Hidden identities of the AI Heiress-Chapter 1021: Professor Qiao’s face tightened, and his fist hardened
"Wait..."
Seeing that Pei Ya was truly about to leave without looking back, Huo Lin hurriedly called out to stop him, "We haven’t finished talking about our matter yet, and you’re just leaving like this? Isn’t that a bit inappropriate?"
Pei Ya paused, hesitated for only a moment, and then said, "Let’s go with what you said."
After saying that, he left quickly, leaving Huo Lin slightly surprised.
What kind of important matter could make Pei Ya take it so seriously?
Seriously enough to compromise.
...
If possible, Pei Ya wanted to resolve the matters here first, but evidently, there wasn’t enough time.
Weighing the options, he ultimately chose Han Wang.
Beyond the sense of responsibility he held toward Han Wang, he suspected something was wrong with him. Otherwise, why would he suddenly, inexplicably, decide to get engaged?
Thinking further about Herbert’s usual methods, there’s a chance Han Wang was being forced into it.
But then, who could possibly coerce Han Wang? So, perhaps Han Wang was being confined.
In just a short moment, Pei Ya pieced together the sequence of events.
He exited the hotel, got into the car, and instructed the assistant in the front seat, "Book me a flight to O Continent right away."
The assistant replied, "Okay, President Pei."
Pei Ya’s expression grew serious. He hadn’t realized it before, but the moment he saw the news of Han Wang’s imminent marriage, panic suddenly arose within him.
Afraid that Han Wang might be marrying someone else completely to make him give up entirely.
Ever since that one night he shared with Han Wang, he hadn’t thoroughly thought through the matter.
When he reflected on it now, he realized he didn’t resent what had happened—on the contrary, it gave him a legitimate excuse to ensure that Han Wang wouldn’t be taken away by someone else.
Could it be that...
Pei Ya was suddenly taken aback. Could it be that he had liked Han Wang all along? 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦
Does this mean he really has a masochistic streak?
But hold on, he also disliked the idea of Qiao Yun marrying Li Hanzhou. Could that mean he liked Qiao Yun too?
Feeling slightly irritable, Pei Ya mused—affairs of the heart are truly complicated.
Forcing himself to stop overthinking, he pulled out his phone, stared at it for a while, and then dialed Han Wang’s number.
...
On the other side, Herbert knocked on Han Wang’s bedroom door, waited for a while, but received no response. He didn’t continue knocking.
In the past ten days, he hadn’t gotten a single reply.
"Xiya, are you still angry with your father? After all these days, haven’t you figured out that everything I’ve done is for your own good?"
"You’ve inherited your mother’s stubborn temperament. Back then, your mother declared divorce as if it were nothing, and she didn’t give me a single chance to explain."
"She was even cruel enough to abandon you. All these years, she hasn’t seen you even once."
"And now, are you trying to follow in your mother’s footsteps too?"
"Xiya, you are my only daughter. My strictness toward you in the past was out of fear that you might repeat your mother’s mistakes..."
Herbert spoke until his throat was dry.
He knew exactly what this daughter lacked.
As a child, she studied so hard and strived to excel, all just for a single word of praise or a glance from him.
Thus, he remained convinced that Xiya would eventually accept his arrangement.
No matter how cold or unfeeling she seemed on the surface, she simply couldn’t change the fact that she couldn’t bring herself to leave him for good.
After clearing his throat, Herbert started preparing to launch into another long speech of persuasion, but just then, the bedroom door in front of him clicked open.
Han Wang appeared in the doorway, her strikingly elegant face still devoid of any expression.
Herbert exclaimed with surprise, "Xiya, you’ve finally opened the door! Have you come around?"
A trace of sarcasm flickered in Han Wang’s eyes as she lowered her gaze and replied slowly, "Fine, I agree to the marriage alliance. But from now on, you’re not permitted to interfere in any of my affairs."
Herbert eagerly nodded, "Absolutely, of course."
He had said it—Xiya would ultimately agree to him.
She had been this way since she was young: aware she couldn’t win by resisting, she would compromise instead.
Han Wang said coldly, "You can leave now."
Herbert smiled, "Alright then, I won’t bother you anymore."
Han Wang glanced at the bodyguards stationed outside her room.
Herbert grinned, "It’s for your safety. They can’t be removed for now—don’t worry, they won’t disturb you."
