Chapter 172: 171 Without Wang Gong, I Can Only Gnaw on My Husband Now

Isn't he coming back today either?

Unaware that Li Ang was fighting desperately alongside the terrifying red-haired woman to ensure the safety of himself and his younger siblings, Anna let out a soft sigh when the streetlamp below the apartment lit up and still no sign of Li Ang appeared.

But just as she rose from the window and prepared to clear away the meals she had deliberately left on the table, a familiar set of footsteps suddenly echoed up the stairs.

Is he… back?

Hearing the unmistakably heavy footsteps, the frail girl's expression brightened slightly; she wiped her damp palms on her apron and hurried over to open the door.

Yet as she stood, she realized that while the footsteps resembled Li Ang's—both carrying that same burdened weight—the stride was noticeably shorter.

So it's not my brother…

Disappointed, Anna sighed and released her grip on the doorknob, but those footsteps—so similar to Li Ang's—continued straight toward her, and then the door was gently knocked.

"Tap. Tap-tap."

Someone came to my home?

Startled by the sudden knock, Anna paused briefly, then cautiously asked through the door:

"Who are you looking for?"

Hearing the voice from inside, the woman outside paused, then replied softly:

"I'm looking for Li Ang. Li Ang Lyne."

Looking for my brother? And the voice… it's a woman?

Though the woman's voice was lovely and carried a reassuring calmness, Anna didn't know why, but she instantly grew wary, instinctively replying:

"He's already asleep! And it's very late—come back tomorrow!"

"…"

Sensing her suspicion, the woman outside hesitated, then pressed close to the door and whispered:

"You're Anna, aren't you? Li Ang has told me about you.

And though you've deliberately placed men's shoes outside, the pair Li Ang wore today isn't here—he hasn't returned home, right? Don't worry, I'm not a threat. I truly am here to find him.

"…"

Being caught lying face-to-face—through the door—made Anna's cheeks flush; she quickly turned the knob and apologized sheepishly:

"I'm sorry… my brother recently told me to be careful, that someone might be targeting our family, so I… um…"

Looking at the beautiful woman before her—exhausted in expression but astonishingly well-built—Anna fell silent, her eyes wide with shock as they drifted to the woman's ample chest, instinctively measuring the gap between them.

It's… it's really possible to be this… unfair!

"It's fine. I showed up so late—your caution is completely understandable."

Seeing the door finally open, the Princess—who owned only the silver ring Li Ang had given her, couldn't afford a hotel, and had nowhere to return to after losing Wang Gong—secretly exhaled in relief.

Then, determined to secure a place to sleep tonight, she recalled the information she'd studied and smiled warmly as she began to weave her lie:

"Nice to meet you. My name is Veronika. As for my status… I'm your brother's fiancée."???

What did you say?

After hearing the Princess's shocking self-introduction, the frail girl froze like a duck struck by lightning, utterly stunned.

That's impossible!

He swore he'd spend his whole life… anyway, even without blood ties, I'm his most important sister! If he ever got married, he'd tell me first! This must be fake—this woman is definitely lying… um…

Anna crossed her arms, eyes wide with righteous fury, ready to scold the woman for lying—when she couldn't help glancing again at the woman's chest.

Maybe… it's not entirely impossible? After all, she really is…

"Anna?"

Hearing no rebuttal after waiting too long, Veronika—who had prepared her lines in advance—had to improvise on the spot:

"I know this news is sudden and hard to accept, but I'm not lying—I really am your brother's fiancée."

"But… he never told me anything, and he's always so busy—how could he have had time to…"

"It was indeed sudden."

Taking the girl's sweaty palm in hers, the Princess affectionately led her inside like a true sister-in-law, then apologized sincerely:

"This afternoon, at the main hall of the Lyne estate, before all the guests attending the succession ceremony, he proposed to me in person.

And since I got along with him so well, I accepted right away. It happened so suddenly, I didn't have time to tell you… by the way, did Li Ang say where he was going today?"

"He did… say something…"

Not noticing how the Princess had vaguely skipped over "how long they'd been together" or "why she hadn't introduced herself to the family," Anna directly linked the truth of this sister-in-law to whether Li Ang had truly gone to the Lyne estate.

Recalling Li Ang's words, she remembered he had indeed mentioned going to the Lyne estate for a succession ceremony; with both pieces of "evidence" matching, and due to her "one truth, all truth" mindset, Anna's last shred of doubt vanished completely, her eyes filled with complex emotion:

"So you really are…"

"I really am your sister-in-law."

Her slightly soot-stained nose twitched as she caught the enticing aroma of food; having eaten nothing since morning, the starving Princess could no longer hold back.

Pulling Anna—who stared blankly—to the table, the Princess naturally lifted the lids off the dishes, slid one small plate toward Anna, and asked with concern:

"You look unwell. Did you eat too little tonight? Are you feeling sick?"

"Ah…"

Her mind still overloaded with the news that her brother was married—and the bride wasn't… wasn't… no, her brother was married, and hadn't even told her—Anna automatically replied:

"I… I didn't eat much…"

"Then eat more. I'll join you."

She naturally took another dish, placed it before herself, then forked a piece of cauliflower into Anna's plate, and cut herself a large, steaming fried fish fillet, eating it with flawless grace.

Chewing the fish as fast as she possibly could, swallowing it in one gulp, the successful con artist then scooped up a massive spoonful of mashed potatoes and urged with feigned concern:

"Eat up, look at how thin you are. When Li Ang comes back and sees you haven't taken care of yourself, he'll be heartbroken."

"Ah? Okay…"

Under the Princess's persistent coaxing, Anna mechanically ate two cauliflower florets and a few thin slices of carrot used as soup garnish.

Watching the three plates on the table now completely cleared by the "sister-in-law," Anna finally realized something was off, and stared suspiciously at the beautiful woman across from her, who was contentedly wiping her lips.

This sister-in-law… seems like she came just to scam free meals?