After He Yining left, Shen Qi created several designs for herself.
Since tomorrow's banquet would last a long time, she needed at least six looks. Not a single one could have any mistakes. This wasn't just about the identity and dignity of being the Second Young Madam of the He family—it was also the professional integrity of a career stylist.
Shen Qi worked through several designs, deleting those she wasn't satisfied with and keeping ten basic looks. Based on these, she quickly matched accessories. Every look had to be noble, elegant, and graceful—dignified yet free of any contrived craftsmanship.
In the study, He Yining finished reviewing the company's briefing and looked up at Xiaochun. "You have something to say?"
Xiaochun nodded and replied, "President, ever since you announced the matter of the Second Young Madam, the entire H Province has been buzzing. Especially the socialites led by Feng Kexin—they've reportedly formed a small alliance, planning to cause trouble for the Second Young Madam at tomorrow's banquet."
He Yining raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Interesting."
Xiaochun continued, "President, do you really want to go through with this? Once this banquet happens, Miss Shen will..."
"We're already husband and wife, aren't we?" A hint of amusement flickered in He Yining's phoenix-like eyes. "Even though I didn't attend that wedding, legally speaking, it's an undeniable fact. Alright, tell Xiaoxia and the others that from now on, when they see Xiaoqi, they need to change how they address her."
"Yes, President." Xiaochun immediately acknowledged the order.
It seemed the President was finally getting serious.
But this banquet was destined to be a double-edged sword. It could elevate the Second Young Madam's status, allowing her to fully enter the ranks of high-society ladies, but it would also make her a target for countless women. Feng Kexin, in particular, would likely never let her go.
Xiaochun thought silently. The President always planned meticulously, so he had probably considered all these scenarios. She suddenly found herself looking forward to tomorrow's banquet. It was bound to be incredibly exciting.
After finishing her designs, Shen Qi received services from the specialists responsible for skincare and massage. She cooperated fully, completing a series of treatments so that her makeup would look more natural and flawless tomorrow. That evening, she went to bed early to rest. She needed to appear before everyone in her best condition.
The day of the banquet finally arrived.
With over three hours still to go before the official start, Jinghua Manor was already bustling with activity. Most of those who had received invitations arrived early, while those without invitations found ways to tag along with invitees under the guise of companionship. Everyone wanted to see who the wife of the He Consortium's president really was—what kind of extraordinary woman could make the celibate male god willingly give up his freedom and step into the cage of marriage!
Feng Kexin arrived early as well. The thick layer of foundation on her face couldn't hide her haggardness and anger. Beside her, Feng Manlun maintained his usual composed demeanor, which only made Feng Kexin's twisted expression stand out more.
Shen Yinyin also showed up early. Lacking the qualifications to get close to the front, she could only wait anxiously on the periphery.
Feng Manlun surveyed the surroundings of Jinghua Manor and said to Feng Kexin, "This manor may not compare to the He family estate, but it's still thoughtfully done. Wait here for a while. I'll take a stroll and look around. It would be a shame not to properly appreciate such beautiful architecture."
Feng Kexin paid no attention to where Feng Manlun was going. Her mind was consumed with hatred, and she couldn't focus on anything else.
Feng Manlun followed the path beside the swimming pool, passing through the orchard and garden, heading toward a small pavilion. Jinghua Manor's architectural style was completely different from the Chinese aesthetic of the He family estate, adopting a Western modernist theme. The pavilion was built in a simple European style.
From a distance, Feng Manlun saw a girl in a white dress sitting in the pavilion with a flower basket, trimming branches. Her delicate features were gentle and serene—a type he had never encountered before. In high society, whether among refined ladies or heiresses, most carried a certain pride. This girl had none of that; instead, she exuded calmness.
"Hi," Feng Manlun took the initiative to greet her. "May I sit here?"
Shen Qi looked up to see a tall, elegantly mannered man approaching her and smiled. "Of course."
Feng Manlun sat across from Shen Qi, watching her nimble fingers weave a flower crown, and couldn't help but admire, "Such skillful hands."
"Thank you," Shen Qi replied with a smile. "I feel more at ease doing this myself. Are you one of today's invited guests?"
"Well, strictly speaking, I came with someone else." Feng Manlun's gaze settled on Shen Qi's face. "My name is Feng Manlun."
"Oh, hello. I'm Shen Qi." She smiled gently.
"An interesting name." Feng Manlun chuckled. "You wouldn't happen to be the seventh child, would you?"
