Volume One, Chapter Twelve: Investigating Lu Boqian’s Whereabouts

"Hello, Shen Mo."
"Xu Yu, is it really you?" The voice on the other end of the line cried out in disbelief. "Are you alright? Where are you now? The Wen family didn’t do anything to you, did they?"

A barrage of questions came at her, making Wen Xuyu feel a little overwhelmed, though a warmth rose in her chest.

Shen Mo was a friend she met while working part-time in university.

Before the Wen family found her, she often used her free time after classes for part-time jobs—tutoring, handing out flyers, working as a café waitress; she tried them all.

Once, after finishing a tutoring session, she hurried back to campus and passed through a narrow alley, witnessing a group of thugs beating someone on the ground.

Without thinking, Wen Xuyu dropped her backpack and rushed over, swiftly driving the thugs away.

That was how she met Shen Mo, a spirited boy from the same university and year.

He was his family’s only child, and unable to tolerate their control, he had moved out. Because he was rather thin, the thugs often targeted him, extorting money whenever they saw him.

After Wen Xuyu rescued him, he became her little follower, constantly pestering her to teach him martial arts.

Their friendship endured to this day.

*

"I'm fine now. But you—when the Wen family found out, they didn’t do anything to you, right?" Wen Xuyu asked with concern.

"They just locked me up for two days and then let me go. The food was lousy, but otherwise nothing happened," Shen Mo replied carelessly, as if it meant nothing.

"That's good."

"By the way, you suddenly called me. It can’t be just for this, right?"

Hearing Shen Mo’s words, Wen Xuyu didn't hide anything and spoke directly.

"I want you to help me investigate the movements of the third young master of the Lu family these past few days."

"The third young master of the Lu family?" Shen Mo stroked his chin, thinking aloud. "I’ve heard he rarely leaves home, his whereabouts are mysterious. But leave it to me. As the top reporter at the capital’s newspaper, I’ll fulfill your request perfectly!"

Shen Mo knew Wen Xuyu’s background was complicated and didn’t pry; he only knew she always did the right thing.

"Thank you, Shen Mo!" Wen Xuyu said sincerely.

Without him, she truly wouldn’t know whom to turn to for help.

"No need for thanks!" Shen Mo laughed, "I’ll go investigate now and send you any updates."

They hung up.

Wen Xuyu opened her contacts, her slender finger hesitating in midair before pressing down.

"I'm sorry, the number you dialed is no longer in service..."

Listening to the official voice, Wen Xuyu sat up.

The Wen family had changed her mother’s phone number, clearly intending to cut off all contact.

How hateful!

She slammed her fist onto the sofa cushion.

But should she mention this to Bian Xunzhou?

In just a second, she dismissed the thought.

Forget it—if she dragged Bian Xunzhou into this, the waters would become even murkier. The Wen family would never let go of such a "golden groom," so she’d handle it herself in secret.

...

At seven in the evening, Xiao Yun called Wen Xuyu downstairs for dinner. By the time she went down, Bian Xunzhou was already seated at the table.

He hadn’t touched his chopsticks, as if he was deliberately waiting for her.

The rosewood dining table was laid out with blue-and-white porcelain plates in a harmonious arrangement.

Steamed spotted grouper rested atop scallions and ginger slices, crystal shrimp glistened translucently, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall shone bright in a gilded stew pot, abalone, sea cucumber, and fish maw floated in the rich soup, the fragrance bursting forth mixed with the aroma of aged wine as the lid was lifted.

Wen Xuyu hadn’t eaten well in the morning, and seeing such a spread now, her stomach rumbled with hunger.

She sat down slowly opposite Bian Xunzhou, inhaling the scent, feeling she could devour an entire cow.

"Let’s eat," Bian Xunzhou looked up at her, his deep black eyes hinting at something. "Don’t starve yourself."

Wen Xuyu raised her head awkwardly. Was he suffering at her hands again?

Since he said so, she wouldn’t be polite.

She picked up her bowl and chopsticks and began to eat.

The food was indeed worthy of a five-star chef—not only beautiful, but delicious as well.

Bian Xunzhou sat at the table with his back straight, even his eating exuded an innate sense of nobility.

He ate almost silently, occasionally picking up a wine glass, his fingertips tapping gently against the crystal, making his hands look all the more slender and immaculate.

Sometimes, when Bian Xunzhou looked up, he saw Wen Xuyu squinting contentedly, clearly enjoying her meal.

He glanced at the dishes—was it really that tasty?

Twenty minutes later, Wen Xuyu finished the last sip of soup from her bowl.

She suddenly looked up, locking eyes with the man across from her.

"If there’s nothing else, I’ll head upstairs..."

"Sit down!" His cold voice cut in.

Wen Xuyu had just taken a step before quickly returning to her seat.

She sat up straight, like a student facing a stern principal, cautious and attentive.

Bian Xunzhou’s deep gaze swept over her, then he spoke leisurely.

"Is there nothing you want to tell me?"

At his words, Wen Xuyu’s mind instantly sounded alarms, though she kept her expression calm.

"No..."

Bian Xunzhou stared at her, his thin lips parting, enunciating each word. "You’re nervous!"

Wen Xuyu: Damn it, she still couldn’t accept the reality of their shared senses—it was like running naked down the street!

She quietly exhaled, trying to appear sincere and vulnerable. "The Wen family called me today, about the ten billion issue."

Bian Xunzhou still didn’t look away, his eyes deep as if he could see right through her. "That’s all?"

Wen Xuyu nodded, her hands nervously twisting beneath the table.

"I hate deception most. If I discover it, you should know the consequences!"

The threat that washed over her only strengthened Wen Xuyu’s resolve. "Mm."

Only when Bian Xunzhou disappeared from sight did Wen Xuyu fully relax. She rubbed her stomach and decided to take a walk to aid digestion.

...

Dusk settled, and the evening breeze, tinged with moisture, gently brushed her cheek.

Wen Xuyu strolled leisurely along the cobblestone path.

The night was tranquil, the lake mirrored the faint glow of the streetlamps, scattering like shards of gold.

She turned, taking in everything within her gaze.

Gray-white buildings with sharp lines, the distant floor-to-ceiling windows glowing warmly, servants occasionally moving through the courtyard—every detail exuded luxury and discipline.

Wen Xuyu wandered, slowly making her way to the main gate.

The black iron bars shone with a cold, unwelcoming sheen, blocking her path home.

"Ah," Wen Xuyu couldn’t hide her sorrow, "Why do such absurd things happen?"

All she did was fall into a swimming pool—how did that lead to sharing senses with a stranger?

*

Suddenly, a strong beam of light swept toward her from a distance. Wen Xuyu squinted and stepped aside.

"Who’s coming so late?" she murmured.

The guard dutifully checked the visitor’s identity.

Shang Rongyuan stepped out of his car, his middle-aged face taut with rage, silent and grim.

"Mr. Shang, it’s late. What brings you here?" the guard asked.

"Out of my way. Do I need to report to you to see my son?" Shang Rongyuan thundered, striding inside.

He spotted Wen Xuyu standing nearby, but didn’t spare her a glance, heading straight in.

Behind him, Chen Lirong jogged in. When she saw Wen Xuyu, she offered a gentle smile before following.

"This family is so peculiar..." Wen Xuyu thought, certain that tonight would bring another storm. With that in mind, she decided to retreat to her room.

But as she reached her bedroom, Xiao Xin blocked her path.

"Madam, sir asks you to come to his study."

Wen Xuyu: ...

No matter how she tried to hide, she couldn’t escape.