The Honest Woman, But Mary Sue Chapter 3

Yalian quickly settled in the study near the reception room before hurrying off.

Contrary to the cold and opulent settings often depicted in dramas, this place felt lived-in. The books showed signs of frequent use, and clean teacups were left to dry nearby, evidence of regular upkeep.

I walked over to the main desk and glanced at the books scattered across it. Among the classics were several novels, but one book stood out as the most well-worn—*The 22nd Century ABO Gender Politics Report*.

I couldn’t help but grin as I picked it up and skimd through it.

I could imagine how ridiculous my expression must have looked, but honestly, finding such a book on the desk of a noble beta was downright amusing. Especially with his annotations and musings scattered throughout—words like “independence,” “revolution,” and “education.” It seed like he was trying hard to convey sothing profound, but it all ca across as empty rhetoric.

But then again, even a pig, when well-fed, might feel its thoughts are at odds with reality. I consider myself lucky—since I’m often hungry, I rarely waste ti overthinking.

When I do feel the urge to think, I prefer watching risqué videos. For an alpha from the lower class, thinking is a disaster. We’re experts at imagining success but have little experience in actually achieving it.

Too much imagination can drive you mad.

I flipped through the book for a few more minutes before setting it down and leaving, casually pocketing the expensive-looking pen on the desk.

Outside the study, layers of bodyguards stood like flies—everywhere. They were stationed at the door, along the walls, and around the corners. It was as if they were a collective monster; attack one, and the rest would swarm.

They seed to have been briefed by Yalian, as they paid no attention to my movents.

The location of the reception room was obvious, guarded by a different breed of “flies”—their posture was upright, and their numbers were fewer. It was easy to guess they were active-duty soldiers.

Their vigilance was evident when I tried to approach the reception room door—their eyes widened as if I had stepped into a monster’s activation zone.

Guard A said, “No entry. Step back.”

Guard B added, “Unauthorized access is prohibited.”

I was a bit disappointed. I had hoped they’d speak in unison like twins, but alas, they weren’t.

“Let’s make a deal, fellas,” I said, moving closer and rummaging through my pocket.

Their eyes followed my movents, as if trying to burn a hole through my pocket.

I leaned in and whispered, “Standing guard must be exhausting. I’m not asking to go in directly, but could you do a favor?”

“Just pass on a ssage,” I continued, forcing a sincere smile. “If they say no, I’ll drop it. No harm done.”

The guards exchanged glances, their expressions softening.

Guard A said, “It’s against protocol.”

Guard B added, “But we can make an exception this ti.”

My eyes lit up with gratitude. “Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.”

Guard B went inside to relay the ssage, while Guard A turned to and said, “Gratitude should be tangible. Hand it over.”

“Hand over what?” I feigned confusion before suddenly realizing and grabbing his hand, bowing profusely. “Yes, yes, my gratitude isn’t sincere enough. Thank you so much!”

I pretended to be on the verge of tears.

Guard A shoved away and hissed, “Stop playing dumb! Hand over what’s in your pocket!”

I stumbled back, pulling out the patched inner lining of my pocket and the pen.

“You’ve got so nerve, trying to ss with ,” Guard A growled, punching in the stomach.

I doubled over, coughing violently, feeling as if my organs were about to rupture.

As I crouched on the ground, Guard B returned with good news. “You’re allowed in—wait, what’s going on here?”

“Shut it,” Guard A snapped, kicking to the ground.

I lay on my back, clutching my stomach, gasping in pain, yet I couldn’t help but laugh as I struggled to my feet. I staggered past them into the reception room, still rummaging through my pocket as I entered.

“Sorry, officers. Didn’t an to cause any misunderstanding,” I said, bowing and tucking my head into my collar.

Their breathing was heavy, their faces twisted with anger, but they stayed put.

Too bad for them. If they hadn’t relayed the ssage, they could’ve beaten to death without a second thought. But now that I was allowed inside, it ant their superiors needed to speak with . What could they do?

The reception room was a serene space, with curtains swaying gently in the breeze. Scented candles and various intricate trinkets I’d never seen before adorned the room. Guards stood at each corner, and a lavish hallway stretched across the center, leading to two even more ornate doors. That must be where the real conversation was happening.