Shen Qi nodded cheerfully. "Yes, I am! That's why I also go by Xiaoqi."
Feng Manlun's mouth slightly opened, clearly surprised by her straightforward answer. He had expected her to show off some literary flair or recite a poem to seem cultured, like other women. Instead, she answered so plainly, completely at odds with her refined appearance.
Shen Qi worked quickly, finishing a flower crown in no time. She slipped it onto her wrist, where it complemented her jade-like skin, exuding delicate elegance. Though it lacked the weight and sophistication of jewelry, it radiated youthful vitality and optimism.
Feng Manlun looked at Shen Qi before him and had already guessed her identity. Feigning nonchalance, he asked, "Are you very familiar with the owner of Jinghua Manor?"
Shen Qi paused mid-motion as she adjusted the flower crown, her eyelashes trembling slightly before she hummed in acknowledgment.
"Has he found the girl he's been looking for?" Feng Manlun pressed on.
The girl he's been looking for?
Shen Qi looked up at him in surprise.
"Oh, you didn't know?" Feng Manlun smiled, though a hint of calculation flickered in his eyes. This girl didn't seem as intimidating as his sister had made her out to be.
Shen Qi shook her head blankly.
"Do you know why there are rarely women close to He Yining?" Feng Manlun continued.
She shook her head again.
"It's because He Yining has been searching for a girl he loves," Feng Manlun said softly, picking up a leftover rose with his well-manicured fingers and bringing it to his nose. "The whole world knows that He Yining has been looking for a girl—the love of his heart. But she left too hastily back then, and he never got her name. All he remembers is a beautiful birthmark on her neck."
As he spoke, Feng Manlun's gaze fell on the flame-shaped birthmark between Shen Qi's collarbones, stunningly vivid.
"In recent years, He Yining has found many girls with similar birthmarks, but after checking, none of them were the one he was looking for. He gave each of them a sum of money and sent them out of H Province." Feng Manlun sighed. "What a devoted man, holding onto his love all these years."
Hearing this, Shen Qi's expression shifted slightly.
So that was it... That explained why He Yining had treated her differently. The things she couldn't understand before now made sense.
No wonder he said he had no interest in her...
She was just another... substitute, wasn't she?
Shen Qi quickly lowered her eyes, forcing herself to hide her emotions and pretending to be unaffected. "Is that so? Truly touching."
"More than that," Feng Manlun continued. "When He Yining sent those girls away, he declared to the world that he would never love anyone except the girl he was searching for. So, whoever becomes his future wife will only be a replacement. Ah, sorry—am I saying too much?"
Shen Qi shook her head lightly. "No, thank you for chatting with me."
"Then I won't disturb your work. Goodbye." Feng Manlun stood up, nodded slightly, and left the pavilion.
Shen Qi sat there in a daze, staring at the intricately woven flower crown on her wrist, a bitter smile creeping onto her lips.
Why did hearing these words make her heart ache faintly?
She had known all along that he didn't like her, hadn't she?
So why did learning the truth still hurt?
Was she going crazy?
How ridiculous!
Shen Qi, Shen Qi, you're losing your head!
Your marriage is fake! Just fake!
It's only meant to fool others, only for... mutual benefit!
You didn't marry into the He family for love—you did it for your brother!
Pull yourself together. Stop overthinking.
He will never love you...
He's just using you to ward off those unwanted advances...
Shen Qi took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing all the chaotic thoughts in her mind.
She would lock her heart away like this.
At least she had only just started to like him a little...
Maybe it wasn't too late to lock it away now...
A servant came to urge her. "Second Young Madam, the jewelry you ordered has arrived. Would you like to confirm it?"
Shen Qi nodded.
Even if this was just an act, she would perform it to perfection!
That was her professional integrity!
Returning to her room, Shen Qi paired all the gowns with the accessories and then sat there blankly, staring into space.
When He Yining walked in, that was the scene he saw—Shen Qi looking lost, as if she had misplaced something.
"What's wrong? The guests will be arriving soon. Are you ready? After today, I can finally have some peace and quiet." He Yining glanced at the outfit Shen Qi had prepared for him, a glint of approval in his eyes.
In the past, Shen Qi would have joked back at such a remark.
But now, hearing those words, her heart plummeted straight to the bottom.
So that was it...
He just wanted some quiet.
Otherwise, why would he have slept beside her for so many nights without ever touching her?
It wasn't that he lacked desire—he held back simply because he didn't love her.