Bai Yunxia returned home to find her older sister already awake.
Bai Yushuang had drunk heavily last night. Over the years, managing the company had required frequent social engagements, and she had developed quite a tolerance for alcohol.
But last night, she still ended up drunk.
She remembered clinging to her younger sister while drunkenly calling out her ex-boyfriend’s name.
Bai Yushuang’s eyes turned cold as she stared at the marriage certificate in Yunxia’s hand. “Bai Yunxia, do you realize what you’ve done?”
“Of course I do. It’s a marriage alliance—whether I marry or you marry makes no difference.” Bai Yunxia set down the marriage certificate and obediently sat beside her sister, wrapping her arms around Bai Yushuang’s and leaning in affectionately.
She rested her head against her sister, breathing in her soft, sweet scent. “Sis, I want to contribute to the family too. Mom is taking care of Dad, and you’re managing the company. I can’t keep being a sheltered flower, protected and pampered by all of you, living carefree without a worry. At a time like this, we shouldn’t distinguish between you and me. I think Mo Yanzhou is quite decent—he didn’t make things difficult for me, and he’s even more handsome than in the photos. I feel like I got a great deal! I’m not losing out at all, really, Sis, Sis~”
Since childhood, Bai Yunxia had loved clinging to Bai Yushuang, calling her “Sis” and acting cute and affectionate. She was utterly adorable.
The whole family doted on her as their most precious treasure.
Bai Yushuang gently stroked her younger sister’s hair, tears welling in her eyes. If she hadn’t lost control and gotten drunk in front of Yunxia last night, calling out her ex-boyfriend’s name and revealing that she still couldn’t let go of him, Bai Yunxia wouldn’t have taken her place in marriage today.
As the older sister, she felt deeply ashamed.
“Mo Yanzhou is a rather cold person, and you’re so warm and lively by nature. I’m afraid you won’t be able to stand it once you’re there. My silly little sister, marriage is a major life event—how could you be so impulsive?”
Her heart ached. If only she were capable enough to manage the company well, the Bai family wouldn’t have fallen to this state, and neither of them would need to enter a marriage alliance.
“It’s fine! It just means our personalities complement each other. I’m confident—even the coldest iceberg will melt because of me. A mere Mo Yanzhou? I’ll definitely win him over.” In truth, Bai Yunxia wasn’t all that confident.
But with the company already facing so many troubles, she didn’t want her sister to worry about her on top of everything else.
Bai Yushuang affectionately pinched her sister’s soft cheek. “My little sister is so capable, isn’t she?”
“Of course! You raised me so well. As long as Mo Yanzhou isn’t blind, he should be able to see that having me as his wife is a great deal for him too.” Bai Yunxia smiled brightly, meeting her sister’s gaze.
When they were young, their parents were often busy with work, so the two sisters had always relied on each other, forming an unbreakable bond.
Sensitive and perceptive, Bai Yunxia sensed that her sister was on the verge of tears. She suddenly stood up. “I’m going to pack my things. I’ll move in with him tonight and do my best to win him over. You go ahead with your work, Sis. I’ll visit the hospital this afternoon and tell Mom and Dad.”
Bai Yunxia used to dislike hospitals. She was afraid of injections and didn’t like seeing all the sick and suffering people there. Her strong empathy often made her cry.
But after her father was diagnosed with cancer and she started visiting the hospital frequently, she gradually became less afraid.
Pushing open the hospital room door, she saw her father receiving an IV drip. Since falling ill, he had gone from 140 pounds to just over 100 pounds, his cheeks hollowed and sunken.
Bai Yunxia handed the marriage certificate to her mother. “Mom, Dad, I’ve taken Sis’s place and married into the Mo family.”
