---
She wasn't expecting any calls — and especially not from numbers she didn't recognize.
Should she answer?
Her thumb hovered for a second before she tapped the green button and brought the phone to her ear.
"Hello?"
A pause, then a familiar chuckle echoed through the receiver. "Yue Girl."
Her eyes widened instantly.
"Master Fu?"
A warm laugh followed. "Ah, how did you guess it was me?"
"I recognized your voice," she said, leaning against the wall near the kitchen doorway.
"Ah, this old man is flattered," he said with mock drama. "Still as clever as ever. How have you been, little girl?"
"I'm good, Master Fu. And you?"
"Oh, still alive and annoying the world."
She giggled. "What about Master Lu?"
A snort came through the phone. "Why are you asking about that old man?"
"Because I guess you're together," she teased.
On the other side, Master Fu turned to glare at his lifelong friend, Master Lu, who was sipping tea while chatting animatedly with another elder.
Not even a glance in his direction. "Tch... this old thing," he muttered, but spoke sweetly into the phone, "We're together, yes. He looks... fine."
Lin Yue chuckled. "That's good to hear."
Master Fu suddenly remembered why he had called. His voice turned businesslike. "Actually, Yue girl, I had a reason for calling. A friend of mine recently saw some of your paintings. He was quite taken by them. He wants to meet you."
"Me?" Lin Yue blinked. "Really?"
"Yes, really," he replied, amused by her disbelief. "And, well... I wanted to see you too. If you're free?"
Lin Yue glanced at the clock. 2:15 PM.
She hadn't planned anything. And her body felt rested enough, at least for now.
"I'm free," she said, curious. "Give me about an hour to get ready. Send me the location."
He chuckled. "Good girl. We're at Xianglu Pavilion."
From the other end, Master Lu suddenly snorted. "Why are you saying 'good girl'?"
Master Fu rolled his eyes. "Mind your own tea, you old man."
"I'll be there."
"Good. See you then."
Lin Yue chuckled again, her heart light as they hung up.
—
After they hung up, Lin Yue headed to the kitchen, she served her lunch, ate quickly but calmly, then cleaned up before heading upstairs.
—
Upstairs, she stood before her mirror, hands resting gently over her belly.
Triplets...
Even just thinking the word gave her a jolt. She wasn't ready for one baby, let alone three.
How would Liang Yexuan react?
What would he think if he found out?
Her chest tightened.
The thought of telling him terrified her now.
Especially now, with his engagement to Su Meilin looming so publicly.
She'd seen them on the news last night—Yexuan with the chairman Liang and Su Meilin at the hospital.
She hadn't known what the visit was about, but the sight of the two together...
It stung.
—
Su Meilin was stunning—tall, curvy, with that confident aura of a woman born into wealth and power.
Compared to her... Lin Yue lowered her gaze.
She looked like a teenager. Petite, with a baby face that often made people underestimate her. She didn't have the same commanding presence.
And she was an orphan.
With no name, no bloodline, no legacy.
A nobody.
Standing beside the towering Liang Yexuan, Su Meilin looked like the match fate had hand-picked.
Lin Yue... felt like a girl playing dress-up in a world she didn't belong to. Next to him... she'd look like a child tagging along.
Her arms wrapped tighter around herself as she bit her lip.
And what if the world found out? She still remembered what it felt like to be an outcast child — unwanted, ignored, dismissed.
She wouldn't let her children go through that.
So maybe... maybe she wouldn't tell him. Not now. Maybe never.
Maybe she should raise her children quietly, away from that dangerous, elite world. She wouldn't let them suffer the way she did.
However, deep down, she knew that secret couldn't last forever.
She closed her eyes and shook her head.
Focus. Just focus on today.
—
She dressed in a knee-length sky-blue dress, paired with a light grey hoodie and her most comfortable sneakers.
Her reflection looked simple, youthful.
—
When she opened the front door, the sun nearly blinded her.
"Who'll walk under this kind of sun? Definitely not me," she muttered.
The sun was blazing.
She squinted, shielding her eyes with her hand.
Was she really about to walk in this inferno?
Ugh. Definitely not.
Still, she stepped out. She had no car — not yet. She needed to get that sorted soon.
Pulling out her phone, she called the one person who could always help her — Mo Yuwei.
—
The line rang once, then twice before a soft voice answered.
"Yueyue? What's up?"
"I need a favor," Lin Yue said sheepishly.
"Name it."
"Can you help me with something. I want to order a car?"
"That's all?" Mo Yuwei laughed. "Girl, I thought you were in labor or something!"
"Don't jinx it!"
"Alright, alright. I've got a friend in auto sales. I'll send you his number — he's discreet, fast, and his prices are fair. You two can talk and figure out what works for you."
"Thank you," Lin Yue said sincerely. "I really appreciate it."
"We're friends, remember?" Mo Yuwei said. "I've got your back."
Lin Yue's heart warmed. "I know."
"Oh! One more thing — we've got the voice actors!"
"You do?"
"Already handled," Mo Yuwei said proudly. "Got voice samples from Gu Yanchuan's shoot. Bribed an extra. As for Yan Qingsi, I pulled archived clips. We've got enough. We're starting tonight."
"Be careful, okay?"
"Always."
They chatted briefly before hanging up.
—
Lin Yue looked at the sun again and sighed. A car couldn't come soon enough.
Locking the door behind her, she began the slow walk through the estate.
Her pace was unhurried, distracted as she passed rows of luxury villas and immaculate driveways. Everything gleamed — new, bright, opulent.
The kind of world she was still trying to adjust to.
When she finally reached the estate's outer gate, she opened it and stepped out.
As if summoned by luck, a cab was approaching.
She flagged it down, and the driver pulled up to a stop.
"Xianglu Pavilion, please," she told him.
The man blinked. "You sure?"
She nodded. "Yes."
He scratched the back of his neck. He knew about it.
That place was not just prestigious—it was untouchable. Only the most elite officials and old aristocrats from the Lianhai Republic went there.
This girl... was she really someone important?
He gave her a long look through the mirror before pulling away from the curb.
—
As they drove, he kept sneaking glances at her.
She looked young. And ordinary. But Xianglu Pavilion was anything but ordinary.
It was where retired prime ministers played chess. Where billionaires drank hundred-year-old pu'er and didn't speak unless it was about national treasures.
He'd thought about flirting — she was undeniably pretty — but after hearing the destination and seeing how calm she looked, he decided he valued his life.
Better to drive quietly.
Twenty minutes later, they arrived.
The car stopped just outside a wide bamboo gate. A carved plaque hung above it with elegant, flowing calligraphy: "Xianglu Pavilion."
Lin Yue stepped out, paid the fare, and turned toward the entrance...
And froze.
Time stopped.
Her breath caught.
She wasn't sure what she expected — but not this.
---