Volume One, Chapter Six: Tomorrow, I’ll Send You a Grand Gift

Bian Xunzhou rose and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. He stood with one hand in his pocket, gazing at the lake encircling the villa, his jaw clenched tightly.

“My surname is Bian, not Shang. What right do you have to meddle in my marriage? And,” he sneered coldly, showing no mercy, “I’ve seen fathers selling their daughters for glory, but this is the first time I’ve seen someone sell their son. You really are tireless, as vigorous as ever!”

Hearing the implication, Shang Rongyuan’s chest heaved violently twice. “How dare you speak to me like this? I am your father!”

“In any case, I won’t be going tomorrow. If you’re so fond of the Bai family’s eldest daughter, you should marry her yourself. After all, cheating is nothing new to you—it gets easier with practice!”

Bian Xunzhou’s gaze was sharp as a blade; his face was dark, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

“You unfilial son!” Shang Rongyuan slammed the table, coughing fiercely in his anger. “If you don’t show up tomorrow, you can forget about that thing. Do as you wish!”

He hadn’t finished speaking before the phone disconnected abruptly.

“Damn it!” Shang Rongyuan’s fury boiled over; he hurled his phone to the floor, smashing it to pieces.

Chen Lirong comforted him outwardly, but a flicker of smugness crossed her eyes. “Alright, Xiaozhou is still young and immature. Don’t be angry, it’s bad for your health.”

“He’s still young? He’s nearly twenty-five! I think Xiaojin is wiser than him!”

Chen Lirong’s lips curled in a smile; she said nothing more, her hands soothing his agitation.

After hanging up, Bian Xunzhou remained by the window, his gaze deep and inscrutable as he calmed his breathing.

He didn’t know how much time passed before he turned, his eyes falling unintentionally on the phone lying nearby. Something seemed to occur to him, and a faint smile touched his lips.

“I’ll send you a grand gift tomorrow.”

…

Wen Xuyu awoke under the pressure of an intense emotion.

“What just happened?” She patted her chest, murmuring to herself. “Such fierce rage… Could it be that Bian Xunzhou discovered my escape and is furious? That seems unlikely…”

The surge of emotion was inexplicable, as if she might suffocate.

Sitting up to steady herself, Wen Xuyu glanced at the clock and realized she’d been asleep for a while.

She got out of bed and tiptoed to the door. Under the corridor’s lights, she saw two shadows on either side of the door—bodyguards sent by Wen Yuqin.

Peering through the crack, she saw a heavy black lock hanging on the door; it was obviously secure.

Wen Xuyu pressed her lips together and returned to sit on the bed.

Tonight the moon was beautiful, hanging high in the sky. Gentle moonlight spilled across the pale blue sheets, and Wen Xuyu stared blankly, lost in thought.

Suddenly, there was movement in the corridor outside. Wen Xuyu moved quietly to check.

“You can open the door. My sister is going to the Lu family tomorrow, and I want to talk with her,” said Wen Qianxue.

“Um…” Outside, the two bodyguards exchanged uneasy glances.

“What’s wrong? Is there some inconvenience?” Wen Qianxue smiled gently, understanding.

“No, Miss,” one of the bodyguards replied sincerely, “We all know the second miss often bullies you. If you go in alone and something happens, we won’t be able to explain to the master, madam, or the young master.”

Wen Qianxue let out a laugh, leaving the two bodyguards amazed.

The eldest miss truly was gentle and lovely.

Though the second miss was more beautiful, she was always solitary and difficult, while the eldest miss treated even the servants with unfailing courtesy and softness. Anyone with eyes would prefer her.

“Thank you for your concern. Don’t worry, I trust my sister—she won’t do such things.”

Pride flickered in Wen Qianxue’s eyes; her year of effort had not been in vain.

Wen Xuyu was already beneath her feet.

“Alright then!” The bodyguard unlocked the door and let Wen Qianxue in.

“By the way, I’d like to have a private sisterly chat. Would you mind resting downstairs for a while?”

The bodyguards agreed and departed.

The room was dark, and Wen Qianxue dropped her pretense, flicked on the light, and shut the door.

Wen Xuyu lay on her side, eyes closed, feigning sleep and unwilling to respond.

Wen Qianxue’s lips curled upward. She turned and seated herself on the sofa, surveying the room’s furnishings with a smile that was openly mocking and contemptuous.

She toyed with a curl of her hair, sighing with affected elegance.

“Wen Xuyu, your fate really is bitter. But what can be done? The Wen family needs you now.”

Her voice was sweetly cloying, insincere, every word sharp as a blade. Her slightly upturned chin and superior gaze suggested she was savoring a meticulously orchestrated drama.

Wen Xuyu was long accustomed to her duplicity, unfazed by her antics. She lifted her eyes and spoke slowly, “Then you’d better be careful. Don’t let the tide turn against you and undo all your plans.”

This was the attitude Wen Qianxue despised most: as if everything was under her control, calm and unruffled, when in fact Wen Xuyu was cornered.

“Wen Xuyu, stop pretending. I can’t wait for the day that bastard drives you to despair!” Wen Qianxue’s words dripped with scorn, her gaze icy and determined.

On that day, she would be the undisputed eldest miss of the Wen family, her position unshakable.

She left without waiting for a response, her heels echoing down the hallway, heralding her victory in advance.

Wen Xuyu switched off the light and closed her eyes. If soldiers come, she’ll meet them; if water rises, she’ll use earth to block it; when the boat reaches the bridge, it will naturally go straight.

Now she needed to conserve her strength and prepare for the “battle” tomorrow.

…

The next day.

At six in the morning, Wen Xuyu was forced out of bed. First, Wen Yuqin summoned her to the study for a lecture—nothing she hadn’t heard before—then sent her back to her room.

Breakfast was brought by servants, but Wen Xuyu paid it no mind.

The Wen family didn’t want to see her, and she was just as glad not to see them.

At seven, servants arrived to apply her makeup and dress her in wedding attire. At seven thirty, everyone left, leaving her alone in the room.

Wen Xuyu stood before the full-length mirror, gazing at her reflection.

A crimson cheongsam hugged her slender figure, silk as smooth as water, fitting every contour as if tailored for her.

The collar was high and upright, accentuating her long neckline, with stray locks of hair falling softly, making her skin appear snowy and pale.

The sleeves gathered gently at the wrists, revealing a slim arm, and the cheongsam’s slit was perfectly modest, dignified but not stifling.

Golden phoenixes were embroidered across the skirt, wings spread as if ready to fly, adding an air of nobility and mystery.

Her features were exquisite, brows like distant mountains, eyes deep as autumn water. Golden hairpins swayed delicately with her movements.

Wen Xuyu touched the sleeve, surprise flickering in her eyes.

The makeup artist had mentioned that this dress was personally selected for her by the third young master of the Lu family, and it fit her unexpectedly well.

But… for someone with a mercurial temperament and twisted psychology to choose such a vibrant dress for her—

Was it a sign of his perverse taste, or were the rumors wrong?

She had no time to ponder further. The servant had already come upstairs to escort her down.

Downstairs, the third young master of the Lu family was already waiting in the living room.