2 – The Tragic Young Lady in the PO Post (2)
Si Huaiyu initially thought Wen Ran had encountered a ghost in the Si residence. Though puzzled, he didn’t dwell on it—others’ affairs were none of his concern. However, when passing by a room upstairs and hearing unusual noises, he paused to glance inside and immediately understood why Wen Ran had appeared so distraught earlier.
His newlywed nephew had actually brought another woman home and was fooling around right in front of his wife. Si Huaiyu’s stern brows furrowed deeply.
………
The system exclaimed excitedly, “Host, Si Huaiyu’s Affection points have increased by 5.”
Just a single glance had stirred a reaction in Si Huaiyu. The system was nearly moved to tears, knowing that Si Huaiyu was the most challenging character to conquer in the entire book. Even the female lead hadn’t succeeded in winning him over until the very end.
“Just a few points, and you’re this excited?” Wen Ran replied. “Any normal man would feel a slight rise in affection upon seeing a beautiful woman. There’s nothing strange about that.”
While beauty wasn’t the decisive factor, it certainly had its uses in the early stages of conquest. Besides, Wen Ran was quite satisfied with her appearance, so she actually found those few points too meager.
During her brief eye contact with Si Huaiyu, she had already checked his initial Affection points toward her—a mere ten. This meant that in the six months since the original host married into the Si family, she had remained a complete stranger in Si Huaiyu’s eyes.
“Just wait,” Wen Ran said. “Within ten minutes, Si Huaiyu will come looking for me on his own.” She had learned from the servants that Si Huaiyu would return tonight and had been waiting for him intentionally. “You just focus on calculating the Affection points.”
But the system was rather unambitious. “As long as we’re gaining points, any amount is fine,” it said.
It had no complaints whatsoever. In fact, it felt immensely grateful as long as the host didn’t end up being counter-conquered by the target.
True to Wen Ran’s prediction, she hadn’t been fake-crying for long in the Si family’s backyard garden when Si Huaiyu followed the sound and found her.
Although he usually avoided meddling in others’ affairs, Wen Ran’s situation had coincidentally crossed his path. As a nominal elder, he felt obliged to at least go through the motions.
Having little experience in comforting others, Si Huaiyu said flatly, “Stop crying.”
Wen Ran looked up, her delicate face filled with sorrow, the tip of her small nose tinged red—a truly pitiful sight.
Si Huaiyu didn’t have a close relationship with the main branch of the family and had rarely spoken with this niece-in-law. During their few previous encounters, she had always greeted him politely.
In his memory, Wen Ran was merely a quiet, obedient presence in the Si household—barely noticeable. Now, seeing her up close, he realized that even someone so reserved could show genuine emotion when crying.
“Ding, Si Huaiyu’s Affection points +5.”
Seeing how heartbroken she appeared, Si Huaiyu felt a twinge of sympathy. “I’ll inform the Old Master about what happened today,” he said. “He will see that justice is done for you.”
Wen Ran’s marriage to the Si family was a business alliance—she hadn’t married beneath her station. Given Si Yan’s inappropriate behavior, the Si family owed her an explanation.
Si Huaiyu expected Wen Ran to accept this offer, but instead, she began crying even more violently.
She suddenly grabbed his hand and pleaded, “Don’t tell Grandfather, please don’t say anything.”
Si Huaiyu frowned. Since Si Yan was at fault, the Old Master would undoubtedly compensate Wen Ran generously—even if she demanded a divorce, her share of the assets would be substantial.
He asked, “You don’t want this matter exposed?”Wen Ran nodded, then immediately asked Si Huaiyu in an uneasy tone: “Uncle, you said A-Yan wouldn’t divorce me, right?”
Seeing the hopeful yet timid look in her eyes, Si Huaiyu momentarily didn’t know how to respond. It was Si Yan who had made the mistake, yet she was afraid he would run away?
Should he nod in agreement with Wen Ran’s words, or should he advise her to face reality? Even Si Huaiyu had never imagined that in such an arranged marriage, there could be someone so deeply devoted.
When he remained silent, Wen Ran tightened her grip on Si Huaiyu’s hand, her words and body language both revealing her inner panic.
The woman’s hand was soft and smooth, and even though she was gripping tightly, to Si Huaiyu it felt like a kitten’s gentle scratch. The tingling sensation in his palm made him quickly withdraw his hand.
Wen Ran noticed the Affection points above his head had clearly increased by three points, yet his expression remained as unreadable and composed as ever.
Interesting. A man pretending to be proper—she loved that type the most.
A chilly night breeze swept through, causing Wen Ran, who was only wearing thin pajamas, to shiver.
Seeing this, Si Huaiyu took off his suit jacket and draped it over the woman’s shoulders. “Don’t overthink it. Go back first and have a proper talk with Si Yan later.”
He didn’t believe Si Yan would divorce Wen Ran for some woman outside. As long as she didn’t bring up divorce, these worries were unnecessary.
Wen Ran stood up and slowly followed behind Si Huaiyu. As they passed through a narrow path in the garden, they happened upon a broken streetlight.
“Uncle,” she called out to the man ahead.
Si Huaiyu stopped and turned to look at her. Seeing Wen Ran’s hesitant expression, he proactively asked: “Afraid of the dark?”
Wen Ran: “Mm…”
“Then come closer and stay near me.” Si Huaiyu observed that the path ahead was indeed pitch black, and his phone had run out of battery.
Wen Ran had run out without bringing anything. He couldn’t understand how this woman had even made it here.
“Is that okay?” Wen Ran still hesitated to get too close to him.
“Why wouldn’t it be?” Si Huaiyu found her caution puzzling. Aside from his usual stern expression, was he really that intimidating?
“I heard from the household staff that Uncle doesn’t like people getting close to him.” Wen Ran moved closer to the man. She had inquired about this man’s habits—he even cleaned his own room and never allowed others near his personal space.
Si Huaiyu showed no reaction upon hearing this. He had never considered the Si family home as his own. Everyone in this old mansion was a stranger to him.
As an Illegitimate child, Si Huaiyu had only been brought back to the Si family after reaching adulthood. If not for Si Yan’s father’s poor health making him unable to handle company affairs, Master Si would never have remembered he had such a son.
When he didn’t respond, Wen Ran tugged at the suit jacket draped over her shoulders and said with feigned hesitation: “They all seem to fear you, but I think Uncle is completely different from what they say.”
Si Huaiyu immediately became interested. “Oh? What do they say about me?”
He could roughly guess without asking. The Si family mansion had always been managed by Si Yan’s mother. His sister-in-law was solely profit-driven and consistently viewed him as a thorn in her side, someone scheming to seize the family assets. No doubt she had been badmouthing him behind his back.
Wen Ran shook her head repeatedly. “But I don’t think Uncle is scary at all. Uncle is very kind.”
The woman stood very close to him, and due to their height difference, the fabric of his suit jacket brushed against his arm, making Si Huaiyu frequently glance sideways at her.A mocking smile tugged at the corner of Si Huaiyu’s lips. Did she think putting a coat over her shoulders meant he was a good person? How foolish must she be to judge someone’s character by such a trivial act?
Though he mentally called her an idiot, his Affection points still rose by two. Though the increase was small, Si Huaiyu’s attitude toward Wen Ran had already begun to differ from when they first met.