Xia Yan felt like she had become the center of attention, every move she made seemed to be watched, sending a chill down her spine.
After dinner, Jiang Mingxiu inexplicably kept Ke Yaru at Dongshan Villa, still arranging for her to stay in the room next to Lu Zhengting's. Xia Yan went about her own business as if nothing had happened, appearing not to take Jiang Mingxiu's words to heart, but in reality, she was so furious she felt like she might explode. Seeing Lu Zhengting stand up, Xia Yan froze, looked up, and cautiously glanced at Jiang Mingxiu. She was about to get up and follow Lu Zhengting when she heard Jiang Mingxiu set down her chopsticks with a light clatter, smiling at Xia Yan with the air of a refined lady.
Ke Yaru sat beside her in silence, as if she were merely her foil, like the Empress Dowager and a noble consort in an ancient palace. Ke Yaru smiled gently, her posture dignified, exuding a soft, water-like grace, while Jiang Mingxiu's inherent authority made Xia Yan shudder. Hiding her inner lack of confidence, Xia Yan smiled back at Jiang Mingxiu without changing her expression.
"Xia Yan, clinging to Zhengting like this will interfere with his work. If you're truly bored, come keep me company. It's been many years since I've been back to Jiangcheng, and I feel increasingly unfamiliar with it."
Hearing this, Xia Yan's body stiffened. She instinctively glanced at Lu Zhengting, but then thought that if she could use this opportunity to get closer to Jiang Mingxiu, it might be worth it.
With that in mind, Xia Yan sat back down. What she was thinking was exactly what Lu Zhengting was pondering. He wasn't unaware that Jiang Mingxiu had given Xia Yan a cold reception the moment she saw her in Jiangcheng. At the same time, he knew his mother disliked Xia Yan, treating her much like she had once treated Ke Qinglan.
He intended to let them spend time together, so he didn't stop Xia Yan. After Lu Zhengting left the dining room, only Jiang Mingxiu, Ke Yaru, and Xia Yan remained. Xiao Han had been taken away by the servants after eating. Now, the three women sat facing each other, each seemingly lost in thought but silent. Xia Yan glanced at the composed Ke Yaru, thinking that in her eyes, Ke Yaru was far more likable than herself.
Jiang Mingxiu calmly raised her hand and suddenly asked, "I heard Miss Xia's cooking skills are quite good."
"..." Xia Yan frowned slightly, sensing that whatever came next wouldn't be in her favor.
"Since Yaru has already shown her skills, why don't you show yours tomorrow, Miss Xia?"
"Auntie, you can just call me Xia Yan. What do you like to eat, Auntie?"
"Xia Yan?" Jiang Mingxiu casually uttered Xia Yan's name, her tone slightly rising with a hint of a smile. After a pause, she added, "If you want to know my tastes, you can ask Yaru for advice."
"Alright, then Sister Ke, don't call me stupid and refuse to tell me," Xia Yan said with a smile, but inside, her heart was pounding. Asking Ke Yaru meant Jiang Mingxiu was clearly trying to elevate Ke Yaru's status.
Jiang Mingxiu nodded, and Ke Yaru gave her a meaningful glance before following her out of the dining room, leaving Xia Yan sitting alone in a daze. When Chen Ma came out of the kitchen and saw Xia Yan's blank expression, she couldn't help but sigh.
The backyard of the villa was planted with many flowers, blooming in every season as if tailored to the time of year. The garden was filled with a rich floral fragrance. Ke Yaru linked arms with Jiang Mingxiu as they walked among the flowers, with lush green grass growing on both sides of the path, red interspersed with green. Jiang Mingxiu stopped and looked at the distracted Ke Yaru, then paused and patted her hand. "Yaru, in my heart, you are my ideal daughter-in-law. As for Xia Yan, she's just something new for Zhengting."
Ke Yaru smiled and nodded. Jiang Mingxiu's words had no effect on her because she knew Lu Zhengting's feelings for Xia Yan were far from mere novelty. Still, hearing Jiang Mingxiu say she was the most suitable for Lu Zhengting made her heart flutter with joy.
"By the way, how is the investigation I asked you to do going?"
"Auntie, Zhengting protects Xia Yan so well that the information I can gather is limited. But there were rumors in the company before," Ke Yaru hesitated, pausing for a long time before continuing, "There were rumors that Xia Yan had a romantic entanglement with the project department manager, supposedly because of Zhengting."
"I knew from the start that woman wasn't easy. Does Zhengting know about this?"
"He probably does."
"Knowing is knowing; not knowing is not knowing. It seems Zhengting is completely bewitched by that woman." Jiang Mingxiu disliked such uncertain answers, her tone growing irritated, further fueling her dissatisfaction with Xia Yan. In her view, how could someone of Xia Yan's status be worthy of her son? Especially a woman with such messy romantic history—who could guarantee she wasn't with Zhengting for his status and wealth? With that thought, she became even more pleased with Ke Yaru.
