After half an hour of mental preparation, she finally went downstairs.
Only Song Wenzhou was in the dining room, eating alone.
Xu Chengyi walked over with a sour face and sat as far away from him as possible.
Song Wenzhou caught a glimpse of her puffed-up cheeks, and a faint smile unconsciously tugged at the corners of his mouth.
They ate breakfast in silence. Afterward, Xu Chengyi went upstairs, intending to lie down for a while longer.
A young female voice came from outside the door: “Second Young Madam, I’m here to do your makeup.”
Xu Chengyi got up irritably. “Coming.”
A young girl carrying a case introduced herself: “Second Young Madam, my name is Xiao Mo.”
Xu Chengyi gave a faint “Mm” and stepped aside to let her in.
Xiao Mo applied a trendy heiress-style makeup look on Xu Chengyi.
Xu Chengyi had a good foundation to begin with. The cookie-cutter makeup on her face, paired with her grumpy, sleep-deprived expression, gave her a somewhat cold and alluring air. With the black strapless gown, she looked like an elegant black swan, her presence rivaling that of any young lady raised in luxury.
“Second Young Madam, you’re truly beautiful,” Xiao Mo praised.
Xu Chengyi, however, was unenthusiastic. “Just average. Passable.”
“You’re too modest.”
Going downstairs, she ran into Song Wenzhou heading up.
Xu Chengyi gave a light snort, crossed her arms over her chest, and didn’t spare him a single glance.
Song Wenzhou’s gaze swept over her, then dropped.
The Song family was vast and wealthy—even an unremarkable substitute bride like her got a Bentley chauffeured ride whenever she went out.
About half an hour later, the car slowly pulled into a private estate.
Xu Chengyi caught a brief glimpse of the plaque above the estate gates, which read in bold characters: Peach Blossom Paradise.
Indeed, it was a paradise.
This estate was jointly funded by several major families, covering hundreds of acres. It boasted a golf course, equestrian grounds, a shooting range, a winery, a swimming pool, a club, and more—all exclusive to internal members.
The car stopped beneath a white castle-like building.
“Second Young Madam, we’ve arrived.”
A boy in uniform ran over, opened the rear door, and thoughtfully placed his hand on the door frame. “Mind your head.”
Xu Chengyi lifted her foot and stepped out of the car.
The sunlight was just right at that moment, casting a radiant glow upon her. She was tall and slender, with a slim back and a delicate waist. Her fair, refined little face was especially striking, and the boy was momentarily stunned.
Xu Chengyi hadn’t slept well, so her face was unusually sour as she sauntered inside.
Suddenly, someone patted her on the back.
She was about to take out her bad mood on whoever it was when she turned around and saw her best friend, Lin Rui.
Seeing Lin Rui was like seeing family. Instantly, her face filled with grievance.
“It’s so great to run into you here.”
Lin Rui gently patted her back. “What’s wrong now?”
“It’s a long story—too much to explain.”
Lin Rui let go of her. “After marrying into a wealthy family, I feel like your whole demeanor has changed.”
Xu Chengyi touched her little face. “Did I turn into a bitter rich housewife that fast? No way—I’m only twenty-three. Once you take on that bitter-housewife vibe, it’s a lifelong thing…”
Lin Rui shook her head. “I mean you look more expensive now.”
Xu Chengyi pursed her lips. “Thanks a lot. But why are you here too?”
Lin Rui shrugged. “My dad sent me here to polish my skills and hook a golden son-in-law to bring back.”
Compared to the major families, the Lin family was small-time. Lin Rui’s father had started from scratch in middle age, making him something of a nouveau riche.
Once people have money, they want even more, and they pay more attention to cultivating their children.
“What about you?” Lin Rui asked. “You’re already married. Why are you here at this real lady training class?”
Xu Chengyi spread her hands. “My mother-in-law thinks I’m not up to par.”
The two walked inside. In the hall sat several exquisitely dressed girls, chatting and laughing.
When they saw the newcomers, the girls turned their heads, their eyes sizing up the new face, Xu Chengyi.
The girl at the center of the group, clearly the ringleader, furrowed her brows and asked, “Lin Rui? Who’s this?”
Lin Rui pulled Xu Chengyi over and introduced her with a smile. “Daphne, this is Xu Chengyi, my good friend.”
The girl named Daphne stood up, her eyes filled with undisguised contempt. “So you’re Xu Chengyi.”
Xu Chengyi looked her over without the slightest intimidation. Daphne had a sweet, delicate face, but her entire demeanor radiated arrogance and willfulness, like a girl spoiled rotten at home.
“I am,” Xu Chengyi replied.
The other girls began whispering among themselves: “She’s the illegitimate daughter who married Song Wenzhou in someone else’s place.”
“She’s nothing special.”
“Just a low-class illegitimate daughter. She got a hell of a deal.”
“Exactly.”
…
Xu Chengyi listened to all of it, her fists clenching.
So what if she was an illegitimate daughter? She’d been born without a father or mother to raise her, scraping by for over twenty years without eating a single grain of rice from the Xu family. Now she’d been tricked into coming back and forced into marriage—was that something she’d begged for? She was a victim here too!
Lin Rui saw her face darken even further and quickly grabbed her arm, then smiled at Daphne. “We’ll head in first.”
Xu Chengyi tried to turn back. “Don’t stop me. I’m going to smash their gossiping mouths…”
Lin Rui held her tight. “Wake up. We can’t afford to mess with this Daphne right now—unless your husband’s illness gets cured.”
Xu Chengyi steadied her emotions, let out a cold snort, and asked, “What’s her background?”