That evening, Alma went to the study. Bai Yanzhou had just finished an online meeting and was now signing important documents.
Hearing the knock, Bai Yanzhou said, “Come in.” That little troublemaker wouldn’t be so polite—she usually just pushed the door open and walked in.
Alma was still wearing her daytime clothes, which were formal and appropriate. She carried a glass of freshly warmed milk over. “Brother Yanzhou, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”
Bai Yanzhou paused, looking up at Alma. “You and I are only in a cooperative relationship. Also, I don’t need another sister.”
Alma stared at Bai Yanzhou in surprise. She set the milk down on the table, wanting to ask what he meant by that—he hadn’t spoken like this before.
“Get to the point.” Bai Yanzhou put away the documents. His private attitude had always been like this; he was only a gentleman in public.
Alma felt somewhat wronged but forced herself to hold it in. “Tomorrow, my cousin is coming to visit me. I hope you can cooperate and put on a loving act with me. He’s only staying one night.”
Bai Yanzhou leaned back in his chair, interlacing his fingers on his lap. “It’s not impossible…”
When it came to him, no one could expect to take advantage.
Alma had already paid several hundred million before, and now asking her to pay more was a bit of a strain—unless she sold all the properties and jewelry under her name.
“Alright.” But she still agreed.
Bai Yanzhou’s brow twitched slightly as he gestured for her to leave. “In the future, try to discuss matters during the day. I don’t like being disturbed at night.”
Alma mustered her courage and spoke up. “But during the day, weren’t you…”
“It was just an act. What, did you get lost in the role?” Bai Yanzhou said, then worried Alma might not understand, so he added, “I will never fall in love with you.”
Tears welled up in Alma’s eyes. She opened the study door and walked out. He just hadn’t fallen in love with her yet, that was all.
It meant she needed to work harder to win this man over…
Bai Yanzhou turned on his computer, his fingers tapping on the keyboard until he finally stood up at one in the morning and left the study.
Pei Wanyou lay flat on the bed, the blanket tucked beneath her, her hand clutching her own hair, sleeping soundly.
Bai Yanzhou bent down and touched Pei Wanyou’s forehead.
Finally, his gaze shifted to her stomach—the fair, tender skin had been harshly sliced open by a scalpel…
Pei Wanyou felt as if someone had patted her. She let out a dissatisfied “hmph,” turned onto her side facing the wall, and slowly lifted her little bottom.
Bai Yanzhou let out a long sigh and left the main house.
Early in the morning, a black Rolls-Royce appeared at the foot of the Bai family’s mountain. A man stepped out of the car, displeased. “So many rules. If it weren’t for my sister living here, I wouldn’t come even if invited.”
“Young master, watch your words,” the butler beside him whispered in reminder.
Brady had brown curly hair, tanned skin, stood about 185 centimeters tall, and wore a proper suit, though his expression was somewhat impatient.
After undergoing a body search, Brady got back into the car. He had no idea what his family was thinking, actually expecting him to find a way to marry the Bai family’s eldest daughter, Pei Wanyou.
Just hearing the surname made it clear she wasn’t the true Bai family eldest daughter. He had seen her once at a banquet four years ago—she loved being the center of attention and enjoyed fighting for others’ causes.
He had been joking around with his brothers and a maid when she ran over, pointing her nose in the air and calling them scum.
The thought of marrying such a woman home felt utterly dull, but to inherit the Sommerfield Family, he had to marry into the Bai family.
Alma had been waiting outside the door early on. As Brady stepped out of the car, she hurried over, wearing an ingratiating smile.
“Little brother, I finally got you here,” Alma said, looking happy and excited.
Brady frowned. “Who’s your little brother? Call me Young Master. Don’t think just because we’re outside, you can forget the rules.”
Even the butler who had opened the car door showed no intention of greeting Alma, carrying the gifts as he followed behind Brady.
Alma didn’t show any embarrassment and continued smiling warmly. “Make sure you don’t act rudely later. You need to leave a good impression on the Bai family’s eldest daughter.”
Brady’s expression darkened. Wasn’t she just lucky to be raised in the Bai family’s courtyard? Why should he bother leaving her a good impression?
If he spared her even a glance, she should be setting off fireworks in celebration.
Bai Yanzhou was in the courtyard feeding Shushu. Pei Wanyou had taken another day off and was lying on a rattan chair, basking in the sun.
“Pull your skirt down,” Bai Yanzhou said, not wanting to say much, but sometimes he had no choice.
Pei Wanyou was holding her new phone, transferring data. “I’m wearing pumpkin shorts, it’s not like I’m naked,” she said, but she still tugged her skirt down.
