5
Today, Yan Wenbai was supposed to go to class, but the moment he thought about Jiang Er coming over, he didn’t hesitate to call in and ask for leave.
After finishing breakfast, Gu Xueyi didn’t go out shopping as she usually did.
She sat on the sofa, leaning against a cushion, holding a book in her hands and reading it with full concentration.
Yan Wenbai took a closer look—the cover read Selected Works of Mao Zedong.
Yan Wenbai: ?
Why was Gu Xueyi suddenly reading this?
No matter how he looked at it, it felt completely out of place for her.
Sensing his gaze, Gu Xueyi slightly raised her head, but quickly lowered it again, continuing to focus on the book in her hands.
“An exceptionally excellent book,” she said.
Although some of its ideas contradicted the dynasty she once lived in.
Even so, Gu Xueyi couldn’t help but admire its brilliance.
Presumably, after finishing it, her understanding of this world would become much more detailed.
Yan Wenbai had never read anything like it before. Hearing her say that, he couldn’t help but glance at it a few more times… Maybe he’d find a copy to read someday.
The living room soon fell back into silence, leaving only the soft sound of breathing and the turning of pages.
Yan Wenbai couldn’t sit still. He quietly stole a glance at Gu Xueyi.
In the past—no, not just him, but the entire Yan family—none of them liked Gu Xueyi. They had never seriously looked at her.
Until this moment—
Gu Xueyi was actually very beautiful.
And he felt that she had undergone a complete transformation. Not only had her temperament changed, but even her appearance seemed different.
One hand held down the page as she sat with graceful posture.
The white dress she wore perfectly outlined her figure.
From his angle, he could see her long eyelashes, her delicate jawline, and her slightly pursed pale pink lips…
Sunlight streamed in, falling upon her hair and shoulders, as if draping her in a golden veil. There was an indescribable elegance and radiant beauty about her.
Yan Wenbai turned his head away.
He pulled out his phone, playing games for a while, then scrolling through Weibo, then memorizing words on an app… but with a restless feeling hidden in his heart, everything he did felt unbearably boring, and he kept switching between apps.
After more than ten minutes, he didn’t even know what he had done.
Being alone with Gu Xueyi felt “unbearable” in a way that was different from before.
So, he casually tapped on a currently popular TV drama and let it autoplay. The quiet room instantly became noisy, and only then did Yan Wenbai feel a little less restless.
“My lord, Yuan’er is willing to give her life for you…”
Hearing this line all of a sudden, Gu Xueyi couldn’t help but turn her gaze toward it.
She knew that Yan Wenbai was using his “phone” to play a “TV drama.” The lines in it gave her a sense of familiarity.
She suddenly grew curious—how did TV dramas in this world portray the kind of world she came from?
Gu Xueyi put down her book.
“Can I watch?” Yan Wenbai suddenly heard her voice.
“…Yes.” He stiffly shifted aside, making a bit of room for her.
Gu Xueyi moved a little closer and fixed her gaze on the phone screen in his hand.
Even though she had already gained some understanding of this world over the past few days, at this moment she still couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.
This world was truly astonishing.
There were so many forms of entertainment, all novel and interesting, and people’s lives were incredibly convenient…
Gu Xueyi was always extremely focused when she watched anything—this was a habit she had cultivated over many years.
But Yan Wenbai couldn’t concentrate at all. What lingered in his nose was the scent coming from Gu Xueyi. It was no longer the strong perfume she used to wear—Flowerbomb but a faint shampoo fragrance… something like lemon.
Yan Wenbai’s thoughts began to wander.
One of them watched intently, the other distracted, yet they somehow managed to coexist harmoniously—a sight that must have shocked countless servants in the villa.
The two of them ended up binge-watching eight episodes of a padded period drama together, and before they knew it, lunchtime had arrived.
“…Not very good,” Gu Xueyi commented.
Yan Wenbai hadn’t absorbed any of the plot. When he heard Gu Xueyi’s voice, he glanced at the screen. That’s when he spotted a familiar face.
