The car finally came to a stop in front of a magnificent, standalone villa. As soon as the engine turned off, several servants stepped forward to handle the luggage.
“Miss Su, we’ve arrived.”
The driver opened the car door. Su Niansheng looked up and saw a woman standing tall on the steps above.
She wore a moon-white cheongsam, with lilac flower buttons accentuating her graceful figure. Her long, curly hair was elegantly pinned up, with a few stray strands framing her face. A sparkling diamond necklace adorned her neck, making her appear mature, beautiful, dignified, and poised.
Shen Junxi’s mother, Jian Hua.
Also her own mother’s best friend from their lifetime.
Once, they were both hailed as the top socialites of the capital’s elite circle, known as the Twin Pearls. Whether in life, love, or career, they had written legendary chapters filled with vibrant colors.
Now, only Aunt Jian Hua remained.
Looking at her, Su Niansheng couldn’t help but feel a bit dazed.
If her mother were still alive, she would surely be just like her—radiant and charismatic, her elegance undiminished by the years.
Seeing her, Jian Hua’s eyes welled up with emotion. Unable to contain herself, she rushed down the steps and tightly embraced Su Niansheng. “Sheng Sheng! My child, you’ve finally come. Auntie has been waiting for you for so, so long.”
“Auntie Hua Hua.” Su Niansheng snapped back to reality, scratching her head a little sheepishly. “Sorry, my uncle didn’t tell me we were coming here, so I didn’t bring any gifts.”
“Silly child.” Jian Hua wiped her tears, looking at her with a mix of amusement and affection. “Why bring gifts to your own home? Have you forgotten? If it weren’t for Junxi throwing a fit back then, you’d be my goddaughter now!”
“I haven’t forgotten.”
She clearly remembered that on her fifth birthday party, she wore a custom-made Elsa princess dress that utterly charmed Auntie Hua Hua, who insisted on the spot on adopting her as her goddaughter.
Both families unanimously agreed.
Only Shen Junxi objected. Not only did he object, but if anyone dared mention ‘she’s Jian Hua’s daughter,’ he would throw a tantrum, acting like a provoked little beast—both fierce and adorable, making others want to tease him even more.
The worst off was Grandpa Shen. When he said, ‘In the future, you, as her brother, will have to prepare her dowry,’ Shen Junxi pounced on him fiercely and bit his arm.
It turned completely bruised!
Because of this, she once teased him as a naughty little puppy.
Remembering this, she couldn’t resist tattling, “Last time I tried to acknowledge him as my brother, he refused too!”
Jian Hua covered her mouth and laughed.
That boy…
She used to think he objected because he didn’t want to share his mother with anyone else, but later she realized what he really had in mind.
Just being a brother? Of course he wasn’t satisfied!
“He’s such a sly one!”
“Mhm, mhm!”
“Sheng Sheng, let me show you around your room first?”
“No need, Auntie Hua Hua. I’m very familiar with this place.”
“This time is different.”
Jian Hua smiled mysteriously, leaving Su Niansheng full of questions.
When she entered the villa, she saw the music practice room filled with a complete range of musical instruments, all collector’s items from internationally renowned masters. The walk-in closet was stocked with a dazzling array of various young women’s dresses and accessories, all of considerable value. Even the famous wines on the island counter had been replaced with her favorite drinks and juices. The bedroom, bathroom, private study… all the furniture and arrangements were tailored to her preferences and habits, exactly like they were in her old home.
“Aunt Hua, this…”
Su Niansheng was dumbfounded.
“All of this is prepared for you. Do you like it?”
“I do like it, but…” She looked at her with a mix of surprise and gratitude. “Isn’t this too wasteful and troublesome?”
She only planned to stay here for a while, but Aunt Hua’s grand preparations made it seem like she intended to keep her here forever!
“What trouble? Your arrival has solved a big problem for me!”
Su Niansheng, “?”
On the fourth floor, the gaming room was filled with the chaotic sounds of fighting, killing, violence, and roaring from the game, yet its owner remained eerily calm.
He gripped the mouse, his eyes fixed unwaveringly on the screen.
[Jingdu University Forum — Pinned Highlight Post: Descending from the Altar, Shi Yubai Chooses Unpopular Electives for Love, Exchanges Tokens of Affection with the School Beauty in Public!]
‘Ahhh, I never thought I’d live to see the day! Shi Yubai is actually responding to Su Niansheng now. After following their story for years, I finally see some progress!’
‘Wow, are they actually going to get together?’
‘I always said it—when a girl chases a guy, it’s like only a thin veil separates them. Especially someone like Su Niansheng, a top-tier beauty. It was only a matter of time before she won over School Hunk Shi!’
‘No way? I just started shipping Shen Shao and Su Niansheng, and now it’s already over?’
‘What are you talking about? Su Niansheng has been chasing Shi Yubai for so many years. She’s already set her heart on him—how could she possibly change her feelings?’
‘Exactly, exactly! Everyone at school has witnessed how devoted she is. Even if the sun rose from the west, she wouldn’t give up.’
‘Don’t you think it’s strange? Shi Yubai used to be so cold toward Su Niansheng, but after the soccer match, he suddenly changed and started taking the initiative.’
‘Could it be that Shen Shao accidentally became a tool in all this?’
‘Who understands? The way they look together in these photos is really eye-catching!’
At the bottom of the forum post were three photos, glaringly conspicuous.
The first showed Shi Yubai sitting in front of the girl in a large lecture hall, slightly turning his body, his gaze gentle as he watched her assemble a model in her hands—a pink butterfly.
The second showed Shi Yubai placing that pink butterfly into his backpack.
The third showed the girl carefully holding a model ship in both hands, as if afraid of breaking it. On the sail, the words “Shi Yubai” were clearly written.
Shen Junxi nearly crushed the mouse in his grip.
His dark, ink-like pupils were filled with venom as he stared fixedly at the screen. His gaze was almost terrifying, as if he wanted to carve a hole through the boy in the photos.
Outside the door, the butler’s voice sounded.
“Young Master, are you finished? Lunch is ready. Madam said there is an important guest visiting today and instructed you to personally come downstairs to greet them.”
He asked once but received no response.
He asked a second time, then a third. By the fourth time, he finally heard the young man’s voice, though the tone was cold, harsh, and sinister, as if venting some pent-up frustration. “I’m not going!”
“But…”
He was about to say more when he faintly heard the sound of something shattering. Startled, he hurried downstairs.
“Uncle Li, what’s wrong?”
Jian Hua, holding Su Niansheng’s hand, descended the stairs. The butler quickly reported, “Madam, could you please check on the Young Master? He seems to be in a very bad mood. Since returning last night, he’s locked himself in the media room and hasn’t come out, not even eating a bite. I’m worried something might happen.”
“?”
Su Niansheng was bewildered.
An entire day—wasn’t he hungry at all?
What happened?
Jian Hua listened, but as if it were a common occurrence, she just looked at her with a helpless expression. “Well, this troublesome boy is my biggest headache. Ever since he hit puberty, he’s become very rebellious and picked up quite a few bad habits. Even his dad and grandpa can’t control him, let alone me. But now that you’re here, Sheng Sheng, it’s different. Jun Xi has always been closest to you since he was little. He’ll definitely listen to you!”