“…”
Just then, Alma brought Brady to Snow Bamboo Courtyard. “Yanzhou, Sister Wanyou, let me introduce you. This is my brother, Brady.”
Pei Wanyou put down her phone and glanced over. No one had told her there would be guests today. She was still wearing a little grass hairpin on her head—forget looking like a proper lady, she barely looked presentable.
Bai Yanzhou looked up. “Have a seat.”
Brady looked at Pei Wanyou. Her skin was as fair as snow, her eyes curved gently, and a bright smile graced her lips. Her long, dark hair cascaded down her back, so beautiful it was hard to look away.
“Hello,” Pei Wanyou stood up.
Since her future sister-in-law’s family had visitors, she couldn’t expect Bai Yanzhou to be on his best behavior. She had to put in the effort!
Brady was captivated. She wasn’t tall, but her proportions were perfect. Her voice was soft and delicate, pleasant and melodious.
He extended his hand. “Hello, Sister Wanyou.”
Bai Yanzhou gave Brady a stern look. Skipping him to greet Pei Wanyou directly—was this the Sommerfield Family’s upbringing?
Alma cleared her throat. “Brady, you haven’t greeted your brother-in-law yet.” Then she glanced at Bai Yanzhou. Even though it was fake, saying this greatly satisfied her vanity.
Brady snapped back to reality and greeted Bai Yanzhou. He really disliked this man—he had been at the last banquet.
He had ruthlessly and rudely cut out Luke’s tongue.
Pei Wanyou stood beside Bai Yanzhou. “You all chat. I’ll take Shushu to the garden to pick some roses for jam.” To put it bluntly, she was worried Shushu might get in his way.
After all, his maternal family had visitors—he needed to leave a good impression, right?
“Sit still,” Bai Yanzhou said. She had just started recovering—why was she running around?
Pei Wanyou gently poked Bai Yanzhou’s shoulder. How could he be so oblivious?
Utterly hopeless.
Brady’s eyes were practically glued to Pei Wanyou. Four years ago, she was still young, her features far less defined and beautiful than they are now. Back then, she resembled more of a doll in a shop window, still carrying a childlike innocence.
Pei Wanyou felt uncomfortable under his gaze. She raised her eyes, a slight frown forming between her brows.
Bai Yanzhou set down the milk bottle. “Alma, your brother seems to have a problem with his eyes. Since you have time, why not take him to get them checked?”
Men understand men best. No one knew better than him what that look in Brady’s eyes meant.
“Does Brother-in-law not know?” Brady said as he took a seat on the chair. “Father sent me here to build a relationship with Sister Wanyou. What’s wrong with me looking at her a little more?”
Alma broke out in a cold sweat down her spine. Was he insane?
Pei Wanyou blinked her beautiful eyes. “Why should I build a relationship with you?”
“With the two families forming an alliance through marriage, shouldn’t you be building a relationship with your future husband?” Brady leaned back in his chair. “My sister has come to the Bai family. Pack your things and come back with me this afternoon.”
He didn’t think the Sommerfield Family was any worse off than the Bai family. They should be on equal footing. If he didn’t stand firm now, wouldn’t he be completely suppressed by Bai Yanzhou in the future?
Bai Yanzhou looked at Brady with a dangerous glint in his eyes. He stood up, holding Shushu, his voice cold. “What did you just say?”
Pei Wanyou quickly stepped in front of Bai Yanzhou. “There might be some misunderstanding here.”
After saying that, she looked up at him and gave him a meaningful glance.
After all, this was her future sister-in-law’s family. If he started a fight, wouldn’t that ruin the marriage?
Brady was about to say more, but Alma stopped him. If he wanted to die, couldn’t he do it without dragging her down with him?
Pei Wanyou was the Bai family’s treasure, held in the palm of their hands. How could she just casually go back with him? Why didn’t he use his brain before speaking?
Brady had been spoiled rotten by his family. As the sole heir of the Sommerfield Family, he had never suffered any grievances since childhood and had never had to endure anyone’s displeasure.
Bai Yanzhou lowered his gaze, a chill spreading in his eyes. “Take him back to your courtyard. I don’t want to see him.”
Alma forced a smile. “I’m sorry, there must be some misunderstanding. We’re all family; once we clear things up, it’ll be fine. Sister Wanyou, don’t be angry. He’s just straightforward and says whatever’s on his mind. He doesn’t have any ill intentions.”
Brady looked at Bai Yanzhou, meeting his gaze. Others might fear him, but he didn’t!
If he wanted to marry Alma, he had to marry Pei Wanyou to him. Regardless of her personality, he had taken a liking to her face. She should feel honored.
Pei Wanyou was seething with anger, but she had already ruined Bai Yanzhou once. She couldn’t ruin his marriage too, so she had to endure it.
