Chapter 1056: So I’m Her Fiancé?
Madam André hadn't spent much time with He Yidu, but she knew that her grandson was extremely talented, intelligent, and sharp-minded. She figured that he had probably managed to guess why she insisted that he go to Country D. Hence, she stopped beating around the bush. "You've found yourself a girlfriend?"
He Yidu shook his head. "No."
Madam André pondered for a few seconds before asking in a warm voice, "So you have someone you like?"
He Yidu pursed his lips slightly but didn't answer her question.
Madam André looked at him and then leisurely leaned back. She adjusted the shawl on her shoulders and bluntly remarked, "It looks like your relationship isn't going too well."
An Rong didn't have the heart to say that her son failed to bring the lady back even after causing a disturbance at the airport twice. It was too embarrassing to even mention it.
"She doesn't like my grandson?" Madam André stared at He Yidu as she wondered seriously, "What is it that she doesn't like about you?"
An Rong was equally curious about this. She
thought that her son was the best of the best in every way. Yidu is handsome, rich, gentle, and devoted—he's practically every girl's dream, but Ms. Lin still hasn't fallen for his charms?
He Yidu's eyes drooped a little. What is it that she doesn't like about me? She likes me a little. I can't believe she wants to get married to someone she doesn't like. It's ridiculous.
Madam André wasn't one to pour salt on other people's wounds, so she simply glossed the matter over when she saw her silent grandson. "Yidu, you don't have to use work to numb yourself just because you got jilted."
"I didn't get jilted…"
"No? Don't tell me that… you guys didn't even date?" An Rong's eyes bulged. "Ms. Lin didn't even get together with you, and yet you went to hijack the plane?"
She was shocked enough that he did such a thing, considering that the way he carried himself was vastly different from the other Red Flame people despite him having undergone its devilish special training. He looked like a scholar when he wore his glasses. He had never done anything out of the line before, so it came as a surprise to her that her son was actually… so aggressive. Is this even my son? Is there another side of him that I don't know?
"Hijack the plane?" Madam André was confused to hear that. "Is Ms. Lin the girl who doesn't like my grandson?"
An Rong shared everything she knew. "Ms. Lin is a good friend of Young Madam Lu."
It suddenly occurred to An Rong that if her son was capable of even hijacking a plane, then there was no telling of whether he would resort to dirty tricks if not for Lu Chengzhou and Gu Mang. He might threaten and bribe Lin Shuang into staying by his side.
Madam André naturally knew who Lu Chengzhou and Gu Mang were. Ms. Lin is a friend of theirs, so her background definitely won't be simple too. In that case, I can understand why she didn't like Yidu. Besides, feelings can't be forced.
Madam André pondered for a few seconds before asking, "So Ms. Lin has already left?"
An Rong nodded. She must've left since I heard that Yidu failed to find her during the second time he caused a commotion at the airport.
Madam André looked at He Yidu. "Smoking and drinking aren't good for your health. Just take it that you're here on a break and to see your grandma at the same time."
He Yidu said helplessly, "Grandma, the project is really a bit urgent."
"Work will never end. No matter how urgent it is, can it be more urgent and important than your life?" said Madam André.
Even though He Yidu knew what they were trying to do, he still asked, "What do you mean?"
"I'm talking about your marriage, of course." Madam André smiled warmly at him. "I want to introduce a princess to you."
I knew it. She wants me to go on a blind date. He Yidu knew that Country D had a monarchy system, so a lot of people had prince and princess titles. "Thank you, Grandma. But I'm very busy with work now, so I better not waste that princess's time."
Madam André continued to advise, "Just get to know each other. Just think of it like you're making a friend."
He Yidu sighed. "Give me a break, Grandma. I really don't have any interest in any princess."
When she saw how adamant he was, Madam André and An Rong shared a look. Although He Yidu was mild-tempered, nobody could make him change his mind once he decided on something.
An Rong asked once more, "Are you really not interested?"
"No, really," answered He Yidu with a nod.
"Alright." An Rong could tell that he still couldn't forget Lin Shuang and was thus in no mood to meet other girls at the moment. She didn't want to force him anymore. She looked at her mother. "Mom, why don't you tell the president to forget about the whole marriage arrangement matter?"
