She couldn’t even be bothered to eat breakfast before heading out.
The car rolled over the plastic path meant for tourists and cyclists, cruising steadily down the mountain.
When Xu Chengyi had first been married off, she’d been so full of resentment that she hadn’t had the mood to look at the scenery around her.
Now that she actually looked, she had to admit that the Song family’s choice of location for their old estate was remarkably discerning.
The winding mountain road spiraled downward, revealing a vast lake glittering in the light. Mountains, water, and trees—a feng shui treasure spot, breathtakingly beautiful.
The natural scenic area at the foot of the mountain was somewhere she’d gone during her freshman year of college. She’d even burned incense at the temple of the gods there, praying for wealth and safety.
But now she realized that the temple enshrined in the scenic area was actually built half a story lower than Half-Moon Mountain Villa.
Just how deep were the Song family’s roots, to hold dominion over an entire mountain?
After yawning about a hundred times in the car, she tilted her head, leaned it against Song Wenzhou’s shoulder, and closed her eyes.
Song Wenzhou’s body stiffened. The moment he raised his hand, the head resting on his shoulder said bossily, “Don’t move. Let me lean for a bit.”
The driver up front caught this and subtly raised an eyebrow.
This Second Young Madam, he’d heard, was originally an illegitimate daughter who’d been cast out. Even after being brought back into the family, she wasn’t favored at all.
And Song Wenzhou—he was Elder Song’s most prized grandson.
Before the car accident, he’d been a renowned prodigy, someone you approached with caution and respect. Even with his mind damaged, no one dared to shout at him. They all remained deferential, afraid that one day his mind might recover.
Had no one told her any of this, or did she simply not care?
The car fell silent, and Song Wenzhou could hear the soft, even breathing of the person beside him.
About half an hour later, the car stopped outside the manor villa of the Xu family’s old estate.
The driver got out and opened the rear door. “Second Young Master, Second Young Madam, please.”
The two got out. The Xu family’s butler came out to receive them, but without much warmth.
“The fifth miss has returned.” The butler’s tone was flat.
Such is the way of the world. In the past, a visit from Song Wenzhou would have made him an honored guest of the Xu family.
But ever since the car accident, when his engagement to the Second Miss Xu had been dragged out for a full year before being callously broken off, he’d become just like Xu Chengyi—a useless marriage alliance tool.
“Fifth Miss, Fifth Young Master, this way.” The butler still didn’t take them seriously.
Xu Chengyi had grown up without parents, relying only on her grandmother, learning to read people’s expressions from a young age. The contempt in the butler’s eyes was crystal clear to her.
The butler led them to a tea room in a side hall.
Elder Xu was brewing tea.
Xu Chengyi swaggered over. “Hey, old man, pour me a cup.”
In the Song family, she didn’t dare offend anyone.
But in the Xu family, she could do whatever she wanted. Not for any particular reason—just to vent. Because they’d tricked her into coming back to get married under the guise of family affection.
Elder Xu slowly raised his eyes, his face cold and stern, and snapped, “Who taught you to be so disrespectful?!”
Xu Chengyi let out a light laugh. “Don’t you have to ask yourselves? You taught me.”
The old man’s face darkened further. Not bothering to avoid Song Wenzhou’s presence, he narrowed his eyes in warning. “Talk to me like that, and you’re not worried about your gravely ill grandmother?”
Xu Chengyi sat down casually, picked up the teapot, poured herself a cup, blew on it gently, took a sip, and said flatly, “Old man, if you dare do anything to my grandmother, I’ll come back and chop you to death.”
“And don’t think I wouldn’t dare. I’ve got nothing to lose anyway—just one worthless life. If I can’t get to you, I’ll go after your children and grandchildren. And when you die, I’ll be at your grave every night dancing on it, so you won’t rest easy even in death.”
The old man had lived a long life, yet he was actually startled by the look in this young girl’s eyes. But to maintain his authority as head of the family, he slammed the table and rose. “You wouldn’t dare!”
Xu Chengyi let out a scoff, her gaze meeting his directly. “See if I dare.”
Song Wenzhou, sitting quietly to the side, subtly raised an eyebrow.
This girl. She had guts.
The atmosphere hung in deadlock, until a gentle voice drifted in.
“Grandfather, why are you so angry?”
Xu Chengyi and Song Wenzhou turned around to see a girl in a light-colored long dress walking over gracefully, radiating refinement and nobility from head to toe.
This was Elder Xu’s most beloved granddaughter—the daughter of the Xu family’s eldest son. The Second Miss Xu who had once been hailed alongside Song Wenzhou as a match made in heaven: Xu Shutong.
Seeing Xu Shutong, the old man’s bristling mustache settled back down. He snorted coldly at Xu Chengyi. “An unfilial, disloyal, unrighteous thing!”
Xu Chengyi just smiled. She picked up the teapot, leaned over, and poured the old man a cup of tea. “Old man, take it easy. Don’t actually anger yourself to death—I’m here for my homecoming visit. It’d be bad luck.”
The old man looked about to flare up again when Xu Shutong hurried over, gently stroking his back. “Grandfather, don’t be angry, don’t be angry.” Then she turned to Xu Chengyi with a feigned scolding tone. “Fifth sister, say a little less.”
With that, she smoothly sat down beside her grandfather, directly across from Song Wenzhou.
Xu Chengyi looked at this second sister, then at Song Wenzhou. If not for the car accident, the two of them would probably have been a story that trended on social media.
But that wasn’t the reason she kept staring at Song Wenzhou.
She rested her chin on her hand, took a light sip of tea, and raised an eyebrow. “Second Sister, is Song Wenzhou handsome?”
Xu Shutong maintained her composed and elegant demeanor, avoiding a direct answer by changing the subject. “When I came over just now, I saw Fourth Uncle waiting for you in the main hall.”
Xu Chengyi gave a lukewarm “Oh” and rose to leave.
Song Wenzhou stood up as well, gave the two a slight nod, and followed closely behind Xu Chengyi.
Elder Xu glanced at his beloved second granddaughter and couldn’t help but let out a sigh. “Don’t worry, Tongtong. Grandfather will find you a good man again.”
Xu Shutong nodded. “Mm.”