The man’s features were so delicate they could almost be described as “gorgeous.”
With a jade crown on his head and dressed in luxurious robes, whenever the camera swept over him, he became the most eye-catching presence.
“It is pretty bad,” Yan Wenbai said.
Having lost interest, Gu Xueyi didn’t notice that exceptionally striking face.
She got up and headed to the dining room, where the servants had already laid out the food. Gu Xueyi scanned the spread. In addition to the main meal, there was a side salad and fresh fruit.
This was one thing Gu Xueyi found very satisfying.
In this modern era, there was something called “technology.” Thanks to advanced technology, the people of this time could enjoy fresh and diverse fruits.
This suited Gu Xueyi’s tastes perfectly.
Yan Wenbai could only watch as Gu Xueyi leisurely finished breakfast, then moved on to lunch, pausing in between to read a book and binge some more episodes… She acted as if Jiang Er’s impending visit was nothing at all.
“This is very good,” Gu Xueyi suddenly said, pointing to the plate of strawberries in front of her.
The maid quickly responded, “Shall I wash another plate for you, madam?”
“Yes,” Gu Xueyi nodded.
Just then, Jiang Er arrived at the door.
Jiang Er’s real name wasn’t Jiang Er—it was Jiang Yue. But he was the second child in the Jiang family, and as a child, Jiang Er had always been a bit of a simpleton, so everyone got used to calling him “Jiang Er” as a tease. But over time, that nickname had become a symbol not to be underestimated.
He entered the door with his secretary, while his bodyguards were left outside.
“Mrs. Yan.” As soon as Jiang Yue stepped inside, he first gave a polite greeting before turning his gaze to the woman sitting on the sofa.
Yan Wenbai sat beside her.
Yan Wenbai, who was usually all bristling edges and defiant temper, was now sitting rather upright—so upright that he looked almost… well-behaved.
The young woman in the white dress had a graceful figure. One hand rested on the pages of a book, while the other paused mid-air. If you looked closely, you could see a trace of moisture still lingering on her fingertips.
A maid came out carrying another plate of strawberries and placed it respectfully before Gu Xueyi.
Jiang Yue glanced at the strawberries, then looked back at Gu Xueyi’s face.
Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, her eyes like cold stars. Her features seemed painted stroke by stroke in light ink, possessing a classical Chinese beauty. That beauty, combined with her indifferent expression, created another kind of beauty—unique, sharp, and striking.
Yan Zhao’s wife was actually this beautiful?
“Mr. Jiang.” She parted her lips lightly and greeted him with neither warmth nor coldness.
Only then did Jiang Yue notice that a bit of strawberry juice stained her lips—crimson and glistening, making her lips look even fuller and softer.
And yet her face remained utterly cold.
Jiang Yue unconsciously clenched his fingers, then stepped forward and smiled. “Mrs. Yan, having afternoon tea?”
Only after the words left his mouth did Jiang Yue remember that he hadn’t actually planned on smiling at Gu Xueyi when he arrived.
Gu Xueyi replied, “Yes. Unfortunately, I didn’t prepare any for you, Mr. Jiang.”
With that, she bent down to reach for a napkin on the table.
Because of her movement, her silhouette stretched, and from her neck to her back, she formed a beautiful curve. Her dark hair slipped down the side of her neck, revealing a pale stretch of skin.
Jiang Yue instinctively bent down as well to grab a napkin.
But Yan Wenbai was faster and closer to Gu Xueyi. By the time he realized what he was doing, Yan Wenbai had already handed the napkin to Gu Xueyi.
She took it and smoothly wiped the moisture from her fingertips.
Jiang Yue suddenly snapped back to reality.
He realized that Gu Xueyi wasn’t afraid of him at all.
Not only was she not afraid, but she was even rather leisurely—she had arranged to eat strawberries and hadn’t prepared any for him.
“Have a seat, Mr. Jiang.” Only after wiping her fingers clean did Gu Xueyi look up at him. She said, “Why are you standing there like you’re being punished?”
