Sheng Zhiyu froze the moment he saw Xu Shiyan, his expression shifting ever so slightly.
Three years had passed, and Xu Shiyan seemed to have changed significantly. She was thinner than before, dressed simply in a casual white top and black trousers, her dark hair hanging loose behind her. Yet, with her raven hair, porcelain skin, and vivid red lips, there was a newfound composure and detachment in her eyes—along with an inexplicably alluring charm. She was a far cry from the defiant, impulsive girl she had been three years ago.
Although Sheng Zhiyu had known the Xu Family was bringing her back, he had never imagined that this would be the version of Xu Shiyan he would encounter. She had been beautiful before, but now, her beauty carried a piercing chill. She must have been through a great deal over these past three years.
The room fell into an awkward, tense silence.
Finally, Xu Nuo walked over with a smile, fluttering her eyelashes as she spoke first. "Sister, welcome home. Mom and Dad have been so worried about you these past three years. It's good that you've turned over a new leaf; I've already let go of the past. You've come back to marry Brother Zhiyu, and as long as you two can be happy together, that’s all that matters."
Xu Shiyan’s gaze settled on Xu Nuo. Three years later, the once sickly Xu Nuo now looked vibrant and flushed with health. She clearly wasn’t the true daughter of the Xu Family, yet she carried herself with the poise of one. Her words were gentle, understanding, and magnanimous. Anyone who didn't know better would have truly believed Xu Nuo was the genuine daughter of the Xu Family and that the two were deeply attached.
In reality, three years ago, this very same "white lotus" was the reason the Xu Family had sent their own flesh and blood away to Qiongzhou Island. When Xu Nuo had fallen into the water and suffered a heart attack that landed her in the ICU, she had woken up in tears, pointing her finger at Xu Shiyan as the culprit. No matter how much Xu Shiyan explained, the Xu Family refused to listen, insisting on exiling her to Qiongzhou Island.
Xu Shiyan had long since grown tired of explaining the past.
"Thank you for your well wishes," Xu Shiyan said. Her gaze lingered playfully on the hands of Xu Nuo and Sheng Zhiyu, which were still linked, her expression enigmatic. "Though, it would feel more sincere if you weren't clinging to my fiancé's arm while offering them."
As she spoke, Xu Nuo’s expression shifted. She bit her lip and instinctively glanced at Sheng Zhiyu. Mother Xu also froze, finally noticing the excessive intimacy between the two.
Sheng Zhiyu frowned, his tone cold. "Nuonuo’s health is poor; I was only looking out for her. Rest assured, I have not forgotten our engagement."
Xu Shiyan arched an eyebrow. "Oh, I’m assured, truly. Even if you were sleeping together, I’m sure it’s just for medical treatment. I understand completely."
"That’s enough," Xu Minghua interjected coldly. "Nuonuo and Sheng Zhiyu have been childhood sweethearts for years; a bit of closeness is perfectly normal. You’ve finally returned, must you cause a scene? Did your time on Qiongzhou Island not teach you any discipline?"
"I have no desire to cause a scene." Xu Shiyan’s red lips curved upward. She scanned the three of them with a look of feigned sincerity and chuckled, "As long as Xu Nuo likes him, I am perfectly willing to break off the engagement and let them be together."
While marrying Sheng Zhiyu would make it easier to get close to the Sheng Family and investigate what happened to Aunt Qing, she didn’t strictly *need* him. Besides, Sheng Zhiyu was far from being a good choice.
The room went silent. When Sheng Zhiyu had first gone to fetch Xu Shiyan to bring her back to the Xu Family, she had been like a ruffled little hedgehog. He had been the one to soothe her and keep her company. Because of that, the old Xu Shiyan had been completely dependent on him, overjoyed when she learned of their engagement. Now, after three years, she was the one suggesting they call it off?
Sheng Zhiyu’s brow twitched, a flicker of inexplicable irritation vanishing as quickly as it appeared. "Grandpa would never allow it," he stated coldly. "Xu Shiyan, Grandpa is old, and he has treated you well. Even if you want to stir up trouble, you shouldn't be upsetting him."
Elder Sheng had indeed treated her well over the years. During her time on Qiongzhou Island, he was the only one who had ever sent her anything.
However, it was true that she had once cared for Sheng Zhiyu, and it was equally true that she now wanted to end the engagement. Three years ago, Sheng Zhiyu had come to her in his white shirt and black trousers, bringing her back to the Xu Family and gently telling her that as the eldest daughter, she deserved to be happy and free. She had been naive and ignorant back then, her infatuation with him spiraling out of control.
It wasn't until she was about to be sent to Qiongzhou Island because of Xu Nuo that she had snuck a final look at Sheng Zhiyu. In the hospital, he had been keeping watch by Xu Nuo’s side, his devotion clear. "Nuonuo, I only pitied her before. I never imagined she would treat you this way. She could never compare to you, no matter what."
Later, during her darkest days on the island, she heard rumors of the "Second Miss of the Xu Family" and her fiancé being inseparable. Her heart had died that day.
Xu Shiyan met Sheng Zhiyu’s gaze, her eyes narrowing. "Don't worry, I can speak to Grandpa Sheng myself."
"That’s enough," Mother Xu interrupted quickly. "Let’s not talk about this anymore. Yanyan, we brought you back specifically for your wedding. It is yours, and Nuonuo will not take it from you."
The Sheng Family was a prestigious household; an engagement could not be changed so easily. Mother Xu looked at Xu Shiyan again, her tone softening. "You must be exhausted, Yanyan. Go back to your room and rest."
Xu Shiyan knew that rushing the breakup wouldn't help, so she stopped pressing the issue. She cast a meaningful glance at Xu Nuo before turning to head to her room.
Once she was gone, Xu Nuo’s eyes welled with tears. She turned to Mother Xu, "Mom, does Sister hate me because of what happened back then? It’s not like what she thinks between Brother Zhiyu and me."
"What face does she have to blame you? Everything that happened was of her own doing," Xu Minghua spat, his patience wearing thin at the mere mention of Xu Shiyan.
"No..." Mother Xu sighed. "Shiyan has suffered a lot these past few years." Nuonuo was the daughter of a dear friend who had once helped her greatly. She couldn't let her conscience be clouded, but she couldn't ignore her own daughter's faults either.
"It’s all my fault. I heard Qiongzhou Island had beautiful scenery, I never imagined Sister would have such a difficult time there," Xu Nuo whispered.
If Xu Shiyan had heard that, she would have found the description of "beautiful scenery" laughable—especially in the year before Aunt Qing arrived. The chaos on the island was everywhere. Back then, Xu Shiyan would often wake up screaming from nightmares. It was Aunt Qing who had saved her. Before Aunt Qing died, she had made Xu Shiyan promise to look after An'an, the girl adopted by the Sheng Family, and to find out which member of the Sheng Family had orchestrated her death.
Xu Shiyan had given her word.
Back in her room, the decor remained familiar and warm, but it felt entirely foreign to her now. When she was truly in despair, it was Aunt Qing who had saved her, not this "warm" Xu Family. Her return to Xucheng was solely to fulfill Aunt Qing’s dying wish. The most important thing now was how to infiltrate the Sheng Family.
Just as she was deep in thought, her phone rang. It was Xiao Li, who managed the bed-and-breakfast on Qiongzhou Island.
"Sister Yan, the gentleman from last night left a note for you."
Xu Shiyan raised an eyebrow and opened the photo Xiao Li had sent.
[Looking forward to seeing you again, little wild cat.]
The signature was a single character: Bo.