On the other end of the line, Shang Rongyuan was incensed by his son’s half-dead tone. "Is this any way to speak to your elders?"
Chen Lirong hurriedly smoothed his back, her expression gentle. "Don't be angry, talk to Xunzhou nicely!"
Shang Rongyuan gave a cold snort. "Eat at the Jinghong Grand Hotel tomorrow. I’ve invited your Uncle Bai and his family. We’ll discuss your marriage to the Bai family’s eldest daughter then. It would be best if you get the marriage certificate this Sunday!"
Bian Xunzhou stood up and walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window. The man shoved one hand into his pocket, watching the lake that circled the villa, and gnashed his back teeth.
"My surname is Bian, not Shang. What right do you have to interfere with my marriage? Besides," the man let out a cold, sharp laugh, retorting without a shred of mercy, "I’ve heard of selling one's daughter for glory, but this is my first time seeing a man sell his son for it. You truly are as vigorous in your old age as you ever were!"
Catching the implication in his words, Shang Rongyuan’s chest heaved violently twice. "How dare you speak to me like that! I am your father!"
"I’m not going tomorrow, regardless. If you like the Bai family’s eldest daughter so much, then you marry her. You’ve cheated before, so it’s not like it’s your first time—practice makes perfect!"
Bian Xunzhou’s gaze was like a torch, his face dark, his black eyes gathering a murderous intent.
"You unfilial son!" Shang Rongyuan slammed his hand onto the table, coughing violently in his rage. "If you don't show up tomorrow, don't even think about getting that thing back. Decide for yourself what you’re going to do!"
Before he could finish, the sound of the line being cut echoed on the other side.
"Damn it!" Shang Rongyuan was beyond furious; he hurled his phone to the floor, where it shattered into pieces.
While Chen Lirong comforted him on the surface, a flash of triumph crossed her eyes. "There, there. Xunzhou is still young and doesn't know better. Don't be angry; it’s bad for your health."
"Still young? He’s almost twenty-five! I think Xiaojin is more sensible than he is!"
Chen Lirong’s lips curled into a smile. She said nothing more, her hands continuing to rub his back.
After hanging up, Bian Xunzhou remained standing by the window. His dark eyes were deep as he slowly steadied his breathing.
After some time, he turned around. A stray glance landed on the shattered phone on the floor. As if struck by a thought, the corners of his lips quirked upward.
"I’ll send you a big gift tomorrow."
***
Wen Xuyu woke up under a wave of intense, oppressive emotion.
"What was that just now?" She patted her chest, murmuring to herself, "Such thick, surging anger. Could it be that Bian Xunzhou found out I escaped and is furious? That shouldn't be..."
The aura had come out of nowhere, making her feel as if she were suffocating.
She sat up to steady herself, looking at the clock and realizing she had been asleep for a while.
She climbed out of bed and crept to the door. Under the hallway lights, two silhouettes stood on either side—bodyguards sent by Wen Yuqin. Peering through the crack in the door, she saw a large black padlock hanging there; she didn't need to guess how secure it was.
Wen Xuyu pressed her lips together and turned back to sit on the bed.
The moon was beautiful tonight, hanging high in the sky. Soft moonlight poured onto the water-blue bedsheets. Wen Xuyu stared at it blankly, lost in thought.
Suddenly, a disturbance drifted in from the corridor. Wen Xuyu moved lightly, hurrying over to check.
"Open the door, please. My sister is going to the Lu Family tomorrow, and I want to speak with her." It was Wen Qianxue.
"This..." Outside, the two bodyguards exchanged a look, clearly in a bind.
"What’s wrong? Is it inconvenient?" Wen Qianxue gave a gentle, understanding smile.
"It’s not that, Miss," one of the bodyguards said sincerely. "We all know the Second Miss always bullies you. If you go to see her alone and something happens, we won’t be able to answer to Mr. Wen, Madam, or the Young Master!"
Wen Qianxue chuckled, leaving both bodyguards stunned.
The Eldest Miss was truly gentle and lovely!
