AMRWFA -Chapter 289 The “Insane” Sima Family

Sima Hong burst out laughing.

Right?

She knew it—any normal person who heard about the Sima family would think they were all mentally unhinged.

So wasn’t it only natural that a family like that would produce a “crazy daughter” like her?

“You look really pretty when you smile!” Ruan Yaoyao’s eyes lit up instantly.

She had always known that the Sima family’s young lady was beautiful, but they hadn’t interacted much before. Now that she saw her up close, those rumors outside didn’t seem exaggerated at all—Sima Hong really could be considered one of the standout beauties in high society.

Sima Hong’s smile widened even more. She deliberately gave Ruan Yaoyao a charming look.

“Is that so? Do you like it?”

“Of course I like it. Who doesn’t like beautiful women? Especially a top-tier beauty like you!” Ruan Yaoyao leaned a little closer, admiring her openly as she spoke. “If I could, I’d even kidnap you and take you home—just staring at your face every day would make meals taste better.”

Sima Hong reached out and hooked Ruan Yaoyao’s chin, laughing happily.

“You’re really interesting! I think I might be starting to like you. By the way, what’s your name? Have we met before?”

【Huh?】

【I didn’t introduce myself.】

Sima Hong: No, she hadn’t.

Ruan Yaoyao blinked. “My family name is Xu. People call me Old Madam Xu!”

“Pfft—” Sima Hong immediately laughed out loud.

Old Madam Xu?

Hahahaha…

She’s actually a “madam”!

She looked younger than Sima Hong herself, yet she called herself an “old madam.” That was too funny.

Sima Hong asked, “Are you joking with me?”

“Nope, I’m serious. I just look young, but I’m actually over forty. My eldest son got married early—he already has four children…”

【Even though he isn’t my biological son, I was already almost an adult when he was born.】

【So I’m really not lying—I’m not just high in seniority, I’m also older in age.】

“Really?!” Sima Hong was shocked and immediately straightened up. She leaned in, asking how she maintained her skin.

“You look like you’re only in your twenties or thirties. Your skin is so well-maintained—are you really not lying to me?”

Ruan Yaoyao smiled faintly. “Of course it’s true. Why would I lie? I do take care of myself, but mainly it’s just good natural foundation.”

【Hehe.】

【I already look young, and after cultivation, I look even younger.】

【Envious?】

【Too bad—the country’s ‘dad’ is only just starting cultivation. You’ll have to wait.】

【When all the soldiers finish cultivating, maybe there’ll be an official announcement…】

The earlier part sounded normal, but Sima Hong gradually felt something was off.

She froze slightly, only then realizing something strange.

Some of what she just heard came from Ruan Yaoyao’s mouth—but some of it seemed like… her thoughts?

Wait. Since when could she hear other people’s thoughts?

She looked around the bar. There were so many people here, but she could only hear Ruan Yaoyao’s thoughts.

What did that mean?

Ruan Yaoyao, unaware of her reaction, thought Sima Hong simply didn’t believe her and continued calmly sharing her “beauty regimen.”

She spoke at length.

However, whenever Sima Hong occasionally caught her inner thoughts—complaining that skincare was expensive and not even as effective as cultivation—Sima Hong almost stopped believing her.

So how was she managing this dual personality? Speaking one thing while mentally complaining about it?

Sima Hong sighed inwardly: Her inner world is really rich.

Ruan Yaoyao also sighed inwardly: 【So she’s really quite vain.】

Sima Hong twitched her lips.

It’s you who’s been talking the whole time!

【But it makes sense. She doesn’t have much else going on in her life anyway.】

【No share of the family fortune, only a small monthly allowance. If she behaves, she gets more; if not, she gets sent for “punishment.” What else can she do?】

Ruan Yaoyao glanced at the “punishments” Sima Hong had suffered and genuinely felt sympathy.

The Sima family truly didn’t treat her like a human being.

They deliberately sent her to those kinds of places, and even the man she once fell for had been arranged by the family—just to “teach her a lesson.”

Because of that, Sima Hong no longer believed in men or love.

【She never knows whether any man approaching her is sincere or just another trap arranged by her family.】

【Devoted bodyguards, artistic young men met by chance, sudden flower confessions…】

【All the tropes from romance novels—she’s experienced them all.】

【Sigh… what a pity.】

【No wonder she completely rejected the man she actually liked later. She was afraid it was fake and didn’t dare trust it.】

Ruan Yaoyao looked at the man in Sima Hong’s “profile,” feeling a little sad.

The profile clearly showed that because Sima Hong didn’t believe him, she missed her true fate.

【She could have found happiness, but she didn’t believe it. So she pretended to accept him, while secretly planning to humiliate him.】

【Watching his shocked expression gave her a twisted sense of satisfaction.】

【See? She was strong now. No one could manipulate her anymore. She could even turn the tables.】

【But she didn’t know—it was real.】

Xu Zhe… if Ruan Yaoyao hadn’t mentioned it, Sima Hong would almost have forgotten that name.

Almost.

Because she never dared think about it, but deep down she never truly forgot.

He was the second man who made her heart move, after her first love.

Her first love was fake. So when she met this man—who perfectly matched her ideal in every way—she erupted in anger.

She was furious at the Sima family’s manipulation. Furious that this man might also be pretending to seduce her for money.

So she pretended to accept his confession… and then brutally humiliated him, crushing him underfoot.

But now Ruan Yaoyao was telling her—he was real?!

【Because it was real, the blow was so heavy that he fell ill afterward.】

【And from then on, his health deteriorated.】

Sima Hong’s eyes turned slightly red: Xu Zhe…

【But luckily, because Sima Hong “played” with him so ruthlessly, the Sima family didn’t take action.】

【Because of her cruelty, Xu Zhe escaped disaster and didn’t drag his family into trouble.】

Sima Hong’s heart suddenly tightened.

What did she mean—escaped disaster, didn’t implicate his family?

So if those men approaching her were sincere, and she accepted them, the Sima family would suppress and retaliate against them?

The more she thought about it, the more chilling it felt—but also the more believable.

That was exactly the kind of thing the Sima family would do.

To control her, how could they allow her to accept anyone’s kindness?

They would rather break her limbs and trap her like a doll in a vase—displaying her as an ornament, a commodity for wealthy buyers.

That’s why she was constantly being arranged for blind meetings.

Others thought she was promiscuous and manipulative with men.

But in truth, it was all part of the Sima family’s control over her.

She had no choice. Besides meeting the men they arranged, she sometimes sought her own “entertainment” just to breathe.

And that only made her reputation even worse.