"Mrs. Wang, do you need my help?"
In the bedroom, Mrs. Wang was changing the bedding, taking off the wedding quilt that had been used by the couple for more than three months.
She just remembered that these two had been married for over three months, so it was time to change the bedding.
"No need. The old madam just instructed that the young master will move back tonight. Previously, you were unwilling to let us enter your bedroom, so the bedding should have been changed earlier, otherwise it would easily breed bacteria."
Mrs. Wang smiled, looking at her with unusual eyes.
Rong Dai felt awkward inside. She of course could see what that look meant, but she had no way to explain anything. She could only hug the script to the desk in the bedroom and sit down to read it.
"Madam, see if you like this set? If not, I'll change it for you. When you married the young master, the old madam prepared many red beddings."
After changing the bedding, Mrs. Wang asked with a smile.
Rong Dai took a look. The light pink bedding had a soft and gentle color, and the silky texture exuded a hint of ambiguity, just like a shy girl.
She was instantly frustrated. Mrs. Wang's implication was too obvious, but what could she say?
She could naturally see the meaning in those eyes. In the Ho family's view, it meant that she and Huo Shao Ting were going to complete what a married couple should do.
She sighed in her heart, and reluctantly squeezed out a smile. "It's fine, thank you for your hard work Mrs. Wang."
Mrs. Wang beamed: "I also think it looks very good, very suitable for you and the young master."
Rong Dai's head buzzed. She could only force a smile: "Mrs. Wang, I still have things to deal with."
Mrs. Wang just took it as her being shy, with a face that seemed to say "I understand you." She took away the large red quilt.
The bedroom became quiet again. Under the warm yellow lamplight, Rong Dai couldn't help but flush slightly looking at the bedspread. The atmosphere...was very well set up.
She also lost interest in continuing to read the script. She figured Huo Shao Ting definitely wouldn't be willing to sleep with her, although she wasn't willing either.
But there was no other way. She couldn't go back on her word with the old madam. She was relying on Huo Shao Ting for food and shelter, and she couldn't let him sleep on the sofa.
"It looks like I'll have to suffer." She looked at the sofa in the bedroom. Although it was very soft, she preferred the bed compared to it.
She was lost in thought sitting in the chair and didn't notice Huo Shao Ting had already walked in.
"Shao Jie said you're going to act?" Huo Shao Ting closed the door and stood behind it, staring straight at her, his tone very cold.
Rong Dai came back to her senses. Looking up and seeing his indifferent expression, she couldn't help but sigh deeply. Her path to survival was so difficult!
"I was just about to discuss this with you. I know that as a daughter-in-law of the Ho family, going out like this may affect the Ho family's reputation, but..."
"You really want to go?" Huo Shao Ting looked at her with burning eyes, directly interrupting her words.
He had watched that audition video, and it really surprised him.
He always thought this woman was emotionless, but the emotional outburst in this clip was very full.
It made him shocked and very confused. He was eager to know the answer. Why did she agree before marriage but was so cold afterwards?
If she had refused before marriage, he certainly wouldn't have forced her, and Granny wouldn't have forced her either.
But she had agreed, and so did he.
He thought that even if there was no feeling between them, they could get along respectfully. That wouldn't be so bad.
But her behaviour after marriage, he couldn't figure out at all.
Rong Dai was stunned for a moment, looking at him earnestly and nodding: "I do want to go very much, so I wanted to discuss it with you."
Huo Shao Ting didn't speak, just kept looking at her. Rong Dai felt hairy under his gaze and very uncomfortable all over.
But she had endured all kinds of situations in her past life. Even when facing something she feared or dreaded, she had cultivated the ability to remain calm.
So she looked back at Huo Shao Ting and waited for his reply.
Seeing her so calm and composed, with a serious look, Huo Shao Ting thought of what Huo Shao Jie had just told him - that she needed a space to free herself.
Perhaps the Ho family had put a lot of pressure on her.
"I agree," he said in a low voice, then got up to take off his suit, preparing to take a shower.
Rong Dai saw that he agreed so readily, and also saw him start to undress. She was instantly wary, looking at him guardedly: "You don't have any conditions?"
Huo Shao Ting turned his head to look at her, his movements to unbutton his shirt paused, and his voice rose dangerously: "What conditions do you think I would propose?"
Rong Dai swallowed and looked slightly panicked and at a loss.
She knew that there were certain marital duties, but the rules here were different from her previous life. Women were no longer attachments, but had the right to choose.
So for that kind of thing, it had to be consensual right? Besides, didn't he like Wen Shi Lan?
It was too late when she realized everything in her past life. She didn't want to give herself to a man she was unfamiliar with and didn't like either.
But now she was dependent on others, if Huo Shao Ting really proposed some unspeakable conditions, she was afraid she'd have no choice but to agree.
Seeing her look so guarded, Huo Shao Ting found it amusing. Did this woman really think he was so desperate?
Using that to coerce her into sleeping with him? If he really needed a woman, it was just a matter of saying it.
But he didn't like it, and extremely disliked coercion.
"I'm going to take a shower. What do you think I want to do to you?" He said in a low voice, then turned to take off his suit and walked into the bathroom.
Rong Dai: "..."
So she was overthinking it?
It made sense. Although Wen Shi Lan was a prim and proper lady, she kept her figure well maintained. Being able to enjoy his favor, she must be quite skilled in certain matters. If he had any needs, it made more sense for him to look for Wen Shi Lan.
Hearing the sound of water coming from the bathroom, she finally breathed a sigh of relief, feeling somewhat amused at herself for judging him.
It seemed that she didn't need to worry.
Huo Shao Ting had no interest in her. Even sharing the same bedroom, she didn't need to be concerned something might happen.
This man had quite decent morals.
She smiled wryly, thinking she had made a mountain out of a molehill. Although Granny and Huo Shao Ting had agreed to this acting thing, she still had to get past Mother-in-law. Otherwise her previous efforts would be wasted.
But Mother-in-law was not easy to deal with. She'd have to think of another way.
However, before Rong Dai could think about how to bring it up with Mother-in-law, that audition video was already passed into Mother-in-law's hands.