As I walked down the hallway, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the mirrored wall and paused for a mont.

I stared at the woman in the mirror—she stared back at . Her black hair was tied into a low ponytail, and her face carried a faint smile. Her round eyes made her look particularly… honest. Her face was pale, her figure slim but not tall, and her clothes were clearly outdated. But she was pretty.

I ntally whistled at myself. Good job, genes.

There was no ti for vanity, so I quickened my pace toward the doors, psyching myself up.

Chen Zhiwei, give it your all. You’re about to et the person who holds your worthless life in their hands.

I pushed the door open.

*

“So, are you here to plead on her behalf?”

Jiang Sen leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs. His raised eyebrows gave him a nacing air. “Do you think I’ll just tolerate your nonsense?”

He stood up.

Jiang Sen was tall and imposing, and his sudden rise made Yalian feel a wave of pressure.

But Yalian was never one to back down. He lifted his chin defiantly. “You’ll tolerate it because you have to. Don’t forget, without my family’s support, the Jiang family would’ve collapsed long ago! Who are you to accuse of being unreasonable?”

“I haven’t accused you of anything since I walked in,” Jiang Sen said wearily, his sharp eyes like a hawk’s, his lips pressed into a thin line. “How much longer are you going to keep this up? Running off to this place, joining the rebels, and then carelessly giving away your engagent ring, flaunting it in front of ?”

Jiang Sen let out a cold laugh. “If you’re not being unreasonable, why did I have to co here with the inspection team to bail you out? Can’t you just stop causing trouble? No one’s forgotten your status, okay?”

“You haven’t accused , but you’ve been giving that look,” Yalian retorted, his beautiful eyes blazing. “You started by saying if I didn’t want to get engaged, I shouldn’t make a scene, then demanded I hand over my lover. Hilarious. You just want to accuse of cheating first so you can break the engagent, don’t you?”

“What do you want to say? That it’s all a misunderstanding? That I should understand my oga fell for so lowlife in prison and is now desperate to save her? Should I be happy about wearing this green hat?” Jiang Sen’s face turned icy as he pulled out a ring box and threw it at Yalian. “I’ve put up with your wild ideas and antics, but giving away the ring? How dare you—”

“You threw it at !” Yalian shouted, his voice high-pitched with rage. “I must’ve been blind to think you still had any feelings for . Where was this attitude when you were chasing after like a dog?”

The bitterness in his heart refused to fade. No matter how many tis he’d been disappointed, he still felt his eyes burning with unshed tears.

“What attitude do you want from ? Tell ! What the hell do you want? I’ve already been patient enough with you, haven’t I?” Jiang Sen’s chest was filled with rage. His long legs paced back and forth before he grabbed Yalian by the collar and pinned him against the wall. “You wanted to pretend to be a beta, I agreed. You wanted to co to this godforsaken place to clear your mind, I agreed. You said you didn’t like physical intimacy before marriage—”

“Click—”

The door swung open.

Both of them turned their heads.

*

Well, well.

So it’s an oga pretending to be a beta, no wonder he’s so feisty.

I hesitated for a mont, unsure if I should interrupt this classic scene of a domineering alpha pinning a delicate oga against the wall. After all, according to drama tropes, they’d probably resolve their issues with a passionate mont.

But since you’ve run into , don’t expect to make up. Rest assured.

I rushed forward, yanking Jiang Sen away and shielding Yalian behind . “Are you okay? What’s going on?”

Tears were already streaming down Yalian’s face, but he still seed anxious. “Why did you co out?”

“I… was worried about you.” I paused, then added, “I overheard so things, and I just found out—”

I glanced at Jiang Sen, whose expression was icy, then at Yalian, who was crying with pride, and said, “So you two are engaged.”

Jiang Sen sneered, “And what of it?”

I replied, “I don’t want you to misunderstand him. He didn’t know about the ring.”

That’s the third truth I’ve told.

My quota’s full.

Jiang Sen’s handso features twisted in anger, and he looked even more furious. “Who do you think you are, ddling in our affairs?”

Yalian grabbed my wrist. “It’s fine. I’ll handle this.”

Jiang Sen’s rage deepened, and he roughly pulled away. “You’ll handle it? How? What can you even do? Let be clear, the Anderson family has ordered to take you back and confine you.”

