Chapter 22

Nan Yue's brief two-day weekend had been fully scheduled by her. On Saturday morning she would see her mother and father, have a date with her girlfriend in the afternoon, meet with a client on Sunday, and take care of company trivialities in her spare time.

After washing up and having breakfast, she chose for herself an outfit of a white dress, which was a birthday present given to her by her mother last year.

After checking herself in the mirror and not noticing anything wrong, Nan Yue took her platinum bag and went out the door.

The driver was already waiting at the gate. She opened the door and got into the car.

The driver had received instructions to return home last night, so there was no need to repeat them.

Nan Yue then closed her eyes to nap a bit.

Not being able to sleep in on the weekend was very agonizing.

The sounds in her ears transitioned from the noisy hustle and bustle of the city to the tranquil quietness of the suburbs.

Just as Nan Yue was about to doze off, she felt something strange.

Her father's villa wasn't far from the city center, it shouldn't take this long to get there.

Nan Yue opened her eyes and looked out the window. The unfamiliar scenery gave her a bad premonition.

"Uncle Zhang, aren't we going to my father's place? Did you get lost?" Nan Yue asked seemingly calmly.

Uncle Zhang slowed down the car and looked back at Nan Yue, smiling. "Miss, this is the road to the old master's villa, don't you remember?"

To confirm she hadn't seen wrongly, Nan Yue looked out the window again. Her gaze paused for a moment, and the scenery looked both familiar yet unfamiliar.

She suddenly understood what Uncle Zhang meant.

This was indeed the road to her father's place, but to that old villa that held terrifying memories for her.

She hadn't been back in over ten years.

Her hand resting on her bag trembled slightly.

She felt as if she had become the little girl locked in her room again.

Seeing Nan Yue stay silent, Uncle Zhang added, "Miss, you haven't been back for a long time right? The old master said he prepared a surprise for you. He really treats you well."

There was nothing left to misunderstand. Uncle Zhang who was supposedly her driver was actually someone her father Nan Chenghui had arranged to monitor her.

"Uncle Zhang, I suddenly remembered I forgot to bring the gift I bought for my father. Please take me back to the city first." Nan Yue said.

Uncle Zhang was silent for a while before responding, "Miss, we're almost there. The old master said he misses you dearly. Forget about the gift, for the old master, you showing up is the best gift."

"I'm a father too. I can guess the old master's feelings."

Nan Yue tightened her fist and said no more.

Her father Nan Chenghui had schemed against her like this. What awaited her ahead was naturally no good.

Perhaps this was an opportunity. Nan Yue wanted to see how she would choose to respond when faced with a situation similar to her childhood again.

The car passed by a park, went over a small bridge, and slowly drove into the gate of the Nan Family Manor.

The old house was built at the foot of a mountain abundant in vegetation yet seldom visited by people.

It had an eerie resemblance to haunted buildings in horror films.

Despite the sunny weather outside, it sent chills down her spine.

Nan Yue raised her hand and hugged herself, gently caressing.

Before long, the car stopped in front of the villa. Three people were standing at the door.

Ye Chenxi was also there. Was he the "surprise" her father had mentioned?

Seeing Nan Yue arrive, the three walked over together. Ye Chenxi had a smile on his face as he opened the car door for Nan Yue.

But Nan Yue deliberately ignored him and got out from the other side of the car.

A flash of fierceness passed through Ye Chenxi's eyes before he nonchalantly withdrew his hand.

After getting out of the car, Nan Yue took the initiative to walk towards Li Shuyun and hugged her.

Li Shuyun had an appropriate smile on her face and returned Nan Yue's embrace with a French-style cheek kiss.

Nan Yue's feelings towards Li Shuyun were complicated. She had a child's innate longing for her mother, yet it was mixed with subtle resentment.

Li Shuyun and Nan Chenghui were married for love, but after Li Shuyun gave birth, her figure changed and her health deteriorated. She could not resent Nan Chenghui for that.

So she vented some of those emotions on Nan Yue instead.

She distanced herself from her responsibilities as a mother for years by not caring about or even asking about Nan Yue.

So during those days Nan Yue was alone in her room, there was no one who came to save her.

But Li Shuyun never directly harmed her.

Therefore, Nan Yue still saw her as her mother and occasionally hoped her mother could love her more.

Of course, Nan Yue wasn't naive. Rationally, she knew this was impossible.

"Mother, I missed you so much." Nan Yue whispered in Li Shuyun's ear.

Li Shuyun paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "I missed you too, my daughter."

After saying so, she took Nan Yue's hand and walked with her into the villa.

Nan Yue glanced at Li Shuyun's hand. Her emerald ring made Li Shuyun's hand look fair and delicate without any signs of aging.

So this was a mother's warmth...

There was nothing special about it...

Nan Yue imperceptibly withdrew her hand. Li Shuyun did not stop her either.

It was noon already. The dining table was filled with exquisite dishes. The four took their seats.

Nan Chenghui sat at the head of the table with Li Shuyun by his side.

Nan Yue and Ye Chenxi sat across from each other.

"Yue'er, look, most of the dishes on the table are your favorites.