The atmosphere in the room turned heavy and silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
“I got married! It’s a happy occasion, you should be more cheerful!” Bai Yunxia broke the silence with a beaming smile. “He’s no ordinary man—it’s Mo Yanzhou. The wealthiest man in Ling City, dashing and charismatic, imposing in stature, exceptionally brilliant, with vast family fortunes…”
Feng Jie sighed. “Your sister already called us. Our precious girl has grown up and become sensible. It’s all our fault for being useless, otherwise you wouldn’t have had to enter this arranged marriage.”
They had all heard about Mo Yanzhou’s temperament.
He was known to be cold and ruthless, taciturn, capable of reducing things to ashes with a snap of his fingers. As one of the most outstanding among the younger generation, would Bai Yunxia find happiness staying by the side of such a calm, rational, and yet unapproachable man?
She chattered and made noise all day long, and was quite spoiled—could Mo Yanzhou even tolerate her?
Would their marriage be harmonious?
The Bai parents were deeply worried.
Bai Yunxia feigned nonchalance. “We’re family! We face challenges together. Sooner or later I’d have to marry someone anyway. How could I let such an exceptional catch like Mo Yanzhou slip away?”
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Truthfully, she was terrified.
She wouldn’t even choose friends who were silent, iceberg-types that kept people at arm’s length, yet she ended up with a husband who was cold-hearted, emotionless, and sparing with his words.
She could already imagine how bleak her married life would be.
Would she be left guarding an empty room?
Would she?
Probably yes.
After leaving the hospital, Bai Yunxia went straight to Cloud Creek Valley.
Cloud Creek Valley was a high-end residential complex located within Ling City’s second ring road—a quiet oasis in the bustling city. The entire community covered an extensive area but contained only twenty standalone villas, offering a tranquil environment perfect for living.
When the car stopped at the entrance of Villa No. 9, the butler waiting at the door opened the car door. “Good afternoon, Madam. I’m Yu Chao, the butler here. You may come to me for anything you need in the future.”
“My luggage is in the trunk.”
Although the Bai family was nearly bankrupt, Bai Yunxia had been raised in privilege since childhood, never having done much manual work and accustomed to being waited on.
It wasn’t until Yu Chao had the servants carry her luggage to the upstairs room that she realized—with absolute certainty—this couldn’t be Mo Yanzhou’s master bedroom. The bed had a pattern of fresh, delicate little flowers, the curtains were lace, and the room featured an oversized white walk-in closet.
So she really would be left all alone.
She’d never been in a relationship, but that didn’t mean she knew nothing.
If Mo Yanzhou wouldn’t even touch her, and they had neither emotional connection nor a child between them, they could divorce at any moment—and then she’d lose her golden lifeline!
No way!
Her golden ticket!
Bai Yunxia smiled coquettishly. “Uncle Yu~ Could you tell me about Mr. Mo’s preferences?”
Waiting online, very urgent!
Yu Chao firmly remembered Mo Yanzhou’s instructions: don’t bother with her, let her be.
But the madam was truly adorable!
Her face was as exquisitely beautiful as a doll in a display window.
The young master’s heart really was made of ice.
Yu Chao bit back the words on the tip of his tongue.
Mo Yanzhou was the one who paid his salary—he couldn’t afford to cross his employer.
Yu Chao said, “Madam, the process of gradually getting to know someone can be quite beautiful itself. I believe someone as lovely as you will surely not leave Sir indifferent.”
“Why do I see the word ‘guilt’ written all over your face?” Bai Yunxia felt like crying.
Yu Chao composed his expression and said in a formal tone, “Madam, you can tell me your preferences, your dietary habits, your daily routine, and your favorite brands.”
“When I’m in a better mood, I’ll make you a list. And if you’re in a good mood, Uncle Yu, please make me a list too. I need it very, very much.” Her understanding of Mo Yanzhou was only based on rumors.
And that one meeting today.
Apart from knowing he was wealthy, powerful, intelligent, with long legs, long arms, and handsome looks, she knew nothing else.
How to flirt with him!
Strip naked?
Would that be a bit too direct?
Would someone as aloof and indifferent as Mo Yanzhou even like such straightforward seduction?