Chapter 2

Rong Garden was a traditional Chinese architectural estate, passed down through generations of the Wen family. At one point, it was sold off, but Wen Jingyi’s father bought it back at a steep price, renovating and refurbishing it while preserving its vintage charm. Next month, Wen Jingyi’s coming-of-age banquet would be held here.

Wen Jingyi walked up to the main entrance of the garden and turned to the man beside her, who followed closely. “Do you have anything else to do?” she asked.

Bai Heng replied, “No.”

“Then let’s go in together.” Wen Jingyi stepped into the garden.

The servants, knowing she was coming, had already prepared tea. The moment they spotted her silhouette, they greeted her with radiant smiles, “Miss, you’re here. The wedding gown is stunning.”

Wen Jingyi smiled lightly. With the Xie family commissioning a wedding dress at such a high price, it could hardly be anything but exceptional.

“Miss Qiao is waiting for you in the Rongfang Pavilion.”

Wen Jingyi was slightly taken aback. “When did she arrive?”

The servant replied honestly, “Just ten minutes before you.”

A delighted look appeared in Wen Jingyi’s eyes. She didn’t even have time for tea, setting aside the cup she had just taken, and hurried toward Rongfang Pavilion.

She walked quickly, her long hair dancing in the wind, her skirt billowing. Even in haste, her back remained straight, maintaining the proper grace.

Bai Heng hesitated for two seconds, then followed with the servants.

Rongfang Pavilion housed the wedding gown and all the outfits needed for the ceremony. As Wen Jingyi approached, she saw a girl with voluminous curls in a red spaghetti-strap dress sitting in a rocking chair, sipping tea and playing on her phone.

“Ah Ran,” Wen Jingyi called out with a smile from the doorway before stepping inside.

Qiao Ran looked up, eyes sparkling with joy. She set down her teacup, stood, and embraced Wen Jingyi warmly, then clasped her hands, exclaiming, “Two years gone, and Jingyi is even more beautiful.”

Wen Jingyi laughed, “Don’t flatter me. Didn’t you say you couldn’t make it back? How are you here now?”

Qiao Ran replied, “You’re getting married! Who else would come if I didn’t? I just got off the plane, heard you were coming to Rong Garden, and rushed right over.”

Qiao Ran and Wen Jingyi had grown up together, but two years ago, Qiao Ran went abroad to study fashion design, and they hadn’t seen each other except via video calls. Upon hearing Wen Jingyi was to marry into the Xie family in Jingjiang, Qiao Ran took leave to return from overseas.

Wen Jingyi exposed her without mercy, “You’re afraid your outfit would get you scolded by Auntie, so you came here to change, right?”

Qiao Ran was speechless. Nothing could escape Jingyi’s notice.

In Southern City, propriety was paramount. The Qiao family was no exception. With a model socialite as her close friend, Qiao Ran’s family held her to even higher standards, wishing she could become just like Wen Jingyi. That was, of course, impossible.

So she often wore two faces: gentle and elegant at home, a carefree fashionista outside.

“Alright, alright,” Qiao Ran said, linking arms with Wen Jingyi in a half-playful tone, “Let me see your wedding dress—I’m dying of curiosity.”

Wen Jingyi couldn’t help but smile, glancing at the maids behind her. The maids understood and promptly drew back the curtain hiding the glass sliding door.

Behind it was a layer of pure white gauze, through which the wedding dress was faintly visible. The enormous trailing skirt looked ethereal, with tens of thousands of hand-set diamonds sparkling in the sunlight, dazzlingly beautiful.

The maid slid open the glass door, and Wen Jingyi brought Qiao Ran closer for a better look.

The dress was adorned with exquisite hand embroidery, lifelike and breathtaking. Qiao Ran didn’t dare touch it, afraid she might accidentally damage this work of art.

“It’s just too beautiful…” Qiao Ran couldn’t help but marvel.

Wen Jingyi’s emotions remained composed; she simply agreed softly.

“Try it on, quickly!” Qiao Ran urged, half pushing Wen Jingyi inside, eager to see how it looked on her.

The wedding dress was layered, grand and elaborate, requiring skill and time to don. With the maids’ and the stylist Judy’s patient assistance, it took nearly half an hour to get Wen Jingyi dressed.

The effect was well worth the effort—she looked stunning.

Once Wen Jingyi was fully dressed, Qiao Ran couldn’t contain her amazement and admiration, wishing she were a man so she could whisk Jingyi away.

“It’s gorgeous.”

Qiao Ran grabbed her phone and snapped photo after photo, then showed them to Wen Jingyi, “Jingyi, this dress is perfect for you.”

Wen Jingyi glanced at the photos, her smile subtle. “It is rather lovely.”

