A flicker of impatience crossed Gu Anyun’s cool, elegant features, yet her expression remained unchanged. She merely cast a brief glance at Nan Qiu beside her.
Nan Qiu understood instantly, summoning a maid and whispering instructions, “Have Teacher Wen leave the gown. The young mistress is not receiving guests.”
“Yes,” the maid nodded, turning to head toward the side hall.
Reception Hall:
After hearing the maid’s message, Wen Xinzhi’s delicate features remained composed. “The young mistress likely doesn’t realize that this gown is particularly figure-hugging. Even the slightest discrepancy in fit will ruin the effect.”
The young maid, somewhat slow-witted, frowned at her, unsure of her meaning.
Wen Xinzhi placed her coffee cup on the tea table. “This coffee has gone a bit cold. Could you trouble yourself to bring me a fresh cup?”
“Huh?” The maid stared blankly at Wen Xinzhi.
Wen Xinzhi raised her hand, tucking away a nonexistent strand of hair behind her ear. Her smile deepened as she looked at the maid.
“Young Master Jin instructed me personally to oversee the young mistress’s fitting. This is Young Master Jin’s wish, and no one may refuse.”
The implication was clear: Gu Anyun had no right to send her away!
The maid suddenly realized—Wen Xinzhi was the exclusive designer personally selected by the young master. Offending her would be tantamount to offending the young master himself!
“Teacher Wen, please wait a moment!” The maid forced a stiff, apologetic smile, stepping forward to take the coffee cup. “I’ll fetch you a fresh cup right away!”
Watching the maid hastily retreat with the cup, Wen Xinzhi’s gentle eyes curved into an even brighter smile, her shrewdness and ambition hidden just beneath the surface.
The bird’s nest-shaped sunroom, constructed entirely from tempered Low-E glass, spanned over two hundred square meters. Like a colossal diamond, it radiated blinding brilliance under the sunlight, its opulence nothing short of outrageous.
Equipped with a fresh air system, the sunroom featured a leisure dining area, a multifunctional audiovisual setup, and a full array of smart living devices.
Year-round, it nurtured rare flowers, plants, and trees from around the globe, with annual maintenance costs alone reaching a staggering sum in the tens of millions.
Gu Anyun sat at the rectangular dining table crafted from natural luxury stone, her demeanor elegant as she immersed herself in her meal.
The Hong Kong-style breakfast, meticulously prepared by a five-star chef, ensured balanced nutrition while precisely controlling calorie intake.
Flawless and exceptionally delicious.
Yet, Gu Anyun’s appetite was lacking. She took only a small taste of each dish before setting down her utensils with little interest.
Nan Qiu handed her a napkin, inquiring softly, “Young mistress, you’ve eaten so little. Is the food not to your liking?”
Gu Anyun did not answer. Instead, she turned her gaze outside.
The Australian waxflowers were in full bloom, braving frost and snow, standing in stark contrast to the expensively nurtured plants surrounding her indoors.
This was the birthday gift Jin Chenyue had given her last year.
Gu Anyun did like it.
But she knew, no matter how beautiful, it did not truly belong to her.
“The dishes are fine,” Gu Anyun said quietly. “Clear them away.”
Nan Qiu summoned a maid to remove the meal.
The maid who had been attending to Wen Xinzhi in the reception hall hurried over to Nan Qiu, reporting in a low voice, “Steward Nan, that Teacher Wen… she won’t leave…”
Nan Qiu frowned, her eyelid twitching involuntarily—a sense of foreboding.
Before Nan Qiu could respond, Gu Anyun had already risen to her feet.
Nan Qiu immediately looked at her. “Young mistress?”
Gu Anyun closed her eyes briefly, masking the irritation in her gaze. Her exquisitely beautiful face remained cool and detached. “Receive the guest.”
Nan Qiu promptly stepped forward to follow Gu Anyun.After walking a few steps, Gu Anyun suddenly paused and turned to look at the Australian waxflower outside.
“Nan Qiu, do you know the flower language of the Australian waxflower?”
Her voice was soft, her tone casual as if she had asked offhandedly.
Nan Qiu thought for a moment. “The flower language of the Australian waxflower is nobility and steadfastness.”
After a pause, Nan Qiu hurriedly added, “It also symbolizes faithful love. Look at its waxy outer petals—they resemble unwavering love. So, the Australian waxflower is also perfect for giving to a lover, as it expresses steadfast affection.”
This Australian waxflower was a gift from the young master to the young mistress. Nan Qiu felt her answer deserved full marks!
“Is that so?” Gu Anyun rarely curved her lips.
It was a fleeting, faint smile, but it made Nan Qiu’s eyes light up.
Gu Anyun was usually aloof and indifferent. In three years, Nan Qiu had hardly ever seen her smile.
Nan Qiu thought to herself that Gu Anyun herself was very much like this waxflower.
Noble and untouched by worldly influences, so cold and distant that one dared not gaze upon her beauty.
Her background, appearance, and temperament were flawless. Such a woman could only be matched by her young master!
Nan Qiu thought happily to herself, her young master and young mistress were truly a match made in heaven!
“Cut it down.”
“Alright, cut… cut it down?!” Nan Qiu was so shocked she nearly made a meme-worthy expression!
Several seconds passed before she managed to find her voice. “You mean… you want to cut down this Australian waxflower?!”
“Yes.” Gu Anyun withdrew her gaze, her sweet voice sounding as formulaic as a robot’s. “Have it cleared away today.”
“But…” Nan Qiu’s eyelids twitched uncontrollably. “This is… a gift from the young master…”
“I don’t like it.” Gu Anyun tossed out this sentence indifferently and walked away.
Watching Gu Anyun’s retreating figure, Nan Qiu could no longer hold back. She took out her phone and sent a message to Jin Chenyue: [Young Master, code red alert! The young mistress told me to cut down the Australian waxflower!!]