Huang Ma froze, blinking rapidly at the accusation. "M-Madam Wang, didn't you say… you wanted Miss Yunying to do it today?"
The temperature in the room seemed to drop as Madam Wang's face contorted. "When did I say that? Hah? Then why are you here? Why the hell am I paying you?" Her voice rose sharply, slicing through the quiet house. "Standing around like a useless dog...go and make breakfast! Right now!"
Huang Ma flinched at the outburst, lowering her head in silence before scurrying off toward the kitchen.
Upstairs, Yunying had already shut out the noise, slipping back into her room. She locked the door behind her, humming lightly under her breath as she went to shower.
Warm water washed away the last bits of irritation from Madam Wang's shrill voice.
When she stepped out, a fresh towel draped around her, her phone buzzed on the nightstand. She picked it up and saw the message:
Qian Jinxing: I'm in the estate. Getting close to your house. Bring your resident ID and passport. I'll take care of the rest.
Her lips curled. So fast?
She replied with a quick confirmation, then moved efficiently. From her wardrobe, she pulled out a simple yet stylish gown, effortless but chic, the kind that whispered understated luxury.
She slipped it on, the fabric hugging her in just the right places. A light touch of makeup followed, just enough to accentuate her features without wasting time, and a faint spritz of perfume that lingered sweet and bold in the air.
There was no time to investigate her missing clothes, she'd deal with that when she returned.
For now, marriage came first. She chose a pair of nude platform heels, grabbed her bag, and checked herself one last time in the mirror. The reflection staring back at her was dazzling, enough to make even herself pause.
And she couldn't resist. Yunying picked up her phone and snapped a quick mirror selfie by the window.
She saved it with a sly grin before hurrying out, locking her door behind her.
In her old room, she rummaged through the drawers until her fingers closed around her resident ID and passports. Sliding them into her bag, her phone dinged again.
Qian Jinxing: I've arrived.
She headed downstairs, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor. But at the base of the staircase stood Xu Lian. Her steps halted, her brows furrowing slightly.
Xu Lian's eyes narrowed, her lips curling with barely concealed disgust. Just the sight of Yunying lit her jealousy aflame. After the fiasco at the store yesterday, the cashier getting fired and Yunying walking out unscathed, she had been stewing in rage.
Now, seeing Yunying dressed to kill, her beauty outshining her own carefully maintained image, her temper snapped.
"Where are you going so early?" Xu Lian blocked her path with folded arms. "It's disrespectful not to greet your elders in the morning. Breakfast hasn't even been served, why are you running around like some stray?"
Yunying paused mid-step, one brow arching elegantly. She thought of Jinxing waiting outside but decided he could spare a few minutes.
Her voice was calm, lazy even. "Don't you have anything better to do? Aren't you supposed to be the general manager? Shouldn't you be at work?" Her gaze sharpened, sweeping Xu Lian up and down like she was nothing more than dust. "Stay out of my business. I don't owe you answers." She gave her one dismissive glance before stepping past her.
Xu Lian, seething, trailed after her. When Yunying pushed open the door and walked outside, Xu Lian froze.
A black car parked idly at the entrance.
A man sat inside, though his face wasn't clearly visible from where she stood. Still, the luxury of the vehicle was unmistakable, far beyond anything the average suitor could afford.
Her nails dug into her palms.
Who was he?
Why was Yunying getting into a car like that?
The knot of jealousy in her chest tightened until it was almost unbearable.
************************
The car door shut with a soft thud, sealing Yunying into the cool, leather-scented interior. Qian Jinxing leaned over, his fingers brushing against hers as he pulled the seatbelt across her.
He clicked it into place, his warm breath whispering against her cheek as he murmured "You smell nice." Yunying's composure wavered, her face warming as she instinctively lowered her lashes.
As Jinxing leaned back, his gaze met hers, steady and unreadable. "All settled in?" he asked, his voice low and smooth. Yunying nodded softly, adjusting the hem of her gown over her knees.
"Yes, I'm fine." He gave a curt nod, started the engine, and drove off.
The ride was quiet, almost too quiet.
Yunying sat angled slightly toward the window, her phone in hand, but her thoughts elsewhere. Her father's black card was tucked safely in her bag, but she knew she couldn't rely on it forever.
If she was going to carve out her own path, she needed to invest, to create something of her own. Her eyes flicked sideways at Jinxing, who ran a successful company.
Perhaps, she thought, he could offer guidance, share his expertise. But for now, she kept her thoughts to herself, at least until they were married.
Her mind drifted off, to marriage, to children. Things she'd never thought possible with her old body, wracked by PCOS and weakened by sickle cell.
She had long accepted loneliness as her fate. But now, with this new healthy body, everything felt… surreal.
Almost like a second chance at life.
Her lips curved faintly, though her eyes dimmed just as quickly. The Qian family… they were even worse than the Xu family. If she was walking into that den, she'd better brace herself.
The car slowed, pulling to a stop. She blinked, realizing they had arrived.
The civil affairs bureau loomed ahead, an unassuming building that carried the weight of irrevocable change.
When they stepped out of the car at the civil affairs bureau, Jinxing finally took a proper look at her. The gown, the heels, the effortless poise, everything about her demanded attention.
His gaze lingered just long enough to make her shift slightly under the weight of it. Then, in that calm, steady tone of his, he said.
"Objectively speaking… you're beautiful. No use pretending otherwise." Jinxing shook his head, he wasn't even going to deny it.
She somehow managed to move him otherwise he wouldn't be here.