On the way back to Liyuan by car, Zhan Rong Xuan recalled Xu Yueyao’s vulnerability that evening. His brows furrowed slightly, and a faint ache stirred in his heart. Thinking of how many people in the capital were eyeing him covetously, he knew that if things continued this way, she would suffer even more harm.
Upon returning to Liyuan, Zhan Rong Xuan took off his coat. Standing by the window, his posture was upright, with broad shoulders and long legs. His appearance was flawless—handsome and striking, with deep-set eyes. The sleeves of his white shirt were rolled up to his elbows, revealing forearms that were fair and bore the defined lines of a mature man. Leaning forward with both hands resting on the windowsill, he gazed outside and said to the person beside him, “Zhan Feng, perhaps I shouldn’t have dragged Xu Yueyao into my life.”
Hearing this, Zhan Feng was momentarily taken aback. It seemed their Young Master Zhan was softening and beginning to care about Miss Xu.
“Young Master Zhan, we currently have a great need for Miss Xu. According to our preliminary investigation, the ultimate goal of the Nangong family’s collaboration with us might be to target the position of the Young Madam of the Zhan family. Moreover, the surrounding aristocratic families haven’t given up either. We now need a woman to handle all this. Although Miss Xu lacks a prominent family background, she is intelligent and decisive. Most importantly, she shares the same goals as you, Young Master Zhan. With her temporarily standing by your side, we won’t be as passive, and the position of the Young Madam of the Zhan family won’t be so easily manipulated by others.”
After listening to Zhan Feng’s words, Zhan Rong Xuan pinched the bridge of his nose. How could he not know this? He forced himself to harden his heart, thinking that at worst, he would protect her well in the future and ensure she wouldn’t be harmed. “Transfer 100 million to her account tomorrow. Starting next month, give her 2 million monthly as pocket money. Don’t shortchange her in this regard.”
“Understood, Young Master Zhan. For the collaboration banquet with the Nangong family next Saturday, Miss Xu may need to attend. I will arrange an etiquette tutor for her tomorrow.”
Zhan Rong Xuan nodded, signaling for him to proceed as planned.
Xu Yueyao had no idea that a large sum of money would land in her lap the next day, nor did she realize that her newfound wealth came hand in hand with danger.
Lying in bed, she happily planned for the future. She opened her phone and searched for the Shen family’s Xinglan Hotel near her school. Looking at the resplendent and luxurious hotel, Xu Yueyao scrolled through her phone, carefully examining each picture. Every detail of the hotel exuded prestige and opulence. Suddenly, Xu Yueyao found herself falling in love with this crazy world. She also looked up the Fu Group—this corporation belonged to the male lead, making it a solid potential stock.
Xu Yueyao tossed her phone aside and stared at the ceiling. She had already made up her mind: she would act according to circumstances, quietly amassing wealth for now. If the situation turned unfavorable, she would flee immediately.
Thinking back to the look An Zhiyi had given her today, Xu Yueyao felt a surge of anger. What was so great about her? It was only because of the author’s favoritism that she had smoothly become a praised and legendary woman in the capital.
Wait— Xu Yueyao suddenly sat up. Aristocratic families emphasized matching social status, and the Fu family was no exception. How had An Zhiyi managed to gain their acceptance? And how had she suddenly become immensely wealthy overnight? Let me think… Xu Yueyao’s eyes suddenly sparkled, like a child who had discovered treasure, filled with delight. So, she had a golden finger too! Sorry, female lead—I might have to borrow a bit of your luck.Perhaps it’s true that joy brings vigor, for despite the bruises and aches on her body when Xu Yueyao woke up the next day, her mood was still delightful. Early in the morning, she wandered aimlessly around her room, occasionally covering her mouth to giggle. Today, Zhan Feng was helping her handle the hotel and shares matters. Once he returned, Xu Yueyao would be someone with a bit of wealth here.