Though the Second Miss was arguably more beautiful, she was always aloof and hard to deal with. The Eldest Miss was always polite and soft-spoken to the staff. Anyone with eyes could see why people preferred the Eldest Miss.
"Thank you for your concern. Don't worry, I trust my sister. She won't do anything like that."
There was no hiding the pride in Wen Qianxue’s eyes. It seemed her efforts over the past year hadn't been in vain.
Wen Xuyu was already crushed beneath her feet.
"Alright, then!" The bodyguard opened the lock and let Wen Qianxue in.
"Oh, and I’d like to have some private sisterly talk. Would you mind going downstairs to rest for a moment?"
The bodyguards complied and left.
The room was dark. Wen Qianxue dropped her pretense, flicked on the light, and shut the door behind her.
Wen Xuyu lay on her side, eyes closed, feigning sleep and unwilling to acknowledge her.
Wen Qianxue’s lips curved upward. She turned and sat on the sofa, surveying the room’s furnishings with undisguised mockery and disdain. She toyed with her curly hair and sighed with affected elegance.
"Wen Xuyu, your life is truly pathetic. But then again, there’s no helping it. Who else is there for the Wen Family to use right now?"
Her voice was cloying and hypocritical, every word a blade. With her chin tilted up and a condescending gaze, she looked as if she were enjoying a carefully orchestrated play.
Wen Xuyu was long accustomed to her two-faced nature and remained indifferent. She opened her eyes, saying word for word, "Then you’d better be careful. Careful not to flip your boat in the gutter and have it backfire on you."
Wen Qianxue hated this about her—the way she acted as if everything were under her control and she were at ease, even when she was clearly backed into a corner!
"Wen Xuyu, who are you trying to fool? I’ll be waiting for the day you’re tortured to death by that illegitimate son!" Wen Qianxue’s tone was filled with sarcasm, her eyes cold and full of certainty.
When that day came, she would be the true, undisputed Eldest Miss of the Wen Family. No one would ever be able to shake her position.
With that, she turned and left, ignoring Wen Xuyu’s reaction. The sound of her heels echoed in the hallway, sounding like a premature declaration of victory.
Wen Xuyu turned off the light and closed her eyes. *If the enemy comes, I’ll block them; if the water rises, I’ll build a wall. The boat will straighten itself when it reaches the bridge.*
She had to conserve her strength for tomorrow’s "battle."
***
The next day.
Wen Xuyu was forced out of bed at six in the morning. First, Wen Yuqin called her into the study for a lecture—nothing more than the usual platitudes—before sending her back to her room to wait.
Breakfast was brought in by a servant, but Wen Xuyu didn't care.
The Wen family didn't want to see her, and she had no desire to see them either.
At seven, servants came in to do her makeup and dress her in the wedding gown. By seven-thirty, everyone had left, leaving her alone in the room.
Wen Xuyu walked to the floor-length mirror and looked at her reflection.
A red qipao clung to her slender frame. The silk was as smooth as water, following every curve of her body as if tailored for her. The high, stiff collar framed her elegant neck, and a few loose strands of hair fell softly, making her skin appear as white as snow.
The cuffs were cinched slightly, revealing her delicate wrists. The slit of the qipao was perfectly placed, looking dignified yet modern. Gold phoenix patterns were embroidered on the dress, wings spread as if about to take flight, adding a touch of nobility and mystery.
Her face was exquisite; her brows like distant mountains, her eyes like autumn pools. The gold hairpin in her hair swayed gently with her movements.
Wen Xuyu reached out to touch the cuff, a look of surprise in her eyes.
The makeup artist had mentioned that this outfit was personally chosen by the Lu Family’s Third Young Master. It was strangely a perfect fit.
However... for a man known to be temperamental and somewhat psychologically disturbed to pick such a vibrant color for her...
Was it his twisted taste, or were the rumors wrong?
Wen Xuyu didn't have time to dwell on it. A servant came upstairs to help her down.
Downstairs, the Lu Family’s Third Young Master was already waiting in the living room.