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Qiao Ran corrected her, “It’s absolutely stunning.”

Then she turned to Bai Heng, who stood rigidly at the side, her expression daring him to disagree. “Bodyguard Bai, don’t you think so?”

Bai Heng was startled and glanced at Wen Jingyi. “Miss Qiao is right.”

Qiao Ran was satisfied.

As the two admired the dress, stylist Judy approached, respectfully nodding to Wen Jingyi, her tone full of deference. “Miss Wen, if there are no issues with the dress, Mr. Xie would like to see how it looks on you. May I take some photos?”

Wen Jingyi noticed the camera in Judy’s hands—she meant to photograph her for Mr. Xie’s review. Wen Jingyi didn’t mind and nodded her agreement. “Of course.”

“You may continue with whatever you wish; I’ll find the best angles myself.” Judy opened her camera, letting Wen Jingyi chat or move naturally.

Judy was a top domestic stylist, skilled in photography as well. Few could afford her services, except the Xie family, who had brought her to Southern City specifically for Wen Jingyi.

Once finished, Judy left.

The maids helped Wen Jingyi out of the wedding dress and brought her a fresh outfit, and one for Qiao Ran as well. Qiao Ran changed with her.

When everyone else had gone, Qiao Ran finally asked what was on her mind. “Why didn’t Xie Jinnan come with you to try the dress?” She frowned, speculating, “Or is he too busy to come to Southern City?”

Upon learning Wen Jingyi was to marry into the Xie family in Jingjiang, Qiao Ran nearly flew back immediately. If not for her competition preparations, she would have returned much sooner.

If the Xie family had moved slower, she might have been able to snatch Jingyi for her own family, perhaps even pair her with her brother. Her mother had long eyed Jingyi as a potential daughter-in-law—in fact, nearly every Southern City socialite wanted Jingyi as their daughter-in-law. But the Xie family’s terms were too good, so the Wen family quickly agreed to the match. Otherwise, she and her mother would have made their move.

What a pity.

All because her brother was so hopelessly passive.

“He went abroad recently. He helped guide the wedding dress design,” Wen Jingyi explained simply, implying that Xie Jinnan had contributed, so there was no need for him to attend the fitting.

Qiao Ran protested, “Still…”

Wen Jingyi wasn’t concerned about such formalities. Two unfamiliar betrothed staring at each other wouldn’t be much better than her enjoying herself alone. “He’ll be back in a few days and will stay with me in Southern City.”

With that, Qiao Ran could say no more.

But there was one more thing she wanted to ask, “Why did you suddenly ask about Shen Baoning earlier? I heard from friends that Shen Baoning is in Southern City. Did you run into her?”

Wen Jingyi sat in a nearby chair, taking a cup of fine tea from the maid. Hearing the question, she recounted the earlier incident in the café.

Qiao Ran’s thoughts immediately wandered, her eyes widening. “Isn’t Shen Baoning Xie Jinnan’s cousin?”

Unexpectedly, she and Wen Jingyi’s bodyguard were thinking along the same lines. Wen Jingyi’s smile was tinged with helplessness. “What are you all imagining?”

Qiao Ran asked, “So what’s her purpose?”

Wen Jingyi replied, “I’m not sure.”

Qiao Ran rubbed her chin, feigning deep thought, looking wise. “The Xie family is such a big clan, so tangled and complicated. Jingyi, you must be careful—they might all have hidden agendas.”

Wen Jingyi said, “I understand.”

…

Jingjiang City, the Xie family ancestral home.

With the wedding approaching, the servants at the Xie residence were busy day and night, not only cleaning and refurbishing but also acquiring everything needed for the ceremony.

Three months of preparations and many tasks remained unfinished. Servants bustled in and out, anxious to avoid any mistakes, checking everything repeatedly.

Given the Xie family’s current status, it was no surprise that this wedding was so meticulously planned.

The Xie family started in the clock business a century ago, later suffering setbacks and moving abroad for a time. Upon returning, they established themselves firmly in Jingjiang, remaining a prominent clan for a hundred years, with deep roots. Even though the wedding was meant to be low-profile, it still required countless formalities.

After instructing the servants, the butler headed to the backyard.

The backyard featured a large viewing pond, filled with lotus flowers and their fresh fragrance.

At this moment, Madam Xie was playing mahjong in the pavilion beside the pond with several society ladies.

The pavilion shaded the courtyard, making it the best spot to admire the lotus blossoms. Playing mahjong here was cool and pleasant, with a full view of the flowers.

The butler approached Madam Xie, leaned in, and whispered a few words. Madam Xie, Shen Zhengci, called over one of the ladies watching to take her place at the mahjong table and excused herself.

