The Shen family’s ancestral residence in Beijing was a classic Chinese estate, elegant and refined in design.
Pavilions and courtyards stood among flowing water and artificial mountains. Delicate cloud patterns were carved into the walls, while the smooth stone floors reflected the prestige of the household.
Everyone who walked through the residence had spotless shoes.
Shen Bingci woke up later than usual that morning.
Still sleepy, she rubbed her eyes and shuffled toward the refrigerator in the living room in her slippers.
Shen Jinbai was sitting on the sofa reading something on his tablet. He glanced at her briefly.
She wore a custom-made white silk pajama set.
The fabric shimmered with a creamy glow, making her already fair complexion appear even cooler and brighter.
Even without makeup, she was breathtakingly beautiful.
The only flaw was that one side of her collar had slipped down, probably because she slept restlessly. A large portion of her collarbone and shoulder was exposed.
Shen Jinbai looked away.
“Mom and Dad will be home later. Fix your clothes.”
The same old lecture.
Shen Bingci took a gulp of ice water.
The movement of brushing her hair back looked naturally seductive, though her bare-faced appearance was actually quite innocent.
She glanced down at herself.
Only two buttons had come undone.
“It’s summer. I’m hot.”
She pulled out a chair and sat down while acting spoiled.
The corner of Shen Jinbai’s lips lifted.
“You’re already engaged. Be more careful around men.”
Shen Bingci stuffed bread into her mouth, one cheek puffed out.
“Brother, I haven’t even gotten married yet, and you’re already bringing him up every day.”
Do you really want me married off that badly?
Understanding her meaning, Shen Jinbai set down his tablet and sat opposite her.
After pouring her a glass of orange juice, he asked calmly,
“Does that mean you’re dissatisfied with Xie Yuli?”
He had assumed their meeting a few days ago would change her opinion.
After all, Xie Yuli had handled everything flawlessly.
He made everyone around him feel comfortable.
Aside from being somewhat quiet, there was little to criticize.
Unexpectedly, Shen Bingci lowered her eyes.
“Do I have to be satisfied with him?”
She didn’t even know who she was competing against.
She only felt a vague frustration in her chest.
“Or even if I’m not satisfied, can I choose not to marry him?”
She looked directly into her brother’s eyes.
The question was straightforward.
Shen Jinbai narrowed his eyes.
“Isn’t he exactly your type?”
After all, he had watched her grow up.
He knew everything she liked and disliked.
Logically speaking, Shen Bingci should have been delighted by Xie Yuli’s appearance.
The man looked as though he had been created according to her exact standards.
She loved beauty.
She loved celebrities.
She loved attractive people.
So what could she possibly dislike?
For a moment, Shen Bingci froze.
A blush slowly spread across her cheeks.
“That’s true. He really is handsome.”
“The most handsome man I’ve ever seen.”
“But…”
“There is no but.”
Shen Jinbai interrupted her.
His expression grew more serious.
“Mom and Dad will be back at noon.”
“They’re probably planning to discuss the marriage between the Shen and Xie families.”
“Recently they’ve been in poor health.”
“There are things they haven’t told you yet.”
“At a time like this, you should know what to do.”
It was advice from an older brother.
Shen Bingci sensed that something was wrong.
“What do you mean Mom and Dad are sick?”
“When did that happen?”
“Why didn’t I know?”
Shen Jinbai took a sip of coffee and looked toward the roses hanging on the wall.
“They originally didn’t want to tell you.”
“For now, just pretend you don’t know.”
The news shocked her.
Her parents had always loved her.
Since childhood, she had been given everything she wanted.
She had never experienced true disappointment.
She had no right to rebel against her family.
If marrying Xie Yuli was necessary for the family, then perhaps she had neither the reason nor the authority to refuse.
As a member of the Shen family, perhaps this was simply her responsibility.
She couldn’t keep acting selfishly.
Especially after hearing her brother’s words.
Besides…
She didn’t actually dislike Xie Yuli.
Yet she couldn’t say she liked him either.
After all, they had only met once.
Even if she adored his face, it wasn’t enough to make her fall in love at first sight.
And she had seen too many wolves in sheep’s clothing among the elite.
People who looked perfect on the outside but hid darkness beneath.
She worried Xie Yuli might be one of those people.
Moreover, he had spent his entire life standing above others.
