Xie Wanshi angrily stomped her high heels against the floor.
She wasn’t exaggerating at all!
The family had always slept on hard beds since childhood.
No exceptions.
It was practically an unspoken family rule.
Their father believed that sleeping on firm beds was good for the body, especially the spine.
At the same time, he believed it helped temper a person’s character.
People should not become addicted to softness and comfort.
They should develop resilience and strength.
According to him, it was beneficial for the growth of every member of the family.
As a girl, however, Xie Wanshi had never been able to get used to it.
That was one reason she rarely stayed at the ancestral home.
Most of the time she ran off to stay with friends so she could sleep under soft blankets.
Compared to everyone else, she often felt as though she had been exiled to the wilderness to suffer.
Because of that, she had once begged her eldest brother to buy her a soft quilt.
He refused.
Although he spoiled her in many ways, Xie Yuli was also someone whose decisions were final.
Once he said no, there was no changing his mind.
So she never asked again.
Now it was Shen Bingci’s turn to be stunned.
Xie Yuli had actually made an exception for her?
Before they were even married, she had already broken a Xie family rule.
That felt terrible.
“Auntie, Miss Xie, I’m really sorry.”
“I didn’t know about this.”
“If I had known, I definitely wouldn’t have let him buy quilts for me.”
Even if she had to force herself to sleep on the hard bed, she would have done it.
Why trouble Xie Yuli?
Ling Qinglian wasn’t angry at all.
Instead, she smiled warmly.
Her son was finally making progress.
She was delighted.
“Bingci, what are you saying?”
“Don’t be so formal.”
“This is your home.”
“You can do whatever you like here.”
Xie Wanshi quickly realized her reaction had been misunderstood.
“I’m sorry, Sister-in-law.”
“I absolutely wasn’t blaming you.”
“Please don’t misunderstand.”
Naturally, Shen Bingci said it was fine.
At that moment, Xie Yuli came downstairs.
He wore a simple white T-shirt, black pants, and white slippers.
His black hair hung loosely, a few strands sticking up slightly.
Compared to his imposing image in a tailored suit, he looked much more approachable.
Like a university student.
“What are you talking about?”
Even fresh out of bed, Shen Bingci felt utterly helpless.
He was just too handsome.
How could a man look this good at every moment?
Ling Qinglian naturally brushed the topic aside.
By breakfast, Xie Yuli had already cleaned up and styled himself.
His fingers casually swept through his hair.
Strong brows.
A straight nose.
The morning sunlight streamed through the lattice windows and illuminated his profile.
His features looked sharp and striking.
A perfect face from every angle.
Watching him was genuinely pleasing.
While sipping water, Shen Bingci found herself staring blankly.
A low-key luxury watch rested on his left wrist.
His pale wrist bone was clearly defined.
As he lifted a cup of coffee and took a sip, every movement looked elegant and refined.
“Bingci,” Ling Qinglian said warmly,
“We weren’t sure what you liked to eat, so the kitchen prepared a bit of everything.”
“Try whatever you want.”
“If there’s anything else you’d like, just tell us.”
“Don’t be shy.”
Shen Bingci had never seen such an extravagant breakfast spread.
Chinese dishes.
Western dishes.
Regional specialties.
Everything imaginable.
Even Beijing-style fried dough sticks and tofu pudding were present.
There were also Hong Kong specialties like shrimp dumplings.
The variety was astonishing.
“Actually, you didn’t need to prepare so much.”
“I can eat anything.”
“Thank you for going to so much trouble.”
She smiled politely.
Across the table, Xie Yuli lifted his eyes and glanced at her.
For some reason, she felt as though he had seen right through her.
“Miss Shen.”
His deep voice sounded calm.
“You don’t need to be reserved.”
“If there’s something you want to eat, just ask.”
“There are many chefs at home. It won’t take long.”
Since she was so delicate that she couldn’t sleep on a hard bed, he doubted she would willingly eat food she disliked.
But because she cared about appearances, she would never say so herself.
“Thank you, Mr. Xie.”
“This is already more than enough.”
At moments like this, she didn’t particularly like how perceptive he was.
There really wasn’t anything she truly loved on the table.
At best, she liked the tofu pudding.
Everything else wasn’t quite to her taste.
Had he noticed?
Even if he had, she hoped he would spare her dignity and not expose her.
After breakfast, Ling Qinglian and the others began discussing preparations for Xie Wanshi’s birthday banquet the following day.
Servants moved efficiently throughout the house, decorating and making arrangements.
“Wanshi, you’ll have many guests tomorrow.”
“Remember to behave properly.”
Ling Qinglian smiled while teasing her daughter in front of everyone.
“This girl never liked appearing in front of the media.”
“She never took etiquette classes seriously either.”
“She’s nothing like a proper young lady.”
“At her last birthday party she was playing cards with her friends.”
“One foot was even on a chair.”
“When her daddy saw it, he scolded her on the spot.”
Then she quickly added,
“But Bingci, don’t worry.”
“Her daddy is all bark and no bite.”
“He won’t interfere with you in the future.”
Shen Bingci couldn’t help laughing.
She hadn’t expected Xie Wanshi to be so lively.
Xie Wanshi looked reluctant to admit it.
“Okay, fine.”
“Daddy always says I don’t act ladylike.”
“But he really loves me.”
“He’s just a bit naggy.”
“Sister-in-law, I’m telling the truth.”
The mighty and influential Chairman Xie had somehow become “naggy” in his daughter’s description.
Still, it showed how much he loved his children.
Otherwise she wouldn’t dare speak about him like that.
Shen Bingci nodded.
Family matters weren’t really her place to comment on.
Listening was enough.
“Oh right, Mommy.”
“When is Second Brother coming back?”
“He isn’t going to skip my birthday, is he?”
“If he doesn’t come and only cares about having fun outside, I won’t speak to him for a whole year!”
Ling Qinglian laughed.
“My little ancestor.”
“Don’t worry.”
“Your second brother lands at three in the morning.”
“He already promised me.”
“He won’t be late.”
“He even bought you a gift.”
“Just relax.”
“Good!”
“He wouldn’t dare stand me up!”
Xie Wanshi lifted her chin proudly like a colorful little peacock.
For a moment, Shen Bingci saw a reflection of herself in her.
She thought Xie Wanshi was absolutely adorable.
No wonder everyone spoiled her.
“Oh right, Sister-in-law!”
“I’m going to get my styling done tomorrow.”
“Come with me!”
“My stylist is amazing!”
Naturally, Shen Bingci agreed.
But she didn’t expect Xie Wanshi to immediately grab her hand and drag her toward Xie Yuli’s study.
“Big Brother!”
Inside, Xie Yuli was working on his computer.
An earpiece rested in his right ear.
He was in the middle of a business meeting.
Being interrupted, he frowned and looked up sharply.
“I’m in a meeting.”
But Xie Wanshi wasn’t afraid at all.
Grinning, she lifted Shen Bingci’s wrist.
“I’m taking Sister-in-law out for styling tomorrow!”
The moment Xie Yuli noticed the woman beside her—
The woman smiling softly, cheeks faintly pink—
His irritation instantly vanished.
His brows relaxed.
Once again he became the refined and composed gentleman everyone knew.
“That’s fine.”
“Use my card.”