Volume One, Chapter 16: How Could This Person Possibly Be That Country Bumpkin, Wen Xuyu?

It wasn’t until she was seated on the sofa in the private room on the second floor that Wen Xuyu’s mind finally began to clear.

Just moments earlier downstairs, a figure had approached her and spoken directly:

“Miss Wen, Third Master is waiting for you in a private room upstairs.”

She recognized him as Lu Boqian’s personal assistant, and immediately rose to follow him.

*

Beside her, the spout of a celadon teapot exhaled wisps of fragrant steam, its delicate aroma drifting from the spout.

Opposite her, the man seated in the wheelchair poured her a cup of floral tea with practiced ease, his demeanor betraying no trace of the anger or reproach one might expect after yesterday’s humiliation.

Meng Jin had already withdrawn to stand guard outside the door.

Wen Xuyu bit her lip, deciding it was best to be forthright.

“Mr. Lu, I am truly sorry for what happened yesterday,” she said, meeting his eyes with a steady gaze. “But this marriage was never my wish. If possible, I’d like to trouble you to dissolve the engagement in person. Whatever compensation you require, you need only ask.”

Lu Boqian’s eyes lifted suddenly. He wore a black hawk mask, and the depths of his gaze were even more unfathomable, shrouded as they were.

“Your tea is getting cold,” he said at last, pointedly changing the subject.

Wen Xuyu grew anxious. She’d gone to such lengths to see him; how could she give up so easily?

“Mr. Lu…” She had just begun to speak when something unexpected happened.

Lu Boqian reached for the scalding teapot, seemingly by accident, and hot tea spilled across the webbing of his hand, instantly reddening the skin.

His lips pressed into a thin line, and his other hand clenched into a fist as if he were enduring the pain in silence.

Instinctively, Wen Xuyu stood and knelt by his side, gently taking his hand and plunging it into a bowl of cold water set aside for such emergencies, her brows drawn tight in concern.

Lu Boqian drew in a sharp breath, but beneath his mask, a glint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.

He lowered his gaze to study the woman before him.

Her long, seaweed-dark hair cascaded down her back, exposing the slender whiteness of her neck, and her fitted black dress suited her perfectly.

Wen Xuyu’s face was all seriousness, her attention wholly absorbed by the injured hand, evidently unconcerned with anything else.

If a burn isn’t treated quickly, it could damage the skin’s surface, or in severe cases, even turn septic.

After a while, Wen Xuyu judged the wound manageable and returned to her seat.

“Mr. Lu, you should have some ointment brought over. I’ve only given you a simple first-aid treatment.”

Lu Boqian glanced at his hand, as if still feeling the lingering softness of her touch; the skin was reddened but no longer stung as before.

“Forgive my boldness, but I’ve looked into your background, Miss Wen,” he said, sounding curious. “You studied medicine at university and excelled. Why did you…?”

Wen Xuyu paused, a faint, sorrowful smile touching her lips.

“It was just a chance decision—nothing serious,” she replied, then continued, “I’m a perfectionist in everything I do. Whatever the field, I give my utmost.”

The implication was clear: whatever profession she chose, she would have excelled.

“Miss Wen, you’re quite different from what the rumors say.”

“And so are you, Mr. Lu,” Wen Xuyu replied without missing a beat, her smile unfaltering.

Their eyes met, and in that exchange, both saw the fierce determination in the other.

Suddenly, Lu Boqian raised his uninjured hand and withdrew two tickets from his suit pocket, sliding them across the table to her.

“Miss Wen, as for dissolving the engagement, I agree,” he said quietly.

“Really?” Wen Xuyu’s eyes widened slightly, momentarily at a loss—was it really that simple?

“As for compensation…” Lu Boqian tapped the tickets with his finger, his voice clear and cool. “The day after tomorrow, could I trouble you to accompany me to see this art exhibition?”

Wen Xuyu glanced at the tickets on the table.

They were for the exhibition of a renowned Chinese artist, said to be his final show before moving abroad with his family to Country W. The tickets had become nearly impossible to obtain.

“That’s all you want in exchange for ending the engagement with the Wen family?” Wen Xuyu arched a delicate brow, seeking confirmation.

He had just been dodging the question—why the sudden change of heart?

“Of course. I would never deceive you,” Lu Boqian replied, his gaze unwavering.

After a brief moment of thought, Wen Xuyu accepted the tickets. “Thank you, Mr. Lu. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”

Once Wen Xuyu’s figure had disappeared, Meng Jin reentered the room. Seeing the injury, he fetched the first aid kit from the room and tended to Lu Boqian’s hand.

“Sir, do you think this plan will succeed?”

“Of course,” Lu Boqian replied, his gaze lingering on the untouched cup of floral tea, his lips curving slightly. “Three birds with one stone. Well worth it.”

*

When Wen Xuyu returned downstairs to her seat, the auction had already reached its intermission.

The host stood on stage, smiling graciously as he worked to enliven the atmosphere.

Just then, Shen Mo sent a message inquiring about her situation. Wen Xuyu glanced down at her phone and consequently missed what happened on stage.

“Now, let’s invite the guest at seat 108 to present the award to our little guest of honor,” the host announced enthusiastically.

The lighting crew immediately followed, two beams of white light illuminating her seat.

Sudden, dazzling light poured down like a waterfall. Bewildered, Wen Xuyu looked up, unsure what was happening.

The host worked to keep things running smoothly. “It seems our beautiful young lady is overwhelmed with excitement. Please, come to the stage and present the award to our little guest of honor.”

A surge of gazes focused on her from all directions. Wen Xuyu glanced at the big screen and pieced together what was happening.

The Qiao family of Jingdu had always been known for their philanthropy and held a good reputation in these circles. The little girl in question was the most “brilliant” among the children they sponsored.

With poise, Wen Xuyu rose and ascended the steps to the stage, the click of her heels echoing lightly against the marble floor.

The spotlight followed her every move, the audience transfixed by her presence. Even though her face was concealed behind a mask, her graceful figure and aura alone were enough to mark her as extraordinary.

Elsewhere in the audience—

“Zeyan,” Wen Qianxue linked her arm through the man’s, speaking as if offhandedly, “that woman’s figure looks a lot like my sister’s, don’t you think?”

Xu Zeyan glanced over. The silhouette truly was similar—but someone with such poise couldn’t possibly be that country bumpkin Wen Xuyu.

“Qianxue,” he said, patting her head indulgently, “that’s impossible. Didn’t Wen Xuyu marry that lunatic Lu Boqian? How could she possibly appear at an event like this?”

Wen Qianxue nestled closer to him, her fingers tracing circles on his chest as she replied, “You’re right, I must be mistaken.”

The news of Wen Xuyu’s interrupted wedding had already been suppressed by the Wen family. Outsiders only knew that the second Miss Wen had married into the Lu family as an illegitimate child, so Xu Zeyan felt entirely justified in his assumption.

Still, that silhouette really did look like that wretched Wen Xuyu…

Wen Qianxue lowered her gaze, leaning in to whisper seductively in Xu Zeyan’s ear, “Zeyan, the villa Dad bought for me at Xuan Shui Bay is ready. Will you come see it tonight?”

His eyes burned into her, his Adam’s apple bobbing unconsciously. “Of course.”