Bai Yanzhou handed Shushu to Pei Wanyou, but she didn’t take her.
“Brother, come with me to the garden to pick some roses. The medicine I have to take is just too bitter,” she said, tugging at Bai Yanzhou’s sleeve. “Don’t hurt Shushu; she’s still little.”
If something happened to Brady on his first visit to the Bai family, the two great families would become irreconcilable. Constant friction would follow, and that would be troublesome.
Alma stepped in front of Brady. Bai Yanzhou had taken five billion from her; surely, he wouldn’t do anything to Brady now.
Brady had offended Bai Yanzhou. He was doomed, but now wasn’t the time.
He had to die in a way that would prevent Summerfield from causing trouble for the Bai family, and even force them to apologize to the Bai family.
“This Brady guy has an IQ as low as the temperature in Antarctica,” Pei Wanyou puffed her cheeks, crossing her arms. “If it weren’t for my future sister-in-law’s sake, I’d have beaten him back to his original form.”
“Truly, the longer you live, the more you get to see…”
Bai Yanzhou held Shushu in one arm, his large hand landing on the back of Pei Wanyou’s neck. “You talk big in front of me, but is that all you’ve got?”
“What else could I do?” Pei Wanyou reached out to push Bai Yanzhou away. “Stop pinching me all the time. You really need to break this habit.” Alma is so gentle—she definitely wouldn’t like this.
Bai Yanzhou’s voice wasn’t loud, but it was deep. “You should have just gouged his eyes out.”
But he would definitely take care of this himself. How dare someone disrespect his sister right in front of him?
“If I hadn’t stopped you just now, would you have done it?” Pei Wanyou looked up at him. “After you get married, you won’t resort to domestic violence, will you?”
Bai Yanzhou pinched the back of her neck again. “If I only beat you up, does that count as domestic violence?”
Pei Wanyou hunched her shoulders and stuck out her tongue.
Well, how could it not?
“…”
Alma took Brady back to her courtyard.
“You’re too weak. After you marry Bai Yanzhou, he’ll bully you to death. Father and the others are still hoping you’ll help the family—what a joke.” Brady finished speaking and sat down in a chair.
From the moment he stepped out of the car until now, the Bai family hadn’t shown any intention of treating him as a guest. Wasn’t that just a sign that they didn’t take Alma seriously?
Alma clasped her hands in front of her, lowering her head. “He treats me very well…”
Brady leaned back in his chair with a look of disdain. “Father asked me to find out how far things have progressed between you and Bai Yanzhou. He wants you to find a way to get pregnant as soon as possible.”
Alma’s face flushed slightly. “We’ve already been together. I’ll… I’ll get pregnant very soon.” She said this deliberately.
Brady would definitely report this back. Once he was dead, Father and the others would turn their attention to her, realizing that she was the useful one.
“By the way, that worthless girl Bai Yanzhou had—you need to find a way to get rid of her. We can’t let her grow up and become a threat.” Brady lit a cigarette as he spoke.
Alma nervously glanced around. Fortunately, she usually didn’t like being attended to by others, or else if a Bai family servant overheard, it would be disastrous.
“Could you please watch what you say?” Alma grew anxious. Before things were done, she needed to stay in the Bai family.
He kept talking about getting rid of the Bai family’s young lady without a single thought. And yet, Father still refused to pass the family inheritance to her, just because she was a woman and Brady was a man.
Brady blew out a puff of smoke. “Father mentioned ‘cooking the rice before it’s ready.’ How do you plan to do that?”
Alma bit her lip. “It’s hard to pull off in the Bai family. Think of a way to invite her out yourself. I heard she attends Astor University, and your school is right next door. See if you can invite her to a friendship gathering?”
“At the last banquet I attended, I heard that Pei Wanyou was raised by the Bai family to be Bai Yanzhou’s plaything. Did you know about that?” Brady, who intended to marry Pei Wanyou, naturally had to ask for clarity.
If Bai Yanzhou had already played with her, who knew what kind of state she was in? What use was a pretty face then?
Alma shook her head repeatedly. “Don’t listen to the rumors outside. Pei Wanyou and Bai Yanzhou are biological siblings. Their father has the same father.”
It’s just that their surnames are different. Bai Yanzhou took his mother’s surname—didn’t he even know that?
How could Bai Yanzhou possibly be involved with his own sister? She had never even considered such a possibility.
Brady took out his phone. “Then I’m relieved. I’ll try to arrange a meeting with Pei Wanyou. You help me contact reporters to take photos—just make sure I’m not in the shots, or I’ll hold you accountable.”
Alma lowered her head. If she wanted to climb up, she could step over others’ bodies. She only hoped Pei Wanyou wouldn’t blame her… she had no other choice.