Han Wang let out a cold sneer and didn’t bother saying more, shutting the door with a loud snap.
Herbert was left standing outside, his face briefly twisting before he managed to suppress his temper.
At least until Xiya and Nolan’s engagement was finalized, he intended to keep appeasing her.
...
Han Wang had just returned to her room and was about to resume her previous work when Pei Ya’s call came through.
She paused for a moment before pressing the answer button.
In a calm voice, Han Wang asked, "What’s the matter?"
On the other end of the phone, Pei Ya frowned slightly.
What was this?
Why did Han Wang’s tone sound so composed?
Narrowing his eyes, Pei Ya tried to probe, "How are things at home?"
Han Wang replied casually, "Alright."
Pei Ya felt agitated, "Really alright?"
"Mm." Han Wang’s voice paused, then she added, "What’s your point? If you’re just going to chat nonsense, I don’t have time for it."
"If you’re doing well, then that’s all I needed to hear," Pei Ya said.
He gritted his teeth—here he was fretting and nervous, while the person involved seemed utterly indifferent.
Han Wang responded indifferently, "Oh."
Silence fell between them.
After a brief pause, Han Wang suddenly spoke again, her voice softer this time: "I’ll be back soon."
Pei Ya froze for a moment and replied awkwardly, "Alright, I’ll wait for you."
"Mm."
Feeling a slight discomfort, Han Wang quickly said, "That’s enough."
Then she hung up coldly and decisively.
Pei Ya clicked his tongue—why did it feel like Han Wang’s demeanor just then was tinged with a certain gentleness?
If she could speak so calmly to him, that meant she was likely okay.
However, her calmness unnerved him.
Was Han Wang merely resistant to marrying someone like Nolan?
Or was she actually willing?
No, absolutely not! Pei Ya was certain—he decided he would take action and swoop her away first.
...
At the airport.
After a long flight, Qiao Yun and Li Hanzhou finally stepped onto O Continent soil. As soon as they exited the airport, they spotted Simon energetically bouncing around and waving at them, alongside the seemingly simple and honest, smiling Volkov.
"My dear Q, you’ve finally arrived."
The tall man, nearly two meters, opened his arms wide, ready to embrace Qiao Yun.
Before he could reach her, someone suddenly darted out from the side and hugged her first, giving her a few hearty pats on the back.
Simon: "..."
Shaking his head in resignation, Simon said, "Hanzhou, you really are too petty."
Li Hanzhou smiled faintly, "Qiaoqiao’s tiny frame wouldn’t withstand your overly forceful pounces."
Simon: "..."
Volkov chuckled, "Simon, Q is a married woman, you really should mind your boundaries—don’t always try to hug people without reason."
Simon shrugged.
Come on, hugging was just his way of showing goodwill.
Qiao Yun glanced at the two men and nodded slightly as a form of greeting.
Volkov said, "Q, this way, please. I’ve already arranged transportation."
"Alright," Qiao Yun said, stepping forward to follow Volkov. As they moved, she casually asked, "Do you know the Herbert Family?"
Volkov nodded, "Of course I do. The Herbert Family was once a shining aristocratic lineage, but now they’re fading with each generation."
Then, as if remembering something, he added, "Ah, but that might change soon. The Herbert Family is about to form a marriage alliance with the Andrew Family. The invitations have already gone out—it’s happening in five days. I even received one."
Qiao Yun was surprised, "They’re holding the ceremony?"
"That’s correct," Volkov said wistfully, "Though I don’t know the full details, I heard the person marrying into the Andrew Family is Herbert’s daughter who studied abroad since childhood—her name seems to be Xiya."
"Poor woman. Nolan’s infamy of womanizing has even reached my ears. If she marries Nolan, I doubt she’ll have a good life ahead."
"But as a daughter of a traditional aristocratic family, she doesn’t have the right to choose her own path. Otherwise, this ceremony wouldn’t proceed smoothly. If it’s taking place without obstacle, it means she’s accepted her family’s arrangements."
Hearing this, Qiao Yun was taken aback.
Didn’t Han Wang say she was coming back to annul the engagement?
How did it turn into a wedding ceremony being finalized?
There was no doubt in Qiao Yun’s mind that Han Wang was being forced.
Envisioning someone daring to pressure her student, Professor Qiao furrowed her brows, clenched her fists, and felt a surge of indignation rise within her.