He smiled with a hint of satisfaction, his deanor becoming more composed, even as his anger subsided. His eyes were filled with mockery. “One month. Why do you think I brought so many guards? Do you want to keep causing trouble?”

Jiang Sen slamd his hand on the table, and instantly, a swarm of guards rushed in, surrounding us.

Yalian’s face turned pale with shock.

I imdiately shook off Jiang Sen’s grip and steadied Yalian by the shoulders, whispering, “I was supposed to die anyway.”

“Shut up, I already told you—”

Yalian’s breathing was rapid, but he gritted his teeth.

I took his hand and placed it in my pocket. “Your hand is so cold. Warm it up a bit.”

Yalian’s anger hadn’t subsided, and he didn’t look at , instead glaring directly at Jiang Sen.

Jiang Sen’s aura grew even colder.

How should I put it? Isn’t this mutual affection?

But you upper-class folks seem to think you’ll die if you’re not arrogant.

I did my best to shield Yalian behind , blocking Jiang Sen’s line of sight, and said, “If I’m the cause of all this, just kill . I swear, we’ve never crossed any boundaries… it’s just…”

“Who gave you the right to speak?” Jiang Sen interrupted, laughing. “Since you’re about to die, stop talking so much.”

I wasn’t angry and replied earnestly, “I hope you’ll respect him. He’s not your property.”

Yalian’s hand, which I had placed in my pocket, twitched. He whispered, “You—”

So I pulled my hand out of my pocket, turned, and patted Yalian’s shoulder, smiling. “It’s okay. I’m sorry he misunderstood you, but it’s fine. I’m just glad to have t you.”

Jiang Sen scoffed. “What? Are you really putting on a lovey-dovey act in front of ?”

As soon as he finished speaking, his pupils suddenly contracted.

At that mont, I felt a warm, sticky sensation on my neck. I turned around to see Yalian’s eyes red, his black hair falling over his forehead. With lightning speed, he pulled out a pen, removed the cap, and plunged the tip into his neck. Blood sprayed out.

I imdiately grabbed his hand, pinning him to the ground. “Let go! Let go! What are you doing?”

Jiang Sen clenched his teeth, not daring to act rashly, but his eyes were filled with exhaustion and disappointnt. “Do you really have to go this far?”

Yalian didn’t look at . Of course he didn’t. After all, I was just a tool in his ga with Jiang Sen. He used to perform his proud persona and as a ans to assert his dominance.

I thought to myself.

Yalian looked at Jiang Sen and laughed. “You think I’m easy to control? Confine , sure, of course. But in one month, I want to see her unhard in front of . Otherwise—”

He pushed the pen deeper into his neck, his rose-like lips turning pale, but his resolve remained unshaken.

“Whether I’m an oga, your fiancé, or the object of the alliance between the Anderson and Jiang families, I will never yield to you! Now, will you back down? Do you dare not to?”

Yalian’s shoulders shook with laughter, his breathing ragged, like a broken bellows.

He smiled at . “It’s not your fault. You’re worth it. I promised you, and I’ll keep that promise. Without you, I wouldn’t have known what kind of person my fiancé really is.” His tone was laced with unmistakable provocation and mockery.

Tears stread down my face as I tightly clutched his bleeding neck, silent, just staring at Jiang Sen.

Jiang Sen’s fists clenched tightly, his straight posture finally slumping. He rubbed the bridge of his nose before saying, “I agree.”

He roared, “Fine, you’ve got guts! I agree!”

Yalian finally relaxed, collapsing into my arms.

He was taken away by the guards.

I stared in confusion at the blood covering , then touched my cheek, completely unprepared for how far things had escalated. I thought he’d at most point the pen at soone’s neck, whoever it might be.

As I was thinking this, Jiang Sen’s n had already grabbed and shoved into a car.

I glanced at him, feeling it wasn’t surprising after all.

When two prideful souls clash, it seems blood must be shed.

Jiang Sen stood outside the car, staring at for a long ti, his dark eyes burning with an unreadable fire.

I bit my lip, my eyes red, trying to convey hatred, determination, and… sothing else.

Before I could figure out what that other emotion was, Jiang Sen was already furious.

Good heavens, I didn’t do anything. Why is he mad at an innocent person?