Jiang Yue paused, then smiled, stepped back a few paces, and sat down on the sofa.
Gu Xueyi now understood why Yan Wenbai had said she would be afraid of Jiang Er.
This Jiang Yue was tall and broad-shouldered, with dark skin. At first glance, he looked nothing like a businessman. He looked more like the chief of eighteen river pirate gangs. Or, in the terms of this era, like someone involved in organized crime. Even in his tailored suit, standing there, there wasn’t a trace of refinement about him.
But was that enough to be terrifying?
Gu Xueyi blinked slowly, taking in the man’s full appearance.
How could the people of this era compare to the great generals who had fought their way through blood and blades, radiating an oppressive aura that subdued others?
Gu Xueyi had grown up in a military family, surrounded by such men since childhood. Later, she married into a noble household as the matriarch, presiding over a large family of over four hundred members. Whether personally stepping onto the battlefield or entering the palace to meet the emperor, she had never once shown fear!
How could she possibly be afraid of Jiang Yue?
“Mr. Jiang, did you come here to get even with me for Jiang Jing?” Gu Xueyi spoke first.
“Someone has to answer for it. One of our Jiang family members was beaten in your Yan household… that can’t just be brushed aside.”
“Then what should be done about the fact that your Jiang family member beat someone from my Yan family?” Gu Xueyi countered unhurriedly.
Jiang Jing had also thrown punches?
Jiang Yue wasn’t particularly surprised.
He didn’t know much about this younger brother, but he did know that he liked to fight among his peers.
“And what would Mrs. Yan like to do about it?”
“Tit for tat, of course. So, I beat him.”
The implication was clear: his coming to pick a fight had no valid basis.
But her beating Jiang Jing was entirely justified.
Jiang Yue was actually already somewhat impressed.
Because he realized that Gu Xueyi didn’t seem like the brainless, willful woman the rumors made her out to be. On the contrary, she was remarkably calm. Since that was the case, this trip had essentially been a waste of time.
But Jiang Yue still couldn’t help asking, “Oh? And why should I believe you, Mrs. Yan? Jiang Jing is my own brother, after all.”
As he said the latter half of the sentence, Jiang Yue’s tone grew heavier.
Yan Wenbai’s expression turned cold, his brows sharp as he looked up at Jiang Yue with narrowed eyes, like a young wolf provoked.
But Gu Xueyi remained unhurried. She crooked her finger at Yan Wenbai. “Come here.”
The cold, sharp aura around Yan Wenbai immediately subsided.
What was she doing?
Yan Wenbai’s throat bobbed. He felt a bit embarrassed. Gu Xueyi’s gesture seemed like she was calling a dog.
But with an outsider present…
Of course, Yan Wenbai didn’t want Jiang Yue to see him making a fool of himself.
So, he still shifted his body and sat a little closer to Gu Xueyi.
No sooner had Yan Wenbai finished this series of movements than Gu Xueyi slightly turned her body and placed her hand on his forehead.
She had just eaten strawberries, so her fingers were still cool.
But Yan Wenbai’s forehead was warm.
The moment her fingers touched him, Yan Wenbai’s body trembled slightly, and it felt as if his heart trembled along with it.
Gu Xueyi didn’t notice such minor details. She quickly lifted the bandage from Yan Wenbai’s forehead and lightly pressed her fingertip against the pale scar left by the wound.
“Mr. Jiang, this is what your brother did.” Gu Xueyi tapped her fingertip against the scar again and again, her tone growing heavier as she spoke, carrying a hint of anger. “What? Is it that only your Jiang family members are allowed to bully our Yan family?”
Yan Wenbai hadn’t been paying any attention to what Gu Xueyi was saying at all.
His entire body had tensed up.
He was, after all, a young man in the prime of his youth, full of vigor and passion. In his life, no woman had ever played such an intimate role with him…
Yan Wenbai’s gaze flickered.
The scene before him looked exactly like what he had seen countless times as a child—parents bringing their own child along to stand up for them…
At that thought, Yan Wenbai felt a flush of embarrassment.
