“I spent a full three hours chasing after A Yan!”
Lu Chiwan said with a completely serious expression.
Old Madam: “?”
After a moment, she nodded gently, “My grandson is indeed worth about that much.”
Lu Chiwan blinked.
Old Madam said helplessly, “You know this child’s personality, he…”
“Of course I know.”
Lu Chiwan nodded, putting on a sincere act, “A Yan is gentle, considerate, attentive, and patient. He remembers even the smallest details clearly.”
“He loves and pampers me, never looks at other women, and can’t bear to raise his voice at me. He’s devoted and deeply affectionate.”
“He’s the best man in the world!”
Old Madam was stunned.
Pan Ma, who had served Old Madam for most of her life, was also stunned.
“Young Madam, are you… really talking about the young master?”
Gentle, considerate, attentive, patient, devoted, and deeply affectionate?
She felt none of these words matched the young master’s character at all.
Lu Chiwan nodded with great conviction, “It’s our A Yan!”
What could Old Madam and Pan Ma say?
Old Madam couldn’t very well say, “That’s not my grandson. Moody, cold, ruthless, and quick to turn hostile – that’s my grandson.”
After Lu Chiwan left South Garden carrying several boxes of items, she was invited to North Garden.
“Qingqing’s here, come sit, come sit.”
“Xu Ma, quickly make tea for Young Madam.”
“And bring over the gift I prepared for Young Madam.”
Yao Meizhu warmly pulled Lu Chiwan to sit down, looking her over repeatedly while sighing in admiration, “I’ve seen countless beauties in my life, but someone as beautiful as you is truly a first. No wonder the young master likes you.”
“Auntie, you’re very beautiful too.”
Lu Chiwan piled on smiles as she flattered.
After the tea was served, Yao Meizhu subtly tried to extract information from Lu Chiwan.
Lu Chiwan answered with complete sincerity, responding to whatever Yao Meizhu asked with extraordinary obedience.
After some probing, Yao Meizhu took the gift from Xu Ma – a string of natural violet jadeite bead necklace.
While red and green jadeite are prized, violet is considered the most noble color in jadeite. Violet jadeite is an extremely unique variety, and what made this necklace particularly rare was its excellent texture, plump beads, and transparent color – a truly exceptional piece worth a fortune.
“I bought this necklace at last year’s Lu family auction. It didn’t cost much, just over ten million. If you like it, take it to wear.”
Lu Chiwan was taken aback, feeling the necklace looked strangely familiar.
Over ten million to play with?
After a moment of silence, she nodded, “Auntie, I do quite like it.”
Her honesty left no room for response.
Fortunately, Yao Meizhu managed to maintain her composure, “That’s good, that’s good.”
“But it’s too valuable, I can’t accept it.”
Lu Chiwan pushed the necklace back.
“I’m not giving it to you for free. Auntie would like you to do a small favor.”
“A small favor for over ten million?”
“Auntie, you’re really very generous.”
Lu Chiwan put on an innocent, naive expression.
Yao Meizhu sighed softly, “Actually, I’m doing this for the family’s sake.”
“You know I’m the young master’s stepmother. The young master only returned home a few years ago, and since he didn’t grow up with me, we’re inevitably somewhat distant.”
“The Li family will eventually be passed to the young master – that’s the Li family tradition. My children won’t compete with the young master for it.”
“However, Jinxuan and Ningning are also the young master’s own younger brother and sister. I hope the siblings can get along harmoniously, and if anything happens in the future, the young master can help them.”
“So, regarding news of the young master, Qingqing, you’ll still need to assist me a bit.”
The words were tactfully spoken, but the meaning was quite clear—it was nothing more than trying to extract some information about Li Yanxing’s whereabouts from Lu Chiwan.
“But…”
Lu Chiwan lowered her head, glanced at the necklace in her hand, and looked troubled.
Yao Meizhu observed her expression and smiled as she advised, “Qingqing, as women, Auntie must advise you—no matter how much wealth you have, it only truly counts when it’s in your own hands.”
“How much pocket money does the young master give you each month?”
Lu Chiwan was caught off guard by the question and offered an awkward yet polite smile. “I don’t have much to buy every month, so I don’t spend much.”
Yao Meizhu understood, thinking to herself: Just as expected, she’s merely a temporary plaything, or perhaps just someone to placate the Old Madam. How much genuine affection could there be?
If he doesn’t even give her much pocket money, how much could he possibly love her?
“If you’re short on money in the future, just tell Auntie. I may not have a lot, but I can certainly come up with a million or so.”
Then she turned to Xu Ma and said, “Xu Ma, bring me that set of pearl jewelry I collected earlier. Look at how plainly this child is dressed…”
Half an hour later, Lu Chiwan returned to the living room and had lunch with the Li family.
In the afternoon, she spent the entire day chatting with the Old Madam.
Li Yanxing left halfway through the meal after receiving a phone call.
Before they knew it, evening had arrived.
“Brother Yan, where to? The Old Mansion or…”
Lin Mu had just picked up Li Yanxing from Silver Charm.
Silver Charm—the most renowned private clubhouse in Nan City.
A paradise for the wealthy to discuss business and enjoy themselves.
Li Yanxing reeked of alcohol and cigarette smoke.
“No, back to Brocade Creek Bay.”
“But sister-in-law is still at the Old Mansion.”
“Aren’t you going to take care of her?”
Lin Mu asked in surprise.
Did he just pick up a wife and then discard her?
Li Yanxing’s expression was cold and arrogant, his tone mocking. “You call her quite affectionately. Should I give you the sister-in-law you speak of?”
Lin Mu fell silent, steering the car with one hand as it changed direction and drove away.
How could he have forgotten? That girl was just bait…
Not long after they left, Lin Mu’s phone rang—it was an unfamiliar number.
He didn’t answer.
The caller tried again.
“Brother.”
A soft, gentle voice came from the other end of the line.
Lin Mu clearly saw from the rearview mirror that Brother Yan in the back seat… had changed his expression.
“Wh-what’s wrong?”
“Where’s A Yan? When will he be back?”
“Are you with A Yan? Can you give the phone to him?”
“I…”
Lin Mu didn’t dare to speak carelessly and glanced at the rearview mirror.
The man in the back had closed his eyes, clearly showing no intention of paying attention to the bait.
He could only refuse.
Before he could utter his refusal, the young girl’s soft voice sounded again. “If you’re not with him, can you give me his phone number? I forgot it.”
“Or you could call him and just say…”
The other end of the line fell silent.
Lin Mu: “?”
A moment later, the young girl’s voice suddenly turned sly. “Just tell him I was beaten up and cried, cried so hard the heavens collapsed and the earth split, gasping for breath. If he cares about me, he’ll definitely come back.”
As she finished speaking, the man in the back seat opened his eyes.
Lin Mu thought about the young girl’s thin, delicate appearance and wondered if she could withstand even one punch from Brother Yan.
He couldn’t bear it and risked his life to remind her, “Little sister, we have to be honest and can’t lie to Brother Yan.”
Little sister?
Li Yanxing’s lips curved slightly, his dark eyes narrowing halfway, showing some interest.
“Brother, how would a single dog like you understand the fun between a married couple?”
“A Yan and I are newlyweds, deeply in love like honey mixed with oil. He pampers me, you wouldn’t understand.”
Lin Mu almost threw his phone out the car window.
Oh my dear lady, you really dare to imagine things.
“Fine.”
The man who had been silent for a long time suddenly spoke.