"Since this is an act of kindness from you, Auntie, we will accept it," Wen Xuyu said, turning to stand in front of Bian Xunzhou with a gentle tone.
Bian Xunzhou’s dark eyes flickered slightly; his thin lips pressed into a tight line, his dissatisfaction practically spilling over. What was this woman playing at? Was she already starting to manage his affairs? Yet, as her slender, fair hands brushed against him... for some reason, he found himself unable to retort.
A glimmer of triumph flashed in Chen Lirong’s eyes, but then Bian Xunzhou spoke again.
"You may send the person over, but the rules at Xuanshui Bay are strict. That person had better behave themselves."
His tone was indifferent, yet it carried an undeniable sense of oppression. Chen Lirong’s smile stiffened. "Naturally."
Shang Rongyuan gave a cold snort, but ultimately said nothing more. He turned and strode away. Chen Lirong cast a deep look at Wen Xuyu before following him out.
...
Once they were gone, Bian Xunzhou swept his long arm out, pinning her between his body and the study desk.
"Tell me, what scheme are you plotting now?"
His voice was extremely low, tinged with a hint of danger, while his other hand toyed with the jade bracelet she had just acquired. Wen Xuyu lifted her head to meet his probing gaze, her red lips curving slightly. "Since she insists on performing this play, how could we not cooperate? Only by keeping her people here can we find out what they are really up to."
Shang Rongyuan and Chen Lirong had never liked this marriage; if she hadn't agreed, there was no telling what else they might have cooked up.
Bian Xunzhou chuckled softly, suddenly lowering his head toward her ear, his warm breath just inches away.
"Then let's play it to the end," he said, his voice carrying an inexplicable sense of indulgence. "Just don't let it get out of hand."
Wen Xuyu subconsciously clenched her hands, seizing the opportunity to escape from under his arm.
"It... it's getting late. I'm going back to rest now!"
Without waiting, she brushed past his caution and slipped away in a flash.
Bian Xunzhou stood where he was, throwing the jade bracelet onto the desk with a look of disdain. He then called for the servants to throw away everything Shang Rongyuan and Chen Lirong had touched—he found it filthy!
*
Back in her room, Wen Xuyu leaned against the door, her hand brushing her own face. The moment Bian Xunzhou had leaned in close, she had felt a sense of disorientation.
In her memories, only one young man had ever been that close to her—a boy from her youth who always loved to whisper in her ear, his clear voice filled with laughter.
"Xuyu, when we grow up, I'll marry you!"
Wen Xuyu’s eyelashes fluttered. She seemed to see that boy in his white shirt standing under the locust tree, the sunlight filtering through the leaves to cast mottled shadows upon him. His fingers were long and clean; he would always tease her by scratching her palm when he handed her candy, and he would always find ways to make her laugh when she was sad.
It was a pity that he would never come back.
Wen Xuyu lowered her eyes. For some reason, she thought of that third young master of the Lu family. The scent on them seemed so similar... Wen Xuyu felt as if she were losing her mind. She walked into the bathroom and splashed water on her face to keep herself clear-headed.
"It's impossible," she told her reflection, her gaze firm. "Stop thinking about it."
The most important thing right now was to get the third young master of the Lu family to call off the engagement. Wen Xuyu made up her mind, feeling exhausted by the evening's drama. She wondered how much longer she would have to endure a life like this.
*
At the Shang Family Old Residence, the servants had long since discreetly retreated from the living room.
Shang Rongyuan ripped off his tie and threw it onto the sofa. "That unfilial brat!"
Chen Lirong gently pressed her hand against her husband's bulging veins, a graceful smile on her well-maintained face. "Don't ruin your health over it. It's already done."
Shang Rongyuan sneered. "I've checked into that woman. She’s the daughter the Wen Family swapped by mistake twenty years ago. She grew up in a small county and has made a fool of herself everywhere since she returned. She's crude and rude—not even half as good as that fake heiress!"
Chen Lirong sat elegantly on an armchair, pouring a cup of tea in a measured, unhurried manner. She pushed it toward him without speaking right away. That woman did indeed have some capability; otherwise, she wouldn't have swindled her bracelet so easily. Furthermore... the way she had slapped Bian Xunzhou's face tonight, and his subsequent lack of anger, showed she had some tricks up her sleeve.
A glint of sharpness flashed in Chen Lirong’s eyes. But that was fine. Without a strong helper, how would Bian Xunzhou compete with her own son for the family fortune?
"Young people, they act on emotion," Chen Lirong said, sipping her tea gently. "After a while, Xiao Zhou will understand that we were only doing this for his own good. But the most important thing now is the Bai family; we must give them an explanation."
Shang Rongyuan pondered for a moment and nodded. "We'll have to put the Bai family affair aside for now. Prepare yourself; we will go over and apologize at the first opportunity."
Chen Lirong stood up and moved behind her husband, her slender fingers resting lightly on his shoulders. "I understand. Don't worry too much. I can tell that Pingling is certainly fond of Xiao Zhou. Once he’s with her, why would we need to worry about the Bai family?"
"I hope so!"
*
Early the next morning, when Wen Xuyu washed up and went downstairs, Bian Xunzhou was already gone from Xuanshui Bay. The dining table was covered in a spread of breakfast dishes, both Chinese and Western.
"Madam, you're up?" Butler Du said with a smile. "I wasn't sure what you liked, so I had them prepare a little of everything. Just tell me what you'd like to eat in the future!"
"Thank you," Wen Xuyu said, feeling a bit awkward as she had never been "served" like this before. "You can just call me Xuyu or Xiao Yu!"
"That wouldn't be appropriate..." Butler Du hesitated.
"It's not appropriate for someone like you, my elder, to be using honorifics with me all the time! Don't worry about it," Wen Xuyu said with a playful wink.
Butler Du looked at the woman before him—wearing a white shirt paired with a denim skirt, white sneakers on her feet, and her slightly wavy hair braided. She looked youthful, vibrant, and energetic, and her smile was enough to brighten the room.
"Very well, then, Xiao Yu!"
Wen Xuyu smiled. She ladled out a bowl of century egg and lean meat porridge and picked up a siu mai. As she ate, she glanced at Butler Du several times, as if wanting to say something.
"Butler Du," she asked, using two fingers to mimic a walking motion. "Could I go out for a breath of fresh air?"
"Do you need me to assign a driver to you?" Butler Du asked without a moment's hesitation.
"Oh? No, no need," Wen Xuyu said, waving her hands quickly, unable to hide the excitement in her eyes. "I'll be fine on my own."
She had assumed Bian Xunzhou would restrict her personal freedom as he had before. This was perfect—she could finally get out!
Butler Du caught on to her little scheme and smiled without exposing her. The madam clearly still had the temperament of a young girl; she had only graduated from college two years ago, after all—truly simple-hearted!
After finishing breakfast, Wen Xuyu took a moment to send a message to Shen Mo to arrange a face-to-face talk. It was a day off, so Shen Mo replied quickly, and they agreed to meet at their usual coffee shop.
*
Butler Du ended up sending a car to drop Wen Xuyu off at a location where she could hail a taxi. Looking at the distance they had covered, she realized with a sigh that it was a good thing she hadn't insisted on walking; it would have taken her forever to reach civilization.
Wen Xuyu pushed open the door to the coffee shop, the wind chimes sounding crisp and clear. Shen Mo was already waiting at their usual table. Sitting amidst the crowd, the man stood out; at 1.85 meters tall, his slight build made him appear exceptionally lean and lanky.