Chapter 17: Unmasked

Song Mingyu stood frozen, his face blank and his entire body rigid.

Chen Su regained her composure and quickly pushed Qu Bonan away, her heart hammering against her ribs. It wasn't just the fear of being caught kissing by Song Mingyu; it was the fact that the "good girl" persona she had meticulously maintained in front of him for years had completely shattered.

"Qu Bonan, you really are something!" Chen Su was fuming. It was obvious that he had seen Song Mingyu and had deliberately kissed her for his benefit.

Qu Bonan arched an eyebrow and glanced at Song Mingyu. "Did you see everything?"

"You two..." Song Mingyu’s hands clenched into fists at his sides. He stepped forward, pulling Chen Su behind him, his face filled with shame and indignation. "Brother Bonan! Su Su is your sister! And she’s my girlfriend—how could you do this?"

He turned to grab Chen Su’s hand, his eyes bloodshot. "Don't be afraid, Su Su. As long as I'm here, I won't let him bully you ever again!"

Chen Su froze for a moment. What was going on? In a situation like this, shouldn't Song Mingyu be furious at her for deceiving him?

Qu Bonan watched their joined hands, a flicker of gloom passing through his eyes behind his lenses. He adjusted his glasses. "Young Master Song, you and my sister are not a good match." His tone was cold and deep. "She will never be with you."

"Whether we are a match or not is not for you to decide," Song Mingyu retorted angrily.

Chen Su realized that if she didn't speak up, this matter would eventually reach the ears of Mr. and Mrs. Qu. The Qu family had raised her, and she didn't want to repay their kindness with such betrayal.

"Mingyu, I'm a bit cold," she said, seizing the moment to change the subject. She gripped his sleeve with an innocent expression. "Could you please take me home first?"

The night air was chilly, and Chen Su was dressed thinly, looking exceptionally fragile. Song Mingyu took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders. "I'll take you back."

Carrying her suitcase in one hand and holding her hand in the other, he led her into the residential complex. Not until Qu Bonan was out of sight did Chen Su let out a breath of relief. She pulled her hand away from Song Mingyu’s and walked straight ahead.

Song Mingyu assumed her cold reaction was simply due to her being shaken by her brother's sudden harassment. He followed her to the apartment she rented, climbing the old-fashioned stairs. He frowned. "You rent a place in a building like this?"

Chen Su stopped and, thinking of what Song Mingyu had witnessed earlier, decided there was no point in pretending anymore. "Young Master, if you can’t handle this, you should leave now," she said coldly. "I’m not stopping you."

She fished a cigarette out of her pocket and lit it. The crisp click of the lighter illuminated the voice-activated light in the stairwell. Song Mingyu stared, stunned. "You... you smoke?"

Chen Su flicked the ash and scoffed. "Not only do I smoke, but I also drink and race cars. Surprised?"

Song Mingyu fell silent.

Chen Su didn't continue up the stairs; instead, she leaned against the railing. "Song Mingyu, let me be honest with you." She lowered her gaze. "I was never a 'good girl.' Everything you saw before was an act. Deep down, I’m not a good person at all. So... if you want to leave, there’s still time."

Chen Su rarely showed this unrefined side of herself to others. Only in front of Wen Zhi could she truly be herself. But now, besides Qu Bonan, there was another person who had seen her true colors. It wouldn't be long before everyone knew her real face.

The stairwell light flickered and went out, leaving only the glowing ember of her cigarette in the dark. Receiving no response, Chen Su ground the cigarette out with her heel and turned to head upstairs. "Don't follow me. Just go home."

She climbed two flights of stairs and stopped at her door, reaching into her pocket for her keys. Just then, she heard footsteps behind her. Song Mingyu walked up, took the keys from her hand, opened the door, and turned to look at her, his eyes locked onto hers. "Su Su, marry me."