Meanwhile, Xia Yan was still thinking about how to improve her image in Jiang Mingxiu's eyes, unaware that Jiang Mingxiu's displeasure had already deepened. She returned alone to the room she had stayed in before, on the second floor. Chen Ma had kept it clean, so stepping back in gave her a familiar feeling. She recalled the many embarrassing moments she had in this room in front of Lu Zhengting.
A few of her clothes were still there. After showering and changing, she lay on the bed, pondering Jiang Mingxiu's tastes. Xia Yan had mixed feelings about Jiang Mingxiu. Tossing and turning, unable to sleep, she found no clarity and grabbed her hair in frustration. Lu Zhengting was probably still in his study. Xia Yan wondered if she had grown so accustomed to being around him that she couldn't sleep without his arm.
Glancing at the clock on the wall, she figured Jiang Mingxiu had likely returned to her room by now. What about Ke Yaru? She mulled it over, then suddenly sat up in bed, cross-legged, staring blankly for a moment. Throwing off the thin blanket, she put her feet on the floor and crept to the door. Carefully opening it, she poked her head out, looking left and right. Confirming the hallway was empty, she sighed in relief and tiptoed toward the stairs.
For the first time, Xia Yan felt how far the second floor was from the third. Knowing Jiang Mingxiu was a light sleeper, she was even more cautious not to disturb anyone. Passing the study, she noticed a faint light under the door. Hesitating, she raised her hand to knock but then heard a soft woman's voice inside. Startled, she instinctively pressed her ear to the door, trying to catch the conversation.
Lu Zhengting sat in a black leather chair, a hint of fatigue in his brows. His long fingers rested on the mouse, his gaze fixed on the computer screen. Noticing Ke Yaru standing motionless by the desk, staring at him, he glanced at her indifferently and asked coldly, "Something wrong?"
"Zhengting, are you serious about Xia Yan?"
"Of course."
Hearing this, Ke Yaru forced a smile that was uglier than tears. She slowly moved closer to Lu Zhengting, but seeing the distance in his eyes, she stopped and spoke weakly, "I've always liked you. Did you know?"
Lu Zhengting glanced at Ke Yaru expressionlessly, pressing his lips together. Seeing this, Ke Yaru froze.
"So you knew, but you pretended not to," Ke Yaru said with a bitter laugh. She was heartbroken, realizing she had thought she hid her feelings for Lu Zhengting well, but he had known all along.
"What do you like about Xia Yan?" Ke Yaru regretted asking as soon as the words left her mouth. Before Lu Zhengting could answer, she quickly added, "Auntie really dislikes Xia Yan."
"She will come to like Xia Yan," Lu Zhengting said firmly. Even if she didn't, it didn't matter—what mattered was that he did.
As Ke Yaru stood stunned, her peripheral vision caught a shadow flickering under the door crack. She shifted to block it and slowly said, "What about Xiao Han? Aren't you worried he won't accept Xia Yan as his mother? That child has lacked maternal love since he was little. Xia Yan..."
"Xiao Han likes Xia Yan very much."
Lu Zhengting glanced impatiently at Ke Yaru, clearly unwilling to discuss such trivial matters. Even if everyone disliked Xia Yan, it didn't matter—what mattered was that he did.
Sensing Lu Zhengting's waning patience, Ke Yaru knew when to stop and changed the subject. "I'll work on Auntie's mindset. I believe she'll come to like Xia Yan soon. Don't worry."
Honestly, her words had no effect on Lu Zhengting.
Xia Yan pressed her ear to the door, unable to hear the conversation clearly. She planned to stand there for a while and slip back to her room before they noticed. But then her phone suddenly buzzed in her pocket, shattering the silence of the hallway. After a second of shock, she fumbled for her phone, looking annoyed and frustrated. Glancing at the name on the screen, she faintly heard steady footsteps from the study. Taking a deep breath, she turned to flee without a second thought.
Lu Zhengting was quick, knowing exactly what Xia Yan would do next. The moment she turned, he opened the door, reached out, grabbed her collar, and pulled her back, amused as he looked at the back of her head. "Running away?"
Xia Yan didn't dare look at Lu Zhengting's expression. Hanging by her collar, she flailed her arms and kicked her feet, realizing she was completely at his mercy. Looking down at her dangling feet, she faced the harsh truth: the gap between her and Lu Zhengting wasn't just in height but also in strength. She wasn't tall, and she wasn't light, yet he lifted her with ease—how humiliating was that?
Standing behind Lu Zhengting, Ke Yaru watched their interaction, a surge of anger spreading through her entire body.