His status was even higher than hers.
The love and privilege he received growing up likely surpassed even her own.
He was famous.
Respected.
A legendary figure in Hong Kong.
Compared to him, she felt ordinary.
All she possessed was the title of a wealthy young lady.
She was the principal dancer of the Beijing Ballet Theatre.
She had never participated in family business matters and knew almost nothing about them.
She and Xie Yuli seemed like complete opposites.
What could they possibly talk about?
Lowering her lashes, she once again remembered the way he had looked at her.
So calm.
So indifferent.
So utterly unaffected.
He definitely didn’t like her.
The thought of marrying a man like that embarrassed her.
Then again, marrying a man who liked her too much would probably embarrass her as well.
…
After thinking about it over and over, she realized she was still stuck on one question:
Why had Xie Yuli remained so calm when he saw her?
He was like a clear spring.
Reflecting all the beauty in the world.
She had passed by and looked into its surface.
Only to discover that her reflection wasn’t there at all.
There was no trace of her in Xie Yuli’s eyes.
How could there not be?
Wasn’t she beautiful?
Wasn’t she attractive?
Countless people blushed when they saw her.
Who could remain as unmoved as he had?
Without realizing it, she bit down harder on her straw.
Her brows furrowed.
She looked troubled.
“Why do you look unhappy?”
Shen Jinbai asked.
She snapped back to reality.
“Oh. It’s nothing.”
Just then, the butler entered with a bright smile.
In his hands was an elegant pearl-white box engraved with dragons and phoenixes.
“Young Master, Third Miss.”
“Someone has sent a gift for Third Miss.”
Shen Jinbai raised an eyebrow.
The box looked incredibly expensive.
“And who sent it?”
The butler’s smile widened.
“It was personally delivered by Mr. Xie Yuli’s assistant.”
“He specifically requested that Miss Shen accept it.”
Shen Bingci stood up and opened the box.
Inside lay two jade bracelets.
Emerald green.
Luminous and elegant.
They seemed to glow from within.
Her lips parted.
Her eyes widened.
“Why would he send me a gift?”
The butler beamed.
“Third Miss, these bracelets are truly beautiful. They suit your complexion perfectly.”
Shen Bingci freely admitted one thing.
She loved beautiful and impractical things.
The more luxurious, rare, and exquisite, the better.
And these bracelets perfectly matched her tastes.
“Really? They’re not bad.”
Her eyes curved into crescents as she gently touched the cool jade surface.
Shen Jinbai’s sharp eyes narrowed.
A satisfied smile appeared.
“Imperial Violet Glass Jade.”
“Starting value: six hundred million yuan.”
“I didn’t expect him to acquire something like this.”
“It seems he’s quite satisfied with you.”
Satisfied.
Hearing that word, Shen Bingci felt warmth spread across her cheeks.
Her heart skipped unexpectedly.
“Maybe not.”
“Perhaps he just has a habit of giving gifts.”
Maybe he gave jewelry to women and sports cars to men.
Maybe it wasn’t special at all.
Shen Jinbai had the bracelets put away before returning to the sofa.
“You think just anyone is qualified to receive a gift from Xie Yuli?”
He rarely gave gifts.
And when he did, the recipients were carefully chosen.
Either they possessed extraordinary status.
Or they shared a deep relationship with him.
Or…
Like her.
They were closely connected to him.
“This means Xie Yuli has already acknowledged you.”
“He obviously has no intention of rejecting the marriage.”
“Which is perfectly normal.”
“No one could be dissatisfied with my sister.”
A smile unconsciously appeared on Shen Bingci’s lips before quickly disappearing.
Then another thought occurred to her.
“Brother…”
“Should I send him a gift in return?”
“Of course.”
Shen Jinbai finally saw signs of progress.
“What you choose is up to you.”
“I won’t interfere.”
It was only proper etiquette, she told herself.
At noon, Shen Jingqian returned home.
So did Shen Bingci’s mother, Lan Shixi.
The entire family was present except for her second brother, who remained overseas.
Seated at the head of the table, Shen Jingqian still looked handsome despite being middle-aged.
“Zhaozhao.”
That was Shen Bingci’s childhood nickname.
“You met Xie Yuli a few days ago, didn’t you?”
She nodded obediently.
“Yes.”