“Miss Xu, what happy occasion has you so cheerful today?” Wang Ma asked with a smile.
“Wang Ma, didn’t I tell you? Don’t call me Miss Xu, call me Yao Yao.” Wearing shorts and a sleeveless top, with medicine applied to her arms and legs, Xu Yueyao pouted as she walked to the dining area, acting coquettishly toward Wang Ma.
“That won’t do, I can’t break the rules,” Wang Ma said seriously. Then, in a gossipy tone, she added, “Who knows, you might become our young mistress someday.”
“No, no, don’t flatter me. I know my place—what kind of background do I have to be worthy of your young master?” Xu Yueyao quickly waved her hands, fully aware of this reality.
“What does that matter? Our madam wasn’t from a prestigious family either. She was a child from the orphanage sponsored by Old Master Zhan,” Wang Ma whispered to Xu Yueyao.
“Really?” This was something Xu Yueyao hadn’t known.
“Yes, the master and madam were deeply in love back then. It’s just a pity they passed away in a car accident when the young master was five,” Wang Ma said with a heavy heart. She had just arrived at the Zhan family not long before then. The madam was gentle and virtuous, and Wang Ma had felt fortunate to have found such good employers. Little did she expect that the couple would meet with an accident not long after.
Xu Yueyao knew a little about Zhan Shao’s parents from the book—she knew the accident wasn’t an accident but a deliberate act. However, Zhan Rong Xuan would be able to investigate all that. Thinking about it, Xu Yueyao realized that Zhan Rong Xuan’s life seemed quite difficult too. Apart from Old Master Zhan, who treated him well, no one in the Zhan family liked him, and some even wished for his death.
At this thought, Xu Yueyao sighed softly to herself. Well, since he had treated her decently, she decided she would be nicer to him from now on.
Just as Xu Yueyao was pacing around the house, making Wang Ma feel a bit dizzy, Zhan Feng finally arrived, bringing along a very elegant and beautiful woman.
In the study, Xu Yueyao stared at everything before her, dumbfounded. “Is all this money really given to me by Zhan Shao?”
“Yes,” Zhan Feng replied. “Regarding the hotel and the shares in the Fu family’s company, I’ve already arranged for professionals to manage them for you. The profits will be regularly deposited into your account.”
“Was this also arranged by Zhan Shao?” Xu Yueyao asked.
Zhan Feng thought for a moment and said, “Zhan Shao left it to me to handle, and this is how I arranged it. I don’t know if Miss Xu is satisfied or if you’d prefer to manage it personally.”
Upon hearing this, Xu Yueyao quickly waved her hands. “No, no, just go ahead with your arrangement.” Looking at Zhan Feng, she felt a sense of envy. She wished she had an assistant like him—someone who handled everything so flawlessly every time.
“Brother Feng, do you have any siblings?” Xu Yueyao asked him sincerely.
Zhan Feng was taken aback for a moment before shaking his head. “No.”
Xu Yueyao felt rather regretful. She suddenly wished she had someone like Zhan Feng by her side. Wouldn’t that mean she could rest easy without a care in the world?
Zhan Feng looked at Xu Yueyao, who seemed a bit lost in thought, unable to understand why she had been so cheerful just moments ago but now seemed somewhat melancholic.
“Miss Xu, there’s a banquet next Saturday. You may need to attend as Zhan Shao’s companion.””Ah? Okay, no problem!” Although Xu Yueyao was a bit nervous, she happily agreed, thinking to herself that work had finally come her way. She would definitely perform well; since Zhan Rong Xuan was so generous, she had to show him her value.
“Miss Xu, there’s no need to be nervous. The person outside is an etiquette teacher who will teach you what to do.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll definitely study hard and not embarrass Zhan Shao,” Xu Yueyao assured him once more.
Zhan Feng looked at her and initially wanted to say that she didn’t need to perform exceptionally well—just avoid making mistakes—but he worried it might add pressure, so he said nothing.