Chapter Two: Entering the Xue Family (Second update, humbly asking for flowers)

At dawn, Chen Hongxu opened his door and walked into the living room, only to see Xue Xi already awake. Her eyes were red, dark circles beneath them, looking as though she hadn't slept well and perhaps had even cried during the night.

Chen Hongxu stood before Xue Xi, who sat with her feet up on the sofa, hugging her knees, her head turned to the side as if lost in thought. Something seemed to be blocking his heart, and he opened his mouth, wanting to speak…

“Knock, knock, knock!!”

The sudden, brief knocking interrupted him and startled Xue Xi as well.

Xue Xi blinked, looking at Chen Hongxu, who stood before her—who knows how long he had been there. Her voice was slightly hoarse: “Good morning. It must be Uncle De and the others here to pick me up…”

Having said that, she languidly got up, slipped into her own pair of cartoon slippers, bypassed Chen Hongxu, and walked to the door to open it.

Sure enough, the man in the suit standing outside was Uncle De, the bald man who often appeared at Xue Xi’s side. As soon as the door opened, Uncle De noticed that Xue Xi’s complexion didn’t look well. After entering, apart from a cold, perfunctory greeting to Chen Hongxu, he focused his attention on Xue Xi, looking at her with confusion.

Xue Xi pursed her lips, took a deep breath, and even relaxed her tightly furrowed brows. A smile hung at her lips as she gently shook her head at Uncle De and said, “Everything’s packed already, in the room. You can go get it…”

Uncle De immediately sensed something was wrong from Xue Xi’s voice. That hoarseness—what could cause it but crying out until her voice was lost, or extreme dryness? He cast a furtive glance at Chen Hongxu, who stood there like a wooden statue, his hand quietly drifting toward his back, but said aloud, “Miss, are you feeling unwell?”

For someone of Uncle De’s age, distinguishing between a woman who has lost her innocence and one who has not is easy. Judging by her posture and bearing, she hadn’t been bullied. But why had she cried? Could it be that this Chen boy was into something unusual? Uncle De pondered silently—if that were the case, today he’d risk his life to teach this brat a lesson.

Of course, Xue Xi was unaware of the direction of Uncle De’s thoughts, but as an old hand at her side, his every gesture was impossible for her to miss. She shook her head again, this time showing a shy expression and said playfully, “Every woman has those few days, Uncle De. It’s funny you always brag to the newcomers about how well you understand women…”

Uncle De stared at Xue Xi, still feeling things weren’t so simple. But if anything could be gleaned from appearances, Xue Xi wouldn’t be called an actress with the makings of a future queen. He watched for a while but detected nothing amiss. The hand poised behind his back returned quietly to his side, and he shrugged before heading into Xue Xi’s room.

As soon as Uncle De stepped into the room, Xue Xi made a face at Chen Hongxu, pursing her lips: “I’m leaving now.”

Uncle De’s subtle moves hadn’t escaped Chen Hongxu’s notice either. But he trusted Xue Xi—this trust, built over their brief time together, or perhaps something else, was why Uncle De could still move freely.

Chen Hongxu pursed his lips and thought for a moment, then said, “I’ll go with you…”

…

“We’re here!” As the car came to a stop, Xue Xi, who had been silent the entire way, gazing out at the scenery, spoke softly.

“Here?” Chen Hongxu was dumbfounded by the sight before him.

“Yes, where else?” Xue Xi replied matter-of-factly. Without waiting for the driver to open the door, she hopped out on her own.

Chen Hongxu followed, somewhat dazed, swallowing as he took in the majestic buildings before him.

The Xue family estate perched atop the mountain. Chen Hongxu couldn’t judge its size or layout precisely, but he could see it was divided into three distinct sections. Their purposes were unclear from the outside.

At the entrance, Xue Xi motioned for the security guards not to search Chen Hongxu. She then led the bewildered young man onto a topless electric cart, which ambled slowly up the mountain.

“The buildings on the left are where the collateral branches of the family live. The ones on the right are for gatherings and relaxation. And at the top, that’s where my father and I live. See that little pine by the roadside? My grandfather and I planted it when I was a child—it’s grown so tall now…” Xue Xi, having applied a light touch of makeup before leaving, was now smiling brightly, introducing her home to Chen Hongxu and sharing little stories from her childhood—meaningful, if not particularly joyful.

Chen Hongxu listened intently, his gaze never straying from Xue Xi, who chirped away like a lively oriole.

As she spoke, Xue Xi’s tone suddenly lowered. She glanced at her absorbed audience and said quietly, “Grandfather and Father offended many in their climb to the top. Without the protection of the Black Card, it’s hard to imagine what would become of the Xue family. I don’t like it, but whether you call it vanity or the pursuit of luxury, I’m simply accustomed to this life. I can’t change…”

Chen Hongxu nodded, offering no comment. Everyone has their own pursuits and obsessions—just as he himself once endured humiliation and beatings every day at school, all for the chance to attend a full-time university.

Perhaps the tour bus was just too slow, or the mountain road too long, but it was a good ten minutes before they reached the summit.

As the cart stopped, bodyguards and servants stationed before the castle-like villa surged forward, showering Xue Xi with concern and greetings. Of course, their appraising glances at Chen Hongxu were inevitable.

Xue Xi now seemed every bit the little princess: her posture straight, chin lifted, smiling as she greeted those around her with poised, natural responses—none of the mischievous, impish air Chen Hongxu recalled.

After dealing with the crowd briefly, Xue Xi sent everyone away, promising a proper introduction of the mysterious man at dinner. She then kept only an elderly butler, and, learning that Xue Baishu was entertaining guests in his study, she took Chen Hongxu’s arm and strode into the castle.

All along the way, people looked curiously at the odd couple—the woman graceful and confident, the man stiff and awkward, as if being dragged along.

Chen Hongxu’s appearance was hardly outstanding, and his cheap, ill-fitting tracksuit made him look like a poor boy. Standing beside Xue Xi, to call him manure beside a flower would be generous—after all, manure nourishes flowers, while Chen Hongxu seemed, on the surface, nothing more than a male fit for breeding, utterly unremarkable.

Turning a corner in the corridor, Xue Xi glanced around to ensure no one was nearby. She looked at Chen Hongxu apologetically, stuck out her tongue playfully, and said, “With a big family and business, there are always hidden spies planted by others, so forgive me. My father’s study is just ahead—I’ll take you there.”

She started to walk but paused and turned back, hesitating before continuing, “Maybe saying this now makes me seem scheming, but I think it’s better to be honest. I’m someone who’s very attached to habits—whether it’s things or people around me. So for the sake of my habits, tell your shrew to be careful. I won’t give you up.”

The shrew Xue Xi mentioned, said with gritted teeth, could only refer to Bingling, who had been mistakenly thought to have an affair with her. Chen Hongxu blinked, smiling happily. To be liked, without anyone causing trouble—what a wonderful feeling.