Volume One, Chapter 14: Then Play the Part to the End—Don’t Let It Spiral Out of Control

“Since it’s Auntie’s kind intention, we’ll accept it,” Wen Xuyu said as she turned around, placing herself in front of Bian Xunzhou, her tone gentle.

A fleeting shimmer passed through Bian Xunzhou’s dark eyes. His thin lips pressed together, his discontent nearly overflowing. What was this woman doing, trying to manage his affairs already? Yet when her slender, fair hand brushed against his... he found himself, for a moment, unable to voice any objection.

A trace of triumph flickered in Chen Lirong’s eyes, but she was interrupted as Bian Xunzhou spoke again.

“You can send the person over, but Xuan Shui Bay has many rules. That person had best behave.”

His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable sense of pressure.

Chen Lirong’s smile faltered. “Of course.”

Shang Rongyuan gave a cold snort but ultimately said nothing more, striding away.

Chen Lirong cast Wen Xuyu a deep, meaningful look before following after.

...

Once they had left, Bian Xunzhou swept his long arm forward, trapping her between the desk and his body.

“Well? Tell me, what scheme are you plotting this time?”

His voice was low, edged with danger. With his other hand, he toyed with the jade bracelet she had just acquired.

Wen Xuyu lifted her chin to meet his probing gaze, her lips curving in a faint smile. “Since she’s set on staging this act, how could we not play along? By keeping her people here, we can see what they’re really after.”

Shang Rongyuan and Chen Lirong had never welcomed this marriage; if she refused, who knew what tricks they’d try next.

Bian Xunzhou gave a low chuckle, suddenly leaning in close to her ear, his breath warm and near.

“Then let’s see the play through,” he murmured, his voice unexpectedly indulgent. “Just don’t get carried away.”

Wen Xuyu unconsciously clenched her hand, seizing the opportunity to slip out from under his arm.

“It’s getting late—I’ll head back to rest!” she blurted out, and without another word, dashed away.

Bian Xunzhou remained where he stood. With a flick, he tossed the jade bracelet onto the desk, his eyes full of disdain. Then he summoned a servant, ordering that everything touched by Shang Rongyuan and Chen Lirong be thrown out—he found it filthy.

*

Wen Xuyu rushed back to her room, leaning against the door and raising a hand to her face. The moment Bian Xunzhou had drawn near, she’d felt a moment of daze.

In her memory, only one young man had ever come so close. In her youth, he would always lean in and whisper secrets in her ear, his clear voice full of laughter.

“Xuyu, when we grow up, I’ll marry you!”

Wen Xuyu’s eyelashes trembled. It was as if she saw that young man in a white shirt standing beneath the pagoda tree, sunlight filtering through the leaves, dappling him in patches of gold.

His fingers were long and clean; whenever he offered her candy, he’d tickle her palm on purpose, and he always tried to make her laugh when she was sad.

But he would never return...

Wen Xuyu lowered her gaze. For some reason, she thought of the third young master of the Lu family. Their scents seemed strangely similar... Wen Xuyu shook her head, feeling foolish. She went to the bathroom to wash her face, trying to clear her mind.

“Impossible,” she told her reflection firmly, “Stop thinking about it.”

The most important thing now was to get the Lu family’s third young master to call off the engagement.

Resolute, she thought back to the turmoil of the night, feeling a weary ache. How much longer would these days have to last...

*

The Shang family’s old residence.

In the living room, the servants had long since withdrawn.

Shang Rongyuan yanked his tie off and flung it onto the sofa. “That unfilial son!”

Chen Lirong gently pressed her husband’s bulging veins, her well-maintained face wearing a composed smile.

“Don’t let it ruin your health. Things are already as they are.”

Shang Rongyuan snorted derisively. “I’ve looked into that woman—Wen family’s daughter, switched at birth more than twenty years ago, grew up in a small county, and since returning has been a disgrace at every turn—rude, uncouth, not even as good as that fake heiress!”

Chen Lirong sat elegantly in a single armchair, slowly pouring herself a cup of tea and pushing it toward him, in no hurry to speak.

That woman had some skill, otherwise she wouldn’t have tricked her out of the bracelet so easily.

And tonight, she’d managed to stand up for Bian Xunzhou without angering him—there was some craft there.

A glimmer of calculation flashed in Chen Lirong’s eyes. But that was fine; without a powerful ally, how could Bian Xunzhou compete with her own son for the family fortune?

“Young people are ruled by their feelings,” Chen Lirong said softly, sipping her tea. “Give it some time, and Xiaozhou will understand we mean well. But for now, the most important thing is to give the Bai family an explanation.”

Shang Rongyuan considered this, then nodded. “We’ll have to put the Bai family off for now. Get ready and find a time to pay them a visit and apologize.”

Chen Lirong rose, moving behind her husband and laying slender fingers on his shoulders. “I understand. And don’t worry, I can tell—Pingling likes Xiaozhou. Once we win her over, the Bai family will be within our grasp.”

“Let’s hope so!”

*

The next morning.

When Wen Xuyu finished washing up and came downstairs, Bian Xunzhou was already gone from Xuan Shui Bay.

The breakfast table was nearly covered with both Chinese and Western dishes.

“Madam, you’re up?” Butler Du smiled. “I wasn’t sure what you liked, so we made a bit of everything. If you want something special in the future, just let me know!”

“Thank you,” Wen Xuyu said, a little awkward, unaccustomed to such attentive service. “You can just call me Xuyu, or Xiaoyu!”

“I’m not sure if that’s appropriate...” Butler Du hesitated.

“It’s far more awkward for an elder like you to address me so formally. Don’t worry about it!” Wen Xuyu winked, playfully.

Butler Du looked at the young woman before him—white shirt, denim skirt, a pair of white sneakers, her wavy hair braided into a plait. She was youthful and vibrant, her smile bright as a new day, impossible not to like.

“Alright then, Xiaoyu it is!”

Wen Xuyu smiled, ladling herself a bowl of congee and picking up a shaomai. As she ate, she cast several sidelong glances at Butler Du, wanting to speak but hesitating.

“Butler Du,” she finally asked, using her two slender fingers to mimic walking, “May I go out for some fresh air?”

“Would you like a driver?” Butler Du asked without a moment’s pause.

“Oh? No need, really,” Wen Xuyu waved her hands, unable to hide her excitement. “I’d prefer to go alone.”

She had half expected Bian Xunzhou to restrict her freedom again, as before.

But now, at last, she could go out!

Butler Du, catching on to her little scheme, smiled but said nothing.

Madam was still very much a girl at heart—she’d only graduated from college a few years ago, after all. So innocent!

After breakfast, Wen Xuyu found time to message Shen Mo, asking to meet in person.

Today was a day off, and Shen Mo quickly replied, agreeing to meet at their usual café.

*

In the end, Butler Du arranged a car to drop her at a place where she could catch a taxi.

As the car traveled along the route, Wen Xuyu couldn’t help but feel glad she hadn’t insisted on walking—otherwise it would have taken ages to get out.

She pushed open the door of the café, the wind chimes ringing brightly. Shen Mo was already seated in their usual spot.

The man sat among the crowd; though he was six-foot-one, his slender build made him appear even taller.