"In a few days, I'll introduce you to someone. If it's suitable, you'll get engaged... Our Xia family isn't running an orphanage. We've fed and clothed you well for all these years, so you should give something back in return."
Xia Yan recalled the words the old lady had said two days ago, and her heart sank. She had specially arranged for an evening gown and sent a makeup artist to doll her up, thinking she was meant to attend tonight's banquet.
But now...
Xia Yan walked to the window and pulled back the curtain. In the courtyard below, the scene was already one of perfume, elegant silhouettes, and clinking glasses.
The banquet had started some time ago, yet she was still locked in her room.
Pacing back and forth, Xia Yan told herself to calm down first.
Half an hour later, with a click, the door to the room was opened from the outside.
Xia Yan turned to look, and her face instantly turned pale.
Two maids were supporting a strange man as they walked in, laying him down on the bed.
"What are you doing?" Xia Yan's palms were slick with cold sweat, and she felt like she could barely breathe.
"The old lady said you're to take good care of this guest," one maid replied calmly, setting the man down before turning to leave.
Xia Yan couldn't believe it. She froze for a moment, then hurried after them, but she was too slow—the maids had already shut the door.
Panicked, she twisted the doorknob, frowning as a bad feeling surged within her. She pounded on the door and shouted, "What are you doing? Open up! Open up!"
Behind her, a soft laugh rang out, as if her voice had woken the man on the bed. Xia Yan spun around nervously, pressing her back against the door. The man looked to be in his forties, with thinning hair, and even his expensive branded suit couldn't hide his obese frame.
Xia Yan forced herself to stay calm, speaking as evenly as she could. "Sir, are you feeling unwell?"
The obese man stood up, his gaze roving over Xia Yan's body as if appraising a delicious meal. "Whether I'm feeling unwell or not, Miss Xia, shouldn't you already know?"
So, the old lady said she was arranging a match for her—was she just going to shove a man into her room?
Xia Yan pressed her lips together tightly, reaching behind her to twist the doorknob frantically.
The door wouldn't budge.
If she screamed out the window, would anyone come? Gritting her teeth, she edged toward the window.
The obese man seemed to read her intent, smiling slyly as he hinted, "Be careful, Miss Xia. This is the fourth floor. It wouldn't be good if you accidentally fell."
Xia Yan reluctantly peered outside. In the courtyard below, a few maids had emerged, but the other guests were gone.
Her anxiety spiked, and she gripped the window frame tightly. "I need to see my father about something. I'll step out for a moment."
She made a move toward the door, knowing it was locked, but hoping to use Xia Minghui's name to intimidate the man.
But before she could take a step, the obese man lunged at her impatiently, grabbing her shoulder. "You think Xia Minghui doesn't know about this?"
Xia Yan was stunned, a chill spreading through her heart. As the man's face loomed closer, a wave of nausea hit her, and she struggled fiercely. "Let go of me!"
In the midst of their tussle, the door was kicked open with a bang.
Both of them froze.
A man in a black suit, exuding an extraordinary presence, strode in calmly with long, measured steps. His face was cold and impassive. Behind him stood a flustered Butler Wang and two maids.
"Mr. Lu, you must have mistaken the room," Butler Wang said, forcing himself to step in front of the man, vaguely blocking the scene inside.
He didn't believe anyone in this room could know Mr. Lu, but what was happening wasn't exactly respectable. He couldn't let Mr. Lu see it, and he feared Miss Xia might panic and plead for help, causing a huge mess.
The man gave Butler Wang a faint glance, as if he hadn't heard him, and continued walking forward.
Yang Jinkuan was a notable figure in Jiangcheng, but the moment he saw the man's face, his expression shifted, and he subtly released his grip on Xia Yan.
As the man advanced, the room fell into an eerie silence. The maids stood at the door, too afraid to enter, anxiously glancing outside as if waiting for someone to save the situation.
Xia Yan watched the man approaching. His handsome features, under the harsh glow of the fluorescent light, looked especially stern. Her heart inexplicably quickened. "Why are you here?"
Butler Wang's face drained of color, his lips trembling as if something were stuck in his throat, rendering him speechless. He truly hadn't expected Xia Yan to know Mr. Lu.
Lu Zhengting's sharp gaze swept over Yang Jinkuan, who was hunched over trying to make himself inconspicuous, then curled his lips into a faint smile. "Did you forget our date?"