A servant handed her a damp towel to clean her hands. Shen Zhengci wiped them casually, looking at the butler, “What does Father want me to see?”

Butler He Ru, now over fifty, carried the marks of time in his features. He smiled, “Madam, you’ll see for yourself.”

Shen Zhengci was in a good mood today and couldn’t be bothered to quibble with He Ru. She handed the towel to the servant and took the phone he offered, which displayed photos of Wen Jingyi in her wedding gown.

The girl wore a magnificent white dress, untouched by makeup, her bearing elegant and dignified. Even through photos, her upbringing was evident.

There were a dozen photos in total. Shen Zhengci flipped through a couple, recognizing Wen Jingyi as Xie Jinnan’s soon-to-be wife, and her interest faded.

Her father certainly had an eye for talent, bringing her such an outstanding daughter-in-law.

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It was clear that Madam Xie had little interest in Wen Jingyi. He Ru, hoping to lighten the mood, smiled and said, “Once Miss Wen marries in and the young master and mistress have children, the house will be lively.”

Shen Zhengci laughed coldly, “That depends on Jinnan. Otherwise, don’t expect it within a year or two.”

She knew her son well enough—he was just like his father, and if he could treat his wife with mutual respect, that would be enough. Harmony and deep affection were too much to hope for.

Children in a year or two were even less likely.

“Miss Wen is beautiful and polite, handpicked by the old master himself. Surely the young master will like her.”

Shen Zhengci frowned, “She’s Jinnan’s future wife. Even if you show me, I can’t force him to like her. It’s pointless.”

He Ru awkwardly replied, “The old master said, as the eldest young master’s mother, you should see for yourself.”

Shen Zhengci looked at him, “Well, I’ve seen them now, haven’t I?”

“…Yes.”

Shen Zhengci paid him no further attention and returned to her mahjong game.

He Ru sighed, but sent Xie Jinnan the photos as well.

He packaged the dozen photos in an email and sent them. Watching the successful delivery, he messaged Xie Jinnan, worried that his busy schedule might prevent him from checking personal emails.

[He Ru]: Young master, I’ve sent you photos of Miss Wen trying on her wedding dress. Please take a look when you have time.

He Ru’s concern was warranted, for the message seemed to disappear into a void.

Xie Jinnan was abroad on business, dealing with time zone differences and a packed schedule. He hadn’t checked his messages, so by the time he saw them, two days had passed.

Finishing work late at night, rain poured down in torrents, thundering loudly.

A black Benz wove through the relentless rain, heavy drops pelting the windshield, splashing before being wiped away, again and again.

The darkness outside, blurred and sodden by the rain, felt heavier and more obscure.

Mo Chen steadied the steering wheel, glanced in the rearview mirror at the man resting with his eyes closed in the back seat, hesitated, then spoke, “Boss, the ancestral home sent a message—they want you to check your email.”

Xie Jinnan frowned and opened his eyes.

The car was dimly lit, with occasional streetlights filtering through the rain, casting a glow across the man’s handsome face, outlining his features sharply.

“What email?”

Xie Jinnan’s tone was indifferent. As he spoke, he pulled his phone from his jacket pocket.

Butler He Ru had also messaged Mo Chen, worried Xie Jinnan would be too busy to check his phone and miss important messages. Yet despite all precautions, Xie Jinnan only learned about the email two days later.

Mo Chen said, “Photos of your fiancée trying on her wedding dress.”

Fiancée…

Xie Jinnan frowned, recalling he had only met her twice—once before the engagement, and once on the night of the betrothal.

Afterward, he went abroad for work, keeping contact sparse except via occasional messages.

The email had been sent two days prior, right when he was busiest. Mo Chen hadn’t reminded him until today, after the ancestral home inquired. Now that his workload had eased somewhat, Mo Chen finally brought it up so he could reply to the family.

Xie Jinnan opened the file, his calm gaze falling on the photos: a girl in a wedding dress, smiling, standing in the light, her fair face aglow, her features breathtakingly beautiful.

She was indeed beautiful.

Xie Jinnan had never denied it; he had known from their first meeting.

But more than her beauty, what stood out was her impeccable upbringing, evident in her every gesture—always dignified, always proper.

When news of the two families’ alliance spread, people joked he was marrying the equivalent of a socialite handbook. He had no comment.

She was well suited to be Mrs. Xie.

Of the dozen photos, Xie Jinnan only looked at two.

He reopened the WeChat of his fiancée, which he hadn’t messaged in ages, and sent her a brief message.

After sending it, he looked up and instructed Mo Chen, “Tomorrow, we return home—to Southern City.”

Mo Chen was momentarily surprised, then agreed.

He certainly hadn’t expected that Xie Jinnan would skip returning to the ancestral home and head straight for Southern City.