She was speaking seriously with Jiang Er, and yet his mind was wandering…
Meanwhile, Jiang Yue had also noticed the small scar on Yan Wenbai’s forehead.
To be fair, the injury wasn’t serious.
But with Gu Xueyi’s face showing clear anger, he couldn’t very well say that. So, Jiang Yue changed his tune: “Even so, that was just a private squabble between kids. Why escalate it to the level of parents getting involved?”
Listening from the side, Jiang Yue’s secretary felt that something was off.
Hadn’t President Jiang come today to pressure the Yan family? To test the waters regarding Yan Zhao?
Why did it seem like… his momentum was slowly fizzling out?
And why did his tone now sound like that of a defensive parent making excuses for a misbehaving child?
Gu Xueyi let out a derisive laugh.
Since he had entered, Jiang Yue hadn’t seen her smile. But when she did, it was as if the first flower had bloomed after the thaw of frost and snow—stunning and dazzling.
“This is still just a private dispute. I hit Jiang Jing on behalf of Yan Wenbai. If you’re unhappy about it, Mr. Jiang, you’re welcome to hit me in return on behalf of Jiang Jing…”
“Didn’t you, Mr. Jiang, first escalate this into a dispute between the Jiang family and the Yan family?” Gu Xueyi’s tone was sharp as she abruptly stopped smiling.
Jiang Yue pinched his fingertips.
Damn.
No one had told him that Mrs. Yan was so skilled at changing her demeanor! Her emotions were perfectly controlled, ebbing and flowing with precision.
After that whole performance, he—the one who had come to pick a fight—was left with nothing to say.
“Better to strike while the iron is hot. If you want to get even with me for Jiang Jing today, Mr. Jiang, we can always settle it with a fight.”
Jiang Yue never expected that a woman would challenge him to a fight.
And that woman was Gu Xueyi, Yan Zhao’s wife.
Without a second thought, Jiang Yue shook his head. “I don’t hit women.”
Then, feeling that this might easily offend her, he quickly amended: “I don’t fight with women…”
When he looked at Gu Xueyi again, there wasn’t a trace of a smile left on her face.
Jiang Yue inwardly marveled, then added, “Since this incident was caused by Jiang Jing… let’s just forget it.”
“Forget it?” Gu Xueyi lifted her eyelids. “Do you think, Mr. Jiang, that the Yan family’s door is something you can just trample on whenever you please?”
Jiang Yue couldn’t help but find it a bit amusing.
Did Gu Xueyi really want to settle accounts with him? Wasn’t she afraid… Well, never mind. From the moment he had stepped through the door, it seemed she truly had never been afraid of him.
Jiang Yue couldn’t help but feel a measure of admiration for Gu Xueyi.
Yan Zhao was the pillar of the Yan family. With him gone, Jiang Yue hadn’t expected Gu Xueyi to step up instead. Whether her composure was genuine or just a facade, at least she had managed to hold her ground. Anyone else in this situation would have panicked and been at a loss… let alone turn the tables on him, Jiang Yue, of all people.
“So, Mrs. Yan, what exactly are you suggesting…”
Yan Wenbai looked at Jiang Yue and could practically see a big red warning sign flashing above his head.
But Jiang Yue himself, clearly, had no idea.
Gu Xueyi stood up.
Yan Wenbai’s breathing slowed.
Using the belt on him would be too damaging to Jiang Yue’s dignity.
The measure was important.
Gu Xueyi thought casually, then clenched her fingers into a fist.
She grabbed Jiang Yue’s suit lapel with one hand.
The secretary was stunned.
What… what was she doing?
President Jiang had already let her off the hook—he didn’t hit women. Was she actually trying to hit him?
Jiang Yue noticed Gu Xueyi’s movement, but he just smiled and made no move to stop her.
She really did protect the Yan family.
A girl’s fists were weak and harmless anyway. Taking a punch wasn’t a big deal. He had tried to intimidate her with his presence… so letting her land one punch wasn’t…
Thud.