Satisfied, Shen Jingqian continued.
“Good.”
“Now that we’re all here, it’s time to discuss the marriage between the Shen and Xie families.”
“We know you’ve been spoiled since childhood.”
“We also know your standards are high.”
“But Xie Yuli was chosen very carefully.”
“This arrangement began years ago.”
“Our families have shared ties for generations.”
“In the future, we will advance and retreat together.”
“I hope you can understand that.”
“Yuli’s appearance, background, and abilities are impeccable.”
“He is the most suitable fiancé possible.”
Thinking of it seemed to improve Shen Jingqian’s mood.
“What do you think of him?”
In front of her parents, Shen Bingci always behaved well.
Normally she could act spoiled.
But this issue was clearly non-negotiable.
So she spoke cautiously.
Lan Shixi smiled gently.
“Zhaozhao, what’s wrong?”
“Are you embarrassed?”
“We’re family. There’s nothing to be shy about.”
Shen Jinbai casually added,
“She received a gift from Xie Yuli this morning.”
“Her face turned red from happiness.”
“Now she can’t even answer a simple question.”
Slowly raising her head, Shen Bingci pursed her lips.
“He seems like a good person.”
That was the truth.
Xie Yuli seemed almost flawless.
Which made her hesitation appear unreasonable.
After all, they barely knew each other.
As for the gift…
Perhaps it was meant for her parents to see.
“That’s good.”
Shen Jingqian set down his teacup.
“There’s no rush for the wedding.”
“You don’t have to worry about marrying immediately.”
“And even after marriage, you can come home whenever you like.”
“Take your time.”
“Get to know each other.”
“Understand each other.”
“Life will only get better.”
It sounded like a discussion.
In reality, the decision had already been made.
She felt slightly suffocated.
Lan Shixi assumed she was simply shy and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
“The birthday banquet for Third Miss Xie is coming soon.”
“She’s about your age.”
“You two should chat.”
In truth, they wanted her to learn more about Xie Yuli.
Shen Bingci forced a smile.
“Okay, Mom.”
“I’ll prepare a generous gift.”
After returning home, Xie Yuli rested for a single day.
Then it was back to work.
Most of his time was spent at the company.
He was so busy his feet barely touched the ground.
Whenever he became exhausted, he would lean back in his chair and close his eyes to rest.
The office door opened.
His father’s voice sounded.
“Yuli, still working?”
Xie Chenqiao entered wearing a dark blue suit and gold-rimmed glasses.
Elegant and refined.
Xie Yuli opened his eyes and adjusted his collar.
“Father.”
“What brings you here?”
Xie Chenqiao waved dismissively and sat down.
“I’ve told you not to work so hard.”
“You’ll ruin your health.”
Smiling faintly, Xie Yuli poured tea.
The office occupied the highest floor of a skyscraper, overlooking the glittering city below.
Sunlight streamed through the windows.
His rolled-up sleeves revealed elegant forearms.
Even pouring tea looked graceful.
“It’s nothing serious.”
“If I collapse, I collapse.”
His father clicked his tongue.
“What nonsense.”
“You’re already a man with a fiancée.”
“How can your health collapse so casually?”
He should be protecting his future wife.
Not collapsing first.
Xie Yuli quietly pushed the tea toward him.
After taking a sip, Xie Chenqiao nodded in satisfaction.
His son had always loved tea.
Unlike other young people, he never touched soda or stimulating drinks.
He always carried a faint scent of tea leaves.
Like tea itself, Xie Yuli was complex.
Cool.
Bitter.
Sweet.
All existing harmoniously within one person.
The longer one spent with him, the more refined and appealing he became.
“You met Miss Shen recently, didn’t you?”
Xie Chenqiao smiled.
“What do you think of her?”
“I’ve known about her for years.”
“She’s beautiful, obedient, sweet-talking, and very likable.”
Beautiful and obedient?
He agreed.
Perhaps she was even too obedient.
A princess raised inside a pearl shell.
The slightest breeze from the outside world could startle her.
Which was why she hardly looked at him.
Or perhaps she simply didn’t want to.
Sweet-talking and likable?
He couldn’t quite agree.
In front of him, she was practically mute.
Clearly, her voice was sweet.
So sweet it was almost cloying.
Whenever he heard it, his ears itched.
How could a girl’s voice be so soft and charming?