He Yidu's eyes widened. The president? Marriage arrangement?
Madam André frowned, feeling a little caught in between. "I heard that the eldest princess, Xixi, has specially returned to Country D for this meeting between the families. If I turn him down now…"
"Well…" An Rong glanced at her son, who was looking down and seemed to be slightly stunned, which looked like silent resistance in her eyes.
"Besides, the president also said that if Yidu and Princess Xixi aren't satisfied with each other, then they would forget about the entire marriage arrangement affair." Madam André didn't know what she should tell the president when he had given them enough face.
"But Yidu…" After thinking about it, An Rong ultimately decided that her son's happiness was what mattered most. "Mom, let's just forget about the marriage arrangement. Zhiwen and I will personally go visit him another day to express our apologies."
Madam André looked at He Yidu and nodded, knowing that she wouldn't be able to change his mind. "Alright, I'll call it off."
That was when He Yidu's eyes moved slightly as he snapped out of his daze. He looked up. "Grandma, did you just say the eldest princess of the President's House?" Then that must be the president's daughter… And the president's eldest daughter is likely…
"Mm, but it's okay if you're not willing. Grandma will take care of this."
He Yidu squeezed his fingers a little. "I have a marriage agreement with the eldest princess?"
Madam André felt that something was off about He Yidu's mood, but she didn't understand why. Thus, she gave a hesitant nod.
He Yidu lowered his gaze as his heart started beating hard. The fiancé Lin Shuang hasn't met before… is me?,
He Yidu couldn't help but find this coincidence ridiculous and, in fact, much more ridiculous than what Lin Shuang thought about marrying a man she didn't like.
It was quiet in the room with nobody talking, and all of a sudden, He Yidu chuckled softly to himself, his reaction confusing the hell out of his mother and grandmother.
He Yidu looked up with amusement in his eyes. "Grandma, I'll go back to visit you and meet that princess in a few days."
The abrupt change of his mind shocked Madam André for a moment. When she finally got over it, she smiled and said, "It's okay, I can settle this. You don't have to worry about offending the president."
He Yidu's eyelids lowered slightly. "It'll put a strain in the relationship between the two families if I refuse to go. Since Princess Xixi has come back, it's better if we meet and talk in person since the marriage agreement involves both of us."
An Rong felt slightly touched by how considerate and understanding her son was toward them. She patted his shoulder. "Don't force yourself, son. I know you like Ms. Lin. You don't have to worry; your grandmother can take care of this matter."
He Yidu regretted a little for refusing the marriage agreement earlier. His smile faded as he said in all seriousness, "Mom, I'm not forcing myself at all."
An Rong stood up and sighed. "Alright, I know you're a sensible child, but how can I bear to force you against your wishes when I know that you're not interested in the princess? You can just go woo Ms. Lin with peace of mind."
Madam André chimed in, "Your mother is right. Don't worry, this matter won't put a strain on our relationship with the President's House. I'll help you call off the marriage agreement."
…
He Zhiwen and An Rong arrived in Country D first, while He Zhiwen, who had traveled through Red Flame's special channel, arrived at the Deiss Estate in the afternoon of the fifth of the month.
The dinner party between the President's House and the Deiss family was to be held on the evening of the sixth and in the Deiss Estate since the two families were friends and it was somewhat considered a family dinner.
The President's House's motorcade drove into the estate.
Lin Shuang was sitting in one of the cars and chatting with Yun Ling on her phone.
[Yun Ling: I wonder how that fella is. I can't find any information on him even though he's already in Country D.]
[Lin Shuang: I'm already inside the estate. I'll know what he looks like in a moment.]
[Yun Ling: I'm seriously curious.]
[Lin Shuang: Same here, to be honest.]
[Yun Ling: Wish you the best with your blind date, buddy.]
[Lin Shuang: …]
Lin Shuang looked up and saw a group of grandly dressed people standing in front of the castle from a distance away.
The Deiss family had more daughters than sons, but she couldn't see the faces clearly since she was too far away from them. She cocked her eyebrows slightly before looking down again.
A few seconds later, the motorcade stopped, and a servant came forward to open her car door. Lin Shuang got off the car and straightened herself up as she looked over to the crowd.