Gu Xueyi yanked his lapel forward with her left hand and punched Jiang Yue square in the face with her right.
Damn!
That hurt!
It hurt like hell!
Jiang Yue was dazed for a second.
Jiang Yue, who hadn’t had anyone grab his lapel in years, had now also experienced just how hard a girl’s fist could be…
The secretary quickly rushed over to steady Jiang Yue.
Jiang Yue still hadn’t fully processed what had happened.
Meanwhile, Gu Xueyi frowned slightly, lowered her head, and gently rubbed her reddened knuckles. “Alright, Mr. Jiang, you may leave now.”
Jiang Yue opened his mouth, feeling like he should say something. But when he tried, he suddenly didn’t know what to say.
“President Jiang! Are you alright?” The secretary was extremely anxious.
Jiang Yue pushed the secretary aside. “I’m fine.”
He gently prodded the inside of his cheek with his tongue, about to say “It’s just a minor injury.” But as soon as his tongue touched… Damn. Why did it hurt even more?
Jiang Yue had no choice but to swallow his words.
“Now… we’re even.” Jiang Yue managed to maintain his gentlemanly demeanor. After getting those words out, the rest came much more smoothly.
“With President Yan not in Jingshi at the moment, if Mrs. Yan needs any help, you can come to me.”
“The Yan family has abundant resources, capable people, and many friends and relatives… No need to trouble you, Mr. Jiang,” Gu Xueyi said calmly.
Jiang Yue couldn’t help but sigh.
She really wouldn’t reveal a single thing, wouldn’t show the slightest weakness.
“Then I’ll take my leave.” Jiang Yue turned and headed for the door.
Halfway there, Gu Xueyi called out to stop him. “Take that freshly washed plate of strawberries with you, Mr. Jiang. Can’t let you make a wasted trip.”
The maid, who had been standing frozen in shock, snapped out of it and quickly packed the strawberries in a container, handing it to Gu Xueyi.
The secretary’s expression had turned sour. But since President Jiang himself hadn’t exploded, it wasn’t his place to do so either.
Gu Xueyi walked over to Jiang Yue and placed the container in his hand. “Take care, Mr. Jiang.”
Her manners were impeccable.
Hadn’t she said she hadn’t prepared any afternoon tea for him?
Why was she giving him this now?
For a moment, Jiang Yue wasn’t sure whether she was mocking him or genuinely sending him off with a “gift.”
Clutching the container, Jiang Yue walked all the way out and got back into his car.
“That Mrs. Yan…” the secretary started, but then suddenly didn’t know what word to use to describe Gu Xueyi.
If you said she was rude, she was perfectly elegant, spoke politely, and even sent them off with fruit. Even if the fruit wasn’t anything expensive.
If you said she was polite, she had grabbed President Jiang by the collar and punched him in the face. What other wife would dare to do that?
Jiang Yue didn’t say anything.
He lowered his head and opened the container.
The strawberries inside still had droplets of water on them. The tips were especially red, looking very tempting.
Jiang Yue picked one and put it in his mouth.
Damn.
It was pretty sweet.
This Mrs. Yan not only knew how to control emotions with perfect timing, but she also mixed toughness with gentleness—a stick followed by a carrot!
In Jiang Yue’s mind, the image flashed of Gu Xueyi placing the container into his hand…
Her slightly pressed lips were even prettier than the strawberries in the box.
For a moment, Jiang Yue felt a strange sensation in his heart.
If Jiang Yue had seen the full scene of Yan Wenbai getting beaten a few days earlier, he would have known that this “carrot” Gu Xueyi gave after the stick wasn’t exclusive to him.
He wasn’t that special.
“Back to the company,” Jiang Yue said.
The secretary acknowledged.
But soon, Jiang Yue would realize just how wrong his casual decision had been.
Ten minutes after Jiang Yue set foot in the Jiang Corporation building.
Jiang Corporation employees looked on in horror: “P-President Jiang, what happened to your face?”
**