Half-Mountain Villa.
Butler Bai was secretly making a phone call in the backyard, dialing Liu Yueqin.
“Madam, I’ve already had three months’ salary deducted. I can’t go on like this.”
“That brat Gu Yan…” Butler Bai said, turning to glance behind him, cautiously surveying his surroundings before continuing, “He’s deliberately making trouble for me.”
Liu Yueqin’s tone was filled with impatience as she replied, “Old Bai, can’t you just endure it a little longer? It’s not like I’m not paying you.”
Butler Bai’s voice cracked with frustration, “I really can’t take it anymore, I…”
“Old Bai, your job is to keep an eye on Gu Yan. You must stay there.”
“But I’m afraid one day, I might lose my life.”
After hearing this, Liu Yueqin fell silent for a few seconds. It seemed Gu Yan already knew that Butler Bai was her informant.
Butler Bai pleaded with Liu Yueqin, wanting to resign and escape from Gu Yan, this living demon.
He had truly had enough of living in constant fear every day.
Liu Yueqin remained firm, insisting that he stay by Gu Yan’s side so she could keep track of his movements.
“I’ll compensate you for the three months’ salary—300,000 yuan—transferred to your card.”
With that, she hung up the phone, leaving no room for refusal.
Butler Bai clutched his phone, his face etched with despair, and angrily stomped his foot…
“Butler Bai, what are you doing in the backyard? Taking a dump?” Gu Han’s voice suddenly rang out.
Butler Bai turned around, startled, his face tense as he explained, “Nothing, just calling my family.”
Gu Han looked at him coldly and said, “The young master has been calling for you for a long time!”
Butler Bai quickly put away his phone, stuffed it into his pocket, and hurried to the front yard.
Gu Han followed closely behind.
They arrived at the front yard, on the gravel path facing the garden.
Gu Yan and Wen Miaomiao stood there, watching the garden as workers planted flowers.
The crisp autumn weather was perfect for planting tulips.
“Third Young Master, you called for me.” Butler Bai hurried over, his face pale and trembling, convinced that something bad was about to happen again.
Gu Yan’s expression was stern as he glanced sideways at him, his large hand resting on Wen Miaomiao’s shoulder. He asked coldly, “What flowers did I tell you to plant?”
Butler Bai’s throat tightened with nervousness. He glanced at Wen Miaomiao and said, “The young mistress said to plant tulips.”
Gu Yan’s tone immediately turned harsh, “Bullshit! I told you to plant roses!”
Butler Bai was utterly confused: “Huh?”
His mind raced—had he really misremembered? Weren’t they supposed to be tulips?
Gu Yan gently squeezed Wen Miaomiao’s shoulder, a faint smile curling at the corner of his lips as he asked softly, “Wife, you like roses, don’t you?”
Wen Miaomiao nodded, her eyes firm. “Yes!”
Satisfied, Gu Yan turned his cold gaze back to Butler Bai, his eyes sharp and intimidating.
Butler Bai was so frightened that he fell to his knees, trembling uncontrollably.
“Third Young Master, I must have remembered wrong. I’m sorry.”
Gu Yan said coldly, “What did I say yesterday? If you make another mistake, you’re out! Go pack your things.”
Butler Bai lowered his head, gritting his teeth in silent fury. He realized now—this couple was deliberately toying with him, intentionally setting him up…
Butler Bai took a deep breath, looked up, and pleaded, “Third Young Master, please give me one more chance. Just one last chance.”
Gu Yan shook his head decisively, his gaze growing even darker.
“Get out, now. Take a taxi and disappear.”
Filled with resentment and unwillingness, Butler Bai stood up and went to pack his belongings.
After packing up and heading out, I happened to see Gu Yan talking to Gu Han…
“Gu Han, from now on, you’ll be the butler of the household. Your salary will be increased by one hundred thousand.”
Gu Han looked pleasantly surprised and immediately said gratefully, “Thank you, Young Master! Long live the Young Master!”
Gu Yan gave a slight nod and coldly glanced at Butler Bai over there.
Scared, Butler Bai left without even turning his head.
It was quite a pitiful sight.
At that moment, a worker who had been digging soil came over respectfully with flower seeds and asked, “Mr. Gu, are we not planting tulips anymore? Are we switching to roses?”
Gu Yan replied indifferently, “Go back to work. We’re still planting tulips.”
After saying this, under the astonished gazes of the workers, Gu Yan took Wen Miaomiao’s small hand and turned back into the house.
That earlier move was nothing short of calling a stag a horse!
Returning to the main hall, Wen Miaomiao sat on the sofa and took a sip of water. That had been too intense.
“First time lying?” Gu Yan asked her.
“Mhm.”
Wen Miaomiao had always been the obedient girl at home. Not to mention lying, she had never even argued with anyone. When faced with trouble, she was used to avoiding conflict, unless the other party involved her family.
Gu Yan curled his lips into a mischievous smile.
Lies? He could come up with them effortlessly. Fights? He’d jump right in.
Before turning eighteen, his mother had passed away early, and he had struggled through life, often going hungry and getting beaten up. He had rummaged through trash bins and wandered the streets. Since meeting Lu Xingyi and Chi Yan, the two had helped him countless times.
Just then, a phone rang.
Wen Miaomiao saw the caller ID—it was Lin Ruiyao—and casually answered.
“Miaomiao, do you have time? Let me treat you to a meal.”
Wen Miaomiao instinctively glanced at Gu Yan beside her and said with a smile, “What time?”
Lin Ruiyao: “How about in an hour? Same place as before, for Korean food.”
Wen Miaomiao: “Alright, see you soon.”
After hanging up, Wen Miaomiao turned and called Gu Han over.
Gu Han jogged over.
“Assistant Gu, drive me to the city center.”
“Sure, no problem.”
After saying this, Gu Han inadvertently glanced at Gu Yan and noticed that his young master’s expression didn’t look quite right…
Gu Han immediately walked over and asked, “Young Master? Can I drive her?”
Wen Miaomiao chimed in, “Yes!”
Gu Yan looked unwilling, unable to utter a refusal but also unable to agree. In the end, he just waved his hand.
Only after receiving the signal of approval did Gu Han head to the garage to get the car.
“Well, I’m off then. Bye.” Wen Miaomiao stood up, slung her small bag over her shoulder, and happily walked out.
Soon, the sound of the car driving away could be heard.
Gu Yan sat on the sofa, irritably pinching the bridge of his nose. He realized he was being controlled by Wen Miaomiao—completely and utterly.
Through several months of interaction, he had also come to understand Wen Miaomiao’s personality: soft on the outside but strong on the inside.
If you truly provoked her, she was capable of doing things… beyond imagination.
Take the arranged marriage, for example. If she hadn’t willingly married him for the sake of her sister and family, it would have been nearly impossible for him to forcibly keep her by his side.
“Wen Miaomiao…” Gu Yan narrowed his deep, dark eyes, feeling an inexplicable unease. He couldn’t control her; he could only be controlled by her.
One day, he would make her say “I love you” with her own lips.
No matter what underhanded methods he had to use, no matter what schemes he had to employ—even if it meant resorting to a sympathy ploy—he would make her willingly stay by his side!