You haven't been back to the old villa for a long time. Stay for the night tonight.

Your room has been kept the way it was when you lived here as a child. You'll like it."

Nan Yue's gaze lingered on the clam soup and Boston lobster for a second. She was allergic to seafood, something Nan Chenghui knew.

Putting these dishes on the table could hardly be unintentional.

"Dad, I have to go back to the city tonight. I still have work to do." Nan Yue said.

"Leave those matters for your subordinates to handle."

Before Nan Yue could retort, Nan Chenghui turned to Ye Chenxi and said, "Chenxi, you love lobster. I had someone specially buy this from overseas. It just arrived last night. Try it and see if it's fresh."

"Uncle, you are too kind." Ye Chenxi readily picked up his chopsticks and grabbed a piece of lobster tail meat, putting it in his mouth to slowly chew. "It tastes great."

"Hahaha, indeed. We're practically family now, no need to stand on ceremony. Make yourself at home."

Nan Chenghui casually grabbed a slice of salmon and put it in Li Shuyun's bowl. "Shuyun, eat more, you're too thin."

He watched Li Shuyun eat the fish before shifting his gaze to Nan Yue. The two made eye contact.

From his eyes, Nan Yue understood his hint. He was saying: Don't embarrass me.

But Nan Yue did not give him this face. She directly asked, "Dad, you just said we'll soon become family with Ye Chenxi. Are you referring to taking him in as your godson?" "Insolent!" Nan Chenghui slammed his chopsticks on the table and scolded, "Nan Yue, you've become shameless, daring to speak to your father like that!"

Li Shuyun tugged at Nan Chenghui's sleeve, placating, "Our daughter was just joking. Don't fuss over a child."

Ye Chenxi also said, "Uncle, don't get so angry. Nan Yue was probably just livening up the atmosphere. Besides, I would be honored to be your godson. It's no insult."

Hearing Ye Chenxi say this, Nan Chenghui sat back down and straightened his collar with a cold snort. "No manners at all. Only knows how to anger me!"

"A father's fault should not be blamed on his child. Dad, who are you scolding?!"

Nan Yue was glad she had not been frightened by him.

"You!" Nan Chenghui pointed at Nan Yue, unable to get out a complete sentence, seemingly from anger.

If he had a heart condition, he would probably be in the emergency room by now.

Nan Yue raised the corner of her mouth imperceptibly. So the father who once terrified her was no more than this.

Nan Chenghui eventually withdrew his hand and calmed himself. Then he slowly said, "I did not raise you well, so I found a good husband for you. From now on, he will teach and guide you in my place."

He looked at Ye Chenxi and asked, "Chenxi, what do you think?"

Ye Chenxi smiled. "Of course that's good. Though the word 'teach' isn't quite right. Nan Yue is the woman I love most. I should say, I will love her well on your behalf.

With deep affection comes responsibility. I know what you're trying to express, Uncle. You're just an inarticulate father showing your daughter your profound love."

Ye Chenxi's words were perfectly measured. He complimented Nan Chenghui while also smoothing things over.

Nan Chenghui's expression improved. He said, "If my daughter was as sensible as you, I wouldn't have to worry so much. Look, half my hair has turned white already. I don't have long to live, and the world will soon belong to you young people."

"Uncle, you are in good health. You will surely live past a hundred."

"Hahahaha, kid, you have a way with words. I like you!" Nan Chenghui laughed heartily.

But at that moment, a sharp sound of shattering glass rang out in the dining room, giving everyone a fright!

Red wine spilled everywhere as the wine glass lay in pieces.

Brief silence filled the dining room.

Until Nan Yue said, "Who you want to marry is none of your business. Who I want to spend my life with is my own choice, not yours to decide!"

There was anger hidden in her tone, which made Nan Chenghui unable to tolerate it any longer. He yelled outside, "Come in! Take the young lady to her room!"

A few tall men in black suits walked in upon hearing this.

One of them went to Nan Yue's side and said, "Miss, please come with us. Don't make things difficult."

Nan Yue let out a mocking laugh and kicked the man in the shin. The man's face twisted in pain but he didn't dare cry out loud.

He could only grin and gesture to the other men.

Two others came to grab Nan Yue's arms but she stopped them, "Don't touch me. I'll walk by myself."

Followed by the men in black, Nan Yue entered her former bedroom.

The door behind her closed heavily and the lock clicked almost immediately after.

She knew there was no way for her to leave tonight.

Nan Chenghui walked to the door and sternly said to the inside, "Nan Yue, your marriage with Chenxi has been settled. Stop resisting pointlessly. I'll let you out when you make up your mind!"

He paused briefly and added in a lower voice, "Yue'er, don't disappoint your father."

However, the response was the sound of things being smashed coming from the room!

The shattering sounds of tables, chairs, cups, mirrors - all kinds of items - hurt his ears.

·

With the system's help, Qin Zhao watched the whole thing unfold.

In the footage, Nan Yue trashed the room, making it a complete mess. The cotton filling of the large teddy bear toy fluttered down like snow, almost completely obscuring the view.

Qin Zhao said to the system, "502, I need to see her now. Please help."