt Hu come in for a talk, it’s impolite to keep her at the door."

Upon hearing this, Qin Sang hurriedly welcomed Hu Yuzhi in and turned to instruct the housekeeper to brew tea.

"Old Mrs." Hu Yuzhi approached, momentarily restraining her smile, showing a bit of concern, "I had no idea when these two children began their acquaintance, and now with such photos spread online, my Yaoyao is too ashamed to face anyone, hiding in her room and crying for half a day. I really had no choice, so I came to you for advice."

Qin Sang pouted slightly, muttering, "My brother said on the phone he was drunk last night, maybe they lost their senses after drinking, anyway I’ve never heard my brother having a girlfriend."

Hu Yuzhi’s face stiffened slightly, only looking at the old lady.

Old Mrs. Qin signaled her granddaughter with a glance to stop causing trouble, then turned to Hu Yuzhi, quickly making a decision in her mind.

If the woman in the scandal was an insignificant character, it would be easily dealt with, but since she was the Yin Family’s daughter – even though the Yin Family wasn’t grand, they’ve had associations with the Qin Family in their circle, so she couldn’t be easily dismissed. Letting it leak out would be too demeaning for them.

No matter the truth of last night, solidifying their relationship as a couple would be best.

"I’ve had the pleasure of meeting you twice before, we share a bit of friendship," Old Mrs. Qin considered her words carefully before gently making her proposal, "Since these young ones have such a fate, wouldn’t it be better to take it a step further and arrange a marriage? What do you think?"